Sittings · Document

Draft report (2024/2025(DEC)) 2025-02-10

2023 discharge: General budget of the EU - European Economic and Social Committee

Committee on Budgetary Control

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Amendment 1

Tamás Deutsch, Ondřej Knotek

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 3 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

3 a. Recalls, that the Budapest Declaration on the New European Competitiveness Deal, has set out a plan of harnessing Europe’s talent and investing in skills to foster high-quality jobs throughout the Union, with the aim to strengthen social dialogue, uphold equal opportunities and reduce inequalities, in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights;

Or. en

Amendment 2

Tamás Deutsch, Ondřej Knotek

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 3 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

3 b. Recalls the Treaty on the European Union, that the EU’s and its institutions, aim is to promote peace, its values and the well-being of its peoples, to preserve peace, prevent conflicts and strengthen international security;

Or. en

Amendment 3

Tamás Deutsch, Ondřej Knotek, Virginie Joron, Julien Sanchez

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 3 c (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

3 c. Calls on the institution to take full devotion and maximise its efforts with all its available measures and assets to promote peace and to end the war in Ukraine as soon as possible, and to preserve peace and strengthen European security;

Or. en

Amendment 4

Tamás Deutsch

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 3 d (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

3 d. Recalls the Treaty on the European Union, that the EU and its institutions, shall respect the equality of Member States before the Treaties as well as their national identities, inherent in their fundamental structures, political and constitutional, inclusive of regional and local self-government;

Or. en

Amendment 5

Tamás Deutsch, Ondřej Knotek, Virginie Joron, Julien Sanchez

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 3 e (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

3 e. Calls on the institution to always respect the equality of Member States and to treat all Member States equally, respect their sovereignty and their national identities, inherent in their fundamental structures, political and constitutional, inclusive of regional and local self-government;

Or. en

Amendment 6

Virginie Joron, Tamás Deutsch, Julien Sanchez

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

4. Notes that the final adopted budget for the Committee was EUR 158 767 970 in 2023, representing an overall increase of 4,1 % compared to 2022; notes from the Committee’s replies to the questionnaire submitted by the Committee on Budgetary Control for the 2023 budgetary discharge (the ‘Questionnaire’) and the Committee’s annual activity report for 2023 (the ‘Annual report’) that the remuneration and allowances budget line (expenses with Committee’s staff and Members) increased by 8,4 % between 2022 and 2023 due to the inflation; notes from the Questionnaire that the budget for outside assistance for the operation, development and maintenance of software systems increased by 33,70 % from 2022 to 2023 due to the Committee having made the implementation of its digital strategy for 2024-2026 a priority in 2023; notes that, otherwise, the distribution of appropriations across other budget lines in the Committee’s 2023 budget remained comparable to previous years’ distribution;

4. Notes that the final adopted budget for the Committee was EUR 158 767 970 in 2023, representing a high budget and an overall increase of 4,1 % compared to 2022; notes from the Committee’s replies to the questionnaire submitted by the Committee on Budgetary Control for the 2023 budgetary discharge (the ‘Questionnaire’) and the Committee’s annual activity report for 2023 (the ‘Annual report’) that the remuneration and allowances budget line (expenses with Committee’s staff and Members) increased by 8,4 % between 2022 and 2023 due to the inflation; notes from the Questionnaire that the budget for outside assistance for the operation, development and maintenance of software systems increased by 33,70 % from 2022 to 2023 due to the Committee having made the implementation of its digital strategy for 2024-2026 a priority in 2023; notes that, otherwise, the distribution of appropriations across other budget lines in the Committee’s 2023 budget remained comparable to previous years’ distribution;

Or. fr

Amendment 7

Tomáš Zdechovský

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 6

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

6. Notes that the carry-over of appropriations from 2023 to 2024 amounted to EUR 13 827 713 (i.e. approx. 8,70 % of the Committee’s budget for 2023), which represents a decrease from the previous year’s level of EUR 20 162 518 (i.e. approx. 13 % of the Committee’s budget for 2022); notes further with appreciation that the rate of implementation of the appropriations carried over from 2022 to 2023 was 86,76 % in 2023, compared to 76,91 % in 2022;

