				|

		52013DC0368

			Recommendation for a COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION on Malta’s 2013 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on Malta’s stability programme for 2012-2016 /* COM/2013/0368 final */

			   	Recommendation for a
COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION
on Malta’s 2013 national reform programme
and delivering a Council opinion on Malta’s stability programme for 2012-2016

Recommendation for a
COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION
on Malta’s 2013 national reform programme
and delivering a Council opinion on Malta’s stability programme for 2012-2016

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the
Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 121(2) and 148(4)
thereof,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No
1466/97 of 7 July 1997 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary
positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic policies[1], and in particular Article 5(2)
thereof,
Having regard to Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011
of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2011 on the
prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances[2], and in particular Article 6(1)
thereof,
Having regard to the recommendation of the
European Commission[3],
Having regard to the resolutions of the
European Parliament[4],
Having regard to the conclusions of the
European Council,
Having regard to the opinion of the
Employment Committee,
After consulting the Economic and Financial
Committee,
Whereas:
(1)       On 26 March 2010, the European
Council agreed to the Commission’s proposal to launch a new strategy for growth
and jobs, Europe 2020, based on enhanced coordination of economic policies,
which will focus on the key areas where action is needed to boost Europe’s potential for sustainable growth and competitiveness.
(2)       On 13 July 2010, on the
basis of the Commission's proposals, the Council adopted a recommendation on
the broad guidelines for the economic policies of the Member States and the
Union (2010 to 2014) and, on 21 October 2010, adopted a decision on guidelines
for the employment policies of the Member States[5],
which together form the ‘integrated guidelines’. Member States were invited to
take the integrated guidelines into account in their national economic and
employment policies.
(3)       On 29 June 2012, the Heads
of State or Government decided on a Compact for Growth and Jobs, providing a
coherent framework for action at national, EU and euro area levels using all
possible levers, instruments and policies. They decided on action to be taken
at the level of the Member States, in particular expressing full commitment to
achieving the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy and to implementing the
country-specific recommendations.
(4)       On 6 July 2012, the
Council adopted a recommendation on Malta’s national reform programme for 2012
and delivered its opinion on Malta’s updated stability programme for 2011-2015.
(5)       On 28 November 2012, the
Commission adopted the Annual Growth Survey[6],
marking the start of the 2013 European Semester of economic policy
coordination. Also on 28 November 2012, the Commission, on the basis of
Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011, adopted the Alert Mechanism Report[7], in which it identified Malta as one of the Member States for which an in-depth review would be carried out.
(6)       On 14 March 2013, the
European Council endorsed the priorities for ensuring financial stability,
fiscal consolidation and action to foster growth. It underscored the need to
pursue differentiated, growth-friendly fiscal consolidation, to restore normal
lending conditions to the economy, to promote growth and competitiveness, to
tackle unemployment and the social consequences of the crisis, and to modernise
public administration.
(7)       On 10 April 2013, the
Commission published the results of its in-depth review[8] for Malta, under Article 5 of
Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011. The Commission’s analysis leads it to conclude
that Malta is experiencing macroeconomic imbalances, which deserve monitoring
and policy action. In particular, the banking sector and real estate market
developments warrant close monitoring. The long-term sustainability of public
finances requires policy attention.
(8)       On 30April 2013, Malta
submitted its 2013 stability programme covering the period 2012-2016 and its
2013 national reform programme. In order to take account of their
interlinkages, the two programmes have been assessed at the same time.
(9)       Based on the assessment of
the 2012 Stability Programme pursuant to Council Regulation (EC) No 1466/97,
the Council is of the opinion that the macroeconomic scenario underpinning the
budgetary projections in the programme is plausible. The Council abrogated its
decision on the existence of an excessive deficit in Malta on 4 December
2012, on account of its correction in 2011, which based on the Commission’s
2012 autumn forecast appeared durable. However, in 2012 Malta recorded a general government deficit of 3.3% of GDP, again above the reference value
of 3% of GDP. The objective of the budgetary strategy outlined in the programme
is to gradually reduce the deficit from 3.3% of GDP in 2012 to 0.8% of GDP in
2016, implying gradual progress towards the medium-term objective. The
programme confirms the medium-term objective of a balanced position in
structural terms, which is more ambitious than required by the Stability and
Growth Pact, but its achievement is not planned within the programme period.
The 2013 deficit target in the programme relies on relatively high growth in
tax revenues, which does not appear to be fully explained by the underlying
macroeconomic scenario. In addition, it is not sufficiently supported by
detailed measures, as is also the case for the subsequent years. As a result,
the change in the planned (recalculated) structural balance is significantly
higher than in the Commission’s forecast. According to the latter, the
structural balance improves by just ¼ pp. of GDP in 2013 and only marginally in
2014, on a no-policy-change basis. General government debt is projected to
remain above the 60% of GDP threshold over the whole programme horizon. The
national authorities project the debt to increase to 74.2% of GDP in 2014 and
subsequently to start decreasing to 70% by 2016. In the Commission’s 2013
spring forecast, the debt-to-GDP ratio is expected to increase slightly faster,
to 74.9% in 2014, as the primary deficit is expected to continue expanding.
Given the correction of the excessive deficit in 2011, Malta is in a three-year transition period as regards the applicability of the debt
reduction benchmark, starting in 2012. Malta did not make sufficient progress
towards compliance with the debt criterion in 2012 and is not projected to do
so in 2013-14. While Malta’s fiscal framework is quite flexible, its
non-binding nature and the short horizon of fiscal planning are not supportive
of a sound fiscal position. Directive 2011/85/EU on budgetary frameworks has
not yet been transposed and a structural budget balance rule, as provided for
in the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance, has not yet been
introduced into national law. The stability programme states the intention of
the government to set up a fiscal council, but no concrete plans are laid out.
(10)     Tax compliance and evasion
continue to pose a challenge to the quality of public finances. The authorities
have introduced a number of relevant measures and additional ones are in the
pipeline, but implementation needs to be monitored closely as concrete results
are yet to materialise. Tax incentives for companies to take on debt are still
very high. In 2012, Malta stood out as the country with the second highest gap
between the tax treatment of debt and equity financing of new investment.This
debt bias may lead to excessively high corporate leverage and inefficient
allocation of capital. Malta is among the few Member States without any
provisions to counter the debt bias.
(11)     Malta still faces
challenges regarding the sustainability of its public finances in view of the
budgetary impact of ageing which is projected to considerably exceed the EU
average the increase in pension expenditure accounts for more than half of the
total projected increase in age-related expenditure, while when compared to
other Member States the statutory retirement age remains low and the increase
legislated with the 2006 reform is slow. A further reform is necessary to
ensure sustainability while safeguarding adequacy and addressing
intergenerational equity concerns. While discussions were held with social
partners no concrete proposals for further pension reform were put forward. the
employment rate of older workers is low and a comprehensive active ageing
strategy has still to be developed. Limited primary care provision, combined
with the projected ageing of the population may lead to high healthcare costs
in the long term. The administrative capacity in the area of public procurement
is weak, leading to complicated and lengthy procedures.
(12)     Measures taken to reduce
the rate of early school leaving, including the recent launch of the
preparatory process leading to an early school leaving strategy are welcome,
also with a view to reducing the mismatch between the demand and supply of
skills. The effectiveness of the policy efforts made will depend on proper and
timely implementation which will have to be closely monitored. However, the
insufficient link of education and training to the labour market needs is a
major bottleneck. The envisaged creation of a single apprenticeship scheme
covering more qualification levels is also expected to contribute to fostering
a workforce geared to labour market needs.
(13)     Malta has also taken
significant steps to increase participation by women in the labour force,
mainly aimed at improving reconciliation of work and family life. Also
benefitting from a favourable cohort effect, the employment rate of women
continues to rise. However, there is room for improvement: the employment rate
of women still remains low, parenthood still has a significant effect on the
participation of women on the labour market, and the gender employment gap is
the highest in the EU. Promoting flexible working arrangements and providing
affordable childcare and afterschool facilities to a wider segment of the
population can contribute to further increasing the employment rate of women.
(14)     Malta’s cost-of-living
adjustment mechanism has specific characteristics which appear to mitigate its
negative effect on overall labour-market performance and wage adjustment: the
mechanism grants a flat rate increase, thus representing only partial
compensation for inflation to wages above the ‘reference’ basic wage, micro-
and macro-level derogation clauses are available, and wage bargaining is fully
decentralised. Nevertheless in the event of very adverse phases of the economic
cycle, the system still poses a potential challenge to the flexibility of real
wages, thereby hindering labour market adjustment and hampering
competitiveness. The volatility of prices of some components of the price index
used in the mechanism, in particular energy prices could put pressure on
inflation through wage-price spirals. Therefore, the collection of wage and
productivity data on sectoral level, and a close monitoring of the impact of
the wage indexation system will be essential to mitigate potential risks. The
Maltese authorities should closely monitor the impact of the mechanism on the
economy and stand ready to reform it as appropriate.
(15)     Malta’s competitiveness
remains at risk in view of the very limited diversification and poor
environmental performance of its energy supply leading to high electricity
tariffs. The dire financial state of the main energy provider (Enemalta),
adds to this insecurity, but the electricity connector with Sicily is expected
to provide relief after 2014. While a number of initiatives have been further
pursued, such as the uptake of photovoltaic power, the share of renewable
energy sources remains particularly low and the feasibility of major projects,
such as the development of wind farms, seems to be at stake. Progress was
registered in energy efficiency, notably for public buildings, supported
through Union funding. The environmental performance of Malta’s transport system is also poor. Malta would benefit from a comprehensive transport
strategy that seeks to improve public transport, the road network, the system’s
carbon performance and to further encourage the use of other types of transport
than passenger cars.
(16)     The banking sector in Malta is very large when compared to the domestic economy. While this is notably due to
non-core domestic and international banks, which have limited exposure to the
domestic economy, continued strict supervision of them is warranted to prevent negative
impact on financial stability from their activities. Domestic banks remain
highly exposed to the property market while specific loan-loss provisions are
relatively low. Policy discussions have taken place but this still has to
translate into appropriate regulatory action. The judicial system suffers from
inefficiencies that pose a further risk to financial stability. The long time
needed to resolve insolvency cases obstructs the efficient enforcement of
collateral rights. In times of economic stress, this may additionally burden
banks' balance sheets and increase losses, resulting in recapitalisation needs.
(17)     In the context of the European
Semester, the Commission has carried out a comprehensive analysis of Malta’s economic policy. It has assessed the stability programme and national reform
programme, and presented an in-depth review. It has taken into account not only
their relevance for sustainable fiscal and socio-economic policy in Malta but
also their compliance with EU rules and guidance, given the need to reinforce
the overall economic governance of the European Union by providing EU-level
input into future national decisions. Its recommendations under the European
Semester are reflected in recommendations (1) to (5) below.
(18)     In the light of this
assessment, the Council has examined Malta’s stability programme, and its
opinion[9]
is reflected in particular in recommendation (1) below.
(19)     In the light of the
Commission’s in-depth review and this assessment, the Council has examined the
national reform programme and the stability programme. Its recommendations
under Article 6 of Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 are reflected in recommendations
(2) and (5) below,
(20)     In the context of the
European Semester the Commission has also carried out an analysis of the
economic policy of the euro area as a whole. On this basis the Council has
issued specific recommendations addressed to the Member States whose currency
is the euro. Malta also should ensure the full and timely implementation of
these recommendations.
HEREBY RECOMMENDS that Malta should take action within the period 2013-2014 to:
1.           Specify and implement the
measures needed to achieve the annual structural adjustment effort set out in
the Council recommendations under the EDP in order to correct the excessive
deficit by 2014 in a sustainable and growth-friendly manner, limiting recourse
to one-off/temporary measures. After correcting the excessive deficit, pursue the
structural adjustment effort at an appropriate pace so as to reach the MTO by
2017. Put in place a binding, rule-based multiannual fiscal framework in 2013. Ensure
concrete delivery of measures taken to increase tax compliance and fight tax
evasion, and take action to reduce the debt bias in corporate taxation.
2.           To ensure the long-term
sustainability of public finances, reform the pension system to curb the
projected increase in expenditure, including by accelerating the increase in
the statutory retirement age, by introducing a link between the statutory
retirement age and life expectancy and by encouraging private pension savings.
Take measures to increase the employment rate of older workers by developing
and implementing a comprehensive active ageing strategy. Pursue health-care
reforms to increase the cost-effectiveness of the sector, in particular by
strengthening public primary care provision. Improve the efficiency and reduce
the length of public procurement procedures.
3.           Continue to pursue policy
efforts to reduce early school leaving, notably by setting up a comprehensive
monitoring system, and increase the labour-market relevance of education and
training to address skills gaps, including through the announced reform of the apprenticeship
system. Continue supporting the improving labour-market participation of women by
promoting flexible working arrangements, in particular by enhancing the
provision and affordability of child-care and out-of-school centres.
4.           Continue efforts to
diversify the energy mix and energy sources, in particular through increasing
the take up of renewable energy and the timely completion of the electricity
link with Sicily. Maintain efforts to promote energy efficiency and reduce emissions
from the transport sector.
5.           Take measures to further
strengthen the provisions for loan-impairment losses in the banking sector to
mitigate potential risks arising from exposure to the real estate market.
Maintain policy effort to ensure strict banking sector supervision, including
for the non-core domestic and internationally-oriented banks. Improve the overall
efficiency of the judicial system, for example by reducing the time needed to
resolve insolvency cases.
Done at Brussels,
                                                                       For
the Council
                                                                       The
President
[1]               OJ L 209, 2.8.1997, p. 1.
[2]               OJ L 306, 23.11.2011, p. 25.
[3]               COM(2013) 368 final .
[4]               P7_TA(2013)0052 and P7_TA(2013)0053.
[5]               Council Decision 2013/208/EU of 22 April 2013.
[6]               COM(2012) 750 final.
[7]               COM(2012) 751 final.
[8]               SWD(2013) 120 final.
[9]               Under Article 5(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No
1466/97.


