Activities of Göran FÄRM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22a. Underlines that the purpose of the global margin for commitments is to support investments for growth and employment in Europe, and in particular youth employment; recalls that this instrument was an initiative by the European Parliament;

2014/02/24
Committee: BUDG

2014/2005(INI)

Nils TORVALDS, Anne E. JENSEN, Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT, George LYON, Göran FÄRM, Lidia Joanna GERINGER DE OEDENBERG, Edward MCMILLAN-SCOTT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)

22b. Underlines the role of innovative financial instruments such as the European project bonds, which can have a very important role to play in stimulating much need investments if given the right design; urges the Commission in this regard to make optimal use of their upcoming evaluation also in the context of the review/revision of the MFF 2014-2020;

2014/02/24
Committee: BUDG

2013/2945(RSP)

Göran FÄRM, Åsa WESTLUND, Marita ULVSKOG, Anna HEDH, Olle LUDVIGSSON, Jens NILSSON, Ismail ERTUG, Tanja FAJON, Jo LEINEN, Richard HOWITT

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9

– having regard to the fact that accession negotiations with Turkey were opened on 3 October 2005 and that the opening of such negotiations is the starting point for a long- lasting and open-ended process based on fair and rigorous conditionality and the commitment to reform, with the common goal of full EU membership as soon as the membership criteria' are fulfilled,

2014/01/13
Committee: AFET

2013/2945(RSP)

Göran FÄRM, Åsa WESTLUND, Marita ULVSKOG, Anna HEDH, Olle LUDVIGSSON, Jens NILSSON, Ismail ERTUG, Tanja FAJON, Jo LEINEN, Richard HOWITT

Motion for a resolution
Citation 12

– having regard to the fact that full compliance with the Copenhagen criteria ~~and EU integration capacity, in accordance with the conclusions of the December 2006 European Council meeting,~~ remains the basis for accession to the EU,

2014/01/13
Committee: AFET

2013/2945(RSP)

Göran FÄRM, Åsa WESTLUND, Marita ULVSKOG, Anna HEDH, Olle LUDVIGSSON, Jens NILSSON, Tanja FAJON, Richard HOWITT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Is concerned that no progress had been made regarding anti-discrimination legislation and that the current anti- discrimination laws are insufficient and not in line with the EU acquis; stresses the urgent need for comprehensive anti- discrimination legislation and the establishment of an anti-discrimination and equality board to protect individuals against discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or sexual identity;

2014/01/13
Committee: AFET

2013/2945(RSP)

Göran FÄRM, Åsa WESTLUND, Marita ULVSKOG, Anna HEDH, Olle LUDVIGSSON, Jens NILSSON, Tanja FAJON, Jo LEINEN, Richard HOWITT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Reiterates the importance of active and independent civil society organisations (CSO's) for democracy; underlines the importance of dialogue with them and stresses their crucial role in contributing to enhanced regional cooperation on social and political aspects; is therefore worried that CSO's continue to face fines, closure proceedings, and administrative obstacles to their operations and that consultation of CSO's remains to be an exception rather than the rule; welcomes the Turkish governments improved cooperation with NGOs, but calls for their broader consultation in policy-making, including the formulation of policies and legislation and in the monitoring of activities of the authorities;

2014/01/13
Committee: AFET

2013/2945(RSP)

Göran FÄRM, Åsa WESTLUND, Marita ULVSKOG, Anna HEDH, Olle LUDVIGSSON, Jens NILSSON, Tanja FAJON, Richard HOWITT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Highlights the problem of women not having equal access to education, the labour market and politics; underlines that further continuous work is needed to turn gender equality legislation into political, social and economic reality; encourages the Turkish government to ensure this, to proactively promote changes in stereotypes and in the perception of gender roles in all spheres; stresses the importance of mainstreaming gender equality in the legislative process and in the implementation of laws;

2014/01/13
Committee: AFET

2013/2945(RSP)

Göran FÄRM, Åsa WESTLUND, Marita ULVSKOG, Anna HEDH, Olle LUDVIGSSON, Jens NILSSON, Tanja FAJON, Richard HOWITT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17a. Notes the limited progress in the areas of labour and trade union rights; regrets that the legislation on trade unions rights is still not in line with EU and ILO standards and that collective action by trade unions suffers numerous restrictions; calls on Turkey to continue working on new legislation in this area to ensure that it is in line with the EU acquis and ILO conventions;

2014/01/13
Committee: AFET

2013/2145(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78 a (new)

78a. Stresses that the two arms of the budgetary authority, in order to create long term savings in the EU budget, must address the need for a roadmap to a single seat, as stated in previous resolutions voted by the parliament, notably its resolutions of 23 October 2012 on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2013- all sections1 and of 6 February 2013 on the guidelines for the 2014 budget procedure – sections other than the Commission2 and its decision of 10 May 2012 on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2010, Section I – European Parliament3; ____________ 1 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2012)0359. 2 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0048. 3 OJ L 286, 17.10.2012, p. 1.

2013/10/07
Committee: BUDG

2013/2056(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas, in the context of the interinstitutional negotiations on the MFF 2014-2020, the Council formally engaged to cover a first tranche of outstanding needs amounting to EUR 7,3 billion with DAB 2/2013 no later than 9 July 2013;

2013/07/16
Committee: BUDG

2013/2056(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas the ~~commitment the Parliament requires of the Council to ensure that later in the year the second tranche of EUR 3,9 billion will be covered~~ political agreement of 27 June 2013 on the MFF 2014 -2020, reached between the Presidents of the 3 institutions, includes a political commitment from the Council to take all necessary steps to ensure that EU's obligations of 2013 are fully honoured and to adopt withrou~~gh a second amending budget on payments represents a precondition for Parliament's final vote on the MFF/IIA,~~t any delay a further draft amending budget to avoid any shortfall in justified payment appropriations;

2013/07/16
Committee: BUDG

2013/2056(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Takes note of Draft amending budget No 2/2013 as proposed by the Commission and of Council's position thereon, the latter being consistent with the Council's political commitment achieved during the 2014-2020 MFF negotiations;

2013/07/16
Committee: BUDG

2013/2056(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Reminds the Council of the formal engagement ~~required by~~it has made in the frame of the MFF 2014-2020 negotiations at the request of the Parliament to ensure as well coverage for the second tranche of outstanding payments so as to ensure the settlement of the payments issue before the new MFF period begins; urges the Commission to ~~come up as soon as possible with~~present in the early autumn an Amending budget solely devoted to this issue;

2013/07/16
Committee: BUDG

2013/2056(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Reiterates its position as set out in its resolution of 13 ~~March~~July 2013 on the political agreement on the MFF 2014-2020 that ~~the~~ Parliament will ~~conclude the negotiations on the MFF only on the basis of a binding commitment by the Co~~not give its consent to the MFF 2014-20 Regulation or will not adopt 2014 Budget unctil th~~at the full amount of the outstanding payments as identified by the Commission DAB 2/2013, i.e. EUR 11,2 billion, will be ensured by the end of the year~~is new amending budget covering the remaining 2013 deficit in payments as identified by the Commission has been adopted in full by the Council;

2013/07/16
Committee: BUDG

2013/2056(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Considers the amount of EUR 11,2 billion as a bare minimum to cover the actual needs until the end of 2013~~; calls on the three institutions to come up with a concrete, binding solution, should the reinforcements proposed in the two tranches of DAB 2/2013 prove not to be enough and not fully~~ and to prevent any shifts of payments to the next MFF;

2013/07/16
Committee: BUDG

2013/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 18 – paragraph 1

By 31 December 20176, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and the Council a mid-term report evaluating the implementation of this Decision in the first years accompanied, where appropriate, by a proposal for its amendment. The report shall draw upon an external evaluation and contribution from the EIB.

2013/10/02
Committee: BUDG

2013/0140(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)

(ea) aiming at preventing and minimising antimicrobial resistance in animals and humans, as well as in the environment;

2013/12/18
Committee: ENVI

2013/0140(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point h

(h) on the production, with a view to placing on the market, and placing on the market of plant reproductive material, excluding forest reproductive material covered by Directive 1999/105/EC;

2013/12/18
Committee: ENVI

2013/0140(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 76 – paragraph 1

1. Member States shall ensure that adequate financial resources are available to provide the staff and other resources necessary for the competent authorities to perform official controls and other official activities by whatever means considered appropriate, including through general taxation or by establishing fees or charges.

2013/12/19
Committee: ENVI

2013/0140(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 82 – paragraph 2

2. Enterprises employing fewer than 10 persons and whose annual turnover or annual balance sheet total does not exceed EUR 2 million shall be exempted from the payment of the fees provided for in Article 77.deleted

2013/12/19
Committee: ENVI

2013/0140(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 95 – paragraph 1

1. The Commission ~~may~~shall, by means of implementing acts, designate European Union reference centres that shall support the activities of the Commission and of the Member States in relation to the application of the rules referred to in point (f) of Article 1(2).

2014/01/10
Committee: ENVI

2013/0140(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – section 1 – point 5 a (new)

5a. The risks posed by antimicrobial resistance to human and animal health;

2014/01/10
Committee: ENVI

2013/0137(COD)

Pavel POC, Matthias GROOTE, Karin KADENBACH, Kriton ARSENIS, Linda McAVAN, Åsa WESTLUND, Marita ULVSKOG, Jens NILSSON, Göran FÄRM

Proposal for a regulation
Title 0

The Committee on environment, public health and food safety calls on the Committee on agriculture and rural development, as the committee responsible, to reject the Commission proposal.

2013/12/20
Committee: ENVI

2013/0136(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 46 – paragraph 2 – point c

(c) the availability, effectiveness and risks of the veterinary medicinal products, as well as the detrimental effects of antimicrobial resistance;

2013/12/09
Committee: AGRI

2013/0136(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 46 – paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. With the view to reduce antimicrobial resistance and in accordance with action No. 5 of the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council – Action plan against the rising threats from Antimicrobial Resistance, Member States shall within two years after the entry into force of this Regulation, at the latest, report to the Commission on the usage of veterinary medicinal products containing antibiotics in their territory. The Union shall thereafter proceed to establish appropriate reduction targets, within three years after the entry into force of this Regulation, at the latest.

2013/12/09
Committee: AGRI

2013/0136(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 55 – paragraph 1 – point d

(d) when appropriate to prevent the further spread of the disease agent, keep the kept animals of listed species for that listed disease isolated while ensuring the highest possible animal welfare standards at all times, and prevent contact with wildlife;

2013/12/09
Committee: AGRI

2013/0136(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 55 – paragraph 1 – point e

(e) while ensuring the highest possible animal welfare standards at all times restrict the movements of kept animals, products and, if appropriate, people, vehicles and any material or other means by which the disease agent could have spread to or from the establishment, households, food and feed business establishments, animal by-products establishments or any other location where that listed disease is suspected, as far as necessary to prevent its spread of the listed disease;

2013/12/09
Committee: AGRI

2013/0136(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 61 – paragraph 1 – point b

(b) the killing and disposal or slaughtering of animals that may be contaminated and contribute to the spread of the listed disease, while ensuring that animals are not subject to any unnecessary suffering or pain;

2013/12/09
Committee: AGRI

2013/0136(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point b

(b) take the necessary disease prevention and control measures to avoid the further spread of that listed disease, while ensuring that animals are not subject to any unnecessary suffering or pain.

2013/12/09
Committee: AGRI

2013/0136(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 121 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)

(ba) the total duration of transports or movements of kept terrestrial animals does not exceed 8 hours.

2013/12/09
Committee: AGRI

2013/0136(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 122 – paragraph 1 – point a

(a) the health status of kept terrestrial animals is not jeopardised during transport and the highest possible animal welfare standards are upheld at all times;

2013/12/09
Committee: AGRI

2013/0136(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 123 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)

(ba) the total duration of transports or movements of kept terrestrial animals does not exceed 8 hours.

2013/12/09
Committee: AGRI

2013/0136(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 169 – introductory part

Where a disease other than listed diseases constitutes a significant risk for the animal health situation of kept terrestrial animals or the public health situation in a Member State, the Member State concerned may take national measures to, based on science and the precautionary principle so as to prevent the introduction of or control that disease, provided those measures do ~~not~~:

2013/12/09
Committee: AGRI

2013/0136(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 169 – point b

(b) not exceed the limits of what is appropriate and necessary to control that disease.

2013/12/09
Committee: AGRI

2013/0136(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 231 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point f

(f) the guarantees which the competent authority of the third country or territory can provide regarding compliance or equivalence with the relevant animal health and welfare requirements applicable in the Union;

2013/12/09
Committee: AGRI

2013/0000(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the agreement on the new multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2014 to 2020 has still not been reached and, therefore, the ceiling for Heading 5 for the EU’s budget in 2014 has not yet been established, while the ceiling for Heading 5 in 2013 is EUR 9 181 million in current prices12, and th~~e same ceiling~~is ceiling, after the annual technical adjustment3, would be extended for 2014, should an agreement on the next MFF not be achieved in due time;

2013/01/10
Committee: BUDG

2013/0000(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Maintains that the institutions should continue to limit or freeze their administrative budgets in solidarity with the difficult economic and budgetary conditions in the Member States, without prejudice to the quality of core institutional ~~operations and the quality of servic~~activities, respect for legal obligations and the ~~imperative of~~ development investment; counterbalanced by savings in other areas.

2013/01/10
Committee: BUDG

2013/0000(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Urges the institutions to strengthen their mutual cooperation~~, where possible and justified, to~~ in view of sharing best practices and identifying savings through pooling and sharing of resources, for example in information technology systems, translation, interpretation and driving services and, possibly, other areas;

2013/01/10
Committee: BUDG

2013/0000(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Underlines the fact that institutional self- restraint has, considering the level of relevant inflation rates, resulted in reducing the EP budget in real terms; recalls that this was made possible ~~mainly through strict budgetary planning and control,~~due to a strong involvement of the Committee on budgets and through work reorganisation ~~in the form, for example, of~~, notably cuts in travel-related budget lines, reduced length and number of missions, increased use of video- conferencing and optimised translation and interpretation services; recalls that savings resulting from structural reforms have amounted to EUR XX million in recent years, even though the costs of 18 additional Members resulting from the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty and the preparation for Croatia’s accession had to be absorbed;

2013/01/10
Committee: BUDG

2013/0000(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Encourages the continuation of structural and organisational reforms, without ~~sacrific~~jeopardising legislative excellence and the quality of working conditions~~, and~~ ; supports organisational innovation to ~~help~~ improve Parliament’s efficiency and the Members’ quality of working conditions ~~in 2014 and subsequent years~~, including, but not limited to, more efficient structuring of Parliament’s working rhythm, ‘demand- driven’ translation and interpretation services (without endangering the principle of multilingualism), optimal ~~logistical solution~~transport logistics for Members and their assistants, ~~further upgrading of~~improved in-house research assistance, and ~~developing a paperless Parliament and e-meetings;~~ paperless Parliament and e-meetings; recalls the request for a cost-benefit analysis of the paperless meetings and calls on the administration to present it to the Committee on budgets by mid-2013 at the latest.

2013/01/10
Committee: BUDG

2013/0000(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Encourages the continuation of structural and organisational reforms, without sacrificing legislative excellence and the quality of working conditions, and supports organisational innovation to help improve Parliament’s efficiency and the Members’ quality of working conditions in 2014 and subsequent years, including, but not limited to, more efficient structuring of Parliament’s working rhythm, ‘demand- driven’ translation and interpretation services (without endangering the principle of multilingualism), optimal logistical solutions for Members and their assistants, savings in driving services and canteen costs, further upgrading of in-house research assistance, and developing a paperless Parliament and e-meetings;

2013/01/10
Committee: BUDG

2013/0000(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Calls for the implementation of lean management methods in Parliament so as to reduce administrative burdens which would save time and money to the institution.

2013/01/10
Committee: BUDG

2013/0000(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Considers that the Joint Bureau and Committee on Budgets Working Group on the Parliament budget could play a useful role in this reform process, on the basis of its successful work throughout 2012 in identifying ways of economising and reflecting on possible reorganisation; notes that it has already largely achieved the objectives established for it at the end of 2011, for instance, as regards reduction of travel expenses; in the light of the Group’s preliminary findings based, inter alia, on comparative studies of Parliament’s budget with the budgets of the US Congress and a sample of Member States’ parliaments,- on the basis of its work started in 2012 play a useful role in this reform by identifying possible savings and reflecting on and presenting to the Committee on budgets ideas for improving efficiency; further encourages the continuation of its work and the development of a corresponding action plan;

2013/01/10
Committee: BUDG

2013/0000(BUD)

Göran FÄRM, Edward MCMILLAN-SCOTT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Recognises the ~~major~~ efforts ~~that have been~~ made in 2012 to communicate ~~transparently~~ the state of play of the KAD building to the Committee on Budgets; and notes that adaptations and downsizing of ~~8 000 m2~~the project have been made~~, resulting in savings of EUR 80 million for the KAD project~~ following the request of the Committee on budgets ; welcomes ~~the~~ savings of more than EUR 10 million in interest payments in the coming years - as compared to the projects costs' estimates of 2012 - achieved by transfers for early advance payments for both the KAD and the Trebel buildings; believes that, in the context of growing Parliament's majority in favour of new working arrangements1, the Parliament's building projects needs to be cautiously handled and that caution shall prevail on ambition; encourages a continuation of the fruitful dialogue; and trusts that the information requested will be delivered in a timely manner~~, given the strategic importance of these projects for Parliament~~;

2013/01/10
Committee: BUDG

2013/0000(BUD)

Jan MULDER, George LYON, Angelika WERTHMANN, Anne E. JENSEN, Nils TORVALDS, Edward MCMILLAN-SCOTT, Göran FÄRM, Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT, Ashley FOX, Lidia Joanna GERINGER DE OEDENBERG, Bart STAES, Diane DODDS, Ulrike LUNACEK, Krzysztof LISEK, Marisa MATIAS, Lara COMI, Isabelle DURANT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Recalls the plenary decision for the Council to present a roadmap by June 2013 on the multiple seats of the EP and expects both the Committees concerned, the Secretary General and the Bureau to provide members with up-to-date figures and information on the financial and environmental impact of the multiple seat arrangement; suggests the EP's own impact assessment services examine this question also with respect to the impact of the EP's presence or partial presence on the respective communities and regions and present an assessment by June 2013 in order for these findings to be considered for the next MFF;

2013/01/10
Committee: BUDG

2013/0000(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Calls on the relevant services of the European Parliament to make an assessment of the agreement between the authorities in Luxembourg and the European Parliament, on the number of staff to be present in Luxembourg, taking into account a revision of the Parliament's needs; this assessment shall include suggestions on how to renegotiate this agreement, without prejudice to the legal provisions,

2013/01/10
Committee: BUDG

2012/2870(RSP)

Göran FÄRM, Tanja FAJON, Ismail ERTUG, Åsa WESTLUND, Marita ULVSKOG, Anna HEDH, Jens NILSSON, Olle LUDVIGSSON

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8

– having regard to the fact that accession negotiations with Turkey were opened on 3 October 2005 after the Council had approved the Negotiating Framework, and that the opening of such negotiations is the starting point for a long-lasting and open- ended process based on fair and rigorous conditionality and the commitment to reform, with the common goal of full EU membership as soon as the membership criteria's are fulfilled,

2013/02/12
Committee: AFET

2012/2870(RSP)

Göran FÄRM, Tanja FAJON, Ismail ERTUG, Marita ULVSKOG, Åsa WESTLUND, Anna HEDH, Jens NILSSON, Olle LUDVIGSSON

Motion for a resolution
Citation 11

– having regard to the fact that full compliance with the Copenhagen criteria ~~and EU integration capacity, in accordance with the conclusions of the December 2006 European Council meeting,~~ remain the basis for accession to the EU, which is a community based on shared values, sincere cooperation and mutual solidarity amongst all its Member States,

2013/02/12
Committee: AFET

2012/2870(RSP)

Göran FÄRM, Raimon OBIOLS, Tanja FAJON, Ismail ERTUG, Åsa WESTLUND, Anna HEDH, Marita ULVSKOG, Jens NILSSON, Olle LUDVIGSSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14a (new)

14a. Stresses the importance of active and independent civil society organisations (CSO's) for democracy; underlines the importance of dialogue with CSO's and stresses their crucial role in contributing to enhanced regional cooperation on social and political aspects; is therefore worried that CSO's continues to face fines, closure proceedings, and administrative obstacles to their operations and that consultation of CSO's remains to be an exception rather than the rule; welcomes the Turkish government's improved cooperation with NGOs, but calls for their broader consultation in policy-making, including the formulation of policies and legislation and in the monitoring of activities of the authorities;

2013/02/12
Committee: AFET

2012/2870(RSP)

Göran FÄRM, Raimon OBIOLS, Tanja FAJON, Ismail ERTUG, Åsa WESTLUND, Anna HEDH, Marita ULVSKOG, Olle LUDVIGSSON, Jens NILSSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14b (new)

14b. Notes the limited progress in the areas of labour and trade union rights; regrets that the legislation on civil servants' trade unions rights is still not in line with EU and ILO standards and that collective actions by trade unions suffer numerous restrictions; calls on Turkey to continue working on new legislation in this area to ensure that it is in line with the EU acquis and ILO conventions;

2013/02/12
Committee: AFET

2012/2870(RSP)

Göran FÄRM, Raimon OBIOLS, Ismail ERTUG, Tanja FAJON, Åsa WESTLUND, Anna HEDH, Olle LUDVIGSSON, Jens NILSSON, Marita ULVSKOG

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Welcomes the Law on the protection of family and prevention of violence against women; commends the National Action Plan to combat Violence against Women (2012-2015) and stresses the need to enforce it effectively nationwide; calls on the Ministry for Family and Social Policies to continue its efforts to increase the number and quality of shelters for women and minors in danger; stresses the importance to provide women who have been victims of violence with concrete alternatives and self-sustainment prospects; urges Turkey to continue to step up its preventive efforts at all levels in the fight against ‘honour killings’, domestic violence and the phenomenon of forced marriages and child brides; calls on the Ministry to continue to actively promote women's participation in the labour market, which remains low, in politics and at senior level in the administration and the private sector, if necessary by foreseeing reserved quotas; encourages the government to revise the Law on Political Parties and the Law on Elections to make the inclusion of women a priority for political parties;

2013/02/12
Committee: AFET

2012/2870(RSP)

Göran FÄRM, Tanja FAJON, Ismail ERTUG, Anna HEDH, Åsa WESTLUND, Jens NILSSON, Marita ULVSKOG, Olle LUDVIGSSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15a (new)

15a. Is bothered by women's negative portrayal in the media and the general male-dominated discourse; encourages the Turkish government to proactively promote changes in stereotypes and in the perception of gender roles in all spheres; stresses the importance of mainstreaming gender equality in the legislative process and in the implementation of laws;

2013/02/12
Committee: AFET

2012/2870(RSP)

Göran FÄRM, Raimon OBIOLS, Tanja FAJON, Åsa WESTLUND, Anna HEDH, Jens NILSSON, Marita ULVSKOG, Olle LUDVIGSSON, Ismail ERTUG

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses the urgent need for comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation and the establishment of an anti- discrimination and equality board to protect individuals against discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or sexual identity; calls on Turkey to adopt an action plan to promote the full equality of rights and full acceptance of LGBT persons;

2013/02/12
Committee: AFET

2012/2870(RSP)

Göran FÄRM, Marita ULVSKOG, Åsa WESTLUND, Anna HEDH, Jens NILSSON, Olle LUDVIGSSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. ~~Notes that Turkey continued to demonstrate resilience at the terrorist attacks by the PKK; c~~Calls on Turkey to invest renewed efforts towards a political solution to the Kurdish issue; asks all political forces to ensure an adequate political platform and to debate in a constructive way the Kurdish issue and to facilitate a real opening to the claims for basic rights in the Constitutional process; asks all political forces to work in alliance towards the goal of reinforced political dialogue and a process of further political, cultural and socio-economic inclusion and participation of citizens of Kurdish origin, in order to guarantee the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly and promote the peaceful inclusion of citizens of Kurdish origin into Turkish society; recalls that a political solution can only be built upon a truly democratic debate on the Kurdish issue and expresses concern at the large number of cases launched against writers and journalists writing on the Kurdish issue and the arrest of several Kurdish politicians, mayors and members of municipal councils, trade unionists, lawyers, protestors and human rights defenders in connection with the KCK trial; underlines the importance of promoting a discussion of the Kurdish issue within the democratic institutions, particularly the TGNA;

2013/02/12
Committee: AFET

2012/2309(INI)

Marita ULVSKOG, Olle LUDVIGSSON, Åsa WESTLUND, Göran FÄRM, Anna HEDH, Jens NILSSON

Proposal for a Decision establishing the composition of the European Parliament
Article 3

Pursuant to Article 1, the number of representatives in the European Parliament elected in each Member State is hereby set as follows, with effect from the beginning of the 2014-2019 parliamentary term: Belgium 21 Bulgaria 17 Czech Republic 21 Denmark 13 Germany 96 Estonia 6 Ireland 11 Greece 21 Spain 54 France 74 Croatia 11 Italy 73 Cyprus 6 Latvia 8 Latvia Lithuania 11 Lithuania Luxembourg 6 Luxembourg Hungary 21 Hungary Malta 6 Malta Netherlands 26 Austria 19 Austria Poland 51 Poland Portugal 21 Portugal Romania 32 Romania Slovenia 8 Slovenia Slovakia 13 Slovakia Finland 13 Finland Sweden 19 Sweden8 11 6 20 6 Netherlands 26 19 51 21 32 8 13 13 20 United Kingdom 73

2013/02/01
Committee: AFCO

2012/2308(INI)

Göran FÄRM, Edward MCMILLAN-SCOTT, Anne E. JENSEN, Nils TORVALDS, Jan MULDER, George LYON, Angelika WERTHMANN, Dan JØRGENSEN, Bart STAES, Helga TRÜPEL, Ulrike LUNACEK, Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT, Isabelle DURANT, Lidia Joanna GERINGER DE OEDENBERG, Krzysztof LISEK

Draft opinion
Recital A

A. whereas Parliament's estimates for 2014 put the overall budget at EUR 1 808 144 206, with costs directly related to the geographic dispersion estimated at ~~EUR 180 000 000~~between EUR 169 million and EUR 204 million;

2013/07/17
Committee: BUDG

2012/2308(INI)

Göran FÄRM, Edward MCMILLAN-SCOTT, Anne E. JENSEN, Nils TORVALDS, Jan MULDER, George LYON, Angelika WERTHMANN, Dan JØRGENSEN, Bart STAES, Helga TRÜPEL, Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT, Isabelle DURANT, Lidia Joanna GERINGER DE OEDENBERG, Krzysztof LISEK, Ulrike LUNACEK

Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas since the beginning of the current legislature, both individual committees and the plenary have made several specific requests to the European Parliament's administration to provide comprehensive, detailed and reliable estimates of the additional costs relating to each of the three places of work;

2013/07/17
Committee: BUDG

2012/2308(INI)

Göran FÄRM, Edward MCMILLAN-SCOTT, Anne E. JENSEN, Jan MULDER, Nils TORVALDS, George LYON, Dan JØRGENSEN, Bart STAES, Helga TRÜPEL, Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT, Isabelle DURANT, Lidia Joanna GERINGER DE OEDENBERG, Krzysztof LISEK, Ulrike LUNACEK

Draft opinion
Recital A b (new)

Ab. whereas, the numbers provided by the Secretary-General's report to the Bureau of September 2002 are the last overall cost estimates available;

2013/07/17
Committee: BUDG

2012/2308(INI)

Edward MCMILLAN-SCOTT, Göran FÄRM, Anne E. JENSEN, Nils TORVALDS, Jan MULDER, George LYON, Dan JØRGENSEN, Bart STAES, Helga TRÜPEL, Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT, Isabelle DURANT, Lidia Joanna GERINGER DE OEDENBERG, Krzysztof LISEK, Ulrike LUNACEK

Draft opinion
Recital A c (new)

Ac. whereas the 2002 Secretary-General's estimate was confirmed by the joint working group report of the Bureau and the Committee on Budgets on Parliament's budget for 2012, when complementing the EUR 148 million estimate by the EUR 25 million of annual amortisation cost for the Strasbourg buildings that need to be taken into account since the purchase of named buildings;

2013/07/17
Committee: BUDG

2012/2308(INI)

Edward MCMILLAN-SCOTT, Göran FÄRM, Anne E. JENSEN, Nils TORVALDS, Jan MULDER, George LYON, Angelika WERTHMANN, Dan JØRGENSEN, Bart STAES, Helga TRÜPEL, Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT, Isabelle DURANT, Lidia Joanna GERINGER DE OEDENBERG, Krzysztof LISEK, Ulrike LUNACEK

Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)

~~1 Economic impact of the presence of the~~Ba. whereas the European Parliament's economic impact on the city and region of Strasbourg is low in comparison with other European bodies with permanent staff there, contributing some 223 jobs compared to the almost 3000 permanent employees of the Council of Europe an ~~Institutions in Strasbourg, CityConsult Médiascopie EDR Group, January 2011.~~d a further 4000 employees associated with Eurocorps, the European Court for Human Rights, Arte and diplomats, which translates into some 17million Euro gains from the seat of the EP at Strasbourg and some 400 million Euro for the other bodies1 that contribute regularly and permanently to the local economy;

