7 Amendments of Klaus BUCHNER related to 2017/2035(INI)
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion
Recital A
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;
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion
Recital B
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;
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)
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;
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion
Recital B b (new)
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;
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion
Recital D
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;
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion
Recital F
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;
Amendment 21 #
Draft opinion
Recital G
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;