31 Amendments of Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL related to 2012/2016(BUD)
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is convinced that, particularly in a period of crisis, financial responsibility is of utmost importance; believes, therefore, that resources must be concentrated on those areas, where the EU budget can deliver an added value whilst they canould be decreased in sectors which are experiencing unjustified delays, low absorption and under-implementation; on this basis, it intends to identify, together with its specialised committees, both positive and negative priorities for 2013; for this purpose asks the Commission to provide both arms of the budgetary authority with a prompt, regular and complete information on the implementation of the various programmes and initiatives and to confront them with EU political commitments;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Remains, however, sceptical on whether the proposed level of payment appropriations in 2013 will be sufficient to cover the actual needs for next year, especially in Headings 1b and 2; warns also that the insufficient level of payments for 2012 in connection tocombined with the level proposed by the Commission for 2013 wouldmight not be sufficient to honour the claims being addressed to the Commission and could then result in billions of decommitments only under cohesion policy; highlights that the current proposal would bring the overall level of payments for the period 2007-2013 to EUR 859,4 billion, i.e. ca. EUR 66 billion lower than the agreed MFF ceilings;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Recalls that the annual Budget 2013 will be the last budget of the current multiannual financial framework, whose ceilings will becomebut reiterates that the MFF 2013 ceilings as agreed in the 17 May 2006 IIA will remain the reference for the next, at least, 2014 financial framework ceilings in the event of no agreement, according to what foreseen by point 30 of the IIA of 17 May 2006; is therefore determined to conduct the negotiations with the Council with the view to achieving for the Budget 2013 a realistic and adequate level of appropriations both in commitments and in payments, which can represent an appropriate basis also for the next MFF;
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Is concerned of the fact that, apart from administrative expenditure, no appropriations have been entered into the Draft Budget for the accession of Croatia in July 2013; expects that the revision of the MFF 2007 -2013 foreseen by Point 29 of the 17 May 2006 IIA will be adopted swiftly and calls the Commission to present its proposal for the corresponding additional appropriations as soon as the Act of Accession has been ratified by all Member States;
Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Takes note of the rationale adopted by the Commission when proposing reductions as compared to the Financial programming, which has led, in the view of the Commission, to the identification of potential savings within under- implemented lines of –among others- FP7, TEN-T, Marco Polo, Progress, Statistical programme, Customs and Fiscalis; is determined to carefully analyse the performance under each of these programmes in order to check the appropriateness of the proposed cuts and exclude negative impacts on the programmes concerned; recalls that the main TEN-T programme was fully executed in 2011 and points out that a final judgement on how commitments have been implemented and paid out on projects in the 2007-2013 financial framework can be made only in 2017;
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Underlines that at a time of fiscal constraint, innovative solutions are urgently required to mobilise a greater share of private savings and to improve the range of financial instruments available for infrastructure projects;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Believes that the Programme to support the further development of an Integrated Maritime Policy needs adequate funding for 2013; underlines its disappointment on the absence of a budgetary line on tourism and regrets the constant decrease in the road safety budgetary allocation;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Recalls the Joint Declaration of 1 December 2011 on financing the additional costs of the ITER programme for 2012- 2013, where the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission also agree to make available EUR 360 million in CA in the 2013 budget procedure ‘"making full use of the provisions laid down in the Financial Regulation and in the IIA of 17 May 2006, excluding any further ITER- related revision of the MFF’"; is concerned that the Commission proposes to finance this additional amount only through redeployment from lines of the FP7 programme, contrary to Parliament's long- standing position on the matter; takes full accountnote of the Commission's claim that this amount derives from performance savings on FP7, and that those cuts on administrative lines will not harm the operation of the programme; intends to examine this claim further as well areiterates 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, especially those that contribute to achieving the goals of the EU 2020 strategy during this last year of the programming period, and specifically opposes any redeployments infringing upon this budgetary priority; intends to explore other means available under the IIA and the Financial Regulation for this purpose;
