European Parliament legislative resolution of 5 February 2014 on the draft Council decision on relations between the European Union on the one hand, and Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark on the other (12274/2013 — C7-0237/2013 — 2011/0410(CNS))
Date: 2014-02-05
Institutions: Committee on Development, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Committee on Regional Development, European Parliament
Subjects: Denmark, European cooperation, Greenland, association agreement, economic development, overseas countries and territories, sustainable development




C_2017093EN.01024901.xml










24.3.2017   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 93/249





P7_TA(2014)0075
Relations between the EU on the one hand, and Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark on the other *
European Parliament legislative resolution of 5 February 2014 on the draft Council decision on relations between the European Union on the one hand, and Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark on the other (12274/2013 — C7-0237/2013 — 2011/0410(CNS))
(Special legislative procedure — consultation)
(2017/C 093/46)

The European Parliament,






—


having regard to the draft Council decision (12274/2013),










—


having regard to Article 203 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C7-0237/2013),










—


having regard to Rule 55 of its Rules of Procedure,










—


having regard to the report of the Committee on Development (A7-0054/2014),












1.


Approves the draft Council decision as amended;












2.


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












3.


Asks the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to substantially amend its draft;












4.


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





Amendment 1


Proposal for a decision


Recital 10








Text proposed by the Council




Amendment











(10)


Union assistance should focus where it has more impact, having regard to its capacity to act on a global scale and respond to global challenges such as poverty eradication, sustainable and inclusive development or worldwide promotion of democracy, good governance, human rights and rule law, its long-term and predictable engagement in development assistance and its role in coordinating with its Member States.












(10)


Union assistance should focus where it has more impact, having regard to its capacity to act on a global scale and respond to global challenges such as poverty eradication, sustainable and inclusive development 
and growth
 or worldwide promotion of democracy, good governance, human rights and rule law, its long-term and predictable engagement in development assistance and its role in coordinating with its Member States.









Amendment 2


Proposal for a decision


Recital 11








Text proposed by the Council




Amendment











(11)


The EU-Greenland partnership should provide for a framework permitting regular discussions on matters of interest for the Union or Greenland, such as global issues, where an exchange of views, and a possible convergence of ideas and opinions, could be beneficial for both parties. The increasing impact of climate change on human activity and the environment, maritime transport, natural resources, including raw materials, as well as research and innovation, calls for dialogue and enhanced cooperation.












(11)


The EU-Greenland partnership should provide for a framework permitting regular discussions on matters of interest for the Union or Greenland, such as global issues, where an exchange of views, and a possible convergence of ideas and opinions, could be beneficial for both parties. The increasing impact of climate change on human activity and the environment, maritime transport, natural resources, including raw materials, as well as 
education,
 research and innovation, calls for dialogue and enhanced cooperation.









Amendment 3


Proposal for a decision


Recital 11 a (new)








Text proposed by the Council




Amendment





 










(11a)






The Government of Greenland should prepare and submit a Programming Document for the Sustainable Development of Greenland. That document should be prepared, implemented and assessed on the basis of a transparent and participative approach.











Amendment 4


Proposal for a decision


Recital 13








Text proposed by the Council




Amendment











(13)


The Union's financial support for the period 2014-2020, should be focused on 
one, or a maximum of two
 areas of cooperation, allowing for the partnership, to maximise the impact and further allow for economies of scale, synergy effects, greater effectiveness and visibility for the Union's action.












(13)


The Union's financial support for the period 2014-2020, should be focused on 
a reduced number of
 areas of cooperation, allowing for the partnership, to maximise the impact and further allow for economies of scale, synergy effects, greater effectiveness and visibility for the Union's action.









Amendment 5


Proposal for a decision


Recital 13 a (new)








Text proposed by the Council




Amendment





 










(13a)





Any cooperation in the area of exploration, extraction and exploitation of Greenland natural resources, in particular minerals, oil and gas, should observe the highest safety, social and environmental standards and strict environmental management criteria in order to guarantee a sustainable use of resources and preserve the valuable though fragile ecosystem of the Arctic.










