17 Amendments of Jens GEIER related to 2011/0341(COD)
Amendment 5 #
Draft legislative resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
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.
Amendment 7 #
Draft legislative resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Welcomes the Commission’s proposal to merge the current customs and tax cooperation programmes into a single programme due to their obvious synergies and in line with aim of simplification; highlights however the need to preserve the specificities of policies related to customs and taxation;
Amendment 8 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The Programme activities, i.e. the European Information Systems, the joint actions for customs and tax officials and the common training initiatives, are expected towill contribute to the realisation of the Europe 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth1 by strengthening the functioning of the Single Market, providing a framework to support activities enhancing productivity of the public sector and pushing technical progress and innovation in national and European customs and tax administrations. In providing a framework for activities which strive for more efficient customs and tax authorities, strengthen the competitiveness of businesses, promote employment and contribute to the protection of the Union's financial and economic interests, the Programme will actively strengthen the functioning of the customs union and the internal market. _____________ 1 COM(2010) 2020.
Amendment 10 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 a (new)
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) The customs sector of the programme should lead to an increased cooperation in the field of customs between the member states which is essential for the Single Market. Customs duties are also an important source of revenue both for the Union and national budgets and could therefore be seen as an important instrument for efficient public finance.
Amendment 11 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 a (new)
Recital 6 a (new)
(6a) Estimates indicate that tax evasion cost the governments of the Member States every year approximately EUR 860 billion and tax avoidance about EUR 150 billion. The scale of tax evasion and avoidance undermines citizens' trust and confidence in the fairness and legitimacy of tax collection. By halving the tax gap, Member States could achieve new tax revenue without raising tax rates. Both the European Parliament, in its resolution of 19 April 20121 and the European Council, in its conclusions of 1-2 March 2012, called for concrete ways to combat tax fraud and tax evasion, including through administrative cooperation and coordination between tax systems. It is thus important to put an additional focus on the fight against tax fraud, avoidance and evasion compared to the programming period 2007-2013 and as a way to support an EU Action Plan with a comprehensive timetable and quantitative target. ________________ 1 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2012)0137.
Amendment 12 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) The financial interests of the Union should be protected through appropriate measures throughout the expenditure cycle, including the prevention, detection and investigation of irregularities, the recovery of funds lost, wrongly paid or incorrectly used and, where appropriate, penalties. The protection of the financial interests of the Union is clearly in the self-interest of the Member States and could also be seen as an important instrument for Member States to increase their own national revenues.
Amendment 13 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. The Programme shall be composed of a customs sector and a taxation sector, which shall have distinct annual work programmes while being complementary and building synergies.
Amendment 15 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) to prevent fraud, tax avoidance and tax evasion and to enhance competitiveness, safety and security by enhancing cooperation with international organisations, other governmental authorities, third countries, economic operators and their organisations,
Amendment 16 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) to protect the financial and economic interests of the European Union and its Member States through the fight against fraud, tax avoidance and tax evasion,
Amendment 17 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. Each of the specific objectives above shall be measured by an indicator based on the perception of Programme stakeholders regarding the contribution of the Programme to the re combination of quantitative and qualistation of the specific objectiveve indicators.
Amendment 19 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – title
Article 10 – title
Amendment 20 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1
1. The financial envelope for the implementation of the Programme within the meaning of 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 shall be EUR 777.600.000 (in current prices).
Amendment 21 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Annual appropriations shall be decided while respecting the prerogatives of the budgetary authority.
Amendment 23 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Article 13 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall implement the Programme by means of an annual work programme for each sector of the Programme, including the priorities for the Programme, the breakdown of the budget and the evaluation criteria for the grants for actions. These implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance withannual work programmes shall carefully respect the balance between the customs and the taxation parts. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by the Member States of the Commission's exercise of implementing powers1, the examination procedure referred to in Article 14(2) and with the Financial Regulation. _________ 1 OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13.
Amendment 25 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – title
Article 16 – title
Evaluation and review
Amendment 26 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2
Article 16 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission shall establish a mid- term evaluation report on the achievement of the objectives of the Programme actions, the efficiency of the use of resources and the European added value of the Programme no later than mid 2018. This report shall additionally address the simplification, the continued relevance of the objectives, as well as the contribution of the Programme to the Union priorities of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. On the basis of this evaluation, and if appropriate, the Commission may propose to the legislative authority to amend this Regulation.
Amendment 27 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex – part I – point 6
Annex – part I – point 6
6. To set up actions relating to customs and taxation involving third countries and external experts, notably to increase transparency and tighter control to prevent the use of tax havens