natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
· Is research and development support leading to modernisation and enhanced efficiency of EU companies, reflected, for example, by more patents being filed by EU companies?
· Is research and development support leading to modernisation and enhanced efficiency of EU companies, reflected, for example, by more patents being filed by EU companies?
· Is regional policy raising GDP per capita in the less-developed regions of the EU?
· Is regional policy raising GDP per capita in the less-developed regions of the EU?
· Is the EU fulfilling its obligations as a global player in an effective and balanced way?
· Is the EU fulfilling its obligations as a global player in an effective and balanced way?
In order to answer these questions, hard evidence is needed on the impact of spending.
In order to answer these questions, hard evidence is needed on the impact of spending.
Your rapporteur intends to invite the Commission to present such data on evidence of the delivery of political objectives to the benefit of EU citizens to the Committee on Budgets.
Your rapporteur intends to invite the Commission to present such data on evidence of the delivery of political objectives to the benefit of EU citizens to the Committee on Budgets.
He wishes to build on the approach taken in the 2007 budget procedure to use studies and evidence from external experts to try to gather evidence about the effectiveness of EU spending.
He wishes to build on the approach taken in the 2007 budget procedure to use studies and evidence from external experts to try to gather evidence about the effectiveness of EU spending.
This should serve in turn to increase the impact of Parliament's role as one half of the Budget Authority in ensuring that public money is well spent.
This should serve in turn to increase the impact of Parliament's role as one half of the Budget Authority in ensuring that public money is well spent.
Your rapporteur therefore wishes to see a number of studies conducted on behalf of the Committee on Budgets, which can then inform priorities during the budget negotiation.
Your rapporteur therefore wishes to see a number of studies conducted on behalf of the Committee on Budgets, which can then inform priorities during the budget negotiation.
A number of ideas are set out in the second section of this working document.
A number of ideas are set out in the second section of this working document.
Your rapporteur notes the excellent outcome that Parliament was able to achieve on the revision of the Financial Regulation during 2006.
Your rapporteur notes the excellent outcome that Parliament was able to achieve on the revision of the Financial Regulation during 2006.
However, he considers that there remain examples in which an excessively legalistic approach to the process of implementing EU policy hampers effective and efficient delivery.
However, he considers that there remain examples in which an excessively legalistic approach to the process of implementing EU policy hampers effective and efficient delivery.
Striking the right balance between, on the one hand, trust, and, on the other, a structure of rules to prevent malfeasance, is one of the major challenges of an effective approach to budgetary monitoring and oversight.
Striking the right balance between, on the one hand, trust, and, on the other, a structure of rules to prevent malfeasance, is one of the major challenges of an effective approach to budgetary monitoring and oversight.
Budget process and budget structure
Budget process and budget structure
The Annual Policy Strategy
The Annual Policy Strategy
The Commission is due to present its Annual Policy Strategy (APS) for 2008 on 22 February.
The Commission is due to present its Annual Policy Strategy (APS) for 2008 on 22 February.
The APS is an important document that sets out the Commission's policy objectives for 2008.
The APS is an important document that sets out the Commission's policy objectives for 2008.
The Commission's proposal for the financing of these objectives is the preliminary draft budget (PDB) 2008, which is likely to be adopted on 2 May 2007.
The Commission's proposal for the financing of these objectives is the preliminary draft budget (PDB) 2008, which is likely to be adopted on 2 May 2007.
It is therefore imperative that Parliament is able to communicate a coherent set of priorities of its own for the 2008 budget year in advance of 2 May in order that the Commission can incorporate these priorities into the 2008 PDB.
It is therefore imperative that Parliament is able to communicate a coherent set of priorities of its own for the 2008 budget year in advance of 2 May in order that the Commission can incorporate these priorities into the 2008 PDB.
Your rapporteur intends to use this working document, and the subsequent comments of fellow members of the Budgets Committee, in preparing his draft report on the 2008 APS.
Your rapporteur intends to use this working document, and the subsequent comments of fellow members of the Budgets Committee, in preparing his draft report on the 2008 APS.
The APS resolution should then serve as a tool of Parliamentary influence in advance of the adoption by the Commission of the PDB.
The APS resolution should then serve as a tool of Parliamentary influence in advance of the adoption by the Commission of the PDB.
Activity-based budgeting and activity statements
Activity-based budgeting and activity statements
Your rapporteur has long been a supporter of the activity-based budgeting (ABB) concept, which has at its heart the objective of matching financial and human resources to political priorities.
Your rapporteur has long been a supporter of the activity-based budgeting (ABB) concept, which has at its heart the objective of matching financial and human resources to political priorities.
