Activities of Charlie WEIMERS related to 2019/2135(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Annual report on the implementation of the common foreign and security policy - Annual report on the implementation of the common security and defence policy (debate)
Amendments (26)
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
- having regard to the enormous impact on potential EU defence capabilities of the departure of the UK, one of the most effective European military powers from the EU,
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 21 a (new)
Citation 21 a (new)
- having regard to Russia's illegal invasion and annexation of Crimea,
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 21 b (new)
Citation 21 b (new)
- having regard to the Intermediate Range Nuclear Force (INF) Treaty, Russia's repeated violations including the development and deployment of 9M729 ground-launched cruise missile systems and the US and Russian withdrawal from the Treaty,
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 21 c (new)
Citation 21 c (new)
- having regard to Russia's violation of airspace and maritime borders of member states,
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 21 d (new)
Citation 21 d (new)
- having regard to China's increase in economic and military presence in the Mediterranean and African countries,
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 21 e (new)
Citation 21 e (new)
- having regard to the threat of domestic and foreign terrorism, primarily from groups such as ISIS and Al Qaeda,
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 21 f (new)
Citation 21 f (new)
- having regard to new technologies such as artificial intelligence, space capabilities and quantum computing which present new opportunities for mankind, but also create new challenges in defence and foreign policy that require a clear strategy and consensus among allies,
Amendment 58 #
4 a. Stresses that strengthening substantial relations with East and Southeast Asia is essential to the EU's rules-based, comprehensive and sustainable Connectivity Strategy; takes note of the military build-up in the region and calls for all parties involved to respect the freedom of navigation, to solve differences through peaceful means and to refrain from taking unilateral actions to change the status quo, including in the East and South China Seas and the Taiwan Strait; expresses concern that foreign interferences from autocratic regimes through disinformation and cyber-attacks on the upcoming general elections threaten Asian democracies and regional stability; reiterates its support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organisations, mechanisms and activities;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that the Union has been slow to react and adapt – politically, diplomatically and militarily – to new crises and to this new international context; considers that, in the specific area of defence, there has been insufficient investment, differences in capabilities and a lack of interoperability, but also, and above all, a political reluctance to implement the robust provisions provided for in the European treaties and the numerous cooperation arrangements between Member States have weakened the Union’s ability to play a decisive role in external crises; recognises, further, that no country is able by itself to address the security challenges on the European continent and in its immediate environment;
Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes, in this adverse and volatile context, the belated but real recognition of shared security interests and the growing political will on the part of European countries and the European institutions to act collectively for their security by endowing themselves with greater means to act autonomouslydecisively; welcomes also the great increase in US commitment to European security, not least through its enhanced $6 billion European Deterrence Initiative and the increase in its Forward Military Presence in Europe;
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Welcomes and supports Operation Atlantic Resolve and NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence on the European continent and recognises the importance of NATO troops in the effort to deter further Russian aggression and provide crucial support in the event of a conflict;
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Considers that the principle of European strategic autonomy is based on the ability of the Union to strengmistaken idea that the EU is better able thean its freedomNATO or our nations to assess, take decisions and take action where circumstances so require in order to defend its interests and valuesto defend the interests and values of our citizens while some European countries might well embark on low intensity military operations, it is difficult to imagine circumstances where European countries would engage in major combat operations without the support of NATO Allies and therefore urges renewed commitment to the revitalisation of the Alliance;
Amendment 134 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
Amendment 162 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Maintains that European strategic autonomy must take practical form in the areas of industry, capability (joint programmes, investment in defence technologies) and operations (financing of operations, capacity building for partners, capacity to plan and conduct missions) and can be based upon the successes of the NATO Industrial Advisory group and be complementary to the existing commitments of Member States who are part of the Transatlantic Defence Technological and Industrial Cooperation (TADIC);
Amendment 173 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Considers that Europe’s defence is based largely on the Union’s capacity to intervAcknowledges that CSDP activities are small-scale operations within the European periphery and have limited manpower and objectives recognizes that the EU cannot replicate or replace the command and defence militarily, in a credible manner, in external theatres of operationsplanning structures of NATO and its role as the cornerstone of European defence;
Amendment 230 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Stresses the need to assess missions and operations on a regular basis in order to make them more effective; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to draw up mandates and budgets which are appropriate to the operations concerned and to provide for an exit strategy; calls, in that connection, for more regular consultations with the relevant parliamentary committees, and calls on the latter to focus their missions and delegations on areas where CSDP missions and operations are deployed; calls for the European Court of Auditors to conduct a review of all ongoing CSDP missions to ensure that their budgets and forces are being deployed in the most effective way; further calls for all ongoing CSDP missions to have a formal end date, which is subject to a full and comprehensive review before consideration of any extension is given;
Amendment 238 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Recalls the importance of organising joint training and exercises between European and US armed forces, thereby promoting interoperability, with a view to maximising mission preparedness and addressing a broad range of threats, both conventional and non-conventional;
Amendment 310 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Welcomes the significant reversal of the trend of cutting defence budgets as a result of the Defence Investment Pledge made at the NATO Summit in Wales in 2014; is of the opinion that this should be supported and encouraged at Union level;
Amendment 413 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
52. Recognises the increasingly prominent role of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in European defence; notes, in particular, the many military applications stemming from AI for managing and simulating operational environments, assisting the decision- making process, detecting threats and processing intelligence; stresses that the development of reliable AI in the field of defence is essential for ensuring European strategic autonomy in capability and operational areasoperational objectives are accomplished; calls on the Union to keep up its investment in this area and in particular in disruptive technologies through existing instruments (European Defence Fund, European Innovation Council, future Horizon Europe, Digital Europe programme); encourages transatlantic cooperation in this space to ensure partnering on development and application are used to maximize added value to joint operations and commitments;
Amendment 436 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55
Paragraph 55
55. Considers that European strategic autonomyactions must be based on sustainable cooperation and strategic partnerships with countries and organisations sharing the Union’s values; welcomes, further, the contributions made by CSDP partners to Union missions and operations;
Amendment 438 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55 a (new)
Paragraph 55 a (new)
55a. Acknowledges and welcomes the continued US military presence in Europe and welcomes the $1.75 billion increase in the budget for the European Deterrence Initiative, rising to $6.531 billion for 2019;
Amendment 466 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 a (new)
Paragraph 60 a (new)
60a. Recognizes that political and economic stability along with military capabilities and cooperation in the Sub- Saharan Africa is key to mitigating the growth of jihadist activity, migrant crises and combatting the spread and influence of extremism;
Amendment 467 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 b (new)
Paragraph 60 b (new)
60b. Recognizes and supports the EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) to Libya, that has been assisting with the transition to democracy and works to train, advise, and develop Libyan border security in land, air and sea;
Amendment 472 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 g (new)
Paragraph 60 g (new)