EN EN 2015 BUDGETARY PROCEDURE Doc No: 4: (4) ******* 24.09.2014 COMMITTEE ON BUDGETS RAPPORTEURS: EIDER GARDIAZÁBAL RUBIAL - SECTION III (COMMISSION) MONIKA HOHLMEIER - OTHER SECTIONS PARLIAMENT'S POSITION Amendments submitted to the meeting of the Committee on Budgets of 29-30 September and 1 October 2014
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· 3 Draft amendment 130 === AFET/5018 === Tabled by Committee on Foreign Affairs-------------------------------SECTION III — COMMISSION Item 19 01 04 01 — Support ...
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EN EN
2015 BUDGETARY PROCEDURE
Doc No:
4: (4)*******
24.09.2014
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETS
RAPPORTEURS:EIDER GARDIAZÁBAL RUBIAL - SECTION III (COMMISSION)
MONIKA HOHLMEIER - OTHER SECTIONS
PARLIAMENT'S POSITION
Amendments submitted to the meeting of theCommittee on Budgets of
29-30 September and 1 October 2014
2
3
Draft amendment 130 === AFET/5018 ===
Tabled by Committee on Foreign Affairs
-------------------------------
SECTION III — COMMISSION
Item 19 01 04 01 — Support expenditure for Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace
Amend figures as follows:Budget 2014 Draft budget 2015 Council's position 2015 Difference New amount
Justification:The EU should focus on a purely peaceful and civil foreign policy. The Instrument contributing to Stabilityand Peace (IcSP) lacks transparency particularly in (rapid) response to crisis. IcSP finances CSDP missions,which compromise its civilian character. IcSP should focus on civil measures only, such as i.a. non-proliferation and disarmament, DDR, mediation
Justification:The EU should focus on a purely peaceful and civil foreign policy. The Instrument contributing to Stabilityand Peace (IcSP) lacks transparency particularly in (rapid) response to crisis. IcSP finances CSDP missions,which compromise its civilian character. IcSP should focus on civil measures only, such as i.a. non-proliferation and disarmament, DDR, mediation
Item 19 01 04 03 — Support expenditure for the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights(EIDHR) — Expenditure related to election observation Missions (EOMs)
Amend figures as follows:Budget 2014 Draft budget 2015 Council's position 2015 Difference New amount
Justification:In 2014 serious payments' problems occurred on this budget line. In order to prevent such a situation fromhappening again in 2015 and as payments are anyhow supposed to match corresponding commitments, thepayments appropriations are increased.
Justification:The Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP) lacks transparency particularly in (rapid) responseto crisis and emerging crisis. IcSP finances CSDP missions, which compromise its civilian character. IcSPshould focus on civil measures only, such as i.a. non-proliferation and disarmament, DDR, mediation,peaceful conflict resolution.
Justification:The Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP) lacks transparency particularly in (rapid) responseto crisis and emerging crisis. IcSP finances CSDP missions, which compromise its civilian character. IcSPshould focus on civil measures only, such as i.a. non-proliferation and disarmament, DDR, mediation,peaceful conflict resolution.
Justification:Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigatethe reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1aand by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
Justification:In 2014 serious payments' problems occurred on this budget line. In order to prevent such a situation fromhappening again in 2015 and as payments are anyhow supposed to match corresponding commitments, thepayments appropriations are increased.
Justification:In 2014, serious payments' problems occurred in relation to the Instrument for Stability and paymentsappropriations are once more insufficient to honour commitments in the 2015 budget proposal. Paymentsappropriations are therefore increased for the 2015 budget in view of a sound budget policy.
Any income from financial contributions from Member .......... for the corresponding programme for eachchapter.
Amend text as follows:
This appropriation is intended to contribute to the prevention of conflicts and to ensuring capacity andpreparedness to address pre- and post-crisis situations and build peace. Such technical and financialassistance shall cover support for measures aimed at building and strengthening the capacity of the Unionand its partners to prevent conflict, build peace and address pre- and post-crisis needs; with dueconsideration to the importance of women's empowerment and of a gender perspective in all measuresandneeds in close coordination with the United Nations and other international, regional and sub-regionalorganisations, and State and civil society actors.
Justification:In this field progress cannot be achieved without the inclusion of women. Where women are engaged inconflict resolution and peace-building processes, more areas for reconstruction and peace consolidation areaddressed. Including a gender perspective in all measures which help to prevent conflict and build peace isone of the pre-conditions of an effective policy with EU support.
Justification:Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigate
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the reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1aand by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
Justification:In 2014, serious payments' problems occurred in relation to the Instrument for Stability and paymentsappropriations are once more insufficient to honour commitments in the 2015 budget proposal. Paymentsappropriations are therefore increased for the 2015 budget in view of a sound budget policy.
Justification:The civil nature of EULEX Kosovo is compromised as the mission includes paramilitary units focused oncounter-insurgency and because of its close cooperation with NATO's KFOR in suppressing protests.Therefore EULEX Kosovo should be terminated and the funds shall be reallocated to purely civilian use.
Justification:The civil nature of EULEX Kosovo is compromised as the mission includes paramilitary units focused oncounter-insurgency and because of its close cooperation with NATO's KFOR in suppressing protests.Therefore EULEX Kosovo should be terminated and the funds shall be reallocated to purely civilian use.
Justification:EUPOL Afghanistan is supporting the war in Afghanistan, leads to no stabilization and has completely lostits civil character, therefore EUPOL Afghanistan should be terminated and the funds should be reallocatedfor purely civilian purposes.
Justification:EUPOL Afghanistan is supporting the war in Afghanistan, leads to no stabilization and has completely lostits civil character, therefore EUPOL Afghanistan should be terminated and the funds should be reallocatedfor purely civilian purposes.
Justification:The EU should focus on a purely peaceful and civil foreign policy. The Instrument contributing to Stabilityand Peace (IcSP) lacks transparency particularly in crisis management and operations. IcSP finances CSDPmissions, which compromise its civilian character. IcSP should focus on civil measures only, such as i.a.non-proliferation and disarmament, DDR, mediation, peaceful conflict resolution
This appropriation is intended to cover other crisis .......... costs of the warehouse for civilian CSDP missions.
Add following text:
All the actions financed under this budget line must be fully transparent and the European Parliament, asthe budget authority, must be informed in advance before any actions or missions are undertaken. Anyaction with a military character or having military implications must not be financed from this budgetline.
Justification:The EU should focus on a purely peaceful and civil foreign policy. The Instrument contributing to Stabilityand Peace (IcSP) lacks transparency particularly in crisis management and operations. IcSP finances CSDPmissions, which compromise its civilian character. IcSP should focus on civil measures only, such as i.a.non-proliferation and disarmament, DDR, mediation, peaceful conflict resolution
This appropriation is intended to cover the financing .......... financial year, which have to be implementedurgently.
Add following text:
All the actions financed under this budget line must be fully transparent and the European Parliament, asthe budget authority, must be informed in advance before any actions or missions are undertaken. Anyaction with a military character or having military implications must not be financed.
Justification:There is no justification as to what this budget line can be used for. There is high risk that the money wouldbe used as a reserve for military missions and so called mixed civil-military actions and/or paramilitarypolice missions
It also covers follow-up measures and audits of Common .......... the regularisation of previously closedmeasures.
Amend text as follows:
This appropriation is intended to cover the financing of preparatory measures to establish the conditions forUnion actions in the field of the CFSP and the adoption of the necessary legal instruments. It is intended toprovide funding for further measures to increase coherence and cooperation between member states inthe area of CFSP. It could cover initiatives which aim to increase compatibility of equipment and at acollective purchasing policy of equipment and supplies. Furthermore it may cover evaluation and analysismeasures (ex ante evaluation of means, specific studies, organisation of meetings, fact-finding on theground). In the field of Union crisis management operations and for European Union SpecialRepresentatives (EUSRs), in particular, preparatory measures may, inter alia, serve to assess the operationalrequirements for an envisaged action, to provide for a rapid initial deployment of personnel and resources(e.g. mission expenses, purchase of equipment, pre-financing of running and insurance costs in the start-upphase), or to take the necessary measures on the ground to prepare for the launching of the operation. It mayalso cover experts supporting Union crisis management operations on specific technical issues (e.g.identification and assessment of procurement needs) or security training for staff to be deployed to a CFSPmission/EUSR team.
Justification:To move towards further integration in the field of CFSP, ways to increase compatibility and cooperationbetween European armed forces must be sought. This will require extensive mapping and planning to see inwhat areas and how this can be done. Doing this at a European level will increase the effect, efficiency andcoherence.
This appropriation is intended to cover all the expenditure connected with the appointment of EuropeanUnion Special Representatives (EUSRs) in accordance with Article 33 of the Treaty on European Union.
EUSRs should be appointed with due regard for gender equality and gender mainstreaming policies, and theappointment of women EUSRs should therefore be promoted.
This appropriation covers expenditure on the salaries of EUSRs and on setting up their teams and/or supportstructures, including staff costs other than those relating to staff seconded by Member States or Unioninstitutions. It also covers the costs of any projects implemented under the direct responsibility of an EUSR.
Any income from financial contributions from Member States and third countries, including in both casestheir public agencies, entities or natural persons to certain external aid projects or programmes financed bythe Union and managed by the Commission on their behalf, may give rise to the provision of additionalappropriations. Such contributions under Article 6 3 3 of the statement of revenue constitute assignedrevenue under Article 21(2)(b) of the Financial Regulation. The amounts entered on the line foradministrative support expenditure will be determined, without prejudice to Article 187(7) of the FinancialRegulation, by the contribution agreement for each operational programme with an average not exceeding 4% of the contributions for the corresponding programme for each chapter.
Legal basis:Delete following text:
Council Decision 2013/133/CFSP of 18 March 2013 appointing the European Union Special Representativefor the Sahel (OJ L 75, 19.3.2013, p. 29).
Council Decision 2013/306/CFSP of 24 June 2013 extending the mandate of the European Union SpecialRepresentative for Central Asia (OJ L 172, 25.6.2013, p. 25).
Council Decision 2013/307/CFSP of 24 June 2013 amending and extending the mandate of the EuropeanUnion Special Representative for the Southern Mediterranean region (OJ L 172, 25.6.2013, p. 28).
Council Decision 2013/350/CFSP of 2 July 2013 amending and extending the mandate of the EuropeanUnion Special Representative for the Middle East peace process (OJ L 185, 4.7.2013, p. 3).
Council Decision 2013/351/CFSP of 2 July 2013 amending Decision 2011/426/CFSP appointing theEuropean Union Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina (OJ L 185, 4.7.2013, p. 7).
Council Decision 2013/352/CFSP of 2 July 2013 amending Decision 2012/440/CFSP appointing theEuropean Union Special Representative for Human Rights (OJ L 185, 4.7.2013, p. 8).
Council Decision 2013/353/CFSP of 2 July 2013 amending and extending the mandate of the EuropeanUnion Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia (OJ L 185, 4.7.2013, p. 9).
Council Decision 2013/365/CFSP of 9 July 2013 amending Decision 2012/329/CFSP extending the mandateof the European Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa (OJ L 189, 10.7.2013, p. 8).
Council Decision 2013/366/CFSP of 9 July 2013 amending and extending the mandate of the EuropeanUnion Special Representative in Kosovo (OJ L 189, 10.7.2013, p. 9).
Council Decision 2013/382/CFSP of 15 July 2013 amending and extending the mandate of the EuropeanUnion Special Representative in Afghanistan (OJ L 193, 16.7.2013, p. 22).
Council Decision 2013/383/CFSP of 15 July 2013 amending and extending the mandate of the European
15
Union Special Representative to the African Union (OJ L 193, 16.7.2013, p. 25).
Council Decision 2013/384/CFSP of 15 July 2013 amending Decision 2013/325/CFSP extending themandate of the European Union Special Representative for Sudan and South Sudan (OJ L 193, 16.7.2013, p.29).
Council Decision 2013/393/CFSP of 22 July 2013 amending Decision 2013/382/CFSP extending themandate of the European Union Special Representative in Afghanistan (OJ L 198, 23.7.2013, p. 47).
Council Decision 2013/527/CFSP of 24 October 2013 amending and extending the mandate of the EuropeanUnion Special Representative for the Horn of Africa (OJ L 284, 26.10.2013, p. 23).
Council Decision 2014/22/CFSP of 20 January 2014 amending Decision 2013/353/CFSP amending andextending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisisin Georgia (OJ L 16, 21.1.2014, p. 30).
-------------------------------
SECTION X - European External Action Service
Add: 1 6
Heading:Remuneration and expenditure relating to European Union Special Representatives
-------------------------------
SECTION X - European External Action Service
Add: 1 6 0
Heading:Remuneration and expenditure relating to European Union Special Representatives
-------------------------------
SECTION X - European External Action Service
Add: 1 6 0 0Budget 2014 Draft budget 2015 Council's position 2015 Difference New amount
Heading:Remuneration and expenditure relating to European Union Special Representatives
Remarks:Add following text:
This appropriation is intended to cover all the expenditure connected with the appointment of EuropeanUnion Special Representatives (EUSRs) in accordance with Article 33 of the Treaty on European Union.
EUSRs should be appointed with due regard for gender equality and gender mainstreaming policies, andthe appointment of women EUSRs should therefore be promoted.
This appropriation covers expenditure on the salaries of EUSRs and on setting up their teams and/orsupport structures, including staff costs other than those relating to staff seconded by Member States orUnion institutions. It also covers the costs of any projects implemented under the direct responsibility ofan EUSR.
16
Any income from financial contributions from Member States and third countries, including in both casestheir public agencies, entities or natural persons to certain external aid projects or programmes financedby the Union and managed by the Commission on their behalf, may give rise to the provision of additionalappropriations. Such contributions under Article 6 3 3 of the statement of revenue constitute assignedrevenue under Article 21(2)(b) of the Financial Regulation. The amounts entered on the line foradministrative support expenditure will be determined, without prejudice to Article 187(7) of theFinancial Regulation, by the contribution agreement for each operational programme with an averagenot exceeding 4 % of the contributions for the corresponding programme for each chapter.
Legal basis:Add following text:
Council Decision 2013/133/CFSP of 18 March 2013 appointing the European Union SpecialRepresentative for the Sahel (OJ L 75, 19.3.2013, p. 29).
Council Decision 2013/306/CFSP of 24 June 2013 extending the mandate of the European Union SpecialRepresentative for Central Asia (OJ L 172, 25.6.2013, p. 25).
Council Decision 2013/307/CFSP of 24 June 2013 amending and extending the mandate of the EuropeanUnion Special Representative for the Southern Mediterranean region (OJ L 172, 25.6.2013, p. 28).
Council Decision 2013/350/CFSP of 2 July 2013 amending and extending the mandate of the EuropeanUnion Special Representative for the Middle East peace process (OJ L 185, 4.7.2013, p. 3).
