795 Amendments of Indrek TARAND
Amendment 2 #
2018/2218(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants the Executive Director of the ECSEL Joint Undertaking discharge in respect of the implementation of the joint undertaking’s budget for the financial year 2017 / Postpones its decision on discharge to the Executive Director of the ECSEL Joint Undertaking in respect of the implementation of the joint undertaking’s budget for the financial year 2017;
Amendment 4 #
2018/2218(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 2
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Approves the closure of the accounts of the ECSEL Joint Undertaking for the financial year 2017 / Postpones the closure of the accounts of the ECSEL Joint Undertaking for the financial year 2017;
Amendment 4 #
2018/2211(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights the fact that the Joint Undertaking is responsible for the management of the Union’s contribution to the ITER project and that the budget cap of EUR 6 600 000 000 until 2020 must be maintained; notehighlights that that figure does not include the EUR 663 000 000 proposed by the Commission in 2010 to cover potential contingencies;
Amendment 5 #
2018/2211(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that in November 2016, the Council of ITER Organization (the ‘ITER Council’) approved a new ITER project baseline for the scope, schedulethe new delay and the over-costs of the project; notstresses, moreover, that the overall project schedule for operations ’First Plasma’ and ‘Deuterium-Tritium’ was approved with additional delays; notes the fact that following the approval of the new ITER project baseline, the Joint Undertaking set the new timetable and recalculated the related cost at completion of the Joint Undertaking’s contribution to the project construction phase;
Amendment 11 #
2018/2211(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Highlights the fact that in addition to the construction phase, the Joint Undertaking will have to contribute to the ITER operational phase after 2035 and to the subsequent ITER deactivation and decommissioning phases; takes note that the contribution to the deactivation and the decommissioning phases were estimated at EUR 95 540 000 and EUR 180 200 000; is concerned that the contribution for the operational phase has not yet been estimated; calls ondemands that the Joint Undertaking to estimates the cost of the operational phase as soon as possibleby end of June 2019;
Amendment 5 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that Parliament's final appropriations for 2017 totalled EUR 1 909 590 000, or 19,25 % of heading V of the Multiannual Financial Framework9 set aside for the 2017 administrative expenditure of the Union institutions as a whole, representing a 3,9 % increase over the 2016 budget (EUR 1 838 613 983); stresses that this increase is largely above the Belgian inflation rate in 2017 which was only 2,65%; _________________ 9 Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013 of 2 December 2013 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-2020.
Amendment 9 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that seven transfers were approved in accordance with Articles 27 and 46 of the Financial Regulation in the financial year 2017, which amounted to EUR 57 402 860 or 3,01 % of final appropriations; observes that the majority of transfers were related to the Parliament’s buildings policy, and in particular to help fund the annual lease payments for the Konrad Adenauer building project; strongly rejects the often last-minute-transfers aiming at financing the Parliament’s building policy; asks the Secretary-General and the Bureau to provide the Budget committee with all the documents, plans and contracts related to the building policy, and to publish them;
Amendment 10 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
Amendment 20 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Calls on the Secretary-General and all responsible DGs to work together to draft a comprehensive overview of reductions in staff numbers implemented from 2014 onwards, including moves by staff from administration to political groups and among institutions; underlines that this practice of staff rotation raises the question of whether job descriptions are appropriate; is strongly concerned that excessive staff reduction leaves Members and Accredited Parliamentary Assistants (APAs) with an additional administrative burden, which is to the detriment of the actual legislative work that Members and APAs are supposed to fulfil; underlines that a paperless office and the proper use of digital technology such as digital signature also for plenary-related files, two-step- verification and electronic files would lessen the administrative burden for all parties involved and contribute to the achievement of the paper-reduction objectives and the implementation of European Parliament's EMAS policy;
Amendment 30 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Notes with appreciation that technical solutions were created for Members who wish to use their individual page on the Parliament’s website for publication of meetings with interest representatives; notes also that the Bureau is considering whethercalls on the Bureau to extend this solution to ensure to all Members in order to that information is directly available on Parliament’s website;
Amendment 35 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 – introductory part
Paragraph 30 – introductory part
30. Still strongly regrets that, according to the Court, the costs of the geographic dispersion of Parliament amount to EUR 114 million per year; takes note of the additional costs linked to Parliament’s 12 journeys per year to Strasburg, which can be broken down as follows for 2017: and also causes more than 19 000 tons of CO2 in emissions1a; _________________ 1a Peer reviewed study “European Parliament two-seat operation: Environmental costs, transport & energy” https://www.greens- efa.eu/files/doc/docs/5830c124ac32d7cfa2 44fda2739fc05a.pdf
Amendment 40 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Reiterates its call for the European Parliament to have a single seat, in order to optimize parliamentary and institutional work and to reduce political costs; points out that the annual costs of Parliament’s geographical dispersion range from EUR 156 million to EUR 204 million and that the annual environmental impact is estimated to be as high as 19 000 tonnes of CO2 emissions;
Amendment 66 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Notes that DG PERS’s lead indicator in 2017 is time to deliver; notes with satisfaction that targets and methods of data collection were refined with a general positive assessment of the results; notes that objectives to improve the procedures for recruiting APAs and for admitting children to the Parliament’s kindergarten were not met, but that the difficulties that had been encountered were resolved in 2018; underlines that the process of recruiting APAs at the beginning of the next parliamentary term can be challenging and that delays have to be avoided in the interest of Members and APAs;
Amendment 73 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
48. Welcomes the fact that promoting equal opportunities remains a key component of Parliament's human resource management policy; takes notestrongly regrets that the gender equality roadmap continues not to be fully implemented through concrete actions and a clear timeline for specific measures, especially concerning the representation of women in middle and senior management positions (40%) by 2020;
Amendment 82 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51
Paragraph 51
51. Welcomes the implementation of an occasional teleworking scheme for the Secretariat-General of the Parliament; supports the conduction of a survey on the first year of experience of teleworking and asks for the evaluation results to be shared with the Members and all the Parliamentary services; is of the opinion that if the evaluation is positive to generalised the scheme to all staff including the APAs and the staff working for political groups;
Amendment 83 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
52. RStrongly regrets that the number of women holding posts at the level of director- general fell from 25 % (3 posts) in 2016 to 17 % (2 posts) in 2017; notespoints out that the overall situation has not changed compared to 2006 when only the number of women holding posts at the level of director-general was 11,1%; highlights that the overall target for 2019 was set at 30% of women holding posts at the level of Director-General; regrets, furthermore, the number of women at director level remained steady from 201606 (29,6%) to 2017 at (30 % (and 14 posts); points out that the overall situation has not improved at all compared to 2006; highlights that the overall target for 2019 was set at 35% of women holding posts at the level of Director; highlights that those figures deviate largely from roadmap on gender equality and diversity; demands to the Secretary-General to report immediately to the BUDG, CONT and FEMM committees the reasons for not respecting the roadmap;
Amendment 90 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53
Paragraph 53
53. Notes the Parliament’s zero tolerance policy towards sexual harassment adopted in 2017; notes also that several initiatives were and are being put in place to deal with harassment practices, in particular an updated roadmap for the adaptation of preventive and early support measures to deal with conflict and harassment between Members and APAs, trainees or other staff, an external audit of the Parliament’s internal practices and procedures, the creation of a network of confidential counsellors, and the organisation of a public hearing with experts in harassment in the workplace; expectsnotes that the results of the external audit to be communicated without delay, once available; were expected by early November 2018 and requests them to be communicated without delay, once available; further expects the full and transparent implementation of the roadmap in accordance with adopted parliamentary resolution, starting or advancing as much as possible already before the end of this legislature;
Amendment 95 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 a (new)
Paragraph 53 a (new)
53a. Recommends a thorough revision of the Internal Rules governing missions and duty travel by officials and other servants of the European Parliament and of the Implementing measures for Title VII of the Conditions of employment of other servants of the European Union, in particular as to align the treatment of Accredited Parliamentary Assistants with that of Staff officials.
Amendment 107 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 57 a (new)
Paragraph 57 a (new)
57a. Reminds the statement by the European Parliament on the exemplary role of buildings in the context of the Energy Efficiency Directive to bring its buildings to the highest energy efficiency standard1a; calls for the development of a coherent, long-term deep renovation strategy for all European Parliament buildings, and for including standard specifications on the extraction of reusable building materials in building renovation contracts; _________________ 1a http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getD oc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+TA+P7-TA- 2012- 0306+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN uage=EN
Amendment 120 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61
Paragraph 61
61. Is concerned that the cost/benefit assessment of prices and qualby the high quantity of single use plastics and plastic waste generated by European Parliament canteens and cafeterias and urges the administration to explicitly of the food in Parliament’s self-service canteen remains unbalanced; is disappointed at remove the possibility to offer plastic wrapped and single use plastic products for the upcoming call for tenders on catering; notes the difference in quality between canteens serviced by one and the same service provider; is of the opinion that this aspect needs closer monitoring and therefore calls for a user satisfaction survey to be launched;
Amendment 149 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68 h (new)
Paragraph 68 h (new)
68h. Recalls that on 23 October 1997, in its resolution on the general budget for 1998, Parliament called upon its Bureau to request the Court of Auditors to investigate Parliament’s voluntary pension scheme, which led to the issuance of the Court of Auditor’s opinion No 5/99 dated 16 June 1999 on the “Pension Fund and Scheme for Members of the European Parliament”; calls now on the Bureau tour gently request the Court of Auditors to produce another such opinion on the pension scheme and fund in 2019;
Amendment 150 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68 i (new)
Paragraph 68 i (new)
68i. Recalls that, in a note to the Bureau dated 8 March 2018, its Secretary-General accepted that the pension fund linked to the Members’ voluntary pension scheme “will exhaust its capital well before the end of the pension obligations and possibly already by 2024”; calls therefore upon the Secretary-General and the Bureau, while respecting fully the Statute for Members, to urgently establish with the pension fund a clear plan for the Parliament assuming and taking over its obligations and responsibilities for its Member’s voluntary pension scheme immediately after the 2019 elections;
Amendment 167 #
Amendment 170 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 a (new)
Paragraph 73 a (new)
73a. Repeatedly raises its concerns about the current code of conduct for Members since it does not offer sufficient safeguards in order to avoid conflicts of interests; strongly believes that Article 3 of the Code of Conduct for Members should be rephrased to include a clear ban on Members holding additional jobs or other paid work; rules should be further improved in order to avoid conflict of interest for former Members engaging in lobbying activities directed towards the European institutions during the period of time receiving transition allowance;
Amendment 171 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 b (new)
Paragraph 73 b (new)
73b. Notes the Commission’s proposal of 23 April 2017 on Protection of persons reporting on breaches of Union law; supports the Parliament’s corresponding report adopted in the Legal Affairs committee on 20 November 2018; laments that Union staff are not part of the material scope of the proposed directive; recognises that protections in the Legal Affairs committee report would afford more protections than in the Parliaments’ own internal rules; urges the Secretary- General to bring these internal rules into line with the parliament’s position on the proposed Directive;
Amendment 173 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 e (new)
Paragraph 73 e (new)
73e. Highlights that transparency and freedom of information are enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights which establishes the right to access documents held by the European institutions and calls for an external review of the Parliament's transparency levels using key open government indicators with a view to increasing the already high standards of transparency; recalls that the reform of Regulation 1049/2001 is long overdue; and calls on the European Parliament administration to regularly publish – in an open source, machine- readable format, the results of committee and plenary votes;
Amendment 174 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 f (new)
Paragraph 73 f (new)
73f. Calls for a reform of the Parliament's ethics Advisory Committee so that it is empowered to initiate investigations and proactively check the declarations of interest of Members; proposes that it be composed of independent experts and requests an assessment of the costs involved in setting up an independent office for ethics and integrity;
Amendment 176 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 77 a (new)
Paragraph 77 a (new)
77a. Underlines the costs, emissions and health and safety issues created by Strasbourg transport boxes (“canteens”) and suggests their immediate removal in view of available IT solutions such as print-on-demand, system approaches such as paperless office and IT equipment such as tablets and laptops;
Amendment 184 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 82
Paragraph 82
82. Welcomes the Parliament’s positive contribution to sustainable development through its political role and its role in legislative procedures; is aware of its own environmental impact which the institution tracks and continuously ameliorates through the EMAS Certification and its environmental policy;
Amendment 187 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 83
Paragraph 83
83. Commends the Parliament’s commitment to green public procurement (GPP); notes that in 2017, 40,71 % of the contracts were classified as green, 10,96 % as light green and 48,33 % did not have any environmental dimension; calls for a mandatory consultation of the GPP helpdesk for all calls for tenders and for setting an ambitious target for green contracts to mainstream and fully exploit the potential of GPP in the European Parliament;
Amendment 189 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 84
Paragraph 84
84. Welcomes the creation of a sustainable mobility working group in the European Parliament and the introduction of first measures such as the pilot-project of electric scooters for work- related journeys between the Union institutions’ buildings but also for commuting between home and work; notes, however, that the vehicles’ performance is lower than expected; encourages the Parliament to make sure the contractor will improve the vehicles’ capabilities, particularly the battery;
Amendment 191 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 90
Paragraph 90
90. Welcomes the fact that the independent external auditor for the political groups issued only unqualified opinions; highlights that this is a positive development in contrast to the Parliament discharge procedure for the budget year 2016, where the independent external auditor issued a qualified audit opinion in the case of one political groupthe ENF group (European of Nations and Freedom) ;
Amendment 1 #
2018/2161(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Insists on the fact that the enhanced economic role of the European Investment Bank (EIB) group, its increased investment capacity and the use of the EU budget to guarantee the EIB group’s operations must be accompanied by greater transparency and accountability; recalls that same principles of accountability and transparency must apply to EU bodies not financed by the EU budget, as reiterated in the European Court of Auditors Briefing Paper of February 2018;
Amendment 18 #
2018/2161(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Invites the EIB to intensify its efforts in diversifying energy efficiency investments and renewable energy projects distribution across regions, governmental units and smaller enterprises;
Amendment 4 #
2018/2151(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas regular and thorough needs assessment in various sectors is key for detecting investment gaps and barriers in different regions, but also for identifying a pool of opportunities with potential for growth and jobs, for further contributions to the goals the 2015 Paris Agreement and adequately calibrate the nature and size of market failures depending on the existing externalities, sectoral and territorial development needs;
Amendment 6 #
2018/2151(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the EIB’s role in leveraging public money is essential for the capacity of the Union to respond and to adapt to new economic trendand environmental trends and risks and geopolitical uncertainties while enhancing and strengthening the EIB Group risk oversight and prudential risk management;
Amendment 9 #
2018/2151(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that the EIB has a relevant financial role, which can bring considerable results in reduction of inequalities in the Union and calls on the EIB to focus investments that contribute to the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement and enhance competitiveness and equality of opportunities and that support cohesion policy in less developed regions;
Amendment 11 #
2018/2151(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Encourages the EIB to shape sustainable finance or funding options and conducive investment environment mirroring Union’s political commitments and policies goals, with the view to foster cohesion and innovation within the Union, as well as to reinforce environmental and the social dimension of EIB investment; including by bridging the investment gap in social sector and infrastructures;
Amendment 17 #
2018/2151(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Welcomes the EIB's commitment to align its operations with the 2015 Paris Agreement by 2020; in the light of the recent IPPC Report calls on the EIB to review its climate strategy in order to align it with a 1,5°C global warming trajectory;
Amendment 19 #
2018/2151(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11 b. Notes the upcoming review of the EIB Energy Lending Criteria; expects this review to be aligned with the 2015 Paris Agreement; reiterates the call to the EIB to prioritise its lending to energy efficient and small-scale, decentralised RES and to present an ambitious plan to stop funding fossil fuels' projects;
Amendment 20 #
2018/2151(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Acknowledges the EIB efforts to swiftly contribute to sustainable development goals and to tackle global challenges related to migration and to reinforce sustainable development; including with the launching of sustainability awareness bonds to finance the United Nations 17 sustainable development goals;
Amendment 23 #
2018/2151(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Is of the opinion that, beyond the effective level of investment, there is a need to work on the durability i.e. on the ability for a project to keep its benefits on the long term under an environmental, financial, economic or social form (direct or not) after the project has been completed;
Amendment 25 #
2018/2151(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Takes note that as of end-2017, the EIB group (EIB and EIF) had signed 606 operations under EFSI for a total financing of EUR 37.4 billion and that these operations are expected to mobilise investments of EUR 207.3 billion in all 28 Member States and across all objectives set out in the EFSI Regulation with the following distribution for the main sectors: 30% for SME, 24% for RDI, 21% for energy sector, 10% to digital area, 8% for transport, 4% for social infrastructure and 4% for environment and resource efficiency; urges the EIB to minimise its investments to carbon-intensive sectors and projects and to increase its share of investments to improving environments and resource efficiency;
Amendment 28 #
Amendment 29 #
2018/2151(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29 a. Calls on the EIB to establish a Human Rights Strategy and enhance its due diligence at project level to identify and address human rights relates risks in all its activities and throughout the lifespan of its projects; also calls on the EIB to set up an effective mechanism whereby human rights defenders could safely alert the bank about deteriorating environment or risks of conflict and reprisal;
Amendment 31 #
2018/2151(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Considers that there is room for improvement on transparency both at governing bodies’ and theoperational level; reiterates the need to systematically disclose 3PA and REM sheets; asks for the minutes of Management Committee and Board of Governors meetings to also be disclosed; notes with appreciation that the EIB started in 2017 to publish minutes of the EIB board of directors, the director’s declaration of conflict of interests and certain information on projects namely the environmental impact assessments;
Amendment 35 #
2018/2151(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Reiterates its call on the EIB to extend the information published for projects implemented through intermediaries by including information on final projects which could allow to assess the economic, environmental and social impact of its investments;
Amendment 39 #
2018/2151(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Welcomes the adoption of the Interim Approach to the EIB policy towards weakly regulated, non-transparent and uncooperative jurisdictions (NCJ), adopted by the Board of Directors in January 2017, but expects that it should lead to the revision of this policy in order to ameliorate the EIB’s tax due diligence in its external lending alongside the revised EIB group AML-CFT framework; calls on the EIB to perform adequate corporate and integrity due diligence to identifying the true beneficial owners of all of its clients and operations as well as ultimate investee companies when EIB investments into equity funds are at stake;
Amendment 42 #
2018/2151(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)
Paragraph 39 a (new)
39 a. Calls on the EIB to perform adequate corporate and integrity due diligence to identifying the true beneficial owners of all of its clients and operations as well as ultimate investee companies when EIB investments into equity funds are at stake;
Amendment 44 #
2018/2151(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 a (new)
Paragraph 42 a (new)
42 a. Welcomes the upcoming review of the EIB Anti-Fraud policy; expects the policy review to lead to an ambitious outcome providing better tools for the EIB to stop further loan disbursements to projects under ongoing national or European corruption investigation;
Amendment 45 #
2018/2151(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 b (new)
Paragraph 42 b (new)
42 b. Calls on the EIB to ensure more transparency on the handling of fraud and corruption investigations; reiterates its call on the EIB to disclose to public the main findings of the OLAF report on its loans to the Volkswagen Group and to report to the Parliament on steps already taken to implement its anti-fraud policy in this case; expresses its disappointment that the EIB has so far refused to disclose this report and has denied public interest in doing so;
Amendment 50 #
2018/2151(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Supports the European Court of Auditors’ position that the Court should be mandated to audit all Union bodies including bodies created through agreements outsidEIB operations including those twhe EU legal order to implement Union policies such as the EIB’re the EIB uses non- EU budget activities.funds for its operations;
Amendment 52 #
Amendment 53 #
2018/2151(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 a (new)
Paragraph 46 a (new)
46 a. Calls on its Committee on Budget Control to organise an annual workshop/hearing on activities and control of the EIB operations that would provide the Parliament with additional relevant information to support its work on the scrutiny of the EIB and its operations;
Amendment 55 #
2018/2151(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 – point c a (new)
Paragraph 47 – point c a (new)
c a) Parliament's call to stop further loan disbursements to projects under ongoing national ot European corruption- related investigation;
Amendment 28 #
2018/2046(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Regrets that, under current projections, only 19,3 % of the Union budget 2014 – 2020 would be devoted to climate-related measures, failing thus to reach the target of 20 %, an objective which pre-dates the Paris Climate agreement and should anyway be revised upwards; understands that this is largely due to delays in cohesion policy and the rural development programmes; urges Member States, who manage them, to speed up their implementation with a focus on climate- related spending in order to offset the lower allocations made during the first years of the MFF; calls on the Commission to develop an action plan within programmes having massive potential to contribute to reaching the climate-related spending target;
Amendment 81 #
2018/2046(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Expects the pressure on some Member States’ migration and asylum systems, as well as on their borders, to remain high in 2019, and is of the opinion that additional funding is needed in the field of migration, also in view of any future, unpredictable needs in this area; reinforces therefore the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund as regards supporting legal migration to the Union and promoting the effective integration of third-country nationals and enhancing fair and effective return strategies, in particular to support Member States in improving integration measures for migrants, especially children and unaccompanied minors;
Amendment 149 #
2018/2046(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66
Paragraph 66
66. recalls that, in a note to the Bureau dated 8 March 2018, its Secretary-General accepted that the pension fund linked to the Member’s voluntary pension scheme “will exhaust its capital well before the end of the pension obligations and possibly already by 2024”; calls therefore upon the Secretary-General and the Bureau, while respecting fully the Statute for Members, to urgently establish with the pension fund a clear plan for the Parliament assuming and taking over its obligations and responsibilities for its Member’s voluntary pension scheme immediately after the 2019 elecDeplores the increasing and ever more substiantial actuarial deficit of the fund, urges the Bureau and the Secretary General, while respecting fully the Statute for Members, to explore all options to minimise the burden for the Parliament's Budget, including but not limited to levies on the pension paid out, increase of the retirement age for subsribers of the fund, and an end to indexations;
Amendment 155 #
2018/2046(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68 a (new)
Paragraph 68 a (new)
68 a. Urges the Secretary-General of the European Parliament to devise detailed arrangements for the full sharing of back office functions and services between Parliament, the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee;
Amendment 159 #
2018/2046(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 77
Paragraph 77
77. Decides not to restore the DB in thall but one line cut by the Council, due to a high increase of the total budget as compared to the previous year;
Amendment 161 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas it is essential to ensure a level playing field for farmers in all Member States, fair standard of living across regions and Member States, affordable prices for citizens and consumers, and access to quality food and healthy diets, while delivering on the commitments for environmental care, climate action, and animal and plant health and welfare;
Amendment 183 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas there is a need for an updated and fairer system of payments, as in many Member States the currentthe system of entitlements is based in many Member States on historic benchmarksreferences, which are now almostnearly 20 years old and which constituteserve as an obstacle to generational renewal and hindeaccess for young farmers’ access to farm land, as given the fact that new entrants do not possess entitlements and are thus at a disadvantaged;
Amendment 365 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the intention to simplify and modernise the CAP, but emphasisunderlines that the integrity of the sSingle mMarket and a truly common and adequately financed by the EU policy must be the overriding priorities of reform;
Amendment 415 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that subsidiarity for Member States should only be granted within a common general set of rules and tools agreed at EU level as part of a uniform approach to all programming efforts and eligibility criteria, should cover both of the CAP’s pillars and ensure, in particular, a European approach in Pillar I without national co-financing and thus a level playing field;
Amendment 499 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission to avoid renationalisation of CAP and grant more flexibility to Member States and regions within the framework of the agricultural de minimis rules ;
Amendment 535 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Considers it necessary to maintain the current two-pillared architecture, particularly Pillar I, which is dedicated to income support for farmers; considers it necessary, at the same time, to compensate for the provision of public goods on the basis of uniformgeneral criteria, while allowing Member States to take specific approaches to reflect local conditions;
Amendment 553 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Considers that the current CAP architecture can only deliver its objectives if sufficiently funded; calls, therefore, for the CAP budget to be maintained in the nextonly if it remains a common, modern and well- funded EU policy which supports sustainable development of agriculture and is crucial for providing safe, high quality and diverse food, jobs and growth in rural areas; which contributes to further levelling of developmental gaps in agriculture and rural areas and which reflects social and economic cohesion in its financial and programming dimension as well as proposed instruments and thus calls for maintaining the CAP budget in the post-2020 MFF at at least athe current levels in order to achieve the ambitions of a revised and efficient CAP beyondafter 2020;
Amendment 619 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Believes that more targeted support for family farms is necessary and that this can be achieved by introducing a compulsory higher support rate for small farms; considers, moreover, that and, at the same time and reflecting economies of scale considering different agricultural structures, support for larger farms should be digressive, reflecting economies of scale, with the possibility for capping to be decided by the Member States;
Amendment 673 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls forStresses that the existing system for calculating direct payments in Pillar I, which is often based on historic entitlements, to and not most recent data, should be replaced by an EU-wide uniform method of calculating payments, in order to based on support paid per hectare, in order to ensure a level playing field for farmers in all Member States and make the system simpler and more transparent;
Amendment 708 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Is certain that both the Basic Payment Scheme(BPS) and the Single Area Payment Scheme (SAPS) should continue to apply and all Member States should be allowed to choose between them;
Amendment 740 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses the need for a fair and equal distribution of direct payments between Member States, which must take into account socio-economic differences, different production costs and the amounts received by Member States under Pillar II;
Amendment 761 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Amendment 764 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Underlines that all EU farmers have to meet the same standards and requirements and are facing the same challenges;
Amendment 780 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Believes that, provided that a level playing field in the single market can be guaranteed, voluntary coupled support (VCS) payments should be maintained, and used as a tool to address needs of sensitive sectors and in a wider scope to address specific objectives related to environment, climate or quality and marketing of agricultural products, counteract specific difficulties, particularly those arising from the structural competitive disadvantage of less- favoured and mountainous regions, as well as those which are more temporary in nature and arise from a shift away from the old entitlement scheme, for example;
Amendment 795 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. In case of direct payments related to voluntary coupled support (VCS), more support should be given to small and medium-sized farms, and socio-economic considerations, that could be used in addition to statistical production figures, need to be taken into account;
Amendment 822 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Recalls that generational renewal is a challenge faced by farmers in many Member States and that consequently each nNational sStrategy must therefore address this issue through a comprehensive approach, including top-ups in Pillar I1 and targeted measures in Pillar II, as well as by means of new financial instruments and national measures, in ordernd also via national measures and wider use of new financial instruments as a tool to grant access to capital in the circumstances of limited resources, to incentivise famers to pass on their farming operations;
Amendment 857 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Recalls that the investment support(non-repayable) should primarily be used in areas of EU-level added value;
Amendment 878 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Underlines the importance of rural development, including the LEADER initiative, in, to improve the synergy of different policies and to enhance competitiveness, promotes effective and sustainable economies and enhances development of rural areas, to supporting multi-functional agriculture and in fostering additional entrepreneurial activities and opportunities, in order to generate income from agri-tourism, and to secure community-supported agricultureby financially strengthening Pillar II, thus increasing potential to generate income, to tackle depopulation, unemployment, poverty and theo provision of social services in rural areasmote social inclusion;
Amendment 940 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the Commission to introduce a new and comprehensive legal framework which allows the integration of the various types of environmental actions at present, such as cross compliance, greening and the good agricultural and environmental conditions (GAEC) standards, as well as agri-environment measures (AEMs) for rural development, so that farmers can deliver effectively and with less bureaucracy on environmental care, biodiversity and climate action, receiving equal awards for provision of comparable services of public interest, while ensuring that Member States have adequate control and taking into account local conditions;
Amendment 1165 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Insists on the necessity tof strengthening the position of the producers within the food supply chain, in particular by guaranteeing them a fair share of the added value, by fostering inter-sectoral cooperation, and strengthencombating unfair trade practices (UTPs) in the food supply chain as a minimum by introducing EU legislative document as well as promoting transparency in the markets and crisis preventiontackling crises;
Amendment 1207 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls on the Commission to allow and indeed encourage – particularly in the dairy sector –Underlines the importance of new Omnibus regulation to encourage active crisis management instruments, such as voluntary sector agreements to manage supply in quantitative terms among producers, producers organisations and processors, and to examine the possibility of extending such instruments to other sectors;
Amendment 1252 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Believes that the compliance of farming in partner states with good and sustainable farming practices, climate measures and other means to minimise environmental impact of farming, which are applied in the EU, shall become an obligatory threshold for allowing access of goods manufactured in the third states to enter the EU market;
Amendment 7 #
2018/2024(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the Commission proposal and believes that it corresponds broadly to Parliament’s own priorities; intends to further defend an appropriate level of appropriations corresponding to the latter; notes the increase of 3.1 % in commitmentNotes the relative lack of ambition of the Commission proposal as reflected in the even lower percentage of GNI as compared to 2018 both for commitment appropriations (1 % as compared to 1.02%) and payment appropriations (0.9% as compared to 0.92%); intends to defend an appropriate higher level of appropriations;
Amendment 42 #
2018/2024(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Commends the fact that the Commission proposal would enable reaching the target of 20 % of the budget being dedicated to climate spending in 2019; regrets, however. that the Commission has not followed up on Parliament’s request regarding offsetting the lower allocations made during the first years of the MFF; believes that more should be done through the development of an action plan within programmes with massive potential, as for example under Horizon 2020, EAGF, EAFRD, EMFF or LIFE+; recalls the Court of Auditors reasoned criticism as regards the methodology deployed by the Commission and calls for swift improvements in this light and in this regard;
Amendment 54 #
2018/2024(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Emphasises that several important legislative initiatives under negotiation or in the early stages of implementation, such as the revision of the Dublin Regulation, the establishment of the Entry/Exit System and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, the upgrading of the Schengen Information System and the initiative on interoperability of EU information systems for security, borders and migration management are expected to have significant budgetary implications for the 2019 budget, and underlines the importance of adequate financing to match the Union’s ambition in these areascost efficiency in this regard;
Amendment 14 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the term cyber defence has not yet been defined at EU level and its implications in terms of policies, its offensive, or defensive nature, its budgets, institutions and personnel remain unclear; whereas resilience against cyber attacks of Europe’s armed forces has become one of the critical issues in debates about defence modernisation and Europe’s common defence efforts;
Amendment 20 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas intelligence agencies have repeatedly exploited security vulnerabilities of IT systems in order to gather intelligence; whereas governments and their agencies have failed to inform citizens, manufacturers and other stakeholders in due time in order to allow them to address the vulnerabilities in their corresponding products and services; whereas this modus operandi relies on the risky assumption that no hostile actor discovers these vulnerabilities in parallel;
Amendment 24 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas there is neither a fully- fledged defensive nor an offensive cyber defence policy which is currently operational at the EU level; whereas an offensive cyber defence policy can include elements, approaches and instruments whose use can amount to being considered a breach of international law; whereas the EU is best placed to develop a defensive cyber defence which primarily relies on highly resilient systems and strong restrictive economic counter measures such as sanctions against persons or states;
Amendment 25 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
Ac. whereas a large number of cyber incidents occur due to lack of resilience and robustness of private and public network infrastructure, poorly protected or secured databases and other flaws in the critical information infrastructure; whereas only few Member States consider the protection of their network and information systems and associated data as part of their respective duty of care which explains the lack of investment in state-of-the art security technology, training and the development of appropriate guidelines;
Amendment 26 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)
Recital A d (new)
Ad. whereas the rights to privacy and data protection are laid down in the EU Charter and Article 16 TFEU and are regulated by the EU's General Data Protection Regulation whose entry into application will be May 2018;
Amendment 29 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas several Member States have invested substantially in setting up well-staffed cyber commands to meet these new challenges; whereas cyber defencecommands of Member States vary as regards their offensive or defensive mandate; whereas in particular strengthening resilience against cyber attacks is an activity that can best be tackled cooperatively as its operational domain recognises neither national nor organisational boundaries;
Amendment 42 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas while cyber defence remains a core competence of the Member States, the EU has a vital role to play in ensuring that these new endeavour as all military activities according to the Treaty, the EU has a vital role to play in ensuring that in particular defence against cyber attacks on armed forces are closely coordinated from the start to avoid the inefficiencies that mark many traditional defence efforts; whereas a substantial cyber defence capabilityclose coordination on protecting armed forces against cyber attacks is a necessary part of the development of the European Defence Union; an effective CSDP;
