# Official Journal C 177/17 M

| | ISSN 1977-091X |
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| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 177 |
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| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 6617 May 2023 |

ISSN 1977-091X

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 177

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 6617 May 2023

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| Contents | page |
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| | EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
  2022-2023 SESSIONSittings of 12 to 15 December 2022TEXTS ADOPTED | 1 |

Contents

page

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
  2022-2023 SESSIONSittings of 12 to 15 December 2022TEXTS ADOPTED

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

1

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| | I   Resolutions, recommendations and opinions |
| --- | --- |
| | RESOLUTIONS |
| | European Parliament |
| | Tuesday 13 December 2022 |
| 2023/C 177/01 | European Parliament resolution of 13 December 2022 on the draft Commission implementing decision renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean A5547-127 (ACS-GMØØ6-4) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (D084951/01 — 2022/2930(RSP)) | 2 |
| 2023/C 177/02 | European Parliament resolution of 13 December 2022 on the draft Commission implementing regulation granting a Union authorisation for the biocidal product family CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (D084293/01 — 2022/2929(RSP)) | 9 |
| 2023/C 177/03 | European Parliament resolution of 13 December 2022 towards equal rights for persons with disabilities (2022/2026(INI)) | 13 |
| 2023/C 177/04 | European Parliament resolution of 13 December 2022 on a long-term vision for the EU's rural areas — Towards stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040 (2021/2254(INI)) | 35 |
| 2023/C 177/05 | European Parliament resolution of 13 December 2022 on the action plan to boost long-distance and cross-border passenger rail (2022/2022(INI)) | 48 |
| 2023/C 177/06 | European Parliament resolution of 13 December 2022 on the digital divide: the social differences created by digitalisation (2022/2810(RSP)) | 57 |
| | Wednesday 14 December 2022 |
| 2023/C 177/07 | European Parliament resolution of 14 December 2022 on the implementation of the EU Association Agreement with Georgia (2021/2236(INI)) | 63 |
| 2023/C 177/08 | European Parliament resolution of 14 December 2022 on the prospects of the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine (2022/2949(RSP)) | 73 |
| 2023/C 177/09 | European Parliament resolution of 14 December 2022 on the implementation of the New European Agenda for Culture and the EU Strategy for International Cultural Relations (2022/2047(INI)) | 78 |
| | Thursday 15 December 2022 |
| 2023/C 177/10 | European Parliament resolution of 15 December 2022 on the Chinese Government crackdown on the peaceful protests across the People’s Republic of China (2022/2992(RSP)) | 95 |
| 2023/C 177/11 | European Parliament resolution of 15 December 2022 on the military junta crackdown on peaceful demonstrations in Chad (2022/2993(RSP)) | 101 |
| 2023/C 177/12 | European Parliament resolution of 15 December 2022 on the case of human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja in Bahrain (2022/2994(RSP)) | 105 |
| 2023/C 177/13 | European Parliament resolution of 15 December 2022 on suspicions of corruption from Qatar and the broader need for transparency and accountability in the European institutions (2022/3012(RSP)) | 109 |
| 2023/C 177/14 | European Parliament resolution of 15 December 2022 on 90 years after the Holodomor: recognising the mass killing through starvation as genocide (2022/3001(RSP)) | 112 |
| 2023/C 177/15 | European Parliament resolution of 15 December 2022 on upscaling the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework: a resilient EU budget fit for new challenges (2022/2046(INI)) | 115 |
| 2023/C 177/16 | European Parliament resolution of 15 December 2022 on the outcome of the Committee on Petitions’ deliberations during 2021 (2022/2024(INI)) | 129 |

I   Resolutions, recommendations and opinions

RESOLUTIONS

European Parliament

Tuesday 13 December 2022

2023/C 177/01

European Parliament resolution of 13 December 2022 on the draft Commission implementing decision renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean A5547-127 (ACS-GMØØ6-4) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (D084951/01 — 2022/2930(RSP))

2

2023/C 177/02

European Parliament resolution of 13 December 2022 on the draft Commission implementing regulation granting a Union authorisation for the biocidal product family CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (D084293/01 — 2022/2929(RSP))

9

2023/C 177/03

European Parliament resolution of 13 December 2022 towards equal rights for persons with disabilities (2022/2026(INI))

13

2023/C 177/04

European Parliament resolution of 13 December 2022 on a long-term vision for the EU's rural areas — Towards stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040 (2021/2254(INI))

35

2023/C 177/05

European Parliament resolution of 13 December 2022 on the action plan to boost long-distance and cross-border passenger rail (2022/2022(INI))

48

2023/C 177/06

European Parliament resolution of 13 December 2022 on the digital divide: the social differences created by digitalisation (2022/2810(RSP))

57

Wednesday 14 December 2022

2023/C 177/07

European Parliament resolution of 14 December 2022 on the implementation of the EU Association Agreement with Georgia (2021/2236(INI))

63

2023/C 177/08

European Parliament resolution of 14 December 2022 on the prospects of the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine (2022/2949(RSP))

73

2023/C 177/09

European Parliament resolution of 14 December 2022 on the implementation of the New European Agenda for Culture and the EU Strategy for International Cultural Relations (2022/2047(INI))

78

Thursday 15 December 2022

2023/C 177/10

European Parliament resolution of 15 December 2022 on the Chinese Government crackdown on the peaceful protests across the People’s Republic of China (2022/2992(RSP))

95

2023/C 177/11

European Parliament resolution of 15 December 2022 on the military junta crackdown on peaceful demonstrations in Chad (2022/2993(RSP))

101

2023/C 177/12

European Parliament resolution of 15 December 2022 on the case of human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja in Bahrain (2022/2994(RSP))

105

2023/C 177/13

European Parliament resolution of 15 December 2022 on suspicions of corruption from Qatar and the broader need for transparency and accountability in the European institutions (2022/3012(RSP))

109

2023/C 177/14

European Parliament resolution of 15 December 2022 on 90 years after the Holodomor: recognising the mass killing through starvation as genocide (2022/3001(RSP))

112

2023/C 177/15

European Parliament resolution of 15 December 2022 on upscaling the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework: a resilient EU budget fit for new challenges (2022/2046(INI))

115

2023/C 177/16

European Parliament resolution of 15 December 2022 on the outcome of the Committee on Petitions’ deliberations during 2021 (2022/2024(INI))

129

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| | III   Preparatory acts |
| --- | --- |
| | European Parliament |
| | Tuesday 13 December 2022 |
| 2023/C 177/17 | European Parliament legislative resolution of 13 December 2022 on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2003/87/EC as regards the notification of offsetting in respect of a global market-based measure for aircraft operators based in the Union (COM(2021)0567 — C9-0323/2021 — 2021/0204(COD)) | 139 |
| 2023/C 177/18 | P9_TA(2022)0429Transport: repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 1108/70 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 851/2006European Parliament legislative resolution of 13 December 2022 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council repealing Regulation (EEC) No 1108/70 of the Council introducing an accounting system for expenditure on infrastructure in respect of transport by rail, road and inland waterway, and Commission Regulation (EC) No 851/2006 specifying the items to be included under the various headings in the forms of accounts shown in Annex I to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1108/70 (COM(2022)0381 — C9-0294/2022 — 2022/0232(COD))P9_TC1-COD(2022)0232Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 13 December 2022 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2023/... of the European Parliament and of the Council repealing Regulation (EEC) No 1108/70 of the Council introducing an accounting system for expenditure on infrastructure in respect of transport by rail, road and inland waterway, and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 851/2006 specifying the items to be included under the various headings in the forms of accounts shown in Annex I to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1108/70 | 140 |
| 2023/C 177/19 | P9_TA(2022)0430Civil aviation: repealing Council Directive 89/629/EECEuropean Parliament legislative resolution of 13 December 2022 on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council repealing Council Directive 89/629/EEC (COM(2022)0465 — C9-0310/2022 — 2022/0282(COD))P9_TC1-COD(2022)0282Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 13 December 2022 with a view to the adoption of Decision (EU) 2023/... of the European Parliament and of the Council repealing Council Directive 89/629/EEC | 141 |
| 2023/C 177/20 | European Parliament legislative resolution of 13 December 2022 on the proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulation (EU) No 389/2012 as regards the exchange of information maintained in the electronic registers concerning economic operators who move excise goods between Member States for commercial purposes (COM(2022)0539 — C9-0367/2022 — 2022/0331(CNS)) | 142 |
| 2023/C 177/21 | European Parliament legislative resolution of 13 December 2022 on the proposal for a Council regulation on the application of Articles 93, 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to certain categories of State aid in the rail, inland waterway and multimodal transport sector (COM(2022)0327 — C9-0290/2022 — 2022/0209(NLE)) | 143 |
| | Wednesday 14 December 2022 |
| 2023/C 177/22 | European Parliament legislative resolution of 14 December 2022 on the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an instrument for providing support to Ukraine for 2023 (macro-financial assistance +) (15727/2022 — C9-0424/2022 — 2022/0371(COD)) | 144 |
| 2023/C 177/23 | European Parliament resolution of 14 December 2022 on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, Luxembourg, Spain and Greece further to natural disasters that took place in these countries in the course of 2021 (COM(2022)0665 — C9-0350/2022 — 2022/0337(BUD)) | 145 |
| 2023/C 177/24 | Amendments adopted by the European Parliament on 14 December 2022 on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive (EU) 2018/2001 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources, Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings and Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency (COM(2022)0222 — C9-0184/2022 — 2022/0160(COD))[Amendment 1 unless otherwise indicated] | 148 |

III   Preparatory acts

European Parliament

Tuesday 13 December 2022

2023/C 177/17

European Parliament legislative resolution of 13 December 2022 on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2003/87/EC as regards the notification of offsetting in respect of a global market-based measure for aircraft operators based in the Union (COM(2021)0567 — C9-0323/2021 — 2021/0204(COD))

139

2023/C 177/18

P9_TA(2022)0429Transport: repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 1108/70 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 851/2006European Parliament legislative resolution of 13 December 2022 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council repealing Regulation (EEC) No 1108/70 of the Council introducing an accounting system for expenditure on infrastructure in respect of transport by rail, road and inland waterway, and Commission Regulation (EC) No 851/2006 specifying the items to be included under the various headings in the forms of accounts shown in Annex I to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1108/70 (COM(2022)0381 — C9-0294/2022 — 2022/0232(COD))P9_TC1-COD(2022)0232Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 13 December 2022 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2023/... of the European Parliament and of the Council repealing Regulation (EEC) No 1108/70 of the Council introducing an accounting system for expenditure on infrastructure in respect of transport by rail, road and inland waterway, and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 851/2006 specifying the items to be included under the various headings in the forms of accounts shown in Annex I to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1108/70

140

2023/C 177/19

P9_TA(2022)0430Civil aviation: repealing Council Directive 89/629/EECEuropean Parliament legislative resolution of 13 December 2022 on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council repealing Council Directive 89/629/EEC (COM(2022)0465 — C9-0310/2022 — 2022/0282(COD))P9_TC1-COD(2022)0282Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 13 December 2022 with a view to the adoption of Decision (EU) 2023/... of the European Parliament and of the Council repealing Council Directive 89/629/EEC

141

2023/C 177/20

European Parliament legislative resolution of 13 December 2022 on the proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulation (EU) No 389/2012 as regards the exchange of information maintained in the electronic registers concerning economic operators who move excise goods between Member States for commercial purposes (COM(2022)0539 — C9-0367/2022 — 2022/0331(CNS))

142

2023/C 177/21

European Parliament legislative resolution of 13 December 2022 on the proposal for a Council regulation on the application of Articles 93, 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to certain categories of State aid in the rail, inland waterway and multimodal transport sector (COM(2022)0327 — C9-0290/2022 — 2022/0209(NLE))

143

Wednesday 14 December 2022

2023/C 177/22

European Parliament legislative resolution of 14 December 2022 on the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an instrument for providing support to Ukraine for 2023 (macro-financial assistance +) (15727/2022 — C9-0424/2022 — 2022/0371(COD))

144

2023/C 177/23

European Parliament resolution of 14 December 2022 on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, Luxembourg, Spain and Greece further to natural disasters that took place in these countries in the course of 2021 (COM(2022)0665 — C9-0350/2022 — 2022/0337(BUD))

145

2023/C 177/24

Amendments adopted by the European Parliament on 14 December 2022 on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive (EU) 2018/2001 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources, Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings and Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency (COM(2022)0222 — C9-0184/2022 — 2022/0160(COD))[Amendment 1 unless otherwise indicated]

148

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17.5.2023

| 17.5.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 177/1 |
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Official Journal of the European Union

C 177/1

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EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

2022-2023 SESSION

Sittings of 12 to 15 December 2022

TEXTS ADOPTED

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I Resolutions, recommendations and opinions

RESOLUTIONS

European Parliament

Tuesday 13 December 2022

| 17.5.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 177/2 |
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17.5.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 177/2

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P9_TA(2022)0433

Genetically modified soybean A5547-127 (ACS-GMØØ6-4)

European Parliament resolution of 13 December 2022 on the draft Commission implementing decision renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean A5547-127 (ACS-GMØØ6-4) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (D084951/01 — 2022/2930(RSP))

(2023/C 177/01)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the draft Commission implementing decision renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean A5547-127 (ACS-GMØØ6-4) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (D084951/01, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the draft Commission implementing decision renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean A5547-127 (ACS-GMØØ6-4) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (D084951/01,

| — | having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed (1), and in particular Article 11(3) and Article 23(3) thereof, |
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—

having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed (1), and in particular Article 11(3) and Article 23(3) thereof,

| — | having regard to the vote of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed referred to in Article 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, on 27 October 2022, at which no opinion was delivered, |
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—

having regard to the vote of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed referred to in Article 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, on 27 October 2022, at which no opinion was delivered,

| — | having regard to Articles 11 and 13 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers (2), |
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—

having regard to Articles 11 and 13 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers (2),

| — | having regard to the opinion adopted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on 4 May 2022, and published on 20 June 2022 (3), |
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—

having regard to the opinion adopted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on 4 May 2022, and published on 20 June 2022 (3),

| — | having regard to its previous resolutions objecting to the authorisation of genetically modified organisms (‘GMOs’) (4), |
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—

having regard to its previous resolutions objecting to the authorisation of genetically modified organisms (‘GMOs’) (4),

| — | having regard to Rule 112(2) and (3) of its Rules of Procedure, |
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—

having regard to Rule 112(2) and (3) of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to the motion for a resolution by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, |
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—

having regard to the motion for a resolution by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety,

| A. | whereas Commission Implementing Decision 2012/81/EU (5) authorised the placing on the market of food and feed containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean A5547-127 (‘the GM soybean’); whereas the scope of that authorisation also covered the placing on the market of products other than food and feed containing or consisting of the GM soybean, for the same uses as any other soybean, with the exception of cultivation; |
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A.

whereas Commission Implementing Decision 2012/81/EU (5) authorised the placing on the market of food and feed containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean A5547-127 (‘the GM soybean’); whereas the scope of that authorisation also covered the placing on the market of products other than food and feed containing or consisting of the GM soybean, for the same uses as any other soybean, with the exception of cultivation;

| B. | whereas, on 10 December 2020, BASF SE, based in Germany, submitted an application on behalf of BASF Agricultural Solutions Seed US LLC, based in the United States, to the Commission for the renewal of that authorisation; |
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B.

whereas, on 10 December 2020, BASF SE, based in Germany, submitted an application on behalf of BASF Agricultural Solutions Seed US LLC, based in the United States, to the Commission for the renewal of that authorisation;

| C. | whereas on 4 May 2022, EFSA adopted a favourable opinion in relation to the renewal of the authorisation of the GM soybean, which was published on 20 June 2022; |
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C.

whereas on 4 May 2022, EFSA adopted a favourable opinion in relation to the renewal of the authorisation of the GM soybean, which was published on 20 June 2022;

| D. | whereas the GM soybean confers tolerance to glufosinate-ammonium-containing herbicides; |
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D.

whereas the GM soybean confers tolerance to glufosinate-ammonium-containing herbicides;

Lack of assessment of the complementary herbicide

| E. | whereas Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 503/2013 (6) requires an assessment of whether the expected agricultural practices influence the outcome of the studied endpoints; whereas, according to that Implementing Regulation, this is especially relevant for herbicide-tolerant plants; |
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E.

whereas Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 503/2013 (6) requires an assessment of whether the expected agricultural practices influence the outcome of the studied endpoints; whereas, according to that Implementing Regulation, this is especially relevant for herbicide-tolerant plants;

| F. | whereas a number of studies show that herbicide-tolerant GM crops result in a higher use of complementary herbicides, in large part because of the emergence of herbicide-tolerant weeds (7); whereas, as a consequence, it has to be expected that the GM soybean will be exposed to both higher and repeated doses of glufosinate, and that therefore a higher quantity of residues and their breakdown products (‘metabolites’) may be present in the harvest; |
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F.

whereas a number of studies show that herbicide-tolerant GM crops result in a higher use of complementary herbicides, in large part because of the emergence of herbicide-tolerant weeds (7); whereas, as a consequence, it has to be expected that the GM soybean will be exposed to both higher and repeated doses of glufosinate, and that therefore a higher quantity of residues and their breakdown products (‘metabolites’) may be present in the harvest;

| G. | whereas glufosinate is classified as toxic to reproduction 1B and therefore meets the ‘cut-off criteria’ set out in Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council (8); whereas the approval of glufosinate for use in the Union expired on 31 July 2018 (9); |
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G.

whereas glufosinate is classified as toxic to reproduction 1B and therefore meets the ‘cut-off criteria’ set out in Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council (8); whereas the approval of glufosinate for use in the Union expired on 31 July 2018 (9);

| H. | whereas assessment of herbicide residues and metabolites found on GM plants is considered outside the remit of the EFSA Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms and is therefore not undertaken as part of the authorisation process for GMOs; whereas this is problematic since the way in which complementary herbicides are broken down by the GM plant concerned, and the composition and thus toxicity of the metabolites, can be impacted by the genetic modification itself; |
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H.

whereas assessment of herbicide residues and metabolites found on GM plants is considered outside the remit of the EFSA Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms and is therefore not undertaken as part of the authorisation process for GMOs; whereas this is problematic since the way in which complementary herbicides are broken down by the GM plant concerned, and the composition and thus toxicity of the metabolites, can be impacted by the genetic modification itself;

Member State comments

| I. | whereas Member States submitted comments to EFSA during the three-month consultation period (10); whereas those critical comments include the fact that information is missing for the toxicological assessment and the phenotypic characterisation necessary for the finalisation of the environmental risk assessment, that the toxicological assessment has weaknesses, such as regarding unclear herbicide treatment and a lack of information on contamination by foreign genetic material, and that monitoring reports concerning the GM soybean for the authorisation period have fundamental shortcomings; |
| --- | --- |

I.

whereas Member States submitted comments to EFSA during the three-month consultation period (10); whereas those critical comments include the fact that information is missing for the toxicological assessment and the phenotypic characterisation necessary for the finalisation of the environmental risk assessment, that the toxicological assessment has weaknesses, such as regarding unclear herbicide treatment and a lack of information on contamination by foreign genetic material, and that monitoring reports concerning the GM soybean for the authorisation period have fundamental shortcomings;

Upholding the Union’s international obligations

| J. | whereas a 2017 report by the United Nations’ (UN) Special Rapporteur on the right to food found that, particularly in developing countries, hazardous pesticides have catastrophic impacts on health (11); whereas the UN Sustainable Development Goal (‘SDG’) Target 3.9 aims by 2030 to substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination (12); whereas authorising the import of the GM soybean would increase demand for this crop, which is designed to be treated with glufosinate, thereby increasing the exposure of workers and the environment in third countries; whereas the risk of increased worker and environmental exposure is of particular concern in relation to herbicide-tolerant GM crops, given the higher volumes of herbicides used; |
| --- | --- |

J.

whereas a 2017 report by the United Nations’ (UN) Special Rapporteur on the right to food found that, particularly in developing countries, hazardous pesticides have catastrophic impacts on health (11); whereas the UN Sustainable Development Goal (‘SDG’) Target 3.9 aims by 2030 to substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination (12); whereas authorising the import of the GM soybean would increase demand for this crop, which is designed to be treated with glufosinate, thereby increasing the exposure of workers and the environment in third countries; whereas the risk of increased worker and environmental exposure is of particular concern in relation to herbicide-tolerant GM crops, given the higher volumes of herbicides used;

| K. | whereas, whilst the use of glufosinate has not been permitted in the Union since the end of July 2018, figures show that since 2020 it has been exported from the Union to Brazil, Argentina, the United States, Canada and Japan (13), all of which have an approval for cultivation of the GM soybean (14); |
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K.

whereas, whilst the use of glufosinate has not been permitted in the Union since the end of July 2018, figures show that since 2020 it has been exported from the Union to Brazil, Argentina, the United States, Canada and Japan (13), all of which have an approval for cultivation of the GM soybean (14);

| L. | whereas deforestation is a major cause of biodiversity decline; whereas emissions from land-use and land-use change, mostly due to deforestation, are the second biggest cause of climate change after burning fossil fuels (15); whereas UN SDG 15 includes the target of halting deforestation by 2020 (16); whereas forests play a multifunctional role that supports the achievement of most UN SDGs; |
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L.

whereas deforestation is a major cause of biodiversity decline; whereas emissions from land-use and land-use change, mostly due to deforestation, are the second biggest cause of climate change after burning fossil fuels (15); whereas UN SDG 15 includes the target of halting deforestation by 2020 (16); whereas forests play a multifunctional role that supports the achievement of most UN SDGs;

| M. | whereas soya production is a key driver of deforestation in the Amazon, Cerrado and Gran Chaco forests in South America; whereas 97 % and 100 % of soya cultivated respectively in Brazil and Argentina is GM soya (17); whereas the vast majority of GM soybeans authorised for cultivation in Brazil and Argentina are also authorised for import into the Union; |
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M.

whereas soya production is a key driver of deforestation in the Amazon, Cerrado and Gran Chaco forests in South America; whereas 97 % and 100 % of soya cultivated respectively in Brazil and Argentina is GM soya (17); whereas the vast majority of GM soybeans authorised for cultivation in Brazil and Argentina are also authorised for import into the Union;

| N. | whereas the Union, as a party to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (‘UN CBD’), has the responsibility of ensuring that activities within its jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environment of other States (18); |
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N.

whereas the Union, as a party to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (‘UN CBD’), has the responsibility of ensuring that activities within its jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environment of other States (18);

| O. | whereas Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 states that GM food or feed must not have adverse effects on human health, animal health or the environment, and requires the Commission to take into account any relevant provisions of Union law and other legitimate factors relevant to the matter under consideration when drafting its decision; whereas such legitimate factors should include the Union’s obligations under the UN SDGs, the Paris Climate Agreement and the UN CBD; |
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O.

whereas Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 states that GM food or feed must not have adverse effects on human health, animal health or the environment, and requires the Commission to take into account any relevant provisions of Union law and other legitimate factors relevant to the matter under consideration when drafting its decision; whereas such legitimate factors should include the Union’s obligations under the UN SDGs, the Paris Climate Agreement and the UN CBD;

Undemocratic decision-making

| P. | whereas the vote on 27 October 2022 of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed delivered no opinion, meaning that the authorisation was not supported by a qualified majority of Member States; |
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P.

whereas the vote on 27 October 2022 of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed delivered no opinion, meaning that the authorisation was not supported by a qualified majority of Member States;

| Q. | whereas the Commission recognises that the fact that GMO authorisation decisions continue to be adopted by the Commission without a qualified majority of Member States in favour, which is very much the exception for product authorisations as a whole but has become the norm for decision-making on GM food and feed authorisations, is problematic; |
| --- | --- |

Q.

whereas the Commission recognises that the fact that GMO authorisation decisions continue to be adopted by the Commission without a qualified majority of Member States in favour, which is very much the exception for product authorisations as a whole but has become the norm for decision-making on GM food and feed authorisations, is problematic;

| R. | whereas, in its eighth term, Parliament adopted a total of 36 resolutions objecting to the placing on the market of GMOs for food and feed (33 resolutions) and to the cultivation of GMOs in the Union (three resolutions); whereas, in its ninth term, Parliament has already adopted 29 objections to placing GMOs on the market; whereas there was not a qualified majority of Member States in favour of authorising any of those GMOs; whereas the reasons for Member States not supporting authorisations include lack of respect for the precautionary principle in the authorisation process and scientific concerns relating to the risk assessment; |
| --- | --- |

R.

whereas, in its eighth term, Parliament adopted a total of 36 resolutions objecting to the placing on the market of GMOs for food and feed (33 resolutions) and to the cultivation of GMOs in the Union (three resolutions); whereas, in its ninth term, Parliament has already adopted 29 objections to placing GMOs on the market; whereas there was not a qualified majority of Member States in favour of authorising any of those GMOs; whereas the reasons for Member States not supporting authorisations include lack of respect for the precautionary principle in the authorisation process and scientific concerns relating to the risk assessment;

| S. | whereas despite its own acknowledgement of the democratic shortcomings, the lack of support from Member States and the objections of Parliament, the Commission continues to authorise GMOs; |
| --- | --- |

S.

whereas despite its own acknowledgement of the democratic shortcomings, the lack of support from Member States and the objections of Parliament, the Commission continues to authorise GMOs;

| T. | whereas no change of law is required for the Commission to be able not to authorise GMOs when there is no qualified majority of Member States in favour in the Appeal Committee (19); |
| --- | --- |

T.

whereas no change of law is required for the Commission to be able not to authorise GMOs when there is no qualified majority of Member States in favour in the Appeal Committee (19);

| 1. | Considers that the draft Commission implementing decision exceeds the implementing powers provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Considers that the draft Commission implementing decision is not consistent with Union law, in that it is not compatible with the aim of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, which is, in accordance with the general principles laid down in Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council (20), to provide the basis for ensuring a high level of protection of human life and health, animal health and welfare, and environmental and consumer interests, in relation to GM food and feed, while ensuring the effective functioning of the internal market; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | Calls on the Commission to withdraw its draft implementing decision and to submit a new draft to the committee; |
| --- | --- |

3.

| 4. | Urges the Commission, again, to take into account the Union’s obligations under international agreements, such as the Paris Climate Agreement, the UN CBD and the UN SDGs; reiterates its call for draft implementing acts to be accompanied by an explanatory memorandum explaining how they uphold the principle of ‘do no harm’ (21); |
| --- | --- |

4.

| 5. | Welcomes the fact that the Commission finally recognised, in a letter of 11 September 2020 to Members, the need to take sustainability into account when it comes to authorisation decisions on GMOs (22); expresses its deep disappointment, however, that, since then the Commission has continued to authorise GMOs for import into the Union, despite ongoing objections by Parliament and a majority of Member States voting against; |
| --- | --- |

5.

| 6. | Calls on the Commission not to authorise the import of herbicide-tolerant GM crops, due to the increased use of complementary herbicides, and the associated risks to biodiversity, food safety and workers’ health; |
| --- | --- |

6.

| 7. | Expects the Commission, as matter of urgency, and in time for conclusion under this legislature, to deliver on its commitment (23) to come forward with a proposal to ensure that hazardous chemicals banned in the Union are not produced for export; |
| --- | --- |

7.

| 8. | Calls on the Commission to immediately suspend the import of GM soybeans cultivated in Brazil and Argentina, using Article 53 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 if necessary, until effective legally binding mechanisms have been put in place to prevent the placing on the Union market of products associated with deforestation and related human rights violations; |
| --- | --- |

8.

| 9. | Highlights that the amendments adopted by the European Parliament on 17 December 2020 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 (24), which were adopted in Parliament as a basis for negotiations with the Council, state that the Commission shall not authorise GMOs when there is not a qualified majority of Member States in favour; insists that the Commission respect this position and calls on the Council to proceed with its work and adopt a general approach on this file as a matter of urgency; |
| --- | --- |

9.

| 10. | Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission, and to the governments and parliaments of the Member States. |
| --- | --- |

10.

---

(1)  OJ L 268, 18.10.2003, p. 1.

(2)  OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13.

(3)  Scientific opinion of the EFSA Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms on the assessment of genetically modified soybean A5547-127 for renewal authorisation under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (application EFSA-GMO-RX-020), EFSA Journal 2022, 20(6):7340, https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2022.7340

(4)  In its eighth term, Parliament adopted 36 resolutions objecting to the authorisation of GMOs. Furthermore, in its ninth term Parliament has adopted the following resolutions:

| — | European Parliament resolution of 10 October 2019 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MZHG0JG (SYN-ØØØJG-2), pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 202, 28.5.2021, p. 11). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 10 October 2019 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MZHG0JG (SYN-ØØØJG-2), pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 202, 28.5.2021, p. 11).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 10 October 2019 on the draft Commission implementing decision renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean A2704-12 (ACS-GMØØ5-3) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 202, 28.5.2021, p. 15). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 10 October 2019 on the draft Commission implementing decision renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean A2704-12 (ACS-GMØØ5-3) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 202, 28.5.2021, p. 15).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 10 October 2019 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 89034 × 1507 × MON 88017 × 59122 × DAS-40278-9 and genetically modified maize combining two, three or four of the single events MON 89034, 1507, MON 88017, 59122 and DAS-40278-9 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 202, 28.5.2021, p. 20). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 10 October 2019 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 89034 × 1507 × MON 88017 × 59122 × DAS-40278-9 and genetically modified maize combining two, three or four of the single events MON 89034, 1507, MON 88017, 59122 and DAS-40278-9 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 202, 28.5.2021, p. 20).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 14 November 2019 on the draft Commission implementing decision renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified cotton LLCotton25 (ACS-GHØØ1-3) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 208, 1.6.2021, p. 2). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 14 November 2019 on the draft Commission implementing decision renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified cotton LLCotton25 (ACS-GHØØ1-3) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 208, 1.6.2021, p. 2).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 14 November 2019 on the draft Commission implementing decision renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean MON 89788 (MON-89788-1) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 208, 1.6.2021, p. 7). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 14 November 2019 on the draft Commission implementing decision renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean MON 89788 (MON-89788-1) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 208, 1.6.2021, p. 7).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 14 November 2019 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 89034 × 1507 × NK603 × DAS-40278-9 and sub-combinations MON 89034 × NK603 × DAS-40278-9, 1507 × NK603 × DAS-40278-9 and NK603 × DAS-40278-9 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 208, 1.6.2021, p. 12). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 14 November 2019 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 89034 × 1507 × NK603 × DAS-40278-9 and sub-combinations MON 89034 × NK603 × DAS-40278-9, 1507 × NK603 × DAS-40278-9 and NK603 × DAS-40278-9 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 208, 1.6.2021, p. 12).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 14 November 2019 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize Bt11 × MIR162 × MIR604 × 1507 × 5307 × GA21 and genetically modified maize combining two, three, four or five of the single events Bt11, MIR162, MIR604, 1507, 5307 and GA21 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 208, 1.6.2021, p. 18). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 14 November 2019 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize Bt11 × MIR162 × MIR604 × 1507 × 5307 × GA21 and genetically modified maize combining two, three, four or five of the single events Bt11, MIR162, MIR604, 1507, 5307 and GA21 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 208, 1.6.2021, p. 18).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 14 May 2020 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean MON 87708 × MON 89788 × A5547-127, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 323, 11.8.2021, p. 7). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 14 May 2020 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean MON 87708 × MON 89788 × A5547-127, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 323, 11.8.2021, p. 7).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 11 November 2020 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 87427 × MON 89034 × MIR162 × NK603 and genetically modified maize combining two or three of the single events MON 87427, MON 89034, MIR162 and NK603, and repealing Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1111 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 415, 13.10.2021, p. 2). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 11 November 2020 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 87427 × MON 89034 × MIR162 × NK603 and genetically modified maize combining two or three of the single events MON 87427, MON 89034, MIR162 and NK603, and repealing Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1111 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 415, 13.10.2021, p. 2).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 11 November 2020 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean SYHT0H2 (SYN-ØØØH2-5), pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 415, 13.10.2021, p. 8). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 11 November 2020 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean SYHT0H2 (SYN-ØØØH2-5), pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 415, 13.10.2021, p. 8).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 11 November 2020 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 87427 × MON 87460 × MON 89034 × MIR162 × NK603 and genetically modified maize combining two, three or four of the single events MON 87427, MON 87460, MON 89034, MIR162 and NK603, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 415, 13.10.2021, p. 15). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 11 November 2020 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 87427 × MON 87460 × MON 89034 × MIR162 × NK603 and genetically modified maize combining two, three or four of the single events MON 87427, MON 87460, MON 89034, MIR162 and NK603, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 415, 13.10.2021, p. 15).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2020 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean MON 87751 × MON 87701 × MON 87708 × MON 89788, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 445, 29.10.2021, p. 36). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2020 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean MON 87751 × MON 87701 × MON 87708 × MON 89788, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 445, 29.10.2021, p. 36).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2020 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 87427 × MON 89034 × MIR162 × MON 87411 and genetically modified maize combining two or three of the single events MON 87427, MON 89034, MIR162 and MON 87411 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 445, 29.10.2021, p. 43). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2020 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 87427 × MON 89034 × MIR162 × MON 87411 and genetically modified maize combining two or three of the single events MON 87427, MON 89034, MIR162 and MON 87411 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 445, 29.10.2021, p. 43).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2020 on the draft Commission implementing decision renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MIR604 (SYN-IR6Ø4-5) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 445, 29.10.2021, p. 49). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2020 on the draft Commission implementing decision renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MIR604 (SYN-IR6Ø4-5) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 445, 29.10.2021, p. 49).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2020 on the draft Commission implementing decision renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 88017 (MON-88Ø17-3) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 445, 29.10.2021, p. 56). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2020 on the draft Commission implementing decision renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 88017 (MON-88Ø17-3) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 445, 29.10.2021, p. 56).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2020 on the draft Commission implementing decision renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 89034 (MON-89Ø34-3) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 445, 29.10.2021, p. 63). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2020 on the draft Commission implementing decision renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 89034 (MON-89Ø34-3) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 445, 29.10.2021, p. 63).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 11 March 2021 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified cotton GHB614 × T304-40 × GHB119 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 474, 24.11.2021, p. 66). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 11 March 2021 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified cotton GHB614 × T304-40 × GHB119 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 474, 24.11.2021, p. 66).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 11 March 2021 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MZIR098 (SYN-ØØØ98-3), pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 474, 24.11.2021, p. 74). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 11 March 2021 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MZIR098 (SYN-ØØØ98-3), pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 474, 24.11.2021, p. 74).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 7 July 2021 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean DAS-81419-2 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 99, 1.3.2022, p. 45). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 7 July 2021 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean DAS-81419-2 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 99, 1.3.2022, p. 45).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 7 July 2021 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean DAS-81419-2 × DAS–44406–6, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 99, 1.3.2022, p. 52). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 7 July 2021 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean DAS-81419-2 × DAS–44406–6, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 99, 1.3.2022, p. 52).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 7 July 2021 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize 1507 ×MIR162 × MON810 × NK603 and genetically modified maize combining two or three of the single events 1507, MIR162, MON810 and NK603, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 99, 1.3.2022, p. 59). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 7 July 2021 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize 1507 ×MIR162 × MON810 × NK603 and genetically modified maize combining two or three of the single events 1507, MIR162, MON810 and NK603, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 99, 1.3.2022, p. 59).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 7 July 2021 on the draft Commission implementing decision renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize Bt 11 (SYN-BTØ11-1) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 99, 1.3.2022, p. 66). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 7 July 2021 on the draft Commission implementing decision renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize Bt 11 (SYN-BTØ11-1) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 99, 1.3.2022, p. 66).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 15 February 2022 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean GMB151 (BCS-GM151-6) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 342, 6.9.2022, p. 22). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 15 February 2022 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean GMB151 (BCS-GM151-6) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 342, 6.9.2022, p. 22).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 15 February 2022 on the draft Commission implementing decision renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified cotton GHB614 (BCS-GHØØ2-5) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 342, 6.9.2022, p. 29). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 15 February 2022 on the draft Commission implementing decision renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified cotton GHB614 (BCS-GHØØ2-5) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 342, 6.9.2022, p. 29).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 9 March 2022 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified cotton GHB811 (BCS-GH811-4), pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 347, 9.9.2022, p. 48). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 9 March 2022 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified cotton GHB811 (BCS-GH811-4), pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 347, 9.9.2022, p. 48).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 9 March 2022 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified oilseed rape 73496 (DP-Ø73496-4) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 347, 9.9.2022, p. 55). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 9 March 2022 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified oilseed rape 73496 (DP-Ø73496-4) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 347, 9.9.2022, p. 55).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 6 April 2022 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean MON 87769 × MON 89788 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 434, 15.11.2022, p. 42). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 6 April 2022 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean MON 87769 × MON 89788 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C 434, 15.11.2022, p. 42).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 23 June 2022 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize DP4114 × MON 810 × MIR604 × NK603 and genetically modified maize combining two or three of the single events DP4114, MON 810, MIR604 and NK603, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Texts adopted, P9_TA(2022)0257). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 23 June 2022 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize DP4114 × MON 810 × MIR604 × NK603 and genetically modified maize combining two or three of the single events DP4114, MON 810, MIR604 and NK603, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Texts adopted, P9_TA(2022)0257).

| — | European Parliament resolution of 23 June 2022 on Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/797 of 19 May 2022 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize NK603 × T25 × DAS-40278-9 and its sub-combination T25 × DAS-40278-9, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Texts adopted, P9_TA(2022)0258). |
| --- | --- |

—

European Parliament resolution of 23 June 2022 on Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/797 of 19 May 2022 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize NK603 × T25 × DAS-40278-9 and its sub-combination T25 × DAS-40278-9, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Texts adopted, P9_TA(2022)0258).

(5)  Commission Implementing Decision 2012/81/EU of 10 February 2012 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of, or produced from genetically modified soybean A5547-127 (ACS-GMØØ6-4) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 40, 14.2.2012, p. 10).

(6)  Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 503/2013 of 3 April 2013 on applications for authorisation of genetically modified food and feed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council and amending Commission Regulations (EC) No 641/2004 and (EC) No 1981/2006 (OJ L 157, 8.6.2013, p. 1).

(7)  See, for example, Bonny, S., ‘Genetically Modified Herbicide-Tolerant Crops, Weeds, and Herbicides: Overview and Impact’, Environmental Management, January 2016; 57(1), pp. 31-48, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26296738 and Benbrook, C.M., ‘Impacts of genetically engineered crops on pesticide use in the U.S. — the first sixteen years’, Environmental Sciences Europe; 28 September 2012, Vol. 24(1), https://enveurope.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/2190-4715-24-24

(8)  Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market and repealing Council Directives 79/117/EEC and 91/414/EEC (OJ L 309, 24.11.2009, p. 1).

(9)  https://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/pesticides/eu-pesticides-database/start/screen/active-substances

(10)  Member State comments, accessible via the OpenEFSA portal: https://open.efsa.europa.eu/

(11)  https://www.ohchr.org/en/calls-for-input/report-pesticides-and-human-rights

(12)  https://indicators.report/targets/3-9/

(13)  Information found by searching for ‘glufosinate’ here: https://echa.europa.eu/information-on-chemicals/pic/export-notifications?p_p_id=exportnotifications_WAR_echapicportlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&_exportnotifications_WAR_echapicportlet_summaryDetails=summaryTab&_exportnotifications_WAR_echapicportlet_viewTab=searchTab

(14)  https://www.isaaa.org/gmapprovaldatabase/event/default.asp?EventID=166

(15)  Communication of the Commission of 23 July 2019 entitled ‘Stepping up EU action to Protect and Restore the World’s forests’ (COM(2019)0352), p. 1.

(16)  See target 15.2: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/biodiversity/

(17)  International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications, ‘Global status of Commercialized Biotech/GM crops in 2017: Biotech Crop Adoption Surges as Economic Benefits Accumulate in 22 Years’, ISAAA Brief No. 53 (2017), pp. 16 and 21, https://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/briefs/53/download/isaaa-brief-53-2017.pdf.

(18)  Convention on Biological Diversity, Article 3: https://www.cbd.int/convention/articles/?a=cbd-03

(19)  The Commission ‘may’, and not ‘shall’, go ahead with authorisation if there is no qualified majority of Member States in favour at the Appeal Committee, according to Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 (Article 6(3)).

(20)  Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety (OJ L 31, 1.2.2002, p. 1).

(21)  European Parliament resolution of 15 January 2020 on the European Green Deal (OJ C 270, 7.7.2021, p. 2), paragraph 102.

(22)  https://tillymetz.lu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Co-signed-letter-MEP-Metz.pdf

(23)  As outlined in the annex to the communication of the Commission of 14 October 2020 entitled ‘Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability’, COM(2020)0667, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM%3A2020%3A667%3AFIN#document2

(24)  OJ C 445, 29.10.2021, p. 257.

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| 17.5.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 177/9 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 177/9

---

P9_TA(2022)0434

The biocidal product family ‘CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED’

European Parliament resolution of 13 December 2022 on the draft Commission implementing regulation granting a Union authorisation for the biocidal product family ‘CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED’ in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (D084293/01 — 2022/2929(RSP))

(2023/C 177/02)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the draft Commission implementing regulation granting a Union authorisation for the biocidal product family ‘CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED’ in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (D084293/01, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the draft Commission implementing regulation granting a Union authorisation for the biocidal product family ‘CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED’ in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (D084293/01,

| — | having regard to Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2012 concerning the making available on the market and use of biocidal products (1), and in particular Article 44(5), first subparagraph, thereof, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2012 concerning the making available on the market and use of biocidal products (1), and in particular Article 44(5), first subparagraph, thereof,

| — | having regard to the opinion delivered on 26 September 2022 by the Standing Committee on Biocidal Products, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the opinion delivered on 26 September 2022 by the Standing Committee on Biocidal Products,

| — | having regard to Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on persistent organic pollutants (2), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on persistent organic pollutants (2),

| — | having regard to Article 11 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers (3), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 11 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers (3),

| — | having regard to Rule 112(2) and (3) of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rule 112(2) and (3) of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to the motion for a resolution of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the motion for a resolution of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety,

| A. | whereas the draft Commission implementing regulation provides that a Union authorisation with authorisation number EU-0023657-0000 is granted to Nutrition & Biosciences Netherlands B.V. for the making available on the market and use of the biocidal product family ‘CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED’ of product-type 6, as described in Annex V to Regulation (EU) No 528/2012, for preservation of de-watered crude oil and refined products (middle and light distillate fuels); |
| --- | --- |

A.

whereas the draft Commission implementing regulation provides that a Union authorisation with authorisation number EU-0023657-0000 is granted to Nutrition & Biosciences Netherlands B.V. for the making available on the market and use of the biocidal product family ‘CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED’ of product-type 6, as described in Annex V to Regulation (EU) No 528/2012, for preservation of de-watered crude oil and refined products (middle and light distillate fuels);

| B. | whereas the Commission has committed to a zero-pollution ambition to attain a toxic-free environment to help protect citizens and the environment better against hazardous chemicals and to encouraging innovation for the development of safe and sustainable alternatives; |
| --- | --- |

B.

whereas the Commission has committed to a zero-pollution ambition to attain a toxic-free environment to help protect citizens and the environment better against hazardous chemicals and to encouraging innovation for the development of safe and sustainable alternatives;

| C. | whereas the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (4) (‘Stockholm Convention’) and the Aarhus Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants (5) have the objective of protecting human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants (‘POPs’); whereas Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 was adopted to implement the Union’s obligation under that Convention and that Protocol; |
| --- | --- |

C.

whereas the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (4) (‘Stockholm Convention’) and the Aarhus Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants (5) have the objective of protecting human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants (‘POPs’); whereas Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 was adopted to implement the Union’s obligation under that Convention and that Protocol;

| D. | whereas the opinion of 5 March 2020 (6) of the Biocidal Products Committee (‘BPC’) of the European Chemicals Agency (‘ECHA’) included a minority opinion from Germany concluding that the use of the biocidal product family ‘CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED’ as a preservative in fuels conflicts with the national legislation of that Member State (10th Federal Emission Control Ordinance § 2(1) and (2)), which prohibits fuels for on-road motor vehicles from containing additives with chlorine or bromine compounds, and prohibits the placing on the market of additives that contain chlorine or bromine, as those compounds cause the formation of dioxins during fuel combustion; whereas, in particular, that biocidal product family contains halogenated organic compounds (CMIT-MIT) which may result in the formation of dioxins during fuel combustion; |
| --- | --- |

D.

whereas the opinion of 5 March 2020 (6) of the Biocidal Products Committee (‘BPC’) of the European Chemicals Agency (‘ECHA’) included a minority opinion from Germany concluding that the use of the biocidal product family ‘CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED’ as a preservative in fuels conflicts with the national legislation of that Member State (10th Federal Emission Control Ordinance § 2(1) and (2)), which prohibits fuels for on-road motor vehicles from containing additives with chlorine or bromine compounds, and prohibits the placing on the market of additives that contain chlorine or bromine, as those compounds cause the formation of dioxins during fuel combustion; whereas, in particular, that biocidal product family contains halogenated organic compounds (CMIT-MIT) which may result in the formation of dioxins during fuel combustion;

| E. | whereas dioxins and furans (PCDD/PCDF) belong to the category of POPs, covered by the Stockholm Convention, and are included as substances subject to release reduction provisions in Annex III to Regulation (EU) 2019/1021; whereas human exposure to dioxins and dioxin-like substances has been associated with a range of toxic effects, including carcinogenicity, chloracne, reproductive, developmental and neurodevelopmental effects, immunotoxicity, and effects on thyroid hormones, liver and tooth development (7); |
| --- | --- |

E.

whereas dioxins and furans (PCDD/PCDF) belong to the category of POPs, covered by the Stockholm Convention, and are included as substances subject to release reduction provisions in Annex III to Regulation (EU) 2019/1021; whereas human exposure to dioxins and dioxin-like substances has been associated with a range of toxic effects, including carcinogenicity, chloracne, reproductive, developmental and neurodevelopmental effects, immunotoxicity, and effects on thyroid hormones, liver and tooth development (7);

| F. | whereas, in January 2019, the Union published its third implementation plan to address POPs (8); whereas, according to that implementation plan, ‘[r]eleases of unintentionally produced by-products listed in Annex C (dioxins, furans, PCBs, PeCB, HCB and from December 2016 PCNs) are subject to continuous minimisation with the ultimate objective of total elimination, where feasible’; |
| --- | --- |

F.

whereas, in January 2019, the Union published its third implementation plan to address POPs (8); whereas, according to that implementation plan, ‘[r]eleases of unintentionally produced by-products listed in Annex C (dioxins, furans, PCBs, PeCB, HCB and from December 2016 PCNs) are subject to continuous minimisation with the ultimate objective of total elimination, where feasible’;

| G. | whereas the Commission decided to address the concerns about dioxin formation by requesting an opinion from ECHA, under Article 75(1), second subparagraph, point (g), of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012, to estimate the amount of formation of dioxins and the overall contribution to the emissions of dioxins due to the use of the biocidal product family ‘CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED’ in fuels used for road and water transport, and to clarify the level of the risks to human health and the environment due to the exposure to dioxins via the environment from the use of that biocidal product family, so as to determine whether the risks can be considered acceptable or not; |
| --- | --- |

G.

whereas the Commission decided to address the concerns about dioxin formation by requesting an opinion from ECHA, under Article 75(1), second subparagraph, point (g), of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012, to estimate the amount of formation of dioxins and the overall contribution to the emissions of dioxins due to the use of the biocidal product family ‘CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED’ in fuels used for road and water transport, and to clarify the level of the risks to human health and the environment due to the exposure to dioxins via the environment from the use of that biocidal product family, so as to determine whether the risks can be considered acceptable or not;

| H. | whereas in its mandate requesting the opinion from ECHA, the Commission underlines the need to clarify whether authorising that biocidal product family would be in line with the objectives set out in Regulation (EU) 2019/1021; |
| --- | --- |

H.

whereas in its mandate requesting the opinion from ECHA, the Commission underlines the need to clarify whether authorising that biocidal product family would be in line with the objectives set out in Regulation (EU) 2019/1021;

| I. | whereas in its opinion of 5 July 2021 (9) on the request under Article 75(1), second subparagraph, point (g), ECHA concluded that, based on the current level of knowledge on the use of C(M)IT/MIT as a preservative in oil and fuel, it is not possible to draw any conclusions on the magnitude of the potential contribution of the use of C(M)IT/MIT in fuels with respect to dioxin emissions and exposure, or on the risks for human health and for the environment associated with the use of chlorine additives such as C(M)IT/MIT in fuels; |
| --- | --- |

I.

whereas in its opinion of 5 July 2021 (9) on the request under Article 75(1), second subparagraph, point (g), ECHA concluded that, based on the current level of knowledge on the use of C(M)IT/MIT as a preservative in oil and fuel, it is not possible to draw any conclusions on the magnitude of the potential contribution of the use of C(M)IT/MIT in fuels with respect to dioxin emissions and exposure, or on the risks for human health and for the environment associated with the use of chlorine additives such as C(M)IT/MIT in fuels;

| J. | whereas, despite ECHA’s conclusion, the Commission ‘considers that refusing the Union authorisation for the biocidal product family “CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED” would not lead to a significant decrease of dioxin emissions compared to granting it’ and therefore that this authorisation would be compliant with the Union’s obligations under the Stockholm Convention and Regulation (EU) 2019/1021; |
| --- | --- |

J.

whereas, despite ECHA’s conclusion, the Commission ‘considers that refusing the Union authorisation for the biocidal product family “CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED” would not lead to a significant decrease of dioxin emissions compared to granting it’ and therefore that this authorisation would be compliant with the Union’s obligations under the Stockholm Convention and Regulation (EU) 2019/1021;

| K. | whereas the Commission’s reasoning is that, as a consequence of the ambitions of the European Green Deal (10) and Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council (11) to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, the overall amount of fuel that may potentially be treated with the biocidal product family and combusted in motors or heating systems is expected to decline significantly in the coming decades, which would in turn lead to the formation of dioxins associated with the use of the biocidal product family ‘CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED’ decreasing accordingly; |
| --- | --- |

K.

whereas the Commission’s reasoning is that, as a consequence of the ambitions of the European Green Deal (10) and Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council (11) to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, the overall amount of fuel that may potentially be treated with the biocidal product family and combusted in motors or heating systems is expected to decline significantly in the coming decades, which would in turn lead to the formation of dioxins associated with the use of the biocidal product family ‘CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED’ decreasing accordingly;

| L. | whereas, in its opinion of 5 July 2021, ECHA states that ‘there is no doubt from literature that motor vehicles powered with fuels containing chlorine are sources of dioxin and furan emission’ and that, contrary to the reasoning of the Commission mentioned in recital K, ‘although still minor compared to current dominant sources, the relative contribution of non-industrial diffuse sources [to dioxin and furan emissions], including transport, is [...] likely to increase.’; |
| --- | --- |

L.

whereas, in its opinion of 5 July 2021, ECHA states that ‘there is no doubt from literature that motor vehicles powered with fuels containing chlorine are sources of dioxin and furan emission’ and that, contrary to the reasoning of the Commission mentioned in recital K, ‘although still minor compared to current dominant sources, the relative contribution of non-industrial diffuse sources [to dioxin and furan emissions], including transport, is [...] likely to increase.’;

| M. | whereas ECHA also states in its opinion of 5 July 2021 that ‘although emissions from traffic are minor compared to current dominant sources, it should be noted that their relative importance in terms of relative human exposure could be higher, due to their spatial distribution in densely populated urban areas, close to the human population and living environment and with less dilution of emissions.’; |
| --- | --- |

M.

whereas ECHA also states in its opinion of 5 July 2021 that ‘although emissions from traffic are minor compared to current dominant sources, it should be noted that their relative importance in terms of relative human exposure could be higher, due to their spatial distribution in densely populated urban areas, close to the human population and living environment and with less dilution of emissions.’;

| N. | whereas the scientific uncertainty as to the level of the risks to human health and the environment due to the exposure to dioxins via the environment from the use of the biocidal product family ‘CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED’ does not make it possible to reach a conclusion as to whether authorising that biocidal product family would be in line with the Stockholm Convention and Regulation (EU) 2019/1021; |
| --- | --- |

N.

whereas the scientific uncertainty as to the level of the risks to human health and the environment due to the exposure to dioxins via the environment from the use of the biocidal product family ‘CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED’ does not make it possible to reach a conclusion as to whether authorising that biocidal product family would be in line with the Stockholm Convention and Regulation (EU) 2019/1021;

| O. | whereas Denmark and Belgium, in accordance with Article 44(5), second subparagraph, of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012, made a request to the Commission for the Union authorisation of the biocidal product family ‘CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED’ not to apply in their respective territories, based on the grounds provided in Article 37(1), points (a) and (c), of that Regulation, as the presence of halogenated organic compounds, such as C(M)IT/MIT, in fuel may result in the formation of dioxins during fuel combustion; whereas Germany, in accordance with the same provision, made a request to the Commission to adjust the conditions of that authorisation in its territory based on the same grounds so as not to allow its use for the preservation of fuels for non-rail bound on-road motor vehicles, except for the purpose of research, development or analysis; |
| --- | --- |

O.

whereas Denmark and Belgium, in accordance with Article 44(5), second subparagraph, of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012, made a request to the Commission for the Union authorisation of the biocidal product family ‘CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED’ not to apply in their respective territories, based on the grounds provided in Article 37(1), points (a) and (c), of that Regulation, as the presence of halogenated organic compounds, such as C(M)IT/MIT, in fuel may result in the formation of dioxins during fuel combustion; whereas Germany, in accordance with the same provision, made a request to the Commission to adjust the conditions of that authorisation in its territory based on the same grounds so as not to allow its use for the preservation of fuels for non-rail bound on-road motor vehicles, except for the purpose of research, development or analysis;

| P. | whereas the Commission considers that the requests made by Denmark, Belgium and Germany to be ‘justified on the grounds of the protection of the environment and the protection of health and life of humans pursuant to Article 37(1), points (a) and (c), of [Regulation (EU) No 528/2012] as the presence of halogenated organic compounds, such as C(M)IT/MIT, in fuel may result in the formation of dioxins during fuel combustion’; |
| --- | --- |

P.

whereas the Commission considers that the requests made by Denmark, Belgium and Germany to be ‘justified on the grounds of the protection of the environment and the protection of health and life of humans pursuant to Article 37(1), points (a) and (c), of [Regulation (EU) No 528/2012] as the presence of halogenated organic compounds, such as C(M)IT/MIT, in fuel may result in the formation of dioxins during fuel combustion’;

| Q. | whereas there is an apparent contradiction between the decision by the Commission to grant an authorisation for the biocidal product family ‘CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED’, considering that that authorisation is compatible with the objectives of the Stockholm Convention and Regulation (EU) 2019/1021, as laid down in recital 9 of the draft Commission implementing regulation, and not applying or adjusting that authorisation in certain Member States due to its potential negative effects on human health and the environment, stemming from dioxin formation as referred to in recitals 10 to 14 of the draft Commission implementing regulation; |
| --- | --- |

Q.

whereas there is an apparent contradiction between the decision by the Commission to grant an authorisation for the biocidal product family ‘CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED’, considering that that authorisation is compatible with the objectives of the Stockholm Convention and Regulation (EU) 2019/1021, as laid down in recital 9 of the draft Commission implementing regulation, and not applying or adjusting that authorisation in certain Member States due to its potential negative effects on human health and the environment, stemming from dioxin formation as referred to in recitals 10 to 14 of the draft Commission implementing regulation;

| R. | whereas the requests made by Denmark, Belgium and Germany, in accordance with Article 44(5), second subparagraph, of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012, for the Union authorisation of the biocidal product family ‘CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED’ not to apply or for the conditions of that authorisation to be adjusted in their respective territories were also made on the grounds that alternatives for fuel preservation without halogenated compounds are available (12); |
| --- | --- |

R.

whereas the requests made by Denmark, Belgium and Germany, in accordance with Article 44(5), second subparagraph, of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012, for the Union authorisation of the biocidal product family ‘CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED’ not to apply or for the conditions of that authorisation to be adjusted in their respective territories were also made on the grounds that alternatives for fuel preservation without halogenated compounds are available (12);

| S. | whereas Article 5, point (c), of the Stockholm Convention provides that, to reduce the total releases derived from anthropogenic sources of each of the chemicals listed in Annex C to that Convention, with the goal of their continuing minimisation and, where feasible, ultimate elimination, each party shall at a minimum, where it deems it appropriate, require the use of substitute or modified materials, products and processes to prevent the formation and release of the chemicals listed in that Annex; |
| --- | --- |

S.

whereas Article 5, point (c), of the Stockholm Convention provides that, to reduce the total releases derived from anthropogenic sources of each of the chemicals listed in Annex C to that Convention, with the goal of their continuing minimisation and, where feasible, ultimate elimination, each party shall at a minimum, where it deems it appropriate, require the use of substitute or modified materials, products and processes to prevent the formation and release of the chemicals listed in that Annex;

| T. | whereas Article 6(2) of Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 obliges Member States to provide for measures ‘to identify, characterise and minimise, with a view to eliminating where feasible as soon as possible, the total releases of substances listed in Annex III’ to that Regulation and, where it is considered appropriate, to ‘require the use of substitute or modified substances, mixtures, articles and processes to prevent the formation and release of substances listed in [that] Annex’; |
| --- | --- |

T.

whereas Article 6(2) of Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 obliges Member States to provide for measures ‘to identify, characterise and minimise, with a view to eliminating where feasible as soon as possible, the total releases of substances listed in Annex III’ to that Regulation and, where it is considered appropriate, to ‘require the use of substitute or modified substances, mixtures, articles and processes to prevent the formation and release of substances listed in [that] Annex’;

| U. | whereas, according to the BPC opinion of 5 March 2020, one of the co-formulants of the biocidal product family ‘CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED’ was identified as potentially having endocrine-disrupting properties; whereas it was, however, not possible to reach a conclusion as to whether that co-formulant meets the scientific criteria for the determination of endocrine-disrupting properties as laid down in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/2100 (13); whereas, regarding the co-formulant identified as potentially having endocrine-disrupting properties, a process under REACH will be triggered by the eCA (France) in line with paragraph 31(b) of the note CA-March18-Doc.7.3.b-final entitled ‘The implementation of scientific criteria for the determination of endocrine-disrupting properties in the context of biocidal product authorisation’; |
| --- | --- |

U.

whereas, according to the BPC opinion of 5 March 2020, one of the co-formulants of the biocidal product family ‘CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED’ was identified as potentially having endocrine-disrupting properties; whereas it was, however, not possible to reach a conclusion as to whether that co-formulant meets the scientific criteria for the determination of endocrine-disrupting properties as laid down in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/2100 (13); whereas, regarding the co-formulant identified as potentially having endocrine-disrupting properties, a process under REACH will be triggered by the eCA (France) in line with paragraph 31(b) of the note CA-March18-Doc.7.3.b-final entitled ‘The implementation of scientific criteria for the determination of endocrine-disrupting properties in the context of biocidal product authorisation’;

| 1. | Considers that the draft Commission implementing regulation exceeds the implementing powers provided for in Regulation (EU) No 528/2012; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Considers that the draft Commission implementing regulation is not consistent with Union law, in that it is not compatible with the aim and content of Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 and the requirements of the Stockholm Convention; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | Considers that the draft Commission implementing regulation to grant a Union authorisation for the biocidal product family ‘CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED’ is not proportionate in light of:






  (a) | the scientific uncertainty as to the levels of the risks to human health and the environment due to the exposure to dioxins via the environment from the use of the biocidal product family ‘CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED’, |
| --- | --- | --- |

3.

(a)

the scientific uncertainty as to the levels of the risks to human health and the environment due to the exposure to dioxins via the environment from the use of the biocidal product family ‘CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED’,

| (b) | the availability of alternatives for fuel preservation without halogenated compounds, and |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the availability of alternatives for fuel preservation without halogenated compounds, and

| (c) | the unacceptable risks that exposure to dioxins poses to human health and the environment, and the insufficient data for reaching a conclusion as to whether this authorisation would be in line with the objectives and provisions of the Stockholm Convention and of Regulation (EU) 2019/1021; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the unacceptable risks that exposure to dioxins poses to human health and the environment, and the insufficient data for reaching a conclusion as to whether this authorisation would be in line with the objectives and provisions of the Stockholm Convention and of Regulation (EU) 2019/1021;

| 4. | Considers that therefore the Commission should not have granted an authorisation to the biocidal product family ‘CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED’ or, at a minimum, should have required the applicant to provide more data as to the amount of formation of dioxins and the overall contribution to the emissions of dioxins due to the use of that biocidal product family in fuels used for road and water transport, and to clarify the level of the risks to human health and the environment due to the exposure to dioxins via the environment from the use of that biocidal product family, in order for the Commission to determine whether the risks can be considered acceptable or not in view of the aims of the Stockholm Convention; |
| --- | --- |

4.

| 5. | Calls on the Commission to withdraw its draft implementing regulation and to submit a new draft to the committee; |
| --- | --- |

5.

| 6. | Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission, and to the governments and parliaments of the Member States. |
| --- | --- |

6.

---

(1)  OJ L 167, 27.6.2012, p. 1.

(2)  OJ L 169, 25.6.2019, p. 45.

(3)  OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13.

(4)  OJ L 209, 31.7.2006, p. 3.

(5)  OJ L 81, 19.3.2004, p. 37.

(6)  BPC opinion of 5 March 2020 on the Union authorisation of the biocidal Product Family: CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASE, Product type: 6, ECHA/BPC/246/2020.

(7)  World Health Organization (2019): Preventing disease through healthy environments: Exposure to dioxins and dioxin-like substances: a major public health concern, https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-CED-PHE-EPE-19.4.4

(8)  Commission report of 4 January 2019 on the review and update of the second European Union Implementation Plan in accordance with Article 8(4) of Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 on persistent organic pollutants, COM(2018)0848, https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/regdoc/rep/1/2018/EN/COM-2018-848-F1-EN-MAIN-PART-1.PDF

(9)  BPC opinion of 5 July 2021 on a request according to Article 75(1)(g) of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 on the evaluation of dioxins emissions from the use of the biocidal product family (BPF) ‘CMIT/MIT SOLVENT BASED’ in fuels used in road and ship transport (ECHA/BPC/283/2021).

(10)  Communication of the Commission of 11 December 2019 on the European Green Deal, COM(2019)0640.

(11)  Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulations (EC) No 401/2009 and (EU) 2018/1999 (‘European Climate Law’) (OJ L 243, 9.7.2021, p. 1).

(12)  For example: glutaraldehyde and dimorpholinomethane are approved for PT 6; reaction products of paraformaldehyde and 2-hydroxypropylamine (ratio 3:2) (MBO), 1,2-Benzisothiazol-3(2H)- one (BIT), ethylenedioxy)dimethanol, 2-octyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one (OIT), 2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one (MIT), pyrithione zinc, 2,2’,2”-(hexahydro- 1,3,5-triazine- 1,3,5-triyl)triethanol, pyridine-2-thiol 1-oxide sodium salt are in the review programme.

(13)  Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/2100 of 4 September 2017 setting out scientific criteria for the determination of endocrine-disrupting properties pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and Council (OJ L 301, 17.11.2017, p. 1).

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| 17.5.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 177/13 |
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17.5.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 177/13

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P9_TA(2022)0435

Towards equal rights for persons with disabilities

European Parliament resolution of 13 December 2022 towards equal rights for persons with disabilities (2022/2026(INI))

(2023/C 177/03)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to Articles 2 and 3(3) of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and Articles 2, 9, 10, 19, 48, 67(4), 153, 165, 168, 174 and 216(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Articles 2 and 3(3) of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and Articles 2, 9, 10, 19, 48, 67(4), 153, 165, 168, 174 and 216(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

| — | having regard to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the ‘Charter’), in particular Articles 3, 6, 14, 15, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 34, 35, 40, 41 and 47 thereof, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the ‘Charter’), in particular Articles 3, 6, 14, 15, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 34, 35, 40, 41 and 47 thereof,

| — | having regard to the European Pillar of Social Rights, in particular principles 1 thereof on education, training and life-long learning, 2 thereof on gender equality, 3 thereof on equal opportunities, 4 thereof on active support to employment, 5 thereof on secure and adaptable employment, 6 thereof on wages, 10 thereof on a healthy, safe and well-adapted work environment and data protection, 11 thereof on childcare and support to children, 14 thereof on minimum income and 17 thereof on the inclusion of people with disabilities, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the European Pillar of Social Rights, in particular principles 1 thereof on education, training and life-long learning, 2 thereof on gender equality, 3 thereof on equal opportunities, 4 thereof on active support to employment, 5 thereof on secure and adaptable employment, 6 thereof on wages, 10 thereof on a healthy, safe and well-adapted work environment and data protection, 11 thereof on childcare and support to children, 14 thereof on minimum income and 17 thereof on the inclusion of people with disabilities,

| — | having regard to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), and its entry into force on 21 January 2011 in accordance with Council Decision 2010/48/EC of 26 November 2009 concerning the conclusion, by the European Community, of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (1), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), and its entry into force on 21 January 2011 in accordance with Council Decision 2010/48/EC of 26 November 2009 concerning the conclusion, by the European Community, of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (1),

| — | having regard to the General Comments on the CRPD as the authoritative guidance on its implementation, in particular General Comments No 2 of 22 May 2014 on accessibility, No 3 of 25 November 2016 on women and girls with disabilities, No 4 of 25 November 2016 on the right to inclusive education, No 5 of 27 October 2017 on living independently and being included in the community, No 6 of 26 April 2018 on equality and non-discrimination, and No 7 of 9 November 2018 on the participation of persons with disabilities, including children with disabilities, through their representative organizations, in the implementation and monitoring of the Convention, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the General Comments on the CRPD as the authoritative guidance on its implementation, in particular General Comments No 2 of 22 May 2014 on accessibility, No 3 of 25 November 2016 on women and girls with disabilities, No 4 of 25 November 2016 on the right to inclusive education, No 5 of 27 October 2017 on living independently and being included in the community, No 6 of 26 April 2018 on equality and non-discrimination, and No 7 of 9 November 2018 on the participation of persons with disabilities, including children with disabilities, through their representative organizations, in the implementation and monitoring of the Convention,

| — | having regard to the Code of Conduct between the Council, the Member States and the Commission setting out internal arrangements for the implementation by and representation of the EU relating to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Code of Conduct between the Council, the Member States and the Commission setting out internal arrangements for the implementation by and representation of the EU relating to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2),

| — | having regard to the concluding observations of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD Committee) of 2 October 2015 on the initial report of the EU, and to the list of issues submitted by the CRPD Committee of 20 April 2022, prior to submission of the second and third periodic reports of the European Union, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the concluding observations of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD Committee) of 2 October 2015 on the initial report of the EU, and to the list of issues submitted by the CRPD Committee of 20 April 2022, prior to submission of the second and third periodic reports of the European Union,

| — | having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

| — | having regard to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (European Convention on Human Rights), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (European Convention on Human Rights),

| — | having regard to the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW),

| — | having regard to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child,

| — | having regard to UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals’ targets, in particular, the explicit references to disability included in goals 1 and 2 on ending poverty and hunger, 3 on health, 4 on education, 8 on growth and employment, 10 on reducing inequality, 11 on the accessibility of human settlements and 17 on data collection, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals’ targets, in particular, the explicit references to disability included in goals 1 and 2 on ending poverty and hunger, 3 on health, 4 on education, 8 on growth and employment, 10 on reducing inequality, 11 on the accessibility of human settlements and 17 on data collection,

| — | having regard to the reports from UN Women on women and girls with disabilities, in particular, its report of 1 July 2021 entitled ‘COVID-19, gender, and disability checklist: preventing and addressing gender-based violence against women, girls, and gender non-conforming persons with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic’ (3), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the reports from UN Women on women and girls with disabilities, in particular, its report of 1 July 2021 entitled ‘COVID-19, gender, and disability checklist: preventing and addressing gender-based violence against women, girls, and gender non-conforming persons with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic’ (3),

| — | having regard to the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention),

| — | having regard to the European Ombudsman’s strategic inquiry on how the Commission ensures that persons with disabilities can access its websites, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the European Ombudsman’s strategic inquiry on how the Commission ensures that persons with disabilities can access its websites,

| — | having regard to the Council measure establishing the revised EU-level framework required by Article 33(2) of the CRPD, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Council measure establishing the revised EU-level framework required by Article 33(2) of the CRPD,

| — | having regard to the report of the European Economic and Social Committee of 20 March 2019 entitled ‘Real rights of persons with disabilities to vote in European Parliament elections’ (4), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the European Economic and Social Committee of 20 March 2019 entitled ‘Real rights of persons with disabilities to vote in European Parliament elections’ (4),

| — | having regard to the European Ombudsman’s strategic inquiry into how the Commission monitors EU funds used to promote the right of persons with disabilities and older persons in independent living, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the European Ombudsman’s strategic inquiry into how the Commission monitors EU funds used to promote the right of persons with disabilities and older persons in independent living,

| — | having regard to the Fundamental Rights Report 2021 and the report for 2022 of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Fundamental Rights Report 2021 and the report for 2022 of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights,

| — | having regard to the European Economic and Social Committee opinion of 11 December 2019 entitled ‘Shaping the EU agenda for disability rights 2020-2030’ (5), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the European Economic and Social Committee opinion of 11 December 2019 entitled ‘Shaping the EU agenda for disability rights 2020-2030’ (5),

| — | having regard to the European Institute for Gender Equality’s Gender Equality Index 2021, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the European Institute for Gender Equality’s Gender Equality Index 2021,

| — | having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1371/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007 on rail passengers’ rights and obligations (6), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1371/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007 on rail passengers’ rights and obligations (6),

| — | having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/818 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 establishing the Creative Europe Programme (2021 to 2027) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1295/2013 (7), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/818 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 establishing the Creative Europe Programme (2021 to 2027) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1295/2013 (7),

| — | having regard to Directive 2012/29/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2001/220/JHA (8), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Directive 2012/29/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2001/220/JHA (8),

| — | having regard to Directive (EU) 2016/2102 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 October 2016 on the accessibility of websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies (9), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Directive (EU) 2016/2102 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 October 2016 on the accessibility of websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies (9),

| — | having regard to Directive (EU) 2018/1808 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 November 2018 amending Directive 2010/13/EU on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the provision of audiovisual media services (Audiovisual Media Services Directive) in view of changing market realities (10), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Directive (EU) 2018/1808 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 November 2018 amending Directive 2010/13/EU on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the provision of audiovisual media services (Audiovisual Media Services Directive) in view of changing market realities (10),

| — | having regard to Directive (EU) 2018/1972 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 establishing the European Electronic Communications Code (11), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Directive (EU) 2018/1972 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 establishing the European Electronic Communications Code (11),

| — | having regard to Directive (EU) 2019/882 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on the accessibility requirements for products and services (12), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Directive (EU) 2019/882 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on the accessibility requirements for products and services (12),

| — | having regard to Directive (EU) 2019/1158 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on work-life balance for parents and carers (13), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Directive (EU) 2019/1158 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on work-life balance for parents and carers (13),

| — | having regard to Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation (14), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation (14),

| — | having regard to Commission Recommendation (EU) 2019/786 of 8 May 2019 on building renovation (15), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Commission Recommendation (EU) 2019/786 of 8 May 2019 on building renovation (15),

| — | having regard to the Commission staff working document of 2 December 2020 entitled ‘Digitalisation of justice in the European Union — A toolbox of opportunities’ (SWD(2020)0540), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission staff working document of 2 December 2020 entitled ‘Digitalisation of justice in the European Union — A toolbox of opportunities’ (SWD(2020)0540),

| — | having regard to the Commission communication of 7 October 2020 entitled ‘A Union of Equality: EU Roma strategic framework on equality, inclusion and participation’ (COM(2020)0620), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 7 October 2020 entitled ‘A Union of Equality: EU Roma strategic framework on equality, inclusion and participation’ (COM(2020)0620),

| — | having regard to the Commission communication of 12 November 2020 entitled ‘Union of Equality: LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025’ (COM(2020)0698), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 12 November 2020 entitled ‘Union of Equality: LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025’ (COM(2020)0698),

| — | having regard to the Commission communication of 3 March 2021 entitled ‘Union of Equality: Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030’ (COM(2021)0101), in particular the six flagship initiatives therein, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 3 March 2021 entitled ‘Union of Equality: Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030’ (COM(2021)0101), in particular the six flagship initiatives therein,

| — | having regard to the Commission communication of 19 May 2022 on the 2022 EU Justice Scoreboard (COM(2022)0234), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 19 May 2022 on the 2022 EU Justice Scoreboard (COM(2022)0234),

| — | having regard to the revised European Social Charter, in particular Article 15 thereof on the right of persons with disabilities to independence, social integration and participation in the life of the community, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the revised European Social Charter, in particular Article 15 thereof on the right of persons with disabilities to independence, social integration and participation in the life of the community,

| — | having regard to the Commission proposal for a Council directive on implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation (COM(2008)0426) and Parliament’s position of 2 April 2009 thereon (16), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission proposal for a Council directive on implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation (COM(2008)0426) and Parliament’s position of 2 April 2009 thereon (16),

| — | having regard to the Council Recommendation of 4 June 1998 on a parking card for people with disabilities (17), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Council Recommendation of 4 June 1998 on a parking card for people with disabilities (17),

| — | having regard to Council Recommendation (EU) 2021/1004 of 14 June 2021 establishing a European Child Guarantee (18), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Council Recommendation (EU) 2021/1004 of 14 June 2021 establishing a European Child Guarantee (18),

| — | having regard to the Council conclusions of 5 December 2019 on inclusive labour markets: Improving the employment of people in a vulnerable position in the labour market (19), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Council conclusions of 5 December 2019 on inclusive labour markets: Improving the employment of people in a vulnerable position in the labour market (19),

| — | having regard to the Commission staff working document of 9 December 2021 entitled ‘Building an economy that works for people: an action plan for the social economy’ (SWD(2021)0373), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission staff working document of 9 December 2021 entitled ‘Building an economy that works for people: an action plan for the social economy’ (SWD(2021)0373),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 23 June 2022 on the implementation of inclusion measures within Erasmus+ 2014-2020 (20), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 23 June 2022 on the implementation of inclusion measures within Erasmus+ 2014-2020 (20),

| — | having regard to its position of 3 May 2022 on the proposal for a Council regulation on the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, repealing Council Decision 76/787/ECSC, EEC, Euratom and the Act concerning the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage (21), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its position of 3 May 2022 on the proposal for a Council regulation on the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, repealing Council Decision 76/787/ECSC, EEC, Euratom and the Act concerning the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage (21),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 7 April 2022 on the EU’s protection of children and young people fleeing the war in Ukraine (22), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 7 April 2022 on the EU’s protection of children and young people fleeing the war in Ukraine (22),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 19 May 2022 entitled ‘The social and economic consequences for the EU of the Russian war in Ukraine — reinforcing the EU’s capacity to act’ (23), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 19 May 2022 entitled ‘The social and economic consequences for the EU of the Russian war in Ukraine — reinforcing the EU’s capacity to act’ (23),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 24 June 2021 on the situation of sexual and reproductive health and rights in the EU, in the frame of women’s health (24), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 24 June 2021 on the situation of sexual and reproductive health and rights in the EU, in the frame of women’s health (24),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 14 December 2021 with recommendations to the Commission on combating gender-based violence: cyberviolence (25), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 14 December 2021 with recommendations to the Commission on combating gender-based violence: cyberviolence (25),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 20 October 2021 on the situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU (26), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 20 October 2021 on the situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU (26),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 7 October 2021 on the protection of persons with disabilities through petitions: lessons learnt (27), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 7 October 2021 on the protection of persons with disabilities through petitions: lessons learnt (27),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 29 April 2021 on the European Child Guarantee (28), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 29 April 2021 on the European Child Guarantee (28),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 10 March 2021 on the implementation of Council Directive 2000/78/EC establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation in light of the CRPD (29), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 10 March 2021 on the implementation of Council Directive 2000/78/EC establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation in light of the CRPD (29),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 8 July 2020 on the rights of persons with intellectual disabilities and their families in the COVID-19 crisis (30), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 8 July 2020 on the rights of persons with intellectual disabilities and their families in the COVID-19 crisis (30),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 17 April 2020 on EU coordinated action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences (31), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 17 April 2020 on EU coordinated action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences (31),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 18 June 2020 on the European Disability Strategy post-2020 (32), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 18 June 2020 on the European Disability Strategy post-2020 (32),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 5 October 2017 on prison systems and conditions (33), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 5 October 2017 on prison systems and conditions (33),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 29 November 2018 on the situation of women with disabilities (34), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 29 November 2018 on the situation of women with disabilities (34),

| — | having regard to the study entitled ‘European structural and investment funds and people with disabilities in the European Union’, published by its Directorate-General for Internal Policies on 3 November 2016 (35), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the study entitled ‘European structural and investment funds and people with disabilities in the European Union’, published by its Directorate-General for Internal Policies on 3 November 2016 (35),

| — | having regard to the study entitled ‘Inclusive education for learners with disabilities’, published by its Directorate-General for Internal Policies on 15 September 2017 (36), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the study entitled ‘Inclusive education for learners with disabilities’, published by its Directorate-General for Internal Policies on 15 September 2017 (36),

| — | having regard to the study entitled ‘The protection role of the Committee on Petitions in the context of the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’, published by its Directorate-General for Internal Policies on 9 October 2015 (37) and to its updates of 2016, 2017 and 2018, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the study entitled ‘The protection role of the Committee on Petitions in the context of the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’, published by its Directorate-General for Internal Policies on 9 October 2015 (37) and to its updates of 2016, 2017 and 2018,

| — | having regard to the in-depth analysis entitled ‘The European Accessibility Act’, published by its Directorate-General for Internal Policies on 15 August 2016 (38), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the in-depth analysis entitled ‘The European Accessibility Act’, published by its Directorate-General for Internal Policies on 15 August 2016 (38),

| — | having regard to the study entitled ‘Transport and tourism for persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility’, published by its Directorate-General for Internal Policies on 8 May 2018 (39), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the study entitled ‘Transport and tourism for persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility’, published by its Directorate-General for Internal Policies on 8 May 2018 (39),

| — | having regard to the study entitled ‘The Post-2020 European disability strategy’, published by its Directorate-General for Internal Policies on 15 July 2020 (40), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the study entitled ‘The Post-2020 European disability strategy’, published by its Directorate-General for Internal Policies on 15 July 2020 (40),

| — | having regard to the study entitled ‘The implementation of the 2015 Concluding Observations of the CRPD Committee by the EU’, published by its Directorate-General for Internal Policies on 2 December 2021 (41), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the study entitled ‘The implementation of the 2015 Concluding Observations of the CRPD Committee by the EU’, published by its Directorate-General for Internal Policies on 2 December 2021 (41),

| — | having regard to the mission conducted by the ad hoc delegation of the European Parliament to the 15th Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP) between 14 and 16 June 2022 in New York on behalf of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and the Committee on Petitions, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the mission conducted by the ad hoc delegation of the European Parliament to the 15th Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP) between 14 and 16 June 2022 in New York on behalf of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and the Committee on Petitions,

| — | having regard to the European Court of Auditors Special Report 10/2021 of 26 May 2021 entitled ‘Gender mainstreaming in the EU budget: time to turn words into action’ (42), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the European Court of Auditors Special Report 10/2021 of 26 May 2021 entitled ‘Gender mainstreaming in the EU budget: time to turn words into action’ (42),

| — | having regard to the Europe 2020 poverty target, the Porto declaration, the Commission communication of 4 March 2021 entitled ‘The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan’ (COM(2021)0102) and its target for 2030 relating to the fight against poverty and social exclusion, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Europe 2020 poverty target, the Porto declaration, the Commission communication of 4 March 2021 entitled ‘The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan’ (COM(2021)0102) and its target for 2030 relating to the fight against poverty and social exclusion,

| — | having regard to Council Directive 2000/43/EC of 29 June 2000 implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin (43), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Council Directive 2000/43/EC of 29 June 2000 implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin (43),

| — | having regard to the regulations laying down the rules on EU funding programmes under the multiannual financial framework, in particular the European Social Fund, the Youth Employment Initiative, the European Regional Development Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, the Erasmus programme and the Just Transition Fund, all of which provide EU financial assistance for improving the situation of persons with disabilities, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the regulations laying down the rules on EU funding programmes under the multiannual financial framework, in particular the European Social Fund, the Youth Employment Initiative, the European Regional Development Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, the Erasmus programme and the Just Transition Fund, all of which provide EU financial assistance for improving the situation of persons with disabilities,

| — | having regard to Commission Recommendation (EU) 2018/951 of 22 June 2018 on standards for equality bodies (44), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Commission Recommendation (EU) 2018/951 of 22 June 2018 on standards for equality bodies (44),

| — | having regard to the Commission communication of 15 November 2010 entitled ‘European Disability Strategy 2010-2020: A Renewed Commitment to a Barrier-Free Europe’ (COM(2010)0636), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 15 November 2010 entitled ‘European Disability Strategy 2010-2020: A Renewed Commitment to a Barrier-Free Europe’ (COM(2010)0636),

| — | having regard to the Commission staff working document of 2 February 2017 entitled ‘Progress Report on the implementation of the European Disability Strategy (2010-2020)’ (SWD(2017)0029), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission staff working document of 2 February 2017 entitled ‘Progress Report on the implementation of the European Disability Strategy (2010-2020)’ (SWD(2017)0029),

| — | having regard to the 2016-2018 Commission pilot project initiative in eight Member States on an EU disability card, and to the study of May 2021 assessing the implementation of the pilot action on the EU Disability Card and associated benefits, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the 2016-2018 Commission pilot project initiative in eight Member States on an EU disability card, and to the study of May 2021 assessing the implementation of the pilot action on the EU Disability Card and associated benefits,

| — | having regard to the Commission staff working document of 20 November 2020 entitled ‘Evaluation of the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020’ (SWD(2020)0289), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission staff working document of 20 November 2020 entitled ‘Evaluation of the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020’ (SWD(2020)0289),

| — | having regard to the Commission report of 19 March 2021 on the application of Council Directive 2000/43/EC implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin (‘the Racial and Employment Equality Directive’) and of Council Directive 2000/78/EC establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation (‘the Employment Equality Directive’)’ (COM(2021)0139), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission report of 19 March 2021 on the application of Council Directive 2000/43/EC implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin (‘the Racial and Employment Equality Directive’) and of Council Directive 2000/78/EC establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation (‘the Employment Equality Directive’)’ (COM(2021)0139),

| — | having regard to the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound) policy brief of 21 March 2022 entitled ‘People with disabilities and the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from the Living, working and COVID-19 e-survey’, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound) policy brief of 21 March 2022 entitled ‘People with disabilities and the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from the Living, working and COVID-19 e-survey’,

| — | having regard to the Eurofound research report of 19 April 2021 entitled ‘Disability and labour market integration: Policy trends and support in EU Member States’, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Eurofound research report of 19 April 2021 entitled ‘Disability and labour market integration: Policy trends and support in EU Member States’,

| — | having regard to the Eurofound policy brief of 30 November 2018 entitled ‘Social and employment situation of people with disabilities’, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Eurofound policy brief of 30 November 2018 entitled ‘Social and employment situation of people with disabilities’,

| — | having regard to Council Recommendation (EU) 2021/1004 of 14 June 2021 establishing a European Child Guarantee (45), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Council Recommendation (EU) 2021/1004 of 14 June 2021 establishing a European Child Guarantee (45),

