BETA

Activities of Klaus BUCHNER

Plenary speeches (3)

Situation in Kashmir (debate)
2019/09/17
Animal welfare conditions during transport to third countries (debate)
2019/12/17
COP15 to the Convention on Biological Diversity (Kunming 2020) (debate)
2020/01/15
Dossiers: 2019/2824(RSP)

Shadow reports (2)

REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (recast)
2020/06/19
Committee: ITRE
Dossiers: 2019/0151(COD)
Documents: PDF(443 KB) DOC(209 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Marisa MATIAS', 'mepid': 96820}]
REPORT on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Strategic Innovation Agenda of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) 2021-2027: Boosting the Innovation Talent and Capacity of Europe
2020/06/24
Committee: ITRE
Dossiers: 2019/0152(COD)
Documents: PDF(509 KB) DOC(240 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Maria da Graça CARVALHO', 'mepid': 96867}]

Institutional motions (4)

JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Myanmar, notably the situation of the Rohingya
2019/09/18
Dossiers: 2019/2822(RSP)
Documents: PDF(156 KB) DOC(55 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on situation in Turkey, notably the removal of elected mayors
2019/09/18
Dossiers: 2019/2821(RSP)
Documents: PDF(159 KB) DOC(53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the violent crackdown on the recent protests in Iran
2019/12/17
Dossiers: 2019/2993(RSP)
Documents: PDF(139 KB) DOC(47 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on India’s Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019
2020/01/22
Dossiers: 2020/2519(RSP)
Documents: PDF(139 KB) DOC(48 KB)

Oral questions (1)

Animal welfare and the new Green Deal
2020/02/10
Documents: PDF(50 KB) DOC(10 KB)

Written questions (9)

Use of microplastics in washing machines
2019/11/07
Documents: PDF(42 KB) DOC(10 KB)
Guidance to Member States on produce from Western Sahara
2019/12/11
Documents: PDF(40 KB) DOC(9 KB)
Proof of preferential origin of products originating in Western Sahara
2019/12/11
Documents: PDF(38 KB) DOC(9 KB)
5G, the fight against cancer and carcinogenic effects of EMFs
2019/12/13
Documents: PDF(44 KB) DOC(11 KB)
Microsoft Windows 10 in European local authorities
2020/02/12
Documents: PDF(42 KB) DOC(10 KB)
5G, the virus and the immune-repressing effect of long-term exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic waves
2020/04/24
Documents: PDF(61 KB) DOC(11 KB)
European Regional Development Fund / Dolphinariums
2020/05/26
Documents: PDF(48 KB) DOC(10 KB)
Farm to Fork Strategy: exclusion of meat and dairy-related measures from the final roadmap
2020/06/08
Documents: PDF(46 KB) DOC(10 KB)
Audit 2019-6898 carried out by DG SANTE in Romania to evaluate animal welfare during transport by livestock vessel to non-EU countries
2020/06/09
Documents: PDF(47 KB) DOC(10 KB)

Amendments (927)

Amendment 128 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Citation 3 a (new)
Having regard to the Agreement adopted at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP21) in Paris on 12 December 2015 (the Paris Agreement),
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 129 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Citation 3 b (new)
Having regard to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 130 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Citation 3 c (new)
Having regard to the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on ‘The European Green Deal’ (COM(2019) 640 final),
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 131 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Citation 3 d (new)
Having regard to the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 (European Climate Law),
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 132 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 2
(2) The SIA should define the priority fields andset out the long- term strategy, objectives and priorities for the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (‘EIT’) and include an assessment of its socio-economic and socio-ecological impact and its capacity to generate best innovation added value in response to societal challenges, in particular as regards its contribution to reducing GHG emission to net-zero by 2040 at the latest which is linked to the European Green Deal, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs). The SIA should take into account the results of the monitoring and evaluation of the EIT.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 135 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 1 a (new)
Article 1 a Objectives of the SIA 1. In accordance with Article 4 of the EIT Regulation, the SIA shall set out the long- term strategy, objectives and priorities for the EIT for the period from 2021 to 2027 and define its key actions, targeted results, expected socioeconomic and socio- ecological impact, including its impact on reducing GHG emissions to net-zero by 2040 at the latest which is linked with the political priorities under the European Green Deal, and on achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as the resources needed for that period. 2. It shall ensure the consistency of the EIT with Horizon Europe. 3. It shall ensure synergies and complementarities with other relevant Union programmes, priorities and commitments.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 136 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 1 – paragraph 1
This Strategic Innovation Agenda (SIA) sets out the long-term strategy and priorities for the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) for the period 2021- 2027. It represents the main policy document of the EIT over the next programming period and defines itdefines the EIT’s objectives, key actions, expected results and impact and resources needed over the next programming period. The SIA ensures the necessary alignment of the EIT with the [Horizon Europe proposal], which is the Union framework programme supportingfor research and innovation for the period 2021-2027. It also ensures appropriate synergies and complementarities between the EIT activities and other Union initiativprogrammes, policies and instru, instruments and commitments.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 137 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 1 – paragraph 2
The SIA 2021-2027 is informed by the impact assessment carried out by the European Commission. It takes into account the draft SIA from the EIT Governing Board submitted to the European Commission on 20 December 2017, in accordance with the EIT Regulation21 . It also reflects the new [Horizon Europe proposal] of the European Commission of June 2018 and, in particular, the key role of the EIT as part of the [Open Innovation] Pillar (Pillar III), and its contribution to addressing global challenges, including established targets for climate objective particular the Union's commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the SDGs, and European industrial competitiveness (Pillar II) and to excellent science (Pillar I). The SIA builds on the lessons learnt over the last years of operation of the EIT and the results of a wide consultation process with key stakeholders. _________________ 21 Regulation (EC) No 294/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2008 establishing the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (OJ L 97, 9.4.2008, p. 1). Amended by Regulation (EU) No 1292/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 (OJ L 347, 11.12.2013, p. 174).
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 139 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 1 – paragraph 3
The SIA takes into account the Strategic Planning of Horizon Europe to ensure alignment with the Framework Programme activities, as well as synergies and complementarity with other relevant Union programmes and consistency with EU priorities and commitments and, in particular the European Green Deal. It also aims at increaseing complementarity and synergies with national and regional funding programmes and priorities.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 140 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 1 – point 1.1 – paragraph 1
The EIT was established in 2008 in order to contribute to sustainable economic growth and competitiveness by reinforcing the innovation capacity of the Member States and the European Union. It pioneered the integration of higher education, business andresearch and innovation, research (knowledge triangle) together with a strong emphasis on entrepreneurial talent and innovation skills. Since its creation, the EIT has gradually established itself as a successful instrument to address societal challenges through the integration of the knowledge triangle and the creation of Europe-wide innovation ecosystems. The mid-term evaluation of the EIT in 20187 confirmed that the overarching rationale of the EIT remains valid and the model of innovation- driven knowledge triangle integration remains relevant.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 142 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 1 – point 1.1 – paragraph 2
A decade after the EIT’s establishment, the pace of innovation has accelerated dramatically. Innovation is reshaping economic sectors, disrupting existing businesses and creating unprecedented opportunities. With the increasing impacts of climate change, a shifting global economic order and international competition on the rise, the EU’s dependence on talent and its capacity to innovate is growing. Co-design, collaboration and co-creation across disciplines and between education, business and researchresearch, business, public and third-sector organisations have never been as important as today to contribute to address global challenges related to climate change, biodiversity loss and the unsustainable use onf natural recsources, digitthe transition to a net-zero GHG emission economy, digital and social transformation, demographic shifts or the future of healthcare and food.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 146 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 1 – point 1.2 – paragraph 1
Since its set up, the EIT has established itself gradually as a successful instrument addressing societal challenges. The EIT operates mainly through Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), which are in accordance with Horizon Europe Regulation large-scale European partnerships between education and training, business and research organisations. There are currently eight KICs that operate in the following areas: climate change, digital transformation, energy, food, health, raw materials, urban mobility and added-value manufacturing (see Figure 2).
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 150 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 1 – point 1.2 – paragraph 2
Each KIC is organised around five to ten of co-location centres (CLCs22 ) which are intended to act as geographical hubs that also provide a physical as well as a virtual space for interaction within the local innovation ecosystem and for the practical integration of the knowledge triangle. They are organised and structured according to their respective national and regional innovation context and build onaround a pan- European network of existing labs, offices or campuses of a KICs’infrastructures and activities of a KIC’s knowledge triangle core partners. _________________ 22 A ‘Co-location centre’ is a geographical area where the main KICs knowledge triangle partners are based and can easily interact, providing the focal point for the KICs’ activity in that area.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 155 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 1 – point 1.2 – paragraph 3 – indent 1
— Education and training activities with strong innovation and entrepreneurship components to re-skill, up-skill and to train the next generation of talents, including the design and implementation of programmes awarded the EIT Label23 , in particular at master and doctoral level; _________________ 23 The EIT Label is a quality seal awarded by the EIT to a KIC’s educational programme which complies with specific quality criteria related inter alia to entrepreneurial education and innovative ‘learning-by-doing’ curricula.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 156 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 1 – point 1.2 – paragraph 3 – indent 2
— Activities supporting research and innovation to develop innovative and sustainable, products, processes and service, technologies and services and non- technological solutions that address a specific business opportunity with an economic or social objective;
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 161 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 1 – point 1.2 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Special attention shall be dedicated to ensuring gender balance and to gender- sensitive approaches, especially in areas where women are still under represented.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 162 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 1 – point 1.2 – paragraph 3 b (new)
All existing and future KICs shall ensure a balance between the three sides of the knowledge triangle, in order to preserve the unique feature of the KICs.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 165 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 1 – point 1.2 – paragraph 8
The focus on global challenges through the integration of the knowledge triangle distinguishes the EIT from other innovation instruments. By providing a grant for up to 15 years to KICs under a long-term framework partnership agreement, the EIT is deliverproviding lon its long-term objective of tacklingg-term stability to the KICs and their beneficiaries allowing them to address global challenges through innovative products and serviceand sustainable products, processes, services and solutions and bringing concrete benefits to our society and citizens. The EIT also has set the objective to the KICs to become financially sustainable after 15 years, which is a unique feature thatshould leads to a business and resulimpact oriented innovation instrument. In this context, KICs shave toll develop and implement revenue-creating strategies in order to maintain their innovation ecosystem beyond the period covered by the grant agreementclose cooperation with the EIT, in order to achieve financial independence and maintain their innovation ecosystem beyond the long-term framework partnership agreements with the EIT.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 166 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 1 – point 1.2 – paragraph 9
The EIT approach contributes to both incremental and disruptive innovations to happen,, in order to effectively address market failures and help transform industries, support the creation of SMEs and start-ups and foster a sustainable systemic change of our economy and society towards the reduction of GHG emissions to net-zero. It enables the creation of long-term business strategies for addressing global societal challenges and helps creating the framework conditions that are essential for a well- functioning innovation ecosystem to grow and innovation to thrive.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 171 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 1 – point 1.2 – paragraph 10
The EIT offers an efficient and effective platform for launching, scaling up and managing KICs with strong network effects and positive spill-overs (see Figure 2 below). The first wave of KICs (EIT Digital, EIT Climate-KIC and EIT InnoEnergy), launched in 2009, is established and mature and after 2024 their framework partnership agreements will be terminated, in line with the maximum grant duraccordance with Article 11 of the EIT Regulation. A second and third generation of KICs (EIT Health and EIT Raw Materials (2014), EIT Food (2016)) is maturing. EIT Urban Mobility and EIT Manufacturing, the two KICs designated in December 2018, are starting their operations in 2019.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 174 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 1 – point 1.2 – paragraph 14
In the backdrop of persisting regional disparities in innovation performance, the EIT launched a Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) in 2014 to widen its regional outreach to modest and moderate innovator countries and regions. Through the RIS, the EIT has to further expanded its activities across Europe and offers now opportunities for countries and regions with low innovationer R&I performance to engage in knowledge triangle activities as part of the a KICEIT community. This is also reflected in the share of EIT funding allocated to EU- 13 partners (8.3% as compared to 4.8% in Horizon 2020 as of 2018), including the potential establishment of new CLCs in modest and moderate innovator regions and countries. The KICs shall seek to work closely with managing authorities in all regions in order to encourage a broader use of and complementarity with the Union’s ESI funds for R&I.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 180 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 1 – point 1.2 – paragraph 17
The EIT has been able to stay agile and to develop the governance principles and rules for the successful management of its KICs under the overall umbrella of Horizon 2020, in accordance with the EIT Regulation. Its operational independence has allowed it to test and effectively implement a number of novelties in the management of its beneficiaries such as a competitive funding mechanism, financial sustainability targets and specific key performance indicators. The EIT and its KICs shall operate as much as possible under the Horizon Europe model grant agreement. Given the specificities of the EIT-KIC model, derogations from Horizon Europe’s rules for participation and dissemination are laid down in the EIT Regulation Article 8.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 185 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 1 – point 1.3 – paragraph 1
The EIT is an integral part of the overall Horizon Europe framework that aims, inter alia, to deliver scientific, economic/technological and societal impact so as to strengthen the scientific and technological bases of the Union; deliver on the Union strategic policy priorities, foster itssustainability and competitiveness in all Member States, including in its industry, and contribute to tackling societal global challenges, including the Sustainable Development Goals and the EU’s commitment under the Paris Agreement. A core condition for being successful in this endeavor is to respond to the persisting need to increase innovation capacity across the Union. There are in particular three challenges the EU faces that will guide EIT’s actions in 2021-2027 as reflected by its general objectives.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 190 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 1 – point 1.3 – paragraph 2
First, today’s societies and economies are increasingly driven by the skills and abilities of people and organisations to turn ideas into novel products and services. I, processes, business models, services and to achieve societal, respectively systemic change. Increased investments in education and R&I, innovation skills and an, entrepreneurial culture make all the difference today, in particular in the technological and scientific domains but increasingly also in other disciplines, such as social science and humanities. There is a strong need to further boost the innovation capacity of higher education institutions in Europe. Tcollaboration across disciplines and to ensure regular interdisciplinary learning loops between education, business and research, if the Union wants to succeed in its transition towards a resilient, digital and net-zero GHG emission society. Endowed with the necessary financial and human resources, the EIT is in a unique position to deliver on this in the Horizon Europe framework.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 193 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 1 – point 1.3 – paragraph 3
Second, physical proximity is a key enabling factor for innovation and sustainablity. Initiatives aiming at developing innovation networks and providing services that support the creation, sharing and transfer of knowledge, play a key role in fostering the interactions between business, academia, research organisations, governments and individuals in all domains. Still, research and innovation performances across the EU, as reflected in the annual European Innovation Scoreboard, vary considerably. It is of crucial importance that innovation is inclusive and rooted in the local and regional territories. EIT activities, thanks to their "place- based" approach, are well suited to contribute to strengthening local and regional innovation ecosystems and provide new models for a sustainable economy.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 200 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 1 – point 1.3 – paragraph 4
Finally, vibrant innovation ecosystems, including those developing social and systemic innovation, require a mix of knowledge, infrastructure and talent, talent and adequate financial resources. Framework conditions for cooperation between European research, education and innovationentrepreneurship along with strong synergies need to be in place to ensure proper and efficient investment of scarce resources into research and innovation. Deepening the knowledge triangle integration through existing and new KICs is a, reaching out and integrating new partners in other sectors, including third-sector organisations and public institutions, particularly at local and regional level, ar proven ways to foster an environment conducive to innovation and is a guiding objective for the EIT.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 203 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 2 – paragraph 1
The EIT as an integral part of the Horizon Europe programme will contribute delivering on its overarching objectives and priorities. The KICs will be part of the Institutionalised European Partnerships, meaning they will follow a set of principles and life-cycle criteria to ensure a more coherent, open and impact-driven approachcriteria established in Article 8 and Annex III to Regulation [xxx] [establishing Horizon Europe]. The EIT general objectives therefore reflect the overall role of the EIT in Horizon Europe and its place in the [Innovative Europe Pillar]. Therefore it shall work closely with other implementing bodies of the Innovative Europe Pillar of Horizon Europe and use best efforts to contribute to a "one-stop-shop for innovation".
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 205 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 2 – point 2.1 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
The overarching areas of intervention for the EIT are defined in the [Annexes I and Ia to Regulation [xxx] establishing Horizon Europe proposal]. The EIT will continue to support its Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) in order to strengthen the innovation ecosystems that help to tackle global and societal challenges. It will do so by fostering the integration of education, research and businessentrepreneurship, thereby creating environments conducive to innovation, and by promoting and supporting a new generation of entrepreneurs, in particular tackling also the entrepreneurial gender gap, and stimulating the creation of innovative companies in close synergy and complementarity with the EIC. In doing so it wishall in particular:
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 208 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 2 – point 2.1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
(1) Strengthen sustainable innovation ecosystems across Europe taking into account regional imbalances;
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 210 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 2 – point 2.1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
(2) Foster innovation and entrepreneurship skills through better educationhigh quality education mentoring, and from a lifelong learning perspective;
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 211 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 2 – point 2.1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
(3) Bring new solutions to global and societal challenges to market or facilitate other forms of sustainable social uptake.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 213 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 2 – point 2.1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 a (new)
(3 a) Reduce the gender gap in technical and entrepreneurial education and promote gender sensitive approaches in innovation in all Member States.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 216 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 2 – point 2.1 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) Increaseing the entrepreneurial and innovation capacity of the higher education sector by promoting institutional change in higher education institutions (HEIs) and their integration in innovation ecosystems;
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 217 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 2 – point 2.1 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
(b a) Increase the openness and transparency of the KICs by including and providing services to a wider range of stakeholders across the Union and thereby contributing to increasing the innovation capacities across Europe by strengthening the local innovation ecosystems and interlinking them into the pan-European innovation ecosystems through cooperation with the EIT KICs;
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 219 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 2 – point 2.1 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) Increase the regional and local outreach of the EIT and its KICs, as well as better dissemination and exploitation of results, in order to address regional disparities in innovation capacity across the EU and within Member States and improve balanced geographical coverage.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 222 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 2 – point 2.2 – paragraph 1
By delivering on these objectives, the EIT will contribute to the overall achievement of Horizon Europe scientific, economic/technological and socie, societal and environmental impacts. It will continue to strengthen innovation ecosystems that help to tackle global challenges, by fostering the integration of the knowledge triangle in the areas of activity of the KICs. The Horizon Europe Strategic Planning process will ensure closer alignment between the EIT activities and the rest of Horizon Europe. Based on its proven track record, the EIT will play an important role in the Open Innovation Pillarve Europe Pillar and across the whole Horizon Europe Framework Programme.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 225 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 2 – point 2.2 – paragraph 2
Strong synergies, including through cooperation at governance level between the EIT and the European Innovation Council will be key for the impact of the [Innovative Europe] Pillar. The EIT and the EIC will run complementary activities aiming at streamlining the support provided to innovative ventures. Based on the expertise of its KICs, the EIT will providecompanies, including business acceleration services and trainings to beneficiaries awarded EIC funding.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 227 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 2 – point 2.2 – paragraph 3
The EIT will furthermore facilitate the access of EIC beneficiaries to KICs’ innovation ecosystems and relevant actors of the knowledge triangle. In this way EIC beneficiaries can become actively involved in KICs’ activities and benefit from KICs’ services. In parallel, EIT beneficiaries will be able to apply to the EIC instruments, when EIT KICs support may not be available for additional support to the services provided by the EIT KICs. The EIC may help start- ups supported by KICs with a high growth potential to rapidly scale-up. In particular, tThe most innovative KICs’-backed ventures may, if selected under the EIC, benefit from thefast- tracked access to support offered by the EIC, in particular to blended finance, support offerch as provided by the EIC Accelerator, and/or by the financial support offered by InvestEU instruments.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 231 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 2 – point 2.2 – paragraph 4
The EIT will ensure stronger synergies also with programmes and initiatives in the [Excellent Science] Pillar, to accelerate the transfer of knowledge resulting from blue sky research into concrete applications benefiting the society. In particular, with regard to the Marie-Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) and the European Research Council (ERC), the EIT will collaborate on the development of innovation and entrepreneurial skills of MSCA and ERC grantees fellows.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 233 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 2 – point 2.2 – paragraph 5
The EIT will contribute to the [Global Challenges and Industrial Competitiveness] Pillar and complement relevant activities to tackle global societal challenges and increase the sustainability and competitiveness of the EU on a global scale. In particular, through its KICs, the EIT will seek to contribute to relevant missions and thematic clusters and other European Partnerships by notably supporting demand-side measures and providing exploitation services to boost technology transfer and accelerate the commercialisation of results achieved.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 239 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – paragraph 1
A reinforced role of the EIT, through a focus on actions where it will add value at the EU level and contribute to achieving the objectives of Horizon Europe, will guide the EIT strategy for 2021 -2027. First, the EIT will continue to support the innovation capacity and ecosystems through KICs, their further development and expansion, and through the launch of new KICs, openness to new partners, enhanced transparency and good governance and expansion. Secondly, building on its experience with the knowledge triangle integration, the EIT will directly support the development of the entrepreneurial and innovation capacity in the higher education sector. Finally, through more effective cross- cutting measures, the EIT wishall ensure that its impact and visibility at the EU level continues to increases. In addition, the EIT will also continue to improve its operations in a number of areas, including financial sustainability, sustainability and climate neutrality by design, its outreach of its activities, gender balance and geographical coverage in order to increase its effectiveness, efficiency and impact.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 242 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.1 – point 1 – paragraph 1
The integration of the knowledge triangle by the EIT and KICs at EU, Member States, regional and local levels will remain a core task for strengthening innovation ecosystems and making them sustainable, as well as for developing new solutions to global challenges. The EIT will continue to support a portfolio of KICs (see Figure 2) and will further strengthen its successful platform for launching, growing and managing, monitoring and providing strategic supervision and guidance to them. KICs will continue to operate through co-location centers (CLC) selected in accordance with transparent open calls for proposals. The KICs will continue to pursue financial sustainability in order to achieve financial independence from the EIT grant in the long-term (at the latest,iming to achieve that after 15 years of operation) through leveraging public and private investment.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 244 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.1 – point 1 – paragraph 2
The EIT will dedicate a large share of its budget to support KICs. It will monitor and analyse their performance and ensurebased on qualitative and quantitative approaches and indicators using an impact-oriented approach that can also lead to interdisciplinary learning loops ensuring they deliver towards the objectives of the EIT and of the Horizon Europe Programme. Beyond financial support, based on lessons learned, the EIT wishall provide strategic supervision to KICs, as well as guidance on horizontal and specific issues, including on the establishment of synergies within Horizon Europe and with other EU and international initiatives. In particular, the EIT wishall support KICs in establishing interfaces and fostering joint activities with relevant European Partnerships, Horizon Europe missions, the EIC and other relevant Union initiatives and programmes.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 247 #

2019/0152(COD)

It wishall also monitor the award of the EIT Label to KICs’ education and train, training, mentoring and re- skilling programmes and explore a more effective quality assurance mechanism, including external recognition and accreditationvisibility for the EIT Label.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 249 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.1 – point 1 – paragraph 4
The EIT will facilitate shared services towards the KICs andthe establishment of EIT Community shared services facilities, aimed at jointly handling specific operational tasks common to all KICs. The EIT will also facilitate exchanges of experiences and good practices between KICs and foster collaboration between them (cross-KIC activities) on both thematic and horizontal topics. Cross-KIC activities have highest potential where several KICs already address common EU policy priorities where no dedicated KICs exist. Bringing together the different KICs communities in dedicated joint actions of mutual benefit has high potential for synergies and interdisciplinary learning loops. The EIT will boost such activities and take an active part in defining the content and structure of the cross-KIC activities. It will monitor the implementation of cross-KIC activities as well as the results achieved, with the aim of making those activities an integral part of the EIT’s and KICs’ strategies.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 251 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.1 – point 2 – paragraph 1
The EIT wishall further increase its regional impact through an enhanced openness towards potential partners and stakeholders and a better articulated regional strategy of KICs, including links to the relevant Smart Specialisation Strategieof the KICs towards a wide range of potential partners and stakeholders, a balanced geographical coverage, an enhanced dissemination and exploitation of results and a better articulated regional strategy of the KICs. Each KIC shall elaborate such regional strategy as an integral part of their multi-annual strategies and business plans aiming at strengthening the relationship with regional and local innovation actors and ecosystems. While excellence remains the main criterion of the KICs when selecting partners, projects and co-location centres that add value to the KIC, particular attention shall be paid to building sustainable innovation structures and ecosystems in modest and moderate innovator regions and countries, respectively which are not yet active in the KIC community. KICs should demonstrate links with local Smart Specialisation Strategies and with the activities of relevant thematic platforms and interregional initiatives, including the Managing Authorities of ESI Funds. The EIT will also monitor how CLCs operate and how they integrate in the local innovation ecosystems.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 257 #

2019/0152(COD)

The EIT Regional Innovation Scheme, steered by the EIT and implemented by KICs, has been so far run on a voluntary basis. From 2021 on, the EIT RIS will become an binding and integral part of the KICs’ multi- annual strategyies. The EIT will continue to provide guidance and support to KICs in the preparation of multi- annual EIT RIS strategies and in their implementation. EIT RIS activities will continue with improved support to the innovation capacity of countries and regions that underperform in terms of innovation. The EIT budget devo and to fostedr to implementing EIT RIS activities will be at least 10% of the overall EIT support funding to KICs, thereby increasing the number of KIC partners from targeted regionsheir integration and participation in the KICs’ communities, thus extending EIT’s pan- European coverage. Activities supported through the RIS will aim to:
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 259 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.1 – point 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 1
contributing to improveing the innovation capacities of the local and regional ecosystem, via capacity building activities and closer interactions between the local and regional innovation actors (clusters, networks, regional authorities, HEIs, research organisations, VET institutions);
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 261 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.1 – point 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 2
— linking local innovation ecosystems to pan-European innovation ecosystems through the attraction of new partners, extending the geographical coverage and cooperation with EIT KICs and their co- locations centres.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 262 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.1 – point 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 2 a (new)
- Leveraging additional private and public funding
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 263 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.1 – point 2 – paragraph 3
In addition, in order to ensure KICs’ deeper integration in local innovation ecosystems, each KIC will be required to develop and implement a strategy aiming at strengthening the relationship with regional and local innovation actors, and the EIT will actively monitor the implementation. A “place-based” innovation approach should be integrated within the KIC’s multi-annual strategy and business plan and build on KIC’s CLCs (and RIS), thus leveraging on their role as gateway for accessing a KIC community and interacting with the co- located partners. KICs should demonstrate links with local Smart Specialisation Strategies and with the activities of relevant thematic platforms and interregional initiatives, including the Managing Authorities of ESI Funds. The EIT will also monitor how CLCs operate and how they integrate in the local innovation ecosystems.deleted
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 266 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.1 – point 3 – paragraph 1
In order to contribute to addressing new and emerging global challenges, the EIT will launch new KICs in priority fields selected based on criteria assessing, among other aspects, their relevance to Horizon Europe policy prioritieopen and transparent calls for the creation of new KICs in selected thematic areas of strategic importance based on criteria assessing, among other aspects, their added value in delivering on societal challenges and EU policy priorities, in particular the reduction of GHG emissions to net-zero by 2040 at the latest and the realisation of the SDGs, and their potential and added value to be addressed through the EIT model. The launch of new KICs wishall take into account the Strategic Planning of Horizon Europe and the budget allocated to the EIT in 2021-2027. The relevant selection criteria for European Partnerships defined in Annex III of the [Horizon Europe Regulation] wiand Article 9 of the EIT Regulation shall be included in the KIC Call for proposals and assessed during the evaluation..
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 268 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.1 – point 3 – paragraph 3
Based on a proposal of potential future thematic areas and societal challenges received from the EIT Governing Board and an analysis thereof, a first KIC in the field of the Cultural and Creative IndustrieSectors (CCIS) is proposed towill be launched in 20224 with a call for proposals to be published in 20213. This priority field has the strongest complementarity with the eight KICs that have already been launched by the EIT, as well as with the potential priority areas for other European Partnerships to be launched in the framework of Horizon Europe. CCIS are a sectorn area with a high growth potential, many grass-roots initiatives and strong citizen appeal. They are strongly embedded in their local and regional ecosystems. However,By nature CCIS are still a very fragmented, yet sector and the innovators andor business creators lack the neededneed to improve their entrepreneurial and innovation skills. These bottlenecks would be best tackled by a KIC thanks to its knowledge triangle integration approach, long-term perspective and place- based approach. A factsheet summarizing the challenges of the CCIS field and the expected impact of the future KIC is included in Annex 1B to this SIA.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 272 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.1 – point 3 – paragraph 4
Based on the proposed budget for the EIT, interim-evaluation of the EIT and the KICs and remaining budget, a second new KIC could be launched in 20256 with a call to be published in 20245, after an amendment to Annex 1A to add new priority field(s). The priority area(s) will be selected in light of the proposals of the EIT Governing Board. These proposals will take into account the priority areas to be identified in the Horizon Europe Strategic Research and Innovation Plan and the criteria set for the selection of European Partnerships, in particular openness, transparency, EU added value, coherence and synergies. The criteria for selecting new KICs will be aligned with those in the Horizon Europe and based on Article 9 of the EIT Regulation. They will also support delivery on EU policy priorities such as missions and Sustainable Development Goals, the European Green Deal and the reduction of GHG emissions to net-zero linked to it. Other new KIC/KICs could be selected in caseprovided additional budget to that of the EIT would become available.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 276 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.2 – paragraph 1
Through the knowledge triangle integration model, the EIT has helped to bridge the persistent gap between higher education, research and innovation. In particular, the EIT isand the KICs are a key tool for the development of human capital through its distinctive focus on innovation and entrepreneurial education. However, the impact of the EIT remains limited to the KICs’ partners and therefore must be further extended.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 277 #

2019/0152(COD)