Amendment 57 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas Member States participating in PESCO have committed themselves to ensuring that cooperation efforts on cyber defence – such as iwill continue to grow; whereas 2 of the 17 PESCO projects are on cyber defence with a Cyber Threats and Incident Response Information sSharing, training and operational support – will continue to grow Platform and a Cyber Rapid Response Teams and Mutual Assistance in Cyber Security project, which both focus on information sharing, risk mitigation, higher levels of cyber resilience and collective response to incidents;
Amendment 64 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas training needs in the area of cyber defence are substantial and increasing, and are most efficiently met cooperatively at the European or Transatlantic level;
Amendment 82 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas cyber defence is an important consideration at all stages of the planning process, and whereas an adequate capabilitieslevel of resilience needs to be available to mainstream it fully into CSDP mission and operations planning and provide critical support;
Amendment 88 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital O
Recital O
O. whereas different state actors – Russia, China and North Korea, among otherbut also security agencies, and private companies some of which are based on the territory of allies – have been involved in malicious cyber activities in pursuit of political, mass surveillance of EU citizens, economic or security objectives that include attacks on critical infrastructure, cyber-espionage, disinformation campaigns and limiting access to the internet (such as Wannacry, NonPetya)and the functioning of IT systems; whereas such activities could constitute wrongful acts under international law, violations of international human rights law, EU fundamental rights and could lead to a joint EU response, such as using the EU cyber diplomacy toolbox or in case of private companies restricted access to the internal market including fines;
Amendment 115 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. CommendNotes the work done by the EDA and the Commission in the field of cyber defence; notes in particular the EDA projects on cyber ranges, the Cyber Defence Strategic Research Agenda and the development of deployable cyber situation awareness packages for headquarters;
Amendment 118 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Believes that there is an urgent need to clarify terminology with regards to cyber defence and cyber security and in particular at the EU level; underlines the need for a common terminology standard also on what a cyber attacks should legitimately be considered to be, before developing further cyber security and cyber defence policies at EU level;
Amendment 119 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to address the issue of intentionally delayed disclosures of security vulnerabilities in a systematic and stricter manner; recalls that the nature of digital technology leaves little room for compromises and that that either all users are well-protected or they are all vulnerable; believes that the highest priority for Member States should be the duty to care about the best possible protection of their citizens, infrastructure and economic operators also in the digital age and that they are obliged to invest in highly resilient digital infrastructure and related systems;
Amendment 120 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to focus on a defensive aspect of cyber defence at EU level also in order to strengthen the international rule of law and the protection of data of citizens, infrastructure and economic operators alike; underlines that the EU's cyber defence policy must rely on the one hand on preventive elements such as investments in resilience; believes on the other hand that citizens, governments, infrastructure, and economic operators are best protected in the EU in case a comprehensive toolbox is available for responding to cyber-attacks by hostile states and criminals; stresses that it is of crucial importance to communicate clearly and publicly about all the instruments in the EU's toolbox ranging from far reaching economic sanctions to law enforcement measures;
Amendment 122 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the two cyber projects to be launched in the framework of PESCO, namely an information-sharing platform for cyber incidents and a rapid response team for cyber incidents; underlines that these two projects focus on a defensive cyber policy which aims at sharing of cyber threat intelligence through a networked Member State platform and Cyber Rapid Response Teams (CRRTs) which will allow Member States to help each other to ensure higher level of cyber resilience and to collectively detect, recognise and mitigate cyber threats;
Amendment 130 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recognises that many Member States consider possession of their own cyber defence capabilities to be at the core of their national security strategy and to constitute an essential part of their national sovereignty; stresses, however, that – as with other military branches, and also owing to the borderless nature of cyberspace – the scale required for truly comprehensive and effective forces is beyre is the need to cooperate also ond the reach of any single Member StateEuropean level;
Amendment 143 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Strongly emphasises, therefore, that, in the framework of the emerging European Defence Union, cyber defence capabilitiesNotes initiatives such as the emerging European Defence Union and emphases that more concrete work still needs to be done in order to adequately strengthen cyber defence of Member States which should be closely integrcoordinated from the start to ensure maximum efficiency; urges, therefore, the Member States to cooperate closely in the development of their respective cyber commandscyber defence;
Amendment 156 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Urges the Member States, in this context, to make the best possible use of the framework provided by PESCO and othe EDFr common initiatives to propose cooperation projects;
Amendment 183 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Strongly supports the Military Erasmus initiativecommon training and exchange initiatives between Member States aimed at enhancing the interoperability of the armed forces of the Member States through an increased exchange of young officers; stresses that there is a need for more experts in the cyber defence domain; calls on the military academies to pay more attention to, and create more possibilities in, the field of cyber defence education;
Amendment 225 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Is convinced that increased cooperation between EU and NATO is vital in the area of cyber defence; calls, therefore, on both organisations to increase their operational cooperation and coordination, and to expand their joint capacity-building efforts, in particular joint training for civilian and military cyber defence staff;
Amendment 275 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Calls on the strengthening of the EU’s cyber diplomacy capacity and instruments across the board, so that they can effectively reinforce the EU’s norms and values, as well as help the parties concerned to reach consensus on rules, norms and enforcement measures in cyberspace globally; reminds that it is of utmost importance to establish and enforce international norms and values such as the UN Charter also in cyberspace;
Amendment 282 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls on all stakeholders to reinforcethe Member States and the Commission to ensure a clear framework for cooperation of all relevant stakeholders; believes that also knowledge transfer partnerships, implement appropriate business models and develop trust between companies and defence and civilian end-usersthe further development of trust between different stakeholders need to be considered, as well as tohe improvement of the transfer of academic knowledge into practical solutions, in order to create synergies an; believes that there is no need pfort solutions between the civilian and military markets – in essence a single market for direct subsidies at EU level to companies in the cybersecurity market;
Amendment 288 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Recalls the importance of R&D, in particular in the light of the high-level security requirements in the defence market; urges the EU and the Member States to give more practical support to the EU cyber-security industryrelevant economic actors, in particular SMEs and start-ups (key sources of innovative solutions in the area of cyber defence), and to promote closer cooperation with university research organisations and large players with a view, to reducinge dependencies on cyber security products form external sources and to creating a strategic supply chain inside the EU; notes, in this context, the valuable contribution that can be made by the future EDF and other instruments undurges the Council to adopt a general approach on the Recast of the Dual-Use Regulation without further delay in order to allow an already much delayed start of inter- institutional negotiations on stricter rules for the export of cyber surveillance and security technology to third countries; underlines that unregulated exports from EU Member States of such cyber technology to third countries potentially endangers the MFFUnion's security;
Amendment 297 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Notes that the protection of civilian critical infrastructure assets, in particular information systems and associated data, is becoming a vital defence task thatwhich should formbe part of the remit of national cyber commandsgovernment's respective duty of care; stresses that this will require a level of trust, and the closest possible cooperation, between military actors and the affected industries, and urges all stakeholders to take this into account in their planning processeall stakeholders;
Amendment 305 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Calls on all Member States to focus national cyber security strategies on the protection of information systems and associated data and to consider the protection of this critical infrastructure as part of their respective duty of care; urges the Member States to adopt and implement strategies, guidelines and instruments that provide reasonable levels of protection against reasonably identifiable levels of threats, with costs and burdens of the protection proportionate to the probable damage to the parties concerned; calls on Member States to take appropriate steps to oblige legal persons under their jurisdictions to protect personal data under their care;
Amendment 311 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Calls for cyber security capacity building through development cooperation, taking into account that in the coming years millions of new internet users will go online, most of them in developing countries; calls on Member States and the Commission to focus in particular on relevant European companies and their obligations to protect data of third country citizens well and including the provision of resilient information and data infrastructure especially since the primary consideration for hardware purchases in developing countries is often the affordability of the hardware, not its security profile;
Amendment 1 #
2018/2001(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the 2019 budget, as proposed in the Secretary-General’s report, is being prepared against the backdrop of a yearly increase, both in terms of inflation and real increase, in the ceiling for heading V, allowing more room for growth and investment as well as continuing to implement the policies of achieving has to be prepared against the backdrop of a yearly statutory increases and medium term budgetary constraints due to the departure of the UK and extraordinary challenges in terms of building policy necessitating s strategy for budgetary consolidation through savings and seeking to improveing efficiency;
Amendment 11 #
2018/2001(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the voluntary pension fund was established in 1990 by the Bureau's Rules governing the additional (voluntary) pension scheme11; and whereas all options for further modifications to the scheme to minimise the damage to the Parliament’s Budget have to be explored ; __________________ 11 Texts adopted by the Bureau, PE 113.116/BUR./rev. XXVI/01-04-2009
Amendment 33 #
2018/2001(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes thea targeted communication campaign as a potentially helpful effort to explain the purpose of the Union and the Parliament to the citizens; underlines that this campaign should aim, among other things, atbe carefully targeted to explaining the role of the Union, the power of the Parliament, its functions, including the election of the President of the Commission, and its impact on the lives of citizens and the environment;
Amendment 47 #
Amendment 60 #
2018/2001(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Asks the secretary general to provide more information on which building, maintenance and repair works foreseen for 2019 could take place at a later date without compromising on security and decent working environments;
Amendment 61 #
2018/2001(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)
Paragraph 21 b (new)
21 b. Recalls the Parliament's commitment to Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency which stipulates that it will, "without prejudice to applicable budgetary and procurement rules, undertake to apply the same requirements to the buildings they own and occupy as those applicable to the buildings of Member States' central government under Articles 5 and 6" of that Directive, due to the high visibility of the buildings and the leading role it should play with regard to buildings' energy performance; underlines the urgency of compliance with this declaration, not at least for its own credibility in the currently ongoing revisions of the energy performance of buildings and the energy efficiency directives;
Amendment 62 #
2018/2001(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 c (new)
Paragraph 21 c (new)
21 c. Welcomes the creation of a Mobility Working Group which should work inclusively and be clearly mandated; underlines that Parliament has to conform with all regional applicable laws at the places of work, including in that area; advocates the promotion of use of the established direct train connection between the Brussels Parliament site and the airport; invites the responsible services to re-evaluate the composition and size of its own vehicle fleet against this background; calls on the Bureau to establish without delay an incentive scheme for promoting the use of bicycles for home-work commuting; notes that such a scheme is already established in other institutions, notably the European Economic and Social Committee;
Amendment 63 #
Amendment 67 #
2018/2001(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Recalls the abovementioned resolutions of 5 April 2017 on Parliament's estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 201812 and of 25 October 2017 on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 201813 and all references to and demands regarding the GEA; reiterates the appeal for transparency regarding the General Expenditure Allowance (GEA) for Members; calls on Parliament's Bureau to work on better guidance regarding the accountability of the expenditure authorised under this allowance, without generating additional costs or administrative burden to Parliament´s administration or to Members and their offices; __________________ 12 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2017)0114. 13 Texts adopted, P8_TA_PROV(2017)0408
Amendment 79 #
2018/2001(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. CReiterates its calls on the Bbureau to ensure that the social and pension rights of Members and of Accredited Parliamentary Assistants are respected and that adequate financial means are made availableAPAs are truly respected, and that financial means are duly made available, in particular concerning those APAs that have been employed by Members without interruption for the last two legislative parliamentary terms; in this regard, invites the administration to put forward a feasible and decisive proposal that takes into account the decision to have early elections in 2014, as well as the time spent in the recruitment procedure when calculating the 10 years of service period set out in the Staff Regulations; calls on the Bureau to assess the matter with high priority, and to provide a viable and prompt solution in light of the next elections in 2019;
Amendment 82 #
2018/2001(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26 a. Recalls the request, adopted by the plenary in its abovementioned resolutions of 14 April 2016 on Parliament’s estimates for 2017 and of 5 April 2017 on Parliament’s estimates for 2018 , that the rules governing the reimbursement of mission expenses related to travel between Parliament's three working places and incurred by accredited parliamentary assistants (APAs) be revised in order to align them with the rules applicable to the rest of the staff, and regrets that, to date, no action has been taken in this regard; calls on the Bureau to address that issue without any further delay; meanwhile underlines that the current mission reimbursements ceilings for APAs (EUR 120/140/160) have not been adjusted since 2011 and that the discrepancy between APAs and other staff has further increased up to at least 40 % following the introduction of new ceilings approved by the Council on 9 September 2016 and so far only applied to staff officials as from 10 September 2016; calls therefore on the Bureau to take the necessary measures to remedy that inequality;
Amendment 85 #
2018/2001(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)
Paragraph 26 b (new)
26 b. Deplores the disastrous management of the voluntary pension fund that is leading to a significant actuarial deficit; calls on the bureau to explore all options for further modifications to the scheme to minimise the damage to the Parliament’s Budget, including but not limited to substantial levies on the pension paid out, higher retirement age, an end to indexation, and the possibility to end any Parliament’s participation in and contribution to this private additional pension scheme as of 2019;
Amendment 113 #
2018/2001(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34 a. Mandates the Secretary General to negotiate with the Committee of Regions and the Economic and Social Committee a strategy to swiftly merge all back office functions and services of the three institutions, including but not limited to human resources, translation and interpretation, finance, IT, and building management; in addition, asks the Secretary-General to undertake a study on possible synergies - in back office functions and services - that could be generated between the Parliament, the Commission and the Council;
Amendment 8 #
2018/0228(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 a (new)
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) Article 8 TFEU lays down the principle of gender mainstreaming in all EU activities. A proper implementation of gender mainstreaming requires transparency in the budget allocations dedicated to promote gender equality and to combat gender discrimination.
Amendment 30 #
2018/0228(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 8
Article 4 – paragraph 8
8. As regards the amounts transferred from the Cohesion Fund, 350% of these amounts shall be made available immediately to all Member States eligible for funding from the Cohesion Fund to finance transport infrastructure projects in accordance with this Regulation, with priority to cross-border and missing links. Until 31 December 2023, the selection of projects eligible for financing shall respect the national allocations under the Cohesion Fund with regard to 750% of the resources transferred. As of 1 January 2024, resources transferred to the Programme which have not been committed to a transport infrastructure project shall be made available to all Member States eligible for funding from the Cohesion Fund to finance transport infrastructure projects in accordance with this Regulation.
Amendment 34 #
2018/0228(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 a (new)
Article 6 a (new)
Article 6a The Programme shall be implemented to achieve the Union's and international climate objectives, with overall climate action targets not lower than 30%. In order to address the European Court of Auditors recommendations, compulsory climate action targets shall be laid out in programme specific legislations and require ex-ante earmarking in all programming and planning processes rather than ex-post accounting. Climate mainstreaming and climate proofing mechanisms shall be unified by reforming, expanding and centralizing the Rio Marker system, in order to differentiate between mitigation and adaptation, and between sectors; and by 'Energy Efficiency first' assessments during infrastructure investment planning, as set out in the Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union, as well as clear exclusion criteria. Performance frameworks shall be based on adequate and detailed output and result indicators, showing the level of ambition and putting results into perspective of national needs, objectives and opportunities.
Amendment 41 #
2018/0228(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) for works relating to the specific objectives referred to in Article 3 (2) (a), the amount of Union financial assistance shall not exceed 30 % of the total eligible cost. The co-financing rates may be increased to a maximum of 50 % for actions relating to cross-border links under the conditions specified in point (c) of this paragraph, for actions supporting telematic applications systems, for actions supporting new technologies and innovation, for actions supporting improvements of infrastructure safety in line with relevant Union legislation and for actions located in outermost regions; the co-financing rates may be increased to a maximum of 65% for the specific objective referred to in Article 3 (2) (a) (ii) in case of Member States benefitting from the transfer from the Cohesion Fund;
Amendment 85 #
2017/2286(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recalls that the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) guarantee fund has been financed partly at the expense of Horizon 2020 and the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF); reiterates Parliament’s long-standing position that any new initiatives should be financed by new appropriations; and commits to correcting the dammage done to existing programmes through the annual budgetary procedure.
Amendment 108 #
2017/2286(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Considers that the 2019 budget, at a time when key actors are unwilling to implement their commitments to fight climate change under the Paris Agreement, must place the EU squarely at the forefront of this fight; in this light, recalls that both the European Court of Auditors and ECOFIN have ascertained that the EU is falling short of its climate financing target. Emphasis that climate mainstreaming entails both the boosting of financing for mitigation and adaptation as well as the phasing out of financing that contributes directly or indirectly to increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Amendment 145 #
2017/2286(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Believes that both the EU and the Member States should demonstrate solidarity towards migrants arriving in Europe in facing up to this challenge; believes that EU agencies and policies involved in or relating to the management of migration flows should be adequately financed to meet this challenge and that the EU, in order to mitigate the cost in the long term and by acting in a manner befitting its values, should also demonstrate solidarity in creating conditions for peace and prosperity in the countries of origin by placing greater emphasis on development policies; recalls that the redeployment of funding from development to security and defence objectives must be avoided; recognises the importance and the distinct value of development policy, with objectives such as poverty eradication, education, health and economic development in their own right.
Amendment 150 #
2017/2286(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Welcomes the fact that, following the mid-term revision of the MFF, the 2018 procedure showreconfirmed that the budgetary authority can fully exercise its prerogatives to determine the level and content of the EU budget through the annual budgetary procedure;
Amendment 55 #
2017/2190(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 a (new)
Paragraph 53 a (new)
53 a. Stresses the importance of the projects planned to be financed or co- financed by the EIB to be compatible with national climate targerts linked to the implementation of the COP 21;
Amendment 56 #
2017/2190(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 b (new)
Paragraph 53 b (new)
53 b. Welcome review of the EIB's energy lending criteria; calls on the EIB to include a definite timeline for phasing out of the support for the fossil fuels in the review; expects that the review gives a clear priority to investments in the energy efficiency;
Amendment 57 #
2017/2190(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 c (new)
Paragraph 53 c (new)
53 c. Calls on the EIB to further reinforce its support to the renewable energy sector, in particular to decentralised and small scale projects;
Amendment 59 #
2017/2190(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58 a (new)
Paragraph 58 a (new)
58 a. Takes note that the EIB is planning to set up a development subsidiary within the EIB group with the aim of becoming the EU development bank; calls on the EIB and the Commission to to procede with the preparations in the most transparent and inclusive way including a public consultation process;
Amendment 63 #
2017/2190(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 a (new)
Paragraph 60 a (new)
60 a. Stresses the importance of the European Ombudsman exerting public scrutiny over the EIB;
Amendment 65 #
2017/2190(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62
Paragraph 62
62. Recalls the need to provide for more stringent rules on conflicts of interest and for clear, strict and transparent criteria to prevent any form of corruption; reiterates fact that the EIB must revise its Code of Conduct in order to make sure that its Vice-Presidents are not in charge of operations in their home countries, since this poses a risk to the independence of the institution; stresses the importance of the European Ombudsman exerting public scrutiny over the EIB; is deeply concerned at the shortcomings identified in the EIB’s existing mechanisms to prevent possible conflicts of interest within its governing bodies; calls on the EIB, in this regard, in order to better prevent conflicts of interest in its governing bodies and potential ‘revolving door’ issues, to take into consideration the Ombudsman’s recommendations and to revise its Code of Conduct as soon as possible;
Amendment 68 #
2017/2190(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66
Paragraph 66
66. Positively notes the importance given by the EIB to its policy of zero tolerance of fraud, corruption and collusion; insists that the EIB revise its policy on preventing and deterring prohibited conduct in EIB activities, which should set in stone the need for the EIB to freeze financing or approving further loan disbursements for projects that are under ongoing national or OLAF investigation for corruption and fraud; underlines the need to disclose information on the contracting and subcontracting system in order to avoid any risk of fraud and corruption; stresses the fact that the EIB website should contain a dedicated and visible space where debarred entities are listed publicly, in order to ensure a deterrent effect; underlines the importance of the EIB entering into cross-debarment networks with other multilateral lenders; calls on the EIB to harmonise its debarment policy with other multilateral lenders, such as the World Bank, which lists more than 800 individuals and firms as ‘debarred’ despite its volume of funding being approximately one half of that of the EIBunderlines the need to disclose information on the contracting and subcontracting system in order to avoid any risk of fraud and corruption;
Amendment 71 #
2017/2190(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66 a (new)
Paragraph 66 a (new)
66 a. Insists that the EIB revise its policy on preventing and deterring prohibited conduct in EIB activities, which should set in stone the need for the EIB to freeze financing or approving further loan disbursements for projects that are under on-going national or OLAF investigation for corruption and fraud;
Amendment 72 #
2017/2190(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66 b (new)
Paragraph 66 b (new)
66 b. Stresses the fact that the EIB website should contain a dedicated and visible space where debarred entities are listed publicly, in order to ensure a deterrent effect; underlines the importance of the EIB entering into cross-debarment networks with other multilateral lenders; calls on the EIB to harmonise its debarment policy with other multilateral lenders, such as the World Bank, which lists more than 800 individuals and firms as ‘debarred’ despite its volume of funding being approximately one half of that of the EIB;
Amendment 2 #
2017/2187(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants the Executive Director of the ECSEL Joint Undertaking discharge in respect of the implementation of the Joint Undertaking’s budget for the financial year 2016 / Postpones its decision on discharge togranting the Executive Director of the ECSEL Joint Undertaking discharge in respect of the implementation of the joint undertaking’s budget for the financial year 2016;
Amendment 3 #
2017/2187(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 2
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Approves the closure of the accounts of the ECSEL Joint Undertaking for the financial year 2016 / Postpones the closure of the accounts of the ECSEL Joint Undertaking for the financial year 2016;
Amendment 4 #
2017/2187(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomNotes the fact that the Joint Undertaking has taken steps to assess the implementation of ex-post audits by the national funding authorities (NFAs), and has obtained written statements from the NFAs declaring that the implementation of their national procedures provided for a reasonable assurance of the legality and regularity of transactions; stresses, however, that the significant variation in the methodologies and procedures used by NFAs does not allow the ECSEL Joint Undertaking to calculate a single reliable weighted error rate or a residual error rate;
Amendment 5 #
2017/2187(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes with satisfaction the fact that the issue concerning the variation in the methodologies and procedures used by the NFAs is no longer relevant to the implementation of Horizon 2020 projects, as the ex-post audits are undertaken either by the Joint Undertaking or by the Commission; notes that in accordance with the provisions of the common ex post audit plan for Horizon 2020, there are at present 17 ex post audits already launched on transactions relating to the activities of the Joint Undertaking;
Amendment 6 #
2017/2187(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Highlights, however, that the Court issued a qualified opinion on the legality and regularity of payments underlying the accounts;
Amendment 8 #
2017/2187(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Highlights as a matter of particular concern that the Court issued a qualified opinion on Joint Undertaking's payments related to projects taken over from its legal predecessors Artemis and ENIAC joint undertakings; notes that the payments made for those projects by the ECSEL Joint Undertaking in 2016, against certificates of acceptance of costs issued by the NFAs of the Participating States, amounted to EUR 118 000 000, which represents 54 % of the total operational payments made by the Joint Undertaking in 2016; notes that the NFAs compiled 'declarations of assurance' on the 2016 expenditure as received on 22 January 2018 from Joint Undertaking; which cover 98 % of the participation fees from the participating Member States for the 2016 Seventh Framework Programme expenditure; stresses that the Court is not in a position to conclude whether ex-post audits are functioning effectively and whether this key control provides sufficient assurance as to the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions for FP7 projects;
Amendment 3 #
2017/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the final 2016 budget available for implementation included commitment appropriations of EUR 50 200 000 and payment appropriations of EUR 52 300 000; notstresses that the utilisation rates for commitment and payment appropriations were 94 % and 82 % respectively which represent a low level especially for payment appropriations; notes moreover that most of the payments made by the Joint Undertaking in 2016 were pre-financing payments for Horizon 2020 projects selected under the 2015 and 2016 calls for proposals;
Amendment 5 #
2017/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Draws attention to the fact that in two cases out of eight, the Joint Undertaking awarded grants to project consortia, despite the fact that the checks of the financial viability of the beneficiaries performed by the Research Executive Agency indicated that the financial capacity of the coordinating industry members of the consortia was weak; notes that this implies an unnecessarily high financial risk for the completion of those projects and the financial risk was particularly high in one case, in which the coordinating partner had been assigned over 45% of the total project funding; calls on the JU to provide before the end of 2018 the clear reasons why it decided to take such risk; draws attention to the ongoing and substantial need for a proper risk assessment system that should be followed in a comprehensive fashion;
Amendment 5 #
2017/2185(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points outRegrets to note that the overall 2016 budget execution of commitment and payment appropriations reached 77,7 % and 83,9 % respectively, representing a lower commitment execution rate compared to previous year due to the outcome of the evaluation for the 2016 call; notes that the payment execution represented the best execution rate of payments for the FCH2 to date;
Amendment 7 #
2017/2184(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Regrets to note that at the end of 2016 – the third year of Horizon 2020 implementation – the IMI 2 Joint Undertaking had only partially completed the integration of its control systems with the Commission’s common Horizon 2020 grant management and monitoring tools; and that prioritisation be givenurges the IMI 2 Joint Undertaking to complete the integration process quickly as an absolute priority;
Amendment 1 #
2017/2180(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants the Director of the Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy discharge in respect of the implementation of the joint undertaking’s budget for the financial year 2016 / Postpones its decision on discharge to the Director of the Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy in respect of the implementation of the joint undertaking’s budget for the financial year 2016;
Amendment 5 #
2017/2180(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 2
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Approves the closure of the accounts of the Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy for the financial year 2016 / Postpones the closure of the accounts of the Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy for the financial year 2016;
Amendment 6 #
2017/2180(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights that the Joint Undertaking is responsible for the management of the Union’s contribution to the ITER project and that the budget cap of EUR 6 600 000 000 until 2020 must be maintained; noteshighlights however that this figure does not include the EUR 663 000 000 proposed by the Commission in 2010 to cover potential contingencies;
Amendment 7 #
2017/2180(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Expresses ongoing concern that the estimated completion date for the whole construction phase is currently planned with a delay of about 15 years compared to the original baseline; considers that any further delays should be accompanied by a thorough reflection on the cost- effectiveness of the project; takes note of the fact that the new schedule endorsed by the ITER Council set out a four-stage approach, making December 2025 the deadline for achieving the first strategic milestone of the project construction phase (‘First Plasma’) and December 2035 the estimated completion date for the whole construction phase; acknowledges the fact that the aim of the new staged approach is to better align the project implementation with the priorities and constraints of all members of ITER Organization;
Amendment 9 #
2017/2180(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes with dismay the Court’s report finding that the results, which were presented to the Joint Undertaking’s Governing Board in December 2016, indicated an expected additional funding requirement to that already committed of EUR 5 400 000 000 for the construction phase after 2020, which represents an increase of 82 % in relation to the approved EUR 6 600 000 000 budget; reiterates the fact that the amount of EUR 6 600 000 000 adopted by the Council in 2010 serves as a ceiling for the Joint Undertaking’s spending up to 2020; recogniseconsiders that theany additional funding required to complete the ITER project must involve future Multiannual Financial Framework commitmentsshould not come at the expense of any Union programs and should be funded by additional national resources; moreover stresses that any further increase should be accompanied by a thorough reflection on the cost-effectiveness of the project;
Amendment 13 #
2017/2180(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Highlights that in addition to the construction phase, the Joint Undertaking will have to contribute to the ITER operational phase after 2035 and to the subsequent ITER deactivation and decommissioning phases; considers it worrisome that those contributions are not yet estimated; calls ondemands the Joint Undertaking to estimate the cost of such phases as soon as possiblewithout delay and at the latest before the end of 2018;
Amendment 15 #
2017/2180(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses that on 29 March 2017, the United Kingdom notified the European Council of its decision to withdraw from the EU and Euratom; notes that an agreement setting out the arrangements for its withdrawal is being negotiated, which in all likelihood will have a significant effect on the future activities of the Joint Undertaking and the ITER project; is of the firm opinion that any negative budgetary impact of this withdrawal on ITER should be fully compensated by member states and not to the detriment of other EU programs;
Amendment 16 #
2017/2180(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Notes that in June 2015, the Joint Undertaking’s governing board adopted an anti-fraud strategy and corresponding action plan, of which most of the actions were implemented in 2016; notestrongly regrets, however, that the Joint Undertaking has not set up a specific tool to facilitate the monitoring of its actions in relation to procurement procedures, in particular those related to risk assessment and the evaluation, negotiation and award phases of the procedures; welcomes the fact that the Joint Undertaking is currently defining the requirements to parameterise the tool that will allow the Joint Undertaking to collect systematically information relating to anti-fraud indicators on procurement procedures and will also offer the possibility to the Joint Undertaking’s staff to insert additional information related to red flags on any procurement procedure;
Amendment 1 #
2017/2159(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants the Executive Director of the European Food Safety Authority discharge in respect of the implementation of the Authority’s budget for the financial year 2016 / Postpones its decision on granting the Executive Director of the European Food Safety Authority discharge in respect of the implementation of the Authority’s budget for the financial year 2016;
Amendment 4 #
2017/2159(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 2
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Approves the closure of the accounts of the European Food Safety Authority for the financial year 2016 / Postpones the closure of the accounts of the European Food Safety Authority for the financial year 2016;
Amendment 6 #
2017/2159(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes with concern that by the number of all posts occupied on 31 AugustDecember 2017 gender balance ratio is 60,7 % female to 39,340 % male; notes also that senior posts’ (senior manager andd middle management boardposts) gender balance ratio is 7568 % male and 325 % female; calls on the Authority to do everything in its power to establish a more gender-balanced staff composition especially at the senior posts level;
Amendment 3 #
2017/2146(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 2
Citation 19 a (new)
Citation 19 a (new)
– whereas in the context of the discharge procedure, the Parliament wishes to stress the special importance of further strengthening of the democratic legitimacy of the EU institutions through improving on transparency and accountability, implementing the concept of the Performance-Based Budgeting (PBB) and good governance of human resources;
Amendment 2 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants/pPostpones the Commission discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2016;
Amendment 17 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. Whereas in the context of the discharge procedure, the Parliament wishes to stress the special importance of further strengthening the democratic legitimacy of the Union institutions through improving on transparency and accountability, implementing the concepts of Performance-Based Budgeting (PBB) and good governance of human resources;
Amendment 33 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Expresses the need to establish an independent disclosure, advice and referral body with sufficient budgetary resources, in order to help whistle-blowers use the right channels to disclose information on possible irregularities affecting the financial interests of the Union, while protecting their confidentiality and offering needed support and advice;
Amendment 73 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Is surprised by the divergent views expressed by the Court and the Commission as to financial management of the first pillar of the CAP; expresses doubts as to the assertion made by the Court that in expenditure the error is not “pervasive” (ECA annual report paragraph 1.8) since the director general of Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI), in his AAR, issued a reservation in direct payments concerning 18 paying agencies comprising 12 Member States; calls on the Commission and the Court to align their methods of assertion by leaning on the international audit standards before issuing the next Annual Report or AAR;
Amendment 77 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Notes that this decrease is, according to the Commission, mainly due to cohesion's lower inherent risk of error for programmes of the current MFF; is surprised by this explanation given the very low level of budget implementation in this area; calls on the Commission to further explain the matter;
Amendment 79 #
2017/2136(DEC)
33. Shares the view of the Court that the Commission’s methodology for estimating its amount at risk error has improved over the years but that “individual DGs’ estimations of the level of irregular spending are not based on a consistent methodology”; calls on the Commission to use the same methodology to estimate its amount at risk error for all DGs and inform the Discharge Authority on the progress;
Amendment 91 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Points out that the College of the Commissioners does not produce an annual statement on governance, in line with best practice and the common practice of Member States; calls on the Commission, in order to provide for a higher transparency and accountability of its College, to produce an annual statement on governance;
Amendment 106 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Notes with concern that a record level of outstanding commitments has been created, reaching by the end of 2016 an all- time high of EUR 238 billion, 72 % higher than in 2007 and equivalent to 2.9 years of payments compared to 2.2 years in 2007; considers that this has increased the amounts owed by the EU and thus the financial exposure of the Union budget; stresses that the EU Budget is not allowed to run a deficit while its long-term liabilities in fact represent the budget debt;
Amendment 110 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
