2015/2256(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)

– having regard to its Report on the European Semester for economic policy coordination: Annual Growth Survey 2015 (2014/2221(INI))

Amendment 10 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas the European Semester aims to increase coordination of economic ~~and fiscal~~ policies across the EU 28 in order to enhance stability, promote growth and employment and strengthen competitiveness;

Amendment 100 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. ~~Stresses that the public sector and public procurement are critical drivers of both Member State and~~Recalls the role that public procurement can play for business, growth~~, job creation and competitiveness (representing more than 19 % of EU GDP expenditure)~~ and job creation;

Amendment 101 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Stresses that the public sector and public procurement are critical drivers of both Member State and business growth, job creation and competitiveness (representing more than 19 % of EU GDP expenditure); Stresses the need to further liberalize public procurement in Member States;

Amendment 102 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Stresses that the public sector and public procurement are critical drivers ~~of both~~for Member State ~~and~~s, the public, business, growth, job creation and competitiveness (representing more than 19 % of EU GDP expenditure), and that they should set an example in terms of high social and environmental standards, in order to encourage positive structural changes for society;

Amendment 103 #

Catherine STIHLER, Virginie ROZIÈRE, Christel SCHALDEMOSE, Nicola DANTI, Liisa JAAKONSAARI, Evelyne GEBHARDT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Stresses that the public sector and public procurement are critical drivers of both Member State and business growth, job creation and competitiveness (representing more than 19 % of EU GDP expenditure); determining increased transparency and cross-border competition, and promoting better use of public resources;

Amendment 104 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Recalls that in 2014, the EU adopted a major overhaul of the EU procurement framework, simplifying procedures, making the rules more flexible and adapting them to better serve other public sector policies.

Amendment 105 #

Catherine STIHLER, Virginie ROZIÈRE, Christel SCHALDEMOSE, Nicola DANTI, Liisa JAAKONSAARI, Evelyne GEBHARDT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)

14b. Points out that there are still significant inefficiencies in public procurement across MS that limit cross- border expansion and growth in domestic markets. Stresses the need for proper and timely transposition and implementation of public procurement and concessions legislation by Member States. Believes correct implementation of the 2007 Remedies procedure would ensure public procurement is more efficient, effective and transparent.

Amendment 106 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Highlights the potential of eProcurement to tackle remaining inefficiencies by simplifying the whole value-chain of public procurement and making cross-border business opportunities much easier to find; calls on the Commission to develop incentives to encourage SME participation in public procurement;deleted

Amendment 107 #

Nicola DANTI, Catherine STIHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Highlights the need for fast and comprehensive implementation of the Public Procurement Directive in its whole; highlights the potential of eProcurement to tackle remaining inefficiencies by simplifying the whole value-chain of public procurement and making cross-border business opportunities much easier to find; calls on the Commission to develop incentives to encourage SME participation in public procurement;

Amendment 108 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Highlights the potential of eProcurement to tackle remaining inefficiencies by simplifying the whole value-chain of public procurement and making cross-border business opportunities much easier to find, thus making access much easier for SMEs; calls on the Commission to develop further incentives to encourage SME participation in public procurement;

Amendment 109 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

Amendment 11 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas it is imperative to ~~mobilise all potential avenues~~break with the neoliberal principles that have been governing the policies imposed by the EU on the peoples and workers of the Member States; whereas only sustainable economic growth based on decent wages, on work with rights, on state control of strategic sectors of the economy, on universal and free access to all levels of education, on promotion and socialisation of innovation will make it possible to boost the EU economy and competitiveness of EU Member States;

Amendment 110 #

Catherine STIHLER, Lucy ANDERSON, Christel SCHALDEMOSE, Virginie ROZIÈRE, Liisa JAAKONSAARI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Notes that the full potential of public-private partnerships has not yet been harnessed in the majority of EU Member States; calls for the harmonisation of Member State legislation, the dissemination of best practices and the promotion of this model;

Amendment 111 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Welcomes the second Interoperability Solutions for European Public Administrations programme (ISA²), expected to start on 1 January 2016, which will support the development of interoperable digital solutions, available to all interested public administrations as well as businesses and citizens in Europe, free of charge.

Amendment 112 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)

15b. Emphasises that the development and widespread use of e-administration in the Member States will serve as a vital tool making it easier for entrepreneurs to do business in the Single Market and for consumers to exercise their rights; in connection with the above, calls on the Commission to commit to the development of e-administration as a key and urgent priority;

Amendment 113 #

Mylène TROSZCZYNSKI, Jean-Luc SCHAFFHAUSER, Franz OBERMAYR, Matteo SALVINI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Stresses the need to strengthen and improve tax coordination, in order to prevent unfair competition and market distortions and ensure equal opportunities in the Single Market;

Amendment 114 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Highlights that national regulations and practices, coupled with inadequate implementation of the mutual recognition principle, continue to create unnecessary barriers and burdens for businesses; calls for better enforcement of the principle and cost-efficient instruments for dispute settlement;deleted

Amendment 115 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Highlights that national regulations and practices, coupled with inadequate implementation of the mutual recognition principle, continue to create ~~unnecessary~~harmful barriers and burdens for ~~businesse~~entrepreneurs and consumers; calls for ~~better~~full enforcement of the ~~principle and cost-efficient instruments for dispute settlement~~mutual recognition principle and improved instruments for resolving any associated disputes;

Amendment 116 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. ~~Highlights that~~Notes that individual national regulations and practices, coupled with an inadequate implementation of the mutual recognition principle, c~~ontinue to create~~an result in unnecessary barriers and burdens for businesses; calls for better enforcement of the principle and cost-efficient instruments for dispute settlement;

Amendment 117 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Highlights that it is the private sector that is a crucial driver of the sustainable growth and job creation and that national regulations and practices, coupled with inadequate implementation of the mutual recognition principle, continue to create unnecessary barriers and burdens for businesses; calls for better enforcement of the principle and cost-efficient instruments for dispute settlement;

Amendment 118 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Highlights that national regulations and practices, coupled with inadequate implementation of the mutual recognition principle, continue to create unnecessary barriers and burdens for businesses; calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure proper application and for better enforcement of the principle and cost-efficient instruments for dispute settlement;

Amendment 119 #

Mylène TROSZCZYNSKI, Jean-Luc SCHAFFHAUSER, Franz OBERMAYR, Matteo SALVINI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Highlights that national regulations and practices, coupled with inadequate implementation of the mutual recognition of products principle, continue to create unnecessary barriers and burdens for businesses; calls for better enforcement of the principle and cost-efficient instruments for dispute settlement;

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas it is imperative to mobilise all potential avenues to boost the EU economy and competitiveness of companies within the European Union;

Amendment 120 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Invites the Commission to consult stakeholders in order to identify sectors and markets where the application of mutual recognition principle is insufficient or problematic;

