Procedure completed
2014/2221(INI) European semester for economic policy coordination: annual growth survey 2015
Lead committee dossier: ECON/8/01999
Legal Basis RoP 052
| Role | Committee | Rapporteur | Shadows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opinion | BUDG | ARTHUIS Jean (ALDE) | |
| Lead | ECON | ROSATI Dariusz (EPP) | SANT Alfred (S&D), TERHO Sampo (ECR), TORVALDS Nils (ALDE), VIEGAS Miguel (GUE/NGL), URTASUN Ernest (Verts/ALE), VALLI Marco (EFD) |
| Opinion | ENVI | GRAMMATIKAKIS Giorgos (S&D) |
Legal Basis RoP 052
Subjects
Activites
-
2015/03/11
Results of vote in Parliament
- Results of vote in Parliament
- Debate in Parliament
-
T8-0067/2015
summary
The European Parliament adopted by 437 votes to 249, with 11 abstentions, a resolution on the European Semester for economic policy coordination: Annual Growth Survey 2015. Recalling that economic recovery in the EU slowed down considerably in the course of 2014, Parliament continued to support the three main pillars approach as the right way to achieve higher growth levels and to strengthen the recovery process: 1. boosting investment, 2. accelerating structural reforms, 3. pursuing responsible growth-friendly fiscal consolidation This approach should be fully incorporated into the upcoming country-specific recommendations (CSRs). Parliament supported the Commission’s suggestions for improving the European Semester by streamlining existing procedures, including its timetable, and increasing the involvement of national parliaments, with a view to strengthening national ownership of structural reforms. Boosting competitiveness: Parliament expressed concern that most Member States are still losing market shares globally. Therefore, the resolution stated that the EU economy as a whole needs to boost its competitiveness further in the global economy, particularly by increasing competition in the product and services markets in order to enhance innovation-driven efficiency. Investment and cutting back on expenditure: Parliament stated that the lack of investment is caused by low confidence, subdued expectations of demand aggravated by austerity measures seeking to correct overspending, lack of appropriate financing capacity and the fact that in many cases the Member States and the EU fail to take proper action to cope with these factors. It stressed that the investment gap can be bridged by targeted public investments and significantly higher levels of investments in private companies and in European businesses. Members stressed that Member States should cut back on current expenditure rather than reducing investment commitments and they called for reforms facilitating a new entrepreneurial climate. As regards the Investment Plan for Europe, Parliament stated that it should focus in the first place on projects with a European added value which are not yet eligible for banking finance. Concerned about the lack of progress in reducing excessive private debt levels, it pointed out that this is not only a concern for financial stability, as it also limits the EU’s growth potential and makes the ECB’s monetary policy less effective. Further proposals are called for on the preparation of effective procedures for private sector deleveraging, including bankruptcy and insolvency procedures. Structural reforms: the resolution emphasised that a more relaxed ECB monetary policy should be complemented by ambitious and socially sustainable structural reforms by the Member States. It also called on the Member States to safeguard and enhance the inclusiveness, sustainability and fairness of social protection and to improve and streamline the legal and administrative environment for business investment. Urgent action should be taken by the Commission to fight tax fraud and tax evasion. Parliament stressed that reducing the EU’s dependence on external energy sources must form part of its growth strategy. It reiterated, therefore, the need to diversify external energy supplies, to upgrade the EU’s energy infrastructure and to complete the EU internal energy market as key priorities of the EU energy security strategy. Fiscal responsibility: Parliament welcomed the strong decrease in the number of countries under the excessive deficit procedure – down to 11 in 2014 from 24 in 2011. The fiscal stance in the EU is now expected to remain broadly neutral in 2015. It stressed the need to continue to pursue growth-friendly fiscal consolidation and invited Member States with sufficient fiscal space to consider reducing taxes and social security contributions with a view to stimulating private investment and job creation. Democratic accountability: Parliament called on the Commission to make the necessary proposals to address the lack of proper democratic accountability in EU economic governance. It considered it vital that the European Parliament and the national parliaments collaborate more closely in the context of the European Semester on economic and budgetary governance. In this context, it deplored the fact that the amount of unpaid bills in the EU budget undermines the credibility of the EU. The resolution also highlighted the urgent need to effectively tackle the tax fraud which is potentially depriving the EU budget of substantial resources and called on the Commission to submit an analysis of the possible impact of redeploying funds from EU programmes such as the Connecting Europe Facility and Horizon 2020.
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2015/03/02
Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
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A8-0037/2015
summary
The Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs adopted the own-initiative report by Dariusz ROSATI (EPP, PL) on the European Semester for economic policy coordination: Annual Growth Survey 2015. The Committee on Budgets, exercising its prerogatives as an associated committee under Parliament’s Rule 54 of the Rules of Procedure was consulted to give an opinion on the report. Recalling that economic recovery in the EU slowed down considerably in the course of 2014, Members continued to support the three main pillars approach as the right way to achieve higher growth levels and to strengthen the recovery process: 1. boosting investment, 2. accelerating structural reforms, 3. pursuing responsible growth-friendly fiscal consolidation This approach should be fully incorporated into the upcoming country-specific recommendations (CSRs). Members supported the Commission’s suggestions for improving the European Semester by streamlining existing procedures, including its timetable, and increasing the involvement of national parliaments, with a view to strengthening national ownership of structural reforms. Boosting competitiveness: Members expressed concern that most Member States are still losing market shares globally. Therefore, they stated that the EU economy as a whole needs to boost its competitiveness further in the global economy, particularly by increasing competition in the product and services markets in order to enhance innovation-driven efficiency. Investment and cutting back on expenditure: the report stressed that Member States, when having to manage their expenditure according to the requirements of the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP), should cut back on current expenditure rather than reducing investment commitments. Member called for reforms facilitating a new entrepreneurial climate. As regards the Investment Plan for Europe, Members stated that it should focus in the first place on projects with a European added value which are not yet eligible for banking finance. Concerned about the lack of progress in reducing excessive private debt levels, Members pointed out that this is not only a concern for financial stability, as it also limits the EU’s growth potential and makes the ECB’s monetary policy less effective. Further proposals are called for on the preparation of effective procedures for private sector deleveraging, including bankruptcy and insolvency procedures. Structural reforms: Members emphasised that a more relaxed ECB monetary policy should be complemented by ambitious and socially sustainable structural reforms by the Member States. They also called on the Member States to safeguard and enhance the inclusiveness, sustainability and fairness of social protection and to improve and streamline the legal and administrative environment for business investment. Urgent action should be taken by the Commission to fight tax fraud and tax evasion. Members reiterated their call on the Commission to improve the governance of the single market. On the other hand, they considered it deplorable that the Single Market Integration report has been omitted for 2015. Fiscal responsibility: Members welcomed the strong decrease in the number of countries under the excessive deficit procedure – down to 11 in 2014 from 24 in 2011. The fiscal stance in the EU is now expected to remain broadly neutral in 2015. They stressed the need to continue to pursue growth-friendly fiscal consolidation and invited Member States with sufficient fiscal space to consider reducing taxes and social security contributions with a view to stimulating private investment and job creation. Democratic accountability: Members called on the Commission to make the necessary proposals to address the lack of proper democratic accountability in EU economic governance. They considered it vital that the European Parliament and the national parliaments collaborate more closely in the context of the European Semester on economic and budgetary governance. In this context, they deplored the fact that the amount of unpaid bills in the EU budget undermines the credibility of the EU.
