***I DRAFT REPORT. EN United in diversity EN. European Parliament 2018/0197(COD)

Transcription

1 European Parliament Committee on Regional Development 2018/0197(COD) ***I DRAFT REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Regional Development Fund and on the Cohesion Fund (COM(2018)0372 C8-0227/ /0197(COD)) Committee on Regional Development Rapporteur: Andrea Cozzolino PR\ docx PE v01-00 United in diversity

2 PR_COD_1amCom Symbols for procedures * Consultation procedure *** Consent procedure ***I Ordinary legislative procedure (first reading) ***II Ordinary legislative procedure (second reading) ***III Ordinary legislative procedure (third reading) (The type of procedure depends on the legal basis proposed by the draft act.) s to a draft act s by Parliament set out in two columns Deletions are indicated in bold italics in the left-hand column. Replacements are indicated in bold italics in both columns. New text is indicated in bold italics in the right-hand column. The first and second lines of the header of each amendment identify the relevant part of the draft act under consideration. If an amendment pertains to an existing act that the draft act is seeking to amend, the amendment heading includes a third line identifying the existing act and a fourth line identifying the provision in that act that Parliament wishes to amend. s by Parliament in the form of a consolidated text New text is highlighted in bold italics. Deletions are indicated using either the symbol or strikeout. Replacements are indicated by highlighting the new text in bold italics and by deleting or striking out the text that has been replaced. By way of exception, purely technical changes made by the drafting departments in preparing the final text are not highlighted. PE v /39 PR\ docx

3 CONTTS Page DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION... 5 EXPLANATORY STATEMT PR\ docx 3/39 PE v01-00

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5 DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Regional Development Fund and on the Cohesion Fund (COM(2018)0372 C8-0227/ /0197(COD)) (Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading) The European Parliament, having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2018)0372), having regard to Article 294(2) and Articles 177, 178 and 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C8-0227/2018), having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of... 1, having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions of... 2, having regard to Rule 59 of its Rules of Procedure, having regard to the report of the Committee on Regional Development and also the opinions of the Committee on Budgets, the Committee on Budgetary Control, the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, the Committee on Transport and Tourism, the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, the Committee on Culture and Education, and the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (A8-0000/2018), 1. Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out; 2. Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal; 3. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments. 1 OJ C... / Not yet published in the Official Journal. 2 OJ C... / Not yet published in the Official Journal. PR\ docx 5/39 PE v01-00

6 1 Recital 3 (3) Regulation (EU) 2018/XXX of the European Parliament and of the Council [new CPR] 16 sets out common rules applicable to various funds including the European Regional Development Fund ('ERDF'), the European Social Fund Plus ('ESF+'), the Cohesion Fund, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund ('EMFF'), the Asylum and Migration Fund ('AMIF'), the Internal Security Fund ('ISF') and the Border Management and Visa Instrument ('BMVI') which operate under a common framework ('the Funds'). (3) Regulation (EU) 2018/XXX of the European Parliament and of the Council [new CPR] 16 sets out common rules applicable to various funds including the European Regional Development Fund ('ERDF'), the European Social Fund Plus ('ESF+'), the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund ('EMFF'), the Asylum and Migration Fund ('AMIF'), the Internal Security Fund ('ISF') and the Border Management and Visa Instrument ('BMVI') which operate under a common framework ('the Funds'). 16 [Full reference - new CPR]. 16 [Full reference - new CPR]. 2 Recital 10 a (new) (10a) In order to promote social inclusion and fight poverty, improvements are needed, in synergy with ESF+ support, in access to social, cultural and leisure activities through the supply of infrastructure, bearing specific requirements in mind. PE v /39 PR\ docx

7 3 Recital 10 b (new) (10b) To guarantee proper development of endogenous potential, fixed investment in equipment and infrastructure, including cultural and sustainable tourism infrastructure, in services to enterprises, support to research and innovation bodies and investment in technology and applied research in enterprises is needed; 4 Recital 12 (12) In order to improve the overall administrative capacity of institutions and governance in Member States implementing programmes under the Investment for jobs and growth goal, it is necessary to enable supporting measures under all of the specific objectives. (12) In order to improve the overall administrative capacity of public institutions and governance in Member States and regions implementing programmes under the Investment for jobs and growth goal, it is necessary to enable measures to strengthen administration that are measurable and based on meaningful objectives for citizens and enterprises. These measures may include simplification of procedures, reorganisation of offices, creation of networks, public authority cooperation and experience-sharing, which may facilitate growth and greater administrative capacities and achievement of common standards throughout the whole of the Union. PR\ docx 7/39 PE v01-00