Amendment 121 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Advises that ~~a strengthened role for the existing Product~~greater awareness of the existence and role of Product or Service Contact Points as single access points for ~~SM issues for~~ economic operators active in the Single Market will help raise awareness and understanding of the applicable legislation;

Amendment 122 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Highlights that better conditions for the emergence of start-ups and SMEs c~~ould~~an result in more active innovation and job creation; ~~recall~~highlights, however, that ~~remaining red tape barriers impede prospects for SME growth domestically and internationally~~when removing administrative or corporate law barriers to the establishment and operation of companies, due consideration must be given to mandatory principles which serve the public interest, such as the reliability of the public register, employee participation and social insurance payment obligations;

Amendment 123 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Highlights that ~~better conditions~~support for the emergence and activities of start-ups and SMEs ~~could result in more active innovation and job creation; recalls, however, that remaining red tape barriers impede prospects for SME growth~~will encourage entrepreneurship, including among young people, and boost innovation, thus promoting economic growth and reducing unemployment; recalls that there are still many barriers, some of which are bureaucratic in nature, which hinder the development of SMEs domestically and internationally;

Amendment 124 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Highlights th~~at better~~e importance of fostering the conditions necessary for the emergence of start-ups ~~and~~, SMEs ~~could result in more active innovation and job creation~~and innovative companies capable of generating sustainable growth and creating jobs; recalls, however, that remaining red tape barriers impede prospects for SME growth domestically and internationally;

Amendment 125 #

Mylène TROSZCZYNSKI, Jean-Luc SCHAFFHAUSER, Franz OBERMAYR, Matteo SALVINI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Highlights that better conditions for the emergence of start-ups and SMEs could result in more active innovation and job creation; recalls, however, that remaining red tape barriers impede prospects for SME growth domestically and internationally; calls for the identification and elimination of the barriers that prevent domestic and international growth;

Amendment 126 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Highlights that the intensity of tangible and intangible capital accumulation in the EU has been lower ~~post-financial crisis~~since the appearance of the first symptoms of the systemic crisis the European Union is undergoing when compared to competitors; believes that revitalising investment is of the utmost importance in order to restore productivity and long-term growth in the EU~~; emphasises that the lag in public spending is especially pronounced in the area of information and communication technologies (ICT)~~, but that such revitalisation will only happen by means of the Member States being quickly returned their territorial, economic and budgetary sovereignty, rather than of intensifying European integration;

Amendment 127 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Highlights that ~~the intensity of~~ tangible and intangible capital accumulation ~~in the EU has been lower~~has fallen in the EU post-financial crisis, when compared to competitors; believes that revitalising investment is of the utmost importance in order to restore productivity and long-term growth in the EU; emphasises that the lag in public spending is especially pronounced in the area of information and communication technologies (ICT)ich is detrimental to economic and social development; in order to reverse this negative trend, the Single Market must be enhanced and barriers to investment growth reduced;

Amendment 128 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Highlights that the intensity of tangible and intangible capital accumulation in the EU has been lower post-financial crisis when compared to competitors; believes that revitalising investment is of the utmost importance in order to restore productivity and long-term growth in the EU; ~~emphasises that the lag in public spending is especially pronounced in the area of information and communication technologies (ICT);~~

Amendment 129 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Highlights that the intensity of tangible and intangible capital accumulation in the EU has been lower post-financial crisis when compared to competitors; believes that revitalising investment is of the utmost importance in order to restore productivity and long-term growth in the EU; emphasises that the lag in public spending is especially pronounced in the area of information and communication technologies (ICT); demands that investment be focused on financing the real economy and that sustained measures continue to be taken to achieve that goal;

Amendment 13 #

Mylène TROSZCZYNSKI, Jean-Luc SCHAFFHAUSER, Franz OBERMAYR, Matteo SALVINI

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

~~D. whereas the effective coordination of economic and fiscal policies to enable growth and jobs must encompass micro- and macroeconomic coordination;~~deleted

Amendment 130 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Calls for an immediate abolition of unjustified territorial restrictions known as geo-blocking and for full implementation of Article 20 of the Services Directive, thus ending unjustified price discrimination;deleted

Amendment 131 #

Olga SEHNALOVÁ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Calls for an immediate abolition of unjustified territorial restrictions known as geo-blocking ~~and for~~, in particular throughout full implementation of Article 20 of the Services Directive, thus ending unjustified ~~price~~ discrimination in access to goods and services as well as price discrimination based on geographical location or nationality;

Amendment 132 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

Amendment 133 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Calls for upgrading of the European Standardisation System to commence as soon as possible ~~in order to support EU policies in digital innovation, increased cyber security and improved interoperability~~as one of the tools essential for the proper functioning of the Single Market;

Amendment 134 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Urges Member States to properly and timely implement and enforce the rules of the Single Market; highlights the importance of implementation of CSRs - including reforms of national products and services markets - to unlock Member States' growth potential;

Amendment 135 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)

21b. Believes that Member States have to step up their efforts to modernise their public administrations by providing more, and better accessible, digital services for citizens and businesses, and to facilitate cross border cooperation and interoperability of public administrations;

Amendment 136 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Emphasises that ~~the notion of~~economies in the modern ~~economy is~~world are rapidly changing owing to digital and technological advances, more intense international competition and changes in consumer behavioural patterns;

Amendment 137 #

Mylène TROSZCZYNSKI, Jean-Luc SCHAFFHAUSER, Franz OBERMAYR, Matteo SALVINI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Emphasises that the notion of the modern economy is rapidly changing owing to digital and technological advances, more intense international competition and changes in ~~consumer~~the behavioural patterns of economic agents and consumers;

Amendment 138 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. ~~Points to the blurring of lines between products and services; h~~Highlights the growing importance of business-related services and systems with integrated products and services; ~~believes that SM regulatory frameworks need to embrace these transformative developments;~~

Amendment 139 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Points to the blurring of lines between products and services; highlights the growing importance of business-related services and systems with integrated products and services; believes that SM regulatory frameworks need to embrace these transformative developments;(Does not affect the English version.)