To support innovation more widely, higher education institutions in Europe need to be innovative and entrepreneurial in their approach to education, research, and engagement with businesses and the broader local and regional innovation ecosystem, including civil society, public institutions and third-sector organisations, and other stakeholders paying particular attention to gender equality and the inclusion of persons with migrational background, and disabilities. In cooperation with the Commission and based on input by the existing KICs, the EIT shall design and launch a pilot to support the development of innovation and entrepreneurial capacity in higher education, which will be implemented through the KICs.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 278 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.2 – paragraph 4
Activities wishall be implemented by the EIT through the KICs in an open, transparent and targeted way which will aim at increasing the innovation and entrepreneurial capacity in higher education in order to integrtargeting in particular HEIs thate a wider number of HEIre not yet KIC partners in innovation value chains and ecosystems. These activities wishall complement the intervention of the EIT on education as core part of the Knowledge Triangle Integration activities of KICs, in particular through making them more open and accessible to non-partners of the KICs. The pilot project shall address inter alia: the exchange and implementation of best practices in knowledge triangle integration (including organisational learning, coaching and mentoring); the development of action plans on how to address identified needs in areas, such as innovation management, start-up creation and development, sustainability and climate neutrality by design, technology transfer including IPR management, people and organisational management, including closing of the gender gap and integration of gender approaches in innovation, and the engagement with (local) stakeholders and civil society; and the implementation of innovation capacity development action plans and their follow-up. These activities shall also involve other actors of the knowledge triangle (e.g. VET organisations, RTOs, SMEs and start-ups). The EIT shall provide specific guidance, expertise and coaching to participating HEIs while promoting stronger cross-KIC collaboration within this initiative. KICs shall integrate their activities aiming to strengthen the innovation and entrepreneurial capacities of the HEIs in their multi-annual strategy and shall report on those activities to the EIT. The impact of the EIT would reach beyond the KICs and contribute to the EIT's core mission of tackling societal challenges, boosting sustainable economic growthdevelopment and competitiveness by reinforcing the innovation capacity of Member States, in line with the Horizon Europe goals of fostering entrepreneurial and innovation skills in a lifelong learning perspective, including increasing the capacities of HEIs across Europealways taking into account the gender dimension and aspects of climate neutrality.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 281 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.2 – paragraph 5
The EIT support will build on policy initiatives such as the HEInnovate24 and RIIA25 frameworks that have proven their value in a number of HEIs and Member States across the EU. The EIT will design the support activities in close collaboration with the Commission and based on input by the KICs while ensuring coherence and complementarity with relevant activities within Horizon Europe , Erasmus and other programmes. The specific details of the implementation and delivery mechanism process will be further developed and fine-tuned in the first three years of the pilot project and will be subject to monitoring and evaluation during this pilot phase before further upscaling. Based on the results of an evaluation by independent external experts, the Governing Board will decide whether the pilot should be continued, upscaled up or discontinued. _________________ 24 HEInnovate is a policy framework developed by the European Commission and the OECD. HEInnovate offers HEIs a methodology to identify innovation capacity areas for further edvelopment and to shape relevant strategies and actions in order to achieve the desired impact. HEInnovate is based on sound methodological evidence with eight capacity development areas: Leadership and Governance; Digital Transformation; Organisational Capacity; Entrepreneurial Teaching and Learning; Preparing and Supporting Entrepreneurs; Knowledge Exchange; Internationalisation; and Measuring Impact. OECD has published a number of HEInnovate-based country reports, see OECD Skills Studies series at https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/education/ 25 The Regional Innovation Impact Assessment framework (RIIA) was developed by the European Commission as a first step in guiding assessments of the innovation impact of universities through the elaboration of metrics based case studies. Assessing the innovation impact, e.g. through the RIIA framework, could potentially be tied to innovation performance based funding instruments at the regional, national or EU level.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 285 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.2 – paragraph 6
The EIT will play a steering and coordination role in the implementation and monitoring of the activities that will be run by the KICs. Particular attention will be paid to ensuring: an open and inclusive approach to attract HEIs beyond the KICs’ partners aiming at wide geographical coverage; an inter-disciplinary and inter- sectoral approach; a broader participation of women as well as specific target groups, such as migrants, socially disadvantaged or vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities; and a link with the European Commission Smart Specialization Strategy, relevant thematic platforms and the EIT RIS.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 287 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.2 – paragraph 7
The EIT will link its support to developing innovation capacity in higher education to the EIT Label, which is awarded currently to the KICs’ education programmes. In particular, participating HEIs may be involved in the use of the EIT Label. The EIT will also extend the scope of the EIT Label to lifelong learning activities involving and reaching out to a wider target group of students, adult learners and institutions (including VET institutions) beyond the KICs. The application of the Label beyond the EIT community willis expected to have a more structuring effect at all levels (individual, programme and institution). The EIT shall monitor the effectiveness of expanding the scope of the EIT label of the KICs’ educational and training programmes.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 292 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.2 – paragraph 8
The EIT willshall target HEIs across the Union, but in particular target HEIs from countries and regions that are moderate and modest innovators and other low performing regions that wish to strengthen their innovation footprint and Smart Specialisation Strategies. The EIT, as wiell allocate to this measure at least 25% of the overall budget allocated to these activitiess those HEIs that are not yet part of the EIT community.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 294 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.3 – point 1 – introductory part
(1) Communication and dissemination
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 295 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.3 – point 1 – paragraph 1
The EIT wiand the KICs shall reinforce itstheir communication and visibility and apply an improved branding strategy towards their main stakeholders (HEIs, research organisation, businesses, civil society, local and regional authorities etc.) in all Member States and beyond in line with the Horizon Europe communication approach. With a growing number of KICs and a new action supporting the innovation and entrepreneurial developmentcapacity of HEIs, the EIT will boost its efforts to increase its recognition as a quality brand for innovation. This brand management and improved communication is crucial especially towards citizens as the innovations coming out of the EIT and its KICs contribute to demonstrate the concrete impact of EU investments through the European Research and Innovation Framework Programme. The EIT will apply an improved branding strategy towards its main stakeholders (HEIs, research organisation, businesses, etc.) in all Member States and beyond, in line with Horizon Europe communication approach.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 298 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.3 – point 1 – paragraph 2
In order to ensure wider dissemination and better understanding of the opportunities offered by the EIT, the EIT will explore the possibility to reinforce guidance and assistance on aspects related to participation in EIT KICs across Europe by building on existing networks of information across Europe, such as making better use of existing National Contact Points under Horizon Europe, and by further extending these networks.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 299 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.3 – point 1 – paragraph 3
In order to ensure that a large stakeholder community across the knowledge triangle at EU, national, regional and local levels are aware of all EIT (and KICs) calls and funded projects, they will appear also in the European Funding and Tender Opportunities Portal,common online database of EU funded research and innovation projects under Horizon Europe.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 301 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.3 – point 1 – paragraph 4
EIT wishall organise regularannual meetings of the Member States’ Representatives Group as well as Commission related services, at least tw, the European Parliament and EU advisory bodies, such as Committee of the Regions and the European Economice a year,nd Social Committee to ensure an appropriate communication and flow of information with Member States and at EU level, and keep them informed of the performances and achievements of the EIT-funded activities. The Member States’ Representatives Group shall also ensure appropriate support to liaise EIT-supported activities with national programmes and initiatives, including the potential national co-financing of those activities.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 304 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.3 – point 2 – paragraph 1
The EIT has a key role in identifying and disseminating good practices and lessons learned. The KICs and the projects supporting innovation and entrepreneurial capacity of HEI are a valuable source of evidence and experimental learning for policy-makers and RDI stakeholders, providing examples of good practices and support in the development and implementation of EU policy in their thematic domains.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 305 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.3 – point 2 – paragraph 2
So far, the good practices and learnings stemming from the KICs have not been sufficiently codified and disseminated effectively. In its support function as a knowledge partner for policy makers and the entire innovationRDI community, the EIT will further develop its role as an innovation institute able to detect, analyse, codify, share and ensure the take-up of innovative practices, learnings and results from the EIT-funded activities (education & training, support to research & innovation, support to entrepreneurship) on a broader scale. This activity wishall build on the links and synergies with the other initiatives within the [Innovative Europe Pillar]of the [Horizon Europe proposal] and in particular the EIC, missions and other European Partnerships.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 308 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.3 – point 3 – paragraph 1
Within the scope of the EIT Regulation, the EIT will seek greater impact of its activities through international cooperation and will coordinate international EIT- funded activities by the KICs. Its focus will align closely with relevant industrialUnion policy objectives of the European Union as well as its research and innovation priorities and ensuring European added value.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 309 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.3 – point 3 – paragraph 2
The EIT and KICs will plan and perform their international activities in close collaboration with the Commission, in compliance with the Horizon Europe approach and other relevant EU policies, and under the supervision of the EIT Governing Board. The EIT shall provide guidance to and monitor the KICs’ global outreach activities and international cross-KIC activities. In its international cooperation and global outreach activities the EIT, in consultation with the Commission, will focus on effective tackling of global societal challenges, contributing to relevant international initiatives, such as the Mission Innovation, and the Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring access to talent and enhanced supply and demand of innovative solutions. The EIT and KICs will plan and perform their international activities in close collaboration with the Commission, in compliance with the Horizon Europe approach and other relevant EU policies, and under the supervision of the EIT Governing Board.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 312 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.4 – paragraph 1
This section includes a number of measures that aim to adapt and improve the current functioning of the EIT and the KICs. An effective and strategic EIT Governing Board wishall monitor the implementation of those measures at the EIT level, and wishall provide the necessary incentives and control, including through the a performance-based funding allocation process, to ensure that the KICs implement them.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 315 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.4 – point 4 – paragraph 1
The EIT will provide operational guidance to and continuously monitor the KICs on compliance with sound management and good governance principles, the principles and criteria set out for European Partnerships in the Horizon Europe regulation and alignment with Horizon Europe priorities in order to maximize their performance and impact.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 319 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.4 – point 4 – paragraph 2
MeasuresThe EIT shall ensuringe continuous openness of the KICs anto new members as well as increased transparency during implementation. This will be improved notably by including common provisions for new members that add value to the partnershipachieved by applying clear, transparent and consistent accession and exit criteria for new members that add value to the partnerships by a continuous monitoring of the effectiveness of the measures. They wishall also run their activities in a fully transparent way, including through the systematic use of open calls. KICs will remain open and dynamic partnerships that new partners across the Union, including an increasing share of SMEs, and start-ups, that can join on the basis of excellence and strategic fit, added value and their ability to contribute to innovation ecosystems at regional, national and EU level. In order to limit the concentration of funding and ensure that KICs activities benefit from a wide network of partners and geographical coverage, the procedure for the preparation of the Business Plan (including the identification of priorities, the selection of activities and the allocation of funds) will be made more transparent and inclusiveand the selection of new co-location centres and related funding decisions will be made more transparent and inclusive. Information on which projects are funded and on allocation of the funding shall be made publicly available immediately and in an easy and accessible manner. Finally, KICs wishall increase the share of open calls, in particular for innovation projects that are open to third parties. All these measures will increase the number of participating entities involved in KICs’ activities. Finally, KICs shouldall report on the involvement of new partners and beneficiaries in their regular reporting.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 328 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.4 – point 4 – paragraph 4
Commitments from each KIC’s partner throughout the contractual duration of the initiative wishall be ensured by regularly monitoring the actual partner’s contributions against the original commitments. EIT wishall ensure that KICs have a risk management system in place for cases where some partners are not able to meet their original commitments. In pursuing the financial sustainability of their activities, the KICs should look for a wide range of revenue and investment sources. Any effort towards financial sustainability shall neither lead to an increase in tuition-fees nor to a disadvantage for smaller companies, such as SMEs and start-ups, in terms of membership fees nor reduced provision of grants.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 333 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.4 – point 5 – paragraph 2
Firstly, the EIT will introduce a co-funding rate in order to increase the levels of private and public investments. The adaptation of the funding model will facilitate the KICs in ir efforts to leverage investments other transition towardshan revenues from their partners, thus facilitating the KICs to leverage increasing additional public and private revenue and investments, in order to achieve financial sustainability. It will incentivise them to decrease gradually during the duration of the framework partnership agreements the share of EIT funding in their Business Plan while increasing the level of co-investment from non-EIT sources. EIT funding will be directly tied to progress made towards the achievement of the KICs objectives and expected impact and may be discontinued in the case of persistent lack of results in accordance with Article 11 of the EIT Regulation. Fixed decreasing co- funding rates will be applicable across phases of the entire KICs’ life cycle (start- up, ramp-up, maturity, exit from the EIT grant) as presented below.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 337 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.4 – point 5 – paragraph 4
Secondly, the grant allocation process currently used will be geared more strongly towards competitive performance and, results and impact and the use of multiannual grants. EIT funding shall be tied to progress in accordance with Article 11 of the EIT Regulation. The EIT Governing Board will provide stronger incentives to KICs in particular based on their individual performance in order to ensure the highest level of impact. The EIT will therefore amend its competitive funding provisions in order to improve its impact as part of Horizon Europe.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 338 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.4 – point 5 – paragraph 5
Thirdly, the EIT will apply strict rules for reinforcing the review mechanism prior to the expiry of the first 7 years initial period of KIC’s operations. Thise mid-term review toshall be undertaken with the help ofby external experts shouldand shall be in line with the best international practice, in line with Horizon Europe criteria for the monitoring and evaluation of European Partnerships and criteria identified in Article 11 of the EIT Regulation. The review shall take place before the expiry of the initial seven years period. As a result of the review, a decision will be made by the Governing Board to either continue, in accordance with Article 11(3) of the EIT Regulation, to either continue, reduce, modify or withdraw the financial contribution to a KIC, or to discontinue it (thus not extending the framework partnership agreement with that KIC) and reallocate the resources to better performing activities.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 344 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.4 – point 5 – paragraph 6
Finally, the EIT will continue its efforts towards simplification in order to alleviate unnecessary administrative burden27 of the KIC, allowing the implementation of their annual Business Plan and multi-annual strategy in an agile and efficient way. This will include the use of lump sum or unit costs for relevant KIC activities. Moreover, in order to provide a better planning of the resources, in particular of innovation activities, as well as facilitate stronger commitment and long-term investment from participating partners in KICs activities, the EIT will sign multi-annual grant agreements with KICs, when appropriate, under the respective framework partnership agreements. These multi-annual grant agreements should not exceed 3 years. _________________ 27In particular, the annual reporting on KIC complementary activities would be discontinued, as recommended by the Court of Auditors in its Special Report of 2016 ( Recommendation 1, p. 51).
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 345 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.4 – point 6 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Subject to an in-depth independent study in close cooperation with the Commission, by the end of 2023, the EIT will define its relations with the KICs that will stop receiving support grants in the course of the 2021-2027 programming period. Subject to a positive outcome of a final review, the EIT mayassess those KICs whose Framework Partnership Agreement will come to an end in the course of the 2021-2027 programming period and define their relationship thereafter. Subject to a positive outcome of an in depth review by external independent experts and a positive decision of its Governing Board, the EIT may, pursuant Article 11 of the EIT Regulation, decide to: - extend the framework partnership agreement until the end of the current programming period, if the evaluation shows that certain activities by the KIC cannot yet be financially sustainable, but remain crucial for the fulfilment of its tasks, activities and capabilities in responding to societal challenges and hence still need financial support from the EIT to allow the KICs to become financially sustainable. In accordance with Article 11 of the EIT Regulation, such extension shall be subject to certain conditions and be limited in scope, budget and time; - conclude a "Memorandum of Co-operation" with eachthe KIC, aiming to maintain cooperation with KICs after the termination of the framework partnership agreement. This Memorandum should include, inter alia, rights and obligations linked to:
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 351 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.5 – paragraph 6 – indent 1
— The new Creative Europe Programme will be specifically relevant for the activities of a future KIC on CCIS. Strong synergies and complementarities will be developed with the programme in areas such as creative skills, jobs and business models, while also taking into account the working conditions and contractual situations of people working in the CCS.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 355 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 4 – point 4.1 – paragraph 1
The EIT's budget needs in the period 2021- 2027 are EUR [3000] million4% of Horizon Europe’s Innovative Europe Pillar (Pillar III) and are based on threewo main components: 1) the expenditure for the existing eight KICs (reflecting that for three of them the framework partnership agreements will come to an end by 2024) and the launch of two new KICs (in 20224 and 20256); 2) the launch of a new EIT support and coordination action; and 3and 2) administrative expenditure.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 358 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 4 – point 4.1 – paragraph 2
Around EUR [2500] million (83,3 %96,7 % (EUR 4640 million) of the total EIT budget) is envisaged to fund existing and new KICs and includes EUR [200] million for the Regional Innovation Scheme. Through the introduction of a co- fuof which: - at least 10 to 15 % (EUR 464 to 696 million) measures under the Regional Innovation Scheme. - maximum 3 % (EUR 120 million) for the start-up phase of the pilot to help to develop the entrepreneurial and ing rate, the KICs are expected to mobilise a further EUR [1500] million of other public and private sources. The budget for the launch of two new KICs (to be launcnovation capacity of HEIs. Depending on the outcome of the mid-term evaluation this could be increased and dedicated for the scale-up of the pilot (final 4 years). - 5,5 % (EUR 250 million) for the launch of calls for two possible new KICs (based on a positive mid-term review). Through thed in 2022 and 2025, respectively) will be aroundtroduction of a co-funding rate, the KICs are expected to mobilise a further EUR [32400] million of other public and private sources. Should additional budget to that of the EIT become available, the EIT could also launch additional KICs.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 365 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 4 – point 4.1 – paragraph 3
The EIT will launch a new support action to help develop the entrepreneurial and innovation capacity of HEIs. This action will require horizontal project management and monitoring services. Around EUR [400] million of the EIT budget (max. 14%) is needed to implement these activities, with EUR [120] million dedicated to the start-up phase (first 3 years) and the rest for the scale-up phase (final 4 years)deleted
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 367 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 4 – point 4.2 – paragraph 1
The measurement of EIT’s impact will be continuously improved over the next programming period taking into account the lessons learnt and the experiences gained so far. The EIT will apply an evaluation, reporting and monitoring framework ensuring coherence with the overall approach taken for Horizon Europe while catering for flexibility. In particular, feedback loops between the Commission, EIT and KICs will be improved in order to address the objectives in a consistent, coherent and efficient manner. In order to facilitate the process, each KIC should strengthen its own monitoring, evaluation and learning function so that the necessary capability and data would be available to the external evaluators if and when needed.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 369 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 4 – point 4.2 – paragraph 3
The periodic evaluations of the EIT activities, including those managed through KICs, will be carried out by the Commission in line with the provisions of the EIT Regulation and Horizon Europe Regulation. These evaluations will assess the effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence and EU added value of the EIT activities including the KICs. They will be based on independent external evaluations and will feed into the overall mid-term and ex-post evaluations of Horizon Europe. Furthermore, each KIC will be subject to a thorough review by the EIT before the end of the 7th and 14th year of operation under the Framework Partnership Agreementsin accordance with Article 10, 11 and 19 of the EIT Regulation.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 371 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 4 – point 4.2 – paragraph 7 – point 1
(1) economic/innovation impact by influencing the creation and growth of companies, as well as the creation of new innovative solutions to address global challenges, creating direct and indirect jobs and mobilising otheradditional public and private investments;
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 372 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 4 – point 4.2 – paragraph 7 – point 3
(3) societal impact by addressing EU policy priorities in the fields of climate change, energy, raw materials, health (climate mitigation and building climate resilience/ promoting adaptation) and GHG emission reduction to net-zero, energy, raw materials, health, added value manufacturing, urban mobility or food through innovative solutions, engagement with citizens and end-users and by strengthening the uptake of innovative solutions in these areas in society.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 374 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 4 – point 4.2 – paragraph 10
TIn order to improve transparency and openness, the EIT wishall ensure that the data it collects through its internal monitoring system, including the results from KICs, are fully accessible and integrated in the overall data management system of Horizon Europe programme. The EIT wishall ensure that detailed information arising from its monitoring and evaluation process are made available timely and are accessible in athe common e-database on Horizon Europe implementation. In addition, the EIT will ensure dedicated reporting on quantitative and qualitative impacts, including on committed and actually provided financial contributions.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 375 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 4 – point 4.2 – paragraph 10 a (new)
Mid-term review of the EIT The EIT shall be subject to a thorough mid-term review by the Commission, on the basis of the periodic evaluations established in Article 19 of the EIT Regulation. It shall be conducted with the assistance of independent experts selected on the basis of an open and transparent process carried out once there is sufficient information available about the EIT’s implementation progress, but no later than four years after the start of the programme implementation. Among other elements, that mid-term review shall assess the success and potential continuation, respectively expansion, of the HEI-pilot as well as whether there are the necessary budgetary conditions to launch any new KIC. It should also provide a quantitative and qualitative insight on the EIT and KICs' contribution in terms of reducing GHG emissions to net-zero, the European Green Deal and delivery of the SDGs. Moreover, it shall also assess the feasibility of bringing closer all the implementing bodies of Pillar III of Horizon Europe in order to have a one- stop-shop for innovation with a set of different complementary activities.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 376 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 5 – paragraph 1 – point 1
1. Cultural and Creative IndustrieSectors
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 382 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 6 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Europeans’ creativity and cultural diversity depends on resilient and robust cultural and creative sectors, particularly creators who are the backbone of the CCS. However those sectors, notably the audio-visual orand music sector, are facing a number of challenges as a result of the increased competition from global players and the digital shift.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 385 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 6 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – paragraph 2 – indent 1
— Producers, creators, distributors, broadcasters, cinema theatres and all types of cultural organizations and businesses need to innovate in order to attract new generations of audiencesand expand their new audiences and to develop new processes, services, cultural content and new forms of creative practices that provide societal value.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 388 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 6 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – paragraph 3 – indent 1
— There is limited cooperation between researchers and between research and industry, public and third sector organisations, as well as insufficient coordination of R&D efforts, sharing of methods, results, and best practices. Additionally, most of the research in CCI and CCS have not been translated which leads to repetition, as researchers are often unaware of similar projects.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 391 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 6 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – paragraph 4 – introductory part
Current challenges related to European employment, economic resilience, and smart growth, include social and economic issues such as unemployment (especially youth unemployment) and, insufficient working conditions, lack of skills (especially digital skills) and increasing global competition.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 392 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 6 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – paragraph 4 – indent 2
The European industries are challengcultural and creative sectors are strongly impacted by digitizalisation and globalization and their powerful impact ontechnological innovation in a globalised world. Those developments have changed the way artists produce and distribute their works and relate to their audiences. The collapse of DVD markets, new, they are challenging the traditional business models of the cultural and creative industries, and they have fundamentally shifted consumers' expectations and the continued power of US studios together with the rise of global digital giants like Amazon, ITunes,behaviour. The collapse of markets selling physical goods such as CDs and DVDs, together with the rise of global digital content providers such as Alibaba, like Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google, and Netflix has well as the increasing power of non- European content production companies, has had a massive impacted on the traditional value chain.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 393 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 6 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – paragraph 5
Finally, the role of Europethe EU as a global actor includes the need to enhance the dissemination of theEuropean cultural content created in Europe. Europe needs to remain competitive in the global digital race for creation of new technologies (e.g. AI, IoT, blockchain) for which CCIS are important generators of content, products and services globally. Moreover, on a global scale, CCI (e.g. design, architecture, etc.)S contribute actively to the sustainable development and drive green innovation, while cultural content (literature, film and the arts) can raise awareness of ecological problems and inform and influence public opinion.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 396 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 6 – paragraph 1 – point 8 – paragraph 2
Culture-based and creativity-driven innovations boost Europeantackle societal challenges and boost European sustainability and competitiveness either directly by creating new enterprises and jobs or indirectly by creating cross-sector benefits to the wider economy, improving quality of life and increasing the attractiveness of Europe. CCISs are increasingly seen as new sources of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and jobs., employing already more than 12 million people in the EU, which amounts to 7.5% of all EU people in employment.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 401 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 6 – paragraph 1 – point 8 – paragraph 5
An EIT KIC on CCIS will empower network opportunities, collaboration, co- creation and know-how transfer between education, research and, business, public and third sector organisations, within the cultural and creative sectors and with other sectors of the society and the economy. It will catalyse bottom up and top down initiatives at regional, national and EU levels. It will develop the necessary framework conditions for the creation and scale up of new ventures in innovative ecosystems. It will provide researchers and students in many disciplines (including arts, humanities, business, social sciences and applied hard sciences) and entrepreneurs of the CCIS and other sectors with the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver innovative solutions and to turn them into new cultural, societal and business opportunities. It will allow further cross- fertilisation with other social, economic and industrial sectors, acting as an accelerator for innovation.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 404 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 6 – paragraph 1 – point 9 – paragraph 2
A KIC on CCIS is expected to establish strong synergies with relevant policy initiatives under Horizon Europe Programme, and in particular under Pillar II with the cluster [Inclusive and Secure Society] and its areas of intervention on Cultural Heritage and Democracy. A future KIC could also provide valuable horizontal inputs across various activities to be carried out in the cluster [Digital and Industry], in particular as regards the manufacturing technologies in which the need to develop new products rely heavily on CCIS. Furthermore, it could efficiently complement other parts of the Horizon Europe Programme, the intervention of the existing EIT Digital and the actions foreseen under other EU programmes such as InvestEU, Erasmus, Creative Europe, Digital Europe or the Cohesion Policy Funds.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 408 #

2019/0152(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 6 – paragraph 2
An EIT KIC on CCIS is most suited to address the major economic, social and societal challenges outlined above. Creativity is a key driver of innovation and a KIC on CCIS has the capacity to unleash the potential of artistic, culture-based creativity and to help strengthening Europe’s social model and sustainability, global competitiveness and smart growthprosperity.
2020/05/07
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 99 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Citation 1 a (new)
Having regard to the Agreement adopted at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP21) in Paris on 12 December 2015 (the Paris Agreement),
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 100 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Citation 1 b (new)
Having regard to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 101 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Citation 1 c (new)
Having regard to the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on ‘The European Green Deal’ (COM(2019) 640 final),
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 102 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Citation 1 d (new)
Having regard to the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 (European Climate Law),
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 103 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)
(2 a) In view of the urgent need for ambitious action to tackle climate change and environmental challenges, to limit global warming to 1,5° C, and to avoid massive loss of biodiversity, the Commission adopted its communication on ‘The European Green Deal’, which undertook to transform the Union into a healthier and more sustainable, fair, just and prosperous society with net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). The proposed ‘European Climate Law’ (COM(2020) 80) embeds into law the goal set out in the European Green Deal for Europe’s economy and society to become climate-neutral. This means achieving net-zero emissions at Union level by cutting GHG emissions and protecting the natural environment. This transformation will only be possible through a boost in research and innovation, which underscores the need to reinforce favourable conditions and investments in enhancing Europe’s knowledge base and research and innovation capacity, in particular in green climate-friendly technologies and innovations.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 106 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) The EIT, primarily through its Knowledge and Innovation Communities (‘KICs’), should aim at strengthening innovation ecosystems that tackle global societal challenges, in particular the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) and reducing GHG emissions in line with the Paris Agreement to net-zero by 2040 at the latest. It should primarily have the objective of contributing to the development of the Union’s and the Member States’ innovation capacity at the highest standards. In order to achieve this objective, the EIT should facilitate and enhance networking and cooperation and create synergies between different innovation communities in Europe.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 109 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) The strategic priority fieldlong-term strategy, objectives and financial needs ofor the EIT for athe period of seven years 2020-2027, covering the respectivenext Multiannual Financial Framework (‘MFF’), should be laid down in a Strategic Innovation Agenda ( ‘SIA’). The SIA should define the EIT’s key actions, targeted results, expected socioeconomic impact, including its impact on reducing GHG emissions to net-zero by 2040 at the latest and on fulfilling the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It should ensure alignment with the Union framework programme supportingfor research and innovation and foster synergies with other relevant Union programmes of the MFF as well as with other Union initiatives, policies, commitments and instruments, in particular with those supporting education and regional development. Given the importance of the SIA for the Union innovation policy and the resulting political significance of its socio-economic and socio-ecological impact for the Union, the SIA should be adopted by the European Parliament and the Council on the basis of a Commission proposal based on a contribution provided by the EIT.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 113 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
(5 a) The crisis resulting from the outbreak of COVID-19 has caused a massive and disruptive impact on Member States' health and economic systems, causing societal disruptions. Those impacts will require the collaboration of all Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and the EIT should contribute to the innovation efforts that are needed to provide a coherent response to the crisis and to contribute to the European recovery plan and hence the long-term recovery of our societies and economy based on the European Green Deal and resilience. Moreover, the EIT and its KICs should reinforce its actions in order to support and increase the resilience of microenterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises, start-ups as well as students, researchers, entrepreneurs and employees and keep its vibrant innovation ecosystems alive.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 116 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 c (new)
(5 c) The EIT Governing Board and the KICs shall adopt flexibility measures and actions necessary to provide the appropriate support to their ecosystem based on the knowledge triangle, creating, where necessary, ad hoc support measures for their partners and beneficiaries and even beyond their communities. They shall provide their partners, their beneficiaries and students with tools and instruments to adapt to more decentralised and remote working methods, less travel, more uncertainty and continued social distancing.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 117 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
(6) In line with the Union framework programme supporting research and innovationHorizon Europe, the activities of the EIT should address strategic long-term challenges for innovation in Europe, particularly in trans- and/or inter-disciplinary areas including those already identified at European level. In so doing, the EIT should promote periodic dialogue with civil societe development of non-technological solutions, organisational approaches, new business models, systems innovation and public sector innovations, as a necessary complement to technology focused innovation activities. In so doing, the EIT should promote periodic dialogue with civil society, including with research and innovation centres, SMEs, higher education and industry.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 121 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
(7 a) The EIT should seek to engage more closely with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to ensure their active participation in the activities of the KICs. Furthermore, public companies and local authorities, as well as non-profit organisations, should be involved in the KICs, as appropriate.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 122 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 b (new)
(7 b) Social-enterprises being very innovative in nature through the goods or services they offer, their organisation or the production methods they resort to, the promotion of social entrepreneurship activities should be part of the activities of the EIT and its KICs.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 124 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) The EIT should primarily operate through excellence-driven and autonomous large-scale European Partnerships of higher education institutions, research organisations, companies and other stakeholders in the form of sustainable and long-term self-supporting strategic networks in the innovation process. Those partnerships should aim to become financially sustainable by attracting additional private and public investment and to attract and engage the widest possible range of new partners. They should be selected by the Governing Board of the EIT on the basis of a transparent and excellence-based process , in accordance with the criteria of the Union framework programme supportingfor research and innovation for the selection of European Partnerships and with this Regulation, and designated as KICs.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 126 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
(8 a) In order to contribute to addressing new and emerging global societal challenges, the EIT should launch new KICs in priority only after having assessed their consistency with the SDGs and the goal of climate neutrality as well as their relevance to Horizon Europe policy priorities, their complementarity and synergy with other EU programmes, and their added value to be addressed through the EIT model. The selection and launch of new KICs should be based on an open, transparent and competitive processes and take into account the Strategic Planning of Horizon Europe, the mid-term review of the EIT and the KICs, and the budget allocated to the EIT for the respective budgetary period. In the process and running of the KICs the EIT should take into account that not all KICS have the same financial needs with some being more capital intensive than others.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 132 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) The Governing Board should also steer the activities of the EIT and coordinate the reporting, monitoring and evaluation of the activities of the KICs in line with the provisions of the Union framework programme supporting research and innovation . Membership of the Governing Board should balance experience from the business and the higher education and/or research worlds as well as from the innovation sector. The EIT Governing Board should also ensure geographical and gender balance in the its composition.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 136 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
(12) Relations between the EIT and the KICs should be based on framework partnership agreements and grant agreements, which will set out the KICs’ rights and obligations, ensure an adequate level of coordination and outline the mechanism for monitoring and evaluating KICs’ activities and outcomes. The framework partnership agreement should ensure continuity of the EIT financial contribution to a KIC beyond the respective MFF. By way of derogation from Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council12 (the ‘Financial Regulation’), the EIT should be able to establish such framework partnership agreement for an initial period of seven years and extend it beyond that period for another period of a maximum of seven yearssubject to a mid-term review by the EIT by the end of the fourth year taking inter alia account of KIC’s the achievement in terms of its set objectives, milestones, impact, progress towards financial sustainability and contribution to climate neutrality and the SDGs. Based on a positive final evaluation before the end of the initial seven year period, the EIT may extend the framework partnership agreement for another period of a maximum of seven years. In the event of an extension of the initial seven-year agreement, the KIC shall be subject to another mid-term review based on the same criteria and methodology deciding on the further continuation of the KIC. _________________ 12Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, amending Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) No 283/2014, and Decision No 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 (OJ L 193, 30.7.2018, p. 1).
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 138 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12 a (new)
(12 a) Subject to the outcome of a final review before the expiry of the fourteenth year of the framework partnership agreement, the EIT may conclude a memorandum of cooperation with a KIC aiming to maintain cooperation with KICs after the termination of the framework partnership agreement or under exceptional duly justified circumstances may decided to extend the partnership agreement with a KIC. Such extension should be subject to a positive in-depth evaluation by independent external experts of the KICs' effectiveness and provided that they have achieved a sufficient degree of impact and financial sustainability. The extension should be limited in time, budget and scope to the activities of the KIC that cannot yet be financially sustainable, but remain crucial for the fulfilment of its tasks, activities and capabilities in responding to pressing societal challenges.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 149 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
(19) The EIT should produce a consolidated annual activity report, outlining the activities conducted and results of the operations in the preceding calendar year . The EIT should also produce a single programming document, outlining its planned initiatives in terms of annual and multiannual programming and allowing the EIT to respond to internal and external developments in the fields of science, technology, higher education, innovation, societal challenges and other relevant areas. Those documents should be transmitted to the European Parliament for its opinion.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 153 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
(20) It is appropriate that the Commission initiate independent, external evaluations of the operation of the EIT, including the KICs , in particular with a view to preparing the SIA. Those evaluations should examine how the EIT fulfils its mission, cover all activities of the EIT and KICs and should assess their relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, European added value, openness, outreach activities and coherence. Those evaluations should feed into the Commission programme evaluations provided for in the Union framework programme supporting research and innovation.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 155 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20 a (new)
(20 a) The EIT should foster innovation in its activities and should support the integration of higher education in the innovation ecosystem, in particular by stimulating entrepreneurial education, fostering transdisciplinary collaboration between industry and higher education and research and by identifying prospective skills for future innovators to address global challenges, which includes advanced digital, sustainability and innovation skills. Support schemes provided by the EIT should benefit EIC beneficiaries, while start-ups emerging from KICs should have fast-track access to EIC actions.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 160 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1
(1) ‘innovation’ means the process, including its outcome, by which new ideas respond to societal or, economic or environmental needs and demand and generate new products, services or business and organisational models that are successfully introduced into an existing market or that are able to create new markets and that provide value to society in non-market domains;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 161 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1 a (new)
(1 a) 'social innovation' means a subset of innovation activities, aiming to develop new ideas, goods, services, processes and models to better address social issues, create social relationships and form new collaborations, inviting input from public and private actors, including civil society, to address unmet social challenges more effectively;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 166 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 a (new)
(2 a) 'KIC co-location centre’ means a physical space, established in an open and transparent manner, covering a geographical area, where a KIC's main knowledge triangle partners can easily interact, providing the focal point for the KIC's activity in that area;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 172 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3
(3) ‘partner organisation’ means any legal entity which is a member of a KIC and may include, in particular, higher education institutions, vocational education and training providers, research organisations, public institutions, public or private companies, financial institutions, regional and local authorities, foundations and non-profit organisations;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 177 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 7
(7) ‘Strategic Innovation Agenda’ (‘SIA’) means a policy documenlegislative act outlining the priority fields and the long-term strategy of the EITlong-term strategy and priorities of the EIT and defining its objectives, key actions, for future initiatives, its capacity to generate the best innovation added- value, including an overview of planned higher education, research and innovation activities; expected results as well as expected economic, societal, socio- ecological impacts, in particular as regards its impact in contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net-zero by 2040 at the latest, therewith linked political priorities under the European Green Deal and the achieving of the SDGs; and resources needed over a period of seven years , covering the respective MFF ;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 181 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 8
(8) ‘Regional Innovation Scheme’ (‘RIS’) means an outreach scheme targeted at partnerships between higher education institutions, established as an integral part of the KICs’ multi-annual strategies, targeted at regions and countries with low R&I performance with the aim to increasearch organisations, companies and o their innovation capacity by strengthening their stakeholders, in order to foster innovation across the Unionengagement in knowledge triangle activities and integrating new partners into the KICs, and thereby foster innovation across the Union and ensure a more geographically balanced participation in the EIT Community;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 184 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 10
(10) ‘KIC business plan’ means a document describing the objectives and the planned KIC added-value activities; , milestones as well as expected results and impacts of the KIC for the relevant period, including the KICS's contribution to reducing GHG emission to net-zero by 2040 at the latest and the SDGs, related estimated financial needs and resources, its strategy to reach financial sustainability and an open and more geographically balanced participation in its activities;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 190 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13
(13) ‘financial sustainability’ means a capacity of a KIC to fund its knowledge triangle activities independently after the end dategenerate sufficient revenue to sustain its core knowledge triangle activities, including a share of the costs of maintaining its ecosystem, independently from contributions from the EIT and after the end of the framework partnership agreement.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 192 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – title
3 Mission and general objectives
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 193 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
The EIT’s mission is to contribute to sustainable Union economic growthdevelopment and comprospetritivenessy by reinforcing the innovation capacity of the Member States and the Union in order to address major pressing challenges faced by the society. It shall do this by promoting synergies and cooperation among, and integrating,, in particular the realisation of a net-zero GHG emission economy by 2040 at the latest, therewith linked political priorities under the European Green Deal, and the SDGs. It shall do this by promoting synergies, integration, cooperation and interdisciplinary learning loops among higher education, research and, innovation of the highest standards, including by fostering entrepreneurshipand entrepreneurial spirit, thereby strengthening and creating innovation ecosystem and by fostering sustainability and climate neutrality by design.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 196 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
The EIT shall contribute to deliver on the general and specific objectives of the Union framework programme supportingfor research and innovation and in consistency with the strategic planning.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 199 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a.The general objectives of the EIT shall be: (a) to strengthen sustainable innovation ecosystems throughout the Union that help to tackle global challenges by promoting synergies, integration and cooperation among higher education, research and business; (b) to foster the development of entrepreneurial and innovation skills in a lifelong learning perspective, including increasing capacities of Union higher education institutions across the Union, and to support their entrepreneurial transformation; (c) to bring new solutions to global and societal challenges to the market or facilitate other forms of sustainable social uptake. The EIT shall develop synergies with other Union programmes and shall bring added value within Horizon Europe, in particular in complementarity with the EIC. The implementation shall take place through support to KICs and EIT- coordinated activities.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 200 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 b (new)
2b.The specific objectives of the EIT shall be: (a) to increase the impact of KICs and knowledge triangle integration; (b) to increase openness and transparency of the KICs by including a wider range of stakeholders across the Union; (c) to increase the innovation capacity of the higher education sector across the Union by promoting institutional change in higher education institutions (HEIs) and their integration in the innovation ecosystems; (d) to increase the regional outreach of the EIT in order to address regional disparities in innovation capacity across the Union.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 201 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. The SIA shall define the priority fields and strategylong-term strategic priorities for the EIT for the seven-year period concerned, taking into account of the Union framework programme supportingfor research and innovation, and shall include an assessment of its expected socioeconomic impact, as well as its impact on contributing to reaching a net-zero GHG emission economy, therewith linked political priorities under the European Green Deal and the SDGs; its outreach activities and its capacity to generate the best innovation added-value. The SIA shall take into account the results of the monitoring and evaluation of the EIT as referred to in Article 19.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 206 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. The SIA shall be aligned with the objectives of the Union framework programme supportingfor research and innovation, the strategic multiannual planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation and other requirements of that programme, and shall foster synergies with other relevant Union programmes of the respective MFF, in particular with those supporting education andresearch and innovation, education and skills development and entrepreneurial culture, regional development. It shall also establish appropriate synergies and complementarities between the EIT activities and other Union initiatives , policies, goals and instruments, in particular with the European Innovation Council (‘EIC’), missions and other European Partnerships established under Horizon Europe .
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 209 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3
3. The SIA shall include an estimate of financial needs and sources in view of the future operation, long-term development and funding of the EIT. It shall also contain an indicative financial plan covering the period of the respective MFF as well as an estimation of the budget contributing to the climate mainstreaming target under Horizon Europe broken down per KIC.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 211 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 4
4. The EIT shall submit its contribution to the Commission’s proposal for the SIA, taking into account the view and input from existing KICs, shall prepare a seven-year draft SIA, make it available to the public and submit it to the Commission.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 212 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) a Governing Board composed of high-level members experienced in higher education, research, innovation and business, including a Member of the European Innovation Council. It shall be responsible for steering the activities of the EIT, for the selection, designation , monitoring and evaluation of the KICs, and for all other strategic decisions;. The selection of the members for the EIT Governing Board shall respect gender balance and take into account the criteria of geographical balance
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 215 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) an Executive Committee composed of selected members representing all three dimensions of the knowledge triangle and the Chairperson of the Governing Board. It shall assist the Governing Board in the performance of its tasks and prepare the Governing Board meetings in cooperation with the Director ;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 219 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. The detailed provisions regarding the EIT bodies and governance are set out in the Statutes of the EIT, annexed to this Regulation.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 221 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) identify its activities, in accordance with the SIA, its main priorities and activitiesset in the SIA;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 222 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(a a) provide the necessary support and synergies with KICs to develop innovative solutions and help with the delivery of the European Economic Recovery based on the EU priorities of the ‘European Green Deal’ and resilience
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 224 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) ensure openness to and raise awareness among potential partner organisations and, especially with SMEs and with emerging centres of excellence in low R&I performing countries and regions to encourage their participation in its activities;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 229 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) select and designate KICs in the priority fields in accordance with Article 9 and define their rights and obligations by framework partnership agreements and grant agreements , provide them with appropriate support, strategic guidance, apply appropriate quality control measures and continuously monitor and periodically evaluate their activities;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 231 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(d a) mobilise funds from public and private sources and use its resources in accordance with this Regulation and, in particular, seek to raise a significant and increasing proportion of its budget from private sources and from income generated by its own activities;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 236 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
(f a) promote the wide dissemination, communication and exploitation of results and opportunities emerging from the EIT Community, in order to increase awareness, visibility and knowledge of the EIT across the Union as well as encourage participation in EIT Community activities;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 239 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) promote multidisciplinary approaches to innovation, social innovation, through including the integration of technological, social and non-technological solutions, sustainability and climate neutrality by design, organisational approaches and new business models, system and public sector innovation;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 240 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
(i a) assess intellectual property rights (IPR) practices in the Union's innovation landscape and their impact on the Union's innovation capacity, in particular the economic impact on SMEs; develop and provide guidance on innovative IPR models promoting knowledge transfer and dissemination, both within the context of the KICs and more widely across the Union;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 242 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point i b (new)
(i b) ensure that KICs can operate with the necessary flexibility to adapt their operations to the increasing demands arising from the COVID-19 crisis;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 243 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point j
(j) organise regular meetings, at least annually, of a Stakeholder Forum to informshare and discuss with stakeholders about the activities of the EIT, itsexchange experiences, and best practices and contribution to Union innovation, research and education policies and objectives and to allow stakeholders to express their views;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 249 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point l
(l) design and coordinate support actions undertaken by the KICs for the development of entrepreneurial and innovation capacity of higher education institutions and their integration in innovation ecosystems. , professional training institutions, SMEs and start-ups and their integration in innovation ecosystems, in line with the knowledge triangle approach.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 254 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point l a (new)
(l a) facilitate the establishment of EIT Community shared services facilities, aimed at jointly handling specific operational tasks, common for all EIT KICs;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 255 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 a (new)
The Commission shall assist the EIT and its KICs in identifying synergies with other Union programmes.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 256 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph -1 (new)
-1. The EIT shall consolidate existing KICs, foster their development and impact, and accompany their transition to financial sustainability when framework partnership agreements are set to terminate.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 257 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) innovation activities and investments with European added value , including thefacilitating and support toing the creation and development of innovative businessesand sustainable businesses and start-ups, in complementarity with the EIC, fully integrating the higher education and research dimensions to attain a critical mass and stimulating the dissemination and exploitation of results;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 260 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) innovation-driven activities, research, experimentation, prototyping and demonstration in areas of key economic, socio-ecological and societal interest and drawing on the results of Union and national research, with the potential to strengthen Union’s sustainability, effort towards climate neutrality and competitiveness at international level and find solutions for the major challenges faced by European society, in particular health and digital challenges and the implementation of the Union's climate goals and the UN Sustainable Development Goals;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 264 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) education and training activities in particular at masters and doctoral level, as well as professional training courses, in disciplines with the potential to meet future European socio-economic and socio- ecological needs and which expand the Union’s talent base, promote the development of innovation-related skills, the improvement of managerial and entrepreneurial skills and the mobility of researchers and students, and foster knowledge-sharing, mentoring and networking among the recipients of EIT- labelled degrees and training education and training activities, including labelled ones;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 265 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) outreach activities and the dissemination ofenabling learning from best practices in the field of innovation sector with a focus on the development of cooperation between higher education, research andentrepreneurial experience, sustainability and climate neutrality by design, the development of cooperation and interdisciplinary learning loops between higher education, research, public and third sector organisations as well as business, including the service and financial sectors;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 266 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(d a) EIT RIS activities as part of their multiannual strategies, to strengthen innovation capacity and innovation ecosystems across Europe with a view to decreasing innovation performance disparities across the Union and ensuring a more geographically balanced participation in the EIT Community across the Union.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 267 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point d b (new)
(d b) support actions to support HEIs to better integrate in innovation value chains and ecosystems and bringing them together with other key innovation players from the knowledge triangle and thereby improve their strategic capacity development;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 268 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point d c (new)
(d c) establishing a repository mapping out the relationship between inventions and patents held by the KICs and the identification of their owners;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 269 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) to seek synergies and complementarities between KIC activities and existing European, national and regional programmes, where appropriate, in particular the EIC, other European Partnerships and missions, in order to avoid duplication.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 271 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(e a) to seek to raise an increasing proportion of their budget from both public and private sources and income generated by their own activities, in accordance with Article 17;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 273 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) establish internal transparent governance arrangements which reflect the knowledge triangle of higher education, research and innovation;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 274 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) ensure and promote their openness to new members wheneverhrough clear and transparent entry and exit criteria, including through open calls, to new members across the Union theyat add value to the partnership;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 277 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) function in an open and transparent way, in accordance with codes of good governance to be enshrined in their internal rules;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 278 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) establish and implement business plans ; , including clear objectives, key performance indicators, expected results and impacts, ways how to address and achieve sustainability and climate neutrality by design as well as qualitative and quantitative methods and tools for follow-up;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 279 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
(d a) elaborate a two-year strategic plan detailing initiatives envisaged to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 crisis, while paying specific attention to actions aiming to increase the resilience of the innovation ecosystems and in particular of microenterprises, small and medium- sized enterprises and start-ups, but also of the students, researchers and employees;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 281 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point d b (new)
(d b) in synergy with other Union innovation strands and other Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and in order to respond to the European recovery plan and the European Green Deal, publish dedicated calls, promote initiatives using their partnerships, ecosystems and communities, develop individual and cross-KIC projects to support sustainable business restructuring, and identify microenterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises, start-ups and other stakeholders that need support and for example a better access to finance;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 283 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point d c (new)
(d c) propose initiatives aiming to support their ecosystem based on the knowledge triangle, while at the same time being flexible enough to create measures that are fit for purpose for their partners and beneficiaries and beyond their existing communities;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 285 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point e
(e) establish and implement strategies for achieving financial sustainability leading to a gradual reduction in Union financing.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 286 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
(e a) develop outreach activities, in particular with emerging institutions and centres of excellence in Union regions that perform less well;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 287 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point e b (new)
(e b) convene a Stakeholders' Forum once a year to inform and consult relevant and interested stakeholders;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 294 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) specific rules on ownership, access rights, exploitation and dissemination may apply for KIC added-value activities, where appropriate.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 295 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
1. A partnership shall be selected and designated by the EIT to become a KIC in line with the priorities defined in the strategic planning of the applicable Union framework programme for research and innovation and following a competitive, open and transparent procedure. The criteria of the Union framework programme supportingfor research and innovation for the selection of European partnerships shall apply. The EIT Governing Board may further specify those criteria, by adopting and publishing criteria for the selection of KICs based on the principles of excellence and innovation relevance.., balanced geographical spread and innovation relevance in delivering on societal challenges and EU policy priorities, in particular the reduction of GHG emissions to net-zero by 2040, the European Green Deal and the SDGs. External and independent experts shall be involved in the selection process
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 299 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. In addition to the criteria of the Union framework programme supporting research and innovation for the selection of European partnerships, the selection criteria for the designation of a KIC shall include: (a) the demonstration of openness and transparency of its governance, and its strategy for attracting new entrants; (b) a multidisciplinary approach to innovation, including the integration of technological, social and non- technological solutions; (c) the partnership’s capacity to ensure sustainable and long-term self-supporting financing, including a substantial and increasing contribution from the private sector, industry and services; (d) an appropriately balanced participation in the partnership of organisations active in the knowledge triangle of higher education, research and innovation; (e) the demonstration of a plan for the management of intellectual property appropriate to the sector concerned, including the way in which contributions from the various partner organisations have been taken into account; (f) measures to support the involvement of, and cooperation with, the private sector, including the financial sector and in particular SMEs, as well as the creation of start-ups, spin-offs and SMEs, with a view to the commercial exploitation of the results of the activities of KICs; (g) measures to support the involvement of and cooperation with socio-economic actors including public authorities, public sector enterprises and non-profit organisations, where appropriate; (h) readiness to interact with other organisations and networks outside the KIC with the aim of sharing best practices and excellence, including regions that perform less well.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 301 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 4
4. In addition to the condition set out in paragraph 3, at least two thirds of the partner organisations forming a KIC shall be established in the Member States ensuring a balanced geographical coverage. At least one higher education institution , one research organisation and, one private company and one SME or start-up shall be part of each KIC.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 306 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 5
5. The EIT shall adopt and publish criteria and procedures for financing, monitoring and evaluating the activities of the KICs prior to the launching of the selection procedure for new KICs. The Member States’ Representatives Group referred to in Article 6(k) and the European Parliament shall be promptly informed of them.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 307 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
The EIT shall, on the basis of indicators set out, inter alia, in the Union framework programme supportingfor research and innovation and in the SIA, and in close cooperation with the Commission, organise continuous monitoring and periodic external evaluations of the output, results and impact of each KIC pursuant Article 11. The results of such monitoring and evaluations shall be reported to the European Parliament and to the Council and shall be made public.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 310 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – title
11 Duration, continuation and termination of a KICframework partnership agreement
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 311 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2
2. SBased on the results of the annual monitoring of the KICs, in accordance with Article 10, and subject to the outcome of a comprehensive mid-term review before the expiryto be carried out by the end of the fourth year of the initial period of seven -years period, the Governing Board may decide to extendcontinue the framework partnership agreement with a KIC beyonduntil the end of the initial period for another period of a maximum of seven years or to discontinue the EIT’s financial contribution and not to extend the framework partnership agree, in accordance with paragraph 3 of this Article. In its assessment. T the Governing Board shall take into account in particular the achieved level of financial sustainability of a KIC, its capacity to ensure openness to new membersgoals set by the KIC, the KIC’s relevance to address the Union’s global and societal challenges, the validity and applicability of lessons and insights generated by the KIC that contributed to reducing GHG emissions to net-zero and achieving the SDGs, the KIC’s coordination efforts with other relevant R&I initiatives, the achieved level of financial sustainability of a KIC, its capacity to ensure openness to and attraction of new members, the transparency of its governance, the strength of the created innovation ecosystem and geographical coverage, as well as the limits of the Union financial contribution referred to in Article 20, its European added value and relevance with regard to the objectives of the EIT. The result of the interim reviews shall be reported to the European Parliament and to the Council and shall be made public
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 314 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. At the end of the initial seven-year period, the Governing Board may decide to extend the framework partnership agreement for another seven-year period. That decision shall be based on the criteria set out in paragraph 2 and on the final evaluation of the KIC’s performance to be carried out before the end of of the initial seven-year period.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 315 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. In the event of an extension of the initial seven-year agreement, the KIC shall be subject to another mid-term review by the end of the fourth year of the second seven-year period, based on the same criteria and methodology.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 316 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 4
4. Subject to the outcome of a final review before the expiry of the fourteenth year of the framework partnership agreement, the EIT may conclude a memorandum of cooperation with a KIC. or under exceptional duly justified circumstances and subject to a in-depth assessment by external independent experts, the Governing Board may decided to extend the framework partnership agreement with a KIC until the end of the current programming period. Such extension shall be subject to: (a) a positive in-depth evaluation of the KIC by the external experts as well as the Governing Board, taking into account the assessment criteria set out in paragraph 2; (b) a detailed explanation by the KIC elaborating on why and how the framework Partnership shall be extended; (c) a limited in time, budget and scope encompassing activities of the KIC that cannot yet be financially sustainable, but remain crucial for the fulfilment of its tasks, activities and capabilities in responding to societal challenges. Those activities shall be described in a detailed plan by the KIC, which shall be submitted to the Governing Board for evaluation.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 321 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1
1. Degrees and diplomas relating to the higher education activities referred to in point (c) of Article 7(1) shall be awarded by participating higher education institutions in accordance with national rules and accreditation procedures. The framework partnership agreements and grant agreements between the EIT and the KICs shall provide that these degrees and diplomas mayshall also be labelled EIT degrees and diplomas.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 323 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point a a (new)
(a a) promote and publicise the EIT Label in their training and diplomas
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 324 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. create programmes focusing on lifelong learning and certification
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 325 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1
1. The EIT and the KICs shall ensure that their activities are conducted with a high level of transparency. In particular, the EIT and the KICs shall set up an accessible, free website providing information about their activities and opportunities, in particular open calls, they provide.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 326 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Detailed information on the monitoring and evaluation processes referred to in Article 11 and 18, including its contribution to Horizon Europe’s climate mainstreaming target split down per KIC, and results from all calls for proposals issued by EIT or its KICs are to be made available timely and made accessible in the common database of Horizon Europe.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 327 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 5
5. The KICs or their partner organisations may apply for Union financial contribution , in particular in the framework of Union programmes and funds, in accordance with their respective rules . In that case, such contribution shall not cover the same costs already funded under another Union programme . The financial contribution from other Union programmes and funds shall not exceed 25% of the KICs' annual budget, calculated on a three-yearly average.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 330 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 7
7. The EIT shall establish a competitive and performance-based allocation mechanism for granting an appropriate share of its financial contribution to the KICs. It shall include assessing quality and potential of the projects proposed in the KICs’ business plans and performance of previous years as measured by continuous monitoring , and in particulartheir impact across the Union, their progress in achieving financial sustainability as well as contributing to the goal of climate neutrality.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 333 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) an estimate of financing needs and sources, including the estimated amount contributing to the climate mainstreaming target under the Union Framework for Research and Innovation;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 335 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(b a) an estimate of the staffing needs arising from new tasks
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 337 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) appropriate qualitative and quantitative approaches, methods, tools and indicators for monitoring the KICs and EIT activities using an impact-oriented approach including suitable approaches, methods and tools for generating insights and learning that can lead to interdisciplinary learning loops and exchanges to accelerate progress to reducing GHG emissions to net-zero;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 339 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 2
2. The EIT shall adopt a consolidated annual activity report , which shall include comprehensive information on the activities conducted by the EIT and the KICs during the preceding calendar year and on the EIT’s contribution to the objectives of the Union framework programme supportingfor research and innovation, including their contribution to fulfilling the SDGs and reducing GHG emission to net-zero by 2040 at the latest, and to the Union innovation, research and education policies and objectives. It shall also assess the results with respect to the objectives, indicators and timetable set, the risks associated with the activities carried out, the use of resources, including its contribution to the climate mainstreaming target under the framework for research and innovation, and the general operation of the EIT. The consolidated annual activity report shall include further comprehensive information in accordance with the EIT’s financial rules. Every year the EIT Director shall present the annual report to the competent Committees of the European Parliament.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 341 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission shall provide for evaluations of the EIT with the assistance ofby independent experts selected on the basis of a transparent process in accordance with its financial rules . Those evaluations shall examine how the EIT fulfils its mission, cover all activities of the EIT and the KICs and assess the European added value of the EIT, the impact, effectiveness, sustainability, efficiency and relevance of the activities pursued and their coherence and/or complementarity with relevant national and Union policies , including synergies with other parts of the Union framework programme supporting research and innovation .for research and innovation, in particular the EIC, other Partnerships and missions. The evaluation shall also assess aspects relating to the promotion of the involvement of participants from low R&I performing regions and the participation of SMEs and start-ups as well as its contribution to the SDGs and reaching a net-zero GHG emission economy by 2040 at the latest They shall take into account the views of stakeholders, at both European and national level and feed into the Commission programme evaluations provided for in the Union framework programme supporting research and innovation .
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 343 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 a (new)
Article 19 a Mid-term review of the EIT The EIT shall be subject to a thorough mid-term review by the Commission, on the basis of the periodic evaluations established in Article 19 of this Regulation. It shall be conducted with the assistance of independent experts selected on the basis of an open and transparent process carried out once there is sufficient information available about the EIT’s implementation progress, but no later than four years after the start of the programme implementation. Among other elements, that mid-term review shall assess the success and potential continuation, respectively expansion, of the HEI-pilot as well as whether there are the necessary budgetary conditions to launch any new KIC. It should also provide a quantitative and qualitative insight on the EIT and KICs' contribution in terms of reducing GHG emissions to net-zero, the European Green Deal and delivery of the SDGs. Moreover, it shall also assess the feasibility of bringing closer all the implementing bodies of Pillar III of Horizon Europe in order to have a one-stop-shop for innovation with a set of different complementary activities.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 345 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph -1 (new)
-1 For the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027, the Union contribution shall be provided through a financial contribution of 4 % from the overall budget for Horizon Europe .
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 346 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
The Union contribution may be provided through a financial contribution from the Union framework programme supporting research and innovation and other Union programmes, without prejudice to the amounts decided in the respective MFFEIT may receive additional funding from other Union programmes.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 349 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Budgetary commitments for actions implementing the SIA of the EIT extending over more than one financial year may be broken down over several years into annual instalments
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 351 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – section 1 – point 1 – introductory part
1. The Governing Board shall be composed of 152 members, appointed by the Commission in a transparent manner by an open call for interest, providing a balance between those with experience in business, higher education and research as well as respecting gender and geographical balance. The term of office of the members of the Governing Board shall be four years . The Commission may extend that term of office once by a two- year period on the proposal of the Governing Board .
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 356 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – section 1 – point 1 – paragraph 2
The Commission shall have regard toensure the balance between higher education, research, innovation and business experience as well as to gender and geographical balance and an appreciation of the higher education, research and innovation environment across the Union.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 358 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – section 1 – point 1 – paragraph 5
The Commission shall appoint three additional members of the Governing Board to reach the number of 15 within eighteen months of entry into force of this Regulation. The Board members appointed before the entry into force of this Regulation shall complete their non- renewable term of office.deleted
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 359 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – section 2 – point 1 – point a
(a) adopt the EIT’s contribution to the Commission’s proposal on the EIT's Strategic Innovation Agenda (SIA) after having taken into account the opinion of the existing KICs;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 360 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – section 2 – point 1 – point c
(c) adopt criteria and procedures for financing, monitoring and evaluating the activities of the KICs, including the maximum allocation of EIT funds to them , taking into account the requirements set out in Article 11;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 362 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – section 2 – point 1 – point e
(e) select and designate a partnership as a KIC in accordance with criteria set out in Article 9 or withdraw the designation where appropriate;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 363 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – section 2 – point 1 – point g
(g) authorise the Director to extend framework partnership agreements with the KICs beyond the period initially set; based on a positive outcome of the assessments in accordance with Articles 10 and 11;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 364 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – section 2 – point 1 – point j
(j) take appropriate measures, including the reduction, modification or withdrawal of the EIT’s financial contribution to the KICs or the termination of the framework partnership agreements with them based on the outcome of the assessments in accordance with Articles 10, 11 and 17;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 366 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – section 2 – point 2 – point c
(c) adopt an open and transparent procedure for selecting the Executive Committee ;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 367 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – section 4 – point 2
2. The Executive Committee shall consist of four members and, including the Chairperson of the Governing Board, who shall also chair the Executive Committee. The fourthree members other than the Chairperson shall be chosen by the Governing Board from among the Governing Board's members , providing a balance between those with experience in business, higher education and research as well as gender and geographical balance . The term of office of the members of the Executive Committee shall be two years, renewable once.
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 369 #