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A8-0037/2015
summary
-
2015/02/24
Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
- #3370
-
2015/02/17
Council Meeting
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2014/12/17
Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
- #3362
- 2014/12/16 Council Meeting
- #3356
- 2014/12/09 Council Meeting
Documents
- Debate in Council: 3356
- Debate in Council: 3362
- Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading: A8-0037/2015
- Results of vote in Parliament: Results of vote in Parliament
- Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
- Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T8-0067/2015
| Amendments | Dossier |
| 330 |
2014/2221(INI)
2014/12/10
ENVI
40 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Stresses the fact that moving towards a truly sustainable economy will help contribute to
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Stresses the fact that without stronger investment the Union will fail to achieve its Europe 2020 targets for sustainable growth and its 2030 climate and energy targets; calls, therefore, on the Commission to orient the new investment package towards investments which contribute to sustainable development and resource efficiency by promoting the latest technologies;
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 a (new) 3 a. Notes that, according to the European Commission Energy Roadmap 2050, decarbonising our energy system would cost 260 billion euros anually and would generate savings of obove 310 billion euros;
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 b (new) 3 b. Acknowledges that energy is an important factor for economic competitiveness. Stresses the need to eliminate barriers to the single energy market, promoting energy independence. Asks the Commission to assess progress in this domain both at European and national level supporting measures to tackle fragmentation and implementation difficulties;
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 c (new) 3 c. Stresses that investments in renewable energy production, energy distribution and deep renovation of buildings present high labor intensity and will therefore contribute significantly to tackling unemployment, while shielding European growth from future energy imports and energy price fluctuations;
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 d (new) 3 d. Recalls the targets of the EU2020 strategy on renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions. Stresses the need to promote an interconnected infrastructure and a closer integration with the transport sector as a cost- efficient manner to deploy sustainable power generation technologies.
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 e (new) 3 e. Stresses that reducing the EU's dependence on external energy sources must be part of the EU's growth strategy; reiterates therefore the need to diversify external energy supplies, to upgrade EU's energy infrastructure and to complete the EU internal energy market as key priorities of EU energy security strategy;
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Stresses the fact that national policies which are coordinated under the European Semester procedure must be consistent with the European sustainable development strategy;
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Stresses the fact that national policies which are coordinated under the European Semester procedure must be consistent with the European sustainable development strategy;
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Stresses the fact that national policies
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Stresses the fact that national policies which are coordinated under the European Semester procedure must be consistent with the European sustainable development strategy; reiterates, therefore, the need to phase out
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Stresses the fact that moving towards a truly sustainable economy and that the greening of EU economies and putting at equal stand the Europe 2020 targets will contribute to achieving the Union’s environmental goals, to restoring the European economy’s competitive edge and to creating quality jobs; deplores the fact that the lack of a European strategy for sustainable development during the crisis has kept growth in the EU well below its potential;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Stresses the fact that national policies which are coordinated under the European Semester procedure must be consistent with the European sustainable development strategy; reiterates, therefore, the need to
Amendment 21 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 a (new) 4 a. Calls on the Commission to assess the potential of green jobs creation within the framework of EU's climate and environment policies and set indicative employment targets for each Member State;
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 b (new) 4 b. Highlights the need for reforms in educational systems to enable coming generations to prepare for the needs of future growth labour markets, such as green technologies and health care;
Amendment 23 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5.
Amendment 24 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Stresses the importance of achieving full implementation for the current waste framework and the need to agree on a new ambitious waste policy at EU level in order to boost green growth and create jobs; underlines the crucial and cross-cutting importance of the Circular Economy Package covering numerous policy areas which will be a key driving force for the transition to sustainable economic growth and job creation; calls on the Commission to refrain from withdrawing the proposal for the review of the EU’s waste policy;
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 a (new) 5 a. Stresses the fact that the efficient use of resources, reducing foreign energy dependence and the induction of production patterns and more sustainable consumption patterns, involves promoting entrepreneurship and job creation with the efficient implementation of international targets and objectives as well diversification of revenue sources, in a context of fiscal neutrality and economic competitiveness;
Amendment 26 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 b (new) 5 b. Emphasises that in order that the Member States boost their employment by exploiting the employment potential of the green economy, action in required on three main fronts: boosting labour demand in eco-industries through adequate levels of investments, anticipating and managing skills needs in both green and greening sectors, and ensuring job quality for high-, medium-, and low-skill occupations; from the point of view of labour market policy, enhanced attention should be dedicated to devising adequate training programmes to tackle specific skill shortages, and to considering the dynamic interaction between skills supply and age structure of the workforce in green and traditional industries;
Amendment 27 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 Amendment 28 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 Amendment 29 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6.
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Stresses that the European Semester debate is of particular importance to the need to find a new model of development of structural reforms and selective investments, investing in strategic areas;
Amendment 30 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Underlines the fact that the European Semester should be a tool for safeguarding high quality and efficiency in national health systems
Amendment 31 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Underlines the fact that the European Semester should be a tool for safeguarding high quality and high efficiency in national health systems.
Amendment 32 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Underlines the fact that the European Semester should be a tool for safeguarding high quality and efficiency in national health systems
Amendment 33 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 a (new) 6 a. Recognises that health is a value in itself and a prerequisite for economic growth and that investing in health contributes to better health, economic prosperity and social cohesion;
Amendment 34 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 b (new) 6 b. Underlines the fact that ensuring equal access to health care contributes to social cohesion, to social justice, to tackle social exclusion and it contributes to a sustainable development as it adds to intergenerational solidarity and can correct negative population health externalities;
Amendment 35 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 c (new) 6 c. Welcomes measures that make the European Semester process more effective and democratic. Acknowledges that the implementation record is better in the area of public finance where surveillance tools are stronger. Calls for a balanced integration with employment and socio- economic indicators that enable a more effective response to the divergence between some Member States regarding employment and their socio-economic situation as demonstrated in the accompanying Joint Employment Report to the Annual Growth Survey 2015;
Amendment 36 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 d (new) 6 d. recognizes that effective healthcare systems are directly linked to economic growth, contribute to healthy workforce and job opportunities in the Member States, and that weaker healthcare systems result in migration within the EU and slow overall economic growth;
Amendment 37 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 e (new) 6 e. Stresses the importance of the sustainability of the healthcare sector which plays an important role in the overall economy as it accounts for 8% of the total European workforce and for 10% of GDP in the European Union; for being able to provide equal access to healthcare services for the citizens, as health is an essential factor of stability, sustainability and further development of Member States and their economy;
Amendment 38 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 f (new) 6 f. Urges the Commission to better take account in the European Semester of the targets of the EU 2020 strategy concerning employment, R&D, climate change and energy sustainability, education and poverty and social exclusion, assessing progress towards a more sustainable society and proposing measures to reach those goals in a more effective and timely manner;
Amendment 39 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 g (new) 6 g. Underlines that the European semester should be a tool for achieving commitment from Member States to strengthen their healthcare systems to ensure high quality, accessible and equitable healthcare for all citizens
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 b (new) 1 b. Underlines that the European Semester, introduced in 2010, is setting up a yearly cycle of economic policy coordination with a detailed analysis of EU Member States' plans of budgetary, macroeconomic and structural reforms in order to achieve the Europe 2020 targets for a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, amongst others in the field of climate change and energy, social exclusion and fighting poverty;
Amendment 40 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 h (new) 6 h. Calls both Member States and the European Commission, in this period of economic crisis, to avoid most damaging measures like short-term savings which will lead to high costs in the mid to long- term and instead to concentrate on further development of high-quality and high-efficiency health care systems.