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

—

having regard to Rule 54 of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to the opinions of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and the Committee on Petitions, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the opinions of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and the Committee on Petitions,

| — | having regard to the letter from the Committee on Culture and Education, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the letter from the Committee on Culture and Education,

| — | having regard to the report of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (A9-0284/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (A9-0284/2022),

| A. | whereas according to the available data, there are approximately 87 million persons having some form of disability in the EU, including over 24 million persons with severe disabilities; |
| --- | --- |

A.

whereas according to the available data, there are approximately 87 million persons having some form of disability in the EU, including over 24 million persons with severe disabilities;

| B. | whereas according to the EU’s Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030, more than 1 million children and adults with disabilities below the age of 65 and more than 2 million adults aged 65 and older live in institutions; whereas there is a link between the increase in the number of persons with disabilities and the ageing European population, and this should be taken into account in EU policies; |
| --- | --- |

B.

whereas according to the EU’s Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030, more than 1 million children and adults with disabilities below the age of 65 and more than 2 million adults aged 65 and older live in institutions; whereas there is a link between the increase in the number of persons with disabilities and the ageing European population, and this should be taken into account in EU policies;

| C. | whereas according to the EU’s Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030, 50,8 % of persons with disabilities are in employment, as compared to 75 % without disabilities; whereas according to the EU’s Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030, the evaluation of the Disability Strategy 2010-2020 ‘identified employment as one of the five top policy priorities for future actions’; |
| --- | --- |

C.

whereas according to the EU’s Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030, 50,8 % of persons with disabilities are in employment, as compared to 75 % without disabilities; whereas according to the EU’s Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030, the evaluation of the Disability Strategy 2010-2020 ‘identified employment as one of the five top policy priorities for future actions’;

| D. | whereas persons with disabilities living in the EU continue to face discrimination, including the denial of reasonable accommodation, harassment and multiple and intersectional forms of discrimination in all areas of their lives, including socio-economic disadvantages, social isolation, maltreatment and violence, including gender-based violence, forced sterilisation and abortion, lack of access to community services, low-quality housing, institutionalisation, inadequate healthcare and denial of the opportunity to contribute and engage actively in society (46); |
| --- | --- |

D.

whereas persons with disabilities living in the EU continue to face discrimination, including the denial of reasonable accommodation, harassment and multiple and intersectional forms of discrimination in all areas of their lives, including socio-economic disadvantages, social isolation, maltreatment and violence, including gender-based violence, forced sterilisation and abortion, lack of access to community services, low-quality housing, institutionalisation, inadequate healthcare and denial of the opportunity to contribute and engage actively in society (46);

| E. | whereas only 22 out of the 27 Member States have signed and ratified the Optional Protocol to the CRPD (47); whereas in several resolutions, Parliament has monitored, promoted and called for the full implementation of the CRPD, as well as to raise awareness of the rights therein; whereas Parliament has also stressed the need to ratify the Optional Protocol to the CRPD, both by the Member States that have not yet done so and by the EU, as it is an avenue that provides the opportunity to review individual or systemic cases of discrimination; |
| --- | --- |

E.

whereas only 22 out of the 27 Member States have signed and ratified the Optional Protocol to the CRPD (47); whereas in several resolutions, Parliament has monitored, promoted and called for the full implementation of the CRPD, as well as to raise awareness of the rights therein; whereas Parliament has also stressed the need to ratify the Optional Protocol to the CRPD, both by the Member States that have not yet done so and by the EU, as it is an avenue that provides the opportunity to review individual or systemic cases of discrimination;

| F. | whereas the basis of an accessible and handicap-inclusive Europe is a Union whose Member States all recognise the disability status of a person and permit persons with disabilities to fully enjoy their freedom of movement; whereas persons with disabilities in all their diversity are entitled to enjoy their fundamental rights on an equal basis; whereas the full and effective participation of persons with disabilities in all areas of life and society is crucial for the enjoyment of their fundamental rights; |
| --- | --- |

F.

whereas the basis of an accessible and handicap-inclusive Europe is a Union whose Member States all recognise the disability status of a person and permit persons with disabilities to fully enjoy their freedom of movement; whereas persons with disabilities in all their diversity are entitled to enjoy their fundamental rights on an equal basis; whereas the full and effective participation of persons with disabilities in all areas of life and society is crucial for the enjoyment of their fundamental rights;

| G. | whereas the Commission has not taken effective steps to ensure legal harmonisation with the CRPD; whereas there has so far been no review of the existing legislation and policy and no revision of the impact assessment guidelines prior to a proposal for legislation; |
| --- | --- |

G.

whereas the Commission has not taken effective steps to ensure legal harmonisation with the CRPD; whereas there has so far been no review of the existing legislation and policy and no revision of the impact assessment guidelines prior to a proposal for legislation;

| H. | whereas the lack of a common EU definition of disability constitutes a major obstacle to the codification of disability assessment and the mutual recognition of national decisions on disability issues, in particular of eligibility for access to specific facilities and services in the field of social security; |
| --- | --- |

H.

whereas the lack of a common EU definition of disability constitutes a major obstacle to the codification of disability assessment and the mutual recognition of national decisions on disability issues, in particular of eligibility for access to specific facilities and services in the field of social security;

| I. | whereas very limited reliable and disaggregated data on persons with disabilities is available at EU level; |
| --- | --- |

I.

whereas very limited reliable and disaggregated data on persons with disabilities is available at EU level;

| J. | whereas the Commission has presented an ambitious agenda within the framework of the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030; |
| --- | --- |

J.

whereas the Commission has presented an ambitious agenda within the framework of the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030;

| K. | whereas according to the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, the existing EU legislation relating to the rights of persons with disabilities lacks effective implementation and enforcement; whereas EU laws do not cover multiple and intersectional forms of discrimination and there are still gaps in the monitoring of cases of discrimination; |
| --- | --- |

K.

whereas according to the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, the existing EU legislation relating to the rights of persons with disabilities lacks effective implementation and enforcement; whereas EU laws do not cover multiple and intersectional forms of discrimination and there are still gaps in the monitoring of cases of discrimination;

| L. | whereas the EU institutions should strengthen the structured process for consulting persons with disabilities and their representative organisations by ensuring the right to information and the accessibility of such processes, both in terms of the digital accessibility of online platforms, the time frames given for feedback, and of ensuring input is sought at stages in the legislative process where input can still make a difference; whereas transparency about how this input is processed and reflected in the final proposals is still lacking; whereas the Member States and countries outside the EU, in particular candidate countries, should also do more in this regard; |
| --- | --- |

L.

whereas the EU institutions should strengthen the structured process for consulting persons with disabilities and their representative organisations by ensuring the right to information and the accessibility of such processes, both in terms of the digital accessibility of online platforms, the time frames given for feedback, and of ensuring input is sought at stages in the legislative process where input can still make a difference; whereas transparency about how this input is processed and reflected in the final proposals is still lacking; whereas the Member States and countries outside the EU, in particular candidate countries, should also do more in this regard;

| M. | whereas persons with disabilities whose legal capacity has been denied or limited may not be able to exercise their fundamental rights, including the right to access to justice, to vote and stand for election, to decide where to live and to sign any kind of contract; |
| --- | --- |

M.

whereas persons with disabilities whose legal capacity has been denied or limited may not be able to exercise their fundamental rights, including the right to access to justice, to vote and stand for election, to decide where to live and to sign any kind of contract;

| N. | whereas access to justice is an essential aspect of the rule of law and a fundamental right and prerequisite for enjoying other human rights such as equality before the law and observance of due process; whereas Article 13 of the CRPD requires States Parties to ensure that persons with disabilities have ‘effective access to justice ... on an equal basis with others’ through ‘the provision of procedural ... accommodations’, promoting appropriate training for those working in the field of the administration of justice; |
| --- | --- |

N.

whereas access to justice is an essential aspect of the rule of law and a fundamental right and prerequisite for enjoying other human rights such as equality before the law and observance of due process; whereas Article 13 of the CRPD requires States Parties to ensure that persons with disabilities have ‘effective access to justice ... on an equal basis with others’ through ‘the provision of procedural ... accommodations’, promoting appropriate training for those working in the field of the administration of justice;

| O. | whereas the existence of a disability does not in itself justify the denial of the legal capacity of persons with disabilities; whereas any measure restricting their legal capacity must be adapted to their circumstances and be proportionate to their needs, and should be applied only under certain conditions and with certain guarantees; |
| --- | --- |

O.

whereas the existence of a disability does not in itself justify the denial of the legal capacity of persons with disabilities; whereas any measure restricting their legal capacity must be adapted to their circumstances and be proportionate to their needs, and should be applied only under certain conditions and with certain guarantees;

| P. | whereas according to the 2019 report ‘Real rights of persons with disabilities to vote in European Parliament elections’ of the European Economic and Social Committee, about 800 000 EU-citizens were deprived of their right to cast their vote in the European Parliament elections owing to a disability or mental health issues, and millions of EU citizens are unable to cast their vote in European Parliament elections as a result of technical barriers or the lack of proper organisational arrangements that fail to meet the needs resulting from one or several disabilities; |
| --- | --- |

P.

whereas according to the 2019 report ‘Real rights of persons with disabilities to vote in European Parliament elections’ of the European Economic and Social Committee, about 800 000 EU-citizens were deprived of their right to cast their vote in the European Parliament elections owing to a disability or mental health issues, and millions of EU citizens are unable to cast their vote in European Parliament elections as a result of technical barriers or the lack of proper organisational arrangements that fail to meet the needs resulting from one or several disabilities;

| Q. | whereas in 14 Member States, persons with disabilities under total or partial guardianship are denied the right to vote (48); whereas they can only exercise their right to stand as candidates for election to the European Parliament in seven Member States; whereas this is in clear contradiction to Articles 39 and 40 of the Charter; whereas many accessibility barriers still prevent persons with disabilities from participating in the elections; |
| --- | --- |

Q.

whereas in 14 Member States, persons with disabilities under total or partial guardianship are denied the right to vote (48); whereas they can only exercise their right to stand as candidates for election to the European Parliament in seven Member States; whereas this is in clear contradiction to Articles 39 and 40 of the Charter; whereas many accessibility barriers still prevent persons with disabilities from participating in the elections;

| R. | whereas the pandemic has had a severe impact on the psychological well-being of children and young people, in particular those with disabilities; whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has also affected persons with disabilities living in institutions more than others, in the light of the common practice of bans on visits to such institutions; whereas the Member States need to step up their efforts to improve the living conditions of persons with disabilities during future pandemics; |
| --- | --- |

R.

whereas the pandemic has had a severe impact on the psychological well-being of children and young people, in particular those with disabilities; whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has also affected persons with disabilities living in institutions more than others, in the light of the common practice of bans on visits to such institutions; whereas the Member States need to step up their efforts to improve the living conditions of persons with disabilities during future pandemics;

| S. | whereas the EU should better guarantee the rights and needs of persons with disabilities in its health policies, such as the COVID-19 related policies, the Mental Health strategies and the European Beating Cancer Plan; |
| --- | --- |

S.

whereas the EU should better guarantee the rights and needs of persons with disabilities in its health policies, such as the COVID-19 related policies, the Mental Health strategies and the European Beating Cancer Plan;

| T. | whereas the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 reflects a human rights-based sustainable development agenda inclusive of, and accessible to, persons with disabilities and requires all disaster risk-reduction policies to integrate a disability perspective and promotes inclusive risk-informed decision-making based on the dissemination of information disaggregated by disability; |
| --- | --- |

T.

whereas the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 reflects a human rights-based sustainable development agenda inclusive of, and accessible to, persons with disabilities and requires all disaster risk-reduction policies to integrate a disability perspective and promotes inclusive risk-informed decision-making based on the dissemination of information disaggregated by disability;

| U. | whereas artificial intelligence (AI) technology has the potential to, in particular, simplify the everyday life of persons with visual, auditory, motor and learning disabilities, allowing them easier access to culture, art, sport, work and social activities, enabling them to live more independently; |
| --- | --- |

U.

whereas artificial intelligence (AI) technology has the potential to, in particular, simplify the everyday life of persons with visual, auditory, motor and learning disabilities, allowing them easier access to culture, art, sport, work and social activities, enabling them to live more independently;

| V. | whereas persons with disabilities are at least three times more likely to experience physical, sexual and emotional violence than persons without disabilities; whereas women and girls with disabilities are at an increased risk of gender-based violence; whereas women with disabilities are up to 10 times more likely to experience sexual violence (49), including forced sterilisation, and the EU legislation on gender equality does not fully take into account their rights and needs; |
| --- | --- |

V.

whereas persons with disabilities are at least three times more likely to experience physical, sexual and emotional violence than persons without disabilities; whereas women and girls with disabilities are at an increased risk of gender-based violence; whereas women with disabilities are up to 10 times more likely to experience sexual violence (49), including forced sterilisation, and the EU legislation on gender equality does not fully take into account their rights and needs;

| W. | whereas recognising the intersection between violence, gender and disability that women and girls with disabilities face is essential for the adoption of inclusive response strategies; whereas many persons with disabilities may also lack access to sexuality education, which might otherwise help them to identify and prevent abuse, and whereas they face increased barriers to accessing justice and reporting violence; whereas women with disabilities are more likely to experience poverty and isolation than men with disabilities or persons without disabilities; |
| --- | --- |

W.

whereas recognising the intersection between violence, gender and disability that women and girls with disabilities face is essential for the adoption of inclusive response strategies; whereas many persons with disabilities may also lack access to sexuality education, which might otherwise help them to identify and prevent abuse, and whereas they face increased barriers to accessing justice and reporting violence; whereas women with disabilities are more likely to experience poverty and isolation than men with disabilities or persons without disabilities;

| X. | whereas detainees with disabilities continue to face violations of their fundamental rights in several Member States; whereas detainees with disabilities, whose disability is not recognised, or not sufficiently taken into account, face shameful conditions of detention; whereas Member States too often violate the fundamental rights of detainees with disabilities by failing to take their needs into account; |
| --- | --- |

X.

whereas detainees with disabilities continue to face violations of their fundamental rights in several Member States; whereas detainees with disabilities, whose disability is not recognised, or not sufficiently taken into account, face shameful conditions of detention; whereas Member States too often violate the fundamental rights of detainees with disabilities by failing to take their needs into account;

| Y. | whereas cultural creators, such as authors, performers and artists, with disabilities have more difficult access to professional and non-professional artistic and cultural activities, as well as fewer opportunities to develop long-term careers in the cultural and creative sectors; whereas they are often excluded from policy and funding in the cultural and creative sectors as a result of the lack of account being taken, for example, of restricted mobility or the challenges posed by bureaucratic funding procedures; |
| --- | --- |

Y.

whereas cultural creators, such as authors, performers and artists, with disabilities have more difficult access to professional and non-professional artistic and cultural activities, as well as fewer opportunities to develop long-term careers in the cultural and creative sectors; whereas they are often excluded from policy and funding in the cultural and creative sectors as a result of the lack of account being taken, for example, of restricted mobility or the challenges posed by bureaucratic funding procedures;

| Z. | whereas the Union needs to provide children with disabilities who have fled a war with extra support to accommodate their needs; whereas according to its resolution on the EU’s protection of children and young people fleeing the war in Ukraine adopted in April 2022, more than 100 000 children are living in institutional care and boarding schools in Ukraine, and half of them have disabilities; |
| --- | --- |

Z.

whereas the Union needs to provide children with disabilities who have fled a war with extra support to accommodate their needs; whereas according to its resolution on the EU’s protection of children and young people fleeing the war in Ukraine adopted in April 2022, more than 100 000 children are living in institutional care and boarding schools in Ukraine, and half of them have disabilities;

| AA. | whereas Eurofound research shows that between 2011 and 2016, the gap in third-level education attainment between persons with and without disabilities widened from 7 % to 9 %; whereas only 29,4 % of persons with disabilities attain a tertiary degree compared to 43,8 % of those without disabilities; whereas the limitations on access to education for persons with disabilities lead to lower participation in educational and training activities and a risk of social and economic exclusion; |
| --- | --- |

AA.

whereas Eurofound research shows that between 2011 and 2016, the gap in third-level education attainment between persons with and without disabilities widened from 7 % to 9 %; whereas only 29,4 % of persons with disabilities attain a tertiary degree compared to 43,8 % of those without disabilities; whereas the limitations on access to education for persons with disabilities lead to lower participation in educational and training activities and a risk of social and economic exclusion;

| AB. | whereas the EU, its institutions and its Member States are party to the CRPD and are obliged to fully implement the fundamental rights therein, including Article 27 on work and employment; whereas the rights enshrined in the CRPD are far from a reality for millions of persons with disabilities in the EU, not least because of the shortcomings of the Employment Equality Directive; |
| --- | --- |

AB.

whereas the EU, its institutions and its Member States are party to the CRPD and are obliged to fully implement the fundamental rights therein, including Article 27 on work and employment; whereas the rights enshrined in the CRPD are far from a reality for millions of persons with disabilities in the EU, not least because of the shortcomings of the Employment Equality Directive;

| AC. | whereas the CRPD recognises the right of persons with disabilities to work on an equal basis with others, including the opportunity to earn a living by work freely chosen and in an open, inclusive and accessible environment; whereas everyone has the right to timely and tailor-made assistance to improve employment or self-employment prospects, including the right to receive support for job searching, training and re-qualification, as laid down in principle 4 of the European Pillar of Social Rights; whereas persons with disabilities are overwhelmingly excluded from the open labour market and are denied their right to engage in work on an equal basis with others or face major difficulties in achieving equal access to and equal conditions in the labour market; whereas Eurofound research has revealed that key obstacles to the employment of persons with disabilities include disability-related stereotypes, bureaucratic difficulties in accessing available services, a lack of strategic vision in governance, insufficient monitoring of policy implementation, limited training resources for employers and a lack of specialist support; |
| --- | --- |

AC.

whereas the CRPD recognises the right of persons with disabilities to work on an equal basis with others, including the opportunity to earn a living by work freely chosen and in an open, inclusive and accessible environment; whereas everyone has the right to timely and tailor-made assistance to improve employment or self-employment prospects, including the right to receive support for job searching, training and re-qualification, as laid down in principle 4 of the European Pillar of Social Rights; whereas persons with disabilities are overwhelmingly excluded from the open labour market and are denied their right to engage in work on an equal basis with others or face major difficulties in achieving equal access to and equal conditions in the labour market; whereas Eurofound research has revealed that key obstacles to the employment of persons with disabilities include disability-related stereotypes, bureaucratic difficulties in accessing available services, a lack of strategic vision in governance, insufficient monitoring of policy implementation, limited training resources for employers and a lack of specialist support;

| AD. | whereas persons with disabilities should have access to individualised support and accommodations in the workplace; whereas persons with disabilities have the right to income support that ensures their ability to live in dignity, services that enable them to participate in the labour market and in society, and a work environment adapted to their needs; whereas the disadvantages experienced by persons with disabilities extend far beyond the realm of employment; whereas the social and financial situation of persons with disabilities in the EU is significantly worse than that of persons without disabilities and is synonymous with structural or educational disadvantage and discrimination; whereas support measures focusing on areas other than employment, for example, poverty reduction, access to housing and childcare, accessible public transport and personal assistance, also play a key role in providing opportunities for persons with disabilities to access and remain in the workforce; |
| --- | --- |

AD.

whereas persons with disabilities should have access to individualised support and accommodations in the workplace; whereas persons with disabilities have the right to income support that ensures their ability to live in dignity, services that enable them to participate in the labour market and in society, and a work environment adapted to their needs; whereas the disadvantages experienced by persons with disabilities extend far beyond the realm of employment; whereas the social and financial situation of persons with disabilities in the EU is significantly worse than that of persons without disabilities and is synonymous with structural or educational disadvantage and discrimination; whereas support measures focusing on areas other than employment, for example, poverty reduction, access to housing and childcare, accessible public transport and personal assistance, also play a key role in providing opportunities for persons with disabilities to access and remain in the workforce;

| AE. | whereas the 2021-2030 EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities proposes creating a European Disability Card by the end of 2023, with a view to it being recognised in all Member States; |
| --- | --- |

AE.

whereas the 2021-2030 EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities proposes creating a European Disability Card by the end of 2023, with a view to it being recognised in all Member States;

| AF. | whereas technical innovations, such as ethical and human-centric AI systems, have the potential to develop efficient, accessible and non-discriminatory recruitment processes, but whereas non-inclusive technological developments could pose a risk of adding new barriers to, and forms of discrimination against, persons with disabilities; whereas Article 9 of the CRPD requires accessible information and access to communication technologies and systems on an equal basis with others; whereas 64,3 % of persons with disabilities aged 16 or older have an internet connection at home, compared to 87,9 % of persons without disabilities; |
| --- | --- |

AF.

whereas technical innovations, such as ethical and human-centric AI systems, have the potential to develop efficient, accessible and non-discriminatory recruitment processes, but whereas non-inclusive technological developments could pose a risk of adding new barriers to, and forms of discrimination against, persons with disabilities; whereas Article 9 of the CRPD requires accessible information and access to communication technologies and systems on an equal basis with others; whereas 64,3 % of persons with disabilities aged 16 or older have an internet connection at home, compared to 87,9 % of persons without disabilities;

| AG. | whereas Eurofound research has shown that entrepreneurship and self-employment support in the form of guidance, training and financial aid can provide opportunities for persons with disabilities to be active in the open labour market, disincentivising their sole reliance on disability benefits; whereas such support needs to be well targeted and adequately resourced; |
| --- | --- |

AG.

whereas Eurofound research has shown that entrepreneurship and self-employment support in the form of guidance, training and financial aid can provide opportunities for persons with disabilities to be active in the open labour market, disincentivising their sole reliance on disability benefits; whereas such support needs to be well targeted and adequately resourced;

| AH. | whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the existing obstacles and inequalities for all persons with disabilities; whereas Eurofound’s research has shown that during the pandemic, on average 71 % of respondents with disabilities were at risk of depression, and 25 % of respondents with disabilities indicated that they could not access mental healthcare, which was a rate twice as high as for those without disabilities; whereas Eurofound research has shown that the lockdowns and restrictions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic particularly affected young persons with disabilities, aged between 18 and 29, as 51 % of those respondents reported feeling lonely, a figure that is 19 % more than young persons without disabilities; whereas return-to-work plans are critical for workers suffering from mental health problems; |
| --- | --- |

AH.

whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the existing obstacles and inequalities for all persons with disabilities; whereas Eurofound’s research has shown that during the pandemic, on average 71 % of respondents with disabilities were at risk of depression, and 25 % of respondents with disabilities indicated that they could not access mental healthcare, which was a rate twice as high as for those without disabilities; whereas Eurofound research has shown that the lockdowns and restrictions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic particularly affected young persons with disabilities, aged between 18 and 29, as 51 % of those respondents reported feeling lonely, a figure that is 19 % more than young persons without disabilities; whereas return-to-work plans are critical for workers suffering from mental health problems;

| AI. | whereas a decade after the EU became a party to the CRPD, the level of institutionalisation remains unchanged; whereas across Europe, at least 1,4 million people are still confined to institutions, a number that has remained unchanged since the adoption of the convention; whereas according to the European Network on Independent Living’s 2020 survey on independent living, 24 out of 43 countries represented in the Council of Europe do not have a deinstitutionalisation strategy, and for the 18 countries that do have one, 88 % of respondents have described the strategy as either inadequate or requiring improvement; |
| --- | --- |

AI.

whereas a decade after the EU became a party to the CRPD, the level of institutionalisation remains unchanged; whereas across Europe, at least 1,4 million people are still confined to institutions, a number that has remained unchanged since the adoption of the convention; whereas according to the European Network on Independent Living’s 2020 survey on independent living, 24 out of 43 countries represented in the Council of Europe do not have a deinstitutionalisation strategy, and for the 18 countries that do have one, 88 % of respondents have described the strategy as either inadequate or requiring improvement;

| AJ. | whereas 33 countries in the Council of Europe provide some kind of personal assistance, while 97 % of respondents have indicated that access is either inadequate or requires improvement; |
| --- | --- |

AJ.

whereas 33 countries in the Council of Europe provide some kind of personal assistance, while 97 % of respondents have indicated that access is either inadequate or requires improvement;

| AK. | whereas the current legislative framework establishes no obligation for the Member States to designate an equality body to protect victims of discrimination on the grounds of disability; |
| --- | --- |

AK.

whereas the current legislative framework establishes no obligation for the Member States to designate an equality body to protect victims of discrimination on the grounds of disability;

| AL. | whereas in 2008, the Commission presented a proposal to expand protection from discrimination beyond employment, as set out the Employment Equality Directive, which prohibits discrimination based on disability, age, sexual orientation and religion or belief in the areas of employment and occupation; whereas the new directive would make the principle of equality applicable to education, access to goods and services and social protection, including social security and healthcare; whereas this proposal has not been adopted yet and has been blocked within the Council for 14 years, where unanimity is required for its adoption; |
| --- | --- |

AL.

whereas in 2008, the Commission presented a proposal to expand protection from discrimination beyond employment, as set out the Employment Equality Directive, which prohibits discrimination based on disability, age, sexual orientation and religion or belief in the areas of employment and occupation; whereas the new directive would make the principle of equality applicable to education, access to goods and services and social protection, including social security and healthcare; whereas this proposal has not been adopted yet and has been blocked within the Council for 14 years, where unanimity is required for its adoption;

| AM. | whereas all EU Member States have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which makes it binding on them, and whereas Article 3(3) TEU establishes the objective for the EU to promote the protection of children’s rights; whereas the Charter guarantees that the EU institutions and the Member States must protect the rights of the child when they implement EU law; whereas Parliament adopted its resolution on a European Child Guarantee with a strong majority, forcefully asking that all children be ensured access to inclusive education from early childhood to adolescence, including for Roma children, children with disabilities, stateless and migrant children and those living in humanitarian emergency settings; |
| --- | --- |

AM.

whereas all EU Member States have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which makes it binding on them, and whereas Article 3(3) TEU establishes the objective for the EU to promote the protection of children’s rights; whereas the Charter guarantees that the EU institutions and the Member States must protect the rights of the child when they implement EU law; whereas Parliament adopted its resolution on a European Child Guarantee with a strong majority, forcefully asking that all children be ensured access to inclusive education from early childhood to adolescence, including for Roma children, children with disabilities, stateless and migrant children and those living in humanitarian emergency settings;

| AN. | whereas access to quality employment, education and training, healthcare, social protection, including across borders, adequate housing, support for independent living and equal opportunities to participate in leisure activities and community life are essential to the quality of life of persons with disabilities, reducing poverty and vulnerability and supporting inclusive and sustainable growth; whereas national minimum income schemes should ensure equal access for persons with disabilities; whereas persons with disabilities should also have access to targeted assistance for the additional disability-related expenses they face, in other words such expenses should not be covered by income alone; |
| --- | --- |

AN.

whereas access to quality employment, education and training, healthcare, social protection, including across borders, adequate housing, support for independent living and equal opportunities to participate in leisure activities and community life are essential to the quality of life of persons with disabilities, reducing poverty and vulnerability and supporting inclusive and sustainable growth; whereas national minimum income schemes should ensure equal access for persons with disabilities; whereas persons with disabilities should also have access to targeted assistance for the additional disability-related expenses they face, in other words such expenses should not be covered by income alone;

Living independently and being included in the community

| 1. | Recalls, as laid down in Article 19 of the CRPD, that persons with disabilities have the right to live independently and receive appropriate community-based services; believes that this right can only be fully guaranteed if policies and legislation that offer alternatives to institutions are developed at national, regional and local levels, and are guided by European standards; calls on the Commission and the Member States to phase out institutional care settings for persons with disabilities as soon as possible, as set out in General Comment No. 5 by the CRPD Committee and to bring about a shift from institutional and other segregated settings to a system enabling social participation where services are provided in an accessible community, taking full account of the individual needs, will and preference of persons with disabilities, including community-based care, as suggested by the Commission in the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020; underlines that stereotypes, ableism and misconceptions that prevent persons with disabilities from living independently must be eradicated and that their contributions to society must be promoted; emphasises that access to the labour market is essential to enable persons with disabilities to live an independent life and participate fully in society; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Calls on the Member States to adopt deinstitutionalisation strategies and to ensure that their laws, policies and programmes on deinstitutionalisation are in line with the concept of independent living set out in the CRPD; calls on the Commission to use benchmarks in order to measure progress in this regard; further calls on the Commission to stand by its commitment in the EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030 to provide guidance to Member States by 2023 regarding improvements in independent living and inclusion in the community; calls on the Member States to include specific targets with a defined time frame in their deinstitutionalisation strategies, adequately finance them and develop mechanisms to ensure effective coordination between the relevant authorities across different administrative sectors and levels; regrets the lack of accessible and affordable housing, which is a major barrier to independent living; underlines that community-based, independent living must be strengthened and achieved as an alternative to institutional frameworks, in line with the CRPD General Comment No 5; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | Considers that community-based support services and supportive living arrangements provide a better quality of life for persons with disabilities; calls on the Commission and the Member States to adopt a person-centred approach and the appropriate support needed in order to provide full inclusion of persons of disabilities; |
| --- | --- |

3.

| 4. | Calls on the Commission and the Member States to work towards developing mutual definitions of key terms related to the implementation of CRPD, such as ‘accessibility’, ‘participation’ and ‘community-based living’ as a means of enhancing cohesion among Member States and improving the intra-EU mobility of persons with disabilities, as well as to mutually recognise deinstitutionalisation and its implementation methods; |
| --- | --- |

4.

| 5. | Calls on the Commission and Eurostat to address the gaps, including the employment and pay rate gap, in the availability, reliability and comparability of data relating to the living conditions of persons with disabilities in Europe; |
| --- | --- |

5.

| 6. | Insists that the relevant EU funds should aim to promote inclusive, accessible environments, services, practices and devices, following a universal design approach and favouring deinstitutionalisation, including strong support for personal assistance and independent living; |
| --- | --- |

6.

| 7. | Welcomes the announcement from the European Court of Auditors of an upcoming audit regarding the efficiency of EU financial contribution to ensuring equality for persons with disabilities; urges the Commission to improve its monitoring on the use of EU funds in this policy area, including considering the suspension, withdrawal and recovery of payments if the obligation to respect fundamental rights is breached; stresses that segregated settings, regardless of their size, should not be financed with EU funds, and that these funds should always be accessible for persons with disabilities; further urges the Commission to ensure proper follow-up to the conclusions and recommendations provided by the European Court of Auditors in its special report on gender budgeting; stresses that according to the report, gender budgeting is a means of achieving gender equality, and actions to achieve gender equality must take into account the grounds of discrimination, including disability; |
| --- | --- |

7.

| 8. | Recalls that the Common Provisions Regulation for 2021-2027 (50) outlines that the European Social Fund and the European Regional Development Fund must be used in a manner which is compliant with the EU’s social inclusion policies; calls, therefore, for stricter provisions prohibiting the investment of EU funds into institutional care settings; |
| --- | --- |

8.

| 9. | Welcomes the own-initiative inquiry of the European Ombudsman into how the Commission monitors EU funds used to promote the right of persons with disabilities and older persons to independent living; highlights that in the conclusions, the European Ombudsman calls on the Commission to provide clearer guidance to Member States and to its own staff about the need to promote deinstitutionalisation and how this can be achieved in the context of the use of EU funds; |
| --- | --- |

9.

Equality and non-discrimination: the urgent need for a horizontal anti-discrimination directive

| 10. | Highlights that, according to the CRPD, the EU should mainstream a disability perspective in all its policies, programmes and strategies; endorses the CRPD recommendations and urges the Commission and the Member States to step up efforts to ensure they are properly followed; considers that the harmonisation of EU law with the CRPD is fundamental to ensure equality and non-discrimination; highlights the role of the EU’s CRPD framework in this process; |
| --- | --- |

10.

| 11. | Welcomes the relevant work of the European Ombudsman, as part of the EU’s CRPD framework, aimed at protecting, promoting and monitoring the EU institutions’ implementation of the CRPD; |
| --- | --- |

11.

| 12. | Calls on the EU Member States which have not yet signed and ratified the Optional Protocol to the CRPD to do so; |
| --- | --- |

12.

| 13. | Calls on the Commission and the Member States to increase their efforts to promote equal rights for persons with disabilities outside the EU, in particular in relation to candidate countries; stresses, in this context, the need for the Union to raise the question of reforms to improve the situation of persons with disabilities during accession negotiations; |
| --- | --- |

13.

| 14. | Calls on the Commission to update the proposal for an EU equal treatment directive building on Parliament’s position, by also addressing intersectional discrimination and explicitly prohibiting discrimination in a combination of all grounds as listed in the Charter; calls on the Presidency of the Council to give priority to this directive and to discuss it at the highest political level; stresses the need for concrete measures to promote the adoption of the directive and, if the directive is not adopted, for alternative legislative measures to address discrimination; |
| --- | --- |

14.

| 15. | Welcomes the Commission’s adoption of its ambitious Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030 and calls on the Commission to monitor and ensure its implementation by the Member States; highlights the need to have a clear role for the EU’s CRPD Framework in the review of the Strategy and to systematically and actively involve persons with disabilities and their representative organisations at EU, national, regional and local levels in such a review; calls on the Commission to develop these measures in coordination and communication with persons with disabilities and all the organisations involved, starting with Parliament’s CRPD network; |
| --- | --- |

15.

| 16. | Calls on the Commission, in cooperation with the Member States and in compliance with EU standards and the accompanying national legislation, to collect disaggregated and reliable data and statistics, including ensuring that EU-wide statistics have data disaggregated by the types of disability and include the number of persons living in institutions, in order to develop appropriate and effective policies to ensure an accessible, inclusive and equal society for all persons with disabilities in the EU, regardless of the area they live in, whether urban, rural or remote; |
| --- | --- |

16.

| 17. | Exhorts the Commission and the Member States to raise awareness, in particular among children and young people, and carry out clearly structured consultations with the participation and involvement of the persons directly affected and the civil society organisations representing them in order to acquire a real understanding of disabilities at all levels of society; |
| --- | --- |

17.

| 18. | Believes that there is a need for the exchanges of good practices at European level on successful projects to include persons with disabilities in all areas, as well as public information campaigns on how to achieve this, in line with Article 27 of the CRPD; |
| --- | --- |

18.

| 19. | Calls on the Member States to take due account of the unique situation of authors, performers and artists with disabilities in the development of all relevant policies, funding programmes and activities, and to remove all obstacles to ensuring equal rights and equal opportunities for all persons in the cultural and creative sectors, in particular by introducing measures which enable their equal access, participation and representation in all cultural creators; |
| --- | --- |

19.

| 20. | Calls on the Commission to ensure that future EU legislation on AI includes the widest possible range of users and makes access to AI systems easy and accessible for persons with disabilities, in accordance with the European Accessibility Act; |
| --- | --- |

20.

| 21. | Reminds the Member States of SDG 11.7, the aim of which is to provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible green and public spaces, in particular for children and women, persons with disabilities and older persons, by 2030; |
| --- | --- |

21.

The persons with disabilities most at risk

| 22. | Denounces the fact that some persons with disabilities are at greater risk of being the victim of some kind of discrimination and violence, such as women and girls, children, elderly, people experiencing homelessness, detainees, migrants and refugees, racialised persons and persons from ethnic backgrounds, such as Roma people, as well as LGBTIQ+ people; calls on the Commission and the Member States to address the specific challenges, rights and needs of these people through targeted measures to ensure access to justice, to victim assistance, support services and protection services and to remove barriers to reporting discrimination and violence; |
| --- | --- |

22.

| 23. | Underlines that persons with disabilities, in particular women with disabilities, continue to face multiple and intersectional discrimination based on their disability and their gender, race, ethnicity, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation, migration status or socioeconomic background; stresses that women and girls with disabilities are particularly subject to gender-based violence and that the range of gender-based violence experienced by women and girls with disabilities can include physical, sexual, psychological and economic violence; is concerned that women with disabilities are often subject to gender-based violence by partners or family members; calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that mechanisms for reporting violence against persons with disabilities, as well as support services for victims, are put in place and are accessible; |
| --- | --- |

23.

| 24. | Acknowledges the important role the caregivers play in persons with disabilities’ lives and the obstacles they face in performing their work; stresses that the legal, financial and social dependence that persons with disabilities, particularly women, have on their caregivers, puts them in a more vulnerable situation; is concerned about reported cases of violence against persons with disabilities by those who should be caring for them, either at home or in institutional care settings; |
| --- | --- |

24.

| 25. | Notes in the EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030 the Commission committed to focusing particular attention on women with disabilities, who are two to five times more likely to face violence than other women (51); calls on the Commission to mainstream and take into account the situation of women with disabilities in EU policy and measures; |
| --- | --- |

25.

| 26. | Is deeply concerned that women and girls with disabilities are far too often denied access to sexual and reproductive health services, in particular to gynaecological services, that they are also denied informed consent on the use of contraceptives and that they even face the risk of forced sterilisation (52); calls on the Member States to implement legislative measures that safeguard physical integrity, freedom of choice and self-determination with regard to the sexual and reproductive life of persons with disabilities; |
| --- | --- |

26.

| 27. | Welcomes the Commission proposal of a Directive to combat violence against women and domestic violence, as well as the commitment of and the steps taken by some Member States in this regard; calls on the Commission and the Member States to adopt additional concrete measures to combat gender-based violence, which include providing targeted support to persons with disabilities; further urges the Commission and the Member States to organise specific training courses and awareness-raising activities targeted at gender-based violence response systems, which should ensure the participation of women with disabilities and should provide them with information about their rights; believes that Commission and the Member States must explore the unique intersection of gender and disability in greater depth the in order to ensure that the complexities of gender-based violence against women and girls with disabilities are properly understood and addressed; |
| --- | --- |

27.

| 28. | Urges the Member States to allocate sufficient human and financial resources to the framework laid down in Article 33(2) of the CRPD in order to ensure that national equality bodies fulfil their tasks effectively and efficiently; urges the Commission to provide the support needed for this; |
| --- | --- |

28.

| 29. | Welcomes and supports the upcoming Commission legal initiative for minimum standards for equality bodies, which would encourage the Member States to extend the mandates of equality bodies to protect victims of discrimination based on disability; calls on the Commission to present an ambitious proposal without delay; |
| --- | --- |

29.

| 30. | Urges the Council to conclude the EU ratification of the Istanbul Convention on the basis of a broad accession without any limitations, and to advocate for its ratification by all the Member States, as it is an essential tool for addressing violence against women and girls with disabilities; |
| --- | --- |

30.

| 31. | Urges the Commission and the Member States to prevent the isolation of women with disabilities in all their diversity through cross-cutting and structural measures such as education and awareness-raising activities among women with disabilities as well as their families and caregivers; |
| --- | --- |

31.

| 32. | Is concerned about the situation of detainees with disabilities in Member States, irrespective of their type of disability; deplores the fact that the vulnerable situation of detainees with disabilities is not fully taken into account in some Member States; calls on the Member States to ensure that detainees with disabilities are provided the necessary infrastructure, including adequate provision for their specific needs, as well as ensuring accessibility and reasonable accommodation; calls for the Member States and the EU institutions, further, to take the necessary measures to ensure respect for and protection of the fundamental rights of prisoners, particularly those who are in vulnerable situations, such as mentally ill persons and persons with disabilities, including the adoption of common European detention standards in all Member States; |
| --- | --- |

32.

| 33. | Calls on the Member States to guarantee the right to education of all children with disabilities, ensuring that they have equal access to inclusive, high quality teaching from early childhood to adolescence, in particular through the establishment of tailored infrastructures and specialised training for their teachers and assistants; highlights that particular attention should be given to the accessibility of school services for children with disabilities; highlights that children with disabilities continue to be disproportionately represented in institutional care, remain in institutions on a long-term or permanent basis, and face high levels of discrimination and neglect; |
| --- | --- |

33.

| 34. | Emphasises that persons with disabilities are at higher risk of being the victims of hate speech and hate crime; welcomes the Commission’s proposal to extend the list of EU crimes to hate speech and hate crime; |
| --- | --- |

34.

Equal recognition before the law

| 35. | Calls on the Commission and the Member States to take urgent measures to abolish the restrictions on legal capacity that hinder the rights of persons with disabilities enshrined in the Treaties, including taking action to replace substituted decision-making with supported decision-making across the EU, respecting the autonomy, wishes and preferences of the person; |
| --- | --- |

35.

| 36. | Calls on the Member States to implement dedicated programmes that will allow for a shift from depriving persons with psychosocial disabilities of their legal capacity towards supported decision-making schemes; |
| --- | --- |

36.

| 37. | Welcomes the fact that in 2022 the EU Justice Scoreboard has for the first time taken account of the specific needs of persons with disabilities as regards access to justice; |
| --- | --- |

37.

| 38. | Calls on the Commission and the Member States to take adequate measures to eliminate all the barriers, including cultural ones, faced by persons with disabilities in accessing justice by addressing the lack of awareness about disabilities and the CRPD among justice services, including by allocating adequate funding for the training of justice personnel in order to improve the accessibility of information and provide professional support to victims with disabilities, in particular when the victim depends legally, financially or socially on the abuser; notes that complaints mechanisms, both judicial and non-judicial, should be made more accessible for persons with disabilities; calls on the Commission and the Member States, further, to include awareness of disability and of multiple and intersectional discrimination among recruitment criteria for personnel, in particular judicial and prison personnel, dealing with persons with disabilities; |
| --- | --- |

38.

| 39. | Underlines that facilities and services must be accessible to ensure equal access to justice and appropriate assistance to those who experience difficulty in exercising their legal capacity; recalls that communication difficulties may have serious consequences in terms of access by detainees with disabilities to information in accessible formats and to activities suited to their disabilities; calls on the Commission and the Member States to take appropriate measures to guarantee affordable, safe and effective access to justice for persons with disabilities and to ensure that assistance and accessible communication and information is provided at all stages of the process; |
| --- | --- |

39.

| 40. | Recalls that repeated transfers and lack of continuity of care, as well as the lack of judicial and prison staff, including medical staff, with adequate training in assisting detainees with disabilities, exacerbate vulnerability and isolation of these detainees; |
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40.

| 41. | Calls on the Commission to set up a programme for financing the coverage of judicial proceedings related to court trials where governments of the Member States stand accused of discrimination of persons with disabilities; suggests that this financing could be taken from the current European Social Fund Plus (ESF+); |
| --- | --- |

41.

| 42. | Calls on the Commission and Eurofound to collect robust data and comprehensive research about the impact of restrictions of legal capacity on the lives of persons with disabilities, including persons with psychosocial disabilities; |
| --- | --- |

42.

Participation in political and public life: ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’

| 43. | Calls on the EU and the Member States to amend the European Electoral Law as well as any relevant national law to ensure all persons with disabilities can vote and stand as candidate in elections on an equal basis with others; stresses that decisions on deprivation of legal capacity due to disability taken by the Member State of origin should not make Union citizens ineligible in their Member State of residence if the law of that Member State upholds that right for all persons with disabilities without restrictions; calls on the Commission, particularly with a view to the next European elections in 2024, to work with the Member States to guarantee the right to vote independently and in secret and to ensure that persons with disabilities have equal opportunities to campaign in elections; stresses that in many cases there are no infrastructures for persons with disabilities to exercise their democratic right to vote; calls on the Member States, in this regard, to ensure that the polling stations are accessible to persons with disabilities; reiterates, to this end, the provisions in Parliament’s legislative resolution of 3 May 2022 on the political rights of persons with disabilities; |
| --- | --- |

43.

| 44. | Urges the Commission and the Member States to involve persons with disabilities in all their diversity and of all backgrounds in EU decision-making; considers that leadership persons with disabilities should be further promoted through greater investment in organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs/DPOs) in order to facilitate their meaningful participation and increase their influence in decision-making; |
| --- | --- |

44.

| 45. | Calls on European, national, regional and local political parties to ensure that persons with disabilities are better represented on electoral rolls; calls on the designated electoral authorities of the Member States to collect data on the accessibility of polling stations, including indications of whether they are adapted to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities and to report this to the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament at latest one year after an election to the European Parliament has been held; |
| --- | --- |

45.

| 46. | Strongly believes that breaking down barriers by promoting and adopting accessibility measures and specific communication formats, such as easy-to-read language, Braille and sign language, would be a major step towards enabling persons with disabilities to genuinely participate in political and public life; stresses the need to make digital services more accessible for persons with disabilities; |
| --- | --- |

46.

| 47. | Acknowledges the evolution of new technologies and its potential for person with disabilities; encourages the Commission in investing in developing information and communications technology (ICT) applications, which allow communication in and translation of sign language and Braille; |
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47.

| 48. | Calls on the Commission to further enhance and promote the aspects of the Creative Europe programme that promote inclusion in order to increase cultural participation across the Union as part of progress towards a more inclusive society, in particular for persons with disabilities, encouraging their active participation in creative processes as well as audience development; |
| --- | --- |

48.

The need for an implementation plan for disability-inclusive disaster risk management at EU level

| 49. | Calls on the Commission and the Member States to strengthen the participation of persons with disabilities and their representative organisations in the decision-making process for the design, management, resourcing and implementation of policies and programmes on disaster risk reduction; calls for the mainstreaming of the perspectives of persons with disabilities in the Union’s crisis management responses; |
| --- | --- |

49.

| 50. | Considers that these programmes should include mainstreaming across different sectors and levels of government and set specific targets and timelines to achieve the development of a disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction action plan in order to achieve the Sendai Framework; |
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50.

| 51. | Underlines that EU policies and programmes must be supported by disaggregated evidence-based data; highlights the need to support and fund research in order to better understand the effects of disasters on persons with disabilities and their capacity to cope with them; |
| --- | --- |

51.

| 52. | Calls on the Member States and the Commission to improve their crisis communication and to ensure the use of formats that allow persons with disabilities to access relevant information; notes with concern the conclusions of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights on the substantial shortcomings in this area during the COVID-19 pandemic; |
| --- | --- |

52.

| 53. | Notes that persons with disabilities are among the most marginalised and at-risk populations in any crisis-affected community; stresses further that as a consequence of war, persons with disabilities in situations of armed conflict face violent attacks, forced displacement and continuing neglect in the humanitarian response for civilians caught up in the fighting, and that they are often abandoned in their homes or in deserted villages for days or weeks, with little access to food or water; recalls the importance, in this regard, of the EU strategy on the rights of the child, the Child Guarantee, the 2021-2030 EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as well as of all existing EU legal instruments for supporting the Member States to address the specific needs, protection and care of refugees with disabilities, including the Temporary Protection Directive (53); |
| --- | --- |

53.

Freedom of movement and mutual recognition: the need to extend the benefits of the EU Disability Card

| 54. | Stresses the indispensable need for the mutual definition, diagnosis and recognition of disability status in all areas throughout the EU and urges the Commission to accelerate its work in this regard in order to ensure the recognition of disability status while moving across the EU and to secure freedom of movement for persons with disabilities in all Member States; |
| --- | --- |

54.

| 55. | Welcomes the Commission’s announcement in its letter of intent of 2022 to Parliament stating that it would be submitting a legislative proposal on a European Disability Card in 2023, which is also included in the Commission’s 2023 work programme; |
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55.

| 56. | Strongly believes that the EU Disability Card should be based on binding an EU legislative act that should cover a range of different areas beyond culture, leisure and sport; stresses that the Disability Card should also, by default, be usable for national, regional and local public services such as transport, have a dedicated EU website and accessible online database available in all EU languages, including specific communication formats, such as easy-to-read language, Braille and sign language; asks the Commission, further, to consider the management of the implementation of the EU Disability Card to be funded under the ESF+; |
| --- | --- |

56.

| 57. | Strongly believes that persons with disabilities and their representative organisations have to be closely involved in the implementation of and communication on the EU Disability Card; considers that this firstly requires a review of current legislation and policies, must be backed up by a robust awareness-raising process, be followed by specific impact analyses based on disaggregated data, and lead to concrete implementation measures; |
| --- | --- |

57.

Promoting mainstream inclusive educational settings and ensuring quality and accessible healthcare

| 58. | Calls on the Commission and the Member States to take measures to facilitate access to and the enjoyment of inclusive, quality education for all learners with disabilities, including e-learning and lifelong learning, in line with the CRPD and to include disability-specific indicators from the Europe 2020 strategy when pursuing the education target; emphasises the importance of ensuring equal access to education in classrooms for pupils and students, including early childhood education, regardless of whether they have a disability; calls on the Member States to increase investment in the Erasmus+ programme and to use the funding opportunities offered by it; |
| --- | --- |

58.

| 59. | Deplores the lack of investment by some Member States in facilities for persons with disabilities who need specific treatment by specialists, in some cases forcing these persons, especially young people of school age, to leave their families in order to access suitable facilities in other Member States; |
| --- | --- |

59.

| 60. | Calls on the Commission to ensure that digital environments are accessible for all; stresses that live captioning, easy-to-read information, sign language interpretation and accessible websites are essential for providing education and information to persons with disabilities; |
| --- | --- |

60.

| 61. | Urges the Commission and the Member States to take swift action to ensure that persons with disabilities, including psychosocial disabilities, are provided with the same range, quality and standards of free or affordable healthcare and programmes that are provided to other persons, including access to sexual and reproductive health services and initiatives under the EU Beating Cancer Plan; |
| --- | --- |

61.

| 62. | Strongly recommends that EU funds support the development of disability-inclusive disease services in the Member States; suggests that the Commission should consider the development of accessibility standards for screening equipment; |
| --- | --- |

62.

| 63. | Considers that accessible public health campaigns and communication on disease prevention, screening and treatment must include persons with disabilities and be disseminated in various accessible formats, such as sign language, Braille and easy-to-read; |
| --- | --- |

63.

| 64. | Calls on the Member States to guarantee continuity of care and support, which often stops after schooling, causing difficulties in the transition to the labour market, breaks in employment support access opportunities and in the capacity to live independently; |
| --- | --- |

64.

| 65. | Calls on the Member States to ensure that persons with disabilities have equal opportunities in the labour market, access to inclusive and mainstream education and health services, as well as equal access to transport by eliminating basic barriers to social life and incorporating universal design principles in infrastructure and digital investments across the EU; |
| --- | --- |

65.

| 66. | Calls on the Commission to develop a comprehensive and cross-sectional European mental health strategy as an appropriate follow-up to the European Framework for Action on Mental Health and to improve the EU Compass for Action on Mental Health and Well-Being; notes that this strategy should aim to require Member States to integrate mental healthcare with physical care in view of the close correlation between the two, including a particular focus on persons with disabilities, to deliver effective care on the basis of evidence and human rights and to expand the number of services on offer to enable more people to access treatment; calls on the Member States in particular to include in their relevant EU funds the improvement of neuropsychiatric services for children and young people, who suffered most as a result of the measures adopted during the pandemic, which led to increased social hardship, poverty and psychological suffering, with dramatic consequences; |
| --- | --- |

66.

| 67. | Calls on the Commission to revise the Cross-Border Health Care Directive to bring it into line with the CRPD and guarantee effective access to quality cross-border healthcare for persons with disabilities; |
| --- | --- |

67.

Promoting inclusive employment

| 68. | Highlights that persons with disabilities’ exercise of the right to work (54) is closely linked to measures to tackle direct and indirect discrimination, poverty and barriers in health, education, training, housing, care, support, personal mobility, built environment accessibility, segregation, institutionalisation; encourages the Commission and the Member States therefore to take effective and concrete measures to promote equality, diversity and horizontal inclusion for persons with disabilities and their families in all parts of society, inter alia, through personal assistance, independent living, social protection, awareness-raising and a barrier-free environment; recalls that persons with disabilities’ integration into the labour market is not only essential for social inclusion and equal opportunities, but also offers significant economic opportunities for persons with disabilities’ financial independence and benefits the wider economy; |
| --- | --- |

68.

| 69. | Asks the European Labour Authority to work with national labour inspectorates to implement existing legislation; recommends that labour inspectors monitor public and private employers to ensure compliance with occupational rights for people with disabilities; |
| --- | --- |

69.

| 70. | Calls on the Commission and the Member States to adopt a holistic life cycle policy approach to supporting the prevention of discrimination and to ensure effective retention and inclusion of persons with disabilities in the labour market; calls on the Commission and Member States to fully implement and mainstream the CRPD across all legislative, policy and funding measures, in particular as regards persons with disabilities’ social and labour market inclusion; calls for the EU and all Member States to ratify the Optional Protocol to the CRPD; |
| --- | --- |

70.

| 71. | Welcomes the policy debate of 16 June 2022 among employment and social affairs ministers on the employment of persons with disabilities, how to remove disincentives to hiring persons with disabilities and actions to promote their integration into the labour market; looks forward to concrete follow-up actions by the Member States; |
| --- | --- |

71.

| 72. | Underlines the need to pay particular attention to the employment situation of people with disabilities belonging to ethnic minorities, such as migrants, refugees, Roma and people of African descent; |
| --- | --- |

72.

| 73. | Emphasises that a human rights-based approach needs to be established as the framework under which society discusses disability and that disability support needs to be adapted accordingly; highlights the importance of a holistic definition and application of accessibility and stresses its value as an indispensable basis for persons with disabilities to have equal opportunities, as recognised in the CRPD and in line with CRPD General Comment No 2, taking into account the diversity of the needs of persons with disabilities, and promoting universal design as an EU principle (55); |
| --- | --- |

73.

| 74. | Calls on the Commission to start the revision of the Employment Equality Directive as soon as possible, in particular as regards harmonised minimum standards for reasonable accommodations for workers with disabilities, with a view to fully harmonising it with the provisions of the CRPD and implementing a participatory process aimed at ensuring the direct and full involvement of organisations representing persons with disabilities; |
| --- | --- |

74.

| 75. | Stresses the importance of actively involving persons with disabilities, their families and representative organisations in the development and implementation of all measures affecting them; stresses the importance of mainstreaming disability considerations in the workplace and the role of social dialogue and training for employers in this regard; calls on the Member States to take active measures to ensure non-discrimination for all and that persons with disabilities can exercise their labour and trade union rights on equal terms with others; |
| --- | --- |

75.

| 76. | Highlights that harassment at work, including sexual harassment and retaliation for speaking up, hinders access to work and employment, job retention and equal career paths, in particular for women with disabilities (56), and that specific actions are needed in Member States to prevent, combat and sanction harassment against persons with disabilities; |
| --- | --- |

76.

| 77. | Believes that income support schemes, disability-related assistance and active employment support complement each other in promoting the full and effective participation of persons with disabilities in the labour market, as salaries are not a replacement for covering additional expenses related to disabilities; calls, therefore, on the Member States to unbundle income and active employment support and disability-related assistance (57) in order to ensure that eligibility rules are as inclusive as possible, and to cover additional disability-related expenses, combat in-work poverty and ensure equality, dignity and autonomy for persons with disabilities; encourages the Member States to put in place similar solutions for carers of persons with disabilities to earn income in addition to their caring-related benefits; |
| --- | --- |

77.

| 78. | Urges the Commission to ensure that Member States respect the principle of equal treatment and equal pay for work of equal value for all workers; insists, further, that workers with disabilities in sheltered workshops should at least be ensured the rights and status equivalent to the labour rights of people working in the open labour market; believes that these workshops should take an individualised approach and as far as is practicable only be used as a temporary option for persons with disabilities during their working life; believes, further, that these workshops should aim to foster skills development and support transitions to the open labour market; insists that persons with disabilities working in such environments should be protected by existing legal frameworks covering social protection and working conditions, including minimum wage protection on an equal basis with others, in line with Article 27 of the CRPD; calls on the Member States to develop inclusive models of sheltered and supported employment, respecting the rights of persons with disabilities, that serve as measures for effective inclusion and later transition to the open labour market; stresses that it is important for persons with disabilities to find quality employment that matches their skills and ambitions and that training, upskilling and reskilling of persons with disabilities should provide real abilities and skills; calls on the Member States to assess the effectiveness of existing sheltered workshops in providing persons with disabilities with skills to gain employment in the open labour market; calls on the Commission to monitor this process; |
| --- | --- |

78.

| 79. | Notes that the COVID-19 crisis has led to an increase in remote work and that teleworking could help boost the employment of persons with disabilities as a form of disability accommodation and as a tool to achieve greater work-life balance and reduce pain- and fatigue-related barriers to the labour market; cautions, however, against the use of teleworking by employers to avoid making reasonable accommodations or creating inclusive workplace cultures for workers with disabilities (58), as this may isolate them and impact their mental health; stresses that future telework policies should be developed with a disability rights perspective and involve persons with disabilities when being designed, when new collective agreements are negotiated on telework, and when companies revise their telework policies to ensure they are disability-friendly; recalls that equal access to education and training for persons with disabilities, their acquisition of digital skills and accessible related digital infrastructure, both in urban and in rural and remote areas, are needed to enable people to benefit from the new employment opportunities created by digitalisation; highlights that reasonable accommodation is a right for workers with disabilities and believes that awareness-raising actions and programmes for skills and abilities of persons with disabilities and reasonable accommodation literacy for private and public employers should be promoted by public authorities to tackle ableism and ensure duty bearers have the tools to employ, support and retain workers with disabilities; |
| --- | --- |

79.

| 80. | Notes that promoting the rights of older persons is closely linked to achieving equal rights for persons with disabilities, since older persons are more likely to have a disability and more than 46 % of persons aged 60 and over have disabilities; stresses, given demographic changes and in particular the ageing of the population, the need to address new challenges related to the higher prevalence of disabilities linked to the ageing of the workforce and the higher prevalence of employees with chronic diseases; stresses the importance of developing policies, including flexible work schedules, to help workers with disabilities to better integrate into the labour market, as well as care services for persons with disabilities, including standards on training for staff and standards for personal assistance; |
| --- | --- |

80.

| 81. | Calls on the Member States to monitor respect for principles 2 and 3 of the European Pillar of Social Rights, which provide for equality of treatment and opportunities regarding participation in the labour market, terms and conditions of employment and career progression between men and women, regardless of racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation; calls for monitoring of the adoption of the measures under the CRPD; |
| --- | --- |

81.

| 82. | Calls on the Member States to provide tailored support for persons with disabilities as regards access to skills development, vocational education and training, and employment to ensure inclusive and active labour market policies; encourages employment services and the public and private sectors to roll out personalised measures to improve the employability and retention of persons with disabilities in the labour market with a view to complying with the CRPD, and to exchange best practices on employing persons with disabilities through the European Network of Public Employment Services; calls on the Member States to provide guidance, training and financial aid to support job creation, recruitment entrepreneurship and self-employment for persons with disabilities, including through the ESF+; underlines the positive role the social economy can play in the employment of persons with disabilities; calls on the Member States to create incentives to encourage persons with disabilities to create social economy entities and to initiate income-generating activities; |
| --- | --- |

82.

| 83. | Believes that labour market support measures must take into account disability and tailor-made policy responses to support the inclusion of persons with disabilities in employment; calls on the Member States to support job-matching, vocational profiling, concurrent employment and training, in-work induction, on-the-job training, career development and mentoring, and inclusive and accessible vocational education and training to support the necessary integration and retention of persons with disabilities in the workplace; stresses that measures to improve persons with disabilities’ inclusion and employment will not be truly effective without also tackling disability-related stereotypes and stigma in the workplace and wider society; stresses, in this regard, the importance of awareness-raising and training for educators, employers and employees, as well as the general public, in tackling ableism, shifting mind-sets and ensuring truly inclusive societies; |
| --- | --- |

83.

| 84. | Stresses that the low activity rate of persons with disabilities hinders socioeconomic inclusion, which must be improved by European and national programmes aiming to activate and train persons excluded from the labour market; stresses that, while supporting and promoting the labour market participation of persons with disabilities is crucial, adequate and inclusive social protection mechanisms also need to be put in place to ensure support is available for all persons with disabilities; |
| --- | --- |

84.

| 85. | Reiterates its call on the Commission and the Member States to assess the key trends for the future of work from a disability perspective in order to identify and launch specific actions to make the labour market more inclusive and reduce the digital divide; underlines the importance of making better use of innovative technologies to level the playing field and remove barriers to education, training and employment, in particular in the digital labour market, and to help persons with disabilities gain access to digital tools and software that are indispensable for them to live independently; emphasises the need to protect persons with disabilities from AI-based discrimination in recruitment, selection, promotion and termination decisions in employment; calls on the Member States to improve the reach of training courses on digital skills for groups of people who are at risk of exclusion, inter alia, persons with disabilities and older people, in order to better integrate them into social life and the labour market and provide better access to e-services and administration; |
| --- | --- |

85.

| 86. | Strongly supports research into, social investment in and targeted initiatives at EU level for programmes and services proven to be effective in supporting the long-term labour market integration of persons with disabilities, with particular attention to persons on the autism spectrum; suggests that the Member States should commission research into models and programmes where an evidence base does not yet exist, as well as fund innovation in service provision, such as AI applied to assistive technologies (59); |
| --- | --- |

86.

| 87. | Calls on the Member States, in particular national coordinators in their multi-annual national strategies under the European Child Guarantee, to pay particular attention to the needs of children with disabilities and ensure effective and free access to quality services, particularly inclusive education; calls on them to provide effective access to healthy nutrition and adequate housing for all refugee children with disabilities on an equal footing with children in host countries in line with Council Recommendation (EU) 2021/1004 in order to ensure that national integrated measures take intersectional disadvantages into account; calls on the Member States and the Commission, therefore, to urgently increase the funding for the European Child Guarantee by means of a dedicated budget of at least EUR 20 billion; encourages all Member States, in this regard, to allocate more than the minimum ESF+ resources under shared management to support activities under the European Child Guarantee; reiterates its call on the Member States to implement the improved Youth Guarantee to ensure offers of high quality, including fair remuneration, access to social protection, and working environments that are adapted to the needs of persons with disabilities; |
| --- | --- |

87.

| 88. | Calls on the Member States to implement the Directive on work-life balance for parents and carers, which introduces a carers’ leave allowance of five working days per year; insists that special arrangements for carers’ leave, paternity leave, parental leave and flexible working hours should be considered for parents in particularly disadvantaged situations, such as those with disabilities or parents of children with disabilities or long-term illnesses, without any repercussions from the employer; |
| --- | --- |

88.

| 89. | Calls on the Member States to ensure better working and living conditions, including through adequate minimum wages and pay transparency measures, to reduce the disability pay gap and achieve inclusive and sustainable growth in the labour market; stresses the importance of swiftly adopting the directive on minimum wages and pay transparency, which must fully apply to persons with disabilities; |
| --- | --- |

89.

| 90. | Calls on the Commission to develop and promote a European legal framework for inclusive enterprises with the aim of creating permanent employment for people with disabilities; |
| --- | --- |

90.

o

o o

| 91. | Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission. |
| --- | --- |

91.

---

(1)  OJ L 23, 27.1.2010, p. 35.

(2)  OJ C 340, 15.12.2010, p. 11.

(3)  https://reliefweb.int/report/world/covid-19-gender-and-disability-checklist-preventing-and-addressing-gender-based

(4)  https://www.eesc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/files/qe-02-19-153-en-n.pdf

(5)  OJ C 97, 24.3.2020, p. 41.

(6)  OJ L 315, 3.12.2007, p. 14.

(7)  OJ L 189, 28.5.2021, p. 34.

(8)  OJ L 315, 14.11.2012, p. 57.

(9)  OJ L 327, 2.12.2016, p. 1.

(10)  OJ L 303, 28.11.2018, p. 69.

(11)  OJ L 321, 17.12.2018, p. 36.

(12)  OJ L 151, 7.6.2019, p. 70.

(13)  OJ L 188, 12.7.2019, p. 79.

(14)  OJ L 303, 2.12.2000, p. 16.

(15)  OJ L 127, 16.5.2019, p. 34.

(16)  OJ C 137 E, 27.5.2010, p. 68.

(17)  OJ L 167, 12.6.1998, p. 25.

(18)  OJ L 223, 22.6.2021, p. 14.

(19)  https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-14646-2019-INIT/en/pdf

(20)  Texts adopted, P9_TA(2022)0265.

(21)  Texts adopted, P9_TA(2022)0129.

(22)  OJ C 434, 15.11.2022, p. 50.

(23)  Texts adopted, P9_TA(2022)0219.

(24)  OJ C 81, 18.2.2022, p. 43.

(25)  OJ C 251, 30.6.2022, p. 2.

(26)  OJ C 184, 5.5.2022, p. 88.

(27)  OJ C 132, 24.3.2022, p. 129.

(28)  OJ C 506, 15.12.2021, p. 94.

(29)  OJ C 474, 24.11.2021, p. 48.

(30)  OJ C 371, 15.9.2021, p. 6.

(31)  OJ C 316, 6.8.2021, p. 2.

(32)  OJ C 362, 8.9.2021, p. 8.

(33)  OJ C 346, 27.9.2018, p. 94.

(34)  OJ C 363, 28.10.2020, p. 164.

(35)  Study — ‘European structural and investment funds and people with disabilities in the European Union’, European Parliament, Directorate-General for Internal Policies, Policy Department C — Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs, 3 November 2016.

(36)  Study — ‘Inclusive education for learners with disabilities’, European Parliament, Directorate-General for Internal Policies, Policy Department C — Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs, 15 September 2017.

(37)  Study — ‘The protection role of the Committee on Petitions in the context of the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’, European Parliament, Directorate-General for Internal Policies, Policy Department C — Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs, 9 October 2015.

(38)  In-depth analysis — ‘The European Accessibility Act’, European Parliament, Directorate-General for Internal Policies, Policy Department C — Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs, 15 August 2016.

(39)  Study — ‘Transport and tourism for persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility’, European Parliament, Directorate-General for Internal Policies, Policy Department B — Structural and Cohesion Policies, 8 May 2018.

(40)  Study — ‘The Post-2020 European disability strategy’, European Parliament, Directorate-General for Internal Policies, Policy Department C — Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs, 15 July 2020.

(41)  Study — ‘The implementation of the 2015 Concluding Observations of the CRPD Committee by the EU’, European Parliament, Directorate-General for Internal Policies, Policy Department C — Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs, 2 December 2021.

(42)  https://www.eca.europa.eu/en/Pages/DocItem.aspx?did=58678

(43)  OJ L 180, 19.7.2000, p. 22.

(44)  OJ L 167, 4.7.2018, p. 28.

(45)  OJ L 223, 22.6.2021, p. 14.

(46)  Joint Briefing for United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities regarding the review of the implementation of the CPRD by the EU, available at https://equineteurope.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/02-14-Joint-Briefing-CRPD-Equality-and-intersectional-issues-faced-by-persons-with-disabilities-in-the-European-Union.pdf

(47)  https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=1138

(48)  European Disability Forum’s European Human Rights Report of 2022.

(49)  United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Women Enabled International, ‘Women and Young Persons with Disabilities: Guidelines for Providing Rights-Based, Gender-Responsive Services to Address Gender-Based Violence and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights’, 2018, https://www.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/UNFPA-WEI_Guidelines_Disability_GBV_SRHR_FINAL_19-11-18_0.pdf

(50)  Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 159).

(51)  Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030 (COM(2021)0101), p. 16.

(52)  https://www.edf-feph.org/content/uploads/2022/09/Final-Forced-Sterilisarion-Report-2022-European-Union-copia_compressed.pdf

(53)  Council Directive 2001/55/EC of 20 July 2001 on minimum standards for giving temporary protection in the event of a mass influx of displaced persons and on measures promoting a balance of efforts between Member States in receiving such persons and bearing the consequences thereof (OJ L 212, 7.8.2001, p. 12).

(54)  Article 27 of the CRPD.

(55)  In Article 2 of the CRPD, ‘Universal design’ is defined as ‘the design of products, environments, programmes and services to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. “Universal design” shall not exclude assistive devices for particular groups of persons with disabilities where this is needed’.

(56)  ‘Europe 2020 data & People with disabilities — tables (EU SILC 2017)’, prepared by Stefanos Grammenos, Centre for European Social and Economic Policy, 27 December 2019.

(57)  UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, ‘Report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities’, presented to the 70th session of the UN General Assembly, 7 August 2015.

(58)  Schur, L.A., Ameri, M. and Kruse, D., ‘Telework After COVID: A “Silver Lining” for Workers with Disabilities?’, Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, Vol. 30, No 4, 2020, pp. 521–536.

(59)  European Platform for Rehabilitation, ‘Artificial intelligence and service provision for people with disabilities — An analytical paper’, 2022.

---

| 17.5.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 177/35 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 177/35

---

P9_TA(2022)0436

A long-term vision for the EU's rural areas

European Parliament resolution of 13 December 2022 on a long-term vision for the EU's rural areas — Towards stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040 (2021/2254(INI))

(2023/C 177/04)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the Commission communication of 30 June 2021 entitled ‘A long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas — Towards stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040’ (COM(2021)0345), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 30 June 2021 entitled ‘A long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas — Towards stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040’ (COM(2021)0345),

| — | having regard to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals,

| — | having regard to the Paris Agreement reached at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Paris Agreement reached at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change,

| — | having regard to Articles 39 and 174 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Articles 39 and 174 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU),

| — | 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), |
| --- | --- |

—

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),

| — | having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulations (EC) No 401/2009 and (EU) 2018/1999 (‘European Climate Law’) (2), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulations (EC) No 401/2009 and (EU) 2018/1999 (‘European Climate Law’) (2),

| — | having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 December 2021 establishing rules on support for strategic plans to be drawn up by Member States under the common agricultural policy (CAP Strategic Plans) and financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1305/2013 and (EU) No 1307/2013 (3), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 December 2021 establishing rules on support for strategic plans to be drawn up by Member States under the common agricultural policy (CAP Strategic Plans) and financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1305/2013 and (EU) No 1307/2013 (3),

| — | having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/2116 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 December 2021 on the financing, management and monitoring of the common agricultural policy and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 (4), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/2116 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 December 2021 on the financing, management and monitoring of the common agricultural policy and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 (4),

| — | having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (5), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (5),

| — | having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/694 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2021 establishing the Digital Europe Programme (6), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/694 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2021 establishing the Digital Europe Programme (6),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 27 October 2016 on how the CAP can improve job creation in rural areas (7), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 27 October 2016 on how the CAP can improve job creation in rural areas (7),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 4 April 2017 on women and their roles in rural areas (8), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 4 April 2017 on women and their roles in rural areas (8),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 15 November 2017 on an Action Plan for nature, people and the economy (9), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 15 November 2017 on an Action Plan for nature, people and the economy (9),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 30 May 2018 on the future of food and farming (10), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 30 May 2018 on the future of food and farming (10),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 3 October 2018 on addressing the specific needs of rural, mountainous and remote areas (11), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 3 October 2018 on addressing the specific needs of rural, mountainous and remote areas (11),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 8 March 2022 on the role of cohesion policy in promoting innovative and smart transformation and regional ICT connectivity (12), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 8 March 2022 on the role of cohesion policy in promoting innovative and smart transformation and regional ICT connectivity (12),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 8 October 2020 on the European Forest Strategy — The Way Forward (13), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 8 October 2020 on the European Forest Strategy — The Way Forward (13),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 20 October 2021 on a farm to fork strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system (14), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 20 October 2021 on a farm to fork strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system (14),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 9 June 2021 on the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030: Bringing nature back into our lives (15), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 9 June 2021 on the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030: Bringing nature back into our lives (15),

| — | having regard to the Commission communication of 11 December 2019 on the European Green Deal (COM(2019)0640), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 11 December 2019 on the European Green Deal (COM(2019)0640),

| — | having regard to the Commission communication of 20 May 2020 entitled ‘A Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system’ (COM(2020)0381), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 20 May 2020 entitled ‘A Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system’ (COM(2020)0381),

| — | having regard to the Commission communication of 20 May 2020 entitled ‘EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 — Bringing nature back into our lives’ (COM(2020)0380), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 20 May 2020 entitled ‘EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 — Bringing nature back into our lives’ (COM(2020)0380),

| — | having regard to the Commission communication of 12 November 2021 entitled ‘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 entitled ‘Contingency plan for ensuring food supply and food security in times of crisis’ (COM(2021)0689),

| — | having regard to the Commission communication of 16 July 2021 entitled ‘New EU Forest Strategy for 2030’ (COM(2021)0572), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 16 July 2021 entitled ‘New EU Forest Strategy for 2030’ (COM(2021)0572),

| — | having regard to the Commission communication of 4 February 2022 on the 8th Cohesion Report: Cohesion in Europe towards 2050 (COM(2022)0034), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 4 February 2022 on the 8th Cohesion Report: Cohesion in Europe towards 2050 (COM(2022)0034),

| — | having regard to the Commission report of 17 June 2020 on the impact of demographic change (COM(2020)0241), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission report of 17 June 2020 on the impact of demographic change (COM(2020)0241),

| — | having regard to the Commission green paper of 27 January 2021 on ageing — fostering solidarity and responsibility between generations (COM(2021)0050), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission green paper of 27 January 2021 on ageing — fostering solidarity and responsibility between generations (COM(2021)0050),

| — | having regard to the Cork 2.0 Declaration entitled ‘A Better Life in Rural Areas’, adopted by the parties to the European Conference on Rural Development held in Cork in September 2016, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Cork 2.0 Declaration entitled ‘A Better Life in Rural Areas’, adopted by the parties to the European Conference on Rural Development held in Cork in September 2016,

| — | having regard to the Bled Declaration for a smarter future of the rural areas in the EU, signed in Bled, Slovenia, on 13 April 2018, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Bled Declaration for a smarter future of the rural areas in the EU, signed in Bled, Slovenia, on 13 April 2018,

| — | having regard to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas, adopted by the Human Rights Council on 28 September 2018, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas, adopted by the Human Rights Council on 28 September 2018,

| — | having regard to its resolution of 3 May 2022 on an EU action plan for organic agriculture (16), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 3 May 2022 on an EU action plan for organic agriculture (16),

| — | having regard to general recommendation No 34 (2016) of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on the rights of rural women, adopted on 7 March 2016, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to general recommendation No 34 (2016) of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on the rights of rural women, adopted on 7 March 2016,

| — | having regard to Principle 20 of the European Pillar of Social Rights, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Principle 20 of the European Pillar of Social Rights,

| — | having regard to the study requested by Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development entitled ‘The future of the European Farming Model: Socio-economic and territorial implications of the decline in the number of farms and farmers in the EU’, published by Policy Department for Structural and Cohesion Policies in April 2022, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the study requested by Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development entitled ‘The future of the European Farming Model: Socio-economic and territorial implications of the decline in the number of farms and farmers in the EU’, published by Policy Department for Structural and Cohesion Policies in April 2022,

| — | having regard to the Commission communication of 25 March 2021 on an action plan for the development of organic production (COM(2021)0141), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 25 March 2021 on an action plan for the development of organic production (COM(2021)0141),

| — | having regard to its 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 (17), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its 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 (17),

| — | having regard to the Commission staff working document of 8 April 2021 entitled ‘Evaluation of the impact of the CAP on generational renewal, local development and jobs in rural areas’ (SWD(2021)0078), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission staff working document of 8 April 2021 entitled ‘Evaluation of the impact of the CAP on generational renewal, local development and jobs in rural areas’ (SWD(2021)0078),

| — | having regard to the opinion of the European Committee of the Regions of 26 January 2022 entitled ‘A long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas’ (18), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the opinion of the European Committee of the Regions of 26 January 2022 entitled ‘A long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas’ (18),

| — | having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 23 March 2022 entitled ‘A long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas’ (19), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 23 March 2022 entitled ‘A long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas’ (19),

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

—

having regard to Rule 54 of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to the opinions of the Committee on Regional Development and the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the opinions of the Committee on Regional Development and the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality,

| — | having regard to the report of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (A9-0269/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (A9-0269/2022),

| A. | whereas rural areas represent around 83 % of the total EU territory and are home to around 137 million people (30 % of the EU population); whereas the EU’s rural areas are of great importance as places for food production, forests and energy production, in particular renewable energy, as well as for delivering on the European Green Deal, climate neutrality and the Sustainable Development Goals; whereas rural areas, in particular remote and less developed rural regions, mountainous areas, islands and outermost regions face specific long-term unresolved challenges and a lack of recognition of their unique potential for development and innovation; |
| --- | --- |

A.

whereas rural areas represent around 83 % of the total EU territory and are home to around 137 million people (30 % of the EU population); whereas the EU’s rural areas are of great importance as places for food production, forests and energy production, in particular renewable energy, as well as for delivering on the European Green Deal, climate neutrality and the Sustainable Development Goals; whereas rural areas, in particular remote and less developed rural regions, mountainous areas, islands and outermost regions face specific long-term unresolved challenges and a lack of recognition of their unique potential for development and innovation;

| B. | whereas the overall share of population in rural areas has been decreasing slightly at EU level over the past decade, and significantly over the past 50 years, due to ageing and outmigration (urbanisation); whereas the share of people aged over 65 years is generally the highest in rural areas, and is expected to increase in the future; whereas populations are likely to shrink in four out of five rural regions of the EU by 2050, with remote rural areas set to lose further inhabitants; |
| --- | --- |

B.

whereas the overall share of population in rural areas has been decreasing slightly at EU level over the past decade, and significantly over the past 50 years, due to ageing and outmigration (urbanisation); whereas the share of people aged over 65 years is generally the highest in rural areas, and is expected to increase in the future; whereas populations are likely to shrink in four out of five rural regions of the EU by 2050, with remote rural areas set to lose further inhabitants;

| C. | whereas Article 174 TFEU states that the Union must aim at reducing disparities between the levels of development of the various regions, paying particular attention to certain regions, notably rural areas; whereas, in order to achieve sustainable development, rural territories must receive adequate financial support; |
| --- | --- |

C.

whereas Article 174 TFEU states that the Union must aim at reducing disparities between the levels of development of the various regions, paying particular attention to certain regions, notably rural areas; whereas, in order to achieve sustainable development, rural territories must receive adequate financial support;

| D. | whereas the average employment rate in the EU’s rural areas evolved favourably from 2012 to 2020, although with differences between Member States and with variations in the quality of employment on offer; whereas the share of population that is at risk of poverty or social exclusion is higher in rural areas than in cities and towns; |
| --- | --- |

D.

whereas the average employment rate in the EU’s rural areas evolved favourably from 2012 to 2020, although with differences between Member States and with variations in the quality of employment on offer; whereas the share of population that is at risk of poverty or social exclusion is higher in rural areas than in cities and towns;

| E. | whereas the working conditions of a considerable proportion of workers employed in the EU agricultural sector are extremely challenging and precarious, characterised by poor wages, long working hours, undeclared work, high incidence of accidents and illness and deplorable housing conditions; |
| --- | --- |

E.

whereas the working conditions of a considerable proportion of workers employed in the EU agricultural sector are extremely challenging and precarious, characterised by poor wages, long working hours, undeclared work, high incidence of accidents and illness and deplorable housing conditions;

| F. | whereas access to water services, sanitation, road connectivity, healthcare, education, broadband internet and other basic services is essential for the development of rural areas; whereas households in some rural areas still do not have access to essential basic services, notably water and sanitation services, while differences persist between the Member States (20); whereas transport infrastructure and connections have been identified by citizens as the key needs in rural areas; |
| --- | --- |

F.

whereas access to water services, sanitation, road connectivity, healthcare, education, broadband internet and other basic services is essential for the development of rural areas; whereas households in some rural areas still do not have access to essential basic services, notably water and sanitation services, while differences persist between the Member States (20); whereas transport infrastructure and connections have been identified by citizens as the key needs in rural areas;

| G. | whereas ultra-high-speed broadband connections are available to only one in six rural residents; whereas there is a substantial gap between rural and urban areas concerning basic digital skills, with 28 % of adults living in rural areas possessing basic or above basic digital skills, compared to 62 % of adults living in cities (2019); whereas significant differences among the Member States regarding internet connectivity still persist, while in some Member States up to 25 % of rural households still do not have access to the internet (21); |
| --- | --- |

G.

whereas ultra-high-speed broadband connections are available to only one in six rural residents; whereas there is a substantial gap between rural and urban areas concerning basic digital skills, with 28 % of adults living in rural areas possessing basic or above basic digital skills, compared to 62 % of adults living in cities (2019); whereas significant differences among the Member States regarding internet connectivity still persist, while in some Member States up to 25 % of rural households still do not have access to the internet (21);

| H. | whereas gender equality is a fundamental value of the EU, recognised in the Treaties and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights; whereas significant gender inequalities persist in rural areas, with women suffering from higher rates of unemployment, precarious contracts and informal working conditions, as well as being under-represented in decision-making bodies such as agricultural cooperatives, trade unions and municipal governments; |
| --- | --- |

H.

whereas gender equality is a fundamental value of the EU, recognised in the Treaties and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights; whereas significant gender inequalities persist in rural areas, with women suffering from higher rates of unemployment, precarious contracts and informal working conditions, as well as being under-represented in decision-making bodies such as agricultural cooperatives, trade unions and municipal governments;

| I. | whereas the number of farms in the EU-27 declined by 32 % between 2003 and 2016, with the decline strongest among small farms below five hectares(38 %); whereas in 2016, there were 10,5 million farms in the EU, of which the majority (92 %) were family farms; whereas by 2040, the EU might lose an additional 6,4 million farms, resulting in a remaining number of approximately 3,9 million farms across the EU, an extraordinary 62 % decrease compared to 2016; |
| --- | --- |

I.

whereas the number of farms in the EU-27 declined by 32 % between 2003 and 2016, with the decline strongest among small farms below five hectares(38 %); whereas in 2016, there were 10,5 million farms in the EU, of which the majority (92 %) were family farms; whereas by 2040, the EU might lose an additional 6,4 million farms, resulting in a remaining number of approximately 3,9 million farms across the EU, an extraordinary 62 % decrease compared to 2016;

| J. | whereas in 2016, for every farmer younger than 35 years of age, there were more than six farmers over 65 years of age (22), making the ageing of the EU’s farmers one of the greatest challenges rural areas are facing; whereas the share of young female farmers is especially low; |
| --- | --- |

J.

whereas in 2016, for every farmer younger than 35 years of age, there were more than six farmers over 65 years of age (22), making the ageing of the EU’s farmers one of the greatest challenges rural areas are facing; whereas the share of young female farmers is especially low;

| K. | whereas EU livestock farms employ around 4 million people and are the main beneficiary of common agricultural policy (CAP) second pillar aid to farms in disadvantaged areas, which account for 50 % of the utilised agricultural area in the EU; |
| --- | --- |

K.

whereas EU livestock farms employ around 4 million people and are the main beneficiary of common agricultural policy (CAP) second pillar aid to farms in disadvantaged areas, which account for 50 % of the utilised agricultural area in the EU;

| L. | whereas the thematic groups of the European Network for Rural Development have proven to be an effective tool for public-private territorial partnerships; whereas these groups have succeeded, moreover, in providing a single forum in which to address issues related to territorial revitalisation, innovation, bottom-up and integrated approaches in agriculture and rural development, decentralised management, networking integration and cooperation; |
| --- | --- |

L.

whereas the thematic groups of the European Network for Rural Development have proven to be an effective tool for public-private territorial partnerships; whereas these groups have succeeded, moreover, in providing a single forum in which to address issues related to territorial revitalisation, innovation, bottom-up and integrated approaches in agriculture and rural development, decentralised management, networking integration and cooperation;

| M. | whereas one of the objectives for the CAP for the current programming period is to promote employment, growth, gender equality including the participation of women in farming, social inclusion and local development in rural areas; |
| --- | --- |

M.

whereas one of the objectives for the CAP for the current programming period is to promote employment, growth, gender equality including the participation of women in farming, social inclusion and local development in rural areas;

| N. | whereas concerns have been raised about the negative effects of mining activities on water, protected areas and the environment, and the ecological damage it can cause to the surroundings and to other sources of livelihood, potentially affecting people’s incomes, health and quality of life (23); |
| --- | --- |

N.

whereas concerns have been raised about the negative effects of mining activities on water, protected areas and the environment, and the ecological damage it can cause to the surroundings and to other sources of livelihood, potentially affecting people’s incomes, health and quality of life (23);

Challenges and opportunities for stronger, resilient and inclusive rural areas

| 1. | Highlights the historical, geographical, economic and social diversity of rural areas across the EU; recalls that rural areas close to urban centres, coastal areas, cross-border areas or mountainous areas, in outermost regions and in sparsely populated areas face different challenges requiring tailored-made targeted solutions, to be implemented in cooperation with local stakeholders; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Stresses that policies and actions at EU level combined with national, regional and local ones with a place-based approach, are key to securing the prosperity and well-being of rural European citizens, as well as to tackling the challenges they face, namely population decline and ageing, higher risk of poverty and social exclusion and fewer quality job opportunities; recalls that rural areas have a per capita GDP significantly below the EU average; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | Highlights further that rural areas lack access to high-quality services of general interest such as water services, sanitation, road connectivity, healthcare, childcare and quality education and training, and that they are poorly connected, with limited transport options and a lack of high-speed broadband, as well as of other basic services such as postal and banking services, in addition to the insufficient quality and availability of housing, climate and environmental pressures, the gender equality gap and limited opportunities for innovation and access to technological developments; points out that remoteness adds a significant element of difficulty in rural areas; |
| --- | --- |

3.

| 4. | Highlights that demographic decline and ageing will affect all regions but most particularly rural areas due to population shift towards urban areas and youth outmigration, which will negatively influence their growth potential, quality of life, skills development and access to services; notes that public policies have not been able to reverse the trend of depopulation in rural areas; |
| --- | --- |

4.

| 5. | Highlights the central role rural areas can play in addressing social, economic and environmental challenges, by providing ecosystem services to mitigate climate change and environmental deterioration, ensuring sustainable, sufficient food production, including organic food, preserving tangible and intangible rural heritage, fostering nature conservation and biodiversity, and providing unique cultural landscapes for leisure and recreation purposes, as well as developing the circular economy and contributing to a just, green and digital transition; |
| --- | --- |

5.

| 6. | Stresses in this regard the synergies between rural communities, environmental protection, food security and animal welfare awareness; stresses the need to adequately support farmers and compensate them for the provision of public goods and ecosystem services, contributing to the economic viability of rural areas; |
| --- | --- |

6.

| 7. | Draws attention to the growing discontent among rural populations who feel their needs are insufficiently considered in political decision-making and who feel underrepresented, which creates fertile ground for civic and political disengagement, which in turn needs to be addressed and which could lead to the development of various forms of democratic disenfranchisement; insists that an increasingly stark rural-urban divide, geographical remoteness and a lack of basic services are combining to increase this discontentment; believes that the involvement of young people in local community life can contribute to slowing down the migration of young people from rural areas; |
| --- | --- |

7.

| 8. | Takes note of the fact that EU citizens still have strong confidence in regional and local governments, as shown by Eurobarometer surveys, and stresses the importance of engagement from these levels of government in reviving support for the European project in rural areas; |
| --- | --- |

8.

| 9. | Stresses that rural areas are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and climate change, but are also capable of offering new opportunities and solutions in response to such crises and of playing a key role in ensuring food security, food self-sufficiency and independence from fossil fuels or energy imports, given the adequate support framework; |
| --- | --- |

9.

| 10. | Highlights that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in new behaviours in living, working and interacting, including teleworking, which generates new opportunities with many positive externalities for the regeneration for rural areas; notes that citizens have understood that rural areas can offer solutions to this crisis; |
| --- | --- |

10.

