Activities of Afzal KHAN related to 2014/0197(COD)
Plenary speeches (2)
Suspension of exceptional trade measures with regard to Bosnia and Herzegovina (A8-0060/2015 - Goffredo Maria Bettini)
Suspension of exceptional trade measures with regard to Bosnia and Herzegovina (A8-0060/2015 - Goffredo Maria Bettini)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009 introducing exceptional trade measures for countries and territories participating in or linked to the European Union's Stabilisation and Association process and suspending its application with regard to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Amendments (6)
Amendment 4 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009 does not provide any possibility to temporarily suspend the grant of exceptional trade measures in case of serious and systematic violations of the fundamental principles of human rights, democracy andand labour rights or those related to the environment, democracy, good governance or the rule of law by its beneficiaries. It is appropriate to introduce such possibility, so as to ensure that swift action can be taken in case serious and systematic violations of the fundamental principles of human rights, democracy andprinciples laid down in relevant international conventions concerning core human rights and labour rights or those related to the environment, democracy, good governance or the rule of law would occur in one of the countries and territories participating in or linked to the European Union's Stabilisation and Association process. Respect for democratic principles, the rule of law, human rights and the protection of minorities are required to achieve progress in the accession process.
Amendment 6 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
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. In order to respond to unpredictable and serious circumstances the Council should have the possibility to decide on cancelling the suspension,
Amendment 11 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EC) 2009/1215
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) the abstention of the countries and territories referred to in Article 1 from engaging in serious and systematic violations of human rights, including core labour rightand labour rights, core environmental standards, fundamental principles of democracy, good governance and the rule of law.
Amendment 12 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1 a (new)
Regulation (EC) 2009/1215
Article 10 – paragraph 2 (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 2 (new)
(1a) In Article 10, the following paragraph is added: (2) The reasons for temporary suspension of the exceptional trade measures shall include serious and systematic violations of the principles laid down in relevant international conventions concerning core human rights and labour rights or those related to the environment or good governance, so as to promote the objectives of these conventions and help the countries in their efforts to meet the Copenhagen criteria and align with the Community acquis.
Amendment 15 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
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, or if the Council decides so, by qualified majority, in order to respond to unpredictable and serious circumstances.
Amendment 16 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
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, or if the Council decides so, by qualified majority, in order to respond to unpredictable and serious circumstances.