Amendment6
Recital5d(new)
(5d) Topromoteeconomicandsocialcohesion,theguide-
lines for employment should also, through the EuropeanSocialFund,havetheaimofreducingregionaldisparitiesintermsofjobsandunemployment, andcombatingde-indus-trialisationandrelocationsoutsidetheMemberStates,whilepositively supporting economic and social reconversion, yet
withoutneglectingtobackupthedevelopmentofthemost
dynamicareas.
Amendment7
Recital5e(new)
(5e) Inthecurrentcontextofinternationalcompetitionand
globalisedtrade,theEuropeanEmploymentStrategyshouldencouragecompaniestoanticipateeconomicandtechnologi-calchange.MemberStatesshouldencouragethedevelopmentofresearchandsupportthedisseminationofinnovationinEuropeanenterprises.Inthisspirit,theEuropeaninstitutionswillsupportinitiativestoenableplatformsofexcellencetobesetupbetweenresearchersandenterprises.Theywillencour-age subject-based initiatives within the framework of theEuropeanprogrammes.
Amendment8
Recital5f(new)
(5f) In the context of financial allocation, the European
institutions should provide support in a spirit not just of
assistancebutalsoofeconomicdynamism.ThustheEuro-peaninstitutionsshoulddotheirutmosttoavoidaddingcom-plexitytotheMemberStates’policiesandonthecontraryplay a facilitating role. They will endeavour to make pro-cedures for access to European funding simpler and moreflexible,andtopromotelinkagesbetweenthevariousCom-munityprogrammes.
P5_TA(2004)0367
Financialperspectivesafter2006
EuropeanParliamentresolutiononbuildingourcommonfuture:policychallengesandbudgetary
meansoftheenlargedUnion2007-2013(COM(2004)101/dashC5-0089/2004/dash2004/2006(INI))
TheEuropeanParliament ,
/dash havingregardtotheCommunicationfromtheCommission(COM(2004)101),/dash havingregardtotheECTreaty,andinparticularitsarticles268-276,30.4.2004EN C104E/991 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanUnion
Thursday22April2004
TEXTPROPOSED
BYTHECOMMISSIONAMENDMENTS
BYPARLIAMENT
/dash havingregardtoCouncilDecision2000/597/EC,Euratomof29September2000onthesystemof
theEuropeanCommunities’ownresources(1),
/dash havingregardtotheDraftTreatyestablishingaConstitutionforEurope(2),
/dash havingregardtoitsresolutionof18December2003onthefuturebudgetaryrequirementsforexter-
nalactions2003/2037(3),
/dash havingregardtothereportoftheCommitteeonBudgetsandtheopinionsoftheCommitteeon
ForeignAffairs,HumanRights,CommonSecurityandDefencePolicy,theCommitteeonBudgetaryControl,theCommitteeonCitizens’FreedomsandRights,JusticeandHomeAffairs,theCommitteeonIndustry,ExternalTrade,ResearchandEnergy,theCommitteeonEmploymentandSocialAffairs,
theCommitteeontheEnvironment,PublicHealthandConsumerPolicy,theCommitteeonAgricul-
tureandRuralDevelopment,theCommitteeonFisheries,theCommitteeonRegionalPolicy,Trans-portandTourism,theCommitteeonCulture,Youth,Education,theMediaandSport,theCommitteeonDevelopmentandCooperationandtheCommitteeonWomen’sRightsandEqualOpportunities(A5-0268/2004),
A. whereasthecurrentfinancialperspectiveisinforceuntiltheendoftheyear2006,
B. whereasthepromotionofsocialandeconomiccohesionhasbeenaffirmedasoneofthegoalsofthe
EuropeanUnion,
C. whereasthefinancialperspectiveispartofaglobalinterinstitutionalagreementwhichcanonlybe
renewedinacontextofmutualconfidencebetweentheinstitutionsandjointagreementbetweenthetwoarmsofthebudgetaryauthority,
D. whereasArticle272oftheECTreatyprovidesfortheadoptionofannualbudgetsevenintheabsence
ofafinancialperspective,
E. whereastheexperienceofthefinancialperspectivestartingin1988,1993and1999respectively,has
provedusefulinensuringanon-conflictualdevelopmentofthebudget,