Amendment 14 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the ediffe~~ctive coordination of economic and fiscal policies to enable growth and jobs must encompass micro- and macroeconomic coordination~~rences in implementation of “acquis communautaire” together with the differences of the national rules related to the single market may also create barriers for the functioning of the single market;

Amendment 140 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. welcomes new ~~business models emerging under the collaborative economy, creating a clear opportunity for growth, jobs and a wider choice for consumers and entrepreneurs~~sharing economy business models and recognises their enormous potential for innovation, which should be realised in compliance with existing legal and protection standards and with equal conditions for competition;

Amendment 141 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Welcomes new business models emerging under the collaborative economy, creating a clear opportunity for growth, jobs and a wider choice for consumers and entrepreneurs; underlines that it would be appropriate to clarify the rules, particularly tax and social rules, to which these activities are subject;

Amendment 142 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Welcomes new business models emerging under the collaborative economy, creating a clear opportunity for growth, jobs and a wider choice for consumers and entrepreneurs; Calls on the Commission to take a strategic approach to enable sharing economy businesses to compete with traditional businesses in a fair environment;

Amendment 143 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Welcomes new business models emerging under the collaborative economy, creating a clear opportunity for growth, jobs and a wider choice for consumers and entrepreneurs; Highlights the importance of ensuring the best possible conditions for the collaborative economy to develop and thrive;

Amendment 144 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Points out that investment patterns by businesses have seen a remarkable change, with expenditure in intangible assets growing in size and importance in comparison to investment in tangibles; stresses that in relation to intangible assets, only 17 % of firm investment goes towards scientific R&D; calls on policymakers to provide further support for this new innovation lever;deleted

Amendment 145 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Points out that investment patterns by businesses have seen a remarkable change, with expenditure in intangible assets growing in size and importance in comparison to investment in tangibles; stresses that in relation to intangible assets, only 17 % of firm investment goes towards scientific R&D; calls on policymakers to ~~provide further support for this~~work on removing regulatory barriers that impede the realization of the full potential of new innovation lever;

Amendment 146 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25a. Welcomes the Single Market Strategy sketching how various actions of the Commission (Capital Markets Union, Digital Single Market, Energy Union, etc.) are focused towards a main goal - to untap the potential of the EU's Single Market; Underlines that the Single Market Strategy Communication finds that the Single Market should be more addressed in the European Semester process;

Amendment 147 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25a. Highlights, in line with the European Parliament resolution of 9 July 2015 on the circular economy, that indicators relating to effective resource use should be included in the European Semester;

Amendment 148 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. ~~Welcom~~Notes the Digital Single Market Strategy ~~as the right~~, but takes the view that the mandatory guiding principle of the approach to makeing the EUMember States fit for the digital age~~; calls for a speedy delivery and implementation of this strategy to ensure the EU regains lost gr~~ should be defence of the public interest, which shounld ~~in relation to the previously slow adoption and use of digital technologi~~take precedence over the mere profit motive under all circumstances;

Amendment 149 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Welcomes the Digital Single Market Strategy as the right approach to make the EU fit for the digital age; calls for a speedy delivery and implementation of this strategy to ensure the EU regains lost ground in relation to the previously slow adoption and use of digital technologies; notes that it is also important to support digital innovation and improved interoperability, and that particularly close attention should be paid to cyber security issues;

Amendment 15 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the effective coordination of economic ~~and fiscal~~ policies to ~~enable~~support growth and as a result create jobs must encompass ~~micro- and~~ macroeconomic coordination;

Amendment 150 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Welcomes the Digital Single Market Strategy as the right approach to make the EU fit for the digital age; calls for a speedy delivery and implementation of this strategy to ensure the EU regains lost ground in relation to the previously slow adoption and use of digital technologies; considers that this requires an allocation of national and EU funds in order to provide the required infrastructure, in particular for the rural areas;

Amendment 151 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)

26a. Stresses that accessible, affordable, efficient and high-quality parcel delivery is an essential prerequisite for a thriving cross-border e-commerce for the benefit of SMEs and consumers in particular

Amendment 152 #

Catherine STIHLER, Lucy ANDERSON, Virginie ROZIÈRE, Christel SCHALDEMOSE, Liisa JAAKONSAARI, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Recalls that the integration of the Single Market in goods and services is almost always powered by data, with interoperability being the ‘glue’ improving connection along the supply chain and ensuring effective communication between digital components; calls on the Commission to commence the updating of the European Interoperability Framework as soon as possible, coupled with an integrated standardisation plan identifying and defining key priorities;

Amendment 153 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27a. Emphasises that private and public investments in fast and ultra-fast communication networks, are a requirement for any digital progress, that must be incentivised by a stable EU's regulatory framework enabling all players to make investments including in rural and remote areas;

Amendment 154 #

Catherine STIHLER, Lucy ANDERSON, Christel SCHALDEMOSE, Nicola DANTI, Liisa JAAKONSAARI, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)

27b. Highlights the importance of a successful implementation of EFSI to maximise investments, and to support innovative companies at different funding stages of their development; stresses, where there is market failure, the importance of fully exploiting the public funds already available for digital investments, of enabling synergies between EU programmes, such as Horizon 2020, CEF, other relevant structural funds and other instruments;

Amendment 155 #

Catherine STIHLER, Sergio Gaetano COFFERATI, Lucy ANDERSON, Christel SCHALDEMOSE, Nicola DANTI, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 c (new)

27c. Calls on the Commission to evaluate if the current broadband strategy for mobile and fixed networks, including targets, is future-proofed, meet the conditions for high connectivity for all to avoid the digital divide, for the needs of the data-driven economy, and the rapid deployment of 5G;

Amendment 156 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Stresses that standardisation has an essential role to play in increasing interoperability of new technologies within the SM; calls on the Commission to commence the updating of the European Interoperability Framework as soon as possible, coupled with an integrated standardisation plan identifying and defining key priorities;deleted

Amendment 157 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Highlights that the EU~~, with its sizeable SM and strong tradition in manufacturing state-of-the-art products, could be~~ should build its competitive advantage by creating the perfect breeding ground in Europe for innovative companies, ~~but that this~~which would require ~~a modern industrial policy and~~ better integrated infrastructure which ~~puts technology adoption and an innovation- friendly ecosystem at the forefro~~can easily accommodate new technologies, and an entrepreneur- friendly regulatory environment; calls for ~~any futur~~the digital framework proposed to be user- friendly ~~and workable~~for entrepreneurs and consumers;

Amendment 158 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Highlights that the EU, with its sizeable SM and strong tradition in manufacturing state-of-the-art products, could be the perfect breeding ground for innovative companies, but that this would require a modern industrial policy and better integrated infrastructure which puts technology adoption and an innovation- friendly ecosystem at the forefront; calls for any future digital framework proposed to be ~~user-friendly and workable~~inclusive and accessible, guaranteeing all consumers a high level of protection;

Amendment 159 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Underlines that~~, in order to achieve stronger SM governance and ownership at all levels, a clarification of division of tasks between those levels and frameworks providing better incentives and clear~~ SM governance must be made more effective, which requires a clarification of division of tasks and the introduction of accountability for their implementation a~~nd enforcement of SM laws are needed to~~t all levels of giove ~~new impetus to the SM~~rnance;

Amendment 16 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas ~~a robust, efficient and inclusive Single Market, with enhanced governance, is a crucial instrument to boost investment and~~the deepening of the Single Market has accentuated the dismantling of the sovereign instruments for regulation of economies; whereas it has not represented convergence, comope~~titiveness and thus preserve the~~ration or solidarity, but rather economic domination, divergence and uneven development; whereas tax avoidance and profit transfer at Member State level intensified confside~~nce of the business sector and consumers~~rably with the creation of the Single Market, showing it to be ineffective and exclusive;