title: Council Recommendation of 10 July 2012 on the National Reform Programme 2012 of Italy and delivering a Council opinion on the Stability Programme of Italy, 2012-2015

text:
               24.7.2012

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               C 219/46

         COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION
   of 10 July 2012
   on the National Reform Programme 2012 of Italy and delivering a Council opinion on the Stability Programme of Italy, 2012-2015
   2012/C 219/14
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 121(2) and 148(4) thereof,
   Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1466/97 of 7 July 1997 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic policies (1), and in particular Article 5(2) thereof,
   Having regard to Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2011 on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances (2), and in particular Article 6(1) thereof,
   Having regard to the recommendation of the European Commission,
   Having regard to the conclusions of the European Council,
   Having regard to the opinion of the Employment Committee,
   After consulting the Economic and Financial Committee,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               On 26 March 2010, the European Council agreed to the Commission’s proposal to launch a new strategy for jobs and growth, Europe 2020, based on enhanced coordination of economic policies, which focuses on the key areas where action is needed to boost Europe’s potential for sustainable growth and competitiveness.

               (2)

               On 13 July 2010, the Council adopted a recommendation on the broad guidelines for the economic policies of the Member States and the Union (2010 to 2014) and, on 21 October 2010, adopted a decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States (3), which together form the ‘integrated guidelines’. Member States were invited to take the integrated guidelines into account in their national economic and employment policies.

               (3)

               On 12 July 2011, the Council adopted a recommendation (4) on Italy’s National Reform Programme for 2011 and delivered its opinion on Italy’s updated Stability Programme for 2011-2014.

               (4)

               On 23 November 2011, the Commission adopted the second Annual Growth Survey, marking the start of the second European Semester of ex ante and integrated policy coordination, which is anchored in the Europe 2020 strategy. On 14 February 2012, the Commission, on the basis of Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011, adopted the Alert Mechanism Report, in which it identified Italy as one of the Member States for which an in-depth review would be carried out.

               (5)

               On 1 December 2011, the Council adopted conclusions calling on the Social Protection Committee, in cooperation with the Employment and other Committees, to present its views on actions recommended within the Europe 2020 policy cycle. These views form part of the opinion of the Employment Committee.

               (6)

               The European Parliament has been duly involved in the European Semester, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1466/97, and, on 15 February 2012, adopted a resolution on employment and social aspects in the Annual Growth Survey 2012 and a resolution on the contribution to the Annual Growth Survey 2012.

               (7)

               On 2 March 2012, the European Council endorsed the priorities for ensuring financial stability, fiscal consolidation and action to foster growth. It underscored the need to pursue differentiated, growth-friendly fiscal consolidation, to restore normal lending conditions to the economy, to promote growth and competitiveness, to tackle unemployment and the social consequences of the crisis, and to modernise public administration.

               (8)

               On 2 March 2012, the European Council also invited the Member States participating in the Euro Plus Pact to present their commitments in time to be included in their Stability or Convergence Programmes and in their National Reform Programmes.

               (9)

               On 30 April 2012, Italy submitted its Stability Programme covering the period 2012-2015 and its 2012 National Reform Programme. In order to take account of their interlinkages, the two Programmes have been assessed at the same time. The Commission has also assessed in an in-depth review, under Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011, whether Italy is affected by macroeconomic imbalances. The Commission concluded in its in-depth review that Italy is experiencing imbalances, although not excessive ones. In particular, while the public debt is already under close scrutiny in the Stability and Growth Pact, macroeconomic developments in the area of export performance deserve attention so as to reduce the risk of adverse effects on the functioning of the economy.

               (10)

               Based on the assessment of the Stability Programme pursuant to Article 5(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1466/97, the Council is of the opinion that the macroeconomic scenario underlying that Programme is plausible, under the assumption of no further worsening in financial market conditions. In line with the Commission services 2012 spring forecast, real GDP is expected to contract sharply in 2012 and recover gradually in 2013. In compliance with the excessive deficit procedure (EDP), the objective of the budgetary strategy outlined in the Stability Programme is to bring the general government deficit below the 3 % of GDP Treaty reference value by 2012, based on further expenditure restraint and additional revenues. Following the correction of the excessive deficit, the Stability Programme confirms the medium-term budgetary objective (MTO) of a balanced budgetary position in structural terms, which adequately reflects the requirements of the Stability and Growth Pact. Italy plans to achieve it in 2013, i.e. one year earlier than targeted in the previous Stability Programme, through the measures already adopted in 2010-2011. Based on the (recalculated) structural budget balance (5), the planned average annual fiscal effort over the period 2010-2012 is well above the 0,5 % of GDP recommended by the Council under EDP. The envisaged pace of adjustment in structural terms in 2013 allows Italy to achieve the MTO in that year and the planned rate of growth of government expenditure, taking into account discretionary revenue measures would comply with the expenditure benchmark of the Stability and Growth Pact.
               The Stability Programme projects the government debt ratio to peak in 2012 and to start declining at an increasing pace thereafter, as the primary surplus increases. In 2013-2014 Italy will be in a transitional period and its budgetary plans would ensure sufficient progress towards compliance with the debt reduction benchmark, as also confirmed in the Commission services 2012 spring forecast. According to Italy’s plans, the debt reduction benchmark will be met at the end of the transitional period (2015). Reaching the above deficit and debt outcomes will require strict and full budgetary implementation of the corrective measures adopted in 2010-2011.

