# Official Journal C 361/20 S

| | ISSN 1977-091X |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 361 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 6520 September 2022 |

ISSN 1977-091X

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 361

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 6520 September 2022

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| Contents | page |
| --- | --- |
| | |
| | EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
  2022-2023 SESSIONSittings of 23 to 24 March 2022TEXTS ADOPTED | 1 |

Contents

page

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
  2022-2023 SESSIONSittings of 23 to 24 March 2022TEXTS ADOPTED

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

1

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| | I   Resolutions, recommendations and opinions |
| --- | --- |
| | RESOLUTIONS |
| | European Parliament |
| | Thursday 24 March 2022 |
| 2022/C 361/01 | European Parliament resolution of 24 March 2022 on the need for an urgent EU action plan to ensure food security inside and outside the EU in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (2022/2593(RSP)) | 2 |
| 2022/C 361/02 | European Parliament resolution of 24 March 2022 on MFF 2021-2027: fight against oligarch structures, protection of EU funds from fraud and conflict of interest (2020/2126(INI)) | 15 |

I   Resolutions, recommendations and opinions

RESOLUTIONS

European Parliament

Thursday 24 March 2022

2022/C 361/01

European Parliament resolution of 24 March 2022 on the need for an urgent EU action plan to ensure food security inside and outside the EU in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (2022/2593(RSP))

2

2022/C 361/02

European Parliament resolution of 24 March 2022 on MFF 2021-2027: fight against oligarch structures, protection of EU funds from fraud and conflict of interest (2020/2126(INI))

15

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| | II   Information |
| --- | --- |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Parliament |
| | Thursday 24 March 2022 |
| 2022/C 361/03 | European Parliament decision of 24 March 2022 on the request for waiver of the immunity of Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz (2021/2256(IMM)) | 26 |
| 2022/C 361/04 | European Parliament decision of 24 March 2022 on the request for waiver of the immunity of Ioannis Lagos (2021/2225(IMM)) | 28 |

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Parliament

Thursday 24 March 2022

2022/C 361/03

European Parliament decision of 24 March 2022 on the request for waiver of the immunity of Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz (2021/2256(IMM))

26

2022/C 361/04

European Parliament decision of 24 March 2022 on the request for waiver of the immunity of Ioannis Lagos (2021/2225(IMM))

28

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| | III   Preparatory acts |
| --- | --- |
| | European Parliament |
| | Thursday 24 March 2022 |
| 2022/C 361/05 | P9_TA(2022)0083Refugees in Europe: CARE ***IEuropean Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Regulation (EU) No 223/2014 as regards Cohesion’s Action for Refugees in Europe (CARE) (COM(2022)0109 — C9-0057/2022 — 2022/0075(COD))P9_TC1-COD(2022)0075Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 24 March 2022 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2022/... of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) No 1303/2013 and (EU) No 223/2014 as regards Cohesion’s Action for Refugees in Europe (CARE) | 30 |
| 2022/C 361/06 | P9_TA(2022)0084More flexible use of funds under the AMIF Regulations in light of the war in Ukraine ***IEuropean Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 514/2014 laying down general provisions on the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and on the instrument for financial support for police cooperation, preventing and combating crime, and crisis management and amending Regulation (EU) No 516/2014 establishing the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1147 establishing the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (COM(2022)0112 — C9-0056/2022 — 2022/0077(COD))P9_TC1-COD(2022)0077Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 24 March 2022 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2022/... of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) No 514/2014 laying down general provisions on the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and on the instrument for financial support for police cooperation, preventing and combating crime, and crisis management, (EU) No 516/2014 establishing the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and (EU) 2021/1147 establishing the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund | 31 |
| 2022/C 361/07 | European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova on operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in the Republic of Moldova (07202/2022 — C9-0120/2022 — 2022/0087(NLE)) | 32 |
| 2022/C 361/08 | P9_TA(2022)0088Pilot regime for market infrastructures based on distributed ledger technology ***IEuropean Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on a pilot regime for market infrastructures based on distributed ledger technology (COM(2020)0594 — C9-0305/2020 — 2020/0267(COD))P9_TC1-COD(2020)0267Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 24 March 2022 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2022/... of the European Parliament and of the Council on a pilot regime for market infrastructures based on distributed ledger technology, and amending Regulations (EU) No 600/2014 and (EU) No 909/2014 and Directive 2014/65/EU | 33 |
| 2022/C 361/09 | P9_TA(2022)0089Roaming Regulation (recast) ***IEuropean Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on Roaming on public mobile communications networks within the Union (recast) (COM(2021)0085 — C9-0085/2021 — 2021/0045(COD))P9_TC1-COD(2021)0045Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 24 March 2022 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2022/... of the European Parliament and of the Council on roaming on public mobile communications networks within the Union (recast) | 34 |
| 2022/C 361/10 | P9_TA(2022)0090Macro-financial assistance to the Republic of Moldova ***IEuropean Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on providing macro-financial assistance to the Republic of Moldova (COM(2022)0004 — C9-0007/2022 — 2021/0438(COD))P9_TC1-COD(2021)0438Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 24 March 2022 with a view to the adoption of Decision (EU) 2022/... of the European Parliament and of the Council providing macro-financial assistance to the Republic of Moldova | 36 |
| 2022/C 361/11 | P9_TA(2022)0091Computerised system for the cross-border electronic exchange of data in the area of judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters (e-CODEX system) ***IEuropean Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on a computerised system for communication in cross-border civil and criminal proceedings (e-CODEX system), and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1726 (COM(2020)0712 — C9-0389/2020 — 2020/0345(COD))P9_TC1-COD(2020)0345Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 24 March 2022 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2022/... of the European Parliament and of the Council on a computerised system for the cross-border electronic exchange of data in the area of judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters (e-CODEX system), and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1726 | 37 |
| 2022/C 361/12 | European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the draft Council implementing decision on the launch of automated data exchange with regard to DNA data in Italy (14836/2021 — C9-0002/2022 — 2021/0806(CNS)) | 38 |
| 2022/C 361/13 | European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the draft Council implementing decision on the launch of automated data exchange with regard to dactyloscopic data in Italy (14837/2021 — C9-0003/2022 — 2021/0807(CNS)) | 39 |
| 2022/C 361/14 | European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the draft Council implementing decision on the launch of automated data exchange with regard to vehicle registration data in Italy (14838/2021 — C9-0004/2022 — 2021/0808(CNS)) | 40 |
| 2022/C 361/15 | European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the draft Council implementing decision on the launch of automated data exchange with regard to vehicle registration data in Greece (14839/2021 — C9-0005/2022 — 2021/0809(CNS)) | 41 |
| 2022/C 361/16 | European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil amending the Agreement between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil on short-stay visa waiver for holders of ordinary passports (13448/2018 — C9-0416/2021 — 2018/0084(NLE)) | 42 |
| 2022/C 361/17 | European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil amending the Agreement between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil on short-stay visa waiver for holders of diplomatic, service or official passports (13445/2018 — C9-0415/2021 — 2018/0086(NLE)) | 43 |
| 2022/C 361/18 | European Parliament resolution of 24 March 2022 on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers following an application from France — EGF/2021/007 FR/ Selecta (COM(2022)0035 — C9-0036/2022 — 2022/0023(BUD)) | 44 |

III   Preparatory acts

European Parliament

Thursday 24 March 2022

2022/C 361/05

P9_TA(2022)0083Refugees in Europe: CARE ***IEuropean Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Regulation (EU) No 223/2014 as regards Cohesion’s Action for Refugees in Europe (CARE) (COM(2022)0109 — C9-0057/2022 — 2022/0075(COD))P9_TC1-COD(2022)0075Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 24 March 2022 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2022/... of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) No 1303/2013 and (EU) No 223/2014 as regards Cohesion’s Action for Refugees in Europe (CARE)

30

2022/C 361/06

P9_TA(2022)0084More flexible use of funds under the AMIF Regulations in light of the war in Ukraine ***IEuropean Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 514/2014 laying down general provisions on the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and on the instrument for financial support for police cooperation, preventing and combating crime, and crisis management and amending Regulation (EU) No 516/2014 establishing the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1147 establishing the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (COM(2022)0112 — C9-0056/2022 — 2022/0077(COD))P9_TC1-COD(2022)0077Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 24 March 2022 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2022/... of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) No 514/2014 laying down general provisions on the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and on the instrument for financial support for police cooperation, preventing and combating crime, and crisis management, (EU) No 516/2014 establishing the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and (EU) 2021/1147 establishing the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund

31

2022/C 361/07

European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova on operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in the Republic of Moldova (07202/2022 — C9-0120/2022 — 2022/0087(NLE))

32

2022/C 361/08

P9_TA(2022)0088Pilot regime for market infrastructures based on distributed ledger technology ***IEuropean Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on a pilot regime for market infrastructures based on distributed ledger technology (COM(2020)0594 — C9-0305/2020 — 2020/0267(COD))P9_TC1-COD(2020)0267Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 24 March 2022 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2022/... of the European Parliament and of the Council on a pilot regime for market infrastructures based on distributed ledger technology, and amending Regulations (EU) No 600/2014 and (EU) No 909/2014 and Directive 2014/65/EU

33

2022/C 361/09

P9_TA(2022)0089Roaming Regulation (recast) ***IEuropean Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on Roaming on public mobile communications networks within the Union (recast) (COM(2021)0085 — C9-0085/2021 — 2021/0045(COD))P9_TC1-COD(2021)0045Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 24 March 2022 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2022/... of the European Parliament and of the Council on roaming on public mobile communications networks within the Union (recast)

34

2022/C 361/10

P9_TA(2022)0090Macro-financial assistance to the Republic of Moldova ***IEuropean Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on providing macro-financial assistance to the Republic of Moldova (COM(2022)0004 — C9-0007/2022 — 2021/0438(COD))P9_TC1-COD(2021)0438Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 24 March 2022 with a view to the adoption of Decision (EU) 2022/... of the European Parliament and of the Council providing macro-financial assistance to the Republic of Moldova

36

2022/C 361/11

P9_TA(2022)0091Computerised system for the cross-border electronic exchange of data in the area of judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters (e-CODEX system) ***IEuropean Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on a computerised system for communication in cross-border civil and criminal proceedings (e-CODEX system), and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1726 (COM(2020)0712 — C9-0389/2020 — 2020/0345(COD))P9_TC1-COD(2020)0345Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 24 March 2022 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2022/... of the European Parliament and of the Council on a computerised system for the cross-border electronic exchange of data in the area of judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters (e-CODEX system), and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1726

37

2022/C 361/12

European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the draft Council implementing decision on the launch of automated data exchange with regard to DNA data in Italy (14836/2021 — C9-0002/2022 — 2021/0806(CNS))

38

2022/C 361/13

European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the draft Council implementing decision on the launch of automated data exchange with regard to dactyloscopic data in Italy (14837/2021 — C9-0003/2022 — 2021/0807(CNS))

39

2022/C 361/14

European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the draft Council implementing decision on the launch of automated data exchange with regard to vehicle registration data in Italy (14838/2021 — C9-0004/2022 — 2021/0808(CNS))

40

2022/C 361/15

European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the draft Council implementing decision on the launch of automated data exchange with regard to vehicle registration data in Greece (14839/2021 — C9-0005/2022 — 2021/0809(CNS))

41

2022/C 361/16

European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil amending the Agreement between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil on short-stay visa waiver for holders of ordinary passports (13448/2018 — C9-0416/2021 — 2018/0084(NLE))

42

2022/C 361/17

European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil amending the Agreement between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil on short-stay visa waiver for holders of diplomatic, service or official passports (13445/2018 — C9-0415/2021 — 2018/0086(NLE))

43

2022/C 361/18

European Parliament resolution of 24 March 2022 on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers following an application from France — EGF/2021/007 FR/ Selecta (COM(2022)0035 — C9-0036/2022 — 2022/0023(BUD))

44

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| Key to symbols used






  - | Consultation procedure |
| --- | --- |
| *** | Consent procedure |
| ***I | Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading |
| ***II | Ordinary legislative procedure: second reading |
| ***III | Ordinary legislative procedure: third reading |

Key to symbols used

*

Consultation procedure

***

Consent procedure

***I

Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading

***II

Ordinary legislative procedure: second reading

***III

Ordinary legislative procedure: third reading

(The type of procedure depends on the legal basis proposed by the draft act.)

Amendments by Parliament:

New text is highlighted in
  bold italics
  . Deletions are indicated using either the ▌symbol or strikeout. Replacements are indicated by highlighting the new text in
  bold italics
  and by deleting or striking out the text that has been replaced.

bold italics

bold italics

| EN | |
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EN

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20.9.2022

| 20.9.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 361/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 361/1

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EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

2022-2023 SESSION

Sittings of 23 to 24 March 2022

TEXTS ADOPTED

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I Resolutions, recommendations and opinions

RESOLUTIONS

European Parliament

Thursday 24 March 2022

| 20.9.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 361/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

20.9.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 361/2

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P9_TA(2022)0099

Need for an urgent EU action plan to ensure food security inside and outside the EU in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

European Parliament resolution of 24 March 2022 on the need for an urgent EU action plan to ensure food security inside and outside the EU in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (2022/2593(RSP))

(2022/C 361/01)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to its previous resolutions on Russia and Ukraine, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its previous resolutions on Russia and Ukraine,

| — | having regard to the statements on Ukraine by the European Parliament’s leaders of 16 and 24 February 2022, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the statements on Ukraine by the European Parliament’s leaders of 16 and 24 February 2022,

| — | having regard to the declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU of 24 February 2022 on the invasion of Ukraine by the armed forces of the Russian Federation, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU of 24 February 2022 on the invasion of Ukraine by the armed forces of the Russian Federation,

| — | having regard to the statement by the President of the European Council and the President of the Commission of 24 February 2022 on Russia’s unprecedented and unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the statement by the President of the European Council and the President of the Commission of 24 February 2022 on Russia’s unprecedented and unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine,

| — | having regard to the recent statements by the President of Ukraine and the President of the Commission on the situation in Ukraine, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the recent statements by the President of Ukraine and the President of the Commission on the situation in Ukraine,

| — | having regard to the G7 statement of 24 February 2022, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the G7 statement of 24 February 2022,

| — | having regard to the European Council conclusions of 24 February 2022, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the European Council conclusions of 24 February 2022,

| — | having regard to Article 39 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 39 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

| — | having regard to its resolution of 1 March 2022 on the Russian aggression against Ukraine (1), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 1 March 2022 on the Russian aggression against Ukraine (1),

| — | having regard to the statement by the heads of state or government of the European Council of 10 March 2022 on the Russian military aggression against Ukraine, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the statement by the heads of state or government of the European Council of 10 March 2022 on the Russian military aggression against Ukraine,

| — | having regard to the statement of the G7 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting of 11 March 2022 on the invasion of Ukraine by armed forces of the Russian Federation, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the statement of the G7 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting of 11 March 2022 on the invasion of Ukraine by armed forces of the Russian Federation,

| — | having regard to the Versailles Declaration issued by the EU Heads of State or Government during the informal meeting held on 10 and 11 March 2022, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Versailles Declaration issued by the EU Heads of State or Government during the informal meeting held on 10 and 11 March 2022,

| — | having regard to the Commission communication of 12 November 2021 on the contingency plan for ensuring food supply and food security in times of crisis (COM(2021)0689), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 12 November 2021 on the contingency plan for ensuring food supply and food security in times of crisis (COM(2021)0689),

| — | having regard to Rule 132(2) and (4) of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rule 132(2) and (4) of its Rules of Procedure,

| A. | whereas, in line with the UN Charter and the principles of international law, all states enjoy equal sovereignty and must refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state; |
| --- | --- |

A.

whereas, in line with the UN Charter and the principles of international law, all states enjoy equal sovereignty and must refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state;

| B. | whereas the Russian Federation launched an unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022; |
| --- | --- |

B.

whereas the Russian Federation launched an unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022;

| C. | whereas food production and access to food should not be used as a geopolitical weapon; |
| --- | --- |

C.

whereas food production and access to food should not be used as a geopolitical weapon;

| D. | whereas the Council has adopted an initial series of sanctions against Russia, including targeted individual sanctions, economic and financial sanctions and trade restrictions, and continues to prepare further sanctions in close coordination with transatlantic allies and other like-minded international partners; |
| --- | --- |

D.

whereas the Council has adopted an initial series of sanctions against Russia, including targeted individual sanctions, economic and financial sanctions and trade restrictions, and continues to prepare further sanctions in close coordination with transatlantic allies and other like-minded international partners;

| E. | whereas this situation and the legitimate sanctions imposed on Russia will lead to a significant cumulative disruption of global agricultural, fisheries and aquaculture markets, in addition to the COVID-19 crisis and recent significant input cost increases, particularly in relation to the grains and vegetable oil markets given that Ukraine and Russia account for approximately 30 % of world trade in wheat, 32 % of barley, 17 % of corn and over 50 % of sunflower seed oil and 20 % of sunflower seeds, and in terms of access to fertilisers and the inputs required for fertiliser production; |
| --- | --- |

E.

whereas this situation and the legitimate sanctions imposed on Russia will lead to a significant cumulative disruption of global agricultural, fisheries and aquaculture markets, in addition to the COVID-19 crisis and recent significant input cost increases, particularly in relation to the grains and vegetable oil markets given that Ukraine and Russia account for approximately 30 % of world trade in wheat, 32 % of barley, 17 % of corn and over 50 % of sunflower seed oil and 20 % of sunflower seeds, and in terms of access to fertilisers and the inputs required for fertiliser production;

| F. | whereas the Black Sea ports are among the civilian infrastructure damaged, resulting in a complete blockage of trade by sea and preventing exports of vital agricultural products to different regions, including the EU; |
| --- | --- |

F.

whereas the Black Sea ports are among the civilian infrastructure damaged, resulting in a complete blockage of trade by sea and preventing exports of vital agricultural products to different regions, including the EU;

| G. | whereas following Russia’s annexation of Crimea and subsequent sanctions, the Commission and Member States took several measures to counter the negative effects on EU agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture markets; |
| --- | --- |

G.

whereas following Russia’s annexation of Crimea and subsequent sanctions, the Commission and Member States took several measures to counter the negative effects on EU agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture markets;

| H. | whereas war on the ground in Ukraine is preventing the internal movement of goods, particularly food, feed and other agricultural products, and has also led to the suspension of oilseed crushing operations and the introduction of export licensing requirements for some crops, which has resulted in serious food scarcity in Ukraine, a lack of stocks available for shipping to other countries and the consequent and imminent risk of geopolitical instability; |
| --- | --- |

H.

whereas war on the ground in Ukraine is preventing the internal movement of goods, particularly food, feed and other agricultural products, and has also led to the suspension of oilseed crushing operations and the introduction of export licensing requirements for some crops, which has resulted in serious food scarcity in Ukraine, a lack of stocks available for shipping to other countries and the consequent and imminent risk of geopolitical instability;

| I. | whereas the conflict has involved the targeting of critical agricultural infrastructure, including for transportation and storage, which is having significant regional impacts; whereas bombardment, shelling and cluster bombs in war situations damage agricultural land and maim those intending to return to work that land, rendering it unusable for years to come while demining is carried out and ordnance is detected and defused or destroyed; |
| --- | --- |

