Activities of Davor ŠKRLEC related to 2016/2228(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
An integrated EU policy for the Arctic (debate) HR
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on an integrated European Union policy for the Arctic PDF (536 KB) DOC (89 KB)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on an integrated European Union policy for the Arctic
Amendments (24)
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
– having regard to the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 61/295 by the General Assembly on 13 December 2007,
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Underlines that common challenges to the Arctic region, in particular the Arctic's fragile environment and the impacts of climate change, can only be tackled in cooperation between all levels of governance from local to international and by involving all relevant stakeholders including from civil society;
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Recalls the responsibility taken by the Union in stepping-up efforts to combat climate change; considers therefore that the EU part of the Arctic region should contribute to sustainable development and mitigation of climate change in particular; stresses that ESI Funds should be used in this respect;
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights the vital role the European Structural and Investment Funds have in developing the European Arctic and creating growth and jobsustainable growth and quality jobs targeted towards future- oriented sectors, and the need for responsible and respectful development of the Arctic's natural resources; draws attention to the permanent handicaps that need to be offset (Article 174 TFEU);
Amendment 21 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines that cooperating closely with the regions and sub-regions in the European Arctic is essential when building the EU-Arctic policy and EU funding for the area, as the regions and local communities have strong expertise in the key topics, and their views and opinions should be heard and taken into account;
Amendment 33 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises that the Arctic should be seen as a place of research, ecotourism, sustainable industry, green technology and know-how, as well as a site of many companies – especially SMEs – which thrive on innovative business models and innovative technologies; Stresses the importance of protecting the cultural and fragile ecosystem for the inhabitants of the Arctic when investing in their socio- economic development;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas China, Japan, India and other countries show a growing interest in the Arctic region confirming the increasing global geopolitical interest in the Arctic;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas science-informed decision- making is key to safeguarding the fragile ecosystems of the Arctic, to reducing risks and, to enabling adaptation of local communities and to promoting sustainable development; whereas the EU is the world’'s leading funder of Arctic research and promotes free exchange of its results;
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M a (new)
Recital M a (new)
Ma. whereas reconciling prospective economic opportunities and interests with socio-cultural, ecological and environmental challenges through sustainable development remains a top priority, reflected also in the national Arctic strategies of the Arctic states;
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the importance of UNCLOS in providing a complementary multilateral legal framework for settling intra-Arctic sovereignty issues; notes that only very few unresolved issues of jurisdiction exist in the Arctic; considers respect for international law in the Arctic essential; points out that the waters around the North Pole are mostly international waters; advocates a strong role for the EU in promoting effective multilateral arrangements and a global rules-based order through the strengthening and consistent implementation of relevant international, regional and bilateral agreements, frameworks and arrangements; underlines that the EU should have a strong role in reaching an agreement to maintain the Arctic, which is not under any country’'s jurisdiction, as an area of common heritage to be used exclusively for peaceful and scientific purposes; notes that this does not concern navigation and traditional livelihoods;
Amendment 139 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. In this context, calls on the Commission and the Member States to pursue the opening of international negotiations designed to lead to the adoption of an international treaty for the protection of the Arctic, having as its inspiration the Madrid Treaty of 1993 concerning the Antarctic but respecting the fundamental difference represented by the populated nature of the Arctic and the consequent rights and needs of the peoples and nations of the Arctic region;
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Takes the view that while there are obvious differences between the Arctic and the Antarctic there are also obvious similarities; stresses that the Antarctic treaty successfully creates a framework for peaceful cooperation and research without getting caught up in territorial disputes; points out that the same aims of peaceful research and cooperation are broad enough and the situation similar enough to be considered very relevant also in the Arctic contest;
Amendment 141 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Calls for a moratorium for any offshore hydrocarbon or mineral exploration and extraction operations in the Arctic, including the practice of sonar and seismic blasting, due to the vulnerability of its unique environment; highlights that a moratorium on the industrial exploitation of the Arctic maritime region would be the most effective means of protecting natural resources, while safeguarding peace and stability of the region as well as preventing further climate change, until a legally binding internationally-negotiated agreement is in force; stresses that any agreement or moratorium must be discussed with the people of the region with regard, in particular, with the indigenous peoples and the local communities;
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – indent 1
Paragraph 6 – indent 1
– All potential environmental, socio- economic and cultural impacts both during and after the project, including cumulative effects of current and future projects and including sonar testing and seismic blasting,
Amendment 213 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Insists that before any new commercial fisheries are opened in the Arctic region reliable and precautionary scientific stock assessments must be conducted in order to determine the levels of fishing that will conserve the targeted fish stocks and not lead to depletion of other species or to serious damage to the marine environment; stresses that any fishing on the high seas must be regulated by a regional fisheries management organisation that respects scientific advice and has a robust control and surveillance programme to ensure compliance with management measures; points out that fishing within Exclusive Economic Zones must meet the same standards; calls for a moratorium on industrial-scale fishing, including bottom trawling, in the previously un-fished waters of the Arctic;
Amendment 247 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Draws attention to the fact that energy security is closely related to climate change; considers that energy security must be improved by reducing the EU's dependence on fossil fuels; highlights the fact that the transformation of the Arctic represents one major effect of climate change on EU security; stresses the need to address this risk multiplier through a reinforced EU strategy for the Arctic, and through an enhanced policy of EU-generated renewable energies and energy efficiency that significantly reduces the Union's reliance on external sources and thereby improves its security position;
Amendment 248 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Calls for the development of oiled wildlife response plans, in accordance with defined good practice, in all Arctic States, including an effective assessment of vulnerable species at risk as well as feasible prevention and response strategies to ensure their protection;
Amendment 263 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Expresses its deep concern at the increasing deployment of military capabilities in the Arctic that could potentially destabilise the region; urges the circumpolar states not to build up military outposts or scientific outposts that are protected by military forces;
Amendment 302 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for better and earlier involvement of indigenous people in the making of a citizen-centred Arctic policy; stresses the need to safeguard their rights, culture and language; stresses the need to adopt special measures to safeguard the culture and language and the land rights of indigenous peoples in the way defined in ILO Convention n.169;
Amendment 323 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Stresses that maintaining developed and sustainable communities in the Arctic with a high quality of life is of the utmost importance, and that the EU can play a vital role in the matter; calls on the Commission and the Member States, in this respect, to intensify their work in the areas of eco-system-based management, multilateral cooperation, knowledge-based decision-making in close cooperation with local inhabitants and indigenous peoples;
Amendment 326 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Urges the EEAS and the Commission to step up the dialogue with the six associations of circumpolar indigenous peoples that are recognised as permanent participants in the Arctic Council; asks the Commission to explore the possibility of ensuring that their voices are taken into account in EU debates, providing funds for these associations;
Amendment 327 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 c (new)
Paragraph 19 c (new)
19c. Reiterates the right of the people of the Arctic to determine their own livelihoods and recognises their wish for sustainable development of the region; asks the Commission to better define EU programmes that could be used to support such long-term balanced sustainable development, and prepare measures with a view to making a more concrete contribution to fulfilling this desire;
Amendment 328 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 d (new)
Paragraph 19 d (new)
19d. Welcomes the work of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of the indigenous people and that of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;
Amendment 329 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 e (new)
Paragraph 19 e (new)
19e. Highlights that observer status in the Arctic Council is open to a variety of organisations other than nation states; calls upon the Commission to encourage regions which are particularly impacted upon by Arctic affairs, for example Northern Norway and Scotland, to play a full role in the development of the future of Arctic Policy;