Activities of Georgios EPITIDEIOS related to 2016/2314(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
2016 Report on Kosovo (debate) EL
Amendments (13)
Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes with concern that the post of Minister of European Integration still remains vacant and that this underminesis detracting from the coherence and effectiveness of SAA implementation policies; underlines that the path towards EU integration requires a strategic long-term vision and sustained commitment into democratic principles, genuine respect for human rights and the adoption and implementation of the necessary reforms;
Amendment 106 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the proposal by the Commission to grant conditional visa liberalisation, which would be a very positive step for Kosovo on the path to European integration; 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 133 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. NotesIs concerned that the Association of Serbian Municipalities has not yet been set up and that the Statute still has to be drafted, and urges Kosovo to establish the association in line with the agreement reached under the EU-facilitated dialogue and with the ruling of the Kosovo Constitutional Court; expresses concern at the continued presence of Serbia’s parallel structures and calls foron Kosovo to provide the necessary guarantees to justify their dismantlement; encourages all stakeholders to find an acceptable and mutually agreeable long-term solution for the status of the Trepca mining complex;
Amendment 147 #
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 address the issue of missing persons and to ensure effective compensation to the victims of war rape, as well as the detection, arrest and trial of those responsible;
Amendment 161 #
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 and economic expediency, 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; urges the competent authorities to conduct a proper investigation into the death in prison of Mr Astrit Dehari and ensure that justice is served;
Amendment 167 #
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 of the agreement, thereby warranting this concession;
Amendment 177 #
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; 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, so as to justify the accession of Kosovo to the EU and accelerate the process;
Amendment 193 #
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; 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; points out, however, that its national authorities must display the necessary will and determination;
Amendment 204 #
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 also 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 communitypersons expressing their diversity in matters of sexual preference;
Amendment 211 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the Kosovo authorities to address gender mainstreaming 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; 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 248 #
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, which are hampering attempts to achieve a European outlook in that country;
Amendment 276 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Warmly welcomes the Council of Europe’s decision to grant Kosovo observer status in its Parliamentary Assembly as of January 2017 in respect of Kosovo-related sessions; supports Kosovo’s efforts to integrate into the international community; calls, in this connection, for the participation of Kosovo in all the relevant regional and international organisations and urges Serbia to stop interfering in this process; to this end, calls on the Kosovo Government to refrain from any action that is tantamount to provocation or could be construed as such by Serbia;