2013/07/17
Committee: BUDG

2012/2308(INI)

Göran FÄRM, Edward MCMILLAN-SCOTT, Anne E. JENSEN, Nils TORVALDS, Jan MULDER, George LYON, Angelika WERTHMANN, Dan JØRGENSEN, Bart STAES, Helga TRÜPEL, Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT, Isabelle DURANT, Lidia Joanna GERINGER DE OEDENBERG, Krzysztof LISEK, Ulrike LUNACEK

Draft opinion
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas a reply given to the EP Budgetary Control Committee in preparation for the EP discharge for 2011 does not provide estimates on the potential savings, but only a partial estimate of the additional costs of the Strasbourg seat; whereas this EUR 55 million estimate does not include many budget lines that were included in previous and following estimates, namely the cost of data processing, equipment and movable property, travel expenses of political groups as well as any potential savings connected to time lost travelling (totalling EUR 68 million); whereas this estimate provides lower numbers on several budget lines than both previous and following estimates without providing any justification (totalling EUR 25 million);

2013/07/17
Committee: BUDG

2012/2308(INI)

Göran FÄRM, Edward MCMILLAN-SCOTT, Anne E. JENSEN, Nils TORVALDS, Jan MULDER, George LYON, Angelika WERTHMANN, Dan JØRGENSEN, Bart STAES, Helga TRÜPEL, Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT, Isabelle DURANT, Lidia Joanna GERINGER DE OEDENBERG, Krzysztof LISEK, Ulrike LUNACEK

Draft opinion
Recital C b (new)

Cb. whereas none of these estimates includes the additional costs of the European Parliament's geographic dispersion on the other European Union institutions, in particular the European Commission and Council, EU member states' representations, journalists and civil society representatives;

2013/07/17
Committee: BUDG

2012/2308(INI)

Göran FÄRM, Edward MCMILLAN-SCOTT, Anne E. JENSEN, Nils TORVALDS, Jan MULDER, George LYON, Angelika WERTHMANN, Dan JØRGENSEN, Bart STAES, Helga TRÜPEL, Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT, Isabelle DURANT, Lidia Joanna GERINGER DE OEDENBERG, Krzysztof LISEK, Ulrike LUNACEK

Draft opinion
Recital C c (new)

Cc. whereas ¾ of members believe that the EP should find significant structural savings and these could be found in re- evaluating the EP's geographical dispersion of places of work, illustrated by a breakdown of the costs of Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg set out in a transparent and credible format to standards expected from a major public body;

2013/07/17
Committee: BUDG

2012/2308(INI)

Göran FÄRM, Edward MCMILLAN-SCOTT, Anne E. JENSEN, Nils TORVALDS, Jan MULDER, George LYON, Angelika WERTHMANN, Dan JØRGENSEN, Bart STAES, Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT, Isabelle DURANT, Lidia Joanna GERINGER DE OEDENBERG, Krzysztof LISEK, Ulrike LUNACEK

Draft opinion
Recital C e (new)

Ce. whereas situating the co-legislators of the EU in a single place does not undermine the tradition of polycentrism in the EU but bears significant efficiency and transparency gains for EU citizens;

2013/07/17
Committee: BUDG

2012/2308(INI)

Göran FÄRM, Edward MCMILLAN-SCOTT, Anne E. JENSEN, Nils TORVALDS, Jan MULDER, George LYON, Angelika WERTHMANN, Dan JØRGENSEN, Bart STAES, Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT, Isabelle DURANT, Lidia Joanna GERINGER DE OEDENBERG, Krzysztof LISEK, Ulrike LUNACEK

Draft opinion
Recital C h (new)

Ch. whereas the European institutions must do everything to further European political integration and bridge the perceived distance from citizens by tackling a major structural issue of the institutions and promoting European understanding, transparency, accountability and coherence by having the EU's decision making bodies in one place;

2013/07/17
Committee: BUDG

2012/2308(INI)

Göran FÄRM, Edward MCMILLAN-SCOTT, Anne E. JENSEN, Nils TORVALDS, Jan MULDER, George LYON, Angelika WERTHMANN, Dan JØRGENSEN, Bart STAES, Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT, Isabelle DURANT, Lidia Joanna GERINGER DE OEDENBERG, Krzysztof LISEK, Ulrike LUNACEK

Draft opinion
Recital C i (new)

Ci. whereas 6% of the EU budget is intended for administrative purposes and that the European Union, with a relatively small operating budget for 500 million inhabitants, must set an example in these times of crisis by streamlining its own budgetary impact as much as possible without prejudice to the proper functioning of the European Parliament, adding that the efficiency gains of having a single seat near the co-legislator cannot be ignored;

2013/07/17
Committee: BUDG

2012/2308(INI)

Göran FÄRM, Edward MCMILLAN-SCOTT, Anne E. JENSEN, Nils TORVALDS, Jan MULDER, George LYON, Dan JØRGENSEN, Bart STAES, Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT, Isabelle DURANT, Lidia Joanna GERINGER DE OEDENBERG, Krzysztof LISEK, Ulrike LUNACEK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Considers that while the seats of the European Institutions are enshrined in the Treaties, so is article 48, which allows for a proposal for treaty change;

2013/07/17
Committee: BUDG

2012/2308(INI)

Edward MCMILLAN-SCOTT, Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT, Mário DAVID, Raül ROMEVA i RUEDA, Göran FÄRM, Judith A. MERKIES, Krzysztof LISEK, Dan JØRGENSEN, Lara COMI, Diane DODDS, Lidia Joanna GERINGER DE OEDENBERG, Bart STAES, Ulrike LUNACEK

Draft opinion
Paragraph C a (new)

Ca. whereas MEPs have repeatedly requested the Parliament's Administration procure for a Eurobarometer survey which asks European citizens for their views on Parliament's split-site arrangement;

2013/06/24
Committee: PETI

2012/2308(INI)

Edward MCMILLAN-SCOTT, Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT, Mário DAVID, Raül ROMEVA i RUEDA, Göran FÄRM, Judith A. MERKIES, Krzysztof LISEK, Dan JØRGENSEN, Lara COMI, Diane DODDS, Lidia Joanna GERINGER DE OEDENBERG, Bart STAES, Ulrike LUNACEK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Calls on the relevant services of the European Parliament to make an assessment of the agreement between the authorities in Luxembourg and the European Parliament, on the number of staff to be present in Luxembourg, taking into account a revision of the Parliament's needs; this assessment shall include suggestions on how to renegotiate this agreement, without prejudice to the legal provisions;

2013/06/24
Committee: PETI

2012/2308(INI)

Edward MCMILLAN-SCOTT, Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT, Mário DAVID, Raül ROMEVA i RUEDA, Göran FÄRM, Judith A. MERKIES, Krzysztof LISEK, Dan JØRGENSEN, Lara COMI, Diane DODDS, Lidia Joanna GERINGER DE OEDENBERG, Bart STAES, Ulrike LUNACEK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Calls on Parliament's Administration to procure for Eurobarometer or similar professional polling service to conduct a survey of EU citizens' views on the maintenance of Parliament's split site working arrangement by 1 January 2014, with specific reference to the financial, environmental and efficiency costs of this arrangement;

2013/06/24
Committee: PETI

2012/2307(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls that the "draft package" agreed, after difficult negotiations, by Parliament and Council during the Trilogue of 29 November 2012 consists of three elements: the Amending Budget No 6/2012 for EUR 6 billion, partially covering the shortage of payments inup to 31st October 2012, the Union Budget for the year 2013 set to a level of EUR 150 898,391 million and EUR 132 836,988 million, respectively in commitment and payment appropriations and three joint statements ensuring that the actual payment needs in 2012 and 2013 will be duly covered;

2012/12/07
Committee: BUDG

2012/2307(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Welcomes~~Notes that the overall level of commitments appropriations agreed, ~~which~~ represents an increase of EUR 1,1 billion compared to the original reading of the Council~~; is~~, but a slight decrease compared to the Commission's draft budget ; is however pleased that the biggest part of its political priorities is secured in next year's budget, with particular emphasis on the proper implementation of the EU commitment for growth and jobs, as identified in the Europe 2020 strategy;

2012/12/07
Committee: BUDG

2012/2307(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Notes that the overall level of payment appropriations agreed for 2013 decreases by 2,15 % compared to Budget 2012 as finally executed;

2012/12/07
Committee: BUDG

2012/2307(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Notes that, due to the intransigent position of the Council in the negotiations, the overall level of payments set is EUR 5 billion lower than the Commission's estimates for payment needs in their draft budget for 2013; is concerned that this level of appropriations will be insufficient to cover the actual payments needs of next year~~; i~~ and to swiftly implement the "growth and jobs "co~~nvinced, however, that the cost of a non agreement would imply much m~~mpact agreed by the European Council in June 2012; requests the Commission to provide monthly reports to Parliament and Council on the evolution of Member States' ( breakdown per Member State and per fund) payment claims fore s~~erious consequences and a much more negative impact on the implementation of the Union actions and programmes;~~ tructural funds, cohesion fund ,rural development and fisheries funds from 31 October 2012 onwards; calls for an interinstitutional working group on payments to be set up, where the two arms of the budgetary authority should present joint conclusions on how to proceed;

2012/12/07
Committee: BUDG

2012/2307(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Reaffirms its view that, in the meantime, the Commission should explore the possibility of excluding, in a spirit of solidarity and consistency, Member States' gross GNI-based contributions to the Union Budget from the calculation of the structural deficit as defined in the 'two-pack' and in the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union;

2012/12/07
Committee: BUDG

2012/2107(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Notes the difficult political context the Commission works within, when providing capacity building to the beneficiaries, as outlined in Council Regulation 389/2006; calls on the Commission to put considerable efforts and use an innovative approach in ensuring that the skills and knowledge on managing and implementing EU funded projects are provided to the civil society of the Turkish Cypriot community, in order to improve the sustainability of the projects;

2012/11/16
Committee: BUDG

2012/2107(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Welcomes the increase to EUR 31 million in commitment appropriations and to EUR 15,6 million in payment appropriations for this budget line, as voted by the ~~BUDG committee~~European Parliament for draft budget 2013, streamlining this money to ensure the continuation of the EU financial support and putting in place the necessary human and financial resources for successful EU funding implementation; requests that a review be carried out of the results achieved on the basis of this increase;

2012/11/16
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls that its priorities for the 2013 budget~~, as detailed in its above-mentioned resolution of 4 July 2012 on the mandate for the trilogue,~~ consist in support for growth, competitiveness and employment, particularly for SMEs and youth; ~~points out once again that the Commission's draft budget (DB) reflects Parliament's priorities as regards the programmes and initiatives to be reinforced towards these objectives;~~

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Is fully aware of the severe difficulties arising from the state of the national economies ~~and of the need for a responsible and realistic reading~~; cannot accept, however, the approach according to which the EU budget is made the source for possible savings with the same proportion and logic applied to the national budgets, given their substantial difference in nature, objectives and structure; highlights that decreasing EU resources will surely result in a lack of investments and liquidity in the Member States, thus aggravating the problems they are facing;

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Points out that the EU budget is to be seen instead as a complementary instrument of support for the Member States' economies, capable of concentrating initiatives and investments in areas strategic for growth and jobs and of bringing a~~n actual added value~~ leverage effect in sectors overcoming national boundaries; highlights that such a role is legitimised by the same Member States, who, together with Parliament, are responsible for the decisions from which most of the EU law stems;

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Recalls ~~that 2013 is the last year of the current multiannual financial framework (MFF), which makes it of~~ the utmost importance to reach a balance between commitments undertaken so far and payments deriving from them that need to be honoured, the institutional credibility of the EU being at stake as well as possible legal consequences for the Commission in case of missing reimbursement of legitimate payment claims;

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Due to the recent years' experience, does not deem the declaration of payments proposed by the Council in its reading as a sufficient guarantee that an adequate level of payments will eventually be made available for all headings; takes the general approach, therefore, of restoring, at the level of DB payments cut by Council in all headings and to increase payment appropriations over DB on a selected number of lines characterised by high levels of implementation within each heading, in particular Headings 1a and 4, to cover the actual needs of the corresponding programmes, as identified by the Commissionfew lines;

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Regrets that the Council departed substantially (all in all by EUR 2,15 billion), as regards commitments, from the financial programming figures, which result from a joint decision with Parliament at the beginning of the programming period, as well as that Council completely disregarded Parliament's priorities, as expressed in Parliament's mandate for the trilogue; recalls that Parliament's reading is based instead upon, and coherent with~~, these~~ benchmarks from that mandate;

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Is of the opinion that the answer to the crisis must be more Europe and not less Europe, in order to restart investments and help rebuild confidence in the economy; ~~having already criticised the proposed freezing in commitment appropriations at the level of the expected inflation rate in the DB, cannot~~regrets the modest level of commitment appropriations in the DB adopted by the Commission as underlined in the the Parliament's resolution of 4 July 2012 on the mandate for trilogue; cannot therefore accept Council's decision to reduce them ~~further~~ down to 1,27% compared to budget 2012; recalls that commitments reflect EU political priorities and should be set having in mind a long term perspective where the economic downturn might be over; therefore takes the view that, as a general principle, commitments should be restored at the DB level; intends, however, tointends to slightly increase commitment appropriations above the DB on a ~~selected number of~~few budget lines directly related to the delivery of the Europe 2020 priorities and in line with traditional Parliament's priorities;

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Makes clear that if a sufficient level of appropriations in payments and commitments will not be found, the Parliament is ready not to accept an agreement with the Council on the budget 2013;

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Deplores that, although this is the key heading for the delivery of the Europe 2020 objectives, Heading 1a bears practically the totality of the Council's cuts in commitments (-2,9% compared to DB) in Heading 1 and is the most affected as regards decreases in payments (-EUR 1,9 billion or -14% compared to DB); decides to undo almost all cuts by Council and to ~~reinforc~~slightly increase above DB in commitment and payments only a selected number of lines directly linked to the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy and characterised by high levels of implementation and strong absorption capacity;

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. ~~In particular, highlights that the strong cuts affecting~~Strongly regrets that, instead of increasing appropriations for the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) and the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) programmes ~~are~~, Council decided to cut the Commission's proposal on corresponding budget lines, which is in clear contradiction with the recent European Council's decision to create a «Compact for growth» supporting, among others, research and development, innovation and employment; recalls the very good performances of these programmes, for which Commission reports accelerated implementation in 2012 compared to last year;

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Rejects the cuts introduced by the Council on Heading 1b, which would lead to a much more serious shortage in payments than already expected and would impede the ~~correct execution of projects during the last year of the programming period~~reimbursement for already spent resources to the beneficiary member states and regions; points out again that this heading is responsible for two thirds of the current outstanding commitments and that cutting the level of payments for 2013 would also lead to a strong increase in the level of RAL by the end of next year; asks therefore the Commission to present an analysis on the situation of RAL and a sound strategy how the level of RAL should be reduced; calls on the Commission to provide Parliament with information on a monthly basis on the breakdown per Members State and Fund of the claims submitted for reimbursement;

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Does not consider the Council's declaration asking the Commission to submit a draft amending budget in case of insufficient payments under Heading 1b as a sufficient guarantee that an adequate level of payments will be made available in 2013, given that similar commitments have been already undertaken and disregarded by the Council in the past two years; asks the Council Presidency to make a public statement and explain the discrepancy between the Council's reading on payments and the actual needs of Members States, as expressed in their estimates;

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. ~~Urge~~Compels the Council to agree on Draft amending budget XX/2012 presented by the Commission with the aim to compensate the shortage of payment appropriations this year and to avoid blocking the execution of running projects at the end of the programming period; gives mandate to its delegation in the framework of the negotiations with the Council, should the Council not be ready to approve in full the DAB, to possibly increase payment appropriations by the amount rejected by Council, distributing it pro rata between all the operational lines of Heading 1b;

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Considers that the Commission's estimates of budgetary needs are more realistic than the Council's ~~proposal~~forecast figures, in particular in the light of forthcoming payments ~~and considering the current economic uncertainty~~; restores therefore Council's cuts under this Heading to a level of EUR 60 307,51 million, which is 0,6% above the 2012 budget;

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Rejects the increase of the so-called negative expenditure line (clearance of accounts) as this appears to be set artificially high of Heading 2 appropriations and partly restores Commission's proposal, allowing a more realistic approach; considers, however, that Member States may be in a better position to evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of their national supervision and control systems in the area of agricultural policy;deleted

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

33. Maintains the budget allocation dedicated to the Food Distribution Programme for the Most Deprived Persons in the EU that supports 18 million people with problems of malnutrition within the Union; welcomes the effort made by the Commission in finding a political and legal solution to continue with the programme in 2013; hopes that a solution for the continuation of the programme during the next MFF period will be found;

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. Provides for a continued support on a commensurate level for the LIFE+ programme, which gives priority solely to environment and climate action projects; recalls again that environmental problems and their solutions do not recognise national borders, thus dealing with it at EU level is self-evident; ~~in this respect, calls on the Member States to significantly improve their implementation of EU environmental legislation;~~

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40

40. ~~Stresses that measures aimed at combating gender violence must be sufficiently funded; e~~Emphasises the important role that the programme for preventing and combating all forms of violence (DAPHNE) has played in eliminating violence against women and girls in the ~~, and therefore increases its payment appropriations above the level of the DB~~EU;

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41

41. Cannot accept Council cuts on agencies under Heading 3a, which represent a decrease by EUR 2,8 million in both CA and PA, as agencies represent 18% of the overall appropriations under Heading 3a and the Council cuts would have a disproportionate impact on this heading; intends, therefore, to restore the proposed DB, which seems to establish a balanced equilibrium level;deleted

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43

43. Reiterates that fostering ~~youth employment and activity~~a sense of active citizenship, solidarity and tolerance among young Europeans are essential for Europe to be able to exploit the talents of the best-educated generation in history; has therefore decided to increase funding for the Youth in Action programme compared to DB, especially considering the sound implementation of the programme for many years running;

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45

45. Supports the continuation of the successful preparatory action «European partnerships on sport», considering the novel competences bestowed upon the Union by the Lisbon Treaty in the field of sports, with a particular focus on grassroots and mass sport, promoting fairness in sporting competitions by fighting against match-fixing and protecting the physical and moral integrity of sportsmen and sportswomen;deleted

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46

46. Highlights that cuts in payments brought by Council to Heading 4 (-EUR 1 billion or -14,1% as compared to DB) represent approximately 20% of the overall cuts across all headings; considers that such a massive reduction would impede the Union to respect the commitments to which it has committed itself on the world scene; notes that the Commission's proposal was only slightly above the level of the 2012 budget and already substantially reduced compared to the financial programming; ~~therefore takes the general approach~~decides to restore the level of both commitment and payment appropriations in most budget lines to the levels proposed in the DB;

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47

47. Considers, however, that~~, on the basis of the implementation levels and with the view to a responsible reading,~~ some decreases compared to the DB can be accepted in some budget lines, such as Macro-Financial Assistance, membership of international organisations in the field of customs and tax and cooperation with Greenland;

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48

48. ~~Underlines, on the contrary, the need for additional financing on a selected number of lines cut by Commission in comparison with the 2012 budget and corresponding to~~Proposes a small increase in the level of commitment and payment appropriations above the DB for budget lines in the areas of geographical development cooperation, as well as for the Electoral Observation Mission and the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria; ~~therefore proposes an increase in the level of commitment and payment appropriations above the DB for these budget lines;~~

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49

49. Points out that, in accordance with the declaration signed by the Commission and UNRWA on EU support for UNRWA (2011-2013), the EU's annual contribution is based on the 2011 Palestinian allocation (EUR 300 million), and a reduction in that reference amount w~~ill~~ould have a knock-on effect on the allocation for UNRWA; believes that increased funding for Palestine and UNRWA is crucial for ensuring that UNRWA is given the necessary resources it needs to provide the essential services for which it has been mandated by the UN General Assembly and to safeguard the safety and livelihood of refugees in the light of the instability in the region;

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52

52. Takes note of Council's position~~, which~~ decreaseding Commission's proposal on Heading 5 – All sections by EUR 146 million overall, despite the institutions' efforts, as reflected in their estimates and the DB, towards budget consolidation of administrative expenditure, at a time of economic and budgetary constraints ~~at national level~~;

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 74

74. Points out that the level of its 2013 budget is 1,.9% above the 2012 budget including the costs for Croatian accession; highlights that~~, owing~~ due to the current inflation rate of 1,.9%, there is thus a real decrease of the operating budget, despite recently added competences, new posts, and actions, the financing of Croatia's accession and the costs for preparing the 2014 elections;

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Göran FÄRM, Edward MCMILLAN-SCOTT, Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT, Ashley FOX, Lidia Joanna GERINGER DE OEDENBERG, Bart STAES, Diane DODDS, Ulrike LUNACEK, Dan JØRGENSEN, Krzysztof LISEK, Judith A. MERKIES, Marisa MATIAS, Lara COMI, Isabelle DURANT, Oldřich VLASÁK, Nils TORVALDS, Jan MULDER, George LYON, Mário DAVID

Motion for a resolution
Paragraphs 77 a, b, c, d, e, f, g (new)

Working arrangements of the Parliament 77a. Believes that, like every directly elected parliament, the Parliament should have the right to decide on its own seat and working place arrangements; 77b. Declares therefore that the Parliament's seat and places of work for Members and officials should be decided upon by the Parliament itself; 77c. Urges the two arms of the budgetary authority (the Council and the Parliament), in order to make financial savings and promote a more sustainable climate- and environment friendly solution, to raise the issue of a single seat and Parliament's working places for Members and officials in the upcoming negotiations on the next MFF for 2014- 2020; 77d. Urges the Member States to revise the issue of the Parliament's seat and working places in the next revision of the Treaty by amending protocol 6; 77e. Calls in the meantime on the Council and the Parliament to start elaborating a road-map towards a single seat and a more efficient use of the Parliament's working places, taking into account specific up to date figures detailing the cost of each place of work and working conditions for staff, as well as economic, societal and environmental factors - to be presented in a report by 30 June 2013; 77f. Believes that, as the most viable place for Parliament's seat would be Brussels, co-located alongside Council, Commission and the EEAS, such a road- map should also include a reasonable solution for Strasbourg and Luxemburg so as to avoid, to the extent possible, any loss of jobs and income for citizens and local and regional authorities in those places of work; such a solution could preferably entail locating other institutions permanently to Strasbourg and Luxemburg that could make full use of the Parliament's buildings; 77g. Suggests that the agreement between the authorities in Luxembourg and the Parliament, on the number of staff to be present in Luxembourg, should be revised taking into account a revision of the Parliament's needs;

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 79

79. Welcomes the joint wWorking group's proposal to close the Members' Register on Fridays in constituency (turquoise) weeks; believes, however, that stricter rules should apply to the Members' registry opening hours, in particular on Fridays; in line with the request in the 2012 budget resolution, calls on the Bureau to revise the rules of the Members' Registry opening hours;

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 80

80. CExpects the joint Working Group to provide a report on identified structural and organizational savings and the conclusions drawn in 2012 by no later than December 2012; reminds the Secretary-General and the Bureau of its request for an update of the 2002 Secretary-General's report to the Bureau regarding the costs of maintaining three places of work; calls on the Bureau to implement the proposals for savings agreed by the joint working group without delay;

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraphs 83 and 83 a (new)

83. Calls on the administration to evaluate developments in the low-cost travel market, to keep up to date with new developments in the market and to exploit any possibilities for savings; furthermore, calls on the administration to allow and encourage the use of low-cost airlines and the purchase of flexible economy tickets; believes that further measures should be examined in order to reduce the number of business class flights purchased by Membersbelieves that alternatives to car use should be encouraged, together with economical, greener modes of transport in the future; 83a. Calls on the administration to standardise the purchase of low-cost air tickets, flexible-economy tickets and to encourage the use of cheaper transport means; insists that further measures should be examined in order to reduce the number of business class flights purchased by Members; therefore invites the Secretary-General and Bureau to consider the possibilities of restricting the use of business class with exceptions based on age, health and distance travelled;

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 86 a (new)

86a. Welcomes a rationalisation of the KAD building project undertaken by the administration and possible further revisions which could generate additional savings; believes that the project needs to be closely followed-up; therefore expects to be consulted in form of a written opinion on the down-sizing of the project such as undertaken by the administration; expects to be regularly informed about the progress made in the project and insists on, in the event that the results of a call for tender lead to any significant deviations from the current estimate of the budget for the KAD project, being consulted before contracts can be concluded;

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2092(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 86 b (new)

Translation 86b. Reiterates that savings on translation should not jeopardise multilingualism; draws attention to the fact that the quality of translations and working conditions of the services concerned need to be safeguarded;

2012/10/08
Committee: BUDG

2012/2025(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls that a streamlined, forward- looking enlargement policy could be a valuable strategic tool for the EU's and the region's economic development, and should aim to create budgetary synergies with national, EU and ~~European~~International Financial Institutions' measures and existing instruments by avoiding any potential overlap, especially in a constrained budgetary environment; stresses that special attention should be given to enhanced coordination of all types of assistance so that there are no duplications nor gaps between the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) and other external assistance measures caused by differences in their respective aid programmes; therefore, calls for continuous inter-donor dialogue and the setting up of aid coordination structures;

2012/04/10
Committee: BUDG

2012/2025(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Notes the suggested increase of 7.3 % in the Instrument for Pre-Accession for the next multiannual financial framework (from EUR 11.668 billion in 2007–2013 to EUR 12.520 billion in 2014–2020, in constant 2011 prices1 ) and welcomes the proposed changes, in particular as regards enhanced differentiation of assistance according to the specific needs of each beneficiary country, incentives for good performance, the sector-based approach, conditionalities, transparency and accountability, and the improved use of instruments and collaboration with partners to create greater financial and policy leverage; calls for simplification of funding rules that should lead to reduction of the administrative burden and enhance the participation of civil society and non-governmental organisations in funding programmes; favours the continuation of the support to institutional reforms and public sector capacity building with the view of establishing reliable institutional structures for the management of funds in beneficiary countries; emphasizes the need for continuous efforts in the fight against corruption;

2012/04/10
Committee: BUDG

2012/2025(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Underlines that the goals of Europe 2020 are built around universal principles which have been a strong driver for economic well-being; therefore, recommends that progress on flagship initiatives is included in the pre-accession dialogue and incentivised with additional funding; in particular with regard to the initiative "European Platform against poverty" bearing in mind the crucial socio- economic problems these countries have to face with scarce public resources;

2012/04/10
Committee: BUDG

2012/2025(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Highlights the systemic importance of national fiscal stability and the increased EU focus on economic governance; thus, recommends that the pre-accession dialogue addresses the role of sound public finances; also recommends that the goals of the enlargement policy are carefully aligned to reflect the growth-oriented EU agenda to modernise the economy, boost competitiveness, improve conditions for SMEs and tackle youth unemployment; stresses the importance of including civil society and social partners in the accession process; recalls the need to foster participation of civil society organisations in the funding programmes;

2012/04/10
Committee: BUDG

2012/2025(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Calls for closer examination of the use of innovative financial instruments, such as the Western Balkans Investment Framework, complimentary to IPA with a goal to channel supports to priority areas; emphasises the potential of using a combination of IPA funds, national funds, loans and other external instruments for big infrastructure projects under the condition that good financial management and the coordination of key actors is ensured;

2012/04/10
Committee: BUDG

2012/2025(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Stresses the need for candidate and potential candidate countries to make improvements in the fields of democracy, human rights, and reconciliation processes, which should be permanent priorities of the enlargement process and mirrored in financial instruments; reminds in this regard of the importance of financial assistance taking into account the need for restoration of cultural heritage in conflict areas, bearing in mind the role this has in building confidence and inclusiveness between different ethnic and religious communities;

2012/04/10
Committee: BUDG

2012/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8 a. Welcomes the new approach by the Commission in the European Neighbourhood Instrument, including the "more for more" and "mutual accountability" principles; reiterates in this regard also the position that the distribution of funds between the Eastern and Southern dimensions should be flexible and adequate for both regions while keeping the regional balance, with a performance-driven approach centred on commitments and progress as regards reforms in partner countries;

2012/06/08
Committee: AFET

2012/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)

8 b. Calls on the Commission to simplify the administration procedure and reduce the administrative burden for the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) funding, with the aim of making it more accessible to and enhance the participation of smaller and non- centralised civil organisations, trade unions and other beneficiaries;

2012/06/08
Committee: AFET

2012/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Encourages greater participation by civil society and non-state actors in the accession process; underlines the importance of active and independent civil society organisations for democracy; emphasizes the importance of dialogue with and proper ENI funding for the civil society organisations; stresses the crucial role of civil society actors in contributing to enhanced regional cooperation on social and political aspects and democratic development; stresses that civil society can work as an engine of approximation with the EU and create bottom-up pressure for the implementation of the European agenda; calls for additional financial support, inter alia via the Civil Society Facility;

2012/06/08
Committee: AFET

2012/2025(INI)

Carl HAGLUND, Göran FÄRM, Anne E. JENSEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 a. Is of the opinion that gender equality and anti-discrimination should be given further priority within the enlargement policy; encourages women's participation in the accession process and underlines the importance of mainstreaming gender equality policies;

2012/06/08
Committee: AFET

2012/2016(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25a. Regrets the proposed cuts for technical assistance to macro-regional strategies; reiterates the need for continuous technical and administrative support for the implementation of the strategies as well as for seed money for new projects, as indicated by the high implementation rate in 2011;

2012/05/31
Committee: BUDG

2012/2006(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12 a. Notes the conditions set out in the regulation concerning the financing of political parties1; is concerned that "the principles on which the European Union is founded, namely the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law" are not being fully respected; insists that the granting of European Parliament funding should only go to those parties that rigorously uphold the founding principles of the EU and the Charter of Human Rights; __________________ 1 Regulation (EC) No 2004/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4th November 2003 on the regulations governing political parties at European level and the rules regarding their funding (OJ L 297, 15.11.2003, p. 1).