He was a strong supporter of the introduction of the ABB approach into the Commission's resource budgeting system, which allocated resources across "policy areas" (also sometimes referred to as budget "titles") that essentially mapped directly onto each of the Commission's Directorates-General (DGs).
He was a strong supporter of the introduction of the ABB approach into the Commission's resource budgeting system, which allocated resources across 'policy areas' (also sometimes referred to as budget 'titles') that essentially mapped directly onto each of the Commission's Directorates-General (DGs).
Spending on environmental policy, for example, is therefore covered under budget title 07 "Environment".
Spending on environmental policy, for example, is therefore covered under budget title 07 'Environment'.
This spending is allocated to the Commission's Environment Directorate-General.
This spending is allocated to the Commission's Environment Directorate-General.
In broad terms the ABB concept has allowed the Budgetary Authority to gain a better grip on the direction of spending.
In broad terms the ABB concept has allowed the Budgetary Authority to gain a better grip on the direction of spending.
However, your rapporteur wishes to highlight that the ABB approach and the heading structure of the financial perspective and its multi-annual envelopes (see annex 1) are not easily reconciled.
However, your rapporteur wishes to highlight that the ABB approach and the heading structure of the financial perspective and its multi-annual envelopes (see annex 1) are not easily reconciled.
Whilst the financial perspective headings are a useful political categorization of the EU spending for 2007 - 2013, overlapping ABB budget titles and MFF heading categorisations can lead to obfuscation.
Whilst the financial perspective headings are a useful political categorization of the EU spending for 2007 - 2013, overlapping ABB budget titles and MFF heading categorisations can lead to obfuscation.
For example, in the 2007 PDB, the policy area/ budget title "Environment" is spread across 4 MFF headings (2, 3b, 4 and 5).
For example, in the 2007 PDB, the policy area/ budget title 'Environment' is spread across 4 MFF headings (2, 3b, 4 and 5).
Your rapporteur wishes to underline that clarity of presentation by the Commission of its spending proposals is important for proper scrutiny of spending by the Budgetary Authority.
Your rapporteur wishes to underline that clarity of presentation by the Commission of its spending proposals is important for proper scrutiny of spending by the Budgetary Authority.
The activity statements that each Commission Directorate-General produces on the objectives, activities and outcomes of its policies are a key tool for the Budgetary Authority to assess the extent to which the ABB approach is functioning.
The activity statements that each Commission Directorate-General produces on the objectives, activities and outcomes of its policies are a key tool for the Budgetary Authority to assess the extent to which the ABB approach is functioning.
The activity statements are produced by each Commission DG and included in the PDB.
The activity statements are produced by each Commission DG and included in the PDB.
Your rapporteur welcomes the production of these documents but notes that they have, in the past, focussed too much on long descriptions of process and insufficiently on the link between policy objectives and policy outcomes.
Your rapporteur welcomes the production of these documents but notes that they have, in the past, focussed too much on long descriptions of process and insufficiently on the link between policy objectives and policy outcomes.
Your rapporteur intends to look closely at the activity statements for 2008.
Your rapporteur intends to look closely at the activity statements for 2008.
Human resources
Human resources
Before turning to policy priorities for the 2008, your rapporteur wishes also to highlight the importance of human resources.
Before turning to policy priorities for the 2008, your rapporteur wishes also to highlight the importance of human resources.
The Parliament supported a number of elements of the Commission's argument against stringent cuts in Commission staffing levels during the 2007 budget procedure, but demanded a screening exercise to be carried out by the Commission on its real staffing needs by 30 April 2007.
The Parliament supported a number of elements of the Commission's argument against stringent cuts in Commission staffing levels during the 2007 budget procedure, but demanded a screening exercise to be carried out by the Commission on its real staffing needs by 30 April 2007.
Your rapporteur awaits this document with interest.
Your rapporteur awaits this document with interest.
An issue linked to the debate about the MFF/ ABB budget structures is that heading 5 "administration" may not be capturing all of the real administration costs of the Commission.
An issue linked to the debate about the MFF/ ABB budget structures is that heading 5 'administration' may not be capturing all of the real administration costs of the Commission.
In the context of the ongoing work of the Committee on Budget's standing rapporteur on agencies, it is worth highlighting three specific issues at this early stage of preparatory analysis for the 2008 budget procedure.
In the context of the ongoing work of the Committee on Budget's standing rapporteur on agencies, it is worth highlighting three specific issues at this early stage of preparatory analysis for the 2008 budget procedure.
First, the Commission appears to be making increasing use of executive agencies to deliver specific policies.
First, the Commission appears to be making increasing use of executive agencies to deliver specific policies.
Where executive agencies take work away from the "parent" DG previously conducting these tasks, other things equal fewer staff should be needed in the "parent" DG.
