Activities of Sofia SAKORAFA related to 2017/2271(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
State of EU-US relations (debate) EL
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the state of EU-US relations PDF (377 KB) DOC (81 KB)
Amendments (30)
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the Trump Administration's 'America first' policy, the US withdrawal from multilateral agreements and cooperation structures, the cases involving failure on the part of official US representatives to comply with international obligations, such as those laid down in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, and the reluctance to treat the EU and its Member States as equals make a fundamental discussion about the role of transatlantic relations in the EU's foreign policy strategy essential;
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas the Trump Administration's policies in the Middle East are raising the spectre of new wars in a region whose complex conflicts can be resolved only by means of compromise, mutual respect and cooperation and the development of relations on the basis of non-interference;
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
Ac. whereas the Trump Administration has adopted a new nuclear strategy which provides for the development of small tactical nuclear weapons, a decision which will clear the way for the use of nuclear weapons in conflicts all around the world, but above all in Europe, given that these weapons are primarily intended to act as a deterrent against Russia; whereas the nuclear arms race between the USA and Russia poses an existential threat to the continent of Europe; whereas the Trump Administration is making no effort whatsoever to shore up, by means of new proposals or initiatives, the crumbling nuclear non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament system;
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)
Recital A d (new)
Ad. whereas the policies the Trump Administration is pursuing are giving rise to a range of worrying domestic developments in the USA, including ever more open racism and xenophobia, more frequent attacks on members of sexual minorities, an increasing willingness on the part of police and law enforcement units to equip themselves with military hardware, more and more cases of the fatal use of force by the police, the abolition of many national environmental standards, the open humiliation of women in the media and drastic budget cuts in the areas of health and education;
Amendment 16 #
B. whereas in a global, complex and increasingly multipolar world, the EU and the US should continue to play key constructive roles by strengthening international law and jointly addressing regional conflicts and global challengimplementing in full and strengthening the principles and rules of international treaty and customary law and addressing regional conflicts and global challenges in cooperation with other stakeholders under the United Nations system, including all specialised agencies;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls and insists that the longstanding EU-US partnership is based on sharing anNotes that the EU must abandon the role of junior partner in transatlantic relations and use the many years of experience it has gained pfromoting together common multi-level cooperation with the USA in order to promote shared values, including freedom, rule of law, peace, democracy, equality, the social market economy, and social justice and respect for human rights, which also includinge minority rights, as well as collective security;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Deplores the fact that in the USA, as a result of the actions of President Trump and his Administration, supported by large sections of the media and broadcasters with monopoly positions, by many faith-based organisations, by the gun lobby NRA and political groupings on the far right fringes of American society, a system of fundamental social values which has developed over recent decades in Europe and the USA as a result of the successes achieved by movements dedicated to safeguarding and extending civic rights and ending discrimination is being rolled back;
Amendment 47 #
1b. Declares its support for the many initiatives and demonstrations being organised by broad sections of American society in defence of the advances in the area of civil society rights achieved since the McCarthy era; expresses particular admiration for the way in which American schoolchildren have responded to the many tragedies involving the use of firearms in schools by standing up for stricter gun laws and against the influence which the National Rifle Association exerts on the legislative process;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights that the EU-US relationship is the fundamental guarantor for global stability and has been the cornerstone of our efforts to ensure peace and stability for our societies since the end of the Second World War, andCalls on the EU to develop transatlantic relations in such a way that the primary purpose of the EU-US relationship is to contribute to safeguarding the peace and stability of the international community and act as guarantor of stronger multilateral economicpolitical cooperation and trade; believes that the ‘America first’ policy will harm the interests of both the EU and the US and is at odds with the action needed to address global problems and challenges and with the relevant international agreements, in particular the US-backed SDG Agenda 2030;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is concerned aboutNotes the diverging views on addressing global issues and regional conflicts that have appeared since