Preparatory phase in Parliament
Next event: Indicative plenary sitting date, 1st reading/single reading 2014/10/21
Role | Committee | Rapporteur | Shadows |
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Opinion | AFCO | HÜBNER Danuta Maria (EPP) | |
Opinion | AFET | BALČYTIS Zigmantas (S&D) | |
Opinion | AGRI | JAHR Peter (EPP) | |
Lead | BUDG | HOHLMEIER Monika (EPP), GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL Eider (S&D) | FERNANDES José Manuel (EPP), GEIER Jens (S&D), KÖLMEL Bernd (ECR), KALLAS Kaja (ALDE), TORVALDS Nils (ALDE), ECHENIQUE Pablo (GUE/NGL), NÍ RIADA Liadh (GUE/NGL), TARAND Indrek (Verts/ALE), ZANNI Marco (EFD) |
Opinion | CONT | PIEPER Markus (EPP) | |
Opinion | CULT | COSTA Silvia (S&D) | |
Opinion | DEVE | RÜBIG Paul (EPP) | |
Opinion | ECON | TORVALDS Nils (ALDE) | |
Opinion | EMPL | ARENA Maria (S&D) | |
Opinion | ENVI | LA VIA Giovanni (EPP) | |
Opinion | FEMM | ||
Opinion | IMCO | STIHLER Catherine (S&D) | |
Opinion | INTA | BÖGE Reimer (EPP) | |
Opinion | ITRE | BUZEK Jerzy (EPP) | |
Opinion | JURI | ||
Opinion | LIBE | ZDECHOVSKÝ Tomáš (EPP) | |
Opinion | PECH | MARINHO E PINTO António (ALDE) | |
Opinion | PETI | ||
Opinion | REGI | VAUGHAN Derek (S&D) | |
Opinion | TRAN | ZĪLE Roberts (ECR) |
Activites
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2014/10/21
Indicative plenary sitting date, 1st reading/single reading
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2014/06/24
Commission draft budget published
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COM(2014)0300
summary
PURPOSE: to present the Commission’s draft budget for the 2015 financial year (all sections). BACKGROUND: the draft budget (DB) for 2015 is the first one to be prepared with the full budgetary framework as foreseen by the Lisbon Treaty. However, it is facing the reality of scarce resources as reflected in low annual ceilings under the multiannual financial framework (MFF). The key priority for 2015 will be to ensure that the EU budget is provided with the required means so that it can fully deliver its reinforced contribution to growth and jobs and to providing solidarity between Member States and regions. The draft budget 2015 will focus on those measures that make a tangible difference to European citizens’ lives by targeting support to employment, businesses, education and research, while proposing the ways to contain the increasing amounts of unpaid payment claims due to insufficient financial resources in recent years. CONTENT: the 2015 budget, although it has reduced resources, is mainly designed to help Europe to recover from the crisis. The budget in a nutshell: the 2015 draft budget reflects the political priorities set in the new programmes falling within the 2014-2020 MFF and includes all the necessary means to initiate their implementation. At the same time, the 2007-2013 programmes need to be brought progressively to a successful closure, for which an adequate level of payment appropriations is necessary, to meet obligations vis-à-vis the beneficiaries of EU funding. With regard to the figures: · the overall ceiling for commitment appropriations (CA) is set at EUR 146 483 million, which represents 1.05 % of EU gross national income (GNI), · the ceiling for payment appropriations (PA) is EUR 141 901 million, or 1.02 % of GNI. The year’s main budget priorities: · recovery, growth and jobs: here, the emphasis is on innovation and reform in order to create jobs and strengthen growth potential. Initiatives such as the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) or the improvement of access to funding for SMEs (COSME programme) should help develop skills, training and employability and reinforce research and innovation with the aim of creating leverage effects at EU level; · strengthening the EU’s responsiveness: In the light of recent international developments and the ensuing discussions in the EU, it is clear that strengthening the EU’s energy security also requires special attention. Relevant means and actions to put in place projects of common interest and measures to develop interconnections are included in this budget proposal (CEF-Energy programme); measures are also foreseen to assist Ukraine; · fulfilling the EU’s obligations: against the backdrop of high, and steadily growing, implementation levels and payment shortages in recent years, culminating in a EUR 11.2 billion reinforcement of payments in the course of 2013, the Commission proposed to make use of the flexibility provided for in the MFF Regulation, by requesting the full mobilisation of the Contingency Margin for payments (EUR 4 billion) in 2014, on top of the use of the unallocated margin still available under the payment ceiling for the year (EUR 711 million) – please refer to the summary of amending budget No 3/2014. This sum of EUR 4.7 billion is essential to allow the Union to meet its legal obligations. The additional needs in 2014 largely stem from the high level of payment claims for Cohesion policy received from Member States that remained outstanding (EUR 23.4 billion) at the end of 2013. Payment needs in 2015 will remain at a similarly high level. That is why the Commission in its 2015 draft budget requests the full use of the 2015 payment ceiling (EUR 141.9 billion, + 1.4 % over the 2014 budget as modified by draft amending budgets). This sum is EUR 2 billion below the level of the executed budget in 2013. At this stage of the procedure, the Commission does not propose to mobilise the Contingency Margin for payments in 2015, but further action in this respect may be required in the course of 2015; · showing administrative restraint: the Commission proposes for the third consecutive year a 1% reduction of its staff levels in the 2015 DB, in order to implement the 5% staff reduction over five years which was agreed in the framework of the Staff Regulations Reform. For all institutions, administrative expenditure will on average be kept stable in real terms. MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BUDGET BY HEADING: the presentation that follows is structured by budget heading in the 2014-2020 multiannual financial framework: Heading 1: Smart and inclusive growth: this heading is subdivided into two sub-headings: · 1a Competitiveness for growth and jobs: commitment appropriations are set at EUR 17 447.4 million. This is an increase of 5,8 % compared to the 2014 budget, which is mostly due to Horizon 2020, the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and the large infrastructure projects ‘ITER’ and ‘Copernicus’ under this heading. This leaves a margin of EUR 218.6 million. Payment appropriations increase by 29.5% to EUR 15 582.6 million, in order to address the growing level of outstanding commitments and to allow the implementation of the new programmes; · 1 b Economic, social and territorial cohesion: commitment appropriations increase by 3.6% to EUR 49 226.8 million, leaving a margin of EUR 0.0 million. This is due to the additional structural funds foreseen for Cyprus, for which the Commission proposes the mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument. Within this heading, the frontloading of commitment and payment appropriations are foreseen to be continued for the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI, specific top-up allocation), amounting to EUR 1 407.2 million and EUR 600 million, respectively. Payment appropriations decrease by -5 % compared to the 2014 budget as modified by draft amending budgets, to EUR 51 601.9 million. This may stabilise the high level of outstanding commitments for Cohesion Policy, with substantial parts of 2015 payment appropriations to be used to satisfy claims accumulated at the end of 2014, but will in all likelihood not be sufficient for a notable reduction of this backlog of unpaid payment claims at year-end. Heading 2: Sustainable growth: natural resources: commitment appropriations of EUR 59.254 billion are proposed for heading 2. This level of expenditure represents a stabilisation at the level of the 2014 budget (0.0 %) and leaves a margin of EUR 345.3 million under the ceiling. Payment appropriations amount to EUR 56 907.3 million, with an increase of 0.6 % compared to 2014. A margin under the sub-ceiling for market measures and direct aids amounting to EUR 286.0 million is left. For rural development, payment appropriations decrease by -0.5 % compared to the 2014. For this heading likewise, the level of payment appropriations is unlikely to be sufficient to reduce the expected backlog of unpaid payment claims at the end of 2014. Heading 3: Security and citizenship: this heading sees a decrease in commitment appropriations of -1.9 % to EUR 2 130.7 million, leaving a margin of EUR 115.3 million. Payment appropriations increase by 12.2 % to EUR 1 881.2 million, which is due to the start-up of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and the Internal Security Fund. Heading 4: Global Europe: this heading sees a decrease in commitment appropriations of 1.1 % to EUR 8 413.1 million, leaving an unallocated margin of EUR 335.9 million available under the ceiling. Payment appropriations increase by 7.1 % to EUR 7 327 million, mostly to take account of the rapidly growing level of outstanding commitments under this heading. Heading 5: Administration (expenditure of the European institutions and staff): Commitment and payment appropriations for all institutions combined including pensions and European schools increase by 2.5 %, with commitments set at EUR 8 612.2 million. The corresponding increase (+ 1.5 %) includes additional administrative expenditure related to Croatia’s accession, amounting to EUR 13.2 million for the Commission. Taking into account the changes made by the Commission to better align the draft estimates of expenditure for the Council, the Court of Justice and the Committee of the Regions to the expected level of inflation in 2015, the requested expenditure for the institutions leaves a margin of EUR 457.9 million under the sub-ceiling for administrative expenditure of the institutions (excluding pensions and European schools). This reflects the continued efforts of the Commission and the other institutions to limit their own administrative expenditure through the reduction in staffing levels and other savings, in line with the reduction of staff levels in all EU institutions and bodies by 5 % over five years. Heading 6: Compensations: lastly, in accordance with Croatia’s Accession Treaty, commitments and payments for Compensations are no longer foreseen in 2015.
- DG {'url': 'http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/budget/', 'title': 'Budget'}, LEWANDOWSKI Janusz
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COM(2014)0300
summary
- #3324
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2014/06/20
Council Meeting
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3324
summary
The Council took note of the presentation by the Commission of its draft for the EU's general budget for 2015. It held an exchange of views. The Council asked the Permanent Representatives Committee to examine the draft, to enable it to establish its position. The Commission's draft provides for: payments totalling EUR 142.1 billion (+ 4.9% compared with the 2014 budget) and commitments amounting to EUR145.6 billion (+ 2.1%). On 18 February 2014, the Council set out its priorities for the 2015 budget. These will be used by the Italian presidency as the basis for negotiations with the European Parliament and the Commission later in the year. The Council is expected to adopt its position on the draft budget in September 2014, and the Parliament in late October. If their positions diverge, a three-week conciliation process will start on 28 October 2014.
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3324
summary
Documents
- Debate in Council: 3324
- Commission draft budget published: COM(2014)0300
Amendments | Dossier |
288 |
2014/2040(BUD)
2014/07/24
CONT
4 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Recalls its deep concern about the fact that the Commission finds it increasingly difficult to honour all payment
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Recalls its deep concern about the fact that the Commission finds it increasingly difficult to honour all payments requests in the year within the limits of the payment
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2.
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 12 a (new) 12a. Points out that the EU budget is never actually in balance in accordance with Article 310 TFEU; considers that the current amount of RAL is a significant indication of how the EU budget has, for years, been infringing this principle and takes the view that this seriously undermines the legality of the entire EU construction;
source: 537.190
2014/07/28
EMPL
42 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Emphasises that the 2015 budget has to play a key role in enhancing the Union’s contribution to growth and jobs; with a particular focus on the creation of jobs to address
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Welcomes the decision adopted for the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), notably 6.39 billion euros have been allocated to the fisheries sector and maritime policy for the period 2014-2020. These funds will help the fisheries and aquaculture sectors to achieve sustainable fisheries,
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to make full use of the funds dedicated to support the unemployed youth population; reminds of the
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to make full use of the funds dedicated to support the unemployed youth population with a special emphasis on encouraging family SMEs; reminds of the decision about the frontloading of the funds under the Youth Employment Initiative as well as the corresponding amounts programmed within the European Social Fund in order to provide the necessary help in the first years of the programming period;
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7 7. Calls for an increase in the budget of the Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA)
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to make full use of the funds dedicated to support the unemployed youth population; reminds of the decision about the frontloading of the funds under the Youth Employment Initiative as well as the corresponding amounts programmed within the European Social Fund in order to provide the necessary help in the first years of the programming period; Expresses its concerns about the absorption capacity of some Member States with regard to the Youth Employment Initiative; recalls that according to the Council regulation laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-2020, margins left available below the MFF ceilings for commitment appropriations for the years 2014-2017 shall constitute a Global MFF Margin for commitments, to be made available over and above the ceilings established in the MFF for the years 2016 to 2020 for policy objectives related to growth and employment, in particular youth employment;
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7 7.