48. Recalls that the Union is making increasing use of financial instruments and that the establishment of EFSI creates new governance arrangements with limited public scrutiny; calls on the Court to strengthen its overview over the planning and the spending phase of the ESI funds;
Amendment 116 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49
Paragraph 49
49. Points out that EU funds form a significant share of some Member States’ expenditure, and in particular that in nine Member States (Lithuania, Bulgaria, Latvia, Romania, Hungary, Poland, Croatia, Estonia, Slovakia,) outstanding commitments on ESI funds represent more than 15 % of general government spending; calls on the Commission to also prepare a positive advertising campaign with a view to informing the citizens of these countries in more detail about the direct benefits of their membership;
Amendment 121 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
Paragraph 50
50. Fears that Member States where European Structural Investment (ESI) funds represent a significant percentage of general government expenditure may find it challenging to identify sufficiently high quality projects on which to spend the available Union funds or to provide co- financing; calls on the Commission and the Court to pay greater attention to the sustainability aspect of the proposed investment projects and critically assess their adequacy;
Amendment 134 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59
Paragraph 59
59. Points out that the AARs of the directors general report on the annual payments of directorates-general by type of activity or spending programme, whilst on performance they report on the achievement of general and specific objectives with no indication of the corresponding expenditure; regretsdisagrees with Commission's explanation that it is not possible to assess how much was spent on pursuing the set objectives; calls on the Commission to fully implement the PBB principle of budget planning, implementation and reporting phase which will allow the ex-post reporting on the funds spent in pursuing the set objectives;
Amendment 408 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 265
Paragraph 265
265. Appreciates that its calls on the Commission to review the code of conduct for Commissioners by the end of 2017, including by defining what constitutes a conflict of interest as well as introducing criteria for assessing the compatibility of post-office employment and extending the cooling off period to three years for the President of the Commission, have received the required response have now received the required response but regrets that some of Parliament's recommendations on the reform of the Code of Conduct have not been heeded to;
Amendment 411 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 265 a (new)
Paragraph 265 a (new)
265 a. Is of the opinion that the Commission should make the Commissioner’s special advisers more accountable and their professional ties and background transparent and open to public scrutiny in order to prevent their potential conflicts of interest as they have unfettered access to the Commission; believes that these steps will help to limit the possibility of lobbying at the highest level through the back door;
Amendment 414 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 266 a (new)
Paragraph 266 a (new)
266 a. Deplores the fact that both Commissioner Katainen and the former president of the Commission have acted in breach of Ethics principles by having a meeting as, respectively Member of the Commission and representative of the Goldman Sachs Group - the former by not mentioning Mr. Barrosso's name in the Transparency Register and the later by attending a meeting with an active Commissioner against his own promise given to the Ad-hoc Ethical Committee before taking on his new role with Goldman Sachs to avoid lobbying the Commission; stresses the potential conflict of interests; stresses that the explanations given to the press months after the meeting by Commissioner Katainen were an attempt to water-down the importance of such a meeting and were unsatisfactory on content; asks the Commission's President to give a thorough explanation to the Discharge Authority on the safeguards against the undisclosed lobbying and measures taken to prevent such occasions in the future;
Amendment 415 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 267
Paragraph 267
267. Fears that the appointment processes of the Independent Ethical Committee does not guarantee its independence and stresses that independent experts should not have themselves held the position of Commissioner, nor should they have held a position as a senior Commission official; asks the Commission to adopt new rules on the Independent Ethical Committee in line with this remark;
Amendment 417 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 267 a (new)
Paragraph 267 a (new)
267 a. Is concerned that Commissioner Arias Canete receives a pension from the European Parliament's Voluntary Pension Fund on top of his salary as the Commissioner; is of the opinion that such behaviour is ethically doubtful and politically unacceptable; reminds that although Commissioner Canete's decision to ask for a pension was completely legal as he has reached an age of 63 his decision presents additional liability on the fund currently running on deficit with an estimated date of insolvency between 2024 and 2026; stresses the fact that the European Parliament's Voluntary Pension Fund will probably have to be bailed-out at the end with the EU taxpayers money; holds the view that the Commissioner should renounce his pension for the duration of his mandate as Commissioner; alternatively Commissioner Cañete could ask the Commission to deduct his pension from his salary for the duration of his mandate;
Amendment 422 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 268 – point e a (new)
Paragraph 268 – point e a (new)
Amendment 424 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 268 – point e b (new)
Paragraph 268 – point e b (new)
(eb) Declarations of interests should be improved in line with Parliament resolution of 1 December 2016 on Commissioners’ declarations of interests – guidelines (2016/2080(INI));
Amendment 427 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 270 a (new)
Paragraph 270 a (new)
270a. Is concerned by the lack of transparency and a possible breach of Union's rules on recruitment by recent appointment of the Commission's President's Head of Office as the new Secretary General of the Commission; calls on the President of the Commission to provide the Discharge Authority with a thorough explanation of processes and procedures taken for this appointment;
Amendment 445 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 283
Paragraph 283
283. Is astounded that the development of a new case management system, devised in-house, will cost EUR 12,2 million; asks whether OLAF undertook any market research for cheaper solutions before engaging in this expense; expects that the Commission and OLAF present a thorough explanation of estimated costs and steps taken to find a more economic solution to the Discharge Authority;
Amendment 447 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 49 a (new)
Subheading 49 a (new)
Investigative journalism and fight against corruption
Amendment 448 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 283 a (new)
Paragraph 283 a (new)
283a. Condemns the murder of Slovak investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kusnirova on 22 February 2018, is very much concerned by information according to which this assassination could be linked to the fraudulent payment of Union transfer funds to a resident in Slovakia and with alleged ties to the organized crime group 'Ndràngheta; asks the Commission and the OLAF to closely examine this file and to report on it in the framework of the follow-up on the Commission discharge;
Amendment 5 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5
Citation 5
– having regard to the Commission’s White paper on the future of Europe: Five Scenarios, of 1 March 2017 (COM(2017)2025) and Reflection Paper on the Future of EU Finances of 28 June 2017 (COM(2017)0358),
Amendment 159 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Recalls the budgetary principles of unity, budgetary accuracy, annuality, equilibrium, universality, specification, sound financial management and transparency, which need to be respected when establishing and implementing the Union budget; reiterates its concerns about the establishment of ad-hoc instruments outside the Union budget, such as trust funds, that neither preserve the unicity and universality of the EU budget nor improve its transparency and comprehensibility;
Amendment 276 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51
Paragraph 51
51. Recalls that the principle of unity, whereby all items of revenue and expenditure of the Union shall be shown in the budget, is both a Treaty requirement and a basic democratic precondition if the budget is to be transparent, legitimate and accountable; regrets that this principle has increasingly gone unobserved, from the historical legacy of the European Development Fund, through the setting up of the European Stability Mechanism, to the recent inflation of off-budget mechanisms in the form of innovative financial instruments and external trust funds or facilities; reiterates the importance of a budget publicly available to all citizens, to ensure transparency and accountability, particularly in cases of shared management with Member States;
Amendment 283 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54
Paragraph 54
54. Considers also that, when a certain share of off-budget operations is deemed necessary to achieve certain specific objectives, for example through the use of financial instruments or trust funds, these should be kept at a limited level, be fully transparent, and backed by strong decision- making and accountability provisions; recalls that EU trust funds should only support actions outside the Union; recalls that Parliament should be able to exercise its power of scrutiny not only over the creation of such EU trust funds, but also over their entire disbursement;
Amendment 312 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64
Paragraph 64
64. CPoints out that the structure of the new MFF should better correspond to the top five political priorities of the EU; considers that the structure of the MFF should provide for the increased visibility of EU political and budgetary priorities for European citizens, and calls for a clearer presentation of all areas of EU expenditure; is convinced that the main pillars of future EU spending outlined in this resolution should be reflected accordingly; calls for more coherence between the funding of the EU budget and its objectives, if needed by breaking the 1% glass ceiling of Member State GDP contributions and/or by adapting and reducing the EU's objectives;
Amendment 580 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 86
Paragraph 86
86. Expects that in the post-2020 period, the European Union will move from crisis-management mode to a permanent, European policy in the field of asylum and migration; stresses that thee importance of the different EU funds and highlights that actions in thise field shouldof security and migration should not only be covered by a dedicated instruments, i.e.such the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund; emphasises that the future fund, as well as the relevant Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) agencies, must be equipped with an adequate level of funding for the whole of the next MFF to address the comprehensive challenges in this area; believes, furthermore, that the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) should be complemented by additional components tackling this issue under other policies, in particular by the cohesion funds and the instruments financing external actions, as no single tool could hope to add (AMIF) or the Internal Security Fund (ISF), but should also be included by design in more generic future instruments such as the European Social Fund (ESF), the Cohesion Fund or Security Union Fund (corresponding to the European Agenda on Security), as well as external action financing instruments; considers it necessary that all ESI Funds be continued post-2020, and stresses the magnitude and complexity of needs in this field; recognises, moreover, the importance of cultural, educational and sports programmes in integrating refugees and migrants into European societyat certain funds, such as the ESF, should address, in particular, the issue of programs for combating radicalization, marginalization, hate crime and xenophobia;
Amendment 588 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 87
Paragraph 87
87. Recognises the European added value of collaboration in addressing common public health threats; notes that no single Member State can tackle cross- border health challenges alone, and calls for the next MFF to reflect the EU’s responsibility to support Member States in reducing health inequalities; considers that, on the basis of the positive outcome of the ongoing actions in this field, the next MFF should include a robust next generation Health programme that addresses these issues on a cross-border basis, notably by making innovative solutions for healthcare delivery, such as the European Reference Networks; recalls that good health is a prerequisite for achieving other goals set by the EU and that policies in such fields as agriculture, environment, employment, social issues or inclusion also have an impact on the health of Europeans; calls, therefore, for the strengthening of health impact assessments and for cross- sectoral cooperation in the next MFF in this field;
Amendment 617 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 89
Paragraph 89
89. Emphasises that substantial additional funding is necessary for the Union to play its role in the framework of its global strategy and of its enlargement, neighbourhood, and development and enlargement policies; draws attention to the commitment by the EU and its Member States to increase their official development assistance (ODA) to 0.7 % of GDP by 2030; expects the next MFF to reflect the unprecedented needs of neighbourhood countries struggling with conflicts and the consequences of the challenges presented by migration and refugees, as well as the needs for humanitarian aid as a result of natural and manmade disasters; as well as the need for an ambitious budget in line with the expectations of the Commission's future enlargement strategy of the Western Balkans;
Amendment 642 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 92
Paragraph 92
92. Stresses that the level and mechanisms of funding in the field of internal security should be stepped up from the outset and for the entire duration of the nexfor security and migration should be adequate and provide for the necessary flexibility in order to avoid systematic recourse to the flexibility mechanism of the EU budget every year, such as has been the case with the current MFF sin order to avoid systematic recourse to the flexibility provisce 2015, and to ensure that the delivery modes are responding effectively to emerging needs on the ground; takes the view that the funds should also include a robust midterm review that would adjust the allocations of the MFF every yearfunding to the needs on the ground on the bases of updating statistics and reward performance in implementing EU priorities; calls for sufficient rescourcses to be provided to law -enforcement aAgencies (such as Europol, Eurojust and Cepol) and for the European Agency for the operational management of large- scale IT systems (eu- LISA) to be endowed with the means to implement and manage its new responsibilities; underlines the role of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights in understanding and responding to the phenomena of radicalisation, marginalisation, hate speech and hate crime;
Amendment 652 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 93
Paragraph 93
93. Believes that the next MFF must support the establishment of a European Defence Union; awaits, following the Commission’s announcements in this area, the relevant legislative proposals, including a dedicated EU defence research programme and an industrial development programme complemented by Member States’ investment in collaborative equipment; recalls that increased defence cooperation, the pooling of research and equipment and the elimination of duplications could lead to considerable efficiency gains, often estimated at around EUR 26 billion per year; believes that an enhanced capability component can be achieved only through the creation of a fully-fledged European Union Army; invites the Commission and the Council to take further action for this to be incorporated in the Union's strategic and budgetary priorities;
Amendment 667 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 95
Paragraph 95
95. Considers that a strong, efficient and high quality public administration is indispensable to the delivery of Union policies and to rebuild trust and strengthen dialogue with citizens; underlines the role of the institutions made up by democratically elected members in that respect; recalls that, according to the Court of Auditors, the EU institutions, bodies and agencies have implemented the 5 % reduction in staff as set out in their establishment plans; takes the view that they should not be subject to a further horizontal reduction approach of this kind, but rather a more efficient allocation and distribution of institutional responsibilities, with possible reorganized structures, in order to better serve the Union's strategic long term priorities;
Amendment 88 #
2017/2044(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Decides, in line with its Europe 2020 targets and with its international commitments to tackle climate change, to propose an increase of EUR 21,2 million above the level of the DB for climate- related actions; reiterates that both the European Court of Auditors as well as ECOFIN ascertained that the Union budget is not in line with its climate targets;
Amendment 1 #
2017/2043(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that in its resolution of 15 March 2017, Parliament confirmed that growth, jobs and securitydecent, quality and stable jobs, particularly for young people, economic growth and socio-economic convergence, migration, security and tackling populism, as well as climate change are the core issues and main priorities for the 2018 EU budget;
Amendment 7 #
2017/2043(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes that in general terms the Commission proposal partially corresponds to Parliament’'s view that the 2018 EU budget must enable the EU to continue to generate sustainable growth and decent jobs while ensuring the security of its citizens; but that it falls short of addressing the climate change challenge by not exploring all potential opportunities for financing climate- related action.
Amendment 41 #
2017/2043(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Commends theUnderlines the potential role of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) in bridging the investment gap across the EU and supports itsexamines its possible extension until 2020; underlines its position in the on-going legislative negotiations that no further cuts should be incurred on existing EU programmes in order to finance this extension;
Amendment 106 #
2017/2043(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Reaffirms that tackling the root causes of the migration, including but not limited to poverty; inequality; demographic growth; lack of employment, education and economic opportunities; instability; conflict; climate change and the long-term consequences of forced displacement,represent the long-term sustainable solution and that investments in the countries of origin of migrants and refugees are key to achieving this objective; notes therefore with surprise the decreases in Heading 4 which cannot be fully justified in the framework of past budgetary increases or low implementation rate; is convinced that the EU cannot enter in a post-migratory crisis scenario yet and that the efforts to address the instability in the Eastern and Southern Neighbourhood must be enhanced
Amendment 138 #
2017/2043(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Takes note ofWelcomes the Commission’'s proposal to set up a European Solidarity Corps (ESC); notes, however, with strong concern that, despite Parliament’'s warnings, the legislative proposal adopted on 30 May 2017 envisages that three fourths of the ESC budget would be financed by redeployments from existing programmes, and mainly from Erasmus+ (EUR 197.7 million); is concerned by the risk that this situation would pose to those EU programmes;, which according to the MFF 2014-2020 agreement should have seen a stronger increaseis concerned by the risk that this situation would pose to those EU programmes; Recalls the need for fresh money for new programmes like the ESC to be viable and not detrimental to current programmes.
Amendment 150 #
2017/2043(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Welcomes the proposed scaling-up of the preparatory action on defence research and the presentation by the Commission of a legislative proposal for a defence industry development programme; recalls its earlier position that new initiatives in this area should be financed by additional funds and not be detrimental to existing programmes; regrets the EUR 41 million savings from CEF Energy for this purpose;
Amendment 168 #
2017/2043(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28 a. Recalls that according to the European Court of Auditors there is a serious risk that the 20 % climate target in the EU Budget will not be achieved, while according to Commission figures, the share of funding dedicated to climate action has averaged 17.6 % between 2014 and 2016. Shares with the ECA the view that the rate of climate funding would need to be increased to an average of 22 % across the remaining years of the current programming period, i.e. for 2017 to 2020, to reach the overall target of 20 % by the end of 2020. Recalls that in March 2017, ECOFIN also called on Member States to spend a higher amount of the EU budget during the remaining current MFF period on climate financing, given the additional commitments entered into at the COP 21 in Paris.
Amendment 172 #
2017/2043(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Notes the proposed EUR 3 473.1 million in commitment appropriations for Heading 3; emphasises the need for joint, comprehensive and sustainable solutions to the current migration and refugee crisis, and to addressing safety and security concerns as well as needs regarding integration; welcomes, therefore, the Commission’'s proposal for an additional EUR 800 million dedicated to tackling these issues;
Amendment 183 #
2017/2043(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Considers that 2018 will be a pivotal year in the establishment of the European Agenda on Migration, with several of its key components under development; underlines the need to carefully assess the budgetary implications of a number of legislative proposals on the table, such as the reform of the Dublin common asylum system, the new Entry- Exit and European Travel Information and Authorisation Systems, including the possibility of their late adoption; stresses the importance of adequate financing to match the Union’'s ambition in this regard and urgently achieve the set-up of an effective European asylum and migration policy; in full respect of international law
Amendment 193 #
2017/2043(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Believes, however, that the level of cuts of the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI) and the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI), especially for the southern component, is not entirely justified given the longer-term needs of the EU action on migration, going beyond the migration compacts under the Partnership Framework; and its commitment to international development
Amendment 208 #
2017/2043(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Notes that Heading 5 expenditure is increased by 3.1 % compared to the 2017 Budget, up to EUR 9 682.4 million (+EUR 287.9 million); notes that more than one third of this nominal increase is explained by additional appropriations needed for pensions (+EUR 108.5 million); takes note that the additional appropriation results mostly in a growing number of pensioners expected (+4.2 %); takes note also that the number of pensioners is expected to grow in the coming years; takes note of the rigorous approach towards administrative expenditure and the nominal freeze for all non-salary related expenditure; considers that the time is ripe to re-examine the staff regulation and the Members' statute in view of possible short-and long-term savings to be made
Amendment 1 #
2017/2022(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
Citation 5 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 14 April 2016 on Parliament's estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 20171a; ________________ 1a Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0132.
Amendment 32 #
2017/2022(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Considers visitor groups to be one of the key instruments in increasing the awareness of citizens about Parliament's activities; welcomes the revised rules for visitors groups, and considers that the risk of misappropriation of funds has decreased due to the implementation of the new and stricter rules; in this light, invites the Bureau, together with its Working Group on Information and Communication, to revise the appropriations for Member's visitor groups, taking into account inflation rates in recent years which have consequently increased the cost of such visits; considers that, although those amounts are not meant to cover all the costs incurred by visitors groups, but rather to be considered as a subsidy, the fact that the proportion of costs covered will diminish if the allowance is not adjusted according to inflation, cannot be ignored; asks the Bureau to take into account that this discrepancy disproportionately affects visitor groups from less affluent socio- economic backgrounds who have very limited financial means of their own;
Amendment 40 #
2017/2022(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Welcomes the efforts to further digitise and computerise procedures; in this regard, encourages the introduction of more possibilities for the use of secure digital signature in administrative procedures in order to reduce the use of paper and save time;
Amendment 52 #
2017/2022(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls for more information on the project to renovate the Paul Henri Spaak (PHS) building, specifically any opinions from external contractors on the necessity to renovate the building, which his presented as hadving a short 25-year lifespan; notes the level of appropriations proposed by the Secretary- General in 2018 concerning studies, preparatory projects and works, and the provision of assistance to the project management team; expresses concern at the possible confusion regarding the amounts to be spent on studies and removals; urges the Bureau and Secretary- General to inform the Committee on Budgets on all subsequent steps and provide a clear breakdown of costs as soon as possible; recalls that, in any case, there is a need to implement state-of-the art energy efficient architecture;
Amendment 62 #
Amendment 63 #
2017/2022(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Recalls that Parliament committed to a 30 % reduction per FTE in its CO2 emissions by 2020 compared to 2006;
Amendment 64 #
2017/2022(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Amendment 65 #
2017/2022(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Paragraph 18 c (new)
18 c. Welcomes the installation of the inter-institutional helpdesk on green public procurement, which now has to be fully implemented by setting clear targets in the field, as well as stepping up efforts in internal information, promotion and effective governance on green public procurement; underlines that sub- contracted service providers must also comply with those rules; in this regard, deplores the high use of plastic bottles, cups, containers and packaging in Parliament;
Amendment 66 #
2017/2022(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 d (new)
Paragraph 18 d (new)
18 d. Recalls the Parliament commitment of Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency which stipulates that it will, "without prejudice to applicable budgetary and procurement rules, undertake to apply the same requirements to the buildings they own and occupy as those applicable to the buildings of Member States' central government under Articles 5 and 6" of that Directive, due to the high visibility of the buildings and the leading role it should play with regard to buildings' energy performance; underlines the urgency of compliance with this declaration, not at least for its own credibility in the currently ongoing revisions of the energy performance of buildings and the energy efficiency directives;
Amendment 98 #
2017/2022(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Welcomes in particular the ever increasing quality of advice and research provided to Members and committees through the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) and the policy departments; approves of the four specific projects being developed over the medium- term in the European Parliament library, namely the digital library, improved resources for research, comparative law sources and open library; considers these projects as a means to improve support to both Members and staff, as well as facilitating access to the external research community and citizens;
Amendment 101 #
2017/2022(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Notes that the recently revised Rules of Procedure12 have limited Members to a maximum of three oral explanations of vote per part-session, but remains concerned about the additional costs required for interpretation as well as for the translation of the explanation transcripts that they generate; urges the Secretary-General to provide a detailed breakdown of the costs related to oral explanations of vote; indicates the availability of alternatives such as written explanations of vote as well as a wealth of public communications facilities within Parliament’'s premises for Members to explain their voting positions; calls, as an interim measure, for oral explanation of votes to be placed at the end of business each day on the plenary agenda; __________________ 12 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0484 - Rule 183(1).
Amendment 104 #
2017/2022(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25 a. Recalls the obligation on Members to inform the administration immediately of any change in their declarations of interests; regrets that the CVs and declarations of interests of Members are uploaded to Parliament's website very late; believes that Members' declarations of interest should be published in a machine-readable format; is of the opinion that the ethical ad hoc advisory committee should be composed of independent experts and should conduct its work more transparently;
Amendment 110 #
2017/2022(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. In preparation for the ninth legislature, calls on the Secretary-General to submit to the Bureau a more precise list of expenses defrayable under the General Expenditure Allowance (GEA), as well as suggesting measures to improve the accountability of this expenditure, using with the aim of making spending records public, using building on best practice cases from national delegations in the Parliament and Member States; believes that Members should also be able to provide links on the Parliament website to places where they currently publish their spending records; reiterates that the improved transparency of the GEA should not require additional staff in Parliament's administration;
Amendment 120 #
2017/2022(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27 a. Recalls the request, adopted by the plenary in its abovementioned resolution of 14 April 2016 on Parliament’s estimates for 2017, that the rules governing the reimbursement of mission expenses related to travels between the Parliament's three working places and incurred by accredited parliamentary assistants (APAs) be revised in order to align them with the rules applicable to the rest of the staff, and regrets that, to date, no action has been taken in this regard; calls on the Bureau to address that issue without any further delay; meanwhile underlines that the current mission reimbursements ceilings for APAs (EUR 120/140/160) have not been adjusted since 2011 and that the discrepancy between APAs and other staff has further increased up to at least 40 % following the introduction of new ceilings approved by the Council on 9 September 2016 and so far only applied to staff officials as from 10 September 2016; calls therefore on the Bureau to take the necessary measures to remedy this inequality;
Amendment 124 #
2017/2022(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27 b. Points out that in cases of harassment or whistle-blowing, APAs are in a particularly vulnerable position, as their contracts are based on mutual trust between the Member and the assistant and that, if this trust is lacking, that in itself is reason for terminating the contract and that, furthermore, if a Member has to resign because of reputational damage as a consequence of harassment or other irregularities, this normally means that the contracts of all his or her assistants will also be terminated; calls therefore for the immediate strengthening of the representation of APAs in the advisory committee on harassment;
Amendment 126 #
2017/2022(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 c (new)
Paragraph 27 c (new)
27 c. Calls on the Conference of Presidents and the Bureau to reconsider the possibility for APAs, subject to certain conditions, to accompany Members on official Parliament Delegations and Missions, as already requested by several Members; is of the view that Members should decide whether their assistants should accompany them on official delegations, using their parliamentary assistance allowance envelope;
Amendment 138 #
2017/2022(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Considers that the loss of 136 posts from the Parliament’'s Secretariat in 2016, due to the annual staff reduction and increase ofthe transfer of posts to political group staff posts, may create difficultichallenges for the provision of services by the Parliament’'s administration; calls on the Secretary- General to provide more information regarding staff reduction measures last year, and to evaluate the consequences of budgetary decisions on the functioning of the institution more generally; calls on the Secretary-General to proceed with great care when taking decisions implementing the losses of the posts, avoiding cuts where the core business of Parliament, such as legislative or budgetary work could be affected;
Amendment 146 #
2017/2022(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31 a. Calls on the Bureau to ensure that APA's social and pension rights are respected and that financial means are made available, in particular concerning those APAs that have been employed by MEPs without interruption for the last two legislative parliamentary terms; in this regard, invites the administration to put forward a proposal that takes into account the decision to have early election in 2014, as well as the time spent in the recruitment procedure when calculating the 10 years of service period set out in the Staff Regulations;
Amendment 182 #
2017/2022(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)
Paragraph 39 a (new)
39 a. Urges the Secretary-General to build on the existing cooperation agreements between the Parliament, the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee, with a view to identifying other areas in which back office functions could be partially or fully shared; calls in addition, for the Secretary-General to undertake a study on possible synergies in back office functions and services that can also be made between the Parliament, the Commission and the Council;
Amendment 2 #
2016/2325(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Notes the high amount of tax payers money already invested in the development and maintenance of space technology and the intention of the Commission to invest further EUR 12 Billion until 2020; stresses the need to spend EU budget resources in a very efficient and transparent manner and to focus programs on the real needs of citizens and with regard to the private sector, in particular of those of SMEs;
Amendment 5 #
2016/2325(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Draws attention to the vulnerability of space-based technologies to interference or attack from state and non-state actors, and the consequent risks that such actions pose to global security; stresses that a particular risk emanates from cyber attacks and therefore calls for the development of resilient technologies; also underlines the threats to space infrastructure coming from the high amount of uncontrolled space debris and supports initiatives such as Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) which aim to cope with this very serious problem;
Amendment 7 #
2016/2325(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Warns of offensive space weapons research conducted by countries such as Russia, North Korea, and Iran, and the risks this could pose to vital infrastructure and communications as well as to current and planned space-based systems; calls on the HR/VP and the Member States to increase their efforts regarding the prevention of an arms race in space via the revision of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty or a new regulatory framework which takes into account technological progress since the 1960s;
Amendment 9 #
2016/2325(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Expresses concern that EU cooperation with Russia, for example in the launch of the Galileo and Copernicus satellites, could undermine the security of sensitive space-based systems; recalls that in order to maintain and strengthen the security, defence and stability of Europe it is important to prevent the export of sensitive space technology to countries which endanger regional or global security and stability; urges the Member States and the Commission to make sure that the eight criteria of Common Position 2008/944/CFSP and the rules of the Dual- Use-Regulation are being fully respected regarding the export of space related technology;
Amendment 23 #
2016/2325(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Encourages renewed efforts at the United Nations to reach agreement on the proposed Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities, promoting international principles for responsible, transparent and peaceful behaviour in space, given the rapid growth in space activities over recent years with over 70 countries owning satellites and nine countries possessing orbital launch capability; underlines that it is crucial to introduce norms of behaviour in space and to achieve enhanced safety, security, and sustainability in space by emphasising that space activities should involve a high degree of care, due diligence, and appropriate transparency, with the aim of building confidence among actors;
Amendment 26 #
2016/2325(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recognises the increasing synergies between the civil and defence aspects of developing space technology, and encouragnotes the development of dual- use systems consistent with the space security objectives of EU Member States and underlines the need to promote peaceful behavior in space; notes, furthermore, that some Member States already operate dual-use satellite systems supporting civil as well as government/military operations and that the EU's Public Regulated Service signal of the Galileo program is to be seen as the Union's equivalent to the US military GPS which is mainly used by armed forces;
Amendment 31 #
2016/2325(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Recognises that, with the exception of Galileo's PRS, responsibility for the development of civilian and military space capabilities remains at a national level, as noted in the Commission’s Space Strategy for Europe, and regards the European Space Agency – an intergovernmental agency with 22 Member countries and four Associate or potential- Associate Members – as providing the most flexible model for future collaborative arrangements;
Amendment 21 #
2016/2323(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1
Subheading 1
A budget for growth, jobs, equality, sustainability and security
Amendment 30 #
2016/2323(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the important role played by the EU budget in delivering concrete answers to the challenges the EU is facing; stresses that jobs, economic growth, migration, security, the fight against climate change, and tackling populism are the main concerns at EU level and that the EU budget remains or must become part of the solution to these issues; underlines that a strong EU budget will benefit Member States and EU citizens alike; expects that the Commission will put forward a draft 2018 budget that enables the EU to continue to generate prosperity and, ensure the safety of its citizens;, and to reach the overall 20% climate funding target of the current MFF.
Amendment 60 #
2016/2323(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2
Subheading 2
Research, infrastructure, energy transition and SMEs as key enablers of growth in jobs
Amendment 77 #
2016/2323(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that investments in research and innovation, in particular with regard to the energy transition and the fight against climate change, represent a pre- condition for achieving genuine competitiveness in the EU; regrets the fact that, as a result of an alarmingly low success rate of applications, fewer high- quality projects in the field of research and innovation are receiving EU funding; calls in this respect for an adequate level of appropriations to be ensured for Horizon 2020;
Amendment 104 #
2016/2323(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Underlines the important role and potential of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) in reducing the investment gap in Europe, and recognises the positivemixed results achieved so far; welcomes also the Commission proposal for extending the EFSI until 2020, which will serve to further improve its functioning, especially as regards the additionality principle, social investment, energy efficiency, and the geographical balance;
Amendment 157 #
2016/2323(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Recognises the importance of the European agricultural sector in maintaining food security and managing biodiversity in the European Union; expresses its full support to the farmers affected by the Russian embargo or the dairy sector crisis; calls on the Commission therefore to continue to support farmers across Europe in coping with unexpected market volatility;
Amendment 179 #
2016/2323(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the role played by instruments such as the Internal Security Fund (ISF) and the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) in addressing the effects of the migratory and refugee crisis, and calls for adequate budgeting in the coming years for these funds; welcomes also the role of EU agencies in the area of justice and home affairs, such as Europol, EASO and the European Border and Coast Guard, and calls, in this context, for their mandate to be executed through adequate budgeting and staffing, with an emphasis on ensuring fundamental rights; is convinced that the EU needs to invest more in strengthening its borders, enhancing cooperation between law enforcement agencies, fighting terrorism and radicalisation and ensuring sound return operations;,
Amendment 201 #
2016/2323(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Reaffirms its conviction that in order to tackleaddress some of the root causes of the migratory and refugee crisis, the EU needs to step up its role through investments in the countries of origin of the refugees and migrantsfrom which the migratory flows originate; notes that investments in infrastructure, housing, education, medical services, sustainable energy, energy efficiency and support for SMEs are part of the solution to tackle the root causes of migration; welcomes therefore; takes note of the External Investment Plan as a coherent and coordinated framework to promote investments in Africa and the Neighbourhood countries;, keeping in mind that it needs to be fully aligned with and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Highlights that in areas where blending is ineffective or inadequate, it is vital to maintain the levels of direct EU funding; reiterates the commitment of the EU to allocate at least 20% of its ODA to human development in the period until 2020, to areas such as education, health and poverty eradication
Amendment 252 #
2016/2323(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Underlines that the Commission will put forward by the end of 2017 its proposals for the post-2020 MFF; attaches the utmost importance to the process leading up to the establishment of the new financial framework, and expects this to be commensurate to the challenges the Union is facing; calls for a swift conclusion to the ongoing MFF mid-term revision; and to the commitments it has already taken.