the election of President Trump; seeks clarity as to whether the transatlantic relationship, which was defined over decades, still has the same relevance todaycalls for a comprehensive debate in the EU and the USA, with the involvement of civil society, to determine whether the transatlantic relationship, which was defined over decades, still has the same relevance today and in what direction it should be developed, in the light of shared global challenges and global responsibilities; stresses that thea values-based, overarching framework of ourfor a partnership of equals is essential to securing the architecture of the global economy and securityafeguard bilateral economic relations and new forms of cooperation;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls the high potential and the strategic interest of this partnership for both the US and the EU in aimDraws attention to the high degree of economic interdependence and the very close social links between the USA and the EU and many of its Member States, which are key foundations for both sides' development and have contributed to the emergence of a rules-based multilateral world order; takes the view that the recent measures taken by the US Administration against European companies, ing to achieve mutual prosperity and security and to strengthen a rules-based global orderhe broader context of stiffer sanctions against Russia and Iran, the sharply increased tariffs on steel and aluminium products from the EU and other countries and the threat to impose high tariffs on imported cars are seriously undermining those foundations; calls foron the fostering of our dialogue and engagement on all aspects of this partnershipUSA to withdraw these measures, and advocates a return to a dialogue of equals and for efforts to develop bilateral and multilateral cooperation further, with the much closer involvement of parliaments and civil society, with a view to resolving existing problems and conflicts of interest which are affecting global economic development; highlights that our decisions and actions have an direct impact both on the global economy and security architecture, and the interests of both partnersmultilateral structure of the global economy, the international security architecture, and on the efforts to reconcile the interests of the states which make up the international community;
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines that the EU and the US are each other’s most important partners and that unilateral moves serve only to weaken the transatlantic partnership,ransatlantic relations must develop into a partnership of equals which is not directed against anyone and whose partners see themselves as partners of other stakeholders in the new multipolar system of international relations which hais to be a partnership of equalsaking shape;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Notes that, in particular in response to the Trump Administration's foreign, economic and trade policies, public opposition to the uncritical acceptance of developments in transatlantic relations has increased; calls on the EU and the Member State governments to stop ignoring this phenomenon and instead to involve all social and economic forces in the debate on the future of transatlantic relations; takes the view that transatlantic civil society dialogue must be established for this purpose;
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Insists that, in the EU and the US should continue playing key constructive roles by jointly addressing regional conflicts and global challenges; recallcontext of resolving conflicts and addressing global problems, compliance with international law and a commitment to multilateral cooperation are prerequisites for the further development of transatlantic relations, and emphasises the importance of multilateralism in tackling global issues and insists that these should be addressed in the relevant international forums; is thereforenotes with concerned that recent decisions of the US – disengagement from key international agreements, disenrollment from international forums and the fomenting of trade tensions – may diverge from these common values and put strain on the relationshipthe Trump Administration is withdrawing unilaterally from multilateral agreements, ignoring UN Security Council decisions, intervening militarily in crisis areas, in defiance of international law, and fuelling global tensions, including in the trade sphere; calls on the EU and its Member States to counter these Trump Administration policies with consistent and independent policies of their own which are based on international law and the principles of multilateralism;
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Takes note that other major world powers, such as Russia and China, have robust political and economic strategies, many of which may go against our values, and it is therefore essential to foster the EU-US partnership, to continue to promote our common values, including compliance with international law, and to set up a joint sanctions policyCalls on the EU and the US not to build the further development of transatlantic relations on the basis of a common confrontation with third countries, but to acknowledge that in an increasingly multipolar and complex world, conflicts and problems arising can solved only as a result of reconciliation, dialogue and mutually advantageous cooperation;