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 a (new) 3a. Calls for an increase in the financing of EU-level networks in the promotion of social inclusion as these organisations play a key role in promoting actions to eradicate poverty and empower people experiencing poverty and social exclusion in times of an on-going economic and social crisis in Europe;
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 8 8. Stresses that since more than 60% of the supply of fisheries products to the EU comes from international waters and the exclusive economic zones of third countries, adequate and reliable budgetary
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 a (new) 3a. Underlines the fact that in order to implement long term and effective changes in the labour market, it is necessary to ensure the hospitable conditions to create and develop the SMEs, which create 65% of all the employment in the EU and therefore calls on the European Commission and the Member States to assure the efficiency of financing of the programmes supporting SMEs, including the social entrepreneurships and financing start- ups;
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 8 8. Stresses that since more than 60% of the supply of fisheries products to the EU comes from international waters and the exclusive economic zones of third countries, adequate and reliable budgetary provisions must be calculated in the annual budget for 2015. The external dimension of the CFP requires the continued inclusion of specific budgetary measures aimed at reinforcing and developing the European Union's participation in regional fisheries management organisations and at funding the conclusion of bilateral agreements with third countries.
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 b (new) 3b. Calls on the European Commission to adopt, without any delay, FEAD operational programmes prepared by the Member States and to present delegated and implementing acts in the framework of FEAD;
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 8 a (new) 8a. Regrets the fact that the Commission has reduced the amounts against the item for the pilot project on support measures for small-scale fishing (11 06 77 08); urges the Commission to reinstate the amounts approved; takes the view that that pilot project is of major importance and, in acknowledgement of the sector's importance and specific features, should be the basis for establishing an EU aid programme for small-scale fishing, as has been argued for in various Parliament resolutions on this issue;
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 b (new) 3b. Calls for an increase in the financing of EURES as this instrument plays an important role in cross-border employment mobility and can therefore contribute to the fight against unemployment in Europe;
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Underlines that the current over- exploitation of marine resources, especially in the Mediterranean, needs to be tackled urgently. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to prioritise earmarking funds under the EMFF for the funding of necessary measures that halt and reverse the over- exploitation of marine resources, and instead focus on protection of marine ecosystems.
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Deplores the cuts made within Title 11 by the Council in its reading of the draft budget; is concerned at the consequences for the measures funded under the budget heading concerned and at the adverse impact on pursuing the CFP and IMP objectives; points out, more specifically with regard to payment appropriations, that this year there is already a shortfall in them and that it is therefore essential to ensure a sufficient level of appropriations.
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Proposes to launch a pilot project on
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Proposes to launch a pilot project on Social security card to investigate the benefits of introducing, and – if appropriate – to make available, a forgery-proof European electronic document containing professional and social security details of the worker; as a foundation for the pilot project and to establish the necessary knowledge for the pilot project the Commission should initiate a comparative analysis on the different social security systems within the EU-28;
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Notes the overall year-on-year increase proposed by the Commission and the Council in the appropriations of heading 1 – Smart and inclusive growth; notes further the proportionally even higher increases in heading 1a – Competitiveness for growth and jobs;
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Welcomes the decision adopted for the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), notably 6.39 billion euros have been allocated to the fisheries sector and maritime policy for the period 2014-2020. Points out nonetheless that, despite the importance of fishing to many areas' economies, funding for fisheries policy - one of the few EU common policies - represents only 0.7% of the EU budget. These funds will help the fisheries sector to achieve sustainable fisheries, support coastal and island communities heavily dependent on fisheries to diversify their
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 Amendment 21 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Proposes to launch a preparatory action entitled Toward asbestos-free workplaces in the European Union to provide tools to screen and register asbestos-containing materials in accordance with Article 11 of Directive 2009/148/EC and to design a roadmap for total eradication of asbestos in the workplaces, whilst ensuring public awareness of the risk and of the need for actions also at the level of workplaces; the action should feed into a prospective strategy for banning all forms of asbestos and all uses of asbestos fibres, including appropriate export requirements in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2006 on shipments of waste and taking into account the principle of proximity as laid down in Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste, since asbestos remains responsible for a substantial number of diseases related to exposure to asbestos fibres.
Amendment 23 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Proposes to launch a preparatory action to strengthen the capacity of the national minimum income networks to develop an implementation strategy of the recommendations that have emerged from a previous pilot project on the matter, to further develop the awareness raising on minimum income schemes focusing on coverage, adequacy and take-up, to engage EU-level actors on further dialogue on minimum income schemes, to promote the common methodology on reference budgets (under preparation through another pilot project "Reference Budget Network") at local, national and EU-level to ensure adequacy of minimum income support.
Amendment 24 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Proposes to launch a preparatory action on Supporting active inclusion of disadvantaged migrants with the aim to assess benefits and test possibilities to create local centres for social and economic integration.
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Proposes to launch a pilot project in form of a feasibility study to be carried out with the objective of identifying possibilities to finance certain highly effective low cost energy efficiency measures in low income households from available EU funds and budget lines, considering also the existing barriers and including a cost-benefit analysis of longer-term energy efficiency measures and possible funds for financing.
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Considers that there should be budgetary restraint over the coming years and this should be reflected in the Draft Budget 2015; welcomes the Commission’s shift towards the growth, jobs and competitiveness programmes; considers that the aim needs to be to reduce waste and inefficiency and to direct funds to those areas that create jobs and deliver the best value for money. In order to balance our books, any increase in funding in one area should be matched by cuts in other parts of the budget;
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Regrets the fact that, contrary to what had been approved by Parliament, the Council restricted the duration of possible EMFF support for temporary cessation of fishing activities during biological recovery periods, between 2014 and 2020, to a maximum of six months per vessel; takes the view that biological recovery periods are an important tool for the sustainable management of certain fisheries; argues therefore that the restriction should be abolished and that there should be sufficient appropriations to cover biological recovery periods;
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 b (new) 1b. Notes that the commitment appropriations in heading 1b – Economic, social and territorial cohesion are to be increased up to the level of margin according to the Commission proposal; regrets however the decrease in payment appropriations in this heading worsened by even further cuts proposed by the Council;
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Stresses the need to move towards a CFP which is completely ecologically and socially sustainable, as well as safeguarding the conservation of biodiversity. Underlines that the current CFP leads to over-exploitation and depletion of marine ecosystems, and is therefore not ecologically, or socially, sustainable in the middle and long term.
Amendment 5 #
1b. Strongly believes that EU funding, particularly that under the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI), should not be used to subsidise national approaches, but should be used to provide additional support to young people in a way that complements and enhances national programmes according to the decision of the Member States;
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Urges the Commission and the Member States to urgently prepare the necessary legal acts to speed up the Members States' operational programmes in order to implement the priorities of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) namely the
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 c (new) 1c. Considers that EU funding should be directed to areas that help SMEs, micro- enterprises and business growth; acknowledges at the same time that small enterprises especially need a reduction in national regulations; considers that EU programmes should not lead to the postponement of necessary national structural reforms;
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Underlines
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Underlines of the importance of
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. Underlines the importance of sufficient funding and good budgetary management of the programmes within the 2014-2020 multiannual financial framework, which aim to address unemployment, poverty and social exclusion, such as the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI), European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF), the different axis of the Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) and the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived; for the latter taking into account the appropriations finally adopted in the amending budget 3/2014.
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Underlines of the importance of the research to evaluate the accurate state of fisheries stocks to calculate the maximum sustainable yield, earmarks of sustainable fisheries. Takes the view that that research should be properly funded by the EU budget. The new basic regulation of the CFP adopted last year places a special emphasis on the conservation of resources to obtain the maximum sustainable yield (MSY). This objective constitutes one of the core elements of the reformed CFP and implies an accurate and reliable knowledge of the state of stocks.
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Recalls that control of the fisheries activity on board and in the ports is essential to accomplish the objectives of sustainable fisheries. Insufficient financial support could jeopardise the goals of the Reform. Recalls that the new CFP requires an increase of EFCA´s operational undertakings to assist the Member States and the European Commission with the development of practical control and surveillance tools (operations related to fisheries governance, data management systems, landing obligations and fight against the illegal, unreported and unregulated fisheries (IUU fisheries)).
source: 537.180
2014/07/29
INTA
39 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Stresses that it should be ensured that the budgetary line devoted to the Union's trade policy area
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Reiterates that measures to bring the level of unpaid commitments under control are a precondition for making a successful start to the programming period for 2014- 2020; strongly calls therefore on the Council and the Member States to adopt all necessary steps to cover pending payment claims, in particular to adopt AB 3/14 in full; highlights that AB 3/14 has been proposed on the basis of the latest estimates of payment needs provided by Member States themselves;
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Recalls that Parliament introduced an additional credit of €1 million in 2009 specifically for actions related to Fair Trade in the budgetary line aimed at financing projects in the area of external trade and calls on the Commission to consider re-introducing this budget line in 2015 to finance actions related to Fair Trade, as defined by the Commission Communication of 5 May 2009*; ________________ (COM(2009) 215 final)
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 10 10. Points out, that due to the application of the 'financial discipline' mechanism, a large number of the Union's farmers will suffer a cut in direct payments paid out in the 2015 financial year; regrets the presumed effect of the application of "financial discipline" mechanism which may not lead to more efficient and accountable spendings;
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Believes that more emphasis should be put on policy coherence, especially with regard to conditionality in trade agreements; stresses that the internal cooperation between the EEAS, DG Development and DG Trade should be enhanced in order to work in an effective way. Urges therefore, that this need for cooperation and policy coherence is duly reflected in the budget;
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 10 10.
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Supports the extension into 2015 of the Preparatory Action "Euromed innovation entrepreneurs for change" but calls on the Commission to provide an evaluation of this Preparatory Action for 2013 and 2014;
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 11 11. Calls on the Commission and Member States to ensure that funds allocated to the Reserve for crises in the agricultural sector in the 2015 budget which are subsequently left unspent are made available in full
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6.
Amendment 13 #
11. Calls on the Commission and Member States to ensure that funds allocated to the Reserve for crises in the agricultural sector in the 2015 budget which are subsequently left unspent are made available in full as direct payments in the following budgetary year; in addition to this welcomes the increase in the crisis reserve fund, but would like to see this go further;
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Notes that the EU business centres in Asia will be funded by the Partnership Instrument (PI); points to its well established concerns regarding the
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 12 12. Calls on the Commission and Member States to monitor the significant price volatility of agricultural products, notably in the beef sector, which has adverse effects on farmers’ incomes, and to react promptly and effectively when needed;
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Support the funding of the start-up phase of an umbrella organisations for civil society groups dedicated to build up capacities for a systematic monitoring of EU trade policy and trade negotiations.
