natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
The rapporteur is fully aware of the advantages obtained by Parliament over the last years through the budgetary cooperation setup in the IIA.
The rapporteur is fully aware of the advantages obtained by Parliament over the last years through the budgetary cooperation setup in the IIA.
However, in case that by mid-2006 (in reality by April 2006 when the Commission needs to prepare the preliminary draft budget for 2007) no agreement is reached on the next Financial Perspective, the rapporteur believes that new ways of institutional co-operation should be found to guarantee the functioning of the EU, the respect of legislation, and EP's political priorities.
However, in case that by mid-2006 (in reality by April 2006 when the Commission needs to prepare the preliminary draft budget for 2007) no agreement is reached on the next Financial Perspective, the rapporteur believes that new ways of institutional co-operation should be found to guarantee the functioning of the EU, the respect of legislation, and EP's political priorities.
The rapporteur considers that the financing of multi-annual programmes is not contradictory to annual budgets, provided that the annual envelopes fit within the MRI.
The rapporteur considers that the financing of multi-annual programmes is not contradictory to annual budgets, provided that the annual envelopes fit within the MRI.
This margin could be used in total (3.6% increase per year) for all programmes or it could be used on a more selective basis, according to Parliament's priorities.
This margin could be used in total (3.6% increase per year) for all programmes or it could be used on a more selective basis, according to Parliament's priorities.
Currently, the MRI could be exceeded with Council's agreement to adjust the needs at the end of the period of programming if necessary or for unforeseen needs (e.g. CFSP, Tsunami).
Currently, the MRI could be exceeded with Council's agreement to adjust the needs at the end of the period of programming if necessary or for unforeseen needs (e.g. CFSP, Tsunami).
In each annual budgetary decision, Parliament could guarantee the financing of multi-annual programmes within the MRI and identify the legislative programmes, new legislation, unforeseen events, to be financed by increasing the MRI.
In each annual budgetary decision, Parliament could guarantee the financing of multi-annual programmes within the MRI and identify the legislative programmes, new legislation, unforeseen events, to be financed by increasing the MRI.
An agreement between the Parliament and Council to fix a new MRI is necessary to finance such activities.
An agreement between the Parliament and Council to fix a new MRI is necessary to finance such activities.
In a less restricted way, the procedure under art.
In a less restricted way, the procedure under art.
272 does not differ too much from the budgetary procedure under the IIA.
272 does not differ too much from the budgetary procedure under the IIA.
The legislative authority can continue to include a financial reference in the multi-annual programmes, as long as this annual increase can be financed within the annual MRI there is no problem.
The legislative authority can continue to include a financial reference in the multi-annual programmes, as long as this annual increase can be financed within the annual MRI there is no problem.
The automatic application of the MRI over seven years on the basis of a 3.6% increase per year would guarantee roughly 25% of increase over the period.
The automatic application of the MRI over seven years on the basis of a 3.6% increase per year would guarantee roughly 25% of increase over the period.
As an example, research is supposed to increase by 300% in the Commission (and European Parliament) proposals for the period 2007-2013 while Progress increases by 5%, civic participation by 80% respectively.
As an example, research is supposed to increase by 300% in the Commission (and European Parliament) proposals for the period 2007-2013 while Progress increases by 5%, civic participation by 80% respectively.
In the event that the legislative authority decides an increase that could be difficult to finance within the MRI (i.e. Research + 300 % in the Commission proposal, CFSP) or to establish a target of expenditure (i.e. Structural Funds), the budgetary authority should agree on a procedure to finance those actions with a new MRI.
In the event that the legislative authority decides an increase that could be difficult to finance within the MRI (i.e. Research + 300 % in the Commission proposal, CFSP) or to establish a target of expenditure (i.e. Structural Funds), the budgetary authority should agree on a procedure to finance those actions with a new MRI.
This possibility could be limited to the last year (or last two years) of application of such programmes.