I.

whereas the conflict has involved the targeting of critical agricultural infrastructure, including for transportation and storage, which is having significant regional impacts; whereas bombardment, shelling and cluster bombs in war situations damage agricultural land and maim those intending to return to work that land, rendering it unusable for years to come while demining is carried out and ordnance is detected and defused or destroyed;

| J. | whereas the 2022 harvest in Ukraine cannot take place as farmers and agricultural workers have fled for their lives or are defending their country, and agricultural holdings are too severely damaged for this year’s production to take place as normal; |
| --- | --- |

J.

whereas the 2022 harvest in Ukraine cannot take place as farmers and agricultural workers have fled for their lives or are defending their country, and agricultural holdings are too severely damaged for this year’s production to take place as normal;

| K. | whereas Ukraine accounts for 11 % of the world’s wheat market, 16 % of its barley, 15 % of its maize, 16 % of its rapeseed, 50 % of its sunflower seed oil, 9 % of trade in sunflower seeds and 61 % of its sunflower cake; whereas for Russia, these figures are 20 % (wheat), 16 % (barley), 2 % (maize), 3 % (rapeseed) and 20 % (sunflower cake); |
| --- | --- |

K.

whereas Ukraine accounts for 11 % of the world’s wheat market, 16 % of its barley, 15 % of its maize, 16 % of its rapeseed, 50 % of its sunflower seed oil, 9 % of trade in sunflower seeds and 61 % of its sunflower cake; whereas for Russia, these figures are 20 % (wheat), 16 % (barley), 2 % (maize), 3 % (rapeseed) and 20 % (sunflower cake);

| L. | whereas Ukraine has become an important supplier to the EU, being the primary supplier of maize (on average 9,2 megatonnes — 57 % of supplies), rapeseed (2 megatonnes — 42 % of European imports by volume), sunflower seeds (0,1 megatonnes — 15 %) and sunflower cake (1,3 megatonnes — 47 % of imports), and to a lesser extent wheat (1 megatonne — 30 % of imports); whereas Russia is also, but to a lesser extent, an important supplier to the EU of wheat (0,5 megatonnes — 11 %), but mainly of rapeseed cake (0,2 megatonnes — 50 %), sunflower cake (0,9 megatonnes — 34 %) and sunflower seeds (0,3 megatonnes — 35 %); |
| --- | --- |

L.

whereas Ukraine has become an important supplier to the EU, being the primary supplier of maize (on average 9,2 megatonnes — 57 % of supplies), rapeseed (2 megatonnes — 42 % of European imports by volume), sunflower seeds (0,1 megatonnes — 15 %) and sunflower cake (1,3 megatonnes — 47 % of imports), and to a lesser extent wheat (1 megatonne — 30 % of imports); whereas Russia is also, but to a lesser extent, an important supplier to the EU of wheat (0,5 megatonnes — 11 %), but mainly of rapeseed cake (0,2 megatonnes — 50 %), sunflower cake (0,9 megatonnes — 34 %) and sunflower seeds (0,3 megatonnes — 35 %);

| M. | whereas even before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, global agricultural markets saw a rise in prices, due partly to climate effects and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; whereas rising energy prices in Europe are having a significant impact on the agricultural, fisheries and aquaculture sectors, with increased fertiliser prices and higher energy costs for farmers; |
| --- | --- |

M.

whereas even before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, global agricultural markets saw a rise in prices, due partly to climate effects and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; whereas rising energy prices in Europe are having a significant impact on the agricultural, fisheries and aquaculture sectors, with increased fertiliser prices and higher energy costs for farmers;

| N. | whereas since the beginning of the conflict, there has been a sharp increase in world prices for agricultural products (between + 5 % and + 10 % depending on the product), bringing them closer to the prices of the 2007-2008 marketing year; |
| --- | --- |

N.

whereas since the beginning of the conflict, there has been a sharp increase in world prices for agricultural products (between + 5 % and + 10 % depending on the product), bringing them closer to the prices of the 2007-2008 marketing year;

| O. | whereas the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that the global supply gap that would result from a sudden and steep reduction in grain and sunflower seed exports by the two countries could push international food and feed prices well above their already elevated levels; |
| --- | --- |

O.

whereas the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that the global supply gap that would result from a sudden and steep reduction in grain and sunflower seed exports by the two countries could push international food and feed prices well above their already elevated levels;

| P. | whereas the EU not only imports wheat, but also exports it, especially to the countries of the Middle East and North Africa, to which around 6 million tonnes of wheat are exported annually; whereas these countries rely, first of all, on Russia and Ukraine, and then on the EU; |
| --- | --- |

P.

whereas the EU not only imports wheat, but also exports it, especially to the countries of the Middle East and North Africa, to which around 6 million tonnes of wheat are exported annually; whereas these countries rely, first of all, on Russia and Ukraine, and then on the EU;

| Q. | whereas the objectives of the common fisheries policy and the common agricultural policy (CAP) include, among others, supplying the EU market with foods of high nutritional value, reducing the EU market’s dependence on food imports, and ensuring that food reaches consumers at reasonable prices; whereas the COVID-19 pandemic and now the Russian invasion of Ukraine have made it even more apparent that the EU needs to strengthen its food security and reduce its dependence on inputs imported from single or too few suppliers from outside the EU; |
| --- | --- |

Q.

whereas the objectives of the common fisheries policy and the common agricultural policy (CAP) include, among others, supplying the EU market with foods of high nutritional value, reducing the EU market’s dependence on food imports, and ensuring that food reaches consumers at reasonable prices; whereas the COVID-19 pandemic and now the Russian invasion of Ukraine have made it even more apparent that the EU needs to strengthen its food security and reduce its dependence on inputs imported from single or too few suppliers from outside the EU;

| R. | whereas on 9 March 2022, the Commission held the first meeting of the newly established European Food Security Crisis Preparedness and Response Mechanism to discuss food security, the impact of the increases in energy and input prices and the impact of the war in Ukraine; whereas this mechanism aims to increase preparedness to crises by improving coordination and exchanging best practices; |
| --- | --- |

R.

whereas on 9 March 2022, the Commission held the first meeting of the newly established European Food Security Crisis Preparedness and Response Mechanism to discuss food security, the impact of the increases in energy and input prices and the impact of the war in Ukraine; whereas this mechanism aims to increase preparedness to crises by improving coordination and exchanging best practices;

| S. | whereas the EU is heavily reliant on Russian fossil fuels; whereas some 90 % of the gas used in the EU is imported, with Russia providing 45 % of those imports at various levels to EU Member States in 2021; whereas Russia was also Europe’s largest supplier of oil at 27 %, more than three times the next largest (Norway); whereas this external dependence on energy directly affects agricultural production; |
| --- | --- |

S.

whereas the EU is heavily reliant on Russian fossil fuels; whereas some 90 % of the gas used in the EU is imported, with Russia providing 45 % of those imports at various levels to EU Member States in 2021; whereas Russia was also Europe’s largest supplier of oil at 27 %, more than three times the next largest (Norway); whereas this external dependence on energy directly affects agricultural production;

| T. | whereas energy, input and food prices are all rising as a result of the conflict, meaning that more and more people will be at risk of poverty (in addition to the 97 million currently at risk); whereas social measures to help producers and consumers deal with these effects are therefore needed; |
| --- | --- |

T.

whereas energy, input and food prices are all rising as a result of the conflict, meaning that more and more people will be at risk of poverty (in addition to the 97 million currently at risk); whereas social measures to help producers and consumers deal with these effects are therefore needed;

| U. | whereas food security does not only mean the availability of food supplies, but also includes, according to the FAO, the right to food and the accessibility of healthy nutrition for all; |
| --- | --- |

U.

whereas food security does not only mean the availability of food supplies, but also includes, according to the FAO, the right to food and the accessibility of healthy nutrition for all;

| V. | whereas the impacts on food security of the unprovoked and unjustifiable Russian war of aggression have exacerbated the already severe situation caused by COVID-19, the exceptional droughts in the south of the EU, climate change and biodiversity loss; whereas this crisis has both direct and indirect effects on the agri- and aquatic food sectors; |
| --- | --- |

V.

whereas the impacts on food security of the unprovoked and unjustifiable Russian war of aggression have exacerbated the already severe situation caused by COVID-19, the exceptional droughts in the south of the EU, climate change and biodiversity loss; whereas this crisis has both direct and indirect effects on the agri- and aquatic food sectors;

| W. | whereas the EU must not only become more independent in strategic areas such as defence or energy supply, but must also be able to ensure food security at all times by increasing resilience in sectors where the EU is highly dependent on imports; whereas the Ukraine crisis proves once again that food security cannot be taken for granted; whereas European food production should be considered as a strategic sector; |
| --- | --- |

W.

whereas the EU must not only become more independent in strategic areas such as defence or energy supply, but must also be able to ensure food security at all times by increasing resilience in sectors where the EU is highly dependent on imports; whereas the Ukraine crisis proves once again that food security cannot be taken for granted; whereas European food production should be considered as a strategic sector;

| X. | whereas the EU is founded on the principles of solidarity and if the EU does not act now, it is the most vulnerable who will suffer the greatest consequences; |
| --- | --- |

X.

whereas the EU is founded on the principles of solidarity and if the EU does not act now, it is the most vulnerable who will suffer the greatest consequences;

| Y. | whereas this crisis has both direct and indirect effects on the agri- and aquatic food sectors, with its direct effects linked to the interruption of commercial exchanges with Russia and Ukraine, and its indirect effects linked to the volatility of prices and production costs; |
| --- | --- |

Y.

whereas this crisis has both direct and indirect effects on the agri- and aquatic food sectors, with its direct effects linked to the interruption of commercial exchanges with Russia and Ukraine, and its indirect effects linked to the volatility of prices and production costs;

| Z. | whereas the increased price of energy, fuel, fertilisers, raw materials and agricultural products is having a major impact on the agri-food and aquatic food sectors, causing a severe increase in production costs, which is jeopardising production continuity and may lead to supply chain disruptions; |
| --- | --- |

Z.

whereas the increased price of energy, fuel, fertilisers, raw materials and agricultural products is having a major impact on the agri-food and aquatic food sectors, causing a severe increase in production costs, which is jeopardising production continuity and may lead to supply chain disruptions;

| AA. | whereas Russia is Europe’s sixth-largest trade partner in terms of value of EU agri-food exports (2); whereas the trade disruptions and imposed sanctions will require mitigation measures, including the establishment of alternative markets for EU agricultural products; |
| --- | --- |

AA.

whereas Russia is Europe’s sixth-largest trade partner in terms of value of EU agri-food exports (2); whereas the trade disruptions and imposed sanctions will require mitigation measures, including the establishment of alternative markets for EU agricultural products;

| AB. | whereas food crises can be provoked by speculation on food commodities; |
| --- | --- |

AB.

whereas food crises can be provoked by speculation on food commodities;

| AC. | whereas Russia is a leading exporter of synthetic nitrogen fertilisers and its components, and Belarus is a significant exporter of potash-based fertilisers; whereas nitrogen fertiliser prices are heavily dependent on natural gas prices, a product for which Russia holds major market positions; whereas Russia announced a suspension of exports of mineral fertilisers on 4 March 2022 as a result of its invasion of Ukraine; |
| --- | --- |

AC.

whereas Russia is a leading exporter of synthetic nitrogen fertilisers and its components, and Belarus is a significant exporter of potash-based fertilisers; whereas nitrogen fertiliser prices are heavily dependent on natural gas prices, a product for which Russia holds major market positions; whereas Russia announced a suspension of exports of mineral fertilisers on 4 March 2022 as a result of its invasion of Ukraine;

| AD. | whereas in addition to the EU’s heavy dependence on imports of fertiliser from Russia, the EU’s reliance on imports of fossil-based energies for the production of fertiliser and on potash from Belarus will lead to a significant disruption in supply at a time when fertiliser prices have increased by 142 % over the last year and energy and fertilisers account for 20 % of farmers’ production costs (3); whereas gas accounts for 60 % to 80 % of the production costs of key nitrogen fertilisers (4); whereas high gas prices have already led to the temporary closure of some fertiliser industry facilities; whereas there are already cases where fertiliser companies have rejected orders from farmers due to the lack of raw materials; |
| --- | --- |

AD.

whereas in addition to the EU’s heavy dependence on imports of fertiliser from Russia, the EU’s reliance on imports of fossil-based energies for the production of fertiliser and on potash from Belarus will lead to a significant disruption in supply at a time when fertiliser prices have increased by 142 % over the last year and energy and fertilisers account for 20 % of farmers’ production costs (3); whereas gas accounts for 60 % to 80 % of the production costs of key nitrogen fertilisers (4); whereas high gas prices have already led to the temporary closure of some fertiliser industry facilities; whereas there are already cases where fertiliser companies have rejected orders from farmers due to the lack of raw materials;

| AE. | whereas there are many fertiliser products derived from organic sources of nutrients and these products are currently not utilised as replacements for chemical fertilisers; whereas increasing their use could be a solution to reduce the EU’s dependence on chemical fertilisers in line with the objectives of the Green Deal; whereas the use of processed manure, biocharcoal and frass, in particular, could reduce fertiliser costs for farmers; |
| --- | --- |

AE.

whereas there are many fertiliser products derived from organic sources of nutrients and these products are currently not utilised as replacements for chemical fertilisers; whereas increasing their use could be a solution to reduce the EU’s dependence on chemical fertilisers in line with the objectives of the Green Deal; whereas the use of processed manure, biocharcoal and frass, in particular, could reduce fertiliser costs for farmers;

| AF. | whereas the price of fuel has increased considerably in the EU, and has reached a historic high in many Member States; whereas continuation on this trajectory will lead to an unsustainable economic situation for farmers and fishers, such as fishing vessels finding it impossible to go to sea and earn more than the cost of fishing operations; |
| --- | --- |

AF.

whereas the price of fuel has increased considerably in the EU, and has reached a historic high in many Member States; whereas continuation on this trajectory will lead to an unsustainable economic situation for farmers and fishers, such as fishing vessels finding it impossible to go to sea and earn more than the cost of fishing operations;

| AG. | whereas the EU fisheries, aquaculture and processing sectors provide high-quality seafood products, playing an important role in ensuring global food security; whereas the fisheries sector has long helped to provide European consumers with high-quality products that meet high nutrition and food safety standards, and is now among the global leaders in terms of sustainability; |
| --- | --- |

AG.

whereas the EU fisheries, aquaculture and processing sectors provide high-quality seafood products, playing an important role in ensuring global food security; whereas the fisheries sector has long helped to provide European consumers with high-quality products that meet high nutrition and food safety standards, and is now among the global leaders in terms of sustainability;

| AH. | whereas the proper functioning of the European single market is a precondition for ensuring food security; whereas the Hungarian Government has recently decided to ban all grain exports as a consequence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in violation both of its Treaty obligations and of EU solidarity; |
| --- | --- |

AH.

whereas the proper functioning of the European single market is a precondition for ensuring food security; whereas the Hungarian Government has recently decided to ban all grain exports as a consequence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in violation both of its Treaty obligations and of EU solidarity;

| AI. | whereas the impact on consumer food prices needs to be considered in the context of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which already contributed to price increases before the start of the war; whereas the cost of food in the EU was 4,7 % higher in January 2022 than in the same month of the previous year (5); whereas many Member States, and central and eastern European countries in particular, are facing even higher food price increases; |
| --- | --- |

AI.

whereas the impact on consumer food prices needs to be considered in the context of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which already contributed to price increases before the start of the war; whereas the cost of food in the EU was 4,7 % higher in January 2022 than in the same month of the previous year (5); whereas many Member States, and central and eastern European countries in particular, are facing even higher food price increases;

| AJ. | whereas the depletion of animal feed stocks will have severe consequences for many breeding farms; whereas several Member States have signalled that, at current rates, they run the risk of exhausting stocks of animal feed by Easter; |
| --- | --- |

AJ.

whereas the depletion of animal feed stocks will have severe consequences for many breeding farms; whereas several Member States have signalled that, at current rates, they run the risk of exhausting stocks of animal feed by Easter;

| AK. | whereas there are important synergies to be achieved and maintained beyond the current crisis, such as sustainable agricultural practices that enhance soil quality, thereby improving productivity and other ecosystem functions and services, including carbon sequestration and water quality regulation; whereas the way the EU produces and consumes food, beverages and other agricultural products should be consistent with EU policies and commitments, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement, to ensure a solid balance between the three pillars of sustainability; |
| --- | --- |

AK.

whereas there are important synergies to be achieved and maintained beyond the current crisis, such as sustainable agricultural practices that enhance soil quality, thereby improving productivity and other ecosystem functions and services, including carbon sequestration and water quality regulation; whereas the way the EU produces and consumes food, beverages and other agricultural products should be consistent with EU policies and commitments, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement, to ensure a solid balance between the three pillars of sustainability;

| AL. | whereas it is essential to address the problem of food waste at all stages of the supply chain in the short term in order to reduce pressure on the food supply in Europe, particularly as 88 million tonnes of food are wasted in the EU each year, with associated costs estimated to be EUR 143 billion; whereas addressing food waste through measures to achieve the EU food waste reduction target of 30 % by 2025 and 50 % by 2030 compared to the 2014 baseline, as well as through measures to remove unnecessary legislative obstacles to the reprocessing of waste into organic fertilisers, would have an immediate positive impact on food security in the EU; |
| --- | --- |

AL.

whereas it is essential to address the problem of food waste at all stages of the supply chain in the short term in order to reduce pressure on the food supply in Europe, particularly as 88 million tonnes of food are wasted in the EU each year, with associated costs estimated to be EUR 143 billion; whereas addressing food waste through measures to achieve the EU food waste reduction target of 30 % by 2025 and 50 % by 2030 compared to the 2014 baseline, as well as through measures to remove unnecessary legislative obstacles to the reprocessing of waste into organic fertilisers, would have an immediate positive impact on food security in the EU;

| 1. | Condemns in the strongest possible terms the Russian Federation’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against and invasion of Ukraine, as well as the involvement of Belarus in this aggression; demands that the Russian Federation immediately terminate all military activities in Ukraine, unconditionally withdraw all military and paramilitary forces and military equipment from across the internationally recognised territory of Ukraine, cease blocking humanitarian corridors, and fully respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence within its internationally recognised borders, in order to restore peace and thereby ensure that reconstruction of life-supporting economic, social, health and food systems can be begun in safety; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Expresses its undivided solidarity with the people of Ukraine and its inconsolable grief about the tragic loss of life and human suffering caused by the Russian aggression and stresses that attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, as well as indiscriminate attacks, are prohibited under international humanitarian law; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | Welcomes the swift adoption of sanctions by the Council with the aim of persuading the Russian Federation to cease its attacks against Ukraine; insists, however, in light of the latest attacks, including those against residential areas and civilian infrastructure, on the need to adopt additional severe sanctions; |
| --- | --- |