F. whereastheEuropeanConventionproposedtoincludethefinancialperspectiveintotheConstitution
throughaEuropeanlawadoptedbytheCouncilafterconciliationwiththeEuropeanParliamentand
afterobtainingitsconsent(ArticleI-54andArticleIII-308),
1. Recallsthatthecurrentfinancialperspectiveisinforceuntiltheendoftheyear2006;
2. TakesnoteoftheCommunicationpresentedbytheCommissioninaccordancewithArticle26ofthe
InterinstitutionalAgreementof6May1999betweentheEuropeanParliament,theCouncilandtheCom-missiononbudgetarydisciplineandimprovementofthebudgetaryprocedure(
4),withaviewtoensuring
continuitywiththecurrentfinancialframeworkafter1January2007;
3. RecallsthattherewillbenofinancialperspectivewithoutanagreementbetweentheEuropeanPar-
liamentandtheCouncilonthefinancialpackage,astheexistingTreatyforeseesnoobligationtohaveafinancialperspectiveandonlyprovidesforannualbudgets;
4. Recallsthat,althoughthefinancialperspectivehasguaranteedaframeworktodevelopnewpolicies
favouringEuropeanintegration,ithasalsoimposedmorerigiditybetweendifferentareasofexpenditure
(headings)andhasconstrainedtheEuropeanParliamenttoabandoncertainpowers,forexampletheright
toshapesignificantlythebudgetonthebasisoftheTreatyprovisions;
(1) OJL253,7.10.2000,p.42.
(2) OJC169,18.7.2003,p.1.
(3) P5_TA(2003)0589.
(4) OJC172,18.6.1999,p.1.AgreementasamendedbyDecision2003/429/EC(OJL147,14.6.2003,p.25).C104E/992 EN30.4.2004 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanUnion
Thursday22April2004
5. Considers that, on a fair institutional basis, the current Commission,Parliament and Council /dash
inwhichthenewMemberStatesdonotyetparticipate/dashshouldrestrictthemselvestosettingbroadorientationsforthefuturefinancialperspectiveincludingthelegislativeproposalstobeproposedbythenewCommissioncomingintoofficeinNovember2004,whicharetobedecidedbythenewlyelectedParliamentandtheenlargedCouncil;
6. Isdetermined,fordemocraticreasons,totakenodecisionduringthisparliamentarytermwhich
mightrestrictthescopeordecision-makingpowersoftheParliamentelectedinJune2004;however,withaviewtomaintaininginstitutionalcontinuity,invitesthenextParliament,thenextCommissionandtheenlargedCounciltotakeaccountoftheorientationscontainedinthisreportasabasisforfuturenegotiations;
7. Welcomesanapproachtoassociateresourceneedsandgoalswithanemphasisontheaddedvalue
ofCommunityspendingovernationalbudgets;
8. RecallsthatArticle6(4)oftheNiceTreatystatesthattheUnionshallprovideitselfwiththemeans
necessarytoobtainitsobjectivesandcarrythroughitspolicies;
9. Stressesthat,shouldtheConstitutionnotbeinforceduringthenextfinancialperspective,thepossi-
bilityofmaintainingannualprocedurescouldbeconsideredinordertoavoidasubsequentrevisionaimedatadjustingresourcestothenewactivitiesforeseen;
10. Stressesthattheglobalamountsshouldtakeintoaccounttheneedsofcurrentandfuturelegislative
proposalssoastoensurethecontinuityofCommunityaction;askstheCommissiontosubmittoParlia-mentandtheCouncilthebasicreferencedocumentsandtoinformParliamentoftheprogrammeswhich
theCommissionproposestocontinueordiscontinue;invitesthenewCommissionandthenewParliament
tomakeaparallelevaluationoftheUnion’spoliticalprioritiesatlegislativeandbudgetarylevel,servingasabasisforthepoliticalandbudgetarychoicesunderlyingthefinancialframework;
11. AssumesthattheamountsmadeavailableasEUresourcesshouldallowtheEUtoachieve the
crucialandstrategicobjectivesmentionedinthedraftconstitution;
12. ConsidersthatthefinalcontentsoftheCommunicationshouldbeexaminedinordertoevaluate
whethertheenlargedUnioncanfulfilitspoliticalcommitmentsandinthissensewhetheritcomplieswithitslegitimateexpectations;