This possibility could be limited to the last year (or last two years) of application of such programmes.
It should not be underestimated that the amount of MRI is established every year on various parameters and is therefore variable.
It should not be underestimated that the amount of MRI is established every year on various parameters and is therefore variable.
The rapporteur considers that even within article 272 procedure, Parliament could guarantee the financing of all policies (Structural Funds, competitiveness (Lisbon) citizenship, external actions etc.) either within the MRI or through a specific agreement with Council fixing a new MRI.
The rapporteur considers that even within article 272 procedure, Parliament could guarantee the financing of all policies (Structural Funds, competitiveness (Lisbon) citizenship, external actions etc.) either within the MRI or through a specific agreement with Council fixing a new MRI.
Programmes with fixed amounts would be unalterable while the ones with indicative amounts could be increased or reduced on the basis of political priorities.
Programmes with fixed amounts would be unalterable while the ones with indicative amounts could be increased or reduced on the basis of political priorities.
· Although the institutions will certainly make all efforts to find an agreement on the next Financial Perspective and Inter-institutional Agreement, the possibility of an absence of FP/IIA should be envisaged and the consequences mainly for legislation, anticipated.
· Although the institutions will certainly make all efforts to find an agreement on the next Financial Perspective and Inter-institutional Agreement, the possibility of an absence of FP/IIA should be envisaged and the consequences mainly for legislation, anticipated.
· The Treaty provisions (article 272) are more favourable for the European Parliament than the option of prolonging the FP/IIA (article 26).
· The Treaty provisions (article 272) are more favourable for the European Parliament than the option of prolonging the FP/IIA (article 26).
· Annual budgets and multi-annual programmes are not contradictory.
· Annual budgets and multi-annual programmes are not contradictory.
· Even under the Treaty provisions, a progressive increase based on the limit of the MRI can be ensured for Community legislation and room exists for financing EU legislation.
· Even under the Treaty provisions, a progressive increase based on the limit of the MRI can be ensured for Community legislation and room exists for financing EU legislation.
· In the absence of agreement on the FP/IIA, Parliament and Council, in their double responsibility as legislative and budgetary authorities, could find ad hoc solutions to finance some specific programmes and to "Ring Fence" major policies.
· In the absence of agreement on the FP/IIA, Parliament and Council, in their double responsibility as legislative and budgetary authorities, could find ad hoc solutions to finance some specific programmes and to "Ring Fence" major policies.
WORKING DOCUMENT N° 2 ON THE COMMISSION'S NEW PROPOSALS ON THE FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE 2007-2013: FIRST COMMENTS
WORKING DOCUMENT No 2 ON THE COMMISSION'S NEW PROPOSALS ON THE FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE 2007-2013: FIRST COMMENTS
In view of the discussions at the informal summit at Hampton Court (27 October), President Barroso sent a letter dated 20 October to President Borrell, Mr Blair and the Heads of State and Government with "some proposals to help the final phase of negotiations" on the next Financial Perspective 2007-2013.
In view of the discussions at the informal summit at Hampton Court (27 October), President Barroso sent a letter dated 20 October to President Borrell, Mr Blair and the Heads of State and Government with "some proposals to help the final phase of negotiations" on the next Financial Perspective 2007-2013.
The fact that this letter was sent to Mr Borrell in his capacity of President of the European Parliament confirms the acknowledgement of Parliament's role in this inter- institutional process.
The fact that this letter was sent to Mr Borrell in his capacity of President of the European Parliament confirms the acknowledgement of Parliament's role in this inter- institutional process.
President Barroso also presented his ideas before the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament at its meeting of 20 October.
President Barroso also presented his ideas before the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament at its meeting of 20 October.
Since last June, the failure of the European Council to reach an agreement has been a major concern within the Commission.
Since last June, the failure of the European Council to reach an agreement has been a major concern within the Commission.
