Sanatarkat istuntoselostukset

Maanantai 22. lokakuuta 2012 - Strasbourg

1. Istuntokauden uudelleen avaaminen

VORSITZ: MARTIN SCHULZ
Präsident

(Die Sitzung wird um 17.00 Uhr eröffnet.)

  Der Präsident. − Ich erkläre die am Donnerstag, dem 13. September 2012, unterbrochene Sitzungsperiode für wieder aufgenommen.

2. Edellisen istunnon pöytäkirjan hyväksyminen: ks. pöytäkirja

3. Parlamentin kokoonpano: ks. pöytäkirja

4. Valtakirjojen tarkastus: ks. pöytäkirja

5. Parlamentaarisen koskemattomuuden puolustamista koskeva pyyntö : ks. pöytäkirja

6. Valiokuntien ja valtuuskuntien kokoonpano: ks. pöytäkirja

7. Työjärjestyksen tulkinta: ks. pöytäkirja

8. Poliittisten ryhmien kokoonpano: ks. pöytäkirja

9. Parlamentin kantojen ja päätöslauselmien johdosta toteutetut toimet: ks. pöytäkirja

10. Neuvoston toimittamat sopimustekstit: ks. pöytäkirja

11. Suullisesti vastattavat kysymykset ja kirjalliset kannanotot (vastaanotetut asiakirjat): ks. pöytäkirja

12. Rauenneet kirjalliset kannanotot: ks. pöytäkirja

13. Vetoomukset: ks. pöytäkirja

14. Määrärahojen siirrot: ks. pöytäkirja

15. Vastaanotetut asiakirjat: ks. pöytäkirja

16. Käsittelyjärjestys: ks. pöytäkirja

17. Puhemiehen julkilausuma

  Der Präsident. − Meine Damen und Herren, bevor wir in die Beratungen eintreten, bitte ich Sie einen Moment um Aufmerksamkeit. Ich möchte Sie auf den tragischen Fall von Malala Yousafzai aufmerksam machen. Das 14-jährige pakistanische Mädchen wurde im Schulbus sitzend von einem Taliban in den Kopf geschossen. Ihr Verbrechen: die Befürwortung der Schulbildung von Mädchen. Erlauben Sie mir, im Namen des gesamten Hauses meine tiefe Bestürzung zum Ausdruck zu bringen und diesen feigen Akt aufs Schärfste zu verurteilen.

(Beifall)

Wir fordern die pakistanischen Behörden auf, die Täter zur Rechenschaft zu ziehen und allen Kindern, ganz besonders jungen Mädchen, den sicheren Zugang zur Schulbildung zu ermöglichen. Dieses junge Mädchen, Malala, steht symbolisch für mehr als 250 Millionen junger Mädchen weltweit, die in Armut leben und weder Zugang noch Aussicht auf elementare Grundrechte – wie zum Beispiel die Bildung – haben.

Wir haben vor weniger als zwei Wochen, nämlich am 11. Oktober, den ersten Internationalen Tag der Mädchen gefeiert, der ein Bewusstsein dafür schaffen soll, wie häufig die Menschenrechte von Mädchen weltweit verletzt werden. Es ist unsere moralische Verantwortung, diese Mädchen zu beschützen und ihnen eine bessere Zukunft zu schenken.

Im Fall Malala fühle ich mich auch als Vater einer Tochter persönlich betroffen. Wie kann es sein, dass es Menschen gibt, die ein 14-jähriges Mädchen erschießen wollen, das nichts anderes tut, als selbst zur Schule gehen zu mögen und dafür zu streiten, dass andere Mädchen in diesem Land das Gleiche tun können, also ein selbstverständliches Recht in Anspruch nehmen können – nämlich zur Schule gehen zu dürfen?

Ich wünsche diesem mutigen Kind, dieser 14-jährigen Streiterin für die Rechte der Mädchen, eine vollständige Genesung und hoffe, dass ihr Einsatz eine neue Generation von jungen Frauen auf der ganzen Welt inspirieren wird, mit dem gleichen Mut für ihre Rechte zu kämpfen.

(Beifall)

18. Istuntokalenteri

  Der Präsident. − Meine Damen und Herren, wie Sie wissen, hat die Konferenz der Fraktionsvorsitzenden beschlossen, die Brüsseler Plenartagung im November abzusagen. Ich will kurz die Gelegenheit nutzen, um Sie über den Sachverhalt und den Sachstand zu unterrichten. Wie Sie alle wissen, ist die Decke des Plenarsaals in Brüssel instabil geworden. Wir haben bei Inspektionen, die regelmäßig durchgeführt werden, festgestellt, dass drei von 21 Deckenbalken Risse hatten. Am 31. August bin ich darüber informiert worden, dass es eine Gefahr geben könnte. Ich habe daraufhin den Plenarsaal sofort schließen lassen. Ich will hinzufügen, nach dem ersten Gutachten, das uns vorgelegt wurde, war der am stärksten gefährdete Platz im Plenarsaal der Platz des Präsidenten. Sie können sich also ausrechnen, dass ich unverzüglich zur Tat geschritten bin. Die weiteren Ermittlungen haben ergeben, dass es sich doch um einen schwerwiegenderen Bauschaden handelt, der übrigens nicht auf unzulässige Materialverwendung oder auf Pfusch am Bau zurückzuführen ist, sondern dass es sich offensichtlich um einen Materialverschleiß handelt, der in dieser Form nicht absehbar war.

Ich habe den Generalsekretär gebeten, alle möglichen Register zu ziehen und alle Experten, die nur verfügbar sind, hinzuzuziehen. Die belgische Regierung – ich habe Herrn Ministerpräsiden Di Rupo unterrichtet – hat dem Parlament Spezialisten der belgischen Régie des Bâtiments zur Verfügung gestellt, die uns bei allen Entscheidungen begleiten.

Wir gehen davon aus, meine Damen und Herren, dass es sich bei den Reparaturarbeiten um einen längerfristigen Prozess handelt. Ich will eines hinzufügen: Wir mussten die Decke von innen abstützen. Die Stützmaßnahmen selbst sind aber so stark, dass die Gerüste, die dort aufgebaut worden sind, um die Decke abzustützen, auch den Boden belasten – und zwar so stark, dass wir die darunterliegenden Räume ebenfalls abstützen müssen und nicht benutzen können. Das ist der Grund, warum wir eine Reihe von Räumen darunter geräumt haben.

In den kommenden zwei Wochen werden die Lösungen vorgestellt, und zur Begutachtung im Hinblick auf die Sicherheit der vorgeschlagenen Lösungen werden zwei international renommierte staatlich anerkannte Prüfungsinstitute hinzugezogen. Wann wir den Plenarsaal in Brüssel wieder eröffnen können, weiß ich nicht. Ich kann Ihnen aber sagen, dass erfahrungsgemäß solche Bauarbeiten einen längeren Zeitraum in Anspruch nehmen.

Trotz dieser schwierigen Begleitumstände gehen unsere Arbeiten aber weiter. Ich habe auch Frau Bundeskanzlerin Merkel, die ja für die Kurzplenarsitzung im November als Rednerin vorgesehen war, eingeladen, trotzdem ins Parlament zu kommen, und zwar im Rahmen einer offenen Konferenz der Präsidenten. Die EVP-Fraktion hat uns – welche Überraschung – freudig den Saal für Frau Merkel zur Verfügung gestellt, weil es sich beim Sitzungssaal der EVP-Fraktion um den größten Saal nach dem Plenarsaal handelt. Wir werden dort eine offene Konferenz der Präsidenten abhalten, bei der wir im Wesentlichen einen prozeduralen Ablauf haben werden wie bei einer Ansprache der Kanzlerin im Plenum. Ich habe das mit Frau Merkel auch so vereinbart.

Noch eine kurze Erinnerung, meine Damen und Herren: Ich habe Ihnen – ich weiß nicht wie oft in den letzten Monaten – Briefe geschrieben, die Sie hoffentlich auch alle gelesen haben, die sich auf eine Fotosession beziehen, die wir morgen hier durchführen werden. Morgen um 12.30 Uhr, wenige Minuten vor Beginn der Abstimmung, wird eine 360-Grad-Aufnahme für ein Panoramabild des Plenarsaals in 3D-Qualität mit den Mitgliedern auf ihren Plätzen angefertigt. Sie erinnern sich, ich habe Ihnen das mehrfach in mehreren Intervallen geschrieben. Mir wurde allerdings gesagt, dass es Kollegen gibt, die gesagt haben, sie hätten noch nie einen Brief von mir bekommen. Das glaube ich nicht, ich würde eher unterstellen, sie haben den Brief nicht gelesen. Also für all diejenigen, die ihre Postfächer noch nicht, sei es praktisch oder telematisch – wie man das nennt –, geöffnet haben: Morgen, 12.25 Uhr, wird hier eine 3D-360-Grad-Kamera aufgebaut, die Sie alle aufnehmen wird, und wir werden anschließend Ihre Konterfeis auf Ihrem Platz so ins Internet stellen, dass jede Wählerin und jeder Wähler und jeder Interessierte sofort den einzelnen Abgeordneten erkennen kann.

19. Euroopan unionin yleinen talousarvio varainhoitovuodeksi 2013 - kaikki pääluokat (keskustelu)

  Der Präsident. − Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Aussprache über den Bericht von Giovanni La Via und Derek Vaughan im Namen des Haushaltsausschusses über den Gesamthaushalt der Europäischen Union für das Haushaltsjahr 2013 – alle Einzelpläne (12749/2012 – C7-0233/2012 – 2012/2092 (BUD)) (A7-0311/2012).

  Giovanni La Via, relatore. − Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, Ministro Mavroyiannis, Commissario Lewandowski, con il voto di domani con cui chiediamo al Parlamento di sostenere a larga maggioranza quanto approvato in sede di commissione per i bilanci, intendiamo mandare un segnale forte al Consiglio in vista della prossima conciliazione.

Prima di entrare nel merito, vorrei ringraziare i relatori ombra e tutti i colleghi, nonché i funzionari e i collaboratori che hanno dato il loro contributo in questi mesi di lavoro. Come sapete, il Consiglio ha proposto una serie significativa di tagli, in netto contrasto con le indicazioni provenienti dal Consiglio europeo del 28 e 29 giugno dove, al massimo livello politico, è stato deciso di investire per sostenere la crescita e lo sviluppo dell'Europa. Pertanto nella nostra lettura abbiamo deciso di ripristinare il progetto di bilancio della Commissione e di incrementare le risorse in maniera selettiva in alcuni capitoli di bilancio strettamente legati alle politiche di crescita e alla creazione di posti di lavoro, soprattutto per i nostri giovani.

Come ho avuto modo di ribadire in altre occasioni, non si tratta di un atteggiamento noncurante del contesto odierno: siamo tutti consapevoli delle difficoltà finanziarie che ciascuno Stato membro sta affrontando. Ma la risposta alla crisi, come evidenziato anche dal Consiglio europeo, deve essere più Europa e non meno Europa. Definirei responsabile la posizione che andremo a votare domani. Ma responsabile non significa rinunziataria: significa contribuire alla ripresa economica attraverso alcuni aumenti precisi e selettivi, più limitati se comparati a una normale lettura del Parlamento europeo, soprattutto in termini di impegni, ma nel rispetto del clima generale di austerità e dei sacrifici imposti a livello nazionale.

Credo quindi che gli Stati membri non possano accusarci di chiedere aumenti non in linea con il momento di crisi attuale e ribadisco la nostra fermezza nel preservare un adeguato livello di investimenti tali da generare una nuova spinta economica, in difesa delle istanze dei nostri cittadini in difficoltà.

Vorrei adesso passare al tema dei pagamenti. Non sfugge a nessuno che questo sia il punto più delicato del negoziato, ma credo che tale tema debba essere affrontato in termini più tecnici che politici. Il livello dei pagamenti fissato dalla Commissione nel progetto di bilancio è stato individuato sulla base delle stime degli stessi Stati membri, riviste al ribasso. Pertanto il proposto 6,8% di aumento rispetto al 2012 è nient'altro che un'indicazione realistica delle risorse necessarie per pagare le fatture degli Stati membri e per onorare tutti gli impegni presi dal 2007 a oggi. Non possiamo oggi pensare di mettere in pericolo l'esecuzione di alcuni programmi europei, come avvenuto nei giorni scorsi, e ritengo inconcepibile che la lettura del Consiglio e le dichiarazioni di alcuni ministri si attestino su cifre chiaramente non sufficienti a finanziare tali progetti.

Tutti sono concordi in sede di dichiarazioni a mezzo stampa nel dire che la risposta alla crisi è l'Europa. Peccato che nello specifico queste parole non siano poi seguite da azioni concrete. Penso di non esagerare nel dire che siamo di fronte a un problema di credibilità e di affidabilità dell'Unione europea. Pagare le fatture infatti è un obbligo legale che non possiamo permetterci di non rispettare e non deve essere certo il Parlamento a spiegarlo agli Stati membri.

Concludo ricordando il passaggio della risoluzione che accompagna il voto di domani, in cui il Parlamento dà mandato alla sua commissione per la conciliazione di non accettare il livello dei pagamenti, sia per il progetto di bilancio rettificativo n. 6 che per il bilancio 2013, se questo non copre adeguatamente le necessità di pagamento per il 2012 e il 2013 così come stimate dalla Commissione.

ΠΡΟΕΔΡΙΑ: ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΣ ΠΑΠΑΣΤΑΜΚΟΣ
Αντιπρόεδρος

  Derek Vaughan, rapporteur. − Mr President, I will of course concentrate on the budget of the other sections, including Parliament’s own budget. Regarding the latter, it is always difficult to set your own budget, and this year it is even more difficult, as we face tough economic and financial times. Therefore, the European Parliament took very seriously the Commissioner’s letter earlier this year when he suggested to all the institutions that they limit the increase for 2013 to 1.9 %. Since the start of this year, the aim of this Parliament has been to keep our increase below 1.9%, including the extra costs incurred because of Croatia.

We started with a figure of 2.4 % earlier this year, but straightaway we started to look for savings. We agreed to freeze all Members’ allowances – the daily and office allowances – and we agreed to cut our travel budget once again. We also set up a working group between the Committee on Budgets and the Bureau to look at further savings. This working group, I am glad to say, has been able to identify more savings. We have been able to find a 5 % cut in the travel budget. We have decided to save EUR 5.3 million from the budget line for the House of European History, and we have found other ways of finding EUR 3.1 million to fund the expansion of wifi within the European Parliament buildings themselves. I am pleased to say that, at a recent conciliation meeting between the Bureau and the Committee on Budgets, we agreed a 1.9 % increase for Parliament’s budget – including the extra cost of Croatia – but also including the 1.7 % proposed salary increases. So when colleagues do the mathematics and look at the actual increase proposed for Parliament’s budget next year, they will see it is well below 1 % – indeed I believe what we are proposing is nearer 0.6 %.

At this stage I want to thank the members of the Budget Committee and the Bureau for their cooperation, but also all my shadows for their cooperation. We have worked extremely hard to get an increase at this level. I think that shows in the fact that there are no budget line amendments to be voted on tomorrow and that we are able, I believe, to stick to the agreement we reached with the Bureau some time ago. Therefore, this Parliament is able to say that we have set in place a responsible budget for 2013 and that we will continue to look for further savings.

As rapporteur, I have also been encouraging other institutions to set a responsible budget. I believe it was a mistake by the Council some time ago to propose a blanket freeze for all the budgets of all the institutions. All the institutions are different, with different needs and different pressures, and therefore we should be looking at their budgets individually. Certainly that is what I have done as rapporteur – I have sat down with each institution to look at their budgets in great detail. I am therefore proposing that we partially reinstate the budget of most of the other institutions to around the 1.9 % figure I mentioned earlier.

However, there are a few institutions which are likely to come in a little higher than that because of their own special circumstances. I believe the Ombudsman, the Court of Justice and the European External Action Service also have special circumstances and may warrant an increase of slightly above the 1.9 % figure. I hope that tomorrow, my colleagues will accept these proposals for Parliament’s budget and also for the budget of all the other institutions. It has been a tough budget, but I do believe we have achieved our aim – a 1.9 % increase – while at the same time making savings but also protecting the effectiveness of this Parliament and of individual Members of this Parliament.

  Andreas Mavroyiannis, President-in-Office of the Council. − Mr President, as President of the Council, it is a pleasure for me to attend Parliament’s debate on the draft budget of the European Union for the financial year 2013. On 11 September I also had the honour of presenting to you in detail the Council’s position on the draft budget for 2013, as adopted by the Council on 24 July.

Last week, at the budgetary trialogue, I had the opportunity of giving some initial reactions to the amendments which the European Parliament intends to vote on. I wish to recall that the Council reached an agreement on its position on the draft budget for 2013, following difficult negotiations, and accepted a limited increase in commitments and payment appropriations compared to 2012.

We are all aware of the considerable effort and budgetary constraints that Member States are currently facing at national level, and we have to take these into account. I believe that, as the Member States endeavour to consolidate their budgets, it is crucial to deliver the right message to European citizens. Today I will take note of the positions taken by the European Parliament.

Let me now focus on some issues to which the Council attaches particular importance. Firstly, the Council considers that the existing ceilings of the multiannual financial framework must be respected. It is also important to ensure adequate margins under the different ceilings in order to be able to cope with unforeseen situations. The Council is therefore concerned about the European Parliament’s amendments, which considerably reduce the margins in all headings, the only exception being heading 5. Moreover, the European Parliament proposes to go beyond the ceilings of subheading 1a, requiring the mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument.

Secondly, the Council regrets the increasing payment appropriations that the European Parliament intends to vote on, especially when their level exceeds the Commission’s draft budget. The Council is aware of the European Parliament’s intentions to support and highlight several of its political priorities. However, the overall level of payment appropriations retained should be sufficient but not overestimated.

Thirdly, the Council wishes to find an agreement with the European Parliament on a reasonable level of payment appropriations for the current budgetary year, including draft amending budget No 5, the global transfer and the upcoming draft amending budget No 6.

Finally, I would like to remind you that the Council is opposed to the broad use of reserves that you intend to vote on, especially when their release is accompanied by conditions which are not in line with the provisions of the Financial Regulation. Appropriations should only be entered in the reserve in the absence of a basic act and in cases of serious doubt about the adequacy of the appropriations or their implementation.

To conclude, let me reiterate the Council’s hope and conviction that the existing excellent climate of cooperation will prevail during the rest of the budgetary procedure, leading to a mutually-satisfying agreement on the 2013 budget. We fully respect the European Parliament and your intentions, even when we are not in a position to entirely share the stance you adopt.

  Janusz Lewandowski, Member of the Commission. − Mr President, honourable Members, Minister, we are discussing the budget for 2013, the last year of this financial perspective. However, we should draw on the experience of the tensions we have in this year’s budget; they should be kept very strongly in mind.

Therefore I welcome –not surprisingly– the reading of the proposal by the Committee on Budgets about the restoration of our draft proposal for next year. We share the same priorities. It is very clear to me that budgetary efforts nowadays should undertaken be in close conjunction with the growth, jobs and competitiveness agenda of the European Union. This should not be just an illusion of a growth strategy; it should be very well equipped with money.

We notice that Parliament is very restrained as to the level of commitments. That is why it is leaving some unallocated margins for unforeseen events, and it is easy to foresee that this will also be needed for next year.

Last Friday we adopted the amending budget for agriculture for next year that more or less confirms our early estimates, but as Mr La Via clearly stated, the main sensitive issue is the level of payments. We cannot endorse the Council’s decision to cut our proposal by more than EUR 5 billion, because this is simply contradicting earlier announcements on the growth and jobs agenda for Europe: they were made in June, and in July come cuts of that amount. This ignores the reality of what is really needed this year, and next, and we cannot simply continue with the systematic underfunding of the European budget, as it is hindering the implementation of so many programmes. This year we should also base our programming of the implementation of the budget – which is now more than EUR 10 billion bigger than last year (an indication of the maturity of many programmes) – on the need to cover this year all that should be paid this year in order to enter next year with a clear vision of what is really needed in 2013 and not carry forwards all the accumulated problems.

In some areas we are really running short of money. For example, for the Social Fund we have to stop payments in the area of competitiveness, as there are no more resources available. There is a very high level of implementation generally in cohesion funding. As for the research grants, they already needed to be reinforced back in July. So the tension this year indicates the need for an amending and correcting budget for this year in order to cover what is really needed in the remaining period of this year before we can discuss and agree on the 2013 level.

I think the position on administration that Mr Vaughan takes is the right one. We should be constrained, but of course there are limits to savings, given the new responsibilities of the European Union. So this should be below the level of inflation.

Our letter of executability is coming soon in order to complete the full picture. That is also about pilot projects and preparatory actions.

Of course we are not happy with the reserves, but I understand that we could end the conciliation after the written explanations without reserves. Our role is to submit everything that is needed as the basis for sound programming for 2013 so that Parliament has a full picture of what is really reasonable in the 2013 budget.

  Anneli Jäätteenmäki, ulkoasiainvaliokunnan lausunnon valmistelija. − Arvoisa puhemies, puhun siis parlamentin ulkoasiainvaliokunnan lausunnon laatijana ja valiokunnan puolesta.

Yhteisen ulko- ja turvallisuuspolitiikan budjetin pitäisi olla nykyistä läpinäkyvämpi ja yksityiskohtaisempi. Kriisinhallintaoperaatiot sekä erilaisten erityisedustajien budjetit pitäisi merkitä erikseen omiksi budjettilinjoikseen. Tämä antaisi budjettivallan käyttäjälle, parlamentille, ja kansalaisille enemmän osviittaa ja tietoa siitä, mihin nämä rahat käytetään. Silloin olisi myös helpompi vaatia tiettyyn kohtaan rahaa. Raha ei ole Euroopan yhteisen ulko- ja turvallisuuspolitiikan ongelma, vaan se on se, että EU:lla ei ole yhteistä tahtoa, yhteistä linjaa. EU:n ulkopolitiikan prioriteetit ovat jääneet asettamatta ja yleensä on kaksi linjaa.

Ottaisin kuitenkin vielä esille ulkosuhdehallinnon budjetin, johon ehdotetaan kuuden prosentin kasvua. Se on suuri kasvu. Toisaalta ymmärrän sen, sillä se on uusi toimintamuoto, mutta siinäkin täytyy katsoa, mistä voidaan säästää.

  Vicky Ford, rapporteur for the opinion of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. − Mr President, in the Committee on Economic Affairs of this Parliament, MEPs for once made some sensible comments. They looked at the savings that every single Member State is having to make at local and national spending level and concluded that EU public spending must be subjected to the same discipline. The committee’s report says, and I quote, ‘Parliament must provide the Council with a clear budget that calls for a budgetary freeze, increasing spending where it matters and cutting it where it does not.’

Sadly, the MEPs said one thing in the report and then did another. They identified areas to increase spending but in nearly every area where they could have supported a cut they voted against it. I and my British Conservative colleagues will not be supporting Parliament’s proposed budget.

  Jutta Haug, Verfasserin der Stellungnahme des mitberatenden Ausschusses für Umweltfragen, öffentliche Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit. − Herr Präsident, Herr Ratspräsident, Herr Kommissar, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Der Umweltausschuss erinnert daran, obwohl er für einen verschwindend kleinen Teil des Europäischen Haushalts verantwortlich zeichnet, dass wir die Ziele der Strategie Europa 2020 keinesfalls erreichen werden, wenn wir die Programme und Maßnahmen zu Umwelt- und Klimaschutz und zu Biodiversität nicht mit genügend Mitteln ausstatten. Deshalb haben wir die vom Rat am Kommissionsvorschlag vorgenommenen völlig unverständlichen Kürzungen wieder zurückgenommen. Der Rat hat doch auch die Verpflichtung zu nachhaltigem Wachstum unterschrieben. Die Kommission war ohnehin schon sehr vorsichtig bei der Aufstellung des Budgets. Sie hat lediglich eine Erhöhung um 0,72 % für die Klima- und Umweltpolitik vorgesehen. Was im Klartext nichts anderes heißt als Kürzung. Die Inflationsrate ist nämlich 2 %.

Noch viel bedenklicher ist der Umgang des Rates mit den Agenturen. Wir wollen doch einmal klar festhalten: Die Kommission hat bereits die minus 1 % Personal in ihren Vorschlag eingepreist, und zudem dampft sie gewohnheitsmäßig die von den Agenturen für notwendig gehaltenen Mittel gleich ein. D. h. das Hemd ist für die Agenturen schon von vornherein reichlich kurz. Und dann kommt der Rat daher und schnippelt noch weiter daran herum. Bums, da sieht man den Po! Ganz besonders trifft es die Agenturen, die vom Gesetzgeber, also Rat und EP gemeinsam, neue Aufgaben übertragen bekommen haben. Sie können sie nicht erfüllen, wenn sie nicht die entsprechenden Mittel bekommen.

Wir erwarten von der Kommission in allen Fällen und für alle Fälle so schnell wie irgend möglich einen Nachtrags- und Berichtigungshaushalt. Wir erwarten vom Rat, dass er in den Verhandlungen mit dem Parlament sich von unseren guten Argumenten überzeugen lässt. Wir wissen, dass der Rat unbestechlich ist, aber Vernunft kann er doch wenigstens annehmen!

  Reinhard Bütikofer, Verfasser der Stellungnahme des mitberatenden Ausschusses für Industrie, Forschung und Energie. − Herr Präsident, Herr Kommissar, sehr geehrte Präsidentschaft! Sie haben für die Präsidentschaft gesagt, wir sollten ein richtiges Signal geben. Der ITRE-Ausschuss hat das getan. Wir haben genau geprüft, und wir haben nur sehr selektiv Ansätze der Kommission in unserem Vorschlag wieder auf den ursprünglichen Stand gebracht.

Das richtige Signal muss aber auch heißen, dass es keinen Sinn macht, gerade dort zu kürzen, wo es einen europäischen Mehrwert gibt, denn davon werden wir nicht reicher, sondern ärmer! Wachstum zu versprechen und dann das Geld zu verweigern, mit dem man dieses Wachstum anschieben will, ist Unsinn. In den Vorschlägen des Rates werden die Zahlungen gerade im Bereich des für die kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen entscheidenden Programms für Wettbewerbsfähigkeit und Innovation so dramatisch zusammengestrichen, dass die Mittel im nächsten Jahr noch nicht einmal ein halbes Jahr reichen würden. Kommen Sie zur Besinnung, so machen Sie nur Europa den Bürgern fremder, aber so lösen Sie nicht Probleme!

  Philippe De Backer, rapporteur for the opinion of the Committee on Transport and Tourism. − Mr President, I am speaking on behalf of the Transport Committee, which provided an opinion for the Budget Committee. The Committee on Transport and Tourism has underlined the importance of investments in transport. Investing in transport is important, especially in compliance with the Europe 2020 strategy for growth and jobs. It creates economic growth and improves territorial cohesion, but it also helps in achieving safety targets. The Transport Committee carefully assessed the relevant budget lines and set its political priorities very clearly.

On the one hand we have investment supporting economic growth and job creation, which are essential for the Committee. It therefore voted in favour of a higher budget than that proposed by the Commission for the TEN-T programme. Unfortunately this was rejected by the Budget Committee, which supported the Commission’s draft proposal.

On the other hand, the Transport Committee also identified budgetary lines where it was possible to make savings. It therefore supported the Council’s cuts on two budgetary lines concerning administrative expenditures. In terms of the rest of the transport budget, the Committee supports the Commission’s draft proposal, and it clearly feels that investment in transport infrastructure is necessary for the correct functioning and achievement of the single market within Europe.

  Γεώργιος Σταυρακάκης, Εισηγητής της γνωμοδότησης της Επιτροπής Περιφερειακής Ανάπτυξης. − Κύριε Πρόεδρε, αγαπητέ κύριε Επίτροπε, αγαπητέ κύριε Πρόεδρε, αγαπητοί συνάδελφοι, για άλλη μια χρονιά η Επιτροπή Προϋπολογισμών του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου υιοθέτησε μια υπεύθυνη στάση απορρίπτοντας τις οριζόντιες περικοπές στις οποίες προέβη το Συμβούλιο. Αυτές οι περικοπές δεν συνάδουν με τις πραγματικές ανάγκες της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης και έρχονται σε πλήρη αντίθεση με το Σύμφωνο για την Ανάπτυξη και την Απασχόληση που αποφάσισαν οι 27 αρχηγοί κρατών και κυβερνήσεων τον περασμένο Ιούνιο. Επιτρέψτε μου να επικεντρωθώ στον τίτλο 1β.

Όλοι συμφωνούμε ότι η πολιτική συνοχής αποτελεί το κύριο και πιο κατάλληλο επενδυτικό μέσο που μπορεί να οδηγήσει την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση στην ανάπτυξη και τη δημιουργία θέσεων απασχόλησης αντιμετωπίζοντας με ακρίβεια τις επενδυτικές ανάγκες των περιφερειών. Επίσης συμβάλλει αποφασιστικά στην πραγματική μείωση των περιφερειακών ανισοτήτων και την επίτευξη κοινωνικής, οικονομικής και εδαφικής συνοχής.

Εμείς ως Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο οφείλουμε να εξασφαλίσουμε, άλλωστε αυτό κάνουμε, την επαρκή χρηματοδότηση των διαφόρων πολιτικών της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης και ιδιαίτερα αυτών που έχουν σαν αποτέλεσμα ανάπτυξη, θέσεις εργασίας και επενδύσεις.

  Morten Løkkegaard, ordfører for udtalelse fra Kultur- og Uddannelsesudvalget. − Hr. formand! Som budgetkoordinator i Kulturudvalget glæder det mig selvfølgelig, at Budgetudvalget har taget alle vore prioriteter om bord, eller langt de fleste i hvert fald. I tråd med ordføreren er jeg selvfølgelig helt enig i og kan erklære mig enig i, at der er brug for mere Europa og ikke mindre Europa. Derfor er det selvfølgelig glædeligt, at Budgetudvalget støtter livslang læring, det program for 2013 som er helt centralt i bestræbelserne på, at vi får vækst i 2020-strategien. Vi skal selvfølgelig fortsat sikre os, at studerende, undervisere og akademikere har den nødvendige mobilitet. Disse programmer er fuldstændig essentielle for at sikre den vækst, som vi alle sammen har brug for. Derfor er det selvfølgelig også stærkt bekymrende, at Rådet har besluttet sig for at beskære betalingerne. Det er jo nærmest absurd og et fuldstændig forkert signal i den situation, vi står i nu.

Med hensyn til sport har vi jo en del actions i gang, og der er fortsat bred støtte til, at vi kan teste disse områder, inden vi får et egentligt sportsprogram i 2014, og det er selvfølgelig også rigtig, rigtig godt. Så tak for det til Budgetudvalget.

  Enrique Guerrero Salom, Ponente de opión de la Comisión de asuntas constitucionales. – Señor Presidente, señor Comisario, me uno a las manifestaciones de varios de los diputados que se han expresado a favor de un presupuesto consistente, que sirva para salir de la crisis, para crear empleo y para resolver la vida diaria de los ciudadanos europeos.

Pero, como ponente en la Comisión de Asuntos Constitucionales, quiero poner el acento sobre aquellos asuntos para los que nos ha interesado más obtener financiación. Todos ellos se refieren a los ciudadanos: la puesta en marcha de la Iniciativa Ciudadana Europea, la realización del Año Europeo de la Ciudadanía en 2013 y también la Comunicación dirigida a los ciudadanos.

Debemos tener presente que 2014 es año electoral y que los ciudadanos europeos volverán a expresar su posición sobre el futuro que quieren para Europa. Creemos que todas las acciones de comunicación deben ser estratégicas, no solo para asuntos constitucionales, sino para el conjunto de la Unión.

  Νικόλαος Σαλαβράκος, Εισηγητής της γνωμοδότησης της Επιτροπής Αναφορών. − Κύριε Πρόεδρε, θα ήθελα να ευχαριστήσω επίσης τους εισηγητές, τον κ. La Via και τον κ.Vaughan για την έκθεσή τους σχετικά με το σχέδιο του γενικού προϋπολογισμού του έτους 2013.

Ως Επιτροπή Αναφορών, η γνωμοδότησή μας αφορά κατά βάση τις προβλέψεις των δαπανών και του προϋπολογισμού του Ευρωπαίου Διαμεσολαβητή για το οικονομικό αυτό έτος.

Θα ήθελα να επισημάνω αυτά που αφορούν την αύξηση του φετινού προϋπολογισμού του Ευρωπαίου Διαμεσολαβητή κατά 3,89% και να επισημάνω ότι η αύξηση αυτή αφορά τεχνικούς λόγους, όπως η αύξηση ενοικίου στο Στρασβούργο καθώς και η αναγκαστική μετακίνηση σε καινούργια γραφεία στις Βρυξέλλες επειδή το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο αποφάσισε να μετατρέψει τα τωρινά γραφεία σε μουσείο. Συνεπώς, η δαπάνη είναι ανελαστική και δεν πρέπει να θεωρείται ότι αποτελεί ουσιαστική αύξηση δαπάνης των διαδικασιών του Ευρωπαίου Διαμεσολαβητή για τη μετακόμιση αυτή, η οποία έχει κόστος εν καιρώ κρίσης, για το Κοινοβούλιο. Τέλος, θα ήθελα να αναφέρω ότι η αύξηση των πιστώσεων για τους συμβασιούχους κατά 110.000 περίπου ευρώ είναι, σύμφωνα με τις πληροφορίες μας, απόλυτα φυσιολογική και υπόκειται στο γενικό κανονισμό του προσωπικού.

  Monika Hohlmeier, im Namen der PPE-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Als die Verantwortliche der EVP in Fragen des Parlamentshaushalts darf ich mich ganz herzlich auch bei meinem Kollegen Derek Vaughan dafür bedanken, dass wir auch mit allen anderen Schattenberichterstattern eine sehr enge und sehr gute Zusammenarbeit hatten. Obwohl Kroatien hinzugekommen ist und dadurch zusätzliche Aufgaben auf das Europäische Parlament zukommen, ist es uns gelungen, bei einer Steigerung von 1,9 % zu bleiben, d. h. sogar unterhalb der normalen Inflationsrate. Wir haben dafür auch klare Einsparungen in den verschiedensten Sektoren vorgenommen, so dass es uns gelungen ist, ein wirklich vernünftiges, auch mit der Kommission oder in Linie mit der Kommission abgestimmtes Konzept für das Europäische Parlament zu verabschieden.

Ich bitte aber gleichzeitig darum, dass der eine oder andere Kollege, der es vielleicht gar nicht mal übel meint, aber im Schwerpunkt daran denkt, dass man beim Europäischen Parlament immer noch mehr Kürzungen durchführen müsse, auch darüber nachdenkt, dass Abgeordnete ordnungsgemäße Arbeitsbedingungen vorfinden müssen und auch die Chance haben müssen, bei den Vorlagen vielfältiger Art, die von Seiten der Kommission kommen, oder auch bei den Vorschlägen, die jetzt z. B. beim Europagipfel von Seiten der Mitgliedstaaten kommen, diese überhaupt überprüfend bearbeiten und letztendlich dann damit auch umgehen zu können. Wir brauchen ein kompetentes Parlament und deshalb auch eine vernünftige, gute und solide Ausstattung.

  Eider Gardiazábal Rubial, en nombre del Grupo S&D. – Señor Presidente, señor Comisario, señores representantes del Consejo, mañana este Pleno va a votar la posición del Parlamento Europeo con respecto al presupuesto de 2013, que previsiblemente va a ser respaldada con una amplia mayoría. Quiero aprovechar la ocasión para felicitar al señor La Via como ponente de este presupuesto por el magnífico trabajo que ha realizado.

Quiero que el Consejo sepa que esta posición es para los socialistas europeos un mínimo absoluto, porque estamos convencidos de que se puede hacer más. Creemos que en el presupuesto hay margen de maniobra y que se pueden destinar más recursos a muchos programas europeos.

En enero los señores del Consejo Europeo hicieron una declaración en la que hacían hincapié en la necesidad de invertir en crecimiento y en empleo. En junio, en otro Consejo Europeo, firmaron un Pacto por el Crecimiento y el Empleo, pero no han hecho nada para ponerlo en marcha.

Creemos que el presupuesto puede ayudar a hacerlo y, por eso, hemos presentado enmiendas para apoyar todos aquellos programas que están relacionados con nuestras prioridades: las PYME, formación, jóvenes, investigación e innovación a través del Séptimo programa marco, y tampoco nos hemos olvidado de la cooperación al desarrollo.

Y el Consejo, ¿qué medidas ha puesto en marcha? ¿Qué medidas presupuestarias ha adoptado para que estos programas se lleven a cabo? Ninguna. No solo no han propuesto nada, sino que, además, han propuesto un recorte de mil millones de euros. Siguen imponiendo la austeridad como única receta para salir de la crisis. Ya les dijimos que estaban equivocados y no nos hicieron caso. Desgraciadamente, hoy los hechos nos están dando la razón. No están tranquilizando a los mercados; no se están mejorando los datos macroeconómicos; las cifras del déficit siguen disparadas y, lo que es peor, los ciudadanos lo están pasando muy mal, y muchos países, por culpa de esa austeridad, ya no tienen un Estado del bienestar que les ayude a sobrevivir la crisis.