A long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas

| 11. | Welcomes the Commission’s communication on a long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas; agrees with its general aims and considers it a most valuable opportunity for coordinated and reinforced action on the present and future of rural areas, addressing new possibilities for social, economic and environmental renewal; stresses the importance of ensuring that EU funds and policies complement one another to support rural areas and that information is accessible to local stakeholders; |
| --- | --- |

11.

| 12. | Emphasises that the development of rural areas must remain high on the EU agenda and calls on the forthcoming Presidencies of the Council of the European Union to fully pursue this ambition and express in their conclusions the need to act for rural territories; |
| --- | --- |

12.

| 13. | Takes note of the proposal for a rural action plan, which should evolve into a dynamic tool for future action, with concrete results, supporting integrated strategies for sustainable development in accordance with the partnership principle; calls on the Commission and the Member States to give the highest priority to its implementation, setting clear quantitative binding targets for delivery, to ensure that it is accompanied by the necessary resources for effective implementation and to attain the goal of stronger, more connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040; |
| --- | --- |

13.

| 14. | Agrees on the need for a common, EU-wide, definition of functional rural areas, incorporating the distinction between rural and peri-urban areas and recognising the complexity, diversity and specificities of these areas; |
| --- | --- |

14.

| 15. | Urges the Commission, in collaboration with national, regional and local stakeholders to quickly develop and operationalise such a definition; considers that this definition could be used to compare the evolution of European rural areas and inform the more targeted implementation of policies and measures in those territories; invites the Commission to develop a common methodology while including sufficient flexibility to cater for Member States’ specific characteristics and needs; |
| --- | --- |

15.

| 16. | Supports the development of a Rural Pact, stressing the importance of the inclusive involvement of local, regional and national stakeholders in its governance, including civil society, for the successful outcome of the initiative; |
| --- | --- |

16.

| 17. | Considers that the Rural Pact needs concrete objectives, deliverables, multilevel governance and monitoring systems, along with clear institutional responsibilities; believes that the Rural Pact should serve as a platform to share good practices between rural areas and support them in employing the available tools, contributing to synergies, complementarity and coherence of EU interventions and facilitating the strategic autonomy of the EU; |
| --- | --- |

17.

| 18. | Welcomes the announcement of a Rural Observatory to improve data collection and analysis on rural areas; considers it a valid instrument for informing, designing and monitoring better public policies, as well as for monitoring progress on the implementation of the long-term vision and future EU policies and rural strategies, including the EU rural action plan; |
| --- | --- |

18.

| 19. | Considers that the rural observatory should be an opportunity to identify data gaps and improve databases, especially regarding gender-disaggregated data, to promote a more granular statistical approach and to develop indicators at an adequate geographical level to capture the population’s needs; stresses the need for sufficient funding and resources, transparency and a clear roadmap with time frames and objectives; |
| --- | --- |

19.

| 20. | Stresses the importance of implementing a rural proofing mechanism for EU initiatives so as to assess the coherence and complementarity of EU policies and their potential impact on rural areas; urges the Member States to promote the development and implementation of effective mechanisms for rural proofing at national level, assessing the impacts of proposed legislation in rural areas to ensure that it is fit for purpose, and calls on the Commission to assist them to this end; considers that the rural proofing mechanism should be mandatory and underlines the importance of involving local and regional authorities in the definition and implementation of rural proofing mechanisms, as well as in their governance at both European and national levels; |
| --- | --- |

20.

A path for the future of rural areas for 2040

| 21. | Insists that rural citizens must benefit, like any other citizen, from equitable conditions for achieving their professional, social and personal goals, with a particular focus on more vulnerable groups, and insists that the European Pillar of Social Rights be applied; |
| --- | --- |

21.

| 22. | Stresses that rural communities must have equal access to services of general interest in order to ensure inclusive and equitable conditions of living and well-being, notably healthcare services, education, training for up- and reskilling and lifelong learning, social care, child and elderly care, connectivity and mobility, and housing, as well as postal and banking services, social meeting places and cultural activities and infrastructure; |
| --- | --- |

22.

| 23. | Highlights in this regard the importance of public investment and public partnerships, as well as of improving cross-border and rural-urban cooperation; points out the potential of decentralised and multifunctional service centres and of tailored repurposed renovated buildings, as well as of innovative approaches for service provision; |
| --- | --- |

23.

| 24. | Considers that special attention should be paid to vulnerable groups living in rural areas, such as people with disabilities, older people and migrants, notably seasonal workers, ensuring that their specific needs are being addressed while promoting social inclusion; calls on the Commission to further harmonise practices between Member States in terms of inclusion of people with disabilities; |
| --- | --- |

24.

| 25. | Stresses that targeted interventions supporting young people and fostering effective generational renewal should be a priority, in order to encourage the permanent presence of young people in rural areas and counteract the demographic decline; stresses that particular attention should be paid to overcoming the main challenges and remove existing barriers, such as access to higher education and the transfer of knowledge, employment opportunities, the acquisition of business skills and access to land and capital; stresses the need for high-quality agricultural education systems for the training of young professionals; highlights in this regard the important role of young farmers in modernising EU agriculture and in creating more opportunities in rural areas; stresses the need to support their successful integration, notably by facilitating the buying and leasing of farmland, noting in this regard the potential of farm incubators; |
| --- | --- |

25.

| 26. | Calls on the Commission and Member States to develop and strengthen measures, in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights, to improve the rights, working conditions, safety, health and social protection of workers in rural areas, including the living and working conditions of seasonal and migrant workers, while ensuring coherence between policy areas affecting this issue; |
| --- | --- |

26.

| 27. | Underlines that the European Green Deal, including the farm to fork strategy and the digital transformation, can open up new opportunities in rural areas, a new dynamic for a more resilient future and possibilities for sustainable jobs; points out the need to ensure a just and inclusive transition, promoting rural economic vitality and territorial and social cohesion, and to provide adequate support and resources to face the challenges in this regard, in particular in face of the current crisis; |
| --- | --- |

27.

| 28. | Underlines the central role agriculture, the agri-food sector and sustainable forestry play in rural areas, in providing jobs and in ensuring high-quality, diverse food and sustainably produced biomass; insists that social, environmental and economically sustainable agriculture, including agroecology and organic farming, providing fair income to farmers, is crucial for the vitality of these territories; |
| --- | --- |

28.

| 29. | Draws attention to the important role of small and medium-sized farms and family farms in maintaining rural populations and preserving land management and landscapes, and argues that they should benefit from support to ensure adequate living conditions and to mitigate the decline in farm numbers; highlights that farmers in remote and rural areas, particularly small farmers, still do not have sufficient access to technologies; |
| --- | --- |

29.

| 30. | Recognises the importance of supporting cooperation initiatives in agriculture and the social economy as a tool for rural development; draws attention to the role of agri-food cooperatives in the environmental, economic and social sustainability of rural areas, adding value to products, creating employment and diversifying the local economy; urges the Commission and the Member States to encourage and promote cooperatives in rural areas; |
| --- | --- |

30.

| 31. | Stresses the importance of promoting the EU quality schemes, notably geographical indications, as a means to improve the quality and fair distribution of economic value within food chains and, ultimately, to maintain rural populations in the EU’s territory; |
| --- | --- |

31.

| 32. | Stresses that unfair trading practices are still a serious problem in the agricultural sector and highlights the fact that further steps are needed to ensure better distribution of value along the chain; recalls the potential of short supply chains for bringing consumers and producers closer together, providing better remuneration for farmers and reducing greenhouse gases in the food production cycle; stresses that the impact in rural areas of free trade agreements should be taken into account; |
| --- | --- |

32.

| 33. | Notes that a fair distribution of direct payments is needed in order to ensure the balanced development of regions and rural areas; underlines the importance of CAP payments for areas with natural constraints in preserving sustainable activities in those areas; calls on the Member States to nurture strong territorial CAP rural development networks for the coordination of all rural development stakeholders; |
| --- | --- |

33.

| 34. | Points out that extensive permanent grassland-based, silvo-pastoral or extensive livestock breeding, often involving pastures of high environmental value and endangered farmed species and breeds, especially in remote mountainous areas, are key features of European rural areas, which must be supported and encouraged; |
| --- | --- |

34.

| 35. | Points out the importance of access to tailored-made investments, research and innovation for sustainable agriculture; takes note of the success of the European Innovation Partnership on agricultural productivity and sustainability and calls for the continuation and expansion of this innovative and bottom-up approach to delivering tailored solutions designed by local stakeholders, as well as of other multi-actor-based rural innovation partnerships and innovation hubs; considers that innovation should be compatible with traditional practices and knowledge, especially those adapted to the characteristics of each area; |
| --- | --- |

35.

| 36. | Recalls that large carnivores, especially wolves, can have an impact on the viability of farming, particularly in some kinds of extensive managed farmland rich in biodiversity; notes that this highlights the need to ensure balanced coexistence between humans and these animals in rural areas; calls on the Commission and the Member States, in this regard, to take concrete action to ensuring this coexistence, so as not to compromise the sustainable development and dynamism of rural areas, and in particular to safeguard traditional agricultural practices such as pastoralism; recalls the responsibility of the Commission to assess progress in achieving conservation status and, where appropriate, to amend the protection status of species, if the desired conservation status is reached; urges the Commission to encourage a discussion on large carnivores with rural actors, to provide information on financing possibilities for preventive measures against attacks on livestock and to promote coordinated approaches across Member States; |
| --- | --- |

36.

| 37. | Stresses that diversification of and innovation in the rural economy, with a more territorial approach based on local potential and characteristics, are crucial to drawing opportunities from the digital and green transitions; calls on the Member States to put in place measures to support the fair transition and diversification of the rural economy as well as to support quality job creation in rural areas; emphasises the potential of bio-districts, eco-regions, carbon farming and eco-tourism for rural economy diversification; recalls that sustainable agriculture, forestry and fishery can also offer opportunities for business diversification in rural areas; |
| --- | --- |

37.

| 38. | Recognises that tourism can represent an important source of income for rural communities, highlighting the potential of diversified models of sustainable tourism; points out the often underexploited potential of recreational fisheries and angling tourism to attract tourists throughout the year; calls for efforts to strengthen the place of rural tourism, such as wine tourism, in strategies for diversifying the rural economy, hand in hand with the agricultural and food sectors; |
| --- | --- |

38.

| 39. | Recognises the importance in social, economic, cultural and biodiversity conservation terms of sustainable game management for the future of rural areas; |
| --- | --- |

39.

| 40. | Calls on the Commission and the Member States to take urgent action to design and implement measures to fight gender gaps, notably on pay and pensions; stresses that gender mainstreaming should be applied at every level of policymaking, ensuring the implementation of the EU gender equality strategy 2020-2025, notably in rural areas; |
| --- | --- |

40.

| 41. | Regrets that the work of rural women is still not properly recognised, notably in agriculture; points out that women in rural areas are more affected by hidden unemployment and participation in the informal economy, which contributes to the more frequent outmigration of young women; stresses the need for targeted measures to overcome their specific challenges in the labour market and to improve their access to adequate services, including broad healthcare, with a special focus on the inclusion of the most vulnerable groups; reiterates the importance of a positive work-life balance, welcoming in this regard the forthcoming European care strategy; |
| --- | --- |

41.

| 42. | Insists on the need to improve the participation of women in decision-making and political participation in rural areas; calls on the Member States to promote gender equality and foster equal participation in all rural organisations, associations and public institutions, in decision-making positions, business ownership and access to quality jobs; stresses the need for targeted training and skills development, as well as for an enabling environment, facilitated access to financial resources and the promotion of women’s entrepreneurship in rural areas; |
| --- | --- |

42.

| 43. | Calls on the Commission and the Member States to promote the inclusion of women in farming, in particular by exploring the possibility of supporting co-ownership of European farms; asks for the work of women in farming activities, especially the work of assisting spouses and partners in agriculture, to be fully recognised through the granting of legal recognition and full access to social security rights; underlines the role of women in rural areas in moving towards sustainable agriculture and in the green transition; |
| --- | --- |

43.

| 44. | Highlights the central role of rural areas in the transition to a carbon-neutral and circular economy, including a sustainable bio-economy and forestry; calls on the Commission and the Member States to enable the uptake of initiatives by local actors, such as the creation of rural energy communities, contributing to local acceptance of renewables; |
| --- | --- |

44.

| 45. | Stresses that initiatives in rural areas, such as the development of renewable energy infrastructure, must contribute effectively to the economic, social and environmental vitality of these areas and take into account the need for local social acceptance; insists that the objectives of food production and the protection of high environmental value areas, such as Natura 2000 areas, should be a priority; |
| --- | --- |

45.

| 46. | Calls on the Commission and the Member States to further support rural areas in expanding sustainable renewable energy production, including by removing existing barriers, decentralising production and storage systems, reinforcing energy grids and training qualified professionals, as well as to promote the use of renewables as a means to contribute to energy autonomy, income diversification, and the fight against energy poverty and climate change; notes the importance of increasing farm circularity; |
| --- | --- |

46.

| 47. | Notes the importance of microgeneration on farms; stresses that farmers must not be disadvantaged when supplying electricity into the grid as a result of the use of public grants, including the CAP; |
| --- | --- |

47.

| 48. | Highlights that rural areas suffer higher risks of social exclusion and energy poverty owing to longer distances to be covered and mobility constraints in many rural areas; highlights furthermore that these risks are related to both infrastructures and services; points out that accessible, public, green and innovative rural mobility solutions and investments are needed to achieve equitable growth and territorial cohesion, in harmony with a sustainable energy transition; |
| --- | --- |

48.

| 49. | Calls for inclusive infrastructure planning that leaves no region behind, namely by reinforcing public investment and by swiftly implementing the EU and national funds that contribute to connectivity in rural areas, supporting and developing integrated and intermodal transportation systems and prioritising isolated and disconnected areas in the trans-European transport network; |
| --- | --- |

49.

| 50. | Stresses that the digital transition raises new opportunities for rural areas, which are only accessible if there is adequate, stable, high-speed and accessible broadband coverage, which is not completed in all rural areas; highlights that digital development increases the attractiveness of rural areas, reduces problems related to remoteness, improves access to services and facilitates digitalisation in agriculture; calls for the creation of locally-based high-speed ‘digital hubs’ tailored for remote working; |
| --- | --- |

50.

| 51. | Warns of the risks of the widening of the rural digital gap as a result of the lack of 5G coverage, and calls on the Member States to mobilise all available instruments to improve the full roll-out of 5G networks and remove administrative barriers, with the particular support of EU cohesion policy funds and Member States’ Recovery and Resilience Facility plans, but also of private investments; stresses the need for a timely revision of the relevant State aid guidelines for rural areas not served by the market; |
| --- | --- |

51.

| 52. | Draws attention to the fact that the comparative lack of digital skills in rural areas can preclude rural communities from benefiting from the opportunities of digitalisation and hamper the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); |
| --- | --- |

52.

| 53. | Calls for measures at the EU, national, regional and local levels that ensure digital inclusion, especially in a context of population ageing, and promote adapted digital skills while supporting an enabling environment for innovation and the development of tailor-made digital solutions; points out the potential of digital tools for sustainable agriculture and smart farming, for local, short supply chain development and for increasing the attractiveness of the agricultural sector to young farmers; |
| --- | --- |

53.

| 54. | Believes that smart villages should be considered as a flagship project of the EU rural action plan, to better promote its development post-2020; underlines the importance of balanced public-private partnerships in this context; points out the potential of smart city technologies, which should be adequately funded, and believes that the Smart Cities Marketplace (24) digital platform could serve as a model for further development of the smart villages ecosystem; stresses that the LEADER rural economy and development method and community-led local development (CLLD) funding tools should also be used for further development of smart villages; |
| --- | --- |

54.

| 55. | Notes that rural communities are still faced with challenges related to access to basic services and economic opportunities, and encounter some degree of incoherence with regard to planning related to the rural-urban divide; stresses that investments in environmental protection, rural infrastructure and rural health and education are critical to sustainable rural development; calls on the Commission and the Member States to establish minimum welfare criteria that should be ensured in relation to the populations of certain areas; |
| --- | --- |

55.

First steps for defining a vision and strategy for rural areas

| 56. | Regrets the late publication of the Commission’s communication, which has precluded its full integration into the legislative instruments and planning of the current programming framework; calls on the Commission to ensure that the integrated and Community-led rural territorial dimension is properly addressed by all Member States and to assess its implementation and impact in the common agricultural policy strategic plans, the cohesion policy programmes, the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund programmes and the Recovery and Resilience Plans; |
| --- | --- |

56.

| 57. | Urges Member States to address the specific challenges of rural territories and their communities during the implementation of the current multiannual financial framework programmes, providing and facilitating access to the investments needed for social inclusion, economic and environmental performance and job creation, in order to foster competitiveness, enable a just digital and green transition, and increase the attractiveness of and quality of life in rural areas; calls on the Commission to monitor the indicators in the EU programmes and evaluate their alignment with the objectives of the long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas; |
| --- | --- |

57.

| 58. | Welcomes the REPowerEU plan which can play a key role in reducing dependence on fossil fuels, in particular of Russian origin, and highlights the possible numerous opportunities for rural areas in this regard, but is strongly concerned with the proposals to increase significantly the possibility to transfer resources from shared management funds, with potentially detrimental implications for medium- and long-term policy planning towards a fair green and digital transition, including for rural areas; |
| --- | --- |

58.

| 59. | Calls on the Member States to make effective use of the various funding opportunities with a view also to improving the prospects of SMEs, given their major role in generating employment in rural areas, and calls on the Commission to monitor and assess whether its support reaches rural areas and benefits their communities; stresses the importance of supporting entrepreneurship, social economy and social innovation, including the silver economy, especially when contributing to the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights; |
| --- | --- |

59.

| 60. | Calls on the Member States to make better use of all available tools to support rural areas, including tax incentives for individuals and businesses looking to settle in rural areas, aimed at facilitating job creation and incentivising the establishment of new residents, as well as to encourage private companies to promote remote working, aiming at actively combating depopulation; invites the Commission to consider other support possibilities in the framework of State aid in rural areas with very low population density; |
| --- | --- |

60.

| 61. | Regrets the persistent obstacles to the multi-fund approach, despite its value, which hamper the deployment of integrative approaches in rural areas, and asks for clear guidelines for its implementation; calls on the Commission to put forward a legislative proposal in early 2023 extending the possibility of the ‘lead fund’ approach to interventions co-financed by more than one shared management fund, as well as to further simplifying it by specifying that the rules of the lead fund must apply in their entirety; invites the Commission, in parallel, to explore alternatives to multi-fund approaches for integrated territorial development; |
| --- | --- |

61.

| 62. | Calls on the Commission to improve synergies and coordination between EU funding instruments such as cohesion policy, the CAP and the NextGenerationEU recovery instrument, as well as with national instruments, for successful rural development in the EU; urges the Commission to put forward in early 2023 with a targeted legislative proposal for enabling the transfer of resources between all shared management funds when supporting rural territorial strategies and enhancing synergies between funds and programmes; |
| --- | --- |

62.

| 63. | Calls on the Commission and the Member States to pursue further simplification and reduce administrative burdens, namely by coordinating their internal administrations to avoid duplication of tasks, in particular for smaller projects and microfinancing, which are key for rural areas; notes that some rural areas are not able to benefit from the funding opportunities available owing to a lack of information and capacity issues, and require support to rectify this; considers the application of simplified cost options to be an effective measure to achieve administrative simplification; |
| --- | --- |

63.

| 64. | Stresses the role that all EU policies and funds, both shared and those under direct management, must play in supporting rural areas, by incorporating a rural dimension in the design of their measures and interventions, and underlines the need for policy coherence; calls on the Commission to develop a mechanism to assess and monitor the contribution each fund makes to rural areas; |
| --- | --- |

64.

| 65. | Asks the Commission to pay particular attention to the implementation of Article 174 TFEU and ensure that all EU policies apply the ‘do no harm to cohesion’ principle, particularly in rural areas; |
| --- | --- |

65.

| 66. | Recalls that EU cohesion policy, which seeks to promote the economic, social and territorial cohesion of the Union, is vitally important to rural areas, especially those requiring particular attention; notes that in accordance with the provisions of the cohesion policy, the EU must pay special attention to addressing the challenges of disadvantaged regions and areas; |
| --- | --- |

66.

| 67. | Highlights the Commission study’s conclusions on LEADER’s effectiveness in delivering solutions to address economic, social and development challenges and opportunities at local level and in contributing to solutions for sustainable rural development; |
| --- | --- |

67.

| 68. | Calls on the Member States to support CLLD, including LEADER, encouraging participation in local action groups while facilitating and promoting multi-fund approaches and ensuring effective autonomy for local action groups in terms of their composition and decision-making; considers that the meaningful earmarking of assistance for CLLD under all relevant funds at EU level, similar to that in the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), would contribute to stronger integrated strategies and more sustainable, resilient territorial development; |
| --- | --- |

68.

Partnership principle, governance and empowerment of rural areas

| 69. | Stresses that empowering rural communities, particularly in the most remote, island and sparsely and less populated areas, will promote greater social cohesion, innovation, entrepreneurship and a stronger sense of belonging and identity, and that it will require stronger capacity building efforts to set up and implement projects; emphasises that rural communities are crucial for EU cohesion and should thus be supported to encourage balanced socio-economic development; recalls the specific nature of the outermost regions as laid down in Article 349 TFEU and stresses that rural areas in the outermost regions are subject to additional constraints, also in this regard; |
| --- | --- |

69.

| 70. | Calls for the effective application of the principle of subsidiarity, with more community-based, decentralised and bottom-up policies and support measures involving local actors including farmers and local organisations, authorities and civil society, and insists therefore that they must play an active role from decision-making to policy development, implementation and evaluation, in order to best identify the needs of each territory; |
| --- | --- |

70.

| 71. | Notes that while EU legislation envisages multilevel governance approaches and partnerships, there is resistance to their application in a meaningful way, in some Member States; calls on Member States to support these approaches by allocating responsibility at the appropriate local level of governance and ensuring political ownership and strong coordination of policies and investments across all levels of governance; calls on the Commission to maintain a direct and structured dialogue with the different levels of governance involved in the management of EU policies with a strong impact on rural areas; |
| --- | --- |

71.

Shaping the future beyond 2027

| 72. | Takes note of the Commission’s intention to take stock by mid-2023 of the actions taken by the EU and Member States for rural areas and to produce a public report on that basis in early 2024; considers that this evaluation could play a pivotal role, notably by identifying the areas where enhanced support and finance are still needed, and could pave the way to a rural strategy from the mid-term review and a rural action plan in the 2028-2034 programming period; invites the Commission, therefore, to directly involve all relevant stakeholders and managing authorities in this evaluation; |
| --- | --- |

72.

| 73. | Invites the Commission to explore alternative policy strategies and approaches for funding articulation in the next programming period, including examining the option of one national strategy, in coordination with the regional and local authorities, and one regulation for all shared management funds, as well as of new ways of strengthening the partnership principle and multilevel governance approaches, promoting truly integrated territorial development in rural areas; |
| --- | --- |

73.

| 74. | Calls for a strong rural dimension in future cohesion policy regulations, which should include dedicated funding to that end; suggests that the Commission launch a study, following a public consultation, on the possibility of earmarking a share of the European Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion Fund to rural areas, in addition to other beneficial investments, with special attention to regions with specific geographical characteristics such as mountains, remote areas, islands and outermost regions; |
| --- | --- |

74.

| 75. | Recalls that the future and prosperity of rural areas is of paramount importance for Europe’s food security, autonomy and resilience, as well as for a sustainable energy mix which contributes to the EU’s energy independence, as the recent COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have clearly demonstrated; highlights that agri-food systems have enabled continuous access to quality food during these crises, while opening new opportunities to shorten food supply chains and for local food and feed production, notably of protein crops; |
| --- | --- |

75.

| 76. | Calls for the long-term vision to be developed into a concrete and measurable true rural strategy at EU level, including a strategic dialogue of cooperation with urban areas, and for the coordination of the contribution of all EU funds and policies to rural areas; stresses that this strategy must be fully integrated into future programming periods; calls on all Member States to develop rural strategies at national and regional level, defining the ways and means needed to address the issues faced by rural areas; |
| --- | --- |

76.

| 77. | Calls on the Commission to assess in a timely manner the potential impact of the EAFRD’s detachment from the common provisions for shared management funds laid down in Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, in the development of integrated territorial approaches in rural areas, and to assess the needed holistic approaches for rural development and draw lessons for the next programming periods as regards their possible incorporation; |
| --- | --- |

77.

Rural areas beyond the EU

| 78. | Believes that the EU has a strong interest in building not only cross-border partnerships but also partnerships beyond its own borders –in order to promote more prosperous rural societies and economies with long-term mutual benefits; stresses that not only are cooperation and knowledge-sharing important in this process, but that a level playing field must also be ensured; |
| --- | --- |

78.

| 79. | Highlights the importance of the strategic cooperation links between Africa, Latin America and Europe, building on the progress made in the Africa-Europe rural transformation action agenda, which sets out initiatives designed to sustainably strengthen Africa’s agri-food sector and rural territories; underscores, in this connection, the fact that it will remain vigilant in the face of China’s changing role and increasing strategic influence on the African continent, in line with its resolution of 16 September 2021 on a new EU-China strategy (25); |
| --- | --- |

79.

| 80. | Underlines the importance of learning from each other and harnessing the potential of the success stories of some rural areas; calls, to that end, for further exchange possibilities and the establishment of platforms in and among rural areas to promote cohesion, solidarity and EU-wide exchanges; |
| --- | --- |

80.

o

o o

| 81. | Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission. |
| --- | --- |

81.

---

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

(2)  OJ L 243, 9.7.2021, p. 1.

(3)  OJ L 435, 6.12.2021, p. 1.

(4)  OJ L 435, 6.12.2021, p. 187.

(5)  OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 159.

(6)  OJ L 166, 11.5.2021, p. 1.

(7)  OJ C 215, 19.6.2018, p. 228.

(8)  OJ C 298, 23.8.2018, p. 14.

(9)  OJ C 356, 4.10.2018, p. 38.

(10)  OJ C 76, 9.3.2020, p. 62.

(11)  OJ C 11, 13.1.2020, p. 15.

(12)  OJ C 347, 9.9.2022, p. 37.

(13)  OJ C 395, 29.9.2021, p. 37.

(14)  OJ C 184, 5.5.2022, p. 2.

(15)  OJ C 67, 8.2.2022, p. 25.

(16)  Texts adopted, P9_TA(2022)0136.

(17)  OJ C 361, 20.9.2022, p. 2.

(18)  OJ C 270, 13.7.2022, p. 18.

(19)  OJ C 290, 29.7.2022, p. 137.

(20)  https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=SDG_6_-_Clean_water_and_sanitation#Sanitation

(21)  https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ISOC_CI_IN_H__custom_2784346/ default/table?lang=en

(22)  CAP specific objectives explained — Structural change and generational renewal, https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2019-11/cap-briefs-7-structural-change_en_0.pdf

(23)  https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2022/729156/IPOL_STU(2022)729156_EN.pdf

(24)  https://smart-cities-marketplace.ec.europa.eu/

(25)  OJ C 117, 11.3.2022, p. 40.

---

| 17.5.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 177/48 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 177/48

---

P9_TA(2022)0437

Action plan to boost long-distance and cross-border passenger rail

European Parliament resolution of 13 December 2022 on the action plan to boost long-distance and cross-border passenger rail (2022/2022(INI))

(2023/C 177/05)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the Green Deal and subsequent Fit for 55 package; |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Green Deal and subsequent Fit for 55 package;

| — | having regard to the 4th Railway Package, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the 4th Railway Package,

| — | having regard to the White Paper entitled ‘Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area — Towards a competitive and resource efficient transport system’ (COM(2011)0144, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the White Paper entitled ‘Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area — Towards a competitive and resource efficient transport system’ (COM(2011)0144,

| — | having regard to the Commission Green Paper of 1995 entitled ‘Towards fair and efficient pricing in transport policy- options for internalising the external cost of transport in the European Union’ COM(1995)0691, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission Green Paper of 1995 entitled ‘Towards fair and efficient pricing in transport policy- options for internalising the external cost of transport in the European Union’ COM(1995)0691,

| — | having regard to Directive (EU) 2019/882 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on the accessibility requirements for products and services (1) (European Accessibility Act), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Directive (EU) 2019/882 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on the accessibility requirements for products and services (1) (European Accessibility Act),

| — | having regard to the Commission communication of 9 December 2020 entitled ‘Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy — putting European transport on track for the future’ (COM(2020)0789), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 9 December 2020 entitled ‘Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy — putting European transport on track for the future’ (COM(2020)0789),

| — | having regard to Directive 2012/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 November 2012 establishing a single European railway area (2), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Directive 2012/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 November 2012 establishing a single European railway area (2),

| — | having regard to Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on Union guidelines for the development of the trans- European transport network and repealing Decision No 661/2010/EU (3) (TEN-T Regulation), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on Union guidelines for the development of the trans- European transport network and repealing Decision No 661/2010/EU (3) (TEN-T Regulation),

| — | having regard to Directive (EU) 2021/1187 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2021 on streamlining measures for advancing the realisation of the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) (4), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Directive (EU) 2021/1187 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2021 on streamlining measures for advancing the realisation of the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) (4),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 20 January 2021 on the revision of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) guidelines (5), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 20 January 2021 on the revision of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) guidelines (5),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 7 July 2021 entitled ‘Railway safety and signalling: assessing the state of play of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) deployment’ (6), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 7 July 2021 entitled ‘Railway safety and signalling: assessing the state of play of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) deployment’ (6),

| — | having regard to the Communication from the Commission of 10 March 2020 on New Industrial Strategy for Europe, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Communication from the Commission of 10 March 2020 on New Industrial Strategy for Europe,

| — | having regard to Decision (EU) 2021/2316 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 December 2021 on a European Year of Youth (2022) (7), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Decision (EU) 2021/2316 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 December 2021 on a European Year of Youth (2022) (7),

| — | having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/782 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2021 on rail passengers’ rights and obligations (8) (Rail Passengers’ Rights Regulation), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/782 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2021 on rail passengers’ rights and obligations (8) (Rail Passengers’ Rights Regulation),

| — | having regard to the Commission study of October 2021 entitled ‘Long-distance cross-border passenger rail services’, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission study of October 2021 entitled ‘Long-distance cross-border passenger rail services’,

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

—

having regard to Rule 54 of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to the report of the Committee on Transport and Tourism (A9-0242/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Transport and Tourism (A9-0242/2022),

| A. | whereas the new Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy sets the milestone of doubling high-speed rail traffic by 2030 and of tripling high-speed rail traffic by 2050; |
| --- | --- |

A.

whereas the new Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy sets the milestone of doubling high-speed rail traffic by 2030 and of tripling high-speed rail traffic by 2050;

| B. | whereas high-speed rail passenger volumes nearly doubled between 2001 and 2018, proving that there is a demand for high-speed rail whenever it is provided (9); |
| --- | --- |

B.

whereas high-speed rail passenger volumes nearly doubled between 2001 and 2018, proving that there is a demand for high-speed rail whenever it is provided (9);

| C. | whereas EU airports are experiencing a significant increase in delays (10);whereas a significant capacity shortage (for around 1,5 million flights by 2040) has been forecast if no acute remedial measures are adopted (11); whereas road congestion costs the EU approximately EUR 110 billion per annum (1 % of the EU’s GDP) (12); |
| --- | --- |

C.

whereas EU airports are experiencing a significant increase in delays (10);whereas a significant capacity shortage (for around 1,5 million flights by 2040) has been forecast if no acute remedial measures are adopted (11); whereas road congestion costs the EU approximately EUR 110 billion per annum (1 % of the EU’s GDP) (12);

| D. | whereas high-speed rail brings multiple benefits, such as reductions in fatalities, congestion and emissions, and has a positive economic impact by improving accessibility, cutting down travel times, and generating employment opportunities; |
| --- | --- |

D.

whereas high-speed rail brings multiple benefits, such as reductions in fatalities, congestion and emissions, and has a positive economic impact by improving accessibility, cutting down travel times, and generating employment opportunities;

| E. | whereas important legislative steps have been taken towards the completion of the single European railway area; |
| --- | --- |

E.

whereas important legislative steps have been taken towards the completion of the single European railway area;

| F. | whereas ERTMS trackside and on-board financing plays a key role in ensuring an enhanced deployment rate and increased safety and interoperability throughout the TEN-T while advancing the realisation of a truly interoperable European railway area; |
| --- | --- |

F.

whereas ERTMS trackside and on-board financing plays a key role in ensuring an enhanced deployment rate and increased safety and interoperability throughout the TEN-T while advancing the realisation of a truly interoperable European railway area;

| G. | whereas the completion of TEN-T — while maintaining capacity to develop secondary networks — is crucial to advancing towards more sustainable modes of transport, in particular rail, and to boosting multimodal connectivity between EU cities, regions, peripheral areas and islands; |
| --- | --- |

G.

whereas the completion of TEN-T — while maintaining capacity to develop secondary networks — is crucial to advancing towards more sustainable modes of transport, in particular rail, and to boosting multimodal connectivity between EU cities, regions, peripheral areas and islands;

| H. | whereas there are still technological barriers to the interoperability of trains between EU countries; |
| --- | --- |

H.

whereas there are still technological barriers to the interoperability of trains between EU countries;

| I. | whereas smart multimodal ticketing is a key instrument for encouraging greater use of sustainable rail and multimodal transport; whereas the rail network and stations can play a key role in integrating other modes of transport in the first/last mile connection; |
| --- | --- |

I.

whereas smart multimodal ticketing is a key instrument for encouraging greater use of sustainable rail and multimodal transport; whereas the rail network and stations can play a key role in integrating other modes of transport in the first/last mile connection;

| J. | whereas the European Year of Rail 2021 was an opportunity to promote a shift towards making rail the backbone of passenger transport across the Union, better serving citizens and improving the development of the TEN-T network in the Member States; |
| --- | --- |

J.

whereas the European Year of Rail 2021 was an opportunity to promote a shift towards making rail the backbone of passenger transport across the Union, better serving citizens and improving the development of the TEN-T network in the Member States;

| K. | whereas the European Year of Youth 2022 is an opportunity to reinforce this momentum through actions directed at young people; |
| --- | --- |

K.

whereas the European Year of Youth 2022 is an opportunity to reinforce this momentum through actions directed at young people;

| L. | whereas urban nodes are currently not sufficiently integrated into the current TEN-T network; whereas a significant number of last mile infrastructure for freight and multimodal connections for passengers is missing; |
| --- | --- |

L.

whereas urban nodes are currently not sufficiently integrated into the current TEN-T network; whereas a significant number of last mile infrastructure for freight and multimodal connections for passengers is missing;

| 1. | Welcomes the Commission’s action plan and supports the proposed objectives to make rail transport more attractive, competitive and efficient; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Welcomes the main objectives pursued under this action plan, in particular:






  (a) | recognising the crucial role of rail in decarbonising mobility in the EU and taking initiatives to enable the single European railway area to become the prerequisite for the modal shift needed (13); |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

(a)

recognising the crucial role of rail in decarbonising mobility in the EU and taking initiatives to enable the single European railway area to become the prerequisite for the modal shift needed (13);

| (b) | contributing to the establishment of the single European railway area, which will help to improve the EU internal market, meet the mobility needs of Europe’s citizens and foster the socio-economic cohesion of the Union; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

contributing to the establishment of the single European railway area, which will help to improve the EU internal market, meet the mobility needs of Europe’s citizens and foster the socio-economic cohesion of the Union;

| (c) | boosting connectivity across the whole of Europe, including rural areas, remote regions, islands, mountainous areas and less populated zones; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

boosting connectivity across the whole of Europe, including rural areas, remote regions, islands, mountainous areas and less populated zones;

| (d) | reinforcing connectivity with enlargement and Eastern Partnership countries, in particular Ukraine and Moldova; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

reinforcing connectivity with enlargement and Eastern Partnership countries, in particular Ukraine and Moldova;

| (e) | improving efficiency and ensuring high-quality transport services, while providing sufficient transport capacity and reducing travel times at appropriate fares; |
| --- | --- |

(e)

improving efficiency and ensuring high-quality transport services, while providing sufficient transport capacity and reducing travel times at appropriate fares;

| (f) | ensuring fair competition among rail operators and establishing both a competitive level playing field and complementarity between transport modes; |
| --- | --- |

(f)

ensuring fair competition among rail operators and establishing both a competitive level playing field and complementarity between transport modes;

| (g) | ensuring the same level of protection in all different modes of transport and further reinforcement of passengers’ rights, which will foster the attractiveness of rail, in particular transport for young people, and guarantee equal access for all by fully implementing the European Accessibility Act; |
| --- | --- |

(g)

ensuring the same level of protection in all different modes of transport and further reinforcement of passengers’ rights, which will foster the attractiveness of rail, in particular transport for young people, and guarantee equal access for all by fully implementing the European Accessibility Act;

| (h) | ensuring and promoting the training, upskilling, reskilling and certification in line with future needs of train drivers and railway staff; |
| --- | --- |

(h)

ensuring and promoting the training, upskilling, reskilling and certification in line with future needs of train drivers and railway staff;

| (i) | creating a framework to pave the way for an increase in investments in competitive long-distance rail transport passenger services; |
| --- | --- |

(i)

creating a framework to pave the way for an increase in investments in competitive long-distance rail transport passenger services;

| 3. | Welcomes the establishment of cross-border pilot services and calls on the Commission to identify as soon as possible resources for this purpose and a clear timeframe with appropriate milestones and objectives; |
| --- | --- |

3.

Better implementation of the Union rail acquis and accelerated interoperability

| 4. | Welcomes the acceleration of the work to ensure the full implementation of the 4th Railway Package and the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI); |
| --- | --- |

4.

| 5. | Stresses that the full deployment of the ERTMS, through the achievement of the targets in the revised legislative proposal for the TEN-T Regulation, will help to create a digital single European railway area, ensuring the further development of increased network capacity, safe, secure, fast and efficient rail transport services for long-distance and cross-border connections; |
| --- | --- |

5.

| 6. | Highlights that boosting long-distance rail transport must be accompanied by its integration into different inter-regional, regional, urban and peri-urban rail networks as well as with other modes and TEN-T, thus improving door-to-door mobility; highlights that this will be crucial to increasing the attractiveness of rail and multimodal passenger transport services; |
| --- | --- |

6.

| 7. | Stresses the importance of speeding up the construction of new rail lines and of further promoting the completion of infrastructure projects, including bridges connecting islands to the mainland, in order to close existing missing links and to improve the integration of islands with the motorways of the sea; |
| --- | --- |

7.

| 8. | Welcomes the Commission’s proposal to speed up the Union-wide deployment of the ERTMS in the revision of the TEN-T Regulation while setting a deadline for the decommissioning of class-B legacy systems; |
| --- | --- |

8.

| 9. | Emphasises that regulatory predictability, including for technical specifications for interoperability, is a key to boosting the investments needed from public and private stakeholders to meet the deployment objectives for ERTMS and interoperability at EU and national level; |
| --- | --- |

9.

| 10. | Stresses the importance of ensuring the synchronised deployment of trackside systems and on-board units and of the need for improved ERTMS governance to ensure this synchronised deployment at both national and EU level, including by streamlining and accelerating procedures; |
| --- | --- |

10.

| 11. | Emphasises the need to ensure quick, sufficient and efficient financing and funding to support investments, which should involve competent authorities, that will allow the fastest possible deployment of ERTMS on-board units and other TSI standards (14) in public services; |
| --- | --- |

11.

| 12. | Commends the role of the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA), which is one of the pillars of European Union rail policy; points out that the ERA needs to be adequately funded so that it can provide support for the TEN-T completion objectives, particularly on cross-border sections; |
| --- | --- |

12.

| 13. | Calls on the Commission and Member States to take appropriate initiatives to further improve the attractiveness of investing in the ERTMS; |
| --- | --- |

13.

| 14. | Calls for efforts to extend the coordinated timetables already introduced in some Member States to the EU level in order to facilitate easy and smooth travel for all EU citizens across borders; |
| --- | --- |

14.

Strengthened infrastructure for passenger rail

| 15. | Considers that the timely completion of the multimodal, seamless TEN-T core network corridors by 2030 will be a first step to further network integration, is imperative and must involve the elimination of bottlenecks and missing links and the completion of cross-border sections; supports the completion of planned high-speed rail connections in the extended core network by 2040; believes that priority investments should be also directed at the development of long-distance, cross-border high-speed rail connections, especially in areas where there is currently no high-speed rail infrastructure; stresses, in the context of the revision of the TEN-T guidelines, the importance of connecting EU capitals by affordable and efficient high-speed train services and improving the quality of infrastructure; highlights that new high-speed lines are an effective tool for increasing the competitiveness of rail transport; |
| --- | --- |

15.

| 16. | Stresses the utmost importance of building new infrastructure to meet the demand for high-speed rail; recalls that doubling high-speed rail traffic by 2030 will require at least a 75 % increase in the current network length of 11 526 km (15); |
| --- | --- |

16.

| 17. | Stresses the role of TEN-T, high-quality rail links and multimodal transport in supporting economic growth and inclusivity, especially in isolated regions and areas with a significant structural gap; invites the Commission, therefore, to adopt actions and projects to support better connectivity of local sustainable and rail multimodal transport in peripheral and coastal areas with lower margins for development; |
| --- | --- |

17.

| 18. | Regrets the limited EU funding available through the Connecting Europe Facility 2021-2027 (CEF II), which only covers around 5 % of the total investment needed to complete the TEN-T core network (16); |
| --- | --- |

18.

| 19. | Stresses the need to improve the use of EU funds beyond European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the cohesion funds, including the CEF, NextGenerationEU, the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the Recovery Assistance for Cohesion and the Territories of Europe programme (REACT-EU) or funding from the European Investment Bank (EIB), for securing massive high-quality investments in sustainable and efficient transport infrastructure, including missing high-speed rail links; |
| --- | --- |

19.

| 20. | Stresses that given that only 44 % of EU border area residents currently have access to rail services (17) and that there are often no appropriate multimodal transport solutions, in order for TEN-T to play its role in fostering socio-economic and territorial cohesion in the EU internal market, smart connectivity to the TEN-T core network is needed and a further integration of different national networks must be developed, also including rural, remote, insular, peripheral and other disadvantaged areas in order to promote their socio-economic development; |
| --- | --- |

20.

| 21. | Stresses the significance of cross-border rail connections to the Western Balkans region, Ukraine and Moldova; notes that an effective and fast border-crossing mechanism at the EU’s external borders is key to ensuring seamless passenger rail connectivity between the EU and enlargement and Eastern Partnership countries; |
| --- | --- |

21.

| 22. | Welcomes the promising alternatives offered by hydrogen and battery-powered trains when electrification of a rail section is not possible; |
| --- | --- |

22.

| 23. | Supports the Commission’s focus on the completion of first/last mile multimodal hubs in urban nodes, thereby strengthening rail connectivity with air, sea and road transport; recalls, however, that smaller and less populated urban nodes should have efficient connections with multimodal hubs and terminals located at reasonable distances; |
| --- | --- |

23.

| 24. | Calls on the Commission and the Member States to strengthen the strategic role of railway stations within an integrated and sustainable mobility system, in particular by supporting the modernisation of small stations; |
| --- | --- |

24.

| 25. | Welcomes the strengthening of the ERA’s role in certifying and authorising rolling stock in order to ensure smooth and timely processes, in particular for cross-border links, as well as in consolidating and reducing the number of national rules; encourages both the ERA and Member States, furthermore, to speed up their cooperation on ‘go-everywhere’ rolling stock specifications; |
| --- | --- |

25.

Sufficient rolling stock availability

| 26. | Calls for the clarification and simplification of State aid rules on the public funding of interoperable rolling stock for cross-border transport and related service facilities, as well as for railway infrastructure services in the revised Railway Guidelines, including the available instruments for financing such vehicles and the implementation of the Luxembourg Rail Protocol; |
| --- | --- |

26.

| 27. | Calls on railway companies to plan sufficient orders of high-speed rolling stock, in line with the Commission’s goals to double high-speed by 2040; points out, equally, that the rolling stock for night train services needs timely planning in order to facilitate the renaissance of night trains; draws attention, furthermore, to the fact that sufficient availability of rolling stock for the forthcoming planned reinstatement of regional cross-border rail links needs to be ensured; |
| --- | --- |

27.

| 28. | Maintains that better track safety should be matched by an equivalent level of technological and mechanical safety in the trains used every day to transport people and goods; |
| --- | --- |

28.

| 29. | Encourages the Commission, in view of its stated intentions, to further study and assess the possibility of establishing a European rolling stock pool and to continue discussions on how to implement this with the EIB; |
| --- | --- |

29.

| 30. | Emphasises the need for clear requirements and specifications for interoperability and further investments in rolling stock; |
| --- | --- |

30.

| 31. | Underlines that these investments are particularly critical when rolling stock is retrofitted with the multisystem applications necessary to enable cross-border and international operation in more than one country; |
| --- | --- |

31.

| 32. | Regrets that the drafting of the ‘go-everywhere’ rolling stock specifications has been moved to the next TSI revision, leading to a three-year delay; urges the Member States to prioritise cooperation with the ERA in order to boost the development of the ‘go-everywhere’ rolling stock specifications; |
| --- | --- |

32.

| 33. | Recalls that the Green Rail Investment Platform recently launched by the EIB is a key initiative for supporting and boosting public and private investment in rail projects; encourages rail operators, infrastructure managers, transport authorities and other stakeholders to access the Platform in order to address specific market needs; |
| --- | --- |

33.

| 34. | Calls for innovative initiatives to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and micro-businesses; highlights the importance of taking into account local, regional and national needs in order to strengthen and stimulate the business environment for SMEs and to link it with the new industrial policy at EU level; |
| --- | --- |

34.

| 35. | Calls on the Commission to monitor the implementation of bicycle carriages in cross-border passenger trains as provided for in the Rail Passengers’ Rights Regulation; |
| --- | --- |

35.

Bringing the training and certification of train drivers and railway staff into line with future needs

| 36. | Stresses that the lack of harmonisation of train driver certification may hamper their mobility between Member States and the development of long-distance passenger services, particularly in cross-border sections; |
| --- | --- |

36.

| 37. | Takes note of the importance of the language issue for train drivers involved in cross-border journeys, and calls on the Commission to promote the development of digital language tools as an affordable solution to help overcome language barriers and to bridge the existing gaps; |
| --- | --- |

37.

| 38. | Highlights, furthermore, the need to promote a single EU-wide working language, namely English, for train drivers operating long-distance and cross-border passenger rail connections who do not speak the languages of the Member States crossed during the journey; |
| --- | --- |

38.

| 39. | Supports language training for railway staff in order to ensure they can serve all travellers properly; |
| --- | --- |

39.

| 40. | Stresses the importance of a clear European skills strategy to remove the persistent technical and operational barriers which hinder cross-border traffic; |
| --- | --- |

40.

| 41. | Stresses the relevance of the New Industrial Strategy for Europe in supporting the reskilling and upskilling of train drivers, particularly in new digital skills; stresses, furthermore, the importance of ensuring employment rates and equal opportunities for all; |
| --- | --- |

41.

| 42. | Recalls that Directive (EU) 2016/798 (18) on railway safety provides for the specific certification of accompanying personnel; believes that qualified personnel are needed not only to improve the rail service, but above all to ensure the safety of rail transport in all its aspects; |
| --- | --- |

42.

| 43. | Calls for further initiatives to encourage women into professions in the rail sector; |
| --- | --- |

43.

| 44. | Calls for further initiatives to equip young people and the SME workforce with the relevant skills and knowledge; |
| --- | --- |

44.

More efficient use of networks

| 45. | Stresses the importance of ensuring improved use of the network especially along the TEN-T, and calls for measures to smooth passenger flow, including establishing transit and terminal nodes along high-speed routes, and to enhance the attractiveness of night trains; points out that these steps require close cooperation on mixed traffic lines in the design of passenger and freight arrangements in order to prevent bottlenecks and track congestion, which undermine the performance of the whole network; |
| --- | --- |

45.

| 46. | Highlights that the availability of capacity and an absence of bottlenecks is key for efficient network use and in order to increase the modal share of rail; |
| --- | --- |

46.

| 47. | Encourages Member States to provide a multi-annual perspective in the funding of their infrastructure in order to allow planned and internationally coordinated infrastructure maintenance and development, reduce temporary capacity restrictions and improve reliability in international rail; |
| --- | --- |

47.

| 48. | Encourages the Commission to use the ‘connectivity index’ it is currently developing for the precise identification of the infrastructure investment needed to secure the network effect; |
| --- | --- |

48.

| 49. | Highlights the role of digitalisation, the need for adequate cybersecurity and better coordination, in particular for cross-border rail traffic; stresses, in this regard, the need for better coordination in the way that capacity is managed in Member States’ networks, with a view to improving the utilisation of available capacity; calls, therefore, for greater harmonisation of procedures and criteria for capacity planning and allocation, as well as full interoperability of digital tools; asks the Commission to consider the creation of coordination mechanisms for the better integration of cross-border rail traffic into national traffic and, therefore, for more efficient management of rail capacity for both passenger and freight trains; |
| --- | --- |

49.

| 50. | Insists on the need for more efficient cross-border track allocation; |
| --- | --- |

50.

Appropriate pricing for track access

| 51. | Welcomes the Commission’s upcoming plans to publish guidelines for setting track access charges and to encourage reduced track access charges on the set-up of cross-border services, as well as transparency in their calculation; |
| --- | --- |

51.

| 52. | Reiterates the importance of track access charges as a decisive factor that influences the rail market; calls on the Commission to suggest recommendations for dedicated infrastructure charges for night trains in the upcoming Guidelines; |
| --- | --- |

52.

| 53. | Stresses the importance of fair and appropriate track access pricing for all operators, while guaranteeing equal treatment for incumbent operators and new entrants and ensuring that infrastructure networks are adequately funded; |
| --- | --- |

53.

| 54. | Emphasises that track access charging is a relevant revenue stream for infrastructure managers and recalls that one calculation for track charges is based on scarcity caused by the lack of sufficient infrastructure capacity (19); |
| --- | --- |

54.

User-friendly ticketing and access to the rail system

| 55. | Acknowledges that making long-distance rail passenger services more attractive requires:






  (a) | more accessible smart ticketing to facilitate multimodal journey planning: passengers should have a seamless user experience when searching, selecting, and buying their railway services with impartial ticket retail — meaning that all rail operators’ tickets are sold through all ticket channels; in order to achieve seamless ticketing, through-ticketing that by design already contains the possibility for the eventual introduction of multimodal ticketing should be considered and promoted; |
| --- | --- | --- |

55.

(a)

more accessible smart ticketing to facilitate multimodal journey planning: passengers should have a seamless user experience when searching, selecting, and buying their railway services with impartial ticket retail — meaning that all rail operators’ tickets are sold through all ticket channels; in order to achieve seamless ticketing, through-ticketing that by design already contains the possibility for the eventual introduction of multimodal ticketing should be considered and promoted;

| (b) | appropriate protection for passengers in the event of delays or missed connections: regardless of whether they have booked a through ticket or separate tickets, passengers should benefit, as a minimum, from journey continuation, which is a key factor in their choice of transport mode; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

appropriate protection for passengers in the event of delays or missed connections: regardless of whether they have booked a through ticket or separate tickets, passengers should benefit, as a minimum, from journey continuation, which is a key factor in their choice of transport mode;

| 56. | Calls for rail tickets to clearly provide the information on the CO2 footprint of the journey booked that is already publicly available (e.g. through websites such as EcoPassenger) in order to further encourage modal shift by means of well-informed mobility planning; |
| --- | --- |

56.

| 57. | Looks forward to the upcoming Commission proposal on multimodal digital mobility services (MDMS) with the aim of further enhancing travel data access, availability and exchange, and of facilitating the conclusion of fair commercial agreements with both principles being essential for all market participants; highlights the needed for cooperation between railway undertakings and ticket vendors to improve ticket distribution, establishing fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory conditions for the exchange of data via machine readable formats based on open standards, through application programming interfaces (APIs) with specific provisions for disturbances and/or cancellations of service; |
| --- | --- |

57.

| 58. | Stresses the importance of ensuring fair, easily accessible, affordable and advantageous ticket prices for all categories of passengers, including the most vulnerable, as well as of the accessibility to platforms and tickets providers, in particular for senior passengers as well as for people with reduced mobility; |
| --- | --- |

58.

| 59. | Highlights the need for a comprehensive approach with clear implementation milestones for achieving easier access to multimodal connections based on interoperable solutions that are fit for purpose; |
| --- | --- |

59.

| 60. | Calls on the Commission to continue monitoring compliance with the new Rail Passengers’ Rights Regulation; |
| --- | --- |

60.

Level playing field with other transport modes

| 61. | Considers that all possible avenues should be explored to ensure a level playing field with other transport modes; welcomes the Commission’s announcement that it would assess an EU-wide VAT exemption for international train services and the revision and simplification of State aid rules; |
| --- | --- |

61.

| 62. | Stresses that transparent information should be available for passengers to make more sustainable choices, and that the ‘CountEmission EU’ initiative could help establish a framework for emission comparisons; |
| --- | --- |

62.

| 63. | Calls on the Member States to optimise the use of public funds to improve public transport, e.g. rail services, which can carry large passenger volumes and meet the ever-growing demand for transportation; |
| --- | --- |

63.

Public service obligations to promote sustainable cross-border and/or multimodal collective transport

| 64. | Highlights the vital role that rail transport plays in keeping transport functioning even in crises by accommodating enormous passenger influxes within short periods; |
| --- | --- |

64.

| 65. | Emphasises that public service contracts, in complement to a clear improvement of a non-discriminatory market framework for commercially-driven services, can play a key role in promoting the continuity of cross-border services for European citizens and improving connections to interesting destinations, such as tourist and historical destinations, by providing rail services that help to maintain a dense, regular, reliable and quality rail network, even to less attractive destinations; |
| --- | --- |

65.

| 66. | Believes that public service obligations in complement to an improved and fair market framework can promote the use of rail, including in long-distance passenger transport, in particular in the case of market failures in cross-border sections, in particular last kilometre routes, perhaps in combination with other profitable network segments; |
| --- | --- |

66.

Empowering youth

| 67. | Calls on the Commission and Member States to sustain the momentum of the 2021 European Year of Rail in the 2022 European Year of Youth by encouraging young people to travel by train and attracting them to professions in the rail sector, which is facing skill shortages driven by innovation and digitalisation for ensuring adequate salary levels and working conditions; |
| --- | --- |

67.

| 68. | Believes that a single European high-speed rail network is important for connecting people, including young people; maintains that access to education and jobs will improve cohesion in Europe; |
| --- | --- |

68.

| 69. | Welcomes the Commission's planned initiatives to make the provision of cross-border night train services easier, and furthermore encourages rail undertakings to realise the full potential of night trains; |
| --- | --- |

69.

o

o o

| 70. | Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission. |
| --- | --- |

70.

---

(1)  OJ L 151, 7.6.2019, p. 70.

(2)  OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 32.

(3)  OJ L 348, 20.12.2013, p. 1.

(4)  OJ L 258, 20.7.2021, p. 1.

(5)  OJ C 456, 10.11.2021, p. 47.

(6)  OJ C 99, 1.3.2022, p. 2.

(7)  OJ L 462, 28.12.2021, p. 1.

(8)  OJ L 172, 17.5.2021, p. 1.

(9)  European Commission, Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, EU transport in figures: statistical pocketbook 2021, Publications Office, 2021.

(10)  https://www.eurocontrol.int/press-release/european-aviation-facing-serious-capacity-challenges-now-and-future

(11)  https://www.eurocontrol.int/sites/default/files/2020-01/eurocontrol-nm-user-forum-2020-airport-perspective-schiphol.pdf

(12)  https://www.eca.europa.eu/lists/ecadocuments/ap19_07/ap_urban_mobility_en.pdf

(13)  Commission communication to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions entitled ‘The European Green Deal’ (COM(2019)0640).

(14)  The Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSIs) define the technical and operational standards to ensure the interoperability of the railway system of the European Union. The TSI for telematics applications subsystem (TAP) concerns applications for passenger services, including systems providing passengers with information before and during the journey, for reservation and payment systems, luggage management and management of connections between trains and with other modes of transport.

(15)  Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) Fact Sheet ‘A TEN-T to make modal shift and the European Green Deal a reality,’ Brussels, December 2021.

(16)  Ibid.

(17)  Medeiros, E. et al., ‘Boosting cross-border regions through better cross-border transport services. The European case,’Case Studies on Transport Policy, 9 (2021), March 2021.

(18)  Directive (EU) 2016/798 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on railway safety (recast) (OJ L 138, 26.5.2016, p. 102).

(19)  European Commission, Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, Long-distance cross-border passenger rail services: final report, Publications Office of the European Union, 2021.

---

| 17.5.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 177/57 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 177/57

---

P9_TA(2022)0438

Digital divide: the social differences created by digitalisation

European Parliament resolution of 13 December 2022 on the digital divide: the social differences created by digitalisation (2022/2810(RSP))

(2023/C 177/06)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to Articles 2, 3(3) and 6 of the Treaty on European Union, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Articles 2, 3(3) and 6 of the Treaty on European Union,

| — | having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 19, 26, 36, 67(4), 114 (3), 153, 165 169(1) and 174 thereof, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 19, 26, 36, 67(4), 114 (3), 153, 165 169(1) and 174 thereof,

| — | having regard to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, and in particular Articles 3, 8, 11, 21, 26, 34, 38 and 52 thereof, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, and in particular Articles 3, 8, 11, 21, 26, 34, 38 and 52 thereof,

| — | having regard to the European Convention on Human Rights, and in particular Article 14 thereof, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the European Convention on Human Rights, and in particular Article 14 thereof,

| — | having regard to the European Pillar of Social Rights, and in particular Principles 3, 17 and 20 thereof, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the European Pillar of Social Rights, and in particular Principles 3, 17 and 20 thereof,

| — | having regard to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) definition of ‘digital divide’, which refers to the gap between individuals, households, businesses and geographic areas at different socio-economic levels with regard both to their opportunities to access information and communication technologies (ICTs) and to their use of the internet for a wide variety of activities (1), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) definition of ‘digital divide’, which refers to the gap between individuals, households, businesses and geographic areas at different socio-economic levels with regard both to their opportunities to access information and communication technologies (ICTs) and to their use of the internet for a wide variety of activities (1),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 27 November 2014 on supporting consumer rights in the digital single market (2), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 27 November 2014 on supporting consumer rights in the digital single market (2),

| — | having regard to Directive (EU) 2015/2366 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2015 on payment services in the internal market (3) (PSD2), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Directive (EU) 2015/2366 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2015 on payment services in the internal market (3) (PSD2),

| — | having regard to Directive (EU) 2016/2102 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 October 2016 on the accessibility of the websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies (4), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Directive (EU) 2016/2102 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 October 2016 on the accessibility of the websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies (4),

| — | having regard to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/389 of 27 November 2017 supplementing Directive (EU) 2015/2366 with regard to regulatory technical standards for strong customer authentication and common and secure open standards of communication (5), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/389 of 27 November 2017 supplementing Directive (EU) 2015/2366 with regard to regulatory technical standards for strong customer authentication and common and secure open standards of communication (5),

| — | having regard to Directive (EU) 2019/882 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on the accessibility requirements for products and services (6), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Directive (EU) 2019/882 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on the accessibility requirements for products and services (6),

| — | having regard to the European Central Bank (ECB) 2020 Study on the payment attitudes of consumers in the euro area (SPACE), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the European Central Bank (ECB) 2020 Study on the payment attitudes of consumers in the euro area (SPACE),

| — | having regard to the article in issue 5, 2022 of the ECB Economic Bulletin entitled ‘Guaranteeing freedom of payment choice: access to cash in the euro area’, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the article in issue 5, 2022 of the ECB Economic Bulletin entitled ‘Guaranteeing freedom of payment choice: access to cash in the euro area’,

| — | having regard to the Commission communication of 9 March 2021 entitled ‘Digital Compass 2030: Europe’s approach to the Digital Decade’ (COM(2021)0118), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 9 March 2021 entitled ‘Digital Compass 2030: Europe’s approach to the Digital Decade’ (COM(2021)0118),

| — | having regard to the proposal of 15 September 2021 for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the policy programme ‘Route to the Digital Decade’ for 2030 (COM(2021)0574), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the proposal of 15 September 2021 for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the policy programme ‘Route to the Digital Decade’ for 2030 (COM(2021)0574),

| — | having regard to the report of May 2022 on the final outcome of the Conference on the Future of Europe, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of May 2022 on the final outcome of the Conference on the Future of Europe,

| — | having regard to the deliberations on petition No 1123/2021 during the meeting of the Committee on Petitions of 17 May 2022, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the deliberations on petition No 1123/2021 during the meeting of the Committee on Petitions of 17 May 2022,

| — | having regard to its resolution of 7 October 2021 on the protection of persons with disabilities through petitions: lessons learnt (7), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 7 October 2021 on the protection of persons with disabilities through petitions: lessons learnt (7),

| — | having regard to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, achieving which will entail narrowing the digital divide, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, achieving which will entail narrowing the digital divide,

| — | having regard to Rule 227(2) of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rule 227(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

| A. | whereas the Committee on Petitions has received a petition expressing justifiable concern at the impossibility of accessing basic banking services, such as to confirm a payment or access a personal bank account, without having a mobile phone despite there being no legal obligation to possess such a device; whereas a divide exists between people who are increasingly using digital means of payment and others who cannot or are reluctant to use them; whereas this petition raises the broader issue of the impact of digitalisation on citizens and customers and users of public and private services; |
| --- | --- |

A.

whereas the Committee on Petitions has received a petition expressing justifiable concern at the impossibility of accessing basic banking services, such as to confirm a payment or access a personal bank account, without having a mobile phone despite there being no legal obligation to possess such a device; whereas a divide exists between people who are increasingly using digital means of payment and others who cannot or are reluctant to use them; whereas this petition raises the broader issue of the impact of digitalisation on citizens and customers and users of public and private services;

| B. | whereas cash is the payment instrument most frequently used in the euro area; whereas according to recent ECB data, the total number of cash dispensers in the euro area decreased by 4,2 % to 0,28 million in 2021 (8); whereas, there has been a parallel decrease in the number of bank branches per inhabitant across the euro area; whereas EUR 127 billion has been earmarked for digital related reforms and investments in the national recovery and resilience plans (9); whereas Member States made progress on their digitalisation efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, but are still struggling to narrow the gaps in digital skills and in the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises; |
| --- | --- |

B.

whereas cash is the payment instrument most frequently used in the euro area; whereas according to recent ECB data, the total number of cash dispensers in the euro area decreased by 4,2 % to 0,28 million in 2021 (8); whereas, there has been a parallel decrease in the number of bank branches per inhabitant across the euro area; whereas EUR 127 billion has been earmarked for digital related reforms and investments in the national recovery and resilience plans (9); whereas Member States made progress on their digitalisation efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, but are still struggling to narrow the gaps in digital skills and in the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises;

| C. | whereas the Committee on Petitions has received a petition expressing concern that most service providers only make information available online and often through channels only compatible with smartphones, which puts older people, persons with disabilities, persons on low incomes, the digitally unskilled and people with limited internet access at a disadvantage; |
| --- | --- |

C.

whereas the Committee on Petitions has received a petition expressing concern that most service providers only make information available online and often through channels only compatible with smartphones, which puts older people, persons with disabilities, persons on low incomes, the digitally unskilled and people with limited internet access at a disadvantage;

| D. | whereas although digitalisation and the appropriate use of digital tools have brought many economic and societal benefits and opportunities, a number of ethical, legal and employment challenges have emerged which may cause serious disadvantages or harm to individuals and society as a whole; whereas the potential of new technologies is ambivalent, as depending on how they are used and regulated, they can either help create a more inclusive society and reduce inequities, or they can amplify existing inequalities and create new forms of discrimination; |
| --- | --- |

D.

whereas although digitalisation and the appropriate use of digital tools have brought many economic and societal benefits and opportunities, a number of ethical, legal and employment challenges have emerged which may cause serious disadvantages or harm to individuals and society as a whole; whereas the potential of new technologies is ambivalent, as depending on how they are used and regulated, they can either help create a more inclusive society and reduce inequities, or they can amplify existing inequalities and create new forms of discrimination;

| E. | whereas digitalisation is having a profound impact on the daily social, economic, political and cultural life of citizens, workers and consumers and is affecting all areas of society; whereas digitalisation is at the root of a number of social differences, with a new digital divide emerging, not only between well-connected urban areas and rural and remote areas, but also between those people who can fully benefit from an enriched, accessible and secure digital space with a wide range of services, and those who cannot do so; whereas the increasingly widespread use of digital payments, including cards, digital wallets or mobile apps, is resulting in some retailers no longer accepting cash; |
| --- | --- |

E.

whereas digitalisation is having a profound impact on the daily social, economic, political and cultural life of citizens, workers and consumers and is affecting all areas of society; whereas digitalisation is at the root of a number of social differences, with a new digital divide emerging, not only between well-connected urban areas and rural and remote areas, but also between those people who can fully benefit from an enriched, accessible and secure digital space with a wide range of services, and those who cannot do so; whereas the increasingly widespread use of digital payments, including cards, digital wallets or mobile apps, is resulting in some retailers no longer accepting cash;

| F. | whereas declining use of cash transactions might result in deterioration of cash infrastructure and therefore reduce people’s access to cash; whereas it is necessary to address deficiencies in cash access without delay and to provide freedom of payment choice; |
| --- | --- |

F.

whereas declining use of cash transactions might result in deterioration of cash infrastructure and therefore reduce people’s access to cash; whereas it is necessary to address deficiencies in cash access without delay and to provide freedom of payment choice;

| G. | whereas the excessive use of technological devices can aggravate mental and physical health phenomena such as isolation, technology-use-related addiction problems, sleep deprivation, emotional exhaustion, anxiety and burnout; |
| --- | --- |

G.

whereas the excessive use of technological devices can aggravate mental and physical health phenomena such as isolation, technology-use-related addiction problems, sleep deprivation, emotional exhaustion, anxiety and burnout;

| H. | whereas digitalisation can adversely affect people who lack sufficient digital skills or do not have access to an internet connection or to digital devices; whereas it may accentuate social differences by reducing some workers’ opportunities to obtain quality employment; whereas it is necessary to raise the question of the negative impact of the digitalisation of public and private services on workers and people such as older people and persons with disabilities, low-income, socially disadvantaged or unemployed citizens, migrants and refugees or people in rural and remote areas; |
| --- | --- |

H.

whereas digitalisation can adversely affect people who lack sufficient digital skills or do not have access to an internet connection or to digital devices; whereas it may accentuate social differences by reducing some workers’ opportunities to obtain quality employment; whereas it is necessary to raise the question of the negative impact of the digitalisation of public and private services on workers and people such as older people and persons with disabilities, low-income, socially disadvantaged or unemployed citizens, migrants and refugees or people in rural and remote areas;

| I. | whereas the EU’s digital skills indicator currently stands at only 56 %; whereas, the EU’s digital objectives aim for this skills indicator to rise to 80 % by 2030 (10); whereas the pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities including the digital divide, making it imperative to ensure that all European citizens and businesses can take advantage of the digital transformation for a better, safer and more prosperous life; whereas the pandemic has shown the effects of the digital divide in education, with some teachers and students finding themselves left out of the loop because they lack sufficient technology and digital skills and access to equipment; |
| --- | --- |

I.

whereas the EU’s digital skills indicator currently stands at only 56 %; whereas, the EU’s digital objectives aim for this skills indicator to rise to 80 % by 2030 (10); whereas the pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities including the digital divide, making it imperative to ensure that all European citizens and businesses can take advantage of the digital transformation for a better, safer and more prosperous life; whereas the pandemic has shown the effects of the digital divide in education, with some teachers and students finding themselves left out of the loop because they lack sufficient technology and digital skills and access to equipment;

| J. | whereas an estimated 87 million people in the EU have some kind of disability (11); whereas the accessibility of online forms is often neglected, such that users relying on a screen reader may not be even able to detect the ‘send’ button; whereas web accessibility should be ensured so as allow everyone, including persons with disabilities, to perceive, understand, navigate and interact with the internet; |
| --- | --- |

J.

whereas an estimated 87 million people in the EU have some kind of disability (11); whereas the accessibility of online forms is often neglected, such that users relying on a screen reader may not be even able to detect the ‘send’ button; whereas web accessibility should be ensured so as allow everyone, including persons with disabilities, to perceive, understand, navigate and interact with the internet;

| K. | whereas the effective protection of personal data, privacy and assets, the security of networks and electronics, as well as citizens’ perception that their data, privacy and assets are protected and secure are fundamental to ensuring citizens’ trust and enabling them to overcome their reluctance to use digital services; |
| --- | --- |

K.

whereas the effective protection of personal data, privacy and assets, the security of networks and electronics, as well as citizens’ perception that their data, privacy and assets are protected and secure are fundamental to ensuring citizens’ trust and enabling them to overcome their reluctance to use digital services;

| L. | whereas the proposal for a European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles of 26 January 2022 (COM(2022)0027) underlines that everyone should be able to effectively choose which digital services to use on the basis of objective, transparent and reliable information; |
| --- | --- |

L.

whereas the proposal for a European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles of 26 January 2022 (COM(2022)0027) underlines that everyone should be able to effectively choose which digital services to use on the basis of objective, transparent and reliable information;

| M. | whereas the Conference on the Future of Europe addressed digital education, recommending that the EU put effort into making technology more accessible to the older generation by fostering programmes and initiatives, for instance in the form of classes tailored to their needs; whereas the EU should guarantee the right to use digitalisation for those who wish to do so and propose alternatives for those who do not; |
| --- | --- |

M.

whereas the Conference on the Future of Europe addressed digital education, recommending that the EU put effort into making technology more accessible to the older generation by fostering programmes and initiatives, for instance in the form of classes tailored to their needs; whereas the EU should guarantee the right to use digitalisation for those who wish to do so and propose alternatives for those who do not;

| N. | whereas 5,3 % of school-aged children in Europe are digitally deprived, with big differences being observed between EU countries (12), and children whose families live in poverty or in severe material deprivation who cannot afford to have a computer and/or to have an internet connection are the worst affected; |
| --- | --- |

N.

whereas 5,3 % of school-aged children in Europe are digitally deprived, with big differences being observed between EU countries (12), and children whose families live in poverty or in severe material deprivation who cannot afford to have a computer and/or to have an internet connection are the worst affected;

| 1. | Is concerned about the persistence of the digital divide, as it remains far from closing and poses significant challenges in relation to the use of the internet and mobile phones, as well in terms of as the provision of public and private services solely via digital channels; recalls that digitalisation can generate socio-economic differences between people and between countries because it requires investments and infrastructure that is very costly for less-developed regions and rural areas; calls for careful examination of people’s needs when it comes to digital developments and innovation, especially the needs of vulnerable groups, in order to assess how they can benefit from these new technologies; underlines that the digital transition must take place in a way that benefits everyone; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Regrets the fact that many people either do not regularly use digital services or feel insecure about carrying out online transactions, as this may have a significant adverse impact on their personal life, economic and social situation, and their fundamental rights, including the protection of their personal data and other cybersecurity issues; regrets the existence of barriers that particularly prevent vulnerable citizens, those with lower levels of educational attainment, older people, persons with disabilities, persons with learning difficulties and those on low incomes from fully participating in a world in which basic services such as banking or administrative services are digital, as they risk exclusion from society and missing out on economic opportunities; stresses the importance of giving everyone the opportunity to adapt to the changes brought about by digitalisation, especially through early digital education, updated digital education curricula, lifelong learning or re-skilling and up-skilling, in order to tackle digital exclusion, overcome the digital divide in society and enable the inclusion of all citizens; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | Underlines that the use of different payment services varies considerably across the EU, as well as within the Member States themselves; notes that many citizens still rely on cash as their sole payment option; |
| --- | --- |

3.

| 4. | Recognises that cashless payments and PSD2 have brought a number of advantages to the single market, including fraud reduction, economic gains for small businesses and the availability of a wider range of products; calls on the Commission to examine, during the comprehensive review of the application and impact of PSD2, how to further increase the security of digital payments and combat payment fraud, including online scams, as well as to ensure consumer protection, while taking into account citizens’ specific needs and guaranteeing that everyone has a choice of payment methods; stresses the importance of the protection of personal data and privacy, especially for people who are not familiar with online data security; underlines that provisions need to be included to guarantee user-friendly software interfaces for digital payment options, high standards of data protection and data interoperability, customer convenience and effective access to cash; |
| --- | --- |

4.

| 5. | Underlines that the EU’s regulatory framework must ensure that digitalisation is human-centric and that fundamental rights are fully respected in the digital economy, in particular for workers; |
| --- | --- |

5.

| 6. | Recalls that democratic life and online public services must be inclusive and fully accessible to all and that technological discrimination is a form of poverty and social exclusion that deprives some citizens of essential resources for development and wealth generation; stresses that everyone should benefit from the highest quality digital environment with user-friendly, efficient and personalised services and tools offering high standards of security and privacy while ensuring safeguards against any potential discrimination in access to basic services requiring the use of digital skills; |
| --- | --- |

6.

| 7. | Stresses that many daily services should offer a non-digital solution in order to meet the needs of those citizens who do not have the skills or knowledge to use online services, who wish to use services offline or those who do not have access to digital devices and applications; in this respect, insists on maintaining a level playing field between the online and offline worlds; calls on public administrations and companies to be inclusive and design their online services in a comprehensible way so that they can be accessed and used by people of all ages and levels of educational attainment, so as to help close the gaps in our societies that still persist due to unequal access to technology; |
| --- | --- |

7.

| 8. | Stresses the need to tackle the digital divide and the financial exclusion of vulnerable social groups so that the digital transformation leaves no one behind, in particular those who are most at risk of lacking the digital skills they need to make the most of the potential of the digitalisation of public and private services, so as to enable the inclusion of all citizens in the digital society, regardless of their income, social situation, geographical location, health or age; stresses that as people in the most precarious situations are most likely to rely on administrative procedures to access their financial rights, more initiatives should be put in place to facilitate access to technology, including digital literacy programmes, and reiterates the importance of education and continuous learning to develop the skills needed in the digital age and combat digital exclusion; |
| --- | --- |

8.

| 9. | Is concerned by the decline in the physical presence of public services, especially in rural areas and the outskirts of cities; underlines the utmost importance of maintaining physical premises for all public services in addition to the development of online services; calls for steps to be taken to promote specific protection for access to basic services for all, without discrimination on the grounds of insufficient mastery of technology; advocates for a human-centric customer service model that leaves no one behind; highlights that, with regard to access to public services in digital form, it is important to move away from the approach whereby part of the administrative work is passed on to the user and this burden transfer is accompanied by a transfer of responsibility and an obligation for the user to learn how to use digital technology, to be autonomous and to comply with the administration’s expectations of a model user; |
| --- | --- |

9.

| 10. | Calls for a model of public-service provision based on each user’s freedom of choice over the way in which they relate to the administration, and stresses the need for action to improve the design and deployment of public sites to overcome problems of accessibility and to provide the necessary legal, technical and administrative support users need in order to use these sites independently; |
| --- | --- |

10.

| 11. | Recognises that implementing this public-service model requires human, technical and economic resources, and recalls that EU funds, specifically NextGenerationEU funds, could be a big opportunity for making this transition; |
| --- | --- |

11.

| 12. | Is aware of the effects of strong customer authentication for users who do not have a mobile phone; calls for this authentication to be extended to other means, such as email, phone calls or human attention at the counter; regrets that PSD2 does not provide consumers with a direct right to request an alternative authentication method; calls on the Commission to take into account the risks of discrimination against older people and other vulnerable groups in its assessment of the provisions of PSD2; |
| --- | --- |

12.

| 13. | Stresses the importance of a common European approach to the ethical aspects of digitalisation; welcomes the EU’s draft Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles for the Digital Decade of January 2022 and underlines that the Commission and the Member States should ensure that technological solutions respect people’s rights and that the digital transformation leaves no one behind, the overarching aim being the eradication of the digital divide; |
| --- | --- |

13.

| 14. | Recalls that socio-demographic factors significantly influence the levels of digital skills, for example over two thirds of young adults, individuals with high levels of formal education and higher education students have at least basic digital skills; notes, by contrast, that only around one third of those aged 55-74, the retired and the inactive have at least basic digital skills; further notes that the gap between the digital skills among people living in rural and urban areas is still substantial (13); notes that digital connectivity is a key factor in addressing and narrowing the digital divide between densely and scarcely populated areas, and calls on the Commission to urgently address the existing digital divide in an updated cohesion policy; |
| --- | --- |

14.

| 15. | Stresses the importance of overcoming the digital divide, in particular by promoting basic and specialised skills with a specific focus on the most vulnerable groups of people, and the development of education and training systems including lifelong learning, re-skilling and up-skilling; recalls that not everyone can become digitally literate and stresses that there must be no discrimination based on people’s digital skills; reiterates that the principle of digital efficiency cannot justify excluding people from access to basic services; |
| --- | --- |

15.

| 16. | Calls for efforts to ensure that the digital transformation guarantees new digital rights for all, arising from the need to access digital media in all areas in order to avoid digital divides between territories, people from different areas, backgrounds and ages, especially taking into consideration the gender divide and the needs of older people who, unlike young people, are often less familiar with the use of new technologies; |
| --- | --- |

16.

| 17. | Believes that new technologies can contribute to closing the digital gap affecting around 87 million Europeans who suffer from some kind of disability in order to support their inclusion in the economy and their access to essential services; is convinced that the use of digital technologies can reduce the barriers which persons with disabilities face to enter the job market, such as completing work tasks, communication, interactions or flexibility; |
| --- | --- |

17.

| 18. | Notes that the digital divide has important consequences for immigrants, as discrimination can be exacerbated if there is incomplete or insufficient access to online public and private services and to digital media (14); |
| --- | --- |

18.

| 19. | Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States. |
| --- | --- |

19.