Council Decision 2013/351/CFSP of 2 July 2013 amending Decision 2011/426/CFSP appointing theEuropean Union Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina (OJ L 185, 4.7.2013, p. 7).
Council Decision 2013/352/CFSP of 2 July 2013 amending Decision 2012/440/CFSP appointing theEuropean Union Special Representative for Human Rights (OJ L 185, 4.7.2013, p. 8).
Council Decision 2013/353/CFSP of 2 July 2013 amending and extending the mandate of the EuropeanUnion Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia (OJ L 185, 4.7.2013, p. 9).
Council Decision 2013/365/CFSP of 9 July 2013 amending Decision 2012/329/CFSP extending themandate of the European Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa (OJ L 189, 10.7.2013, p.8).
Council Decision 2013/366/CFSP of 9 July 2013 amending and extending the mandate of the EuropeanUnion Special Representative in Kosovo (OJ L 189, 10.7.2013, p. 9).
Council Decision 2013/382/CFSP of 15 July 2013 amending and extending the mandate of the EuropeanUnion Special Representative in Afghanistan (OJ L 193, 16.7.2013, p. 22).
Council Decision 2013/383/CFSP of 15 July 2013 amending and extending the mandate of the EuropeanUnion Special Representative to the African Union (OJ L 193, 16.7.2013, p. 25).
Council Decision 2013/384/CFSP of 15 July 2013 amending Decision 2013/325/CFSP extending themandate of the European Union Special Representative for Sudan and South Sudan (OJ L 193,16.7.2013, p. 29).
Council Decision 2013/393/CFSP of 22 July 2013 amending Decision 2013/382/CFSP extending themandate of the European Union Special Representative in Afghanistan (OJ L 198, 23.7.2013, p. 47).
Council Decision 2013/527/CFSP of 24 October 2013 amending and extending the mandate of theEuropean Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa (OJ L 284, 26.10.2013, p. 23).
Council Decision 2014/22/CFSP of 20 January 2014 amending Decision 2013/353/CFSP amending andextending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and thecrisis in Georgia (OJ L 16, 21.1.2014, p. 30).
Justification:
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Transfer EU Special Representative budget line to EEAS budget
This appropriation is intended to cover all the expenditure connected with the appointment of EuropeanUnion Special Representatives (EUSRs) in accordance with Article 33 of the Treaty on European Union.
EUSRs should be appointed with due regard for gender equality and gender mainstreaming policies, and theappointment of women EUSRs should therefore be promoted.
This appropriation covers expenditure on the salaries of EUSRs and on setting up their teams and/or supportstructures, including staff costs other than those relating to staff seconded by Member States or Unioninstitutions. It also covers the costs of any projects implemented under the direct responsibility of an EUSR.
Any income from financial contributions from Member States and third countries, including in both casestheir public agencies, entities or natural persons to certain external aid projects or programmes financed bythe Union and managed by the Commission on their behalf, may give rise to the provision of additionalappropriations. Such contributions under Article 6 3 3 of the statement of revenue constitute assignedrevenue under Article 21(2)(b) of the Financial Regulation. The amounts entered on the line foradministrative support expenditure will be determined, without prejudice to Article 187(7) of the FinancialRegulation, by the contribution agreement for each operational programme with an average not exceeding 4% of the contributions for the corresponding programme for each chapter.
Legal basis:Delete following text:
Council Decision 2013/133/CFSP of 18 March 2013 appointing the European Union Special Representativefor the Sahel (OJ L 75, 19.3.2013, p. 29).
Council Decision 2013/306/CFSP of 24 June 2013 extending the mandate of the European Union SpecialRepresentative for Central Asia (OJ L 172, 25.6.2013, p. 25).
Council Decision 2013/307/CFSP of 24 June 2013 amending and extending the mandate of the EuropeanUnion Special Representative for the Southern Mediterranean region (OJ L 172, 25.6.2013, p. 28).
Council Decision 2013/350/CFSP of 2 July 2013 amending and extending the mandate of the EuropeanUnion Special Representative for the Middle East peace process (OJ L 185, 4.7.2013, p. 3).
Council Decision 2013/351/CFSP of 2 July 2013 amending Decision 2011/426/CFSP appointing theEuropean Union Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina (OJ L 185, 4.7.2013, p. 7).
Council Decision 2013/352/CFSP of 2 July 2013 amending Decision 2012/440/CFSP appointing the
18
European Union Special Representative for Human Rights (OJ L 185, 4.7.2013, p. 8).
Council Decision 2013/353/CFSP of 2 July 2013 amending and extending the mandate of the EuropeanUnion Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia (OJ L 185, 4.7.2013, p. 9).
Council Decision 2013/365/CFSP of 9 July 2013 amending Decision 2012/329/CFSP extending the mandateof the European Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa (OJ L 189, 10.7.2013, p. 8).
Council Decision 2013/366/CFSP of 9 July 2013 amending and extending the mandate of the EuropeanUnion Special Representative in Kosovo (OJ L 189, 10.7.2013, p. 9).
Council Decision 2013/382/CFSP of 15 July 2013 amending and extending the mandate of the EuropeanUnion Special Representative in Afghanistan (OJ L 193, 16.7.2013, p. 22).
Council Decision 2013/383/CFSP of 15 July 2013 amending and extending the mandate of the EuropeanUnion Special Representative to the African Union (OJ L 193, 16.7.2013, p. 25).
Council Decision 2013/384/CFSP of 15 July 2013 amending Decision 2013/325/CFSP extending themandate of the European Union Special Representative for Sudan and South Sudan (OJ L 193, 16.7.2013, p.29).
Council Decision 2013/393/CFSP of 22 July 2013 amending Decision 2013/382/CFSP extending themandate of the European Union Special Representative in Afghanistan (OJ L 198, 23.7.2013, p. 47).
Council Decision 2013/527/CFSP of 24 October 2013 amending and extending the mandate of the EuropeanUnion Special Representative for the Horn of Africa (OJ L 284, 26.10.2013, p. 23).
Council Decision 2014/22/CFSP of 20 January 2014 amending Decision 2013/353/CFSP amending andextending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisisin Georgia (OJ L 16, 21.1.2014, p. 30).
-------------------------------
SECTION X - European External Action Service
Add: 4
Heading:European Union Special Representatives
-------------------------------
SECTION X - European External Action Service
Add: 4 0
Heading:European Union Special Representatives
-------------------------------
SECTION X - European External Action Service
Add: 4 0 0
Heading:European Union Special Representatives
-------------------------------
SECTION X - European External Action Service
Add: 4 0 0 0Budget 2014 Draft budget 2015 Council's position 2015 Difference New amount
This appropriation is intended to cover all the expenditure connected with the appointment of EuropeanUnion Special Representatives (EUSRs) in accordance with Article 33 of the Treaty on European Union.
EUSRs should be appointed with due regard for gender equality and gender mainstreaming policies, andthe appointment of women EUSRs should therefore be promoted.
This appropriation covers expenditure on the salaries of EUSRs and on setting up their teams and/orsupport structures, including staff costs other than those relating to staff seconded by Member States orUnion institutions. It also covers the costs of any projects implemented under the direct responsibility ofan EUSR.
Any income from financial contributions from Member States and third countries, including in both casestheir public agencies, entities or natural persons to certain external aid projects or programmes financedby the Union and managed by the Commission on their behalf, may give rise to the provision of additionalappropriations. Such contributions under Article 6 3 3 of the statement of revenue constitute assignedrevenue under Article 21(2)(b) of the Financial Regulation. The amounts entered on the line foradministrative support expenditure will be determined, without prejudice to Article 187(7) of theFinancial Regulation, by the contribution agreement for each operational programme with an averagenot exceeding 4 % of the contributions for the corresponding programme for each chapter.
Legal basis:Add following text:
Council Decision 2013/133/CFSP of 18 March 2013 appointing the European Union SpecialRepresentative for the Sahel (OJ L 75, 19.3.2013, p. 29).
Council Decision 2013/306/CFSP of 24 June 2013 extending the mandate of the European Union SpecialRepresentative for Central Asia (OJ L 172, 25.6.2013, p. 25).
Council Decision 2013/307/CFSP of 24 June 2013 amending and extending the mandate of the EuropeanUnion Special Representative for the Southern Mediterranean region (OJ L 172, 25.6.2013, p. 28).
Council Decision 2013/350/CFSP of 2 July 2013 amending and extending the mandate of the EuropeanUnion Special Representative for the Middle East peace process (OJ L 185, 4.7.2013, p. 3).
Council Decision 2013/351/CFSP of 2 July 2013 amending Decision 2011/426/CFSP appointing theEuropean Union Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina (OJ L 185, 4.7.2013, p. 7).
Council Decision 2013/352/CFSP of 2 July 2013 amending Decision 2012/440/CFSP appointing theEuropean Union Special Representative for Human Rights (OJ L 185, 4.7.2013, p. 8).
Council Decision 2013/353/CFSP of 2 July 2013 amending and extending the mandate of the EuropeanUnion Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia (OJ L 185, 4.7.2013, p. 9).
Council Decision 2013/365/CFSP of 9 July 2013 amending Decision 2012/329/CFSP extending themandate of the European Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa (OJ L 189, 10.7.2013, p.8).
Council Decision 2013/366/CFSP of 9 July 2013 amending and extending the mandate of the European
20
Union Special Representative in Kosovo (OJ L 189, 10.7.2013, p. 9).
Council Decision 2013/382/CFSP of 15 July 2013 amending and extending the mandate of the EuropeanUnion Special Representative in Afghanistan (OJ L 193, 16.7.2013, p. 22).
Council Decision 2013/383/CFSP of 15 July 2013 amending and extending the mandate of the EuropeanUnion Special Representative to the African Union (OJ L 193, 16.7.2013, p. 25).
Council Decision 2013/384/CFSP of 15 July 2013 amending Decision 2013/325/CFSP extending themandate of the European Union Special Representative for Sudan and South Sudan (OJ L 193,16.7.2013, p. 29).
Council Decision 2013/393/CFSP of 22 July 2013 amending Decision 2013/382/CFSP extending themandate of the European Union Special Representative in Afghanistan (OJ L 198, 23.7.2013, p. 47).
Council Decision 2013/527/CFSP of 24 October 2013 amending and extending the mandate of theEuropean Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa (OJ L 284, 26.10.2013, p. 23).
Council Decision 2014/22/CFSP of 20 January 2014 amending Decision 2013/353/CFSP amending andextending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and thecrisis in Georgia (OJ L 16, 21.1.2014, p. 30).
Justification:For reasons of coherence, clarity and accountability towards the European taxpayer, the appropriationsintended to cover the expenditure connected with the Council’s European Union Special Representatives(EUSRs) should be part of the EEAS budget.
Tabled by Sabine Lösing, Pablo Echenique, Patrick Le Hyaric, Pablo Iglesias, Confederal Group of theEuropean United Left - Nordic Green Left, Paloma López
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SECTION III — COMMISSION
Article 19 03 02 — Support to non-proliferation and disarmament
Amend figures as follows:Budget 2014 Draft budget 2015 Council's position 2015 Difference New amount
Justification:The EU should focus on a purely peaceful and civil foreign policy and civil measures only. Non-proliferation and disarmament will reduce the fuelling of conflicts and contribute to more stability
Justification:The EU should focus on a purely peaceful and civil foreign policy and civil measures only. Non-proliferation and disarmament will reduce the fuelling of conflicts and contribute to more stability
Justification:Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigatethe reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1aand by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
Tabled by Liadh Ní Riada, Pablo Echenique, Jiří Maštálka, Martina Anderson, Lynn Boylan, Matt Carthy,Confederal Group of the European United Left - Nordic Green Left, Ángela Vallina, Marina Albiol Guzmán,Lidia Senra Rodríguez, Paloma López
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SECTION III — COMMISSION
Article 19 05 20 — Erasmus+ — Contribution from the Partnership Instrument
Amend figures as follows:Budget 2014 Draft budget 2015 Council's position 2015 Difference New amount
Justification:All efforts developed towards sustainable and peaceful cooperation with 3rd countries, namely in the areasof culture, youth and education, should remain a priority.
Justification:Promoting the international dimension (outside the EU) of the Erasmus+ programme must remain a priority,in order to support the opening up of European education systems through partnerships in non-EU countries.
Justification:All efforts developed towards sustainable and peaceful cooperation with 3rd countries, namely in the areasof culture, youth and education, should remain a priority.
Heading:Pilot project — The promotion of development and business links between EU – China of biomass basedhealth products, as a part of the EU-China flagship initiative for research and innovation
Remarks:Add following text:
This Pilot Project (PP) aims at the promotion of development, research and trade links between theEuropean Union and China in the field of health food and other bio mass based products as part of thenewly launched EU-China flagship initiative for research and innovation.
The PP will be carried out as a network project in the EU and in China, building on existing contacts inFinland and China between European and Chinese research and development organisations and will beopen to Chinese and EU based R&D organisations and enterprises.
EU and China launched the first EU-China flagship initiative for research and innovation at the EU-China summit on 21 November 2013, with the signature of a Letter of Intent on Research and InnovationCooperation in Food, Agriculture and Biotechnology (FAB) between the European Commission and theChinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS).
The Pilot Project will facilitate research and development activities and support the creation ofemployment opportunities, especially in rural areas.
The Pilot project should support the setting up of new R&D cooperation projects, update and make R&Dachievements more accessible to SMEs and make the current research results and knowhow availableand applicable to SMEs by facilitating the development business models and contacts.
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Furthermore, the Pilot Project will enhance green growth and the EU 2020 Strategy.
The development of new biomass based health products will advance sustainability in primary productionand be beneficial to the environment.
Legal basis:Add following text:
Pilot project within the meaning of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of theEuropean Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to thegeneral budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298,26.10.2012, p. 1).
Justification:Growing and ageing population creates major demands for health foods and other bio products. Thedevelopment of novel biomass based products such as health foods and bio based cosmetics create jobopportunities in rural areas since manufacturing of these products is economically most efficient close toforests and farmlands. The opportunity to export sustainable solutions and scale-up the potential of theChinese market will contribute to growth and jobs in Europe. The cooperation initiative contributes to agreener economy, both in China and in the EU.
Justification:The Committee on International Trade believes that increased resources should be provided to ensurethat the Commission has the capacity to negotiate, check and translate its trade agreements as quickly aspossible. It notes that this increase is all the more vital given that the EU’s bilateral agenda has recentlybeen expanded to cover further key bilateral trade negotiations (e.g. with the US and Japan), which, giventheir ambitious scope and their potential to generate growth in the EU, justify the allocation of additionalresources to the Commission.
Any revenue in the context of the management by the .......... accordance with Article 21(4) of the FinancialRegulation.
