37 Amendments of Urmas PAET related to 2020/2111(INI)
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas COVID-19 has caused a global pandemic, which is affecting millions of human lives, giving rise to an unprecedented global health, economic, social and humanitarian crisis and will affect key aspects of EU foreign policy;
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the pandemic has highlighted existing challenges such as the fight against disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks, and other malign third-party interference;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Warns that the crisis has highlighted EU vulnerabilities including in the field of security and defence and in particular in preparedness and responsiveness to CBRN, cyberattacks and disinformation;
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) to review the 2016 Global Strategy in light of the global impact of the crisis, reflecting these geopolitical shifts and ensuring more strategic EU action and that the EU plays its part in defending the rules-based multilateral world order that was created after the Second World War;
Amendment 159 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 177 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Regrets the lack of communication between the EU and United States and unilateral measures taken during the COVID-19 crises, for example when imposing of travel restrictions; stresses the need to work together in fighting COVID-19, including timely exchange of information;
Amendment 191 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is worried about the decision of the USurges the US to review its decision to withdraw funding from the World Health Organization (WHO) and; regrets the general tendency of its US President to withdraw the US from the multilateral organisations that were created to establish a rules-based world order or undermine them (ICC);
Amendment 213 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. AcknowledgStresses the need to find a new method ofadvance cooperation between the EU and US, based on mutual respect and a joint agenda to defend multilateralism, the rule of law and human rights;
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes the strengthening of the People’s Republic of China’s worldwide diplomatic efforts following the COVID- 19 outbreak, seeking to position itself as the dominant global player;
Amendment 239 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recognises the emergency contributions provided by China to fight the virus; also recognises, however, a clear geopolitical and geo-economic dimension, bolstered by ‘virus and wolf warrior diplomacy’ and the politicisation of humanitarian assistance; condemns the massive infodemic by China and Russia during COVID-19 crises;
Amendment 247 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Is concerned about the lack of transparency related to the Chinese reaction to the global outbreak, involving the withholding of information, censorship, the suppression of whistle-blowers and human rights activists, and the projection of power in the region; is concerned about the increased efforts by the Chinese state to influence the European public domain by swaying public opinion and pressuring governments;
Amendment 273 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Urges the Chinese regime to fully cooperate with an independent investigation into the origins of COVID- 19, and calls on the Member States to present a united front towards a rising China, which is leading a crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong and has threatened to annex Taiwan, while brutally repressing and persecuting members of the Uyghur ethnic minority; calls on the Member States to advocate Taiwan’s membership of the WHO;
Amendment 287 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the VP/HR to recognise these concerns and simultaneouslywork to prevent this new geopolitical environment from having negative repercussions in more fragile regions in the world; calls on the VP/HR to create an atmosphere of dialogue, engagement and genuine cooperation, based on a new, more assertive strategy in which the EU pushes back when necessary to defend European values; is of the view that, as part of this new strategy, the EU should seek closer collaboration with countries in the region and other democracies;
Amendment 301 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls on the EU to be vigilant of, and when necessary counter, Chinese attempts to shape international institutions around values and interests the EU does not share;
Amendment 314 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Expresses concern over the structural attempts of the Russian Federation to undermine EU unity and to create mistrust between the EU and Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership countries by the intensification of disinformation campaigns;
Amendment 316 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Expresses concern over the structural attempts of the Russian Federation to undermine EU unity by the intensification of disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks;
Amendment 324 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Notes that COVID-19 crises does not stop Russia from advancing with his geopolitical ambitions, calls for the EU not to dismiss this and to keep in the agenda the conflicts where Russia has an interest like Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia etc.;
Amendment 327 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Expresses indignation over reported Russian cyberattacks attempting to steal coronavirus-related research material from European pharmaceutical companies;
Amendment 361 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses that the multilateral rules- based world order is vital for global peace, the rule of law and democracy; and believes that a geopolitical EU, together with like- minded partners, must play a firmer role in defending it and; underlines that international institutions should not be used for competition but for cooperation; believes that the EU must seek ways to de- escalate tensions between powers, notably when those tensions hinder multilateral action; notes that the COVID-19 crisis has shown both the need to strengthen multilateral cooperation, notably in global health governance, and the need to reform international institutions; calls on the EU Member States and HR/VP to promote and initiate structural reforms of multilateral organizations;
Amendment 368 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Calls for the EU's budget for external action in the MFF 2021-2027 to be strengthened and for the budgets of the NDICI, the European Defence Fund and the European Peace Facility to be sufficient so that the EU has the necessary resources to address the challenges in its neighbourhood, the geopolitical consequences of COVID-19 and can live up to its ambition to become a responsible geopolitical actor;
Amendment 377 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Stresses that only a more united EU, backed up by sufficient and credible military capacities, will be able to conduct a strong foreign policy, and; calls for heightened vigilance that any economic downturn as a result of COVID-19 does not expose critical defence industrial and research capacities to opportunistic foreign investment and thereby threatening the security of supply in strategic sectors; believes that the VP/HR should receive a stronger mandate in speaking on behalf of the EU;
Amendment 380 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Stresses that only a more united EU, backed up by sufficient and credible military capacities, will be able to conduct a strong foreign policy, and believes that the VP/HR should receive a stronger mandate in speaking on behalf of the EU, for example by establishing an European seat in multilateral organs such as the UN Security Council;
Amendment 402 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Believes that the end of the unanimity rule on foreign policy would help the EU to conduct a foreign policy that is more effective and more proactive; calls on the Council or European Council to follow the European Commission and European Parliaments' call to move to qualified majority voting, at least on human rights or sanctions implementation, by activating the passerelle clause;
