Activities of Andrejs MAMIKINS related to 2017/2282(INI)
Plenary speeches (2)
Implementation of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement - Implementation of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement (debate)
Implementation of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement - Implementation of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement (debate)
Reports (1)
REPORT on the implementation of the EU Association Agreement with Georgia PDF (343 KB) DOC (74 KB)
Amendments (68)
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
– having regard to the cooperation framework “20 deliverables for 2020” established during the Riga summit in 2015 and promoting stronger economy, stronger governance, stronger connectivity and stronger society,
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
– having regard to the results of the Euronest assembly meetings, most recently that of 25-27 June 2018, resulting in 7 resolutions and calling upon the EU to increase its mediation in the frozen conflicts,
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
Citation 8 a (new)
– having regard to the Single Support Framework for the EU support to Georgia 2017-2020,
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
Citation 8 a (new)
– having regard to the Georgia’s Action Plan for the Implementation of DCFTA 2014-20171a, __________________ 1aGeorgia’s Action Plan for the Implementation of DCFTA 2014-2017, prepared by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, http://www.economy.ge/uploads/dcfta/DC FTA_Action_Plan_ENG.pdf
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the EU-Georgia relations are continuously deepened by new major achievements in line with the EU-Georgia AA, DCFTA and Association Agenda including, entry into force of the visa-free regime and the accession to the Energy Community;
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas the perspective of European integration remains one of most effective incentives for Georgia to carry out reforms and legal approximation to the EU legislative framework;
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
Ac. whereas full respect of core values including democracy, rule of law, good governance, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms including the rights of minorities represents a cornerstone for further European integration;
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)
Recital A d (new)
Ad. whereas the humanitarian situation and isolation of the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia continue to represent one of the key challenges for Georgia;
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A e (new)
Recital A e (new)
Ae. whereas the 2017 Transparency International corruption perception index shows a maintaining of good results in the field of fight against the corruption;
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A f (new)
Recital A f (new)
Af. whereas the new National Strategy on Combating Organized Crime of 2017- 2020 and its Action Plan adopted in 2017 focus on combating “thieves in law”, transit of narcotic drugs and cybercrime, and introducing analysis based and community policing;
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A g (new)
Recital A g (new)
Ag. whereas the Istanbul Convention, mandated to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence, entered into force on 1 September 2017 and an Inter-Agency Commission on Gender Equality, Violence against women and Domestic Violence was established;
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A h (new)
Recital A h (new)
Ah. whereas the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index 2018 shows slight improvement passing from 64th in 2017 to 61st place;
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. New chapter: Institutional framework in place to implement the Association Agreement Stresses that EU support to Georgia will reach between EUR 371 and 453 million for 2017-2020, with additional funds available under the “more for more principle” in line with the EU-Georgia Association Agenda;
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Takes note of Georgia’s plans to reduce the total number of ministries from 14 to 11 with the scope of functional optimisation and expenses reduction; recommends in this regard that in order to be inclusive and efficient such decisions should be taken in close consultation with the opposition parties, as well as the relevant civil society organisations;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Welcomes the decision of the Georgian government to reallocate to education the savings resulting from the structural reorganisation of the ministries;
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 d (new)
Paragraph 3 d (new)
3d. Calls for a stronger involvement of the Prime Minister and of the Minister for Foreign Affairs in providing high-level political oversight to the implementation of the AA, notably through the streamlining of relevant government structures, the coordination and synchronisation of line ministries’ plans and their full and effective implementation;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 e (new)
Paragraph 3 e (new)
3e. Welcomes the decision of the Georgian government to introduce from 2019 a three-year version AA/DCFTA Implementation Plan to facilitate strategic reforms and their funding through long- term planning;
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 f (new)
Paragraph 3 f (new)
3f. Welcomes the incorporation in 2017 of the State Minister’s Office for European Integration into the Georgian MFAEI which will allow a more coordinated planning, reporting and monitoring of the AA/DCFTA implementation, however suggests that that the ownership of European integration should not be concentrated exclusively in the MFAEI, but shared with the whole ministerial apparatus, considering that under the new arrangement MFAEI needs to oversee the impact of the EU-driven reforms on the domestic policies;
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 g (new)
Paragraph 3 g (new)
3g. Welcomes the establishment of the Interparliamentary Assembly of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine and its first meeting held on 8-9 June 2018 in Kyiv; encourages this assembly to also scrutinise the implementation of the association agreements;