Amendment 260 #
2016/2323(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. UnderlinesStresses the need to align the MFF duration to the EU's political cycles in order to give to the EU budget its original objective being the EU budgetary capacity at the service of the EU's political strategy ;underlines however that predictability and long-term sustainability of the EU budget is a prerequisite for a strong and stable European Unionnecessary in certain common policies; draws attention to the fact that the United Kingdom’'s withdrawal from the EU will provide an opportunity to address the long- standing issues which have prevented the EU budget from reaching its real potential, especially as regards the revenue side of the budget; reaffirms its position in favour of an in- depth reform of EU own resources, and; insists that the EU budget should be wholly financed by own resources; strongly believes that the UK's withdrawal provides a unique opportunity to scrap all rebates and corrective mechanisms altogether; welcomes in this respect the presentation of the final report of the High-Level Group on Own Resources (HLGOR); invites all involved parties to draw the appropriate conclusions from this report and analyse the feasibility of implementing the recommendations of the HLGOR that would help make the EU budget more stable and predictable; welcomes the conclusion of the HLGOR regarding the ‘'juste retour’' approach, which should end, as it has been shown by the report that all Member States benefit from the EU budget, irrespective of their ‘'net- balance’; '
Amendment 17 #
2016/2202(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Regrets that the Court’s report estimates that the most likely error rate for expenditure transactions from the eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh EDFs remains identical to that in 2014, which was 3,8 %, and higher than that in 2013, which was 3,4% and that in 2012, which was 3 %; calls on the EIB and the Commission to prepare an action plan to turn around the increasing trend of material error and present it to the discharge authority;
Amendment 19 #
2016/2202(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Is concerned that the typology of errors underlying the 2015 error rate of 3,8 % remains the same as 2014 i.e. the absence of supporting documents (the sum affected to this category of error being EUR 3,692 833 million) and non- compliance with procurement rules (the sum affected to this category of error amounting to EUR 1,176 140 million) representing 70 % of the estimated level of error (compared to 63 % in 2014); asks the EIB and the Commission to step up their efforts and effectively improve both ex- ante and ex-post controls of the funding projects in order to bring the sums effected by errors in the categories like "absence of supporting documents" and "non-compliance with the procurement rules" considerably down;
Amendment 33 #
2016/2202(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Points out the need to improve the use of terminology regarding long-term results (outputs, outcomes and impacts) and the importance of formulating true and sustainable S.M.A.R.T. objectives before any decision on financing different projects is taken; highlights the need to put extra focus on formulating “attainable and realistic” goals to avoid the cases where the initial objectives were met by partner countries but without significant results in term of development;
Amendment 39 #
2016/2202(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Believes that developing partner countries' capacity building, governance frameworks and ownership is also an important way to mitigate systemic risks in order to favour a conducive environment allowing funds to reach their intended purposes and respond the 3 Es’ requirements (economy, efficiency and effectiveness) with a special focus within the effectiveness principle on the ecology, equality and ethics; encourages in this regard the use of local audit firms and local services contract;
Amendment 70 #
2016/2202(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64
Paragraph 64
64. Expresses concern about the multiplicity of trust funds and blending platforms which raises issues regarding governance, effectiveness, transparency and accountability; warns the Commission about the risk of outsourcing and dilution of the objectives of the development policy; calls on the Court to help in assessing the risks, improving the overall transparency and accountability and compare the effectiveness of investments through the trust funds with those of direct or indirect EDF management;
Amendment 75 #
2016/2202(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67
Paragraph 67
67. Deplores the insufficiency of specific objectives, indicators and targets to measure the operational performance of the Trust Funds; asks that performance monitoring arrangements (or results matrix or frameworks) relating to planned actions to be further enhanced including a middle and long term goals fully in line with the Union's policy objectives;
Amendment 76 #
2016/2202(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70
Paragraph 70
70. Recognises the added value of the cooperation with international organisations in certain specific contexts; points out, however, recurrent weaknesses such as the level of financial errors affecting the error level rate, the reporting weaknesses, the problem with results' ownership and as a consequence lack of Union’s visibility and the need to harmonize the expectations as regards results orientation and reinforce value for money;
Amendment 94 #
2016/2202(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 91
Paragraph 91
91. Believes that climate change, migration and development are closely intertwined; warns of the impact of climate change on the development of ACP countries and OCTs and calls for a better understanding of this reality in the allocation of development aid and in the development policy objectives; calls on the Commission and the EIB to avoid simply increasing the funds spent to tackle migrations related problems on account of the projects aimed to climate change adaptations and other development projects;
Amendment 1 #
2016/2194(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants the Director of the European Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy discharge in respect of the implementation of the Joint Undertaking’s budget for the financial year 2015 / Postpones its decision on granting the Director of the European Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy discharge in respect of the implementation of the Joint Undertaking’s budget for the financial year 2015;
Amendment 3 #
2016/2194(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 2
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Approves the closure of the accounts of the European Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy for the financial year 2015 / Postpones the closure of the accounts of the European Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy for the financial year 2015;
Amendment 5 #
2016/2194(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. NotesPoints out that the Court’s report once again emphasises that the complexity of ITER activities puts the amount of the Joint Undertaking’s contribution to the construction phase of the project at significant risk of increasing, but also making the budget of ITER unpredictable and putting at risk other EU programmes particularly the research programmes; however recognises that significant progress across a range of areas impacting the whole management structure of the project has been achieved;
Amendment 8 #
2016/2194(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Highlights that the Joint Undertaking is responsible for the management of the Union’'s contribution to the ITER project and that the budget cap of EUR 6 600 000 000 until 2020 must be maintained; highlights furthermore that the main challenge for the ITER project is to make sure that the realistic schedule and budgeting are kept and that any potential deviation or problem is detected at the earliest stage possible; acknowledges that the Court’s report again notes in its ‘emphasis of matter’ that the doubling of initial budgeted costs for the construction phase in 2010 did not include contingency costsstresses that this figure which doubled since the initial budgeted costs does not include the EUR 663 000 000 proposed by the Commission in 2010 to cover potential contingencies; points out furthermore that the Joint Undertaking has not yet updated the valuation of its contribution to the ITER project beyond the finalisation of the construction phase; urges the Joint Undertaking to give an updated integrated, global and precise valuation of its contribution to ITER project beyond the construction phase before the end of 2017; highlights that the main challenge for the ITER project is to make sure that the schedule and budgeting are kept and that any additional potential deviation or problem is avoided; notes with satisfaction, therefore, that the updated valuation to the Joint Undertaking’'s contribution in 2015 is a more comprehensive figure; is aware that the changes that have recently been and that still are being introduced in this regard are key for the future success of the project;
Amendment 12 #
2016/2194(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Highlights that the Commission should present a Communication on ITER project as soon as possiblebefore July 2017 which is essential for ensuring transparency of the whole project and setting out the way forward;
Amendment 19 #
2016/2194(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Acknowledges the fact that that the Joint Undertaking adopted the implementing rules to the Staff Regulations concerning the appraisal of temporary agents and officials; the appraisal of contract agents; unpaid leave and leave on personal grounds; the use and engagement of temporary agents recruited under Article 2(f) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants; notes, moreover, that the Joint Undertaking also adopted revised policies in the area of internal mobility, language training and internships; regrets that certain specific rules for the implementation of the Staff Regulations still remain to be adopted;
Amendment 25 #
2016/2194(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Observes with satisfactionnotes that in May 2016, following the endorsement of its governing board, the Joint Undertaking’s director signed a renewed long-term lease agreement with the Kingdom of Spain for its offices, including the extension of the current office space by 1 000 m2; notes furthermore that the governing board endorsed the plans to refurbish the office space attributed to the Joint Undertaking.
Amendment 18 #
2016/2114(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 25 – paragraph 6
Rule 25 – paragraph 6
6. The Bureau shall decide theadopt the preliminary draft establishment plan of the Secretariat and lay down regulations concerning the administrative and financial situation of officials and other servants.
Amendment 19 #
2016/2114(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 25 – paragraph 7
Rule 25 – paragraph 7
7. The Bureau shall draw upadopt Parliament's preliminary draft budget estimates by roll call vote, to be recorded in the minutes.
Amendment 45 #
2016/2114(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 88 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Rule 88 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Draft amendments which have been rejected in the committee responsible shall not be put to the vote in Parliament unless this has been requested in writing, before a deadline to be set by the President, by a committee, a political group, or at least 40 Members; that deadline may on no account be less than 24 hours before the start of the vote.
Amendment 47 #
2016/2114(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 88 – paragraph 5
Rule 88 – paragraph 5
Amendment 49 #
2016/2114(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 96 – title
Rule 96 – title
Estimates and establishment plan of Parliament
Amendment 50 #
2016/2114(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 96 – paragraph 1
Rule 96 – paragraph 1
1. The Bureau shall draw up the preliminary draft estimates on the basis of a report prepared by the Secretary-General, no later than at its first meeting of February, adopt the preliminary draft estimates and the preliminary draft establishment plan on the basis of a report prepared by the Secretary-General. The report of the Secretary-General shall include clear indications with regard to medium- and long-term planning with regard to all aspects of the Parliament's budget.
Amendment 54 #
2016/2114(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 96 – paragraph 2
Rule 96 – paragraph 2
2. The President shall without delay forward the preliminary draft estimates and the preliminary draft establishment plan to the committee responsible, which shall draw upadopt the draft estimates and the draft establishment plan and report to Parliament.
Amendment 58 #
2016/2114(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 96 – paragraph 4
Rule 96 – paragraph 4
4. Parliament shall adopt the estimates. and the establishment plan
Amendment 60 #
2016/2114(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 97
Rule 97
Amendment 71 #
2016/2114(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 222 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Rule 222 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
The Bureau shall decide on theadopt the preliminary draft establishment plan of the Secretariat and lay down regulations relating to the administrative and financial situation of officials and other servants.
Amendment 18 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas safeguards against fraud, including tax fraud and money laundering, and against the financing of terrorism risks are contained in EIB contractual provisions included in the contracts signed between the EIB Group and its counterparties; whereas the EIB also expects its counterparties to comply with all applicable legislation; whereas additional contractual provisions addressing specific transparency and integrity issues canshould be imposed by the EIB on the basis of due diligence results;
Amendment 26 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the EIB’s annual reports for 2015 and its achievements presented therein, and the efforts achieved for a better presentation and reporting the EIB’s contribution (or additionality) and results;
Amendment 37 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises that all EIB-financed activities must be part of and steadily consistent with the EU’s general strategy and political priority areas as defined in the Europe 2020 strategy, the Growth and Employment Facility and the Compact for Growth and Jobs, while integrating the economic and, financial efficiency and environmental impact criteria;
Amendment 47 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Recalls that supporting economic recovery and sustainable growth is an overarching objective and that the EIB should better anticipate structural challenges, notably those related to Europe’'s re- industrialisation and the knowledge-based and digital economy, in order to generate new economic opportunities, innovation and better use of renewables in line with the goals of environmental, climate orand energy policies;
Amendment 51 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Is of the opinion that the EIB should systematically pay attention to mid- and long-term economic, social and environmental effects when defining investment actions and its funding decisions; considers it necessary for the EIB to invest in both large and small-scale sustainable projects of systemic importance in the long term;
Amendment 52 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Believes alsoEmphasizes that the soundness of funded projects should notby definition be assessed not only in terms of economic relevance but also with an equally strong focus on environmental and social sustainability; recalls that prioritisation within the EIB’s lending activities on projects with clear and sustainable deliverables and impact on growth and employment must remain the core guiding principle;
Amendment 62 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Believes there is a need to secure a resilient and sustainable EU funding strategy to speed up economic recovery and help certain economic sectors and geographical areas catch up; recalls the need to focus on sustainable investment making a difference; believes that projects should be chosen on the basis of their own merits and effective additionality, possibly wi but not on the a higher risk profileccount of the harmful environmental impacts;
Amendment 65 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Reiterates, in this respect, that more informationa detailed ex-ante assessment should be givenpresented on the precise nature of individual projects funded directly or indirectly through the EIB’s lending activities, and, in particular, on their added value and expected economic, social and environmental impacts;
Amendment 69 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Reiterates Parliament’s concern about defining a balanced strategy with a dynamic and transparent geographical distribution of projects and investments among EU Member States taking into account the special focus on the less developed countries and regions; observes that 73 % of the EIB’s total lending for 2015 (EUR 51 billion) is concentrated in six Member States;
Amendment 74 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Considers it fundamental that the EIB keep its triple-A rating in order to preserve its access to international capital markets under the best borrowing conditions and to pass on the benefits in its investment strategy and lending conditions; is of the opinion, however, that the EIB should prioritise higher-value-added projects with a higher risk; calls on the EIB to develop its risk culture in order to improve its effectiveness and the complementarity and synergies between its interventions and various EU policies;
Amendment 84 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
Amendment 100 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Invites the EIB to increase its intervention risk profile, especially when supporting SMEs which are taking risks or evolving in economic regions that have to be stabilised; believes also that the SME sector and its access to financing is a recurrent and longstanding objective to be pursued and further enhanced;
Amendment 105 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Notes that the EIB already finances investments in R&D by EU security companies where civilian and dual-use technologies are concerned; notesis of the opinion that, as regards dual-use technologies, the EIB is able toshould primarily support those investments that are motivated by their commercialisation in civilian applications – examples of EIB projects of this type already included R&D investments in aircraft and space supplies, radar systems, cybersecurity and cloud security, microelectronics and vaccines;
Amendment 113 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Invites the EIB to define a new global infrastructure agenda based on efficient and sustainable projects of common interest such as transport (Connected Europe), while considering their compatibility with climate policycompliant with the ratified Paris Climate Agreement objectives and regional development;
Amendment 117 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Calls on the EIB to include the COP21 targets from the Paris Climate Agreement into its entire portfolio of future activities and duly report on the implementation of the Climate strategy and the compliance of individual Action Plans with the COP21 targets;
Amendment 118 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 b (new)
Paragraph 30 b (new)
30b. Following up on the Paris Climate Agreement calls on the EIB to stop further investments in fossil fuels and the related part in the automotive industry and to invest in projects which truly contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation;
Amendment 119 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 c (new)
Paragraph 30 c (new)
30c. Points to the increase of the EIB's financing of fossil fuel projects which reached the level of 2.5 billion euro in 2015 compared to 2.4 billion euro in 2014 and 2.0 billion euro in 2013; in the context of the post Paris Climate Agreement framework calls on the EIB to deliver on the European Parliament's calls to phase out lending to fossil fuels from its portfolio from 2017 on;
Amendment 121 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 e (new)
Paragraph 30 e (new)
30e. Asks the EIB to strengthen its Emissions' Performance Standard in 2017 by lowering it to 350 g of CO2/kWh;
Amendment 142 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
Paragraph 43 a (new)
43a. Calls on the EIB to use the opportunity given by the EFSI to increase financing for smaller-scale, off-grid decentralised renewable energy projects involving citizens and communities which face difficulties in obtaining finance from other sources;
Amendment 146 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 9
Subheading 9
Deepening the EIB’s transparency, accountability, integrity and internal control as a prerequisite for better corporate governance
Amendment 158 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52 a (new)
Paragraph 52 a (new)
52a. calls on the EIB to disclose the results of its own investigation into the seventeen loans exceeding in total EUR 4 billion to the Volkswagen Group between 2005 and 2015, out of which twelve loans aimed at fuel efficiency and emissions' reduction and five were classified as EIB's Climate Action;
Amendment 163 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55
Paragraph 55
55. Calls for a high level of transparency to be ensured in the EIB’s disclosure policy as regards its governance bodies, in particular through the disclosure of ththis regard welcomes the commitment to disclose minutes of the meetings of the EIB’s and EIF’s Board of Directors orand the EFSI Investment Committee and as regards projects of public interest benefiting from the EU budget guarantee and impacting EU territories and citizens; considers the disclosure of the scoreboard of indicators to be good practice for any operation and for the environmental and social impact assessments at the level of projects or subprojects;
Amendment 165 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55 a (new)
Paragraph 55 a (new)
55a. Calls on the EIB for a high level of transparency and publicity regarding the system of contracts and subcontracts between the EIB and its clients;
Amendment 169 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 56
Paragraph 56
56. Invites the EIB, in accordance with its wide scope of intervention, to better prevent conflicts of interest in its governing bodies and potential revolving doors issues; refers to the letter sent by the European Ombudsman to the EIB President in July 2016 asking the bank to review its governance arrangements to help prevent potential conflicts of interest in the bank's governing bodies;
Amendment 172 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 57
Paragraph 57
57. Welcomes the review of the rules of the Complaints Mechanism Office with a view to ensuring more independence within the EIB’s structure and improving its effectiveness, as well as of the Memorandum of Understanding between the European Ombudsman and the EIB, as well as the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding between the European Ombudsman and the EIB; requests clarification from the EIB on the delay about the launch of a public consultation on the revision of the policies and procedures of its Complaints Mechanism; notes that such a revision process offers opportunity to further improve the independence and efficiency of the EIB Complaints mechanism;
Amendment 175 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58
Paragraph 58
58. Asks the EIB to pursuedo its outmost in its fight against tax evasion, tax fraud and avoidance, irregular activities and money laundering through its non-transparent and uncooperative jurisdictions (NCJ) policy and the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism Framework (AML-CFT);
Amendment 176 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58 a (new)
Paragraph 58 a (new)
58a. Calls on the EIB to establish a new responsible taxation policy in 2017, starting from the review of its policy on non-cooperative jurisdictions (NCJ policy) in cooperation with the European Commission; regrets that the EIB ignored previous calls from the European Parliament on this subject;
Amendment 177 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58 b (new)
Paragraph 58 b (new)
58b. Reiterates its call on the EIB to make both direct funding and funding via intermediaries contingent upon disclosure of country-by-country tax-relevant data;
Amendment 179 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59
Paragraph 59
59. Invites the EIB also to maintain regular cooperation with other international financial institutions through the exchange of information on the results of its corporate or tax due diligence or ‘Know Your Customer’ review and report annually to the European Parliament and the public on how it implements its NCJ policy;
Amendment 181 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 a (new)
Paragraph 60 a (new)
60a. Encourages the European Court of Auditors (ECA) to actively carry out assessments on the performance of EIB lending activities; calls on the ECA to issue statements on the EIB's specific sectoral policies, according to the new Tripartite Agreement signed in 2016 between the ECA, the European Commission and the EIB;
Amendment 184 #
2016/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61 a (new)
Paragraph 61 a (new)
61a. Calls on the EIB to revise the Policy on preventing and deterring prohibited conduct in the EIB's activities, which should set in stone the necessity for the EIB to stop financing and/or approving further loan disbursements to projects under on-going national or OLAF investigation for corruption and fraud;
Amendment 148 #
2016/2047(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)
Paragraph 41 a (new)
41 a. Considers that interinstitutional administrative cooperation is a source of efficiency as know-how, capacities and resources developed for an institution can be made available to others; therefore asks to establish a system which limits administrative burdens to the necessary minimum, ensures the appropriate quality of services, provides the main responsible institution with the necessary budgetary means and incentivises the cooperation of the other institutions by limiting their share to the marginal costs caused by the cooperation and as such aligning sound financial management decisions on level of the institutions with the overall sound financial management of the budget;
Amendment 187 #
2016/2047(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59 a (new)
Paragraph 59 a (new)
59 a. In the light of the multiple problems encountered in this year's internal budgetary procedure, concludes that it is inevitable to overhaul Chapter 9 and relevant parts of other chapters of its Rules of Procedure to achieve what the European Parliament called for in its abovementioned resolution of 14 April 2016 on Parliament's estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2017, i.e. that "any relevant information should be presented to Members of the Bureau and the Committee on Budgets at every stage of the procedure in a timely and intelligible manner and with the necessary level of detail and breakdowns in order to enable the Bureau, the Committee on Budgets and the political groups to conduct proper deliberations and base decisions on a comprehensive picture of the state and needs of Parliament's budget;"
Amendment 66 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 178
Recital 178
Amendment 126 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 30a
Article 30a
Amendment 219 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) Up to 105% of the funds of the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA II), the European Neighbourhood Instrument and the financing instrument for development cooperation (DCI) may be kept unallocated at the beginning of the financial year to allow additional funding to respond to major unforeseen needs, new crises situations or significant political shifts in third countries, in addition to the amounts already programmed. These unallocated funds, if not committed during the year, should be carried over by a Decision of the Commission.
Amendment 221 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
Amendment 224 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
Amendment 230 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) The information on the use of Union funds implemented under direct, indirect and shared implementation should be published in the Financial Transparency System and on an internet website of the institutions and should include at least the name, the locality, the amount and the purpose of the funds. That information should take into account relevant criteria such as the periodicity, the type and the importance of the measure.
Amendment 232 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) Information on scholarships, and other direct support paid to natural persons in most need, such as unemployed people and refugees, should remain exempt from publication.
Amendment 235 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) IApart from the elements laid down in Recital 15, in the case of indirect and shared implementation, it should be for the persons, entities or designated bodies implementing Union funds to make available information on recipients and final recipients. Where applicable, the level of detail and criteria should be defined in the relevant sector specific rules and may be further defined in the financial framework partnership agreements. The Commission should make available a reference of the website where the information on recipients and final recipients can be found.
Amendment 251 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 57
Recital 57
(57) More emphasis should be put on performance and resultoutputs and outcomes. It is thus appropriate to define an additional form of financing not linked to costs of the relevant operations in addition to the forms of Union contribution already well established (reimbursement of the eligible costs actually incurred, unit cost, lump sums and flat-rate financing). This form of financing should be either based on the fulfilment of certain conditions ex ante or the achievement of results measured by reference to the previously set milestones or through performance indicators.
Amendment 255 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 60
Recital 60
Amendment 262 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 71
Recital 71
(71) A person or entity should be excluded by the authorising officer responsible when a final judgment or a final administrative decision has been taken in the case of grave professional misconduct, non-compliance, whether intentional or not, with the obligations related to the payment of social security contributions or the payment of taxes, tax good governance standards including fair tax competition, fraud affecting the budget , corruption, participation in a criminal organisation, money laundering, terrorist financing, terrorist related offences, child labour or other forms of trafficking in human beings or irregularity. It should also be excluded in the case of a serious breach of a legal commitment or bankruptcy. It should also be excluded in the case it does not comply with tax transparency and publicly disclose country by country reporting information as foreseen in Directive 2013/34/EU.
Amendment 278 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 96
Recital 96
(96) It is important to recognise the specific naturimprove the nature and the use of blending facilities where the Commission blends its contribution with that of Financial Institutions and to clarify the application of Title X on Financial Instruments.
Amendment 283 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 124
Recital 124
(124) It is necessary to clarify the scope of the Title on grants, particularly with regard to the type of action or body eligible for a grant as well as with regard to legal commitments that may be used to cover grants. In particular, grant decisions should be phased out due to their limited use and progressive introduction of e-grants. The structure should be simplified by moving the provisions on instruments which are not grants to other parts of the Regulation. The nature of bodies which may receive operating grants should be clarified since the notion of bodies pursuing an aim of general Union interest is covered by the notion of bodies having an objective forming part of and supporting a Union policy. In addition, the restrictive definition of a body pursuing an aim of general Union interests should be removed.
Amendment 289 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 131 a (new)
Recital 131 a (new)
(131 a)In order to protect one of the fundamental principles of the public finances, the non-profit rule should be kept in this Regulation. The non-profit rule should be seen as one of the main instruments to avoid misuse of the public money.
Amendment 292 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 139
Recital 139
(139) Financial instruments, budgetary guarantees and, financial assistance and Trust Funds should be authorised by means of a basic act. Where financial instruments are established without a basic act in duly justified cases, they should be authorised by the European Parliament and the Council in the budget.
Amendment 297 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 144
Recital 144
(144) It should be clarified that, where financial instruments are combined with other forms of support from the Union budget, the rules on financial instrumentsstemming from the sector-specific legislation should apply. Such rules should be complemented, where applicable, by specific requirements stemming from the sector specific legislationon financial instruments.
Amendment 317 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 163 a (new)
Recital 163 a (new)
(163 a)Trust funds constitute a problematic financial instrument as they may seriously alter budgets adopted by the budgetary authorities and bear the risk of using funds from financing instruments for purposes not foreseen in the latter's basic act. Trust funds do, however, add value through pooling of resources as long as this pooling is not mostly limited to Union resources.
Amendment 319 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 164
Recital 164
(164) The Commission should be authorised to create and manage Union trust funds for emergency, post-emergencexclusively for thematic actions not only in external actions but also in EU-internal actions. Recent events in the European Union show the need for increased flexibilitexternal actions for emergency, post-emergency for funding within the EU. As the boundaries between external and internal policies are increasingly blurred, this would also provide a tool for replying to cross-border challengethematic actions. It is necessary to specify the principles applicable to the contributions to Union Trust Funds, to clarify the responsibilities of the financial actors and of the Board of the Trust Fund. It is also necessary to define rules ensuring the representation of the European Parliament, a fair representation of the participating donors in the Board of the Trust Fund and a mandatory positive vote of the Commission for the use of the funds.
Amendment 322 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 167
Recital 167
(167) The manner in which the institutions currently report on building projects to the European Parliament and the Council should be maintainimproved. Institutions should be allowed to finance new building projects with the appropriations received for buildings already sold, therefore a reference to assigned revenue provisions should be introduced. This would allow meeting the changing needs in the building policy of the institutions, while saving costs and introducing more flexibility.
Amendment 323 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 169
Recital 169
Amendment 330 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 178
Recital 178
Amendment 335 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 184
Recital 184
Amendment 381 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 51 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 51 a (new)
51 a. 'small grant' means a grant above EUR 60 000 and lower than or equal to EUR 250 000;
Amendment 383 #
2016/0282(COD)
60 a. 'withdrawing Member State' means a Member State which has officially triggered Article 50 of the TEU and whose final agreement with the Union has not entered into force;
Amendment 384 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 60 b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 60 b (new)
60 b. 'provisional agreement' means a temporary agreement agreed between the Union and a withdrawing Member State which shall end with the entry into force of the final agreement agreed between the Union and the withdrawing Member State;
Amendment 385 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 60 c (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 60 c (new)
60 c. 'volunteer' means a person doing an unpaid non-compulsory activity for a non-profit organisation.
Amendment 389 #
2016/0282(COD)
(e) appropriations kept unallocated at the beginning of the financial year relating to the funds referred to in Regulation (EU) No 231/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2014 establishing an Instrument for Pre- accession Assistance (IPA II), Regulation (EU) No 232/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2014 establishing a European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) and Regulation (EU) No 233/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2014 establishing a financing instrument for development cooperation for the period 2014-2020 (DCI), within a limit of 105% of the initial appropriations of each instrument.
Amendment 394 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 3 – point a
Article 12 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) amounts corresponding to commitment and payment appropriations for the Emergency Aid Reserve and for the European Union Crisis ReserveGlobalization Adjustment Fund and to commitment appropriations for the European Union Solidarity Fund;
Amendment 401 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. In respect of non-differentiated appropriations a distinction shall be made between planned and unplanned carry- overs. The definition and reporting of those categories shall be established by the Commission in cooperation with the Court of Auditors.
Amendment 404 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Article 14 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Without prejudice to paragraphs (1) and (2), decommitted appropriations made in year n-2 shall be made available again to the European Union Crisis Reserve in the framework of the budgetary procedure for the year nGlobal Margin for Commitments as referred to in Article 14 of Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013.
Amendment 405 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Article 14 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 406 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
If the continuity of action by the Union so require, the Council, acting by qualified majorityEuropean Parliament, acting by a majority of its component Members on a proposal of the Commission, may authorise expenditure in excess of one provisional twelfth but not exceeding the total of four provisional twelfths, excluding the one twelfth made automatically available, except in duly justified cases, both for commitments and for payments over and above those automatically made available in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2. It shall forward the decision on authorisation without delay to the European ParliamentCouncil.
Amendment 407 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2 – introductory part
Article 15 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2 – introductory part
The decision referred to in the first subparagraph shall enter into force 30 days following its adoption unless the European ParliamentCouncil takes any of the following actions:
Amendment 409 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2 – point b
Article 15 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2 – point b
(b) informs the CouncilEuropean Parliament and the Commission that it does not wish to reduce that expenditure, in which case the decision shall enter into force before the expiry of the 30 days.
Amendment 411 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 a (new)
Article 22 a (new)
Article 22 a Assigneed revenue resulting from the participation of a withdrawing Member State in certain Union programmes 1. The budget structure to accommodate the revenue provided for in Article 20(2)(e) shall be as follows: in the statement of revenue, a line with a token entry pro memoria shall be entered to accommodate the full amount of the withdrawing Member State's contribution for the financial year in question; 2. Under the provisional agreement the amounts of the annual participation of the withdrawing Member State shall give rise to the provision, at the start of the financial year, of the full amounts of the corresponding commitment appropriations and payment appropriations.
Amendment 414 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 24 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. On the basis of specific internal rules Union institutions and bodies may exceptionallyshall not accept in kind corporate sponsoring provided that:.
Amendment 415 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 24 – paragraph 2 – point a
Amendment 417 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 24 – paragraph 2 – point b
Amendment 418 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 24 – paragraph 2 – point c
Amendment 420 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 6
Article 28 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 6
Three weeks before making the transfers referred to in point (b) of the first subparagraph of this Article, the Commission shall inform the European Parliament and the Council of its intention to do so. In the event that duly justified reasons are raised within that period by the European Parliament or the Council, the procedure laid down in Article 29 shall apply.
Amendment 421 #
2016/0282(COD)
The Commission may submit proposals for transfers of payment appropriations to the funds managed under shared implementation with the exception of the EAGF to the European Parliament and the Council by 10 January of the following financial year. The transfer of the payment appropriations may be made from any item of the budget. The six-week period referred to in paragraph 3 shall be reduced to three weeks.
Amendment 422 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
Article 29 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 430 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Article 30 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Decisions on transfers to allow the use of the emergency aid reserve and the European Union Crisis ReserveGlobalization Adjustment Fund shall be taken by the European Parliament and the Council on a proposal from the Commission.
Amendment 432 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 3 – introductory part
Article 30 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 3 – introductory part
Proposals for transfers from the emergency aid reserve and the European Union Crisis ReserveGlobalization Adjustment Fund shall be accompanied by appropriate and detailed supporting documents demonstarting:
Amendment 433 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 5
Article 30 – paragraph 5
Amendment 440 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 35 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
The budgets shall be published within three monthfour weeks of the date on which they are declared definitively adopted.
Amendment 441 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Article 36 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
The information on recipients of Union’s funds implemented under direct implementation shall be published on an internet site of the Union institutions and in the Financial Transparency System, no later than 30 June of the year following the financial year in which the funds were legally committed.
Amendment 448 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 36 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. The Commission, with the help of the Member States, shall make available, in an appropriate and timely manner, information on recipients, as well as the nature and purpose of the measure financed from the budget, where the latter is implemented directly in accordance with point (b) of Article 61(1). The obligation set out in the first subparagraph shall also apply to local authorities when they implement the Union budget. The information on recipients of Union's funds implemented under shared implementation shall be published on an internet site of the Union institutions, no later than 30 June of the year following the financial year in which the funds were legally committed. The information referred to in the first subparagraph shall be made available, having due regard for the requirements of confidentiality and security, in particular the protection of personal data and shall include the following: (a) the name of the recipient; (b) the locality of the recipient; (c) the amount legally committed; (d) the nature and purpose of the measure. For the purposes of point b) of the fourth subparagraph the term ‘locality’ shall mean: (i) the address of the recipient when the latter is a legal person (ii) the Region on NUTS 2 level when the recipient is a natural person This information shall only be published for prizes, grants and contracts which have been awarded as a result of contests or grant award procedures or public procurement procedures, and for experts which have been selected pursuant to Article 230(2). The information shall not be published for: (i)education supports paid to natural persons and other direct support paid to natural persons most in need as referred to in point (b) of Article 185(4) (ii) very low value contracts awarded to experts selected pursuant to Article 230(2) as well as very low value contracts below the amount referred to in point 14.4 of the Annex to this Regulation The internet site of the Union institutions shall contain at least a reference to the address of the website where the information can be found if it is not published directly on the dedicated place of the internet site of the Union institutions. Where natural persons are concerned, the publication shall be limited to the name and locality of the recipient, the amount legally committed and the purpose of the measure. The disclosure of those data shall be based on relevant criteria such as the periodicity, or the type or importance of the measure. As far as personal data are concerned, the information shall be removed two years after the end of the financial year in which the amount was legally committed. The same shall apply to personal data referring to legal persons for whom the official title identifies one or more natural persons. The publication shall be waived if such disclosure risks threatening the rights and freedoms of individuals concerned as protected by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union or harm the commercial interests of the recipients.
Amendment 452 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
Article 36 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
The information on final recipients of funds provided through financial instruments who receive support from the Union budget for an amount lower than EUR 5100 000, shall be limited to statistical data, aggregated in accordance with relevant criteria, such as geographical situation, economic typology of recipients, type of support received and the Union policy area under which such support was provided.
Amendment 453 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Article 36 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. The publications as referred in to this Article shall be available on a single website under the responsibility of the Commission.
Amendment 455 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 3 – point b – point iii
Article 39 – paragraph 3 – point b – point iii
(iii) the number of posts actually filled at the beginning of the year in which the draft budget is presented, indicating their distribution by grade and, by administrative unit and by gender;
Amendment 459 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 6
Article 39 – paragraph 6
6. Where the Commission makes use of Union Trust Funds, it shall attach to the draft budget a working document on the activities supported by Union Trust Funds, on their implementation and performance and how the actions under the Trust Funds have contributed to the objectives laid down in the basic act of the instrument from which the Union contribution to the Trust Funds were provided.
Amendment 461 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 42 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 42 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Before presenting a draft amending budget, the Commission and the other institutions shall examine the scope for reallocation of the relevant appropriations, with particular reference to any expected under- implementation of appropriations without putting into danger programmes already adopted and being implemented especially those contributing to the Union objectives.
Amendment 462 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 44 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 44 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) separate sections for each institution, with the exception of the European Council and the Council which shall share the same section, subdivided into statements of revenue and expenditure.
Amendment 465 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – title
Article 49 – title
Emergency Aid Reserve and European Union Crisis ReserveGlobalization Adjustment Fund
Amendment 466 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 1
Article 49 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission section of the budget shall include a reserve for emergency aid for third countries and a European Union Crisis Reservereserve for the European Globalization Adjustment Fund.
Amendment 470 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 54 – paragraph 3
Article 54 – paragraph 3
3. Citizens may be consulted on the preparation and the implementation of the Union budget by the Commission, Member States or any other entity implementing the Union budget. Such consultations shall be encouraged as much as possible, including through the representative associations. The consultation as referred in to the first subparagraph shall respect the principle of transparency, diversity and proportionality, whereas: (i) transparency means that the consultation shall be public and accessible to a wide public; (ii) diversity means that the consultation shall not lead to an overrepresentation of a certain group or part of the societies; (iii) proportionality means that the consultation, and the inherent costs, shall be consistent with the size of the project or programme.
Amendment 475 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 56 – paragraph 2 – point a – paragraph 2
Article 56 – paragraph 2 – point a – paragraph 2
The total amount of appropriations for the pilot projects shall not exceed EUR 460 000 000 in any financial year.
Amendment 477 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 56 – paragraph 2 – point b – paragraph 2
Article 56 – paragraph 2 – point b – paragraph 2
The total amount of appropriations for new preparatory actions referred to under this point shall not exceed EUR 750 000 000 in any financial year, and the total amount of appropriations actually committed for preparatory actions shall not exceed EUR 1050 000 000.
Amendment 482 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 62 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b a (new)
Article 62 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b a (new)
(ba) cooperating with the Commission, OLAF and the European Court of Auditors.