               (11)

               As regards the fiscal framework, the Italian Parliament approved a bill introducing a balanced budget rule in the Italian Constitution. Implementing legislation will be needed to specify key features of the rule, i.e. the detailed arrangements for application and the appropriate correction mechanisms and escape clauses as well as the necessary coordination between the different levels of government. The Government committed to pursue a durable improvement of the efficiency and quality of public expenditure through in-depth spending reviews at all levels of government. The reviews should also allow prioritising expenditure items in favour of growth. With the same aim, a reorientation of the use of Structural Funds is underway through measures taken in March 2011 and with the November 2011 Cohesion Action Plan, which also aims at speeding up the absorption of Structural Funds. However, important deficiencies in terms of administrative capacity, in particular in the convergence regions, continue to hamper the absorption of funds.

               (12)

               The structure of the tax system and the high level of tax evasion and undeclared work have adversely affected the economic performance of the country. Tax compliance and governance are also affected by wide-ranging tax expenditures and complex and burdensome administrative procedures. The partial shift in tax burden away from the factors of production onto consumption and property, in already enacted legislative reforms, is an important first step in making the tax structure more growth friendly, but a further shift is justified, while continuing to take into consideration distributional effect.

               (13)

               The social partners’ agreement of June 2011 to reform the wage-bargaining framework has been formalised in legislation. It should allow more extensive use of firm-level contracts, taking better account of the needs of specific production activities, and this should be monitored. However, to fully address the issue of more dynamic nominal unit labour costs than its trade partners, which is a factor for Italy’s competitiveness loss, the wage-bargaining system should be reformed further by allowing more flexible arrangements also at the national sectoral level. In April 2012, the Government proposed an ambitious labour market reform addressing long-standing challenges in the Italian labour market, including its segmentation. This reform needs to be adopted as a matter of urgency, ensuring that its objective and level of ambition remains commensurate to the challenge of the Italian labour market. The scale and effectiveness of the liberalisation of employment services system should be closely monitored.

               (14)

               Despite efforts made to improve the employability of women, mainly through targeted fiscal incentives, the employment rate of Italian women is significantly lower (46,5 % in 2011) than the EU 27 average (58,5 % in 2011). Further action on childcare and elderly care facilities is needed. The challenge is particularly big for older female workers in the private sector, as the retirement age for women will rise by five years between 2012 and 2018.

               (15)

               Youth unemployment in Italy reached 29,1 % on average in 2011 and rose further in the first months of 2012. In particular, the unemployment rate among tertiary graduates is high and there is a mismatch between the acquired skills and those that are needed in the labour market. The promotion of apprenticeship as a main port of entry into the labour market is welcome but still requires enforcement of the appropriate instruments such as a new system of occupational and training standards and skills certification schemes. The Commission set up an action team to reprogramme cohesion funds towards measures that support the employment of young people and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

               (16)

               The early school leaving rate of 18,8 % at national level, with strong regional variations, has adverse effects on youth unemployment. More targeted and coordinated action to address the challenge of early school leaving should be taken by combining prevention, intervention and compensation measures. The underperformance of the tertiary education system should be addressed including through the full implementation of the 2010 university reform, and a stronger link between universities’ performance and the allocation of public funding.

               (17)

               Italy has adopted important measures to liberalise services, in particular professional services, and to improve competition in the network industries. However, multiple challenges remain in the energy and transport sectors, in particular railways and ports, where infrastructure and market bottlenecks remain significant.

               (18)

               Although some measures have already been adopted to encourage administrative simplification, the business environment in Italy remains complex. In particular, the judiciary system suffers from a number of inefficiencies in terms of resource utilisation, procedures and institutional organisation that are reflected in the low performance of the Italian civil justice system, in particular as regards the excessive duration of case-handling and the amount of backlogs.

               (19)

               Access to financing by SMEs is difficult and venture capital intensity is weak. An Allowance for new Corporate Equity (ACE) was introduced in December 2011 allowing companies to exclude the notional return on new injections of equity capital from taxable income. This is expected to facilitate an increase in firm size of SMEs and investment in innovation. While some measures have been taken to foster private research and development (R&D), in particular the refinancing of the tax credit for business investment in research, the intensity remains low and the implementation of projects of an innovative nature is weak.

               (20)

               Italy has made a number of commitments under the Euro Plus Pact. These commitments, and the implementation of the commitments presented in 2011, relate to fostering employment, improving competitiveness, enhancing sustainability of public finances and reinforcing financial stability. The Commission has assessed the implementation of the Euro Plus Pact commitments. The results of this assessment have been taken into account in the recommendations below.

               (21)

               In the context of the European Semester, the Commission has carried out a comprehensive analysis of Italy’s economic policy. It has assessed the Stability Programme and the National Reform Programme, and presented an in-depth review. It has taken into account not only their relevance for sustainable fiscal and socioeconomic policy in Italy but also their compliance with EU rules and guidance, given the need to reinforce the overall economic governance of the Union by providing EU-level input into future national decisions. Its recommendations under the European Semester are reflected in recommendations (1) to (6) below.

               (22)

               In the light of this assessment, the Council has examined the Stability Programme, and its opinion (6) is reflected in particular in recommendation (1) below.

               (23)

               In the light of the results of the Commission’s in-depth review and this assessment, the Council has examined the National Reform Programme and the Stability Programme. Its recommendations under Article 6 of Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 are reflected in recommendations (1), (4), (5) and (6) below,

         HEREBY RECOMMENDS that Italy take action within the period 2012-2013 to:

               1.

               Implement the budgetary strategy as planned, and ensure that the excessive deficit is corrected in 2012. Ensure the planned structural primary surpluses so as to put the debt-to-GDP ratio on a declining path by 2013. Ensure adequate progress towards the MTO, while meeting the expenditure benchmark and making sufficient progress towards compliance with the debt reduction benchmark.

               2.

               Ensure that the specification in the implementing legislation of the key features of the balanced budget rule set out in the Constitution, including appropriate coordination across levels of government, is consistent with the EU framework. Pursue a durable improvement of the efficiency and quality of public expenditure through the planned spending review and the implementation of the 2011 Cohesion Action Plan leading to improving the absorption and management of EU funds, in particular in the South of Italy.

               3.

               Take further action to address youth unemployment, including by improving the labour-market relevance of education and facilitating transition to work, also through incentives for business start-ups and for hiring employees. Enforce nation-wide recognition of skills and qualifications to promote labour mobility. Take measures to reduce tertiary education dropout rates and fight early school leaving.

               4.

               Adopt the labour market reform as a priority to tackle the segmentation of the labour market and establish an integrated unemployment benefit scheme. Take further action to incentivise labour market participation of women, in particular through the provision of childcare and elderly care. Monitor and if needed reinforce the implementation of the new wage setting framework in order to contribute to the alignment of wage growth and productivity at sector and company level.

               5.

               Pursue the fight against tax evasion. Pursue the shadow economy and undeclared work, for instance by stepping up checks and controls. Take measures to reduce the scope of tax exemptions, allowances and reduced VAT rates and simplify the tax code. Take further action to shift the tax burden away from capital and labour to property and consumption as well as environment.

               6.

               Implement the adopted liberalisation and simplification measures in the services sector. Take further measures to improve market access in network industries, as well as infrastructure capacity and interconnections. Simplify further the regulatory framework for businesses and enhance administrative capacity. Improve access to financial instruments, in particular equity, to finance growing businesses and innovation. Implement the planned reorganisation of the civil justice system, and promote the use of alternative dispute settlement mechanisms.

      Done at Brussels, 10 July 2012.

            For the Council

            The President

         V. SHIARLY

      (1)  OJ L 209, 2.8.1997, p. 1.

      (2)  OJ L 306, 23.11.2011, p. 25.

      (3)  Maintained for 2012 by Council Decision 2012/238/EU of 26 April 2012 on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States (OJ L 119, 4.5.2012, p. 47).

      (4)  OJ C 215, 21.7.2011, p. 4.

      (5)  Cyclically-adjusted balance net of one-off and temporary measures, recalculated by the Commission services on the basis of the information provided in the Programme, using the commonly agreed methodology.

      (6)  Under Article 5(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1466/97.


title: Commission Recommendation of 28 December 2004 complementary to Recommendation 96/129/EC on the European firearms passText with EEA relevance

text:
               12.1.2005

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 9/1

      COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

   of 28 December 2004
   complementary to Recommendation 96/129/EC on the European firearms pass
   (Text with EEA relevance)
   (2005/11/EC)
   THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
   Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the second indent of Article 211,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               Council Directive 91/477/EEC of 18 June 1991 on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons (1) provides for the introduction of a European firearms pass.

               (2)

               In Commission Recommendation 93/216/EEC of 25 February 1993 on the European firearms pass (2) and in Commission Recommendation 96/129/EC of 12 January 1996 supplementing Recommendation 93/216/EEC on the European firearms pass (3), the Commission invited the Member States to introduce this document in accordance with a model annexed to the Recommendations.

               (3)

               This model for the European firearms pass needs to be modified to take account of the accession of the new Member States,

         HEREBY RECOMMENDS:
   Article 1
   The Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic shall introduce the European firearms pass in accordance with the model annexed to this Recommendation.
   Article 2
   The other Member States, which issue the European firearms pass in accordance with the model annexed to Recommendation 96/129/EC, shall gradually introduce the pass in accordance with the model annexed to the present Recommendation as the stocks of the old pass are exhausted and by 1 May 2006 at the latest.