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 h (new)
Paragraph 3 h (new)
3h. Invites the Georgian authorities to organise AA implementation through a reform strategy that complements the Implementation Plans, focussed on outcomes beyond legislation and staff training and based on expert impact assessment;
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 i (new)
Paragraph 3 i (new)
3i. Calls on the Georgian authorities to establish a framework political strategy document that would function as an interinstitutional mechanism structuring the cooperation among the parliament, government and the presidential administration in the matter of AA/DCFTA implementation and allowing to develop efficient sectorial strategies;
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 j (new)
Paragraph 3 j (new)
3j. Welcomes the efforts of the Georgian Parliament in intensifying the compliance checks of domestic draft reform proposals, to align them with the objectives and obligations under AA/DCFTA;
Amendment 45 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 k (new)
Paragraph 3 k (new)
3k. Invites the Georgian authorities to further ensure that the appointment to the managing positions in charge of the implementation of the AA projects are transparent and fair and are not politically motivated;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 l (new)
Paragraph 3 l (new)
3l. Urges the EEAS / European Commission to boost internal capabilities to step up monitoring of the implementation of the AA notably through an increase in dedicated human resources with profound expertise in Georgian administrative and legal system, as well as to move towards a qualitative assessment of progress, notably through introduction of screening processes, allowing to assess the level of alignment with the EU acquis actually achieved as required by the AA;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 m (new)
Paragraph 3 m (new)
3m. Calls on the Georgian authorities to guarantee that the structural units dealing with European integration issues in all the ministries are equipped with sufficient number of specifically qualified officials; calls on the EEAS / European Commission to provide assistance in capacity-building and training of Georgian officials dealing with the AA/DCFTA implementation;
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 n (new)
Paragraph 3 n (new)
3n. Welcomes the introduction in 2018 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of an electronic monitoring tool to oversee the efficiency of AA/DCFTA implementation;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 o (new)
Paragraph 3 o (new)
3o. Calls on Georgian authorities to introduce legal provisions that would guarantee that the reforms driven by the EU integration aspirations and obligations under AA/DCFTA are done with the consultation of local authorities and local civil society representatives, including the representatives of minorities and people living in remote territories, to make sure that AA/DCFTA are implemented in an inclusive way, with respect to the local ownership and the principle of proportionality; calls therefore on the Georgian authorities to guarantee the transfer of expertise to all the actors participating in the reform implementation, including the actors operating on the ground;
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 p (new)
Paragraph 3 p (new)
3p. Calls on the EU, its Member States and Georgia to elaborate a coordinated communication strategy on the implementation of the AA and the expected benefits of related reforms to the Georgian society at large, as well as on cooperation opportunities to the European audience; stresses the need to increase awareness within targeted audiences on the EU-sponsored bilateral programmes;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 q (new)
Paragraph 3 q (new)
3q. Welcomes that fact that the civil society is sufficiently involved in the monitoring of AA/DCFTA implementation and praises that signature of memorandum between the Georgian government and the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum Local Platform;
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 r (new)
Paragraph 3 r (new)
3r. (New chapter) People-to-people dialogue and civil society engagement Underlines the crucial role that the civil society plays in the implementation of the AA as an actor overseeing the reforms, channelling the public opinions and concerns and keeping the government accountable in the matter of European integration; stresses that active involvement of NGOs in policy-making is essential to uncover the full potential of integration to the EU programmes;
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 s (new)
Paragraph 3 s (new)
3s. Invites EEAS/European Commission to come up with a proposal for a common digital platform that would provide legal and technical information on the issues that are common to Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova, as well as provide e-learning opportunities for the Georgian and EU officials dealing with the AA;
Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 t (new)
Paragraph 3 t (new)
3t. Urges Georgian authorities to elaborate a sound legal framework for public-private partnerships to increase the share of benefits that SMEs get from AA implementation;
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 u (new)
Paragraph 3 u (new)
3u. Encourages the Georgian authorities to further facilitate business development and modernisation of financial infrastructure to raise the competitiveness of Georgian enterprises and attract foreign direct investments;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 v (new)
Paragraph 3 v (new)
3v. Calls on the EEAS / European Commission, as well as on the EU Delegation to Georgia, to maintain on regular basis direct contacts with Georgian civil society organisations to ensure comprehensive information gathering on the implementation of the Association Agreement;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 w (new)
Paragraph 3 w (new)
3w. Calls upon the Georgian authorities to ensure that the population in peripheral zones has good access to the information on the activities under the Association Agenda, to avoid selective approach and prioritise homogeneous distribution of the Association Agreement benefits across the country;