Or. en

Amendment 8

Pasquale Tridico

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 9

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

9. Recalls that the Council decision of 25 May 2023 set the allowance for remote attendance of members of the Committee at non-statutory meetings at EUR 145 per remote meeting per day, which represents 50 % of the daily allowance for physical participation in 2023; considers that despite remote attendance being an important instrument for modern institutions given that, inter alia, it reduces the costs of meetings and allows broader participation, the allocation of an allowance for remote attendance of meetings, even if reduced and intended only for some types of events, is difficult to understand for the public, even more so when taking into consideration the difference paid to the members of the Committee and members of the CoR for remote attendance; notes with satisfaction from the Committee’s follow-up report to Parliament’s resolution on the implementation of the Committee’s budget for 2022 (the ‘Follow-up report’) that the application of that decision has already produced budgetary savings of EUR 1 677 000 due to lower travel costs and allowances paid, as well as environmental savings of some 553,66 tons of CO2, due to less travel in 2023; notes from the Annual report that the number of reimbursed meetings days attended remotely was 2006 (6 259 in 2022), with an average duration of 3 hours per meeting for a total cost of EUR 294 930 in 2023 (EUR 922 925 in 2022); welcomes multiple checks carried out by the Committee to prove the remote attendance of members prior to the payment of the allowance;

Or. en

Amendment 9

Virginie Joron, Tamás Deutsch

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 11

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

11. Notes a decrease in the current year appropriations for budget line 1004 (expenditure for Member’s travel, including subsistence and meetings allowances) from EUR 19,790 million in 2022 (of which EU 15,895 million were paid) to EUR 19,761 million in 2023 (of which EU 18,344 million were paid); notes with satisfaction an improvement in the implementation rate of those appropriations from 80,31 % in 2022 to 92,83 % in 2023; notes that the Committee President participated in 35 missions totalling EUR 71 926 in 2023 against 26 missions totalling EUR 38 042 in 2022;

11. Notes an insufficient decrease in the current year appropriations for budget line 1004 (expenditure for Member’s travel, including subsistence and meetings allowances) from EUR 19,790 million in 2022 (of which EU 15,895 million were paid) to EUR 19,761 million in 2023 (of which EU 18,344 million were paid); notes with satisfaction an improvement in the implementation rate of those appropriations from 80,31 % in 2022 to 92,83 % in 2023; is astonished that the Committee President participated in 35 missions totalling EUR 71 926 in 2023 against 26 missions totalling EUR 38 042 in 2022;

Or. fr

Amendment 10

Tomáš Zdechovský

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 12

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

12. Notes from the Questionnaire that the Joint Directorate for Innovation and Information Technology of the Committee and the CoR allocates some 3 % of its IT budget to cybersecurity which is far from the 10 % target provided for in the relevant legislation; asks the co-legislators and the Commission to take this into account in the framework of the annual budgetary procedure;

12. Notes from the Questionnaire that the Joint Directorate for Innovation and Information Technology of the Committee and the CoR allocates some 3 % of its IT budget to cybersecurity which is far from the 10 % target provided for in the relevant legislation; calls on the co-legislators and the Commission to take this into account in the framework of the annual budgetary procedure;

Or. en

Amendment 11

Tamás Deutsch

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 13 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

13 a. Calls on the institution to assess how the European Parliament’s regulatory framework to avoid corruption and fraud has failed, allowing active involvement of European Parliamentarians in a mafia like network engaging in corruption, money laundering for several years without detection;

Or. en

Amendment 12

Tamás Deutsch

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 13 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

13 b. Calls on the institution to draw lessons learned and conclusions on its own internal rules and procedures taking into account the revision of the Parliament’s Rules of procedure and Code of conduct in September 2023, however recommends the institution to come up with further and stronger ways to step up against fraud and to fully protect the EU’s financial interests;