3.

| 4. | Demands that the Russian Federation immediately stop shelling hospitals, kindergartens, schools, theatres, retirement homes and other civilian infrastructure; condemns such actions in the strongest possible terms and underlines that without an end to the indiscriminate attacks normal life cannot be rebuilt and the production of food resumed across Ukraine and its agricultural and fisheries areas, and can normality resume in the flow of food, products, and inputs essential for agricultural fisheries, aquaculture, and food production across borders, thereby overcoming transportation challenges in food exports and commodity production; |
| --- | --- |

4.

| 5. | Underlines the importance of restoring stability in Ukraine, so that its agricultural sector can recover and the country’s food security can be ensured; calls for the EU to make every effort, when it is possible, to support Ukraine’s agricultural production through the provision of seeds, fuel and fertilisers that are scarce; |
| --- | --- |

5.

| 6. | Calls for all efforts to be made to safeguard the upcoming sowing and production season in Ukraine in every way possible; underlines that humanitarian aid is needed to tackle immediate, life-threatening situations, such as the ones that Ukraine is now facing; |
| --- | --- |

6.

| 7. | Recalls that several Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea have been shut down, disrupting international trade of food, and calls on the Commission and Member States to enable safe transport and food corridors to and from Ukraine via alternative ports, as well as via railway and road transport; |
| --- | --- |

7.

| 8. | Underlines that countries located near the conflict area, those with fragile developing economies and those receiving the majority of Ukrainian refugees will be the most affected by the war in Ukraine; calls on the Commission and the Member States to support these countries and to ensure that enough food supplies are available; |
| --- | --- |

8.

| 9. | Expresses deep concern about the impact that the current disruption in agricultural, fisheries and aquaculture processes will have on food security for the people of Ukraine and urges the Commission and the international community to coordinate and provide all impacted regions and cities with a robust long-term humanitarian food aid programme, via all possible forums, such as the Committee on World Food Security, to make up for the lack of Ukrainian food production and the disruption of the food chain; |
| --- | --- |

9.

| 10. | Calls for an immediate and coordinated response and the deployment of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism to maximise support to Ukraine, especially in terms of humanitarian assistance and food aid, as well as by providing safe EU humanitarian corridors and offering food and shelter to all people fleeing the country; highlights that while EU financial humanitarian support has been estimated to amount to around EUR 500 million so far, further support is needed; stresses, notably, that the EU should provide humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian people to ensure short-term food security in Ukraine, and to all refugees in the EU through the Cohesion’s Policy’s Action for Refugees in Europe and the Recovery Assistance for Cohesion and the Territories of Europe programmes, as well as by contributing to the FAO Rapid Response Plan for Ukraine, increasing its financial assistance; highlights that additional funding must be found as Cohesion Policy funds play a primary role in ensuring the harmonised development of the EU Member States; calls on the EU to coordinate with UN agencies and all partners on the ground to provide urgent food and livelihood assistance to people affected by the war in Ukraine; |
| --- | --- |

10.

| 11. | Calls on the Commission and the Member States to increase their contributions to the World Food Programme by using the Solidarity and Emergency Aid Reserve provided for in the multiannual financial framework; notes that the Commission and the Member States contribute EUR 465 million per year and EUR 1,47 billion per year respectively to the World Food Programme; notes, furthermore, that the Solidarity and Emergency Aid Reserve accounts for EUR 1,2 billion, of which up to 35 % (EUR 420 million) can be used for non-EU countries; underlines that the amount available under the Solidarity and Emergency Aid Reserve may not be sufficient and that additional budgetary flexibility may be needed; |
| --- | --- |

11.

| 12. | Underlines that the current conflict in Ukraine is shining a spotlight on the vulnerabilities of the global food system; therefore urges the EU to safeguard the rights of developing countries to food security, as a means of achieving nutritional security, poverty reduction and inclusive, sustainable and fair global supply chains and local regional markets, devoting particular attention to family farming, with the aim of securing the supply of affordable and accessible food; |
| --- | --- |

12.

| 13. | Believes that the EU, along with other international bodies, must not tolerate artificially inflated prices and must take action to prevent speculative behaviour that endangers food security or access to food for vulnerable countries and populations, by monitoring markets affecting the food system, including futures markets, to ensure full transparency, and by sharing reliable data and information on global food market developments; |
| --- | --- |

13.

| 14. | Calls on the Commission to identify and facilitate means to address the economic and social consequences of the Russian invasion, not least in the areas of agricultural fisheries and aquaculture production, in order to safeguard food security, by taking the necessary steps to protect EU agricultural, fisheries and aquaculture businesses with supportive measures in order to create both certainty and more guarantees to maintain and, where necessary, increase food production by European farmers and fishers; |
| --- | --- |

14.

| 15. | Calls on the Commission and the Council to engage with the EU’s partners in the Middle East and North Africa to address food security; believes the EU should stand ready to assist these partners in organising an emergency food security conference to be led by them to address the short-term gap in food supply and the medium-term issue of agricultural resilience in the region; |
| --- | --- |

15.

| 16. | Notes that these attacks, alongside the interruption of trade for reasons of war, prevent essential resources, from energy and fertilisers, to essential chemicals and agricultural products, from reaching the EU; highlights that European citizens, food producers and consumers are therefore ready to share the burden of the war in solidarity with the heroic people of Ukraine; |
| --- | --- |

16.

| 17. | Stresses that the EU is the world’s biggest importer and exporter of agri- and aquatic food products; points out that in order to increase the long-term resilience of the EU’s agri- and aquatic food systems, the EU should undertake steps to decrease its dependency on third-country imports of energy, primary goods, chemicals and chemical products, and support technologies and practices that are less reliant on these inputs; highlights that short- and medium-term solutions to ensure food security include the diversification of supply from third countries, and calls on the Commission to examine possible supply sources that meet the EU’s international sustainability standards, and either enter into new bilateral agreements or strengthen existing ones; |
| --- | --- |

17.

| 18. | Calls on the Commission to anticipate potential Russian countersanctions that might affect the agri- and aquatic food sectors, such as those imposed in 2014, and identify and open new markets to redirect exports of food products; |
| --- | --- |

18.

| 19. | Calls on the Commission and the Member States to closely monitor the markets for agricultural and aquatic food products, paying particular attention to price speculations, while ensuring the integrity of the single market; calls specifically for monthly market analyses of the state of agricultural, fisheries and aquaculture markets by sector, covering prices, quantities and supply chains; welcomes the Commission’s use of the newly created permanent European Food Security Crisis Preparedness and Response Mechanism, bringing together experts, both public and private, in these sectors; calls on the Commission, however, to communicate the content of these discussions to Parliament, so that it can benefit from all the information needed to manage the crisis; |
| --- | --- |

19.

| 20. | Reiterates its previous calls for the significant reduction of energy dependence, in particular on Russian gas, oil and coal, by, inter alia, diversifying energy sources and increasing energy efficiency and the speed of the clean energy transition; underlines that the sanctions may have a specific impact on European households in terms of food prices and energy costs, and that they should not be expected to pay the price of this crisis unsupported; calls on the Member States, therefore, to prepare plans and support for households to address the cost of living crisis; |
| --- | --- |

20.

| 21. | Recalls that the dramatic increase in fertiliser prices, which is having a major impact on the agri-food sector as whole, predates the Russian invasion of Ukraine; stresses that these prices will continue to rise, as they are linked to natural gas prices; urges the Commission, therefore, to start lifting the anti-dumping duties on fertilisers produced in third countries; regrets, furthermore, the fact that the Commission did not mention the specific case of fertilisers in its communication of 8 March 2022 entitled ‘REPowerEU: Joint European Action for more affordable, secure and sustainable energy’ (6); |
| --- | --- |

21.

| 22. | Demands that the EU fundamentally reconsider its strategies for ensuring full independence from Russian supplies as regards its critical raw materials and stresses that there can be no return to business as usual; calls for supply chains to be rebuilt and for trade to be pursued in a manner that ensures independence from Russian supplies; |
| --- | --- |

22.

| 23. | Calls for the promotion and simplification of access to energy efficiency measures to reduce the cost burden on farmers and fishers in terms of direct energy inputs; notes that while there is enormous potential to produce renewable wind and solar energy on farms, substantial barriers and challenges still remain for small-scale renewables; calls on the Commission and national authorities to address the main barriers identified by farmers to producing renewable energy, namely complex permit and subsidy procedures, high investment costs, long payback times and limited access to credit; |
| --- | --- |

23.

| 24. | Stresses that an integral part of the EU action plan to ensure EU food security must be a strategy to increase EU energy independence from Russian supplies, including the complete abandonment of the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 projects, while maintaining EU energy security; |
| --- | --- |

24.

| 25. | Calls on the Commission to assess the possibility and feasibility of mobilising additional financial support for the most affected sectors and to take urgent, targeted and temporary measures to help farmers cushion the effect of the severe increase in fertiliser prices; |
| --- | --- |

25.

| 26. | Notes that in order to reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers, alternative organic sources of nutrients and nutrient cycling should be utilised to the fullest extent as soon as possible; calls on the Commission to address legislative and practical barriers to the realisation of this solution in order to reduce the dependence on imports of fertilisers, first via a switch to organic fertilisers and then via further support for research and new innovations at EU level; calls on the Commission, in particular, to take the necessary measures, including legislative ones, to enhance the use of organic fertilising products obtained from sewage sludge, processed manure, biocharcoal and frass in order to substitute chemical fertilisers, in line with the objectives of the Farm to Fork Strategy; |
| --- | --- |

26.

| 27. | Stresses the interlinkages between sustainability and increased circularity in agriculture with the move away from dependence on fossil fuels, imported energy and chemical fertilisers and towards greener, renewable alternatives; |
| --- | --- |

27.

| 28. | Calls on the Commission to raise the limits for the application of nitrogen from animal manure, such as recovered nitrogen from manure, or RENURE, as an alternative to the use of chemical fertiliser, in line with fertiliser limits; calls on the Commission to consider both a temporary derogation to quickly reduce the cost of fertilisers and to work towards a long-term framework in order to enhance circularity on farms and decrease dependence on third-country resources; |
| --- | --- |

28.

| 29. | Calls on the Commission to give Member States the flexibility to temporarily allow agricultural production by farmers on Ecological Focus Areas, making use of plant protection products and fertilisers if necessary; |
| --- | --- |

29.

| 30. | Recognises, in view of the exceptional circumstances, the urgent need for temporary and reversible measures to step up EU production for the 2022 harvesting season in order to contribute to EU food security; calls on the Commission, in light of the need to overcome the immediate shortfall of protein crops, to accelerate the administrative procedures to make it possible during this CAP transition year to use fallow land for the production of these crops for human or animal consumption, without increasing dependence on inputs; calls, in this regard, for priority to be given to protein crops; invites the Commission to revaluate the situation in a timely manner and propose further adequate measures if necessary for 2023; |
| --- | --- |

30.

| 31. | Considers that shifts in planting regimes to provide more home-grown food and feed during the 2022 growing season in the EU should be assessed and further developed to enhance production systems and allow a planned evolution towards more autonomy in the medium and long term; |
| --- | --- |

31.

| 32. | Calls on the Commission to ensure that agricultural land is primarily used only for the purposes of producing food and feed to ensure food security not only for EU citizens, but also for millions of refugees in the EU; |
| --- | --- |

32.

| 33. | Stresses that a strong and sustainable agricultural sector across the EU and a thriving and sustainable rural environment, supported by a strong CAP, are vital components in meeting the food security challenge; underscores that agriculture has important value for the EU and its political and economic development and has a huge impact on society through food production, rural employment, the economic vitality and quality of life in rural areas and rural development more generally; |
| --- | --- |

33.

| 34. | Calls for the immediate implementation of the measures against market disturbance provided for in Article 219 of the Common Markets Organisation Regulation (7) in order to support the sectors most affected and, in parallel, for the mobilisation of the crisis reserve to this end; calls furthermore on the Commission to be prepared to take necessary further exceptional market measures under the regulation, such as activating Article 222; |
| --- | --- |

34.

| 35. | Urges the Commission to provide full clarity to the Member States as regards the force majeure clause in the CAP, as well as in further legislation; |
| --- | --- |

35.

| 36. | Considers that while increasing food security is now an even more urgent priority, national strategic plans should be assessed to make the necessary adaptations to the new circumstances, including the use of relevant flexibilities to increase the acreage of lands under production; |
| --- | --- |

36.

| 37. | Calls on the Commission to take all necessary measures, in particular with regard to State aid, to allow the necessary support to the sectors most affected by the crisis; |
| --- | --- |

37.

| 38. | Calls on the Commission to consider amending the State Aid Temporary Framework adopted in March 2020 in order to allow Member States to use full flexibility under the State aid rules to support the economy; |
| --- | --- |

38.

| 39. | Stresses that the extraordinary rural development COVID-19 measures should be extended to address the ongoing liquidity problems that put the viability of farming activities at risk and endanger the small businesses active in the processing, marketing or development of agricultural products; |
| --- | --- |

39.

| 40. | Believes that measures should be adopted to guarantee more flexibility for imports of crucial commodities (in particular cereals, soybeans and fertilisers) from non-EU countries, without undermining EU standards; |
| --- | --- |

40.

| 41. | Reiterates its commitments to sustainability and food safety and stresses that all imported food and feed needs to live up to the EU sustainability and food safety standards, including maximum residue levels of pesticides and antimicrobials; denounces all proposals to misuse the current crises to weaken these requirements and commitments; |
| --- | --- |

41.

| 42. | Calls on the Commission, in particular, to support sectoral organisations in order to secure new import markets that guarantee food supply and agricultural inputs, especially for livestock, and thereby avoid putting food security in Europe at risk; |
| --- | --- |

42.

| 43. | Calls on the Council and the Commission to urgently release the crisis reserve of EUR 479 million to aid the agricultural sector in coping with the current market challenges; notes, however, that this crisis reserve, once depleted, cannot be replenished with funding from the CAP; calls, therefore, for the immediate release of additional funds ready to be mobilised in the event of the crisis reserve being used up; |
| --- | --- |

43.

| 44. | Calls on the Commission, in view of the protein crop deficiency, to propose a comprehensive European protein strategy in order to increase European protein production and reduce the EU’s dependency on third countries in this regard; |
| --- | --- |

44.

| 45. | Stresses that, at the level of production, strengthened measures and incentives will be needed to build resilience, such as increasing circularity and self-sufficiency in inputs, while not undermining the productive capacity and competitiveness of EU agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, as well as moving towards precision farming and developing and fast-tracking access to markets of alternative proteins, organic fertilisers, microbial protection of crops and agro-ecology, in line with the objectives of the Green Deal, and allowing, during this CAP transition year, for temporary and short-term flexibilities with conditionalities and derogations to be considered, and accelerating the administrative procedures to achieve these flexibilities, especially considering lack of investment, reduced liquidity and market uncertainty due to the current circumstances; |
| --- | --- |

45.

| 46. | Calls on the Commission to show flexibility regarding advance payments to producers and notes the need to secure the cash flows of farmers, and in this regard, calls on the Commission to increase the levels of advances on direct payments and area- and animal-related rural development measures from 50 % to 70 % for income support payments and from 75 % to 85 % for certain rural development payments; |
| --- | --- |

46.

| 47. | Calls on the Member States to implement measures and use available tools to strengthen their food supply chains; insists that measures taken must not compromise the integrity of the single market, nor undermine measures to increase resilience in the food supply chain across the EU, nor increase energy dependency on Russian resources; |
| --- | --- |

47.

| 48. | Calls on the Commission to apply exceptional measures, including private storage aid, for agricultural products facing market issues; notes its intention to make this aid available to the pigmeat sector; urges the Commission to create a mechanism that allows products from private storage to be accessed by non-governmental organisations and other bodies to help ensure food security in Ukraine; believes that this mechanism could also be used through the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived in Member States hosting refugees in order to meet the urgent need to provide additional food; believes, furthermore, that the fund can ensure that vulnerable people will not disproportionately suffer from the crisis; |
| --- | --- |

48.

| 49. | Underlines that measures should be adopted to avoid barriers to the free movement of goods, in particular with regard to the free circulation of crucial commodities such as cereals; insists that the proper functioning of the single market must be guaranteed with regard to agricultural products and that export bans to other Member States must be avoided; asks the Commission to be particularly vigilant in this regard and to take immediate action against Hungary’s imposition of an export ban on cereals; |
| --- | --- |

49.

| 50. | Draws attention to the need to monitor and enforce fair competition conditions in the single market with regard to unjustified price increases for certain food products; stresses the need to step up the monitoring of possible situations in which some companies may create a monopoly in the single market in the agri- and aquatic food sectors, and highlights the need to take measures to counteract any such developments without delay; |
| --- | --- |

50.

| 51. | Calls on the Commission to prepare a detailed action plan without delay to ensure the correct functioning of the EU’s food supply chains and ensure food security within the EU in the long term, taking into account the lessons learnt from the impact of the war in Ukraine and other possible disruptions and building on the lessons learnt from the contingency plan presented in November 2021, where applicable; calls on the Commission to address the weaknesses that an over-reliance on imports of energy, feed and fertilisers from single or too few suppliers and a lack of diversification of supply chains have exposed; |
| --- | --- |

51.

| 52. | Notes that this action plan represents an opportunity to accelerate the achievement of the objectives of the Green Deal, which will strengthen the robustness of EU food supply chains within a green circular economy and offer incentives to farmers, fishers and stakeholders along the food supply chain to move towards more sustainable, efficient and self-sufficient production methods and tools via the increased uptake of innovative tools, cultivation technologies and sustainable processes and practices, all of which will help to decrease the EU’s reliance on imported inputs, including by deploying short-term investments to scale up the uptake of technologies and practices aimed at meeting the objectives of the Farm to Fork Strategy; |
| --- | --- |

52.

| 53. | Reiterates that European strategic autonomy in food, feed and the agricultural sector overall must be reinforced, in line with the Green Deal objectives, which are designed to protect the EU’s environment and its agricultural, fisheries and aquaculture areas; |
| --- | --- |

53.

| 54. | Maintains that the objectives set out in the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies must be analysed on the basis of a comprehensive impact assessment of European food security and of the situation in neighbouring countries, and insists that the Commission take these impact assessments into account; urges the Commission to take into account the impact assessments already published by internationally recognised research institutes in this context; |
| --- | --- |

54.

| 55. | Insists also that as a first priority all efforts must be made to ensure that no food shortages arise, notably in vulnerable regions, in order to avoid widespread geopolitical instability, and considers that contributing to global food security at this time is a moral duty and must not be considered a threat to the long-term aims and objectives of the Farm to Fork Strategy and the wider Green Deal in the immediate moves to increase resilience and build self-sufficiency in relation to inputs; highlights that measures to increase the efficiency of input use and the availability of more sustainable alternatives and practices and measures to address food waste, as set out in the Farm to Fork Strategy and the Green Deal, thus reducing reliance on inputs such as harmful plant protection products, and chemical fertilisers, are the building blocks for ensuring a robust EU agricultural, fisheries and aquaculture sector and food supply chain in the medium to long term; |
| --- | --- |