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Calls on the Commission to consider incorporat
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 a (new) 2 a. Welcomes the Investment Plan for Europe as proposed by the Juncker Commission on 26 November 2014[1]. Stresses, however, that given the comparatively small volume of the funds to be mobilised, the generated resources may fall short of what is required to create the necessary economic dynamism; (1. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal- content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52014 DC0903&from=EN)
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 b (new) 2 b. Is concerned for the lack of clarity on how the proposed plan will prioritize areas fostering sustainable development, such as education, and infrastructures supporting research and innovation;
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Stresses the
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Stresses the fact that without stronger investment the Union will fail to achieve its Europe 2020 targets for sustainable growth and its 2030 climate and energy targets; calls, therefore, on the Commission
source: 544.343
2015/01/19
ECON
241 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 10 a (new) - having regard the Communication of the Communication of 28 November 2014 on the 'Annual Growth Survey 2015' (COM(2014) 902),
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A a (new) Aa. Whereas in the aftermath of the Financial Crisis the eurozone in particular stands out as an area of unsatisfactory growth while the rest of the world is recovering;
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Is still concerned about the lack of progress in reducing excessive private debt levels; points out that this is not only a concern for financial stability, as it also limits the EU’s growth potential and makes the ECB’s monetary policy less effective; calls on the Commission to make proposals for the preparation of effective procedures for private sector deleveraging, including bankruptcy and insolvency procedures, as the huge debt burden weighing on companies and households is one of the
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 a (new) 8a. Points out that the main problem in a number of Member States is that fragmentation of the financial markets results in a shortage of financing and increased financing costs, especially for SMEs;
Amendment 102 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 b (new) 8b. Considers that the EIB and the ECB could play a more active role in overcoming fragmentation so as to promote SME financing, entrepreneurship, exports, and innovation, all of which are vital for economic growth;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 a (new) 8a. Underlines the fact that the overall indebtedness of Member States in the euro area is not only an obstacle to growth but also puts a huge burden on future generations;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9.
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9.
Amendment 106 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9.
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9.
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9.
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Welcomes the ambitious structural reforms implemented by those Member States most affected by the crisis; welcomes as well the fact that those Member States that have successfully implemented adjustment programmes or financial sector programmes have been able to return to the capital markets, where they now access capital at low interest rates; deeply regrets the social cost of these efforts undertaken by the Member States. Is therefore convinced of the need of more flexibility in the future economic governance reforms.
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Welcomes the ambitious structural reforms implemented by those Member
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Welcomes the ambitious structural reforms implemented by those Member States most affected by the crisis; welcomes as well the fact that those Member States that have successfully implemented adjustment programmes or financial sector programmes have been able to return to the capital markets, where they now access capital at low interest rates; finds it regrettable that the Member States in the rest of the euro area are less ambitious in modernising their economies;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Welcomes the ambitious structural reforms – which also take account of social aspects – implemented by those Member States most affected by the crisis; welcomes as well the fact that those Member States that have successfully implemented adjustment programmes or financial sector programmes have been able to return to the capital markets, where they now access capital at low interest rates;
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Welcomes the ambitious structural reforms implemented by those Member States most affected by the crisis; welcomes as well the fact that after the announcement of the OMT program, some of those Member States that have successfully implemented adjustment programmes or financial sector programmes have been able to return to the capital markets, where they now access capital at low interest rates;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Welcomes the ambitious structural reforms implemented by those Member States most affected by the crisis; welcomes as well the fact that those Member States that have successfully implemented adjustment programmes or financial sector programmes have been able to return to the capital markets, where they now access capital at low interest rates; Points out, that important reason behind this return were the actions taken by ECB.
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Points out that Member States that have carried out significant structural reforms are now manifestly harvesting the fruits of their labour, being rewarded in the medium term by increased economic growth falling unemployment and greater confidence; notes that structural reforms are still necessary in a number of countries in order to achieve this objective;
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Deplores the fact that many Member States are failing to make the appropriate structural reforms; points out that even a single Member State can undermine the entire economy of the EU; insists, therefore, that each Member State has the responsibility to introduce structural reforms aimed at fiscal consolidation and economic recovery;
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Emphasises that a more relaxed European Central Bank monetary policy can never be a substitute for ambitious structural reforms by the Member States;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Underlines that those reforms are also causing a backlash with regards to gender equality as women lose jobs in the public sector, undermining years of progress towards women's integration in the labour market and that this contrary to the EU's own objectives, notably the 75% employment rate of women and men by 2020;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Calls on the Member States to
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas the investment level has fallen by EUR 470 billion since the peak of the crisis, and the investment gap is EUR 230- 370 billion compared to its long-term trends which clearly demonstrates the need to encourage consistent private and public-sector investment to support recovery and create jobs;
Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Calls on the Member States to
Amendment 121 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10.
Amendment 122 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Calls on the Member States to make their labour markets more efficient, to modernise social protection systems, including pensions, and to improve and streamline the legal and administrative environment for business investment;
Amendment 123 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Calls on the Member States to make their labour markets more efficient, to modernise social protection systems, including pensions, and to improve and streamline the legal and administrative environment for business investment; stresses that structural reforms need to be complemented by well-targeted, longer- term investments in education, research and development, innovation, infrastructure, industry, ICT and sustainable energy;
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Calls on the Member States to make their labour markets more efficient and geared towards job creation, to modernise social protection systems, including pensions, and to improve and streamline the legal and administrative environment for business investment; stresses that structural reforms need to be complemented by well-targeted, longer- term investments in education, research and development, innovation, infrastructure, ICT and sustainable energy;
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Calls on the Member States to continue the process of deep and sustainable structural reforms to make their labour markets more efficient, to modernise social protection systems, including pensions, and to improve and streamline the legal and administrative environment for business investment; stresses that structural reforms need to be complemented by well-targeted, longer-
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Calls on the Member States to make their labour markets more efficient without lowering wages and making the entire jobs market insecure, to modernise social protection systems, including pensions, and to improve and streamline the legal and administrative environment for business investment; stresses that structural reforms need to be complemented by well-targeted, longer-
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Calls on the Member States to make their labour markets more efficient, to modernise social protection systems, including pensions, and to improve and streamline the legal and administrative environment for business investment; stresses that structural reforms need to be complemented by well-targeted, longer- term investments in education, the social sectors, research and development, innovation, infrastructure, ICT and sustainable energy;
Amendment 128 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 a (new) 10a. Calls for rapid reforms regarding the development of broadband and Internet, a single telecom market, and leadership for speeds and capacity by pan-European services and a functioning digital market;
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 a (new) 10a. Notes that pensions are primarily a matter for the Member States and that efforts at European level should focus on Member States that have not yet introduced a sustainable system for their own citizens;
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas the investment level has fallen by EUR 470 billion since the peak of the crisis, and the investment gap on a conservative estimate is EUR 230-
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11. Stresses that the EU cannot in any way compete on cost
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11. Stresses that the EU cannot compete on costs alone, but needs to increase productivity through sustainable investment in research and development, education and skills, and resource efficiency, at national as well as European level; notes that the effectiveness of education policies is not only related to its relative spending, but also on the quality of the educational system, high rates of school leaving in some Member States show that there is a wide room for improvement.
Amendment 132 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11. Stresses that the EU cannot compete on costs alone, but needs to increase productivity through sustainable investment in research and development, education and skills including the prevention of early school drop-out, and resource efficiency, at national as well as European level;
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 a (new) 11a. Underlines that the Member States should pay particular attention to youth unemployment when making reforms in order not to deprive young people of their opportunities from the start;
Amendment 134 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 a (new) 11a. Underlines that leadership regarding productivity and the knowledge economy requires increased spending for research, development and science, calls on the Commission and on governments to give these priority in their budgets;
Amendment 135 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 a (new) 11a. European growth is dependent on innovations and resource efficiency as indicated in Europe 2020 strategy. To support the implementation of the growth target, resource efficiency should be added to the macroeconomic imbalances indicators.
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12.