Or. en

Amendment 13

Virginie Joron, Tamás Deutsch, Julien Sanchez

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 15 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

15a. Calls for the reports of the Economic and Social Committee to be made available to Members of the European Parliament and the public by Parliament’s Secretariat during the debates and votes on Parliament’s e-committee application;

Or. fr

Amendment 14

Csaba Molnár, Claudiu Manda

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 15 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

15 a. Commends the initiatives undertaken by the Committee aimed at fostering the active engagement of youth in the policy-making process;

Or. en

Amendment 15

Caterina Chinnici

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 18 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

18 a. Notes that a restructuration of the Internal Audit Service (IAS) took place in 2023, strengthening its compliance with international audit standards and streamlining and documenting all its process;

Or. en

Amendment 16

Tamás Deutsch

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 21 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

21 a. Recalls the Treaty on the European Union, that the EU and its institutions, shall promote solidarity and equality between women and men;

Or. en

Amendment 17

Tomáš Zdechovský

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 22

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

22. Welcomes the ongoing efforts of the Committee to improve its HR framework with a view to becoming an attractive employer and a fully inclusive workplace, where every individual is valued and can fully develop their potential; notes that as part of implementing its HR strategy for 2023-2025, the Committee delivered on several key milestones in 2023, with new decisions being adopted on working conditions (hybrid working, overtime, special leave), diversity and inclusion strategy and action plan for 2023-2027, staff mobility and the methodology on sensitive posts, as well as on staff appraisal and promotions system, among other; notes with satisfaction the positive results of the staff satisfaction survey published in May 2023, whereby both staff and managers expressed high levels of satisfaction with various HR related, matters in particular on working arrangements, a topic on which it appears the Committee has found the perfect balance;

22. Welcomes the ongoing efforts of the Committee to improve its HR framework with a view to becoming an attractive employer and a workplace, where every individual is valued and can fully develop their potential; notes that as part of implementing its HR strategy for 2023-2025, the Committee delivered on several key milestones in 2023, with new decisions being adopted on working conditions (hybrid working, overtime, special leave), diversity and inclusion strategy and action plan for 2023-2027, staff mobility and the methodology on sensitive posts, as well as on staff appraisal and promotions system, among other; notes with satisfaction the positive results of the staff satisfaction survey published in May 2023, whereby both staff and managers expressed high levels of satisfaction with various HR related, matters in particular on working arrangements, a topic on which it appears the Committee has found the perfect balance;

Or. en

Amendment 18

Michal Wiezik, Olivier Chastel, Vlad Vasile-Voiculescu, Gilles Boyer

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 23

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

23. Notes that the Committee became a net importer of talent (from other institutions) for the second consecutive year as a result of implementing a targeted attractiveness and retention plan; acknowledges nevertheless persistent challenges due to reliance on temporary agents amid a shortfall of EPSO reserve lists, posing risks to expertise retention; underlines the importance of permanent staff in maintaining skills, continuity and productive working environment; recommends potential initiatives of the Committee to respond to those challenges by, for example, organising internal competitions;

Or. en

Amendment 19

Csaba Molnár, Claudiu Manda

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 24

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

24. Notes that with a view to better distributing its scarce resources, an external HR mapping audit, commissioned by the Committee, was finalised in 2023; notes that the results of that audit confirmed the heavy workload in many different services across the Committee, thus putting at risk the fulfilment of the Committee’s mission and obligations; calls on the Committee to implement that audit’s recommendations and continue its cost-efficiency and optimisation efforts;

24. Notes that with a view to better distributing its scarce resources, an external HR mapping audit, commissioned by the Committee, was finalised in 2023; notes with concern that the results of that audit confirmed the heavy workload in many different services across the Committee, thus putting at risk the fulfilment of the Committee’s mission and obligations; calls on the Committee to implement that audit’s recommendations, including revising the appraisal and performance system by 2025, adopting the new working conditions decision, and conducting regular staff engagement monitoring; stresses the importance of strategic workforce planning to optimize resource allocation, ensure alignment with the high-level priorities set by political authorities and continue its cost-efficiency efforts;