55.

| 56. | Recalls, moreover, that legislative proposals derived from the objectives and targets of the Farm to Fork Strategy must first undergo comprehensive impact assessments, while taking into account the potential consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine for European and global food security, and that the co-legislators’ responsibility will be, while implementing the roadmaps leading to the Farm to Fork targets, to set the conditions to avoid declines in agricultural, fisheries, or aquaculture production levels in Europe, or emission leakages; highlights that in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the further strain on EU agricultural, fisheries and aquaculture food chains, the urgency of studying all these impacts has increased, potential impacts on food security have to be carefully assessed, and a comprehensive study on the dependence of the EU’s food system on inputs and their sources should also be commissioned; |
| --- | --- |

56.

| 57. | Considers that in light of the current market circumstances, the ambition of a 10 % reduction in production areas cannot be implemented; |
| --- | --- |

57.

| 58. | Recognises that the disruption of the trade patterns that existed prior to the invasion shows that the EU must urgently consider how to develop more autonomous agricultural, fisheries and aquaculture systems producing food and feed in the long term, reducing the EU’s dependence on imports and increasing domestic production; stresses that this is particularly pressing for the products most at risk of shortages because of the suspension of Ukrainian exports, such as cereals, oilseeds, protein crops and fertilisers; |
| --- | --- |

58.

| 59. | Expresses great concern at the steep increase in operating costs sustained by the fisheries sector; points out that many vessels across the EU are currently moored, as the first-sale fish prices do not cover the increased production costs; |
| --- | --- |

59.

| 60. | Considers that the European fishing sector is key for European food security and regrets that its situation has deteriorated significantly during this crisis because of rapidly increasing global prices on important commodities for the sector and, in particular, the volatile fuel prices, which have made fishing operations no longer economically viable; believes that this situation requires urgent assistance, including direct support; points out that this assistance must ensure continued operations of EU fishing fleets and by extension the continuation of operations further along the supply chain of fisheries and aquaculture products; calls on the Commission and the Member States to acknowledge the difficulties faced by the fishing sector and properly address it in upcoming actions; notes that in order to address the increase in fuel prices in the long term, it is important to stimulate the development and use of energy-efficient innovations; |
| --- | --- |

60.

| 61. | Calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that the new European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund will be operational as soon as possible and asks the Commission to urgently table a proposal to allow for emergency aid to be possible under the fund in times of crisis as well, such as the war in Ukraine; urges the mobilisation of any remaining funds from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and strongly urges the Commission and Member States to accelerate the implementation of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve in order to ensure that support reaches Brexit-affected areas faster; |
| --- | --- |

61.

| 62. | Urges the Commission to propose emergency measures to support fisheries, aquaculture and the whole value chain (processing, retail, etc.) in the EU; requests, in this context, that emergency measures include: compensation for operators for their income foregone and additional costs, support for the temporary cessation of fishing activities and support for producer organisations and the whole seafood value chain for the temporary storage of fishery and aquaculture products through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, an increase in the year-to-year quota flexibility from 10 % to 25 %, an increase in the State aid limit to up to EUR 500 000 per vessel under the de minimis framework and inclusion of fisheries and aquaculture in the Temporary Crisis Framework for State Aid measures; calls on the Commission and the Member States to put in place all available instruments of the common fisheries policy to stabilise the markets; |
| --- | --- |

62.

| 63. | Notes that measures across the entire food supply chain should be considered to ensure that all stakeholders play a role in bolstering the resilience of the agri- and aquatic food sectors and that these measures must contribute to the goals and objectives of the EU transition to climate neutrality by 2050; considers that in line with the rapid implementation of the Unfair Trading Practices Directive (8), particular focus should be placed on the viability of farming, fishing and aquaculture, and on the significant role of retailers in determining fair returns to producers, particularly in light of the pressures arising from the increased cost of inputs, but in equal measure, their responsibility to ensure that food remains affordable and accessible for consumers; |
| --- | --- |

63.

| 64. | Calls on the Commission to act to ensure that State aid provisions for agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, including de minimis provisions, allow Member States to grant rapid and flexible support to operators in order to compensate for the increased costs related to the war in Ukraine; highlights in this regard that Member States, within their national framework, should also consider assistance such as reducing social security contributions, suspending or reducing certain taxes and extending COVID-19 loans; calls on the Commission to ensure that State aid does not lead to the distortion of competition and that a level playing field between Member States is guaranteed; |
| --- | --- |

64.

| 65. | Calls for reinforced action at international level to ensure that policy decision-making has food security at its core, in order to avoid scarcity and ensure nutritional security in the most vulnerable countries, giving priority to food uses of agricultural products and preventing obstacles to the international trade in food; |
| --- | --- |

65.

| 66. | Calls on the Commission and the Member States to swiftly propose a meeting of the FAO Committee on World Food Security, which should be the favoured coordination forum on the matter, as it ensures the inclusive representation of all states; calls on the Commission and the Member States to engage in this forum to ensure international coordination, notably on stocks, biofuels and financial support to importer countries; |
| --- | --- |

66.

| 67. | Believes that significant shifts in market and export models, as well as serious contingency planning, could also be needed, such as autonomy in EU feed production, alternative outlets for exports, enhanced reactive capacity, strategic stocks of basic food, feed and other food products, autonomy in fertilisers and replacement products, and clear information on global transport patterns for agricultural, fisheries and aquaculture products; |
| --- | --- |

67.

| 68. | Calls for the acceleration and strengthening of actions to reduce food waste to maximise food availability and the use of the resources within the EU to improve food autonomy; stresses the need to avoid loss of food during storage and in all stages of the supply chain, to facilitate the donation of food through the coherent implementation of liability law, to encourage the recovery of food waste and to develop alternative options for retailers, including reduced price promotions and working with local community projects tackling local food poverty and insecurity; calls on the Member States to establish and implement food waste prevention programmes, and to consider legislating on practices that create food waste in addition to those already covered by the Unfair Trading Practices Directive; calls for the initiatives on marketing standards to prioritise the reduction of food waste; calls for improved monitoring of food waste at all levels in the EU; recalls that short food supply chains lower the risk of generating food waste; |
| --- | --- |

68.

| 69. | Highlights the importance of addressing the problem of food waste at all stages of the chain in the short term in order to reduce pressure on the food supply in Europe through measures to achieve an EU food waste reduction target of 30 % by 2025 and 50 % by 2030 compared with the 2014 baseline (9); |
| --- | --- |

69.

| 70. | Calls on all Member States to implement food waste prevention programmes, stressing the urgency of reducing food waste and highlighting that the focus should be on the prevention of food waste and food loss, as averting food loss amid food supply shortages may contribute to consolidating food security; |
| --- | --- |

70.

| 71. | Calls for measures to tackle the poverty caused by rapidly rising energy prices and the impact of the conflict on food prices, and considers that social measures must form part of the necessary actions; |
| --- | --- |

71.

| 72. | Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States. |
| --- | --- |

72.

---

(1)  Texts adopted, P9_TA(2022)0052.

(2)  European Commission, ‘Agri-Food Trade Statistical Factsheet: European Union — Russia’, 2021.

(3)  Eurostat price index for agricultural means of production (Q3 2020 to Q3 2021).

(4)  Fertilizers Europe, ‘Policy Priorities– Industry competitiveness — Energy cost’, Fertilizers
  Europe, accessed 16 March 2022.

(5)  Eurostat, Food price monitoring tool, 2022.

(6)  COM(2022)0108.

(7)  OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 671.

(8)  OJ L 111, 25.4.2019, p. 59.

(9)  Texts adopted, P9_TA(2021)0425.

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| 20.9.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 361/15 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

20.9.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 361/15

---

P9_TA(2022)0100

MFF 2021-2027: fight against oligarch structures, protection of EU funds from fraud and conflict of interest

European Parliament resolution of 24 March 2022 on MFF 2021-2027: fight against oligarch structures, protection of EU funds from fraud and conflict of interest (2020/2126(INI))

(2022/C 361/02)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 of 17 December 2020 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027 (1) (‘MFF Regulation’), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 of 17 December 2020 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027 (1) (‘MFF Regulation’),

| — | having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 February 2021 establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility (2) (‘RRF Regulation’), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 February 2021 establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility (2) (‘RRF Regulation’),

| — | having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (3) (‘Financial Regulation’), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (3) (‘Financial Regulation’),

| — | having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2020 on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the Union budget (4) (‘Conditionality Regulation’), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2020 on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the Union budget (4) (‘Conditionality Regulation’),

| — | having regard to Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2017 on the fight against fraud to the Union’s financial interests by means of criminal law (5) (‘PIF Directive’), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2017 on the fight against fraud to the Union’s financial interests by means of criminal law (5) (‘PIF Directive’),

| — | having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 of 12 October 2017 implementing enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (the EPPO) (6) (‘EPPO Regulation’), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 of 12 October 2017 implementing enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (the EPPO) (6) (‘EPPO Regulation’),

| — | having regard to the Commission report of 20 September 2021 entitled ‘32nd Annual Report on the protection of the European Union’s financial interests — Fight against fraud — 2020’ (COM(2021)0578), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission report of 20 September 2021 entitled ‘32nd Annual Report on the protection of the European Union’s financial interests — Fight against fraud — 2020’ (COM(2021)0578),

| — | having regard to the Commission’s 2021 Rule of Law Report — The rule of law situation in the European Union, of 20 July 2021 (COM(2021)0700), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission’s 2021 Rule of Law Report — The rule of law situation in the European Union, of 20 July 2021 (COM(2021)0700),

| — | having regard to the Commission notice of 7 April 2021 entitled ‘Guidance on the avoidance and management of conflicts of interest under the Financial Regulation’ (guidelines on conflicts of interests) (C(2021)2119), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission notice of 7 April 2021 entitled ‘Guidance on the avoidance and management of conflicts of interest under the Financial Regulation’ (guidelines on conflicts of interests) (C(2021)2119),

| — | having regard to special report No 06/2019 of the European Court of Auditors of 16 May 2019 entitled ‘Tackling fraud in EU cohesion spending: managing authorities need to strengthen detection, response and coordination’, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to special report No 06/2019 of the European Court of Auditors of 16 May 2019 entitled ‘Tackling fraud in EU cohesion spending: managing authorities need to strengthen detection, response and coordination’,

| — | having regard to the 2020 annual report of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the 2020 annual report of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF),

| — | having regard to interinstitutional agreement of 16 December 2020 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management, as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources (7), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to interinstitutional agreement of 16 December 2020 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management, as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources (7),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 17 December 2020 on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, the Interinstitutional Agreement, the EU Recovery Instrument and the Rule of Law Regulation (8), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 17 December 2020 on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, the Interinstitutional Agreement, the EU Recovery Instrument and the Rule of Law Regulation (8),

| — | having regard to the Advocate General’s Opinion of 2 December 2021 in Case C-156/21, Hungary v Parliament and Council and in Case C-157/21, Poland v Parliament and Council (9), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Advocate General’s Opinion of 2 December 2021 in Case C-156/21, Hungary v Parliament and Council and in Case C-157/21, Poland v Parliament and Council (9),

| — | having regard to its resolutions of 13 December 2018 on conflicts of interest and the protection of the EU budget in the Czech Republic (10), of 19 June 2020 on the reopening of the investigation against the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic on the misuse of EU funds and potential conflicts of interest (11) and of 10 June 2021 on the conflict of interest of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic (12), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolutions of 13 December 2018 on conflicts of interest and the protection of the EU budget in the Czech Republic (10), of 19 June 2020 on the reopening of the investigation against the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic on the misuse of EU funds and potential conflicts of interest (11) and of 10 June 2021 on the conflict of interest of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic (12),

| — | having regard to its resolutions of 8 October 2020 on the rule of law and fundamental rights in Bulgaria (13), of 29 April 2021 on the Assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the rule of law in Malta (14), of 8 July 2021 on breaches of EU law and of the rights of LGBTIQ citizens in Hungary as a result of the adopted legal changes by the Hungarian Parliament (15), and of 21 October 2021 on the rule of law crisis in Poland and the primacy of EU law (16), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolutions of 8 October 2020 on the rule of law and fundamental rights in Bulgaria (13), of 29 April 2021 on the Assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the rule of law in Malta (14), of 8 July 2021 on breaches of EU law and of the rights of LGBTIQ citizens in Hungary as a result of the adopted legal changes by the Hungarian Parliament (15), and of 21 October 2021 on the rule of law crisis in Poland and the primacy of EU law (16),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 25 March 2021 on the application of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092, the rule-of-law conditionality mechanism (17), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 25 March 2021 on the application of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092, the rule-of-law conditionality mechanism (17),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 10 June 2021 on the rule of law situation in the European Union and the application of the Conditionality Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 (18), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 10 June 2021 on the rule of law situation in the European Union and the application of the Conditionality Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 (18),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 21 October 2021 on the Pandora Papers: implications for the efforts to combat money laundering, tax evasion and tax avoidance (19), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 21 October 2021 on the Pandora Papers: implications for the efforts to combat money laundering, tax evasion and tax avoidance (19),

| — | having regard to its previous decisions and resolutions on discharge to the Commission for the years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its previous decisions and resolutions on discharge to the Commission for the years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019,

| — | having regard to the study of 20 May 2021 requested by its Committee on Budgetary Control entitled ‘The Largest 50 Beneficiaries in each EU Member State of CAP and Cohesion Funds’, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the study of 20 May 2021 requested by its Committee on Budgetary Control entitled ‘The Largest 50 Beneficiaries in each EU Member State of CAP and Cohesion Funds’,

| — | having regard to Rule 54 of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rule 54 of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to the opinion of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the opinion of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development,

| — | having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgetary Control (A9-0039/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgetary Control (A9-0039/2022),

| A. | whereas the budgetary authorities adopted the MFF 2021-2027 package, which together with the NextGenerationEU recovery instrument amounts to an unprecedented EUR 1,8 trillion in total of funding to support the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the EU’s long-term priorities across different policy areas; |
| --- | --- |

A.

whereas the budgetary authorities adopted the MFF 2021-2027 package, which together with the NextGenerationEU recovery instrument amounts to an unprecedented EUR 1,8 trillion in total of funding to support the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the EU’s long-term priorities across different policy areas;

| B. | whereas the implementation of these funds must respect rigorously the principles of sound financial management and is de jure subject to full and unlimited scrutiny at EU level, including by Parliament; whereas, however, the de facto capacity of the EU institutions to control EU funds is unfortunately rather limited without the effective and meaningful cooperation of the national authorities; |
| --- | --- |

B.

whereas the implementation of these funds must respect rigorously the principles of sound financial management and is de jure subject to full and unlimited scrutiny at EU level, including by Parliament; whereas, however, the de facto capacity of the EU institutions to control EU funds is unfortunately rather limited without the effective and meaningful cooperation of the national authorities;

| C. | whereas the protection of the EU’s financial interests is a key element of the EU policy agenda to strengthen transparency, democratic accountability and the ability to respond to citizens’ needs, increase public trust and ensure that taxpayers’ money is spent properly; whereas the implementation of the MFF 2021-2027 budgetary package must be in line with the general principles enshrined in the Treaties, in particular the European values set out in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), in the Conditionality Regulation, and the principle of sound financial management set out in Article 310 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), and in the Financial Regulation; whereas there is a correlation between respect for these values and principles and the efficient implementation of the EU budget; |
| --- | --- |

C.

whereas the protection of the EU’s financial interests is a key element of the EU policy agenda to strengthen transparency, democratic accountability and the ability to respond to citizens’ needs, increase public trust and ensure that taxpayers’ money is spent properly; whereas the implementation of the MFF 2021-2027 budgetary package must be in line with the general principles enshrined in the Treaties, in particular the European values set out in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), in the Conditionality Regulation, and the principle of sound financial management set out in Article 310 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), and in the Financial Regulation; whereas there is a correlation between respect for these values and principles and the efficient implementation of the EU budget;

| D. | whereas on a regular basis, different media outlets all over Europe provide their readers with reports on scandals involving fraud, conflicts of interest, corruption and other illegal activities damaging the EU's financial interests and involving high-level political representatives in EU Member States, as well as cases of customs fraud and crime, cross-border or digital in nature, sometimes adopting the structures of, or supported by, criminal organisations; whereas these scandals undermine the trust of European citizens in the EU and its institutions; |
| --- | --- |

D.

whereas on a regular basis, different media outlets all over Europe provide their readers with reports on scandals involving fraud, conflicts of interest, corruption and other illegal activities damaging the EU's financial interests and involving high-level political representatives in EU Member States, as well as cases of customs fraud and crime, cross-border or digital in nature, sometimes adopting the structures of, or supported by, criminal organisations; whereas these scandals undermine the trust of European citizens in the EU and its institutions;

| E. | whereas the Pandora Papers published on 3 October 2021 by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists represent the latest major data leak, exposing more than 330 politicians and public officials from almost 100 countries, including 35 current or former heads of state or government involved in corporate secrecy and offshore tax evasion and avoidance; whereas this scandal follows on from other similar cases, yet there has been no effective intervention; |
| --- | --- |

E.

whereas the Pandora Papers published on 3 October 2021 by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists represent the latest major data leak, exposing more than 330 politicians and public officials from almost 100 countries, including 35 current or former heads of state or government involved in corporate secrecy and offshore tax evasion and avoidance; whereas this scandal follows on from other similar cases, yet there has been no effective intervention;

| F. | whereas OLAF’s 2020 annual report identified conflicts of interest and collusion between beneficiaries and contractors, in particular in the area of public procurement, among the main trends in fraudulent activity; whereas OLAF’s cases often relate to fraud or corruption in cross-border public procurement procedures involving EU funding; |
| --- | --- |

F.

whereas OLAF’s 2020 annual report identified conflicts of interest and collusion between beneficiaries and contractors, in particular in the area of public procurement, among the main trends in fraudulent activity; whereas OLAF’s cases often relate to fraud or corruption in cross-border public procurement procedures involving EU funding;

| G. | whereas Parliament has adopted numerous resolutions through which it has called on the Commission to take prompt action and to remedy the alarming misuse of EU funds by politically prominent wealthy individuals, elites and big conglomerates; |
| --- | --- |

G.

whereas Parliament has adopted numerous resolutions through which it has called on the Commission to take prompt action and to remedy the alarming misuse of EU funds by politically prominent wealthy individuals, elites and big conglomerates;

Oligarch structures

| 1. | Notes that, in today’s society, ‘oligarchy’ refers to any small, cohesive class or group that is in a position to make decisions or command others in either political or non-political contexts or rule a political community in its own interests, without regard for the rule of law and other democratic rules and sometimes in infringement of their fundamental principles; notes that in an oligarchy, political elites misdirect public funds from the EU or national budgets to serve their private interest and often rely on businesspeople who act on their behalf in a structure where real beneficiaries and beneficial owners are usually concealed; notes that the extreme concentration of political and financial elites can lead to state capture; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Adds that in the current EU political context, the term ‘oligarchy’ is used as a way of pointing out the influence of the wealthy and powerful in politics and government, and that of the economic, financial and industrial actors who are able to exercise influence that is typically used to benefit the few at the expense of the many; highlights that members of national governments and other holders of political positions are part of the oligarchy in some Member States and have actively sought to use EU funds to benefit themselves financially; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | Notes with particular concern that the occurrence of such oligarchic groups, which do not refrain from using government tools or criminal practices, or from supporting criminal groups, has reached an unprecedented magnitude in the past several years; notes with extreme concern that politically connected oligarch networks can capture national media markets and interfere with the workings of democratic public spheres; |
| --- | --- |

3.

| 4. | Is concerned that oligarchic systems are often connected to widespread corruption, tight control over media and a judicial system which is not independent from the oligarchs themselves; emphasises that, in order to protect themselves, oligarchic groups seek to gain control over the media and the judiciary so as to avoid media exposure of possible criminal activities and prosecution; |
| --- | --- |

4.

| 5. | Recalls that Parliament’s position on corruption is that it not only seriously harms the Union’s financial interests but also poses a threat to democracy, fundamental rights and the rule of law; is worried by the detrimental impact of corruption on citizens’ trust in institutions; |
| --- | --- |

5.

| 6. | Considers that strong and effective anti-corruption policies and bodies, as well as control systems and an independent judiciary, ensuring the effective functioning of the rule of law, promoting competition, enhancing transparency and assuring the functional implementation of public procurement rules and free access to markets are fundamental to prevent oligarchs from seizing control of the economy and financial markets, which would result in them self-reinforcing to an even greater degree; insists that the EU promote transparency in the spending of EU and national funds by carrying out more efficient data collection and by strengthening the rules related to it, especially as regards final beneficiaries and beneficial owners, and that it monitor closely and enforce the proper implementation of such rules; calls on the Commission, in this context, to step up its efforts and reinforce its cooperation with the Member States in this direction; |
| --- | --- |

6.