2012/03/09
Committee: BUDG

2012/2000(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Acknowledges~~Takes note of the fiscal consolidation efforts undertaken by some Member States ~~with the aim of addressing the~~because of the financial and budgetary crisis; underlines however the fact that the EU will never be able to respond properly to the economic and social crisis without common instruments and the resources to make them work; insists, that economic recovery requires measures to strengthen solidarity and boost sustainable growth and employment; welcomes the fact that the European Council now recognises this in its statement of 30 January 2012, but insists on the need for concrete measures to be taken, notably by making use of the EU budget as a common instrument; underlines that priorities singled out in the above mentioned statements are precisely the ones defended by the European Parliament during the 2012 budgetary procedure;

2012/02/16
Committee: BUDG

2012/2000(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Continues to be concerned at the unprecedented global crisis that has seriously damaged economic growth and financial stability and provoked a strong deterioration in the government deficit and debt position of the Member States; ~~shar~~acknowledges the Council’s concern regarding economic and budgetary constraints at national level and insists that 2013 will be a key year for economic recovery;

2012/02/16
Committee: BUDG

2012/2000(BUD)

Göran FÄRM, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Estelle GRELIER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Takes the view that the promotion of growth and jobs require specific actions and enhanced budgetary efforts to support a sustainable and long term industrial policy, competitiveness, innovation and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), since most of the EU economic potential lies in SMEs, which, according to latest studies, created 85 % of net new jobs in the EU between 2002 and 2010 and are the backbone of our economic growth;

2012/02/16
Committee: BUDG

2012/2000(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Underlines the fact that the results of the Europe 2020 Strategy depend to a large extent on today’s youth, which is the highest-educated, most technically advanced and most mobile ever, and therefore is and will be the biggest asset for growth and jobs in the EU; this being the case, stresses that every effort must be made at EU and national level to ensure that growth and jobs are a reality, especially for young people, who represent the EU’s common future; equally highlights the need to address urgently the challenges of unemployment and poverty in the spirit of the flagship initiative “European Platform against poverty and social exclusion”;

2012/02/16
Committee: BUDG

2012/2000(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Welcomes the European Commission's proposal to redirect the money still to be programmed under all EU structural funds (the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund) into helping SMEs and combating youth unemployment for an amount of EUR 82 billion; requests to be kept duly informed about this initiative, its implementation and its eventual impact for the 2013 budget;

2012/02/16
Committee: BUDG

2012/2000(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Stresses that well coordinated, coherent and timely implementation of political commitments and priorities shared at national and EU level requires national and European institutions to work together to prioritise public spending on growth areas, assess ex ante the effects of planned actions, increase synergies between them and ensure that they have a positive impact by removing obstacles and tapping into under-utilised potential; underlines its commitment to continuing to organise interparliamentary debates on the common budgetary orientations of the Member States and the Union in order to ensure that there is coordination between the national and EU budgets in the general framework of Parliament’s upgraded activities in the European Semester in order to enhance its democratic legitimacy as demanded in the resolution of 1 December 2011 on the European Semester for Economic Policy Coordination;

2012/02/16
Committee: BUDG

2012/2000(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for the adoption of a responsible and result-oriented budget, based on good- quality spending and optimal and timely use of existing EU financing; in thise spirit~~, welcomes~~ of the statement of 30 January 2012 by the Members of the European Council ~~outlining~~, emphasises the need to invest in growth and jobs, especially in terms of SMEs and young people; underlines its intention of engaging, together with the specialised parliamentary committees, not only in the identification of concrete areas where actions need to be strengthened, but also in identifying possible negative priorities;

2012/02/16
Committee: BUDG

2012/2000(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Stresses that the EU budget represents an investment solely directed towards policies and actions demonstrating EU added value; draws attention to the fact that the EU budget – which cannot run into deficit – has a leverage effect on growth and employment much higher than that of national spending, as does its capacity to gear up investment, deliver stability in Europe and help the EU out of the current economic and financial crisis; underlines ~~the fact, mo~~however the necessity of leveraging more investments in order not to endanger key projects for economic recover~~, that new~~y and competitiveness; highlights in this context the fact, that developing new and improved financial instruments could further enhance the leverage effect of EU spending’s contribution to growth;

2012/02/16
Committee: BUDG

2012/2000(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Recalls that between 2000 and 2011, national budgets in the EU increased on average by 62% while the EU budget payments increased by slightly less than 42%, whereas the EU enlarged from 15 to 27 Member States;

2012/02/16
Committee: BUDG

2012/2000(BUD)

Göran FÄRM, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, María MUÑIZ DE URQUIZA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Welcomes the fact that the European Commission in presenting the latest version of the financial programming 2012-13 respected EP 2012 budgetary priorities by not having offset past increases; asks for the 2013 draft budget to follow the same line;

2012/02/16
Committee: BUDG

2012/2000(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)

12b. Recalls that the allocation for EU external actions within the current financial framework is insufficient to meet the policies approved as priorities by Parliament, the Council and the Commission; recalls moreover, that the appropriations allocated for some policies have had to be revised several times in order to meet new goals and tasks, making the use of the Flexibility Instrument necessary in almost every annual budget; underlines that the financial needs for EU external actions will not be less during 2013, especially with regards to pre-accession, development cooperation and crisis response as well as neighborhood policy; stresses that it will not accept longstanding EU political commitments to be jeopardized;

2012/02/16
Committee: BUDG

2012/2000(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Recalls that the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2007-2013 was designed to improve the prosperity and quality of life of our citizens and to exploit all the potential of enlargement, yet since 2008 the EU has experienced an unprecedented crisis, which has also impacted on each of the annual budgets; underlines against this background the fact that ~~the 2007-2013 fin~~substanctial ~~framework was not revised to accommodate addition~~global margins have been left under the overall ceilings of the Multiannual fFinanci~~ng needs stemming from the economic and financial crisis~~al Framework in every annual budget since 2007 and that, to that extent, all the annual budgets have been contained and austere; stresses that the corresponding payments should therefore at least be disbursed according to the normal budget cycle; recalls that payments are dissociated from commitment appropriations only because of the time lag, in the case of multiannual programmes, before the actual disbursement of the funds;

2012/02/16
Committee: BUDG

2012/2000(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Notes that the level of payments, which, being the mere result of past commitments, should be determined on the basis of technical criteria such as implementation figures, absorption forecasts or the level of outstanding commitments (RALs), has become the main political issue within the Council in the past few budgetary procedures; points to the growing level of RALs at the end of 2011, amounting to € 207 billion, which represents almost 7 % more than the level at the end of 2010; insists that Council refrain from deciding a priori the level of payments without taking account of actual needs and legal obligations;

2012/02/16
Committee: BUDG

2012/2000(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Underlines the fact that a pure ‘net EU budget contributor/net EU budget beneficiary’ approach does not take due account of the great positive spill-over effects the EU budget produces between EU countries to the benefit of common EU policy goals; is deeply concerned at the very moderate increases in payments in the two last budgets, which in the case of the 2012 budget were even below the level of inflation, at a crucial time when all the investment programmes should be unfolding their full potential and running at full speed;

2012/02/16
Committee: BUDG

2012/2000(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Stresses that under-budgeting should be avoided as a matter of sound financial management, and that appropriations need to be aligned to realistic estimates of absorption capacity; points out the fact that artificially lowering the level of appropriations as against the Commission’s realistic estimates may, conversely, prevent the final level of budgetary implementation to reach its full potential; recalls that the level of payment appropriations proposed by the European Commission in its draft budget is determined mainly by the Member States own forecasts and their implementation capacity, since Member States co-manage, together with the Commission, more than 80% of EU funding;

2012/02/16
Committee: BUDG

2012/2000(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Recalls that Council decided by unanimity that "An orderly ratio between appropriations for commitments and appropriations for payments shall be maintained to guarantee their compatibility1"; reiterates its call to the Council to refrain from making artificial cuts in payments during the budgetary procedure, and stresses that this seems to be leading to an unsustainable level of payments; requests, in the event of such proposals being made, that the Council clearly and publicly identify and justify which of the ~~1 Council Decision n°2007/436/EC of 7 June 2007 on the system of the European Communities’ own resources, OJ L163.17, 23.06.2007 EU’s political prioriti~~EU’s programmes or projects it believes could be delayed or dropped altogether;

2012/02/16
Committee: BUDG

2012/2000(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Welcomes the agreement reached on financing the additional costs of ITER in December 2011; urges the Commission to respect the joint conclusions in this agreement in their entirety and to make concrete proposals on the amount of EUR 360 million in the 2013 draft budget, making full use of the provisions laid down in the Financial Regulation and in the IIA of 17 May 2006 ~~and~~while excluding any further ITER-related revision of the MFF; reiterates its strong conviction that securing the amount of EUR 360 million in the 2013 budget should not impair the successful implementation of other EU policies during this last year of the programming period; underlines that the European Commission foresees in its financial programming a margin of EUR 47 million in Heading 1a which partially covers the needs for ITER;

2012/02/16
Committee: BUDG

2011/2267(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas ~~those needs have already been addressed in part through~~ the global transfer in payment appropriations (DEC 34/2011) for a total amount of EUR 719,2 million was supposed to cover all the possibilities of redeployments in payments in 2011, without addressing new needs, and whereas the Commission will soon have to present a new global transfer to address all needs not covered by the agreement on Draft amending budget No 6/2011, i.e. EUR 1 242 million as of 18 November 2011, in order to fulfil the legal obligations of the Union with regard to payment appropriations;

2011/11/22
Committee: BUDG

2011/2267(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Deeply regrets the climate of mistrust prevailing during the negotiations between the Commission and the Member States as to the level of extra payment appropriations needed in 2011 for the Commission to be able to fulfil the legal obligations of the Union; requests the Commission to communicate to the two arms of the budgetary authority and to the public in general, in a clear manner, what are the consequences of this agreement on the implementation of ongoing programmes; is particularly concerned about the effects of this decision on the running of structural and cohesion funds in the Member States, along with key programmes under the heading "Sustainable growth";

2011/11/22
Committee: BUDG

2011/2267(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2b. Underlines that the Council's approach is at odds with the processes of the European Semester and a strengthened European economic governance whereby synergies and complementarities between the Union and the national budgets should be sought; is all the more concerned by the stance of the Council since, if the Union is to recover from the current economic and social crisis, forward-looking investments need to be supported;

2011/11/22
Committee: BUDG

2011/2267(BUD)

Estelle GRELIER, Andrea COZZOLINO, Göran FÄRM, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 c (new)

2c. Expresses its willingness to take part, together with the Council and the Commission, in a stocktaking exercise in order to address potential shortcomings and shortfalls in the implementation of the current multiannual programmes, particularly those under headings 1a and 1b.

2011/11/22
Committee: BUDG

2011/2245(INI)

Göran FÄRM, Ana GOMES, Jens GEIER, Véronique DE KEYSER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d

(d) ensure that the EED plays a role which complements and does not curtail the activities of existing funding instruments; emphasizes that the setting up of a European Endowment for Democracy must not lead to overlapping and duplication with existing instruments, particularly the EIDHR; where appropriate, the EED should launch projects which can later be continued by the EIDHR, creating an interface with the EIDHR so as to ensure coherence and sustainability in the longer term;

2011/12/20
Committee: AFET

2011/2245(INI)

Göran FÄRM, Ana GOMES, Jens GEIER, Véronique DE KEYSER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e

(e) enable the EED to act in the early stages of transition, to kick-start projects which thus far could not be supported by the EU ~~owing to bureaucratic restricti~~due to procedural reasons; and model the EED in such a way that it is less risk-averse; regrets however that the community framework could not be used for such projects; highlights the importance of the community method and calls on the Commission to examine how EU instruments could be reformed and changed, so that they in the future also allow for swift and rapid response mechanisms;

2011/12/20
Committee: AFET

2011/2245(INI)

Göran FÄRM, Jens GEIER, Ana GOMES, Véronique DE KEYSER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h

(h) ~~maintain~~ensure that the EU have political influence in accordance with its' budgetary contribution; establish a transparent and inclusive governance structure, providing a balanced mix between representatives from the Member States and EU institutions, including Parliament, and independent experts and practitioners; strike a clear balance between the autonomy and independence of the EED and its accountability to its funders;

2011/12/20
Committee: AFET

2011/2245(INI)

Göran FÄRM, Jens GEIER, Ana GOMES, Véronique DE KEYSER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k

(k) structure the EED as an administratively flexible and efficient Brussels-based structure, with straightforward grant-award mechanisms administered by staff trained in application of the Financial Regulation applicable to the EU budget; applicants should not be required to undergo cumbersome tendering procedures; co- financing by beneficiaries should not be a prerequisite for funding;

2011/12/20
Committee: AFET

2011/2245(INI)

Göran FÄRM, Jens GEIER, Ana GOMES, Véronique DE KEYSER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l

(l) guarantee that the EU's contribution to the EED budget is delivered in full conformity with EU financial rules~~, whilst reaffirming the right of the budgetary authority to monitor and scrutinise the way this funding is used~~ by appropriately trained staff, and ensure transparency of the allocation of EU funds; underlines the right of the budgetary authority to monitor, scrutinise, and grant discharge on the implementation of EU funds; recalls the Commission's responsibility to implement and supervise EU funds in accordance with financial regulation rules;

2011/12/20
Committee: AFET

2011/2245(INI)

Göran FÄRM, Jens GEIER, Ana GOMES, Véronique DE KEYSER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n

(n) increase participation of the European Parliament in the governing board of this instrument, so as to guarantee proper influence in line with the Parliament's responsibility as one arm of the EU's budgetary authority; ensure that Parliament is involved and consulted throughout the entire process of the creation, setting-up and running of the EED, inter alia through the inclusion of a number of MEPs on its Board of Governors and its Executive Committee, in order to guarantee political balance and to enable Parliament to provide its input into defining the political and strategic guidelines underpinning the endowment's activities in a meaningful and systematic manner;

2011/12/20
Committee: AFET

2011/2195(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1a bis (new)

1a. Recalls that Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union emphasises the need to consider the specific nature of the outermost regions for which development is restricted by their remoteness, insularity, small size, difficult topography and climate, economic dependence on a few products; recalls that these specific measures relate in particular to conditions of access to Structural Funds;

2012/02/02
Committee: BUDG

2011/2195(INI)

Estelle GRELIER, Andrea COZZOLINO, Göran FÄRM, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2a bis (new)

2a. Deplores the fact that the budget restrictions proposed by the European Commission for the next Multiannual Financial Framework do not take into account the particular constraints of the outermost regions and the need to maintain financial support for these regions; particularly regrets that additional financial allocation has been reduced from EUR 35 to EUR 20 per resident and per year; also regrets that the Commission's proposal relating to the specific measures for agriculture in the outermost regions does not take into consideration the Commission’s position as expressed in ‘Agriculture and Rural Development’ of the European Parliament on 26 September 2011;

2012/02/02
Committee: BUDG

2011/2195(INI)

Göran FÄRM, Carl HAGLUND

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2 a. Draws attention to Article 2 of Protocol No 6 to the Treaty of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden and the specific situation of northernmost regions with very low population density; believes that resources and capacities found within these regions can have a significant role in the future competitiveness of the European Union; stresses, accordingly, that these areas facing challenges should continue to receive the same support also in the future MFF;

2012/02/02
Committee: BUDG

2011/2195(INI)

Andrea COZZOLINO, Estelle GRELIER, Göran FÄRM, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 bis (new)

2 bis. Emphasises the need, in accordance with the conclusions of the fifth report on economic, social and territorial cohesion, to increase the flexibility of Cohesion Policy instruments, in such a way so as to allow investments capable of ensuring a level of growth and development in line with EU 2020 Strategy objectives, even when there are particular geographic and demographic conditions;

2012/02/02
Committee: BUDG

2011/2195(INI)

Andrea COZZOLINO, Estelle GRELIER, Göran FÄRM, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 ter (new)

2 ter. Emphasises the need to facilitate synergy between Cohesion Policy Funds and the framework programme for research and development in order to increase the development of the outermost resgions and curb the under-utilisation of research funds;

2012/02/02
Committee: BUDG

2011/2195(INI)

Estelle GRELIER, Andrea COZZOLINO, Göran FÄRM, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses, however, that cuts in other cohesion areas have been even more severe than those pertaining to the outermost regions - more precisely, the Commission proposes an overall cut to economic, social and territorial cohesion financing of 5.9 % in constant 2011 prices for the next programming period, including a cut of 7 % in the financing for convergence regions (including transition regions), an 8.2 % drop in the financing for competitiveness regions and a 3.3 % decrease in the Cohesion Fund allocations;deleted

2012/02/02
Committee: BUDG

2011/2195(INI)

Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Estelle GRELIER, Andrea COZZOLINO, Göran FÄRM

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses, however, that cuts in other cohesion areas have been even more severe than those pertaining to the outermost regions - more precisely, the Commission proposes an overall cut to economic, social and territorial cohesion financing of 5.9 % in constant 2011 prices for the next programming period, including a cut of 7 % in the financing for convergence regions (including transition regions), an 8.2 % drop in the financingthese regions will always have development problems due to their very nature, that allocated funds are only a small percentage of all Cohesion Funds; Calls for, in accordance with section 67 of its Resolution on the Multiannual Financial Framework [1] 'the amounts allocated to it in the current financial programming period should be at least maintained in the next programming period’; [1] P7_TA-PROV(2011)0266 European Parliament Resolution of 8 June 2011 on Investing in the future: a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for a competi tive~~ness regions and a 3.3 % decrease in the Cohesion Fund allocations;~~ , sustainable and inclusive Europe (2010/2211(INI)).

2012/02/02
Committee: BUDG

2011/2195(INI)

Estelle GRELIER, Andrea COZZOLINO, Göran FÄRM, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Welcomes the Commission’s plan to include a budget line for ‘Outermost regions and regions with a very low population density’ in MFF 2014-2020, as this will create a clearer link between the funds allocated for those regions and their objectives.deleted

2012/02/02
Committee: BUDG

2011/2195(INI)

Estelle GRELIER, Andrea COZZOLINO, Göran FÄRM, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a bis (new)

1 bis Draws attention to the need for the proposal for the future Multiannual Financial Framework to consider the change of some European territories to the status of 'outermost regions' from 2014 - 2020; Calls for the European Commission to adapt its budgetary projections accordingly.

2012/02/02
Committee: BUDG

2011/2191(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Welcomes the progress made in the area of women’s rights and gender equality; is concerned, however, that women continue to be severely under- represented in economic and political decision-making bodies; calls on the Croatian authorities to swiftly finalise the implementation of the Gender Equality Act, to more actively promote the participation of women in politics, to strengthen the position of women on the labour market and to introduce the principle of equal pay;

2011/10/25
Committee: AFET

2011/2191(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Underlines that Croatia has ratified the eight core labour rights conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO); recognizes that although freedom to join trade unions is guaranteed by law, there are still restrictions in basic labour and trade union rights; encourages Croatia to further strengthen labour and trade unions rights, strengthen social dialogue within the decision-making process, in policy design and the capacity- building of social partners including the further strengthening of the Economic and Social Council;

2011/10/25
Committee: AFET

2011/2191(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)

10b. Acknowledges the Croatian authorities’ efforts to consult civil society; encourages the Croatian authorities to take further steps to increase the participation of civil society organisations (CSO) in the society; stresses the crucial role of the CSOs in contributing to enhanced regional cooperation;

2011/10/25
Committee: AFET

2011/2191(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 c (new)

10c. Recognizes that freedom of expression is provided for in Croatian law and generally respected; encourages the Croatian authorities to take further steps to ensure media independence and professionalism; calls on the Croatian authorities to continue to demonstrate their commitment to ensure that the media sector operates without political interference and that the independence of regulatory bodies is guaranteed;

2011/10/25
Committee: AFET

2011/2179(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Requests a more long-term financing solution for macro-regional strategies, within the framework of the EU budget, in order to finance actions not covered by the Cohesion Policy i.e. cooperation with third countries; experiences from the Baltic Sea strategy show furthermore a need for "seed money" for planning and preparing projects supporting the strategy;

2012/02/10
Committee: AFET

2011/2179(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Considers that the creation of future macro-regional strategies must be the result of a 'bottom-up' process, based on genuine motivation of stakeholders on the ground, avoiding a random approach, and preventing incoherence;

2012/02/10
Committee: AFET

2011/2157(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Considers that the financial assistance within the neighbourhood policy also have to take into account immigration and asylum and should support actions in order to mitigate brain drain, promote information campaigns on the possibilities for legal migration, give structural help for reception of asylum seekers and refugees, promote training of third countries officials in the field of asylum and human rights and facilitate re-integration of returnees; considers it necessary that the revised ENI does not neglect this dimension and is able to swiftly support and work in coherence with other financial instruments related to refugees, such as the European Refugee Fund, the European Return Fund and the External Border Fund;

2011/10/26
Committee: BUDG

2011/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Underlines the importance of women being well-represented in parliament, ministries, top government posts, in decision-making positions in the public and local administration and in the management of public companies; encourages the ENP partner countries to adopt and mainstream gender equality policies and to adopt action plans for gender equality;

2011/10/11
Committee: AFET

2011/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Underlines the importance of active and independent civil society organisations for democracy; emphasizes the importance of dialogue with and proper ENI funding for the civil society organisations; stresses the crucial role of civil society actors in contributing to enhanced regional cooperation on social and political aspects and democratic development;

2011/10/11
Committee: AFET

2011/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)

11b. Emphasizes the importance of trade unions and social dialogue as part of the democratic development of the ENP partner countries; encourages them to strengthen labour and trade unions rights; points out the important role social dialogue can have in regard to the socio- economic challenges in the regions;

2011/10/11
Committee: AFET

2011/2051(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 22 a (new)

~~1 P7-TA(2010)0130 2 OJ C 46, 24.02.2006~~- having regard to the European Consensus on Development2, Or. en

2011/03/21
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 22 b (new)

- having regard to the EU Food Security Policy Framework “An EU policy framework to assist developing countries in addressing food security challenges” (COM (2010)0127),

2011/03/21
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 22 c (new)

- having regard to its resolution of 18 May 2010 on the EU policy Coherence for development and the "Official Development Assistance plus" concept1,

2011/03/21
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 22 d (new)

- having regard to the Opinion of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development for the report on an EU policy framework to assist developing countries in addressing food security challenges (2010/2100(INI),

2011/03/21
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 22 e (new)

- having regard to the EU energy and climate package,

2011/03/21
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas a thoroughly reformed, sustainable, productive and competitive European agricultureal sector can makes a significant contribution to the EU 2020 Strategy ~~and to~~by meeting new political challenges such as security of supply of food, energy and industrial raw materials, climate change, the environment and biodiversity, health and demographic change in the EU and whereas in this context the situation brought about by the Lisbon Treaty must be taken into account,

2011/03/21
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas food security remains a central challenge ~~for agriculture not only in the EU but~~ globally, in particular in developing countries, as the world population is predicted to grow from 7 to 9 billion by 2050 and demand for food is projected to double by the same year according to the FAO,

2011/03/21
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Brian SIMPSON, Göran FÄRM, Åsa WESTLUND, Marita ULVSKOG, Richard ASHWORTH

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas food security remains a central challenge for agriculture not only in the EU but globally, in particular in developing countries, as the world population is predicted to grow from 7 to 9 billion by 2050 and demand for food is projected to double by the same year according to the FAO; whereas this extra food will need to be produced against a background of pressure on natural resources, meaning that farmers will need to produce more, using less land and using less fertilisers and pesticides,

2011/03/21
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Göran FÄRM, Marita ULVSKOG, Åsa WESTLUND, Christel SCHALDEMOSE

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the CAP reform of 2003 and the Health Check of the Common Agricultural Policy of 2008 have ~~substantially~~ increased the transparency and efficiency of the CAP and farmers'’ own responsibility and market orientation; whereas this process must be continued and, as a counterpart, the administration of the CAP must be significantly further simplified in order to reduce the burden on farmers and administrations,

2011/03/21
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas the European Union must still ~~have sufficient instruments to~~ be prepared for market and supply crises and market and price fluctuations in the agricultural sector in the future, ; whereas the social security systems, including the social security needs of farmers, is primarily a task for the Member States,

2011/03/21
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Göran FÄRM, Marita ULVSKOG, Åsa WESTLUND, Christel SCHALDEMOSE

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas the incorporation of general objectives into the CAP, particularly relating to consumer protection, environmental protection, climate protection, policy coherence for development, animal welfare and regional cohesion, is in principle to be welcomed ~~but this must not jeopardise~~and should be used to boost the competitiveness of European farmers,

2011/03/21
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas at a time of rapid upheaval in agricultural markets and numerous new priority challenges (e.g. EU 2020), farmers urgently need reliability~~, particularly~~ regarding the financial framework, ~~and the European Parliament has already called for the appropriations allocated to agriculture in the 2013 budget to be maintained at least at the same level in the next financial planning period,~~

2011/03/21
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital L

L. whereas ~~there should not be any differentiation in the treatment of farmers according to size of holding and legal form for the purpose of direct payments, although the possibi~~it is necessary to differentiate between farmers according to size of holding through the introduction of capped payments while at the same time designing politcy ~~of introducing a basic allowance for small farmers should not be excluded~~measures in order not to put competitiveness and the targeted provision of public goods at risk,

2011/03/21
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital O

O. whereas, because the world economy is becoming integrated more rapidly, trade systems are as rule being liberalised more by multilateral negotiations (the Doha Round) and whereas in relation to imports from third countries environmental, animal welfare, plant protection and consumer protection standards need to be raised ~~to EU level~~ and minimum employment standards should be complied with, while respecting WTO rights and obligations,

2011/03/21
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Göran FÄRM, Marita ULVSKOG, Åsa WESTLUND, Christel SCHALDEMOSE

Motion for a resolution
Recital P

P. whereas rural development ~~is an important instrument of th~~should have an increased relative importance within the future CAP and whereas the new programmes should be geared even more strongly to the priority objectives of rural development ~~and of farmers (employment, the agricultural environment, water, climate change~~; targeted environmental measures for the provision of public goods, climate mitigation and adaptation, measures to increase the competitiveness and independence of the farming sector as well as diversification and development of the rural economy through research, innovation and education),

2011/03/21
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Considers that decoupling has essentially proved its worth, given the increased effect on income and greater autonomy in decision-making on the part of farmers and the associated simplification of the CAP, and calls for this also, in general, to apply to suckler cow and sheep premiums; recognises, however, that in certain sectors and regions such as mountain regions, where there are no alternatives to relatively labour-intensive livestock farming, there may be considerable economic and environmental drawbacks which cannot be reconciled with the aims of the Treaty; acknowledges, therefore, that production- based premiums might be defensible within a narrowly defined framework for a limited period even after 2013all remaining coupled payments to be phased out;

2011/03/21
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Göran FÄRM, Åsa WESTLUND, Marita ULVSKOG, Christel SCHALDEMOSE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Observes that, for historical reasons, farms in the European Union have a very diverse structure as regards size, employment arrangements and legal form; is aware that direct payments are moving away from a historical basis to area-based payments and that the provision of public goods ~~is independent of farm~~may be provided through farms of different sizes; ~~rejects, therefore, measures which discriminate against particular types of farm~~however still emphasises the need to cap payments to big farms and large scale food producers through a system where public goods provisions and competitiveness is not put at risk;

2011/03/21
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Göran FÄRM, Åsa WESTLUND, Marita ULVSKOG, Christel SCHALDEMOSE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Considers that in a democratic society taxpayers have a right to be kept informed of the use made of public funds, including funds from the CAP; calls therefore for more openness and transparency in the allocation of these funds;

2011/03/22
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Göran FÄRM, Åsa WESTLUND, Marita ULVSKOG, Christel SCHALDEMOSE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)

26a. Calls for measures to capture the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector, in accordance with the polluter pays principle, thereby contributing to the EU mitigation target for 2020 and the possibility to strengthen this target further;

2011/03/22
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)

26b. Believes that good standards of animal welfare are an important component of food quality and as such improve farmers’ competitive position; accordingly calls for the new CAP to continue to include measures that enable support to be given to farmers who wish to attain high standards of animal welfare that go beyond EU minimum legislative requirements;

2011/03/22
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Göran FÄRM, Åsa WESTLUND, Marita ULVSKOG, Christel SCHALDEMOSE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Calls~~, in view of the greater concentration of direct payments on resource protection and environmental measures, for a substantial reduction of the scope of CC~~ for the scope of CC to be maintained; calls on the Commission to make significant progress in simplifying and harmonising rules on monitoring;