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 12 12. Calls on the Commission and Member States to monitor the significant price volatility of agricultural products, which has adverse effects on farmers’ incomes, and to react promptly and effectively when needed; calls on the Commission and Member States to pay a special attention on rice sector and stresses the importance to restore the farmers' from the damages caused by the unfair and uncontrolled importation of low quality rice from Asia;
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 13 13. Regrets the cut in funds to support beekeeping, as Parliament has consistently viewed beekeeping as a priority for the future of agriculture and for conservation of biodiversity;
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 13 13. Regrets the cut in funds to support beekeeping, as Parliament has consistently viewed beekeeping as a priority for the
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 14 14. Points out, that resources provided must fulfil the objectives of increasing the competitiveness and sustainability, aiming the linear development of European agriculture;
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 15 15. Calls for the full alignment in sum of direct payments and rural development payments in the EU-28 as soon as possible; notes that the large difference of direct payments in different member states hinders competitivity, therefore calls the Commission to consider the EU-28 as a whole on the global agricultural market.
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Stresses that it should be ensured that the budgetary line devoted to the Union's trade policy areas should provide for sufficient appropriation
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7 7. Notes that, while the budget for direct payments and market measures under the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) will be increased in 2015 by 0,2% relative to 2014, for both commitments and payments, the Commission must explain how to meet increased needs associated to the phasing-in of direct payments in
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 15 a – new 15 a. Regrets the suggested cuts in rural development programmes. Asks the council to reconsider this given the current atmosphere given the ongoing increasing insecurity and depopulation in many rural communities;
Amendment 21 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 15 b – new 15 b. Points out that, due to the abolition of milk quotas in April 2015, the Commission shall use the unspent amounts on instruments of fostering the exports of dairy products.
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 15 c – new 15 c. Welcomes the onset of a trend of shifting the priorities of the CAP with less resources being allocated to direct payments and market measures. Calls in this respect for a shift of allocation of CAP resources from direct payment and market measures, towards measures guiding improvements in the agricultural sector in the fields of social-economic and environmental sustainability, animal welfare and biodiversity. Calls therefore for the creation of measurable milestones on these improvements, with regular monitoring by the Commission and reporting to the Parliament.
Amendment 23 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 15 d – new 15 d. Calls on the council to use the money saved under 'enchancing public awareness of the Common Agricultural Policy' to increase the rural development budget.
Amendment 24 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 15 e – new 15 e. Strongly deplores the proposal of the Council to make cuts in payments appropriations in the 2015 draft budget; is of the opinion that the draft 2015 budget of the Commission is a bare minimum to address the recurrent and lasting problem of growing RAL.
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Stresses that it should be ensured that the budgetary line devoted to the Union's trade policy area should provide for sufficient appropriations for the Commission to efficiently pursue its ambitious trade agenda, contributing directly to growth and jobs, as well as to properly monitor the implementation of trade policy, and in particular the trade agreements in force; moreover, considers that the appropriations should be complemented by adequate reallocations of resources and staff, if necessary;
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 8 8. Regrets the cuts in the operational funds for producer organisations in excess of EUR 3,3 million in both commitments and payments and also in aid to producer groups for preliminary recognition of EUR 1 million; insists that both cuts will be reversed; calls on the Commission to use such operational funds in excess for training programmes, building partenerships and exchange of good practices for producer organizations.
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Stresses that it should be ensured that the budgetary line devoted to the Union's trade policy area should provide for sufficient appropriations for the Commission to efficiently and effectively pursue its ambitious trade agenda, contributing directly to growth and jobs across all EU Member States; moreover, considers that the appropriations should be complemented by adequate reallocations and redeployments of resources and staff, if necessary;
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 8 8. Regrets the cuts in the operational funds for producer organisations in excess of EUR 3,3 million in both commitments and payments and also in aid to producer groups for preliminary recognition of EUR 1 million; observes that due to the continuing power imbalance in the chain, the position of family businesses are under pressure; stresses that producer groups strongly improve the position of primary producers by joining forces; calls to guarantee an ambitious budget for the operational funds for producer organisations; insists that both cuts will be reversed;
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Stresses that the increased range of EU trade agreements in force or under negotiation requires additional efforts and resources of Parliament for the monitoring of the EU trade policy, in order to fulfil its institutional task of controlling and legitimizing the Common Commercial Policy in a time, in which public interest in the conduct and results of EU trade policy has been sharply increasing;
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Recalls the continuing fiscal difficulties experienced by some Member States in their on-going attempts to bring their fiscal situations onto a more sustainable footing; recalls in light of these well-known constraints that the EU budget must reflect, as core principles, the need for effectiveness, efficiency and added value;
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 9. Regrets the cut of EUR 481 289 for the school milk programme and the cut of EUR 900 073 for the school fruit programme, as both programmes have proven to be useful and efficient within the Member States; asks to increase the fund for both programmes to at least the previous levels; asks that both programmes are designed to be less bureaucratic and more user
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. Urges the Commission to step up its efforts to engage with the general public and all stakeholders about on-going negotiations and DG Trade's activities, especially with regards to TTIP; therefore deplores that the budgeted expenditure related to information and communication has been cut compared to previous years;
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 9. Regrets the cut of EUR 481 289 for the school milk programme and the cut of EUR 900 073 for the school fruit programme, as both programmes have proven to be useful and efficient within the Member States and considers this cut to be extremely inappropriate given the current crisis and levels of child malnutrition in the EU; asks to increase the fund for both programmes to previous levels; asks that both programmes are designed to be less bureaucratic and more user friendly;
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Deplores the decrease in the appropriations for the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI); points out that such a decrease
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 9. Regrets the cut of
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4.
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 9.
source: 537.187
2014/07/31
ECON
42 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion Paragraph -1 (new) -1. Welcomes the preference of the Commission to put strong emphasis on innovation, competitiveness, growth and jobs by making subheading 1.1 – which covers key policies to promote positive developments in those fields – highly prioritised in its draft budget;
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 c (new) 1c. Given that sound financial management is central to the implementation of the EU budget as well as of national budgets, since it increases the effectiveness of expenditure, reduces the possibility of error and fraud, and enhances budget transparency, considers it important that the EU budget be used to promote programmes aimed at developing the Member States’ statistical, reporting, and accounting systems, auditing and supervisory procedures, and the enforcement of financial management and control systems; calls on the Commission, therefore, to make rapid and effective use of the Anti-Fraud Information System (AFIS) and the European statistical programme (ESP) and, in cooperation with the Member States, to channel European structural and investment funding towards capacity building and the exchange of knowledge and experience among Member States in the field of financial management and reporting;
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 d (new) Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Condemns the fact that greater amounts are being earmarked for international economic and financial affairs, or what is termed financial assistance, which follows the EU approach of encroaching on the sovereignty of nation-states, but is serving merely to impose structural reforms and open the door to multinationals;
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 b (new) 1b. Notes that, faced with the financial crisis in the banking sector brought about by serious flaws in the workings of the market, the EU is responding with supervision by various agencies, in the hope that it can, by that shift, resolve inconsistencies inherent in the system;
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Stresses that the additional tasks entrusted to the ESAs, in particular the monitoring of proper implementation of new EU law and compliance with new legal acts
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. Notes that all ESAs are currently operating significantly below the 2014 professional staffing numbers authorised under the Union budget and therefore supports the Commission proposal to utilise the same staffing targets for 2015;
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3.
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3 Expresses therefore its concerns with respect to the Commission proposal for a considerable decrease in
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion Paragraph -1 (new) -1. Maintains that the 2015 budget, as regards the matters falling within the terms of reference of this committee, is cast in the same ideological mould as the EU now being built along federalist, neo- liberal lines, which is seeking to impose one governance model on all Member States, regardless of their specific nature and their level of development;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 a (new) 3a. Regrets that the Council has chosen the same overly restrictive line as the Commission regarding the appropriations for the ESAs;
Amendment 21 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Stresses that the ESAs need the appropriate human resources in order to fulfil their supervisory and regulatory role in a satisfactory manner;
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Stresses that the ESAs need the appropriate human resources in order to fulfil their supervisory and regulatory role in a satisfactory manner; suggests that eventual increases in human resources should be preceded or accompanied by rationalisation efforts such as reallocation to achieve efficiency gains; points out that such rationalisation must not affect cooperation with scientific institutions, the conduct of research and analysis, or education and training and that, on the contrary, investment and the number of activities in these areas need to be increased; points out that the ESAs stated having difficulties in employing staff members of a certain seniority and are limited in fulfilling their mandate by a lack of resources, staff and available resources do not reflect the tasks required to be carried out, in particular the highly resource-intensive and time-
Amendment 23 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Stresses that the ESAs need the appropriate human resources in order to fulfil their supervisory and regulatory role in a satisfactory manner;
Amendment 24 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Maintains that, in the short term, the three ESAs can and must substantially boost their human capacity, quantitatively and qualitatively, so as to ensure that they perform all the tasks assigned to them under the regulations; notes that care must be taken to ensure that the fact of having a large intake of newcomers does not interfere with the day-to-day running of affairs, and therefore points to the importance of fast recruitment procedures and a compulsory entering programme for newcomers, along with good training and a well-thought-out mentoring system;
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Stresses that inflexibility in the ability to second national experts from the supervisory bodies of Member states, as well as strict adherence to language requirements and the Commission Staffing code has been a contributing factor to difficulties faced by the ESAs in attracting high quality staff for short periods of high need;
Amendment 26 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Notes, however, that the response to the financial crisis in the banking sector, brought about by serious flaws in the workings of the market, is taking the form of supervision by various agencies, but the 2015 budget is completely overturning that approach by cutting the amounts earmarked for supervision, thus limiting the technical and human resources available to perform that task and creating an undoubted contradiction that is bound to cause confusion among the public about the EU’s real aims;
Amendment 27 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Notes that the Chair, Executive Director and the members of the Board of Supervisors and Management Boards should be in a position to act independently and only in the interest of the Union;
Amendment 28 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Notes that the Chair, Executive Director and the members of the Board of Supervisors and Management Boards should be in a position to act independently
Amendment 29 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion Paragraph -1 (new) -1. Notes that, accordingly, greater amounts are being allocated for analysis and control of the policies that the EU is imposing on its Member States;
Amendment 30 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 Amendment 31 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Calls therefore on the Commission to propose a financing system by 2017 that: - is solely based on the introduction of fees by market participants
Amendment 32 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Calls therefore on the Commission to propose a financing system by 2017 that is solely based on the introduction of fees by market participants, or failing that, move to a separate budget line and 100% community funding.
Amendment 33 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Calls therefore on the Commission to bring analysis and scrutiny to bear and, should this be shown to be acceptable, propose a financing system by 2017 that is solely based on the introduction of fees by market participants, and/or to propose that separate headings be laid down in the general budget. .