Amendment 160 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. ~~Request~~Notes that ~~such~~the multilevel ownership ~~be supported by a compliance culture at all levels, adequate training, assistance and dedicated resources, and accessible information~~of effective SM governance could be successfully achieved by means of deregulation on the one hand and a broader culture of regulatory enforcement on the other; calls for the development of human capital, inter alia on the basis of more accessible information and appropriate training to raise levels of knowledge and awareness;

Amendment 161 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. Calls on the Commission to ~~take a strategic approach to enforcement and use~~ensure that Single Market rules are consistently enforced by the Member States by using all available information, evidence and instruments at its disposal, including rigorous notification of Member State legislation (ex-ante and ex-post), the ‘single market test’, proportionality, benchmarking, best practices, peer pressure, alternative arbitration systems, existing Court of Justice of and imposing the consequences provided for by the Treaties in cases where Member States fail to comply withe E~~uropean Union rulings and infringement procedure~~U policies and laws;

Amendment 162 #

Antanas GUOGA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. Calls on the Commission to take a strategic approach to enforcement and use all available evidence and instruments at its disposal, including rigorous notification of Member State legislation (ex-ante and ex- post), the ‘single market test’, proportionality, in particular in the area of regulated professions, benchmarking, best practices, peer pressure, alternative arbitration systems, existing Court of Justice of the European Union rulings and infringement procedures;

Amendment 163 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. Calls on the Commission to take a strategic approach to enforcement and use all available ~~evidence~~data and instruments at its disposal, including rigorous notification of Member State legislation (ex-ante and ex- post), the ‘single market test’, proportionality, benchmarking, best practices, peer pressure, alternative arbitration systems, existing Court of Justice of the European Union rulings and infringement procedures;

Amendment 164 #

Mylène TROSZCZYNSKI, Jean-Luc SCHAFFHAUSER, Franz OBERMAYR, Matteo SALVINI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)

32a. Calls upon the Commission to use all available measures, including infringement procedures, when necessary, to ensure full implementation of legislation on the single market of goods, services and in the digital sphere and to ensure structural reforms in product, services and labour markets in Member States;

Amendment 165 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

Points to the importance of monitoring and data collection and the need for a robust and integrated system; considers that data and evidence should be taken into account when making strategic decisions, setting priorities for action and enforcement, and evaluating SM integration and competitiveness, and also within structured compliance dialogue with Member States;deleted

Amendment 166 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

33. Points to the importance of monitoring and data collection and the need for a robust and integrated system; considers that data and evidence should be taken into account when making strategic decisions, setting priorities for action and enforcement, and evaluating SM integration and competitiveness, and also within structured compliance dialogue with Member States;deleted

Amendment 167 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

33. Points to the importance of monitoring and data collection and the need for a robust and integrated system; is concerned that information on the public consultation in most cases are available only in one language, that does not allow all interested parties to comment on the important issues and proposals; considers that data and evidence should be taken into account when making strategic decisions, setting priorities for action and enforcement, and evaluating SM integration and competitiveness, and also within structured compliance dialogue with Member States;

Amendment 168 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

Amendment 169 #

Mylène TROSZCZYNSKI, Jean-Luc SCHAFFHAUSER, Franz OBERMAYR, Matteo SALVINI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)

33a. Calls on the Commission to issue an annual report on the Single Market barriers in various member states and the EU as a whole and in the CSRs to issue recommendations focused on removing them; Stresses that the Single Market should play a more important role in the CSRs;

Amendment 17 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas a ~~robust, efficient and inclusive~~ Single Market, with enhanced governance, is a c~~rucial instrument to~~entralising instrument, incapable of boosting investment ~~and~~in the real economy and is therefore damaging to competitiveness and ~~thus preserve~~ the confidence of the business sector and consumers;

Amendment 170 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. Remains concerned about the length of infringement procedures and the number of outstanding cases; suggests that the Commission ~~prioritises and focuses infringement action on areas with the most dissuasive impact; recognises the need for a fast-track extra-judicial arbitration procedure as a fast, alternative remedy instrument~~significantly speeds up its work, particularly on cases which represent major infringements of the idea or principle behind the Single Market or its rules;

Amendment 171 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. Remains concerned about the length of infringement procedures and the number of outstanding cases; ~~suggests that the Commission prioritises and focuses infringement action on areas with the most dissuasive impact;~~ recognises the need for a fast-track extra-judicial arbitration procedure as a fast, alternative remedy instrument;

Amendment 172 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. Remains concerned about the long length of infringement procedures and the high number of outstanding cases; suggests that the Commission prioritises and focuses infringement action in a timely and effective manner on areas with the most dissuasive impact; recognises the need for a fast-track extra-judicial arbitration procedure as a fast, alternative remedy instrument;

Amendment 173 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. Notes the benefits of SOLVIT; requests that SOLVIT be strengthened and better connected to Commission services, and well integrated with existing projects and databases such as CHAP and EU Pilot in order to create information synergies and share best practices; ~~requests that the Commission follow up consistently on unresolved cases;~~

Amendment 174 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. Notes the benefits of SOLVIT; requests that SOLVIT be strengthened and better connected to Commission services, and well integrated with existing projects and databases such as CHAP and EU Pilot in order to create information synergies and share best practices; requests that the Commission follow up consistently on unresolved cases; Urges the Commission and the Member States to ensure the necessary support and expertise for SOLVIT to deal efficiently with the cases received;

Amendment 175 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36

36. Urges national market surveillance authorities to cooperate more closely and to exchange information and best practices to effectively tackle the high number of illegal and non-compliant products incurring high costs for complying businesses; calls for the immediate adoption of the Product Safety and Market Surveillance Package by the Council of the European Uniontackle more effectively various forms of unfair competition in the Single Market, inter alia in connection with the illegal production, distribution and trade of goods and services, including those which do not meet the standards provided for by law, which penalises honest entrepreneurs;

Amendment 176 #

Catherine STIHLER, Sergio Gaetano COFFERATI, Lucy ANDERSON, Virginie ROZIÈRE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36

36. Underlines that the recent emissions- testing cheating scandal in the motor- vehicle sector brought to light serious failings in the implementation of Single Market rules; urges national market surveillance authorities to cooperate more closely and to exchange information and best practices to effectively tackle the high number of illegal and non-compliant products incurring high costs for complying businesses; ~~calls for the immediat~~demands the establishment of a European market- surveillance authority, in order to ensure the independence of checks and of market surveillance; is extremely concerned by the length of time taken by the Council of the European Union in the adoption of the Product Safety and Market Surveillance Package ~~by the Council~~, which jeopardises the safety of products in the EU, and calls ofn the ~~European Union~~Council to adopt it immediately;

Amendment 177 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36

36. Is of the view that market surveillance authorities within the Single Market need to be strengthened, better connected and appropriately staffed to meet today's challenges in particular those from global competition; Urges national market surveillance authorities to cooperate more closely and to exchange information and best practices to effectively tackle the high number of illegal and non-compliant products incurring high costs for complying businesses; calls for the immediate adoption of the Product Safety and Market Surveillance Package by the Council of the European Union;

