Activities of Angel DZHAMBAZKI related to 2021/2248(INI)
Plenary speeches (3)
2021 Report on North Macedonia (debate)
2021 Report on North Macedonia (debate)
2021 Report on North Macedonia (A9-0133/2022 - Ilhan Kyuchyuk)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the 2021 Commission Report on North Macedonia
Legal basis opinions (0)
Amendments (47)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
— having regard to the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness, and Cooperation between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia, signed on 1 August 2017 and ratified in January 2018 and the Final Agreement for the Settlement of the Differences as described in UN Security Council resolutions 817 (1993) and 845 (1993), the termination of the Interim Accord of 1995, and the establishment of a Strategic Partnership between Greece and North Macedonia on 17 June 2018, also known as the Prespa Agreement;
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 b (new)
Citation 7 b (new)
- having regard the numerous violetions of the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighborliness and Cooperation;
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 18
Citation 18
— having regard to the EU-Western Balkans summit, held in Sofia, Zagreb and Brdo pri Kranju oin 6 October2018, 2020 and 2021, and its declarations,
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas North Macedonia is a trustworthy partner, havingpartner that must continued to make consistent efforts on its path towards EU membership of the EU and towards meetand to fulfilling and susmaintaining the conditions requirednecessary for the opening of accession negotiations, especially regarding the commitments made to the good neighbourliness and cooperation;
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas the cases of removed and destroyed Bulgarian monuments;
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
C b. Whereas to be part of the EU, North Macedonia has to fully implement their bilateral treaties.
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
D a. Whereas joining NATO in 2020 marks a clear step towards greater stability, interoperability and defence integration into the Euro-Atlantic community, advancing their potential for eventual EU accession;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
D b. Whereas the Conference on the Future of Europe and the participation of all Member States can assist the EU accession aspirations of the Western Balkans countries;
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls the need to uphold the pace and credibility of European integration by promptly opening accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia as soon as possible, given that both countries have fulfilled the necessary conditions and delivered sustained results across fundamental areas; expects that negotiations with the Republic of North Macedonia will start only after the country delivers convincing guarantees on the implementation of the Good Neighbourly Relations Treaty;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Urges North Macedonia to sustain and intensify efforts to strengthen the rule of law and judicial independence, counter corruption, reform its public administration and consolidate media freedom; it has been noticed in the Commission staff working document of the Update of the Republic of North Macedonia, published in March 2020, that North Macedonia must continue its work on guaranteeing the professional independence, the accountability of the administration and the respect of the principles of merit and an equitable representation;
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Urges North Macedonia to sustain and intensify efforts to strengthen the rule of law and judicial independence, counter corruption, the protection of human rights, reform its public administration and consolidate media freedom;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. WelcomNotes with interest the implementation of the 2021 population census, while expecting the publication of its results soon;
Amendment 138 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Recalls the need to strengthen independent investigative journalism, non- biased fact-checking and media literacy as means to tackle hate speech, disinformation and foreign interference campaigns;
Amendment 141 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Denounces the ongoing smear campaign against the one Bulgarian TV channel broadcasted in the country; Urges both countries to allow more TV channels, other media outlets and cultural institutions in their respective markets to foster cultural awareness and exchange, to improve people-to-people understanding;
Amendment 160 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Encourages ongoing stepCalls for further actions to build trust in inter-community relations and the functioning of a multi-ethnic society, while recalling the importance of upholding the rights of non-majority communities and tackling all instances of discrimination;
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22 a. Calls for the inclusion of the Bulgarians in the preamble of the Constitution of Northern Macedonia;
Amendment 171 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23 b. Regrets the continuous lack of progress in implementing the previous European Parliament recommendations regarding discrimination against citizens openly expressing their Bulgarian identity and/ or ethnic background;
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 c (new)
Paragraph 23 c (new)
23 c. Strongly encourages the authorities and civil society to take appropriate measures for historical reconciliation in order to overcome the divide between and within different ethnic and national groups, including by listing citizens of Bulgarian identity among the others in the Constitution;
Amendment 183 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. Condemns the case of the burnt Bulgarian flag in the village of Vevchani in the Republic of North Macedonia; Urges the authorities to authorities to investigate the case and punish the perpetrators;
Amendment 185 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24 b. Condems the removal of a Bulgarian monument in the village of Klepach, in the borough of Prilep, North Macedonia; Urges the authorities to restore the previous memorial plaque;
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 c (new)
Paragraph 24 c (new)
24 c. Condemns the destruction of a Bulgarian military cemetery in the Republic of North Macedonia;
Amendment 187 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 d (new)
Paragraph 24 d (new)
24 d. Condemns the use of hate speech against Bulgaria and the Bulgarian community during local election campaigning in the Republic of North Macedonia; Underlines the case of Daniela Arsovska, who holds Bulgarian citizenship;
Amendment 188 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 e (new)
Paragraph 24 e (new)
24 e. Express its concern about the obstacles created against ‘Send a Bulgarian book to Macedonia’ initiative, which aims to foster closer links between the people living on the two sides of the border;
Amendment 189 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 f (new)
Paragraph 24 f (new)
24 f. Strongly urges the media outlets and the authorities of the Republic of North Macedonia to deter from utilizing and publicizing hate speech against EU Member Statesand its closest neighbours;
Amendment 190 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Welcomes North Macedonia’s membership of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance; recalls the need to open up Yugoslav secret service archives, kept both in Skopje and in Belgrade, in order to vigorously address communist- era crimes across the region; takes the view that transparent handling of the totalitarian past, including the opening-up of the archives of the secret services, is a step towards further democratization, accountability and institutional strength in both the country and the Western Balkan region as a whole;
Amendment 194 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25 a. Encourages the authorities to retrieve the relevant Yugoslav secret service archives from Serbia; takes the view that transparent handling of the totalitarian past,including the opening-up of the archives of the secret services, is a steptowards further democratization, accountability and institutional strength inboth the country and the Western Balkan region as a whole;
Amendment 221 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. EncouragesCalls for the finalisation of the security and intelligence sector reform; calls for the whistle-blower protection mechanism to be updated and the lobbying law to be implemented effectively;
Amendment 225 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33 a. Notes with concern that the case named “Mafia” in the Republic of North Macedonia, where employees of the Ministry of Interior are accused of issuing alternative identities to more than 214 high-risk foreign nationals, among which ISIS members, criminals with international arrest warrants for murder, racketeering, extortion and drug trafficking has not been properly addressed by the government; calls for a thorough investigation into the case;
Amendment 230 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
Paragraph 35 a (new)
35 a. Takes in to consideration the further actions North Macedonia has adopted relating to security as stated in the Commission report on North Macedonia 2020; stresses that one of the most important problems the EU faces is the fight against terrorism; stresses the importance of continue to take measures against terrorism.