---

(1)  OECD, ‘Understanding the Digital Divide’, 2001.

(2)  OJ C 289, 9.8.2016, p. 65.

(3)  OJ L 337, 23.12.2015, p. 35.

(4)  OJ L 327, 2.12.2016, p. 1.

(5)  OJ L 69, 13.3.2018, p. 23.

(6)  OJ L 151, 7.6.2019, p. 70.

(7)  OJ C 132, 24.3.2022, p. 129.

(8)  ECB’s 2021 statistics on non-cash payments.

(9)  Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) report 2022.

(10)  Digital Economy and Society Index 2021.

(11)  Eurostat, ‘Functional and activity limitations statistics’. See also: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Functional_and_activity_limitations_statistics

(12)  DigiGen, ‘The impact of technological transformations on the Digital Generation’, 2021.

(13)  ‘Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 2022: Human Capital’.

(14)  ‘Divides — Impact of the digital divide on the foreign population’, 2018.

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Wednesday 14 December 2022

| 17.5.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 177/63 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 177/63

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P9_TA(2022)0442

Annual implementing report on the EU association agreement with Georgia

European Parliament resolution of 14 December 2022 on the implementation of the EU Association Agreement with Georgia (2021/2236(INI))

(2023/C 177/07)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to Article 8 and Title V, and notably Articles 21, 22, 36 and 37, of the Treaty on European Union, as well as to Part Five of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 8 and Title V, and notably Articles 21, 22, 36 and 37, of the Treaty on European Union, as well as to Part Five of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU),

| — | having regard to the Association Agreement (AA) between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and Georgia, of the other part (1), which fully entered into force on 1 July 2016, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Association Agreement (AA) between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and Georgia, of the other part (1), which fully entered into force on 1 July 2016,

| — | having regard to the Commission opinion of 17 June 2022 on Georgia’s application for membership of the European Union (COM(2022)0405), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission opinion of 17 June 2022 on Georgia’s application for membership of the European Union (COM(2022)0405),

| — | having regard to the European Council conclusions of 23-24 June 2022 regarding the membership applications of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the European Council conclusions of 23-24 June 2022 regarding the membership applications of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia,

| — | having regard to its previous resolutions on Georgia, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its previous resolutions on Georgia,

| — | having regard to its recommendation of 8 June 2022 to the Council and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the EU’s Foreign, Security and Defence Policy after the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine (2), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its recommendation of 8 June 2022 to the Council and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the EU’s Foreign, Security and Defence Policy after the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine (2),

| — | having regard to the agreement reached between Georgian political forces on 19 April 2021, mediated by the President of the European Council, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the agreement reached between Georgian political forces on 19 April 2021, mediated by the President of the European Council,

| — | having regard to the ‘Association Implementation Report on Georgia’ of 10 August 2022 (SWD(2022)0215), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the ‘Association Implementation Report on Georgia’ of 10 August 2022 (SWD(2022)0215),

| — | having regard to the Association Agenda between the European Union and Georgia for 2021-2027, adopted on 16 August 2022 (3), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Association Agenda between the European Union and Georgia for 2021-2027, adopted on 16 August 2022 (3),

| — | having regard to the outcome of the seventh Association Council meeting between the EU and Georgia of 6 September 2022, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the outcome of the seventh Association Council meeting between the EU and Georgia of 6 September 2022,

| — | having regard to the Economic and Investment Plan for the Eastern Partnership, as laid out in Annex I of ‘Recovery, resilience and reform: post 2020 Eastern Partnership priorities’ of 2 July 2021 (SWD(2021)0186), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Economic and Investment Plan for the Eastern Partnership, as laid out in Annex I of ‘Recovery, resilience and reform: post 2020 Eastern Partnership priorities’ of 2 July 2021 (SWD(2021)0186),

| — | having regard to the 2022 World Press Freedom Index, published by Reporters Without Borders, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the 2022 World Press Freedom Index, published by Reporters Without Borders,

| — | having regard to the urgent opinion of the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission of 26 August 2022 on the draft law on the amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code adopted by the Parliament of Georgia on 7 June 2022, its opinion of 20 June 2022 on the December 2021 amendments to the organic law on common courts, its urgent opinion of 2 July 2021 on the amendments to the organic law on common courts, its urgent joint opinion of 5 July 2022 on the revised draft amendments to the election code, its opinion of 8 October 2020 on the draft organic law amending the organic law on common courts and its urgent opinion of 16 April 2019 on the selection and appointment of Supreme Court judges, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the urgent opinion of the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission of 26 August 2022 on the draft law on the amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code adopted by the Parliament of Georgia on 7 June 2022, its opinion of 20 June 2022 on the December 2021 amendments to the organic law on common courts, its urgent opinion of 2 July 2021 on the amendments to the organic law on common courts, its urgent joint opinion of 5 July 2022 on the revised draft amendments to the election code, its opinion of 8 October 2020 on the draft organic law amending the organic law on common courts and its urgent opinion of 16 April 2019 on the selection and appointment of Supreme Court judges,

| — | having regard to the opinion of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of 18 February 2022 on the legislative amendments on the State Inspector’s Service of Georgia and its final report of 23 August 2021 on the nomination and appointment of Supreme Court judges in Georgia, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the opinion of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of 18 February 2022 on the legislative amendments on the State Inspector’s Service of Georgia and its final report of 23 August 2021 on the nomination and appointment of Supreme Court judges in Georgia,

| — | having regard to Rule 54 of its Rules of Procedure, as well as Article 1(1)(e) of, and Annex 3 to, the decision of the Conference of Presidents of 12 December 2002 on the procedure for granting authorisation to draw up own-initiative reports, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rule 54 of its Rules of Procedure, as well as Article 1(1)(e) of, and Annex 3 to, the decision of the Conference of Presidents of 12 December 2002 on the procedure for granting authorisation to draw up own-initiative reports,

| — | having regard to the opinion of the Committee on International Trade, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the opinion of the Committee on International Trade,

| — | having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (A9-0274/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (A9-0274/2022),

| A. | whereas Georgia submitted its application for EU membership on 3 March 2022 in the context of continued strong public support for Georgia’s European aspirations, as well as the new geopolitical situation resulting from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; |
| --- | --- |

A.

whereas Georgia submitted its application for EU membership on 3 March 2022 in the context of continued strong public support for Georgia’s European aspirations, as well as the new geopolitical situation resulting from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine;

| B. | whereas in its conclusions of 23-24 June 2022, the European Council recognised Georgia’s European perspective and expressed its readiness to grant it candidate country status once the priorities specified in the Commission’s opinion on Georgia’s application have been addressed; |
| --- | --- |

B.

whereas in its conclusions of 23-24 June 2022, the European Council recognised Georgia’s European perspective and expressed its readiness to grant it candidate country status once the priorities specified in the Commission’s opinion on Georgia’s application have been addressed;

| C. | whereas the Russian Federation continues its illegal occupation of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia in violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, as well as the EU-mediated ceasefire agreement of 12 August 2008; |
| --- | --- |

C.

whereas the Russian Federation continues its illegal occupation of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia in violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, as well as the EU-mediated ceasefire agreement of 12 August 2008;

| D. | whereas the Russian Federation and its occupation regimes are deliberately hampering the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons and refugees who were forcibly expelled as a result of ethnic cleansing from the Russian-occupied Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia; |
| --- | --- |

D.

whereas the Russian Federation and its occupation regimes are deliberately hampering the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons and refugees who were forcibly expelled as a result of ethnic cleansing from the Russian-occupied Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia;

| E. | whereas the Russian Federation is continuing its ‘creeping’ annexation process of Georgia’s occupied territories, including through its intention to hold a ‘referendum’ in the Tskhinvali region on ‘joining’ Russia, the transfer of the Bichvinta property complex and the surrounding area to the Russian Federation, and the further incorporation of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia into the military, economic, justice, social and other sectors of the Russian Federation; |
| --- | --- |

E.

whereas the Russian Federation is continuing its ‘creeping’ annexation process of Georgia’s occupied territories, including through its intention to hold a ‘referendum’ in the Tskhinvali region on ‘joining’ Russia, the transfer of the Bichvinta property complex and the surrounding area to the Russian Federation, and the further incorporation of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia into the military, economic, justice, social and other sectors of the Russian Federation;

| F. | whereas continued ethnic discrimination and other severe human rights violations against Georgians in the Russian-occupied territories of Georgia, the erection of barbed wire fences and other artificial barriers, the lengthy closure of so-called crossing points along the occupation line and the illegal detentions and kidnappings of Georgian citizens by the Russian occupation forces destabilise the situation throughout the country; |
| --- | --- |

F.

whereas continued ethnic discrimination and other severe human rights violations against Georgians in the Russian-occupied territories of Georgia, the erection of barbed wire fences and other artificial barriers, the lengthy closure of so-called crossing points along the occupation line and the illegal detentions and kidnappings of Georgian citizens by the Russian occupation forces destabilise the situation throughout the country;

| G. | whereas since the launch of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, thousands of Russians have arrived in Georgia to escape Western sanctions and the mobilisation ordered by Putin, as have numerous Belarusians, including those trying to escape persecution; |
| --- | --- |

G.

whereas since the launch of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, thousands of Russians have arrived in Georgia to escape Western sanctions and the mobilisation ordered by Putin, as have numerous Belarusians, including those trying to escape persecution;

| H. | whereas Russia continues to employ disinformation, cyberattacks and other hybrid methods to undermine Georgia's societal and institutional resilience; |
| --- | --- |

H.

whereas Russia continues to employ disinformation, cyberattacks and other hybrid methods to undermine Georgia's societal and institutional resilience;

| I. | whereas Georgia continues to participate in civil and military crisis management operations under the common security and defence policy (CSDP) and has provided 32 troops to the EU Military Training Mission in the Central African Republic and one officer to the EU Training Mission in Mali; |
| --- | --- |

I.

whereas Georgia continues to participate in civil and military crisis management operations under the common security and defence policy (CSDP) and has provided 32 troops to the EU Military Training Mission in the Central African Republic and one officer to the EU Training Mission in Mali;

| J. | whereas former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, whose health is continuing to deteriorate according to recent reports, is still lacking proper care, which raises fears for his life; |
| --- | --- |

J.

whereas former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, whose health is continuing to deteriorate according to recent reports, is still lacking proper care, which raises fears for his life;

| K. | whereas a toxicology report by Dr David E. Smith, M.D. & Associates concluded that the testing of hair and nail samples from Mikheil Saakashvili had revealed the presence of heavy metals and other agents, among others, mercury and arsenic, and that many of the pathological symptoms displayed by Mikheil Saakashvili are the result of heavy metal poisoning, contributing to his rapidly declining health; |
| --- | --- |

K.

whereas a toxicology report by Dr David E. Smith, M.D. & Associates concluded that the testing of hair and nail samples from Mikheil Saakashvili had revealed the presence of heavy metals and other agents, among others, mercury and arsenic, and that many of the pathological symptoms displayed by Mikheil Saakashvili are the result of heavy metal poisoning, contributing to his rapidly declining health;

| L. | whereas in their AA in force since 1 July 2016, Georgia and the EU committed to promoting political association and economic integration based on their common values and principles of democracy, the rule of law, good governance, human rights and fundamental freedoms; |
| --- | --- |

L.

whereas in their AA in force since 1 July 2016, Georgia and the EU committed to promoting political association and economic integration based on their common values and principles of democracy, the rule of law, good governance, human rights and fundamental freedoms;

| M. | whereas Georgia continues to make progress in its implementation of the AA and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) and is continuing to align with the EU acquis and EU standards; whereas although the EU is Georgia’s key trade partner, the potential of this cooperation has not yet been fully exploited; |
| --- | --- |

M.

whereas Georgia continues to make progress in its implementation of the AA and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) and is continuing to align with the EU acquis and EU standards; whereas although the EU is Georgia’s key trade partner, the potential of this cooperation has not yet been fully exploited;

| N. | whereas a number of crucial laws, including on the functioning of the judiciary and key appointment procedures, procedures for covert surveillance and the disbandment of the State Inspector’s Service, were rushed through the Georgian Parliament without the necessary consultations or analysis of compliance with EU or Council of Europe standards, as noted in the Commission’s 2022 Association Implementation Report on Georgia; |
| --- | --- |

N.

whereas a number of crucial laws, including on the functioning of the judiciary and key appointment procedures, procedures for covert surveillance and the disbandment of the State Inspector’s Service, were rushed through the Georgian Parliament without the necessary consultations or analysis of compliance with EU or Council of Europe standards, as noted in the Commission’s 2022 Association Implementation Report on Georgia;

| O. | whereas the 19 April 2021 Agreement, mediated by the President of the European Council, underlined the need to address perceptions of politicised justice through judicial reform in order to increase the independence, transparency and accountability of the judicial system; |
| --- | --- |

O.

whereas the 19 April 2021 Agreement, mediated by the President of the European Council, underlined the need to address perceptions of politicised justice through judicial reform in order to increase the independence, transparency and accountability of the judicial system;

| P. | whereas selective investigations and prosecutions targeting those critical of the current government undermine public trust not only in judicial institutions, but also in the Georgian authorities; |
| --- | --- |

P.

whereas selective investigations and prosecutions targeting those critical of the current government undermine public trust not only in judicial institutions, but also in the Georgian authorities;

| Q. | whereas the situation regarding the freedom of expression, freedom of media and the safety of journalists, which are cornerstones of a functioning democracy, continues to deteriorate and in 2022, Georgia fell from 60th to 89th place out of 180 in the World Press Freedom Index; whereas the public’s trust in media is very low in Georgia; |
| --- | --- |

Q.

whereas the situation regarding the freedom of expression, freedom of media and the safety of journalists, which are cornerstones of a functioning democracy, continues to deteriorate and in 2022, Georgia fell from 60th to 89th place out of 180 in the World Press Freedom Index; whereas the public’s trust in media is very low in Georgia;

| R. | whereas Nika Gvaramia, the director of the TV channel Mtavari, has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison on dubious charges of money laundering, bribery and document forgery; |
| --- | --- |

R.

whereas Nika Gvaramia, the director of the TV channel Mtavari, has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison on dubious charges of money laundering, bribery and document forgery;

| S. | whereas anti-Western propaganda and disinformation have recently significantly increased in Georgian media and social networks; whereas members of the ruling party continue to use polarising and hostile language when referring to EU institutions and their representatives; |
| --- | --- |

S.

whereas anti-Western propaganda and disinformation have recently significantly increased in Georgian media and social networks; whereas members of the ruling party continue to use polarising and hostile language when referring to EU institutions and their representatives;

| T. | whereas gender equality remains a challenge, as evidenced by Georgia’s slide in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index from 49th place out of 154 countries in 2021 to 55th out of 146 countries in 2022, which indicates deteriorations in the fields of educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment; whereas the issues of gender-based and domestic violence and discrimination against LGBTQI+ persons are still cause for concern; |
| --- | --- |

T.

whereas gender equality remains a challenge, as evidenced by Georgia’s slide in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index from 49th place out of 154 countries in 2021 to 55th out of 146 countries in 2022, which indicates deteriorations in the fields of educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment; whereas the issues of gender-based and domestic violence and discrimination against LGBTQI+ persons are still cause for concern;

| 1. | Welcomes the decision of the European Council to recognise the European perspective of Georgia, within its internationally recognised borders; notes that this decision is a strong signal of political support for the European aspirations of the people of Georgia and, therefore, urges Georgia to seize this historic window of opportunity; reiterates that to be granted candidate status, Georgia needs to successfully address the 12 key priorities indicated by the Commission in its opinion on Georgia’s application for membership of the European Union and endorsed by the European Council; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Calls on the Georgian authorities to uphold the highest standards of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms and to resolutely pursue the priorities for reform that were set out in the Commission’s opinion and that reflect the agreement brokered on 19 April 2021 in order to unambiguously demonstrate their political determination to implement the nation’s ambitious European aspirations, as expressed by the application for EU membership that Georgia submitted on 3 March 2022; welcomes the immediate steps taken by Georgia to initiate the working process to address these priorities and encourages the Georgian authorities to lead this process in an inclusive and transparent manner; calls on all Georgian political forces to constructively participate in and contribute to these efforts and calls on Georgian authorities to take into account proposals submitted by civil society organisations, in order to ensure the meaningful and credible involvement of civil society in decision-making processes at all levels, in particular regarding these important reforms; stresses that Georgia’s bid for accession to the EU will continue to be assessed based on its own merits and its success in meeting the Copenhagen criteria for EU membership, in particular as regards democratic reforms; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | Encourages Georgia to continue its enhanced cooperation with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova at all levels of governance, to exchange best practices on fulfilling the EU membership criteria for the future accession process and to boost regional cooperation in the Eastern Partnership; |
| --- | --- |

3.

Territorial integrity and security

| 4. | Underlines that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine calls for unity and solidarity on the part of the international community, as this will also be decisive for the restoration of Georgia’s territorial integrity, which the international community did not defend with sufficient strength in 2008; welcomes the strong response of Georgian society in support of Ukraine; pays tribute to the soldiers of the Georgian Legion in Ukraine who have been fighting against the Russian aggressors since 2014; calls on the Georgian authorities to align with relevant statements from the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative for the Union on Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on behalf of the EU and with Council decisions, in line with the country’s European ambitions; calls on the authorities to align with EU sanctions and to ensure that international sanctions related to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine are not circumvented via Georgia; |
| --- | --- |

4.

| 5. | Is concerned by reports that Russian people and entities are allegedly using Georgia to bypass Western sanctions; calls for the EU institutions to further examine these allegations, in particular various reports, including one by the Ukrainian National Agency on Corruption Prevention, about Bidzina Ivanishvili’s ties to Russia; should these allegations be confirmed, calls for personal sanctions to be introduced against him and his closest associates; recalls that members of Ivanishvili’s family and his close associates have been sanctioned by Ukraine for their links to the Kremlin, which are behind the ambiguous position of the current Government of Georgia towards Russia; welcomes, in this regard, the adoption of the eighth package of sanctions against Russia, which includes a new listing criterion which will allow the EU to sanction persons who facilitate infringements of the prohibition against the circumvention of sanctions; |
| --- | --- |

5.

| 6. | Reiterates its steadfast support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders; calls for the continuation of efforts to achieve a negotiated peaceful resolution of the conflict and an end to the Russian occupation of Georgian territory; while recognising the challenging context, encourages Georgia to further engage in constructive dialogue with the populations of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia in order to build trust and confidence with a view to sustainable conflict resolution; calls for the EU to continue to pursue its engagement for the peaceful resolution of the Russia-Georgia conflict by effectively using all the instruments available, including the Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, the Geneva International Discussions, the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms, the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia, and its policy of non-recognition and engagement; welcomes the extension of the mandate of the EUMM in Georgia until 14 December 2024 in order to allow it to continue fulfilling its tasks to stabilise and normalise the situation and build confidence between the parties in the conflict in an increasingly tense security environment; |
| --- | --- |

6.

| 7. | Strongly condemns the illegal occupation of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia by the Russian Federation and the continued illegal ‘borderisation’ activities in those regions; expresses concern over the dire security, humanitarian and human rights situation in Georgia’s occupied territories, and strongly denounces the discrimination against ethnic Georgians in the Gali and Akhalgori districts, the violation of their right to access education in their mother tongue, the illegal detentions, kidnappings and restrictions on the freedom of movement happening along the Administrative Boundary Line, and the violation of the right of internally displaced persons and refugees forcibly expelled from Georgia’s occupied territories, including as a result of ethnic cleansing, to return to their homes in safety and dignity; underlines the importance of people-to-people contacts and confidence-building measures between the communities divided by the conflict; |
| --- | --- |

7.

| 8. | Calls on the Russian Federation to fulfil its international obligations under the EU-mediated ceasefire agreement of 12 August 2008, notably its obligation to withdraw all its military and security personnel from Georgia’s occupied territories and to allow the establishment of international security mechanisms therein, and to allow the EUMM unhindered access to the whole territory of Georgia pursuant to its mandate; |
| --- | --- |

8.

| 9. | Underlines Georgia’s role as a reliable security partner of the EU through its significant contributions to EU CSDP operations; calls on the Council and the European External Action Service to further engage with Georgia on the CSDP, particularly in view of Georgia’s interest in participating in Permanent Structured Cooperation projects and in developing cooperation with the relevant EU agencies; |
| --- | --- |

9.

| 10. | Calls for increased assistance to Georgia and for enhanced partnership with it in the area of security and defence, as declared in the EU Strategic Compass, including through the European Peace Facility; welcomes the EU’s commitment and determination to support Georgia in countering hybrid threats and welcomes its recognition that maritime security in the Black Sea is of key importance for the EU’s security; |
| --- | --- |

10.

Political dialogue and elections

| 11. | Regrets that deep polarisation continues to be the defining feature of Georgia’s political environment; calls on all political stakeholders to refrain from any divisive and aggressive rhetoric, and to unite their forces in order to avoid jeopardising their key goal of Georgia’s EU membership through the implementation of ambitious democratic, judicial and anti-corruption reforms; emphasises the need to build and increase trust among all political and institutional stakeholders, as well as between them and the Georgian people; underlines, however, that the ruling party holds most of the tools and bears the main responsibility to deliver on that; reiterates that the core provisions of the EU-brokered agreement of 19 April 2021 continue to present a pathway towards strengthening democracy and the rule of law and reducing polarisation in Georgia and are therefore reflected in the 2021-2027 EU-Georgia Association Agenda; regrets the withdrawal of the governing Georgian Dream party from the April 19 agreement and calls on all political forces to honour the commitments made as part of the agreement; notes that the court’s decision to convict the leaders of the Lelo for Georgia party, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, and the use of the court’s verdict to strip Japaridze of his parliamentary mandate are a clear demonstration of politicised justice; stresses that further convictions of political leaders will contradict the declared intentions to reduce polarisation; |
| --- | --- |

11.

| 12. | Calls on Georgian political leaders to stop aggressive verbal attacks against Members of the European Parliament and other representatives of Euro-Atlantic partners, such as the EU or the US, as well as the baseless and harmful rhetoric claiming the alleged intention of international partners to ‘drag Georgia into the war’; notes with concern rising anti-Western propaganda, disinformation and rhetoric in Georgia, which are at odds with the undiminished and extraordinarily high public support for the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration; |
| --- | --- |

12.

| 13. | Calls on the Georgian authorities to complete the country’s electoral reform and address persistent shortcomings in electoral campaigns and the conduct of elections in time for the 2024 parliamentary elections and in line with the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations, in particular on pressure on voters and candidates by public officials and electoral contestants and allegations of intimidation, coercion and vote-buying, and on the misuse of administrative resources during the electoral process; welcomes the fact that the Georgian authorities have submitted the draft amendments to the Electoral Code to the OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission for opinion and calls on the authorities to fully implement the forthcoming recommendations from these bodies before the draft amendments are adopted; encourages the Georgian authorities to address the issue of the voting rights of Georgian citizens living abroad; regrets the exclusion of the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy from the parliamentary working group on electoral reform and calls for its inclusion in the process; reminds Georgian authorities of their pledge to lower the electoral threshold for parliamentary elections; |
| --- | --- |

13.

| 14. | Underlines the need to eliminate the excessive influence of vested interests in economic, political and public life as one of the priorities identified by the Commission to be addressed before Georgia is granted candidate status; recommends addressing the excessive influence of vested interests, notably of the oligarch and former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, in a systemic way through structural and regulatory reforms in various areas of the country’s political, economic and public life; reiterates its call on the Council and democratic partners to take appropriate measures, including imposing personal sanctions on Ivanishvili and all those individuals enabling and responsible for the deterioration of the democratic political process; |
| --- | --- |

14.

| 15. | Welcomes the consultation of the Venice Commission on the recent draft law on ‘de-oligarchisation’; urges the Parliament of Georgia to duly take into account the forthcoming opinion of the Venice Commission and to ensure that any draft law on the matter is in line with the recommendations of the Venice Commission when it is adopted and that it is based on the objective of eliminating all excessive influence of vested interests in economic, political and public life through a systemic approach; |
| --- | --- |

15.

| 16. | Expresses grave concern regarding the toxicology report by Dr David E. Smith, M.D. & Associates which concluded that many of the pathological symptoms displayed by Mikheil Saakashvili are the result of heavy metal poisoning, contributing to his rapidly declining health; reiterates that the Georgian Government bears full responsibility for the health and wellbeing of the former President and must be held accountable should anything happen to him; invites the President of Georgia to use her constitutional prerogatives to resolve this issue; calls on the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to become actively involved in securing the release of the former President; reiterates its call on the Georgian authorities to release former President Mikheil Saakashvili and allow him to receive proper medical treatment abroad in accordance with Article 283 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Georgia, on humanitarian grounds and as a means of reducing political polarisation; |
| --- | --- |

16.

The rule of law, good governance and media freedom

| 17. | Underlines the importance of implementing an ambitious, genuine and thorough justice reform on the basis of a transparent and effective post-2021 judicial reform strategy and action plan through a broad, inclusive and cross-party consultation process; regrets that the reform of the judiciary has stalled and even regressed in several key areas; calls on the authorities to address the shortcomings identified by the Venice Commission in the nomination and appointment of judges at all levels, in particular to the Supreme Court, and of the Prosecutor-General in order to bring the process fully in line with European standards; welcomes the steps to align the appointment of the Prosecutor-General with the Venice Commission’s recommendations; calls for a thorough reform of the High Council of Justice, which should be carried out before its remaining members are appointed, the procedure for which should be transparent, merit-based and in line with European standards; underlines the mutually agreed upon 2021-2027 EU-Georgia Association Agenda and the relevant commitments made therein by the Georgian authorities, in particular concerning the High Council of Justice and the Prosecutor-General; |
| --- | --- |

17.

| 18. | Stresses that hasty and non-transparent actions in making key appointments or institutional changes lead to the further politicisation of the judiciary, which should urgently be addressed; regrets in particular, in this respect, that the Supreme Court judges were appointed for life-long terms before the shortcomings in the nomination process identified by ODIHR and the Venice Commission were addressed and despite repeated calls to pause and bring the appointment process in line with European standards; reiterates that the lack of progress on judicial reform meant that the conditions for receiving the EUR 75 million tranche of EU macro-financial assistance by September 2021 were not fulfilled; emphasises that all appointments need to be transparent, fully in line with European standards, and made on the basis of integrity, independence, impartiality and competence; |
| --- | --- |

18.

| 19. | Expresses concern about continued state capture and the stagnation of the fight against corruption; reiterates its call on the Georgian authorities to step up the fight against corruption and organised crime; notes the adoption of the legislative changes setting up a new Anti-Corruption Bureau and calls on the Georgian authorities to submit them to the Venice Commission for opinion and to fully implement the forthcoming recommendations, in particular so that the new Anti-Corruption Bureau can rigorously address high-level corruption cases, and to provide it with adequate means and resources to fully exercise its mandate; calls further on the Georgian authorities to enforce the legislative norms on preventing corruption, on the principles of integrity and on conflicts of interest in public service, and to ensure the detection of any violations thereof; |
| --- | --- |

19.

| 20. | Calls on the Georgian authorities to effectively investigate the massive illegal wiretapping revealed in September 2021, which included the communications of the head of the EU Delegation to Georgia; is concerned about the amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of Georgia that increase the number of crimes for which covert investigative actions are permitted and the duration of these actions, which were adopted by the Georgian Parliament on 7 June 2022 and vetoed by the president on 22 June 2022; calls on the Georgian authorities to implement the recommendations of the Venice Commission issued on 26 August 2022, in particular to ensure a transparent and inclusive legislative process by including all relevant stakeholders and civil society; |
| --- | --- |

20.

| 21. | Underlines the emphasis the Commission’s opinion put on multi-level governance, the decentralisation process and public administration reforms in order to establish successful European-standard local self-government and prevent the concentration of power at the central level; insists on the important role of decentralised cooperation between the EU and Georgia; stresses the importance of further strengthening administrative capacity at central and local-government level; |
| --- | --- |

21.

| 22. | Expresses serious concern about the fact that, despite Georgia’s solid legal framework for guaranteeing freedom of expression and freedom of media, there was a deterioration in the media environment and the safety of journalists in 2021; condemns the cases of intimidation, threats and violence against and persecution of journalists, including an increasing number of criminal investigations against media workers and owners; calls on Georgian authorities to respond promptly to and effectively investigate allegations of illegal interference and abuse of power towards representatives of the media, as well as to bring laws relating to media freedom, such as the Law on Electronic Communications, in line with international standards and recommendations from the Venice Commission; |
| --- | --- |

22.

| 23. | Calls on Georgia to ensure media freedom, which entails editorial independence, transparent media ownership and pluralistic, impartial and non-discriminatory coverage of political views in programming by private and, in particular, public broadcasters, especially during electoral campaign periods, as well as to ensure unhindered access to information that is supposed to be publicly available and the safety, protection and empowerment of journalists and other media professionals; calls on all the representatives of the Georgian authorities to refrain from using aggressive rhetoric and discriminatory treatment towards media representatives in Georgia and to advocate for a tolerant approach that is respectful of human rights in their public statements; |
| --- | --- |

23.

| 24. | Calls on the Georgian authorities to stop politically motivated criminal cases and to review the ongoing criminal cases against media workers, owners of media outlets critical of the government, and their close family members; recalls, in this regard, the case of Nika Gvaramia, director of Mtavari TV, and those of the directors and founders of other media outlets, such as Formula TV and Pirveli TV; expresses its deep concern about the fact that on 2 November 2022, the Tbilisi Court of Appeals upheld the sentencing of Nika Gvaramia on dubious charges despite the significant questions raised about the case, in particular its timing and charges; invites the President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, to pardon Nika Gvaramia; recalls the key priorities indicated by the Commission in its opinion of 17 June 2022, including the call on Georgian authorities to ensure that criminal procedures brought against media owners fulfil the highest legal standards; takes note of the statement of the Public Defender of Georgia on 7 December 2022, which calls on the President of Georgia to make use of the pardon mechanism concerning Nika Gvaramia, as the case lacks justification and does not correspond to the fundamental principles of criminal law; expects the European External Action Service and the EU Delegation to Georgia to continue to monitor on the ground all trials in Georgia related to politically motivated cases; |
| --- | --- |

24.

| 25. | Expects the Georgian Government and authorities to take their obligation to provide safety to those sheltering from authoritarian regimes seriously, following reports that non-Georgian journalists have experienced harassment and government interference at the Georgian border; |
| --- | --- |

25.

| 26. | Recalls that Georgia is heavily exposed to Russian propaganda and disinformation campaigns; stresses the importance of continuous efforts to increase Georgian society’s resistance against such campaigns and attempts to influence Georgian politics and public opinion, including by protecting the pluralism and independence of the media and improving media literacy; calls for the EU institutions and the Member States to continue strengthening cooperation with relevant Georgian institutions to address Russian disinformation and its consequences; |
| --- | --- |

26.

| 27. | Notes that Russian propaganda uses the totalitarian past and the cult of totalitarian communist leaders as a tool of influence in Georgia; stresses that the glorification of Stalin, including through the erection of new statues, distorts the bloody and cruel legacy of communism and is an affront to the millions of victims of Stalinist terror; commends civil society for countering Russian disinformation, including through initiatives such as the Soviet Past Research Laboratory (SovLab); |
| --- | --- |

27.

Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms

| 28. | Condemns the violence committed against peaceful participants of the Tbilisi Pride march on 5 July 2021 and the journalists covering the event; strongly denounces the lack of diligent investigations into or prosecutions of those responsible for organising the violence; notes that six perpetrators of the violence were sentenced to a maximum of five years in prison in April 2022, but calls on the Prosecutor-General’s Office to conduct a comprehensive and effective investigation into all the organisers and perpetrators of the violence in the light of the overwhelming amount of evidence gathered by the media, civil society and the Public Defender of Georgia; notes that the events planned for the 2022 Tbilisi Pride took place indoors and that the police reacted in time to prevent interference and violence by groups opposing the Pride events; urges the Georgian Government to uphold the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, and calls on Georgian authorities to ensure the safety of demonstrators; |
| --- | --- |

28.

| 29. | Calls on the authorities to ensure the protection of human rights, in particular those of women and other vulnerable groups, such as the LGBTQI+ community and ethnic minorities, and to fully implement human rights and anti-discrimination legislation in practice and effectively combat impunity for all violations of human rights, in particular for serious violations; urges the adoption of the 2021-2030 human rights strategy and action plan; commends the Georgian Government for creating the Interagency Coordinating Committee responsible for the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, under the supervision of the Prime Minister; calls on the Georgian authorities to work on its deinstitutionalisation strategy and action plan, in line with the requirements of the Code on the Rights of the Child, as violence against children in a family context and in residential care, foster care and educational institutions remains a significant problem; |
| --- | --- |

29.

| 30. | Calls on the Georgian authorities to further improve women’s representation and equal treatment at all levels of political, economic and societal life to eradicate inequality in the labour market and the gender pay gap; urges the Georgian Government and authorities to adopt and effectively implement legislation against gender-based and domestic violence and femicides, step up support for survivors, and implement rehabilitation programmes for perpetrators and awareness-raising campaigns, in particular at the local community level; |
| --- | --- |

30.

| 31. | Condemns the continued discrimination of LGBTQI+ groups and persons, including in labour, health, social and economic areas, as well as their targeting by ultra-nationalist hate groups; |
| --- | --- |

31.

| 32. | Reiterates the importance of independent oversight of Georgia’s state institutions; expresses serious concern, in this respect, about the dismantling of the State Inspector’s Service against ODIHR recommendations and without meaningful prior consultations; highlights the positive role of Nino Lomjaria, the Public Defender of Georgia, in protecting human rights, promoting good governance, strengthening the rule of law, safeguarding media freedom and overseeing the compliance of policies and actions of the executive with international human rights standards; condemns the regular attempts, including by the authorities, to undermine the independence of the Public Defender of Georgia and to cast doubts on the integrity of the office and its staff; welcomes the establishment of an independent board to evaluate the candidates for the post of Public Defender of Georgia and calls on the parliamentary majority to select one of the top three independent candidates put forward by the board without delay; |
| --- | --- |

32.

| 33. | Emphasises the crucial role of civil society organisations in democratic oversight; calls on the Commission and the Member States to provide political, technical and financial support to civil society and independent media and to distribute core funds to civil society to boost capacity-building and expertise; |
| --- | --- |

33.

| 34. | Calls on Georgia to restrict the use of strategic lawsuits against public participation targeting human rights defenders and media representatives and thereby inhibiting their critical and independent work; |
| --- | --- |

34.

| 35. | Expresses concern regarding the number of Georgian asylum seekers in the EU and calls on the Georgian authorities to increase cooperation with their European partners and take further measures to address this issue; |
| --- | --- |

35.

Economic and trade relations

| 36. | Welcomes Georgia’s positive track record in approximating its laws and building a fully functioning market economy; calls for the opportunities presented by the Economic and Investment Plan to be used to build a dynamic and resilient economy that is ready to be integrated into the EU single market; further welcomes the fact that the EU is Georgia’s leading trade partner, as around 21 % of Georgia’s total trade is with the EU; calls on the Commission to review the DCFTA's potential to increase trade volumes between the EU and Georgia through coordinated assistance, with a focus on support for small and medium-sized enterprises and structural reforms, including developing quality infrastructure, such as laboratories in Georgia for EU certification of sanitary and phytosanitary, and technical barriers to trade standards; welcomes Georgia’s application to join the Single Euro Payments Area; |
| --- | --- |

36.

| 37. | Encourages the Georgian authorities to boost the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in the DCFTA, notably by increasing communication about the opportunities available to them, by enhancing access to export facilities and by making the best possible use of the existing Commission programmes ENPARD (European Neighbourhood programme for agriculture and rural development) Georgia and EU4Business; |
| --- | --- |

37.

Sectoral cooperation

| 38. | Reiterates that the AA, the DCFTA and the 2021-2027 Association Agenda provide a solid framework for bringing Georgia closer to the EU through gradual integration into the EU single market and enhanced sectoral cooperation; |
| --- | --- |

38.

| 39. | Calls on the Commission and the Council to establish enhanced and structured political dialogue with Georgia and other candidate and potential candidate countries in order to advance further economic integration and legislative harmonisation; believes that this dialogue should include meetings on the margins of the European Council with leaders of the relevant countries, that their representatives should regularly participate in the meetings of the European Council working groups and committees on a structured basis, and that these countries should be included as observers in the proceedings of the committees established pursuant to Article 291 TFEU and Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 (4) to strengthen these countries’ reform orientation and administrative know-how; |
| --- | --- |

39.

| 40. | Underlines the importance of enhanced transport, energy and digital connectivity as a means of making full use of the geographical and economic potential of Georgia at all levels, especially in small, medium-sized and rural municipalities; |
| --- | --- |

40.

| 41. | Calls on Georgia to improve its energy sector and connectivity, while ensuring environmental sustainability, enhancing its fight against climate change and protecting the environment, in particular by preserving biodiversity and protected sites, including through further legislative alignment with the EU acquis and European Green Deal policies, as well as by strengthening Georgia’s administration to enable the green transition; |
| --- | --- |

41.

| 42. | Calls on the Georgian authorities to undertake crucial steps to unbundle and certify the electricity and gas transmission system operators in order to accelerate the green transition and avoid energy dependence on Russia, in line with the REPowerEU Plan; |
| --- | --- |

42.

| 43. | Encourages the Commission, the European Network of Transmission System Operators and Georgia to assess the possibility of synchronising the Georgian electricity grid with the European continental grid and of including Georgia in the Continental Europe Synchronous Area; |
| --- | --- |

43.

| 44. | Calls on the Georgian Government to step up its efforts to increase and sustain socio-economic development in order to ensure rising income levels and regional development; reiterates its support for the development of human capital through the strengthening of the private sector’s role in managing the vocational education system and addressing skills mismatches to improve employment prospects; |
| --- | --- |

44.

| 45. | Urges the Commission, the Member States and Georgia to increase cooperation on public health resilience, including between public health authorities, on research facilities and on emergency capabilities, as well as to exchange best practice and work with civil society on establishing epidemic strategies focusing on the most vulnerable groups, including the elderly, the homeless, seasonal workers and migrants; |
| --- | --- |

45.

| 46. | Welcomes the adoption of Georgia’s overarching national strategy on public health for 2022-2030 and the accompanying action plan, as well as the new mental-health strategy for 2022-2030 and the accompanying action plan; |
| --- | --- |

46.

| 47. | Welcomes Georgia’s continued efforts to strengthen its international law enforcement cooperation with the EU Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and the EU Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL), including the signing of a new working arrangement between CEPOL and Georgia on 22 June 2022, which will enhance the sharing of knowledge, expertise, best practices and coordinated approaches to learning; |
| --- | --- |

47.

| 48. | Welcomes the adoption of labour reforms and calls on the Government of Georgia to further improve Georgia’s framework for protecting labour rights, including by ensuring an effective labour inspection system with adequate competences, capacities and resources, improving core labour legislation to bring it fully in line with International Labour Organization standards and EU regulations, enacting a minimum wage in consultation with social partners and labour rights organisations, developing effective social protection schemes for workers and creating an action plan for formalising the informal sector; |
| --- | --- |

48.

| 49. | Calls on the Commission to support the creation of a common roaming space between Georgia and the EU through coordinated assistance with a focus on gradually reducing international roaming tariffs between Georgia and the EU in line with EU regulations, thus protecting consumers’ rights, as well as assisting Georgia to come into line gradually with the EU acquis and contributing to Georgia’s European integration process; |
| --- | --- |

49.

| 50. | Calls on the Commission to support Georgia’s efforts to position itself as a regional hub for digital connectivity and digital services and to promote its digital sovereignty by developing strategic international connectivity and digital transport corridors between Europe and various parts of Asia via Georgia; welcomes the EU assistance programmes in support of digitalisation, such as EU4Digital and EaP Connect, but also highlights the necessity of accessible digital connectivity, notably in rural areas, and the efforts made towards it; welcomes the investment initiative for fast broadband for rural settlements; welcomes the adoption of the 2021-2024 national cybersecurity strategy and action plan; calls on Georgian authorities to work with the EU on strengthening the country’s cyber resilience in line with the EU's best practices and legislation, notably the EU Directive on security of network and information systems (5); |
| --- | --- |

50.

| 51. | Calls on the Commission and Georgia to consider increasing the number of Trans-European Transport Network projects in Georgia; highlights negative security implications of Chinese investments in strategic infrastructure; regrets the continued delays in the development of the Anaklia Deep Sea Port, following the Georgian Government's cancellation of the project contract with the Anaklia Development Consortium in 2020; expresses hope that Georgia will accelerate the port’s construction, in line with Georgia’s strategic Euro-Atlantic objectives; |
| --- | --- |

51.

| 52. | Welcomes Georgia’s association to Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation programme for 2021-2027, which opens up new opportunities for the Georgian scientific and innovation community, and welcomes Georgia’s commitment to starting the process of becoming an associated third country of the Erasmus+ programme; |
| --- | --- |

52.

Institutional provisions

| 53. | Reaffirms its commitment to supporting Georgia’s parliamentary democracy through capacity development; regrets that the European Parliament’s offer to the Parliament of Georgia to establish a Jean Monnet Dialogue has not been accepted; |
| --- | --- |

53.

o

o o

| 54. | Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the Government and Parliament of Georgia. |
| --- | --- |

54.

---

(1)  OJ L 261, 30.8.2014, p. 4.

(2)  Texts adopted, P9_TA(2022)0235.

(3)  OJ L 218, 23.8.2022, p. 40.

(4)  Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers (OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13).

(5)  Directive (EU) 2016/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 2016 concerning measures for a high common level of security of network and information systems across the Union (OJ L 194, 19.7.2016, p. 1).

---

| 17.5.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 177/73 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 177/73

---

P9_TA(2022)0443

Prospects for the two-State solution for Israel and Palestine

European Parliament resolution of 14 December 2022 on the prospects of the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine (2022/2949(RSP))

(2023/C 177/08)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to its previous resolutions on the Middle East Peace Process, in particular its resolution of 18 May 2017 on achieving the two-state solution in the Middle East (1), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its previous resolutions on the Middle East Peace Process, in particular its resolution of 18 May 2017 on achieving the two-state solution in the Middle East (1),

| — | having regard to the Council conclusions of 18 January 2016 and of 20 June 2016 on the Middle East peace process, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Council conclusions of 18 January 2016 and of 20 June 2016 on the Middle East peace process,

| — | having regard to the EU-Israel Association Council which took place on 3 October 2022 and its conclusions, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the EU-Israel Association Council which took place on 3 October 2022 and its conclusions,

| — | having regard to the European Union’s 2021 report on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the European Union’s 2021 report on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem,

| — | having regard to the EU terrorist list, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the EU terrorist list,

| — | having regard to the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council,

| — | having regard to the Geneva Conventions of 1949, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Geneva Conventions of 1949,

| — | having regard to the Oslo Accords of 1993 and 1995, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Oslo Accords of 1993 and 1995,

| — | having regard to the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002,

| — | 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 the EU has repeatedly confirmed its support for the two-state solution, with two sovereign, democratic states living side by side in peace and guaranteed security, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states; |
| --- | --- |

A.

whereas the EU has repeatedly confirmed its support for the two-state solution, with two sovereign, democratic states living side by side in peace and guaranteed security, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states;

| B. | whereas the UN Security Council has adopted multiple resolutions on the issue, including Resolution 2334 (2016); whereas the EU-27 made reference to these resolutions and the need for them to be respected in its statement following the latest meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council; |
| --- | --- |

B.

whereas the UN Security Council has adopted multiple resolutions on the issue, including Resolution 2334 (2016); whereas the EU-27 made reference to these resolutions and the need for them to be respected in its statement following the latest meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council;

| C. | whereas, according to the 2021 report by the Office of the European Union Representative, last year saw a further increased rate of advancement of settlement units in the occupied Palestinian Territories (22 030), in particular in East Jerusalem where the number of new housing units more than doubled compared to 2020 (from 6 288 to 14 894), as part of the trend of continuous Israeli settlement expansion; |
| --- | --- |

C.

whereas, according to the 2021 report by the Office of the European Union Representative, last year saw a further increased rate of advancement of settlement units in the occupied Palestinian Territories (22 030), in particular in East Jerusalem where the number of new housing units more than doubled compared to 2020 (from 6 288 to 14 894), as part of the trend of continuous Israeli settlement expansion;

| D. | whereas violence, terrorism, including attacks against civilians, and incitement to violence are being exacerbated by provocative measures and inflammatory rhetoric and are fundamentally incompatible with a peaceful resolution to the conflict; whereas the Union expresses its condolences to the families of all victims; |
| --- | --- |

D.

whereas violence, terrorism, including attacks against civilians, and incitement to violence are being exacerbated by provocative measures and inflammatory rhetoric and are fundamentally incompatible with a peaceful resolution to the conflict; whereas the Union expresses its condolences to the families of all victims;

| E. | whereas Israelis and Palestinians alike have the right to live in security; whereas this includes the right to protect their territory and defend their legitimate security interests; |
| --- | --- |

E.

whereas Israelis and Palestinians alike have the right to live in security; whereas this includes the right to protect their territory and defend their legitimate security interests;

| F. | whereas the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has exacerbated the fragilities and geopolitical tensions in the region, and food insecurity is increasing drastically; |
| --- | --- |

F.

whereas the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has exacerbated the fragilities and geopolitical tensions in the region, and food insecurity is increasing drastically;

| G. | whereas, on 11 May 2022, journalist Shireen Abu Aqla was killed during an Israeli military raid in Jenin in the occupied West Bank; whereas, despite numerous calls to do so, no independent investigation into her killing has been conducted, so the perpetrators of this criminal act have not been held to account; |
| --- | --- |

G.

whereas, on 11 May 2022, journalist Shireen Abu Aqla was killed during an Israeli military raid in Jenin in the occupied West Bank; whereas, despite numerous calls to do so, no independent investigation into her killing has been conducted, so the perpetrators of this criminal act have not been held to account;

| H. | whereas the Court of Justice adopted a ruling on 12 November 2019 on the EU’s policy of differentiation in trade stemming from the territory of the state of Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories (2); whereas the EU needs to apply this ruling accordingly; |
| --- | --- |

H.

whereas the Court of Justice adopted a ruling on 12 November 2019 on the EU’s policy of differentiation in trade stemming from the territory of the state of Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories (2); whereas the EU needs to apply this ruling accordingly;

| I. | whereas Israel is a democratic state, which held its last legislative elections on 1 November 2022; whereas the last Palestinian parliamentary elections were held in 2006, which resulted in a victory for the EU-listed terror organisation Hamas in Gaza; whereas the last Palestinian presidential elections were held in January 2005; |
| --- | --- |

I.

whereas Israel is a democratic state, which held its last legislative elections on 1 November 2022; whereas the last Palestinian parliamentary elections were held in 2006, which resulted in a victory for the EU-listed terror organisation Hamas in Gaza; whereas the last Palestinian presidential elections were held in January 2005;

| J. | whereas the Gaza Strip has been under blockade for 15 years, entrapping two million inhabitants in a 40-by-11 square kilometre area; whereas according to UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), 53 % of Gazans live below the poverty line; |
| --- | --- |

J.

whereas the Gaza Strip has been under blockade for 15 years, entrapping two million inhabitants in a 40-by-11 square kilometre area; whereas according to UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), 53 % of Gazans live below the poverty line;

| K. | whereas the international community has continuously called for the repatriation of the remains of Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul to Israel as they are being held in violation of international humanitarian law in Gaza and whereas the international community has expressed unanimous solidarity with the Goldin and Shaul families; |
| --- | --- |

K.

whereas the international community has continuously called for the repatriation of the remains of Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul to Israel as they are being held in violation of international humanitarian law in Gaza and whereas the international community has expressed unanimous solidarity with the Goldin and Shaul families;

| L. | whereas Israeli authorities have demolished key infrastructure funded by international donors to provide basic services; whereas several EU- or Member State-funded structures currently have stop-work or demolition orders; |
| --- | --- |

L.

whereas Israeli authorities have demolished key infrastructure funded by international donors to provide basic services; whereas several EU- or Member State-funded structures currently have stop-work or demolition orders;

| M. | whereas, in October 2021, the Israeli Ministry of Defence issued a military order which designated six Palestinian non-governmental organisations as ‘unlawful associations’ (terrorist organisations); whereas in August 2022, the offices of these organisations were raided, documents were confiscated and equipment was destroyed by Israeli forces; |
| --- | --- |

M.

whereas, in October 2021, the Israeli Ministry of Defence issued a military order which designated six Palestinian non-governmental organisations as ‘unlawful associations’ (terrorist organisations); whereas in August 2022, the offices of these organisations were raided, documents were confiscated and equipment was destroyed by Israeli forces;

| N. | whereas civil society in the region, and more specifically in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, has a key role to play in building bridges in society and promoting an atmosphere of peace, tolerance and non-violence; |
| --- | --- |

N.

whereas civil society in the region, and more specifically in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, has a key role to play in building bridges in society and promoting an atmosphere of peace, tolerance and non-violence;

General principles

| 1. | Reiterates its unwavering support for a negotiated two-state solution on the basis of the 1967 lines with two sovereign, democratic states living side by side in peace and guaranteed security, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states, and in full respect of international law; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Calls for an end to the protracted Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the occupation of Palestinian territories through the resumption of genuine peace talks between both sides on the basis of the established parameters for the two-state solution, with the support of the international community, leading to a negotiated final status agreement and mutual recognition; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | Urges both parties to restate their commitment to the two-state solution; asks the next Israeli Government to make a clear commitment in favour of the two-state solution; calls on the Israeli and Palestinian leaderships to refrain from provocative actions and rhetoric, and unilateral decisions; |
| --- | --- |

3.

| 4. | Deplores the lack of tangible results in the Middle East peace process in the past decades, which has resulted in continued violence and terrorism, a constantly deteriorating situation on the ground in the occupied Palestinian territories, increasing frustration in Palestinian society, growing tensions and insecurity in Israel, and the instrumentalisation of the conflict by terrorist and extremist groups; |
| --- | --- |

4.

Obstacles to the two-state solution

| 5. | Recalls that settlements are illegal under international law, calls for an immediate end to their construction and stresses that the recent decisions to establish new settlements further undermine prospects for a viable two-state solution, particularly in E1 area and the West Bank; condemns settler violence and calls for accountability; |
| --- | --- |

5.

| 6. | Asks Israel to comply with its responsibilities and obligations as an occupying power under international law, and respect the human rights of Palestinians; |
| --- | --- |

6.

| 7. | Strongly condemns continued terrorism against Israel and recalls Israel’s right to exist and to defend itself; fully recognises Israel’s legitimate security concerns and the challenges it faces; reiterates Israel’s full right to fight against acts of violence and its right to protect its civilian population; |
| --- | --- |

7.

| 8. | Condemns and calls for an immediate end to all acts of violence between Israelis and Palestinians, including the disproportionate use of force in military operations by the Israeli Defence Forces, terrorist attacks against innocent civilians and targeting civilian infrastructures, mounting settler violence, and the indiscriminate attacks including rocket attacks carried out by Palestinian EU-listed terrorist organisations including Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine; |
| --- | --- |

8.

| 9. | Stresses the imperative need for the EU to work in partnership with Israel, the Palestinian Authority, the United States and Arab partners in the region with a view to preventing the re-arming of terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and their smuggling of weapons, manufacturing of rockets and building of tunnels; stresses once more the overwhelming need for all terrorist groups in Gaza to disarm, in line with previous Foreign Affairs Council conclusions; condemns the unacceptable activities by the de facto authorities in Gaza and in this context reiterates the need for the Palestinian Authority to take charge of the Gaza Strip; |
| --- | --- |

9.

| 10. | Calls for the perpetrators of these acts of violence to be held accountable, in line with international law; recalls that compliance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law by states and non-state actors, including accountability for their actions, is a cornerstone of peace and security; |
| --- | --- |

10.

| 11. | Reaffirms its commitment to the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including, most recently, Resolution 2334 (2016), and stresses to respect them, as reiterated by the EU-27 in its statement following the latest meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council; |
| --- | --- |

11.

| 12. | Stresses that democracy in Palestine should be supported further, and calls on the international community to redouble its efforts to strengthen its institutions with a view to achieving intra-Palestinian unity, as an important element for reaching the two-state solution; urges Palestinian forces to resume efforts towards reconciliation without delay, in particular by holding long-overdue presidential and legislative elections; |
| --- | --- |

12.

| 13. | Calls for transparent, credible and inclusive elections to be held in Palestine; expresses grave concern about people affiliated with EU-listed terrorist organisations running or seeking to run for Palestinian political office; calls on Israel to allow these elections to take place in East Jerusalem; insists again that the EU and Parliament must be able to observe these elections, upon invitation; |
| --- | --- |

13.

| 14. | Condemns the systematic efforts of the Palestinian Authority and the de facto authorities in Gaza to muzzle dissent, including by arbitrarily arresting critics and opponents, who are often then subjected to torture or other ill-treatment, and restricting freedom of expression, association and assembly; |
| --- | --- |

14.

| 15. | Urges Israel to cease its widespread practice of administrative detentions of Palestinians, including minors, without trial, and calls for the right to due process to be respected; condemns the use of minors as suicide bombers by Palestinian militant groups; |
| --- | --- |

15.

| 16. | Highlights that the Palestinian people have the right to use their own natural resources, including water resources, energy resources and agricultural lands on their own territory; |
| --- | --- |

16.

| 17. | Offers its condolences to the families of Israeli soldiers Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul; deplores the refusal of Hamas to return their remains to Israel for burial; calls for all efforts to be made for the immediate repatriation of their remains; calls, furthermore, for the immediate release of Israeli citizens Avraham Mengistu and Hisham Al-Sayed, who have not committed any crime or offence that justifies their captivity by Hamas in the Gaza Strip; |
| --- | --- |

17.

| 18. | Calls on the state of Israel to allow humanitarian aid to reach the most vulnerable, both in the West Bank and Gaza; reiterates its calls for an immediate end to the blockade and for the easing of the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, while taking the necessary security guarantees to prevent violence against Israel; reiterates the need for EU funding to go to specific projects in Gaza, in line with the trilateral mechanism for financial support for civilians; calls for unhindered access for Members of the European Parliament to the Gaza Strip; |
| --- | --- |

18.

| 19. | Calls for an immediate end to the demolition of Palestinian homes; calls for the EU and its Member States to demand compensation for the demolition of all EU-funded infrastructure in the occupied Palestinian territories; |
| --- | --- |

19.

| 20. | Is concerned about the shrinking space for civil society in Israel and in the occupied Palestinian territories, and urges the EU to put this issue high on the agenda of its political dialogue with the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority; |
| --- | --- |

20.

The role of the European Union

| 21. | Calls on the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process (EUSR) to set up a European peace initiative in order to restore a political horizon for fair, comprehensive, long-lasting peace between Israel and Palestine; calls, to this end, for the mandate of the EUSR to be extended until the effective resolution of this long-lasting conflict; |
| --- | --- |

21.

| 22. | Calls for this initiative to take the form of an international conference, as a first step in a multilateral framework aimed at achieving this objective; welcomes initiatives such as the Munich Format and encourages the European External Action Service and the Member States to take a European initiative to put the two-state solution back on track; |
| --- | --- |

22.

| 23. | Calls for the EU to explore with the Arab countries concerned how their respective normalisation agreements with Israel could be conducive to the two-state solution and the economic development of the region; |
| --- | --- |

23.

| 24. | Calls on the EU and its Member States to support all initiatives to uphold accountability for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law; underlines in this regard the work of the International Criminal Court; |
| --- | --- |

24.

| 25. | Welcomes the decision of the Foreign Affairs Council to relaunch the Association Council with Israel; believes it should strengthen the EU-Israel partnership, discuss issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and aim at reviving the Middle East peace process; |
| --- | --- |

25.

| 26. | Considers EU funding for civil society to be constructive engagement towards building bridges between Israelis and Palestinians; calls for EU programmes to enhance people-to-people contacts between different ethnic and religious minorities, human rights defenders, journalists and women’s organisations; |
| --- | --- |

26.

| 27. | Underlines the need for the EU and its Member States to support joint initiatives in the social and economic sectors, including in water and energy, to promote prosperity and social exchange between the two territories; reiterates its support for the Global Gateway strategy, which, in synergy with the economic and investment plan for the Southern Neighbourhood, will develop trade links in the region; |
| --- | --- |

27.

| 28. | Recognises the role performed by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East in providing Palestinian refugees with vital services; reiterates the importance of education in the building of prospects for a two-state solution; reiterates that hatred, incitement to violence and antisemitism conflict with EU values and are a key impediment to the resolution of the conflict; reiterates its position that all schoolbooks and school materials supported by Union funds must be in line with UNESCO standards of peace, tolerance, coexistence and non-violence; underlines that EU funding will have to be suspended if clear and substantiated evidence of misuse is presented; |
| --- | --- |

28.

| 29. | Recalls that all education curricula funded by the EU must be in line with UNESCO standards of peace, tolerance, co-existence and non-violence and strongly condemns the hate speech, violence and antisemitism that continue to be found on Palestinian Authority education curricula; |
| --- | --- |

29.

o

o o

| 30. | Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, the Knesset and the Government of Israel, the President of the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian Legislative Council. |
| --- | --- |

30.

---

(1)  OJ C 307, 30.8.2018, p. 113.

(2)  Judgment of 12 November 2019, Organisation juive européenne and Vignoble Psagot Ltd v Ministre de l’Économie et des Finances, C-363/18, ECLI:EU:C:2019:954.

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| 17.5.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 177/78 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 177/78

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P9_TA(2022)0444

Implementation of the New European Agenda for Culture and the EU Strategy for International Cultural Relations

European Parliament resolution of 14 December 2022 on the implementation of the New European Agenda for Culture and the EU Strategy for International Cultural Relations (2022/2047(INI))

(2023/C 177/09)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG 17 on revitalising the global partnership for sustainable development, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG 17 on revitalising the global partnership for sustainable development,

| — | having regard to the Final Declaration adopted by the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development — MONDIACULT 2022, held in Mexico City from 28-30 September 2022, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Final Declaration adopted by the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development — MONDIACULT 2022, held in Mexico City from 28-30 September 2022,

| — | having regard to the Declaration adopted following the informal meeting of the Ministers of the Member States of the European Union responsible for Culture and European Affairs, held in Paris on 3 May 2019, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Declaration adopted following the informal meeting of the Ministers of the Member States of the European Union responsible for Culture and European Affairs, held in Paris on 3 May 2019,

| — | having regard to the Council of Europe Resolution of 8 December 2010 establishing an Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Council of Europe Resolution of 8 December 2010 establishing an Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes,

| — | having regard to the report by the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) Working Group of Member States’ Experts of 4 May 2017 entitled ‘How culture and the arts can promote intercultural dialogue in the context of the migratory and refugee crisis’, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report by the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) Working Group of Member States’ Experts of 4 May 2017 entitled ‘How culture and the arts can promote intercultural dialogue in the context of the migratory and refugee crisis’,

| — | having regard to the report by the OMC Working Group of Member States’ Experts of 17 December 2019 entitled ‘Sustainable cultural tourism’, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report by the OMC Working Group of Member States’ Experts of 17 December 2019 entitled ‘Sustainable cultural tourism’,

| — | having regard to the report by the OMC Working Group of Member States’ Experts of 4 June 2021 entitled ‘Towards gender equality in the cultural and creative sectors’, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report by the OMC Working Group of Member States’ Experts of 4 June 2021 entitled ‘Towards gender equality in the cultural and creative sectors’,

| — | having regard to the report by the OMC Working Group of Member States’ Experts of 5 September 2022 entitled ‘Strengthening cultural heritage resilience for climate change’, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report by the OMC Working Group of Member States’ Experts of 5 September 2022 entitled ‘Strengthening cultural heritage resilience for climate change’,

| — | having regard to the report by the OMC Working Group of Member States’ Experts of 22 September 2022 entitled ‘Stormy Times. Nature and Humans: Cultural Courage for Change’, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report by the OMC Working Group of Member States’ Experts of 22 September 2022 entitled ‘Stormy Times. Nature and Humans: Cultural Courage for Change’,

| — | having regard to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD),

| — | having regard to the Rome Declaration of the G20 Ministers of Culture of 30 July 2021, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Rome Declaration of the G20 Ministers of Culture of 30 July 2021,

| — | having regard to Article 8(2) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 8(2) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court,

| — | having regard to the Council of Europe Convention on Criminal Offences relating to Cultural Property (Nicosia Convention), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Council of Europe Convention on Criminal Offences relating to Cultural Property (Nicosia Convention),

| — | having regard to the Commission communication of 22 May 2018 entitled ‘A New European Agenda for Culture’ (COM(2018)0267), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 22 May 2018 entitled ‘A New European Agenda for Culture’ (COM(2018)0267),

| — | having regard to the joint communication of the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 8 June 2016 entitled ‘Towards an EU strategy for international cultural relations’ (JOIN(2016)0029), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the joint communication of the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 8 June 2016 entitled ‘Towards an EU strategy for international cultural relations’ (JOIN(2016)0029),

| — | having regard to the document entitled ‘Shared Vision, Common Action: A Stronger Europe — A Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy’ presented by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) on 28 June 2016, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the document entitled ‘Shared Vision, Common Action: A Stronger Europe — A Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy’ presented by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) on 28 June 2016,

| — | having regard to the joint guidelines of the European External Action Service and EU National Institutes for Culture published in January 2021, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the joint guidelines of the European External Action Service and EU National Institutes for Culture published in January 2021,

| — | having regard to the Commission communication of 28 October 2018 on the implementation, results and overall assessment of the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018 (COM(2019)0548), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 28 October 2018 on the implementation, results and overall assessment of the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018 (COM(2019)0548),

| — | having regard to the Commission communication of 15 September 2021 entitled ‘New European Bauhaus: Beautiful, Sustainable, Together’ (COM(2021)0573), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 15 September 2021 entitled ‘New European Bauhaus: Beautiful, Sustainable, Together’ (COM(2021)0573),

| — | having regard to the Commission report of 29 June 2022 on the Work Plan for Culture 2019-2022 (COM(2022)0317), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission report of 29 June 2022 on the Work Plan for Culture 2019-2022 (COM(2022)0317),

| — | having regard to the Council conclusions of 15 November 2018 on the Work Plan for Culture (2019-2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Council conclusions of 15 November 2018 on the Work Plan for Culture (2019-2022),

| — | having regard to the Council conclusions of 7 June 2019 on an EU strategic approach to international cultural relations and a framework for action, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Council conclusions of 7 June 2019 on an EU strategic approach to international cultural relations and a framework for action,

| — | having regard to the Council conclusions of 22 January 2018 on the integrated approach to external conflicts and crises, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Council conclusions of 22 January 2018 on the integrated approach to external conflicts and crises,

| — | having regard to the Council conclusions of 21 June 2021 on EU approach to cultural heritage in conflict and crises, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Council conclusions of 21 June 2021 on EU approach to cultural heritage in conflict and crises,

| — | having regard to the Council conclusions of 18 May 2021 on the recovery, resilience and sustainability of the cultural and creative sectors, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Council conclusions of 18 May 2021 on the recovery, resilience and sustainability of the cultural and creative sectors,

| — | having regard to the Council conclusions of 8 June 2018 on the need to bring cultural heritage to the fore across policies in the EU, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Council conclusions of 8 June 2018 on the need to bring cultural heritage to the fore across policies in the EU,

| — | having regard to the Rome Declaration of 25 March 2017, endorsed by the leaders of 27 Member States and of the European Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Rome Declaration of 25 March 2017, endorsed by the leaders of 27 Member States and of the European Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission,

| — | having regard to its resolution of 11 December 2018 on the New European Agenda for Culture (1), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 11 December 2018 on the New European Agenda for Culture (1),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 5 July 2017 on Towards an EU strategy for international cultural relations (2), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 5 July 2017 on Towards an EU strategy for international cultural relations (2),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 20 January 2021 on achieving an effective policy legacy for the European Year of Cultural Heritage (3), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 20 January 2021 on achieving an effective policy legacy for the European Year of Cultural Heritage (3),

| — | having regard to its resolutions of 7 June 2007 on the social status of artists (4) and of 20 October 2021 on the situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU (5), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolutions of 7 June 2007 on the social status of artists (4) and of 20 October 2021 on the situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU (5),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 8 March 2022 on the role of culture, education, media and sport in the fight against racism (6), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 8 March 2022 on the role of culture, education, media and sport in the fight against racism (6),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 17 September 2020 on the cultural recovery of Europe (7), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 17 September 2020 on the cultural recovery of Europe (7),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 14 September 2022 on the New European Bauhaus (8), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 14 September 2022 on the New European Bauhaus (8),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 15 September 2020 on Effective measures to ‘green’ Erasmus+, Creative Europe and the European Solidarity Corps (9), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 15 September 2020 on Effective measures to ‘green’ Erasmus+, Creative Europe and the European Solidarity Corps (9),

| — | having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/818 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 establishing the Creative Europe Programme (2021 to 2027) (10), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/818 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 establishing the Creative Europe Programme (2021 to 2027) (10),

| — | having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/817 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 establishing Erasmus+: the Union Programme for education and training, youth and sport (11), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/817 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 establishing Erasmus+: the Union Programme for education and training, youth and sport (11),

| — | having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/888 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 establishing the European Solidarity Corps Programme (12), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/888 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 establishing the European Solidarity Corps Programme (12),

| — | having regard to Decision (EU) 2021/2316 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 December 2021 on a European Year of Youth (2022) (13), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Decision (EU) 2021/2316 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 December 2021 on a European Year of Youth (2022) (13),

| — | having regard to Decision (EU) 2020/2229 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 December 2020 amending Decision No 445/2014/EU establishing a Union action for the European Capitals of Culture for the years 2020 to 2033 (14), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Decision (EU) 2020/2229 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 December 2020 amending Decision No 445/2014/EU establishing a Union action for the European Capitals of Culture for the years 2020 to 2033 (14),

| — | having regard to Decision (EU) 2017/864 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 on a European Year of Cultural Heritage (2018) (15), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Decision (EU) 2017/864 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 on a European Year of Cultural Heritage (2018) (15),

| — | having regard to the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions,

| — | having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in particular Article 27 thereof on the right to participate in cultural life, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in particular Article 27 thereof on the right to participate in cultural life,

| — | having regard to the 2022 report of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development entitled ‘The Culture Fix: Creative people, places and industries’, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the 2022 report of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development entitled ‘The Culture Fix: Creative people, places and industries’,

| — | having regard to the preparatory action on culture in EU external relations and its recommendations, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the preparatory action on culture in EU external relations and its recommendations,

| — | having regard to the EU action plan against trafficking in cultural goods, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the EU action plan against trafficking in cultural goods,

| — | having regard to the Council of Europe Santiago de Compostela Declaration of 23 October 1987, on the occasion of the proclamation of the Camino de Santiago as the first European Cultural Route, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Council of Europe Santiago de Compostela Declaration of 23 October 1987, on the occasion of the proclamation of the Camino de Santiago as the first European Cultural Route,

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

—

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

| — | having regard to Articles 6 and 167 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Articles 6 and 167 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

| — | having regard to Rule 54 of its Rules of Procedure, as well as Article 1(1)(e) of, and Annex 3 to, the decision of the Conference of Presidents of 12 December 2002 on the procedure for granting authorisation to draw up own-initiative reports, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rule 54 of its Rules of Procedure, as well as Article 1(1)(e) of, and Annex 3 to, the decision of the Conference of Presidents of 12 December 2002 on the procedure for granting authorisation to draw up own-initiative reports,

| — | having regard to the opinions of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Development, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the opinions of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Development,

| — | having regard to the report of the Committee on Culture and Education (A9-0279/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Culture and Education (A9-0279/2022),

| A. | whereas the 2018 Commission communication on a new European agenda for culture (COM(2018)0267) and the 2016 joint communication entitled ‘Towards an EU strategy for international cultural relations’ (JOIN(2016)0029) have played a decisive role in shaping the EU’s and Member States’ cultural policies, both in their national and international dimensions; |
| --- | --- |

A.

whereas the 2018 Commission communication on a new European agenda for culture (COM(2018)0267) and the 2016 joint communication entitled ‘Towards an EU strategy for international cultural relations’ (JOIN(2016)0029) have played a decisive role in shaping the EU’s and Member States’ cultural policies, both in their national and international dimensions;

| B. | whereas the Council Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026 will serve as the main roadmap for the coordination of EU cultural policies in the years to come and will represent an opportunity to trigger a paradigm shift enabling the cultural and creative sectors (CCS) to adapt to a new normality after the pandemic and develop resilience in the face of possible challenges ahead; |
| --- | --- |

B.

whereas the Council Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026 will serve as the main roadmap for the coordination of EU cultural policies in the years to come and will represent an opportunity to trigger a paradigm shift enabling the cultural and creative sectors (CCS) to adapt to a new normality after the pandemic and develop resilience in the face of possible challenges ahead;

| C. | whereas culture is a public good, and the cultural and creative sectors and industries (CCSI) should be supported with ambitious policy frameworks, adequate public and private financing, and an enabling environment for workers in the CCSI, as well as for audiences’ access to culture; whereas the New European Agenda for Culture should aim at preserving, expanding and disseminating a vibrant and diverse European cultural scene fostering the participation of all, leaving no one behind; |
| --- | --- |

C.

whereas culture is a public good, and the cultural and creative sectors and industries (CCSI) should be supported with ambitious policy frameworks, adequate public and private financing, and an enabling environment for workers in the CCSI, as well as for audiences’ access to culture; whereas the New European Agenda for Culture should aim at preserving, expanding and disseminating a vibrant and diverse European cultural scene fostering the participation of all, leaving no one behind;

| D. | whereas cultural creation is an essential way to communicate opinions, including critical opinions towards those in power, and whereas it is therefore crucial to guarantee freedom of expression in culture, including freedom of expression in the media; |
| --- | --- |

D.

whereas cultural creation is an essential way to communicate opinions, including critical opinions towards those in power, and whereas it is therefore crucial to guarantee freedom of expression in culture, including freedom of expression in the media;

| E. | whereas Europe is a cultural community, based on shared values and history, and on continuing integration; whereas culture and cultural heritage, including the European Cultural Routes, have great potential to promote the values of the European Union, to strengthen its diverse identities and to help achieve its goals at global level, as well as to contribute to the solution of global challenges; |
| --- | --- |

E.

whereas Europe is a cultural community, based on shared values and history, and on continuing integration; whereas culture and cultural heritage, including the European Cultural Routes, have great potential to promote the values of the European Union, to strengthen its diverse identities and to help achieve its goals at global level, as well as to contribute to the solution of global challenges;

| F. | whereas the 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage supported and promoted culture and cultural heritage as ‘a shared source of remembrance, understanding, identity, dialogue, cohesion and creativity for Europe’; whereas the general objectives of the Year were to ‘encourage and support the efforts of the Union, the Member States and regional and local authorities, in cooperation with the cultural heritage sector and broader civil society, to protect, safeguard, reuse, enhance, valorise and promote Europe's cultural heritage’ (16); whereas the preservation, protection and promotion of cultural heritage in all forms can act as a catalyst for strengthening intercultural relations, peace, democracy, long-term sustainable economic recovery, sustainable tourism and regional development, as well as reconciliation and cultural coexistence, enhancing the involvement of local communities, both at European and international level; |
| --- | --- |

F.

whereas the 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage supported and promoted culture and cultural heritage as ‘a shared source of remembrance, understanding, identity, dialogue, cohesion and creativity for Europe’; whereas the general objectives of the Year were to ‘encourage and support the efforts of the Union, the Member States and regional and local authorities, in cooperation with the cultural heritage sector and broader civil society, to protect, safeguard, reuse, enhance, valorise and promote Europe's cultural heritage’ (16); whereas the preservation, protection and promotion of cultural heritage in all forms can act as a catalyst for strengthening intercultural relations, peace, democracy, long-term sustainable economic recovery, sustainable tourism and regional development, as well as reconciliation and cultural coexistence, enhancing the involvement of local communities, both at European and international level;

| G. | whereas culture creates social and economic benefits, both inside and outside of the Union, and has an important function in the economy and in job creation; whereas the CCSI represent at least 4,4 % of EU GDP and employ around 7,6 million people, thus having the potential to be drivers of local and regional development; whereas the CCSI have a high degree of fragmentation, with over 90 % of CCSI companies being small- and medium-sized enterprises, 33 % of the workforce being self-employed (17) and having atypical working arrangements; whereas the CCSI only recoup a minimal share of the economic value they generate, negatively impacting cultural and creative workers; |
| --- | --- |

G.

whereas culture creates social and economic benefits, both inside and outside of the Union, and has an important function in the economy and in job creation; whereas the CCSI represent at least 4,4 % of EU GDP and employ around 7,6 million people, thus having the potential to be drivers of local and regional development; whereas the CCSI have a high degree of fragmentation, with over 90 % of CCSI companies being small- and medium-sized enterprises, 33 % of the workforce being self-employed (17) and having atypical working arrangements; whereas the CCSI only recoup a minimal share of the economic value they generate, negatively impacting cultural and creative workers;

| H. | whereas the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the European CCSI has been dramatic but uneven across sectors, and has exacerbated the challenges faced by the sectors and the often atypical working conditions of artists and cultural workers; whereas site-based activities have been heavily affected by lockdowns, travel restrictions and other necessary public health-related measures, while sectors with a stronger digital capacity were in a better position to face the crisis; whereas some cultural habits lost during the pandemic have not systematically returned in some sectors; |
| --- | --- |

H.

whereas the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the European CCSI has been dramatic but uneven across sectors, and has exacerbated the challenges faced by the sectors and the often atypical working conditions of artists and cultural workers; whereas site-based activities have been heavily affected by lockdowns, travel restrictions and other necessary public health-related measures, while sectors with a stronger digital capacity were in a better position to face the crisis; whereas some cultural habits lost during the pandemic have not systematically returned in some sectors;

| I. | whereas the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) investments fail to reflect the enormous economic and social significance of the CCSI, leaving these sectors considerably underrepresented in the EU’s overall effort to support the recovery and resilience of the European economy following the pandemic; whereas Parliament called for an investment target of 2 % of the RRF in the CCSI and reiterated the importance of appropriate investments in the EU cultural agenda (18); whereas only 16 Member States have included culture in their National Recovery and Resilience Plans and, although the 2 % target has been met on average at EU level, the majority of Member States have remained well under this figure; |
| --- | --- |

I.

whereas the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) investments fail to reflect the enormous economic and social significance of the CCSI, leaving these sectors considerably underrepresented in the EU’s overall effort to support the recovery and resilience of the European economy following the pandemic; whereas Parliament called for an investment target of 2 % of the RRF in the CCSI and reiterated the importance of appropriate investments in the EU cultural agenda (18); whereas only 16 Member States have included culture in their National Recovery and Resilience Plans and, although the 2 % target has been met on average at EU level, the majority of Member States have remained well under this figure;

| J. | whereas Parliament, in its resolutions of 7 June 2007 and of 20 October 2021, called for strengthening the working conditions in Europe’s CCSI and for the establishment of a European Status of the Artist as a common framework for working conditions and minimum standards common to all EU countries; |
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J.

whereas Parliament, in its resolutions of 7 June 2007 and of 20 October 2021, called for strengthening the working conditions in Europe’s CCSI and for the establishment of a European Status of the Artist as a common framework for working conditions and minimum standards common to all EU countries;

| K. | whereas cultural participation can be intended both as passive partaking and as active creation, regardless of the level — amateur or professional — to which the activity is undertaken; whereas both active and passive cultural participation have numerous economic, social and health benefits; |
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K.

whereas cultural participation can be intended both as passive partaking and as active creation, regardless of the level — amateur or professional — to which the activity is undertaken; whereas both active and passive cultural participation have numerous economic, social and health benefits;

| L. | whereas the Commission communication of 22 May 2018 on a New European Agenda for Culture (COM(2018)0267) highlighted the importance of culture and the arts in the integration of refugees and other migrants; |
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L.

whereas the Commission communication of 22 May 2018 on a New European Agenda for Culture (COM(2018)0267) highlighted the importance of culture and the arts in the integration of refugees and other migrants;

| M. | whereas arts and cultural activities have long been recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) (19) to be beneficial to health, including mental health, and to individual and societal well-being, particularly thanks to their multifaceted nature and components, including social interaction, sensory activation, emotional expression, cognitive stimulation and physical activity, and to their capacity to stimulate multiple psychological, behavioural and social processes; whereas arts and culture have demonstrated that they are invaluable for the resilience of societies in times of crises; |
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M.

whereas arts and cultural activities have long been recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) (19) to be beneficial to health, including mental health, and to individual and societal well-being, particularly thanks to their multifaceted nature and components, including social interaction, sensory activation, emotional expression, cognitive stimulation and physical activity, and to their capacity to stimulate multiple psychological, behavioural and social processes; whereas arts and culture have demonstrated that they are invaluable for the resilience of societies in times of crises;

| N. | whereas the arts and artistic disciplines are important components and enablers of both formal, informal and non-formal education and personal development; whereas learning through and about arts and artistic disciplines contributes to developing skills and competences, such as creative thinking and other transferrable skills; whereas these components are not being sufficiently developed in national school curricula; whereas through the strengthening of science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics (STEAM), Member States can promote a culture of innovation and creativity starting from a young age in a lifelong learning perspective; |
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N.

whereas the arts and artistic disciplines are important components and enablers of both formal, informal and non-formal education and personal development; whereas learning through and about arts and artistic disciplines contributes to developing skills and competences, such as creative thinking and other transferrable skills; whereas these components are not being sufficiently developed in national school curricula; whereas through the strengthening of science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics (STEAM), Member States can promote a culture of innovation and creativity starting from a young age in a lifelong learning perspective;

| O. | whereas artistic research should be brought to a peer dialogue with other research disciplines and funded as such, because of both its self-value and its crucial contribution to triggering innovation; |
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O.

whereas artistic research should be brought to a peer dialogue with other research disciplines and funded as such, because of both its self-value and its crucial contribution to triggering innovation;

| P. | whereas the EU’s Creative Europe programme for the CCS plays a key role in promoting the arts, culture and audiovisual content and in supporting high-quality media, especially through supporting grass-roots projects, small companies and individual artists; whereas it contributes to the Union's strategy for international cultural relations with the aim of ensuring its long-term impact through a people-to-people approach involving cultural networks, civil society and local organisations; whereas most of the target outputs of the Council Work Plan for Culture 2019-2022 have been achieved through actions provided for by the programme; |
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P.

whereas the EU’s Creative Europe programme for the CCS plays a key role in promoting the arts, culture and audiovisual content and in supporting high-quality media, especially through supporting grass-roots projects, small companies and individual artists; whereas it contributes to the Union's strategy for international cultural relations with the aim of ensuring its long-term impact through a people-to-people approach involving cultural networks, civil society and local organisations; whereas most of the target outputs of the Council Work Plan for Culture 2019-2022 have been achieved through actions provided for by the programme;

| Q. | whereas cultural relations are commonly defined (20) as reciprocal, non-coercive, transnational interactions between two or more cultures, encompassing a range of activities that are conducted both by state and non-state actors within the space of cultural and civil society; whereas the overall outcomes of cultural relations are greater connectivity, better mutual understanding, more and deeper relationships, mutually beneficial transactions and enhanced sustainable dialogue between states, peoples, non-state actors and cultures, therefore building more resilient societies; |
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Q.

whereas cultural relations are commonly defined (20) as reciprocal, non-coercive, transnational interactions between two or more cultures, encompassing a range of activities that are conducted both by state and non-state actors within the space of cultural and civil society; whereas the overall outcomes of cultural relations are greater connectivity, better mutual understanding, more and deeper relationships, mutually beneficial transactions and enhanced sustainable dialogue between states, peoples, non-state actors and cultures, therefore building more resilient societies;

| R. | whereas cultural diplomacy relates to states liaising with other states or their peoples through the medium of culture, with a dominance of the governmental and one-way advocacy perspective over the mutual benefits and dialogue perspective; whereas cultural diplomacy is influenced by the politics inherent in foreign policy, is accountable to the relevant state institutions and can be instrumentalised to support policy objectives (21); |
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R.

whereas cultural diplomacy relates to states liaising with other states or their peoples through the medium of culture, with a dominance of the governmental and one-way advocacy perspective over the mutual benefits and dialogue perspective; whereas cultural diplomacy is influenced by the politics inherent in foreign policy, is accountable to the relevant state institutions and can be instrumentalised to support policy objectives (21);

| S. | whereas the EU’s efforts in international cultural relations and cultural diplomacy, which are valuable components of its diplomatic toolbox, should aim to promote values such as solidarity and fraternity, involving actors at all levels of public institutions and civil society; whereas the allocation of financial resources specifically for international cultural relations to these actors would considerably increase their capacity to unlock their potential; |
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S.

whereas the EU’s efforts in international cultural relations and cultural diplomacy, which are valuable components of its diplomatic toolbox, should aim to promote values such as solidarity and fraternity, involving actors at all levels of public institutions and civil society; whereas the allocation of financial resources specifically for international cultural relations to these actors would considerably increase their capacity to unlock their potential;

| T. | whereas third countries’ diasporas in the EU and European diasporas in third countries can be important actors in strengthening cultural relations between the EU and other countries; |
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T.

whereas third countries’ diasporas in the EU and European diasporas in third countries can be important actors in strengthening cultural relations between the EU and other countries;

| U. | whereas the EU created a special system known as the ‘cultural exception’ in 1993 in order to protect cultural goods and services from free trade rules, as culture should not be seen as a commercial commodity and should not be subject to market needs; |
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U.

whereas the EU created a special system known as the ‘cultural exception’ in 1993 in order to protect cultural goods and services from free trade rules, as culture should not be seen as a commercial commodity and should not be subject to market needs;

| V. | whereas the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) fall short in explicitly addressing culture, despite culture being a global public good and both a cross-cutting dimension of sustainable development and a goal in itself, as made clear by global campaigns such as #Culture2030Goal; |
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V.

whereas the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) fall short in explicitly addressing culture, despite culture being a global public good and both a cross-cutting dimension of sustainable development and a goal in itself, as made clear by global campaigns such as #Culture2030Goal;

| W. | whereas digital technologies affect all aspects of cultural life, as well as the work of artists, cultural workers, organisations and institutions, and can help them facilitate interaction with different audiences and opening access to their work; whereas various EU funding programmes and initiatives are supporting the digital transition of the sector, in particular Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, Creative Europe and the New European Bauhaus (NEB); whereas digitalisation has enormous potential and has changed the ways in which the CCSI create, produce and share content, boosting opportunities to grow and increase cultural participation; whereas digitalisation also poses challenges in terms of diversity, fair remuneration and access to culture, and deepens inequalities, including as a result of the lack of adequate digital skills; |
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W.

whereas digital technologies affect all aspects of cultural life, as well as the work of artists, cultural workers, organisations and institutions, and can help them facilitate interaction with different audiences and opening access to their work; whereas various EU funding programmes and initiatives are supporting the digital transition of the sector, in particular Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, Creative Europe and the New European Bauhaus (NEB); whereas digitalisation has enormous potential and has changed the ways in which the CCSI create, produce and share content, boosting opportunities to grow and increase cultural participation; whereas digitalisation also poses challenges in terms of diversity, fair remuneration and access to culture, and deepens inequalities, including as a result of the lack of adequate digital skills;

| 1. | Acknowledges the overall satisfactory implementation of the New European Agenda for Culture and of the joint communication entitled ‘Towards an EU strategy for international cultural relations’; nonetheless, notes that the assessment of the implementation of the New European Agenda for Culture has highlighted shortcomings, mainly in terms of priorities; stresses that, despite the fact that the two documents have withstood the challenges posed by unforeseen crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, their strategic framework needs to be updated to set out the overarching goals of the EU’s cultural policy, as well as the practical tools to be used to implement them, including by clarifying how the Council Work Plan for Culture and the EU Strategy for International Cultural Relations contribute to making the updated New European Agenda for Culture operational; |
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1.

| 2. | Acknowledges that the Council Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026 represents an essential tool for steering Member States’ strategies in addressing the issues that are relevant for the CCSI in Europe; in this regard, in terms of priorities, the 2023-2026 Council Work Plan for Culture should focus on:






  (i) | Recovery and resilience of the CCSI, by further strengthening their ability to respond to future shocks; |
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2.