Amendment 138 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Points out that EU financial assistance to certain Member States
Amendment 139 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Points out that EU financial assistance to
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas the investment level has fallen by around EUR 470 billion since the peak of the crisis, and the investment gap is estimated at around EUR 230-
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Points out that EU financial assistance to certain Member States, provided on terms combining solidarity with conditionality, has proved to be most successful when there was a strong ownership and commitment to reform; reminds the Commission and the Member States that they need to explore ways of bringing the financial assistance under the EU framework; calls therefore for the creation of a European Monetary Fund (EMF) on the basis of Union law, which would be subject to the Community method;
Amendment 141 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Points out that EU financial assistance to certain Member States, provided on terms
Amendment 142 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 a (new) 12a. Urges the Commission and the Member States, to incorporate financial assistance and the ad hoc system of the Troika into an improved legal structure compliant with the EU economic governance framework and community law, thereby guaranteeing democratic accountability; stresses the importance of ensuring the follow-up of the Troika reports adopted in March 2014 by the European Parliament in particular in view of recent economic developments; calls on the Commission to implement the conclusions of these reports;
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 b (new) 12b. Believes that the trend towards more skill-intensive and demanding jobs, high unemployment and weak employment demand may increase. Therefore, matching skills supply and demand better, as well as job and career guidance will be of great importance in the future; believes that more mobility may help to reduce the high levels of unfilled job vacancies that persist alongside high unemployment;
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Calls
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Calls for urgent action to be taken by the Commission to fight tax fraud and tax evasion; calls for a tax system that is simple, fair and transparent; reiterates its call on the Member States to
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Calls for urgent action to be taken by the Commission to fight tax fraud and tax evasion
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Calls for urgent action to be taken by the Commission to fight tax fraud
Amendment 148 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Calls for urgent action to be taken by the Commission to fight tax fraud and tax evasion as well as over-taxation; calls for a tax system that is simple and transparent; reiterates its call on the Member States to
Amendment 149 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Calls for urgent action to be taken by the Commission to fight tax fraud and tax evasion and calls on the Member States to reach an agreement on the proposal on a common consolidated corporate tax basis as an important instrument in that fight; calls for a tax system that is simple and transparent; reiterates its call on the Member States to shift taxes from labour to consumption and environmental taxes;
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B a (new) Ba. having regard to the social and human toll and the poor economic results of the austerity policy within the Union;
Amendment 150 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13.
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Calls for urgent action to be taken by the Commission to fight tax fraud and tax evasion; calls for a tax system that is simple and transparent; reiterates its call on the Member States to shift taxes away from labour
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Calls for urgent action to be taken by the Commission to fight tax dumping, tax fraud and tax evasion; calls for a swift adoption of an ambitious FTT with a broad tax basis, a mandatory CCCTB, country-by-country reporting, an obligation to disclose tax rulings, with a minimum tax rate, calls for a swift implementation of the recently agreed parent-subsidiary directive and for a tax system that is simple and transparent; reiterates its call on the Member States to shift taxes from labour to consumption
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Calls for urgent action to be taken by the Commission to fight tax fraud and tax evasion; calls for a tax system that is simple and transparent; reiterates its call on the Member States to shift taxes from labour to consumption; Notes, that the measures to fight tax fraud and tax evasion should not undermine the prerogatives of the Member States. Welcomes, however, effective cooperation of tax arrangements at the European level;
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Calls for urgent action to be taken by the Commission to fight tax fraud and tax evasion; calls for a tax system that is simple and transparent; reiterates its call on the Member States to shift taxes from labour to consumption and stresses that tax incentives for small and medium-sized enterprises to promote innovation continue to be of major importance;
Amendment 155 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 a (new) 13a. Believes that reforms in order to enhance the effectiveness of finance ministries in fighting against fiscal evasion and avoidance, as this is a constraint in the fiscal consolidation of some Member States.
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 a (new) 13a. Notes that high energy costs due to a lack of reforms and excessive subsidies are dragging down the economy in some Member States.
Amendment 157 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14.
Amendment 159 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Believes that the Member States and the Commission have not yet delivered on their commitment to complete
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B a (new) Amendment 160 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15. Reiterates its call on the Commission to
Amendment 161 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15. Reiterates its call on the Commission to improve the governance of the single
Amendment 162 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15. Reiterates its call on the Commission to improve the governance of the single market; urges the Commission to
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 a (new) 15a. Calls on the Commission, as guardian of the Treaty, to make full use of all measures provided for in EU law to support the enforcement of the implementation of the European Semester;
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 b (new) 15b. Is concerned about protectionist tendencies in certain Member States; points out that the Treaty does not provide for the restriction of the free movement of people, services or capital, and recalls that the Commission must safeguard and enforce these freedoms;
Amendment 165 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Underlines the fact that the absence of a
Amendment 167 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Underlines the fact that the absence of a well-functioning internal labour market
Amendment 168 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Underlines the fact that the absence of a well-functioning internal labour market that maintains the integrity of the European social model and
Amendment 169 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Underlines the fact that the absence of a well-functioning internal labour market
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B b (new) Bb. whereas the response to the euro sovereign debt crisis and the revealed failure of the European institutional framework has been substantial, but not sufficient to give a strong enough momentum to the euro area economy in order to exit the recession it entered 6 years ago;
Amendment 170 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 – subparagraph 1 (new) Underlines the importance of investing in the employability of female workers and young people, especially in the context of emerging technologies and new sectors, given that these sectors hold the potential for job creation
Amendment 171 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Reiterates the importance of
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Reiterates the importance of ensuring
Amendment 173 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Reiterates the importance of ensuring labour mobility (both cross-border and cross-sectoral), enhanced labour productivity (connected with skills trainings to improve employability) and labour market flexibility, while preserving
Amendment 174 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Reiterates the importance of ensuring labour mobility (both cross-border and cross-sectoral)
Amendment 175 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Reiterates the importance of ensuring labour mobility
Amendment 176 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Reiterates the importance of ensuring labour mobility (both cross-border and cross-sectoral), enhanced labour productivity (connected with skills trainings to improve employability), job quality and labour market flexibility, while preserving
Amendment 177 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Reiterates the importance of ensuring labour mobility (both cross-border and cross-sectoral), enhanced labour productivity (connected with skills trainings to improve employability) and labour market flexibility, while preserving the necessary scope of work security; stresses the importance of putting an end to social dumping within the EU in order to achieve an internal labour market which is fully functional and effective;
Amendment 178 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Reiterates the importance of ensuring labour mobility (both cross-border and cross-sectoral), enhanced labour productivity (connected with skills trainings to improve employability) and labour market flexibility, while preserving the necessary scope of work security; taking into account the growing number of young people who go to work to other places of the Union, legislative proposals should arise at the European level to enhance and make easier this mobility, particularly regarding social security and pension mobility.
Amendment 179 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 a (new) 17a. Calls for more determined action on fighting youth unemployment; urges Member States in this regard to use the available financial means, including those under the Youth Guarantee, more rapidly and efficiently
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B c (new) Bc. whereas surplus countries should have taken much earlier symmetrical action to stimulate demand and ensure faster growth of nominal wages and prices; to respond to the revealed failure of the European institutional framework;
Amendment 181 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 Amendment 182 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18.
Amendment 183 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18.
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Welcomes the strong decrease in the number of countries under the excessive deficit procedure – down to 11 in 2014 from 24 in 2011; is concerned, however, at the use of measures which, disregarding social aspects, were an attempt to extricate certain Member States from the excessive deficit procedure but which increased the burden on the poorest; notes that due to this fiscal improvement the fiscal stance in the EU is now expected to remain broadly neutral in the coming years; expresses its concern, however, about the still very high
Amendment 185 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Welcomes the strong decrease in the number of countries under the excessive deficit procedure – down to 11 in 2014 from 24 in 2011; notes that due to this fiscal improvement the fiscal stance in the EU is now expected to remain broadly neutral in 2015; asks the
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Welcomes the strong decrease in the number of countries under the excessive deficit procedure – down to 11 in 2014 from 24 in 2011; notes that
Amendment 187 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 a (new) 18a. Refers to the ECB's repeated injunctions to the euro countries to achieve structural economic reform and steer inflation in right direction;
Amendment 188 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 a (new) 18a. Draws attention to the need to reflect on the large number of countries that were under the excessive deficit procedure – 24 among 28, and note that the decrease in the number of countries under the excessive deficit procedure – down to 11 in 2014 from 24 in 2011 was not accompanied by an improvement in the performance of the economies that remain without growing, with high unemployment and some of them suffering deflationary processes;
Amendment 189 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 a (new) 18a. Calls on the Commission to a adopt a prudent and conservative interpretation of the growth indicators and to review the quality of economic forecasts as previous Commission forecasts have too often been revised downwards;
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1.
