Activities of Georgios EPITIDEIOS related to 2015/2342(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Addressing refugee and migrant movements: the role of EU External Action (debate) EL
Amendments (8)
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the increase in human mobility, if managed in a safe, orderly, regular and responsible manner, can provide significant benefits, as recognised by the 2030 Agenda, but these are often largely underestimated; whereas the ageing of the European population requires, among other measures, relying on foreign workers who have a permit to reside legally in the countries of the EU in order to guarantee an adequate balance between active and retired people; a prerequisite for this to happen is to ensure work for young people in EU countries who have the same qualifications as foreigners from third countries;
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines the fact that we are witnessing in today’s world an unprecedented level of human mobility, and stresses that one of the most urgent actions the international community must undertake is the strengthening of a common response to address the challenges and opportunities that this phenomenon represents; stresses that this response must be guided by the full protection of the rights and dignity of everyone forced by any circumstance to flee their homes in search of a better life;and underlines that, though their treatment is governed by separate legal frameworks, refugees and migrants have the same universal human rights and fundamental freedoms, which need to be safeguarded regardless of their status; recalls that the EU must abide by its values and principles in all common policies and promote them in its external relations; considers that it must also organise the return to their countries of origin of those entering the EU illegally;
Amendment 141 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that well-managed international migration represents an important contribution to socioeconomic development, as it has done historically, and that it is necessary to encourage this by changing the current narrative and developing a positive one, countering xenophobic, populist and nationalistic discourses and adopting policies focused on the medium and long term and not exclusively guided by immediate political pressures, while also address, while also assuaging legitimate concerns regarding border management, social protection for vulnerable groups and the integration of as many refugees and migrants as a State is able to absorb;
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recognises that the humanitarian aid systemsystem for providing humanitarian aid does not function properly and is dangerously overstretched and that it will never be sufficient to respond to forced displacement crises, in particular given the protracted nature of a majority of them; welcomes therefore the new policy framework outlined in the Commission communication on ‘Forced Displacement and Development’ of April 2016; notes the importance of promoting closer humanitarian-development links and the need to engage with different partners – governments, local authorities, civil society, including refugees themselves, and the private sector – to develop targeted evidence-based strategies to tackle this challenge;
Amendment 177 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that EU development cooperation should continue to address the root causes of forced displacement by promoting peace, democracy and security, assisting the countries of origin of refugees by reducing poverty and inequality, strengthening basic services, addressing state fragility and promoting human rights and good governance, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 16 in the new 2030 Agenda;
Amendment 197 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4α. Stresses the important role of the EU in securing an immediate end to the wars that are creating refugees and migrants;
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting to Address Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants of 19 September 2016 and the hosting of the Leaders’ Summit by the USA, as migration flows are a global responsibility which demand a global response and enhanced cooperation between all stakeholders; welcomes the outcome of these summits as the expression of a political commitment of unprecedented force, initiating the path towards a truly international sharing of responsibilities for refugees and large migration movements; regrets however the lack of specific pledges or legally binding commitments in terms of aid or reform, which are needed to close the current gap between rhetoric and reality; calls on all the parties involved to ensure continued political engagement, funding and concrete acts of solidarity in support of host countries; and also for their rapid distribution among the other EU countries in line with the absorption capacity of each country and calls for the EU and its Member States to take the lead in international efforts, particularly as regards ensuring that the agreements – including the future compacts on refugees and on safe, orderly and regular migration – are swiftly put into practice, establishing follow-up mechanisms as needed; especially in Greece where, due to the large number of refugees and migrants, the State is unable to look after them and their situation is tragic;
Amendment 320 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that EU external action should be forward-looking instead of mainly reactive with changing objectives in response to new crises; recalls that the migration phenomenon stems from a complex set of causes such as a growing population, poverty, insufficient job creation, political instability and climate change; points out, however, that it also stems from a coordinated plan for creating disruption in Europe's neighbourhood;