Amendment 34 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Stresses, in this context, that such a new financing system must be designed in a way which fully safeguards the integrity of the ESAs vis-à-vis the actors in the financial sector;
Amendment 35 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 b (new) 6b. Underlines that it is crucial, not least for the enhancement of the coordinated fight against tax fraud and evasion, that the Fiscalis 2020 programme gets off to a good start; notes that the relatively modest appropriations proposed by the Commission in this area could be seen as acceptable; stresses, however, that the reductions from the Commission level suggested by the Council could undermine planned Fiscalis 2020 activities and should therefore not be accepted;
Amendment 36 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 c (new) 6c. Emphasizes that the resources allocated to statistics must continuously reflect the heavy workload and high quality demands in this policy area, not least when it comes to the delivery of crucial economic and financial data; stresses that the relevant appropriations in the 2015 budget must not be any smaller than what has now been proposed by the Commission; disagrees, therefore, with the Council line of taking key appropriations down from the Commission level;
Amendment 37 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6a (new) 6a. Calls therefore upon the Commission to consider within the course of the wider review of the ESAs, how to allow more flexible employment conditions within the ESAs that are best able to include the considerable expertise of supervisors within Member States on a temporary basis, as well as encourage recruitment of high quality staff on a permanent basis.
Amendment 38 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Recalls the need to further ensure funding for capacity building of civil society in the field of financial services.
Amendment 39 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 b (new) 6b. Calls on the Commission to speed up and render concrete the reform of the EMU communication strategy.
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion Paragraph -1 (new) -1. Deplores the fact that the EU as such and coordination, supervision, and communication related to EMU in particular are accounting for a growing volume of expenditure, which is thus fuelling the propaganda machine – covering the European area and extending into non-EU countries – whose purpose is to disseminate the values of the current European model, even though these have already been rejected several times by referendum;
Amendment 40 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 c (new) 6. Welcomes the first steps towards the reform of EFRAG, but highlights the need to fully implement the Maystadt recommendations, including the demand to limit its work to IFRS standards and to phase out its work on small and medium size enterprises and on tax matters.
Amendment 41 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 d (new) 6d. Considers it vital to maintain the funding of Eurostat at the level proposed by the Commission
Amendment 42 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Objects to this budget, therefore, as it will not help to resolve any of the serious problems affecting the EU and its Member States and, indeed, constitutes a further stage in a policy that is causing the present economic stagnation, unemployment, and social inequalities.
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Recalls that the European Parliament has strongly supported the creation of the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs)
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Recalls that the European Parliament has strongly supported the creation of the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) and believes that the Union needs to further improve the quality of supervision a
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Recalls that the European Parliament has strongly supported and very actively contributed to the creation of the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) and believes that the Union needs to further improve the supervision at Union level; believes that, besides the ECB, the ESAs are a cornerstone of fully functioning financial markets in the Union and are essential for the economic recovery and the creation of jobs and growth in Europe, as well as for the prevention of future crises in the financial sector.
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Bearing in mind the Europe 2020 targets and the aims of stimulating economic growth and development and resolving the problem of unemployment, especially among young people, calls on the Commission to lay emphasis in the partnership agreements with Member States and in operational programmes upon development projects and drivers of growth, one such measure being to open up sources of financing to small and medium-sized enterprises, thereby channelling budget resources with a view to bringing about an innovative, creative, and competitive Europe;
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 b (new) 1b. Given that the European Semester was established for the purpose of coordinating the Member States’ economic policies at EU level and that, to that end, the Commission produces a detailed analysis of their economic and structural reform programmes and issues recommendations agreed with them, believes that, as the European Semester proceeds, Member States can learn from each other’s experiences, enabling them to reach the targets more quickly and to more successful effect; considers it important, therefore, that the EU budget be used to promote human capacity- building programmes through which to exchange knowledge and experience related to public finances, the financial system, structural reforms, employment, and social policy; calls on the Commission, together with the Member States, to encourage investment in analysis and scientific research and innovation in the above areas and the exchange of knowledge and experience through projects financed under European structural and investment funds;
source: 537.267
2014/08/04
AFET
15 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1.
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Stresses the importance of providing the EEAS with sufficient funds
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Takes note of the European Court of Auditors' recent special report on the establishment of the EEAS published on 30 June 2014 and its recommendations to enhance the EEAS's added value and efficiency, such as working with the Commission to mitigate the impact of the rigidity of its financial and staff regulations on the efficiency of EU delegations in order to devote more resources to political tasks.
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Reiterates the importance of transferring the budget line for EU Special Representatives (EUSRs) to the EEAS budget in order to support their better integration into the EEAS, in accordance with the proposal made by the HRVP in the EEAS Review, Parliament's recommendation of 13 June 2013 and the European Court of Auditors' Special Report 11/2014;
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 b (new) 6b. Welcomes the on-going effort of the EEAS to update its IT systems and strengthen its information security capabilities; remains concerned about the disproportionate number of senior posts in the service.
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 c (new) 6c. Urges the Commission, following the example of the EEAS, to provide annually updated data about the number of Commission staff in delegations, both internal and external, broken down by country and directorate-general and with an indication of what budget line they are funded from to enable the budgetary authorities to better assess the Commission's global activities;
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Notes, in particular, that once again insufficient funding has been budgeted for the Middle East Peace Process, Palestine and UNRWA
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Notes, in particular, that once again insufficient funding has been budgeted for the Middle East Peace Process, Palestine and UNRWA and asks for sufficient funds to be provided, particularly in view of the current exacerbation of the humanitarian crisis;
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Stresses the worrisome situation with regard to payment credits in Heading 4, which, despite the substantive increase compared to the current year foreseen by the Commission, may not satisfy requirements on the ground; notes, however, with approval the decision to equalise commitments and payments for the humanitarian aid instrument;
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Notes
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Notes with particular concern the severe cuts in payment appropriations for the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace which is
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Notes with particular concern the severe cuts in payment appropriations for the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (ISP) which is already suffering from a shortfall in payment appropriations during the current year that can only be exacerbated by the new cuts; stresses that the ISP is a vital tool for the EU's crisis management and conflict resolution activities, for example in Ukraine;
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 a (new) Rejects the considerable cuts to Heading 4 proposed by the Council which would only exacerbate the already critical situation, in particular with regard to payments; strongly opposes any potential linkage between the negotiations on the 2015 budget and those on Draft Amending Budget 3;
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 a (new) 5 a. Emphasises the importance of providing the Commission service for Foreign Policy Instruments with adequate resources to carry out the implementation of the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace, CFSP operations, the Partnership Instrument and the election observation missions under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights.
source: 537.269
2014/08/06
AFCO
10 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6.
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 e (new) 9e. Notes the decrease in expenditure on relations between the European institutions and national parliaments, and expresses regret that more is not done to prioritise the involvement of national legislatures; considers that expenditure elsewhere could be revisited ahead of this budgetary element, particularly in the context of previous Parliamentary resolutions which have called for greater attention to be paid to how this relationship may function more effectively;
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Takes the view that communications projects can struggle to demonstrate effectiveness when evaluated, primarily due to a lack of agreed or appropriate metrics upon which their performance can be judged; believes that for all spending directed towards improving awareness and communicating European issues to the public it is necessary that such metrics are established at an early stage; in this regard, observes that figures such as raw numbers of visitors to websites are often used, which without comparative figures from similar organisations are largely meaningless and only speak to one aspect of communications (availability) and not for example quality of content or ease of use.
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7 7. Believes in the importance of instruments of participatory democracy, as defined in the Lisbon Treaty, for citizens; regrets, in this context, the difficulties related to the implementation of the European Citizens' Initiative and emphasises the need for providing adequate funding not only for the initiatives themselves, but also for their communication, in order to improve the
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 8 8.
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 9. Considers that, in view of the entry into force of the Regulation on European political parties and foundations, adequate and fair funding is needed to enable its effective implementation
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Requests that budget lines concerning the European Parliament's infrastructure, expenses and other items which correspond to the Parliament's places of work are broken down to reflect where expenses occur (Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg).
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 b (new) 9b. Believes that the highest levels of transparency and accountability to which this institution aspires demands that allowances paid to Members are not paid en bloc, but rather are reimbursements on production of receipts for actual expenditure and all claims paid are individually published; requests that the budgetary rules and the working practices of the Parliament are amended to that effect;
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 c (new) 9c. Expresses regret, once again, that the negative comments received from the Court of Auditors are still not acted upon, and the financial management of the Budget by the European institutions remains wholly unsatisfactory;
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 d (new) 9d. Regards the Lisbon Treaty as having invested powers in the European Parliament to reflect its standing as an elected chamber capable of reflecting the views of citizens from across the Union and from a variety of social and economic spheres; believes therefore that the role of the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee to have been subsumed within the role of the European Parliament and the Council, whose members are accountable to their domestic electorates already; instructs the Commission to establish the costs and savings to be accrued from their closure, and for the Council and Parliament to begin the legal process to phase out the CoR and EESC;
source: 537.275
2014/08/11
IMCO
5 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. Stresses to the new President-elect of the Commission that Consumer Protection should continue to be represented by a dedicated Commissioner in addition to a Commissioner for the Single Market; underlines the role of the Commission as guardian of consumer rights throughout Europe, and especially across borders, and stresses that an adequate budget for Union actions in this area should be foreseen;
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Acknowledges the importance of financing the "Single Market Forum" (SMF) and calls for an extension of its Preparatory Action to the year 2015 (600 000 EUR for both Commitment and Payment Appropriations); calls on the Commission to propose a legal base to be established in secondary legislation in order to secure the continuation of the SMF beyond 2015;
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7 7. Urges the Commission to update Parliament on the level of implementation of the pilot project "Your Europe Travel Application for mobile Devices"(YET); stresses the importance of increasing consumer awareness about these kinds of services; warmly welcomes the European Consumer Centres Network’s former actions in this respect; points out that the application should be integrated into an ongoing campaign at Union level to raise awareness about consumer rights and interests; recommends that funding be released upon a positive feasibility study outcome;
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 10 a (new) 10a. Highlights that standards are important tools for the competitiveness of undertakings and especially SMEs, whose participation in the standardisation process is essential for technological progress in the Union; therefore, considers it important to finance appropriately the initiatives aimed at supporting standardisation activities performed by CEN, Cenelec and ETSI;
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 11 11. Recalls the need to finance the multilingual tool for the online dispute resolution (ODR) platform; stresses that this multilingual facility was adopted in Parliament's legislative resolution of 12 March 2013 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on online dispute resolution for consumer disputes (Regulation on consumer ODR)
source: 537.282
2014/08/18
CULT
18 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Notes that in 2015, the multiannual programmes in the fields of education, training, youth, sport, culture, media and citizenship enter into their second year; underscores the need for sufficient commitment and payment appropriations in order to ensure that
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Underscores that the Union communication policy
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Underscores that the Union communication policy is an important tool to explain the Union’s functioning, policies and processes to its citizens; highlights the need to foster cooperation
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 b (new) 5b. Points to the importance of digital platforms, such as Europeana, which help to digitise Europe’s cultural and artistic heritage and carry out projects based on transnational networks and partnerships that broaden public access to the materials available, thus showcasing European culture and giving a boost to the cultural and creative industries;
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 c (new) 5c. Draws attention to the undertaking given by the Commission, at the prompting of Parliament, among others, to raise the profile of European volunteering and volunteer networks;
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 d (new) 5d. Stresses that greater attention should be paid to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie programme;
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 a (new) 5a. Requests the European Commission to inform the European Parliament of the division of the funds among the Member States for the programmes in the fields of education, training, youth, sport, culture, media and citizenship in order to improve the transparency and monitoring of the allocation of public funds;