HorizontalissuesOnthetimeframe
13. Reiteratesitswill,asalreadyexpressedinitsreporttotheEuropeanConventionandwidelytaken
onboardbythedraftConstitution(ArticleIII-308),tohaveafinancialframeworkestablishedforaperiodof5years;takestheviewthat,forreasonsofdemocraticresponsibilityandaccountability,itisessentialthatthetimeframebebetteradaptedtothemandatesoftheParliamentandtheCommission;
14. ConsidersthatParliamentisnotboundbythedecisiontakenbytheEuropeanCouncilofOctober
2002onagricultural spendinguntil2013andseesnoreasontoaccepta7-yearperiodforthenewfinancialperspectiveasaresultofthisdecision;
OntheGNIceilings
15. Deplorestheconfusioncreatedinthebeginningoftheprocessbetweencommitmentsandpay-
mentsappropriationsintermsofpercentageofGNIceilingandconsidersthatthegapbetweenthetwoisquestionablefromapoliticalandbudgetarypointofview;recallsthat,forreasonsofsoundmanage-ment,thereshouldbeanorderlyrelationbetweencommitmentsandpayments;30.4.2004EN C104E/993 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanUnion
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16. Pointsoutthattheceilingsestablishedbythedecisiononthesystemofownresourcesare1,31%in
commitmentappropriationsofGNIand1,24%inpaymentappropriationsofGNIandthat,intheinterestoftransparency,theCommissionshouldalsopresentthetotalappropriationsforcommitmentswhichwillreach1,27%ofGNIin2013againsttheceilingofownresourcesforcommitments;
17. Isoftheopinionthat,afterhavingevaluateditspoliticalprioritiesatlegislativeandbudgetarylevel,
itistheUnion’sresponsibilitytodefinethetasksoftheUnioninthecontextofamedium-termpolicystrategyand,onthatbasis,toforeseeadequateresources;
18. Notesthatduringtheperiod1996-2002,theEUbudget(with15MemberStates)increasedby
8,2%whilethenationalbudgetsincreasedbyanaverageof22,9%showingtherigourandthriftofthearmsofthebudgetaryauthority;
Ontheprofile
19. Pointsoutthediscrepancybetweentheprofileofcommitmentappropriationsandthatofpayment
appropriations;notesthattheprogressiveandlinearincreaseincommitmentscomparedtotheirregular
developmentofpaymentswillfurtherextendthegapbetweenthetwo;believesthat,asregardsforthcom-inglegislativeproposals,theprofilesshouldbebetteradaptedtotheprogrammecycles;
20. Considersthat,beforeanydecisionsaremadeontheglobalceilingofthefinancialframework,the
Commissionshouldfurtherclarifyitsproposalasregardstheratiobetweencommitmentappropriationsandpaymentappropriationsforanygivenyearduringtheperiodcoveredbytheframeworkandindicateclearlyhowthisaffectsimplementation;lookstotheCommissiontoprovide,inparticular,informationastohow,underthenewfinancialframework,delaysinthedisbursementofappropriationsinthestructuralpolicy sphere canbe avoided; invites the Commissiontopresent suchananalysisby summer2004,bearinginmindtherequirementforanorderlyrelationbetweencommitmentsandpayments;
Onthestructure
21. AskstheCommissiontoprovidethebudgetaryauthoritywithacomparativetableindicatingthe
currentnomenclaturebyprogrammesandwiththemagnitudeofexpenditureforeseeninordertofacilitatethecomparisonwiththecurrentsituation;
22. WelcomestheCommission’seffortstoreducethenumberofheadings(8to5);notes,however,that
thenumberofsubheadingshasincreased;considersthatarestrictednumberofheadingsshouldnotcreatemorerigidity;isoftheopinionthatthecurrentsystemhasingeneralproveditsefficiency;reservesits
positionuntiltheCommissionsubmitsmorein-depthinformationforitsreasoningandthishasbeen
evaluatedbyParliament;
23. Recallsthat,owingtoinsufficientresourcesforeseenwithintherelevantheadingofexpenditureon