2011/03/22
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. Considers that the general market orientation of the CAP should be maintained and that the general structure of market management instruments should ~~likewise~~ be re~~tain~~formed;

2011/03/22
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Brian SIMPSON, Göran FÄRM, Åsa WESTLUND, Marita ULVSKOG

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. Considers that, in view of the anticipated environmental and climate dachallengers and the risk of epidemics and considerable price fluctuations on agricultural markets, ~~additional risk prevention is of vital importance, particularly~~more pro-active risk management could be made available, at individual farm level;

2011/03/22
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. Considers that, in view of the anticipated environmental and climate dangers and the risk of epidemics and considerable price fluctuations on agricultural markets, ~~additional~~new risk prevention ~~is of vital importance~~mechanisms could be appropriate within the framework of a reformed CAP, particularly at individual farm level;

2011/03/22
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)

36 a. Points to the fact that the agricultural sector and its activities are often the only source of livelihood and employment, in particular in rural areas; considers that, in order to achieve its medium and long-term goals which aim at a stable and sustainable agricultural sector, and in order to facilitate public funding for public goods and to tackle the social aspects linked to the necessary reduction of farming effort, the CAP will need sufficient financial resources in pillar 2 post 2013; underlines the need to shift support towards more sustainable agricultural practices, expects that the expenses linked to the economic diversification in regions where agriculture is declining and those for coordination of controls will increase over the period of the next MFF;

2011/03/22
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37

37. Considers that the use of these instruments which have been described should be triggered ~~only by a political assessment by the EU legislat~~through the appropriate commitology procedure;

2011/03/22
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Brian SIMPSON, Christel SCHALDEMOSE, Göran FÄRM, Åsa WESTLUND, Marita ULVSKOG

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44

44. Acknowledges that in the WTO negotiations the EU has offered to abolish export refunds, albeit with the proviso that other trading partners (particularly the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) also bring their export support into line with WTO rules; calls for the EU likewise to formulate a system for export credits which complies with WTO rul; calls for the EU to abolish its export refunds and to recognise the international importance for ensuring food security in developing countries;

2011/03/22
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44

44. Acknowledges that in the WTO negotiations the EU has offered to abolish export refunds, albeit with the proviso that other trading partners (particularly the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) also bring their export support into line with WTO rules; calls for the EU ~~likewise to formulate a system for export credits which complies with WTO rule~~to abolish its export refunds regardless of the decision of the other trading partners;

2011/03/22
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 a (new)

44 a. Article 3 (5) of the TFEU stipulates that the EU shall contribute to free and fair trade and to the eradication of poverty. Therefore, the CAP must as its guiding principle include identifying and preventing any negative impact its policy and financial measures may have on food insecure countries and in particular on Millenium Development Goal 1. The CAP must adopt the principle of do-no-harm to efforts of developing countries to increase their domestic production as a means to increase food security;

2011/03/22
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47

47. Observes that speculation in agricultural commodities should be combated; stresses in particular the alarming effects of price volatility of agricultural products globally on developing countries; advocates a worldwide notification system for agricultural stocks; observes that consideration should be given to maintaining stocks of vital agricultural commodities;

2011/03/22
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Göran FÄRM, Marita ULVSKOG, Åsa WESTLUND, Christel SCHALDEMOSE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50

50. Advocates in this connection that the compensatory allowance for disadvantaged areas be retained in the second pillar; considers that it should be ascertained what cofinancing rate appears to be appropriate; calls on the Commission to ~~retain the existing criteria for demarcation of disadvantaged areas~~finalise the review of the delimination of the LFA and to implement these new objective criteria at the latest from the 1st of January 2014;

2011/03/22
Committee: AGRI

2011/2051(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 57

~~57. Observes that there is a need for action with regard to national tax law applicable to farms in order to distribute the tax burden more evenly over a period of years;~~deleted

2011/03/22
Committee: AGRI

2011/2042(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Points out that the 2012 budget is the sixth of seven under the current MFF; believes that the two arms of the budgetary authority now have, therefore, a clearer view of the shortfalls and positive developments associated with existing multiannual programmes; emphasises in this connection that the EP is determined – should it prove necessary in order to support and enhance EU political priorities, as well as to address new political needs and in close cooperation with its specialised committees – to make full use of, inter alia, Point 37 of the IIA (allowing a 5% margin of legislative flexibility);

2011/03/09
Committee: BUDG

2011/2042(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Does not share the Council’s view that leaving sufficient margins below all MFF headings is a proper solution in order to address unforeseen circumstances; points out the recurrent under-financing of certain headings of the MFF as, particularly heading 1a, 3b and 4, compared to the needs and EU political priorities endorsed by the Member States; is worried by the short- term approach underpinning the Council’s budget guidelines for 2012, which would jeopardise existing actions and programmes should unforeseen events or new political priorities arise;

2011/03/09
Committee: BUDG

2011/2042(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Stresses, in this connection, that keeping commitment appropriations under strict control would require not only significant redeployments and reprioritisation, but also the joint identification of possible negative priorities by the institutions; highlights, however, the fact that, to this end, greater budgetary flexibility and the possibility to revise the MFF (mainly between the headings of the current MFF) ~~would be needed~~is an absolute necessity for the functioning capacities of the Union, not only to face the new challenges but also to facilitate the decision-making process within the institutions in order to align budgetary resources with evolving circumstances and priorities;

2011/03/09
Committee: BUDG

2011/2042(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Considers the Commission’s approach to determining EU decentralised agencies’ subsidies from the EU budget to be reliable and to provide the right incentives; stresses that EU agencies’ budget allocations are far from being confined to administrative expenditure alone, but instead contribute to achieving the Europe 2020 goals and EU objectives in general, as decided by the legislative authority; takes the view, therefore, that their budget allocations should be preserved; reaffirms the need to examine requests for new posts carefully in relation to newly assigned tasks; underlines however the importance of adequate funding for those agencies with increased tasks in order to not hinder their performance; calls for a specific approach in respect of the recruitment of specialised scientific staff with professional experience, especially when these posts are financed exclusively by fees and are thus budget-neutral for the EU budget; supports the work carried out by the interinstitutional working group on the future of agencies, which was set up in early 2009, and looks forward to its conclusions, notably on the above mentioned points;

2011/03/09
Committee: BUDG

2011/2042(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Emphasises the urgent need to address the issue of the growing level of outstanding commitments (RAL) at the end of 2010 (EUR 194 billion, see table in annex); regrets the attitude of the Council, deciding on the level of payments á priori, without taking into account an accurate assessment on the actual needs; highlights that the level of RAL is particularly high under Heading 1b; does not consider the Council’s option of reducing EU budget commitments in order to decrease the level of RAL to be a sustainable solution, since this would be detrimental to the achievement of previously agreed EU objectives and priorities; underlines in this respect the commitment of the Council to the joint declaration with Parliament on the possibility to solve arising needs in payments during 2011 through an amending budget;

2011/03/09
Committee: BUDG

2011/2035(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Emphasises that cohesion policy must continue to focus on regional (territorial) cohesion and points out that the Lisbon Treaty added the objective of territorial cohesion to those of economic and social cohesion; affirms that this aim remains indissociable from the challenges of economic and social cohesion and stresses the advantage of the regional partnerships deciding on both the regional and social funds;

2011/04/20
Committee: REGI

2011/2035(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Sees macroregional strategies as affording a major opportunity to harness forms of trans-regional potential and adopt a joint approach to challenges stemming from the natural environment, e.g. in relation to environmental protection; considers that better coordination of existing support mechanisms can create scope for more targeted use of the EU structural funds; stresses that the Member States’ commitment is also decisive for the successful implementation of macro- regional strategies;

2011/04/20
Committee: REGI

2011/2035(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. ~~Doubts~~Has grave doubts as to whether specific operational programmes for functional geographical entities such as metropolitan regions or sea or river basins will yield additional benefits; is particularly aware, in relation to such programmes, of the absence of political bodies (including democratically elected bodies) with a sufficiently wide- ranging remit to implement them; considers that specific operational programmes also risk creating antagonisms within regions; takes the view that aid for functional geographical entities should instead be provided within the framework of the regional programme by which the entity is covered; calls instead for closer coordination of macroregional or natural- environment strategies at inter- governmental levels;

2011/04/20
Committee: REGI

2011/2035(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60

60. Draws attention – with up-to-date figures in support of its contention – to the extremely severe financial consequences for cohesion policy11 of the accession of new Member States; emphasises that, from a cohesion policy point of view, the Union’s capacity to absorb new members would, on the basis of these figures, be severely overstretched; calls for use of the IPA to be extended to special preliminary forms of EU neighbourhood status or membership and reiterates its call for graduated cohesion policy arrangements for large candidate countries such as Turkey;deleted

2011/04/20
Committee: REGI

2011/2020(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Points out that the margins stemming from the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) do not allow real room for manoeuvre, especially in subheading 1a and heading 4, and reduce the capacity of the EU to react to policy changes and unforeseen needs while maintaining its priorities; points out that the scope of the challenges the EU faces, would require means well beyond the current ceilings of the MFF; recalls, in that respect, that the mobilisation of the instruments foreseen in the Interinstitutional Agreement (IIA) of 17 May 2006 on budgetary discipline and sound financial management has been rendered unavoidable by the various challenges and new priorities that have arisen, such as the Arab Spring this year and the need to give a strong impetus to the implementation of the EU 2020 strategy as a coordinated way to fight the current economic and social crisis;

2011/10/06
Committee: BUDG

2011/2020(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Keeps on considering that the level of payments proposed by the Commission is a bare minimum for payments, as also mentioned in several statements by President Barroso and Commissioner Lewandowski; is not confident that Draft Council's statement No 1 on payment appropriations aiming at addressing the issue of possible additional payment needs may be of any help in this respect, notably in light of early 2011 experience, when Council happened to be reluctant to honour the similar statement it initiated for 2011 Budget; therefore also decides to restore most payment appropriations to DB levels all the more that Council cuts in payments also affect areas and budget lines falling under EU 2020 objectives, particularly in Headings 1a and 1b;

2011/10/06
Committee: BUDG

2011/2020(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Regrets that the Commission and the Council do not generally propose to boost – beyond what was originally planned – the support for investments urgently needed to implement the seven flagship initiatives, and notes that they are regrettably inclined to postpone the necessary big leap in terms of common financial effort to the post- 2013 MFF; is convinced that this attitude will seriously endanger the achievement of the headline goals by 2020; is therefore proposing some targeted increases over the draft Budget of the Commission in some key areas, namely competitiveness and entrepreneurship, research and innovation, education and life long learning;

2011/10/06
Committee: BUDG

2011/2020(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Reaffirms its strong opposition to any form of redeployment from FP7 like proposed by the Commission as part of the ITER financing package since this would endanger the successful implementation of FP 7 and significantly reduce its contributions to the achievement of the headline ~~goal~~targets and the implementation of the flagship initiatives of the Europe 2020 strategy; therefore restores FP7 to financial programming figures by adding the EUR 100 million to the budget lines cut by the Commission; proposes furthermore to increase commitment appropriations over the level proposed by the Commission for a limited number of priorities under the FP 7 as necessary incentives to European research and support to the work undertaken by researchers; underlines in particular the needs in the field of research in relation to energy as a way to accelerate the implementation of the SET - PLAN; also restores the bulk of payments cuts brought on FP7 lines by the Council (EUR XXX million or X %), as a matter of avoiding any risk of non implementation of existing legal obligations, which could lead to additional costs due to late interests to pay;

2011/10/06
Committee: BUDG

2011/2020(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Also increases support for the Lifelong Learning programme, given its high European added value and also because of its strong contribution to the flagship initiatives ‘Youth on the Move’ and ‘Innovation Union’; is convinced that these increases are fully implementable and can provide a useful answer to the increasing calls for participation to the actions encompassed in the life long learning program;

2011/10/06
Committee: BUDG

2011/2020(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Recalls the important role regional and cohesion policies play towards the achievement of the goals of the EU 2020 strategy and economic recovery of European regions; deplores Council's restrictive approach on payments, which were cut by some EUR 1 300 million as compared to Commission's forecasts of payment needs for 2012; notes that only the convergence objective and the technical assistance lines remained untouched by the cuts of Council; reminds that these cuts apply to budget allocations that were already far below Member States' own estimates (EUR 61 billion for 2012 or some 50% above DB) and widely considered as being the bare minimum for honouring upcoming payment claims and be consistent with the speeding up of implementation at the end of the programming period; is convinced that this attitude of the Council is all the more unacceptable since the European Commission has recently made some concrete proposals to boost payments of structural and cohesion funds in those countries most affected by the current financial and economic crisis;

2011/10/06
Committee: BUDG

2011/2020(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27a. Underlines that the prevention and response mechanisms with relation to crises in the fruit and vegetable sector are clearly insufficient and therefore an immediate solution needs to be found until the new CAP is in place; urges the Commission to present a concrete proposal to the European Parliament and the Council to ensure a sufficient increase of the Union's contribution to the crisis fund within the operational funds for producer organisations; calls for this increase to serve for specific measures for the producers affected by the E. coli crisis and to prevent future crises;

2011/10/06
Committee: BUDG

2011/2020(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Maintains the budget allocation dedicated to the EU Food Distribution Programme for the Most Deprived Persons ~~of the Community (MDP); strongly calls for a legal solution to be found promptly~~in the EU; welcomes the recent effort of the European Commission (see COM(2011)-634) dated 3.10.2011 ) to find a legal solution to avoid any drastic cuts toin the ~~respective programmes~~implementation of the program in 2012 and 2013; strongly calls on the Council to endorse without any delay this proposal, especially in view of the difficult social situation in many Member States following the financial and economic crisis;

2011/10/06
Committee: BUDG

2011/2020(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. Recalls its strong call for an appropriate and balanced answer to the current challenges in the area of migration and solidarity, with a view to the management of legal migration and slowing down of illegal migration; acknowledging the obligation of EU Member States to conform to established EU law, emphasises the need for sufficient funding and support tools to handle emergency situations in a spirit of full respect of internal protection rules and human rights and solidarity amongst all Member States; is accordingly calling for a balanced increase of budget appropriations over the Draft Budget for, on one hand, both Frontex and the European Asylum office, in view of their increasing tasks and, on the other hand, the European refugee fund; restores moreover to DB level commitment appropriations for both the European Return Fund and the External Borders Fund;

2011/10/06
Committee: BUDG

2011/2020(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64

64. Votes therefore the ~~overall~~ level of its 2012 Budget at EUR xxx.xxxx, which means an increase of xx0.8 % compared to 2011, not considering ~~in the 2012 budget~~ the new 18 Members of ~~the~~ Parliament (in line with the Lisbon Treaty) and the Croatia accession;

2011/10/06
Committee: BUDG

2011/2020(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67

67. Notes that the general expenditure allowance~~s (excluding daily allowances) are frozen at 2011 level~~ is frozen at the 2011 level; calls on the Bureau not to index Members' travel and subsistence allowances (including the "daily" allowance);

2011/10/06
Committee: BUDG

2011/2020(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67 b (new)

67b. Considering the current financial, economic and social situation, calls furthermore on the Bureau to freeze all the Members' allowances (including the "daily" allowance) in absolute terms at 2011 level until the end of the seventh legislature;

2011/10/06
Committee: BUDG

2011/2020(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68

~~68. Welcomes the setting up by the administration of a special unit on cost accounting;~~deleted

2011/10/06
Committee: BUDG

2011/2020(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68 a (new)

68a. Believes that in times of increasing financial difficulties for numerous Europeans and ongoing austerity policies, Parliament should give an example of restraint by reducing its number of business flights; calls in this context on the Bureau to examine the effectiveness of travel costs, to present proposals encouraging Members to buy economy / flexi-economy class airfares, to ensure a proper treatment of the Frequent Flyer Points and to revise the rules of the Members' Registry opening hours, in particular on Fridays;

2011/10/06
Committee: BUDG

2011/2020(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71

71. Approves, the following measures contained in the Amending Letter, which have been offset by other savings: - the release of appropriations from the reserve for the new security policy; - offsetting of the carbon emissions generated by administrative activities; - ~~increase in the appropriations for contract staff in order to support the implementation of Parliament’s property policy; -~~ increase of the annual grant to the EPA;

2011/10/06
Committee: BUDG

2011/2020(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72

72. ~~Requests to be kept informed on a regular basis on new developments for building projects with a significant impact on the budget, such as e.g. the KAD building; asks the A~~Believes that the Parliament's building policy requires careful analysis and that the administration should continue to develop buildings policy in cooperation with the Committee on Budgets; requests therefore to be kept informed on a regular basis on new developments for building projects with a significant impact on the budget, such as e.g. the KAD building; asks to be kept informed about the creation of any new posts and a possible further financing of the existing posts relating to DG INLO's three year plan before they are approved by the administration; asks the administration to establish a service agreement for cost sharing with the Commission of ~~part of~~ the running costs;

2011/10/06
Committee: BUDG

2011/2020(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72 a (new)

72a. Believes that the project of the House of European History requires an active cooperation and financial contribution of other institutions; welcomes the commitment of the President of the European Commission expressed in his letter of 28 September 2011 to contribute substantially to the project and ensure support to the functioning of the House of European History; recalls its resolution of 6 April asking for a business plan setting out the long-term business strategy of the House of European History and notes that the administration has provided the requested information; reiterates that decisions relating to the project should be subject to an open debate and a fruitful dialogue and should ensure a transparent decision making process; requests to be informed as soon as possible on the building project according to Article 179(3) of the Financial Regulation; calls on the Bureau to ensure that the cost plan contained in the business plan will be strictly adhered to;

2011/10/06
Committee: BUDG

2011/2020(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73

73. Regrets the delay in the opening of the new visitors centre Parlamentarium and the total costs of setting up the project which are much higher than the initially intended; notes a large increase on this budget line (3243) for 2012; calls for a better planning and asks for a timely consultation of the Committee on Budgets on any further financial implications;

2011/10/06
Committee: BUDG

2011/2020(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 a (new)

73a. Believes that, in view of making long-term savings, making the organisation more modern and efficient, the budget of the European Parliament should be subject to a comparative study with the budgets of a representative sample of Member States and with the budget of the United States Congress;

2011/10/06
Committee: BUDG

2011/2020(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 74

74. Welcomes the putting into place of concrete incentives to make more use of less polluting means of transport by introducing the 50 % Jobcard system in Brussels; points out that the reserve on the different lines for ~~mission~~travel costs depends also on the result of a report requested from the Bureau examining the feasibility of measures to ensure the utmost efficiency of travel costs and making recommendations for budgetary savings;

2011/10/06
Committee: BUDG

2011/2020(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 74 a (new)

74a. Calls for further measures to be taken to reduce energy, water and paper consumption in view of making savings in Parliament's budget;

2011/10/06
Committee: BUDG

2011/2019(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Strongly warns against any attempt by the Council, to make horizontal cuts in the budget, deciding on the overall level of appropriations a priori, without duly taking into account an accurate assessment of the actual needs for the achievement of the Union’s agreed objectives and political commitments; requests, if cuts are made, for the Council to instead publicly explain and clearly identify which of the EU’s political priorities or projects could be delayed or dropped altogether;

2011/05/24
Committee: BUDG

2011/2018(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Notes~~Is concerned that the level of the Preliminary Draft Estimates for the 2012 budget, as suggested by the Secretary General to the Bureau, amounts to EUR 1 733 560 543, representing 20,26 % of heading 5 of the multiannual financial framework (MFF); notes that the rate of increase suggested is 5,20 % over the 2011 budget and higlights its concern over such an increase;

2011/03/17
Committee: BUDG

2011/2018(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Calls for a long-term review of the European Parliament's budget; asks for future potential savings to be identified in order to reduce costs and create resources for the long-term running of the Parliament as part of a legislative authority;

2011/03/17
Committee: BUDG

2011/2018(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Reaffirms that, in the light of the difficult economic and budgetary conditions in Member States, the Parliament should show its budgetary responsibility and self- restraint by ~~staying around the inflation rate~~limiting the level of increase in the Parliament's budget for 2012 to a maximum of 2% and finding consequent additional savings; following the interinstitutional line, enlargement-related needs are to be integrated either by a letter of amendment or an amending budget; the needs for the 18 new MEPs following the Lisbon Treaty will be also integrated by a letter of amendment or an amending budget;

2011/03/17
Committee: BUDG

2011/2018(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Is of the opinion that the European Parliament and the other institutions should show budgetary responsibility and self- restraint in the context of economic crisis and the heavy burden of public debt and restraint in times of ongoing national budgetary consolidation efforts without undermining the goal of legislative excellence; is therefore ready to accept a revision of the ceiling of heading 5 of the MFF according to point 23 of the Inter-Inter- Institutional Agreement (IIA); this revision should be an offsetting with a reduction of the ceiling of heading 5 (administration) by EUR 100 million and a corresponding increase of other headings in favour of youth;

2011/03/17
Committee: BUDG

2011/2018(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. ~~Requests more detailed information regarding~~Is against the creation of an European Added Value Assessment Unit~~, its tasks and competences; puts all appropriations concerning this new Unit and the request for new staff for this Unit into reserve until sufficient information received~~ and the creation of an additional 11 posts for this unit; considers that activities of such a unit could be carried out by the Policy Departments; does not support putting appropriations concerning this project in to a reserve; calls for money relating to this project to be withdrawn from the estimates;

2011/03/17
Committee: BUDG

2011/2018(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Calls for the contingency reserve to remain at 2011 levels; therefore proposes to cuts the contingency reserve by XEUR 4 million ~~EUR.~~;

2011/03/17
Committee: BUDG

2011/2018(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Notes the proposal in the preliminary draft estimates to increase spending by EUR 7.2 million for the information campaign for the 2014 elections; calls for this amount to be spent over the period of two years; therefore proposes that half the appropriations earmarked for this purpose be withdrawn from the 2012 estimates;

2011/03/17
Committee: BUDG

2011/2018(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)

11b. Calls for item 2022 'Building maintenance and cleaning' to remain at 2011 levels; proposes therefore to cut the amount in the preliminary draft estimates by EUR 4 million;

2011/03/17
Committee: BUDG

2011/2018(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)

x11c. Calls for EUR 7 million to be cut from the preliminary draft estimates for item 2102 'Outside assistance for information and innovation technologies';

2011/03/17
Committee: BUDG

2011/2018(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Calls for the financing of the Konrad-Adenauer building (KAD) to be cut; insists that spending on this project in 2012 be limited to a maximum of EUR 20 million;

2011/03/17
Committee: BUDG

2011/2018(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Welcomes the detailed information received concerning the continuation of the realisation of the House of European History; takes note of the estimated total cost for setting up the House of European History, the estimated running costs and the staffing needs; requests to be informed as soon as possible on the building project accWelcomes the detailed information received concerning the continuation of the realisation of the House of European History; notes the release of the reserve to assist with the preparatory phase of this project; underlines the fact that the release of the reserve did not mean a final agreement on the project and that additional information regarding the future financial and legal implications (including a detailed business plan) for the EP will need to be provided before further funding for this project can be guaranteed; stresses the importance of wordking ~~to Article 179(3) of the Financial Regulation~~with partners to finance this project; reiterates that all decisions relating to the project should be subject to standard parliamentary procedure in order to ensure an open debate and a transparent decision making process;

2011/03/17
Committee: BUDG

2011/2018(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Does not support the creation of a new budget line at this stage specifically for the House of European History; considers that any creation of such a line should be part of a transparent procedure and approved by the budgetary authority;

2011/03/17
Committee: BUDG

2011/2017(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

~~I. whereas a number of items of administrative expenditure linked to policies estimated at EUR 1 billion per year are financed outside heading 5,~~deleted

2011/02/18
Committee: BUDG

2011/2017(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Underlines the difficult situation with respect to the heading 5 expenditure ceiling for 2012, and is fully aware of the fact that the institutions may encounter problems in meeting all financing requirements while maintaining budgetary discipline and self- restraint in order to comply with the multiannual financial framework;

2011/02/18
Committee: BUDG

2011/2017(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Sets the principle of ~~excellence, which in Parliament’s case means~~ legislative excellence, as a priority, to ensure an appropriate response to the current political challenges, which requires the consolidation of the resources needed to address the new institutional framework resulting from the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty; takes the view that the budget of Parliament and the other institutions for 2012 should be a budget of consolidation, not least because it may also serve as a reference for the next multiannual financial framework;

2011/02/18
Committee: BUDG

2011/2017(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Believes that accuracy, simplicity, clarity and transparency must be the result of the implementation of the principles of good management; requests~~, in this connection, the submission of an organisation chart for each institution, together with the respective cost of each constituent unit; requests, moreover,~~ that each expense be clearly specified and justified, with a clear distinction between fixed and variable expenses in order to fulfil the principles of a zero-based budget;

2011/02/18
Committee: BUDG

2011/2017(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes the view that Parliament and the other institutions should ~~submit thrice- yearly~~continue to submit annual reports on the implementation of their own budgets, giving details of the implementation of each budget line;

2011/02/18
Committee: BUDG

2011/2017(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Recalls the need for a fully integrated knowledge management system; ~~requests a progress report on thi~~welcomes the information provided by the Administration regarding the knowledge management system; calls for a report on the multitude of information sources/systems available to Members; calls for a clear timetable to be established for the design of a prototype; stresses the need for a speedy implementation of a classification and indexing policy; requests information of how this system can be made easily accessible for European citizens;

2011/02/18
Committee: BUDG

2011/2017(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Calls for a ‘one-stop shop’ for Members’ casework queries regarding issues in other Member States to be integrated in to the knowledge management system;

2011/02/18
Committee: BUDG

2011/2017(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Asks for use to be made of staff redeployment and of retraining in order to enhance mobility; recommends that new staff only be recruited after internal re~~cruit~~deployment procedures have failed and where the option of buying in external services is not appropriate;

2011/02/18
Committee: BUDG

2011/2017(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Suggests that a medium-to-long-term strategy be adopted for buildings policy so that expenditure on buildings may be properly planned in advance; takes the view that this strategy should seek to find the best solution, taking into account the principles of good managementWelcomes the decisions taken by the Bureau on 24th March 2010; reiterates its call for the development of a medium and long-term buildings strategy; takes the view that this strategy should seek to find the best solution, taking into account the principles of good management and the need to assess various options and alternative financing possibilities; is concerned by a proposal in the above- mentioned decision to make available €85,897,000 to finance the investment in infrastructure for new office space for MEPs’ assistants; requests, as a matter of urgency, more detailed information regarding this issue and information on alternative options before any decision is taken;

2011/02/18
Committee: BUDG

2011/2017(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Expects the Bureau to submit realistic requests when presenting the estimates; is ready to examine its proposals on a fully needs-based and prudent basis in order to ensure an appropriate and efficient functioning of the institution; stresses that the purpose of the amending letter presented by the Bureau to the Committee on Budgets in September is to take into account needs unforeseen at the time the estimates were drawn up and stresses that it should not be seen as an opportunity to renew estimates previously agreed;

2011/02/18
Committee: BUDG

2011/2017(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)

20b. Takes note of the proposed 5,2 % increase for the European Parliament’s 2012 budget as compared to the 2011 budget; considers, however, that in the present economic context this increase must be reduced in order to reflect efforts being made by Member States to make savings in public administration;

2011/02/18
Committee: BUDG

2011/2017(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)

20c. Highlights the fact that the timetable foreseen for the approval of the guidelines and the draft estimates for the EP budget 2012 will not allow the report on the guidelines to be adopted in plenary before the adoption of the draft estimates by the Bureau and thus not allow Members to work in a proper and informed way;

2011/02/18
Committee: BUDG

2011/2017(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Takes the view that, as already decided, a fully functioning wifi service must be implemented so as to enable the goal of reducing the use of paper to be met; considers that the use of videoconferencing for meetings should be encouraged, as should the use of new environmentally friendly technologies; requests a cost benefit analysis of such measures;

2011/02/18
Committee: BUDG

2011/2017(BUD)

Derek VAUGHAN, Jens GEIER, Göran FÄRM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)

23a. Underlines the need for further information regarding the House of European History; in particular, calls for a detailed business plan to be submitted to the Committee on Budgets; reiterates the need to receive information concerning the global cost of this project as well as the future financial and legal implications for the EP and requests further information regarding the architectural design competition which has been ongoing since 2009; stresses that all decisions relating to the project are subject to standard parliamentary procedure;

2011/02/18
Committee: BUDG

2011/2017(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27a. Is concerned by the proposal to create a Parliamentary Budget Office to measure the cost of non-Europe; questions whether such an office is necessary; requests more detailed information regarding the creation of this office;

2011/02/18
Committee: BUDG

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22 a (new)

(22a) The Union should promote sustainable industry policy and provide know-how through capacity building on various levels. Environmentally responsible business should be reflected in the Union's and other donors' business related aid.

2012/04/26
Committee: BUDG

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. The distribution of funds between the Eastern and Southern dimensions should be flexible and adequate for both regions while keeping the regional balance, with a performance driven approach centred on commitments and progress as regards reforms in partner countries.