Following the vote of the European Parliament of 8 June, the Commission's initial proposals dated February 2004 seem far beyond reality in terms of contents and timing.
Following the vote of the European Parliament of 8 June, the Commission's initial proposals dated February 2004 seem far beyond reality in terms of contents and timing.
Commission's desire for reaching an agreement under the UK Presidency is explicitly stressed in the letter: The possibility of no agreement before March/April 2006 under the Austrian Presidency could endanger the next generation of Community programmes (90% of EU legislation with financial consequences is expiring at the end of 2006), and render more efficient the preparation of PDB for 2007.
Commission's desire for reaching an agreement under the UK Presidency is explicitly stressed in the letter: The possibility of no agreement before March/April 2006 under the Austrian Presidency could endanger the next generation of Community programmes (90% of EU legislation with financial consequences is expiring at the end of 2006), and render more efficient the preparation of PDB for 2007.
For the same reason, the Commission asked for the joint declaration "Guidelines for legislative proposals related to the 2007-2013 multi-annual financial framework", in order to accelerate, where possible, the legislative procedure.
For the same reason, the Commission asked for the joint declaration "Guidelines for legislative proposals related to the 2007-2013 multi-annual financial framework", in order to accelerate, where possible, the legislative procedure.
The Commission's 'ideas' focus on five topics
The Commission's 'ideas' focus on five topics
RAPID MEMO/05/386 from 20 October 2005; http://europa.eu.int/rapid/ :
RAPID MEMO/05/386 from 20 October 2005; http://europa.eu.int/rapid/ :
· Increasing resources for growth and jobs
· Increasing resources for growth and jobs
· Meeting the challenge of globalisation: a shock absorber
· Meeting the challenge of globalisation: a shock absorber
· Consolidating the current agricultural reforms
· Consolidating the current agricultural reforms
· Modernising the budget: a roadmap for review
· Modernising the budget: a roadmap for review
· Increasing democratic scrutiny and coherence of our external action
· Increasing democratic scrutiny and coherence of our external action
The Commission's proposals could be interpreted as taking some distance from the "Prodi package" with a more realistic approach.
The Commission's proposals could be interpreted as taking some distance from the "Prodi package" with a more realistic approach.
Some limitative aspects could be interpreted as a positive move towards the EP's negotiating position (Böge report), to which a reference is made in the second paragraph of the introduction.
Some limitative aspects could be interpreted as a positive move towards the EP's negotiating position (Böge report), to which a reference is made in the second paragraph of the introduction.
However, the rapporteur notes that the Commission is not ready to take on board neither Parliament's qualitative nor quantitative requests.
However, the rapporteur notes that the Commission is not ready to take on board neither Parliament's qualitative nor quantitative requests.
As a general comment even if most of the points have been stressed in the EP resolution, the insistence on the absolute necessity to reach an agreement in December (even at low cost) is probably overstated.
As a general comment even if most of the points have been stressed in the EP resolution, the insistence on the absolute necessity to reach an agreement in December (even at low cost) is probably overstated.
President Borrell and the rapporteur Mr. Böge have often expressed the idea that
President Borrell and the rapporteur Mr. Böge have often expressed the idea that
- from a budgetary point of view, the Treaty will guarantee the adoption of annual budgets,
- from a budgetary point of view, the Treaty will guarantee the adoption of annual budgets,
- an agreement in the European Council is not sufficient to reach an agreement with Parliament,
- an agreement in the European Council is not sufficient to reach an agreement with Parliament,
- no Financial Perspective/Inter-institutional Agreement will be in place without EP agreement, and that
- no Financial Perspective/Inter-institutional Agreement will be in place without EP agreement, and that
- no agreement on figures will occur without an agreement on the IIA.
- no agreement on figures will occur without an agreement on the IIA.
The intention of the letter to improve elements accompanying the financial framework points in the direction of Parliament's negotiation position.
The intention of the letter to improve elements accompanying the financial framework points in the direction of Parliament's negotiation position.
