Activities of Pablo IGLESIAS related to 2015/2002(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Review of the European neighbourhood policy (A8-0194/2015 - Eduard Kukan) ES
Amendments (40)
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the aim of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), was created to strengthen the European Union’s (EU) partnerships with neighbouring countries in order toa coherent political and economic component of the EU’s foreign policy strategy, is, by actively and systematically exerting influence on all aspects of the development of the countries in its immediate neighbourhood, to foster social transformation processes as a prerequisite for the development of an area of shared stability, security and prosperity; whereas, with that aim in view, efforts are being made to secure acceptance of formal democratic structures, constitutional principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms and, above all, the introduction of a market economy on the basis of the acquis communautaire;
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the neighbourhood is currently in a state of flux ancountries in the EU’s immediate neighbourhood are currently in a state of flux; whereas the developments in question range from huge social and cultural challenges, national, ethnic, religious and ideological contradictions, serious social problems, unemployment, poverty and a significant skills drain, still widespread corruption and human rights violations and deep social divisions to the collapse of the fabric of the state in some neighbouring countries and encompass growing tensions and conflicts between states; whereas the ENP has thus not achieved any of its aims in the EU’s neighbouring countries, with the result that the neighbourhood is less stable and less secure than when the ENP was launched;
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas developments thus far in the region since 2004, but in particular ihave shown that the ENP, with its instruments, experiences and proposals geared to the pre-accession strategy as part of EU enlargement policy and its implementation on the lbast few years, have shown the ENP to beis of formal criteria and benchmarks unilaterally set in stone by the EU, is unable to respond adequateflexibly and promptly to the rapidly changing and challenging circumcircumstances and to take account of real development conditions and aspirations and the possibilities and traditions of the individual ENP stanctes;
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the latest developments in the ENP countries have shown quite clearly that the ENP is not seen by the EU’s neighbouring countries as the sole available source of support for their development and that the ENP must repeatedly convince the citizens of those countries anew of the benefits it offers;
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the Commission has triedrepeatedly tried without success to reshape the ENP so as to address its flaws and adapt it to changed national and international circumstances, in particular after the Arab Spring; whereas this was reflected in the new financing instrument for the ENP for 2014-2020 – the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI);
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas despite its efforts to reshape the ENP the Commission has done nothing to alter its basic approach or the instruments used to implement it; whereas recently, in the context of introducing conditionality into the ENP and its fixation with so-called pro-reform forces, the Commission has started taking sides in domestic conflicts in partner countries, for example between competing groups of oligarchs;
Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas since the introduction of the new approach in 2011, political developments in the neighbourhood have demonstrated that the EU needs to further rethink its policy on shaping relations with its neighbours, taking into account the different external and internal realities; whereas the EU needs to address new challenges in its neighbourhood and adjust its strategy by examining its interests and priorities and assessing its policy tools, incentives and available resources and their attractiveness to its partners; whereas the criticisms voiced in the past by the European Parliament concerning the unbalanced nature of the ENP and the unnecessary delays in implementing it also proved to be unrealistic;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the EU Member States should play an important role in the European neighbourhood by aligning their efforts and supportingeeking to speak with a single EU voice;
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the consultation process carried out by the Commission should be comprehensive and inclusive so as to ensure that all relevant stakeholders are consulted; whereas the aim of these consultations must be to determine the specific interests and aspirations of the individual partner countries as a prerequisite for doing away with the ‘one- size-fits-all’ approach;
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas it will not be possible for the European Union to have a credible neighbourhood policy while internal inequalities continue to increase and some of its Member States are adopting a regressive approach to human rights;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the importance and timeliness of the review of the ENP; emphasises that the revised ENP should be able to provide a quick and adequate response to the situation on the ground, while also putting forward a long-term vision for developing relations with the neighbouring countries and taking account of asymmetries between the parties; takes the view that a new framework needs to be created for relations with the ENP countries and regions, based on strict compliance with international law and the United Nations Charter and on non-intervention in their internal affairs and respect for their sovereignty, aimed at supporting the development of neighbouring regions and promoting employment and education, instead of association agreements geared solely to establishing free-trade areas that harm the ENP’s peoples and offer benefits only for corporate interests on the European side and for elites in the ENP states;
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes in the continued value of its initially stated objective of creating an area of prosperity and good neighbourliness, based on the foundingcommon values and principles of the Union, through a deep structural transformation in the neighbouring countries; stresses therefore the need to go back to basics and bring this objective back to the top of the agenda;
