Activities of Sylvie GOULARD related to 2014/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas the internal market, facilitating the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital is a cornerstone of the EU;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the European Parliament is the parliament of the whole Union, democratically elected by direct universal suffrage, and plays an essential role in ensuring the legitimacy and accountability of EU decisions, including through finding ways to guarantee the democratic accountability of eurozone-specific actions and decisions;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas political dialogue between national parliaments and the European Parliament ~~should be enhanced and practical possibilities for the use~~has a role to play, whereas the national parliaments and the European Parliament have different mandates; whereas practical tools, such as the 'yellow' and 'orange card', already exist for national parliaments to object to proposed European legislation; whereas ofn the ~~‘yellow’ and ‘orange card’ improved~~European level the EP can respond to concerns where national decisions taken infringe on European competences through resolutions voted in the plenary;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas the Commission’s role as the executive should be strengthened in the field of Economic and ~~Monetary~~Fiscal Policy by the creation of the position of EU Finance Minister, assisted by an EU Fiscal and Treasury administration, and by endowing it with the powers to implement and enforce any future and existing Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) instruments;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. whereas the existing economic governance system is not yet strong enough to tackle all potential future crises and shocks as it should, nor is it yet sufficiently good at generating higher competitiveness, structural convergence among its members,macro-economic imbalances procedure is not currently sufficiently used; whereas if used to its full capacity it could help to correct economic imbalances at an early stage, provide an accurate overview of the situation in each Member State and the Union as a whole, prevent crises and contribute to improving competitiveness; whereas greater structural convergence among its members is required, which will help to contribute to sustainable growth and social cohesion; whereas, therefore, ~~progress towards~~ the completion of the EMU ~~should be sustain~~is urgently needed, as well as efforts to render its institutional structure more legitimate and democratically accountable;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Recital N

N. whereas the European Semester process should be simplified, and rendered more focused and democratic, by enhancing Parliament’s scrutiny role over it and by investing it with a more substantial role in the various cycles of negotiations; whereas national parliaments must fully engage in the role foreseen for them in the European Semester in order to ensure its effectiveness and accountability at the appropriate level;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Recital O a (new)

Oa. whereas the MFF should be modified to have a duration of 5 not 7 years, in line with the mandate of the European Parliament, in order to increase democratic control of the Union budget;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Recital Q

Q. whereas part of the EU budget should be used to establish a fiscal capacity within the eurozone in order to assist Member States in the implementation of agreed structural reforms based on certain conditions; whereas this additional fiscal capacity should be placed outside the ceilings of the MFF ~~and should be~~, financed by genuine own resources and fiscally neutral for the Member States who contribute;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Recital V a (new)

Va. whereas the need for immediate action in light of the refugee crisis requires the creation of a European Rapid Refugee Emergency Force (ERREF) to manage all European external borders and to implement previous agreements, and to transform Frontex into a full- fledged European Coast and Border Guard (ECBG);

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Highlights that the existing European Treaties, voluntarily ratified by all 28 Member States, include a legal and institutional framework, within European law, to enable the existing Treaties to be modified (article 48 TEU) and for a Member State to decide to withdraw from the Union (article 50 TEU); considers therefore that the new settlement for the UK within the European Union, as proposed by President Tusk, through an international agreement is not the appropriate tool as it creates legal uncertainty and does not allow all European citizens to be consulted;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2b. Insists that any new settlement for the UK within the European Union must provide legal certainty; insists also that an international agreement cannot modify the legal order of the EU nor affect the allocation of responsibilities defined in the Treaties and, consequently, the autonomy of the EU legal system, compliance with which the Court ensures under article 19 TEU;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 c (new)

