BETA

4182 Amendments of Urmas PAET

Amendment 1 #

2023/2128(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
– having regard to the ongoing negotiations with India on a Free Trade Agreement and the separate negotiations on an Investment Protection Agreement and an Agreement on Geographical Indications (GIs) with the aim of strengthening the strategic partnership,
2023/10/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2023/2128(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the EU is India’s largest trading partner and it is in their mutual interest to foster closer economic ties; whereas India is a solid alternative for an EU that wants to diversify its supply chains;
2023/10/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 26 #

2023/2128(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific lists India as a core partner of Europe in the Indo- Pacific and calls for enhanced cooperation with India under the project Enhancing Security Cooperation in and with Asia (ESIWA), which covers counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, maritime security and crisis management;
2023/10/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 29 #

2023/2128(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)
Cc. whereas the EU should not engage in renewed system dependency; whereas the EU seeks a level-playing field partnership with India;
2023/10/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 30 #

2023/2128(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C d (new)
Cd. whereas the EU and India, being the world's two largest democracies, are connected by robust political, economic, social, and cultural ties, and are both dedicated to advancing peace, stability, security, prosperity, democracy, human rights, and sustainable development;
2023/10/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 36 #

2023/2128(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) highlight that in the current international environment, both the EU and India face pressing security challenges, which require a diplomatic response coupled with strengthened deterrence, and cooperation among democratic states;
2023/10/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 37 #

2023/2128(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a b (new)
(ab) strengthen political ties between the two partners to further enhance regional and international cooperation in a world that faces multiple challenges, such as rising authoritarianism, security tensions, disrespect for international law, terrorism, poverty and inequality
2023/10/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 56 #

2023/2128(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e
(e) further enhance the growing cooperation in foreign and security policy through the existing dialogue mechanisms in the interest and for the advancement of democracy and rule of law;
2023/10/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 62 #

2023/2128(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
(f) hold the bilateral security dialogues on an annual basis, and with greater involvement of EU Member States and increase coordination between the EU’s and India’s foreign affairs agendas at regional and international level;
2023/10/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 71 #

2023/2128(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
(g) expand EU-India cooperation on maritime security as an area of considerable potential by strengthening the scope of consultations on combating piracy, maritime surveillance, freedom of navigation operations, disaster relief and joint training and exercises;
2023/10/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 127 #

2023/2128(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point o
(o) insist that India, as a founding member of the United Nations and a current member of the UN Human Rights Council, should give unrestricted access to UN Special Rapporteurs for country visits in line with their requests, and act on all the recommendations in its Universal Periodic Review process;
2023/10/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 138 #

2023/2128(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q
(q) engagejointly work with India in order to secure a safe environment for the work of human rights defenders, environmental and indigenous people’s defenders, trade union activists, journalists and other civil society actors both in the EU and in India; cease to invoke laws against sedition and terrorism as a means to restrict their legitimate activities; step up EU and Member State support to civil society organisations and human rights defenders, including by facilitating funding;
2023/10/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 146 #

2023/2128(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point s
(s) address prevailing caste-based discrimination in Indiaand hate crime in India and the EU;
2023/10/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 157 #

2023/2128(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point u a (new)
(ua) jointly promote independent media in the EU and India and ensure access to independent information;
2023/10/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 174 #

2023/2128(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point y
(y) recognise the substantial potential of digital issues in the EU-India partnership such as digital infrastructure and connectivity, digital policy, data protection and flows and cybersecurity; jointly pledge to ensuring the right to privacy and ensure privacy and freedom of association within a digital context, through data protection laws that guarantee the independence of the regulator, foresee adequate checks on government power, and provide adequate safeguards for the individual against government surveillance;
2023/10/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 182 #

2023/2128(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ab
(ab) facilitate further EU-India mobility, including for labour migrants, students, highly skilled workers and artists, as well as people-to-people exchanges in all sectors relevant to the EU-India partnership;
2023/10/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 183 #

2023/2128(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ab a (new)
(aba) encourage the EU and India to cooperate more in the scientific and technological fields, in particular by creating links between European projects and Indian initiatives in the areas of green technologies, water infrastructure and digital innovation;
2023/10/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 184 #

2023/2128(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ab b (new)
(abb) encourage the EU and India to align their hydrogen strategies;
2023/10/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 185 #

2023/2128(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ab c (new)
(abc) encourage the EU and India to work together on the civilian and peaceful use of space;
2023/10/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 13 #

2023/2127(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
– having regard to the Commission Recommendation on critical technology areas for the EU's economic security for further risk assessment with Member States (C(2023) 6689 final),
2023/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 76 #

2023/2127(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas China in 2021 dismantled democracy in Hong Kong and has since cracked down on political opposition and pro-democracy activists and their family members in Hong Kong and abroad;
2023/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 86 #

2023/2127(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas China is changing and moving into a new era of security and control characterised by an increasingly assertive economic and foreign, foreign and defence policy, attempts to change the international rules- based order and increasingly oppressive domestic policies;
2023/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 95 #

2023/2127(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas the EU can only credibly defend its interests and values against an increasingly assertive China if it acts with a single, united approach and remains consistent with its message;
2023/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 118 #

2023/2127(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas the EU must not acceptoppose critical political or military support by China for Russia’s illegal war of aggression in Ukraine or for any circumvention of EU sanctions imposed following Russia’s illegal invasion;
2023/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 130 #

2023/2127(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas the EU must not accept any unilateral change to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, particularly by force, nor ongoing human rights violations within China, in particular in Xinjiang, Tibet, Inner Mongolia and Hong Kong, as well as transnational repression of Hong Kongers, Uighurs, Tibetans and other Chinese nationals;
2023/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 143 #

2023/2127(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas China’s grey-zone activities, such as warplane incursions, missile drills, economic coercion, and cyberattacks, aim to pressure Taiwan into submission;
2023/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 148 #

2023/2127(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)
Hb. whereas China’s expansionist policies and harassment behaviour in the South China Sea demonstrate a flagrant disregard for the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the freedom of navigation;
2023/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 150 #

2023/2127(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H c (new)
Hc. whereas in recent decades China has grown its presence in almost every African country, which China uses to increase its international influence and secure its economic interests, especially access to Africa's vast natural resources and huge market; whereas Chinese investments and loans in Africa and beyond are not subject to good governance or respect for human rights;
2023/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 152 #

2023/2127(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H d (new)
Hd. whereas the Chinese government is strengthening its role and influence in international institutions, including in the United Nations and its Human Rights Council;
2023/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 210 #

2023/2127(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e
(e) ensure that China plays a constructive role indoesn’t hinder the purposes and objectives of multilateral organisations such as the World Trade Organization, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations and support steps towards allowing Taiwan’s participation in the meetings, mechanism and activities of relevant international institutions such as the WHO, the International Civil Aviation Organization and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change;
2023/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 216 #

2023/2127(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) strongly oppose China’s constant misinterpretation and distortion of the UN Resolution 2758(XXVI) which contains no mention of People’s Republic of China’s claim of sovereignty over Taiwan, nor does it authorize the PRC to represent Taiwan in the UN system; express grave concerns that Taiwanese passport holders, including journalists, NGO workers and political activists, continued to be barred from accessing tours and events in the UN;
2023/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 217 #

2023/2127(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) ensure participation of liberal democracies at all levels in the multilateral organisations where China is actively trying to reshape norms;
2023/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 229 #

2023/2127(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
(fa) increase EU’s presence in the Global South through its Global Gateway project, to create alternative secure infrastructure to China’s Belt and Road Initiative;
2023/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 240 #

2023/2127(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
(g) insist that China fulfils its responsibilities as a global power by upholding human rights and the rule of law, according to international standards;
2023/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 271 #

2023/2127(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i
(i) support an independent and impartial UN investigation into human rights violations in China, in particular in Xinjiang and Tibet, and urge the Chinese authorities to grant meaningful access to the regions concerned and immediately and unconditionally release the Uyghur scholar and 2019 Sakharov Prize Laureate Ilham Tohti and all other activists imprisoned and tortured because of regime opposition;
2023/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 284 #

2023/2127(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
(ia) closely observe and condemn the Chinese government’s measures to suppress religious freedom, including the forced affiliation of bishops with the CCP-controlled Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association;
2023/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 322 #

2023/2127(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m
(m) review the autonomous status of Hong Kong in the light of the National Security Law and the PRC’s violation of its international commitments, its breaches of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, and the crackdown on Hong Kong’s autonomy and opposition figures, including members of civil society, and their family members;
2023/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 374 #

2023/2127(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q
(q) strengthen the EU’s economic autonomy, and develop effective approaches to counter China’s targeted economic coercion towards Member States, such as in the case of Lithuania; ensure mutually beneficial economic relations and prevent sensitive technologies from being used for military purposes by de-risking trade flows and reducing critical dependencies on the PRC without aiming to decouple or turning inwards;
2023/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 401 #

2023/2127(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point s
(s) work towards a more coordinated approach towards the protection of critical infrastructure at EU level and think in terms of security beyond economic interests;
2023/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 421 #

2023/2127(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point u
(u) highlight that the EU’s ‘One China policy’ remains the foundation of our engagement with both the PRC and Taiwan but also underline the positive effect and strategic importance of deepening ties between the EU and Taiwan, which is a reliable and valued like-minded partner in Asia;
2023/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 443 #

2023/2127(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point w
(w) ensure that the status quo in the Taiwan Strait is not changed by means of force or coercion by supporting initiatives aimed at promoting dialogue, cooperation and confidence-building between the two sides; prepare a scenario-based strategy for tackling potential security challenges in the Taiwan Strait; take concrete steps to discourage China from escalating tensions in the region, including increasing Coordinated Maritime Presences in the Taiwan Strait, facilitating Taiwan’s military capability- building and considering economic sanction packages in the event of a Chinese invasion;
2023/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 446 #

2023/2127(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point w
(w) ensure that the status quo in the Taiwan Strait is not changed by means of force or coercion by supporting initiatives aimed at promoting dialogue, cooperation and confidence-building between the two sides; prepare a scenario-based strategy for tackling potential security challenges in the Taiwan Strait and work together with like- minded democracies to prevent an invasion of Taiwan;
2023/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 25 #

2023/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the inconsistency of the EU strategy to support and defend democracy in Russia has contributed to the Kremlin regime has suppression of alled the rights and freedoms of the Russian people over the last few decades, ultimately leading to the destruction of Russia’s constitutional statehood and to the establishment of dictatorship in Russia;
2023/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 68 #

2023/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas the EU’s objective in this war is Ukraine’s victory and the withdrawal of all Russian forces from the occupied territories, to be accomplished with the support from a broad coalition of liberal democracies; whereas this victory is necessary not only for the sake of Ukraine, but for that of the whole democratic world;
2023/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 81 #

2023/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas since 24 February 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU has been providing substantial military and budgetary support to makehelp Ukraine capable of defeating Russia and its proxies; whereas the EU has adopted 11 packages of sanctions against Russia to strategically weaken its military capacity; whereas the EU supports the establishment of a special tribunal to prosecute Russia’s leaders and their allies for the crime of aggression against Ukraine; whereas the EU’s financial institutions, together with those of G-7 countries, have frozen the assets and reserves of the Central Bank of Russia in response to Russia’s aggression and these assets should be used to support Ukraine’s reconstruction;
2023/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 115 #

2023/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas the EU, its partners and allies should not be afraid of these transformations;deleted
2023/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 204 #

2023/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point c
(c) establishment of a special tribunal to prosecute those responsible for war crimes due to Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, including the highest level of Russian leadership;
2023/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 250 #

2023/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Invites the EU institutions to establish a ‘democracy passport’ and special visa arrangements allowing democratic opposition and civil society activists to continue their work in the EU member states while in exile;
2023/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 20 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 9 March 2022 on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation,
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 52 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital -A (new)
-A. whereas the Russian invasion of Ukraine is an attack against the rules- based international order and the European security architecture; whereas Russia’s persistent attempts to destabilize the Union and to undermine the European security architecture demands that the Union substantially enhances the cohesion and effectiveness of its foreign, security and defence policy as well as its strategic sovereignty;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 53 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital -A a (new)
-Aa. whereas Europe is facing the most complex combination of both military and non-military threats since the end of the Cold War accentuated by Russia’s unprovoked and illegal military aggression against Ukraine; whereas such non-military means include disinformation, cyberattacks, economic pressure, food and energy blackmailing, instrumentalisation of migration, and subversive political influence to seek support for Russia’s illegitimate military operations; whereas this requires the EU to enhance the effectiveness of its security and defence policy to defend its interests and values;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 55 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital -A b (new)
-Ab. whereas there is a new urgency to boosting EU security and defence capabilities, including building on the unprecedented support for Ukraine and including increased funding of the EPF, the EDF and Military mobility;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 64 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas, in addition to territories in Ukraine, Russia continues to occupy the Abkhazia region and South Ossetia of Georgia and the Transnistria region in the Republic of Moldova;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 71 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas the Strategic Compass aims to equip the EU with the necessary strategic guidance, realistic and operational tools to move towards a coherent and credible defence policy, and to make it an effective and capable security provider and an assertive global actor, also in view of the new security context and the growing presence of Europe's strategic competitors in operational theatres;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 74 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas in 2023 the establishment of the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act (EDIRPA), an EU short-term instrument aimed at incentivising joint procurement to fill our most critical needs has been adopted; whereas the Act in support of Ammunition (ASAP) was swiftly adopted by the Parliament and entered into force in September 2023; whereas the European Parliament expects the European Commission to propose a Regulation establishing a plan dedicated to setting conditions for Member states to jointly procure while benefitting from VAT exemption and EU financial support, provided the 2024 revision the MFF allows the conditions to effectively finance all the European Defence newly created tools as well as this plan;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 82 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas, as outlined in the Strategic Compass, the EU must be committed to enhance its own strategic autonomy and its ability to work with partners to safeguard its values and interests, as well as those of its allies and neighbours;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 89 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas CSDP has 13 civilian missions and 9 military operations under way with around 4 000 personnel deployed on three continents; whereas missions and operations persistently suffer from Member States not delivering on their pledges to provide sufficient military or civilian personnel; whereas CSDP missions and operations suffer from slow decision making; whereas EU CSDP missions and operations are often targeted by hybrid threats, including disinformation, putting at risk their effectiveness in stabilising the country in which they are deployed and, instead, reinforcing pre-existing instability whose only beneficiaries are malicious third states actors;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 95 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas the People’s Republic of China increasingly attempts to change the international rules-based order and threatens to undermine European security by supporting Russia’s illegal war of aggression in Ukraine and through its escalating hybrid warfare tactics in the Indo-Pacific and South China Sea;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 100 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)
Bc. whereas EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM) has already reached the target of 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers trained; whereas, based on current results and trends, EUMAM stands ready to train more Ukrainian military personnel to reach a target of 40,000 soldiers; whereas the mission is also prepared to integrate training in the Air and Maritime domains as appropriate, or to react to any other urgent UA training requests;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 105 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B d (new)
Bd. whereas in July, Niger suffered a military coup; whereas the junta has taken a decision to prepare a case for the prosecution of legitimate Nigerian President Bazoum for “high treason”; whereas ECOWAS has followed a “two- track” policy – one track of mediation whilst applying sanctions (trade, banking, and individual); whereas the EU has expressed strong support for ECOWAS, a readiness to prepare an autonomous sanctions regime, and a willingness to look at any request that might come from ECOWAS for further support; whereas following the coup, both CSDP missions (EUCAP Sahel Niger and the EU Military Partnership Mission in Niger) have suspended their operational activities and have kept only necessary core staff in the country; whereas the ongoing four assistances measures from the European Peace Facility (74 M€ in total) have been suspended;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 112 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B e (new)
Be. whereas Russia’s influence in Africa has developed, in particular due to an increased footprint of the Wagner group on the continent; whereas Wagner has been gaining a strong foothold in countries like Mali and the Central African Republic; whereas the regions in which Wagner is present have been subject to rampant human rights abuses, plundering of resources, whereas all this is done in all impunity; whereas in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger the situation is marked by the non-cooperative stance of authorities towards other partners (including EUTM Mali), regional organizations as well as MINUSMA;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 117 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B f (new)
Bf. whereas Azerbaijan has created an extremely tense situation by tightening the illegal blockade of the Latchin corridor, multiplying the number of military incidents at various points on the border with Armenia and making threatening comments against Armenia; whereas the European Union has launched in 2023 a new EU CSDP civilian mission in Armenia (EU Mission in Armenia - EUMA) on the Armenian side of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, aiming to contribute to stability in the border areas of Armenia, promote confidence-building, enhance human security in conflict- affected areas, and create an environment conducive to EU-supported normalisation efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan that has almost reached its full capacity; whereas members of the mission have been targeted by unidentified attacks;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 128 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B g (new)
Bg. whereas cultural heritage has a universal dimension as a testimony of history inseparable from peoples’ identity, which the international community has to protect and preserve for future generations;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 149 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Stands united with Ukraine and resolutely condemns Russia’s illegal war of aggression and the actions of countries such as Belarus, Iran and North Korea that enable Russia's war of aggression; deplores the global consequences of Russia’s illegal war of aggression which is hitting countries and vulnerable societies around the world through increased energy prices and food shortages and which also grossly violates international law and the principles of the UN Charter and undermines European and global security and stability;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 161 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Confirms the EU will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes to end Russia’s war of aggression and restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, enabling it to effectively exercise its sovereignty, protect its civilians, document and investigate war crimes and bring those responsible to justice, and fulfil their wish of the people of Ukraine for EU membership;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 163 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Confirms the EU will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes toby providing the necessary military means until Ukraine’s victory, end Russia’s war of aggression and restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, enabling it to effectively exercise its sovereignty, protect its civilians and fulfil their wish for EU membership;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 170 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the importance of the European Peace Facility (EPF) which has supported the Ukrainian armed forces by financing and delivering military equipment and training, while providing coordination for all stakeholders through the Clearing House Mechanism hosted by the EU Military Staff; calls for the financial sustainability and durability of the EPF to be ensured in order to provide Ukraine and other EU partners around the world with the support they request; supports, in this regard, the proposal made by the VP/HR for an Ukraine Assistance Fund within the EPF that will contribute up to EUR 5 billion annually over the next four years in security commitments to Ukraine and encourages the Member States to adopt it without delay;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 176 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Is concerned by the fact that one Member State is still blocking the 8th tranche of the EPF dedicated to Ukraine, thus knowingly delaying military support for Ukraine;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 180 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the setting up of the Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine and its role in enhancing the military effectiveness of Ukraine’s armed forces so they can defend their territorial integrity within Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders and allow the country to effectively exercise its sovereignty and protection of civilians; welcomes EUMAM Ukraine capacity to addresse Ukrainian training needs in a flexible way, expects of it to bring added value by expanding training offers and to be synchronized with other training initiatives already underway; thus, expects EUMAM and other training initiatives to be mutually reinforcing; insists on adapting training modules to lessons learnt in order to adequately correspond to Ukrainian forces needs;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 188 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Suggests that the EU should consider establishing a security and military monitoring mission in Ukraine in order to learn the lessons of the war as soon as possible and to prepare for the challenges ahead;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 216 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. UExhorts the EU and the Member States to swiftly implement the Strategic Compass, to provide the Union with a common strategic defence culture and the tools to be an effective security provider in a hostile environment; therefore calls on Member States to engage in systematic, regular updates of the threat analysis; underlines the commitment of the EU’s heads of state and government, made in the Versailles Declaration, to provide all the necessary support needed by Ukraine and to take greater responsibility for European security by bolstering European defence capabilities; calls on the EU and its Member States to deliver on this commitment by accelerating the full implementation of the Strategic Compass in order to make the European Union a stronger and more capable security provider;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 249 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Reiterates its full support forNotes that, while some progress has been made (first coordination conference held, three operational scenarios adopted on the Rapid deployment capacit) much work remains to be done; reiterates the importance of the full implementation of the rapid deployment capacity (RDC) with at least 5 000 troops available for rescue and evacuation tasks, initial entry and stabilisation operations or temporary reinforcement of missions; considers that without a firm political commitment and more resources in the next months of 2023, the ambition to have the RDC operational by 2025 is at risk; calls on the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) to set out the practical modalities for implementing Article 44 TEU, in order to allow a group of willing and able Member States to plan and conduct a mission or operation within the EU framework and, thereby, ensure the swift activation of the RDC;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 259 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Reiterates its call for the establishment of regular EU Defence Ministers Council meetings and for setting up a fully functional EU military headquarters by merging MPCC and CPCC, providing it with sufficient human and material resources;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 270 #

2023/2119(INI)