¿Cuánto tiempo van a tardar en darse cuenta de que tenemos que cambiar de rumbo? Y, señores del Consejo, ustedes siguen insistiendo -lo hemos visto hoy aquí- y no solo recortan los compromisos del año que viene, sino que también recortan los pagos, como ya lo hicieron el año pasado y el anterior.

Señor Mavroyiannis, recortar los pagos significa no cumplir los compromisos; significa que ustedes han decidido no pagar las facturas; significa que muchos programas tendrán que ser paralizados, como las becas Erasmus; significa que a muchos de nuestros ayuntamientos y de nuestras regiones no se les devolverá el dinero que ya han invertido en proyectos financiados con fondos europeos. Y este Parlamento no lo va a permitir.

Tenemos una posición muy firme y clara al respecto: si no ponen el dinero necesario para que no vuelva a ocurrir lo que está ocurriendo este año con los pagos, el Parlamento Europeo va a decir que no a su propuesta de presupuestos.

  Jan Mulder, namens de ALDE-Fractie. – Het zal moeilijk te verdedigen zijn voor het algemene publiek, als overal in Europa bezuinigd moet worden om de begroting van de Europese Unie met 6,8% te verhogen.

Het is volgens de ALDE-Fractie echter een gevolg van eerder aangegane verplichtingen. Contracten dienen nu eenmaal gehonoreerd te worden. Als de betalingen werkelijk verminderd zouden moeten worden, dan is er één heel eenvoudige oplossing: dan moeten de verplichtingen verminderd worden. De ALDE-Fractie heeft dit geprobeerd in deze begrotingsprocedure. Wij hebben gezegd dat voor de landen die hun structurele fondsen slecht gebruiken de verplichtingen met 5% verminderd zouden kunnen worden. Helaas mocht dit voorstel niet op een meerderheid rekenen en wij hebben het niet opnieuw ingediend. Maar wij zijn heel sterk van mening dat verplichtingen moeten worden nagekomen.

Als het zo is dat de begrotingsautoriteit, de Raad en het Parlement, eerst gestemd hebben om bepaalde projecten uit te voeren en de contracten zijn gesloten, dan kan achteraf niet gezegd worden "helaas moeten wij nu bezuinigen" en "wij hebben het geld niet". Dat kan niet! Een overheid die zichzelf respecteert moet haar contracten honoreren.

Ieder jaar wordt er bovendien geld teruggestort naar de lidstaten en dat komt omdat de rekeningen die wij nu gepresenteerd krijgen niet vroeg genoeg zijn ingediend. Het is niet zo volgens de ALDE-Fractie dat als die rekeningen te laat zijn ingediend, deze niet meer betaald hoeven te worden. Wij zien dan ook een grote moeilijkheid om deze verhoging van de begroting met 6,8% te verdedigen. Wij zijn ten volle bereid om naar de Raad te luisteren, wij zijn altijd bereid ons te laten overtuigen, maar op het ogenblik vinden wij dat de argumenten van de Commissie sterker zijn dan de argumenten van de Raad. Ik zou de Raad ook graag het volgende willen vragen: is het waar dat de oorspronkelijke schattingen van de lidstaten die werden ingediend nog hoger waren dan de 6,8% waarom de Raad nu vraagt? Ik zou van de Raad graag een officieel antwoord willen hebben. Waren de oorspronkelijke schattingen van de lidstaten, waar de lidstaten individueel en niet collectief om vroegen, hoger dan die 6,8% of niet?

Zoals de zaken er nu voor staan zullen wij de houding van de Begrotingscommissie ondersteunen.

  Helga Trüpel, im Namen der Verts/ALE-Fraktion. – Sehr geehrte Präsidenten, sehr geehrter Herr Kommissar Lewandowski, meine Damen und Herren! Ich bin sehr enttäuscht über das, was wir heute von dem Vertreter der zypriotischen Ratspräsidentschaft gehört haben, wie restriktiv sie mit dem wichtigen Instrument des Europäischen Haushalts für das Jahr 2013 umgehen wollen. Ich bedaure sehr, dass der Rat nach wie vor kein angemessenes Verhältnis findet zwischen Austerität und notwendigen Wachstumsimpulsen auf der europäischen Ebene. Wir brauchen nachhaltiges Wachstum! Wir brauchen ein Fortschreiten im Kampf gegen den Klimawandel! Wir müssen die Energiewende voranbringen. Wir müssen in erneuerbare Energien investieren, weil das neue Arbeitsplätze schafft. Und wir müssen den Menschen in der Europäischen Union vor allem neues Vertrauen geben.

Aber wie wollen Sie den bedrängten Menschen neues Vertrauen geben, wenn die Kommission jetzt schon im Jahr 2012 nicht mehr in der Lage ist, die Gelder für den Europäischen Sozialfonds auszuzahlen? Das ist doch absolut das falsche Signal, das Sie hier setzen. Und deswegen kritisiere ich diese Haltung des Rates ganz entschieden, der jetzt nicht dazu steht, für die Verträge, die er selbst mit unterschrieben hat, auch die nötigen Mittel bereitzustellen. Das untergräbt – ich sage es nochmals – das Vertrauen in das europäische Projekt und in die Verantwortung des Europäischen Rates. Das ist falsche Politik, und deswegen müssen wir das ablehnen.

Wir haben eben schon gehört, auch beim Lifelong learning – den Programmen, die sich wirklich an die einzelnen Bürgerinnen und Bürger, an die Studierenden und die Schüler richten – gibt es nun Zahlungsprobleme. Das darf auf keinen Fall so weitergehen! Das muss sich im nächsten Jahr ändern. Denn, wenn Sie neues Vertrauen in die Handlungsfähigkeit der europäischen Ebene stiften wollen, dürfen Sie diesen Haushalt nicht so kürzen, wie der Rat das im Moment vorhat.

Aus grüner Sicht ist es so, dass wir natürlich auch Einsparvorschläge machen: z. B. den Kernfusionsreaktor ITER, den leider eine Mehrheit hier im Hause und im Rat finanzieren will. Wir halten das nicht für das richtige Signal in Zeiten der notwendigen Energiewende, sondern wir müssen mehr in Richtung Windenergie, Fotovoltaik und andere nachhaltige Energien umsteuern. Noch kurz zu unserer Bereitschaft, auch dort, wo es uns selbst betrifft, mit den Ressourcen sehr verantwortungsvoll und vorsichtig umzugehen: Wir haben, wie der Kollege Vaughan schon gesagt hat, nur einen Zuwachs von 1,9 % beim Europäischen Haushalt. Wir könnten allerdings als Abgeordnete noch mehr sparen, wenn wir bereit wären, auf Businessflüge auf Kurzstrecken zu verzichten. Ich hoffe, die Kollegen überlegen sich das noch einmal!

  Richard Ashworth, on behalf of the ECR Group. – Mr President, I congratulate both our rapporteurs; there is a great deal in their reports which we can support, and I acknowledge that they have shown restraint in many of their proposals. In particular I want to mention Derek Vaughan with Parliament’s budget.

However, in one vital area we cannot agree: notably the overall size of the budget. This is a critical time for financing in all the Member States’ national budgets, and in particular they have an urgent need to direct all possible resources to creating jobs and restoring growth within their economies. To that end there are two ways in which we in the European Parliament can help.

Firstly, we can control the size of our budgetary demands. If we do that, we reduce the burden of cost on the Member States. But secondly, we can set an example. Of course we support jobs and growth, but I consider that much of the money which we need to do that could be found from savings elsewhere in the budget – indeed, it must be found from savings. I also acknowledge the problems with payments caused by the ‘reste à liquider’ issue, and I would recommend that in the long term this Parliament, as a scrutinising body, needs to take steps to address this problem.

However, for the 2013 budget, I urge this House to show more ambition. I urge it to support the Council’s demand for restraint by freezing the size of the budget. By doing this, it could send a very clear message to the electorate.

  Alda Sousa, em nome do Grupo GUE/NGL. – Este plenário vai votar a posição do Parlamento quanto ao orçamento para 2013 antes de se iniciarem as negociações com os governos.

Os governos que, na Cimeira de junho, proclamavam o seu compromisso com o emprego e com o crescimento, são os mesmos que vêm impondo aos cidadãos e cidadãs europeus uma austeridade sem precedentes, que tem feito crescer o número de desempregados, e que querem transformar o trabalho numa precariedade eterna e que procuram retirar todos os direitos adquiridos.

Não é por isso de admirar que a sua proposta - a dos governos - quanto ao orçamento da União continue esse delírio austeritário. Desde há quatro anos que os governos não sabem fazer outra coisa senão cortar e, para 2013, não é diferente.

Querem cortar nos programas europeus de investigação, de educação e formação e nos programas de desenvolvimento regional e de coesão, como se não chegassem já os 9 mil milhões de euros em fundos de coesão e em Fundo Social Europeu que estão em dívida, repito, em dívida, para países como Portugal, Grécia, Espanha, Itália, pondo em risco vários programas entre os quais, o Erasmus.

É verdade que o Parlamento procura, de alguma forma, reverter alguns dos cortes mais gravosos feitos pelos governos, nomeadamente no que diz respeito ao 7.º Programa-Quadro, ao Erasmus Mundus, à energia inteligente, indo, até, além da proposta da Comissão. Também é verdade que nessa proposta a dotação para a ajuda à Palestina aumentou e também é verdade que o Parlamento Europeu tomou a iniciativa de cortar quase 9 milhões nos gastos do próprio Parlamento, sendo isso ainda, do meu ponto de vista, bastante insuficiente. Mas, infelizmente, estas propostas não conseguem alterar a natureza do orçamento europeu e contrariar as políticas recessivas da austeridade e divergência quando o que se precisava era de políticas solidárias. De qualquer dos modos, há uma coisa que não podemos aceitar: é que a única instituição com legitimidade democrática direta, que é o Parlamento, fique excluída das negociações com os governos. Por isso mesmo, como nós temos visto, deixar as decisões exclusivamente aos governos só tem dado asneira.

  Marta Andreasen, on behalf of the EFD Group. – Mr President, a 7 % increase for 2013 is outrageous. Does anybody in this House seriously believe that we will help recovery by funding space projects? Why is Galileo still getting EUR 160 million, almost three times more than last year? This is a badly-managed project producing technology that rivals already brought to the market years ago.

Why are projects like the Earth monitoring programme and the space research programme getting over EUR 300 million? I can assure you that none of these vanity projects will be putting food on the tables of Europe’s growing number of increasingly angry poor people. Then we have the famous supervisory bodies created a couple of years ago to avoid any more financial scandals. They have not done so. Their reward is EUR 20 million.

Would Europe fall apart if all these projects were not funded, along with the EEAS, worth EUR 430 million? Absolutely not. Forget a rise, President; forget a freeze, Mr Cameron. What this ridiculous budget really needs is a cut of at least 10 %.

  Lucas Hartong (NI). - Mijnheer Lewandowski, omdat ik gisteren al in Straatsburg arriveerde zag ik 's middags in de zon een aantal oudere heren jeu de boulen en kinderen spelen met een skateboard en voetbal. Aan hen moet ik denken nu wij vandaag de begroting 2013 behandelen. Hoe leg ik hun uit dat de Commissie de begroting van 2013 wil verhogen met 6,8%? Ik kan hun nog wel vertellen dat de Raad van nationale ministers vervolgens boos was over die verhoging en daarmee niet akkoord wilde gaan.

Mijn uitleg wordt echter onmogelijk als ik hun moet vertellen dat dit Europees Parlement de verhoging van de Commissie nóg groter wil maken en zelfs wil gaan tot bijna 7%! Voorzitter, ik kan dat niet uitleggen en ik wíl het ook niet uitleggen. Onze ouders die onze landen hebben opgebouwd en onze kinderen die er straks in hopen te kunnen blijven leven mogen wij niet opzadelen met zo'n vreselijk begrotingsvoorstel van de Commissie en dit Parlement. Het meest zinnige dat wij vandaag dus kunnen doen is het Commissievoorstel linea recta naar de prullenbak verwijzen en vragen om een nieuw begrotingsvoorstel, ditmaal met stevige bezuinigingen en een sterke verlaging van de begroting 2013. Met minder kan de PVV geen genoegen nemen en, naar ik hoop, verstandige EP-collega's evenmin.

De voorgestelde begroting 2013 is een schande en ik wijs deze namens de volgens mijnheer Schulz navelstarende Nederlandse burgers volstrekt af.

  Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE). - Señor Presidente, la ventaja que tiene hablar en los últimos lugares es que puede uno oír los discursos anteriores.

Aquí hay un problema, pero es un problema político: hay algunos grupos en esta Cámara y personalidades que no entienden ni comparten la figura del valor añadido europeo, como la forma en que el presupuesto de la Unión tiene un efecto agregado y un efecto muy positivo sobre la economía de la Unión.

Me parece muy bien que haya algunos diputados que no lo quieran y que planteen reducir el presupuesto un 10 o un 20 %, o, por qué no, incluso terminar sin el presupuesto comunitario. Sería el mejor ahorro que ustedes podrían tener... Lo que me preocupa, más bien, es que el Consejo tampoco termine de entender qué significa el valor añadido europeo. ¿Le digo por qué sucede eso? Sucede porque el presupuesto de la Unión lo manejan los ministros de Finanzas, y el presupuesto de la Unión debería ser discutido por los ministros de Asuntos Europeos, que son los que tienen una idea de Europa en la cabeza, y no los ministros de Hacienda.

Éste es el problema por el cual nunca llegamos a un acuerdo sobre el presupuesto y no llegaremos a un acuerdo sobre las próximas perspectivas financieras. El presupuesto del año 2013 es paradigmático en esta materia: nos han dado unos créditos de compromiso para llevar adelante unos programas comunitarios y se nos niega la posibilidad de tener los créditos de pago suficientes para realizarlos. De esta manera, lo único que hacemos es aumentar la frustración de los ciudadanos europeos y dar la razón a aquellos que consideran que el presupuesto de la Unión es inútil. No lo es, es el instrumento más útil del que disponemos en Europa para el crecimiento y el empleo.

  Göran Färm (S&D). - Herr talman! Ett stort tack till föredragande och skuggföredragande. De har gjort ett väldigt gott arbete i en extremt svår tid. Väldigt få medborgare är medvetna om att EU:s budget faktiskt faller trendmässigt som andel av medlemsstaternas ekonomi. De flesta tror att den bara växer och växer. Det är inte sant. Den faller trots att EU har fått både nya uppgifter och nya medlemsstater.

Trots det är Europaparlamentet för 2013, med tanke på den ekonomiska krisen, väldigt försiktigt. I stort sett innebär vårt förslag en frysning när det gäller nya budgetåtaganden. Att vi ändå inte accepterar att budgeten skärs ner beror på att vi tror att det skulle kunna förvärra krisen. För budgeten består faktiskt av jobb- och tillväxtskapande investeringar med solidarisk omfördelningsprofil till förmån för de mest utsatta länderna, regionerna, arbetslösa ungdomar och så vidare. I många av de här länderna blir det inga jobbskapande investeringar utan EU:s stöd.

Den mest kontroversiella frågan verkar vara betalningsanslagen. Detta borde vara en teknisk fråga. Det borde vara självklart att fattade budgetbeslut måste verkställas, att kontrakt ska betalas, att utbytesstudenter måste får ersättning och så vidare. Att viktiga program som Erasmus och socialfonden nu har svårt att genomföra sin verksamhet, det är helt enkelt inte acceptabelt.

Vår bedömning är att kommissionens förslag till betalningsanslag för nästa år inte är överdrivna utan precis vad som behövs. Det är väldigt bra kommissionsledamot Lewandowski nu har börjat säga ifrån på allvar.

Slutligen några ord om Europaparlamentets egen budget. Sedan flera år har den socialdemokratiska gruppen drivit på för besparingar utan att äventyra det parlamentariska arbetet. Den linjen fortsätter vi nu. Vi är överens om en ökningstakt på 1,9 % inklusive kostnaderna för Kroatiens anslutning. Det är faktiskt en real bantning av budgeten.

Slutligen: vi skulle verkligen behöva göra framsteg i frågan om parlamentets säte i Strasbourg. Budgetutskottet har nu, bland annat på mitt förslag, med stor majoritet antagit ett mer utvecklat förslag än tidigare som kräver en "road map", en handlingsplan, för att praktiskt ta itu med frågan. Det finns sätt att lösa detta med respekt för historien utan att skada staden Strasbourg och dess medborgare. I längden är det orimligt med en lösning som kräver väldiga kostnader varje år och som dessutom är en stor belastning både på miljön och parlamentets arbetsförhållanden.

  Angelika Werthmann (ALDE). - Herr Präsident! Werte Kolleginnen und Kollegen, werter Rat, Herr Kommissar! Die Prioritäten für den kommenden Haushaltsplan 2013 liegen vor allem in der Unterstützung nachhaltigen Wachstums, der Wettbewerbsfähigkeit und der Beschäftigung. Hier wiederum werden KMU und junge Menschen in den Vordergrund gestellt. Mit großer Verwunderung stellt man in der Tat fest, dass der Rat die meisten Kürzungen bei den Verpflichtungsermächtigungen in Rubrik I vorgenommen hat. Es ist dies die wichtigste Rubrik, um die 2020-Ziele überhaupt erreichen zu können. Gerade in der Zeit der schweren Strukturkrise muss den Menschen jede Möglichkeit der Qualifizierung für eine Beschäftigung geboten werden. Denn nur gut ausgebildete junge Leute – und auch ältere Menschen – haben eine Chance auf einen nachhaltigen Arbeitsplatz. Ebenso werden nur gesunde Menschen auch ihren Beitrag zu einer funktionierenden Gesellschaft leisten können. Daher sind Programme und Maßnahmen wie z. B. Daphne und die Europäischen Partnerschaften im Bereich des Sports positiv hervorzuheben.

Setzen wir doch die richtigen Schritte! Es ist das Geld unserer Bürger und Bürgerinnen. Sie sind es, die im Zentrum unserer Aufmerksamkeit stehen sollten – gerade in diesen Zeiten der grassierenden Krise. Es ist das letzte Jahr des gegenwärtigen MFR. Wir müssen das richtige Gleichgewicht zwischen Sparen und Investitionen finden!

  Hynek Fajmon (ECR). - Pane předsedající, rok se s rokem sešel a opět tady máme čas boje o rozpočet Evropské unie. Stejně jako v minulých letech bych chtěl vyzvat k odpovědnému jednání. Naším cílem musí být směřování ke kompromisu tak, aby rozpočet mohl být včas a řádně přijat do konce tohoto roku.

Nejsem přítelem vyhrocování situace a rozpočtové války institucí. Nepodporuji proto snahy o navyšování evropského rozpočtu. Za základ pro kompromis má být vzat stejně jako v minulých letech postoj Rady, která reprezentuje naše členské státy. Právě tyto státy nyní čelí složité hospodářské situaci a není možné je nutit ke zvyšování výdajů na úrovni EU.

Je dobře, že se nyní i Evropský parlament snaží hledat úspory ve svém hospodaření. Myslím, že takový prostor zde stále existuje.

Dnes jsem si přečetl v novinách, že Evropská komise financuje částkou 10 milionů EUR projekt sledování lidí v kyberprostoru. Víme také, že financujeme pěstování tabáku, i když víme, že kouření škodí zdraví. A víme také, že máme dvě sídla Evropského parlamentu a ročně nás to stojí 200 milionů EUR. V těchto věcech můžeme šetřit a ve spoustě dalších určitě také.

  João Ferreira (GUE/NGL). - A proposta do Conselho para o orçamento de 2013 é vergonhosa, inaceitável e flagrantemente contraditória com o discurso da solidariedade e com toda a propaganda em torno do crescimento e da coesão. Os cortes indiscriminados propostos pelo Conselho, é bom lembrá-lo, partem da pressão de países que se contam entre os maiores beneficiários do mercado único e das políticas comuns.

Se é verdade que este relatório é crítico da posição do Conselho, não é menos verdade que este Parlamento, em anos anteriores, e face a idêntica postura do Conselho, sempre acabou por dar o seu acordo e a aprovação a orçamentos igualmente inaceitáveis.

Nas propostas de alteração que apresentámos quer ao orçamento, quer a este relatório, demonstrámos que existem alternativas. A crise que vivemos exige um aumento substancial do orçamento e o acentuar da sua função redistributiva. Mais verbas para apoiar a atividade produtiva, em especial nos países que enfrentam mais dificuldades, a criação de emprego com direitos, a luta contra a pobreza e a exclusão, a investigação e desenvolvimento, a proteção do ambiente, menos recursos para o intervencionismo externo, a repressão da emigração, o militarismo e a propaganda institucional.

  Tadeusz Cymański (EFD). - Panie Przewodniczący! Koleżanki! Koledzy! Ostatnie lata wyraźnie pokazały, że również my musimy stawić czoła kryzysowi. Nadchodzący rok będzie ostatnim rokiem obecnych wieloletnich ram finansowych, a to znaczy, że ma on ogromne znaczenie z punktu widzenia zbilansowania, osiągnięcia stanu równowagi między zaciągniętymi zobowiązaniami a koniecznością ich realizacji. Jest to kwestia wiarygodności Unii Europejskiej. W moim głębokim przekonaniu utrzymanie obecnej planowanej wielkości budżetu leży w interesie nie tylko beneficjentów, ale w interesie wszystkich państw, i będzie w ogromnym stopniu wpływać na przyszłość naszego kontynentu. Obecny kryzys, który ograniczył realne możliwości wzrostu budżetu, nie może być jednak wygodnym pretekstem do jego redukcji. Z tą myślą będziemy do końca oczekiwać wyniku prac i uważamy, że wielkości planowane zostaną osiągnięte.

  Alain Lamassoure (PPE). - Monsieur le Président, Monsieur le Président du Conseil, Monsieur le Commissaire, nous abordons le budget 2013 avec un objectif politique et un objectif de méthode.

L'objectif politique consiste à financer les engagements déjà pris, et en particulier, à donner une suite positive au pacte de croissance qui a été adopté par le Conseil européen, en juin dernier. Le Conseil européen de la semaine dernière a souligné la lenteur de sa mise en œuvre. Pour nous, sa réalisation suppose un montant budgétaire minimum, une concentration sur les programmes de recherche et de développement, d'échanges universitaires, d'innovation de la catégorie 1 A.

Puis, nous avons un objectif méthodologique: traiter les crédits de paiement sur le plan technique et non pas politique. Le niveau des paiements empoisonne le débat budgétaire depuis trois ans. Il n'aurait jamais dû devenir un problème politique. S'il l'est devenu, c'est parce que la tuyauterie administrative a été mal conçue. Cela fonctionne mal dans les capitales nationales, puis entre les capitales nationales et Bruxelles, et puis à Bruxelles même.

Nous faisons au Parlement une proposition concrète: inviter chaque pays à centraliser ses demandes de paiement au sein d'une seule autorité. Cette autorité centrale vérifierait le niveau des besoins, le certifierait, le rendrait public et le transmettrait officiellement à Bruxelles. Le commissaire n'aurait plus qu'à faire des additions. Et les autorités politiques, ministres d'un côté, membres du Parlement de l'autre, négocieraient de nouveau sur la dimension proprement politique du budget que sont les crédits d'engagement.

À l'heure où nous parlons, des programmes aussi importants que le Fonds social, le développement rural, l'innovation, le programme cadre-recherche, Erasmus sont en cessation de paiement; comme l'a dit le commissaire, nous ne pouvons pas laisser l'Union dans une situation qu'aucun gouvernement n'a voulue et qu'aucun citoyen ne peut comprendre.

  Edit Herczog (S&D). - Biztos Úr! Tisztelt Képviselőtársaim! A múlt héten kkv-csúcsot tartottunk Brüsszelben, kb. 600 kisvállalkozó volt a Bizottság meghívására a városban. Előző héten a Parlamentben több száz innovatív vállalkozás vett részt különböző konferenciákon. Ezelőtt másfél héttel egy gálavacsorán üdvözölhettem 250 fiatal vállalkozót, akik az „Erasmus for all” programban vettek részt. 5000 kisvállalkozó vett már részt ezen a programon. Tisztelt képviselőtársaim! Biztos úr! A szavainknak és a cselekedeteinknek egy irányba kell mutatni! Ezért elfogadhatatlannak tartjuk az Ipari Bizottságban, hogy a Tanács és a Bizottság arra tett javaslatot, hogy a vállalkozói kezdeményezés és innovációs programot kurtítsuk meg, hogy a kutatás-fejlesztési programot kurtítsuk meg, hogy a digitális menetrendet kurtítsuk meg.

Nem ezt ígértük, nem ezt várják tőlünk sem a választóink, sem a vállalkozóink. Azt ígértük, hogy növekedést és foglalkoztatást biztosítunk. Ezért arra szeretném Önöket bíztatni, hogy fogadják el az Ipari Bizottság és a Költségvetési Bizottság javaslatát ezen sorok eredeti állapotára történő visszaállítására. Biztos úr! Az elmúlt két évben – illetve már harmadik évben – egy komoly harcot vívtunk, hogy megtaláljuk közösen az ITER finanszírozásának a forrásait. Mi fontosnak tartjuk ezt a programot, de azt is mindig hangsúlyoztuk, és most is hangsúlyozni kívánjuk, hogy ez nem mehet a kutatás-fejlesztés egyéb programjainak a rovására. Őszintén remélem, hogy ennek a rémálomnak – amit itt évek óta folytatunk ebben a kérdésben – a végére érünk, és a következő hétéves költségvetésben ez a kérdés megoldódik. Arra bíztatom Önöket, hogy gondoljanak a fiatalokra, gondoljanak a jövőre, és fektessenek ebbe forrásokat. Köszönöm, hogy meghallgattak!

  Nils Torvalds (ALDE). - Mr President, my thanks to the rapporteurs for their good work and balanced proposals. The most important issue now is maintaining our credibility by remembering the reality outside these walls and keeping in mind agreed priorities. This means not cutting investments in action to promote growth and jobs, and sticking to the Europe 2020 strategy. We must therefore maintain spending in research, development and innovation.

I applaud the efforts of Mr La Via towards this goal. It is the right way. In Italian they would probably say ‘la via correta’. This does not mean ignoring the need for budgetary restraint; cuts must be made, but they must be made in areas which do not harm our priorities. Mr Vaughan has done a great job in this direction. At the same time we must not give in to Council pressure to limit the budget in preparation for the negotiations for the MFF.

  Peter van Dalen (ECR). - Overal in Europa en in grote delen van de wereld moeten overheden en burgers bezuinigen. Maar wat zien wij? De Begrotingscommissie hier wil de begroting met bijna 7% verhogen. Je vraagt je af op welke planeet dit onvoorstelbare besluit is genomen.

Mijn fractie heeft amendementen ingediend om tot een verlaging van de begroting te komen. Het megalomane project Huis van de Europese geschiedenis moeten wij schrappen. Ook moet worden gekeken of de Europese agentschappen en de Europese buitenlandse dienst het budget wel zinvol besteden. Nota bene, Voorzitter, waarom heeft het Europese Spoorwegagentschap twee werkplekken, op 45 kilometer van elkaar gelegen? Waarom heeft de Europese buitenlandse dienst bijna 50 man personeel op het zonne-eiland Barbados?

Minstens zo belangrijk is transparantie. En dat moet beginnen bij onszelf. Opnieuw heb ik voorgesteld de algemene onkostenvergoeding voor leden transparant te maken. Als wij dit punt in de resolutie opnemen dan wint het Europees Parlement aan geloofwaardigheid, dat vind ik erg belangrijk.

  Sidonia Elżbieta Jędrzejewska (PPE). - Unia Europejska musi dysponować odpowiednimi środkami finansowymi, by wypełnić zaciągnięte już w przeszłości zobowiązania. Zobowiązania na rzecz samorządów, na rzecz przedsiębiorców, czy też na rzecz stypendystów ERASMUSA. Budżet Unii Europejskiej nie służy tylko państwom członkowskim, budżet Unii Europejskiej służy przede wszystkim obywatelom. Dlatego w naszym stanowisku domagamy się zwiększenia funduszy – funduszy na działania pobudzające wzrost i konkurencyjność oraz na te działania, które służą tworzeniu miejsc pracy (w szczególności promujące zatrudnienie osób młodych). Dlatego chcemy w szczególności zwiększenia środków na programy takie jak program „Uczenie się przez całe życie”, z którego finansowany jest m.in. ERASMUS. Dlatego też chcemy odrzucić wszystkie cięcia proponowane przez Radę w polityce spójności. Fundusze strukturalne są narzędziem, które przede wszystkim stymuluje wzrost i konkurencyjność. Fundusze strukturalne stanowią główny filar europejskiej solidarności, filar, o którym w tym kontekście niestety często się zapomina.

Chciałabym też zwrócić uwagę na to, że 2013 rok jest ostatnim już rokiem wieloletniej perspektywy finansowej, rokiem, w którym nastąpi przyspieszenie wdrażania i realizacji projektów unijnych, czyli w konsekwencji istotny wzrost wniosków o zwrot pieniędzy założonych już przez beneficjentów. Dlatego państwa członkowskie powinny pójść drogą eurodeputowanych i zgodzić się na wzrost płatności na politykę spójności, taki wzrost, który zaproponowała Komisja Europejska. W ostateczności na uporze państw członkowskich nie stracą państwa członkowskie, ale ich obywatele.

  Ioannis Kasoulides, on behalf of the rapporteur for the opinion of the Committee on International Trade. − Mr President, on behalf of Mr Šťastný and the Committee on International Trade, I would like to start by highlighting that my committee’s budgetary amendments were very limited and reasonable in terms of their financial demands. There was no request for any new budget line, except for a project on monitoring trade negotiations for civil society.

How do we reconcile a dozen negotiations for trade and investment – where trade is considered a major source of growth – with cuts in this area? The INTA Committee has proposed slight increases in the funding for macro-financial assistance, external trade relations, aid for trade and the DCI. It proposes that the ICI and cooperation with developing countries not be affected by budgetary cuts, and it proposes expansion of the internationalisation of European SMEs and of the ‘Euromed – innovative entrepreneurs for change’ initiative.

Έναρξη της διαδικασίας "Catch-the-eye"

  Jean-Pierre Audy (PPE). - Monsieur le Président, je voudrais intervenir sur les paragraphes relatifs à l'organisation du Parlement et au siège.

Il est indiqué, au paragraphe 86, que le Parlement estime qu'à l'instar de tout parlement élu au suffrage direct, le Parlement européen devrait avoir le droit de décider de son siège. Cette affirmation est une erreur, Monsieur le Président. Je voudrais demander que, selon les procédures appropriées, on puisse retirer ce qui est une erreur.

Certes, le Bundestag a décidé de lui-même de transférer son siège de Bonn à Berlin, mais les pratiques constitutionnelles et les pratiques politiques dans les États membres sont extrêmement diverses. Dans l'État membre auquel j'appartiens, c'est une ordonnance qui fixe le siège de l'Assemblée nationale et du Sénat.

Il y a ensuite des paragraphes qui demandent des études sur les économies à réaliser. S'agissant de l'empreinte carbone, le siège de Strasbourg a exactement la même que s'il était à Bruxelles. Quant aux économies, je pense qu'il faut inclure une étude sur tous les sièges de l'Union européenne: la Banque centrale à Francfort, l'Office du médicament à Londres, l'Autorité bancaire européenne à Londres, l'Office des brevets à Munich, etc.

Si nous faisons une étude, faisons-la sur l'ensemble des sièges de l'Union européenne, sans stigmatiser, s'il vous plaît, systématiquement le Parlement européen.

  Monika Flašíková Beňová (S&D). - V súvislosti s rozpočtom na rok 2013 je potrebné zdôrazniť, že ide o rozpočet, ktorý navrhujeme v čase pretrvávajúcej krízy. Práve táto skutočnosť je zásadná, pretože rozpočet Únie je mimoriadne dôležitým nástrojom na jej prekonanie. Nedostatočné zdroje v rámci nášho rozpočtu ohrozia financovanie politík Únie vrátane investícií v členských krajinách najviac postihnutých krízou, ako aj kľúčových programov. Už teraz je v ohrození financovanie politík súdržnosti cez Kohézny fond, otáznik visí aj nad zdrojmi Európskeho sociálneho fondu či programu Erasmus.

Bezpodmienečne musíme zabezpečiť dostatočné prostriedky, aby sme v týchto programoch, ktoré sa momentálne nachádzajú v ohrození, mohli pokračovať. Rozpočet musíme naplno využiť ako efektívny protikrízový balík. Ak budeme škrtať, škrtajme radšej tam, kde to nebude mať negatívne následky na najchudobnejších.

Kolegyne a kolegovia, mám na mysli aj zmrazenie našich príspevkov, obmedzenie cestovných nákladov či reorganizáciu pracovných metód s cieľom nájdenia oblastí možných úspor. Takýto prejav by zo strany nás – v Európskom parlamente – bol prejavom solidarity nielen voči rozpočtu, ale aj voči občanom.

  Rareş-Lucian Niculescu (PPE). - Doresc în primul rând să-i felicit pe colegii raportori pentru buget pentru realismul de care au dat dovadă tratând acest subiect important.

La rândul meu, ridic problema pericolului încetării plăţilor din sectorul dezvoltării rurale şi alte sectoare deja menţionate de alţi colegi. De asemenea, doresc să insist asupra unui punct din avizul Comisiei pentru agricultură, referitor la plăţile pentru măsurile de dezvoltare rurală. Prin avizul său, Comisia pentru agricultură a solicitat Comisiei să acorde statelor membre flexibilitatea necesară pentru a transfera fondurile necheltuite între axe. Această flexibilitate este necesară şi poate să contribuie la creşterea economică. De aceea, revin asupra acestei solicitări şi atrag atenţia asupra faptului că timpul rămas pentru realizarea ajustărilor necesare este foarte scurt.

  Bastiaan Belder (EFD). - Sinds de Arabische opstanden is er een zorgwekkende toename van antisemitische uitingen in de mediterrane landen zichtbaar en dit gif moet worden bestreden. Ik heb daarom twee amendementen ingediend die de bestrijding van antisemitisme in het kader van de financiële samenwerking met de mediterrane landen beogen.

Dat de Begrotingscommissie deze amendementen heeft aangenomen verheugt mij zeer en oprecht. Dit resultaat, mijnheer de Voorzitter, moet echter niet veranderd worden. De EFD-Fractie heeft namelijk een verzoek ingediend om in onderdelen over de bestrijding van antisemitisme te stemmen.

Nota bene, gezien de ernst van het antisemitisme en de verantwoordelijkheid en geloofwaardigheid van de Europese Unie op dit gebied roep ik de aanvragers van de stemming in onderdelen op om dit verzoek in te trekken. Het betreft de amendementen 1241 en 1192 op de begrotingslijnen 1908-01 en 1908-02.

  Paul Rübig (PPE). - Herr Präsident, sehr geehrter Herr Kommissar, Herr Ratspräsident! Ich würde mich freuen, wenn wir in dem Vorschlag für 2013 auch klare Signale des Rates sehen würden, wie wir in Europa das Wachstums- und Wettbewerbsfähigkeitspotenzial ausbauen können, und vor allem, wie wir jungen Menschen wieder Beschäftigung geben könnten. Könnten Sie uns bitte berichten, in welchen Haushaltszeilen Sie vorhaben, Jugendbeschäftigung zu fördern und Unternehmerschaft und kleine und mittlere Betriebe in den Mittelpunkt zu stellen?

Wir wissen, dass das Zielprogramm die wesentliche Voraussetzung dafür ist – ich sehe hier nur Kürzungen durch den Rat. Oder das Erasmus-Programm für Jungunternehmer oder das Programm für Medienpluralität: Hier gibt es nur Kürzungen. Glauben Sie, dass wir so die Krise in Europa meistern können, indem wir bei jenen Punkten, die Wachstum und Beschäftigung garantieren, Kürzungen durchführen? Ich habe gehört, es sollen Wachstums- und Beschäftigungspakete von Seiten des Rates angeregt werden. Wo ist das in diesem Haushalt, der vom Rat vorgelegt worden ist, zu finden?

  Silvia-Adriana Ţicău (S&D). - Politicile şi bugetul Uniunii ar trebui să contribuie în mod substanţial la revitalizarea unei creşteri durabile în Uniune şi la abordarea problemelor majore ale societăţii, precum penuria de resurse, schimbările climatice, delocalizarea industriei europene, investiţiile insuficiente în educaţie, sănătate, cercetare şi lipsa ofertei locurilor de muncă.

Exerciţiul financiar 2013 este foarte important deoarece este destinat pregătirii lansării mecanismului Conectarea Europei şi de aceea susţin menţinerea nivelului creditelor de angajament şi de plată propuse în proiectul de buget. Consider că necesităţile de dezvoltare a infrastructurii de transport din noile state membre ar trebui să fie reflectate în mod corespunzător atât în exerciţiul financiar 2013, cât şi în viitorul cadru financiar multianual.

În final, incapacitatea guvernelor anterioare ale României nu trebuie să conducă la reducerea fondurilor structurale pe care România trebuie să le utilizeze în actuala perioadă financiară şi de care are foarte mare nevoie.

