7 Amendments of Georgios EPITIDEIOS related to 2017/2029(INI)
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that states have the legitimate right to acquire military technology for the purposes of self-defence; recalls that one of the motivations behind the establishment of the Common Position was to prevent European weaponry from being used against Member States’ armed forces; reiterates that the Common Position is a legally binding framework that setsis able to set only minimum requirements which Member States have to apply in the field of arms export controls, and that it includes the obligation to assess a request for an export licence against all eight criteria listed in it;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses, however, that military technology is being exported to non- eligible destinations and end users, unfortunately, without the EU being able to prevent this development; is alarmed at arms races and at the fact that military approaches to solve political conflict and turmoil are increasingly prioritised over diplomatic and other non- violent approaches, such as conflict prevention;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Urges the Member States and the European External Action Service (EEAS) to significantly improve the consistency of the implementation of the Common Position in order to enhance the security of civilians who are suffering because of conflict and human rights abuses in third countries, as well as the security of the Union and its citizens; and to significantly reduce or eliminate the likelihood that similar situations will recur in the future;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that according to the Annual Reports, criterion 3 was invoked 99 times for denials in 2014 and 139 times in 2015; stresses the need, within the context of criterion 3, to assess recent arms transfers by Member States to non-state actors of other countries, including the provision of technical assistance and training, in light of the 2002 Joint Action 2002/589/CFSP on the European Union’s contribution to combating the destabilising accumulation and spread of small arms and light weapons (SALW); recalls that the Joint Action states that no SALW should be transferred by Member States to non-state actors;
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 – point β
Paragraph 13 – point β
(b) maintaining a list of entities and individuals convicted of violating arms export-related legislation, of cases of identified diversion, and of persons who are known or suspected to be involved in illegal arms trading or in activities that pose a threat to international security; in order to prevent their participation in similar activities in future;
Amendment 135 #
18. Urges all the Member States to improve the quality and comprehensiveness of arms exports reporting; stresses that high-quality data on actual deliveries is essential for understanding how the eight criteria are applied; calls on the Member States and the EEAS to explore how to use data generated by customs authorities, including by creating specific customs codes for military goods;
Amendment 155 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Welcomes regular consultations with civil society as central to meaningful transparency; calls on COARM, all the Member States and the EEAS to enhance dialogue with civil society; encourages civil society and academia to exercise independent scrutiny of the arms trade, and calls on the Member States and the EEAS to support such activities, including by financial means; stresses, however, the need for civil society controls to be free of political considerations that are not related to the protection of human rights and may hamper the process of arms exports;