12. Calls on the VP/HR and Member States to deliver more robust, flexible and modular CSDP missions and operations, that can adapt to the changing security context and that build on the synergies and complementarities of civilian and military dimensions of CSDP; highlights the importance of civilian CSDP missions to coordinate with other international partners engaged in similar activities in the host country; welcomes the adoption of the new Civilian CSDP Compact and the commitment to increase the effectiveness, flexibility and responsiveness of civilian missions, including through speeding up decision making, strengthening operational planning, improving selection and recruitment of personnel, emphasising greater gender equality and improving responsiveness tools;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 274 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the VP/HR and Member States to deliver more robust, flexible and modular CSDP missions and operations, that can adapt to the changing security context and that build on the synergies and complementarities of civilian and military dimensions of CSDP; welcomes the adoption of the new Civilian CSDP Compact and the commitment to increase the effectiveness, flexibility and responsiveness of civilian missions, including through speeding up decision making, strengthening operational planning, as well as improving selection and recruitment of personnel, emphasising greater gender equality and improving responsiveness tools;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 293 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Emphasises the importance of adequate, flexible and sustainable funding for all security and defence programs and initiatives, including the CFSP budget and the EPF; calls for a substantive increase of funding for the CFSDP budget, including a dedicated CFSP budget line establishing a civilian support facility to provide partner countries with equipment and services to enhance their civilian capabilities; calls onurges the Member States to increase the resources allocated to security and defence in the next multiannual financial framework; further calls on Member States to amend the EPF financing process to ensure adequate and sustainable support for partners, allies and CSDP operations;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 295 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Deplores again the fact that Member States are still not making full use of the PESCO framework and that, despite political declarations, progress in implementing the initiative remains far below expectations, particularly in terms of meeting commitments; is concerned that a very limited number of PESCO projects have reached the maturity phase and even a smaller number of projects have reached a full operational capacity; calls on the HR/VP and the Member States to draw the necessary consequences by deciding to merge, regroup or even abandon projects that are insufficiently advanced and to redirect efforts towards a small number of priority projects intended to lead to concrete actions as stated in the Strategic Compass, also given the changing security environment;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 323 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Stresses that EDIRPA can only be a first step towards improving the European technological and industrial base’s capacities to supply Member States with the products and quantities needed and should be complemented with further initiatives, including the envisaged long- term European Defence Investment Program (EDIP) for which adequate funding needs to be ensured; calls, in this context, also for a swift revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework to allocate adequate budgets to all European Defence instruments and urges the European Investment Bank to utilize all available tools for facilitating sufficient access to public and private finance and investment for the European defence industry, including by revising its rules;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 330 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Calls on the Member States to work on a "Buy European Act" in the field of defence; considers that the VAT exemption alone will not be sufficient to make the future Plan for investment in European Defence, decisive in supporting the EDTIB; calls therefore on the European Commission to consider other financial incentive mechanisms;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 331 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17b. Calls for strengthening the resilience of our supply chains and industries’ access to private funding as they are necessary for our European Defence Technological and Industrial Base; calls on the European Investment Bank to take stock of the recent major geopolitical changes and to contribute to that effort, including by revising its rules; considers it is equally important to ensure that horizontal EU policies, such as initiatives on sustainable finance, remain consistent with the European Union efforts to facilitate the European defence industry’s access to public and private finance and investment;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 356 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Highlights that China has established a ‘no-limits friendship’ with Russia, that includes significant transfer of technology and military capabilities, and poses an increasing number of security challenges to the EU, especially in the fields of cyber and FIMI; stresses the need for the EU to strengthen the security and integrity of its critical infrastructures, supply chains and technology base, including through close monitoring of their ownership and control by actors linked to the Chinese government; expresses concern over China’s aggressive military posturing in the South China Sea as well as its continued military pressure, assault exercises, airspace violations and other grey-zone military actions including cyber and disinformation campaigns against Taiwan; calls upon China to cease all of these activities, which endanger the stability of the entire region and, in the broader context, directly affect European security;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 365 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Calls on China to uphold the rules-based international order, especially the principle of territorial integrity, and to oppose Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine; Condemns China’s aggressive posture in the Strait of Taiwan and the South China Sea, acknowledges that the potential repercussions of destabilisation in the region would directly impact the security of the EU, and thus calls for greater Coordinated Maritime Presences and capacity building with the EU’s partners in the region;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 376 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Calls for supplementary progress on further improving the EU Hybrid Toolbox, specifically addressing activities involving cyber-attacks and FIMI, and the revision of the implementing guidelines of the EU’s cyber diplomacy toolbox; welcomes the commitment set out in the new Civilian Compact to provide the necessary capabilities to enable civilian CSDP missions to respond to hybrid attacks, including FIMI and cyber, by 2024; reiterates the needurgent necessity for ensuring the existence of the expertise and capacity for secure information and communications technologies for all CSDP missions and operations to communicate securely in theatre and with all EU institutions;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 378 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Recalls that, to have an effective CSDP, the EU and its Member States must complement it with the tools necessary to ensure that the efforts undertaken to provide stability have long term effect; calls on the EEAS to upgrade its strategy and to take concrete actions dedicated to support CSDP missions and operations fighting against and countering disinformation and propaganda, in countries where CSDP missions and operations are deployed, in particular in the Sahel and CAR, but also in in the Western Balkans and in Eastern Partnership countries;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 380 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)
21b. Expresses deep concern about developments in the Sahel region and the recent coups d’état in the region; takes stocks of the interruption of the CSDP military support mission to Niger; firmly believes that Russia’s and the Wagner PMC company involvement in West Africa runs counter to the objective of bringing peace, security and stability to the region; acknowledges that the various international missions have not yet achieved their primary goal of lasting peace in the region; welcomes the decision to suspend all operational trainings and delivery of military equipment to Mali and Niger; calls on the HRVP to close EUTM Mali and withdraw the troops stationed there, given that EUTM trains FAMA soldiers, some of whom then join forces with the PMC Wagner; calls for a deep assessment and on the mandates and roles of international missions and policies in Africa; believes that a revised strategy of CSDP in Sahel region is therefore needed;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 382 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 c (new)
21c. Express its concern about the situation in Cyprus, an EU Member State, in the context the attack on the UN Peacekeapers and the damage caused to UN vehicles by staff from the Turkish Cypriot side, as the UN peacekeepers were trying to block "unauthorised construction work" near Pyla;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 383 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 d (new)
21d. Encourages the EEAS to continue the progress already made by the European Union Military Training Mission in Mozambique (EUTM Mozambique) in the response to the growing terrorist threat in Cabo Delgado and in the training of Mozambican forces on the ground; is still concerned about the risk of this threat spreading in the area; calls for immediate action to speed up the delivery of non-lethal equipment;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 384 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 e (new)
21e. Condemns the pre-planned military attack of Azerbaijan against Nagorno-Karabakh; deplores the loss of at least 200 people and 400 wounded during the assault; recalls that this attack follows months of organized starvation and isolation of the Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh through the blockade of the Lachin corridor; underlines that the Russian peacekeepers on site have not taken any action to end the blockade or to stop the Azeri military assault against Nagorno-Karabakh; takes notes of the ceasefire decided on September 20; condemns the military support provided by third states to Azerbaijan; is seriously concerned about the consequences on the civilian population and urges Azerbaijan not to force the exodus of the local population, which would amount to de facto ethnic cleansing; calls for international guarantees to protect the life and the rights of Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh; calls on the full and unimpeded humanitarian access to be restored on the territory; stresses that the multiple warnings of the EU Parliament on the situation has not led to any change in the EU policy vis-à-vis Azerbaijan; considers that the attack carried out by Azerbaijan cannot remain without consequences, and calls on the EU to take sanctions against the Azerbaijani authorities responsible for multiple ceasefire violations; calls on the EU to review its partnership agreement with Azerbaijan in the light of recent events and in light of the country's dramatic human rights situation; calls on the EU civilian mission in Armenia to continue to observe the evolution of the security situation on the ground, to make it transparent and to report to the European Parliament;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 385 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 f (new)
21f. Welcome Bosnia and Herzegovina stated strong support for the executive mandate of EUFOR Althea; recall the importance of the EUFOR Althea to help maintaining a safe and secure environment in the country; in that sense, welcome the Cooperation and Training Contract for 2023 concluded between the AFBiH and EUFOR; call on BiH to work towards forming multi-ethnic units of the AFBiH; recalls the EU engagement in supporting BiH's defence capacity building, in particular via the €20 million that have been allocated through the EPF so far;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 393 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Welcomes the Council’s decision of 4 May 2023 to allocate EUR 40 million under the European Peace Facility to support the Armed Forces of the Republic of Moldova and EUR 30 million to support the Georgian Defense Forces; stresses the need to further increase support to these Eastern Partnership countries and to consider providing similar support to Armenia in order to strengthen its defence and security sector;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 396 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22b. Welcomes the continuous extension of the mandate of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia and regrets that the Mission is unable to enter the Russian-occupied territories of Georgia; considers it important to reinforce the capacity of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia in order to adequately address the security and humanitarian needs of the local population in the conflict-affected territories;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 400 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Welcomes the joint communication on the EU cyber defence policy and calls on Member States to implement the ambitious but realistic set of actions proposed by the Commission, including the proposal for a Cyber Solidarity Act to enhance their ability to detect and respond to cybersecurity threats and incidents in the EU; recalls the Member States that the effectiveness of the EU cyber defence policy remains in their political will and concrete commitments;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 436 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Emphasises that the EU must further develop its own capabilities in all domains to enhance its own strategic autonomy and protect the sovereignty of all its Member States, while enhancing its security cooperation with partners across the globe;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 454 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Underlines the importance of the partnership dimension of the Strategic Compass in reinforcing cooperation between the EU and its allies and partners around the world in order to counter foreign strategies aimed at undermining the EU and destabilising the rules-based international order; welcomes the long- awaited third Joint Declaration on EU- NATO Cooperation which confirmed that the EU and NATO are essential partners who share common values ancalls on, in this regard, the EEAS to task EU delegations and EU CSDP missions in third countries to fully reinforce third strategic interests, and who work is ability to detect and debunk disinformation coamplementarity to ensure Euro-Atlantic and global security and stabilityaigns orchestrated by foreign state actors; calls ion particular for synergies and coherence between NATO’s Strategic Concept and the EU’s Strategic Compass, particularly in the areas ofEU delegations and EU CSDP missions to play an active role in identifying early developments, in third countering Russian aggression, hybrid and cyber warfare, and providing support to partnerses, that might provide concrete examples, experience and solutions to the EU and its missions abroad;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 460 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Welcomes the long-awaited third Joint Declaration on EU-NATO Cooperation which confirmed that the EU and NATO are essential partners who share common values and strategic interests, and who work in complementarity to ensure that NATO allies benefit from a strong European pillar within NATO; calls in this regard for synergies and coherence between NATO’s Strategic Concept and the EU’s Strategic Compass, particularly in the areas of countering Russian aggression, hybrid and cyber warfare, and providing support to partners;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 466 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)
26b. Calls on the EU to continue active cooperation with the US, in the framework of the EU-US strategic dialogue on security and defence, as mutual security and defence initiatives, disarmament and non-proliferation, the impact of disruptive technologies, climate change, hybrid threats, cyber defence, military mobility, crisis management and the relationship with strategic competitors;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 471 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 c (new)
26c. Underlines the need for solidarity among Member States, especially with those whose geographical position leaves them directly exposed to imminent threats and challenges; fully supports efforts to operationalize article 42-7 TEU in this respect;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 492 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Reiterates its call for an institutionalised security and defence cooperation with the United Kingdom; encourages the United Kingdom to seriously engage with the EU on pressing strategic challenges; encourages the VP/HR to invite the United Kingdom to informal Council meetings of foreign affairs (and defence) ministers to exchange views on issues of common concern while fully protecting the EU decision making autonomy;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 514 #

2023/2119(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Notes that the increase in spending on defence policies and programmes at an EU level and among the Member States are of particular importance for European defence and security, in order to ensure that they contribute in the most effective way to the achievement of EU strategic objectives and to the protection of European security and defence interests and requires full parliamentary scrutiny and accountability; underlines the existing calls for the establishment of a fully-fledged European Parliament Committee on Security and Defence, in recognition of the emerging defence acquis in the framework of the EU with scrutiny, legislation and budgetary responsibilities;
2023/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 72 #

2023/2107(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Applauds the work of the Japanese G7 presidency in 2023 and the overall excellent cooperation in the G7; points out that the EU also needs to cooperate very closely with Japan in the G20, the UN and its specialised agencies, the UNFCCC, international standardisation organisations and financial institutions and other international formats in the pursuit of peace, human rights, prosperity, the rule of law and the implementation of the sustainable development goals; calls for the establishment of a regular parliamentary consultation process ahead of multilateral events;
2023/10/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 90 #

2023/2107(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Is grateful for the USD 7.6 billion of robust and unwavering support Japan is providing to Ukraine for its self-defence in Russia’s war of aggression; appreciates that Japan has adopted a wide range of sanctions against Russia; agrees with Japan that it is crucially important to promote the alignment of all international actors that support the UN principles of national sovereignty and territorial integrity against imperialist revisionism or hegemonic coercion; expresses the EU’s clear commitment to supporting efforts to uphold peace and stability in the Indo- Pacific, particularly in the South China Sea, the East China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, and to promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific;
2023/10/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 95 #

2023/2107(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Notes that Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine has disrupted global supplies of energy, raw materials and critical components; stresses the need to enhance the EU-Japan dialogue towards energy security, advocating green transission and towards reducing independence for the basic supplies chains on totalitarian regimes;
2023/10/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 114 #

2023/2107(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Emphasizes the importance of ensuring the openness and security of cyberspace and stresses the need to increase EU-Japan bilateral cooperation and mutual assistance on cybersecurity through education and training, in order to mitigate threats posed by state- sponsored cyber-attacks;
2023/10/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 119 #

2023/2107(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls for the acceleration of EU- Japan energy cooperation, particularly in the areas of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), electricity market reform and innovative renewable energy technologies;
2023/10/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2023/2042(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines that safeguarding and enhancing strong and sustainable trade relations with Switzerland, the EU’s fourth largest trading partner, remains a high priority especially in the current turbulent international environment;
2023/05/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2023/2042(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Acknowledges that Switzerland has taken over EU sanctions against Russia in the context of Russia's aggression against Ukraine; encourages Switzerland and the EU to work closely together in order to use Russian frozen assets for the reconstruction of Ukraine;
2023/05/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 32 #

2023/2042(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the Swiss Federal Council’s decision to issue a mandate to draw up key parameters for a negotiating mandate with the EU and urges the Commission and the Swiss Federal Council to commence negotiations promptly; emphasizes the importance of using the current momentum as general elections in Switzerland will take place in October 2023 and the European Parliament elections are held in June 2024;
2023/05/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 33 #

2023/2042(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Highlights that regarding the negotiations, the European Parliament should be informed about all the new developments in a timely manner;
2023/05/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 16 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
– having regard to the OSCE Moscow Mechanism report of 11 May 2023 on the serious threat to the OSCE human dimension in Belarus since 5 November 2020,
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 24 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas almost three years after the so-called elections on 9 August 2020, the Belarusian authorities are continuing their repression against the Belarusian people; whereas more than 50 000 Belarusians have been illegally arrested and tortured, more than 1 500 persons remain imprisoned on political grounds and are daily exposed to isolation, torture, inhumane and degrading treatment, and around 300 000 have left the country for fear of a similar fate;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 28 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas repression expanded to all segments of society - civil society organizations, human rights defenders, charitable organisations, environmental associations, independent trade unions, lawyers of political prisoners, private businesses and independent media - making any form of public dissent liable;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 31 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas around 1 000 civil organisations were deregistered and closed and over 300 media organisations labelled as extremists; whereas most of civil society organisations and independent media, especially their leaders, were forced to flee Belarus and to relaunch their activities in exile, primarily in Lithuania and Poland; whereas over 30 journalists and media workers remain imprisoned on bogus criminal charges;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 32 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Ac. whereas four major independent trade unions and the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions were shut down and at least 14 of their leaders and members were imprisoned;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 33 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)
Ad. whereas almost 100 Belarusian attorneys were stripped of their licenses;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 40 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas the Lukashenka regime is dangerously undermining the sovereignty of Belarus by deepening Belarus’ integration into the Uturning it into a satellite state of Russia and allowing Belarus to be absorbed by Russia into a so-called union Sstate with Russia;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 45 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the Lukashenka regime is further destructing manifestation of national identity of Belarusians and is pursuing the aggressive policy of russification and destruction of Belarusian culture;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 47 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas religious and ethnic minorities in Belarus, in particular the Lithuanian and Polish minorities, face harassment and restrictions on their rights, such as the right to learn in their own language;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 51 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the Belarusian authorities actively support and have become accomplices in Russia’s unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine; whereas majority of Belarusians are against their country’s participation in this war and demonstrate it by organizing peaceful protests that result in arrests and police misconduct, sabotaging transportation of Russian military equipment and joining or supporting Belarusian regiments fighting alongside Ukrainian armed forces;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 56 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas Belarus is the only country in Europe to use capital punishment; whereas recent amendments to the Criminal Code introduced the death penalty for terrorist attacks not resulting in death, attempting terrorist attack or an assassination of a foreign official and treason committed by a state official or a serviceman, with the aim to deter any resistance to the involvement of Belarus into Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 60 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas the Lukashenka regime is actively engaged in Russian efforts to illegally transfer and re-educate Ukrainian children; whereas around 2 000 Ukrainian children, mainly from the territories temporarily occupied by Russia, have been sent to camps and sanatoriums in Belarus, including the Dubrava camp owned by Belarus’s main potash producer Belaruskali;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 82 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the leaders of democratic political parties have publicly declared the European aspirations of Belarusians;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 87 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas in response to the ongoing repression, the EU and its Member States have adopted a number of restrictive measures against the Lukashenka regime, including sanctions against 195 individuals and 34 entities directly involved into human rights violations and providing support to the regime, and allocated over EUR 100 million to support the people of Belarus and their democratic aspirations;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 90 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas as a result of the Western sanctions Belarus’ GDP shrank by 4,7 percent in 2022 or twice less than expected;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 92 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G b (new)
Gb. whereas the Lukashenka regime is curbing the effect of Western sanctions by using Russia provided assistance, which includes transiting Belarusian goods via Russian transport and port infrastructure, preferential access to Russian market and postponement of debt payments to Russia, as well as by circumventing the sanctions;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 94 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G c (new)
Gc. whereas the Lukashenka regime is restoring the Soviet-era centrally planned economic model, particularly regulation of retail prices, maintaining industrial production of state owned companies at the high level even if there is no demand and repressions against private businesses, including banning foreign investors from selling their stakes in companies in Belarus and imposing regulations allowing confiscation of private property;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 96 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G d (new)
Gd. whereas EU imports from Belarus in 2022 reduced twice if compared to previous years, from EUR 6,54 billion in 2021 to EUR 3,19 billion; whereas Belarus’ exports to Russia increased by 40 percent from USD 16,3 billion in 2021 to USD 23 billion in 2022; whereas Belarus’ exports to China have almost doubled in 2022;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 99 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G e (new)
Ge. whereas as a result of EU support hundreds of Belarusians are currently receiving scholarships, many more are taking part in online trainings to strengthen their professional skills and will be engaged in professional exchanges;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 104 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 (new)
Continuous repression by the Lukashenka regime and EU support for repressed
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 132 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the EU institutions and its Member States to explore the possibility of allowing representatives of the Belarusian democratic forces and civil society to take up the empty seats, in bilateral and multilateral formats, in particular within the framework of the Eastern Partnership policy, which were previously occupied by representatives of the Belarusian authorities; calls on the Commission to include independent, non regime- affiliated Belarusian experts as national representatives for Belarus in cooperation programmes such as EU4Climate, EU4Environment and other initiatives;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 141 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Denounces politically motivated ‘show trials’ aimed at instilling fear in representatives and supporters of the democratic forces, civil society, independent media, free trade unions and human rights defenders, and in particular the recent sentencing to long prison terms of Nobel Peace Prize and Sakharov Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, Valiantsin Stefanovich, Zmitser Salauyou, Uladzimir Labkovich, Raman Pratasevich, Henadz Fiadynich, Vasil Berasneu and Vatslau Areshka, as well as the sentencing in absentia of leading figures of the democratic forces such as Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Pavel Latushka, Maryia Maroz, Volha Kavalkova, Siarhei Dyleuski, Valery Tsapkala, Stsiapan Putsila and Yan Rudzik on spurious charges of ‘conspiracy to seize power’ or ‘forming extremist organisations’;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 144 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Reiterates its call on the Belarusian authorities to put an immediate end to the ill-treatment of political prisoners, who are being held in cruel, inhuman and degrading conditions, without adequate medical care and without access to lawyers and family members; is deeply concerned that imprisoned democratic opposition leaders Viktar Babaryka and Maria Kalesnikava have been secretly transferred to hospital without any information on their state of health, and that there is no information on the state of Siarhei Tsikhanouski, Mikalai Statkevich, Maksim Znak and Ihar Losik;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 152 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to enable human rights defenders, lawyers and civil society organisations to continue providing services, particularly social aid, healthcare and public defence, to political prisoners and their families;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 159 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Calls on the International Labour Organization to consider at its 111th Session, to be held in Geneva on 17 June 2023, to apply the restrictive measures listed under article 33 of the ILO Constitution to Belarus as a response to the continued persecution of independent trade union leaders and activists and of the systematic violations of workers’ rights by Lukashenka’s regime;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 160 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Calls on the Belarusian authorities to allow diplomats and international organisations, in particular the International Committee of the Red Cross, to visit political prisoners so that they can assess their condition and provide aid;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 161 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 d (new)
5d. Calls on the International Committee of the Red Cross to intensify its support for political prisoners and other oppressed persons in Belarus;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 162 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 e (new)
5e. Calls on the EU and Member States diplomats, despite existing difficulties, to engage and support the civil society, human rights defenders, independent media, pro-democratic groups and families of political prisoners in Belarus;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 168 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Encourages the Member States to further simplify the procedures and guaranteeing access in Belarus for obtaining visas and residence for those fleeing Belarus for political reasons or for those who require medical treatment as a result of violence perpetrated against them;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 170 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to prepare rules and procedures to deal with cases where human rights defenders and other civil society activists are stripped of their citizenship in Belarus, as well as to provide support to those Belarusians residing in the EU whose identity documents are about to expire and who have no means of renewing them, since they cannot return to Belarus;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 171 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 a (new)
Involvement of the Belarusian regime in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 173 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Condemns in the strongest possible terms the Belarusian regime’s involvement in Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, including promotion of hate speech, disinformation and propaganda echoing Moscow’s bellicose rhetoric, as well as the massive provision of ammunition and military hardware to the Russian aggressors and, including the manufacture of military components for the Russian military, the use of Belarusian territory as a staging ground to launch missile attacks on military and civilian targets in Ukraine and training Russian troops; notes that the vast majority of Belarusians disapprove of this multifaceted involvement in Russia’s war of aggression; expresses its support for the Belarusian volunteers, in particular the ‘Kastuś Kalinouŭski’ and ‘Pahonia’ regiments, who are bravely fighting alongside the Ukrainian army to repel the aggressors;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 182 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Considers that by enabling Russia’s unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine the Lukashenka regime has become an accomplice in committed crimes; Calls for the EU institutions and the Member States to take all the actions necessary to enable the criminal prosecution, including issuing an international arrest warrant, of Aliaksandr Lukashenka and other of Belarusian officials who are complicit in the war crimes, crimes against humanity, crimes of genocide and the crime of aggression committed in Ukraine;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 191 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Call for the EU and its Member States to broaden and strengthen the scope of sanctions (‘restrictive measures’) against individuals and legal entities responsible for or complicit in grave human rights violations in Belarus under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Mechanisms (EU Magnitsky Act), including judges, prosecutors, law enforcement, prison and penal colony officials, and agents of the infamous KGB and GUBOPiK; insists that Belarusian potash, which is the main source of the regime’s income, should remain on the list of sanctions, especially as the main potash producer Belaruskali is directly involved into illegal transfer and re-education of Ukrainian children; urges the EU and its Member States to increase their capacity to assess the real effect of sanctions in order to ensure their full implementation and to thwart any circumvention schemes; regrets that some Member States are lobbying for lifting sanctions for Belarusian potash producers, including Belaruskali;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 201 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 b (new)
Sovereignty of Belarus and protection of its language and national culture
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 202 #