  Jan Kozłowski (PPE). - Panie Przewodniczący! Panie Komisarzu! Szanowni Państwo! Na wstępie chcę podziękować obu posłom sprawozdawcom za pracę włożoną w przygotowanie tego sprawozdania. Budżet Unii Europejskiej jest specyficznym budżetem, który w dużej mierze skupia się na inicjatywach i inwestycjach w obszarach o strategicznym znaczeniu dla wzrostu i dla zatrudnienia. Należy więc pamiętać, że budżet ten nie może podlegać takim samym oszczędnościom jak budżety krajowe. Tworzenie nowych miejsc pracy, tak potrzebne w obecnej sytuacji ekonomicznej, możliwe jest jedynie przy zagwarantowaniu odpowiedniego poziomu finansowania. Cieszy mnie, że Rada podtrzymała w czerwcu swoje stanowisko na temat wspierania zatrudnienia i wzrostu, i mam nadzieję, że zostanie to też odzwierciedlone w budżecie na rok 2013. Uważam, że wzrost poziomu płatności do 6,8% w porównaniu z rokiem poprzednim jest niezbędny, w szczególności dlatego, aby nie zagrozić efektywnemu wspieraniu polityki spójności.

  Franz Obermayr (NI). - Herr Präsident! Ein paar Bemerkungen zu verschiedenen Haushaltsposten. Zur Gebäudepolitik: Der einzige Grund, warum das Parlament sich immer noch den Luxus von zwei Standorten leisten darf, ist schlicht und einfach der, dass die Bürger von dieser Unsitte zu wenig wissen. Stellen Sie sich doch vor, das französische Parlament würde einmal im Monat in Marseille tagen, Anreise und Unterkunft auf Steuerzahlerkosten versteht sich. Das wäre ein Riesenskandal und die Sache – der Wanderzirkus – wäre bald abgestellt. Persönlich würde ich natürlich als einzigen Standort Straßburg bevorzugen, denn hier scheint mir das Haus etwas stabiler zu sein als das in Brüssel.

Gänzlich unbekannt ist dem Bürger das Fernsehen des Europäischen Parlaments. Die Idee ist zwar gut, die Transparenz, die hier gefördert wird, ebenso, allerdings ist das ohne wirksame Mittel für das Marketing reine Geldverschwendung. Ich begrüße auch die Vorschläge des Rates, die Mittel für die Agenturen zu kürzen; allerdings würde ich den Rückkehrfonds nicht kürzen, sondern anheben, ebenso wie die Mittel für Frontex.

  Karin Kadenbach (S&D). - Herr Präsident, Frau Präsidentin, Herr Kommissar! Meine Bitte richtet sich in erster Linie an die Vertreter des Rates. Ich bin nicht Mitglied im Haushaltsausschuss, aber ich bin Mitglied im Gesundheits-, im Regional- und im Agrarausschuss – im Prinzip jene Bereiche, die den Hauptteil der Legislative bzw. den Hauptteil der Umverteilung der europäischen Mittel zu verantworten haben.

Meine Bitte ist es, nicht mit zwei Zungen zu sprechen. Ich weiß, dass sich der Rat in erster Linie natürlich den Wählerinnen und Wählern in den Mitgliedstaaten verpflichtet fühlt. Ich weiß aber auch, dass sich der Rat gemeinsam mit dem Parlament und der Kommission verpflichtet hat, eine ganze Reihe von europäischen Programmen im Rahmen der Gemeinschaftspolitik umzusetzen. Und diesem Ziel, diesem Mehrwert für Europa, können wir nur dann gerecht werden, wenn die entsprechenden Haushaltsmittel zur Verfügung gestellt werden.

Ich darf Sie daher ersuchen, im Sinne eines gemeinschaftlichen Europas, eines Europas der Solidarität und eines Europas des Fortschritts nicht dort zu sparen, wo wir genau das – nämlich Beschäftigung, sozialen Zusammenhalt und soziale Integration – fördern könnten. In diesem Sinne wünsche ich mir ein europäisches Budget unter Berücksichtigung der Konsolidierungsbestrebungen der einzelnen nationalen Haushalte.

(Τέλος της διαδικασίας "Catch-the-eye")

  Janusz Lewandowski, Member of the Commission. − Mr President, the Commission is submitting what is called the ‘draft budget’ as a basis for reading here in Parliament and in the Council. This is not our invention. To a large extent we are taking as a basis and verifying very critically what comes from 27 Member States, both net payers into and net beneficiaries of the budget. I think Jan Mulder has posed the right question: what if we take at face value what is coming from the Member States for next year? If we took at face value – without downward revision – what was coming from the 27 Member States for next year, we should submit a draft budget which was 15 % higher for next year and not 6, 7 or 8 % higher, because we have critically revised what is coming from the Member States. It would be more or less EUR 10 billion more in the draft proposal. Mr van Dalen – who is no longer here – was asking on what planet our proposal was born. The planet is populated by the governments in The Hague, in Stockholm, in Warsaw, in Sofia, everywhere, and we are critically revising what is coming from these governments as their request for decent financing for 2013.

As for the payments – the most sensitive issue in negotiations for next year – you can compare these to your monthly credit card bills. When the bills come in, it is too late to discuss them: you have to pay the bills, it is your contractual obligation to pay. That is why, especially now – at a time of austerity – we need to supplement the consolidation of public finances with a realistic growth and jobs agenda, as we have the tools in the budget, which is by nature an investment budget. However – and here it differs from national budgets – it also has macro-financing facilities for small- and medium-sized companies. Therefore we should exploit all the possibilities of the European budget rather than cut it, in clear contradiction of the announcements by the Member States in June 2013. I still remain hopeful for a decent budget for next year which will resolve the tensions of this year’s budget.

  Andreas Mavroyiannis, President-in-Office of the Council. − Mr President, I have noted with interest the various points raised during this debate and will inform my colleagues in the Council accordingly. I know that one should never shoot the messenger. At the same time, as President of the Council and the personification of the institution I represent, I have to defend the position of the institution I represent, and I have to take some hits. All your comments, criticism and disagreements are welcome.

However, I would like to make a small clarification concerning the way the Council’s position on the 2013 budget was interpreted. The Council has indeed scaled back the Commission’s proposal, but it has accepted a 2.79 % increase on the current year. That is definitely not a decrease. The Council has not made horizontal cuts across the board. We have established priorities, as suggested by Mr Torvalds, and we have examined every heading, policy and institution carefully and individually. We do not intend to let the Union run out of money. For instance, we have kept the over eight percent increase for cohesion funding, as well as the full EUR 55 billion for the European Council’s Growth and Jobs Pact referred to by Mr Lamassoure.

This debate has certainly contributed to clarifying our respective positions. Let me assure you that the Council will do its utmost to find an agreement on the 2013 budget within the deadlines foreseen by the Treaty. Thank you very much for your attention. I hope I can count on your constructive cooperation in order to finalise the important task we have in front of us.

  Giovanni La Via, relatore. − Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, grazie per questo dibattito e per gli utili interventi del presidente del Consiglio in carica e del Commissario.

Credo che sia emerso in modo evidente dalla maggior parte degli interventi dei colleghi in Parlamento che questo Parlamento intende difendere il bilancio dell'Unione così come proposto dalla Commissione, perché siamo fermamente convinti come le necessità per uscire dalla crisi si ritrovino in alcune rubriche e in alcune politiche dell'Unione europea: le politiche della ricerca, le politiche dell'innovazione e delle piccole e medie imprese, quelle dell'occupazione sono politiche prioritarie per questo Parlamento.

Per questo abbiamo proposto incrementi selettivi sulla rubrica 1a e se il presidente Mavroyiannis criticava lo sfondamento del massimale, deve pur tener conto del fatto che, nell'ambito della stessa rubrica, abbiamo apportato tagli e realizzato ingenti risparmi, pur dovendo altresì prevedere, nel quadro della stessa rubrica, 360 milioni di euro per i finanziamenti aggiuntivi di ITER, cosa che il Consiglio aveva concesso e previsto per l'esercizio in corso con tutti gli strumenti disponibili, compresa ovviamente quindi anche la flessibilità.

Dall'altro lato, vorrei evidenziare come, in termini di impegni, questo Parlamento non si sia discostato dalle proposte della Commissione e abbia solo fatto incrementi selettivi mentre, in termini di pagamenti, ci siamo adeguati a quelle che sono le necessità di pagamento. Come diceva il presidente Lamassoure, è un fatto tecnico e non politico. Dobbiamo onorare gli impegni presi, anche dal Consiglio, negli anni precedenti.

Auspico pertanto che durante la conciliazione si possa trovare con il Consiglio un accordo su un livello soddisfacente di risorse, in grado di garantire che il bilancio europeo sia dotato di quelle somme necessarie per investire in crescita e sviluppo, creare nuovi posti di lavoro e con un livello di pagamenti sufficiente per onorare tutti gli impegni presi.

  Derek Vaughan, rapporteur. − Mr President, I would also like to thank my colleagues for their contributions and the Commission and the Council for their positive comments. Actually there were very few queries or questions on the other sections of the budget so I can perhaps be quite brief.

I was pleased that one colleague recognised and accepted the need for the small increase in the Ombudsman’s budget for 2013, due to accommodation and staffing pressures. Another colleague mentioned the House of European History. People will be aware that many Members of this House are quite sceptical about that particular project. I wanted to say that for next year we are proposing a EUR 5.3 million cut in the budget line for that particular project. Another colleague mentioned the issue of the single seat. Again I would say that there will be a vote tomorrow, therefore colleagues will have the opportunity to express their views and opinions on the issue of the single seat.

I also wanted to emphasise to colleagues that the joint working group I mentioned in my first contribution is still meeting. It is still looking at some of the issues raised by Helga Trüpel, on Members’ travel for example. It is also looking at a comparative study of the administrative expenditure of this House and that of the US Congress and Member States’ parliaments. That work is ongoing, and we hope to have the final report on that at the end of the year. When we get that report, hopefully we can make some further recommendations in terms of savings for the European Parliament.

The aim of that particular joint working group and of me myself has always been one thing, and I will say it again for colleagues: to find efficiency savings – because it is possible to find these in this Parliament – but also to protect the effectiveness of Members and of this Parliament.

So, although I know many Members think we should go further and find more savings, I also know that many Members feel that we have already gone too far and made too many savings. Hopefully, at the end of the day, we will reach a compromise which tomorrow will be acceptable to most Members.

  Πρόεδρος. - Η συζήτηση έληξε.

Η ψηφοφορία θα διεξαχθεί αύριο Τρίτη, 23 Οκτωβρίου 2012 στις 12.30.

Γραπτές δηλώσεις (άρθρο 149)

  Sergio Berlato (PPE), per iscritto. – Accolgo con favore lo spirito del progetto di relazione in oggetto che, rifiutando la logica dei tagli adottata dal Consiglio europeo, pone al centro l’idea di un Bilancio europeo 2013 con attitudine a sostenere crescita ed occupazione. A mio avviso, per uscire dalla crisi, occorre certamente una politica di rigore, ma è altrettanto necessario mettere al centro delle scelte il tema della qualità della spesa, senza che ciò si traduca in tagli indiscriminati, capaci soltanto di inibire i già timidi segnali di ripresa economica in Europa. Come messo in evidenza dal relatore, l'esercizio 2013 è l'ultimo dell'attuale Quadro Finanziario Pluriennale ed è fondamentale che si rispetti l’equilibrio tra gli impegni assunti finora e i relativi pagamenti. Ciò premesso, esprimo preoccupazione per i dati presentati dal commissario europeo al Bilancio, Janusz Lewandowski, e relativi ai deficit che gravano su tutte le voci del bilancio europeo e, in particolare, per i tagli al Progetto Erasmus. Ben consapevole del fatto che gli orientamenti politici generali sul Bilancio 2013 rispecchiano in larga parte quelli sul negoziato sul prossimo ciclo di programmazione 2014-2020, ribadisco l'importanza della continuità nel tempo del sostegno agli investimenti dell'attività di formazione dei nostri giovani.

  Anne Delvaux (PPE), par écrit. – Il me paraît essentiel, dans le cadre des discussions actuelles sur le budget de l'UE et son cadre budgétaire 2014-2020, de tenir compte des efforts fournis par l'ensemble des Européens afin de sortir de la crise économique qui nous touche. Il est important d'accorder aux députés européens, seuls élus directs de l'UE, le droit de décider eux-mêmes des modalités relatives à leur lieu de travail. Il me semble encore plus logique d'accorder ce droit lorsqu'une décision sur un siège unique réduirait, selon les dernières estimations, le coût de fonctionnement du PE de 200 millions d'euros annuellement. Au-delà de cette économie, l'arrêt des navettes mensuelles entre Bruxelles et Strasbourg réduirait de 20 000 tonnes de CO2 par an l'empreinte écologique de notre Assemblée. Je me réjouis donc du vote intervenu aujourd'hui, où une large majorité de députés invite les États membres à réexaminer la question du siège et des lieux de travail du Parlement lors de la prochaine révision du traité en modifiant le protocole 6. A nouveau, le vote d'aujourd'hui offre un signal clair sur la volonté des députés européens de participer pleinement aux efforts budgétaires et environnementaux de ses États membres.

  Lidia Joanna Geringer de Oedenberg (S&D), in writing. – The current economic reality requires us to demonstrate financial self-restraint and budgetary responsibility to our citizens. Simultaneously, 25 million unemployed people in Europe keep reminding us of the importance of restarting investment, boosting job creation and rebuilding confidence in our economy. In this respect the EU’s budget should be seen as an investment tool to support recovery and long-term development. The 2013 budget strikes a balance between austerity and growth by maintaining support to investments in programmes and initiatives for competitiveness and employment, while keeping the levels of increase for the institutions’ budgets below the forecast inflation rate of 1.9 %. In the light of this, I deplore the Council’s approach, which seeks to make horizontal cuts in payments, especially under Headings 1a and 1b, where most of the programmes and initiatives responsible for the Europe 2020 strategy are concentrated. Such an approach puts at risk the fulfilment of commitments previously undertaken, as well as the delivery of jointly-decided EU priorities. Instead I wish to remind the Council that real savings can be made elsewhere, for example by reducing the working places of the Parliament to one. Our budget must represent and address the need of our citizens to overcome the current crisis and restore growth.

  Louis Grech (S&D), in writing. – I strongly believe that, in the current economic climate where resources are already limited, the EU budget is one of the strongest instruments we have for investment and solidarity. The quality of our budget will allow for a better development of the policies, taking full advantage of the opportunities they provide in terms of European value added, in particular in times of heavy constraint on the national budgets. Today, growth in Europe has been stunted because of the severe austerity measures many countries are facing. For this reason the EU budget must, more than ever, work to increase growth and jobs through research, development and innovation, and the better governance of the policies including certain conditionalities, flexibility, positive incentives, concentration of funds on growth-enhancing measures, emphasis on results, and simplification in delivery. Further to this it should aim to support long-term development and strategic European cooperation, and give additional support to Member States that are currently struggling to overcome the crisis. For this reason, I agree that further negotiation on EU financing must be reasonable and give due importance to programmes such as Erasmus, research and cohesion policy, and strive to make the EU budget a fairer, more transparent and more accountable mechanism.

  Romana Jordan (PPE), pisno. – Notranji trg je prednostna naloga EU. Notranji trg Evropo povezuje: povezuje podjetja, ljudi, politiko. A vzpostavitev ima svojo ceno, ki jo moramo upoštevati pri sprejemanju proračunov. Primer je agencija za energijo, ki ima v letu 2013 prenizek proračun tako za finančne kot tudi za človeške vire, da bi implementirala uredbo REMIT. Z izvajanjem te uredbe bomo preprečili zlorabe informacij in goljufije na trgu elektrike in plina. Omejena finančna sredstva implementacijo pomikajo v prihodnost. Kdo bo odgovoren, če bo na trgih v vmesnem času prihajalo do nepravilnosti? Bo to napaka evropske politike, ker nismo vztrajali pri višjem proračunu, ali napaka nacionalnih politik, ker so varčevale tam, kjer ne bi smele? Želim poudariti, da sem proti tovrstnemu zmanjševanju proračuna.

  Algirdas Saudargas (PPE), raštu. – Šiandien balsuosime dėl Europos Parlamento pozicijos dėl 2013 metų Europos Sąjungos biudžeto. Nors vyksta intensyvios diskusijos, koks turėtų būti ES kitų metų biudžetas, vis dėlto reikėtų nepamiršti, kad, nepaisant skirtingų nuomonių, visų mūsų siekis yra Europos Sąjungos valstybių narių ir jų piliečių gerovė. Todėl raginu atkreipti dėmesį į Europos Parlamento siūlomas pozicijas, kurios yra išties subalansuotos ir svarbios, užtikrinančios svarbiausių ES prioritetų įgyvendinimą. Visų pirma, svarbiausia yra užtikrinti ES finansuojamų projektų tęstinumą, negalime leisti stabdyti to, ką pati Europos Sąjunga skatina remdamasi savo prioritetais. Džiaugiuosi, kad ateinančių metų biudžete daug dėmesio skiriama ekonomikos augimui, konkurencingumo skatinimui, jaunimo įdarbinimui. Labai svarbu, kad ES remtų ilgalaikes investicijas į tyrimus, vystymąsi ir inovacijas (angl. RDI), nemažiau reikalingas ir koordinuotas finansavimas valstybių narių atsigavimo skatinimui. Suprantu valstybių narių siekį karpyti išlaidas, stengiantis kuo daugiau mažinti savo biudžetų deficitą, tačiau negalime pamiršti, kad ES biudžeto lėšos yra nukreiptos į mūsų pačių valstybių ateities investicijas. Ekonomikos augimas yra grindžiamas energetikos, inovacijų, mokslinių tyrimų, švietimo sričių vystymu, todėl turi būti užtikrintas ne tik jau esamų programų tęstinumas, bet ir kuriamos bei finansuojamos naujos politikos sritys, aiškiai apibrėžtos Europos Sąjungos prioritetuose.

  Anna Záborská (PPE), písomne. – Veľmi ma mrzí, že i napriek kritike verejnosti obsahuje návrh rozpočtu Európskeho parlamentu stále aj položku Dom európskej histórie. S týmto projektom principiálne nesúhlasím. Nie je úlohou Parlamentu, aby zriaďoval a prevádzkoval múzeá. Navyše, pri neschopnosti dohodnúť sa o spoločnej interpretácii aj nedávnej minulosti by sa tento projekt mal volať skôr Dom najmenšieho spoločného menovateľa.

Škrty v rozpočte vo výške 5 miliónov EUR predstavujú len zlomok predpokladaných nákladov a nijako nezmenšujú nezmyselnosť tohto projektu. Práve takéto bohapusté plytvanie spôsobuje, že občania prestávajú vidieť zmysel európskeho projektu.

A už len na okraj: veľmi by ma zaujímalo, prečo o Dome európskej histórie nepočuť viac od tých, ktorí sa oháňajú potrebou šetriť, aby mohli tento Parlament nadobro presťahovať do Bruselu.

20. Euroopan unionin kansalaisuuden teemavuosi (2013) (keskustelu)

  Πρόεδρος. - Το επόμενο σημείο είναι η έκθεση της Αντιγόνης Παπαδοπούλου, εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής Πολιτικών Ελευθεριών, σχετικά με την πρόταση απόφασης του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου και του Συμβουλίου για το Ευρωπαϊκό έτος των πολιτών (2013) (COM(2011)0489 - C7-0217/2011 - 2011/0217(COD) (A7-0271/2012).

  Antigoni Papadopoulou, rapporteur. − Mr President, I would like to express my deep appreciation to Commissioner Reding for proposing 2013 as the European Year of Citizens and for launching the biggest ever web-based EU public consultation on citizens’ rights.

I thank the shadow rapporteurs for their excellent contributions, the Danish and Cyprus Presidencies for successfully concluding the trialogues and the administrators for their valuable assistance.

Colleagues, EU citizens today feel disappointed about the ongoing economic crisis, rising unemployment and the lack of effective solutions. Brussels seems far away; important decisions are taken for them without them; the lack of information and language problems remain persistent barriers preventing full enjoyment of Union citizenship within the EU and in cross-border situations.

Despite the great disappointment, it is, however, encouraging that the vast majority of European citizens have not turned their backs on the EU. They still consider EU membership to be a good thing, according to the latest Eurobarometer survey of August 2012. A better and deeper Europe is, however, required.

Further discussions on European integration require strong democratic support. EU political leaders and institutions must endorse the concerns of 500 million European citizens, fulfil their expectations and regain their trust. At a time of economic, political, and social crisis only twenty months before the next European elections, putting Union citizenship and participative democracy at the centre of the political agenda is absolutely essential.

This is exactly the aim of the European Year of Citizens 2013: to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Union citizenship by the Treaty of Maastricht and to give a new momentum to the debate on Union citizenship. All EU citizens must be informed and enjoy without discrimination all the rights granted to them by Union law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, i.e. the right to move and reside freely within the EU, to vote and to stand as candidates in European and municipal elections; to enjoy protection by the diplomatic or consular authorities of any Member State in a third country; to petition the European Parliament; to apply to the European Ombudsman; to address the institutions of the Union; to enjoy the free movement of goods and services, consumer protection, public health, equal opportunities, equal treatment, access to employment and social protection; to enjoy the new right of the European Citizens Initiative granted by the Lisbon Treaty, and to strengthen participative democracy through access to documents, information, good governance and administration.

In conclusion, all the initiatives launched for the European Year of Citizens should enhance awareness of Union citizenship, improve understanding of European integration and enhance cooperation among Union citizens, institutions and Member States. As Members of the European Parliament – the only directly elected EU institution – we have a crucial role to play in promoting the aims of the European Year of Citizens 2013 by bridging the gap between Brussels and Member States, communicating the rights and benefits of EU citizenship, endorsing citizens’ concerns in formulating EU policies and promoting participative democracy.

In view of the forthcoming European elections, we must raise awareness of the legislative powers of the European Parliament and encourage citizens to vote so that their voice is heard clearly by EU decision-makers. A Union of growth, stability and solidarity can only be built with the active involvement of well-informed active citizens.

  Andreas Mavroyiannis, President-in-Office of the Council. − Mr President, I would like to begin my remarks this afternoon by welcoming the agreement reached between the Council and Parliament on this important issue.

The designation of 2013 as the European Year of Citizens is an important signal that we want to increase public awareness of the rights and responsibilities of citizens across the European Union. We hope, in particular, that it will highlight the rights of citizens to move and reside freely within the European Union. These issues are all the more important in the run-up to the European elections of 2014.

It was this Parliament which first proposed this initiative at the end of 2010. At that time you highlighted the need to stimulate discussion on Union citizenship and to inform Union citizens of their rights, in particular those resulting from the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon. We are happy that the idea was taken up and moved forward by Commissioner Reding.

The Treaty on European Union first introduced the concept of citizenship of the Union, so next year will mark the 20th anniversary. It is therefore particularly appropriate that 2013 will be designated as the Year of Citizens. The Cyprus Presidency, building on the work of the Danish Presidency, was able to conclude negotiations on this proposal in the first few weeks of its term in office. I would like to thank in particular the rapporteur, Mrs Papadopoulou, for her enthusiasm for this initiative and for her willingness to negotiate in such a cooperative manner with the Council. I welcome the vote that will be taking place this week on this proposal and have no doubt that the initiative will be strongly endorsed by this Parliament.

The general objective of the European Year of Citizens in 2013 is to enhance awareness and knowledge of the rights – but also of the responsibilities – attached to Union citizenship. As is clear from the legal basis chosen by the Commission, the proposal aimed first and foremost to help citizens to make full use of their right to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States.

However, in the context of free movement, the European Year will also provide an opportunity to promote other rights. The free movement of persons is one of the four basic freedoms, but at the same time there is clearly also a way to bridge the gap between what the rules state and how they operate in practice. Citizens still encounter difficulties when moving to another Member State, whether as workers, students, entrepreneurs, job seekers or consumers. It is therefore essential that all citizens are fully aware of their legal rights.

This initiative will also provide an opportunity to raise awareness of other rights related to free movement, such as the right to vote and stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament and in local elections in the Member State of residence, the right to petition the European Parliament, the right to apply to the European Ombudsman and the right to address EU institutions, as well as a wide range of other rights, such as the free movement of goods and services, consumer protection and public health, equal opportunities and equal treatment.

We very much hope that this proposal will play an important role in encouraging and empowering citizens to uphold their right to engage actively at European level, not least in view of the 2014 European elections.

Of course, the European Year of Citizens is not a one-off event. It now needs to seek the launch of a longer-term process of building awareness and encouraging participation. I know this Parliament has a pivotal role in ensuring that this is the case. We also look forward to the 2013 European Union citizenship report, which will assess progress in this area and propose further initiatives to remove the obstacles which prevent citizens from fully enjoying their rights.

This is an important decision which serves the interest of all our citizens. All of us – this Parliament as well as our own national governments and parliaments – have a role in helping to increase awareness of what it means to be a citizen of the European Union. We are ready to play our role. I have no doubt that the European Parliament will be very active, not just in 2013 but also beyond, in highlighting this message.

Thank you for your attention.

  Janusz Lewandowski, Member of the Commission. − Mr President, honourable Members, on behalf of the Commission I wish to thank very much the rapporteur, Mrs Papadopoulou, and the members of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and all the committees involved in shaping what is now, finally, a solid basis for compromise in this area that should suit all parties.

The European Year of Citizens 2013 will take place in a very special context, as next year also marks the 20th anniversary of EU citizenship, as introduced by the Maastricht Treaty. This is an opportunity to illustrate, with concrete examples, the benefits of EU citizenship in the daily lives of students, residents, tourists, workers, private individuals and businesses.

The Commission is ready to provide the second so-called ‘citizenship report’ on how to remove the remaining obstacles and barriers which make it difficult, in daily life, for European citizens to move around Europe.

The year also falls on the eve of the European elections. Therefore, it is a good opportunity to remind people that participation is legally possible wherever citizens may reside in the European Union. As mentioned already, this is a matter of raising awareness of the real value of citizenship, going beyond participation in the democratic life of the European Union, as already described on many occasions, to the rights to consular protection and to petition the European Parliament, address the Institutions and apply to the Ombudsman.

Last but not least, this is an opportunity to highlight the prerogatives of this assembly, which is an assembly of people elected by the people. I am happy now that we have a solid basis between the institutions, and I am sure that together we can make the European Year of Citizens a real success.

Elnökváltás: SURJÁN LÁSZLÓ úr
Alelnök

  Inês Cristina Zuber, relatora de parecer da Comissão do Emprego e dos Assuntos Sociais. − Comemorar em 2013 o chamado Ano Europeu dos Cidadãos é mais uma ideia que a União Europeia encontrou para tentar legitimar a ideia da União Europeia enquanto espaço de democracia, de igualdade, de solidariedade e da participação cidadã. Quando, hoje, o que é certo é que, aos olhos da opinião pública e dos trabalhadores de diversos países, a União é percebida cada vez mais como o espaço das desigualdades, da exploração e escravização laboral, da retirada dos direitos que os povos conquistaram ao longo de séculos de luta.

Sejamos honestos. A União Europeia não é o espaço da livre circulação de pessoas, é antes o espaço da livre circulação de capitais e mercadorias ao serviço dos monopólios internacionais e hoje falar de livre circulação de pessoas é, antes de mais, falar das realidade de milhões de trabalhadores que não têm possibilidade de permanecer no seu país e são obrigados a procurar sustento para as suas famílias ou emigrarem.

Tendo em conta que esta é uma realidade muito difícil, introduzimos na Comissão do Emprego e dos Assuntos Sociais a necessidade de defender os direitos dos trabalhadores em matéria de segurança social e dos direitos sindicais sem qualquer tipo de discriminação.

  Marie-Christine Vergiat, rapporteure pour avis de la commission de la culture et de l'éducation. − Monsieur le Président, je voudrais tout particulièrement remercier notre rapporteur, mais aussi nos rapporteurs fictifs, notamment ceux de la commission LIBE et de la commission de la culture.

J'ai envie de dire "Que de chemin parcouru!", car pour le moins, les discussions avec le Conseil, sous la Présidence danoise, avaient mal commencé. Il faut dire que la proposition initiale était inacceptable pour le Parlement. Nous ne pouvions admettre une Année européenne des citoyens dans le cadre de laquelle nous n'aurions pas parlé de citoyenneté, de la façon dont les citoyens peuvent être mieux associés au fonctionnement de nos institutions, à la définition de politiques de l'Union européenne qui leur donnent toute leur place. Et nous savons que nous avons encore du travail.

Nous ne pouvions admettre que l'on dise que, si le fossé se creuse entre les institutions européennes et leurs citoyens, c'était uniquement parce que les citoyens méconnaissaient leurs droits en matière de libre circulation. On sait ce qu'il en est.

Le citoyen européen ne peut être vu comme un simple consommateur qui méconnaît ses droits et à qui on donne rendez-vous tous les cinq ans pour les élections européennes. L'éducation, la culture ont toute leur place dans ce débat.

J'espère que nous posons là un jalon, pour ouvrir le grand chantier de la citoyenneté européenne dans le respect, bien évidemment, des compétences de chaque État membre. J'ai un regret, c'est que nous ne nous en donnions pas les moyens.

Merci à la Présidence chypriote d'être là et d'avoir intégré cette priorité dans ...

(Le Président retire la parole à l'oratrice)

  Νικόλαος Σαλαβράκος, Εισηγητής της γνωμοδότησης της Επιτροπής Αναφορών. − Κύριε Πρόεδρε, συγχαίρω την κ. Αντιγόνη Παπαδοπούλου για την εξαιρετική δουλειά που έκανε και τη σημαντικότατη έκθεση που κατέθεσε για τον Ευρωπαίο Πολίτη.

Εύχομαι η πρωτοβουλία να γίνει ουσιαστική και να μην παραμείνει απλά ρηματική. Σαν Επιτροπή Αναφορών, την οποία εκπροσωπώ εδώ, υποδεικνύουμε προτάσεις και συγκεκριμένα τονίζουμε το δικαίωμα αναφοράς στο Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο κάθε πολίτη της Ένωσης και κάθε φυσικού και νομικού προσώπου που συνδράμει στην εμβάθυνση των δημοκρατικών θεσμών. Τονίζουμε ιδιαίτερα το δικαίωμα των πολιτών για ελεύθερη κυκλοφορία, μεταξύ άλλων και ως μέσου για την επίτευξη των στόχων στρατηγικής του "Ευρώπη 2020", και ως τέτοιο θεωρούμε ότι η κινητικότητα των νέων, κυρίως σπουδαστών, είναι ζωτικής σημασίας για την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση. Σημαντική, επίσης, είναι η ενημέρωση των πολιτών για τα δικαιώματά τους και ειδικότερα μέσω της ευρωπαϊκής δικτυακής πύλης ηλεκτρονικής δικαιοσύνης. Θέλω όμως να περάσω ένα μήνυμα κύριε Πρόεδρε, γιατί τις μεγάλες ιδέες τις τονίζουμε, τις χειροκροτούμε αλλά στην πράξη τις καταπατούμε. Η οικονομική κρίση την οποία διάγουμε έχει διαρρήξει τις σχέσεις των πολιτών. Ελπίζω, να δοθεί η ευκαιρία στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση να αποκαταστήσει τις σχέσεις αυτές. Η κρίση θα περάσει.

  Μαριέττα Γιαννάκου, εξ ονόματος της ομάδας PPE. – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, συγχαίρω την κα Παπαδοπούλου για την έκθεσή της.

Είκοσι χρόνια μετά την έννοια της ευρωπαϊκής ιθαγένειας, όπως έγινε αποδεκτή από την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση, γιορτάζουμε το 2013 το Ευρωπαϊκό Έτος των Πολιτών. Αυτό συνδέεται όχι μόνο με την ελεύθερη κυκλοφορία αγαθών, υπηρεσιών, προσώπων και κεφαλαίων, κυρίως δε προσώπων, όχι μόνο με τις διασυνοριακές σχέσεις και συνεργασίες, αλλά συνδέεται και με τα δικαιώματα των πολιτών όπως αυτά εκφράστηκαν στη Συνθήκη της Λισαβόνας, π.χ. με την πρωτοβουλία των πολιτών και τη διαβούλευση που έχουν τεράστια σημασία.

Αν υπάρχει σήμερα ένα μειονέκτημα στην Ένωση αυτό είναι ακριβώς ότι πολλοί πολίτες της γνωρίζουν γενικά και αόριστα περί της Ένωσης, αλλά δεν γνωρίζουν ποιος κάνει τι, με ποια ευθύνη και από ποιο επίπεδο. Και επειδή οι κυβερνήσεις συνήθως θεωρούν ή διαδίδουν ότι κάθε τι σωστό προέρχεται από τις εθνικές κυβερνήσεις και, αντιθέτως, κάθε δυσάρεστο έρχεται από τις Βρυξέλλες, γι' αυτό το λόγο το Ευρωπαϊκό Έτος των Πολιτών μπορεί να προσφέρει την ευκαιρία να αντιληφθούμε καλύτερα τα πράγματα, να ευαισθητοποιήσουμε τους ευρωπαίους πολίτες ώστε να αντιληφθούν ότι είναι δυνατό να έχουν και πρόσβαση στην ενημέρωση αλλά και συμμετοχή. Μάλιστα, κύριε Πρόεδρε, με τη νέα έκθεση που ετοιμάζεται για τα ευρωπαϊκά πολιτικά κόμματα, να έχουν πρόσβαση και ευθεία συμμετοχή στα ευρωπαϊκά πολιτικά κόμματα, γεγονός το οποίο θα δώσει μεγάλη ευελιξία, θα βοηθήσει τα εθνικά πολιτικά κόμματα και γενικά θα κάνει τους πολίτες να αντιληφθούν καλύτερα για το ποια είναι και πού οδεύει η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση.

  Kinga Göncz, a S&D képviselőcsoport nevében. – A '13-as év célja, hogy felhívja a figyelmet az európai polgárok jogaira, az őket megillető jogokra. Az év azonban akkor lesz igazán sikeres, ha az európai polgárok azt látják, hogy a jogaikat valóban érvényesíteni tudják, hogy az európai uniós intézmények komolyan veszik saját alapelveiket, értékeiket. Valóban szabadon élhetnek-e a polgárok azokkal a jogokkal, hogy másik országban dolgozhassanak – képzettségük elismerése mellett? A diszkriminációmentességhez való jog valóban mindenkire vonatkozik-e, azokra is például, akik romaként keresik a boldogulásukat egy másik tagállamban? Komolyan veszi-e az Európai Unió a demokratikus jogok garantálását, és felemeli-e a szavát, ha sérül a demokrácia valamelyik tagállamban, és az emberek nem élhetnek demokratikus jogaikkal?

Arra kíváncsiak, élhetnek-e a szociális jogaikkal, működik-e a szolidaritás alapelve? Kapnak-e segítséget azok, akiket a krízis a legjobban sújt? Kifejeződik-e a szolidaritás a 2014 utáni költségvetésben is? Hogyha ezeken a területeken előre tudunk lépni, azt gondolom sikeres lesz ez az év.

  Nathalie Griesbeck, au nom du groupe ALDE. – Monsieur le Président, Monsieur le Commissaire, mes chers collègues, 2013 sera l'Année de la citoyenneté européenne, l'Année européenne des citoyens, et cela vingt ans après la création de la citoyenneté européenne, et comme on l'a dit à plusieurs reprises ce soir, un an avant le renouvellement du Parlement européen. C'est donc une année très symbolique, très grave même, tout particulièrement, dans le contexte actuel.

Les derniers sondages montrent, en effet, depuis l'automne 2009, une tendance extrêmement inquiétante, très perceptible sur le terrain, à une perte de confiance notable, très forte, dans l'action et l'acquis communautaire, notamment même, en matière de droits et de libertés, au sein de l'Union européenne.

Face à cela, la question essentielle a toujours été et demeure la nécessité de consolider une identité européenne, de réussir à instaurer un sentiment d'appartenance commun, de réussir véritablement à dessiner les contours de ce citoyen européen applicables à tous les Européens. C'est certainement par plus d'informations, plus de dialogue, plus de rencontres, plus d'échanges, plus de partage que cet objectif annoncé pourra être réalisé en cette année 2013.

Si je me réjouis de la bonne qualité du texte, j'aurais cependant souhaité que nos institutions choisissent et décident avec détermination de se donner les moyens de leurs objectifs et qu'elles démontrent par là une volonté politique forte de mettre en œuvre ce qu'elles disent. Aussi, si je me félicite, bien sûr, des résultats obtenus, notamment, avec détermination, par notre collègue Papadopoulou, lors des négociations, en particulier concernant l'élargissement de la portée de cette année sur les citoyens, dans le processus décisionnel, sur le dialogue civil européen, etc., j'ai une forte réserve à émettre qui concerne le budget ridicule alloué à cette Année européenne, le plus petit jamais donné à une Année européenne.

Alors que la tâche est immense, je regrette que le Conseil et certains membres de la commission des budgets aient refusé de donner des moyens à cette Année qui est, sans nul doute, l'une des plus importantes, et qui devrait, à mes yeux, être considérée comme la première priorité de l'Union car, sans citoyens européens, on n'a pas d'Europe et on ne peut construire l'Europe.

