European Parliament 2019-2024

Committee on Budgetary Control

2020/2190(DEC)

5.3.2021

AMENDMENTS 1 - 60

Draft report Ryszard Czarnecki (PE657.249v01-00)

2019 discharge: General budget of the EU - 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th EDFs (2020/2190(DEC))

AM\1225812EN.docx PE689.626v01-00

EN United in diversityEN AM_Com_NonLegReport

PE689.626v01-00 2/34 AM\1225812EN.docx EN Amendment 1 Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group Younous Omarjee on behalf of the The Left Group

Proposal for a decision 1 Paragraph 1

Proposal for a decision Amendment

1. Grants the Commission discharge 1. Postpones its decision on granting in respect of the implementation of the the Commission discharge in respect of the budget of the eighth, ninth, tenth and implementation of the budget of the eighth, eleventh European Development Funds ninth, tenth and eleventh European for the financial year 2019 / Postpones its Development Funds for the financial year decision on granting the Commission 2019; discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh European Development Funds for the financial year 2019;

Or. en

Amendment 2 Joachim Kuhs, Jean-François Jalkh

Proposal for a decision 1 Paragraph 1

Proposal for a decision Amendment

1. Grants the Commission discharge 1. Postpones its decision on granting in respect of the implementation of the the Commission discharge in respect of the budget of the eighth, ninth, tenth and implementation of the budget of the eighth, eleventh European Development Funds ninth, tenth and eleventh European for the financial year 2019 / Postpones its Development Funds for the financial year decision on granting the Commission 2019; discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh European Development Funds for the financial year 2019;

Or. en

AM\1225812EN.docx 3/34 PE689.626v01-00 EN Amendment 3 Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group Younous Omarjee on behalf of the The Left Group

Proposal for a decision 2 Paragraph 1

Proposal for a decision Amendment

1. Approves the closure of the 1. Postpones the closure of the accounts of the eighth, ninth, tenth and accounts of the eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh European Development Funds eleventh European Development Funds for for the financial year 2019 / Postpones the the financial year 2019; closure of the accounts of the eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh European Development Funds for the financial year 2019;

Or. en

Amendment 4 José Manuel Fernandes

Motion for a resolution Recital A a (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

Aa. whereas Parliament will only be able to exercise properly its role as discharge authority if it is kept regularly and comprehensively updated by the Commission, with detailed information regarding EDF-funded projects and their recipients;

Or. pt

Amendment 5 Olivier Chastel, Martina Dlabajová, Alin Mituța, Pierre Karleskind, Ramona Strugariu, Katalin Cseh, Gilles Boyer

Motion for a resolution Recital A a (new)

PE689.626v01-00 4/34 AM\1225812EN.docx EN Motion for a resolution Amendment

A a. Whereas Parliament is not involved in establishing and allocating EDF resources compared to other development instruments;

Or. en

Amendment 6 Olivier Chastel, Martina Dlabajová, Alin Mituța, Pierre Karleskind, Ramona Strugariu, Katalin Cseh, Gilles Boyer

Motion for a resolution Recital A b (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

A b. Whereas effective pre- conditionalities and regular checks are key components in ensuring the effectiveness and sound financial management of the EDF

Or. en

Amendment 7 Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group Younous Omarjee on behalf of the The Left Group

Motion for a resolution Recital B

Motion for a resolution Amendment

B. whereas it is crucial to ensure that B. whereas it is crucial to ensure that development aid is used in accordance with development aid is used in accordance with its original purpose as stated in Article 208 its original purpose, meaning to reduce of the Treaty on the Functioning of the and ultimately to eradicate poverty, as European Union, with due consideration stated in Article 208 of the Treaty on the for aid and development effectiveness Functioning of the European Union, with principles; due consideration for aid and development effectiveness principles;

AM\1225812EN.docx 5/34 PE689.626v01-00 EN Or. en

Amendment 8 Arnaud Danjean

Motion for a resolution Recital B a (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

B a. Whereas European development aid and public investments should promote joint priorities and policy objectives including eradicating poverty, climate and environmental action, economic and trade policies, migration management and be fully aligned with the principles of fundamental human rights, democracy and good governance;

Or. en

Amendment 9 José Manuel Fernandes

Motion for a resolution Recital C

Motion for a resolution Amendment

C. whereas the Sustainable C. whereas the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are core Development Goals (SDGs) are core objectives to be pursued in cooperation objectives to be pursued in cooperation instruments; instruments in both the public and private sector;

Or. pt

Amendment 10 Olivier Chastel, Martina Dlabajová, Alin Mituța, Pierre Karleskind, Ramona Strugariu, Katalin Cseh, Gilles Boyer

Motion for a resolution Recital C

PE689.626v01-00 6/34 AM\1225812EN.docx EN Motion for a resolution Amendment

C. whereas the Sustainable C. whereas the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are core Development Goals (SDGs) are core objectives to be pursued in cooperation objectives to be pursued in cooperation instruments; instruments;