Amendment 178 #

Antanas GUOGA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36

36. Urges national market surveillance authorities to cooperate more closely and to exchange information and best practices to effectively tackle the high number of illegal and non-compliant products incurring high costs for complying businesses; calls for the immediate adoption of the Product Safety and Market Surveillance Package by the Council of the European Union; believes that the Commission has to take responsibility for not doing enough to in this area;

Amendment 179 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36

36. Urges national market surveillance authorities to cooperate more closely and to exchange information and best practices to effectively tackle the high number of illegal and non-compliant products incurring high costs for complying businesses, as well as high risk for consumers, particularly the most vulnerable; calls for the immediate adoption of the Product Safety and Market Surveillance Package by the Council of the European Union;

Amendment 18 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas a ~~robust, efficient and~~n inclusive Single Market, with enhanced governance which avoids over-regulation or protectionism, is a crucial instrument to boost investment and competitiveness and thus preserve the confidence of the business sector and consumers;

Amendment 180 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37

37. Welcomes the Commission initiative to create a Single Digital Gateway as an accessible umbrella portal that will streamline and simplify access to information and promote existing dedicated users’ platforms; stresses the role of national and regional governments in promoting such platforms, making them accessible and educating their users; calls the Commission further strengthen and streamline online Single Market tools;

Amendment 181 #

Olga SEHNALOVÁ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38

38. Recognises the importance of better regulation principles and the REFIT initiative~~, and the need for regulatory security and predictability, when designing new legislative initiatives;~~

Amendment 182 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38

38. Recognises the importance of better regulation principles and the REFIT initiative, and the need for regulatory security and predictability, when designing new legislative initiatives; underlines that the better lawmaking principle should not prejudice the right of the EU and the Member States to legislate in areas crucial to the public interest, such as health and the environment.

Amendment 183 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38

38. Recognises the importance of better regulation principles and the REFIT initiative, and the need for regulatory security and predictability, when designing new legislative initiatives; calls in this context not to alter the obligations reduced within REFIT by new burdens;

Amendment 19 #

Catherine STIHLER, Lucy ANDERSON, Christel SCHALDEMOSE

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas a robust, efficient and inclusive Single Market, with enhanced governance, is a crucial instrument to ~~boost~~improve growth, employment, investment and competitiveness and t~~hus~~o preserve the confidence of the business sector and consumers;

Amendment 2 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)

– having regard to the Communication from the Commission on the Annual Growth Survey 2016 – Strengthening the recovery and fostering convergence (COM (2015) 690 final)

Amendment 20 #

Mylène TROSZCZYNSKI, Jean-Luc SCHAFFHAUSER, Franz OBERMAYR, Matteo SALVINI

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas ongoing technological, societal and behavioural changes significantly impact business and consumer behaviour, creating many economic opportunities and challenges which the Single Market framework must address;deleted

Amendment 21 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas ongoing techn~~olog~~ical, ~~societal and behaviour~~technological and social changes significantly impact ~~business~~entrepreneur and consumer behaviour, creating many economic opportunities and challenges which the Single Market framework must address;

Amendment 22 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

Amendment 23 #

Mylène TROSZCZYNSKI, Jean-Luc SCHAFFHAUSER, Franz OBERMAYR, Matteo SALVINI

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)

Fa. whereas first of all, it is compliance with existing rules within the European Semester and the Single Market that will provide real insight into the suitability or shortcomings of current rules;

Amendment 24 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1

The Single Market as a~~n important~~ microeconomic tool insupposedly important for boosting EU competitiveness and ~~delivering jobs and growth~~enabling companies to create jobs

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1

The Single Market as an important ~~microeconomic~~ tool in boosting EU competitiveness and delivering jobs and growth

Amendment 26 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Believes that ~~effectiv~~the principal purpose of the coordination of microeconomic ~~and fiscal policies must also encompass macro- and microeconomic coordination, and calls for the inclusion of coordination of current EU microeconomic policies in the European Semester proces~~policies in force in the EU, particularly as regards wage and taxation changes, is to prevent wage increases and the promotion of any more redistributive and progressive taxation systems that may result from the wishes and struggles of the workers;

Amendment 27 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Believ~~Stresses that ~~effective coordination of economic and fiscal policies must also encompass macro- and microeconomic coordination, and calls for~~compliant but diverse implementation of the EU rules within Member States, together with various national legal orders might negatively influence functioning of the Single Market; asks the Commission to monitor and evaluate the functioning of the Sin~~clusion of coordination of current EU microeconomic policies~~ gle Market in Member States, to identify unnecessary non-tariff, regulatory and administrative barriers and to prepare country specific recommendations concerning the ~~European Semester process~~elimination of barriers in the Single Market;

Amendment 28 #

Mylène TROSZCZYNSKI, Jean-Luc SCHAFFHAUSER, Franz OBERMAYR, Matteo SALVINI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Believes that effective coordination of economic ~~and fiscal~~ policies ~~must~~should also encompass macro~~- and micro~~economic coordination~~, and calls for the inclusion of coordination of current EU microeconomic policies in the European Semester process~~;

Amendment 29 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Believes that ~~effective~~ coordination of ~~economic and fiscal policies must also~~Member State economic policies could encompass macro- and microeconomic coordination~~, and calls for the inclusion of coordination of current EU microeconomic policies in the European Semester process~~;

Amendment 3 #

Catherine STIHLER, Lucy ANDERSON, Christel SCHALDEMOSE

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 b (new)

– having regard to the Commission Staff Working document on Challenges to Member States' Investment Environments (SWD (2015) 400 final)

Amendment 30 #

Mylène TROSZCZYNSKI, Jean-Luc SCHAFFHAUSER, Franz OBERMAYR, Matteo SALVINI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Believes that effective coordination of economic and fiscal policies must also encompass macro- and microeconomic coordination, and calls for the inclusion of coordination of current EU microeconomic policies in the European Semester process; believes also that strong competitiveness is needed, but it should be based on fair competition between SMEs and large companies.