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes in the continued value of its initially stated objective of creating an area of prosperity and good neighbourliness, based on the founding values and principles of the Union, through a deep structural transformation in the neighbouring countries carried out under their own responsibility and in a manner consistent with national circumstances; stresses therefore the need to go back to basics and bring this objective back to the top of the agenda;
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that respect for the universal fundamental values of human rights, rule of law and democracy on which the EU is founded must remainand respect for the sovereignty of states must be at the core of the revised policy;
Amendment 178 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Reiterates that it is looking to the Commission, in the context of the reshaping of neighbourhood policy, to put forward clear proposals concerning the nature of the relationship between neighbourhood policy, as a component and instrument of foreign policy, and enlargement policy;
Amendment 203 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises that local ownership and inclusiveness should be key aspects of the new approach so as to ensure that the benefits of the ENP reach all levels of society throughout the country; emphasises that autonomous social and economic modernisation in the countries in the EU’s immediate neighbourhood is impossible without the direct involvement of those countries' citizens; stresses that a common area of stability must therefore be based on practical measures which acknowledge and take account of specific national circumstances, possibilities, traditions and cultures;
Amendment 207 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Emphasises its conviction that, if the partner countries are to be helped to strengthen their own development potential, the political dialogue which currently characterises the ENP must give way to a broader social, economic and cultural dialogue which embraces all facets of the political, social, ethnic and cultural diversity of the partner countries; stresses the value of the progress achieved through territorial cooperation with the direct involvement of local authorities;
Amendment 279 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the Commission to focus on sectors identified together with its partners, in which progress and universal added value can be achieved, and to gradually expand cooperation based on that progress and ambitionon respect for human rights;
Amendment 291 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses that enlargement and neighbourhood policies as components of foreign policy are separate policies with different objectives and are subject to different legal systems and rules, namely EU law and international law; reiterates, however, that European countries within the ENP can apply for membership if they satisfy the criteria and conditions of admission under Article 49 TEU;
Amendment 313 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Considers support for democracy, the rule of law and human rights to be central to the ENP; stresses that the EU should be willing to offer incentives and know-how to help overcome the social challenges and economic costs of undertaking democratic reforms and strengthening state institutions;
Amendment 314 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Considers support for democracy, the rule of law and human rights to be central to the ENP; stresses that the EU should be willing to offer incentives and know-how to help overcome the social challenges and economic costs of undertaking democratic reforms; emphasises, in that connection, the key importance of support services in fostering the establishment in the partner countries of conditions conducive to the creation of jobs which provide a proper livelihood, welfare protection, education, social justice and legal certainty in this area as well;
Amendment 334 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Underlines the continuous need to focus on strengthening and consolidating democracy, the rule of law, the independence of the justice system, respect for minorities and diversity; highlights that capacity-building in national institutions, including their national assemblies, together with support for civil society, pro- democracy groups and political parties, will enhance political dialogue and pluralism; stresses the importance of respecting the sovereignty of states with which the European Union maintains relations and not interfering in their internal affairs;
Amendment 336 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Calls on the Commission, in developing relations with the ENP States, to take into account the sensitive domestic balance of power which in many cases exists in those States as regards political association and economic integration; reiterates its call to require ENP partners to take final decisions only with the involvement of the widest possible public, particularly if such possibilities as, for example, the holding of referendums exist in the States concerned;
Amendment 342 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses the importance of developing a thriving and active civil society in the processes of transformation and democratisation, which includes social partners and the business community; underlines the importance of European companies and their role in the promotion and dissemination of international standards for busines; draws attention to the harmful effects of the presence of European companies on some of the neighbourhood policy countries;
Amendment 353 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4
Subheading 4
Differentiation andwithout conditionality
Amendment 365 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses the need to implement conditionality in relation to reform processes; eEmphasises that the EU cannot compromise wits fundamental values and should avoid creating double standards; stresses that countries that are making progress in implementing reforms and following European policy should be granted more substantial supporth regard to human rights violations and must avoid creating double standards;
Amendment 387 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Calls on the authorities of the EU Member States and the countries of the Middle East and North Africa to respect the prohibition of torture, enshrined for example in the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment that most of them have signed and ratified; reiterates that confessions extracted under torture are invalid and condemns this practice;
Amendment 476 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Considers it vital for the sustainability of the region to restore relations with the Arab Republic of Syria; supports the efforts of Staffan de Mistura, UN envoy to Syria, to mediate in the conflict and end the civil war in the country; stresses the need to support secular political figures and uphold the unity and territorial integrity of countries in the face of religious sectarianism;