Or. en

Amendment 11 Olivier Chastel, Martina Dlabajová, Alin Mituța, Pierre Karleskind, Ramona Strugariu, Katalin Cseh, Gilles Boyer

Motion for a resolution Recital C a (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

C a. Whereas the prerequisite for sustainable development is a transparent, inclusive and efficient participatory policy framing process;

Or. en

Amendment 12 José Manuel Fernandes

Motion for a resolution Recital E

Motion for a resolution Amendment

E. whereas the alignment of Union E. whereas the alignment of Union development cooperation with partner development cooperation with partner countries’ own development priorities is a countries’ own development priorities is a key element of the 2030 Agenda for key element of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; Sustainable Development; whereas cultural and linguistic affinities between Member States and partner countries may encourage adherence to the SDGs set out in the 2030 Agenda;

Or. pt

AM\1225812EN.docx 7/34 PE689.626v01-00 EN Amendment 13 Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group Younous Omarjee on behalf of the The Left Group

Motion for a resolution Recital E

Motion for a resolution Amendment

E. whereas the alignment of Union E. whereas the alignment of Union development cooperation with partner development cooperation with partner countries’ own development priorities is a countries’ own development priorities key element of the 2030 Agenda for should be always and fully respected and Sustainable Development; is a key element of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;

Or. en

Amendment 14 Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group Younous Omarjee on behalf of the The Left Group

Motion for a resolution Recital F

Motion for a resolution Amendment

F. whereas policy coherence and F. whereas policy coherence and complementarity of various external complementarity of various external policies should be carefully looked at, policies should be carefully looked at, especially when several policies are being especially when several policies are being implemented in a single partner country, implemented in a single partner country, with the view to promoting synergies and with the view to promoting synergies and trade-offs between existing policies and to trade-offs between existing policies and to avoiding as much as possible unnecessary avoiding possible damaging consequences administrative burden; of one single EU policy on an area otherwise dealt with by another policy and, as much as possible, unnecessary administrative burden;

Or. en

PE689.626v01-00 8/34 AM\1225812EN.docx EN Amendment 15 José Manuel Fernandes

Motion for a resolution Recital F

Motion for a resolution Amendment

F. whereas policy coherence and F. whereas policy coherence and complementarity of various external complementarity of various external policies should be carefully looked at, policies should be carefully looked at, especially when several policies are being especially when several policies are being implemented in a single partner country, implemented in a single partner country, with the view to promoting synergies and with the view to promoting cooperation trade-offs between existing policies and to between the public and private sectors, avoiding as much as possible unnecessary encouraging synergies and trade-offs administrative burden; between existing policies and avoiding as much as possible unnecessary administrative burden;

Or. pt

Amendment 16 José Manuel Fernandes

Motion for a resolution Recital G a (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

Ga. whereas the standardisation of communication channels between partner countries, EDF-funded entities and the EU would facilitate Commission monitoring activity;

Or. pt

Amendment 17 Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group Younous Omarjee on behalf of the The Left Group

Motion for a resolution Recital I

AM\1225812EN.docx 9/34 PE689.626v01-00 EN Motion for a resolution Amendment

I. whereas budget support, while I. whereas budget support, while playing a key role in driving change and in playing a key role in driving change and in addressing the main development addressing the main development challenges, carries a considerable challenges, carries a considerable governance risk and should be granted only governance risk and should be granted only if the beneficiary state is able to if the beneficiary state is able to demonstrate a sufficient level of demonstrate a sufficient level of transparency, accountability and human transparency, accountability, respect for rights prior to receiving budget support the Rule of Law and human rights prior to assistance; receiving budget support assistance, followed by thorough ex-post checks;

Or. en

Amendment 18 Olivier Chastel, Martina Dlabajová, Alin Mituța, Pierre Karleskind, Ramona Strugariu, Katalin Cseh, Gilles Boyer

Motion for a resolution Recital I

Motion for a resolution Amendment

I. whereas budget support, while I. whereas budget support for playing a key role in driving change and in sustainable development while playing a addressing the main development key role in driving change and in challenges, carries a considerable addressing the main development governance risk and should be granted only challenges, carries a considerable if the beneficiary state is able to governance risk and should be granted only demonstrate a sufficient level of if the beneficiary state is able to transparency, accountability and human demonstrate a sufficient level of rights prior to receiving budget support transparency, accountability and human assistance; rights prior to receiving budget support assistance;

Or. en

Amendment 19 Tsvetelina Penkova

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7

PE689.626v01-00 10/34 AM\1225812EN.docx EN Motion for a resolution Amendment

7. Expresses its growing concern over 7. Expresses concern over the adverse the adverse opinion of the Court on the opinion of the Court on the legality and legality and regularity of expenditure due regularity of expenditure due to the fact to the fact that the expenditure accepted in that the expenditure accepted in the the accounts for the year ended 31 accounts for the year ended 31 December December 2019 is materially affected by 2019 is materially affected by error; error;