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 a (new) 5a. Stresses the need for additional funding to broaden the scope of the Eastern Partnership Culture Programme, in particular in the light of the recent tragic events in Ukraine; points out that the provision of financial support by the EU for joint cultural projects in which young artists from Eastern Partnership countries and EU Member States take part will raise the profile and increase the political significance of such projects and will bolster efforts to secure peace in Europe;
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 a (new) 5a. Notes that the Commission's Communication "Taking stock of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth" pays special attention to youth unemployment reaching 59.2% in Greece and 55.7% in Spain and that "the increasing share of young people neither in employment nor in education or training (NEETs), at 13.2% in 2012, is another major source of concern"; points out that therefore, access to knowledge is a prerequisite to employment and growth and that social aspects and reduction of inequalities must be at the core of every policy implemented;
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 b (new) 5b. Points out that austerity measures destroying public services are jeopardising the possibility for education and training systems to contribute to economic recovery and that lifelong learning must be a high priority in order to fight poverty and inequalities;
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Notes that in 2015, the multiannual programmes in the fields of education, training, youth, sport, culture, media and citizenship enter into their second year; underscores the need for sufficient commitment and payment appropriations in order to ensure that the programmes reach the intended number of beneficiaries and thus achieve the anticipated impact;
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Notes the modest increase in commitment appropriations for the Erasmus+ programme in comparison to 2014; points out that due to the high implementation rate of and demand for this programme, sufficient payment appropriations are essential to make the additional commitments count and guarantee the programme’s smooth functioning, especially considering that the European Commission wishes to bring up students mobility up to 20% by the end of the decade;
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Notes the modest increase in commitment appropriations for the Erasmus+ programme in comparison to 2014; points out that due to the high implementation rate of and demand for this programme, sufficient payment appropriations are essential to make the additional commitments count and guarantee the programme’s smooth functioning; underlines that grants pertaining to the Erasmus+ programme should be exempt from taxation and social levies;
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. Recalls concerning the Student Loan Guarantee Facility that has been granted 3.5% of the budget, that it should be done "on favourable terms for students" "regardless of their social background" and that "this additional and innovative tool for learning mobility should neither replace any current, nor impede the development of any future, grant or loan system supporting student mobility at local, national or Union level";
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Considers it regrettable that the Commission has proposed a lower level of commitment appropriations for the Creative Europe Programme than in 2014, despite its important role in supporting the cultural and creative industries and despite the necessity of organising the future guarantee facility with promised measures as training of financial intermediaries;
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Considers it regrettable that the Commission has proposed a lower level of commitment appropriations for the Creative Europe Programme than in 2014, despite its important role in supporting the cultural and creative industries; also recalls the European Parliament's first concerns on the merger of the Culture and Media strands and subsequent policy and funding equilibrium issues for subsidised and commercial cultural operators;
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Recalls that the total financial envelope for the Europe for Citizens programme for 2014-2020 was cut by roughly 20% compared to 2007-2013; criticises the fact that the Commission Draft Budget 2015 provides for a lower level of commitment appropriations than those reached in 2014; recommends a special consideration of this programme which remains unique in the contact to the citizens and the support of their bottom-up actions; points out that the present level of funding is far too low and is even counterproductive to the image of the Union;
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Underscores that the Union communication policy is an important tool to explain the Union’s functioning, policies and processes to its citizens, in particular in view of the fact that, as the recent elections showed, EU citizens know worryingly little about EU legislation and programmes; highlights the need to foster cooperation between the Union´s institutions in matters of communication in order to maximise the impact of the funds invested
source: 537.206
2014/08/19
TRAN
26 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Points out that investment in transport is vital in order to strengthen the role and aim of the EU budget to stimulate growth, competitiveness and employment and to move towards the goals of the "Europe 2020 strategy", as well as to make travelling safer, thus reducing the number of accidents and related casualties, and therefore welcomes the fact that the CEF programme is placed as one of the key programmes of the budget Heading 1a "Competitiveness for growth and jobs".
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Draws attention to the crucial role played by the agencies whose main responsibility is to ensure the safety of the various modes of transport, and therefore rejects the proposed cuts in the agencies’ operating budgets and does not agree with proposed cuts that could undermine transport safety.
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Considers that funding through the Connecting Europe Facility should contribute to optimising the integration and interconnection of transport modes and that intermodal connections represent an essential element for the development and good functioning of the railway sector.
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 b (new) 6b. Points out, furthermore, that some of the transport-related agencies are taking on (or will be asked to take on) new tasks and that across-the-board cuts in staff and administrative expenditure which fail to take account of the specific circumstances of each agency would therefore be inappropriate.
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 b (new) 6b. Stresses the importance of investing in the development of freight corridors in order to allow shifting freight from road to rail, to improve sustainability of rail freight by reducing existing noise generated by inadequate rolling stock and to enhance a low carbon transport economy.
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 c (new) 6c. Stresses, in connection with the EASA, that more than two-thirds of the agency’s expenditure is covered by the charges and taxes levied on the industry and that no cuts should be made to the number of EASA certification staff, who do not come under the EU budget and have no impact whatsoever on that budget.
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7 a (new) 7a. Underlines that, according to Article 195 of the Treaty, the EU has additional competences on tourism policy; is convinced that a new budget line on Sustainable Tourism is needed: it must include the support and promotion of cycle routes networks, the protection of natural, cultural, historical and industrial heritage as well as the support for better accessibility to tourism services such as for persons with reduced mobility;
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 8 Emphasises the role of research and
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 8 8. Emphasises the role of research and development in the transport and tourism sectors and points out that the timely development of intelligent transport technologies, including SESAR and others, will notably contribute to economic, safety and environmental savings; therefore appropriate budgetary resources should be allocated to these transport technologies under Horizon 2020 and CEF.
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 8 a (new) Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 8 a (new) 8a. Stresses the need for accurate funding for the implementation of the components of SESAR in order to ensure the deployment of Air Traffic Management (ATM) functionalities that are considered essential for the improvement of the Union's ATM system performance.
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 a (new) 3a. Draws attention, nonetheless, to the financial difficulties which some Member States are experiencing as a result of the economic crisis and which are making it extremely difficult for them to submit projects, as evidenced by the recent call for proposals issued in connection with the Trans-European Transport Network programme, and therefore, with a view to ensuring more balanced participation, calls for greater flexibility in the implementation of the CEF programme.
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 8 b (new) 8b. Emphasises the importance of investing in regional airports as this will have a positive impact on a wide range of activities such as exports, business efficiency and productivity, inward investment, and therefore will boost EU market.
Amendment 21 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Stresses that, pursuant to Article 195 of the Treaty, the EU has complementary powers relating to tourism; stresses that tourism has become a recognised category in the EU budget, but that the objectives formulated in the Lisbon Treaty have not yet been fully attained; observes that, in order for Europe to be a leading economy in global competition in the field of tourism, tourism must figure in the work of the Committee on Transport as a specific field of policy; notes that, with the aid of the resources provided through the COSME programme, the EU can respond swiftly and effectively to changes that occur in the tourism industry, but that there is a need for targeted programmes and experimental projects with the aid of which every sector of public transport may be involved as effectively as possible; observes that, by this means, economic growth may be achieved, while more – and sustainable – jobs will be created and the EU will be the prime destination in international tourism.
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Criticises the fact that, once again, little attention has been paid in the budget to tourism, despite its having been an area of shared competence since the Lisbon Treaty entered into force; calls once again on the Commission to do its utmost to build on the preparatory actions put forward by Parliament and to lay the foundations for a genuine European tourism policy.
Amendment 23 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Stresses that EU agencies' budget allocations are far from consisting in administrative expenditure alone, but instead contribute to achieving the EU objectives, while aiming at making savings at national level; recalls the importance of ensuring, within the Union, the highest level of safety, security and interoperability in the field of transport while ensuring better communication and coordination, which EASA, EMSA and ERA provide at EU level and which was handled before by 28 national administrations;
Amendment 24 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Stresses the need of including in the Operational Programmes developed with the Member States the flagship projects for the development of the Danube Region; furthermore the Commission should ensure that the Operational Programs cover the financing of flagship projects aiming at developing inland water transport in the framework of the Danube Strategy.
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Notes the importance of sustainable transport as part of the Europe 2020 wider climate change and energy sustainability targets; stresses that EU transport policy must incorporate ambitious climate protection goals; points out therefore that adequate transport funding is vital to help to ensure that environmental transport policies are implemented successfully.
Amendment 26 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 b (new) 9b. Underlines that EU transport policy must delivery on equalities, most importantly through access to transport for disabled people and highlights that achieving this must be done through substantial investment in public transportation across the EU.
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Underlines that the EU budget should focus on infrastructure projects that will deliver high European added value, by removing bottlenecks and building/improving trans-border infrastructure, as well as upgrading existing infrastructure, such as rail links, in order to develop the EU's internal market and improve the competitiveness of the EU as a whole; notes that in the context of the current international situation on the EU's Eastern borders, it is of particular importance to connect Member States in the EU transport network with European technical parameters, including European standard gauge, so they can better integrate into the EU's common market.
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Underlines that the EU budget should focus on infrastructure projects that will deliver high European added value, by removing bottlenecks and building/improving trans-border infrastructure, as well as upgrading existing infrastructure, such as rail links, in order to develop the EU's internal market
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Stresses a need to ensure that Member States eligible for financing from the Cohesion Fund through the Connecting Europe Facility are helped by the Commission to develop and prepare an adequate pipeline of projects of sufficient maturity and/or quality, and to make efficient use of EU funding; stresses therefore that it is important to implement programme support actions aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity and efficiency of the public administrations concerned, as well as to organise additional calls for proposals, in order to ensure the highest possible absorption of the transferred funds in Member States eligible for funding from the Cohesion Fund; furthermore, the calls for proposals organised by the Commission should address cross-border sections as a matter of priority as such sections are often underfunded although in many cases they constitute bottlenecks.
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 a (new) 5a. Bearing in mind the limited financial capacity of CEF, the European Parliament calls upon the Commission to continuously evaluate the preparedness of individual projects and in case a risk of a project not being sufficiently and on time prepared would arise, take measures for timely reallocation of funds.
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 a (new) 5a. Reiterates the importance of using EU funding through the Connecting Europe Facility for projects and equipment of common interest that fulfil the cross- border interoperability facility.
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Stresses the importance of the creation and effective functioning of a Single European railway area without frontiers by improving the level of interoperability and safety of railway systems
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Underlines that the EMSA must be equipped with the necessary means for controlling safety and preventing pollution from offshore oil and gas installations, as decided in the new Regulation on the Financing of EMSA;
source: 537.285
2014/08/27
ENVI
14 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Recalls that the 2015 budget comes at a time of continued efforts by many Member States, often at the request of the Union, to bring their fiscal situations under strict control; believes therefore that it is more important than ever that the EU show solidarity with these Member States and agree budgets that enshrine as core principles efficiency, effectiveness and European added value;
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 13 13. Is aware that the 2015 Draft Budget indicates a Commission subsidy of 5,5 million to European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) for activities in the area of biocides and PIC (legislation on import and export of dangerous chemicals) based on an assumption of 3.25 million of fees received from the industry by the Agency. Invites the Commission to ensure that sufficient resources are made available in case of shortage in fees appropriations for 2015; asks the interinstitutional working group on agencies to look into clear and transparent rules on the financing of agencies;
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 14 14. Notes, that the contribution to the European Medicines Agency for 2015, as requested by the Agency and as adopted by the Commission amounts to
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 14 14. Notes, that the contribution to the European Medicines Agency for 2015, as requested by the Agency and as adopted by the Commission amounts to
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 16 Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 16 a (new) 16a. Points out the alarming situation in the Baltic Sea that stems from the specific nature and shallowness of it; stresses that measures to enhance the situation of Europe's most polluted sea have to be efficient and on a long-term basis and that continued support for these measures be given under the appropriate budget line.