Amendment 484 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 62 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 5
Article 62 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 5
In addition, Member States mayshall provide to the Commission and the European Parliament declarations signed at the appropriate level based on the information referred to in this paragraph.
Amendment 485 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 62 – paragraph 9
Article 62 – paragraph 9
Amendment 487 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 62 – paragraph 9
Article 62 – paragraph 9
9. Resources allocated to Member States under shared implementation may alsoshall not be used in combination with operations and instruments carried out under Regulation 2015/1017 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 June 2015 on the European Fund for Strategic Investments, the European Investment Advisory Hub and the European Investment Project Portal and amending Regulations (EU) No 1291/2013 and (EU) No 1316/2013 as it may jeopardize the principle of the unity of the Union budget and may undermine the Union programmes and objectives.
Amendment 493 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 69 – paragraph 6
Article 69 – paragraph 6
6. An independent external auditor shall verify that the annual accounts of each of the bodies referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article properly present the income, expenditure and financial position of the relevant body prior to the consolidation in the Commission's final accounts. Unless otherwise provided in the basic act referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, the Court of Auditors shall be considered as the external auditor and shall prepare a Specific Annual Report on each body in line with the requirements of Article 287(1) TFEU. In preparing this report, the Court shall consider the audit work performed by the independent external auditor and the action taken in response to the auditor's findings.
Amendment 496 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 5
Article 70 – paragraph 5
Paragraphs 2, 3, 4 and 46 of Article 69 shall apply to public-private partnership bodies.
Amendment 500 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 73 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 3
Article 73 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 3
Where the authorising officer by delegation implements financial audits of beneficiaries as ex-post controls, the related audit rules shall be clear, consistent and transparent, andincluding timeframe. They shall be available to beneficiaries when signing the grant agreement. Audit rules shall respect the rights of both the Commission and the auditees.
Amendment 503 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 73 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 2 – point a
Article 73 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 2 – point a
(a) that the authorising officers by sub- delegation and their staff receive regularly updated and appropriate information and training concerning the control standards and the methods and techniques available for that purpose on the basis of common guidelines;
Amendment 505 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 86 – paragraph 5
Article 86 – paragraph 5
5. The accounting officer shall carry out, or have carried out by a staff member in his own department or in the authorising department specially empowered for that purpose, checks, which must as a general rule be effected on the spot and, where appropriaten necessary, without warning, to verify the existence of the funds allocated to the imprest administrators and the bookkeeping and to check that imprest transactions are settled within the time- limit set. The accounting officer shall communicate the findings of those checks to the authorising officer responsible.
Amendment 508 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 99 – paragraph 5
Article 99 – paragraph 5
5. Each institution shall send to the European Parliament and Council each year a report on the waivers referred to in this paragraph involving EUR 100 000 or more. In the case of the Commission, that report shall be annexed to the summary of the annual activity reports referred to in Article 73(9).
Amendment 514 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 114 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 114 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) 960 calendar days for contribution agreements, contracts and, grant agreements involving technical services or actions which are particularly complex to evaluate and for which payment depends on the approval of a report or a certificate;
Amendment 516 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 114 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 114 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) 6045 calendar days for all other contribution agreements, contracts and, grant agreements for which payment depends on the approval of a report or a certificate;
Amendment 518 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 115 – paragraph 1
Article 115 – paragraph 1
1. Each institution shall establish an internal auditing function which shall be performed in compliance with the relevant international standards. The internal auditor appointed by the institution shall be accountable to the latter for verifying the proper operation of budgetary implementation systems and procedures. The internal auditor shall be independent in performing his or her tasks and he may be neither authorising officer nor accounting officer.
Amendment 528 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 122 – paragraph 1
Article 122 – paragraph 1
The Commission shall refrain from relying on assessments made by other entities. In duly justified cases it may rely in full or in part on assessments made by itself or other entities, including donors, insofar as these assessments were made with regard to conditions equivalent to those set out in this Regulation for the applicable method of budget implementation. To this end, the Commission shall promote the recognition of internationally accepted standards or international best practices.
Amendment 529 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 123 – paragraph 1
Article 123 – paragraph 1
Amendment 533 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 124 – paragraph 2
Article 124 – paragraph 2
2. Any person or entity receiving Union funds under direct, shared and indirect implementation shall agree in writing to grant the necessary rights as referred to in paragraph 1. This includes the obligation for any third parties involved in the implementation of Union funds to ensure equivalent rights.
Amendment 537 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 125
Article 125
Amendment 539 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 125 – paragraph 1
Article 125 – paragraph 1
Resources allocated to Member States under shared implementation may, at their request and after having informed the Commission and the European Parliament, be transferred to instruments established under this Regulation or under sectore same specific Regulations. The Commission shall implement these resources in accordance with point (a) or (c) of Article 61(1), where possible for the benefit of the Member State concerned. In addition resources allocated to Member States under shared implementation may at their request be used to enhance the risk-bearing capacity of the EFSI. In such cases, EFSI rules shall apply.
Amendment 541 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 126 – paragraph 6
Article 126 – paragraph 6
6. In the case of financial framework partnership agreement implemented through specific grants the verification of the operational and financial capacity referred to in Article 191 shall be performed before signature of the financial framework partnership agreement. The Commission may rely on an equivalent verification of the financial and operational capacity carried out by other donors.
Amendment 549 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 147 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Article 147 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Except for low value contracts and low value grants, and small grants, the authorising officer responsible may, if proportionate and subject to a risk-analysis, require a guarantee to be submitted:
Amendment 556 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 150 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 150 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) comply with relevant standards and applicable legislation on the prevention of money laundering, and the fight against terrorism, tax fraud and tax evasion, tax evasion and tax good governance standards including fair tax competition. They shall also comply with tax transparency and publicly disclose country by country reporting information as foreseen in Directive 2013/34/EU;
Amendment 559 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 151 a (new)
Article 151 a (new)
Amendment 565 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 166 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a – point iii
Article 166 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a – point iii
(iii) any increase in price, including the net cumulative value of successive modifications, does not exceed 250 % of the initial contract value;
Amendment 566 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 166 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point b – point ii
Article 166 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point b – point ii
(ii) any increase in price does not exceed 250 % of the initial contract value;
Amendment 570 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 174 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 174 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) the functioning of a body which has an objective forming part of, and supporting,pursues an aim of general Union interest or has an objective forming part of, and contributing to the development, implementation and evaluation of a Union policy ('operating grants').
Amendment 572 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 175 – paragraph 2
Article 175 – paragraph 2
2. Where possible and appropriate, lump sums, unit costs or flat rates shall be determined in such a way as to allow their payment upon achievement of concrete outputs and outcomes.
Amendment 574 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 175 – paragraph 4 – point d
Article 175 – paragraph 4 – point d
(d) where possible, the essential conditions triggering the payment, including, where applicable, the achievement of outputs and outcomes;
Amendment 577 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 175 – paragraph 6
Article 175 – paragraph 6
6. The authorising officer responsible may authorise or impose, in the form of flat-rates, funding of the beneficiary's indirect costs up to a maxinimum of 7 15% of total eligible direct costs for the action. A higher flat rate may be authorised by a reasoned Commission decision.
Amendment 582 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 175 – paragraph 8
Article 175 – paragraph 8
8. Beneficiaries may declare personnel costs for the work carried out by volunteers under an action or work programme, on the basis of unit costs authorised in accordance with paragraphs 1 to 6. Volunteers' engagement is to be understood as unpaid non-compulsory activity performed through a non-profit organization.
Amendment 583 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 177 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 177 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
The authorising officer responsible shall check, at the latest before the payment of the balance, the fulfilment of the conditions triggering the payment of lump sums, unit costs or flat-rates, including, where required, the achievement of outputs and outcomes. In addition, the fulfilment of those conditions may be subject to ex post controls.
Amendment 585 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 178 – paragraph 1
Article 178 – paragraph 1
The method for determining lump sums, unit costs or flat rates, the underlying data and the resulting amounts shall be assessed periodically, and at least every 2 years, and, where appropriate, adjusted in accordance with Article 175.
Amendment 590 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 183 – paragraph -1 (new)
Article 183 – paragraph -1 (new)
–1. Grants shall be subject to a work programme, to be published prior to its implementation.
Amendment 593 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 183 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
Article 183 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
3. Following the publication referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, when requested by the European Parliament and the Council,, 2 and 3 the Commission shall forwardmake pubic a report to them on:
Amendment 594 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 183 a (new)
Article 183 a (new)
Article 183 a No-profit principle 1. For the purpose of this Title, profit shall be defined as a surplus of the receipts over the eligible costs incurred by the beneficiary, when the request is made for payment of the balance. 2. The receipts referred to in paragraph 1 shall be limited to income generated by the action or work programme, as well as financial contributions specifically assigned by donors to the financing of the eligible costs. 3. In the case of an operating grant, amounts dedicated to the building up of reserves shall not be taken into account for the purpose of verifying compliance with the no-profit principle. 4. Financial contributions from third parties that may be used by the beneficiary to cover other costs than those eligible under the grant or that are not due to the third party where they are not used at the end of the action or work programme, shall not be considered as financial contributions specifically assigned by the donors to the financing of the eligible costs within the meaning of paragraphs 1, 2 and 3.
Amendment 597 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 184 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Article 184 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
In-kind contributions from third parties for the purpose of the co-financing shall include volunteers' work, use of equipment, supplies, meeting facilities and services.
Amendment 598 #
2016/0282(COD)
3. As an exception to paragraph 1 an external action may be financed in full by the grant where this is undertaken by a partner of the Union that demonstrates its compliance with the EC rules and requirements (through the ex-ante assessmential for it to be carried ou) may be financed in full by the grant. In such a case grounds shall be provided in the award decision.
Amendment 601 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 186 – paragraph 4
Article 186 – paragraph 4
4. In the case of operating grants, the grant agreement shall be signed within sixthree months of the start of the beneficiary's financial year. Costs eligible for financing may neither have been incurred before the grant application was submitted nor before the start of the beneficiary's financial year. The first payment shall be done within two months after the signature of the grant agreement.
Amendment 606 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 187 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 187 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) for informing all applicants of the outcome of the evaluation of their application, a maximum of sixthree months from the final date for submission of complete proposals;
Amendment 607 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 187 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 187 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) for signing grant agreements with applicants a maximum of threone months from the date of informing applicants that they have been successful.
Amendment 608 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 188 – paragraph 2
Article 188 – paragraph 2
The cases referred to in points (c) and (f) of the first subparagraph shall be duly substantiated in the award decision. The exceptions referred to in point (c) and (f) of the first subparagraph shall be interpreted and applied restrictively by the Union institutions and bodies or the Member States. The Union institutions and bodies or the Member States shall clearly define both the time frame and the scope of application for the exceptions referred to in point (c) and (f) of the first subparagraph.
Amendment 611 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 191 – paragraph 5 – point b
Article 191 – paragraph 5 – point b
(b) natural persons most in need, such as unemployed persons and refugees, and in receipt of direct support;
Amendment 619 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 201 – paragraph 1
Article 201 – paragraph 1
1. TIn order to achieve its objectives, the Union may establish financial instruments or provide budgetary guarantees or financial assistance backed by the general budget by means of a basic act. The financial instruments shall be complementary to the other form of budgetary intervention.
Amendment 621 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 201 – paragraph 3
Article 201 – paragraph 3
3. Where financial instruments are implemented under shared implementation with Member States, sector specific rules apply, without prejudice to subparagraph 2 of Article 208(2).
Amendment 622 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 201 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 201 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. The Court of Auditors shall have full access to any information related to the financial instruments, budgetary guarantees and financial assistance including by on-spot checks. Unless provided otherwise in the basic act, the Court of Auditors shall be considered as the external auditor responsible for the projects and programmes supported by a financial instrument, a budgetary guarantee or a financial assistance.
Amendment 630 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 203 – paragraph 3
Article 203 – paragraph 3
3. The annual assessment provided for by point (j) of Article 39(5) of the sustainability of the contingent liabilities arising from budgetary guarantees or financial assistance borne by the budget of the Union shall be carried out within the limitlculated over and above the ceilings set by the multiannual financial framework regulation provided for by Article 312(2) TFEU and within the ceiling on annual payments appropriations defined in Article 3(1) of the Council Decision on the system of own resources of the European Union .
Amendment 632 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 208 – paragraph 1
Article 208 – paragraph 1
1. Notwithstanding Article 201(1), fFinancial instruments may be established, in duly justified cases, without being authorised by means of a basic act, provided that such instruments are included in the budget in accordance with point (e) of Article 50(1).
Amendment 634 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 208 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 208 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Amendment 636 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 208 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 208 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Where a financial instrument is established for the purpose of implementing Article 39 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013with a contribution from a budgetary guarantee of the Union, this Title shall apply with the exception of Article 201(1)e sector-specific rules of that Regulation shall apply. It shall be implemented in accordance with Article 61(1)(c).
Amendment 638 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 208 – paragraph 7 a (new)
Article 208 – paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. The Commission shall, on an annual basis, report to the European Parliament and the Council on the efficiency and effectiveness of the financial instruments as referred to points (a), (b) and (c) of Article 61(1). On its annual report, the Commission shall clearly demonstrate the added-value of the financial instruments, shall be able to identify the final beneficiaries of the funds and shall be able to list the projects financed by the financial instruments.
Amendment 649 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 226 – paragraph 1
Article 226 – paragraph 1
Amendment 650 #
Amendment 652 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 227 – paragraph 1
Article 227 – paragraph 1
1. FOnly in duly justified cases and for emergency, post-emergency or thematic actions within the external actions, the Commission may create, after informingby the means of a basic act adopted by the European Parliament and the Council according to the ordinary legislative procedure, trust funds under an agreement concluded with other donors. The constitutive act of each trust fund shall define the objectives of the trust fund. The Commission decision establishingbasic act of the trust fund shall include a description of the fund's objectives, the justification for its creation in accordance with paragraph 3, an indication of its duration and the preliminary agreements with other donors. In no circumstances shall a trust fund be created within the Union.
Amendment 656 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 227 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 227 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Trust funds may only be created if they allow pooling of resources not limited mostly to resources from the Union budget and the European Development Fund. If 80 % or more of the resources foreseen for the trust fund stem from these two sources, the Commission shall refrain from proposing the creation of that trust fund.
Amendment 659 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 227 – paragraph 3 – point a
Article 227 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) there is added value based on previous impact assessment to the Union intervention: trust funds shall only be created and implemented at Union level where their objectives, in particular by reason of their scale or potential effects, may be better achieved at Union level than at national level;
Amendment 663 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 227 – paragraph 3 – point b a (new)
Article 227 – paragraph 3 – point b a (new)
(ba) Union trust funds shall be exclusively implemented outside the Union.
Amendment 664 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 227 – paragraph 3 – point b b (new)
Article 227 – paragraph 3 – point b b (new)
(bb) Union trust funds objectives shall be aligned with the objectives of the Union instruments from which they are resourced.
Amendment 665 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 227 – paragraph 4
Article 227 – paragraph 4
4. A board chaired by the Commission shall be established for each Union trust fund to ensure the fair representation of the European Parliament; the donors, and of the non-contributing Member States as observers, and to decide upon the use of the funds. The rules for composition of the board and its internal rules shall be laid down in the constitutive act of the trust fund adopted by the Commission and adhered to by the donors. Those rules shall include the requirement to have the positive vote of the Commission for the final decision on the use of the funds.
Amendment 667 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 227 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
Article 227 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
Union trust funds shall be created for a limited duration determined in their constitutive act. This duration may be extended by a decision of the Commissionthe European Parliament and the Council acting according to the ordinary legislative procedure upon request of the board of the trust fund concerned.
Amendment 669 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 228 – paragraph 2
Article 228 – paragraph 2
2. Actions financed under Union trust funds may be implemented directly by the Commission pursuant to point (a) of Article 61(1) and in indirect implementation with the entities pursuant to points (i), (ii), (iii), (v), and (vi) of Article 61(1)(c) and shall comply with the financial rules.
Amendment 671 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 228 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
Article 228 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
Financial reporting on the operations carried out by each trust fund shall be established twice every year by the authorising officer. The Commission shall in addition report at least every 6 months on the implementation of each trust fund according to qualitative criteria such as the nature of projects and programmes supported, the selection procedure, geographical and thematic priorities, the supervision of intermediaries and on how the trust fund contributes to the fulfilment of the objectives foreseen in the basic act of the Union instruments contributing to its financing.
Amendment 673 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 228 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 3
Article 228 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 3
Amendment 674 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 228 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 3 a (new)
Article 228 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 3 a (new)
The trust funds shall be part of the discharge procedure in accordance with Article 319 TFEU.
Amendment 675 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 234 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 234 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) the consolidated annual accounts which present, in accordance with the accounting rules referred to in Article 79 and in particular with the the materiality principle, the consolidation of the financial information contained in the financial statements and the budget accounts of the bodies referred to in Articles 69 and 70 and instruments referred to in Title X and of other bodies meeting the accounting consolidation criteria.
Amendment 680 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 250 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Article 250 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
The Court of Auditors shallmay take, alls appropriate, necessary steps to ensure that the replies of eachthe institutions to its observations are published next to or after each observation to which they relate.
Amendment 682 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 251 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 6
Article 251 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 6
The Court of Auditors shall take allmay take, as appropriate, necessary steps to ensure that the replies to its observations from eachthe institutions or bodyies concerned are published next to or after eachthe observations to which they relate, and publish the timeline for the drawing up of the special report.
Amendment 683 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 254 – paragraph 1
Article 254 – paragraph 1
1. In accordance with Article 319 TFEU and Article 106a of the Euratom Treaty, the Commission, the other institutions and the bodies referred to in Articles 69 and 70 and the instruments referred in to Title X of this Regulation shall take all appropriate steps to act on the observations accompanying the European Parliament's discharge decision and on the comments accompanying the recommendation for discharge adopted by the Council.
Amendment 685 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 258 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 4
Article 258 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 4
If the European Parliament and/or the Council raise duly justified concerns within that four- week period, that period shall be extended once by two weeks.
Amendment 686 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 258 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 258 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. The period referred in to the second subparagraph of paragraph 3 shall be extended to six weeks if the information is submitted to the European Parliament and the Council in December or August. The period referred in to the second subparagraph of paragraph 3 shall be extended to eight weeks if the information is submitted to the European Parliament and the Council in July. The institutions shall refrain to present building projects according to paragraph 4 in July, August and December. In such case, the period referred in to the first and second subparagraphs of this paragraph shall apply mutadis muntadis.
Amendment 691 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 261 – paragraph 6
Article 261 – paragraph 6
6. A delegated act shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or by the Council within a period of twohree months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or the Council.
Amendment 83 #
2016/0280(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) Rapid technological developments continue to transform the way works and other subject-matter are created, produced, distributed and exploited. New business models and new actors continue to emerge. The objectives and the principles laid down by the Union copyright framework remain sound. However, legal uncertainty remains, for both rightholders and users, as regards certain uses, including cross-border uses, of works and other subject-matter in the digital environment. As set out in the Communication of the Commission entitled ‘Towards a modern, more European copyright framework’26 , in some areas it is necessary to adapt and supplement the current Union copyright framework. This Directive provides for rules to adapt certain exceptions and limitations to digital and cross-border environments, as well as measures to facilitate certain licensing practices as regards the dissemination of out-of- commerce works and the online availability of audiovisual works on video- on-demand platforms with a view to ensuring wider access to content. In order to achieve a well-functioning marketplace for copyright, there should also be rules on rights in publications, on the use of works and other subject-matter by online service providers storing and giving access to user uploaded content and on the transparency of authors' and performers' contracts. _________________ 26 COM(2015) 626 final. COM(2015) 626 final.
Amendment 281 #
2016/0280(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 31
Recital 31
Amendment 295 #
2016/0280(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 32
Recital 32
Amendment 312 #
2016/0280(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 33
Recital 33
(33) For the purposes of this Directive, it is necessary to defineclarify the sconceptpe of press publication in a way that embraces only journalistic publications, published by a service provider, periodically or regularly updated in any media, for the purpose of informing or entertaining. Such publications would include, for instance, daily newspapers, weeklotection set out in Article s2 and 3 of Directive 2001/29/EC. In order to improve legal certainty for all concerned parties, and to ensure the freedom to carry out certain acts necessary for monthly magazines of general or special ithe normal functioning of the Internest and news websites. Periodical publications which are published for scientific or academic purposes, such as scientific journals, should not be covered by the protection granted to press publications under this Directive. This protection doess well as to take account of certain fundamental rights, these Articles should not extend to acts of hyperlinking, which do not constitute communication to the public.
Amendment 326 #
2016/0280(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 34
Recital 34
Amendment 340 #
2016/0280(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 35
Recital 35
Amendment 519 #
2016/0280(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 4
Article 2 – paragraph 4
Amendment 731 #
2016/0280(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11
Article 11
Amendment 995 #
2016/0280(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 18 – paragraph 2
Article 18 – paragraph 2
Amendment 40 #
2016/0031(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) In order to avoid any incompliance with Union law and enhance transparency, Member States should inform the Commission of their intent to enter into negotiations with regard to new intergovernmental agreements or amendments to existing intergovernmental agreements as soon as possible. The Commission should be kept informed regularly of the progress of the negotiations. Member StatesThe Commission should also have the possibility to invite the Commission to participate in the negotiations as an observer.
Amendment 45 #
2016/0031(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) During the negotiations the Commission should have the possibility to advice on how to avoid incompatibility with Union law. In particular, the Commission could develop, together with Member States, optional model clauses or guidelines. The Commission should also develop a list of bad practices– a "blacklist" – that are not compatible with Union law or the objectives of the Energy Union Strategy that Member States should avoid when negotiating intergovernmental agreements. The Commission should have the possibility to draw attention to the Union’s energy policy objectives and the principle of solidarity between Member States and Union policy positions adopted in Council or European Council conclusions.
Amendment 51 #
2016/0031(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) In order to ensure compliance with Union law and the objectives of the Energy Union Strategy, Member States should notify the draft intergovernmental agreement to the Commission before it becomes legally binding for the parties (ex- ante). In a spirit of cooperation, the Commission should support the Member State in identifying compliance issues of the draft intergovernmental agreement or amendment. The respective Member State would then be better prepared to conclude a Union law compliant agreement. The Commission should have sufficient time for such an assessment in order to provide for as much legal certainty as possible while avoiding undue delays. In order to fully benefit from the Commission's support Member States should refrain from concluding an intergovernmental agreement until the Commission has informed the Member State of its assessment. The Member States should take all necessary steps to find a suitable solution to eliminate the incompatibility identified and to ensure full compatibility with Union law and the objectives of the Energy Union Strategy.
Amendment 69 #
2016/0031(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) Member States establish relations to third countries not only by concluding intergovernmental agreements, but also in the form of non-binding instruments. Even if legally non-binding, such instruments can be used to set out a detailed framework for energy infrastructure and energy supply. In this respect non-binding instruments can have similar impacts on the internal energy market as intergovernmental agreements as their implementation might result in a violation of Union law. In order to ensure greater transparency regarding all measures applied by Member States that can have an impact on the internal energy market and energy security, Member States should therefore submit to the Commission, ex post- ante, also the respective non-binding instruments. The Commission should be able to decide to assess the submitted non- binding instruments and, if appropriate, inform the Member State accordingly.
Amendment 72 #
2016/0031(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 11 a (new)
Recital 11 a (new)
(11a) The legally binding force of an instrument or of parts thereof, not its formal designation, should determine whether it qualifies as an intergovernmental agreement or, in the absence of legally binding force, as a non- binding instrument for the purposes of this Decision.
Amendment 76 #
2016/0031(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) This Decision should not create obligations as regards agreements solely between undertakings. However, Member States should be free to communicate to the Commission, on a voluntary basis, such agreements that are referred to explicitly in intergovernmental agreements or non- binding instruments.
Amendment 86 #
2016/0031(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) A permanent exchange of information on intergovernmental agreements at Union level should enable best practices to be developed. On the basis of those best practices, the Commission, where appropriate in cooperation with the European External Action Service as regards the Union’s external policies, should develop optional model clauses to be used in intergovernmental agreements between Member States and third countries. The use of such model clauses should aim to avoid conflicts of intergovernmental agreements with Union law, in particular internal energy market rules and competition law, and conflicts with international agreements concluded by the Union. Their use should be optional, and it should be possible to adapt their content to any particular circumstance. The Commission should also develop a list of bad practices– a "blacklist" – that are not compatible with Union law or the objectives of the Energy Union Strategy and that Member States should avoid when negotiating intergovernmental agreements.
Amendment 99 #
2016/0031(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This Decision establishes a mechanism for the exchange of information between Member States and the Commission with regard to intergovernmental agreements and non- binding instruments in the field of energy as defined in Article 2, in order to optimise the functioning of the internal energy market and to help achieve the goals of the Energy Union Strategy.
Amendment 104 #
2016/0031(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1
(1) ‘intergovernmental agreement’ means any legally binding agreement, regardless of its formal designation, between one or more Member States and one or more third countries, international organisations as well as companies where the state is the major stakeholder or the state has a major influence in the decision making process having an impact on the operation or the functioning of the internal energy market or on the security of energy supply in the Union; however, where such a legally binding agreement also covers other issues, only those provisions that relate to energy, including general provisions applicable to those energy- related provisions, are deemed to constitute an ‘intergovernmental agreement’;
Amendment 129 #
2016/0031(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 4
Article 3 – paragraph 4
4. The obligation to notify to the Commission according to paragraphs 2 and 3 does not apply only in respect of agreements between undertakings.
Amendment 136 #
2016/0031(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. Where a Member State gives the Commission notice of negotiations pursuant to Article 3(1), the Commission services may provide it with advice on how to avoid the incompatibility of the intergovernmental agreement or of the amendment to an existing intergovernmental agreement under negotiation with Union law. That Member State may also request the assistance of the Commission in those negotiations.
Amendment 141 #
2016/0031(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. At the request of the Member State concerned, or at the request of the Commission and with the written approval of the Member State concerned, tThe Commission shall participate as an observer in the negotiations on intergovernmental agreements on energy supplies that are expected to cover at least 20% of the relevant Member State's demand for that energy source. The Commission representatives shall be present at the initial meeting of negotiating parties where the initial positions of the parties shall be announced as well as at the meeting where an agreement is expected to be reached by the parties on all the main elements of a draft intergovernmental agreement to be submitted for the Commission's ex-ante assessment. The Commission representatives shall be present in other meetings between the negotiating parties depending on necessity and availability. The Commission may also participate in the negotiations as an observer. as an observer in negotiations on other intergovernmental agreements that do not meet the requirements set out in the above at the request of the Member State concerned, or at the request of the Commission and with the written approval of the Member State concerned.
Amendment 147 #
2016/0031(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 3
Article 4 – paragraph 3
3. Where the Commission participates in the negotiations as an observer, it may provide the Member State concerned with advice on how to avoid the incompatibility of the intergovernmental agreement or amendment under negotiation with Union law. and the objectives of the Energy Union Strategy, Commission representatives will handle sensitive information received during the negotiations with due confidentiality.
Amendment 152 #
2016/0031(COD)
1. The Commission shall, within six weeks of the date of notification of the complete draft intergovernmental agreement or amendment, including annexes thereto, pursuant to Article 3(2), inform the Member State concerned of any doubts it may have as to the compatibility of the draft intergovernmental agreement or amendment with Union law, in particular with internal energy market legislation and Union competition law and the objectives of the Energy Union Strategy. In the absence of a response from the Commission within that period, the Commission shall be deemed not to have any such doubts.
Amendment 163 #
2016/0031(COD)
Amendment 178 #
2016/0031(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 3
Article 6 – paragraph 3
3. The Commission shall assess intergovernmental agreements notified in accordance with paragraph 1 or 2. Where, following its first assessment, the Commission has doubts as to the compatibility of those agreements with Union law, in particular with internal energy market legislation and Union competition law, as well as with the objectives of the Energy Union Strategy, the Commission shall inform the Member States concerned accordingly within nine months of the notification of those agreements.
Amendment 188 #
2016/0031(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Amendment 198 #
2016/0031(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 7 – paragraph 4
Article 7 – paragraph 4
4. WThere, following its first assessment, the Commission consider Commission may inform the Member State concerned about its doubts that the measures implementing the non- binding instrument notified to it under paragraphs 1 and 2 could conflict with Union law, in particular with internal energy market legislation and Union competition law, as well as with the objectives of the Energy Union Strategy. Member States shall refrain from signing or announcing a non-binding agreement until the Commission mayhas informed the Member State concerned accordinglyon the existence or absence of such doubts. In the absence of a response from the Commission within the period of six weeks of notification, the Commission shall be deemed not to have any such doubts. The Commission's opinion on non-binding agreements shall be non-binding, but Member States concerned shall be encouraged to voluntarily address the problematic provisions of such agreements.
Amendment 215 #
2016/0031(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 8 – paragraph 5
Article 8 – paragraph 5
5. Requests for confidentiality under this Article shall not restrict the access of the Commission itself to confidential information. The Commission shall ensure that access to the confidential information is strictly limited to the Commission services for which it is absolutely necessary to have the information available. Commission representatives participating as observers in negotiations on intergovernmental agreements shall handle sensitive information received during those negotiations with due confidentiality.