2019/0151(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – section 5 – point 6 – point e
(e) prepare and administer the KICs selection process and ensure that the various stages of that process are carried out in a transparent and objective manner , under the supervision of the Governing Board , annexing a detailed report of the selection process to the consolidated annual activity report;
2020/05/06
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 13 #

2018/2262(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Asks the Commission to immediately grant access to the negotiated text of the EU-Switzerland Framework Agreement, as finalized in December 2018, so that INTA and AFET can produce an informed opinion and report on the basis of facts;
2019/01/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 14 #

2018/2262(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. Asks the Commission and the Council to withhold the ratification procedure of the EU-Switzerland Framework Agreement, until the consultation of the Swiss population is concluded.
2019/01/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 15 #

2018/2262(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for the trading relationship to be modernised and for it to include areas such as services, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and trade facilitation;deleted
2019/01/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 19 #

2018/2262(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Is aware that there is no comprehensive services agreement in place between the EU and Switzerland and that services are only partially covered through the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP), showing that there is potential for further development;deleted
2019/01/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 21 #

2018/2262(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that Switzerland takes in the highest percentage of cross-border workers from the EU and calls on the EU and the Swiss Government to improve measures under the AFMP by including a ‘charter for cross-border workers’ that sets out binding provisions covering, inter alia, basic employment rights, working and commuting conditions, transfer of unemployment benefits and double taxation issues;deleted
2019/01/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 24 #

2018/2262(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the new legislation on preferential tax regimes and practices, and hopes for a positive outcome from the upcoming popular vote in Switzerland;deleted
2019/01/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 27 #

2018/2262(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Recognises the close integration of EU and Swiss companies in the steel sector and notes that the current EU safeguard measures have a negative impact on the sector; requests a review of the measures that seek to offer protection from the trade diversion produced by the hikes in US tariffs, while taking into consideration the different quotas for countries that participate in our value chains;deleted
2019/01/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 28 #

2018/2262(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on Switzerland to continue its work on the Digital Switzerland strategy, aiming to have it align with the EU Digital Single Market;deleted
2019/01/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 29 #

2018/2262(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls that the bilateral trade relationship lacks a reliable State-to-State dispute-settlement mechanism.deleted
2019/01/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 9 #

2018/2156(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas the EU is a global strategic actor andaims to act globally as a security provider, aiming to bearing responsibility for upholding peace and stability both internally and externally, and has a unique and, and has a wide array of policies, instruments and tools at its disposal to fulfil these ambitions;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 15 #

2018/2156(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas, in line with the objectives of the Global Strategy, the EU is increasing its responsibility for its own security and defence and its role as a partner for international peace and nternational peace and security, in particular in its neighbourhood and beyond which will also be to the benefit of its own security as insecurity, as weill as its strategic autonomynot be imported;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 33 #

2018/2156(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas the collective security and defence of the EU Member States and their ability to intervene in crises abroad is fundamentally dependent on the ability to move troops and civilian crisis management personnel, materiel and equipment across each other’s territory freely and rapidly; whereas 22 EU Member States are also NATO allies and possess only a single set of armed forces and transport infrastructureUnion's military mandate, on the basis of Articles 21 (2) and 42(1) of the Lisbon Treaty, is to preserve peace, prevent conflicts and strengthen international security, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, with the principles of the Helsinki Final Act and with the aims of the Charter of Paris; whereas the Member States ability to intervene in crises abroad is fundamentally dependent on the ability to move troops and civilian crisis management personnel, materiel and equipment;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 42 #

2018/2156(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas the EU haswithin CSDP there are, potentially, substantial policies and tools at its disposal to help Member States meet their military mobility needs and international commitmentfor Article 43(1) TEU military operations; whereas outside the Union's CSDP framework there are effective capabilities such as the European Air Transport Command (EATC) in Eindhoven which could be used for air lift purpose or as a blueprint for a similar EU capability within PESCO or other CSDP mechanisms;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 50 #

2018/2156(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas there is the need for a PESCO project on the challenge of mobility as regards the military tasks of Article 43(1) TEU, in particular air and sea lift;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 57 #

2018/2156(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital L
L. whereas NATO, in order to fulfil is core task of collective territorial defence, is also focusing on improving its own logistical capabilities through the Enablement Plan for SACEUR’s Area of Responsibility, notably by adjusting legislation and procedures, enhancing command and control, increasing transport capabilities and upgrading infrastructure; notes in this context the establishment of two new commands, the Joint Force Command in Norfolk and the Joint Support and Enabling Command in Ulm;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 63 #

2018/2156(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital M
M. whereas, despite all these institutional measures, the mainfinancial effort will have to come from EU Member States, which need to adjust their national infrastructures and regulatory environments; whereas this will require a whole-of-government approach owing to the broad range of issues that need to be tackled;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 70 #

2018/2156(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines that military mobility is a central strategic tool enabling the EU and NATO's CSDP to pursue theirits security and defence interesttasks effectively and in a complementary manner and should not be limited only to physical, legal and infrastructural obstacles; welcomes the fact that military mobility has recently gained a substantial level of attention from all relevant actors; notes that it enhances our preparedness and increases our deterrence posture in the face of potential adversaries and crisis situations, while helping to achieve the EU level of ambition in defence and security policy, including strategic autonompotentially increases the EU's contribution to international security and stability;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 77 #

2018/2156(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Recalls that legally and politically military mobility on European territory is a national and NATO task; underlines that the military mobility policy outlined in the Action Plan of 28 March 2018 and the military mobility component within the draft regulation establishing the Connecting Europe Facility of 6 June 2018 aims to support national and NATO territorial defence efforts and is, therefore not aimed at supporting the military tasks described in articles 42 (1) and 43 (1) TEU; underlines that as long as the European Council, in compliance with Article 42 (2) TEU, acting unanimously, did not decide to establish a common defence, there is no political and legal basis for the use of Union programmes and the EU budget for financing key components of such a policy; also reminds that Article 42 (2) TEU stresses the need to ratify that European Council decision at Member States level in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 84 #

2018/2156(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that achieving military mobility in Europe is an undertaking derived first and foremost from the expressed commitment and political will of Member States, while the EU should contribute by guiding the process by setting a framework for requirements, providing funding, fostering cooperation and providing fora for an exchange of best practices, information and experiences involving both civilian and military authorities; emphasises that effective military mobility will benefit all Member States by enhancing their connectivity in both military and civilian spheres;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 94 #

2018/2156(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises the importance of crisis reaction mobility in order to implement the military tasks of Article 43(1) TEU, i.e. the need to be rapid and efficient when deploying assets for missions and operations, so as to ensure that the EU maintains its standing as a reliable global security provider and peace actor;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 100 #

2018/2156(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that the type of missions which would most benefit from increased military mobility in the EU and beyond are in the field of collective defence which is, legally and politically, a national and NATO, but not an EU task; stresses in this context that progress in this field will help those EU Member States that are also NATO members to meet their Article 5 commitments; recognises, however, that, under Article 42(7) TEU, EU Member States also have an unequivocal obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power if a Member State is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, consistent with commitments under NATO;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 115 #

2018/2156(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses therefore that an understanding of the common strategic purpose and the development of a common plan is absolutely vital for success; welcomes in this context the Action Plan on Military Mobility, which outlines concrete steps for different institutional actors and EU Member States;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 121 #

2018/2156(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Regrets that the Action Plan fundamentally describes a bottom-up approach, with only a limited strategic vision of what concrete defence goals ithe EU is aiming to achieve through the various activities described in the Action Plan; deplores in this regard the continuing absence of an EU white book on defence, which could have provided this overarchingdescribed in detail concrete scense of purpose; believes nonetheless that the current approach has considerable merit and will serve the interests of all EU Member States, including in their role as NATO alliearios in which the EU would intervene militarily and the military mobility requirements for such Article 43(1) TEU military operations;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 126 #

2018/2156(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that the ambitious timetable in the Action Plan should be adhered to, both by the EU institutions and by Member States, to ensure that the current mobility gaps are filled as soon as possible and the level of ambition in defence and security policy are achievedlegal and political preconditions are lacking for launching a military mobility policy as described in the Action Plan;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 132 #

2018/2156(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the Commission proposal on the use of the Connecting Europe Facility and the substantial funds envisaged for dual-use military mobility projects to ensure that infrastructure is adjusted to take into account military mobility needs; notes that these dual-use projects will also be of considerable benefit for civilian use;deleted
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 148 #

2018/2156(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Emphasises in this context that the PESCO project on military mobility could constitute a useful tool for coordinating the efforts of Member States envisaged in the Action Plan, as well as other activities beyond the EU’s immediate competences; believes that this division of labour, accompanied byin preparing future out of area operations in line with Article 43(1) TEU; believes that proper coordination, is vital if the PESCO project is to provide added value; welcomes also the more binding commitments on simplifying cross-border military transport made in the PESCO notification;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 154 #

2018/2156(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Underlines that, ultimately, the EU can only supplement Member States’ efforts; stresses that success is fundamentally relies on Member States’ acceptance of and ability to implement a whole-of-government approach to tackle the relevant issues; underlines the importance of the political commitment of Member States to making effective military mobility in the EU and beyond a reality;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 158 #

2018/2156(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Welcomes the new joint declaration on EU-NATO cooperation and the Brussels Declaration on Transatlantic Security and Solidarity and the emphasis that both place on military mobility issuNATO’s new initiatives, particularly the Enablement Plan for SACEUR’s Area of Responsibility; notes that NATO's task is to organise collective territorial defence for 22 of the 28 EU Member States; welcomes also NATO's new initiatives, particularly the Enablement Plan for SACEUR’s Area of Responsibility; notes, however, that parts of the Enablement Plan appear to overlap with similar EUwork on ensuring military mobility in this respect and underlines the need to avoid duplicating such efforts with European initiatives;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 7 #

2018/2154(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 18 a (new)
– having regard to Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP of 8 December 2008 defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment;
2018/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 23 #

2018/2154(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas PMSCs are sometimes used by States, including EU Member States, for reasons of political convenience to avoid public scrutiny or parliamentary oversight and accountability on the use of troops, including by secret services for covert operations;
2018/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 26 #

2018/2154(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas PMSCs have been accused of engaging in a number ofserious human rights violations and incidents resulting in loss of life; whe and of being implicated in threats such incidents amount in some cases to serious violations of international humanitarian law, including war crimesagainst, attacks on and killings of human rights defenders, notably in relation to mega projects linked to extractive industries and large corporate interests; whereas PMSCs have also been accused of engaging in serious violations of international humanitarian law, including war crimes; whereas accountability and redress for such crimes remain largely unaddressed;
2018/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 34 #

2018/2154(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the use of services provided by PMSCs in fragile countries and crisis-prone regions may lead to very negative developments which undermine the EU's objectives in the field of foreign policy, human rights and development;
2018/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 129 #

2018/2154(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Expresses it serious concern at the wide range of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law that continue to be reported in relation to the activities of PMSCs worldwide and urges the EU and its Members States to take resolute action to address the accountability gap related to these actors; reminds all States of their obligation to ensure respect of human rights by PMSCs under their jurisdiction or operating within their territory;
2018/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 131 #

2018/2154(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that PMSCs play an important complementary role in aiding a state’s military and civilian agencies by closing capability gaps created by increasing demand for the use of forces abroad; underlines, however, that no activities should be outsourced to PMSCs that would involve the use of force and/or active participation in hostilities, except for self-defence, and under no circumstances should PMSCs be allowed to take part in or conduct interrogations;
2018/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 140 #

2018/2154(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Expresses its concern at the proliferation of PMSCs worldwide and the impact of the activities of PMSCs on the enjoyment of human rights, as well as on the activities of civil society organizations and human rights defenders; is alarmed by serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law linked to the activities of PMSCs and the lack of accountability for many abuses;
2018/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 161 #

2018/2154(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses the importance of preventing and protecting against human rights abuses perpetrated by PMSCs; reiterates the need for PMSCs to respect human rights and international law, when operating in host countries, and in particular in those that differ significantly in terms of culture and religion, to be mindful of local customs and habits so as not to jeopardise the effectiveness of their mission and alienate the local population;
2018/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 166 #

2018/2154(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the EU and its Member States to ensure that a clear and binding regulatory framework for PMSCs is in place in relation to megaprojects in third countries, notably where these are funded by EU-based investors or financial institutions, and that such projects are transparently monitored including in collaboration with civil society;
2018/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 176 #

2018/2154(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Highlights the importance of regular independent monitoring, including through randomised field visits, to ensure oversight and put an immediate end to abuse; calls on the European External Action Service (EEAS)U delegations in countries where PMSCs are operating to monitor their activities, in particular regarding civil society actors and human rights defenders, to engage with local authorities on this topic when relevant, and provide regular feedback on their actions;
2018/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 179 #

2018/2154(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Urges the Commission and EEAS to use the same guidelines for the hire, use and management of military and security contractors in all external actions, missions, operations and for EU Delegations across all countries and regions and for all services of a revised Common Military List of European Union; urges the Commission and EEAS to include a list of best practises into such EU guidelines which can be derived from the Montreux Document in particular with regard to procedures for the selection and contracting of PMSCs, the criteria for the selection of PMSCs, the terms of contract with PMSCs and the monitoring of compliance and ensuring of accountability;
2018/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 190 #

2018/2154(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Calls for mandatory due diligence requirements by entities who contract PMSCs, as well as for investors connected to the activities of PMSCs;
2018/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 191 #

2018/2154(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Believes that EU Member States, the EEAS and the Commission should agree on following the example of NATO by only contracting PMSCs based in EU Member States to ensure the highest level of accountability; urges the HR/VP, the Member States, the EEAS and the Commission to agree on common rules which oblige European based PMSCs executing contracts on their behalf to not subcontract local PMSCs in third countries as this practice runs counter to EU stabilisation and development policies, as often local militias, warlords and other actors are being strengthened as a result of such contracts;
2018/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 192 #

2018/2154(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Considers that certain human rights abuses can be so serious that only judicial remedies, including criminal sanctions, are appropriate; Underlines the need to ensure judicial remedies for human rights violations, including criminal sanctions, resulting from activities of PMSCs; stresses that in case the EU relies on PMSCs located in third countries, such agreements must always clarify that the companies will be held accountable under EU law;
2018/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 213 #

2018/2154(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Affirms that victims and their defendants require easy and safe access to the judicial system, especially in cases of gross violations, and to non-judicial remedy procedures;
2018/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 219 #

2018/2154(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Considers an international binding instrument to be an appropriate option to ensure that human rights are fully protected wherever PMSCs operate; believes that such an international binding instrument shall build on the work of the UN Working Group on mercenaries and their 2011 draft International Convention on the Regulation, Oversight and Monitoring of Private Military and Security Companies; takes the view that the development of an international regulatory framework is in the interest of all stakeholders, as it provides for legal certainty, remedies, uniformity and objectivity with respect to international standards and thereby creates a level playing field at global level;
2018/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 223 #

2018/2154(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Urges the Council to regulate the export of military and security services as defined in an updated Common Military List of European Union via a dedicated Council Decision which should require national legislation controlling the export of military and security services; believes that contracts for the provision of these services outside the EU should be licensed by export authorizations and require annual reporting of service export licences granted by Member States in order to increase public transparency and accountability; points out that the legal bases for such a Council Decision is provided by Articles 25 and 28 TEU and can draw on the example of Council Common Position 2008/944;
2018/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 226 #

2018/2154(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Emphasises that such a framework should, as a minimum, impose clearly defined human rights obligations on PMSCs, including mandatory human rights training, including on engagement with civil society actors and human rights defenders, make a distinction between private military activity and private security activity, limit the use of force and firearms in the course of duty, establish civil liability of individuals and corporate actors, as well as laying down a requirement for civil liability insurance for risks related to the activities of PMSCs, call for penal accountability of personnel responsible for violations, provide effective access to remedies for victims, set out dissuasive penalties for violations by PMSCs, provide for independent monitoring of PMSCs' activities and for oversight by the authorities, and require a vetting mechanism to ensure that personnel are properly trained and comply with international human rights and humanitarian law standards;
2018/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 236 #

2018/2154(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses that certain functions must not be outsourced to PMSCs, including interrogations, the overall operation of detention facilities, the punishmentincluding the handling of detainees, and active participation in hostilities, except for self-defence;
2018/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2018/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
- having regard to the Lima Declaration on Academic Freedom and Autonomy of Institutions of Higher Education, adopted by the World University Service in September 1988
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 3 #

2018/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
- Having regard to General Comment Number 13 of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at its Twenty-first session held on 15 November-3 December 1999 (E/C.12/1999/10),
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2018/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas the right to education is fundamentally important for the enjoyment of all other human rights and for achieving sustainable development; whereas this right can only be enjoyed in an atmosphere of academic freedom and autonomy of institutions of higher education;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 11 #

2018/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
A b. whereas the Lima Declaration on Academic Freedom and Autonomy of Institutions of Higher Education defines academic freedom as the freedom of members of the academic community - covering all persons teaching, studying, researching and working at an institution of higher education - individually or collectively, in the pursuit, development and transmission of knowledge, through research, study, discussion, documentation, production, creation, teaching, lecturing and writing;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 13 #

2018/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas this definition must be grounded in core democratic values, including access and anti-discrimination principles, accountability, critical and independent thinking, institutional autonomy and social responsibility;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 17 #

2018/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
B a. Whereas autonomy is a necessary precondition for education institutions to fulfil their proper functions; whereas academic freedom requires constant and vigilant protection from undue pressure from the State or commercial interests;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 19 #

2018/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas academic freedom – including its constituent freedoms of thought, opinion, expression, association, travel, and instruction – contributes to creating the space in which any open and stablepluralistic society is free to think, question and share ideas;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 23 #

2018/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas answers to issues in society should be found through reason, evidence and persuasion; whereas attacks on academic freedom undermine studying, research, teaching, and public discourse, eroding academic quality and social, political, economic and cultural development;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 25 #

2018/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas every year hundreds of attacks on universitiethe academic community and education institutions are increasingly vulnerable to interference, pressure or repression from States or the business sector; whereas every year hundreds of attacks on higher education institutions and their members are reported around the world, including killings, violence and disappearances, imprisonment, wrongful prosecution, loss of position and travel restrictions; whereas violations of academic freedoms are also occurring within Member States of the European Union and its closest partners;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 29 #

2018/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas cuts in public funding for education, including higher education, and the subsequent need for alternative sources of income puts academic freedom at risk, particularly when such external funding stems from autocratic regimes abroad or multinational corporations;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 34 #

2018/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
F a. whereas the effective realisation of the right to education and the guarantee of academic freedom require States to ensure an adequate and reliable level of funding for education; whereas policies of financial and economic austerity have gravely undermined academic freedom and continue to do so around the world, including within the European Union;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 35 #

2018/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas claims of violations of academic freedom are rarely brought underaddressed within a human rights lawframework, reflecting, in part, a lack of familiarity with issues of academic freedom among human rights advocates and, in part the fact that claims often refer to other rights being violated, such as freedom of expression or opinion; whereas, as a result, standards in this area are underdeveloped and violations of academic freedom underreported;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 37 #

2018/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas there is a general need both to raise awareness of the importance of academic freedom as a tool to promote democracy, respect for the rule of law and accountability, and to create opportunities to improve the capacity for its advocacy and defence;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 42 #

2018/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I
I. whereas it is important to identify attacks on academic freedom as part of a global phenomenaon, and to encourage the recognition of academics and students being targeted not only as individuals whose rights are being violated, but also as human rights defenders who are being attacked;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 46 #

2018/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J
J. whereas many at-risk academics and students are not able to obtain access to the opportunities provided by EU programmes for academic mobility and human rights defenders, as a result of not meeting the application criteria or of having great difficulty in following the general application procedures, requirements and schedules;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 53 #

2018/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
(a) explicitly recognise the importance of academic freedom in public statements, policies and actions, including recognition of the principles that the right to academic freedom is an essential human right, that the autonomy of education institutions should be protected at all times, that ideas are not crimes and that critical discourse is not disloyalty;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 61 #

2018/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) publicly highlight the problems of attacks on academic freedom, including their negative consequences, and the responsibility of states to protect higher education from undue interference both from the State but also corporate interests;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 67 #

2018/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(c a) support equal access to the academic community, regardless of ethnicity, caste, disability, nationality, religious belief, gender identity, sexual orientation or other status; pay particular attention in their dealings with third countries, to supporting the elimination of gender-based discrimination and all forms of violence and to help realise gender equality and the right to education for all;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 82 #

2018/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
(g) foster work on research and advocacy aimed at reforming legislation and regulations imposing undue restrictions on academic freedom or the academic autonomy of higher education institutions, and to promote institutional autonomy as the best way of protecting systems of higher education from state or business interference or attacks;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 85 #

2018/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h
(h) step up diplomatic efforts with partner countries through bilateral and multilateral engagement in relation to incidents of concern involving threats or attacks on academic freedom, particularly violent attacks on institutions and members of the higher education community, also including discriminatory policies or practices, undue restrictions on research or expression, wrongful prosecution or detention, and restrictions on the right to form and join trade unions;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 87 #

2018/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i
(i) revisit existing support mechanisms for human rights defenders to develop the capacity to identify and assist in cases involving attacks on academic freedom, including through physical protection, legal and visa support, medical support, trial and prison monitoring, advocacy and lobbying, and long-term support during exile; in particular, calls on the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights to include the promotion of academic freedom and the support to members of the academic community at risk, among its priorities;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 93 #

2018/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j a (new)
(j a) ensure that its macro-financial assistance programmes to third countries and the policies of European financial institutions do not undermine academic freedom by supporting policies that reduce the allocation of national income to the education sector;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 98 #

2018/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
(k a) support ongoing normative efforts at regional and international levels, including through the adoption of an international declaration on academic freedom and the autonomy of higher education institutions; encourages the European Union and its Member States to take an initiative on academic freedom at the United Nations Human Rights Council;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 99 #

2018/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k b (new)
(k b) ensure continued, high-level support to the European Inter-University Centre and the Global Campus on Human Rights and Democracy, as a flagship of the EU's support to human rights education worldwide;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2018/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Strengthening the common commercial policy by reinforcing cooperation with our bilateral, strategic and regional trade partners and with multilateral organisations, in particular the WTO, by playing an active role in its reform to increase its legitimacy and make it more effective;
2018/10/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 18 #

2018/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Keeping Parliament fully and immediately informed on the negotiation and implementation of international agreements in order to guarantee the exercise of its powers and prerogatives; simplifying and reducing the negotiation and entry into force procedures in order to increase predictability and legal certainty for operators and toof Rules of Origin in order to increase the take-up of Free Trade Agreements by SMEs thus makeing better and timely use of the opportunities arising for the European Union;
2018/10/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 21 #

2018/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Working on a new inter- institutional agreement providing for the right of the European Parliament to co- legislate together with the Council on the mandate to the Commission for trade negotiations and making sure that national parliaments are asked for opinion before the mandates to the Commission for trade negotiations are finalized;
2018/10/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 26 #

2018/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Systematically including digital trTaking a leade in trade agreements andhe multilateral discussions on regulating digital trade, and promoting the strengthening of international standards onEuropean standards on data privacy, consumer protection and market access;
2018/10/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 27 #

2018/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Taking a lead in the multilateral discussions, especially within the WTO and the UNFCCC framework, and in bilateral undertakings for mainstreaming the 1,5° C goal into trade policy-making;
2018/10/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 36 #

2018/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Strengthening the coherence of the common commercial policy with other policies, in particular with the climate, CFSP and development aid policy, in order to guarantee the values and objectives set out infulfil the requirements emanating from Article 3(5) TEU and Articles 21 and 207 TFEU;
2018/10/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 43 #

2018/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
9. Improving the communication strategy for the common commercial policy by making consolidated texts during trade negotiations publically available and by providing better information about the opportunities itrade offers to our citizens and companies, strengthening transparency and deepening the dialogue with professional organisations, companies and civil society.
2018/10/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 6 #

2018/2085(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 16
– having regard to the Council conclusions of 19 October 20179 , which highlight blockchain and artificial intelligence as key emerging trends and call on the Commission to put forward initiatives to address these issues, _________________ 9 http://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/216 20/19-euco-final-conclusions-en.pdf
2018/10/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 9 #

2018/2085(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas in this report blockchain will be considered as a private, permissioned distributed ledger technology (DLT), comprising a database made up of sequential blocks of data that are added with the consensus of network operators;
2018/10/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 17 #

2018/2085(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas blockchain can enhance and improve EU trade policies, such as Free Trade Agreements (FTAs),make a positive contribution in the functioning of daily trade operations, for example with regard to Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs), particularly of Authorised Economic Operators (AEOs), and trade defence measures;
2018/10/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 31 #

2018/2085(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that blockchain could assist the Union’s trade defence instruments by providing transparency over the provenance of goods entering the European market and an overview of the influx of imports; it could also assist in innovative elements of trade policy such as the application of border tax adjustments for corporate and carbon taxes;
2018/10/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 35 #

2018/2085(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that blockchain has the potential to support the trade and sustainable development agenda by providing trust in the provenance of raw materials and goods as well as mitigating and eliminating risks around food security, export control, conflict minerals, counterfeit goods, forced and child labour, environmental impact and corruption;
2018/10/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 39 #

2018/2085(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Believes that MRAs of AEOs enable businesses to diversify their supply chains; feels that blockchain offers the potential to reduce the uncertainty associated with implementing MRAs of AEOs, through a seamless exchange of data;deleted
2018/10/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 42 #

2018/2085(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Considers that blockchain could enable customs authorities to automatically obtain the required information for a customs declaration, reduce the need for manual verification and paper trails, and provide a precise update on the status and characteristics of goods entering the EU to all relevant parties simultaneously thereby improving track and-trace and transparency;
2018/10/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 46 #

2018/2085(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Believes that the adoption of blockchain technologies throughout the supply chain can increase the volume of global trade,efficiency, speed and volume of global trade by limiting the costs associated with international transactions as well as auditing and accounting and can lead to increased consumer confidence in digital trade;
2018/10/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 50 #

2018/2085(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Underlines the utility of blockchain in the following ways: strengthening the certainty of the provenance of goods, reducing the risk of illicit goods entering the supply chain, upholding consumer protection and providing consumers with detailed information on the origin of the product to allow for an ethical and quality based selection, reducing the costs of supply chain management, and improving trust and business stability;
2018/10/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 65 #

2018/2085(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Recognises cross-border data flows as an integral function forelement of international trade and an integral part of the design of blockchain architecture;
2018/10/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 66 #

2018/2085(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Highlights the scope of blockchain for validating transactions across an international supply chain by defining levels of access and validation procedures for participants; is concerned about the associated risk for data confidentiality, as competing suppliers may inadvertently expose information by being part of various common blockchains;
2018/10/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 68 #

2018/2085(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Notes the connecIs aware of the problematic relation between blockchain and cross- border data flows for trade; notes that a private permissioned inter-ledger network can provide trust between platforms by integrating data from multiple sources;
2018/10/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 70 #

2018/2085(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Recognises the challenge posed by the relationship between blockchain technologies and the implementation of GDPR; notes that blockchain technology can provide solutions for GDPR implementation because both initiatives are underpinned by common principles of ensuring secured and self-governed dataStresses that any current and future blockchain application must be operated in complete compliance with the GDPR; underlines that blockchain technology can provide solutions for the "data protection by design" provisions in GDPR implementation on the basis of their common principles of ensuring secured and self-governed data; stresses that personal data in a blockchain are normally not anonymous, which makes them personal data within the scope of GDPR;
2018/10/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 79 #

2018/2085(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Highlights the benefits blockchain could bring to SMEs by allowing peer-to- peer communication, collaboration tools and payments, increasing the ease of doing business, reduce the risk of non-payment and the legal and procedural costs of contract fulfilment with the use of self- executing contracts;
2018/10/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 89 #

2018/2085(INI)

18. Calls on the Commission to follow developments in the area of blockchain, in particular the ongoing pilots/initiatives in the international supply chain; invites the Commission to produce a strategy document on adopting blockchain technologies in trade and supply chain management; underlines the need to study and assess the feasibility of using DLT based technologies as alternatives to current solutions, before encouraging or financing new projects;
2018/10/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 103 #

2018/2085(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Calls on the Commission to develop a set of guiding principles tailored to industry and other operators to provide a level of certainty that encourages the use of blockchain and innovation in this area;
2018/10/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 114 #

2018/2085(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Calls on the Commission to play an active leading role in the process of standardisation and security of blockchain, and to work with the industrieall relevant actors to develop blockchain standards, including terminology, security, development, and deployment of the technology;
2018/10/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 2 #

2018/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
– having regard to the Paris Agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, effective since November 2016;
2018/10/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 3 #

2018/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 b (new)
– having regard to the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, issued on 8 October 2018, showing that limiting global warming to 1.5°C is still possible, if countries ratchet up their Nationally Determined Contributions by 2020;
2018/10/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 16 #

2018/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Reiterates its full commitment to the enduring value of multilateralism and calls for a trade agenda based on free, fair and rule-based trade for the benefit of all and the achievement of the 1,5° C goal, which supports the sustainable development agenda by including and enhancing social, environmental and human rights, and ensuring that multilaterally agreed and harmonised rules are uniformly applied to all; underlines that trade is not an end in itself but a tool for reaching globally defined development goals;
2018/10/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 19 #

2018/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that it is now a matter of urgency to proceed to the modernisation of the WTO in the light of the latest developments, and to fundamentally review several aspects of the functioning of the WTO with a view to increasing both its effectiveness and its legitimacy; considers, in this perspective, as utmost important that other WTO members, in particular our major trading partners, should be involved in the debate from the beginningSecretariat creates opportunities for all WTO members to be involved in the debate from the beginning; calls on the Commission and the EU members in the WTO to reach out to other WTO members, in particular our major trading partners, for agreeing on common positions;
2018/10/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 26 #

2018/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes in this regard the mandate given by the European Council to the Commission on 28-29 June 2018, and supportstakes note of the approach outlined in the conclusions;
2018/10/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 34 #

2018/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. SharesIs of the view that, as a way to address the root causes of the current crisis, it is necessary for the WTO to deliver on some of the outstanding issues of the Doha Round, especially regarding food security in the form of agreements on Special Products and the Special Safeguard Mechanism, as well as to develop new rules to address current gaps in the rulebook in order to level the playing asfield, including with regards to subsidies and state-owned enterprises, investment market access and regulatory barriers to services and investment; believes that in order to remain relevant, the WTO also needs to address new challenges in areas such as: e- commerce; digital trade; global value chains; public procurement; domestic regulation for services; micro, small and medium- sized enterprises (MSMEs); and greatersystemic compatibility between trade, labour and environmental agendas; welcomes, in this regard, the joint statements that were adopted in Buenos Aires on e-commerce, domestic regulation, investment facilitation and women’s economic empowerment, as well as the work that has been done on these issues since then;
2018/10/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 44 #

2018/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. In view of greater compatibility between trade rules and global environmental goals, calls on the EU to engage the WTO membership in rebalancing the global system of Intellectual Property Rights in order to enable the legal transfer of climate- friendly technology in developing countries, in the form of a Declaration on IPR and Climate Change to the example of the Doha Declaration of 2001 on TRIPS and Public Health
2018/10/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 46 #

2018/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. In view of greater compatibility between trade rules and global environmental goals, retains that the needed revision of WTO subsidy rules should allow for exceptions, waivers or peace clauses on a set of primarily relevant climate products whose market penetration should be enabled also by way of state subsidisation, under the condition of full transparency and prior notification;
2018/10/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 47 #

2018/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. In view of greater compatibility between trade rules and global environmental goals, calls on the EU to engage the WTO membership in a revision of the TRIPS Agreement relating to the patentability of plant and animal inventions, so that the patent applicants are required to disclose the origin of genetic resources and any traditional knowledge used in inventions, so that WTO rule-making becomes supportive to the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol;
2018/10/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 49 #

2018/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Is convinced that the current differentiation between developed and developing countries does not reflect the effective situation in the WTO and that this has been an obstacle to advancing the Doha Round, to the detriment of countries most in need; urges advanced developing countries to take up their share of responsibility and make contributions commensurate to their level of development and (sectoral) competitiveness; considers that the principle of Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) remains a useful tool for development, if its criteria are reformed to better reflect human development indexes;
2018/10/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 56 #