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Recalls the recent agreement on the 2014-2020 multiannual financial framework (MFF), which defines the main parameters for the annual budgets until 2020;
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Recalls the recent agreement on the 2014-2020 multiannual financial framework (MFF), which defines the main parameters for the annual budgets until 2020; expects that the Council will not attempt to impose restricted interpretations of specific provisions, underlines the fact that each annual budget must be in line with Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/20131 and with the Interinstitutional Agreement of 2 December 2013 on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management2
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Recalls the recent agreement on the 2014-2020 multiannual financial framework (MFF) including new flexibility instruments, which defines the main parameters for the annual budgets until 2020; expects that the Council will not attempt to impose restricted interpretations of specific provisions
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Emphasises that, as the second year of the new MFF, 2015 will be important for the successful implementation of the new 2014-2020 multiannual programmes; underlines the fact that, in order not to hamper the implementation of key EU policies, all programmes need to be
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 a (new) 3a. Notes that fiscal tightening is likely to result in scarcity of budgetary resources for the year in 2015, in this regard, expresses its willingness to identify both positive and negative priorities that, while allowing for fiscal consolidation, will foster sustainable growth;
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 9.
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Recalls that Horizon 2020 will contribute to objectives in the remit of this committee with research projects in the areas of climate, health, environment and in particular the production of renewable energy through innovative solutions; affirms its commitment to monitor the alignment of the projects with the corresponding objectives and the progress of the implementation;
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 12 12. Points out that, the management of grants, a major part of the LIFE programme, will be delegated to the Executive Agency for Small and Medium- sized Enterprises (EASME), notes that the externalisation of this part of the LIFE programme (+/- EUR 206 million) is the object of a Memorandum of Understanding with EASME which is in the final stage of negotiation; welcomes this contribution increase of 61.36% from LIFE to the EASME that promotes entrepreneurship and innovation in environment related fields; underlines that once the Memorandum will be signed the corresponding operational appropriations will be delegated to the Agency;
source: 537.188
2014/08/28
LIBE
21 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Takes into account the decrease of 1,9% in commitments in Heading 3 on security and Citizenship compared to the 2014 budget, mostly due to the end of the Schengen Facility for Croatia, in accordance with its Treaty of Accession and welcomes the increase of 12,2% in payments, which will contribute to ensure that payment appropriations are sufficient to implement the policies in this area; notes, however, that the commitment appropriations in the titles Home Affairs and Justice increase by 3,27% and payment appropriations by more than 57% compared to 2014; regrets that the budget allocations for asylum, migration and integration policies and for the Justice, fundamental rights and citizenship sector increase very slightly and are not in line with the challenges the Union and the Member States are facing in order to meet the increasing number of asylum seekers and refugees, the Union objectives regarding legal migration and integration of migrants, the promotion of the rule of law and the respect for fundamental rights and freedoms and access to and exercise of the rights of residents within the area of freedom, security and justice;
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Stresses the importance of an adequate EU budget in the field of asylum and migration to face the current situation affecting in particular Southern Member States and calls for a clear commitment of all Union partners in that direction;
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5.
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5.
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Welcomes the Commission's proposal to increase Europol’s annual budget; considers that the Agency's establishment plan should be adjusted to allow it to recruit additional personnel, in particular cybercrime experts, criminal analysts and IT experts so that the EC3 and Europol ICT capabilities can keep up with the rising demand for support in the fight against cybercrime and serious international crime and terrorism; asks to consider again the opportunity of merging Europol and CEPOL in order to improve the cost efficiency and effectiveness of both Agencies;
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Welcomes the Commission's proposal to increase Europol’s annual budget; considers that the Agency's establishment plan should be adjusted to allow it to recruit additional temporary personnel, in particular cybercrime experts, criminal analysts and
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6.
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Supports the increase of the budget of eu.LISA in order to
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6.
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Questions the existence of the budget line "Setting up new IT systems to support the management of migration flows across the external borders of the Union" even though the "Smart Borders" package has yet to be adopted by the co- legislators; underlines that no specific funding has been allocated to that budget line since its creation; calls on the Commission to establish budget lines for such actions only after the co-legislators have approved those actions through the appropriate legislative act;
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Is disappointed by the decrease of the budget dedicated to EMCDDA as the Centre will have to deal with the possible adoption of the Regulation on new psychoactive substances (2013/0305 (COD)), which provides for additional tasks for the Centre;
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Recalls that the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice entered into a new phase following the adoption of the strategic guidelines at the European Council of 26-27 June 2014; underlines that the implementation of the guidelines could entail, in some very specific areas, the need to reinforce the financial means allocated to those areas; underlines that, in this event, the already allocated resources should not be put under pressure and expects the Commission to bring forward concrete proposals if a financial reinforcement is needed during 2015;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Recalls that the fair and transparent distribution of funding between the different objectives of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund was a priority for Parliament during negotiations leading to the adoption of that fund; calls on the Commission accordingly to increase the number of budget lines under the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund to facilitate a better readability and transparency of how the financial resources allocated to the different objectives and thus to those budgetary lines will be spent; calls, in particular, on the Commission to separate expenditure on enhancing fair and effective return strategies from expenditure on legal migration and promoting the effective integration of third-country nationals in all future draft budgets;
Amendment 21 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 b (new) 6b. Deplores that the Commission still has not provided sufficient evidence to implement the European Public Prosecutor's Office at Eurojust with no additional means; insists that every additional task of an Agency must be reflected in its budget;
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Doubts that the increased budget of the EASO will be sufficient
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3.
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3.
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 a (new) 3a. Notes the very low budget increase of FRA; underlines that this increase is insufficient to take into account the extension of its competences and the degradation of the situation of fundamental rights and freedoms in the Union and the Member States;
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 b (new) 3b. Welcomes the increase of the budget lines "Ensuring the protection of rights and empowering citizens" and "Promoting non-discrimination and equality", implementing the programme Rights, Equality and Citizenship 2014 - 2020; notes however that these appropriations are insufficient to meet the challenges the Union and the Members States are facing in order to respect, promote and facilitate the access to fundamental rights and freedoms of all Union residents;
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4.
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Is not entirely satisfied with the limited increase in the budget of Frontex as it must reinforce its operational assistance in particular to Member States facing strong pressure at the external borders and to increase its reactivity to rapid evolutions in migration flows; considers that Frontex should have additional staff and resources to fulfil its tasks and implement the EUROSUR system;
source: 537.309
2014/09/03
ITRE
26 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Is deeply concerned by the significant cuts in the Commission draft budget 2015 proposed by the Council notably in such key areas as innovation, research, infrastructures, SMEs and energy; firmly believes that, in order to leave the economic crisis behind as soon as possible, it is not the moment for decreasing EU investment in these areas, but it is rather the time for a significant and brave increase beyond the draft budget proposed by the Commission; considers the proposed cuts to be potentially detrimental to the EU’s competitiveness and growth; is concerned by the fact that already now considerable sums are missing in the EU budget for payments and the proposed cuts will aggravate the situation even further; emphasises that all appropriate measures should be taken in order to meet the Union’s legal obligations and avoid delays in payments to the important stakeholders such as researchers, universities and entrepreneurs; calls therefore for full restoration of the Commission draft budget in areas strategically important for competitiveness, growth and creation of jobs;
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Considers it essential, given that they make up 99% of the EU’s corporate fabric and account for 80% of jobs in the EU, to provide greater support to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in order to boost their competitiveness within a stable business environment, minimise the effect of dominant market positions occupied by large companies and conglomerates, encourage the culture of entrepreneurship, and help SMEs to be set up and to grow;
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 b (new) 1b. Calls for an increase in resources for budget headings providing subsidies for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives and for 40% of the amounts entered under those headings to be earmarked as direct support to promote solid growth and sustainable development of MSMEs and cooperatives in order to cope with rising production factor costs and keep pace with the evolving knowledge society and with development based on balanced economic growth, especially in Member States where the crisis has had a greater impact in terms of MSME closures;
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 c (new) 1c. Points to the importance of narrowing the gulf between entities considered to be excellent and those which are not, the object being to ensure that science and research can also be supported in institutes which, though not considered excellent, are progressing towards excellence or could be raised to that level in cooperation with others already considered to have attained it; believes that achieving a more even-handed share- out of Horizon 2020 appropriations is an aim that should continue to be pursued with a view to improving upon the status quo created under the earlier research framework programmes;
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Recalls that multiannual programmes such as Horizon 2020, COSME and CEF are crucial for achieving the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy and thus to securing a steady growth path for the EU; believes that proper functioning of the programmes is also essential for efficient absorption of funds from the whole MFF;
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Recalls that multiannual programmes such as Horizon 2020, COSME and CEF are crucial for achieving the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy and thus to securing a steady growth path for the EU; believes that proper functioning of the programmes is also essential for efficient absorption of funds from the whole MFF;
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Recalls that multiannual programmes such as Horizon 2020, COSME and CEF are crucial for achieving the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy and thus to securing a steady growth path for the EU; believes that proper functioning of the programmes is also essential for efficient absorption of funds from the whole MFF;
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Recalls that multiannual programmes such as Horizon 2020, COSME, CEF, and
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. Emphasises the role of SMEs innovation for driving EU economic recovery; expects the Commission to fulfil its legal and budgetary commitments with regard to the SME Instrument in Horizon 2020 and calls upon the Council to enable this by providing an appropriate budget; requests the Commission to establish as of 2016 an 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 18 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. Underlines the importance of key European space programmes such as Galileo and Copernicus as boosters for innovation, growth and competitiveness and future providers of daily services to the EU’s citizens; points to the great potential of the space sector for SMEs;
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Believes that the implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy, which is vital to achieving our climate goals whilst stimulating growth and jobs in the renewables and low-carbon technologies sectors, requires improved governance and closer coordination between the EU, the Member States and the regions; calls for the highest possible synergy between EU funds and financing instruments as well as between European and national expenditure;
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Is deeply concerned by the significant cuts in the Commission draft budget 2015 proposed by the Council notably in such key areas as innovation, research, infrastructures, SMEs and energy; notes that sums which had previously been agreed by Council in the MFF negotiations are now missing in the 2015 Budget and is concerned that such late changes to budget lines compromises the ability of EU programmes to adequately function; considers the proposed cuts to be potentially detrimental to the EU’s competitiveness and growth; is concerned by the fact that already now considerable sums are missing in the EU budget for payments and the proposed cuts will aggravate the situation even further; emphasises that all appropriate measures should be taken in order to meet the Union’s legal obligations and avoid delays in payments to the important stakeholders such as researchers, universities and entrepreneurs; calls therefore for full restoration of the Commission draft budget in areas strategically important for competitiveness, growth and creation of jobs;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Believes that the implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy requires improved governance and closer coordination between the EU, the Member States and the regions and consultation with representatives of industry and research- based bodies; calls for the highest possible synergy between EU funds and industry- relevant and flexible financing instruments as well as between European and national expenditure;
Amendment 21 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4.
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4.
Amendment 23 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4.