Amendment 220 #
2016/0031(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) identifying common problems compiling a list of bad practices – a "blacklist" – in relation to intergovernmental agreements and non- binding instruments and considering appropriate action to address those problems and, where appropriate, proposing solutions;
Amendment 2 #
2015/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3
Citation 3
Amendment 4 #
2015/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4
Citation 4
Amendment 5 #
2015/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 13
Citation 13
Amendment 9 #
2015/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the increasingly dangerous and challenging security environment within and outside the Union, characterised by terrorist attacks and mass murderrisk, threats and challenges which no Member State can cope with alone, calls for the strengthening of the EU’s security and defence policy to make it a more effective policy instrument and a real guarantee of the safety of EU citizens and the promotion of European interestnorms and values as enshrined in Article 21 TEU;
Amendment 18 #
2015/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the Union needs to contribute to the fight against terrorism at home and abroad, including by supporting third countries in combating terrorism; whereas the Union needs to make its external borders more securework on an effective and coherent border management system;
Amendment 30 #
2015/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the Union needs to address the root causes of the challenges to our security, of unrest and armed conflict in our neighbourhood, of migration, of the degradation of people’s livelihoods by state and non-state actors, and of the erosion of states and regional orders, including as a result of climate change and poverty, through a comprehensive rules and values- based approach to managing crises both inside and outside the Union;
Amendment 44 #
2015/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas in the area of defence and security the Union might acts through such institutions as the European Defence Agency and the EU Satellite Centre;
Amendment 49 #
2015/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas developing and sustaining space capabilities for security and defence in Europe requires effective cooperation among Member States and with the European, international and transatlantic institutions;
Amendment 58 #
2015/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that space-based capabilities and services play a keyn important role in the context of European security and defence; is convinced that current and future space- based capabilities and services will provide Member States and the Union with improved operational capacity for the implementation of the common security and defence policy and of other EU policies in areas such as external action, border management, maritime security, agriculture, the environment, climate action, energy security, disaster management, humanitarian aid and transport;
Amendment 69 #
2015/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Underlines the security dimension of the Copernicus programme, particularly applications aiming at prevention and response to crisis, humanitarian aid and cooperation, conflict prevention entailing the monitoring of compliance with international treaties, and maritime surveillance; urges the HR, the Commission and the Member States to strengthen the conflict prevention objective of space capabilities;
Amendment 73 #
2015/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that the Union’s space policy might have the potential to promotes scientific and technical progress, and to a certain degree industrial competitiveness and the implementation of allcertain EU policies, including security and defence policy such as CSDP; invites the Council, the VP/HR and the Commission to ensure that European space programmes develop space-based capabilities and services for European security and defenthe development and planning of European space programmes is very transparent and that it is always clear to the tax payer to what ends EU budget contributions are being used and whether they contribute to the development of purely civilian, dual-use or purely military capabilities and services;
Amendment 79 #
2015/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Considers a holistic, integrated and long- term approach to the space sector at an EU level to be necessary; believes that the space sector should be one of the priorities formentioned in the new EU Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy, bearing in mind the need tocurrent develop EU civilment EU of dual-use space programmes that can be used for both civil and military purposes;
Amendment 85 #
2015/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Welcomes equally the EU-sponsored multilateral initiative towards an International Code of Conduct for Space Activities as a way of introducing norms of behaviour in space as it seeks to achieve enhanced safety, security, and sustainability in space by emphasising that space activities should involve a high degree of care, due diligence, and appropriate transparency, with the aim of building confidence among space sector;
Amendment 89 #
2015/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that cooperation between the Commission, the European External Action Service, the European Defence Agency, the European Space Agency and the Member States is crucial to improving European space capabilities and services; takes the view that the Unionit should be clarified which actor should coordinate, facilitate and support such cooperation in the area of security and defence;
Amendment 96 #
2015/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Recognises the crucial nature of the relationship between the Union and the European Space Agency; is convincednotes that the European Space Agency should play a significantmight to a certain degree play a role in the implementation of security and defence policy; invites the VP/HR to coordinate and advance the necessary initiatives and efforts to this end;
Amendment 104 #
2015/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Encourages the Member States to carry out joint programmes and initiativespool and share in the area of defence and security, including the Multinational Space-based Imaging System for Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Observation (MUSIS), and declares its support for such programmes andjoint initiatives;
Amendment 110 #
2015/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Is convinced that the EU-US relationship in the field of security and defence policy should be further developed; considers that EU-US cooperation on future space-based capabilities and services for security and defence purposes would be mutually beneficial; notes the work undertaken towards the third US Offset Strategy; urges the Union to take this development into account when preparing its own Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy, and to include space-based capabilities for security and defence withinis concerned about the fact that several major powers might technically be able to challenge the autonomy, independence and reliability of the European space infrastructure; recalls reports about the remability of that strategy; invites the VP/HR to discuss with defence ministers the strategic approach to be taken, and to inform Parliament as that debate unfoldse certain major powers to block or blur the Galileo signals, in particular its encrypted PRS signal which will be used by a majority of Member States for defence purposes as highlighted in the Commission mid-term review report;
Amendment 129 #
2015/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Considers that the protection of space- based capabilities and services for security and defence against cyber-attacks, debris and other harmful interference offers prospects for strengthened EU-NATO cooperation; invites the VP/HR to advance EU-NATO cooperationis urgently needed in order to avoid the that the multi-billion investment of tax-payers money into this area and to inform Parliament as it evolvese European space infrastructure result in a gigantic unprofitable investment;
Amendment 143 #
2015/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Notes the importance of Galileo's Public Regulated Service (PRS) for navigation and guidance of military systems; calls on the HR and the EU Member States to increase their efforts regarding the possible revision of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty or to initiate a new regulatory framework which takes into account technological progress since the 1960s and aiming at preventing and arms race in space;
Amendment 147 #
2015/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes that effective promotiontransparency and public awareness raising among Europeans of the applications of EU space programmes that have a direct impact on users, such as Galileo services, is crucial for the success of those programmes;
Amendment 149 #
2015/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Draws attention to the need to improve the process of disseminating information from satellites to users, including by building the necessary technological infrastructure; notes the fact mentioned in the Commission communication that 60% of electronics on board European satellites are currently imported from the US; calls for an initiative on how to protect sensitive or personal data in this context;
Amendment 161 #
2015/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Believes that the EU should lead initiatives that make European space capabilities and services more robust, resilient and responsive; is convinced that a rapid reaction capability to replace or restore damaged or degraded assets in space as a crisis unfolds can only be developed effectively at the European level; questions whether appropriate governance structures are in place in order to manage PRS and other key space infrastructure in case of an armed aggression or other major security crisis;
Amendment 164 #
2015/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Underlines also the urgent need to reduce the risk of collision due to the growing number of satellites and space debris; welcomes the initiative of the Commission on a European space surveillance and tracking system (SST);
Amendment 177 #
2015/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Considers that the Union should encourage all actors in the technology and know-how supply chains to turn their attention to space-based capabilities and services for security and defence, and should promote the development of innovative applications and new business ideas in this area, with a particular focus on small and medium- sized companies and on developing entrepreneurship in this sector; calls for a plan for the use of dual-use space technologies in the space sector, aimed at contributing to the development of the European military industry and to greater competition;
Amendment 183 #
2015/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Stresses the need to support efforts to strengthen European cooperation in the sector in order to overcome the high level of fragmentation, especially with regard to the institutional demand side; is convinced that only a more cost-efficient, transparent and consolidated European space industry can be internationally competitive; stresses that European space industrial policy must be further developed in coordination with the European Space Agency (ESA) to ensure complementarities;
Amendment 184 #
2015/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Recalls that in order to maintain and strengthen the security, defence and stability of Europe it is important to prevent the export of sensitive space technology to countries which endanger regional or global security and stability, which pursue an aggressive foreign policy, which directly or indirectly support terrorism and which repress their people internally; urges the HR, the EU Member States and the Commission to make sure that the eight criteria of Common Position 944 and the rules of the Dual-Use- Regulation are being fully respected regarding the export of sensitive space related technology;
Amendment 186 #
2015/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Is convinced that EU-leveljoint investments in security and defence capabilities by EU Member States foster greater and more systematic European defence cooperation with a view to delivering key capabilities; welcomes, therefore, the European Council conclusions of June 2015; urges the CouncilEU Member States, the VP/HR and the Commission to develop the necessary framework for EU-level fundinga plan on how to fund the security and defence applications via existing or new CSDP financial mechanisms;
Amendment 25 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 51 a (new)
Citation 51 a (new)
- having regard to the study conducted by the European Parliament Research Service on Mapping the Cost of Non- Europe, 2014 – 19 (10.2861/52903 March 2014,
Amendment 28 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 51 b (new)
Citation 51 b (new)
- having regard to the Directive 96/9/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 1996 on the legal protection of data bases (OJ L77, 27.03.1996 p20),
Amendment 31 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 51 c (new)
Citation 51 c (new)
- having regard to the First evaluation of Directive 96/9/EC on the legal protection of databases,
Amendment 33 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 51 d (new)
Citation 51 d (new)
- having regard to the Communication from the Commission on Unleashing the potential of Crowdfunding in the European Union (COM(2014)0172final),
Amendment 89 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas, according to the European Parliament Research Service cost of non- Europe study, completing the Digital Single Market could contribute 415 billion Euro to European GDP;
Amendment 157 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas building a data economy heavily depends on a legal framework that encourages the development, curation, maintenance and augmentation of databases and is therefore dependent on a legal framework that is innovation friendly and practical;
Amendment 161 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas crowdfunding is a new, innovative and market-led approach to reducing barriers to investment in new projects and ideas, which has great potential to create jobs and growth, as well as facilitate socially beneficial investments;
Amendment 197 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes that better regulation should help to examine policy through a digital lens and facilitate the adaptation of legislation and enforcement frameworks in the light of new technologies and new business models to prevent fragmentation of theencourage the development of the digital single market;
Amendment 266 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the urgent need for the Commission and Member States to promote a more dynamic economy for innovation to flourish and for companies to scale up, through the development of e- government, a modernised regulatory framework fit for the emergence and scale- up of innovative businesses and funding models, and a long term investment strategy in infrastructure, skills, research and innovation;
Amendment 283 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission, in cooperation with Member States, to further develop initiatives to boost entrepreneurship that range from changing the mind-set on how success is defined to promoting an entrepreneurial and innovation culture; believes, in addition, that the diversity and specific attributes of the different national innovation hubs could be turned into a real competitive advantage for the EU if, they are effectivelyrefore encourages their interconnectedion;
Amendment 364 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Heading 2
Heading 2
2. BETTER ONLINE ACCESS FOR CONSUMERS AND BUSINESSES ACROSS EUROPE TO THE DIGITAL SINGLE MARKET
Amendment 367 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the Commission’s initiative to improve the legal protection of consumers as regards intangible digital content; points out that while consumers buying tangible digital contentcontent on a tangible medium are protected by consumer protection laws, consumer rights when buying intangible digital content online remain largely unregulated; agrees that consumers should enjoy a comparable level of protection regardless of whether they purchase digital content online or offlineconsiders that this is due to digital content wrongly being classified as services due to the overly broad definition of Information Society services in Directive 98/48/EC; agrees that consumers should enjoy a comparable level of protection regardless of whether they purchase content online or offline; therefore recommends that the definition of services in Directive 98/48/EC be narrowed so as to exclude digital content provided at the request of the end-user, paid for by end-users for individual use, and received as digital files;
Amendment 385 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Considers that the current consumer rights acquis should be updated where appropriate in light of the development of eCommerce and the purchasing of tangible goods online, be it a domestic or cross-border purchase;
Amendment 408 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Believes that a full harmonisation of the legal framework governing online sales irrespective of whether they are cross- border or domestic sales, while maintaining the coherence of online and offline rules regarding legal remedies, constitutes the most practical and proportionate approach;
Amendment 435 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Considers that there is a risk that the Commission’s proposals entail a growing disparity between the applicable legal standards for offline and online purchaseslegal standards for offline and online purchases should ensure consumers have the same high level of protection;
Amendment 450 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Regrets the imprecision of the Commission’s proposal regarding a legislative measure for a more comprehensive online sales law that covers digital content products as well as tangible goods;
Amendment 460 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Is sceptical about the legal nature of model contracts regarding online sales of tangible goods in the absence of statutory regulation;
Amendment 466 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Requests an ‘Active Consumers’ strategy to assess in particular whether consumer switching is facilitated in the online world, and whether action is needed to make consumer switching easier, in order to boost competition in online markets; particularly regarding the need for open standards ensuring data portability;
Amendment 479 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Commission to explore the possibilities of introducingopportunities created by an EU trustmark for online sales in order to induce trust, particularly in relation to cross-border online sales;
Amendment 484 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls for the same exemptions that are applied to offline trade to be also applied in the online environment, such as applying the same exemptions from VAT for hardcopy books to electronic book;
Amendment 531 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Highlights that final mile delivery is the most difficult part of the delivery process for both consumer and delivery agent; options such as parcel points should be encouraged to allow flexibility for the consumer as well as reducing the number of delivery attempts by the delivery company;
Amendment 571 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Considers that ambitious actions are needed to improve access to legal digital content, in particular by ending geo- blocking practices and unfair price discrimination based on geographical location that has led to the current market fragmentation;
Amendment 584 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Calls for a complete end to geo- blocking, as consumers who do not have access to legally obtained content, will resort to illegal content which benefits no one;
Amendment 622 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Considers that given the nature of service provision on the Internet, undertakings licensing information society services or providing information society services in exchange for payment by end-users in the EU should be wholly subject to provisions on the free movement of services insofar as limiting access to such services serves to form a barrier to trade between Member States;
Amendment 660 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Emphasises that incentivising private investments in fast and ultra-fast communication networks isare a requirement for any digital progress, with competition remaining the main driver of infrastructure investments, innovation, affordable prices and choices for consumers; considers that littleno evidence exists, in the still fragmented European telecommunications market, of a link between consolidation of operators and increased investment in networks;
Amendment 704 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses that since the development of over-the-top services has increased demand and competition to the benefit of consumers, modernisation of the telecommunication framework should not lead to more regulatory burdens, but should drive innovation and fair competition;
Amendment 786 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Stresses that uniform enforcement of the Connected Continent package, including the end of roaming surcharges and the effective application of the net neutrality principle, requires the EU wide coordination and guidance, possibly including the establishment of a single European telecommunications regulator;
Amendment 794 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Reminds that several key parts of the Connected Continent remain unresolved, such as easier switching between providers, remedies in case of non- performance of contractually agreed services, transparency regarding available payment methods and any associated charges, information about consumption and the availability of free of charge options to set pre-defined consumption limits, more accurate information about advertised and actual speeds for domestic data services and remedies for non- performance of contractually agreed services, and that the previously agreed contract term length cannot be restarted upon the addition of an extra service unless the extra service is set at a promotional price linked to the restarting of such a contract; Reminds that these issues should be included in the framework of a review of the Universal Services Directive;
Amendment 802 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3.3
Subheading 3.3
3.3. A fit-for-purpose regulatory environment for platformonline service providers and intermediaries
Amendment 803 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3.3.1
Subheading 3.3.1
3.3.1. Role of online platformservice providers
Amendment 804 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
Amendment 830 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Considers that the Commission's definition of platforms insufficiently distinguishes between online services and online service providers, as well as between companies and not-for-profit undertakings, therefore considers a more targeted regulation of online services based on the existing legal definitions to be more fit-for-purpose;
Amendment 832 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23b. Urges the Commission to develop an innovation-friendly policy that fosters competition between, and innovation in, online service providers; considers that the priorities should be transparency, facilitation of switching between online services, access to online services, and identifying and addressing barriers to the emergence and scale-up of online service providers;
Amendment 848 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23c. Reminds that the basis of innovation- friendly policy that fosters competition and innovation should include the possibility for projects to access financing possibilities; therefore calls upon the Commission to ensure that crowdfunding can be done seamlessly across borders and to facilitate tax-deducible crowdfunding for social and other public interest causes, including by giving advice to the Member States.
Amendment 859 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Appreciates the Commission’s initiative to analyse the role of platformonline service providers in the Digital Economy as part of the upcoming Internal Market Strategy, cautions against the introduction of a broad regulatory framework based on the concept of online platforms potentially encompassing not-for-profit collaborative undertakings, advertisement-based private websites and for-profit online service providers, believes that these should be analysed separately;
Amendment 888 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Encourages the Commission to analyse the need to protect consumers and workers in the sharing economy and, where appropriate and if necessary, to come forward with proposals to ensure the adequacy of the consumer- and worker related legislation framework in the digital sphere, including possible abuses;
Amendment 914 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Considers that online services shouldn't be subject to levies aimed at subsidizing a particular business sector that has failed to adapt its business model to the digital environment;
Amendment 923 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Considers, in order to ensure trust in digital services, that increased resources from the public and private sector are required to strengthen the security of IT systems and online networks and, the encryption of communication, to improve cyber-attacks prevention and touditing of commonly used software in public administrations and by the general public and increase knowledge ofver basic security processes among users of digital services;
Amendment 942 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 e (new)
Paragraph 26 e (new)
26e. Highlights the need for software manufacturers to be liable for not disclosing and repairing security vulnerabilities or for not exercising due diligence when creating their software;
Amendment 949 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 c (new)
Paragraph 26 c (new)
26c. Underlines the need to find agreement on a fit-for-purpose Network Information Security Directive as soon as possible;
Amendment 950 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 d (new)
Paragraph 26 d (new)
26d. In addition reiterates the need to promote the strengthening of IT security measures, including end-to-end encryption and the promotion and auditing of free and open source software, which is better equipped to withstand the introduction of back-doors;
Amendment 951 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 f (new)
Paragraph 26 f (new)
26f. Considers that free and open source software has the potential to be a good solution to the problem of security, as the code is available free of charge to all who wish to audit and scrutinise it, welcomes public efforts to increase the quality and security of free and open source software by funding code audits;
Amendment 954 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Stresses that users, researchers and developers should have both the unencumbered right, the technological means and the legal protection to inspect digital services and goods with embedded digital services, to test and analyse the functioning of these IT systems and to conduct forensic analysis to detect undeclared functions or functions intended to defraud the public or authorities;
Amendment 955 #
2015/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)
Paragraph 26 b (new)
26b. Calls on the Commission to remove legal obstacles for users, researchers and developers to inspect, analyse and disassemble digital services and IT systems embedded in products and to prevent legislation intended for the protection of legitimate interests from being misused to cover up fraudulent business practices;
Amendment 4 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that Parliament's reading of the 2016 budget fully reflects the political priorities adopted by an overwhelming majority in its abovementioned resolutions of 11 March 2015 on general guidelines and of 8 July 2015 on a mandate for the trilogue; recalls that those consist in internal and external solidarity, in particular an effective tackling of the migration and refugee crisis, as well as in boosting competitiveness through employment, enterprises and entrepreneurship (the “three Es”); welcomes the first steps of the greening of the Union budget, and points out the need to further accelerate its pace;
Amendment 5 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Highlights that climate- (20% target) and environment-friendly spending is only one side of the coin; the other side necessitates increasing efforts to more closely monitor and phase out harmful funding;
Amendment 10 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that Parliament has, from the outset, placed a particular focus on migration and refugees in the 2016 budget; recalls its earlier statements that the handling of migration flows lies at the crossroads of internal and external solidarity and that external financing instruments should also be mobilised, in an integrated approach, in order to address the root causes of the problemchallenges the Union is faced withand arriving refugees are facing;
Amendment 13 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Decides to also take action with regard to the ongoing crisis affecting European farmers, notably in the dairy sector, and to already integrate in its position on the 2016 budgetthe additional funds for the 2016 budget contributing to the EUR 500 million support emergency measures announced by the Commission; trusts that the Commission's Letter of Amendment 2/2016 will allow the exact budget lines that will be reinforced in this context to be determined and to which extent; recalls that without measures such as supply management, the emergency assistance will turn out to be ineffective to resolve the current unsustainability of agricultural markets; notes, furthermore, that relying on outdated instruments to effectively export our structural surplus has already proven to be detrimental to markets and farmers in the developing world; hence believes that additional funding should not lead to increased Union exports to developing countries at prices undermining markets and livelihoods there;
Amendment 29 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Regrets that Commission expert groups continue to be excessively dominated by corporate interests;
Amendment 31 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)
Paragraph 11 c (new)
11c. Is encouraged by the Budget Commissioner's discourse on gender equality and consequently asks the Commission to deepen its reflection on how to integrate gender budgeting principles into the Union budget and to make concrete proposals in the course of 2016;
Amendment 32 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Ascertains the need to revise the MFF at mid-term to boost the Union budget;
Amendment 41 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Confirms its support for the ITER programme and is committed to securing its appropriate financing; is concerned, however, about possible further delays and about management failures leading to delays and significant additional costs of thise ITER programme as well as the related potentially serious repercussions on the Union budget; regreadmits, therefore, that it was unable to assess the level of the 2016 ITER appropriations against the updated payment plan and schedule, which is only due to be presented in the ITER Council in November 2015; expects, however, that this revised plan will provide sufficient evidence that Parliament's recommendations, as set out in the relevant 2013 discharge resolution8 , have been properly taken into account and that financial soundness and spending efficiency will be ensured; intends to raise this matter in the 2016 budgetary conciliation; proposes therefore to put appropriations into reserve, to be released only if the updated project plan due to be presented in November 2015 provides sufficient evidence that Parliament's recommendations have been properly taken into account; is alarmed by the recent affirmation by amongst others the German government that neither the timetable nor the spending plan - already revised upwards - are realistic; __________________ 8 European Parliament resolution of 29 April 2015 with observations forming an integral part of the decision on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget for the Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy for the financial year 2013 (Texts adopted, P8_TA(2015)0168).
Amendment 44 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Underlines the huge discrepancy between funding for nuclear activities in the Union budget and support for future- oriented renewable energy; believes therefore that abandoning the ITER project would free up much needed resources, which could be used for investing into already working renewable energy technologies;
Amendment 45 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Believes that the Euratom budget line on Nuclear fission and radiation protection should be reoriented towards the decommissioning of nuclear power plants; in the same vein, believes that the appropriations for nuclear activities of the Joint Research Centre should be used only for activities necessary for implementing safeguards;
Amendment 53 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Welcomes the Commission's ambition to play a stronger role in the preparation and implementation of programmes under the European Structural and Investment Funds; demands in particular that the requirements for the involvement of local and regional actors as well as civil society organisations are met to increase ownership of the policy and reach Union targets in the field of climate change and poverty reduction; calls on the Member States to take full advantage of available instruments and methodologies such as climate change tracking to increase the visibility of their efforts;
Amendment 57 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Welcomes the presentation by the Commission of a EUR 500 million comprehensive package of emergency measures to support European farmers, notably in the dairy sector amid falling commodity prices and greater milk production; stresses that the effects are most severe in remote areas where the socio-economic importance of the dairy sector is unquestionable; incorporates this amount in its reading as a show of support for the Commission's announcement, and looks forward to its full inclusion in the course of the conciliation procedure on the basis of the Amending Letter; underlines that this package should add up to the range of measures aimed at addressing the losses and long-term effects on European farmers of the Russian embargo on agricultural products, Russia being thus far the second most important destination for Union agricultural exports; recalls that without measures such as supply management, the emergency assistance will turn out to ineffective to resolve the current unsustainability of agricultural markets and risks to lead to further dumping of Union agricultural products in developing countries;
Amendment 60 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Calls on Member States to ensure a fair distribution of funds by increasing support for sustainable farming systems, which preserve biodiversity, protect water resources and soil fertility, respect animal welfare and employment;
Amendment 61 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)
Paragraph 26 b (new)
26b. Considers export refunds to be trade distorting and in contradiction to the Union development goals; supports therefore their complete elimination;
Amendment 62 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 c (new)
Paragraph 26 c (new)
26c. Reiterates that CAP appropriations or any other appropriations from the budget should not be used for financing lethal bull fighting activities; recalls that such funding is a clear violation of the European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes (Council Directive 98/58/EC);
Amendment 65 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Decides, in light of the current, exceptional flowsmovement of migrants and refugees to concentrate its reinforcements on strengthening the AMIF; strongly supports in this context the second EUR 780 million package on the relocation of 120 000 persons; decides to incorporate it in its reading, and to align the first relocation package with the second one by adding EUR 20 million to finance transport costs (EUR 500 per migrant to Italy and Greece); approves an additional increase of EUR 79 million for general reinforcements of the AMIF; finally decides to reinforce the agencies with migration-related tasks for a total of EUR 26 million; calls for reinforcing the Fundamental Rights Office within Frontex;
Amendment 77 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Calls for these extra appropriations to be used in particular to increase the funding for the Union Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis and for the Emergency Trust Fund for stability and addressing root causes of irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa, while at the same time catering to the needs of displaced persons in third countries, with particular emphasis on health and education, as well as for immediate assistance via the UNHCR and the World Food Programme; calls on the individual Member States to bring additional contributions to the Trust Funds and to the UN agencies without further delay; notes that the pipeline of projects potentially funded by the Trust Funds further weakens the Council’'s case for an alleged lack of absorption capacity in Heading 4;
Amendment 95 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66 a (new)
Paragraph 66 a (new)
66a. Requests an assessment on the results of the voluntary approach chosen by the Joint Working Group to limit business class flights by Members and staff;
Amendment 96 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66 b (new)
Paragraph 66 b (new)
66b. Urges the Secretary General of the European Parliament to present in the run-up to the negotiations on the 2017 budget a comprehensive plan as to how to make further savings, or to generate revenue, in areas including, but not limited to, the car parks, car fleet, energy consumption, and business class flights;
Amendment 97 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67 a (new)
Paragraph 67 a (new)
67a. Believes that in the medium term the Members' Statute should be revised in order to agree on sensible savings;
Amendment 5 #
2015/2074(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the fact that the Commission Draft General Budget of the European Union for the financial year 2016 reinforces those priorities and proposes to step up EU support for investment, knowledge, jobs and growth-orientated programmes, and in particular for an emblematic mobility programme such as Erasmus+; is satisfied that, in addition to duly expected increases throughout Heading 3 (Security and Citizenship) and Heading 4 (Global Europe), the Commission is taking up the challenge of responding to new developments such as the crises in Ukraine, Syria and the Mediterranean by responding to the EU's and Member States' needs in the area of security and migration and by demonstrating strong political willnotes that the Commission is taking up the challenge of responding to new developments such as the crises in Ukraine and Syria while unfortunately putting the wrong emphasis in the field of external acmigration;
Amendment 38 #
2015/2074(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Deplores in particular the knock -on effects on in particular research funding, underlines that Energy, SMEs, Climate and Environment, Social Sciences, Science in Society are hit particularly hard, while joint initiatives with large industry players remain un-touched;
Amendment 40 #
2015/2074(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)
Paragraph 16 c (new)
16 c. regrets that the funding for ITER is only slightly reduced, and coupled with an announced offsetting in 2018-2020. In the light of the recent affirmation by amongst others the German government that neither the timetable nor the - already revised - spending plan are realistic, as well as the critical analysis of the Court of Auditors, underlines the importance of phasing out funding for this unviable project;
Amendment 57 #
2015/2074(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26 a. Welcomes the first steps of the greening of the EU Budget and points out the need to further accelerate the pace in respect thereof;
Amendment 58 #
2015/2074(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Reiterates its backing for the enhancement of the EU's means and the development of a culture of fair burden- sharing in the areas of asylum, migration and the management of external borders, and therefore praises the increases in commitment appropriations for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and for the Internal Security Fund; welcomes the Commission proposal to mobilise the Flexibility Instrument with EUR 124 million in order to respond to the current crisis in the Mediterranean;
Amendment 62 #
2015/2074(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28 a. Questions the significant raise in the budget for FRONTEX before having in place the mandate Search & Rescue as called for as a response to the crisis in the Mediterranean;
Amendment 63 #
2015/2074(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 b (new)
Paragraph 28 b (new)
28 b. Stresses that the significant increase for the EUROPOL budget is not justifiable considering the lack of additional or new tasks;
Amendment 64 #
2015/2074(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 c (new)
Paragraph 28 c (new)
28 c. Regrets that EASO – the European Asylum support office - remains underfunded;
Amendment 65 #
2015/2074(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 d (new)
Paragraph 28 d (new)
28 d. Welcomes the significant increase in the budget to support the development of CEAS – for solidarity and responsibility sharing – but highlights the risk that Member States might not want to cooperate or develop a system of solidarity;
Amendment 11 #
2015/2044(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that official development assistance remains thea key instrument for financing development and urges the EU and its Member States to re-commit to the 0.7 GNI (Gross National Income) target; highlights, furthermore, the huge potential of private investment - if properly regulated in view of its contribution to development – and the relevance of innovative financial instruments for leveraging such additional resources; also calls for appropriate public- private partnerships, in particular in the field of research related to the Innovative Medicines Initiative such as the Ebola+ programme.
Amendment 12 #
2015/2044(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 (new)
Paragraph 6 (new)
6. Emphasises the importance of domestic resource mobilisation through improved collection of taxes in developing countries; stresses that tax resources are a more predictable and more sustainable source of financing than foreign assistance; believes that the Union has a key role to play here in terms of supporting developing countries to set up relevant administrative capacities, in fighting tax evasion, transfer mispricing and helping in the recovery of stolen assets;
Amendment 13 #
2015/2044(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 (new)
Paragraph 7 (new)
7. Urges the European Commission, in a context where it has indicated its wishes to extend considerably the use of blending in future years, to implement the recommendations made by the European Court of Auditors Special Report on the use of blending and to evaluate the mechanism of blending loans and grants, particularly in terms of development and financial additionality, transparency and accountability;
Amendment 14 #
2015/2044(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 (new)
Paragraph 8 (new)
8. Points out that blending risks leading to a debt bubble, notably in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean countries with limited revenues to service their debt; accordingly, calls on donors to give the majority of their aid to LDCs in the form of grant;
Amendment 19 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas the annexation of Crimea and the use of force by the Russian Federation violates the 1994 Budapest Memorandum but also other European and international norms such as the UN Charter, the Charter of Paris and the OSCE Helsinki Final Act;
Amendment 50 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
F a. whereas as of March 11, the Russian Federation ceased its participation in the Joint Consultative Group within the framework of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe and as a result withdraw from the treaty whose implementation was already suspended since 2007;
Amendment 76 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Firmly supports the non-recognition of Russia’s annexation of the Crimea; reiterates its commitment to the independence and sovereignty of Ukraine and to the non-violability of borders; fully supports the European Council’s conclusions that the EU will not recognise the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol; stresses that the annexation also violates the 1997 Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between Ukraine and the Russian Federation;
Amendment 82 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Considers the forceful annexation of Crimea by the Russia as step towards the destruction of the post-Cold War norms based European security architecture;
Amendment 84 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes with concern that the annexation of Crimea has precipitated a significant change in the strategic landscape of the Black Sea Basin and the adjacent area; warns that by occupying the entire peninsula, Russia has gained a very important launching pad facing both west (Transnistria and the Danube Mouths), the Balkans and south (the Eastern Mediterranean), where it has established a permanent naval task force, and that the illegal annexation of Crimea offers Russia a ‘southern Kaliningrad’, another outpost directly bordering on NATO, this time at sea;
Amendment 128 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Regards the recent close overflights by Russian fighter aircrafts of NATO warships and exploration platforms in the Black Sea as a clear indication of a more aggressive Russian posture in the Black Sea Basin and warns of a heightened risk of escalation; calls for direct military-to- military lines of communication in order to avoid tragic misunderstandings with far reaching military and security consequences;
Amendment 173 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Believes that, in the event that Russia does not honour the Minsk ceasefire agreements, and continues the destabilisation of eastern Ukraine and the illegal annexation of Crimea, the sanction regime should be continued and even strengthened;
Amendment 212 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the Ukrainian Government to use all means at its disposal to investigate and prosecute war crimes committed oin its territorythis conflict;
Amendment 216 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Draws the attention to the extreme environmental vulnerability of the Black Sea basin; underlines that the growing militarisation of the region poses further risks to this delicate eco-system and calls for the setting up of an effective incident- prevention mechanism with a reliable exchange of information system in case of emergency between all the riparian countries;
Amendment 227 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses that, in spite of the fact that the BSS is practically on hold, cooperation with the states in the Black Sea Basin should continue; welcomes the ongoing CSDP missions – the EU Advisory Mission, the EU Monitoring Mission and the EU Border Assistance Mission – as important components of the EU approach to resolving the protracted conflicts in the region;
Amendment 234 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Stresses the critical importance of coordinating with NATO and the United States as the Black Sea Basin is a key component of Euro-Atlantic security; welcomes the commitment of NATO to support regional efforts of Black Sea littoral states aimed at ensuring security and stability; calls on the OSCE to enlarge the scope of its efforts related to Black Sea security and calls on the EU to support a reinforced OSCE presence and new OSCE initiatives in the region aiming at easing the security situation;
Amendment 17 #
2015/2012(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Notes that the year-end transfer of last year's budget amounted to EUR 71,5 million, which corresponds to 4 % of the total budget; believes that this is a clear sign of overbudgeting and therefore believes that an increase of around 2 % for this year's budget would be entirely sufficient to finance the needs of Parliament;
Amendment 57 #
2015/2012(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Is of the opinion that, due to an increasing use of electronic media and equipment, particular attention should be paid to IT security to ensure the maximum possible level of security of its information and communication systems; considers that any measure in this field should be based on a clear evaluation of the Parliament's needs and decided in the context of the budgetary procedure; believes that the best way to achieve cyber-security is through the increased use of open-source software;
Amendment 58 #
2015/2012(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Amendment 60 #
2015/2012(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Believes that it is preferable to resort to a loan in order to finance the remaining KAD related costs in order to avoid too great an increase in Parliament's budget; believes that surpluses at year-end can reimburse such a loan more quickly;
Amendment 65 #
2015/2012(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Asks the bureau to proceed to an independent evaluation of the first European Youth Event before organising a second event for the non-negligible cost of EUR 1,2 million;
Amendment 66 #
2015/2012(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22b. Is open to the replication of the highly successful Parlamentarium in major European cities; believes however that this should be realised first in Member States where Euroscepticism is a real problem; does not believe therefore that Berlin should be the first place for such a replication;
Amendment 83 #
2015/2012(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 c (new)
Paragraph 27 c (new)
"Parliament's environmental footprint" 27c. Reiterates Parliaments' responsibility to act in a sustainable manner; welcomes the efforts made in order to achieve a paperless environment and the ongoing valuable work realised through the EMAS approach; believes that the EMAS process needs continued budgetary support; asks for an evaluation of the results of the voluntary approach when it comes to using business class for short distance flights;
Amendment 10 #
2015/2008(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the fight against the crisis calls for short term solutions, the key medium and long term challenges the World is facing should not be forgotten: climate change, depletion of natural resources, pollution of the environment; a greener economy is the best answer in order to favour European competitiveness and job creation;
Amendment 34 #
2015/2008(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Welcomes the slow, but steady introduction of green development criteria into the EU budget; believes however that further efforts are indispensable in order to efficiently fight climate change, promote renewable energies, ensure the continuous availability of resources and protect the environment and biodiversity;
Amendment 62 #
2015/2008(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the Investment Plan presented by the Commission, which can create the potential to mobilise EUR 315 billion of investments in infrastructures, education and research, as well as SMEs and mid-cap companies; notes that the EU budget is expected to provide the backbone of this investment plan by making available the EUR 8 billion required in commitments and payments for the provisioning of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI); considers the EU budget contribution as an opportunity to deliver a significant return on the objectives of the programmes concerned (Horizon 2020, Connecting Europe Facility) through a higher leverage effect; regrets that in circumstances of all- prevailing austerity policies, it was not possible for the Commission to propose fresh money for the investment plan;
Amendment 74 #
2015/2008(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Is concerned by the absence of criteria for the selection of projects compatible with the challenges of sustainable development; believes that the definition of such criteria would actually support the necessary transformation of the European economy towards a greener, more sustainable and more competitive economy with quality and better protected jobs;
Amendment 79 #
2015/2008(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Recalls that the EU budget is a tool of internal solidarity in that it supports economic, social and territorial cohesion, helps combat poverty and promotes social inclusion; stresses that it is also an instrument of external solidarity by helping make the EU the biggest donor of development aidcontributing significantly to the development of third countries, by contributing to poverty eradication and fight against diseases, by offering support to neighbouring countries and by assisting countries and people facing humanitarian and civilian crises;
Amendment 88 #
2015/2008(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Notes with concern that Europe, despite being one of the safest places in the world, is faced with new types of risks to its internal security which require ensuring closer police and judicial cooperation and coordination, measures for better integration and increased social cohesion and at the same time promoting stability and peace in conflict areas; invites the Commission to propose targeted reinforcements of the relevant programmes and instruments, thus demonstrating the EU’s pledge to tackle these threats;
Amendment 108 #
2015/2008(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Invites in particular the Commission to redirect spending in cohesion policies towards clearer priorities in energy savings and renewable energies, nature and biodiversity and green infrastructures;
Amendment 109 #
2015/2008(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Invites in particular the Commission to give more support to environmental action in the agriculture sector, to focus its infrastructure support on sustainable infrastructure and to prioritise in general environmental and climate change activities throughout the budget;
Amendment 12 #
2015/0310(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 34
Recital 34
(34) In order to guarantee the autonomy of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, it should be granted an autonomous budget whose revenue comes essentially from a contribution from the Union. The Union budgetary procedure should be applicable as far as the Union contribution and any other subsidies chargeable to the general budget of the European Union are concerned. The auditing of accounts should be undertaken by the Court of Auditors. The budget adopted by the Management Board should be balanced in terms of addressing different aspects of the Agency's activities, including ensuring fundamental rights.