Fraud and conflict of interest in the current legal framework

| 7. | Recalls that in order to reinforce the fight against fraud by means of criminal law, the EU co-legislators agreed on a definition of fraud (and other criminal offences, such as intentional misappropriation, corruption and money laundering) affecting the EU's financial interests in the PIF Directive (20); |
| --- | --- |

7.

| 8. | Highlights that a new definition of conflict of interest, which prevents any person involved in budget implementation, including national authorities at any level, from taking any action which may bring their own interests into conflict with those of the EU, was introduced in Article 61 of the Financial Regulation and explicitly extended to the implementation of the EU funds under shared management, and broadened to include ‘any other direct or indirect personal interest’, thus covering a much wider range of cases; |
| --- | --- |

8.

| 9. | Welcomes the publication of the Commission’s guideline on conflicts of interest which aims to raise awareness and promote the uniform interpretation and application of the rules on avoiding conflicts of interest rules among Member States; deplores the fact that conflict of interest cases affecting high-profile politicians continue to persist in some Member States; encourages the Commission to further strengthen the conflict of interest provisions under Article 61 of the Financial Regulation as part of its upcoming revision, in particular with regard to the preparation of the budget, in order to allow for the more precise identification of the categories of public officers who are able to influence financial flows from the EU budget and prevent the occurrence of such conflicts; |
| --- | --- |

9.

| 10. | Asks the Commission, nevertheless, to amend Article 167(1)(c) of the Financial Regulation to include a more explicit definition of ‘professional conflicting interests’ in order to ensure a uniform interpretation in all Member States and enable the EU institutions to take adequate measures in cases of bidders with financial interests in policy-related service contracts; |
| --- | --- |

10.

| 11. | Notes that in addition to the Financial Regulation, public procurement directives contain similar definitions of conflict of interest, and references to the obligation to avoid conflicts of interest can also be found in sectoral legislation; |
| --- | --- |

11.

| 12. | Underlines that according to the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, ‘a conflict of interests constitutes, objectively and in itself, a serious irregularity without there being any need to qualify it by having regard to the intentions of the parties concerned and whether they were acting in good or bad faith’ (21); |
| --- | --- |

12.

| 13. | Points out that conflicts of interest do not only occur in relation to corruption, fraud and criminal conduct, as they may also touch upon lobbying activities and revolving door phenomena; stresses, nevertheless, that the detection and disclosure of conflicts of interest is paramount to identifying possible risks of misuse, bias, fraud and corruption in fund management, as well as to preventing reputational harm, suspicion and distrust among European citizens, which contribute to a feeling that there is a lack of transparency; |
| --- | --- |

13.

| 14. | Reiterates that the citizens of each Member State must be able to trust in the integrity of the management of EU funds in all Member States, and that different standards of protection against conflicts of interest and fraud cannot therefore be applied; |
| --- | --- |

14.

| 15. | Reiterates, however, that even the best legal framework cannot compensate for an insufficient implementation mechanism; calls, therefore, for the improvement of the capacities and effective management and control systems in place in EU bodies and in the Member States as a crucial condition for monitoring and investigating conflict of interest cases and ensuring and safeguarding the legal and regular spending of EU funds; |
| --- | --- |

15.

| 16. | Reiterates that the occurrence of oligarchic structures has reached unprecedented levels in the EU in recent years and that two Member States are currently subject to procedures under Article 7 TEU and the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation, pointing at structural rule of law deficiencies and widespread corruption; considers, against this background, that there is a need for a broader debate on the future of shared management as not all national authorities can still be considered reliable partners in the sound financial management of EU funds; |
| --- | --- |

16.

Main challenges in cohesion and agriculture

| 17. | Emphasises that in relation to cohesion policy, the EU instrument for strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion, which accounts for a large proportion of the EU budget, the most frequently detected types of fraudulent irregularities among projects financed using European Structural and Investment Funds during the programming period 2014-2020 were overpricing, incorrect, missing and false or falsified supporting documents, infringement of contract provisions, single bidder public procurement processes, ineligibility and infringement of public procurement rules, and breaches in relation to ethics and integrity including conflicts of interest and corruption; |
| --- | --- |

17.

| 18. | Notes that there are established common practices that signal the potential misuse of common agricultural policy (CAP) funds, such as the falsification of documents and of the creation of artificial conditions, for example the splitting agricultural holdings to avoid the EU agricultural payment cap and the submission of requests for aid through several linked companies, or following the incomplete implementation of actions; |
| --- | --- |

18.

| 19. | Points out that in several countries, conflicts of interest and revolving doors constitute serious problems; highlights that with regard to market measures, several conflict of interest cases of high financial value have been recorded, combined with other breaches linked to promotion, and are being investigated by OLAF; |
| --- | --- |

19.

| 20. | Points out that a study (22) on the implementation of CAP funds revealed that the disbursement of EU agriculture funds is a highly problematic issue in at least five Member States (23) and that there is a clear inequality between fund allocations for big and small farmers, with systemic advantages for big farms, whose beneficiaries have close ties to the ruling political parties or are themselves members of these parties in their countries; urges the Commission and the Member States to immediately step up measures against land grabbing, irregular tenders or other allocation procedures and misuse of EU money, especially when national governments and authorities are involved; |
| --- | --- |

20.

| 21. | Takes note with great concern of reports on the structural misuse of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) budget line to build private villas for political decision-makers disguised as guesthouses, which has occurred in several Member States; calls on the Commission to take decisive action to prevent the structural misuse of this budget line in the future including, if necessary, by amending the conditions for the disbursement of EAFRD funds; |
| --- | --- |

21.

| 22. | Notes that in Hungary, according to several exposes, surveys and investigative articles, Viktor Orbán has been centralising and redistributing wealth to his inner circle trough agriculture subsidies; underlines that during the period 2015-2019, Hungary was subject to the highest number of OLAF investigations closed with a financial recommendation of all the Member States; |
| --- | --- |

22.

| 23. | Regrets the skewed distribution of EU funds, particularly CAP funds, whereby in 2020, 0,5 % of all beneficiaries received more than EUR 100 000, accounting for 16,6 % of the total direct payments envelope, while 75 % of beneficiaries received less than EUR 5 000, accounting for 15 % of the total direct payments envelope (24); |
| --- | --- |

23.

| 24. | Points out that although a certain level of transparency is required by the EU, the implementation of transparency measures is often impeded, meaning that public access to data regarding the allocation of subsidies is a highly problematic issue in the EU; |
| --- | --- |

24.

| 25. | Points out that the management of EU funds in Czechia has been raised as a potential concern in recent years; recalls that, during years 2016-2018 almost 75 % of agricultural funds in Czechia went to large corporate farms; expresses concern regarding the Commission’s audit, which confirmed that as Prime Minister, Andrej Babiš exercised his influence on the allocation of EU subsidies to Agrofert, an agro-chemical conglomerate that he founded himself; underlines that Mr. Babiš is the beneficial owner of Agrofert and that the conflict of interest is therefore obvious; |
| --- | --- |

25.

| 26. | Deeply regrets that the current situation whereby one person can receive unlimited amounts from funds under shared management incentivises the creation of oligarch structures, nepotism and corruption in some Member States; reiterates its opinion that capping the total amount that one person can receive from EU funds under shared management would limit the strength of oligarch structures; |
| --- | --- |

26.

| 27. | Calls on the Commission to include in its proposal for the revision of the Financial Regulation an amendment to Article 63(8), adding that the Commission must ensure that payments accruing from the Union budget to a single beneficiary or beneficial owner in a given financial year do not exceed the limits provided for in the applicable sector-specific rules and, in any event, do not exceed an aggregated annual total per natural person; asks the Commission to include specific proposals for this aggregated annual total amount per natural person; is of the opinion that for the CAP, annual total amounts per natural person of EUR 500 000 for first pillar payments and EUR 1 000 000 for second pillar payments are adequate; |
| --- | --- |

27.

| 28. | Points out that according to Annex I to the Annual Reports on the Protection of the European Union’s financial interests (PIF reports) for 2018 and 2019, Romania has, by active anti-fraud investigation, been able to discover and report by far the most fraudulent irregularities recorded among EU member states for the respective years; |
| --- | --- |

28.

| 29. | Recalls that 2020 was a year of unprecedented conditions due to the COVID-19 outbreak; notes that in terms of the protection of financial interests, the pandemic generated new risks both on the revenue and expenditure side; |
| --- | --- |

29.

| 30. | Underlines that these risks were not only present in 2020 but will continue for several years; invites the Member States and the Commission to step up their efforts and cooperation in this domain; |
| --- | --- |

30.

Other areas of concern

| 31. | Notes with great concern that according to the Single Market Scoreboard, the proportion of contracts awarded with just a single bidder amounted to around 50 % in Czechia and Poland in 2018 and 2019, 40 % in Hungary and Greece in 2019, and 38 % in Portugal; is equally concerned by the proportion of procurement procedures negotiated with a company without any call for bids, which stood at 40 % in Cyrus in 2016, with a slight improvement to 25 % in 2018 and 2019, and 29 % in Bulgaria in 2019; is concerned that the proportion of contracts awarded after a call for tender whose name and conditions were not clear in 2019 was 65 % in the UK, 59 % in Lithuania, 44 % in Romania and 41 % in Portugal; |
| --- | --- |

31.

| 32. | Highlights the increasing involvement of organised crime, including of mafia-type groups, in cross-border activities and sectors affecting the EU’s financial interests; regrets that many Member States do not have specific laws to combat mafia-type organised crime and calls on the Commission to address these differences between the Member States and to consider new harmonising measures; |
| --- | --- |

32.

| 33. | Emphasises that these figures demonstrate that severe shortcomings in public procurement continue to exist in several Member States; is concerned that inadequate tenders can favour opaque structures and nepotism in the awarding of contracts; |
| --- | --- |

33.

| 34. | Reiterates its concern that the Commission’s preventive system audits found serious weaknesses in the Hungarian authority responsible for oversight of public procurement contracts, which resulted in Hungary having to pay a 10 % flat rate correction on all contracts for EU funds awarded in the 2014-2020 period (25), amounting to around EUR 1,2 billion, in addition to the EUR 1,5 billion of financial corrections imposed in the 2007-2013 period; emphasises that this reflects severe systemic weaknesses in the functioning of public procurement in Hungary; |
| --- | --- |

34.

| 35. | Reiterates its concern about OLAF investigations and Commission audits exposing serious shortcomings in the Slovak land parcel registry following reports of land grabbing and fraud; highlights that the Slovak authorities only check whether an applicant has the land for which they are placing a claim at their legal disposal in the event of a double claim; is of the opinion that such checks should take place in a digital and automated form in all Member States and for all payment claims in order to deter land grabbing by criminal and oligarchic structures; |
| --- | --- |

35.

| 36. | Emphasises that Malta and Cyprus show significant concentration of funds in the hands of few recipients; is concerned that Commission audits have identified significant shortcomings in the management and control systems of both countries; underlines that weak management and control systems do not provide adequate protection of EU funds against conflicts of interests and abuse by oligarchic structures; |
| --- | --- |

36.

Available remedies and prevention in the current state of play

| 37. | Appreciates OLAF's long-term intensive investigative activity covering many politically controversial and complex cases; regrets that the indictment rate following recommendations by OLAF to Member States decreased from 53 % in the 2007-2014 period to 37 % in the 2016-2020 period; further notes that the extent to which financial amounts recommended for recovery are actually recovered has not been assessed in recent years, and that the most recent assessment covering the years 2009-2016 indicates a recovery rate of 21 %; calls on OLAF and the Commission to investigate the underlying reasons for this low rate; reiterates its call on OLAF to increase its efforts and vigilance, especially in certain Member States where these cases are prevalent, and to follow up regularly on its recommendations and the measures that the Member States are taking, and add that information to its yearly reports; calls on the Member States’ authorities to do their utmost to improve the indictment rate and to cooperate closely with EU institutions and bodies to ensure that funds misused by organised crime and oligarchs are recovered; |
| --- | --- |

37.

| 38. | Emphasises the key role and added value of the newly established European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in the protections of the EU’s financial interests; deeply regrets that there are still five Member States not participating in the EPPO; encourages these Member States to join EPPO; appreciates the EPPO's endeavours to become operational under very challenging circumstances; emphasises that the proper transposition of the PIF Directive is needed to enable the EPPO to conduct effective investigations and prosecutions; recalls that the Commission’s report on the transposition of the PIF Directive concludes that although all Member States have transposed the Directive, further action is needed to address outstanding compliance issues, which mostly concern definitions of criminal offences and the liability of and sanctions for legal and natural persons; underlines that cooperation between the EPPO and the Member States is also crucial in order for the EPPO to reach its maximum effectiveness in assessing the proper functioning of management and control systems for the purpose of audit arrangements; |
| --- | --- |

38.

| 39. | Notes with satisfaction that certain cases concerned by the aforementioned Commission report have recently qualified as falling within the remit of the EPPO; |
| --- | --- |

39.

| 40. | Commends the invaluable work carried out by OLAF, the EPPO and Europol in combating financial crimes such as corruption, fraud, money laundering and tax evasion, and stresses that these institutions are chronically understaffed and lacking financial resources due to the unwillingness of the Council as one of the budgetary authorities to authorise sufficient human and financial resources during the annual budgetary procedure; welcomes the increase of the EPPO’s budget by EUR 3,8 million in the annual budgetary procedure for the year 2022 and recalls that every euro spent on monitoring and investigation returns to the EU budget; urges the Council, therefore, to review its position and allow for increased financing of human resources for these agencies and offices, enabling them to carry out their important mission in an appropriate and effective way; calls on the Commission to continuously present supporting draft budgets to the budget authorities; welcomes the joint efforts of OLAF and Europol to assess the threats and vulnerabilities of the RRF instrument; calls on the Member States to cooperate closely with one another and the EU bodies to allow action to be taken against fraud involving several countries; |
| --- | --- |

40.

| 41. | Reiterates that the Commission has a plethora of instruments at its disposal to protect the financial interests of the Union, including the Common Provisions Regulation, the Financial Regulation and the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation; underlines that the Commission should make full and immediate use as appropriate of all the instruments available under EU financial legislation and the applicable sector-specific and financial rules to effectively protect the EU budget, including interruption of payment deadlines, suspension of payments, financial corrections or exclusion of expenditure from EU financing, infringement proceedings under Article 258 TFEU, checks and audits, enforcing compliance with Article 61 of the Financial Regulation or, in duly justified cases, the application of Article 7 TEU addressing risks to the foundational values of the EU in the Member States, as has recently been done in the cases of Poland and Hungary; |
| --- | --- |

41.

| 42. | Regrets that currently available IT tools that greatly contribute to efficient data mining and the detection of fraud and corruption — Arachne and EDES — are used only by a small percentage of Member States, and encourages the use of emerging technologies to prevent fraud and conflicts of interest; calls for use of the Early Detection and Exclusion System (EDES) to be made compulsory under shared management and for the creation of a transparent EU-wide blacklist; further notes that EDES does not distinguish between subsidiaries of larger corporations; calls, furthermore, for the mandatory use of the Arachne data mining and data enrichment tool by Member States in order to achieve more transparency on the beneficiaries of CAP and European Structural and Investment Funds and to effectively and efficiently identify the problematic economic operators and the private individuals or natural persons linked to them and better prevent and detect fraudulent operations; acknowledges that the first adaptations of Arachne are to be implemented already by the end of the second quarter of 2022; emphasises that the interoperability and harmonisation of Arachne, EDES, institutional and national databases are crucial for ensuring an effective information exchange aimed at preventing and identifying fraud against the EU budget; is of the opinion that the European investigative bodies should have full access to Arachne; |
| --- | --- |

42.

| 43. | Encourages the Member States to support interoperability between land ownership systems, the Land Parcel Identification System, the identification of animals and the comparability of the Integrated Administration Control System (IACS) in order to achieve transparency on ultimate beneficial users and on hidden parent companies with subsidiaries in different Member States in order to facilitate and improve the verification process; |
| --- | --- |

43.

| 44. | Recalls that data for identifying businesses and their beneficial owners is often not easily accessible and is sometimes not available at all, since there are 292 reporting systems for disclosing information on the beneficiaries of CAP and cohesion policy funding, and the existing information is therefore currently fragmented into hundreds of regional, national and inter-regional reporting systems, providing only basic information on the direct beneficiaries; whereas this makes it difficult to collect, process and disclose data relative to beneficial owners and the final beneficiaries of shared management and agricultural funds, and ultimately to get a comprehensive overview of them and the amounts of EU funds they receive, as well as to detect patterns of fraud and corruption and properly investigate misuses of EU funds; |
| --- | --- |

44.

| 45. | Considers it essential to standardise data collection and emphasises the importance of consolidating and harmonising existing reporting systems into a common database at EU level; reiterates its urgent call on the Commission to establish a standardised EU-wide and interoperable digital reporting and monitoring system, encompassing but not limited to Arachne, as well as to improve training for monitoring and paying agents on the ground; emphasises that this system needs to include information on the ultimate beneficiaries and beneficial owners and must enable the aggregation of all individual amounts concerning the same beneficiary or beneficial owner into a total amount of all subsidies received from funds under shared management; |
| --- | --- |