  Jean Lambert, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. – Mr President, my thanks as well to the rapporteur, not least for trying to push through a wider vision of what the European Year of Citizens should be about, rather than just focusing on the rights to free movement.

These rights do need to be better understood. We know that they are crucially important and that for many citizens they are seen as the key indicator of equality within an EU setting, along with coordination of social security rights – maybe this is why certain governments and parties feel that to help make the European Union less acceptable they have to call those rights into question at the moment.

As our rapporteur says, the EU needs to be able to answer the bigger questions about what role citizens are playing in decision-making in the European Union. The current crisis certainly makes many feel that they are on the receiving end of decisions made elsewhere, and that decisions are being made to suit unaccountable markets rather than individuals and families living with the consequences. Maybe one of the outcomes we should be looking at for this European Year is to have a real citizens’ charter.

  Emma McClarkin, on behalf of the ECR Group. – Mr President, well, here we are discussing the proposed European Year of Citizens, making 2013 the year the EU tries to sell its benefits to its citizens. I have always said that if there are such great benefits, they should be felt by the man in the street and not have to be read about or pushed down on them. That is the true test of them.

It is described as a timely opportunity, given that it is one year before the European elections, and it has a budget request of EUR 5 million.

This European Year is not for the citizens but is for the EU itself to promote the EU project.

Colleagues, we are in the midst of the most severe economic crisis in living memory. If this was truly to be a year for European citizens, we would do better to listen to them, cut red tape and barmy laws, create more jobs and growth and stop spending their money on pointless buildings, monuments and programmes and show some real solidarity with the people who are struggling and who we are supposed to represent.

As a proud British citizen, I also find it impossible to support a report which seeks to place EU citizen status above my national citizenship. It is therefore easy for me to say that I will oppose this report.

  Roger Helmer, on behalf of the EFD Group. – Mr President, we are here tonight to talk about European citizenship – but what is this European citizenship? I never wanted it, I never asked for it, I never voted for it, I never accepted it. I absolutely reject and repudiate your European citizenship. I was born a British citizen and a subject of the Queen, and I intend to remain that way. This whole exercise is merely a propaganda project, spending the taxpayers’ money to try and convince the taxpayer – in a futile attempt – that he loves the European Union. But with the EU teetering between failure and disaster, with the euro creating grinding deflation, poverty, hunger and unemployment across southern Europe, the citizen does not love the European Union. We in my country have had enough of it: we want out.

  Lena Kolarska-Bobińska (PPE). - Panie Przewodniczący! W czasie kryzysu jest szczególnie ważne mówienie o tożsamości europejskiej, o budowaniu jej. Bo mówimy o unii bankowej, mówimy o unii monetarnej, mówimy o unii politycznej, ale nic z tego nie uda nam się osiągnąć tak na trwałe, jeśli nie będziemy wzmacniali tej tożsamości. I myślę, że temu między innymi służy ten rok, o którym cały czas rozmawiamy.

Jednak mówimy cały czas o prawach. Mnie się wydaje, że czas zacząć też mówić o obowiązkach obywateli. Bo to nie jest tylko prawo do przemieszczania się – każde obywatelstwo pociąga za sobą obowiązki. Jednym z takich obowiązków jest – ale też przywilejów – obowiązek do głosowania. W wyborach parlamentarnych w niektórych krajach głosuje zwykle 20-25%, 30% populacji. I myślę, że na to musimy położyć bardzo duży nacisk, bo są ludzie, – których ja sama spotkałam – którzy nie wiedzą, że w ogóle mogą uczestniczyć w wyborach do Parlamentu Europejskiego.

Oczywiście, że budżet na ten rok mamy mały, ale myślę, że my jako europosłowie musimy sami zacząć myśleć o tym, jak komunikować i co komunikować. Musimy zacząć wymieniać się dobrymi praktykami. Musimy tutaj budować tę europejską tożsamość, którą będziemy upowszechniali. Bo to nie jest kwestia, którą załatwi za nas instytucja, czy programy. To my, rozmawiając z ludźmi, musimy to przekazywać. Zatem apeluję do posłów, żeby wymieniali się tutaj dobrymi praktykami.

  Monika Flašíková Beňová (S&D). - Práve v časoch krízy a jej dramatických dopadov občania Európskej únie prestávajú postupne dôverovať v Európsku úniu. Preto som presvedčená, že zvyšovanie ich povedomia o právach, ktoré im z európskeho občianstva vyplývajú, môže ich dôveru v Úniu obnoviť.

Občianstvo Únie zahŕňa také významné práva, ako je právo na voľný pohyb, právo na ochranu zo strany diplomatických alebo konzulárnych orgánov, petičné právo a mnohé ďalšie. Občania Únie môžu tiež využívať bezpečnejšiu a lacnejšiu leteckú dopravu, lepšie a lacnejšie telefonické hovory, ochranu spotrebiteľov, bezpečnosť potravín a prístup k systémom zdravotnej starostlivosti v celej Únii. Vďaka jednotnému trhu môžu žiť, pracovať, študovať a podnikať v Európskej únii.

Medzi najbežnejšie problémy, s ktorými sa však občania stretávajú, keď bývajú, študujú alebo pracujú v inej krajine, patrí práve nedostatok informácií a povedomia o svojich právach. Tieto prekážky sa v dôsledku nepriaznivých vplyvov krízy vrátane nárastu miery nezamestnanosti a sociálnych nepokojov ešte stupňujú.

  Sandrine Bélier (Verts/ALE). - Monsieur le Président, chers collègues, nous ne ferons plus l'Europe sans ses citoyens. 2013 sera l'Année européenne des citoyens. C'est une bonne nouvelle. C'est un vrai enjeu et il faudra se donner les moyens de faire de cette année, dans le contexte difficile que connaît l'Union européenne, face à la désaffection et au manque de confiance, celle des citoyens européens, l'an I de la citoyenneté européenne au quotidien.

Nous devons envoyer aux citoyens, qui sont la raison de notre présence ici, le message que le Parlement et l'Union européenne ne prennent pas leurs droits à la légère, qu'ils sont au cœur et dans le quotidien de toutes nos décisions. Nous avons besoin d'une campagne à la hauteur des enjeux. Les économies dans le budget ne doivent pas se faire sur ce sujet si nous ne voulons pas que le fossé entre l'Union et ses citoyens se creuse encore.

Le programme d'action devra être ambitieux. Les outils de démocratie participative doivent être développés et diffusés: pétitions, accès au Médiateur, initiatives citoyennes européennes, forums citoyens, consultations, etc.

Je constate, avec regret, que les droits et outils de démocratie participative sont méconnus par nos citoyens. En 2013, remettons les citoyens au cœur de nos institutions et, avec eux, remettons l'Europe au cœur de nos territoires.

  Oreste Rossi (EFD). - Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, a vent'anni dall'istituzione della cittadinanza dell'Unione – il 1° novembre 1993 con il Trattato di Maastricht – la Commissione europea ha proposto di proclamare il 2013 Anno europeo dei cittadini.

Tutti i cittadini europei possono essere attori attivi del processo decisionale attraverso la presentazione di una petizione al Parlamento europeo o rivolgendosi al Mediatore europeo. È indispensabile dare più visibilità ai portali web "Europedirect" e "La tua Europa" nell'ambito di un sistema d'informazione a sportello unico sui diritti dei cittadini dell'Unione, nonché all'esistenza e al ruolo degli strumenti di risoluzione dei problemi, come SOLVIT o la protezione consolare di cui parleremo proprio in questa settimana.

Il sostegno alla ricerca e all'innovazione sono obiettivi da realizzare nel rispetto della strategia Europa 2020. Il testo però non pone la dovuta attenzione alla concorrenza sleale che si può verificare a causa della libera circolazione delle persone e della mobilità dei lavoratori e delle imprese fra Stati membri che hanno diverse regole fiscali e amministrative. Per questo motivo il voto sarà di astensione.

  Auke Zijlstra (NI). - Opnieuw wordt het Europees Jaar van de burger georganiseerd, en het wordt steeds goedkoper! In 2010 kostte het nog 27 miljoen euro, in 2011 nog 11 miljoen en nu zou het voor maar liefst 1 miljoen euro kunnen!

Maar wat wil de Commissie bereiken met één miljoen, wat niet is bereikt met een veelvoud van dat bedrag? De Commissie wil het geld besteden aan het vertalen en het verspreiden van propaganda voor het Europees project. Krijgt de burger hierdoor begrip voor de Unie en voor de instellingen? Nee, vanzelfsprekend niet! Zolang de Unie de vrijheid beknot en de economie teistert heeft geen burger begrip voor wat er in Brussel besloten wordt.

Het creëren van een Europese identiteit dan. Nou, vraag aan de Grieken hoe het daarmee staat, die hebben honderd miljard cadeau gekregen. De Commissie komt hier met een voorstel waar geen burger om heeft gevraagd en waar de Commissie zelf ook niet in gelooft. Dat blijkt wel uit deze begroting. En, Voorzitter, ook deze 1 miljoen euro is weggegooid geld.

  Andrew Henry William Brons (NI). - Mr President, citizenship is quite different from nationality. Whereas the latter is inherited and felt intuitively, the former, if not based on nationality, is a legal relationship which is artificial and contrived. European citizenship is artificial because it is not based on a European nationality.

Now, there is a European identity, but it is not based on common values; it is not a campaigning group. It is based on overlapping but not conterminous ancestries and, to varying degrees, engrained similarities of behaviour and ability. Moreover, the European people share a common civilisation. However, Europeans are not a demos and cannot be the foundation of a European democracy.

European citizenship has been closely associated with freedom of movement of labour. However, movement of workers at the behest of capital is simply a sanitised version of human trafficking.

„Catch the eye” eljárás

  Alajos Mészáros (PPE). - A polgárok európai évéről szóló jelentés megnevezi az uniós polgárság húszéves fejlődésének legfontosabb állomásait. A Maastrichti Szerződés 1993-tól bevezette az uniós polgárság fogalmát, az Amszterdami Szerződés, majd a Lisszaboni Szerződés 2009-től megerősítette az uniós polgársághoz fűződő jogokat. Kibővültek a polgárok uniós jogai, de megítélésem szerint ez még mindig nem elég. Az uniós identitás valóságához leginkább az uniós polgárok bizalmára van szükség. Ezeknek a szerződésekben lefektetett jogoknak a gyakorlatban is érvényesülniük kell. Az intézményeknek, főként a Bizottságnak és a Parlamentnek a polgárokkal való párbeszédre kell törekedniük. Minden polgárnak egyenlő esélyeket és jogokat kell garantálnunk.

Itt hívom fel a tisztelt Bizottság figyelmét arra, hogy addig nem gyakorolhatja minden uniós polgár megfelelően jogait, amíg a tagállamok jogrendjéből kivétel nélkül törlésre nem kerülnek a diszkriminatív jogi rendelkezések. Példaként említem a szlovák állampolgársági törvényt és a Benes-dekrétumok diszkriminatív részeit.

  Silvia-Adriana Ţicău (S&D). - Anul 2013 ca „An European al Cetăţenilor” trebuie să urmărească sensibilizarea cetăţenilor în legătură cu drepturile lor, care decurg din calitatea de cetăţeni ai Uniunii, atunci când îşi exercită dreptul la liberă circulaţie şi şedere într-un alt stat membru, de exemplu ca studenţi lucrători, persoane aflate în căutarea unui loc de muncă, voluntari, consumatori, întreprinzători tineri sau pensionari. Insist asupra eliminării obstacolelor care continuă să împiedice exercitarea drepturilor care decurg din calitatea de cetăţean european.

În acest context, subliniez importanţa eliminării barierelor din calea liberei circulaţii a lucrătorilor români şi bulgari. Nu putem vorbi cu adevărat de cetăţenia europeană atât timp cât există bariere şi diferenţe între cetăţenii statelor membre. Solicit în acest sens ridicarea cel târziu în primul trimestru al anului 2013 a tuturor barierelor impuse de unele state membre pentru lucrătorii români şi bulgari. Facilitarea liberei circulaţii a persoanelor şi extinderea mobilităţii lucrătorilor constituie mijloace importante de abordare a consecinţelor schimbărilor demografice de pe piaţa muncii.

  Franz Obermayr (NI). - Herr Präsident! Es ist ein schlechter Scherz, dass 2013 als das Europäische Jahr der Bürger ausgerufen wird. Denn genau diese Bürger werden – ohne gefragt zu werden – von der EU enteignet. Letztendlich wird der Steuerzahler durch den ESM ungefragt für Schulden haften müssen, die er nicht zu verantworten hat. In jedem zivilrechtlichen Vertrag würde eine solche gravierende Änderung – ich darf erinnern, dass die Verträge eigentlich eine Bail-out-Klausel enthalten – die Zustimmung aller Parteien brauchen. Die am meisten betroffene Partei ist in diesem Fall ohne Zweifel der Bürger und Steuerzahler, nicht die Regierungen und auch nicht die Kommission. Der Bürger muss die Möglichkeit haben, direkt in seinem Land abzustimmen, ob er einen Umbau, eine Transferaktion will, oder ob er einen Umbau der EU in einen Bundesstaat haben will. Statt blumiger Worte über Unionsbürgerschaft sollte man 2013 nutzen, um den Bürger endlich anzuhören!

  Philippe Boulland (PPE). - Monsieur le Président, un constat s'impose avant cette Année européenne des citoyens, d'autant plus après ce que nous avons entendu tout à l'heure de la part de nos collègues de l'ECR.

Lorsque les États membres parlent de citoyenneté, ils peuvent vite tomber dans le nationalisme. Lorsque les États membres parlent d'Europe, ils peuvent vite tomber dans le nationalisme également. C'est pourquoi, pour l'Année européenne de la citoyenneté, l'Europe devrait davantage axer son discours sur des thèmes qui la différencient des États membres. Les citoyens connaissent de nombreuses difficultés, qui reviennent souvent jusqu'aux oreilles de la commission des pétitions.

La campagne d'information de l'Union européenne devra démontrer, je pense, que l'Europe en fait parfois autant pour les citoyens dans leur quotidien que leurs propres États membres.

  Zita Gurmai (S&D). - Mr President, the European Year of Citizens will be a great opportunity to raise awareness about how citizens can truly benefit from EU rights and policies. This is of crucial importance if we want to foster a genuine European debate on democratic participation. This year will also provide good momentum to take stock of the obstacles and barriers that too many European citizens – students, workers and families – are still facing.

I still regret that they did not call it the European Year of Citizenship, as suggested by the rapporteur and myself, because the future of the European Union will not be achieved without a truly European citizenship. The European Union is, and has to be, more than a single market, and this starts with the European citizens.

Finally, I would like to underline once again the necessity to provide sufficient funding in order to make this European Year of Citizens a success. I would also point out the necessity for the European Parliament and its Members to be closely involved in all the activities and communications that take place in this framework.

  Sergio Gaetano Cofferati (S&D). - Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, il lavoro della collega Papadopoulou è stato pregevole e, come lei stessa ha detto, va dato atto alla Commissaria di aver fatto una scelta anche coraggiosa in questa fase.

La crisi ha evidenziato l'esistenza di un orientamento negativo in alcuni Stati, in molti soggetti di rappresentanza istituzionale o politica, che è quello di chi vuole risolvere i problemi della crisi mettendo in discussione i diritti delle persone, come se a una riduzione dei diritti corrispondesse automaticamente un'uscita dallo stato di difficoltà. Questi diritti a volte sono della persona in quanto tale, sono di chi lavora, della donna o dell'uomo che ha un'attività, e spesso sono quelli negati ai cittadini.

Credo che ricostruire questa catena tra la persona – il lavoratore o la lavoratrice, cioè la funzione della produzione – e la cittadinanza, sia una scelta di carattere politico e culturale indispensabile. L'Anno della cittadinanza ci aiuterà anche in questo.

  Νικος Χρυσόγελος (Verts/ALE). - Κύριε Πρόεδρε, είναι πολύ σημαντικό, πράγματι, να μιλήσουμε στο πλαίσιο του Ευρωπαϊκού Έτους για τους Πολίτες, για τα προβλήματα των πολιτών, και το 2013 είναι πάρα πολύ κρίσιμο γιατί είναι ένα έτος πριν τις ευρωεκλογές, άρα θα μπορεί να καθορίσει την εικόνα που θα έχουν οι πολίτες για την Ευρώπη και για το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο καθώς και για το τι θα ψηφίσουν, ενώ ταυτόχρονα θα ψηφίσουν υπέρ της Ευρώπης, και όχι απλώς για κάποιο κόμμα.

Από την άλλη πλευρά είναι ένα έτος που έρχεται μετά από αρκετά έτη κρίσης και πρέπει να πείσουμε ότι η Ευρώπη έχει λύσεις για τα προβλήματα των πολιτών, δεν έχει λύσεις μόνο για τα νούμερα. Είναι πολύ σημαντικό να υπάρχει περισσότερη Ευρώπη, λύσεις ευρωπαϊκές για την κρίση, όχι όμως συνδεδεμένες με τη λιτότητα, όχι μόνο με την αφαίρεση δικαιωμάτων των πολιτών.

Για να ξανακερδίσει η Ευρώπη τους πολίτες πρέπει να έχει πολιτικές που είναι συμβατές με τις αξίες της σε κοινωνικό επίπεδο, σε δημοκρατικό επίπεδο, σε πολιτικό επίπεδο. Θέλουμε περισσότερη Ευρώπη, θέλουμε ιθαγένεια ευρωπαϊκή και θέλουμε τους πολίτες να συμμετέχουν στην πολιτική και να τους ακούμε.

(A „catch the eye” eljárás vége.)

  Janusz Lewandowski, Member of the Commission. − Mr President, given the majority position in this House, we do not need to convince ourselves that the European Year of Citizens is a good opportunity to bring our complex institutions a little bit closer to the citizens of Europe and perhaps to rediscover, as in the message from the Nobel Prize Academy in Oslo, the beauty of this project that I admired for many years from behind the Iron Curtain. I do not have to be convinced of the beauty of this European project.

Several pieces of information on the practical steps for next year’s celebrations: the EU media launch and kick-off event for the European Year 2013 will take place on 28 November 2012, in parallel with a general assembly of the Committee of the Regions. On the same date, the Commission is to launch the website that is a central hub of the year, with all the relevant information and the events calendar. This is an umbrella calendar, with any organisation or individual initiative allowed to advertise in the European Year of Citizens calendar.

This is about interaction with the citizens, but there are also high-level Presidency plans: understandably an opening ceremony in Ireland, as it is the Irish Presidency that is coming up at the beginning of the year, and a closing event in Lithuania in December 2013.

Nathalie Griesbeck is right that the budget for the whole year is rather modest. It is EUR 1 million, with additional money for this year’s preparations. It is not about EUR 5 million, as was mentioned in this discussion for unknown reasons.

I do not want to enter into a discussion on what is meant by nationality and citizenship. My understanding is that after 50 years of European integration the French do not feel less French or the Dutch less Dutch. I think that one can be a proud citizen of Tuscany, a proud Italian national, and also see Europe as the common destiny of all Europeans.

  Andreas Mavroyiannis, President-in-Office of the Council. − Mr President, I would like to thank Parliament very warmly for the constructive spirit that has prevailed in this debate. Let me assure you that we have, of course, full respect for dissenting opinions.

I am really grateful to all the honourable Members who have expressed a call for better information, awareness-raising and involvement of citizens. The Cyprus Presidency fully shares these objectives. Citizens are at the heart of the EU in all policy areas.

Therefore, an initiative such as the European Year of Citizens is particularly welcome. Following this, and as a first step, all institutions and stakeholders should cooperate in order to make the European Year of Citizens a success. Furthermore, the European Year should be the cornerstone, launching a long-term and interactive debate on European citizenship.

A distinguished speaker – I think it was Mr Helmer – mentioned that the European Union is not a demos. Maybe not yet, but let us think. Would it not be better if it were to become a demos through participation and appropriation by all? I could not agree more with what Mrs Vergiat said about the importance of this chantier which is only just starting and needs to cover all fields of life, in an interactive manner and in constant osmosis, thus contributing to bridging the gap between the institutions and the citizens, making the Union more relevant and the European space a more friendly space for citizens and for their quality of life to thrive in. This is essential, now more than ever, given the dire times we are going through, with negative consequences in the daily lives of people and where we need to prove through effectiveness and deeds that the European Union is part of the solution.

We need to provide hope, and to work towards a better Europe for all. I would like, once again, to express my gratitude to the rapporteur, Mrs Antigoni Papadopoulou, for her comprehensive, visionary and far-reaching approach.

  Αντιγόνη Παπαδοπούλου, Εισηγήτρια. − Κύριε Πρόεδρε, δεν θα σχολιάσω όσα έχουν πει οι ευρωσκεπτικιστές, γιατί συχνά ακούμε ότι θέλουν να βγουν από την Ευρώπη. Εμείς θα σχολιάσουμε αυτά που είπε η πλειοψηφία, αυτά που είπαν οι σκιώδεις εισηγήτριες, αυτά που είπε η Κυπριακή Προεδρία, αυτά που αγωνιστήκαμε να πετύχουμε. Εμείς θέλουμε μια καλύτερη Ευρώπη, και επειδή, ως Κυπρία, νιώθω ότι το δικό μου δικαίωμα ελεύθερης διακίνησης μου αποστερείται στην ίδια μου την πατρίδα, γιατί δεν μπορώ να μετακινηθώ ελεύθερα απ' άκρη σε άκρη λόγω της τουρκικής κατοχής ευρωπαϊκών εδαφών (37% του κυπριακού εδάφους), πιστεύω ιδιαίτερα πως η Ευρώπη πρέπει να είναι ένας χώρος ελευθερίας, ελεύθερης διακίνησης όχι μόνο ιδεών και εμπορευμάτων, αλλά των πολιτών.

Γι' αυτό, με ιδιαίτερο ενδιαφέρον, εργαστήκαμε σκληρά όλοι οι σκιώδεις εισηγητές και εγώ ως εισηγήτρια για το εν λόγω θέμα. Χαιρετίζω το γεγονός ότι η Κυπριακή Προεδρία ήταν πολύ θετική στο να δεχτεί τα μηνύματά μας και πράγματι έκανε πολύ καλή δουλειά ώστε να κλείσει αυτός ο φάκελος. Ευελπιστώ ότι σύντομα θα έχουμε στη διάθεσή μας τη δεύτερη έκθεση για την ευρωπαϊκή ιθαγένεια, όπου θα υπάρχουν συγκεκριμένες δράσεις για την υπέρβαση των εμποδίων που αντιμετωπίζουν τα 500 εκατομμύρια ευρωπαίων πολιτών και ευελπιστώ ότι θα γίνει και ο χάρτης πολιτών, γιατί το χρειαζόμαστε.

Εμείς πιστεύουμε σε μια καλύτερη Ευρώπη, θα δουλέψουμε ώστε αυτό το έτος να είναι ένα έτος επιτυχίας και λυπούμαι γιατί το ένα εκατομμύριο δεν είναι αρκετό. Ευελπιστώ πως θα γίνουν δεύτερες σκέψεις και το ποσό αυτό θα αυξηθεί, γιατί ζητήσαμε πέντε εκατομμύρια και τελικά άκουσα ότι θα εγκριθούν μόνο δύο. Άλλα ευρωπαϊκά έτη είχαν έντεκα εκατομμύρια, και ακόμη περισσότερα, στη διάθεσή τους. Καταλαβαίνω ότι είναι εποχή κρίσης, αλλά, οπωσδήποτε, εάν θέλουμε τον πολίτη να είναι στο επίκεντρο των πολιτικών μας και αν θέλουμε περισσότερη και καλύτερη Ευρώπη, τότε χρειάζεται να υπάρχουν σωστές δράσεις και καλή ενημέρωση του πολίτη. Πιστεύουμε στη συμμετοχική δημοκρατία και αυτός είναι ο δρόμος για ένα καλύτερο μέλλον στην ευρωπαϊκή οικογένεια που ανήκουμε.

  Elnök. − A vitát lezárom.

A szavazásra 2012. október 23-án, kedden kerül sor.

Írásbeli nyilatkozatok (149. cikk)

  Zuzana Brzobohatá (S&D), písemně. – Při příležitosti nadcházejícího roku 2013, který je Rokem aktivního občanství, by se měla pozornost Evropské unie více než doposud zaměřit na rozvoj občanské společnosti. K základním cílům, kterých chce Unie dosáhnout, patří zvýšení povědomí evropských občanů o jejich právech, svobodách a možnostech politické participace. Vítám tento podnět a budu ho svou činností v Evropském parlamentu podporovat. Navíc kladu důraz na další oblasti, které tento rok občanů obsahuje: dostupnost informací pro všechny občany EU, podpora rovných příležitostí pro ženy i muže a rozvoj vzájemného respektu a evropského povědomí občanů. Proto považuji za nezbytné podporovat vzdělávání občanů – a to jak mladých, tak i starších generací – v oblastech, které přispívají k posilování evropského povědomí a identity.

Velice důležité jsou iniciativy v regionech jednotlivých států, protože právě v komunální sféře vzniká politická a občanská činnost. Občanské iniciativy jako představitelé aktivních občanů potřebují maximální podporu ze strany Unie. Občanská participace je klíčová pro udržení, další rozvoj a budování demokracie.

  Filip Kaczmarek (PPE), na piśmie. – Szanowni Państwo! Bardzo się cieszę, że rok 2013 będzie Europejskim Rokiem Obywateli. Jestem członkiem partii politycznej założonej przez świadomych swych praw i celów obywateli. Poczucie obywatelskości było dla nas tak ważne, że nazwaliśmy nasze ugrupowanie Platformą Obywatelską. Jestem przekonany, że dokonania polityków PO są dostrzegane i doceniane przez obywateli. Warto nieustannie sobie przypominać, że dobra polityka musi rodzić się z rozsądnej troski o wspólne dobro. Z tą myślą zakładaliśmy Platformę i nadal kierujemy się tym przesłaniem. Oprócz tego, że jesteśmy obywatelami Polski, czujemy się również i jesteśmy Europejczykami. Jako Europejczycy też powinniśmy być świadomi i zaangażowani. Liczę, że dzięki Europejskiemu Roku Obywateli wzrośnie świadomość praw związanych z europejskim wymiarem obywatelskości. Organizowane będą akcje wyjaśniające prawa, jakie przysługują obywatelom, którzy studiują, pracują, zakładają firmy czy spędzają czas emerytury w innym państwie członkowskim. W roku 2013 przypada 20. rocznica ustanowienia obywatelstwa UE. Każdy obywatel UE posiada prawa zagwarantowane przez traktaty europejskie, w tym prawo do swobodnego przemieszczania się i osiedlania w innym państwie członkowskim, prawo do głosowania i kandydowania w europejskich i lokalnych wyborach oraz prawo do wnoszenia petycji do Parlamentu Europejskiego. Warto te prawa znać i z nich korzystać.

  Tunne Kelam (PPE), in writing. – The European Year of Citizens might be just another year Europe is proposing, but this time it is essential that all the institutions and Member States take this year seriously and bring Europe to all levels and all levels to Europe. Citizens are more and more facing fatigue from Europe and feeling politics at European level distancing itself from the people. In these crucial times in which we seek to deepen European integration, it is essential that our citizens understand and support the efforts of politicians and institutions. Citizens are the backbone of the EU and if we want to achieve true political and economic integration, we cannot bypass the people who would actually make it happen. We have to engage in meaningful dialogue and consultation with our citizens on European issues. Also, one year before the European elections, we need to step up our efforts to explain European-level politics and political parties. For the first time, European parties will be able to campaign, and this provides an excellent opportunity to have a real European debate at all levels across Europe. Our citizens need to feel that their opinion counts, that European elections matter and that Europe is our common home.

  Véronique Mathieu (PPE), par écrit. – J'ai soutenu ce rapport afin que 2013 soit déclarée Année européenne des citoyens. Depuis son instauration il y a vingt ans, la citoyenneté européenne permet de bénéficier d'un grand nombre de droits : droit de vote aux élections locales, protection consulaire à l'étranger, indemnisation en cas de retard ou d'annulation d'un vol, droit à l'interprétation lors d'un procès à l'étranger, liberté de circulation etc... Ces droits restent cependant encore trop méconnus. Cette année européenne permettra de braquer le projecteur sur les droits des citoyens européens pour que chacun connaisse ses droits et puisse les faire valoir partout en Europe.

  Tiziano Motti (PPE), per iscritto. – L'anno 2013 è stato dichiarato Anno europeo dei cittadini al fine di rafforzare i legami tra i cittadini e le istituzioni europee e, soprattutto, di spiegare bene a tutti cosa significa possedere una cittadinanza europea, quali sono i diritti di cui godono gli studenti, i lavoratori, le persone in cerca di lavoro, i volontari, i consumatori, gli imprenditori o anche i pensionati nel momento in cui scelgono di circolare e soggiornare liberamente in un altro Stato membro. E' importante sensibilizzare i cittadini, ma anche le istituzioni nazionali ed europee, perché troppo spesso si parla di diritti che poi risultano di difficile applicazione a causa delle lungaggini burocratiche e degli ostacoli che ancora si frappongono al loro esercizio. Il nostro impegno deve essere quello di lavorare in modo tale che davvero oggi un giovane, o anche uno meno giovane, possa studiare o lavorare in uno qualsiasi dei 27 Paesi Membri, senza sentirsi straniero, senza che debba realizzare tramiti infiniti e potendo avvalersi dei titoli di studio ottenuti nel proprio paese di origine, così come anche della previdenza sociale.

  Pavel Poc (S&D), písemně. – Evropská unie nyní stojí na křižovatce svého dalšího vývoje. Pokrok v otázkách volného trhu a volného pohybu osob je nepopiratelný. Pro další pokrok evropské integrace je však nezbytné nalézt základ evropské občanské identity. Jejím základem musí být sounáležitost a solidarita občanů Evropské unie a posílení demokratických prvků v jejím rozhodování. EU musí v rámci Evropského roku občanů (EYC 2013) zásadně posílit informovanost o existujících právech občanů EU. Povědomí o právech občana EU bude vytvářet pomyslný tlak na představitele členských států, který usnadní další prohloubení integračního procesu. Proto je EYC 2013 velice důležitou iniciativou. Všechny evropské instituce by měly ve spolupráci s občanskou společností prohlubovat všeobecnou informovanost o takto zásadních záležitostech. Obzvlášť důležitý a zodpovědný úkol je vytváření nových impulzů pro tu část evropské občanské společnosti, která podporuje prohlubování integračního procesu. Jako jediný občany volený orgán EU musí Evropský parlament hrát v tomto směru vůdčí úlohu.

  Jarosław Leszek Wałęsa (PPE), in writing. – One of the crucial aims of the European Year of Citizens is to make EU citizens aware of their rights. As direct representatives of our citizens we have an obligation to inform them to the best of our abilities of the work and legislation that is handled by us. I feel strongly that the dedicated year of 2013 should only be used as a springboard for our future efforts to incorporate the citizens of this Union. I consider this undertaking to be crucial in educating society and bring it together to learn more about EU integration, values and policies, about the impact that EU legislation has on their lives and to help make them a part of this legislation by taking greater roles in the development of the EU. The EU uses the Year of 2013 as an opportunity to involve citizens in constructing and developing the programme. It will use all possible information and dissemination tools to raise awareness of the EU and attract public and media attention all across Europe. These occasions will develop a greater sense of belonging to a European community among EU citizens. Only with great communication between the EU and ordinary citizens can we contribute to Europe´s success and its standing in the world.

21. EU:n kehitysyhteistyöpolitiikan tulevaisuus - Vuosi 2015 - Eurooppalainen kehitysyhteistyön teemavuosi (keskustelu)

  Elnök. − A következő pont közös vita – Uniós fejlesztéspolitika: a Charles Goerens által a Fejlesztési Bizottság nevében készített jelentés a változtatási programról: az Unió fejlesztési politikájának jövőjére irányuló javaslat (2012/2002(INI) (A7-0234/2012) és a Charles Goerens által, a Liberálisok és Demokraták Szövetsége Európáért képviselőcsoport, Philippe Boulland által, az Európai Néppárt (Kereszténydemokraták) és Thijs Berman által a Szocialisták és Demokraták Progresszív Szövetsége Európai Parlamenti Képviselőcsoportja nevében a Bizottsághoz intézett, a 2015 – A fejlesztés európai évéről szóló szóbeli választ igénylő kérdésről (http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=OQ&reference=O-2012-000167&language=HU" \t "_blank" – B7-0363/2012).

  Charles Goerens, rapporteur et auteur. − Monsieur le Président, pourquoi faut-il que la politique de développement de l'Union européenne change?

Elle ne peut plus rester la même car le monde a changé. De nos jours, sept pauvres sur dix dans le monde ne vivent plus dans les pays les moins avancés ni dans les pays en développement, mais bien dans les pays émergents. La globalisation, il est vrai, crée des richesses considérables qui ne vont pas pour autant toutes aux plus démunis.

À cela s'ajoute une démographie galopante. Aujourd'hui, il y a sept milliards de bouches à nourrir. On sera neuf milliards dans vingt ans. Le taux de croissance économique d'un pays ne devient réel qu'à partir du moment où il dépasse le taux de natalité.

Au cours du vingt-et-unième siècle, le poids de l'Union européenne dans le monde va diminuer constamment, ce que d'aucuns appellent le déclin stratégique, contrairement aux pays émergents qui, avec leur essor économique, sont déjà devenus des acteurs politiques décomplexés.

Il n'en reste pas moins que l'Union européenne est de loin le premier acteur mondial en matière d'aide publique au développement. Elle veut non seulement rester le premier, mais aussi le meilleur acteur dans ce domaine.

Voici ce que la commission du développement propose pour que cela reste aussi le cas à l'avenir. La politique de développement de l'Union européenne sert la finalité la plus noble qui soit, promouvoir la dignité humaine en éradiquant la pauvreté, ni plus ni moins. L'aide publique au développement doit être conçue en fonction des besoins de nos partenaires du sud, en respectant leur choix. La politique de développement doit être au service des pauvres, sans arrière-pensée et s'inscrire dans l'esprit du consensus européen de développement, tel que l'accord signé par le Conseil, la Commission et le Parlement le prévoient.

Nous proposons que Lady Ashton appose également sa signature sous le document en question afin qu'il ne subsiste pas le moindre doute sur les intentions de tous les acteurs européens institutionnels en matière de développement. Nous lançons un appel à tous, acteurs privés, États riches, États pauvres, acteurs multilatéraux, afin qu'ils assument leurs responsabilités en matière de développement.

C'est pourquoi nous appuyons la Commission européenne dans sa volonté de différencier son aide et de rayer de la liste des bénéficiaires les pays émergents, dont l'économie dégage des moyens sans cesse croissants. La lutte contre la pauvreté dans ces pays ne devrait dorénavant plus relever de la solidarité internationale mais de leur politique intérieure. Notre commission aimerait que cela se fasse dans le cadre d'un dialogue avec ces pays et au moyen d'un retrait progressif de l'Union européenne de l'assistance à ces derniers.

Le commissaire Piebalgs se prononce en faveur d'une croissance inclusive dans les pays en développement. Nous appuyons cette approche. Précisons toutefois qu'il y a lieu de promouvoir une croissance dans les pays en développement, tout comme chez nous d'ailleurs, qui privilégie l'amélioration réelle du sort des plus pauvres. Il va falloir en tenir compte dans la programmation de l'aide. Il sera donc indispensable, de notre point de vue, d'allouer au moins 20 % de l'aide de l'Union européenne aux services sociaux de base tels que définis par les Nations unies dans les objectifs du Millénaire pour le développement.

La politique de l'Union européenne doit être cohérente. Cohérence veut dire amener les départements autres que celui du développement à renoncer à toute démarche susceptible de démolir, par leur action, ce qui a été construit dans la coopération au développement. Il faut que nos vingt-sept États membres en soient conscients et agissent en ce sens, afin qu'à vingt-huit, avec la Commission, le Service pour l'action extérieure, ils répondent à l'impératif de coordination tel que prévu par le traité de Lisbonne. Notre rapporteur estime que le dialogue entre les vingt-huit est loin d'être satisfaisant, tant du point de vue de la participation ministérielle aux réunions du Conseil que du temps extrêmement limité qui lui est consacré.

Aussi me semble-t-il indispensable de faire précéder nos prises de décision de l'organisation d'un consensus intellectuel autour des grandes questions politiques de nature stratégique qui conditionnent la politique de développement de l'Union européenne. En effet, une cellule de réflexion indépendante à l'échelle européenne apportant une vraie valeur ajoutée, une valeur ajoutée réelle par rapport aux organismes nationaux déjà existants, pourrait mieux nous guider dans la réponse aux grands défis du développement. Je vous fais grâce des positions très détaillées, que vous trouverez d'ailleurs dans la version écrite de mon rapport.