Or. en

Amendment 20

Csaba Molnár, Claudiu Manda

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 25 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

25 a. Recalls that the Committee adopted Decision 282/23A, effective 1 January 2024, establishing a flexible, trust-based hybrid working policy while offering staff an improved work-life balance and enhancing adaptability and efficiency; asks the Committee to inform the discharge authority about the developments in this regard in timely manner;

Or. en

Amendment 21

Csaba Molnár, Claudiu Manda, Marit Maij

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 25 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

25 b. Welcomes the appointment of a female Secretary-General in January 2024 as a positive development towards achieving gender balance; notes with concern, however, that only one out of seven senior management positions is currently held by a woman, representing a decrease compared to 2022; underscores the urgent need for intensified efforts to promote gender equality at the highest levels of the Committee, ensuring balanced representation in line with the institution’s commitments to diversity and inclusion;

Or. en

Amendment 22

Pasquale Tridico

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 26 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

26 a. Regrets that the percentage of women in senior management remains low in 2023 and despite the appointment of a woman to the position of Secretary-General at the beginning of 2024, the proportion remains at only 40%: welcomes nevertheless that the Committee consider the gender balance of its staff and in particular in the senior management as an important factor and invite the Committee to improve the situation;

Or. en

Amendment 23

Csaba Molnár, Claudiu Manda, Marit Maij

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 27 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

27 a. Regrets that the Committee was unable to provide data on cases of burnout in 2023; acknowledges data protection constraints but stresses the value of anonymised statistical data to support informed managerial decisions; notes with concern the findings highlighting heavy workloads in several services due to limited human resources; welcomes the adoption of new working arrangements as a positive step but encourages the Committee to take further steps to ensure the publication of anonymised data on burnout cases;

Or. en

Amendment 24

Pasquale Tridico

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 27 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

27 a. Expresses concerns about the Committee’s reply in the ‘Follow-up report’ concerning burnout cases, rejecting the position that burnout as such is not a recognised medical diagnosis and reasons for burnout may be manifold; reminds the importance of statistical data on burnout with the aim to help define decisions on staff well-being, which should be also based on lessons learned from past very unfortunate experiences, and on external evaluations of the current framework;

Or. en

Amendment 25

Csaba Molnár, Claudiu Manda, Marit Maij

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 27 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

27 b. Welcomes the adoption of the new diversity and inclusion strategy, effective until 2027; commends the specific awareness-raising actions on disability undertaken in early 2024; notes with satisfaction that diversity and inclusion training remains mandatory for managers and recommended for staff; acknowledges the Committee’s strong commitment to fostering a fully inclusive workplace; encourages the Committee to take further steps to monitor the representation of employees with disabilities and ensure the publication of anonymised data in this regard;

Or. en

Amendment 26

Csaba Molnár, Claudiu Manda

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 28

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

28. Notes that the Committee continued its internal reform process with the adoption of a decision on the general implementing provisions on administrative investigations and implementing rules for disciplinary proceedings in 2023; commends the Committee for having taken this last step necessary to fully implement the measures for a reinforced ethical framework of the Committee; notes from the Follow-up report that the Committee and the internal auditor have agreed on an action plan relating to the audit of the Committee’s ethics and integrity, with eight recommendations implemented and closed and two recommendations still open to be implemented by March 2025; asks the Committee to keep the discharge informed on the progress made in this matter;

Or. en

Amendment 27

Damian Boeselager

on behalf of the Greens/EFA Group

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 30

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

30. Notes that one harassment complaint was reported in 2023 and closed the same year, as a result of investigation and mediation by the Committee, without sanctions being imposed; recalls that the Committee is a civil party in the ongoing legal proceedings initiated by Belgian national authorities against a former member accused of misconduct that is currently before the Belgian courts; asks the Committee to inform Parliament about developments in that case; calls for the establishment of an independent monitoring body within the EESC to oversee the enforcement of anti-harassment policies, conduct annual reviews of reported cases, and publish an annual report on workplace integrity;