2c. Recalls that the internal market, facilitating the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital is a cornerstone of the EU; also recalls that exceptions to the internal market create distortions of competition within the Union and destroys the level playing field;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Is of the opinion that intergovernmental solutions should not exist, not even in areas where not all the Member States fulfil the conditions for participation, and that the Fiscal Compact as intended in the Treaty, and the European Stability Mechanism, ~~as inten~~provided that the appropriate scrutiny accorded byto the ~~Treaties~~EP reflects the composition of the contributors, should therefore be incorporated into Union law and no new institutions should be introduced;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Recalls that the European Parliament is the parliament of the whole Union; considers that its working methods should be reformed so as to strengthen its control over the Commission in the implementation of the acquis, and to ensure proper democratic accountability even in the areas in which not all Member States participate, inter alia through finding ways to guarantee the parliamentary democratic accountability of eurozone- specific actions and decisions;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Considers that political dialogue between national parliaments and the European Parliament ~~should be intensified and made more meaningful and substantial, without overstepping the limits of~~is important, recalls however their respective constitutional competences; points out, in this regard, that national parliaments are best placed to mandate and scrutinise at national level the action of their respective governments in European affairs, while the European Parliament should ensure the democratic accountability and legitimacy of the European executive;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Considers it necessary for the European Parliament to reform its working methods in order to cope with the challenges ahead, by using its control over the Commission, including in relation to the implementation and application of the acquis in the Member States, by limiting first-reading agreements to exceptional cases of urgency, and by improving its own electoral procedure through the revision of the 1976 Electoral Act in line with Parliament’s proposals contained in its resolution of 11 November 2015 on the reform of the electoral law of the European Union5 or as a future step through the adoption of implementing measures in application of Article 14 of the Electoral Act; __________________ 5 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2015)0395.

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Encourages meaningful political dialogue with national parliaments on the contents of legislative proposals when relevant; insists, however, on a clear delineation of the respective decision- making competences of the national parliaments and the European Parliament, where the former ~~should~~must exercise their European function on the basis of their national constitutions, in particular via the control of their national governments as members of the European Council and the Council, which is the level where they are best placed to directly influence the content of and exercise scrutiny over the European legislative process; is therefore against the creation of joint parliamentary decision- making bodies for reasons of transparency, accountability and ability to act;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Stresses the importance of cooperation between the European Parliament and national parliaments in joint bodies such as the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union (COSAC), and the Inter-parliamentary Conference on Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP-IPC), and in the framework of Article 13 of the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union on the basis of the principles of consensus, information sharing and consultation in order to exercise control over their respective administrations; underlines the need for stronger cooperation between the specialised committees of the European Parliament and their national equivalents within these joint bodies;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Insists on curbing the interference of the European Council in the legislative process as it goes against the letter and spirit of the Treaties, as detailed in article 15 TEU;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Stresses that the existing, ratified Treaties are the basis for renegotiation of any Member State's membership of the Union, stresses that any modification of any Member State's membership of the Union must be negotiated transparently, through a convention and then ratified by all 28 Member States; deplores the Heads of State and Government's decision to propose a new settlement for the UK in the EU through an international agreement, which is undemocratic and which creates legal uncertainty;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Notes that it is possible within the Treaties to merge the function of President of the European Council with that of President of the European Commission; and that the European Council, by means of an Interinstitutional Agreement (IIA), could engage itself politically to appoint as its President the Commission President, who should be elected by the European Parliament on a proposal by the European Council on the basis of the European election results, as was the case in the 2014 European elections;deleted

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Insists that the European Council publicly ~~expla~~outline and ~~motivate~~explain its policies before the European Parliament, including by presenting its intentions in advance of its meetings;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Calls for the creation of the position of European Finance Minister, combining the roles of a permanent President of the Eurogroup and Commission Vice- President (VP) for Economic and Financial Affairs, through an Interinstitutional Agreement between Parliament, Council and Commission;deleted

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Is determined to strengthen the role of Parliament in the election of the Commission President by reinforcing the formal consultations of its political groups with the European Council President, as foreseen in Declaration 11 annexed to the Final Act of the Intergovernmental Conference which adopted the Treaty of Lisbon, in order to ensure that the European Council takes full account of the election results when presenting a candidate for Parliament to elect, as was the case in the 2014 European elections;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)