Amendment 31 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Underline~~Regrets that the Single Market (SM) ~~is the backbon~~rules are becoming omnipresent and restrictive in the guidance of Member States’ economies; ~~highligh~~doubts the economic benefits of the SM, ~~such as~~particularly the Digital SM, which is being presented as successful product and market integration, economies of scale, stronger competition, and a level playing field for 500 million citizens ~~across the 28 Member States, provid~~, but which is performing disastrously and delivering gre~~ater choice and lower prices for consumer~~sults which are the exact opposite to its stated ambitions;

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Underlines that the Sin~~gle Market (SM) is the backbone of Member States’ economies~~ternal markets of the Member States should constitute a single market; highlights the economic benefits of the SM, such as ~~product and market integration,~~ economies of scale, and stronger competition~~, and a level playing field~~ for 500 million c~~itizen~~onsumers across the 28 Member States, ~~provid~~ensuring greater choice, higher quality and lower prices for ~~consumer~~goods and services;

Amendment 33 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Underlines that the Single Market (SM) is the backbone of Member States’ economies; highlights the economic benefits of the SM, such as product and market integration, economies of scale, stronger competition, and a level playing field for 500 million citizens across the 28 Member States, providing greater choice and lower prices for consumers; underlines that the Single Market should allow the relocation of certain activities to encourage shorter distances between producer and consumer;

Amendment 34 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Underlines that the Single Market (SM) is the backbone of Member States’ economies and the European integration project as a whole; highlights the economic benefits of the SM, such as product and market integration, economies of scale, stronger competition, and a level playing field for 500 million citizens across the 28 Member States, providing greater choice and lower prices for consumers;

Amendment 35 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Underlines that the Single Market (SM) is the backbone of Member States’ economies; highlights the economic benefits of the SM, such as product and market integration, economies of scale, stronger competition, and a level playing field for 500 million citizens across the 28 Member States, providing ~~greater choice and~~, in particular, greater choice of high-quality products and services at lower prices for consumers;

Amendment 36 #

Mylène TROSZCZYNSKI, Jean-Luc SCHAFFHAUSER, Franz OBERMAYR, Matteo SALVINI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

Amendment 37 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Emphasises th~~e importance of advancing the SM to achieve structural economic growth in order to attract investment~~at it is essential to re- examine the arrangements for the SM in light of the effect of these policies on the health of companies in the European Union, an analysis that suggests that the crisis is structural rather than cyclical, in order to avoid an imminent disaster;

Amendment 38 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Emphasises the importance of advancing ~~the SM to achieve structural economic growth in order to attract investment~~structural economic growth that attracts investment, nevertheless is alert to the fact that such attraction should not be based on privatisation processes, but rather on capacity for innovation and technological growth in the form of infrastructure and equipment, under decent working conditions, and in training and qualifications for workers;

Amendment 39 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Emphasises the importance of advancing the SM to achieve structural economic growth in order to attract ~~investment~~and foster investment, in the context of transparency and efficiency rules;

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the EU faces diverse challenges, at ~~both global and domestic level~~the level of both its internal market and its economy, such as ~~sluggish~~weak growth, high levels of unemployment and intense international competition;

Amendment 40 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. emphasises the importance of advancing the SM to achieve structural economic growth in order to attract investment, which will lead to the creation of jobs that support the social insurance system;

Amendment 41 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Emphasises the importance of advancing the SM to achieve structural economic growth in order to attract investment, which will help to create jobs and promote well-being among the citizens of the Member States;

Amendment 42 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Emphasises the importance of advancing the SM to achieve structural economic growth in order to attract investment; Urges the Commission for systematic monitoring of implementation and enforcement of the Single Market rules through the CSRs, in particular where those rules provide a significant contribution to the structural reforms;

Amendment 43 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Emphasises the importance of advancing the SM to achieve structural economic growth in order to attract investment in the real economy, particularly innovation and the green economy;

Amendment 44 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Emphasises the importance of advancing the SM to achieve structural and sustainable economic growth in order to attract investment;

Amendment 45 #

Catherine STIHLER, Christel SCHALDEMOSE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Believes that it is necessary to facilitate an adequate environment for economic initiative and business development, encouraging competitiveness and cooperation among SMEs, thus tapping into the industrial potential of innovation, research and technology.

Amendment 46 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Notes the recent Commission services work on identifying and mapping challenges to investment and elaboration of country-specific investment profiles;

Amendment 47 #

Mylène TROSZCZYNSKI, Jean-Luc SCHAFFHAUSER, Franz OBERMAYR, Matteo SALVINI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Is concerned that the level of implementation of~~Takes the view that the specific recommendations for each Member State resulting from the European Semester are~~commendations for 2011-2014 was weak and even declining~~ profoundly undemocratic;

Amendment 48 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Is ~~concern~~not surprised that the level of implementation of European Semester recommendations for 2011-2014 was weak and even declining;

Amendment 49 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Is concerned that the level of implementation of European Semester recommendations for 2011-2014 was ~~weak and even declining~~lower than expected, meaning that the anticipated outcomes were not achieved;

Amendment 5 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the EUvarious EU Member States faces diverse challenges at both global and domestic level, such as sluggish growth, high levels of unemployment, a widening gap between rich and poor, the exacerbation of social and income inequality, and intense international competition;

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Is concerned that the level of implementation of European Semester recommendations for 2011-2014 was weak and even declining; Therefore, calls on the Commission to propose a mechanism encouraging countries to implement CSRs;

Amendment 51 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Stridently condemns the European Semester;

Amendment 52 #

Mylène TROSZCZYNSKI, Jean-Luc SCHAFFHAUSER, Franz OBERMAYR, Matteo SALVINI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Welcoming that the new European Semester process was streamlined by the Commission and understanding that the number of CSRs declined in order to propose recommendations more focused on countries' priorities, notes that the Annual Growth Survey pays more attention to the Single Market issues than the CSRs;

Amendment 53 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Reiterates a call for inclusion of the Single Market pillar in the European Semester, with a system for regular monitoring and evaluation of SM integration and competitiveness focused on a set of priorities where action would generate the most impact in growth and jobs; considers that the system should comprise a robust information database, a set of quantitative and qualitative indicators, benchmarking, peer review and exchange of best practices;deleted

Amendment 54 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

Amendment 55 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

Amendment 56 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Reiterates a call for inclusion of the Single Market pillar in the European Semester, with a system for regular monitoring, identification of the country specific barriers of the Single Market and evaluation of SM integration and competitiveness focused on a set of priorities where action would generate the most impact in growth and jobs; considers that the system should comprise a robust information database, a set of quantitative and qualitative indicators, benchmarking, peer review and exchange of best practices;

Amendment 57 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Reiterates a call for inclusion of the Single Market pillar in the European Semester, with a system for regular monitoring and evaluation of SM integration and competitiveness focused on a set of priorities where action would generate the most impact in growth and jobs; considers that the system should comprise a robust information database, a set of quantitative and qualitative indicators aims at measuring inter alia the economic effects of application of the Single Marker rules, benchmarking, peer review and exchange of best practices;

Amendment 58 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

Amendment 59 #

Mylène TROSZCZYNSKI, Jean-Luc SCHAFFHAUSER, Franz OBERMAYR, Matteo SALVINI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Welcomes the 2015 Report on Single Market Integration and Competitiveness in the EU and its Member States; requests that the report be further developed and that it become part of the SM Governance pillar and the basis for annual evaluation of microeconomic policies; considers that the report should be systematically taken into account in Member States’ economic and fiscal evaluations and that it should feed into the specific SM section in the Annual Growth Survey, in Country- Specific Recommendations and in regular structured compliance dialogue with the Member States;deleted