Or. en

Amendment 28

Csaba Molnár, Claudiu Manda, Marit Maij

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 30

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

30. Notes that one harassment complaint was reported in 2023 and closed the same year, as a result of investigation and mediation by the Committee, without sanctions being imposed; recalls that the Committee is a civil party in the ongoing legal proceedings initiated by Belgian national authorities against a former member accused of misconduct that is currently before the Belgian courts; asks the Committee to inform Parliament about developments in that case; believes that fostering a culture of respect and dignity, supported by a zero-tolerance policy on harassment, is crucial to prevent future allegations and to ensure a safe and inclusive working environment within the Committee;

Or. en

Amendment 29

Pasquale Tridico

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 30 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

30 a. Reiterates that a zero-tolerance policy against harassment is needed to protect the wellbeing of staff and is a duty of any employer; reminds that in addressing harassment claims a lesson learned approach should be put in place in order to avoid any possible wrongdoing; still considers that an external and independent investigation into the case currently under legal proceeding would be beneficial to improve the Committee’s reaction to similar cases;

Or. en

Amendment 30

Csaba Molnár, Claudiu Manda

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 31

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

31. Notes that two OLAF cases were opened in 2023, both of which were dismissed in the same year: one for lack of sufficient evidence and the other referred to the Committee for follow-up; asks the Committee to keep the discharge authority informed of the progress made in the second case; notes further that the Ombudsman opened an enquiry in 2023 in relation to the management of a case involving allegations of harassment; asks the Committee to inform the discharge authority of the outcome of that enquiry;

31. Appreciates the Committee's readiness to cooperate with the Union's investigative bodies, namely the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) and the Ombudsman; notes that two OLAF cases were opened in 2023, both of which were dismissed in the same year: one for lack of sufficient evidence and the other referred to the Committee for follow-up; asks the Committee to keep the discharge authority informed of the progress made in the second case; notes further that the Ombudsman opened an enquiry in 2023 in relation to the management of a case involving allegations of harassment; asks the Committee to inform the discharge authority of the outcome of that enquiry;

Or. en

Amendment 31

Damian Boeselager

on behalf of the Greens/EFA Group

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 32

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

32. Notes with satisfaction the Committee’s work towards more transparency in its activities in 2023; notes in that context the adoption of a decision broadening the range of documents available online via the Transparency Register, such as the Committee’s meeting minutes and attendance lists, as well as a decision requesting the Committee’s members to meet only registered stakeholders, publish their list of meetings and attach their “legislative footprint” to their opinions; appreciates that the Committee publishes online information on its annual budget, performance indicators, expenditure or public procurement;

Or. en

Amendment 32

Caterina Chinnici

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 33 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

33 a. Notes that the Committee Bureau, on 21 March 2023, adopted several transparency measures in accordance with the principles laid down with respect to the EU Transparency Register, such as a recommendation for office-holding members to only meet with registered stakeholders, the obligation for office holding members to publish their lists of meetings and a voluntary ‘legislative footprint’ for rapporteurs; notes that several actions were taken to implement the Bureau decision, including the issuing of a service note laying down practical modalities for the implementation of the decision, an awareness training campaign, and the provisions of template messages to be included in correspondence between Committee members and external stakeholders encouraging to join the EU Transparency Register (if applicable);

Or. en

Amendment 33

Damian Boeselager

on behalf of the Greens/EFA Group

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 33 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

33 b. Urges the EESC to implement real-time tracking of declared conflicts of interest, requiring all members and senior staff to publicly disclose financial interests, assets, and external affiliations annually, to prevent undue influence on decision-making;

Or. en

Amendment 34

Damian Boeselager

on behalf of the Greens/EFA Group

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 33 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

33 a. Calls for the introduction of a mandatory two-year "cooling-off" period for former EESC members before they can engage in lobbying, consultancy, or; advisory roles linked to EU decision-making, ensuring stronger safeguards against conflicts of interest;

