Results of vote in Parliament

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the Commission Work Programme 2012 .

The resolution was tabled as a joint resolution by the EPP, S&D, and ALDE groups.

Restoring growth for jobs : Parliament calls for open and constructive dialogue to be initiated at EU level on the purpose, scope and direction of the Union's multiannual financial framework (MFF) and the reform of its revenue system, including a conference on own resources involving Members of the European Parliament and national parliaments. It urges the Council and Commission to comply with the Treaty of Lisbon and make every effort swiftly to reach an agreement with Parliament on a practical working method for the next MFF negotiating process. Members call for the proposals on the Common Strategic Framework (CSF) to be presented as early as possible, and also urge the Commission to present a new proposal on the EU Solidarity Fund.

Financial Market regulation : Parliament urges the Commission to put forward proposals for: (i) a permanent crisis mechanism managed under Union rules, (ii) a feasibility study on the setting-up of a system for the common issuance of European sovereign bonds on the basis of joint and several liability; (iii) proposals to integrate the EU2020 strategy into the stability framework and (iv) for a single external representation arrangement for the eurozone. Members emphasise the credit rating agencies' significant role in the worsening of the eurozone debt crisis and the implications for the European banking sector, and they urge the Commission to propose a revised legislative framework to enhance regulation and supervision of the credit rating agencies. The creation of a European Credit Rating Agency would introduce a welcome plurality of approaches.

Smart growth : Members strongly encourage the Commission to submit a legislative proposal for the next Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration activities by the end of this year. The proposal should promote public-private partnerships, reduce red tape, improve the multidisciplinary approach and increase the participation of smaller players and innovative firms in projects. It is also necessary to increase the R&D budget for the next financing period so that the EU does not fall even further behind its competitors. Parliament notes the need to address in the 2012 Work Programme a number of areas responding to new technology developments, while enhancing the Digital Single Market; these should include ‘cloud computing’, the ‘Internet of Things’, e-signatures and cyber security. It also asks the Commission to increase support for ICT so that the EU can lead the way in emerging markets such as health technologies and greener transport and electricity networks.

Sustainable growth : Parliament calls for a comprehensive EU external energy strategy that incorporates raw materials and rare earths issues and prioritises open, global markets. It also calls also for a sustainable and integrated EU energy policy under which the variety and relative share of energy sources and security of energy supply would be addressed together as part of a cohesive approach. The completion of the internal energy market is of pivotal importance to European competitiveness and growth.

On CAP reform , Members feel that the CAP must be closely aligned with the goals of the EU 2020 Strategy and that sustainability must be placed at the heart of the CAP in order to secure the long-term viability of European food production, while also enhancing farmers' competitiveness and innovation capacity, promoting rural development, maintaining the diversity of farming types and production and avoiding red tape. The Commission is asked for a legislative proposal to prohibit the placing on the market of foods derived from cloned animals and their offspring, and a new legislative proposal on novel foods.

Inclusive growth : Members welcome the flagship initiatives on new skills for new jobs and the platform on poverty, but consider there to be too few legislative proposals in the field of employment and social affairs. They call on the Commission to bring forward a new social strategy in line with the main advances of the Lisbon Treaty while respecting the principles of subsidiarity and social dialogue in the field of wages and pensions and to respect the competences of the Member States and social partners and ensure the democratic legitimacy of the process through the involvement of the European Parliament. Parliament calls for a strong EU-wide cohesion policy post-2013 and expects the Commission to play a constructive mediating role throughout the procedures relating to the adoption of regulations covering cohesion policy, with a view to reaching an agreement in the legislative procedure as early as possible.

Single Market : the Commission is asked to:

put forward minimum standards and requirements, based on best practice, for the SME test to be applied at EU and national level; propose a modernisation of public procurement procedures for contracting authorities and SMEs, including the improvement of living and working conditions; come up with an ambitious reform of the Professional Qualifications Directive; deliver a ‘justice for growth’ programme, improving access to justice for businesses and consumers and bring forward, as a priority, a proposal on alternative dispute resolution in civil and commercial matters as announced.

Citizens’ agenda: freedom, security and justice : Members regret the absence of a legislative proposal on enhanced intra-EU solidarity in the field of asylum, and note that work should continue on the asylum package in order to establish a common European asylum system guaranteeing a high level of protection and preventing asylum law from being instrumentalised for other objectives. They are concerned by the failure to correctly implement the existing acquis on asylum (Dublin, Eurodac, reception procedure and qualification directive for protection of asylum seekers), meaning that common European standards are not guaranteed, and they call on the Commission to ensure that the Schengen acquis is fully respected and that any proposal by the Commission should be dealt with using the European method.

Europe in the World : Parliament emphasises that the values upon which the EU has been built should be the core guiding principles of a united foreign policy, and stresses that the Commission must fully cooperate with the European External Action Service, ensuring greater policy coherence in the EU's action. It calls for a strengthened European military capability through increased pooling of resources in order to improve the EU's ability to respond quickly and effectively to external crises and to strengthen transatlantic security.

European Neighbourhood Policy : Parliament welcomes the Commission's review of the ENP and expects concrete proposals on how to develop the two multilateral dimensions of the ENP, drawing particular attention to the Arab countries that are aspiring to democracy. The EU's commitment to closer links with its neighbours will be made up by a combination of increased financial assistance, reinforced democracy support, market access and improved mobility. Members ask for a review of the Union for the Mediterranean, based on an evaluation of current shortcomings and in view of recent events linked to the Arab Spring.

Trade policy : Members support the efforts made by the Commission in all ongoing bilateral and regional trade negotiations in order to achieve a positive outcome for comprehensive and balanced trade agreements in 2012, which would significantly enhance EU trade perspectives and EU companies' opportunities worldwide. However, sustained EU efforts are needed to take advantage of the window of opportunity opened in 2011 in multilateral negotiations of the Doha Round which should pave the way for world economic stability. The Commission is asked (i) to ensure an enhanced association of Parliament in ongoing negotiations and in the definition of negotiating mandates for investment agreements; (ii) to fight against unjustified protectionist measures, while ensuring that trade policy remains a tool for job creation; (iii) to promote the inclusion in all trade agreements of binding provisions concerning human rights, social and environmental standards.

Development policies : Members want the Commission put forward an initiative in 2012 on the innovative financing of official development assistance (ODA), in order to fulfil commitments concerning the Millennium Development Goals. They also call for proposals on building an efficient link between humanitarian assistance and development, which should take into account the flexibility to allow linking relief, rehabilitation and development (LRRD) to take place in transition situations.

T7-0327/2011

B7-0381/2011

B7-0383/2011

B7-0384/2011

B7-0385/2011

B7-0386/2011

RC-B7-0381/2011