Add following text:
Part of this appropriation ( EUR 2 000 000) will explicitly cover a comprehensive communicationstrategy, aimed at engaging the general public and all stakeholders and providing as much transparencyas possible with regards to the activities of DG Trade, especially with regards to TTIP. This includestranslations, events aimed at engagement and dialogue, such as press or stakeholder events, publishing
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information, consultations and follow-up and publications directly linked to the achievement of theobjective of the programme or measures coming under this article, and any other expenditure ontechnical and administrative assistance not involving public authority tasks outsourced by theCommission under ad hoc service contracts, such as the maintenance of the Directorate-General forTrade and trade Commissioner's Internet site. Activities to engage the public and all stakeholders arecrucial for a transparent, successful and comprehensive trade policy.
Justification:It is crucial that the general public receives transparent information about the on-going trade negotiations.This amendment aims to give the Commission the means to roll out a comprehensive communicationstrategy, aimed at engaging with the general public and all stakeholders and providing as much transparencyas possible.
This appropriation explicitly covers a comprehensive communication strategy, aimed at engaging thegeneral public and all stakeholders and providing as much transparency as possible with regards to theactivities of DG Trade, especially with regards to TTIP. This includes translations, events aimed atengagement and dialogue, such as press or stakeholder events, publishing information, consultations andfollow-up and publications directly linked to the achievement of the objective of the programme ormeasures coming under this article, and any other expenditure on technical and administrative assistancenot involving public authority tasks outsourced by the Commission under ad hoc service contracts, suchas the maintenance of the Directorate-General for Trade and trade Commissioner's Internet site.Activities to engage the public and all stakeholders are crucial for a transparent, successful andcomprehensive trade policy.
Justification:It is crucial that the general public receives transparent information about the on-going tradenegotiations. This amendment aims to give the Commission the means to roll out a comprehensivecommunication strategy, aimed at engaging with the general public and all stakeholders and providing asmuch transparency as possible.
Heading:Costs related to crisis measures and repair of damage within the EU caused by retaliatory measures
Remarks:Add following text:
This new line under heading 4 is intended for the repair of damage in the vital EU agricultural sector,caused by retaliatory trade measures by a third country/Russia set in return to EU political sanctions.
Justification:As a consequence of the political sanctions towards Russia, the European agricultural sector is hit severelyby the retaliatory measures set by Russia; the import ban on food stuffs. Since the damage has its root causein political sanctions, financial means should be made available under heading 4, in order to mitigate theeffects of those retaliatory measures and to repair the damage caused by these measures within the EUagricultural sector.
The appropriation intends to fund the start-up phase of an umbrella organisation for civil society groupsdedicated to build up capacities for a systematic monitoring of EU trade policy and trade negotiations.
With the proliferation of bilateral EU trade negotiations and the added complexity of such negotiationsunder schemas of "deep and comprehensive free trade agreements" it has become virtually impossible forthe Members of the INTA Committee to organize the independent analytical capacity needed to implementParliament's prerogatives under the Lisbon Treaty to supply an informed consent to trade agreements.
This difficulty is mirrored by claims of Non-Governmental Organizations that there is a pressing need formore capacity-building and better coordination at the EU-level between civil society organisationsworking in the wider field of policies which are in the remit of deep and comprehensive trade agreements,in order to ensure consistency among related policy areas, create specific capacities and to catch up withthe new competences Parliament has in this field. At the moment no single NGO is able to follow all EUinternational trade negotiations. Establishing a "Trade Watch" would address this need and create moreinformation symmetry among the various stakeholders.
The project aims at:
– enabling the start-up phase of a "Trade Watch" umbrella organization to the example of "FinanceWatch"
– set up an office in Brussels
– employing a coordinator whose main tasks would be to make sure that enough civil society
organisations (including unions) active in the field of Trade will join, and to find sustainable fundingsources
– employing several trade specialists, who would be tasked with research, mapping the different legislativeinitiatives in the field of trade and bringing the knowledge and information available within the memberorganisations together, in support of civil society organisations and policy makers from the EU and in thetrade partner countries
– providing policy makers with briefings.
Legal basis:Add following text:
Pilot project within the meaning of Article 49(6) of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities(OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1).
Justification:The growing complexity and proliferation of bilateral EU trade negotiations is not matched by anindependent analytical capacity needed to implement Parliament's prerogatives to supply an informedconsent to trade agreements. On the civil society side, there is a pressing need for more capacity-buildingand better coordination at the EU level. Establishing "Trade Watch" would address these needs and createmore information symmetry among the various stakeholders.
Heading:Pilot project — Support measures for traditional retailing
Remarks:Add following text:
This appropriation is intended to fund stepped-up support measures for traditional retailing, with a viewto revitalising and modernising it. The pilot project should help to coordinate measures and channelfunding from various sources in order to address the sector's problems more effectively.
The pilot project will involve:
1. Defining the features of the traditional trading sector and identifying the constraints and threatscurrently facing it;
2. Proposing solutions to foster revitalisation and modernisation of the sector;
3. Identifying EU instruments and funding directly or indirectly usable by the sector;
4. Establishing the uses to which the instruments, actions, measures and funding available are being putby the sector;
5. Analysing the extent to which existing instruments meet the needs of the traditional retailing sectorand, on the basis of that analysis, proposing any adjustments that may be necessary;
6. Implementing the proposals referred to in point 2;
7. Analysing the results and assessing the feasibility of a possible future EU programme of support fortraditional retailing.
Legal basis:Add following text:
Pilot project within the meaning of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of theEuropean Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to thegeneral budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298,26.10.2012, p. 1).
Justification:The purpose of the pilot project is to carry out the groundwork for an EU support programme for thetraditional retailing sector which would help coordinate measures and funding aimed at revitalising andmodernising the sector and addressing the problems and constraints currently facing it. The project wouldcomplement existing measures, which are regarded as insufficient.
Tabled by Helmut Scholz, Pablo Echenique, Confederal Group of the European United Left - Nordic GreenLeft, Marina Albiol Guzmán, Paloma López, Ángela Vallina, Lidia Senra Rodríguez
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SECTION III — COMMISSION
Add: 20 02 04Budget 2014 Draft budget 2015 Council's position 2015 Difference New amount
The appropriation intends to fund the start-up phase of an umbrella organisation for civil society groupsdedicated to build up capacities for a systematic monitoring of EU trade policy and trade negotiations.
With the proliferation of bilateral EU trade negotiations and the added complexity of such negotiationsunder schemas of "deep and comprehensive free trade agreements" it has become virtually impossible forthe Members of the INTA Committee to organize the independent analytical capacity needed to implementParliament's prerogatives under the Lisbon Treaty to supply an informed consent to trade agreements.
This difficulty is mirrored by claims of Non-Governmental Organizations that there is a pressing need formore capacity-building and better coordination at the EU-level between civil society organisationsworking in the wider field of policies which are in the remit of deep and comprehensive trade agreements,in order to ensure consistency among related policy areas, create specific capacities and to catch up withthe new competences Parliament has in this field. At the moment no single NGO is able to follow all EUinternational trade negotiations. Establishing a "Trade Watch" would address this need and create moreinformation symmetry among the various stakeholders.
The project aims at:
– enabling the start-up phase of a "Trade Watch" umbrella organization to the example of "FinanceWatch"
– set up an office in Brussels
– employing a coordinator whose main tasks would be to make sure that enough civil society
organisations (including unions) active in the field of Trade will join, and to find sustainable fundingsources
– employing several trade specialists, who would be tasked with research, mapping the different legislativeinitiatives in the field of trade and bringing the knowledge and information available within the memberorganisations together, in support of civil society organisations and policy makers from the EU and in thetrade partner countries
– providing policy makers with briefings.
Legal basis:Add following text:
Pilot project within the meaning of Article 49(6) of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of
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25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities(OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1).
Justification:The growing complexity and proliferation of bilateral EU trade negotiations is not matched by anindependent analytical capacity needed to implement Parliament's prerogatives to supply an informedconsent to trade agreements. On the civil society side, there is a pressing need for more capacity-buildingand better coordination at the EU level. Establishing "Trade Watch" would address these needs and createmore information symmetry among the various stakeholders.
Heading:Pilot project — Support measures for traditional retailing
Remarks:Add following text:
This appropriation is intended to fund stepped-up support measures for traditional retailing, with a viewto revitalising and modernising it. The pilot project should help to coordinate measures and channelfunding from various sources in order to address the sector's problems more effectively.
The pilot project will involve:
1. Defining the features of the traditional trading sector and identifying the constraints and threatscurrently facing it;
2. Proposing solutions to foster revitalisation and modernisation of the sector;
3. Identifying EU instruments and funding directly or indirectly usable by the sector;
4. Establishing the uses to which the instruments, actions, measures and funding available are being putby the sector;
5. Analysing the extent to which existing instruments meet the needs of the traditional retailing sectorand, on the basis of that analysis, proposing any adjustments that may be necessary;
6. Implementing the proposals referred to in point 2;
7. Analysing the results and assessing the feasibility of a possible future EU programme of support fortraditional retailing.
Legal basis:Add following text:
Pilot project within the meaning of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the
34
European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to thegeneral budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298,26.10.2012, p. 1).
Justification:The purpose of the pilot project is to carry out the groundwork for an EU support programme for thetraditional retailing sector which would help coordinate measures and funding aimed at revitalising andmodernising the sector and addressing the problems and constraints currently facing it. The project wouldcomplement existing measures, which are regarded as insufficient.
Justification:Cutting staffing levels and reducing investing in DG DEVCO’s human resources would result in increasingproblems to manage and monitor development projects and funds adequately.
Item 21 01 01 02 — Expenditure related to officials and temporary staff of the Directorate-General forDevelopment and Cooperation — EuropeAid in Union delegations
Amend figures as follows:Budget 2014 Draft budget 2015 Council's position 2015 Difference New amount
Justification:Cutting staffing levels and reducing investing in DG DEVCO’s human resources in Delegations would resultin increasing problems to manage and monitor development projects and funds adequately.
Tabled by Sabine Lösing, Pablo Echenique, Pablo Iglesias, Lola Sánchez Caldentey, Confederal Group ofthe European United Left - Nordic Green Left, Marina Albiol Guzmán, Paloma López, Ángela Vallina, LidiaSenra Rodríguez
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SECTION III — COMMISSION
Item 21 01 04 01 — Support expenditure for the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI)
Amend figures as follows:Budget 2014 Draft budget 2015 Council's position 2015 Difference New amount
Justification:Inequality and poverty remain high and are the main root causes for conflicts, war and migration. Povertyeradication is one of most important measures to prevent conflicts and help to reduce inequality. Thereforesufficient funding is vital to comply with EUs civil commitment to conflict prevention and to achieve theMillennium Development Goals (MDGs)
Justification:Inequality and poverty remain high and are the main root causes for conflicts, war and migration. Povertyeradication is one of most important measures to prevent conflicts and help to reduce inequality. Thereforesufficient funding is vital to comply with EUs civil commitment to conflict prevention and to achieve theMillennium Development Goals (MDGs)
Justification:The EU should focus on a peaceful and civil foreign policy; especially the short-term budget allocation ofthe IfS lacks transparency. Moreover the IfS funds support CSDP missions which compromise the civiliancharacter of IfS. The IfS should focus only on civil measures, such as i.a. the regime on arms control, DDRetc. to create stability, furthermore in times of financial crises, the Instrument's admin. Expend. shall bereduced
Tabled by Liadh Ní Riada, Pablo Echenique, Lola Sánchez Caldentey, Confederal Group of the EuropeanUnited Left - Nordic Green Left, Paloma López, Ángela Vallina, Marina Albiol Guzmán, Lidia SenraRodríguez
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SECTION III — COMMISSION
Article 21 02 01 — Cooperation with Latin America
Amend figures as follows:Budget 2014 Draft budget 2015 Council's position 2015 Difference New amount
Any income from financial contributions from Member .......... complemented by contributions for UnionTrust Funds.
Add following text:
Part of these appropriations are intended to be used for operations carried out by the Confederation ofEuropean Senior Expert Services (CESES) and its member associations, including technical assistance,advisory services and training in selected public and private sector enterprises and institutions. For that tobe achieved, Union authorising officers are encouraged to make full use of the possibilities offered by thenew Financial Regulation, including CESES contributions in kind to Union projects.
Justification:The CESES’s services have proven to provide a valuable contribution to the work of the Europeaninstitutions.
The purpose of development cooperation under this article is primarily its contribution to support the
39
promotion of democracy, good governance, equality, respect for human rights and for the rule of law, andfostering sustainable development and economic integration, as well as to achieving the MillenniumDevelopment Goals and post 2015 Global development commitments.Goals.
After paragraph:
Where assistance is delivered via budget support, .......... parliamentary oversight and audit capacities andtransparency.
Add following text:
The Commission must continue to report annually on the benchmark, used in the past, for assistance todeveloping countries to be allocated to social infrastructure and services, recognising that the Unioncontribution must be seen as part of the overall donor support to the social sectors and that a degree offlexibility must be the norm. Moreover the Commission will endeavour to ensure that a benchmark of 20% of its allocated assistance under the DCI will be dedicated to basic social services, with a focus onhealth and education, and to secondary education, taking an average across all geographical areas andrecognising that a degree of flexibility must be the norm, such as in cases where exceptional assistance isinvolved.
Justification:Since maintaining rational funding levels is essential to ensure that the region and the thematic programmeddevelopment projects can be carried out satisfactory.
Justification:Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigatethe reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1aand by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
Any income from financial contributions from Member .......... complemented by contributions for UnionTrust Funds.
Add following text:
Part of these appropriations are intended to be used for operations carried out by the Confederation ofEuropean Senior Expert Services (CESES) and its member associations, including technical assistance,advisory services and training in selected public and private sector enterprises and institutions. For that tobe achieved, Union authorising officers are encouraged to make full use of the possibilities offered by thenew Financial Regulation, including CESES contributions in kind to Union projects.
Justification:The CESES’s services have proven to provide a valuable contribution to the work of the Europeaninstitutions.
Justification:Cuts proposed by the Council do not appear to be justified and EU development assistance needs to beplanned and programmed on a basis that is reliable for partner countries.
Justification:Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigatethe reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1aand by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
Any income from financial contributions from Member .......... complemented by contributions for UnionTrust Funds.
Add following text:
Part of these appropriations are intended to be used for operations carried out by the Confederation ofEuropean Senior Expert Services (CESES) and its member associations, including technical assistance,advisory services and training in selected public and private sector enterprises and institutions. For that tobe achieved, Union authorising officers are encouraged to make full use of the possibilities offered by thenew Financial Regulation, including CESES contributions in kind to Union projects.
Justification:The CESES’s services have proven to provide a valuable contribution to the work of the Europeaninstitutions.
Justification:Cuts proposed by the Council do not appear to be justified and EU development assistance needs to beplanned and programmed on a basis that is reliable for partner countries.