Amendment 6


Proposal for a decision


Recital 17








Text proposed by the Council




Amendment













(17)






The programming documents and financing measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision should be adopted in accordance with Regulation No 182/2011 of 16 February 2011 of the European Parliament and the Council laying down the rules and general principles concerning the mechanisms of control by Member States of the Commission's exercise of implementing powers

 (5)

. Taking into account the nature of those implementing acts, in particular their policy orientation nature or their financial implications, the examiniation procedure should in principle be used for their adoption, except for technical implementing measures of a small financial scale.










deleted







Amendment 7


Proposal for a decision


Recital 17 a (new)








Text proposed by the Council




Amendment





 










(17a)






The power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission for the adoption of programming documents and financing measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level. The Commission, when preparing and drawing up delegated acts, should further ensure a simultaneous, timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the European Parliament and to the Council.











Amendment 8


Proposal for a decision


Article 1 — paragraph 2








Text proposed by the Council




Amendment





2.   It acknowledges the geostrategic position of Greenland in the Arctic Region
, the issues of exploration and exploitation of natural resources, including raw materials,
 and ensures enhanced cooperation and policy dialogue on 
these issues
.


2.   It acknowledges the geostrategic position of Greenland in the Arctic Region and ensures enhanced cooperation and policy dialogue on 
issues of common interest to both parties
.





Amendment 9


Proposal for a decision


Article 2 — paragraph 2 — indent 1








Text proposed by the Council




Amendment











—


Global issues such as energy, climate change and environment, natural resources, including raw materials, maritime transport, research and innovation.












—


Global issues such as energy, climate change and environment, 
biodiversity,
 natural resources, including raw materials, maritime transport, research and innovation.









Amendment 10


Proposal for a decision


Article 2 — paragraph 2 — indent 2








Text proposed by the Council




Amendment











—


Arctic issues.












—


Arctic issues
, including the participation of the European Union as a permanent observer in the Arctic Council











Amendment 11


Proposal for a decision


Article 3 — paragraph 1 — point a








Text proposed by the Council




Amendment











(a)


To support and cooperate with Greenland in addressing its major challenges in particular the sustainable diversification of the economy, the need to increase the skills of its labour force, including scientists, and the need to improve the Greenlandic information systems in the field of Information and Communication Technologies. The achievement of these objectives shall be measured by the percentage of trade balance in GDP, the percentage of the fisheries sector in total exports, and the results of education statistical indicators as well as other indicators deemed suitable.












(a)


To support and cooperate with Greenland in addressing its major challenges in particular the sustainable 
development and
 diversification of the economy, the need to increase the skills of its labour force, including scientists, and the need to improve the Greenlandic information systems in the field of Information and Communication Technologies. The achievement of these objectives shall be measured by the percentage of trade balance in GDP, the percentage of the fisheries sector in total exports, and the results of education statistical indicators as well as other indicators deemed suitable.









Amendment 12


Proposal for a decision


Article 3 — paragraph 1 — point a








Text proposed by the Council




Amendment











(a)


To support and cooperate with Greenland in addressing its major challenges in particular the sustainable diversification of the economy, the need to increase the skills of its labour force, including 
scientists
, and the need to improve the Greenlandic information systems in the field of Information and Communication Technologies. The achievement of these objectives shall be measured by the percentage of trade balance in GDP, the percentage of the fisheries sector in total exports, and the results of education statistical indicators as well as other indicators deemed suitable.












(a)


To support and cooperate with Greenland in addressing its major challenges in particular the sustainable diversification of the economy, the need to increase the skills of its labour force, including 
in the area of mining and science
, and the need to improve the Greenlandic information systems in the field of Information and Communication Technologies. The achievement of these objectives shall be measured by the percentage of trade balance in GDP, the percentage of the fisheries sector in total exports, and the results of education statistical indicators as well as other indicators deemed suitable.









Amendment 13


Proposal for a decision


Article 3 — paragraph 2 — point c








Text proposed by the Council




Amendment











(c)


energy, climate, environment and biodiversity;












(c)


energy, climate 
change
, environment and biodiversity;









Amendment 14


Proposal for a decision


Article 4 — paragraph 4 — subparagraph 1








Text proposed by the Council




Amendment





PDSD shall be based on consultations and dialogue with civil society, local authorities and other stakeholders and shall draw on lessons learned and best practices, to ensure sufficient ownership of the PDSD.


The PDSD shall be based on consultations and dialogue with 
the Greenlandic
 civil society
, social partners, Parliament
, local authorities and other stakeholders and shall draw on lessons learned and best practices, to ensure sufficient ownership of the PDSD.