24a. Calls for the creation of the position of European Finance Minister to strengthen the Commission's role as the executive in the field of Economic and Fiscal Policy;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Insists on ensuring a single representation of the EU/eurozone within the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and other international financial institutions (Article 138 TFEU) by its Finance Minister/VP of the Commission and the President of the European Central Bank (ECB); calls for the Single Supervisory Mechanism to be the sole representative of the EU at the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision for all elements concerning Banking Union; takes the view that the EU should streamline and codify its representation in all multilateral organisations/bodies with a view to increasing the transparency, integrity and accountability of the Union's involvement in these bodies;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Stresses the importance of the subsidiarity principle, as laid down in Article 5 TEU, which is binding on all institutions and bodies, notably the CoR and the EESC, and of the instruments contained in Protocol (No 2) on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality; ~~supports a flexible interpretation of the deadlines enshrined in the Protocol and~~ calls on the Commission to improve the quality of its responses to reasoned opinions;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Considers that the ~~practic~~formal possibilities for national parliaments to ensure the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality ~~should be improved, and cooperation between national parliaments strengthened, to enable them, in close cooperation among themselves, to reach the necessary quorum under article 7(3) of the~~ are laid out in the Treaties (Protocol 2 on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality);

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Recalls that ~~any further~~immediate development of the EMU ~~should~~must be based on, and build on, existing legislation and its implementation;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37

37. Points out the need for ~~fewer and more targeted~~ Country Specific Recommendations (CSR) to be prioritised through a clear hierarchy, based on the policy framework set out in the Convergence Code and the Annual Growth Survey (AGS), and on the concrete proposals presented by each Member State, in line with their respective key reform objectives, from a broad range of structural reforms, fostering competitiveness, real economic convergence and social cohesion; insists on the importance of CSRs being implemented if they are to be effective, calls for greater efforts in this area, which monitoring would facilitate;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39

39. ~~Considers it necessary for~~Recalls that economic dialogue mechanisms already exist, notably through the creation of the "economic dialogue" within the framework of the '6- pack' and '2-pack' legislation, considers that this is an effective tool to enable the Parliament to be invested with a more substantial role in negotiations within the framework of the European Semester ~~by allowing it to call hearings w~~through its ability to invithe governments of Member States affected by Country Specific Recommendations, Economic Partnership Programmes (EPP), Corrective Action Plans (CAP) and Alert Mechanism Reports (AMRs); to hearings in the EP; calls for this tool to also be used to enhance dialogue between Parliament, the Council, the Commission and the Eurogroup for dedicated meeting time- slots during the main steps of the European Semester cycle;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40

40. Calls for the establishment of an enhanced dialogue between Parliament, the Council, the Commission and the Eurogroup by agreeing on dedicated meeting time-slots during the main steps of the European Semester cycle;deleted

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43

43. Points out the need to switch from unanimity to QMV for the adoption of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) Regulation, by using the provisions of Article ~~48 (7) TEU and Article~~ 312 (2) TFEU; highlights the importance of establishing a link between the duration of Parliament’s legislative term and the duration of the MFF, ~~which can be reduced to five years~~and thus reducing the duration of the MFF to five years, which is possible under the provisions of Article 312 (1) TFEU;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44

44. Proposes to change the procedure for the adoption of own resources through the general ‘'passerelle clause’' contained in Article 48 (7) TEU, which would facilitate the necessary transition from a system based on Gross National Income (GNI) contributions to one based on real own resources for the EU and the eurozone budget, such as a reformed Value Added Tax (VAT), a Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) based on a wide scope and a low rate, applicable to at least a broad majority of Member States, or revenue from other sources such as the Emission Trading Scheme;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46

46. Insists on the full implementation of the existing six-pack and two-pack framework and the European Semester to address, in particular, macroeconomic imbalances, and secure long-term control over deficit and still extremely high levels of debt by growth-friendly fiscal consolidation, improving spending efficiency, prioritising productive investments, providing incentive to structural reform and taking into account business cycle conditions;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47