2018/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Takes the view that it is necessary to revise the functioning of the negotiating process by introducing more flexibility than has currently been the case under the consensus rule, while recognising that the Single Undertaking approach has limited the effectiveness of multilateral trade governance; expresses its support for the concept of flexible multilateralism, whereby; while the principle of consensus must remain the centre of WTO rule making, expresses its support for an approach, whereby a critical mass of WTO members interested in pursuing a certain market access issue where full consensus is not yet possible should be able to advance and conclude plurilateral agreements eithunder through so-called WTO Annex 4 agreements, in accordance with Article II:3, Article III:1, and Article X:9 of the Marrakesh Agreement, or via ‘critical mass’ agreements that extende condition that it is not objected to by a threshold of WTO members to be determined and that negotiated concessions are extended to the WTO membership on a most-favoured-nation (MFN) basis;
2018/10/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 60 #

2018/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the EU to advance an initiative in the WTO regarding the regulation of a specific global supply chain, notably in the garment sector, with regard to social and environmental conditions for market access with reduced tariffs, in order to test a more flexible negotiation approach;
2018/10/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 65 #

2018/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses the importance of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), of the Paris Agreement commitments in the fight against climate change, and of the role which trade can and must play in contributing towards their achievement; underlines that beyond the negotiations on fisheries subsidies, the WTO must now define the more concrete action that needs to be taken in this regard; reminds that the WTO concept of Process and Production Methods (PPM) offers possibilities to differentiate among so-called "like- products" for their environmental impact; suggests to revitalize the WTO Committee on Trade and Environment (CTE) with the mandate to elaborate criteria for combatting environmental free riding and to establish closer links to the UNFCCC Secretariat;
2018/10/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 70 #

2018/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Reaffirms the links between gender equality and inclusive development, as also expressed in SDG 5, emphasising that women’s empowerment is key to the eradication of poverty and that removing barriers to women’s participation in trade is critical for economic development; welcomes the increased focus of the WTO on issues related to trade and gender, and encourages all 121 signatories to the 2017 Buenos Aires Declaration on Trade and Women’s Economic Empowerment to deliver on their commitments; emphasises the need for a systemic gender approach to all fields of WTO rule-making in the form of gender specific impact assessments;
2018/10/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 74 #

2018/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses that the role of the WTO Secretariat in facilitating and safeguarding a bottom-up approach for the active participation of all members is critical and that it should be further strengthened in support of various negotiating processes, as well as in implementation and monitoring functions; considers it necessary to strengthen the financial and human means and resources available to the WTO Secretariat;
2018/10/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 6 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines that EU trade policy has to be coherent with other EU policies such as development and environmental policies and to support the achievement of the SDGs, and that under these conditions it can contribute to the achievement of the objectives of thea reformed common agricultural policy (CAP), notably ensuring a fair standard of living for the agricultural community and that supplies reach consumers at reasonable prices; stresses that the EU agri-food sector should take advantage of the opportunities for growth offered by exportsrade policy should avoid undermining local and regional markets, increasing food dependence and so decreasing food security for vulnerable third country populations through overly aggressive EU export orientation, given that an estimated 90 % of additional global demand for agri- food products over the next decade will come from outside Europe;
2018/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 10 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Notes citizen's demands that a reformed CAP should focus on sustainability, food sovereignty, human and animal health and the reduction of antimicrobial resistance, and measures to improve the economic situation of small farms,
2018/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Affirms that EU trade and agriculture policies are closely intertwined and will remain so in the future, and that maintaining and developing sustainable agriculture has to be a priority, given the important role of agriculture in the context of negotiations both bilaterally for EU free trade agreements and multilaterally at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), on issues such as market access for agricultural products, the protection of geographical indications, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) rules, harmonisation of animal welfare and other standards, and the simplification of import procedures;
2018/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 16 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Underlines that the fulfilment of the goals of the Paris agreement on climate change and meeting the SDGs must be the governing principles of any trade policy with regards to agricultural products;
2018/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 17 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. Insists that because loss of farming has a disproportionate impact on the socio-economic fabric of rural areas, on population changes, migration and on regional food security, agriculture cannot be a bargaining chip in bi- and multilateral trade deals to the detriment of environmental protection, biodiversity and labour conditions in third countries;
2018/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 19 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2 c. Believes that while trade agreements may benefit mostly large agricultural businesses in the EU and abroad, they can also cause serious negative socio-economic impacts on small and medium scale farming in the EU and in third countries;
2018/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 20 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 d (new)
2 d. Therefore calls for binding and enforceable safeguard mechanisms that take into account social, environmental and labour standards in the EU, as well as in countries to which we export;
2018/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 21 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. WelcomNotes the progress achieved in promoting the EU’s agriculturalobusiness interests in recent bilateral trade negotiations, notably as regards market access for high quality EU agri-food products and the protection of geographical indications in third countries; trusts that this trend can be continued and improved uponunderlines the need for further measures to guard small and medium sized agricultural companies from the negative effects of our current trade policy: considers therefore that shorter, more resilient food chains and the stimulation of regional food production systems must play a role in improving biodiversity, environmental protection as well as remunerative and fair income of farmers and rural communities;
2018/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 23 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission, in the context of ongoing and future bilateral trade negotiations with third countries, to approach with the utmost care the liberalisation of market access both with regard to third countries as well as with regard of the EU in sensitive agricultural sectors and to consider transition periods, tariff-rate quotas, appropriate safeguarding measures that take into account social, environmental and economic effects in the EU, as well as in countries to which we export, and the exclusion of the most sensitive products; notes that this predominantly concerns beef, other meat, rice, wheat, other cereals, sugar, and dairy products;
2018/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 33 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Highlights therefore the principle of qualified market access, meaning that imported goods should comply with EU standards;
2018/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 35 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Further considers that goods produced in connection to deforestation, land or resource grabbing and human rights abuses should not be granted access into the EU market;
2018/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 39 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Regrets the lack of progress on domestic support in agriculture at the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference; reiterates that any future EU position on this topic must duly respect the framework of the reformed CAP; invites EU trading partners, in this regard, to make commitments to reducing trade-distorting domestic support; Notes that strong environmental and social conditionality would limit the likelihood of CAP payments being challenged by the WTO and increase the quality of public goods delivered by this policy to Europeans; calls on the WTO members that continue to grant export subsidies to implement the Ministerial Decision on Export Competition adopted in Nairobi on 19 December 2015;
2018/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 45 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Demands that the Commission stay vigilant and step up the Union’s defensive action towards resolving existing and future market access barriers in third countries, which are increasing, while respecting the environment and human rights including the right to food; underlines that the majority of whichthose barriers affect agricultural products (27 % according to the Commission’s Market Access Database), which in turn relate predominantly to SPS market access measures.
2018/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 46 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Demands at the same time that the Commission step up the inclusion in trade agreements of improved public health and animal welfare provisions, including the reduction in the proliferation of antimicrobial resistance through overuse of antibiotics; the access to water as a human right; the rise of living standards in the agricultural sector, in particular for female farmers and farm workers, and zero land degradation, soil depletion and deforestation in third countries as well as in the EU;
2018/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 1 #

2018/0256M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph –1 (new)
-1. Recalls that Western Sahara remains on the list of non-self-governing territories for the purposes of Article 73 of the Charter of the United Nations and that any engagement with this territory must conform with this particular status under international law;
2018/10/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2018/0256M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph –1 a (new)
-1 a. Recalls that the EU and its Member States do not recognise Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara; notes that the Court of Justice of the European Union has affirmed the separate and distinct status of the territory of Western Sahara in relation to any State, including the Kingdom of Morocco;
2018/10/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2018/0256M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Recalls that according to the Court of Justice of the European Union in its 10 December 2015 ruling on Western Sahara, the Commission stated during the legal proceedings in front of the Court that "it does not challenge the "capacity as representative of the Sahrawi people enjoyed by the Front Polisario which was recognised by the UN General Assembly";
2018/10/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 20 #

2018/0256M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that it is important for this agreement to give guarantees regarding respect for international law, including human rights, in the territories concerned and for the Saharawi people;
2018/10/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 29 #

2018/0256M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. NotesInsists on the importance that this agreement does not imply any recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara and that the EU’s position remains that of supporting UN efforts to secure a fair, and lasting and mutually acceptable settlement of the Western Sahara conflict, on the basis of the right to self-determination of the Sahrawi people and in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions; reiterates, therefore, its full support to the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Mr Horst Köhler, in helping the parties to achieve this settlement;
2018/10/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 34 #

2018/0256M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Notes that the Commission Staff Working Document that accompanies the proposed agreement, states that it "uses the term "Western Sahara" to refer to the part of the territory administered de facto by Morocco"; notes that the Joint Declaration states that "products originating in Western Sahara subject to controls by customs authorities of the Kingdom of Morocco" shall benefit from the trade preferences under this agreement; notes therefore that the products originating in the part of the territory of Western Sahara that is outside the control of Morocco, will not benefit from such trade preferences;
2018/10/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 41 #

2018/0256M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Considers that the partial territorial coverage of the agreement raises questions in relation to the obligations of the EU and its Member States to respect the principle of territorial integrity, which is an integral part of the right to self-determination; in relation to the border treaties between Morocco and Western Sahara; and towards the obligation to respect the"separate and distinct" nature of Western Sahara in relation to Morocco, affirmed by the European Court of Justice, which would require the preservation of the integrity of Western Sahara;
2018/10/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 43 #

2018/0256M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3 c. Expects the Commission to clarify the territorial scope of the proposed agreement and to ensure that economic operators in and products from the part of Western Sahara outside Moroccan control are not discriminated as a result of this agreement;
2018/10/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 44 #

2018/0256M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 d (new)
3 d. Expresses concern that the agreement, by restricting its territorial application to the part under the control of Morocco, may reinforce the current social, economic and military dividing lines within Western Sahara;
2018/10/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 45 #

2018/0256M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 e (new)
3 e. Notes that in spite of the separate and distinct status of Western Sahara and of the non-recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara, the Commission and the EEAS held negotiation rounds in Rabat and Brussels, and not in Western Sahara during the course of the negotiations of the agreement;
2018/10/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 50 #

2018/0256M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that during inclusivthe consultations led by the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) with a wide variety of Western Saharan local representatives, civil society organisations and other organisations and bodies, broad support was expressed for the socio-economic benefits the proposed tariff preferences would bringin relation to the proposed agreement took place in Brussels and Rabat, and not in Western Sahara;
2018/10/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 57 #

2018/0256M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Notes that out of the 112 stakeholders enlisted by the Commission among those having been included in the consultations on the proposed agreement, 94 of them rejected taking part in the consultations or were not invited to participate therein; notes that among the 18 remaining stakeholders, 2 are Members of the Moroccan Parliament, 1 is the Moroccan state-owned phosphate company OCP and 6 are public bodies or other structures that have been set up by Morocco in Western Sahara;
2018/10/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 70 #

2018/0256M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Takes good note of the exchange of letters and acknowledges the effortsof the claim of the Commission and the EEAS in trying, within the remit of their competences, to evaluto have evaluated the benefit for the population of the part of the territory that stands to benefit from this agreement; stresses, nevertheless, that the Court of Justice ruled thate the benefit for the population and to ascertainissue of benefits was irrelevant to the agreement and that only the explicit reference of Western Sahara and their consent tof this agreement; stresses, nevertheless,e people of Western Sahara was required; stresses also that more could be done to improve the traceability of products coming from Western Sahara; invsets as a pre-requirement for ites approval, that the Commission services, therefore, to engage further with the Moroccan authoriimprove this aspect, notably in order to produce clear and reliable statistiecs to improve this aspect, notably in order to produce cleand present a detailed protocol outlining reliable and efficient means to ensure the traceability of products originating in Western Sahara and reliable statistics.full compliance with the EU customs legislation;
2018/10/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 79 #

2018/0256M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Calls for the establishment of an EU-Western Sahara subcommittee on trade and agriculture to be established, in accordance with the distinct and separate status of the territory concerned;
2018/10/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 81 #

2018/0256M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. Notes the statement by the Commission in its Staff Working Document that "statistics on Western Sahara generally remain patchy and disparate" and that "it is generally impossible to distinguish Moroccan imports from Western Saharan imports using EU statistics on foreign trade and therefore to estimate what portion of those imports is from Western Sahara"; considers that this lack of data raises questions in relation to the credibility of the assessment carried out by the Commission and its capacity to have effectively defended the interests of EU- based economic operators;
2018/10/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 82 #

2018/0256M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5 c. Notes that in line with the non- recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara, the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and recent jurisprudence of the Court of Justice of the European Union, the EU Delegation to Morocco and its accredited staff may not carry out their activities outside the internationally recognised borders of Morocco; calls on the EEAS to provide clarification on this matter and on the practical implications foreseen for the monitoring of the implementation of this agreement;
2018/10/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 83 #

2018/0256M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 d (new)
5 d. Considers that the consultation process carried out by the Commission and the EEAS did not allow to effectively assess the views of the people of Western Sahara on the proposed agreement; considers that the consent of the people of Western Sahara can only be expressed by its UN recognized representative, the Polisario Front; notes in this respect that the Polisario Front has rejected the proposed agreement;
2018/10/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 84 #

2018/0256M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 e (new)
5 e. Considers that the human rights assessment and the stakeholder consultation carried out by the Commission and the EEAS in relation to the agreement falls short of complying with the Commission's own Guidelines on the analysis of human rights impacts in impact assessments for trade-related policy initiatives and its Guidelines on Stakeholder Consultation; observes in particular, that the cursory comments on the human rights situation in Western Sahara in the Staff Working Document that accompanies the agreement, fail to meet the commitment of the Commission to carry out a "comprehensive, participative, balanced and transparent" analysis of the human rights impact of the agreement; underscores that this is particularly inadequate given the seriousness of the human rights situation in Western Sahara and that human rights, notably the right to self-determination, are at the core of the ruling of the European Court of Justice; expects therefore the Commission to carry out a proper human rights impact assessment in line with its own policy guidelines, prior to the consideration of the agreement;
2018/10/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 85 #

2018/0256M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 f (new)
5 f. Calls therefore on the Committee on International Trade, as the committee responsible, to propose that the European Parliament decline its consent;
2018/10/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 48 #

2018/0228(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a – point ii
(ii) to adapt the TEN-T networks to military mobility needs;deleted
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 52 #

2018/0228(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point a – point iii
(iii) EUR 6,500,000,000 from the Defence cluster for the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(a)(ii);deleted
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 69 #

2018/0228(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) Under the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(a)(ii): actions, or specific activities within an action, supporting transport infrastructure on the TEN-T Network in order to adapt it to military mobility requirements with the purpose of enabling a civilian-military dual-use of the infrastructure.deleted
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 7 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas the EU and Japan share a special responsibility for fostering peace, multilateralism, respect for human rights and rule of law, stability and prosperity in a rapidly changing world;
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas Japan led efforts to revise the Trans-Pacific Trade Agreement (TPP-11) and ratified the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership in July; whereas Japan has also shown interest in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which includes China;deleted
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 12 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

H. whereas the Japanese government approved a new Development Cooperation Charter in February 2015; whereas this Charter has been criticised for introducing the concepts of “proactive contribution to peace” and explicitly linking development aid to “national interest”;
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 14 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Ha. Whereas the Foreign Minister´s advisory panel on climate change issued its report in February 2018, where the need for energy transition towards renewables was put at the core of Japan´s energy diplomacy strategy; whereas Japan still largely depends on fossil fuels imports and the plans to develop new coal-fired power plants are ongoing; whereas this contradicts the conclusions of the Foreign Minister´s advisory panel;
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 17 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)
Hb. Whereas capital punishment is still a legal penalty in Japan, and executions are carried out by hanging without any previous warning to the inmates; whereas the UN Committee against torture has criticised this practice for the psychological strain it causes in the inmates and their families;
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 19 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the conclusion of the draft Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA), which provides a legally binding framework, strengthens EU-Japan bilateral relations and increases cooperation in more than 40 areas such as foreign policy and security issues, global development and humanitarian aid, economic matters, research, innovation, education, food safety, agricultural policy, ICT policy, space technology, culture and sport, as well as on global challengesissues that require global coordination such as climate change, migration, cyberthreats, public health, cross-border crime, crisis and disaster management and the fight against terrorism;
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights the linkages between the SPA and the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which together form the world’s largest bilateral free trade agreement; cConsiders the conclusion of the two agreementsSPA as an upgrade in partnership and supports further cooperation in the multilateral fora; welcomes the mutual respect and confidence that were strengthened during the negotiation process;
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 25 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that a comprehensive diplomatic, economic, cultural and security approach is needed inwith regards to the developing world where respect for human rights, environmental protection, peacebuilding, security and development go hand in hand, a vision shared by the EU and Japan;
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 32 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses the need for further cooperation on women´s rights in order to ensure that the achievement of gender equality is one of the key objectives of the partnership; encourages the Japanese Diet to further work on legislation to address discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity;
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 33 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Supports the efforts of the UN on the phasing out of capital punishment; in this line, urges Japan to join those efforts and to introduce an immediate moratorium on the use of the death penalty as a step towards abolition;
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 43 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for the expansion of bilateral EU- Japan and plurilateral cooperation with South Korea, the United States and China in support of efforts to secure peace and maintain stability in the region, peaceful coexistence in the Korean peninsula, and the irreversible and verifiable denuclearisation of the DPRK; expresses preferethe importance ofor further Japan-South Korea cooperation which cwould contribute to regional stability and address security risks such asensure good neighbourly relations and further cooperation on the diplomatic efforts to ensure the denuclearisation of the DPRK; emphasises that the stability of the global economic powers in north-east AsiKorean peninsula is in the core interest of Europe;
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 48 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Suggests that the EU and Japan work together to increase the capacities of ASEAN regarding the regional integration agenda; supports the decision taken at the 33rd ASEAN-Japan Forum in Tokyo to further strengthen ties and address regional and international issues of common interest and to work together to promote peace and stability, believes that the promotion and protection of human rights contributes effectively to these two objectives;
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 50 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Stresses the need for the EU and Japan to work together at multilateral level to preserve the Non-Proliferation Treaty; welcomes the importance that the Japanese government has given to the Arms Trade Treaty and stresses the importance of the common work which can be done to highlight to other States the importance of ratifying it or acceding to it;
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 64 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Considers that the EU and Japan, as leading global donors with a long history of Official Development Assistance (ODA) to less developed countries in East Asia and, more recently, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, are natural partners, together with recipient governments, in coordinating aid and ensuring coherence; stresses that the main purpose of development aid is poverty reduction with the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and looks forward to mutual cooperation towards the achievement of such goals;
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 66 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes Japan’s ratification of the Paris Climate Agreement in 2016; welcomes the report of the Foreign Minister´s advisory panel on climate change of February 2018, and expects the Government of Japan to follow-up on the recommendations, including by stepping up its mitigation efforts;
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 72 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Welcomes the inclusion of sustainable forest management in the agreement and looks forward to further exchange of good practices regarding illegal logging, building on the experience of the EU Timber Regulation, with a view to introducing mandatory due diligence in Japanese legislation;
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 76 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Stresses the importance of the preservation of biological diversity, and encourages Japan to lift its reservations to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES);
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution on the negotiations for the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) of 3 February 2016,
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 2 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 b (new)
– having regard to its recommendations of 13 December 2017 to the Council and the Commission following the inquiry into money laundering, tax avoidance and tax evasion,
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 3 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 c (new)
– having regard to the European Economic and Social Committee’s Opinion of 15 February2018 on Trade and sustainable development chapters (TSD) in EU Free Trade Agreements (FTA),
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 28 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas it was estimated in the 20162 Impact Assessment that the agreement would deliver positive impacts in terms of GDP, - but well below 1% GDP growth and over the long term - income, trade and employment for both the Union and Japan, adhering to the objective of ‘smart, sustainable and inclusive growth’; whereas FTAs nowadays targets primarily the elimination or the modification of regulatory measures;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 29 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas Japan is so far the only G7 member with no prohibition on imports of illegal timber in spite of being the largest world importer of wood and plywood, the second largest importer of logs and the third largest importer of lumber; whereas the EU FLEGT scheme, which builds on mandatory certification schemes, for imports is a priority policy of the EU; whereas the EU Timber Regulation provides for a prohibition to place illegal timber on the EU market and sets up a mandatory due diligence system; whereas the 2016 Trade Sustainability Impact Assessment on EPA noted that Japan had no formal regulation on controlling imports of illegal wood and wood-based products and that such an issue should be of high priority in the negotiation;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 32 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas the EU and Japan successfully concluded their talks on reciprocal adequacy on 17 July 2018 and they agreed to recognise each other's data protection systems as 'equivalent', which will allow data to flow safely between the EU and Japan;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 33 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)
Dc. whereas the EPA has been concluded and signed while negotiations for an investment protection agreement are still ongoing with no clear deadline for their conclusions, which proves that ISDS or ICS are not necessary, notably in the case of two democracies that respect the rule of law;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 34 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D d (new)
Dd. whereas, in its Resolution on TiSA negotiations, the Parliament has requested that an unequivocal gold standard’ clause should be included in all trade agreements to ensure that the public utilities clause applies to all modes of supply and to any services considered to be public services by European, national or regional authorities, in any sector and irrespective of the service's monopoly status;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 35 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D e (new)
De. whereas in many areas Japan has followed the approach of setting standards and technical regulations at a level above international ones, such as for instance in the case of maximum residue levels (MRLs) for pesticides; whereas the Union has also set standards that are higher than international ones, such as for instance, the Codex Alimentarius;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 36 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D f (new)
Df. whereas, following the 2008 financial crisis, the tendency to consider the size and expansion of the financial sector as one of the causes of the crisis emerged, as well as a debate on the risks posed to financial stability by the liberalisation of financial services;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 38 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

E. whereas Parliament has monitored these negotiations from the start, having called for transparency and for negotiators to meet the interests of both citizens and businesses; whereas the actual overall level of transparency during the negotiations has been insufficient and no EU textual proposals were published when submitted to the Japanese side; whereas the ratification by national Parliaments is not requested for the EPA, a EU-only agreement;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 45 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas the Parliament objected in September 2017 to an implementing act1a, aiming at reducing controls on food imports from Fukushima region to the European Union; whereas the European Commission did not take into account Parliament´s objection and adopted the implementing act without justifications or explanations; _________________ 1a Implementing act on the import of feed and food originating in or consigned from Japan following the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power station.
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 48 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Considers this agreement to be of major strategic importance and that it represents a timely signal in support of open, fair and rules-based trade, while promoting high standards at a time of challenges to the international order; notes, however, that in the current context of raising protectionism and citizens’ justified concerns about unfair globalisation, the status quo in trade policy is no longer tenable and regrets the missed opportunity for the EU to introduce new innovative trade rules at these challenging times;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 65 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Notes positively the ambitious and comprehensive nature of the EPA, which delivers on the priorities set out in European Parliament resolution of 25 October 2012 on EU trade negotiations with Japan;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 73 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Notes positively that Japan has addressed unnecessary non-tariff measures (NTMs) in a variety of sectors such as vehicles, food additives, food labelling and cosmetics; takes note as well of Japan’s commitment to align its automotive standards even more with international standards used by EU car manufacturers; is aware that this is still an ongoing process and recalls that a country’s right to set national standards at a level that is higher than international ones should be fully respected; asks the Commission to provide guarantees that Japan has not lowered and will not lower its standards through this FTA;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 95 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. WelcomNotes that the agreement provides significant export opportunities for EU agri-food products, such as wine, pig meat and cheese, and that it protects 205 European geographical indications;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 104 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses that both parties are committed to ensure high levels of environmental and labour protection; expecrequests the EU and Japan to show their commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals in all their actions, including the implementation of this agreement; asks the Commission to carry out an ex-post sustainability impact assessment after three years of implementation of the FTA and to immediately activate the amendment procedure in case of incompatibilities with sustainable development and the SDGs;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 110 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the commitment to the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement to combat climate change and of other multilateral environmental agreements, as well as to the; is of the view that the commitment to “encourage the conservation and sustainable management of forests (including fighting illegal logging) and fisheries (combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing); calls on both parties to cooperate closely under the sustainable development chapter to exchange best practices and to strengthen the enforcement of legislation in these matterstrade in timber and timber products harvested in accordance with the laws and regulations of the country of harvest” is largely insufficient and is concerned that EPA is likely to increase the threats to world forests, including EU’s forests; calls on both parties to cooperate closely under the sustainable development chapter to exchange best practices; believes that only a trade and sustainable development chapter with a credible enforcement mechanism, providing for sanctions or the suspension of trade preferences, would make the Parties’ commitments effective;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 147 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the inclusion of a review clause in the chapter on sustainable development and calls on the Commission to trigger this clause as sooRequests the Commission to immediately reopen the negotiation at least of the chapter on sustainable development with a view to adding a sanction-based mechanism in cas possible in order to strengthen the enforceability and effectiveness of labour and environe of violation of commitments, as a condition for the Parliamental to provisions, which should include the possibility of sanctions as a last resorceed with voting its consent to the agreement;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 152 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Underlines the fact that the EPA should maintains the right of Member States' authorities to define, provide and regulate public services at local, regional or national level, despite its; is concerned that a negative list approach, and that it does not prevent governments from bringing any requires regulators to determine at the time of negotiations all regulatory needs for the future and that ratchet and standstill clauses forbid in principle to go back to less favourable levels of liberalisation; believes that the current public utility clause may not be the most approprivatised service back in to the public sectore manner to protect services of general interest and services of general economic interest; regrets that the EPA does not provide the same level of safeguards to public water as CETA;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 170 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses that the agreement should preserves the sovereign right to regulate the financial and banking sectors for prudential and supervisory reasons; calls on both partners to and recalls that provisions in the financial services chapter are based on GATS, which dates back to 1995; notes with concern that the EU has included those financial products that were at the origin of the financial crisis into the list of services to be liberalised (i.e. credit-default swaps, asset- backed securities, derivative products such as futures and options); requests that both partners use the financial regulatory forum only to improve the global financial system; regrets that this FTA has missed the opportunity to make liberalisation of trade in financial services compatible with the post-crisis regulatory pattern by using a positive list for financial services, as also recommended by the European Parliament based on the work of its PANA Committee; regrets the inclusion of a very ambitious provision on new financial services, confirming the intention to further liberalise and expand the financial sector, in contradiction with the post-crisis approach of rather limiting financial innovation;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 184 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses that regulatory cooperation is voluntary and that it should by no means limits the right to regulate; recalls that corresponding provisions must be implemented in full respect of the prerogatives of the co-legislators; welcomes the fact that the regulatory cooperation chapter clearly states that the principles established in the TFEU, such as the precautionary principle, must be fully respected; underlines the provision in the chapter on regulatory cooperation that regulatory measures cannot constitute a disguised barrier to trade, which entails a weighing and balancing between what is proportionate and necessary on the one hand and what can be a legitimate policy objective on the other hand; is concerned that regulatory cooperation within the framework of FTAs risks making the delicate balance between regulating the public interest and eliminating barriers to trade lean towards the latter; recalls that the principles established in the TFEU, such as the precautionary principle, are not adequately protected by current multilateral and bilateral trade agreements and regrets that the EPA has failed to set up stronger and adequate safeguards; is concerned that the EU may lose again trade disputes in the future, as well as about the real risk of a chilling effect on future regulatory measures;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 193 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for transparency on the functioning of the regulatory cooperation committee and for a balanced involvementthe adequate involvement of the EU co-legislators and of all stakeholders, notably civil society organisations;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 202 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Takes note that negotiations continue on a separate investment agreement and reiterates that it is unacceptable to return to the old, private ISDS mechanismCalls on the Commission to put a halt to the investment protection agreement negotiations;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 217 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Notes that the agreement includes a rendezvous clause to assess theCommission is expected to adopt an adequacy decision during the autumn which is sue offficient to ensure cross-border transfer of data provisions within three years; calls on the Commission tobetween the EU and Japan while fully respecting the EU lawacquis on data protection and on the protection of privacy and stresses that any future outcome must be subject to the consent of Parliament, thereby making the activation of the rendez-vous clause of the FTA unnecessary;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 224 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Calls on the Commission to monitor closely the proper implementation of the agreed removal of the NTMs, as well as the management of tariff-rate quotas for agricultural products, and to report back to Parliament, including by providing guarantees that Japanese standards and technical regulations have not been and will not be lowered;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 228 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. URegrets the swift ratification procedure that has not allowed for a meaningful involvement of national parliaments in the consideration of the EPA and asks the Commission to foresee an adequate timetable for ratification that also allows for such a meaningful consultation for future ‘EU-only’ FTAs; urges both partners to ensure the active involvement of social partners and civil society in the monitoring and implementation of the EPA, notably through the joint dialogue with civil society and the domestic advisory group;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 1 #

2018/0091(NLE)


Citation 5
Having regard to Rule 99(1) and (4) and Rule 108(7)108(7), third subparagraph of its Rules of Procedure,
2018/10/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 3 #

2018/0091(NLE)


Paragraph 1
Gives its consent to conclusion of the agreementSuspends the consent procedure in respect of the draft agreement for a period of one year from the moment of adoption of this decision;
2018/10/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 40 #

2017/2275(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas deep-rooted gender inequalities and stereotypes, harmful practices, perceptions, customs, and discriminatory norms are root causes of child, early and forced marriage; whereas this increases the risk of women and girls being exposed to discrimination and gender-based violence during their lives;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 72 #

2017/2275(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas child marriages are a violation of the rights of the child and a form of violence against girls, and whereas, as such, they must be condemned; whereas child, early and forced marriage perpetuates other violations of human rights that disproportionately affect women and girls; whereas early and forced marriages are often associated with domestic violence and sexual abuse;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 78 #

2017/2275(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas forced marriage is a form of violence against women that, as such, affects women because of their sex and cannot be justified on any cultural or religious grounds and should in no case be tolerated;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 87 #

2017/2275(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas the Istanbul Convention classifies forced marriage as a form of violence against women, and calls for the act of forcing a child to enter into a marriage and that of luring a child abroad with the purpose of forcing her or him to enter into a marriage to be criminalised; whereas Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Slovakia and United Kingdom have yet to ratify the Istanbul Convention;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 96 #

2017/2275(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Stresses that child, early and forced marriages are a gross and multiple human rights violation;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 105 #

2017/2275(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Calls on legislators, both in the EU and in third countries, to set the minimum age for marriage at 18 years and to provide themselves with the administrative, legal and financial means to be able to comply with this requirement; in case of doubt, calls for a medical age test, when a marriage is to be acknowledged;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 121 #

2017/2275(INI)

3. Recognises that a statutory ban on early and forced marriage by itself would not guarantee an end to this practice; considers any sexual conduct as abusive, if one partner is under the age of 16 and the other is older than 21 regarding the fact that marriages not acknowledged in the EU could be continuously practiced;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 144 #

2017/2275(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Calls, therefore, on all Member States to be consistent and to ratify the Istanbul convention and to include a ban on early and forced marriage in their legislation;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 161 #

2017/2275(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 – point b
b. this prohibition is respected in practice once the law has entered into force, notably through ensuring access to justice and accountability mechanisms and remedies;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 188 #

2017/2275(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 – point f
f. the implementation of these programmes builds on the relevant conventions and texts, as well as the specific goals adopted by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution of 25 September 2015 in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 3 (‘Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages’), Goal 4 (‘Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning’) and Goal 5 (‘Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls’), including access to all sexual and reproductive health services, in particular safe abortion for girls until the 12th week of pregnancy or due to medical indication;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 201 #

2017/2275(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Considers it important to raise awareness among the public in general and among those at risk in particular on the basis of education and awareness-raising campaigns and through social networks and new media as part of the fight against early and forced marriage;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 220 #

2017/2275(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Calls on Member States to guarantee migrant women and girls an autonomous residence permit which is not dependent of the status of their spouse or partner, in particular for victims of physical and psychological violence including forced or arranged marriages, and to guarantee that all administrative measures are taken to protect them, including effective access to assistance and protection mechanisms;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Notes that the EU is open to Chinese capital, investment, and goods, whereas China seeks to restrict the access to foreign actors and capital; considers reciprocity an instrument that should strategically serve the ultimate and long- term purpose of defending liberal democracy, fundamental rights and open trade based on multilateral rules; notes that the EU definition of connectivity includes labour, social and environmental standards;
2018/05/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 10 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that China is a major global trade player and that this could represent a good opportunity for EU businessesthe EU;
2018/05/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 21 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that EU outward foreign direct investment in China has steadily decreased since 2012, while China’s investment in the EU has grown exponentially over the past years; notes that China is overall becoming a global net exporter of capital;
2018/05/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 23 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Is deeply concerned about international trade tensions, in particular between the US and China and the EU and China; notes that, in the present context of global value chains, trade tensions should be resolved through negotiations, particularly under WTO auspices; calls on the Commission to size up the opportunities that recurring to multilateral trade institutions and instruments would provide; advocates cooperating with the EU´s international partners to foster fair, value-based and free international trade;
2018/05/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 33 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on China to act on President Xi Jinping’s commitmentsNotes that China has not lived up to indications given at the Third Party Plenum to further open up the Chinese market to foreign inveseconomic operators, strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights and level the playing field by making China’s market more transparent and better regulated; regrets that, on the contrary, key measures have been recently adopted that make the overall business environment more hostile for foreign and private economic operators and for bilateral relations more widely, such as the decision to establish groups of the CCP within private companies, including foreign firms, the Cybersecurity Law and the NGO Law;
2018/05/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 46 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for coordinated cooperation with China on the Belt and Road Inionsiders China's One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative as being of great relevance to the interests of the EU and its Member States; underscores the concerns that have been raised by 27 EU ambassadors to China recently; insists that the OBOR initiative must be pursued in a multilativeeral governance approach and on the basis of open, fair and transparent rules, in particular regarding public procurementcluding rules on public procurement, sustainability, climate relevancy, fundamental and indigenous rights;
2018/05/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 54 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. SupportsBelieves that the ongoing negotiations on a comprehensive EU-China Investment Agreement; calls for further recipr should constitute a means to encourage sustainable economic reforms in China and to ensure that fair competition and level-playing field apply in commercial activities; calls upon the European Commission to pay particular attention to the role of Chinese SOEs; considers that a fully-fledged binding and enforceable Trade and Sustainable Development Chapter that is line with the EU’s best practices in terms of the Parties’ commitments on social and environmental standards, and which provides for Civil Society in market access; Fora and Domestic Advisory Groups, is a necessary precondition of the Parliament’s approval of such investment agreement; calls on the Commission to pursue a cautious approach with regard to capital movements and the prudential carve out for financial services; believes that the investment agreement should not include negative lists in order to more effectively protect the right to regulate;
2018/05/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 70 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on China to strive to play a responsible role on the global stage, including by giving its active support to the multilateral rules-based trading system and the WTO and by consistently abiding by the multilateral trade rules; underlines the notification and transparency obligations with regard to subsidies provided by WTO Agreements and calls on the Commission to take the lead in steering the reform of the WTO subsidy rules;
2018/05/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 86 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
9. Expresses concern about market access being increasingly conditional on technology transfers, as stated in the EU Chamber of Commerce in China’s 2017 position papConsiders that technology transfers should be used in a mutually-beneficial manner;
2018/05/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 97 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Welcomes the recent reforms of the EU Trade Defence Instruments and calls on the Commission to swiftly follow up on its commitments to take into account in its calculation methodologies significant distortions related to social and environmental standards applicable in the exporting countries, as well as social and environmental standards in relation to the exporting countries' costs of production;
2018/05/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 105 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Welcomes the proposal of the European Commission with regard to the introduction of an EU wide cooperation mechanism on foreign direct investment screening;
2018/05/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 5 #

2017/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 28 a (new)
- having regard to the decision of the European Parliament to nominate Aura Lolita Chavez Ixcaquic to the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 2017, as the first ever indigenous human rights defender to be nominated to the Prize,
2018/02/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 19 #

2017/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas human rights treaties recognise the right of indigenous peoples to their ancestral lands and resources and provide that states must consult indigenous peoples in good faith in order to obtain their free, prior and informed consent pertaining to projects that can have a negative impact on their ways of life or that can lead to the displacement of their populations; whereas in accordance with the right to self-determination, indigenous peoples have a right to freely determine their political status, freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development and freely dispose of their natural wealth and resources and in no case, are to be deprived of their means of subsistence;
2018/02/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 36 #

2017/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas indigenous peoples face alarming poverty, disease and illiteracy rates, insufficient access to health care, education, civil rights, including political participation and representation; whereas there is a lack of awareness and underststates have an obligation to protect and promote indigenous peoples' languages and to guarantee that these peoples fully enjoy their cultural rights; whereas states should invest in chandging forsocially rooted stereotypes and misconceptions regarding indigenous peoples, and their cultures, languages, beliefs and symbols; whereas they face on-going disrespect and discrimination and often find themselvir cultures seriously threatened;
2018/02/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 84 #

2017/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Appeals to all states that have not yetDeplores that only three EU Member States (namely Denmark, Spain and the Netherlands) have ratified ILO Convention No 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, and appeals to all States, and in particular to the EU Member States, to do so as quickly as possible, and calls on the EU to make every effort to support its ratification and implementation in all partner countries;
2018/02/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 98 #

2017/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on all states, including the European Union and its Member States, to recognise indigenous peoples as equal partners in all deliberations on issues that could affect them; in this regard, calls for the establishment of mechanisms at EU level for consultation and participation of indigenous peoples, notably the creation of a high level forum, with a mandate to engage in policy dialogue and monitor the implementation of EU policy, commitments and action plan on indigenous peoples; stresses that this forum should ensure a regional and gender balance as well as the participation of representatives from indigenous persons with disabilities and youth;
2018/02/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 117 #

2017/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Supports the request from Indigenous Peoples of international repatriation and the establishment of an international mechanism in order to fight against the selling of indigenous artefacts illegally taken from them; calls on the Commission to support such efforts, including through financial assistance under the EIDHR;
2018/02/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 131 #

2017/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Urges the EU and its Member States to monitor and publicly report the land acquisitions involving EU-based corporations and actors or EU-funded development projects in countries where such deals could result in the violation of human rights, instructing and capacitating EU Delegations and embassies for that purpose ; calls on the EU to become particularly vigilant in relation to projects supported by International and European Financial Institutions and to ensure that this funding does not entail or contribute to the violation of the human and environmental rights of indigenous peoples; reminds multinational corporations that they carry the responsibility to ensure that their operations or their supply chains are not implicated in human and environmental rights violations, and specifically the rights of indigenous peoples;
2018/02/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 164 #

2017/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the EU to fulfil its extraterritorial duties related to human rights, and resolves to request legislative proposals from the Commission and to work together with the European Council to create legislation to prevent and sanction extraterritorial violations of the rights of indigenous peoples and of local communities; encourages the Commission to consider an initiative on due diligence obligations for companies to make sure imported goods are not linked to land grabbing and serious violations of the rights of indigenous people; urges the EEAS to elaborate operational tools to provide guidance for staff in EU Delegations regarding the protection and promotion of human rights in the context of land grabbing, especially when involving EU-based actors;
2018/02/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 189 #

2017/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Recommends that greater prominence be given to this issue in the EU’s foreign policy, including in its human rights dialogues with third countries, EU policy documents as well as in trade, cooperation and development agreements negotiated or concluded with other countries; insists that the Council systematically reports back on EU action in support of indigenous peoples in the Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World; calls on the EU and its Member States to take into account the results of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and UN Treaty Bodies in order to ascertain the conformity of their policies with the rights of indigenous peoples;
2018/02/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 192 #

2017/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Emphasises that the EU and its Member States must raise the human rights of indigenous peoples and indigenous human rights defenders in bilateral and multilateral negotiations and diplomatic communications, and push for the release of imprisoned human rights defenders; calls on the EU and Member States to work to ensure that third country governments provide appropriate protection to indigenous communities and human rights defenders, and bring perpetrators of crimes against them to justice;
2018/02/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 212 #

2017/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Commits to explore the establishment of a committee of inquiry in order to investigate alleged breaches of the EU’s extraterritorial human rights obligations in the context of land grabbing in third countries;
2018/02/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 215 #

2017/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Calls on the EU to increase the degree of ambition and endowment of its specific programmes of support to indigenous peoples; , notably in terms of capacity building; underlines the need for continued resources for Indigenous Peoples to effectively engage with EU and UN policies and institutions, and in relation to business and human rights; calls on the EEAS, Commission and Member States to prioritise investment in support for civil society and human rights defenders, and particularly in indigenous environmental human rights defenders, and to ensure the existence of long-term protection mechanisms to support them, in particular ProtectDefenders.eu, as well as to guarantee that they meet existing funding commitments to human rights defenders at risk; urges the EU Delegations in relevant countries to monitor closely the situation of indigenous human rights defenders and to provide all appropriate support;
2018/02/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 218 #