Amendment 6 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the EU faces diverse challenges at both ~~glob~~international and domestic level, such as sluggish growth, high levels of unemployment and intense ~~international competition~~competition, sometimes unfair, whether international or within the European Union itself;

Amendment 60 #

Mylène TROSZCZYNSKI, Jean-Luc SCHAFFHAUSER, Franz OBERMAYR, Matteo SALVINI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Welcom~~Notes the 2015 Report on Single Market Integration and Competitiveness in the EU and its Member States; ~~request~~considers that the report be further developed and that it become part of the SM Governance pillar and the basis for annual evaluation of microeconomic policies; considers that the report should be systematically taken into account in Member States’ economic and fiscal evaluations and that it should feed into the specific SM section in the Annual Growth Survey, in Country- Specific Recommendatshould be analysed thoroughly and pragmatically to evaluate the results of implementing the European Commission’s ~~and in regular~~ restruict~~ured compliance dialogue with the Member State~~ive economic and budgetary recommendations;

Amendment 61 #

Catherine STIHLER, Christel SCHALDEMOSE, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Welcomes the 2015 Report on Single Market Integration and Competitiveness in the EU and its Member States; ~~requests that the report be further developed and that it become part of the SM Governance pillar and the basis for annual evaluation of microeconomic policies; considers that the report~~notes that, with a view to improving implementation of the European Semester1 a, this report has been published as a document accompanying the Single Market Strategy communication, instead of being annexed to the Annual Growth Survey as was previously the case; the report replaces both the Single Market Integration Report previously annexed to the Annual Growth Survey and the Report on European Industrial Performance; considers that the 2015 Report on Single Market Integration and Competitiveness in the EU and its Member States should be systematically taken into account inby the Member States~~’ economic and fiscal evaluations~~ and that it should feed into the specific SM section in the Annual Growth Survey, in Country- Specific Recommendations and in regular ~~structured compliance~~ dialogue with the Member States; __________________ 1a COM(2015) 600 final

Amendment 62 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Welcomes the Commission's intention to further analyse the identified country- specific challenges to investment in the framework of the European Semester, particularly in Country Reports and through thematic discussions in the Council;

Amendment 63 #

Catherine STIHLER, Christel SCHALDEMOSE, Liisa JAAKONSAARI, Evelyne GEBHARDT, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Draws the attention to the fact that many of the identified challenges to investment relate to the functioning of the Single Market and transposition and implementation of Single Market law; asks the Commission to rigorously monitor Member States' follow-up on the identified challenges and barriers to investment, engage in regular structured compliance dialogue with Member States and use its powers and take action where appropriate in order to remove unjustified and disproportionate barriers to the Single Market;

Amendment 64 #

Catherine STIHLER, Lucy ANDERSON, Christel SCHALDEMOSE, Virginie ROZIÈRE, Liisa JAAKONSAARI, Evelyne GEBHARDT, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 c (new)

6c. Considers that EU2020 objectives on employment, social exclusion and education should be incorporated into the context of the European Semester and given equal weight alongside economic targets.

Amendment 65 #

Catherine STIHLER, Olga SEHNALOVÁ, Sergio Gaetano COFFERATI, Lucy ANDERSON, Virginie ROZIÈRE, Christel SCHALDEMOSE, Nicola DANTI, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 d (new)

6d. Calls for a Social Progress Index measuring social inequalities and inequalities in opportunities to be integrated into the AGS with binding targets.

Amendment 66 #

Catherine STIHLER, Olga SEHNALOVÁ, Sergio Gaetano COFFERATI, Lucy ANDERSON, Virginie ROZIÈRE, Evelyne GEBHARDT, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 e (new)

6e. Calls for the creation of a living wage index in the context of the AGS, which will set the basis for binding targets for Member States.

Amendment 67 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Stresses that any ~~review process of the European Semester must allow for~~ proper involvement of the European Parliament, national and regional parliaments and all relevant stakeholders that may result from a review of the European Semester will not alter the undemocratic nature of this instrument, since neoliberal economic policies continue to be imposed on the Member States, regardless of the express will of the peoples and workers;

Amendment 68 #

Mylène TROSZCZYNSKI, Jean-Luc SCHAFFHAUSER, Franz OBERMAYR, Matteo SALVINI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Stresses that any review process of the European Semester must allow for proper involvement of the European Parliament, as well as national and regional parliaments ~~and all relevant stakeholder~~not only to increase the ownership of the European Semester but also to increase the level of implementation of the CSRs;

Amendment 69 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Stresses that any new review process of the European Semester must allow for proper involvement of the European Parliament, ~~national and reg~~but first and foremost national parliaments and all other relevant stakeholders;

Amendment 7 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the EU faces diverse challenges at both global and domestic level, such as sluggish growth, high levels of unemployment and, in particular, intense international competition;

Amendment 70 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Stresses that any review process of the European Semester must allow for proper involvement of the European Parliament, national and regional parliaments and all relevant stakeholders, in particular employer organisations and trade unions;

Amendment 71 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Is of the view that the network of National Competitiveness Boards could play a more central role in developing commonalities as regards monitoring, performance measurement, benchmarks and exchange of best practices;deleted

Amendment 72 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. ~~Is of~~Rejects the view that the network of National Competitiveness Boards could ~~play a more central role in developing commonalities as regards monitoring, performance measurement, benchmarks and exchange of best practice~~make recommendations to the Member State governments in relation to measures to increase wages, taxation and competitiveness;

Amendment 73 #

Catherine STIHLER, Lucy ANDERSON, Christel SCHALDEMOSE, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Is of the view that ~~the~~establishing a network of National Competitiveness Boards could play a ~~more central~~n appropriate role in developing commonalities as regards monitoring, performance measurement, benchmarks and exchange of best practices, provided that the autonomy of negotiating parties in wage agreements is not compromised; calls in this regard for a workers’ representative to be included when the respective boards are set up;

Amendment 74 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Is of the view that the network of National Competitiveness Boards could play a ~~more central~~ role in developing commonalities as regards monitoring, performance measurement, benchmarks and exchange of best practices;

Amendment 75 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

Amendment 76 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

Amendment 77 #

Mylène TROSZCZYNSKI, Jean-Luc SCHAFFHAUSER, Franz OBERMAYR, Matteo SALVINI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Is of the view that the actual purpose of the network of National Competitiveness Boards is to deepen the imposition of neoliberal policies in the Member States and, therefore, to prevent any wage increases that may result from the wishes and struggles of the workers, and the pursuit of redistributive and progressive taxation policies;

Amendment 78 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

~~9. Underlines the importance of an all inclusive, transparent and non- discriminatory approach towards all EU Member States – Eurozone and non- Eurozone – through the European Semester;~~deleted