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 x (new)
Paragraph 3 x (new)
3x. Welcomes the opening of the Eastern Partnership European School with an International Baccalaureate Program for the students from all Eastern Partnership countries in Tbilisi on September 4, 2018; encourages Georgian authorities to enhance the role of European studies in the regular school and university curricula;
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 y (new)
Paragraph 3 y (new)
3y. Stresses the need for Georgia to dispose of highly skilled local personnel to implement the Association Agenda in a sustainable way, in this regards calls on both the EU and Georgia to intensify bilateral education and expertise-sharing initiatives;
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 z (new)
Paragraph 3 z (new)
3z. Praises the level of political socialisation between the EU and Georgian officials, as well as the process of learning in the Georgian domestic institutional environment, allowing to align the working methods of Georgian authorities with the objectives of the Association Agreement and guarantee the shared management approach;
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Reiterates the fact that the EU’s position on Georgia’s constitutional reform coincides with the Venice Commission’s overall positive assessment; regrets the postponement of the implementation of a fully proportional electoral system until 2024; underlines the need to avoid disproportionate political representation and guarantee that the changes to the electoral system are done with a broad public consultation; reiterates its readiness to observe future elections in Georgia and to assist the Georgian authorities in following up on and implementing the recommendations that will be presented;
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Reiterates that the Composition of the Central Election Commission should be free from political influences; calls on the Georgia authorities to apply a major scrutiny on the enforcement of the election code and on the misuse of administrative resources in pre-election period, as well as to strengthen the mechanism for electoral dispute resolution; stresses the need to amend the election code in view of the increased use of social media in election campaigns;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Notes that the introduction of visa- free regimes brings positive results for the development of people-to-people contacts and contributes to the mobility objectives of the AA;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the continuous implementation of Georgia’s Migration Strategy and Action Plan, as well as the introduction of the Unified Migration Analysis System, and the strengthening of the rehabilitation of border sectors with Turkey and Azerbaijan;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 d (new)
Paragraph 8 d (new)
8d. Commends Georgia’s continued participation in civil and military crises management operations under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP); welcomes Georgian participation in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and the UN International Mechanism of Accountability for crimes committed since 2011 in Syria; notes Georgia’s Chemical Weapons Convention amendment to its Criminal Code, as well as its first Arms Trade Treaty report in August 2017;
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 e (new)
Paragraph 8 e (new)
8e. Stresses the need to further develop high level strategic dialogue on security issues between the EU and Georgia, especially on countering radicalization, violent extremism and hybrid threats; expresses the need for a gradual institutionalisation of this dialogue;
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2
Subheading 2
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Notes with satisfaction Georgia’s results in fighting corruption; commends Georgia’s continued implementation of the Anti-Corruption Strategy and its Action Plan with particular emphasis on the measures to prevent, detect and address high-level corruption; calls on Georgia to ensure that the Anti-Corruption Agency is separated from the State Security Service and that the key anti-corruption institutions are free from political leadership;
Amendment 142 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Stresses the need for the authorities in charge of implementation of the Association Agreement to conduct regular financial spending oversight to prevent fraudulent practices and redirecting of the EU funds;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Welcomes the Georgian Parliament’s assent to a package of laws to improve the situation of inmates; calls on Georgia to establish an effective and independent complaint mechanism to investigate the cases of ill-treatment by law-enforcement authorities, as well as to introduce positive incentives for the police workers to align their working methods with the international human rights standards;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Stresses that the European Parliament closely monitors the ongoing investigation into the alleged abduction from Georgia and illegal arbitrary detention of Azeri journalist and activist Afghan Mukhtarli and demands from the Georgian authorities a swift, thorough and transparent investigation and bringing all those responsible to account; is concerned over other cases of pressure or violation of the rights of human rights defenders from Azerbaijan residing in Georgia;
Amendment 169 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Calls on the Georgian authorities to apply a closer scrutiny on the respect of political and cultural rights of the ethnic minorities and to put in place an efficient monitoring mechanism of Georgia´s Equality and Integration Strategy;
Amendment 171 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Calls on the Georgian authorities to take steps for transforming the Labour Conditions Inspection Department into a fully-fledged independent labour inspection body capable of overlooking all the work places unrestrictedly and defining the level of sanctions in cases of breach of the Georgian Law on Labour Safety;
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Paragraph 18 c (new)