2017/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Calls on EU Delegations to monitor closely the situation of indigenous peoples and to engage in a continuous dialogue with them, both at national and regional levels; insist that the Human Rights focal-points in relevant EU Delegations be made explicitly responsible also for issues related to indigenous peoples and that the staff in these EU Delegations receive regular training on the rights of indigenous peoples;
2018/02/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 220 #

2017/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24b. Encourages its Delegations, Committees and individual Members to enhance their efforts to address the issues related to the rights of indigenous peoples, including through regular meetings with indigenous communities and human rights defenders when visiting the relevant countries; calls for the establishment of a Standing Rapporteur for Indigenous Peoples to be appointed in the European Parliament;
2018/02/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 87 #

2017/2203(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas the Western supported wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria have unfortunately also contributed to the recent emergence of jihadist terrorism;
2017/11/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 98 #

2017/2203(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J
J. whereas an international ransom ban has been established under a series of international commitments underpinned by UN Security Council resolutions and domestic laws; whereas in practice, the UN ban lacks the support of key signatories who prioritise the immediate preservation of life over their counter- terrorism commitments, and in doing so involuntarily finance terrorist organisations;deleted
2017/11/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 119 #

2017/2203(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
(a) takes the view that a preventive strategy based on the exchange of basic information among intelligence agencies is vital in combating the financing of terrorism; calls on Europe’s intelligence agencies to improve coordination by setting up a European counter-terrorism intelligence platform with an in-depth focus on the exchange of basic information; that platform will create a joint database for data on physical and legal persons and suspicious transactions, while fully respecting the Union data protection acquis, in particular the principle of purpose limitation ; emphasises that the information concerned must include, inter alia, a directory of banks, financial institutions and commercial entities both within and outside Europe, as well as third countries which have shortcomings when it comes to combating the financing of terrorism; reiterates that those responsible for committing, organising or supporting terrorist acts must be held to account for their actions;
2017/11/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 152 #

2017/2203(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) welcomes the Commission's proposal amending Directive (EU) 2015/849 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2015 on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing; expects the ongoing interinstitutional negotiations on the proposal to result in an ambitious text; believes that a comprehensive approach should be used in this field; takes the view that transparency of beneficial ownership is a crucial tool to fight of both money laundering and terrorist financing effectively;
2017/11/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 165 #

2017/2203(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
(g) calls on the Member States to take the legislative measures necessary to guarantee that banks monitor debit cards, based on clear and concrete evidence that such debit cards are linked to terrorist activities, closely so as to ensure that they can only be reloaded via bank transfers from accounts held by the cardholder;
2017/11/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 172 #

2017/2203(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h
(h) notes the successful cooperation with the USA, and the usefulness of the information obtained, in the context of the EU-US agreement to share information from the US Terrorism Financing Tracking Program (TFTP); calls on the Commission to propose the establishment of a specifically European system in this area, to complement the current framework and address current shortcomings, particularly as regards SEPA payments, ensuring that a balance is struck between security and individual freedoms; points out that EU data protection legislation would apply to this intra-European system;deleted
2017/11/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 202 #

2017/2203(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k
(k) calls on the EU Member States to establish a monitoring system to ensure that mosquefor cases with clear and concrete evidence that there are links to terrorist activities, that religious institutions, cultural associations and similar entities provide details of how the funds they receive are distributed, both within and outside the EU, and calls for all the transactions made by those sending funds to be recorded in a centralised database, set up with all the appropriate fundamental rights' guarantees; calls for the introduction of mandatory ex ante monitoring of the source of money and its destination where suspicious charities are concerned, so as to prevent money being distributed maliciously or negligently for terrorist purposes;
2017/11/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 218 #

2017/2203(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l – introductory part
(l) calls on the Member States to regulate informal value transfer systems such as hawala, making it mandatory to declare to the authorities every transaction made using the hawalasuch systems, and emphasising that the aim is not to crack down on traditional informal money transfers, but on trafficking involving organised crime, terrorism or industrial/commercial profits deriving from dirty money; in this respect, calls for:
2017/11/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 227 #

2017/2203(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m
(m) the Commission to propose the legislation required to prevent e-money issuing companies and intermediaries from allowing funds to be converted for users who are not fully identified, as can be the case with users of public networks or anonymous browsers; linked to terrorist groups and individuals, while not hampering access to such banking services for the general public in order to continue providing this respect, exchanging encrypted money for actual money and vice versa must, as a compulsory requirement, be done using an identifiable bank accounte means for the transfer of remittances which contribute to poverty reduction and regional stability;
2017/11/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 244 #

2017/2203(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n a (new)
(na) calls on the Commission to propose measures to increase the transparency of origin, transport and brokering of commodities, especially petrochemicals, to strengthen traceability and stop the unwitting financing of terrorist organisations by European companies;
2017/11/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 19 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas New Zealand fully respects the rule of law and offers strong protection for the environment and for human, social and labour rightshas ratified and implemented the main international covenants on human, social and labour rights and on environmental protection and fully respects the rule of law;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 32 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines the importance of deepening economic relations between the EU and the Asia-Pacific region for economic growth within Europe and stresses that this is reflected in the EU’s trade policy; recognises that New Zealand is a key part of this strategy and that widening and deepening trade relations; recognises that widening and deepening trade relations with New Zealand, especially with regard to high common social and environmental standards, can help to meet this goal;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 40 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that the full potential of the Union’s bilateral and regional cooperation strategies can only be realised by concluding a high-quality FTA with New Zea common ambition to achieve progress multilaterally or the implementation of already concluded multilateral and in a spirit of reciprocity andbilateral agreements should prevail in the already muatual benefit while under no circumstances undermining the ambition to achieve progress mulre bilateral trade and investment relationship between the EU and New Zealand, while specific initilaterally or the implementation of already concluded multilateral and bilateral agreementsives could deepen and further reinforce the existing bilateral partnership;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 42 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Believes that the negotiation of a modern, ambitious, balanced and comprehensive FTA is a pragmatic way of deepening the bilateral partnership and further reinforcing the existing, already mature bilateral trade and investment relationships;deleted
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 55 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission to conclude as soon as possible its assessments of the potential impact of such a trade deal, with a view to being able to thoroughly evaluate possible gains and losses from the enhancement of the EU- New Zealand trade and investment relationships, for the benefit of citizens and businesses on both sides, including in the outermost regions and the overseas countries and territoriespecified for a bilateral, regional and multilateral framework of negotiations, while expressing a preference for a regional or multi-lateral framework concentrating on the establishment of common standards;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 60 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Council to authorise the Commission to start negotiationsreflect on the appropriateness to start yet another table of bilateral for a trade and investment agreement and an investmenwhich will contribute to divert pfrotection agreement with New Zealand on the basis of the outcome of the scoping exercise and with clear targetsm the urgent need to re-establish the WTO as the primary venue for trade policy making;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 64 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Calls on the Commission and the Council to take note of the fact that the CJEU Opinion 2/15 of 16 May 2017 does not cover the distribution of competences between the EU and its Member States with regard to advanced Regulatory Cooperation;therefore demands that the mandate for negotiations limits the scope of regulatory cooperation;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 68 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Commission and the Council to clearly distinguish between an agreement on trade and the liberalisation of foreign direct investment (FDI),issue a negotiation mandate only containing issues under EU exclusive competence, and a second agreement on investment protection, including on FDI and non-direct investment, which would be subject to an Investment Court System;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 78 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Commission to conduct negotiations ast least on the level of transparentlcy as possible andnd public consultation implemented for the TTIP negotiations with the USA and to fully respect best practice as established in other negotiations; requests that the Council make the negotiating mandate public;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 81 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Calls on the Council to start discussions with the European Parliament about a more comprehensive cooperation in formulating the mandates for negotiations of future trade agreements, with the view to facilitate an inter-institutional agreement through which Parliament and Council fully share the function of authorizing the Commission to negotiate trade agreements;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 85 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses that an FTAy agreement must lead to genuine market openness and trade facilitation on the ground;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 96 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – introductory part
14. Stresses that, for an FTA to be truly advantageous to the EU’s economy, the following aspects should be included in thany possible negotiating directives:
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 97 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point a
a) Real market access opportunities for both sides to each other’s goods and services market through the elimination of regulatory barriersetting of common social and environmental standards: nothing in the agreement however should prevent either side from regulating to achieve legitimate policy objectives; considering in this respect that no EU trade agreement has ever privatised public services, such as water, education, health and social services, nor decreased our high European health, food, consumer, environmental, labour and safety standards, nor constrained public funding of the arts and culture, education, and health and social service and the implementation of social and environmental goals;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 116 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point b
b) The reduction of unnecessary non- tariff barriers and the strengthening and extension of regulatory cooperation dialogues with binding disciplines to improve respect for international standards and regulatory harmonisation, in particularfor example through the adoption and implementation of the standards set by the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE);
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 119 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point c
c) Significant concessions on public procurement guaranteeing market access for European companies in strategic sectors and the same degree of openness as that of the EU’s publicReciprocity in public procurement openness while setting thresholds at a higher value level than within the EU and enabling the inclusion of high social and environmental criteria in contract decisions, in order to maintain policy space for changes in the EU procurement marketsdirectives ;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 133 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point e
e) Comprehensive provisions on investment taking into account recent policy developments, as for example the Opinion of the European Court of Justice of 16 May 2017; speculative investments should be excluded from any agreement;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 136 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point f
f) Enforceable measures covering the recognition and protection of intellectual property rights, including geographical indications (GIs) for agricultural and foodstuff products, and for wines and spirits;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 143 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point g
g) A balanced outcome in the agriculture and fisheries chapters which gives due consideration to the interests of all European producers and consumers, for instance, by excluding certain products, such as dairy and sheep and goat meat, and by introducing appropriate quotas in othe mostr sensitive sectors; considers that only then can it boost competitiveness and be beneficial to both consumers and producers;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 153 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point g a (new)
g a) An enforcement mechanism with clearly defined penalties in case of non- compliance, covering all commitments in the Chapter on Trade and Sustainable Development;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 162 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Looks forward to the launch of negotiations with New Zealand and to following them closely and contributing to their successful outcome; rReminds the Commission of its obligation to inform Parliament immediately and fully at all stages of the negotiations (both before and after the negotiating rounds); is committed to addressing the legislative and regulatory issues that may arise in the context of the negotiations and the future agreement; reiterates its fundamental responsibility to represent the citizens of the EU, and looks forward to facilitating inclusive and open discussions during the negotiating process;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 12 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas Australia fully respects the rule of law and offers strong protection for the environment and for human, social and labour rightshas ratified and implemented the main international covenants on human, social and labour rights and on environmental protection and fully respects the rule of law;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 25 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines the importance of deepening economic relations between the EU and the Asia-Pacific region for economic growth within Europe and stresses that this is reflected in the EU’s trade policy; recognises that Australia is a key part of this strategy and that widening and deepening trade relations; recognises that widening and deepening trade relations with Australia, especially with regard to high common social and environmental standards, can help to meet this goal;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 33 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that the full potential of the Union’s bilateral and regional cooperation strategies can only be realised by concluding a high-quality FTA with Australia in a spirit of reciprocity anda common ambition to achieve progress multilaterally or the implementation of already concluded multilateral and bilateral agreements should prevail in the already muatual benefit while under no circumstances undermining the ambition to achieve progress mulre bilateral trade and investment relationship between the EU and Australia,while specific initilaterally or the implementation of already concluded multilateral and bilateral agreementsives could deepen and further reinforce the existing bilateral partnership;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 35 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Believes that the negotiation of a modern, ambitious, balanced and comprehensive FTA is a pragmatic way of deepening the bilateral partnership and further reinforcing the existing, already mature bilateral trade and investment relationships;deleted
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 47 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission to conclude, as soon as possible, its assessments of the potential impact of such a trade deal, with a view to being able to evaluate thoroughly ththoroughly evaluate possible gains and losses from the enhancement of the EU- Australia trade and investment relationships, for the benefit of citizens and businesses on both sides, including in the outermost regions and the overseas countries and territoriespecified for a bilateral, regional and multilateral framework of negotiations, while expressing a preference for a regional or multi-lateral framework concentrating on the establishment of common standards;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 52 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Council to authorise the Commission to startreflect on the appropriateness to start yet another table of bilateral negotiations for a trade and investment agreement and an investment protection agreement with Australia on the basis of the outcome of the scoping exercises and with clear targetswhich will contribute to divert from the urgent need to re-establish the WTO as the primary venue for trade policy making;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 58 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Calls on the Commission and the Council to take note of the fact that the CJEU Opinion 2/15of 16 May 2017 does not cover the distribution of competences between the EU and its Member States with regard to advanced Regulatory Cooperation;therefore demands that the mandate for negotiations limits the scope of regulatory cooperation;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 62 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Commission and the Council to clearly distinguish between an agreement on trade and the liberalisation of foreign direct investment (FDI),issue a negotiation mandate only containing issues under EU exclusive EU competence, and a second agreement on investment protection, including on FDI and non-direct investment, which would be subject to an Investment Court System;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 70 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Commission to conduct negotiations ast least on the level of transparentlcy as possiblend public consultation implemented for the TTIP negotiations with the USA and to fully respecting best practice as established in other negotiations; requests that the Council make the negotiating mandate public;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 76 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Calls on the Council to start discussions with the European Parliament about a more comprehensive cooperation in formulating the mandates for negotiations of future trade agreements, with the view to facilitate an inter- institutional agreement through which Parliament and Council fully share the function of authorizing the Commission to negotiate trade agreements;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 81 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses that an FTAy agreement must lead to genuine market openness, and trade facilitation on the ground;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 93 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – introductory part
14. Stresses that, for an FTA to be truly advantageous to the EU’s economy, the following aspects should be included in thany possible negotiating directives:
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 94 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point a
a) Real market access opportunities for both sides to each other’s goods and services market through the elimination of regulatory barriersetting of common social and environmental standards: nothing in the agreement, however, should prevent either side from regulating to achieve legitimate policy objectives; considering, in this respect, that no EU trade agreement has ever privatised public services, such as water, education, health and social services, nor decreased our high European health, food, consumer, environmental, labour and safety standards, nor constrained public funding of the arts and culture, education, and health and social service and the implementation of social and environmental goals;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 115 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point b
b) The reduction of unnecessary non- tariff barriers and the strengthening and extension of regulatory cooperation dialogues with binding disciplines to improve respect for international standards and regulatory harmonisation, in particularfor example through the adoption and implementation of the standards set by the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE);
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 118 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point c
c) Significant concessions on public procurement guaranteeing market access for European companies in strategic sectors and the same degree of openness as that of the EU’s publicReciprocity in public procurement openness while setting thresholds at a higher value level than within the EU and enabling the inclusion of high social and environmental criteria in contract decisions, in order to maintain policy space for changes in the EU procurement marketdirectives;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 132 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point e
e) Comprehensive provisions on investment taking into account recent policy developments, such as, for example, the CJEU oOpinion of 16 May 2017the European Court of Justice of 16 May 2017; speculative investments should be excluded from any agreement;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 138 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point f
f) Enforceable measures covering the recognition and protection of intellectual property rights, including geographical indications (GIs) for agricultural and foodstuff products, and for wines and spirits;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 146 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point g
g) A balanced outcome in the agriculture and fisheries chapters which gives due consideration to the interests of all European producers and consumers, for instance by introducing appropriate quotas in the most sensitive sectors; considers that only then can it boost competitiveness and be beneficial to both consumers and produce, by excluding certain products, such as beef and veal, sheep meat, sugar, cereals and dairy products, and by introducing appropriate quotas in other sensitive sectors;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 154 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point g a (new)
g a) A provision restricting the trade with coal to appropriate levels corresponding to goals for the reduction of climate gas emissions as agreed by both partners in the framework of the UNFCCC;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 159 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point g b (new)
g b) A provision subordinating the trade in uranium to the energy policy of the EU Member States;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 161 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point g c (new)
g c) An enforcement mechanism with clearly defined penalties in case of non- compliance, covering all commitments in the Chapter on Trade and Sustainable Development;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 166 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Looks forward to the launch of negotiations with Australia and to following them closely and contributing to their successful outcome; rReminds the Commission of its obligation to inform Parliament immediately and fully at all stages of the negotiations (both before and after the negotiating rounds); is committed to addressing the legislative and regulatory issues that may arise in the context of the negotiations and the future agreement; reiterates its fundamental responsibility to represent the citizens of the EU, and looks forward to facilitating inclusive and open discussions during the negotiating process;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 40 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Points out that the international context has changed profoundly since the Trade for All strategy was published and that new trade challenges now need to be addressed; is concerned to see protectionist practices incompatible with WTO rules being pursued and reiterates its support for an open, balancedfair and rules- based trade system;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 52 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights the growing importance of services, especially digital services, and of e-commerce in international trade, and underscores the need to strengthen the internationmultilateral rules governing these sectors so as to secure real benefits for European consumers, improve European companies’ access to international markets and safeguard the observance of fundamental rights throughout the worldcitizens throughout the world while safeguarding fundamental rights with regard to data protection and privacy;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 68 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Deplores the failure to reach agreement at the WTO ministerial meeting in Buenos Aires; reiterates its support for the multilateral systemstresses the primary political importance of the multilateral system which cannot be substituted by bilateral trade initiatives, and calls on the Union actively to advance proposals for updated, multilateral rules; welcomes the entry into force of the Trade Facilitation Agreement; considers it regrettable that certain multilateral agreements are not being observed and calls on the Commission to work harder, within the WTO, on the effective implementation of multilateral rules and agreements;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 70 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Is concerned atNotes the stand-off in plurilateral negotiations on the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) and the Environmental Goods Agreement; asks the Union to take the initiative to get the negotiations moving again once the political conditions allow for a revision of the unsolved systemic problems with regard to TiSA;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 78 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Emphasises that the agreements concluded and the Union’s ongoing and forthcoming bilateral negotiations represent opportunities for market access and the lifting of trade barriers; warns, however, that the cumulative effects of rules-of-origin in bilateral FTAs inevitably lead to a decrease of the real usage of market opportunities by economic operators and that bilateral FTAs therefore cannot substitute for multilateral initiatives; issues a reminder that priority must be given to the substance of the negotiations rather than their pace, that the aims of reciprocity and mutual benefit must be guiding threads, that EU rules and standards cannot be watered down, and that public services including services of general interest and services of general economic interest, as well as audiovisual services, must be excluded;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 92 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Points out that the Commission has announced on more than one occasion the launch of negotiations about investment with Hong Kong and Taiwan, and deems it regrettable that no such negotiations have yet begun;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 96 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the publication by the Commission of its recommendation for a Council decision authorising the opening of negotiations for a Convention establishing a multilateral court for the settlement of investment disputes (MIC); highlights the importance to the European economy of internal and external investment and the need to ensure that EU investors abroad are protected; asks the Commission to pursue its work on the new system for ruling on investment disputes, which must be based, inter alia, on a balance of investor rights and duties, the exhaustion of domestic judicial redress, the possibility of counter- claims, a guarantee of states’ right to regulate, and on transparency;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 102 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Urges that an updated and easily applicable rules-of-origin system be developed; considers it regrettable that no progress has been made on negotiating the Regional Convention on pan-Euro- Mediterranean rules of origin; reiterates its call to the Commission to draw up a report on the state of play with regard to rules of origin and of the nexus between ever more complex origin rules and the uptake of preferential trade agreements by economic operators;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 106 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Points out that, in the implementation of Union trade policy, special attention needs to be paid to agricultural products and to the interests of European producers and consumers; emphasises that trade agreements, and notably the agreement with Japan, can open up new business horizons for the agrifood sector; highlights the importance of striking the right balance between protecting sensitive agricultural products and advancing the Union’s offensive interests in relation to agrifood exports, with provision for, inter alia, transition periods and suitable quotas, and in certain cases for the exclusion of the most sensitive products; points out that it is essential to safeguard a robust system of health and plant-health rules based on the EU's precautionary principle while combating any form of discriminatory treatment in this area;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 112 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes the multiple references to the principle of reciprocity in the report on implementation of the Union trade strategy; reiterates that reciprocity must be a pillar of Union trade policy, while emphasizing the significance of preferential treatment provisions for least- developed nations; emphasises the importance for the Union of having an international instrument on public procurement, and deplores the fact that the relevant proposal has been held up in the Council; takes the view that the Commission proposal on the monitoring of foreign investment could make for greater reciprocity in the area of access to markets while safeguarding control over strategic assets for national security reasons;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 142 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Asks the Commission to report on provisions of MFN treatment in existing EU bilateral FTAs and on their practical effect in guaranteeing additional EU market access in third countries through FTAs negotiated by the EUs FTA partners; warns that a proliferation of MFN treatment in EU FTAs curtails opportunities for a EU policy of preferred trade partners;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 146 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Is concerned by the fact that European companies are making relatively poor use of trade preferences by comparison with companies in partner countries; considers the complexity of rules-of-origin a major factor for the low take up of trade preferences by economic operators; asks the Commission to determine the causes of the imbalance as quickly as possible and to address them; calls on the Commission and Member States to move swiftly on developing measures to give economic operators more information about the trade preferences provided for in the FTAs;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 150 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
30. Welcomes the announced introduction of implementation roadmaps for all trade agreements, and asks the Commission to involve all the interested parties in preparing them; calls on the Commission to set out intended objectives as well as specific criteria on which to base a clear evaluation, such as the state of progress on the removal of non-tariff barriers, the rate of use of trade preferences and of quotas, or the situation with regard to regulatory cooperation and the compliance with provisions of the sustainable development chapter; asks that the state of progress with the roadmaps be published to coincide with publication of the annual report on implementation of FTAs;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 156 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
34. Asks the Commission to continue including SME-specific chapters and provisions in the trade agreements it negotiates and in its legislative proposals; emphasises that understanding the sicomplificationexity of rules of origin is a matter of great importance to SMEs and that SME- specific provisions need to be negotiated to address the matter of small companies’ access to public procurement markets abroad;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 166 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
38. Points outStresses that the Common Commercial Policy must contributes to the promotion of the values for which the Union stands, set out in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, and to the pursuit of the aims enumerated in Article 21, including the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law, respect for human rights, as well as fundamental rights and freedoms, equality, respect for human dignity and the protection of the environment and of social rights; underlines that the UN Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement on Climate provide primary benchmarks on which to measure the contribution of the EUs trade policy to agreed global goals of sustainable development; asks the Commission to develop a methodology for reporting on the fulfilment of advancing on these goals;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 177 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
42. Reaffirms its support for the inclusion in all future trade agreements of ambitious and enforceable provisions on combating corruption; welcomes the inclusion of anti- corruption provisions in the ongoing negotiations on updating the EU-Mexico FTA;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 178 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
43. Welcomes the fact that gender equalityaspects hasve been taken into account in the Commission’s report on the implementation of its trade strategy; underscores the aim of ensuring that women benefit from trade to the same extent as men, and that trade agreements do not lead indirectly to increased underpaid or unpaid female labour; asks the Commission to include this aspect in its future annual implementation reports;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 183 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
46. Emphasises that the Common Commercial Policy must be implemented in such a way as to ensure that the global value chain is managed responsibly; asks the Commission to continue including and promotingpromote schemes of mandatory and enforceable standards of corporate social responsibility as part of its trade policy; reasserts its support for international initiatives such as the Bangladesh Sustainability Compact, and asks the Commission to concentrate as of now on the implementation of that initiative;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 196 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
52. Asks the Commission to improve the quality of the impact studies carried out for each trade agreement and to include in them sectoral, gender and geographical analysis; stresses that better communication about the information contained in ex ante and ex post impact studies on trade agreements is essential;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 20 #

2017/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for an exploration of the possibilities of creating sustainability- and emission- based customs duties and levies on trade in goods and services, and for the incorporation of such measures into the EU’s international trade policies and agreements as constituting a source for own resources, with the view to incentivize trade partners to produce climate friendly but also constituting a source for own resources as long as trade partners do not follow the call for more climate efficiency; believes that such additional duties and levies should start immediately for imports from countries not taking part of the Paris Agreement on Climate;
2017/11/29
Committee: INTA
Amendment 33 #

2017/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls for the introduction of a Union-wide financial transaction tax as a measure to generate own financial recourses while curbing undesirable speculation and achieve more fair and equitable tax collection;
2017/11/29
Committee: INTA
Amendment 2 #

2017/2035(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital A
A. Supports Parliament’s conclusion of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) with Kazakhstan, since it upgrades trade provisions and builds on WTO membership obligations and disciplinestresses the high importance of enhancing political and economic relations of the EU with Kazakhstan, which should be based on shared commitments to international values, including WTO obligations and disciplines, and guided by mutual interest;
2017/09/06
Committee: INTA
Amendment 4 #

2017/2035(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B
B. Notes that the EU is Kazakhstan’s main trade and investment partner and that bilateral trade has slowed considerably over the past years; believes that economic diversification, liberalisation, investments in sustainable development, tackling corruption and opening up toincluding foreign direct investment (FDI), and tackling corruption could be important means to further develop and strengthen trade and economic relations, within the wider framework of the General Principles as enshrined in Article 1of the EPCA; calls on the Commission to assist the Kazakh authorities inand ensure they implementing the EPCA effectively in these fields, including its essential elements, by developing benchmarks and deadlines for implementation and by providing for an effective and comprehensive monitoring mechanism between Parliament and the Commission/EEAS for the whole EPCA;
2017/09/06
Committee: INTA
Amendment 9 #

2017/2035(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)
Ba. Notes that Kazakhstan's economy is largely based on the exploitation and export of raw materials and hydrocarbons; takes the view that the EPCA should help Kazakhstan diversify its economy in an environment-friendly and sustainable manner;
2017/09/06
Committee: INTA
Amendment 11 #

2017/2035(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B b (new)
Bb. Takes note of Kazakhstan’s commitment to fully liberalise movement of capital relating to direct investment and regrets that the Trade and Business part of the EPCA does not contain anti- corruption provisions; is of the view that particular attention should be paid to the issues of corporate governance and corruption in monitoring the implementation of the Agreement, in order to avoid increasing the risk of money laundering;
2017/09/06
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2017/2035(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital D
D. Calls on Kazakhstan not toWelcomes the constructive behaviour of Kazakhstan on the issue of the Russian ban on EU agricultural products; encourages Kazakhstan to carefully consider the issue of aligning its import tariffs with those of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), but to push instead forecause the continued fulfilment of its WTO and Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) commitments in order towould avoid costly compensation payments to WTO trading partners;
2017/09/06
Committee: INTA
Amendment 18 #

2017/2035(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital F
F. AcceptRecalls the general five-year transitional period for public procurement and the eight-year transitional period for construction laid down in the EPCA, and looks forward to increased trade once these periods have drawn to a close. Notes that public procurement constitutes a significant public policy instrument for Kazakhstan and is relevant for strengthening and developing domestic industry as well as increasing employment; is concerned that these benefits might be diminished due to the liberalisation efforts of the EPCA;
2017/09/06
Committee: INTA
Amendment 21 #

2017/2035(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital G
G. CRecalls on the Council and the Commission to use the EU’s leverage to pressure the Kazakh authorities to implthat human rights, including labour rights, are an essential element of the EPCA and regrets that the situation has deteriorated over the last few years, including in the area of freedom of association and the right to strike, with clear infringements of the core ILO cConventions effectively and to ensure respect for human rights, the rule of law and the role of trade unions. ; urges the Commission to activate the dispute settlement mechanism as provided by Article 155 under the Trade and Sustainable Development chapter without delay;
2017/09/06
Committee: INTA
Amendment 6 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 a (new)
- having regard to the UN Human Rights Council´s Universal Periodic Review of India of 4 May 2017,
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 9 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the EU and India are the world’s two largest democracies and are strongly committed toshould strife for the promotion of peace, stability and security, poverty alleviation, social justice as well as to respect for humanthe rule of law, good governance, human and environmental rights and fundamental freedoms;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 12 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas the EU and India have built over the last two decades a Strategic Partnership founded on shared values, given that they are natural partners and factors of stability in the present multi- polar world; whereas the Strategic Partnership could be deepenedin the interest to advance shared values and stability in the present multi-polar world; whereas particularly in view of Brexit, the Strategic Partnership has a high potential for a new dynamic, notably in the field of global issues and at the UN level, climate action, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), people to people contacts, clean energy and water, health, transport, trade and investment (including environmental norms, cooperate social responsibility, basic labour standards and supply chain transparency);
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 23 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas the EU-India Agenda for Action - 2020 reaffirms the commitment of both parties to establishing a stable economic climate favourable to the expansion of trade and economic cooperation; whereas existing dialogue and consultation mechanisms will need to be strengthened to take on this enhanced role;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 28 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas India is a vibrant democracy and an open society with a free press and an active civil society; whereas the EU and India have regularly exchanged best practicemutual concerns regarding human rights and democratic practices, notably on issues of treatment of migrants, religious extremism and intolerance towards different religions and beliefs, respect for minorities (including cast-based discrimination), space for civil society, fight against impunity, freedom of expression and rule of law;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 64 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Welcomes the recent considerable increases in numbers of student exchanges under the Erasmus+ programme, but believes that this programme should be further expanded and cooperation between Indian and EU universities and think-tanks enhanced;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 69 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Reiterates its support for the establishment of a comprehensive and ambitious free trade agreement between the EU and India, which should be economically, socially and politically valuable for both sides and mutually beneficial to its citizens, encompassing binding and enforceable provisions on environmental protection and social and labour rights safeguards;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 73 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Takes positive note that the EU and India have re-engaged in discussion on the ways to proceed with negotiations on a Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA); urges both sides to proceed with the negotiations with a view to concluding the BTIA as soon as possible; notes that the Indian intellectual property regime, which is vital for its generic drug industry, is compliant with the Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) as set by the World Trade Organisation (WTO);
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 100 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Calls for the EU, together with the Member States, and India to pursue and strengthen their efforts in promoting effective, rule-based multilateralism at global level; encourages them to coordinate as much as possible their positions and initiatives at UN level on issues where their cooperation could make a difference, but also in other international fora, such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO); reaffirms its support for the peace clause protecting India's public food stockpiling programs from challenge at the WTO for exceeding subsidy limits until a permanent solution is reached and supports the inclusion of a special safeguard mechanism (SSM) and a permanent solution on public stockholding in the WTO;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 110 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Emphasises the significant added value of the cooperation between the EU and India in supporting democratic processes in Asia, in countries such as Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka or the Maldives; underlines, moreover, the importance of the EU and India coordinating their humanitarian aid and development policies in the region, in order to positively contribute to the political, economic and social processes in the countries concerned;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 125 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Notes with concern the absence of progress in resolving the long-running dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir; calls for redoubled efforts to achieve a rapprochement between the neighbouring countries and to lay the foundations for a sustainable peace process; suggests that a possible first step could be to convene a senior officials meeting, taking place on neutral ground, to address the technical issues involved and to establish a framework for a high level political meeting which would agree on concrete proposals;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 126 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17 b. Calls for the regional actors, the EU and the international community to encourage and support the reconciliation process between India and Pakistan over Kashmir drawing on the expertise and experience of existing fora for regional cooperation, and to promote the establishment of a durable peace process for the region; calls on the EU to support the involvement of local civil society in the peace process and, above all, to sustain people-to-people projects in order to promote dialogue and collaboration among Pakistani, Indian and Kashmiri NGOs;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 127 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 c (new)
17 c. Stresses the urgent need for effective confidence-building measures to reduce tension between India and its neighbour, through measures such as a return to barracks of some of the security and military personnel stationed on the Line of Control and convening of an international meeting to prepare for a high level political dialogue on the de- militarisation of the border area;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 129 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Recommends further cooperation on universal disarmament, notably the strife for a Nuclear Weapons Ban, non- proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and nuclear security, objectives thato which both the EU and India are committed tohave adhered;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 133 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the firm stance of both India and the EU on the illegal nuclear and ballistic missile programmes of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), which constitute a threat to regional and international peace, and encourages further cooperation for a ensuring wide implementation of the UN sanctions aimed against the DPRKleadership of the DPRK, exempting food stuffs, humanitarian and medical supplies;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 165 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23 a. Notes the correlation between access to channels open to citizens for the legitimate expression of dissenting views and the frequency and scale of civil unrest and emphasises the importance for a functioning democracy of having a legal system that is both independent and unbiased and is perceived as being a genuine source of remedy for victims of human rights abuses;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 169 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23 b. Considers that discussions should give priority to the continued lack of accountability for serious human rights abuses by the security forces and public officials, arbitrary arrests, torture and extrajudicial killings;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 179 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Underlines that freedom of expression and association are an integral part of a democratic society; draws attentioexpresses concern, in this context, ton the limitations to the freedom of association and expression under the current Indian law on foreign participation in theForeign Contribution Regulation Act which restricts foreign funding ofor NGOs;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 189 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26 a. Deplores the means used by the Indian security forces, including the use of pellet guns, in Jammu and Kashmir, to control expression of dissent on the part of ordinary citizens, which have resulted in numerous fatalities and permanent injuries; believes that such methods have no place in law enforcement and should be banned immediately;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 15 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) Pursuant to the international commitments undertaken in the World Trade Organisation, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, and in the trade and investment agreements concluded with third countries, the Union and Members States may adopt restrictive measures relating to foreign direct investment on the grounds of security or, public order, fundamental rights or the protection of key technologies, subject to certain requirements.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 19 #

2017/0224(COD)

(5) There is currently no comprehensive framework at EU-level for the screening of foreign direct investments on the grounds of security or, public order, fundamental rights or the protection of key technologies.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 26 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) The framework for the screening of foreign direct investment should provide the Member States and the Commission with the means to address risks to security or, public order, fundamental rights or the protection of key technologies in a comprehensive manner, and to adapt to changing circumstances, whilst maintaining the necessary flexibility for Member States to screen foreign direct investments on the grounds of security and, public order, fundamental rights or the protection of key technologies taking into account their individual situations and national circumstances.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 32 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) Member States should be able to take the necessary measures, in compliance with Union law, to prevent circumvention of their screening mechanisms and decisions to protect security or, public order, fundamental rights or key technologies. This should cover investments within the Union by means of artificial arrangements that do not reflect economic reality and circumvent the screening mechanisms and screening decisions, where the investor is ultimately owned or controlled by a natural person or an undertaking of a third country. This is without prejudice to the freedom of establishment and free movement of capital enshrined in the TFEU.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 36 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
(11) To guide Member States and the Commission in the application of the Regulation, it is appropriate to provide a list of factors that may be taken into consideration when screening foreign direct investment on the grounds of security or, public order, fundamental rights or the protection of key technologies. This list will also improve transparency of the screening process for investors considering making or having made foreign direct investments in the Union. This list of factors that may affect security or, public order, fundamental rights or the protection of key technologies should remain non-exhaustive.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 42 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
(12) In determining whether a foreign direct investment may affect security or, public order, fundamental rights or the protection of key technologies, Member States and the Commission should be able to consider all relevant factors, including the effects on critical infrastructure, technologies, including key enabling technologies, and inputs which are essential for security or the maintenance of public order, public order, fundamental rights or the protection of key technologies, and the disruption, loss or destruction of which would have a significant impact in a Member State or in the Union. In that regard, Member States and the Commission should also be able to take into account whether a foreign investor is controlled directly or indirectly (e.g. through significant funding, including subsidies) by the government of a third country.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 53 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
(14) A mechanism which enables Member States to cooperate and assist each other where a foreign direct investment in one Member State may affect the security or, public order, fundamental rights or the protection of key technologies of other Member States should be set up. Member States should be able to provide comments to a Member State in which the investment is planned or has been completed, irrespective of whether the Member States providing comments or the Member States in which the investment is planned or has been completed maintain a screening mechanism or are screening the investment. The comments of Member States should also be forwarded to the Commission. The Commission should also have the possibility, where appropriate, to issue an opinion to the Member State in which the investment is planned or has been completed, irrespective of whether this Member State maintains a screening mechanism or is screening the investment and irrespective of whether other Member States have provided comments.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 56 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
(15) Furthermore, the Commission should have the possibility to screen foreign direct investments likely to affect projects and programmes of Union interest on the grounds of security or, public order, fundamental rights or the protection of key technologies. This would give the Commission a tool to protect projects and programmes which serve the Union as whole and represent an important contribution to its economic growth, jobs and competitiveness. This should include in particular projects and programmes involving a substantial EU funding or established by Union legislation regarding critical infrastructure, critical technologies or critical inputs. For greater clarity, an indicative list of projects or programmes of Union interest in relation to which foreign direct investment can be subject to a screening by the Commission should be listed in an Annex.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 58 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15 a (new)
(15a) The European Parliament should have the possibility to request to the Commission the activation of the cooperation mechanism for projects and programmes of Union interest on grounds of security, public order, fundamental rights or the protection of key technologies. The Commission should take utmost account of the European Parliament’s position and provide explanations if the Parliaments position has not been taken into account.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 60 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
(16) Where the Commission considers that a foreign direct investment is likely to affect projects or programmes of Union interest on the grounds of security or, public order, fundamental rights or the protection of key technologies, the Commission should have the possibility to address an opinion to the Member States in which such investment is planned or completed within a reasonable timeframe. The Member States should take utmost account of the opinion and provide an explanation to the Commission if they do not follow this opinion, in compliance with their duty of sincere cooperation under Article 4(3) TEU. The Commission should also have the possibility to request from those Member States the information necessary for its screening of such investment.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 69 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
(18) To that end, it is also important to ensure a minimum level of information and coordination with regard to foreign direct investments falling under the scope of this Regulation in all Member States. This information should be made available by the Member States in which the foreign direct investment is planned or has been completed upon request of the Member States or of the Commission. Relevant information includes aspects such as the ownership structure of the foreign investor and the financing of the planned or completed investment, including, when available, information about subsides granted by third countries.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 77 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
(22) The implementation of this Regulation by the Union and the Member States should comply with the relevant requirements for the imposition of restrictive measures based on the grounds of security or, public order, fundamental rights or the protection of key technologies stipulated in EU law, in the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA Agreement), in the WTO Agreement (including in particular Article XIV(a) and Article XIV bis of the GATS) and in other trade and investment agreements or arrangements to which the Union or Member States are parties.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 80 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
This Regulation establishes a framework for the screening by the Member States and the Commission of foreign direct investments in the Union on the grounds of security or, public order, fundamental rights or the protection of key technologies.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 84 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2
2. 'foreign investor' means a natural person of a third country or an undertaking of a third country intending to make or having made a foreign direct investment; as well as a natural person or an undertaking based in a Member State but effectively controlled or financed by a third country;
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 86 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4
4. 'screening mechanism' means an instrument of general application, such as a law or regulation, and accompanying administrative requirements, implementing rules or guidelines, setting out the terms, conditions and procedures for the screening of foreign direct investments on the grounds of security or, public order, fundamental rights or the protection of key technologies;
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 87 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 a (new)
6a. Key technologies means technologies or firms which a branch of industries depends on, as provided for, by way of example, in the second indent of Article 4, paragraph 1;
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 89 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. Member States may maintain, amend or adopt mechanisms to screen foreign direct investments on the grounds of security or, public order, fundamental rights or the protection of key technologies, under the conditions and in accordance with the terms set out in this Regulation.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 96 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission mayshall screen foreign direct investments that are likely to affect projects or programmes of Union interest on the grounds of security or , public order, fundamental rights or the protection of key technologies.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 113 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – indent 1
– critical infrastructure, including energy, water, transport, communications and media, telecommunications, data storage, space or financial infrastructure, as well as sensitive facilities;
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 117 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – indent 2
– critical technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics, semiconductors, critical raw materials, nanotechnologies, biotechnologies, technologies with potential dual use applications, defence, cybersecurity, cyber surveillance and intrusion technology, aerospace and space or nuclear technology;
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 130 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
In determining whether a foreign direct investment is likely to affect security or, public order, fundamental rights or the protection of key technologies, Member States and the Commission may take into account whether the foreign investor is controlled by the government of a third country, including through significant funding and whether that government fully respects international human rights law, international humanitarian law, and is complying with relevant international arms control norms such as the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 142 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Member States and the Commission shall in particular assess the risk of possible transfers of knowledge or intangible goods in the context of foreign direct investments and their compatibility with Council Regulation (EC) No 428/2009*, Council Regulation (EC) No 1236/2005**, Council Common Position 944/2008/CFSP***, and the objectives of standard clauses concerning weapons of mass destruction contained in the bilateral trade or mixed agreements with the third country concerned. ___________________ * Council Regulation (EC) No 428/2009, of 5 May 2009, setting up a Community regime for the control of exports, transfer, brokering and transit of dual-use items (OJ L 134, 29.5.2009, p. 1). **Council Regulation (EC) No 1236/2005 of 27 June 2005 concerning trade in certain goods which could be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (OJ L 200, 30.7.2005, p. 1). *** Council Common Position 2003/468/CFSP on the control of arms brokering (OJ L 156, 25.6.2003, p. 79).
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 148 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) foreign direct investments screened and undergoing screening;deleted
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 149 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) the sectors, origin, and value of foreign direct investment screened and undergoing screening.deleted
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 154 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall inform the Commission and the other Member States of any foreign direct investments that are undergoing screening within the framework of their screening mechanisms, within 5 working days from the start of the screening. Member States with no screening mechanism shall endeavour to inform the Commission and the other Member States of any foreign direct investments that may be covered by one of the aspects of Article 4. As part of the information, and when applicable, the screening Member States shall endeavour to indicate whether it considers that the foreign direct investment undergoing screening is likely to fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 159 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2
2. Where a Member State considers that a foreign direct investment planned or completed in another Member State is likely to affect its security or, public order, fundamental rights or the protection of key technologies, it may provide comments to the Member State where the foreign direct investment is planned or has been completed. The comments shall be forwarded to the Commission in parallel.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 161 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3
3. Where the Commission considers that a foreign direct investment is likely to affect security or, public order, fundamental rights or the protection of key technologies in one or more Member States, it may issue an opinion addressed to the Member State in which the foreign direct investment is planned or has been completed. The Commission may issue an opinion irrespective of whether other Member States have provided comments.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 167 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission or a Member State which duly considers that a foreign direct investment is likely to affect its security or, public order, fundamental rights or the protection of key technologies may request from the Member State where the foreign direct investment is planned or has been completed, any information necessary to provide comments referred to in paragraph 2, or to issue the opinion referred to in paragraph 3.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 168 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 5
5. Comments pursuant to paragraphs 2 or opinions pursuant to paragraph 3 shall be addressed to the Member State where the foreign direct investment is planned or has been completed within a reasonable period of time, and in any case no later than 25 working days following receipt of the information referred to in paragraphs 1 or 4. In cases where the opinion of the Commission follows comments from other Member States, the Commission shall have 25 additional working days for issuing the opinion.deleted
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 170 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 6
6. The Member States where the foreign direct investment is planned or has been completed shall give due consideration to the comments of the other Member States referred to in paragraph 2 and to the opinion of the Commission referred to in paragraph 3.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 172 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
1. Where the Commission considers that a foreign direct investment is likely to affect projects or programmes of Union interest on grounds of security or, public order, fundamental rights or the protection of key technologies the Commission may issue an opinion addressed to the Member State where the foreign direct investment is planned or has been completed.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 177 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The European Parliament may request the activation of the cooperation mechanism for projects and programmes of Union interest on grounds of security, public order, fundamental rights or the protection of key technologies.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 179 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission may request from the Member State where the foreign direct investment is planned or has been completed any information necessary to issue the opinion referred to in paragraph 1.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 184 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 5
5. The Member States where the foreign direct investment is planned or has been completed shall take utmost account of the Commission's opinion and provide an explanation to the Commission in case its opinion is not followed.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 188 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that the information requested by the Commission and other Member States pursuant to Articles 8(4) and 9(2) is made available to the Commission and the requesting Member States without undue delay and within the timeframe set out in Article 6(2).
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 189 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) The ownership structure of the foreign investor and of the undertaking in which the foreign direct investment is planned or has been completed, including information on the ultimate controlling shareholder or shareholders;
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 191 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) The products, services and business operations of the foreign investor and of the undertaking in which the foreign direct investment is planned or has been completed ;
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 192 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) The Member States in which the foreign investor and the undertaking in which the foreign direct investment is planned or has been completed conduct business operations;
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 203 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall evaluate and present to the European Parliament and the Council a report on the application of this Regulation no later than 3 years after its entry into force and after that at intervals of three years. Member States shall be involved in this exercise and shall provide the Commission with necessary information for the preparation of that report.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 205 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – indent –1 (new)
-1 European Defence Fund and EU Defence Industrial Development Programme: – Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council establishing the European Defence Industrial Development Programme aiming at supporting the competitiveness and innovative capacity of the EU defence industry; – European Commission Decision on the financing of the Preparatory Action on Defence Research (PADR);
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2016/2324(INI)