2023/2041(INI)

10. Notes with great concern the rampant economic, political and military integraabsorption of Belarus into the Uso-called union Sstate with Russia; regrets that Belarus has become a satellite state of Russia; condemns the announced deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons under Russian command on Belarusian territory in blatant violation of Belarus’ nuclear-free status that was revoked following the fraudulent constitutional referendum of 27 February 2022; calls for the EU and the Member States to maintain unity in addressing the multifaceted threats posed by the Lukashenka regime to the EU, in particular the continued state-engineered illegal migration crisis at the borders of Belarus with Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, and to work in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency to ensure nuclear safety at the Belarusian NPPand the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group to ensure nuclear safety at the Belarusian NPP; regrets that the second reactor of the Belarusian NPP in Astravyets was launched without nuclear safety concerns by the international community being properly addressed;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 213 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Notes Belarus's growing economic dependence on Russia and other non- democratic countries, including China; deplores the fact that Belarus is returning to the Soviet-era centrally planned economic model, which will further isolate Belarus from the world market, lead to a lag in innovation and modernisation, and lead to a continuous brain drain, which is contrary to the interests of the Belarusian people, who have shown increasing entrepreneurial skills in recent years;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 220 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 c (new)
10c. Considering that small and medium-sized enterprises played an important role in supporting the pro- democracy movement in Belarus during and after the 2020 presidential elections, calls on the Commission and the EU Member States to continue supporting entrepreneurship in Belarus;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 223 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 d (new)
10d. Reminds all EU businesses operating in Belarus of its previous call to exercise particular diligence and uphold their responsibility to respect human rights, in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: asks them to refrain from any new investment and to publicly protest to the Belarusian authorities against the continuing repression of workers and citizens in general;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 226 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 e (new)
10e. Expresses solidarity with Belarusians seeking to protect and nurture their national identity, particularly efforts to spread the use of Belarusian language; deplores recent sentencing of art manager Pavel Belavus to 13 years in prison for his activities in promoting Belarusian language and culture; commits to increasing its communication in Belarusian language, notably translation of its reports and resolutions on Belarus and Eastern Partnership policies into Belarusian language and calls upon other EU institutions to follow;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 229 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 f (new)
10f. Condemns the harassment of religious and national minorities in Belarus, notably the Lithuanian and Polish minorities, as illustrated by the forced closure of Lithuanian and Polish schools, the prohibition and disbandment of Lithuanian and Polish associations on far-fetched grounds, and the destruction of Polish cemeteries, graves and monuments; denounces the detention and sentencing of Union of Poles activist Andrzej Poczobut on political grounds; calls on the Belarusian regime to cease immediately this multifaceted persecution of national minorities, and to uphold their rights, including the right to education in their native languages;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 233 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 g (new)
10g. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to continue and broaden support for the cultural and educational activities of the Belarusian civil society and academic institutions, including those directed to the support of Belarusian language, including independent media;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 234 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 c (new)
Support for democracy and European aspirations
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 235 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 i (new)
10i. Highlights that Belarus shares historical ties and heritage of European culture and identity and based on aspirations by the people of Belarus should remain a part of European political, cultural and economic space;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 236 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 j (new)
10j. Warmly acknowledges and supports declarations about the European aspirations of Belarusians made by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the leaders of democratic political parties; welcomes the opening in Brussels, on 1 March 2023, of the official Mission of Democratic Belarus; calls on the EU institutions to develop relations with the Coordination Council, the United Transitional Cabinet and other groupings of representatives of democratic forces, and to further engage with the Mission of Democratic Belarus in Brussels;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 237 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Calls for the EU, its institutions and its Member States to develop a more ambitious and comprehensive strategy in order to support democratic forces, civil society activists, human rights defenders, independent trade unions and free media both in and outside Belarus, with a view to fostering a democratic transition in this country and to upholding the independence and sovereignty of Belarus; calls for comprehensive capacity-building programs, including trainings on legal expertise for the legislation drafts, digital and personal security, mentoring initiatives, traineeships and other educational opportunities to empower these actors and nurture their potential; calls for improved EU communication with the people in Belarus in order to provide them with information and counter disinformation and propaganda by the state-controlled media; urges the EU Member States to foster people-to-people contacts between their own populations and the Belarusian people, and to coordinate their actions in order to alleviate the difficulties faced by democratic forces and civil society activists in exile, for example in the process of obtaining residence permits or opening bank accounts; acknowledges the work of the EU civil society in supporting their Belarusian counterparts and assisting Belarusians during the process of relocation, and calls upon the EU and its Member States to further enable their work;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 248 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Calls upon the Council to review and update its conclusions on Belarus by focusing on pre-emption and containment of security risks posed by the Lukashenka regime, effective EU public policy and engagement with the people of Belarus, including those in exile, structured cooperation with the Belarusian democratic forces and civil society and support for the victims of the Lukashenka regime;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 254 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Calls on the Commission, Council, the HR/VP and the Member States to maintain international attention and support for the pro-democracy movement in Belarus, particularly to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and her led the United Transitional Cabinet, which has shifted in the wake of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 257 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)
11c. Welcomes the Commission’s approval of the support programme “EU4Belarus: Supporting societal resilience and human capital development”, which aims to support the democratic aspirations in Belarus; considers that such support is essential in order to preserve the changes in Belarusian society that emerged from the peaceful pro-democracy movement during the 2020 presidential elections;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 261 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 d (new)
11d. Insists that EU4Belarus funds be strategically channelled into activities to support the European aspirations of the people of Belarus;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 262 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 e (new)
11e. Insists that a significant proportion of EU financial support should continue to be channelled through flexible and impartial EU mechanisms, such as the European Endowment for Democracy (EED), which would ensure good targeting and accountability for civil society, independent media and pro- democracy groups;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 265 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 f (new)
11f. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to continue to support Belarus’ independent media, which was decimated after 2020 Presidential elections and had to relocate and rebuild its activities; urges support for digitalisation and creation of spaces for pro-democracy civic and political participation of Belarusians; welcomes the opening of the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty office in Lithuanian working to provide credible media service for Russian-speakers in Belarus;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 266 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 g (new)
11g. Highlights the importance of continuously strengthening links and cooperation between Belarus and the European youth and academic community; welcomes the EU's allocation of financial resources to provide educational opportunities for Belarusian students and professionals, and expects that such support will be continued, by ensuring that Belarusians are substantially included in EU programmes such as Erasmus+ and the Horizon Europe, and by supporting a number of initiatives in the Member States, such as the Belarusian university in exile: the European University for Humanities in Vilnius;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 267 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 h (new)
11h. Expresses its concern about the transparency, freedom and fairness of the 2024 parliamentary and local elections in Belarus, in particular in the light of new legal restrictions on political parties and statements by the Central Electoral Commission questioning the importance of international election observation and the role of the OSCE ODIHR;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 268 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 i (new)
11i. Condemns the new law on political parties adopted in February 2023, which is clearly aimed at hindering and deterring the activities of democratic forces by imposing additional restrictions and obligations to register with the Ministry of Justice; takes the view that this law deliberately attempts to prevent democratic parties from taking part in the 2024 parliamentary elections;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 269 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 j (new)
11j. Calls upon the leadership of the Belarusian democratic forces to maintain unity and continue to employ innovative methods to engage the people of Belarus, particularly in Belarus, to maintain their trust and faith in democratic change, and to mobilize them in the upcoming elections;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 270 #

2023/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 k (new)
11k. Calls on the national political parties of the Member States and European political parties to further develop their cooperation and support for democratic political parties in Belarus;
2023/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 32 #

2023/0397(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. EU shall ensure and enhance the coherence of its external policies and the beneficiaries shall strive to align their policies to the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy;
2024/02/01
Committee: INTA
Amendment 34 #

2023/0397(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1
1. Preconditions for the support under the Facility shall be that the Beneficiaries continue to uphold and respect effective democratic mechanisms, including a multi- party parliamentary system, and the rule of law, and guarantee respect for all human rights obligations, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities, align their foreign policies to EU common and security policy. Another pre-condition shall be that Serbia and Kosovo engage constructively in the normalisation of their relations with a view to fully implementing all their respective obligations stemming from the Agreement on the Path to Normalisation and its Implementation Annex as well as all past Dialogue Agreements and engage in negotiations on the Comprehensive Agreement on normalisation of relations.
2024/02/01
Committee: INTA
Amendment 4 #

2023/0264(BUD)

Draft opinion
Recital B
B. whereas the Union must continue to support Ukraine including military support and respond to other urgent global needs as they evolve; whereas it is of outmost importance to continue demining Ukraine as there will be no sustainable reconstruction without it;
2023/07/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 9 #

2023/0264(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Strongly believes that a revision of the MFF is needed to make the Union budget fit for purpose in order to address global challenges, among which European defence; welcomes therefore the Commission proposal for a revision presented on 20 June, believes however that an even stronger increase in Heading 6 would be needed to address the various challenges in the neighbourhood and beyond; calls on the Council to agree on a revision of the MFF before the end of the year so that it can have an impact on the 2024 budget; furthermore calls on the Commission to present as soon as possible a detailed breakdown per budget line regarding the suggested increases for 2024 of EUR 2.331 million (in 2018 prices) in order for the budgetary authority to make full use of the additional funds in Heading 6;
2023/07/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 25 #

2023/0264(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Reiterates that adequate level of funding should be maintained for the Southern Neighbourhood in 2024; regrets therefore the diminution of 100 million EUR compared to 2023;
2023/07/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 27 #

2023/0264(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Welcomes the continuation of funding for humanitarian aid and support for Syrian refugees in the country and the region;
2023/07/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 30 #

2023/0264(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Believes that funding of projects focussing on women and girls in conflict areas, including on gender-based violence, conflict prevention, rebuilding and empowering of women, is insufficient and should be strengthened throughout all geographical regions in the budget; believes in particular that projects aiming at actively countering disinformation, in particular on these issues, can further strengthen EU actions and help establish long-term stability;
2023/07/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 43 #

2023/0264(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Strongly believes that a considerable reinforcement of humanitarian aid, accompanied by clear objectives in terms of the rule of law and governance is needed for the Union to be able to respond to emerging crises and therefore increases this budget line by EUR 1 billion.
2023/07/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 45 #

2023/0264(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the Commission to ensure that there is no direct or indirect funding of foreign associations that run counter to European values;
2023/07/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 96 #

2022/2204(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Notes Serbia’s alignment with the EU in voting in favour of relevant UN General Assembly resolutions and Russia’s suspension from the Human Rights Council; regrets, however, the fact that Serbia has consistently failed to align with the EU’s restrictive measures against Russia; deplores Serbia’s close relationship with Russia, which is an aggressor against Ukraine;
2023/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 112 #

2022/2204(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Regrets Serbia’s engagement with the authoritarian regime in Iran and hosting its high-level representatives in Belgrade at the same time as the Iranian regime is brutally repressing mass protests of its citizens, killing women, including minor girls, and those who are fighting for their rights;
2023/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 125 #

2022/2204(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Expresses concern about the decreasing public support for EU membership in Serbia and anti-EU declarations by country’s politicians;
2023/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 144 #

2022/2204(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Notes the initial steps taken by Serbia to align with the EU’s list of non- EU countries whose nationals require visas for the EU and calls for immediate and further alignment;
2023/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 255 #

2022/2204(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Condemns the opening of an RT (formerly Russia Today) office in Belgrade and the launch of its online news service in Serbian; urges the Serbian authorities to counter hybrid threats and fully align with the Council’s decision on the suspension of the broadcasting activities of Sputnik and RT; calls on Serbia to fight disinformation, including manipulative anti-EU narratives;
2023/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 414 #

2022/2204(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Welcomes Serbia’s progress in developing atowards functioning market economy but underlines the fact that the country’s private sector is hampered by weaknesses in the rule of law;
2023/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 426 #

2022/2204(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Calls on the Serbian authorities to take measures to counter depopulation and emigration ;
2023/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 436 #

2022/2204(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
30. Is deeply concerned about the strategic investments in Serbia by Russia and China and their influence on the political and economic processes in the region;
2023/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 29 #

2022/2203(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has considerable potential to further destabilise many EU and non- EU countries, especially those in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership and highlights the critical importance of EU enlargement;
2023/04/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 77 #

2022/2203(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Commends North Macedonia’s full alignment with the EU’s foreign and security policy, including its clear-cut response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine by aligning with the EU’s restrictive measures against Russia and Belarus;
2023/04/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 79 #

2022/2203(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Welcomes the adoption of an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility amounting to EUR 9 million in support of the army of North Macedonia who is actively contributing to EU missions and operations
2023/04/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 90 #

2022/2203(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Urges decision-makers to foster a national consensus on EU integration, to work towards strengthening administrative capacities, building upon a successful start to the screening process, to work towards fulfilment and the ambitious goal of meeting the criteria for EU membership by 2030;
2023/04/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 122 #

2022/2203(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Encourages the country to increase institutional integrity and intensify its judicial reform to guarantee the independence, professionalism, transparency and impartiality of the judicial system; welcomes prosecutions related to the abuse of office and looks forward to systematic action to prevent, prosecute and follow-up on corruption cases; insists on adequate funding for and the effective functioning of independent bodies and agencies and on the consistent implementation of their decisions and recommendations; applauds anti-corruption contribution of independent civil society and the media;
2023/04/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 129 #

2022/2203(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Urges the authorities to effectively fight corruption and organised crime through coordinated investigations and prosecutions leading to final convictions and asset confiscations in cases involvof corruption including high-level corruption, organised crime and money laundering;
2023/04/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 137 #

2022/2203(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Deplores the malign foreign interference and hybrid attacks, such as disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks and false bomb threats, directed against North Macedonia’s institutions and citizens; invites the EU to support the authorities to considerably strengthen North Macedonia’s resilience against such threats; calls for a stronger involvement of all stakeholders, including the Parliament of North Macedonia, in tackling foreign interference and disinformation
2023/04/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 157 #

2022/2203(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Invites North Macedonia to fully align with EU visa policy and to limit security risks related to its citizenship-by- investment scheme; calls on the authorities to refrain from enabling systematic acquisition of citizenship based on economic interest; urges the authorities to take further action against criminal trafficking networks and to step up cooperation with the EU’s justice and home affairs agencies;
2023/04/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 178 #

2022/2203(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Urges the authorities to step up protection of vulnerable groups and the prosecution of domestic and online abuse and to improve services for the victims of violence; stresses that the Ombudsman concluded that courts' sentences against convicted offenders of rape and domestic violence were overly lenient and did not contribute to a reduction and elimination of severe forms of domestic violence nor provide sufficient protection to survivors; welcomes changes to the Criminal Code of North Macedonia, covering crimes related to violence against women and the safety of journalists and insists on the need to strengthen North Macedonia’s anti- discrimination commission and Ombudsman’s office;
2023/04/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 227 #

2022/2203(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Acknowledges North Macedonia’s enabling environment for media freedom and urges the authorities to ensure transparency of media ownership, financing and political advertising, as well as the public broadcaster’s and the media regulator’s ability to operate independently; recalls the need to counter political interference and foreign and home-grown disinformation and manipulative narratives; deplores threats and attacks against journalists, including the use of SLAPPs;
2023/04/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 233 #

2022/2203(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Is concerned about the lack of trust in journalism in North Macedonia, in particular due to the extreme political polarisation and pressure from businessmen on the media sector; deplores the high number of violations of professional and ethical standards by media in North Macedonia with portals being accused of spreading fake news and inciting speech, as highlighted by the Council for Media Ethics of North Macedonia; calls on the Association of Journalists of North Macedonia and its members to fully abide by the industry standards set up in the Journalism Trust Initiative developed by Reporters Without Borders, as the appropriate tool to increase professional journalists credibility and rebuilt society's trust
2023/04/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 238 #

2022/2203(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Notes North Macedonia’s commitment to positive diplomacy and good neighbourly relations; reiterates its full support for a consistent mutual implementation of the Treaty of Friendship with Bulgaria and the Prespa Agreement with Greece; deplores the persistent disinformation campaigns creating distorted and polarised narratives that have marred the period leading to the 2018 referendum on the Prespa Agreement to reduce turnout, such as alleged threats to the Macedonian language, despite clear support for the agreement
2023/04/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 131 #

2022/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the positive steps taken towards reforming Kosovo’s public administration and encourages the government to intensify its efforts to create a professional, depoliticised and citizen- oriented civil service; representative of Kosovo's diversity; regrets the boycott of judicial institutions encouraged by Serbian nationalist political parties in the north of Kosovo;
2023/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 222 #

2022/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. welcomes the recent European proposal to put the relationship between both parties on a new and sustainable basis as a historic chance that should be seized by both parties;
2023/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 228 #

2022/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. welcomes the work of the European Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) in assisting Kosovo on the rule of law, notably police, justice and customs and in supporting relevant rule of law institutions in Kosovo on their path towards increased effectiveness, sustainability, multi-ethnicity and accountability, free from political interference and in full compliance with international human rights standards and best European practices.
2023/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 250 #

2022/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Reiterates the necessity of carrying out structural reforms in order to boost competitiveness and ensure inclusive and sustainable economic growth; welcomes the progress made in tackling the informal economy; notes however that the widespread informal economy, the high prevalence of corruption and the overall weak rule of law, continue to hinder the private sector;
2023/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 264 #

2022/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Welcomes the progress made in digitalising the economy and increasing access to internet; stresses the importance of maintaining high-level of cybersecurity through adequate financing and regulation;
2023/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 297 #

2022/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
37. Regrets the fact that Kosovo has failed to adopt the long-announced energy strategy for 2022-2030, and calls for the immediate adoption and implementation of both this strategy and the law on renewable energy sources; welcomes the adoption of a roadmap for the implementation of the 2013 and 2015 energy agreements regarding the supply of electricity in four Serb-majority municipalities in the north of Kosovo putting an end to unfair practices and giving a legal and transparent framework for the supply of electricity in the region;
2023/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 83 #

2022/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Commends Albania’s commitment to completing its comprehensive justice reform and looks forward to its implementation; encourages the country to intensify steps aimed at finalising the vetting process and ensuring universal justice through cross-cutting measures;
2023/04/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 105 #

2022/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Notes the ongoing progress and looks forward to systematic improvements and concrete results in the prevention, proactive investigation and prosecution of and non-selective final convictions for cases involving corruption and organised crime; calls for further progress in establishing a comprehensive, efficient, soundly coordinated and accountable public administration;
2023/04/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 115 #

2022/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Expresses its concern with the aspects of the draft law on fiscal amnesty and the proposed citizenship by investment scheme that are incompatible with EU norms and its visa policy and would pose risks as regards security, money laundering, tax evasion, terrorist financing, corruption and infiltration by organised crime ; welcomes Prime Minister Rama’s announcement to suspend the golden passport project;
2023/04/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 122 #

2022/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Calls for continued action to reduce unfounded asylum claims by Albanian nationals, while tackling criminal trafficking networks and increasing cooperation with the EU’s justice and home affairs agencies; welcomes successful international investigations and police operations to combat the trafficking of people, narcotics and firearms, and online fraud; stresses that countering cybercrime, trafficking in human beings and money laundering remain areas in which additional results are needed; calls on the authorities to step up its fight against child sexual abuse online which remains a concern;
2023/04/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 171 #

2022/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Expresses its concern with the lack of progress on achieving institutional transparency, freedom of expression and media freedom and stresses the role of political leaders in creating an enabling environment for the pursuit of these freedoms; condemns attempts to discredit reporters and arbitrarily withhold public information, as well as the failure to ensure the safety of journalists; urges the authorities to take immediate action against political and economic interference in the media and intimidation against reporters; welcomes the withdrawal of the draft anti- defamation legislationcondemns any regulatory attempts aiming at increasing the political control over media institutions; welcomes in this context the withdrawal of the draft anti- defamation legislation; deplores the fact that only a minority of Albanian media have a sustainable business model and transparent funding; urges the government to ensure the independence of the public broadcaster and media regulator and the transparency of media ownership, financing and public advertising;
2023/04/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 175 #

2022/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Urges the authorities to counter disinformation and manipulative narratives by promoting media literacy and improving the working conditions of journalists; welcomes the work of the Alliance for Ethical Media of Albania aiming at rigorously implementing the Code of Ethics of Journalists; calls on the Association of Professional Journalists of Albania and its members to adhere to the highest industry standards, in particular by adopting the Journalism Trust Initiative set up by Reporters Without Borders, to maintain trust and fight against disinformation;
2023/04/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 3 #

2022/2195(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10
– having regard to the concluding observations on the sixth periodic report of Uzbekistan of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women of 1 March 2022, the third periodic report of Uzbekistan of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the fifth periodic report of Uzbekistan of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child of March 2022, February 2022 and September 2022 respectively,
2023/04/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2022/2195(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas protests erupted in the Republic of Karakalpakstan on 1 July 2022 following the publication of the proposed amendments to Uzbekistan’s constitution, which would have abolished its status as a sovereign republic within Uzbekistan and its right to secede; whereas at least 21 people were killed, and over 270 were injured, in the ensuing crackdown by the authorities; whereas human rights groups have documented that law enforcement officers used excessive force in response to the largely peaceful demonstrations; whereas 22 people were sentenced on 13 January 2023 for their participation in the unrest and Dauletmurat Tajimuratov, a lawyer accused of leading the unrest, was sentenced to 16 years in prison; whereas on 17 FebruaryMarch 2023 the trial startedsecond trial against another 39 people charged with participating in the protests ended with lengthy prison sentences of up to 11 years;
2023/04/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 24 #

2022/2195(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas promised legal reforms have stalled, including the revision of the Criminal Code and a new NGO Code;
2023/04/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 29 #

2022/2195(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas Uzbekistan has accelerated its imprisonment of journalists and bloggers in recent years, including of Otabek Sattoriy, an independent blogger, investigative journalist, and activist serving a six year and six-month prison sentence for his reporting on corruption; whereas a November 2022 decision by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found Sattoriy’s detention to be in violation of international law; whereas other journalists and bloggers imprisoned for their reporting or expression include Miraziz Bazarov, a blogger arrested in March 2021 and serving a three-year sentence under house arrest on charges related to his support of the decriminalization of homosexuality, Fazilkhoja Arifkhojayev, a Muslim blogger arrested in June 2021 and sentenced to seven years and six months for reposting and commenting on religious matters on social media, and Lolagul Kallykhanova, the founder of Makan.uz arrested in July 2022 and sentenced to eight years of restricted liberty for her alleged participation in the Karakalpakstan protests; whereas Valijon Kalonov, a government critic who called for a boycott of the 2021 presidential elections, is being held in a psychiatric hospital in the Samarkand region, after a court ruling that he should undergo compulsory psychiatric treatment;
2023/04/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 37 #