Justification:Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigatethe reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1a
43
and by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
Emphasis must be placed on operations influencing economic organisation and institutional development,improving the human rights situation, including freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, freedom ofthe press and media, freedom of religion and belief and the right to leave it, promoting and protectingdigital freedoms,worship, the strengthening of civil society, including operations concerningdemocratisation, universal access for children of both sexes and women as well as children with disabilitiesto primary and secondary education, the environment, and the sustainable management of natural resources,including tropical forests, regional cooperation, disaster prevention and risk reduction, including climate-change-related hazards, and reconstruction measures, as well as the promotion of sustainable energy, thefight against climate change and the promotion of digital freedoms of internet and ICT use.information andcommunications technology.
After paragraph:
This appropriation is also intended to cover measures .......... prevention, conflict resolution andreconciliation.
Amend text as follows:
It is also intended to cover support for the development of civil society and, in particular, support for theactivities of non-governmental organisations promoting and defending the rights of vulnerable groups, suchas women, children, LGBTI people, ethnic and religious minorities or atheists and people with disabilities.
Justification:This document must explicitly name the human rights and fundamental freedoms that the European Unionviews as a vital prerequisite for democracy. Especially given recent developments in many countries whichthis appropriation will be used for, the changes given here are crucial.
Any income from financial contributions from Member .......... complemented by contributions for UnionTrust Funds.
Add following text:
Part of these appropriations are intended to be used for operations carried out by the Confederation ofEuropean Senior Expert Services (CESES) and its member associations, including technical assistance,advisory services and training in selected public and private sector enterprises and institutions. For that tobe achieved, Union authorising officers are encouraged to make full use of the possibilities offered by thenew Financial Regulation, including CESES contributions in kind to Union projects.
Justification:The CESES’s services have proven to provide a valuable contribution to the work of the Europeaninstitutions.
This appropriation may include actions related to:
Amend text as follows:
– democracy, human rights and the rule of law,
– gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls,
– public sector management,
– tax policy and administration,
45
– corruption and transparency,
– civil society and local authorities,
– development-security nexus,
– support for microcredit schemes,
– capacity-building actions to assist agricultural producers in developing countries to meet Union sanitaryand phytosanitary standards necessary for access to the Union market,
– support to refugees and displaced population,
– encourage the transfer of know-how and promote contact and collaboration between business players onboth sides,
– promote social development, social cohesion and fair income distribution.
Justification:Cuts proposed by the Council do not appear to be justified and EU development assistance needs to beplanned and programmed on a basis that is reliable for partner countries.
Justification:Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigatethe reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1aand by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
Justification:Cuts proposed by the Council do not appear to be justified and EU development assistance needs to beplanned and programmed on a basis that is reliable for partner countries.
Justification:Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigatethe reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1aand by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
Any income from financial contributions from Member .......... complemented by contributions for UnionTrust Funds.
Add following text:
Part of these appropriations are intended to be used for operations carried out by the Confederation ofEuropean Senior Expert Services (CESES) and its member associations, including technical assistance,advisory services and training in selected public and private sector enterprises and institutions. For that tobe achieved, Union authorising officers are encouraged to make full use of the possibilities offered by thenew Financial Regulation, including CESES contributions in kind to Union projects.
Justification:The CESES’s services have proven to provide a valuable contribution to the work of the Europeaninstitutions.
Justification:Adequate funding of the new budget lines is required in particular to allow for front loading of countrieswhich are candidates for phasing out EU aid.
Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigatethe reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1aand by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
Any income from financial contributions from Member .......... complemented by contributions for EU TrustFunds.
Add following text:
Part of these appropriations are intended to be used for operations carried out by the Confederation ofEuropean Senior Expert Services (CESES) and its member associations, including technical assistance,advisory services and training in selected public and private sector enterprises and institutions. For that tobe achieved, Union authorising officers are encouraged to make full use of the possibilities offered by thenew Financial Regulation, including CESES contributions in kind to Union projects.
Justification:The CESES’s services have proven to provide a valuable contribution to the work of the Europeaninstitutions.
Any income from financial contributions from Member .......... complemented by contributions for EU TrustFunds.
Add following text:
Environmental degradation is a key issue for many developing countries. Moreover, the objective ofaddressing at least 20 % of the Union budget to a low carbon and climate resilient society cannot befulfilled by cutting appropriations in this area. The legal base underlines that the ‘Global Public Goodsand Challenges’ DCI programme should use at least 25 % of its funds to cover climate change andenvironment.
Justification:Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigatethe reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1aand by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
Any income from financial contributions from Member .......... complemented by contributions for UnionTrust Funds.
Add following text:
Part of these appropriations are intended to be used for operations carried out by the Confederation ofEuropean Senior Expert Services (CESES) and its member associations, including technical assistance,advisory services and training in selected public and private sector enterprises and institutions. For that tobe achieved, Union authorising officers are encouraged to make full use of the possibilities offered by thenew Financial Regulation, including CESES contributions in kind to Union projects.
Justification:The CESES’s services have proven to provide a valuable contribution to the work of the Europeaninstitutions.
Justification:Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigatethe reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1aand by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
Where assistance is delivered via budget support, .......... parliamentary oversight, audit capacities andtransparency.
Add following text:
Part of these appropriations are intended to be used for operations carried out by the Confederation ofEuropean Senior Expert Services (CESES) and its member associations, including technical assistance,advisory services and training in selected public and private sector enterprises and institutions. For that tobe achieved, Union authorising officers are encouraged to make full use of the possibilities offered by thenew Financial Regulation, including CESES contributions in kind to Union projects.
52
Justification:The CESES’s services have proven to provide a valuable contribution to the work of the Europeaninstitutions.
Justification:Human and social development, in particular basic social services, with a focus on health and education, area priority of Parliament and a benchmark has been set in the Development Cooperation Instruments toallocate at least 20% to these sectors. This budget line is crucial to meeting this target.
Justification:This appropriation covers gender issues, such as access to health, maternal health, access to education forwomen and girls, non-discrimination and access to labour market, support of victims of gender basedviolence.
Justification:Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigatethe reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1aand by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
– Component 3: Supporting the poor and nutrition-insecure .......... humanitarian and development
54
stakeholders will be encouraged.
Add following text:
Part of these appropriations are intended to be used for operations carried out by the Confederation ofEuropean Senior Expert Services (CESES) and its member associations, including technical assistance,advisory services and training in selected public and private sector enterprises and institutions. For that tobe achieved, Union authorising officers are encouraged to make full use of the possibilities offered by thenew Financial Regulation, including CESES contributions in kind to Union projects.
Justification:The CESES’s services have proven to provide a valuable contribution to the work of the Europeaninstitutions.
Justification:Food security is a priority for Parliament and key to achieving the Millennium Development Goal 1. The EUmust match its political commitment to eliminate hunger the required budgetary appropriations.
Justification:Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigatethe reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1a
55
and by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
The programme will focus on initiatives at global .......... EU external migration policy may also be launched.
Add following text:
Part of these appropriations are intended to be used for operations carried out by the Confederation ofEuropean Senior Expert Services (CESES) and its member associations, including technical assistance,advisory services and training in selected public and private sector enterprises and institutions. For that tobe achieved, Union authorising officers are encouraged to make full use of the possibilities offered by thenew Financial Regulation, including CESES contributions in kind to Union projects.
Justification:The CESES’s services have proven to provide a valuable contribution to the work of the Europeaninstitutions.
Justification:Cuts proposed by the Council do not appear to be justified and EU development assistance needs to beplanned and programmed on a basis that is reliable for partner countries and implementing organisations.
Justification:Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigatethe reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1aand by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
Tabled by Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality
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SECTION III — COMMISSION
Article 21 02 08 — Financing initiatives in the area of development by or for civil society organisations andlocal authorities
Amend remarks as follows:
57
Remarks:After paragraph:
The appropriations in the items under this article .......... process and to ensure accountability andtransparency.
Amend text as follows:
Particular attention will be paid to supporting civil society and local authorities and to promoting dialogue,an enabling environment for citizens’ participation, with due consideration to the gender perspective andwomen empowerment; reconciliation and institution-building, including at local and regional level.
Justification:The empowerment of women and the participation of civil society organisation representing women are offoremost importance for any effective development initiative supported by EU.
Tabled by Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance
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SECTION III — COMMISSION
Article 21 02 08 — Financing initiatives in the area of development by or for civil society organisations andlocal authorities
Amend remarks as follows:
Remarks:After paragraph:
The appropriations in the items under this article .......... process and to ensure accountability andtransparency.
Amend text as follows:
Particular attention will be paid to supporting civil society and local authorities and to promoting dialogue,an enabling environment for citizens’ participation, with due consideration to the gender perspective andwomen empowerment; reconciliation and institution-building, including at local and regional level.
Justification:The empowerment of women and the participation of civil society organisation representing women are offoremost importance for any effective development initiative supported by the EU.
Any income from financial contributions from Member .......... complemented by contributions for EU TrustFunds.
Add following text:
Part of these appropriations are intended to be used for operations carried out by the Confederation ofEuropean Senior Expert Services (CESES) and its member associations, including technical assistance,advisory services and training in selected public and private sector enterprises and institutions. For that tobe achieved, Union authorising officers are encouraged to make full use of the possibilities offered by thenew Financial Regulation, including CESES contributions in kind to Union projects.
Justification:The CESES’s services have proven to provide a valuable contribution to the work of the Europeaninstitutions.
Justification:Supporting the role of civil society in development is a priority for Parliament. More importantly, NGOsdepend on the EU honouring its contracts, and the EU needs to remain a reliable partner.
This appropriation is intended to support initiatives .......... civil society organisations, so as to contribute to:
Amend text as follows:
– (a) an inclusive and empowered society including from a gender equality perspective, in partnercountries through strengthened civil society organisations;
– (b) an increased capacity of European and southern civil society networks, platforms and alliances toensure a substantive and continued policy dialogue in the field of development and to promotedemocratic governance and empowerment of women;governance;
– (c) an increased level of awareness of European citizens regarding development issues and mobilisingactive public support for poverty reduction and sustainable development strategies in partner countries.
Justification:Strengthening civil society organisations should be part of a gender sensitive agenda for an inclusive andempowered society and special consideration should be also given to women’s organisations operating inpartner countries and in the Union.
Justification:Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigatethe reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1aand by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
Any income from financial contributions from Member .......... complemented by contributions for EU TrustFunds.
Add following text:
Part of these appropriations are intended to be used for operations carried out by the Confederation ofEuropean Senior Expert Services (CESES) and its member associations, including technical assistance,advisory services and training in selected public and private sector enterprises and institutions. For that tobe achieved, Union authorising officers are encouraged to make full use of the possibilities offered by thenew Financial Regulation, including CESES contributions in kind to Union projects.
Justification:The CESES’s services have proven to provide a valuable contribution to the work of the Europeaninstitutions.
Justification:Local authorities' decentralised cooperation projects focus on tangible action for communities, thusproducing considerable added value in terms of regional development, where what the EU does is plain tosee for local inhabitants. In addition, the political dialogue for those projects often presents an opportunityfor exchanges of best practices, in particular as regards governance. Accordingly, the Council's proposedcuts appear inappropriate.
Justification:Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigatethe reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1aand by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
Support will also be provided in order to develop .......... society for specific action at continental level.
Add following text:
Part of these appropriations are intended to be used for operations carried out by the Confederation ofEuropean Senior Expert Services (CESES) and its member associations, including technical assistance,advisory services and training in selected public and private sector enterprises and institutions. For that tobe achieved, Union authorising officers are encouraged to make full use of the possibilities offered by thenew Financial Regulation, including CESES contributions in kind to Union projects.
Justification:The CESES’s services have proven to provide a valuable contribution to the work of the Europeaninstitutions.
Justification:Cuts proposed by the Council do not appear to be justified and EU development assistance needs to beplanned and programmed on a basis that is reliable for partners.
Justification:Sufficient payment levels are essential to ensure that this important programme can be carried outsatisfactorily; the line is underfunded and was used up mid-year 2014.
Justification:EU contributions to commodities agreements are established by binding international treaties which the EUcannot unilaterally alter. The Council’s reduction to the budget line therefore seems not justified.
Justification:Cuts proposed by the Council do not appear to be justified and EU development assistance needs to beplanned and programmed on a basis that is reliable for partner countries.
Justification:Sufficient funding levels are essential to ensure the completion of programmed development projects toensure poverty reduction and sustainable development can be carried out satisfactorily.
The EU must match its commitments with the required payment appropriations. This budget line has anaccrued deficit in payments of over 60 million and 2014 payments had been implemented near 80% on 30June 2014.
Justification:The EU must match its commitments with the required payment appropriations. This budget line has anaccrued deficit in payments of 175 million and 2014 payments had been implemented above 80% on 30 June2014.
This appropriation is intended to cover payments in respect of commitments remaining to be settled fromprevious years.
Add following text:
It is necessary to implement in every food processing unit, various procedures and controls which ensurethat quality products are marketed to consumers, with a low to zero contamination risk. In this respectexists the White Paper which includes food safety policy.
Justification:Budget supplementation for prevention, given that: the cost of prevention actions are lower than costs ofcorrective action.
The introduction of mandatory compliance of HACCP ("Hazard Analysis. Critical Control Points"), which isa preventive method to control food safety. HACCP moves the center of gravity from controlling the "end ofline" towards a preventive proactive method of controlling potential hazards. Security policy should cover allsegments with procedures, starting with feed production, processing, storage, transport and ending withselling it to consumer.
Justification:Food security is a priority for Parliament and a key to achieving the Millennium Development Goal 1. TheEU must match its commitments (both budgetary and political) with the required payment appropriations.This budget line has an accrued deficit in payments of over 40 million and 2014 payments will effectively beused up during the summer. Not reinforcing this line will effectively deprive projects fighting hunger offunding which is both essential and which to which the EU has committed to provide.
Justification:Supporting the role of civil society and local authorities in development is a priority for Parliament. Moreimportantly, NGOs depend on the EU honouring its contracts, and the EU needs to remain a reliable partner.This budget line has an accrued deficit of nearly 20 million, a high implementation rate and thus needs to bereinforced to avoid payment delays or worse.
Sustainable resource management is a key issue for many developing countries and sustainable energyprovision is a key to development and for the EU’s climate strategy.
Justification:Human and social development, in particular basic social services, with a focus on health and education, area priority of Parliament and a benchmark has been set in the Development Cooperation Instruments toallocate at least 20% to these sectors. This budget line is crucial to meeting this target; it has a highimplementation rate an accrued deficit of EUR 10 million. It thus needs to be properly funded in terms ofpayments to honour past EU commitments.
Justification:The Cauca valley is surrounded by heavily armed groups and peasants there face poverty and isolation.Community movements contribute to peace-building through development of rural communities. In contrastto the situation in other parts of Colombia, peasants do not flee to settlements for displaced persons in thecities. The continuation of EU support would help ensure continuation and further development of thesuccessful work of the community movements.
Justification:Northern Mali and Northern Niger are subject to recurrent health crises with some of the lowest healthindicators, especially on sexual and reproductive health. Although the post crises situations in these twocountries are quite different, the root causes of low health indicators are similar: large rural areas.Considering the current situation, the implementation of the pilot project has been a bit postponed.