(i)

Recovery and resilience of the CCSI, by further strengthening their ability to respond to future shocks;

| (ii) | Culture and sustainability, by featuring culture as a driver of sustainable development, well-being and social justice; |
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(ii)

Culture and sustainability, by featuring culture as a driver of sustainable development, well-being and social justice;

| (iii) | Status, working and social conditions of cultural and creative professionals; |
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(iii)

Status, working and social conditions of cultural and creative professionals;

| (iv) | Protection and promotion of cultural heritage; |
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(iv)

Protection and promotion of cultural heritage;

| (v) | Strengthening and ensuring the effective development and implementation of international cultural relations strategies; |
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(v)

Strengthening and ensuring the effective development and implementation of international cultural relations strategies;

| 3. | Highlights that the Council Work Plan 2023-2026 should increase cultural policy collaboration and should include frameworks of evaluation as an approach for monitoring implementation; points out that the working methods envisaged by the Council Work Plan should be revised with a view to making them procedurally lighter and more effective and that the setting up of targeted working groups should be considered; |
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3.

| 4. | Recalls that the Council Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026 represents an opportunity to advance towards a more comprehensive cultural policy at EU level; stresses that this ambition requires commensurate funding; recalls that the CCSI only recoup a minimal share of the economic value they generate and require new, alternative and stable sources of funding; |
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4.

| 5. | Welcomes the strengthening of the Creative Europe 2021-2027 programme, notably the doubling of its budget compared to its predecessor, and the stronger emphasis on cultural diversity, inclusion, mobility, transnational creation and policy cooperation, and the digitalisation, greening and resilience of the CCSI; nevertheless, is deeply worried that the Creative Europe programme is still significantly underfinanced in terms of achieving its objectives and that any annual budget cuts to the programme will seriously harm the recovery of the CCSI; insists, therefore, on the need to ensure an adequate level of financing of Creative Europe through a forthcoming revision of the multiannual financial framework (MFF); |
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5.

| 6. | Invites the Member States to make full use of the potential offered by the EU funding, programmes and policies dedicated to culture and their synergies with appropriate programmes, notably Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, the NEB and others; encourages the Commission to continue harnessing these synergies, with a view to maximising their positive effects, both in terms of substance and the availability of funding in both their internal and external dimensions; insists that culture and cultural heritage should be horizontally mainstreamed in all EU policies, especially the Green and Digital Transition policies; invites the Member States to promote the development of culture and technical research, and to protect natural, historical and artistic heritage, also in the interest of future generations; |
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6.

| 7. | Acknowledges that the cultural OMC lacks concrete and institutionalised follow-up mechanisms; recommends, therefore, the implementation of specific timelines and indicators that may allow for follow-up actions or evaluation of Member States’ performance; calls for the expansion of collaboration with non-EU countries in OMC groups, as it has proved beneficial; |
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7.

| 8. | Regrets the fact that reports produced at OMC level have a limited direct influence on policymaking at the national, regional and local levels owing to the lack of proper dissemination and connectivity between the participating countries and national ministries; recommends, therefore, that reports with clear and concrete policy recommendations be produced, supported by a more evidence-based approach; furthermore, invites the Commission to disseminate information, by digital means, on the OMC findings widely at national and EU level in as many languages as possible; |
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8.

| 9. | Welcomes the setting up of the Voices of Culture Structured Dialogue (SD), providing a platform for civil society organisations (CSOs) in the cultural sector to engage with the Commission and the OMC; acknowledges that the structured dialogue with civil society has facilitated trans-sectoral cooperation, networking and exchanges; highlights, however, the insufficient interactions between the OMC and the structured dialogue platforms and therefore encourages more frequent and systematic exchanges between the members of the SD and the OMC, as well as broadened participation to include all subsectors; calls on the Commission and the Member States to regularly follow up on the recommendations put forward in final reports, conferences, workshops and any other events organised within the OMC and SD structures; encourages the Member States to follow up on those recommendations with concrete policy changes and action plans; |
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9.

| 10. | Welcomes the Pilot Project — Establishing a European Heritage Hub to support a holistic and cost-effective follow-up of the European Year of Cultural Heritage; in line with Parliament’s resolution on achieving an effective policy legacy for the European Year of Cultural Heritage (22); asks the Commission and the Member States to support the creation of more partnerships with the private, public and non-profit sectors for the preservation of cultural heritage, in full compliance with the principle of additionality, and to review and update the European Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage in order to ensure the protection of cultural heritage in post-pandemic Europe; stresses that it is important to continue building on this legacy with the appropriate resources; reiterates the importance of the European Heritage Label as a project enhancing awareness of the cultural and historical roots of the EU in an innovative way; |
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10.

| 11. | Invites the Member States to fully apply the principle enshrined in Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and recognise the right to cultural, artistic and scientific life and related cultural rights as human rights for all, enabling all individuals to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share their benefits; calls on the Member States to take all appropriate measures to eliminate any obstacle to the enjoyment of such rights, including but not limited to, obstacles linked to socio-economic characteristics, income, and physical accessibility, and to ensure the necessary conditions for everyone to engage freely in cultural activities; |
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11.

| 12. | Insists that freedom of artistic expression is a key component of creativity and cultural production, as it ensures that artistic works reflect the diversity and richness of our societies, and must therefore remain guaranteed for all creators; invites the Commission to integrate freedom of artistic expression as a self-standing indicator of respect for the rule of law in its annual reports; invites the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) to explore concrete paths to uphold the freedom of artistic expression of artists at risk, especially as a consequence of wars and geopolitical instability; |
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12.

| 13. | Reaffirms its strong commitment to gender equality and endorses gender mainstreaming as one of its policy approaches to ensure equality; reiterates the role that culture can play in the promotion of gender equality as well as the economic and cultural empowerment of women and gender minorities; calls on the Commission to go beyond its proposal to introduce selection criteria that reward projects guaranteeing gender equality in their organisation, to introducing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for obtaining sufficient data on gender equality and gender mainstreaming among the beneficiaries of the different European programmes, and possible improvement measures; calls on the Commission and the Member States to facilitate access to the CCSI, including to entrepreneurship, for women and gender minorities; |
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13.

| 14. | Stresses that data collection should be considered as a key cross-cutting priority in the Council Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026; calls on the Member States and the Commission to work more on collecting updated and comparable data on culture, including by mapping and benchmarking good practices and structurally involving experts, stakeholders and public authorities and the audience, not only from the cultural sector, but also from all sectors of the economy; |
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14.

| 15. | Stresses the need for more rigorous monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of all actions within the framework of the New European Agenda for Culture and the 2016 joint communication entitled ‘Towards an EU strategy for international cultural relations’, both at strategic and project level, based on quantitative as well as qualitative targets, and for systematic, reporting of a high standard; asks the Commission to develop more indicators and a broader perspective on evaluating project results, also taking into account qualitative outcomes such as community building and lessons learnt from discontinued projects; urges the Commission and the Member States to ensure the sustainability of EU-funded cultural projects and initiatives over time; |
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15.

Social dimension

| 16. | Encourages the Member States to promote and invest in both the active and passive participation of people in cultural and artistic activities, not only via communication and outreach campaigns, but also and predominantly via coherent, comprehensive and inclusive policy measures and incentives to identify and remove administrative, financial and linguistic barriers to participation, including those related to socio-economic characteristics, income and physical accessibility, and for marginalised, disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, with a particular focus on sub-urban, rural and isolated areas, as well as areas at risk of depopulation; |
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16.

| 17. | Invites the Member States to promote existing cultural and artistic activities and provide further opportunities for active participation, to increase the ability to reach new audiences, to integrate and mainstream cultural participation objectives in policy-making beyond cultural policy, and to adopt a cultural rights approach shifting away from a narrow focus on access towards meaningful participation, leaving no one behind; |
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17.

| 18. | Regrets the fact that the latest available data collected by Eurostat on cultural participation dates back to 2015; given the drastic change that CCSI have undergone since then, notably as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as of innovative technological developments, invites the Commission to set up a Eurostat survey on cultural participation and trends in the EU, collecting and analysing statistical data at different territorial scales (national, regional, etc.), with special attention to participation in sub-urban, rural and peripheral areas and within marginalised socio-economic communities and disadvantaged and vulnerable groups; |
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18.

| 19. | Acknowledges the work undertaken by the Commission to harness the power of culture and cultural diversity for social cohesion, well-being and participation, and for strengthening overall citizenship, knowledge of EU rights and values, and democracy; highlights the role of culture in times of crisis and calls for an assessment of which cultural strategies and policies have proven effective in positively impacting on social inclusion, employment opportunities and economic development; recommends continued work to this end, and building on the outcomes and lessons learnt from all relevant projects and workshops, such as the workshop for the experts of the EU Member States on culture for social cohesion held in November 2020, and from the Porto Santo Charter on cultural democracy; |
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19.

| 20. | Calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure the inclusion of the most marginalised and under-represented groups in cultural activities and initiatives, not only as passive recipients but also as active creators of these activities, fostering a sense of common belonging and a shared future among all people; welcomes, in this regard, the launch of an independent study entitled ‘The importance of citizens’ participation in culture for civic engagement and democracy — policy lessons from international research’, and looks forward to its publication in November 2022; encourages the Commission to share the results of the study and take the appropriate follow-up actions; |
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20.

| 21. | Underlines the importance of cultural programmes in integrating refugees and migrants into European societies, and encourages the Commission and the Member States to continue to promote the actions envisaged in the New European Agenda for Culture — Integrating refugees and other migrants; |
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21.

| 22. | Encourages the Member States to recognise the role of the arts and culture in the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, of mental health and of individual and societal well-being; stresses the importance of cultural and artistic initiatives aimed at improving the health and quality of life of persons with disabilities; regrets the harm caused by the interruption of such activities during the COVID-19 pandemic; calls, therefore, on the Member States to include arts and culture as part of a complete psychosocial support measures for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups and communities; |
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22.

| 23. | Underlines the fundamental importance of culture for the development of identities and individual expression, in particular for those who are often victims of discrimination, for example women, ethnic and other minorities, persons with disabilities and members of the LGBTIQ+ community, as well as for developing an understanding of society and of intercultural competences, contributing to combating hate and racism, and to building peaceful societies; |
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23.

| 24. | Highlights the importance of culture for the lifelong education of people of all ages; expresses concern about the common narrowing of school curricula, which tend to relegate arts and artistic disciplines to a more marginal position compared to other subjects; recalls the importance of comprehensive and well-structured school curricula, which include the arts and artistic disciplines, with a view to enhancing an individual’s responsibility and aptitude to engage in cultural activities, and insists on the need to promote the relevant skills; urges the Member States, therefore, to allocate the appropriate financial and human resources and incentives to arts and artistic disciplines as curricular as well as extra-curricular activities in all stages of education, and by training educators on the importance and power of culture for society and overall well-being; in this context, urges the Commission to move beyond a ‘STEM approach’ and fully adopt a ‘STEAM approach’ (Sciences, Technologies, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) instead; |
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24.

| 25. | In parallel with the work on the continued professionalisation of the CCSI, calls for strategies to be developed to support the many amateur artists in Europe; |
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25.

| 26. | Recalls that cross-border mobility remains an essential component of artists’ and cultural workers’ careers, including for artists and cultural workers who are third-country nationals; stresses the importance, therefore, of the mutual recognition and cross-border portability of artistic competences and creative skills and qualifications in order to facilitate it; recalls that funding instruments supporting and increasing opportunities for international mobility should also foster the work-life balance of artists and cultural professionals, and stimulate environmentally and socially sustainable mobility as much as possible; |
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26.

| 27. | Stresses the importance of mobility for students and young professionals in the CCSI to enabling a broader and more diversified education, providing more concrete and attractive career prospects and presenting a broad and diverse range of cultural activities; encourages the Commission and the Member States to ensure better mobility opportunities to this end, including through Erasmus+ and other European and national initiatives; |
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27.

| 28. | Calls on the Commission, building on the success of ‘DiscoverEU’, the free Interrail initiative for young people, to consider creating an action within the framework of the Erasmus+ programme so that young Europeans can obtain a travel voucher to visit and discover the Camino de Santiago Routes and other European Cultural Routes; |
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28.

| 29. | Reminds the Commission and the Member States of the commitments expressed through the ratification by the EU of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, related, in particular, to mobility exchanges and the facilitation of travel to the Member States in line with the preferential treatment of artists and other cultural professionals and practitioners, as well as cultural goods and services from developing countries; calls on the Commission to propose ways to facilitate the mobility of cultural workers from third countries, particularly those coming from the Global South, through the appropriate institutional and legal frameworks, including visa facilitation; |
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29.

| 30. | Welcomes the establishment of the Culture Moves Europe mobility scheme for professionals in the CCSI under Creative Europe; underlines that this scheme will be able to achieve its full potential if supported by an adequate budget in the future and if able to reach a wider audience; regrets, however, that administrative, financial and linguistic obstacles to mobility still exist and calls for this scheme to dismantle persisting structural barriers to artistic and cultural mobility; calls for the promotion of cross-border approaches to culture and of the search for partners for the creation of major European and international cultural co-productions and residency programmes, with the objective of fostering the mobility of artists and creators by reinforcing cooperation between all actors involved and exchanges of best practices, including with non-EU countries; |
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30.

| 31. | Calls on the Commission and the Member States to strengthen their efforts to provide quality information on mobility and exchange programmes for artists and other cultural professionals and practitioners, as well as material support to tackle all kinds of obstacles to mobility in the CCSI, including administrative, financial and linguistic obstacles, as well as obstacles linked to disability; |
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31.

Economic dimension

| 32. | Considers that the workers in the CCSI, having been seriously hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, must benefit from a genuine and targeted European recovery, particularly given the fact that this sector is composed mostly of individuals as well as small and micro organisations and companies working on the basis of atypical, part-time or project-based employment schemes and depending on irregular income and lacking long-term financial predictability; calls on the Member States to dedicate 2 % of their budgets to culture, as Parliament has requested on many occasions; |
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32.

| 33. | Welcomes the Commission’s support to Member States in ensuring fair remuneration and improving the socio-economic conditions for artists and creators through general and sector-specific dialogues; underlines that, in addition to the measures supporting the economic recovery of the CCSI, the support from the RRF should be used in particular to improve the working conditions, training and up- and reskilling of professionals in the CCSI in order to keep up with the ongoing structural changes in these sectors; |
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33.

| 34. | Recalls, however, that the heterogeneity of public investments leads to the CCSI recovering at different speeds, causing increased disparities within the EU’s cultural ecosystem, which is in need of a stable and reliable structure and funding, and ultimately threatening Europe’s cultural diversity; underlines that the recovery of the CCSI needs to take into account the ongoing efforts towards increased sustainability and digitalisation, as well as improve the labour and remuneration conditions of workers in the CCSI in order to overcome the structural problems that already existed before the COVID-19 pandemic; |
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34.

| 35. | Reminds the Commission of Parliament’s repeated calls for a European Status of the Artist to be proposed, which would set out a common framework for adequate, fair and transparent working conditions and minimum standards common to all EU countries, including fair remuneration, in full respect of the responsibilities of the Member States and the EU with regard to labour market and cultural policy, in order to improve the socio-economic conditions of all CCSI workers in all Member States and to ensure the underlying conditions that de facto guarantee genuine creativity and freedom of expression; looks forward to the publication of the relevant OMC report, expected by mid-2023; calls for input from relevant CSOs, including social partners, on matters related to social protection, to be duly taken into account with a view to ensuring appropriate follow-up on this matter; |
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35.

| 36. | In addition, encourages all Member States to implement Directive (EU) 2019/790 on copyright in the digital single market (23), and calls on those Member States which have not yet done so to transpose the Directive into their national laws, guaranteeing fair, appropriate and proportional remuneration of authors and performers; calls on the Commission to support the transposition and implementation efforts; |
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36.

| 37. | Notes with regret that the procedures to apply for EU funding, including those for the Creative Europe programme, are often still too burdensome and create unnecessarily obstacles for all potential beneficiaries, especially small and micro organisations in the CCSI, whose administrative capacities are limited, and that this applies to organisations both in Europe and in third countries; calls, therefore, on the Commission to work towards an increased awareness of the diverse funding possibilities and further simplify these procedures to allow a wider pool and variety of organisations, including small and medium-sized organisations in the most disadvantaged areas, to have access to EU funding; |
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37.

| 38. | Asks the Commission to implement the principle of multilingualism and cultural diversity when simplifying these procedures, enabling applications in additional languages, starting with the European languages, in order to allow a fair chance to organisations and individuals who do not have the capacity or means to ensure translation into English; |
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38.

| 39. | Welcomes the recent setting-up of ‘cascade funding’ as a means to better reach all beneficiaries, especially individuals and small and medium-sized organisations; invites the Commission to further develop such schemes in all programmes of relevance to the CCSI; advises the Commission to consider, when setting up such schemes involving intermediary organisations, the issues of potential conflicts of interest between the intermediary and the final recipients, the overhead costs for intermediaries in the logistics and administration of the grants, and the criteria for the selection and final evaluations of the grants; |
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39.

| 40. | Calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that EU and national cultural policies and initiatives are backed by sufficient funding, easier access to credit, and capacities, particularly during times of severe economic hardship, in order to move beyond a crisis-management approach and adopt instead a long-term strategy for cultural policies; |
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40.

| 41. | Recalls the Commission’s key objective of accompanying the development of creative partnerships between the cultural and other sectors; |
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41.

| 42. | Highlights the success of the European Capitals of Culture initiative with respect to the development of cities and regions across the EU and associated countries; stresses the need for additional funding for the European Capitals of Culture (ECOC), as the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by rising inflation, have significantly worsened the framework conditions for the implementation of the ECOC; welcomes the Commission’s Cultural and Creative Cities Monitor, developed by the Joint Research Centre, which contributes to objectively assessing the cultural and natural assets of regions and cities, based on the link between culture and tourism; encourages the Commission to follow up on the Cultural and Creative Spaces and Cities policy project, to promote cultural participation and social and urban regeneration; |
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42.

| 43. | Advises the Commission and the Member States to build on the recommendations of the OMC report on Sustainable Cultural Tourism to ensure the correct balance is achieved between safeguarding and conserving cultural heritage on the one hand, and enhancing visitor access and facilities on the other; at the same time, urges the Member States to remain vigilant on the risks of mass tourism for cultural heritage as well as natural ecosystems, and emphasises the need to strike a balance between the growth and development of the tourism sector in cities which are art and tourist destinations, and the quality of life of the citizens who live there permanently; |
| --- | --- |

43.

| 44. | Acknowledges the important contribution of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative as a creative and inter- and transdisciplinary initiative which aims to deliver the EU’s Green New Deal targets by bridging the worlds of science, technology, art and culture, and mainstreaming environmental sustainability throughout all EU policies; recalls that this initiative should be based on innovation at all levels and the active participation and meaningful involvement of all people, including from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, and local communities; stresses that the new Council Work Plan for Culture should mirror the relevance of the NEB initiative, including its external dimension, with clear target outputs; calls again on the Commission to present a proposal as soon as possible to make the NEB a new stand-alone, freshly funded EU programme within the next MFF; |
| --- | --- |

44.

| 45. | Highlights the vast contribution that the arts and culture make to raising awareness of environmental, climate and sustainability issues and their social dimension, and to inspiring positive behavioural change; recalls in particular that traditional knowledge, which constitutes part of cultural heritage, is key to enhancing climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts; to this end, encourages the Commission to work more closely with Member States and civil society and national and local organisations to raise awareness about this topic among citizens and to provide specific funding for such cultural initiatives through synergies with other dedicated EU programmes, funds and policies; |
| --- | --- |

45.

| 46. | Encourages the Commission, the EEAS and the Member States to design their cultural programmes in line with the principles of environmental sustainability and the fight against the climate crisis, and assess the environmental impact of all EU-funded projects throughout their life cycle; recommends that stakeholders and beneficiaries of EU funding seek the most environmentally friendly methods and approaches in the design, planning and implementation of their projects; |
| --- | --- |

46.

| 47. | Welcomes the OMC report on ‘Strengthening cultural heritage resilience for climate change — where the European Green Deal meets cultural heritage’ and encourages the Commission and the Member States to actively follow up on the recommendations and make use of the examples of good practice; |
| --- | --- |

47.

| 48. | Points out that special attention should be paid to sustainability issues during the restoration of cultural heritage and traditional buildings; recognises the potential of the NEB in contributing to the protection and restoration of cities and their cultural heritage in the event of disasters caused by natural and human-induced hazards; emphasises the need for further exchanges of best practices between Member States, as well as with third countries, on the protection, conservation and restoration of cultural heritage, including innovative measures to improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings, while always preserving their architectural interest or historical character, taking special account of the authenticity and quality of the end result of the restoration so as to avoid affecting the physical integrity, architectural coherence, historical character or the value of historical or artistic buildings or of historical centres, in compliance with the relevant national rules on conservation and the 1964 Venice Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites; |
| --- | --- |

48.

| 49. | Recalls Article 3 TEU, which stipulates that the EU must ensure that Europe’s cultural heritage is safeguarded and enhanced; insists that upholding the required level of protection for human health and the environment does not conflict with the preservation of European heritage; points out that the report entitled ‘Strengthening cultural heritage resilience for climate change’ by experts from the Commission and Member States, published in 2022, clearly states that the climate crisis cannot be solved with a cultural heritage crisis; calls, therefore, on the Commission to take these considerations into account when deciding on the inclusion of substances subject to authorisation listed in Annex XIV to the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation, when these substances are necessary for the restoration of cultural heritage; asks the Commission, in such cases, to carefully assess the socio-economic benefits derived from the use of such substances against the risk posed to human health or the environment, so that both interests are adequately preserved; asks that it also consider the existence of suitable alternative substances or technologies, in line with Articles 60 and 58(2) (and other relevant articles) of the REACH Regulation; stresses that the heritage sector has taken exemplary steps in terms of legal requirements to protect craftspeople and artists carrying out their professional activities; asks for exemptions and derogations for the cultural sector and cultural heritage-related activities from the above-mentioned regulation, where appropriate, in order to avoid the closure or delocalisation of many craft enterprises and any negative impact on the restoration, maintenance and conservation of the vast heritage of the EU; calls on the European institutions to consult and involve the heritage sector in all preliminary discussions related to regulatory or legislative changes with a direct impact on their activities; |
| --- | --- |

49.

| 50. | Calls on the Commission and the EEAS to strengthen cooperation with the Council of Europe, including with regard to the Cultural Routes, with a view to promoting the fundamental values of cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and the sustainable territorial development of lesser-known destinations, while preserving, protecting and rehabilitating the cultural and natural heritage of these sites; |
| --- | --- |

50.

| 51. | Acknowledges digitalisation as a means of maximising the benefits of cultural heritage; stresses the challenges imposed by digitalisation on the CCSI and their need to constantly rethink and reshape business models, as well as for reskilling of CCSI employees; emphasises the importance of guaranteed funding for sustainable digitalisation, preservation and online availability of cultural and creative content and European cultural heritage; recalls the importance of investing in digital literacy for all, including as a means to enjoy culture; |
| --- | --- |

51.

| 52. | When addressing the digitalisation of cultural heritage, asks the Commission and the Member States to be mindful of developments related to the metaverse, by preserving European cultural heritage when it is virtually replicated or in any way transposed into the metaverse; |
| --- | --- |

52.

| 53. | Notes in particular the positive contribution of the EU Digital Innovation Hubs and the Creative Innovation Labs, which support the European CCSI in their innovation capacity in the digital and audiovisual areas; |
| --- | --- |

53.

| 54. | Welcomes the inclusion of the ‘Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ cluster within Horizon Europe and the increase of calls for research and innovation in the field of cultural heritage and the CCSI, and welcomes the recent launch of the new European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)’s Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) on Culture and Creativity; looks forward to the results of these calls for proposals, particularly the contribution that research and innovation can make to developing European international cultural relations (ICR); |
| --- | --- |

54.

| 55. | Recognises the paramount importance of intangible assets and intellectual property (IP) intensive industries for the EU’s economic growth as well as its cultural resilience and visibility, highlighting the crucial role that IP already plays in Europe’s digital transformation; underlines the need to enhance legal protection for these assets and industries to a sufficient degree, so as to allow all creators of cultural and creative works to benefit from their intellectual property rights (IPRs); asks the Commission, in this context, to take all necessary measures to protect the intellectual property of the digitalised European landscape; |
| --- | --- |

55.

| 56. | Regrets the gradual disappearance of cultural material in paper form and the repercussions of this trend on the publishing sector, particularly on small and medium-sized publishing houses and bookshops; |
| --- | --- |

56.

External dimension and international cultural relations

| 57. | Considers that culture and intercultural dialogue make a key contribution to fostering mutual understanding within a society and between different societies, and to restoring communication beyond linguistic boundaries on the international stage in challenging global contexts, demonstrating the value of, respecting and supporting cultural diversity and human rights; highlights the role of the EU in promoting a continuous dialogue on cultural policies between its Member States and third countries, and calls on the Member States to ensure adequate funding as a result, in order to strengthen the EU’s international capacity in the field of culture and to enable European CCSI, including smaller organisations and artists, to become active internationally; |
| --- | --- |

57.

| 58. | Condemns the use of culture, including through their cultural and educational institutions, by authoritarian governments in particular, which attempt to redefine international rules and values by challenging their universality and to exercise their political influence by violating artistic and academic freedom; |
| --- | --- |

58.

| 59. | Emphasises the potential of EU international cultural relations to counter disinformation in third countries and foreign interference towards the EU, and the hostile narratives against the EU in illiberal and authoritarian regimes; calls on the EEAS to analyse the prevalence and influence of malicious state actors in European international cultural relations in which the EU is involved; |
| --- | --- |

59.

| 60. | Points out the difference in terms of decision-making processes, programme design and implementation, and overall philosophy between ‘EU cultural relations’ and ‘EU cultural diplomacy’; underlines that both approaches can coexist and complement each other but that each serves a different purpose; |
| --- | --- |

60.

| 61. | Regrets the lack of a clear and coherent EU strategy for ICR; strongly encourages the Commission and the EEAS to regularly exchange practices and lessons learnt and to develop, in collaboration with the European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) Clusters and CSOs in third countries, coherent strategies, based on the commonly shared understanding of what constitutes ICR, including steps towards their implementation and tailor-made guidelines for cultural relations activities to be implemented by the EU delegations in third countries and Member States’ diplomatic representations; recommends that these strategies include investments in the visibility of, and strategic communication about, the EU’s shared cultural heritage and its contribution to the promotion of democracy and values; |
| --- | --- |

61.

| 62. | Stresses that the EU needs to engage in ICR using its own instruments, so as to present a cultural image of the EU on the global stage that is greater than the sum of its parts, thereby complementing the work of Member States’ cultural institutes abroad; calls for the development of the EU’s own autonomous toolbox for its ICR and cultural diplomacy, drawing on the experience of, and partnerships with, EUNIC and Member States’ cultural institutes abroad, as well as the civil society and cultural sectors of third countries; stresses that any such toolbox should work towards implementing activities both to promote European culture abroad and to provide the CCS in third countries with technical and material capacity-building and financial support, and should therefore be backed by sufficient own resources and funds; |
| --- | --- |

62.

| 63. | Calls on the Commission and the EEAS to carry out a study to assess the feasibility of either introducing a dedicated chapter for ICR in the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) — Global Europe or strengthening the external dimension of Creative Europe, possibly through the creation of a strand dedicated to funding ICR projects; urges the Commission and the EEAS to make fresh funding available to this end, to ensure that any new actions are not funded at the expense of the existing programmes; |
| --- | --- |

63.

| 64. | Urges the Member States, the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to redouble their efforts to achieve common EU positions in multilateral forums and networks and, where appropriate, to speak with one voice on issues that have an impact on international cultural relations; |
| --- | --- |

64.

| 65. | Stresses the need for the EU to be fully present in cultural events worldwide, especially those that are global, such as the World Expo; calls for the EU to be allowed the possibility of hosting a World Expo, which could be held in different Member States; |
| --- | --- |

65.

| 66. | Welcomes the recommendations published by the Voices for Culture SD on ICR and invites the Commission, the EEAS and the Member States to take these into due account when developing their ICR strategies; in particular, urges the Commission, the EEAS and the Member States to apply a bottom-up, human rights, and a people-to-people approach when building their cultural relations with third countries, and to design and implement their ICR strategy and project programming in a way that takes into account the needs and demands of their partner countries and local communities, while treating them as equal partners; stresses that such strategies should respond to the needs and specific political and socio-economic situation of each partner country or region, rather than being the product of a ‘one size fits all’ approach; calls for appropriate funding for ICR in the current programmes for culture and education, both through the NDICI’s geographical and thematic programmes; notes that cooperation with local organisations, including intercultural and interreligious actors, is vital in strengthening relations based on shared values, such as peace, tolerance and mutual understanding, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of EU-funded projects; |
| --- | --- |

66.

| 67. | Praises the work done by the Member States’ cultural institutes and organisations, and by the EUNIC Clusters in third countries; encourages further cooperation between them and the development of their network with local CSOs, with particular attention to be paid to smaller Member States and Member States with limited or no cultural visibility abroad, and to their cultural representation needs; |
| --- | --- |

67.

| 68. | Welcomes the fact that several Commission and EEAS units are engaging in cross-cutting work on ICR; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to improve the coordination mechanisms between the entities concerned, including through the creation of more coherent and streamlined working methods, in order to maximise efficiency, avoid overlapping actions and ensure institutional memory; |
| --- | --- |

68.

| 69. | Welcomes the creation of cultural focal points in EU delegations; encourages the EU delegations to strengthen their role, enhance their skills and integrate them into their political teams, rather than their communications and events teams; calls for the allocation of the necessary budgetary and personnel resources to the EU’s ICR and cultural diplomacy teams in the Commission and EEAS headquarters, as well as in the EU delegations, in order to facilitate and strengthen cultural cooperation with all relevant local actors, including public institutions, CSOs and academia in third countries; |
| --- | --- |

69.

| 70. | Encourages the Member States and the EEAS to integrate cultural policies, ICR and cultural diplomacy into the training of all their diplomatic staff, in order to raise awareness among diplomats of ICR as a key, independent field within public diplomacy, and build the appropriate political and policy competences in the field of ICR and cultural diplomacy; looks forward to the results of the newly launched European Diplomatic Academy based on a European Parliament pilot project and to the publication in November of the feasibility study commissioned by the EEAS; |
| --- | --- |

70.

| 71. | Welcomes the first results of the European Spaces of Culture Preparatory Action; underlines the positive outcomes of the innovative collaboration models undertaken by the project partners, based on a call for ideas co-created with local stakeholders in the spirit of equal partnership; invites the Commission to continue funding this highly successful action; encourages cultural actors in the EU and third countries to explore further collaboration arrangements, such as co-creation of joint works of art and international co-productions, in order to foster mutual cross-linguistic and cross-border understanding; |
| --- | --- |

71.

| 72. | Stresses that the EU has the potential to strengthen its international cultural cooperation partnerships through its outermost regions (ORs) and overseas countries and territories (OCTs), which are located at geographical, cultural and linguistic crossroads around the world; calls for the EU to design international cultural cooperation projects involving ORs and OCTs in order to foster regional integration and build new partnerships with partner countries; |
| --- | --- |

72.

| 73. | Insists on the need to step up the fight against illicit trafficking in cultural goods; welcomes the recent Commission consultation in preparation of a new action plan to provide a clear, comprehensive and effective framework to the EU contribution to fighting illicit trafficking in cultural goods, aimed at disrupting criminal activities and protecting cultural heritage in the single market, as part of the EU strategy on organised crime; calls for better cooperation between the EU and third countries in the preservation and protection of cultural heritage and the fight against illicit trafficking in cultural goods; |
| --- | --- |

73.

| 74. | Recalls how archaeological and cultural heritage constitutes an integral part of the identity of a people; condemns, therefore, the unlawful removal of, and trafficking in, cultural objects; welcomes the efforts undertaken by certain Member States to return cultural works and artefacts to their places of origin as part of their external policy strategy and in order to foster mutual understanding of one another’s cultural heritage, as well as to support the development of autonomous cultural policies in third countries; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to actively support those Member States in their negotiating processes with third countries in a holistic approach and to actively support the efforts of all Member States with regard to the protection and reparations of their cultural and historical heritage, in line with the MONDIACULT 2022 declaration; |
| --- | --- |

74.

| 75. | Recalls the importance of promoting culture as a facilitator of sustainable development, which brings high potential for social and economic growth; calls on the Commission to facilitate the contribution of cultural actors and CSOs to sustainable development through their active participation in regular dialogue, professional networks and multi-stakeholder partnerships, as well as through NDICI-funded actions in the area of culture; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to monitor and report regularly to Parliament on the state of implementation of actions on international cultural cooperation and the results achieved by NDICI in this regard; |
| --- | --- |

75.

| 76. | Recalls that, within the SDGs, promoting and safeguarding culture is both an end in itself, notably as enshrined in targets 4.7, 8.9 and 11.4, as well as a key contributor to the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda; highlights the cross-cutting nature of culture and cultural projects, which enables them to contribute positively to the achievement of all SDGs; invites the Commission, EU delegations to third countries and the Member States to explore further the interlinkages between culture and cultural policies and the achievement of all SDGs, including through the participation of artists and cultural workers in inclusive dialogue, professional networks, exchanges and multi-stakeholder partnerships, and support for CSOs; calls on the Commission and EEAS to organise more briefings and exchanges of views and practices in order to ensure the proper implementation of these common priorities; |
| --- | --- |

76.

| 77. | Highlights the potential of culture and tangible and intangible cultural heritage as a vector of communication, exchange and peace, promoting reconciliation and conflict prevention; in this context, encourages enhanced cooperation with UNESCO on protecting cultural heritage and deploying fact-finding missions; |
| --- | --- |

77.

| 78. | Asks the Commission to strongly condemn the destruction of historical, artistic and cultural heritage in recent conflicts, as well as the systematic and politically or ideologically targeted destruction of historical, artistic and cultural heritage, as well as the eradication of the identities and cultures of sovereign states, peoples or minorities, including Azerbaijan’s continued policy of erasing and denying the Armenian cultural heritage in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, and the deliberate destruction of cultural sites in Ukraine as a result of the unprovoked and illegal Russian war of aggression; recalls that the destruction of cultural heritage may constitute a war crime and a violation of human rights, and, in this context, recalls the Responsibility to Protect commitments undertaken by the Member States, including with regard to the protection of cultural heritage in the aftermath of, as well as during, armed conflicts; calls for the inclusion of the protection of cultural heritage within the EU’s common security and defence policy missions and operations by providing assistance and training to local partners in addressing the security challenges affecting cultural heritage; calls for targeted sanctions against the individuals and entities responsible for destroying, vandalising or trafficking in cultural heritage as an important step in establishing deterrence and ensuring accountability for such acts; |
| --- | --- |

78.

| 79. | Calls on the Commission and the EEAS to provide technical and material assistance to partners in Member States and third countries in raising awareness and developing the necessary skills and knowledge to preserve and manage cultural heritage, including through cooperation with youth organisations and educational institutions in third countries; |
| --- | --- |

79.

| 80. | Warns the Commission, the EEAS, the EU delegations in third countries and the Member States that the EU-funded restoration of war-torn cultural heritage sites in third countries should not benefit belligerents who are accused of human rights violations, legitimise authoritarian regimes, or normalise relations with them; |
| --- | --- |

80.

| 81. | Calls on the Member States to take due account of Parliament’s position when approving the Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026; |
| --- | --- |

81.

o

o o

| 82. | Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the European External Action Service. |
| --- | --- |

82.

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(1)  OJ C 388, 13.11.2020, p. 30.

(2)  OJ C 334, 19.09.2018, p. 112.

(3)  OJ C 456, 10.11.2021, p. 24.

(4)  OJ C 125 E, 22.5.2008, p. 223.

(5)  OJ C 184, 5.5.2022, p. 88.

(6)  OJ C 347, 9.9.2022, p. 15.

(7)  OJ C 385, 22.9.2021, p. 152.

(8)  Texts adopted, P9_TA(2022)0319.

(9)  OJ C 385, 22.09.2021, p. 2.

(10)  OJ L 189, 28.5.2021, p. 34.

(11)  OJ L 189, 28.5.2021, p. 1.

(12)  OJ L 202, 8.6.2021, p. 32.

(13)  OJ L 462, 28.12.2021, p. 1.

(14)  OJ L 437, 28.12.2020, p. 116.

(15)  OJ L 131, 20.5.2017, p. 1.

(16)  OJ L 131, 20.5.2017, p. 1.

(17)  Ernst & Young, Rebuilding Europe: The cultural and creative economy before and after the COVID-19 crisis, January 2021.

(18)  European Parliament resolution of 17 September 2020 on the cultural recovery of Europe (OJ C 385, 22.9.2021, p. 152) and in its resolution of 20 October 2021 on the situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU (OJ C 184, 5.5.2022, p. 88).

(19)  Fancourt, D. and Finn, S., What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review, WHO Regional Office for Europe (Health Evidence Network (HEN) synthesis report 67), Copenhagen, 2019.

(20)  British Council and Goethe Institut, Cultural Value — Cultural Relations in Societies in Transition: A Literature Review, 2018, p. 7.

(21)  Rivera, T., Distinguishing Cultural Relations From Cultural Diplomacy: The British Council’s Relationship With Her Majesty’s Government, Figueroa Press, Los Angeles, 2015, pp. 9-10.

(22)  OJ C 456, 10.11.2021, p. 24.

(23)  Directive (EU) 2019/790 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market and amending Directives 96/9/EC and 2001/29/EC (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019, p. 92).

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Thursday 15 December 2022

| 17.5.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 177/95 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 177/95

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P9_TA(2022)0445

Chinese government crackdown on the peaceful protests across the People's Republic of China

European Parliament resolution of 15 December 2022 on the Chinese Government crackdown on the peaceful protests across the People’s Republic of China (2022/2992(RSP))

(2023/C 177/10)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to its previous resolutions on China, in particular those of 9 June 2022 on the human rights situation in Xinjiang, including the Xinjiang police files (1), of 20 January 2022 on violations of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong (2), of 16 September 2021 on a new EU-China strategy (3), of 20 May 2021 on Chinese countersanctions on EU entities and MEPs and MPs (4), of 21 January 2021 on the crackdown on the democratic opposition in Hong Kong (5), of 12 September 2018 on the state of EU-China relations (6) and of 16 December 2015 on EU-China relations (7), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its previous resolutions on China, in particular those of 9 June 2022 on the human rights situation in Xinjiang, including the Xinjiang police files (1), of 20 January 2022 on violations of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong (2), of 16 September 2021 on a new EU-China strategy (3), of 20 May 2021 on Chinese countersanctions on EU entities and MEPs and MPs (4), of 21 January 2021 on the crackdown on the democratic opposition in Hong Kong (5), of 12 September 2018 on the state of EU-China relations (6) and of 16 December 2015 on EU-China relations (7),

| — | having regard to the EU-China Summit held on 1 April 2022, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the EU-China Summit held on 1 April 2022,

| — | having regard to the concluding observations of the United Nations Human Rights Committee on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China and the Macao Special Administrative Region of China on their implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, adopted on 27 July 2022, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the concluding observations of the United Nations Human Rights Committee on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China and the Macao Special Administrative Region of China on their implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, adopted on 27 July 2022,

| — | having regard to the Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984 and the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration of 1987, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984 and the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration of 1987,

| — | having regard to the joint communication from the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 12 March 2019 entitled ‘EU-China — A strategic outlook’ (JOIN(2019)0005), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the joint communication from the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 12 March 2019 entitled ‘EU-China — A strategic outlook’ (JOIN(2019)0005),

| — | having regard to the 2019 Sakharov Prize awarded to Ilham Tohti, a Uyghur economist fighting peacefully for the rights of China’s Uyghur minority, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the 2019 Sakharov Prize awarded to Ilham Tohti, a Uyghur economist fighting peacefully for the rights of China’s Uyghur minority,

| — | having regard to the decision of the Council of the EU of 5 December 2022 to extend the measures taken under Council Regulation (EU) 2020/1998 of 7 December 2020 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses (8), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the decision of the Council of the EU of 5 December 2022 to extend the measures taken under Council Regulation (EU) 2020/1998 of 7 December 2020 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses (8),

| — | having regard to the remarks by Council President Charles Michel following the meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on 1 December 2022, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the remarks by Council President Charles Michel following the meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on 1 December 2022,

| — | having regard to the press release of the European External Action Service (EEAS) of 2 December 2022 entitled ‘EU-U.S.: Consultations between the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and European External Action Service Secretary General Stefano Sannino’, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the press release of the European External Action Service (EEAS) of 2 December 2022 entitled ‘EU-U.S.: Consultations between the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and European External Action Service Secretary General Stefano Sannino’,

| — | having regard to the 11th EU-China Strategic Dialogue of 28 September 2021 between the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) Josep Borrell and Chinese State Councillor/Foreign Minister Wang Yi, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the 11th EU-China Strategic Dialogue of 28 September 2021 between the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) Josep Borrell and Chinese State Councillor/Foreign Minister Wang Yi,

| — | having regard to Article 35 of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China, which stipulates that citizens of the People’s Republic of China must enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of procession and of demonstration, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 35 of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China, which stipulates that citizens of the People’s Republic of China must enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of procession and of demonstration,

| — | having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 16 December 1966, which China signed in 1998 but has never ratified, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 16 December 1966, which China signed in 1998 but has never ratified,

| — | having regard to the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2024 and to the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2024 and to the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders,

| — | having regard to the report on Xinjiang by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights published on 31 August 2022, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report on Xinjiang by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights published on 31 August 2022,

| — | having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948,

| — | having regard to Rules 144(5) and 132(4) of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rules 144(5) and 132(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

| A. | whereas the promotion of and respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law should be at the centre of the EU’s relations with China, in line with the EU’s commitment to uphold these values in its external action and China’s commitment to adhere to them in its own development and international cooperation; |
| --- | --- |

A.

whereas the promotion of and respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law should be at the centre of the EU’s relations with China, in line with the EU’s commitment to uphold these values in its external action and China’s commitment to adhere to them in its own development and international cooperation;

| B. | whereas since 2020 China has pursued a very strict zero-COVID policy featuring mass testing and ad hoc and long-lasting lockdowns seriously curtailing people’s freedom and rights; |
| --- | --- |

B.

whereas since 2020 China has pursued a very strict zero-COVID policy featuring mass testing and ad hoc and long-lasting lockdowns seriously curtailing people’s freedom and rights;

| C. | whereas these severe restrictions have led to frequent and protracted lockdowns, massive and systematic testing requirements and quarantining, and disproportionate and severe limitations to freedom of movement inside China; whereas these restrictions have also led to supply shortages of essential goods, including food, limited access to healthcare and an increase in youth unemployment in the People’s Republic of China; |
| --- | --- |

C.

whereas these severe restrictions have led to frequent and protracted lockdowns, massive and systematic testing requirements and quarantining, and disproportionate and severe limitations to freedom of movement inside China; whereas these restrictions have also led to supply shortages of essential goods, including food, limited access to healthcare and an increase in youth unemployment in the People’s Republic of China;

| D. | whereas in the days and weeks before the widespread protests erupted, there had been high levels of tension in some factories, such as the Foxconn factories, from where large numbers of workers fled in order to escape radical and total factory lockdowns following COVID outbreaks inside the production sites and in protest against the recurrent non-payment of bonuses during lockdowns; whereas factory protests turned violent and social media videos showed workers being beaten by the police; |
| --- | --- |

D.

whereas in the days and weeks before the widespread protests erupted, there had been high levels of tension in some factories, such as the Foxconn factories, from where large numbers of workers fled in order to escape radical and total factory lockdowns following COVID outbreaks inside the production sites and in protest against the recurrent non-payment of bonuses during lockdowns; whereas factory protests turned violent and social media videos showed workers being beaten by the police;

| E. | whereas due to the strict enforcement of the lockdowns, entire buildings, including emergency exists, were at times sealed off; whereas on 24 November 2022 a fire broke out in a residential building in Urumqi, Xinjiang, a city where a continuous lockdown had been in place for over 100 days, in which at least ten people lost their lives; whereas local sources and numerous social media posts have suggested a much higher death toll (9) of up to 40 casualties; whereas inhabitants of this building were allegedly locked in their apartments and firefighters were delayed, probably because of restrictions imposed under the zero-COVID policy; |
| --- | --- |

E.

whereas due to the strict enforcement of the lockdowns, entire buildings, including emergency exists, were at times sealed off; whereas on 24 November 2022 a fire broke out in a residential building in Urumqi, Xinjiang, a city where a continuous lockdown had been in place for over 100 days, in which at least ten people lost their lives; whereas local sources and numerous social media posts have suggested a much higher death toll (9) of up to 40 casualties; whereas inhabitants of this building were allegedly locked in their apartments and firefighters were delayed, probably because of restrictions imposed under the zero-COVID policy;

| F. | whereas on 26 November 2022, for the first time since the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, people took to the streets in Beijing, Shanghai and other major Chinese cities and municipalities and reportedly in more than 100 universities to protest against China’s zero-COVID policy and denounce the Chinese Communist Party’s authoritarian rule; whereas protesters quickly adopted a blank sheet of paper as a symbol to express their anger over the suppression of free speech; |
| --- | --- |

F.

whereas on 26 November 2022, for the first time since the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, people took to the streets in Beijing, Shanghai and other major Chinese cities and municipalities and reportedly in more than 100 universities to protest against China’s zero-COVID policy and denounce the Chinese Communist Party’s authoritarian rule; whereas protesters quickly adopted a blank sheet of paper as a symbol to express their anger over the suppression of free speech;

| G. | whereas the police, after initially showing restraint, quickly began to break up crowds and carry out widespread arrests in several cities; whereas in Shanghai, for instance, police used pepper spray to dispel around 300 protesters who had gathered; whereas posts about the protest on China’s social media platforms were deleted immediately in an effort to suppress criticism; whereas Chinese state media has so far simply avoided covering the protests; |
| --- | --- |

G.

whereas the police, after initially showing restraint, quickly began to break up crowds and carry out widespread arrests in several cities; whereas in Shanghai, for instance, police used pepper spray to dispel around 300 protesters who had gathered; whereas posts about the protest on China’s social media platforms were deleted immediately in an effort to suppress criticism; whereas Chinese state media has so far simply avoided covering the protests;

| H. | whereas some protesters are calling for President Xi Jinping to resign, which constitutes an unprecedented challenge to the country’s current leadership; |
| --- | --- |

H.

whereas some protesters are calling for President Xi Jinping to resign, which constitutes an unprecedented challenge to the country’s current leadership;

| I. | whereas women have been at the forefront of these protests; whereas women’s rights in China have been deteriorating in recent years; whereas studies have shown that lockdowns increase the risk of gender-based domestic violence; |
| --- | --- |

I.

whereas women have been at the forefront of these protests; whereas women’s rights in China have been deteriorating in recent years; whereas studies have shown that lockdowns increase the risk of gender-based domestic violence;

| J. | whereas reports have been made of a strong police presence and interventions leading to numerous arrests of peaceful protesters; whereas, according to various human rights organisations, authorities have also interfered with the protesters’ right to legal representation, with some lawyers being warned by local authorities not to take on cases; |
| --- | --- |

J.

whereas reports have been made of a strong police presence and interventions leading to numerous arrests of peaceful protesters; whereas, according to various human rights organisations, authorities have also interfered with the protesters’ right to legal representation, with some lawyers being warned by local authorities not to take on cases;

| K. | whereas Article 35 of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China proclaims that ‘citizens of the People’s Republic of China enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of procession, and of demonstration’; whereas the liberties enshrined in this article are being constantly violated; |
| --- | --- |

K.

whereas Article 35 of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China proclaims that ‘citizens of the People’s Republic of China enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of procession, and of demonstration’; whereas the liberties enshrined in this article are being constantly violated;

| L. | whereas, since President Xi Jinping assumed power in March 2013, the human rights situation in China has drastically deteriorated; whereas the Chinese Government has stepped up its hostility against human rights and the rule of law; whereas China’s illegal mass surveillance and monitoring of its citizens has been expanded; |
| --- | --- |

L.

whereas, since President Xi Jinping assumed power in March 2013, the human rights situation in China has drastically deteriorated; whereas the Chinese Government has stepped up its hostility against human rights and the rule of law; whereas China’s illegal mass surveillance and monitoring of its citizens has been expanded;

| M. | whereas, in recent years, the Chinese authorities have tightened online censorship, in particular since the outbreak of COVID-19; whereas the Chinese authorities and police have assembled one of the world’s most sophisticated surveillance systems by gaining access to powerful facial recognition software and technology in order to heavily restrict fundamental freedoms in a generalised fashion, or even massively violate human rights; whereas there are concerns that due to these mass surveillance and facial recognition technologies, the security apparatus will prosecute demonstrators at a later time; |
| --- | --- |

M.

whereas, in recent years, the Chinese authorities have tightened online censorship, in particular since the outbreak of COVID-19; whereas the Chinese authorities and police have assembled one of the world’s most sophisticated surveillance systems by gaining access to powerful facial recognition software and technology in order to heavily restrict fundamental freedoms in a generalised fashion, or even massively violate human rights; whereas there are concerns that due to these mass surveillance and facial recognition technologies, the security apparatus will prosecute demonstrators at a later time;

| N. | whereas, according to recent reports, the Chinese authorities have implemented the highest ‘emergency response’ level of media censorship in the context of the recent outbreak of protests; whereas social media platforms have played an active and instrumental role in disseminating content across the country; whereas security forces have also stopped citizens on the street, inspected their electronic devices and forced them to delete certain applications, content and photos related to the protests; whereas, following the outbreak of the protests, the Chinese authorities immediately began to track, on a massive scale, messaging applications, social media and mobile phone data they consider suspicious, as well as the use of virtual private networks, in order to identify, intimidate and harass people allegedly organising and participating in the protests; |
| --- | --- |

N.

whereas, according to recent reports, the Chinese authorities have implemented the highest ‘emergency response’ level of media censorship in the context of the recent outbreak of protests; whereas social media platforms have played an active and instrumental role in disseminating content across the country; whereas security forces have also stopped citizens on the street, inspected their electronic devices and forced them to delete certain applications, content and photos related to the protests; whereas, following the outbreak of the protests, the Chinese authorities immediately began to track, on a massive scale, messaging applications, social media and mobile phone data they consider suspicious, as well as the use of virtual private networks, in order to identify, intimidate and harass people allegedly organising and participating in the protests;

| O. | whereas, in recent years, the Chinese authorities have dismantled civil society groups and imprisoned many independent activists, making large-scale protests extremely difficult to carry out; whereas, in recent months, sporadic protests have taken place in response to the COVID-19 policy, economic hardship, censorship and President Xi’s expanded powers, in China and by Chinese nationals outside the country; |
| --- | --- |

O.

whereas, in recent years, the Chinese authorities have dismantled civil society groups and imprisoned many independent activists, making large-scale protests extremely difficult to carry out; whereas, in recent months, sporadic protests have taken place in response to the COVID-19 policy, economic hardship, censorship and President Xi’s expanded powers, in China and by Chinese nationals outside the country;

| P. | whereas China engages in cross-border repression and surveillance through various activities ranging from espionage, cyber-attacks, physical attacks and the issuance of Red Notices through INTERPOL to ‘offshore police stations’ on EU territory; |
| --- | --- |

P.

whereas China engages in cross-border repression and surveillance through various activities ranging from espionage, cyber-attacks, physical attacks and the issuance of Red Notices through INTERPOL to ‘offshore police stations’ on EU territory;

| Q. | whereas, in a nationally coordinated move, students were sent home from universities one month early in order to prevent them from continuing to participate in organised protests; |
| --- | --- |

Q.

whereas, in a nationally coordinated move, students were sent home from universities one month early in order to prevent them from continuing to participate in organised protests;

| R. | whereas some Chinese diplomats have engaged in violence and threats towards Chinese students and opponents abroad, demanding that they ‘resist distorting and discrediting China’s epidemic prevention and control policies’; |
| --- | --- |

R.

whereas some Chinese diplomats have engaged in violence and threats towards Chinese students and opponents abroad, demanding that they ‘resist distorting and discrediting China’s epidemic prevention and control policies’;

| S. | whereas China has been pursuing the systemic persecution of the Uyghur people and other ethnic minorities, human rights defenders, social activists, religious groups, journalists and protesters against injustices, as well as the ever-increasing repression of all dissenting and opposition voices; whereas the loss of life in the Urumqi fire adds another tragedy to the human rights atrocities taking place in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region; |
| --- | --- |

S.

whereas China has been pursuing the systemic persecution of the Uyghur people and other ethnic minorities, human rights defenders, social activists, religious groups, journalists and protesters against injustices, as well as the ever-increasing repression of all dissenting and opposition voices; whereas the loss of life in the Urumqi fire adds another tragedy to the human rights atrocities taking place in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region;

| 1. | Strongly condemns the Chinese Government-led reaction to the peaceful protests and the persecution of the peaceful protesters across the People’s Republic of China; expresses its condolences to and stands in solidarity with the victims of the Urumqi fire and their family members; calls upon the Chinese Government to be transparent about the number of victims and the circumstances under which they died; calls for a prompt, effective and thorough investigation of the Urumqi fire; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Expresses its solidarity with the people of China in their fight for fundamental freedoms; condemns the persecution of the peaceful protesters; urges all police forces to respond in line with international standards, including the United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | Expresses its serious concerns about human rights violations in China, including in the context of its zero-COVID policy; |
| --- | --- |

3.

| 4. | Notes that all the victims of the Urumqi fire are of Uyghur ethnicity (10), thus deepening the suffering of this ethnic group which has fallen victim to systematic human rights atrocities taking place in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, which the European Parliament has recognised as constituting crimes against humanity and representing a serious risk of genocide (11); |
| --- | --- |

4.

| 5. | Condemns in the strongest terms the fact that freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of the press and social media are severely restricted in China; calls on the Chinese Government to ensure the freedom of expression, association, assembly, press and media, as enshrined in the Chinese Constitution and international human rights law; |
| --- | --- |

5.

| 6. | Strongly condemns the violent assault and detention of a foreign journalist covering these protests; recalls that the freedom of the press is a fundamental principle and an essential pillar of any democracy; calls on China to ensure that all journalists are able to conduct their work freely and without impediments or fear of reprisals, as provided for by Chinese law; stresses that the freedom of the press and media should be ensured; urges the Chinese authorities to stop interfering with, harassing and intimidating lawyers and legal professionals, human rights defenders and others who openly express concern about the protesters or who defend the right to peaceful protest; |
| --- | --- |

6.

| 7. | Urges China to put an immediate end to the suppression and intimidation of peaceful protesters and to guarantee fundamental rights for everyone; calls on the Chinese authorities to immediately release all protesters wrongfully detained; demands that all data recently collected about peaceful protesters be deleted and not used in any future cases; requests that family members of all those deprived of liberty be notified of their whereabouts and the charges brought against them; |
| --- | --- |

7.

| 8. | Recognises the challenge of designing a COVID-19 policy with the right balance between protecting public health and protecting rights and freedoms; recalls the importance of proportionality; notes the recent lifting of some of the most oppressive COVID-19 restrictions in China; |
| --- | --- |

8.

| 9. | Notes the fact that the protest movement has united people from very different backgrounds and has taken place nationwide; highlights the remarkable fact that inter-ethnic solidarity has been expressed with the victims of the fire in Xinjiang, since China’s Han population has not previously reacted significantly to the terrible fate of the Uyghurs over the past six years; |
| --- | --- |

9.

| 10. | Calls on the Chinese and local authorities to put an end to the repression of Uyghurs and recalls that the Uyghurs in the region have been subjected to intense surveillance, forced labour, involuntary sterilisations and birth prevention measures, among other rights abuses, which amount to crimes again humanity and represent a serious risk of genocide; welcomes, in this regard, the Commission proposal to ban products made using forced labour from entering the EU market; |
| --- | --- |

10.

| 11. | Strongly condemns the extensive use of mass surveillance and the current censorship of social networks; urges the Chinese authorities to put an end to these violations of fundamental rights to privacy and freedom of expression and to the manipulation of information on social networks; |
| --- | --- |

11.

| 12. | Condemns the fact that Chinese technology companies TikTok and Tencent are working with the Chinese Government to gather evidence on the identity of protesters to enable their arrest and are censoring the internet; calls on European pension funds to divest from Chinese companies that undermine human rights; |
| --- | --- |

12.

| 13. | Expresses its deep concern over the conduct of Apple Inc. in China during the protests, as it effectively worked hand in glove with the Chinese Communist Party to suppress the dissemination of footage of the peaceful anti-lockdown protests by disabling the AirDrop function on its devices in China; notes that this function had enabled the protesters to share footage and organise the protests without using Wi-Fi, which is under constant surveillance and control by the Chinese Communist Party; stresses that the fact that companies can be held hostage by the Chinese Communist Party and enable ruthless human rights violations should be a wake-up call for western governments to put forward legislation that would encourage western companies to double down on their efforts to reshore production from China; |
| --- | --- |

13.

| 14. | Reiterates its concerns about the fact that the Chinese authorities did not allow UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, during her visit to China, to have full access to independent civil society organisations and human rights defenders; reiterates its call on the Chinese authorities to allow the same free, meaningful and unhindered access for independent journalists, international observers and investigative bodies, including, in particular, the mandate holders of the UN Human Rights Council Special Procedures and the EU Special Representative for Human Rights; supports the call issued by 50 United Nations human rights experts for the establishment of a special mandate at the UN Human Rights Council to monitor and report on human rights conditions across China; calls for the EU and its Member States to continue to work with like-minded partners towards the establishment of an investigative mechanism at the UN Human Rights Council to monitor, assess and publicly report on serious human rights violations across China; |
| --- | --- |

14.

| 15. | Urges the EU and the Member States to provide protection and support to human rights and democracy activists in China, in particular by reaching out to the local and national authorities and applying in full the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders and other relevant EU policies, including the new EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy; welcomes the continuation of the established bilateral EU-US Dialogue on China, in particular the statement that ‘the United States and European Union have never been more aligned on our strategic outlooks’; |
| --- | --- |

15.

| 16. | Calls on the EU and other international organisations to monitor and assess how China’s responses to these protests align with international human rights standards and its obligations under international human rights law; stresses the importance of the EU Delegation in Beijing continuing to monitor the detention of peaceful protesters and any trials of those being prosecuted for exercising their right to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression, applying in full the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders and other relevant EU policies; |
| --- | --- |

16.

| 17. | Calls on VP/HR Josep Borrell to follow up, with concrete steps, the recent European Council discussions by intensifying discussions at the level of Member States’ foreign affairs ministers; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to set up a permanent discussion on China under the Asia-Oceania Working Party; welcomes the decision to extend the sanctions in response to human rights violations in Xinjiang until 8 December 2023; reiterates its call for additional EU sanctions targeting Chinese officials and entities responsible for crimes against humanity; encourages EU Member State authorities to consider prosecuting Chinese officials deemed responsible for crimes against humanity, on the basis of the principle of universal jurisdiction; |
| --- | --- |

17.

| 18. | Expresses its deep concerns about the recent revelations regarding the presence of Chinese overseas police service stations in numerous EU Member States and around the world; calls on the Commission, the Council and national law enforcement agencies to ensure, as a matter of urgency, good coordination in order to shed light on these practices, take appropriate action and close down all Chinese overseas police service stations; calls on the EU and its Member States, in coordination with like-minded partners, to identify and close down any avenues facilitating China’s campaigns of transnational repression, in particular against members of its diaspora; |
| --- | --- |

18.

| 19. | Urges the Member States to end all their extradition agreements with China and Hong Kong; urges further the Member States to exercise caution when cooperating in international law enforce forums such as INTERPOL and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime; calls further on the Member States to properly ensure the security of Chinese refugees under their jurisdiction in order to avoid their capture or their being ‘persuaded to return’ or lured into a non-EU country from which they could easily be repatriated to China; |
| --- | --- |

19.

| 20. | Calls on all members of the international community and all stakeholders to address the issue of freedom of expression when engaging with the People’s Republic of China; welcomes the fact that European Council President Charles Michel raised the issue of the protests with Xi Jinping; calls for unconditional readiness to resume the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, which has not taken place for more than three years; also notes that all European leaders should clearly communicate to the Chinese authorities the EU’s determination to react to an escalation of the repression against protesters by raising the issue in international organisations and to possibly impose additional sanctions, if necessary; |
| --- | --- |

20.

| 21. | Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the United Nations Secretary-General, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Government and Parliament of the People’s Republic of China, and all ambassadors of the People’s Republic of China in EU Member States. |
| --- | --- |

21.

---

(1)  Texts adopted, P9_TA(2022)0237.

(2)  OJ C 336, 2.9.2022, p. 2.

(3)  OJ C 117, 11.3.2022, p. 40.

(4)  OJ C 15, 12.1.2022, p. 170.

(5)  OJ C 456, 10.11.2021, p. 242.

(6)  OJ C 433, 23.12.2019, p. 103.

(7)  OJ C 399, 24.11.2017, p. 92.

(8)  OJ L 410 I, 7.12.2020, p. 1.

(9)  https://edition.cnn.com/2022/12/01/china/china-protests-urumqi-fire-deaths-covid-dst-intl-hnk/index.html.

(10)  https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/urumqi-fire-12022022172846.html.

(11)  Texts adopted, P9_TA(2022)0237.

---

| 17.5.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 177/101 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 177/101

---

P9_TA(2022)0446

Military Junta crackdown on peaceful demonstrations in Chad

European Parliament resolution of 15 December 2022 on the military junta crackdown on peaceful demonstrations in Chad (2022/2993(RSP))

(2023/C 177/11)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to its resolutions of 20 May 2021 on the situation in Chad (1) and of 16 September 2020 on EU-African security cooperation in the Sahel region, West Africa and the Horn of Africa (2), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolutions of 20 May 2021 on the situation in Chad (1) and of 16 September 2020 on EU-African security cooperation in the Sahel region, West Africa and the Horn of Africa (2),

| — | having regard to the statement by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 20 April 2021 on the death of President Idriss Déby Itno, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the statement by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 20 April 2021 on the death of President Idriss Déby Itno,

| — | having regard to the statement of 19 October 2022 by the Delegation of the European Union to Chad, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the statement of 19 October 2022 by the Delegation of the European Union to Chad,

| — | having regard to the statement by the spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General of 20 April 2021 on Chad, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the statement by the spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General of 20 April 2021 on Chad,

| — | having regard to the report of the fact-finding mission to Chad of the African Union Peace and Security Council, which took place from 29 April to 6 May 2021, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the fact-finding mission to Chad of the African Union Peace and Security Council, which took place from 29 April to 6 May 2021,

| — | having regard to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against Boko Haram, mandated by the African Union Peace and Security Council and supported by the EU African Peace Facility, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against Boko Haram, mandated by the African Union Peace and Security Council and supported by the EU African Peace Facility,

| — | having regard to UN Security Council Resolution 2359 (2017) on deployment of the Group of Five for the Sahel Joint Force (FC-G5S), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to UN Security Council Resolution 2359 (2017) on deployment of the Group of Five for the Sahel Joint Force (FC-G5S),

| — | having regard to the joint declaration of the members of the European Council with the Member States of the G5 Sahel of 28 April 2020 on security, stability and development of the Sahel, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the joint declaration of the members of the European Council with the Member States of the G5 Sahel of 28 April 2020 on security, stability and development of the Sahel,

| — | having regard to the Council conclusions of 16 April 2021 on the European Union’s integrated strategy in the Sahel, which reaffirmed the importance of a solid and long-term partnership between the EU and the Sahel, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Council conclusions of 16 April 2021 on the European Union’s integrated strategy in the Sahel, which reaffirmed the importance of a solid and long-term partnership between the EU and the Sahel,

| — | having regard to the European Development Fund 2014-2020 National Indicative Programme for Chad, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the European Development Fund 2014-2020 National Indicative Programme for Chad,

| — | having regard to the Constitution of Chad, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Constitution of Chad,

| — | having regard to the partnership agreement between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States of the one part, and the European Community and its Member States, of the other part, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000 (3) (Cotonou Agreement), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the partnership agreement between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States of the one part, and the European Community and its Member States, of the other part, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000 (3) (Cotonou Agreement),

| — | having regard to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which was adopted on 27 June 1981 and entered into force on 21 October 1986, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which was adopted on 27 June 1981 and entered into force on 21 October 1986,

| — | having regard to the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, adopted on 30 January 2007, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, adopted on 30 January 2007,

| — | having regard to the revised Transition Charter of Chad, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the revised Transition Charter of Chad,

| — | having regard to the 2019 Global Terrorism Index, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the 2019 Global Terrorism Index,

| — | having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

| — | having regard to Rules 144(5) and 132(4) of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rules 144(5) and 132(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

| A. | whereas since the death of former President Idriss Déby Itno in April 2021, Chad has been led by his son, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno; whereas the Transitional Military Council (TMC) had previously suspended the constitution and dissolved the government and the national assembly; |
| --- | --- |

A.

whereas since the death of former President Idriss Déby Itno in April 2021, Chad has been led by his son, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno; whereas the Transitional Military Council (TMC) had previously suspended the constitution and dissolved the government and the national assembly;

| B. | whereas the TMC pledged to hold democratic elections within 18 months of assuming power; whereas on 1 October 2022, measures were formally adopted by the national dialogue, which announced that the elections would be delayed by an additional two years; whereas the African Union issued conditions, including the rejection of any extension of the original 18-month transition timetable, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; |
| --- | --- |

B.

whereas the TMC pledged to hold democratic elections within 18 months of assuming power; whereas on 1 October 2022, measures were formally adopted by the national dialogue, which announced that the elections would be delayed by an additional two years; whereas the African Union issued conditions, including the rejection of any extension of the original 18-month transition timetable, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;

| C. | whereas a national dialogue was organised to set out the transition process; whereas not all opposition groups participated in this process; whereas the dialogue concluded with recommendations to postpone the transition process and not exclude anyone, in particular the current president, from running in future elections; |
| --- | --- |

C.

whereas a national dialogue was organised to set out the transition process; whereas not all opposition groups participated in this process; whereas the dialogue concluded with recommendations to postpone the transition process and not exclude anyone, in particular the current president, from running in future elections;

| D. | whereas Chadian civil society organisations have produced a transitional plan to bring an end to the crisis; whereas certain Chadian civil society organisations have recommended that international support should take the form of a stabilisation mechanism aiming at reinstating the constitutional order and supporting the transition plan; |
| --- | --- |

D.

whereas Chadian civil society organisations have produced a transitional plan to bring an end to the crisis; whereas certain Chadian civil society organisations have recommended that international support should take the form of a stabilisation mechanism aiming at reinstating the constitutional order and supporting the transition plan;

| E. | whereas between 13 March and 8 August 2022, 53 political military movements, of which only 6 were genuine, were convoked to Doha by the Government of Chad to negotiate a peace agreement; |
| --- | --- |

E.

whereas between 13 March and 8 August 2022, 53 political military movements, of which only 6 were genuine, were convoked to Doha by the Government of Chad to negotiate a peace agreement;

| F. | whereas the TMC convoked to N’Djamena more than 1 300 delegates, of which almost all were directly appointed by the government to attend the so-called National Inclusive and Sovereign Dialogue; |
| --- | --- |

F.

whereas the TMC convoked to N’Djamena more than 1 300 delegates, of which almost all were directly appointed by the government to attend the so-called National Inclusive and Sovereign Dialogue;

| G. | whereas these two events were boycotted by the most important political parties, civil society organisations and real political military groups; |
| --- | --- |

G.

whereas these two events were boycotted by the most important political parties, civil society organisations and real political military groups;

| H. | whereas on 20 October 2022, thousands of people protested across Chad to demand an immediate return to democratic rule; whereas in anticipation of this, on 19 October 2022, the minister of public security prohibited all demonstrations in the country; whereas in response to the protests police fired live ammunition and tear gas at peaceful protesters in a continued and widespread crackdown throughout the country; |
| --- | --- |

H.

whereas on 20 October 2022, thousands of people protested across Chad to demand an immediate return to democratic rule; whereas in anticipation of this, on 19 October 2022, the minister of public security prohibited all demonstrations in the country; whereas in response to the protests police fired live ammunition and tear gas at peaceful protesters in a continued and widespread crackdown throughout the country;

| I. | whereas the authorities also announced the temporary suspension of the activities of seven political groups; whereas they also decreed that the activities of major opposition groups and the civil society coalition ‘Wakit Tamma’ were to be banned nationwide; whereas several cities and neighbourhoods suffered internet restrictions; |
| --- | --- |

I.

whereas the authorities also announced the temporary suspension of the activities of seven political groups; whereas they also decreed that the activities of major opposition groups and the civil society coalition ‘Wakit Tamma’ were to be banned nationwide; whereas several cities and neighbourhoods suffered internet restrictions;

| J. | whereas on 4 November 2022, at the meeting of the United Nations Committee against Torture, rapporteur Sébastien Touzé estimated that between 50 and 150 people had died, 150 to 184 had disappeared, 1 369 had been arrested, and between 600 and 1 100 had been transported to Koro Toro high security prison in the desert, some 600 kilometres from the capital, as a result of the anti-government protests; |
| --- | --- |

J.

whereas on 4 November 2022, at the meeting of the United Nations Committee against Torture, rapporteur Sébastien Touzé estimated that between 50 and 150 people had died, 150 to 184 had disappeared, 1 369 had been arrested, and between 600 and 1 100 had been transported to Koro Toro high security prison in the desert, some 600 kilometres from the capital, as a result of the anti-government protests;

| K. | whereas 400 of those detained were all judged in four days, in the absence of any defence lawyer; whereas on 5 December 2022, 262 detained protesters were sentenced to up to three years in prison, 80 were given suspended sentences and 59 were acquitted; |
| --- | --- |

K.

whereas 400 of those detained were all judged in four days, in the absence of any defence lawyer; whereas on 5 December 2022, 262 detained protesters were sentenced to up to three years in prison, 80 were given suspended sentences and 59 were acquitted;

| L. | whereas the trials were held with no transparency or public information available; whereas protesters were denied access to justice; whereas the Chad Bar Association called the trial a ‘parody of justice’ and has appealed the court’s decision, and whereas its lawyers therefore boycotted the trials; |
| --- | --- |

L.

whereas the trials were held with no transparency or public information available; whereas protesters were denied access to justice; whereas the Chad Bar Association called the trial a ‘parody of justice’ and has appealed the court’s decision, and whereas its lawyers therefore boycotted the trials;

| M. | whereas the UN Committee against Torture concluded in its observation that the prevalence of prison violence, including violent acts committed by prison staff against detainees, was alarming and asked that state authorities undertake investigations into all deaths in custody and all allegations relating to acts of torture and ill-treatment by prison personnel; |
| --- | --- |

M.

whereas the UN Committee against Torture concluded in its observation that the prevalence of prison violence, including violent acts committed by prison staff against detainees, was alarming and asked that state authorities undertake investigations into all deaths in custody and all allegations relating to acts of torture and ill-treatment by prison personnel;

| N. | whereas the security situation in the Sahel region has significantly deteriorated in recent years, posing a serious threat to regional and international security; whereas human rights violations and mass killings are widespread and rising food insecurity, corruption, extreme poverty and flooding have added to the insecurity; whereas the Sahel saw the most rapid increase in violent extremist activity of any region in 2019; |
| --- | --- |

N.

whereas the security situation in the Sahel region has significantly deteriorated in recent years, posing a serious threat to regional and international security; whereas human rights violations and mass killings are widespread and rising food insecurity, corruption, extreme poverty and flooding have added to the insecurity; whereas the Sahel saw the most rapid increase in violent extremist activity of any region in 2019;

| O. | whereas, in its integrated strategy in the Sahel, adopted by the Council on 16 April 2021, the EU committed to supporting key moments for democracy in the region, to paying specific political attention to efforts in the areas of governance and the rule of law and to continuing to call for internal security forces to have a more central role in strengthening trust between people and the state; |
| --- | --- |

O.

whereas, in its integrated strategy in the Sahel, adopted by the Council on 16 April 2021, the EU committed to supporting key moments for democracy in the region, to paying specific political attention to efforts in the areas of governance and the rule of law and to continuing to call for internal security forces to have a more central role in strengthening trust between people and the state;

| P. | whereas according to the UN, Chad has received over 577 000 refugees from, among others, Darfur, the Central African Republic, Nigeria and Cameroon, in addition to having 381 000 internally displaced people; whereas the stability of Chad is crucial for the Sahel and northern and eastern Africa; |
| --- | --- |

P.

whereas according to the UN, Chad has received over 577 000 refugees from, among others, Darfur, the Central African Republic, Nigeria and Cameroon, in addition to having 381 000 internally displaced people; whereas the stability of Chad is crucial for the Sahel and northern and eastern Africa;

| Q. | whereas Chad is located in a strategic region and is facing severe security challenges given the country’s proximity to regional militant strongholds, particularly around the Lake Chad region where Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram, a Nigeria-based Islamist militant group, operate; whereas Chad plays a key role in regional peacekeeping efforts as part of the G5 Sahel joint force as well as the MNJTF; |
| --- | --- |

Q.

whereas Chad is located in a strategic region and is facing severe security challenges given the country’s proximity to regional militant strongholds, particularly around the Lake Chad region where Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram, a Nigeria-based Islamist militant group, operate; whereas Chad plays a key role in regional peacekeeping efforts as part of the G5 Sahel joint force as well as the MNJTF;

| 1. | Deplores the deadly violence and repression perpetrated against pro-democracy protesters in the protests of October 2022, and deeply regrets the loss of life; reiterates its condemnation of the military coup d’état perpetrated on 20 April 2021 by the TMC and the subsequent suspension of the Constitution of Chad and the dissolution of the national assembly and the government; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Condemns the restriction of the fundamental right to demonstrate and the use of violence against protesters and civil society in Chad; strongly regrets that these measures taken by the government risk undermining the ongoing process towards democracy; urges the authorities to fully respect the country’s national and international commitments, notably the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and to freedom of association, and the right to physical integrity; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | Calls for the opening of an independent and impartial investigation by the UN and the African Union into the reported violence, including reports of torture in Chadian prisons, in order to prosecute the perpetrators of violence against individuals and civil society; calls for those responsible for the violence and killings to be held accountable and urges the Chadian authorities to ensure that the Chadian military, gendarmes and police are trained in, and abide by, the UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials and the Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials; |
| --- | --- |

3.

| 4. | Condemns the prosecution of pro-democracy protesters in mass trials that failed to adhere to international standards on transparency and access to justice; calls for the sentences to be overturned and the protesters to be released; |
| --- | --- |

4.

| 5. | Strongly urges the government to ensure that all those charged following the 20 October 2022 protests have full access to legal protection; underlines that the EU will very closely follow the continuation of the legal proceedings and that the outcome will also be a key determinant of future EU-Chad relations; |
| --- | --- |

5.

| 6. | Deeply regrets the failure of the regime to uphold its commitment to a democratic transition; reiterates the importance of a rapid return to constitutional order and of a time-bound civilian-led transition that guarantees respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, recalling that meaningful engagement with all civil and political actors is essential in order to guarantee the credibility and legitimacy of the ongoing process; |
| --- | --- |

6.

| 7. | Calls urgently for new transparent, inclusive and credible legislative and presidential elections to be organised as soon as possible, which fully respect the national constitution and international electoral standards including by providing for the full participation of opposition parties; notes the importance of an independent and transparent national electoral commission and cooperation with international partners in this regard; deeply regrets the ruling authorities’ disregard for the clear directive of the African Union Peace and Security Council based on the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance and the TMC’s previous public commitment that its leaders would not be candidates in upcoming elections; |
| --- | --- |

7.

| 8. | Recalls that genuine democratic transition and reform must be civilian-led and allow for the full and active involvement of civil society organisations, opposition parties, women and young people, and the free press, which must be able to operate without fear of violence, intimidation or restrictions; |
| --- | --- |

8.

| 9. | Deplores the continual violence and terrorist attacks which are still taking place in Chad; reiterates its concern about the protracted crisis in the country and the volatile security situation in the north, and strongly condemns the repeated violations of human rights and international and humanitarian law; |
| --- | --- |

9.

| 10. | Calls on the government to seek the support of national and international mediators, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the African Union, the EU Special Representative for the Sahel, the Economic Community of Central African States and other international organisations, in order to overcome the current deadlock and advance the national dialogue and democratic transition process; |
| --- | --- |

10.

| 11. | Is extremely concerned by the continuing high levels of corruption and impunity in Chad; notes that the failure to address impunity for human rights violations contributes to the continuation of such abuses and to the weakening of public trust in state institutions; |
| --- | --- |

11.

| 12. | Calls on the Commission, the European External Action Service and the Member States to increase their support for independent non-governmental organisations, human rights defenders and independent media active in Chad, including through funding and support for those in need of protection; |
| --- | --- |

12.

| 13. | Urges the EU and its Member States to raise these human rights concerns with the Chadian authorities, to provide technical support to Chad throughout the transition period, and to consider opening a procedure under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement, which may lead, as a last resort, to the suspension of EU development cooperation with Chad until legitimate constitutional order is re-established; |
| --- | --- |

13.

| 14. | Recalls that climate change, food insecurity, population growth, exploitation of natural resources, poverty and a lack of educational and economic opportunities are root causes driving instability, violence and terrorist recruitment across the Sahel; emphasises that coordination of security, development, humanitarian and democracy-support assistance is necessary to ensure lasting sustainable development across the region; |
| --- | --- |

14.

| 15. | Notes that regional cooperation and initiatives including the African Union and G5 Sahel group are key to supporting an Africa-led strategy to address terrorism and instability in the Sahel; underlines its support for the European Peace Facility and its cooperation with the MNJTF; |
| --- | --- |

15.

| 16. | Welcomes the regionalisation of the common security and defence policy presence in the Sahel region, which aims to reinforce the regional approach of the EU’s work in the region in order to support cross-border cooperation in the Sahel and among regional cooperation structures, and to enhance the national capacities of the G5 Sahel countries; calls for the EU and its Member States to rapidly implement the proposal of a Team Europe initiative for Chad on governance, democratisation, peace and security; |
| --- | --- |

16.

| 17. | Calls for the EU, its Member States and the international community to urgently respond to the humanitarian situation arising from the human rights situation in Chad and to provide the country with the necessary assistance to rapidly address its urgent needs for the protection of internally displaced people and refugees; |
| --- | --- |

17.

| 18. | Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the African Union and its institutions, and the Government and National Assembly of Chad. |
| --- | --- |

18.