Amendment 190 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 a (new) 18a. Calls on the Commission to urge Member States to introduce a guaranteed minimum wage in order to meet the Europe 2020 target for fighting poverty and social exclusion;
Amendment 191 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 b (new) 18b. In light of those facts, urges the Commission to launch a process of reform of the Stability and Growth Pact in order to make it more adapted to the needs of economies and more oriented to growth and employment;
Amendment 192 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19.
Amendment 193 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19. Agrees with the Commission that most Member States need to continue to pursue growth-friendly fiscal consolidation; invites Member States
Amendment 194 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19.
Amendment 195 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19.
Amendment 196 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19. Agrees with the Commission that most Member States need to continue to pursue growth-friendly fiscal consolidation
Amendment 197 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19. Agrees with the Commission that most Member States
Amendment 198 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19. Agrees with the Commission that most Member States need to continue to pursue growth-friendly fiscal consolidation; invites Member States with sufficient fiscal space to consider
Amendment 199 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19. Agrees with the Commission that most Member States need to continue to pursue growth-friendly fiscal consolidation;
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 10 b (new) - having regard the Communication of the Communication of 13 January 2015 on 'making the best use of the flexibility within the existing rules of the stability and growth pact' (COM(2015) 12),
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Notes that growth in 2014 is more broadly based;
Amendment 200 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19. Agrees with the Commission that most Member States need to continue to pursue growth-friendly fiscal consolidation;
Amendment 201 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19. Agrees with the Commission that most Member States need to continue to pursue growth-friendly fiscal consolidation; invites Member States with sufficient fiscal space to consider reducing taxes and social
Amendment 202 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19. Agrees with the Commission that most Member States need to continue to pursue growth-friendly fiscal consolidation; invites Member States with sufficient fiscal space to consider reducing taxes and social security contributions with a view to stimulating private investment; stresses the fact that special emphasis should be placed on growth-enhancing reforms and policies;
Amendment 203 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19. Agrees with the Commission that
Amendment 204 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19.
Amendment 205 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 a (new) 19a. Observes that the active intervention of the ECB is resulting in artificially low interest rates on government bonds; urges all Member States to make good use of the time it has thus given them to effect structural reforms;
Amendment 206 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 a (new) 19a. Notes the excessively high public debt levels, particularly in the euro area; urges Member States and the Commission to address the debt overhang by establishing a European debt redemption fund based on conditionality combining structural reforms with fiscal incentives; points out that such a debt redemption fund needs to go hand in hand with an insolvency procedure for sovereigns safeguarding market discipline;
Amendment 207 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 a (new) 19a. Calls on the Commission to avoid promoting double-standards when it calls for the need to invest in growth by imposing as a precondition for a "growth- friendly fiscal consolidation" the existence of fiscal room of manoeuvre; stresses that back-loading of fiscal consolidation must still be taken into account as it could leave more room for counter-cyclical investments;
Amendment 208 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 a (new) 19a. Notes that where financial consolidation has taken place, private investments have increased because of higher credibility and lower interest rates, while where governments have tried to stimulate the economy through deficits and increased public spending, investments have fallen and unemployment risen;
Amendment 209 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Notes the Commission assessment of the Member States
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Notes that growth
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Notes the Commission assessment of the Member States
Amendment 211 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Notes the Commission assessment of the Member States’ draft budgetary plans; stresses that the examination of draft budgetary plans should aim at sustainable finance
Amendment 212 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Notes the Commission assessment of the Member States’ draft budgetary plans; stresses that the examination of draft budgetary plans should aim at sustainable finance; insists on the strict application of fiscal rules and on respect for the equal treatment principle; voices its concern over the fact that the Commission, in its most recent examination of Member States’ budgetary plans, departed from this principle in the case of three Member States, once again granting them additional time;
Amendment 213 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Notes the Commission assessment of the Member States
Amendment 214 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Notes the Commission assessment of the Member States’ draft budgetary plans; stresses that the examination of draft budgetary plans should aim at sustainable finance; insists on the
Amendment 215 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Notes the Commission assessment of the Member States’ draft budgetary plans; stresses that the examination of draft budgetary plans should aim at sustainable finance; insists on the
Amendment 216 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Notes the Commission assessment of the Member States’ draft budgetary plans; stresses that the examination of draft budgetary plans should aim at sustainable finance; insists on the strict application of fiscal rules and on respect for the equal treatment principle; is concerned, however, that the Commission decided permitted additional time for certain member states to further examine their draft budgetary plans;
Amendment 217 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Notes the Commission assessment of the Member States’ draft budgetary plans; stresses that the examination of draft budgetary plans should aim at sustainable finance; suggests however that the Commission should take note and respond to fallacies in the calculation of some key economic indicators; insists on the strict application of fiscal rules and on respect for the equal treatment principle;
Amendment 218 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21.
Amendment 219 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21.
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Notes that growth
Amendment 220 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21.
Amendment 221 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Is concerned
Amendment 222 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Is concerned that only five Member States were found to be fully compliant with the provisions of the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) which questions again the reasonableness of the stability pact rules;
Amendment 223 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Is concerned that only five Member States were found to be fully compliant with the provisions of the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP); insists that the PSC was developed by consensus among the EU Member States and that all parties are therefore obliged to respect it fully and completely;
Amendment 224 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Is concerned that only five Member States were found to be fully compliant with the provisions of the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP), underlines that all Member States, independent of size, must adhere to it, with the risk of otherwise undermining economic stability and growth not only for themselves but for the whole Union;
Amendment 225 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 a (new) 21a. Underlines that the worst form of austerity is when governments have to spend a high proportion of their expenditure on servicing their debt instead of on public services and investments; accepts therefore that deficit reduction in highly indebted countries remains necessary, but such fiscal consolidation must take place in a way that protects vulnerable users of public services, protects public investment and raises revenue in an equitable way;
Amendment 226 #
Motion for a resolution Subheading 4 Strengthened coordination of national
Amendment 227 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 22.
Amendment 228 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 22.
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 22. Welcomes the Alert Mechanism Report; welcomes the gradual reduction of internal imbalances in the EU economy; draws attention to the external imbalances
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Notes that growth in 2014 is more broadly based than in previous years; believes, however, that the recovery is still fragile and should be enhanced if it is to deliver substantially more growth and jobs in the medium term
Amendment 230 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 22. Welcomes the Alert Mechanism Report; welcomes the gradual reduction of internal imbalances in the EU economy; draws attention to the external imbalances, including the large trade surpluses; urges Member States with no or limited imbalances to increase their efforts to reach more difficult targets such as the reduction of poverty, unemployment and inequality.
Amendment 231 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 22. Welcomes the Alert Mechanism Report; welcomes the gradual reduction of internal imbalances in the EU economy; draws attention to the external imbalances, including the large trade surpluses; Underlines, that the Commission should apply a symmetrical treatment between countries with a current account surplus and those with a deficit;
Amendment 232 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 22.
Amendment 233 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 22. Welcomes the Alert Mechanism Report; welcomes the gradual reduction of internal imbalances in the EU economy and calls on the Commission to enhance coordination to avoid an asymmetric policy response of member states; draws attention to the external imbalances, including the large trade surpluses;
Amendment 234 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 22. Welcomes the Alert Mechanism Report; welcomes the gradual reduction of internal imbalances in the EU economy; draws attention to the external imbalances, including the large trade surpluses and a loss of global market shares;
Amendment 235 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 a (new) 22a. Emphasises that current account surpluses do not present the same major risks as deficits, and calls for due account to be taken of this when macroeconomic imbalances are being assessed;
Amendment 236 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 Amendment 237 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 Amendment 238 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 a (new) 23a. Notes the announcement of the December 2014 European Council to move the debate on closer coordination of economic policies in the EMU forward in 2015, through the four Presidents' report; in this context, highlights the need to streamline existing procedures of the European Semester, including its timetable, and to increase the involvement of national parliaments, with a view to strengthening national ownership of structural reforms.