8 5 Recital 14 (14) Reflecting the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union's commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Funds will contribute to mainstream climate actions and to the achievement of an overall target of 25 % of the EU budget expenditure supporting climate objectives. Operations under the ERDF are expected to contribute 30 % of the overall financial envelope of the ERDF to climate objectives. Operations under the Cohesion Fund are expected to contribute 37 % of the overall financial envelope of the Cohesion Fund to climate objectives. (14) Reflecting the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union's commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, as well as to ensure integrated disaster prevention support linking resilience and risk prevention, preparation and response, the Funds will contribute to mainstream climate actions and to the achievement of an overall target of 25 % of the EU budget expenditure supporting climate objectives. Operations under the ERDF are expected to contribute 30 % of the overall financial envelope of the ERDF to climate objectives. Operations under the Cohesion Fund are expected to contribute 37 % of the overall financial envelope of the Cohesion Fund to climate objectives. 6 Recital 16 (16) In order to concentrate the use of limited resources in the most efficient way, the support given to by the ERDF to productive investments under the relevant specific objective, should be limited to only micro, small and medium-sized enterprises ('SMEs') within the meaning of Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC 19, except where investments (16) In order to concentrate the use of limited resources in the most efficient way, but without undermining achievement of the programme's objectives, the support given to by the ERDF to productive investments under the relevant specific objective, should preferably be limited to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises ('SMEs') within the meaning of PE v /39 PR\ docx

9 involve cooperation with SMEs in research and innovation activities. 19 Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC of 6 May 2003 concerning the definition of micro, small and mediumsized enterprises (OJ L 124, , p. 36). Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC 19, except where investments involve cooperation with SMEs. 19 Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC of 6 May 2003 concerning the definition of micro, small and mediumsized enterprises (OJ L 124, , p. 36). 7 Recital 17 (17) The ERDF should help to redress the main regional imbalances in the Union and to reduce disparities between the levels of development of the various regions and the backwardness of the least favoured regions including those facing challenges due to the decarbonisation commitments. ERDF support under the Investment for jobs and growth goal should therefore be concentrated on key Union priorities in line with policy objectives laid down in Regulation (EU) 2018/xxx [new CPR]. Therefore support from the ERDF should be concentrated on the policy objectives of 'a smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation' and 'a greener, lowcarbon Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate adaptation and risk prevention and management'. That thematic concentration should be attained at national level while allowing for flexibility at the level of individual programmes and between the three groups of Member States formed according to respective gross national (17) The ERDF should help to redress the main regional imbalances in the Union and to reduce disparities between the levels of development of the various regions and the backwardness of the least favoured regions including those facing challenges due to the decarbonisation commitments. ERDF support under the Investment for jobs and growth goal should therefore be concentrated on key Union priorities in line with policy objectives laid down in Regulation (EU) 2018/xxx [new CPR]. Therefore support from the ERDF should be concentrated at least on 'a greener, lowcarbon Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate adaptation and risk prevention and management'. Said thematic concentration should be attained at national level, allowing margins for flexibility at the level of individual programmes and between various categories of regions, taking account too of different levels of development. In addition, the methodology to classify the regions should be set out in detail taking into account the specific PR\ docx 9/39 PE v01-00

10 income. In addition, the methodology to classify Member States should be set out in detail taking into account the specific situation of the outermost regions. situation of the outermost regions. 8 Recital 23 (23) Pursuant to paragraph 22 and 23 of the Inter-institutional agreement for Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016, there is a need to evaluate the Funds on the basis of information collected through specific monitoring requirements, while avoiding overregulation and administrative burdens, in particular on Member States. These requirements, where appropriate, can include measurable indicators, as a basis for evaluating the effects of the Funds on the ground. (23) Pursuant to paragraph 22 and 23 of the Inter-institutional agreement for Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016, there is a need to evaluate the Funds on the basis of information collected through specific monitoring requirements, while avoiding overregulation and administrative burdens. These requirements, where appropriate, can include measurable indicators, as a basis for evaluating the effects of the Funds on the ground. 9 Recital 24 (24) In order to maximise the contribution to territorial development, actions in this field should be based on integrated territorial strategies including in urban areas. Therefore, the ERDF support should be delivered through the forms set out in Article 22 of Regulation (EU) 2018/xxxx [new CPR] ensuring appropriate involvement of local, regional (24) In order to maximise the contribution to territorial development, and be more effective in addressing economic, demographic, environmental and social challenges in areas with natural or demographic disadvantages or which have difficulty accessing basic services, actions in this field should be based on programmes, axes or integrated territorial PE v /39 PR\ docx

