European Parliament legislative resolution of 31 January 2019 on the proposal for a Council Decision on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Union, including relations between the European Union, on the one hand, and Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark, on the other (‘Overseas Association Decision’) (COM(2018)0461 — C8-0379/2018 — 2018/0244(CNS))
Date: 2019-01-31
Institutions: Committee on Budgets, Committee on Development, Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, Committee on Fisheries, Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety, European Parliament
Subjects: Denmark, Greenland, cooperation policy, development aid, financial aid, overseas countries and territories, sustainable development




C_2020411EN.01069801.xml










27.11.2020   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 411/698






P8_TA(2019)0053
Association of the Overseas Countries and Territories with the European Union including relations between the EU, Greenland and Denmark *
European Parliament legislative resolution of 31 January 2019 on the proposal for a Council Decision on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Union, including relations between the European Union, on the one hand, and Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark, on the other (‘Overseas Association Decision’) (COM(2018)0461 — C8-0379/2018 — 2018/0244(CNS))
(Special legislative procedure — consultation)
(2020/C 411/59)

The European Parliament,






—


having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2018)0461),










—


having regard to Article 203 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C8-0379/2018),










—


having regard to Rule 78c of its Rules of Procedure,










—


having regard to the report of the Committee on Development (A8-0480/2018),












1.


Approves the Commission proposal as amended;












2.


Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, in accordance with Article 293(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union;












3.


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












4.


Asks the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to substantially amend the Commission proposal;












5.


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





Amendment 1


Proposal for a decision


Recital 6








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(6)


This new Decision should highlight the specificities concerning the cooperation with Greenland, 
such as the objective
 to preserve the close and lasting links between the Union, Greenland and Denmark, 
the acknowledgement of
 the geostrategic position of Greenland, the importance of 
policy
 dialogue between Greenland and the Union, the existence of a Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Union and Greenland and the potential cooperation on Arctic issues. It should 
respond to the global challenges allowing for the development
 of 
a proactive agenda and the pursuit of mutual interests, in particular,
 the increasing impact of climate change on human activity and the environment, maritime transport, natural resources, including raw materials and fish stocks, as well as research and innovation.












(6)


This new Decision should highlight the specificities concerning the cooperation with Greenland
. The Council in 2003 agreed that the future relationship of the Union with Greenland after 2006 would be based on a comprehensive partnership for sustainable development which would include a specific fisheries agreement, negotiated according to the general rules and principles for such agreements. Indeed, the Joint Declaration by the European Union, on the one hand, and the Government of Greenland and the Government of Denmark, on the other, on relations between the European Union and Greenland, signed in Brussels on 19 March 2015, recalled the historical, political, economic and cultural links binding the Union to Greenland and stressed the need to step up relations and cooperation on the basis of mutual interests. The partnership established pursuant to this new decision should thus aim
 to preserve the close and lasting links between the Union, Greenland and Denmark 
and should enable global challenges to be overcome by developing a dynamic agenda and seeking mutual interests
. 
The decision should stress
 the 
specific characteristics
 of 
cooperation with Greenland by acknowledging
 the geostrategic position of Greenland, the importance of 
political
 dialogue between Greenland and the Union, the existence of a Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Union and Greenland and the potential cooperation on Arctic issues. It should
, in particular, take account
 of the increasing impact of climate change on human activity and the environment, maritime transport, natural resources, including raw materials and fish stocks, as well as research and innovation.









Amendment 2


Proposal for a decision


Recital 16








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(16)


Reflecting the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union’s commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this Programme will contribute to mainstream climate action in the Union’s policies and to the achievement of an overall target of 25 % of the Union’s budget expenditures supporting climate objectives. Actions under this Programme are expected to contribute 
20
 % of the overall financial envelope of the Programme to climate objectives. Relevant actions will be identified during the Programme's implementation and reassessed in the context of its mid-term evaluation and review processes.












(16)


Reflecting the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union’s commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this Programme will contribute to mainstream climate action in the Union’s policies and to the achievement of an overall target of 25 % of the Union’s budget expenditures supporting climate objectives. Actions under this Programme are expected to contribute 
30
 % of the overall financial envelope of the Programme to climate objectives. Relevant actions will be identified during the Programme's implementation and reassessed in the context of its mid-term evaluation and review processes.









Amendment 3


Proposal for a decision


Recital 18








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(18)


The Union and the OCTs recognise the special importance of education and vocational training as a lever for the OCTs’ sustainable development.












(18)


The Union and the OCTs recognise the special importance of education and vocational training as a lever for the OCTs’ sustainable development
, in particular in territories where the population’s general level of education is rather low
.









Amendment 4


Proposal for a decision


Recital 19








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(19)


The association between the Union and the OCTs should take into account and contribute to the preservation of the cultural diversity and identity of OCTs.












(19)


The association between the Union and the OCTs should take into account and contribute to the preservation of the cultural diversity and identity of OCTs. 
It should also pay particular attention to and contribute to promoting and upholding the rights of the OCTs’ indigenous peoples.











Amendment 5


Proposal for a decision


Recital 20








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(20)


Trade and trade-related cooperation between the Union and the OCTs should contribute to the objective of sustainable economic development, social development and environmental protection.












(20)


Trade and trade-related cooperation between the Union and the OCTs should contribute to the objective of sustainable economic development, social development and environmental protection 
along with the lines of the Sustainable Development Goals
.









Amendment 6


Proposal for a decision


Recital 21








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(21)


This Decision should provide for more flexible rules of origin, including new possibilities of cumulation of origin. Cumulation should be possible not only with OCTs and Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) countries, but under certain conditions also for products originating in countries with which the Union is applying a free trade agreement as well as for products entering the Union duty-free and quota-free under the Union’s General System of Preferences, also subject to conditions. These conditions are necessary 
to prevent
 trade circumvention and ensure the proper functioning of the cumulation arrangements.












(21)


This Decision should provide for more flexible rules of origin, including new possibilities of cumulation of origin. Cumulation should be possible not only with OCTs and Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) countries, but under certain conditions also for products originating in countries with which the Union is applying a free trade agreement as well as for products entering the Union duty-free and quota-free under the Union’s General System of Preferences, also subject to conditions. These conditions are necessary 
for a trading union which is more robust and capable of preventing
 trade circumvention and ensure the proper functioning of the cumulation arrangements.









Amendment 7


Proposal for a decision


Considérant 25








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(25)


Cooperation in the area of financial services between the Union and OCTs should contribute to building a safer, sounder, more transparent financial system that is essential to enhance global financial stability and to underpin sustainable growth. Efforts in that area should focus on convergence with internationally agreed standards and approximation of OCTs' legislation with Union acquis on financial services. Adequate attention should be paid to strengthening administrative capacity of OCTs' authorities, including in the area of supervision.