Amendment 79 #

Mylène TROSZCZYNSKI, Jean-Luc SCHAFFHAUSER, Franz OBERMAYR, Matteo SALVINI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Underlines the importance of an all inclusive, transparent ~~and non- discriminatory approach towards all EU Member States – Eurozone and non- Eurozone –~~process leading to relevant and necessary reforms through the European Semester;

Amendment 8 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas the European Semester aims to increase coordination of economic and fiscal policies across the EU 28 in order to enhance stability, promote growth and employment and strengthen competitiveness;deleted

Amendment 80 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Recalls th~~at pressing economic and social issues continue to hamper~~e need to carry out appropriate and fair economic and social reforms, in order to improve productivity and the competitiveness of the European economy;

Amendment 81 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Recalls that ~~pressing economic and social issues~~overregulation and protectionism continue to hamper productivity and the competitiveness of the European economy;

Amendment 82 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Stresses that despite the lack of straightforward tariff barriers in the Single Market, a vast number of various non-tariff barriers do exist; Encourages the European institutions, Member States and all relevant stakeholders to launch a constructive debate on this issue in order to overcome the non-tariff obstacles within the EU;

Amendment 83 #

Mylène TROSZCZYNSKI, Jean-Luc SCHAFFHAUSER, Franz OBERMAYR, Matteo SALVINI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Regrets that ~~further implementation of the Services Directive, covering activities representing more than 45 % of the EU’s GDP and employment, is hindered by a multitude of varying national rul~~in several Member States there are significant deficiencies ands reg~~ulations and that the notification procedure is often not complied with~~ards the implementation of the Services Directive;

Amendment 84 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Regrets th~~at further~~e implementation of the Services Directive, covering activities representing more than 45 % of the EU’s GDP and employment, is hindered by a multitude of varying national rules and regulations and that the notification procedure is often not complied with;

Amendment 85 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Regrets that ~~further~~ implementation of the Services Directive, covering activities representing more than 45 % of the EU’s GDP and employment, is ~~hindered by a multitude of varying national rules and regulations and that the notification procedure is often not complied with~~not as effective as it could be, inter alia because of the multitude of varying national rules and regulations;

Amendment 86 #

Mylène TROSZCZYNSKI, Jean-Luc SCHAFFHAUSER, Franz OBERMAYR, Matteo SALVINI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Regrets that further implementation of the Services Directive, covering activities representing more than 45 % of the EU’s GDP and employment, is hindered by ~~a multitude of~~some varying national rules and regulations that are not always in the public interest and that the notification procedure is often not complied with;

Amendment 87 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. ~~Welcomes the modernisation of the Professional Qualifications Directive, proposing a smoother system of recognition of qualifications supporting labour mobility; highlights~~Is pleased to note that the regulation of similar regulated professions still varies substantially between Member States, a~~s do reserves of activities, thus~~ sign of resistance from national models and balances, which obviously hamper~~ing~~s the labour mobility ~~and job creation~~demanded by the Services Directive in response to federalist goals and in opposition to the growing aspiration of the peoples of Europe;

Amendment 88 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Welcomes the modernisation of the Professional Qualifications Directive, proposing a smoother system of recognition of qualifications supporting labour mobility; ~~highlight~~notes that the regulation of ~~similar~~ regulated professions ~~still varies substantially~~varies between Member States, as do reserves of activities~~, thus hampering labour mobility and job creation~~;

Amendment 89 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Welcomes the modernisation of the Professional Qualifications Directive, proposing a smoother system of recognition of qualifications supporting labour mobility; highlights that the regulation of ~~similar~~ regulated professions still varies ~~substantially~~ between Member States, ~~as do reserves of activities, thus hampering labour mobility and job creation~~thus hampering labour mobility and job creation, and in extreme cases resulting in abuses and illegal actions; the process of deregulation in the EU should however be broader and involve not only regulated professions, but all fields of economic activity for entrepreneurs, including small and medium-sized enterprises;

Amendment 9 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas the European Semester aims to ~~increase coordination of economic and fiscal policies across the EU 28 in order to enhance stability, promote growth and employment and strengthen competitiveness~~make action by the organs of national sovereignty conditional on and subordinate to decisions taken at EU level, particularly the national parliaments, which are being positioned as mere implementers thereof;

Amendment 90 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Welcomes the modernisation of the Professional Qualifications Directive, proposing a smoother system of recognition of qualifications supporting labour mobility; highlights that the regulation of similar regulated professions still varies substantially between Member States, as do reserves of activities, thus hampering labour mobility and job creation; underlines that the modernisation of this Directive should not prejudice the right of the Member States receiving workers to legislate in the public interest;

Amendment 91 #

Nicola DANTI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. considers that the European Commission should undertake initiatives to promote entrepreneurship education and training for professionals, in particular for young people, in order to equip them with better digital skills, a necessary tool for creating a workforce capable of offering services of excellent quality within the single market and competing on an international level.

Amendment 92 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. welcomes the ~~proposal by the Commission to launch a legislative~~Commission’s intention to consider an initiative ~~introducing~~for a services passport, as a helpful tool to reduce barriers faced by service providers going cross-border and with the proviso that this services passport leads to greater transparency and a reduction in red tape; emphasises that any such initiative should not lead to the introduction of the country of origin principle;

Amendment 93 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. ~~Welcom~~Notes the proposal by the Commission to launch a legislative initiative introducing a services passport as a helpful tool to reduce barriers faced by service providers going cross-border; at the same time, highlights the fact that the services passport is a temporary solution intended for use during the transition to a fully integrated Single Market;

Amendment 94 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. welcomes the proposal by the Commission to launch a legislative initiative introducing a services passport ~~as a helpful tool to reduce barriers faced by service providers going cross-border~~to create transparency as regards the extent of the powers of cross-border service providers;

Amendment 95 #

Nicola DANTI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. welcomes the proposal by the Commission to launch a legislative initiative introducing a services passport a~~s a~~nd a harmonised notification form as helpful tools to reduce barriers faced by service providers ~~going cross-border~~who wish to operate on a cross-border basis and expand their business activity in foreign markets;

Amendment 96 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Welcomes the proposal by the Commission to launch a legislative initiative introducing a services passport as a helpful tool to reduce barriers ~~faced by service providers~~and administrative burden going cross-border;

Amendment 97 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Welcomes the proposal by the Commission to launch a legislative initiative introducing a services passport as a helpful tool to reduce barriers faced by service providers going cross-border; takes the view, however, that it would be appropriate to provide more detail on the outlines of this proposal, whilst ensuring that the rules of the destination country can be applied;

Amendment 98 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Stresses that the public ~~sector and public~~ procurement mar~~e cri~~ket accounts for a substantical ~~drivers of both~~portion of the Single Market as a whole, thus benefiting both the economies of the Member States and ~~business growth,~~individual entrepreneurs, as well as contributing to job creation and improved competitiveness ~~(representing more than 19 % of EU GDP expenditure)~~; calls on the Commission to facilitate SME participation in public procurement;

Amendment 99 #