Members of the Temporary Committee on Policy Challenges and Budgetary Means of the
Enlarged Union 2007-2013
European Parliament
Brussels, 6 April 2005
Dear Members of the European Parliament,
I am writing on behalf of the EU Civil Society Contact Group, which brings together six of
the largest European NGO platforms: Social Platform, Concord (European NGO
confederation for relief and development), The Human Rights and Democracy Network,
Green 9 (environmental organisations), European Women’s Lobby, EFAH (European Forum
for the Arts and Heritage).
The European Parliament’s Resolution on Policy Challenges and Budgetary Means of the
Enlarged Union will determine the Parliament’s negotiating position in the discussions on
the Financial Perspectives 2007-2013. It is therefore a unique opportunity to feed the
debate on EU’s finances with a true vision for the Future of Europe rather than a
mere political deal.
For more than four years, Members of the Civil Society Contact Group have campaigned
together to promote their common values and the principle of participatory democracy
throughout the debate on the Future of Europe. Now that the Constitutional Treaty has
been signed and these values and principles fully endorsed by EU institutions, the debate
over the financial perspectives will be crucial to go beyond rhetoric and determine the
concrete response EU leaders are ready to give to citizens’ expectations during the
years 2007 to 2013. This is all the more important as the future Financial Perspectives are
likely to coincide with the entry into force of the new Constitutional Treaty and
should pave the way to its full implementation.
In some important areas, the Parliament’s Draft Resolution on Policy Challenges and
Budgetary Means of the Enlarged Union is a positive step forward: the Civil Society Contact
Group particularly welcomes the Draft Resolution’s commitment to make sufficient
resources available for the EU to live up to its new ambitions, as well as its call for
increased accountability and democracy in the financial decision-making process.
It is highly regrettable however that these views were not reflected in the Rapporteur’s
proposals regarding payment and commitment appropriations, which are below
the Commission’s original proposals.
Besides, members of the Civil Society Contact Group were disappointed to note that the
some of the Committees’ opinions regarding specific policy challenges were not
Civil Society Contact Group c/o Social Platform
18 Square de Meeûs - B-1050 Brussels- Belgium - T+32 2 511 17 11 - F+32 2 502 16 21
[email protected] - www.act4europe.org
sufficiently taken into account in the draft report, particularly with regard to
participatory democracy, the European Social Agenda and development issues.
Whereas the recent European Council meeting of 22/23 March re-affirmed the importance
of the three-pillar structure on which the Lisbon strategy is based, the financial perspective
should hold out the prospect of a stronger impetus to Community activities in support of
social policy objectives: this dimension is crucially lacking in the Parliaments’ draft report
so far.
In addition to this, we very much hope that you will be able to consider and support the
following amendments, which were proposed by the Civil Society Contact Group and its
members:
General Context
Amendment 1:
5 (new). Notes that the Constitutional Treaty defined strong values and
objectives for the European Union, such as respect for human dignity, freedom,
democracy, the promotion of peace, rule of law and respect for human rights,
equality (in particular between women and men), sustainable economic, social
and environmental development domestically and the promotion of this kind of
development in the rest of the world; is convinced that these values and
objectives, wholeheartedly supported by Heads of Member States, the European
Commission and the European Parliament, should be clearly reflected in the new
Financial Perspective in terms of overall level and prioritisation of expenses; is
determined to reject any commitment that would jeopardize the respect of these
objectives and values.
JUSTIFICATION: The Constitutional Treaty was signed in October 2004 and the new values
and principles it entails, fully endorsed by EU institutions. The debate over the financial
perspective will be crucial to determine the concrete response EU leaders are ready to give
to citizens’ expectations during the years 2007 to 2013 and should therefore clearly reflect
the EU’s commitment to implement policies that are in line with these principles and
values. This is all the more important as the future Financial Perspectives are likely to
coincide with the entry into force of the new Constitutional Treaty and should pave the way
to its full implementation.
Part I Policy challenges
Amendment 2:
A more competitive and cohesive Europe
Cohesion
11. Considers that European regional policy is an indispensable tool for promoting social
and economic cohesion, permitting the Union to undertake actions to reduce regional
disparities and stimulate the sustainable development of the regions, their growth,
competitiveness and employment as well as improving the environment, health and
the quality of life; is convinced that joint action at European level is cost-effective since
it allows for economies of scale, the rationalisation of procedures, and the pooling of
resources, particularly in the context of cross-border co-operation; considers that the
existence of a strong, well financed European regional policy is a condition sine qua non of
the Union’s ability to deal with successive enlargements and reduce regional disparities;
considers, therefore, the amount of 0.41% of the Union's gross national income and the
4% of National GNI of the new Member States as adequate, provided the Member States
can ensure the corresponding co-financing is made available; is determined to control the
Civil Society Contact Group c/o Social Platform
18 Square de Meeûs - B-1050 Brussels- Belgium - T+32 2 511 17 11 - F+32 2 502 16 21
[email protected] - www.act4europe.org
strict application by the Commission of the N+2 rule;
JUSTIFICATION: In the EU, “sustainable development” must aim at reconciling economic
development, social cohesion, North/South equity as well as protection and improvement
of the environment. It is important to be explicit about this in particular when referring to
the EU’s spending.