Or. en

Amendment 35

Pasquale Tridico

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 34

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

34. Notes an absence of cases in areas of fraud, conflicts of interest and whistleblowing in 2023; notes that the effectiveness of the Committee’s anti-fraud measures was reviewed in order to develop an anti-fraud strategy with actions to improve the overall anti-fraud system; calls on the Committee to keep the discharge authority informed on the outcome of this exercise;

34. Notes an absence of cases in areas of fraud, conflicts of interest and whistleblowing in 2023; notes that the effectiveness of the Committee’s anti-fraud measures was reviewed in order to develop an anti-fraud strategy which is still missing despite serval Parliament’s requests in its discharge resolutions with actions to improve the overall anti-fraud system; reminds the importance of a comprehensive anti-fraud strategy and calls on the Committee to keep the discharge authority informed on the outcome of this exercise that should have culminated with the adoption of an anti-fraud strategy in 2024;

Or. en

Amendment 36

Csaba Molnár, Claudiu Manda

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 34

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

34. Notes an absence of cases in areas of fraud, conflicts of interest and whistleblowing in 2023; notes that the effectiveness of the Committee’s anti-fraud measures was reviewed in order to develop an anti-fraud strategy with actions to improve the overall anti-fraud system; calls on the Committee to keep the discharge authority informed on the outcome of this exercise;

34. Notes an absence of cases in areas of fraud, conflicts of interest and whistleblowing in 2023; notes that the effectiveness of the Committee’s anti-fraud measures was reviewed in order to develop an anti-fraud strategy with actions to improve the overall anti-fraud system; calls for the swift adoption of this strategy and on the Committee to keep the discharge authority informed on the outcome of this exercise;

Or. en

Amendment 37

Caterina Chinnici

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 39 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

39 a. Notes that in October 2023 guidelines for staff members on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) were adopted, that an information session was provided for all staff members, highlighting opportunities and challenges, and that further communication to staff members was provided through knowledge-based articles on the Committee's intranet to raise awareness;

Or. en

Amendment 38

Damian Boeselager

on behalf of the Greens/EFA Group

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 40 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

40 a. Urges the EESC to increase its cybersecurity budget to at least 10% of its total IT expenditures in line with EU cybersecurity directives, ensuring enhanced protection against cyber threats, especially for sensitive data related to policy and budgetary matters;

Or. en

Amendment 39

Caterina Chinnici

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 41

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

41. Acknowledges receipt of the Committee’s report of 3 June 2024 informing the discharge authority about the Committee’s building policy, in compliance with Article 266(1) of the Union’s Financial Regulation; notes with satisfaction from that report that the Committee, with the CoR, achieved one of the major priorities of their 2017 Building Strategy, i.e. “geographical concentration of the buildings”; notes further that this achievement already brought savings due to the lower cost of renting the entire VMA compared to the three buildings previously rented; understands that those savings are approx. EUR 1,8 million, which,- according to that report, is equivalent to the rent paid for the B100 building;

Or. en

Amendment 40

Damian Boeselager

on behalf of the Greens/EFA Group

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 46 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

46 a. Calls on the EESC to establish a binding roadmap for achieving climate neutrality by 2035, including clear targets for energy efficiency, reduction of travel-related emissions, and increased use of renewable energy sources in its buildings; urges the Committee to report annually on its progress in reducing its carbon footprint;

Or. en

Amendment 41

Damian Boeselager

on behalf of the Greens/EFA Group

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 46 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

46 b. Calls on the EESC to set binding annual sustainability targets aligned with the European Green Deal, including a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, prioritization of green procurement, and full adoption of paperless workflows by 2026;

Or. en

Amendment 42

Damian Boeselager

on behalf of the Greens/EFA Group

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 48 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

48 a. Urges the EESC to phase out fossil fuel heating and cooling systems in all its buildings by 2028, introduce mandatory sustainability clauses in all new contracts, and increase the proportion of solar and renewable energy usage in its facilities to at least 40% by 2030;