1. Deplornounces the fact that certain states ofphenomenon of shrinking civil society space, which is an integral part of a global authoritarian pushback against democracy and human rights; deplores the fact that a growing number of statens limit or restrict freedom of expression in order to silence dissent or criticism; recalls that the long-term stability and resilience of a society can only be achieved and maintained by ensuring openness of the civic space and the rights to freedom of expression, opinion, peaceful assembly and association; notes that restrictions and threats on civil society may also originate from non-state actors, including from the business sector;
2017/06/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 7 #

2016/2324(INI)

1 a. Is deeply concerned by the increasing attacks against human rights defenders (HRDs) worldwide;calls on the EU, and the VP/HR in particular, to adopt a policy to denounce, systematically and unequivocally, the killing of human rights defenders and any attempt to subject them to any form of violence, persecution, threat, harassment, disappearance, imprisonment or arbitrary arrest, to condemn those who commit or tolerate such atrocities, and to step up public diplomacy in open and clear support of HRDs;encourages the EU Delegations and the Member States’ diplomatic representations to continue actively to support HRDs, notably by systematically monitoring trials, visiting HRDs in jail and issuing statements on individual cases, where appropriate;
2017/06/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 11 #

2016/2324(INI)

1 b. Underlines that the phenomenon of shrinking civil society space is a global phenomenon, which is not restricted to developing countries but also, and in an increasing manner, occurring in established democracies and middle and high-income countries, including in European Union Member States and some of its closest allies;calls on the European Union and its Member States to lead by example and strictly uphold the fundamental rights pertaining to civil society and to address any negative trends in this field;
2017/06/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 12 #

2016/2324(INI)

1 c. Denounces the prevailing sense of impunity enjoyed by a number of states in their assault against civil society and whose relations with the EU and standing in international fora are largely unaffected by such developments;
2017/06/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2016/2324(INI)

2. Considers that the EU should use its foreign policy instruments, including human rights and development instruments, to deal with the structural roots of the shrinking space problem and to design a multifaceted approach, since regimes are now using not only draconian NGO laws but also a wide range of direct and indirect tactics to limit the operation or financing of civil society organisations (CSOs), such as arbitrary registration and reporting requirements, travel bans, distorted criminal charges, raids and audits, and counterterrorism and security measures;
2017/06/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 32 #

2016/2324(INI)

3. Calls on the Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Member States and the EU Special Representative for Human Rights to be more vocal, consistent and timely in expressing objections to restrictive CSO laws and to exert effective and tailored pressure on the host governments in question and raise this issue systematically in political and human rights dialogues; considers that EU actors could exert more positive conditionality by allocating additional funds to those governments allowing a wider space for civil society; calls on the EU and its Member States also to develop negative conditionality in response to serious shrinking space developments, including through the restriction or even the suspension of assistance, trade or strategic relations;
2017/06/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 45 #

2016/2324(INI)

5. Requests the establishment of a ‘Shrinking Space Monitoring and Early Warning’ mechanism, with the involvement of the relevant EU institutions, capable of monitoring threats against civil society space and human rights defenders, and issuing an alert when a given government is preparing serious new restrictions against civil society so that the EU is able to respond in a timelier, coordinated and tangible manner;
2017/06/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 51 #

2016/2324(INI)

5 a. Commits to establish, on an annual basis and in close consultation with relevant institutional and NGO actors, a list of countries where civil society space is most under threat and to use it as a benchmark against which to assess the engagement of the EU and its Member States with these countries;
2017/06/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 56 #

2016/2324(INI)

6. Calls on the Commission to increase the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) funds relevant to the shrinking space, since the annual sums per country are at an extremely low level and to human rights defenders; calls on the Commission to identify new forms of activism to be funded by the EIDHR and, to have a comprehensive approach to civil society organizations, which includes trade unions and social movements, and to continue its efforts to put in place a more flexible and simplified procedure for accessing EIDHR funding, including more significant exceptions for those CSOs in particular danger and support for unregistered groups; considers that greater emphasis should be put on support to local groups and actors, since human rights issues are often experienced in a more real and acute way at local level at local level; reiterates the importance of the EIDHR in providing urgent direct financial and material support for HRDs at risk and the emergency fund that allows the EU Delegations to give direct ad-hoc grants to defenders at risk;
2017/06/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 104 #

2016/2239(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Calls, furthermore, on all ICC State Parties to step up their efforts to promote universal accession to the ICC; considers that the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) should continue to encourage third countries to ratify and implement the Rome Statute and to provide financial support for civil society campaigns designed to promote the international criminal justice system, as well as conduct an assessment of the EU’s achievements in this regard;
2017/04/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Heading 1
on private military and security companies
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1
– having regard to the Montreux document on pertinent international legal obligations and good practices for States related to operations of private military and security companies (PMSCs) during armed conflict,
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 3 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
– having regard to the U.N. Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the rights of peoples to self-determination established in July 2005,
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4
– having regard to the UN Guidelines on the Use of Armed Security Services from Private Security Companies, which has recently been extended to unarmed security services,
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7
– having regard to the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Providers (ICoC) established by the International Code of Conduct Association, which is an industry self-regulation mechanism whose standards are voluntary,
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 6 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8
– having regard to the International Stability Operations Association Code of Conduct which is an industry-owned self- regulatory mechanism,
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 7 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10
– having regard to ISO 18788 Management System for Private Security Operations, which sets parameters for the management of private security companies,
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17
– having regard to the continuing terroristmany different risks, challenges and threats within and outside the European Union’s borders,
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 13 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas security and defence do not depend only on financial resources, but also on knowledge; whereas public authorities do not always possess both in abundanonly the democratic state governed by the rule of law shall have the monopoly on the legitimate use of force; whereas since the end of the Cold War many state functions with regard to security and the use of force have been outsourced leading to the erosion of the state and the concept of the democratic control of armed forces;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 20 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas decision-makers in the EU have constantly failed to inform citizens about the appropriate resources needed, both in terms of personnel and budget, in order to properly fulfil mandates of civilian and military missions and operations abroad; whereas this has led to outsourcing of security and military services to PMSCs often against the advice of armed forces or police; whereas in many cases decision-makers also fail to inform about the costs associated with services to be provided by PMSCs and deny to directly commit budget resources to such ends in a transparent manner;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 30 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas more than 1.5 million private security guards were employed in around 40 000 Private Military and Security Companies in Europe in 2013; whereas these figures are continuing to increase;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 38 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas the array of services provided by PMSCs is extremely broad, ranging from logistical services to actual combat support and participation in post- conflict reconstruction;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 50 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas the outsourcing of military activities, formerly an integral part of the activities of armed forces, is taking place, among other things, to provide services in a more cost-efficient manner, but also to compensate for a shortfall in capabilities in shrinking armed forces in the context of an increasing number of multilateral missions abroadcompensate for the unwillingness of decision-makers to commit appropriate resources in terms of personnel and budget; whereas PMSCs can also ,sometimes provide capabilities that are entirely lacking in national armed forces, often at short notice; whereas PMSCs couldare also besometimes used for reasons of political convenience to avoid limitations on the use of troopsuch as parliamentary oversight and accountability on the use of troops including by secret services for covert operations;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 55 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas PMSCs have been involved in incidents resulting in loss of life; whereas such incidents vary across time and country and amount in some cases to serious human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law including war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide; whereas this has had repercussions on the efforts of the international community in the countries in question and has revealed considerable gaps in accountability structures;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 72 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I
I. whereas, for states to benefit from the advantages offered by PMSCs, and to ensure that they can be held accountable, a legal framework shouldmust be put in place to facilitregulate their use; whereas PMSCs are part of an industry, which is highly transnational in nature and as such requires a global approach to regulation;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 83 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital N
N. whereas it is of vital importance for the European Union to establish an earth observation capability in conjunction with the requisite downstream capability that would enable the collection and dissemination of geospatial intelligence for all European Union Member States; whereas Defence, Intelligence and National Security organisations need to exploit geospatial intelligence sources optimally to achieve decision advantage over potential adversaries; whereas large volumes of data need to be fused and layered in a simple and cost- effective manner to provide rapid insight for timely decision- making;deleted
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 93 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital Q
Q. whereas PMSCs could play a more important role in the fight against piracy and in improving maritime security, in missions involving dogs, cyber defence, research and development of security tools, mixed surveillance missions and training in cooperation with public authorities; whereas it is important to also stress the fact that the involvement of PMSCs in the fight against piracy has also led to serious still unresolved problems such as the killing of fishermen, the spread of uncontrolled floating armories and diplomatic conflicts between countries such as India and a number of EU Member States;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 110 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that, compared to national troops, private military and security companies, particularly those based in host countries, can provide considerable cost savings as well as valuable local knowledge; however, stresses that the use of services provided by local security and military companies in fragile countries and crisis-prone regions often also leads to very negative developments which undermine the EU's foreign policy and development objectives by providing a cover for warlords, militias and illegally armed groups including organized crime;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 116 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that, particularly in the provision of civilian tasks, economies of scale and competition can allow for lower costs than independent provision by the military or civilian agency in question;deleted
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 131 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that the EU makes use of Private Security Companies abroad to guard its delegations and staff and to support its civilian and military CSDP missions; stresses that their services fill capacity gaps that the EU would otherwise have difficulties in tackling and calls on the Member States to dedicate national armed forces or police for force protection abroad; demands that the Commission and the Council produce an overview of where, when and for what reason Private Security Companies have been employed in support of EU missions;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 141 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Points to the various and serious legal and political problems associated with the very current practice of subcontracting in the field of military and security services especially in particular by services provided by local subcontractors in third countries; believes that Member States, EEAS and the Commission should agree on following the example of NATO by only contracting PMSCs based in EU Member States;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 145 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Points to the fact that PMSCs services are used by various EU actors mostly in unstable regions and countries where democratic governance structures are fragile but in particular local police and armed forces are weak and not in full control of internal and external security; underlines that in such third countries the use of local PMSCs, in particular as subcontractors which goes with very low levels of accountability and transparency, often further weakens fragile states and runs counter to EU stabilisation and development policies as often local militias, warlords and other actors are being strengthened as a result of such contracts; therefore urges the HR/VP, the Member States, the EEAS and the Commission to agree on common rules which oblige European based PMSCs executing contracts on their behalf to not subcontract to local PMSCs in third countries;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 150 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Recommends, therefore, that the Commission propose common PMSC contracting guidelines that clearly spell out the requirements for international and local PEU based PMSCs to qualify for EU contracts, with the goal of replacing the current patchwork of approaches; these guidelines should be based both on international best practices in relation to PMSC conduct and management, such as the ICoC, and take into account the need for particular care to be taken when selecting local PSCs in a complex post-crisis context; urges the Commission and; points to the approach of US authorities which include detailed standards and requirements into each individual contract and calls on the EEASU to give clear preference to ICoC-certified providers follow this example;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 152 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Urges the Commission and EEAS to use the same guidelines for the hire, use and management of military and security contractors in all external actions, missions, operations and for EU Delegations across all countries and regions and for all services of a revised Common Military List of the European Union; urges Commission and EEAS to include a list of best practices into such EU guidelines which can be derived from the Montreux Document in particular with regard to procedures for the selection and contracting of PMSCs, the terms of contract with PMSCs and the monitoring of compliance and ensuring of accountability;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 161 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Urges the Commission, the Council and the Member States to invest in research for more and better technologies such as facial recognition and crowd-control tools as part of automated controls at airports, metro stations and other places where crowds gather, together with private security companies;deleted
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 170 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Urges the Council and the Commission that a single European Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) solution should be used to support all Member States; this would deliver unprecedented security intelligence to help improve security responsiveness; recommends developing a commercial satellite imagery-based ISR solution for the European Union;deleted
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 179 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Believes that, as a first step, the EU should define relevant military and security services in a precise way; urges in this respect the Council to add military and security services by Private Military and Security Companies (PMSCs) to the Common Military List of the European Union without delay; points to the fact that some military services by private companies may already be covered in ML22 under technical assistance which incorporates consulting services among other forms of assistance; points to the EU funded research project PRIV-WAR which generated a list of 29 different military and security services which could potentially be provided by PMSCs and calls for the creation of a military list category (ML) which includes this broad range of services;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 185 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 – introductory part
12. Recommends supporting the creation of a flexible, but rigorous, regulatory model which will:
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 197 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Calls on the Commission to regulate the various services provided by PMSCs on EU territory in the internal market; calls in this respect on the Commission to initiate a directive which would set minimum standards for private military and security service providers within the EU; believes that such a directive should clarify minimum standards regarding registration and operations of such service providers in order to improve and harmonize current national regulations; believes that appropriate legal bases for such a directives would be Articles 114, 53 and 62 TFEU which provide legal bases for the freedom of establishment and the freedom to provide services;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 200 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Notes that nascent global regulatory frameworks, such as the Montreux document, the ICoC and other regulatory initiatives in the UN framework, constitute clear progress compared to the lack of meaningful regulation that prevailed only ten years ago;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 202 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Also commends the efforts made by manysome EU member states, following the good practice outlined in the Montreux document, to introduce effective national regulation of PMSCs;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 212 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses that the transnational nature of PMSCSs and, in particular, their activities in areas of the world affected by crisis often leads to jurisdictional gaps that could make it difficult to hold the companies or their employees to account for their actions; notes that the national regulation of Private Security Companies often does not have extraterritorial application; urges therefore the EEAS, Commission and Member States to only contract EU based PMSCs in combination with the obligation to execute services directly without recourse to local subcontractors in often fragile third countries;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 222 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Stresses that in case the EU relies on PMSCs in third countries with which it has concluded a SOFA, such agreements must always include the PMCSs employed and specifically clarify that the companies will be held accountable under EU law;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 223 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17b. Stresses that the EU Concept for Contractors Support should be strengthened and made binding for Member States and EU institutions; believes that in particular it should specify stricter standards for inclusion into contracts, for example based on US standards, and that it should also require that in regions of conflict no local PMSC should be employed or subcontracted; stresses that international PMSCs should have the possibility to hire local staff but only individually and directly in order to ensure effective vetting and to prevent the creation of local security industries in conflict regions;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 227 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Believes that such an international framework shall be built on the work of the UN Working Group on mercenaries and their 2011 draft International Convention on the Regulation, Oversight and Monitoring of Private Military and Security Companies; therefore urges the HR/VP, the Member States, the EEAS, and the Commission to strongly support the creation of such an international convention aiming at establishing an international legal regime to regulate relevant services provided by PMSCs;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 231 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Stresses that one of the most effective ways of influencing PMSCs is through public sector procurement decisions; emphasises, therefore, the importance of making the award of contracts to PMSCs conditional on the adoption of best practices, such as the ICoC, which some Member States have already implemented; notes, however, that the ICoC compliance mechanism needs to be strengthened and its full independence assured to make it a credible incentive for compliance;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 239 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Notes the considerable influence the EU and its Member States enjoy over the global security industry as a result of many major players having their headquarters in the EU; therefore places particular emphasis on the upcoming revision of the Common Military List as an opportunity to include certaina broad range of military and security services provided by PMSCs, which would make them subject to export regulations and apply basic standards to their activities abroad;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 241 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Urges the Council to regulate the export of military and security services as defined in an updated Common Military List of European Union via a dedicated Council Decision which should require national legislation controlling the export of military and security services; believes that contracts for the provision of these services outside the EU should be licensed by export authorizations and require annual reporting of service export licences granted by Member States in order to increase public transparency and accountability; points out that the legal bases for such a Council Decision is provided by Articles 25 and 28 TEU and can draw on the example of Council Common Position 2008/944;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2016/2226(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the final ILO report on the 2016 cotton harvest in Uzbekistan will be available at the end of this year;
2016/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2016/2226(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas the Uzbek authorities have imprisoned thousands people on politically motivated charges to enforce their repressive rules, targeting human rights and opposition activists, journalists, religious believers, artists, and other perceived critics;
2016/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 14 #

2016/2226(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J b (new)
Jb. whereas authorities also regularly persecute and harass human rights defenders and civil society activists and block international rights groups and media outlets from operating in the country;
2016/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 15 #

2016/2226(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J c (new)
Jc. whereas obligations to respect democracy, principles of international law and human rights and the principles of market economy, as defined in Article 2 of the PCA, remain largely unfulfilled by Uzbekistan;
2016/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 19 #

2016/2226(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Appreciates the fact that the Government of Uzbekistan is also pursuing the eradication of forced labour in cooperation with the ILO, but realises that this is a complex process, requiring, among other things, reform of employment policies and that progress have been made, stresses however that the trend has been irregular and that more indirect and subtle ways of involuntary work seem to prevail;
2016/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 22 #

2016/2226(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Points out that the substantial progress made since 2013 on the question of child labour in Uzbekistan is mainly the result of the diplomatic efforts of the EU and, in particular, of Parliament's resolution of 2011 that put the agreement on hold and led to the active involvement of the ILO and the World Bank;
2016/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 23 #

2016/2226(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Is of the opinion that because of these efforts by the Government of Uzbekistan Parliament shouldthe Parliament should wait for the final ILO report on the 2016 cotton harvest in Uzbekistan to be available before giveing consent to the EU-Uzbekistan Textiles Protocol;
2016/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 24 #

2016/2226(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Considers that this changeover period will also give Parliament an overall picture of the political transition process in Uzbekistan;
2016/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 26 #

2016/2226(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Recognises that continued pressure on the Government of Uzbekistan from the Union, the ILO and the World Bank will still be needed to achieve this goal; reserves the right to call on the Commission and the Council to activate Articles 2 and 95 of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement so as to take all necessary general and specific measures if the commitment to the abolition of forced labour is not lived up to, and if there are no democratic reforms and substantial improvement of the human rights situation;
2016/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 27 #

2016/2226(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission and the EU Delegation in Tashkent to contribute through policy dialogue and assistance programmes to structural reform in Uzbekistan, including increased remuneration for cotton pickers, mechanisation, and greater budgetary transparency on revenue from the cotton harvest, and aimed at weaning off the country from the cotton monoculture and decreasing its dependence on its exports by diversifying the economy, which could gradually alleviate the disastrous environmental situation, with regard, in particular, to what is left of the Aral Sea and its tributaries;
2016/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 31 #

2016/2226(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Reiterates the Union’s commitment to further and deepen bilateral relations, which include trade, as well as all areas related to democratic principles, respect for human and fundamental rights and the rule of law; calls onurges the Government of Uzbekistan to create more space for independent civil societymeet its commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention against Torture;
2016/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 32 #

2016/2226(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the Commission and the EEAS to monitor the political transition in Uzbekistan and to provide Parliament regularly with information on this process;
2016/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 33 #

2016/2226(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Calls on the EU High Representative, the EEAS and EU Member States to use the transition process as an opportunity to immediately put in motion a strategy with the aim of pressing Uzbekistan for concrete, measurable human rights improvements over the coming months; underlines that concrete improvements should include the conditions laid out by EU Foreign Ministers in 2010, which are: 1) releasing all imprisoned human rights defenders and prisoners of conscience; 2) allowing unimpeded operation of non- governmental organisations in the country; 3) cooperating fully with all relevant UN Special Rapporteurs; 4) guaranteeing freedom of speech and the media; 5) ending the practice of forced labour; and 6) fully aligning its election processes with international standards;
2016/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 7 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the implementation of the Union Customs Code is essential for the safeguarding of EU own resources, notably customs duties, and national tax interests;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 8 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas a fully functional Customs Union is the base for the effective fight against illicit financial flows and trade-based money laundering;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 12 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the distortion of internal trade flows through the cherry-picking of ports of entry creates entirely unnecessary additional truck traffic, motorway congestion and concomitant emissions, and results in often absurd and environmentally unfriendly infrastructure for no other reason than port avoidance;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 19 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas effective customs cooperation between the Member States’ customs administrations, with third countries and at multilateral level, plays a vital role, given the significant trade volumes, and is a cornerstone in the fight against illicit trade and in, the protection of EU intellectual property rights (IPR), and the implementation of due diligence of specific EU policies, such as the certification of timber legality or the respect for labour and environmental conditions in the textile and clothing sectors;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 23 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas future policy options of the EU regarding the increased control of standards or due diligence procedures of global value chain products - as indicated in the "Trade for All" strategy of the present Commission - depend on effective customs cooperation between the Member States' customs administrations;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 70 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Urges the Commission to investigate the different practices for customs controls in the EU and on their impact on trade diversion, focusing in particular on EU customs at external borders; calls further onto the Commission to engage in an environmental impact assessment regarding the climate effects of such trade diversion;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 82 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Is concerned about the lack of awareness of Authorized Economic Operators and law enforcement agencies of the elevated risk of illicit trade in products transiting through Free Trade Zones; calls on Member States' custom authorities to actively engage in processes of the World Customs Union to elaborate guidelines for Free Trade Zones;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 83 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Calls on Member State custom authorities to pro-actively use electronic data sharing facilities to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in the identification of anomalies in trade value mispricing in order to combat illicit financial flows and trade-based money laundering;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 112 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Invites the Commission to reinforce its cooperation in customs matters with its main trading partners, with a view to collaborating in the fight against illicit financial flows and trade-based money laundering and threats to society and the economy, and to further facilitating bilateral trade, beyond strict TFA commitments; points out that this can be best achieved as part of free trade agreements or through specific customs agreements;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 8 #

2016/2059(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Is of the opinion that energy security can be achieved in the most efficient way through better coordination of national energy policies and consensus between the Member States on this matter in line with EU targets and international obligations as well as with the objectives and the consistency of the Common Foreign and Security Policy; believes, in this context, that further integration of energy policy should be for the benefit of non EU and EU Member States and their citizens;
2016/06/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 11 #

2016/2059(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that trade plays a keyn important role in energy security, and that strong energy partnerships, reinforced by the inclusion of energy chapters in the EU’s trade agreements, are essential tools; considers it to be of key importance that the EU’s trade agreementspolicy enhances the EU’s energy diversification and reduces its dependence on imported energy from too few suppliers;
2016/07/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 16 #

2016/2059(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights that energy is a basic human good and that an important goal of the Energy Union is to ensure equal and cheap access for all and to combat energy poverty; believes that through energy cooperation the EU can positively contribute to promoting and strengthening democracy, the rule of law and human rights in partner countries; calls in this context for better links between energy and climate policiesreminds that climate change diplomacy is an integral part of the EU foreign policy and calls in this context for the full integration of its climate policies into the EU energy policy;
2016/06/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 23 #

2016/2059(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that in order to meet the current challenges and implement its energy and climate change objectives in the context of global constraints in those policy fields, the EU and its Member States must, on the basis of existing multilateral conventions and legal frameworks, also take common action on the international stage by raising energy security and sustainability issues in international trade forums;
2016/07/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 25 #

2016/2059(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the need to ensure the highest environmental standards in the planning, construction and use of liquefied natural gas (LNG); underlines the necessity of raising awareness to environmental, climate and social impacts of imported LNG; asks the Commission in this context to require foreign gas suppliers that their production conditions must meet standards required for production in the EU, and to allow Member States to refuse LNG that has been produced under conditions infringing their respective national standards;
2016/07/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 30 #

2016/2059(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls that in order to promote the transition towards a low-carbon society, we need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels; highlights that the existing technologies converting solar- and wind- generated power into ‘artificial natural gas’ are cost-efficient methods to further this transition without building additional infrastructure in light of vast storage facilities, gas transport networks and modern gas power plants already in existence;
2016/07/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 32 #

2016/2059(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that liquefied natural gas (LNG) and gas storage are of particular importance in order to avoid dependence on a single energy supplier; calls in this context for the promotion and development of new natural gas nodes and LNG storage stations in the central and south-eastern regions, the Baltic and the Mediterranean; highlights that the Commission should consider in upcoming gas supply contracts that in the future "artificial natural gas" production will play an important role;
2016/06/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 36 #

2016/2059(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Stresses the importance of reducing or removing the EU gas and oil dependence on authoritarian regimes that violate human rights as a matter of consistency with the EU founding values and the effectiveness of the EU external action;
2016/06/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 44 #

2016/2059(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Points out that it is estimated that gas imports to the EU will rise until 2030, even if gas demand within the EU simultaneously stays stagnant or declines; stresses that moderating energy demand and promoting renewable and local energy sources are amongStresses that reducing energy demand and promoting renewable and local energy sources backed by energy efficiency measures as well as the phase- out of fossil fuel subsidies are the most effective tools for reducing dependence on external energy and to reach a fossil fuel free economy by 2050; recalls that the EU has significant LNG import excess capacity overall, but that this capacity is not evenly distributed in geographical terms;
2016/07/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 56 #

2016/2059(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Points out that LNG trading prices have been declining internationally and that price differentials between pipeline imports and LNG have also decreased; considers, therefore, that the key challenge is to address bottleneckreminds, however, of the volatility of gas prices and of the irreducible additional costs of LNG due to transport, liquefaction, shipping and regasification that make up the bulk of costs and rendergy security concerns in relation both to trade and to optimising LNG and related infrastructure unprofitable in times of oversupply and low gas prices; hence stresses a better use of existing infrastructure should be prioritised over the construction of new ones that in discrepancy with decreasing demand could result in significant storage capacity.nded assets;
2016/07/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 27 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
(5 a) With regard to human rights assessment criteria, it is appropriate to refer, among others, to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the UN Human Rights Council Resolution on the Right to Privacy of 23 March 2017, the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Implementing the United Nations 'Protect, Respect and Remedy' Framework, the Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Privacy of 24 March 2017, the Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism of 21 February 2017 and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights.
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 28 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 b (new)
(5 b) Whereas the Final Report on the EU Dual-Use Export Control Policy Review1a revealed that certain cyber- surveillance technologies exported from the Union have been connected to violations of a number of specific human rights such as the right to privacy, the freedom of expression, the freedom of association, the right to life, the freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention, the freedom from torture, inhuman treatment and degrading treatment and to this effect also the right to non-discrimination. It is therefore appropriate to assess in particular risks associated with these rights in the process of licensing the export of cyber-surveillance technology. _________________ 1aFinal Report. Data and information collection for EU dual-use export control policy review, SIPRI and Ecroys, 6 November 2015, pages 142-221, https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/fin al-report-eu-dualuse-review.pdf.
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 29 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 c (new)
(5 c) As stipulated in the User's Guide1a on Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP1b one relevant factor in the assessment of serious human rights violations is the character, nature and consequences of the actual violation in question. Another major factor in the analysis is whether the competent bodies of the UN, the Union or the Council of Europe and other relevant human rights bodies have established that serious violations of human rights have taken place in the recipient country. In this respect it is not a prerequisite that these competent bodies explicitly use the term 'serious' themselves. It is sufficient that they establish that violations have occurred. Likewise, the absence of a decision by these bodies should not preclude Member States from the possibility of making an independent assessment as to whether such serious violations have occurred. Another factor in the analysis are the reports of civil society organisations and journalists, and the examination of the adequacy of legal safeguards against human rights abuses in the recipient country. _________________ 1aUser's Guide to Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP defining common rules governing the control of exports of military technology and equipment, page 46, http://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/docu ment/ST-10858-2015-INIT/en/pdf. 1bCouncil Common Position 2008/944/CFSP of 8 December 2008 defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment (OJ L 335, 13.12.2008, p. 99).
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 60 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 22 a (new)
22 a. 'serious human rights violations' shall be understood to encompass all human rights violations, including in particular those human rights violations which concern the right to privacy, the freedom of expression, the freedom of association, the right to non- discrimination, the right to life, the freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention and the freedom from torture, inhuman treatment and degrading treatment which are most commonly violated by surveillance. Relevant factors in the assessment shall be: (a) the character, nature and consequences of the actual violation in question; (b) systematic and/or widespread violations of human rights underlining the seriousness of the human rights situation; (c) whether the competent bodies of the UN, the Union or the Council of Europe or others have established that serious violations of human rights have taken place in the recipient country, or (d) the adequacy of domestic legal safeguards in the recipient country to prevent human rights abuses;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 66 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(c a) for the benefit of an illegal occupation or annexation under international law;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 67 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c b (new)
(c b) for a use which, either in the exporting country or in the country of destination, is illegal or where the country of destination has no legal framework which is compliant with international human rights law;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 106 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Member States shall not grant or shall revoke an individual or global export authorization or an authorisation for brokering services or technical assistance under this Regulation, if: (a) there is a serious risk the items could be used to violate human rights; (b) the legal framework or technical arrangements in the destination country fail to provide adequate safeguards against serious human rights abuse.
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 116 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point d
(d) transmission of software or technology by electronic media, including by fax, telephone, electronic mail or any other electronic means to legal and natural persons and partnerships outside the Union;
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 117 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b
(b) which decides to transmit or make available software or technology by electronic media including by fax, telephone, electronic mail or by any other electronic means to legal and natural persons and partnerships outside the Union.
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 145 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 3
new Member States shall provide to the Commission all appropriate information for the preparation of the report. This annual report shall be public. Member States shall also disclose publicly, in a timely and easily accessible manner, meaningful information on the volume, nature of equipment, and destination of their trade in dual-use items, as well as information regarding approved or denied exports, in order to enable appropriate oversight by elected representatives, independent bodies and the public. Human rights risk assessments undertaken by competent authorities and the corresponding statements by exporters regarding authorized or denied export licenses should also be made publicly available. All information referred to in this paragraph shall be published on the website of the national export licence authority or on a dedicated Union level website.
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 149 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 21 – point e a (new)
(ea) software monitoring and predicting social conduct;
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 174 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(da) for a use which either in the exporting country or in the country of destination is illegal or where the country of destination has no legal framework which is compliant with international human rights standards;
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 253 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 3 – point d
(d) where known, the end-use and end- user of the dual-use items.
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 333 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
3. Member States shall provide to the Commission all appropriate information for the preparation of the report. This annual report shall be public. Member States shall also disclose publically, in a timely and easily accessible manner, meaningful information on the volume, nature of equipment, and destination of their trade in dual-use items, as well as information regarding approved or denied exports, in order to enable appropriate oversight by elected representatives, independent bodies and the public. Human rights risk assessments undertaken by competent authorities and the corresponding statements by exporters regarding authorized or denied export licenses should also be made publically available. All information referred to in this paragraph shall be published on the website of the national export licence authority or on a dedicated Union level website.
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 335 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Between five and seven years after the date of application of this Regulation, the Commission shall carry out an evaluation of this Regulation and report on the main findings to the European Parliament, the Council and the European Economic and Social Committee. The evaluation shall include a proposal on the deletion of Cryptography from the Category 5, Part 2 of Annex 1.
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 341 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) where known, the end-use and end- user of the dual-use items.
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 350 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Section A – category 0 – subcategory 0C – point 0C001 – point b
b. “Depleted uranium” specially fabricated for the following civil non- nuclear applications: 1. 2. 3. Ballasts having a mass not greater than 100 kg; 4. Counter-weights having a mass not greater than 100 kdeleted Shielding; Packaging;
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 351 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Section A – category 1 – subcategory 1C – point 1C236 – point c
c. Mixtures having a total activity of 3 GBq/kg (10,08 Ci/kg) or greater;
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 368 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Section B – category 10 – point 10A001 – point a a (new)
aa. Equipment for the identification of persons or messages by way of key-word recognition in telephone communication,
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 369 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Section B – category 10 – point 10A001 – point a b (new)
ab. Systems monitoring and predicting the social conduct of people,
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 370 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Section B – category 10 – point 10A001 – Technical note – point e a (new)
ea. Systems monitoring households by means of smart meters, that only transmit data regarding heat- and energy consumption and the corresponding time.
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 372 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – Section A – part 3 – paragraph 1 – point 1
(1) the exporter is aware, has grounds for suspecting or has been informed by the competent authority of the Member State in which he is resident or established that the items in question are or may be intended, in their entirety or in part, for use in connection with the development, production, handling, operation, maintenance, storage, detection, identification or dissemination of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices or the development, production, maintenance or storage of missiles or unmanned aerial vehicle systems (UAV) capable of delivering such weapons, or if the exporter is aware that the items in question are intended for such use;
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 373 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – Section A – part 3 – paragraph 1 – point 2
(2) the exporter is aware, has grounds for suspecting or has been informed by the competent authority of the Member State in which he is resident or established that the items in question are or may be intended for a military end use, or if the exporter is aware that the items in question are intended for the above mentioned use;
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 376 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – Section A – part 3 – paragraph 5 – point 4
(4) where known, the end-use and end- user of the dual-use items.
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 378 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – Section B – part 2 – paragraph 1 – indent 4
- Turkey.deleted
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 379 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – Section B – part 3 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – introductory part
(1) the exporter is aware, has grounds for suspecting or has been informed by the competent authority of the Member State in which he is resident or established that the items in question are or may be intended, in their entirety or in part:
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 380 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – Section B – part 3 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point a
(a) for use in connection with the development, production, handling, operation, maintenance, storage, detection, identification or dissemination of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, or the development, production, maintenance or storage of missiles or unmanned aerial vehicle systems (UAV) capable of delivering such weapons;
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 383 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – Section B – part 3 – paragraph 5 – point 4
(4) where known, the end-use and end- user of the dual-use items.
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 385 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – Section C – part 3 – paragraph 2 – point 1 – introductory part
(1) the exporter is aware, has grounds for suspecting or has been informed by the competent authority of the Member State in which he is resident or established that the items in question are or may be intended, in their entirety or in part,
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 386 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – Section C – part 3 – paragraph 2 – point 1 – point a
(a) for use in connection with the development, production, handling, operation, maintenance, storage, detection, identification or dissemination of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices or the development, production, maintenance or storage of missiles or unmanned aerial vehicle systems (UAV) capable of delivering such weapons;
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 389 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – Section C – part 3 – paragraph 6 – point 4
(4) where known, the end-use and end- user of the dual-use items.
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 391 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – Section D – part 3 – paragraph 3 – point 1 – introductory part
(1) the exporter is aware, has grounds for suspecting or has been informed by the competent authority of the Member State in which he is resident or established that the items in question are or may be intended, in their entirety or in part:
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 394 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – Section D – part 3 – paragraph 7 – point 4
(4) where known, the end-use and end- user of the dual-use items.
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 399 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – Section F – part 3 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – introductory part
(1) the exporter is aware, has grounds for suspecting or has been informed by the competent authority of the Member State in which he is resident or established that the items in question are or may be intended, in their entirety or in part:
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 402 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – Section F – part 3 – paragraph 5 – point 4
(4) where known, the end-use and end- user of the dual-use items.
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 403 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – Section G – part 3 – paragraph 2 – point 1 – introductory part
(1) the exporter is aware, has grounds for suspecting or has been informed by the competent authority of the Member State in which he is resident or established that the items in question are or may be intended, in their entirety or in part:
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 407 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – Section G – part 3 – paragraph 8 – point 4
(4) where known, the end-use and end- user of the dual-use items.
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 413 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – Section H – part 3 – paragraph 2 – point 1 – introductory part
(1) the exporter is aware, has grounds for suspecting or has been informed by the competent authority of the Member State in which it is resident or established that the software and technology in question are or may be intended, in their entirety or in part:
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 421 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – Section J – part 3 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – introductory part
(1) the exporter is aware, has grounds for suspecting or has been informed by the competent authority of the Member State in which he is resident or established that the items in question are or may be intended, in their entirety or in part:
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 424 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – Section J – part 3 – paragraph 5 – point 4
(4) where known, the end-use and end- user of the dual-use items.
2017/05/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 83 #

2016/0280(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 3
(3) Rapid technological developments continue to transform the way works and other subject-matter are created, produced, distributed and exploited. New business models and new actors continue to emerge. The objectives and the principles laid down by the Union copyright framework remain sound. However, legal uncertainty remains, for both rightholders and users, as regards certain uses, including cross-border uses, of works and other subject-matter in the digital environment. As set out in the Communication of the Commission entitled ‘Towards a modern, more European copyright framework’26 , in some areas it is necessary to adapt and supplement the current Union copyright framework. This Directive provides for rules to adapt certain exceptions and limitations to digital and cross-border environments, as well as measures to facilitate certain licensing practices as regards the dissemination of out-of- commerce works and the online availability of audiovisual works on video- on-demand platforms with a view to ensuring wider access to content. In order to achieve a well-functioning marketplace for copyright, there should also be rules on rights in publications, on the use of works and other subject-matter by online service providers storing and giving access to user uploaded content and on the transparency of authors' and performers' contracts. _________________ 26 COM(2015) 626 final. COM(2015) 626 final.
2017/04/28
Committee: JURI
Amendment 281 #

2016/0280(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 31
(31) A free and pluralist press is essential to ensure quality journalism and citizens' access to information. It provides a fundamental contribution to public debate and the proper functioning of a democratic society. In the transition from print to digital, publishers of press publications are facing problems in licensing the online use of their publications and recouping their investments. In the absence of recognition of publishers of press publications as rightholders, licensing and enforcement in the digital environment is often complex and inefficient.deleted
2017/04/28
Committee: JURI
Amendment 295 #

2016/0280(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 32
(32) The organisational and financial contribution of publishers in producing press publications needs to be recognised and further encouraged to ensure the sustainability of the publishing industry. It is therefore necessary to provide at Union level a harmonised legal protection for press publications in respect of digital uses. Such protection should be effectively guaranteed through the introduction, in Union law, of rights related to copyright for the reproduction and making available to the public of press publications in respect of digital uses.deleted
2017/04/28
Committee: JURI
Amendment 312 #