47. Recalls that the euro is the currency of the Union and that the EU budget is ~~designed to help less developed Member States catch up and become able to join the eurozone~~intended to fulfil the objectives for the Union laid out in article 3 TEU;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48

48. ~~Proposes~~Underlines the need for the establishment of a fiscal capacity within the eurozone in order to assist Member States in the implementation of agreed structural reforms, based on incentives and certain conditions, including the effective implementation of the National Reform Programmes agreed within the European Semester; considers that this c~~ould~~annot be done ~~through the creation of additional capacity and/or by earmarking funding from the existing EU budget for this purpose~~in a meaningful way without changing the treaties; underlines that any new instrument should be placed within the EU budget, but outside the ceilings of the MFF, and financed from real own resources;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49

49. PRecalls the creation of the European Supervisory Authorities and the Banking Union; calls for further work to be undertaken on the issue of sovereign debt; pledges to further increase the resilience of the EMU when facing economic shocks while preventing any form of permanent fiscal transfers, in line with articles 125 and 136(3) TFEU;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50

50. Reiterates its support for the suggestion to transform the position of Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs into a ~~Treasury~~European Finance Minister, as made in its resolution of 12 December 2013 on constitutional problems of a multitier governance in the European Union6 ; __________________ 6 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0598.

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51

51. Considers it necessary to incorporate the European Stability Mechanism into the Union legal framework ~~and,~~, providing that the appropriate scrutiny is established within the European Parliament which reflects the composition of the contributors; as a next step, tohe ESM will be transform ited into a European Monetary Fund;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53

53. Calls for ~~due consideration to be given to~~the implementation of the main findings of the Expert Group created by the Commission, with a view to constituting a Redemption Fund;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 a (new)

53a. Deplores any attempt to disintegrate the Single Market, recalls that it is a cornerstone of the Union, rejects any renegotiation of the Single Rule Book as it would fragment the Single Market in financial services and create unfair competition through a lack of level playing field;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54

54. Believes that the Single Market contains growth potential that has not yet been fully exploited, particularly with reference to the Digital Single Market and financial services; calls, therefore, for better control of the correct application, and better enforcement, of the existing acquis in thisese domains;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55

55. Calls for the rapid completion of a Banking Union based on a single supervision mechanism (SSM) and a single resolution mechanism (SRM), and sustained by an adequate and fiscally neutral backstop; calls, to this end, for a swift agreement on an adequate bridge financing mechanism until the Single Resolution Fund becomes operational and a European Insolvency Scheme is created;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 56

56. ~~Considers it necessary~~Recalls that the European Supervisory Authorities should act with a view to improving the functioning of the internal market, in particular by ensuring a high, effective and consistent level of regulation and supervision taking account of the varying interests of all Member States and the different nature of financial market participants; considers that issues that affect all Member States should be raised, discussed and decided by all Member States and that to strengthen the level playing field inside the single market ~~by creating~~ a single rule book applicable to all ~~banks in the EU~~financial market participants in the EU is essential;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 57

57. Calls for the establishment of a ~~true~~n ambitious capital markets union, with a single European capital markets supervisor, where, inter alia, regulations replace directives, gold plating by Member States is excluded, there are EU standardised and comparable products for retail investors, as well as a single legal and fiscal framework for investors, regulatory arbitrage and distortions of competition are removed, data challenges and cyber security risks are addressed;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59

59. Considers it necessary to improve the automatic information exchange between national tax authorities in order to avoid tax planning, base erosion and profit shifting, as well as to promote coordinated actions to fight tax havens; calls for the adoption of a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base directive ~~establishing a minimum rate~~, the simplification of tax systems and the spelling out of common objectives for progressive ~~harmonisation~~convergence; deems it necessary to embark on a comprehensive review of the existing VAT legislation, addressing i.a. the issue of reduced rates and the introduction of the country of origin principle, and also deems it necessary to establish a partially automatic stabilising mechanism to foster convergence and counter differences in the economic cycles of the Member States;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62