Amendment 3:
Trans-European Networks
13. Welcomes the Commission proposal on TEN-T priority projects; notes however that the
resources allocated for 30 transport priority projects must be thoroughly assessed
from an economic, social and environmental point-of-view in order to ensure that
European funds are spent in an efficient and effective way to make Europe’s
economy dynamic and sustainable; considers the budget for the Marco Polo
programme constitutes a minimum amount which must be considered subject to upward
revision; underlines the strategic importance of transport networks for the EU in its
relations with candidate and pre-candidate countries and in the further consolidation of the
EU’s single market; notes that the interconnection of transport networks underpins the
development of trade and investment and thereby promotes sustainability and stability
and also social, economic and geographical cohesion; calls for adequate funding for the
development of transport interconnections and common infrastructure shared by the
countries; insists that this funding should be conditional on guarantees by the Member
States of adequate counterpart funding and on a comprehensive, independent
assessment of the economic, social and environmental impacts of transport
projects and respect for the EU’s environmental protection objectives; rejects
financing instruments such as loan guarantees for private participation which
have in the past funded non-viable projects”
JUSTIFICATION: TEN-T priority projects will not “promote sustainability and stability and
also social, economic and geographical cohesion” unless they contribute to the EU’s overall
cohesion and environmental protection objectives.
A better quality of life
Amendment 4:
Rural development
17. 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 competitiveness and environmental degradation 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 having regard to the
substantial amounts needed for the adequate implementation of Natura 2000 and to
address the well documented decline of farmland biodiversity across the entire
EU through agri-environment programmes, and therefore considers that 0.05% of EU
GNI constitutes an absolute minimum;
JUSTIFICATION: Self-explanatory
Civil Society Contact Group c/o Social Platform
18 Square de Meeûs - B-1050 Brussels- Belgium - T+32 2 511 17 11 - F+32 2 502 16 21
[email protected] - www.act4europe.org
Amendment 5:
Environment
18a (new) Notes that the environment is a full component of EU External Actions
as well as Internal Actions; underlines that the EU has the responsibility to
address global environmental challenges through external thematic programmes,
defined with developing partners countries, over and above complementary
country-specific co-operation; calls for the for the ring-fencing of EUR 1.75 billion
under Heading 4 of the Financial Perspective 2007-2013 (EUR 250 million for EU25 per year) to guarantee the proper implementation of EU international
environmental
commitments,
and
strengthen
EU
partner
countries’
environmental governance;
JUSTIFICATION: Proposals do not reflect the international environmental commitments
undertaken by the EU. Environment mainstreaming into bilateral aid programming is not
properly addressed by the EC as a priority issue. Specific financial tools to address global
environmental considerations are either due to disappear (Life Third Countries) or have
uncertain future (Environment and Forest Regulations, Asia and Latin America Regulation).
Furthermore, the role of the Parliament in creating budget lines is unclear. An earmarked
allocation of EUR 250 million per year would ensure the proper implementation of existing
environmental commitments in EU co-operation activities
A Europe closer to the citizen
Amendment 6:
New heading (above new paragraph 21):
Developing participatory democracy
21(new) Calls for increased coherence between the financial perspectives and
the new provisions of the Constitutional Treaty with regard to participatory
democracy, in particular the development of civil dialogue and the
implementation of citizens’ initiative.
JUSTIFICATION: Article I-47 of the Constitutional Treaty acknowledges the principle of
participatory democracy, which is deeply linked with the development of an active form of
European citizenship.
This acknowledgement, as well as the definition of citizens'
initiative, make participatory democracy a key priority of the EU agenda in the coming
years and should be clearly reflected in the proposed financial framework, which does not
entail any proposal on how to set up a new democratic infrastructure.
