17 Amendments of Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS related to 2020/2041(INI)
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines that Europe and Africa are in close geographical proximity, have strong historical and cultural ties and are being brought ever closer by the increase in trade and shared challenges, which call for a continental-African approach and result- oriented use of EU resources ensuring transparency and monitoring procedures;
Amendment 21 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines that the process of development on the African continent is of key importance for the prosperity, stability and security of both the EU and Africa; notes the importance of EU support and cooperation with African countries to fight corruption in the African continent;
Amendment 28 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Considers that stable democratic institutions, free and fair elections, education and literacy improvement, promoting gender equality, and the protection of vulnerable groups are all prerequisites of development and must be at the heart of EU-Africa cooperation.
Amendment 32 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Highlights that Africa is disproportionately affected by the adverse impacts of climate change; notes that it is our common responsibility to introduce measures to fight climate change through promoting climate proofing of investments, adaptation, decentralised access to renewable energy, and climate mitigation in the African continent;
Amendment 43 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the urgent need for a stronger long-term and multi-faceted partnership, which should also translate into stronger political cooperation built on equality, trust and shared values; highlights the importance of free and fair elections, law-based and peaceful power transitions in African countries;
Amendment 53 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that Africa is still undergoing the process of integration at regional, continental and international level and that as yet 54 African countries remain divided and diversified in areas of key strategic importance to the EU, such as meeting internationally recognised standards and practices in trade, human rights, sustainable development and positioning in international organisations; calls on the EU to forge a stronger partnership between the EU and the African Union to tackle global common challenges, by focusing on strategic areas such as digital transformation and climate diplomacy, under the principle of common and differentiated responsibilities; urges the EU to continue its support to the integration process in Africa through the AU, namely by supporting the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Amendment 55 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that Africa is still undergoing the process of integration at regional, continental and international level and that as yet 54 African countries remain divided and diversified in areas of key strategic importance to the EU, such as meeting internationally recognised standards and practices in trade, human rights, sustainable development and positioning in international organisations; notes the importance of implementing the Africa Mining Vision adopted in 2009 by the African Heads of State and Governments to ensure transparent, equitable and optimal exploitation of mineral resources.
Amendment 65 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Calls on the European Investment Bank to immediately strengthen its tax justice regime through ensuring that supported projects in Africa or companies with aggressive or harmful tax planning are forced to disclose information about their sales, assets, the number of employees, profits and tax payments in each country of operation.
Amendment 78 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the joint communication from the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 9 March 2020 entitled ‘Towards a comprehensive strategy with Africa’ (JOIN(2020)0004); calls for strongUnderlines the need to adopt, within the Africa-EU partnership, a coordinated and comprehensive approach, both between the EU-AU and among the EU and its Member States, as provided for by Article 210 TFEU; calls on the EU to step up this joint perspective in view of the next EU- Africa Summit to be held in October2 020; calls for a strong, coherent and constant EU engagement in the security, stability and development of Africa;
Amendment 91 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Underlines that Africa's future relies in the hands of its young generation; calls the EU to support concrete initiatives for the empowerment of youth and women in its renewed EU- Africa strategy ensuring their active involvement in decision-making processes of civic and political life.
Amendment 118 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that the EU is among the first to bear the costs of all destructive policies employed against African nations, while other players, especially China and Russia, are focused only on their own benefits at the expense of African sovereignty and European security; calls the European Commission to take it into account in its EU-Africa strategy and to raise this issue at the future EU-China Summit;
Amendment 128 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Recalls that the extractive sector plays an important role in the economies of numerous African countries and is linked to an unequal resource interdependence with Europe, which should be rectified by addressing the issue by of illicit outflows of tax revenue and royalties in the extractive sector through the EU Transparency Directive and Accounting Directive;
Amendment 133 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Notes with concern that the EU’s open procurement rules are not always reciprocated, which often distorts competition at the expense of European companies operating in Africa; considers that “price only” tenders lack sufficient conditionality concerning labour and environmental standards and favour state sponsored actors;
Amendment 143 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Shares the opinion that the matter of the security of Africa should be transferred into the hands of Africans and that the EU should assist its African partners in the successful accomplishment of this ultimate goal.Recalls that the fight against terrorism is a common priority; calls the EU to continue its efforts to assist its African partners throughout its military operations and civilian missions and support for initiatives coming from the AU, regional organizations such as ECOWAS or G5 Sahel; encourages Member States to participate in EU missions and operations and in bilateral efforts; insists on the importance of the establishment of the European Peace Facility in order to provide a more comprehensive assistance to African partners in regions affected by terrorism;
Amendment 147 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Shares the opinion that the matter of the security of Africa should be transferred into the hands of Africans and that the EU should assist its African partners in the successful accomplishment of this ultimate goal through peacebuilding and demilitarization projects while ensuring that international human rights are respected under all circumstances.
Amendment 150 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Shares the opinion that the matter of the security of Africa should be transferred into the hands of Africans and that the EU should assissupport its African partners in the successful accomplishment of this ultimate goal, with a special focus in dialogue and peace-building solutions.
Amendment 159 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Stresses the need to strengthen the cooperation on migration, based on the respect for human rights and international law; calls on the EU to target its policies to tackle the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement, improving the return rates and to help African partners to fight against smuggling networks and human trafficking;