2012/04/26
Committee: BUDG

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. The beneficiaries of the European Neighbourhood Instrument shall also be involved in the attainment of the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, and shall respect the principles of democracy, the rule of law, human rights, environmental protection, the rights of workers and entrepreneurship. Special attention shall also be given to measures aiming at poverty reduction and promoting social protection for the most vulnerable citizens at risk of poverty and social exclusion. Furthermore, the beneficiaries shall be supported with a view to developing the institutional and absorption capacity needed to use Union funding in the most appropriate way.

2012/04/26
Committee: BUDG

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a

(a) promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, principles of equality, establishing deep and sustainable democracy~~, promoting good governance and developing a thriv~~ strengthened at regional and local level, promoting good governance, fighting against corruption, contributing to institution and capacity building with a special focus on regional and local authorities that shall be empowered for the delivery of basic services, supporting democratic decentralization and developing a thriving accountability-enhancing civil society including social partners;

2012/04/26
Committee: BUDG

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b

(b) achieving progressive integration into the Union internal market and enhanced sector and cross-sectoral co-operation including through legislative approximation and regulatory convergence towards Union and other relevant international standards, related institution building and investments in line with sustainable industry policy, notably in interconnections;

2012/04/26
Committee: BUDG

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c

(c) creating conditions for well managed mobility of people and promotion of people-to-people contacts; facilitating legal migration and establishing a framework for support to asylum seekers and reintegration of refugees;

2012/04/26
Committee: BUDG

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 a (new)

In addition to periodic reports, there shall be a comprehensive evaluation of past and ongoing programmes along with enhanced monitoring of assistance in order to obtain additional feedback for altering programme design and deciding on resource allocation.

2012/04/26
Committee: BUDG

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2

2. Union support under this Regulation shall, in principle, be established in partnership with the beneficiaries. The partnership shall involve as appropriate, national, regional and local authorities, other stakeholders, civil society, social partners and other non-state actors in preparing, implementing and monitoring Union support. In this regard, favourable conditions for participation of non-state actors in the Union's support programmes shall be established, in order to improve their involvement in these programmes. Furthermore, the Commission shall establish eligibility criteria for participation of regional and local authorities in funding programmes and ensure that there are no administrative obstacles for their involvement. Civil society shall be permanently encouraged to participate in funding programmes; such participation shall be ensured, inter- alia, through simplification of funding rules. When establishing partnerships with beneficiaries, the Union shall respect concepts of decentralization and local democracy, social mobilization and building of accountable-civil society.

2012/04/26
Committee: BUDG

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3

3. Union support under this Regulation shall in principle be co-financed by the partner countries through public funds, contributions from the beneficiaries or other sources. The same principle shall be applicable to the cooperation with the Russian Federation, particularly with regard to programmes referred to in Article 6(1) (c). Co-financing requirements may be waived in duly justified cases and when this is necessary to support the development of civil society, local and regional authorities and non-state actors, without prejudice to compliance with the other conditions set out in the Financial Regulation. Moreover, full financing shall be enabled when the Union has an interest in being the sole donor of action, enabling the engagement of local and regional actors.

2012/04/26
Committee: BUDG

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 4

4. The Union shall, in liaison with the Member States, take the necessary steps to ensure proper coordination and cooperation with multilateral and regional organisations and entities, including European financial institutions, international financial institutions, United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, private and political foundations and non-European Union donors. A comprehensive framework for improved interaction between ENI and other instruments shall be established.

2012/04/26
Committee: BUDG

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Coherent implementation of neighbourhood policies depends on highly competent EU Delegation staff for whom additional educational measures and knowledge sharing in the form of follow- ups, monitoring, auditing and evaluation shall be ensured. Moreover, there is a need for education and training of local, regional and national beneficiaries where instruments of Twinning and Taiex shall be used.

2012/04/26
Committee: BUDG

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16 a (new)

(16a) Coherent implementation of neighbourhood policies depend on highly competent Union Delegation staff for whom additional educational measures and knowledge sharing in the form of follow-ups, monitoring, auditing and evaluation shall be ensured. Moreover, there is a need for education and training of local, regional and national beneficiaries where instruments of Twinning and Taiex may be used.

2012/06/15
Committee: AFET

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. The distribution of funds between the Eastern and Southern dimensions should be flexible and adequate for both regions while keeping the regional balance, with a performance driven approach centred on commitments and progress as regards reforms in partner countries.

2012/06/15
Committee: AFET

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a

(a) promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, principles of equality, establishing deep and sustainable democracy~~, promoting good governance and developing a thriv~~ strengthened at regional and local level, promoting good governance, fighting against corruption, contributing to institution and capacity building with a special focus on regional and local authorities that shall be empowered for the delivery of basic services, supporting democratic decentralization and developing a thriving accountability-enhancing civil society including social partners;

2012/06/15
Committee: AFET

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c

(c) creating conditions for well managed mobility of people and promotion of people-to-people contacts; facilitating legal migration and establishing a framework for support to asylum seekers and reintegration of refugees;

2012/06/15
Committee: AFET

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2

2. Union support under this Regulation shall, in principle, be established in partnership with the beneficiaries. The partnership shall involve as appropriate, national, regional and local authorities, other stakeholders, civil society, social partners and other non-state actors in preparing, implementing and monitoring Union support. In this regard, favourable conditions for participation of non-state actors and social partners in the Union's support programmes shall be established, in order to improve their involvement in these programmes. Furthermore, the Commission shall establish eligibility criteria for participation of regional and local authorities in funding programmes and ensure that there are no administrative obstacles for their involvement. Civil society shall be permanently encouraged to participate in funding programmes; their participation shall be ensured, inter-alia, through simplification of funding rules. When establishing partnerships with beneficiaries, the Union shall respect concepts of decentralization and local democracy, social mobilization and building of accountable-civil society.

2012/06/15
Committee: AFET

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3

3. Union support under this Regulation shall in principle be co-financed by the partner countries through public funds, contributions from the beneficiaries or other sources. The same principle shall be applicable to the cooperation with the Russian Federation, particularly with regard to programmes referred to in Article 6(1) (c). Co-financing requirements may be waived in duly justified cases and when this is necessary to support the development of civil society, local and regional authorities and non-state actors, without prejudice to compliance with the other conditions set out in the Financial Regulation. Moreover, a higher rate of co- financing shall be enabled in justified cases when the Union has an interest in being the sole donor of action, enabling the engagement of local and regional actors.

2012/06/15
Committee: AFET

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. The Union shall, in liaison with the Member States, take the necessary steps to ensure that Union Delegation staff has proper education regarding knowledge sharing in the form of follow-ups, monitoring, auditing and evaluation, moreover the Union shall ensure the sufficient training and education of local, regional and national beneficiaries where instruments of Twinning and Taiex shall be used.

2012/06/15
Committee: AFET

2011/0404(COD)

Draft legislative resolution
Paragraph -1 a (new)

-1a. Recalls its resolution of 8 June 2011 on Investing in the future: a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for a competitive, sustainable and inclusive Europe1; reiterates that sufficient additional resources are needed in the next Multiannual Financial Framework to enable the Union to fulfil its existing policy priorities and the new tasks provided for in the Treaty of Lisbon, as well as to respond to unforeseen events; points out that, even with an increase in the level of resources for the next MFF of at least 5 % compared to the 2013 level, only a limited contribution can be made to the achievement of the Union's agreed objectives and commitments and the principle of Union solidarity; challenges the Council, in case it does not share this approach, to clearly identify which of its political priorities or projects could be dropped altogether, despite their proven European added value; ____________ 1 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0266.

2012/05/29
Committee: BUDG

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8

(8) Assistance under this Regulation should be provided in accordance with the enlargement policy framework defined by the Union for each beneficiary country reflected in the annual enlargement package of the Commission, which includes the Progress Reports and the Enlargement Strategy, in the Stabilisation and Association agreements and in the European or Accession Partnerships. Assistance should mainly focus on a limited number of policy areas that will help beneficiary countries strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law, reform the judiciary and public administration, respect fundamental rights and promote gender equality and non- discrimination. It should also enhance their economic and social development, underpinning a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth agenda in line with the Europe 2020 strategy and to align progressively with the Copenhagen criteria. Special attention should be given to the flagship initiative "European Platform against Poverty", while ensuring funding for social inclusion and cohesion, decent work and quality employment. The coherence between the financial assistance and the overall progress made in the implementation of the pre-accession strategy should be strengthened.

2012/05/29
Committee: BUDG

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9a (new)

(9a) Candidate countries and potential candidates have to deal with rigorous socio-economic challenges, with scarce public resources; thus, special attention and adequate resources should be ensured for the policy area of employment, social policies and human resources development.

2012/05/29
Committee: BUDG

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9b (new)

(9b) With respect to the support for reconciliation, peace building and confidence building measures, restoration of cultural heritage in conflict areas should be carried out, bearing in mind the role this has in building confidence and inclusiveness between different ethnic and religious communities.

2012/05/29
Committee: BUDG

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17a (new)

(17a) In order to achieve the development of civil society and social dialogue as well as social and economic inclusion, in particular that of minorities and vulnerable groups, favourable conditions should be created for participation by non-state actors in support programmes.

2012/05/29
Committee: BUDG

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 4

4. In order to increase effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of assistance and to prevent double funding, the Commission shall, in liaison with the Member States, take the necessary steps to ensure better coordination and complementarity with the European Investment Bank, with multilateral and regional organisations and entities, such as international financial institutions, United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, and non-Union donors. In that respect donor coordination shall be established on a country level, with clearly established roles and responsibilities. Both donors and beneficiaries shall take appropriate part in this type of coordination, and beneficiary ownership shall be sought on the basis of their administrative capacity.

2012/05/29
Committee: BUDG

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. The Commission shall seek the most efficient use of available resources by using financial instruments with leverage effect. Such effect may be increased by the use and re-use of funds invested and generated by financial instruments. Cooperation with public financial institutions in accessing Union funds shall aim to ensure Union visibility and support to Union policies and standards, maximising the pooling of financial resources in favour of Union policy objectives and ensuring that the use of Union funds always complies with the best practices and rules as stipulated in the Financial Regulation and the Common Implementing Regulation.

2012/05/29
Committee: BUDG

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 5

5. When preparing, implementing and monitoring assistance under this Regulation, the Commission shall in principle act in partnership with the beneficiary countries. The partnership shall involve, as appropriate, competent national, regional and local authorities, economic and social partners, civil society and non-state actors. The Commission shall establish eligibility criteria for participation by regional and local authorities and civil society in funding programmes, and shall ensure that there are no administrative obstacles impeding their involvement. Special attention shall be given to the strengthening of the innovative capacities of community-based initiatives and direct engagement on the part of local and regional beneficiaries, with the aim of empowering them for the purposes of delivery of basic services.

2012/05/29
Committee: BUDG

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1

1. The financial reference amount – as defined in point 17 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of XX/201Z between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on cooperation in budgetary matters and sound financial management – for the implementation of this Regulation for the period from 2014 to 2020 shall be EUR 14 110 100 000 (current prices). Up to 3% of the financial reference amount shall be allocated to cross-border cooperation programmes between beneficiary countries and EU Member States.

2012/05/29
Committee: BUDG

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2

2. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority with~~in the limits of the Union M~~out prejudice to the provisions of the Regulation laying down the multi- annual Ffinancial Fframework for the years 2014- 2020 and the Interinstitutional Agreement of xxx/201z between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on cooperation in budgetary matters and sound financial management.

2012/05/29
Committee: BUDG

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8

(8) Assistance under this Regulation should be provided in accordance with the enlargement policy framework defined by the Union for each beneficiary country reflected in the annual enlargement package of the Commission, which includes the Progress Reports and the Enlargement Strategy, in the Stabilisation and Association agreements and in the European or Accession Partnerships. Assistance should mainly focus on a limited number of policy areas that will help beneficiary countries strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law, reform the judiciary and public administration, respect fundamental rights ~~and promote~~, promote and mainstream gender equality and non- discrimination. It should also enhance their economic and social development, underpinning a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth agenda, increasing its support for the fight against social exclusion and poverty in line with the Europe 2020 strategy and to align progressively with the Copenhagen criteria. The coherence between the financial assistance and the overall progress made in the implementation of the pre-accession strategy should be strengthened.

2012/06/18
Committee: AFET

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9 a (new)

(9a) Candidate and potential candidate countries have to deal with major socio- economic challenges with scarce public resources, thus special attention and adequate resources should be ensured for the policy area of employment, social policies and human resources development.

2012/06/18
Committee: AFET

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9 b (new)

(9 b) With respect to the support for reconciliation, peace building and confidence building measures, restoration of cultural heritage in conflict areas should be carried out, bearing in mind the role this has in building confidence and inclusiveness between different ethnic and religious communities.

2012/06/18
Committee: AFET

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17 a (new)

(17a) In order to achieve the development of civil society and social dialogue as well as social and economic inclusion, in particular of minorities and vulnerable groups, favourable conditions for participation of non-state actors and social partners in support programmes should be created.

2012/06/18
Committee: AFET

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 5

5. When preparing, implementing and monitoring assistance under this Regulation, the Commission shall in principle act in partnership with the beneficiary countries. The partnership shall involve, as appropriate, competent national, regional and local authorities, economic and social partners, civil society and non-state actors. The Commission shall establish eligibility criteria for the participation of regional and local authorities, social partners and civil societies in funding programmes and ensure that there are no administrative obstacles for their involvement. Special attention shall be given to the strengthening of the innovative capacities of community-based initiatives and direct engagement of local and regional beneficiaries with the aim of empowering them for the delivery of basic services.

2012/06/18
Committee: AFET

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. The Commission shall create favourable conditions for the participation of non-state actors and social partners in support programmes, and shall ensure that proper actions are taken to ensure social dialogue as well as social and economic inclusion, in particular of minorities and vulnerable groups, which shall be prioritized in these programmes.

2012/06/18
Committee: AFET

2011/0401(COD)

Draft legislative resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Recalls its resolution of 8 June 2011 on Investing in the future: a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for a competitive, sustainable and inclusive Europe1; reiterates that sufficient additional resources are needed in the next MFF in order to enable the Union to fulfil its existing policy priorities and the new tasks provided for in the Treaty of Lisbon, as well as to respond to unforeseen events; points out that even with an increase in the level of resources for the next MFF of at least 5% compared to the 2013 level only a limited contribution can be made to the achievement of the Union’s agreed objectives and commitments and the principle of Union solidarity; challenges the Council, if it does not share this approach, to clearly identify which of its political priorities or projects could be dropped altogether, despite their proven European added value. _______________ 1 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0266.

2012/07/19
Committee: BUDG

2011/0401(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 31 a (new)

(31a) The spending of EU and Member States’ funds on research and innovation should be better coordinated in order to assure complementarity, better efficiency and visibility, as well as to achieve better synergies. In the context of the evaluation process foreseen in this Regulation, the Commission should provide concrete evidence, if available of the complementarity and synergies achieved between the EU Budget and the Members States budgets in achieving the Europe 2020 R&D target as well as the EU 2020 innovation headline indicator.

2012/07/19
Committee: BUDG

2011/0401(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1

1. ~~The financial envelope for the implementation of Horizon 2020 shall be EUR 87740 million, of which a~~Within the meaning of point [ ] of the Interinstitutional Agreement of.../.... between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management, the financial l envelope for the implementation of Horizon 2020 shall be EUR 87740 million. This amount shall represent the prime reference for the budgetary authority during the annual budgetary procedure. A maximum of EUR 86198 million shall be allocated to activities under Title XIX of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

2012/07/19
Committee: BUDG

2011/0401(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2

2. The indicative amount for activities under Title XIX TFEU shall be distributed among the priorities set out in Article 5(2) as follows: (a) Excellent science, EUR 27818 million; (b) Industrial leadership, EUR 20280 million; (c) Societal challenges, EUR 35888 million. The indicative maximum overall amount for the Union financial contribution from Horizon 2020 to the non-nuclear direct actions of the Joint Research Centre shall be EUR 2212 million. The indicative breakdown for the specific objectives within the priorities and the maximum overall amount of the contribution to the non-nuclear direct actions of the Joint Research Centre are set out in Annex II. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority without prejudice to the provisions of the Regulation laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014- 2020 and the Interinstitutional Agreement of xxx/201z between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on cooperation in budgetary matters.

2012/07/19
Committee: BUDG

2011/0401(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3 a (new)

The annual appropriations for the EIT shall be authorised by the budgetary authority without prejudice to the provisions of the Regulation laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-2020 and the Interinstitutional Agreement of xxx/201z between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on cooperation in budgetary matters.

2012/07/19
Committee: BUDG

2011/0401(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 5

5. In order to respond to unforeseen situations or new developments and needs, and to take into account the provisions of paragraph 3 of this article, the Commission may, following the interim evaluation of Horizon 2020 as referred to in Article 26(1)(a) of this Regulation, within the annual budgetary procedure and without prejudice to the prerogatives of the budgetary authority review the amounts set out for the priorities in paragraph 2 and the indicative breakdown by specific objectives within these priorities set out in Annex II and transfer appropriations between the priorities and specific objectives up to 10 % of the total initial allocation of each priority and up to 10 % of the initial indicative breakdown of each specific objective. This does not concern the amount set out for the direct actions of the Joint Research Centre in paragraph 2 or the contribution to the European Institute of Innovation and Technology set out in paragraph 3.

2012/07/19
Committee: BUDG

2011/0401(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. In the context of the evaluation process described in point (b) of paragraph 1, the Commission shall provide concrete evidence, if available, of the complementarity and synergies achieved between the EU Budget and the Members States budgets in achieving the Europe 2020 R& D target as well as the EU 2020 innovation headline indicator.

2012/07/19
Committee: BUDG

2011/0400(NLE)

Draft legislative resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Recalls its resolution of 8 June 2011 on Investing in the future: a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for a competitive, sustainable and inclusive Europe1; reiterates that sufficient additional resources are needed in the next MFF in order to enable the Union to fulfil its existing policy priorities and the new tasks provided for in the Treaty of Lisbon, as well as to respond to unforeseen events; points out that even with an increase in the level of resources for the next MFF of at least 5% compared to the 2013 level only a limited contribution can be made to the achievement of the Union’s agreed objectives and commitments and the principle of Union solidarity; challenges the Council, if it does not share this approach, to clearly identify which of its political priorities or projects could be dropped altogether, despite their proven European added value. _______________ 1 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0266.

2012/07/18
Committee: BUDG

2011/0400(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6

(6) By signing the Agreement on the Establishment of the ITER International Fusion Energy Organisation for the Joint Implementation of the ITER Project, the Community has undertaken to participate in ITER construction and its future exploitation. The Community contribution is managed through the ‘European Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy’ (hereinafter ‘Fusion for Energy’), established by Council Decision of 27 March 2007. The activities of Fusion for Energy, including ITER, are to be regulated by a separate legislative act. The financing of ITER is not included in the present Regulation. Specific rules are necessary for dealing with this large-scale infrastructure project whose lifetime extends well beyond the period of the MFF 2014-20. It is necessary to establish a maximum amount for the contribution from the Union's budget to ITER. This maximum amount should not have any impact on other projects financed from the Union's budget and should be above and outside the ceilings laid out in the MFF regulation, while ensuring that the governance of the project remains ruled by the Community method.

2012/07/18
Committee: BUDG

2011/0400(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1

1. TWithin the meaning of point [18] of the Interinstitutional Agreement of .../.... between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management, the financial envelope for the implementation of the Euratom Programme shall be EUR 1 788. 889 million. That amount shall constitute the prime reference for the budgetary authority during the annual budgetary procedure. It shall be distributed as follows:

2012/07/18
Committee: BUDG

2011/0400(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 a (new)

2a. The financing of ITER for the years 2014-2018 is not included in the above- mentioned envelope and will be established in Council Decision xxx/xxx

2012/07/18
Committee: BUDG

2011/0400(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority without prejudice to the provisions of the Regulation laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014- 2020 and the Interinstitutional Agreement of xxx/201z between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on cooperation in budgetary matters and sound financial management.

2012/07/18
Committee: BUDG

2011/0399(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4

(4) The rules for the participation and dissemination should adequately reflect the recommendations of the European Parliament, as summarised in the "Report on simplifying the implementation of the Research Framework Programmes", and Council with regard to the simplification of the administrative and financial requirements of the research framework programmes. The rules should give continuity to the simplification measures already implemented under Decision No 1982/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013) and progress further in reducing the administrative burden for participants and the complexity of the financial provisions in order to decrease financial errors. The rules should also duly consider the concerns and recommendations from the research community resulting from the debate initiated by the Commission Communication of 29 April 2010 to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions "Simplifying the implementation of the research framework programmes", and the subsequent Green Paper of 9 February 2011 "From Challenges to Opportunities: Towards a Common Strategic Framework for EU Research and Innovation funding". In concrete terms, the new simplified rules of participation and dissemination should aim to reduce the average time to grant by 100 days as compared to the situation in 2011 as outlined in the Communication "HORIZON 2020 - The framework programme for research and innovation" (COM(2011)808 final)

2012/07/20
Committee: BUDG

2011/0399(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13

(13) Specific challenges in the area of research and innovation should be addressed through new forms of funding such as prizes, pre-commercial procurement and public procurement of innovative solutions which require specific rules as well as an enhanced and more targeted use of innovative financial instruments. Member States and the Commission should endeavour to increase their visibility and accessibility to relevant stakeholders.

2012/07/20
Committee: BUDG

2011/0384(COD)

Draft legislative resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Recalls its resolution of 8 June 2011 on Investing in the future: a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for a competitive, sustainable and inclusive Europe1; reiterates that sufficient additional resources are needed in the next MFF in order to enable the Union to fulfil its existing policy priorities and the new tasks provided for in the Treaty of Lisbon, as well as to respond to unforeseen events; points out that even with an increase in the level of resources for the next MFF of at least 5% compared to the 2013 level only a limited contribution can be made to the achievement of the Union’s agreed objectives and commitments and the principle of Union solidarity; challenges the Council, if it does not share this approach, to clearly identify which of its political priorities or projects could be dropped altogether, despite their proven European added value; _______________ 1 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0266.

2012/07/19
Committee: BUDG

2011/0384(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)

(da) the environmental performance and sustainable development of economic activity of organic farming as a minimum referred to in Regulation (EC) No 834/2007.

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

2011/0288(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 73 – paragraph 1 — point a a (new)

aa. particulars permitting identification of all agricultural parcels on the holding, their area expressed in hectares to one decimal, their location and, where applicable, their use and whether the agricultural parcel is irrigated;

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

2011/0288(COD)

Åsa WESTLUND, Christel SCHALDEMOSE, Göran FÄRM, Marita ULVSKOG, Brian SIMPSON

Proposal for a regulation
Article 110 – paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Complaints by small scale farmers and affected groups in development countries in serious difficulties or threatened with serious difficulties directly or indirectly caused by the CAP policies should be received by the EP Standing Rapporteur on PCD, and should be recorded in the Commission annual report. The complainant shall be assisted by a DG Agriculture Hearing Officer to ensure a fair hearing of the case. Evidence may be presented by the affected groups or other interested parties.

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14

(14) The evolution and specialisation of agriculture and forestry and the particular challenges faced by micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (hereinafter ‘SMEs’) in rural areas require an appropriate level of technical and economic training as well as an increased capacity to access and exchange knowledge and information including in the form of diffusion of best agricultural and forestry production practices. Knowledge transfer and information actions should take not only the form of traditional training courses but be adapted to the needs of rural actors. Workshops, coaching, demonstration activities, information actions but also short-term farm exchange or visit schemes should therefore also be supported. Knowledge and information acquired should enable farmers, forest holders, persons engaged in the food sector, NGOs, and rural SMEs to enhance in particular their competitiveness and resource efficiency and improve their environmental performance while at the same time contributing to the sustainability of the rural economy. In order to ensure that knowledge transfer and information actions are effective in delivering these results it should be required that the providers of knowledge transfer services have all the appropriate capabilities.

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

2011/0282(COD)

Åsa WESTLUND, Göran FÄRM, Marita ULVSKOG, Christel SCHALDEMOSE

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16

(16) Farm advisory services help farmers, forest holders and SMEs in rural areas to improve the sustainable management and overall performance of their holding or business. Therefore both the setting up of such services and the use of advice by farmers, forest holders and SMEs should be encouraged. In order to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the advice offered, provision should be made for the minimum qualifications and regular training of advisors. Farm advisory services, as provided for in Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council (EU) No HR/2012 of […]14 should help farmers assess the performance of their agricultural holding and identify the necessary improvements as regards the statutory management requirements, good agricultural and environmental conditions, agricultural practices beneficial to the climate and the environment set out in Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council (EU) No DP/2012 of […]15 , requirements or actions related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity, protection of water and soil, advices on integrated pest management and use of non chemical alternatives, animal disease notification and innovation at least as laid down in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No HR/2012. Where relevant, advice should also cover occupational safety standards. Advice may also cover issues linked to the economic, agricultural and environmental performance of the holding or enterprise. Farm management and farm relief services should help farmers improve and facilitate management of their holding.

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

2011/0282(COD)

Åsa WESTLUND, Göran FÄRM, Marita ULVSKOG, Christel SCHALDEMOSE

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19

(19) In order to improve the economic and environmental performance of agricultural holdings and rural enterprises, improve the efficiency of the agricultural products marketing and processing sector, provide infrastructure needed for the development of agriculture and support non- remunerative investments necessary to achieve environmental aims, support should be provided to physical investments contributing to these aims including the use of biological control measures as a means of reducing or mitigating pests and pest effects such as the use of natural enemies and natural plant strengtheners, in the event that these measures are more expensive, on an annual basis, than their chemical counterparts. During the 2007- 2013 programming period a variety of measures covered different areas of intervention. In the interest of simplification but also of allowing beneficiaries to design and realise integrated projects with increased added value, a single measure should cover all types of physical investments. Member States should define a threshold for agricultural holdings eligible for aid for investments related to supporting farm viability based on the results of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (‘SWOT’) analysis as means to better target the aid.

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

2011/0282(COD)

Åsa WESTLUND, Christel SCHALDEMOSE, Göran FÄRM, Marita ULVSKOG, Brian SIMPSON

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 47

(47) In order to contribute to the achievement of the aims of the EIP for agricultural productivity and sustainability a EIP network should be set up in order to network operational groups, advisory services, NGOs, and researchers involved in the implementation of actions targeting innovation in agriculture. It should be financed as part of technical assistance at Union level.

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

2011/0282(COD)

Åsa WESTLUND, Göran FÄRM, Marita ULVSKOG, Christel SCHALDEMOSE

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 51

(51) Rural development programmes should provide for innovative actions promoting a resource-efficient, productive, sustainable and low-emission agricultural sector, with the support of the EIP for agricultural productivity and sustainability. The EIP should aim to promote a faster and wider transposition of innovative solutions into practice. The EIP should create added value by enhancing the uptake and effectiveness of innovation-related instruments and enhancing synergies between them. The EIP should fill gaps by better linking research and practical farming, and must encourage knowledge intensive agriculture.

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

2011/0282(COD)

Åsa WESTLUND, Christel SCHALDEMOSE, Göran FÄRM, Marita ULVSKOG, Brian SIMPSON

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 52

(52) Implementation of innovative projects in the context of the EIP for agricultural productivity and sustainability should be undertaken by operational groups bringing together farmers, researchers, advisors, NGOs, businesses and other actors concerned by innovation in the agricultural sector. In order to ensure that results of such projects profit to the sector as a whole, their results should be disseminated.

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

2011/0282(COD)

Åsa WESTLUND, Göran FÄRM, Marita ULVSKOG, Christel SCHALDEMOSE

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point x a (new)

(x a) 'non chemical methods' means alternative methods to pesticide and plant protection and pest management based on agronomic techniques such as though reference to in point 1 of annex III of Directive 2009/128/EC or physical, mechanical or biological pest control methods

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

2011/0282(COD)

Åsa WESTLUND, Göran FÄRM, Marita ULVSKOG, Christel SCHALDEMOSE

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point a

(a) fostering innovation, new ways of collaborating, and the knowledge base in rural areas;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b a (new)

(b a) organic farming;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3

3. The support rates laid down in Annex I may be increased by 10 percentage points for operations supported in the framework of thematic sub-programmes concerning small farms, organic farming and short supply chains. In the case of young farmers and mountain areas, the maximum support rates may be increased in accordance with Annex I. However, the maximum combined support rate shall not exceed 90%.

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

2011/0282(COD)

Christel SCHALDEMOSE, Åsa WESTLUND, Göran FÄRM, Marita ULVSKOG

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point c – paragraph 1 – point iv

(iv) a pertinent approach towards innovation, the environment, including the specific needs of Natura 2000 areas, organic farming and climate change mitigation and adaptation is integrated into the programme;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1

The authorities or bodies selected to provide advice shall have the appropriate resources in the form of regularly trained and qualified staff and advisory experience, independent from big commercial internationals, and reliability with respect to the fields they advise in. The beneficiaries shall be chosen through calls for proposals. The selection procedure shall be objective and be open to public as well as to private bodies.

