The rapporteur agrees with the introduction of the new and simple single criterion for the exceptional mobilisation of the EUSF for so-called 'extraordinary regional disasters' based on a GDP-related threshold, which should lead to simplification and considerably help speeding up decision-making and paying out grants.

The main proposed amendments relate to issues of definitions (e.g. the method of calculating "stays not exceeding three months per six-month period"), clarification concerning the required period of validity of certain travel documents, measures to speed up border control, border guard training, rescue services and checks within the territory, delegated acts, and reporting obligations.

European energy security is another area of priority actions, such as those approved by the European Council in March 2007: the security of supply must be enhanced on the one hand by measures falling within the framework of the internal market, such as the facilitated integration of new power plants into the electricity grid of all Member States, improved regional cross-border exchange and measures to accelerate the development of regional energy cooperation, for example, while addressing the challenges of peripheral energy markets and facilitating the integration of regional ones ...[+++] into the EU internal market.

In view of the potential benefits that intelligent vehicle systems offer for road safety and the environment, the European Commission proposes new measures to introduce safer, cleaner and smarter vehicles to the market more quickly.

The agreement that has been concluded lays down that the fundamental pillars of international development cooperation are a series of principles shared by donors and beneficiaries and, in particular, the concept of good governance at all levels, the existence of solid democratic institutions and respect for the Rule of Law, all in the spirit of partnership, on the basis of which the developed States are committed to adopting a series of measures to make financing flows more flexible for developing countries – albeit with a set of conditions – enabling governments to use international cooperation to create domestic conditions favourable t ...[+++]o economic growth and social development.

The agreement that has been concluded lays down that the fundamental pillars of international development cooperation are a series of principles shared by donors and beneficiaries and, in particular, the concept of good governance at all levels, the existence of solid democratic institutions and respect for the Rule of Law, all in the spirit of partnership, on the basis of which the developed States are committed to adopting a series of measures to make financing flows more flexible for developing countries – albeit with a set of conditions – enabling governments to use international cooperation to create domestic conditions favourable t ...[+++]o economic growth and social development.