(25)


Cooperation in the area of financial services between the Union and OCTs should 
seek to tackle tax fraud, tax evasion and tax avoidance in order to
 contribute to building a safer, sounder, more transparent financial system that is essential to enhance global financial stability and to underpin sustainable growth. Efforts in that area should focus on convergence with internationally agreed standards and approximation of OCTs' legislation with Union acquis on financial services. Adequate attention should be paid to strengthening administrative capacity of OCTs' authorities, including in the area of supervision.









Amendment 8


Proposal for a decision


Recital 32








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment













(32)






This Decision should make reference, where required, to [NDICI Regulation] (Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument) for the purpose of the implementation of the cooperation and thus ensuring coherence in the management across instruments.










deleted







Amendment 9


Proposal for a decision


Article 1 — paragraph 1








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






1.   This Decision establishes an association of the overseas countries and territories (OCTs) with the Union (the ‘association’), which constitutes a partnership, based on Article 198 TFEU, to support the OCTs’ sustainable development as well as to promote the values and standards of the Union in the wider world.




1.   This Decision establishes an association of the overseas countries and territories (OCTs) with the Union (the ‘association’), which constitutes a partnership, based on Article 198 TFEU, to support the OCTs’ sustainable development as well as to promote the values
, principles
 and standards of the Union in the wider world.






Amendment 10


Proposal for a decision


Article 3 — paragraph 1








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






1.   The association between the Union and the OCTs shall be based on objectives, principles and values shared by the OCTs, the Member States to which they are linked and the Union.




1.   The association between the Union and the OCTs shall be based on objectives, principles and values shared by the OCTs, the Member States to which they are linked and the Union. 
It shall contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals as defined in Agenda 2030 and to the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement.








Amendment 11


Proposal for a decision


Article 3 — paragraph 3








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






3.   In implementing this Decision, the partners shall be guided by the principles of transparency, subsidiarity and the need for efficiency and shall equally address the three pillars of OCTs’ sustainable development: economic development, social development and environmental protection.




3.   In implementing this Decision, the partners shall be guided by the principles of transparency, subsidiarity and the need for efficiency and shall equally address the three pillars of OCTs’ sustainable development: economic development, 
cultural and
 social development and environmental protection






Amendment 12


Proposal for a decision


Article 3 — paragraph 4








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






4.   The general objective of this Decision is to promote the economic and social development of the OCTs and to establish close economic relations between them and the Union as a whole. 
The association shall pursue this general objective by the enhancing the OCTs’ competitiveness, strengthening the OCTs’ resilience, reducing their economic and environmental vulnerability and the promoting of cooperation between them and other partners.






4.   
In accordance with Article 3(5) and Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union and Article 198 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
 the general objective of this Decision is to promote the economic and social development of the OCTs and to establish close economic relations between them and the Union as a whole.






Amendment 13


Proposal for a decision


Article 3 — paragraph 5 — point a








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment













(a)






to foster and support cooperation with OCTs,










deleted







Amendment 14


Proposal for a decision


Article 3 — paragraph 5 — point b








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(b)


to support 
and to cooperate with Greenland
 in addressing 
its
 major challenges 
as the raising of
 education 
level and to contribute to the capacity of the administration of
 Greenland 
to formulate and implement national policies.














(b)


to support 
the OCTs
 in addressing the major challenges 
they face, including education for
 Greenland;









Amendment 15


Proposal for a decision


Article 3 — paragraph 5 — point b a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(ba)






to strengthen the resilience of the OCTs by reducing their economic and environmental vulnerability;











Amendment 16


Proposal for a decision


Article 3 — paragraph 5 — point b b (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(bb)






to improve the competitiveness of the OCTs, including as regards social standards;











Amendment 17


Proposal for a decision


Article 3 — paragraph 5 — point b c (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(bc)






to promote cooperation between the OCTs and other partners.











Amendment 18


Proposal for a decision


Article 3 — paragraph 6








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






6.   In pursuing those objectives, the association shall respect the fundamental principles of 
liberty,
 democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, good governance and sustainable development, all of which are common to the OCTs and the Member States to which they are linked.




6.   In pursuing those objectives, the association shall respect the fundamental principles of democracy, 
a rights-based approach encompassing all
 human rights and fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, good governance and sustainable development, all of which are common to the OCTs and the Member States to which they are linked. 
The same applies to the principle of non-discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, ethnic origin, religion, disability, age or sexual orientation and the principle of equality between men and women.








Amendment 19


Proposal for a decision


Article 4 — paragraph 1 a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 




In the programming and implementation process, and in particular when adopting its guidelines, the Commission shall take due account of the limited administrative and human capacities of the OCTs.







Amendment 20


Proposal for a decision


Article 5 — paragraph 2 — point a








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(a)


the economic diversification of OCTs' economies, including their further integration in world and regional economies; in the specific case of Greenland, the need to increase the skills of its labour force.












(a)


the 
sustainable
 diversification of OCTs' economies, including their further integration in world and regional economies; in the specific case of Greenland, the need to increase the skills of its labour force.









Amendment 21


Proposal for a decision


Article 5 — paragraph 2 — point a a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(aa)






the promotion of a high-quality social model;











Amendment 22


Proposal for a decision


Article 5 — paragraph 2 — point e








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(e)


the promotion of disaster risk reduction;












(e)


the promotion of disaster risk reduction
, taking into account the priorities set out in the Sendai Framework for the period 2015-2030
;









Amendment 23


Proposal for a decision


Article 5 — paragraph 2 — point h a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(ha)






Caribbean and Pacific issues.











Amendment 24


Proposal for a decision


Article 7 — paragraph 2








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






2.   To this end, the Union and the OCTs may exchange information and best practices or establish any other form of close cooperation and coordination with other partners in the context of the OCTs’ participation in regional and international organisations, where appropriate by means of international agreements.




2.   To this end, the Union and the OCTs may exchange information and best practices or establish any other form of close cooperation and coordination with other partners in the context of the OCTs’ participation in regional and international organisations, where appropriate by means of international agreements
, in order to contribute to the smooth integration of the OCTs into their respective geographical environments
.






Amendment 25


Proposal for a decision


Article 7 — paragraph 3








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






3.   The association aims at supporting cooperation between the OCTs and other partners in the areas of cooperation set out in Parts II and III of this Decision. In that respect, the objective of the association is to promote the cooperation between the OCTs and the outermost regions, referred to in Article 349 TFEU, their neighbouring ACP and non ACP states and territories. In order to achieve that objective, the Union shall improve coordination and synergies between the relevant Union programmes. The Union shall 
also endeavour to
 associate OCTs in its instances of dialogue with their neighbouring countries, whether they are ACP or non-ACP States or territories, and with the outermost regions, where appropriate.