Amendment 239 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 a (new) 23a. Calls on the Commission to put forward a proposal on the single external representation of the euro area based on Article 138 TFEU;
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Notes that the challenge today is to address both cyclical, short-term as well as long-term problems; underlines that short-run pressures can lead to measures of a transitory nature which could undermine the long-term capacity to grow; underlines the need to ensure that short and long-term policies reinforce one another
Amendment 240 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 a (new) 23a. Stresses that the European Semester must in no way jeopardise the role of the European Parliament and of the national parliaments; urges the Commission to ensure the proper formal involvement of the European Parliament in all the steps of the European Semester process in order to strengthen democratic accountability to the European Parliament;
Amendment 241 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 b (new) 23b. Reiterates its view that the current economic governance framework is lacking sufficient democratic accountability in the application of its rules and of the institutions and bodies involved; calls on the Commission to make the necessary proposals to address the lack of proper democratic accountability in EU economic governance;
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Notices that the Annual Growth Survey 2015 does not satisfactorily address the underlying reasons for economic stagnation in the euro area;
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2.
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2.
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2.
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Welcomes the Commission’s Annual Growth Survey 2015, which endeavours to promote a return to higher growth levels and to strengthen the recovery; supports the three main pillars approach (boosting investment, accelerating structural reforms and pursuing responsible growth friendly fiscal consolidation) as the right way to achieve these goals; welcomes the Commission’s suggestions for improving the European Semester by simplifying procedures
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A A. whereas the
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Welcomes the Commission’s Annual Growth Survey 2015, which endeavours to promote a return to higher growth levels and to strengthen the recovery; supports the three main pillars approach (boosting investment, accelerating structural reforms and pursuing responsible growth friendly fiscal consolidation) as the right way to achieve these goals; welcomes the Commission’s suggestions for improving the European Semester by simplifying procedures and increasing national ownership as needed, considering that only
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2.
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Welcomes the Commission’s Annual Growth Survey 2015, which endeavours to promote a return to higher growth levels
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2.
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Welcomes the Commission’s Annual Growth Survey 2015, which endeavours to promote a return to higher growth levels and to strengthen the recovery; supports the three main pillars approach (boosting investment, accelerating structural reforms and pursuing responsible growth friendly fiscal consolidation) as the right way to achieve these goals and thus should be better reflected in the adopted Country Specific Recommendations; welcomes the Commission’s suggestions for improving the European Semester by simplifying procedures and increasing national ownership as needed, considering that only 10-15 % of the Country Specific Recommendations are fully implemented by the Member
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Welcomes the Commission’s Annual Growth Survey 2015, which endeavours to promote a return to higher growth levels and to strengthen the recovery; supports the three main pillars approach (boosting investment, accelerating structural reforms and pursuing responsible growth friendly fiscal consolidation) as the right way to achieve these goals; welcomes the Commission’s suggestions for improving
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. Highlights the importance and added value of the Single Market integration reports in the previous years, contributing to the overall priorities set in the Commission's Annual Growth Survey and the identification of country-specific recommendations in the context of the European semester; finds it therefore most deplorable that the Single Market Integration report has been omitted for 2015;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. Believes that there should be a role foreseen for the European Court of Justice in EMU in case a Member State does not respect the rules, which would allow a Member State taking another Member State to court over the non- compliance with the rules;
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3.
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Expresses concern that almost all Member States are still losing market shares globally and have a
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A A. whereas the economic recovery in the EU slowed down considerably in the course of 2014
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Expresses concern that most Member States are still losing market shares globally and have a growing negative net international investment position; believes that the EU economy as a whole needs to boost its competitiveness further in the global economy, particularly
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Expresses concern that most Member States are still losing market shares globally and have a growing negative net international investment position; believes
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Expresses concern that most Member States are still losing market shares globally and have a growing negative net international investment position; believes that the EU economy as a whole needs to boost its competitiveness further in the global economy, particularly by increasing competition in the product and services markets in order to enhance innovation- driven efficiency, while keeping labour costs in line with productivity and with the need always to serve consumers’ interests;
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Expresses concern that most Member States are still losing market shares
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 a (new) 3a. Takes note of the Commission's communication on the implementation of the Stability and Growth Pact which strengthens the link between structural reforms, investment and fiscal responsibility making the best use of the flexibility which exists within its rules.
Amendment 45 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 a (new) 3a. Welcomes the proposal by the Commission to streamline and reinforce the European Semester in order to increase political ownership, accountability and acceptance of the process. Points out, however, that the Commission should not carry forward one-size fits all approaches that quickly become economically and socially counter-productive;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Believes that the lack of investment is caused by
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Believes that the lack of investment is caused by
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Believes that the lack of investment is caused by low confidence, high indebtedness,
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Believes that the lack of investment is caused by low confidence, high indebtedness, slow deleveraging
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A A. whereas
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Believes that the lack of investment is caused by low confidence, high indebtedness, slow deleveraging and subdued expectations of demand
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Believes that the lack of investment is caused by low confidence, high indebtedness, fragmentation of the financial markets, slow deleveraging and subdued expectations of demand;
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Believes that the lack of investment is caused by excessive fiscal consolidation, low confidence, high indebtedness, slow deleveraging and subdued expectations of demand;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Believes that the lack of investment is caused by low confidence, high indebtedness, slow deleveraging
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Believes that the lack of investment is caused by
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Believes that the lack of investment is caused by a lack of competitiveness, low confidence, high indebtedness, slow deleveraging and
Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Stresses that the Stability and Growth Pact rules requiring appropriate deficit to GDP measures made governments reduce investment commitments rather than cutting recurrent expenditures; recommends therefore the technical assessment of SGP rules in order to give greater incentives to public investment decisions. Considers the Communication of the Commission on 'making the best use of the flexibility within the existing rules of the Stability and Growth Pact', as a first step into the right direction.
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Underlines that the investment gap can only be bridged by significantly higher levels of investments in private companies and in European business, calls for reforms facilitating a new entrepreneurial climate stimulating new business, new investments and innovations, with the possible returns on investments as a crucial factor for attracting financial capital to the European economy;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 b (new) 4b. Stresses that increased financing of investments calls for a well-functioning financial system where increased stability and existing cross border institutions can facilitate liquidity and market making, especially for small and medium sized enterprises, underlines that reforms regarding banking structure must not hamper liquidity making;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5.
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A A. whereas the economic recovery in the EU slowed down considerably in the course of 2014
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5.
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5.
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Welcomes the Investment Plan for Europe, which is an important instrument for increasing private and public investment; notes that the plan is meant to trigger additional investment, develop new projects, attract investors and restore confidence; emphasises, in particular, the importance of the regulatory components of the Investment Plan in terms of improving the environment for investment;
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5.
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Welcomes the Investment Plan for Europe, which is an important instrument for increasing private and public investment; notes that the plan is meant to trigger additional investment, develop new projects, attract investors and restore confidence
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5.
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Welcomes the Investment Plan for Europe, which is an important instrument for increasing private and public investment; notes that the plan is meant to trigger additional investment, develop new projects, attract investors and restore confidence; underlines the need for appropriate targeted resources from Member States and the importance of the flexibility clause thereto. Believes that the EU investment plan should focus in the first place on projects with a European added value which are not eligible for banking finance yet.
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Welcomes the Investment Plan for Europe, which is an important instrument for increasing private and public
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 a (new) 5a. Notes that the implementation of the Commission investment plan is key in order for it to carry the desired added value; emphasises that the investment projects need to be carefully selected to avoid the plan failing to deliver sustainable jobs and growth in Europe; reminds that the results of the Commission investment plan should be rigorously judged, especially on how the investment fund will select and prioritise projects, and avoid privatising profits or nationalising losses;
Amendment 69 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 a (new) 5a. Stresses the interdependence between the lever of the Investment Plan and the actual projects being undertaken; underlines that the aim of achieving a high lever should not come at the expense of the project selection, including their geographic location
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A A. whereas the economic recovery in the EU slowed down considerably in the course of 2014
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 a (new) 5a. Underlines the need to specifying in the legal texts to be adopted under the ordinary procedure a high quality governance and selection process as well as a democratically accountable monitoring and evaluation framework underpinning the EFSI;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 a (new) 5a. Notes that the Member States in the adjustment programme expect the Investment Plan significantly to enhance and to facilitate grants and loans for small and medium-sized businesses, which have borne the brunt of the crisis;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 a (new) 5a. Believes that the investment plan should not be used to spend taxpayers money in projects with no-economic return or without a positive cost-benefit analysis. The model settled by TEN-T networks in Transport and Energy should be swiftly extended and replicated in order to invest in projects with real European added value.