      Done at Brussels, 28 December 2004.

            For the Commission

         Günter VERHEUGEN

            Vice-President

      (1)  OJ L 256, 13.9.1991, p. 51.

      (2)  OJ L 93, 17.4.1993, p. 39.

      (3)  OJ L 30, 8.2.1996, p. 47.

      ANNEX
      Modification of the European firearms pass (1996 model) incorporating linguistic amendments necessitated by the enlargement of 1 May 2004.


title: Recommendation for a COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Economic Community and the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria fixing the additional amount to be deducted from the levy on imports into the Community of untreated olive oil, originating in Algeria, for the period from 1 November 1982 to 31 October 1983#Recommendation for a COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Economic Community and the Kingdom of Morocco fixing the additional amount to be deducted from the levy on imports into the Community of untreated olive oil, originating in Morocco, for the period , from 1 November 1982 to 31 October 1983#Reccomendation for a COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Tunisia fixing the additional amount to be deducted from the levy on imports into the Community of untreated olive oil, originating in Tunisia, for the period from 1 November 1982 to 31 October 1983#Recommendation for a COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Economic Community and Turkey fixing the additional amount to be deducted from the levy on imports into the Community of untreated olive oil, originating in Turkey, for the period from 1 November 1982 to 31 October 1983#Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) amending Regulations (EEC) No 1508/76, (EEC) No 1514/76 and (EEC) No 1521/76 on imports of olive oil originating in Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco (1982/83)#Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) amending Regulation (EEC) No 1180/77 on imports into the Community of certain agricultural products originating in Turkey (1982/83) (submitted to the Council by the Commission)