11 and urban authorities. strategies which may in addition benefit from a multifund and integrated approach involving the ERDF, ESF+, EMFF and EAFRD. A minimum target of 5 % of ERDF resources should be earmarked at national level for the territorial development priority. Therefore, support should be delivered ensuring appropriate involvement of local, regional and urban authorities. 10 Recital 25 (25) Within the framework of sustainable urban development, it is considered necessary to support integrated territorial development in order to more effectively tackle the economic, environmental, climate, demographic and social challenges affecting urban areas, including functional urban areas, while taking into account the need to promote urban-rural linkages. The principles for selecting the urban areas where integrated actions for sustainable urban development are to be implemented, and the indicative amounts for those actions, should be set out in the programmes under the Investment for jobs and growth goal with a minimum target of 6 % of the ERDF resources allocated at national level for that purpose. It should also be established that this percentage should be respected throughout the programming period in the case of transfer between priorities within a programme or between programmes, including at the mid-term review. (25) Within the framework of sustainable urban development, it is considered necessary to support integrated territorial development in order to more effectively tackle the economic, environmental, climate, demographic and social challenges affecting urban areas, including functional urban areas, while taking into account the need to promote urban-rural linkages. The principles for selecting the urban areas where integrated actions for sustainable urban development are to be implemented, and the indicative amounts for those actions, should be set out in the programmes under the Investment for jobs and growth goal. Said actions may also benefit from a multifund and integrated approach involving the ERDF, ESF+, EMFF and the EAFRD. A minimum target of 10 % of the ERDF resources should be earmarked at national level for the sustainable urban development priority. It should also be established that this percentage should be respected throughout the programming period in the case of transfer between PR\ docx 11/39 PE v01-00

12 priorities within a programme or between programmes, including at the mid-term review. 11 Article 1 a (new) Article 1a Tasks of the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund The ERDF and the Cohesion Fund (CF) shall help finance support to strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion, eliminating the main disparities and correcting regional imbalances within the Union, and reducing the backwardness of the least favoured regions, through sustainable development and structural adjustment of regional economies. 12 Article 2 paragraph 1 point b point iv (iv) promoting climate change adaptation, risk prevention and disaster resilience; (iv) promoting climate change adaptation, risk prevention and resilience, as well as disaster management; PE v /39 PR\ docx

13 13 Article 2 paragraph 1 point b point vii (vii) enhancing biodiversity, green infrastructure in the urban environment, and reducing pollution; (vii) enhancing biodiversity, green infrastructure, promoting zero emissions urban mobility, reducing pollution, protecting and promoting natural heritage; 14 Article 2 paragraph 1 point d point iii (iii) increasing the socioeconomic integration of marginalised communities, migrants and disadvantaged groups, through integrated measures including housing and social services; (iii) increasing the socioeconomic integration of marginalised communities, migrants and disadvantaged groups, through integrated actions including housing and social services; 15 Article 2 paragraph 1 point e introductory part (e) 'a Europe closer to citizens by fostering the sustainable and integrated development of urban, rural and coastal areas and local initiatives' ('PO 5') by: (e) 'a Europe closer to citizens by fostering the sustainable and integrated development of urban, mountainous, rural and coastal areas and areas that have difficulty accessing basic services, and local initiatives' ('PO 5') by: PR\ docx 13/39 PE v01-00

14 16 Article 2 paragraph 1 point e point i (i) fostering the integrated social, economic and environmental development, cultural heritage and security in urban areas; (i) fostering integrated social, economic and environmental development, culture, natural heritage, sustainable tourism and security in urban areas; 17 Article 2 paragraph 1 point e point ii (ii) fostering the integrated social, economic and environmental local development, cultural heritage and security, including for rural and coastal areas also through community-led local development. (ii) fostering integrated social, economic and environmental development, culture, natural heritage, sustainable tourism and security, all at local level, cultural heritage and security, including for mountainous, rural and coastal areas, and areas that have difficulty accessing basic services, through territorial and local development strategies, through the forms set out in points (a) (b) and (c) of Article 22 of Regulation (EU) 2018/xxxx [new CPR]. 18 Article 2 paragraph 3 subparagraph 1 point a (a) improve the capacity of programme (a) improve the capacity of programme PE v /39 PR\ docx

15 authorities, and bodies linked to the implementation of the Funds; authorities, and bodies linked to the implementation of the Funds and strengthen institutional capacity and make public authorities and public services more efficient in their implementation of the ERDF and the CF, pursuing specific objectives and measurable targets set out in the programming, including through procedural simplification measures, office reorganisation measures, creation of networks, cooperation and sharing of experience between public authorities, as well as through an appropriate programme and in synergy with similar actions under the ESF+ or the Structural Reform Support Programme; 19 Article 3 paragraph 1 1. With regard to programmes implemented under the Investment for jobs and growth goal, the total ERDF resources in each Member State shall be concentrated at national level in accordance with paragraphs 3 and With regard to programmes implemented under the Investment for jobs and growth goal, the total ERDF resources in each Member State shall be concentrated in accordance with paragraphs 3 and Article 3 paragraph 3 subparagraph 1 introductory part Member States shall be classified, in terms of their gross national income ratio, as Regions shall be classified, in terms of their gross domestic product ratio, as PR\ docx 15/39 PE v01-00