18c. Calls on the Parliament of Georgia to harmonise the Georgian legislation in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities and the EU Law on disability;
Amendment 177 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls on the Georgian authorities to take further steps to protect women against all forms of violence and sexual harassment and to increase their participation in politics and the labour market; calls on the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia to introduce a police training programme to address sexual harassment issues at work, public places and private sector;
Amendment 178 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Underlines that children with disabilities still represent one of the most vulnerable groups in Georgian society faced with the risks of poverty, exclusion and discrimination; urges therefore the Georgian authorities to harmonize the legislation in line with the EU provisions on disability and to adopt a social model on disability ensuring a full access to education for children;
Amendment 191 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Stresses the need to carry out a comprehensive investigation of Rustavi-2 case and ensure that that the judicial process is completely impartial and free from political pressure; urges the Georgian authorities to enhance the protection of journalists and whistle- blowers in Georgia by specifically addressing intimidation and unlawful harassment against them;
Amendment 206 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 f (new)
Paragraph 21 f (new)
21f. Notes the increasing trend in EU- Georgia trade, the progress done in the matter of technical barriers to trade and the progress in approximation of some trade related legislation and standards, including sanitary and phytosanitary measures; calls nevertheless for more progress in food safety; commends the major role of small and medium-sized enterprises and farmers in boosting the country’s economy;
Amendment 209 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 g (new)
Paragraph 21 g (new)
21g. Welcomes the expansion of Competition Agency functions within the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia; stresses the need for the Georgian authorities to guarantee equal distribution of the results of Georgian economy growth among the population;
Amendment 211 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Notes positively the progress in the area of public procurement with planned alignment of legislation by 2022; stresses the importance of an impartial and independent review body; urges the government of Georgia to improve the transparency of the public procurement system, in particular by reducing exemptions from open bidding in the procurement law in order to reduce the overall volume of direct contracting;
Amendment 218 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Praises the plans to incorporate the Ministry of Energy into the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development in order to improve decision-making in the energy field and reduce administrative expenditures; notes however that similar decisions should be taken in close coordination with the Georgian Parliament and broad consultation with the representatives of the NGOs;
Amendment 219 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Recommends that the Georgian authorities develop a robust national energy strategy, reduce the level of energy subsidies, strengthen the security of energy supplies and energy independence, encourages the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency and the adoption of the necessary laws, as well as an adaptation of the institutional framework; encourages strengthening of the energy transit functions;
Amendment 220 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Stresses the need for further implementation efforts to be done in the sphere of transport and environment; urges Georgian Government to adopt a strategy for combatting air pollution; calls upon the Georgian authorities to increase public participation in environmental decision-making and the degree of sharing of environmental information to assist the public interest;
Amendment 223 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Urges Georgian authorities, as well as EEAS / European Commission, to make all the necessary efforts to step up EU Energy Acquis transfer, as well as scientific cooperation and innovation development in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy;
Amendment 224 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Reiterates its resolve to increase its monitoring of the implementation of international agreements with the EU’s Eastern partners; calls once more on the Commission and the EEAS to transmit to Parliament and the Council more frequent detailed written reports on the implementation of these agreements;
Amendment 225 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27b. Calls on the EEAS/European Commission to support Georgia in developing sectorial reform strategies in the framework of AA/DCFTA, especially in the matter of horizontal issues, to maximize the output and the impact of the reforms in Georgia;
Amendment 226 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 c (new)
Paragraph 27 c (new)
27c. Calls on the EEAS/European Commission to provide the EU Delegation in Georgia with additional dedicated human resources to cope with its duty of assistance in AA/DCFTA implementation;
Amendment 227 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 d (new)
Paragraph 27 d (new)
27d. Calls on the EEAS/European Commission to publish all the annual association implementation reports at the same time and to simultaneously publish a comparative evaluation of the level of progress towards AA/DCFTA implementation by each associated partner, against specific benchmarks;
Amendment 228 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 e (new)
Paragraph 27 e (new)
27e. Calls on the EEAS / European Commission and the authorities of Georgia to take steps in order to assess the benefits of the implementation of the Association Agreement on individual level among Georgian citizens, as well as to step up common coordination efforts to identify and share best practices;
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 f (new)
Paragraph 27 f (new)
27f. Resolves to draw up annual reports on the implementation of the Association Agreements;