text:
ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES
DE LA COMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEE DES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM (82) 556
Vol. 1982/0178
 ---pagebreak--- Disclaimer
Conformément au règlement (CEE, Euratom) n° 354/83 du Conseil du 1er février 1983
concernant l'ouverture au public des archives historiques de la Communauté économique
européenne et de la Communauté européenne de l'énergie atomique (JO L 43 du 15.2.1983,
p. 1), tel que modifié par le règlement (CE, Euratom) n° 1700/2003 du 22 septembre 2003
(JO L 243 du 27.9.2003, p. 1), ce dossier est ouvert au public. Le cas échéant, les documents
classifiés présents dans ce dossier ont été déclassifiés conformément à l'article 5 dudit
règlement.
In accordance with Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 of 1 February 1983
concerning the opening to the public of the historical archives of the European Economic
Community and the European Atomic Energy Community (OJ L 43, 15.2.1983, p. 1), as
amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1700/2003 of 22 September 2003 (OJ L 243,
27.9.2003, p. 1), this file is open to the public. Where necessary, classified documents in this
file have been declassified in conformity with Article 5 of the aforementioned regulation.
In Übereinstimmung mit der Verordnung (EWG, Euratom) Nr. 354/83 des Rates vom 1.
Februar 1983 über die Freigabe der historischen Archive der Europäischen
Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft und der Europäischen Atomgemeinschaft (ABI. L 43 vom 15.2.1983,
S. 1), geändert durch die Verordnung (EG, Euratom) Nr. 1700/2003 vom 22. September 2003
(ABI. L 243 vom 27.9.2003, S. 1), ist diese Datei der Öffentlichkeit zugänglich. Soweit
erforderlich, wurden die Verschlusssachen in dieser Datei in Übereinstimmung mit Artikel 5
der genannten Verordnung freigegeben.
 ---pagebreak--- COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                COM(82 ) 556 final
                                                Brussels , 10 September 1982
                                    Recommendation for a
                                  COUNCIL REGULAIION ( EEC )
   on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters
   between the European Economic Community and the People 's Democratic Repub
    lic of Algeria fixing the additional amount to be deducted from the levy
       on imports into the Community of untreated olive oil , originating in
           Algeria , for the period from 1 November 1982 to 31 October 1983
                                    Recommendation for a
                                  COUNCIL REGULATION ( EEC )
     on the conclusion of the Agreement           he form of an exchange of letters
   between the European Economic Community             the Kingdom of Morocco fixing
     the additional amount to be deducted from the levy on imports into the
     Community of untreated olive oil , originating in Morocco , for the period
                      , from 1 November. "1982 to 31 'October 1983
                                 | Reccomendation for a
                                 COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC)
     on  the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters
   between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Tunisia fixinging
      the additional amount to be deducted from the levy on imports into the
    Community of untreated olive oil, originating in Tunisia , for the period
                          from 1 November 1982 to 31 October 1983
                                    Recommendation for a
                                  COUNCIL REGULATION ( EEC )
    on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters
     between the European Economic Community and Turkey fixing the additional
       amount to be deducted from the levy on imports into the Community of
           untreated olive oil , originating in Turkey , for the period from
                             1 November 1982 to 31  October 1983
                                       Proposai for a
                                  COUNCIL REGULATION   ( EEC )
  amending Regulations ( EEC ) No 1508 / 76 , ( EEC ) No 1514 / 76 and ( EEC ) No 1521 / 76
  on imports of olive oil originating in Tunisia , Algeria and Morocco ( 1982 / 83 )
                                       Proposal for a
                                  COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC )
  amending Regulation ( EEC ) No 1180 / 77 on imports into the Community of certain
                 agricultural products originating in Turkey ( 1982 / 83 )
                       ( submitted to the Council by the Commission )
  COM(82 ) 556 final
                  v
 ---pagebreak---                    COMMISSION COMMUNICATION TO THE COUNCIL
   ON THE ADDITIONAL AMOUNT TO BE DEDUCTED FROM THE LEVY ON IMPORTS
  INTO THE COMMUNITY OF OLIVE OIL , OTHER THAN OLIVE OIL HAVING UNDERGONE
A REFINING PROCESS , ORIGINATING IN TUNISIA , MOROCCO , ALGERIA OR TURKEY
                                  cmyB>
1 . Annexes B to the Cooperation Agreements and Annexes B to the Interim
    Agreements between the European Economic Community and Tunisia , Morocco
    and Algeria respectively , and Annexe IV to Decision No . 1 / 77 of the
    EEC-Turkey Association Council of 28 December 1976 on the outcome of the
     second review of the arrangements applicable to Turkish agricultural
    products , provide for the possibility of increasing , by fixing an
     additional amount , the amount of the deduction which may be made , under
     certain conditions , from the levy applicable to imports into the
     Community of olive oil other than olive oil having undergone a refining
    process .
     This additional amount , if any , is fixed for each year of application
     by an exchange of letters between the Contracting Parties in the light
     of the situation on the olive oil market .
2 . The Commission considers that the additional amount should be
     maintained at its present level for the period 1 November 19J& to 31
     October 198.3   It therefore recommends that the Council authorise it to
     negotiate the attached exchanges of letters with the countries in
     question .
3 . In view of the time needed to carry out the     procedures , the Commission
     is submitting to the Council the regulations on the conclusions of the
     exchanges of letters which it proposes to negotiate with the countries
     in question , together with proposals for regulations to implement the
     measures agreed in the exchanges of letters .
     The Commission recommends that the Council adopt these regulations as
     soon as it is informed by the former of the completion of the negotiatbns
     and of the final texts of the exchanges of letters .
 ---pagebreak---                                        Official Journal- of the European Communities
                                                 Recommendation for a
                                       COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) 1
               on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the
               European Economic Community and the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria fixing
               the additional amount to be deducted from the levy on imports into the Community of
               untreated olive oil, originating in Algeria, for the period from 1 November 198£, to
                                                       31 October 1983
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN                                        HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION :
COMMUNITIES,
                                                                                Article 1
 Having regard to the Treaty establishing 'the                     The Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters
 European Economic Community, and in particular                    between the European Economic Community and the
Article 1 1 3 thereof,                                             People's Democratic Republic of Algeria fixing the
                                                                   additional amount to be deducted from the levy on
                                                                   imports into the Community of untreated olive oil
 Having regard to the Cooperation Agreement                        falling within subheading 15.07 A I of the Common
 between the European Economic Community and the                   Customs Tariff and originating in Algeria, for the
 People's Democratic Republic of Algeria ('), which                period from I November 198$to 31 October 198J is
 entered into force on 1 November 1978 , and in                    hereby approved on behalf of the Community.
 particular to Annex B thereof,
                                                                   The text of the Agreement is annexed to this Regu
                                                                   lation.
 Having regard to the recommendation from the
 Commission ,                                                                              Article 2
                                                                   The President of the Council is hereby authorized to
Whereas it is necessary to approve the Agreement in                designate the person empowered to sign the
the form of an exchange of letters between the                     Agreement for the purpose of binding the
European Economic Community and the People's                       Community.
Democratic Republic of Algeria fixing the additional
amount to be deducted from the levy on imports into                                        Article 3
the Community of unt.-fated olive oil, falling within
subheading 15.07 A I of the Common Customs Tariff                  This Regulation shall enter into force on the day
and originating in Algeria, for the period from                    following its publication in the Official Journal of the
1 November 198£,to 31 October 1981,                                European Communities.
               This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member
               States .
               Done at Brussels ,
                                                                                For the Council
                                                                                The President
 ( ') OJ No L 263, 27. 9. 1978 , p. 2.
 ---pagebreak---                        Official Journal of the European Communities
                                       AGREEMENT
in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Economic Community and
the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria fixing the additional amount to be deducted
from the levy on imports into the Community of untreated olive oil, originating in
            Algeria, for the period from 1 November 198£ to 31 October 198^
                                          Letter No 1
Sir,
Annex B to the Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community
and the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria stipulates that for untreated olive oil
falling within subheading 15.07 A I of the Common Customs Tariff the amount to be
deducted from the amount of the levy in accordance with Article 16 ( 1 ) (b) of the
Cooperation Agreement may, in order to take account of certain factors and of the
situation on the olive oil market, be increased by an additional amount under the same
conditions and arrangements as laid down for the application of the abovementioned
provisions.
I have the honour to inform you that, having regard to the criteria specified in the
aforementioned Annexes, the Community will take the necessary steps to fix the
 additional amount at 12-09 ECU per 100 kilograms for the period from 1 November
 198 ^to 31 October 19 ^.
 I should be grateful if you would acknowledge receipt of this letter and confirm your
 Government's agreement to its content.
 Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.
                                                                 On behalfofthe Council
                                                               ofthe European Communities
 ---pagebreak---                         Official Journal of the European Communities
                                          Letter No 2
Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date, which reads as
follows :
     'Annex B to the Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic
     Community and the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria stipulates that for
     untreated olive oil falling within subheading 15.07 A I of the Common Customs
     Tariff the amount to be deducted from the amount of the levy in accordance with
     Article 16 ( I ) (b) of the Cooperation Agreement may, in order to take account of
     certain factors and of the situation on the olive oil market, be increased by an
     additional amount under the same conditions and arrangements as laid down for
     the application of the abovementioned provisions.
     I have the honour to inform you that, having regard to the criteria specified in the
     aforementioned Annexes, the Community will take the necessary steps to fix
     the additional amount at 12-09 ECU per 100 kilograms for the period from
      1 November 198&to 31 October 198J
     I should be grateful if you would acknowledge receipt of this letter and confirm
     your Government's agreement to its content.'
I am able to confirm the agreement of my Government to the foregoing.
Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration .
                                                              For the Government
                                                 ofthe People 's Democratic Republic ofAlgeria
 ---pagebreak---                                           Official Journal of the European Communities
                                                                                \
                                                    Recommendation for a
                                         COUNCIL REGULATION ( EEC)
               on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the
                European Economic Community and the Kingdom of Morocco fixing the additional
               amount to be deducted from the levy on imports into the Community of untreated olive
                 oil, originating in Morocco, for the period from 1 November 198?, to 31 October 1983
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN                                          HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION :
 COMMUNITIES ,
                                                                                Article Î
 Having regard to the Treaty establishing the                        The Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters
 European Economic Community, and in particular                      between the European Economic Community and the
Article 1 13 thereof,                                                Kingdom of Morocco fixing the additional amount to