3.   The association aims at supporting cooperation between the OCTs and other partners in the areas of cooperation set out in Parts II and III of this Decision. In that respect, the objective of the association is to promote the cooperation between the OCTs and the outermost regions, referred to in Article 349 TFEU, their neighbouring ACP and non ACP states and territories. In order to achieve that objective, the Union shall improve coordination and synergies between the relevant Union programmes. The Union shall associate OCTs in its instances of dialogue with their neighbouring countries, whether they are ACP or non-ACP States or territories, and with the outermost regions, where appropriate
, by offering them observer status
.






Amendment 26


Proposal for a decision


Article 7 — paragraph 4 — point aa (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(aa)






building the capacity of the OCTs to influence the adoption of regional strategies which take account of their specific characteristics, their potential and their European perspective;











Amendment 27


Proposal for a decision


Article 9 — title








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





Specific treatment


Specific treatment 
for isolated OCTs







Amendment 28


Proposal for a decision


Article 9 a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 





Article 9a




Specific treatment for the least developed OCTs





1.
   
The association shall take into account the diversity of the OCTs in terms of their level of development and structural constraints.






2.
   
Specific treatment shall be laid down for the least developed OCTs.






3.
   
In order to enable the least developed OCTs to catch up and to address their permanent structural constraints, due account shall be taken of their specific characteristics when determining the volume of financial assistance and the conditions attached to it.






4.
   
The OCT regarded as the least developed is Wallis and Futuna.









Amendment 29


Proposal for a decision


Article 10 — paragraph 1








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






1.   The association shall be based on a broad dialogue and consultations on issues of mutual interest between the OCTs, the Member States to which they are linked 
and
 the Commission, and, if appropriate, the European Investment Bank (EIB).




1.   The association shall be based on a broad dialogue and consultations on issues of mutual interest between the OCTs, the Member States to which they are linked, the Commission 
and the European Parliament
, and, if appropriate, the European Investment Bank (EIB).






Amendment 30


Proposal for a decision


Article 12 — title








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





Responsibilities of the non-governmental actors


Responsibilities 
of civil society and
 of the non-governmental actors





Amendment 31


Proposal for a decision


Article 12 — paragraph 1








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






1.   Non-governmental actors may play a role in the exchange of information and consultations concerning the cooperation, and in particular for the preparation and implementation of cooperation assistance, projects or programmes. They may receive a delegation of financial management powers for implementing such projects or programmes for the purpose of supporting local development initiatives.




1.   
Civil society, the private sector and
 non-governmental actors may play a role in the exchange of information and consultations concerning the cooperation, and in particular for the preparation and implementation of cooperation assistance, projects or programmes. They may receive a delegation of financial management powers for implementing such projects or programmes for the purpose of supporting local development initiatives.






Amendment 32


Proposal for a decision


Article 13 — paragraph 3








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






3.   The dialogue shall enable the OCTs to take a full part in the implementation of the association.




3.   The dialogue shall enable the OCTs to take a full part in the implementation of the association
, and also in the definition and implementation of the European Union’s regional strategies in the areas in which the OCTs are located
.






Amendment 33


Proposal for a decision


Article 13 — paragraph 4








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






4.   The dialogue shall focus, inter alia, on specific political issues of mutual concern or of general significance for the attainment of the objectives of the association.




4.   The dialogue shall focus, inter alia, on specific political issues of mutual concern or of general significance for the attainment 
both
 of the objectives of the association 
and of the Sustainable Development Goals
.






Amendment 34


Proposal for a decision


Article 13 — paragraph 5








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






5.   The dialogue with Greenland shall, in particular, provide the basis for broad cooperation and dialogue in areas concerning, inter alia, energy, climate change and environment, natural resources, including raw materials and fish stocks, maritime transport, research and innovation, as well as the Arctic dimension of those issues.




5.   The dialogue with Greenland shall, in particular, provide the basis for broad cooperation and dialogue in areas concerning, inter alia, 
education,
 energy, climate change and environment, 
nature,
 natural resources, including raw materials and fish stocks, maritime transport, research and innovation, as well as the Arctic dimension of those issues.






Amendment 35


Proposal for a decision


Article 13 — paragraph 5 a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 





5a.
   
The dialogue with the Caribbean OCTs shall, in particular, serve to strengthen the European strategy in the Caribbean region and to foster cooperation on issues relating to biodiversity, climate change, sustainable resource management and disaster-risk prevention and management and the social dimension, as well as on promoting good governance, in particular in the area of taxation and the combating of organised crime.








Amendment 36


Proposal for a decision


Article 13 — paragraph 5 b (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 





5b.
   
The dialogue with the Pacific OCTs shall, in particular, serve to define and implement an ambitious European strategy in the Pacific region through a strengthening of the European presence, and to foster cooperation on issues such as sustainable marine and terrestrial resource management, climate change, energy, the environment and the blue economy.








Amendment 37


Proposal for a decision


Article 14 — paragraph 1 — point a








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(a)


an OCTs-EU forum for dialogue (the ‘OCT-EU Forum’), shall meet annually to bring together OCTs' authorities, representatives of the Member States 
and
 the 
Commission. Members of
 the European Parliament, representatives of the EIB, 
and
 representatives of the outermost regions shall, where appropriate, be associated with the OCTs-EU Forum;












(a)


an OCTs-EU forum for 
political
 dialogue (the ‘OCT-EU Forum’), shall meet annually to bring together OCTs' authorities, representatives of the Member States
, the Commission,
 the 
Council Presidency and
 the European Parliament
. The association of OCTs (OCTA)
, representatives of the EIB, representatives of the outermost regions 
and representatives of third countries or territories neighbouring OCTs
 shall, where appropriate, be associated with the OCTs-EU Forum;









Amendment 38


Proposal for a decision


Article 14 — paragraph 1 — point b








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(b)


on a regular basis, the Commission, the OCTs and the Member States to which they are linked shall hold trilateral consultations. These consultations shall be organised at least 
three
 times a year on the initiative of the Commission or at the request of the OCTs and of the Member States to which they are linked;












(b)


on a regular basis, the Commission, the OCTs and the Member States to which they are linked shall hold trilateral consultations. These consultations shall be organised at least 
four
 times a year on the initiative of the Commission or at the request of the OCTs and of the Member States to which they are linked;









Amendment 39


Proposal for a decision


Part II — Chapter 1 — title








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, CLIMATE CHANGE, OCEANS AND DISASTER REDUCTION


ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, CLIMATE CHANGE, OCEANS AND DISASTER 
RISK
 REDUCTION





Amendment 40


Proposal for a decision


Article 15 — paragraph 1 — introductory part








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





In the context of the association, cooperation in the field of environment, climate change 
and
 disaster risk reduction may concern:


In the context of the association, cooperation in the field of environment, climate change, disaster risk reduction 
and strengthening resilience
 may concern:





Amendment 41


Proposal for a decision


Article 15 — paragraph 1 — point c








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(c)


the promotion of sustainable resource use and resource efficiency, 
and encouragement to the decoupling of economic growth from environmental degradation
; and












(c)


the promotion of sustainable resource use and resource efficiency, 
with a view to achieving a low carbon economy based on fair transition strategies
; and









Amendment 42


Proposal for a decision


Article 16 — paragraph 1 — point e a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(ea)






addressing issues linked to land degradation, including rising sea levels and soil contamination;











Amendment 43


Proposal for a decision


Article 17 — paragraph 1








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





In the context of the association, cooperation in the field of sustainable forest management may concern the promotion of the conservation and sustainable management of forests, including their role in the conservation of the environment from erosion and desertification control, afforestation and management of timber exports.