Amendment 29 #
2015/0310(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 75 – paragraph 13 a (new)
Article 75 – paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. The budget, including the establishment plan, shall include sufficient financing of the Fundamental Rights Strategy and the Fundamental Rights Officer amounting to at least 5% of the overall budget.
Amendment 36 #
2015/0028(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 1
Article 1 – point 1
Regulation (EC) No 1007/2009
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The placing on the market of seal products shall also be allowed provided that all the following conditions are satisfied: (a) the person placing the seal products on the market can provide evidence that the seal products would otherwise be discarded; (b) the nature and quantity of seal production provided by the hunter indicate that trading opportunities of seal material are occasional, small scale and that such trading has been conducted for a non-commercial purpose; (c) the seal products result from hunts conducted on seal populations with favourable conservation status; (d) the seal products result from hunts that have been conducted in a way that respects animal welfare.
Amendment 1 #
2014/2209(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital -A (new)
Recital -A (new)
-A. Whereas it is essential that energy and resource efficiency be at the basis of the European industrial renewal if European industry intends to maintain its competitiveness in the future;
Amendment 2 #
2014/2209(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital -A a (new)
Recital -A a (new)
-Aa. Whereas SMEs that comply with environmental standards will increase their business opportunities and will be more able to resist the cost pressure arising from increased costs for resources;
Amendment 9 #
2014/2209(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Notes that EU programmes still fall short of significantly contributing to eco- innovation and the circular economy and that the Commission, therefore, needs to focus better funding from COSME and Horizon 2020 towards the development of eco-innovative solutions by and for SMEs and to support financing for improvement of product design and processes performance, building on the successful experience of the Eco-Innovation programme under the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme in the past MFF; considers, in particular, that the SME instrument under Horizon 2020 needs to be fully implemented.
Amendment 10 #
2014/2209(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Notes that the Commission is putting a lot of emphasis on venture capital in order to access finance for SMEs; this is certainly necessary, but will only benefit a small number of SMEs;
Amendment 11 #
2014/2209(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Believes that bank loans will remain the main source of funding for SMEs; sees possibilities here for the European Fund for Strategic Investments;
Amendment 37 #
2014/2040(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. Invites the Commission to start a reflection on how to integrate gender budgeting principles into the EU budget;
Amendment 48 #
2014/2040(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. Believes that to further energy security, promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency is essential also in the context of Russian energy dependency, especially in the Member States most dependent on Russian gas; calls for aligning spending objectives of energy funds under Horizon 2020 to the commitments made during the legislative process; expects accordingly the Commission to allocate 15% of the energy research budget to finance activities for market uptake of existing renewables and energy efficiency solutions through an Intelligent Energy Europe Programme III;
Amendment 52 #
2014/2040(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Paragraph 27 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Underlines that appropriations for the experimental fusion plant ITER amount to another 838 million € (CA) in the 2015 budget; highlights the extremely low-cost effectiveness of this project which does not foresee tangible results before 2050;
Amendment 53 #
2014/2040(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27 a. Underlines the huge discrepancy between funding for nuclear activities in the EU budget and support for future- oriented renewable energy; believes therefore that abandoning the ITER project would free up much needed resources, which could be used for investing into already working renewable energy technologies;
Amendment 55 #
2014/2040(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27 b. Believes that the Euratom budget line on Nuclear fission and radiation protection should be reoriented towards the decommissioning of nuclear power plants; in the same vein, the appropriations for nuclear activities of the Joint Research Centre should be used only for activities necessary for implementing safeguards;
Amendment 56 #
2014/2040(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 c (new)
Paragraph 27 c (new)
27 c. Believes that the role of SME innovation for EU competitiveness is often emphasised but support underfinanced; invites therefore the Commission to dedicate sufficient resources, notably for the implementation of actions foreseen under its Green Action Plan for SMEs; regrets that the dedicated SME instrument foreseen in the Horizon 2020 regulation remains underfinanced; requests the Commission to establish as of 2016, a unique budget line for the SME Instrument, in order to allow clearer budgetary oversight and control, and ensure a genuine bottom-up approach to its implementation;
Amendment 58 #
2014/2040(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Underlines that Heading 1b bears the biggest part of the current outstanding commitments which is impeding reimbursement for resources already spent by the beneficiary Member States and regions; highlights that this practice caused serious consequences for Member States and regions mostly affected by crisis; deplores that the Council seems to completely ignore this issue;
Amendment 64 #
2014/2040(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33 a. Welcomes the Commission's ambition to play a stronger role in the preparation and implementation of programmes under the European Structural and Investment Funds; demands in particular that the requirements for the involvement of local and regional actors as well as civil society organisations are met to increase ownership of the policy and reach Union targets in the field of climate change and poverty reduction; calls on the Member States to take full advantage of available instruments and methodologies such as climate change tracking to increase the visibility of their efforts;
Amendment 66 #
2014/2040(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Agrees that additional support is needed to alleviate the impact of the Russian ban on the import of certain Union agricultural and fisheries products; welcomes the emergency support measures taken by the European Commission as a first response to this crisis; increases, therefore, the Union co-financing for promotion measures in the Common Agricultural Policy by 30 million in order to help producers find alternative sales opportunities, while providing EUR 5 million additional support to fishermen via the EMFF; believes that this additional funding should not lead to increased EU exports to developing countries at prices undermining markets there; also decides to increase the amount available for the school fruits scheme by EUR 7 million and school milk scheme by EUR 4 million above the draft budget of the Commission;
Amendment 67 #
2014/2040(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Paragraph 35 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Calls on the Commission to monitor climate-related expenditure and to take immediate corrective action in case achieving the 20% target and maintaining the effectiveness of the spending programmes are at risk;
Amendment 68 #
2014/2040(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
Paragraph 35 a (new)
35 a. Increases the appropriations foreseen for rural development by reducing direct payments, in order to compensate partially the cuts made by the new MFF;
Amendment 69 #
2014/2040(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 b (new)
Paragraph 35 b (new)
35 b. Calls on Member States to ensure a fair distribution of funds by increasing support for sustainable farming systems, which preserve biodiversity, protect water resources and soil fertility, respect animal welfare and employment;
Amendment 70 #
2014/2040(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 c (new)
Paragraph 35 c (new)
35 c. Considers export refunds to be trade distorting and in contradiction to the EU development goals; supports therefore their complete elimination;
Amendment 71 #
2014/2040(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 d (new)
Paragraph 35 d (new)
35 d. Believes that CAP appropriations or any other appropriations from the budget should not be used for financing lethal bull fighting activities; recalls that such funding is a clear violation of the European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes (Council Directive 98/58/EC);
Amendment 79 #
2014/2040(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 a (new)
Paragraph 46 a (new)
46 a. Believes that the lack of public trust in the TTIP negotiations does not depend on the amount of information made available by the Commission but on the fact that the Commission withholds the basic negotiation documents whose publication on the web would not make additional costs, while it would increase public trust in the process much more; considers therefore the creation of a new budget line worth 4 mio € as superfluous;
Amendment 85 #
2014/2040(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
52. DecidesRegrets that Commission expert groups continue to be excessively dominated by corporate interests; decides therefore to hold some appropriations in reserve until the Commission modifies the rules on expert groups and ensures their full implementation within all DGs;
Amendment 93 #
2014/2040(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69 a (new)
Paragraph 69 a (new)
69 a. Stresses that Parliament had aimed for an increase of its budget corresponding to the rate of inflation; underlines that an increase of 2.2.4 % is far higher than the current rate of inflation; believes furthermore that such an increase of an already impressive budget is difficult to justify in the current times;
Amendment 100 #
2014/2040(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 a (new)
Paragraph 73 a (new)
73 a. Believes that in the medium term the Members' statute, which generates important costs due to the change of legislature, should be opened for revision in order to limit some of these costs;
Amendment 101 #
2014/2040(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 b (new)
Paragraph 73 b (new)
73 b. Requests an assessment on the results of the voluntary approach chosen by the Joint Working Group to limit business class flights by EP Members and staff;
Amendment 102 #
2014/2040(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 c (new)
Paragraph 73 c (new)
73 c. Welcomes the Secretary General's recognition that costs could be reduced for running Parliament's car park; hopes that this will materialise in next year's EP budget proposal;
Amendment 115 #
2014/2040(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 88
Paragraph 88
Amendment 2 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 13
Article 1 – paragraph 13
Regulation (EU, EURATOM) No 966/2012
Article 190 – paragraph 1
Article 190 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 210 concerning detailed rules on external action procurement. These rules shall include specific provisions on procurement related to civilian missions under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) in order to guarantee the rapid and flexible conduct of operations, establishing, in particular, adapted fast- track procedures to be applied to all civilian CSDP missions.
Amendment 140 #
2013/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Points out that such cooperation cannot be separated from the aim of contributing ‘actively to the good functioning of the Union’ and that interparliamentary meetings and cooperation arrangements therefore need to be better coordinated in order to enhance their effectiveness and quality, as well as the contribution they make to the integration procesUnderlines that interparliamentary meetings need to be organised in close cooperation with national parliaments in order to enhance their effectiveness and quality; recommends therefore their inclusion at the earliest stage possible in drafting the agenda of interparliamentary meetings;
Amendment 170 #
2013/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
Amendment 180 #
2013/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Recommends the establishment of a user-friendly searchable online database of all EP's documents to facilitate the exchange of information with national Parliaments;
Amendment 189 #
2013/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
Amendment 196 #
2013/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Believes that COSAC should serve primarily as a forum for in-depth discussion of the state of the Union, with a view to the gradual integration of the peoples and states of Europeevaluating the various forms of interparliamentary cooperation and making recommendations in this respect;
Amendment 28 #
2013/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Urges the next Convention to rethink the way in which the Commission’s President is elected in order to reinforce the Commission’s democratic legitimacy, including the possibility of its direct election through a sound parliamentary investiture;
Amendment 41 #
2013/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Requests that someas many Members of the next Commission as possible are chosen from among newly-elected Members of the European Parliament; invites the governments of the Member States to duly consider the votes of their fellow citizens when they propose personalities for appointment as members of the European Commission;
Amendment 43 #
2013/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Requests that some Members of the next Commission are chosen from among newly-elected Members of the European Parliament; invites the governments of the Member States to duly consider the votes of their fellow citizens when they propose personalities for appointment as members of the European Commission; Encourages the member states to apply a more transparent process of naming the candidates for the Commissioner, by increasing the role of national parliaments.
Amendment 48 #
2013/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Is of the opinion that the elected President of the Commission should act more autonomously in the process of selecting the other Members of the Commission; calls upon the governments of the Member States to each propose a list of at least three candidates for the office of European Commissioner, allowing the elected Presidentmake gender- balanced proposals of candidates, taking into account the results of the Commisselections to choose one of the candidates from that listhe European Parliament; urges the newly elected President of the Commission to insist with the governments of the Member States that the list of candidates for the office of Commissioner must enable him to ensure the gender-balanced composition of thecompose a gender-balanced European Commission;
Amendment 51 #
2013/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Takes, the view, further to that the political understanding reached at the meeting of the European Council on 11 and 12 December 2013 and, following the decision of the European Council on 22 May 2013, concerning the number of Members of the European Commission, that additional measures should be envisaged for the more effective functioning of the Commission, without prejudice to the right to appoint one Commissioner per Member Statedo not allow for an effective functioning of the Commission;
Amendment 53 #
2013/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Takes, the view, further to the political understanding reached at the meeting of the European Council on 11 and 12 December 2013 and following the decision of the European Council on 22 May 2013 concerning the number of Members of the European Commission, that additional measures should be envisaged for the more effective functioning of the Commission, without prejudice to the right to appoint one Commissioner per Member State; Asks the Council to limit the number of commissioners to 15; Member States will take turns to fill those posts in alphabetical order;
Amendment 59 #
2013/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Considers that, under the Treaties in force, the solution to be adopted may involve the establishment of a rotation system of Commissioners with portfolio and Commissioners without portfolio, thus ensuring relative stability in the number and content of portfolios and guaranteeing at the same time that the representation of the specificities and interests of all Member States is well balanced in the Commission’s decision- making process; believes that, within this framework, Commissioners without portfolio should fully participate in the decision-making process and could undertake representative duties for the Commission at European levelArticle 17(5) TEU, which states that the number of Commissioners shall correspond to two thirds of the number of Member states, and Article 244 TFEU on the rotation system of Commissioners shall be fully implemented and calls therefore for the review of the decision of the European Council on the 22 May 2013 in order to abolish the principle of one Commissioner per Member State;
Amendment 63 #
2013/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Considers that, in a future revision of the Treaties, the majority currently required under Article 234 TFEU for a motion of censure against the Commission should be simplified so as to require only a majority of the component Members of the European Parliament, under the obligation of a constructive motion of censure, hence the election of a new President;
Amendment 73 #
2013/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Is concerned about the problems that still exist in applying the ordinary legislative procedure, especially in the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and, the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the Area of freedom, security and justice ("Stockholm Programme") as well as in aligning the acts of the former Third Pillar with the hierarchy of norms of the Lisbon Treaty and in general with regard to the continuing ‘asymmetry’ regarding the transparency of the Commission’s involvement in the preparatory work of the two branches of the legislative authority; in this regard, underlines the importance of the Council’s working methods being adapted so as to make it possible for Parliament representatives to participate in some of its meetings when duly justified under the principle of mutual sincere cooperation between the institutions;
Amendment 75 #
2013/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Regrets the lack of transparency of the Commission vis-à-vis the Parliament when it acts in its capacity as a member of the Troika and insists that its accountability in this respect shall be improved;
Amendment 88 #
2013/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Calls on the Commission not to misuse the choice of legal basis to illegally diminish the role and prerogatives of the Parliament, as it happened for the Frontex regulation;
Amendment 90 #
2013/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Notes that the rejection of the SWIFT agreement was the firstnd ACTA agreements were demonstrations of Parliament using its newly acquired prerogatives;
Amendment 26 #
2013/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises in this regard the possibility of establishing permanent structured cooperation (PESCO) among Member States (Article 46.6 TEU), of entrusting CSDP missions and operationinstruments and military planning and conduct capabilities in particular to that group of Member States (Articles 42.5 and 44.1 TEU), and of establishing a start- up fund for preparatory activities for missions which are not charged to the Union budget (Article 41.3 TEU); highlighttherefore calls ion this context the importance of leveraging those EU policies which have an impact on security and defence, like industrial research and innovation, market, trade and space policies, in order to support those Member States which are engaged in fure President of the European Council and the High Representative/Vice-President to establish ther strengthening the CSDPart-up fund;
Amendment 59 #
2013/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Asks that the functional problems of civilian CSDP missions, notably regarding the speed of deployment, be tackled by reviewing their legal and financial framework, which often complicates the decision-making process and leads to delays; calls for an increase in the number of planners, which is too small in comparison to the number of missions; further asks Member States to create a ‘civilian reserve corps’ that could be deployed quickly if needed within a wide range of crisis especially climate-driven humanitarian ones; welcomes in this regard the recently established permanent CSDP warehouse; reminds its 2001 resolution which called for the creation of a European Civil Peace Corps; welcomes recent efforts to create a Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps within the Commission and a pool of experts in mediation, dialogue, and reconciliation within the External Action Service; also welcomes the existence and the continuation of the Peacebuilding- Partnership between the External Action Service and relevant civil society stakeholders;
Amendment 75 #
2013/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. DeplorNotes the fact that EU battlegroups have never yet been deployed in EU military operations; stresses nonetheless that they constitute an important tool for timely force generation, training and rapid reaction; underlines that they could be deployed for all type of crisis climate-driven humanitarian crisis included; welcomes the decision to address this issue during the December Summit; is convinced that the EU should dispose of high- readiness standing battle forces, with land, air, naval and special forces components and a high level of ambition; favours a more flexible and targeted approach to enhance the response and adaptability to different crisis situations, and to improve modularity in order to close gaps during the initial phases of the launch of CSDP operations without, however, compromising the operational capacity of the battlegroup as a whole;
Amendment 21 #
2013/0027(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2a) A large number of cyber incidents occur due to lack of resilience and robustness of private and public network infrastructure, poorly protected or secured databases and other flaws in the critical information infrastructure; whereas only few Member States consider the protection of their network and information systems and associated data as part of their respective duty of care which explains the lack of investment in state-of-the art security technology, training and the development of appropriate guidelines.
Amendment 22 #
2013/0027(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3 a (new)
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) Raising awareness and educating users of information and communication technologies on best practises on the securing personal data as well as sustainable maintenance of communication services should constitute the basis of any comprehensive cyber security strategy.
Amendment 24 #
2013/0027(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) Security measures have to respect and fundamental rights incumbent upon the EU and its Member States in accordance with articles 2, 6 and 21 TFEU, such as the freedom of expression, data protection and privacy; whereas the rights to privacy and data protection are laid down in the EU Charter and Article 16 TFEU.
Amendment 25 #
2013/0027(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 11 a (new)
Recital 11 a (new)
(11a) All Member States shall focus national cyber security strategies on the protection of information systems and associated data and shall consider the protection this critical infrastructure as part of their respective duty of care. All Member States shall adopt and implement strategies, guidelines and instruments that provide reasonable levels of protection against reasonably identifiable levels of threats, with costs and burdens of the protection proportionate to the probable damage to the parties concerned. Also all Member States shall take appropriate steps to oblige legal persons under their jurisdictions to protect personal data under their care.
Amendment 26 #
2013/0027(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) To ensure transparency and properly inform EU citizens and market operators, the competent authorities should set up a common website to publish non confidential information on the incidents and risks. Any personal data published on this website should be limited to only what is necessary and as anonymous as possible.
Amendment 27 #
2013/0027(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 30 a (new)
Recital 30 a (new)
(30a) This Directive is without prejudice to the Union acquis relating to data protection. Any personal data used according to the provisions of this Directive should be kept to the minimum set of personal data strictly necessary and only transmitted to the actors strictly necessary, and as be as anonymous as possible, if not completely anonymous.
Amendment 28 #
2013/0027(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 32 a (new)
Recital 32 a (new)
(32a) Adopting at EU level general data protection legislation should precede the adoption of cyber security legislation at EU level. Therefore, the NIS directive should be adopted only after the General Data Protection Regulation has been adopted.
Amendment 29 #
2013/0027(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 34 a (new)
Recital 34 a (new)
(34a) There is need to regulate on EU level the sale, supply, transfer or export to third countries of equipment or software intended primarily for monitoring or interception of the Internet and of telephone communications on mobile or fixed networks and the provision of assistance to install, operate or update such equipment or software. As soon as possible the Commission must prepare legislation which prevents European companies from exporting such dual-use items to non-democratic, authoritarian and repressive regimes.
Amendment 30 #
2013/0027(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 a (new)
a) "cyber resilience" means the ability of a network and information system to resist and recover to full operational capacity after incidents, including but not limited to; technical malfunction, power failure or security incidents;
Amendment 32 #
2013/0027(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 1
Article 6 – paragraph 1
1. Each Member State shall designate a civil national competent authority on the security of network and information systems (the ‘"competent authority’").
Amendment 34 #
2013/0027(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 9 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Personal data shall be only disclosed to recipients who need to process these data for the performance of their tasks in accordance with an appropriate legal basis. The disclosed data shall be limited to what is necessary for the performance of their tasks. Compliance with the purpose limitation principle shall be ensured. The time limit for the retention of these data shall be specified for the purposes set out in this Directive.
Amendment 35 #
2013/0027(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 10 – paragraph 2
Article 10 – paragraph 2
2. In the early warnings, the competent authorities and the Commission shall communicate any relevant information in their possession that may be useful for assessing the risk or incident, in accordance with the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation.
Amendment 36 #
2013/0027(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 10 – paragraph 3
Article 10 – paragraph 3
3. At the request of a Member State, or on its own initiative, the Commission may request a Member State to provide any relevant information on a specific risk or incident, in accordance with the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation.
Amendment 37 #
2013/0027(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 10 – paragraph 4
Article 10 – paragraph 4
4. Where the risk or incident subject to an early warning is of a suspected criminal nature, the competent authorities or the Commission shall inform the European Cybercrime Centre within Europol, in accordance with the provisions in the General Data Protection Regulation.
Amendment 38 #
2013/0027(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 14 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 14 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Software producers shall be responsible for correcting security breaches, within 24 hours of being informed for serious cases, and 72 hours for cases were the effects are unlikely to result in any significant financial loss or serious breach of privacy.
Amendment 39 #
2013/0027(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 14 – paragraph 2 b (new)
Article 14 – paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Commercial software producers shall not be protected from "no-liability" clauses when it can be demonstrated that their products are not properly designed to handle foreseeable security threats.
Amendment 40 #
2013/0027(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex 1 – paragraph 1 – point b
Annex 1 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) The CERT shall implement and manage security measures to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, availability and authenticity of information it receives and treats, complying with data protection requirements.
Amendment 38 #
2012/2309(INI)
Proposal for a Decision establishing the composition of the European Parliament
Article 1
Article 1
In the application of the principle of degressive proportionality provided for in the first subparagraph of Article 14(2) of the Treaty on European Union, the following principles shall be respected as far as possible: – the minimum and maximum numbers set by the Treaty: – the allocation of seats in the European Parliament shall be fully utilised to ensure that the allocation of seats in the European Parliamenthe minimum and maximum numbers set by the Treaty in order to reflects as closely as possible the sizes of the respective populations of the Member States; – the largerratio between the population of a Member State, the greater its entitlement to a large number of seats; – the larger the population of a Member State, the greater the number of inhabitants represented by each of its Members of the European Parliamentand the number of seats of each Member State before rounding to whole numbers must vary in relation to their respective populations in such a way that each Member from a more populous Member State represents more citizens than each Member from a less populous Member State and, conversely, that no less populous Member State has more seats than a more populous Member State.
Amendment 40 #
2012/2309(INI)
Proposal for a Decision establishing the composition of the European Parliament
Article 1 a (new)
Article 1 a (new)
Amendment 49 #
2012/2309(INI)
Proposal for a Decision establishing the composition of the European Parliament
Article 3
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 112 Greece 21 Spain 54 France 74 Croatia 112 Italy 73 Cyprus 6 Latvia 8 Lithuania 11 Luxembourg 6 Hungary 21 Malta 6 Netherlands 26 Austria 198 Poland 510 Portugal 21 Romania 32 Slovenia 8 Slovakia 13 Finland 13 Sweden 19 United Kingdom 73
Amendment 62 #
2012/2309(INI)
Proposal for a Decision establishing the composition of the European Parliament
Article 4
Article 4
This Decision shall be revised sufficiently far in advance of the beginning of the 2019- 2024 parliamentary term with the aim of establishing a system which in future will make it possible, before each fresh election to the European Parliament, to reallocate the seats between the Member States in an durable, objective manner, based onand transparent manner, based on a non-linear mathematic formula that satisfies the principle of degressive proportionality set forth in Article 1, taking account of any increase in their number and demographic trends in their population as duly ascertained.