Or. en

Amendment 20 Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group Younous Omarjee on behalf of the The Left Group

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8

Motion for a resolution Amendment

8. Is concerned that the estimated 8. Is concerned that the estimated level of error surpassed the materiality level of error surpassed the materiality threshold, with 3,5 % of expenditure threshold, with 3,5 % of expenditure affected for the eighth, ninth, tenth and affected for the eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh EDF (compared to 5,2 % for eleventh EDF (compared to 5,2 % for 2018, 4,5 % in 2017, 3,3 % in 2016, 3,8 % 2018, 4,5 % in 2017, 3,3 % in 2016, 3,8 % in 2014 and 2015, 3,4 % in 2013 and 3 % in 2014 and 2015, 3,4 % in 2013 and 3 % in 2012); notes that the growing trend of in 2012); notes that the growing trend of the estimated level of error has stopped; the estimated level of error has temporary expects, nevertheless, that the Commission stopped; expects, nevertheless, that the reflect on the root causes of the succession Commission reflect on the root causes of of adverse opinions and take all steps the succession of adverse opinions and take necessary to further reduce the estimated all steps necessary to further reduce the level of error; estimated level of error;

Or. en

Amendment 21 Olivier Chastel, Martina Dlabajová, Alin Mituța, Pierre Karleskind, Ramona Strugariu, Katalin Cseh, Gilles Boyer

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 a (new)

AM\1225812EN.docx 11/34 PE689.626v01-00 EN Motion for a resolution Amendment

12 a. Agrees with the Court of Auditors that the controls carried out abroad remain insufficient;

Or. en

Amendment 22 Olivier Chastel, Martina Dlabajová, Alin Mituța, Pierre Karleskind, Ramona Strugariu, Katalin Cseh, Gilles Boyer

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 b (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

12 b. Regrets that, as in previous years, the Commission made more errors in transactions relating to estimates, grants, contribution agreements concluded with international organisations and delegation agreements concluded with the cooperation agencies of the EU Member States;

Or. en

Amendment 23 Olivier Chastel, Martina Dlabajová, Alin Mituța, Pierre Karleskind, Ramona Strugariu, Katalin Cseh, Gilles Boyer

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 c (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

12 c. Strongly regrets that additional measures are not being taken to increase ex ante controls;

Or. en

PE689.626v01-00 12/34 AM\1225812EN.docx EN Amendment 24 José Manuel Fernandes

Motion for a resolution Subheading 5

Motion for a resolution Amendment

Effectiveness of the monitoring and Transparency and effectiveness of the assurance systems monitoring and assurance systems

Or. pt

Amendment 25 Olivier Chastel, Martina Dlabajová, Alin Mituța, Pierre Karleskind, Ramona Strugariu, Katalin Cseh, Gilles Boyer

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13

Motion for a resolution Amendment

13. Notes with concern that out of the 13. Notes with concern that out of the 28 payments with quantifiable errors, in 9 28 payments with quantifiable errors, in 9 cases (32 %) the Commission had cases (32 %) the Commission had sufficient information to prevent, or to sufficient information to prevent, or to detect and correct, the error before detect and correct, the error before accepting the expenditure; calls on the accepting the expenditure; calls on the Commission to substantially improve its Commission to substantially improve its processes to verify legality and regularity processes to verify legality and regularity of transactions and to make sure the of transactions and to make sure the verifications are properly followed-up; verifications are properly followed-up; Regrets to note that this lack of verification is similar to previous years.

Or. en

Amendment 26 José Manuel Fernandes

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 a (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

13a. Considers that monitoring

AM\1225812EN.docx 13/34 PE689.626v01-00 EN activities will be more effective if Commission intelligence is regularly published and shared with the discharge authority in advance;

Or. pt

Amendment 27 José Manuel Fernandes

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14

Motion for a resolution Amendment

14. Notes that the Court found that the 14. Notes that the Court found that the Commission and its implementing partners Commission and its implementing partners committed more errors in transactions committed more errors in transactions relating to programme estimates, grants, relating to programme estimates, grants, contribution agreements with international contribution agreements with international organisations and delegation agreements organisations and delegation agreements with Member States’ cooperation agencies with Member States’ cooperation agencies than they did with other forms of support, than they did with other forms of support, such as those covering works, supply and such as those covering works, supply and service contracts; notes that of the 65 service contracts; notes that of the 65 transactions of that type examined by the transactions of that type examined by the Court, 25 (38 %) contained quantifiable Court, 25 (38 %) contained quantifiable errors, which accounted for 71,7 % of the errors, which accounted for 71,7 % of the estimated level of error; calls on the estimated level of error; calls on the Commission to enhance its risk-based Commission to publish comprehensive, approach and invest control capacity in updated and detailed information areas that are more error prone; regarding funded projects and recipients, enhance its risk-based approach and invest control capacity in areas that are more error prone;