A stronger Europe in a safer world
Amendment 7:
22. Insists on a level of funding for External Actions sufficient to enable the EU to become
a real "global partner" in the world and to provide it with the means for its political
ambitions and international commitments, towards advancing peace, human
dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, universality and
indivisibility of human rights, highlights particularly the need to increase funding
available for EU’s relations with developing countries in view of respecting the
European commitment to help these countries in reaching the Millennium
Development Goals by 2015, as well as the funding available for the promotion of
democracy and human rights in the world, stresses its unwillingness to perpetuate a
situation of constant pressure under Heading 4 as occurred under the current Financial
Perspectives and points particularly to the need for a high level of flexibility and sufficient
Civil Society Contact Group c/o Social Platform
18 Square de Meeûs - B-1050 Brussels- Belgium - T+32 2 511 17 11 - F+32 2 502 16 21
[email protected] - www.act4europe.org
margin to allow for unforeseen events; points out the need to provide sufficient funding to
ensure the implementation of the approach indicated by the Constitutional Treaty in this
area and the requirement to respect the spirit of this Treaty in defining the
structure of EU’s various external instruments;
JUSTIFICATION: In addition to the ambition that the European Union has in the world, it
has also taken a series of commitments. Particular attention should be paid to the
Millennium Development Goals to which the EU and its member states have signed up to in
2000 since these goals will not be achieved by 2015 if the EU, as first world provider of
development aid, is not putting a strong emphasis on its contribution to their achievement
in its next Financial Perspectives. The values of the European Union, including democracy,
human rights and the rule of law, must form a central part of its external actions and in
particular its relations with developing countries. This is not only consistent with the new
Constitution but a necessary part of strengthening the Union’s role in the world as a global
player respecting international commitments, which would also support its political
ambitions. The Constitutional Treaty should be respected in the new financial structure
governing EU aid spending. This should materialise by defining separate instruments for
EU’s relations with developing countries and industrialised countries.
Amendment 8:
22a (new) Stresses that peace, sustainable development, the promotion of
gender equality and the advancement of human rights are core EU values in EU
External Actions and vital conditions for poverty reduction; recalls that
developing countries are facing high environmental, human rights and gender
equality challenges, as well as violent conflicts, that undermine their population’s
right to economic, social and environmental development; underlines that the
integration of these considerations into EU External Actions is a pre-requisite to
ensure long-lasting sustainable development for EU partner countries;
JUSTIFICATION: cross-cutting issues such as environment, the promotion of gender
equality and human rights should be mainstreamed all across external relations in order to
promote sustainable development.
Amendment 9:
39. Trans-European Networks (new alinea in para 39)
Questions the justification of the quadrupling of the budget of the TransEuropean transport Networks, the largest increase of any budget line in the
Financial Perspectives. ; takes note of the Commission’s ‘Extended impact
assessment of the proposal amending the amended proposal for a decision
amending Decision No 1692/96/EC on the trans-European transport network
{COM(2003)564 final}’; observes that this EIA (p50) indicates that travel time
benefits of all priority projects together are only 4 % of their costs; concludes
that this is compelling evidence that the 30 priority projects as currently
identified offer too little value for money; recommends that the individual priority
projects should be carefully scrutinized and prioritised on the basis of their
economic, environmental and social impacts;
JUSTIFICATION: priority projects under the trans-European transport networks must be
rigorously assessed in order to ensure that the best possible value for taxpayers’ money
and full compatibility with the EU’s economic, social and environmental objectives.
Civil Society Contact Group c/o Social Platform
18 Square de Meeûs - B-1050 Brussels- Belgium - T+32 2 511 17 11 - F+32 2 502 16 21
[email protected] - www.act4europe.org
Amendment 10:
39.
- Heading 4: The EU as a global partner (and CFSP):
Is of the opinion that the ambitions and commitments of the enlarged Union over the
next period, in particular to consolidate and support democracy, human rights and
the principles of international law, the need to finance its contribution to the
attainment of the Millennium Development Goals in developing countries, the
management of crises, the contribution to the promotion of long term peace
building, and the reshaping of foreign policy contained in the Draft Constitution allow for
an increase of EUR xx billion; underlines that the increase of CFSP would only be made
available after an agreement with Council on the role of Parliament's participation in
decision-making.
JUSTIFICATION: The EU is firmly committed to the Millennium Development Goals –in May
2004 the GAERC adopted strong conclusions to that effect, and the Parliament’s report on
the Millennium Development Goals, currently being considered, clearly reinforces the need
for EU leadership to achieve the Goals, and calls for an increase in overall EU funding for
Overseas Development Assistance. The Millennium Development Goals, whose principal
aim is to eradicate poverty, will not be achieved by 2015 if the EU, as first world provider
of development aid, is not putting a strong emphasis on its contribution to their
achievement in its next Financial Perspectives. The EU can only be a credible contributor to
the MDGs if it makes available sufficient resources to help developing countries in
achieving these goals. On top of the Union’s values and objectives, article III-292 of the
draft Constitution defines the framework and principles of EU action on the international
scene. The FP should reflect this commitment by allocating sufficient funds to its foreign
policy and in particular to the promotion of democracy and human rights
Part IV Evaluation of the Commission proposals
Amendment 11:
Environment
49. Is of the opinion that the EU's environmental policy has proven to be an essential
instrument in contributing to mitigating the effects of climate change, halting the decline in
natural habitats and bio-diversity, protecting water resources, improving the
environment, health and the quality of life, promoting the sustainable use and
management of natural resources and waste and developing strategic approaches to policy
development, implementation and information/awareness raising; warns that this will
not continue to be so unless adequate financial resources are identified and
guaranteed from EU funding lines supporting the implementation of legally
binding environmental policies and measures (such as the Water Framework
Directive) and environmental considerations are fully integrated into all EU
policies in line with Article 6 of the Treaty;
JUSTIFICATION:
(i) EU environmental objectives go beyond Natura 2000, including implementation of
landmark Water Framework Directive legislation, for which funding must be identified and
made available for co-financing from all relevant budget lines in the Financial Perspective
2007-2013.