2022/2195(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Eb. whereas defamation and insult, including insulting the president, remain criminal offenses, despite President Mirziyoyev’s pledge in 2020 to decriminalise both offenses; whereas blogger Sobirjon Babaniyazov was sentenced to three years in prison for insulting the President online;
2023/04/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 41 #

2022/2195(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E c (new)
Ec. whereas Muslims who practice their faith outside state controls continue to be targeted by authorities with spurious religious extremism-related criminal charges, for example, Bobirjon Tukhtamurodov was sentenced to over 5 years in prison for participating in a banned religious organization and other Muslims, including Oybek Khamidov, Khasan Abdirakhimov and Alimardon Sultonov, were imprisoned on extremism related criminal charges;
2023/04/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 43 #

2022/2195(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E d (new)
Ed. whereas the job of righting past wrongs against individuals who were imprisoned illegally and in violation of their rights remains unfinished in Uzbekistan; whereas while Uzbekistan released dozens of former prisoners of conscience in recent years, the authorities have not taken steps to rehabilitate these individuals, who remain convicted of crimes under the law, or to repair the harm caused to them by their lengthy detentions, torture and abuse many endured, isolation from their family and friends, and loss of work, among other impacts;
2023/04/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 87 #

2022/2195(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Recognises that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its implications present both challenges and opportunities for Uzbekistan and other Central Asian states, which have traditionally maintained close relations with Russia; notes that Uzbekistan abstained in the votes on the United Nations General Assembly resolutions on Ukraine, in particular those of 2 March 2022, 24 March 2022 and 23 February 2023 demanding an end to the Russian offensive and immediate withdrawal from Ukraine; notes that Uzbekistan opposed the expulsion of Russia from the UN Human Rights Council on 7 April 2022; notes the commitment of the political leadership of Uzbekistan not to allow the circumvention of sanctions imposed on Russia and calls for a close cooperation with the EU on these matters;
2023/04/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 88 #

2022/2195(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Recognises that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its implications present both challenges and opportunities for Uzbekistan and other Central Asian states, which have traditionally maintained close relations with Russia; notesdeplores however that Uzbekistan abstained in the votes on the United Nations General Assembly resolutions on Ukraine, in particular those of 2 March 2022, 24 March 2022 and 23 February 2023 demanding an end to the Russian offensive and immediate withdrawal from Ukraine; noteregrets that Uzbekistan opposed the expulsion of Russia from the UN Human Rights Council on 7 April 2022; notes the commitment of the political leadership of Uzbekistan not to allow the circumvention of sanctions imposed on Russia; calls on the EU to closely engage with the authorities on this matter;
2023/04/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 111 #

2022/2195(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Notes that despite recent reforms, the lack of genuine pluralism and meaningful engagement between candidates or with citizens meant that Uzbekistan’s presidential election was not truly competitive, while significant procedural irregularities were noted on election day by the OSCE;
2023/04/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 117 #

2022/2195(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Regrets the loss of life during protests in the Republic of Karakalpakstan on 1 and 2 July 2022; calls onurges the authorities to investigate the actions of the security services that led to deaths and injuries among the protesters and calls on the authorities to bring those responsible to justice; calls for the independence and transparency of the judicial process to be ensured in the cases linked to the protests; welcomes the Uzbek authorities’ commitment to maintaining the current constitutional status of Karakalpakstan; reiterates the importance of defending the right to peaceful demonstration;
2023/04/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 122 #

2022/2195(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Deplores the persistent lack of accountability for torture and ill- treatment by police and law enforcement, urges to hold perpetrators accountable, in particular, calls for prompt investigations into the allegations of torture by activist and lawyer Dauletmurat Tazhimuratov; calls upon Uzbek authorities to ensure that detainees and prisoners are held in conditions consistent with respect for their human dignity;
2023/04/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 124 #

2022/2195(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Condemns gross abuses over people’s sexual or gender identity and calls on the government to ensure the personal security, privacy, and non- discrimination of LGBTIQ+ people in Uzbekistan; urges to decriminalise consensual same sex conduct between men and to end the use of forced medical examinations against them; calls on the government to revise plans for a new law, proposed in August 2022, requiring compulsory medical examinations of so- called “dangerous groups”, namely men who have sex with men, sex workers, and drug users, to test for HIV;
2023/04/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 128 #

2022/2195(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Calls on the Uzbek government to continue the reform of the Criminal Code, particularly to amend the articles related to overly broad definitions of offenses against the state and extremism, to repel articles allowing for arbitrary extension of sentences of political prisoners, decriminalising ‘defamation’ and ‘insult’, and to amend the definition of torture in accordance to the UN Convention Against Torture and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;
2023/04/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 141 #

2022/2195(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses the needDeplores the lack of pluralism of the media in Uzbekistan; calls for the financial sustainability and independence of media outlets to be ensured in order to eliminate political influence; calls for greater transparency on media ownership with a view to enhancing media independence and pluralism; condemns any threats against journalists and bloggers and calls on the authorities to ensure respect for the rights of journalists, independent bloggers and human rights defenders and their protection against harassment, pressure and threats and to investigate any attacks against them;
2023/04/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 148 #

2022/2195(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Deplores persecutions against journalists, bloggers and government critics and calls for their immediate and unconditional release, in particular of Lolagul Kallykhanova, Otobek Sattoriy, Miraziz Bazarov, Fazilhoja Arifhojaev, Sobirjon Babaniyazov, and Valijon Kalonov;
2023/04/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 151 #

2022/2195(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Recalls President Mirziyoyev’s commitment to decriminalise defamation; regrets the legislative changes criminalising online criticism of the President;
2023/04/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 152 #

2022/2195(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Notes that a draft Information Code, published in mid-December 2022, includes provisions that would violate freedom of expression, if adopted, and calls on the government to ensure that any restrictions on freedom of information enshrined in the Information Code are strictly limited to the extent that is necessary and proportionate, and only for legitimate purposes, as provided for under international human rights law;
2023/04/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 155 #

2022/2195(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)
9c. Deplores religious persecution and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Bobirjon Tukhtamurodov, Oybek Khamidov, Khasan Abdirakhimov, and Alimardon Sultonov;
2023/04/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 156 #

2022/2195(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 d (new)
9d. Urges Uzbek authorities to take steps to rehabilitate victims of wrongful detention and repair the damage caused to them, including by removing their convictions, acknowledging and compensating them for the harm done, and providing assistance, such as medical and psychological care;
2023/04/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 168 #

2022/2195(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Deplores that LGBTQI+ people in Uzbekistan are at constant risk of serious human rights violations without any possible recourse to justice; calls on Uzbekistan to decriminalise homosexuality and to honour its international human rights commitments;
2023/04/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 173 #

2022/2195(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Calls on Uzbek authorities to continue to make progress in their compliance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles);
2023/04/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5
— having regard to the action plan entitled ‘Strategic Compass for Security and Defence – For a European Union that protects its citizens, values and interests and contributes to international peace and security’, which was approvdopted by the Council on 21 March 2022 and endorsed by the European Council on 25 March 2022,
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5
— having regard to the action plan entitled ‘Strategic Compass for Security and Defence – For a European Union that protects its citizens, values and interests and contributes to international peace and security’, which was approvdopted by the Council on 21 March 2022 and endorsed by the European Council on 25 March 2022,
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 9 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8
— having regard to the Response Force of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Response Force (NRF),
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 11 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8
— having regard to the Response Force of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) Response Force,
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the European Union has extensive experience in deploying multinational missions and operations abroad in order to promote peace, security and progress in Europe and in the world; whereas these common security and defence policy (CSDP) missions regularly operate alongside and complement missions of the Member States, United Nations, NATO, international organisations and third countries;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 23 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the European Union has extensive experience in deploying multinational mississions and operations abroad in order to promote peace, security and progress in Europe and in the world; whereas these common security and defence policy (CSDP) missions regularly operate alongside and complement missions of the Member States, United Nations, NATO, international organisations and third countries;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 36 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas CSDP missions regularly depend on the effective performance of third-partyinternational partners missions, reliable cooperation, timely information sharing and sincere host nation support; whereas the lack of any of these can jeopardise the implementation of a CSDP mission’s mandate and could ultimately lead to the withdrawal of EU forces;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 67 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas the Strategic Compass sets out EU-level action in many of these areas; whereas the European Defence Fund and the European Peace Facility are EU instruments which have already been deployestablished and that are designed to improve military capabilities, in the case of the European Defence Fund; and foster operational support, cooperation and burden-sharing abroad, in the case of the European Peace Facility;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 68 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas the Strategic Compass sets out EU-level action in many of these areas; whereas the European Defence Fund and the European Peace Facility are EU instruments which have already been deployused and that are designed to improve military capabilities, in the case of the European Defence Fund, and foster operational support, cooperation and burden-sharing abroad, in the case of the European Peace Facility;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 85 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J
J. whereas in cases when EU battlegroups have not been usdeployed, individual EU Member States have oftenccasionally acted outside the EU framework instead, either on their own or with other EU or non-EU states;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 101 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Ka. whereas although NATO remains the foundation of the Euro-Atlantic security, the European Union urgently needs to assume more responsibility for its own safety by acting in its neighbourhood and beyond; to this end, the EU must improve its own security and defence capabilities to ensure its strategic autonomy as well as its ability to safeguard its own values and interests;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 116 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital M
M. whereas the Strategic Compass sets out a clear roadmap for implementing EU- level actions, in particular for transforming the EU battlegroup system,, by establishing a rRapid dDeployment cCapacity (EU RDC), building on substantially modified EU battlegroups and paving the way towards entrusting the implementation of specific CSDP tasks to a group of Member States within the Union framework in accordance with Articles 42(5) and 44 of the TEU;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 118 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital M
M. whereas the Strategic Compass sets out a clear roadmap for implementing EU- level actions, in particular for transforming the EU battlegroup system, establishing a rapid deployment capacity (EU RDC) and paving the way towards entrusting the implementation of specific CSDP tasks to a group of Member States within the Union framework in accordance with Articles 42(5) and 44 of the TEU;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 120 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital M a (new)
Ma. whereas while adopting the Strategic Compass, MS agreed that they must collectively be able to respond to imminent threats or to react rapidly to a crisis situation outside the Union at any stage of the conflict cycle and to develop a rapid deployment capability for the EU to rapidly deploy a modular force of up to 5000 troops, including land, air and maritime components, as well as the necessary strategic assets;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 126 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital O
O. whereas the practical implementation of Article 44 of the TEU, as well as the establishment and operation of the EU RDC, should be considered among the main aspects of the CSDP on which the Vice- President of the European Commission / High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) needs to regularly consult Parliament;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 127 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital O
O. whereas the practicalossible implementation of Article 44 of the TEU, as well as the establishment and operation of the EU RDC, should be considered among the main aspects of the CSDP on which the Vice- President of the European Commission / High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) needs to regularly consult Parliament;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 138 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital P
P. whereas, in line with Article 41(2) of the TEU, the administrative and operating expenditure for the RDC should bereaty on European Union (TEU) prohibits ‘expenditure arising from operations having military or defence implications’ from being charged to the EUnion budget except for expenditure that is covered by the European Peace Facility, notwithstanding the possibility for participating Member States to make free-of-charge contributions to the RDC; whereas the CSDP military missions and operations, in their common costs, are funded under the European Peace Facility;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 148 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the VP/HR’s proposal, enshrined in the Strategic Compass, to establish an RDC; stressethe EU RDC, a modular capability that will be able to be used in different phases of an operation in a hostile environment, such as initial entry or reinforcement, or as a reserve force to secure an exit, where the development of this capability will be based on operational scenarios, initially focusing on rescue and evacuation operations, as well as the initial phase of stabilization operations; recalls that the capability will be composed of substantially modified EU Battlegroups and pre-identified military forces and capabilities from Member States, in accordance with the principle of the single set of forces; recalls the importance of the EU having the necessary capabilities and structures to take action rapidly and decisively during crises in order to serve and protect the Union’s citizens, interests and values across the world;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 168 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. Strongly encourages the VP/HR to propose a Council Decision on establishingAsks the VP/HR to establish, as soon as 2025, and with the strong engagement of the Member States, an EU RDC to protect the Union’s values and serve its interests along the following lines:
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 170 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. Strongly encourages the VP/HR to propose a Council Decision on establishing an EU RDC to protect the Union’s values and serve its interests along the following lines:
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 174 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point a
(a) The RDC should be established as a European Union structure with its own legal and institutional identity;deleted
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 184 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point b
(b) The RDC’s tasks should include, but not be limited to, rescue and evacuation operations, initial entry and initial phase of stabilisation operations, temporary reinforcement of other missions, andthe tasks referred to in article 43 as well as acting as a reserve force to secure exit; the Council could assign further tasks as referred to under Article 44 of the TEU, and the duration and scope of the assignments should be consistent with resources allocated to the RDC;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 187 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
(ba) Stresses that joint training for civil and military officials in the DRC requires the progressive adaptation of the teaching and training of the European Security and Defence College (Established by Joint Action 20008/550/CFDP);
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 188 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point b b (new)
(bb) Underlines the vital need to have exercises at the strategic, joint forces, and tactical level in line with NATO standards; advises that training of the tactical level should remain the responsibility of Member States, though it must be coordinated by the MPCC/OHQ in order to optimise their ability to operate together;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 193 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point c
(c) The RDC should number at least 5 000 troops, excluding strategic enablers such as air and sea lift personnel, intelligence assets, special operations forces and medical evacuation and care units; points out that the target number for the RDC should be at least between 7 000 and 10 000 troops in total; 5 000 troops may be insufficient in some cases, thus the force limit should be increased to meet all eventual scenarios' requirements;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 198 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point c
(c) The RDC should number at leastn average 5 000 troops, excluding strategic enablers such as air and sea lift personnel, intelligence assets, special operations forces and medical evacuation and care units; the target number for the RDC should be at least between 7 000 and 10 000 troops in totaldapted to the needs of the scenario-based concept;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 207 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point d
(d) The EU RDC should frequently simulatebe based, as stated in the Strategic Compass, on pre- defined operational scenarios and hold joint exercises following uniform training and certification standards such asand based on those sin NATOgle set of forces principle;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 210 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point d
(d) The RDC should frequently simulatedevelopment of the EU RDC will be based on operational scenarios and on holding joint exercises following uniform training and certification standards such as those for EUBG and in NATO;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 212 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
(da) The RDC should cooperate with the European Defence Agency, NATO and relevant CSDP projects to ensure that the RDC is fully equipped with the necessary operational capabilities to respond to any crisis, natural disaster or armed conflict, which could impact Europe in one way or another, as they occur;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 221 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point e
(e) All force elements of the EU RDC should be assigned exclusively to it and not to any other international high-readiness forces, notwithstanding the possibility for Member States to call them up for national duty in the event of an emergency;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 227 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point f
(f) In line with Article 41 of the TEU,Change the current arrangement to fund the RDC’s administrative expenditure, should be funded from under the Union budget; evaluate the relevance of a amending article 41 TEU;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 236 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point g
(g) Similarly, its operating expenditure should be funded from the Union budget via a change in the treaties, with the exception of expenditure that is charged to the European Peace Facility;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 243 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses that Europe is a pillar of peace and stability in the world, which requires the strong support of the European citizens; highlights, in this context, the need to counter hostile disinformation campaigns, and to proactively communicate the purpose and objectives of RDC deployments to the European citizens, the local populations of host countries and the international community;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 247 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Member States to transform the EU battlegroup system to match the needs of the RDC; considers that the EU battlegroups should be funded from the Union budget during their stand-up, stand-by and stand-down phaseake action as soon as possible and not later than 2025, and deliver the transformation of the EU battlegroup system to match the needs of the RDC, that will be composed of modules, as stated in the Strategic compass; urges them to agree and plan scenarios, and conduct regular live exercises to improve readiness and interoperability of the RDC, starting from 2023 onwards;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 252 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Member States to transform the EU battlegroup system to match the financial and equipment needs of the EU RDC; considers that the EU battlegroups should be funded from the Union budget during their stand-up, stand- by and stand-down phases as well as replacement of equipment lost or spent in action;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 271 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Asks for the swift approval of the EU's military mobility package to ensure a speedy force deployment capacity across the Union for the armed forces of Member States;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 273 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. The RDC must, at any moment, be fully operational and adequately equipped with strategic enablers -such as information systems, intelligence and target acquisition, strategic airlift, or air- to-air refuelling; therefore, calls on the Member States to adequately increase and coordinate their defence procurement programs, and to give special consideration to the RDC's potential needs in existing frameworks such as PESCO;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 280 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Points outInsists that the RDC should have permanent operational headquarters under the Military Planning and Conduct Capability in order to ensure its effectiveness and organise training exercises, with sufficient office space, including a proper communication and information system as well as adapted facilities for secure meetings and for the use of intelligence services; suggests to keep one or more national ‘High Readiness’ OHQs as a fall-back option, as long as the MPCC has not reached FOC necessary resources and capabilities to reach FOC status; therefore, calls for a fast implementation of the role of Operational Commander of the Director of the MPCC; emphasises that a permanently activated headquarters requires 200 staff members, up to 300 in the case of executive operations, to be fully operational, and that this important staffing step requires a genuine political will and rapid action from the MS;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 290 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Points out that the EU RDC should have pa Permanent oOperational hHeadquarters under the Military Planning and Conduct Capability, as well as immediate access to EU decision centres and connexion with NATO in order to ensure its effectiveness;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 303 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for the EU RDC to have the possibility of being deployed and acting in emergencies, natural disasters such as floods or wildfires, or other significant civil-protection crises inside EU territory, at the proposal of the VP/HR and following the pertinent authorisation procedures;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 313 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – introductory part
7. Calls on the Member States participating in the RDC twho agreed to act in the name of the European Union as mandated by the Council under Article 44 of the TEU:, under the EU CSDP, to do so solely upon a proposal by the VP/HR, who should ensure that the views of Parliament are duly taken into consideration in their proposal;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 317 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point a
(a) solely upon a proposal by the VP/HR, who should ensure that the views of Parliament are duly taken into consideration in their proposal, andeleted
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 321 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point b
(b) acting by qualified majority after deliberation in the Council;deleted
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 328 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point b a (new)
(ba) calls on the HR/VP to regularly inform the EP as stated in Article 36 TEU;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 335 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Highlights that the use of Article 44 offers significant benefits, such as speed and flexibility, and represents a strong political symbol of joint EU action, compared to Member States acting outside the EU framework;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 336 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Highlights that the use of Article 44 can offers significant benefits, such as speed, flexibility and freedom of action whilst preserving joint EU action compared to Member States acting outside the EU framework;
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 340 #

2022/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the Commission to propose the appropriate changes to the EU’s Financial and Staff Regulations, to the relevant interinstitutional agreement on budgetary matters, and to other Union acts as necessary;deleted
2022/12/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2022/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9
— having regard to the applications for EU membership submitted by Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, and the related Commission opinions and Council conclusions,
2022/07/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 17 #

2022/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)
— having regard to European Council Conclusions of 23 and 24 June 2022 on granting the status of candidate country to Ukraine and to the Republic of Moldova and readiness to do the same regarding Georgia,
2022/07/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 41 #

2022/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas enlargement is the most effective EU foreign policy instrument and one of the Union’s most successful policies, and it remains a strategic investment in peace, stability and prosperity on the European continent;
2022/07/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 77 #

2022/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas the Russian invasion of's war of aggression against Ukraine has prompted three countries with EU Association Agreements – Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova – to submit membership applications;
2022/07/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 131 #

2022/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) strengthen the EU’s position as a global player; retain the geostrategic relevance and credibility of the EU by enhancing integration in the areas of common foreign, security and defence policies, and by streamlining its decision- making processes;
2022/07/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 151 #

2022/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c
(c) undertake a thorough assessment of the EU’s enlargement capacity and enhance it with the new EU strategy for enlargement, including through necessary and timely institutional reforms;
2022/07/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 164 #

2022/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e
(e) strengthen Member States’ commitment to enlargement by delivering on EU’s obligations towards the Western Balkan and Eastern European countries;
2022/07/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 198 #

2022/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
(g) strengthen strategic communication on the mutual benefits of enlargement both in the accession countries and in the Member States;
2022/07/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 201 #

2022/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
(g a) contribute to preventing third- party interference in the political, electoral, and other democratic processes of the accession countries, in particular malicious acts aimed at manipulating public opinion and undermining a country's EU accession;
2022/07/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 236 #

2022/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k
(k) establish clear, transparent and consistent performance benchmarks, improve the measuring of progress and ensure continued political and technical support throughout the accession process based on individual merits, performance and political implementation;
2022/07/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 245 #

2022/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l
(l) reward progress with a wider phasing-in of candidate countries into respective EU policies and initiatives while sanctioning in real time any backtracking;
2022/07/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 249 #

2022/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l a (new)
(l a) review and extend the opportunities for candidate countries to participate in and observe the work of the EU institutions, so that they are fully capable and prepared when they join the EU;
2022/07/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 251 #

2022/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m
(m) step up solidarity and interim political and economic incentives for accession countries, ensuring that intermediate integration steps, particularly gradual integration into the EU single market, do not substitute but facilitate the final goal of fully-fledged EU membership;
2022/07/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 281 #

2022/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q
(q) recognise the threat created by Russia’s war of aggression by immediately granting EU candidate status to Ukraine and continuing to provide political and technical support to Moldova and Georgia with a view to enabling them to reach this important milestone as soon as possible, as a clear political signal of support to the people of these countries, and a means to accelerate internal reform processes;deleted
2022/07/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 298 #

2022/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q c (new)
(q c) assist Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova to meet the conditions set by the Commission for further steps towards EU membership, and Georgia to complete the necessary steps to obtain candidate status;
2022/07/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 302 #

2022/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q a (new)
(q a) encourage continuous and effective implementation of the Association Agreements and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas with Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia;
2022/07/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 304 #