Where executive agencies take work away from the 'parent' DG previously conducting these tasks, other things equal fewer staff should be needed in the 'parent' DG.
The budget 2008 activity statements should deal with this issue.
The budget 2008 activity statements should deal with this issue.
Second, executive agencies are just one example of the apparent growth of an "outsourcing" culture within the Commission that may be seeing implementation activities handed out to "ad hoc bodies" that are not clearly specified in the Financial Regulation.
Second, executive agencies are just one example of the apparent growth of an 'outsourcing' culture within the Commission that may be seeing implementation activities handed out to 'ad hoc bodies' that are not clearly specified in the Financial Regulation.
Such "outsourcing" may help to ensure more effective implementation, but it should be done in a manner that is transparent to the Budgetary Authority and which does not lead to an expansion of hidden human resources costs that are not easily visible in heading 5 of the budget.
Such 'outsourcing' may help to ensure more effective implementation, but it should be done in a manner that is transparent to the Budgetary Authority and which does not lead to an expansion of hidden human resources costs that are not easily visible in heading 5 of the budget.
Third, it is important that there is effective oversight of the implementation tasks carried out by agencies, executive agencies and other ad hoc bodies, which all employ a higher proportion of staff on fixed term contracts than the Commission itself.
Third, it is important that there is effective oversight of the implementation tasks carried out by agencies, executive agencies and other ad hoc bodies, which all employ a higher proportion of staff on fixed term contracts than the Commission itself.
Further information is required on the human resources policies of these bodies in order to assess the level of oversight and to ensure that there exists an appropriate level of individual responsibility for the staff they employ.
Further information is required on the human resources policies of these bodies in order to assess the level of oversight and to ensure that there exists an appropriate level of individual responsibility for the staff they employ.
Policy priorities
Policy priorities
Your rapporteur considers that Parliament's resolution on the Commission's Annual Policy Strategy is the appropriate place for a presentation of its policy priorities for the 2008 budget.
Your rapporteur considers that Parliament's resolution on the Commission's Annual Policy Strategy is the appropriate place for a presentation of its policy priorities for the 2008 budget.
He does not attempt to set out a comprehensive list here.
He does not attempt to set out a comprehensive list here.
However, in line with the "budget for results" approach, the remainder of this working document sets out some ideas on key themes and priorities.
However, in line with the 'budget for results' approach, the remainder of this working document sets out some ideas on key themes and priorities.
These priorities are presented in the form of topics for studies that the Committee on Budgets might commission to external experts.
These priorities are presented in the form of topics for studies that the Committee on Budgets might commission to external experts.
If these studies can be presented to the committee before the summer break, then they might provide stimuli for the main stages of budgetary procedure in the autumn.
If these studies can be presented to the committee before the summer break, then they might provide stimuli for the main stages of budgetary procedure in the autumn.
It would of course be important to ensure that these studies were consistent with work being conducted in the specialised committees.
It would of course be important to ensure that these studies were consistent with work being conducted in the specialised committees.
The topics covered might also provide ideas for pilot projects and preparatory actions, on which Annex II (D) of the IIA includes the commitment for the Parliament to come forward with its intentions by mid-June.
The topics covered might also provide ideas for pilot projects and preparatory actions, on which Annex II (D) of the IIA includes the commitment for the Parliament to come forward with its intentions by mid-June.
Your rapporteur has striven to include ideas from colleagues, in particular during the discussion in the Committee on Budgets on 23 January.
Your rapporteur has striven to include ideas from colleagues, in particular during the discussion in the Committee on Budgets on 23 January.
He looks forward to further discussion with colleagues.
He looks forward to further discussion with colleagues.
Policy priorities and issues for further study
Policy priorities and issues for further study
· EU competitiveness and life-long learning
· EU competitiveness and life-long learning
The high living standards of EU citizens relative to other regions of the world are reflected in a relatively high cost-base for EU companies.
The high living standards of EU citizens relative to other regions of the world are reflected in a relatively high cost-base for EU companies.
EU companies therefore need to be adaptable and to employ well-trained staff to compete in a globalised economy.
EU companies therefore need to be adaptable and to employ well-trained staff to compete in a globalised economy.
Consequently, the European economy depends, to a large degree, on the skills of its people.
Consequently, the European economy depends, to a large degree, on the skills of its people.
The service sector represents over 70 percent of employment in some of the wealthiest regions of the EU and the general trend, linked to the ongoing process of globalisation, would seem to be towards further growth in the services sector in Europe.
The service sector represents over 70 percent of employment in some of the wealthiest regions of the EU and the general trend, linked to the ongoing process of globalisation, would seem to be towards further growth in the services sector in Europe.