45.

| 46. | Notes that the obligation to identify the beneficial owner should as a minimum apply whenever any natural or legal person owns more than 15 % of the company in question; emphasises that company shares belonging to relatives should be aggregated and counted as having one owner; |
| --- | --- |

46.

| 47. | Is of the view that none of the abovementioned remedies preclude the use of the rule of law conditionality mechanism as defined in the Conditionality Regulation, in cases where the Commission considers that other instruments are not sufficiently effective to protect the EU budget; underlines, moreover, that contrary to the scope of the EPPO Regulation, which is not in force in five Member States, the Conditionality Regulation applies directly and equally to all Member States; |
| --- | --- |

47.

| 48. | Deplores the fact that since 1 January 2021, the Commission has been unable to take any appropriate action to apply the Conditionality Regulation, which entered into force on that day; repeats Parliament’s position that the Conditionality Regulation must be applied without exception as of 1 January 2021; notes that the Commission entered into dialogue with Hungary and Poland by sending letters in mid-November 2021; deplores the fact that the Commission denies Parliament access to these letters and therefore forces it to rely on media reports to keep itself informed about the latest developments; is nevertheless of the opinion that the informal letters sent are insufficient in terms of applying the regulation and insists, therefore, that the Commission should start the application of the regulation immediately and without discrimination; |
| --- | --- |

48.

| 49. | Welcomes the assertion recently expressed by the Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy that thorough on-the-spot checks, focused on the solidity of controlling mechanisms, will be carried out in five Member States next year in order to avoid cases of conflict of interest (26); |
| --- | --- |

49.

| 50. | Underlines the important role of investigative journalists in the fight against corruption, fraud and illegal activities that negatively impact the EU budget; reiterates in this regard the need to protect investigative journalism from strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), as well as personal harassment, intimidation and threats to life; stresses the importance of encouraging whistleblowing while ensuring legal safeguards under EU law; |
| --- | --- |

50.

| 51. | Is deeply concerned in this context by the fact that the former Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš is mentioned in the Pandora Papers for using offshore financing to acquire real estate in France while at the same time participating in decision-making in the European Council on subjects such as the multiannual financial framework and anti-money laundering legislation; |
| --- | --- |

51.

| 52. | Calls on the Commission to insist on a strict and rigorous implementation of the applicable rules, to use all available sources and to employ efficient management and control systems to address risks of corruption, fraud and conflict of interest, and to better monitor the situation of agriculture paying agencies and their formal and informal independence; is of the view that substantive auditing and controls at both national and European level are key conditions for the protection of the EU funds; deplores the insufficient progress in the fight against oligarch structures in the new CAP, such as the limited information and transparency requirements regarding final and ultimate beneficiaries and the preservation of the voluntary nature of capping, which hinders the fairer distribution of agricultural funds; finds it worrying that the new CAP does not strengthen the role of controlling systems at European level; |
| --- | --- |

52.

| 53. | Underlines the fact that anti-fraud coordination services (AFCOS) play an important role in protecting the EU’s budget from fraud in their respective countries; reiterates, therefore, that Member States need to ensure that the managing authorities and AFCOS have sufficient resources with the right skills and competences to develop anti-fraud strategies and to implement effective anti-fraud measures and practices; |
| --- | --- |

53.

| 54. | Points out that under the RRF Regulation, which forms part of the MFF 2021-2027 package, the Member States have to ensure the effective prevention, detection and correction of conflicts of interest, corruption and fraud, the avoidance of double funding and fictitious registration of assets, and transparency in the payment of funds, as well as strengthening their rules on the correct identification of the final recipient of funds; calls on the Commission to make sure that the budgetary authorities are informed about all situations when funds from off-budget instruments are not paid out due to allegations of misuse, corruption, fraud or breaches of the rule of law and when Member States do not have sufficient and effective anti-fraud systems in place; calls on the Council to adopt only those RRF plans which fulfil all legal, social and policy conditionalities for support; stresses that Member States are also required to explain the relevant arrangements in their RRF plans and include a summary of the consultation process at national level as well as a presentation of the controls and audit system put in place to ensure that the financial interests of the EU are protected; |
| --- | --- |

54.

| 55. | Recalls that the RRF scoreboard will serve as a basis for the recovery and resilience dialogue and that it should be updated by the Commission twice a year; calls on the Commission, in this sense, to ensure a thorough monitoring of the progress achieved in the implementation of the milestones and targets envisaged, strictly in line with the RRF Regulation, on the basis of the established common indicators and reporting methodology; recalls that the RRF is bound to conditions that guarantee transparent use of the money and that it should prevent corruption or fraud, double funding or conflicts of interest; believes that controls should also be extended to costs actually incurred by the final beneficiaries; stresses the joint effort of Parliament and of the Commission which has resulted in Member States now being obliged to provide information about final recipients; |
| --- | --- |

55.

| 56. | Underlines that in order to protect the financial interests of the EU and to prevent and detect fraud, corruption and conflicts of interest in particular, it is important to know how EU funds are spent and who truly benefits from EU funds, since the largest beneficiaries often hide behind complex ownership structures, including those based in tax havens, rendering the identification process even more opaque; |
| --- | --- |

56.

| 57. | Reiterates its call, following the interinstitutional agreement of 16 December 2020 and as expressed already in several resolutions, for the Member States to implement a single, integrated and interoperable reporting and monitoring system developed by the Commission and including but not limited to a single data-mining and risk-scoring tool to access, store, aggregate and analyse data on those ultimately benefiting directly or indirectly from EU funding; |
| --- | --- |

57.

| 58. | Considers that for the sake of the greatest possible transparency about the spending of EU funds, it is essential that such a database be developed to the greatest extent possible, in line with applicable data protection rules and the relevant case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, and that relevant and non-sensitive data be made accessible to the public in a concise, comprehensive and user-friendly way in order to enhance public scrutiny of and trust in EU public spending; |
| --- | --- |

58.

| 59. | Reiterates that sound financial management of EU-funds is of the utmost importance; regrets the fact that databases on beneficiaries of EU funds do not contain information on the ultimate beneficiaries and their beneficial owners; regrets the fact that it is not possible for control authorities to identify the ultimate recipients of funding; deeply deplores the fact that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been used to disguise financing of terrorist and extremist organisations; underlines its position that common rules on beneficiary transparency should also apply to umbrella organisations that receive EU funds and pass them on to NGOs in their network, to ensure that the Commission and control authorities can audit the projects’ aims and final beneficiaries; regrets that the Commission did not propose a harmonised definition of NGOs on the basis of which it could monitor those ultimately benefitting; notes that the Financial Regulation sets out rules for the selection and awarding of funds to these entities as well as for control mechanisms; calls on the Commission to revise the Financial Regulation also in the sense of defining the term of ‘NGO’, by introducing clear categories of NGOs, and to extend the controls also to costs actually incurred by the final beneficiaries; |
| --- | --- |

59.

| 60. | Regrets strongly that protection of the EU budget, including comprehensive processing of information, easy accessibility, in-depth audit feasibility, substantive scrutiny and the possibility to monitor, follow up and evaluate the financed actions, as planned for the RRF Regulation, has not been adequately embedded in the MFF package as a whole; acknowledges that this shortcoming enormously weakens both the level of transparency of the implementing actions and the effectiveness of scrutiny and monitoring; |
| --- | --- |

60.

| 61. | Concludes that even though the new MFF uses certain tools such as increased amounts budgeted for special instruments and a budgetary mechanism to uphold the rule of law, there is still space for additional tools to strengthen anti-oligarch practices which could be addressed in the framework of the upcoming revision of the Financial Regulation; |
| --- | --- |

61.

o

o o

| 62. | Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission. |
| --- | --- |

62.

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(1)  OJ L 433 I, 22.12.2020, p. 11.

(2)  OJ L 57, 18.2.2021, p. 17.

(3)  OJ L 193, 30.7.2018, p. 1.

(4)  OJ L 433 I, 22.12.2020, p. 1.

(5)  OJ L 198, 28.7.2017, p. 29.

(6)  OJ L 283, 31.10.2017, p. 1.

(7)  OJ L 433 I, 22.12.2020, p. 28.

(8)  OJ C 445, 29.10.2021, p. 15.

(9)  Judgments of 16 February 2022, Hungary v Parliament and Council, C-156/21, EU:C:2022:97, and Poland v Parliament and Council, C-157/21, EU:C:2022:98.

(10)  OJ C 388, 13.11.2020, p. 157.

(11)  OJ C 362, 8.9.2021, p. 37.

(12)  OJ C 67, 8.2.2022, p. 56.

(13)  OJ C 395, 29.9.2021, p. 63.

(14)  OJ C 506, 15.12.2021, p. 64.

(15)  OJ C 99, 13.3.2022, p. 218.

(16)  Texts adopted, P9_TA(2021)0439.

(17)  OJ C 494, 8.12.2021, p. 61.

(18)  OJ C 67, 8.2.2022, p. 86.

(19)  Texts adopted, P9_TA(2021)0438.

(20)  Implemented in 26 Member States, with the exception of Denmark.

(21)  Judgment of 16 June 1999, Ismeri Europa Srl v Court of Auditors, Case T-277/97, EU:T:1999:124.

(22)  Sabeb et al, Where does the EU money go? An analysis of the implementation of CAP funds in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania, report commissioned by the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament, February 2021.

(23)  Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania.

(24)  European Commission, Direct payments to agricultural producers — graphs and figures — financial year 2020.

(25)  Replies of Commissioner Hahn to the CONT Committee’s written questionnaire, presented at the hearing of 11 November 2019, available at https://emeeting.europarl.europa.eu/emeeting/committee/en/agenda/201911/CONT?meeting=CONT-2019-1111_1&session=11-11-09-00, pp.63-64.

(26)  Romania, Poland, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Malta.

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II Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Parliament

Thursday 24 March 2022

| 20.9.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 361/26 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

20.9.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 361/26

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P9_TA(2022)0086

Request for the waiver of the immunity of Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz

European Parliament decision of 24 March 2022 on the request for waiver of the immunity of Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz (2021/2256(IMM))

(2022/C 361/03)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the request for waiver of the immunity of Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz, submitted by the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Poland, dated 14 July 2021, in connection with criminal proceedings which the District Prosecutor's Office in Białystok wishes to initiate against him, and communicated in plenary on 24 November 2021, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the request for waiver of the immunity of Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz, submitted by the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Poland, dated 14 July 2021, in connection with criminal proceedings which the District Prosecutor's Office in Białystok wishes to initiate against him, and communicated in plenary on 24 November 2021,

| — | having regard to the waiver by Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz of his right to be heard under Rule 9(6) of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the waiver by Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz of his right to be heard under Rule 9(6) of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to Articles 8 and 9 of Protocol No 7 on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Union, and Article 6(2) of the Act of 20 September 1976 concerning the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Articles 8 and 9 of Protocol No 7 on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Union, and Article 6(2) of the Act of 20 September 1976 concerning the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage,

| — | having regard to the judgments of the Court of Justice of the European Union of 21 October 2008, 19 March 2010, 6 September 2011, 17 January 2013 and 19 December 2019 (1), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the judgments of the Court of Justice of the European Union of 21 October 2008, 19 March 2010, 6 September 2011, 17 January 2013 and 19 December 2019 (1),

| — | having regard to Articles 105(2) and 108 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland and Articles 7b(1) and 7c(1) of the Polish Act of 9 May 1996 on the performance of the duties of a Member of the Polish Parliament or of the Senate, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Articles 105(2) and 108 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland and Articles 7b(1) and 7c(1) of the Polish Act of 9 May 1996 on the performance of the duties of a Member of the Polish Parliament or of the Senate,

| — | having regard to Rule 5(2), Rule 6(1) and Rule 9 of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rule 5(2), Rule 6(1) and Rule 9 of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to the report of the Committee on Legal Affairs (A9-0057/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Legal Affairs (A9-0057/2022),

| A. | whereas the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Poland has submitted a request from the District Prosecutor's Office in Białystok for the waiver of the immunity of Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz, Member of the European Parliament, with a view to obtaining consent to hold him criminally liable in relation to an offence within the meaning of Article 177(1) in conjunction with Article 178(1) of the Polish Criminal Code; whereas that request for the waiver of parliamentary immunity was communicated by the judicial authority in accordance with Rule 9(12) of its Rules of Procedure; whereas attention is nonetheless drawn to the fact that Rule 9(1) of its Rules of Procedure requires that any request for waiver of immunity be made by ‘a competent authority of a Member State’, the two concepts not being identical; |
| --- | --- |

A.

whereas the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Poland has submitted a request from the District Prosecutor's Office in Białystok for the waiver of the immunity of Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz, Member of the European Parliament, with a view to obtaining consent to hold him criminally liable in relation to an offence within the meaning of Article 177(1) in conjunction with Article 178(1) of the Polish Criminal Code; whereas that request for the waiver of parliamentary immunity was communicated by the judicial authority in accordance with Rule 9(12) of its Rules of Procedure; whereas attention is nonetheless drawn to the fact that Rule 9(1) of its Rules of Procedure requires that any request for waiver of immunity be made by ‘a competent authority of a Member State’, the two concepts not being identical;

| B. | whereas on 4 May 2019 at 8:50 in Hajnówka, Poland, Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz is alleged to have struck with the front of his vehicle an individual who was on a pedestrian crossing; whereas after the accident, Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz tried to persuade the victim to be taken to hospital, but the victim refused and asked to be brought back to home with her bicycle; whereas, in order to accompany the victim by car to her home in Hajnówka, Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz then left the place of the accident without informing the emergency services or the police of the accident, which is allegedly contrary to the legal obligation laid down in Article 44(2) of the Road Traffic Law of 20 June 1997; whereas at her home at around 9:30, the victim finally agreed to be taken to Hajnówka hospital; whereas at the hospital, the victim informed staff that she had been involved in a road traffic accident, and the hospital immediately informed the law enforcement authorities of the accident by telephone, which then forwarded the information to the police station in Hajnówka district; whereas the victim, after having undergone the required medical examinations and received the necessary medical assistance, left hospital on the same day; whereas Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz had his blood alcohol level tested and the tests that were carried out did not reveal the presence of alcohol; |
| --- | --- |

B.

whereas on 4 May 2019 at 8:50 in Hajnówka, Poland, Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz is alleged to have struck with the front of his vehicle an individual who was on a pedestrian crossing; whereas after the accident, Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz tried to persuade the victim to be taken to hospital, but the victim refused and asked to be brought back to home with her bicycle; whereas, in order to accompany the victim by car to her home in Hajnówka, Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz then left the place of the accident without informing the emergency services or the police of the accident, which is allegedly contrary to the legal obligation laid down in Article 44(2) of the Road Traffic Law of 20 June 1997; whereas at her home at around 9:30, the victim finally agreed to be taken to Hajnówka hospital; whereas at the hospital, the victim informed staff that she had been involved in a road traffic accident, and the hospital immediately informed the law enforcement authorities of the accident by telephone, which then forwarded the information to the police station in Hajnówka district; whereas the victim, after having undergone the required medical examinations and received the necessary medical assistance, left hospital on the same day; whereas Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz had his blood alcohol level tested and the tests that were carried out did not reveal the presence of alcohol;

| C. | whereas the alleged offence has no direct or obvious connection with Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz’s performance of his duties as a Member of the European Parliament, nor does it constitute an opinion or a vote expressed in the performance of his duties as a Member of the European Parliament, within the meaning of Article 8 of Protocol No 7 on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Union; |
| --- | --- |

C.

whereas the alleged offence has no direct or obvious connection with Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz’s performance of his duties as a Member of the European Parliament, nor does it constitute an opinion or a vote expressed in the performance of his duties as a Member of the European Parliament, within the meaning of Article 8 of Protocol No 7 on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Union;

| D. | whereas Article 9 of Protocol No 7 on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Union stipulates that Members of the European Parliament ‘shall enjoy, in the territory of their own State, the immunities accorded to members of their parliament’; |
| --- | --- |

D.

whereas Article 9 of Protocol No 7 on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Union stipulates that Members of the European Parliament ‘shall enjoy, in the territory of their own State, the immunities accorded to members of their parliament’;

| E. | whereas, pursuant to Article 105(2) and Article 108 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland of 2 April 1997, as well as to Article 7(1), (2) and (4), Article 7b(1) and Article 7c(1) of the Law of 9 May 1996 on the performance of the duties of a Member of the Polish Parliament or of the Senate (2), a Member of the European Parliament cannot be interviewed as a suspect or be held criminally liable without the consent of the European Parliament; |
| --- | --- |

E.

whereas, pursuant to Article 105(2) and Article 108 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland of 2 April 1997, as well as to Article 7(1), (2) and (4), Article 7b(1) and Article 7c(1) of the Law of 9 May 1996 on the performance of the duties of a Member of the Polish Parliament or of the Senate (2), a Member of the European Parliament cannot be interviewed as a suspect or be held criminally liable without the consent of the European Parliament;

| F. | whereas Parliament cannot assume the role of a court, and whereas, in a waiver of immunity procedure, a Member cannot be regarded as a defendant (3); |
| --- | --- |

F.

whereas Parliament cannot assume the role of a court, and whereas, in a waiver of immunity procedure, a Member cannot be regarded as a defendant (3);

| G. | whereas the purpose of parliamentary immunity is to protect Parliament and its Members from legal proceedings in relation to activities carried out in the performance of parliamentary duties and which cannot be separated from those duties; |
| --- | --- |

G.

whereas the purpose of parliamentary immunity is to protect Parliament and its Members from legal proceedings in relation to activities carried out in the performance of parliamentary duties and which cannot be separated from those duties;

| H. | whereas in this case, Parliament has found no evidence of fumus persecutionis, i.e. factual elements which indicate that the intention underlying the legal proceeding may be to damage a Member’s political activity and thus the European Parliament; |
| --- | --- |

H.

whereas in this case, Parliament has found no evidence of fumus persecutionis, i.e. factual elements which indicate that the intention underlying the legal proceeding may be to damage a Member’s political activity and thus the European Parliament;

| 1. | Decides to waive the immunity of Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Instructs its President to forward this decision and the report of its committee responsible immediately to the competent authority of the Republic of Poland and to Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz. |
| --- | --- |

2.

---

(1)  Judgment of the Court of Justice of 21 October 2008, Marra v De Gregorio and Clemente, C-200/07 and C-201/07, ECLI:EU:C:2008:579; judgment of the General Court of 19 March 2010, Gollnisch v Parliament, T-42/06, ECLI:EU:T:2010:102; judgment of the Court of Justice of 6 September 2011, Patriciello, C-163/10, ECLI:EU:C:2011:543; judgment of the General Court of 17 January 2013, Gollnisch v Parliament, T-346/11 and T-347/11, ECLI:EU:T:2013:23; judgment of the Court of Justice of 19 December 2019, Junqueras Vies, C-502/19, ECLI:EU:C:2019:1115.

(2)  Official Journal 2018.1799, codified version.

(3)  Judgment of the General Court of 30 April 2019, Briois v Parliament, T-214/18, ECLI:EU:T:2019:266.