16 follows: follows: 21 Article 3 paragraph 3 subparagraph 1 point a (a) those with a gross national income ratio equal to or above 100 % of the EU average ('group 1'); (a) more developed regions, whose per capita gross domestic product is above 100 % of the EU27 average ( group 1 ). 22 Article 3 paragraph 3 subparagraph 1 point b (b) those with a gross national income ratio equal to or above 75 % and below 100 % of the EU average ('group 2'); (b) transition regions, whose per capita gross domestic product is between 75 % and 100 % of the EU27 average ('group 2'); 23 Article 3 paragraph 3 subparagraph 1 point c (c) those with a gross national income ratio below 75 % of the EU average ('group 3'). (c) less developed regions, whose per capita gross domestic product is below 75 % of the EU27 average ('group 3'); PE v /39 PR\ docx

17 24 Article 3 paragraph 3 subparagraph 2 For the purposes of this Article, the gross national income ratio means the ratio between the gross national income per capita of a Member State, measured in purchasing power standards and calculated on the basis of Union figures for the period from 2014 to 2016, and the average gross national income per capita in purchasing power standards of the 27 Member States for that same reference period. For the purposes of this Article, the classification of a region under one of the three categories of regions shall be determined on the basis of the ratio between the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of each region, measured in purchasing power parity ('PPA') and calculated on the basis of Union figures for the period , and the average GDP of the EU27 for that same reference period. 25 Article 3 paragraph 4 point a (a) Member States of group 1 shall allocate at least 85 % of their total ERDF resources under priorities other than for technical assistance to PO 1 and PO 2, and at least 60 % to PO 1; (a) for the more developed regions category ("group 1") they shall allocate: (i) at least 60 % of total ERDF resources at national level to one of the POs listed in the first paragraph of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2018/XXXX [new ERDF]; and (ii) at least 30 % of total ERDF resources at national level to PO 2; PR\ docx 17/39 PE v01-00

18 26 Article 3 paragraph 4 point b (b) Member States of group 2 shall allocate at least 45 % of their total ERDF resources under priorities other than for technical assistance to PO 1, and at least 30 % to PO 2; (b) for the transition regions category ("group 2") they shall allocate: (i) at least 45 % of total ERDF resources at national level to one of the POs listed in the first paragraph of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2018/XXXX [new ERDF]; and (ii) at least 30 % of total ERDF resources at national level to PO 2; 27 Article 3 paragraph 4 point c (c) Member States of group 3 shall allocate at least 35 % of their total ERDF resources under priorities other than for technical assistance to PO 1, and at least 30 % to PO 2. (c) for the less developed regions category ("group 3") they shall allocate: (i) at least 35 % of total ERDF resources at national level to one of the POs listed in the first paragraph of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2018/XXXX [new ERDF]; and (ii) at least 30 % of total ERDF resources at national level to PO 2; PE v /39 PR\ docx

19 28 Article 3 paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. In duly justified cases, the Member State concerned may ask for the thematic concentration level for the regional categories to be changed by no more than 10 %. 29 Article 3 paragraph 6 6. Where the ERDF allocation with regard to PO 1 or PO 2 or both of a given programme is reduced following a decommitment under Article [99] of Regulation (EU) 2018/xxxx [new CPR], or due to financial corrections by the Commission in accordance with Article [98] of that Regulation, compliance with the thematic concentration requirement set out in paragraph 4 shall not be re-assessed. 6. Where the ERDF allocation with regard to PO 2 or both the selected POs of a given programme is reduced following a decommitment under Article [99] of Regulation (EU) 2018/xxxx [new CPR], or due to financial corrections by the Commission in accordance with Article [98] of that Regulation, compliance with the thematic concentration requirement set out in paragraph 4 shall not be re-assessed. 30 Article 4 paragraph 1 subparagraph 2 In addition, productive investments in enterprises other than SMEs can be supported when they involve cooperation In addition, productive investments in enterprises other than SMEs can be supported when they involve cooperation PR\ docx 19/39 PE v01-00

20 with SMEs in research and innovation activities supported under point (a)(i) of Article 2 (1). with SMEs. 31 Article 5 paragraph 1 subparagraph 2 Member States shall ensure an appropriate balance between investments under points (a) and (b). Member States shall ensure an appropriate balance between investments under points (a) and (b), based on the investments and specific requirements of each Member State. 32 Article 5 paragraph 2 2. The amount of the Cohesion Fund transferred to the Connecting Europe Facility 23 shall be used for T-T projects. 23 Reference deleted 33 Article 6 paragraph 1 point e PE v /39 PR\ docx