62. Reiterates that interparliamentary cooperation should not be seen as establishing a new joint parliamentary body or any other institution, because the euro is the currency of the EU and the European Parliament is the parliament of the EU; recalls that the EMU is established by the Union, whose citizens are directly represented at Union level by Parliament, which can find ways to guarantee the parliamentary democratic accountability of eurozone-specific actions and decisions;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69

69. Supports the creation of a European Energy Agency under Article 204 of the Euratom Treaty, as well as the establishment of a European strategic reserve and a joint negotiating centre with suppliers, with a view to completing the institutional structure of the Energy Union; notes, however, that a genuine Energy Union requires the removal of the constraint that EU policy must not affect a State's right to determine the conditions for exploiting its energy sources, its choice between different energy sources and the general structure of its energy supply (Article 194(2) TFEU);

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72

72. Points out the importance of promoting the idea of a minimalum wage throughout the EU, determined by each Member State/sector according to the Member State, aiming towards the progressive alignment of wages throughout the Union in the long-term, and suggests that, under current Treaty provisions, an ‘'Employees Mobility Directive’' could be adopted to reduce still-existing barriers for employees;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 75

75. Calls for the establishment of a new social pact aimed at preserving Europe’'s social market economy~~, respecting~~ and reducing inequalities, ensuring that all citizens' fundamental rights are respected, including, inter alia, the right to education, to work, non-discrimination, the right to collective bargaining, the freedom of movement; points out that such a pact could enhance the coordination of the social policies of the Member States;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 83

83. Calls for ~~progressive steps to be taken towards~~ a common defence policy (Article 42(2) TEU) and~~, eventually,~~ a common defence, which can be set up by unanimous decision of the European Council;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 94

94. Underlines that in the light of the recent attacks and the increase of the terrorist threat, a more intense and structured exchange of information and data between national security agencies and intelligence services, and with Europol and Frontex, is absolutely essential; and must be put in place as soon as possible;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 95 a (new)

95a. Regrets that the Temporary Protection Directive has not been activated in light of the refugee crisis, despite having been established to deal with a mass influx of third country nationals;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 97

97. Considers it necessary to immediately create a European Rapid Refugee Emergency Force (ERREF) to manage all European external borders and to implement previous agreements as well as to strengthen Frontex and transform it into a ~~European System of~~full-fledged European Coast and Border Guards (ECBG), to be supported, when necessary, by military instruments such as a European Maritime Force (Euromarfor) and an upgraded European Corps (Eurocorps), together with the resources pooled through Permanent Structured Cooperation; suggests that automatic adjustment should also be envisaged of the databases of border agencies such as Eurodac, and, in future, Smart Borders, such that they incorporate the ‘'European list of dangerous persons’' and the ‘'European Database for wanted persons’';

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 98

98. Stresses the importance of distinguishing between the concepts of ‘unsafe ~~third~~ countries’ (war zones) and ‘safe ~~third~~ countries of origin’ (mostly Western Balkans countries), and the corresponding distinction of procedures for processing applicants coming from these two categories of countries; calls for the signature of agreements with safe ~~third~~ countries of origin in order to control and reduce migration flows before migrants arrive at the EU border; insists, at the same time, on strict procedures for returning applicants with unfounded claims;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 99

99. Calls for the competences for external border controls to be strengthened by vestrengthening Frontex and transforming it into a full-fledged ECBG, rather than the requesting Member State, with the power to command when the former is in charge of an operation;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 100

100. Calls for an upgrade of the human and financial capabilities of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) so that it can coordinate all EU asylum applications as well as be deployed to support Member States under particular migratory pressure in the processing of asylum requests, including in its mandate for the deployment of joint operations, pilot projects and rapid interventions similar to the ones added by Regulation 1168/2011 to the mandate of Frontex;

2016/02/17
Committee: AFCO