In the context of the association, cooperation in the field of sustainable forest management may concern the promotion of the conservation and sustainable management of forests, including their role in the conservation of the environment from erosion and desertification control, afforestation and management of timber exports 
and combating illegal logging
.





Amendment 44


Proposal for a decision


Article 18 — paragraph 1 — point b








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(b)


conciliation of economic and social activities such as fisheries and aquaculture, tourism, maritime transports and agriculture with the potential of marine and coastal zones in terms of renewable energy, raw materials, whilst taking into account impacts of climate change and human activities.












(b)


conciliation of economic and social activities such as fisheries and aquaculture, tourism, maritime transports and 
sustainable
 agriculture with the potential of marine and coastal zones in terms of renewable energy, raw materials, whilst taking into account impacts of climate change and human activities.









Amendment 45


Proposal for a decision


Article 23 — paragraph 1 — point c








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(c)


the development and strengthening of environmental protection;












(c)


the development and strengthening of 
human rights and social and
 environmental protection;









Amendment 46


Proposal for a decision


Article 24 — paragraph 1 — point b








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(b)


contributing to partners countries' efforts to pursue their commitments on climate change in line with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change;












(b)


contributing to partners countries' efforts to pursue their commitments on climate change in line with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change 
and the Sustainable Development Goals
;









Amendment 47


Proposal for a decision


Part II — Chapter 4 — title








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





YOUTH, EDUCATION, TRAINING, HEALTH, EMPLOYMENT, SOCIAL SECURITY, FOOD SAFETY AND FOOD SECURITY


YOUTH, 
WOMEN,
 EDUCATION, TRAINING, HEALTH, EMPLOYMENT, SOCIAL SECURITY, FOOD SAFETY AND FOOD SECURITY





Amendment 48


Proposal for a decision


Article 32 — paragraph 2 a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 





2a.
   
The Union and the OCTs shall cooperate to ensure that young people are actively involved in the labour market, in order to tackle youth unemployment.








Amendment 49


Proposal for a decision


Article 32 a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 





Article 32a




Equality between men and women





1.
   
The Union shall seek to promote equality and equity between men and women in the OCTs, as well as the empowerment of women and equal political and economic opportunities for women.






2.
   
The association shall seek to protect the rights of women and girls, including against all forms of violence.






3.
   
The association shall also seek to protect the empowerment of women, particularly as regards the role they play in sustainable development and in the economy and finance.




All initiatives shall incorporate the gender dimension.









Amendment 50


Proposal for a decision


Article 33 — paragraph 1 — point b








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(b)


the support to the OCTs in defining and implementing education and vocational training policies.












(b)


the support to the OCTs in defining and implementing education and vocational training policies
; and











Amendment 51


Proposal for a decision


Article 33 — paragraph 1 — point b a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(ba)






the support of the participation in and access of the OCTs to the Erasmus+ programme, by fostering and increasing the mobility of its potential beneficiaries from and to the OCTs;











Amendment 52


Proposal for a decision


Article 38 — title








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment







Performing arts






Fine arts







Amendment 53


Proposal for a decision


Article 38 — paragraph 1 — introductory part








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





In the context of the association, cooperation in the field of 
performing
 arts may concern:


In the context of the association, cooperation in the field of 
fine
 arts may concern:





Amendment 54


Proposal for a decision


Article 38 — paragraph 1 — point a








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(a)


the facilitation of increased contacts between practitioners of 
performing
 arts in areas such as professional exchanges and training including participation in auditions, development of networks and promotion of networking;












(a)


the facilitation of increased contacts between practitioners of 
fine
 arts in areas such as professional exchanges and training including participation in auditions, development of networks and promotion of networking 
through the provision of adequate financial support
;









Amendment 55


Proposal for a decision


Article 38 — paragraph 1 — point a a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(aa)






the promotion of OCT artistic productions in the Union;











Amendment 56


Proposal for a decision


Article 39 — paragraph 1 — introductory part








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





In the context of the association, cooperation in the field of tangible and intangible cultural heritage and historic monuments aims at allowing the promotion of exchanges of expertise and best practices through:


In the context of the association, cooperation in the field of tangible and intangible cultural heritage and historic monuments aims at allowing the promotion of exchanges of expertise and best practices 
and optimising the potential of such sites on a sustainable basis
 through:





Amendment 57


Proposal for a decision


Article 39 — paragraph 1 — point d a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(da)






Improving knowledge of and the preservation and restoration of OCT tangible and intangible cultural heritage;











Amendment 58


Proposal for a decision


Part II — Chapter 6 — title








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment







FIGHT AGAINST ORGANISED CRIME






PROMOTION OF THE RULE OF LAW







Amendment 59


Proposal for a decision


Article - 40 a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 





Article - 40a




Promotion of the rule of law





1.
   
The association shall seek to promote the principles of democracy, the rule of law and respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms on which it is founded, through dialogue and cooperation between the Union and the OCTs.






2.
   
The OCTs, as outposts of the Union, are major players in disseminating the values and principles of the Union in their respective regions.









Amendment 60


Proposal for a decision


Article 41 — title








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





Fight against organised crime, trafficking in human beings, child sexual abuse and sexual exploitation, terrorism and corruption


Fight against 
and prevention of
 organised crime, trafficking in human beings, child sexual abuse and sexual exploitation, terrorism and corruption





Amendment 61


Proposal for a decision


Article 41 — paragraph 1 — introductory part








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






1.   In the context of the association, cooperation in the field of organised crime may include:




1.   In the context of the association, cooperation in the field of organised crime 
and its prevention
 may include:






Amendment 62


Proposal for a decision


Article 42 a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 





Article 42a




Negotiation of trade agreements with third countries




Where the negotiation of a trade or fisheries agreement with third countries causes or threatens to cause serious harm to regional integration or to sensitive sectors in the OCTs, the Commission shall carry out an impact assessment, taking into consideration the cumulative impact of trade agreements on OCT economies. When completed, the Commission shall forward the results of this assessment to the European Parliament, the Council and the governmental and local authorities of the OCTs prior to the conclusion of the international agreements in question.