21 (e) investment in airport infrastructure except for outermost regions; (e) investment in new airport infrastructure and investment in regional airports, except for outermost regions or support linked to strategic T-T networks; 34 Article 6 paragraph 1 point f (f) investment in disposal of waste in landfill; (f) investment in disposal of waste in landfill, except for support for decommissioning, reconverting or making safe existing facilities and without prejudice to Article 4(2) of Directive (EU) 2008/98 of the European Parliament and of the Council 1a ; 1a Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste and repealing certain Directives (OJ L 312, , p. 3). 35 Article 6 paragraph 1 point g (g) investment in facilities for the treatment of residual waste; (g) investment in facilities for the treatment of residual waste connected with the operations listed in Annex I to PR\ docx 21/39 PE v01-00

22 Directive (EU) 2008/98; 36 Article 6 paragraph 1 point h (h) investment related to production, processing, distribution, storage or combustion of fossil fuels, with the exception of investment related to clean vehicles as defined in Article 4 of Directive 2009/33/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council 26 ; 26 Directive 2009/33/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of clean and energy-efficient road transport vehicles (OJ L 120, , p. 5). (h) investment related to production, processing, distribution, storage or combustion of fossil fuels, with the exception of investment: (a) related to clean vehicles as defined in Article 4 of Directive 2009/33/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council 26 ; (b) linked to improving energy efficiency in district heating systems; (c) in the transport and distribution of gas to ensure energy security; and (d) in cases where fossil fuels are only an auxiliary component; 26 Directive 2009/33/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of clean and energy-efficient road transport vehicles (OJ L 120, , p. 5). 37 Article 6 paragraph 1 point j PE v /39 PR\ docx

23 (j) funding for the purchase of rolling stock for use in rail transport, except if it is linked to the: (i) discharge of a publicly tendered public service obligation under Regulation 1370/2007 as amended; (ii) provision of rail transport services on lines fully opened to competition, and the beneficiary is a new entrant eligible for funding under Regulation (EU) 2018/xxxx [Invest EU regulation]. deleted 38 Article 8 paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. At least 5% of the ERDF resources available at national level under the Investment for jobs and growth goal, other than for technical assistance, shall be allocated to integrated territorial development in areas with natural or demographic disadvantages or which have difficulty accessing basic services. 39 Article 8 paragraph 2 2. Member States shall implement integrated territorial development, supported by the ERDF, exclusively 2. Member States shall implement integrated territorial development, through a specific axis or programme or through PR\ docx 23/39 PE v01-00

24 through the forms referred to in Article [22] of Regulation (EU) 2018/xxxx [new CPR]. the other forms referred to in Article [22] of Regulation (EU) 2018/xxxx [new CPR], and may benefit from a multifund and integrated approach involving the ERDF, ESF+, EMFF and EAFRD. 40 Article 9 paragraph 1 1. The ERDF shall support integrated territorial development based on territorial strategies in accordance with Article [23] of Regulation (EU) 2018/xxxx [new CPR] focused on urban areas ('sustainable urban development') within programmes under both goals referred to in Article 4(2) of that Regulation. 1. To address economic, environmental, climate, demographic and social challenges, the ERDF shall support integrated territorial development based on territorial strategies in accordance with Article [23] of Regulation (EU) 2018/xxxx [new CPR], which may also benefit from a multifund and integrated approach involving the ERDF and the ESF+, and focused on urban areas ('sustainable urban development') within programmes under both goals referred to in Article 4(2) of that Regulation. 41 Article 9 paragraph 2 subparagraph 1 At least 6 % of the ERDF resources at national level under the Investment for jobs and growth goal, other than for technical assistance, shall be allocated to sustainable urban development in the form of community-led local development, integrated territorial investments or At least 10% of the ERDF resources at national level under the Investment for jobs and growth goal, other than for technical assistance, shall be allocated to sustainable urban development in the form of a specific programme, a specific priority axis, community-led local development, PE v /39 PR\ docx

25 another territorial tool under PO5. integrated territorial investments or other territorial tools, as set out in point (c) of Article 22 of Regulation (EU) 2018/xxxx (new CPR). The urban authorities referred to in Article 6 of Regulation (EU) 2018/XXXX [new CPR] shall be endowed with the powers to select operations. Operations carried out under POs other than PO5 may, if consistent, contribute to reaching the 10% minimum threshold for sustainable urban development. 42 Article 13 paragraph 2 2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 7(4) shall be conferred on the Commission for an indeterminate period of time from the date of the entry into force of this Regulation. 2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 7(4) shall be conferred on the Commission from the date of the entry into force of this Regulation until 31 December Article 13 a (new) Article 13a Repeal Without prejudice to Article 12 of this Regulation, Regulations (EC) No 1301/2013 and (EC) No 1300/2013 are repealed with effect from 1 January PR\ docx 25/39 PE v01-00