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

2011/0282(COD)

Åsa WESTLUND, Christel SCHALDEMOSE, Göran FÄRM, Marita ULVSKOG

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point c

(c) the requirements or actions related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity, the protection of water and soil, non chemical alternatives to artificial inputs, animal and plant disease notification and innovation as laid down in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No HR/2012;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point d

(d) the environmental delivery, sustainable development ~~of the~~and economical activity of the small farms as defined by the Member States and at least of the farms participating in the Small farmers scheme referred to in Title V of Regulation (EU) No DP/2012; or

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

2011/0282(COD)

Åsa WESTLUND, Christel SCHALDEMOSE, Göran FÄRM, Marita ULVSKOG

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point e a (new)

(e a) the sustainable development and economic activity of organic farming as a minimum referred to under Regulation (EC) No 834/2007;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)

(d a) concern the use of biological control measures as a means of reducing or mitigating pests and pest effects such as the use of natural enemies and natural plant strengtheners, in the event that these measures are more expensive, on an annual basis, than their chemical counterparts.

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

2011/0282(COD)

Åsa WESTLUND, Christel SCHALDEMOSE, Göran FÄRM, Marita ULVSKOG

Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 1 – point c

~~(c) an income stabilisation tool, in the form of financial contributions to mutual funds, providing compensation to farmers who experience a severe drop in their income.~~deleted

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 61 – paragraph 1 – point a

(a) promote a resource efficient, productive, knowledge intensive, low emission, climate friendly and resilient agricultural sector, working in harmony with, and integrated into, the essential natural resources on which farming depends;

2012/07/26
Committee: AGRI

2011/0282(COD)

Åsa WESTLUND, Christel SCHALDEMOSE, Göran FÄRM, Marita ULVSKOG, Brian SIMPSON

Proposal for a regulation
Article 61 – paragraph 1 – point d

(d) build bridges between cutting-edge research knowledge and technology and farmers, businesses, NGOs and advisory services.

2012/07/26
Committee: AGRI

2011/0282(COD)

Åsa WESTLUND, Christel SCHALDEMOSE, Göran FÄRM, Marita ULVSKOG, Brian SIMPSON

Proposal for a regulation
Article 62 – paragraph 1

1. EIP operational groups shall form part of the EIP for agricultural productivity and sustainability. They shall be set up by interested actors such as farmers, researchers, advisors, NGOs and businesses involved in the agriculture and food sector.

2012/07/26
Committee: AGRI

2011/0281(COD)

Åsa WESTLUND, Göran FÄRM, Marita ULVSKOG, Brian SIMPSON

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point c

~~(c) fresh or chilled meat of the beef and veal sector falling within CN codes 0201 10 00 and 0201 20 20 to 0201 20 50;~~deleted

2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI

2011/0281(COD)

Åsa WESTLUND, Göran FÄRM, Marita ULVSKOG, Brian SIMPSON

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point d

(d) butter produced directly and exclusively from pasteurised cream obtained directly and exclusively from cow's milk in an approved undertaking in the Union of a minimum butterfat content, by weight, of 82 % and a maximum water content, by weight, of 16%;deleted

2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI

2011/0281(COD)

Anna HEDH, Åsa WESTLUND, Göran FÄRM, Marita ULVSKOG, Brian SIMPSON

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point e

~~(e) skimmed milk powder of top quality made from cow's milk in an approved undertaking in the Union by the spray process, with a minimum protein-content of 34,0 % by weight of the fat free dry matter.~~deleted

2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI

2011/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 2

~~2. Member States, at national or regional level, wishing to participate in the scheme shall draw up a prior strategy for its implementation.~~deleted

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

2011/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 108 – paragraph 1 – point c – point i

(i) ~~improving knowledge and the transparency of production and the market, including by publication of~~publication of market studies and statistical data on ~~the~~ prices~~, volumes and duration of contracts which have been previously concluded,~~ and volumes and by providing analyses of ~~potential future~~ market developments ~~at regional or national level~~;

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

2011/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 108 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii

(ii) ~~helping to~~ better coordinat~~e the way the products are~~ion of placeding on the market, ~~in particular by means of research and market studies~~for instance by;

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

2011/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 108 – paragraph 1 – point c – point iv

~~(iv) exploiting to a fuller extent the potential of the products;~~deleted

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

2011/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 108 – paragraph 1 – point c – point v

(v) providing the information and carrying out the research necessary to rationalise, improve and adjust production towards products more suited to market requirements and consumer tastes and expectations, in particular with regard to product quality, including the particular characteristics of products with a protected designation of origin or a protected geographical indication, and protection of the environment;deleted

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

2011/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 108 – paragraph 1 – point c – point vi

~~(vi) seeking ways of restricting the use of animal-health or plant protection products and other inputs and ensuring product quality and soil and water conservation;~~deleted

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

2011/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 108 – paragraph 1 – point c – point vii

~~(vii) developing methods and instruments for improving product quality at all stages of production and marketing;~~deleted

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

2011/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 108 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ix

(ix) promoting and carrying out research in~~to integrated, sustainable production or other~~ environmentally sound production methods;

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

2011/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 108 – paragraph 1 – point c – point x

~~(x) encouraging healthy consumption of the products and informing about the harm linked to hazardous consumption patterns;~~deleted

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

2011/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 108 – paragraph 1 – point c – point xi

(xi) carrying out promotion actions~~, especially in third countries~~.

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

2011/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 108 – paragraph 2

2. For interbranch organisations in the olive oil and table olive and tobacco sectors, the specific aim referred to in point (c) of paragraph 1 may also include at least one of the following objectives: (a) concentrating and co-ordinating supply and marketing of the produce of the members; (b) adapting production and processing jointly to the requirements of the market and improving the product; (c) promoting the rationalisation and improvement of production and processing.deleted

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

2011/0281(COD)

Åsa WESTLUND, Marita ULVSKOG, Göran FÄRM, Brian SIMPSON

Proposal for a regulation
Article 154 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1

Taking into account the need to react efficiently and effectively against threats of market disturbance caused by significant price rises or falls on internal or external markets or any other factors affecting the market, where that situation is likely to continue or to deteriorate, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 160 to take the necessary measures for the sector concerned, respecting any obligations resulting from agreements concluded in accordance with Article 218 of the Treaty and provided that any other measures available under this Regulation appear insufficient.

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

2011/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 155 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2

The measures provided for in point (b) of paragraph 1 related to a loss in consumer confidence due to public or plant health risks shall also apply to ~~all other agricultural products except those listed in Section 2 of Part XXIV of Annex I~~eggs and poultrymeat.

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

2011/0281(COD)

Marita ULVSKOG, Göran FÄRM, Åsa WESTLUND

Proposal for a regulation
Article 156 – paragraph 1

1. The Commission shall, by means of implementing acts, adopt necessary and justifiable emergency measures to resolve specific problems. Those measures may apply to all other agricultural products except those listed in Section 2 of Part XXIV of Annex I. Those measures may derogate from the provisions of this Regulation only to an extent that is strictly necessary and for a period that is strictly necessary. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 162(2).

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point h

(h) ‘permanent ~~grassland’~~pasture means land used to grow grasses or other ~~herbaceous~~ forage naturally (self-seeded) or through cultivation (sown) and that has not been included in the crop rotation of the holding for five years or longer; it may include other species ~~suitable for graz~~which can be grazed provided that the grasses and other herbaceous forage remaing pr~~ovided that th~~edominant; Member States may decide to include land which can be grazed and which forms part of established local practices where grasses and other herbaceous forage are~~main predominant~~ traditionally not predominant in grazing areas;

2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI

2011/0280(COD)

Marita ULVSKOG, Göran FÄRM, Åsa WESTLUND

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – introductory part

1. No direct payments shall be granted to natural or legal persons, or to groups of natural or legal persons, where ~~one of~~ the following applies:

2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2

2. ~~Paragraph 1 shall~~Member States may decide not to apply the first paragraph to farmers who received less than ~~EUR 5 000~~a certain amount of direct payments for the previous year, this amount shall not be higher than EUR 10 000.

2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 a (new)

2 a. Member States may establish appropriate objective and non discriminatory criteria to ensure that no direct payments are granted to a natural or legal person: (a) whose agricultural activities form only an insignificant part of its overall economic activities; and/or (b) whose principal business or company objects do not consist of exercising an agricultural activity. Entities such as transport companies, airports, real estate companies, companies managing sport grounds, campsite operators and mining companies may not, a priori, be regarded as active farmers or be the beneficiaries of any direct payments whatsoever unless they can prove that they are not covered by the criteria set out in the first subparagraph, points (a) and (b). After having duly notified the Commission, the Member States may decide to add or withdraw other types of entities to those listed in the second subparagraph.

2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3

The percentage notified in accordance with the second subparagraph ~~shall~~may gradually increase or be the same for the years referred to in the first subparagraph.

2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1

1. Support under the basic payment scheme shall be available to farmers if they obtain payment entitlements under this Regulation through first allocation pursuant to Article 21, from the national reserve pursuant to Article 23 or by transfer pursuant to Article 27 or obtained under the single payment scheme in accordance with Regulation (EC) 1782/2003 and with Regulation (EC) 73/2009, provided that the payment entitlements have not expired in accordance with paragraph 2. second subparagraph.

2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 2

2. Payment entitlements obtained under the single payment scheme in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 and with Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 shall expire on 31 December 2013. By way of derogation from the first subparagraph, Member States that have made use of article ... in Regulation 1782/2003 or article 47 in Regulation 73/2009 may decide not to let payment entitlements expire.

2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI

2011/0177(APP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Considers that the alarming ~~youth- related problems~~situation young people face across the EU, including an unprecedentedly high unemployment rate, increasing poverty and educational challenges, ~~existing across the EU requi~~requires a particular effort. Therefore asks to mainstream measures a ~~particular effort~~nd adequate budgetary support programmes to keep the new generations bound to the EU values of peace, democracy and human rights, economic prosperity and social justice, among others~~, through EU programmes with an adequate budgetary support~~;

2012/10/05
Committee: BUDG

2011/0177(APP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Reaffirms, in this context, its position in favour of a significant increase - notably through the Connecting Europe Facility - in the funding available for the Union programmes in the fields of competiveness, SMEs, entrepreneurship and infrastructures, which are at the heart of the Europe 2020 strategy; strongly believes that further cuts with respect to the Commission proposal will seriously jeopardise the EU’s credibility and its political commitment in favour of growth and jobs;

2012/10/05
Committee: BUDG

2011/0177(APP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Recognises the serious challenges that young people in the EU face with the economic crisis; considers that participation, employment, education, training, mobility and the social inclusion of young Europeans are issues of strategic importance for the development of the EU and European society; insists on mainstreaming and prioritising these issues in all relevant policies and programmes financed from the EU budget, alongside the concrete youth- ~~related~~specific instruments proposed by the Commission;

2012/10/05
Committee: BUDG

2011/0177(APP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Recalls that the EU’s education, youth, media and culture programmes are close to the citizens, enjoy high implementation rates, produce noticeable leverage and spillover effects including significant economic results, and generate clear and proven European added value by pooling resources, encouraging mobility and active citizenship and enhancing cooperation among different sectors and stakeholders;

2012/10/05
Committee: BUDG

2011/0177(APP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Reiterates its position that the new responsibilities conferred on the EU by the Treaties will require appropriate additional funding compared to MFF 2007-2013, so as to allow the Union to fulfil its role as a global actor whilst upholding the undertakings it has already given, notably the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015; stresses that the Commission proposals for "Global Europe" and the European Development Fund must be considered the bare minimum to achieve Europe's ambitions in the world; underlines the complementary nature of EU assistance to that provided by the Member States, and its catalyst effect in terms of intervening in regions where bilateral assistance is not delivered; is particularly supportive of joint programming between Member States and EU actions;

2012/10/05
Committee: BUDG

2011/0177(APP)

Göran FÄRM, Edward MCMILLAN-SCOTT, Ashley FOX, Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT, Lidia Joanna GERINGER DE OEDENBERG, Bart STAES, Dan JØRGENSEN, Ulrike LUNACEK, Diane DODDS, Krzysztof LISEK, Judith A. MERKIES, Marisa MATIAS, Isabelle DURANT, Oldřich VLASÁK, Mário DAVID, Lara COMI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)

39a. Points to the significant savings that could be made if the European Parliament were to have a single seat; urges the budgetary authority to raise this issue in the negotiations on the next MFF 2014-2020;

2012/10/05
Committee: BUDG

2011/0177(APP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46

46. Stresses, equally, the need to introduce a global MFF margin for payment appropriations, enabling the carry-over of margins left under the payment appropriations ceiling to following years and mobilised in the framework of the annual budgetary procedure; encourages in this regard a discussion on how to make the actual level of payment appropriations in the next MFF more equally distributed over the MFF period to avoid, to the extent possible, the risk of hampering the implementation of EU programs due to lack of payment appropriats at the end of the financial framework;

2012/10/05
Committee: BUDG

2011/0177(APP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52 a (new)

52 a. All decisions related to the strengthening of the economic and monetary union should be taken on the basis of the Treaties and involve the relevant institutions; underlines that any departure from the community method and increased use of intergovernmental agreements will only divide and weaken the European Union, including the euro area;

2012/10/05
Committee: BUDG

2010/2300(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Considers budget support, if used correctly, to be a very important tool for development, strengthening ownership of development strategies in partner countries, enhancing accountability of governments and increasing predictability of aid; considers therefore that the EU should increase its' financial allocation to this instrument; underlines however, that budget support must be part of a package and not just a mere financial transfer, including policy dialogue, performance assessment, capacity-building and other supporting interventions;

2011/03/15
Committee: BUDG

2010/2300(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2 a. Underlines in this regard that the accountability of a partner government toward its’ citizens is a key driver in achieving development outcomes; recalls that, to this day there have only been modest improvements in domestic accountability, partly due to the weak capacity of civil society and parliaments in many countries to advocate and monitor policy choices as part of a transparent budget process; calls therefore for the introduction of a systemic involvement of national parliaments and civil society in the political dialogue on poverty reduction and in annual reviews of budget support; underlines that such a system must ensure the flow of information between civil society, universities and NGO’s in order for them to express their views as part of the consultation;

2011/03/15
Committee: BUDG

2010/2300(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Is firmly convinced that a thorough analysis of the future of EU budget support to third countries must address the issue of budgetisation of the European Development Fund; is aware of the historical and institutional background to the current situation, but believes that the time has come for the Council, the Member States and the ACP countries to acknowledge that this state of affairs is detrimental to the efficiency, transparency and accountability of EU budget support;underlines however that such a budgetisation must not entail a decrease in the overall financial envelope for development policies;

2011/03/15
Committee: BUDG

2010/2300(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. CRecalls ~~on the Member States and the Commission~~that he EU carries more weight at international level than the sum of its individual Member States; Calls on the Member States the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS), in line with the practice established in other policy fields, to improve the coordination of their respective budget support to third countries in order to avoid potential or existing overlaps, inconsistencies and incoherencies~~, which are all the more unacceptable in a context of scarce funding~~; regrets the reviews showing that, at sectoral level, weak policies, institutions and service delivery systems have prompted donors to use their own systems to implement projects, and to act bilaterally rather than in a coordinated manner, a situation which is all the more unacceptable in a context of scarce funding and which also makes it very hard for the EU to live up to its promises on making aid more predictable; maintains that a focus on specific areas offering the greatest added value should drive EU budget support throughout all phases of preparation and delivery;

2011/03/15
Committee: BUDG

2010/2300(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7 a. Regrets that, on the international scene, Europe is still an economic giant, and a political dwarf; The union should draw consequence of its added value brought about by its huge political weight and the potentially large scope of the Union's action, ensuring political influence proportional to the financial support given;

2011/03/15
Committee: BUDG

2010/2300(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7 b. Calls on the Commission, in line with its intention to "mainstream" the EU budget in order to financially assist and support the EU's climate change policies, to investigate the feasibility of using sector budget support (SBS) for climate mitigation and adaptation in developing countries;

2011/03/15
Committee: BUDG

2010/2272(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Stresses the importance of the Member States adopting the EU Directive on equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, and calls on the Member States to make this a priority and adopt it as soon as possible;

2011/04/28
Committee: EMPL

2010/2272(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses the need for a new efficient approach to disability starting from the creation of a more effective mechanism to coordinate and monitor the implementation of the EDS; stresses in this context how important it is that people with disabilities, and civil society organisations working in this area, should be involved in this work;

2011/04/28
Committee: EMPL

2010/2272(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8 a. Calls on the Member States to try as far as possible to reduce institutional care in favour of other forms of support such as personal assistance and other services which support independent living;

2011/04/28
Committee: EMPL

2010/2272(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Reaffirms that products, goods and services, including their modified versions, should not be discriminative and therefore cannot have alternative pricings, especially for disabled people; furthermore, the European public procurement legislation should be reviewed and accessibility requirements should be incorporated into its provisions;

2011/04/28
Committee: EMPL

2010/2272(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22 a. Calls on the EU institutions to set an example as regards the employment of people with disabilities and urges the Member States to pursue this strategy too;

2011/04/28
Committee: EMPL

2010/2272(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25 a. Recalls Article 24 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in which the States Parties undertake to ensure that persons with disabilities are not excluded from the general education system, or from secondary education, on the basis of disability, and that reasonable accommodation is provided for the individual’s requirements, together with the support required; urges the Member States to meet their undertakings;

2011/04/28
Committee: EMPL

2010/2246(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. ~~[Approves / rejects / a~~Amends] the Council's position on Draft amending budget No °10/2010 as amended by Amending Lletter No 1 ~~[unamended]~~by decreasing commitment appropriations by EUR 69 285 000 for measures under heading 4 as set out in the proposed transfer DEC 60/2010 and instructs its President to declare that Amending budget N~~o x~~° 10/2010 has been ~~[rejected /~~ definitively adopted] and to arrange for its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union];

2010/12/03
Committee: BUDG

2010/2110(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)

Ga. whereas the EU must pursue a trade policy which is coherent with its development policies and to that end fully prioritise social and sustainable development, as well as the market integration of developing countries,

2010/11/12
Committee: AGRI

2010/2110(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Considers that the EU agricultural sector, if reformed properly, has a clear added value for the European economy and a strategic role to play in the EU 2020 strategy towards tackling the economic, social and environmental challenges that the EU is facing;

2010/11/12
Committee: AGRI

2010/2110(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. C~~ondemns~~alls on the Commission~~'s approach, which far too often makes concessions o~~ to strive for a balanced approach among different sectors and to promote both defensive and offensive European agricultureal in ~~order to obtain enhanced market access in third countries for industrial products and services~~terests in multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations while taking responsibility for the EU economy as a whole;

2010/11/12
Committee: AGRI

2010/2110(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Calls on the Commission to propose an approach that strikes a balance between domestic production and imports, taking into account, for each agricultural sector, the development of multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations, as well as EU environmental, social, and safety standards;deleted

2010/11/12
Committee: AGRI

2010/2110(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Considers that standards equivalent to those applied in the EU, while respecting WTO rights and obligations, must be imposed on imports so as to ensure that EU farmers compete on a level playing field and EU citizens are effectively protected; underlines the need for tighter import controls at borders;

2010/11/12
Committee: AGRI

2010/2110(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Urges the Commission proactively to promote the EU's offensive agricultural interests, given the vast export potential of the EU's high quality agri-food products; underlines, inter alia, the need to step up promotion programmes, including through an increase in the percentage of EU cofinancing; notes that these measures are WTO-compatible, falling as they do into the ‘green box’;

2010/11/12
Committee: AGRI

2010/2110(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Considers that, in a bid to secure a successful outcome to the DDA, the EU made an extremely generous offer on agriculture, ~~but this was not reciprocated by an equivalent level of ambition from other developed and advanced developing countries~~and urges the Commission to continue to seek an ambitious, balanced and comprehensive outcome of the DDA;

2010/11/12
Committee: AGRI

2010/2110(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Recalls that the EU has already significantly reduced its trade-distorting domestic support, and is fully committed to continue with this effort; asks for firm commitments to do the same from other trading partners;

2010/11/12
Committee: AGRI

2010/2110(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Considers that the general reduction in customs tariffs should be assessed in the light of the EU offer concerning the domestic support and export competition pillars, and should depend on the possibility of keeping the Special Safeguard clause during a transitional period for a limited number of tariff lines, on a specific exemption from tariff simplification disciplines and on adequate flexibility in the formula for tariff cuts ~~and in the designation of sensitive products; is of the opinion that the proposed mechanism for~~through the designatingon of sensitive products ~~is fatally undermined by the obligation to achieve a significant tariff quota expansion~~;

2010/11/12
Committee: AGRI

2010/2110(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Considers it unacceptable that the Commission resumed negotiations with Mercosur without making publicly available a detailed impact assessment and without engaging in a proper political debate with the Council and the Parliament;deleted

2010/11/12
Committee: AGRI

2010/2106(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Considers that forests ~~not only~~ are essential ~~to the environment, but also contribute to the achievement of social and economic objectives, for example by providing timber, improving the general living environment and protecting crop~~for achieving environmental objectives, and at the same time contribute to better living conditions through the achievement of fully complementary social and economic objectives; forests are a major source of funding for rural ~~communit~~areas but also for national economies, revenue being generated by activities relating to forestry, berry picking, hunting and tourism;

2010/11/09
Committee: AGRI

2010/2106(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Considers that active forest management is important for its contribution to ~~rural~~ economi~~es and~~c activity in the Member States, job creation and growth, as well as the EU energy strategy; ~~the great potential of forests as a renewable source of energy is currently being underexploited~~forests have a great underexploited potential as a renewable source of energy and the sector also offers significant opportunities to serve as a role model in the creation of green jobs; accordingly welcomes the Commission’s public consultation initiative regarding the role of agriculture and forestry in achieving climate-change objectives; calls on the Commission to propose ways of extending these strategies to include the reduction of carbon emissions and carbon sequestration by means of land use and land-use change and forestry (LULUCF);

2010/11/09
Committee: AGRI

2010/2106(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Considers that agriculture and forestry can be made to function as an integrated whole; while the aspects relating to production are essential, they are not inconsistent with the protection of forests or the other benefits deriving from them; it is necessary to strike the correct balance between the two and ensure interaction between them, for example through the more efficient allocation of available funding; European forestry policy, particularly under the second pillar of the CAP, must be continued with an adequate level of funding under the post-2013 CAP;

2010/11/09
Committee: AGRI

2010/2106(INI)

Marita ULVSKOG, Göran FÄRM

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Considers that forests are of major benefit in terms of public goods, for which the market reward is insufficient; the European Union should provide assistance to forest owners from funding instruments as a reward for their efforts to implement measures to protect the genetic diversity of forests; reaffirms Parliament's view regarding the need for EU-funded support payments for additional areas, thereby rewarding farmers for reducing carbon emissions per production unit and/or increasing carbon storage in the soil, using sustainable production methods;

2010/11/09
Committee: AGRI

2010/2106(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10

~~10. Advocates the wider application of Article 68 of Council Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 of 19 January 2009 in respect of forests;~~deleted

2010/11/09
Committee: AGRI

2010/2048(BUD)

Anne E. JENSEN, Göran FÄRM, Thijs BERMAN, Francesca BALZANI, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas, in substance, the Parliament is ready, in conciliation, to negotiate with the other branch of the budgetary authority, ~~on the exact breakdown between redeployment and mobilisation of the flexibility instrument,~~

2010/10/06
Committee: BUDG

2010/2048(BUD)

Anne E. JENSEN, Göran FÄRM, Thijs BERMAN, Francesca BALZANI, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. Whereas the proposed redeployment of 17.4 million from the facility for rapid response to soaring food prices in developing countries envelope is acceptable in order to maintain the overall financing of 1 billion,deleted

2010/10/06
Committee: BUDG

2010/2048(BUD)

Anne E. JENSEN, Göran FÄRM, Thijs BERMAN, Francesca BALZANI, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Calls on the Commission to present a new proposal for the mobilisation of the flexibility instrument for the remaining part of EUR ~~56 7~~74 124 470,

2010/10/06
Committee: BUDG

2010/2004(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Recalls that, in addition to considerations regarding the MFF ceilings for the remaining years (2011-2013), the budgetary authority has been obliged to revise the MFF several times because it did not allow the EU to react properly and satisfactorily to various challenges that have arisen in recent years; reiterates its conviction that an in-depth review and revision of the MFF is an absolute necessity; asks the Commission to publish its report on the functioning of the current IIA on the basis of Declaration 1 of the 17 May 2006 IIA by May 2010, accompanied by concrete proposals to revise the current MFF for the period 2007 -2013;

2010/02/26
Committee: BUDG

2010/2004(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Points out that the 2011 budget is the fourth of seven under the current MFF, and emphasises that point 37 of the IIA on the use of the 5% margin of legislative flexibility now makes full sense, since the two arms of the budgetary authority have a clearer view of the shortfalls of, and positive developments in, existing programmes; recalls that, irrespective of the provisions of the IIA, ensuring an appropriate level of flexibility in the EU budget is a prerequisite for its effective implementation in a useful manner; expects the MFF regulation to be adopted on the basis of Article 312 of the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union and the forthcoming IIA to allow for greater flexibility;

2010/02/26
Committee: BUDG

2010/2004(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Points out that the strengthening of a number of policies at EU level following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty wshould logically imply additional financial capacity for the EU;

2010/02/26
Committee: BUDG

2010/2004(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Recalls that the EU ~~was able to react collectively to the financial and economic~~, within the constraints of the MFF, was able to find some European added value to the national efforts made in Member States to combat the economical and financial crisis, by adopting ~~an ambitious~~the European Economic Recovery Pplan (EERP), but notes that the overall economic situation in the EU is still deteriorating and is far from satisfactory in comparison to the world’s other leading economies;

2010/02/26
Committee: BUDG

2010/2004(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10 Stresses that youth is tremendously important both now and for the future of the EU, and that it should be given particular attention in the course of defining our mid-and long-term priorities; points out that youth~~, in all its~~ policies, with all their related aspects, are~~present~~ the basis of social and inclusive strategies and that the innovation capacity of youth is a key resource for ~~EU and should be se~~development a~~s a cross-policy~~nd growth for theme EU;

2010/02/26
Committee: BUDG

2010/2004(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Is of the opinion that support for entrepreneurship and SMEs is a ~~cornerstone~~useful tool of EU policy on youth and innovation; recalls that it has put forward several pilot projects and preparatory actions in recent years with the aim of supporting young entrepreneurs, promoting interconnections between SMEs and enhancing worker mobility, and underlines that it will closely monitor the legislative proposals to be presented following the completion of these projects and actions;

2010/02/26
Committee: BUDG

2010/2004(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Recalls that 2011 has been designated as the European Year of Voluntary Activities Promoting Active Citizenship; and 2010 the European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion; points out that volunteering plays a crucial role in many sectors as varied and diverse as, inter alia, education, health, social care and development policy, and that it can provide people with new skills and competences, thereby improving their employability and contributing to social inclusion;

2010/02/26
Committee: BUDG

2010/2004(BUD)

Francesca BALZANI, Göran FÄRM, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. ~~Welcomes~~Takes Note of the Commission working document on the future ‘EU 2020’ strategy1, which identifies three key drivers for the EU’s future (creating value by basing growth on knowledge, empowering people in inclusive societies, and creating a competitive, connected and greener economy) and addresses the real challenges that the EU needs to fas the basis of a broad discussion of the EU economic strategy; believes that this strategy should put more emphasis on the fight against unemployment and strengthen the EU's economic governance; underlines, however, in conjunction with the priorities set for the 2011 budget, that clear, proactive measures have to be taken to endow EU 2020 with substance and resources, and firmly asserts that this strategy should not turn into another vague and purely indicative scoreboard for the Member States; refuses to duplicate the frustrating experience of the Lisbon Strategy, with the Council making systematic cuts to the lines supporting efforts consistent with the agreed strategy;

2010/02/26
Committee: BUDG

2010/2004(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Stresses that it intends to use all the means provided for in the IIA of 17 May 2006 to mobilise funds for these priorities, and underlines that this financial effort may necessitate the shifting of funds from other instruments or programmes; considers that th~~e EU could transfer funds from badly implemented programmes, or those with a comparatively large level of appropriations, to these priorities,~~is exercise should be based not only on a quantitative monitoring of the existing programs but also on close and thorough qualitative monitoring; believes that the Committee on Budgets should rely on the work undertaken by EP specialised committees in that respect; thereby improving the quality of its spending, and thereby increasing European added value which is essential in a context of constrained public finances;

2010/02/26
Committee: BUDG

2010/2004(BUD)

Francesca BALZANI, Göran FÄRM, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Takes the view that a clear and comprehensive presentation of the EU’s budget is necessary, and intends pay close attention to the financial programming and the modifications made by recent major budgetary agreements; welcomes the Commission’s improved presentation of its financial programming documents and calls for further clarification of the breakdown between operational and administrative expenditure; while recognising that this distinction might be difficult to make in some cases; recalls that adequate administrative expenditure is necessary for running the programmes;

2010/02/26
Committee: BUDG

2010/2004(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Recalls that the financing of these priorities through tha possible reallocation of funds must not be detrimental to ~~traditional~~ EU policies such as the cohesion or, structural or agriculture policies; points out that these policies fulfil the founding principle of the EU, namely social inclusion and solidarity amongst Member States and regions;