Or. pt

Amendment 28 José Manuel Fernandes

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 a (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

PE689.626v01-00 14/34 AM\1225812EN.docx EN 14a. Calls on the Commission to proceed with a pre-established format for communication between partner countries, EDF beneficiaries and the EU with a view to reducing the errors found by the Court;

Or. pt

Amendment 29 José Manuel Fernandes

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15

Motion for a resolution Amendment

15. Notes the Court’s observation, as in 15. Notes the Court’s observation, as in previous years, that the frequency of previous years, that the frequency of identified errors, including some contained identified errors, including some contained in final claims which had been subject to in final claims which had been subject to ex-ante external audits and expenditure ex-ante external audits and expenditure verifications, points to weaknesses in those verifications, points to weaknesses in those checks; notes that this is not only checks; notes that this is not only problematic in terms of the effectiveness of problematic in terms of the effectiveness of the checks but also in terms of the the checks but also in terms of the efficiency of the management and control efficiency of the management and control system because the checks performed did system because the checks performed did not prevent or correct the error; calls on not prevent or correct the error; calls on DG INTPA to continue efforts to improve DG INTPA to continue efforts to improve the assessment of both effectiveness and the assessment of both effectiveness and efficiency of its control system by efficiency of its control system by identifying key performance indicators for identifying key performance indicators for both, to set realistic and ambitious targets both, to set realistic and ambitious targets and to monitor and improve its control and to monitor and improve its control system; system; calls, furthermore, on the Commission to set up a platform covering EDF-funded projects by country, focusing on the final recipients, general and specific project goals and, above all, their practical results in terms of the desired increase in development indices;

Or. pt

Amendment 30

AM\1225812EN.docx 15/34 PE689.626v01-00 EN Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group Younous Omarjee on behalf of the The Left Group

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15

Motion for a resolution Amendment

15. Notes the Court’s observation, as in 15. Is worried about the Court’s previous years, that the frequency of observation, as in previous years, that the identified errors, including some contained frequency of identified errors, including in final claims which had been subject to some contained in final claims which had ex-ante external audits and expenditure been subject to ex-ante external audits and verifications, points to weaknesses in those expenditure verifications, points to checks; notes that this is not only weaknesses in those checks; notes with problematic in terms of the effectiveness of concern that this is not only problematic in the checks but also in terms of the terms of the effectiveness of the checks but efficiency of the management and control also in terms of the efficiency of the system because the checks performed did management and control system because not prevent or correct the error; calls on the checks performed did not prevent or DG INTPA to continue efforts to improve correct the error; reiterates its expectation the assessment of both effectiveness and that the control system should be more efficiency of its control system by rigorous and calls on DG INTPA to identifying key performance indicators for continue efforts to improve the assessment both, to set realistic and ambitious targets of both effectiveness and efficiency of its and to monitor and improve its control control system by identifying key system; performance indicators for both, to set realistic and ambitious targets and to monitor and improve its control system;

Or. en

Amendment 31 Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group Younous Omarjee on behalf of the The Left Group

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16

Motion for a resolution Amendment

16. Notes DG INTPA’s eighth RER 16. Notes DG INTPA’s eighth RER study, which resulted in an RER of 1,13 % study, which resulted in an RER of 1,13 % , up from 0,85 % in 2018 and below the 2 , up from 0,85 % in 2018 and below the

PE689.626v01-00 16/34 AM\1225812EN.docx EN % materiality threshold fixed by the 2 % materiality threshold fixed by the Commission; notes the Court’s observation Commission; notes the Court’s observation that four major factors distort the RER, that four major factors distort the RER, namely the insufficient coverage of certain contributing to the underestimation of the aspects of procurement procedures, the residual error rate, namely the insufficient very low number of on-the-spot-checks in coverage of certain aspects of procurement the country of project implementation, procedures, the very low number of on- which is deemed insufficient to detect the-spot-checks in the country of project errors that are not apparent in documents, implementation, which is deemed the method for determining the RER, insufficient to detect errors that are not which results in a rate that does not apparent in documents, the method for necessarily reflect the actual residual determining the RER, which results in a errors, and possible overreliance on rate that does not necessarily reflect the previous control work; calls on DG actual residual errors, and possible INTPA, as in previous years, to liaise with overreliance on previous control work, the Court and to address those issues in an which is contrary to the purpose of the update of the methodology and in a more RER study, namely to identify the errors thorough performance of next year’s RER that have evaded precisely those controls; study; calls on DG INTPA, as in previous years, to liaise with the Court and to address those issues in an update of the methodology and in a more thorough performance of next year’s RER study;

Or. en

Amendment 32 Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group Younous Omarjee on behalf of the The Left Group