However, those ideas are trailing behind Parliament's requests, including those to improve the quality of the expenditure.
However, those ideas are trailing behind Parliament's requests, including those to improve the quality of the expenditure.
At its meeting of 7 November, the General Affairs Council examined President Barroso's 'ideas'.
At its meeting of 7 November, the General Affairs Council examined President Barroso's 'ideas'.
The general approach of most delegations was rather sceptical.
The general approach of most delegations was rather sceptical.
Another meeting was foreseen for 16 November.
Another meeting was foreseen for 16 November.
I. Increasing Resources for growth and jobs
I. Increasing Resources for growth and jobs
the full text of the five "ideas" is reproduced in this document and can be found under RAPID MEMO/05/386 from 20 October 2005; http://europa.eu.int/rapid/
the full text of the five "ideas" is reproduced in this document and can be found under RAPID MEMO/05/386 from 20 October 2005; http://europa.eu.int/rapid/
European Parliament's negotiating position
European Parliament's negotiating position
Paragraph 15, 21 and 52 of the Böge resolution read as follows:
Paragraph 15, 21 and 52 of the Böge resolution read as follows:
15. [...] underlines the importance of cohesion policy in achieving the Lisbon goals and helping to bridge the gap between the different territories of the European Union; insists that all resources allocated to cohesion policy should be spent for this purpose ;
15. [...] underlines the importance of cohesion policy in achieving the Lisbon goals and helping to bridge the gap between the different territories of the European Union; insists that all resources allocated to cohesion policy should be spent for this purpose ;
Considers that the restructuring of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) needs to be accompanied by a substantial increase in rural development funds to address the problems of employment and competitiveness in rural areas, in particular in the new Member States ; [...] is of the opinion that the Commission's proposal for the budget of the new Rural Development Fund is extremely tight and therefore constitutes an absolute minimum;
Considers that the restructuring of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) needs to be accompanied by a substantial increase in rural development funds to address the problems of employment and competitiveness in rural areas, in particular in the new Member States ; [...] is of the opinion that the Commission's proposal for the budget of the new Rural Development Fund is extremely tight and therefore constitutes an absolute minimum;
Remains concerned that previous innovation and competitiveness programmes have failed to deliver the necessary link between fundamental and applied research and industrial innovation partly due to the fact that the financial resources were rather limited; believes that the support of the European public is indispensable for realising the Lisbon goals; considers that the Commission should propose a simplification of its financial procedures with a view to facilitating the implementation of research policy; considers that financial instruments need to be rethought in a more fine-tuned, targeted way and that the establishment of an ambitious programme for competitiveness and innovation endowed with adequate financial resources is vital for supporting a "prosperity" oriented industrial policy, notably for SMEs, that would successfully capitalise on research through industrial applications, such as technology transfer from universities and research centres into industrial application ; [...]
Remains concerned that previous innovation and competitiveness programmes have failed to deliver the necessary link between fundamental and applied research and industrial innovation partly due to the fact that the financial resources were rather limited; believes that the support of the European public is indispensable for realising the Lisbon goals; considers that the Commission should propose a simplification of its financial procedures with a view to facilitating the implementation of research policy; considers that financial instruments need to be rethought in a more fine-tuned, targeted way and that the establishment of an ambitious programme for competitiveness and innovation endowed with adequate financial resources is vital for supporting a "prosperity" oriented industrial policy, notably for SMEs, that would successfully capitalise on research through industrial applications, such as technology transfer from universities and research centres into industrial application ; [...]
Rapporteur's Comments
Rapporteur's Comments
The Lisbon Strategy has been emphasised and mainly research, innovation and infrastructures.
The Lisbon Strategy has been emphasised and mainly research, innovation and infrastructures.
An earmarking of 60% of the overall envelope dedicated to the Cohesion Policy (Heading 1b) would be reserved for competitiveness actions and mainly research but also infrastructure, motorways and airports.