                                                                     be deducted from the levy on imports into the
                                                                     Community of untreated olive oil falling within sub
 Having regard to the Cooperation Agreement                           heading 15.07 A I of the Common Customs Tariff
between the European Economic Community and the                      and originating in Morocco, for the period from
Kingdom of Morocco ( ' ), which entered into force
on 1 November 1978 , and in particular to Annex B
                                                                      1 November 198£ to 31 October 198^ is hereby
                                                                     approved on behalf of the Community.
thereof,
                                                                     The text of the Agreement is annexed to this Regu
                                                                     lation .
Having regard to the recommendation from the
Commission ,
                                                                                Article 2 .
                                                                     The President of the Council is hereby authorized to
Whereas it is necessary to approve the Agreement in                  designate the person empowered to sign the
the form of an exchange of letters between the                       Agreement for the purpose of binding the
European Economic Community and the Kingdom of                       Community.
Morocco fixing the additional amount to be deducted
from the levy on imports into the Community of                                               Article 3
untreated olive oil , falling within subheading
15.07 A I of the Common Customs Tariff and orig                     This Regulation shall enter into force on the day
inating in Morocco, for the period from 1 November                   following its publication in the Official Journal of the
lVff&to 31 October 198j                                              European Communities.
               This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member
               States.
               Done at Brussels ,
                                                                                For the Council
                                                                                The President
( ' ) OJ No L 264 , 27 . 9. 1978 , p. 2.
 ---pagebreak---                       Official Journal of the European Communities
                                      AGREEMENT
in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Economic Community and
the Kingdom of Morocco fixing the additional amount to be deducted from the levy on
imports into the Community of untreated olive oil, originating in Morocco, for the period
                        from 1 November 198£,co 31 October 198JJ
                                        Letter No 1
Sir,
Annex B to the Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community
and the Kingdom of Morocco stipulates that for untreated olive oil falling within sub
heading 15.07 A I of the Common Customs Tariff the amount to be deducted from the
amount of the levy in accordance with Article 17 ( 1 ) (b) of the Cooperation Agreement
may, in order to take account of certain factors and of the situation on the olive oil
market, be increased by an additional amount under the same conditions and
arrangements as laid down for the application of the abovementioned provisions.
I have the horiour to inform you that, having regard to the criteria specified in the
aforementioned Annexes , the Community will take the necessary steps to fix the
additional amount at 12-09 ECU per 100 kilograms for the period from 1 November
198 ^ to 31 October 198^
I should be grateful if you would acknowledge receipt of this letter and confirm your
Government's agreement to its content.
Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.
                                                                On behalfofthe Council
                                                             ofthe European Communities
 ---pagebreak---                                        Official Journal of the European Communities
                                                      Reccomendat ion for a
                                      COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC)
               on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the
               European Economic Community and the Republic of Tunisia fixing the additional
               amount to be deducted from the levy on imports into the Community of untreated olive
                  oil, originating in Tunisia, for the period from 1 November 198^to 31 October 19&3
THF. COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN                                       HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION :
COMMUNITIES ,
                                                                                Article I
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the                       The Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters
 European Economic Community, and in particular                  . between the European Economic Community and the
Article 1 1 3 thereof,                                             Republic of Tunisia fixing the additional amount to
                                                                   be deducted from the levy on imports into the
                                                                   Community of untreated olive oil falling within sub
Having regard to the Cooperation Agreement                         heading 15.07 A I of the Common Customs Tariff
between the European Economic Community and the                    and originating in Tunisia, for the period from
Republic of Tunisia ( '), which entered into force on              1 November 198^/to 31 October 198^ is hereby
 1 November 1978 , and in particular to Annex B                    approved on behalf of the Community.
thereof,
                                                                   The text of the Agreement is annexed to this Regu
                                                                  lation .
Having regard to the recommendation from the
Commission ,
                                                                                Article 2
                                                                   The President of the Council is hereby authorized to
Whereas it is necessary to approve the Agreement in                designate   the person
                                                                   designate the    person empowered
                                                                                empowered to t< sign the
the form of an exchange of letters between the                     Agreement for the   the purpose
                                                                                purpose of of binding
                                                                                1         the
European Economic Community and the Republic of                    Community.
                                                                   Community.
 Tunisia fixing the additional amount to be deducted
from the levy on imports into the Community of                                             Article
                                                                                Article 3
                                                                                3
untreated olive oil , falling within subheading
15.07 A I of the Common Customs Tariff and origin-                 This Regulation shall enter into force on the day
iting in Tunisia, for the period from 1 November                   following its publication in the Official Journal
                                                                                j       of the
 IV84'.o 31 October 198^                                           European Communities.
               This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member
               States .
               Done at Brussels ,
                                                                                For the Council
                                                                                The President
   1 OJ No L 265, 27. 9. 1978 , p. 2.
 ---pagebreak---                       Official Journal of the European Communities
                                        Letter No 2
Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date, which reads as
follows :
     'Annex B to the Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic
     Community and the Kingdom of Morocco stipulates that for untreated olive oil
     falling within subheading 15.07 A I of the Common Customs Tariff the amount to
     be deducted from the amount of the levy in accordance with Article 17(1 ) (b) of
     the Cooperation Agreement may, in order to take account of certain factors and of
     the situation on the olive oil market, be increased by an additional amount under
     the same conditions and' arrangements as laid down for the application of the
     abovementioned provisions.
     I have the honour to inform you that, having regard to the criteria specified in the
     aforementioned Annexes, the Community will take the necessary steps to fix the
     additional amount at 12-09 ECU per 100 kilograms for the period from
      1 November 198^ to 31 October 1983-
     I should be grateful if you would acknowledge receipt of this letter and confirm
     your Government's agreement to its content.'
I am able to confirm the agreement of my Government to the foregoing.
Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration .
                                                                    For the Government
                                                                oj the Kni^t/uni oj Morocco
 ---pagebreak---                       Official Journal of the European Communities
                                      AGREEMENT
in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Economic Community and
the Republic of Tunisia fixing the additional amount to be deducted from the levy on
imports into the Community of untreated olive oil, originating in Tunisia, for the period
                        from 1 November 198^ to 31 October 1982^
                                         Letter No 1
Sir,
Annex B to the Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community
and the Republic of Tunisia stipulates that for untreated olive oil falling within sub
heading 15.07 A I of the Common Customs Tariff the amount to be deducted from the
amount of the levy in accordance with Article 16 ( 1 ) (b) of the Cooperation Agreement
may, in order to take account of certain factors and of the situation on the olive oil
market, be increased by an additional amount under the same conditions and
arrangements as laid down for the application of the abovementioned provisions.
I have the honour to inform you that, having regard to the criteria specified in the
aforementioned Annexes, the Community will take the necessary steps to fix the
additional amount at 12-09 ECU per 100 kilograms for the period from 1 November
 1 98 2,to 31 October 1983-
I should be grateful if you would acknowledge receipt of this letter and confirm your
Government's agreement to its content.
Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.
                                                                 On behalfofthe Council
                                                              ofthe European Communities
 ---pagebreak---                       Official Journal of the European Communities
                                         Letter No 2
Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date, which reads as
follows :
     'Annex B to the Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic
     Community and the Republic of Tunisia stipulates that for untreated olive oil falling
     within subheading 15.07 A I of the Common Customs Tariff the amount to be
     deducted from the amount of the levy in accordance with Article 16(1 ) (b) of the
     Cooperation Agreement may, in order to take account of certain factors and of the
     situation on the olive oil market, be increased by an additional amount under the
     same conditions and arrangements as laid down for the application of the
     abovementioned provisions.
     I have the honour to inform you that, having regard to the criteria specified in the
     aforementioned Annexes, the Community will take the necessary steps to fix the
     additional amount at 12-09 ECU per 100 kilograms for the period from
      1 November 198.J to 31 October 1983-
     I should be grateful if you would acknowledge receipt of this letter and confirm
     your Government's agreement to its content.'
I am able to confirm the agreement of my Government to the foregoing.
Please accept, Sir, the assurance pf my highest consideration.
                                                                  For the Government
                                                               ofthe Republic of Tunisia
 ---pagebreak---                                    Official Journal of the European Communities
                                            Recommendation for a
                                 COUNCIL REGULATION ( EEC)
              on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the
              European Economic Community and Turkey fixing the additional amount to be deducted
              from the levy on imports into the Community of untreated olive oil, originating in
                        Turkey, for the period from 1 November 198&io 31 October 1983 .
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN                                   HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION :
COMMUNITIES ,
                                                                                Article 1
 Having regard to the Treaty establishing the                 The Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters
European Economic Community, and in particular                between the European Economic Community and
Article 1 13 thereof,                                         Turkey fixing the additional amount to be deducted
                                                              from the levy on imports into the Community of
                                                              untreated olive oil falling within subheading 15.07 A I
Having regard to Decision No 1 /77 of the EEC-                of the Common Customs Tariff and originating in
Turkey Association Council , of 17 May 1977 , on new          Turkey, for the period from 1 November 198$ to 31
concessions for imports of Turkish agricultural               October 198^ is hereby approved on behalf of the
products into the Community, and in particular                Community.
Annex IV thereto ,
                                                              The text of the Agreement is annexed to this Regu