theonehandandrigiditybetweenthedifferentheadingsontheother,theflexibilityinstrumentforeseeninPoint24oftheInterinstitutionalAgreementof6May1999hadtobemobilisedin2000,2001and2002inordertocoverunforeseenneeds;askstheCommissiontoclarifythedifferentflexibilitymech-anismsforeseenbetweenheadingsandwithinheadingsandtotakedueaccountofthedifferentoptionsproposedbyParliamentduringthenegotiationsonthecurrentfinancialperspective;
24. RegretsthattheCommissionhasnotproposedaspecificreserveforexternalactionstodealwith
unforeseencrises,whilstithasproposedaGrowthAdjustmentFundofEUR1billionforthenewheading1a;
25. Stressesthattheneedtostrengthengrowthandcompetitivenessandeconomicandsocialcohesion
betweentheMemberStatesaremajorobjectivesfortheenlargedUnion;
26. RecallsthatthedecisionoftheEuropeanCouncilofOctober2002,towhichreferenceismadein
theaccessionTreaty(AnnexXV),onagriculturalexpenditure,aimedtofixaceilingandnotabottomline;intendstoevaluatetheconsequencesofsuchdecisioninamoreglobalcontext;C104E/994 EN30.4.2004 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanUnion
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27. StressestheneedtomaintainvisibilityfortheadministrativeexpenditureoftheCommissionwith
clearidentification;
28. Underlinesthatthefinancialframeworkagreedin1999fortheperiod2000-2006didnotforesee
anyincreaseinownresources;notesthatforthetimebeing,theCommissionproposal(for27MemberStates)doesnotforeseeanyincreaseintheownresourcesceilingeither;
29. ReiteratesitswilltointegratetheEDFintothegeneralbudgetaccordingtotheprincipleofunity
andtoensureademocraticcontroloverthisimportantpartoftheEUdevelopmentpolicy,withoutpreju-dicetotheoverallvolumeofEUassistancetothepoorestcountries;
30. Confirmstheneedtoreformthecurrentsystemofownresourcesinordertogiveitmorevisibility
forEuropeancitizensandtotakenationalconsiderationsintoaccount;isreadytoevaluateproposalsforageneralcorrectionmechanismbasedontheprincipleofCommunitysolidarity;
Specificareas
31. InvitestheCommissiontotakeintoaccounttheopinionsoftheParliament’sspecialisedcommittees
annexedtothecurrentreport,ofwhichtheprioritiesareoutlinedintheparagraphsbelow;
Competitivenessforgrowthandemployment
32. AgreeswiththeCommissionthatthestrengtheningoftheEuropeaneffortinresearchandtech-
nologicaldevelopmentconstitutesamajorobjectiveoftheenlargedEuropeanUnion;recallsinparticularthe importance ofhaving appropriate funding,bothatCommunityandnationallevel, with a proper
balancebetweenpublicandprivatefinancing;expressesconcernthataccesstoR&DcapitalforEuropean
SMEsisstilllimitedandthatR&DspendingbySMEsis3-6timeshigher intheUS;notesthatthecompletionofa‘European research area’ isimportanttosustainabledevelopment,butisneverthelessconcernedbytheurgentneedforconcreteinstrumentstoattaintheobjectivescontainedintheCommuni-cation;inaddition,stressesthecontributionoftheenergysectorforsustainabledevelopment,stressesinparticulartheimportanceoftransferringanddevelopingexistinginstruments(e.g.theIntelligentEnergyProgramme)intheenlargedEuropeanUnion,andcallsforappropriateEuropeanactioninbothenergysupplyandthedevelopmentoftrans-Europeannetworks;
33. WelcomestheprioritygivenbytheEuropeanCommissiontothepromotionofthecompetitiveness
ofenterprises,especiallythrough:
/dash improvedaccesstoCommunityfinancialinstrumentsforSMEs;
/dash the promotionoftechnologytransfer,buildingofinnovationnetworksandcoordinationbetween
Europeanundertakings;
/dash enhancing European competitiveness and productivity through further development of the
informationsociety;
/dash developingandpromotinginternationalstandardsforICTandmobiletelecommunicationtechnology
(e.g.3G).