2022/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q b (new)
(q b) review the EU's Eastern Partnership strategy and promote regional cooperation;
2022/07/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 319 #

2022/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point s
(s) prioritise the alignment of accession countries with the EU’s common foreign and security policy and continue accession negotiations with Serbia only if the country systematically aligns with EU sanctions against Russia;
2022/07/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 344 #

2022/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point u a (new)
(u a) recognise and support the pro- European aspirations of the democratic opposition of Belarus and of the Belarusian people who seek to live in a free and democratic society;
2022/07/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 354 #

2022/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v a (new)
(v a) strengthen the involvement of civil society, non-governmental organizations and experts in monitoring the accession process;
2022/07/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 355 #

2022/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v b (new)
(v b) enhance actions towards fight against corruption, de-oligarchisation and transparency in the economy;
2022/07/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 356 #

2022/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v c (new)
(v c) advocate the adoption of human rights violations sanctions mechanism or Magnitsky Act, including sanctions for corruption crimes;
2022/07/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 358 #

2022/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v d (new)
(v d) insist upon advancing gender equality, closing the gender pay gap, advancing gender balance in decision making, and ending gender based violence;
2022/07/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 411 #

2022/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ae
(ae) considerably reinforce efforts towards the settlement of conflicts, promoting confidence, sustainable reconciliation, and good neighbourly relations,; foster inclusive regional cooperation and solidarity, and support a regional approach in the implementation of socio-economic projects;
2022/07/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 420 #

2022/2064(INI)

(ae a) insist upon building an inclusive society free of discrimination with regard to all LGBTI+ people;
2022/07/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 439 #

2022/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point af a (new)
(af a) increase economic development, the market economy, transport connectivity, competitiveness and green transition;
2022/07/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 77 #

2022/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital S
S. whereas female journalists face gender-specific forms of violence, such as sexual and online harassment; whereas online harassment and abuse are often highly sexualised, based not on the content of victims’ work, but on their physical traits, cultural backgrounds or private lives; whereas these threats may lead female journalists to self-censor and have a chilling effect on press freedom and freedom of expression; whereas experts have consistently found evidence that women are in the minority across media sectors, particularly in creative roles, and are severely underrepresented at senior decision-making levels; whereas several countries discourage or even ban women from pursuing carriers in journalism;
2023/02/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 150 #

2022/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Calls on the EU and the Member States to enact emergency visa programs to create a pathway specifically for journalists at risk; stresses the importance of facilitating the resettlement process for journalists at risk and supporting their work in exile;
2023/02/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 152 #

2022/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11 b. Calls for special attention to be paid to ensuring the continuity of the work of journalists and media professionals working in conflict zones, as very often they are financially prevented from continuing their important work as a result of conflicts;
2023/02/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 159 #

2022/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Reiterates its call for the EU to establish a European Democratic Media Fund to support independent journalism in (potential) enlargement and European neighbourhood countries and in candidate and potential candidate countries;
2023/02/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 171 #

2022/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Calls on the EU and Member States to exert political and diplomatic pressure to change the policies and practices of third countries to discourage or even ban women from pursuing carriers in journalism;
2023/02/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 190 #

2022/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Calls on the Council and the EEAS to impose targeted sanctions under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions (the EU Magnitsky Act) against individuals and entities responsible for human rights violations against journalists and media workers;
2023/02/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 198 #

2022/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Highlights the importance to ensure that EU support for media development is not limited to providing skills to journalist and media workers, but also enables obtaining technical work equipment, which is regularly voiced by independent journalists from third countries;
2023/02/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 201 #

2022/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Strongly encourages increasing support for funding programmes, statements and public events aimed at enhancing protection mechanisms of the UN and the Inter-American Court on Human Rights in consultation with journalists and CSOs supporting journalists; stresses that some crimes against journalists and media workers should be investigated by the International Criminal Court and calls on the EU and the Member States to provide the necessary support for the investigation;
2023/02/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
— having regard to the Charter of the United Nations, in particular its article 2.4 prohibiting the use of force and article 51 on the inherent right to individual and collective self-defence,
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 33 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 54 a (new)
— having regard to its recommendation of 9 March 2022 on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation,
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 39 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas Europe is facing the most complex combination of both military and non-military threats since the end of the Cold War accentuated by; whereas Russia's unjustified and illegal war against Ukrainprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine has shown that robust military capacities are necessary to defend peace and freedom in Europe; whereas this requires the EU to enhance the effectiveness of its foreign, security and defence policy to defend its interests and values; whereas the Strategic Compass aims to equip the EU with the necessary tools to make it an effective security provider and an assertive global actor; whereas there is a new urgency to boosting EU security and defence capabilities, including building on the unprecedented support for Ukraine and including the use of the EPF;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 42 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas Europe is facing the most complex combination of both military and non-military threats since the end of the Cold War accentuated by Russia’s unjustifiprovoked and illegal war against Ukrainemilitary aggression against Ukraine; whereas such non-military means include disinformation, cyberattacks, economic pressure, food and energy blackmailing, instrumentalisation of migration, and subversive political influence that tend to seek support to illegitimate military operations; whereas this requires the EU to enhance the effectiveness of its security and defence policy to defend its interests and values; whereas the Strategic Compass aims to equip the EU with the necessary tools to make it an effective security provider and an assertive global actor; whereas there is a new urgency to boosting EU security and defence capabilities, including building on the unprecedented support for Ukraine and including the use of the EPF;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 47 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas Europe is facing the most complex combination of both military and non-military threats since the end of the Cold War accentuated by Russia’s unjustified and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine; whereas this requires the EU to enhance the effectiveness of its security and defence policy to defend its interests and values and to support its partners; whereas the Strategic Compass aims to equip the EU with the necessary tools to make it an effective security provider and an assertive global actor; whereas there is a new urgency to boosting EU security and defence capabilities, including building on the unprecedented support for Ukraine and including the use of the EPF;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 50 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas the Russian invasion of Ukraine is an attack against the rules- based international order; whereas this war of aggression is an attack to the European security architecture that was built after the Second World War and the end of the Cold War to which Russia was a party; whereas Russia’s persistent attempts to create instability in the Union and to undermine the European security architecture demands that the Union substantially enhance the cohesion and effectiveness of its foreign, security and defence policy as well as its strategic sovereignty; whereas, on 21 September, the Russian occupation authorities of Russian-occupied Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson announced referendums to join the Russian Federation, in a blatant violation of international law; whereas the EU strongly condemned it; whereas President Vladimir Putin announced a so- called partial mobilisation and threatened Ukraine and its allies with nuclear war on 22 September;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 51 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
A b. whereas Russia has repeatedly threatened Ukraine as well as NATO and EU Member States with nuclear war;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 52 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas Russia’s hybrid aggression makes it necessary to design the defence of a free Europe in a comprehensive and multifaceted manner incorporating all critical areas, from the improvement of traditional military capacities, to the protection of critical civilian infrastructure, supply chains and energy facilities, as well as the active fight against disinformation and cybersecurity threats;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 53 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas the explosion of the Nord Stream gas pipelines was a targeted attack against the EU’s critical infrastructure; whereas the Nord Stream gas leaks will have a substantial negative impact on climate;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 54 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)
A d. whereas any deliberate disruption of active European energy infrastructure is unacceptable and should lead to the strongest possible response;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 56 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
A c. whereas the Arctic region is increasingly becoming more important with regard to geopolitics, economic development and transport, while at the same time it is facing challenges linked to climate change, militarisation and migration; whereas Russia's increasing military activity and build-up in the Arctic is alarming;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 62 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas industrial fragmentation and inefficiency in developing European military capability costs between EUR 25 and EUR 100 billion each year; whereas Member States only procured some 11 % of their total equipment collaboratively in 2020; whereas the Member States have agreed on more and better defence spending;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 68 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the European Commission and the EEAS have proposed the establishment of the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act (EDIRPA), an EU short-term instrument aimed at incentivising joint procurement to fill our most critical needs; whereas it will be backed by 500 million EUR from the EU budget on top of MS own investments; whereas by the third quarter 2022, the Commission will put forward a Regulation establishing a European Defence Investment Programme (EDIP) setting conditions for Member States to jointly procure while benefitting from VAT exemption and EU financial support;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 74 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas CSDP has 11 civilian missions and 7 military operations under way with around 5 000 personnel deployed on three continents; whereas total personnel deployed by the Member States has steadily declined in recent years, and missions and operations persistently suffer from Member States not delivering on their pledges to provide sufficient military or civilian personnel; whereas CSDP missions and operations suffer from slow decision making process and excessive micro-management from the Council, as well as from insufficient coordination between training activities and providing of military equipment to partners;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 78 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas EU CSDP missions and operations are often targeted by hybrid threats, including disinformation, putting at risk their effectiveness in stabilising the country in which they are deployed and, instead, reinforcing pre-existing instability whose only beneficiaries are malicious third states;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 81 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)
C c. whereas EUFOR Althea aims to guarantee the application of the Dayton agreements negotiated in 1995; whereas it has an executive mandate from the UN, under Chapter VII of the Charter; whereas the Council has stated its unequivocal commitment to Operation EUFOR Althea in 2020and 2021 to support the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and to maintain a safe and secure environment; whereas Russia has been deliberately ambiguous regarding the upcoming renewal of the UN Security Resolution authorising the Operation despite the strong call from each members of the trio Presidency in Bosnia and Herzegovina and all political leaders in favour of ALTHEA’s mandate renewal; whereas the continuation of EUFOR ALTHEA is in the best interest of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 84 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
C b. whereas Russia’s influence in Africa has developed, in particular due to an increased footprint of the Wagner group on the continent; whereas Wagner has been gaining a strong foothold in countries like Mali and the Central African Republic; whereas the regions in which Wagner is present are subject to rampant human rights abuses, plundering of resources; whereas all this is done in all impunity; whereas in Mali, it is reinforced by the non-cooperative stance of authorities towards Western partners (including EUTM Mali), regional organisations as well as MINUSMA; whereas the EU has responded firmly to these developments and excludes all cooperation with Wagner or other mercenaries; whereas in both CAR and Mali, the mandates of CSDP missions have been adapted accordingly;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 85 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C d (new)
C d. whereas cultural heritage has a universal dimension as a testimony of history inseparable from peoples’ identity, which the international community has to protect and preserve for future generations; whereas cultural diversity plays an important role in the promotion of conflict prevention, reconciliation and counter-extremism;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 104 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights the dramatic deterioration in European security accelerated by Russia’s unjustified and illegal warprovoked military aggression against Ukraine; stresses that this situation demands that the EU step up its strategic sovereignty and defence capacities and show greater willingness to act in order to deliver the security expected by the EU’s citizens; underlines the unprecedented and united EU response to Russia’s war against Ukraine, including the provision of military equipment through the EPF; remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s defence of its territorial integrity and sovereignty; calls on the EU to sustain its efforts and provide Ukraine with all necessary financial, humanitarian and military aid; strongly supports the creation of a training mission in support of the Ukrainian army;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 113 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights the dramatic deterioration in European security accelerated by Russia’s unjustified and illegal war against Ukraine; stresses that this situation demands that the EU step up its defence capacities and show greater willingness to act in order to deliver the security expected by the EU’s citizensat the unjustified and illegal Russian military aggression against Ukraine has exposed the flaws and shortcomings of the current global security architecture and has caused a dramatic deterioration in European security; stresses that this situation demands that the EU step up its defence capacities and must act to provide the EU citizens the peace and security they deserve; underlines the unprecedented and united EU response to Russia’s war against Ukraine, including the provision of military equipment through the EPF; remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s defence of its territorial integrity and sovereignty; calls on the EU to sustain its efforts and provide Ukraine with all necessary financial, humanitarian and military aid;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 117 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights the dramatic deterioration in European security accelerated by Russia’s unjustified and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine; stresses that this situation demands that the EU step up its defence capacities and show greater willingness to act in order to deliver the security expected by the EU’s citizens; underlines the unprecedented and united EU response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, including the provision of military equipment through the EPF; remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s defence of its territorial integrity and sovereignty; calls on the EU to sustain its efforts and provide Ukraine with all necessary financial, humanitarian and military aid;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 123 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the need for solidarity among Member States, especially with those whose geographical position leaves them directly exposed to imminent threats and challenges; fully supports efforts to operationalize article 42.7 in this respect;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 130 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Stresses that the enforcement of restrictive measures against Russia remains one of the key elements in the Union's toolbox for countering Russian military aggression against Ukraine; welcomes the Commission's eighth package of restrictive measures in response to the illegal referenda organised in the Russian occupied territories, the mobilisation and Putin's threat to use nuclear weapons;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 138 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes new EU initiatives to enhance defence, notably the Versailles Declaration, the Strategic Compass and Joint Communication on defence investment gaps; welcomes the Commission’s proposal for a regulation to incentivise joint procurement while stressing the need for budgetary resources that genuinely meet the ambitious goals set; welcomes the upcoming review of the European defence investment programme regulation, the budget of which should be significantly increased as well; therefore, calls for a swift revision of the MFF, in order to allocate the adequate budget to all European Defence instruments, notably the European Defence Fund, Military Mobility, the future EDIRPA and EDIP, given the consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on European and global security;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 140 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes new EU initiatives to enhance defence, notably the Versailles Declaration, the Strategic Compass and Joint Communication on defence investment gaps; welcomes the Commission’s proposal for a regulation to incentivise joint procurement while stressing the need for budgetary resources that genuinely meet the ambitious goals set; welcomes the upcoming review of the European defence investment programme regulation, the budget of which should be significantly increased as well; highlights the need to increase funding opportunities of the European defence industry and urges the European Investment Bank to remove military equipment from the list of excluded activities;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 144 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Stresses the need to modify the funding structures of the Multiannual Financial Framework in order to provide the necessary funds for EU instruments in the area of defence; calls, in this context, for strengthening the EDF and increasing the number and relevance of collaborative defence industry initiatives, as well as for expanding the European Peace Facility and Military Mobility projects; calls further for the swift implementation and sufficient funding of all measures recently proposed by the Commission that aim to contribute to European defence, especially the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act (EDIRPA) and the European Defence Investment Programme (EDIP);
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 154 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the new ambition in the Strategic Compass to provide the Union with a vision, a common strategic defence culture and the tools to be an effective security provider in a hostile environment, as well as to enhance the CSDP to build resilience and make it more capable and responsive, so it can act rapidly to defend our interests and values and protect the EU and its citizens; considers the Strategic Compass a major step towards a genuine European Defence Union enabling the EU to act as a credible partner; calls for the timely and sound implementation of the approximately 80 concrete actions and for them to be updated regularly along with the EU Threat Analysis; calls for the sustained political will of all Member States and EU institutions in this process;; therefore calls on Member States to engage in systematic, regular and frequent updates of the threat analysis; stresses that this threat analysis will strengthen the Union’s strategic culture and provide guidance on prioritising policy objectives in the field of security and defence, as set up in the strategic compass; recalls that the Strategic Compass must be a dynamic process, which must be regularly updated and adapted on the basis of the common threat analysis;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 165 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Considers it necessary to establish a regular EU Defence Ministers Council;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 168 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses the need to substantially strengthen the society-wide focus on resilience and the response to hybrid warfare; welcomes the decision to develop an EU Hybrid Toolbox for a coordinated response to hybrid threats; encourages further development of the EU’s cyber- defence policy and capabilities; cyber-defence policy and capabilities; underlines that the EU institutions, bodies, agencies, delegations, mission and operations networks, buildings and staff area target for all types of hybrid threats and attacks by foreign state actors and should, therefore, be properly protected, paying special attention to the EEAS’s assets, premises and activities abroad and the safety of EU staff delegated to non- democratic countries with repressive regimes; reiterates the urgent need for European institutions, agencies and other bodies to develop their strategic communication capabilities, to equip themselves with secure communication systems and a rapid reaction capacity to attacks, and to greatly increase their resilience;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 173 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses the need to substantially strengthen the society-wide focus on resilience and the response to hybrid warfare; welcomes the decision to develop an EU Hybrid Toolbox for a coordinated response to hybrid threats; encourages further development of the EU’s cyber- defence policy and capabilities; emphasises the need for effective efforts in fighting adverse disinformation and propaganda;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 174 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses the need to substantially strengthen the society-wide focus on resilience and the response to hybrid warfare; welcomes the decision to develop an EU Hybrid Toolbox for a coordinated response to hybrid threats; encouragesstresses the need to further development of the EU’s cyber- defence policy and capabilities;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 178 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. Calls for a thorough investigation and proportionate response to the sabotage explosion in the Nord Stream pipelines, as well as a plan to manage the environmental impact of gas leaks in the Nord Stream pipelines;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 179 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Notes the need for comprehensive assessment and actions to secure offshore oil and gas pipelines, cables and other strategic infrastructure assets;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 180 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5 c. Calls on the EU and its Member States to take decisive decisions on the EU energy market in order to ensure a stable energy supply and mitigate the negative impact of the energy crisis on European households and businesses;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 194 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on Member States to assess the reform of the decision-making process with a view to realising untapped potential within the Treaties, in particular by activating Article 31 TEU extending qualified majority voting (QMV) to areas relating to the CSDP and pursuing full use of the ‘passerelle clauses’ and scope of articles that enhance EU solidarity and mutual assistance in the event of crises; proposes changes to the Treaties in the CSDP, to be discussed and decided upon within a convention following up on the Conference on the Future of Europe, primarily focusing on switching from unanimity to QMV for Council decisions with military implications and on defence matters for situations where passerelle clauses do not apply, only in the case of the dispatch of military equipment or CSDP missions that do not involve an executive mandate;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 205 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Stresses the need to fight against disinformation campaigns within the EU and its neighbourhood and calls for increased cooperation with partners in EU candidate countries and around the world to counter hostile foreign information manipulation and interference, as exemplified by Russia’s disinformation campaigns prior to and during its invasion of Ukraine; stresses the need to strengthen the capacities of the European External Action Service’s StratCom division, with its taskforces;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 208 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7 b. Recognises the growing political, economic, environmental, security and strategic value of the Arctic; urges the Member States to continue cooperation with the Arctic Council on all issues of interest to the EU and to develop a comprehensive strategy for the region; notes the emerging security challenges in the Arctic caused by the changing environment, the increasing militarisation and the growing geopolitical interest in the region; underlines the need to include the EU’s Arctic policy in the CSDP; stresses that the EU must have a clear vision of its role in Arctic security matters and engage in effective cooperation with NATO; stresses that the Arctic must remain an area of peaceful cooperation, and warns against increased militarisation of the region;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 218 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the EU’s ambition to strengthen its military and civilian capabilities; stresses the need to make full use of EU capability-development initiatives and budgets, notably the EDIRPA, EDF, PESCO, the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) and Military Mobility, in order to fill critical capability gaps, reduce fragmentation in the defence-procurement sector, achieve full interoperability of our forces and strengthen, strengthen the supply chain security of the European defence industry by excluding risky vendors from third countries with an offensive intelligence and IP theft programme against the Union and its Member States, to contribute to a resilient, competitive and innovative European defence technological and industrial base; calls for ensuring maximum consistency between these initiatives;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 234 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Considers it important to fill the identified defence investment gaps such as replenishing stockpiles, replacing Soviet- era systems, reinforcing air and missile defence systems towards a mature European-wide anti-ballistic missile shield, expanding existing main battle tank capabilities and armoured vehicles, strengthening naval forces and improving satellite-based secure connectivityEurope's ship-building capacity and naval forces, intensifying coastguard cooperation to counter hybrid threats against offshore cables and pipelines that are vital to Europe's energy and connectivity security, improving satellite-based secure connectivity and investing in industry partnerships that contribute to a stronger European cyber defence ecosystem; strongly calls on Member States to commit to a significant increase in funding for EU procurement mechanisms and to take swift and thorough action in this crucial field;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 238 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Considers it important to fill the identified defence investment gaps such as replenishing stockpiles, replacing Soviet- era systems, reinforcing air and missile defence systems, expanding existing main battle tank capabilities and armoured vehicles, strengthening naval forces and improving satellite-based secure connectivity; strongly calls on Member States to commit to a significant increase in funding for EU procurement mechanisms and to take swift and thorough action in this crucial field, as well as to consolidate and coordinate investments into increased military mobility;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 244 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Deplores the fact that Member States are still not making full use of the PESCO framework and that, despite political declarations, progress in implementing the initiative remains far below expectations, particularly in terms of meeting commitments; is concerned that a very limited number of PESCO projects have reached the maturity phase and even a smaller number of projects have reached a full operational capacity; calls on the HR/VP and the Member States to draw the necessary consequences by deciding to merge, regroup or even abandon projects that are insufficiently advanced and to redirect efforts towards a small number of priority projects intended to lead to concrete actions as stated in the Strategic Compass, also given the changing security environment; deplores that the Parliament isn’t in a situation to exercise proper scrutiny of PESCO projects ; considers that at a stage when 25out of 27 Member States participate in PESCO, the mechanism should be turned into a fully EU initiative keeping the possibility of opt outs for non-interested member states, and enjoy full scrutiny from the Parliament;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 246 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. stresses that any additional resources allocated to meet the target of spending 2% of GDP on defence should be used in a coordinated and cooperative manner, making full use of EU defence instruments to overcome capability shortfalls and strengthen European defence;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 252 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Underlines the need for much more support for EU research and development, development and production in high-tech defence systems that would otherwise be too expensive for individual Member States, such as ballistic and hypersonic missile defence systems or advanced electronic warfare capabilities, to ensure that the defence industrial and technological base is able to remain competitive, meet increasing demands and ambitions, and to reduce reliance on foreign parties;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 266 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Calls for moreMember States defence spending at 2 % of GDP and smarter spending to foster industrial consolidation, cost savings and increased interoperability; calls for synergies with other EU financial instruments to be leveraged and access to private funding for the defence industry to be facilitated;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 270 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Calls for strengthening the resilience of our supply chains and industries’ access to private funding as they are necessary for our European Defence Technological and Industrial Base; calls on the European Investment Bank to take stock of the recent major geopolitical changes and to use all its tools to contribute to that effort, including by revising its rules; considers it is equally important to ensure that horizontal EU policies, such as initiatives on sustainable finance, remain consistent with the European Union efforts to facilitate the European defence industry’s sufficient access to public and private finance and investment;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 276 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses the need to significantly raise the ceiling of the EPF and create a separate EPF envelope for Ukraine which guarantees adequate support for the country without systematically neglecting other priority regions, including Africa; underlines the need to ensure continuity with the support provided to Africa, considering the amount of crisis the continent is facing; calls for significantly increased military support in all its aspects, including training and information sharing with other particularly vulnerable countries such as the Republic of Moldova, Georgia and Western Balkan countries; calls for all EPF support for the provision of equipment to also contribute to the strengthening of the EDTIB and, when relevant for European sovereignty, be carried out in coordination with NATO to increase efficiency and avoid unnecessary duplication;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 289 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Expresses deep concern about developments in the Sahel region and the recent coups d’état in the region; condemns the increasing presence of the Kremlin- backed Wagner Group in the Sahel; firmly believes that the latter’s involvement in West Africa runs counter to the objective of bringing peace, security and stability to the region; acknowledges that the various international missions have not yet achieved their primary goal of lasting peace in the region and that a reflection process on the mandates and roles of international missions and policies is therefore needed; expresses similar concern over the increased presence and activity of Islamist terrorist groups, in particular Al-Qaeda, Daesh and Al- Shabaab in the Middle East and Africa; calls on the HR/VP to take stock of the main strands of the Strategic Review of EUCSDP engagement in the region; welcomes the decision to suspend all operational trainings and delivery of military equipment to Mali; welcomes the preparation and underlines the need to provide a CSDP military support to Niger, making the best use of a broad and flexible mandate; calls on the EU to continue exploring the ways to increase security partnerships with the coastal States of the Gulf of Guinea;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 312 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. Commands the work of the European Union Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine), that despite its relocation due to the war, has kept on supporting Ukraine; welcomes the extension of its mandate to training activities to identify and document war crimes;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 313 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14 b. Welcomes the HR/VP proposal to establish a CSDP non-executive military assistance CSDP Mission for Ukraine, as expressed by the Ukraine ministry of Defence, and as Ukraine urgently needs to regenerate its armed forces, as many training initiatives are already under way, but needs are considerable in the short and longer term; calls for its swift launch; expects it to addressing Ukrainian training needs in a flexible way, by bringing added value by expanding training offers and to be synchronized with other training initiatives already underway; thus, expects EUMAM and other training initiatives to be mutually reinforcing; considers that this mission should be based on EU soil; considers that this mission will be efficient to the condition that EU Member States and the MPCC are reinforced, to be able to exercise strategic command and control over the mission; calls on the EEAS to open this mission to the participation of third states, for example to those who have been participating in the work of the Clearing House Cell;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 318 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Considers it important that EU interventions are based on a clear understanding of the types of crisis and conflict the EU seeks to respond to, especially where others are not willing orthe EU should be able to intervene in hostile or in non-permissive environments in the future;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 325 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Takes note of the extension and refocusing of the EUAM and EUTM in the Central African Republic (CAR) missions on strategic communication, on strategic advice to the Ministry of Defence and the FACA staff, and on teaching the FACA about human rights, international humanitarian law, gender issues, the protection of civilians, the women, peace and security programme and the children and armed conflict programme; remains strongly preoccupied with the continuing deterioration of the political and security situation there; deplores that since 2018 the President of the CAR has turned to the Wagner Group, a private military company and Russian proxy responsible for war crimes and grave violations of human rights in the CAR; remains concerned about the impact of this decision on the viability and effectiveness of the training mission for Central African troops;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 326 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15 b. Welcomes the renewal of the CSDP EUCAP Sahel for two years; welcomes its new task to communicate with the internal security agencies and better communicate in general; insists on the importance of its third new priority to coordinate with EUBAM Libya for the EU-led development of the border capacities of the Sahel States;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 327 #