Amendment 231 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
Paragraph 35 a (new)
35 a. Urges North Macedonia to continue its efforts in addressing the concern of returning foreign fighters along with the concern of foreign direct investment from third countries promoting radicalisation in various communities throughout North Macedonia;
Amendment 232 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 b (new)
Paragraph 35 b (new)
35 b. Takes into consideration the further actions North Macedonia has adopted relating to security as stated in the Commission report on North Macedonia 2020; stresses that one of the most important problems the EU faces is the fight against terrorism; stresses the importance of continue to take measures against terrorism.
Amendment 239 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36 a. Welcomes North Macedonia’s political, operational and logistical support to Frontex and the Border and Coast Guard services of Member States, urges North Macedonia to fully implement its bilateral treaties so it can further its joint exercises in this area of cooperation;
Amendment 240 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 b (new)
Paragraph 36 b (new)
36 b. Welcomes the investigations taken against prolific smuggling rings; stresses that there is a considerable need for further action by local officials and intelligence sharing with EU law enforcement agencies;
Amendment 241 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 c (new)
Paragraph 36 c (new)
36 c. Welcomes the advance in investigations since 2018 taken against organised crime, especially regarding smuggling and human trafficking;
Amendment 283 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 b (new)
Paragraph 43 b (new)
43 b. Welcomes the announcement of North Macedonia in joining the Alexandroupolis Energy Project and encourages greater cooperation with Member States in improving energy security across the region;
Amendment 302 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 a (new)
Paragraph 45 a (new)
45 a. Welcomes North Macedonia’s commitment to the ‘Clean Network’ initiative alongside Bulgaria and Kosovo in eliminating long term threats to data privacy and security by using only ‘trusted vendors’ in the development of its 5G technology and urges its neighbours to follow this example;
Amendment 305 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 b (new)
Paragraph 45 b (new)
45 b. Commends the continued and standing contributions of North Macedonia to ongoing CSDP operations and Euro-Atlantic security. Recognises the professional conduct of the Army of North Macedonia and welcomes continued cooperation in this field;
Amendment 306 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 c (new)
Paragraph 45 c (new)
45 c. Notes the growing risk of increasing influence of China and Russia throughout the region; expresses concern that North Macedonia could become increasingly vulnerable to investment from Russia and China, risking a backslide in development in the rule of law.
Amendment 307 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 d (new)
Paragraph 45 d (new)
45 d. Notes that the recent Commission report on North Macedonia expresses concerns that it is yet to align on restrictive measures against Russia. Encourages strengthening their efforts to be in line with EU standards regarding Russia;
Amendment 308 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 e (new)
Paragraph 45 e (new)
Amendment 314 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Welcomes the ongoing process of historical reconciliation with neighbouring countries; calls for an immediate halt in the media that is focused on promoting anti-Bulgarian views.
Amendment 315 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Welcomes the ongoingUrges the authorities of Northern Macedonia to continue the process of historical reconciliation with neighbouring countries;
Amendment 317 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 a (new)
Paragraph 46 a (new)
46 a. Expresses its concern about the call on the freezing of the work of the Joint Historical Commission between Bulgaria and North Macedonia for a period of 2 years made by the Co-Chair of the Commission Prof. Dragi Georgiev;
Amendment 319 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47
Paragraph 47
47. Strongly welcomes the political impetus for a renewed dialogue between Bulgaria and North Macedonia and encourages the partners to accelerate engagement in good faith in order to reach an acceptable compromise, thereby bringing societies closer together by enabling a common future in the EUsustainable results in the implementation in good faith of the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation, thereby bringing societies closer together by enabling a common future in the EU; Encourages Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia to reach a compromise over a roadmap of concrete measures, which will be included in the negotiations framework, its implementation will be regularly assessed by the Commission during the negotiations process;
Amendment 330 #
47 a. Condemns the falsification of history; Underlines the importance of the overall coverage of historical facts;
Amendment 332 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 c (new)
Paragraph 47 c (new)
Amendment 333 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 d (new)
Paragraph 47 d (new)
47 d. Condemns the fact that apart from few sporadic instances the two countries have failed to jointly commemorate and/or celebrate shared historical figures/dates in the past years in a consistent manner; strongly condemns the vandalistic attack against the tricolour ribbons and the wreaths laid by a Bulgarian delegation in Skopje on Gotse Delchev’s grave in the recent celebration of the 150thanniversary of the birth of the prominent revolutionary; the relations between RNM and Bulgaria should be based on deep, mutual respect and appreciation for each other, consideration and preservation of the common historical heritage;