2016/0280(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 33
(33) For the purposes of this Directive, it is necessary to defineclarify the sconceptpe of press publication in a way that embraces only journalistic publications, published by a service provider, periodically or regularly updated in any media, for the purpose of informing or entertaining. Such publications would include, for instance, daily newspapers, weeklotection set out in Article s2 and 3 of Directive 2001/29/EC. In order to improve legal certainty for all concerned parties, and to ensure the freedom to carry out certain acts necessary for monthly magazines of general or special ithe normal functioning of the Internest and news websites. Periodical publications which are published for scientific or academic purposes, such as scientific journals, should not be covered by the protection granted to press publications under this Directive. This protection doess well as to take account of certain fundamental rights, these Articles should not extend to acts of hyperlinking, which do not constitute communication to the public.
2017/04/28
Committee: JURI
Amendment 326 #

2016/0280(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 34
(34) The rights granted to the publishers of press publications under this Directive should have the same scope as the rights of reproduction and making available to the public provided for in Directive 2001/29/EC, insofar as digital uses are concerned. They should also be subject to the same provisions on exceptions and limitations as those applicable to the rights provided for in Directive 2001/29/EC including the exception on quotation for purposes such as criticism or review laid down in Article 5(3)(d) of that Directive.deleted
2017/04/28
Committee: JURI
Amendment 340 #

2016/0280(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 35
(35) The protection granted to publishers of press publications under this Directive should not affect the rights of the authors and other rightholders in the works and other subject-matter incorporated therein, including as regards the extent to which authors and other rightholders can exploit their works or other subject-matter independently from the press publication in which they are incorporated. Therefore, publishers of press publications should not be able to invoke the protection granted to them against authors and other rightholders. This is without prejudice to contractual arrangements concluded between the publishers of press publications, on the one side, and authors and other rightholders, on the other side.deleted
2017/04/28
Committee: JURI
Amendment 519 #

2016/0280(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 4
(4) ‘press publication’ means a fixation of a collection of literary works of a journalistic nature, which may also comprise other works or subject-matter and constitutes an individual item within a periodical or regularly-updated publication under a single title, such as a newspaper or a general or special interest magazine, having the purpose of providing information related to news or other topics and published in any media under the initiative, editorial responsibility and control of a service provider.deleted
2017/04/28
Committee: JURI
Amendment 731 #

2016/0280(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 11
Protection of press publications 1. Member States shall provide publishers of press publications with the rights provided for in Article 2 and Article 3(2) of Directive 2001/29/EC for the digital use of their press publications. 2. The rights referred to in paragraph 1 shall leave intact and shall in no way affect any rights provided for in Union law to authors and other rightholders, in respect of the works and other subject- matter incorporated in a press publication. Such rights may not be invoked against those authors and other rightholders and, in particular, may not deprive them of their right to exploit their works and other subject-matter independently from the press publication in which they are incorporated. 3. Articles 5 to 8 of Directive 2001/29/EC and Directive 2012/28/EU shall apply mutatis mutandis in respect of the rights referred to in paragraph 1. 4. The rights referred to in paragraph 1 shall expire 20 years after the publication of the press publication. This term shall be calculated from the first day of January of the year following the date of publication.Article 11 deleted concerning digital uses
2017/04/28
Committee: JURI
Amendment 15 #

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 7
(7) In order to ensure compliance with Union law and the objectives of the Energy Union Strategy, Member States should notify the draft intergovernmental agreement to the Commission before it becomes legally binding for the parties (ex- ante). In a spirit of cooperation, the Commission should support the Member State in identifying compliance issues of the draft intergovernmental agreement or amendment. The respective Member State would then be better prepared to conclude a Union law compliant agreement. The Commission should have sufficient time for such an assessment in order to provide for as much legal certainty as possible while avoiding undue delays. In order to fully benefit from the Commission’s support Member States should refrain from concluding an intergovernmental agreement until the Commission has informed the Member State of its assessment. The Member States should take all necessary steps to find a suitable solution to eliminate the incompatibility identified.
2016/07/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 19 #

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 11
(11) Member States establish relations to third countries not only by concluding intergovernmental agreements, but also in the form of non-binding instruments. Even if legally non-binding, such instruments can be used to set out a detailed framework for energy infrastructure and energy supply. In this respect non-binding instruments can have similar impacts on the internal energy market as intergovernmental agreements as their implementation might result in a violation of Union law. In order to ensure greater transparency regarding all measures applied by Member States that can have an impact on the internal energy market and energy security, Member States should therefore submit to the Commission, ex postante, also the respective non-binding instruments. The Commission should be able to decide to assess the submitted non- binding instruments and, if appropriate, inform the Member State accordingly.
2016/07/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 21 #

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 13
(13) This Decision should not create obligations as regards agreements solely between undertakings. However, Member States should be free to communicate to the Commission, on a voluntary basis, such agreements that are referred to explicitly in intergovernmental agreements or non- binding instruments.
2016/07/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 25 #

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 15
(15) If a Member State considers an intergovernmental agreement to be confidential, it should additionally provide the Commission with a summary of it for the purposes of sharing that summary with the other Member States.
2016/07/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 31 #

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This Decision establishes a mechanism for the exchange of information between Member States and the Commission with regard to intergovernmental agreements and non- binding instruments in the field of energy as defined in Article 2, in order to optimise the functioning of the internal energy market and to help achieve the goals of the Energy Union Strategy.
2016/07/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 32 #

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1
(1) ‘intergovernmental agreement’ means any legally binding agreement between one or more Member States and one or more third countries or regional organisations, and between one or more Member States and one or more companies in which a participating third- country is a major stakeholder or holds a decision-making power, having an impact on the operation or the functioning of the internal energy market or on the security of energy supply in the Union; however, where such a legally binding agreement also covers other issues, only those provisions that relate to energy, including general provisions applicable to those energy-related provisions, are deemed to constitute an ‘intergovernmental agreement’;
2016/07/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 33 #

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3
(3) ‘non-binding instrument’ means a legally non-binding arrangement between one or more Member States and one or more third countries or regional organisations, and between one or more Member States and one or more companies in which a participating third- country is a major stakeholder or holds a decision-making power, such as a memorandum of understanding, joint declaration, ministerial joint declaration, joint action or joint code of conduct, which contains interpretation of Union law, sets the conditions for energy supply (such as volumes and prices) or the development of energy infrastructures;
2016/07/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 41 #

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 4
4. The obligation to notify to the Commission according to paragraphs 2 and 3 does not apply in respect of agreements solely between undertakings.
2016/07/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 48 #

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 5 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
WhenBefore signing, ratifying or agreeing to an intergovernmental agreement or amendment, the Member State concerned shall take utmost account ofdemonstrate how objections expressed in the Commission’s opinion referred to in paragraph 2 have been addressed in order to ensure compliance with Union law and the energy union objectives.
2016/07/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 53 #

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
The obligation to notify to the Commission according to this paragraph does not apply in respect of agreements solely between undertakings.
2016/07/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 57 #

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
UponBefore adopting a non-binding instrument or an amendment to a non-binding instrument, the Member State concerned shall notify the non-binding instrument or the amendment, including any annexes thereto, to the Commission.
2016/07/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 63 #

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 7 – paragraph 3
3. The obligation to notify to the Commission according to paragraphs 1 and 2 does not apply in respect of agreements solely between undertakings.
2016/07/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 65 #

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 7 – paragraph 4
4. Where, following its first assessment, the Commission considers that the measures implementing the non- binding instrument notified to it under paragraphs 1 and 2 could conflict with Union law, in particular with internal energy market legislation and Union competition law, the Commission may inform the Member State concerned accordingly, within six weeks of notification. Within that period, Member States shall refrain from signing or otherwise concluding the non-binding instrument. While the Commission’s opinion is non-binding, the Member State should address the concerns of the Commission.
2016/07/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 20 #

2016/0029(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) The OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission conclusion for the 11 September 2016 parliamentary elections in Belarus reported that, despite some first steps taken by the Belarusian authorities, "a number of key long- standing OSCE/ODIHR and Council of Europe Venice Commission recommendations have yet to be addressed, and the need for comprehensive electoral reform, as part of the broader democratization process, remains."
2016/09/19
Committee: INTA
Amendment 21 #

2016/0029(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 b (new)
(3b) Article 207 TFEU requires the Union's commercial policy to be based on the principles and objectives of the Union's external action.
2016/09/19
Committee: INTA
Amendment 22 #

2016/0029(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 c (new)
(3c) Article 21 TEU commits the Union to a Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) guided by the principles which have inspired its own creation, and which it shall seek to advance in the world: democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principles of equality and solidarity, and respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.
2016/09/19
Committee: INTA
Amendment 25 #

2016/0029(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point-1 (new)
Regulation (EU) No 2015/936
Article 11 – paragraph 3a (new)
(-1) In Article 11, the following paragraph is inserted: 3a. When a third country has failed to meet its international obligations in terms of respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law as laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and all other relevant international and domestic human rights instruments, the Commission reserves the right to list the third country in question in Annexe II of this Regulation.
2016/09/19
Committee: INTA
Amendment 26 #

2016/0029(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point -1 a (new)
Regulation (EU) No 2015/936
Article 12 – paragraph 3
(-1a) In Article 12, paragraph 3 is replaced by the following: ’3. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 31 concerning measures referred to in paragraphs 3a of Article 11 and paragraphs 1, 2 of this Article in order to alter the import rules for the product in question, including by amending the Annexes to this Regulation.’
2016/09/19
Committee: INTA
Amendment 23 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 d (new)
– having regard to the Council of Europe Recommendation to Member States on human rights and business adopted on 2 March 2016,
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 47 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas corporations are one of the major players in economic globalisation, financial services and international trade and are required to comply with all applicable laws and to respect human rights;
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 54 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas, however, these business enterprises may at times cause or contribute to human rights violations, such as violations of the right to food or the right to water, and affect the rights of vulnerable groups such as minorities, indigenous people, women and children or contribute to environmental problems;
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 64 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas a significant number of corporations operating in third countries are based in Europe, are owned by European corporations, have assets or goods in Europe or control other corporations in Europe, or receive investments or use the financial services of institutions in Europe; whereas there is a practice whereby European corporations outsource activities to local suppliers or use goods or services in their production chains that have been produced or provided by other corporations in countries where human rights standards are lower or enforcement and victim protection are legally or factually lacking;
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 72 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas, where human rights are breached, appropriate and effective remedies are required; whereas a fairer and more effective remedies system is needed under both domestic and international law to deal with human rights violations committed by business enterprises;
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 75 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)
Hb. whereas victims of human rights abuses involving European companies face multiple obstacles to access judicial remedies, including procedural obstacles on admissibility and disclosure of evidence, often prohibitive litigation costs, absence of clear liability standards for corporate involvement in human rights abuses, and lack of clarity on the application of EU rules of private international law in transnational civil litigation;
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 104 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on companies to integrate the findings of their human rights due diligence processes intocarry out human rights due diligence and integrate their findings into their policies and procedures, with resources and authority assigned accordingly, and to communicate their commitment and actions externally, in order to identify, prevent and mitigate any negative human rights impact of their activities;
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 120 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Recalls that, if companies find that they have caused or contributed to harm, they must provide for or participate in effective remedy processes for the individuals and communities affected, that include restitution, compensation and guarantees of non-repetition;
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 126 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Warmly welcomes the preparation of a binding UN Treaty on Business and Human Rights, and strongly; deplores the obstructive behaviour by the EU Member States in relation to this process and calls for the EU Member States and the EU itself to promote and take part constructively in this process;
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 132 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Recalls the different but complementary roles of states and companies with regard to human rights protection; recalls that states have a duty to protect everyone within their jurisdictionhuman rights, including against human rights abuses committed by companies, even if they operate in third countries; strongly recalls that, where human rights abuses occur, the victims’ states must grant them access for the victims to an effective remedy, and points out that the EU shares that duty with regard to areas of exclusive or shared competence;
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 143 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Underlines that banks and other financing or lending institutions active in third countries should be included into the scope of such instruments and their enforcement, as they are equally liable for the human rights violations committed by the companies they finance or for the transactions that they enable; is convinced that national development banks must have an exemplary character concerning verifiable respect for human rights;
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 150 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the EU and its Member States to implement the UNGPs swiftly and robustly, including by developing NaActional Action Plans Plans in all areas falling under their respective competence; deplores that, notwithstanding the Commission’s 2001 CSR communication, only a few Member States have adopted CSR statements or policies that mention human rights or have published their plans on business and human rights; and deplores that the EU has not published its plan; invites Member States to develop or review National Action Plans in line with the guidance provided by the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights; calls for these plans to be developed on the basis of baseline assessments that identify gaps in laws, policies and practice and through meaningful stakeholder participation; calls on the Commission and Member States to establish a mechanism to monitor the implementation of these plans and assess their effectiveness;
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 158 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the EU and the Member States to lay down clear requirements as to the facttake legal measures introducing the obligation that companies domiciled in their territory and/or jurisdiction must respect human rights throughout their operations, in every country and context in which they operate; considers that they should ensure that they have systems in place and in relation to their business relationships including outside the EU; considers that they should introduce mandatory due diligence systems for companies to assess risks and mitigate potential negative impacts related to human rights, labour, environmental protection and disaster- related aspects of their operations and value chains, and periodically assess the adequacy of such laws and address any shortcomings;
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 162 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Recalls that recent legislative developments at national level, such as the UK Modern Slavery Act Transparency in Supply Chains Clause and the French Bill on duty of care represent important steps towards mandatory human rights due diligence, and that the EU has already taken such steps in this direction (EU Timber Regulation, EU Non- Financial Reporting Directive, EC Proposal for a Conflict Minerals Regulation); calls on the Commission and the EU Member States to build on these improvements and to keep moving towards the introduction of mandatory human rights due diligence;
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 167 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 e (new)
15e. Stresses that mandatory human rights due diligence should follow the steps required in the UNGPs and be guided by certain overarching principles related to the proactive identification of risks to human rights, the elaboration of rigorous and demonstrable action plans to prevent or mitigate these risks, adequate response to known abuses, and transparency; stresses that consultation with relevant actors should be ensured at all stages as well as disclosure of all relevant project or investment-specific information to affected stakeholders;
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 169 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 g (new)
15g. Calls on the EU and Member States to prioritise for immediate action the establishment of mandatory human rights due diligence for: business enterprises which are owned or controlled by the State, receive substantial support and services from State agencies or European institutions; for businesses that provide goods or services to Member States or EU institutions through public procurement contracts; and for business enterprises whose activities pose particularly high risks to human rights;
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 175 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Calls on the Member StatesEU to compel companies that use raw matminerials or commoditieand metals that might originate in conflict-affected areas (for example, so- called conflict minerals) to disclose their sourcing and use of such materialto carry out supply chain due diligence with the objective to prevent human rights abuses and avoid financing armed conflicts through their mineral sourcing practices; in particular, calls on the Commission and the EU Member States to support in the current legislative procedure on so- called conflict minerals mandatory supply chain due diligence requirements for companies throughout the minerals supply chain based on the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains;
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 180 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Takes note with satisfaction that, as a result of the revision of the existing Accounting Directives regarding the disclosure of non-financial and diversity information, large companies and groups will be required, as from 2017, to disclose information on policies, risks and results as regards their respect for human rights and related issues; urges the Member States to implement the Revised Accounting Directive by 6 December 2016; calls on the Member States to include robust monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to ensure that companies are complying with the reporting requirements;
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 184 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17b. Urges the Commission to elaborate robust and clear guidance for companies on the new non-financial reporting requirements; recommends that this should include and elaborate on the minimum essential elements to disclose for an accurate and comprehensive understanding of the principal risks to, and impacts on, human rights of a company's activities and in a company's global value chain;
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 185 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 c (new)
17c. Invites the Commission to undertake a thorough examination, in consultation with civil society, of existing barriers to justice in cases brought before Member States' courts for alleged abuses to human rights committed by EU enterprises abroad; insists that this assessment should be geared towards identifying and promoting the adoption of effective measures that remove or alleviate these barriers;
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 197 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Considers that collective redress mechanismsalls on the EU and its Member States to tackle financial and procedural burdens in civil litigation; considers that collective redress mechanisms, including for non-EU claimants for abuses committed outside the EU, could potentially decrease the costs of litigation for victims of human rights infringements; welcomes the recommendation on collective redress adopted by the Commission9 and regrets that only a few Member States have complied with it; urges all Member States to comply with this recommendation; __________________ 9calls for common standards to allow associations to bring claims on behalf of alleged victims, including for non-EU claimants, for abuses committed outside of the EU; __________________ 9 OJ L 201, 26.7.2013, p. 60. OJ L 201, 26.7.2013, p. 60.
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 205 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Requests that the Commission take all the necessary and possible steps as a matter of urgency to act in a holistic and coherent manner in order to introduce concrete rules on corporate responsiliability for human rights violations in third countries;
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 213 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Welcomes the new Generalised Scheme of Preferences Regulation (GSP+), which entered into force on 1 January 201410 , as a key EU trade policy instrument to promote human and labour rights, environmental protection and good governance in vulnerable developing countries; welcomes, in particular, the stringent and systematic GSP+ monitoring mechanism; is, however, disappointed that the Commission did not draw any consequences from its first report on the beneficiary countries' performance, which was often bad; recalls that the incentive scheme can and should be withdrawn in case of infringement of GSP+ conditions, and calls for a focus on effective implementation at national level of the conventions listed in the convenGSP+ Regulation; __________________ 10 http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/countries- and-regions/development/generalised- scheme-of-preferences/
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 219 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. SRecalls the necessity to assess the possible human rights impacts of trade and investment agreements and to incorporate on this basis all the needed human rights clauses and safeguards able to mitigate and address identified risks of human rights impacts; urges to introduce in those agreements binding and enforceable clauses for all the stakeholders to respect international human rights law and standards and to set up monitoring, and remedies mechanisms able to efficiently prevent or deal with the human rights impacts of those agreements; strongly calls for the systematic inclusion in trade and investment agreements of rules on corporate liability for violations of human rights, to be implemented at national level, and of references to internationally recognised principles and guidelines;
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 229 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Calls for the extension of jurisdictional rules under the Brussels I Regulation11 to third country defendants in actions against parent companies domiciled or having substantive business or their main place of business in the Union; __________________ 11 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal- content/EN/TXT/?uri=URISERV%3Al330 54
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 236 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27b. Calls for improving access to evidence through enhanced procedures regarding the disclosure of evidence, as well as by reversing the burden of proof, so that it is down to the most well- resourced party to prove that it took all necessary due diligence steps to prevent abuses throughout its global operations;
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 242 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Recalls that, when human rights violations are perpetrated by corporations, this action often involves personal criminal liability and calls for those responsible for such crimes to be prosecuted at whatever level; calls on Member States to address legal, procedural and practical obstacles that prevent prosecution authorities from investigating and prosecuting EU companies and their representatives involved in crimes linked to human rights abuses;
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 253 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 b (new)
31b. Invites the Commission and the Member States to report annually on the steps taken to ensure effective protection of human rights in the context of business activity, the results achieved, the remaining gaps in protection and recommendations to address these gaps in future;
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2015/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that the Council’s decision to lift all nuclear-related sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran as a result of implementation of its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action provided the potential to reopen the Iranian market for European businessesincrease in mutually beneficial trade with the European Union; rRecalls that Iran has a large, relatively highly educated population, oneeds investment and is a potential market for high-quality European goods of the most diverse GDP compositions in the region, and would benefit from European investments and technology transfers in areas such as sustainable water management, pollution reduction, renewable energy and energy efficiency;
2016/05/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 4 #

2015/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Notes that European environmental technology and know-how in the areas of energy efficiency, water management and agricultural irrigation is at the global forefront; beliefs that the transfer and export of these technologies must be prioritized in the renewed trade efforts between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the European Union;
2016/05/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 12 #

2015/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that trade and renewed access to the global rules-based trading system is a potentialcan be a way to break Iran's self-chosen isolatinternational isolation and increase regional development, employment and stability in the wider region;
2016/05/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 15 #

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
– having regard to the statement by the VP/HR Federica Mogherini on the execution of a juvenile offender in Iran of 14 October 2015 and on the condemnation of Iranian human rights defender Narges Mohammadi of 20 May 2016,
2016/08/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 17 #

2015/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls for coherence between the EU's trade policy and the principles of EU energy policy and believes that all current and future EU projects and investments in Iran must be fully in line with EU long- term decarbonisation commitments;
2016/05/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 18 #

2015/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Considers it of key importance to reduce the European Union´s dependency on imported energy, in particular by increasing the promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency;
2016/05/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 19 #

2015/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Supports the long-term goal of the EU as laid out in the European Commission Report "Towards an Energy Union" to move away from an economy driven by fossil fuels in light of Iran´s commitment to increase the production and the export of oil and gas to the European Union;
2016/05/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 25 #

2015/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Emphasises that a potential renewal of trade ties between the EU and Iran must go hand in hand withshall be conditional on substantial improvements in respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Iran, and that the EU must use its position as an economic bloc as leverage to improve the living conditions and wellbeing of the Iranian people; recalls that the Islamic Republic of Iran is a signatory to the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and calls upon Iran to honour its international commitments more consistently;
2016/05/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 36 #

2015/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that some sectors of the Iranian economy are heavily controlled by the regimstate, potentially creating problems for EU companies in Iran, and that increased trade could strengthen the economic, military and political power of certain unelected individuals;
2016/05/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 42 #

2015/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the EU to explore the possibility of restarting Iran's accession talks with the World Trade Organisation, as membership of the WTO would bring a further liberalisation of Iran's economy to drive growth, embed the country in the global rules-based system and provide a mechanism to hold the regimeIslamic Republic of Iran to account on international commitments made;
2016/05/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 51 #

2015/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. Regrets that the American sanctions still in place restrict EU policy space, obstructing EU companies with US business activities doing business in Iran; cAcknowledges, that non-nuclear related US-sanctions, linked to human rights and ballistic weaponry, remain in place. Calls on the US Ggovernment to provide legal certainty and predictability, including by granting waivers, and asks the Commission to increase dialogue and cooperation with the US;
2016/05/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 53 #

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Believes that EU-Iran relations should be developed through multi-layered dialogue involving political, technical, civil society, NGO and people-to-people contacts; supports the opening of EU-Iran relations for the mutual benefit of both parties, based on a realistic assessment of common interests and differences, with a view to encouraging step-by-step expansion of cooperation in a climate of confidence-building, foremost for the benefit of the peoples of Iran and the EU; supports, in this regard, the Commission’s commitment to a renewed engagement with Iran based on ‘a dialogue of the four Cs’: a dialogue that is comprehensive in scope; cooperative in the fields where Iran and the EU have mutual interests; critical, open and frank in areas where Iran and the EU disagree but are looking for common ground; and that is overall constructive in tone and practice;
2016/08/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 54 #

2015/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
9. Underlines the potential of an open and safe internet in Iran for the digital economy; reiterates its call for an effective European export controls regime to prevent certaindual-use goods and technologies being misused for human rights violations and against the EU;
2016/05/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 55 #

2015/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
10. Notes that the effective implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility and supply-chain due- diligence guidelines is crucial if increased trade relations between the EU and Iran are to have a positive effect on Iranian society as a whole.
2016/05/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 73 #

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Insists on the importance of developing the parliamentary dimension of EU-Iran relations as part of the strategy for re-establishing mutual trust; reiterates its support, in this regard, for the proposal discussed between Parliament and the Majlis for an inter-parliamentary dialogue on counter-terrorism; welcomes the renewed political dialogue between the EU and Iran, including on human rights; recognises that while there is suspicion and mistrust on both sides, there is also a long history between many Member States and Iran and that Iran has a strong ambition to have good relations with Europe, which provides the potential for a relationship based on mutual trust and respect; reiterates that the EU does not seek to interfere in internal political choices in this country or in any other, but seeks cooperation based on mutual respect for international standards and principles; believes that the full normalisation of relations can only occur by means of regular and sustained dialogue and thatby approximating the mutual concepts of respect for human rights, notably freedom of opinion and expression and freedom from discrimination; the immediate priority should be to broaden the scope of EU-Iran relations in areas where there is common agreement to do so; believes, however, that the ultimate aim must be one of partnership between Iran and the EU;
2016/08/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 89 #

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Recognises that differences exist between the EU and Iran on the usemains critical of Iran's frequent use of the death penalty; believes that the political dialogue should have as one of its focus to reduce the application of the death penalty; nevertheless believes cooperation on anti- narcotics programmes and on the question of juvenile executions, in line with Iran’s own international commitments, could provide a common agenda for addressing this question; calls on the Members of the Iranian Parliament as a first step to revise article 91 of the 2013 penal code to abolish the death penalty for people under 18 years of age;
2016/08/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 119 #

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Takes note of the fact that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences would drastically reduce the number of executions (up to 80 % according to Iranian estimates); calls for EU-Iran cooperation ion the fight against drugs as a way of addressing the issue of executions in the country; calls on the Commissionreduction and treatment of drug addiction, but urges the EU not to provide technical assistance and administrative capacity- building for Iran to enable it to secure its borders with Afghanistan and Iraqto drug enforcement and border management programs as long as drug related offenses can carry the death penalty;
2016/08/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 137 #

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the EU and Iran to re- establish the human rights dialogue, including representatives from the judiciary, security forces and civil society organisations, which would operate in the framework public interim and long-term benchmarks;
2016/08/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 147 #

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Takes note of Iran’s stated objective of achieving a yearly growth rate of 8 %; believes that European investments are key for Iran to achieve this goal; stresses that for Iran to realise its economic potential, it will have to take steps to create a transparent economic environment conducive to international investment and take anti-corruption measures, particularly regarding compliance with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force; calls on the EU to fully support Iran’s efforts in this process via, in particular, support for work towards forging a bilateral investment treaty between the EU and Iran; calls for the EU to developstimulate economic cooperation with Iran in the interest of improved living conditions and employment of the Iranian people and increased regional development; takes note that Iran is the world’s largest economy outside the WTO; supports, in this regard, Iran’s bid to join the WTO;
2016/08/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 172 #

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls the impact that extraterritorial US sanctions, in particular US-related sanctions on banks, have on businesses willing to invest in Iran; insists on the need to address this and other financial matters to create the necessary conditions for businesses to prosperoperate in Iran and contribute to Iranians feeling relief from sanctions in their everyday lives;
2016/08/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 190 #

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Believes that energy cooperation can play a significant role in diversifying the sources of energy supply to the EU, thereby contributing to the EU’s energy security; calls for coherence between the EU's energy trade policy and the principles of EU's energy policy and believes that all current and future EU projects and investments in Iran must be fully in line with the EU's long term de- carbonization commitments;
2016/08/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 203 #

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Calls for environmental cooperation in the areas of water conservation management, the fight against desertification, earthquake monitoring, as well as addressing air pollution and waste management; expresses its particular concern in this context over the alarming disappearance of Lake Urmia and other water bodies as well as the pollution levels of the Caspian sea and urges active support by the EU and the member states of the efforts by the Iranian government to reverse the dramatic destruction;
2016/08/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 206 #

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. TakesBelieves that nuclear energy has revealed itself once for all as an outdated technology, being too dangerous, costly and pollutant; underlines that this is particularly true for countries prone to earthquakes, such as Iran; takes additionally note of studies stating that 15. nuclear energy might not be competitive in Iran due to low reserves of uranium and the costs of extracting it; calls,supports nevertheless, on the Commission to explore the potential for nuclear civilian cooperation with Iran, in line with the commitment of the JCPOA when it comes to nuclear safety of existing installations, and to encourages Iran to sign the Convention on Nuclear Safety; encourages Iran to consider the proposal by some Iranian officials for establishing a regional dialogue on safety and security of civil nuclear programmes;
2016/08/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 221 #

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. RBelieves that youth exchange programs are among the most successful activities to bring societies and cultures closer together and calls on the EEAS and the Iranian government to explore a window for EU-Iran informal youth exchanges within Erasmus+ for 14 to 18 year olds; further recognises that the young, educated and technologically advanced population in Iran can provide particular opportunities for advancing people-to- people contacts with the EU; calls for increased cooperation in the field of education, research and innovation via increased exchanges of students and researchers; calls for the Commission to study the possibility of visa liberalisation for Iranian academicprofessionals and researchers to study and undergo training in European universitiesthe EU;
2016/08/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 241 #

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Takes noteUnderlines the important influence which the various peoples and cultures of Iran have exerted over thousands of years including on Europe, and that because of its geostrategic location, the size of its population, its oil and natural gas reserves and its influence in the region, Iran iscontinues to be a major player in the Middle East and the Gulf region; stresses that the pursuit of Iranian interests does not and should not be in competitionnflict with other major players in the region;
2016/08/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 259 #

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Expresses concern about growing militarisation in the wider region and supports efforts towards greater arms control, while recognising legitimate defence concerns, but within a context of seeking to promote full respect for sovereignty of all countries in the region itself; remains concerned about Iran's financial and military support for Hezbollah;
2016/08/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 362 #

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Asks the Commission to present to the European Parliament a progress report after two years of the lifting of sanctions, notably concerning the situation of fundamental human rights, economic cooperation and remaining obstacles for EU citizens and companies operating in Iran;
2016/08/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 386 #

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Notes with concern that Iran has the highest level of death-penalty executions per capita in the world and that the number of executions have continued to rise since the beginning of the nuclear negotiations; stresses that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences would dramatically decrease the number of executions; welcomes, in this regard, the possibility that the newly-elected Majlis is considering legislation to exclude some drug-related offences from the list of crimes punishable with the death penalty;
2016/08/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 398 #

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Welcomes the fact that the adoption of the 2013 Islamic Penal Code and Iran’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child prohibits child executionsindicate the government's intention to make progress towards ending juvenile executions; expresses however its dismay that some executions continues to happen despite the fact that the new penal code gives judges the discretion to replace the death penalty with an alternative punishment and allows all juvenile offenders sentenced to death prior to 2013 to seek retrial; calls on Iran to ensure this prohibition is fully implemented andthe Iranian authorities to ensure that all relevant offenders are made aware of this right; calls on Iran to declare a moratorium on the death penalty, at least for juvenile offenders;
2016/08/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 412 #

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Recognises the existence of a large variety of faiths and beliefs in the Islamic State of Iran; is however concerned that the number of individuals imprisoned form religious minority communities due to their beliefs, notably Sufi Muslim dissenters, Baha'ìs, Christian converts and atheists has increased since President Hassan Rouhani's inauguration; calls on Iran to respect its international obligations and guarantee equality before the law and to guarantee the basic rights to hold religious gatherings, organise private educational programmes and the possibility to buy or rent property in order to establish houses of worship to all religious minorities;
2016/08/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 418 #

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 b (new)
28b. Calls on Iran to fully cooperate with the UN human rights body and its special procedures;
2016/08/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 429 #

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Calls on Iran to live up fully to its commitments under the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the International Covenant on Political and Civil Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights by ensuring the enjoyment by its citizens of individual rights without discrimination as to sexgender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, sexual orientation, or other status, as provided for in these instruments; points out that this includes a basic right to equality before the law, as well as the right of equal access to education, health care and professional opportunities;
2016/08/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 438 #

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Calls on Iran to free imprisoned EU citizens detained or convicted under a judicial process that did not meet international standards, including: 58 year old Nazak Afshar held since March 2016, 76 year old Kamal Foroughi, held since May 2011, 65 year old Homa Hoodfar, held since June 2016, and 37 year old Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, held since April 2016;
2016/08/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 448 #

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)
29b. Welcomes attempts to draft a bill "on the Protection of Women against Violence" and hopes that the newly elected Parliament will consider legislation that fully criminalises violence against women; also expresses its hope to see improvements on freedom of information, association, expression, assembly, movement, freedom of education and academia;
2016/08/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 457 #

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
30. Welcomes President Rohani’s campaign promise to present a charter for citizens’ rights; underlines the importance of respecting the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in providing the necessary legal certainty required for foreign direct investments to take place; is concerned about cases of judiciary procedures, where fundamental principles such as the timely access to a lawyer of one's own choice, habeas corpus, publication of the verdict and access of lawyers to all relevant trial documents have not been followed; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to work together with the Iranian authorities in areas such as judicial reform, reform of the prison system, government accountability, respect for the rule of law, citizens’ rights and the fight against corruption; believes that these measures will increase legal certainty in Iran and the country’s attractiveness to foreign investors while also benefiting Iranian citizens.;
2016/08/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 3 #

2015/2220(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Recognises the importance of the Central Asian region for strategic relations with the EU and insists on the strengthening of trade ties and exchanges between the two regions on the basis of common values as enshrined in the bilateral Partnership and Cooperation Agreements (PCAs); calls for the EU's role in the region to be more proactive in response to the growing regional influence of Russia and China;
2015/11/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 4 #

2015/2220(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. WelcomNotes the conclusion of the EPCA with Kazakhstan, and calls on the Commission to step up negotibilateral relations with other countries in the region; reiterates its position that progress in the negotiations depends on the progress made in political reform, the respect of human rights and the rule of law; believes that WTO membership also makes an important contribution in this respect, and calls on Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan to follow the example of the other Central Asian stats well as ILO and other UN agencies; recalls that the economy of these countries is heavily dependent on natural resources and that export duties are in principle WTO- compatible and an important source of fiscal revenues;
2015/11/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 6 #

2015/2220(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Is concerned that the human and fundamental rights situation in Kazakhstan has continuously deteriorated after the conclusion of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement in October 2014, while in the meantime the EU has upgraded its economic relation with the country; calls on the Commission to further monitor the situation and initiate appropriate measures;
2015/11/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 9 #

2015/2220(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Recognises that Central Asia is a strategic partner for the EU in its attempts to diversify the sources of its energy supply and ensure energy security while remaining committed to the decarbonisation of the EU economy; believes that the future EU-Central Asia strategy must have a wider vision inbeyond the energy field, which shouldith a view to reducing export dependency on fossil fuels and other natural resources and enhancing the diversification of the economy, which may also extend to countries like Azerbaijan and Iran;
2015/11/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 20 #

2015/2220(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for continued efforts to support the modernisation of the economy of these countries and to help them createset up a reliable and independent human rights monitoring mechanism in order to more objectively take into account the possible activation of the suspension clauses as well as facilitating a favourable environment for foreign investment by strengthening the rule of law, the respect for human, fundamental as well as minority rights, reducing bureaucratic burdens and administrative interference in enterprises, reforming the judicial system to ensure the protection of property rights and foreign investment, and fighting corruption;
2015/11/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 28 #

2015/2220(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Recognises that the cooperation of Uzbekistan with the International Labour Organisation on the subject of cotton harvesting is continuing on an encouraging path and that progress on the issue of systematic child labour is being made; notes, however, that the situation of forced labour and the intimidation and coercion of non- governmental human and labour rights groups during the monitoring of the 2015 cotton harvest needs to be improved;
2015/11/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 31 #

2015/2220(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Recalls that the Parliament decided not to consider its consent to the Protocol to the PCA extending the provisions of the Agreement to bilateral trade in textiles, until it is confirmed that concrete reforms have been implemented and yielded substantial results in such a way that also the practice of forced labour, additionally to child labour, is effectively in the progress of being eradicated in Uzbekistan;
2015/11/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 6 #

2015/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the efforts by the Commission to build an Energy Union and calls for its rapid implementation and for an effort to be made to revise its energy and climate targets upwards, while ensuring a level playing field between European and non-European energy producers, including the broad application of a revised Emissions Trading System (ETS); reminds that the European Parliament adopted in its resolutions of 5 February 2014 and 26 November 2014 three binding targets including an energy efficiency target of 40%, a renewables target of at least 30% and a greenhouse gas reduction target of at least 40%;
2015/09/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 11 #

2015/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that a sufficient, secure, stable, affordable energy supply can only be achieved when energy, trade and external policy go hand in hand in a coherent and consistent manner;
2015/09/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 15 #

2015/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that the inclusion of energy chapters in trade agreements can improve access to energy resources and foreign markets; calls for coherence between the EU's trade policy and the principles of EU energy policy in this regard; recalls that the overarching objective should be the decarbonisation of the economy in line with the "Energy Roadmap 2050";
2015/08/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 20 #

2015/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Points out that EU trade policy should aim to diversify the European energy mix and reduce import dependency; stresses that reduced dependence on one supplier should not lead to increased dependence on another; believes that all EU infrastructure projects and trade agreements aimed at diversifying energy sources, suppliers and routes must be fully in line with EU long term decarbonisation commitments and EU environmental and other relevant legislation;
2015/08/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 24 #

2015/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that prioritising energy efficiency and renewable energy will reduce our overall energy needs and imports and that increased support for energy-related research and development is key to a just energy transition and vital for reinforcing the EU's technological leadership; points out the importance of supporting energy storage and conversion technology to safeguard against volatile energy world prices and disruptions in international energy supply;
2015/09/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 26 #

2015/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Recalls that 61% of gas imported into the European Union is used in buildings, mainly for heating purposes and that energy demand in the building sector is responsible for about 40% of energy consumption in the EU and a third of natural gas use; stresses therefore that gains in energy efficiency have a crucial effect on reducing EU energy imports from third countries, thereby reinforcing the EU´s negotiating position in external energy related matters; is convinced that a binding energy efficiency target would be a cost-efficient way to achieve the goal of energy self-sufficiency;
2015/08/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 27 #

2015/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Reminds that the European Parliament adopted in its resolutions of 5 February 2014 and 26 November 2014 three binding targets including an energy efficiency target of 40%, a renewables target of at least 30% and a greenhouse gas reduction target of at least 40%;
2015/08/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 28 #

2015/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses, in this respect, that reducing the dependence on fossil fuels with regard, in particular, to authoritarian regimes will make the EU foreign policy more assertive, coherent, consistent and transparent in compliance with the EU founding values;
2015/09/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 28 #

2015/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Believes that rationalising energy demand and promoting sustainable energy sources are among the most effective tools for reducing dependency on external energy from volatile international energy suppliers and achieving EU climate objectives; believes that energy dependency can be reduced in the short term by rationalising energy demand, developing renewables and their storage, storage of gas, developing reverse gas flow infrastructure, supporting new projects that enable maximum use of existing infrastructure and preparing regional plans for security of supply;
2015/08/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 34 #

2015/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission to set up a comprehensive framework for the external dimension of the Energy Union, with a specific focus on the promotion of strategic partnerships with energy-producing and transit third countries based on shared common values; this should take into account the current state of regional cooperation and the planning and development of major strategic infrastructure projects, including developing alternative routes and energy suppliers for those Member States currently dependent on a single supplier;
2015/09/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 38 #

2015/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Is of the view that the sustainability of energy sources should also be determined based on the rate of import reliance; stresses, in this regard, that the EU is reliant on imports for about 95% of its uranium;
2015/08/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 39 #

2015/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Points out the importance of developing indigenous renewable energy sources, especially at the local level, which have the potential to increase the EU's security of energy supply;
2015/08/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 40 #

2015/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Points out that the European energy import strategy must take into account the real costs and benefits of energy sources by assessing all direct and indirect factors and not only those that are related to their direct use; recalls the environmental, climate and health risks and impacts relating to the extraction of unconventional fossil fuels;
2015/08/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 44 #

2015/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Highlights the importance trade can play in the promotion and development of future-oriented energy technology, particularly regarding energy storage and transport and the development of international standards for energy efficiency; underlines that according to the International Energy Agency, energy efficiency investments represent the best return on investment of any energy resource; calls on the European Commission and the Member States to treat energy efficiency as an energy source in its own right representing the value of energy saved;
2015/08/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 45 #

2015/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the Commission to create a high level reflection group on Energy Security, foreign policy, and the Energy Union with strong representation and involvement of the European Parliament and societal stakeholders, in order to develop credible long-term demand and supply and cooperation scenarios with external partners, especially in the field of capacity building and technology exchange on renewable energy and energy efficiency and the relation between energy and human rights;
2015/09/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 52 #

2015/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on Member States and the Commission - in line with its own global climate policy and the G20 commitment to phase out subsidies for fossil fuels - to immediately ban export credits for investments in fossil fuel based power plants;
2015/08/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 54 #

2015/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Supports the promotion of the sustainable reindustrialisation of the EU and the competitiveness of European industry worldwide; to this extent recalls that the sector of renewable energy requires stronger support to export opportunities in a growing world market as it shows multiple benefits notably providing solutions for developing countries while at the same time ensuring market shares for leading European companies;
2015/08/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 57 #

2015/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6c. Stresses that the Environmental Goods Agreement negotiations must be based on a definition of environmental goods that is consistent with EU policies and should not be in contradiction with measures for Developing Countries adopted in the framework of UNFCCC;
2015/08/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 58 #

2015/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 d (new)
6d. Recalls the objective of making the EU the world leader in key renewables technology such as wind turbines, electricity cables, grid development and services, urban transport systems; regrets that this leadership is under stress and calls on the Commission to take urgent actions to maintain this leadership and European exports in these sector; further calls the Commission to come forward with proposals to neutralise carbon constraint at EU borders in a non- discriminatory, hence WTO compatible, manner;
2015/08/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 59 #

