44 Amendments of Brando BENIFEI related to 2015/2220(INI)
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
– having regard to the Council conclusions of 22 June 2015 on the EU Strategy for Central Asia,
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EU-Central Asia Strategy was adopted in a context of growing importance of the region and increased EU engagement in neighbouring Afghanistan, the extension of the European Neighbourhood Policy to the Caspian region, ongoing EU support for reform and modernisation of post-Soviet societies, and EU energy security interests; whereas it also recognised the security threats and challenges that require greater cooperation between Central Asia and the EU;
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas Russia and China have strong ties and influence in the region, but there is still great scope for the EU to enhance its action and cooperation with Central Asian countries;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas reaching a common understanding ofspect for democracy, the rule of law and human rights is a basic prerequisitecondition for deeper cooperation between the EU and the five countries of Central Asia in areas of mutual interest, in the very meaning of the term ‘partnership’ as vested in the Partnership Cooperation Agreements; whereas the overall situation of democracy and human rights in the region remains to various degrees poor and deeply worrying;
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas reaching a common understanding of democracy, the rule of law and human rights is a basic prerequisite for deeper cooperation between the EU and the five countries of Central Asia in areas of mutual interest, in the very meaning of the term ‘partnership’ as vested in the Partnership Cooperation Agreements; whereas the overall situation of democracy and human rights in the region remains to various degrees poor and deeply worrying;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the level of development aid wasEU development aid to Central Asia, mainly under the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI), has been increased from EUR 750 million in 2007- 2013 to EUR 1 028 million in 2014- 2020, i.e. by 56 %;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the strong strategic, political and economic interest of the EU in strengthening its bilateral and multilateral relations with all the Central Asian countries, on the basis of common shared values as stated in the existing Partnership and Cooperation Agreements between the EU and Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and in the agreement not yet in force with Turkmenistan;
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Reiterates the EU’s strong interest in a peaceful, democratic, stable and economically and environmentally sustainable, inclusive and prosperous Central Asian region, as stated in the strategy of 2007;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the Review of the EU-Central Asia strategy conducted by the EEAS, the Commission and the Council in 2015; takes the view, nevertheless, that the priorities, objectives and targets should be better defined and accompanied by benchmarks and indicators in a credible timeframe, in order to identify and correct eventual shortfalls; highlights the importance of making the Strategy consistent with global commitments, in particular with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as adopted on 25 September 2015 at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit;
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Agrees that the Strategy adopted in 2007 and the long-term priority areas defined therein (human rights and the, rule of law, good governance and democratization; youth and education; economic development, trade and investment; energy and transport; the environmental sustainability and water; common security threats and challenges; and intercultural dialogue) remain relevant and provide the basis for a concrete and potentially fruitful European engagement in the region, in line with the objectives set in the EU strategy; welcomes, however, the more focused approach of the Strategy Review;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points out that the review is rather ambitious given that the region is not a geopolitical priority for the EU and its Member States, but cConcurs with the Council’s designation of the region as strategically important, with the condition that democratic transformation should lead to improved and stronger political, diplomatic and trade relations; in this context, welcomes the 56 % increase in and more specific focusing of EU development assistance to the region in period 2014-2020 as compared with the previous period;
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Shares the view that a differentiated and, conditional and incentive-based approach should be applied in order to achieve better results both bilaterally and regionally; believes that regional programmes, such as those for border management, drugs and trafficking, transport and energy, should be tailor-made so as to target interested parties, and could therefore benefit from participation inincluding ones from them being confined to a limited or flexible number of countries of the region, possibly also includingroader region, such as Afghanistan, Iran, Mongolia and Azerbaijan;
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Takes note ofWelcomes the re-establishment of the post of EU Special Representative (EUSR) for Central Asia after a year-long gap, and expects the newly appointed EUSR to make an important contribution to the implementation of the strategy for Central Asian countries by ensuring consistency of the external actions of the Union in the region;
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. deeply regrets that overall respect for democratic standards, human rights and fundamental freedoms has further deteriorated during the reporting periodnot yet reached an acceptable level; regrets that the human rights situation overall remains worrying, despitebut stresses that there have nevertheless been limited positive developments in some countries of the region, including legislative reforms, increased efforts to prevent torture, and steps towards the eradication of the use of child labour and forced labour;