InordertoattaintheobjectiveslaiddownintheCommunication,requeststheCommissiontopresentas
soonaspossibletheappropriatelegislativeandnon-legislativeproposalswiththeaimoffulfillingthe
broaderobjectiveofsustainabledevelopment;
34. Recallsthat,underArticle3(2)oftheECTreaty,thepromotionofgenderequalityisafundamental
principleoftheEUandshouldbeimplementedinallCommunityactionsandprogrammes;callsontheCommissiontoensurethatgenderistakenintoaccountinallmainexpenditureheadingsofthenewfinancialframework(2007-2013)andthattargetsandbenchmarksareset;30.4.2004EN C104E/995 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanUnion
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35. Requeststhat,accordingtotheobjectivessetintheLisbonstrategyandtheBarcelonaEuropean
Counciltargetstoreconcilefamilyandworkthroughthecreationofchildcarefacilities,anadequatepro-portionofthe16%EUresourcesforcompetitivenessforgrowthandemploymentbeallocatedtoraisethepercentageofemployedwomenintheenlargedEU,takingintoaccountthespecialneedtopromotethesocio-economicandemploymentsituationofwomeninthenewMemberStates;
36. WelcomestheimportancethattheCommissionisattachingtothesocialpolicyagenda,inparticu-
lar,supportforsocialdialogueandinitiativestohelpanticipateandmanagechange;pointsout,bearinginmindespeciallythatnewMemberStatesareabouttojointheUnion,thatsuchinitiativeswillbevitalforinternalcohesionandsocialharmony;pointsoutthatthesocialdialogueprovidedforintheTreatiesneeds
tobestrengthened,especiallyinthenewMemberStates;
37. Expectsthatthemainimperative,particularlyinthenewMemberStates,willbetoimplement
labourlegislation,includinghealthandsafetylegislation,inparticularbyfosteringbestpractice;
38. IsconsequentlyoftheopinionthatthenextStructuralFundreformshouldbebasedonthefollow-
ingprinciples:concentrationoftasks,administrativesimplificationandanewallocationformula,havingregardnotleasttothetake-upcapacityoftherecipientregions;
39. Pointsoutthatahigh level ofpublic health alsocontributestosustainabledevelopment,high
employmentandgeneralwelfare;assumesthatenlargementwillincreasethevarietyofproblemsrelated
topublichealth;inordertoaddresstheemergingchallenges,callsforanewfinancialinstrumentonpublichealthtocomeintooperationaftertheexpiryofthepresentactionprogramme;
40. Believesthatgreaterfinancialsupportforstudentmobilitymustbematchedbyacommitmentto
ensuringthatsuchexpenditurehasagenuinelyadditionaleffect;notesthattheinadequacyofstudentmobilitygrantshasmeantthat,hitherto,ithasgenerallybeenstudentsfrommoreprosperousbackgroundswhohavebeenabletotakeadvantageofstudentmobilityschemes;urgestheMemberStatestoensurerealaccesstothesegrants,takingintoaccountthefinancialneedofapplicantsinaccordancewiththedefini-tionof‘need’aslaiddowninthenationalsupportagreements;
41. WelcomestheemphasistheCommissionplacesonsupportfornetworksofculturalorganisations
andforcitizens’initiativesininter-culturaldialogue;notesthattheculturalindustriesmakeasignificant
contributiontoeconomicgrowthandemploymentinEurope;stressestheneedtosimplifyadministrative
proceduresasregardsfundingforbodiesintheculturalfield;notesthattheaudiovisualindustryisstillfragmentedinnationalmarketsandcallsfortheremovalofobstaclestothecirculationofEuropeanfilms;
42. Underlinesthat,inthecontextoftherecommendationstodeliverhighergrowthtofulfiltheobjec-
tivessetbytheEuropeanUnionforthedecadeendingin2010,tobecomethemostcompetitiveanddynamicknowledge-basedeconomywithsustainableeconomicgrowthandgreatersocialcohesion,the‘culturaladdedvalue’shouldnotbeforgotten;believesthattheconceptof‘Europeanaddedvalue’mustnotbe limited toadvanced cooperation between Member Statesbut shouldalsocontain a ‘visionary’aspect;
43. WelcomestheCommission’sgeneraldeterminationtoconsolidateandrationalisefundinginstru-
ments;believesthat,inthefieldsofeducation,training,youthandculturalpolicy,suchconsolidation