Amendment 173 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Underlines that security is multi- faceted and intertwined and that its definition not only covers military but also environmental, energy, trade, cyber and communications, health, development, humanitarian, etc. aspects; therefore underlines that a transatlantic trade agreement, balanced and mutually beneficial, would have an impact that would go far beyond trade and economic aspects; insists that security issues should be tackled jointly through a broad approach; in this context, is concerned about budget cut decisions, for example the cuts on state building in Afghanistan and the 50 % US budget cut to development aid in Africa;
Amendment 183 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
Amendment 201 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
Amendment 214 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Reiterates the need forCalls on the EU and the USA to enhancbase their cooperation in the field of cybersecurity and defencearea of the combating of cybercrime on principles consistent with the rule of law, to formally renounce the use of 'aggressive tactics' in this area and to guarantee comprehensive parliamentary scrutiny of the services involved;
Amendment 251 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Points out that in Europe the protection of personal data is a fundamental right and that the USA has no rules comparable with the new General Data Processing Regulation; expresses concern at the comprehensive powers the US authorities have to access the personal data of EU citizens in the Member States and the extensive use they make of those powers; regards the creation and manipulation of personal profiles by firms located in the USA using systems based on big data and the trade in these profiles and the analyses they contain as incompatible with EU law;
Amendment 257 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Stresses that the EU is committed to strengthening the prosperity, stabilhas an interest in developing with countries in its neighbourhood relations which generate mutual benefitys, presilience and security of its neighbours first hand through non-military means, notably through the implementation of association agreemenvent conflicts and do not undermine cooperation with the neighbouring countries' own neighbours; emphasises that existing conflicts in the EU's neighbourhood cannot be solved by means of military action, but only through negotiations and the balancing of interests;
Amendment 277 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls on the EU and the US to play a more active and effectivNotes that developments in Ukraine in recent years, which have been partly shaped by the EU and the USA, have not enabled the country to overcome its fundamental problems in the areas of the rule of law, combating corruption and freedom of opinion and the media; expresses concern at the social problems that the transformation processes have given rise to, such as poverty, unemployment and energy poverty, which are at odds with the basic idea of establishing an area of stability and prosperity; draws attention to the proble in the resolution ofm of the lack of international support to help Ukraine address the problems faced by internally displaced persons; calls on the EU and the US to offer Ukraine greater support in overcoming these problems and to play a more effective role in the exclusively political attempts to resolve the conflict on Ukraine’s territory and to support all efforts for a lasting peaceful solution which respects the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine;
Amendment 290 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Reiterates its commitment to international laws and universal values, and in particular nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful resolution of disputes; believes that the proliferation of nuclear weapons would seriously enhance the danger of nuclear war; underlines that the consistency of our strategy concerning nuclear non-proliferation strategy is key for our credibility as a key global player and negotiator; , disarmament of nuclear weapons and the complete dismantling of nuclear arms is key for our credibility as a key global player and negotiator; underlines the link between nuclear disarmament and the non- proliferation of nuclear weapons and strongly encourages the US and EU Member States to ratify and implement the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons; calls on the EU and the US to co-operate in facilitating the implementation and respect of the United Nations General Assembly resolutions on nuclear disarmament and on effective measures for nuclear risk-reduction;
Amendment 294 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Recalls that the EU is determined to preserve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran as a key pillar of the international non-proliferation architecture, with relevance also for the North Korean question, and as a crucial element for the security and stability of the region; reiterates the need to address more critically Iranian activities related to ballistic missiles and regional stability that are separate from the JCPOA, in the relevexpresses its deep concern about President Trump's decision to leave the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran (JCPOA) unilaterally and to put extraterritorial measures on EU companies which are active in Iran; recalls that JCPOA has been unanimously endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2231, is based on concrete commitments, verification mechanisms and a very strict monitoring off acts, done by the IAEA; reiterates that the IAEA has up to today published 10 reports, certifying that Iran has fully complied with its commitments and UN Security Council Resolutions; reiterates that the JCPOA, was a notable achievement for multilateral diplomacy antd formats and forums; stresses that transatlantic