Written explanations of vote - 8th parliamentary term Andrejs MAMIKINS

I voted in favour of the conclusion by Eurojust of the Agreement on Criminal Justice Cooperation between Eurojust and the Kingdom of Denmark. Though the role of the European Parliament in this matter is limited to consultation, this document is very important for justice and home affairs policy, as it provides for a wider participation of the Representative to Eurojust in meetings of the College of Eurojust than that provided for liaison magistrates of third States. For that reason, I supported the report.

I voted in favour of this important report that was supposed to harmonise social security rules across the EU Member States. Unfortunately the text was blocked in the plenary vote, although it provided unemployment benefits, long-term care and family benefits, as well as better rules for posting and applicable legislation. These new rules would have been beneficial for millions of mobile European workers, by guaranteeing more social security for workers moving from one EU country to another. Along with other Socialists and Democrats I will continue battle to defend the rights of mobile workers.

I supported with my vote this report setting CO2 emission performance standards for new heavy-duty vehicles. This draft Regulation is part of the third ‘Europe on the Move’ package and its objective is to make European mobility safer and more accessible, European industry more competitive, European jobs more secure, and to put the sector firmly on the path towards zero emissions by mid-century and fully in line with the Paris Agreement. In order to ensure the smooth transition towards zero-emission mobility and to provide incentives for the development and deployment on the Union market of zero and low-emission heavy-duty vehicles, the Regulation should set a reference value for the proportion of zero and low-emission vehicles in all manufacturers’ fleets by 2025 and 2030. I consider it ambitious enough for the achievement of the ‘Europe on the Move’ package.

I voted in favour of this report on the use of digital tools and processes in company law. I appreciated the proposed measures to facilitate the registration of companies and their branches and to reduce the costs, time and administrative burdens associated with the registration process. This proposal puts in place procedures to enable registration to be completed online. In my opinion, this is particularly beneficial for the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

I voted in favour of this report on cross-border conversions, mergers and divisions. We indicated the minimum range of information to be provided in the cross-border conversion project that will be made available to anyone interested in the operation. The cross-border conversion project should thus provide information concerning, for example, the location and date of transfer of the company’s registered office to the Member State of destination, as well as information on the management body and, where applicable, on staff, equipment, premises and assets. I am glad that the text foresees that the competent authority should start processing the application within ten working days of receiving the documents and information on the company and the proposed cross-border conversion.

Though I support the freedom of action of the Union and its strategic autonomy, in particular in technological and industrial terms, I could not vote in favour as the report did not set enough clear rules for the development of defence technologies. The defence sector is linked to the fabrication of products that can be used for aggressive purposes, and when delivered to third parties these products cannot be further controlled. Since the text revealed this ambiguity I voted in favour, as I stand for a totally responsible approach in matters of defence.

I supported with my vote the report having the general objective of establishing the InvestEU Programme. I am glad that this programme will support the policy objectives of the Union by means of financing and investment operations contributing to such areas crucial for Latvia as competitiveness, including research, innovation and digitisation.

I voted for this regulation, as I agree with its purposes and methods. The main aim of this regulation is to lay down harmonised rules for the provision of cargo information required by both maritime and customs authorities and for compliance with the other reporting formalities required by Directive 2010/65/EU. I consider that such rules will help to facilitate the transmission of information between the ship data providers, the relevant authorities covering the port of call and other Member States.

I supported this report drafted by my colleague Mr Tang, as it serves two very important purposes of sustainable investment. The new regulation will give us harmonised rules on transparency to be applied by financial market participants, insurance intermediaries providing advice on insurance-based investment products, investment firms providing investment advice and end-investors concerning the integration of sustainability risks and performance into investment decision-making or advisory processes, as well as the transparency of financial products or services, whether or not they have a targeted sustainability impact.

I voted in favour of this important report on chemicals, which has direct impact on the well-being of people in Latvia. I agree with the strict methods proposed in the text. In addition, I am glad that the regulation update defines a new role for the European Chemicals Agency, which is now responsible for supporting the Commission’s work in the preparation of dossiers on substances.