EU economic competitiveness is too often characterised in terms of industrial numbers.
EU economic competitiveness is too often characterised in terms of industrial numbers.
These matter, but are only a part of the story.
These matter, but are only a part of the story.
The life-long learning programme is an important element of efforts to help European citizens to engage with a globalised world.
The life-long learning programme is an important element of efforts to help European citizens to engage with a globalised world.
The study could look at the, perhaps sometimes neglected, economic value added of the scheme by looking at the opportunities that the scheme helps to create for those involved.
The study could look at the, perhaps sometimes neglected, economic value added of the scheme by looking at the opportunities that the scheme helps to create for those involved.
· The EU as a global player/ assessment of the budgetary implications of the EU's growing role in civilian and military crisis missions
· The EU as a global player/ assessment of the budgetary implications of the EU's growing role in civilian and military crisis missions
In recent years the EU's engagement in civilian and military crisis missions has increased very significantly.
In recent years the EU's engagement in civilian and military crisis missions has increased very significantly.
Such missions can be financed through the Stability Instrument, CFSP budget, Athena mechanism or national contributions.
Such missions can be financed through the Stability Instrument, CFSP budget, Athena mechanism or national contributions.
Partly in view of the forthcoming mission to Kosovo, this study would seek to draw lessons from previous missions as regards the most appropriate/ effective means of providing finance for different types of mission.
Partly in view of the forthcoming mission to Kosovo, this study would seek to draw lessons from previous missions as regards the most appropriate/ effective means of providing finance for different types of mission.
The study would also examine the degree of parliamentary oversight that can be achieved through the various funding approaches.
The study would also examine the degree of parliamentary oversight that can be achieved through the various funding approaches.
The study could also usefully set out the linkages between the financing decisions and the "life-cycle" of a mission: from inception to post hoc evaluation.
The study could also usefully set out the linkages between the financing decisions and the 'life-cycle' of a mission: from inception to post hoc evaluation.
· Evaluating administrative reform in the European Commission
· Evaluating administrative reform in the European Commission
This study would seek to evaluate the effectiveness of the "Kinnock" reforms in streamlining the administration of the European Commission.
This study would seek to evaluate the effectiveness of the 'Kinnock' reforms in streamlining the administration of the European Commission.
The study would examine the extent to which the reforms have improved recruitment and promotion on the basis of merit, staff and financial management procedures within the Commission.
The study would examine the extent to which the reforms have improved recruitment and promotion on the basis of merit, staff and financial management procedures within the Commission.
The Activity-based budgeting (ABB) approach was also introduced in recent years as a means of better matching Commission resources to policy objectives.
The Activity-based budgeting (ABB) approach was also introduced in recent years as a means of better matching Commission resources to policy objectives.
The study should also examine the extent to which this has been effective and any cross-linkages that may have occurred between the Kinnock reforms and the introduction of ABB.
The study should also examine the extent to which this has been effective and any cross-linkages that may have occurred between the Kinnock reforms and the introduction of ABB.
· Improving the impact of the structural funds on achieving the Lisbon objectives
· Improving the impact of the structural funds on achieving the Lisbon objectives
The structural funds are aimed at funding structural and cohesion policy in the EU's less-developed regions and are spent according to programmes presented by member states.
The structural funds are aimed at funding structural and cohesion policy in the EU's less-developed regions and are spent according to programmes presented by member states.
However, the Lisbon Goals include a commitment to raise EU spending on research and development to 3% of EU GDP.
However, the Lisbon Goals include a commitment to raise EU spending on research and development to 3% of EU GDP.
The 7th research framework programme is designed to help achieve this objective, but there is scope for a greater contribution from existing structural funds.
The 7th research framework programme is designed to help achieve this objective, but there is scope for a greater contribution from existing structural funds.
The Commission's Annual Progress report on Lisbon from December 2006 indicates that member states could be doing more in this area.
The Commission's Annual Progress report on Lisbon from December 2006 indicates that member states could be doing more in this area.
This may be particularly so for those member states that joined the EU in 2004 and 2007.
This may be particularly so for those member states that joined the EU in 2004 and 2007.
The study should therefore look at the extent to which existing structural funds are really contributing to enhancing the EU's R+D capacity and suggest measures through which this contribution could be improved.
The study should therefore look at the extent to which existing structural funds are really contributing to enhancing the EU's R+D capacity and suggest measures through which this contribution could be improved.
· Assessment of EU funding for illegal migration monitoring
· Assessment of EU funding for illegal migration monitoring
The EU's external borders are subject to a permanent and a considerable migratory pressure, with the whole of the southern border under particular pressure.
The EU's external borders are subject to a permanent and a considerable migratory pressure, with the whole of the southern border under particular pressure.