Amendment 24 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 a (new) Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Stresses the importance of investing sufficiently in cleaner energy and renewable technologies to help combat climate change which will also help to create new sustainable businesses and high-quality GDP employment opportunities;
Amendment 26 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Calls for appropriate funding for all relevant EU bodies which contribute to Europe’s competitiveness and growth, for example the European Institute of Innovation and Technology amongst others, as well as for executive agencies to enable them to properly fulfil the tasks assigned to them by the legislative authority.
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Is deeply concerned by the significant cuts in the Commission draft budget 2015 proposed by the Council notably in such
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Is deeply concerned by the significant cuts in the Commission draft budget 2015 proposed by the Council notably in such key areas as innovation, research, infrastructures, SMEs and energy; considers the proposed cuts to be potentially detrimental to the EU’s competitiveness and growth; is concerned by the fact that already now considerable sums are missing in the EU budget for
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Is deeply concerned by the significant cuts in the Commission draft budget 2015 proposed by the Council notably in such key areas as innovation, research, infrastructures, SMEs and energy; considers the proposed cuts to be potentially detrimental to the EU’s competitiveness and growth; is concerned by the fact that already now considerable sums are missing in the EU budget for payments and the proposed cuts will aggravate the situation even further; emphasises that all appropriate measures should be taken in order to meet the Union’s legal obligations and avoid delays in payments to the important stakeholders such as researchers, universities and entrepreneurs; calls therefore for full restoration of the Commission draft budget in areas strategically important for competitiveness, growth and creation of
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Is deeply concerned by the significant cuts in the Commission draft budget 2015 proposed by the Council notably in such key areas as innovation, including innovation of a social nature, research, infrastructures, SMEs and energy; considers the proposed cuts to be potentially detrimental to the EU’s competitiveness and growth; is concerned by the fact that already now considerable sums are missing in the EU budget for payments and the proposed cuts will aggravate the situation even further; emphasises that all appropriate measures should be taken in order to meet the Union’s legal obligations and avoid delays in payments to the important stakeholders such as researchers, universities and entrepreneurs; calls therefore for full restoration of the Commission draft budget in areas strategically important for competitiveness, growth and creation of jobs;
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Is deeply concerned by the significant cuts in the Commission draft budget 2015 proposed by the Council notably in such key areas as innovation, research, space, infrastructures, SMEs and energy; considers the proposed cuts to be potentially detrimental to the EU’s competitiveness and growth; is concerned by the fact that already now considerable sums are missing in the EU budget for payments and the proposed cuts will aggravate the situation even further; emphasises that all appropriate measures should be taken in order to meet the Union’s legal obligations and avoid delays in payments to the important stakeholders such as researchers, universities and entrepreneurs; calls therefore for full restoration of the Commission draft budget in areas strategically important for competitiveness, growth and creation of jobs;
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Is astonished that the Heads of State and Government keep announcing on every summit the importance of the EU budget in respect to growth and job creation, whereas at the same time the Council keeps cutting the EU budget in exactly these fields; reminds the Council that it was agreed during the MFF negotiations to frontload funds for a number of programmes; is convinced that the severe cuts in Heading 1a commitment and payment appropriations are oppositional to the compromise agreed upon in the MFF;
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 b (new) 1b. Is alarmed by the Council’s cut in Heading 1a of 1.85% in commitment appropriations and 8.57% in payment appropriations; finds this cut completely unacceptable since the margins of the MFF should be fully used to support the recovery of the economy and to pay all outstanding bills to the beneficiaries;
source: 537.330
2014/09/05
REGI
18 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Notes with concern that, while the proposed level of payment appropriations
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 a (new) 3a. Considers it necessary to allocate appropriate resources to tackle the challenge of depopulation and the gradual ageing of Europe, in keeping with Article 174 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and with a view to the EU’s own social and territorial cohesion, economic vitality and sustainability, and in order to preserve our social model;
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. 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 15 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. We propose that all funding lines, which are not benefitting the UK are scrapped. With the current level of over spending by this committee we will not support further projects that the people of the UK will not benefit from and cannot afford in this time of austerity.
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 a (new) 5a. Condemns mechanisms introduced by the new CPR such as the macroeconomic conditionalities and the performance reserve, which could punish local and regional authorities in a budgetary context they are not responsible for;
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 a (new) 5a. Asks the Commission what measures it intends to introduce in the future to prevent a permanent gap between commitment appropriations and payment appropriations, and thereby prevent regular payment backlogs.
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Is of the opinion that the amounts entered in the Draft Budget (DB) 2015 for heading 1b to cover the minimum needs and objectives of cohesion policy as set by the Union in the Treaty and in the policy legislative framework for 2014-2020
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Is of the opinion that the amounts entered in the Draft Budget (DB) 2015 for heading 1b to cover the minimum needs and objectives of cohesion policy as set by the Union in the Treaty and in the policy legislative framework for 2014-2020 are insufficient; in all the communications from the European Commission on the execution of payments for Structural Funds the Commission clearly reports a EUR 23.4 billion deficit on the appropriations to cohesion programmes;
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Is of the opinion that the people of the UK, as a net contributor to the EU can ill afford further contributions to these projects. When British people are forced to use foodbanks in increasing numbers and are seeing essential services cut.
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Notes with concern the clear statement of the 6th Cohesion Report that regional disparities widened in particular during the crisis years 2008-2011, meaning that efforts of cohesion policy will have to be significantly increased in order to reach the goals of economic, social and territorial cohesion as stipulated in Article 174 TFEU;
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 b (new) 1b. Notes that 2015 will be the second year of implementation of the new ESI funds cycle; underscores the need for sufficient commitment and payment appropriations in order to ensure that the programmes reach the intended number of beneficiaries and thus impact;
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Notes with concern the decrease in payment appropriations under heading 1b by 5,0% to EUR 51 601,9 million over 2014, while the so-called increase in commitment appropriations of +3,6% stems mainly from the proposed mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument in 2015 to address the situation of Cyprus; recalls that instruments such as the ESF, the ERDF, the Cohesion Fund or the Youth Employment Initiative are of particular importance during a crisis, and that the first victims of payment decrease are always the weaker stakeholders, such as Member States with budgetary constraints, local and regional authorities, outermost regions, SMEs, NGOs, social partners;
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. Is of the opinion that all payment appropriations are reduced to zero on any projects that do not directly benefit the UK. The tax payers of the UK do not wish to see their money redistributed in this way.
source: 537.328
2014/09/09
DEVE
8 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Calls for an increase in funding to humanitarian agencies in times of conflict; and in this line, urges greater budgetary support specifically to UNRWA in their commitment to address the Gaza crisis, helping to maintain a strong emphasis on refugee necessities, primarily medical intervention, basic utilities and education;
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5.
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5.
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5.
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6.
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Considers that
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Considers that certain cuts proposed by the Council are unacceptable
source: 537.360
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History
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2014-07-22T00:00:00
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2014-07-22T00:00:00
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2014-07-11T00:00:00
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2014-07-22T00:00:00
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2014-07-22T00:00:00
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2014-07-23T00:00:00
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2014-07-22T00:00:00
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The Council took note of the presentation by the Commission of its draft for the EU's general budget for 2015. It held an exchange of views. The Council asked the Permanent Representatives Committee to examine the draft, to enable it to establish its position. The Commission's draft provides for: · payments totalling EUR 142.1 billion (+ 4.9% compared with the 2014 budget) and · commitments amounting to EUR145.6 billion (+ 2.1%). On 18 February 2014, the Council set out its priorities for the 2015 budget. These will be used by the Italian presidency as the basis for negotiations with the European Parliament and the Commission later in the year. The Council is expected to adopt its position on the draft budget in September 2014, and the Parliament in late October. If their positions diverge, a three-week conciliation process will start on 28 October 2014. New
The Council took note of the presentation by the Commission of its draft for the EU's general budget for 2015. It held an exchange of views. The Council asked the Permanent Representatives Committee to examine the draft, to enable it to establish its position. The Commission's draft provides for:
On 18 February 2014, the Council set out its priorities for the 2015 budget. These will be used by the Italian presidency as the basis for negotiations with the European Parliament and the Commission later in the year. The Council is expected to adopt its position on the draft budget in September 2014, and the Parliament in late October. If their positions diverge, a three-week conciliation process will start on 28 October 2014. |
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PURPOSE: to present the Commissions draft budget for the 2015 financial year (all sections). BACKGROUND: the draft budget (DB) for 2015 is the first one to be prepared with the full budgetary framework as foreseen by the Lisbon Treaty. However, it is facing the reality of scarce resources as reflected in low annual ceilings under the multiannual financial framework (MFF). The key priority for 2015 will be to ensure that the EU budget is provided with the required means so that it can fully deliver its reinforced contribution to growth and jobs and to providing solidarity between Member States and regions. The draft budget 2015 will focus on those measures that make a tangible difference to European citizens lives by targeting support to employment, businesses, education and research, while proposing the ways to contain the increasing amounts of unpaid payment claims due to insufficient financial resources in recent years. CONTENT: the 2015 budget, although it has reduced resources, is mainly designed to help Europe to recover from the crisis. The budget in a nutshell: the 2015 draft budget reflects the political priorities set in the new programmes falling within the 2014-2020 MFF and includes all the necessary means to initiate their implementation. At the same time, the 2007-2013 programmes need to be brought progressively to a successful closure, for which an adequate level of payment appropriations is necessary, to meet obligations vis-à-vis the beneficiaries of EU funding. With regard to the figures: · the overall ceiling for commitment appropriations (CA) is set at EUR 146 483 million, which represents 1.05 % of EU gross national income (GNI), · the ceiling for payment appropriations (PA) is EUR 141 901 million, or 1.02 % of GNI. The years main budget priorities: · recovery, growth and jobs: here, the emphasis is on innovation and reform in order to create jobs and strengthen growth potential. Initiatives such as the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) or the improvement of access to funding for SMEs (COSME programme) should help develop skills, training and employability and reinforce research and innovation with the aim of creating leverage effects at EU level; · strengthening the EUs responsiveness: In the light of recent international developments and the ensuing discussions in the EU, it is clear that strengthening the EUs energy security also requires special attention. Relevant means and actions to put in place projects of common interest and measures to develop interconnections are included in this budget proposal (CEF-Energy programme); measures are also foreseen to assist Ukraine; · fulfilling the EUs obligations: against the backdrop of high, and steadily growing, implementation levels and payment shortages in recent years, culminating in a EUR 11.2 billion reinforcement of payments in the course of 2013, the Commission proposed to make use of the flexibility provided for in the MFF Regulation, by requesting the full mobilisation of the Contingency Margin for payments (EUR 4 billion) in 2014, on top of the use of the unallocated margin still available under the payment ceiling for the year (EUR 711 million). This sum