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17

Motion for a resolution Amendment

17. Notes with concern the Court’s 17. Notes with concern the Court’s statement that the absence of reservations statement that the absence of reservations in the 2019 annual activity report is in the 2019 annual activity report is unjustified; further notes the Court’s unjustified; further notes the Court’s consideration that it results partly from the consideration that it results partly from the limitations of the RER study and partly limitations of the RER study and partly from the introduction of a ‘de minimis from the introduction of a ‘de minimis rule’, which states that a reservation is not rule’, which states that a reservation is not needed if the individual spending area it needed if the individual spending area it would cover represents less than 5 % of would cover represents less than 5 % of total payments and has a financial impact total payments and has a financial impact

AM\1225812EN.docx 17/34 PE689.626v01-00 EN of less than EUR 5 million; recalls that a of less than EUR 5 million; consequently, reservation is a keystone in the reservations are no longer made in some accountability construction and therefore cases where they were made in previous constitutes a preventive and transparency years, even if corresponding risks remains instrument within the assurance building of and the errors remain the same; recalls DG INTPA, reflecting ongoing challenges that a reservation is a keystone in the or remaining and recurring weaknesses accountability construction and therefore faced at headquarters or within Union constitutes a preventive and transparency delegations; instrument within the assurance building of DG INTPA, reflecting ongoing challenges or remaining and recurring weaknesses faced at headquarters or within Union delegations;

Or. en

Amendment 33 Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group Younous Omarjee on behalf of the The Left Group

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21

Motion for a resolution Amendment

21. Notes the continued commitment of 21. Notes with satisfaction the the United Kingdom to pay all its continued commitment of the United obligations under the current multiannual Kingdom to pay all its obligations under financial framework and previous financial the current multiannual financial perspectives as if it were still a Member framework and previous financial State, as expressed in the Agreement on the perspectives as if it were still a Member withdrawal of the United Kingdom of State, as expressed in the Agreement on the Great Britain and Northern Ireland from withdrawal of the United Kingdom of the European Union and the European Great Britain and Northern Ireland from Atomic Energy Community (the the European Union and the European ‘Withdrawal Agreement’); notes Atomic Energy Community (the furthermore that the Withdrawal ‘Withdrawal Agreement’); notes Agreement states that the United Kingdom furthermore that the Withdrawal is to remain party to the EDF until the Agreement states that the United Kingdom closure of the eleventh EDF and all is to remain party to the EDF until the previous unclosed EDFs, and is to, in this closure of the eleventh EDF and all respect, assume the same obligations as the previous unclosed EDFs, and is to, in this Member States under the Internal respect, assume the same obligations as the Agreement by which it was set up, as well Member States under the Internal as the obligations resulting from previous Agreement by which it was set up, as well EDFs until their closure and that the United as the obligations resulting from previous

PE689.626v01-00 18/34 AM\1225812EN.docx EN Kingdom may participate, as an observer, EDFs until their closure and that the United without voting rights, in the EDF Kingdom may participate, as an observer, Committee; without voting rights, in the EDF Committee;

Or. en

Amendment 34 Olivier Chastel, Martina Dlabajová, Alin Mituța, Pierre Karleskind, Ramona Strugariu, Katalin Cseh, Gilles Boyer

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 a (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

23 a. Reiterates the necessity to ensure full transparency and access to data, in accordance with existing Union legislation, on projects implemented by international organisations and civil society organisations, as well as providing clear rules on governing control and monitoring;

Or. en

Amendment 35 Olivier Chastel, Martina Dlabajová, Alin Mituța, Pierre Karleskind, Ramona Strugariu, Katalin Cseh, Gilles Boyer

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24

Motion for a resolution Amendment

24. Recalls that entities entrusted with 24. underlines that entities entrusted the implementation of Union funds must, with the implementation of Union funds as a general principle, respect the must, as a general principle, respect the principles of sound financial management principles of sound financial management and transparency; stresses that any entity and transparency; stresses that any entity must fully contribute to the protection of must fully contribute to the protection of the financial interests of the Union and the financial interests of the Union and must, as a condition for receiving the must, as a condition for receiving the funds, grant the necessary rights and access funds, grant the necessary rights and access required for that the authorising officer required for that the authorising officer

AM\1225812EN.docx 19/34 PE689.626v01-00 EN responsible, for the Court and for the responsible, for the Court and for the European Anti-Fraud Office; notes, in that European Anti-Fraud Office; notes, in that regard, the difficulty faced by the Court in regard, the difficulty faced by the Court in getting visas for a duly announced and getting visas for a duly announced and planned on-the-spot-visit to projects in planned on-the-spot-visit to projects in Burundi and the resulting limitations faced Burundi and the resulting limitations faced by the Court; calls on the Commission and by the Court; calls on the Commission and the European External Action Service the European External Action Service (EEAS) to raise that issue and remind their (EEAS) to raise that issue and remind their counterparts in Burundi of their obligations counterparts in Burundi of their obligations as recipients of Union funding; as recipients of Union funding;