---

(1)  OJ C 15, 12.1.2022, p. 166.

(2)  OJ C 385, 22.9.2021, p. 24.

(3)  OJ L 317, 15.12.2000, p. 3.

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| 17.5.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 177/105 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 177/105

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P9_TA(2022)0447

The case of human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja in Bahrain

European Parliament resolution of 15 December 2022 on the case of human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja in Bahrain (2022/2994(RSP))

(2023/C 177/12)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to its previous resolutions on Bahrain, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its previous resolutions on Bahrain,

| — | having regard to the November 2011 report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the November 2011 report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI),

| — | having regard to the statement of 22 September 2022 by the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on jailed human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the statement of 22 September 2022 by the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on jailed human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja,

| — | having regard to the intervention by Denmark at the 51th session of the Human Rights Council calling for the release of human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, and having regard to the latest statements of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, notably that of 29 September 2022 and of 7 November 2022, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the intervention by Denmark at the 51th session of the Human Rights Council calling for the release of human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, and having regard to the latest statements of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, notably that of 29 September 2022 and of 7 November 2022,

| — | having regard to the Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Bahrain signed on 10 February 2022, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Bahrain signed on 10 February 2022,

| — | having regard to the joint communication of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Commission of 18 May 2022 entitled ‘A strategic partnership with the Gulf’ (JOIN(2022)0013) and to the Council conclusions of 20 June 2022 thereon, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the joint communication of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Commission of 18 May 2022 entitled ‘A strategic partnership with the Gulf’ (JOIN(2022)0013) and to the Council conclusions of 20 June 2022 thereon,

| — | having regard to the European Union Guidelines on human rights defenders, on the death penalty, on torture, on freedom of expression, on human rights dialogues with third countries and on freedom of expression online and offline, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the European Union Guidelines on human rights defenders, on the death penalty, on torture, on freedom of expression, on human rights dialogues with third countries and on freedom of expression online and offline,

| — | having regard to the UN Universal Periodic Review of Bahrain of 7 November 2022, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the UN Universal Periodic Review of Bahrain of 7 November 2022,

| — | having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 setting up a Union regime for the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use items (recast) (1) (‘Dual-Use Regulation’), and to previous recasts, in particular to Regulation (EU) No 1232/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2011 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 setting up a Community regime for the control of exports, transfer, brokering and transit of dual-use items (2), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 setting up a Union regime for the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use items (recast) (1) (‘Dual-Use Regulation’), and to previous recasts, in particular to Regulation (EU) No 1232/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2011 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 setting up a Community regime for the control of exports, transfer, brokering and transit of dual-use items (2),

| — | having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and to the Arab Charter on Human Rights, all of which Bahrain has ratified, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and to the Arab Charter on Human Rights, all of which Bahrain has ratified,

| — | having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

| — | having regard to Rules 144(5) and 132(4) of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rules 144(5) and 132(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

| A. | whereas human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, a Danish-Bahraini citizen, co-founder of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights and the Gulf Center for Human Rights, and winner of the 2022 Martin Ennals Award, is currently completing his 11th year in prison and serving a life sentence for taking a leading role in protests demanding democratic reforms during the 2011 popular uprising in Bahrain; |
| --- | --- |

A.

whereas human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, a Danish-Bahraini citizen, co-founder of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights and the Gulf Center for Human Rights, and winner of the 2022 Martin Ennals Award, is currently completing his 11th year in prison and serving a life sentence for taking a leading role in protests demanding democratic reforms during the 2011 popular uprising in Bahrain;

| B. | whereas after his arrest, Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja’s was beaten, tortured and sentenced in an unfair trial that did not comply with Bahraini criminal law or minimum international standards for fair trials; whereas Al-Khawaja was sentenced on fabricated charges relating to ‘financing and participating in terrorism to overthrow the government and spying for a foreign country’; |
| --- | --- |

B.

whereas after his arrest, Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja’s was beaten, tortured and sentenced in an unfair trial that did not comply with Bahraini criminal law or minimum international standards for fair trials; whereas Al-Khawaja was sentenced on fabricated charges relating to ‘financing and participating in terrorism to overthrow the government and spying for a foreign country’;

| C. | whereas in July 2012, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded that Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja’s arrest was arbitrary, as it resulted from his exercise of the fundamental rights of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and called for his release; |
| --- | --- |

C.

whereas in July 2012, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded that Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja’s arrest was arbitrary, as it resulted from his exercise of the fundamental rights of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and called for his release;

| D. | whereas Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja is facing renewed judicial harassment through a number of additional, separate trials; whereas on 28 November 2022, the Second Lower Criminal Court in Bahrain convicted Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja on additional criminal charges for allegedly breaking a chair in prison and verbally insulting a police officer for refusing to grant him a telephone call to his family; whereas Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja was denied the right to attend the court hearing and the right to legal representation, despite a court order signed by the President of the Second Lower Criminal Court instructing the Secretary-General of the General Directorate of Reformation and Rehabilitation to grant the defendant access to power of attorney; whereas this was a violation of the human rights defender’s right to a fair trial and counsel; |
| --- | --- |

D.

whereas Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja is facing renewed judicial harassment through a number of additional, separate trials; whereas on 28 November 2022, the Second Lower Criminal Court in Bahrain convicted Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja on additional criminal charges for allegedly breaking a chair in prison and verbally insulting a police officer for refusing to grant him a telephone call to his family; whereas Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja was denied the right to attend the court hearing and the right to legal representation, despite a court order signed by the President of the Second Lower Criminal Court instructing the Secretary-General of the General Directorate of Reformation and Rehabilitation to grant the defendant access to power of attorney; whereas this was a violation of the human rights defender’s right to a fair trial and counsel;

| E. | whereas Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja is a citizen of the Kingdom of Denmark and has been forced to live apart from his family since 2011; |
| --- | --- |

E.

whereas Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja is a citizen of the Kingdom of Denmark and has been forced to live apart from his family since 2011;

| F. | whereas as a direct consequence of his imprisonment, torture and deprivation of access to medical care Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja suffers from a series of chronic and degenerative health problems, including extreme back pain and impaired vision, and is in need of urgent medical attention; whereas the multiple hunger strikes that Al-Khawaja has carried out to protest against his mistreatment have aggravated his state of health; whereas the prison authorities have been denying him adequate medical treatment; |
| --- | --- |

F.

whereas as a direct consequence of his imprisonment, torture and deprivation of access to medical care Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja suffers from a series of chronic and degenerative health problems, including extreme back pain and impaired vision, and is in need of urgent medical attention; whereas the multiple hunger strikes that Al-Khawaja has carried out to protest against his mistreatment have aggravated his state of health; whereas the prison authorities have been denying him adequate medical treatment;

| G. | whereas the timing of these new charges follows extensive advocacy on Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja’s case at both the UN and EU level, including the case being highlighted in September 2022 in the UN Secretary-General’s annual report on reprisals, in October 2022 in the EU-Bahrain Human Rights Dialogue and in November 2022 in the UN Universal Periodic Review of Bahrain; whereas for over a decade the Danish government has relied on private diplomacy with the Bahraini government to secure the release of Al-Khawaja without its demand being met; |
| --- | --- |

G.

whereas the timing of these new charges follows extensive advocacy on Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja’s case at both the UN and EU level, including the case being highlighted in September 2022 in the UN Secretary-General’s annual report on reprisals, in October 2022 in the EU-Bahrain Human Rights Dialogue and in November 2022 in the UN Universal Periodic Review of Bahrain; whereas for over a decade the Danish government has relied on private diplomacy with the Bahraini government to secure the release of Al-Khawaja without its demand being met;

| H. | whereas the government of Bahrain continues to mount a heavy crackdown on the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly; whereas human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists and political activists are severely prosecuted and suffer arrest, threats of imprisonment or torture, intimidation, travel bans and revocation of citizenship; whereas the Bahraini authorities have arrested, detained, interrogated and prosecuted human rights defenders and political activists; |
| --- | --- |

H.

whereas the government of Bahrain continues to mount a heavy crackdown on the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly; whereas human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists and political activists are severely prosecuted and suffer arrest, threats of imprisonment or torture, intimidation, travel bans and revocation of citizenship; whereas the Bahraini authorities have arrested, detained, interrogated and prosecuted human rights defenders and political activists;

| I. | whereas Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja is one of several human rights defenders experiencing long-term arbitrary imprisonment in Bahrain; whereas other political prisoners currently incarcerated in Bahrain include high-profile political opposition leaders, activists, bloggers and human rights defenders sentenced to life imprisonment for their roles in the 2011 pro-democracy protests; whereas human rights defender Naji Fateel was arrested in May 2013 and sentenced to 15 years in prison in May 2014; whereas Naji Fateel has been tortured, held in incommunicado detention, prohibited from receiving phone calls and visits from his family and lawyer and kept in solitary confinement; whereas human rights defender Dr Abduljalil Al-Singace was arrested in August 2010, released briefly for 21 days between February and March 2011, rearrested on 17 March 2011 and sentenced to life imprisonment in June 2011; whereas Bahraini human rights defenders and their family members face harassment, intimidation and prosecution; whereas some have gone into exile and many have been arbitrarily stripped of citizenship; whereas Nabeel Rajab, one of the most prominent Bahraini human rights defenders, was released from prison on 9 June 2020 to serve the rest of his five-year sentence under the alternative sanctions law; |
| --- | --- |

I.

whereas Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja is one of several human rights defenders experiencing long-term arbitrary imprisonment in Bahrain; whereas other political prisoners currently incarcerated in Bahrain include high-profile political opposition leaders, activists, bloggers and human rights defenders sentenced to life imprisonment for their roles in the 2011 pro-democracy protests; whereas human rights defender Naji Fateel was arrested in May 2013 and sentenced to 15 years in prison in May 2014; whereas Naji Fateel has been tortured, held in incommunicado detention, prohibited from receiving phone calls and visits from his family and lawyer and kept in solitary confinement; whereas human rights defender Dr Abduljalil Al-Singace was arrested in August 2010, released briefly for 21 days between February and March 2011, rearrested on 17 March 2011 and sentenced to life imprisonment in June 2011; whereas Bahraini human rights defenders and their family members face harassment, intimidation and prosecution; whereas some have gone into exile and many have been arbitrarily stripped of citizenship; whereas Nabeel Rajab, one of the most prominent Bahraini human rights defenders, was released from prison on 9 June 2020 to serve the rest of his five-year sentence under the alternative sanctions law;

| J. | whereas according to reports, the Bahraini authorities have increased repression against online and social media activity and prosecuted critics for peaceful expression; whereas reports state that the COVID-19 pandemic was used as a pretext to further limit the freedom of expression in the Kingdom; |
| --- | --- |

J.

whereas according to reports, the Bahraini authorities have increased repression against online and social media activity and prosecuted critics for peaceful expression; whereas reports state that the COVID-19 pandemic was used as a pretext to further limit the freedom of expression in the Kingdom;

| K. | whereas 26 persons are currently on death row in Bahrain and all face imminent execution, having exhausted all legal remedies; |
| --- | --- |

K.

whereas 26 persons are currently on death row in Bahrain and all face imminent execution, having exhausted all legal remedies;

| L. | whereas digital surveillance in Bahrain has increased significantly in recent years, with interception of text messages, deep package inspection, surveillance of social media and calls with the NSO’s Pegasus software, according to the Guardian newspaper and Amnesty International; whereas European companies are among those who have supplied Bahraini authorities with interception technologies; whereas Bahrain uses surveillance technology to intercept the communications of human rights activists, resulting in their arrest; |
| --- | --- |

L.

whereas digital surveillance in Bahrain has increased significantly in recent years, with interception of text messages, deep package inspection, surveillance of social media and calls with the NSO’s Pegasus software, according to the Guardian newspaper and Amnesty International; whereas European companies are among those who have supplied Bahraini authorities with interception technologies; whereas Bahrain uses surveillance technology to intercept the communications of human rights activists, resulting in their arrest;

| M. | whereas export controls on surveillance technology were adopted in the 2011 revision of Regulation (EC) No 428/2009; whereas the 2021 recast of this Regulation was adopted to further strengthen these measures; |
| --- | --- |

M.

whereas export controls on surveillance technology were adopted in the 2011 revision of Regulation (EC) No 428/2009; whereas the 2021 recast of this Regulation was adopted to further strengthen these measures;

| N. | whereas the European Union and Bahrain held their sixth Human Rights Dialogue in Manama on 27 October 2022; whereas the Human Rights Dialogue covers a broad range of topics, such as freedom of expression and association, rule of law, including the right to a fair trial and the death penalty, women’s rights and gender equality, labour rights and freedom of religion or belief; |
| --- | --- |

N.

whereas the European Union and Bahrain held their sixth Human Rights Dialogue in Manama on 27 October 2022; whereas the Human Rights Dialogue covers a broad range of topics, such as freedom of expression and association, rule of law, including the right to a fair trial and the death penalty, women’s rights and gender equality, labour rights and freedom of religion or belief;

| 1. | Urges Bahrain to release Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja immediately and unconditionally; highlights that all its prisoners of conscience should be released, including Dr Abduljalil Al-Singace, Naji Fateel, Abdulwahab Hussain, Ali Hajee, Sheikh Ali Salman and Hassan Mshaima, who have been detained and sentenced for merely exercising their right to freedom of expression; calls for all charges against them to be dropped; welcomes the release of Nabeel Rajab in 2020 under the alternative sanctions law, but urges the Bahraini authorities to lift his travel ban; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Expresses its consternation at the treatment of Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja and other political detainees; reiterates its strong condemnation of the judicial harassment, intimidation, torture and lack of due process which he and other political detainees, as well as their families, continue to face; demands that the Bahraini authorities abide by their obligations under the UN Convention against Torture and that they end the use of torture and other ill-treatment, as well as the use of any statement made under torture as evidence in any court case; calls on the Bahraini authorities to tackle the culture of impunity by investigating all torture allegations, holding perpetrators accountable and ensuring effective mechanisms for victims to receive justice and restitution, including in the case of Al-Khawaja; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | Calls on the Bahraini authorities to guarantee fair and due process and that the rights of detainees are upheld, including those of Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja; calls on Bahrain to ensure that basic principles on the treatment of prisoners are fully implemented; underlines that the rights of prisoners need to be guaranteed at all times, including their ability to receive adequate medical care and full access to their families and lawyers of their own choice; calls on Bahrain to review the independence and effectiveness of internal bodies monitoring abuses by security and prison personnel, including its Ombudsman, the Special Investigations Unit and the Prisoners and Detainees Rights Commission; |
| --- | --- |

3.

| 4. | Calls on Bahrain to restore Bahraini citizenship to the almost 300 individuals who have been stripped of it; |
| --- | --- |

4.

| 5. | Expresses its deepest concern that the Bahraini authorities continue to violate and restrict the rights and freedoms of the population, in particular the right of individuals to peaceful protest, freedom of expression and digital freedom both online and offline; calls on the Bahraini authorities to guarantee a safe space for civil society organisations and independent media and to ensure the right to freedom of expression can be exercised; condemns Bahrain’s repeated use of anti-terrorism laws to curtail freedom of speech; |
| --- | --- |

5.

| 6. | Deplores the lifting of the de facto seven-year moratorium on executions in 2017; reaffirms its strong opposition to the death penalty; reiterates its call to His Majesty Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to reintroduce a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty and to immediately release Mohamed Ramadan, Husain Ali Moosa, Maher Abbas al-Khabbaz, Salman Isa Ali Salman, Hussein Abdullah Khalil Ebrahim, Mohammad Radhi Abdulla Hassan, Sayed Ahmed Fuad Abbas Isa Ahmed Al-Abar, Hussein Ali Mahdi Jasim Mohamed, Hussein Ebrahim Ali Hussein Marzooq, Moosa Abdallah Moosa Jafaar, Hussain Abdullah Marhoon Rashid and Zuhair Ebrahim Jasim Abdullah; |
| --- | --- |

6.

| 7. | Calls on the government of Bahrain to fully cooperate with UN bodies and to extend a standing invitation to all Special Procedures of the UN Human Rights Council and to cooperate with them in a proactive manner; calls on the Bahraini government to allow EU officials, independent monitors and human rights groups to visit Bahraini prisons; |
| --- | --- |

7.

| 8. | Calls on the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell (VP/HR), the European External Action Service (EEAS) and all EU officials visiting Bahrain, as well as EU Member States, in particular the government of Denmark, to continue raising the case of Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja and all other human rights defenders in the country both publicly and privately and to demand their unconditional release; |
| --- | --- |

8.

| 9. | Urges all EU officials and representatives of EU Member States visiting Bahrain to visit the prisons and meet human rights defenders and explicitly request to visit with Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, Naji Fateel and Dr Abduljalil Al-Singace; deeply deplores that the Al-Khawaja’s family has only been allowed one visit in the past two years; urges Bahrain, therefore, to uphold visitation rights for all prisoners’ families; |
| --- | --- |

9.

| 10. | Calls on the VP/HR, the EEAS, the Council and Member States to systematically raise concerns about human rights violations in Bahrain and raise cases bilaterally and in all international forums, including the UN Human Rights Council as well as in the context of EU-Bahrain Cooperation Agreement; |
| --- | --- |

10.

| 11. | Calls on the EU Delegation in Riyadh and all Member State diplomatic missions covering Bahrain to attend future hearings concerning Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja and monitor developments in these hearings; |
| --- | --- |

11.

| 12. | Calls on the EU and Member States to increase their protection and support for human rights defenders and prisoners of conscience in Bahrain, including through emergency grants; |
| --- | --- |

12.

| 13. | Strongly condemns the use of surveillance technology against Bahraini human rights defenders; calls on the EU and its Member States to strictly enforce the updated Dual-Use Regulation which comprehensively includes technology used for surveillance, and to prevent companies from exporting, selling, updating or maintaining surveillance technology that can be used to crack down on peaceful opposition voices in Bahrain; deplores the fact that European companies have been found in breach of human rights by selling dual-use technology; |
| --- | --- |

13.

| 14. | Encourages the European Union and its Member States to strengthen the dialogue with Bahrain on human rights; believes that the release of Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja and all other human rights defenders would be an important step to improve EU-Bahrain relations; |
| --- | --- |

14.

| 15. | Condemns in the strongest terms any undue influence on the work of the European Parliament, whether directly by foreign countries or indirectly through government-controlled NGOs; urges all EU institutions to further strengthen the Transparency Register by adopting more stringent rules and to establish an independent ethics committee for all EU institutions; recalls the recommendations of its resolution of 9 March 2022 on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation (3), notably on how to strengthen the EU’s response to foreign interference in the EU’s democratic processes; calls on the EEAS to draw up a study on the prevalence and influence of malicious state actors in European institutions, think tanks, universities, religious organisations and media institutions; |
| --- | --- |

15.

| 16. | Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Government and Parliament of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council. |
| --- | --- |

16.

---

(1)  OJ L 206, 11.6.2021, p. 1.

(2)  OJ L 326, 8.12.2011, p. 26.

(3)  OJ C 347, 9.9.2022, p. 61.

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| 17.5.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 177/109 |
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17.5.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 177/109

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P9_TA(2022)0448

Suspicions of corruption from Qatar and the broader need for transparency and accountability in the European institutions

European Parliament resolution of 15 December 2022 on suspicions of corruption from Qatar and the broader need for transparency and accountability in the European institutions (2022/3012(RSP))

(2023/C 177/13)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to its decision of 27 April 2021 on the conclusion of an interinstitutional agreement between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, and the European Commission on a mandatory transparency register (1), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its decision of 27 April 2021 on the conclusion of an interinstitutional agreement between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, and the European Commission on a mandatory transparency register (1),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 16 September 2021 on strengthening transparency and integrity in the EU institutions by setting up an independent EU ethics body (2), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 16 September 2021 on strengthening transparency and integrity in the EU institutions by setting up an independent EU ethics body (2),

| — | having regard to the legal principle of the presumption of innocence, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the legal principle of the presumption of innocence,

| — | having regard to its resolution of 9 March 2022 on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation (3), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 9 March 2022 on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation (3),

| — | having regard to Rules 10 and 11 of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rules 10 and 11 of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | 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 the Belgian federal prosecutor’s office has opened an ongoing investigation into allegations of money-laundering, corruption and participation in a criminal organisation; whereas several arrests and searches have taken place since 9 December 2022, affecting both current and former Members of the European Parliament, as well as staff; |
| --- | --- |

A.

whereas the Belgian federal prosecutor’s office has opened an ongoing investigation into allegations of money-laundering, corruption and participation in a criminal organisation; whereas several arrests and searches have taken place since 9 December 2022, affecting both current and former Members of the European Parliament, as well as staff;

| B. | whereas several suspects have already been charged with money-laundering, corruption and participation in a criminal organisation; whereas police forces have seized considerable amounts of money from the possession of suspects following searches of their homes; |
| --- | --- |

B.

whereas several suspects have already been charged with money-laundering, corruption and participation in a criminal organisation; whereas police forces have seized considerable amounts of money from the possession of suspects following searches of their homes;

| C. | whereas trust in Parliament’s integrity and the rule of law is paramount for the functioning of European democracy; whereas it is key to ensure that democratic processes are not captured by private and external interests and that citizens’ rights are fully respected; |
| --- | --- |

C.

whereas trust in Parliament’s integrity and the rule of law is paramount for the functioning of European democracy; whereas it is key to ensure that democratic processes are not captured by private and external interests and that citizens’ rights are fully respected;

| D. | whereas the ability of interest group representatives to influence decision-making in Parliament by way of arguments is a vital part of European democracy; whereas on the other hand, inappropriate means of influencing, bribery and other criminal offences are unacceptable; |
| --- | --- |

D.

whereas the ability of interest group representatives to influence decision-making in Parliament by way of arguments is a vital part of European democracy; whereas on the other hand, inappropriate means of influencing, bribery and other criminal offences are unacceptable;

| E. | whereas Parliament outlined its position calling for an ambitious ethics body in its resolution of 16 September 2021; |
| --- | --- |

E.

whereas Parliament outlined its position calling for an ambitious ethics body in its resolution of 16 September 2021;

| F. | whereas Directive (EU) 2019/1937 (4) protects whistleblowers when, under specific circumstances, they directly and publicly disclose wrongdoing; |
| --- | --- |

F.

whereas Directive (EU) 2019/1937 (4) protects whistleblowers when, under specific circumstances, they directly and publicly disclose wrongdoing;

| G. | whereas the transparency register is a central piece of the ethical framework for and the transparency of the EU institutions; |
| --- | --- |

G.

whereas the transparency register is a central piece of the ethical framework for and the transparency of the EU institutions;

| H. | whereas the non-governmental organisation Fight Impunity has not to date been registered in the transparency register; |
| --- | --- |

H.

whereas the non-governmental organisation Fight Impunity has not to date been registered in the transparency register;

| 1. | Is appalled by and expresses serious concern about the alleged acts of corruption, money-laundering and participation in a criminal organisation by Members, former Members and staff of the European Parliament in exchange for influence over Parliament’s decisions; supports Parliament’s full cooperation with the ongoing criminal investigation; notes with concern that internal monitoring and alert mechanisms of the EU institutions have dramatically failed to detect ongoing corruption; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Denounces, in the strongest terms, Qatar’s alleged attempts to influence Members, former Members and staff of the European Parliament through acts of corruption, which constitute serious foreign interference in the EU’s democratic processes; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | Underlines that the gravity and magnitude of the current investigations require Parliament and the EU institutions to react with unequivocal unity and unwavering resolve; |
| --- | --- |

3.

| 4. | Strongly deplores that decisions adopted by committees and the plenary assembly with regard to Qatar are likely to have been altered by corruption and undue influence, including the resolution on the situation of human rights in the context of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, adopted on 24 November 2022; deplores that this has led to a lack of ambition in defending the human rights of thousands of migrant workers who have died on construction sites and of hundreds of thousands whose fundamental rights are being trampled in Qatar; |
| --- | --- |

4.

| 5. | Calls for a special committee tasked with identifying potential flaws in the European Parliament’s rules on transparency, integrity and corruption and making proposals for reforms, building on the work of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs and best practices in other parliaments; |
| --- | --- |

5.

| 6. | Commits to setting up a committee of inquiry, under Article 226 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, following the outcome of the criminal investigations and possible court proceedings, in order to investigate cases of corruption and improper actions by non-EU countries seeking to buy influence in the European Parliament; |
| --- | --- |

6.

| 7. | Is concerned about potential conflicts of interest caused by side jobs of Members, especially where they serve as managers, on the board of directors or on advisory boards of, or as consultants to banks, multinational companies or publicly traded companies; |
| --- | --- |

7.

| 8. | Welcomes the termination of Member Eva Kaili from her position as Vice-President, as provided for by Rule 21 of the Rules of Procedure; |
| --- | --- |

8.

| 9. | Demands that a dedicated vice-president be put in charge of integrity and fighting corruption and foreign interference in Parliament; |
| --- | --- |

9.

| 10. | Urges the Commission to put forward a proposal to set up the ethics body as soon as possible, in line with Parliament’s resolution of 16 September 2021; |
| --- | --- |

10.

| 11. | Proposes to introduce a cooling-off period for former MEPs to avoid the negative effects of the so-called phenomenon of revolving doors; |
| --- | --- |

11.

| 12. | Calls for a thorough evaluation of and improvements to the readability of Members’ legislative activities, in particular by disclosing legislative footprints for proposed texts and amendments; |
| --- | --- |

12.

| 13. | Commits to ensuring full transparency of MEPs’ side income by exact amount and prohibiting any external financing of MEPs’ and groups’ staff; commits to establishing a ban at EU level on donations from third countries to Members and political parties, in order to close loopholes in Member States; requests that the Commission urgently put forward a proposal on this matter; |
| --- | --- |

13.

| 14. | Urgently calls for the access badges of representatives of Qatari interests to be suspended, in line with Rule 123 of its Rules of Procedure, until the judicial investigations provide relevant information and clarification; |
| --- | --- |

14.

| 15. | Believes that the EU transparency register should be strengthened by increasing the budget and the number of staff, so that it is able to verify the information provided by applicants and registrants more thoroughly; believes furthermore that its scope should be expanded to include representatives of non-EU countries; |
| --- | --- |

15.

| 16. | Emphasises that proper regulation and monitoring of friendship groups is a prerequisite for their continued existence in Parliament; instructs the Questors to implement the existing rules and to develop and maintain an accessible and up-to-date register of friendship groups and declarations; |
| --- | --- |

16.

| 17. | Calls for the transparency register to be made mandatory; |
| --- | --- |

17.

| 18. | Calls for the transparency register to cover former Members; |
| --- | --- |

18.

| 19. | Calls for the EU institutions to urgently adopt measures to introduce the practice of minimum ‘cooling-off periods’ for senior EU officials and former Members, in order to avoid the phenomenon of ‘revolving doors’; |
| --- | --- |

19.

| 20. | Recommends a revision of the Staff Regulations, especially Article 22c thereof, in order to align it with the standards of the Whistleblower Directive; calls on the Bureau, in the interim, to immediately revise Parliament’s Internal Rules Implementing Article 22c of the Staff Regulations to bring them in line with the protections provided for in the Whistleblower Directive; |
| --- | --- |

20.

| 21. | Emphasises the role of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), the EU Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust), Europol and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) in the fight against corruption; calls for the capacities of and cooperation between the EPPO and OLAF to be strengthened further; calls for common anti-corruption rules applicable to Members and staff of EU bodies; |
| --- | --- |

21.

| 22. | Believes that a declaration of assets by Members at the beginning and end of each mandate would offer additional safeguards against corruption, following the example of many Member States; believes that the asset declaration could be accessible only to relevant authorities to allow them to check whether declared assets fit with declared incomes when faced with instances of substantiated allegations, which would make spending illegal proceeds substantially more difficult; |
| --- | --- |

22.

| 23. | Suspends all work on legislative files relating to Qatar, particularly as regards visa liberalisation and the EU aviation agreement with Qatar, and planned visits, until the allegations have either been confirmed or dismissed; |
| --- | --- |

23.

| 24. | Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Government and Consultative Assembly of Qatar. |
| --- | --- |

24.

---

(1)  OJ C 506, 15.12.2021, p. 127.

(2)  OJ C 117, 11.3.2022, p. 159.

(3)  OJ C 347, 9.9.2022, p. 61.

(4)  Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2019 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law (OJ L 305, 26.11.2019, p. 17).

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| 17.5.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 177/112 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 177/112

---

P9_TA(2022)0449

90 years after Holodomor: Recognising the mass killing through starvation as genocide

European Parliament resolution of 15 December 2022 on 90 years after the Holodomor: recognising the mass killing through starvation as genocide (2022/3001(RSP))

(2023/C 177/14)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to its previous resolutions on Ukraine and Russia, in particular its resolution of 23 October 2008 on the commemoration of the Holodomor, the Ukraine artificial famine (1932-1933) (1), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its previous resolutions on Ukraine and Russia, in particular its resolution of 23 October 2008 on the commemoration of the Holodomor, the Ukraine artificial famine (1932-1933) (1),

| — | having regard to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms,

| — | having regard to the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other UN human rights treaties and instruments, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other UN human rights treaties and instruments,

| — | having regard to the joint statements on the anniversaries of the Holodomor adopted at the plenary sessions of the UN General Assembly, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the joint statements on the anniversaries of the Holodomor adopted at the plenary sessions of the UN General Assembly,

| — | having regard to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court,

| — | having regard to the 2003 Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada resolution declaring the deliberate famine as an act of genocide, to the Ukrainian Law of 28 November 2006 on the ‘Holodomor in Ukraine of 1932-1933’ and to the appeal by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on 16 November 2022 to the parliaments of the world on the recognition of the Holodomor of 1932-1933 as genocide of the Ukrainian people, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the 2003 Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada resolution declaring the deliberate famine as an act of genocide, to the Ukrainian Law of 28 November 2006 on the ‘Holodomor in Ukraine of 1932-1933’ and to the appeal by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on 16 November 2022 to the parliaments of the world on the recognition of the Holodomor of 1932-1933 as genocide of the Ukrainian people,

| — | 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 the UN Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide criminalises a number of acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group: killing members of the group, causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group, deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part, imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group, and forcibly transferring children of the group to another group; |
| --- | --- |

A.

whereas the UN Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide criminalises a number of acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group: killing members of the group, causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group, deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part, imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group, and forcibly transferring children of the group to another group;

| B. | whereas the Holodomor famine of 1932-1933, which caused the deaths of millions of Ukrainians, was cynically planned and cruelly implemented by the Soviet regime in order to force through the Soviet Union’s policy of collectivisation of agriculture and to suppress the Ukrainian people and their national identity; whereas similar cruel methods were used by the Soviet regime in other parts of the Soviet Union, particularly in Kazakhstan, Belarus, the North Caucasus and elsewhere; whereas the suppression of Ukrainian identity was also conducted through a reign of terror against the bearers of Ukrainian cultural identity; |
| --- | --- |

B.

whereas the Holodomor famine of 1932-1933, which caused the deaths of millions of Ukrainians, was cynically planned and cruelly implemented by the Soviet regime in order to force through the Soviet Union’s policy of collectivisation of agriculture and to suppress the Ukrainian people and their national identity; whereas similar cruel methods were used by the Soviet regime in other parts of the Soviet Union, particularly in Kazakhstan, Belarus, the North Caucasus and elsewhere; whereas the suppression of Ukrainian identity was also conducted through a reign of terror against the bearers of Ukrainian cultural identity;

| C. | whereas evidence shows that the Soviet regime deliberately confiscated grain harvests and sealed the borders to prevent Ukrainians from escaping from starvation; whereas in 1932 and 1933 the Soviet Union exported grain from the territory of Ukraine while people there were starving; whereas the killing of predominantly rural Ukrainians was often accompanied by agitprop scapegoating peasants and depicting them as culprits for the famine; |
| --- | --- |

C.

whereas evidence shows that the Soviet regime deliberately confiscated grain harvests and sealed the borders to prevent Ukrainians from escaping from starvation; whereas in 1932 and 1933 the Soviet Union exported grain from the territory of Ukraine while people there were starving; whereas the killing of predominantly rural Ukrainians was often accompanied by agitprop scapegoating peasants and depicting them as culprits for the famine;

| D. | whereas the ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the destruction of its energy and agricultural infrastructure, the blocking of the export of Ukrainian grain and theft of millions of tons of grain by Russia has renewed fears of large-scale, artificial famine, especially in the Global South, which depends on affordable Ukrainian grain; |
| --- | --- |

D.

whereas the ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the destruction of its energy and agricultural infrastructure, the blocking of the export of Ukrainian grain and theft of millions of tons of grain by Russia has renewed fears of large-scale, artificial famine, especially in the Global South, which depends on affordable Ukrainian grain;

| E. | whereas Soviet crimes have not received a clear legal and moral evaluation by the international community; whereas the whitewashing and glorification of the totalitarian Soviet regime and the revival of Stalin’s cult in Russia, has culminated in today’s Russia being a state sponsor of terrorism and a state using terrorist means, and in a repetition of horrific crimes against the Ukrainian people in our time, such as the ongoing ‘Kholodomor’, Russia’s attempt to freeze the Ukrainian people to death through the targeted destruction of Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure during winter; |
| --- | --- |

E.

whereas Soviet crimes have not received a clear legal and moral evaluation by the international community; whereas the whitewashing and glorification of the totalitarian Soviet regime and the revival of Stalin’s cult in Russia, has culminated in today’s Russia being a state sponsor of terrorism and a state using terrorist means, and in a repetition of horrific crimes against the Ukrainian people in our time, such as the ongoing ‘Kholodomor’, Russia’s attempt to freeze the Ukrainian people to death through the targeted destruction of Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure during winter;

| F. | whereas by December 2022 the parliaments or other representative state-level institutions of over 20 countries had recognised the Holodomor as genocide or as a crime against the Ukrainian people and against humanity; |
| --- | --- |

F.

whereas by December 2022 the parliaments or other representative state-level institutions of over 20 countries had recognised the Holodomor as genocide or as a crime against the Ukrainian people and against humanity;

| G. | whereas 2022 and 2023 mark the 90th anniversary of the Holodomor; |
| --- | --- |

G.

whereas 2022 and 2023 mark the 90th anniversary of the Holodomor;

| 1. | Recognises the Holodomor, the artificial famine of 1932-1933 in Ukraine caused by a deliberate policy of the Soviet regime, as a genocide against the Ukrainian people, as it was committed with the intent to destroy a group of people by deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Commemorates all the victims of the Holodomor and expresses its solidarity with the Ukrainian people who suffered in this tragedy, in particular with the remaining survivors of the Holodomor and their families; pays its respects to those who died as a consequence of these crimes committed by the totalitarian Soviet regime; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | Strongly condemns these genocidal acts of the totalitarian Soviet regime, which resulted in the death of millions of Ukrainians and significantly harmed the foundations of Ukrainian society; |
| --- | --- |

3.

| 4. | Calls on all countries, in particular the Russian Federation and the other countries which emerged following the break-up of the Soviet Union, to open up their archives on the artificial famine of 1932-1933 in Ukraine; |
| --- | --- |

4.

| 5. | Calls on all the countries and international organisations which have not yet recognised the Holodomor as a genocide to do so; calls on the Russian Federation, as the primary successor of the Soviet Union, to officially recognise the Holodomor and to apologise for those crimes; |
| --- | --- |

5.

| 6. | Calls on EU Member States and third countries to promote awareness about these events and other crimes committed by the Soviet regime by incorporating historical knowledge about them into educational and research programmes, in order to prevent similar tragedies in the future; |
| --- | --- |

6.

| 7. | Deplores the fact that the 90th anniversary of the Holodomor is taking place while Russia is continuing its war of aggression against Ukraine, violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of that country and seeking to liquidate Ukraine as a nation state and destroy the identity and culture of its people; condemns, moreover, the fact that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has created a global food crisis, with Russia destroying and looting Ukraine’s grain stores and continuing to make it difficult for Ukraine to export grain to the most deprived countries; |
| --- | --- |

7.

| 8. | Condemns the current Russian regime’s manipulation of historical memory for the purpose of regime survival; in this regard, reiterates its condemnation of the forced closure by the Russian authorities of the human and civil rights organisations International Memorial Society and the Memorial Human Rights Centre, an act that underscored the revisionist ideology of the current Russian regime; calls on the EU and its Member States, public and private institutions and all civil society to actively denounce and refute all attempts at distorting historical facts or manipulating public opinion in Europe through false historical narratives that are fabricated and disseminated to support the ideology and survival of criminal regimes; calls on all EU institutions and the Member States to support academia and civil society in the documentation of, research into and education on political repression and totalitarian crimes in the Soviet Union; |
| --- | --- |

8.

| 9. | Condemns, in the strongest terms, all forms of totalitarianism; regrets that the crimes of the Soviet totalitarian regime have not been evaluated so far from a legal perspective, their perpetrators have not been brought to justice and the crimes have never been clearly condemned by the international community; calls for a comprehensive, historical and legal assessment of the Soviet regime and a transparent public debate about its crimes, which is of utmost importance for building a common European history and remembrance and thus also strengthening the resilience of our societies to modern threats to democracy; reiterates that the assessment of the Soviet regime and a transparent public debate about its crimes is most important for Russia itself, in order to raise public awareness, build resilience against disinformation and distorted historical narratives and prevent the repetition of similar crimes; |
| --- | --- |

9.

| 10. | Instructs the responsible services of the European Parliament to immediately translate this resolution into Russian and Ukrainian; |
| --- | --- |

10.

| 11. | Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Verkhovna Rada, the President and Government of Ukraine, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the President, Government and Parliament of the Russian Federation, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Secretary-General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe. |
| --- | --- |

11.

---

(1)  OJ C 15 E, 21.1.2010, p. 78.

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| 17.5.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 177/115 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 177/115

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P9_TA(2022)0450

Upscaling the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework

European Parliament resolution of 15 December 2022 on upscaling the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework: a resilient EU budget fit for new challenges (2022/2046(INI))

(2023/C 177/15)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to Articles 311, 312 and 323 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Articles 311, 312 and 323 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU),

| — | having regard to Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 of 17 December 2020 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021-2027 (1) (MFF Regulation), and to the joint declarations agreed between Parliament, the Council and the Commission in this context (2), as well as to the related unilateral declarations (3), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 of 17 December 2020 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021-2027 (1) (MFF Regulation), and to the joint declarations agreed between Parliament, the Council and the Commission in this context (2), as well as to the related unilateral declarations (3),

| — | having regard to Council Decision (EU, Euratom) 2020/2053 of 14 December 2020 on the system of own resources of the European Union and repealing Decision 2014/335/EU, Euratom (4), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Council Decision (EU, Euratom) 2020/2053 of 14 December 2020 on the system of own resources of the European Union and repealing Decision 2014/335/EU, Euratom (4),

| — | having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European 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 (5) (IIA), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European 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 (5) (IIA),

| — | 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 (6), |
| --- | --- |

—

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 (6),

| — | 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, amending Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) No 283/2014, and Decision No 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 (7) (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, amending Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) No 283/2014, and Decision No 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 (7) (Financial Regulation),

| — | having regard to the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023, as adopted on 23 November 2022 (8), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023, as adopted on 23 November 2022 (8),

| — | having regard to the proposal of 16 May 2022 for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (COM(2022)0223), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the proposal of 16 May 2022 for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (COM(2022)0223),

| — | having regard to the proposal of 22 April 2022 for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (COM(2022)0184), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the proposal of 22 April 2022 for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (COM(2022)0184),

| — | having regard to the Interinstitutional Proclamation on the European Pillar of Social Rights of 13 December 2017 (9) and the Commission communication of 4 March 2021 on the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Interinstitutional Proclamation on the European Pillar of Social Rights of 13 December 2017 (9) and the Commission communication of 4 March 2021 on the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan,

| — | having regard to its resolution of 19 October 2022 on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023 (10), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 19 October 2022 on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023 (10),

| — | having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on Budgetary Control adopted on 8 September 2022, endorsed at Parliament’s part-session of 12 to 15 September 2022, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on Budgetary Control adopted on 8 September 2022, endorsed at Parliament’s part-session of 12 to 15 September 2022,

| — | having regard to its resolution of 13 September 2022 on the 2021 proposal for a revision of the multiannual financial framework (11), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 13 September 2022 on the 2021 proposal for a revision of the multiannual financial framework (11),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 23 June 2022 on the Council position on Draft amending budget No 3/2022 of the European Union for the financial year 2022 — financing reception costs of people fleeing Ukraine (12), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 23 June 2022 on the Council position on Draft amending budget No 3/2022 of the European Union for the financial year 2022 — financing reception costs of people fleeing Ukraine (12),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 19 May 2022 on the social and economic consequences for the EU of the Russian war in Ukraine — reinforcing the EU’s capacity to act (13), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 19 May 2022 on the social and economic consequences for the EU of the Russian war in Ukraine — reinforcing the EU’s capacity to act (13),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 24 November 2021 on the revision of the Financial Regulation in view of the entry into force of the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework (14), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 24 November 2021 on the revision of the Financial Regulation in view of the entry into force of the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework (14),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 21 October 2021 on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022 (15), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 21 October 2021 on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022 (15),

| — | having regard to its position of 16 December 2020 on the draft Council regulation laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027 (16), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its position of 16 December 2020 on the draft Council regulation laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027 (16),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 23 July 2020 on the conclusions of the extraordinary European Council meeting of 17-21 July 2020 (17), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 23 July 2020 on the conclusions of the extraordinary European Council meeting of 17-21 July 2020 (17),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 10 October 2019 entitled ‘2021-2027 multiannual financial framework and own resources: time to meet citizens’ expectations’ (18), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 10 October 2019 entitled ‘2021-2027 multiannual financial framework and own resources: time to meet citizens’ expectations’ (18),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 14 November 2018 on the multiannual financial framework 2021-2027 — Parliament’s position with a view to an agreement (19), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 14 November 2018 on the multiannual financial framework 2021-2027 — Parliament’s position with a view to an agreement (19),

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

—

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

| — | having regard to the European Council conclusions of 31 May 2022, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the European Council conclusions of 31 May 2022,

| — | having regard to the European Council conclusions of 25 March 2022, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the European Council conclusions of 25 March 2022,

| — | having regard to the Versailles Declaration of 11 March 2022 following the informal meeting of the Heads of State or Government, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Versailles Declaration of 11 March 2022 following the informal meeting of the Heads of State or Government,

| — | having regard to the Commission communication of 18 October 2022 entitled ‘Commission work programme 2023’ (COM(2022)0548), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 18 October 2022 entitled ‘Commission work programme 2023’ (COM(2022)0548),

| — | having regard to the report of August 2022 by the World Bank, the Government of Ukraine and the Commission entitled ‘the Ukraine Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment’, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of August 2022 by the World Bank, the Government of Ukraine and the Commission entitled ‘the Ukraine Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment’,

| — | having regard to the Commission communication of 18 May 2022 on Ukraine relief and reconstruction (COM(2022)0233), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 18 May 2022 on Ukraine relief and reconstruction (COM(2022)0233),

| — | having regard to the Commission communication of 11 December 2019 on the European Green Deal (COM(2019)0640), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 11 December 2019 on the European Green Deal (COM(2019)0640),

| — | having regard to the proposals of the Conference on the Future of Europe presented on 9 May 2022, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the proposals of the Conference on the Future of Europe presented on 9 May 2022,

| — | having regard to Special Report 09/2022 of the European Court of Auditors entitled ‘Climate spending in the 2014-2020 EU budget — Not as high as reported’, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Special Report 09/2022 of the European Court of Auditors entitled ‘Climate spending in the 2014-2020 EU budget — Not as high as reported’,

| — | having regard to Special Report 22/2021 of the European Court of Auditors entitled ‘Sustainable finance. More consistent EU action needed to redirect finance towards sustainable investment’, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Special Report 22/2021 of the European Court of Auditors entitled ‘Sustainable finance. More consistent EU action needed to redirect finance towards sustainable investment’,

| — | having regard to Special Report 10/2021 of the European Court of Auditors entitled ‘Gender mainstreaming in the EU budget: time to turn words into action’, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Special Report 10/2021 of the European Court of Auditors entitled ‘Gender mainstreaming in the EU budget: time to turn words into action’,

| — | having regard to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,

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

—

having regard to Rule 54 of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to the opinions of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Development, the Committee on Budgetary Control, the Committee on Transport and Tourism, the Committee on Regional Development, the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, the Committee on Culture and Education and the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the opinions of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Development, the Committee on Budgetary Control, the Committee on Transport and Tourism, the Committee on Regional Development, the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, the Committee on Culture and Education and the Committee on Constitutional Affairs,

| — | having regard to the position in the form of amendments of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the position in the form of amendments of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs,

| — | having regard to the letters from the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy and the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the letters from the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy and the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection,

| — | having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets (A9-0281/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets (A9-0281/2022),

| A. | whereas, pursuant to Article 311 TFEU, the Union must provide itself with the means necessary to attain its objectives and carry through its policies; whereas the multiannual financial framework (MFF) sets the Union’s budgetary priorities for seven years and provides financial resources for its policies, programmes and needs; whereas the MFF is constrained by the Own Resources ceiling; |
| --- | --- |

A.

whereas, pursuant to Article 311 TFEU, the Union must provide itself with the means necessary to attain its objectives and carry through its policies; whereas the multiannual financial framework (MFF) sets the Union’s budgetary priorities for seven years and provides financial resources for its policies, programmes and needs; whereas the MFF is constrained by the Own Resources ceiling;

| B. | whereas, since the adoption of the current MFF in December 2020, the political, economic and social context has changed beyond recognition, starting with the unprecedented scale and dramatic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is not yet over; |
| --- | --- |

B.

whereas, since the adoption of the current MFF in December 2020, the political, economic and social context has changed beyond recognition, starting with the unprecedented scale and dramatic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is not yet over;

| C. | whereas Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine has led to a major humanitarian crisis and has triggered an enormous economic and social shock of uncertain duration worldwide; whereas the Heads of State or Government have described the war as a ‘tectonic shift in European history’ and the Commission has stated that the ‘unforeseen needs created by war in Europe are well beyond the means available in the current multiannual financial framework’, necessitating new financing sources; |
| --- | --- |

C.

whereas Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine has led to a major humanitarian crisis and has triggered an enormous economic and social shock of uncertain duration worldwide; whereas the Heads of State or Government have described the war as a ‘tectonic shift in European history’ and the Commission has stated that the ‘unforeseen needs created by war in Europe are well beyond the means available in the current multiannual financial framework’, necessitating new financing sources;

| D. | whereas the Union and its people have supported Ukraine from the very beginning of the war, showing solidarity with Ukrainians in their fight to defend democracy against authoritarianism, offering shelter to over 8 million Ukrainians and granting temporary protection to 4 million; whereas the EU, the Member States and European financial institutions have provided Ukraine with more than EUR 19 billion in assistance; whereas, in addition to humanitarian and military aid, the Union has supported Ukraine in the areas of health, energy and agriculture and facilitated trade, in particular by establishing solidarity lanes to help Ukraine export agricultural goods; whereas further assistance will be needed to sustain basic services and essential infrastructure in the country; |
| --- | --- |

D.

whereas the Union and its people have supported Ukraine from the very beginning of the war, showing solidarity with Ukrainians in their fight to defend democracy against authoritarianism, offering shelter to over 8 million Ukrainians and granting temporary protection to 4 million; whereas the EU, the Member States and European financial institutions have provided Ukraine with more than EUR 19 billion in assistance; whereas, in addition to humanitarian and military aid, the Union has supported Ukraine in the areas of health, energy and agriculture and facilitated trade, in particular by establishing solidarity lanes to help Ukraine export agricultural goods; whereas further assistance will be needed to sustain basic services and essential infrastructure in the country;

| E. | whereas 21,9 % of the EU population is at risk of poverty and social exclusion; whereas energy poverty is certain to worsen as a consequence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine; whereas the combination of rising energy prices and soaring inflation is driving a cost of living crisis, threatening the survival of businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and pushing more people towards poverty; |
| --- | --- |

E.

whereas 21,9 % of the EU population is at risk of poverty and social exclusion; whereas energy poverty is certain to worsen as a consequence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine; whereas the combination of rising energy prices and soaring inflation is driving a cost of living crisis, threatening the survival of businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and pushing more people towards poverty;

| F. | whereas people rightly expect the Union and its budget to respond quickly and effectively to evolving needs and to provide the necessary support to them, especially in times of crisis; |
| --- | --- |

F.

whereas people rightly expect the Union and its budget to respond quickly and effectively to evolving needs and to provide the necessary support to them, especially in times of crisis;

| G. | whereas the EU budget plays, and must continue to play, a central role in delivering on the Union’s political priorities, including making a success of the green and digital transitions for all, paving the way for climate neutrality by 2050, fostering an inclusive and social recovery, promoting sustainable and inclusive growth, enhancing competitiveness, innovation, strategic autonomy and energy security and independence, providing support for vulnerable groups and SMEs, fostering sustainable development that leaves no one behind and ensures cohesion and upward convergence, ensuring a more robust European Health Union in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis, safeguarding and promoting the rule of law, EU values, fundamental rights and gender equality within and beyond the Union, contributing to greater opportunities for all and ensuring a stronger Union for its people which is able to deliver on its global responsibilities and to tackle the climate and biodiversity crises and their consequences; |
| --- | --- |

G.

whereas the EU budget plays, and must continue to play, a central role in delivering on the Union’s political priorities, including making a success of the green and digital transitions for all, paving the way for climate neutrality by 2050, fostering an inclusive and social recovery, promoting sustainable and inclusive growth, enhancing competitiveness, innovation, strategic autonomy and energy security and independence, providing support for vulnerable groups and SMEs, fostering sustainable development that leaves no one behind and ensures cohesion and upward convergence, ensuring a more robust European Health Union in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis, safeguarding and promoting the rule of law, EU values, fundamental rights and gender equality within and beyond the Union, contributing to greater opportunities for all and ensuring a stronger Union for its people which is able to deliver on its global responsibilities and to tackle the climate and biodiversity crises and their consequences;

| H. | whereas, in its work programme for 2023, the European Commission sets out a series of new policy initiatives with potentially significant budgetary implications, in particular, the proposed European Hydrogen Bank, the SME Relief Package and the European Sovereignty Fund; |
| --- | --- |

H.

whereas, in its work programme for 2023, the European Commission sets out a series of new policy initiatives with potentially significant budgetary implications, in particular, the proposed European Hydrogen Bank, the SME Relief Package and the European Sovereignty Fund;

| I. | whereas the combined effect of multiple crises, low MFF ceilings and cumbersome procedures governing the adoption or revision of the MFF has given rise to a ‘galaxy’ of ad hoc instruments outside the EU budget, as well as to greater use of external assigned revenue not subject to the budgetary procedure, most notably in the case of NextGenerationEU (NGEU); whereas only the budgetary procedure requires the full involvement of Parliament and ensures it can exercise scrutiny over the budget; whereas both arms of the budgetary authority should play equal roles as provided for in the TFEU; whereas Parliament should always play a full role in this new budgetary environment in order to ensure democratic accountability and transparency for the remainder of the current MFF; |
| --- | --- |

I.

whereas the combined effect of multiple crises, low MFF ceilings and cumbersome procedures governing the adoption or revision of the MFF has given rise to a ‘galaxy’ of ad hoc instruments outside the EU budget, as well as to greater use of external assigned revenue not subject to the budgetary procedure, most notably in the case of NextGenerationEU (NGEU); whereas only the budgetary procedure requires the full involvement of Parliament and ensures it can exercise scrutiny over the budget; whereas both arms of the budgetary authority should play equal roles as provided for in the TFEU; whereas Parliament should always play a full role in this new budgetary environment in order to ensure democratic accountability and transparency for the remainder of the current MFF;

| J. | whereas the IIA sets out specific arrangements for cooperation and dialogue between Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary matters; whereas further steps should be taken to improve transparency, accountability and the availability of information on all spending in support of EU policy-making; |
| --- | --- |

J.

whereas the IIA sets out specific arrangements for cooperation and dialogue between Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary matters; whereas further steps should be taken to improve transparency, accountability and the availability of information on all spending in support of EU policy-making;

| K. | whereas, in line with its unilateral declaration as part of the December 2020 agreement on the 2021-2027 MFF, the Commission has included in its work programme for 2023 a commitment to conduct a review of the MFF in the second quarter of 2023, which may include a revision; |
| --- | --- |

K.

whereas, in line with its unilateral declaration as part of the December 2020 agreement on the 2021-2027 MFF, the Commission has included in its work programme for 2023 a commitment to conduct a review of the MFF in the second quarter of 2023, which may include a revision;

| L. | whereas Parliament’s position on own resources will be set out in a forthcoming resolution; |
| --- | --- |

L.

whereas Parliament’s position on own resources will be set out in a forthcoming resolution;

New challenges and shocks revealing shortcomings in the current MFF

| 1. | Calls on the Commission to propose a revision of the current MFF focused primarily on addressing the consequences of the war against Ukraine and endowing the Union with adequate flexibility to respond to crises; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Underscores that the EU institutions are united in their view that, in the wake of the unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine, the EU should provide the strongest possible humanitarian, social, economic and financial assistance to Ukraine, while addressing the severe economic and social consequences of the crisis within the Union and delivering the necessary support to all those affected; underlines, in this context, the shared Union goals of delivering on the European Green Deal, the digital transition and the European Pillar of Social Rights, scaling up defence cooperation and coordination, improving its strategic autonomy and energy independence and security, reducing energy poverty, ensuring global food security, and addressing the challenges caused by high inflation; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | Underlines that a strong Union built on solidarity and cooperation and able to face current challenges and cushion the impact of the cost of living crisis for people and businesses requires EU-wide solutions to ensure a level playing field for all Member States in their ability to support people and businesses, thereby preserving the integrity of the internal market and preventing its fragmentation or distortion; highlights, in this regard, the importance of cross-border projects which are fundamental in building a sovereign, strategic and autonomous Union; |
| --- | --- |

3.

| 4. | Stresses that, at least in the short term, large-scale humanitarian aid in Ukraine and financial support to Member States receiving and helping to settle people fleeing the conflict are needed to address the impact of the war against Ukraine; recalls that the relevant programmes have not been endowed with the resources this unprecedented situation requires; considers, moreover, that, in the long term, the Union should play a leading role in the reconstruction of Ukraine, through a ‘build back better’ approach, once the war is over, ensuring good governance, respect for the rule of law and sound financial management; calls on the Commission to assess the role that the EU budget should play in international reconstruction efforts; |
| --- | --- |

4.

| 5. | Welcomes the decision to grant Ukraine and Moldova candidate country status; emphasises that this decision entails a long-term financial and budgetary commitment — and coordinated policy approach — to support reconstruction, recovery and the necessary reforms specific to each country, as has been the case with other candidate countries; |
| --- | --- |

5.

| 6. | Regrets that essential new policy initiatives put forward since the adoption of the current MFF have come with proposals either to shift money away from — or to re-purpose money within — agreed EU programmes, policies and objectives; considers that recurrent redeployments are not a viable way to finance the Union’s priorities and constitute a de facto change to the agreed MFF; |
| --- | --- |

6.

| 7. | Points to the extensive use made of the special instruments in the first two years of the MFF; notes that the Flexibility Instrument was mobilised for Heading 6 (Neighbourhood and the World) spending in 2022 and is to be mobilised for significant spending under the same heading and Headings 2b (Resilience and Values) and 5 (Security and Defence) in 2023; points out that, under the defence proposal of July 2022 (20), further appropriations are to be mobilised via special instruments in 2024; |
| --- | --- |

7.

| 8. | Highlights that the Solidarity and Emergency Aid Reserve (SEAR) was almost exhausted in 2021 and has been fully used in 2022 after having provided a combination of humanitarian aid and support to Member States for tackling natural and man-made disasters; points out that the extension of the scope of the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to include public health emergencies, coupled with the increased scale and frequency of natural disasters, the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and the resulting arrival of large numbers of refugees in the EU, has placed the SEAR under extreme strain; expects, further, that the dramatic consequences of the unprecedented wildfires in the summer of 2022, which follow on from the major floods and wildfires in the summer of 2021, will require significant financial support, including from the SEAR; |
| --- | --- |

8.

| 9. | Recalls that the MFF is increased annually on the basis of a 2 % deflator applied to 2018 prices; underlines that spiralling energy prices and extreme energy market volatility caused mainly by Russia’s decision to cut gas supplies have been driving soaring inflation, with severe impacts on people and businesses; is deeply concerned that such unexpectedly high levels of inflation are placing the MFF under severe strain, reducing its purchasing power further and squeezing its operational and administrative capacity in a context where its overall level is already lower than previous MFFs as a share of EU Gross National Income (GNI); stresses that, in practice, this means that fewer Union projects and actions can be funded, thereby negatively affecting beneficiaries and the Union’s capacity to deliver on its shared political goals; |
| --- | --- |

9.

| 10. | Recalls, further, that, despite Parliament’s demands that the European Union Recovery Instrument (EURI) be placed over and above the ceilings, its refinancing costs are repaid from within the MFF ceilings, exerting further pressure on the MFF and jeopardising funding for programmes already agreed, especially in a context of rising interest rates and NGEU borrowing costs; points, in that regard, to the non-discretionary increase in appropriations on the EURI line by EUR 280 million in the adopted budget for the financial year 2023 compared with the Commission’s draft budget, thereby eating into the Single Margin Instrument and curtailing the budget’s ability to respond to emerging needs; |
| --- | --- |

10.

| 11. | Observes the continuing demand for the EU budget to serve as a guarantee for additional macro-financial assistance (MFA), in particular for countries directly affected by the war; welcomes the Union’s vital support through MFA; underlines that, in the event of default or the withdrawal of national guarantees, the EU budget ultimately underwrites all MFA loans and therefore bears significant and inherently unpredictable contingent liabilities; |
| --- | --- |

11.

| 12. | Emphasises, therefore, that the current MFF has already been pushed to its limits less than two years after its adoption, a situation aggravated by the unforeseeable events of 2022; points out that it is simply not equipped, in terms of size, structure or rules, to respond quickly and effectively to a multitude of crises of this scale nor to adequately finance new shared EU policy ambitions and the swift implementation of the requisite EU-wide solutions; is very concerned that the current MFF leaves the Union ill-equipped to respond to any potential future crises and needs and to fulfil its strategic role in the international arena; |
| --- | --- |

12.

| 13. | Concludes that the need for an urgent revision of the MFF is beyond any doubt and that a ‘business as usual’ approach will not remotely suffice to tackle the array of challenges posed and could thereby undermine confidence in the Union; |
| --- | --- |

13.

Addressing the funding gaps — more financial capacity with greater transparency and democratic accountability

| 14. | Calls on the Commission, therefore, not only to conduct an in-depth review of the functioning of the current MFF but also to proceed with a legislative proposal for a comprehensive, ambitious revision of the MFF regulation and its annex as soon as possible and no later than the first quarter of 2023; stresses that the MFF revision must not lead to any downwards revision of the pre-allocated national envelopes or EU programmes; |
| --- | --- |

14.

| 15. | Strongly believes that the revision must address the soaring needs and the exhaustion of the means available under the MFF for the Union to provide necessary solutions; insists, moreover, that the revision must remedy the most serious shortcomings in the functioning of the MFF, provide new funding for new political priorities and equip the Union with the necessary tools to confront upcoming challenges and crises in an effective manner; |
| --- | --- |

15.

| 16. | Stresses the need for an upscaled MFF to ensure a stronger and more agile EU budget which meets the highest standards of transparency and democratic accountability; requests, therefore, an increase in the MFF ceilings, as well as an increase in and redesign of budgetary flexibility; |
| --- | --- |

16.

| 17. | Stands ready to engage in fully-fledged negotiations with the Council and the Commission on the MFF revision, building on past practice and the IIA, whereby the institutions have committed to seeking to determine specific arrangements for cooperation and dialogue throughout the procedure leading to the adoption of a substantial revision of the MFF; |
| --- | --- |

17.

| 18. | Insists that the principle of unity, whereby all items of the Union’s revenue and expenditure are shown in the budget, is both a Treaty requirement and a basic precondition for accountability, democratic legitimacy and the transparency of the EU’s public finances; stresses the need for significantly greater parliamentary control over all EU spending, including off-budget instruments, funds, and common borrowing and lending activities; reiterates that all new instruments should be under the purview of the budgetary authority; |
| --- | --- |

18.

| 19. | Underlines, in this context, that the MFF revision should go hand-in-hand with the ongoing revision of the Financial Regulation, which should directly incorporate the necessary changes in the rules governing the establishment and implementation of the EU budget; considers, therefore, that it is necessary to expand the scope of the proposed targeted revision of the Financial Regulation, in order to address all relevant aspects; |
| --- | --- |

19.

| 20. | Underlines the importance of the horizontal principles that underpin the MFF and all related EU policies, in particular with regard to delivering on the Union’s climate and biodiversity targets and promoting gender equality; insists that the revision must keep these principles at the heart of the MFF and deliver on the Union’s commitment to ensuring an equitable, resilient, sustainable and socially fair recovery for all, including the implementation of the revised 2030 framework for Union climate, energy and environmental targets with the objective of making the EU climate neutral by 2050; |
| --- | --- |

20.

| 21. | Reaffirms its long-standing position that new political initiatives, objectives or tasks funded through the EU budget must be financed with additional fresh money and not through redeployments to the detriment of well-established, pre-existing Union programmes or policies agreed by the legislator; |
| --- | --- |

21.

Heading 1: Single Market, Innovation and Digital

| 22. | Calls for an increase in the ceiling of Heading 1 on the grounds that the margins are insufficient to accommodate the greater needs and because it opposes the use of agreed programme envelopes to finance new initiatives; |
| --- | --- |

22.

| 23. | Highlights that many of the policy ambitions recently set out– notably in the fields of energy and strategic and industrial autonomy — and the new policy initiatives since January 2021 (Chips Act, Secure Connectivity, Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority, New European Bauhaus) should entail additional spending under Heading 1; |
| --- | --- |

23.

| 24. | Emphasises the key role that funding under Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, the Single Market Programme and the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) play in stimulating innovation, supporting businesses and driving the green and digital transitions; |
| --- | --- |

24.

| 25. | Looks forward to the Commission's proposal for the new European Sovereignty Fund intended to secure the strategic autonomy of the Union and reduce dependence on non-EU countries in key sectors; considers it essential for the proposal to responds real needs, to be based on a clear assessment of the costs and investment gaps and to provide for fresh money; insists that any such new fund should be established according to the ordinary legislative procedure and be incorporated into the MFF, thereby ensuring full oversight by Parliament; considers that the MFF ceilings should be adjusted to accommodate the Fund; |
| --- | --- |

25.

Heading 2a: Cohesion

| 26. | Calls for agreed financing under Heading 2a not to be undermined and for it to be preserved for its intended purpose; invites the Commission to assess whether it is sufficient to respond to emerging needs in cohesion policy; |
| --- | --- |

26.

| 27. | Underlines that the temporary and short-term flexibility introduced into cohesion policy funds through the series of Cohesion’s Action for Refugees in Europe (CARE) proposals have helped Member States to deal quickly with the impact of the war against Ukraine, following on from the model of the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiatives (CRII and CRII+), which allowed the EU to act at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic; |
| --- | --- |

27.

| 28. | Welcomes the Union’s ambition to step up its efforts to fight the alarming child poverty rates and to contribute to the eradication of child poverty via the recently created European Child Guarantee; warns, however, that the current crises have exacerbated and will further exacerbate the current deteriorating situation for children in or at risk of poverty, and will have long-lasting consequences; reiterates its call for an urgent increase in funding for the European Child Guarantee with a dedicated budget of at least EUR 20 billion for the period 2021-2027 and insists on making this dedicated budget part of the revised MFF and reinforced ESF+; calls on the Commission, moreover, to make available — and on the Member States to make full use of — all available resources to effectively implement the Child Guarantee, including the ESF+, ReactEU and the RRF; |
| --- | --- |

28.

| 29. | Stresses that, while crisis response measures are necessary and useful, cohesion policy is not a crisis response tool; is concerned that cohesion policy is increasingly being used to reinforce other policies and to make up for shortcomings in budgetary flexibility or crisis response mechanisms in the MFF; is of the opinion that the existing possibility of transfers from the cohesion policy funds to other programmes of up to 5 % of the initial allocation provides for sufficient flexibility; |
| --- | --- |

29.

| 30. | Stresses that the MFF revision must not lead to any downwards revision of the pre-allocated national envelopes; emphasises that the agreement on the MFF for 2021-2027 and on the cohesion policy package was adopted late, and that coupled with the COVID-19 crisis this led to a slow start to the programming process and disruption to projects, but not because of the policy itself; calls on the Commission to ramp up administrative simplification efforts; underlines that the delayed start does not in any way call into question the pivotal role and added value of cohesion policy as an essential Union investment policy and convergence instrument; |
| --- | --- |

30.

Heading 2b: Resilience and Values

| 31. | Calls for the budget line dedicated to the repayment of EURI borrowing costs to be removed from Heading 2b and placed outside the headings, and for those costs to be counted over and above the MFF ceilings; |
| --- | --- |

31.

| 32. | Regrets that the costs of EURI borrowing and the repayment of debt have been included as a budget line under Heading 2b for the 2021-2027 period, alongside flagship programmes such as Erasmus+, EU4Health, Creative Europe and Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values; |
| --- | --- |

32.

| 33. | Stresses that interest costs and debt repayment depend on market developments, are not discretionary spending, do not follow the logic of caps on spending and should never compete with spending programmes; recalls that any activation of the Emergency Support Instrument also depends on the availability of an unallocated margin under the ceiling of this heading; notes with concern that steeply rising interest rates are affecting sovereign issuers; cautions that the costs of funding have recently increased significantly due to the challenging market conditions and that there is considerable uncertainty as to long-term interest rates; insists, therefore, that the status quo presents significant risks to programme spending and to the MFF’s capacity to respond to emerging needs; |
| --- | --- |

33.

| 34. | Stresses the vital importance of the EU4Health programme and of the Union education, culture, youth and values programmes in supporting the relevant sectors in the wake of the pandemic and combatting disinformation; emphasises that the European Social Fund+ is one of the key drivers for strengthening the social dimension of the Union; regrets that Erasmus+, as a programme with relatively stable year-on-year demand, has a heavily backloaded financial profile in the current MFF; |
| --- | --- |

34.

Heading 3: Natural Resources and Environment

| 35. | Calls for the ceiling of Heading 3 to be adjusted as soon as possible in order to fully accommodate the Social Climate Fund (SCF), while agreed financing under Heading 3 should not be undermined and be preserved for its intended purpose; |
| --- | --- |

35.

| 36. | Reiterates its position that the SCF must be fully incorporated into the EU budget and within the MFF, without negatively impacting other programmes and funds under this heading, bearing in mind the importance of ensuring food security and delivering on the Green Deal; reminds the other arm of the budgetary authority of its obligation to respect the unity of the budget; |
| --- | --- |

36.

| 37. | Highlights the importance of the common agricultural policy (CAP) in providing reliable support for farmers to enhance food security; recalls that the capacity of farmers to withstand inflation pressure and increased input prices while delivering on this objective is affected by variations in CAP payments; underlines that small-scale and young farmers are particularly vulnerable and affected by limited investment opportunities; emphasises the key role played by the LIFE programme in supporting climate action, nature conservation and environmental protection; |
| --- | --- |

37.

Heading 4: Migration and Border Management

| 38. | Calls for the ceiling of Heading 4 to be increased to reflect current reality and the real financing needs of the Union’s migration and border management policies and programmes; |
| --- | --- |

38.

| 39. | Emphasises that the war against Ukraine and the subsequent decision to trigger the Temporary Protection Directive will entail a longer-term financial commitment to support Member States, placing unexpected demands on the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI) and creating additional responsibilities for the decentralised agencies in Heading 4; expresses concern, furthermore, that successive Commission proposals for agency mandate extensions are eroding the BMVI’s financial envelope; |
| --- | --- |

39.

Heading 5: Security and Defence

| 40. | Calls for an increase in the ceiling of Heading 5; |
| --- | --- |

40.

| 41. | Calls for a swift revision of the MFF to increase EU defence instruments such as the European Defence Fund, military mobility and future joint procurement mechanisms for EU defence, namely the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act and the European Defence Investment Programme, provided that they reinforce the EU’s Defence Technological and Industrial Base and ensure European added value; |
| --- | --- |

41.

| 42. | Notes, in light of the very different geopolitical context, the Commission’s proposal for a European Defence Industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act for the period 2022-2024 and its intention to put forward a proposal for a European Defence Investment Programme for the period thereafter, designed to introduce joint procurement and life cycle management of military capabilities; highlights that the necessary spending to enhance defence cooperation and investment cannot be covered within the ceiling of Heading 5; underlines the need for investment to strengthen security policy and finance technological innovation in a constantly evolving security landscape; |
| --- | --- |

42.

Heading 6: Neighbourhood and the World

| 43. | Calls for an increase in the ceiling of Heading 6 to fully cover current and projected future needs in the Union’s external action and to create sufficient capacity to respond to crises and emerging needs; |
| --- | --- |

43.

| 44. | Deplores the fact that, even prior to the war against Ukraine, funds available under Heading 6 were woefully inadequate and that pressure on this heading has since increased substantially; underlines that continued funding for the needs of refugees from Syria, Iraq and other countries was not factored into the MFF or Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation (NDICI)-Global Europe instrument budgets and should therefore have been financed by fresh appropriations with a corresponding increase in the ceiling of Heading 6 rather than through redeployments; |
| --- | --- |

44.

| 45. | Notes the rapid deterioration of the international context since the beginning of the MFF, both in neighbouring countries and beyond, as a result of the food, energy, climate and economic crises, which have dramatically increased pressure on Heading 6; notes that, in addition to repeated recourse to the Flexibility Instrument, the NDICI-Global Europe cushion has been depleted very quickly and used beyond its core purpose of responding to emerging challenges and priorities, in particular for the provisioning of MFA; considers that enhanced crisis response is essential given the multitude of global challenges; |
| --- | --- |

45.

| 46. | Underscores that humanitarian aid under Heading 6 has been stretched to its limits, requiring repeated reinforcements; insists that enhanced funding for humanitarian aid (HUMA) and the rapid response pillar of NDICI-Global Europe are essential if the Union is to not only provide assistance to Ukraine, but also to ensure support for communities and regions in need and deliver on its ambition of being a leading humanitarian donor; underlines that additional needs in Ukraine must not lead to money being diverted away from other geographic regions in need, in particular from the Eastern and Southern Neighbourhood, or from thematic priorities; |
| --- | --- |

46.

| 47. | Underlines the importance of providing further support to Ukraine through MFA; highlights that a far higher rate of provisioning than the standard 9 % is required for loans to Ukraine owing to the increased risk of default; takes notes in this context, of the Commission's proposals of 9 November 2022 (21); underlines that the way forward is to go from an ad hoc to a structural approach; |
| --- | --- |

47.

| 48. | Underlines that the decision to grant Ukraine and Moldova candidate country status will mean support is provided under the Pre-Accession Instrument (IPA) in lieu of NDICI-Global Europe, potentially necessitating a revision of the relevant legal basis; insists on the need for support to other candidate countries, particularly in the Western Balkans, to be maintained at its current level; |
| --- | --- |

48.

| 49. | Calls on the Commission to ensure the Union lives up to its international climate commitments and in particular to provide funding to international climate finance and the relevant programmes under NDICI-Global Europe; |
| --- | --- |

49.

Heading 7: European Public Administration

| 50. | Calls for spending under Heading 7 to be set at a level that guarantees that the EU has an effective and efficient administration; |
| --- | --- |

50.

| 51. | Insists that sufficient means be allocated to institutions, bodies and agencies of the Union to ensure effective implementation and enforcement of all Union legislation and policies in line with evolving tasks; recalls the importance of properly resourcing a reinforced cybersecurity framework for the Union’s institutions, bodies and agencies; |
| --- | --- |

51.

| 52. | Calls for the swift adoption of the targeted revision of the Financial Regulation in relation to the handling of default interest for the late repayment of cancelled or reduced competition fines, so as to avoid pressure on spending under Heading 7; points out that Parliament has adopted its position and stands ready to negotiate; encourages the Council to treat this proposal as a priority and enter into negotiations with Parliament; |
| --- | --- |

52.

Payment appropriations

| 53. | Recalls that payment appropriations flow directly from commitments, and, therefore, that any increase in the ceilings for commitments per heading will have to be accompanied by a commensurate increase in the ceiling for payments for the same or subsequent years; |
| --- | --- |

53.

| 54. | Notes the delays in programme implementation and calls on the Commission to conduct a risk analysis of the potential impact on the payments ceiling as part of the review and to make the necessary proposals in the MFF revision with a view to avoiding a payments crisis that would severely affect beneficiaries of the EU budget; |
| --- | --- |

54.

| 55. | Warns, furthermore, of the use of external assigned revenue subject to market fluctuations as a substitute for appropriations under the MFF and the risk that this may pose for honouring payments; |
| --- | --- |

55.

Own resources

| 56. | Points out that the MFF and own resources are interlinked; emphasises, in this context, the need for sustainable and resilient revenue for the EU budget; recalls that in the legally binding IIA, Parliament, the Council and the Commission committed to a roadmap towards the introduction of sufficient new own resources to at least cover the repayment of EURI debt; |
| --- | --- |

56.

| 57. | Reiterates its long-standing position that own resources reform is necessary to better align the revenue side of the EU budget with the EU’s broader policy priorities; expects, therefore, the scope, design and composition of the basket of new own resources not only to secure additional income flows, but to also help address pressing policy issues in an economic environment marked by inflation and high energy prices; |
| --- | --- |

57.

| 58. | Calls on the Council to make swift progress with the December 2021 proposals for new own resources; underlines that, in line with the roadmap, new own resources stemming from the proposals on the reformed Emissions Trading System and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism are supposed to be introduced on 1 January 2023; stresses that the new own resource based on the OECD/G20 inclusive framework pillar I is also due to be introduced by the same date; |
| --- | --- |

58.

| 59. | Looks forward to the Commission’s proposals for a second batch of new own resources due in the third quarter of 2023; expresses its confidence that rapid and determined action to reform own resources will in particular secure the EU’s strong credit rating, which remains a sine qua non given the multiple challenges; calls on the Commission, moreover, given the increased financing needs, to reflect beyond the IIA and to examine the need for further new, innovative and genuine own resources; |
| --- | --- |

59.

Flexibility and crisis response in the EU budget: from ad hoc responses to systemic and long-term preparedness

| 60. | Emphasises that the EU budget must be equipped with the necessary flexibility and budgetary ‘space’ to be able to respond to crises and adapt to emerging and growing needs; underlines the need for an overhaul of crisis response and flexibility instruments to ensure that they are of the required magnitude, may be activated rapidly and remain under the full purview of both arms of the budgetary authority; |
| --- | --- |

60.

| 61. | Considers that the sharp rise in inflation and its knock-on effects on the EU budget’s purchasing power have further limited the necessary space and had an impact on the programmes it funds; calls on the Commission to assess the scope for introducing a temporary adjustment mechanism to derogate from the 2 % automatic deflator in the event of inflation shocks; |
| --- | --- |

61.

| 62. | Insists that decommitted appropriations should remain in the budget and should be committed by the budgetary authority through the annual budgetary procedure; underlines the need for corresponding changes to the Financial Regulation; points out that the level of research decommitments alone has been substantial in the early part of the current MFF; emphasises that additional budgetary flexibility will be achieved by keeping decommitments in the budget; |
| --- | --- |

62.

| 63. | Recalls that the special instruments are outside the MFF ceilings, thereby ensuring a degree of flexibility and the ability to respond to crises, and that they are only to be mobilised following a decision by the budgetary authority; points to the extensive use made of the special instruments in the first two years of the MFF; |
| --- | --- |

63.

| 64. | Considers that the special instruments are constrained both by scarcity of resources and rigidity of design, hampering their ability to serve as effective crisis response tools; stresses, therefore, that the revision is imperative to broadening the potential of the existing flexibility provisions; regrets the decision to merge the Emergency Aid Reserve (EAR) and the EUSF in the current MFF, which has led to serious shortcomings, and to reduce the overall funding available by about half; |
| --- | --- |

64.

| 65. | Calls for annual appropriations for the Flexibility Instrument to be increased from EUR 915 million to EUR 2 billion; calls, in addition, for the SEAR to be split into two strands — the EAR and the EUSF — and for annual appropriations to be increased from EUR 1,2 billion for the SEAR overall to EUR 1 billion for each strand in 2018 prices; considers that this will provide vital additional resources to respond to current and emerging needs, in particular in light of the intensification and multiplication of extreme weather events and in view of the global humanitarian situation; |
| --- | --- |

65.

| 66. | Requests that both the annual cap in commitment and in payment appropriations for recourse to the Single Margin Instrument (SMI) be scrapped; |
| --- | --- |

66.

| 67. | Emphasises further that the various special instruments are subject to different carry-over rules and calls for the harmonisation of these rules so that amounts may be used up to year n+3 for all special instruments, thereby creating additional flexibility; insists that lapsed amounts after year n+3 be made available once more under the Flexibility Instrument or the Single Margin Instrument; |
| --- | --- |

67.

| 68. | Insists that, beyond a reinforcement of the existing special instruments, it is necessary to establish an additional permanent special instrument over and above the MFF ceilings so that the EU budget can better adapt and quickly react to crises and their social and economic effects; calls on the Commission to ensure this common crisis instrument can be effectively and swiftly activated as needs arise; |
| --- | --- |

68.

| 69. | Emphasises that cohesion policy is one of the key priorities of the Union, has long-term investment objectives linked to the EU’s strategic agenda, in particular the European Green Deal and the Digital Agenda, and should not be used to replenish funding for other policies; |
| --- | --- |

69.