                                                              lation .
Having regard to the recommendation from the
                                                                                Article 2
Commission ,
                                                              The President of the Council is hereby authorized to
                                                              designate the person empowered to sign the
Whereas it is necessary to approve the Agreement in           Agreement for the purpose of binding the
the form of an exchange of letters between the                Community.
European Economic Community and Turkey fixing
the additional amount to be deducted from the levy                                     Article 3
on imports into the Community of untreated olive oil ,
falling within subheading 15.07 A I of the Common             This Regulation shall enter into force on the day
Customs Tariff and originating in Turkey, for the             following its publication in the Official Journal of the
period from 1 November 198^, to 31 October 198^.              European Communities.
              This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member
              States .
              Done at Brussels ,
                                                                                For the Council
                                                                                The President
 ---pagebreak---                       Official Journal of the European Communities
                                      AGREEMENT
in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Economic Community and
Turkey fixing the additional amount to be deducted from the levy on imports into
the Community of untreated olive oil, originating in Turkey, for the period from
                           1 November 198 ^ to 31 October 198^ .
                                         Letter No 1
Sir,
Annex IV to Decision No 1 /77 of the EEC-Turkey Association Council , of 17 May
1977 , on new concessions for imports of Turkish agricultural products into the
Community stipulates that for untreated olive oil falling within subheading 15.07 A I of
the Commom Customs Tariff the amount to be deducted from the amount of the levy in
accordance with Article 2 of that Decision is increased , in order to take account of
certain factors and of the situation on the olive oil market, by an additional amount
under the same conditions and arrangements as laid down for the application of the said
Article .
I have the honour to inform you that, having regard to the criteria specified in the
aforementioned Annex IV, the Community will take the necessary steps to fix the
additional amount at 10-88 ECU per 100 kilograms for the period from 1 November
198$, to 31 October 1983
I should be grateful if you would acknowledge receipt of this letter and confirm your
Government's agreement to its content.
Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.
                                                        On behalfofthe Council
                                                      ofthe European Communities
 ---pagebreak---                        Official Journal of the European Communities
                                          Letter No 2
Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date, which reads as
follows :
      'Annex IV to Decision No 1 /77 of the EEC-Turkey Association Council , of
       17 May 1977, on new concessions for imports of Turkish agricultural products into
      the Community stipulates that for untreated olive oil falling within subheading
       15.07 A I of the Common Customs Tariff the amount to be deducted from the
      amount of the levy in accordance with Article 2 of that Decision is increased , in
      order to take account of certain factors and of the situation on the olive oil market,
      by an additional amount under the same conditions and arrangements as laid down
      for the application of the said Article.
      I have the honour to inform you that, having regard to the criteria specified in the
      aforementioned Annex IV, the Community will take the necessary steps to fix
      the additional amount at 10-88 ECU per 100 kilograms for the period from
       1 November 198$,to 31 October 198j|,
       I should be grateful if you would acknowledge receipt of this letter and confirm
      your Government's agreement to its content.'
 I confirm the agreement of my Government to the foregoing.
 Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration .
                                                              For the President
                                                         ofthe Republic of Turkey
 ---pagebreak---                                          Official Journal of the European Communities
                                                           Proposal for a
                                        COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC)
               amending Regulations ( EEC) No 1508/76 , ( EEC) No 1514/76 and (EEC) No 1521 /76
                       on imports of olive oil originating in Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco ( 198^/84 )
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN                                         (EEC) No 1514/76 (') and (EEC) No 1521 /76 ('), as
COMMUNITIES ,                                                       last amended by Regulation (EEC) No                (')>
                                                                    Whereas the Contracting Parties have agreed , by
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the                        exchanges of letters, to fix the additional amount at
European Economic Community , and in particular                      12-09 ECU per 100 kilograms for the period from
Articles 43 and i i3 thereof,
                                                                     1 November 198-£,to 31 October 1 983y
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ,                 Whereas Regulations ( EEC) No 1508 / 76 , (EEC)
                                                                    No 1514 / 76 and ( EEC) No 1521 / 76 should accord
Having regard to the opinion of the European                        ingly be amended ,
Parliament ( ' ),
                                                                    HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION :
Whereas Articles 16 , 17 and 16 of Annexes B to the
Cooperation Agreements between the European                                                    Article 1
Economic Community and Tunisia ( !), Morocco (')                    Article 1 ( 1 ) (b) of Regulations ( EEC) No 1508 / 76 ,
and Algeria (') respectively stipulate that, .if the                 (EEC) No 1514 /76 and ( EEC) No 1521 /76, shall be
country in question levies a special export charge on                replaced by the following :
imports into the Community of olive oil falling within
subheading 15.07 A I of the Common Customs Tariff,                         '(b) an amount equal to the special charge levied
the lew applicable to such oil is to be reduced by a                            by Tunisia, Algeria , Morocco on exports of
fixed amount of 0-60 ECU per 100 kilograms and by                               the said oil but not exceeding 12-09 ECU per
an amount equal to the special charge, but not                                  100 kilograms , this amount being increased
exceeding 12-09 ECU per 100 kilograms in the case                               from 1 November 198^,to 31 October 19g^
of reduction provided for in the aforementioned                                 by 12-09 ECU per 100 kilograms.'
Articles and 12-09 ECU per 100 kilograms in the
case of the additional amount provided for in the                                               Article 2
aforementioned Annexes B ;
                                                                      This Regulation shall enter into force on the day
Whereas       the    aforementioned       Agreements      were        following its publication in the Official Journal of the
 implemented by Regulations ( EEC) No 1508 /76 (')>                   European Communities.
                This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member
                States .
                Done at Brussels,
                                                                                For the Council
                                                                                The President
  •) OJ No C .
  ')OJ No L 141 , 28 . 5 . 1976, p. 195.
  l) OJ No L 141 , 28 . 5. 1976, p. 98.                                (*) OJ No L 169, 28. 6. 1976, p. 24.
  ' ) OJ No I. 141 , 28. 5. 1976, p. 2.                                (') OJ No L 169, 28. 6. 1976, p. 43.
    ) OJ No L 169, 28. 6. 1976, p. 9.                                  f) OJ No L ^6^,'ti. lift, P- 1 ?>
 ---pagebreak---                                        Official Journal of the European Communities
                                          :                   –       ––                           L
                                            Proposal for a
                                      COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC)
              amending Regulation (EEC) No 1180/77 on imports into the Community of certain agri
                                      cultural products originating in Turkey ( 19&£'83^
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN                                        Whereas the Contracting Parties have agreed , by an
COMMUNITIES,                                                       exchange of letters, to fix the additional amount in
                                                                   question at 10-88 ECU per 100 kilograms for the
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the                       period from 1 November 198£,to 31 October 198^,
European Economic Community, and in particular
Articles 43 and 113 thereof,                                       Whereas Article 9 of Regulation (EEC) No 1180/77
                                                                   should accordingly be amended ,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
                                                                   HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION :
Having regard to the opinion of the European
Parliament ( ' ),
                                                                                Article 1
Whereas 'Annex IV to Council Decision No 1 /77 of
the      EEC-Turkey Association         Council    on   new        Article 9 ( 1 ) (b) of Regulation (EEC) No 1180/77
concessions for imports of Turkish agricultural                    shall be replaced by the following :
products into the Community stipulates that the
additional amount if any, to be deducted from the                      '(b) an amount equal to the special export charge
levy on imports into the Community of untreated                             imposed by Turkey on such oil within a limit
olive oil falling within subheading 15.07 A I of the                        of/IO( ?JECU per 100 kilograms, that amount
Common Customs Tariff and originating in Turkey,                            being increased from 1 November 198^, to
is to be fixed for each year of application by an                           31 October 1983, by 10-88 ECU per
exchange of letters between the Community and                               100 kilograms.'    ~
Turkey ;
                                                                                Article 2
Whereas Regulation (EEC) No 1180/77 (2),. as last
amended by Regulation (EEC) No J>55 0/H (J),                       This Regulation shall enter into force on the day
implemented the abovementioned                Decision,    in      following its publication in the Official Journal of the
particular as regards olive oil ;                                  European Communities.
              This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member
              States .
              Done at Brussels ,
                                                                                For the Council
                                                                                The President
( ' ) OJ No C
(') OJ No L 142 , 9. 6. 1977 , p. 10.
nojNoLSs-Ç ii.l&Jjfl . pl h -
 ---pagebreak---                                            FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM
                                                                                DATE I
    1.
                Number of relevant budget heading :                   ^ ( receipts )               Credits :          Mio ECU
   2> Title of measures : Draft Council Regulations concerning the prorogation of
              agreements relating to the import of olive oil originating in Tunisia , Algeria ,
             Morocco and Turkey
   3 . LECAL BASIS :                             Cooperation agreements . Association Agreement
 Ι·Ι II II ·ΙΙ·»Ι· | II II !■!■■■ I 1 1 Ι·|· |
  4. Alius of measures :                                             Prorogation           0f the deduction from the levy
              applicable to imports into the Community of olive oil for t.he 1982-/ 8i season
  5 . FINANCIAL Implications                                         FOR Th. E YEAR       CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR FCLLOWINC FINANCIAL TEAR |
  5.0 EXPENDITURE                                                                                LSiJ           ____L8VJ                  (
               -CHARCED TO T!E EC BUDGET
                 ( REHUHIS/I NKRVENTI or.s )
              -CHARGED TO NATIONAL BUDGETS
              -CHARCED TO OTHER ' SECTORS
 5-1 - REVENUE
              -C AN Rsscuncis OF THS EG
                ( LEVI iz/coxmx mmx)                                                                                - «>,& mio ECU
             -NATIONAL
                                                                  YEAH                    YEAR                   YEAR
5-0.1                  Forecasts of expenditure
5.1.1 . Forecasts of revenue
              ■it. HOD OF CALCULATION Qn                     [333^5 Q f t j^ e 7 9 /go se ason , imports can be established
   for 198 1 /82 at 66.000 t of which 61.000 t from the Maghreb countries and 5 . 000 t
   from Turkey . The reduction of tte levy was 12,09 ECU / 100 kg for the Maghreb and
   10,88 ECU / 100 kg for . Turkey .
   It is proposed to re-enact this reduction in the following way :
   Maghreb : k&.ooo t x 120,9 ECU /.t = S,S Mio ECU
   Turquie :                                   S.ooo t x 108,8 ECU / t = -4,0 Mio ECU
   Total réduction = bji                                  Mio ECU
6.o                                                                                YXsOWt)
6.1
                                               p* wx                                           ¥&x        &m#xxxxxxxx
6.2
                KXK)èXÎ^K^#«Xy<!6î{(X)*i:H)é)«ÊJJ^^XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXia8^K>X
6.3 ■ WXX)fl5i«Xü«iXlX«^X^Xdt*ia4Xè(^l)^XJW^!üt-*?
COHKEITS I