Or. en

Amendment 36 Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group Younous Omarjee on behalf of the The Left Group

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 a (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

24 a. Recalls on the Commission to: - strictly respect and make applicable in contribution and framework agreements the aforementioned responsibilities of entities implementing Union funds and the obligation to provide the Court and OLAF with any requested document needed for audit completion; - pay regular attention to the pillar assessment requirements and reports of the international organisations and NGOs concerned by this lack of cooperation to review the appropriateness of their accountability tools; to reconsider related provisions or terms of reference when the pillar assessment methodology is to be reviewed to comply with the EDF Financial Regulation; calls for an adaptation, where necessary, of the existing delegation agreements in force with those international entities;

PE689.626v01-00 20/34 AM\1225812EN.docx EN Or. en

Amendment 37 Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group Younous Omarjee on behalf of the The Left Group

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 b (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

24 b. Notes that there is still a need for a more systematic approach to the communication of Union´s grant-funded activities to enhance Union´s visibility, and to strengthen transparency, accountability and human rights due- diligence along the chain of funding; calls on the Commission to introduce in the framework agreements the obligation for the leading Agency to ensure the visibility of the Union in multi-donor projects; calls on the Commission to carry out sample-based on-the-spot controls years after the completion of the co- financed projects to check the continued impact of the EDF interventions and to take the necessary steps to ensure the long-term impacts of its operations;

Or. en

Amendment 38 Joachim Kuhs, Jean-François Jalkh

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 25 a (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

25 a. Regrets that the Union is still practicing budget support to third Countries which is regulated by legal provisions of a broad scope creating a risk

AM\1225812EN.docx 21/34 PE689.626v01-00 EN of loose interpretation by the Commission regarding the meeting of general conditions; that the Court cannot cover what happens beyond the moment the Commission pays aid to the recipient country, since these funds then merge with that country’s own budget resources;

Or. en

Amendment 39 Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group Younous Omarjee on behalf of the The Left Group

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 26

Motion for a resolution Amendment

26. Notes with appreciation that sub- 26. Notes with appreciation that sub- Saharan Africa is still the largest recipient Saharan Africa is still the largest recipient of budget support with a share of 36 %; of budget support with a share of 36 %; observes furthermore that the share of low observes with concern that the share of income countries decreased to 32 % low income countries decreased to 32 % (compared to 38% in 2018) and that lower (compared to 38% in 2018) and that lower middle income countries, with 47 % of the middle income countries, with 47 % of the total ongoing commitments, represent the total ongoing commitments, represent the largest beneficiaries of budget support; largest beneficiaries of budget support;

Or. en

Amendment 40 Joachim Kuhs, Jean-François Jalkh

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 26

Motion for a resolution Amendment

26. Notes with appreciation that sub- 26. Regrets that sub-Saharan Africa is Saharan Africa is still the largest recipient still the largest recipient of budget support of budget support with a share of 36 %; with a share of 36 %; observes furthermore observes furthermore that the share of low that the share of low income countries income countries decreased to 32 % decreased to 32 % (compared to 38% in

PE689.626v01-00 22/34 AM\1225812EN.docx EN (compared to 38% in 2018) and that lower 2018) and that lower middle income middle income countries, with 47 % of the countries, with 47 % of the total ongoing total ongoing commitments, represent the commitments, represent the largest largest beneficiaries of budget support; beneficiaries of budget support;

Or. en

Amendment 41 Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group Younous Omarjee on behalf of the The Left Group

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 26 a (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

26 a. Recalls that budget support aims at strengthening the partnership with the Union partner countries, to promote sustainable development, eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and consolidate peace and democracy, ultimately to contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals; notes that the Union budget support shall be guided by the internationally agreed Busan effectiveness principles such as Ownership by partner countries, Results focus, Inclusiveness and accountability; highlights that, as it fosters transparency and good governance, budget support contributes also to the fight against corruption and fraud;

Or. en

Amendment 42 José Manuel Fernandes

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27

AM\1225812EN.docx 23/34 PE689.626v01-00 EN Motion for a resolution Amendment

27. Notes that, in terms of relative 27. Notes that, in terms of relative contribution to the SDGs, budget support contribution to the SDGs, budget support programmes strongly contribute to SDG 16 programmes strongly contribute to SDG 16 (peace, justice and governance), SDG 17 (peace, justice and governance), SDG 17 (partnerships), SDG 5 (gender equality) (partnerships), SDG 5 (gender equality) and SDG 1 (no poverty); welcomes the and SDG 1 (no poverty); welcomes the strong multi-dimensional scope of budget strong multi-dimensional scope of budget support programmes; support programmes and considers that they should support entrepreneurship and private initiative in order to leverage economic and social development as advocated in SDG 9 ( build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation) and 17 (strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development);