I supported with my vote this report on the clearing obligation, the suspension of the clearing obligation, the reporting requirements, the risk mitigation techniques for OTC derivatives contracts not cleared by a central counterparty, the registration and supervision of trade repositories and the requirements for trade repositories. I particularly appreciate that the amended text specifies that clearing members and clients of clearing members that provide clearing services shall provide these services on transparent terms.

I voted in favour of these legislative amendments that aim at lowering the administrative burden and compliance costs faced by SME Growth Market issuers and resulting from the application of the Market Abuse Regulation and the Prospectus Regulation. This initiative also seeks to promote liquidity by ensuring that any SME Growth Market issuer in the EU can enter into a liquidity provision contract. Since the text provides necessary clarifications, including of the definition of SMEs, I supported it.

I supported this important report. Endocrine disruptors (‘EDCs’) represent a global threat, and are related to the high incidence and the increasing trends of many endocrine-related disorders in humans. In addition to that, endocrine-related effects have been observed in wildlife populations. The report underlines that EDCs bring adverse reproductive outcomes (infertility, cancers, malformations), and there is also mounting evidence of the effects of these chemicals on thyroid function, brain function, obesity and metabolism, and insulin and glucose homeostasis. For these reasons, I voted in favour of the text and I particularly call on the Commission to take adequate measures to address the threat to human health and the environment.

. ‒ I support the pledge to enable Denmark to participate in the law enforcement access components of Eurodac in order to support and strengthen police cooperation between the competent authorities of the Member States and those of Denmark for the prevention, detection and investigation of terrorist offences and other serious criminal offences. For the above reason I voted in favour of the report drafted by colleague Mr Corrao.

. ‒ I voted in favour of the proposed regulation which seeks to establish the Horizon Europe – Framework Programme for Research and Innovation for the period 2021-2027. It lays down the rules for participation and dissemination of results applicable to indirect actions carried out under the programme and establishes the framework for EU support for research and innovation activities.
I consider it essential to deliver scientific, technological, economic and societal impact from the European Union’s investments in research and innovation so as to strengthen the scientific and technological bases of the European Union as a whole. This is also a good perspective for research and innovation in Latvia where new technologies are needed for improved regional development.

. ‒ I voted in favour of this report containing the decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing the specific programme implementing Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. I believe this programme will serve for strengthening and widening Europe’s scientific and technological base, as well as reinforcing and spreading excellence, which is particularly necessary in the Baltic countries.

. ‒ I supported the proposed regulation that aims to improve the functioning of the internal market by strengthening product surveillance of products with a view to ensuring that only compliant products that fulfil requirements providing a high level of protection of public interests such as health and safety in general, health and safety in the workplace, the protection of consumers, protection of the environment and public security, are made available on the European Union market.
In this report, I particularly welcomed the introduction of the reference person, meaning that all companies wishing to sell products on the single market, including those from third countries, shall first designate a reference person in the EU for these products. This person shall be responsible for contacting the manufacturer in the event of non-compliance and taking action to remedy any case of non-compliance.

. ‒ I wholeheartedly supported this report that provides the rules to ensure that business users of online intermediation services and corporate website users in relation to online search engines are granted appropriate transparency, fairness, and effective redress possibilities. I also support the rapporteur in making a distinction between business users and non-business users of online intermediation services.

. ‒ I voted in favour of this report on better enforcement and modernisation of EU consumer protection rules. I am convinced that specific information on price reductions (in the case of travel, for example) should be included in the search results of online marketplaces. Online marketplaces should also, where appropriate, indicate the official classification of a product or service.
Online marketplace operators must take reasonable steps to ensure that the services they provide are not subject to misuse, leaving consumers vulnerable.

I supported with my vote the report on the transparency and sustainability of the EU risk assessment in the food chain and amending and amending eight sectoral legislative acts in terms of transparency and confidentiality. I am convinced that risk management, risk assessment and communication actions must be based in particular on the thorough application of the precautionary principle. To regain public confidence, me and other MEPs called for a transparent, independent, continuous and inclusive process of risk communication throughout the risk analysis, involving Union and national risk assessors and risk managers.