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6.
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Calls on the Member
Amendment 76 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Calls on the Member
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Calls on the Member
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Calls especially on those Member
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Calls on the Member
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A A. whereas the economic recovery in the EU slowed down considerably in the course of 2014 but, according to the European Commission, has a prospect of catching up in 2015 and of doing even better in 2016;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Underlines that Member States must ringfence their investment funds in their national budgets in order to take part in the European Strategic Investment Fund. Stresses that it is important that the European funds will lead to additional investment, not just replacing national investment funds that would go to consumption;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Emphasises that whilst well-targeted public investment is necessary for example to improve education standards and develop infrastructure where needed, long-term growth is not achieved by only increasing public expenditure which would necessitate increasing the tax burden on already hard-pressed individuals and businesses or by making more debts which affects the financial fragility of already highly indebted MS;
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Is strongly convinced that the EU needs to strengthen the visibility on the carbon price to boost public and private investment;
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Emphasises that all the measures based on the Fund must serve to bring about a real increase in the level of investment and not merely to substitute co-financed European projects for nationally financed ones;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Insists in this respect on the establishment of a favourable climate for the development of public- sector investment; wishes in particular the neutralisation in calculations of the debt and deficits of public-sector investments made by public-sector operators of the Member States, in particular in view of the impact of the new accounting standards SEC2010 on the investment capacity of some public authorities; calls therefore for the European Central Bank to take appropriate decisions in this connection;
Amendment 85 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Notes the importance of investment in in broadband networks in achieving priority goals and objectives in the key area of the digital market; recommends devoting a substantial part of the Investment Plan to targeted and strategic investments in the digital sector;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Points out that the effectiveness of additional investment is dependent on the competitiveness and efficiency of a country's economy and on investors' confidence in the sustainability of a country's public finances, and therefore believes that a country should only be eligible to receive funds under the European Fund for Strategic Investment if the Commission in its assessment of Member States' Draft Budgetary Plans deems that: i. the country is in compliance with the Stability and Growth Pact or the Excessive Deficit Procedure recommendations; and ii. the country has made sufficient progress in the implementation of its Country-Specific Recommendations.
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Underlines that the Investment Plan for Europe will not work without the availability of commercial investment and projects able to attract capital by offering return on investments;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 b (new) 6b. Stresses that there should be a special regime for SME:s to the Investment Fund in order to create a level-playing field as SME:s easily are put into disadvantage due to their size and market position.
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7.
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A a (new) Aa. whereas after five years of the beginning of the financial crisis in 2008, the euro area is still facing record unemployment levels over 12%; whereas weak growth has compounded disinflationary trends;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Stresses that
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Stresses that a lack of access to finance, particularly for SMEs, is one of the greatest obstacles to growth in the EU; believes that alternatives to bank financing are needed, especially by improving
Amendment 92 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Stresses that a lack of access to finance, particularly for SMEs, is one of the greatest obstacles to growth in the EU; believes that alternatives to bank financing are needed, especially by improving the business environment for venture capital, but also, more broadly, by improving the efficient allocation of capital through capital markets; deepening of the single market for capital markets is fundamental to achieve these objectives in the short and medium term.
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Stresses that a lack of access to finance, particularly for SMEs, is one of the greatest obstacles to growth in the EU; believes that alternatives to bank financing are needed, especially by improving the business environment for venture capital and peer to peer funds, but also, more broadly, by improving the efficient allocation of capital through capital markets; calls on the Commission in this respect to prioritise work on alternative sources of financing for SMEs, in particular through private sources;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 a (new) 7a. Supports the Commission’s moves to continue building a single capital market;
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 a (new) 7a. Notes in this context the importance of promoting alternative forms of lending to SMEs, such as credit unions;
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 a (new) 7a. Notes that the financial system of today, and its institutions, will be crucial for investment and growth in the European economy for a foreseeable time. It is characterised by an increased security and stability through new legislation, higher capital requirements and better supervision, the systemic risks must not be forced out of this framework to shadow institutions with less supervision and weaker rules for stability, the existing banks and credit institutions will be crucial for the development of a Capital Markets Union;
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Is still concerned about the lack of progress in reducing excessive private debt levels; points out that this is not only a concern for financial stability, as it also limits the EU’s growth potential and makes the ECB’s monetary policy less effective;
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Is still concerned about the lack of progress in reducing excessive private debt
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Is still concerned about the lack of progress in reducing excessive private debt levels; points out that this is not only a concern for financial stability, as it also limits the EU
source: 546.670
2015/01/26
BUDG
49 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Emphasises that the principle of budgetary accuracy in public accounts shall govern the drawing up of national budgets and the EU budget so as to ensure convergence and stability in the EU; is convinced that said accuracy is one factor in the response to the crisis of confidence existing between the Member States and between said Member States and the citizens of the European Union, a loss of confidence which has increased since the recent financial crisis struck;
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 8 8. Calls for the mid-term review of the MFF to identify better the value added by EU funding to the goals of competitiveness, growth, employment and energy transition set by the European Union; calls on the Commission to adopt a clearer methodology for better tracing the EU funds expenditures related to Europe 2020 goals in order to allow for improved impact assessments; also demands more transparency in the Member States' and Commission's publishing of the use of EU funding data, in order to enhance accountability;
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 8 8. Calls for the mid-term review of the MFF to identify better the value added by EU funding to the goals of competitiveness, growth, employment and energy transition set by the European Union; calls on the Commission to embed this in a broad view on how public investments, national en European, effectively contribute to these goals;
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 8 8. Calls for the
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 8 8. Calls for the mid-term review of the MFF to
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 8 a (new) 8a. Welcomes the Commission's commitment to streamline the European Semester through a comprehensive single economic assessment per Member State and streamlined reporting; calls on the assessment to emphasise the need to use funds from the EU Budget to implement Country Specific Recommendations and stresses the need for enhancing Member States' ownership of the European Semester;
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 9. Calls once more on the Council to agree with Parliament and the Commission on a common method for assessing real payment needs in accordance with commitments made by the two arms of the budgetary authority; furthermore calls on the Commission to report on the potential impact that delayed payments issue would have on the commitments taken by Member States in the context of the European Semester;
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 9. Calls once more on the Council to agree with Parliament and the Commission on a
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 9. Calls once more on the Council to agree with Parliament and the Commission on a
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 9.
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Notes that in many Member States public administration has to date not been made more efficient, even though improvements in that area would serve to achieve savings by rationalising organisation and cutting red tape for businesses and citizens;
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Calls for greater uniformity in the presentation of public accounts so as to facilitate comparisons;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Calls on the Council and the Commission to undertake, together with Parliament, a draft revision of the current budgetary procedure so as to consolidate the role of the two branches of the budgetary authority and the executive role of the Commission;
Amendment 21 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 10 10. Regrets once again that Member States persist in viewing their contribution to the EU budget as an adjustment variable in their consolidation efforts, which in turn leads to an artificial reduction in the volume of payments available in the EU budget;
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 10 10. Regrets once again that Member States persist in viewing their contribution to the EU budget as an adjustment variable in their consolidation efforts, which in turn leads to an artificial reduction in the volume of payments available in the EU budget; proposes therefore that when examining national budgets, the Commission shall enter in the calculations of deficits each country
Amendment 23 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 10 10. Regrets once again that Member States persist in viewing their contribution to the EU budget as an adjustment variable in their consolidation efforts, which in turn leads to an artificial reduction in the volume of payments available in the EU budget; proposes therefore that when examining national budgets, the Commission shall enter in the calculations of deficits each country
Amendment 24 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 10 10.