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Recognises the fundamental role played by small and medium enterprises as drivers of the EU economy and creators of 85% of jobs in the last ten years; stresses the traditional difficulties faced by SMES to access capital markets for research and innovation projects, exacerbated by the current financial crisis; is firmly convinced that the EU budget should contribute to overcoming this market failure, by facilitating access to debt and equity financing for innovative SMEs; and welcomes, in this context, that the Draft Budget includes already appropriations for the Project bond initiative as a way to increase payment capacity in this sector through the opening to the private market the EC recent proposal to create a special window for SMEs under the existing RSFF; supports as well the proposed increase for the financial instruments under the CIP-EIP programme (by EUR 14,7 million), in line with their positive performance so far and their increased demand by SMEs;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. RDeeply regrets that in times of the economic crisis and especially of high youth unemployment appropriations for the PROGRESS programme have been reduced by EUR 5,3 million compared to the Financial programming and practically brought back to the 2012 levels, despite the good performance of this programme so far; deplores that not even in the last year of the current MFF the Commission has seized the opportunity to reinstate to this programme the EUR 60 million redeployed in favour of the Progress Microfinance Facility, to what it had committed in 2010;
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Welcomes the Commission's decision to include in the DB for the third consecutive year payment appropriations (EUR 50 million) for the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF); underlines the fact that this not only gives higher visibility to the fund but also avoids transfers from other budget lines pursuing different aims and covering different needs;
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Stresses that the TEN-T programme plays a central role in the attainment of the objectives of competitiveness and employment in the Europe 2020 Strategy, through investment in high European added value infrastructures, plays a central role in the attainment of the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy; considers this programme as essential to raise the competitiveness of the EU as a whole, by creating the missing infrastructure, and removing bottlenecks andwithin the internal market; highlights that infrastructure projects also directly contribute to growth by stimulating employment during the building phase; underlines the role of the TEN-T programme for meeting the adaptation to climate change goals by ensuring the future sustainability of the EU transport networks; welcomes the Commission's proposed increase by ca. EUR 85 million compared to the Budget 2012 but asks for further clarifications on the proposed reduction by EUR 118 million as compared to the Financial programming;
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Welcomes that the Draft Budget includes appropriations for the pilot phase of the Project bond initiative as a way to boost investment capacity in the field of Europe's transport, energy, information and communication networks, even if these appropriations are actually redeployed within the relevant budget lines (CIP - TEN-T - TEN -E) as agreed by the legislative authority;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Deplores the Commission's proposed decreases for the European Supervisory Authorities compared to what was originally foreseen in the Financial programming and which are contrary to the repeated appeal of the European Parliament to fund them adequately ; considers the current level of appropriations insufficient to allow these agencies to cope efficiently with their tasks notably the recruitment of highly qualified experts; expresses therefore the intention to reinstate appropriations at least at 2012 level for the European Banking Authority (EBA) and the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) as well as to further reinforce the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) due to the new tasks entrusted to it;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. CStresses that Cohesion Policy has long proved its added value as a necessary investment tool to deliver growth and job creation effectively by accurately addressing the investment needs of the regions, thus contributing not only to the reduction of the disparities between them, but also to the economic recovery and to the development of the Union as a whole; also considers the Structural Funds a crucial instrument - both for their financial size and for the objectives pursued - to accelerate the EU economic recovery and to deliver the objectives of growth and employment enshrined in the Europe 2020 Strategy; welcomes therefore the Commission's initiative of re-programming where possible EUR 82 billion of unallocated Structural funds in some Member States in favour of SMEs and youth employment, in line with EP's priorities for 2013; asks to be kept duly informed about