An earmarking of 60% of the overall envelope dedicated to the Cohesion Policy (Heading 1b) would be reserved for competitiveness actions and mainly research but also infrastructure, motorways and airports.
Currently about 50% of the funding is already allocated to structural linked to competitiveness.
Currently about 50% of the funding is already allocated to structural linked to competitiveness.
It is not clear whether all the instruments of the new cohesion policy: convergence, regional competitiveness and employment, European territorial cooperation and the Cohesion Fund, would be concerned or only some of them.
It is not clear whether all the instruments of the new cohesion policy: convergence, regional competitiveness and employment, European territorial cooperation and the Cohesion Fund, would be concerned or only some of them.
This idea goes in the direction expressed by EP to reinforce the support for the Lisbon strategy.
This idea goes in the direction expressed by EP to reinforce the support for the Lisbon strategy.
The rapporteur underlines the need to extend the EIB facilities for encouraging growth and competitiveness as clearly stressed in the EP's negotiating position (para.50, last indent) Moreover, this idea has been taken up by President Chirac in his statement before the informal Council of 28 October 2005.
The rapporteur underlines the need to extend the EIB facilities for encouraging growth and competitiveness as clearly stressed in the EP's negotiating position (para.50, last indent) Moreover, this idea has been taken up by President Chirac in his statement before the informal Council of 28 October 2005.
However, the proposal raises some questions: Can it be considered as a substantive change or only as a "window dressing" initiative?
However, the proposal raises some questions: Can it be considered as a substantive change or only as a "window dressing" initiative?
Will this measure be compulsory?
Will this measure be compulsory?
Will there be a mechanism to suspend the aid to Member States which do not respect this target?
Will there be a mechanism to suspend the aid to Member States which do not respect this target?
How can the economic efficiency of this measure be guaranteed?
How can the economic efficiency of this measure be guaranteed?
The same mechanism should apply to Rural Development with a target percentage of 30% earmarking.
The same mechanism should apply to Rural Development with a target percentage of 30% earmarking.
This would not be in contradiction to EP's negotiating position, which is in favour of increasing Rural Development, although without earmarking (see para.
This would not be in contradiction to EP's negotiating position, which is in favour of increasing Rural Development, although without earmarking (see para.
21 above):
21 above):
Meeting the challenge of globalisation: a shock absorber
Meeting the challenge of globalisation: a shock absorber
The European Parliament's resolution (see par.
The European Parliament's resolution (see par.
46 in annex) foresees different kinds of flexibilities to cover different needs (Reserve for Competitiveness, Reserve for Cohesion, Emergency Aid Reserve, Solidarity Reserve, Reserve for Loans Guarantee and Flexibility Reserve).
46 in annex) foresees different kinds of flexibilities to cover different needs (Reserve for Competitiveness, Reserve for Cohesion, Emergency Aid Reserve, Solidarity Reserve, Reserve for Loans Guarantee and Flexibility Reserve).
All of them are to be mobilised after decision by EP and Council and are to be financed, when necessary, outside the ceiling of the Financial Perspective by an increase in funding and based on budgetary discipline (see par.
All of them are to be mobilised after decision by EP and Council and are to be financed, when necessary, outside the ceiling of the Financial Perspective by an increase in funding and based on budgetary discipline (see par.
45 in Annex).
45 in Annex).
The new proposal by the Commission is apparently replacing the initial Growth Adjustment Fund which was to be financed from unused appropriations and has given another scope to the new instrument.
The new proposal by the Commission is apparently replacing the initial Growth Adjustment Fund which was to be financed from unused appropriations and has given another scope to the new instrument.
The rapporteur can share the objective expressed by the Commission to provide for a flexibility mechanism, although he disagrees with the limitation to one heading (1b).
The rapporteur can share the objective expressed by the Commission to provide for a flexibility mechanism, although he disagrees with the limitation to one heading (1b).