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 10 10. Regrets once again that Member States persist in viewing their contribution to the EU budget as an adjustment variable in their consolidation efforts, which in turn leads to an artificial reduction in the volume of payments available in the EU budget
Amendment 26 #
Amendment 27 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 10 10. Regrets once again that Member States persist in viewing their contribution to the EU budget as an adjustment variable in their consolidation efforts, which in turn leads to an artificial reduction in the volume of payments available in the EU budget; proposes therefore that when examining national budgets
Amendment 28 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 10 – point a (new) (a) Very much welcomes the interpretation of the ´´investment clause" put forward by the Commission in its recent Communication on "making the best use of the flexibility within the existing rules of the stability and growth pact " (COM 2015 -12 final); welcomes in particular the fact that national expenditures on project co -funded by some EU key programmes to foster growth and jobs will fall under "the investment clause", but highlights that this clause will only have real economic effects if and only if the EU budget is sufficiently equipped in payment appropriations to pay the bills linked to the implementation of these projects;
Amendment 29 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 10 – point b (new) (b) Welcomes the fact that the Commission has underlined the economic significance of the European Structural and Investments Funds ( including the youth employment initiative) in its Annual Growth Survey 2015; recalls that these funds represent 10 % of total public investment on average in the EU but that the situation varies across countries and that in some countries, they can represent as much as 80 % of the public investment; emphasises that Structural and Investment funds constitute a good example of the synergy between the European budget and the national budgets on the basis of commonly agreed objectives enshrined in partnership agreements on growth and investment according to EUROPE 2020 Strategy; supports every effort in the direction of an intelligent pooling of European and national budgetary means in order to achieve efficiency gains, economic stimulation and lower national deficits thanks to a positive effect of shared resources;
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Calls for greater uniformity in the presentation of public accounts so as to facilitate comparisons and prevent excessive macro-economic imbalances; calls in particular for the way in which Member States enter their contributions to the EU budget in their accounts to be standardised; is of the opinion that any operating expenses financed by borrowing ought to be shown as a separate figure which is added to investment expenditure when calculating the deficit;
Amendment 30 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 10 – point c (new) (c) Recalls that the existing system of own resources is complex, unfair and incomprehensible to citizens; underlines that the fiscal situation of Member States can be eased through a new system of own resources that will reduce GNI contributions, thus enabling Member States to meet their consolidation efforts without jeopardizing EU funding; stresses, therefore, the importance it attaches to the high level group on own resources and supports the debate on a new own resources system, which should lead to a true reform of EU financing, without increasing the taxation burden on citizens;
Amendment 31 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 10 a (new) 10a. Highlights the urgent need to tackle effectively the tax fraud which is potentially depriving the EU budget of substantial resources;
Amendment 32 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 11 11. Welcomes the EUR 315 billion investment plan presented by Commission President Mr Juncker to offset on the one hand the deficit in public and private investment brought about by fiscal consolidation efforts, and to stimulate economic activity on the other; calls on the Commission to present a report on the impact of redeploying funds from EU programmes such as Connecting Europe Facility and Horizon 2020 on the potential beneficiaries of those funds by assessing the number of beneficiaries affected and economic impact;
Amendment 33 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 11 11.
Amendment 34 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 11 11. Welcomes the EUR 315 billion investment plan presented by Commission President Mr Juncker to offset on the one hand the deficit in public and private investment brought about by fiscal consolidation efforts, and to stimulate economic activity on the other; questions, nevertheless, the 1:15 multiplier proposed by the Commission, and calls for the EIB to be asked to do more to make the plan credible;
Amendment 35 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 11 11. Welcomes the EUR 315 billion investment plan presented by Commission President Mr Juncker to offset on the one hand the deficit in public and private investment brought about by fiscal consolidation efforts, and to stimulate economic activity on the other; expects in particular support for SMEs in those Member States particularly affected by the crisis;
Amendment 36 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 11 11. Welcomes the EUR 315 billion investment plan presented by Commission President Mr Juncker as the first step to offset on the one hand the deficit in public and private investment brought about by
Amendment 37 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 11 a (new) 11a. Hopes that, following the presentation of the report by Mr Monti's High Level Group on Own Resources, the Council, Parliament and the Commission will, without delay, take steps to introduce and implement a system of EU own resources designed - in the long term - to replace current national contributions;
Amendment 38 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 11 a (new) 11a. Considers that shifting the Union to a more sustainable and socially inclusive economic model requires additional EU public investment, which is the only way in which projects having an immediate benefit for its citizens can be financed over the longer term;
Amendment 39 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 11 b (new) 11b. Believes that, given the exacerbation of economic differences between Europe’s regions since the beginning of the economic crisis, the European Strategic Investment Fund should be able to prioritise regions in crisis for part of its funding;
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 Amendment 40 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 11 c (new) 11c. Notes that in December 2014 the eurozone was in deflation for the first time since October 2009; considers that it is now more urgent than ever to give back to the Member States the fiscal leeway needed to stimulate economic activity; proposes extending the flexibilities in the stability pact suggested by the Commission in January 2015 by not including contributions to the structural funds and national contributions to the EU budget in public deficit calculations;
Amendment 41 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 12 12. Confirms its willingness to examine with the utmost vigilance how financial commitments by the EU and the EIB to the European Strategic Investment Fund are entered in the budget and in the 2015 budget in particular; draws the attention in this respect that the EFSI should finance projects with equal or greater value than the one that would have been financed through the EU programmes from which funds are being drawn in order to set up the EU guarantee for the EFSI;
Amendment 42 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 12 12. Confirms its willingness to examine with the utmost vigilance how financial commitments by the EU and the EIB to the European Strategic Investment Fund are entered in the budget and in the 2015 budget in particular, so as to avert any a real risk of further losses to a Union budget already under massive strain;
Amendment 43 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 12 12. Confirms its willingness to examine with the utmost vigilance how financial commitments by the EU
Amendment 44 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 13 13.
Amendment 45 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 13 13. Calls on the Member States to top up this fund and welcomes the flexibility announced by the Commission
Amendment 46 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 13 13. Calls on the Member States to top up this fund, which seeks to maximize the impact of public spending and attract private investment, and welcomes the Commission’s intention to exclude national contributions from stability pact calculations; rejects the idea of any attempts to renationalise the fund or argue for a fair return which could ensue from national contributions; wishes to see trans- European and supranational projects chosen so that citizens may be able to associate the benefits arising from these projects with action by the European Union.
Amendment 47 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 13 13. Calls on the Member States to top up this fund and welcomes the Commission
Amendment 48 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 13 13. Calls on the Member States to top up this fund and welcomes the Commissionʼs intention to exclude national contributions from stability pact calculations; rejects the idea of any attempts to renationalise the fund or argue for a fair return which could ensue from national contributions; wishes to see
Amendment 49 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 13 a (new) 13a. Underlines the importance it attaches to the new high-level group on own resources, which should lead to a true reform of EU financing; stresses that the Member States’ budgetary situation can be improved through a new system of own resources to finance the Union budget that will reduce GNI contributions, thus enabling Member States to accomplish their consolidation efforts without jeopardising EU funding and its credibility; points out that the adoption of consent to taxation gives parliaments their institutional authority.
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Calls on the Commission to offset any democratic deficit in the semester by means of the package of measures announced for 2015 on deepening economic and monetary union; reiterates its demand that any additional funding or instruments, such as a solidarity mechanism, shall fall within the scope of Parliamentʼs budgetary oversight and shall be financed over and above the MFF ceiling for 2014-2020;
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Considers it vital that the European Parliament and the national parliaments collaborate more closely
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Recalls that the principle of budgetary accuracy applies to the EU budget too and insists on there being sufficient financing for approved commitments;
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Recalls that the principle of budgetary accuracy applies to the EU budget too and insists on there being sufficient financing
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7 7. Repeats its call for the MFF mid-term
source: 546.807
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