Amendment 63


Proposal for a decision


Article 53 — paragraph 2








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






2.   Trade-related cooperation shall aim to support the ultimate objectives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 
and
 the implementation of the Paris Agreement. It may also extend to cooperation on other trade related multilateral environmental agreements, such as the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species.




2.   Trade-related cooperation shall aim to support the ultimate objectives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the implementation of the Paris Agreement 
and the Sustainable Development Goals
. It may also extend to cooperation on other trade related multilateral environmental agreements, such as the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species.






Amendment 64


Proposal for a decision


Article 59 — paragraph 1 — point 4








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment








4.
   
aid granted through state resources by an OCT which distorts or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain undertakings in so far as it has a significant negative effect on trade or investment.







deleted







Amendment 65


Proposal for a decision


Article 70 — paragraph 1








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





The Union and the OCTs shall make their best endeavours to ensure that internationally agreed standards for regulation and supervision in the financial services sector and for the fight against tax evasion and avoidance are implemented and applied in their territory. Such internationally agreed standards are, inter alia, the Basel Committee’s ‘Core Principle for Effective Banking Supervision’, the International Association of Insurance Supervisors’ ‘Insurance Core Principles’, the International Organisation of Securities Commissions’ ‘Objectives and Principles of Securities Regulation’, the OECD’s ‘Agreement on exchange of information on tax matters’, the G20 ‘Statement on Transparency and exchange of information for tax purposes’, the Financial Stability Board’s ’Key Attributes of Effective Resolution Regimes for Financial Institutions.


The Union and the OCTs shall make their best endeavours to ensure that internationally agreed standards for regulation and supervision in the financial services sector and for the fight against tax 
fraud, tax
 evasion and 
tax
 avoidance are implemented and applied in their territory. Such internationally agreed standards are, inter alia, the Basel Committee’s ‘Core Principle for Effective Banking Supervision’, the International Association of Insurance Supervisors’ ‘Insurance Core Principles’, the International Organisation of Securities Commissions’ ‘Objectives and Principles of Securities Regulation’, the OECD’s ‘Agreement on exchange of information on tax matters’, the G20 ‘Statement on Transparency and exchange of information for tax purposes’, the Financial Stability Board’s ’Key Attributes of Effective Resolution Regimes for Financial Institutions 
or the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and the protocols thereto
.





Amendment 66


Proposal for a decision


Article 72 — paragraph 1 — point a








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(a)


adequate financial resources and appropriate technical assistance aimed at strengthening the OCTs’ capacities to formulate and implement strategic and regulatory frameworks;












(a)


adequate financial resources and appropriate technical assistance 
under this Decision
 aimed at strengthening the OCTs’ capacities to formulate and implement strategic and regulatory frameworks;









Amendment 67


Proposal for a decision


Article 72 — paragraph 1 — point b








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(b)


long term financing to promote private sector growth;












(b)


long term financing 
under this Decision
 to promote private sector growth;









Amendment 68


Proposal for a decision


Article 72 — paragraph 1 — point c








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(c)




where appropriate,
 other Union Programmes 
may
 contribute to actions established under this Decision, provided that the contributions do not cover the same costs. 
This Decision may also contribute to measures established under other Union Programmes, provided that the contributions do not cover the same costs. In such cases, the work programme covering those actions shall establish which set of rules shall be applicable.














(c)




additional financing through
 other Union Programmes 
to
 contribute to actions established under this Decision, provided that the contributions do not cover the same costs. In such cases, the work programme covering those actions shall establish which set of rules shall be applicable.









Amendment 69


Proposal for a decision


Article 72 — paragraph 1 a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 




This Decision may also contribute to measures established under other Union programmes, provided that the contributions do not cover the same costs. In such cases, the work programme covering those actions shall specify which set of rules applies.







Amendment 70


Proposal for a decision


Article 73 — paragraph 1








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






1.   The financial envelope for the Programme for the period 2021-2027 shall be set at EUR 
500 000 000 
 in current prices.




1.   The financial envelope for the Programme for the period 2021-2027 shall be set at EUR 
669 000 000 
 in current prices.






Amendment 71


Proposal for a decision


Article 74 — paragraph 1 — point a








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(a)


‘programmable aid’ means the non-repayable aid allocated to the OCTs in order to finance territorial, regional and intra-regional strategies and priorities set out in programming documents;












(a)


‘programmable aid’ means the non-repayable aid allocated to the OCTs in order to finance territorial, regional and intra-regional strategies and priorities
, where appropriate
 set out in programming documents;









Amendment 72


Proposal for a decision


Article 74 — paragraph 1 — point g








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(g)


‘intra-regional allocation’ means an amount — within the regional allocation — allocated for the programmable aid in order to finance intra-regional cooperation strategies and priorities involving 
at least one OCT and one or more outermost regions
 referred to in Article 
349 TFEU and/or one or more ACP States and/or one or more non-ACP States or territories.














(g)


‘intra-regional allocation’ means an amount — within the regional allocation — allocated for the programmable aid in order to finance intra-regional cooperation strategies and priorities involving 
the bodies
 referred to in Article 
82 of this Decision.











Amendment 73


Proposal for a decision


Article 74-a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 





Article 74a




General principle




Unless otherwise specified in this Decision, Union financial assistance shall be implemented in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1a) (‘Financial Regulation’) and with the objectives and principles of this Decision.








Amendment 74


Proposal for a decision


Article 75 — paragraph 3 — point a








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(a)


be implemented with due regard to the OCTs respective geographical, social and cultural characteristics, as well as their specific potential;












(a)


be implemented with due regard to the OCTs’ respective 
demographic,
 geographical, 
economic and financial, environmental,
 social and cultural characteristics, as well as their specific potential;









Amendment 75


Proposal for a decision


Article 75 — paragraph 4 a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 





4a.
   
Union funding may be provided through the types of financing envisaged by the Financial Regulation, and in particular:







 










(a)






grants;










 










(b)






procurement contracts for services, supplies or works;










 










(c)






budget support;










 










(d)






contributions to trust funds set up by the Commission, in accordance with Article 234 of the Financial Regulation;










 










(e)






financial instruments;










 










(f)






budgetary guarantees;










 










(g)






blending;










 










(h)






financial assistance;










 










(i)






remunerated external experts.










 




In the context of programmable aid, Union financial assistance shall mainly take the form of budget support for the OCTs.






 




Union financial assistance may also be provided, in accordance with the Financial Regulation, through contributions to international, regional or national funds, such as those established or managed by the EIB, by Member States, by partner countries and regions or by international organisations, with a view to attracting joint financing from a number of donors, or to funds set up by one or more donors for the purpose of the joint implementation of projects.






 




Union financial assistance shall be implemented by the Commission as provided for by the Financial Regulation, directly by Commission departments, Union delegations and executive agencies, by shared management with Member States or indirectly by entrusting budget implementation tasks to the entities listed in the Financial Regulation. Those entities shall ensure consistency with the Union’s external policy and may entrust budget implementation tasks to other entities in accordance with conditions equivalent to those applying to the Commission.