andrationalisationwillcreateadministrativeeconomiesofscale,heightenthevisibilityoftheprogrammesandmakethemmoretransparentforcitizens;
Cohesionforgrowthandemployment
44. Emphasisestheimportanceofcohesionpolicyinconstructingmeasureswhichraisetheeconomic
performanceofthefutureMemberStatesandregionsaswellasexistingregionswhicharedisadvantagedbecause oflackofinfrastructure, extreme remoteness,permanentgeographical handicapsorindustrialdecline;reiteratesParliament’sdemandthatcohesionpolicybefundedby0,45%ofEUGDPtoensurethatitsobjectivesaremetintheenlargedUnion;C104E/996 EN30.4.2004 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanUnion
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45. Insiststhatexpenditureoncohesionforgrowthandemploymentand,inparticular,theRegional
DevelopmentFundshouldprovidecontinuityofinvestmentforthoseregionswherethe‘statisticaleffect’isadverseandthatthereshouldbeadequatefundsforacontinuationofregionalpolicyforlaggingregionsinthecurrent15MemberStates;underlinestheparticularproblemswhichgeographicallyoutlying,rural,mountain,islandandsparselypopulatedregionsface;callsforothersectoralpoliciestotakeintoaccounttheneedsoftheseregionsusingcriteriasuchasaccessibilityinordertofurthercohesion;
46. ConsidersthatstateaidshouldbepermissibleinnonObjective1regionsdependingonthelevelof
developmentandproblemsfacedbytheregion andasksthe Commissiontopresentanewstateaid
regulationwiththenewcohesionandregionalpolicyregulations;callsontheCommission,inthiscontext,
toclarifyassoonaspossiblethefutureoftheregionalaidunderArticle87(3)(c),takingcareinparticulartoretainthedistinctionbetweentheregionseligibleundertheregionalcompetitivenessandemploymentobjectives;
47. ExpectstheCommission,inparticular,inthelightoftheexperiencegainedsofarinthefieldof
structuralactions(RAL,unreliabilityofMemberStates’forecastsasregardsspendingneeds)topresentfurtherproposals,accompanyingthenewfinancialframework,aimedatensuringbettercontroloftheimplementationofappropriationsinvolvingagreaterresponsibilityofMembersStatesinthecontextofsharedmanagement,e.g.bytheincreaseduseofcofinancingandsunsetclauses;
48. NotestheimportanceoftransEuropeantransportnetworksforimplementingtheLisbonagenda;
considersthathigh-performingtransEuropeantransportnetworksareanessentialcatalystforthesustain-
ablemobilityofgoodsandpeopleandnotesthattheCommissionintendstostrengthencross-bordercooperationandthedevelopmentofEuropeannetworks;believesthatsettingupafinancialbonusforthosepriority projectsofEuropeaninterest,orforsectionsofthem,whichare completedwithinthenextthreeyears,wouldrepresentanimportantincentiveforthedevelopmentofTEN.
Preservationandmanagementofnaturalresources
49. WelcomesthegreaterattentionpaidtoresearchanddevelopmentandcallsontheCommission,in
thatconnection,alsotofocusoninnovationintheagriculturalsector;
50. Regretsthefactthat,intheproposedfinancialframework,theCommissionhasnot/dashasannounced
inconnectionwiththereformofthecommonagriculturalpolicy/dashmadeastrongersecondpillaran
integralpartofthefutureEUbudget,butisinsteadseekingtofreezeplannedexpenditureonruraldevel-
opmentatthe2006level,which,inafutureEUof25or27MemberStates,wouldleadtoasteadyreductioninappropriationsforruraldevelopment;
51. CallsontheCommission,therefore,torevisetheFinancialPerspectiveinsuchawaythatrural
regionsarenotplacedatadisadvantageinrelationtourbanareas,therebyforestallingthefurtherecon-omicdeclineanddepopulationofdisadvantagedregions;
52. Believesthatthecurrentstrictdistinctionmadebetweencategories1aand1b,onthebasisofthe
CAPreformdecisionsconcerningmodulation,mustbereplacedtoacertainextentbyaflexiblemech-anismfortransferringfundstoruraldevelopmentprojects,sothatadequateallowancecanbemadeforthe
reorientationofEUagriculturalpolicylaunchedin2003;
53. NotesthattheCommunityfisheriessectorisundergoingradicalchangetogiveitlong-termpros-