Or. pt

Amendment 43 Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group Younous Omarjee on behalf of the The Left Group

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 a (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

28 a. Recalls on DG INTPA, however, to strictly assess in its policy dialogue the risks related to corporate tax avoidance, tax evasion and illicit financial flows affecting particularly developing countries; encourages DG INTPA to assess the fiscal impact and to help to the definition of oriented investment objectives;

Or. en

PE689.626v01-00 24/34 AM\1225812EN.docx EN Amendment 44 José Manuel Fernandes

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29

Motion for a resolution Amendment

29. Welcomes the results achieved as 29. Welcomes the results achieved as regards the intention for inclusive public regards the intention for inclusive public policies to promote shared growth and to policies to promote shared growth and to help tackle social or geographical help tackle social or geographical disparities (SDG 10), where statistics disparities (SDG 10), where statistics indicate that the income share of the indicate that the income share of the bottom 40 % of the population in countries bottom 40 % of the population in countries receiving Union budget support increased receiving Union budget support increased from 15.6 % to 17.4 % of gross national from 15.6 % to 17.4 % of gross national income between 2004 and 2019, while it income between 2004 and 2019, while it decreased slightly in other developing or decreased slightly in other developing or emerging countries; emerging countries; considers it also essential to raise awareness among local interlocutors about the growing importance of private partners in economic, social and territorial development;

Or. pt

Amendment 45 José Manuel Fernandes

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 32

Motion for a resolution Amendment

32. Calls for close monitoring and 32. Calls for close monitoring and thorough policy dialogue with partner thorough policy dialogue with partner countries regarding objectives, progress countries regarding objectives, progress towards agreed results and performance towards agreed results and performance indicators; calls once more on the indicators; calls once more on the Commission to better define and measure Commission to better define and measure expected development impact and, expected development impact and, especially, to improve the control especially, to improve the control mechanism with regard to the conduct of mechanism with regard to the conduct of the beneficiary state in the areas of the beneficiary state in the areas of corruption, respect for human rights, good corruption, respect for human rights, good governance and democracy; remains governance and democracy; stresses the

AM\1225812EN.docx 25/34 PE689.626v01-00 EN deeply concerned about the use that could need to include the private sector in this be made of Union budget support in strategic dialogue; remains deeply recipient countries where there is no or concerned about the use that could be made only limited democratic control; of Union budget support in recipient countries where there is no or only limited democratic control;

Or. pt

Amendment 46 Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group Younous Omarjee on behalf of the The Left Group

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 32 a (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

32 a. Reiterates its call on the Commission to carry out an evaluation on a country-by-country basis of the long- term on-going EDF financed projects in order to demonstrate the true impact of decades-long Union investment on the ground and how it has effectively helped beneficiary countries’ economic, social and sustainable development;

Or. en

Amendment 47 Olivier Chastel, Martina Dlabajová, Alin Mituța, Pierre Karleskind, Ramona Strugariu, Katalin Cseh, Gilles Boyer

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 32 b (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

32 b. Asks the Commission to carry out an evaluation on a country-by-country approach of the long-time on-going EDF financed projects in order to demonstrate their impact on the economic, social and

PE689.626v01-00 26/34 AM\1225812EN.docx EN sustainable development of the country and calls the Commission to limit and/or terminate further funding of ineffective projects;

Or. en

Amendment 48 Olivier Chastel, Martina Dlabajová, Alin Mituța, Pierre Karleskind, Ramona Strugariu, Katalin Cseh, Gilles Boyer

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 b (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

35 b. Calls on the Commission to encourage international institutions, in particular in the case of co-funded and multi-donor initiatives, to approximate their results management frameworks with the Union;

Or. en

Amendment 49 Olivier Chastel, Martina Dlabajová, Alin Mituța, Pierre Karleskind, Ramona Strugariu, Katalin Cseh, Gilles Boyer

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 a (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

35 a. Believes that a better focus on local SMEs, private sector and civil society organisations should be a core axis of cooperation in the management of the Union delegations’ pipelines of projects; stresses that, given the funding gap required to reach the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals, strategic dialogue with the private sector and civil society organisations must play a crucial role for the development of local economies;

AM\1225812EN.docx 27/34 PE689.626v01-00 EN Or. en

Amendment 50 Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group Younous Omarjee on behalf of the The Left Group

Motion for a resolution Subheading 5 a (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

The European Union Trust Fund for Africa

Or. en

Amendment 51 Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group Younous Omarjee on behalf of the The Left Group

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 a (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

35 a. Is concerned that as a follow-up to the EDF’s 2018 discharge report the Commission hasn’t properly implemented Parliament’s numerous recommendations related to the EUTF;

Or. en

Amendment 52 Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group Younous Omarjee on behalf of the The Left Group

Motion for a resolution

PE689.626v01-00 28/34 AM\1225812EN.docx EN Paragraph 35 b (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