cooperation in addressing this issue is key; criticises strongly President Trump's decision to leave the JCPOA unilaterally and to put extraterritorial measures on EU companies which are active in Iran European diplomacy, to promote stability across the whole region, and calls on the Trump administration not to obstruct the implementation of the JCPOA by the parties to this treaty; stresses that this Trump Administration's decision is a blow to the arms control system, in particular nuclear non- proliferation, undermining efforts to stabilize the region of the Middle East and jeopardizing the security of Europe; notes with concern that the sanctions against Iran announced by the US, violate the sovereignty of the EU and its Member States and constitute a heavy test for transatlantic relations; strongly condemns US threats against Iran to impose the strongest sanctions in history; calls on the EU to act in accordance with its security interests and to protect European companies and their economic investments by swiftly activating the Blocking Statute and to bring into its scope the new U.S. sanctions on Iran by passing an act to update the respective annex;
Amendment 324 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Calls for enhanced cooperation betweeny the EU and the US onA with all international stakeholders working to bring about the peaceful resolution of regional conflicts and end the proxy war in Syria as the lack of a common strategy could underm; invites all parties involved ine the peaceful resolution of conflicts and invites all parties involvedwar in Syria to refrain from actions that might aggravate the situation; reaffirms the primacy ofcalls on the EU and the USA to lend more effective support to all initiatives to resolve the conflict in Syria, including the UN-led Geneva process in the resolution of the Syrian conflict, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254, negotiated by the parties to the conflict and with the support of key international and regional actors; calls for the full implementation and respect of the UN Security Council Resolutions which are being violated by the countries of the Astana negotiationson Syria;
Amendment 334 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. RDeeply regrets the decision of the US government to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and to formally recognize the city as Israel's capital; stresses that this decision is in clear contravention of the international consensus on Jerusalem embodied in several UN Security Council resolutions, notably Resolution 478, including on the location of diplomatic representations until the final status of Jerusalem is resolved; stresses that this act is seriously endangering all efforts to find a lasting peaceful solution for the Israeli- Palestinian conflict; recalls that the EU supports the resumption of a meaningful Middle East Peace Process towards a two- state solution and, on the basis of the 1967 borders with the secure State of Israel and an independent, sovereign, free, contiguous and viable Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side in peace; insists that any action that would undermine these efforts must be avoided; underlines that the question of Jerusalem must be part of a final peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians; stresses that the joint road map should the strengthenedbe strengthened; calls on the EU and the US to actively support an urgent dispatch of an independent, international commission of inquiry, to investigate all alleged violations and abuses of international humanitarian law in the context of the military assaults on the large-scale civilian protests that began on 30 March 2018; strongly regrets that the US have used their right to veto as a permanent member of the UN Security Council already 32 times against draft resolutions on the Palestinian question; urges all UN Security Council members to consensually condemn all cases of crimes against humanity and gross violations of the rights enshrined in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
Amendment 350 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Reiterates that we should have shared interests in Africa where we must intensify our support for good governance, democracy, human rightsour African partners in their strive for good governance, democracy, human rights, social development, environmental protection, migration management and security issues;
Amendment 356 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Points to our commonout that currently serious divergences exist regarding our political, economic and security interests with regard to China and Russia and recalls that joint efforts involving China, Russia and other major economic and political actors, including at the WTO, could be helpful to address issues such as imbalances in global trade deals with foreign ambitions, as on Ukraine and on the silk road, the situation in Ukraine, or options for cooperation in the belt and road initiative;
Amendment 366 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Expresses concern at the resurgence of racist, homophobic and xenophobic tendencies in US society and, once again increasingly, in the societies of the EU Member States; Insists that migration issues should be addressed through cooperation, partnership and protection of human rights, but also by managing migration routes and by pursuing a global approach at UN level;
Amendment 377 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Advocates enhanced EU-US cooperation on renewable energy issues, building on the framework of the EU-US Energy Council; rejects the extension of trade in LNG originating from fracking;