Amendment 61 #
2012/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M a (new)
Recital M a (new)
Ma. whereas the current working arrangements of the European Parliament also imposes additional costs and travel on the other European Union institutions, in particular the European Commission and Council, EU member states' representations, journalists and civil society representatives;
Amendment 73 #
2012/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital P a (new)
Recital P a (new)
Pa. whereas, beside economic, environmental and geographical concerns, aesthetic considerations should also play a role in determining the seat of the European Parliament;
Amendment 104 #
2012/2303(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Deplores the decision of the French government to export Mistral battleships to Russia despite its recent invasion of Georgia, violation of the six-point peace plan thereafter and the general Human Rights situation in Russia;
Amendment 2 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
- having regard to the Commission proposal on attacks against information systems and repealing Council Framework Decision 2005/222/JHA (COM(2010)0517),
Amendment 12 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 a (new)
Citation 13 a (new)
- having regard to the report of the European Network and Information Security Agency on co-operation between Computer Emergency Response Teams and Law Enforcement Agencies, published on the 28th of February 2012,
Amendment 13 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas in today's globalised world, the EU and its Member States have become crucially reliant on safe cyber spaceresilient and reliable information services and associated infrastructures;
Amendment 21 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas cyber challenges and threats are growing at a dramatic pace and constitrisks associated with cyber security constitute a challenge to the regulatory and technical level, bute a major threat to thelso to security, stability and competitiveness of the nation states as well as of the private sector; whereas such threats should not therefore be considered future issues; whereas cyber challenges and threats are increasinglya majority of highly visible and disruptive cyber incidents are now of a politically motivated nature; whereas the vast majority of cyber incidents aremain primitiv not of a nature which is technically challenging to overcome;
Amendment 31 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas a clear and harmonised definitions of ‘cybercyber security terminology is lacking in the international debate, causing a general confusion as to the secuverity’ and ‘cyber defence’ are lacking at EU and international levels; whereas the understanding of cyber security and other key terminology varies considerably among different countri of incidents described as well as which measure appropriate to put in place to remedy said incidents; whereas the large scope of different activities and events that can cause disturbances in the provision of information and communication services require very different responses, thus increasing the need for a terminology which is balanced, proportional and accurate to the individual circumstances;
Amendment 38 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the EU has proposed various initiatives to tackle cybercrime, including the establishment of a new Cybercrime Centreuropean Union has enacted different initiatives to tackle cybercrime, such as proposing establishing a new Cyber Crime Centre and a directive on attack against information systems replacing the relevant framework decision, a regulatory framework for online advertisement and strong security requirements for, for instance, the online banking and financial sector;
Amendment 45 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
J a. whereas a large number of cyber incidents occur due to lack of resilience and robustness of private and public network infrastructure, poorly protected or secured databases and other flaws in the critical information infrastructure; whereas only few Member States consider the protection of their network and information systems and associated data as part of their respective duty of care which explains the lack of investment in state-of-the art security technology, training and the development of appropriate guidelines;
Amendment 52 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital N
Recital N
N. whereas investments into cyber security and defence research and development are crucial forto advancinge and for maintaining a high level of cyber security and defence; whereas defence expenditure on research and development has decreased instead of reaching agreed 2% of overall defence expenditure;
Amendment 53 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital O
Recital O
O. whereas raising awareness and educating citizens on cyber securityusers of information and communication technologies on best practises on the securing personal data as well as sustainable maintenance of communication services should constitute the basis of any comprehensive cyber security strategy;
Amendment 55 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital P
Recital P
P. whereas a clear balancesecurity measures hasve to be established between security measures and citizens' rightsrespect and fundamental rights incumbent upon the EU and its Member States in accordance with articles 2, 6 and 21 TFEU, such as the freedom of expression, data protection and privacy;
Amendment 61 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital R
Recital R
R. whereas there is an increasing need to better respect and protect individuals' rights to privacy rights to privacy and data protection are laid down in the EU Charter and Article 16 TFEU;
Amendment 70 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the cyber threats are a rapidly growing menacchallenge both in the EU and globally, and that there is increasing concern about the potential for organiszed criminal, terrorist or politically motivated attacks against the critical information systems and infrastructures of the Member States and the EU institutions; regrets the lack of concern for technical, spontaneous disturbances of service provision due to accidents, hardware failures and other factors;
Amendment 73 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Notes the concern about politically motivated attacks against information systems, and the effect of civil disobedience on the information landscape and calls for adequate institutional responses to the increasing amount of citizens that use information technologies as a means for expressing a political view-point;
Amendment 74 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Stresses, in this regard, that the big potential of information and communication technologies to carry new ideas, and connect people with a shared vision, calls for big caution in applying restrictions on the ability of citizens to make use of these tools;
Amendment 75 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines therefore the need for a global and coordinated approach to these challenges at the EU level with the development of a comprehensive EU cyber security strategy which should provide a common definition of cyber security and defence, a common operating vision and take into account the added value of the existing agencies and bodies; stresses the crucial importance of coordination and creating synergies at the level of the Union to help combine different initiatives, programmes and activities; emphasises that such a strategy should ensure flexibility and be updated on regular basis to adapt to the rapidly changing nature of cyberspace;
Amendment 80 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Urges the Commission to investigate the possibility ofmake possible the evoking the solidarity clause, pursuant to the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (Title VII, Article 222), in the event of a seriousmassive cyber attack against a Member State; recognises, however, the need for a common terminology standard on what a cyber attack should legitimately be considered to be, before enacting such a clause;
Amendment 98 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Suggests that the Commission launch a public pan-European education initiative, geared towards educating and raising awareness among both private and business end-users about potential threats on the internet and fixed and mobile ICT devices at every level of the utility chain and towards promoting safer individual online behaviours;
Amendment 101 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that recent cyber attacks against European information networks and governmental information systems have caused considerable economic and security damage, the extent of which has not been adequately assessed;
Amendment 110 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Commission to explore the necessity and feasibility of an EU Cyber Coordination postRegrets the lack of clarity the Commission has displayed in its communications to the parliament and the public about the establishment of the Cyber Crime Centre and its expected future mission;
Amendment 124 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Calls on all Member States to focus national cyber security strategies on the protection of information systems and associated data and to consider the protection this critical infrastructure as part of their respective duty of care; urges the Member States to adopt and implement strategies, guidelines and instruments that provide reasonable levels of protection against reasonably identifiable levels of threats, with costs and burdens of the protection proportionate to the probable damage to the parties concerned; calls on Member States to take appropriate steps to oblige legal persons under their jurisdictions to protect personal data under their care;
Amendment 128 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Is concerned by the allegations that the cyber security units of some member states are inserting spyware in software and devices targeting end-users and European consumers; strongly believes that covert surveillance of civilians that are not under the suspicion of having committed a crime, nor suspected of participating in covert activities aiming at destabilising the normal democratic process, should be the target of government operated surveillance and monitoring;
Amendment 134 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls on the Commission and Member States to come forward with programmes to promote general safe use of internet and information systemformation and communication technologies; calls on the Member States to include awareness- raising measures and education fon cyber usecurity in school curricula from the earliest possible agers of information and communication technologies on best practises on the securing personal data as well as sustainable maintenance of communication services in schools;
Amendment 143 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Calls on the Commission and on the Member States' governments to encourage the private sector and civil society actors to include cyber crisis management in their crisis management plans and risk analysis; calls, furthermore, for the introduction ofing awareness- raising training on essential cyber security and cyber hygienedata protection for all members of their staff;
Amendment 148 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Is aware of the need for an internationally agreed and coordinated response to cyber threatchallenges; calls, therefore, on the Commission, EEAS and Member States to take the lead in the efforts to achieve a broader international agreement on norms of behaviour in cyber space, with a firm base in the value of an open internet and the ability of a resilient, accessible and robust infrastructure to provide the opportunities for democratic development;
Amendment 154 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Urges the EEAS and the Commission to take a proactive approach within the relevant international forums and organisations, notably the UN, the OSCE, the OECD and the World Bank, with the aim of applying existing international law and achieving consensus on norms for responsible state behaviour on cyber security and defence, and by coordinating the positions of the Member States with a view to promoting the EU's core values and policies in the field of cyber security and defence;
Amendment 157 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Calls on the Commission to facilitate and assist third countries, if needed, in their efforts to build their cyber security and cyber defence capabilities;
Amendment 160 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Underlines the need to pool and share on a practical level, considering the complementary nature of the EU and NATO approach to cyber security and defence; emphasises the need for closer coordination, especially concerning planning, technology, training and equipment with regard to cyber security and defence;
Amendment 163 #
2012/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Believes that the EU and the US should deepen their mutual cooperation to counterprevent cyber attacks and cybercrime, since this was made a priority of the transatlantic relationship following the 2010 EU-US Summit in Lisbon;
Amendment 2 #
2012/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
- having regard to Article 196 of the TFEU on Civil Protection and Article 214 on Humanitarian Aid,
Amendment 5 #
2012/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
Citation 5 a (new)
- having regard to Council Decision of 8 November 2007 establishing a Community Civil Protection Mechanism, to the Commission Communication "Towards a stronger European disaster response: the role of civil protection and humanitarian assistance" of 26 October 2010 and to its resolution of 27 September 2011,
Amendment 9 #
2012/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
- having regard to the Conclusions of the October 2011 Berlin conference entitled "From Climate negotiations to Climate diplomacy" and of the March 2012 London Conference entitled "A 21st century dialogue on Climate and Security",
Amendment 11 #
2012/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)
Citation 10 a (new)
- having regard to the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council 9and the joint Statement on "Towards a European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid" 10, __________________ 9 {SEC(2007) 781} {SEC(2007) 782} /* COM/2007/0317 final */ 10 Joint Statement by the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission (2008/C 25/01)
Amendment 17 #
2012/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that climate change is widely recognised as being an essential driver and threat multiplier forsecurity is a core component of global security, peace and stability and that climate change is thus relevant to Articles 42 and 43 of the Lisbon Treaty; therefore, in the medium and long term, climate change is a threat multiplier and could lead to a significant deterioration in the security situation of the Union;
Amendment 21 #
2012/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Stresses that, as prevention of climate change might no longer be possible through human action, adopting security strategies to mitigate, adapt and respond to the security implications of climate change is especially crucial;
Amendment 50 #
2012/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Also reiterates the importance of Disaster Risk Reduction in this regard, to reduce the impact of crises on vulnerable populations;
Amendment 53 #
2012/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses, therefore, that it is essential to integrate the impact of climate-driven crises and consequent natural disasters into Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) strategies and operational plans with a focus on the countries and regions concerned before, during and after any natural or humanitarian crises that might emerge, while respecting the humanitarian principles as set out in the Lisbon Treaty;
Amendment 60 #
2012/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Also recalls the need to avoid any duplication with well established instruments for humanitarian aid and civil protection which are outside the remit of the CSDP;
Amendment 63 #
2012/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Points out that the Lisbon Treaty has introduced new provisions (Articles 21-23, 27, 39, 41(3), 43-46), notably those related to the start-up fund in Article 41(3), and that these need to be implemented urgently so that the EU is ready to respond to climate-driven as well as all other natural and humanitarian crises as they arise;
Amendment 72 #
2012/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 – point c
Paragraph 13 – point c
(c) enhance the EU's ability to ensure conflict prevention, crisis management and post-crisis reconstruction; closely coordinate efforts with the Commission and EU development policy regarding the need to assist partner countries when it comes to resilience against climate change and other dimensions of adapting to climate change;
Amendment 80 #
2012/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Considers that the EU has to come up with a list of the challenges it faces in areas such as the Arctic, the Arab World and the Third Pole (the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau), notably the potential for conflicts over water supplies in South Asia; calls, therefore, on the HR/VPEEAS, ECHO and DEVCO, in close consultation and coordination to draw up a list of all countries and regions most vulnerable to climate change over the coming decades (including in particular the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) countries whose very existence is threatened by rising sea level); calls on the HR/VP to set out the reasons for including each country or region on that list and the nature of the EU response required to prevent the risk of conflict or other humanitarian disaster becoming a reality in each case;
Amendment 84 #
2012/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Welcomes the Environment and Security Initiative (ENVSEC) by UNDP, UNEP, OSCE, NATO, UNECE and REC which aims at addressing the challenges linked to human security and the natural environment by offering countries in Central Asia, Caucasus and South-East Europe their combined pool of expertise and resources; notes that the overall performance of ENVSEC is still limited but that it has so far served as an important tool for institutional coordination and entry point for facilitating mainstreaming processes;
Amendment 87 #
2012/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the HR/VP and the Commission to draft a policy document which outlinesmainstream the main principles, guidelines and instruments ofor an EU Climate Security Policy into the most important strategies, policy documents and financial instruments for external action and CSDP; believes that mainstreaming should be the guiding principle, to be pursued in a similar way as human rights and gender10 ;
Amendment 89 #
2012/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Draws attention to the fact that energy security is closely related to climate change; considers that energy security has to be improved in order to reduce the EU's reliance on fossil fuels imported notably from Russia and the Gulfvia pipelines, which are vulnerable to disruption by the melting of the permafrost – at the same time mitigating greenhouse gas emissions considerably – and replaced by EU- generated renewable energies and energy saving; recognises that integrating climate change and energy security could contribute to achieving that outcome in certain regions such as the Arctic;
Amendment 93 #
2012/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Stresses the need to establish a climate security dialogue in the context of the EU's strategic partnerships with countries such as USA, Russia, China, India and Brazil;
Amendment 96 #
2012/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Invites the HR/VP to establish a formal working group within the Council/EEAS structure, the Commission and the Council to establish a formal, regular and permanent working structure whose aim is to consider the entire range of interrelated issues connected with climate change and energy-related security and defence concerns, as the absence of such a working groupstructure has so far hindered the development of a comprehensive and consistent EU approach;
Amendment 100 #
2012/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls on the HR/VP, as a matter of the utmost urgency, to use the full potential of the Lisbon Treaty and to put forward proposals for the implementation of the start-up fund (Article 41(3) TEU) with regard to possible future pooling and sharing projects and joint capabilities, such as thea European Corps of Military Engineer Corps, which respond to climate- driven crisis and natural disasters;
Amendment 106 #
2012/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Considers that early warning and early preventive action with regard to the negative consequences of climate change depend on adequate human resources and methodology with regard to data collection and analysis and will form one cornerstone of the EU Climate Security Policy; calls on the HR/VP to make sure that the relevant EEAS units which deal with security and defence policies such as CMPD, CPCC, EUMS, EUMC, the bodies in charge of Conflict Prevention and Security Policy, the Commission's Foreign Policy Instruments Service and the geographical desks of the countries and regions most affected by climate change take into account the most recent assessment reports of the Intergovernmental panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and other more recent assessments and reports, i.e. the as well as relevant EU space-based programmes and systems (such as GMES); stresses the need to enhance the capacities of EU delegations in the countries most vulnerable to destabilisation where problems might be exacerbated by climate change to include monitoring crisis development and assigning climate experts to all relevant EEAS bodies which have a particular role with regard to situation analysis and early warning, such as the Situation Centre; calls for the development of common criteria for analysis, risk assessment and the setting-up of a joint alert system;
Amendment 110 #
2012/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Encourages these bodies to establish permanent structures for systematic information exchange and coordination on issues related to climate change and natural disasters, with regard to analysis of the situation and policy planning; urges the relevant EEAS bodies to establish permanent channels of communication and exchange of information with the relevant Commission bodies, notably ECHO, but also with UN agencies and programmes such as UNEP as well as with NATO, UNOCHA and UNDAC; points out that the civilian-military structures tasked with responding to climate change-driven crisis and natural disasters need to allow direct and transparent access to all civil society and humanitarian organisations and non- governmental organisations with respect to relevant UN guidelines (Oslo and MCDA guidelines); stresses, therefore, that cooperation and coordination between both the EU and third parties must not be blocked or hindered;
Amendment 114 #
2012/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Strongly welcomes the steps taken from 2011 towards the nexus ofinteraction between climate change and its security implications; believes, however, that climate diplomacy represents only one dimension of possible external action and that there is a great need to establish the basic principles and ideas for an EU Climate Security Policy;
Amendment 117 #
2012/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Considers that there is an urgent need to adapt and modify the main CSDP policy documents with regard to climate change implications but also energy efficiency and environmental management, thus forming the second cornerstone of an EU Climate Security Policy; stresses the need mainstream climate security into main CSDP documents, such as the EU Concept for Military Planning at the Political and Strategic level11 , the EU Concept for Military Command and Control12 , the EU Concept for Force Generation13 and the EU Military Rapid Response Concept14 , as well as those documents which are relevant for civilian CSDP missions such as the EU concept for comprehensive planning, the EU Concept for Police Planning and Guidelines for Command and Control Structure for EU Civilian Operations in Crisis Management15 ;
Amendment 118 #
2012/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Considers the need also to adapt and modify the EU's financial instruments for external assistance with regard to the relationship between conflict and climate change; points to the need not only to provide targeted training for personnel serving in CSDP missions but also for personnel working in EU Delegations, EEAS, Commission and Council; also recommends establishing guidelines16 for climate- and conflict-sensitive planning processes, e.g. climate proofing of individual actions, measures and operations; __________________ 16 CLIMATE CHANGE AND CONFLICT. SYNTHESIS REPORT by Dennis Taenzler, Janani Vivekananda, Daniela Kolarova and Thanos Dokos
Amendment 125 #
2012/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Stresses the need to elaborate a specific list of military and civilian CSDP capabilities which have special relevance for responding to climate change and natural disasters; these include, in as a third cornerstone of EU Climate Security Policy; when elaborating this list, particular, air and sea transport, mobile hospitals including intensive care, communication infrastructure, and water purification and engineering capacitiesttention should be paid to engineering capacities such as ad hoc construction and operation of port/airport infrastructure, air and sea transport, communication infrastructure, mobile hospitals including intensive care and fuel management; invites the Council and the European Defence Agency (EDA), as part of the 2013 review of the capabilities development programme, to reconcile the current catalogues of civilian and military capabilities with those required in order to meet the challenges of climate change and to put forward the necessary proposals to remedy any existing deficiencies in those catalogues;
Amendment 128 #
2012/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Stresses the need to explore, on the basis of already existing capacities such as the EU Battle Groups and the European Air Transport Command, the possibility of creating further joint capabilities that are relevant for operations which respond to the impact of climate change or natural disasters; invites the Council, the HR/VP and the EDA to explore the possibility of creating a European Engineer Corps andCorps of Military Engineers, whose function should primarily focus on classical engineering tasks such as road and bridge repair, water purification, fountain drilling, (re- )construction of houses/dwelling; equally, invites the Council, the HR/VP and the EDA to explore ways of linking equipment and infrastructure which can be used in such a capacity, in particular, to the ongoing pooling and sharing process;
Amendment 131 #
2012/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Stresses the need to explore ways of improving energy efficiency and environmental management within the armed forces at home and abroad; recalls that the armed forces of one EU Member State consume the energy of a large European city; welcomes the report "Greening the Blue Helmets: Environment, Natural Resources and UN Peacekeeping Operations" released in May 2012 by UNEP, UNDPKO and UNDFS; points to the fact that, for several years, the US17 armed forces have been actively seeking to increase energy independence by using sustainable energy sources and increasing energy efficiency in all army operations and infrastructure; welcomes, in this respect, the recent EDA project GO GREEN, which aims at significantly improving energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources; underlines the need also to develop guidelines for best practises in the field of resource efficiency and the monitoring of environmental management for CSDP missions; __________________ 17 Powering America’s Defence: Energy and the Risks to National Security is a report by CNA's Military Advisory Board (MAB) that explores the impact of America's energy choices on our national security policies, 2009. http://www.cna.org/sites/default/files/Pow ering%20Americas%20Defense.pdf
Amendment 145 #
2012/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Welcomes the idea of creating a post for a UN special envoy for climate security and invites the HR/VP to replicate this idea within the EU, at both Union and national levels, with the appointment of official envoys on climate and security, as the UK Government has already done; considers that the future EU Special Representative on Climate Security should, in a similar way to the new EUSR on Human Rights, have the mandate to promote and mainstream the main principles of the already existing EU Climate Diplomacy and the future EU Climate Security Policy into all EU external actions;
Amendment 1 #
2012/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
- having regard to the resolution adopted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union Governing Council on 19 October 20111, __________________ 1 Resolution adopted unanimously by the IPU Governing Council at its 189th session (Bern, 19 October 2011) http://www.ipu.org/english/issues/hrdocs/ 189/is01.htm
Amendment 2 #
2012/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)
Citation 9 a (new)
Amendment 4 #
2012/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 30 a (new)
Citation 30 a (new)
- having regard to the UN Convention of the 17 April 2003 for the Safe-guarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage1, __________________ 1 http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0013/0 01325/132540e.pdf
Amendment 7 #
2012/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas there is a global consensus, reflected in international law, that restrictions to fundamental rights must be foreseen by law;
Amendment 9 #
2012/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas, in this regard, European, Europe-based or international companies active in EU countries have been or still are actively involved or collaborate with repressive authoritarian regimes in censorship and surveillance operations that often contribute to identifying and locating human rights defenders and pro- democracy activists, which in some cases lead to imprisonment and torture;
Amendment 21 #
2012/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2a. Recognises the role of artistic freedom, and the freedom to imitate and re-use, as cornerstones for creativity and freedom of expression and ideas; acknowledges, as such, the important part exceptions and limitations play in the copyright eco-system, especially in areas of journalism, quotation, satire, archives, libraries and the ensuring of access and usability of cultural heritage;
Amendment 34 #
2012/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls on the Commission to ensure coherence between EU's external actions and the Commission's internal strategies when defending strictly necessary and proportionate restrictions to fundamental rights, particularly when upholding basic international law principles, such as that restrictions must be based on law and not introduced in an ad hoc manner by industry;
Amendment 43 #
2012/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Draws the attention to the importance of developing ICTs in conflict areas to promote peace-building activities at civil society level with a view to providing secure communications between parties involved in peaceful resolution of conflicts, thereby actively overcoming physical hindrances and risks in bilateral contacts for people and organizations in such areas;
Amendment 47 #
2012/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Emphasises the need to ensure that rare earth materials used in the production of ICTs are obtained in conditions of respect for human, labour and environmental rights; believes that a multilateral approach to ensuring access to rare earth materials in humane circumstances is a requisite for achieving these goals;
Amendment 65 #
2012/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Deplores, in this respect, the active involvement of European companies and international companies operating in the EU where repressive government policies against human rights activists and political dissidents with regards to digital rights, internet access and ICT are deployed; urges the Commission to exclude from EU procurement procedures and calls for tender companies engaged in such activities;
Amendment 72 #
2012/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Calls on the Commission and the Council to ensure that mandates for multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations, as well as the conduct of the negotiations themselves, are effectively conducive to the achievement of important objectives of the European Union, in particular the promotion of its values democracy and the rule of law, the completion of a true digital single market, and the respect for its development cooperation policy;
Amendment 83 #
2012/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Considers that the structure of the internet is currently relatively unregulated and is governed through a multi- stakeholder approach; stresses the need for the EU to ensure that the multi-stakeholder model is inclusive and that small businesses as well as civil society actors and users are not overruled by a few large business and government players;
Amendment 87 #
2012/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Is concerned at the proposals by coalitions of governments and business seeking to introduce regulatory oversightrestrictions and increased governmental and private control over the internet and telecom operations;
Amendment 91 #
2012/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 b (new)
Paragraph 30 b (new)
30b. Strongly supports the principle of net neutrality, namely that internet service providers do not block, discriminate against, impair or degrade, including through price, the ability of any person to use a service to access, use, send, post, receive or offer any content, application or service of their choice, irrespective of source or target;
Amendment 93 #
2012/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Calls on the Commission to propose a new regulatory framework for e- commerce, as well as an updatecross border online trade, a revision of the Information Society Directive 2001/29/EC to ensure predictability and flexibility in the copyright regime of the European Union, and a revision of the Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Directive (IPRED), which would balance the need for copyright reform and protection with the need to protect fundamental rights online and preserve the open internet and would serve as a basis for IPR provisions and commitments in future FTAs;
Amendment 100 #
2012/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Calls on the Commission and Council to unequivocally recognise digital freedoms as fundamental rights and as indispensable prerequisites for enjoying universal human rights such as privacy, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and access to information and ensuring transparency and accountability in public life;
Amendment 104 #
2012/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Calls on the Commission and Council to support, train and empower human rights defenders, civil society activists and independent journalists and ensure their security and freedom online, and to assert the fundamental rights of privacy, free expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of association online;
Amendment 113 #
2012/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Urges the Council and Commission to include, in accession negotiations and negotiations of framework agreements with third countries, human rights dialogues, trade negotiations and all forms of contact relating to human rights, conditionality clauses stipulating the need to respectguarantee and preservepect unrestricted access to the internet, digital freedoms and human rights online;
Amendment 5 #
2010/2291(ACI)
Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is of the opinion that the agreement meets, de facto, Parliament's demand for obligatory registration because it remainswill provide a strong incentive for registration since it will render it impossible for anyone to procure a badge giving access to Parliament without first registering;
Amendment 7 #
2010/2291(ACI)
Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Reaffirms, however, its call for the mandatory registration of all lobbyists on the Transparency Register and calls for the necessary steps to prepare for a transition to mandatory registration to be taken in the forthcoming review process;
Amendment 24 #
2010/2291(ACI)
Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Demands, however, that regional representation offices which are units of the public administration of their federal state or region and hence public authorities are exempted from the register; demands further that point 13 of the agreement is amended accordingly;
Amendment 32 #
2010/2291(ACI)
Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. ADoes not approves conclusion of the agreement below and decides to annex it to its Rules of Procedureunless the agreement is amended in accordance with paragraph 6a;
Amendment 15 #
2010/0821(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas the future structure of economic governance in the Union and further economic coordination measures should be subject of a European Economic Governance Conference to be organised according to the convention model, with the participation of the European Parliament, national parliaments, the Council and the Commission so as to ensure a high level of participation and democratic legitimacy;
Amendment 56 #
2010/0821(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses that the establishment and functioning of the permanent stability mechanism must fully respect the core principles of democratic decision-making such as transparency, parliamentary scrutiny and democratic accountability; emphasises that it should not give rise to a new model of European governance which falls short of the level of democratic standards achieved in the Union;
Amendment 99 #
2010/0821(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – point b – indent 3
Paragraph 9 – point b – indent 3
– the financial assistance under the mechanism will be subject to rigorous analysis and to a programme of economic and financial recovery; those Member States whose currency is the euro will act, when deciding to grant financial assistance, on the basis of an evaluation provided by the Commission, the European Central Bank and, in so far as it may be involved, the International Monetary Fund; with regard to the analysis and the conditions for financial and economic recovery, the Commission will report back to Parliament; and
Amendment 116 #
2010/0821(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Reiterates that Parliament is prepared to support the draft European Council decision only if condition (a) or at least condition (b) set out in paragraph 9 above is fulfilled; does not support a break with the Community method and its democratic principles;
Amendment 5 #
2009/2230(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Is convinced that the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and the accompanying action plans proposed by the Commission will be successful only if constructive and balanced cooperation takes place with external partners in the region;
Amendment 7 #
2009/2230(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that the Northern Dimension 1 OJ C 314 E, 21.12.2006, p. 330. framework ishould provideing the main fundamental basis for the external aspects of cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region; underlines, in this context, the importance of close cooperation in all areas with Norway, Belarus and in particular Russia, the only non-EU country with direct access to the Baltic Sea with regard, in particular, to infrastructures, maritime transport security, water management and quality and eutrophication; specifically notes the status of the Kaliningrad Oblast enclave, which is surrounded by EU Member States;
Amendment 21 #
2009/2230(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that cooperation with Russia could be stepped up; welcomes, therefore, the intention of the Commission and the Member States in the region to have a renewed engagement with Russia on a vast number of areas, such as transport connections, environment, customs and border controls; believes that the EU- Russia common spaces will provide a valuable framework in this regard;
Amendment 29 #
2009/2230(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. NoAdvocates that the amount of EUR 20 million earmarked in the 2010 EU budget for the Baltic Sea Strategy that so far can be used only for external action, which effectively means cooperation with Russia and does not prejudice the use of other funds such as structural funds should be made available also for coordinators and lead partners of the Baltic Sea Strategy particularly in the context of attaining sustainability goals;
Amendment 39 #
2009/2230(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Reiterates, in this regard, that in order to make cross-border projects more effective Russia should swiftly incorporate international best practice on transparency and public accountability into national legislation and sign the Espoo convention (on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context);
Amendment 7 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 a (new)
Citation 13 a (new)
– having regard to the International Labour Organisation Convention number 169 adopted on 27 June 1989,
Amendment 8 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 b (new)
Citation 13 b (new)
– having regard to the Nordic Sami Convention of November 2005,
Amendment 9 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 c (new)
Citation 13 c (new)
Amendment 10 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 d (new)
Citation 13 d (new)
– having regard to the Council resolutions 6/12 of 28 September 2007, 6/36 of 14 December 2007, 9/7 of 24 September 2008 and 12/13 of 1 October 2009, 15/7 of 5 October 2010,
Amendment 24 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas it isthe U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) using a geology-based probabilistic methodology estimateds that about a fifth of the world's remaining hydrocarbon resources ar90 billion barrels of oil, 1,669 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, and 44 billion barrels of natural gas liquids may be locatked up in the Arctic; whereas if the estimate is accurate this would represent about a fifth of the world’s known hydrocarbon resources,
Amendment 27 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas it should be noted that because of the sparse seismic and drilling data in much of the Arctic, the usual tools and techniques used in USGS resource assessments could not be used and that estimates take no account of economic considerations such as costs of exploration and devel-opment which it notes will be important in many of the assessed areas; whereas the estimates also assume that the resources would be recover-able even in the presence of permanent sea ice,
Amendment 33 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the effects of climate change mainly originating from outside the Arctic will impact the region; whereas in particular the retreat of the sea ice is likely to produce major effects, such as an increase inthe ice- albedo feedback loop, which will further accelerate global warming, as well as leading to a rise in sea levels, all of which will negatively impact the life of the indigenous population and lead to a loss of Arctic biodiversity; whereas the retreating sea ice with its devastating effects will also open up possibilities for shipping in particular between Europe, Asia, and North America, in exploration and exploitation of natural resources, namely gas, oil and other minerals but also natural resources such as fish, and exploitation of marine genetic resources, increased mining and logging activities and increased tourism and research activities; whereas those effects will produce new challenges but also new opportunities in the Arctic,;
Amendment 38 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that three EU Member States are Arctic States, acknowledges that the EU has no Arctic Ocean coastline, but reaffirms the legitimate interest of the EU as a stakeholder by virtue of its rights and obligations under international law, its commitment to environmental, climate and other policies and its funding, research activities and economic interests, including shipping; in this context, acknowledges that other third countries also have legitimate interest as a stakeholder by virtue of similar rights and obligations;
Amendment 56 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes other cooperation initiatives on secure and safe shipping in the Arctic and on better access to the Northern Sea Route as well as the Northwest Passage;
Amendment 68 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Warns, in this respect, that an oil spill under the ice could turn out far worse than one in warmer climates due to the fragility of the ecosystems and the daring atmospheric conditions; calls, therefore, on all countries concerned to higher standards and redouble their efforts in order to control strictly all oil-drilling activities;
Amendment 76 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Insists that before any new commercial fisheries are opened in the Arctic region, reliable and precautionary scientific stock assessments must be conducted in order to determine levels of fishing that will conserve the targeted fish stocks and not lead to depletion of other species or to serious damage to the marine environment; any fishing on the high seas must be regulated by a Regional Fisheries Management Organisation that respects scientific advice and has a robust control and surveillance programme to ensure compliance with management measures; fishing within Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) must meet the same standards;
Amendment 84 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Recognises that the Arctic climate would be best protected by an ambitious global climate agreement but underscores that the rapid regional warming necessitates the implementation of immediate measures to slow Arctic warming;
Amendment 85 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Recognises the disproportionately large Arctic warming impact caused by local emissions of soot ('black carbon') as compared to emissions originating elsewhere, largely due to its effect on highly reflective surfaces such as snow or ice;
Amendment 86 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 c (new)
Paragraph 10 c (new)
10 c. Requests the Commission to take concrete steps towards effective emission reductions of black carbon and other short lived climate forcers by including reduction measures in an immediate revision of the EU directive on National Emissions Ceilings and the Gothenburg Protocol to the UNECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution;
Amendment 90 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses the important role the EU hasand the circumpolar nations have to play in the reduction of pollution which enters the Arctic region through long-range transport; highlights in this respect the importance of the implementation of European legislation such as Regulation (EC) No 1907/20065 ; points out that the climatic changes in the Arctic will have a major impact on coastal regions in Europe and elsewhere and on climate-dependent industries in Europe such as agriculture, renewable energy, fisheries and transport;
Amendment 99 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Recognises that the effects of the melting ice are not only reducing biodiversity, displacing indigenous population and thereby threatening the indigenous way of life but also creating opportunities for economic development in the Arctic region; acknowledges the wish of the inhabitants of the Arctic to continue to pursue sustainable economic development while at the same time protecting traditional sources of the indigenous peoples' livelihood and the very sensitive nature of the Arctic ecosystems, taking into account their experience in using and developing the renewable resources of the region in a sustainable way;
Amendment 109 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
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; calls for greater involvement in policy-making for the indigenous peoples; stresses the need to adopt special measures to safeguard the culture and language and the land rights of indigenous peoples in the way defined in ILO Convention number 169;
Amendment 112 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Urges the EU to promote actively the culture and language rights of Fenno- Ugric people living in Northern Russia;
Amendment 113 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Takes note ofWelcomes the rdecent legal developments regarding the EU's ban on seal products, in particularision by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to rescind the suspension of Regulation (EC) No 1007/20096 on the trade in seal products by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in several cases; notes the consultation procedure under the auspices of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) requested by Canada and Norway, joined by Iceland according to Annex 2 to the WTO Agreement; expresses its hope that disagreements between the parties can be overcome and that they will come to a common interpretation of the exception in the regulation for the Inuit population following the rulings of the ECJ and the WTO;
Amendment 122 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Believes that the impression given by some observers of a so-called scramble for the Arctic, often symbolised by the planting of a Russian flag on the sea floor at the North Pole, does not contribute to fostering a constructive understanding and cooperation in the region; stresses that the Arctic States have on several occasions declared their commitment to resolve possible conflicts of interests according to the principles of international law; is concerned that the increasing deployment of military capabilities in the Arctic could potentially destabilise the region; urges the circumpolar nations not to build up military outposts or scientific outposts which are protected by the military forces;
Amendment 128 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Recognises that the challenges facing the Arctic are global and cannot be exclusively dealt with by a limited number of actors;
Amendment 129 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17b. Welcomes the results of major reports which the AC working groups have produced in recent years on Arctic Oil and Gas, the Impacts of warming and on emergency response needs;
Amendment 142 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Confirms its support for permanent observer status for the EU in the AC; asks the Commission to keep Parliament duly informed about meetings and work in the AC and its Working Groups; stresses meanwhile that the EU and its Member States are already present as members or observers in international organisations with relevance to the Arctic such as the IMO, OSPAR, NEAFC and the Stockholm Convention and should more coherently focus on the work in these organisations; underlines in this regard also the need for coherence in all EU policies towards the Arctic; encourages the AC to also involve civil society and non-governmental organisations as ad-hoc observers;
Amendment 151 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22 a. Recognises that whilst there are obvious differences between the Arctic and the Antarctic there are also obvious similarities; points out that the text of the Antarctic Treaty successfully creates a framework for peaceful research and cooperation without getting caught up in territorial disputes; stresses that the same aims of peaceful research and cooperation are broad enough and the situation similar enough to be considered very relevant also in the Arctic context;
Amendment 160 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Is of the opinion that the EU should develop further its capacities and calls on the Commission to explore and report on the establishment or continuation of EU activities in the Arctic such as a circumpolar joint multilateral research funding programme providing for easier and less bureaucratic cooperation, joint projects of the research community, and anRequests the Commission to proceed on the establishment of an EU Arctic Information Centre as a joint, networked undertaking, keeping in mind the Finnish proposal of setting up the hub of the Centre at the Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland, based on the Commission Arctic Communication and Council Arctic Conclusions, and that the EU Arctic Information Centre that should be capable of organising permanent EU outreach to the major actors and stakeholders in the Arctic, as well as of channelling information on the Arctic towards the European Institutions;
Amendment 168 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Calls for all governments in the Arctic region, especially Russia and Canada to adopt and endorse the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples adopted by the General Assembly on 13 September 2007;
Amendment 169 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25b. Urges member states to ratify all the key agreements regarding the rights of the indigenous peoples, such as ILO number 169;
Amendment 170 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 c (new)
Paragraph 25 c (new)
25c. Requests the EU and its Member States to propose under the ongoing IMO work on a mandatory Polar Code for shipping that soot emissions and heavy fuel oil be regulated specifically; in the event that such negotiations do not bear fruits, requests the Commission to put forward proposals on rules for vessels calling in EU ports subsequent to, or prior to, journeys through Arctic waters, with a view to impose a strict regime limiting soot emissions and the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil;
Amendment 171 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 d (new)
Paragraph 25 d (new)
25d. Welcomes the ban on the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil on vessels operating in the Antarctic Area, approved by the 59th session of IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) that will take effect from 1 August 2011; believes that a similar ban would be appropriate in Arctic waters to reduce risks to the environment in case of accidents;
Amendment 172 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 e (new)
Paragraph 25 e (new)
25e. Welcomes the work of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people and that of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;
Amendment 173 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 f (new)
Paragraph 25 f (new)
25f. Welcomes the successful completion by the Expert Mechanism of its progress report on the study on indigenous peoples and the right to participate in decision making;
Amendment 174 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 g (new)
Paragraph 25 g (new)
25g. Encourages the Arctic member states to engage in negotiations leading to a new ratified Nordic Sami Convention;
Amendment 1 #
2009/2133(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that the role of the European Union as a global player has increased over the last decades and that a new approach is needed if the EU is to speak with one voice in the international arena and act collectively and, meet global and regional challenges in a coherent, consistent and efficient manner and further human rights and human security, peace-building and a stable and democratic neighbourhood;
Amendment 1 #
2009/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1
Citation 1
– having regard to Article 3(5) and Articles 18, 21, 24, 26, 27 and 47 of the Treaty on European Union in the version resulting from the Treaty of Lisbon,
Amendment 4 #
2009/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the EEAS will mainly serve to enhance EU action in the EU's neighbourhood, in crisis management and in peace-building, as well as enhancing its comprehensive approach to international organisations and emerging countries,
Amendment 5 #
2009/2133(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines the fact that the European Parliament has consistently called for the creation of a common European diplomatic service, which would be commensurate with the Union's international role, and which will raise the visibility and enhance the capacity of the Union to act effectively in the international arenawould make better use of existing resources and would overcome the traditional divisions between foreign policy, development and defence in favour of a cross-cutting approach, and which will raise the visibility and enhance the capacity of the Union to act effectively in the international arena in accordance with the EU's founding values and the principles laid down for the Union's external action under Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union in the version thereof resulting from the Lisbon Treaty; calls on the Council, the Commission and Member States to seize the opportunity offered by the setting-up of the EEAS to create a more coherent, consistent and effective foreign policy;
Amendment 5 #
2009/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the establishment of the EEAS will help to avoidmust contribute to the avoidance of duplication, inefficiency, and wasteful use of resources as regards the Union’'s external action,
Amendment 13 #
2009/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Recalls that the EEAS must guarantee full application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights in all aspects of the Union's external action in accordance with the spirit and purpose of the Lisbon Treaty; expects, at the same time, that the EEAS will ensure that respect for and the promotion of human rights are at the core of the different areas of the Union's external policy as enshrined in Articles 2, 3 and 21 of the Treaty on European Union in the version thereof resulting from the Lisbon Treaty; underlines the responsibility of the EEAS to guarantee the consistency between its external action and its other policies in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Treaty on European Union in the version thereof resulting from the Lisbon Treaty;
Amendment 14 #
2009/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – point a
Paragraph 4 – point a
(a) appointments to the EEAS should be made on the basis of merit, expertise and excellence in appropriate and balanced proportions from the Commission, the Council and national diplomatic services via an open and transparent process, ensuring that the VP/HR can draw on the knowledge and experience of all three in the same way; furthermore, the institutional set-up of the EEAS must include a gender architecture that duly reflects the commitments made by the Union with regard to gender mainstreaming;
Amendment 25 #
2009/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – point d
Paragraph 4 – point d
(d) Commission delegations in third countries and the Council liaison offices should be merged to form 'Union embassies', headed by EEAS staff, under the direction of a chief resident coordinator for all external actions including those administered by EU Special Representatives and Heads of ESDP missions, who would be answerable to the VP/HR; specialist advisers from Commission Directorates-General should not be prevented from being seconded to work in that framework;
Amendment 28 #
2009/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – point d a (new)
Paragraph 4 – point d a (new)
(da) CFSP and ESDP policy programming and planning structures from the Council secretariat should be brought under the umbrella of the EEAS;
Amendment 32 #
2009/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point b
Paragraph 6 – point b
(b) be divided into a number of directorates, each of which would be responsible for a geostrateggraphically important fieldregions of the Union's external relations, and further directorates for crisis management and peace-building, bringing together security and defence policy issues, and civilian crisis management, multilateral and horizontal affairs including human rights and gender mainstreaming as well as administrative matters;
Amendment 35 #
2009/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Believes that the decision establishing the organisation and operation of the EEAS should also stipulate that Union embassies in third countries must, whenever necessary, provide logistical and administrative support to the members of all Union institutions; considerrequests that, subject to the consent of the VP/HR, heads of embassies should be accountable to the parliamentary committees concerned and should be required to undergo an approrpriate hearing procedure before they are appointed;
Amendment 38 #
2009/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Considers that it is necessary to take further steps as regards providing Union officials with external relations training; suggests setting up a European diplomatic collegeExternal Action Academy which will incorporate the existing training structures such as the Defence College and give EU personnel from the EEAS as well as from EEAS missions a comprehensive training, and which, in cooperation with appropriate bodies in the Member States, would provide Union officials and officials of the Members States who are to work in external relations functions, with appropriate training in consular and legation procedures, diplomacy and international relations, including knowledge of the history and workings of the European Union;