35 b. Recalls Parliament’s regular stance that the Commission should ensure that any trust fund established as a new development tool must always be in line with the Union’s overall strategy and development policy objectives, i.e. the reduction and eradication of poverty, and must, in particular, ensure that the security interests of European countries do not override the needs of the recipient populations; encourages the Commission to consider limiting financial aid to EUTF projects deflecting from this centreline;

Or. en

Amendment 53 Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group Younous Omarjee on behalf of the The Left Group

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 c (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

35 c. Stresses that in order to meet the policy objectives, the EUTF must address the root causes of destabilisation, forced displacement and irregular migration by promoting resilience, economic opportunities, equal opportunities, security of populations, and human and social development; observes with great concern that to the opposite of helping to address these causes of destabilisation, the EU funds in 2019 were increasingly being spent to help close borders, stiffen migration and push for returns of migrants back to Africa;

Or. en

AM\1225812EN.docx 29/34 PE689.626v01-00 EN Amendment 54 Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group Younous Omarjee on behalf of the The Left Group

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 d (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

35 d. Recalls that EUTF funding lines must not be used for security measures jeopardising migrants’ rights; calls the Commission to put in place tangible guarantees that migration-related EUTF projects are not used by the implementing authorities to violate migrants basic human rights; in that respect is appalled to learn that 91,3million EUR were paid for a border control project in Libya, which is planned to run until end of 2021, and includes training and the equipment for the Libyan Coast Guard which recently was accused1a of sending migrants to detention centres and subject them to torture, abuse and extortion;[1] ______1a Complaint to the ECA concerning the mismanagement of EUTF funds IBM Libya Programme, Global legal action network, Association for juridical studies on immigration, Italian recreational and cultural association.

Or. en

Amendment 55 Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group Younous Omarjee on behalf of the The Left Group

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 e (new)

PE689.626v01-00 30/34 AM\1225812EN.docx EN Motion for a resolution Amendment

35 e. Reiterates its calls on the Commission to follow-up on the 2018 EDF Discharge report regarding the project “Reconnecting Eritrea and Ethiopia through rehabilitation of the main arterial roads in Eritrea”, funded by the EUTF and managed by the United Nations Office for Project Services, which finances Eritrean national construction companies using forced labour via national service; notes with great concern that EUTF paid their first tranche of EUR 20 million in 2019, followed by additional EUR 60 million 2020 despite the clear opposition by the Parliament; also notes the answer by the commissioner responsible for international partnerships from 15 September 2020 where she informed the parliament that the Commission adopted the “no more roads” approach for Eritrea and has reallocated the remaining funds to other programs; demands that the Commission presents the full report on the case to the discharge authority;

Or. en

Amendment 56 Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group Younous Omarjee on behalf of the The Left Group

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 f (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

35 f. Considers that due care is needed to ensure better communication among the Commission, Parliament and Member States concerning the implementation of the EUTF and sufficient public reporting, oversight and audit of their operations

AM\1225812EN.docx 31/34 PE689.626v01-00 EN and performance; invites the Court to consider an audit of the impact of the implementation of the EUTF for Africa on Union development policy both from a budgetary and results point of view; calls therefore on the Commission to draw conclusions from the audit and ensure that EUTF projects that have been inefficiently implemented are terminated or greatly limited in funding;

Or. en

Amendment 57 Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group Younous Omarjee on behalf of the The Left Group

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 g (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

35 g. Risks and challenges related to the EDF aid implementation

Or. en

Amendment 58 Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 h (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

35 h. Recalls that good governance, the rule of law and the respect for human rights are unavoidable preconditions concurring to the effectiveness of aid; calls upon the Commission to set the rule of law and the respect for human rights as the ultimate precondition for approving financial aid; invites the Commission to

PE689.626v01-00 32/34 AM\1225812EN.docx EN make more stringent use of the clause included into the financial agreements with partner countries that enables the Commission to suspend or to terminate the agreement in case of breach of an obligation relating to respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law e (art. 26.1 of the General conditions);

Or. en

Amendment 59 Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group Younous Omarjee on behalf of the The Left Group

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 i (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

35 i. Is concerned by the Commission rejection of Parliament recommendation to include in the next annual activity report a structured assessment of the impact of the activities of the EDF; invites the Commission to revise its position and respond positively to the Parliament specific request;

Or. en

Amendment 60 Michèle Rivasi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group Younous Omarjee on behalf of the The Left Group

Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 j (new)

Motion for a resolution Amendment

35 j. Reiterates its concerns about the

AM\1225812EN.docx 33/34 PE689.626v01-00 EN inconsistency between the budgetary process of the EDF where the EP is not involved in establishing and allocating EDF resources, and the necessary accountability process where the Parliament is the discharge authority, except for the Investment Facility, which is managed by the EIB and therefore outside the scope of the audit;

Or. en

PE689.626v01-00 34/34 AM\1225812EN.docx EN