of EUR 4.7 billion is essential to allow the Union to meet its legal obligations. The additional needs in 2014 largely stem from the high level of payment claims for Cohesion policy received from Member States that remained outstanding (EUR 23.4 billion) at the end of 2013. Payment needs in 2015 will remain at a similarly high level. That is why the Commission in its 2015 draft budget requests the full use of the 2015 payment ceiling (EUR 141.9 billion, + 1.4 % over the 2014 budget as modified by draft amending budgets). This sum is EUR 2 billion below the level of the executed budget in 2013. At this stage of the procedure, the Commission does not propose to mobilise the Contingency Margin for payments in 2015, but further action in this respect may be required in the course of 2015; · showing administrative restraint: the Commission proposes for the third consecutive year a 1% reduction of its staff levels in the 2015 DB, in order to implement the 5% staff reduction over five years which was agreed in the framework of the Staff Regulations Reform. For all institutions, administrative expenditure will on average be kept stable in real terms. MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BUDGET BY HEADING: the presentation that follows is structured by budget heading in the 2014-2020 multiannual financial framework: Heading 1: Smart and inclusive growth: this heading is subdivided into two sub-headings: · 1a Competitiveness for growth and jobs: commitment appropriations are set at EUR 17 447.4 million. This is an increase of 5,8 % compared to the 2014 budget, which is mostly due to Horizon 2020, the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and the large infrastructure projects ITER and Copernicus under this heading. This leaves a margin of EUR 218.6 million. Payment appropriations increase by 29.5% to EUR 15 582.6 million, in order to address the growing level of outstanding commitments and to allow the implementation of the new programmes; · 1 b Economic, social and territorial cohesion: commitment appropriations increase by 3.6% to EUR 49 226.8 million, leaving a margin of EUR 0.0 million. This is due to the additional structural funds foreseen for Cyprus, for which the Commission proposes the mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument. Within this heading, the frontloading of commitment and payment appropriations are foreseen to be continued for the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI, specific top-up allocation), amounting to EUR 1 407.2 million and EUR 600 million, respectively. Payment appropriations decrease by -5 % compared to the 2014 budget as modified by draft amending budgets, to EUR 51 601.9 million. This may stabilise the high level of outstanding commitments for Cohesion Policy, with substantial parts of 2015 payment appropriations to be used to satisfy claims accumulated at the end of 2014, but will in all likelihood not be sufficient for a notable reduction of this backlog of unpaid payment claims at year-end. Heading 2: Sustainable growth: natural resources: commitment appropriations of EUR 59.254 billion are proposed for heading 2. This level of expenditure represents a stabilisation at the level of the 2014 budget (0.0 %) and leaves a margin of EUR 345.3 million under the ceiling. Payment appropriations amount to EUR 56 907.3 million, with an increase of 0.6 % compared to 2014. A margin under the sub-ceiling for market measures and direct aids amounting to EUR 286.0 million is left. For rural development, payment appropriations decrease by -0.5 % compared to the 2014. For this heading likewise, the level of payment appropriations is unlikely to be sufficient to reduce the expected backlog of unpaid payment claims at the end of 2014. Heading 3: Security and citizenship: this heading sees a decrease in commitment appropriations of -1.9 % to EUR 2 130.7 million, leaving a margin of EUR 115.3 million. Payment appropriations increase by 12.2 % to EUR 1 881.2 million, which is due to the start-up of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and the Internal Security Fund. Heading 4: Global Europe: this heading sees a decrease in commitment appropriations of 1.1 % to EUR 8 413.1 million, leaving an unallocated margin of EUR 335,9 million available under the ceiling. Payment appropriations increase by 7.1 % to EUR 7 327 million, mostly to take account of the rapidly growing level of outstanding commitments under this heading. Heading 5: Administration (expenditure of the European institutions and staff): Commitment and payment appropriations for all institutions combined including pensions and European schools increase by 2.5 %, with commitments set at EUR 8 612.2 million. The corresponding increase (+ 1.5 %) includes additional administrative expenditure related to Croatias accession, amounting to EUR 13.2 million for the Commission. Taking into account the changes made by the Commission to better align the draft estimates of expenditure for the Council, the Court of Justice and the Committee of the Regions to the expected level of inflation in 2015, the requested expenditure for the institutions leaves a margin of EUR 457.9 million under the sub-ceiling for administrative expenditure of the institutions (excluding pensions and European schools). This reflects the continued efforts of the Commission and the other institutions to limit their own administrative expenditure through the reduction in staffing levels and other savings, in line with the reduction of staff levels in all EU institutions and bodies by 5 % over five years. Heading 6: Compensations: lastly, in accordance with Croatias Accession Treaty, commitments and payments for Compensations are no longer foreseen in 2015. New
PURPOSE: to present the Commissions draft budget for the 2015 financial year (all sections). BACKGROUND: the draft budget (DB) for 2015 is the first one to be prepared with the full budgetary framework as foreseen by the Lisbon Treaty. However, it is facing the reality of scarce resources as reflected in low annual ceilings under the multiannual financial framework (MFF). The key priority for 2015 will be to ensure that the EU budget is provided with the required means so that it can fully deliver its reinforced contribution to growth and jobs and to providing solidarity between Member States and regions. The draft budget 2015 will focus on those measures that make a tangible difference to European citizens lives by targeting support to employment, businesses, education and research, while proposing the ways to contain the increasing amounts of unpaid payment claims due to insufficient financial resources in recent years. CONTENT: the 2015 budget, although it has reduced resources, is mainly designed to help Europe to recover from the crisis. The budget in a nutshell: the 2015 draft budget reflects the political priorities set in the new programmes falling within the 2014-2020 MFF and includes all the necessary means to initiate their implementation. At the same time, the 2007-2013 programmes need to be brought progressively to a successful closure, for which an adequate level of payment appropriations is necessary, to meet obligations vis-à-vis the beneficiaries of EU funding. With regard to the figures: · the overall ceiling for commitment appropriations (CA) is set at EUR 146 483 million, which represents 1.05 % of EU gross national income (GNI), · the ceiling for payment appropriations (PA) is EUR 141 901 million, or 1.02 % of GNI. The years main budget priorities: · recovery, growth and jobs: here, the emphasis is on innovation and reform in order to create jobs and strengthen growth potential. Initiatives such as the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) or the improvement of access to funding for SMEs (COSME programme) should help develop skills, training and employability and reinforce research and innovation with the aim of creating leverage effects at EU level; · strengthening the EUs responsiveness: In the light of recent international developments and the ensuing discussions in the EU, it is clear that strengthening the EUs energy security also requires special attention. Relevant means and actions to put in place projects of common interest and measures to develop interconnections are included in this budget proposal (CEF-Energy programme); measures are also foreseen to assist Ukraine; · fulfilling the EUs obligations: against the backdrop of high, and steadily growing, implementation levels and payment shortages in recent years, culminating in a EUR 11.2 billion reinforcement of payments in the course of 2013, the Commission proposed to make use of the flexibility provided for in the MFF Regulation, by requesting the full mobilisation of the Contingency Margin for payments (EUR 4 billion) in 2014, on top of the use of the unallocated margin still available under the payment ceiling for the year (EUR 711 million) please refer to the summary of amending budget No 3/2014. This sum of EUR 4.7 billion is essential to allow the Union to meet its legal obligations. The additional needs in 2014 largely stem from the high level of payment claims for Cohesion policy received from Member States that remained outstanding (EUR 23.4 billion) at the end of 2013. Payment needs in 2015 will remain at a similarly high level. That is why the Commission in its 2015 draft budget requests the full use of the 2015 payment ceiling (EUR 141.9 billion, + 1.4 % over the 2014 budget as modified by draft amending budgets). This sum is EUR 2 billion below the level of the executed budget in 2013. At this stage of the procedure, the Commission does not propose to mobilise the Contingency Margin for payments in 2015, but further action in this respect may be required in the course of 2015; · showing administrative restraint: the Commission proposes for the third consecutive year a 1% reduction of its staff levels in the 2015 DB, in order to implement the 5% staff reduction over five years which was agreed in the framework of the Staff Regulations Reform. For all institutions, administrative expenditure will on average be kept stable in real terms. MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BUDGET BY HEADING: the presentation that follows is structured by budget heading in the 2014-2020 multiannual financial framework: Heading 1: Smart and inclusive growth: this heading is subdivided into two sub-headings: · 1a Competitiveness for growth and jobs: commitment appropriations are set at EUR 17 447.4 million. This is an increase of 5,8 % compared to the 2014 budget, which is mostly due to Horizon 2020, the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and the large infrastructure projects ITER and Copernicus under this heading. This leaves a margin of EUR 218.6 million. Payment appropriations increase by 29.5% to EUR 15 582.6 million, in order to address the growing level of outstanding commitments and to allow the implementation of the new programmes; · 1 b Economic, social and territorial cohesion: commitment appropriations increase by 3.6% to EUR 49 226.8 million, leaving a margin of EUR 0.0 million. This is due to the additional structural funds foreseen for Cyprus, for which the Commission proposes the mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument. Within this heading, the frontloading of commitment and payment appropriations are foreseen to be continued for the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI, specific top-up allocation), amounting to EUR 1 407.2 million and EUR 600 million, respectively. Payment appropriations decrease by -5 % compared to the 2014 budget as modified by draft amending budgets, to EUR 51 601.9 million. This may stabilise the high level of outstanding commitments for Cohesion Policy, with substantial parts of 2015 payment appropriations to be used to satisfy claims accumulated at the end of 2014, but will in all likelihood not be sufficient for a notable reduction of this backlog of unpaid payment claims at year-end. Heading 2: Sustainable growth: natural resources: commitment appropriations of EUR 59.254 billion are proposed for heading 2. This level of expenditure represents a stabilisation at the level of the 2014 budget (0.0 %) and leaves a margin of EUR 345.3 million under the ceiling. Payment appropriations amount to EUR 56 907.3 million, with an increase of 0.6 % compared to 2014. A margin under the sub-ceiling for market measures and direct aids amounting to EUR 286.0 million is left. For rural development, payment appropriations decrease by -0.5 % compared to the 2014. For this heading likewise, the level of payment appropriations is unlikely to be sufficient to reduce the expected backlog of unpaid payment claims at the end of 2014. Heading 3: Security and citizenship: this heading sees a decrease in commitment appropriations of -1.9 % to EUR 2 130.7 million, leaving a margin of EUR 115.3 million. Payment appropriations increase by 12.2 % to EUR 1 881.2 million, which is due to the start-up of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and the Internal Security Fund. Heading 4: Global Europe: this heading sees a decrease in commitment appropriations of 1.1 % to EUR 8 413.1 million, leaving an unallocated margin of EUR 335.9 million available under the ceiling. Payment appropriations increase by 7.1 % to EUR 7 327 million, mostly to take account of the rapidly growing level of outstanding commitments under this heading. Heading 5: Administration (expenditure of the European institutions and staff): Commitment and payment appropriations for all institutions combined including pensions and European schools increase by 2.5 %, with commitments set at EUR 8 612.2 million. The corresponding increase (+ 1.5 %) includes additional administrative expenditure related to Croatias accession, amounting to EUR 13.2 million for the Commission. Taking into account the changes made by the Commission to better align the draft estimates of expenditure for the Council, the Court of Justice and the Committee of the Regions to the expected level of inflation in 2015, the requested expenditure for the institutions leaves a margin of EUR 457.9 million under the sub-ceiling for administrative expenditure of the institutions (excluding pensions and European schools). This reflects the continued efforts of the Commission and the other institutions to limit their own administrative expenditure through the reduction in staffing levels and other savings, in line with the reduction of staff levels in all EU institutions and bodies by 5 % over five years. Heading 6: Compensations: lastly, in accordance with Croatias Accession Treaty, commitments and payments for Compensations are no longer foreseen in 2015. |
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2014-07-16T00:00:00
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committees/8/date |
2014-07-22T00:00:00
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committees/1/date |
2014-07-15T00:00:00
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2014-07-15T00:00:00
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committees/5/date |
2014-07-14T00:00:00
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committees/15/date |
2014-07-22T00:00:00
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2014-07-10T00:00:00
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2014-07-07T00:00:00
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2014-07-15T00:00:00
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committees/7/rapporteur |
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