Justification:Northern Mali and Northern Niger are subject to recurrent health crises with some of the lowest healthindicators, especially on sexual and reproductive health. Although the post crises situations in these twocountries are quite different, the root causes of low health indicators are similar: large rural areas.Considering the current situation, the implementation of the pilot project has been a bit postponed.
Tabled by Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
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-------------------------------
SECTION III — COMMISSION
Item 21 02 77 20 — Preparatory action — Socio-economic reintegration of children and female sex workersliving at mines in Luhwindja, South Kivu Province, eastern DRC
Amend figures as follows:Budget 2014 Draft budget 2015 Council's position 2015 Difference New amount
Justification:The project has not yet been carried out because local partners could not be found. Partners have now beenfound and discussions have been held with a view to coordinating the work of the local non-profitorganisation ‘Association pour la promotion de l'enfant et de la femme’ (APEF) and Banro Corporation, aCanadian company operating in South Kivu Province. Banro has been involved because the Commissiondoes not have an office in the region.
Item 21 02 77 20 — Preparatory action — Socio-economic reintegration of children and female sex workersliving at mines in Luhwindja, South Kivu Province, eastern DRC
Amend figures as follows:Budget 2014 Draft budget 2015 Council's position 2015 Difference New amount
Justification:The project has not yet been carried out because local partners could not be found. Partners have now beenfound and discussions have been held with a view to coordinating the work of the local non-profitorganisation ‘Association pour la promotion de l'enfant et de la femme’ (APEF) and Banro Corporation, aCanadian company operating in South Kivu Province. Banro has been involved because the Commissiondoes not have an office in the region.
Pilot project — Fight against drugs and crime in Central America
Remarks:Add following text:
This pilot project aims to contribute to the fight against Drugs and Crime in Central America from twodifferent perspectives: (i) on the demand side, by strengthening National Systems of Prevention of drugabuse, Treatment, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration for one of the most vulnerable groups to the effectsof drug trade: children, adolescents and youth (CTY) in each country of the Central AmericanIntegration System and (ii) on the prosecution of drug related crimes perspective, by supporting theestablishment of a Regional Prosecution School in Panama in order to provide continuous, sustainableand specialized training to Central American prosecutors.
The project should operate in close cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime's(UNODC), regional office in Panama, which is currently setting up an inclusive approach for all CentralAmerican countries.
(i) Supporting prevention of drug abuse, treatment, rehabilitation, and social reintegration for children,adolescents and youth in Central America and Dominican Republic
In Central America, at risk youth, adolescents and children have emerged as one of the groups mostvulnerable to the effects of the drug trade, becoming increasingly at risk to crime, gang violence and druginitiation. Worrying data have emerged from Central America in regard to drug consumption.
There is a strong need of strengthening existing drug demand reduction policies and extendingappropriate prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration programmes in countries of theregions in order to provide vulnerable groups, children, teenagers and youth (CAY) with the adequateinterventions and care.
(ii) Support to the establishment of a Regional Prosecution School in Panama
Much of the crime, violence and corruption of the countries in Central America is a result of the pressureof organized crime associated with international drug trafficking. Nowadays Central America is the mostviolent region all over the world and Honduras has the highest rate of homicides in the world. But it is nolonger just about drug trafficking, organized crime groups are engaged in very diverse forms of criminalactivity (weapons smuggling, trafficking in persons, migrant smuggling, extortion, money laundering, etc)and representing a threat not only for the security of the citizens, but also for the democracies andstability of the whole region.
Central American Public Ministries have repeatedly affirmed the necessity of harmonizing regionalprosecution strategies to fight against organized crime, of facilitating international cooperation betweenSICA countries (and particularly mutual legal assistance and extradition) and, strengthening the capacityof national public ministries through institutional support and training. In September 2013, the Councilof Public Ministries for Central America and the Caribbean adopted by unanimity a decision that aRegional Prosecution School be established in Panama under the leadership of the Public Ministry ofPanama.
The United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime and its regional office in Panama are currently settingup a new programme. This Pilot Projects aims at delivering rapid and effective help in close cooperationwith this UNODC programme.
Legal basis:Add following text:
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Pilot project within the meaning of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of theEuropean Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to thegeneral budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298,26.10.2012, p. 1).
Justification:This pilot project aims to contribute to the fight against Drugs and Crime in Central America.
Heading:Preparatory action — Promoting and upholding the rights of at-risk children, adolescents and youngpeople: development of the CAdeNA day centre for abandoned children in Ciudad Evita, La Matanza,Buenos Aires
Remarks:Add following text:
Ciudad Evita in La Matanza, Buenos Aires Province, includes a number of slums whose inhabitants areclassified in the NBI (unmet basic needs) category. The adults are unemployed and educational standardsare low. Most of the children do not know how to read or write. Those children grow up in anenvironment characterised by violence both within and outside the home, food shortages, extremely pooreducational provision and an almost total lack of healthcare.
Young people who have no education and no jobs start taking drugs, which are easy to come by, getcaught in a spiral of violence and become hard to integrate back into society. Owing to the lack of securityin these neighbourhoods, many institutions and associations refuse to work there.
The CAdeNA Foundation has been working with the children of the slums for more than 20 years now,focusing on both prevention and assistance. It has established links with other NGOs and the authoritiesin the area, but cannot meet all needs, which are vast in scale. At present, it can take in no more thanabout 40 children and operates two days a week only. There are three main components to its day-to-daywork: (1) making up for food shortages (school canteens); (2) helping the children to learn (doinghomework, workshops, visits); (3) providing educational, recreational, sporting and cultural activities.Those are goals which are far from being achieved, however, because of a shortage of funding,equipment and personnel.
The following actions targeted on specific groups (young children between the ages of two and 12, and13- to 15-year-old adolescents) should therefore be put in hand:
1. Accommodating young children and adolescents (from two to 15) from the slums in La Matanza (EUR400 000):
– raising the authorities' awareness of national and international legislation on children's rights;
74
– setting up a primary and secondary school;
– developing a remedial education centre;
– providing the centre with appropriate teaching materials;
– recruiting the necessary staff such as, for example, social workers and teachers;
– providing psycho-social counselling and recruiting a psychologist for that purpose;
2. Developing a vocational training centre for adolescents (15- to 18-year-olds) (EUR 600 000):
– apprising them of their rights and obligations vis-à-vis society;
– developing training workshops offering courses in, for example, clothes making, building, electricalwiring, cookery and welding;
– fitting the workshops out with specialised equipment;
– recruiting qualified personnel/teachers;
– providing psycho-social counselling so as to combat drug taking, prostitution and violence againstwomen;
– carrying out an impact study.
In the long term, the foundation wishes to establish a development centre open to families so that they canbe educated in order to help their children develop.
Legal basis:Add following text:
Preparatory action within the meaning of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of theEuropean Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to thegeneral budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298,26.10.2012, p. 1).
Justification:2015 has been designated European Year for Development. It is a pivotal year - the year of the MillenniumDevelopment Goals. The preparatory action will combine goal 2 (to give all boys and girls the means tocomplete a full cycle of primary education) with goal 3 (to promote gender equality and women'sempowerment) and goal 4 (to reduce child mortality).
Item 21 02 77 21 — Preparatory action —Building and strengthening local partnerships to develop socialeconomy and to establish social enterprises in Eastern Africa
Amend figures and remarks as follows:Budget 2014 Draft budget 2015 Council's position 2015 Difference New amount
– facilitating learning from peers by exploiting and .......... State-controlled economies to social marketeconomies.
Add following text:
The need to develop and test this approach has recently been included in:
—the results and specific policy recommendations for the European Union of the European Parliamentsstudy on ‘The potential of the social economy for local development in Africa: an exploratory report’,published in May 2014, as well as of
—the recommendations of the EU-Africa Business Forum, - Roundtable 10 on Social Entrepreneurship(April 2014), organised under contract of DG Development and Cooperation;
These two reports highlight the need for exploiting the experience of social economy actors in newmember states of the European Union that have managed to develop effective social economy structures,the involvement of diaspora communities, and the creation of social economy networks (north/south andsouth/south)
Justification:It's important to continue financing this Preparatory Action (PA)which proves to be a very important elementin the development policy of the EU. In order to access fully the results of this PA it must be continued alsofor the 2015.
Heading:Pilot project — Research and Development for Poverty Related Neglected Diseases in reaching UniversalHealth Coverage on post-2015
Remarks:Add following text:
Ongoing discussions on the post-2015 global development framework have been framing UniversalHealth Coverage (UHC) as a fundamental enabler for ending extreme poverty by 2030 and a crucialelement for finishing the unfinished agenda of the health-related Millennium Development Goals -notably MDG 4,5 and 6 on improving maternal health, reducing child mortality and combatting HIV &AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, respectively.
Likewise, the importance of including Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) into the new developmentframework, in addition to the MDG 6 diseases and in line with the corresponding WHO Roadmap(http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2012/WHO_HTM_NTD_2012.1_eng.pdf) and other prominent expertorganizations.
76
Objectives:
This project aims to produce a study that quantifies the role of R&D for PRNDs in contributing to UHCand improving the health situation in LMICs. For this, the study will:
– Track EU investment in R&D for PRNDs and assess how corresponding technologies are beingtranslated into a resource for UHC
– Examine how the correlation between R&D into PRNDs and UHC can be improved with regard to thepost-2015 global development framework and develop recommendations for R&D indicators that helpadvancing the impact of UHC
Developing essential medicines for PRNDs that are safe, effective, affordable, accessible and of assuredquality contributes to achieving UHC, whereas, adequately investing in UHC is an effective way ofguaranteeing that available services and products are also accessible and of quality. This correlation willplay a crucial role in the post-2015 global development framework not only for attaining healthy lives, butalso to help reducing poverty.
Legal basis:Add following text:
Pilot project within the meaning of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of theEuropean Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to thegeneral budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298,26.10.2012, p. 1).
Justification:R&D plays a crucial role to control PRNDs and achieve UHC; correlation between these should be furtherexamined. PRNDs currently affect more than 1 billion people worldwide and are endemic in 149 countries,most of them low and middle-income countries. UHC is critical to achieving human development, but WHOestimates that 79 countries devoted less than 10% of government health expenditure in 2010. The study willexplore strategies of better linking R&D for PRNDs with UHC objectives in the post 2015 developmentagenda and will list recommendations for the EU’s instruments.
Heading:Pilot project — Access to justice and reparation for victims of the most serious crimes committed in DRC
Remarks:Add following text:
The aim is to support NGOs, victims, and witnesses who claim justice for international crimes and alsosupport to international and DRC lawyers representing victims for strategic litigation at the national,
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regional and international level;
Expected results
– detailed information on international crimes in particular of crimes of sexual and gender basedviolence and the state of the fight against impunity
– national lawyers effectively trained, able to support victims of international crimes before nationaljurisdictions
– national human rights organizations strengthened in their capacity to support victims in the fightagainst impunity of the most serious crimes
– better protection of the actors of the fight against impunity
– cases brought before regional human rights mechanisms, development of jurisprudence supportingaccess of victims of SGBV to justice and reparation
– strengthened ICC Office of the Prosecutor prosecutorial strategy in particular on sexual crimes, andvictims access to the ICC
– IGOs informed to take action against impunity of the most serious crimes
– statements and concrete acts (law and institutional reforms) by national authorities in favor of thefight against impunity of the most serious crimes
Legal basis:Add following text:
Pilot project within the meaning of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of theEuropean Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to thegeneral budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298,26.10.2012, p. 1).
Justification:In DRC, crimes under international law, in particular crimes of SGBV, have been committed against thecivilian population on a massive scale, with total impunity. Such impunity results in violations of victims'rights to justice and reparation and fuels the repetition of such crimes. Support to local actors in legalproceedings, improved dialogue with national authorities and mobilisation of IGOs are required to facilitatethe State's effective commitment to consolidating the rule of law.
Heading:Preparatory action — Promoting and upholding the rights of at-risk children, adolescents and youngpeople: development of the CAdeNA day centre for abandoned children in Ciudad Evita, La Matanza,Buenos Aires
78
Remarks:Add following text:
Ciudad Evita in La Matanza, Buenos Aires Province, includes a number of slums whose inhabitants areclassified in the NBI (unmet basic needs) category. The adults are unemployed and educational standardsare low. Most of the children do not know how to read or write. Those children grow up in anenvironment characterised by violence both within and outside the home, food shortages, extremely pooreducational provision and an almost total lack of healthcare.
Young people who have no education and no jobs start taking drugs, which are easy to come by, getcaught in a spiral of violence and become hard to integrate back into society. Owing to the lack of securityin these neighbourhoods, many institutions and associations refuse to work there.
The CAdeNA Foundation has been working with the children of the slums for more than 20 years now,focusing on both prevention and assistance. It has established links with other NGOs and the authoritiesin the area, but cannot meet all needs, which are vast in scale. At present, it can take in no more thanabout 40 children and operates two days a week only. There are three main components to its day-to-daywork: (1) making up for food shortages (school canteens); (2) helping the children to learn (doinghomework, workshops, visits); (3) providing educational, recreational, sporting and cultural activities.Those are goals which are far from being achieved, however, because of a shortage of funding,equipment and personnel.
The following actions targeted on specific groups (young children between the ages of two and 12, and13- to 15-year-old adolescents) should therefore be put in hand:
1. Accommodating young children and adolescents (from two to 15) from the slums in La Matanza (EUR400 000):
– raising the authorities' awareness of national and international legislation on children's rights;
– setting up a primary and secondary school;
– developing a remedial education centre;
– providing the centre with appropriate teaching materials;
– recruiting the necessary staff such as, for example, social workers and teachers;
– providing psycho-social counselling and recruiting a psychologist for that purpose;
2. Developing a vocational training centre for adolescents (15- to 18-year-olds) (EUR 600 000):
– apprising them of their rights and obligations vis-à-vis society;
– developing training workshops offering courses in, for example, clothes making, building, electricalwiring, cookery and welding;
– fitting the workshops out with specialised equipment;
– recruiting qualified personnel/teachers;
– providing psycho-social counselling so as to combat drug taking, prostitution and violence againstwomen;
– carrying out an impact study.
In the long term, the foundation wishes to establish a develop centre open to families so that they can beeducated in order to help their children develop.
Legal basis:Add following text:
Preparatory action within the meaning of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the
79
European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to thegeneral budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298,26.10.2012, p. 1).
Justification:2015 has been designated European Year for Development. It is a pivotal year - the year of the MillenniumDevelopment Goals. The preparatory action will combine goal 2 (to give all boys and girls the means tocomplete a full cycle of primary education) with goal 3 (to promote gender equality and women'sempowerment) and goal 4 (to reduce child mortality).