Nous le savons, ce thème du développement n'est pas suffisamment présent dans le débat public. Afin d'y remédier, et c'est la raison de la question orale que j'ai ajoutée à ma demande d'élaboration de ce rapport, nous invitons le Parlement à se prononcer en faveur de notre proposition de faire de l'an 2015 l'Année européenne pour le développement. Cette démarche est appuyée, notamment, par mon ami Thijs Berman, mon collègue Boulland, ainsi que par Eva Joly.

Pourquoi un développement responsable? Parce que les objectifs du Millénaire pour le développement ne seront jamais atteints si les États à revenus intermédiaires où vivent sept pauvres sur dix n'assument pas leurs responsabilités. Développement responsable parce que l'impératif de cohérence des politiques nous amène, nous aussi, au niveau de l'Union européenne, à repenser certaines méthodes. Si nous voulons encore peser dans ce sens en 2015, 2015 ne me paraît plus prématuré.

  Philippe Boulland, auteur. − Monsieur le Président, Monsieur le Commissaire, chers collègues, je tiens tout d'abord à remercier Charles Goerens pour son excellent rapport.

Nous le savons tous ici: l'Union européenne fournit plus de la moitié du total mondial de l'aide publique au développement et, cependant, à l'approche de l'échéance des OMD en 2015, même si certains objectifs semblent atteints, nous devons nous interroger sur la façon d'améliorer notre aide, de la rendre plus cohérente par rapport à notre politique commerciale, par rapport à notre politique agricole et par rapport à notre politique extérieure.

L'avenir de la politique européenne de développement doit reposer sur des engagements précis, mesurables et sur un calendrier à court et moyen terme.

La crise économique, le changement climatique, la puissance des pays émergents, l'accaparement des terres, nous obligent à définir de nouvelles priorités: assurer la sécurité alimentaire, l'accès aux ressources énergétiques et l'accès aux soins de santé. Certes, un consensus européen existe mais nous devons repenser les systèmes institutionnels européens et internationaux en matière environnementale et sociale, en nous inspirant d'organismes qui fonctionnent sur le plan décisionnel comme l'OMC, par exemple.

Enfin et surtout, nous devons expliquer à nos concitoyens que le développement des pays tiers n'est pas que charité et solidarité, mais aussi source de développement pour nous. Il suffit de regarder les marchés qui s'ouvrent aux Européens dans les pays émergents: la Chine, le Brésil et l'Inde.

2015 sera aussi l'occasion de mieux prendre en compte l'évolution géostratégique des dernières années, car les pays émergents d'aujourd'hui étaient, il y a peu encore, des pays en voie de développement. Désormais, en tant que puissances économiques incontournables, ces pays doivent également apporter leurs contributions à l'aide internationale.

L'Union européenne doit être le promoteur d'une aide au développement responsable au niveau européen et au niveau international. L'année 2015 sera plus qu'une échéance, ce sera une occasion unique de repenser l'aide au développement, non pas comme une simple assistance financière, mais comme un appui à des projets de développement responsables au niveau tant social qu'environnemental.

Je me joins donc, ici, à mes collègues des autres groupes et à ceux du Comité économique et social et du Comité des régions pour demander que 2015 soit désignée Année européenne du développement et, surtout, d'un développement responsable.

  Thijs Berman, Rapporteur. − In aanvulling op het uitstekende verslag van

Charles Goerens wil ik hier graag drie opmerkingen maken.

De agenda voor change zegt terecht dat er een betere verbinding moet komen tussen noodhulp en ontwikkelingsbeleid. In Nederland, mijn lidstaat, gaan er stemmen op om ons botweg te beperken tot louter noodhulp, een absurde gedachte.

Nu, enkel noodhulp bieden is in bijvoorbeeld Mali desastreus en niet in ons belang. Niet verder kijken dan de honger onder de vluchtelingen in Noord-Mali betekent pure winst voor de moslimfanatici die er de sharia vestigen ondanks fel protest van de lokale bevolking. Al Qaida een veilige haven bieden, daarmee wordt Noord-Mali een brandhaard, een Afghanistan vlakbij onze grenzen.

Van Noord-Mali wegkijken is ook in het voordeel van Latijns-Amerikaanse misdadigers die in West-Afrika steeds meer vrijheid hebben om cocaïne via de havens van Ivoorkust en Guinee-Bissau dwars door de Sahara naar Europa te transporteren. Daartegen optreden betekent steun geven aan de vredesoperatie en actief in Mali werken aan een toekomst in de regio, ook voor de Toearegs.

Voorzitter, in 2015 moeten wij wereldwijde afspraken hebben over de vraag hoe wij er ná dat jaar voor zorgen dat iedereen de kans krijgt om uit de armoede te komen. Daar is een publiek debat voor nodig. Het zou goed zijn als de Europese Unie het jaar 2015 uitriep tot het jaar van ontwikkelingssamenwerking. Ik hoor graag van commissaris Piebalgs of hij ons kan bijstaan om dit voor elkaar te krijgen.

Tot slot, zonder open democratie zijn gelijke kansen een illusie. Zolang de armsten geen stem hebben in hun hoofdsteden, worden hun belangen daar niet gerespecteerd. Het is daarom zo belangrijk om te investeren in het hoorbaar maken van de stem van de armsten, in lokale en regionale parlementen, in maatschappelijke organisaties, zoals NGO's van minderheden en van vrouwen. De Europese Commissie kiest voor deze aanpak, gesteund door het Europees Parlement. Ik hoop dat ook de Raad zich hierin zal kunnen vinden.

  Andris Piebalgs, Member of the Commission. − Mr President, I should start by thanking Charles Goerens for an excellent report and also for the debate we have started here. It definitely requires far more attention.

I am also grateful to the Committee on Development, in which we have the chance always to exchange views on development policy. Development cooperation is definitely one of the most complicated policies because it revolves not only around the development support that we give, but also around our action in other policy areas. It is also true, as Mr Boulland said, that we should see development policy not only from the perspective of solidarity. Solidarity is definitely part of our approach, but it is also an investment in the security and the well-being of our citizens. I believe it is very much a cross-cutting policy that strengthens the Union if properly addressed and weakens the Union if not properly addressed.

I believe that there have been substantial changes in the world for the better. We now have a chance, in our lifetime, not only to alleviate poverty but also, in many parts of the world, to eradicate it. The EU is a trusted partner because we always keep our promises. Sometimes, perhaps, we are slow, but we are honest in our approach, with no second thoughts. We just want to help countries get out of the circle of poverty.

In addressing this agenda of change, we really need to work more strategically, and when you work more strategically you definitely need to make some choices. Our point of departure is the human rights-based approach, which we do not separate from health policy, education policy or support for growth sectors. It is an over-arching element that we address in all policy elements in a coherent manner. I am very glad that Mr Goerens’s report looks positively on the movement towards inclusive and sustainable growth, because we can also see what our partners are looking for. They would like fast, immediate growth, and GDP growth of two figures, and if possible three figures, while not always understanding that GDP growth figures do not always result in satisfaction for the funded nation and that the elements of social inclusion and social protection are very important, and that the sustainability issue is also crucial. Does it help a country to have high growth, only to find it is devastating the environment? We are trying to build a coherent approach.

I believe two issues are crucial here. One is access to sustainable energy. We know that this is crucial not only in the fight against climate change, but also for economic growth. If we are not there, then it will most probably be coal-based power that is used in some parts of the country. The second issue is food security, agriculture and nutrition. What Mr Berman said is true: if you just take humanitarian aid, you will never have enough money to address matters, because calamities are happening more and more and this has a higher and higher cost. It does not help if you just save people’s lives in a time of calamity – they also need to rebuild their lives.

What we have done, together with my colleague Kristalina Georgieva, with regard to built resilience provides an answer. This is where you can save money and where you can move out, saying that, at a certain stage of development, our support will not be necessary, because the country is strong enough and has built resilience to address its food insecurity.

Mr Goerens touched upon dialogue with the Member States, and things have evolved in the Development Council. It is perhaps not the most important sign, but in May we will hold a whole-day Development Council under the chairmanship of the High Representative, Vice-President Ashton. Although she has a busy agenda, she has agreed to hold a whole-day event. This demonstrates that we have issues to discuss, and she feels confident that the Member States will be fully involved.

Another benchmark is joint programming. I am glad that there is a French initiative to hold an event on joint programming. It is not only a Commission-driven process. This is what we are looking for, so that Member States feel fully comfortable with the policy.

Last but not least, international engagement. We sometimes say that we are misunderstood, but I believe now that we have a real historic chance in the MDG process up to 2015 and after. The MDG Framework is the most developed and widely-recognised international global framework. That framework really has changed the lives of millions of people, and 2015 is the year in which we conclude the process of the MDGs and, from another point of view, we also start a new framework.

I believe the EU should be fully engaged in this major event and consider this the most important year for development cooperation; it is really a landmark year for us. So, for this reason, I believe that organising a European Year for Development in 2015 could be both timely and appropriate. At EU level it could help catalyse and mobilise the attention both of public opinion and of the decision-makers on development issues, in particular on the post-2015 development framework.

I am also pleased to note the support of the Committee of the Regions and of the President of this House on this issue. The Commission is now looking at the implications of the organisation of this European Year. We need also to mobilise significant human resources to ensure the full success of such a large-scale campaign. We are looking at it positively, but we need to be absolutely sure that we, as Europe, can deliver on this Year before we start it. The Commission will come back to Parliament with detailed proposals, in line with the proper procedure for the designation of a European Year.

I would also call the attention of this House, as a component of the budgetary authority, to the need to ensure sufficient financial resources in order to secure the successful organisation of such a European Year.

  Filip Kaczmarek, w imieniu grupy PPE. – Komisja Rozwoju zdecydowała się przygotować raport dotyczący komunikatu „Agenda for Change”, gdyż zamierzenia Komisji Europejskiej opisane w tym dokumencie obejmują kluczowe kwestie europejskiej polityki rozwojowej. Serdecznie dziękuje posłowi Charlesowi Goerensowi za podjęcie się przygotowania tego ważnego projektu. Podzielam troskę Komisji Europejskiej o to, że powinniśmy ze szczególną uwagą zająć się kwestią podnoszenia jakości pomocy. To zrozumiałe, że w trudnych czasach kryzysu trzeba wyjątkowo starannie wydawać pieniądze, które otrzymujemy od podatników. Nie ulega też wątpliwości, że sama polityka rozwojowa musi być modernizowana. Skoro świat się zmienia, i zmienia się bardzo szybko, to nasza odpowiedź na problemy i bolączki tego świata powinna nadążać za tymi zmianami. Próbą takich działań jest właśnie „Agenda for Change” i mam nadzieję, że będzie to próba udana. Kategoria włączającego wzrostu, o którym mówił przed chwilą komisarz, jest koncepcją, w jaki sposób pogodzić wzrost gospodarczy z postępem w zakresie wymagań społecznych. Ta koncepcja to właściwie rozwijanie bardzo europejskiego konceptu, bardzo starego konceptu – społecznej gospodarki rynkowej. Dzięki temu nie tracimy z horyzontu zasadniczego celu gospodarki rozwojowej – ograniczenia ubóstwa. Chcemy, aby polityka rozwojowa była spójna, skuteczna, zrównoważona i dobrze skoordynowana. Jestem przekonany, że „Agenda for Change”, nasze sprawozdanie i Europejski Rok na rzecz Rozwoju zbliżą nas do tego celu.

  Ricardo Cortés Lastra, en nombre del Grupo S&D. – Señor Presidente, señor Comisario, quiero felicitar a Charles Goerens por este informe, una posición fuerte que sienta las bases para el futuro de la política de cooperación al desarrollo de la Unión. Es un informe que se encuadra en un contexto de recortes en toda Europa de la ayuda oficial al desarrollo, el vencimiento del término establecido para el cumplimiento de los Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio 2015, y en plena negociación del próximo marco financiero plurianual; en concreto, del instrumento de cooperación al desarrollo.

El mensaje que va a apoyar la Eurocámara mañana es contundente: los tiempos cambian, las circunstancias cambian, pero los europeos, aun en tiempos difíciles, apostamos por la solidaridad y por el desarrollo, con una agenda de cooperación que se ajuste a esos cambios.

Esta Cámara apuesta, así, por políticas en pro de un desarrollo sostenible y que promueva la redistribución de la riqueza y la justicia social, con una financiación a la altura de los retos globales. También apuesta por que al 70 % de los pobres del mundo que viven en países de renta media no se les niegue nuestro apoyo. Por eso pedimos que se negocie una hoja de ruta para la reducción progresiva de la ayuda oficial al desarrollo y que se fomente de forma importante su participación en acuerdos triangulares de cooperación; que el criterio de diferenciación para conceder o no nuestra ayuda no se base solo en la renta nacional bruta, sino que también pueda emplear otros indicadores, como el de desigualdad o vulnerabilidad existente.

Señor Presidente, señor Comisario, pedimos mucho, incluso que la tasa sobre las transacciones financieras de la Unión Europea se utilice, entre otras cosas, para la cooperación al desarrollo, pero pedimos con juicio, sabiendo que la ayuda de la Unión Europea es efectiva, que tiene un verdadero valor añadido y que igual sigue siendo necesaria.

  Judith Sargentini, namens de Verts/ALE-Fractie. – Dank u, mijnheer Goerens, voor uw goede verslag. Maar wat mij toch elke keer een probleem lijkt is dat wij in tijden van economische crisis de visie op ons ontwikkelingssamenwerkingsbeleid gaan aanpassen. Dat zou heel goed kunnen als wij heel erg slim zouden zijn en als wij zouden zeggen dat ons uitgangspunt coherentie van beleid is en dat wij in de ontwikkelingssamenwerking nu toch echt eens druk op de handel en op de investeringen gaan uitoefenen.

Maar als wij dat niet doen en als wij eigenlijk vooral kijken naar hoe wij onze officiële ontwikkelingshulpfondsen kunnen aanwenden, dan ben ik nog steeds erg bang, mijnheer Piebalgs, dat wij bezig zijn met de argumenten voor de tegenpartij te organiseren en dat is: u kunt het efficiënter, u kunt het dus met minder geld. Ik zie dat in mijn eigen land waar de bijdrage voor ontwikkelingssamenwerking ondertussen van 0,8% van het bruto nationaal product gedaald is naar 0,7% van het bruto nationaal product, en ik zal dat in meer landen terugzien.

Mijn vraag aan u, mijnheer Piebalgs, is daarom ook: wanneer gaan wij het echt slim doen? Wanneer gaan wij eerlijk handelen en eerlijk investeren als uitgangspunt nemen?

  Younous Omarjee, au nom du groupe GUE/NGL. – Monsieur le Président, Monsieur le Commissaire, parmi tous les thèmes dont nous discutons, je vais insister sur un point: l'Afrique. C'est sur le continent africain que toutes ces questions se posent avec le plus de gravité. C'est aussi en Afrique que résident les potentialités les plus grandes. Voyez-vous, la donne démographique porte en elle cette dualité.

En moins de 40 ans, la population du continent africain va presque doubler. Saurons-nous faire de cette dynamique un levier de progrès et de développement humain ou, au contraire, par notre incapacité à éradiquer la pauvreté, deviendra-t-elle une force incroyable de déstabilisation du monde sur tous les plans?

L'aide au développement n'est pas, j'en suis convaincu, une simple politique de charité ou une politique misérabiliste. Non! Une vraie politique de développement doit aussi être un investissement dans l'avenir, qui vienne soutenir une grande ambition pour l'Afrique elle-même, une ambition aussi pour notre continent. La croissance future de l'Union européenne en dépend – cela, la Chine l'a d'ailleurs bien compris – et la paix du monde en dépend également.

  Gay Mitchell (PPE). - Mr President, I would like to thank Charles Goerens and the Commissioner for their presentations.

There are three brief points I want to make. The first is that we need to ensure that there is a favourable environment in which economies in developing countries can grow. This means getting public expenditure in order, making sure it is efficient, and creating a healthy private sector as well as removing excessive burdens on SMEs – small and medium-sized enterprises. We cannot do that on our own, but we can encourage that and we can talk about that and we can get involved with other politicians and try to get that on their agenda. In addition, we need to protect and further develop property rights in order to also serve that agenda. That is what we will give people: an ownership, and a sense of the future.

Secondly, we really do need to address the issue of policy coherence. The Commission itself pointed out that there could be up to EUR 6 billion per year saved if there was greater coherence in our development policy. There needs to be some way for this Parliament to speak with national parliaments, and I urge the Commissioner to use his influence to help us bring that about. We are trying to do that through the Committee on Development so we can bypass reluctant ministers in the Council of Ministers who want to keep all this power to themselves and are exacerbating the situation.

Thirdly, and very briefly, the Commissioner attended a launch on gendercide. I am the rapporteur on gendercide. There are up to 200 million women missing in the world because of gender-based abortion and infanticide. We can change that. We can challenge that. We can bring about a difference that makes it clear you do not need to favour men over women for economic reasons. We have got to make that an issue.

  Michèle Striffler (PPE). - Monsieur le Président, Monsieur le Commissaire, chers collègues, je voudrais, moi aussi, féliciter M. Goerens pour cet excellent rapport.

Compte tenu de la période économique et budgétaire actuelle – difficile –, il est d'autant plus essentiel de veiller à ce que l'aide soit dépensée efficacement et produise les meilleurs résultats possibles. Les ressources doivent être ciblées davantage là où elles s'avèrent le plus nécessaires pour réduire cette pauvreté. Nous devons réfléchir davantage à une approche différenciée des modalités d'aide.

Dans son agenda pour le changement, la Commission propose de cibler son aide notamment sur l'agriculture, en accordant la priorité aux pratiques développées localement et en se concentrant sur les petites exploitations agricoles. Il est donc impératif que la Commission cible réellement son aide sur le secteur agricole et la nutrition dans l'exercice de la programmation pour la période 2014-2020.

De plus, combattre efficacement la pauvreté passe aussi par un renforcement des synergies et par l'articulation stratégique entre aide humanitaire et aide au développement, qui sont une condition nécessaire pour développer la résilience et engager un processus de développement durable. Il faut donc que l'année 2015 soit l'année du développement, je veux dire un développement durable.

  Santiago Fisas Ayxela (PPE). - Señor Presidente, señor Comisario, quisiera, en primer lugar, felicitar al señor Goerens por su excelente informe.

El Programa para el Cambio representa una importante hoja de ruta en la redefinición de la cooperación al desarrollo y en la búsqueda de una mejor calidad y eficacia de la ayuda, especialmente a la luz de los cambios que se están produciendo en el nuevo orden global, del surgimiento de nuevos actores internacionales y del necesario proceso de consolidación fiscal al que nos obliga nuestra situación económica actual.

Celebramos que la pobreza sea para la Comisión un elemento central en su política de diferenciación. Sin embargo, lamentamos que el producto nacional bruto sea el indicador nuclear en la implementación de dicha política.

Señor Presidente, el 70 % de las personas que viven bajo el umbral de la pobreza en el mundo viven en países de renta media. Si queremos tener un impacto real en la reducción de esa pobreza, es preciso tener presente, junto al nivel de riqueza, otros criterios como la vulnerabilidad de algunos de esos países, la falta de cohesión interna o el índice de desarrollo humano.

Muchos de estos países pueden ser también hoy actores clave a través de mecanismos de cooperación triangular o cooperación Sur-Sur, al tiempo que motores de desarrollo en el futuro.

„Catch the eye” eljárás

  Emer Costello (S&D). - Mr President, I am also speaking on behalf of Michael Cashman, who is the shadow rapporteur for the S&D Group and who has been delayed. First of all, I want to thank the rapporteur for the excellent report and also to thank the Commission for its engagement in the compilation of the report.

We believe that this report has actually achieved a balanced and comprehensive approach to development. We very much welcome the stronger wording on a fairer distribution of wealth, and particularly welcome the emphasis on sustainable and inclusive growth for all.

In relation to differentiation, we do welcome the strong wording on political dialogue with emerging countries on the eradication of poverty through their own internal solidarity, together with appropriate funding from our own side. However, we cannot abruptly stop funding, especially for some of the so-called middle income countries, and particularly those in the Caribbean and the Pacific.

I believe that we must have a roadmap or an exit strategy, particularly in relation to smaller countries. Those countries can be more vulnerable, and that vulnerability needs to be taken into consideration when considering funding for middle income countries.

  Kristiina Ojuland (ALDE). - Mr President, the European Union development policy is essentially one of the most intertwined policy areas, with direct links to the foreign and security policy, human rights, climate and fisheries policies, the European Neighbourhood policy and so on.

Yet, as the rapporteur has rightly pointed out, the political dialogue between international actors, as well as the cooperation between Member States, the Commission and the EEAS, is still in a quite disorganised state. Securing consistency between the different policies, as well as the activities, of the actors of the EU and its Member States should be the responsibility of the Commission. I would therefore call on the Commissioner to make further efforts to implement Policy Coherence for Development.

I would also like to point out that when discussing development policy we should be thinking of a much wider range of recipients than the ACP countries only. The know-how of the Baltic Member States has been successfully used to encourage development in Ukraine and the South Caucasus, for example.

  João Ferreira (GUE/NGL). - Senhor Presidente, a política de desenvolvimento da União Europeia carece, de facto, de modificações substanciais, carece em primeiro lugar de meios suficientes, pelo menos em linha com os compromissos assumidos e com os objetivos fixados a nível internacional, designadamente no quadro da ONU, e carece das modificações que possibilitem uma melhor apropriação da ajuda por parte dos países em desenvolvimento que potencie o seu desenvolvimento soberano.

É com preocupação que encaramos tendências e orientações como uma mudança do apoio orçamental e das subvenções públicas para os chamados mecanismos de combinação que enfraquecem e desvirtuam a ajuda e introduzem incerteza onde é necessário previsibilidade. É com preocupação que encaramos também a imposição, a coberto da chamada boa governação, de práticas e políticas em múltiplos domínios como a organização económica, a fiscalidade, a justiça e outros, políticas que devem resultar das escolhas e opções dos países em desenvolvimento, atendendo à sua situação e condições específicas e não ser exportadas da Europa.

Por outro lado, e para terminar, é necessária uma consideração muito mais profunda das questões da coerência das políticas setoriais ou da falta dela com os objetivos do desenvolvimento.

  Seán Kelly (PPE). - Mr President, the European Union can be justifiably proud of its contribution to development aid for many years now. I suppose this was recognised in the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize, not just for development aid outside the European Union but obviously, also, for peace within the European Union.

While some cynics ridiculed the award, most of us can be very proud of what has been achieved. It is an encouragement for us to continue doing what we can, both internally in trying to create and keep peace, and abroad in terms of development aid – and particularly as regards helping countries towards peace and sustainability through the development of their economies. That is a very important point.

Finally, the point made by my colleague, Mr Fisas Ayxela is important, which is that GDP should not be the only indicator for assessing the wealth of countries and where best we can invest.

  Andrew Henry William Brons (NI). - Mr President, the report refers to the impressive rise of China, India and Brazil. For ‘impressive’ I would substitute the word ‘threatening’ – threatening to the manufacturing sectors of Europe and particularly to that in my own country, the United Kingdom.

The report expresses surprise that their growth has failed to reduce their poverty, but of course it is on their poverty and sometimes slave labour conditions that their growth has been based. The Commission concedes that the emergent economies should be eliminated from development assistance, but only in the long term. In the meantime, they are destroying our manufacturing while we are relieving them of the burden of looking after their own poor.

Globalisation is applauded in the report on the doubtful ground that it reduces inequalities between countries, which is another way of saying that the emergent countries are becoming richer at the expense of some of our workers. However, inequalities within countries are becoming greater as workers in Member States are thrown on the unemployment scrapheap.

  Patrice Tirolien (S&D). - Monsieur le Président, l'agenda pour le changement que propose la Commission soulève, à mon avis, de nombreuses interrogations, la principale étant la mise en œuvre concrète du principe de différenciation. La Commission souhaite qu'à partir de 2014, le choix des pays dans lesquels l'Union européenne investira son aide au développement se base sur l'application mécanique du simple critère de la richesse par habitant. Comme l'a rappelé Mme Ashton, ces questions ne sont pas uniquement d'ordre comptable mais méritent un véritable débat politique quant à la définition de nos priorités en matière de coopération internationale. Par ailleurs, cette approche différenciée n'est pas, à mon sens, conforme à l'esprit de l'Accord de Cotonou.

Je suis persuadé que les pays ACP qui ont réalisé des performances économiques positives doivent être encouragés dans leur transition vers une croissance plus durable; ils ne devraient pas être indûment sanctionnés du fait qu'ils ont réussi à garantir la croissance grâce à la discipline, à la bonne gouvernance et à des politiques économiques prudentes.

(A „catch the eye” eljárás vége.)

  Andris Piebalgs, Member of the Commission. − Mr President, there have been a lot of interesting points. I would like very rapidly to go through the main points and main answers.

To Mr Kaczmarek: I believe that what we are trying to do is to make aid a catalyst to achieve the results, plus with PCD – Policy Coherence for Development – where we could achieve definitely even more and stronger change. I would definitely say that our PHARE initiative is transparency in extractive industries, as was proposed by my colleague Mr Barnier. If we capitalise, we really can make a substantial change. I would very much like to thank him for his support for the agenda for change.

To Mr Cortés Lastra: we have discussed differentiation for a long time. Differentiation is not an ambition per se. Differentiation is just the realities of what is happening in the world. But we are keeping new instruments, like cooperation instruments, that we will continue to use with our partner countries. In a lot of countries, we should continue the poverty eradication strategy because the economic level and size of the countries definitely require other forms of cooperation.

To Mrs Sargentini: we are investing and changing our approach during this period’s financial framework, according to the agenda for change.

To Mr Younous: Africa is our absolute priority, because Africa is make or break. It could be a continent of prosperity and it could be a continent of complete disaster. So I believe that our engagement with Africa is crucial, because no-one else will support the African nations in their quest for prosperity. In my contacts with African countries I believe that they are very much looking to Europe, not only for money but also very much for encouragement and their development. If we can capitalise on that, I believe Africa would be the driver of world growth, not the continent where there is currently the most insecurity.

Regarding what Mr Mitchell said, we also work with the private sector and others, because this also strengthens the human rights agenda. If you just speak about the human rights agenda without addressing small and medium-sized enterprises and property rights, it is always vulnerable, but if you have a broader discussion, then this helps. Also in regard to what he said about the gendercide issue, we have worked on this and we should continue to do so because it is clearly a human rights agenda but it really needs a push.

Mr Mitchell’s idea about the European Parliament and national parliaments is very interesting and we should reflect on this. I started by being too shy with national parliaments. I came to national parliaments to speak with them as if starting from scratch and discovered with pleasure that they are actually much more engaged than we usually suspect, because these are some of the policies that everybody wants. What type of world will we be living in? I think that is why I believe the debate is essential. It is not just a question of how much money we have to give. It is actually concerns the world we are living in now and the world we would like to live in in 15 or 20 years, and the debate is very much alive.

To Ms Striffler: agriculture, food security and nutrition will remain our priority area, and there we have a new initiative. We have put in place for the first time a nutrition obligation to reduce the number of children left stunted by seven million by 2025. For me, if there is a poverty phase – and actually this phase is a post-2015 development agenda – it is a malnourished child, because it is a shame that it has happened and we know how difficult it is to achieve. As long as there is one child in such a situation, we will not have done our duty. I believe it is very crucial that we focus on this.

Regarding Mr Fisas Ayxela and differentiation, it is true that there will be pockets of poverty in China, but I believe that if we have a definite global framework and China does what it is committing itself to – fighting poverty – then I believe that they are capable of eradicating poverty.

I believe this 2015 framework should be overarching, and if a country puts in a lot of effort inside the country, we should recognise that effort. But it is not for us to put in small things here and there to address some particular aspects. It is not sufficient, and I believe the agenda should be broader.

To Ms Costello, on middle-income countries: we need criteria. We should be objective. Mr Goerens himself started this process – and I fully agree – when we discussed the very difficult banana-accompanying measures. It was then that we started to ask what the criteria are that we are addressing, and for the first time it was very clear that Parliament now has criteria. If I come to the middle-income countries with a fair attitude, I need to base myself on criteria. Is the GDP good enough or not? Well, this is under debate, but I think we are achieving a consistent approach.

On Ms Ojuland’s point, the EEAS and the Commission are working well together. I would really say that we have definitely a much better situation than Louis Michel had with his colleagues and others. We are very coherent in our approach. We are improving on it and they are working very much on strategy.

Turning to Mr Ferreira, commitments need to be fulfilled, and I think the most important commitment we have made is that of 0.7 % of GNI for development causes in 2015. I believe the push from this House is crucial, especially when we come now to the multiannual financial framework. The part which we have put in the EU budget is exactly that part of our commitment of 0.7 %. It is not different, it is part of it and it is a crucial part that should be continued.

I would finish with Mr Kelly, on the Nobel Peace Prize. I think that this prize is very much justified. I am Latvian, and I think the EU has given us a lot of encouragement. If my country is in a situation of security, peace and relative prosperity, a lot of that is definitely due to the EU being there. It has made changes that would be impossible any other way. I believe the EU experience is definitely something that we need to promote in a lot of regions, and particularly in Africa where all the countries are rather small. Even South Africa, which is the biggest country of all, is actually small. So the only way Africa can evolve is by working together and for this the EU gives a good example and encouragement.

To Mr Brons I would say that we do not necessarily support countries. While we try to work through countries to strength things, we support people, and this should not be misunderstood. We know that the most sustainable way of addressing poverty is by supporting governments of countries with a credible strategy. But our support is always to the people of those countries, and sometimes we make this distinction. As regards differentiation of ACP countries, we have the Cotonou Agreement until 2020. We will be responsible towards that agreement. We have a dialogue, in particular, with ACP countries and we respond to requests from our ACP partner countries. We do not make unilateral moves that change the nature of the relationship. At the same time, we should also in this House encourage discussion on what should come after the Cotonou Agreement and on what comes after 2020.

  Charles Goerens, rapporteur. − Monsieur le Président, après les honneurs qui viennent de m'être conférés, je tâcherai de rester modeste.

Je remercie d'abord tous mes collègues pour le jugement qu'ils ont porté sur le travail que nous avons fait en commission. Je sais que tout n'a pas été accepté sans nuances, notamment le concept de la différenciation – dans toutes les langues de l'Union et sous tous les aspects. Bien sûr, il y a des poches de pauvreté dans les pays émergents – elles sont même considérables. Il y a aussi 112 millions de pauvres en Europe. Ce n'est pas une raison pour ignorer la pauvreté qu'il y a dans les pays émergents et en Europe. Arrêtons d'opposer les pauvres de chez nous et les pauvres d'ailleurs! Il existe des instruments différents selon le pays où vivent ces pauvres.

Notre politique de coopération ne doit être ni angélique ni frileuse. Elle doit être courageuse, cohérente, sélective et durable. C'est la synthèse que je tire des travaux que nous venons de réaliser. Je quitte ce débat avec des interrogations et aussi des motifs de satisfaction. Parmi les interrogations, il en est une qui porte sur la question de savoir si nous allons atteindre les 0,7 % du RNB en 2015. Les temps sont difficiles. Donc ne baissons pas la garde devant l'effort qui nous attend. Si nous ne le faisons pas en tant que responsables du développement, personne ne le fera à notre place.

Comment pourrons-nous également mieux informer nos concitoyens? Ce sujet devient pour moi en même temps un motif de satisfaction. Ma satisfaction résulte du fait qu'avec les réponses qu'a données le commissaire Piebalgs, 2015 semble être quasiment acquise comme Année européenne du développement responsable.

Un autre motif de satisfaction, c'est que, si cette idée fait son chemin – et je n'en doute pas un seul instant –, nous serons en mesure de déclarer, en 2015, ce qui à nos yeux est essentiel en matière de politique de coopération au développement, quels doivent être les meilleurs partenariats. Nous avons encore un petit espace de temps pour peser de tout notre poids. Alors que le reste du monde évolue à une vitesse extraordinaire, l'Europe pèse encore en tant que premier acteur.

L'un de mes plus grands motifs de satisfaction, c'est que nous avons, d'un côté, un grand savoir-faire. Essayons aussi de faire connaître ce savoir-faire aux autres, notamment à nos concitoyens et aussi au reste du monde. J'ai visité tant de pays en développement où l'Europe est, de loin, le premier bailleur de fonds et où la perception de l'Union européenne, en tant qu'acteur, est inversement proportionnelle aux efforts et aux fonds engagés.

Je crois que 2015 sera une bonne opportunité pour mettre fin à cette modestie qui n'est pas de mise.

VORSITZ: RAINER WIELAND
Vizepräsident

  Der Präsident. − Die gemeinsame Aussprache ist geschlossen.

Die Abstimmung findet am Dienstag, 23. Oktober 2012, um 18.00 Uhr statt.

Schriftliche Erklärungen (Artikel 149 GO)

  Vasilica Viorica Dăncilă (S&D), în scris. – Politica europeană de dezvoltare reprezintă, alături de politica comercială şi relaţiile politice, unul dintre elementele de bază ale acţiunii în plan extern a Uniunii Europene. Ea are ca obiectiv principal reducerea sărăciei. Pentru atingerea acestui obiectiv este esenţial sprijinul acordat ţărilor în curs de dezvoltare pentru îmbunătăţirea accesului la educaţie, având în vedere că, peste o sută de milioane de copii din întreaga lume nu sunt incluşi în circuitul educaţional. Fără educaţie, şansele acestor copii de a dobândi o pregătire profesională care să le permită ulterior acces pe piaţa forţei de muncă sunt nule, fiind îngreunate totodată eforturile de combatere a sărăciei în ţările respective.

Ca atare, consider esenţial sprijinul UE pentru participarea unui număr cât mai mare de copiii, cu precădere a celor din mediul rural, la programele educaţionale - învăţământ primar şi formare profesională de calitate. UE trebuie să susţină de asemenea elaborarea unor planuri sectoriale care să ţină cont şi de specificităţile culturale ale fiecărei regiuni sau ţări, cu accent pe implicarea cât mai mult posibil a societăţii civile din acele ţări în punerea lor în aplicare.

  Andreas Mölzer (NI), schriftlich. – Wenn nach UNO-Bericht die Zahl der Hungernden weltweit gesunken ist, bleibt noch immer jeder Achte ohne ausreichende Ernährung. Und in Afrika verläuft der Trend sogar gegenläufig. In der Entwicklungshilfe gibt es eine Reihe höchst problematischer Fehlentwicklungen. Dass laut einer IWF-Studie die öffentlichen Ausgaben von 33 Ländern zu mehr als 50 % von internationaler Entwicklungshilfe abhängig sind, sollte uns ebenso zu denken geben, wie die Tatsache, dass Hilfslieferungen – etwa in Somalia – zur Kriegsfinanzierung missbraucht werden. Ebenso bedenklich ist, dass über Entwicklungshilfe Agrarprojekte gefördert werden, bei denen die ansässige Bevölkerung gewaltsam vertrieben und Hunger und Armut damit weiter verschärft werden. Dieser Entwicklung hat die EU etwa durch die Biospritvorgaben Vorschub geleistet. Ebenso wenig kann es sein, dass nach einem Schuldenerlass China zur Aufnahme neuer Schulden animiert, um sich Rohstofflieferungen zu sichern. Klar ist, dass es einer Reihe von Änderungen bedarf, wobei die Eindämmung der Geburtenexplosion als wesentlicher Beitrag zur Hunger- und Armutsbekämpfung verstärkt werden muss. Es kann aber auch nicht sein, dass Staaten zwar Entwicklungshilfe wollen, jedoch nicht einmal zur Rücknahme der eigenen Bürger bereit sind.

  Franz Obermayr (NI), schriftlich. – Im Bericht wird ein wichtiges Problem angesprochen: nämlich die Entwicklungshilfe für Länder mit mittleren Einkommen. Diese sollte schrittweise abgebaut werden. Gleichzeitig sollte aber eine gezielte Zusammenarbeit mit den ärmsten Regionen in diesen Ländern geschaffen werden. Wir brauchen eine Dreieckskooperation: zwischen nördlichen Geberländern, Schwellenländern, und Entwicklungsländern. Die BRICS Staaten müssen mehr Verantwortung übernehmen, wenn sie in Entwicklungsländern tätig werden (z.B.: China/Afrika). Im Mittelpunkt muss stets die Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe stehen, was etwa durch Mikrokredite für KMU erreicht werden kann. Die Gewährung von Entwicklungshilfe muss außerdem: 1) geknüpft sein an die Einhaltung der Menschenrechte, insbesondere der Schutz religiöser oder ethnischer Minderheiten, sowie die Einhaltung von Frauen- und Kinderrechten. 2) und geknüpft sein an die Kooperation der Empfängerländer bei der Rücknahme illegaler Migranten!!

22. Minuutin puheenvuorot (työjärjestyksen 150 artikla)

  Der Präsident. − Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgen die Ausführungen von einer Minute nach Artikel 150 der Geschäftsordnung.

  Ildikó Gáll-Pelcz (PPE). - A légi közlekedés kulcsfontosságú az Európai Unió gazdasága szempontjából. Egyrészt az embereket és a régiókat összekötő szerepe miatt, másrészt azért is, mert több mint 3 millió embernek adnak munkát, és a GDP-nkhez való hozzájárulása több mint 140 milliárd euró. Ugyanakkor, ezen légitársaságok nehéz küzdelemnek a részesei, mivel ki vannak téve a gyorsan terjeszkedő közel-keleti légi fuvarozók által támasztott egyenlőtlen versenyfeltételeknek. Az európai légitársaságok már évek óta bírálják az öböl menti országok légitársaságait, egyrészt az állami támogatások magas szintje miatt, másrészt amiatt is, hogy ezen vállalatoknak nem kell társasági adót sem fizetniük.