Amendment 486 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24b. Expresses concern that EU anti- terrorism policies are focused on military 'solutions', involving numerous programmes of military assistance to authoritarian regimes aimed at strengthening their military capabilities and hence encouraging their repressive policies; warns against the temptation to revert - in the name of security, stability and the fight against violent extremism - to the short-sighted and ineffective practices of the past, involving collusion with authoritarian regimes in the Middle East and North Africa; expresses its concern about enhanced security cooperation with highly repressive regimes;
Amendment 488 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 c (new)
Paragraph 24 c (new)
24c. Stresses that the Union’s external actions to combat international terrorism should be aimed primarily at prevention and the implementation of a policy opposed to all kinds of military intervention, making it necessary to adjust the EU’s position in international negotiations accordingly; highlights the need to promote political dialogue, tolerance and understanding among different cultures and religions;
Amendment 490 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 d (new)
Paragraph 24 d (new)
24d. Strongly criticises the intensive arms trade between certain EU Member States with various highly repressive regimes of the Middle East and North Africa, such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt or Morocco; calls on the Council, in this connection to verify whether breaches of the EU code of conduct on arms exports have occurred and to adopt stringent measures to ensure compliance by all Member States; calls for the suspension of, and a ban on, exports of teargas and riot control equipment to these countries pending investigation of the improper use thereof and until the perpetrators have been brought to justice;
Amendment 492 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 e (new)
Paragraph 24 e (new)
24e. Strongly opposes the use of unmanned aircraft to carry out the extrajudicial and extraterritorial killing of terrorist suspects and calls for a ban on the use of such aircraft for that purpose;
Amendment 493 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 f (new)
Paragraph 24 f (new)
24f. Regrets that EU security and defence policy is governed by compliance with US and NATO foreign policy models; believes that the invasion of Iraq and foreign interference in Syria’s internal affairs have served as breeding ground for the emergence and spread of IS activities; objects to the role played by the US, the EU Member States, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey in particular;
Amendment 494 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 g (new)
Paragraph 24 g (new)
24g. Takes the view that terrorist acts are being committed by Islamist radicals to weaken countries in the Middle East and North Africa by military and other means and prevent the emergence of any strong state capable of channelling oil revenues into its own economic and social development;
Amendment 516 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Condemns the continuing occupation of Palestine by Israel and the latter’s violation of international law, including international humanitarian law; reiterates its call for an end to Israeli colonisation in the Palestinian territories and to the criminal attacks and the isolation of the Gaza Strip; stresses the urgent need to bring about a fair and lasting solution to the conflict in the Middle East with a view to achieving a two-State solution — an independent and viable Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and the state of Israel, living side by side in peace and security on the basis of the internationally recognised 1967 borders;
Amendment 519 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27b. Reiterates its call to Morocco and the Polisario Front to continue negotiations for a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict in Western Sahara; recalls that this conflict poses a major obstacle to integration and cooperation in the region; considers it essential and urgent therefore to complete the decolonisation process of the non-self-governing territory of Western Sahara as established by international law and to put an end to Moroccan occupation;
Amendment 521 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 c (new)
Paragraph 27 c (new)
27c. Regrets the circumstances in which the Sahrawi people find themselves, having been forced to live under Moroccan occupation or in exile in refugee camps for 40 years following Morocco’s invasion of the former Spanish colony; notes the presence of more than 80 000 Moroccan troops and millions of mines along more than 2 000 km of the wall dividing the territories of Western Sahara from north to south, and deplores that, after more than 20 years after the ceasefire between Morocco and the Polisario Front and the establishment of MINURSO (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara), the holding of a referendum is being prevented by the intransigence of Morocco, compounded by the complicity and passivity of the international community and the European Union;
Amendment 530 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Considers the conceptual rivalry between the ENP and the strategic partnership with Russia to be one of the fundamental errors of the ENP, and warmly welcomes in this context the general question raised by the Commission in connection with the consultation procedure concerning overcoming such rivalries by means of the conceptual inclusion of the ‘neighbours of neighbours’ in the neighbourhood policy;
Amendment 531 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 b (new)
Paragraph 28 b (new)
28b. Observes that none of the current conflicts in the eastern neighbourhood can be resolved without the Russian Federation; considers that, as a precondition for resolving them, the EU should make greater efforts to overcome the stagnation in the development of relations; welcomes the prospect, recently reaffirmed by EU Member States, of a large common economic area, and calls on the Commission, as part of the repositioning of the ENP, to assign corresponding importance to the requirement that convergence be achieved between the respective integration processes of the EU and of the Eurasian Union;
Amendment 589 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Rejects the repressive migration agreements and the establishment of FRONTEX; considers that the migration issue needs an anti-poverty, pro- employment, pro-peace and fair trade strategy by the EU countries as a significant contribution towards the stability of the region;