Assessing new features of the current MFF and preparing the ground for the post-2027 MFF in support of a more resilient EU budget

| 70. | Points out that the current MFF and the IIA incorporate a number of new features not in previous programming periods that should be thoroughly examined as part of the mid-term review and revision; |
| --- | --- |

70.

| 71. | Considers that, while the new MFF structure with headings that group spending by policy cluster is simpler and facilitates budgetary management within the Commission; believes that the nomenclature — with a reduced number of budget lines and sometimes a single line covering a broad spending programme as is the case for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and the Border Management and Visa Instrument — lacks the necessary granularity and transparency and significantly limits proper oversight and decisions by the budgetary authority; expects the Commission to review the changes in structure and nomenclature before the new MFF period; |
| --- | --- |

71.

| 72. | Welcomes the positive impact of the Regulation on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the EU budget and believes that it has already acted as an effective deterrent against breaches of the rule of law in the use of EU funds; emphasises the clear link between respect for the rule of law and efficient implementation of the EU budget and calls on the Commission to ensure robust enforcement of the Conditionality Regulation; notes that any upscaling of the 2021-2027 MFF should aim to reinforce the protection of the rule of law and the Union’s financial interests; insists, furthermore, on the obligation to comply with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union when implementing the EU budget; |
| --- | --- |

72.

| 73. | Reiterates the need for increased transparency of EU spending and calls for the introduction of a mandatory single interoperable database to enable monitoring of direct and ultimate beneficiaries of EU funds in a machine-readable format and thus provide a clear overview of all recipients of EU funding; welcomes the Commission’s proposal on the recast of the Financial Regulation of 16 May 2022 as a reasonable starting point for the creation of an interoperable digital system for audit and control purposes; notes that the Commission proposed these changes to take effect in the post-2027 MFF; underlines, however, that a more ambitious transition is feasible and desirable; stresses, furthermore, the need for information to be made more easily accessible for the public; |
| --- | --- |

73.

| 74. | Recalls the targets related to climate and biodiversity laid down in the IIA; reminds the Commission of its obligation under the IIA to regularly take stock of the progress of climate mainstreaming efforts and examine whether the targets have been reached or are on track; calls on the Commission to monitor the implementation of the ‘do no significant harm’ principle and to take necessary corrective measures if and when needed; |
| --- | --- |

74.

| 75. | Stresses the need for a significant improvement of climate and biodiversity mainstreaming methodologies and to ensure that climate and biodiversity spending is genuinely additional when being counted towards the respective minimum spending targets, in line with the proposals of the European Court of Auditors and Parliament; |
| --- | --- |

75.

| 76. | Expects more ambitious financial commitments in the current and upcoming MFF in line with the EU’s global commitment to address climate change and halt biodiversity loss; expects all commitments and pledges on international climate financing to be fully planned in line with the global negotiations; calls on the Commission to ensure that the agreed 2026 and 2027 biodiversity mainstreaming targets are met; asks the Commission to assess how climate and biodiversity targets can be better integrated within the post-2027 MFF in order to ensure the Union delivers on its commitments; |
| --- | --- |

76.

| 77. | Reiterates that programmes should be implemented in a way that promotes gender equality in the delivery of their objectives; welcomes, in this regard, the Commission's work on a new classification to measure the gender impact of Union spending; considers that the classification should provide an accurate and comprehensive representation of the impact of programmes on gender equality; calls for the classification to be extended to all MFF programmes and to be better integrated into the MFF framework; stresses, in this regard, the need for systematic collection and analysis of gender-disaggregated data; expects all gender-relevant reporting to be based on volumes and not number of actions; |
| --- | --- |

77.

| 78. | Calls on the Commission to track the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in all relevant MFF programmes as per the IIA and therefore to develop a robust methodology to track SDG-related and social spending within the EU budget; |
| --- | --- |

78.

| 79. | Recalls that the current MFF was accompanied by NGEU, an unprecedented instrument to boost recovery in the wake of the pandemic; considers that this instrument has been successful so far and should be fully implemented; |
| --- | --- |

79.

| 80. | Considers that the Union is playing an increasingly important role in providing support for employment protection and income compensation in crisis situations and ensuring a just transition to a carbon neutral society; underlines in this context, the instrumental role of the instrument for temporary support to mitigate unemployment risks in an emergency (SURE) in providing support to temporary work schemes and workers in the Member States and in mitigating unemployment risks; calls on the Commission to assess the impact of SURE and how it can be built upon for future Union action in the context of social crises; |
| --- | --- |

80.

| 81. | Points out that many recent spending needs, in areas such as economic and social recovery, climate change-related policies and funding linked to the Ukraine crisis, do not follow the traditional logic of medium-term investment predictability; considers the SCF and defence, crisis response and emergency intervention spending to be cases where there is a clear-cut rationale for EU action; expects this trend towards a more diversified expenditure landscape to continue as the scope and depth of EU cooperation progresses; underlines, therefore, the need for a properly constructed and adaptable MFF so that the design of the EU budget enables the EU to take on new tasks and functions without diverting resources away from agreed programmes and priorities; |
| --- | --- |

81.

| 82. | Underlines that many of the shortcomings and inadequacies in the current MFF are inherent in its logic and design, where predictability of spending drives decisions on structure and amounts and curbs flexibility; |
| --- | --- |

82.

| 83. | Regrets the gradual decrease of the EU budget as a percentage of EU gross national income (GNI) and the excessive focus on capping overall spending at roughly 1 % of EU GNI; considers that this has prevented the Union from delivering on its agreed ambitions and deprived it of the ability to respond to crises and emerging needs while ensuring democratic accountability; |
| --- | --- |

83.

| 84. | Insists that the successor to the current MFF should be equipped to deal fully and flexibly with a range of policy priorities and spending needs and to ensure resilience in the event of crises; considers that raising the own resources ceiling would create the budgetary ‘space’ to respond to crises and emerging needs, while still guaranteeing predictability of spending; calls on the Commission, therefore, to review the whole architecture of the MFF, including the duration of programming periods, as part of a longer-term reflection on the EU budget post-2027 in the light of evolving spending needs; |
| --- | --- |

84.

| 85. | Deplores the fact that, following the necessary introduction of NGEU and SURE, the Commission has repeatedly proposed the use of off-budget instruments, in particular under Article 122 TFEU, which do not require Parliament oversight and thus undermine the transparency and accountability of public spending; considers, in this regard, that an annual plenary debate in Parliament on all EU finances, including off-budget instruments, will be an important step towards enhancing transparency and accountability; |
| --- | --- |

85.

| 86. | Intends to monitor very closely the implementation of the agreement on budgetary scrutiny of new proposals based on Article 122 TFEU, which was part of the MFF agreement; recalls that such proposals often entail appreciable budgetary implications that can have an impact on the development of EU expenditure; is determined to ensure Parliament plays an appropriate role and is involved in this process as an equal arm of the budgetary authority; |
| --- | --- |

86.

| 87. | Stresses that the trend towards increased use of external assigned revenue is not a satisfactory solution under the current rules, as it weakens the role of the budgetary authority (Parliament and the Council), thereby undermining democratic scrutiny and reducing the transparency of the EU’s finances; demands legally sound solutions that allow for targeted, one-off or needs-based top-ups with the same advantages as earmarked revenue (i.e. not counted against the ceilings), but that are at the same time subject to full control by the budgetary authority; recalls its commitment to the universality principle; |
| --- | --- |

87.

| 88. | Highlights that the ongoing revision of the Financial Regulation should adapt the rules governing budgetary instruments to current circumstances, where external assigned revenue, borrowing and lending operations, trust funds and instruments under Article 122 TFEU are being used with greater frequency despite often bypassing the community method and therefore the scrutiny of the budgetary authority, and thus diminishing the traceability of funds and accountability; |
| --- | --- |

88.

| 89. | Points, in particular, to the declaration on reassessing the external assigned revenue and borrowing and lending provisions in the Financial Regulation that was agreed in the MFF negotiations; considers that external assigned revenue, as well as assets and liabilities linked to borrowing and lending operations, should form an integral part of the EU budget and be adopted by the budgetary authority as part of that budget; |
| --- | --- |

89.

| 90. | Repeats its long-standing demand that all EU instruments covering spending at EU level, including trust funds, be fully incorporated into the budget in accordance with the Treaty, thereby ensuring transparency, full democratic control and protection of the EU’s public finances and financial interests; insists, however, that the integration of these instruments into the EU budget must not result in a reduction of financing for other EU policies and programmes; |
| --- | --- |

90.

| 91. | Highlights the Modernisation Fund and the Innovation Fund (Climate Investment Fund) as prominent cases in this context; calls on the Commission to propose their full inclusion in the post-2027 MFF with the relevant quasi-automatic adjustment of ceilings; |
| --- | --- |

91.

| 92. | Underlines that the unanimity requirement for adoption of the MFF Regulation impedes the necessary decisions in the revision process; calls on the Commission to build on the work of the Conference on the Future of Europe on the budget; considers, in line with the Conference’s proposals, that the ordinary legislative procedure should apply to the adoption of the MFF Regulation and to the Own Resources Decision so that Parliament acquires the full budgetary prerogatives enjoyed by national parliaments; believes, furthermore, that the design of the MFF should be a bottom-up process based on extensive involvement of stakeholders; |
| --- | --- |

92.

| 93. | Recalls that the passerelle clause set out in Article 312(2) TFEU allows for the adoption of the MFF Regulation by qualified majority and calls on the European Council to activate it to expedite decision-making; |
| --- | --- |

93.

o

o o

| 94. | Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission. |
| --- | --- |

94.

---

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

(2)  OJ C 444 I, 22.12.2020, p. 1.

(3)  OJ C 445, 29.10.2021, p. 252.

(4)  OJ L 424, 15.12.2020, p. 1.

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

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

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

(8)  Texts adopted, P9_TA(2022)0403.

(9)  OJ C 428, 13.12.2017, p. 10.

(10)  Texts adopted, P9_TA(2022)0366.

(11)  Texts adopted, P9_TA(2022)0309.

(12)  Texts adopted, P9_TA(2022)0254.

(13)  Texts adopted, P9_TA(2022)0219.

(14)  OJ C 224, 8.6.2022, p. 37.

(15)  OJ C 184, 5.5.2022, p. 179.

(16)  OJ C 445, 29.10.2021, p. 240.

(17)  OJ C 371, 15.9.2021, p. 110.

(18)  OJ C 202, 28.5.2021, p. 31.

(19)  OJ C 363, 28.10.2020, p. 179.

(20)  Proposal of 19 July 2022 for a regulation on establishing the European defence industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act (COM(2022)0349).

(21)  COM(2022)0595, COM(2022)0596, COM(2022)0597.

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| 17.5.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 177/129 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 177/129

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P9_TA(2022)0451

Deliberations of the Committee on Petitions in 2021

European Parliament resolution of 15 December 2022 on the outcome of the Committee on Petitions’ deliberations during 2021 (2022/2024(INI))

(2023/C 177/16)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to its previous resolutions on the deliberations of the Committee on Petitions, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its previous resolutions on the deliberations of the Committee on Petitions,

| — | having regard to Articles 10 and 11 of the Treaty on European Union, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Articles 10 and 11 of the Treaty on European Union,

| — | having regard to Articles 20, 24 and 227 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which reflect the importance the Treaty attaches to the right of EU citizens and residents to bring their concerns to the attention of Parliament, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Articles 20, 24 and 227 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which reflect the importance the Treaty attaches to the right of EU citizens and residents to bring their concerns to the attention of Parliament,

| — | having regard to Article 228 TFEU on the role and functions of the European Ombudsman, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 228 TFEU on the role and functions of the European Ombudsman,

| — | having regard to Article 44 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the ‘Charter’) concerning the right to petition the European Parliament, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 44 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the ‘Charter’) concerning the right to petition the European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the provisions of the TFEU relating to the infringement procedure and, in particular, to Articles 258 and 260 thereof, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the provisions of the TFEU relating to the infringement procedure and, in particular, to Articles 258 and 260 thereof,

| — | having regard to its resolution of 9 March 2022 on engaging with citizens: the right to petition, the right to refer to the European Ombudsman and the European Citizens’ Initiative (1), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 9 March 2022 on engaging with citizens: the right to petition, the right to refer to the European Ombudsman and the European Citizens’ Initiative (1),

| — | having regard to Rules 54 and 227(7) of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rules 54 and 227(7) of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to the report of the Committee on Petitions (A9-0271/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Petitions (A9-0271/2022),

| A. | whereas the purpose of the annual report on the outcome of the Committee on Petitions’ deliberations is to present an analysis of the petitions received in 2021 and of relations with other institutions, and to present an accurate picture of the objectives achieved in 2021; |
| --- | --- |

A.

whereas the purpose of the annual report on the outcome of the Committee on Petitions’ deliberations is to present an analysis of the petitions received in 2021 and of relations with other institutions, and to present an accurate picture of the objectives achieved in 2021;

| B. | whereas in 2021, Parliament received 1 392 petitions, which represents around half of the number received in 2013 (2 891) and 2014 (2 715), when the total number of petitions received reached its peak; whereas the number of petitions submitted in 2021 also represents a decrease of 11,5 % compared to the 1 573 petitions submitted in 2020 and a slight increase of 2,5 % compared to the 1 357 petitions submitted in 2019; |
| --- | --- |

B.

whereas in 2021, Parliament received 1 392 petitions, which represents around half of the number received in 2013 (2 891) and 2014 (2 715), when the total number of petitions received reached its peak; whereas the number of petitions submitted in 2021 also represents a decrease of 11,5 % compared to the 1 573 petitions submitted in 2020 and a slight increase of 2,5 % compared to the 1 357 petitions submitted in 2019;

| C. | whereas in 2021, the number of users supporting one or more petitions on Parliament’s Petitions Web Portal was 209 272, which represents a very considerable increase from the 48 882 users recorded in 2020; whereas the number of clicks in support of petitions also increased in 2021, reaching a total of 217 876 (up from 55 129 in 2020); whereas petition No 0549/2021 by Adriana Muresan, bearing 22 735 signatures, on the alleged poor safety conditions in car parks for trucks and commercial vehicles on the European road network represents a record number of co-signatures for a petition in 2021; |
| --- | --- |

C.

whereas in 2021, the number of users supporting one or more petitions on Parliament’s Petitions Web Portal was 209 272, which represents a very considerable increase from the 48 882 users recorded in 2020; whereas the number of clicks in support of petitions also increased in 2021, reaching a total of 217 876 (up from 55 129 in 2020); whereas petition No 0549/2021 by Adriana Muresan, bearing 22 735 signatures, on the alleged poor safety conditions in car parks for trucks and commercial vehicles on the European road network represents a record number of co-signatures for a petition in 2021;

| D. | whereas the large number of petitions voicing citizens’ concerns over the public health and socio-economic emergencies, vaccination, and the implementation of the EU Digital COVID Certificate, resulting from the persistence of the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly contributed to the increase in the number of petitions registered in 2021 on this topic in comparison with the previous year; whereas 17,3 % of the petitions received in 2021 related to the COVID-19 pandemic; |
| --- | --- |

D.

whereas the large number of petitions voicing citizens’ concerns over the public health and socio-economic emergencies, vaccination, and the implementation of the EU Digital COVID Certificate, resulting from the persistence of the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly contributed to the increase in the number of petitions registered in 2021 on this topic in comparison with the previous year; whereas 17,3 % of the petitions received in 2021 related to the COVID-19 pandemic;

| E. | whereas the number of petitions received in 2021 asking for full compliance with EU environmental law, as well as for effective and rapid measures, in line with the precautionary principle, in order to protect ecosystems and habitats of Union concern significantly increased, amounting to a total of 327 (23,5 %); |
| --- | --- |

E.

whereas the number of petitions received in 2021 asking for full compliance with EU environmental law, as well as for effective and rapid measures, in line with the precautionary principle, in order to protect ecosystems and habitats of Union concern significantly increased, amounting to a total of 327 (23,5 %);

| F. | whereas the high number of petitions submitted in 2021 reveals that, also in the second year of the pandemic, citizens placed significant trust in Parliament, choosing to address their concerns and complaints directly to their elected representatives at EU level, whom they considered to be the source of decision-making; whereas the Parliament must do its utmost to validate this trust; |
| --- | --- |

F.

whereas the high number of petitions submitted in 2021 reveals that, also in the second year of the pandemic, citizens placed significant trust in Parliament, choosing to address their concerns and complaints directly to their elected representatives at EU level, whom they considered to be the source of decision-making; whereas the Parliament must do its utmost to validate this trust;

| G. | whereas, however, the overall number of petitions remains modest in relation to the total population of the EU, revealing that efforts still need to be stepped up to increase citizens’ awareness about their right to petition, to further promote this instrument and to increase the geographical representation of petitions submitted per Member State, or to increase awareness of petitions’ possible usefulness as a means of drawing the attention of the EU institutions and the Member States to matters that affect and concern citizens directly; whereas, in exercising the right to petition, citizens expect that the EU institutions will reply in a timely manner and will provide added value in finding a solution to their problems; whereas failure to act at Union level to ensure full protection of citizens’ rights arising from EU law is likely to result in discontent towards the Union; |
| --- | --- |

G.

whereas, however, the overall number of petitions remains modest in relation to the total population of the EU, revealing that efforts still need to be stepped up to increase citizens’ awareness about their right to petition, to further promote this instrument and to increase the geographical representation of petitions submitted per Member State, or to increase awareness of petitions’ possible usefulness as a means of drawing the attention of the EU institutions and the Member States to matters that affect and concern citizens directly; whereas, in exercising the right to petition, citizens expect that the EU institutions will reply in a timely manner and will provide added value in finding a solution to their problems; whereas failure to act at Union level to ensure full protection of citizens’ rights arising from EU law is likely to result in discontent towards the Union;

| H. | whereas the criteria for the admissibility of petitions are laid down in Article 227 TFEU and Rule 226 of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, which require that petitions must be submitted by an EU citizen or by a natural or legal person who is resident or has a registered office in a Member State, either individually or in association with others, on matters which fall within the EU’s fields of activity and which affect the petitioners directly, with the latter condition having a very broad interpretation; |
| --- | --- |

H.

whereas the criteria for the admissibility of petitions are laid down in Article 227 TFEU and Rule 226 of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, which require that petitions must be submitted by an EU citizen or by a natural or legal person who is resident or has a registered office in a Member State, either individually or in association with others, on matters which fall within the EU’s fields of activity and which affect the petitioners directly, with the latter condition having a very broad interpretation;

| I. | whereas, of the 1 392 petitions submitted in 2021, 368 were declared inadmissible and 17 were withdrawn; whereas the relatively high percentage (26,5 %) of inadmissible petitions in 2021 demonstrates that there is still a widespread lack of clarity about the scope of the Union’s areas of responsibility; whereas in order to remedy this situation, communication with citizens needs to be encouraged and improved; |
| --- | --- |

I.

whereas, of the 1 392 petitions submitted in 2021, 368 were declared inadmissible and 17 were withdrawn; whereas the relatively high percentage (26,5 %) of inadmissible petitions in 2021 demonstrates that there is still a widespread lack of clarity about the scope of the Union’s areas of responsibility; whereas in order to remedy this situation, communication with citizens needs to be encouraged and improved;

| J. | whereas each petition is considered and examined carefully, efficiently and transparently; |
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J.

whereas each petition is considered and examined carefully, efficiently and transparently;

| K. | whereas petitioners tend to be citizens engaged in safeguarding fundamental rights and in the improvement and future well-being of our societies; whereas the experience of these citizens with regard to the processing of their petitions is very influential in determining their perception of the EU institutions and respect for the right to petition as enshrined in EU law; |
| --- | --- |

K.

whereas petitioners tend to be citizens engaged in safeguarding fundamental rights and in the improvement and future well-being of our societies; whereas the experience of these citizens with regard to the processing of their petitions is very influential in determining their perception of the EU institutions and respect for the right to petition as enshrined in EU law;

| L. | whereas the right to petition the European Parliament is one of the fundamental rights of EU citizens set out in the Treaties and in the Charter; whereas the right to petition provides EU citizens and residents with an open, democratic and transparent mechanism to address their elected representatives directly; whereas it is therefore essential to improve respect for this right and its implementation in a timely manner in order to enable citizens to participate more actively and more effectively in the life of the Union; whereas, through petitions, EU citizens can complain about failures to implement EU law and help detect breaches of EU law; |
| --- | --- |

L.

whereas the right to petition the European Parliament is one of the fundamental rights of EU citizens set out in the Treaties and in the Charter; whereas the right to petition provides EU citizens and residents with an open, democratic and transparent mechanism to address their elected representatives directly; whereas it is therefore essential to improve respect for this right and its implementation in a timely manner in order to enable citizens to participate more actively and more effectively in the life of the Union; whereas, through petitions, EU citizens can complain about failures to implement EU law and help detect breaches of EU law;

| M. | whereas the European Parliament is the only EU institution directly elected by EU citizens; whereas the right to petition offers Parliament, as well as other EU institutions, in particular the Commission, given its role of ensuring the correct application of EU law throughout the Union, the opportunity to enhance their responsiveness to complaints and concerns relating to the respect for EU fundamental rights and compliance with EU legislation in the Member States; whereas petitions are therefore a useful source of information on instances of misapplication or breaches of EU law and, thus, enable Parliament and other EU institutions to assess the transposition and application of EU law, as well as on shortcomings and loopholes in current EU law, and its impact on the rights of EU citizens and residents; whereas the submitted petitions should indicate to the EU institutions the areas where major effort and action at EU level is needed for the transposition and application of EU law; |
| --- | --- |

M.

whereas the European Parliament is the only EU institution directly elected by EU citizens; whereas the right to petition offers Parliament, as well as other EU institutions, in particular the Commission, given its role of ensuring the correct application of EU law throughout the Union, the opportunity to enhance their responsiveness to complaints and concerns relating to the respect for EU fundamental rights and compliance with EU legislation in the Member States; whereas petitions are therefore a useful source of information on instances of misapplication or breaches of EU law and, thus, enable Parliament and other EU institutions to assess the transposition and application of EU law, as well as on shortcomings and loopholes in current EU law, and its impact on the rights of EU citizens and residents; whereas the submitted petitions should indicate to the EU institutions the areas where major effort and action at EU level is needed for the transposition and application of EU law;

| N. | whereas Parliament has long been at the forefront of the development of the petitions process internationally and has the most open and transparent petitions process in Europe, allowing a significant number of petitioners to participate fully in its activities; |
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N.

whereas Parliament has long been at the forefront of the development of the petitions process internationally and has the most open and transparent petitions process in Europe, allowing a significant number of petitioners to participate fully in its activities;

| O. | whereas the Committee on Petitions is best able to show citizens what the European Union does for them and what solutions it can provide at European, national or local level; |
| --- | --- |

O.

whereas the Committee on Petitions is best able to show citizens what the European Union does for them and what solutions it can provide at European, national or local level;

| P. | whereas the Committee on Petitions carefully examines and deals with each petition submitted to Parliament; whereas each petitioner has the right to have his or her petition handled impartially and fairly in full compliance with the right to good administration enshrined in Article 41 of the Charter; whereas each petitioner has the right to receive a reply informing him or her about the decision on admissibility and follow-up actions taken by the committee within a reasonable period of time, in his or her own language or in the language used in the petition; whereas each petitioner is entitled to request that his or her petition be reopened on the basis of any relevant fresh developments; |
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P.

whereas the Committee on Petitions carefully examines and deals with each petition submitted to Parliament; whereas each petitioner has the right to have his or her petition handled impartially and fairly in full compliance with the right to good administration enshrined in Article 41 of the Charter; whereas each petitioner has the right to receive a reply informing him or her about the decision on admissibility and follow-up actions taken by the committee within a reasonable period of time, in his or her own language or in the language used in the petition; whereas each petitioner is entitled to request that his or her petition be reopened on the basis of any relevant fresh developments;

| Q. | whereas Parliament has already acknowledged that the Commission’s refusal to take action on issues raised in individual petitions constitutes a breach of the current EU Treaties’ provisions related to the right to petition, as it is not limited to issues of strategic importance or reflecting structural problems; whereas the Commission is still implementing its strategic approach in handling petitions on the basis of its 2017 communication entitled ‘EU law: Better results through better application’ (2), despite Parliament’s request for the Commission to revise it in a timely manner; |
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Q.

whereas Parliament has already acknowledged that the Commission’s refusal to take action on issues raised in individual petitions constitutes a breach of the current EU Treaties’ provisions related to the right to petition, as it is not limited to issues of strategic importance or reflecting structural problems; whereas the Commission is still implementing its strategic approach in handling petitions on the basis of its 2017 communication entitled ‘EU law: Better results through better application’ (2), despite Parliament’s request for the Commission to revise it in a timely manner;

| R. | whereas the Commission is failing to provide comprehensive information to the Committee on Petitions on the legislative and non-legislative measures taken following petitions received, as well as on infringement procedures related to petitions; whereas there is no public register linking petitions with all follow-up actions taken on them; |
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R.

whereas the Commission is failing to provide comprehensive information to the Committee on Petitions on the legislative and non-legislative measures taken following petitions received, as well as on infringement procedures related to petitions; whereas there is no public register linking petitions with all follow-up actions taken on them;

| S. | whereas the activities of the Committee on Petitions are based on the input provided by petitioners; whereas the information submitted by petitioners in their petitions and at committee meetings, along with the Commission’s assessment and the replies of the Member States and other bodies, are crucial for the work of the committee; whereas admissible petitions also provide valuable contributions to the work of the other parliamentary committees, given that they are forwarded by the Committee on Petitions to other committees for an opinion or for information; whereas, therefore, petitions are very important for the legislative process, as they provide other parliamentary committees with useful and direct input for their legislative work in their respective fields; |
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S.

whereas the activities of the Committee on Petitions are based on the input provided by petitioners; whereas the information submitted by petitioners in their petitions and at committee meetings, along with the Commission’s assessment and the replies of the Member States and other bodies, are crucial for the work of the committee; whereas admissible petitions also provide valuable contributions to the work of the other parliamentary committees, given that they are forwarded by the Committee on Petitions to other committees for an opinion or for information; whereas, therefore, petitions are very important for the legislative process, as they provide other parliamentary committees with useful and direct input for their legislative work in their respective fields;

| T. | whereas the Committee on Petitions attaches paramount importance to the examination and public discussion of petitions at its meetings; whereas petitioners have the right to present their petitions and frequently take the floor in the discussion, thereby actively contributing to the work of the committee; whereas in 2021, the Committee on Petitions held 12 committee meetings, at which 159 petitions were discussed with 113 petitioners present remotely and most of them actively participating by taking the floor; whereas the slightly higher number of petitions discussed at meetings in 2021 compared to 2020 can be explained by the increase in timeslots for committee meetings, but always with limited interpretation facilities as a consequence of Parliament’s precautionary measures in the context of the persistence of the pandemic; |
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T.

whereas the Committee on Petitions attaches paramount importance to the examination and public discussion of petitions at its meetings; whereas petitioners have the right to present their petitions and frequently take the floor in the discussion, thereby actively contributing to the work of the committee; whereas in 2021, the Committee on Petitions held 12 committee meetings, at which 159 petitions were discussed with 113 petitioners present remotely and most of them actively participating by taking the floor; whereas the slightly higher number of petitions discussed at meetings in 2021 compared to 2020 can be explained by the increase in timeslots for committee meetings, but always with limited interpretation facilities as a consequence of Parliament’s precautionary measures in the context of the persistence of the pandemic;

| U. | whereas the main subjects of concern raised in petitions submitted in 2021 related to fundamental rights (in particular the impact of COVID-19 emergency measures on the rule of law and democracy, on access to education during the lockdowns, the freedom of movement and the right to work, as well as to LGBTIQ+ rights in the Union), health (notably questions on access to healthcare, on the public health crisis resulting from the persistence of the pandemic, ranging from the protection of citizens’ health, including vaccination policy, to the use, implementation and application of the EU Digital COVID Certificate in the Member States and the alleged discrimination between vaccinated and non-vaccinated persons), the environment (mostly concerning mining activities and their impact on the environment, illegal logging, violence against environmental whistleblowers, the possible improvement of coexistence between people and large carnivores, illicit waste disposal, nuclear safety, air pollution, wind farms, defective mica blocks and the deterioration of natural ecosystems), minority rights and discrimination (including the rights of national or linguistic minorities), education (in particular questions related to discriminatory access to education or contested national reforms of the law on education), the lack of safety in truck parking areas, the situation of EU students in the UK after the UK’s withdrawal from Erasmus+, and employment (in particular questions relating to national treatment of work contracts), in addition to many other areas of activity; |
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U.

whereas the main subjects of concern raised in petitions submitted in 2021 related to fundamental rights (in particular the impact of COVID-19 emergency measures on the rule of law and democracy, on access to education during the lockdowns, the freedom of movement and the right to work, as well as to LGBTIQ+ rights in the Union), health (notably questions on access to healthcare, on the public health crisis resulting from the persistence of the pandemic, ranging from the protection of citizens’ health, including vaccination policy, to the use, implementation and application of the EU Digital COVID Certificate in the Member States and the alleged discrimination between vaccinated and non-vaccinated persons), the environment (mostly concerning mining activities and their impact on the environment, illegal logging, violence against environmental whistleblowers, the possible improvement of coexistence between people and large carnivores, illicit waste disposal, nuclear safety, air pollution, wind farms, defective mica blocks and the deterioration of natural ecosystems), minority rights and discrimination (including the rights of national or linguistic minorities), education (in particular questions related to discriminatory access to education or contested national reforms of the law on education), the lack of safety in truck parking areas, the situation of EU students in the UK after the UK’s withdrawal from Erasmus+, and employment (in particular questions relating to national treatment of work contracts), in addition to many other areas of activity;

| V. | whereas when adopting its meeting agenda, the Committee on Petitions pays attention to petitions and topics with significant relevance for discussion at EU level and the need to maintain an equitable geographical coverage of topics according to the petitions received; |
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V.

whereas when adopting its meeting agenda, the Committee on Petitions pays attention to petitions and topics with significant relevance for discussion at EU level and the need to maintain an equitable geographical coverage of topics according to the petitions received;

| W. | whereas 78,6 % (1 094) of the petitions received in 2021 were submitted via Parliament’s Petitions Web Portal, down slightly from 79,7 % (1 254 petitions) in 2020, thus confirming that Parliament’s Petitions Web Portal has become by far the most used channel for citizens to submit petitions to Parliament; |
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W.

whereas 78,6 % (1 094) of the petitions received in 2021 were submitted via Parliament’s Petitions Web Portal, down slightly from 79,7 % (1 254 petitions) in 2020, thus confirming that Parliament’s Petitions Web Portal has become by far the most used channel for citizens to submit petitions to Parliament;

| X. | whereas in 2021, the most important objective of the Petitions Web Portal (PETI Portal) was fully achieved, as the portal was online and operational for over 99,9 % of the time; whereas all petitions were prepared and published in a timely manner, within a few days of their adoption, and all internal and external requests for support regarding the use and content of the PETI portal were replied to successfully, in a timely manner and in all languages; whereas version 2.4 of the Petitions Web Portal was deployed and a request was made to initiate an artificial intelligence chatbot for the Petitions Web Portal; |
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X.

whereas in 2021, the most important objective of the Petitions Web Portal (PETI Portal) was fully achieved, as the portal was online and operational for over 99,9 % of the time; whereas all petitions were prepared and published in a timely manner, within a few days of their adoption, and all internal and external requests for support regarding the use and content of the PETI portal were replied to successfully, in a timely manner and in all languages; whereas version 2.4 of the Petitions Web Portal was deployed and a request was made to initiate an artificial intelligence chatbot for the Petitions Web Portal;

| Y. | whereas in 2021, the Committee on Petitions held one fact-finding visit; whereas the second fact-finding visit, scheduled for December, was postponed as a result of the decision taken considering the increase of the spread of COVID-19 and to minimise health risks for Parliament’s Members and staff; |
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Y.

whereas in 2021, the Committee on Petitions held one fact-finding visit; whereas the second fact-finding visit, scheduled for December, was postponed as a result of the decision taken considering the increase of the spread of COVID-19 and to minimise health risks for Parliament’s Members and staff;

| Z. | whereas under the Rules of Procedure, the Committee on Petitions is responsible for relations with the European Ombudsman, who investigates complaints about maladministration within the institutions and bodies of the EU; whereas the current European Ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly, presented her annual report for 2020 to the Committee on Petitions at its meeting of 14 July 2021; |
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Z.

whereas under the Rules of Procedure, the Committee on Petitions is responsible for relations with the European Ombudsman, who investigates complaints about maladministration within the institutions and bodies of the EU; whereas the current European Ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly, presented her annual report for 2020 to the Committee on Petitions at its meeting of 14 July 2021;

| AA. | whereas the Commission, as guardian of the Treaties, has an essential role in the Committee on Petitions and the information provided by the petitioners is useful in discovering possible breaches or misapplications of European law; |
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AA.

whereas the Commission, as guardian of the Treaties, has an essential role in the Committee on Petitions and the information provided by the petitioners is useful in discovering possible breaches or misapplications of European law;

| AB. | whereas the Committee on Petitions is a member of the European Network of Ombudsmen, which also includes the European Ombudsman, national and regional ombudsmen and similar bodies in the Member States, the candidate countries and other European Economic Area countries, and which aims to promote the exchange of information about EU law and policy, and to share best practices; |
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AB.

whereas the Committee on Petitions is a member of the European Network of Ombudsmen, which also includes the European Ombudsman, national and regional ombudsmen and similar bodies in the Member States, the candidate countries and other European Economic Area countries, and which aims to promote the exchange of information about EU law and policy, and to share best practices;

| AC. | whereas improving citizens’ participation and ensuring full protection of citizens’ rights arising from EU law are key elements for bringing the EU closer to its citizens; whereas the Committee on Petitions adopted the report on engaging with citizens: the right to petition, the right to refer to the European Ombudsman and the European Citizens’ Initiative (3), focusing on ways of raising citizens’ awareness of their rights, communication campaigns to draw attention to existing channels for participation, closer cooperation with other institutions and parliamentary committees and civic engagement on the part of young people, concluding that the Commission must revise its current strategic approach to handling petitions, as it has resulted in leaving untreated, inter alia, issues concerning serious violations of EU law detrimental to the protection of citizens’ rights; whereas the Committee on Petitions considers the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) a very important instrument of participatory democracy, which should be enhanced to enable citizens to become more actively and directly involved in shaping the Union’s policies and legislation; |
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AC.

whereas improving citizens’ participation and ensuring full protection of citizens’ rights arising from EU law are key elements for bringing the EU closer to its citizens; whereas the Committee on Petitions adopted the report on engaging with citizens: the right to petition, the right to refer to the European Ombudsman and the European Citizens’ Initiative (3), focusing on ways of raising citizens’ awareness of their rights, communication campaigns to draw attention to existing channels for participation, closer cooperation with other institutions and parliamentary committees and civic engagement on the part of young people, concluding that the Commission must revise its current strategic approach to handling petitions, as it has resulted in leaving untreated, inter alia, issues concerning serious violations of EU law detrimental to the protection of citizens’ rights; whereas the Committee on Petitions considers the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) a very important instrument of participatory democracy, which should be enhanced to enable citizens to become more actively and directly involved in shaping the Union’s policies and legislation;

| 1. | Emphasises the fundamental role of the Committee on Petitions in protecting and promoting the rights of EU citizens and residents by ensuring that petitioners’ concerns and complaints are examined in a timely, effective, appropriate and non-discriminatory manner, and that the petitioners are informed about the actions taken and progress made on their petitions, and that they are resolved through an open, democratic and transparent petitions process; |
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1.

| 2. | Recalls that, in 2021, there were considerable differences in the number of petitions submitted to the Committee on Petitions from the 27 Member States, with most of the petitions concerning Spain (17 %), followed by Germany (9,7 %), Italy (9,2 %), Greece (5,9 %), Romania (4,1 %), Poland (4 %) and France (2,6 %); points out that the number of petitions concerning the remaining Member States was less than 2 % per Member State; |
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2.

| 3. | Stresses that petitioners often address the Committee on Petitions about topics that are pressing to them; underlines that in such situations, a delayed treatment of petitions provides little value to the petitioners; believes that the Committee on Petitions should take action to clear the backlog of open petitions; invites the Committee on Petitions to review its working methods, in order to ensure that all petitions are treated with a consistent and transparent set of criteria that guarantee a timely and effective process; |
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3.

| 4. | Is of the opinion that the Committee on Petitions is equally available to citizens and residents in all 27 Member States and that the treatment of petitions should be geographically balanced; believes, in this respect, that Parliament should increase its efforts to promote the role and work of its Committee on Petitions and raise awareness among all EU citizens of the possibility to address a petition to Parliament; emphasises that when adopting its agenda for meetings, hearings and missions, the Committee on Petitions must follow its guidelines and objective criteria such as the contribution of selected petitions to the current EU debate and their balanced geographical coverage according to the petitions received; emphasises that the activity of the Committee must always be aimed at responding to the matter directly affecting the petitioner; recalls, in this context, the very European dimension of the Committee on Petitions whose role it is to treat petitions on matters which come within the European Union’s fields of activity, as enshrined in the TFEU; to this end, believes that the Committee on Petitions has a special responsibility to uphold this European dimension vis-à-vis the petitioners and towards the outside world, and that all its Members in their actions and considerations should be always guided by the European institutional responsibility rather than by national political interests; recalls that agreements between the political groups represented in the Committee on Petitions are essential to provide a balanced and understandable response to the petitioners; |
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4.

| 5. | Reiterates the importance of a continuous public debate on the Union’s field of activity in order to ensure that citizens are correctly informed about the scope of the Union’s competences and the different levels of decision-making; calls, in this regard, for broader awareness-raising campaigns, through the active involvement of communications services, both at European and national level, to help increase citizens’ knowledge about their right to petition, as well as the scope of the Union’s responsibilities and the competences of the Committee on Petitions with a view to reducing the number of inadmissible petitions and better responding to citizens’ concerns; underlines that additional efforts need to be made to raise awareness on the right to petitions in those EU Member States from which proportionately less petitions are submitted; |
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5.

| 6. | Considers it of the utmost importance that the Commission revise its strategic approach on the handling of petitions currently based on its 2017 communication entitled ‘EU law: Better results through better application’ in order to adopt clear rules and establish an administrative procedure to deal with admissible petitions, ensuring adequate follow-up, including on issues raised in individual petitions, which often denounce violations of EU law, which affect a large number of citizens or highlight further alleged violations of EU law on the same topic as ongoing infringement procedures; |
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6.

| 7. | Points out that petitions constitute a unique opportunity for Parliament and the other EU institutions to directly connect with EU citizens and maintain a regular dialogue with them, particularly in cases where they are affected by the misapplication or breach of EU law, as well as by shortcomings and loopholes in current EU law; stresses the need for enhanced cooperation between the EU institutions, bodies and agencies and national, regional and local authorities on inquiries regarding the impact and the implementation of and compliance with EU law; believes that such cooperation is crucial to address and resolve citizens’ concerns over the application and effectiveness of EU law and contributes to strengthening the democratic legitimacy and accountability of the Union; calls for the more active participation of Member States’ representatives in committee meetings and for timely and detailed responses to requests for clarification or information sent by the Committee on Petitions to national authorities; |
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7.

| 8. | Requests the setting up of a one-stop-shop interinstitutional IT tool between the Commission and Parliament to share publicly all the available information on all follow-up actions taken on petitions, including information on EU Pilot and infringement procedures, legislative proposals, recordings of the Committee’s meetings during which a petition is debated, replies by national authorities and Parliament’s standing committees, and on any other related non-legislative action; |
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8.

| 9. | Recalls that petitions contribute considerably to the Commission’s role as guardian of the Treaties by providing citizens with an additional opportunity to notify alleged breaches of EU law; stresses that more structured means of collaboration and reinforced cooperation between the Committee on Petitions and the Commission through timely and detailed answers from the Commission, which are based on thorough examination of the issues raised in petitions, are essential to ensure the successful treatment of petitions: underlines that the Commission should be more actively involved in order to deliver precise response to petitions’ requests and complaints; reiterates its call on the Commission to provide the Committee on Petitions with regular and updated information on developments and the state of play in relation to infringement proceedings which were launched on the basis of the petitions received, and to ensure that the Committee on Petitions obtains access to relevant Commission documents on infringements and EU Pilot procedures; deplores, in this context, the lack of systematic follow-up in communications with the Committee on Petitions; considers that an interinstitutional agreement between Parliament and the Commission on the handling of petitions could be the way forward in order to ensure the transparent and efficient treatment of petitions; |
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9.

| 10. | Recall that the e-Peti database is an important internal tool that allows the members of the Committee on Petitions to access all necessary information in order to follow up on the state of play of each individual petition and to be able to make informed decisions when it comes to the petitions’ ongoing treatment or possible closure; to this end, the e-Peti database should be regularly updated and, if possible, linked to the Commission’s list of infringements; |
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10.

| 11. | Underlines that increased attention should be given to the adoption of a European legislative act that enshrines the recognition of LGBTIQ+ rights; |
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11.

| 12. | Calls on the Commission to assess in a more timely manner whether national authorities are taking the necessary measures, where they have not already done so, to respond in an effective manner to citizens’ concerns as expressed in their petitions where cases of failure in compliance with EU law occur, which is detrimental to the full protection of rights of citizens and residents in the EU, and to launch infringement procedures where necessary; firmly believes that rapid action by the Commission against breaches of EU law is crucial to prevent these breaches from becoming systemic in nature; |
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12.

| 13. | Calls on the Commission to improve its system for collecting information on petitions and to include in its annual report on monitoring the application of EU law a direct reference to petitions, with a clear focus, inter alia, on the link between petitions, infringement procedures, EU legislative acts or any other EU legal act; |
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13.

| 14. | Points out the need to prevent any inconsistency or lack of homogeneity in the treatment of petitions, in order to guarantee the correct implementation of the right to petition; |
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14.

| 15. | Underlines that petitions may be also considered as a strategic tool to trigger legislative initiatives of the European Parliament pursuant to Article 225 TFEU, thereby helping to address any shortcomings in current EU law detrimental to citizens’ rights; |
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15.

| 16. | Recalls that cooperation with other committees in Parliament is essential for the accurate and comprehensive treatment of petitions; notes that in 2021, 82 petitions were sent to other committees for opinion and 548 for information; welcomes the fact that 46 opinions and 176 acknowledgements of taking petitions into consideration in their work were received from other committees; notes that the public hearings organised jointly with other parliamentary committees facilitate a thorough examination of petitions; recalls that petitioners are informed of the decisions to request opinions from other committees for the treatment of their petitions; calls on parliamentary committees to step up their efforts to actively contribute to the examination of petitions — by proving their expertise — and thus enable Parliament to respond more swiftly and comprehensively to citizens’ concerns; |
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16.

| 17. | Believes that the petitions network is a useful tool for facilitating the follow-up of petitions in parliamentary and legislative work; takes the view that this network should enhance dialogue and cooperation with the Commission and other EU institutions; trusts that regular meetings of the petitions network are crucial in order to ensure more visibility for the Committee on Petition’s activities and strengthen cooperation with the other parliamentary committees through the exchange of information and sharing of best practices among the network’s members; |
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17.

| 18. | Underlines that during the increased timeslots for committee meetings in 2021, in adaptation to the situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Committee on Petitions expressed its position on important issues raised in petitions by adopting, among others, its report of 9 November 2021 on the deliberations of the Committee on Petitions during 2020 (4), its two reports of 26 January 2021 on the activities of the European Ombudsman in 2019 (5) and of 2 December 2021 on the activities of the European Ombudsman in 2020 (6), its report of 27 January 2021 on engaging with citizens: the right to petition, the right to refer to the European Ombudsman and the European Citizens’ Initiative (7), and its opinion of 27 May 2021 on the Commission’s 2020 Rule of Law Report (8); appreciates the very good work of the secretariat of the Committee on Petitions at a time when working conditions remained complex; |
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18.

| 19. | Draws attention to the large number of petitions on COVID-19 that the Committee on Petitions examined and replied to in 2021; stresses that most of these petitions called for the protection of citizens’ health against the consequences of the virus, including questions on vaccination policy and alleged discrimination between vaccinated and non-vaccinated persons, as well as for assessment of the management of the health crisis in the Member States; |
| --- | --- |

19.

| 20. | Strongly regrets the Commission’s failure to disclose all details of the contracts signed with pharmaceutical companies on COVID-19 vaccines in violation of citizens’ right to information; is seriously concerned about the maladministration by the Commission related to its refusal to grant public access to documents concerning 1,5 million medical masks which the Commission purchased at an early stage in the COVID-19 pandemic and which did not meet the required quality standards (9); |
| --- | --- |

20.

| 21. | Takes note that, along with fundamental rights and the environment, health was one of the main areas of concern for petitioners in 2021, while recognising that health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic were at the centre of the Committee on Petitions’ work; emphasises the attention paid by the Committee on Petitions to the consequences of COVID-19 in terms of internal market policy (in particular questions relating to national travel restrictions and their impact on the freedom of movement of persons within and outside the EU); points, in this regard, to the public hearing held by the Committee on Petitions jointly with the Committee on Transport and Tourism on 14 July 2021 entitled ‘How to improve air passenger rights during the COVID-19 crisis? — Regulation (EC) No 261/2004’ (10), in order to assess how effectively the Flight Compensation Regulation has been applied during the COVID-19 pandemic and if the EU legal framework on passenger rights was adequate to deal with such a crisis; |
| --- | --- |

21.

| 22. | Draws attention to the large number of petitions alleging violations of the Charter; points out the limited outcome of the aforementioned petitions owing to the effective limitation of the scope of application of the Charter, as outlined in its Article 51; recalls that the expectations of most petitioners in relation to the rights conferred on them by the Charter are high and go beyond their current scope of application; reiterates its call for consideration to be given to broadening the interpretation of Article 51 beyond the scope of Union law or deleting it altogether, as stated in previous resolutions (11); |
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22.

| 23. | Draws attention to the significant number of petitions discussed in relation with various aspects of the protection of the rights of rainbow families in the EU, in particular the different stances regarding the free movement and mutual recognition rights of LGBTIQ+ families in the EU; recalls the workshop of 22 March 2021 on LGBTI+ rights in the EU, which the Committee on Petitions held to discuss the situation of LGBTIQ+ persons, to examine the new strategy on LGBTIQ equality presented by the Commission, and to address the problem represented by obstacles to the free movement of rainbow families; draws attention to the report of the Committee on Petitions of 15 July 2021 on LGBTIQ rights in the EU (12), wherein it calls for the Commission to take concrete measures to ensure protection for LGBTIQ+ families in line with the Court of Justice of the European Union judgments in the cases of Coman and Hamilton, Maruko, Römer and Hay (13), and the Taddeucci and McCall judgment (14) of the European Court of Human Rights; |
| --- | --- |

23.

| 24. | Points out that petitions related to the rights of national minorities remained on the agenda of the Committee on Petitions, especially in the areas of discriminatory practices concerning their right to education in their mother tongue, linguistic or cultural rights, and other rights such as the right to property, as outlined in petitions concerning land confiscation and restitution cases in some Member States; |
| --- | --- |

24.

| 25. | Notes that environmental issues remained an area of serious concern for petitioners in 2021; regrets that environmental rules are not always correctly implemented in the Member States, as described in numerous petitions raising complaints about air pollution, large carnivores’ conservation status and their impact on human activities, illegal logging, attacks on environmental activists, illicit plastic waste disposal, the deterioration of natural ecosystems, nuclear safety and the alteration of biodiversity, and also confirmed by EU Pilot and infringement procedures launched by the Commission; points to the important work carried out by the Committee on Petitions to highlight the impact of mining activities on the environment, as demonstrated by the number of petitions received on this topic; draws attention to the public hearing of 2 December 2021 on the environmental and social impacts of mining activity in the EU, held by the Committee on Petitions in association with the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, in order to acquire scientific knowledge on various aspects, including mining legislation, safety standards, the social and environmental impacts of mines, environmental citizenship, public participation and transparency in the mining sector; stresses that the Commission should investigate as a matter of priority the cases of incorrect transposition and implementation of EU environmental legislation in order to efficiently address the concerns of the petitioners; suggests that Member States prioritise the implementation of the precautionary and ‘do no harm’ principles when considering the authorisation of projects that have an impact on the environment; |
| --- | --- |

25.

| 26. | Stresses that illicit practices denounced in the petitions such as disposing of waste in illegal landfills, illegal logging and the illegal timber trade, the destruction of ecosystems, or the illicit killing and trafficking of species protected under EU Habitats Directive constitute serious breaches of EU law and amount to environmental crimes; highlights, in this context, that the Commission should strengthen the tools to fight environmental crime at EU level in order to efficiently investigate and prosecute such crimes and bring offenders to justice; |
| --- | --- |

26.

| 27. | Draws attention to the joint hearing of the Committee on Petitions and the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety of 25 February 2021 on plastics and waste management in the circular economy, which focused on the implementation of the current legislative framework on plastic waste, addressing the main challenges encountered by the Member States as well as highlighting the opportunities that the legal framework provides with a view to reducing the impact of plastic in the environment across Europe; |
| --- | --- |

27.

| 28. | Stresses the importance of delivering on EU citizens’ expectations regarding the protection of the environment, and in particular of taking action in the field of water policy to reduce pollution and hazardous residues of chemical substances; points, in this regard, to the resolution of 23 March 2021 on chemical residues in the Baltic Sea, based on Petitions Nos 1328/2019 and 0406/2020 (15); calls on the Commission to ensure that the issue of munitions dumped in European seas is included in the horizontal programmes in order to enable the submission of projects covering regions affected by the same problem and to facilitate the exchange of experience and best practices; |
| --- | --- |

28.

| 29. | Urges the Commission, together with the Member States, to ensure the correct implementation of EU legislation in the environmental field; |
| --- | --- |

29.

| 30. | Draws attention to the joint hearing of the Committee on Petitions and the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development of 16 June 2021 on the fair and equal treatment of farmers across the European Union, which focused on the reform of the common agriculture policy, the new EU rules for direct payments and rural development after 2022; |
| --- | --- |

30.

| 31. | Recalls that the Union must guarantee citizens the right to participate actively in the democratic functioning of the European Union in any of its official languages in order to avoid any form of discrimination and to promote multilingualism; encourages in this sense the EU institutions to make use of as many official languages as possible and to implement their multilingualism policies coherently; |
| --- | --- |

31.

| 32. | Underlines the work of the Committee on Petitions in connection with petitions relating to alleged poor safety conditions in parking facilities for trucks and commercial vehicles on the European road network, in relation to attacks on carriers in truck parking areas; points, in this regard, to the motion for a resolution adopted by the Committee on Petitions on 6 October 2021 on the safety of truck parking lots in the EU (16); urges the Commission and the Council to take the necessary measures to establish and develop police cooperation involving the competent authorities of all Member States to prevent, detect and investigate criminal offences on roads and in parking areas; encourages the Commission to follow up on this resolution with concrete actions and strengthen the monitoring of safety conditions in truck parking areas; |
| --- | --- |

32.

| 33. | Stresses the important contribution made by the Committee on Petitions to the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, as revealed by its treatment of a number of petitions on this sensitive topic; points, in this regard, to Parliament’s resolution of 7 October 2021 on the protection of persons with disabilities through petitions: lessons learnt (17), which was adopted by the Committee on Petitions on 14 July 2021; recalls the workshop of 9 November 2021 entitled ‘The rights of persons with disabilities — The implementation of the 2015 Concluding Observations of the CRPD Committee by the EU and the 2021-2030 Disability Strategy’, which the Committee on Petitions held to focus on the implementation of the Convention and on how this has been addressed and resolved notably through disability strategies; |
| --- | --- |

33.

| 34. | Welcomes the specific protection role played by the Committee on Petitions within the EU in the framework of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; points to the committee’s important ongoing work in connection with petitions concerning issues on disabilities; notes that the number of petitions on disability decreased in 2021 in comparison with the previous year; stresses that accessibility and mobility in public spaces, discrimination, inclusion and access to education and employment remain among the main challenges faced by persons with disabilities; |
| --- | --- |

34.

| 35. | Recalls the fact that relations with the European Ombudsman are one of the responsibilities conferred by Parliament’s Rules of Procedure on the Committee on Petitions; welcomes Parliament’s constructive cooperation with the European Ombudsman, as well as its involvement in the European Network of Ombudsmen; acknowledges the European Ombudsman’s regular contributions to the work of the Committee on Petitions throughout the year; firmly believes that the Union’s institutions, bodies and agencies must ensure consistent and effective follow-up to the recommendations of the Ombudsman; strongly supports the Ombudsman’s work on upholding public access to EU documents, which encompassed 214 inquiries in 2021; reiterates its calls on the Commission to submit a proposal for a revision of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001, as adopted in previous resolutions; stresses that any such revision must enhance transparency and accountability by promoting good administrative practice (18); |
| --- | --- |

35.

| 36. | Stresses that the ECI is an important instrument for active citizenship and public participation; welcomes the discussion in several meetings as petitions of some unsuccessful ECIs, which gave citizens the opportunity to expose their ideas and hold a constructive debate, as well as facilitating the participation of EU citizens in the democratic process of the Union; takes note of the significant number of new ECIs registered by the Commission in 2021, which shows that citizens are seizing the opportunity to use participatory instruments to have a say in policy and law-making processes; calls on the Commission to better engage with citizens and give adequate follow-up to successful ECIs, including through legislative proposals; |
| --- | --- |

36.

| 37. | Underlines that additional communication efforts should be guaranteed to increase the visibility of the activities of the Committee on Petitions in all Member States of the EU, especially the visibility of its official missions; |
| --- | --- |

37.

| 38. | Underlines that the Petitions Web Portal is an essential tool for ensuring a smooth, efficient and transparent petitions process; welcomes, in this regard, the improvements to data protection and security features which have made the portal more user-friendly and secure for citizens; stresses that efforts must be continued to make the portal more accessible and known to citizens, including to persons with disabilities; considers that the Petitions Web Portal must provide short descriptions in clear and plain language of all EU participatory instruments, thereby helping users to identify the most appropriate channel and reduce the number of inadmissible petitions; supports the creation of a single digital portal where citizens can access and find out about all the procedures for tabling petitions; |
| --- | --- |

38.

| 39. | Notes that although the number of people supporting one or more petitions is clearly on the rise, many petitioners have expressed concern at the complexity of the procedures to be completed on Parliament’s Petitions Web Portal in order to manifest support for a petition; |
| --- | --- |

39.

| 40. | Instructs its President to forward this resolution and the report of the Committee on Petitions to the Council, the Commission, the European Ombudsman, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, and the Member States’ committees on petitions, national ombudsmen or similar competent bodies. |
| --- | --- |

40.

---

(1)  OJ C 347, 9.9.2022, p. 110.

(2)  OJ C 18, 19.1.2017, p. 10.

(3)  Adopted by Parliament on 9 March 2022 as a resolution (OJ C 347, 9.9.2022, p. 110).

(4)  Adopted by Parliament as a resolution on 16 December 2021 (OJ C 251, 30.6.2022, p. 96).

(5)  Adopted by Parliament on 11 March 2021 as a resolution on the activities of the European Ombudsman — annual report 2019 (OJ C 474, 24.11.2021, p. 82).

(6)  Adopted by Parliament on 16 February 2022 as a resolution on the annual report on the activities of the European Ombudsman in 2020 (OJ C 342, 6.9.2022, p. 58).

(7)  Adopted by Parliament as a resolution on 9 March 2022 (OJ C 347, 9.9.2022, p. 110).

(8)  Opinion PE689.805 in procedure 2021/2025(INI), adopted by Parliament as a resolution on 24 June 2021 (OJ C 81, 18.2.2022, p. 27).

(9)  European Ombudsman case 790/2021/MIG.

(10)  Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 February 2004 establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights (OJ L 46, 17.2.2004, p. 1).

(11)  European Parliament resolution of 27 February 2014 on the situation of fundamental rights in the European Union (2012) (OJ C 285, 29.8.2017, p. 112).

(12)  Adopted by Parliament as a resolution on 14 September 2021 (OJ C 117, 11.3.2022, p. 2).

(13)  Judgment of 5 June 2018, Coman, C-673/16, ECLI:EU:C:2018:385; judgment of 1 April 2008, Maruko, C-267/06, ECLI:EU:C:2008:179; judgment of 10 May 2011, Römer, C-147/08, ECLI:EU:C:2011:286; judgment of 7 February 2014, Hay, C-267/12, ECLI:EU:C:2013:823.

(14)  Taddeucci and McCall v. Italy, No 51361/09.

(15)  Adopted by Parliament as a resolution on 27 April 2021 (OJ C 506, 15.12.2021, p. 9).

(16)  Adopted by Parliament as a resolution on 25 November 2021 (OJ C 224, 8.6.2022, p. 95).

(17)  European Parliament resolution of 7 October 2021 on the protection of persons with disabilities through petitions: lessons learnt (Petitions No 2582/2013, 2551/2014, 0074/2015, 0098/2015, 1140/2015, 1305/2015, 1394/2015, 0172/2016, 0857/2016, 1056/2016, 1147/2016, 0535/2017, 1077/2017, 0356/2018, 0367/2018, 0371/2018, 0530/2018, 0724/2018, 0808/2018, 0959/2018, 0756/2019, 0758/2019, 0954/2019, 1124/2019, 1170/2019, 1262/2019, 0294/2020, 0470/2020, 0527/2020, 0608/2020, 0768/2020, 0988/2020, 1052/2020, 1139/2020, 1205/2020, 1299/2020, 0103/2021 and others) (OJ C 132, 24.3.2022, p. 129).

(18)  European Parliament resolution of 16 December 2021 on the deliberations of the Committee on Petitions in 2020 (OJ C 251, 30.6.2022, p. 96).

---

III Preparatory acts

European Parliament

Tuesday 13 December 2022

| 17.5.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 177/139 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 177/139

---

P9_TA(2022)0428

Notification under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA)

European Parliament legislative resolution of 13 December 2022 on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2003/87/EC as regards the notification of offsetting in respect of a global market-based measure for aircraft operators based in the Union (COM(2021)0567 — C9-0323/2021 — 2021/0204(COD))

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

(2023/C 177/17)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2021)0567), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2021)0567),

| — | having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 192(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C9-0323/2021), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 192(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C9-0323/2021),

| — | 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 reasoned opinion submitted, within the framework of Protocol No 2 on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, by Seanad Éireann, asserting that the draft legislative act does not comply with the principle of subsidiarity, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the reasoned opinion submitted, within the framework of Protocol No 2 on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, by Seanad Éireann, asserting that the draft legislative act does not comply with the principle of subsidiarity,

| — | having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 20 October 2021 (1), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 20 October 2021 (1),

| — | having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions of 28 April 2022 (2), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions of 28 April 2022 (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 11 November 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 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 11 November 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 opinion of the Committee on Transport and Tourism, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the opinion of the Committee on Transport and Tourism,

| — | having regard to the report of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (A9-0145/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (A9-0145/2022),

| 1. | Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out (3); |
| --- | --- |

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 105, 4.3.2022, p. 140.

(2)  OJ C 301, 5.8.2022, p. 116.

(3)  This position replaces the amendments adopted on 8 June 2022 (Texts adopted, P9_TA(2022)0231).

---

| 17.5.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 177/140 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 177/140

---

P9_TA(2022)0429

Transport: repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 1108/70 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 851/2006

European Parliament legislative resolution of 13 December 2022 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council repealing Regulation (EEC) No 1108/70 of the Council introducing an accounting system for expenditure on infrastructure in respect of transport by rail, road and inland waterway, and Commission Regulation (EC) No 851/2006 specifying the items to be included under the various headings in the forms of accounts shown in Annex I to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1108/70 (COM(2022)0381 — C9-0294/2022 — 2022/0232(COD))

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

(2023/C 177/18)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2022)0381), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2022)0381),

| — | having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 91 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C9-0294/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 91 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C9-0294/2022),

| — | 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 26 October 2022 (1), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 26 October 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 7 December 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 7 December 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 Transport and Tourism (A9-0286/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Transport and Tourism (A9-0286/2022),

| 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.

---

(1)  Not yet published in the Official Journal.

---

P9_TC1-COD(2022)0232

Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 13 December 2022 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2023/... of the European Parliament and of the Council repealing Regulation (EEC) No 1108/70 of the Council introducing an accounting system for expenditure on infrastructure in respect of transport by rail, road and inland waterway, and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 851/2006 specifying the items to be included under the various headings in the forms of accounts shown in Annex I to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1108/70

(As an agreement was reached between Parliament and Council, Parliament's position corresponds to the final legislative act, Regulation (EU) 2023/144.)

---

| 17.5.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 177/141 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 177/141

---

P9_TA(2022)0430

Civil aviation: repealing Council Directive 89/629/EEC

European Parliament legislative resolution of 13 December 2022 on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council repealing Council Directive 89/629/EEC (COM(2022)0465 — C9-0310/2022 — 2022/0282(COD))

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

(2023/C 177/19)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2022)0465), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2022)0465),

| — | having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 91 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C9-0310/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 91 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C9-0310/2022),

| — | 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 26 October 2022 (1), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 26 October 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 7 December 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 7 December 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 Transport and Tourism (A9-0287/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Transport and Tourism (A9-0287/2022),

1.

Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out;

2.

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

3.

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

---

(1)  Not yet published in the Official Journal.

1

---

P9_TC1-COD(2022)0282

Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 13 December 2022 with a view to the adoption of Decision (EU) 2023/... of the European Parliament and of the Council repealing Council Directive 89/629/EEC

(As an agreement was reached between Parliament and Council, Parliament's position corresponds to the final legislative act, Decision (EU) 2023/145.)

---

| 17.5.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 177/142 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 177/142

---

P9_TA(2022)0431

Administrative cooperation in the field of excise duties

European Parliament legislative resolution of 13 December 2022 on the proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulation (EU) No 389/2012 as regards the exchange of information maintained in the electronic registers concerning economic operators who move excise goods between Member States for commercial purposes (COM(2022)0539 — C9-0367/2022 — 2022/0331(CNS))

(Special legislative procedure — consultation)

(2023/C 177/20)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2022)0539), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2022)0539),

| — | having regard to Article 113 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C9-0367/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 113 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C9-0367/2022),

| — | 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 Economic and Monetary Affairs (A9-0276/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (A9-0276/2022),

| 1. | Approves the Commission proposal; |
| --- | --- |

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, the Commission and the national parliaments. |
| --- | --- |

4.

---

| 17.5.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 177/143 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 177/143

---

P9_TA(2022)0432

Application of Articles 93, 107 and 108 of the TFEU to certain categories of State aid in the rail, inland waterway and multimodal transport sector

European Parliament legislative resolution of 13 December 2022 on the proposal for a Council regulation on the application of Articles 93, 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to certain categories of State aid in the rail, inland waterway and multimodal transport sector (COM(2022)0327 — C9-0290/2022 — 2022/0209(NLE))

(Consultation)

(2023/C 177/21)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2022)0327), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2022)0327),

| — | having regard to Article 109 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C9-0290/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 109 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C9-0290/2022),

| — | 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 Economic and Monetary Affairs (A9-0285/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (A9-0285/2022),

| 1. | Approves the Commission proposal; |
| --- | --- |

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.

---

Wednesday 14 December 2022

| 17.5.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 177/144 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 177/144

---

P9_TA(2022)0439

‘Macro-Financial Assistance+’ instrument for providing support to Ukraine for 2023

European Parliament legislative resolution of 14 December 2022 on the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an instrument for providing support to Ukraine for 2023 (macro-financial assistance +) (15727/2022 — C9-0424/2022 — 2022/0371(COD))

(Ordinary legislative procedure: second reading)

(2023/C 177/22)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the Council position at first reading (15727/2022 — C9-0424/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Council position at first reading (15727/2022 — C9-0424/2022),

| — | having regard to its position at first reading (1) on the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2022)0597), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its position at first reading (1) on the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2022)0597),

| — | having regard to Article 294(7) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 294(7) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

| — | having regard to Rules 67 and 163 of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rules 67 and 163 of its Rules of Procedure,

| 1. | Approves the Council position at first reading; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Notes that the act is adopted in accordance with the Council position; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | Instructs its President to sign the act with the President of the Council, in accordance with Article 297(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union; |
| --- | --- |

3.

| 4. | Instructs its Secretary-General to sign the act, once it has been verified that all the procedures have been duly completed, and, in agreement with the Secretary-General of the Council, to arrange for its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union; |
| --- | --- |

4.

| 5. | Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments. |
| --- | --- |

5.

---

(1)  Texts adopted, 24.11.2022, P9_TA(2022)0412.

---

| 17.5.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 177/145 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 177/145

---

P9_TA(2022)0440

Mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund: assistance to Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, Luxembourg, Spain and Greece

European Parliament resolution of 14 December 2022 on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, Luxembourg, Spain and Greece further to natural disasters that took place in these countries in the course of 2021 (COM(2022)0665 — C9-0350/2022 — 2022/0337(BUD))

(2023/C 177/23)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the Commission proposal to the European Parliament and the Council COM(2022)0665 — C9-0350/2022, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission proposal to the European Parliament and the Council COM(2022)0665 — C9-0350/2022,

| — | having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund (1) (the ‘EUSF Regulation’), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund (1) (the ‘EUSF 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 (2), and in particular Article 9 thereof (the ‘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 (2), and in particular Article 9 thereof (the ‘MFF Regulation’),

| — | having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European 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 10 thereof, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European 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 10 thereof,

| — | having regard to special report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on global warming of 1,5 oC, its special report on climate change and land, and its special report on the ocean and cryosphere in a changing climate, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to special report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on global warming of 1,5 oC, its special report on climate change and land, and its special report on the ocean and cryosphere in a changing climate,

| — | having regard to the Agreement adopted at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP21) in Paris on 12 December 2015 (the ‘Paris Agreement’), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Agreement adopted at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP21) in Paris on 12 December 2015 (the ‘Paris Agreement’),

| — | having regard to its resolution of 18 May 2021 on the review of the European Union Solidarity Fund (4), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its resolution of 18 May 2021 on the review of the European Union Solidarity Fund (4),

| — | having regard to the letter from the Committee on Regional Development, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the letter from the Committee on Regional Development,

| — | having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets (A9-0282/2022), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets (A9-0282/2022),

| 1. | Expresses its deepest solidarity with all the victims, their families and all the individuals affected by the destructive floods in Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria and Luxembourg, by the volcanic eruption on the island of La Palma in Spain and by the earthquake in Crete in Greece, as well as with the national, regional and local authorities and non-governmental organisations involved in the relief efforts; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | Notes the decision and considers the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) as a tangible and visible form of the Union’s solidarity with its citizens and the regions in the affected areas in Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria, Luxembourg, Spain and Greece; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | Underlines that the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has created immense needs in emergency assistance both within the Union and in neighbouring countries; underlines that the effects of the war, coupled with the consequences of severe natural disasters in 2022, has placed the Solidarity and Emergency Aid Reserve (SEAR) under extreme pressure; |
| --- | --- |

3.

| 4. | Stresses that the number and severity of emergencies is unpredictable; reiterates its position that the SEAR’s annual ceiling for the period 2021-2027 is not adequate to respond to emergencies; regrets that, due to budgetary constraints, the citizens and regions of the Member States concerned by the Commission’s proposal will receive limited assistance that is far from sufficient to cover the needs; |
| --- | --- |

4.

| 5. | Stresses the urgent need to release financial assistance through the EUSF to ensure that support can reach the affected regions in a timely manner; regrets at the same time that the maximum amount available for this EUSF mobilisation is much lower than the potential aid amount that could be needed and comes more than a year after the events took place due to the inflexible mobilisation rules of the EUSF; calls therefore on the Commission to explore further possibilities for additional funding; |
| --- | --- |

5.

| 6. | Reiterates its concern about the decision to merge the Emergency Aid Reserve (EAR) and the EUSF in the current multiannual financial framework, which has led to serious shortcomings, and significantly reduced the overall funding available; regrets the fact that due to the rules for mobilisation of the SEAR and the limitations on frontloading EUSF funds on the basis of Article 9(5) of the MFF Regulation, additional funding is not possible; urges the Commission to come forward with a model for a faster and more timely mobilisation of the EUSF; believes that the available resources for EUSF should be substantially increased and made available in a more timely manner as part of the ambitious multiannual financial framework revision; |
| --- | --- |

6.

| 7. | Stresses that the awarding, management and implementation of EUSF grants should be used in line with the principles of transparency and sound financial management including thorough monitoring; calls on the Commission and the Member States to step up communication efforts to improve the public awareness of the interventions done with financing under the EUSF; |
| --- | --- |

7.

| 8. | Underlines that an ambitious multiannual financial framework revision should include splitting the SEAR into two strands — the EAR and the EUSF — and for annual appropriations to be increased from EUR 1,2 billion for the SEAR overall to EUR 1 billion for each strand in 2018 prices; considers that this would provide vital additional resources to respond to current and emerging needs, in particular in light of the intensification and multiplication of extreme weather events and in view of the global humanitarian situation; |
| --- | --- |

8.

| 9. | Highlights the need to reconsider the architecture of the EUSF mechanism to render it speedier, more flexible and more agile, in order to allow it to fulfil its potential as an effective emergency instrument; calls, therefore, for a revision of the EUSF Regulation; |
| --- | --- |

9.

| 10. | Approves the decision annexed to this resolution; |
| --- | --- |

10.

| 11. | 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; |
| --- | --- |

11.

| 12. | Instructs its President to forward this resolution, including its annex, to the Council and the Commission. |
| --- | --- |

12.

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(1)  OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p. 3.

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

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

(4)  OJ C 15, 12.1.2022, p. 2.

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ANNEX

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, Luxembourg, Spain and Greece further to natural disasters that took place in those countries in the course of 2021

(The text of this annex is not reproduced here since it corresponds to the final act, Decision (EU) 2023/68.)

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| 17.5.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 177/148 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 177/148

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P9_TA(2022)0441

Renewable Energy, Energy Performance of Buildings and Energy Efficiency Directives: amendments (REPowerEU)

Amendments adopted by the European Parliament on 14 December 2022 on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive (EU) 2018/2001 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources, Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings and Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency (COM(2022)0222 — C9-0184/2022 — 2022/0160(COD)) (1)

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

[Amendment 1 unless otherwise indicated]

(2023/C 177/24)

AMENDMENTS BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (*1)

to the Commission proposal

DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

amending Directive (EU) 2018/2001 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources, Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings and Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 192(1) and 194(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,

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

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (3),

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (4),

Whereas:

| (1) | In the context of the European Green Deal (5), Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council (6) established the objective of the Union becoming climate neutral in 2050
  at the latest
  , as well as the target of
  at least
  a 55 % reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. This requires
  a just
  energy transition
  that leaves no territory or citizen behind, increased efficiency
  and significantly higher shares of renewable energy sources in an integrated energy system. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

In the context of the European Green Deal (5), Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council (6) established the objective of the Union becoming climate neutral in 2050
  at the latest
  , as well as the target of
  at least
  a 55 % reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. This requires
  a just
  energy transition
  that leaves no territory or citizen behind, increased efficiency
  and significantly higher shares of renewable energy sources in an integrated energy system.

| (2) | Renewable energy plays a fundamental role in delivering on these objectives, given that the energy sector contributes today over 75 % of total greenhouse gas emissions in the Union. By reducing those greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy
  can also contribute
  to tackling environmental-related challenges such as biodiversity loss and to reducing
  land, water and air
  pollution in line with the objectives of the Zero-Pollution Action Plan. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

Renewable energy plays a fundamental role in delivering on these objectives, given that the energy sector contributes today over 75 % of total greenhouse gas emissions in the Union. By reducing those greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy
  can also contribute
  to tackling environmental-related challenges such as biodiversity loss and to reducing
  land, water and air
  pollution in line with the objectives of the Zero-Pollution Action Plan.

| (2a) | The general context created by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in energy prices across the Union, thus highlighting the need to accelerate energy efficiency and increase the use of renewable energy in the Union. In order to achieve the long-term objective of an energy system that is independent of third countries, the Union should focus on accelerating the green transition and ensuring an emission-reducing energy policy that reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels and establishes fair and affordable prices for Union citizens and enterprises in all sectors of the economy. |
| --- | --- |

(2a)

The general context created by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in energy prices across the Union, thus highlighting the need to accelerate energy efficiency and increase the use of renewable energy in the Union. In order to achieve the long-term objective of an energy system that is independent of third countries, the Union should focus on accelerating the green transition and ensuring an emission-reducing energy policy that reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels and establishes fair and affordable prices for Union citizens and enterprises in all sectors of the economy.

| ▌ | |
| --- | --- |

▌

| (4) | Lengthy administrative procedures are one of the key barriers for investments in renewables and their related infrastructure. These barriers include the complexity of the applicable rules for site selection and administrative authorisations for projects,
  including possible restrictions related to the historical significance of certain sites,
  the complexity and duration of the assessment of the environmental impacts of the projects,
  and related energy networks
  connection issues, constraints on adapting technology specifications during the permit-granting procedure, or staffing issues of the permit-granting authorities or grid operators. In order to accelerate the pace of deployment of renewable energy projects it is necessary to adopt rules which would simplify and shorten permit-granting processes
  , taking into account the social acceptance of the renewable energy deployment
  . |
| --- | --- |

(4)

Lengthy administrative procedures are one of the key barriers for investments in renewables and their related infrastructure. These barriers include the complexity of the applicable rules for site selection and administrative authorisations for projects,
  including possible restrictions related to the historical significance of certain sites,
  the complexity and duration of the assessment of the environmental impacts of the projects,
  and related energy networks
  connection issues, constraints on adapting technology specifications during the permit-granting procedure, or staffing issues of the permit-granting authorities or grid operators. In order to accelerate the pace of deployment of renewable energy projects it is necessary to adopt rules which would simplify and shorten permit-granting processes
  , taking into account the social acceptance of the renewable energy deployment
  .

| (5) | The Directive (EU) 2018/2001 streamlines the requirements to simplify the administrative procedures for authorising renewable energy plants by introducing rules on the organisation and maximum duration of the administrative part of the permit-granting process for renewable energy projects, covering all relevant permits to build, repower and operate plants, and for their grid connection. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

The Directive (EU) 2018/2001 streamlines the requirements to simplify the administrative procedures for authorising renewable energy plants by introducing rules on the organisation and maximum duration of the administrative part of the permit-granting process for renewable energy projects, covering all relevant permits to build, repower and operate plants, and for their grid connection.

| (6) | A further simplification and shortening of the administrative permit-granting processes
  for renewable energy plants and their related infrastructure, including network connections
  , in a coordinated and harmonised manner is necessary in order to ensure that the Union reaches its ambitious climate and energy targets for 2030 and the objective of climate-neutrality by 2050, while taking into account the ‘do no harm’ principle of the European Green Deal. The introduction of shorter and clear deadlines for decisions to be taken by the authorities competent for issuing the authorisation for the renewable energy installations on the basis of a complete application, will accelerate the deployment of renewable energy projects. It is appropriate however to make a distinction between projects in areas particularly suitable for the deployment of renewable energy projects, for which deadlines can be particularly streamlined (renewables
  acceleration
  areas), and projects located outside those areas. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

A further simplification and shortening of the administrative permit-granting processes
  for renewable energy plants and their related infrastructure, including network connections
  , in a coordinated and harmonised manner is necessary in order to ensure that the Union reaches its ambitious climate and energy targets for 2030 and the objective of climate-neutrality by 2050, while taking into account the ‘do no harm’ principle of the European Green Deal. The introduction of shorter and clear deadlines for decisions to be taken by the authorities competent for issuing the authorisation for the renewable energy installations on the basis of a complete application, will accelerate the deployment of renewable energy projects. It is appropriate however to make a distinction between projects in areas particularly suitable for the deployment of renewable energy projects, for which deadlines can be particularly streamlined (renewables
  acceleration
  areas), and projects located outside those areas.

| (7) | Some of the most common issues faced by renewable energy project developers relate to
  complex and lengthy administrative, permitting and grid connection
  procedures established at national or regional level
  and a lack of sufficient staffing and technical expertise in permitting authorities
  to assess the environmental impact of the proposed projects. Therefore, it is appropriate to streamline certain environmental-related aspects of the permit-granting procedures and processes for renewable energy projects.
  Further, it is also appropriate to ensure that energy system operators support an efficient deployment of renewable energy projects through the procurement of flexibility services in line with the provisions of the Regulation (EU) 2019/943 and the Directive (EU) 2019/944. [Am. 5] |
| --- | --- |

(7)

Some of the most common issues faced by renewable energy project developers relate to
  complex and lengthy administrative, permitting and grid connection
  procedures established at national or regional level
  and a lack of sufficient staffing and technical expertise in permitting authorities
  to assess the environmental impact of the proposed projects. Therefore, it is appropriate to streamline certain environmental-related aspects of the permit-granting procedures and processes for renewable energy projects.
  Further, it is also appropriate to ensure that energy system operators support an efficient deployment of renewable energy projects through the procurement of flexibility services in line with the provisions of the Regulation (EU) 2019/943 and the Directive (EU) 2019/944. [Am. 5]

| (7a) | Complex, lengthy and opaque administrative procedures have a disproportionate impact on citizens, local authorities and SMEs, acting as renewables self-consumers individually or through aggregators and renewable energy communities. This is often due, in particular, to a lack of experience or expertise, financial and human resources to navigate permitting and grid connection processes. It is necessary to make it easier for non-professional and non-commercial market actors to successfully navigate obtaining relevant approvals. This should be facilitated by simplification, where necessary, as well as dedicated windows where these actors do not have the same capacity as other professional well-resourced market participants. The integrated multilevel planning and mapping of renewable energy, should reflect the local planning and mapping carried out at local and regional level as well as identify the estimated staff, training, financing and technical needs of permit granting authorities. |
| --- | --- |

(7a)

Complex, lengthy and opaque administrative procedures have a disproportionate impact on citizens, local authorities and SMEs, acting as renewables self-consumers individually or through aggregators and renewable energy communities. This is often due, in particular, to a lack of experience or expertise, financial and human resources to navigate permitting and grid connection processes. It is necessary to make it easier for non-professional and non-commercial market actors to successfully navigate obtaining relevant approvals. This should be facilitated by simplification, where necessary, as well as dedicated windows where these actors do not have the same capacity as other professional well-resourced market participants. The integrated multilevel planning and mapping of renewable energy, should reflect the local planning and mapping carried out at local and regional level as well as identify the estimated staff, training, financing and technical needs of permit granting authorities.

| (8) | A faster roll-out of renewable energy projects
  should
  be supported by
  integrated multilevel
  planning
  and mapping of renewable energy
  carried out by Member States
  in structured corrdination with local and regional authorities.
  Member States should identify the land,
  surface, sub-surface
  and sea areas necessary for the installation of plants for the production of energy from renewable sources in order to meet their national contributions towards the revised 2030 renewable energy target set out in Article 3(1) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.
  as well as sub-targets set out in Articles 15a, 22a, 23(1), 24(4) and 25(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 and the climate-neutrality objective set out in Article 2 thereof.
  Such areas should reflect their estimated trajectories and total planned installed capacity and should be identified by renewable energy technology set in the Member States’ ▌ national energy and climate plans
  updated
  pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. The identification of the required land
  surface, sub-surface
  and sea areas should take into consideration the availability of the renewable energy resources and the potential offered by the different land and sea areas for renewable energy production of the different technologies, the projected energy demand,
  taking into account energy and system efficiency,
  overall and in the different regions of the Member State, and the availability of relevant
  energy network and
  grid infrastructure, energy
  storage
  facilities, including thermal storage
  , and other flexibility tools bearing in mind the capacity needed to cater for the increasing amount of renewable energy
  , the potential of involving citizens actively in the energy system, acting as renewables self-consumers individually or through aggregators and energy communities
  .
  Moreover, Member States should ensure that the administrative permits to build, repower and operate plants for the production of energy from renewable sources referred to in Article 16(1) and (2) are considered as final decisions on the outcome of the procedure of the competent authority or competent authorities on the determination of land use for the area where those plants will be located. |
| --- | --- |

(8)

A faster roll-out of renewable energy projects
  should
  be supported by
  integrated multilevel
  planning
  and mapping of renewable energy
  carried out by Member States
  in structured corrdination with local and regional authorities.
  Member States should identify the land,
  surface, sub-surface
  and sea areas necessary for the installation of plants for the production of energy from renewable sources in order to meet their national contributions towards the revised 2030 renewable energy target set out in Article 3(1) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.
  as well as sub-targets set out in Articles 15a, 22a, 23(1), 24(4) and 25(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 and the climate-neutrality objective set out in Article 2 thereof.
  Such areas should reflect their estimated trajectories and total planned installed capacity and should be identified by renewable energy technology set in the Member States’ ▌ national energy and climate plans
  updated
  pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. The identification of the required land
  surface, sub-surface
  and sea areas should take into consideration the availability of the renewable energy resources and the potential offered by the different land and sea areas for renewable energy production of the different technologies, the projected energy demand,
  taking into account energy and system efficiency,
  overall and in the different regions of the Member State, and the availability of relevant
  energy network and
  grid infrastructure, energy
  storage
  facilities, including thermal storage
  , and other flexibility tools bearing in mind the capacity needed to cater for the increasing amount of renewable energy
  , the potential of involving citizens actively in the energy system, acting as renewables self-consumers individually or through aggregators and energy communities
  .
  Moreover, Member States should ensure that the administrative permits to build, repower and operate plants for the production of energy from renewable sources referred to in Article 16(1) and (2) are considered as final decisions on the outcome of the procedure of the competent authority or competent authorities on the determination of land use for the area where those plants will be located.

| (9) | Member States should designate as renewables
  acceleration
  areas those areas that are particularly suitable to develop renewable energy projects, differentiating between technologies, and where the deployment of the specific type of renewable energy is not expected to have a significant impact
  on the environment and food safety with regard to agricultural production
  .
  The renewables acceleration areas should be particularly suitable for the installation of plants for the production of energy from renewable sources. However, biomass combustion plants should be excluded from the renewables acceleration areas, except for installations located in an outermost region as referred to in Article 349 TFEU, where due to specific needs, exceptions could be taken into account.
  In the designation of renewables
  acceleration
  areas, Member States should avoid protected areas and consider restoration plans.
  Renewables acceleration areas should at least be established for wind turbines and solar plants and could be established for biomethane production plants.
  Member States may designate
  renewables acceleration
  areas specific for one or more types of renewable energy plants and should indicate the type or types of renewable energy that are suitable to be produced in each renewable
  acceleration
  area. |
| --- | --- |

(9)

Member States should designate as renewables
  acceleration
  areas those areas that are particularly suitable to develop renewable energy projects, differentiating between technologies, and where the deployment of the specific type of renewable energy is not expected to have a significant impact
  on the environment and food safety with regard to agricultural production
  .
  The renewables acceleration areas should be particularly suitable for the installation of plants for the production of energy from renewable sources. However, biomass combustion plants should be excluded from the renewables acceleration areas, except for installations located in an outermost region as referred to in Article 349 TFEU, where due to specific needs, exceptions could be taken into account.
  In the designation of renewables
  acceleration
  areas, Member States should avoid protected areas and consider restoration plans.
  Renewables acceleration areas should at least be established for wind turbines and solar plants and could be established for biomethane production plants.
  Member States may designate
  renewables acceleration
  areas specific for one or more types of renewable energy plants and should indicate the type or types of renewable energy that are suitable to be produced in each renewable
  acceleration
  area.

| (9a) | The production of food needs to take priority over production of energy and the production of energy should not lead to reduced food production or reduced crop yields, but the two activities can and must coexist and should exploit synergies. To do so, it is necessary to facilitate the production of renewable energy in its various forms, in locations that are easily accessible to farmers, and in line with the needs of the farm. Member States need to avoid designating productive farmland, agricultural areas producing high-quality agri-food products and products with a special connection to the local landscape and culture as acceleration areas. The exploitation of renewable energy sources, such as biomethane production, should be encouraged in areas that are in close proximity to agriculture sites, namely those that are close to farmland and on-farm sites, and on non-agricultural areas situated on farmland. As a priority, the acceleration areas should be in the proximity of end users or areas with existing infrastructures and on sites where residual streams or agricultural waste can be used for renewable energy production. |
| --- | --- |

(9a)

