Structural reform support programme 2017-2020
The European Parliament adopted by 470 votes to 166, with 14 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the establishment of the Structural Reform Support Programme for the period 2017 to 2020 and amending Regulations (EU) No 1303/2013 and (EU) No 1305/2013.
The European Parliament’s position, adopted in first reading following the ordinary legislative procedure, amended the Commission proposal as follows:
General objective: the Programme shall contribute to institutional, administrative and growth-sustaining structural reforms in the Member States by providing support to national authorities for measures aimed at reforming and strengthening institutions, governance, public administration, and economic and social sectors in response to economic and social challenges, through assistance for the efficient, effective and transparent use of the Union funds.
In accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, the actions and activities selected for funding should ensure European added value through their contribution to the consistent and coherent implementation of Union law and policies, as well as the promotion of European values, including solidarity.
Specific objectives: programme support shall be provided by the Commission at the request of a Member State in areas related to cohesion, competitiveness, productivity, innovation, smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth, jobs and investment.
Included in these areas are: (i) the business environment (including SMEs), re-industrialisation and digitalisation; (ii) labour market policies, including social dialogue, for the creation of jobs; (iii) policies for implementing climate action, promoting energy efficiency and achieving energy diversification; (iv) promotion of financial literacy, access to finance and lending to the real economy and policies aimed at combating tax evasion .
Request for support: a Member State wishing to receive support under the Programme shall submit a request for support to the Commission. The Commission may provide guidance on the main elements to be included in the request for support.
Based on the analysis for support, the Commission shall come to an agreement with the Member State concerned on the priority areas for support, the objectives, an indicative timeline, the scope of the support measures to be provided and the estimated global financial contribution for such support, to be set out in a cooperation and support plan.
The Commission shall forward the cooperation and support plan to the European Parliament and the Council without undue delay. The beneficiary Member State may refuse to give such consent in the case of sensitive or confidential information, the disclosure of which would jeopardise public interests of the beneficiary Member State.
Organisation of support and reform partners: the Commission may, with the consent of the beneficiary Member State, organise the support under the Programme in cooperation with other Member States or European and international organisations or other Member States which have agreed to act as reform partners.
Implementation and follow-up: the Commission should adopt annual work programmes and inform the European Parliament and the Council thereof. The Commission shall provide the European Parliament and the Council with an annual monitoring report on the implementation of the Programme including requests for support submitted by Member States.
Financial envelope: this shall be set at EUR 142 800 000 in current prices. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the European Parliament and the Council within the limits of the multiannual financial framework.