Activities of Angel DZHAMBAZKI related to 2016/2314(INI)
Legal basis opinions (0)
Amendments (15)
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the entry into force of the EU-Kosovo Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) on 1 April 2016 as the first contractual relationship and an essential step for the integration of Kosovo into the EU; welcomes the launch of the European Reform Agenda on 11 November 2016 as a platform to facilitate implementation of the SAA and calls on Kosovo to show clear political will and determination to implement the agreed roadmap including the setting up of the coordination mechanism for the SAA, and to seize the positive momentum created by the SAA; calls on the government of Kosovo to focus on the implementation of the comprehensive reforms necessary to meet its obligations under the SSA;
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Urges the leaders of the Kosovo- Serbian community to take full ownership of their place and role in the institutions of the country, acting independently from Belgrade and constructively for the benefit of all the people of Kosovo; welcomes in this regard the integration of Kosovo Serb judicial personnel, police and civil protection into the Kosovo system;
Amendment 69 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Condemns in the strongest terms the violent disruption of activities which occurred in the first half of the year and welcomes the return of the opposition to participate in Assembly proceedings on most issues; expresses concern over the frequent breaches of the parliamentary rules of procedure and the use of fast- track procedure on important legislative proposals; considers the political dialogue and the unhindered parliamentary business as an essential prerequisite for moving forward the integration process to the EU and the implementation of all aspects of Kosovo's reform agenda;
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the proposal by the Commission to grant visa liberalisation, which would be a very positive step for Kosovo on the path to European integration; positively notes the decrease of asylum requests by Kosovo citizens in both EU and Schengen Associated countries and welcomes the introduction of the Reintegration Fund and reintegration programmes for returned Kosovo citizens; is concerned by the stalemate in the Assembly with regard to the ratification of the demarcation agreement with Montenegro, and stresses that visa liberalisation can only be granted once Kosovo has fulfilled all criteria, including with regard to building up a track record of high-level convictions for corruption and organised crime;
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the establishment of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor Office in The Hague as an essential step for ensuring justice and reconciliation, and invites Kosovo to fully cooperate with the Court; underlines that witness protection is a crucial issue for the Court to be successful; calls on the EU and the Member States to ensure proper funding of the Special Court; calls on Kosovo to treat equally everyone involved in international war crimes committed during and after the conflict in Kosovo, to address the issue of missing persons and to ensure effective compensation to the victims of war rape;
Amendment 159 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes that, while some progress has been achieved in adopting legislation for the proper functioning of the judiciary, the administration of justice remains slow and inefficient and is hampered by the remaining shortcomings of criminal legislation, political interference, lack of accountability and limited financial and human resources, including in the Special Prosecution Office; encourages Kosovo to address these issues as a matter of priority; notes, however, the efforts being made by police and the government's prosecutors office, to tackle issues of organised crime, usury, money laundering, "Ponzi" schemes, illegal gambling and firearms possession; urges the competent authorities to conduct a proper investigation into the death in prison of Mr Astrit Dehari;
Amendment 170 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Welcomes the signing of the framework agreement for Kosovo’s participation in EU programmes and encourages the swift entry into force and proper implementation of the agreement;
Amendment 173 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Expresses serious concerns at the lack of progress with regard to the protection of freedom of expression and media freedom, and at the increased political interference and pressure and intimidation exerted on the media; is deeply concerned of the increase of direct threats and attacks on journalists and the widespread self-censorship and corruption among journalists; urges the Kosovo authorities to fully recognise and protect freedom of expression in line with EU standards and to end impunity for attacks against journalists, as well as introduce legislative proposals to ensure the financial sustainability of the public broadcaster and implement measures to provide for transparent information on media ownership;
Amendment 192 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Reiterates its concern about the very slow progress in the fight against corruption and organised crime and calls for renewed efforts and a clear political will to tackle these issues; regrets that corruption and organised crime go unpunished in certain areas of Kosovo, notably in the north; is concerned that the track record of investigations, prosecutions, final convictions and confiscation and sequestration of criminal assets remains low; is seriously concerned of the involvement of armed groups in cross-border criminal activities and calls for direct and effective cooperation between Kosovo and Serbia, as well as between all the countries in the region, in the fight against organised crime; stresses that Kosovo’s membership of Interpol and cooperation with Europol would facilitate these efforts;
Amendment 202 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on Kosovo to further efforts to stop gender-based violence and to ensure women’s full enjoyments of rights; calls on Kosovo institutions to allocate adequate funding to the implementation of the national strategy on domestic violence, which includes international mechanisms such as the Istanbul Convention; welcomes the high-level political support for the rights of LGBTI persons; welcomes the holding of the second pride parade, but reiterates that fear remains widespread in the LGBTI community;
Amendment 215 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the Kosovo authorities to address gender mainstreamingthe equal treatment between men and women as a priority and to ensure that governing bodies and authorities lead by example; is concerned about the structural challenges hampering the implementation of the law on gender equality, and remains concerned about the under-representation of women in decision-making positions; urges the Kosovo authorities to improve dialogue and continuously encourage women to seek high-level and decision- making positions; is concerned that no progress has been made on combating domestic and gender-based violence; urges the authorities to encourage publicly and put in place protection mechanisms and shelter measures for women who break the silence and denounce domestic violence, and welcomes in this respect the NGO ‘Be a Man’ founded by men in Pristina;
Amendment 220 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Is concerned that the strategies and legislation on the protection of the rights of persons belonging to ethnic minorities, including Roma, Gorani, Askhali and Egyptian communities, are not sufficiently implemented throughout Kosovo; calls on the competent authorities to undertake all necessary legislative and practical measures to limit the discrimination and to affirm the rights of the various ethnic communities;
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the increased efforts to counter violent extremism and radicalisation and recognises the important work carried out by Kosovo in this area; notes that many foreign fighters have returned to Kosovo and calls on the authorities to establish effective policies for prevention, de-radicalisation and reintegration; believes that improving the cooperation among intelligence services with EU Member States and other Western Balkan countries could also help to counter the threat of extremism and radicalization; calls for providing specialised training on investigation techniques for prosecutors and police to ensure that law enforcement agencies are well-equipped to investigate complex terrorism cases;
Amendment 247 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Regrets the slow pace of Kosovo’s efforts to build an adequate and efficient administrative capacity, which is preventing the country from fully implementing the laws adopted and using EU funds effectively; regrets the political interference and politicisation of staff in public administration at all levels, as well as the appointments to various independent institutions and agencies based on political affiliation and not sufficiently on professional criteria; calls for further efforts to ensure a merit-based recruitment necessary to ensure effective, efficient and professionally independent public administration; calls for investigating the recent allegation of political interference in recruitment to and decision-making processes in public bodies;
Amendment 263 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. CRegrets that incidents of illegal demolition of cultural heritage have continued and sanctions against perpetrators have not been enforced; calls on the authorities to implement all UN conventions in cultural heritage at all levels regardless of the status of Kosovo vis-à-vis UNESCO and to ensure adequate protection and management of cultural heritage sites throughout Kosovo; welcomes, in this connection, the EU- funded programme aimed at protecting and reconstructing small cultural heritage sites;