Ezzel szemben az európai légitársaságok nem kaphatnak állami támogatást, társasági adót kell fizetniük, sőt az európai exporthitel-garanciákból sem részesülhetnek. E tényezők együttesen olyan egyenlőtlen versenyhelyzetet teremtenek, amelynek azonnali orvoslására szeretném felkérni az Európai Bizottságot.

  Mojca Kleva (S&D). - Želim postaviti vprašanje glede kohezijske politike.

Predvsem sistem faktorjev nacionalne razvitosti določuje nivo evropskih sredstev za manj razvite regije in temelji na izračunih tako stopnje razvitosti regij kot tudi države članice.

V pogajalskem okviru za naslednji večletni finančni okvir za naslednjih sedem let se predlaga znižanje teh faktorjev in mi, evropske poslanke in poslanci, nismo imeli nikoli možnosti razpravljati o znižanju teh faktorjev, čeprav po mojem mnenju to spada pod področje soodločanja, ki ga imamo v okviru evropske kohezijske politike.

Skrbi me v bistvu, da bodo ti skupni učinki predlaganih sprememb teh faktorjev nesorazmerno prizadeli regije znotraj Evropske unije v različnih državah članicah. To lahko občuti predvsem slovenska manj razvita regija, vzhodna Slovenija, na katero imajo lahko te spremembe učinek celo spremembe izgube 40 odstotkov kohezijskih sredstev.

V trenutnem kriznem času mislim, da ni potrebno posebej poudarjati, da je za izvajanje solidarnosti in investicijskih politik v EU preprosto nemogoče dovoliti nekaj takega, zato želim od Komisije, da mi pisno odgovori.

  Ramon Tremosa i Balcells (ALDE). - Mr President, five weeks ago there was a large demonstration in Barcelona. More than one million people demanding that Catalonia be the next EU Member State is exceptional. This is why the President of Catalonia, Artur Mas, has decided to initiate a political process calling for early Catalan elections next month. This process will enable Catalans to decide freely, peacefully and democratically if they want to become a new Member State of the European Union.

The will of the Catalans is to remain in the European project. We believe in Europe, and our objective is not to be an isolated country but to become a new partner in the construction of Europe. The example of the agreement on a Scottish referendum in 2014 is an enlightening one. I hope that in Catalonia a new era for European democracy is being opened.

Vice-President Vidal-Quadras’s statements calling for intervention by the Spanish armed forces in Catalonia are disgraceful. He should resign.

  Sandrine Bélier (Verts/ALE). - Monsieur le Président, chers collègues, nous revenons d'Hyderabad, en Inde, où s'est tenue la Onzième conférence des parties à la convention pour la biodiversité. Notre Parlement y était représenté aux côtés de la Commission et du Conseil.

L'enjeu de ce sommet était important: définir les modalités de financement du plan de sauvetage du vivant 2010-2020, adopté il y a deux ans, à Nagoya. Nous avons eu chaud; les négociations ont été difficiles mais une nouvelle étape a été franchie dans le domaine des mers et des océans et avec l'engagement de doubler les financements pour la biodiversité d'ici 2015.

Après la déception du sommet de Rio, c'est un soulagement. L'Union européenne et la communauté internationale sont encore capables de volontarisme environnemental. Mais la crise de l'état de la biodiversité appelle à intensifier nos efforts et à respecter nos engagements pour préserver notre capital nature, maintenant et ici, dans le budget, la politique agricole commune, la politique commune de la pêche et, bientôt, nous débattrons de la lutte contre la biopiraterie et la ratification du protocole de Nagoya. Je vous appelle à faire front commun afin de faire la preuve, une nouvelle fois, de l'ambition et de la responsabilité du Parlement européen pour une biojustice européenne et mondiale.

  Marisa Matias (GUE/NGL). - Senhor Presidente, os líderes europeus continuam a insistir na disciplina orçamental e eu pergunto, disciplina orçamental, então vamos a ela, porque o que é que nós falamos exatamente quando falamos de disciplina orçamental? No meu entender, disciplina orçamental é respeitar os contratos com os pensionistas e não abandonar os compromissos do Estado a meio, no meu entender, disciplina orçamental é respeitar os contratos de quem trabalha e não inventar impostos extraordinários ou cortes de subsídios, disciplina orçamental é respeitar os compromissos na saúde, na educação, na cultura e não fechar serviços ou encerrar e cancelar projetos a meio, disciplina é pôr os bancos na ordem e não andarem a tirar aos contribuintes para pôr nas mãos dos especuladores para salvar os seus bancos. Esta é a disciplina orçamental que eu gostaria de ver implementada na União Europeia e não continuarmos nesta festa dos mercados. Se for preciso um exemplo, o orçamento que está a ser discutido em Portugal a mando da troica é o exemplo perfeito, viola todos os compromissos que qualquer Estado deve ter com os seus cidadãos para não violar os acordos feitos à porta fechada que estão a arruinar a Europa e os seus países.

  Mara Bizzotto (EFD). - Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, l'11 settembre il popolo catalano ha manifestato pacificamente a Barcellona. Un milione di persone ha chiesto l'indipendenza della Catalogna dalla Spagna. Il 15 ottobre, in un discorso il Premier britannico Cameron, ha firmato l'accordo per ammettere il referendum per l'indipendenza della Scozia da Londra. In Veneto, la mia regione, nelle scorse settimane migliaia di persone hanno firmato per fare un referendum per l'indipendenza del Veneto dall'Italia. Ieri in Veneto, Lombardia e in tutte le regioni del nord, centinaia e migliaia di persone hanno firmato per avere più autonomia da Roma. Ma anche nelle Fiandre e nei Paesi Baschi i cittadini chiedono a gran voce autonomia e indipendenza dagli Stati nazionali.

E il Presidente Schulz cosa dice? Chiede un impegno coraggioso per dire chiaramente no a tutte le tendenze separatiste. Il suo vice, Vidal-Quadras, fa di peggio ancora, invocando addirittura l'uso della forza contro i cittadini catalani. Le loro dichiarazioni sono un atto gravissimo, contrario ai principi di quella democrazia che qui noi predichiamo e che dovremmo difendere. A loro dico che saranno i popoli a scrivere il futuro della nuova Europa e non i burocrati di Bruxelles. La strada è già tracciata.

  Nicole Sinclaire (NI). - Mr President, I recently spent some time in Cyprus, taking part in anti-occupation events against the illegal Turkish occupation, which has now been going on for 38 years. Turks hold 38 % of Cypriot lands when Cyprus is actually part of the European Union.

It was while I was in Cyprus that I learned that the European Union had won the Nobel Peace Prize. That may be a joke, but not for the people of Cyprus. Part of that award was for dispute resolution, but what has the European Union done to help the people of Cyprus? There were 1 619 people missing after the Turkish invasion. Not enough work has been done. Yet Turkey is still a candidate country and does not even recognise the Republic of Cyprus, which is an EU Member State. It does not even recognise the Cyprus EU Presidency.

What is the European Union doing about this? It is an absolute joke. I call for justice for internal refugees in Cyprus and justice and human rights for the families of the missing people.

  Zoltán Bagó (PPE). - Barroso elnök úr idénynyitó beszédének fő irányát és tartalmát a „több Európa” határozta meg. Ebben az Unióban elképzelhetetlennek tűnik, hogy az alapelvek betartása és érvényesítése tekintetében bármilyen hierarchikus mérce szerint történjen mazsolázgatás vagy rangsorolás. Ugyanakkor az is elképzelhetetlen, hogy a tagállamok joggyakorlata, jogrendszere uniós alapjoggal ellentétes jogszabályt alkot, vagy netán revideál. Márpedig tisztelt hölgyeim és uraim, akár hiszik, akár nem, 2007. szeptember 20-án a Szlovák Köztársaság Nemzeti Tanácsa 1483/2007-es határozatával ez történt. Nevezett határozat ugyanis megerősítette, sérthetetlennek és megváltoztathatatlannak nyilvánította a Benes-dekrétumokat.

Ennek tükrében viszont különösen érdekes II. világháborús dokumentumként tekinteni erre, hiszen ez nem 1945-ben, hanem 2007-ben került jóváhagyásra. Ezért megalapozatlan és dilettáns az a fajta érvelés, mely történelmi dokumentumokról tesz említést, hiszen a történelmi dokumentumoknak az irattárban és a történelemkönyvekben a helye, nem a hatályos és érvényes jogrendszerben. Nem tudom, hogy a képviselőtársaim tisztában vannak-e azzal, hogy 13 dekrétum faji szegregáció, diszkrimináció alapján követel végrehajtást, csakúgy, mint a nürnbergi törvények. Ezért kellene Szlovákiának deregulálni ezeket a szabályait.

  Ioan Enciu (S&D). - Recent, un grup de şase state membre a cerut Comisiei Europene să reintroducă obligativitatea vizelor pentru statele din Balcani, invocând ca motiv solicitările false de azil.

Cred că este o cerere nefondată şi greşită din două punte de vedere: în primul rând, abuzul sistemului european de azil este posibil numai din cauza slăbiciunii interne a acestuia. În loc să limităm libertatea de circulaţie, ar trebui să grăbim adoptarea şi implementarea noului pachet privind azilul. În al doilea rând, această soluţie ar fi identică cu cea luată de Canada în urmă cu trei ani, când a reimpus vizele pentru cetăţenii cehi. La acea dată, toate ţările UE au criticat guvernul canadian, iar acum nu fac decât să-i urmeze exemplul. Acest comportament duplicitar al UE este ruşinos şi contrar valorilor europene. Cetăţenii din Balcani trebuie să poată circula liber în UE, la fel cum cetăţenii cehi, români şi bulgari trebuie să poată călători liberi în Canada sau în Statele Unite. Comisia nu trebuie să dea curs acestei cereri.

  João Ferreira (GUE/NGL). - Senhor Presidente, diversas organizações sociais de vários países dirigiram à Comissão Europeia uma carta, na qual denunciam e criticam as pressões que esta vem fazendo sobre países como Portugal e a Grécia para que privatizem os seus serviços de água. A resposta da Comissão, em toda a sua crueza, é reveladora da verdadeira face de quem comanda os destinos da União Europeia.

Mesmo conhecendo a tragédia que foi a experiência de privatização em numerosos países, ao nível da explosão dos custos, da degradação dos serviços, da exclusão e desigualdade na fruição deste direito humano fundamental, o direito à água, a Comissão defende abertamente a privatização deste e de outros serviços públicos. Assim contraria a suposta neutralidade que os tratados preveem a este respeito e assim assume, de forma descarada, o roubo a que estes países e os seus povos estão a ser sujeitos.

Ficam os povos da Europa, mais uma vez, a saber com o que podem contar desta União Europeia: o sacrifício de direitos de todos em prol do negócio de alguns poucos. Terão a resposta que merecem.

  Gabriel Mato Adrover (PPE). - Señor Presidente, yo no voy a hablar de la independencia de Cataluña, voy a hablar de La Gomera, una isla pequeña de las Islas Canarias, que este verano ha sufrido un terrible incendio que se inició el 4 de agosto y que no se dio oficialmente por extinguido hasta el pasado mes de septiembre. No solo ha sido afectado el Parque Nacional de Garajonay, patrimonio de la Humanidad desde 1986: se ha quemado casi el 11 % de la superficie de la isla y más de cuatro mil personas tuvieron que ser evacuadas.

Los daños para el medio ambiente, la economía de la isla y las condiciones de vida de la población, cuantificados en casi 60 millones de euros, son de muy difícil reparación. Por ello, de lo que yo quiero hablar hoy es de solidaridad, de la solidaridad de Europa con una parte muy pequeña, pero muy importante, de la Europa que nos une, de la solidaridad de Europa con La Gomera y con los gomeros.

El Gobierno de España ya ha solicitado la intervención del Fondo de Solidaridad. Ahora solo falta que se haga efectiva y que, entre todos, ayudemos a La Gomera a salir adelante. Hablamos de su futuro, y de ese futuro somos responsables todos.

  Ивайло Калфин (S&D). - Уважаеми г-н Председателю, във Великобритания преди няколко дни министър-председателят г-н Камерън и министърът на вътрешните работи заявиха по различни поводи, че ще поискат преразглеждане на законодателството за свободно движение на граждани на Европейския съюз и за миграция в Обединеното кралство.

Консервативното британско правителство трябва да изясни какво иска — действащ и пълноценен общ пазар, което предполага свободно движение на хора, или обратното — ограничения и спънки пред този пазар и пред свободното движение на хора. Няма как двете да се случат едновременно. Великобритания е една от страните, които все още прилагат ограничения за трудовия пазар за български и румънски граждани, нещо повече — през последните месеци процедурите за разрешение за работа се усложняват още повече.

Петнадесетте хиляди българи са само 0,3 % от петте милиона чуждестранни работници в Обединеното кралство. Очевидно, че няма имиграционен натиск. Искам да се обърна към колегите да не допускаме, в която и да било страна едно от най-важните достижения на Европейския съюз — свободното движение на хора, да бъде поставяно в риск.

  Chris Davies (ALDE). - Mr President, why are so many people in Britain hostile to the European Union? Perhaps it is not surprising when you read in our newspapers ridiculous stories such as that the EU has banned the sale of homemade chutneys and jams in used jam jars. The deputy leader of the UK Independence Party, Paul Nuttall, who is a Member of this House, calls it interfering nonsense by meddling bureaucrats from Brussels.

There is only one thing wrong with comments like that: they are completely untrue – the story is a fabrication. There was no truth in it, it is simply UKIP cooking up lies again. You take a handful of distortion, add in some political bias, stir in doses of UKIP’s vilification, sprinkle with gullible journalists who do not check their facts – and what do you get? A poisonous concoction, an ill-informed British public ever more distrustful of Europe after being deceived by those who hate Europe, a United Kingdom betrayed by those who lay pretence to patriotism but in practice leave our country weak and with diminished influence.

  Rosa Estaràs Ferragut (PPE). - Señor Presidente, quisiera utilizar este minuto para hacer mención de las consecuencias trágicas de las intensas lluvias caídas en España en el sur y el sureste de la península, concretamente en la región de Valencia, en Murcia y en una parte de Andalucía.

El 28 de septiembre de 2012 cayeron lluvias torrenciales que produjeron daños muy considerables en todo el sector agrícola. Miles de hectáreas de cultivo fueron arrasadas y numerosas explotaciones quedaron totalmente arruinadas. También hubo pérdidas en el sector ganadero y daños en la red viaria municipal, en el alumbrado público, en viviendas, inmuebles, industrias y comercios, y quisiera recalcar las dificultades por las que ya estaba pasando Lorca, un municipio que, como saben, un año antes había sufrido un tremendo terremoto, como también Puerto Lumbreras.

Son dos ciudades, dos municipios españoles de la región de Murcia que solicitan todos ellos, en estas y otras regiones, la solidaridad de la Unión Europea para poder seguir adelante.

  George Sabin Cutaş (S&D). - Doresc să salut acordul cu privire la supravegherea bancară la care s-a ajuns în cadrul recentului summit european.

O supraveghere mai strictă a activităţilor bancare este indispensabilă pentru a putea evita repetarea crizelor bancare, dar şi pentru a asigura un nivel adecvat de protecţie a deponenţilor. Cu toate acestea, modalitatea în care statele membre vor putea participa la mecanismul unic de supraveghere trebuie clarificată, în special în ceea ce priveşte statutul ţărilor non membre euro. Nu trebuie să ignorăm decalajul dintre dimensiunea transfrontalieră a activităţilor băncilor şi supravegherea acestora la nivel naţional. În România, capitalul bancar provenind din zona euro are o pondere de aproximativ 80 %. Nu în ultimul rând, trebuie să ne întrebăm cum vom putea asigura integritatea pieţei unice dacă vom diviza uniunea bancară între ţări participante şi ţări non participante. De aceea, pledez pentru drepturi egale pentru toate statele membre în cadrul noii structuri de supraveghere, inclusiv în ceea ce priveşte dreptul de vot.

  Marian Harkin (ALDE). - Mr President, last June the European Council agreed to break the link between bank and sovereign debt. Within weeks, Finnish, Dutch and German finance ministers said ‘no’. Last week’s Summit reaffirmed the June agreement, but within hours Chancellor Merkel announced it would not apply retrospectively. There was total shock and utter disbelief in Ireland.

Three years ago four million Irish citizens were overnight burdened down with socialised bank debt – the biggest bail-out in history. Yes, Irish banks were saved but so were French, German and British banks, and at the insistence of the ESM. The ESM which we voted for – the only EU citizens to do so – has been dangled in front of our noses only to be cruelly whipped away when it seemed as if it might be of some use to us.

Chancellor Merkel said last night that Ireland was a unique case, and so it is, but legacy debt, bank debt, must be dealt with in a European context. We want to succeed, but if the tools we need and the solidarity we have earned are not available to us, then we need to reappraise, because to play our part in helping to save the euro and then see our own economy and social solidarity destroyed as a consequence is simply not an option.

  András Gyürk (PPE). - Holnap lesz az 1956-os forradalom kitörésének 56. évfordulója. Október 23-a nem csak a magyarság ünnepe, hanem minden szabadságszerető emberé. Az idei kettős ünnep, hiszen Mindszenty József születésének 120. évfordulójára is emlékezünk. A bíborosra, akit börtönbe vetett a fasiszta és a kommunista diktatúra is. A Mindszenty számára erőt adó eszmények – szabadság, hagyomány, közösség – valódi európai gondolatok voltak. Ezeket az eszményeket képviselték azok az államférfiak is, akik akkor Európa nyugati felén a háborúban kimerült kontinens felemelésén dolgoztak. De Gasperi, Schumann, Monnet és Adenauer ugyanabban a keresztény Európában hittek, mint a magyar bíboros.

Ezek az eszmények és ez a hit őrizték meg a megkínzott pap tartását, és emelték fel Európát a reménytelennek tűnő helyzetből. A remény ma újra eltűnni látszik kontinensünkről. A kiutat keresve érdemes néha visszatekintenünk az elődökre. Azokra, akiknek erkölcsi és közéleti példamutatása az egységes Európa talapzatául szolgált.

  Μαρία-Ελένη Κοππά (S&D). - Κύριε Πρόεδρε, στην Ελλάδα της κρίσης η άκρα δεξιά αποκτά όλο και πιο εφιαλτικό πρόσωπο. Η Χρυσή Αυγή λειτουργεί ως παραστρατιωτικό σώμα με τάγματα εφόδου που κακοποιούν πολίτες, με βουλευτές που απειλούν συναδέλφους τους και χυδαιολογούν στο κοινοβούλιο. Φοβάμαι ότι και σ' αυτό το επίπεδο η Ελλάδα θα είναι μόνο η αρχή. Οι ευθύνες του πολιτικού συστήματος συνολικά είναι μεγάλες γιατί αντιμετώπισε ένα νεοφασιστικό κόμμα, όπου ο αρχηγός του χαιρετά με ναζιστικό χαιρετισμό, ως ένα οποιοδήποτε κόμμα. Ειδικά όμως η κυβέρνηση έχει τη βασική ευθύνη. Όταν ο Υπουργός Δημόσιας Τάξης δεν τιμωρεί τους αστυνομικούς που επιτρέπουν σε βουλευτή της Χρυσής Αυγής να απελευθερώνει συλληφθέντες σε επεισόδια, όταν ο Υπουργός Εσωτερικών απαντά σε κοινοβουλευτική ερώτηση του κόμματος αυτού για τον αριθμό των αλλοδαπών παιδιών στους βρεφονηπιακούς σταθμούς, ενώ είναι σαφές ότι η ιθαγένεια δεν αποτελεί κριτήριο εγγραφής σ' αυτούς, τότε η δημοκρατία είναι σε κίνδυνο. Η ελληνική κυβέρνηση οφείλει να αποδείξει ότι υπάρχει συντεταγμένη πολιτεία και ότι η ελληνική κοινωνία δεν είναι απροστάτευτη και αυτό το στοίχημα είναι εξίσου σημαντικό με την οικονομική ανάκαμψη. Η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση πρέπει με κάθε τρόπο να αντιδράσει στην άνοδο του φασισμού στην Ευρώπη.

  Eduard Kukan (PPE). - Európska komisia uverejnila 10. októbra správy o pokroku v jednotlivých krajinách, s ktorými sa rokuje o ich členstve v Únii. Celkové vyznenie týchto správ ukázalo, že proces rozširovania Únie v oblasti Západného Balkánu pokračuje. S ťažkosťami, s problémami, s prekážkami, ale je to vývoj dopredu. Každá krajina má svoje vlastné špecifiká v európskej agende, ale vo všetkých je vidieť snahu o pokrok a európska perspektíva je stále atraktívny faktor. V tejto situácii treba, aby Európska únia maximálne spolupracovala a angažovala sa v týchto krajinách, pretože ide o našu vlastnú dôveryhodnosť.

Chcel by som jednou alebo dvomi vetami zareagovať na to, čo tu hovoril pán poslanec Bagó z Maďarska. Môže používať akékoľvek kvázi legislatívne konštrukcie a slovné eskamotáže, históriu nezmení, lebo história sa zmeniť nedá.

  Silvia-Adriana Ţicău (S&D). - Uniunea şi statele membre trebuie să elaboreze, finanţeze şi implementeze o strategie de industrializare. În ultimii 30 de ani, Uniunea a suferit un proces de destructurare a industriei europene. Alergând după profituri mari, marile întreprinderi europene şi-au delocalizat activitatea de producţie în terţe ţări, unde forţa de muncă şi materiile prime erau mai ieftine. Astăzi, majoritatea produselor de larg consum utilizate de cetăţenii europeni sunt importate din terţe ţări aflate în curs de dezvoltare. Diferenţa dintre preţul de desfacere pe piaţa internă şi costul mic de producţie din aceste ţări asigură profituri uriaşe unui număr mic de antreprenori, în dauna pierderii a milioane de locuri de muncă pe teritoriul Uniunii.

Industrializarea Uniunii asigură crearea de locuri de muncă pe teritoriul european, un trai decent cetăţenilor europeni, investiţii în şcoli, spitale şi în infrastructura de bază, datorită veniturilor la bugetele statelor membre. Investind în industrializarea Uniunii, şi nu prin austeritate, Uniunea va depăşi actuala criză economică, financiară şi socială.

  Γεώργιος Κουμουτσάκος (PPE). - Κύριε Πρόεδρε, η σκληρή κοινωνική πραγματικότητα που βιώνει σήμερα η Ελλάδα δεν έχει προηγούμενο στην μεταπολεμική της ιστορία. Καλπάζουσα ανεργία, ιδιαίτερα μεταξύ των νέων, αυξανόμενος παιδικός υποσιτισμός, πρωτόγνωρος αριθμός αστέγων και αυτοκτονιών συνθέτουν μια πολύ σκοτεινή εικόνα. Βίαιες συμπεριφορές, ρατσιστικές απόψεις και εξτρεμιστικές δυνάμεις με νεοναζιστικά χαρακτηριστικά δεν είχαν ποτέ την παραμικρή απήχηση στην Ελλάδα. Σήμερα έχουν! Η κοινωνική συνοχή παρουσιάζει επικίνδυνες ρωγμές.

Κύριε Πρόεδρε, κύριε Επίτροπε, αγαπητοί συνάδελφοι, η δεινή κατάσταση κατάσταση στην Ελλάδα θέτει προς όλους μας ένα αμείλικτο ερώτημα: Μπορεί η Ευρώπη να βγει από την κρίση χωρίς να χάσει την ψυχή της; Οι προσεχείς ημέρες και εβδομάδες είναι εξαιρετικά κρίσιμες. Μισές απαντήσεις και μισές λύσεις θα είναι συνώνυμες με πολιτική και ιδεολογική ήττα ιστορικών διαστάσεων για την Ευρώπη και αυτό δεν πρέπει να γίνει.

  Alexander Mirsky (S&D). - Mr President, I would like to give some you some statistics. For using offensive language in a public place the punishment is as follows: in Germany it is three days in prison, in France a financial penalty and in Sweden corrective work. But if you speak in such a way in the Orthodox Church then the European Parliament can nominate you for the Sakharov Prize. Pussy Riot, who spoke offensively to Orthodox Church believers, have been nominated by the European Parliament for the Sakharov Prize.

If I have understood correctly, if Pussy Riot were to have sex in the European Parliament during the plenary sitting, some Members would probably nominate them for a Nobel Peace Prize. This is nonsense, but it is reality. Ordinary hooligans have the opportunity to get the Sakharov Prize, to the shame of the European Parliament.

  Arkadiusz Tomasz Bratkowski (PPE). - Szanowny Panie Przewodniczący! Rozpatrując sytuację sektora bankowego w Polsce chciałbym zwrócić uwagę, iż banki spółdzielcze reprezentują wyłącznie polski kapitał i są powiązane z lokalnym środowiskiem, co pozwala na jego racjonalne i bezpieczne wykorzystanie. W obliczu kryzysu finansowego nie ograniczały one akcji kredytowej i utrzymywały finansowanie swoich klientów.

W kontekście dyrektywy CRD4 oraz rozporządzenia CRR pragnę zwrócić uwagę na szczególne położenie banków spółdzielczych i banków zrzeszających oraz postuluję wprowadzenie dla nich długiego okresu przejściowego w zakresie obowiązkowego wyliczania wskaźnika płynności krótkoterminowej przewidzianego w treści obu dokumentów. Ze względu na specyficzny charakter działalności zasadnicza większość banków spółdzielczych nie spełnia surowych indywidualnych norm kapitałowych i płynności. Wymóg ten w obliczu implementacji przepisów dyrektywy i rozporządzenia zagrozi istnieniu ich sektora.

  Кристиан Вигенин (S&D). - Ключови за нашите отношения с трети страни са развитието на демокрацията, правата на човека, честните избори. Често приемаме безпощадни резолюции за прегрешенията на един или друг режим. Нашите думи нямат стойност, ако си затваряме очите пред проблемите в нашия дом. Българските граждани бяха вкарани в една пълзяща реставрация на авторитаризма.

Живея в страна, в която избори вече се печелят с измами, натиск, купуване на гласове, злоупотреба със силови структури и с административен ресурс.Тук властта е установила пълен контрол над медиите посредством натиск върху собствениците им или директна намеса в работата на журналистите. Малкият и среден бизнес целенасочено се задушава, насърчават се частните монополи, а върху тях властта е установила пълен политически контрол.

Бизнесът се преразпределя по криминален начин в най-добрите традиции на мафията, облечена в политическа власт. Конкурсите не печелят най-добри оферти, защото победителят е определен предварително с телефонно обаждане от един човек.

Тук певецът е разследван заради текстовете на песните си, които осмиват новата партия-държава и т.н. и т.н. Демокрацията ще победи, но ние имаме нужда от солидарност, а Европейският съюз от конкретни механизми, които да спират навреме подобни извращения.

  Σπύρος Δανέλλης (S&D). - Κύριε Πρόεδρε, τόσο οι ευκαιρίες όσο και οι προκλήσεις που αντιμετωπίζουν οι νησιωτικές περιοχές έχουν να κάνουν με τις ιδιαιτερότητες των νησιών: τα νησιά αντιμετωπίζουν σοβαρότατες δυσκολίες στις μεταφορές και στις τιμές των καυσίμων, οι οποίες αυξάνονται από την οικονομική κρίση αλλά, ταυτόχρονα, αποτελούν και πρόσφορο έδαφος για την έρευνα και την ανάπτυξη των ανανεώσιμων πηγών ενέργειας.

Ωστόσο, τα ισχύοντα ευρωπαϊκά μέτρα για τα νησιά δεν απορρέουν από ένα ενιαίο σχεδιασμό ούτε βασίζονται σε μια ολοκληρωμένη εκτίμηση της κατάστασης των νησιωτικών περιοχών. Παρά το γεγονός ότι έχουν ήδη παρέλθει τρία έτη από την ισχύ της Συνθήκης της Λισαβόνας, η οποία στο άρθρο 174 αναδεικνύει τη νησιωτικότητα, δεν έχουμε ακόμα αναπτύξει μια πραγματικά ολοκληρωμένη προσέγγιση για τα νησιά. Ένας πυλώνας προς αυτή την κατεύθυνση θα αφορούσε την προσαρμογή του ενεργειακού μείγματος. Για παράδειγμα, το Κοινοβούλιο με γραπτή του δήλωση έχει ζητήσει από τις αρχές του έτους τη στήριξη της αειφορίας στα νησιά ώστε να πετύχουν ή να ξεπεράσουν τους στόχους της ΕΕ 2020.

Δυστυχώς όμως δεν υπήρξε μέχρι στιγμής αντίστοιχη αντίδραση από την Επιτροπή.

  Claudiu Ciprian Tănăsescu (S&D). - Tuberculoza, în special tuberculoza chimio-rezistentă, dar şi răspândirea virusului HIV ca urmare a consumului de droguri injectabile, continuă să reprezinte probleme grave de sănătate, accentuate şi de criza financiară cu care se confruntă societatea noastră, printre statele cu un număr semnificativ de cazuri de tuberculoză aflându-se şi România.

Ajutorul financiar primit de România prin intermediul Fondului global pentru luptă împotriva HIV, tuberculozei şi malariei s-a încheiat în luna septembrie a acestui an, lăsând în urmă un număr semnificativ de pacienţi care, în viitor, nu îşi vor mai putea continua tratamentele, nu vor mai avea acces la medicaţia adecvată sau nu vor putea beneficia în niciun fel de un sprijin pentru aceste afecţiuni. În contextul în care în ţările din Europa de Est şi Asia Centrală numărul cazurilor de tuberculoză multirezistentă şi HIV va creşte ca urmare a unei insuficienţe financiare, consider că la nivel de Uniune Europeană trebuie să sprijinim revizuirea criteriilor de eligibilitate pentru finanţarea prin Fondul Global, să accentuăm importanţa politicilor de reducere a răului cauzat de consumul de droguri în ţări terţe, dar şi să îmbunătăţim activităţile de integrare socială pentru grupurile vulnerabile de populaţie afectate.

  Matthias Groote (S&D). - Herr Präsident! Die Nordseewerke in Emden haben am vergangenen Mittwoch Insolvenz anmelden müssen, weil eine Bürgschaft der niedersächsischen Landesregierung überraschend nicht verlängert worden ist. Dieses Unternehmen mit 700 qualifizierten Arbeitsplätzen ist in einem Transformationsprozess von einer Schiffswerft zu einem Zulieferer für Offshore-Windenergie. Und jetzt ist die Idee, dass dieses Unternehmen durch einen Massekredit gerettet werden kann und auch die Arbeitsplätze gerettet werden können, denn die 700 Kolleginnen und Kollegen bei SIAG und den Nordseewerken haben schon erhebliche Einschnitte hinnehmen müssen, was die Löhne angeht. Darum bitte ich die Kommission, dieses Verfahren wohlwollend, aber auch zeitnah zu prüfen, damit diese 700 Arbeitsplätze nicht aufs Spiel gesetzt werden, weil diese Arbeitsplätze gebraucht werden, um die Energiewende und um zukunftsfähige Energie auf den Meeren Europas zu organisieren. Bitte lassen Sie die Kolleginnen und Kollegen dort nicht unter dem schlechten Krisenmanagement der Landesregierung leiden.

  Der Präsident. − Die Aussprache ist geschlossen.

23. Pk-yritykset: kilpailukyky ja liiketoimintamahdollisuudet (lyhyt esittely)

  Der Präsident. − Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Aussprache über den Bericht von Paul Rübig im Namen des Ausschusses für Industrie, Forschung und Energie über Kleine und mittlere Unternehmen: Wettbewerbsfähigkeit und unternehmerische Möglichkeiten (COM(2011)0642 – 2012/2042(INI)) (A7-0293/2012).

  Paul Rübig, Berichterstatter. – Herr Präsident, meine sehr geehrten Damen und Herren! Wir sehen, im Plenum ist das Interesse an den kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen groß. Ich bin immer froh, wenn die Wirtschaftskraft dieses Bereiches erkannt wird. Vor allem wissen wir, dass 85 % der neuen Jobs in Europa durch Betriebe entstehen, die nicht älter als fünf Jahre sind. Das hat nichts mit dem Lebensalter der Unternehmer zu tun, sondern mit dem Lebensalter des Unternehmens. Deshalb ist es sehr wichtig, dass wir uns darum kümmern, dass neue Betriebe entstehen, dass auch die Kultur, Unternehmer zu werden, in der Aus- und Weiterbildung mehr betont wird. Unternehmer wird man nicht von heute auf morgen, sondern das beginnt im Kindergarten mit dem Selbständigsein. Und ein Großteil der Bevölkerung in Europa will selbständig sein und selbst entscheiden, deshalb ist es für uns auch wichtig zu sehen, dass hier diese Formen des Spinoff der Business Angels, vor allem für Frauen, für Junge und für Migranten, eine echte Zukunftschance darstellen.

In der Industriepolitik geht es vor allem um die Stärkung der Wettbewerbsfähigkeit. Hier hat die Kommission eine gute Initiative unternommen. Wir sind leider in Europa nicht sehr erfolgreich mit unserer Industriepolitik. Wir haben einen Rückgang um 10 % seit dem Jahr 2008. Ich glaube, dass es wichtig wäre, hier den so genannten KMU-Test in den nationalen Mitgliedstaaten dementsprechend zu verstärken. Hier könnte der Wirtschafts- und Sozialausschuss auf europäischer Ebene eine wichtige Rolle spielen, um nachzuverfolgen, ob der KMU-Test richtig durchgeführt wird. Gerade die Sozialpartner wären hier in der Lage, positive Vorschläge zu machen, wie man Vereinfachungen durchführen kann. Auch ein mehrsprachiges Online-Portal wäre wichtig, damit man sieht, wenn man in andere Länder exportiert oder importiert, was dort die Vorschriften und Probleme sind. Das könnte man auf verschiedene Gebiete clustern. Also auch hier im Bereich Export entstehen insbesondere für kleine Unternehmen, die eine große Welt vor sich haben, gerade mit dem Internet, mit den internationalen Zahlungssystemen, mit dem Paketservice, der durch die Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologie geradezu explodiert, völlig neue Chancen.

Aber auch hier ist es wichtig, bei den Menschen zu beginnen. Deshalb ist mir das Programm Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs, also das Erasmus-Programm für junge UnternehmerInnen, ein ganz besonderes Anliegen, und dieses Programm muss auch in der Periode bis 2020 massiv ausgebaut werden. Wir sehen, dass jetzt gerade in den Ländern, in denen es im Kohäsionsbereich Probleme gibt, dieses Programm extrem gut angenommen wird. Wir sprechen uns sogar dafür aus, dass das ein Erasmus-Mundus-Projekt wird, also ein Projekt, das weltweit eingesetzt werden kann, sodass sich junge UnternehmerInnen zu ihren Lieferanten, zu ihren Kunden begeben können, neue Märkte, neue Personen kennenlernen, sodass sich die Geschäftstätigkeit dementsprechend verbessert. Hier sollten wir das Enterprise-Europe-Network unterstützen, weil dort schon sehr viel Expertise ist und das ein Bereich ist, der weltweit ausgerollt werden könnte, um zu größeren Erfolgen zu führen.

Aber Wettbewerbsfähigkeit heißt auch, dass wir einen Bürokratiestopp brauchen. Die Verringerung der Verwaltungslasten muss hier angesprochen werden. Das Ziel wäre es – bis 2015 zumindest –, die Verwaltungslasten um 25 % zu verringern. Auch hier sehe ich einen Ansatzpunkt, dass der Ausschuss der Regionen mit zahlreichen Vorstößen kommen könnte, die dann von der Kommission auch entsprechend übernommen werden können. Wichtig sind auch eine wettbewerbsfähige Besteuerung und letztlich auch ein Konzept für die Betriebsübergabe.

Catch the eye

  Zofija Mazej Kukovič (PPE). - Čestitke dr. Paulu Rübigu, ker je opravil skupaj, seveda še drugimi, izjemno pomembno delo v času krize.

Pomembno delo za to, da bomo lažje odgovarjali na to, kaj bomo jutri delali, kajti to je ključni izziv. Kaj bomo počeli? In v tem poročilu je veliko odgovorov na to.

Podprla bi ga v smeri, kjer opozarja na pomembnost izobraževanja že v vrtcih, za podjetniški duh. Od vrtcev dalje je treba vzgajati mlade tudi za pogum, kajti brez poguma ni podjetništva.

In še to, evropska podjetniška mreža, bi naj v bodoče tudi Parlamentu poročala o rezultatih, o konkretnih rezultatih na terenu. Koliko novih start-upov je nastalo zaradi delovanja mreže?