 




Actions financed may be implemented by means of parallel or joint co-financing. In the case of parallel co-financing, an action is split into a number of clearly identifiable components which are each financed by the various partners providing co-financing in such a way that the end-use of the financing can always be identified. In the case of joint co-financing, the total cost of an action is shared between the partners providing the co-financing and the resources are pooled in such a way that it is no longer possible to identify the source of financing for any given activity undertaken as part of the action. In such cases, the ex post publication of grant agreements and procurement contracts, as referred to in Article 38 of the Financial Regulation, shall comply with the rules of the entrusted entity, where appropriate.






 




Union funding shall not generate or activate the collection of specific taxes, duties or charges.







Amendment 76


Proposal for a decision


Article 75 a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 




Article 75a






 




Carry-overs, annual instalments, commitment appropriations, repayments and revenue generated by financial instruments






 





1.
   
In accordance also with Article 12(2) of the Financial Regulation, unused commitment and payment appropriations under this Decision shall be automatically carried over and may be committed up to 31 December of the following financial year. The carried-over amount shall be used first in the following financial year. The Commission shall inform the European Parliament and the Council of carried over commitment appropriations in keeping with Article 12(6) of the Financial Regulation.







 





2.
   
In addition to the rules laid down in Article 15 of the Financial Regulation on making appropriations available again, commitment appropriations corresponding to the amount of decommitments made as a result of total or partial non-implementation of an action under this Decision shall be made available again to the benefit of the budget line of origin. For the purposes of this Decision, references to Article 15 of the Financial Regulation in Article 12(1)(b) of the Regulation laying down the Multiannual Financial Framework shall be understood as including a reference to this paragraph.







 





3.
   
Budgetary commitments for actions extending over more than one financial year may be broken down over several years into annual instalments, in keeping with Article 112(2) of the Financial Regulation.







 




The third subparagraph of Article 114(2) of the Financial Regulation shall not apply to these multiannual actions. The Commission shall automatically decommit any portion of a budgetary commitment for an action that by 31 December of the fifth year following that of the budgetary commitment has not been used for the purpose of pre-financing or making interim payments or for which no certified statement of expenditure or any payment request has been submitted.






 




Paragraph 2 of this Article shall also apply to annual instalments.







Amendment 77


Proposal for a decision


Article 76 — paragraph 1 — point b








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(b)


institutional development, capacity building and integration of environmental aspects;












(b)


institutional development, capacity building and integration of environmental
, gender and good governance
 aspects;









Amendment 78


Proposal for a decision


Article 77 — paragraph 2








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






2.   The Union shall support the efforts of the OCTs in developing reliable statistical data regarding those areas.




2.   The Union shall support the efforts of the OCTs in developing reliable
, publicly accessible
 statistical data regarding those areas.






Amendment 79


Proposal for a decision


Article 77 — paragraph 3








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






3.   The Union may support OCTs in their efforts to improve comparability of their macroeconomic indicators.




3.   The Union may support OCTs in their efforts to improve comparability of their macroeconomic indicators
, in particular by facilitating analysis of the OCTs’ GDP expressed as purchasing power parity where available
.






Amendment 80


Proposal for a decision


Article 78 — paragraph 1








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






1.   On the initiative of the Commission, Union financing may cover support expenditure for the implementation of the Decision and for the achievement of its objectives, including administrative support associated with the preparation, follow-up, monitoring, control, audit and evaluation activities necessary for such implementation
, as well as expenditure at headquarters and Union delegations for the administrative support needed for the programme, and to manage operations financed under this Decision, including information and communication actions, and corporate information and technology systems.






1.   On the initiative of the Commission, Union financing may cover support expenditure for the implementation of the Decision and for the achievement of its objectives, including administrative support associated with the preparation, follow-up, monitoring, control, audit and evaluation activities necessary for such implementation.






Amendment 81


Proposal for a decision


Article 79








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment







Article 79






deleted








General principle




 






Unless otherwise specified in this Decision, Union financial assistance shall be implemented in accordance with the objectives and principles of this Decision, the Financial Regulation, and [NDICI Regulation] in particular, Title II, Chapter I with the exception of Articles 13, 14(1), 14(4), and 15, Chapter III with the exception of Articles 21(1), 21(2) (a) and (b) and 21(3), and Chapter V with the exception of Articles 31(1), 31(4), 31(6), 31(9) and 32(3). The procedure laid down in Article 80 of this Decision shall not apply to the cases referred to in Article 21 (2) (c) of [NDICI Regulation].




 





Amendment 82


Proposal for a decision


Article 79 a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 




Article 79a






 




Adoption of programming documents






 





1.
   
In the context of the partnership between the Union and the OCTs, the OCTs’ authorities shall be responsible for the formulation and adoption of sectoral policies in the main areas of cooperation referred to in Part II of this Decision and shall ensure appropriate follow-up.







 




On that basis, each OCT shall prepare and present a programming document for the sustainable development of its territory. The programming document shall provide a coherent framework for cooperation between the Union and the OCT concerned that is consistent with the overall purpose and scope, objectives, principles and policies of the Union.






 




Each programming document shall set out:






 








—




a brief presentation of the OCT’s political, economic, social, cultural and environmental context;










 








—




a brief description of the OCT’s sustainable development strategy (Agenda 2030), identifying the priorities for the OCT and how it intends to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals;










 








—




the priority areas for Union financing;










 








—




the specific objectives;










 








—




the expected results;










 








—




clear and specific performance indicators;










 








—




the indicative financial allocations, both overall and per priority area;










 








—




an indicative timetable.










 





2.
   
The programming document shall build on experience and best practices and shall be based on consultations and dialogue with civil society, local authorities and other actors in order to ensure that they are properly involved and that due account is subsequently taken of the indicative programming document.







 





3.
   
A draft programming document shall be the subject of an exchange of views between the authorities of each OCT, the Member State to which they are linked and the Commission. The authorities in each OCT shall be responsible for finalising the programming document. The Commission shall lay down guidelines specifying the programming arrangements for the OCTs in such a way that the programming documents can be rapidly approved.







 





4.
   
Once finalised, the programming document shall be assessed by the Commission to determine whether it is consistent with the aims of this Decision and with the relevant Union policies, and whether it contains all the elements required to adopt the annual financing decision. The OCTs’ authorities shall provide all the necessary information, including the results of any feasibility studies, for that assessment.







 





5.
   
The programming document shall be approved in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 88(5) of this Decision.







 




That procedure shall also apply to substantial reviews which have the effect of modifying significantly the strategy or its programming.






 




The examination procedure shall not apply to non-substantial modifications to the indicative programming document, such as 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 such modifications do not affect the priority areas and objectives set out in the indicative programming document. The Commission shall communicate such non-substantial modifications to the European Parliament and to the Council within one month of the date of adoption of the relevant decision.