implementation of this initiative at national level, its expected impact on growth and jobs and its possible impact for the 2013 budget;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Is extremely worried about the payment situation of cohesion projects under this Heading and notes that two thirds of the total level of RAL at the end of 2011 (i.e. EUR 135,8 billion) are due to unpaid projects under the Cohesion policy; reminds that at the end of 2011 the Commission could not reimburse ca. EUR 11 billion of legitimate payment claims submitted by project beneficiaries due to insufficient payment appropriations foreseen in the budget; this situation has led to a considerable payment backlog, which will have to be addressed through the availability of sufficient payment appropriations in 2012; firmly points out that will not accept that this situation occurs again in 2013;
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Recalls in this context that 2013 is the last year of the current MFF, where implementation of co-financed projects runs at full speed and is expected to accelerate further and the bulk of payment requests is expected to reach the Commission in the second half of the year; calls on the Council and the Commission to immediately analyse and assess, along with Parliament, the figures and requirements in order not to jeopardise implementation for 2013; points out that a lack of payment appropriations could put in danger currently well-functioning programmes; highlights moreover that 2013 will be a year when, due to the lapsing of the N+3 rule, payment claims submitted by 12 Member States will need to be presented for two annual commitment tranches (2010 and 2011 tranches under the N+3 rule and N+2 rule, respectively); considers therefore as a minimum the proposed increase in payment appropriations by 11,7 % (to EUR 48.975 million) as compared to last year since, as mentioned by the Commission, it strictly relates to 2013 and assumes that payment needs from previous years will have been covered;
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Considers this increase in payments only as a first step to cover the actual needs of running projects and reiterates its concern as to a possible shortage of funds in the field of cohesion policy; calls on the Council and on the Commission to carefully evaluate the real needs in terms of payments for 2013 under heading 1b, not to make any cuts which are unrealistic and not to take decisions that are at odds with forecasts provided by Member States themselves and used as a basis for the Commission's draft budget; will therefore oppose any possible cut in the level of payments compared to the proposal included in the DB 2013;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Notes that climate action and environmental objectives are a priority stipulated in the Europe 2020 strategy, which must be translated into concrete actions to be implemented under the various programmes; welcomnotes in this context the proposed slight increase of CA by 3,3% to EUR 366,6 million for LIFE + and, but regrets that the appropriation is EUR 10,55 million below the financial programming of January 2012; considers that a cross-cutting approach should be applied whereby sustainable growth becomes a horizontal priority underpinning all EU policies;
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37a. Welcomes the amounts proposed by the Commission for the PEAD; calls on the Council to respect the joint decision taken at the end of 2011 on maintaining funding for this programme for 2012 and 2013;
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Considers important to maintain the financial backing to the common fisheries policy (CFP) with a view to its imminent reform; stresses in particular the need to support SMEs in the fisheries sector and the access to jobs for young people in this field, as well as all measures ensuring the social, economic and environmental viability of the sector; welcomes in this regard the proposed increase for the European Fisheries Fund by respectively 2,2% (to EUR 687,2 million) in CA and 7,3% (to EUR 523,5 million) in PA, compared to the 2012 Budget; however, regrets the decrease planned in the field of governance of the CFP, conservation, management and exploitation of fisheries resources and control and enforcement of the CFP;
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Appreciates the increase by EUR 9,8 million compared to the Budget 2012 proposed by the Commission for the European Refugee Fund, which is coherent with the line taken in the previous years and the on- going implementation of a Common European Asylum System ; takes notes of the 19% increase in the External Borders Fund's budget allocation up to EUR 415,5 million which is limited to half that foreseen by the Financial programming; recalls its strong request for an appropriate and balanced answer to the challenges, with a view to the management of legal migration and slowing down of illegal migration;
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Whilst appreciates the increases in commitments compared to the Budget 2012 for the Culture programme (+1,4%), Media 2007 (+1,1%) and the Union action in the field of health (+3,1%), will carefully analysethough allocations are slightly below the initial level of the financial programming, regrets the decreasons for cuttinges of appropriations for Europe forcompared to the budget 2012 for the Europe for Citizens programme, especially during the European Year of Citizens, the Union action in the field of consumer policy and Media Mundus;