  Evelyn Regner (S&D). - Herr Präsident! Wir wollen alle fraktionsübergreifend kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen sowie Kleinstunternehmen ein gutes Arbeitsumfeld bieten. Sie sind wichtige Arbeitgeber in der Europäischen Union. Mehr Wachstum und Steigerung der Produktivität und exzellente Unternehmen mit guten Fachkräften sind für uns unendlich wichtig. Deshalb brauchen wir auch gesunde und zufriedene Arbeitnehmerinnen und Arbeitnehmer.

Ihr Bericht, Herr Rübig, gibt der Kommission diesbezüglich ein falsches Signal. Sicherheits- und Gesundheitsvorschriften am Arbeitsplatz werden als Verwaltungslasten qualifiziert, die dem KMU-Test unterzogen werden. Gesundheits- und Sicherheitsstandards, die auf europäischer Ebene als Minimumstandards festgelegt werden, sind per definitionem keine Verwaltungslasten. Sie sprechen sich auch dafür aus, dass die Mitgliedstaaten kein so genanntes Gold Plating betreiben sollen, also keine besseren Gesundheitsstandards erlassen dürfen, und die Kommission sich für mehr Harmonisierung einsetzen solle. Da die Gesundheits- und Sicherheitsvorschriften aber alle Mindeststandards sind, ist ein weitgehender Schutz für Sicherheit und Gesundheit der Arbeitnehmer immer erlaubt. Das soll auch so bleiben!

  Angelika Werthmann (ALDE). - Herr Präsident, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen, Herr Präsident! Gegenwärtig gibt es ca. 23 Millionen kleinere und mittlere Unternehmen. Sie beschäftigen 75 Millionen Menschen, und dies macht insgesamt 70 % der Arbeitsplätze in der Europäischen Union aus. Diese basic facts sind wohl Zeugnis genug, wie wichtig es ist, die KMU entsprechend zu stärken. Sie haben in Zeiten der gegenwärtig grassierenden Krise eine Schlüsselstellung in der europäischen Wirtschaft und sind definitiv ein Motor, der zu Wachstum und Nachhaltigkeit beitragen kann und beiträgt.

Dem Kollegen Rübig abschießend noch meinen Dank für den wirklich detaillierten Bericht!

  Inês Cristina Zuber (GUE/NGL). - Senhor Presidente, poderíamos eventualmente estar de acordo com este relatório em relação a diversas medidas relacionadas com a difusão da informação, etc.. Mas, o que é certo, é que este relatório não toca na ferida em relação aos problemas com que hoje se defrontam as pequenas e médias empresas.

No meu país, Portugal, encerram dezenas de empresas todos os dias, devido às políticas recessivas que a troica impõe a um Governo subserviente. Falamos do aumento de impostos sobre estas empresas, mas também de políticas que conduzem à diminuição do consumo interno e à perda de poder de compra dos trabalhadores. Por muitas palavras agradáveis que possamos dizer sobre o assunto, uma coisa é certa, com a continuação das políticas ditas de austeridade, pelas quais as instituições europeias são também responsáveis, não há qualquer possibilidade para a construção da competitividade e das perspetivas de negócio. Tentar esconder isso é falar sobre uma pseudorealidade que só existe nos corredores destas instituições e está muito longe do mundo real e concreto.

  Miroslav Mikolášik (PPE). - Malé a stredné podniky, ich konkurencieschopnosť a príležitosti na podnikanie – to je téma dnešných dní. Medzi ciele politiky súdržnosti patrí dosiahnutie hospodárskeho, sociálneho a územného rozvoja všetkých regiónov Únie, a to pomocou zvyšovania ich konkurencieschopnosti. Mnohé malé a stredné podniky tak vďaka štrukturálnym fondom získali potrebné zdroje na inovácie a významne prispeli práve k tvorbe pracovných príležitostí.

V súvislosti s prechodom na tzv. ekologické hospodárstvo je podľa môjho názoru vhodné podporovať malé a stredné podniky prinášajúce často veľmi dômyselné riešenia v oblasti efektívneho využívania zdrojov energetickej efektívnosti a zmeny klímy predovšetkým na regionálnej úrovni. Programy Horizont 2020 a programy štrukturálnych fondov by preto mali aj v rámci budúceho viacročného rámca vyčleniť dostatočné množstvo prostriedkov na podporu práve malých a stredných podnikov.

  Josefa Andrés Barea (S&D). - Señor Presidente, los datos dicen que el 85 % de los puestos de trabajo los crean las PYME -así lo ha dicho el ponente-, pero también hay que decir que una de cada cuatro PYME no aprovecha su potencial de mercado único y una de cada ocho no se desarrolla más allá de sus fronteras.

¿Qué podemos hacer? Lo ha dicho el ponente: reducir la reglamentación y la carga administrativa, aumentar la internalización, desarrollar el capital humano, los Erasmus para jóvenes, la cualificación, el diálogo social -muy importante para mi grupo-, pero también es muy importante el acceso a la financiación; aquí nos queda mucho por hacer.

Hay que potenciar el sector público, el Horizonte 2020, el programa COSME y las políticas de cohesión, pero también, señor Comisario, hay que dar acceso al mercado a las PYME, hacer que las PYME tengan acceso al crédito, porque en este momento no lo tienen. Hay que hacer fluir el crédito allí donde se desarrolla la economía.

Por lo tanto, pedimos como elemento fundamental que las PYME tengan acceso al crédito para que puedan desarrollar su actividad.

  Iuliu Winkler (PPE). - Mr President, I would also like to start by congratulating our colleague, Mr Paul Rübig, for this report. As rapporteur for the opinion of the Committee on International Trade I worked on it myself, and I would like to thank him for his cooperation.

It has already been stressed by Mr Rübig that this report also has within its scope the aim of enhancing trade and business conditions for SMEs which are already engaged internationally, and of tackling some of the barriers that are deterring many SMEs from actually getting involved in international trade. Rationalising the support for SMEs supplied by public institutions and the business community is very important, as is giving individual support to those companies whose profile matches business opportunities in third markets. SMEs from the new Member States are at a disadvantage and should benefit from specific information delivered to them in a more accessible way. In conclusion, the internationalisation of SMEs is also very important for European SMEs.

  Monika Flašíková Beňová (S&D). - Malé a stredné podniky v Európskej únii zamestnávajú približne 75 miliónov ľudí a tvoria tak 70 % celkového počtu pracovných miest. Majú tiež obrovský potenciál na vytváranie nových pracovných miest, najmä pokiaľ ide o zamestnávanie mladých ľudí. Z týchto údajov je zrejmé, že malé a stredné podnikanie je hnacím motorom európskeho hospodárstva. Tieto podniky majú nezastupiteľnú úlohu v boji proti chudobe, sociálnemu vylúčeniu, pri dosahovaní sociálnej stability, súdržnosti a integrácie.

Treba však skonštatovať, že stále čelia priveľkej administratívnej záťaži. Stále existuje veľké množstvo prekážok v ich zakladaní a rozvoji. Ide najmä o obmedzený prístup k financovaniu a úverom, nedostatočnú transparentnosť pri riadení štrukturálnych fondov v niektorých členských štátoch, zaťažujúcu reguláciu či skutočnosť, že podnikateľom, najmä ženám, často nie je poskytnutá pomoc, ktorú potrebujú. Musíme preto podporovať vznik malých a stredných podnikov, musíme posilniť ich konkurencieschopnosť a nevyhnutne musíme prijať opatrenia na zníženie administratívnej záťaže, ktorej čelia.

  Seán Kelly (PPE). - A Uachtaráin, tá áthas orm go bhfuilimid ag díriú ar fhiontair bheaga agus mheánmhéide anois agus molaim go háirithe mo chomhghleacaí an tUasal Rübig as ucht na pointí a rinne sé agus má éiríonn linn iad a chur i bhfeidhm beimid ar mhuin na muice.

Many of the points are totally relevant. I would like to highlight one or two of them. Firstly, Mr Rübig mentioned the importance of education, and this is something we have neglected.

I have often gone into schools and asked students what they would like to do when they have finished school. I have yet to come across a student who said that he or she would like to be an entrepreneur or to own their own business. Mr Rübig is right that we need to start at kindergarten and create that interest and culture. That certainly would make a difference. His point about red tape is also absolutely vital. Regarding the SME test, particularly in terms of legislation, we have to adopt the policy of thinking small first.

Finally, the online potential for SMEs is enormous, and we have to try to create that and encourage it.

  Silvia-Adriana Ţicău (S&D). - Microîntreprinderile şi IMM-urile suferă în această perioadă de criză economică din cauza accesului dificil la finanţarea necesară dezvoltării lor. 85 % din noile locuri de muncă din Uniunea Europeană în perioada 2002-2010 au fost create de către IMM-uri. Industria joacă un rol cheie în economia europeană şi generează 25 % din locurile de muncă directe din sectorul privat din Uniunea Europeană şi reprezintă 80 % din cercetarea şi dezvoltarea privată.

Susţinem sporirea şi eficientizarea asistenţei oferite IMM-urilor la nivelul Uniunii, la nivel naţional şi regional, pentru accesul acestora pe piaţa unică şi pe pieţele din terţe ţări, în special privind aspectele legate de promovare şi acces la informaţii, protecţia drepturilor de proprietate intelectuală, participare la licitaţiile publice, tehnologia informaţiilor şi comunicaţiile, standardizare şi reglementare.

Salut noul program COSME privind competitivitatea IMM-urilor şi solicit simplificarea şi raţionalizarea diferitelor instrumente ale Uniunii dedicate accesului la creditare.

(Ende des Catch-the-eye-Verfahrens)

  Andris Piebalgs, Member of the Commission. − Mr President, honourable Members, the Commission would like to thank Mr Rübig and also all the other MEPs who contributed to this report, which reflects the great commitment of this institution towards European SMEs. The Commission welcomes the support for its actions announced in the Communications on the internationalisation of SMEs, industrial policy and smart regulation.

You are right. SMEs are the backbone of the economy. They represent around two thirds of all private sector jobs and generate around 58 % of the value added. They have also created 85 % of new jobs in recent years. However, they have been seriously affected by the crisis and need help to face new challenges.

The Commission can assure you that the European strategy for SMEs will focus on the promotion of SME-friendly activities across the full range of EU policies and spending programmes. This includes in particular the simplification of procedures and the creation of one-stop shops. But we will also provide dedicated support and services reflecting the particular needs of the SME community at European level through the Programme for the Competiveness of Enterprises and SMEs (the ‘COSME’ programme).

The report by Mr Rübig calls for an internationalisation strategy for SMEs, and the Commission can only support this idea. Currently, only 13 % of SMEs export to countries outside the Union, and we all know where the future growth opportunities are: in the fast-growing economies in Asia, South America and Africa. The OECD has estimated that 90 % of world growth in 2012 is taking place outside Europe.

The Commission is currently identifying the gaps in the support to businesses abroad. The result of this mapping exercise will be presented in December. Next year we will present concrete action at European level to address the difficulties that SMEs face on the ground. However, I can assure you that we will continue the current successful initiatives such as the partnering services of the Enterprise Europe Network, the China SME IPR Helpdesk and the established SME business centres in third countries.

In this context I would also like to mention the Missions for Growth of Vice-President Tajani. In 2012 missions have taken place to Brazil, the United States, Mexico and Colombia. These missions have been a real success, judging from the positive feedback and the conclusion of political agreements in a number of sectors such as SME policy and industrial cooperation.

Concerning the reduction of the administrative burden, this is a concern for all of us. The Commission is strengthening the application of the SME test in our impact assessment procedure. But, as you know, SMEs still suffer from burdensome regulations. This is why the Commission is currently working in close cooperation with SMEs and SME organisations to identify the ‘top ten’ most burdensome pieces of legislation. An open public consultation is ongoing until Christmas. We have no time to lose, and the result of this consultation will allow us to go to the core of the problems. We will screen these problematic pieces of legislation and analyse where there is scope for introducing lighter regimes for SMEs while preserving the purpose of the legislation, such as health and security aspects.

But in addition, the future EU budget will also provide targeted financial support for SMEs. The COSME programme will cover actions in favour of the competitiveness of SMEs, such as improving access to finance and the Enterprise Europe Network. The COSME programme will also aim at improving the sustainability of EU businesses and improving access to markets within the EU and internationally – all priorities mentioned in your report, Mr Rübig.

COSME will also enhance the Erasmus for Entrepreneurs initiative specifically mentioned by Mr Rübig. Therefore, COSME is the programme to support the political priorities underlined by you. In these times of austerity, we also note the request in the report to significantly increase the budget of this important programme.

To sum up, Commission President Barroso has on several occasions underlined that SMEs are one of the priorities of his mandate, and I can assure you that he is determined to put that into practice using all the EU instruments at his disposal.

  Der Präsident. − Die Aussprache ist geschlossen.

Die Abstimmung findet am Dienstag, 23. Oktober 2012, um 18.00 Uhr statt.

Schriftliche Erklärungen (Artikel 149 GO)

  András Gyürk (PPE), írásban . – A kis- és középvállalkozások az Európai Unió gazdaságának gerincét alkotják és a magánszférában a munkahelyek több mint kétharmadát, illetve a teljes uniós árbevétel több mint felét biztosítják. A kkv-k azonban a gazdaság azon részét alkotják, amelyet a legnagyobb mértékben rendített meg a gazdasági válság. Sok kis- és középvállalat küzd a fennmaradásért. Véleményem szerint három területet kell kiemelni, amelyek meglátásom szerint jelentősen javíthatják a kkv-k helyzetét az uniós piacon. Az első terület, a pénzügyi eszközökhöz való hozzájutás megkönnyítése és az adminisztratív terhek csökkentése. Ezek jelentik ugyanis a legnagyobb terhet a válság sújtotta vállalkozások számára. Az akadályok elhárítása érdekében lépésről lépésre kell haladnunk, ezért a jogalkotókat arra kell ösztönzi, hogy a kkv-k érdekeit már a jogalkotás legkorábbi szakaszában vegyék figyelembe. A második terület a vállalkozói szellem javítása. Az új vállalkozások a munkanélküliség valós alternatíváját jelentik és az állás nélkül maradt fiatalok számára a válságból való kilábalás lehetőségét teremtik meg. A kkv-knak fontos szerepük van a megfelelő képzésben és oktatásban is, amely a munkához való hozzájutást könnyíti meg. A harmadik terület az uniós és globális piacokhoz való hozzáférés javítása. Az európai kkv-knak csupán negyede aktív saját országán kívül az egységes piac területén, ezért különösen fontos mind az export, mind az import élénkítésének támogatása.

  Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska (PPE), na piśmie . – Małe i średnie przedsiębiorstwa zatrudniają obecnie 70% wszystkich pracowników w Unii Europejskiej i to one w latach 2002-2010 przyczyniły się do powstania 85% nowych stanowisk pracy. Małe i średnie przedsiębiorstwa odgrywają bardzo ważną rolę w procesie poprawy sytuacji gospodarczej Unii Europejskiej oraz tworzenia PKB państw. Dlatego też niezwykle ważne są wszelkie działania których celem jest wsparcie i rozwój a także promocja małych i średnich przedsiębiorstw. Ważne jest, aby eliminować nieskuteczne i niespójne regulacje prawne i administracyjne związane z rozwojem małych i średnich przedsiębiorstw, skupić się na rozwiązywaniu problemów, promować programy wsparcia wraz z oceną ich skuteczności oraz wspierać platformę współpracy między przedsiębiorcami.

  Alajos Mészáros (PPE), írásban. – Ahhoz, hogy az EU kilábaljon a gazdasági válságból nélkülözhetetlen a kis- és középvállalkozások megfelelő működése. Ezt mi sem bizonyítja jobban, mint az, hogy a vállalkozások jelentős részét kkv-k alkotják és 75 millió embert foglalkoztatnak. Meg kell találni számukra azokat az ösztönzőket és lehetőségeket, amelyekkel segíthetjük működésüket, versenyképességük fokozását. Mindenekelőtt a termékpiaci szabályozás jobbításának irányába, illetve az innovatív ágazatok felé kell elmozdulni. A fenntarthatóság és erőforrás-hatékonyság szempontjából szintén nélkülözhetetlen a kkv-k részvétele az energiahordozó-hálózatok korszerűsítését és összekapcsolását célzó munkák folytatásában. Mivel a szociális gazdaság több mint 11 millió embert alkalmaz az Európai Unióban, ezért a szociális vállalkozás előnyben részesítése és támogatása is fontos. Egyetértek azzal, hogy az üzleti környezet javítása a gazdasági növekedés egyik elősegítője lehet. Az infrastruktúra javítására, beleértve a rekonstrukciós és modernizációs beruházásokat is, ki kell használni a strukturális alapokból és összekapcsolódási eszközökből származó támogatásokat. A tagállamok törekedjenek a vállalkozások adminisztratív terheinek következetes csökkentésére. Továbbá úgy gondolom, hogy a kisvállalkozásoknak kedvező adórendszerek, valamint a hatékony és egyszerűen elérhető vállalkozásfinanszírozási formák megteremtése kulcsfontosságú a vállalkozások és az általuk foglalkoztatott állampolgárok számára.

  Rareş-Lucian Niculescu (PPE), în scris. – În România, în perioada 2008-2010, numărul angajaţilor în sectorul IMM-urilor a rămas la acelaşi nivel ca înainte de criză, în timp ce în marile companii numărul de angajaţi a scăzut cu 6%. Aşadar, locurile de muncă generate de IMM-uri prezintă o stabilitate mult mai mare decât cele din întreprinderile mari. Prin urmare, susţinerea acordată IMM-urilor reprezintă o componentă a soluţiei necesare pentru atingerea obiectivului „creştere sănătoasă”. Deschiderea în folosul IMM-urilor a pieţelor externe, dar mai ales extinderea posibilităţilor de a participa la comerţul intracomunitar, ar aduce beneficii importante tuturor angajaţilor acestor întreprinderi.

Un caz special este cel al micilor întreprinderi din mediul rural. În contextul nevoii de diversificare a economiilor rurale, noua politică agricolă comună trebuie să prevadă fonduri adecvate pentru înfiinţarea şi dezvoltarea acestor întreprinderi. IMM-urile din mediul rural pot absorbi o parte însemnată din forţa de muncă excedentară din agricultură şi, în acelaşi timp, pot oferi locuitorilor din mediul rural serviciile care le sunt necesare. Nu în ultimul rând, sute de afaceri de succes s-au născut în mediul rural, prin exploatarea oportunităţilor oferite de programele de dezvoltare rurală. Acesta este încă unul dintre argumentele în sprijinul unui buget corespunzător pentru agricultură, în cadrul viitorului cadru financiar multianual.

24. Sergei Magnitskin tapauksessa osallisia Venäjän viranomaisia koskevat yhteiset viisumirajoitukset (lyhyt esittely)

  Der Präsident. − Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Aussprache über den Bericht von Kristiina Ojuland im Namen des Ausschusses für auswärtige Angelegenheiten mit ihrem Vorschlag für eine Empfehlung des Europäischen Parlaments an den Rat zur Einführung gemeinsamer Visabeschränkungen gegen Amtsträger aus Russland, die für den Tod von Sergei Magnitski mitverantwortlich sind (2012/2142(INI)) (A7-0285/2012).

  Kristiina Ojuland, rapporteur. − Mr President, the name of Sergei Magnitsky is well known to the European Parliament. It was in December 2010 that we adopted the Annual Report on Human Rights, which called for justice for this courageous Russian lawyer, who died fighting corruption.

Although former president Dmitry Medvedev promised to cast light on this case, we still have not seen justice served. Last week the court hearing in Moscow again showed too little progress – of the 60 individuals implicated in his death, just two prison doctors have been charged with negligence.

Nearly three years have passed since the tragic death of Sergei Magnitsky in custody, after torture and non-provision of medical assistance. His horrific treatment and torture resembles the case of another young lawyer, Vasily Alexanyan, who was legal counsellor to Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Yukos and who died after unlawful imprisonment.

Instead of facing justice, these people are still in office. They are travelling in the EU, they spend their dirty money in the EU, they buy real estate in the EU and they educate their children here.

This recommendation suggests that the EU Member States should stop these practices. Visa bans and asset freezes are concrete reactions to such behaviour and demonstrate the EU’s value-based policy.

Colleagues, Putin’s regime has turned its back on liberal democratic values and the rule of law. Corruption has become a byword for governance in Russia. The Transparency International index shows Russia, together with Nigeria, to be at the bottom of the list. It is therefore especially arrogant of Putin to ask for visa liberalisation for the holders of the so-called ‘blue passports’ that are used by the representatives of the state administration. Does he really believe that the EU should welcome the masters of corruption?

Just two weeks ago, the monitoring report on Russia’s commitments was debated next door, at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Instead of showing goodwill and cooperation and respecting the rules of the Council of Europe, Russia’s representatives criticised the organisation for its so-called interference in Russian domestic issues. We also witnessed Russia’s threats to stop its financing of the Council of Europe.

It is not only cooperation between the EU and Russia that is being challenged; the Russia-NATO dialogue is being similarly affected. Russia’s attitude to its membership of the WTO demonstrates once again that the common rules of the club do not matter. Russia simply takes the WTO ‘à la carte’.

Let us be clear. The Magnitsky case is more than the tragedy of an individual fighting organised crime. His personal fate reflects the complexity of the transition that Russian society is going through. The degradation of political and institutional life has translated into epic corruption on the one hand and the reanimation of civil society, claiming its constitutional rights, on the other.

As Russia stands at the crossroads, with civil society struggling for the rule of law, we cannot let EU banks accept the fortunes of corrupt individuals, stealing from the Russian people. Standing, as we do, for the universality of human rights, and issuing resolutions in favour of democracy and the rule of law in Russia, we are obliged to live up to our declarations.

I would, of course, ask colleagues to vote in favour of this recommendation tomorrow.

Catch the Eye

  Miroslav Mikolášik (PPE). - Sergej Magnitský je bojovník za ľudské práva a to, že bojuje proti organizovanému zločinu, je vlastne tiež súčasť boja za slobodu, za demokraciu, za ľudské práva. To je niečo, čo musíme podporovať, čo z tejto pôdy Európskeho parlamentu musíme kvitovať a musíme, povedal by som, vyslať jasný signál aj Ruskej federácii, že takýto spôsob, takéto zaobchádzanie so svojimi občanmi nie je prípustné. Veď čo je to za demokratickú krajinu, ktorá neposkytne lekársku starostlivosť, keď takýto človek – odsúdený – je bitý, trápený, sužovaný a je mu odopretá lekárska starostlivosť. A záverom by som chcel povedať, že aj v rokovaniach s Ruskou federáciou musí Európska únia pripomínať ľudské práva.

  Marek Henryk Migalski (ECR). - Zgadzam się ze wszystkim, co powiedział poseł Mikolášik, oprócz jednego: Siergiej Magnicki nie był bojownikiem o prawa człowieka. Był on przyzwoitym, zwyczajnym, normalnym facetem, który nie chciał kraść. I tylko dlatego, że nie chciał kraść – że nie chciał uczestniczyć w procesie korupcji – zginął, został zakatowany w rosyjskim wiezieniu. Ma Pan więc absolutnie rację, że dzisiaj naszym obowiązkiem – i to mówiła również posłanka Ojuland – jest upomnienie się o tego człowieka, o tego zwykłego człowieka, zwykłego Rosjanina, który nie chciał kraść, który nie chciał uczestniczyć w tym przemyśle, który dzisiaj jest być może najbardziej wydajnym przemysłem w Rosji, czyli przemysłem korupcji. Naszym obowiązkiem jest właśnie robienie tego minimum – tego, co proponuje sprawozdanie posłanki Ojuland – to znaczy wprowadzenia wiz, zamrożenia aktywów tych, których podejrzewamy o to, że mogą być zamieszani w proces zabójstwa tego niewinnego człowieka – człowieka, który próbował w niemoralnej sytuacji, takiej, w jakiej mamy do czynienia w Rosji, zachowywać się moralnie. To jest nasz obowiązek, to jest nasza powinność. Jeśli poważnie traktujemy to, co nazywamy wartościami europejskimi, jeśli poważnie traktujemy siebie, to powinniśmy całą mocą zapobiec temu, co miało miejsce, i dać temu wyraz.

  Jacek Protasiewicz (PPE). - Panie Przewodniczący! Zacznę od takiej bardzo prywatnej refleksji. Wychowałem się w mieście, gdzie stacjonował garnizon rosyjski. Dzięki temu poznałem wielu normalnych, zwykłych Rosjan, bardzo przyzwoitych ludzi. Już jako parlamentarzysta europejski miałem okazję spotkać się z liderami opozycji rosyjskiej, ale też ludźmi, którzy może nie są na pierwszym froncie, ale są zaangażowani w proces zmiany Rosji w stronę europejską, bardziej demokratyczną. I chcę w ich imieniu powiedzieć jedną rzecz – to jest oburzające, że państwo, które leży w Europie, państwo, które chce być państwem europejskim, chce być traktowane na równi, tak jak my traktujemy siebie, tu w Unii Europejskiej, dopuszcza się takich praktyk. Po pierwsze, takiej korupcji w organach władzy i organach sprawiedliwości, a po drugie – takich metod eliminowania ludzi, o których mówił pan poseł Migalski, którzy chcą się uczciwie zachować, dochodzić prawdy, dochodzić uczciwości. Niekoniecznie są wielkimi bojownikami, ale zwykłymi, przyzwoitymi ludźmi.

(Ende des Catch-the-eye-Verfahrens)

  Andris Piebalgs, Member of the Commission. − Mr President, I am grateful for the opportunity to take part in this debate on the Magnitsky case on behalf of the Vice-President/High Representative. The European Parliament’s recommendation to the Council on establishing common visa restrictions for Russian officials involved in the Sergei Magnitsky case is a significant initiative.

Parliament has been vocal and consistent about this case in recent years, from the European Parliament resolution of 16 December 2010 to a number of hearings and debates and the recommendation the House will vote on tomorrow. All these initiatives testify to the great importance the European Parliament and the European public at large attach to the Magnitsky case. These initiatives lend much weight to our common efforts to prompt the authorities in Moscow to investigate the case swiftly and thoroughly. They give further legitimacy to the EU’s continuous pressure on the Russian Federation to bring the Magnitsky case to a thorough conclusion.

For our part, the Vice-President/High Representative has consistently called on Russia to ensure a proper investigation. We are raising this with the Russian authorities at all levels. Indeed, the Magnitsky case is consistently part of the agenda for our twice-yearly human rights consultations. Moreover, it is regularly brought up at ministerial level as well as at our summits.

Last month, Vice-President/High Representative Ashton addressed the Magnitsky case in this House. During the debate on the political use of justice she noted with great concern that the continuous lack of progress on the Magnitsky case was part of a general trend of worrisome legislative and judicial developments in activities in the Russian Federation. This trend is of serious concern to the European Union. The speech and the debate that followed were reported by the Russian press.

In April of this year, President Van Rompuy, in a very significant political gesture, wrote a letter to the then President, Medvedev, specifically on the Magnitsky case. President Van Rompuy made three important points in this letter. First, he urged the Russian Government to bring the case to a comprehensive conclusion. Second, he called on Russia to close the posthumous prosecution of Mr Magnitsky. Third, he called for an end to the intimidation of Mr Magnitsky’s mother and widow.

The European External Action Service keeps reminding the Russian side that a response to the letter remains outstanding. All these points, as well as the outstanding response to President Van Rompuy’s letter, were also reiterated most recently by Commissioner Malmström at the Permanent Partnership Council on Freedom, Security and Justice which took place on 2 October in Nicosia.

We have taken this matter very seriously and will continue to do so, for three very good reasons. First, because of the nature of the case itself. It is a case of a Russian citizen and a lawyer, a young father being arrested and mistreated by law enforcement officers for standing up against suspected fraud and abuse by government officials. As such it is a case of grave abuse of the law and of human rights.

The European Union is founded on the core values of human dignity, freedom, the rule of law and respect for human rights, and we are committed to defending these. The Magnitsky case has become one of the emblematic cases in this respect, not only for the Russian people but also for the EU.

The second reason why we continue to be active in the Magnitsky case is that we believe that Russia itself should have a great interest in solving it. The case has come to symbolise the state of the judiciary and the rule of law in the Russian Federation. Business people consider this a litmus test for the stability, predictability and safety of Russia as a destination for investment.

Particularly as this is a multifaceted case with a strong undercurrent of corruption, anti-corruption efforts are being woven into Russia’s modernisation efforts, on which we are working together with them. Solving this case would send a strong signal to partners and investors that Russia is serious in its anti-corruption efforts.

Thirdly, it is in the interest of the EU to have at its borders a stable, democratic, economically-viable Russia with a well-grounded rule of law. Steps like Russia’s recent accession to the WTO are important in integrating Russia into global rules-based systems. This is a step in the right direction to gaining global confidence in this marketplace. Cases such as Magnitsky’s, unfortunately, do exactly the opposite.

What is needed now is concrete action on the part of the Russian Government: a clear decision to properly and thoroughly investigate the Magnitsky case, bringing those responsible to justice. As has been said, we take very careful note of the recommendation Parliament addressed to the Council on restrictive measures on Russian officials involved in the Sergei Magnitsky case. It sends a clear and strong message. Acting on this recommendation would require unanimity from all the Member States. As those responsible for the overall relationship between the European Union and Russia, we must carefully balance our actions towards our neighbour. Restrictive measures by the EU are a very sensitive instrument. Such measures should only be considered in very specific situations and in accordance with existing EU guidelines.

Furthermore, restrictive measures should be used as part of an integrated and comprehensive policy approach involving political dialogue, complementary efforts and other instruments. Let me assure you that the Magnitsky case will remain on the bilateral agenda in our contacts with Russia. Sanctions should be used only as a last resort, otherwise we risk them becoming the only instrument in many of our relationships whenever such crimes are committed.

In conclusion, let me reiterate once again, on behalf of High Representative/Vice-President Ashton, that we will continue to pursue the Magnitsky case with the Russian Federation at every opportunity.

  Der Präsident. − Die Aussprache ist geschlossen.

Die Abstimmung findet am Dienstag, 23. Oktober 2012, um 18.00 Uhr statt.

Schriftliche Erklärungen (Artikel 149 GO)

  Слави Бинев (NI), в писмена форма. - Аз изцяло подкрепям визовите ограничения за всички лица, свързани със случая на Сергей Магнитски. Противопоставям се на всички форми на ограничаване на свободата на словото, на правото на мнение и изказ, на нарушаването на човешките права. Въпреки това гласувам с „въздържал се“ защото вътре в Европа има много сходни случаи, но по тях се мълчи. Всичко казано по случая Магнитски — „злоупотреба с власт, съдебни дела за отстраняване на политически и икономически конкуренти, арести, измъчвания, безнаказаност на нарушителите на човешките права“ са валидни за ситуацията в България в момента. И въпреки многобройните сигнали от моя страна — Европейските институции мълчат, подобни мерки и предложения към Съвета няма. Аз не вярвам, че е правилно Европа да осъжда Русия и в същото време да си затваря очите, когато премиерът на България — Бойко Борисов злоупотребява с властта си. Още повече, че това мълчание и тази безучастност му дават онова усещане за „безнаказаност“, което бива толкова критикувано чрез този доклад!

25. Kauppa- ja taloussuhteet Yhdysvaltoihin (lyhyt esittely)

  Der Präsident. − Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Aussprache über den Bericht von Vital Moreira im Namen des Ausschusses für internationalen Handel über Handels- und Wirtschaftsbeziehungen zu den Vereinigten Staaten (2012/2149(INI)) (A7-0321/2012).

  Vital Moreira, relator. − Senhor Presidente, Senhor Comissário, colegas, não é muito animador falar para uma sala vazia a esta hora da noite. No entanto, mesmo que seja apenas para o registo, for the record, permitam-me apresentar o meu relatório sobre relações económicas e comerciais com os Estados Unidos da América. Este relatório foi aprovado na Comissão do Comércio Internacional com uma larga maioria. Enquanto relator permanente da Comissão do Comércio Internacional para as relações económicas e comerciais com os Estados Unidos, estou pessoalmente muito satisfeito com o conteúdo deste relatório. Primeiro, porque ele comunica uma mensagem forte de apoio ao aprofundamento das relações económicas e comerciais entre a União e os Estados Unidos e, em segundo lugar, porque o relatório enuncia os mais importantes elementos ofensivos e defensivos para a União sem, no entanto, fixar pré-condições à abertura de negociações.

O caráter deste relatório é, antes de mais, político. Trata-se de um sinal de apoio do Parlamento a uma esperada abertura das negociações para o acordo comercial e de investimento entre a União e os Estados Unidos, com vista a criar um verdadeiro mercado transatlântico. Este relatório procura dar resposta a duas perguntas cruciais. Primeira pergunta: faz sentido um tratado de comércio e investimento entre a União e os Estados Unidos? A resposta positiva a esta questão é quase consensual. Primeiro, todos os estudos e análises existentes mostram o enorme potencial de crescimento que a liberalização recíproca do comércio e dos investimentos traria para ambas as partes. Segundo, ambas as economias enfrentam desafios comuns que só poderão ser devidamente respondidos em conjunto, em vez de separadamente. Entre eles, contam-se o baixo crescimento de que padecem, a erupção das novas economias emergentes, em particular a China, o protecionismo crescente em algumas economias relevantes como a Argentina, o Brasil, a Rússia, a África do Sul. Terceiro, uma vez falhada a Ronda de Doha para um tratado multilateral de abertura global do comércio, a única maneira de o fazer é através da via bilateral. Segunda pergunta: vai ser possível alcançar em prazo razoável o acordo entre os Estados Unidos e a União Europeia? Comecemos por dizer, desde já, que não vai ser tarefa fácil. Há consideráveis divergências de interesses em algumas áreas importantes, especialmente na agricultura e nos transportes aéreos e marítimos, só para citar dois exemplos. Há importantes divergências regulatórias contra normas técnicas, desde logo, por exemplo, nos automóveis. Há diferenças culturais enraizadas como a que existe entre, por um lado, a perspetiva europeia precaucional em matéria de segurança alimentar e ambiental e, por outro lado, a perspetiva norte-americana baseada no risco. Há vários elementos irritantes como, por exemplo, os organismos geneticamente modificados (OGM), a carne proveniente de descendentes de animais clonados, de novo, apenas para citar dois exemplos. Simplesmente tais dificuldades, embora grandes, não são inultrapassáveis nem devem, muito menos, ser consideradas como impeditivas de um acordo bem-sucedido. Primeiro, tem de haver acordo sobretudo desde que ele abranja todos os setores e remova a maioria das barreiras ao comércio e ao investimento; segundo, as vantagens em jogo num tal acordo são de tal modo elevadas que vale a pena fazer as concessões mútuas necessárias em ordem a colher os frutos da liberalização substancial do comércio e dos investimentos entre as duas partes.

Convido o Parlamento, por isso, a apoiar o meu relatório para que a voz do Parlamento se faça ouvir desde já e seja tomada em conta nas iniciativas da Comissão e do Conselho neste dossiê.

Catch the eye

  Miroslav Mikolášik (PPE). - Je to dobrá správa pre občanov členských štátov Európskej únie, ktoré si obchodovaním so Spojenými štátmi zlepšia svoju východiskovú situáciu pre svoj blahobyt, pre zlepšenie zamestnanosti a pre zvýšenie obchodného obratu medzi obidvomi subjektmi.

Samozrejme, sú tu aj niektoré sporné otázky, ktoré je potrebné prekonávať. Ako už povedal pán spravodajca, je jasné, že sú rozdiely napríklad v niektorých technických danostiach, pokiaľ ide o predaj a nákup automobilov. Samozrejme takisto geneticky modifikované organizmy – to je ďalšia citlivá otázka pre nás v Európe. To sa však dá citlivým rokovaním ošetriť. Takisto mäso z klonovaných zvierat – to sú veci, ktoré sú aj pre nás v Európskej únii citlivé. Avšak celkove môžem uzavrieť, že takýto obchod, zvýšenie obchodného obratu a zlepšenie zmluvných vzťahov so Spojenými štátmi je pre nás potrebné.

  Silvia-Adriana Ţicău (S&D). - În relaţiile comerciale şi economice dintre Uniunea Europeană şi Statele Unite ale Americii în domeniul transporturilor este necesară reformarea restricţiilor privind participarea străină în cadrul companiilor aeriene din Statele Unite ale Americii. Lipsa reciprocităţii între normele europene şi americane din transportul maritim şi aerian, precum şi dezechilibrul curent dintre capacitatea companiilor europene de a efectua cabotaj pe piaţa din Statele Unite ale Americii şi capacitatea companiilor americane de a efectua cabotaj în Uniunea Europeană reprezintă un obstacol care trebuie depăşit, pentru a debloca adevăratul potenţial al relaţiei economice transatlantice.

De asemenea, consider ca fiind deosebit de important acordul privind interoperabilitatea dintre EGNOS, Galileo şi GPS, care va permite dezvoltarea industriilor europene şi americane şi a aplicaţiilor care utilizează sistemele de poziţionare prin satelit.

În final, în contextul relaţiilor comerciale şi economice dintre Uniunea Europeană şi Statele Unite ale Americii, devine tot mai importantă cooperarea în domeniul standardelor şi legislaţiei aferente protecţiei datelor cu caracter personal.