(ii) There are currently no guarantees that there will be support from the funding lines in
the Financial Perspective 2007-2013 for all EU legally binding environmental policies and
measures. This must be addressed.
Civil Society Contact Group c/o Social Platform
18 Square de Meeûs - B-1050 Brussels- Belgium - T+32 2 511 17 11 - F+32 2 502 16 21
[email protected] - www.act4europe.org
Fostering European Culture and Diversity
Amendment 12:
54. Welcomes the integration of several activities with extremely small financial
frameworks into the new Culture 2007 Programme and emphasises that funding in this
area has to be raise to adequate levels.
JUSTIFICATION: The funding for the EU’s current cultural actions is inadequate. The
envisaged incorporation of the currently separate actions into the cultural framework
programme needs to coincide with a significant real increase of its funding in order to meet
the treaty commitments of the EU in the field of culture.
External policies
Amendment 13:
55. Welcomes in principle the simplification of financing instruments under Heading 4 but
questions whether the number and breakdown proposed by the Commission is appropriate
with respect to transparency, visibility and democratic scrutiny in the use of funds evident
in the current proposals; or whether the proportions of financial allocations are justified;
stresses that sustainable development, peacebuilding and conflict prevention, the
promotion of gender equality and the advancement of human rights are core EU
values in EU External Actions and vital conditions for poverty reduction; recalls
that developing countries are facing high environmental, human rights and
gender equality challenges that undermine their population’s right to economic,
social and environmental development; underlines that the integration of these
considerations into EU External Actions is a pre-requisite to ensure long-lasting
sustainable development for EU partner countries; calls for the establishment of
horizontal cross-instruments programmes in view of implementing
well
resourced, effective and coherent strategies for mainstreaming these crosscutting issues across all external relations instruments.
JUSTIFICATION: cross-cutting issues require appropriate programmes to be mainstreamed
all across external relations instruments.
Amendment 14:
55. indent 2
-
the proposal on Development Co-operation and Economic Co-operation should be
withdrawn and replaced with separate proposals for developing and industrialised
countries with a clear increase in EU contribution to Official Development
Assistance;
JUSTIFICATION: The EU is firmly committed to the Millennium Development Goals – and
in May 2004 the GAERC adopted strong conclusions to that effect. The Millennium
Development Goals have the principal aim of eradicating poverty. The EU can only be a
credible contributor to the MDGs if it makes available sufficient resources to help
developing countries in achieving these goals. The Parliament’s report on the Development
Co-operation and Economic Co-operation regulation, currently being considered, underlines
the necessity for a precise figure for the EU’s contribution to ODA. Anything other than a
solid increase would send the wrong signal to the world about the EU’s ambitions,
particularly at a time when Kofi Annan and many other leaders are calling on the world’s
richest countries to fulfil their pledge to reach the figure of 0,7% of GNI for development
Civil Society Contact Group c/o Social Platform
18 Square de Meeûs - B-1050 Brussels- Belgium - T+32 2 511 17 11 - F+32 2 502 16 21
[email protected] - www.act4europe.org
aid, and when 91% of European citizens believe it is important to help people in poor
countries to develop (Eurobarometer, February 2005).
Amendment 15:
55. indent 2a (new indent)
-
the legal bases of the new financing instruments should define clearly the
role of the Parliament in setting the objectives of external programmes
that will rise from the instruments;
JUSTIFICATION: The proposed regulations marginalise the powers of the Parliament.
Decisions on sectors to be supported would be made without need to refer to Parliament.
Yours sincerely,
John Hontelez
Chair of the EU Civil Society Contact Group
Secretary General of the European Environmental Bureau
Civil Society Contact Group c/o Social Platform
18 Square de Meeûs - B-1050 Brussels- Belgium - T+32 2 511 17 11 - F+32 2 502 16 21
[email protected] - www.act4europe.org