				|

		52013DC0356

			Recommendation for a COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION on Estonia’s 2013 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on Estonia’s stability programme for 2012-2017 /* COM/2013/0356 final */

Soovitus:
NÕUKOGU SOOVITUS,
milles käsitletakse Eesti 2013. aasta
riiklikku reformikava
ja esitatakse nõukogu arvamus Eesti stabiilsusprogrammi (2012–2017) kohta
EUROOPA LIIDU NÕUKOGU,
võttes arvesse Euroopa Liidu toimimise
lepingut, eriti selle artikli 121 lõiget 2 ja artikli 148 lõiget 4,
võttes arvesse nõukogu 7. juuli 1997. aasta
määrust (EÜ) nr 1466/97 eelarveseisundi järelevalve ning majanduspoliitika
järelevalve ja kooskõlastamise tõhustamise kohta,[1] eriti selle artikli 5 lõiget 2,
võttes arvesse Euroopa Komisjoni soovitust[2],
võttes arvesse Euroopa Parlamendi
resolutsioone[3],
võttes arvesse Euroopa Ülemkogu järeldusi,
võttes arvesse tööhõivekomitee arvamust,
olles konsulteerinud majandus- ja
rahanduskomiteega
ning arvestades järgmist:
(1)       Euroopa Ülemkogu kiitis 26.
märtsil 2010 heaks komisjoni ettepaneku käivitada uus tööhõive ja majanduskasvu
strateegia, s.o strateegia „Euroopa 2020”, mis põhineb majanduspoliitika
tõhustatud koordineerimisel ning keskendub esmatähtsatele valdkondadele, kus on
vaja võtta meetmeid Euroopa jätkusuutliku majanduskasvu potentsiaali ja
konkurentsivõime suurendamiseks.
(2)       Nõukogu võttis 13. juulil
2010 komisjoni ettepanekute põhjal vastu soovituse liikmesriikide ja liidu
majanduspoliitika üldsuuniste kohta ajavahemikuks 2010–2014 ning 21. oktoobril
2010 otsuse liikmesriikide tööhõivepoliitika suuniste kohta[4]; mõlemat dokumenti koos
nimetatakse koondsuunisteks. Liikmesriike kutsuti üles võtma koondsuuniseid
arvesse oma majandus- ja tööhõivepoliitikas.
(3)       Riigipead ja valitsusjuhid
võtsid 29. juunil 2012 vastu majanduskasvu ja töökohtade loomise kokkuleppe,
millega nähakse ette sidus raamistik meetmete võtmiseks liikmesriikide, ELi ja
euroala tasandil ning võimaldatakse kasutada kõiki võimalikke hoobasid,
vahendeid ja poliitikaid. Nad tegid otsuse liikmesriikide tasandil võetavate
meetmete kohta, rõhutades eelkõige kindlat kavatsust saavutada strateegia
„Euroopa 2020” eesmärke ja rakendada riigipõhiseid soovitusi.
(4)       Nõukogu võttis 6. juulil 2012
vastu soovituse Eesti 2012. aasta riikliku reformikava kohta ja esitas arvamuse
Eesti ajakohastatud stabiilsusprogrammi (2011–2015) kohta.
(5)       Komisjon võttis 28. novembril
2012 vastu iga-aastase majanduskasvu analüüsi,[5]
mis tähistab majanduspoliitika koordineerimise Euroopa poolaasta (2013) algust.
Samuti võttis komisjon 28. novembril 2012 määruse (EL) nr 1176/2011
(makromajandusliku tasakaalustamatuse ennetamise ja korrigeerimise kohta)
alusel vastu häiremehhanismi aruande,[6]
milles ei nimetatud Eestit liikmesriigina, mille olukorda tuleb põhjalikult
analüüsida.
(6)       Euroopa Ülemkogu kiitis 14.
märtsil 2013 heaks finantsstabiilsuse tagamise ja eelarve konsolideerimise
prioriteedid ning majanduskasvu hoogustamise meetmed. Ülemkogu toonitas
vajadust jätkata diferentseeritud ja majanduskasvu soodustavat eelarve
konsolideerimist, taastada tavapärased majandusele laenuandmise tingimused,
edendada majanduskasvu ja konkurentsivõimet, tegelda töötuse probleemiga ja
majanduskriisi sotsiaalsete tagajärgedega ning moderniseerida avalikku haldust.
(7)       Eesti esitas 30. aprillil
2013 oma 2013. aasta stabiilsusprogrammi ajavahemikuks 2012–2017 ja 2013. aasta
riikliku reformikava. Selleks et võtta arvesse kõnealuste dokumentide
omavahelisi seoseid, hinnati neid ühel ja samal ajal.
(8)       Nõukogu määruse (EÜ) nr
1466/97 alusel 2013. aasta stabiilsusprogrammile antud hinnangu põhjal on
nõukogu seisukohal, et programmis esitatud eelarveprognooside aluseks olev
makromajanduslik stsenaarium aastateks 2013–2014 on realistlik, kui SKP oodatav
keskmine reaalkasv püsib 3,3 % ringis. Komisjoni 2013. aasta kevadprognoosi
kohaselt kasvab SKP 2013.–2014. aastal 3,5 %. Eesti valitsemissektori
eelarvepuudujääk 2012. aastal oli 0,3 % SKP-st. Programmis kinnitatakse eelmist
keskpika perioodi eelarve-eesmärki saavutada struktuurne ülejääk. See eesmärk
on ambitsioonikam kui stabiilsuse ja kasvu paktis sätestatud eesmärk. Eesti
struktuurne eelarvepositsioon oli 2012. aastal ülejäägis ning riik saavutas oma
keskpika perioodi eelarve-eesmärgi üks aasta varem võrreldes eelmises
programmis ettenähtuga. Stabiilsusprogrammis visandatud eelarvestrateegia
eesmärk on tagada jätkusuutlik eelarvepoliitika, millega toetatakse
tasakaalustatud majanduskasvu ja peetakse kinni keskpika perioodi
eelarve-eesmärgist, võimaldades piisavaid eelarvepuhvreid ja vähendades tööjõu
maksukoormust. Programmis on kavandatud vähendada 2013. aastaks prognoositud
valitsemissektori eelarve puudujääki (0,5 % SKP-st) allapoole prognoositud
taset, saavutada 2014. aastal tasakaal ja järgnevatel aastatel ülejääk. Ümber
arvutatud struktuurse eelarvepositsiooni üldise hinnangu, sealhulgas
kulueesmärgi analüüsi põhjal võib täheldada, et Eesti ei kaldu oma 2013. aasta
keskpika perioodi eelarve-eesmärgist oluliselt kõrvale ning saavutab 2014.
aastal struktuurse ülejäägi. Valitsemissektori võla suhe SKPsse on tublisti
alla 60 % ning programmi kohaselt hakkab see näitaja tõenäoliselt pärast 2013.
aastat vähenema, kahanedes 2015.–2016. aastal umbes 9 %-ni. Eestil on kavas
kehtestada 2013. aastal kooskõlas majandus- ja rahaliidu stabiilsuse,
koordineerimise ja juhtimise lepingu nõuetega struktuurse eelarvetasakaalu
reegel (eelarvereegel). Niipea kui eelarvereeglit on hakatud kohaldama, peaks
seda täiendama mitmeaastaste kulueesmärkide siduvamaks muutmisega.
(9)       Tööturu valdkonnas jätkub
tööhõive suurenemine, ent majanduskasvu pärsivad endiselt probleemid, nagu
noorte töötus ja pikaajaline töötus, oskuste mittevastavus tööturu nõudlusele
ja suurenev tööjõupuudus, sealhulgas pikaajalistest terviseprobleemidest
tulenev tööjõupuudus. Sotsiaalhüvitiste süsteemi tuleks muuta paindlikumaks ja
paremini suunatumaks ning selle raames tuleks pakkuda toetusteenuseid ja
stiimuleid töötutele ja mitteaktiivsetele isikutele, keda saaks uuesti
tööturule suunata, ning aktiveerimispoliitikat tuleks tugevdada nii, et see
jõuaks kõige rohkem abi vajavate isikuteni. Perepoliitika valdkonna kulutuste
kulutõhusust tuleks parandada eelarvet mõjutamata, näiteks suunates osa
vanemahüvitisteks ettenähtud vahenditest tõhusamate meetmete, sealhulgas lastehoiuteenuste
toetamisele, mõjutades niimoodi positiivselt ka naiste tööhõivet. Eri
piirkondade majanduslikku arengut tuleb paremini koordineerida, et saavutada
käegakatsutavamaid tulemusi.
(10)     Hariduse ja koolituse
valdkonnas on Eesti osaliselt rakendanud 2012. aasta soovitused; 2012. aastal
võeti vastu kõrgharidusreform ja 2013. aastal on kavas vastu võtta
kutsehariduse ja -koolituse uus ulatuslik reform. Eritähelepanu tuleb pöörata
tööturu osapoolte piisavale kaasamisele, et tagada kutsehariduse valdkonnas
piisav hulk õpipoisiõppe võimalusi. Täitmata on veel oluline kohustus reformida
keskharidust. Tegeleda tuleb noorte töötusega, mis on erialase hariduse või
kutsekoolituseta elanike suurt osakaalu arvesse võttes endiselt suhteliselt
suur. Madala kvalifikatsiooniga töötajate võimalusi osaleda elukestvas õppes ei
ole endiselt piisavalt suurendatud ja noorte töötute toetamiseks mõeldud
meetmed ei vasta alati tööturu vajadustele. Avalik-õigusliku teadussektori ja
majanduse eraldatus takistab endiselt tootlikkuse kasvu ja kahjustab Eesti
konkurentsivõimet. Lisaks valmistab Eesti majanduse väiksust silmas pidades
endiselt probleeme teadustegevuse ja innovatsioonisüsteemide eelistamine ja
rahvusvahelistamine.
(11)     Eesti energiamahukus on
jätkuvalt väga suur. Ehkki valitsus on astunud mitmesuguseid samme, tuleb
jõupingutusi jätkata ja veelgi tugevdada, ning seejuures tuleb täiendavat rõhku
panna elamute renoveerimisele. Eesti uus autopark on kõige energiamahukam ELis
ning tarbimisharjumused ei ole hoolimata kütuseaktsiisi suurenenud määradest
muutunud. Ilma täiendavate meetmeteta, mida tuleks eelkõige võtta transpordi-
ja eluasemesektoris, ei ole Eesti tõenäoliselt võimeline saavutama oma
kasvuhoonegaaside heitkoguste vähendamise eesmärki. Eesti energiaturg on endiselt
suhteliselt isoleeritud, kuna piiriülesed ühendused on ebapiisavad.
(12)     Teenused, mida kohalikud
omavalitsused on seadusega kohustatud pakkuma, on enamikus sektorites, eriti
pikaajalise hoolduse, peredele suunatud toetusteenuste, tervishoiuteenuste ning
haridus- ja transporditeenuste sektoris puudulikud. See on tingitud kohalike
omavalitsuste vähesest haldussuutlikkusest ning asjaolust, et nende tulud ja
vastutus ei ole tasakaalus. Elujõulist kava kohalike haldusasutuste tegevuse
parandamiseks seni koostatud ei ole.
(13)     Komisjon hindas Euroopa
poolaasta raames põhjalikult Eesti majanduspoliitikat. Hinnati
stabiilsusprogrammi ja riiklikku reformikava. Hindamisel on arvesse võetud
kõnealuste dokumentide asjakohasust Eesti eelarve- ja sotsiaal-majanduspoliitika
jätkusuutlikkuse seisukohast, aga ka nende vastavust ELi eeskirjadele ja
juhistele, pidades silmas vajadust tugevdada ELi üldist majandusjuhtimist,
lisades ELi tasandi panuse riigi tasandil tehtavatesse otsustesse. Euroopa
poolaasta raames koostatud komisjoni soovitused kajastuvad allpool esitatud
soovitustes 1–5.
(14)     Võttes arvesse kõnealust
hinnangut, on nõukogu Eesti stabiilsusprogrammi läbi vaadanud ja tema arvamus[7] selle kohta kajastub eelkõige
soovituses 1.
(15)     Komisjon analüüsis Euroopa poolaasta
kontekstis ka euroala kui terviku majanduspoliitikat. Selle analüüsi põhjal
esitas komisjon erisoovitused liikmesriikidele, kelle rahaühik on euro. Ka
Eesti peaks tagama kõnealuste soovituste täieliku ja õigeaegse rakendamise,
SOOVITAB Eestil võtta ajavahemikus
2013–2014 järgmisi meetmeid:
1.       Edendada majanduskasvu toetavat
eelarvepoliitikat ja säilitada kavandatud usaldusväärne eelarveseisund, tagades
keskpika perioodi eelarve-eesmärgi saavutamise programmis prognoositud tasemest
paremal tasemel. Täiendada kavandatud eelarvereeglit rohkem siduvate
mitmeaastaste kulueesmärkidega keskpika perioodi eelarveraamistiku raames ja
jätkata avaliku sektori kulutuste tõhustamist.
2.       Parandada tööstiimuleid, tõhustades
olemasolevaid erinevaid sotsiaalhüvitiste süsteeme ning muutes hüvitiste
jaotamise paindlikumaks ja paremini suunatumaks. Parandada sotsiaalteenuseid,
sealhulgas lastehoiuteenuseid, suurendades samal ajal perepoliitika valdkonna
kulutuste tasuvust ja kulutõhusust. Tugevdada aktiveerimispoliitikat, et
hõlbustada pikaajaliste töötute ning invaliidsus- ja töövõimetushüvitist
saavate isikute naasmist tööturule. Koostada kooskõlastatud strateegia
majandusarengu soodustamiseks nendes piirkondades, kus valitseb suur tööpuudus.

3.       Jätkata jõupingutusi haridus- ja
koolitussüsteemi paremaks vastavusseviimiseks tööturu vajadustega, kaasates
sellesse protsessi veelgi rohkem tööturu osapooli ja rakendades sihipäraseid
meetmeid noorte töötuse vähendamiseks. Suurendada oluliselt madala
kvalifikatsiooniga töötajate osalust elukestvas õppes. Tugevdada jõupingutusi
teadustegevuse ja innovatsioonisüsteemide eelistamise ja rahvusvahelistamise
edendamiseks ning süvendada ettevõtjate, kõrgkoolide ja teadusasutuste
koostööd.
4.       Parandada energiatõhusust, eelkõige
transpordi- ja eluasemesektoris, ning suurendada keskkonnastiimuleid seoses
sõidukite ja jäätmetega, kaaludes ka selliseid stiimuleid nagu sõiduautode
maksustamine ja/või mootorikütuse aktsiisimäära tõstmine. Kiirendada
piiriüleste energiaühenduste arendamist, et mitmekesistada energiaallikaid ja
soodustada konkurentsi energiaturul.
5.       Tasakaalustada
paremini kohalike omavalitsuste tulud ja neile pandud vastutus. Muuta kohalike
omavalitsuste tegevus tõhusamaks ja tagada kohaliku tasandi avalike teenuste
kvaliteetne pakkumine.
Brüssel,
                                                                       Nõukogu
nimel
                                                                       eesistuja
[1]               EÜT L 209, 2.8.1997, lk 1.
[2]               COM(2013) 356 (final).
[3]               P7_TA(2013)0052 ja P7_TA(2013)0053.
[4]               Nõukogu otsus 2013/208/EL, 22. aprill 2013.
[5]               COM(2012) 750 (final).
[6]               COM(2012) 751 (final).
[7]               Vastavalt nõukogu määruse (EÜ) nr 1466/97 artikli 5
lõikele 2.