Or. en

Amendment 43

Damian Boeselager

on behalf of the Greens/EFA Group

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 48

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

48. Notes that the Committee adopted an energy-saving strategy, with short-, medium- and long-term measures; notes in this context that the Committee started an environmental audit of all its buildings in order to identify, among other, the level of the energy performance of the current structures and pieces of equipment, as well as estimate the environmental return of the necessary investments compared to the overall costs (maintenance, consumption etc.) over a 30-year period; notes further that studies on energy efficiency measures are planned for 2024 and 2025; calls on the Committee to keep the discharge authority informed on the progress made on those matters;

48. Welcomes that the Committee adopted an energy-saving strategy, with short-, medium- and long-term measures; notes in this context that the Committee started an environmental audit of all its buildings in order to identify, among other, the level of the energy performance of the current structures and pieces of equipment, as well as estimate the environmental return of the necessary investments compared to the overall costs (maintenance, consumption etc.) over a 30-year period; notes further that studies on energy efficiency measures are planned for 2024 and 2025; calls on the Committee to keep the discharge authority informed on the progress made on those matters;

Or. en

Amendment 44

Csaba Molnár, Claudiu Manda

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 49

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

49. Recalls that in 2022, the electricity produced by Committee’s solar panels was 15,5 MWH or 0,25 % of the Committee’s yearly consumption, whereas in 2023 the same figure decreased to 5,75 MWh; asks the committee to assess and inform the discharge authority whether this weak performance is due to objective reasons such as an insufficiency in the number of the solar panels needed or whether the investment in solar panels should be stopped at the Committee; notes with satisfaction from the Questionnaire that the Committee is leading by example with regard to measures and actions taken in favour of sustainable mobility;

49. Recalls that in 2022, the electricity produced by Committee’s solar panels was 15,5 MWH or 0,25 % of the Committee’s yearly consumption, whereas in 2023 the same figure decreased to 5,75 MWh; notes with satisfaction from the Questionnaire that the Committee is leading by example with regard to measures and actions taken in favour of sustainable mobility;

Or. en

Amendment 45

Pasquale Tridico

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 50

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

50. Commends the close cooperation established by the Committee with the CoR at administrative level, through the new cooperation agreement signed in 2022, whereby the two committees share premises and joint services in the areas of translation, infrastructure, logistics, security, procurement, financial management and IT, while maintaining full institutional autonomy; welcomes the positive development in 2023 when the two committee further agreed on the development and funding of a shared communication area with joint-audio visual facilities in the JDE building; asks the Committee to identify and inform the Parliament on the budgetary savings made during the first year of implementing that agreement in the audio-visual area; reiterates its call on the Committee to pursue and expand that cooperation in other areas with a view to avoiding duplication and further rationalising the operating costs of services available in the premises shared by the Committee and the CoR; invites the Committee and the CoR to explore the possibility of setting up a single administration for their joint services, keeping separate directorates or units for the services dealing with matters related to their specific and independent mandates;

Or. en

Amendment 46

Caterina Chinnici

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 50

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

Or. en

Amendment 47

Tamás Deutsch

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 50 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

50 a. Asks the institution to give recommendations to the European Parliament and its Budgetary Control Committee on new ways to fight against misconduct and misuse of EU funds based on their own institutional experience and lessons learned from cases in the past, share best practices, as it has been proven that the European Union’s financial interests were not well protected in the European Parliament; as unveiled by the criminal case and the investigations, believes that the Parliament could benefit from a fresh perspective in the matter and input from the institution;

Or. en

Amendment 48

Damian Boeselager

on behalf of the Greens/EFA Group

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 50 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

50 a. Calls for the EESC to establish a formalized annual review process with the European Parliament’s CONT and LIBE Committees, ensuring systematic follow-up on financial accountability, ethical standards, and institutional cooperation on governance reforms;