2015/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 e (new)
6e. Recalls that export duties are not, in principle, WTO incompatible;
2015/08/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 60 #

2015/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 f (new)
6f. Points out the importance of supporting energy storage and conversion technology to safeguard against volatile energy world prices; stresses, in this regard, that the existing technologies converting solar and wind generated power into gas can alleviate the problem in the short term, in light of the already existing vast storage facilities, gas transport networks and modern gas power plants;
2015/08/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 17 #

2015/2112(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that climate diplomacy should beis an integral part of the comprehensive approach to the EU’s external action; calls for a debate on a forward-looking strategy at EU level to address the strategic and political consequences, allowing the EU to respond to and prepare for climate-induced geopolitical instability and paying particular attention tostepping up cooperation with countries most afflicted by the impacts of climate change;
2015/07/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 35 #

2015/2112(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to develop strategic priorities for the external climate policy enshrined in the general foreign policy objectives and to ensure that the EU’s delegations increase their focus on climate policies and climate monitoring issues; calls on the EU to cooperate more closely on climate issues with neighbours and candidate countries urging the alignment of their policies with the EU climate targets.
2015/07/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2015/2105(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Takes note of the EU's new strategy on trade and investment entitled 'Towards a more responsible trade and investment policy' and stresses the fundamental role of trade in the areas of peace, growth, and employment and remains critical about the current practise of European arms exports;
2016/01/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 15 #

2015/2105(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that trade policy contributes to compliance with the values upheld by the EU such as democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the protection of the environment and social rights and must be in line with other EU policies such as the fight against climate change and the decarbonisation of the European economy; Wwelcomes the Commission's announcement of the incorporation in trade agreements of tools aimed at fighting corruption and will remain attentive to the measures proposed;
2016/01/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 41 #

2015/2105(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises the need for trade to beto conduct sustainable and responsible; underlines trade policies; highlights the importance to produce preliminary thorough assessments of the social and environmental impact of the main trade agreements and underlines, in this regard, the importance of implementing chapters on sustainable development in trade agreements which will enable tough social and environmental standards to be put in place;
2016/01/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 50 #

2015/2105(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission to ensure the proper implementation of trade agreements by increasing the involvement of Parliaments and stakeholders providing the framework for an adequate and transparent monitoring and oversight;
2016/01/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 56 #

2015/2105(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. Recalls that multilateral trade negotiations aremain a the priority for the EU, which is also conducting bilateral negotiations in an ambitious spirit of reciprocity and mutual benefit and notes that an inclusive, multilateral approach is more likely to safeguard economic stability in least developed countries and thus contribute to overall European and global security; recognizes that the EU is also conducting bilateral negotiations and the adverse effects it has on multilateral trade negotiation outcomes, as seen in the last Doha Ministerial Conference in Nairobi;
2016/01/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2015/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas much work can and should be done unilaterally to facilitate trade, but there is no doubt that in many areas international cooperinternational cooperation in custom facilitation can increase gains and reduce costs;
2015/06/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 5 #

2015/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas two thirds of the WTO membership need to ratify the aTrade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) before it can enter into force; in that regard, it calls for WTO members to do their utmost to enable the agreement to enter into force as soon as possible and before the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC10) in Nairobi in December;
2015/06/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2015/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the EU is committed to promoting free, fair and open trade which is balanced and of mutual benefit for all; whereas the WTO is the naturinstitutional framework for the reaffirmation of these principles;
2015/06/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 16 #

2015/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas the EU is one of the largest aid donors in the world; whereas financial assistance for the implementation of the TFA is a measure under the category of "Aid for Trade" and should be treated independently from Official Development Aid (ODA);
2015/06/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 18 #

2015/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the results of the ninth WTO Ministerial Conference in December 2013, where negotiations were concluded by the 160 WTO members on the Trade Facilitation Agreement; considers the Trade Facilitation Agreement an important milestone, as it is the first multilateral agreement since the establishment of the WTO in 1995 and will create a blueprint for customs modernisation amongst the 161 WTO members; is of the opinion that bilateral free trade agreements between the EU and third countries are no substitute to multilateral agreements established in the forum of the WTO and that they hinder the creation of predictable global trade rules;
2015/06/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 21 #

2015/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises that the EU remains in favour of the Bali Package decisions being faithfully implemented by all WTO Members which would enable attention to be turned towards the successful conclusion of the negotiations under the Doha Development Agenda (DDA)Notes the differences among WTO members regarding the implementation of the Bali Package decisions and especially the post-Bali road map towards the successful conclusion of the negotiations under the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) reiterates its support for a DDA conclusion taking full account of the development agenda of this Round, including an adequate agreement on agricultural subsidies;
2015/06/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 22 #

2015/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Is aware of the temporary nature of the Bali decision regarding Public Stockholding for Food Security Purposes; calls on the EU to support a permanent solution which adequately takes into account the motivation of developing countries to ask for the exclusion of food security measures from WTO disciplines;
2015/06/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 23 #

2015/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Commends the openness of developing countries to advance parts of the DDA agenda such as TFA whose "demandeurs" were rather developed countries; calls on the EU to more decisively support topics in the implementation of the DDA agenda which are high in the interest of developing countries in order to facilitate a balanced conclusion of the Round;
2015/06/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 31 #

2015/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Acknowledges the benefits that the implementation of this ae Trade Facilitation Agreement will bring, in particular for SMEexporters; emphasises that the agreement will reduce uncertainty regarding market entry conditions and the costs of trade by between 12.5 % and 17.5 % (according to estimates such as those by the OECD) thus althe costs of trade thus allowing businesses to improve their competitiveness by reducing red tape and associated costs; underlines that the legally binding character of the TFA custom facilitation measures must be matched by firm and extended commitments of developed countries regarding financial support for develowping businesses to access new markets and improve their competitiveness by reducing red tape and associated ccountries to implement costly new border devices; demands that financial commitments are additional to existing ODA and in any case do not diminish the availability of funds for original development purpostes;
2015/06/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 42 #

2015/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Urges all members of the WTO to try to find a solution without delay for implementing the Bali Package in all its aspects so that the DDA can be concluded for the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference;
2015/06/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 45 #

2015/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses the importance of this agreement from a development perspective, taking into account thate TFA with regard to its innovative approach to special and differential treatment applies whereby developing and least developed countries can decide when the different provisions will be implemented and for which ones technical assistance will be required; notes, however, the mismatch between the legally binding character of all TFA measures, including with regard to the timelines for Category B and C measures, while assistance and financing measures remain voluntary; is of the opinion that special and differential treatment should not be relegated to implementation but remain an integral part of the rights of developing countries under the WTO agreement;
2015/06/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 55 #

2015/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Supports fully the EU initiative of providing EUR 400 million in funding for the provision of technical assistance to developing and least developed countries which will be spent on projects such as improving the customs systems of developing and least developed countries; insists that this funding should be raised under "Aid for Trade" budget lines and not be subtracted from ODA budgets;
2015/06/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 63 #

2015/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the Commission to do its utmost to support developing and least developed countries in the implementation of their commitments; stresses that funding for capacity building should be recipient-driven and based on proper needs assessments;
2015/06/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 66 #

2015/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Recommends that international organisations and the partners ofcollaborate closely with developing and least developed countries collaborate closely in the implementation of category C provisions in owhich put the highest organizational and financial burdern to implement them within the shortest possibldeveloping countries so that such measures can be implemented in due time;
2015/06/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 2 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 a (new)
– having regard to the Report on the Rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association (A/71/385) 1a , presented to the United Nations General Assembly during its 71st session on Oct. 20, 2016 __________________ 1a http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp ?symbol=A/71/385&referer=/english/〈=E
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 3 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 b (new)
– having regard to the "Opinion on the Fundamental rights at work in the Republic of Korea, identification of areas for action"1a of 29 May 2013 by the Domestic Advisory Group under the EU- Korea Free Trade Agreement, __________________ 1a http://www.eesc.europa.eu/resources/docs/ eu-dag-opinion-on-labour- standards_en.pdf
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 5 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 c (new)
– having regard to the International Labour Organization's Fundamental Conventions (2002)1a, __________________ 1a http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/ @ed_norm/@declaration/documents/publi cation/wcms_095895.pdf
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 12 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the fact that the Agreement has led to a significant growth in trade between the EU and Korea and highlights that for a comprehensive assessment of the economic consequences according to the 'Trade for all – Towards a more responsible trade and investment policy' strategy, the economic evaluation of the EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement should include reliable evaluations on the impact on consumer welfare, namely changes in purchasing power, product choice and price changes in affected sectors;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 15 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Points out that the EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement, like other agreements on free trade, services and investments, has a positive impact on the socio- economic development of the parties to the Agreement, on economic integration, on sustainable development, and on bringing countries and their citizens closer together; points out that specific analysis of the trade impact on every EU Member State respectively would be necessary in order to determine and counteract any potentially harming trade imbalances inside the European Union;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 20 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the efforts of the Civil Society Forum and of the internal advisory groups set up in accordance with the provisions set out in the chapter on trade and sustainable development; recalls that both parties are obligedurges the European Commission to react to the failure of the Korean Government to uphold, promote and implement commitments on core labour rights in their laws and practices; Namely the failure to ratify the remaining four fundamental Conventions on freedom from forced labour (No. 29 and No. 105) and freedom of association and collective bargaining (No. 87 and No. 98);
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 23 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Is alarmed about current and recent cases of the Korean government charging union officials and members under its penal law and seeking imprisonment sentences and fines that aim at curbing unionization and industrial action;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 25 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Is concerned about the severe jail charges that the President of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), Mr Sang-gyun Han, and other leading figures of the organisation are facing in regards to alleged general obstruction of traffic; special obstruction of public duty; special obstruction of public duty injuring police officers; special destruction of public goods; violation of the Act on Assembly and Demonstration;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 26 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Notes the problematic reaction and legal measures to the overwhelmingly peaceful protest in the November 2015 'peoples rally', by the Korean Government as Identified by the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Assembly and Association, Maina Kiai and emphasizes that charging peaceful assembly participants with criminal offenses violates the right to peaceful assembly;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 27 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 d (new)
5d. Is concerned that the government of Korea continues to interfere in collective bargaining with the effect of decreasing unions' bargaining power; making it more difficult for unions to negotiate and to amending existing collective agreements reached between employers and trade unions;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 28 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 e (new)
5e. Welcomes that the Government of Korea followed the recommendation of the Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) to recognise and register the Migrants' Trade Union (MTU) and calls on the Korean Government to take further steps to improve the working conditions of its migrant workers and stop their exploitation;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 29 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 f (new)
5f. Notes that the Republic of Korea faces eight standing cases before the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association (CFA) and is concerned about its lack of commitment to comply with CFA recommendations;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 30 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 g (new)
5g. Is concerned that the highlighted shortcomings in Korean national law in regards to labour rights commitments under the trade and sustainable development chapter in the 2013 DAG "Opinion on the Fundamental rights at work in the Republic of Korea, identification of areas for action" have been largely ignored by the Korean Government according to the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), which is a member of the DAG;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 31 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 h (new)
5h. Is concerned that the legally non- binding Guidelines to advise employers, unilaterally issued in January 2016 by the Government of the Republic of Korea, go against the spirit of the commitments laid out in the EU-Korea FTA in regards to labour rights commitments and Korean national laws. In particular, the guidelines, if implemented, endanger the right of collective bargaining and the right to organise by, among other measures, easing the requirements for the dismissal of workers and regulations on change in employment rules and extending the term limit of fixed-term contracts;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 34 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – introductory part
7. Acknowledges that, while the Agreement meets the expectations of the parties to a large extend, the following issues should be analysed and verified under the Agreement:
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 42 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point d a (new)
(da) the environmental and animal welfare impact brought about by the FTA: increased industrial and toxic waste production; oil and heavy metal pollution of the ocean; increased CO2-emmissions due to increased transport and trade in especially high-performance cars;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 50 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Supports the further deepening of mutually beneficial trade and investment relations between the EU and Korea and the involvement of the parties to the Agreement in creating further economic growth and sustainable development for the benefit of EU and Korean citizens, workers, SMEs and the environment as laid out in the Commissions 'Trade for all – Towards a more responsible trade and investment policy' strategy;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 52 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Highlights the European Commission's goal to set up a permanent multilateral International Investment Court that would replace all investment dispute resolution mechanisms in current and future FTAs in light of Article 7.16 on the "Review of the investment legal framework" in the EU-Korea FTA in respect to the possible deepening of provisions on investment protection in the review process of the FTA;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 1 #

2015/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the importance of agricultural geographical indications (GIs) in the broader spectrum of intellectual property rights, and the key role played by IPR in EU trade policys a way to protect the value of the local, including infrastructure and employment and improve regional development;
2015/05/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 4 #

2015/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that it would be highly recommended for the European Union to adopt legislation onfully explore the advantages and potential disadvantages of an extension of GIs to non-agricultural GIproducts, in order to increase the distinctiveness and fully exploit the potential of protected products;
2015/05/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2015/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that the recognition of protection of non-agricultural GIs is both a defensive and offensive intfor the time being levels of protection, acceptance and availability of enforcement mechanisms vary between Member States and can also be very differesnt in the framework of the common commercial policy and it can be an effective tool in countering imitation and counterfeit products and in ensuring fair competitionEU trading partner countries; Notes that this has an adverse effect on further potential benefits that could be derived from agricultural GIs;
2015/05/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 21 #

2015/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Is of the opinion that a coherent, simple and bureaucratically and economically non-burdensome EU-level system of GI protection for non-agricultural products would enable the EU to achieve similar proinside the EU is a first step to understand whether essentials such as the controlled retecntion for such European products outside the EU in the framework of international trade negotiationsof the full production chain in a geographically clearly defined region, is transferable to the non-agricultural sector;
2015/05/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 30 #

2015/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Considers that the protection of non- agricultural GIs at EU level would be a positive signal for the ongoing discussions on GIs at multilateral level and that it is fully in line with the TRIPS Agreementdiscussion about newly developed versus traditional products, as well as the relation between GIs and trademarks, when it comes to non-agricultural products has yet to be held;
2015/05/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 37 #

2015/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Is of the opinion that the creation of a single EU-level protection of non- agricultural GIs that includes a registration scheme recognised at EU level, withoualso depends on the establishment of a trustworthy authority which decides about the granting of the status of a non- agricultural GI, and on clear criteria to exclude the ephemeral creation of products for publicity and quick money making purposes, while at the same time not lowering the standards of protection already existing in some Member States, would be the best way to be more effective both within the EU and in negotiations with third countries;
2015/05/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 44 #

2015/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission to include a coherent and well prepared strategy on all GIs in the upcominga future communication on the EU's trade and investment strategy, once all aspects have been sufficiently analysed.
2015/05/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 2 #

2015/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that the Treaty on European Union (TEU) marked a new stage in the process of creating an ever closer union in which decisions are taken as openly and as closely as possible to the citizen (Article 1 TEU); notes that there is a considerable lack of trust among EU citizens in EU trade-policy making, and believes that a radical shift is needed in the way that information about trade negotiations is communicated to thand made publically available, in order to ensure their legitimacy; considers that a key point to regain public trust not only in trade-policy making but in the EU as such is to approach principles of transparency from the perspective of citizen to be empowered to understand policy-making and administration instead of an inner- administration logic of procedures and documentation;
2015/11/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 12 #

2015/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Recommends that the Commissions on-going efforts to increase transparency in all current and future trade negotiations should entail the strengthening of the European Ombudsman's mandate as an independent oversight body; calls on the Commission to grant the European Ombudsman the right of access to all trade related documents, in particular consolidated and confidential files;
2015/11/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 14 #

2015/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Suggests a set of new rules dealing in particular with the treatment of internal documents, especially wider access to Legal Service opinions drafted within the framework of the decision-making process as well as to information relating to the work of Member State representatives when acting as members of the Council, including transcripts of meetings;
2015/11/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 15 #

2015/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that, pursuant to the principle of sincere cooperation, the Union and the Member States must, in full mutual respect, assist each other in carrying out certain tasks (Articles 4 and 13 TEU), which is a precondition for Parliament to adequately exercise its legislative and budgetary functions, and those of political control and consultation (Article 14 TEU); calls on the Council and the Commission to commit fully and seriously to this principle of sincere cooperation with Parliament by immediately providing, through the relevant channels, full and accurate information pertaining to the Union's external action, including its Common Commercial Policy (CCP), in regard to decision-making and implementation of primary and secondary legislation; notes that, even though an interinstitutional cooperation agreement exists between Parliament and the Commission, the same does not exist between Parliament and the Council, which creates certain hurdles for scrutiny; calls on the Commission to take into full consideration Parliament's requests concerning the interinstitutional agreement, in particular as regards a set of clear criteria for the provisional application and implementation of trade agreements; calls on the Council to accept these criteria and guarantee that the provisional application of trade agreements is contingent to the prior consent of Parliament;
2015/11/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 21 #

2015/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the fact that the Committee on International Trade (INTA) and the Commission’s Directorate-General for Trade have been collaborating pro-actively to enhance cooperation, establish best practices and improve communication channels, and that this collaboration has been especially useful for monitoring trade negotiations through INTA Standing Rapporteurs and targeted monitoring groups; welcomes recent efforts by the Commission to increase the transparency of trade negotiations; believes, nevertheless, that the Council and the Commission can still improve their working methods to better cooperate with Parliament as regards access to documents, information and decision-making for all issues and negotiations related to CCP (such as information relating to negotiations – including scoping, mandates and evolution of negotiations – provisional application of trade agreements, activities and decisions taken by bodies created by trade and/or investment agreements, expert meetings, and delegated and implementing acts); notes that the European Commission was ineffective in properly assessing and reacting to all individual and standard responses to its public consultation on ISDS in TTIP in 2014 and calls on the Commission to improve the inclusiveness of all public consultation results in order to fulfil its commitments to the European citizens; notes with regret that after one year of negotiations between the Commission and Parliament on access to documents related to the TTIP negotiations, there is still no agreement about access to confidential documents;
2015/11/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 31 #

2015/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that, as pointed out by the European Court of Justice (ECJ), imperatives for transparency derive from the democratic nature of governance within the EU, and that, where confidential information is beyond the reach of public access, as in the case of trade negotiations, it must be available to parliamentarians who scrutinise trade policy on behalf of citizens; considers therefore that access to classified information is essential for scrutiny by Parliament, which in return should abide by its obligation to manage such information properly; demands that Members of the European Parliament and key political group staff with a "need to know" will be granted access to trade negotiation documents on the level of the best current practice of any national Parliament within the EU; considers that there should be clear criteria for labelling documents as 'classified' and for the de- classification of classified documents at the earliest moment; notes that the case law of the ECJ makes it clear that where a document originating in an EU institution is covered by an exception with regard to the right to access, the institution must clearly explain why access to this document could specifically and effectively undermine the interest protected by the exception, and that the risk must be reasonably foreseeable and not purely hypothetical; calls on the Commission to implement the recommendations of the European Ombudsman of July 2015 with particular regard to access to documents for all negotiations, and calls on the Commission to convince EU negotiating partners to increase transparency at their end; believes that the scoping exercise prior to the start of trade negotiations with a third country should include the scoping of aspired transparency of the negotiations and that continuous failure of partners in trade negotiations to increase transparency to a similar level as in the EU should constitute a reason to halt negotiations;
2015/11/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 44 #

2015/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls the importance for the CCP legislative process to count on Union statistics consistent with Article 338(2) TFEU and on impact assessments and sustainability impact assessments conforming to the highest standards of impartiality and reliability, a principle which should lead all respective revisions in the frame of the "Better Regulation" policy of the Commission; calls for further reflection on further promoting a mandatory legislative (and lobbying) footprint throughout the legislative process, which would further legitimise it by making it more fact based and transparent for citizens and stakeholders;
2015/11/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 53 #

2015/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Believes that the credibility of the EU's ethical behaviour will be ultimately judged by citizens in relation to the consistency of the EUs political initiatives with its internal administrative standards; commends in this regard the EU internal standards on the fight against corruption and the protection of whistle-blowers and demands to protect these standards in international trade agreement negotiations on the protection of trade secrets within chapters on Intellectual Property.
2015/11/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 1 #

2015/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B
B. whereas Article 21 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU) reaffirmstates that the EU’s external actions will be guided by the principles of democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principle of equality and solidarity,Union shall define and pursue common policies and actions, in order to consolidate and support democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the principles of international law; and that the Union shall respect these principles and pursue these objectives in the development and coimpliance with the UN Charter and international lawementation of its external action and of the external aspects of its other policies;
2016/01/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2015/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C
C. whereas the Commission's proposal for a new trade and investment strategy, "Trade for All", recognises the link between trade, human rights and social and environmental standards has becomeand insists on the need to make those rights and standards an integral part of the EU’s economic and commercial relations; whereas the EU’s human rights and democracy policy in third countries should continue to be mainstreamed through othershould however continue to be better integrated into EU policies with an external dimension, includingnotably the trade policy;
2016/01/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 13 #

2015/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital D
D. whereas trade and human rights canmay reinforce each other, and the business community has, while obliged to respect human rights, may also have an important role to play in promoting human rights and democracy; whereas strengthening trade relations may enhances mutual underst the rule of law, good governance and respect for human rights, provided that trade and ing and common values such as the rule of law, good governance and respect forvestment policies are carefully designed and implemented to protect, respect and enforce human rights; whereas this positive dynamic also depends on the EU ensuring guarantees to prevent and provide remedies to the possible negative impacts of its policies and action on human rights;
2016/01/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2015/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that the EU is committed itself to promoting and respecting human rights and democracy in its relations with third countries; stresses, therefore, that the advancement of human rights and democratic principles should be supported through in all EU policies, including trade policy, and all relevant EU external financing instruments;
2016/01/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 26 #

2015/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. RecommendWelcomes, therefore, that the EU’s trade strategy be a tool for the promotion of European values and interests in third countries; welcomes, therefore, the enhancement of trade agreements and trade preference programmes as levers to promote human rightse enhancement of trade agreements and trade preference programmes as levers to promote human rights, but regrets that trade and investment agreements still fail to expressly oblige businesses and investors to respect international human rights law and to provide for complaint mechanisms for the populations and individuals whose human rights are affected by EU trade and investment;
2016/01/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 30 #

2015/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Regrets that EU trade and investment agreements do not reaffirm nor fully protect both the right and the obligation of States to regulate in order to enhance and fulfil human rights; calls on the EU to propose new human rights clauses and mechanisms in order to deal with those shortcomings, provide complaint mechanisms for affected populations and their representatives and ensure that human rights are protected including in any (state-to-state or investor-state) dispute settlement mechanism set up in EU agreements;
2016/01/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 34 #

2015/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Notes the Commission’s efforts to fulfil its commitment to including human rights for impact assessment studies of legislative and non-legislative proposals, implementing measures and trade agreements; regrets however that these impact assessments still present shortcomings, notably regarding their capacity to influence the outcome of trade and investment policies; reiterates that impact assessments should lead to enhancing the human rights protections and mechanisms set up in trade and investment agreements and policies; calls, furthermore, calls on the Commission to systematically carry out such human rights impact assessments and to improve their quality and comprehensiveness;
2016/01/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 39 #

2015/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Reiterates its support for the systematic introduction of human rights clauses in all international agreements between the EU and third countries; and deplores the fact that despite the unanimous endorsement of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights by the Human Right Council in 2011, the number of human rights abuses linked to business activity continues to grow; calls on the Commission to report regularly on the state of implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights by EU Member States;
2016/01/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 42 #

2015/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Calls on the EU to support civil society in third countries in contributing to impact assessments and in assessing the human rights impact of the trade and investment agreements that the EU is negotiating in the countries concerned;
2016/01/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 45 #

2015/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Calls, furthermore, on the Commission to systematically monitor the implementation of the human rights clauses andreview and assess the impact of its trade and investment policies on human rights and to set up the needed safeguards to prevent and remedy the negative impacts, also by amending these agreements when needed; calls on the Commission to report regularly to Parliament on partner countries’ respect for human rights and core ILO standards;
2016/01/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 46 #

2015/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls on the Commission to set up adequate monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to ensure companies and investors comply with human rights, centralise complaints made by affected populations and civil society organisations, and report on the provision of remedies for violations of rights;
2016/01/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 50 #

2015/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the Commission’s efforts to support the implementation of the UN’s Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights and the UN Global Compact and at the same time to encouragecalls on all trading partners to comply with these international principles; considers that more efforts should be made to recognise binding and enforceable due diligence requirements and considers that the access to remedies remains the weak link of the national action plans and EU strategy under the UNGP; calls on the Commission to propose legislative initiatives on mandatory due diligence for companies and to address and reinforce all aspects of access to remedies (including access to justice, legal aid, access to information, burden of proof) as a matter of priority;
2016/01/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 51 #

2015/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Deplores the obstructive behaviour by EU member states in relation to the establishment of the Open-ended Inter- Governmental Working Group (IGWG) on the elaboration of an international legally-binding instrument on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights; welcomes the work so far of the IGWG and calls on the EU and its Member States to constructively engage in the negotiations;
2016/01/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 428 #

2015/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Expresses its deep concern over continued and systematic persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, and other religious or ethnic minority groups, by means including but not limited to targeted imprisonment, killing and the practice of organ harvesting of non- consenting prisoners; calls on the Government of the People's Republic of China to immediately end persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and other religious or ethnic minorities, calls for the immediate end of organ harvesting and release of all prisoners detained for their religious beliefs, including Falun Gong practitioners;
2015/09/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 442 #

2015/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Expresses its concern, in this regard, about the degradation of Tibet's environment, as the Tibetan plateau, often referred to as the 'world's third pole', is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world due to China's policies of fast-track development in the region since the beginning of its Western Development Strategy in 1999, which focuses on increased urbanization and infrastructural development, such as the Qinghai-Tibet railway; is concerned about the fact that one of the most direct consequences of such policies is the melting of Tibet's estimated 46,000 glaciers, which feed most of the biggest Asian rivers;
2015/09/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 456 #

2015/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Regrets that the Chinese government continues to impose hard-line policies in Tibet and rejects the Dalai Lama's "Middle Way Approach" aimed at the achievement of genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people within the borders of the People's Republic of China, considering it as a way to split China and achieve independence, as outlined in its White Paper on Tibet of April 2015; is concerned about the fact that the definition of "terrorist" included in China's draft law on counter-terrorism, if not substantially revised, may apply to Tibetans advocating for a different policy approach or carrying out religious activities outside state-controlled institutions, and that the conflation of "terrorism" with religious "extremism" in the law gives scope for the penalization of almost any peaceful expression of Tibetan culture, religion or identity that may differ from those of the state;
2015/09/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 463 #

2015/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 c (new)
19c. Deplores the fact that the environment to practice Buddhism in Tibet worsened significantly after the Tibetan protests of March 2008, as the Chinese government adopted a more pervasive approach to "patriotic education", including measures to micromanage Tibetan Buddhist monastic affairs, for instance through unelected Management Committees installed in every monastery; "legal education" programs for monks and nuns to ensure that they "do not take part in activities of splitting up the motherland and disturbing social order"; and a ban on images of the Dalai Lama; is concerned about the China's Criminal Law being used to prosecute individuals, whose religious activities are equated with "separatism", leading to the fact that monks and nuns make up approximately 44% of the political prisoner population in Tibet;
2015/09/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 467 #

2015/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 d (new)
19d. Expresses its deep concern at the fact that over 140 Tibetans have resorted to self-immolations to protest against the lack of freedom and stringent crackdown in Tibet, and rejects the conflation of self- immolations with terrorism, as no Chinese citizen has ever been injured by the acts of self-immolators; deplores the recently passed criminalisation measures of self-immolations aimed at punishing those allegedly associated with self- immolators, including friends, families and even entire communities, leading to charges of up to "intentional homicide", representing a violation of international law, which prohibits collective punishment; calls on China to resume the currently stalled Sino-Tibetan dialogue in order to achieve a mutual solution for the current instability in Tibet; stresses that measures to improve the situation in Tibet should be addressed as a matter of urgency, as the current tension may lead to increased instability in the near future;
2015/09/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 478 #

2015/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Calls for a security reassessment and, if necessary, shut down of nuclear power plants that fail to meet recognised standards set out by the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group and pose a potential security threat to the wider neighbourhood area;
2015/05/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 482 #

2015/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24b. Calls on the European Commission to pursue further measures in the development of joint training and education courses with European Neighbourhood countries on aspects of nuclear security such as critical infrastructure protection and emergency response;
2015/05/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 20 #

2014/2252(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Notes with regret that the Commission's ex-ante impact assessments of envisaged far-reaching trade agreements often prove to be excessively optimistic and raise false hopes about their positive impact on EU citizens and businesses, in particular on SMEs; points out that the assessment of economic, social and environmental implications is carried out only after the launch of negotiations in the form of the so-called sustainability impact assessment; is convinced that these two assessment tools should be merged so as to assess the economic, social and environmental implications before launching trade negotiations, and calls on Parliament and the Commission to fully cooperate in this regard; points out that impact assessments must continue to incorporate qualitative assessment criteria such as environmental and social factors and should not overwhelmingly rely on quantitative elements, since qualitative factors, in form of positive and negative externalities, pose considerable local and regional costs and have substantial long-term effects;
2015/05/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 23 #

2014/2252(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Warns against new guidelines on impact assessment as proposed in the Better Regulation proposal of the Commission putting trade and investment related cost-benefit criteria at the same level as social and environmental criteria in the methodology of impact assessment;
2015/05/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 28 #

2014/2252(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Retains that specifications of national, regional and local standards going beyond minimum standards of Union legislation in fields indirectly related to trade, such as local content requirements or public support for consumer awareness and protection, should remain possible and not be defamed as "gold-plating" in the Better Regulation package of the Commission.
2015/05/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 9 #

2014/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)
- having regard to the systematic literature review by the Policy and Operations Evaluation Department (IOB) of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs entitled ‘Public-Private Partnerships in developing countries’
2015/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 45 #

2014/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I
I. whereas intergovernmental organisations have also used PPPs to devote aid to least-developed countries through partnerships operating in the field of development and cooperation: the World Bank, regional reconstruction banks, the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the World Health Organisation and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), to name but a few, have used PPPs to implement actions; whereas, as regards geographical focus, the USA, Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirat the experience with PPPs in developing countries - and other Asian and Latin American countries (led by Chile) have experiein particular least-developed countries - is mixed, since of PPPs; whereas OECD countries (Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain) also have relevant legislation; whereas the UK has the most developed programme in respect of PPPs (with the Private Finance Initiative accounting for around 20 % of public investment); whereas the EU leads the PPP infrastructure market, concentrating more than 45 % of the nominal value of PPPs prove often to be more expensive in the long-term than standard procurement due to higher costs of private sector borrowing when compared to government rates; whereas therefore PPPs often fail to reach the public development goals, because they have to be oriented at short term financial amortisation criteria;
2015/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 46 #

2014/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas PPPs are just one of several options for governments to attract private investment capital and should not be regarded as a one-size-fits-all solution for all purposes, especially in developing countries;
2015/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 48 #

2014/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I b (new)
Ib. whereas still few diagnostic tools are available to measure the effectiveness of PPPs and to determine when and how PPPs represent a preferable option to conventional contract arrangements in developing and least-developed countries;
2015/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 53 #

2014/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Ka. whereas public procurement remains an important tool especially in developing countries to strengthen and diversify their industrial capacities, explaining their reluctance to accede to the GPA; whereas the EU should respect that cost effectiveness is only one among many factors for infrastructure procurement decisions, especially in least developed countries;
2015/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 55 #

2014/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the need to stimulate job creation, competitiveness and productivity inside the EU and in third countries through new endeavours designed to stimulate the activity of economic actors in order to re-launch growth;
2015/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 66 #

2014/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Considers it regrettableNotes that while the EU has so far kept its government procurement markets largely open to international competition, many companies competing at EU level operate from protected countries, with such protection taking different forms such as state-owned enterprises, trade barriers in the field of government procurement, services or investment, preference for domestic bidders, restrictions on national treatment and market access, regulatory barriers to the establishment of branches or subsidiaries, and restrictions on access to financing; calls on the Commission and the Council to reconsider the EU policy of open procurement markets by default;
2015/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 86 #

2014/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the increasiConsiders PPPs as one option among potential of PPPhers to foster innovative solutions mobilising long-term private finance and domestic resources for development objectives, given that massive investments are required in developing countries in terms of infrastructure, water supply and energy, the majority of which will need to come fromould profit from an involvement of the private sector; believes that PPPs can also generate innovation in technologies and business models, and build mechanisms for holding the private sector accountable;
2015/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 94 #

2014/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on EU bodies to encouragethe Commission to develop a code of conduct, on the base of existing OECD Guidelines for multinationals, for EU companies participating in PPPs in third countries, in particular in least- developed countries, in order to enable them to work in accordance with the principle of policy coherence so thatfor development cooperation objectives are taken into considerationand to hold them accountable; calls on the Commission, furthermore, to encourage sustainable investments by prioritising the long term development of domestic economies particularly in least-developed countries and promote projects focused on environmental protection, waste management or the use of renewable energies, for instance;
2015/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 101 #

2014/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Commission to work towards gaining substantial market access commitments internationally in the World Trade Organisation and in ongoing bilateral negotiations with third countries in order to redress the asymmetries in the level of openness of EU government procurement markets as compared with those of other trading partneracknowledge the reluctance of WTO members and main trading partners to concede substantial market access commitments which would redress the asymmetries in the level of openness of EU government procurement markets as compared with those of other trading partners, while taking into account the lack of market competiveness of particularly least-developed countries and remaining consistent with its current strategy to grant preferential treatment to such countries;
2015/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 114 #

2014/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Given that in order to attract cross- border private-sector funds intofor PPPs, it is paramount to provide sufficient assurances that long-term investment will benefit from a clear, stable and secure environment, good governance and effective dispute settlement; calls on the Commission and the Council to collaborate to ensure that the necessary legal set-up in this area exists and is transparent, effective and cost-efficient (the new EU competence for investment allows synergies between investment and government procurement in a way that adds valuerules, calls on the Commission and the Council to collaborate to this end in the competent international fora and in terms of market access and protection of acquired rights and assets)national finance institutions;
2015/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 5 #

2014/2153(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that a coherent energy policy must be an integral part of the EU's overall external policy, and that further efforts are needed to ensure better synergies between energy objectives andnd better synergies are needed to bring energy objectives in line with a credible foreign policy; calls on the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) and the European External Action Service to coordinate closely the relevant foreign policy tools and instruments of the Member States and the EU institutions;
2015/03/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 6 #

2014/2153(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Points out that nuclear power plants, situated in the vicinity of conflict zones, such as the case of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant in Eastern Ukraine, pose a potential security risk of incalculable damage and affect bilateral relations,
2015/03/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2014/2153(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Reminds that a phase out of subsidies for carbohydrate energy sources as referred to in article 2.1 of the Kyoto Protocol would be a welcomed step towards the inclusion of energy chapters into future trade agreements and as such promote the European Union's ability to diversify its international supply base;
2015/02/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 9 #

2014/2153(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Strongly believes that a long term European energy strategy should be based on efficacy, interconnection and renewable energy sources;
2015/02/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2014/2153(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that, in view of the EU's high dependence on energy imports and the current dominance of a single gas supplier, it is urgeimportant to diversify energyhydrocarbons supply sources and the relevant energy routes;
2015/03/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2014/2153(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses, nevertheless, that in order for the EU to increase its security of supply this import dependence must be drastically reduced by means of a radical fuel switch to renewable energy sources and through a reduction of domestic energy consumption through ambitious energy efficiency measures;
2015/03/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 23 #

2014/2153(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Underlines, furthermore, that energy imports must remain consistent with the EU internal and external policies;
2015/03/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 24 #

2014/2153(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Points out, that energy storage and distribution form some of the main challenges in the further development of the European market for renewable energy sources; stresses, in this regard, that the existing technologies, converting solar and wind generated power into gas can alleviate the problem, in light of the already exciting vast storage facilities, gas transport networks and modern gas power plants; calls for increased financial support for the implementation of such technologies in the external policies of the EU ;
2015/03/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 31 #

2014/2153(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Points out that the reduction of domestic energy consumption and an increase in energy efficiency is not only generally substantive for addressing a sustainable contribution to meet international obligations of the EU’s in particular the post MDG 15 process by introducing respective aspects into international trade agenda of the EU but is also a key in reducing the dependency on energy imports. Further notes that trade agreements should not intend to increase dependencies on foreign Energy producers, but to diversify the European energy mix;
2015/02/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 34 #

2014/2153(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Reminds that the conclusion of trade agreements with third countries must remain consistent with internal EU policy and stance towards certain extraction methods of various energy sources such as tar sands and shale gas
2015/02/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 39 #

2014/2153(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Emphasises, that the currently negotiated Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership may seriously endanger European energy security by potentially introducing a chilling effect on energy policy through international arbitration courts and regulatory cooperation provisions at Member States level; regards the potential decrease in the European Union’s ability to conclude an independent energy policy as a threat to energy security;
2015/02/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 46 #

2014/2153(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates that energy cooperation must take into accountbe based on the EU's core values, such as the respect for human rights and democracy and the environment; calls on all actors of EU external policy to advocate the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency in all contacts with third countries; calls on the VP/HR and the Commission to address the control of nuclear infrastructure within the EU by non-EU entities, and to closely monitor nuclear safety standards in the EU's neighbourhood, as well as the management of European nuclear waste.
2015/03/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 49 #

2014/2153(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses, in this respect, that EU energy dependence deeply undermines the effectiveness and the consistency of its foreign policy with regard, in particular, to its addiction on fossil fuels; takes the view, in this regard, that the development of renewables and of energy efficiency will strongly benefit the credibility of the EU external action freeing it from the current dependence on authoritarian regimes that act in blatant contradiction to the EU founding values;
2015/03/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 52 #

2014/2153(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Reminds that, nuclear energy conversion is not carbon-neutral and that the associated output of CO2 emissions varies between 32 and 60g/kWh, when the overall emissions in construction, de- commissioning, uranium mining, enrichment, waste storage, transport and maintenance are taken into account over the lifespan of a nuclear power plant; takes the view, in this regard, that the sale of nuclear technology by some Member States to third countries deeply undermines the security and the credibility of the European Energy Security Strategy;
2015/03/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 56 #

2014/2153(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Recalls, that uranium mining carries serious and potentially long-lasting risks to the environment, human health and wildlife arising from exposure to ionising radiation and thus affect EU trade relations;
2015/02/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 66 #

2014/2153(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Underlines that domestic and regional renewable energy sources and supply chains may provide independence from certain volatile international energy markets, increasing energy security; stresses that energy storage and distribution forms one of the main challenges in the further development of renewable energy sources. Is convinced that existing technologies of converting solar and wind power into gas can contribute to alleviate the problem, in light of the already existing vast storage facilities, transport networks and modern power plants for natural gas; calls for more financial support for the implementation of such technologies;
2015/02/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 74 #

2014/2153(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Points out that nuclear energy conversion is not carbon-neutral and that the associated output of CO2 emissions varies between 32 and 60g/kWh, when the overall emissions in construction, de- commissioning, uranium mining, enrichment, waste storage, transport and maintenance are taken into account over the lifespan of a nuclear power plant
2015/02/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 76 #

2014/2153(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Considers that nuclear energy, is one of many sources of electricity production and that it must be considered at its real overall economic and financial costs in the European energy mix;
2015/02/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 10 #

2014/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
(7) However, Bosnia and Herzegovina has not yet accepted to adapt trade concessions granted under the Interim Agreement in order to take into account the preferential traditional trade between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina under the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). In case, by the time of the adoption of this Regulation, an agreement on the adaptation of the trade concessions set out in the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and in the Interim Agreement has not been signed and provisionally applied by European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the preferences granted to Bosnia and Herzegovina should be suspended as from 1 January 2016. Once Bosnia- Herzegovina and the European Union will have signed and provisionally applied an agreement on the adaptation of trade concessions in the Interim Agreement, those preferences should be re- established,deleted
2015/02/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2014/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2
Article 2 The application of Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009 with regard to Bosnia and Herzegovina is suspended with effect from 1 January 2016.deleted
2015/02/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 14 #

2014/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. Notwithstanding Article 2, the application of Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009 with regard to Bosnia and Herzegovina shall not be suspended if, before 1 January 2016, the European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina sign and apply provisionally an agreement on the adaptation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and the Interim Agreement to take into account the accession of Croatia to the European Union.deleted
2015/02/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 15 #

2014/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. In the event that the agreement referred to in paragraph 1 is not signed and applied provisionally before 1 January 2016, Regulation (EC) No 2115/2009 shall be applicable again with regard to Bosnia and Herzegovina from the date on which such agreement is signed and applied provisionally.deleted
2015/02/26
Committee: INTA