---

| 20.9.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 361/28 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

20.9.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 361/28

---

P9_TA(2022)0087

Request for the waiver of the immunity of Ioannis Lagos

European Parliament decision of 24 March 2022 on the request for waiver of the immunity of Ioannis Lagos (2021/2225(IMM))

(2022/C 361/04)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the request of the Deputy Public Prosecutor at the Athens Court of First Instance for waiver of the immunity of Ioannis Lagos, transmitted by letter dated 10 September 2021 by the Deputy Supreme Court Prosecutor in connection with possible criminal charges (Re. ABM: RB 2020/193-EG: 6-21/50), and announced in plenary on 18 October 2021, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the request of the Deputy Public Prosecutor at the Athens Court of First Instance for waiver of the immunity of Ioannis Lagos, transmitted by letter dated 10 September 2021 by the Deputy Supreme Court Prosecutor in connection with possible criminal charges (Re. ABM: RB 2020/193-EG: 6-21/50), and announced in plenary on 18 October 2021,

| — | having heard Ioannis Lagos in accordance with Rule 9(6) of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having heard Ioannis Lagos in accordance with Rule 9(6) of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to Article 8 of Protocol No 7 on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Union, and Article 6(2) of the Act of 20 September 1976 concerning the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 8 of Protocol No 7 on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Union, and Article 6(2) of the Act of 20 September 1976 concerning the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage,

| — | having regard to the judgments of the Court of Justice of the European Union of 21 October 2008, 19 March 2010, 6 September 2011, 17 January 2013 and 19 December 2019 (1), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the judgments of the Court of Justice of the European Union of 21 October 2008, 19 March 2010, 6 September 2011, 17 January 2013 and 19 December 2019 (1),

| — | having regard to Rule 5(2), Rule 6(1) and Rule 9 of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rule 5(2), Rule 6(1) and Rule 9 of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to the report of the Committee on Legal Affairs (A9-0055/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Legal Affairs (A9-0055/2022),

| A. | whereas the Deputy Public Prosecutor at the Athens Court of First Instance has submitted a request for waiver of the parliamentary immunity of Ioannis Lagos in order to launch criminal proceedings against him on the grounds of certain statements he made during a plenary debate in the European Parliament; |
| --- | --- |

A.

whereas the Deputy Public Prosecutor at the Athens Court of First Instance has submitted a request for waiver of the parliamentary immunity of Ioannis Lagos in order to launch criminal proceedings against him on the grounds of certain statements he made during a plenary debate in the European Parliament;

| B. | whereas, on 14 September 2020, during a plenary debate in the European Parliament, Ioannis Lagos made declarations allegedly disseminating xenophobic and islamophobic fake news about migrants in Moria; |
| --- | --- |

B.

whereas, on 14 September 2020, during a plenary debate in the European Parliament, Ioannis Lagos made declarations allegedly disseminating xenophobic and islamophobic fake news about migrants in Moria;

| C. | whereas Ioannis Lagos, by making those statements, is allegedly guilty of public incitement to violence and hatred against persons identified on the basis of race, colour, or national or ethnic origin in a manner that endangers public order and poses a threat to the physical integrity of the aforementioned persons, which constitutes a criminal offence under Article 1(1) of Greek Law 927/1979, as replaced by Article 1 of Greek Law 4285/2014; |
| --- | --- |

C.

whereas Ioannis Lagos, by making those statements, is allegedly guilty of public incitement to violence and hatred against persons identified on the basis of race, colour, or national or ethnic origin in a manner that endangers public order and poses a threat to the physical integrity of the aforementioned persons, which constitutes a criminal offence under Article 1(1) of Greek Law 927/1979, as replaced by Article 1 of Greek Law 4285/2014;

| D. | whereas parliamentary immunity is not a Member’s personal privilege but a guarantee of the independence of Parliament as a whole and of its Members; |
| --- | --- |

D.

whereas parliamentary immunity is not a Member’s personal privilege but a guarantee of the independence of Parliament as a whole and of its Members;

| E. | whereas Parliament cannot assume the role of a court, and whereas, in a waiver of immunity procedure, a Member cannot be regarded as a defendant (2); |
| --- | --- |

E.

whereas Parliament cannot assume the role of a court, and whereas, in a waiver of immunity procedure, a Member cannot be regarded as a defendant (2);

| F. | whereas Article 8 of Protocol No 7 on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Union stipulates that ‘Members of the European Parliament shall not be subject to any form of inquiry, detention or legal proceedings in respect of opinions expressed or votes cast by them in the performance of their duties’; |
| --- | --- |

F.

whereas Article 8 of Protocol No 7 on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Union stipulates that ‘Members of the European Parliament shall not be subject to any form of inquiry, detention or legal proceedings in respect of opinions expressed or votes cast by them in the performance of their duties’;

| G. | whereas Ioannis Lagos made the aforementioned statements during a plenary session of the European Parliament, within the precincts where the plenary sitting itself was being conducted, in the performance of his duties as a Member of the European Parliament; |
| --- | --- |

G.

whereas Ioannis Lagos made the aforementioned statements during a plenary session of the European Parliament, within the precincts where the plenary sitting itself was being conducted, in the performance of his duties as a Member of the European Parliament;

| H. | whereas Ioannis Lagos’ statements were therefore made in the context of his duties as a Member of and his work at the European Parliament; |
| --- | --- |

H.

whereas Ioannis Lagos’ statements were therefore made in the context of his duties as a Member of and his work at the European Parliament;

| 1. | Decides not to waive the immunity of Ioannis Lagos; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Instructs its President to forward this decision and the report of its committee responsible immediately to the competent authority of the Hellenic Republic and to Ioannis Lagos. |
| --- | --- |

2.

---

(1)  Judgment of the Court of Justice of 21 October 2008, Marra v De Gregorio and Clemente, C-200/07 and C-201/07, ECLI:EU:C:2008:579; judgment of the General Court of 19 March 2010, Gollnisch v Parliament, T-42/06, ECLI:EU:T:2010:102; judgment of the Court of Justice of 6 September 2011, Patriciello, C-163/10, ECLI: EU:C:2011:543; judgment of the General Court of 17 January 2013, Gollnisch v Parliament, T-346/11 and T-347/11, ECLI:EU:T:2013:23; judgment of the Court of Justice of 19 December 2019, Junqueras Vies, C-502/19, ECLI:EU:C:2019:1115.

(2)  Judgment of the General Court of 30 April 2019, Briois v Parliament, T-214/18, ECLI:EU:T:2019:266.

---

III Preparatory acts

European Parliament

Thursday 24 March 2022

| 20.9.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 361/30 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

20.9.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 361/30

---

P9_TA(2022)0083

Refugees in Europe: CARE ***I

European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Regulation (EU) No 223/2014 as regards Cohesion’s Action for Refugees in Europe (CARE) (COM(2022)0109 — C9-0057/2022 — 2022/0075(COD))

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

(2022/C 361/05)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2022)0109), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2022)0109),

| — | having regard to Article 294(2), Article 175, third paragraph, and Article 177 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C9-0057/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 294(2), Article 175, third paragraph, and Article 177 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C9-0057/2022),

| — | having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

| — | having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 23 March 2022 (1), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 23 March 2022 (1),

| — | after consulting the Committee of the Regions, |
| --- | --- |

—

after consulting the Committee of the Regions,

| — | having regard to the undertaking given by the Council representative by letter of 16 March 2022 to approve Parliament’s position, in accordance with Article 294(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the undertaking given by the Council representative by letter of 16 March 2022 to approve Parliament’s position, in accordance with Article 294(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

| — | having regard to Rules 59 and 163 of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rules 59 and 163 of its Rules of Procedure,

| 1. | Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments. |
| --- | --- |

3.

---

(1)  Not yet published in the Official Journal.

---

P9_TC1-COD(2022)0075

Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 24 March 2022 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2022/... of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) No 1303/2013 and (EU) No 223/2014 as regards Cohesion’s Action for Refugees in Europe (CARE)

(As an agreement was reached between Parliament and Council, Parliament's position corresponds to the final legislative act, Regulation (EU) 2022/562.)

---

| 20.9.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 361/31 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

20.9.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 361/31

---

P9_TA(2022)0084

More flexible use of funds under the AMIF Regulations in light of the war in Ukraine ***I

European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 514/2014 laying down general provisions on the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and on the instrument for financial support for police cooperation, preventing and combating crime, and crisis management and amending Regulation (EU) No 516/2014 establishing the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1147 establishing the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (COM(2022)0112 — C9-0056/2022 — 2022/0077(COD))

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

(2022/C 361/06)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2022)0112), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2022)0112),

| — | having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 78(2), Article 79(2) and (4), Article 82(1), Article 84 and Article 87(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C9-0056/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 78(2), Article 79(2) and (4), Article 82(1), Article 84 and Article 87(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C9-0056/2022),

| — | having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

| — | having regard to the undertaking given by the Council representative by letter of 16 March 2022 to approve Parliament’s position, in accordance with Article 294(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the undertaking given by the Council representative by letter of 16 March 2022 to approve Parliament’s position, in accordance with Article 294(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

| — | having regard to Rules 59 and 163 of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rules 59 and 163 of its Rules of Procedure,

| 1. | Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments. |
| --- | --- |

3.

---

P9_TC1-COD(2022)0077

Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 24 March 2022 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2022/... of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) No 514/2014 laying down general provisions on the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and on the instrument for financial support for police cooperation, preventing and combating crime, and crisis management, (EU) No 516/2014 establishing the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and (EU) 2021/1147 establishing the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund

(As an agreement was reached between Parliament and Council, Parliament's position corresponds to the final legislative act, Regulation (EU) 2022/585.)

---

| 20.9.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 361/32 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

20.9.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 361/32

---

P9_TA(2022)0085

Status Agreement between the EU and Moldova on Frontex operational activities***

European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova on operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in the Republic of Moldova (07202/2022 — C9-0120/2022 — 2022/0087(NLE))

(Consent)

(2022/C 361/07)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the draft Council decision (07202/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the draft Council decision (07202/2022),

| — | having regard to the draft agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova on operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in the Republic of Moldova (07204/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the draft agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova on operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in the Republic of Moldova (07204/2022),

| — | having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with Article 77(2)(b) and (d), Article 79(2)(c) and Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (C9-0120/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with Article 77(2)(b) and (d), Article 79(2)(c) and Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (C9-0120/2022),

| — | having regard to Rule 105(1) and (4), Rule 114(7) and Rule 163 of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rule 105(1) and (4), Rule 114(7) and Rule 163 of its Rules of Procedure,

| 1. | Gives its consent to the conclusion of the agreement; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and of the Republic of Moldova. |
| --- | --- |

2.

---

| 20.9.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 361/33 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

20.9.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 361/33

---

P9_TA(2022)0088

Pilot regime for market infrastructures based on distributed ledger technology ***I

European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on a pilot regime for market infrastructures based on distributed ledger technology (COM(2020)0594 — C9-0305/2020 — 2020/0267(COD))

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

(2022/C 361/08)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2020)0594), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2020)0594),

| — | having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 114 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C9-0305/2020), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 114 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C9-0305/2020),

| — | having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

| — | Having regard to the opinion of the European Central Bank of 28 April 2021 (1), |
| --- | --- |

—

Having regard to the opinion of the European Central Bank of 28 April 2021 (1),

| — | Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 24 February 2021 (2), |
| --- | --- |

—

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 24 February 2021 (2),

| — | having regard to the provisional agreement approved by the committee responsible under Rule 74(4) of its Rules of Procedure and the undertaking given by the Council representative by letter of 21 December 2021 to approve Parliament’s position, in accordance with Article 294(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the provisional agreement approved by the committee responsible under Rule 74(4) of its Rules of Procedure and the undertaking given by the Council representative by letter of 21 December 2021 to approve Parliament’s position, in accordance with Article 294(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

| — | having regard to Rule 59 of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rule 59 of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to the report of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (A9-0240/2021), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (A9-0240/2021),

| 1. | Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments. |
| --- | --- |

3.

---

(1)  OJ C 244, 22.6.2021, p. 4.

(2)  OJ C 155, 30.4.2021, p. 31.

---

P9_TC1-COD(2020)0267

Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 24 March 2022 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2022/... of the European Parliament and of the Council on a pilot regime for market infrastructures based on distributed ledger technology, and amending Regulations (EU) No 600/2014 and (EU) No 909/2014 and Directive 2014/65/EU

(As an agreement was reached between Parliament and Council, Parliament's position corresponds to the final legislative act, Regulation (EU) 2022/858.)

---

| 20.9.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 361/34 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

20.9.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 361/34

---

P9_TA(2022)0089

Roaming Regulation (recast) ***I

European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on Roaming on public mobile communications networks within the Union (recast) (COM(2021)0085 — C9-0085/2021 — 2021/0045(COD))

(Ordinary legislative procedure — recast)

(2022/C 361/09)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2021)0085), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2021)0085),

| — | having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 114 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C9-0085/2021), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 114 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C9-0085/2021),

| — | having regard to the opinion of the Committee on Legal Affairs on the proposed legal basis, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the opinion of the Committee on Legal Affairs on the proposed legal basis,

| — | having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

| — | having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 7 July 2021 (1), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 7 July 2021 (1),

| — | having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 28 November 2001 on a more structured use of the recasting technique for legal acts (2), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 28 November 2001 on a more structured use of the recasting technique for legal acts (2),

| — | having regard to the letter of 1 October 2021 sent by the Committee on Legal Affairs to the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy in accordance with Rule 110(3) of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the letter of 1 October 2021 sent by the Committee on Legal Affairs to the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy in accordance with Rule 110(3) of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to the provisional agreement approved by the committee responsible under Rule 74(4) of its Rules of Procedure and the undertaking given by the Council representative by letter of 15 December 2021 to approve Parliament’s position, in accordance with Article 294(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the provisional agreement approved by the committee responsible under Rule 74(4) of its Rules of Procedure and the undertaking given by the Council representative by letter of 15 December 2021 to approve Parliament’s position, in accordance with Article 294(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

| — | having regard to Rules 110, 59 and 40 of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rules 110, 59 and 40 of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to the opinion of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the opinion of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection,

| — | having regard to the report of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (A9-0286/2021), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (A9-0286/2021),

| A. | whereas, according to the Consultative Working Party of the legal services of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, the Commission proposal does not include any substantive amendments other than those identified as such in the proposal and whereas, as regards the codification of the unchanged provisions of the earlier acts together with those amendments, the proposal contains a straightforward codification of the existing texts, without any change in their substance; |
| --- | --- |

A.

whereas, according to the Consultative Working Party of the legal services of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, the Commission proposal does not include any substantive amendments other than those identified as such in the proposal and whereas, as regards the codification of the unchanged provisions of the earlier acts together with those amendments, the proposal contains a straightforward codification of the existing texts, without any change in their substance;

| 1. | Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out, taking into account the recommendations of the Consultative Working Party of the legal services of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments. |
| --- | --- |

3.

---

(1)  OJ C 374, 16.9.2021, p. 28.

(2)  OJ C 77, 28.3.2002, p. 1.

---

P9_TC1-COD(2021)0045

Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 24 March 2022 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2022/... of the European Parliament and of the Council on roaming on public mobile communications networks within the Union (recast)

(As an agreement was reached between Parliament and Council, Parliament's position corresponds to the final legislative act, Regulation (EU) 2022/612.)

---

| 20.9.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 361/36 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

20.9.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 361/36

---

P9_TA(2022)0090

Macro-financial assistance to the Republic of Moldova ***I

European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on providing macro-financial assistance to the Republic of Moldova (COM(2022)0004 — C9-0007/2022 — 2021/0438(COD))

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

(2022/C 361/10)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2022)0004), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2022)0004),

| — | having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 212(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C9-0007/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 212(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C9-0007/2022),

| — | having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

| — | having regard to the undertaking given by the Council representative by letter of 21 March 2022 to approve Parliament’s position, in accordance with Article 294(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the undertaking given by the Council representative by letter of 21 March 2022 to approve Parliament’s position, in accordance with Article 294(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

| — | having regard to Rule 59 of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rule 59 of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to the report of the Committee on International Trade (A9-0043/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on International Trade (A9-0043/2022),

| 1. | Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments. |
| --- | --- |

3.

---

P9_TC1-COD(2021)0438

Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 24 March 2022 with a view to the adoption of Decision (EU) 2022/... of the European Parliament and of the Council providing macro-financial assistance to the Republic of Moldova

(As an agreement was reached between Parliament and Council, Parliament's position corresponds to the final legislative act, Decision (EU) 2022/563.)

---

| 20.9.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 361/37 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

20.9.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 361/37

---

P9_TA(2022)0091

Computerised system for the cross-border electronic exchange of data in the area of judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters (e-CODEX system) ***I

European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on a computerised system for communication in cross-border civil and criminal proceedings (e-CODEX system), and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1726 (COM(2020)0712 — C9-0389/2020 — 2020/0345(COD))

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

(2022/C 361/11)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2020)0712), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2020)0712),

| — | having regard to Article 294(2), Article 81(2) and Article 82(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C9-0389/2020), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 294(2), Article 81(2) and Article 82(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C9-0389/2020),

| — | having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

| — | having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 27 April 2021 (1), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 27 April 2021 (1),

| — | having regard to the provisional agreement approved by the committees responsible under Rule 74(4) of its Rules of Procedure and the undertaking given by the Council representative by letter of 15 December 2021 to approve Parliament’s position, in accordance with Article 294(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the provisional agreement approved by the committees responsible under Rule 74(4) of its Rules of Procedure and the undertaking given by the Council representative by letter of 15 December 2021 to approve Parliament’s position, in accordance with Article 294(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

| — | having regard to Rule 59 of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rule 59 of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to the joint deliberations of the Committee on Legal Affairs and the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs under Rule 58 of the Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the joint deliberations of the Committee on Legal Affairs and the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs under Rule 58 of the Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to the report of the Committee on Legal Affairs and the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (A9-0288/2021), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Legal Affairs and the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (A9-0288/2021),

| 1. | Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments. |
| --- | --- |

3.

---

(1)  OJ C 286, 16.7.2021, p. 82.

---

P9_TC1-COD(2020)0345

Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 24 March 2022 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2022/... of the European Parliament and of the Council on a computerised system for the cross-border electronic exchange of data in the area of judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters (e-CODEX system), and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1726

(As an agreement was reached between Parliament and Council, Parliament's position corresponds to the final legislative act, Regulation (EU) 2022/850.)