Or. en

Amendment 49

Csaba Molnár, Claudiu Manda

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 52

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

52. Notes with satisfaction that the Committee and Parliament re-negotiated in 2023 and signed in 2024 their inter-institutional agreement, whereas the agreement aims to provide more relevant and timely contributions throughout the legislative cycle and to reinforce bilateral cooperation; welcomes that the new Protocol of Cooperation of the Committee with the Commission, signed in 2022, already brought improvements to the Committee’s impact for example at pre-legislation phase through exploratory opinions; encourages the further reinforcement of political, legislative, and communication synergies between the Committee and Parliament, particularly in the context of the European Citizens’ Initiative and the European Semester;

Or. en

Amendment 50

Tomáš Zdechovský

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 54

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

54. Notes that the Committee plays a pivotal role in reinforcing the links with and between the national economic and social councils (NESCs) of the Member States; notes with appreciation from the Questionnaire the measures that the Committee has taken to reinforce the network of and the online community with the NESCs, such as the establishment of joint working groups and exchange programmes, working on collaborative IT platform, and participation in common events, among others;

54. Notes that the Committee plays a role in reinforcing the links with and between the national economic and social councils (NESCs) of the Member States; notes from the Questionnaire the measures that the Committee has taken to reinforce the network of and the online community with the NESCs, such as the establishment of joint working groups and exchange programmes, working on collaborative IT platform, and participation in common events, among others;

Or. en

Amendment 51

Csaba Molnár, Claudiu Manda

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 54

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

Or. en

Amendment 52

Virginie Joron, Tamás Deutsch, Julien Sanchez

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 55

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

55. Notes that the Committee’s overall budget for communication in 2023 was EUR 2,15 million, an increase compared to EUR 1,5 million in 2022; notes that this budget was primarily allocated to the four flagship events organised in 2023 (European Citizens’ initiative, Your Europe, Your Say! The organic food awards and the 14th Civil Society Prize), the improvement and/or revamping of the Committee’s social media, external website and audio-visual production, as well as for media and press publications; commends the Committee for its communication activities delivering on this communication priorities for 2023, such as the Blue Deal initiative, COP28, the resolution on democracy, and the Committee’s 65th anniversary, among others;

55. Is disappointed that the Committee’s overall budget for communication in 2023 was EUR 2,15 million, an increase compared to EUR 1,5 million in 2022; notes that this budget was primarily allocated to the four flagship events organised in 2023 (European Citizens’ initiative, Your Europe, Your Say! The organic food awards and the 14th Civil Society Prize), the improvement and/or revamping of the Committee’s social media, external website and audio-visual production, as well as for media and press publications; commends the Committee for its communication activities delivering on this communication priorities for 2023, such as the Blue Deal initiative, COP28, the resolution on democracy, and the Committee’s 65th anniversary, among others;

Or. fr

Amendment 53

Tamás Deutsch

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 55 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

55 a. Calls on the institution to refrain from promoting, spreading and supporting gender and woke ideology and respect the Treaty and its provisions as well as to respect the Member States’ national identities, inherent in their fundamental structures, history, religion and traditions;

Or. en

Amendment 54

Damian Boeselager

on behalf of the Greens/EFA Group

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 56 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

56 a. Calls on the EESC to strengthen its monitoring and reporting on labor rights, social inclusion, and human rights violations within EU-funded programs, ensuring greater accountability in its advisory functions and policy recommendations;

Or. en

Amendment 55

Tamás Deutsch

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 58 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

58 a. In order to enhance the financial sustainability and independence of the European Economic and Social Committee, it is proposed that the advisory body transitions towards a self-sustaining funding model based on subscription fees. These fees will be levied on a range of stakeholders, including employers’ associations, workers’ unions, civil society organizations, and other entities actively participating in the work of the committee. The fee structure will be tiered, with rates reflecting the size and level of engagement of the subscribing entities. The revenues generated will be used exclusively for operational costs, and annual financial reports will ensure transparency in the use of funds. The phased implementation of this model is expected to gradually reduce reliance on the EU general budget, with full self-sufficiency targeted by 2028;

Or. en