pectsandallowittoremaincompetitiveinaglobalisedeconomy;takestheviewthatadequatefundingmustbeprovidedinordertofinancethevariousareasofactivitymakinguptheCommonFisheriesPolicy,namely, resource conservation and protection, international agreements, markets, structural measures,socialaspects,etc.;believes,therefore,thatexistingfisheries-relatedStructuralFundmeasures,includingsocio-economicmeasures,needtobemaintainedandoptimisedinordertomaintainEuropeanfisheries’competitivenessinaglobalfreemarket;30.4.2004EN C104E/997 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanUnion
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54. Welcomestheprogressmadeininterinstitutionalcooperationonnegotiatinginternationalfisheries
agreements,inparticularwiththeCommission,eventhoughittakestheviewthatthereisstillalongwaytogobeforeParliamentisgenuinelyinvolvedinpolicydevelopmentandimplementationinthisCFParea;italsofeelsthatacleardistinctionneedstobemadebetweenfinancialcompensationforfishingaccessandthetargetedmeasures,andthattheCommissionmustbeabletoverifythatthelatterhavebeenproperlyimplemented;
55. Ispleasedthat‘sustainabledevelopment’hasbeenproposedasoneofthethreeprioritiesforthe
nextfinancialperspectives;deplores,however,theshallowinterpretationoftheconceptofsustainability;notesthattheCommissiondevotesonlymarginalattentiontoenvironmentalconcernsandfailssufficientlytointegratetheenvironmentalaspectsofsustainabledevelopmentinoverallpolicy-making;calls,therefore,ontheCommissiontostrengthenthecontentof‘sustainabledevelopment’inallCommunitypolicies;
56. WelcomestheCommission’sproposalthat,infuture,environmentalpolicyshouldbefinancedfrom
the same category of the budget as agricultural, structural and fisheries policy; points out that thesepolicieshaveahugeimpactontheenvironment;stressestheurgentneedtopressaheadwiththegreeningofCommunitypoliciesinpractice,bycarryingoutcarefulandmethodologicallysoundassessmentsofenvironmentalimpactsinallpolicyareas,particularlyinCAPandstructuralfunds;
57. WelcomesthereferencetofinancingoftheNatura2000network;considersthisacrucialelement
toreachingthe2010targetforhaltingEuropeanbiodiversityloss;callsfordedicatedfundsunderregionalandruraldevelopmentpolicyforNatura2000;
Citizenship,freedom,securityandjustice
58. WelcomestheCommission’sproposaltomakeEuropeancitizenship,includingthecompletionof
anareaoffreedom,securityandjustice,oneofthetopthreeprioritiesfortheenlargedUnion2007-2013;welcomesandsupportsstronglytheproposaltocreateaspecificheadingfor‘Citizenship,freedom,secur-ityandjustice’inthenewfinancialperspectiveasalogicalconsequenceoftheproposedpriorityforthispolicyarea;
59. RegardstheprotectionoftheexternalbordersoftheEuropeanUnioninanintegratedwayposesa
majorchallengethatrequiresadequateresources;emphasises,atthesametime,theneedforincreasedeffortstoestablishacommonasylumpolicywithamuchstrongerburden-sharingelementandacor-respondinglystrongerpolicyofintegrationofthirdcountrynationalslivingintheEuropeanUnion;
60. IsoftheopinionthattheUnionshouldrespondtotheincreasingconcernsofEuropeancitizens
withregardtointernalsecuritymattersandassumegreaterresponsibilityinthefightagainstinternational
organisedcrimeandterrorism;
61. Requeststhattheprotectionoffundamentalrightsbereinforced,interalia,bythecreationofa
genuinejudicialareabasedonmutualtrust;
TheEUasaglobalpartner
62. InsiststhatpovertyeradicationandtheMillenniumDevelopmentGoals,whicharethemaingoals
ofcommunitydevelopmentpolicy, shouldremain oneofthe principal objectives ofthe category for‘ExternalActions’andthatfundsforthispurposeshouldbesafeguardedagainsttransferoperationstomeetotherobjectives;
63. Supportstheprincipleof‘simplifiedarchitecture’intheareaofexternalrelationsbutinsiststhatthis
mustnotleadtoadiminishedrolefortheEuropeanParliament,eitherinco-decidinglegislationorintheuseofitsbudgetaryordischargepowers;C104E/998 EN30.4.2004 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanUnion
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64. Callsforacleardistinctiontobemadebetweenthoseareasofexternalactionwhichhavedifferent