Heading:Pilot project — Integrated approach to develop an roll-out health solutions to tackle neglected tropicaldiseases in endemic areas
Remarks:Add following text:
Existing R&D funding mechanisms dedicated to neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) tend to take a siloedapproach: gaps persist between the different phases of the R&D cycle and linkages with fringe issuessuch as WASH and education programmes are not addressed in a multi sectoral approach. Likewise, theneed for equally important incremental research, which can contribute to significantly improving theacceptability of treatments and diagnostics to populations affected by NTDs, tends to be overlooked.
With the objective of partly addressing existing R&D gaps for NTDs, this pilot project will contribute to orco-fund an alternative model that relies on an innovative and coordinated approach to address persistentR&D gaps due to market failures. For this, the supported model will identify a concrete part of the gap inR&D for NTDs that disproportionately affect developing countries, and provide crucial elements thatenable the development of quality, accessible, affordable and suitable health solution.
This project will build on the work from previous preparatory actions and pilot projects on Global Healthresearch and innovation, and support efforts addressing identified and recognised gaps in line with theWHO process following the (http://www.who.int/phi/cewg_report/en/) and the list of demonstrationprojects identified and pre-selected by the Global Technical Consultative Meeting on Health R&DDemonstration Projects.
In doing so while aiming at improving acceptability, the project will contribute to at least one of thefollowing objectives:
– Recommend effective and efficient coordination mechanisms with other current initiatives
– Propose innovative ways to delink the price of the final product from the cost of the R&D
– Maximize public – public, public- private partnerships in knowledge sharing, including open
80
knowledge innovation approaches.
– Strengthen capacity for research, development and production, including through technologytransfer, in developing countries.
Legal basis:Add following text:
Pilot project within the meaning of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of theEuropean Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to thegeneral budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298,26.10.2012, p. 1).
Justification:According to WHO, 17 NTDs affect more than 1 billion people worldwide and are endemic in 149 countries,most of them low and middle-income countries. Together with HIV&AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria,NTDs are the indirect cause of 20% of global maternal mortality and can increase the risk of HIVtransmission. But global health R&D has been insufficient to address the burden of disease, due to lack ofinvestment from pharmaceutical industry. New and improved safe, available, affordable and of qualitytechnologies are needed to improve global health and alleviate poverty.
Item 21 02 77 21 — Preparatory action —Building and strengthening local partnerships to develop socialeconomy and to establish social enterprises in Eastern Africa
Amend figures and remarks as follows:Budget 2014 Draft budget 2015 Council's position 2015 Difference New amount
– facilitating learning from peers by exploiting and .......... State-controlled economies to social marketeconomies.
Add following text:
The need to develop and test this approach has recently been included in:
– the results and specific policy recommendations for the European Union of the European Parliamentsstudy on ‘The potential of the social economy for local development in Africa: an exploratory report’,published in May 2014, as well as of
– the recommendations of the EU-Africa Business Forum, - Roundtable 10 on Social Entrepreneurship(April 2014), organised under contract of DG Development and Cooperation,
These two reports highlight the need for exploiting the experience of social economy actors in newmember states of the European Union that have managed to develop effective social economystructures, the involvement of diaspora communities, and the creation of social economy networks
81
(north/south and south/south).
Justification:It's important to continue financing this Preparatory Action (PA)which proves to be a very important elementin the development policy of the EU. In order to access fully the results of this PA it must be continued alsofor the 2015.
Heading:Pilot project — Small Solar Home Systems for developing countries
Remarks:Add following text:
Nearly 600 million people in Africa do not have access to electrical energy, with a large part living inWest Africa. These people face 12 hours of darkness every day, resulting in stopped productive activitieswith the sunset, limited living conditions and safety issues for girls and women. But energy is a basicdriver for economic development. Without access to light and energy on 24 hours bases, development isnot possible and presses people from rural areas to migrate to cities. Grid access or even minigrid systemsare often oversized and too expensive, and most people cannot afford to pay for larger electricalappliances anyway. Also minigrid systems require intensive maintenance, which is an issue that is verydifficult to solve in remote rural areas and again drives costs up. Very small portable systems on the otherside have the disadvantage of typically low quality and life expectancy, are easily stolen as they need to becharged outside, and do not fulfil the energy needs for example for multiple bright lights and multiplemobile phone charging.
Maintenance-free and very low cost small off-grid solar home systems with multiple lights and thepossibility to charge mobile phones and operate small electrical appliances are the key to quickly equiplarge parts of the rural population with light and clean energy. This will bring safety to children andwomen, increase learning possibilities, improve the health situation, increase productivity as people wouldbe able to spend additional time on value creating activities, and create a basic life standard.
In order to set up such solar home systems in developing countries, partial financing of up to 50% forsome initial 10.000 solar panel units should be provided by the EU in order to implement a fewcommunities as a starting point and pilot. This should be done in cooperation with local financinginstitutions and exploit possibilities of crowd funding for development projects. Once families in thecommunities use the solar home system, they contribute with up to a few EUR per month (or according totheir possibilities), which will then be used to repay the remaining amount and buy and install furthersystems for the communities.
Legal basis:Add following text:
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Pilot project within the meaning of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of theEuropean Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to thegeneral budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298,26.10.2012, p. 1).
Justification:Maintenance-free and very low cost small off-grid solar home systems are the key to quickly equip largeparts of the rural population in Africa with light and clean energy and to support economic and socialdevelopment. The EU should provide seed funding and support projects that can be replicated and that willhave clear spill-over effects.
Tabled by Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats)
-------------------------------
SECTION III — COMMISSION
Item 21 02 77 21 — Preparatory action —Building and strengthening local partnerships to develop socialeconomy and to establish social enterprises in Eastern Africa
Amend figures and remarks as follows:Budget 2014 Draft budget 2015 Council's position 2015 Difference New amount
Heading:Pilot project — Integrated approach to develop an roll-out health solutions to tackle neglected tropicaldiseases in endemic areas
Remarks:Add following text:
Existing R&D funding mechanisms dedicated to neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) tend to take a siloed
approach: gaps persist between the different phases of the R&D cycle and linkages with fringe issues
such as WASH and education programmes are not addressed in a multi sectoral approach. Likewise, the
need for equally important incremental research, which can contribute to significantly improving the
acceptability of treatments and diagnostics to populations affected by NTDs, tends to be overlooked.
With the objective of partly addressing existing R&D gaps for NTDs, this pilot project will contribute to or
co-fund an alternative model that relies on an innovative and coordinated approach to address persistent
R&D gaps due to market failures. For this, the supported model will identify a concrete part of the gap in
R&D for NTDs that disproportionately affect developing countries, and provide crucial elements that
enable the development of quality, accessible, affordable and suitable health solution.
This project will build on the work from previous preparatory actions and pilot projects on Global Health
research and innovation, and support efforts addressing identified and recognised gaps in line with the
WHO process following the (http://www.who.int/phi/cewg_report/en/) and the list of demonstration
projects identified and pre-selected by the Global Technical Consultative Meeting on Health R&D
Demonstration Projects.
In doing so while aiming at improving acceptability, the project will contribute to at least one of the
following objectives:
– Recommend effective and efficient coordination mechanisms with other current initiatives
– Propose innovative ways to delink the price of the final product from the cost of the R&D
– Maximize public – public, public- private partnerships in knowledge sharing, including open
knowledge innovation approaches.
– Strengthen capacity for research, development and production, including through technology
transfer, in developing countries.
84
Legal basis:Add following text:
Pilot project within the meaning of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of theEuropean Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to thegeneral budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298,26.10.2012, p. 1).
Justification:According to WHO, 17 NTDs affect more than 1 billion people worldwide and are endemic in 149 countries,
most of them low and middle-income countries. Together with HIV&AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria,
NTDs are the indirect cause of 20% of global maternal mortality and can increase the risk of HIV
transmission. But global health R&D has been insufficient to address the burden of disease, due to lack of
investment from pharmaceutical industry. New and improved safe, available, affordable and of quality
technologies are needed to improve global health and alleviate poverty.
Heading:Pilot project — Regional food reserves, managed according to the community method
Remarks:Add following text:
This pilot project, which focuses on regions and countries outside the European Union, will examine thefeasibility of regional food reserves, managed according to the community method.
Regional food reserves can improve food security in low- and middle-income countries. If there is a poorharvest and imports from the world market are unaffordable the government can release food from thereserve. Hunger and malnutrition can be avoided and political stresses averted.
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Food reserves are neither trade nor market distorting. Prices continue to be determined by supply anddemand. This is in contrast to other instruments such as price controls, rationing schemes and foodsubsidies which either supplant the free market or distort it.
Compared to national reserves, regional reserves are more economical. This is because there is a poolingof risks and resources. However, the question arises: how best can a group of countries manage acommon reserve?
Regional reserves are more likely to work if they are managed according to the community method, asopposed to the inter-governmental method. The community method avoids the classic problems ofcollective action (free-riding and the lack of enforcement mechanisms). The community method iseffective because it can oblige member countries to respect a set of rules, regarding, for example, therights and obligations of countries, financial transparency and auditing procedures. Adherence to rules ismade possible because there is a sharing of sovereignty.
The community method lies at the heart of the European Union.
This pilot project will gather experiences to date of food reserves, to distil the lessons to be learned and toproduce a practical manual. Staff of one or two interested and committed regional organisations will thenbe trained in a) the practicalities of regional food reserves and b) the community method. Once the staffare familiar with these two concepts the pilot project will assist them in conducting a feasibility study for afood reserve for their respective region.
The establishment of regional food reserves, managed according to the community method, will bringthree benefits:
a) improve the level of food security in low- and middle-income countries without interfering with marketforces,
b) introduce ‘best practice’ financial procedures into the EU’s development cooperation thus preventingcorruption and saving money.
c) spread the EU model of governance to regions and countries elsewhere in the world.
Legal basis:Add following text:
Pilot project within the meaning of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of theEuropean Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to thegeneral budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298,26.10.2012, p. 1).
Justification:This pilot project focuses on acute hunger. It will promote the establishment by multi-country regionalorganisations of regional food reserves. Such reserves will be managed by a community method, requiringthe participating countries to consent to a limited sharing of sovereignty in the domain of grain storage anddistribution. The reserves will be released on to the market to pre-empt price hikes and keep the price offood at a level that citizens can afford. The project will increase food security in the world, reduce corruptionand encourage regional integration.
Justification:As the main advocate of human rights, the EU must be consistent and act in a clear and distinct way toalleviate humanitarian tragedies related to immigration in UE Mediterranean borders
Justification:For an effective implementation of the European Neighbourhood policy greater support must be given to thecountries committed to promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, principles ofequality, establishing deep and sustainable democracy, promoting good governance and developing athriving civil society.
Justification:As the main advocate of human rights, the EU must be consistent and act in a clear and distinct way toalleviate humanitarian tragedies related to immigration in UE Mediterranean borders
Justification:Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigatethe reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1aand by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
Justification:It's incomprehensible that the EU will reduce its commitments to the Mediterranean, in the aftermath of theArab Spring. The amendment increases therefore the budget appropriations.
Justification:It is incomprehensible that the EU will reduce its commitments to the Mediterranean, in the aftermath of theArab Spring. The amendment restores the commitment level of 2014 and increases payments accordingly.
Tabled by Liadh Ní Riada, Pablo Echenique, Lola Sánchez Caldentey, Confederal Group of the EuropeanUnited Left - Nordic Green Left, Ángela Vallina, Marina Albiol Guzmán, Lidia Senra Rodríguez, PalomaLópez
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SECTION III — COMMISSION
Item 21 03 01 02 — Mediterranean countries — Poverty reduction and sustainable development
Amend figures as follows:Budget 2014 Draft budget 2015 Council's position 2015 Difference New amount
Justification:The actions developed within this framework are of the utmost relevance and a key priority to the Union.The resources allocated must match the expanding demands and enhance quality of the assistance provided,specially having into account the recent events.
Any income from financial contributions from Member .......... for the corresponding programme for eachchapter.
Add following text:
Part of these appropriations are intended to be used for operations carried out by the Confederation ofEuropean Senior Expert Services (CESES) and its member associations, including technical assistance,advisory services and training in selected public and private sector enterprises and institutions. For that tobe achieved, Union authorising officers are encouraged to make full use of the possibilities offered by thenew Financial Regulation, including CESES contributions in kind to Union projects.
Justification:The CESES’s services have proven to provide a valuable contribution to the work of the Europeaninstitutions.
Justification:The actions developed within this framework are of the utmost relevance and a key priority to the Union.The resources allocated must match the expanding demands and enhance quality of the assistance provided,specially having into account the recent events.
Justification:Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigatethe reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1aand by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
Justification:It is incomprehensible that the EU will reduce its commitments to the Mediterranean, in the aftermath of theArab Spring. The amendment restores the commitment level of 2014 and increases payments accordingly.
Justification:Taking into account the on-going difficult political situation in some of the partner countries greater supportmust be ensured to promote confidence building and other measures contributing to security and theprevention and settlement of conflicts.
Justification:Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigatethe reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1aand by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
Justification:It is incomprehensible that the EU will reduce its commitment to the Mediterranean, in the aftermath of theArab Spring. The amendment restores the 2014 budget level.
Item 21 03 01 04 — Support to peace process and financial assistance to Palestine and to the United NationsRelief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)
Amend figures as follows:Budget 2014 Draft budget 2015 Council's position 2015 Difference New amount
Tabled by Liadh Ní Riada, Pablo Echenique, Martina Anderson, Lynn Boylan, Matt Carthy, Lola SánchezCaldentey, Confederal Group of the European United Left - Nordic Green Left, Marina Albiol Guzmán,Lidia Senra Rodríguez, Paloma López, Ángela Vallina
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SECTION III — COMMISSION
Item 21 03 01 04 — Support to peace process and financial assistance to Palestine and to the United NationsRelief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)
Amend figures as follows:Budget 2014 Draft budget 2015 Council's position 2015 Difference New amount
Justification:The actions developed within this cooperation assistance, the peace process and the UNRWA are today,more than ever a priority. The financial support resources allocated to cover the operations for the benefit ofthe Palestinian people and the occupied territories of the West bank and Gaza strip will be fundamental ifthere is to be one day the hope of a Middle East Process after the tragedy of the past months.
Tabled by Europe of freedom and direct democracy Group
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SECTION III — COMMISSION
Item 21 03 01 04 — Support to peace process and financial assistance to Palestine and to the United NationsRelief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)
Amend figures as follows:Budget 2014 Draft budget 2015 Council's position 2015 Difference New amount
Tabled by Confederal Group of the European United Left - Nordic Green Left
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SECTION III — COMMISSION
Item 21 03 01 04 — Support to peace process and financial assistance to Palestine and to the United NationsRelief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)
Amend figures as follows:Budget 2014 Draft budget 2015 Council's position 2015 Difference New amount
Justification:The actions developed within this cooperation assistance, the peace process and the UNRWA are today,more than ever a priority. The financial support resources allocated to cover the operations for the benefit ofthe Palestinian people and the occupied territories of the West bank and Gaza strip will be fundamental ifthere is to be one day the hope of a Middle East Process after the tragedy of the past months.