Amendment 83


Proposal for a decision


Article 79 b (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 




Article 79b






 




Action plans and measures






 





1.
   
The Commission shall adopt annual or multiannual action plans or measures. Measures may take the form of individual measures, special measures, support measures or exceptional assistance measures. Action plans and measures shall specify for each action the objectives pursued, the expected results and main activities, the methods of implementation, the budget and any associated support expenditure.







 





2.
   
Action plans shall be based on programming documents.







 





3.
   
Action plans and measures shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 88(5) of this Decision. The procedure referred to in paragraph 1 shall not be required for:







 










(a)






action plans, individual measures and support measures for which Union funding does not exceed EUR 10 million;










 










(b)






technical modifications, provided such modifications do not substantially affect the objectives of the action plan or measure concerned, such as:










(i)






a change of implementation method;














(ii)






reassignments of funds between actions contained in an action plan;














(iii)






increases or reductions in the budget for action plans and measures of not more than 20 % of the initial budget and not exceeding EUR 10 million.














 




In the case of multiannual action plans and measures, the thresholds referred to in paragraph (3)(a) and (b)(iii) shall be applicable on a yearly basis. When adopted in accordance with this paragraph, action plans and measures, excluding exceptional assistance measures, and technical modifications shall be communicated to the European Parliament and to the Member States within one month of their adoption.






 





4.
   
Before adopting or extending exceptional assistance measures involving amounts not exceeding EUR 20 million, the Commission shall inform the Council of their nature and objectives and of the financial amounts envisaged. The Commission shall inform the Council before making significant substantive changes to exceptional assistance measures already adopted. The Commission shall take account of the relevant Council policy approach in connection with the planning and subsequent implementation of such measures, in the interests of consistency of the Union’s external action. The Commission shall keep the European Parliament duly informed, in a timely manner, about the planning and implementation of exceptional assistance measures pursuant to this Article, including the financial amounts envisaged, and shall also inform the European Parliament when making substantial changes or extensions to that assistance.







 





5.
   
On duly justified imperative grounds of urgency, such as crises resulting from natural or man-made disasters or immediate threats to democracy, the rule of law, human rights or fundamental freedoms, the Commission may adopt action plans and measures or modifications to existing action plans and measures in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 88(5).








Amendment 84


Proposal for a decision


Article 80








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment







Article 80






deleted








Adoption of multiannual indicative programmes, action plans and measures




 






The Commission shall adopt, under this Decision, in the form of ‘single programming documents’, multiannual indicative programmes as referred to in Article 12 of [NDICI Regulation] together with the corresponding action plans and measures referred to in Article 19 of [NDICI Regulation] in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 88(5) of this Decision. That procedure shall also apply to reviews referred to in Article 14 (3) of [NDICI Regulation] which have the effect of significantly modifying the content of the multiannual indicative programme.




 






In the case of Greenland, action plans and measures as referred to in article 19 of [NDICI Regulation] may be adopted separately from the multiannual indicative programmes.




 





Amendment 85


Proposal for a decision


Article 81 — paragraph 1








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






1.   The 
OCTs
 public authorities shall be eligible for financial support provided for in this Decision.




1.   The public authorities 
of all the OCTs
 shall be eligible for financial support provided for in this Decision.






Amendment 86


Proposal for a decision


Article 81 — paragraph 2 — point e








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(e)


actors of decentralised cooperation and other non-governmental actors from OCTs and from the Union, to enable them to undertake economic, cultural, social and educational projects and programmes in the OCTs in the framework of decentralised cooperation, as referred to in Article 12 of this Decision.












(e)


actors of decentralised cooperation and other non-governmental actors from OCTs and from the Union, to enable them to undertake economic, 
environmental,
 cultural, social and educational projects and programmes in the OCTs in the framework of decentralised cooperation, as referred to in Article 12 of this Decision.









Amendment 87


Proposal for a decision


Article 82 — paragraph 1 — point c — subpoint iii








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(iii)


one or more regional bodies of which OCTs are members;












(iii)


one or more regional bodies 
or associations
 of which OCTs are members;









Amendment 88


Proposal for a decision


Article 83 — paragraph 1








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






1.   Natural persons from an OCT, as defined in Article 50, and, where applicable, the relevant public and/or private bodies and institutions in an OCT, shall be eligible for participation in and funding from Union programmes, subject to the rules and objectives of the programmes and possible arrangements applicable to the Member State to which the OCT is linked.




1.   Natural persons from an OCT, as defined in Article 50, and, where applicable, the relevant public and/or private bodies and institutions in an OCT, shall be eligible for participation in 
all Union programmes, including the European Union Solidarity Fund
 and funding from Union programmes, subject to the rules and objectives of the programmes and possible arrangements applicable to the Member State to which the OCT is linked.






Amendment 89


Proposal for a decision


Article 83 — paragraph 2 a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 





2a.
   
The Commission shall ensure effective and efficient access for the OCTs to all Union programmes and cooperation instruments with other countries, providing for specific measures if necessary.







 




In addition, the Commission shall ensure the transparency of information and the visibility of calls for proposals launched under the various Union programmes through an up-to-date access portal dedicated to the OCTs.







Amendment 90


Proposal for a decision


Article 83 — paragraph 3








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






3.   
The OCTs shall report to
 the Commission 
on this participation in the Union programmes, every year starting
 in 
2022
.




3.   
On the basis of the information provided by the OCTs,
 the Commission 
shall draw up an annual report on their participation
 in 
Union programmes
.






Amendment 91


Proposal for a decision


Article 86 — paragraph 2








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





To ensure effective assessment of progress of this Decision towards the achievement of its objectives, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 87 in order to 
amend
 Article 3 of Annex I to review or complement 
the indicators
 where considered necessary and to supplement this Decision with provisions on the establishment of a monitoring and evaluation framework.


To ensure effective assessment of progress of this Decision towards the achievement of its objectives, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 87 in order to 
determine the performance indicators provided for in
 Article 3 of Annex I 
or
 to review or complement 
them
 where considered necessary and to supplement this Decision with provisions on the establishment of a monitoring and evaluation framework.





Amendment 92


Proposal for a decision


Article 87 — paragraph 2








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






2.   The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 86 shall be conferred on the Commission for a period of five years from 1 January 2021. The Commission shall draw up a report in respect of the delegation of power not later than nine months before the end of the five-year period. The delegation of power shall be tacitly extended for periods of an identical duration, unless the Council opposes such extension not later than three months before the end of each period.




2.   The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 86 shall be conferred on the Commission for a period of five years from 1 January 2021. The Commission shall draw up a report in respect of the delegation of power not later than nine months before the end of the five-year period. The delegation of power shall be tacitly extended for periods of an identical duration, unless the Council opposes such extension not later than three months before the end of each period. 
The Council shall inform the European Parliament of its decision.