2010/02/26
Committee: BUDG

2010/2004(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Recalls that a number of policies and measures constituting the EERP are covered under this heading, together with a great number of multiannual programmes (CIP, FP7, TENs, etc.) which will have reached maturity in 2011; calls on the Commission to present a follow-up report on the implementation of the EERP including on measures entrusted to the EIB;

2010/02/26
Committee: BUDG

2010/2004(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. Asks the Commission to report on the implementation of the ~~‘Dairy Fund’~~measures against dairy crisis introduced in the 2010 budget in order to mitigate the consequences of price fluctuations in the dairy sector, and to present a ~~permanent~~n approach in this field for the future;

2010/02/26
Committee: BUDG

2010/2004(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37

37. Will be particularly attentive to the implementation of changes such as the bringing of EUROPOL fully within the Community sphere and the establishment of the European Asylum Support Office as well as scrutinising the financial needs of FRONTEX;

2010/02/26
Committee: BUDG

2010/2004(BUD)

Roberto GUALTIERI, Göran FÄRM, Francesca BALZANI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38

38. Recalls that this heading covers a wide range of actions in favour of youth through multiannual programmes such as Youth in Action, the Culture Programme, Europe for Citizens, annual events; intends, therefore, to support those EU programmes relating to this issue that are directly relevant to the priorities for the 2011 budget, and to monitor their implementation closely in both qualitative and quantitative terms; regrets, however, that the ceiling of this heading for 2011 is only EUR 15 million above the budget adopted in 2010;

2010/02/26
Committee: BUDG

2010/2004(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41

41. Points out that, following an amending budget for 2010, 2011 will be the first fully operational year for the European External Action Service (EEAS); intends to provide the EEAS with the necessary means to fulfil its mission, but recalls that, under the treaty and in full accordance with the common intention to increase the EP’s involvement in the shaping and management of the EU’s external relations, it will fully exercise its scrutiny over the budget and budgetary control of EEAS; underlines the likely "sui generis" nature of the EEAS, which will probably entail the creation of a new section entitled "EEAS" in the EU budget;

2010/02/26
Committee: BUDG

2010/2004(BUD)

Roberto GUALTIERI, Göran FÄRM, Francesca BALZANI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42

42. Expresses its concerns over the scarcity of information regarding the financing of the EU’s commitments to support developing countries in their fight against climate change, and recalls that this commitment was not foreseen in the MFF; strongly emphasises that the funding for these measures should be additional to the existing ODA funds;

2010/02/26
Committee: BUDG

2010/2004(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43

43. Reaffirms its firm commitment to assist the Haitian people to the largest possible extent in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that has struck their country; asks the Commission to present, on the basis of an extensive needs assessment, the most ambitious assistance plan possible for Haiti; recalls that such a plan should not jeopardise existing cooperation with other developing and less advanced countries, and should consist ~~mainly~~ of new funding sources; in that context, calls once more the Commission to make some concrete proposals on the strengthening of the European Civil Protection mechanism along the lines put forward in the 2006 Barnier report;

2010/02/26
Committee: BUDG

2010/2004(BUD)

Roberto GUALTIERI, Göran FÄRM, Francesca BALZANI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45

45. Emphasises that the Eastern Partnership, as a component of its neighbourhood policy, is of great significance for the EU, and reiterates its support for the proposed framework; considers it equally important to ensure an adequate financial envelope reflecting the EU's commitment vis-à-vis its southern neighbours;

2010/02/26
Committee: BUDG

2010/2003(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Highlights the fact that the timetable foreseen for the approval of the guidelines and estimates for Parliament's budget for 2011 will not allow Members to work in a proper and informed way, as they did not have an opportunity to reflect upon the guidelines, because they were formally approved by the Bureau shortly before the deadline for tabling amendments; underlines that, as a result, the guidelines will probably be approved by the plenary after the Bureau has taken a decision on its estimates;

2010/02/25
Committee: BUDG

2010/2003(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. RCalls for an evaluation of the use of secretarial assistance allowances and for an assessment of the global cost of the increase currently awaiting approval from both arms of the budgetary authority, prior to considering any possible further increase in the future; recalls that wider cost implications should always be assessed in relation to new measures introduced such as, for example, when deciding on staff and assistants schemes in both 2010 and 2011; underlines especially that if additional assistants were to be recruited in Brussels, this would have an impact on the situation regarding office space, ~~which is already stretched~~building maintenance and security, IT equipment, human resources dealing with administrative tasks and general facilities; considers that the March presentation of the medium-term buildings strategy for its three places of work is crucial;

2010/02/25
Committee: BUDG

2010/2002(BUD)

Francesca BALZANI, Göran FÄRM, Estelle GRELIER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. RWelcomes the publication by the Commission of the Report on the functioning of IIA (COM 2010/185) and recalls, in thatis respect, that a proposal for a substantial ~~budget review~~revision is awaited, and that the difficulties encountered in the previous budgetary procedures into react~~ing~~ properly and satisfactorily to various challenges that have arisen render athe revision of the current MFF unavoidable; recalls that it expects the Commission to make some concrete proposals for a revision of the MFF before the end the 1st semester 2010;

2010/05/12
Committee: BUDG

2010/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5a new

5a. Underlines the importance of a strong European reaction to the crisis and to the instability of financial market that should logically imply additional financial capacity and flexibility for EU Budget;

2010/05/12
Committee: BUDG

2010/2002(BUD)

Francesca BALZANI, Göran FÄRM, Estelle GRELIER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7a new

7a. deplores the impossibility to clearly identify, from a budgetary point of view, the financial implication in the Draft Budget 2011 of the EU 2020 Strategy flagship initiatives , such as "innovation Union", "Youth on the Move", "Resource efficient Europe", "New skills and jobs", "Industrial policy for the globalisation era" and expresses its strong doubts regarding the capacity to ensure, in the context of the present financial framework, an adequate funding for these key initiatives;

2010/05/12
Committee: BUDG

2010/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Recalls that, as stated in its resolution of 25 March 2010 on priorities for the 2011 budget, youth is one of the key priorities for the 2011 budget, which should be promoted as an EU cross-cutting theme, developing synergies between different policy areas relating to youth, notably education, employment, entrepreneurship and health, while facilitating and encouraging young people's social inclusion, empowerment, mobility and skills development; points out that 'youth' should be seen as a broad concept encompassing the ability of individuals to change positions and status several times throughout their lives, switching without restriction between settings such as apprenticeships, academic or professional environments and vocational training, and that, to this end, one of the objectives wshould be transition from the education system to the labour market also taking into account the economic needs related to this process;

2010/05/12
Committee: BUDG

2010/2002(BUD)

Göran FÄRM, Francesca BALZANI, Edit HERCZOG, Olle LUDVIGSSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11a new

11a. Underlines the fact that the EU budget is very limited compared to national budgets; recalls therefore, in order to implement common EU strategies, the need for creating synergies between the EU budget and national budgets; stresses that coherence creates a greater impact for European policies, achieving a true European added value, while supporting long term policy objectives; is convinced that the EU budget can play an instrumental role in key areas to support long tem investments and jobs; expects the Council to take that duly into consideration when deciding on the EU budget and to refrain from "across the board cuts" even if the context for national public finances is extremely difficult;

2010/05/12
Committee: BUDG

2010/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13a new

13a. Is very concerned about the decrease regarding CIP - Entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly given the key role that the SMEs have in driving the economic recovery; has taken note of the problems described by the Commission in keeping payments at a high level in times of crisis, but is not convinced that the payments need to be drastically reduced to the very low level that has been proposed; urges the Commission to look further into this issue;

2010/05/12
Committee: BUDG

2010/2002(BUD)

Göran FÄRM, Francesca BALZANI, Paolo DE CASTRO, Luis Manuel CAPOULAS SANTOS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Recalls that one of the main changes introduced by the TFEU is the abolition of the distinction between compulsory and non-compulsory expenditure in the budget procedure, allowing, at last, the two branches of the budgetary authority to negotiate on a equal footing on all annual appropriations ~~and multiannual financial programming for an heading which~~, recalls that compulsory expenditures accountsed for almost 342% of the overall ~~draft~~ budget ~~for 2011~~most of which were under heading 2;

2010/05/12
Committee: BUDG

2010/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. Recalls that the "Milk Fund" adopted in 2010 Budget to mitigate the consequences of the dairy crisis was supposed to be a one-off action; asks the Commission to forward its evaluation of this measure and its proposals for a permanent approach and concrete proposals for dealing with price volatility in this sector; including measures to correct the unfair competition currently existing in the dairy sector, where farmers receive less for their products, whilst the price for consumers stays at the same level;

2010/05/12
Committee: BUDG

2010/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45

45. Welcomes the launch of the European Year on Volunteering in 2011, building on the preparatory action introduced under the 2010 budget 2010, and recalls Parliament's and Council's decision to increase the overall allocation provided for in the relevant legislative act to EUR 8 million;

2010/05/12
Committee: BUDG

2010/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63

63. Reiterates its serious concern over the Commission's recurring habit of not entering any CA for almost all pilot projects and preparatory actions; notes the very selective approach followed for the inclusion of CA for an extremely limited number of pilot projects and preparatory actions, and requests the Commission to explain the reasoning behind the distinction made between different projects and actions;deleted

2010/05/12
Committee: BUDG

2010/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65

65. Stresses the importance of pilot projects and preparatory actions as key tools for the formulation of political priorities and for paving the way for new initiatives that might turn into EU activities and programmes improving the lives of the citizen; confirms, therefore, already at this stage in the procedure, that it is determined to use all the means at its disposal to ensure the adoption of its proposals regarding pilot projects and preparatory actions for the 2011 budget;

2010/05/12
Committee: BUDG

2010/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67

67. Intends to forward to the Commission, as provided for in Annex II, part D of the IIA, a first provisional list of potential pilot projects and preparatory actions for the 2011 budget 2011, in order for the Commission to contribute to Parliament's definition of a global and balanced final package on this issue, expects the Commission to provide a well reasoned analysis of EP's indicative proposals; stresses that this first provisional list does not preclude the formal tabling and adoption of amendments concerning pilot projects and preparatory actions during Parliament's reading of the budget;

2010/05/12
Committee: BUDG

2010/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72

72. Recalls, as far as procedural aspects of the conciliation committee are concerned, that the institutions involved are supposed to reach agreement at the trilogue scheduled for July; insist that the up- coming Presidency of the European Union, meant to adopt the budget, takes part in this trialogue; considers, as far as the mandate regarding the 2011 draft budget is concerned, all aspects and points raised in this resolution to be of importance for this trilogue;

2010/05/12
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 4 – paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. The budget shall record the guarantee for borrowing-and-lending operations entered into by the Union and payments to the Guarantee Fund for external actions.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 9 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)

(ba) amounts corresponding from an own resource system;

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Göran FÄRM, Jens GEIER

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 23 – paragraph 1 – point b

(b) transfer payment appropriations within each title after prior notification to Parliament and Council provided that neither of them opposes the transfer within three weeks;

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 23 – paragraph 1 – point d

(d) as regards operational expenditure, transfer appropriations between chapters within the same title, up to a maximum total of 10 % of the appropriations for the year shown on the line from which the transfer is made after notification to Parliament and Council.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 24 – paragraph 4 – point c

(c) ~~European Parliament and the Council~~both arms of the budgetary authority refrain from acting or have not taken a decision contrary to the ~~Commiss~~institutions' proposal.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 25 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2

The procedure provided for in Article 24(3) and (4) shall apply. If the Commission proposal is not agreed to by ~~the European Parliament and the Council~~both arms of the budgetary authority and there is a failure to arrive at a common position on the use of this reserve, ~~the European Parliament and the Council~~both arms of the budgetary authority shall refrain from acting on the Commission's proposal of transfers.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 27 – paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. During the budgetary procedure, the Commission shall, upon a request from at least one part of the budgetary authority or if there are significant changes, provide the necessary information for a comparison between changes in the appropriations required and the initial forecasts made in the financial statements. This information shall include progress made and the stage reached by the legislative authority in its consideration of proposals presented. The appropriations required shall, where appropriate, be revised in the light of the progress of deliberations on the basic act.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 28 – paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Efficient internal control shall be based on the following elements: (a) the implementation of an appropriate risk management and control strategy coordinated among appropriate actors involved in the control chain; (b) the accessibility of control results to all appropriate actors involved in the control chain; (c) reliance where appropriate on management declarations of implementation partners and independent audit opinions, provided that the quality of the underlying work is adequate and acceptable and that it has been performed in accordance with agreed standards; (d) the timely application of corrective measure; (e) clear and unambiguous legislation underlying the policies; (f) the elimination of multiple controls; (g) the principle of improving the cost- benefit ratio of controls, taking into account the statistical error rate referred to in Article 29 of the Financial Regulation.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 29 – title

Tolerable risk of error Statistical error rate

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 29 – paragraph 1

TWhe ~~Legislative authority sh~~n presenting revised or new spending proposalls, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 322 of the TFEU, decide on a level of tolerable risk of error at an appropriate aggregation of the budget. That decision shall be taken into account during the annual discharge procedure, in accordance with Article 157(2)the Commission shall estimate the cost of administrative and control systems as well as the level of risk of error with the proposed legislation per funds and per Member State.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 29 – paragraph 2

~~The level of tolerable risk of error shall be based on~~If, during the programme implementation, the level of error is persistently high, the Commission shall identify the weaknesses in the control systems and analys~~is of~~e the costs and benefits of ~~controls. Member States and entities and persons referred to in point (b) Article 55(1) shall on request report to the Commission on the costs~~possible corrective measures and take appropriate action such as simplification of the applicable provisions, re-design of the programm, tightening of controls bor~~ne by them as well as the number and size of activities financed by the budget~~, if necessary, termination of the activity.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 29 – paragraph 3

~~The level of tolerable risk of error shall be closely monitored and shall be reviewed in case of major change~~Integral to the full effectiveness of national management and control systems are accredited management declarations ion the ~~control environment~~se systems submitted by member states.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 34 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1

~~Where relevant~~Upon request by at least one part of the budgetary authority, the Commission shall attach to the draft budget a financial programming for the following years.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 34 – paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Upon request of at least one part of the budgetary authority, the Commission shall provide, in support of the draft budget, documents specified in the delegated acts;

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 34 – paragraph 3

3. The Commission shall also attach to the draft budget any further working paper it considers useful to support its budget requests.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 37 – paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. The Presidency of the Council shall declare the budget finally adopted in accordance with their internal procedure.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 46 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)

(ea) all revenue and expenditure under the respective European Development Funds shall be entered under a special budget heading within the Commission section.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 55 – paragraph 1 – point b – subpoint viii

(viii) persons entrusted with the implementation of specific actions in the Common Foreign and Security Policy pursuant to Title V of the Treaty on the European Union, and identified in the relevant basic act within the meaning of Article 51 of this Regulation.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 55 a (new)

Article 55a Where provided for in the relevant basic acts, the Commission may use sectoral or general budget support within a third country if: (a) the partner country's management of public spending is sufficiently transparent, reliable and effective, and; (b) where the partner country has put in place properly formulated sectoral or macroeconomic policies approved by its principal donors, including, where relevant, the international financial institutions.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 55 b (new)

Article 55b The Commission may harmonise hedging operations in order to reduce the interest rate, cash-flow or foreign currency risks. Those operations shall rely on appropriate instruments and shall not seek speculative purposes.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1

In accordance with ~~the~~criteria and procedures laid down in sector-specific rules, a Member States authority shall accredit ~~one or more public sector bodies which shall be solely~~bodies responsible for the ~~proper~~ management and control of ~~the funds, for which accreditation has been granted~~Union funds. This shall be without prejudice to the possibility for these bodies to carry out tasks not related to the management of Union funds or to entrust certain of their tasks to other bodies.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2

The accreditation shall be given by a Member State authority in accordance with sector-specific rules ensuring that the body is capable of properly managing the funds. The sector-specific rules ~~may~~shall also define a role of the Commission in the accreditation process.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3

The accrediting authority shall be responsible for ~~supervising the body and for taking all necessary measures to remedy any deficiency in its op~~monitoring compliance of the accredited bodies with the accreditation criteria, on the basis of available audits and control results. The accrediting authority shall take all necessary measures to remedy any deficiency in the implementation of the tasks entrusted by the bodies it has accredited, including the suspension and withdrawal of the accreditation. The accredited bodies in the Member States shall: - conduct checks and put in place an effective and efficient internal control system, and - provide the Commission by 1 March of the following year with: (a) their annual accounts drawn up for the expenditure made in the execution of the tasks entrusted and presented to the Commission for reimbursement including the sums disbursed to the beneficiaries for which recovery procedures are under way; (b) a summary of the results of available audits and checks carried out, including an analysis of systemic or recurrent weaknesses as well as corrective actions taken or planned and their results; (c) a management declaration, signed at the ministerial level, providing reasonable assurance that: (i) the information contained in the accounts presents a true and fair view; (ii) the expenditure referred in the accounts has been used for its intended purpose and in accordance with the principle of sound financial management; (iii) the control procedures put in place give the necessary guarantees concerning the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions. These documents shall be accompanied by an opinion of an independent audit body, drawn up in accordance with the internation~~, including the suspension and withdrawal of the accreditation.~~ ally accepted audit standards, on the contents of the management declaration. The audit body shall report if the examinations puts in doubt the assertions made in the management declaration. An annex to the opinion shall present the error rate per funds and an analysis of the errors as well as reservations. - ensure in conformity with Article 31(2), annual ex post publication of recipients of Union funds; - ensure a protection of personal data which satisfies the principles laid down in Directive 95/46/EC; If a member state has accredited more than one body with responsibility for ex ante and ex post verifications per policy area, it shall by 15 March of the following financial year provide the Commission with a synthesis report consisting of an overview at national level of all management declarations of assurance and the independent audit opinions thereon, prepared for the policy area concerned. The Member States shall bring legal proceedings as necessary and appropriate. As far as member states disclose errors and / or irregularities they discover immediately to the Commission and remedy these, they may be exempt from financial corrections concerning such errors and / or irregularities.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 4 – introductory part

4. BIn accordance with their functions, bodies accredited pursuant to paragraph 3 of this Article shall:

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 4 – point b

(b) use an ~~annual~~ accounting system providing accurate, complete and reliable information in a timely manner;

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 4 – point c

~~(c) be subject to an independent external audit, performed in accordance with internationally accepted auditing standards by an audit service functionally independent of the accredited body;~~deleted

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 4 – point d

(d) ensure, ex post publication of recipients of Union funds in conformity with Article 31(2), an~~nual ex post publication of recipients of Union funds~~d protection of personal data which satisfies the principles laid down in Directive 95/46/EC;

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 4 – point f

~~(f) ensure a protection of personal data which satisfies the principles laid down in Directive 95/46/EC.~~deleted

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 5

BIn accordance with their functions, bodies accredited pursuant to paragraph 3 of this Article shall provide the Commission by 1 ~~February~~March of the following financial year with: (a) their annual accounts drawn up for the expenditure made in the execution of the tasks entrusted and including sums disbursed to the beneficiaries for which recovery procedures are underway or have been completed; (b) a summary of the results of all available audits and controls carried out, including an analysis of systematic or recurrent weaknesses as well as corrective actions taken or planned; (c) a management declaration of assurance as to the completeness, accuracy and veracity of the accounts, the proper functioning of the internal control systems as well as to the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions and the respect of the principle of sound financial management; , signed at the ministerial level, providing reasonable assurance that: (i) the information contained in the accounts presents a true and fair view; (ii) the expenditure referred in the accounts has been used for its intended purpose and in accordance with the principle of sound financial management; (iii) the control procedures put in place give the necessary guarantees concerning the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions. An annex to the declaration shall present the error rate per funds and an analysis of the errors as well as reservations. These documents shall be accompanied by an opinion of an independent audit body, drawn up in accordance with the internationally accepted audit standards, on the completeness, accuracy and veracity of the accounts, on the proper functioning of the control procedures put in place as well as on the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions. (d) the opinion of an independent audit body on the management declaration of assurance mentioned in point (c) of this paragraph, covering all its elements. If a Member State has accredited more than one body per policy area, it shall by 15 ~~February~~March of the following financial year provide the Commission with a synthesis report consisting of an overview at national level of all management declarations of assurance and the corresponding independent audit opinions ~~thereon~~, prepared for the policy area concerned.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. The Commission may decide to lift all or part of the interruption or suspension on payments after a Member State has presented its observations. The decision to lift the interruption or suspension shall be annexed to the annual activity report of the competent authorising officer by delegation.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Member States shall provide a national declaration on the expenditure made under the system of shared management. This declaration shall be signed at the ministerial level, and be based on the information to be provided under paragraph 5(c), and shall at least cover the effective functioning of the internal control systems in place and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions. It shall be subject to the opinion of an independent audit body and be provided to the Commission by 15 March of the year following the budgetary year concerned. The European Court of Auditors, notably through the Contact Committee of the Supreme Audit Institutions of the European Union, shall assess the prerequisite content and methodology of national declarations and shall issue guidelines for their establishment. Where a Member State has provided a national declaration in accordance with the above provisions, this shall be taken into account in the establishment of the Commission’s audit and control strategies and the establishment of risk at Member States’ level in accordance with Article 29 it shall be forwarded to the budgetary authority in mutatis mutandis application of Article 63(9).

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 91 – paragraph 1

Subject to the prior agreement of the institutions and Member States concerned, any transmission of documents between ~~institutions~~them may be done by electronic means.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 91 a (new)

Article 91a Electronic Government (e-government) 1. The Commission, in cooperation with other Institutions, executive agencies as well as entities referred to in Article 200, shall establish and apply uniform standards for electronic information supplied to third parties in the process of procurements and grants procedures. It shall, to the greatest possible extent, design and apply uniform standards for the submission, storage and processing of data submitted in grants and procurement procedures, and to this end, shall designate a single ‘electronic data interchange area’ for potential beneficiaries, beneficiaries or candidates and tenderers. The established standards shall be applied by all Institutions and the referred above agencies and bodies. 2. The Commission shall report to Parliament and Council on the progress of the implementation of this provision within two years after the entry of application of this Regulation and regularly afterwards.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 93 – paragraph 4

4. Each year the institution shall forward a report to the discharge authority containing a summary of the number and type of internal audits carried out, the recommendations made and the action taken on those recommendations and internal audit reports shall be made available to the discharge authorities on request.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 116 a (new)

Article 116a For the purposes of this Regulation, simplified procedures shall apply to low value grants, the single threshold of which shall be determined in the delegated act.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 117 – paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Eligible costs are costs actually incurred by the beneficiary of a grant which meet all the following criteria: (a) they are incurred during the duration of the action or of the work programme, with the exception of costs relating to final reports and audit certificates; (b) they are indicated in the estimated overall budget of the action or work programme; (c) they are necessary for the implementation of the action or of the work programme which is the subject of the grant; (d) they are identifiable and verifiable, in particular being recorded in the accounting records of the beneficiary and determined according to the applicable accounting standards of the country where the beneficiary is established and according to the usual cost-accounting practices of the beneficiary; (e) they comply with the requirements of applicable tax and social legislation; (f) they are reasonable, justified, and comply with the requirements of sound financial management, in particular regarding economy and efficiency. Without prejudice to paragraph 1 and to the basic act, the value added tax ('VAT') paid by, and which cannot be refunded to, the beneficiary according to the applicable national legislation, shall be considered as an eligible cost by an authorising officer. The modalities of the reimbursement shall be laid down in the delegated act.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 117 – paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. For the purpose of this Title, profit shall be defined as follows: (a) in the case of a grant for an action, profit means a surplus of earmarked receipts over the eligible costs incurred by the beneficiary, when the request is made for final payment. Provided that the co- financing principle is respected, the beneficiary may substitute other source of funding from thirs parties to its own financial resources; Earmarked receipts may consist in income generated by the action and financial transfers from third parties assigned to the eligible costs of the action. (b) in the case of an operating grant, profit means a surplus balance on the eligible operating budget of the beneficiary.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 122 – paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Reasonable time limits for processing applications shall be laid down in the sectorial regulations or in the delegated act and shall not be contradictory.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 125– paragraph 1 a (new)

Guarantees shall not be required in the case of low value grants or in other circumstances laid down in the delegated act.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 126 – paragraph 1

1. The amount of the grant shall not become final until after the competent authorising officer ~~responsible~~by delegation has accepted the final reports and accounts, without prejudice to subsequent checks by the institution, to be carried out in a timely manner and agreed upon in good faith by the institution and the beneficiary in advance.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 126 a (new)

Article 126a Beneficiaries shall keep records, supporting documents, statistical records and other records pertinent to a grant for the periods laid down in the delegated act.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 130 – paragraph 1

1. For the purpose of this Regulation, ‘'financial instruments’' shall mean Union measures of financial support provided from the budget in order to address aone or more specific policy objectives by way of loans, including loans with interest rate rebates, guarantees, equity or quasi-equity investments or participations, or other risk- bearing instruments, possibly combined with grants. The risk exposure resulting from the implementation of financial instruments shall in all cases be pre-defined. The following definitions shall apply: (a) 'loan' means an agreement which obliges the lender to make available to the borrower a sum of money in the agreed amount. The borrower is obliged to repay the loan made available to him at the due date. Usually the borrower is obliged to pay interest owed; (b) 'interest rate rebates' means a subsidy on the interests of loans; (c) 'guarantee' means a written commitment to be responsible for the debt of a third party in an event of default; (d) ‘equity investment’ means the provision of capital to a firm by an investor in return for partial ownership of that firm where, in addition, this investor may assume some management control of the firm and may share in future profits; (e) ‘quasi-equity investment’ means a type of financing that involves a mix of equity and debt, where the equity allows investors to achieve a high rate of return upon the success of the company or where the debt component entails a premium price contributing to the return of the investor (e.g. mezzanine debt or subordinated debt); (f) ‘risk-sharing instrument’ means a financial instrument which guarantees the total or partial coverage of a defined risk, if possible in exchange for an agreed remuneration.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 131 – paragraph 1

1. Financial instruments shall be provided to final recipients of Union funds in accordance with the principles of sound financial management, transparency, proportionality, non-discrimination and equal treatment and in accordance with the objectives established in the basic act that applies to those financial instruments.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 131 – paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Financial instruments shall comply with the following conditions: (a) added value of the Union intervention, which means that financial instruments shall facilitate the achievement of the EU goals on a larger scale and more efficiently than using comparable national instruments; (b) they shall be implemented in order to address sub-optimal investment situations, including high innovation risk or market failures that give rise to insufficient funding from market sources; (c) additionality, which means that financial instruments of the EU shall complement and not aim at replacing those of a Member State, private funding or another financial EU intervention where ever such alternative instruments exist; d) financial instruments shall be implemented in a way which does not distort competition in the internal market; (e) they shall have a multiplier effect, which means that the Union contribution to a financial instrument shall mobilize a global investment exceeding the size of the Union contribution; f) good governance, meaning that in the implementation of the financial instruments the Commission shall endeavour to assure that the entrusted entities shall align with the EU's interests, using appropriate incentives and enhanced controls.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 131 – paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Revenues and repayments under a financial instrument shall constitute internal assigned revenue according to Article 18(3) and shall be carried over automatically with a view to being re- invested.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 131 – paragraph 2

2. Without prejudice to points (d) and (e) of aArticle 46(1), the budgetary expenditure linked to a financial instrument ~~shall be kept within the relevant budgetary commitment made for i~~and the financial responsibility of the Union shall not exceed the amount of within the relevant budgetary commitment made for it, thus excluding contingent liabilities for the Union budget.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 131 – paragraph 3

3. FThe entities referred to in point (iii) and (iv) of Article 55(1)(b) and all financial intermediaries involved in the execution of financial operations under a financial instrument shall comply with relevant standards on the prevention of money laundering and fight against terrorism. They shall not be established and/or shall not interact with entities incorporated in territories whose jurisdictions do not co- operate with the Union in relation to the application of internationally agreed tax standards.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 131 – paragraph 4

4. Each agreement between an entity referred to in point (iii) and (iv) of Article 55(1)(b) and a financial intermediary referred to in paragraph 3 shall provide expressly ~~for~~access of the Commission and the Court of Auditors to ~~exercise their powers of control, on documents and on the premises and on information~~documents, premises and to any requested information, related to the implementation of the financial instruments, even stored on electronic media, ~~over~~that should be provided by all third parties who have received Union funds.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 131 a (new)

Article 131a Hedging operations, related to financial instruments shall be allowed to the entities entrusted for indirect management, in order to reduce the interest rate, exchange rate or cash flow risks. Those operations shall rely on appropriate instruments, providing efficiency and shall not seek speculative purposes.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 131 b (new)

Article 131b The Commission shall report annually to the budgetary authority on the activities supported by financial instruments, on the financial institutions involved in their implementation, on the performance of financial instruments, including reinvestments realised, balance on the trust accounts, revenues and repayments, multiplier effect achieved, and value of participations. The Commission shall attach its report to the synthesis report referred to in Article 63(9).