Tabled by Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament
-------------------------------
SECTION III — COMMISSION
Item 21 03 01 04 — Support to peace process and financial assistance to Palestine and to the United NationsRelief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)
Amend figures as follows:Budget 2014 Draft budget 2015 Council's position 2015 Difference New amount
This increase is needed to ensure sufficient financial assistance to Palestine and UNRWA. Thepayment appropriations should match commitment appropriations as a measure to avoid shortages ofpayments as happened in the past, which had detrimental effects on the implementation of EUobjectives in the region. Recourse to the contingency margin (article 13 of the MFF 2014-20Regulation / point 14 of the Inter institutional Agreement) to go over and above the 2015 paymentceiling should be agreed to authorise extra payment appropriations on this line.
Tabled by Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance
-------------------------------
SECTION III — COMMISSION
Item 21 03 01 04 — Support to peace process and financial assistance to Palestine and to the United NationsRelief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)
Amend figures as follows:Budget 2014 Draft budget 2015 Council's position 2015 Difference New amount
Justification:In the context of a renewed crisis between Israël and Palestine, it would be difficult to imagine that the EUwill scale back its support to the Palestinians. The amendment therefore goes slightly beyond thecommitment level of 2014 and increases payments accordingly.
Justification:It is incomprehensible that the Commission is proposing to scale back this Eastern Partnership budget line,whereas we are facing the most important crisis in this region since the end of the Cold War. Commitmentsare put back to their 2014 level and payments adapted accordingly.
Justification:Given the situation in Ukraine, and the political and financial commitments already taken by the EuropeanUnion payment appropriations on this line shall be reinforced to ensure the Commission can meet its legalobligations.
Justification:Due to the crisis in Ukraine, it is essential to accelerate the implementation of the Eastern Partnership part ofthe European Neighbourhood Instrument; therefore a 50% increase in payments should be necessary.Commitments back to DB.
Justification:EUR 1 million will be used to provide financial support for joint cultural projects primarily involving youngartists from Eastern Partnership countries and EU Member States. Similar projects carried out in the pastwere a great success. The provision of this additional funding will help to promote integration and to raise
Justification:For an effective implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy greater support must be insured forpartner countries committed to building democratic societies and undertaking reforms.
Justification:Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigatethe reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1aand by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
Justification:It is incomprehensible that the Commission is proposing to scale back this Eastern Partnership budget line,whereas we are facing the most important crisis in this region since the end of the Cold War. Commitmentsare put back to their 2014 level and payments adapted accordingly.
Justification:It is incomprehensible that the Commission is proposing to scale back this Eastern Partnership budget line,whereas we are facing the most important crisis in this region since the end of the Cold War. Commitmentsare put back to their 2014 level and payments adapted accordingly.
Justification:Given the situation in Ukraine and the political commitments taken by the European Union it is necessary toprovide the line with a more realistic level of payment appropriations.
Justification:Due to the crisis in Ukraine, it is essential to accelerate the implementation of the Eastern Partnership part ofthe European Neighbourhood Instrument; therefore a 50% increase in payments should be necessary.Commitments back to DB.
Any income from financial contributions from Member .......... contributions for the correspondingprogramme for each chapter
Add following text:
Part of these appropriations are intended to be used for operations carried out by the Confederation ofEuropean Senior Expert Services (CESES) and its member associations, including technical assistance,advisory services and training in selected public and private sector enterprises and institutions. For that tobe achieved, Union authorising officers are encouraged to make full use of the possibilities offered by thenew Financial Regulation, including CESES contributions in kind to Union projects.
Justification:The CESES’s services have proven to provide a valuable contribution to the work of the Europeaninstitutions.
Justification:Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigatethe reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1aand by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
It is incomprehensible that the Commission is proposing to scale back this Eastern Partnership budget line,whereas we are facing the most important crisis in this region since the end of the Cold War. Commitmentsare put back to their 2014 level and payments adapted accordingly.
An adequate level of appropriations should be reserved for the support of civil society organisations.
Add following text:
Part of this appropriation will be used for measures directed towards the many frozen conflicts in theEastern Neighbourhood and support the search for political solutions to these conflicts.
Justification:The search for political solutions to the many frozen conflicts in the Eastern Neighbourhood should becomea top priority for the EU's engagement throughout the region and the EU's soft power should be deployedwith both political and economic means.
This appropriation is intended in particular to cover .......... promoting results in, inter alia, the followingareas:
Amend text as follows:
– confidence building,
– security and the prevention and settlement of conflicts,
– support to refugees.
– Setting up of a European Centre for Ukrainian-Russian relations in Kharkiv in Ukraine in order toimprove and recreate confidence between Ukraine and Russia. This centre should facilitate theexchange of views between experts, academicians, representatives of Civil Society and intellectuals ofboth countries.
Justification:The situation in the Western part of Ukraine should require extra financial supports from the EU. Thus theabsolute minimum level of funding for this budget line in 2015 should not be lower than the 2014 figures.
Moreover this amendment aims at improving the relations and recreate confidence between Ukraine andRussia once the conflict is over. The EU should support every effort to build confidence among countries,including by setting up European Centre for Russian studies, and especially in the crucial phases such as thepost-conflict momentum.
Justification:Given the situation in Ukraine, and the financial commitments of 2014, it is unrealistic to decrease this lineby 30%. To ensure that the Commission can meet its legal obligations and avoid disruption of financialmeans throughout the year, the level of payment appropriations shall be also reinforced.
Justification:Due to the crisis in Ukraine, it is essential to accelerate the implementation of the Eastern Partnership part ofthe European Neighbourhood Instrument; therefore a 50% increase in payments should be necessary.
Justification:For an effective implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy greater support must be ensured tostrength of the peace and confidence building measures and promote overall environment which willencourage and support peace activities in troubled regions.
Justification:Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigate
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the reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1aand by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
This appropriation is intended in particular to cover .......... promoting results in, inter alia, the followingareas:
Amend text as follows:
– confidence building,
– security and the prevention and settlement of conflicts,
– support to refugees.
– Setting up of a European Centre for Ukrainian-Russian relations in Kharkiv in Ukraine in order toimprove and recreate confidence between Ukraine and Russia. This centre should facilitate theexchange of views between experts, academicians, representatives of Civil Society and intellectuals ofboth countries.
Justification:The situation in the Eastern part of Ukraine should require extra financial supports from the EU. Thus theabsolute minimum level of funding for this budget line in 2015 should not be lower than the 2014 figures.
Moreover this amendment aims at improving the relations and recreate confidence between Ukraine andRussia once the conflict is over. The EU should support every effort to build confidence among countries,including by setting up a European Centre for Ukrainian-Russian relations, and especially in the crucialphases such as the post-conflict momentum.
Heading:Preparatory action — Support for transformation process in Eastern Partnership Countries, in particularBelarus
Remarks:Add following text:
This Preparatory Action is intended to contribute to the European Union’s Eastern Partnership Policywhich aims at bringing our Eastern neighbours closer to the European Union by helping them with theirtransformations in the economic, social, political, legal, cultural and institutional areas. Morespecifically, it is based on an innovative approach in capacity building and aims at accelerating socio-
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economic reforms through developing knowledge, skills and capabilities of analysts and change agents toimprove professional approaches in mastering transformation processes in Eastern PartnershipCountries, in particular in Belarus. It therefore helps to feed in experience, networking with keyorganisations in the Member States, quality, and sustainability into bilateral as well as multilateralactions
The specific objective of this Preparatory Action is to build capacities for change, by establishing aresource centre on strategies and actions to develop, govern and manage economic, social and politicaltransformation processes in Eastern Partnership countries. The Centre’s main functions and tasks will beto serve as:
– a centre of excellence and competence that will stimulate, conduct, advance, compare and synthesiseresearch on transformation processes, and act as lead partner in a global network of leading academiccentres, active in disseminating research results to change agents (through conferences, seminars,summer schools etc.), thus linking research with practical action;
– a centre of academic and professional education and training in transformation governance andmanagement for civic and political leaders and for students from the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood, inparticular from Belarus, that will act as agenda setter for transformation issues in political andscientific arenas.
Therefore, the specific challenge to implementing these two functions of the Preparatory Action will bethe establishment of close linkages between the two, to fully exploit synergies, and to ensure quality andorientation on demand, e.g.:
– Academic staff engaged to deliver the research tasks will also be active in lecturing in study coursesfor students, seminars and conferences.
– Students will contribute to research projects through conducting field work as part of their theses.
The innovative approach of this Preparatory Action is based on bringing together four under-utilisedresources and drivers for boosting and accelerating transformation processes, and on developing andtesting new ways and means in linking research and skills development, and making these useful anduseable for practitioners, by
– Developing a network of researchers in transformation studies that would share research paradigmsand frameworks, standards, definitions, methodologies and data, with a view to build a solid groundfor comparative studies;
– Developing a sound body of knowledge on all aspects of transformation that can be made useful anduseable for informing the public discourse on good practice in driving transformations, and inempowering current and future civil society and political leaders, by translating research results intopolicy recommendations and guidance, governance principles and management tools and practicesfor organising the multi-dimensional transformation processes ahead of EU’s EasternNeighbourhood
– Mobilising and empowering students from EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood to become professionalchange agents in organising transformation processes, notably in the economic, social and politicalareas;
– Learning from transformation processes realised until now (notably of new EU Member States): whatworked and how, what did not work and why.
To this end, the preparatory action will be implemented in cooperation with the most suitable institutionfor hosting the two interrelated centres on Transformation Research and Transformation Management,and has the competence for effectively linking its two functions: the European Humanities University inVilnius.
It is expected that the establishment of the integrated research and training centres for transformationprocesses will also enhance the development of democratic processes in Eastern Europe and strengthen
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the civil society initiatives and organisations, contribute to improving the quality of governance forchange.
Legal basis:Add following text:
Preparatory action within the meaning of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of theEuropean Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to thegeneral budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298,26.10.2012, p. 1).
Justification:This Preparatory Action is intended to contribute to the European Union’s Eastern Partnership Policy whichaims at bringing our Eastern neighbours closer to the European Union by helping them with their political,economic and social transformations.
Heading:Pilot project — Supporting international law and EU policy coherence in the Moroccan/Western Saharaconflict
Remarks:Add following text:
This pilot project aims to support EU compliance with international law in relation to theMorocco/Western Sahara conflict.
It will assess the extent to which the Union policies and actions comply with the treaty obligations underTEU Article 21 with regards to international law (including the UN Charter, IHL, UNSC and UNGAResolutions, ICJ, UN Guiding Principles on business and human rights). The assessment will have aparticular focus on EU commercial and fisheries policies.
The PP will draw recommendations on how to enhance EU compliance with international law, includingwith regards EU corporate activity in and with the region concerned. It will identify means to sensitise theplurality of EU actors involved (including EU institutions, Member States, European companies) as to theapplicable legal and policy framework. The recommendations should also address the role of local civilsociety organisations in promoting and monitoring EU compliance.
This PP will be carried out by a task force including local CSOs, academic centres, and relevantinternational organisations.
Legal basis:
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Add following text:
Pilot project within the meaning of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of theEuropean Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to thegeneral budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298,26.10.2012, p. 1).
Heading:Pilot project — Supporting international law and EU policy coherence in the Middle East
Remarks:Add following text:
This pilot project aims to support EU compliance with international law in relation to the Israel/Palestineconflict.
It will assess the extent to which the Union policies and actions comply with the treaty obligations underTEU Article 21 with regards to international law (including the UN Charter, IHL, UNSC and UNGAResolutions, ICJ, UN Guiding Principles on business and human rights). The assessment will have aparticular focus on EU commercial policies.
The PP will draw recommendations on how to enhance EU compliance with international law, includingwith regards EU corporate activity in and with the region concerned. It will identify practical means tosensitise the plurality of EU actors involved (ia EU institutions, Member States, European companies) asto the applicable legal and policy framework. The recommendations should also address the role of localcivil society organisations in promoting and monitoring EU compliance.
This PP will be carried out by a task force including local CSOs, academic centres, and relevantinternational organisations.
Legal basis:Add following text:
Pilot project within the meaning of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of theEuropean Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to thegeneral budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298,26.10.2012, p. 1).
Heading:Pilot project — Supporting international law and EU policy coherence in the Middle East
Remarks:Add following text:
This pilot project aims to support EU compliance with international law in relation to the Israel/Palestineconflict.
It will assess the extent to which the Union policies and actions comply with the treaty obligations underTEU Article 21 with regards to international law (including the UN Charter, IHL, UNSC and UNGAResolutions, ICJ, UN Guiding Principles on business and human rights). The assessment will have aparticular focus on EU commercial policies.
The PP will draw recommendations on how to enhance EU compliance with international law, includingwith regards EU corporate activity in and with the region concerned. It will identify practical means tosensitise the plurality of EU actors involved (ia EU institutions, Member States, European companies) asto the applicable legal and policy framework. The recommendations should also address the role of localcivil society organisations in promoting and monitoring EU compliance.
This PP will be carried out by a task force including local CSOs, academic centres, and relevantinternational organisations.
Legal basis:Add following text:
Pilot project within the meaning of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of theEuropean Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to thegeneral budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298,26.10.2012, p. 1).
Heading:Pilot project — Supporting international law and EU policy coherence in the Moroccan/Western Saharaconflict
Remarks:Add following text:
This pilot project aims to support EU compliance with international law in relation to theMorocco/Western Sahara conflict.
It will assess the extent to which the Union policies and actions comply with the treaty obligations underTEU Article 21 with regards to international law (including the UN Charter, IHL, UNSC and UNGAResolutions, ICJ, UN Guiding Principles on business and human rights). The assessment will have aparticular focus on EU commercial and fisheries policies.
The PP will draw recommendations on how to enhance EU compliance with international law, includingwith regards EU corporate activity in and with the region concerned. It will identify means to sensitise theplurality of EU actors involved (including EU institutions, Member States, European companies) as to theapplicable legal and policy framework. The recommendations should also address the role of local civilsociety organisations in promoting and monitoring EU compliance.
This PP will be carried out by a task force including local CSOs, academic centres, and relevantinternational organisations.
Legal basis:Add following text:
Pilot project within the meaning of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of theEuropean Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to thegeneral budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298,26.10.2012, p. 1).
– enhancing respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as proclaimed in theUniversal Declaration of Human Rights and other international and regional human rights instruments,with a focus on freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and digital freedoms and strengtheningtheir protection, promotion and monitoring, mainly through support to relevant civil societyorganisations, human rights defenders, and victims of repression and abuse,
– supporting and consolidating democratic reforms in third countries except European Union ElectoralObservation Missions, by enhancing participatory and representative democracy, strengthening theoverall democratic cycle, and improving the reliability of electoral processes.
Justification:This document must explicitly name the human rights and fundamental freedoms that the European Unionviews as a vital prerequisite for democracy.