Amendment 141 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Deeply rRegrets that overall respect for democratic standards, human rights and fundamental freedoms has further deteriorated during the reporting period; regrets that the human rights situation overall remains worrying, despite limited positive developments in some countries of the region, including legislative reforms, increased efforts to prevent torture, and steps towards the eradication of the use of child labour and forced labour;
Amendment 157 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Expresses its deep concern at the growing trend towards clampdown on civil society on the pretext of security and stability, including through doubtful charges of terrorist activity or vague accusations of inciting social hatred;
Amendment 165 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Is concerned at the wave of legislation in the region restricting freedom of the media, expression, assembly and association, aimed against civil society funding (the ‘foreign agents laws’), and the LGBTI community (the so-called ‘LGBTI propaganda laws’); in this context, in addition to promoting the freedoms mentioned, the EU must also make it a priority to promote freedom of religion and belief and the rights of women, minors and minorities;
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Recalls that protection and promotion of children's rights is among the key objectives of the EU and calls on the authorities to support its implementation in compliance with international law and standards, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child;
Amendment 167 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Welcomes the establishment of Human Rights Dialogues with all five countries of Central Asia; points out, however, the lack of transparency of the process, and calls on the VP/HR to review the role, mandate, objectives and follow-up of the Human Rights Dialogues with the countries of the region, and in particular to involve all stakeholders and introduce systematic human rights monitoring mechanisms in all countries with which the EU has entered into legally binding agreementsof the region; welcomes the EU commitment to step up its assistance to the countries in the region in implementing their commitments with regards to the Universal Periodic Review;
Amendment 173 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls on the authorities to make further efforts to protect ethnic and religious minorities and LGBTI persons in Central Asian societies and, to end discrimination against them and to enforce the rights of vulnerable people, in particular of persons with disabilities;
Amendment 183 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. WStresses that education is one of the key areas for the EU to deploy its action in Central Asia; in this regard, welcomes the commitment of Latvia, with the help of Poland, to lead the regional programme on education; regards investment in inclusive and quality education as the best way to improve the socio-economic situation of the region; points out that such investment should pay special attention to targeting the most vulnerable groups, such as girls, children with disabilities and children belonging to minorities;
Amendment 191 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Recalls the importance of EU international exchange programmes, such as Erasmus +, Erasmus Mundus and Erasmus Tempus in promoting intercultural dialogue between the EU and Central Asia and in providing opportunities for empowerment for students benefitting the programmes;
Amendment 192 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Supports the work carried out by the Central Asia Education Platform by means of educational and institutional programmes, providing technical support and dialogue through seminars (such as Bishkek 2014), and welcomes the increase in school enrolments at both primary and secondary level, noting the importance of continuing on this path;
Amendment 198 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Points out that investing in young people should be a key priority in Central Asian countries, given the positive effects in terms of social inclusion, social cohesion and stability; recalls that these factors play a crucial role in preventing the serious problem of radicalisation among youth in the region;
Amendment 201 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Underlines the growing importance of trade relations between the EU and Central Asia, with the EU now representing the first trading partner in the region; stresses the need for the EU to further step up trade and investment relations with these countries; points out, in this regard, the need for Central Asian countries to strengthen their efforts in tackling corruption and in promoting a stable environment in order to attract foreign investments;
Amendment 211 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Is of the opinion that development aid should be disbursed only in countries with a genuine interest in the alleviation of poverty andmainly aimed at poverty reduction and towards equal and sustainable socio- economic progress, and that those countries must demonstrate efficient anti- corruption policies and allow the EU to monitor implementation; questions, in this respect, the rationale for and cost- effectiveness of the aid to Turkmenistan which will graduate from bilateral aid in 2017, and of that to Uzbekistan; requests that the policy be reviewed should improvements occurncerned countries should allow the EU to monitor implementation; encourages the VP/HR to help foster progress in this field;
Amendment 223 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Points out that inclusive and sustainable economic development is among the key priorities of the Strategy; stresses the need for Central Asian countries to promote active policies aimed at poverty reduction and in fighting social exclusion; underlines, in this regard, that the deteriorating economic trends as a consequence of lowering commodity prices, of the devaluation of the Rouble and of the fall in remittances from migrants working in Russia, many of whom are now returning home unemployed, pose serious socio-economic challenges to the region;