---

| 20.9.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 361/38 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

20.9.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 361/38

---

P9_TA(2022)0092

Automated data exchange with regard to DNA data in Italy *

European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the draft Council implementing decision on the launch of automated data exchange with regard to DNA data in Italy (14836/2021 — C9-0002/2022 — 2021/0806(CNS))

(Consultation)

(2022/C 361/12)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the Council draft (14836/2021), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Council draft (14836/2021),

| — | having regard to Article 39(1) of the Treaty on European Union, as amended by the Treaty of Amsterdam, and Article 9 of Protocol No 36 on transitional provisions, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C9-0002/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 39(1) of the Treaty on European Union, as amended by the Treaty of Amsterdam, and Article 9 of Protocol No 36 on transitional provisions, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C9-0002/2022),

| — | having regard to Council Decision 2008/615/JHA of 23 June 2008 on the stepping up of cross-border cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and cross-border crime (1), and in particular Article 33 thereof, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Council Decision 2008/615/JHA of 23 June 2008 on the stepping up of cross-border cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and cross-border crime (1), and in particular Article 33 thereof,

| — | having regard to Rule 82 of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rule 82 of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to the report of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (A9-0046/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (A9-0046/2022),

| 1. | Approves the Council draft; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Calls on the Council to notify Parliament if it intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | Asks the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to substantially amend the text approved by Parliament; |
| --- | --- |

3.

| 4. | Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and the Commission. |
| --- | --- |

4.

---

(1)  OJ L 210, 6.8.2008, p. 1.

---

| 20.9.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 361/39 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

20.9.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 361/39

---

P9_TA(2022)0093

Automated data exchange with regard to dactyloscopic data in Italy *

European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the draft Council implementing decision on the launch of automated data exchange with regard to dactyloscopic data in Italy (14837/2021 — C9-0003/2022 — 2021/0807(CNS))

(Consultation)

(2022/C 361/13)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the Council draft (14837/2021), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Council draft (14837/2021),

| — | having regard to Article 39(1) of the Treaty on European Union, as amended by the Treaty of Amsterdam, and Article 9 of Protocol No 36 on transitional provisions, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C9-0003/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 39(1) of the Treaty on European Union, as amended by the Treaty of Amsterdam, and Article 9 of Protocol No 36 on transitional provisions, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C9-0003/2022),

| — | having regard to Council Decision 2008/615/JHA of 23 June 2008 on the stepping up of cross-border cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and cross-border crime (1), and in particular Article 33 thereof, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Council Decision 2008/615/JHA of 23 June 2008 on the stepping up of cross-border cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and cross-border crime (1), and in particular Article 33 thereof,

| — | having regard to Rule 82 of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rule 82 of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to the report of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (A9-0050/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (A9-0050/2022),

| 1. | Approves the Council draft; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Calls on the Council to notify Parliament if it intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | Asks the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to substantially amend the text approved by Parliament; |
| --- | --- |

3.

| 4. | Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and the Commission. |
| --- | --- |

4.

---

(1)  OJ L 210, 6.8.2008, p. 1.

---

| 20.9.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 361/40 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

20.9.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 361/40

---

P9_TA(2022)0094

Automated data exchange with regard to vehicle registration data in Italy *

European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the draft Council implementing decision on the launch of automated data exchange with regard to vehicle registration data in Italy (14838/2021 — C9-0004/2022 — 2021/0808(CNS))

(Consultation)

(2022/C 361/14)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the Council draft (14838/2021), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Council draft (14838/2021),

| — | having regard to Article 39(1) of the Treaty on European Union, as amended by the Treaty of Amsterdam, and Article 9 of Protocol No 36 on transitional provisions, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C9-0004/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 39(1) of the Treaty on European Union, as amended by the Treaty of Amsterdam, and Article 9 of Protocol No 36 on transitional provisions, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C9-0004/2022),

| — | having regard to Council Decision 2008/615/JHA of 23 June 2008 on the stepping up of cross-border cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and cross-border crime (1), and in particular Article 33 thereof, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Council Decision 2008/615/JHA of 23 June 2008 on the stepping up of cross-border cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and cross-border crime (1), and in particular Article 33 thereof,

| — | having regard to Rule 82 of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rule 82 of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to the report of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (A9-0047/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (A9-0047/2022),

| 1. | Approves the Council draft; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Calls on the Council to notify Parliament if it intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | Asks the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to substantially amend the text approved by Parliament; |
| --- | --- |

3.

| 4. | Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and the Commission. |
| --- | --- |

4.

---

(1)  OJ L 210, 6.8.2008, p. 1.

---

| 20.9.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 361/41 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

20.9.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 361/41

---

P9_TA(2022)0095

Automated data exchange with regard to vehicle registration data in Greece *

European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the draft Council implementing decision on the launch of automated data exchange with regard to vehicle registration data in Greece (14839/2021 — C9-0005/2022 — 2021/0809(CNS))

(Consultation)

(2022/C 361/15)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the Council draft (14839/2021), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Council draft (14839/2021),

| — | having regard to Article 39(1) of the Treaty on European Union, as amended by the Treaty of Amsterdam, and Article 9 of Protocol No 36 on transitional provisions, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C9-0005/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 39(1) of the Treaty on European Union, as amended by the Treaty of Amsterdam, and Article 9 of Protocol No 36 on transitional provisions, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C9-0005/2022),

| — | having regard to Council Decision 2008/615/JHA of 23 June 2008 on the stepping up of cross-border cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and cross-border crime (1), and in particular Article 33 thereof, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Council Decision 2008/615/JHA of 23 June 2008 on the stepping up of cross-border cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and cross-border crime (1), and in particular Article 33 thereof,

| — | having regard to Rule 82 of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rule 82 of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to the report of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (A9-0049/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (A9-0049/2022),

| 1. | Approves the Council draft; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Calls on the Council to notify Parliament if it intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | Asks the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to substantially amend the text approved by Parliament; |
| --- | --- |

3.

| 4. | Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and the Commission. |
| --- | --- |

4.

---

(1)  OJ L 210, 6.8.2008, p. 1.

---

| 20.9.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 361/42 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

20.9.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 361/42

---

P9_TA(2022)0096

EU-Brazil Agreement on short-stay visa waiver for holders of ordinary passports ***

European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil amending the Agreement between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil on short-stay visa waiver for holders of ordinary passports (13448/2018 — C9-0416/2021 — 2018/0084(NLE))

(Consent)

(2022/C 361/16)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the draft Council decision (13448/2018), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the draft Council decision (13448/2018),

| — | having regard to the draft Agreement between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil amending the Agreement between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil on short-stay visa waiver for holders of ordinary passports (13449/2018), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the draft Agreement between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil amending the Agreement between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil on short-stay visa waiver for holders of ordinary passports (13449/2018),

| — | having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with Article 77(2), point (a), and Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a)(v) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (C9-0416/2021), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with Article 77(2), point (a), and Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a)(v) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (C9-0416/2021),

| — | having regard to Rule 105(1) and (4), and Rule 114(7) of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rule 105(1) and (4), and Rule 114(7) of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (A9-0029/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (A9-0029/2022),

| 1. | Gives its consent to the conclusion of the agreement; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and of the Federative Republic of Brazil. |
| --- | --- |

2.

---

| 20.9.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 361/43 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

20.9.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 361/43

---

P9_TA(2022)0097

EU-Brazil Agreement on short-stay visa waiver for holders of diplomatic, service or official passports ***

European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 March 2022 on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil amending the Agreement between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil on short-stay visa waiver for holders of diplomatic, service or official passports (13445/2018 — C9-0415/2021 — 2018/0086(NLE))

(Consent)

(2022/C 361/17)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the draft Council decision (13445/2018), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the draft Council decision (13445/2018),

| — | having regard to the draft Agreement between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil amending the Agreement between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil on short-stay visa waiver for holders of diplomatic, service or official passports (13446/2018), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the draft Agreement between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil amending the Agreement between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil on short-stay visa waiver for holders of diplomatic, service or official passports (13446/2018),

| — | having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with Article 77(2), point (a), and Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a)(v) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (C9-0415/2021), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with Article 77(2), point (a), and Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a)(v) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (C9-0415/2021),

| — | having regard to Rule 105(1) and (4), and Rule 114(7) of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rule 105(1) and (4), and Rule 114(7) of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (A9-0030/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (A9-0030/2022),

| 1. | Gives its consent to the conclusion of the agreement; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and of the Federative Republic of Brazil. |
| --- | --- |

2.

---

| 20.9.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 361/44 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

20.9.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 361/44

---

P9_TA(2022)0098

Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: application EGF/2021/007 FR/Selecta — France

European Parliament resolution of 24 March 2022 on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers following an application from France — EGF/2021/007 FR/ Selecta (COM(2022)0035 — C9-0036/2022 — 2022/0023(BUD))

(2022/C 361/18)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the Commission proposal to the European Parliament and the Council (COM(2022)0035 — C9-0036/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission proposal to the European Parliament and the Council (COM(2022)0035 — C9-0036/2022),

| — | having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/691 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 on the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1309/2013 (1) (‘EGF Regulation’), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/691 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 on the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1309/2013 (1) (‘EGF Regulation’),

| — | having regard to Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 of 17 December 2020 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021-2027 (2) (‘MFF Regulation’), and in particular Article 8 thereof, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 of 17 December 2020 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021-2027 (2) (‘MFF Regulation’), and in particular Article 8 thereof,

| — | having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources (3), and in particular point 9 thereof, |
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—

having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources (3), and in particular point 9 thereof,

| — | having regard to the letters from the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and from the Committee on Regional Development, |
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—

having regard to the letters from the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and from the Committee on Regional Development,

| — | having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets (A9-0048/2022), |
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—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets (A9-0048/2022),

| A. | whereas the Union has set up legislative and budgetary instruments to provide additional support to workers who are suffering from the consequences of globalisation and of technological and environmental changes, such as changes in world trade patterns, trade disputes, significant changes in the trade relations of the Union or the composition of the internal market and financial or economic crises, as well as the transition to a low-carbon economy, or as a consequence of digitisation or automation; |
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A.

whereas the Union has set up legislative and budgetary instruments to provide additional support to workers who are suffering from the consequences of globalisation and of technological and environmental changes, such as changes in world trade patterns, trade disputes, significant changes in the trade relations of the Union or the composition of the internal market and financial or economic crises, as well as the transition to a low-carbon economy, or as a consequence of digitisation or automation;

| B. | whereas the Union has extended the scope of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) to provide financial support in case of any major restructuring event, and thus covering economic effects of the coronavirus crisis; |
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B.

whereas the Union has extended the scope of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) to provide financial support in case of any major restructuring event, and thus covering economic effects of the coronavirus crisis;

| C. | whereas France submitted application EGF/2021/007 FR/Selecta for a financial contribution from the EGF, following 294 displacements in the economic sector classified under the NACE Revision 2 division 46 (Wholesale trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles) in all French NUTS level 2 regions in mainland, except Limousin (FRI2), within a reference period for the application from 1 June 2021 to 1 October 2021; |
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C.

whereas France submitted application EGF/2021/007 FR/Selecta for a financial contribution from the EGF, following 294 displacements in the economic sector classified under the NACE Revision 2 division 46 (Wholesale trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles) in all French NUTS level 2 regions in mainland, except Limousin (FRI2), within a reference period for the application from 1 June 2021 to 1 October 2021;

| D. | whereas the application relates to 294 displaced workers whose activity in the company Selecta has ceased during the reference period, while 179 workers were displaced before or after the reference period as a consequence of the same events that triggered the cessations of activity of the displaced workers during the reference period and will thus also be considered eligible beneficiaries; |
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D.

whereas the application relates to 294 displaced workers whose activity in the company Selecta has ceased during the reference period, while 179 workers were displaced before or after the reference period as a consequence of the same events that triggered the cessations of activity of the displaced workers during the reference period and will thus also be considered eligible beneficiaries;

| E. | whereas the application is based on the intervention criteria of Article 4(2), point (a), of the EGF Regulation, which requires the cessation of activity of at least 200 displaced workers over a reference period of four months in an enterprise in a Member State; |
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E.

whereas the application is based on the intervention criteria of Article 4(2), point (a), of the EGF Regulation, which requires the cessation of activity of at least 200 displaced workers over a reference period of four months in an enterprise in a Member State;

| F. | whereas the vending machines industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, due to the closure of sites where the machines were located (business and public places such as airports, railway stations, etc.) or by lack of access to the vending machines in the open sites, and in the Île-de-France region, the vending machine businesses lost 70 % of turnover (September 2020 year-on-year) because of telework (4); |
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F.

whereas the vending machines industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, due to the closure of sites where the machines were located (business and public places such as airports, railway stations, etc.) or by lack of access to the vending machines in the open sites, and in the Île-de-France region, the vending machine businesses lost 70 % of turnover (September 2020 year-on-year) because of telework (4);

| G. | whereas, according to Selecta, despite the recovery of activity in summer 2020, the replenishment of the machines was down by 47 %, compared to February 2020, the last pre-pandemic month, while despite re-negotiating contracts in an attempt to curb loss-making, exacerbated by fixed cost and falling sales, Selecta recorded operating losses of EUR 60 million in 2020 (5) and organised the displacement of 473 workers; |
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G.

whereas, according to Selecta, despite the recovery of activity in summer 2020, the replenishment of the machines was down by 47 %, compared to February 2020, the last pre-pandemic month, while despite re-negotiating contracts in an attempt to curb loss-making, exacerbated by fixed cost and falling sales, Selecta recorded operating losses of EUR 60 million in 2020 (5) and organised the displacement of 473 workers;

| H. | whereas the Commission declared that the health crisis resulted in an economic crisis, set out a recovery plan for the economy and underlined the role of the EGF as an emergency tool (6); |
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H.

whereas the Commission declared that the health crisis resulted in an economic crisis, set out a recovery plan for the economy and underlined the role of the EGF as an emergency tool (6);

| I. | whereas, according to the French Organisation for Automatic Sales and Services (NAVSA), the turnover of the sector in France dropped between 50 and 90 % in 2020 compared to 2019, putting about 25 000 jobs at risk; |
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I.

whereas, according to the French Organisation for Automatic Sales and Services (NAVSA), the turnover of the sector in France dropped between 50 and 90 % in 2020 compared to 2019, putting about 25 000 jobs at risk;

| J. | whereas financial contributions from the EGF should be primarily directed at active labour market policy measures and personalised services that aim to reintegrate beneficiaries rapidly into decent and sustainable employment within or outside their initial sector of activity, while preparing them for a greener and more digital European economy; |
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J.

whereas financial contributions from the EGF should be primarily directed at active labour market policy measures and personalised services that aim to reintegrate beneficiaries rapidly into decent and sustainable employment within or outside their initial sector of activity, while preparing them for a greener and more digital European economy;

| K. | whereas the EGF shall not exceed a maximum annual amount of EUR 186 million (in 2018 prices), as laid down in Article 8 of the MFF Regulation; |
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K.

whereas the EGF shall not exceed a maximum annual amount of EUR 186 million (in 2018 prices), as laid down in Article 8 of the MFF Regulation;

| 1. | Agrees with the Commission that the conditions set out in Article 4(2), point (a), of the EGF Regulation are met and that France is entitled to a financial contribution of EUR 4 074 296 under that Regulation, which represents 85 % of the total cost of EUR 4 793 290, comprising expenditure for personalised services of EUR 4 766 930 and, in accordance with Article 7(5) of the EGF Regulation, expenditure for implementing the EGF of EUR 26 360; |
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1.

| 2. | Notes that the French authorities submitted the application on 12 October 2021, and that the Commission finalised its assessment on 7 February 2022 and notified it to Parliament on the same day; |
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2.

| 3. | Notes that the application relates in total to 473 displaced workers whose activity has ceased; welcomes the fact that France expects that all of the eligible beneficiaries will participate in the measures (targeted beneficiaries); |
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3.

| 4. | Recalls that the social impacts of the redundancies are expected to be important for France, in particular in the region Île-de-France and the city of Lille, where respectively 32 and 13 % of the displacements took place; |
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4.

| 5. | Points out that 29,8 % of the targeted beneficiaries have lower secondary education or less; |
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5.

| 6. | Notes that France started providing personalised services to the targeted beneficiaries on 1 April 2021 and that the period of eligibility for a financial contribution from the EGF will therefore be from 1 April 2021 until 24 months after the date of the entry into force of the financing decision; |
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6.

| 7. | Recalls that personalised services to be provided to the workers consist of the following actions: advisory services and vocational guidance, psychological support, training, contribution to business creation, job search allowance, allowance for quick reemployment, outplacement incentive, and a contribution to moving and installation costs; |
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7.

| 8. | Reiterates in that context the important role the Union should play in providing the necessary qualifications for the just transformation in line with the European Green Deal; strongly supports the fact that between 2021and 2027 the EGF will continue to show solidarity with persons affected and maintain the focus on the impact of restructuring on workers and calls for future applications to maximise policy coherence; |
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8.

| 9. | Welcomes that the co-ordinated package of personalised services for which the EGF co-financing is requested was drawn up by France in consultation with staff and union representatives; underlines the need for transparency at every step of the procedure and calls for the involvement of social partners in the implementation and evaluation of the package of services’s; notes that all the procedural requirements were met; |
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9.

| 10. | Considers that financial contributions from the EGF should be primarily directed at active labour market policy measures and personalised services that aim to reintegrate beneficiaries rapidly into decent and sustainable employment within or outside their initial sector of activity, while preparing them for a greener and more digital European economy; |
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10.

| 11. | Recalls the possibility for special time-limited measures within the coordinated package including, inter alia, to pay childcare allowances, as provided in Article 7(2), point (b), of the EGF Regulation to facilitate job seekers’ participation in the activities proposed; |
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11.

| 12. | Notes the French authorities’ indication that staff and union representatives are closely involved in the organisational plans to adapt to change; |
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12.

| 13. | Welcomes the fact that Selecta put in place a very active training policy that goes far beyond its legal obligations; |
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13.

| 14. | Notes that in 2021 the training budget per worker was 30 % higher than in 2019, with the aim of improving staff’s employability and mobility; |
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14.

| 15. | Stresses that the French authorities have confirmed that the eligible actions do not receive assistance from other Union funds or financial instruments; |
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15.

| 16. | Reiterates that assistance from the EGF must not replace actions which are the responsibility of companies, by virtue of national law or collective agreements, or any allowances or rights of the displaced workers, to ensure full additionality of the allocation; |
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16.

| 17. | Reminds that the objective of the EGF is to demonstrate solidarity with and support beneficiaries and to rapidly reintegrate them into decent and sustainable employment within or outside their initial sector of activity; |
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17.

| 18. | Approves the decision annexed to this resolution; |
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18.

| 19. | Instructs its President to sign the decision with the President of the Council and arrange for its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union; |
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19.

| 20. | Instructs its President to forward this resolution, including its Annex, to the Council and the Commission. |
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20.

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(1)  OJ L 153, 3.5.2021, p. 48.

(2)  OJ L 433 I, 22.12.2020, p. 11.

(3)  OJ L 433 I, 22.12.2020, p. 28.

(4)  NAVSA. Report on the situation of the sector. September 2020.

(5)  https://www.droits-salaries.com/552014201-selecta/55201420101907-/T09321007764-accord-relatif-a-la-mise-en-place-d-un-dispositif-specifique-d-activite-partielle-longue-duree-apld--autres-temps-de-travail.shtml

(6)  COM(2020)0442.

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ANNEX

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

on the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers following an application from France — EGF/2021/007 FR/Selecta

(The text of this annex is not reproduced here since it corresponds to the final act, Decision (EU) 2022/548.)

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