26 44 Article 13 b (new) Article 13b Review The European Parliament and the Council shall review this Regulation by 31 December 2027, in accordance with Article 177 TFEU. 45 Annex I Table 1 Column 2 Outputs RCO 05 RCO 05 Start-ups supported* RCO 05 New enterprises supported* 46 Annex I Table 1 Column 2 Outputs RCO 23 (new) RCO 23 Strategies for integrated and sustainable support for urban renewal PE v /39 PR\ docx

27 47 Annex I Table 1 Column 3 Results RCR 01 RCR 01 Jobs created in supported entities* RCR 01 Employment created in supported entities* 48 Annex I Table 1 Column 3 Results RCR 26 RCR 26 Annual final energy consumption (of which: residential, private nonresidential, public non-residential) RCR 26 Annual energy savings for the entire building stock 49 Annex I Table 1 Column 3 Results RCR 27 RCR 27 Households with improved energy performance of their dwellings RCR 27 Households with improved energy performance of their dwellings reaching at least 60 % energy savings 50 Annex I Table 1 Column 3 Results RCR 28 (new) PR\ docx 27/39 PE v01-00

28 RCR 28 Buildings with improved energy performances resulting from contractual arrangements which guarantee verifiable energy savings and improved efficiency, such as energy performance contracting as defined in point (27) of Article 2 of Directive 2012/27/EU 1a 1a Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency, amending Directives 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EU and repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC (OJ L 315, , p. 1). 51 Annex I Table 1 Column 3 Results RCR 29 RCR 29 Estimated greenhouse gas emissions* RCR 29 Estimated greenhouse gas emissions due to supported investments* 52 Annex I Table 1 Column 3 Results RCR 31 RCR 31 Total renewable energy produced (of which: electricity, thermal) RCR 31 Total renewable energy produced due to supported investments PE v /39 PR\ docx

29 53 Annex I Table 1 Column 3 Results RCR 32 RCR 32 Renewable energy: Capacity connected to the grid (operational)* RCR 32 Renewable energy: Capacity connected to the grid (operational) due to supported investments* 54 Annex I Table 1 Column 3 Results RCR 96 (new) RCR 96 Population benefiting from measures for integrated mitigation of climate change and natural risks 55 Annex I Table 1 Column 2 Outputs RCO 43 RCO 43 Length of new roads supported - T-T 1 1 Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on Union guidelines for the development of the trans-european transport network and repealing Decision No 661/2010/EU (OJ L 348, , p. RCO 43 Total length of new roads supported - T-T 1 1 Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on Union guidelines for the development of the trans-european transport network and repealing Decision No 661/2010/EU (OJ L 348, , p. PR\ docx 29/39 PE v01-00

30 1). 1). 56 Annex I Table 1 Column 2 Outputs RCO 44 RCO 44 Length of new roads supported - other RCO 44 Total length of new roads supported - other 57 Annex I Table 1 Column 2 Outputs RCO 45 RCO 45 Length of roads reconstructed or upgraded - T-T RCO 45 Total length of roads reconstructed or upgraded - T-T 58 Annex I Table 1 Column 2 Outputs RCO 46 RCO 46 Length of roads reconstructed or upgraded - other RCO 46 Total length of roads reconstructed or upgraded - other PE v /39 PR\ docx

31 59 Annex I Table 1 Column 3 Results RCR 57 RCR 57 Length of European Rail Traffic Management System equipped railways in operation RCR 57 Total length of supported railways equipped with European Rail Traffic Management System in operation 60 Annex I Table 1 Column 3 Results RCR 63 RCR 63 Annual users of new/ upgraded tram and metro lines RCR 63 Annual users of new/ upgraded tram lines 61 Annex I Table 1 Column 3 Results RCR 63 (new) RCR 63 Annual users of new/ upgraded metro lines 62 Annex I Table 1 Column 2 Outputs RCO 55 PR\ docx 31/39 PE v01-00

32 RCO 55 Length of tram and metro linesnew RCO 55 Total length of tram lines- new 63 Annex I Table 1 Column 2 Outputs RCO 55 (new) RCO 55 Total length of metro lines- new 64 Annex I Table 1 Column 2 Outputs RCO 56 RCO 56 Length of tram and metro linesreconstructed/ upgraded RCO 56 Total length of tram linesreconstructed/ upgraded 65 Annex I Table 1 Column 2 Outputs RCO 56 (new) RCO 56 Total length of metro linesreconstructed/upgraded PE v /39 PR\ docx