Amendment 407 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Believes that the end of the unanimity rule on certain foreign policy areas would help the EU to conduct a foreign policy that is more effective and more proactive;
Amendment 418 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Underlines the important role of the armed forces during the COVID-19 pandemic and believes that a more in-depth joint operation and coordination of member states’ armed forces within existing frameworks - such as the European Medical Command - or within new frameworks - such as military hospital trains - could lead to greater efficiency and contribute to the EU’s preparedness to fight pandemics; recognises the need to review the EU’s security and defence strategies to develop strategic autonomy, to become better prepared and more resilient to the new and hybrid threats and technologies that have made the nature of warfare less conventional and challenge the traditional role of the military, as well as for a future in which Russia and China are becoming more assertive; stresses that the future Strategic Compass on security and defence should reflect these developments and take account of the broader geopolitical implications of COVID-19; believes that, given the new political balance and a potential worsening of the international security environment following COVID-19, the EU defence budgets must not be cutfor military personnel to be sufficiently trained, prepared and equipped to deal with this kind of essential tasks in support of their fellow citizens;
Amendment 424 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Underlines the important role of the armed forces during the COVID-19 pandemic and believes that a more in-depth joint operation and coordination of member states’ armed forces within existing frameworks - such as the European Medical Command - or within new frameworks - such as military hospital trains - could lead to greater efficiency and contribute to the EU’s preparedness to fight pandemics; recognises the need to review the EU’s security and defence strategies to develop strategic autonomy, to become better prepared and more resilient to the new and hybrid threats and technologies that have made the nature of warfare less conventional and challenge the traditional role of the military, as well as for a future in which Russia and China are becoming more assertive; stresses that the future Strategic Compass on security and defence should reflect these developments and take account of the broader geopolitical implications of COVID-19; stresses that the future Strategic Compass on security and defence should reflect these developments and take account of the broader geopolitical implications of COVID-19; believes that, given the new political balance and a potential worsening of the international security environment following COVID-19, the EU defence budgets must not be cut;
Amendment 433 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that the emerging Strategic Compass on European Defence needs to take account of the broader geopolitical implications of COVID-19 and to address the full spectrum of threats such as a new pandemic, CBRN, foreign interference, including disinformation or cyber-attacks that are not deterred by borders; urges the EEAS to work on the resilience and sustainability of CSDP missions and operations during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic; insists on the importance of maintaining the continuity of CSDP missions and operations in such context; Calls for a full review of the impact of COVID-19 on the preparedness, readiness, force generation, safety of personnel and continuity of CSDP Operations and Missions, in order to ensure the EU’s operational presence and effectiveness is not affected by the crisis or future similar scenarios;
Amendment 434 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Recognises the need to review the EU’s security and defence strategies to develop strategic autonomy, to become better prepared and more resilient to the new and hybrid threats and technologies that have made the nature of warfare less conventional and challenge the traditional role of the military, as well as for a future in which Russia and China are becoming more assertive; stresses that the future Strategic Compass on security and defence should reflect these developments and take account of the broader geopolitical implications of COVID-19; believes that, given the new political balance and a potential worsening of the international security environment following COVID-19, the EU defence budgets must not be cut;
Amendment 455 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls for the expansion and modernisation of EU communication strategies so that EU action is sufficiently visible both within and beyond the EU; urges the European External Action Service (EEAS) to further strengthen its capacities to counter disinformationforeign interference, including the creation of a dedicated far- East StratCom Task Force focused on the disinformation emanating from Chinacountering Chinese Communist Party’s foreign interference, and imposing costs on countries that deliberately spread disinformation to divide and harm the EU and its Member States;
Amendment 461 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Notes that the online crime is on the rise, with the possibilities of major cyber-attacks on critical infrastructures increasing; stresses therefore the need to invest into fight against cyber-crimes and to raise the awareness of this increasing threat;
Amendment 471 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Stresses that its biggest globallarge consumer market of almost 500 million people gives the EU leverage on the world stage, and believes that a geopolitical Commission should use this leverage when other countries are not prepared to comply with the rule of law or international treaties;
Amendment 472 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Stresses that the EU has a global responsibility in preventing the erosion of democratic values and principles and the declining respect for fundamental human rights in the wake of the pandemic;
Amendment 474 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the need to reduce dependency on third countries in certain strategic and existential sectors and might prompt diversification of its most critical supply chains; points out that COVID-19 has led to growing protectionism, therefore underlines the importance of finding the right balance between improving the resilience of our value chains to achieve strategic autonomy and maintaining trade relations as open as possible;
Amendment 520 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Underlines the strategic importance of EU engagement and support in the Arctic region, and in its neighbourhood, both in the East and in the South; stresses that the EU must give Western Balkan countries that are not yet part of the EU a fair chance to join the EU, and that the EU must continue its efforts to invest in the region;
Amendment 554 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Notes the impact that COVID-19 has on more vulnerable regions, including conflict regions and least developed countries thereby increasing poverty and insecurity, prolonging conflicts and threaten gender equality and women’s rights; calls for the EU to increase its multilateral cooperation on humanitarian responses;
Amendment 559 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25b. Highlights that the EU’s partners in the Sahel-Saharan and Horn of Africa regions are facing the unprecedented consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to their ongoing struggle against armed terrorist groups, including jihadists;
Amendment 575 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Welcomes the EU's rejecting of vaccine nationalism and calls on the European Commission to take the lead in ensuring that any future vaccine is accessible to all;