The production of food needs to take priority over production of energy and the production of energy should not lead to reduced food production or reduced crop yields, but the two activities can and must coexist and should exploit synergies. To do so, it is necessary to facilitate the production of renewable energy in its various forms, in locations that are easily accessible to farmers, and in line with the needs of the farm. Member States need to avoid designating productive farmland, agricultural areas producing high-quality agri-food products and products with a special connection to the local landscape and culture as acceleration areas. The exploitation of renewable energy sources, such as biomethane production, should be encouraged in areas that are in close proximity to agriculture sites, namely those that are close to farmland and on-farm sites, and on non-agricultural areas situated on farmland. As a priority, the acceleration areas should be in the proximity of end users or areas with existing infrastructures and on sites where residual streams or agricultural waste can be used for renewable energy production.

| (10) | Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (7) establishes environmental assessments as an important tool for integrating environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of plans and programmes. In order to designate renewables
  acceleration
  areas, Member States should prepare a plan or plans encompassing the identification of areas and the applicable rules and mitigation measures
  or
  projects located in each
  renewables acceleration
  area.
  The size of those areas should be commensurate with the objectives for renewable energies and sub-targets set out in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and in the national energy and climate plans as updated pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.
  Member States may prepare one single plan for all
  renewables acceleration
  areas and technologies, or technology-specific plans identifying one or more
  renewables acceleration
  areas. Each plan should be subject to an environmental assessment carried out in accordance with the conditions set out in Directive 2001/42/EC in order to assess the impacts of each renewable technology on the relevant areas designated in such plan. Carrying out an environmental assessment in accordance with Directive 2001/42/EC for this purpose would allow Member States to have a more integrated and efficient approach to planning and to take environmental considerations into account at an early phase of the planning process at a strategic level. This would contribute to ramping up the deployment of different renewable energy sources in a faster and streamlined manner while minimising the negative environmental impacts from these projects. |
| --- | --- |

(10)

Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (7) establishes environmental assessments as an important tool for integrating environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of plans and programmes. In order to designate renewables
  acceleration
  areas, Member States should prepare a plan or plans encompassing the identification of areas and the applicable rules and mitigation measures
  or
  projects located in each
  renewables acceleration
  area.
  The size of those areas should be commensurate with the objectives for renewable energies and sub-targets set out in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and in the national energy and climate plans as updated pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.
  Member States may prepare one single plan for all
  renewables acceleration
  areas and technologies, or technology-specific plans identifying one or more
  renewables acceleration
  areas. Each plan should be subject to an environmental assessment carried out in accordance with the conditions set out in Directive 2001/42/EC in order to assess the impacts of each renewable technology on the relevant areas designated in such plan. Carrying out an environmental assessment in accordance with Directive 2001/42/EC for this purpose would allow Member States to have a more integrated and efficient approach to planning and to take environmental considerations into account at an early phase of the planning process at a strategic level. This would contribute to ramping up the deployment of different renewable energy sources in a faster and streamlined manner while minimising the negative environmental impacts from these projects.

| (11) | Following the adoption of the plan or plans designating renewables
  acceleration
  areas, Member States should monitor the significant environmental effects of the implementation of plans and programmes in order, inter alia, to identify at an early stage ▌ adverse effects, and to be able to undertake appropriate remedial action, in accordance with Directive 2001/42/EC. |
| --- | --- |

(11)

Following the adoption of the plan or plans designating renewables
  acceleration
  areas, Member States should monitor the significant environmental effects of the implementation of plans and programmes in order, inter alia, to identify at an early stage ▌ adverse effects, and to be able to undertake appropriate remedial action, in accordance with Directive 2001/42/EC.

| (12) | The provisions of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (8) (‘the Aarhus Convention’) regarding access to information, public participation in decision-making, and access to justice in environmental matters, in particular the provisions relating to public participation and to access to justice remain applicable ▌. |
| --- | --- |

(12)

The provisions of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (8) (‘the Aarhus Convention’) regarding access to information, public participation in decision-making, and access to justice in environmental matters, in particular the provisions relating to public participation and to access to justice remain applicable ▌.

| (12a) | To increase public acceptance of renewable energy projects and empower citizens and local communities to produce and consume their own energy, Member States should take appropriate measures to duly inform citizens on new projects and equally promote and facilitate their participation in those projects, inter alia through renewable energy communities. |
| --- | --- |

(12a)

To increase public acceptance of renewable energy projects and empower citizens and local communities to produce and consume their own energy, Member States should take appropriate measures to duly inform citizens on new projects and equally promote and facilitate their participation in those projects, inter alia through renewable energy communities.

| (13) | The designation of renewables
  acceleration
  areas should aim to ensure that renewable energy production from these areas, together with existing renewable energy plants, future renewable energy plants outside of such areas and cooperation mechanisms, will be sufficient to achieve Member States’ contribution to the Union renewable energy target set out in Article 3(1) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. |
| --- | --- |

(13)

The designation of renewables
  acceleration
  areas should aim to ensure that renewable energy production from these areas, together with existing renewable energy plants, future renewable energy plants outside of such areas and cooperation mechanisms, will be sufficient to achieve Member States’ contribution to the Union renewable energy target set out in Article 3(1) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

| (14) | In the designated renewables
  acceleration
  areas, renewable energy projects that comply with the rules and measures identified in the plan or plans prepared by Member States, should benefit from a presumption of not having significant effects on the environment. Therefore, there should be an exemption from the need to carry out a specific environmental impact assessment at project level in the sense of Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (9), with the exception of projects which are likely to have significant effects on the environment in another Member State or where a Member State likely to be significantly affected so requests. The obligations under the UNECE Espoo Convention on environmental impact assessment in a transboundary context of 25 February 1991 should remain applicable for Member States where the project is likely to cause a significant transboundary impact in a third country. |
| --- | --- |

(14)

In the designated renewables
  acceleration
  areas, renewable energy projects that comply with the rules and measures identified in the plan or plans prepared by Member States, should benefit from a presumption of not having significant effects on the environment. Therefore, there should be an exemption from the need to carry out a specific environmental impact assessment at project level in the sense of Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (9), with the exception of projects which are likely to have significant effects on the environment in another Member State or where a Member State likely to be significantly affected so requests. The obligations under the UNECE Espoo Convention on environmental impact assessment in a transboundary context of 25 February 1991 should remain applicable for Member States where the project is likely to cause a significant transboundary impact in a third country.

| (15) | The designation of renewables
  acceleration
  areas should allow renewable energy plants, their grid connection as well as co-located energy storage facilities located in these areas to benefit from predictability and streamlined administrative procedures. In particular, projects located in
  renewables acceleration
  areas should benefit from accelerated administrative procedures, including a tacit agreement in case of a lack of response by the competent authority on an administrative step by the established deadline, unless the specific project is subject to an environmental impact assessment. These projects should also benefit from clearly delimited deadlines and legal certainty as regards the expected outcome of the procedure. Following the application for projects in a renewables
  acceleration
  area, Member States should carry out a fast screening of such applications with the aim to identify if any of such projects is highly likely to give rise to significant unforeseen adverse effects in view of the environmental sensitivity of the geographic area where they are located that were not identified during the environmental assessment of the plan or plans designating renewables
  acceleration
  areas carried out in accordance with Directive 2001/42/EC. All projects located in renewables
  acceleration
  areas should be deemed approved at the end of such screening process. Only if Member States have clear evidence to consider that a specific project is highly likely to give rise to such significant unforeseen adverse effects, Member States should, after motivating such decision, subject such project to an environmental assessment in accordance with Directive 2011/92/EU and, where relevant, Directive 92/43/EEC (10). Given the need to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy sources, such assessment should be carried out within six months. |
| --- | --- |

(15)

The designation of renewables
  acceleration
  areas should allow renewable energy plants, their grid connection as well as co-located energy storage facilities located in these areas to benefit from predictability and streamlined administrative procedures. In particular, projects located in
  renewables acceleration
  areas should benefit from accelerated administrative procedures, including a tacit agreement in case of a lack of response by the competent authority on an administrative step by the established deadline, unless the specific project is subject to an environmental impact assessment. These projects should also benefit from clearly delimited deadlines and legal certainty as regards the expected outcome of the procedure. Following the application for projects in a renewables
  acceleration
  area, Member States should carry out a fast screening of such applications with the aim to identify if any of such projects is highly likely to give rise to significant unforeseen adverse effects in view of the environmental sensitivity of the geographic area where they are located that were not identified during the environmental assessment of the plan or plans designating renewables
  acceleration
  areas carried out in accordance with Directive 2001/42/EC. All projects located in renewables
  acceleration
  areas should be deemed approved at the end of such screening process. Only if Member States have clear evidence to consider that a specific project is highly likely to give rise to such significant unforeseen adverse effects, Member States should, after motivating such decision, subject such project to an environmental assessment in accordance with Directive 2011/92/EU and, where relevant, Directive 92/43/EEC (10). Given the need to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy sources, such assessment should be carried out within six months.

| (15a) | Member States have agreed to the development of a coherent European Natura 2000 network by proposing to the Commission adequate sites of Community importance pursuant to Article 4(2) of Directive 92/43/EEC and the Special Areas of Protection designated under Directive 2009/147/EC
   (11)

  . Member States should ensure that sites which are on their national list on the basis of the scientific criteria laid down in Directive 2009/147/EC and Directive 92/43/EEC are not designated as renewables acceleration areas, except for artificial and built surfaces located in those sites such as rooftops, parking areas or transport infrastructure. |
| --- | --- |

(15a)

Member States have agreed to the development of a coherent European Natura 2000 network by proposing to the Commission adequate sites of Community importance pursuant to Article 4(2) of Directive 92/43/EEC and the Special Areas of Protection designated under Directive 2009/147/EC
   (11)

  . Member States should ensure that sites which are on their national list on the basis of the scientific criteria laid down in Directive 2009/147/EC and Directive 92/43/EEC are not designated as renewables acceleration areas, except for artificial and built surfaces located in those sites such as rooftops, parking areas or transport infrastructure.

| (16) | In view of the need to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy sources, the identification of renewables
  acceleration
  areas should not prevent the ongoing and future installation of renewable energy projects in all areas available for renewable energy deployment. Such projects should remain subject to the obligation to carry out a dedicated environmental impact assessment in accordance with Directive 2011/92/EU and should be subject to the procedures foreseen for renewable energy projects located outside
  renewables acceleration
  areas. To speed up permitting at the scale necessary for the achievement of the renewable energy target set out in Directive (EU) 2018/2001, also the procedures applicable to projects outside of
  renewables acceleration
  areas should be simplified and streamlined with the introduction of clear maximum deadlines for all steps of the procedure, including dedicated environmental assessments per project. |
| --- | --- |

(16)

In view of the need to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy sources, the identification of renewables
  acceleration
  areas should not prevent the ongoing and future installation of renewable energy projects in all areas available for renewable energy deployment. Such projects should remain subject to the obligation to carry out a dedicated environmental impact assessment in accordance with Directive 2011/92/EU and should be subject to the procedures foreseen for renewable energy projects located outside
  renewables acceleration
  areas. To speed up permitting at the scale necessary for the achievement of the renewable energy target set out in Directive (EU) 2018/2001, also the procedures applicable to projects outside of
  renewables acceleration
  areas should be simplified and streamlined with the introduction of clear maximum deadlines for all steps of the procedure, including dedicated environmental assessments per project.

| (17) | Multiple use of space for renewable energy production and other land and sea uses (such as food production or nature protection or restoration) alleviates land and sea use constraints. In this context, spatial planning is an
  essential
  tool to identify and steer synergies for land and sea use at an early stage. Member States should explore, enable and favour the multiple uses of the areas identified as a result of the spatial planning measures adopted. |
| --- | --- |

(17)

Multiple use of space for renewable energy production and other land and sea uses (such as food production or nature protection or restoration) alleviates land and sea use constraints. In this context, spatial planning is an
  essential
  tool to identify and steer synergies for land and sea use at an early stage. Member States should explore, enable and favour the multiple uses of the areas identified as a result of the spatial planning measures adopted.

| (18) | The construction and operation of renewable energy plants may result in the occasional killing or disturbance of birds and other protected species under Directive 92/43/EEC or Directive
  2009/147/EC
  . However, such killing or disturbance would not be considered deliberate in the sense of these Directives if a project has adopted, during its construction and operation,
  all necessary
  mitigation measures to avoid collisions or prevent disturbance, and if it carries out a proper monitoring to assess the effectiveness of such measures and, in the light of the information gathered, takes further measures as required to ensure no significant negative impact on the population of the species concerned. |
| --- | --- |

(18)

The construction and operation of renewable energy plants may result in the occasional killing or disturbance of birds and other protected species under Directive 92/43/EEC or Directive
  2009/147/EC
  . However, such killing or disturbance would not be considered deliberate in the sense of these Directives if a project has adopted, during its construction and operation,
  all necessary
  mitigation measures to avoid collisions or prevent disturbance, and if it carries out a proper monitoring to assess the effectiveness of such measures and, in the light of the information gathered, takes further measures as required to ensure no significant negative impact on the population of the species concerned.

| (19) | In addition to installing new
  and innovative
  renewable energy plants, repowering existing renewable energy plants has a significant potential to contribute to the achievement of the renewable energy targets. Since, usually, the existing renewable energy plants have been installed in sites with significant renewable energy resource potential, repowering can ensure the continued use of these sites while reducing the need to designate new sites for renewable energy projects. Repowering includes further benefits such as the existing grid connection, a likely higher degree of public acceptance and knowledge of environmental impacts. The repowering of renewable energy projects entails changes to or the extension of existing projects to different degrees. The permit-granting process, including environmental assessments and screening, for the repowering of renewable energy projects should be limited to the potential impacts resulting from the change or extension compared to the original project. |
| --- | --- |

(19)

In addition to installing new
  and innovative
  renewable energy plants, repowering existing renewable energy plants has a significant potential to contribute to the achievement of the renewable energy targets. Since, usually, the existing renewable energy plants have been installed in sites with significant renewable energy resource potential, repowering can ensure the continued use of these sites while reducing the need to designate new sites for renewable energy projects. Repowering includes further benefits such as the existing grid connection, a likely higher degree of public acceptance and knowledge of environmental impacts. The repowering of renewable energy projects entails changes to or the extension of existing projects to different degrees. The permit-granting process, including environmental assessments and screening, for the repowering of renewable energy projects should be limited to the potential impacts resulting from the change or extension compared to the original project.

| (20) | Directive (EU) 2018/2001 introduces streamlined permit-granting procedures for repowering. In order to respond to the increasing need for the repowering of existing renewable energy plants and to make full use of the advantages it offers, it is appropriate to establish an even shorter procedure for the repowering of renewable energy plants located in
  renewables acceleration
  areas, including a shorter screening procedure. For the repowering of existing renewable energy plants located outside
  renewables acceleration
  areas, Member States should ensure a simplified and swift permit-granting process which should not exceed one year, while taking into account the ‘do no harm’ principle of the European Green Deal. |
| --- | --- |

(20)

Directive (EU) 2018/2001 introduces streamlined permit-granting procedures for repowering. In order to respond to the increasing need for the repowering of existing renewable energy plants and to make full use of the advantages it offers, it is appropriate to establish an even shorter procedure for the repowering of renewable energy plants located in
  renewables acceleration
  areas, including a shorter screening procedure. For the repowering of existing renewable energy plants located outside
  renewables acceleration
  areas, Member States should ensure a simplified and swift permit-granting process which should not exceed one year, while taking into account the ‘do no harm’ principle of the European Green Deal.

| (20a) | In order to promote and accelerate the repowering of existing renewable energy plants, a simplified procedure for grid connections should be immediately established where the repowering results in a limited increase in total capacity compared to the original project. [Am. 20] |
| --- | --- |

(20a)

In order to promote and accelerate the repowering of existing renewable energy plants, a simplified procedure for grid connections should be immediately established where the repowering results in a limited increase in total capacity compared to the original project. [Am. 20]

| (20b) | When repowering a solar installation, increases in efficiency and capacity can be achieved without increasing the space occupied. The repowered installation thus does not have a different impact on the environment than the original installation provided that the space used is not increased in the process, and the originally required environmental mitigation measures continue to be complied with. [Am. 21] |
| --- | --- |

(20b)

When repowering a solar installation, increases in efficiency and capacity can be achieved without increasing the space occupied. The repowered installation thus does not have a different impact on the environment than the original installation provided that the space used is not increased in the process, and the originally required environmental mitigation measures continue to be complied with. [Am. 21]

| (21) | The installation of solar energy equipment, together with related
  storage, including thermal and power
  co-located storage, and grid connection, in existing or future structures created for purposes different than solar energy production with the exclusion of artificial water surfaces, such as rooftops, parking areas, roads and railways, do not typically raise concerns related to competing uses of space or environmental impact. These installations therefore may benefit from shorter permit-granting procedures.
  This Directive therefore introduces an accelerated permit-granting process for the installation of solar energy equipment and related co-located storage and grid connections in existing or future artificial structures created for purposes different from solar energy production. It also introduces a specific derogation for those installations from the need to carry out environmental assessments under Directive 2011/92/EU on the basis that they are not likely to raise concerns related to competing uses of space or environmental impact. Investing in small, decentralised solar energy installations to become renewable self-consumers is one of the most efficient means by which energy consumers can reduce their energy bills and their exposure to price volatility. decentralised installations including for individual or collective joint self-consumers, or in the context of a as local renewable energy communities, also contribute to reducing overall natural gas demand, to increasing resilience of the system and to the achievement of the Union’s renewable energy targets. Installations of 50 kW or less of electric capacity are not likely to have major adverse effects on the environment or the grid and do not raise safety concerns. In addition, small installations of renewable self-consumers do not generally require capacity expansion at the grid connection point. In view of the immediate positive effects of such installations for consumers and the limited environmental impacts that they may give rise to, it is appropriate to further streamline the permit-granting process applicable to them by introducing the concept of administrative positive silence in the relevant permit-granting procedures in order to promote and accelerate the deployment of these installations and to reap their benefits in the short term. [Am. 22] |
| --- | --- |

(21)

The installation of solar energy equipment, together with related
  storage, including thermal and power
  co-located storage, and grid connection, in existing or future structures created for purposes different than solar energy production with the exclusion of artificial water surfaces, such as rooftops, parking areas, roads and railways, do not typically raise concerns related to competing uses of space or environmental impact. These installations therefore may benefit from shorter permit-granting procedures.
  This Directive therefore introduces an accelerated permit-granting process for the installation of solar energy equipment and related co-located storage and grid connections in existing or future artificial structures created for purposes different from solar energy production. It also introduces a specific derogation for those installations from the need to carry out environmental assessments under Directive 2011/92/EU on the basis that they are not likely to raise concerns related to competing uses of space or environmental impact. Investing in small, decentralised solar energy installations to become renewable self-consumers is one of the most efficient means by which energy consumers can reduce their energy bills and their exposure to price volatility. decentralised installations including for individual or collective joint self-consumers, or in the context of a as local renewable energy communities, also contribute to reducing overall natural gas demand, to increasing resilience of the system and to the achievement of the Union’s renewable energy targets. Installations of 50 kW or less of electric capacity are not likely to have major adverse effects on the environment or the grid and do not raise safety concerns. In addition, small installations of renewable self-consumers do not generally require capacity expansion at the grid connection point. In view of the immediate positive effects of such installations for consumers and the limited environmental impacts that they may give rise to, it is appropriate to further streamline the permit-granting process applicable to them by introducing the concept of administrative positive silence in the relevant permit-granting procedures in order to promote and accelerate the deployment of these installations and to reap their benefits in the short term. [Am. 22]

| (21a) | Heat pumps are a technology to produce renewable heating and cooling from ambient energy, including from wastewater treatment plants, and geothermal energy. They also allow the use of waste heat and cold for heating and cooling. The rapid deployment of heat pumps, which mobilises under used renewable energy sources such as ambient energy, geothermal energy, self and waste heat from industrial and tertiary sectors, including data centres, makes it possible to replace natural gas and other fossil fuel-based boilers with a renewable heating solution, while increasing energy efficiency. This will accelerate a reduction in the use of natural gas for the supply of heating, both in buildings as well as in industry. In order to accelerate the installation and use of heat pumps, it is appropriate to introduce targeted shorter permit-granting procedures for such installations, including a simplified procedure for grid connection of smaller heat pumps unless no such procedure is required by national law. A quicker and easier installation of heat pumps, the increased use of renewables in the heating sector, which accounts for almost half of the Union’s energy consumption contributing to security of supply and helping to tackle a more difficult market situation. [Am. 23] |
| --- | --- |

(21a)

Heat pumps are a technology to produce renewable heating and cooling from ambient energy, including from wastewater treatment plants, and geothermal energy. They also allow the use of waste heat and cold for heating and cooling. The rapid deployment of heat pumps, which mobilises under used renewable energy sources such as ambient energy, geothermal energy, self and waste heat from industrial and tertiary sectors, including data centres, makes it possible to replace natural gas and other fossil fuel-based boilers with a renewable heating solution, while increasing energy efficiency. This will accelerate a reduction in the use of natural gas for the supply of heating, both in buildings as well as in industry. In order to accelerate the installation and use of heat pumps, it is appropriate to introduce targeted shorter permit-granting procedures for such installations, including a simplified procedure for grid connection of smaller heat pumps unless no such procedure is required by national law. A quicker and easier installation of heat pumps, the increased use of renewables in the heating sector, which accounts for almost half of the Union’s energy consumption contributing to security of supply and helping to tackle a more difficult market situation. [Am. 23]

| (22) | Renewable energy sources are crucial to fight climate change, reduce energy prices, decrease the Union’s dependence on fossil fuels and ensure the Union’s security of supply. For the purposes of the relevant Union environmental legislation, in the necessary case-by-case assessments to ascertain whether a plant for the production of energy from renewable sources, its connection to the grid, the related grid itself or storage assets is of overriding public interest in a particular case, Member States should presume these plants and their related infrastructure as being of overriding public interest and serving public health and safety, except where there is clear evidence that these projects have major adverse effects on the environment which cannot be mitigated or compensated. Considering such plants as being of overriding public interest and serving public health and safety would allow such projects to benefit from a simplified assessment. |
| --- | --- |

(22)

Renewable energy sources are crucial to fight climate change, reduce energy prices, decrease the Union’s dependence on fossil fuels and ensure the Union’s security of supply. For the purposes of the relevant Union environmental legislation, in the necessary case-by-case assessments to ascertain whether a plant for the production of energy from renewable sources, its connection to the grid, the related grid itself or storage assets is of overriding public interest in a particular case, Member States should presume these plants and their related infrastructure as being of overriding public interest and serving public health and safety, except where there is clear evidence that these projects have major adverse effects on the environment which cannot be mitigated or compensated. Considering such plants as being of overriding public interest and serving public health and safety would allow such projects to benefit from a simplified assessment.

| (23) | In order to ensure a smooth and effective implementation of the provisions laid down in this Directive, the Commission supports Member States through the Technical Support Instrument (12) providing tailor-made technical expertise to design and implement reforms, including those increasing the use of energy from renewable sources, fostering better energy system integration, identifying specific areas particularly suitable for the installation of plants for the production of renewable energy, and streamlining the framework for authorisation and permit-granting processes for renewable energy plants. The technical support, for example, involves strengthening of administrative capacity, harmonising the legislative frameworks, and sharing of relevant best practices. |
| --- | --- |

(23)

In order to ensure a smooth and effective implementation of the provisions laid down in this Directive, the Commission supports Member States through the Technical Support Instrument (12) providing tailor-made technical expertise to design and implement reforms, including those increasing the use of energy from renewable sources, fostering better energy system integration, identifying specific areas particularly suitable for the installation of plants for the production of renewable energy, and streamlining the framework for authorisation and permit-granting processes for renewable energy plants. The technical support, for example, involves strengthening of administrative capacity, harmonising the legislative frameworks, and sharing of relevant best practices.

| (23a) | The Commission should also provide for a specific system of exemptions from State aid guidelines to enable Member States to properly calibrate assistance for initiatives and investments in renewables, self-generation, and energy efficiency. |
| --- | --- |

(23a)

The Commission should also provide for a specific system of exemptions from State aid guidelines to enable Member States to properly calibrate assistance for initiatives and investments in renewables, self-generation, and energy efficiency.

| (24) | The Directive (EU) 2018/2001 should therefore be amended accordingly. |
| --- | --- |

(24)

The Directive (EU) 2018/2001 should therefore be amended accordingly.

| ▌ | |
| --- | --- |

▌

| (25a) | Providing incentives for solar energy through grants and other support schemes should not preclude the sale of such energy onto the grid from private, commercial, and agricultural sources. |
| --- | --- |

(25a)

Providing incentives for solar energy through grants and other support schemes should not preclude the sale of such energy onto the grid from private, commercial, and agricultural sources.

| (25b) | The agricultural sector can play a key role in the energy transition of rural areas and within rural communities, especially given the decentralised production. The possibility of producing solar energy as a secondary activity should therefore not be limited to self-consumption, but could be considered in combination, for example, with other types of production. Member States should encourage farmers, through targeted funding mechanisms, to deploy on-farm solar installations, in particular the development of agri-solar projects on new agricultural buildings, and the production of biomethane in order to allow for the wider development of renewable energies while ensuring additional income for farmers. There is high potential of small-scale on-farm energy production installations to increase the on-farm circularity by transforming the waste and residual streams of the farm, such as manure, into heat and electricity, and it is important to promote and encourage farmers to invest in those technologies. Grid reinforcement in rural areas should be strongly encouraged so that farms can actually fulfil their potential contribution to the energy transition through decentralised electricity production. Geographical locations with high levels of irradiance should be prioritised as raw materials for solar panels are a limited resource. Additionally, farmers and their representative organisations should be involved in the designation of acceleration areas. |
| --- | --- |

(25b)

The agricultural sector can play a key role in the energy transition of rural areas and within rural communities, especially given the decentralised production. The possibility of producing solar energy as a secondary activity should therefore not be limited to self-consumption, but could be considered in combination, for example, with other types of production. Member States should encourage farmers, through targeted funding mechanisms, to deploy on-farm solar installations, in particular the development of agri-solar projects on new agricultural buildings, and the production of biomethane in order to allow for the wider development of renewable energies while ensuring additional income for farmers. There is high potential of small-scale on-farm energy production installations to increase the on-farm circularity by transforming the waste and residual streams of the farm, such as manure, into heat and electricity, and it is important to promote and encourage farmers to invest in those technologies. Grid reinforcement in rural areas should be strongly encouraged so that farms can actually fulfil their potential contribution to the energy transition through decentralised electricity production. Geographical locations with high levels of irradiance should be prioritised as raw materials for solar panels are a limited resource. Additionally, farmers and their representative organisations should be involved in the designation of acceleration areas.

| ▌ | |
| --- | --- |

▌

| (30) | Since the objective of this Directive, namely reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy dependency and energy prices, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States but can rather, by reasons, of the scale of the action, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiary as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Directive does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective. |
| --- | --- |

(30)

Since the objective of this Directive, namely reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy dependency and energy prices, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States but can rather, by reasons, of the scale of the action, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiary as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Directive does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective.

| (31) | In accordance with the Joint Political Declaration of 28 September 2011 of Member States and the Commission on explanatory documents (13), Member States have undertaken to accompany, in justified cases, the notification of their transposition measures with one or more documents explaining the relationship between the components of a directive and the corresponding parts of national transposition instruments. With regard to this Directive, the legislator considers the transmission of such documents to be justified, in particular following the judgment of the European Court of Justice in Case Commission vs Belgium (14) (case C-543/17). |
| --- | --- |

(31)

In accordance with the Joint Political Declaration of 28 September 2011 of Member States and the Commission on explanatory documents (13), Member States have undertaken to accompany, in justified cases, the notification of their transposition measures with one or more documents explaining the relationship between the components of a directive and the corresponding parts of national transposition instruments. With regard to this Directive, the legislator considers the transmission of such documents to be justified, in particular following the judgment of the European Court of Justice in Case Commission vs Belgium (14) (case C-543/17).

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

Article 1

Amendments to Directive (EU) 2018/2001

Directive (EU) 2018/2001 is amended as follows:

| (1) | In Article 2, the following
  points are inserted
  :






  ‘(9a) | “renewables
  acceleration
  area” means a specific location, whether on land or sea, which has been
  prioritised
  by a Member State as particularly suitable for the
  accelerated
  installation of plants for the production of energy from renewable sources, ▌
  taking into account the assets needed for their connection to the grid and related energy networks; [Ams. 3 and 38] |
| --- | --- | --- |

(1)

In Article 2, the following
  points are inserted
  :

‘(9a)

| (9b) | “solar energy equipment” means equipment that converts energy from the sun into thermal or electrical energy, in particular solar thermal and solar photovoltaic equipment;
  ’; [Am. 24] |
| --- | --- |

(9b)

▌

| (3) | In Article 15, the following paragraph ▌ is inserted:

  ‘2a.   Member States shall promote the testing of
  innovative
  renewable energy
  technologies, including production, sharing and storage
  technologies in pilot projects in — a real-world environment, for a limited period of time, in accordance with the applicable EU legislation and accompanied by appropriate safeguards to ensure the secure operation of the
  energy
  system and avoid disproportionate impacts on the functioning of the internal market, under the supervision of a competent authority.
  Without prejudice to Article 17, Member States shall ensure that the procedure for the permitting of such innovative renewable energy technologies is at least as fast as in renewables acceleration areas.
  ’; |
| --- | --- |

(3)

In Article 15, the following paragraph ▌ is inserted:

‘2a.   Member States shall promote the testing of
  innovative
  renewable energy
  technologies, including production, sharing and storage
  technologies in pilot projects in — a real-world environment, for a limited period of time, in accordance with the applicable EU legislation and accompanied by appropriate safeguards to ensure the secure operation of the
  energy
  system and avoid disproportionate impacts on the functioning of the internal market, under the supervision of a competent authority.
  Without prejudice to Article 17, Member States shall ensure that the procedure for the permitting of such innovative renewable energy technologies is at least as fast as in renewables acceleration areas.
  ’;

| (4) | The following
  articles are
  inserted:


  ‘Article 15b



  Integrated multilevel mapping and planning of areas necessary for national contributions towards the 2030 renewable energy target and the climate-neutrality objective








  (1) | By ... [1 year after the entry into force], Member States shall
  perform an integrated multilevel mapping and planning for the deployment of renewable energy resources on their entire territory in coordination with all relevant national, regional and local authorities to
  identify the
  domestic potential and the available land, surface, subsurface
  and sea areas ▌for
  their deployment. Member States shall also identify the installed capacity as well as the land, surface, subsurface and sea areas needed
  for the production of energy from renewable sources
  and their related infrastructure, such as grid and storage facilities, including thermal storage,
  that are required in order to meet their national contributions towards the 2030 renewable energy target in accordance with Article 3 of this Directive
  as well as the sub-targets set out in Articles 15a, 22a, 23(1), 24(4) and 25(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 and to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 in accordance with Article2 thereof
  . Such areas shall be commensurate with the estimated trajectories and total planned installed capacity by renewable energy technology set in
  the
  national energy and climate plans ▌ updated pursuant to
  Article
  14
  and Article 15(6)
  of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999
  as well as maritime spatial plans, including the plans referred to in Article 8 of Directive 2014/89/EU
   (15). |
| --- | --- | --- |

(4)

The following
  articles are
  inserted:

articles are

‘Article 15b

Integrated multilevel mapping and planning of areas necessary for national contributions towards the 2030 renewable energy target and the climate-neutrality objective

(1)

By ... [1 year after the entry into force], Member States shall
  perform an integrated multilevel mapping and planning for the deployment of renewable energy resources on their entire territory in coordination with all relevant national, regional and local authorities to
  identify the
  domestic potential and the available land, surface, subsurface
  and sea areas ▌for
  their deployment. Member States shall also identify the installed capacity as well as the land, surface, subsurface and sea areas needed
  for the production of energy from renewable sources
  and their related infrastructure, such as grid and storage facilities, including thermal storage,
  that are required in order to meet their national contributions towards the 2030 renewable energy target in accordance with Article 3 of this Directive
  as well as the sub-targets set out in Articles 15a, 22a, 23(1), 24(4) and 25(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 and to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 in accordance with Article2 thereof
  . Such areas shall be commensurate with the estimated trajectories and total planned installed capacity by renewable energy technology set in
  the
  national energy and climate plans ▌ updated pursuant to
  Article
  14
  and Article 15(6)
  of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999
  as well as maritime spatial plans, including the plans referred to in Article 8 of Directive 2014/89/EU
   (15).

| (2) | When identifying the areas referred to in paragraph 1, Member States shall take into account:






  (a) | the availability of the renewable energy resources and the potential for renewable energy production of the different technologies in the land and sea areas; |
| --- | --- | --- |

(2)

When identifying the areas referred to in paragraph 1, Member States shall take into account:

(a)

the availability of the renewable energy resources and the potential for renewable energy production of the different technologies in the land and sea areas;

| (b) | the projected
  national and regional
  energy demand
  , taking into account the potential flexibility of the active demand response and expected efficiency gains and energy system integration
  ; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the projected
  national and regional
  energy demand
  , taking into account the potential flexibility of the active demand response and expected efficiency gains and energy system integration
  ;

| (c) | the availability of relevant
  energy networks, grid infrastructure, storage and other flexibility tools or the potential to create
  or upgrade
  such grid infrastructure and storage; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the availability of relevant
  energy networks, grid infrastructure, storage and other flexibility tools or the potential to create
  or upgrade
  such grid infrastructure and storage;

| (ca) | the potential of involving renewable self-consumers and renewable energy communities as assessed in accordance with Articles 21 and 22; |
| --- | --- |

(ca)

the potential of involving renewable self-consumers and renewable energy communities as assessed in accordance with Articles 21 and 22;

| (cb) | the results of open, inclusive and effective public consultations, the involvement of relevant local authorities, and all relevant stakeholders, to ensure that the public opinion is taken into account in the identification of the areas referred to in Articles 15b and 15c; |
| --- | --- |

(cb)

the results of open, inclusive and effective public consultations, the involvement of relevant local authorities, and all relevant stakeholders, to ensure that the public opinion is taken into account in the identification of the areas referred to in Articles 15b and 15c;

| (cc) | renewable energy projects on expected new artificial structures such as parking areas, roads, railways and industrial areas; |
| --- | --- |

(cc)

renewable energy projects on expected new artificial structures such as parking areas, roads, railways and industrial areas;

| (cd) | the expected industrial development and employment associated with renewable projects in affected local communities. |
| --- | --- |

(cd)

the expected industrial development and employment associated with renewable projects in affected local communities.

| (3) | Member States shall favour multiple uses of the areas identified as a result of the obligation in paragraph 1
  provided that the installation of plants for the production of energy from renewable source is compatible with pre-existing uses
  . |
| --- | --- |

(3)

Member States shall favour multiple uses of the areas identified as a result of the obligation in paragraph 1
  provided that the installation of plants for the production of energy from renewable source is compatible with pre-existing uses
  .

| (3a) | When identifying the land, surface, subsurface and sea areas necessary for the installation of plants for the production of energy from renewable sources, Member States shall deploy a mechanism supporting the necessary renewable heating network and power grid development in order to provide a fully integrated energy system. |
| --- | --- |

(3a)

When identifying the land, surface, subsurface and sea areas necessary for the installation of plants for the production of energy from renewable sources, Member States shall deploy a mechanism supporting the necessary renewable heating network and power grid development in order to provide a fully integrated energy system.

| (3b) | If large-scale biomethane production plants are nationally defined as installations to carrying out operations of recovery of waste as listed in Annex II, point (11), to Directive 2008/98/EC, Member States may include these plants in renewable energy sources when designating the renewables acceleration areas. |
| --- | --- |

(3b)

If large-scale biomethane production plants are nationally defined as installations to carrying out operations of recovery of waste as listed in Annex II, point (11), to Directive 2008/98/EC, Member States may include these plants in renewable energy sources when designating the renewables acceleration areas.

| (3c) | Member States shall periodically review and update the areas referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, at least in the context of the update of the national climate and energy plans pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. |
| --- | --- |

(3c)

Member States shall periodically review and update the areas referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, at least in the context of the update of the national climate and energy plans pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.

| (3d) | Member States shall encourage and support local and regional authorities to develop and implement trajectories or targets for renewable energy produced by cities, renewables self-consumers and renewable energy communities.; |
| --- | --- |

(3d)

Member States shall encourage and support local and regional authorities to develop and implement trajectories or targets for renewable energy produced by cities, renewables self-consumers and renewable energy communities.;

▌ Article 15c

Renewables acceleration areas

| (1) | By ... [2 years after the entry into force], Member States shall
  , in coordination with their local and regional authorities,
  adopt a plan or plans designating, within the areas referred to in Article 15b(1), renewables
  acceleration
  areas for one or more types of renewable energy sources.
  The size of those areas shall be commensurate with the objectives for renewable energies and sub-targets set out in this Directive and in the national energy and climate plans updated pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. In the
  plan or plans
  designating the renewables acceleration areas
  Member States shall:






  (a) | Designate sufficiently homogeneous land and sea areas where the deployment of a specific type or types of renewable energy is not expected to have significant environmental
  effects
  , in view of the particularities of the selected territory.
  The overall amount of land and sea areas shall significantly contribute to the space requirements identified in accordance with Article 15b(1) of this Directive to reach the 2030 renewable energy target and shall be included in national energy and climate plans updated pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.
  In doing so, Member States shall:






  (i) | give priority to artificial and built surfaces, such as rooftops
  and facades of buildings
  , transport infrastructure areas
  and their direct surroundings
  , parking areas,
  on-farm sites,
  waste sites, industrial sites, mines, , and, where appropriate,
  artificial and built surfaces, such as
  urban waste water treatment sites,
  artificial lakes, inland water bodies or reservoirs, and
  degraded land not usable for agriculture; |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

(1)

By ... [2 years after the entry into force], Member States shall
  , in coordination with their local and regional authorities,
  adopt a plan or plans designating, within the areas referred to in Article 15b(1), renewables
  acceleration
  areas for one or more types of renewable energy sources.
  The size of those areas shall be commensurate with the objectives for renewable energies and sub-targets set out in this Directive and in the national energy and climate plans updated pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. In the
  plan or plans
  designating the renewables acceleration areas
  Member States shall:

(a)

Designate sufficiently homogeneous land and sea areas where the deployment of a specific type or types of renewable energy is not expected to have significant environmental
  effects
  , in view of the particularities of the selected territory.
  The overall amount of land and sea areas shall significantly contribute to the space requirements identified in accordance with Article 15b(1) of this Directive to reach the 2030 renewable energy target and shall be included in national energy and climate plans updated pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.
  In doing so, Member States shall:

(i)

give priority to artificial and built surfaces, such as rooftops
  and facades of buildings
  , transport infrastructure areas
  and their direct surroundings
  , parking areas,
  on-farm sites,
  waste sites, industrial sites, mines, , and, where appropriate,
  artificial and built surfaces, such as
  urban waste water treatment sites,
  artificial lakes, inland water bodies or reservoirs, and
  degraded land not usable for agriculture;

| (ii) | exclude Natura 2000 sites and nature parks and reserves, the identified bird
  and marine mammal
  migratory routes
  , in accordance with the best available data, ecological corridors, and
  other areas identified based on sensitivity maps and the tools referred to in the next point, except for artificial and built surfaces located in those areas such as rooftops, parking areas or transport infrastructure; |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

exclude Natura 2000 sites and nature parks and reserves, the identified bird
  and marine mammal
  migratory routes
  , in accordance with the best available data, ecological corridors, and
  other areas identified based on sensitivity maps and the tools referred to in the next point, except for artificial and built surfaces located in those areas such as rooftops, parking areas or transport infrastructure;

| (iii) | use all appropriate tools and datasets
  , including, where necessary, specific field surveys,
  to identify the areas where the renewable energy plants would not have a significant environmental impact, including wildlife sensitivity mapping
  , while taking into account the data available in the context of the development of a coherent Natura 2000 network, sufficient both as regards habitat types and species under the Council Directive 92/43/EEC
   (16)

  , as well as birds and sites under Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
   (17); |
| --- | --- |

(iii)

use all appropriate tools and datasets
  , including, where necessary, specific field surveys,
  to identify the areas where the renewable energy plants would not have a significant environmental impact, including wildlife sensitivity mapping
  , while taking into account the data available in the context of the development of a coherent Natura 2000 network, sufficient both as regards habitat types and species under the Council Directive 92/43/EEC
   (16)

  , as well as birds and sites under Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
   (17);

| (iv) | remove administrative barriers and allocate sufficient well-trained staff and administrative resources; |
| --- | --- |

(iv)

remove administrative barriers and allocate sufficient well-trained staff and administrative resources;

| (b) | Establish appropriate rules for the designated
  renewables acceleration
  areas, including on the mitigation measures to be adopted for the installation of renewable energy plants, co-located energy storage facilities, as well as assets necessary for their connection to the grid, in order to avoid or, if not possible, to significantly reduce the negative environmental impacts that may arise. Member States shall ensure that appropriate mitigation measures are applied to
  ensure the implementation of the obligations laid down
  in Articles 6(2) and 12(1) of Directive 92/43/EEC, Article 5 of Directive 2009/147/EC and Article 4(1)(a)(i)
  of Directive 2000/60/EC and to avoid deterioration and achieve good status or ecological potential in accordance with Article 4(1)
  of Directive 2000/60/EC. Such rules shall be targeted to the specificities of each identified
  renewables acceleration
  area, the renewable energy technology or technologies to be deployed in each area and the identified environmental impacts. Compliance with such rules and the implementation of the appropriate mitigation measures by the individual projects shall result in the presumption that projects are not in breach of those provisions without prejudice to paragraphs 4 and 5 of Article 16a. Where novel mitigation measures to prevent as much as possible the killing or disturbance of species protected under Council Directive 92/43/EEC and Directive 2009/147/EC, or any other environmental impact, have not been widely tested as regards their effectiveness, Member States may allow their use for one or several pilot projects for a limited time period, provided that the effectiveness of such measures is closely monitored and appropriate steps are taken immediately if they do not prove to be effective.
  Already designated areas for the installation of wind or solar power plants may be declared by Member States as renewables acceleration areas by considering that the existing spatial plans comply with the requirements of Article 15c. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

Establish appropriate rules for the designated
  renewables acceleration
  areas, including on the mitigation measures to be adopted for the installation of renewable energy plants, co-located energy storage facilities, as well as assets necessary for their connection to the grid, in order to avoid or, if not possible, to significantly reduce the negative environmental impacts that may arise. Member States shall ensure that appropriate mitigation measures are applied to
  ensure the implementation of the obligations laid down
  in Articles 6(2) and 12(1) of Directive 92/43/EEC, Article 5 of Directive 2009/147/EC and Article 4(1)(a)(i)
  of Directive 2000/60/EC and to avoid deterioration and achieve good status or ecological potential in accordance with Article 4(1)
  of Directive 2000/60/EC. Such rules shall be targeted to the specificities of each identified
  renewables acceleration
  area, the renewable energy technology or technologies to be deployed in each area and the identified environmental impacts. Compliance with such rules and the implementation of the appropriate mitigation measures by the individual projects shall result in the presumption that projects are not in breach of those provisions without prejudice to paragraphs 4 and 5 of Article 16a. Where novel mitigation measures to prevent as much as possible the killing or disturbance of species protected under Council Directive 92/43/EEC and Directive 2009/147/EC, or any other environmental impact, have not been widely tested as regards their effectiveness, Member States may allow their use for one or several pilot projects for a limited time period, provided that the effectiveness of such measures is closely monitored and appropriate steps are taken immediately if they do not prove to be effective.
  Already designated areas for the installation of wind or solar power plants may be declared by Member States as renewables acceleration areas by considering that the existing spatial plans comply with the requirements of Article 15c.

Member States shall explain in the plan the assessment made to identify each designated
  renewables acceleration
  area on the basis of the criteria set out in point (a) and to identify appropriate mitigation measures.

| (2) | Before its adoption, the plan or plans designating renewables
  acceleration
  areas shall be subject to an environmental assessment carried out in accordance with the conditions set out in Directive 2001/42/EC and ▌,
  if
  likely to have significant impacts
  on Natura 2000
  sites, to the appropriate assessment in accordance to Article 6(3) of Directive 92/43/EEC. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

Before its adoption, the plan or plans designating renewables
  acceleration
  areas shall be subject to an environmental assessment carried out in accordance with the conditions set out in Directive 2001/42/EC and ▌,
  if
  likely to have significant impacts
  on Natura 2000
  sites, to the appropriate assessment in accordance to Article 6(3) of Directive 92/43/EEC.

| (2a) | When identifying the sea areas referred to in Article 15b(1), designation pursuant to this Article shall comply with Directive 2014/89/EU with regard to the use of an ecosystem-based approach to maritime spatial planning when designating renewable energy sites. During the maritime spatial planning process Member States shall increase the space designated for renewable energy production in line with the climate targets for 2030, 2040 and 2050. |
| --- | --- |

(2a)

When identifying the sea areas referred to in Article 15b(1), designation pursuant to this Article shall comply with Directive 2014/89/EU with regard to the use of an ecosystem-based approach to maritime spatial planning when designating renewable energy sites. During the maritime spatial planning process Member States shall increase the space designated for renewable energy production in line with the climate targets for 2030, 2040 and 2050.

| (3) | The plan or plans designating renewables
  acceleration
  areas shall be made public
  , and updated on an on-going basis to record, in electronic form, new capacity
  and shall be reviewed periodically, at least in the context of the ▌national energy and climate plans
  updated
  pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999
  and ensuring synergies with Directive 2014/89/EU. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

The plan or plans designating renewables
  acceleration
  areas shall be made public
  , and updated on an on-going basis to record, in electronic form, new capacity
  and shall be reviewed periodically, at least in the context of the ▌national energy and climate plans
  updated
  pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999
  and ensuring synergies with Directive 2014/89/EU.

Article 15d

Public Participation

1.
     
  Member States shall ensure that the preparation of the plans identifying the land and sea areas necessary for the installation of plants for the production of energy from renewable sources and those designating renewables areas, referred to in Articles 15a, 15b and 15c is open, inclusive, timely and effective and that the public is given early and effective opportunities to participate in their elaboration.

2.
     
  Member States shall identify the public affected or likely to be affected by, or having an interest in the plans, including natural or legal persons or their associations, organisations or groups, taking into account the objectives of this Directive and the potential impacts from its implementation on areas covered by other Union instruments. Member States shall ensure that the public referred is informed electronically and by public notices or by other appropriate means.’; [Am. 14]

| (6) | Article 16 is replaced by the following:


  ‘Article 16



  Organisation and main principles of the permit-granting process








  (1) | The permit-granting process shall cover all relevant administrative permits to build, repower and operate plants for the production of energy from renewable sources
  including hybrid power plants that combine different renewable energy sources, heat pumps,
  energy storage,
  including power and thermal
  facilities, as well as assets necessary for their connection to the grid
  and to integrate renewables into heating and cooling networks. It shall also include related energy networks
  permits and environmental assessments where these are required. The permit-granting process shall comprise all procedures from the acknowledgment of the validity of the application in accordance with paragraph 2 to the notification of the final decision on the outcome of the procedure by the relevant authority or authorities. [Am. 25] |
| --- | --- | --- |

(6)

Article 16 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 16

Organisation and main principles of the permit-granting process

(1)

The permit-granting process shall cover all relevant administrative permits to build, repower and operate plants for the production of energy from renewable sources
  including hybrid power plants that combine different renewable energy sources, heat pumps,
  energy storage,
  including power and thermal
  facilities, as well as assets necessary for their connection to the grid
  and to integrate renewables into heating and cooling networks. It shall also include related energy networks
  permits and environmental assessments where these are required. The permit-granting process shall comprise all procedures from the acknowledgment of the validity of the application in accordance with paragraph 2 to the notification of the final decision on the outcome of the procedure by the relevant authority or authorities. [Am. 25]

| (1a) | Member States shall ensure that the financing of qualified staff, upskilling, and reskilling of their competent authorities at national, regional, and local level is proportionate with the implementation of the overall renewable energy needs identified under Article 15b of this Directive, and with the planned installed renewable energy generation capacity as foreseen in their national energy and climate plans, as updated pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. Member States shall earmark all fees linked to the application and permit-granting processes for the purpose of further financing qualified staff and improving the capacity of the relevant permitting authority. Member States shall provide support, including technical and financial support, to regional and local authorities in order to facilitate the permit granting process. |
| --- | --- |

(1a)

Member States shall ensure that the financing of qualified staff, upskilling, and reskilling of their competent authorities at national, regional, and local level is proportionate with the implementation of the overall renewable energy needs identified under Article 15b of this Directive, and with the planned installed renewable energy generation capacity as foreseen in their national energy and climate plans, as updated pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. Member States shall earmark all fees linked to the application and permit-granting processes for the purpose of further financing qualified staff and improving the capacity of the relevant permitting authority. Member States shall provide support, including technical and financial support, to regional and local authorities in order to facilitate the permit granting process.

| (2) | No later than fourteen
  working
  days for plants located in
  renewables acceleration
  areas and one month for plants located outside of
  renewables acceleration
  areas, following the receipt of the application, the competent authority shall validate the application or, if the developer has not sent all the information required to process an application, request the developer to submit a complete application within fourteen
  working
  days from this request. If the developer does not submit a complete application within this deadline, the competent authority may reject the application in written form. In the event of a rejection, the competent authority shall justify its decision. The developer may resubmit a new application at any point in time following such rejection. The date of the acknowledgement of the validity of the application by the competent authority shall serve as the start of the permit-granting process. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

No later than fourteen
  working
  days for plants located in
  renewables acceleration
  areas and one month for plants located outside of
  renewables acceleration
  areas, following the receipt of the application, the competent authority shall validate the application or, if the developer has not sent all the information required to process an application, request the developer to submit a complete application within fourteen
  working
  days from this request. If the developer does not submit a complete application within this deadline, the competent authority may reject the application in written form. In the event of a rejection, the competent authority shall justify its decision. The developer may resubmit a new application at any point in time following such rejection. The date of the acknowledgement of the validity of the application by the competent authority shall serve as the start of the permit-granting process.

| (3) | Member States shall set up or designate one or more contact points
  and provide information in accordance with Article 18(6)
  . Those contact points shall, upon request by the applicant, guide through and facilitate the entire administrative permit application and granting process. The applicant shall not be required to contact more than one contact point for the entire process. The contact point shall guide the applicant through the administrative permit application process, including the environmental related steps, in a transparent manner up to the delivery of one or several decisions by the responsible authorities at the end of the process, provide the applicant with all necessary information and involve, where appropriate, other administrative authorities. The contact point shall ensure fulfilment of the deadlines for the permit-granting procedures set out in this Directive. Applicants shall be allowed to submit relevant documents in digital form. By [2 years from entry into force] Member States shall ensure that all procedures are carried out in electronic format:
  Member States shall make information about the permit-granting process available to the public
  . |
| --- | --- |

(3)

Member States shall set up or designate one or more contact points
  and provide information in accordance with Article 18(6)
  . Those contact points shall, upon request by the applicant, guide through and facilitate the entire administrative permit application and granting process. The applicant shall not be required to contact more than one contact point for the entire process. The contact point shall guide the applicant through the administrative permit application process, including the environmental related steps, in a transparent manner up to the delivery of one or several decisions by the responsible authorities at the end of the process, provide the applicant with all necessary information and involve, where appropriate, other administrative authorities. The contact point shall ensure fulfilment of the deadlines for the permit-granting procedures set out in this Directive. Applicants shall be allowed to submit relevant documents in digital form. By [2 years from entry into force] Member States shall ensure that all procedures are carried out in electronic format:
  Member States shall make information about the permit-granting process available to the public
  .

| (4) | The contact point shall make available a manual of procedures for developers of renewable energy production plants and shall provide that information also online, addressing distinctly also small-scale projects and renewables self-consumers,
  renewable energy communities, collective and individual projects provide them with assistance and guide them through the administrative process of receiving support under the renewables support schemes
  . The online information shall indicate the contact point relevant to the applicant's application. If a Member State has more than one contact point, the online information shall indicate the contact point relevant to the applicant's application. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

The contact point shall make available a manual of procedures for developers of renewable energy production plants and shall provide that information also online, addressing distinctly also small-scale projects and renewables self-consumers,
  renewable energy communities, collective and individual projects provide them with assistance and guide them through the administrative process of receiving support under the renewables support schemes
  . The online information shall indicate the contact point relevant to the applicant's application. If a Member State has more than one contact point, the online information shall indicate the contact point relevant to the applicant's application.

| (5) | Member States shall ensure that applicants have easy access to simple procedures for the settlement of disputes concerning the permit-granting process and the issuance of permits to build and operate renewable energy plants, including, where applicable, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

Member States shall ensure that applicants have easy access to simple procedures for the settlement of disputes concerning the permit-granting process and the issuance of permits to build and operate renewable energy plants, including, where applicable, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

| (6) | The deadlines laid down in Articles 16a, 16b and 16c shall apply without prejudice to judicial appeals, remedies and other proceedings before a court or tribunal, and to alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including complaints procedures, non-judicial appeals and remedies, and may be extended for the duration of such procedures. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

The deadlines laid down in Articles 16a, 16b and 16c shall apply without prejudice to judicial appeals, remedies and other proceedings before a court or tribunal, and to alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including complaints procedures, non-judicial appeals and remedies, and may be extended for the duration of such procedures.

| (7) | Member States shall ensure that administrative and judicial appeals in the context of a project for the development of renewable energy production plant or its related grid connection
  and those assets necessary for the development of the energy infrastructure networks required to integrate renewable sources into the system as described inparagraph 1
  , including those related to environmental aspects shall be subject to the most expeditious administrative and judicial procedure that is available at the relevant national, regional and local level.

  The permit- granting process referred to in paragraph 1 shall extend, where necessary, to all relevant administrative permits when industrial plants switch to the use of renewable energy. |
| --- | --- |

(7)

Member States shall ensure that administrative and judicial appeals in the context of a project for the development of renewable energy production plant or its related grid connection
  and those assets necessary for the development of the energy infrastructure networks required to integrate renewable sources into the system as described inparagraph 1
  , including those related to environmental aspects shall be subject to the most expeditious administrative and judicial procedure that is available at the relevant national, regional and local level.

| (7a) | The Commission shall develop reporting procedures for Member States to assess their permitting practices, the average duration of the permitting procedure and the human and financial resources dedicated to ensuring compliance with the permitting requirements set out in this Article and in Articles 16a and 16b.



  The Commission’s assessment shall be made public. The Commission may propose corrective measures to support Member States in their implementation of the permitting procedure by assisting them in reforming and streamlining their permitting procedures. |
| --- | --- |

(7a)

The Commission shall develop reporting procedures for Member States to assess their permitting practices, the average duration of the permitting procedure and the human and financial resources dedicated to ensuring compliance with the permitting requirements set out in this Article and in Articles 16a and 16b.

| (7b) | The provisions of paragraph 1 of this Article and Articles 16a and 16b shall also apply to the parallel permit-granting process for network system developers regarding related energy assets necessary for the integration of the renewable energy plant in the system as well as assets necessary for their connection to the grid which are not integrated in the permit-granting process under paragraph 1 for the specific renewable energy plant.’; |
| --- | --- |

(7b)

The provisions of paragraph 1 of this Article and Articles 16a and 16b shall also apply to the parallel permit-granting process for network system developers regarding related energy assets necessary for the integration of the renewable energy plant in the system as well as assets necessary for their connection to the grid which are not integrated in the permit-granting process under paragraph 1 for the specific renewable energy plant.’;

| (7) | The following
  articles are
  inserted:


  ‘Article 16a



  Permit-granting process in renewables acceleration areas








  (1) | Member States shall ensure that the permit-granting process referred to in Article 16(1) shall not exceed
  nine months
  for projects in renewables
  acceleration
  areas
  , including their related energy network elements and grid connection
  . Where duly justified on the ground of extraordinary circumstances, that
  nine-month
  period may be extended by up to three months. In such a case, Member States shall clearly inform the developer about the extraordinary circumstances that justified the extension. |
| --- | --- | --- |

(7)

The following
  articles are
  inserted:

articles are

‘Article 16a

Permit-granting process in renewables acceleration areas

(1)

Member States shall ensure that the permit-granting process referred to in Article 16(1) shall not exceed
  nine months
  for projects in renewables
  acceleration
  areas
  , including their related energy network elements and grid connection
  . Where duly justified on the ground of extraordinary circumstances, that
  nine-month
  period may be extended by up to three months. In such a case, Member States shall clearly inform the developer about the extraordinary circumstances that justified the extension.

| (2) | The permit-granting process for the repowering of plants
  including those increasing the capacity and the need for related energy network developments without increasing the occupied area
  and for new installations with an electrical capacity of less than 150 kW, ▌energy storage
  including power and thermal
  facilities as well as their grid connection, located in renewables
  acceleration
  areas shall not exceed six months. Where duly justified on the ground of extraordinary circumstances, such as on grounds of overriding safety reasons where the repowering project impacts substantially on the grid or the original capacity, size or performance of the installation, that
  six months
  period may be extended by up to three months. Member States shall clearly inform the project developer about the extraordinary circumstances that justify the extension. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

The permit-granting process for the repowering of plants
  including those increasing the capacity and the need for related energy network developments without increasing the occupied area
  and for new installations with an electrical capacity of less than 150 kW, ▌energy storage
  including power and thermal
  facilities as well as their grid connection, located in renewables
  acceleration
  areas shall not exceed six months. Where duly justified on the ground of extraordinary circumstances, such as on grounds of overriding safety reasons where the repowering project impacts substantially on the grid or the original capacity, size or performance of the installation, that
  six months
  period may be extended by up to three months. Member States shall clearly inform the project developer about the extraordinary circumstances that justify the extension.

| (2a) | Where the repowering does not result in an increase in the capacity of the renewable energy power plant beyond 15 %, and without prejudice to the need to assess any potential environmental impacts pursuant to the paragraph 2b, grid connections to the transmission or distribution grid shall be permitted within one month following application to the relevant entity unless there are justified safety concerns or there is technical incompatibility of the system components. |
| --- | --- |

(2a)

Where the repowering does not result in an increase in the capacity of the renewable energy power plant beyond 15 %, and without prejudice to the need to assess any potential environmental impacts pursuant to the paragraph 2b, grid connections to the transmission or distribution grid shall be permitted within one month following application to the relevant entity unless there are justified safety concerns or there is technical incompatibility of the system components.

| (2b) | Where the repowering of solar installations does not entail the use of additional space and complies with the applicable environmental mitigation measures established for the original installation, the project shall be exempted from the requirement, if applicable, to be subject to a determination whether the project requires an environmental impact assessment pursuant to Article 4 of Directive 2011/92/EU. |
| --- | --- |

(2b)

Where the repowering of solar installations does not entail the use of additional space and complies with the applicable environmental mitigation measures established for the original installation, the project shall be exempted from the requirement, if applicable, to be subject to a determination whether the project requires an environmental impact assessment pursuant to Article 4 of Directive 2011/92/EU.

| (2c) | Where the repowering of a renewable energy power plant or of a related grid infrastructure which is necessary to integrate renewables into the electricity system, to a determination whether the project requires an environmental impact assessment procedure or an environmental impact assessment pursuant to Article 4 of Directive 2011/92/EU, such prior determination and/or environmental assessment shall be limited to the potential impacts stemming from the change or extension compared to the original project. [Am. 26] |
| --- | --- |

(2c)

Where the repowering of a renewable energy power plant or of a related grid infrastructure which is necessary to integrate renewables into the electricity system, to a determination whether the project requires an environmental impact assessment procedure or an environmental impact assessment pursuant to Article 4 of Directive 2011/92/EU, such prior determination and/or environmental assessment shall be limited to the potential impacts stemming from the change or extension compared to the original project. [Am. 26]

| (2d) | Decisions resulting from the above permit-granting processes shall be made publicly available. [Am. 31] |
| --- | --- |

(2d)

Decisions resulting from the above permit-granting processes shall be made publicly available. [Am. 31]

| (3) | Without prejudice to paragraphs 4 and 5
  of this Article
  , by derogation from Article 4(2) of Directive 2011/92/EU,
  Annex I, point 6(b) thereto as far as this concerns the production of renewable hydrogen
  and Annex II, points 3(a), (b), (d), (h), (i), and 6(c)
  thereto,
  alone or in conjunction with point 13(a)
  of
  that Directive as far as this concerns renewable energy projects, new applications for renewable energy plants,
  including generation plants that combine different renewable energies,
  except for biomass combustion plants, ▌including the repowering of plants, in already designated renewables
  acceleration
  areas for the respective technology, co-located storage facilities as well as their connection to the grid,
  the related energy network, the related transmission and distribution network, and the related assets necessary for the development of the electricity networks required to integrate renewable energy sources into the system
  shall be exempted from the requirement to carry out a dedicated environmental impact assessment under Article 2(1) of Directive 2011/92/EU, provided that these projects comply with the rules and measures set out in accordance with Article 15c(1), point (b)
  of this Directive
  . The exemption from the application of Directive 2011/92/EU above shall not apply to projects which are likely to have significant effects on the environment in another Member State or where a Member State likely to be significantly affected so requests, as provided for in Article 7 of the said Directive. [Am. 27]

  By derogation from Article 6(3) of Directive 92/43/EEC, the plants referred to in the first subparagraph, shall not be subject to an assessment of their implications for Natura 2000 sites,
  provided that those renewable energy projects comply with the rules and measures established in accordance with Article15c(1), point (b) of this Directive and if the absence of significant effects of the plants was proved on the basis of the appropriate assessment of the plans designating renewable acceleration areas carried out in accordance with Article 15(c)(2) of this Directive
  . [Am. 15] |
| --- | --- |

(3)

Without prejudice to paragraphs 4 and 5
  of this Article
  , by derogation from Article 4(2) of Directive 2011/92/EU,
  Annex I, point 6(b) thereto as far as this concerns the production of renewable hydrogen
  and Annex II, points 3(a), (b), (d), (h), (i), and 6(c)
  thereto,
  alone or in conjunction with point 13(a)
  of
  that Directive as far as this concerns renewable energy projects, new applications for renewable energy plants,
  including generation plants that combine different renewable energies,
  except for biomass combustion plants, ▌including the repowering of plants, in already designated renewables
  acceleration
  areas for the respective technology, co-located storage facilities as well as their connection to the grid,
  the related energy network, the related transmission and distribution network, and the related assets necessary for the development of the electricity networks required to integrate renewable energy sources into the system
  shall be exempted from the requirement to carry out a dedicated environmental impact assessment under Article 2(1) of Directive 2011/92/EU, provided that these projects comply with the rules and measures set out in accordance with Article 15c(1), point (b)
  of this Directive
  . The exemption from the application of Directive 2011/92/EU above shall not apply to projects which are likely to have significant effects on the environment in another Member State or where a Member State likely to be significantly affected so requests, as provided for in Article 7 of the said Directive. [Am. 27]

By derogation from Article 6(3) of Directive 92/43/EEC, the plants referred to in the first subparagraph, shall not be subject to an assessment of their implications for Natura 2000 sites,
  provided that those renewable energy projects comply with the rules and measures established in accordance with Article15c(1), point (b) of this Directive and if the absence of significant effects of the plants was proved on the basis of the appropriate assessment of the plans designating renewable acceleration areas carried out in accordance with Article 15(c)(2) of this Directive
  . [Am. 15]

| (4) | The competent authorities of Member States shall carry out a screening of the applications referred to in paragraph 3. Such screening shall aim to identify if any of such projects is highly likely to give rise to significant ▌ adverse effects in view of the environmental sensitivity of the geographical areas where they are located, that were not identified during the environmental assessment of the plan or plans designating renewables
  acceleration
  areas carried out in accordance with Directive 2001/42/EC and, if relevant, with Directive 92/43/EEC. The screening carried out for the repowering of projects shall be limited to the potential impacts stemming from the change or extension compared to the original project.
  For the purpose of such screening, the project developer shall provide information on the characteristics of the project,
  on its potential impact on the environment
  , on its compliance with the rules and measures identified according to Article 15c (1), points (b) and (c), for the specific
  renewables acceleration
  area, on any additional measures adopted by the project and how these measures address environmental impacts. Such screening shall be finalised within 30 days from the date of submission of the applications for new renewable energy plants, with the exception of applications for installations with an electrical capacity of less than 150 kW. For such installations and for new applications for the repowering of plants, the screening phase shall be finalized within 15 days. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

The competent authorities of Member States shall carry out a screening of the applications referred to in paragraph 3. Such screening shall aim to identify if any of such projects is highly likely to give rise to significant ▌ adverse effects in view of the environmental sensitivity of the geographical areas where they are located, that were not identified during the environmental assessment of the plan or plans designating renewables
  acceleration
  areas carried out in accordance with Directive 2001/42/EC and, if relevant, with Directive 92/43/EEC. The screening carried out for the repowering of projects shall be limited to the potential impacts stemming from the change or extension compared to the original project.

For the purpose of such screening, the project developer shall provide information on the characteristics of the project,
  on its potential impact on the environment
  , on its compliance with the rules and measures identified according to Article 15c (1), points (b) and (c), for the specific
  renewables acceleration
  area, on any additional measures adopted by the project and how these measures address environmental impacts. Such screening shall be finalised within 30 days from the date of submission of the applications for new renewable energy plants, with the exception of applications for installations with an electrical capacity of less than 150 kW. For such installations and for new applications for the repowering of plants, the screening phase shall be finalized within 15 days.

| (5) | Following the screening process, the applications referred to in paragraph 3 shall be authorised from an environmental perspective without requiring any express decision from the competent authority, unless the competent authority adopts an administrative decision, duly motivated and based on clear evidence, that a specific project is highly likely to give rise to significant ▌ adverse effects in view of the environmental sensitivity of the geographic area where they are located that cannot be mitigated by the measures identified in the plan or plans designating
  renewables acceleration
  areas or proposed by the developer for the project. Such decision shall be made available to the public. Such projects shall be subject to an assessment in accordance with Directive 2011/92/EU and, if applicable, to an assessment under Article 6(3) of Directive 92/43/EEC, which shall be carried out within six months following the screening decision. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

Following the screening process, the applications referred to in paragraph 3 shall be authorised from an environmental perspective without requiring any express decision from the competent authority, unless the competent authority adopts an administrative decision, duly motivated and based on clear evidence, that a specific project is highly likely to give rise to significant ▌ adverse effects in view of the environmental sensitivity of the geographic area where they are located that cannot be mitigated by the measures identified in the plan or plans designating
  renewables acceleration
  areas or proposed by the developer for the project. Such decision shall be made available to the public. Such projects shall be subject to an assessment in accordance with Directive 2011/92/EU and, if applicable, to an assessment under Article 6(3) of Directive 92/43/EEC, which shall be carried out within six months following the screening decision.

| (6) | In the permit-granting process of the applications referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, the lack of reply of the relevant administrative bodies within the established deadline shall
  upon the request of the developer,
  result in the specific administrative steps to be considered as approved, except in those cases where the specific project is subject to an environmental impact assessment in accordance with paragraph 5. All resulting decisions will be publicly available. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

In the permit-granting process of the applications referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, the lack of reply of the relevant administrative bodies within the established deadline shall
  upon the request of the developer,
  result in the specific administrative steps to be considered as approved, except in those cases where the specific project is subject to an environmental impact assessment in accordance with paragraph 5. All resulting decisions will be publicly available.

| (6a) | Member States shall share and utilise best practices in the permit-granting process. |
| --- | --- |

(6a)

Member States shall share and utilise best practices in the permit-granting process.

▌Article 16b

Permit-granting process outside renewables acceleration areas

| (1) | Member States shall ensure that the permit-granting process referred to in Article 16(1) shall not exceed
  18 months. That period shall apply to renewable hybrid power plants, and their related energy networks concerning
  projects outside renewables
  acceleration
  areas. Where duly justified on the grounds of extraordinary circumstances, that
  18-month
  period may be extended by up to three months. In such a case, Member States shall clearly inform the developer about the extraordinary circumstances that justified the extension. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Member States shall ensure that the permit-granting process referred to in Article 16(1) shall not exceed
  18 months. That period shall apply to renewable hybrid power plants, and their related energy networks concerning
  projects outside renewables
  acceleration
  areas. Where duly justified on the grounds of extraordinary circumstances, that
  18-month
  period may be extended by up to three months. In such a case, Member States shall clearly inform the developer about the extraordinary circumstances that justified the extension.

| (2) | Where an environmental assessment is required under Directive 2011/92/EU or Directive 92/43/EEC, it shall be carried out in a single procedure that combines all relevant assessments for a given project. When any such environmental impact assessment is required, the competent authority, taking into account the information provided by the developer, shall issue an opinion on the scope and level of detail of the information to be included by the developer in the environmental impact assessment report, of which the scope shall not be extended. Where the specific projects have adopted
  all necessary
  mitigation measures, any killing or disturbance of the species protected under Article 12(1) of Directive 92/43/EEC and Article 5 of Directive 2009/147/EC shall not be considered deliberate. Where novel mitigation measures to prevent as much as possible the killing or disturbance of species protected under Council Directive 92/43/EEC and Directive 2009/147/EC, or any other environmental impact, have not been widely tested as regards their effectiveness, Member States may allow their use for one or several pilot projects for a limited time period, provided that the effectiveness of such measures is closely monitored and appropriate steps are taken immediately if they do not prove to be effective. The permit-granting process for the repowering of projects,
  including those increasing the capacity and the need for the related energy network developments without increasing the occupied area
  and for new installations with an electrical capacity of less than 150 kW, co-located storage facilities as well as their grid connection, located outside renewables
  acceleration
  areas shall not exceed
  six months
  including environmental assessments where required by relevant legislation. Where duly justified on the ground of extraordinary circumstances, this
  six months
  period may be extended by up to three months. Member States shall clearly inform the developers about the extraordinary circumstances that justified the extension. [Am. 28]

  Member States shall facilitate the repowering of projects located outside
  acceleration
  areas by ensuring that, if an environmental assessment for a project is required under the Union environmental legislation, such assessment shall be limited to the potential impacts stemming from the change or extension compared to the original project. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

Where an environmental assessment is required under Directive 2011/92/EU or Directive 92/43/EEC, it shall be carried out in a single procedure that combines all relevant assessments for a given project. When any such environmental impact assessment is required, the competent authority, taking into account the information provided by the developer, shall issue an opinion on the scope and level of detail of the information to be included by the developer in the environmental impact assessment report, of which the scope shall not be extended. Where the specific projects have adopted
  all necessary
  mitigation measures, any killing or disturbance of the species protected under Article 12(1) of Directive 92/43/EEC and Article 5 of Directive 2009/147/EC shall not be considered deliberate. Where novel mitigation measures to prevent as much as possible the killing or disturbance of species protected under Council Directive 92/43/EEC and Directive 2009/147/EC, or any other environmental impact, have not been widely tested as regards their effectiveness, Member States may allow their use for one or several pilot projects for a limited time period, provided that the effectiveness of such measures is closely monitored and appropriate steps are taken immediately if they do not prove to be effective. The permit-granting process for the repowering of projects,
  including those increasing the capacity and the need for the related energy network developments without increasing the occupied area
  and for new installations with an electrical capacity of less than 150 kW, co-located storage facilities as well as their grid connection, located outside renewables
  acceleration
  areas shall not exceed
  six months
  including environmental assessments where required by relevant legislation. Where duly justified on the ground of extraordinary circumstances, this
  six months
  period may be extended by up to three months. Member States shall clearly inform the developers about the extraordinary circumstances that justified the extension. [Am. 28]

Member States shall facilitate the repowering of projects located outside
  acceleration
  areas by ensuring that, if an environmental assessment for a project is required under the Union environmental legislation, such assessment shall be limited to the potential impacts stemming from the change or extension compared to the original project.

| (2a) | Where the repowering does not result in an increase in the capacity of the renewable energy power plant beyond 15 %,and without prejudice to the need to assess any potential environmental impacts pursuant to the paragraph 2b, grid connections to the transmission or distribution grid shall be permitted within one month following application to the relevant entity unless there are justified safety concerns or there is technical incompatibility of the system components. |
| --- | --- |

(2a)

Where the repowering does not result in an increase in the capacity of the renewable energy power plant beyond 15 %,and without prejudice to the need to assess any potential environmental impacts pursuant to the paragraph 2b, grid connections to the transmission or distribution grid shall be permitted within one month following application to the relevant entity unless there are justified safety concerns or there is technical incompatibility of the system components.

| (2b) | Where the repowering of solar installations does not entail the use of additional space and complies with the applicable environmental mitigation measures established for the original installation, the project shall be exempted from the requirement, if applicable, to be subject to a determination whether the project requires an environmental impact assessment pursuant to Article 4 of Directive 2011/92/EU. |
| --- | --- |

(2b)

Where the repowering of solar installations does not entail the use of additional space and complies with the applicable environmental mitigation measures established for the original installation, the project shall be exempted from the requirement, if applicable, to be subject to a determination whether the project requires an environmental impact assessment pursuant to Article 4 of Directive 2011/92/EU.

| (2c) | Where the repowering of a renewable energy power plant or of a related grid infrastructure which is necessary to integrate renewables into the electricity system, to a determination whether the project requires an environmental impact assessment procedure or an environmental impact assessment pursuant to Article 4 of Directive 2011/92/EU, such prior determination and/or environmental assessment shall be limited to the potential impacts stemming from the change or extension compared to the original project. |
| --- | --- |

(2c)

Where the repowering of a renewable energy power plant or of a related grid infrastructure which is necessary to integrate renewables into the electricity system, to a determination whether the project requires an environmental impact assessment procedure or an environmental impact assessment pursuant to Article 4 of Directive 2011/92/EU, such prior determination and/or environmental assessment shall be limited to the potential impacts stemming from the change or extension compared to the original project.

| (2d) | Decisions resulting from the permit-granting process shall be made publicly available. [Am. 29] |
| --- | --- |

(2d)

Decisions resulting from the permit-granting process shall be made publicly available. [Am. 29]

| ▌ | |
| --- | --- |

▌

Article 16c

Permit-granting process for the installation of solar energy equipment in artificial structures

| (1) | Member States shall ensure that the permit-granting process referred to in Article 16(1)
  of this Directive
  for the installation of solar energy equipment
  , including on rooftop, and co- located energy storage assets
  , including building-integrated solar installations, in existing or future artificial structures, with the exclusion of artificial water surfaces, shall not exceed
  one month
  , provided that the primary aim of such structures is not solar energy production.
  For solar installations of 50kW or less, including renewables self- consumers, jointly acting renewables self-consumers and renewable energy communities, Member States shall provide for a simple-notification procedure as set out in Article 17 of this Directive.
  By derogation from Article 4(2) of Directive 2011/92/EU and Annex II, points 3(a) and (b), alone or in conjunction with point 13(a) to that Directive, such installation of solar equipment shall be exempted from the requirement, if applicable, to carry out a dedicated environmental impact assessment under Article 2(1) of Directive 2011/92/EU.’ [Am. 30cp]


  Member States shall make sure that requirements for construction still in place are to be removed. Member States shall also establish a roadmap to remove other barriers and to enhance the accelerated deployment of solar energy. [Am. 30cp] |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Member States shall ensure that the permit-granting process referred to in Article 16(1)
  of this Directive
  for the installation of solar energy equipment
  , including on rooftop, and co- located energy storage assets
  , including building-integrated solar installations, in existing or future artificial structures, with the exclusion of artificial water surfaces, shall not exceed
  one month
  , provided that the primary aim of such structures is not solar energy production.
  For solar installations of 50kW or less, including renewables self- consumers, jointly acting renewables self-consumers and renewable energy communities, Member States shall provide for a simple-notification procedure as set out in Article 17 of this Directive.
  By derogation from Article 4(2) of Directive 2011/92/EU and Annex II, points 3(a) and (b), alone or in conjunction with point 13(a) to that Directive, such installation of solar equipment shall be exempted from the requirement, if applicable, to carry out a dedicated environmental impact assessment under Article 2(1) of Directive 2011/92/EU.’ [Am. 30cp]

| (1a) | Member States shall ensure that the installation of building-integrated solar installations is exempt from environmental impact assessment under Article 2(1) of Directive 2011/92/EU and from building permitting. |
| --- | --- |

(1a)

Member States shall ensure that the installation of building-integrated solar installations is exempt from environmental impact assessment under Article 2(1) of Directive 2011/92/EU and from building permitting.

| ▌ | |
| --- | --- |

▌

Article 16d

Overriding public interest

By ... [three months from entry into force], until climate neutrality is achieved, Member States shall ensure that, in the permit-granting process, the planning, construction and operation of plants for the production of energy from renewable sources, their connection to the grid and the related grid itself and storage assets are presumed as being in the overriding public interest and serving public health and safety when balancing legal interests in the individual cases for the purposes of Articles 6(4) and 16(1)(c) of Directive 92/43/EEC, Article 4(7) of Directive 2000/60/EC and Article 9(1)(a) of Directive 2009/147/EC. ▌

No later than ... [one month after the date of entry into force of this Directive], the Commission shall, in order to reduce legal uncertainty, issue guidance on how to implement this Article in line with existing requirements under Union law and with relevant rulings of the Court of Justice of the European Union. [Am. 17]

Article 16e

Acceleration of the deployment of heat pumps

1.
     
  The permit-granting process for the installation of heat pumps shall not exceed one month.

2.
     
  Grid connections to the transmission or distribution grid shall be permitted following notification to the relevant entity for:

| (a) | heat pumps of up to 12kW electrical capacity; and |
| --- | --- |

(a)

heat pumps of up to 12kW electrical capacity; and

| (b) | heat pumps installed by a renewables self-consumer, jointly acting renewables self consumers and renewable energy communities pursuant to Article 2(14) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of up to 50 kW electrical capacity, provided the capacity of the renewables self-consumer's renewable electricity generation installation amounts to at least 60 % of the capacity of the heat pump unless there are justified safety concerns or there is technical incompatibility of the system components. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

heat pumps installed by a renewables self-consumer, jointly acting renewables self consumers and renewable energy communities pursuant to Article 2(14) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of up to 50 kW electrical capacity, provided the capacity of the renewables self-consumer's renewable electricity generation installation amounts to at least 60 % of the capacity of the heat pump unless there are justified safety concerns or there is technical incompatibility of the system components.

3.
     
  Decisions resulting from permit-granting processes shall be made publicly available. [Am. 32]

Article 16f

Member States shall report to the Commission on:

| (a) | the duration of the permit-granting processes for plants for the production of energy from renewable sources in as well as outside the renewables acceleration areas; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the duration of the permit-granting processes for plants for the production of energy from renewable sources in as well as outside the renewables acceleration areas;

| (b) | the impact of Article 16d on the duration of the permit-granting process and legal proceedings. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the impact of Article 16d on the duration of the permit-granting process and legal proceedings.

The Commission shall evaluate the information provided by Member States and, if appropriate, propose changes to relevant legislation.’.

| ▌ | |
| --- | --- |

▌

Article 4

Transposition

| (1) | Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with Article 1, point (10), by [
  one month
  after the entry into force of this Directive] at the latest. [Am. 35]

  Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with Article 1, points (1), (2), (3), (4), (6), (8) and (9), and Article 3 by [
  six months
  after the entry into force of this Directive] at the latest. [Am. 36]

  Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with Article 1, points (5) and (7), and Article 2 by [
  one year
  after the entry into force of this Directive] at the latest. [Am. 37]

  They shall forthwith communicate to the Commission the text of those provisions.
  When Member States adopt those provisions, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or be accompanied by such a reference on the occasion of their official publication. Member States shall determine how such reference is to be made. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with Article 1, point (10), by [
  one month
  after the entry into force of this Directive] at the latest. [Am. 35]

Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with Article 1, points (1), (2), (3), (4), (6), (8) and (9), and Article 3 by [
  six months
  after the entry into force of this Directive] at the latest. [Am. 36]

Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with Article 1, points (5) and (7), and Article 2 by [
  one year
  after the entry into force of this Directive] at the latest. [Am. 37]

They shall forthwith communicate to the Commission the text of those provisions.

When Member States adopt those provisions, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or be accompanied by such a reference on the occasion of their official publication. Member States shall determine how such reference is to be made.

| (2) | Member States shall communicate to the Commission the text of the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

Member States shall communicate to the Commission the text of the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive.

Article 5

Entry into force

This Directive shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Article 6

Addressees

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

Done at ▌,

For the European Parliament

The President

For the Council

The President

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(1)  The matter was referred back for interinstitutional negotiations to the committee responsible, pursuant to Rule 59(4), fourth subparagraph (A9-0283/2022).

1

(*1)  Amendments: new or amended text is highlighted in bold italics; deletions are indicated by the symbol ▌.

*1

(2)  OJ C , , p. .

2

(3)  OJ C , , p. .

3

(4)  
  Position of the European Parliament of ...

4

Position of the European Parliament of ...

(5)  Communication from the Commission COM(2019)0640, The European Green Deal.

5

(6)  Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulations (EC) No 401/2009 and (EU) 2018/1999 (‘European Climate Law’), OJ L 243, 9.7.2021, p. 1).

6

(7)  Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2001 on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment (OJ L 197, 21.7.2001, p. 30).

7

(8)  Council Decision 2005/370/EC of 17 February 2005 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Community, of the Convention on access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters (OJ L 124, 17.5.2005, p. 1).

8

(9)  Directive 2011/92/EU of the European parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (OJ L 26, 28.1.2012, p. 1).

9

(10)  Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7).

10

(11)  
  Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds (OJ L 20, 26.1.2010, p. 7).

11

Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds (OJ L 20, 26.1.2010, p. 7).

(12)  Regulation (EU) 2021/240 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 February 2021 establishing a Technical Support Instrument (OJ L 57, 18.2.2021, p. 1).

12

(13)  OJ C 369, 17.12.2011, p. 14.

13

(14)  Judgment of the Court of Justice of 8 July 2019, Commission v Belgium, C-543/17, ECLI: EU: C:2019:573.

14

(15)  
  Directive 2014/89/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning (OJ L 257, 28.8.2014, p. 135).

15

Directive 2014/89/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning (OJ L 257, 28.8.2014, p. 135).

(16)  
  Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the convervation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7).

16

Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the convervation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7).

(17)  
  Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds (OJ L 20, 26.1.2010, p. 7).

17

Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds (OJ L 20, 26.1.2010, p. 7).

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