2022/2050(INI)

15 d. Welcomes the progress already made by the European Union Military Training Mission in Mozambique (EUTM Mozambique) to respond to the growing terrorist threat in Cabo Delgado and in training Mozambican forces on the ground; is still concerned about the risk of this threat spreading in the area; notes the use of the European Peace Facility to cover the common costs of EUTM Mozambique and to provide military equipment; calls for immediate action to speed up the delivery of non-lethal equipment; calls on the EEAS to consider delivering lethal weapons under the EPF to Mozambican forces, in order to train soldiers to better fight against terrorism; supports a broader action in order to support the reform of the Mozambican armed forces; insists on the necessity to pursue an integrated approach to the crisis in Cabo Delgado, which can only be overcome with a combination of job opportunities, presence of public services and increased security;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 328 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Expresses concern about increased tensions as a result of aggressive Chinese actions in the South China Sea and Taiwan resulting into potential disruption of trade links and regional security;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 329 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15 c. Calls on the EU to better address the consistent and growing threats to the protection and preservation of cultural heritage and to clamp down on the smuggling of cultural artefacts, especially in conflict zones; recalls that EUAM Iraq is the only CSDP mission or operation that has a cultural heritage protection component; expects EUAM Iraq to fully fulfil all dimensions of its mandate, including the protection of cultural heritage and the fight against artefacts trafficking; calls for such provision to be generalised to all CSDP mission or operation mandates;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 336 #

2022/2050(INI)

16. UnderlinesIs concerned by the persistent and structural problem of ensuring that CSDP missions and operations are fully staffed; calls onurges the Member States to follow through on their decisions to launch missions and operations by providing the necessary personnel; strongly urges all Member States to fulfil their pledges so as to match their actual engagement to their ambitions;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 337 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Is concerned about the increasing manipulation of information, disinformation and hybrid threats and attacks stemming in particular from Russia and China but also from other actors, affecting several theatres and CSDP missions and operations directly, destabilising whole regions and delegitimising the EU’s missions abroad; recalls that, to have an effective CSDP, the EU and its Member States must complement it with the tools necessary to ensure that the efforts undertaken to provide stability have long term effect; calls the EEAS to upgrade its strategy and to take concrete actions dedicated to support CSDP missions and operations fighting against and countering disinformation and propaganda, in countries where CSDP missions and operations are deployed, in particular in the Sahel and CAR, but also in EU candidate and potential candidate countries in the Western Balkans and in Eastern Partnership countries;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 344 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16 b. Reiterates its call to the EEAS to rapidly setting up a fully functional EU military headquarters by merging the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) structure and the Civil Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC) directorate, in order to create a fully- fledged civil-military operational headquarters; insists on the fact that they must be provided with the necessary personnel, equipment and resources and be able to exchange classified information in a secure way, including with Member States and missions or operations;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 354 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for faster operationalisation of the Rapid Deployment Capacity (RDC) as soon as possible, and before 2025, based on the increased readiness of Member States’ military forces, and given its significant importance for the Union’s capacity to protect its citizen, the need to be ready for high intensity conflicts and its strategic sovereignty; calls on Member States to commit to substantially narrowing critical gaps in strategic enablers by 2025, and to coordinate better assets in particular linked to the RDC, such as strategic airlift, space communication assets, medical assets, cyber-defence capabilities and intelligence and reconnaissance; underlines the need to better develop an articulation with ad hoc operations and modules;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 355 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for faster operationalisation of the Rapid Deployment Capacity (RDC) based on the increased readiness of Member States’ military forces and given its significant importance for the Union’s security and defence architecture for reaching operational capability significantly sooner than 2025; calls on Member States to commit to substantially narrowing critical gaps in strategic enablers by 2025, in particular linked to the RDC, such as strategic airlift, space communication assets, medical assets, cyber-defence capabilities and intelligence and reconnaissance;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 362 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Underlines the importance of significantly enhancing and upgrading intelligence sharing and cooperation among the Member States, including at Union level, and with likeminded partners; calls for increasing the financial and technical resources and capabilities of the EU Intelligence and Situation Centre and the European Union Military Staff Intelligence Directorate;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 367 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Supports the EU training mission for Ukraine’s armed forces and calls on the Member States to provide necessary support for its implementation;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 372 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17 b. Calls for improving the force generation and strengthening the staffing, response capacity, resources and strategic communication of all CSDP mission sand operations, particularly those affected by the deteriorated threat landscape, notably the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia and Operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the latter case by ensuring the availability and adequate readiness of sufficient reserves in the event that the security situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina deteriorates;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 404 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Underlines the fundamental shared democratic values at the heart of the EU and NATO; calls for the deepening of EU- NATO relations, such as through a third Joint EU-NATO Declaration as well as increased joint exercises; underlines the need to strongly upgrade the strategic partnership with NATO to base it on the strengthening of political unity and solidarity and enhanced political dialogue on all aspects of common challenges and strategically relevant issues; encourages coordinated responses in conflict prevention and crisis management mechanisms to counter emerging common threats;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 444 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Welcomes the EU-US strategic dialogue on security and defence as an important milestone in closer transatlantic cooperation; encourages the VP/HR to devote particular attention to the security ofin the EaP regionstern and Southern neighbourhood in this dialogue, to include in the discussion areas such as mutual security and defence initiatives, disarmament and non-proliferation, the impact of disruptive technologies, climate change, hybrid threats, cyber defence, military mobility, crisis management and the relationship with strategic competitors;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 465 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Calls for stronger military-security cooperation with Western Balkan countries, in particular in areas such as resilience, cybersecurity, hybrid threats, counter-terrorism and countering disinformation; calls on, in this regard, the EEAS to strengthen the role of the EU delegations and EU CSDP missions in third countries in order to reinforce their ability to detect and debunk disinformation campaigns orchestrated by foreign state actors, and to fund education projects strengthening democratic values and fundamental rights; calls on EU delegations and EU CSDP missions to play an active role in identifying early developments, in third countries, that might provide concrete examples, experience and solutions to the EU and its missions abroad;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 471 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Calls for stronger military-security cooperation with likeminded Western Balkan countries, in particular in areas such as resilience, cybersecurity, hybrid threats, counter-terrorism and countering disinformation;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 474 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26 a. Expresses deep concern about the situation between Azerbaijan and Armenia, where Armenia has been attacked within its internationally recognised borders and where Russia has not played a stabilising role; urges the HR/VP to fully engage in efforts to uphold the ceasefire, including by supporting an international observers mission with the participation of EU Member States;
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 484 #

2022/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 – introductory part
27. Stresses the need to involve Parliament more actively in CSDP decision-making, in particular with regard to the implementation of the Strategic Compass and the EPF, the EPF and the various policies and initiatives which affects or are of particular importance for European defence and security, in order to ensure that they contribute in the most effective way to the achievement of EU strategic objectives and to the protection of European security and defence interests; encourages proposals for further action by Parliament, and in particular its Subcommittee on Security and Defence, to improve its impact on the CSDP, such aand to ensure the effectiveness, the consistency and the democratic accountability of EU defence and security policies and initiatives by:
2022/10/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 61 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas violations of the rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the right to believe or not to believe, give rise to situations of oppression, conflict and war around the world;deleted
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 81 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Expresses deep concerns at the grave threats to human rights and democracy worldwide, noting that the number of democracies has continued to decline, while the number of authoritarian regimes has grown and nearly 75 % of the world’s population have experienced a deterioration in the situation of human rights in their country in the past year; underlines with concern the serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in an increasing number of places around the world;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 88 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia’s illegal, unjustified and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as the involvement of Belarus by enabling Russia to launch deadly attacks against Ukraine from its territory; urges to take all necessary measures to make sure that those who committed violations against human rights and war crimes in Ukraine are held accountable; expresses, in this regard, its deep grief at the human suffering and serious human rights violations, including sexual and gender based violence caused by the Russian armed forces at the EU’s bordersnd its proxies in Ukraine; welcomes the joint efforts of the EU and its Member States in response to the war; welcomes, moreover, the solidarity shown by a great number of countries towards Ukraine, as highlighted by their stance during the sessions and votes of the UN General Assembly on the crisisillegal war in Ukraine; calls for the EU and its Member States to give the Ukrainian people the support they need to defend democracy, human rights and international law; welcomes the unprecedented ambition of the sanctions imposed in the context of the war and calls for their coordinated implementation; calls for the EU and its Member States to continue to use all of the instruments at their disposal to support the Ukrainian people in their fight to free Ukraine from its occupiers and people fleeing Ukraine seeking support in the EU Member States;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 122 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Highlights the importance of long- term planning and continuation of support for projects and initiatives under the NDICI - Global Europe, particularly when it concerns provision of humanitarian aid in areas affected by conflicts, war and natural disasters;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 137 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Notes with regret that the post of the EU Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU has remained vacant for more than a year; reiterates its call for the Council and the Commission to carry out a transparent and comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness and added value of the position of the Special Envoy as part of renewing and reinforcing its mandate, to provide the Special Envoy with adequate resources, and to adequately support the Special Envoy’s institutional mandate, capacity and duties; reiterates its calls for the Commission to guarantee transparency in the nomination, mandate, activities and reporting obligations of the Special Envoy; recalls that the Special Envoy’s duties should focus on promoting freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief, and the rights to non-belief, apostasy and the espousal of atheistic views while also paying attention to the situation of non- believers at risk; recommends that the Special Envoy work closely and in a complementary manner with the EU Special Representative for Human Rights and the Council Working Group on Human Rights (COHOM);
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 147 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines that human rights dialogues with third countries represent a unique opportunity to focus on human rights challenges and calls for them to be harnessed to their full potential; reiterates its call for the human rights dialogues to be based from the outset on a clear set of benchmarks enabling their effectiveness to be monitored; calls for the EEAS to systematically carry out evaluations of the outcomes of the dialogues and to follow up on them accordingly; stresses that in order to be effective, the dialogues must not be used as a standalone tool, but should instead be integrated within the EU’s comprehensive set of activities with the third countries concerned, which would streamline the human rights dimension and reinforce the messages conveyed in the dialogues; draws attention to the importance of raising individual cases, in particular those highlighted by Parliament in its resolutions, in the context of human rights dialogues and of ensuring adequate follow-up to and transparency of these cases; stresses the importance of systemizing consultations with civil society organisations;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 150 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Calls on the EU institutions, including the European External Action Service, to ensure that EU and Member States human rights obligations are consistently implemented in the EU’s foreign policy; in this regard, encourages the EU to raise human rights issues with partner country counterparts, including individual human rights defender cases;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 155 #
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 156 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 b. Reiterates its call for more involved work of the EU Delegations in support for human rights defenders, particularly in countries where human rights activists, political opposition, civil society organizations, trade unions and journalists, among others, are constantly persecuted, prevented from their activities and exposed to physical danger; urges the EU Delegations to thoroughly address topics and individual cases voiced in Parliament’s monthly resolutions on human rights abuses, as well as the cases of Sakharov Prize laureates and finalists at risk, by raising them to state authorities, engaging on a daily basis and providing support to the above mentioned oppressed and persecuted groups, including visiting those in prison and attending their trial procedures;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 162 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 7
EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (GHRSR-EU Magnitsky Act)
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 164 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the fact that the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (EU Magnitsky Act) has been increasingly used as an essential tool that strengthens the EU’s role as a global human rights actor through the use of targeted sanctions by the Council; calls for the restrictive measures that have already been adopted to be implemented effectively and in full, in full and in a coordinated manner, and for the adoption of additional measures if necessary; reiterates its request for a legislative proposal to extend the scope of the GHRSR to include acts of corruption or, alternatively, for a proposal for a new thematic sanctions regime against serious acts of corruption in order to effectively target the economic and financial enablers of human rights abuserswelcomes the commitment by the President of the European Commission in her 2022 State of the Union Address to present measures to update the EU legislative framework for fighting corruption and to include corruption in the GHRSR (EU Magnitsky Act), which is in line with the Parliament’s position; reiterates its call for the introduction of qualified majority voting for the Council’s decisions and implementation of sanctions under the GHRSR (EU Magnitsky Act); reiterates its call on the Commission and the Council to strive to incorporate Parliament’s recommendations for future targeted sanctions, as stipulated in its resolutions and elsewhere;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 174 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Calls on the European External Action Service and Member States to develop a strategy to improve the interplay between the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (EU Magnitsky Act) and geographical sanction regimes, in particular through making a better use of the global regime to tackle violations that cannot directly be linked to a state, e.g. in cases of mercenaries committing human rights violations in territories outside of government control or cross-border cases such as human trafficking;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 191 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Reiterates its call to include robust clauses on human rights in agreements between the EU and third countries, supported by a clear set of benchmarks and procedures to be followed in the event of violations; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to actively reflect on how to ensure that the human rights clauses in existing international agreements are effectively enforced; stresses that the EU should react swiftly and decisively to persistent breaches of human rights clauses by third countries, including by suspending the relevant agreements if other options prove ineffective; stresses the importance of quality ex-ante and ex-post sustainability impacts assessments (SIA);
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 199 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Reaffirms that the effective protection of human rights around the world requires strong international cooperation at a multilateral level; underlines the particularly important role of the UN and its bodies as the main forum which must be able to effectively advance the efforts for peace and security, sustainable development and respect for human rights and international law; calls for the EU and its Member States to continue supporting the work of the UN, both politically and financially; underlines the need for the EU and its Member States to strive to speak with one voice both at the UN and in other multilateral forums and to promote the highest human rights standards; deplores the fact that two permanent members of the UN Security Council are responsible for gross human rights violations amounting to war crime and genocide; recalls the obligations of all UN member states to promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms, as enshrined in the Founding Charter of the United Nations and UN General Assembly Resolution 60/251; stresses the responsibility of the UN Human Rights Council to address all the grave violations of human rights around the world;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 222 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Calls on the EU to lead a pact with other democracies to strengthen multilateral organisations to defend the rules-based multilateral order against rising authoritarian powers;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 232 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Strongly condemns and is deeply concerned by the war crimes and serious violations of international humanitarian law including sexual violence, torture and killings of civilians and prisoners of war committed by Russian armed forces and its proxies in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 238 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Strongly welcomes the continuous contribution of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to the fight against impunity; calls for the EU and its Member States to provide the ICC with sufficient support to enable it to carry out its work; reiterates its condemnation of continuous efforts to undermine the legitimacy and work of the ICC by authoritarian and illiberal regimes and calls for the EU and its Member States to continue their efforts to counter them; welcomes the fact that the EU has provided support for the very first time to the ICC’s investigation capacities to help it scale up its investigations into war crimes committed by Russian armed forces in Ukrainecalls on the EU to support the ICC Prosecutor in investigating and prosecuting suspected perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity and, possibly, genocide, by providing political support, making available any evidence in their possession, including open source intelligence, information and data, satellite imagery and intercepts of communications, and providing adequate human and financial resources to the general budget of the Court in order to fully protect its independence and impartiality;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 253 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Reiterates its call on the Commission to develop a comprehensive EU action plan on fighting impunity, which should include a chapter on Ukraine including measures to fight impunity for gender-based and sexual and reproductive rights violations in conflict settings; calls for the EU and its international partners to make full use of all relevant instruments to fight impunity, including support for universal jurisdiction at national level, special tribunals at a national and international level including for the crime of aggression, as well as establishing flexible cooperation and funding mechanisms to swiftly collect and analyse evidence of crimes; calls on the Commission to ensure that these instruments are applied in a coordinated and complementary manner with other relevant EU and Member State instruments; reiterates its commitment to providing all possible assistance to ensure accountability for atrocities committed by Russian armed forces and its proxies in Ukraine and provide effective remedies for the damages suffered by Ukrainian civilians;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 261 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Reiterates its principled opposition to the death penalty, which is a cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment and is irreversible; stresses that the EU must be relentless in its pursuit of the universal abolition of the death penalty as a major objective of its human rights foreign policy; calls on all countries that have not yet done so to abolish the death penalty or establish an immediate moratorium as a first step towards its abolition; meanwhile calls on countries that apply the death penalty to reduce the list of crimes subjected to this inhumane punishment; condemns any incidents of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment and deplores the fact that they continue to be common in many countries; notes with great concern the trend of increasing instances of torture worldwide and widespread impunity of its perpetrators;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 274 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. Reiterates that the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition; calls on the EU and its Member States to support the defence of this right, especially in countries and regions where health services are most scarce;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 275 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24 b. Urges for continuous EU funding to development and global supply of the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as to educate about the benefits of vaccination, and to increase the availability, accessibility and affordability of vaccination in order to avoid vaccine-preventable diseases;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 288 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Calls for the EU and its international partners to strengthen their efforts to ensure full enjoyment of human rights by women and their equal treatment with men; underlines that women continue to be the main victims in violent crises and that sexual and gender-based violence has continued in many places around the world, notably being used in armed conflicts as a weapon of war; calls for more concerted efforts to eliminate the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and fight impunity of the perpetrators of such violence; stresses the need to pursue efforts to fully eradicate the practice of female genital mutilation; stresses that women human rights defenders, activists, journalists and lawyers have been particularly targeted, with online harassment and intimidation increasing rapidly; highlights the increase in domestic violence and setbacks to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in both developing and developed countries and calls for the EU and its Member States to fully support the right of women to bodily integrity, dignity and autonomous decision-making; reiterates the need for robust action to ensure full implementation of GAP III;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 292 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25 a. Calls for a world-wide eradication of laws and practices preventing women from exercising their rights, notably right to education, work, participation in political and public decision-making; deplores situations where women and female-headed households, particularly in humanitarian crisis areas, are denied access to humanitarian aid and essential services because national and local authorities insist that these services be provided by female workers, while at the same time limiting women's access to employment;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 302 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25 b. Recalls States on their obligation to guarantee access to comprehensive SRHR services, including modern contraceptive methods, safe and legal abortion, maternal, prenatal and postnatal healthcare, assisted reproduction, and access to SRHR information and education, including comprehensive sexuality education, without any form of discrimination; strongly condemns roll backs of existing SRHR entitlements in both developing and developed countries, which are contrary to human rights obligations under the principle of non-retrogression; welcomes the publication of the updated World Health Organization guidelines providing key recommendations to health systems for provision of abortion care;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 319 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Stresses that the right to education has suffered particular setbacks, with unparalleled disruptions to education due to COVID-19 but also to religious extremism and gender discrimination against girls being Afghanistan a dramatic example; calls for the EU to step up its work to provide access to education, including innovative ways to circumvent the obstacles imposed by national authorities; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to step up their support for third countries to help them adapt to the challenges they have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic in the field of education; stresses that support could take the form of an increased funding allocation through NDICI – Global Europe, but could also include providing capacity-building and best practices based on the lessons learned through the EU delegations worldwide;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 321 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27 a. Deplores forced relocation and deportation of Ukrainian children, including those from institutions, to the Russian Federation and the Russian- occupied territories and their forced adoption by Russian families; calls for the EU and Member States support in locating these children and reuniting them with their families or legal guardians;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 327 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Welcomes the adopCalls for systematic implementation of the EU strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021- 2030 as a tool to improve the situation of persons with disabilities, particularly poverty and discrimination, but also problems with access to education, healthcare and employment and participation in political life; underlines that the duty of caring for persons with disabilities is commonly borne by their families and calls for the EU to assist third countries in the development of policies in support of carers for persons with disabilities;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 335 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
30. Underlines its opposition to and condemnation of intolerance, xenophobia and discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, social class, disability, caste, religion, belief, age, sexual orientation or gender identity, which in many of the world’s regions leads to killings and persecution; stresses that racism, discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance continue to be a major problem worldwide leading to rights violations in all spheres of life, and have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic; calls for the EU and its Member States to lead the global fight against antisemitism and welcomes the adoption of the EU strategy to this end;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 346 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30 a. Calls on the EEAS to develop, in collaboration with Member States, specific local strategies to help fight caste- based discrimination in the countries most affected by it;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 357 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
32. Underlines the utmost importance of freedom of expression both online and offline and access to reliable information for democracy and flourishing civic space; expresses deep concern about the growing limitations to freedom of expression in many countries around the world, particularly for journalists, through censorship or the need for self-censorship and the abuse of counter-terrorism laws, anti- money laundering, defamation or anti- corruption laws to silence journalists and civil society organisations; expresses deep concern, moreover, about the physical safety of journalists and their being targeted in conflicts attacks against them and the fact that more than 50 journalists and media workers have been killed in 2022, most of which in Mexico and Ukraine;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 372 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
34. Welcomes the Commission’s intention to fund projects to assist journalists on legal and practical issues, including outside the EU, through the European democracy action plan; calls for the EU to intensify its efforts to assist targeted journalists worldwide, to ensure their safety, including by providing safe haven and means to continue their work in case they have to leave their place of residency; welcomes the role played by programmes such as Media4Democracy and the EU-funded activities of the European Endowment for Democracy to this end;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 401 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 25
Human rights defenders and civil society organisations (CSOs)
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 405 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
36. Strongly supports the work of human rights defenders and highlights the risks they face in their endeavours to protect human rights, including threats against them and their families, harassment and violence; condemns the fact that hundreds of human rights defenders have been killed for their work, the majority of whom were environmental defenders; welcomes the EU’s efforts to support human rights defenders in their work, including the ProtectDefenders.eu mechanism; calls for such efforts to be intensified in order to mitigate the growing risks faced by human rights defenders around the world, including arbitrary detention and imprisonment, verbal and physical attacks, legal harassment and restrictions; calls for the EU and its Member States, in particular the EUSR for Human Rights and EU ambassadors, to be more active in the publication of public statements in support of human rights activists at risk and those imprisoned for long periods, as well as helping to conduct prison visits for the latter and facilitating external visits to their families;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 407 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36 a. Deplores the widespread adoption of so-called “foreign agents” laws, which include provisions contrary to international law that force individuals and entities receiving funding from abroad to register themselves as foreign agents, in many countries; expresses particular concern over the use of these laws to stigmatise and restrict the work of civil society and human rights defenders (HRDs), including through restrictions of the right to access funding;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 408 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 b (new)
36 b. Expresses grave concern over the widespread use of counter-terrorism laws and policies to harm civil society and human rights defenders (HRDs), including numerous violations of the rights to privacy, freedom of expression, freedom of information and freedom of association and assembly;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 412 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 c (new)
36 c. Calls on the EU and its Member States to develop a strategic high-level vision to counter the mounting global attacks against human rights defenders (HRDs) including through the adoption of strong EU Foreign Affairs Council conclusions that would lay down a collective high-level strategy for EU global action on human rights defenders;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 415 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 d (new)
36 d. Urgently calls for an EU-wide scheme for issuing short-term visas for the temporary relocation of human rights defenders at risk as well as a more coordinated EU policy regarding the issuing by Member States of emergency visas for human rights defenders;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 418 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 e (new)
36 e. Calls for the EU and its Member States to constantly monitor and raise cases of violations of freedom of assembly and association, including the various forms of bans and limitations on CSOs and their activities, such as laws whose aim is to shrink civil society space or the promotion of NGOs sponsored by authoritarian governments (government- organised non-governmental organisations (GONGOs);
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 419 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 f (new)
36 f. Calls the EU to work with counterparts in order to obtain the repeal or the revision of legislative provisions which are used to silence and threaten civil society, and to bring them in line with international standards;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 438 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
38. Recalls its commitment to the rights of refugees, as provided by international human rights and refugee laws, in particular the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol thereto; recalls the obligations of states to protect refugees and respect their rights in accordance with the relevant international law; notes with concern that the number of people forcibly displaced worldwide as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations or events seriously disturbing public order reached an unprecedented 89 million by the end of 2021, 36.5 million of whom are children; recalls that refugees and migrants, especially undocumented migrants, face barriers in access to healthcare, including sexual and reproductive healthcare around the world; stresses, in this context, that international action and cooperation is more essential than ever to ensure protection for refugees;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 445 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
39. Notes that 5.38.8 million Ukrainians have entered the EU since the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; underlines the importance of a proper and realistic assessment of the time that Ukrainians who have fled the war will probably need to stay outside their country, as long-term stays require different kinds of responses anenhanced funding from the host countries, including a greater focus on access to education, economic opportunities, housing, healthcare and integration in the host societies; underlines the need to support, among others, those victims of sexual, gender-based and reproductive violence;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 453 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
40. Stresses the multitude of threats to human rights caused by modern warfare and conflicts around the world today; underlines that in addition to the states parties themselves, such conflicts often involve non-state agentctors including private military and security companies as well as terrorist organisations; stresses the disastrous humanitarian consequences of these conflicts and their devastating impact on civilians, who are directly targeted, have to endure grave human rights violations, and often have no or limited access to justice or legal remedies; calls for the EU to continue developing and implementing tools to enable it to respond swiftly and efficiently to such conflicts, to help put an end to the perpetration of human rights violations, and to provide assistance to the victims;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 466 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
41. Strongly condemns the war crimes and grave violations of human rights committed by the Russian armed forces; underlines the utmost importance of ensuring accountability for these violations and calls for the EU and its Member States to continue to offer their full support for the actors, measures and mechanisms to this end, including the Ukrainian prosecutors, investigators and judiciary, the ICC, the Commission of Inquiry of the UN Human Rights Council, and national investigations under the principle of universal jurisdiction; stresses the importance of swiftly gathering and preserving evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity and welcomes the efforts of independent civil society to this end; calls on the Commission to provide all the necessary assistance in this process, including additional funding from the NDICI – Global Europe, and urges the Member States to engage in this process themselves whenever they are in a position to do so; welcomes the amended mandate of the EU Advisory Mission to Ukraine and the Commission’s proposal to extend the mandate of Eurojust to support the fight against impunity; calls for an informed decision to be made about the most appropriate solution to hold to account the individuals and entities responsible for enabling Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the war crimes committed on Ukrainian territory, which cshould include the creactivation of a special international court or enabling the ICC to deliberate on these crimescrime of aggression in specially created international court or under jurisdiction of ICC;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 475 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)
41 a. Expresses deep concern regarding safety of nuclear installations in Ukraine and Belarus, which are in constant danger of military shelling; calls upon the EU, Member States and the international community to establish safety zones around these nuclear installations;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 487 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
43. Underlines that human rights, a healthy environment and combating climate change are dependent on one another; calls for progress towards the recognition of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, as laid out in Resolution 48/13 of the UN Human Rights Council, and stresses its appreciation for the peaceful work undertaken by environmental human rights defenders including land defenders and their lawyers, as well as indigenous activists, to preserve and safeguard such an environment despite the threat of violence and the risk to their lives; recognises, moreover, the important role of civil society organisations, including environmental faith-based organisations, as well as indigenous peoples for their invaluable work in the preservation and protection of the environment;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 495 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
44. Calls for the EU and its Member States to step up their contribution to the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss globally, in particular by ensuring that goods imported by the EU are produced in accordance with human rights protected under international law, including the rights of indigenous people, and do not contribute to deforestation or damage tothe destruction of natural ecosystems;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 509 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
46. Calls for the EU to use the full potential of conditionality on human rights to grant preferential access to its market to third countries; calls, in particular, for a closer link between preferential treatment and progress on human rights in the updated Regulation on the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP+) and for greater transparency throughout all steps of the procedure for granting GSP+ status, including following up on any possible violations; calls for a standing invitation for the EU to observe national elections in third countries to be established as a condition for granting those countries GSP+ status; reiterates its calls for the Commission to systematically carry out human rights impact assessments focused on the risks of human rights violations prior to granting any preferential regime to a country and to swiftly respond to any violations, including the revocation of GSP+ status if warranted; underlines the need for adequate resources and clear procedures to properly carry out the human rights impact assessments and the monitoring of the application of the international human rights conventions;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 515 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47
47. Welcomes the Commission’s proposal for a directive on corporate sustainability due diligence as a step towards fostering responsible corporate behaviour with regard to human, labour and environmental rights; emphasises that the directive’s requirements as regards reporting on the sustainability and due diligence strategies should apply to all publicly listed undertakings and to small and medium-sized undertakings operating in high-risk economic sectors; calls on the Commission to draw up a strong and coherent strategy on forced labour as an accompaniment to its proposal, notably with a view to implementing a complete ban on EU imports of goods produced through forced labour;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 519 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 a (new)
47 a. Highlights that according to the latest Global Estimates of Modern Slavery, forced labour has increased by 2.7 million in the number of people in forced labour between 2016 and 2021, up to 17.3 million in the private sector only; welcomes the European Commission Proposal for a regulation on prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 524 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 b (new)
47 b. Encourages the EU and its Member States to constructively and actively participate to the work of the UN Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises with Respect to Human Rights and adopt a negotiating mandate to this end; considers this to be a necessary step forward in the promotion and protection of human rights;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 532 #