33 66 Annex I Table 1 Column 3 Results RCR 66 RCO 66 Occupancy of temporary reception infrastructure built or renovated deleted 67 Annex I Table 1 Column 3 Results RCR 67 RCR 67 Occupancy of rehabilitated housing migrants, refugees and persons under or applying for international protection RCR 67 Occupancy of rehabilitated housing migrants 68 Annex I Table 1 Column 3 Results RCR 77 RCR 77 Tourists/ visits to supported sites* deleted 69 Annex I Table 1 Column 3 Results RCR 78 PR\ docx 33/39 PE v01-00

34 RCR 78 Users benefiting from cultural infrastructure supported * RCR 78 Users benefiting from cultural and tourism infrastructure/services supported * 70 Annex I Table 1 Column 2 Outputs RCO 80 RCO 80 Community-led local development strategies for local development RCO 80 Population covered by community-led local development strategies for local development 71 Annex I Table 1 Column 3 Results RCR 93 RCR 93 Average time for project implementation (from signature of contract to last payment)* deleted 72 Annex II Column 4 Results CCR 11 CCR 11 Population benefiting from measures for air quality deleted PE v /39 PR\ docx

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36 EXPLANATORY STATEMT A. Introduction The European Union finds its origin in the concept of peaceful cooperation between different peoples and nations in order to promote economic, social and territorial cohesion and solidarity between the different regions. These goals have to be pursued through cohesion policy, the main policy for EU investment in growth and employment in order to reduce regional disparities and help close the gap between the EU s citizens and regions and the European project. The economic crises created distortions that have made these tasks more difficult in that inequalities between regions have increased, despite inequalities between Member States decreasing during the same period. This is why neither EU nor national budget obligations, nor the repercussions of Brexit, must be allowed to weaken cohesion policy in any way or distort its aims. The new cohesion policy has to draw on lessons from past experience in order to better meet today s challenges. It must have a budget that is adequate. Old and new challenges, such as climate change, the social repercussions of the economic crisis and demographic changes, mean that cohesion policy now has more tasks and more investment objectives in all the EU regions. Excessive centralisation must be avoided as this would jeopardise its territorial dimension. B. Rapporteur s overall objectives After the not entirely positive experiences of the current programming period, it will be important to ensure that cohesion policy gets off to a prompt start after 2020, so specific initiatives can be started in time in all the Member States and regions. The rapporteur welcomes the Commission s work on simplification, but would however like to point out that simplification should not be applied to the principles or the goals, but to cutting bureaucracy and the costs weighing down on regions and citizens. The rapporteur regrets, and has therefore sought to rectify, the fact that the oft cited synergies between the ESI funds are being lost, particularly in regard to the new social fund (ESF+). The rapporteur s aim is to strengthen these synergies to ensure that approaches taken to the main challenges in the field continue to be integrated and complementary, particularly with regard to the territorial approach and the approach for a more social Europe. The rapporteur recognises too that cohesion policy and macroeconomic policies are interdependent. However this link must not be to the detriment of the territorial dimension; on the contrary, it should create a new and constructive approach, based on in-depth restructuring of the aims of the country-specific recommendations and, more generally, of the European Semester itself. This is the only way in which this relationship would cease to be a case of one policy (cohesion policy) at the service of another (macroeconomic policy), and become complementary instead, bringing advantages for both policies and, especially, for citizens. A form of economic governance, therefore, that optimises the understanding of regional PE v /39 PR\ docx

37 diversity in the requirements and challenges of economic, social and institutional development, and which enables support policies to be restructured. At the same time, macroeconomic conditionality is not useful in any form. More generally and concerning the future of cohesion policy, the rapporteur considers that the levels of co-financing take on an essential role in the architecture of the funds. Increasing cofinancing from the Commission s point of view makes Member States aware of their responsibility, but it also guarantees that more resources are available and that reducing EU resources has less impact. Even if all this is true, and fair, placing these Member States in a position where they are able to use these resources without creating conflicts with other EU provisions is a duty. This is very controversial but it is a trap that must be avoided, including by promoting original and courageous solutions. C. Rapporteur s main amendments The rapporteur believes Article 174 TFEU needs to be quoted to highlight the territorial and regional dimension of actions under EU cohesion policy. Article 2 of the Proposal sets out the specific objectives for the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund, dividing them into five macro-areas: a Europe that is smarter, greener, more connected, more social and closer to citizens. These are in turn broken down into 21 support sectors that are much vaguer and far less detailed that those in the current programming period. The five new areas draw the previous 11 investment priorities together and simplify them. The Commission s proposal for the programming period is not as firmly defined, leaving margins for discretion in the choice of measures to be taken at Member State level. Although the list was reasonably inclusive it was still necessary to intervene, in particular to make measures on natural heritage, zero-emissions urban mobility and sustainable tourism more possible. Article 3 of the Proposal considers the concentration criteria for the thematic objectives, shifting their classification from a regional level tied in to per capita GDP to a national level tied in to gross national income. This approach, in the rapporteur s opinion, opens up a political debate on the real consequences of a possible centralisation and on the effects this could have for EU regions. The rapporteur is particularly concerned by the effects a fairly inflexible thematic concentration at national level could have on the territorial re-allocation of support, especially for bigger countries and those with federal administrative structures (which, inter alia, also figure among the countries that benefit most from the funds), as well as for more complex, fragmented national economies with higher rates of territorial inequality. The rapporteur feels that fund management should consider the territorial, economic and social specificities of the beneficiaries of cohesion policy first of all, starting with the regions. He is of the opinion that Article 3 contains a great deal of room for manoeuvre in regard to assessment and support, with the specific objective of turning cohesion policy into an instrument that is genuinely there for Member States and local authorities to use in tackling the challenges being thrown up by current changes. The rapporteur considers, therefore, that thematic concentrative must be re-established at the level of categories of regions and not, as proposed by the Commission, at Member State level, because the latter would produce excessive centralisation without, on the other hand, guaranteeing the hoped-for flexibility. Furthermore, the rapporteur agrees with the minimum PR\ docx 37/39 PE v01-00