(Ende des Catch-the-eye-Verfahrens)

  Andris Piebalgs, Member of the Commission. − Mr President, you have taken an excellent initiative in expressing your interest in strengthening EU-US relations at this important juncture.

We all agree on the importance of EU-US trade relations. Almost EUR 2 billion of goods and services are traded every day between the European Union and the United States. Investment stocks are at over EUR 2 trillion, and almost half the world’s gross domestic product and one third of world trade is generated by the two sides of the Atlantic, taken together. These numbers illustrate that the EU-US trade and investment relationship is second to none.

However, more can be done. At a time of economic hardship, enhanced trade makes an important contribution to growth and jobs. This is why we are committed to making the current flagship trade and investment undertaking a success. At the November 2011 summit meeting, US and EU leaders established the high-level working group on jobs and growth, tasking it with identifying ways to increase trade in investment to support mutually beneficial job creation, economic growth and competitiveness.

On 19 June, we adopted an interim report in which we reached the preliminary conclusion that a comprehensive agreement addressing a broad range of bilateral trade and investment issues would provide the most significant benefits from the various options considered. It is also the best option from a political point of view, and it allows for a package deal.

No political decision to launch negotiations has yet been reached. The process started at the last EU-US summit has clearly moved in that direction. We are working hard with our US colleagues with a view to drafting the requested final report before the end of the year. The final report is supposed to make a recommendation on the way forward, which we think should be the launch of comprehensive negotiations.

Parliament’s report is very timely indeed. It constitutes a balanced and constructive contribution to the work of the high-level working group. We will take into account the views and positions expressed therein to the greatest possible extent. May I thank the honourable Members again for their valuable contribution.

  Der Präsident. − Die Aussprache ist geschlossen.

Die Abstimmung findet am Dienstag, 23. Oktober 2012, um 18.00 Uhr statt.

Schriftliche Erklärungen (Artikel 149 GO)

  Elisabetta Gardini (PPE), per iscritto. – In un contesto economico come quello attuale, caratterizzato da alta disoccupazione e forte calo degli investimenti, l'aiuto alle piccole e medie imprese (PMI) deve essere una priorità per il Parlamento Europeo.

Facilitare l'accesso delle PMI al mercato statunitense può essere una boccata d'aria fresca per tante nostre aziende europee. Ormai da decenni gli Stati Uniti d'America rappresentano il principale partner economico degli Stati europei, tuttavia esistono ancora delle barriere, per lo più non tariffarie (come contingentamenti, sussidi o monopoli) che impediscono un pieno sviluppo dei rapporti commerciali tra Europa e America.

Un accordo UE - USA che porti a un'eliminazione di queste barriere, rappresenterebbe un grosso passo avanti per lo sviluppo delle relazioni commerciali transatlantiche e aiuterebbe a aprire un mercato per le imprese europee.

Nel contesto di un accordo di libero scambio, auspico una maggiore tutela per i prodotti e un più energico impegno da parte degli Stati Uniti nella lotta ai fenomeni di contraffazione. Il fenomeno di suggestione dei consumatori provoca un danno economico enorme ai nostri produttori che non può più essere tollerato.

26. Yhtenäistä eurooppalaista ilmatilaa koskevan lainsäädännön täytäntöönpano (lyhyt esittely)

  Der Präsident. − Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Aussprache über den Bericht von Jacqueline Foster im Namen des Ausschusses für Verkehr und Fremdenverkehr über die Anwendung der Rechtsvorschriften zum einheitlichen Luftraum (2012/2005(INI)) (A7-0254/2012).

  Jacqueline Foster, rapporteur. − Mr President, there can be no doubt that 2012 is the pivotal year for the implementation of the Single European Sky project.

Following the publication of the ‘time to deliver’ report by the European Commission, I set out to address many of the points raised in my own-initiative report, which was overwhelmingly supported by my colleagues in the Committee on Transport and Tourism in July.

The implementation of the Single European Sky has suffered from many past constraints and there are clearly still many challenges which lie ahead. European air traffic continues to increase, which is good news for growth, but there remain serious capacity issues in most Member States.

There must be greater urgency in order to avoid possible safety and operational risks resulting from ever-greater traffic flows and outdated technologies. The benefits of full and timely implementation of the Single European Sky are clear and cannot be ignored. A study by the SESAR joint undertaking has shown that it will create more than 300 000 jobs, save in the region of 50 million tonnes of CO2 and ultimately make air traffic more efficient, reducing the cost to the consumer and competing more effectively with our global competitors in order to maintain our market share. This is just good business.

It is clear for these reasons alone that making European air space as efficient as possible is important for job creation, the environment and – at a time when many European countries are verging on or are in recession – economic benefits. These positive effects will be seen across all the Member States and will extend to the entire supply chain, including manufacturers, airlines and SMEs, and into sectors such as tourism.

I am confident that the jobs created through this project will be both highly skilled and highly paid. SESAR technologies would allow air traffic controllers to become a more mobile workforce in a modernised, automated industry and be able to sell their talents widely, contributing to a more flowing, robust and innovative sector – in short, a sector fit for the 21st century.

One of the key challenges is the defragmentation of European air space. The move to create functional air space blocks is painfully slow and, quite frankly, unacceptable. A strong message needs to be sent to the Member States. They are the same Member States that signed up to this project more than ten years ago, when we first dealt with this legislation and, in addition, countries that have joined the EU in the last few years.

We in Europe are world leaders in developing technology, and we need to make sure that it is our companies which benefit. It is vitally important that we cooperate closely with neighbouring countries and the military to ensure that the systems we develop are interoperable worldwide. The financial investment in R&D for the Single European Sky has been substantial, and it is now time to put in place the measures necessary to reap the benefits of that investment.

I would like to conclude by saying that I am sick and tired of listening to problems – meaning that we cannot do something – when in fact we are prepared to find the solutions. We are also competing with emerging markets in Asia, South America and the Middle East. Either we rise to that challenge or we will suffer the consequences. Member States need to stop procrastinating and get on with it.

The Commission has the support of this Parliament to enforce sanctions on Member States who do not comply. I should like to send a strong message to Commissioner Kallas, who is not here tonight, that he has my full support and that we wish him to go full throttle.

Catch the eye

  Elena Băsescu (PPE). - Spaţiul aerian european trebuie să devină cât mai eficient posibil, iar utilizarea sa trebuie să se facă în condiţii de maximă siguranţă. Acest lucru va aduce beneficii importante atât în ceea ce priveşte creşterea economică şi crearea de locuri de muncă, cât şi pentru mediul înconjurător. Finalizarea cerului unic european va conduce la creare unui sistem de aviaţie mai durabil; de aceea sunt de părere că progresele înregistrate până în prezent trebuie susţinute şi continuate într-un mod cât mai rapid.

Avem nevoie de servicii aeriene de înaltă calitate, mai ales în situaţia actuală, când traficul aerian se află într-o continuă creştere. Mai mult, consider că ar trebui să existe o abordare uniformă şi o situaţie omogenă în toate statele membre, iar cooperarea şi coordonarea în acest sens sunt extrem de importante.

  Σπύρος Δανέλλης (S&D). - Κύριε Πρόεδρε, όταν τον Απρίλιο του 2010 ταλαιπωρήθηκαν περισσότεροι από 100.000 επιβάτες από την έκρηξη του ισλανδικού ηφαιστείου, τα κράτη μέλη έσπευσαν να διακηρύξουν πως ο ενιαίος ευρωπαϊκός ουρανός δεν επιδεχόταν πλέον άλλη καθυστέρηση. Η Ευρώπη χρειάστηκε, και δεν είχε, την ευελιξία ενός κοινού εναέριου χώρου.

Δυόμισι χρόνια μετά, βρισκόμαστε σε ένα πολιτικό αδιέξοδο στο οποίο η άμεση ολοκλήρωση του ενιαίου ευρωπαϊκού ουρανού φαντάζει μάλλον ουτοπική, ενώ καθυστερεί ακόμα και η τυπική θέσπιση των λειτουργικών τμημάτων εναερίου χώρου (FAB), η οποία, εξάλλου, από μόνη της δεν εγγυάται βελτίωση των επιδόσεων των αερομεταφορών.

Αυτό που απαιτείται αυτή τη στιγμή είναι η πολιτική βούληση να υπερισχύσει της γραφειοκρατίας και των συμφερόντων της ακινησίας, να καμφθούν οι εθνικοί εγωισμοί. Και γι' αυτό, ειδικά σήμερα, δεν πρέπει να παραβλέπουμε τη βαρύτητα που έχει επίσης και ο συμβολισμός. Ο ενιαίος ευρωπαϊκός ουρανός είναι ένα τεχνικό έργο με γνωστά οφέλη - τα οποία έχουν αναφερθεί ήδη - αλλά, ταυτόχρονα, είναι και ένα σύμβολο της ευρωπαϊκής ολοκλήρωσης και αυτό, καλό είναι, να το θυμόμαστε.

  João Ferreira (GUE/NGL). - Senhor Presidente, o projeto do céu único europeu é, desde o seu início, indissociável da intenção de liberalização do setor do transporte aéreo. A visão que lhe está subjacente não é o desenvolvimento do setor segundo uma lógica de prevalência do interesse público, mas sim a conformação da gestão do espaço aéreo aos interesses das grandes companhias de aviação e da concentração monopolista em curso no setor.

Os argumentos que, ao longo dos anos, têm sido alinhados em favor do céu único europeu são subsidiários deste objetivo e carecem de fundamento, seja quanto à segurança, seja quanto ao emprego, seja ainda quanto às questões ambientais. É no quadro da propriedade e gestão pública do setor que todas estas questões melhor podem ser equacionadas e não no quadro da liberalização que, a todo o custo, querem promover.

Não esqueçamos os passos que foram já dados, e os que podem ainda ser dados, visando uma melhor coordenação e uma melhor utilização do espaço aéreo, mantendo a soberania de cada Estado-Membro sobre o respetivo espaço aéreo nacional, uma questão essencial para a defesa dos interesses específicos de cada país, seja no domínio da aviação comercial, seja no da defesa.

  Erik Bánki (PPE). - Tisztelt Elnök Úr! Tisztelt Képviselőtársaim! Foster asszonnyal teljes mértékben egyetértek, amikor jelentésében azt kifogásolja, hogy túl sokat késlekedik az Európai Bizottság és az Európai Unió az új szabályozás bevezetésével, és elveszíthetjük azt a pozíciónkat Európában, azt az innovatív helyzetet, amely egy csomó bevételt, munkahelyek teremtését tudja megoldani a későbbiekben. Hiszen ne felejtsük el, hogy ennek az átszervezésnek, és az új programnak 419 milliárd eurónyi hatása lesz az Európai Unió GDP-jére nézve, 328 ezer új munkahely jöhet létre, és nem mellékesen 50 millió tonnával kevesebb szén-dioxid kerül kibocsátásra. Tehát ezek nagyon fontos számok.

Egy dolgot azért nem szabad elfelejteni az átalakítás és az átszervezés során: a költséghatékonyság elérésének nem egyetlen megoldása a munkaerő képzésének és a munkaerő finanszírozásának a lenyomása, hiszen ma a közép-európai térségben már így is az európai átlag nagyjából felét tudják megkeresni ezen a területen. Nagyon veszélyes lehet az ő elvándorlásuk szempontjából, ha tovább csökkentünk.

  Silvia-Adriana Ţicău (S&D). - Pentru realizarea cerului unic european sunt necesare măsuri care să permită îndeplinirea obiectivelor Uniunii Europene în materie de siguranţă aeriană, în vederea consolidării normelor actuale şi a asigurării unui nivel uniform şi ridicat de siguranţă a transportului aerian.

Subliniez importanţa programelor precum Galileo şi GNSS pentru realizarea cerului unic european, precum şi importanţa unui calendar obligatoriu pentru punerea în aplicare a cerului unic european, ţinându-se seama, totodată, de considerentele de ordin comercial. Potrivit Comisiei, introducerea la timp a SESAR va aduce avantaje concrete pasagerilor printr-o reducere a duratei de zbor cu aproximativ 10 %, o reducere cu 50 % a zborurilor anulate şi a întârzierilor, precum şi printr-o posibilă reducere a preţurilor biletelor.

Solicit ca în dezvoltarea cerului unic european să se ţină seama pe deplin de toate aeroporturile Uniunii Europene, inclusiv de cele regionale, dată fiind contribuţia acestora la descongestionarea reţelei şi la sporirea capacităţii traficului aerian.

  Miroslav Mikolášik (PPE). - Európsky vzdušný priestor patrí s viac ako 750 miliónmi cestujúcich medzi najvyťaženejšie na svete a tento počet sa má do roku 2030 zdvojnásobiť. Odhaduje sa, že v prípade úplného a včasného zavedenia technológií Výskumu manažmentu letovej prevádzky jednotného európskeho neba, v skratke SESAR, počas obdobia 2013 – 2030 v krajinách EÚ 27 môže mať kumulatívny vplyv na HDP EÚ a predstavovať až 419 miliárd EUR, pričom sa priamo alebo nepriamo vytvorí 328 tisíc nových pracovných miest. Čisté úspory emisií CO2 dosiahnu dokonca približne 50 miliónov ton. To sú všetko parametre, pre ktoré sa nám Jednotné európske nebo oplatí presadzovať.

(Ende des Catch-the-eye-Verfahrens)

  Andris Piebalgs, Member of the Commission. − Mr President, the report on the implementation of the Single European Sky comes at a crucial time for this policy, with many deadlines fast approaching. 2012 is a critical year for the Single European Sky, with four key deliverables including nine functional airspace blocks to be operational by December 2012. I therefore welcome the report and thank the rapporteur, Mrs Foster, and the Committee on Transport and Tourism.

The implementation of the Single European Sky has been the subject of frequent debates in this House and also, more recently, at the High-Level Conference in Limassol. The main undisputed conclusion of this debate is that progress on the initiative is slow and the expected benefits are yet to fully materialise. We still lack an integrated approach, and the fragmented governance structure based on national borders prevails. These inefficiencies add an extra EUR 5 billion annually in costs for air navigation services.

There is, above all, a problem of timing. There is an urgent need to act quickly and push ahead with the implementation. One of the reasons for this situation seems to be the lack of political willingness from Member States. The Commission has recently written to transport ministers, reminding them of their obligations and urging prompt and proactive decisions. The Commission will increase its efforts to ensure timely and full implementation. If need be, the Commission will take legal action against Member States that do not comply.

Secondly, though many positive steps have already been taken, we need to move beyond compliance and towards actual delivery of results. I agree with you that the performance pillar needs to be further promoted and concrete operational gains should shortly materialise as a result of the implementation of the functional airspace blocks.

The Commission is currently evaluating measures to accelerate the implementation of the Single European Sky and the SESAR programme with a view to unleashing the beneficial effects of the Single European Sky. The Commission agrees to report back to the Parliament in 2013 on the progress made with regard to the implementation of the Single European Sky, as well as on its strategy for a more decisive process of implementation.

The underlying principles of the existing legislation remain valid. We do not have to return to the drawing board and should now make some changes in order to gain speed and ensure delivery. We need to simplify and clarify the legislation. I can inform you that we are already working on new proposals to accelerate implementation of the Single Sky, complement some initiatives which are not yet complete and strengthen the existing legislation. The Commission’s intention is to deliver these proposals in spring 2013.

  Der Präsident. − Die Aussprache ist geschlossen.

Die Abstimmung findet am Dienstag, 23. Oktober 2012, um 18.00 Uhr statt.

Schriftliche Erklärungen (Artikel 149 GO)

  Bogdan Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz (PPE), na piśmie. – Podkreślam znaczenie stworzenia jednolitej przestrzeni powietrznej, ponieważ dalsze zwlekanie z jej stworzeniem może skutkować w niedalekiej przyszłości absolutnym paraliżem ruchu lotniczego w UE. Temat sprawnego funkcjonowania sektora lotniczego jest na tyle kluczowy i istotny, że od jakiegoś czasu zastanawiamy się już nad samą przepustowością lotnik, a nie podkreślamy powagi samej przestrzeni powietrznej. Popieram sprawozdawczynię i uważam, że państwa członkowskie podjęły zobowiązanie do realizacji jednolitej przestrzeni powietrznej. Zatem powinny zaangażować się we wprowadzanie odpowiedniego ustawodawstwa na tym etapie. Naturalnie istnieją swego rodzaju obawy oraz ryzyko w związku z przekształceniem zarządzania ruchem lotniczym. Niemniej jednak wysoce wykwalifikowana oraz odpowiednio gratyfikowana kadra zapewni spójność systemu. Jednym z największych wyzwań, jakie naturalnie stoi przed nami, to zaprzestanie rozproszenia europejskiej przestrzeni lotniczej, a fragmentaryzm państw członkowskich powinien zostać zastąpiony odpowiednimi blokami przestrzeni, tak aby poprawić skuteczność i ograniczyć zagęszczający się ruch lotniczy.

  Bernadette Vergnaud (S&D), par écrit. – Ce rapport dresse un constat malheureusement difficile à réfuter: nous sommes bien loin des objectifs fixés en 2004 et 2009. Or, la réalisation du Ciel unique européen devrait permettre la diminution des émissions de CO2 de 50 millions de tonnes et la création de 328 000 emplois, malgré le tassement de la croissance du secteur du fait de la crise et de l'augmentation du prix des carburants. Toutefois, consciente de cette situation, je suis mesurée sur l'opportunité d'imposer des sanctions aux États n'ayant pas rempli leurs engagements à la date butoir de décembre 2012. En effet, la mise en place de blocs aériens fonctionnels est un objectif très ambitieux, qui touche à la souveraineté nationale, et implique de faire travailler ensemble des systèmes de contrôle de la navigation aux structures et cultures différentes, ce qui demande du temps pour garantir une transition en toute sécurité. Je plaiderais plutôt pour des mesures incitatives, et je pense qu'avant de présenter un nouveau "paquet législatif" alors que celui-ci n'est pas encore correctement mis en œuvre, il est urgent... d'attendre et de procéder à de sérieuses évaluations.

27. Matkustajien oikeudet Euroopan unionissa (lyhyt esittely)

  Der Präsident. − Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Aussprache über den Bericht von Georges Bach im Namen des Ausschusses für Verkehr und Fremdenverkehr über die Rechte der Benutzer aller Verkehrsträger (2012/2067(INI)) (A7-0287/2012).

  Georges Bach, Berichterstatter. − Herr Präsident, Herr Kommissar, sehr verehrte Kollegen! Mobilität ist einer der Grundpfeiler unserer modernen Gesellschaft. Dies hat in den vergangenen Jahren zu einer stetigen Zunahme von Reisenden in allen Transportarten geführt. Die Kommission hat bereits vor zehn Jahren die Notwendigkeit einheitlicher Rechte für die Reisenden erkannt. Es wurden in der Zwischenzeit insgesamt sechs Verordnungen zu diesem Thema erlassen. Doch die Erfahrungen der letzten Jahre zeigen deutlich, dass die bestehenden Verordnungen Unklarheiten und Lücken aufweisen, welche teils zu unvollständiger oder unvorschriftsmäßiger Anwendung durch die Unternehmen und öfters auch zu Streitfällen vor Gericht führen.

Als Berichterstatter begrüße ich das Ziel der Kommission, die Rechtsvorschriften anzupassen und ihre Anwendung bei allen Verkehrsträgern zu verbessern, ihre Durchsetzung durch die nationalen Durchsetzungsstellen zu verstärken und die Reisenden besser mit Informationen über ihre Rechte zu versorgen. Zum aktuellen Zeitpunkt ist eine gemeinsame Verordnung für alle Verkehrsträger aufgrund fehlender Erfahrung im Schiffs- und Busverkehr nicht realisierbar. Mittelfristig ist dies meines Erachtens aber erstrebenswert, besonders um die Intermodalität zu fördern und um unlauteren Wettbewerb im Reiseverkehr zu verhindern.

Ausgehend von dieser Feststellung plädiere ich in meinem Bericht für das Festlegen eines gemeinsamen Grundsockels an Rechten, geltend für alle vier Transportarten, ohne dabei die besonderen Charakteristika der einzelnen Transportarten aus den Augen zu lassen. Ein gewisser Grad an Flexibilität und Proportionalität je nach Verkehrsträger muss gewährleistet sein. Ich fordere die Kommission auf, im Hinblick darauf bereits heute an Leitlinien zu arbeiten, welche auch sicherstellen, dass die bestehenden Rechte – Diskriminierungsfreiheit, Recht auf Erfüllung des Beförderungsvertrags, genaue, vollständige und allgemein zugängliche Informationen, unverzügliche und angemessene Hilfestellung bei Problemen – nicht abgeschwächt werden.

Ich möchte an dieser Stelle nur ganz kurz einige Hauptpunkte des Berichts ansprechen. Zu Information und Transparenz sei gesagt, dass diese Rechte einfach, klar und zugänglich sein müssen. Des Weiteren plädiere ich für eine Verstärkung der Hilfestellung für die Reisenden durch geschultes Personal in Infopoints und Helpdesks. Bezüglich der Fahrpreise denke ich, dass man klare Regeln erstellen muss, die jede unfaire kommerzielle Praxis unterbinden. Bei der Anwendung und Durchsetzung der Rechte ist die Rolle der nationalen Durchsetzungsbehörden von entscheidender Bedeutung. Deshalb soll meines Erachtens eine europäische Datenbank und eine Vernetzung auf europäischem Niveau ihre Arbeit effizienter gestalten. Hier wäre die Einsetzung einer zentralen elektronischen Beschwerdestelle, ein Clearing House, unbedingt erforderlich.

Große Probleme bestehen bei Haftungsfragen und beim Begriff „außergewöhnliche Umstände“. Hier sollen die maßgeblichen Urteile des EuGH herangezogen und die Vorschriften eindeutig formuliert werden. Ein sehr wichtiger Punkt sind die speziellen Bedürfnisse der Menschen mit Behinderung und mit eingeschränkter Mobilität. Diese müssen – wie gesagt – besonders berücksichtigt werden, dies auch bei intermodalen Reisen. Nicht zuletzt durch die Wirtschaftskrise kam es zu einer Zunahme von Insolvenzen bei Fluggesellschaften. Hier fordern wir endlich konkrete Lösungsvorschläge vonseiten der Kommission.

Zum Schluss meiner Ausführungen möchte ich auf die Zunahme der Intermodalität hinweisen. Ich bin der Meinung, dass – wie gesagt – ein gemeinsamer Grundsockel an Rechten für alle Verkehrsträger sowie eine einheitliche Vorgehensweise aller Unternehmen und Durchsetzungsbehörden die Voraussetzungen dafür sind, dass intermodales Reisen gut funktioniert.

Abschließend möchte ich mich bei allen Schattenberichterstattern und Kollegen für ihre Beiträge bedanken. Sie haben mich mit ihren Ideen unterstützt und geholfen, dem Bericht Substanz zu verleihen.

Catch the eye

  Elena Băsescu (PPE). - Salut şi eu consolidarea şi îmbunătăţirea drepturilor pasagerilor. Consider că punerea lor în aplicare reprezintă o prioritate şi ea trebuie făcută în mod complet şi uniform pentru a se evita orice confuzii.

Mai mult, călătorii trebuie să fie permanent informaţi în legătură cu drepturile de care beneficiază, iar informaţiile puse la dispoziţia lor trebuie să fie clare, simple şi accesibile. De asemenea, este nevoie ca transparenţa să fie îmbunătăţită în toate serviciile oferite pentru a se elimina astfel practicile comerciale neloiale.

Subliniez faptul că toţi consumatorii au dreptul la un nivel înalt şi egal de protecţie, iar rolul autorităţilor naţionale de control în acest sens este deosebit de important. Punerea în aplicare a legislaţiei privind drepturile pasagerilor în toate modurile de transport va consolida libera circulaţie pe piaţa internă.

  João Ferreira (GUE/NGL). - Senhor Presidente, o debate sobre os direitos dos passageiros em todos os modos de transporte é sem dúvida importante. O relatório contém recomendações positivas em domínios como a informação aos passageiros, os direitos das pessoas portadoras de deficiência e das pessoas com mobilidade reduzida, entre outros. Mas, incompreensivelmente, há uma expressão que não aparece uma única vez em quinze páginas do relatório. Essa expressão é: serviços públicos.

O primeiro e mais importante direito dos passageiros, das populações, é o direito a um serviço público de transportes de qualidade, moderno, eficiente, funcional e a preços acessíveis. Não pode, por isso, passar ao lado deste debate o processo em curso de destruição do serviço público de transportes em países como o meu, Portugal, destruição impulsionada pela União Europeia e pelo FMI que envolve a supressão de serviços, o brutal aumento de preços, a redução da qualidade, a perda de direitos dos trabalhadores e despedimentos, tudo preparando a privatização que trará inevitavelmente uma ainda maior degradação do serviço prestado. Não se pode falar de direitos dos passageiros sem falar de tido isto.

  Erik Bánki (PPE). - Szeretnék gratulálni először is kollegámnak, Bach úrnak, aki a jelentéstevője volt ennek a napirendi pontnak. Hiszen, mindamellett, hogy teljes mértékben egyetértek azzal, hogy meg kell próbálnunk, és meg kell tennünk mindent annak érdekében, hogy a tájékoztatás és az átláthatóság az utasjogok terén egyre transzparensebb legyen, meg kell próbálnunk a nemzeti jogérvényesítések összehangolását elérni. Rendkívül jó ötlet az, amely az európai egységes adatbank létrehozását célozza, és ezáltal azok az információk, amelyek a nemzeti adatbankokban már megvannak, azok a gyakorlatok, amelyeket egyes tagállamok a saját szintjükön használnak, azok általánosíthatóvá válnak az európai uniós tagországokra nézve is.

Van egy nagyon fontos kérdés, amit még kiemelnék, ez pedig a turizmus kérdése. Hiszen amellett, hogy egyre magasabb szintű közszolgáltatásként kell nyújtani a közlekedést, amellett a turizmus, mint Európa a világban betöltött vezető szerepe, és annak a fenntartása – ebben is különösen fontos az, hogy az utasjogok minél magasabb szinten érvényesíthetőek legyenek, és minél átláthatóbbak legyenek ezek a szolgáltatások.

  Silvia-Adriana Ţicău (S&D). - Subliniez importanţa elaborării unui set de reguli privind drepturile pasagerilor pentru toate tipurile de transport şi salut decizia Comisiei de a continua campania de informare privind drepturile pasagerilor până în 2014. Recomandăm ca la această campanie să participe autorităţile naţionale şi centrele naţionale de protecţie a consumatorilor.

De asemenea, pentru a răspunde nevoilor persoanelor cu dizabilităţi sau cu mobilitate redusă şi pentru a oferi servicii de asistenţă mai cuprinzătoare pasagerilor în cazul perturbărilor majore ale călătoriilor, recomandăm ca în locurile de plecare şi de sosire în aeroporturi, gări, autogări şi porturi să funcţioneze puncte de informare şi ghişee de asistenţă accesibile atât fizic, cât şi prin mijloace electronice.

Consider important să abordăm aspectul proliferării clauzelor abuzive din cadrul contractelor transportatorilor aerieni, cum ar fi cerinţa abuzivă ca pasagerii să folosească biletul dus al unui bilet dus-întors pentru a putea folosi biletul de întoarcere sau ca pasagerii să folosească toate cupoanele unui bilet de avion în succesiune. Invităm Comisia să ia măsurile necesare în acest sens pentru protejarea pasagerilor.

  Jaroslav Paška (EFD). - Chcel by som podporiť túto iniciatívu na zlepšenie, spresnenie a rozšírenie legislatívy pre dopravu. Treba si uvedomiť, že k dopravnej legislatíve nemôžme pristupovať sektorovo, pretože jednotlivé druhy dopravy navzájom súvisia, sú prepojené a treba sa aj na túto legislatívu pozerať z tohto hľadiska – z hľadiska užívateľa, cestujúceho. Treba si uvedomiť tieto súvislosti: ak zlyhá jeden dopravný prostriedok, tak sa môže cestujúcemu stať, že nemôže použiť nasledujúci dopravný prostriedok.

Z tohto pohľadu sa treba zamerať najmä na prevádzkovateľov pravidelných dopravných liniek, ktorí by mali niesť zodpovednosť za to, že v určitom čase, v určitom termíne cestujúceho prepravia podľa podmienok, aké sú dohodnuté v prepravných podmienkach. Pokiaľ toto nie sú schopní dodržať, potom by mala nasledovať primeraná sankcia a odškodnenie pre cestujúceho, ktorému sa nepodarilo dostať také služby, na aké mal nárok.

(Ende des Catch-the-eye-Verfahrens)

  Andris Piebalgs, Member of the Commission. − Mr President, I would like to thank the rapporteur, Mr Georges Bach, and the members of the Committee on Transport and Tourism for their work in taking the issue of passenger rights forward.

A constructive debate has taken place since the Commission presented its vision for a more coherent and effective implementation of EU passenger rights across all modes of transport in its communication at the end of last year.

I would like to make the following specific comments on the report: the Commission shares the objective of consolidating the current framework into a single cross-modal regulation, but in the medium term. The regulations on passengers’ rights in the field of coach and maritime transport have yet to come into force. There remain major differences between transport modes, and the convergence of passengers’ rights will inevitably be a gradual process.

The Commission agrees with the creation of an EU-wide complaint form for each transport mode. A complaint form already exists for aviation. The Commission intends to develop forms for the other modes, taking into account their specificities.

The Commission is also conscious of the impact that airline bankruptcy has on flight-only passengers. The recent failures of Spanair and Malev were collectively well managed, thanks to a proactive approach based on providing information and promoting other carriers’ cheap rescue fares. This proves that the current legislation makes adequate provision for dealing with bankruptcies. However, solutions are needed to ensure passengers are not left stranded and are quickly reimbursed.

The Commission therefore intends to come up, in late 2012, with these new solutions – which are not necessarily of a legislative nature – in order to ensure implementation that is as swift as possible.

Finally, the issue of price transparency in aviation is addressed in several pieces of legislation, most notably the Air Services Regulation. I would like to inform the honourable Members that this legislation is currently undergoing a fitness check to establish whether it is adequate for its original purpose and if it should be revised. The Commission will inform Parliament of the results in due course.

The work done by Parliament in the area of passenger rights is providing valuable guidance to the Commission, especially in view of the forthcoming revision of the Regulation on air passenger rights.

  Der Präsident. − Die Aussprache ist geschlossen.

Die Abstimmung findet am Dienstag, 23. Oktober 2012, um 18.00 Uhr statt.

Schriftliche Erklärungen (Artikel 149 GO)

  Ádám Kósa (PPE), írásban. – Gratulálok én is Bach kollégának, aki kiváló munkát végzett. Külön köszönet illeti, mert támogatta 19 módosító indítványomat, melyek mindegyike a fogyatékossággal élö európai polgárok életének megkönnyítésére irányul. Szót emeltem többek között a fogyatékossággal élök közlekedésben is érvényesítendö egyenlö bánásmódja mellett, a közlekedési eszközök és pályaudvarok fizikai, az információ és tájékoztatás infokommunikációs akadálymentesítés mellett, a design for all követelményeinek figyelembevétele mellett. Fontosnak tartom, hogy a közlekedésben is teret nyerjenek a videotechnológiát alkalmazó jelnyelvi szolgáltatások, illetve a siketek és nagyothallók és a beszédsérült felhasználók bevonását biztosító szövegalapú szolgáltatások alkalmazása. Egyidejüleg elengedhetetlen, hogy a különbözö közlekedési ágazatokban dogozó személyzet képzése is, valamint a biztonsági elöírásokat illetöen egységes protokollt kell kialakítani. Különösen igaz az utóbbi a légiközlekedési elöírásokra, ahol az egyes légitársaságok önkényesen bírálják el azt, hogy hány siket vagy kerekes székes utazhat az adott légitársaság gépén. Ez elfogadhatatlan, mert rengeteg anyagi és erkölcsi kárral jár. Ezért úgy gondolom, hogy bár jelenleg a buszon és hajón utazók jogairól szóló jogszabály még nem lépett érvénybe, elengedhetetlen, hogy a kompenzáció, a visszatérítés, a fogyatékossággal élö utasok közlekedése, valamint információáramlás terén elinduljon egy minden közlekedési eszközre kiterjedö horizontális jogszabályalkotás. Európa jövöjének egyik záloga az akadálymentes és korlátlan helyváltoztatás joga, ez pedig az egységes utasjogi rendelet nélkül elképzelhetetlen!

  Sirpa Pietikäinen (PPE), kirjallinen. – Tällä hetkellä matkustajien oikeuksia säännellään useilla eri direktiiveillä, matkustusmuodosta riippuen. Toimin itse asiassa sisämarkkinavaliokunnan lausunnon laatijana ja ilokseni useita näkemyksiäni on huomioitu myös lopullisessa, parlamentin hyväksymässä mietinnössä. Samalla kun matkustaminen lisääntyy ja toimijakenttä käy yhä kirjavammaksi, oikeuksiin tulee kiinnittää kunnolla huomiota ja säädellä niitä lailla. Hinnoittelun tulee olla avointa, piilokustannuksia ei tule hyväksyä; riitojenratkaisuun tulee olla nopeat ja tehokkaat välineet; matkan aikana sattuvien ongelmien selvittämiseksi tulee olla aina olemassa selkeät ja nopeat kontaktit; silloin kun matkustetaan useammalla matkustusvälineellä (vaikkapa junalla ja lentokoneella), matkustamiseen liittyvät vastuukysymykset ongelmatilanteissa tulee selkeyttää, ja niin edelleen. Tärkeää on myös varmistaa se, että liikuntarajoitteisten matkustusoikeudet eri välineissä ovat yhtenäiset ja matkustamisen haasteet huomioivat. Seuraava askel matkustajia koskevassa lainsäädännössä tuleekin olla se, että pääsemme kohti yhtä selkeää asetusta, jossa matkustajien perusoikeudet on selkeästi lailla säädetty koko EU:n alueella.

  Vilja Savisaar-Toomast (ALDE), kirjalikult. – Tänaseks oleme me kehtestanud reisijate õigused kõikidele transpordiliikidele. Viimased olid mäletatavasti ka bussireisijate õigused. Kahjuks ei ole veel laeva- ja bussitranspordi osas vastuvõetud määrused jõustunud. Arvestades järjest enam kasvava transpordisektoriga ning aina suureneva reisijate arvuga kõikide transpordiliikide puhul peavad olema tagatud ka võrdväärsed ja asjakohased reisijate õigused. See on järjest olulisem kuna reisimine paljudel juhtudel ei piirne ainult ühe transpordiliigiga vaid hõlmab endast mitut erinevat. Seetõttu on oluline, et oleks tagatud võimalikult lihtne piletite broneerimine ja reisi korraldus ning et reisija õigused oleks kaitstud kogu reisi ajal. Oleksin oodanud, et raportisse lülitatakse ka nõue, et reisijate õigused erinevate transpordiliikide puhul koondatakse ühte määrusesse. Olulisemaks ühiseks jooneks erinevate transpordiliikide reisijate õiguste puhul on see, et on keelatud diskrimineerida reisijaid nende elukoha või kodakondsuse ning reisibüroosid nende tegevuskoha alusel. Samas pean oluliseks reisijate õiguste puhul, et arvestatakse täielikult ka eakate, puuetega ja piiratud liikumisvõimega inimeste õiguste ja võimalustega. Ühtsed üle-euroopalised reisijate õigused peavad olema kättesaadavad kõigile. Lähtuvalt eeltoodust leian, et käesolev omaalgatuslik raport on vajalik andmaks komisjonile selged signaalid, mis suunas tuleb reisijate õigustega edasi liikuda saavutamaks tõelist inimeste vaba liikumist.

  Debora Serracchiani (S&D), per iscritto. – Mi compiaccio per l'ottima relazione sui diritti dei passeggeri in tutti i modi di trasporto, quale una chiara e corretta informazione, la trasparenza dei prezzi dei biglietti, le assicurazioni in caso di bancarotta delle compagnie, l'istituzione di un centro per i reclami ed una linea diretta gratuita per tutta l'UE. Un'attenzione particolare è rivolta ai bisogni delle persone a mobilità ridotta costrette talvolta a pagare per la mancanza di strutture adeguate così come allo sviluppo del trasporto intermodale. Mi compiaccio, inoltre, che sia stata inclusa anche la richiesta che la Commissione deve affrontare la proliferazione di clausole abusive nei contratti dei vettori aerei, come l'obbligo iniquo per i passeggeri di utilizzare entrambe le tratte di un biglietto aereo in sequenza. Con l’adozione dei diritti dei passeggeri nel trasporto effettuato con autobus nel 2011 che devono ancora entrare in vigore, l’Unione europea dispone ormai di un insieme integrato di diritti fondamentali dei passeggeri in tutti i modi di trasporto. Sebbene la Commissione ritenga che sia troppo presto in questa fase prevedere un regolamento unico, che contempli i passeggeri di tutti i modi di trasporto, mi auguro che le richieste del Parlamento siano ascoltate dalla Commissione perché purtroppo assistiamo ancora a casi di inadempienze dei diritti dei viaggiatori europei.

28. Seuraavan istunnon esityslista: ks. pöytäkirja

29. Istunnon päättäminen

(Die Sitzung wird um 22.35 geschlossen.)