2022/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 a (new)
48 a. Deplores practices by authoritarian regimes to limit citizens’ access to Internet, including Internet black-outs during public assemblies and protests; calls upon the EU and Member States in cooperation with other democracies to invest into research and technology allowing undisturbed and affordable global access to the Internet;
2022/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
— having regard to its recommendation of 9 Mars 2022 on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation,
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 28 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the unprovoked and unjustified military aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine has brought war back to the European continent, has seriously undermined European and global security, has revived the nuclear threat, has created economic uncertainty, has led to a spike in energy prices, has considerable potential to further destabilise many non-EU countries and has therefore significantly changed the geopolitical context of the EU’s common foreign and security policy (CFSP);
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 29 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the unprovoked and unjustified military aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine has brought war back to the European continent, has seriously underminedsignificantly threatened and continues to challenge European and global security, has created economic uncertainty, has led to a spike in energy prices, has considerable potential to further destabilise many non-EU countries and has therefore significantly changed the geopolitical context of the EU’s common foreign and security policy (CFSP);
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 38 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine was a wake-up call for the European Union, presenting a real threat to European security, underlining the need and creating a momentum to achieve a geopolitical redefinition of the CFSP; whereas it is also an opportunthe war against Ukraine highlights the necessity for the Member States to show the political will to transform the CFSP into a fully fledged European policy;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 39 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine was a wake-up call for the European Union, presenting a real threat to European security and creating momentum to achieve a geopolitical redefinition of the CFSP; whereas it is also an opportunity for the Member States to show the political will to transform the CFSP into a fully fledged European policy, with bold vision guided by Union interests in the new geopolitical reality;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 62 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Points out that the EU’s response to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine is a test of the effectiveness of the EU’s foreign, security and defence policy and of its role as a credible foreign policy player, a reliable international partner and a credible security and defence actor; notes that the response of the EU to this provocations is closely watched by many autocracies around the world and will have a decisive influence in shaping their behaviour on the international stage;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 75 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Underscores that the tectonic shift in the geopolitical landscape caused by the war in Ukraine and other international challenges, such as increasing Sino- Russian cooperation; calls for a swifter and more resolute implementation of the concept of strategic sovereignty and for a geopolitical awakening of the EU;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 89 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that the Strategic Compass, adopted by the Council in March 2022, gives the EU the tools to be both an effective security provider in a hostile environment and a more assertive global actor for peace and human security, and therefore calls for its swift and full implementation;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 94 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – indent 1
- redefining and strengthening the EU’s institutional and decision-making arrangements in foreign and security policy, by adopting qualified majority voting,
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 98 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – indent 2
- putting the concept of strategic sovereignty into practice while reducing strategic dependencies with non- democratic regime,
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 101 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – indent 3
- building strategic partnerships for a better world with democratic like-minded partners and consolidating the transatlantic alliance,
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 115 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the remarkable level of unity and resolve in responding swiftly and forcefully to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine calls for the same level of unity against any kind of attacks against our democracies or common values in the future;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 116 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the remarkable level of unity and resolve in responding swiftly and forcefully to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; urges Member States to maintain their unity and resolve and to build on this unprecedented level of cooperation;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 127 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point a
(a) switching progressivelyas soon as possible to qualified majority voting for decisions in areas of the CFSP that do not have military or defence implications, as well as for other EU external policy tools such as the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, by using the passerelle clauses provided for in the Treaties;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 129 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point a
(a) switching progressively to qualified majority voting for decisions in areas of the CFSP that do not have military or defence implications, as well as for other EU external policy tools such as the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (EU Magnitsky Act), by using the passerelle clauses provided for in the Treaties;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 132 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point a
(a) switching progressively to qualified majority voting for decisions in areas of the CFSP that do not have military or defence implications, as well as for other EU external policy tools such as the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, by using the passerelle clauses provided for in the Treaties;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 133 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point a – point i (new)
i) Strive to achieve a genuine military and defence union that is interoperable and complementary to the NATO Alliance and that can act independently when needed;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 145 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point d
(d) implementing and making full use of the ‘Team Europe’ approach to coordinate and avoid duplication in the EU’s foreign and security policy;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 146 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point e
(e) providing sufficient funding at EU and Member State level to respond without delay to current, emerging and future challenges; calls in particular for increased financing for EU external action, including for the European Defence Fund;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 149 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Welcomes the European Commission's intention to extend the scope of the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime to include acts of corruption thereby acknowledging the close link between corruption and human rights violations;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 152 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the Commission for a timely inclusion of corruption in the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (EU Magnitsky Act);
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 153 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. calls on the Council to add persons directly involved in the illegal imprisonment and prosecution of Russian political activist Vladimir Kara-Murza for opposing Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine to the EU sanctions list under the EU's Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (EU Magnitsky Act);
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 165 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6c. Takes a note of the HR/VP speech at the EU Ambassadors Annual Conference 2022 and expects that the identified shortcomings of the EU diplomatic service will be effectively addressed in order to strengthen its capacity and efficiency; welcomes the inauguration of the European Diplomatic Academy;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 166 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Welcomes the new European Diplomatic Academy aiming at acquiring common skills and competencies to promote and defend effectively the EU’s principles and interests in the world;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 193 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the shift in the Member States’ approaches, moving towards creating more EU strategic sovereignty by adopting the Versailles Declaration of 11 March 2022 and the Strategic Compass on 21 March 2022, which highlight the need to strengthen EU defence capabilities and to contribute positively to global and transatlantic security, in close collaboration and complementarity with NATO;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 194 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the shift in the Member States’ approaches, moving towards creating more EU strategic sovereignty by adopting the Versailles Declaration of 11 March 2022 and the Strategic Compass on 21 March 2022, which highlight the need to strengthen EU defence capabilities and to contribute positively to global and transatlanticEuropean and global security, in close collaboration with NATO;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 212 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the swift use of the European Peace Facility to support Ukraine, improve its ability to act and build on the European Peace Facility support already delivered to Ukraine, including through the Clearing House Cell; calls for Member States to revise the EFP budget in order to increase its amount, given the need to continue to support arms and ammunition delivery to Ukraine and other partner countries;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 215 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the swift use of the European Peace Facility to support Ukraine, improve its ability to act and build on the European Peace Facility support already delivered to Ukraine, including through the Clearing House Cell; welcomes the set up a Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine);
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 226 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines the importance of stepping up the EU’s efforts, in cooperation with NATO and other international partners, to address hybrid threats, cyberattacks, disinformation and propaganda campaigns; underlines that the EU institutions, bodies, agencies, delegations, mission and operations networks, buildings and staff area target for all types of hybrid threats and attacks by foreign state actors and should, therefore, be properly protected; reiterates the urgent need for European institutions, agencies and other bodies to develop their strategic communication capabilities, to equip themselves with secure communication systems and a rapid reaction capacity to attacks, and to greatly increase their resilience;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 230 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines the importance of stepping up the EU’s efforts, in cooperation with NATO and other international partners, to address hybrid threats, cyberattacks, disinformation and, propaganda campaigns and to protect critical infrastructure;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 234 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Welcomes the EU's steps to reduce its dependency on Russia and to diversify its energy supply sources, a longstanding call of the European Parliament; stresses that the any cooperation with third countries in the energy field may not undermine the EU's commitment to defend human rights;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 235 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Stresses that further cooperation with democratic partners is needed to secure the strategic resources used in the manufacturing of batteries, chips, semiconductors and other critical technologies and to decrease dependencies on non-democratic regimes for the supply of these resources;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 237 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Calls for initiatives to strengthen the resilience of supply chains and EU critical infrastructure, including offshore pipelines and cables;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 246 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Stresses that the Union, in cooperation with likeminded partners, should strive for global competitiveness in the research, development, production, and deployment of drones;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 258 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Underlines the importance of continued diplomatic efforts, coordinated with likeminded democratic partners, to maintain the strongest possible unity within the international community in condemning Russia and defending international law and the rules-based international order, within the United Nations at its cnd other multilateral forea;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 265 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Highlights the importance to continue building alliances and understanding among partners, and common approach to crisis situations like Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 267 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Underlines that the war of aggression against Ukraine has shown the relevance of NATO as security alliance; reiterates that NATO, in the absence of a strong common European defence and European strategic autonomy in the field of defence, is and remains the cornerstone of the EU's security; welcomes that the EU and NATO will take their partnership forward and calls for a new EU-NATO Joint Declaration that fully reflects the changed security environment and new security challenges that have emerged since Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 271 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Reiterates its call on the Commission to present an EU action plan on impunity; stresses that this action plan should seek to better coordinate and harmonise Member States’ resources and efforts to prosecute war criminals in the EU; is of the view that transitional justice plays a fundamental role in securing peace in the long term;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 274 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Supports the European Political Community as a forum for dialogue and cooperation on issues of common interest and to strengthen the security of the European continent; welcomes that 44 countries took part in the first meeting in Prague, including close partners such as the UK;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 281 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Highlights the need to intensify the dialogue with the UK on possible avenues for future cooperation and coordination in the area of foreign and security policy, including in the framework of the EU- NATO partnership, the United Nations and other international forums; welcomes in this sense the holding of the first meeting of the European political community in Prague which aims to foster political dialogue and cooperation in order to address issues of common interest and to strengthen the security, stability and prosperity of the European continent;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 285 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Highlights the need to intensify the dialogue with the UK on possible avenues for future cooperation and coordination in the area of foreign and security policy, including in the framework of the EU- NATO partnership, the United Nations and other international forums; welcomes the UK's participation in the first meeting of the European Political Community;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 295 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Underlines the importance of strong transatlantic cooperation based on shared values and objectives, and on the principle of partnership in leadership and responsibility, while respectorking on burden-sharing in the other party’s autonomy, interests and aspirationsmanagement of our common security and geopolitical interests and acting independently but in consultation when needed;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 299 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Takes note of the outcome of the EU-China Summit; reiterates its requests for a renewed, more assertive EU-China strategy that shapes relations with China in the interest of the EU as a whole and takes full account of the challenges stemming from China's rise as a global actor; calls on the EU and Member States to consider their dependency on China and address economic dependencies in strategic sectors that may result in vulnerabilities; underscores the necessity of ensuring that any support to Russia’s war in Ukraine and any circumvention of the effects of the sanctions against Russia by China must have consequences for its relations with the EU; believes that the no- limits partnership between China and Russia and China's efforts to prevent a debate in the UN Human Rights Council on Xinjiang abuses are exemplary of our systemic rivalry with China;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 301 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Takes note of the outcome of the EU-China Summit, and is deeply concerned by the outcome of the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party that highlights Xi Jinping’s geopolitical ambitions; reiterates its requests for a renewed and more assertive EU-China strategy; underscores the necessity of ensuring that any support to Russia’s war in Ukraine and any circumvention of the effects of the sanctions against Russia by China must have consequences for its relations with the EU;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 318 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Strongly condemns China's continued military provocations against Taiwan and reiterates its firm rejection of any unilateral change to the status quo in the Strait of Taiwan; denounces statements by the Chinese president that China will never renounce the right to use force over Taiwan; Calls on the Commission and the VP/HR to establish strategic cooperation with Taiwan;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 322 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the Commission and the VP/HR to establish strategic cooperation with Taiwan; calls on all competent EU institutions to urgently elaborate a scenario-based strategy for tackling security challenges in Taiwan;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 340 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Calls for a stronger partnership between the EU and Japan in the Indo- Pacific, in connectivity, R&D, frontier technologies, and resource analysis/mapping and in defending the multilateral rules-based order;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 351 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Points out that relations with India are deepening through the ongoing trade negotiations; expresses the hope that India will align its position on Russia's invasion of Ukraine with the rest of the democratic world and calls on the Council and HR/VP to make diplomatic efforts in this regard;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 355 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Points out that relations with India are increasingly important and are deepening through the ongoing trade negotiations; stresses that EU-India cooperation should be expanded;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 364 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Acknowledges that the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine is having a negative impact on the Eastern Partnership countries first and foremost; calls for the EU institutions and the Member States to engage in a thorough reflection on a reformand review of the Eastern Partnership policy, adapting to current realities and the changed geopolitical situation;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 369 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22b. Welcomes the setting up of a monitoring capacity along the Armenian- Azerbaijan border to monitor the situation in the region, build confidence and contribute to restoring peace and security;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 370 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Strongly condemns the latest attacks by Azerbaijan against the internationally recognized territory of Armenia and the crimes committed against Armenian soldiers; calls for the EU to step up its efforts for an efficient and secured peace in the region;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 376 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22b. Calls on the EU to continue to support the Belarus people in their ongoing struggle for a free and democratic Belarus; condemns Lukashenka's active role in supporting the war in Ukraine and building up tensions; denounces Lukashenka's regime and Russia's disinformation regarding so- called threats to the Belarusian territory;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 391 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Salutes the measures announced by the Commission for strengthening Ukraine, such as access to our internal market and lifting roaming fees; trusts that the same measures will be extended to the Republic of Moldova, in equal need of a strong signal of support from the EU and of concrete steps towards EU integration, in the face of strong destabilising forces threatening its democracy;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 393 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. urges the Commission to closely monitor Russia’s destabilizing actions in the Republic of Moldova and to provide the necessary support to the Moldovan authorities and civil society in responding to emerging threats;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 397 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Reiterates its strong support for the European future of the Western Balkans; calls on the Member States to renew their commitment to enlargement by delivering on the EU’s commitments towards the Western Balkan countries, in particular by lifting visa requirements for Kosovo citizens; welcomes the start of accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia; welcomes the European Council’s readiness to grant candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and urges the country’s political actors to show commitment and make significant steps towards EU membership by advancing on the 14 key priorities and implementing the substantial set of reforms; recalls that each enlargement country should be judged on its own merits and that advancement on the EU path should depend on sustained and irreversible progress made through necessary EU-related reforms, in particular in the area of rule of law; Calls for the full alignment of accession and candidate countries to the EU’s common foreign and security policy and sanctions and deplores the lack of alignment of Serbia which should not remain without consequences;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 399 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Reiterates its strong support for the European future of the Western Balkans; calls on the Member States to renew their commitment to enlargement by delivering on the EU’s commitments towards the Western Balkan countries, in particular by lifting visa requirements for Kosovo citizens; welcomes the start of accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia; welcomes the European Council’s readiness to grant candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and urges the country’s political actors to show commitment and make significant steps towards EU membership by advancing on the 14 key priorities and implementing the substantial set of reforms; stresses the importance of full alignment of the Western Balkan countries with the EU's foreign and security policy, especially the policy of sanctions against third countries;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 414 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 d (new)
24d. Takes note of the Türkiye 2022 report presented by the European Commission on 12 October 2022; is highly concerned by the fact that the Turkish government has not reversed the negative trend in relation to reform, that concerns on the deterioration of democracy, the rule of law, fundamental rights and the independence of the judiciary have not been addressed and that Türkiye’s foreign policy continued to be at odds with the EU priorities under the CFSP, with an alignment rate of only 7 % in the reporting period; reiterates its position of 18 May 2022 in which it states that it cannot envisage any resumption of the accession negotiations with Turkey;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 433 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Is concerned by the dire economic and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan as well as by the rights of women and girls in the country; supports the five key benchmarks that were adopted by the Council on 21 September 2021 and serve as guiding principles for future engagement with the Taliban but believes that a major effort in defining a long-term strategy is needed to address the human rights emergency and gender apartheid occurring in Afghanistan today;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 435 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25 aa. Calls for an Africa-Europe partnership aimed at creating an area of solidarity, security, peace and lasting prosperity; calls for swift actions of the EU to counter the growing presence of Wagner group in several African countries, fuelling further instability and undermining the efforts in the fight against terrorism;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 445 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Calls for a swift restoration and full implementation by all parties of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which is a cornerstone of non-proliferation and the stabilisation of the Middle East and the Gulf region; welcomes the adoption of targeted sanctions against the Iranian regime, including Iran's Morality Police, for the violent crackdown on peaceful protestors; calls for a strong EU response to Iran's involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 460 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Takes note of the first meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council; is of the opinion that the Association Council should not only be used to strengthen the EU-Israel partnership but also as a forum for dialogue on issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and as a means to revive the Middle East peace process; supports the efforts of the High Representative in bringing Arab leaders together with a view to make progress towards a comprehensive regional peace that ends the Israeli Palestinian conflict and brings substantial security, trade, and other cooperation for the region1a; welcomes the decision to provide multiannual support to UNRWA; calls on the Commission to maintain the current level of funding in view of the Agency’s role as key element for stability in a volatile region; __________________ 1a https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/eu- israel-association-council-discussed- difficult-path-peace-region_en
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 466 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Condemns in the strongest possible terms the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and calls on the Russian leadership to end it immediately and withdraw unconditionally from Ukraine and any other country whose territory, or parts thereof, it has unlawfully occupied; urges the international community to hold Russia accountable for the countless war crimes and human rights violations its armed forces have perpetrated in Ukraine and elsewhere, and reaffirms that Russia will have to pay compensation for all of the damage and destruction it has caused in Ukraine; welcomes the adoption of the latest sanctions package against Russia; calls however on the Council to extend the list of individuals directly targeted by EU sanctions, taking into account the list of 6 000 individuals presented by Alexei Navalny’s Foundation;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 467 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Condemns in the strongest possible terms the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as the enabling role of the Belarusian regime, and calls on the Russian leadership to end it immediately and withdraw unconditionally from Ukraine and any other countryies, notably Georgia and the Republic of Moldova, whose territory, or parts thereof, it has unlawfully occupied; urges the international community to hold Russia and its proxies accountable for the countless war crimes and human rights violations, including forced deportation of Ukrainians, its armed forces have perpetrated in Ukraine and elsewhere, and reaffirms that Russia will have to pay compensation for all of the damage and destruction it has caused in Ukraine; notes that many Russian citizens leave Russia to avoid conscription;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 468 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Condemns in the strongest possible terms the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and calls on the Russian leadership to end it immediately and withdraw unconditionally from Ukraine and any other country whose territory, or parts thereof, it has unlawfully occupied; urges the international community to hold Russia accountable for the countless war crimes and human rights violations its armed forces have perpetrated in Ukraine and elsewhere, and reaffirms that Russia will have to pay compensation for all of the damage and destruction it has caused in Ukraine; calls for all those who voluntarily assisted Russia in any way in this war or in the organisation of illegitimate referendums be held accountable and individually sanctioned.;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 472 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Condemns in the strongest possible terms the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and calls on the Russian leadership to end it immediately and withdraw unconditionally from Ukraine and any other country whose territory, or parts thereof, it has unlawfully occupied; urges the international community to hold Russia accountable for the countless war crimes, mass rapes and human rights violations its armed forces have perpetrated in Ukraine and elsewhere, and reaffirms that Russia will have to pay compensation for all of the damage and destruction it has caused in Ukraine;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 481 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Calls for the active involvement of EU leaders in preventing nuclear threats arising from Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, including the safety of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 495 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Denounces Russia’s interference in Africa, in particular via an increased footprint of the Wagner group on the continent; strongly condemns the abuses and crimes committed by the same Wagner group;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 501 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4
Enhancing parliamentaryStrengthening diplomacy as a foreign policy tool, including parliamentary diplomacy
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 502 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
32. Highlights the specific contribution of the European Parliament to the EU’s foreign and security policy through its parliamentary diplomacy assets; calls for the establishment of a fully-fledged Security and Defence Committee and for closer Parliamentary scrutiny on matters of strategic relevance in European foreign affairs;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 511 #