38 reserve to be concentrated on PO 2 (a greener Europe), but considers that this should also be extended to the more developed regions group. As for the second objective on which support is to be concentrated, the rapporteur considers it would be better to leave Member States free to choose in order to ensure greater adaptability to the requirements and needs of the territories concerned. Finally, to ensure a real margin with sufficient flexibility, the rapporteur has seen fit to introduce a cross-cutting criterion enabling Member States, where this is sufficiently backed up by data in the requirements analysis, to request additional flexibility regarding the percentage (up to +/- 10 %) at regional category level, once again with a view to better meeting the requirements of citizens and the economy. Articles 4 and 5 establish the scope of support from the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund, which includes: investments in infrastructure, investments in access to services, productive investments in SMEs, investments related to sustainable development and energy presenting environmental benefits, and technical assistance. Technical assistance is defined in Article 31 of the Proposal for a CPR regulation (on the percentage of the funds reimbursed for technical assistance) and in Article 32 thereof (possibility for Member States to undertake additional technical assistance actions to reinforce the capacity of Member State authorities and beneficiaries for the effective administration and use of the Funds). The rapporteur considers that while Article 31 changes the way traditional technical assistance for programmes is understood to reimbursement on a percentage basis as the programmes progress, Article 32 opens an important window on the close links between Structural Fund programming and the development, improvement and optimisation of local public authorities. The rapporteur therefore considers it vital to insert a clear reference into Articles 4 and 5 stressing the importance of these funds being used to strengthen public authorities. It is necessary to move beyond a system which, faced with a huge expense for external technical assistance, only ensures structural weaknesses in public authorities are addressed but does not, at the same time, provide for measures that can make sure said weaknesses no longer occur. The rapporteur has, therefore, reintroduced strengthening public authorities capacities as a cross-cutting objective, particularly in relation to how accessible services are for citizens and the efficiency of the answers provided. The rapporteur felt that the Commission s proposal in this regard did not go far enough and was even lacking at some points, and has included this so that actions started during the programming period are not interrupted. Article 6 of the Proposal, concerning sectors excluded from ERDF support, needs greater thought. The list is much longer than previously, a fact justified by saying this is intended to reduce areas of uncertainty. Nevertheless some doubts remain, particularly in the field of investments in landfill waste disposal, where support for decommissioning, reconversion and making safe facilities no longer in use needs to be preserved. At the same time, a precise definition of residual waste is needed, in order to define better the scope of exclusion from financing and to avoid, in particular, contradicting the Waste and Energy Directives. The exclusion of airport infrastructure and rolling stock purchases is equally controversial. Articles 8 and 9 are particularly relevant to the question of the relationship between cohesion policy and the regions. In the first place, the rapporteur has chosen to stress that Article 8 is intended to benefit non-urban areas, believing that, as for urban areas, provision needs to be made for a minimum reserve to be allocated to support and develop those areas which, in part because of the crisis, are facing problems of impoverishment (material and immaterial, in goods and services) and falling population numbers. The figures show that targeted ad hoc PE v /39 PR\ docx

39 measures are urgently needed to help stop the current downwards spiral. Sustainable urban development (Article 9) is equally important and even with the success achieved in the current programming period, resources for this form of local development need to be increased and the category of instruments that can be used expanded. In particular, both for Article 8 and for Article 9, reintroduction of the possibility of integrated support cofinanced through the ERDF/Cohesion Fund and the ESF+ is considered essential. The aim of these and other amendments by the rapporteur is to ensure both now and for the future that cohesion policy continues to reduce inequalities and contribute to a Europe that is more social, more attentive and closer to its own regions, citizens, enterprises and young people. PR\ docx 39/39 PE v01-00