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
48. Underlines the fact that again this year a very limited margin (EUR 25,6 million) is left available under this heading, which will leave a limited room for manoeuvre should new actions or decisions on funding priorities directly relevant to citizens be needed; underlines that this margin would have been even smaller without the decreases proposed by the Commission (compared to financial programming) of several programmes;
Amendment 132 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51
Paragraph 51
51. Notes the significant increase of EUR 272,3 million in the proposed margin for Heading 4 compared to the Financial programming for 2013 (from EUR 119,6 million to EUR 391,9 million), which is the net effect of the increase in commitments for ENPI (reinforced by EUR 51,7 million), ICI and ICI + (above Financial programming with EUR 0,3 million) and decreasing the growth in commitments for the Guarantee Fund (-104,5 million EUR), Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (- 99.3 million EUR), Macro-financial Assistance (-37,4 million EUR), Development Cooperation Instrument (- 28,6 million EUR), Instrument for Stability (- 41,4 million EUR); icalls concerned by the fact that the Commission did noto provide sufficient explanation as to why such a significant scaling down of some programmes was needed compared to the Financial programming; stresses that while the principle of scaling down projectgrams that are under-implemented iscould be welcomed if it produces efficiency savings, the decrease in the appropriations should not be done across the lines; warns that the use of an artificially high margin as a negotiating tool in the budgetary procedure cannot be considered as a sound budgetary practice;
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
52. Considers that a sufficient level of EU financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority and UNRWA is still needed in order to adequately and comprehensively respond to the political and humanitarian situation in the Middle East and the Peace Process; stresses the particularly difficult situation faced by UNWRA at the moment, notably following the events in Syria;
Amendment 138 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53
Paragraph 53
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 57 a (new)
Paragraph 57 a (new)
57a. Acknowledges that most institutions, including the European Parliament, have made an effort to restrict their administrative budgets to an increase below the expected inflation rate, excluding the cost of enlargement to Croatia; in this context, underlines the need for long term rationalisation of administrative resources and insists on the need to strengthen inter-institutional cooperation in areas such as human resources, translation, interpretation, buildings, and information technology;
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58
Paragraph 58
58. Stresses that thise increase of 3.2% as compared to 2012 is mainly due to statutory or contractual obligations such as pensions or the salary adjustments; notes however that the Commission complied with and even overstepped its commitment to keep the nominal increase in the Commission's administrative appropriations under Heading 5 below the forecast inflation of 1,9%, as compared to 2012, as presented in the letter dated 23 January 2012 from the Commissioner for Budgets and Financial programming;
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62
Paragraph 62
62. Emphasises that for many areas of EU action, sufficient staffing should be ensured in view of the stage of programmes‘' implementation, new priorities and other developments; will therefore carefully scrutinise the overall evolution of staff in the different DGs and services also in light of the priorities presented in this report; in addition to more detailed information in this regard, asks the Commission to proceed to such detailed assessment of the impact of the proposed across the board staff cuts, also taking into account in the longer run any further reduction in Commission's staffing, and to report back to the Parliament; insists that this would be a prerequisite for the budgetary authority to consider accepting, depending of its outcome, thise 1% staff reduction and possibly endorse Commission's objective to reduce, by 2018, the staffing level in the Commission by 5% as compared tofor 2013;
Amendment 161 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69
Paragraph 69
69. Is however worried that for the first time the Commission cut the budgetary requests of almost all agencies, which were in line with Financial programming amounts overall, including of those agencies which belong to Parliament's priorities, for a total amount of some EUR 44 million; will carefully analyse the methodology, rationale and possible impact of such cuts; Underlines once more that EU agencies‘ budget allocations are far from consisting in administrative expenditure alone, but instead contribute to achieving the Europe 2020 goals and EU objectives in general, while aiming at making savings at national level, as decided by the legislative authority;