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 135 a (new)

Article 135a Where, in a specific case, the accounting officers consider that an exception should be made to the content of one of the accounting principles, defined in Articles 187 to 194, that exception shall be duly substantiated and reported in the annex to the financial statements referred to in Article 136.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 150 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1

In the performance of its task, the Court of Auditors shall be entitled to consult, in the manner provided for in Article 152, all documents and information relating to the financial management of departments or bodies with regard to operations financed or co-financed by the Union. It shall have the power to make enquiries of any official responsible for a revenue or expenditure operation and to use any of the auditing procedures appropriate to the aforementioned departments or bodies. The audit in the Member States shall be carried out in ~~conjuncti~~liaison with the national audit ~~institution~~bodies or, where they do not have the necessary powers, with the competent national departments ~~responsible~~. The Court of Auditors and the national audit bodies of the Member States shall cooperate in a spirit of trust while maintaining their independence.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 167 – paragraph 1

1. Parts One and Three of this Regulation shall apply to expenditure effected by the authorities and bodies referred to in the Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005 on European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council23 on the European Regional Development Fund, Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council24 on the European Social Fund, Council Regulation (EC) No 1084/200625 on the Cohesion Fund, Council Regulation (EC) No 1198/200626 on the European Fisheries Fund, and funds in the area of Freedom, Security and Justice, including the Funds under the "Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows" Programme, managed in shared management pursuant to Article 56 of this Regulation, (hereinafter the ‘Funds’), and to their revenue, save as otherwise provided in this Title.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

2010/0395(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 201 – paragraph 2

Those rules shall include a set of principles necessary to ensure sound financial management of Union funds, and be based on Article 57 and a model financial regulation adopted by the Commission and after consulting the Court of Auditors by means of a delegated act in accordance with Articles 202, 203 and 204.

2011/06/17
Committee: BUDG

Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Derek VAUGHAN, Göran FÄRM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 - point vi

vi. ~~given~~acknowledge that the current economic climate, might lead the budgetary authority to make some efforts to ~~consider~~wards reprioritisation within the budget through the establishment of positive and negative priorities while bearing in mind however the European added value of the EU budget since it is an expression of solidarity and efficiency by pooling together financial resources otherwise dispersed at national, regional and local level; emphasise as well that an overwhelming part of the EU budget expenditures support long-term investments necessary to stimulate EU economic growth;

2010/07/23
Committee: BUDG

2010/0048(APP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 - point vii

vii. recognise that ~~these~~ new needs cannot be met ~~only~~ through redeployment or reprioritisation and ~~use of available flexibility mechanisms, without a revision of the MFF~~that a revision of the MFF and the flexibility mechanisms included in the IIA is necessary, contrary to the Council's position as set out in its conclusions of 16 March 2010 on the budget guidelines for 2011 and reaffirmed by the Presidency-in- office in its statements during the 15 June 2010 debate on oral question B7- 0310/2010 O- 0074/2010; ~~and that,~~recall furthermore that new needs stemming from the entry into force of the ~~Lisbon Treaty~~Treaty of Lisbon should logically entail savings at national and regional level;

2010/07/23
Committee: BUDG

2010/0048(APP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 - point ix

ix. recognise that their position of the Council and the Commission on the revision of the MFF until now is contradictory with the fact that they are constantly coming up with new proposals calling for new resources such as the "Bananas Agreement" ~~(the Council) and ITER (the Commission)~~and ITER;

2010/07/23
Committee: BUDG

2010/0048(APP)

Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Derek VAUGHAN, Göran FÄRM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 - point ix a (new)

ixa. express its concern considering the trend developed by Member States towards launching European policies financed outside of the EU budget; measure the risk of a lack of democratic control and legitimacy over those policies as well as a breach of the principle of universality of the EU budget and the negative impact this trend might imply with regard to the principle of solidarity; (See amendment point xv)

2010/07/23
Committee: BUDG

2010/0048(APP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 - point x

x. take all necessary steps for a revision of the MFF providing the extra resources necessary to deliver the European External Action Service and other Lisbon-Treaty- related policy priorities, as well as other initiatives, particularly under Heading 1a "Competitiveness Growth and Employment" and Heading 4 "External Relations", providing EU added value allowing the EU to meet its commitments and its citizens’ expectations;

2010/07/23
Committee: BUDG

2010/0048(APP)

Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Derek VAUGHAN, Göran FÄRM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 - point xiii

xiii. recognise the importance of flexibility to create reserves and margins allowing the EU to respond to current and future needs, both within the financial framework, within and between headings (such as was necessary to find the resources for Galileo, the Food Facility and the Economic Recovery Plan for example), and in negotiations over its establishment and revision; take note of the fact that Parliament is ~~not~~ prepared to accept ~~any loss of~~increased flexibility ~~nor~~and enter into negotiations over any proposals that ~~do not~~would guarantee a~~t least the current~~ stronger degree of flexibility ~~ove~~, including increasing the threshold for revisions to the financial framework ~~of up to 0,03%~~ of EU GNI (referred to in Article 8(3) of the proposal for a MFF Regulation), as well as increasing the amount available through the Flexibility Instrument and simplifying the procedure for shifting resources between the different Headings of the MFF;

2010/07/23
Committee: BUDG

2010/0048(APP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 - point xv

xv. express its concern considering the trend developed by Member States to launch European policies financed outside of the EU budget; measure the risk of a lack of democratic control and legitimacy over those policies as well as a breach of the principle of universality of the EU budget and the negative impact this trend might imply with regard to the principle of solidarity; (See amendment point ix a )deleted

2010/07/23
Committee: BUDG

2010/0048(APP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 - point xvi

xvi. given its possible far-reaching budgetary consequences, give further thought to the European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism ahead of the adoption of the MFF regulation; accept that both arms of the budgetary authority be involved in decisions concerning the impact this mechanism could have on the EU budget; agree that any possible budgetary needs linked to this mechanism should be financed through an ad-hoc revision of the MFF ~~and that therefore arrangements need to be found within the IIA to ensure a smooth effective and efficient cooperation between the institutions and to provide the necessary transparency~~;

2010/07/23
Committee: BUDG

2009/2230(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Notes that~~Welcomes the amount of EUR 20 million earmarked in the 2010 EU budget for the Baltic Sea Strategy; notes that they can be used only for external action, which effectively means cooperation with Russia;

2010/03/26
Committee: AFET

2009/2230(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Regrets however, that the earmarked funds for the Baltic Sea Strategy has not yet been disbursed by the Commission; reminds therefore the Commission on the importance of the funds being disbursed and used in lines with the requests from the European Parliament;

2010/03/26
Committee: AFET

2009/2216(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas guaranteeing peace, security and stability in the region is essential ~~for the improvement of the standard of living,~~ for the achievement of democratic standards ~~and~~, the respect for human rights for all, the rule of law, the improvement of the standard of living, and to maximise regional and macro- regional development opportunities,

2010/03/18
Committee: AFET

2009/2216(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Fully supports the Minsk Group Co- chairs’ mediation, the Madrid Principles and the Moscow Declaration; is, in this regard, in full agreement with the important declaration made by the presidents of the Minsk Group Co-chair countries France, the USA and Russia on 10 July 2009 on the margins of the G8 Summit in L’Aquila; condemns the idea of a military solution and calls on both sides to avoid militant rhetoric; ~~furthermore~~ calls on both ~~sides to show more ambition~~Armenia as well as Azerbaijan to further intensify their efforts in the peace talks and to abandon the tendency to prefer perpetuating the status quo created through military conquests in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions; calls on the international community likewise to show courage and political will to overcome the remaining sticking points which hinder an agreement;

2010/03/18
Committee: AFET

2009/2216(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Welcomes the dynamic pace of the negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that the regular meetings between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan have illustrated over the course of the past year;

2010/03/18
Committee: AFET

2009/2216(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Welcomes the protocols on the establishment of diplomatic relations, border opening and cooperation; calls on both sides to seize this opportunity to mend their relations through ratification and implementation; does not support the introduction of conditions for ratification not mentioned in the protocols, but notes that if implemented, they will have wide- ranging, potentially overall very positive consequences in the region and that they can therefore not be seen in isolation; calls on Armenia, as well as Azerbaijan, to intensify their efforts in the Minsk Co- chairs-led talks on the principles for a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict; stresses that the Armenia-Turkey rapprochement and the Minsk Group negotiations are separate processes that should move forward along their own rationales; notes, however, that progress in one of the two processes could have wide-ranging, potentially very positive consequences in the region as a whole;

2010/03/18
Committee: AFET

2009/2216(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Stresses the importance of protecting the safety and rights of the ethnic Georgians still living within the breakaway regions, promoting respect for displaced persons’ right of return under safe and dignified conditions, achieving a reduction in the Iron-Curtain character of the de facto borders and obtaining possibilities for the EU and other international actors to assist people within the two regions; underlines the need for more clearly identified short- and medium-term objectives in this respect; encourages Georgia to keep up the important work on assisting internally displaced persons within its territory;

2010/03/18
Committee: AFET

2009/2216(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Considers the Geneva discussions on Georgia to be of great importance, as they provide the only forum in which all sides to the conflict are represented and three major international actors - the EU, the OSCE and the UN - work in close cooperation for the security and stability of the region;

2010/03/18
Committee: AFET

2009/2216(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Considers democratisation, good governance, the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, the rights of minorities ~~and the rule of law~~ to be basic principles for and of peaceful and stable democratic states;

2010/03/18
Committee: AFET

2009/2216(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Takes note of the current EU involvement in conflict resolution processes in the region and believes that the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty justifies a more prominent role for the EU; welcomes the work of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia and calls for increased EU action to persuade Russia and the relevant de facto authorities to stop blocking the EUMM from entering South Ossetia and Abkhazia; considers that the EU now has the opportunity to play a greater role in the solution of the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict and could do so by ~~participating in the negotiations through the establishment of an EU mandate for the French Co-chair of the Minsk Group,~~collaborating closely with the Minsk Group, through the Special Representative for the South Caucasus by standing ready to launch reconstruction aid programmes and by supporting civil- society projects that aim to promote reconciliation and contacts between individuals in the region;

2010/03/18
Committee: AFET

2009/2214(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)

– having regard to the Nordregio Report 2009:2 Strong, Specific and Promising – Towards a Vision for the Northern Sparsely Populated Areas in 2020,

2010/11/16
Committee: AFET

2009/2214(INI)

Åsa WESTLUND, Göran FÄRM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Underlines the importance of prioritizing the effects on the environment and ecosystem when discussing prospecting for gas and oil in the Arctic; emphasizes that the Arctic presents unique challenges to oil and gas drilling that should not be underestimated; calls for more information on the Arctic marine ecosystems, the effects of climate change and the impacts that oil and gas drilling would have on the Arctic Ocean's unique species, before continuing with prospecting for oil and gas in the Arctic; demands that before exploration and production drilling proceeds in the Arctic, institutions, organizations and agencies with relevant expertise must reassess the conditions under which future drilling might occur;

2010/11/16
Committee: AFET

2009/2214(INI)

Åsa WESTLUND, Göran FÄRM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7b. Underlines that in the light of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico it is imperative for the EU and its Member States urgently to examine all aspects of oil extraction and exploration in the EU and to take all necessary steps thereafter to ensure that such an environmental catastrophe will not occur in EU waters;

2010/11/16
Committee: AFET

2009/2214(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Underlines the importance that the EU together with the regions in the area discuss the importance of the structural funds for development and cooperation in order to face the future global challenges for progress and to be able to seize the development potential of the area;

2010/11/16
Committee: AFET

2009/2214(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)

12b. Is of the opinion that in order to identify the specific potential of each locality and to develop adequate settlement strategies with respect to regional differences, an inclusive process with the assistance of the national and EU levels is needed; believes that partnerships and dialogue between concerned levels of authority ensures that the policies can be implemented at the most effective level;

2010/11/16
Committee: AFET

2009/2214(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 c (new)

12c. Acknowledges that EU policies that strengthen higher education and research facilities in the area are important for strengthening the innovative environments and technology transfer mechanisms; underlines the importance of supporting the development of cooperation networks between higher education institutes within and beyond the region and provide possibilities for research funding, particularly in fields where the region has a proven track record;

2010/11/16
Committee: AFET

2009/2214(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Notes the special position and recognises the rights of the indigenous peoples of the Arctic and points in particular to the legal and political situation of the indigenous peoples in the Arctic States; underlines that policies regarding a positive development of living environments in the area also promote activities that in particular consider the possibilities of the regions indigenous people to develop their culture, language and customs that may differ from the rest of the areas society;

2010/11/16
Committee: AFET

2009/2214(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Recognises the important role of the AC as the foremost regional ~~body~~forum for cooperation for the whole Arctic region; acknowledges the concrete work done in the Working Groups of the AC with the involvement of the observers and asks the Commission and EU agencies to continue to actively engage in all relevant Working Groups whenever possible;

2010/11/16
Committee: AFET

2009/2002B(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)

29a. Reiterates the importance it attaches to security issues, closely linked to its building policy, and considers that an effective and balanced approach is necessary in this area; underlines in particular the specific character of a parliament and the need for openness and accessibility alongside security; at the same time, expresses concern regarding the ever-rising costs in this area and considers that a differentiated approach is necessary depending on the specific situation of each workplace;

2009/10/02
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Welcomes the overall agreement on Budget 2010, reached in the last traditional budgetary conciliation meeting with Council on 18 November 2009 before the entry into force of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, especially with regard to the financing of the European Economic Recovery Plan; ~~regret~~emphasises that, as a consequence, very ~~tight~~small margins aremain available under the ceilings in all the headings of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the budget 2010, which might cause difficulties if any unforeseen events requiring a budget input occur in the course of 2010;

2009/11/27
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Göran FÄRM, Francesca BALZANI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Recalls that the key objective of the 2010 budget must be to give special attention to the recent economic crisis, in this context the Parliament will put European citizens first, proving that the European Union is not the problem, but a part of the solution; therefore has amended accordingly the Draft Budget of the Council, with the aim of using the EU budget as a tool to help overcome the current crises, by giving impetus to economic growth, competitiveness, cohesion and job protection;

2009/10/02
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Re~~iterates that that third revision of the current MFF is the consequence of the tight margins foreseen in the IIA of 17 May 2006, which demonstrates that a thorough examination should b~~calls that for the fourth time since 2007 the budget authority has been obliged to revise the MFF 2007-13 and the IIA of 17 May 2006 in order to provide made and substantial proposals presented by Commission to address these deficits in the mid-term review of the IIA, as provided for in Declaration 3 thereof, if possible through more flexibility and by all means foreseen by the IIA; calls on the European Commission to immediately initiate the review process as soon as it is in officequate budgetary means for the financing of polices not sufficiently funded under the financial framework agreed in 2006;

2009/11/27
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Göran FÄRM, Francesca BALZANI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Stresses that margins available according to the financial programming published by the Commission in May 2009 for the budget years 2011 -2013 are very tight; emphasises that this will prevent the institutions from taking any new, meaningful political initiative in areas set as priorities by the newly appointed President of the Commission such as, for example and to name only a few, addressing climate change or the "EU 2020" strategy; emphasises, moreover, that, following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, a number of policies will be strengthened at EU level, which will require additional EU funding; therefore calls on the new Commission to publish, as soon as it is in office, a report on the functioning of the IIA of 17 May 2006, as provided for in Declaration 1 thereof, together with a revision of the MFF 2007-13 for the budget years 2011- 13;

2009/11/27
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Göran FÄRM, Francesca BALZANI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Is committed to do its utmost to secure adequate financing for all activities and policies under heading 1 a which foster sustainable growth and job creation and delivers solutions to European citizens namely by providing greater energy security, increasing support for research and innovation, promoting small and medium sized enterprises ~~and fostering growth and job creation~~, supporting social dialogue and life long learning policies;

2009/10/02
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Recalls that the Commission should also initiate the mid-term review process, as provided for in Declaration 3 of the IIA of 17 May 2006, in order to launch a proper public and open debate on the post-2013 Multiannual Financial Framework;

2009/11/27
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. ~~Advocates the revision of the European Globalisation Fund, for the benefit of w~~Recalls that the legislative authority has agreed on the revision of Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006 on establishing the European Globalisation Fund1 with Regulation (EC) No 546/20092 of 18 June 2009 in orkder~~s who suffer from the consequences of major structural change~~ to widen its application and to take into account the effects of the current economic crisis in wor~~ld trade patterns, to assist them~~der to assist redundant workers with their reintegration into the labour market; stresses that depending on the implementation of these new rules, raising the maximum allocation of EUR 500 million foreseen for this fund in Point 28 of the IIA of 17 May 2006 should be considered; 1 OJ L 406, 30.12.2006, p. 1. 2 OJ L 167, 29.6.2009, p. 26.

2009/10/02
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Welcomes the agreement with the Council on the European Economic Recovery Plan as a key objective of the 2010 budget, particularly that it enabled completing the second step of its financing in 2010, confirming that the EU budget is a tool helping to overcome the recent economic crisis; underlines the fact that the Parliament's action was aimed at putting European citizens first, proving that the European Union is not at the origin of the problem, but can be instrumental in the solution; welcomes the use of the tools provided for in the IIA in order to guarantee its financing, especially point 23 and the use of the flexibility instrument according to point 27 of the IIA ~~but hoped for further possibilities to be explored by the Commission~~; recalls, in this context, that the Council did not present its proposal on this issue in its 1st reading;

2009/11/27
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Points out that the current weak implementation of structural and cohesion policy is mainly due to the low flexibility in the system of complicated rules and requirements imposed by the Commission and/or Member States;

2009/10/02
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Göran FÄRM, Francesca BALZANI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)

10b. Insists that Member States use all the existing tools to accelerate or even revise their operational programmes in order to tackle the consequences of the recent economic and financial crisis more efficiently; calls on the Commission to endorse these modifications in the shortest possible period of time so as not to delay their implementation;

2009/10/02
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Stresses the need to provide the EU with the appropriate financial means to effectively develop measures to meet the existing and new needs for the implementation of new Lisbon Treaty- related EU policies; requests the Commission to take into account the undertaken budgetary commitments and their multiannual budgetary implications ~~when presenting the proposals for the mid-term review and~~of the financing of new Lisbon Treaty-related policies; calls, accordingly, on the new Commission to make a clear commitment to ~~complying with this request~~present, as soon as it is in office, a proposal for a revision of the MFF 2007- 13;

2009/11/27
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 c (new)

10c. Urges Member States to find an agreement on the proposal made by the Commission in July for amending the general provisions of the ERDF, ESF and Cohesion Funds as regards simplification of provision relating to financial management;

2009/10/02
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Underlines that this sub-heading finances numerous important policies and activities aimed at fighting climate change and supporting growth for jobs and that more should be done to focus the efforts in order to effectively address those priorities;

2009/10/02
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Is of the opinion that the EU budget in its present format cannot address effectively and realistically the goals that the EU has set for climate change; considers that European citizens need a tangible European initiative to fight climate change, face ~~the~~its consequences ~~of climate change~~and finance the necessary policies;

2009/10/02
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Göran FÄRM, Francesca BALZANI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Urges the Commission and the Council immediately after the Copenhagen summit to start forming a strategy for the financing of global climate change policies, including a strategic role for the EU budget;

2009/10/02
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Welcomes the financing of the decommissioning of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant for 2010; believes though that this issue deserves an appropriate multiannual funding solution, which should be provided in the context of ~~the forthcoming budgetary proposals~~a revision of the MFF 2007-13, to be presented by the new Commission as soon as it is in office;

2009/11/27
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Acknowledges ~~European citizens' wish for a safe and secure Europe and welcomes~~that all countries in the European Union are facing many challenges in relation to policies covered by this heading; urges Member States to take advantage of the increases in this sub- heading relative to the 2009 budget to tackle these challenges together;

2009/10/02
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Stresses the importance of further funding being made available via the EU budget to manage legal immigration and integration of third country nationals while, in parallel, tackling illegal immigration ~~and strengthening border protection, including~~in full respect of human fundamental rights; welcomes the strengthening of the European Refugee Fund to facilitate solidarity between the Member States;

2009/10/02
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Recalls that the low turnout in the European elections has shown once again that information and communication policy has to be expanded and improved in the 2010 budget; and cknowledges that this represents a common challenge for the Commission, the Member States and Parliament as a necessary part of the democratic process; has therefore tabled several amendments putting in reserve a part of appropriations foreseen for the information and communication policy; calls on the Commission to present to the Parliament its plans on how to implement the outcome of the findings of the Interinstitutional Group of Information (IGI);

2009/10/02
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Göran FÄRM, Francesca BALZANI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Has decided to ~~put the~~ increase onappropriations on the budget line climate change in developing countries ~~into reserve, waiting for the~~as a sign of the firm commitment of the Union to achieve an ambitious and balanced outcome ofat the Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen; is however of the view that the current MFF does not equip the EU with sufficient funding to tackle the issue of climate change in developing countries;

2009/10/02
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Recalls that the fight against climate change will remain one of the top priorities for the European Union, as the Copenhagen conference in December 2009 has shown; considers, however, that this priority is not sufficiently reflected in the EU budget and intends, consequently, to put stronger emphasis on this key policy; calls on the new Commission to submit a financing proposal in the aftermath of the climate change conference in the context of a revision of the MFF 2007-13 to be presented by the new Commission as soon as it is in office;

2009/11/27
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Considers that the low turn-out in the European elections has shown once again that information and communication policy has to be improved in the 2010 budget; acknowledges that this represents a common challenge for the Commission, the Member States and Parliament as a necessary part of the democratic process; calls on the Commission to present to Parliament its plans on how to implement the outcome of the findings of the Interinstitutional Group of Information (IGI), at the latest when requesting the transfer of the appropriations from the reserve;deleted

2009/11/27
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

284a. Calls on the European Council not to make far-reaching political commitments calling for stronger EU financial support without at the same time providing for the requisite budgetary appropriations when there is an obvious contradiction with the funds available under the annual ceilings of the current MFF;

2009/11/27
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Continues to count on support for the peace process in Palestine; increased support for the Palestinian Authority regarding institution building in view of the future Palestinian State as well as meeting the humanitarian and ~~the~~ reconstruction needs in the Gaza Strip; calls on the Commission to continue to communicate which measures it has taken to ~~minimise the risks that projects and programmes financed under this budget line are used or diverted to terrorist organisations or acts of terroris~~ensure that this funding is not diverted from its original aim;

2009/10/02
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)

28. Emphasises the importance of the EU in supporting developing countries in their struggle to fight climate change; notes the Commission's estimates that EU funding in the range of EUR 500 000 000 to 2 100 000 000 per year is needed for climate change mitigation and adaptation in developing countries between 2010 and 2012; underlines that climate finance needs to come from additional funding and not from cuts in existing development aid, in order for the EU to honour its commitment to achieve the Millennium Development Goals;

2009/11/27
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)

29 a. Calls on the new Commission to take into account the abovementioned points in addressing problems under heading 4 when proposing a revision of the MFF 2007-13 as soon as it is in office;

2009/11/27
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Has reinstated the appropriations for staff expenditure however; points out that the total amount of all types of administrative expenditure financed outside heading 5 has substantially increased in recent years; ~~requests that in future, proposals from Commission to transfer administrative expenditure to the operational headings is fully justified~~acknowledges that operational programmes can not function without the necessary administrative support; is, however, greatly concerned that under the current MFF part of the overall envelope for multi-annual programmes under headings other than heading 5 is being used for administrative expenditure;

2009/10/02
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Continues to count on support for the peace process in Palestine and the reconstruction needs in Gaza Strip; calls on the Commission to communicate which measures it has taken to minimise the risks that projects and programmes financed under this budget line are used or diverted to terrorist organisations or acts of terrorism, or inefficient bureaucracy, and to specify whether part of the aid is aimed at rebuilding premises or infrastructure previously financed by the Union or its Member States and damaged by military action;deleted

2009/11/27
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. Considers these projects an indispensable tool for Parliament to initiate new policies for European citizens; ~~regret~~notes that, for ~~the majority of ongoing~~all but four pilot projects and preparatory actions, the Commission has entered payment appropriations only, which ~~means tha~~has enabled the Parliament nto f~~ollow-up will be given;~~ully scrutinize whether a follow-up was needed or not and whether or not new commitments should be voted; moreover has analysed a series of new interesting proposals, only some of which could be entered into the 2010 budget due to the constraints of IIA and MFF ceilings;

2009/10/02
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Considers securing energy supply an important issue for the Union; therefore welcomes the signature of all participatory countries to the Nabucco project, and expects consistency from all of them when dealing with other projects that might put Nabucco at risk;deleted

2009/11/27
Committee: BUDG

2009/2002(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36

36. Notes that the adoption of Letter of Amendment No. 3/2010 concerning section II (Council) was agreed for an amount of EUR 23,5 million ~~without us~~, leaving ~~the~~a margin under heading 5 for 2010~~, then standing at~~ of EUR 72 million; regrets that Council presented this proposal without considering and before having a comprehensive overview on all institutions' administrative requirements;

2009/11/27
Committee: BUDG

2008/2055(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Believes that it is of the utmost importance, against the background of climate change and the need for a united EU with financial resources for climate and energy policy, for these new priorities to have an impact as soon as possible, and no later than in conjunction with this mid-term review. To wait until the next multiannual financial framework in 2014 would be unreasonable.

2008/09/16
Committee: ITRE

2008/2055(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Believes that research of the highest scientific quality increasingly requires investment in research infrastructure. The seventh framework programme's budget for research infrastructure during the 2007-2013 period matches neither the needs nor potential of European research. This sector must become an important priority ahead of the mid-term review of the financial framework.

2008/09/16
Committee: ITRE

2008/2055(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Recalls that the own resources ceiling represents 1,33 % of EU GNI in commitments and 1,24 % of EU GNI in payments; also recalls that every year significant margins are left below the ceiling set up by the financial framework, notably in payments (EUR 8 300 000 000 in 2007, 13 000 000 000 in 2008, 7 800 000 000 in 2009); moreover recalls that huge margins exist between the MFF ceiling and the ceiling of the EU own resources (EUR 36 600 000 000 in 2010, 44 200 000 000 in 2011, 45 000 000 000 in 2012 and 50 600 000 000 in 2013); concludes that proposals for improved implementation of the budget must be a priority for the mid-term review;

2009/02/16
Committee: BUDG

2008/2025(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Stresses the importance of the reform of the Lisbon strategy, which must be backed by relevant funding, and emphasises that present initiatives in this area, such as the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) and other initiatives concerning small and medium-sized enterprises, must be properly implemented and monitored;

2008/05/15
Committee: ITRE

2008/2025(BUD)

Inger SEGELSTRÖM, Göran FÄRM

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Nevertheless suggests that adequate additional funding be provided for the new European Community agencies and for the expansion of existing agencies, based on decisions of the budget authority.

2008/05/15
Committee: ITRE

2008/2025(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Supports actions and appropriations aiming to enable the EU to act in peace processes in conflict areas, for instance Iraq;

2008/05/30
Committee: AFET

2008/2025(BUD)

Inger SEGELSTRÖM, Göran FÄRM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Cannot always see a clear correlation between the Commission's political priorities, as described in its Annual Policy Strategy (APS) and the PDB, and increases in the corresponding budget lines and policy areas; is not convinced, for example, that the climate change priority really is reflected throughout the budget as proposed by the Commission; requests a comprehensive presentation of all climate change related expenditure in the budget, including the structural funds, to be able to evaluate the correlation between political and budgetary priorities;

2008/06/09
Committee: BUDG

2008/2025(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Supports actions promoting strategic use of resettlement with a view to opening humanitarian space in situations of acute refugee situations, to enable the EU to demonstrate a significant and concrete solidarity at European level that can have an added-value within a broader approach on delivery of humanitarian support to a country or region;

2008/05/30
Committee: AFET

2008/2025(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Proposes the creation of an independent professional project for evaluation of the long-term effects of the EU budget as a basis for the upcoming mid-term review of the financial framework;

2008/06/09
Committee: BUDG

2008/2025(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)

14b. Underlines the importance of the criticisms set out in the discharge procedure 2006 particularly regarding the structural funds and part of the external actions expenditure; requests that the Commission present, as soon as possible, a follow-up proposal on how to apply the agreed improvements (action programme) in the EU budget 2009;

2008/06/09
Committee: BUDG

2008/2025(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40

40. Recognises the need for closer coordination ~~of the different communication policies implemented by the institutions~~and partnership between the European institutions in their communication work within the Interinstitutional group on information and communication; recalls that communication has long been an important priority for Parliament; c~~onsiders that Parliament's key role in this process is vital and guarantees continuity and efficiency of the policy, in~~alls for Parliament, Council and Commission to seek rapid agreement on how best to ensure a closer partnership, particularly in view of the coming European elections;

2008/06/09
Committee: BUDG

2008/2025(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45

45. Notes, therefore, with concern that the Commission has already stated, at this early stage of the budgetary procedure, that appropriations for Kosovo, the Middle East, Food aid and Macro-financial assistance will clearly not be sufficient to fulfil existing EU commitments in the world, let alone expected supplementary needs: the PDB proposes, for example, EUR 161 million in commitments and EUR 100 million in payments for assistance to Palestine and the Peace process, although final amounts for the 2008 Budget were EUR 300 million and EUR 200 million, respectively; regarding Kosovo, appropriations for the EULEX mission drop by 15,7% under the CFSP; considers this unacceptable and calls for a new approach to expenditure for Palestine and Kosovo;

2008/06/09
Committee: BUDG

2008/2024(BUD)