Amendment 236 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23 a. encourages an increase in trading between the EU and the countries of Central Asia in order to promote development and opening up of the market; reiterates the need to modernise infrastructures in the region and to improve links between urbanised and rural areas;
Amendment 237 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23 a. recognises that energy cooperation is a key issue in relations between the EU and Central Asia; calls on the EU to increase efforts towards integration of the energy market, which is in the interest of all parties as it will help to create energy diversification; in this regard, calls for a redoubling of efforts to achieve the objective of expanding the Southern Corridor and the Trans-Caspian pipeline;
Amendment 246 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Calls on the EU to further its efforts in fostering cooperation among Central Asian states on water management;
Amendment 255 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Encourages continuing support to disaster risk reduction and resilience building with regards to the serious threats posed by environmental disasters and climate change in the region;
Amendment 268 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Recognises that the main threats and challenges identified in the Strategy for Central Asia remain relevant; is, however, acutely aware of the additional external pressures stemming from the current security challenges in Afghanistan, as well as the opaque foreign policy of Russia aimed at reintegration of former Soviet space, triggered by the crisis in Ukraine;
Amendment 286 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 c (new)
Paragraph 26 c (new)
26c. Considers that international cooperation, including with Russia and China, is essential in addressing the growing threat of Islamist radicalisation in Central Asia; calls on all international parties with influence in the region to encourage Central Asian states to make a concerted effort to better coordinate cooperation between their security services, including with respect to intelligence sharing; stresses that such cooperation should be consistent with their international human rights commitments;
Amendment 295 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Is concerned that stalled and uneventhe lack of socio- economic development, which is stalled and uneven, poor governance and a weak institutional framework, lack of respect for rule of law; unresolved ethnic issues and lack of prospects for orderly succession in the countries of Central Asia are sources of potential instability and extremism;
Amendment 306 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Is deeply worried about the risk posed by the Islamic State in terms of attracting radicalised youth in the region;
Amendment 318 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Asks the Member States to refrain from arms deliveries to Central Asia, in line with the eight criteria laid down in the 2008 EU common position on arms export controls; in this respect, raises concern over the export of 300 US armoured vehicles to Uzbekistan in 2014-2015; and more generally over the circumvention of this ban on the sale of arms and military equipment by European companies following bilateral agreements by some Member States;
Amendment 320 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Stresses the need for regional cooperation in addressing common challenges such as border control, drug trafficking, extremism, terrorism; regrets the slow progress made by the High-Level Security Dialogue and the EU and encourages all parties to step up common efforts to make the Dialogue a structural one;
Amendment 322 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Regrets that despite the urgent need for Security Sector Reform (SSR) in Central Asian countries, the EU has not been able to integrate it in its strategy, and notes that a review is required so as to be equipped to handle new challenges such as Islamist extremism; in this context, welcomes the progress that has been made in Kazakhstan as a starting point for reform on a regional scale;
Amendment 337 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Welcomes the conclusion of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Kazakhstan;
Amendment 352 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34a. Condemns the excessive use of important international police cooperation mechanisms, such as the Red Notice system of the Interpol, to silence critics of the current Kazakh authorities living and working abroad;
Amendment 353 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 b (new)
Paragraph 34 b (new)
34b. Expresses its high concern over the new draft law on NGOs in Kazakhstan, foreseeing the establishment of a centralised operator, tasked with allocating both government and non- government grants to local NGOs, which would lead to even greater state control over the civil society sector, hindering its independence and often putting its very existence at risk;
Amendment 360 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Points out that further efforts are needed to develop a fully functioning democracy, despite the initial encouraging signs shown by Kyrgyzstan regarding pursuing democratic reforms and shifting towards a genuine multi-party system, as one of the pilot countries for EU democracy support; is concerned by the recent bills on foreign-funded NGOs and anti LGBTI propaganda;
Amendment 371 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Regrets the lack of genuine internal reconciliation in Tajikistan following the civil war of 1992-1997; expresses, in this regard, its deepest concern at the decision to ban the Islamic Renaissance Party, following a worrying trend aimed at suppressing legitimate political forces and silencing critical voices for the sake of security concerns; calls on the Tajik authorities to adopt the necessary measures to guarantee freedom of expression, pluralism and a free and open political environment;
Amendment 400 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)
Paragraph 39 a (new)
39a. Welcomes progress to ending child labour in the cotton fields and, in particular, the Government's ban in this sense; recalls the importance of monitoring the implementation of such act;