Amendment 15


Proposal for a decision


Article 4 — paragraph 6








Text proposed by the Council




Amendment





6.   The PDSD shall be approved in accordance with the 
examination
 procedure 
provided for in Article 9 (2)
. This procedure shall also apply to substantial reviews which have the effect of modifying significantly the strategy or its programming. It shall not apply to non-substantial modifications to the PDSD making technical adjustments, reassigning funds within the indicative allocations per priority area, or increasing or decreasing the size of the initial indicative allocation by less than 20 %, provided that these modifications do not affect the priority areas and objectives set out in the PDSD. In such case, adjustments shall be communicated to the European Parliament and the Council within one month.


6.   The PDSD shall be approved 
by means of delegated acts
 in accordance with the procedure 
laid down, respectively, in Articles 9a and 9b
. This procedure shall also apply to substantial reviews which have the effect of modifying significantly the strategy or its programming. It shall not apply to non-substantial modifications to the PDSD making technical adjustments, reassigning funds within the indicative allocations per priority area, or increasing or decreasing the size of the initial indicative allocation by less than 20 %, provided that these modifications do not affect the priority areas and objectives set out in the PDSD. In such case, adjustments shall be communicated to the European Parliament and the Council within one month.





Amendment 16


Proposal for a decision


Article 7 — paragraph 1








Text proposed by the Council




Amendment





1.   By 31 December 2017, the European Commission, the Government of Greenland and the Government of Denmark shall undertake a mid-term review of the PDSD and its' impact on Greenland as a whole. The Commission shall associate all relevant stakeholders
, including non-State actors and local authorities
.


1.   By 31 December 2017, the European Commission, the Government of Greenland and the Government of Denmark shall undertake a mid-term review of the PDSD and its' impact on Greenland as a whole. The Commission shall associate all relevant stakeholders 
referred to in Article 4(4)
.





Amendment 17


Proposal for a decision


Article 8 — paragraph 1 a (new)








Text proposed by the Council




Amendment





 




1a.
   
Should the Government of Greenland decide to include in the PDSD a request for the Union's financial assistance in the area of education and training, such assistance shall duly take into account the need to contribute to Greenland's efforts to strengthen capacity building in that area and to provide technical support.







Amendment 18


Proposal for a decision


Article 9 a (new)








Text proposed by the Council




Amendment





 




Article 9a






 




Delegation of power to the Commission






 




The Commission shall be empowered to adopt a delegated act in accordance with Article 9b for approval of the PDSD.







Amendment 19


Proposal for a decision


Article 9 b (new)








Text proposed by the Council




Amendment





 




Article 9b






 




Exercise of the delegation






 




1.
   
The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article.






 




2.
   
The delegation of power referred to in Article 9a shall be conferred for the period of validity of this Decision.






 




3.
   
The delegation of power referred to in Article 9a may be revoked at any time by the Council. Where the Council has commenced an internal procedure for deciding whether to revoke the delegation of power, it shall endeavour to inform the European Parliament and the Commission within a reasonable time before the final decision is taken, indicating the delegated power which could be subject to revocation and possible reasons for a revocation. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force.






 




4.
   
As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council.






 




5.
   
A delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 9b shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed by the Council within a period of two months of notification of the act to the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the Council has informed the Commission that it will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the Council.






 




If it intends to object, the Council shall endeavour to inform the European Parliament within a reasonable time before it takes the final decision, indicating the delegated act to which it intends to object and the possible reasons for the objection.







Amendment 20


Proposal for a decision


Article 10








Text proposed by the Council




Amendment







Article 10






deleted








Committee procedure




 






1.
   
The European Commission shall be assisted by the Greenland Committee, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Committee’. That committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.




 






2.
   
Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.




 






3.
   
Where the opinion of the committee is to be obtained by written procedure, the procedure shall be terminated without result when, within the time limit for delivery of the opinion, the chair of the committee so decides or a simple majority of committee members so requests.




 





Amendment 21


Proposal for a decision


Article 11








Text proposed by the Council




Amendment





The indicative amount for the implementation of this Decision for the period from 2014 to 2020 shall be EUR [217,8  million
.]

 (6)





In the light of the long-standing and special relationship between the EU and Greenland and the increasing global importance of the Arctic, the continuation of the EU's financial commitment towards Greenland is confirmed.
 The indicative amount for the implementation of this Decision for the period from 2014 to 2020 shall 
therefore
 be EUR 217,8  million.






(5)  

OJ L 55, 28.02.2011, p. 13 — 18.



(6)  
All reference amounts will be entered after the conclusion of negotiations regarding the Multiannual Framework (2014-2020)