Amendment 93


Proposal for a decision


Article 87 — paragraph 4








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






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




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






Amendment 94


Proposal for a decision


Article 87 — paragraph 5








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






5.   A delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 86 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.




5.   A delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 86 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 the Council intends to object, it shall inform the European Parliament a reasonable time before it takes the final decision, specifying the delegated act to which it intends to object and the reasons for its objection.








Amendment 95


Proposal for a decision


Article 90 — paragraph 1








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment







This Decision shall apply in accordance with Council Decision 2010/427/EU

 (46).




The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy shall be responsible for the overall political coordination of the Union’s external action, ensuring the unity, consistency and effectiveness thereof.







Amendment 96


Proposal for a decision


Article 92 — paragraph 2








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





It shall apply from 1 January 2021.


It shall apply from 1 January 2021
and shall expire on 31 December 2027
.





Amendment 97


Proposal for a decision


Annex I — Article 1 — paragraph 1 — introductory part








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






1.   For the purposes of this Decision, for the seven-year period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027, the overall amount of the Union financial assistance of EUR 
500 000 000 
 in current prices shall be allocated as follows:




1.   For the purposes of this Decision, for the seven-year period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027, the overall amount of the Union financial assistance of EUR 
669 000 000 
 in current prices shall be allocated as follows:






Amendment 98


Proposal for a decision


Annex I — Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point a








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(a)




EUR 159 000 000 
 in the form of grants for bilateral programmable support for long-term development of 
OCTs other than Greenland
, in particular to finance the initiatives referred to in the programming document. This amount shall be allocated on the basis of the needs and performance of the OCTs in accordance with the following criteria: 
where appropriate, the programming document shall pay particular attention to actions aimed at strengthening governance and the institutional capacities of the beneficiary OCTs and, where relevant, the likely timetable of the envisaged actions. The allocation of this amount shall take into account
 the size of the population, the level of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the level of previous allocations and constraints due to the geographical isolation of OCTs as mentioned in Article 9 of this Decision.












(a)




81 %
 in the form of grants for bilateral programmable support for long-term development of 
all the OCTs
, in particular to finance the initiatives referred to in the programming document.








 


This amount shall be allocated on the basis of the needs and performance of the OCTs in accordance with the following criteria: the size of the population, the level of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) 
based on GDP PPP if availabl
e, the level of previous allocations, constraints due to the geographical isolation of the OCTs as referred to in Article 9 of this Decision, 
the low level of development of the OCTs referred to in Article 9a of this Decision, the size of the territories and the climate and environmental challenges.






 




4 % for Aruba






 




1,5  % for Bonaire






 




5 % for Curaçao






 




48 % for Greenland






 




10,75  % for New Caledonia






 




10,85  % for French Polynesia






 




1,2  % for Saba






 




2 % for Saint Barthélémy






 




0,8  % for Sint Eustatius






 




7,5  % for Saint Pierre and Miquelon






 




2,5  % for Sint Maarten






 




0,4  % for the French Southern and Antarctic Territories






 




5,5  % for Wallis and Futuna







Amendment 99


Proposal for a decision


Annex I — Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point b








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment













(b)






EUR 225 000 000  in the form of grant for the bilateral programmable support for long term development of Greenland in particular to finance the initiative referred to in the programming document.










deleted







Amendment 100


Proposal for a decision


Annex I — Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point c








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(c)




EUR 81 000 000 
 shall be allocated to support OCT regional programmes of which EUR 
15 000 000 
 could support intra-regional operations, Greenland being eligible only for the intra-regional operations. This cooperation will be implemented in coordination with Article 7 of this Decision, in particular regarding the areas of mutual interests referred to in Article 5 of this Decision and through consultation via the instances of the EU-OCTs partnership referred to in Article 14 of this Decision. It shall seek coordination with other relevant Union financial programmes and instruments and in particular the outermost regions referred to in Article 349 TFEU.












(c)




12 %
 shall be allocated to support OCT regional programmes of which EUR 
30 000 000 
 could support intra-regional operations, Greenland being eligible only for the intra-regional operations. This cooperation will be implemented in coordination with Article 7 of this Decision, in particular regarding the areas of mutual interests referred to in Article 5 of this Decision and through consultation via the instances of the EU-OCTs partnership referred to in Article 14 of this Decision. It shall seek coordination with other relevant Union financial programmes and instruments and in particular the outermost regions referred to in Article 349 TFEU.









Amendment 101


Proposal for a decision


Annex I — Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point d








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(d)




EUR 22 000 000 
 for studies or technical assistance measures for all the OCTs including Greenland, in accordance with Article 78 of this Decision (49).












(d)




3,5  %
 for studies or technical assistance measures for all the OCTs including Greenland, in accordance with Article 78 of this Decision.









Amendment 102


Proposal for a decision


Annex I — Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 2.1 — introductory part








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(e)




EUR 13 000 000 
 to a non-allocated fund for all the OCTs including Greenland to inter alia:












(e)




3,5  %
 to a non-allocated fund for all the OCTs including Greenland to inter alia:









Amendment 103


Proposal for a decision


Annex I — Article 1 — paragraph 2








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






2.   The Commission, following a review, may decide on the allocation of any non-allocated funds mentioned in this Article.




2.   The Commission, following a review 
carried out before 2025
, may decide
, after consulting the Member States and the European Parliament,
 on the allocation of any non-allocated funds mentioned in this Article.






Amendment 104


Proposal for a decision


Annex I — Article 3 — paragraph 1 — introductory part








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





The achievement of the objectives set out in Article 3.5 of 
the
 Decision 
shall be measured by:






In keeping with the Sustainable Development Goals, a list of key performance indicators shall be developed in accordance with the procedure provided for in Article 86 and used to help assess the extent to which the Union has contributed to
 the achievement of the objectives set out in Article 3(5) of 
this
 Decision.





Amendment 105


Proposal for a decision


Annex I — Article 3 — paragraph 1 — point 1








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment













1.





For OCTs, except Greenland, exports of goods and services as % of GDP and total Government revenue as % of GDP.









deleted







Amendment 106


Proposal for a decision


Annex I — Article 3 — paragraph 1 — point 2








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment













2.





For Greenland, exports of goods and services as % of GDP and percentage of the fisheries sector in total exports.









deleted








(1a)  
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 and (EU) No 283/2014 and Decision No 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 (OJ L 193, 30.7.2018, p. 1).



(46)  
Council Decision 2010/427/EU of 26 July 2010 establishing the organisation and functioning of the European External Action Service, OJ L 201, 3.8.2010, p. 30.



(49)  
Out of this amount, 9 725 000 EUR are reserved for the Commission to cover technical and/or administrative assistance and expenditure in support of the implementation of the EU programmes and/or actions, indirect research, direct research.