– enhancing respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including women'srights as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international and regionalhuman rights instruments, and strengthening their protection, promotion and monitoring, mainly throughsupport to relevant civil society organisations, human rights defenders, and victims of repression andabuse,
– supporting and consolidating democratic reforms in third countries except European Union ElectoralObservation Missions, by enhancing participatory and representative democracy, empowerment ofwomen, strengthening the overall democratic cycle, and improving the reliability of electoral processes.
Justification:Women's rights and empowerment of women should explicitly be mentioned as a pre-condition for anydevelopment and consolidation of democracy and respect for human rights actions supported by EU.
Justification:Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigatethe reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1aand by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
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in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
– enhancing respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including women'srights, as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international and regionalhuman rights instruments, and strengthening their protection, promotion and monitoring, mainly throughsupport to relevant civil society organisations, human rights defenders, and victims of repression andabuse,
– supporting and consolidating democratic reforms in third countries except European Union ElectoralObservation Missions, by enhancing participatory and representative democracy, empowerment ofwomen, strengthening the overall democratic cycle, and improving the reliability of electoral processes.
Justification:The EU should not reduce its financial commitments to the protection of human rights and in view of theincreased crisis situation in its neighbourhood, increase the respective appropriations. Furthermore, women'srights and empowerment of women should explicitly be mentioned as a pre-condition for any developmentand consolidation of democracy and respect for human rights actions supported by the EU.
Justification:Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigatethe reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1aand by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
Article 21 06 01 — Promotion of a high level of nuclear safety, radiation protection and the application ofefficient and effective safeguards of nuclear material in third countries
Amend figures as follows:Budget 2014 Draft budget 2015 Council's position 2015 Difference New amount
Justification:The EU has a binding agreement with Greenland which it must honour; the line should therefore be adoptedat the level required to honour those legal commitments as proposed by the Commission.
Evaluations play an important role in monitoring implementation of EU development assistance and aideffectiveness; the line should be appropriately funded as proposed by the Commission.
Heading:Coordination and promotion of awareness on development issues - European Year for Development 2015
Reference acts:Amend text as follows:
Proposal for a Decision No 472/2014/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April2014Council, submitted by the Commission on 10 July 2013, on the European Year forof Development(2015) Official Journal L 136, 9.5.2014, p. 1–9. (COM (2013) 509 final).
Justification:A moderate increase of funding is required compared to previous years in order to fund activities and workprogrammes by Members States for the European Year for Development 2015 (EYD 2015) and to facilitatethe participation of civil society from developing countries in the actions carried out in the context of theEYD 2015.
Justification:Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigatethe reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1aand by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
Justification:Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigatethe reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1aand by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigatethe reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1aand by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
Under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance .......... address the following specific objectives inTurkey:
Amend text as follows:
– support for political reforms,
– - The fight against anti-Semitism and the respect of the rights of ethnic and religious minorities inTurkey,
– strengthening of the ability of the beneficiaries listed in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 231/2014 at alllevels to fulfil the obligations stemming from Union membership in the area of political reforms by
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supporting progressive alignment with and adoption, implementation and enforcement of the Unionacquis.
Justification:Given the passive attitude of the Turkish government and judiciary towards anti-Semitic expressions,particularly in the Islamic and nationalistic Turkish media, the EU should take the lead and make the Turkishauthorities to act, also given the need to respect the Copenhagen criteria.
Justification:Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigatethe reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1aand by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
Justification:Compared with the budget for 2013, this program will experience a drop of funding in 2015. To mitigatethe reduction of resources, commitment appropriations should be reinforced.
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The extra appropriations could be financed by the mixed use of the available margin under heading 1aand by use of the appropriations available under the flexibility instrument in 2015,
in accordance with Article 11 of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation and Point 12 of the of the Interinstitutional Agreement
This appropriation is intended to cover the continuation .......... following any political settlement forreunification.
Amend text as follows:
The appropriations will also allow for the continuation and increase by 300,000 euros of Union financialsupport to facilitate the intensificationand acceleration of the work of the Committee on Missing Persons inorder to meet the goals of its Strategic Plan on the faster identification of missing persons,Persons, as wellas the implementation of the decisions of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage,including projects of the minorities.
Justification:According to the Strategic Plan of the CMP, to meet its goals regarding the identification of missing personsby the end of 2017, they will need an extra budget of 900,000 euros. It is thus suggested that the annualbudget is increased by 300,000 euros for this specific cause. The EU should support the rapid procedureprescribed for by the CMP itself, but not at the expense of the implementation of the decisions of thebicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage.
This appropriation is intended to cover the continuation .......... following any political settlement forreunification.
Amend text as follows:
The appropriations will also allow for the continuation of Union financial support and acceleration of thework of the Committee on Missing Persons, as well as the implementation of the decisions of thebicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, which should includeincluding projects of theminorities.
Justification:1.) The cultural heritage of Cyprus is threatened by decay
2.) The Committee of the Missing Persons is one of the few projects that work between the communities
Justification:EU is the major donor to the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) in Cyprus which conducts a hugehumanitarian task with the exhumation, identification and return of remains of missing persons to theirrelatives. An additional financial assistance from the EU budget in 2015 will decisively contribute to theacceleration of the CMP humanitarian mission, but also to the effective implementation of the decisions ofthe bicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage. The successful completion of these taskspromotes trust between the two communities and facilitates reunification.
Justification:EU is the major donor to the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) in Cyprus which conducts a hugehumanitarian task with the exhumation, identification and return of remains of missing persons to theirrelatives. Through the increase of the appropriations of the financial support by 300.000 euros the EU willdecisively contribute to the acceleration of the humanitarian mission of the CMP. There is no doubt that thesuccessful completion of the work of CMP will promote the trust and reconciliation between the twocommunities and facilitate the reunification of Cyprus.
Tabled by Neoklis Sylikiotis, Takis Hadjigeorgiou, Sofia Sakorafa, Pablo Echenique, Liadh Ní Riada,Confederal Group of the European United Left - Nordic Green Left, Marina Albiol Guzmán, Lidia SenraRodríguez, Ángela Vallina, Paloma López
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SECTION III — COMMISSION
Article 22 03 01 — Financial support for encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriotcommunity
Amend figures and remarks as follows:Budget 2014 Draft budget 2015 Council's position 2015 Difference New amount
This appropriation is intended to cover the continuation .......... following any political settlement forreunification.
Amend text as follows:
The appropriations will also allow for the continuation and increase by EUR 300 000 of Union financialsupport to facilitate the intensificationand acceleration of the work of the Committee on Missing Persons inorder to meet the goals of its Strategic Plan on the faster identification of missing persons,Persons, as wellas the implementation of the decisions of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage,including projects of the minorities.
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Justification:According to the Strategic Plan of the CMP, to meet its goals regarding the identification of missing personsby the end of 2017, they will need an extra budget of 900,000 euros. It is thus suggested that the annualbudget is increased by 300,000 euros for this specific cause. The EU should support the rapid procedureprescribed for by the CMP itself, but not at the expense of the implementation of the decisions of thebicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage.
Justification:EU is the major donor to the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) in Cyprus which conducts a hugehumanitarian task with the exhumation, identification and return of remains of missing persons to theirrelatives. An additional financial assistance from the EU budget in 2015 will decisively contribute to theacceleration of the CMP humanitarian mission, but also to the effective implementation of the decisions ofthe bicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage. The successful completion of these taskspromotes trust between the two communities and facilitates reunification.
This appropriation is intended to cover the continuation .......... following any political settlement forreunification.
Amend text as follows:
The appropriations will also allow for the continuation and increase by EUR 300 000 of Union financialsupport to facilitate the intensificationand acceleration of the work of the Committee on Missing Persons inorder to meet the goals of its Strategic Plan on the faster identification of missing persons,Persons, as wellas the implementation of the decisions of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage,including projects of the minorities.
Justification:According to the Strategic Plan of the CMP, to meet its goals regarding the identification of missing personsby the end of 2017, they will need an extra budget of 900,000 euros. It is thus suggested that the annualbudget is increased by 300,000 euros for this specific cause. The EU should support the rapid procedureprescribed for by the CMP itself, but not at the expense of the implementation of the decisions of thebicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage.
Justification:Cutting staffing levels and reducing investing in DG ECHO’s human resources would result in increasingproblems to manage and monitor development projects and funds adequately.
Justification:The Council's humanitarian aid cuts go against the EU's fundamental principles of solidarity. Theappropriations proposed by the Commission must be reinstated.
Justification:Humanitarian aid operations need to be properly monitored and implemented and hence require an adequatesupport framework which would be endangered by reductions to the line.
This appropriation is intended to cover the operating .......... initiative under Chapter 23 04 entrusted to theAgency.
Add following text:
There are two documents: the Communication of European Commission on EU Policies andVolunteering and EU Council conclusions on the role of volunteering activities in social policy that needbetter promotion.
Justification:Infrastructure is underdeveloped in terms of volunteers absorption. It is necessary to create functionalmechanisms of volunteers supply and demand management to promote audiovisual environment. Thus it isnecessary to allocate additional funds to promote training programs and best practice guidelines, benefitsbeing given to the public benefit and benevolence of voluntary activity. In addition, it is necessarypromoting the Code of Ethics, in order to be adopted by all organizers of volunteering.
Justification:The recruitment process and training of EU volunteers is paramount to the success of this new programmeand to the well-being of volunteers and beneficiaries. The line should be established at the level proposed bythe Commission.
Volunteering should be a method threw which people accumulate experience and develop technical andsocial skills. In the same time volunteering should help NGOs to develop further and in this sense thetrainees need to be prepared to fulfil their duties. Should be introduced in all states a standard model ofvoluntary agreement.
Justification:In many states volunteering is not properly supported by legislative and financial measures. Because wewant the new generation to be prepared both professionally and morally we can engage young people involunteering. Preparing them for this work can enable them to enjoy more the benefits offered byvolunteering and in the same time increase their contribution to the development of NGOs badly touched bythe reduction of their budgets due to the economic crisis.
Justification:The continuing situation in the Western part of Ukraine should require extra financial supports from the EUcoming from humanitarian aid. Thus the absolute minimum level of funding for this budget line in 2015should be higher than the 2014 figures.
Moreover this amendment aims at delivering additional humanitarian assistance to the victims of the war inEastern Ukraine and in particular those who need psychological assistance for war traumas and especiallychildren, women and soldiers.
Justification:The pressure put on this line was particularly high in 2014 and the needs are not expected to decrease, giventhe magnitude of the numerous current crises, the arising of new ones – such as the Ebola epidemic inWestern Africa - and the unpredictability in this field. For these reasons, this line is increased to reflect thesituation of 2014, to allow the Commission to meet its legal obligations and avoid disruption on the ground.
Justification:Seen the magnitude of current crises in Syria, Gaza and South Sudan, Parliament should insist onappropriating this line realistically near the 2014 level (which the DB is not) while ensuring thatcommitments and payments are at equal level because humanitarian aid operations have short spendingcycles are require a high degree of upfront financing and payment shortages and delays need to be avoided
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in the interest of victims of humanitarian crises, aid organisations as well as the EU’s credibility.
Justification:Taking into account serious budgetary shortages in relation to humanitarian aid operations in 2014 fundingfor this budget line should be higher than the 2014 figures
Justification:This budget item is important from a women's rights perspective. In the remarks is underlined that the aid isgranted to victims "without discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnic origin, religion, disability, sex, age,nationality or political affiliation".
Justification:This increase is needed to ensure sufficient financial assistance to respond to the humanitarian crisis.The payment appropriations should match commitment appropriations as a measure to avoidshortages of payments for this life saving instrument. Recourse to the contingency margin (article 13of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation / point 14 of the Inter institutional Agreement) to go over and abovethe 2015 payment ceiling should be agreed to authorise extra payment appropriations on these lines .
Justification:The ongoing crisis situation in the Eastern part of Ukraine, but also in other parts of the World, shouldrequire extra financial supports from the EU coming from humanitarian aid. Thus the absolute minimumlevel of funding for this budget line in 2015 should be higher than the 2014 figures.
Moreover this amendment aims at delivering additional humanitarian assistance to the victims of the war inEastern Ukraine and in particular those who need psychological assistance for war traumas and especiallychildren, women and soldiers.
Justification:Given the magnitude of humanitarian crisis and the high unpredictability in this field, any cut to the draftbudget is not realistic and would not be wise budgeting.
Tabled by João Ferreira, Kateřina Konečná, Inês Cristina Zuber, Miguel Viegas, Martina Anderson, LynnBoylan, Matt Carthy, Liadh Ní Riada, Confederal Group of the European United Left - Nordic Green Left,Ángela Vallina, Paloma López, Marina Albiol Guzmán, Lidia Senra Rodríguez
Justification:Disasters almost always have the greatest effect on those who are least able to protect themselves, be theypeople or states. In the majority of cases, the funds available for disaster prevention, risk reduction andpreparation are scant, and it is vital to reduce the current disparities between regions and Member States inthis respect, in particular by helping to improve prevention in regions and Member States with high riskexposure and low economic capacity. It is proposed that this appropriation be increased by 25%.
Justification:Disaster prevention and risk reduction are a priority of parliament and can reduce loss of human life andspending for dealing with disasters.
Justification:Disasters almost always have the greatest effect on those who are least able to protect themselves, be theypeople or states. In the majority of cases, the funds available for disaster prevention, risk reduction andpreparation are scant, and it is vital to reduce the current disparities between regions and Member States inthis respect, in particular by helping to improve prevention in regions and Member States with high riskexposure and low economic capacity. It is proposed that this appropriation be increased by 25%.
Justification:This increase is needed to ensure sufficient financial assistance to respond to the humanitarian crisis.The payment appropriations should match commitment appropriations as a measure to avoidshortages of payments for this life saving instrument. Recourse to the contingency margin (article 13of the MFF 2014-20 Regulation / point 14 of the Inter institutional Agreement) to go over and abovethe 2015 payment ceiling should be agreed to authorise extra payment appropriations on these lines .
Justification:Increased financial resources are needed in commitment appropriations to promote the disaster preventionand preparedness within the Union.
Justification:Structural aid to prevent disasters in non-EU countries cannot be reduced at a time when, as a result ofglobal warming in particular, more and more partner countries are at risk of major natural disasters.
Justification:Disaster prevention and risk reduction are a priority of parliament and can reduce loss of human life andspending for dealing with disasters.
Justification:Given the imminence of war in Ukraine is necessary to allocate a much larger budget for this line, if the EUdecides to assist and help those affected and to ensure the protection of civilians.
Justification:Civil protection deployment plays an important role in humanitarian aid in particular after natural disasterswhere EU countries and their pooled capacity can provide a clear added value and thus safe human live. Theline should be appropriately funded.
Justification:The EU Aid volunteers initiative is a promising new programme, the creation was strongly supported byParliament and it should ensure adequate funding.