characteristicsandforwhichthefinancialrequirementshavetobeconsideredseparately:pre-accessionaid,enhancedneighbourhoodcooperation,developmentcooperation,humanitarianaid,relationswithACPcountries,peaceandsecurityandreserves;
65. InsiststhatEDFbudgetisationshouldresultinnoreductionintheoverallleveloffinanceforACP
countriesandthatthesefundsfocusonpovertyeradication,inlinewithdevelopmentbestpracticeandbeguaranteedforusewithintheACPregion,bymeansofsub-headingsorring-fencedsumsintheFinancialPerspectives;
66. Callsforarestructuringandrationalisationofbudgetaryinstrumentsinordertoboosttherespon-
sivenessandflexibilityoftheUnion’sexternalpolicy,whilemaintainingthetransparencyofthemech-
anismsemployedandwithoutinanywayjeopardisingfulfilmentofthecommitmentsalreadyenteredinto;restatestheneedtointroduceforthispurposeamechanismforpriorconsultationof,andcontrolaposterioriby,Parliament,particularlywhereappropriationsarereallocated;welcomestherationalisationofheadingsproposedbytheCommissionandproposesabreakdownofappropriationsbythematichead-ingsmatchingprioritiesandhorizontalpoliticalobjectivesoftheUnion,accompaniedbyageographicalstructureallowingsuchappropriationstobemobilisedflexiblyforagivenarea;questionstheappropri-atenessoftheexistingallocationofresponsibilitiesbetweenexternalrelationsanddevelopmentandpro-posesthatitbereviewed;
67. AffirmsthattheneighbouringcountriesoftheenlargedEuropeareapriorityareaforactionand
attention;asks,tothisend,thattheprovisionsofthestrategydocumentonrelationswiththeArabWorldbeimplemented;advocatesrecoursetoallnecessarymeasurestoensurethattheNewNeighbourhoodpolicycanenableanareaofprosperityandstabilitytostretchfurthertothesouthandeastoftheUnion;pointstotheimportanceofmovingaheadwiththeBarcelonaProcessandsupportingthepoliticalandeconomicreformsbeingimplementedinMediterraneanpartnercountries;inparticular,asksthattheAfri-cancontinentandthecountrieswiththehighestratesofpovertyandunderdevelopmentbenefitfrombetterinteractionbetweenhumanitarianpolicies,developmentprogrammesandpoliticalcooperation;
68. Pointsoutthat,tobecredible,anyinternationalplayerneedstobereadybothtorespondtounex-
pectedshort-termsituationsandtodevisemedium-andlong-termstrategiesinvolvinglastingcommit-ments;pointsoutthattheUnion’sexternalpolicymustbeenvisagedinaglobalmanner;pointsoutthatitsmainaimsareencouragingmacroeconomicassistancedesignedtopreventconflictsofallkindsaswellaspeacekeepingactivitiesandcrisismanagementmeasuresincivilian,military,technologicalandenviron-mentalfields,particularlythroughtherapiddeploymentofaninterventionforce;
69. Placesparticularemphasisontheneedforadequatefundingfortheaspectsrelatingtocooperation
policy,thefightagainstpoverty,thepromotionofdemocracyandhumanrightsandaccessforpopu-lationstobasicgoodsandservices;placesparticularemphasisontheneedtopromote,throughexternalpolicy,accesstohealthcare(includingreproductivehealth),education,researchandthenewtechnologiesandthecontinuingfightagainstanti-personnellandminesandtheirconsequences;
70. ReiteratestheimportanceofaparliamentarydimensiontotheWTOandencouragesfurtherini-
tiativesfordemocraticinstrumentsinthefieldoftrade;believesthattheEuropeanUnion,asaglobalpartnerinthepresentcontextofglobalisation,mustreinforceitsroleasaleadingtradepowerandanactivepartnerinthenegotiationofmultilateralnorms;
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71. InvitestheCommissiontocomeforwardwiththeappropriatesolutionsasregardsthepresentation
ofadministrativeexpendituresoastoenabletransparencyanddemocraticcontroloverstaffingmatters;believesthisshouldapplybothinthevariouspolicyareasandintheheadingdedicatedtotheadminis-trativeexpenditureoftheotherinstitutions;
72. InstructsitsPresidenttoforwardthisresolutiontotheCouncilandtheCommission.30.4.2004EN C104E/999 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanUnion
Thursday22April2004