2022/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
35a. Calls on all EU institutions and agencies as well as the EU Member States to be sufficiently engaged in the fight against disinformation and propaganda undermining its policies by increasing strategic communication and narrative on its work; calls to increase support to EU delegations and missions for strategic communication;
2022/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 95 #

2022/2047(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Condemns the deliberate destruction of cultural sites in Ukraine as a result of unprovoked and illegal Russian war of aggression; commends the efforts of volunteers, museum curators and cultural workers in Ukraine, as well as in the EU Member States, to rescue and protect artworks and artefacts belonging to Ukraine; calls on the EU and its Member States to support these efforts in maintaining and reconstruction of destroyed and damaged cultural sights, and to work in cooperation with international institutions to pressure Russia to return stolen artefacts from Ukraine;
2022/09/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 6 #

2022/2046(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Highlights that the ambitious early revision of the MFF must not lose sight of the fact that we are witnessing a degradation of human rights standards in the neighbourhood and beyond which deserves particular attention in the context of the revision of the MFF as does the fight against climate change, the importance of connecting the Common Foreign and Security Policy to the EU Arctic Policy, measures to counter global disinformation, priorities in the framework of the High Level Geopolitical Dialogue related to the Eastern and Southern Neighbourhood, as well as humanitarian aid;
2022/07/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 20 #

2022/2046(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Emphasises that the European Defence Fund is a crucial instrument for further harmonisation of the defence activities of the European Union; calls for an increase of appropriations in capability development which reflects priorities in Common Security and Defence Policy.
2022/07/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
— having regard to the Commission proposal for a regulation on prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market (COM 2022/453)
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 6 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the recent external shocks caused by violent conflicts,Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the COVID-19 pandemics and arbitraryin the resulting disruptions of supply chains have tested the resilience of economies worldwide; whereas the EU’s economy has shown itself to beto be resilient and recovering quickly due to the coordinated EU level response; whereas the EU economy is highly dependent on 137 products, in particular those related to energy and critical raw materials, medicines and health products, cutting- edge and cloud technologies, batteries and semiconductors;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 19 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas the World Trade Organization (WTO) should bring a higher level of transparency to trade and trade- related measures for its members, as divisions risk undermining the maintenance and openness of global supply chains; whereas certain WTO members, such as China, disregard global trade rules they signed up to on WTO level, damaging multilateralism and disrupting global supply chains;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 26 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas largeRussia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, increases in commodity prices, higher prices around the globe and a troublesomefor both products and resources around the globe resulting in more competition in global supply chains and a spike in inflation are expected to further challenge global supply chains;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 29 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the EU is strategically dependent on external sources of energy, such as Russian gas, a situation that is undermining the EU’s economic resilience and open strategic autonomy; whereas skyrocketing energy prices are a serious threat to the EU’s production capacity and may put further pressure on many supply chains that have already faced disruption;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 36 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas even though the EU must gain more strategic independence in different fields, including agricultural products, critical raw materials, semiconductors, medicines and health products, this independence has not yet been achieved;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 42 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for 99 % of all EU businesses, 65 % of all EU jobs and more than 50 % of the EU’s economic output from the non-financial sector; whereas SMEs are more vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and energy scarcity than larger companies;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 46 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas in order to increase the resilience of its supply chains, the EU should implement a combination of different commodity-based solutions, including boosting existing EU production, reshoring and nearshoring, stockpiling,supply chain disruptions and the current geopolitical context present challenges and opportunities for the EU, such as promoting the circular economy and diversifying suppliers through strategic free trade and investment agreements, sectoral partnerships and alliances, and trade and technology councils for critical goods, and advancing work on trade and technology councils with strategic partners such as the US, Japan and Taiwan;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 54 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines that for the resilience of the EU economy and international trade relations it is crucial to develop an EU respondse to the possible negative consequences of any external shocks with a coordinated approach at national and EU level;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 59 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission to assess existing and potential trade shortages, mitigate the consequences of external shocks, and pay special attention to the sensitive sectors outlined hereafter, which are particularly crucial to developing or and enhancinge the EU level approach to strengthening resiliencesupply chain resilience on EU level, and in the specific supply chains;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 66 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that the COVID-19 crisis and the war inRussian war of aggression against Ukraine have highlighted the EU agricultural sector’s dependence on imports from a small number of countries, especially in the case of wheat and ammonium, which is essential for fertilisers; recallunderlines that the EU should be autonomous in primary sector product, within the context of open strategic autonomy, should diversify its supply chains of essential agricultural products, work together with likeminded global partners on global food security and expand domestic production capabilities in order to guarantee its food security and avoid dependence on third parties; stresses that the EU must play a proactive role to ensure Least Developed Countries (LDCs) have access to the global market for agricultural products;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 78 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that the war inRussian war of aggression against Ukraine and the subsequent justified sanctions on Russia have increased the difficulty of sourcingdisruptions in global supply chains for critical raw materials; takes note ofwelcomes the announcement of the forthcoming publication of the Critical Raw Materials Act during the 2022 State of the Union address; underlines the potential of strategic partnerships for critical raw materials, such as the Strategic Partnership on raw materials with Canada; recalls that critical raw materials are crucial for the EU’s open strategic autonomy, the digital and green transitions, and the resilience of the EU on the long term; calls on the Commission to work together with our global partners to diversify supply chains and ensure access to critical raw materials on the long term;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 94 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. HopeExpects that the EU Chips Act will effectively catalyse EU competitiveness and resilience in semiconductor technologies and applications; asks the Commission to also focus on the production of basic chips necessary for the production of goods with high added value, such as those used in the automotive sector; underlines the need for cooperation with likeminded partners to ensure access to global supply chains, as well as cooperation on critical technology and global standard-setting for emerging technologies;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 114 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that medical supply chains can be strengthened by investing in skills, building health data infrastructure, and supporting regulatory framework and intellectual property policies that foster innovation and ensure affordable medicines; Underlines the multilateral dimension of pandemic preparedness, both in the WTO and the WHO; stresses that the Commission must ensure that the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic should lead to a better preparedness in future crisis and ensure better alignment on the EU level; calls for enhanced cooperation with global partners to ensure access to medicines and health products, as well as more diversification of supply chains for critical goods in times of shortages and crises;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 122 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Underlines the need for a harmonised approach on the unilateral, bilateral and multilateral levelEU assessment of the approach towards critical supply chains on the unilateral, bilateral and multilateral level; underlines that an assessment should look into the potential positive and negative effects with a short- , medium- and long-term perspective;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 128 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the development of an EU toolbox of autonomous trade instruments, including anthe anti-coercion instrument, the foreign-direct-investment screening mechanism, the foreign subsidies instrument and the international procurement instrument as well as the creation of the post of Chief Trade Enforcement Officer (CTEO) to respond to these emerging challenges; underlines the importance of the CTEO in relation to keeping supply chains open and tackling unfair trade practices;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 137 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Emphasises that the continuing rise in the cost of bureaucracy, particularly as a result of EU legislation such as the Supply Chain Act, places a particularopen, sustainable, values-based and rules-based trade is an important element of EU open strategic autonomy, which must be championed through bilateral initiatives as well as new EU legislation such as the Supply Chain Act, the sustainable corporate governance directive or the Chips Act; underlines that new legislation must be effective in its goals, but take into account the additional administrative burden on the export industry, which is dominated by SMEs;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 143 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Recalls that in cooperation with the Member States and international partners, the EUCommission must guarantee freedom of the sea and trade routes and thus ensureto ensure open trade routes for global access to goods, raw materials, energy and export markets;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 147 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Considers that the EU’s research and development policy should be promoted further while guaranteeing openness of trade and investment relations, and exchanges among different research hubs, universities, stakeholders, regions and Member States in order to significantly boost the EU’s digital independence;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 148 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Calls on the Commission to thoroughly review how and to what extent transfers of emerging and disruptive technologies are taking place from the EU to authoritarian states via trade and investment flows; calls on the Commission to advance new measures to limit such transfers, including supply- chain cooperation with like-minded partners, such as through Trade and Technology Councils, as well as through other potential bilateral initiatives;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 150 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Calls for the shortening of supply chains, in combination with other instruments, and the relocation to the EU of EU businesses’ production facilities in countries outside the bloc;deleted
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 155 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to start aadvance the dialogue with neighbouring countries on the possibility of nearshoring producsupply chain diversification and increasing regulatory cooperation in order to boost the security of supply and diversify its sources at the same time;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 163 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Calls onUnderlines the Commission to develop, in coordination with the Member States, mechanisms to ensure smart stockpiling of certain products, such as medicines and medical equipment, as well as some agricultural products, depending on their expiry datecan use the Single Market Emergency Instrument to ensure access to, and smart stockpiling of certain essential products in times of crisis; calls on the Commission to ensure a fair, balanced and transparent approach when using the instrument;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 165 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Recalls that the circular economy action plan is intended to help the EU to reduce its overdependence on certain external players so as to support strategic autonomy in a wide range of sectors, including miningactors; underlines support for the goal of open strategic autonomy, with a focus on diversification of supply for a wide range of critical sectors through cooperation with likeminded partners;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 170 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Underlines the potential of concluding trade and investment agreements with likeminded global partners for the open strategic autonomy of the EU, and the potential of enhanced partnerships through multilateral fora such as the WTO, TTCs, the OECD and the G7;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 178 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Believes that free trade agreements (FTAs) may btrade and investment agreements are crucial tofor diversifying sources of supply and reducing the EU’s dependence on just a few countries; calls foron the EU to prioritise strategic FTAs with a particular focus on chapters on raw materials and energy,Commission to conclude new, ambitious, sustainable and forward- looking trade and investment agreements to enhance cooperation with our global partners on critical sectors, such as raw materials and energy, as well as cooperation on technical barriers to trade and regulatory cooperation;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 183 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Welcomes the launch of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in June 2021 and the EU-India agreement on launching a trade and technology council in April 2022; regards these initiatives as meaningful forums for addressing new challenges in the areas of trade, technology and security, as well as regulatory cooperation and global standard-setting; underlines that TTCs should also be instrumental in diversifying global supply chains; calls for a stronger Parliamentary role in scrutinizing TTCs, as well as decisions made during the TTCs meetings;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 186 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Welcomes the launch of sectoral industrial alliances in the context of the new industrial strategy, such as the European Battery Alliance and the European Raw Materials Alliance, which should create a framework of discussion and consultation, open to all relevant stakeholders;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 188 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the launch of new EU digital partnerships with Japan, South Korea and Singapore with a view to cooperating on the development and standardisation of connectivity tools and bolstering supply-chain resilience, especially in the case of semiconductors; underlines the crucial role of Taiwan in the supply chains of semiconductors, and the potential of further and deepened cooperation with Taiwan;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 189 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Urges the Commission to move forward with a bilateral investment agreement with Taiwan, showing commitment to meaningful engagement in trade and investment relations, most notably on semiconductors; reiterates the importance of the bilateral structural dialogue with Taiwan, including on matters related to multilateralism and the WTO, technology and public health, as well as essential cooperation on critical supplies such as semiconductors;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 190 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Takes note of the Commission communication on the Global Gateway as a plan for major investment in infrastructure development around the world; underlines the particular attention paid to Africa, most notably LDCs, and the aim to address the infrastructure- financing gap in low- and middle-income countries; stresses that investment in climate, energy, transport and digital infrastructure can contribute to global diversification of trade, as well as a global economy that is resilient during economic shocks or other future crises;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 196 #

2022/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. CUnderlines that the reform and modernisation of the WTO is key for a functioning multilateral system; calls for a deep and pragmatic reform that results in a more flexible and better functioning WTO with an effective multilateral rulebook and an effective dispute settlement system at its core; welcomes the progress made during the 12th Ministerial Conference on many important elements to advance global trade relations; calls on the Commission to engage with WTO members to work towards sustainable solutions for effective WTO reform during the 13th Ministerial Conference;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 12 #

2022/2008(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that SMEs are the foundation of the EUHighlights the central role of SMEs in achieving the green and digital transitions; emphasises that the twin transition needs the involvement of European industry; underlines the need to fully support SMEs in the twin transition by providing them with easier access to finance;
2022/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2022/2008(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Highlights the strategic importance of digitalisation; Stresses the need to support SMEs in the digital transition and in the development of new technologies, which should be supported by access to appropriate financing and education in digital skills for employees; Calls on the Commission and Member States to step up their efforts to strengthen cybersecurity measures;
2022/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 15 #

2022/2008(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. Stresses the need to ensure a level playing field for SMEs, including by implementing effectively the EUs Trade Defence Instruments (TDIs), so that European companies are not exposed to unfair trading practices;
2022/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 18 #

2022/2008(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Is concerned that both the current and the proposed EU legislation envisages too many bureaucratic hurdles for EU businesses; Underlines the need to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens for European businesses, SMEs in particular; calls on the Commission to fully implement the principles of better regulation and ‘think small first’;
2022/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 28 #

2022/2008(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that for the EU to be competitive in open markets, every sector must receive sufficient support in developing its respective technological base and in promoting the research and innovation efforts carried out by public and private stakeholders;
2022/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 35 #

2022/2008(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Observes with caution the need to evaluate dependencies on third countries in order to reduce vulnerabilities; Stresses the importance of sustainable and resilient global supply chains, while maintaining that the goal of the EU is to promote free trade;
2022/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 36 #

2022/2008(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. Calls for further negotiations of ambitious free trade agreements; Stresses the need to monitor the efficient use of the EU trade toolbox, namely the International Procurement Instrument, the Regulation on foreign subsidies distorting the internal market and, the Anti-Coercion Instrument;
2022/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 59 #

2022/2008(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Commission to step up its efforts to secure the necessary energy supply for European industry through diversifying energy sources and suppliers, and reducing the EU’s energy dependencies; In light of the war in Ukraine, in particular on Russian coal, oil and gas.
2022/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 47 #

2022/0288(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 47
(47) In order to establish rules defining Union general import authorisation and Union general export authorisation, to set out the technical characteristics of semi- finished firearms and essential components, to amend Annex II and III to this Regulation and to maintain the list of firearms, their essential components , ammunition and alarm and signal weapons for which an authorisation is required under this Regulation, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, in respect of aligning Annex I to this Regulation to Annex I to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/8743 and to Annex I to Directive (EU) 2021/555 and of setting out the technical characteristics of semi-finished firearms and essential components and of adapting Annex II and III to this Regulation to the digitalisation and changes in customs procedures should be delegated to the Commission. It is of particular importance that the Commission carries out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making44 . In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same time as Member States' experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts. _________________ 43 Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 of 23 July 1987 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff (OJ L 256 7.9.1987, p. 1). 44 OJ L 123, 12.5.2016, p. 1.
2023/07/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 55 #

2022/0288(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2
2. ‘identical weapons’ means weapons with identical technical characteristics with respect to manufacturer, brand or make, type, model, material, calibre and operation;deleted
2023/07/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 56 #

2022/0288(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3
3. ‘essential components’ means the barrel, the frame, the receiver, whether an upper or lower receiver, where applicable, the slide, the cylinder, the bolt or the breech block , which, being separate objects, are included in the category of the firearms on which they are or are intended to be mountedan essential component as defined in Article 1(1)(2) of Directive 2021/555;
2023/07/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 61 #

2022/0288(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 7
7. ‘deactivated firearms’ means objects otherwise corresponding to the definition of a firearm which have been rendered permanently unfit for use by deactivation, ensuring that all essential parts of the firearm have been rendered permanently inoperable and incapable of removal, replacement or modification that would permit the firearm to be deactivated firearms as defined in Article 1(1)(6) of Direactivated in any way, in accordance with Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2403 e 2021/555;
2023/07/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 64 #

2022/0288(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 8
8. ‘alarm and signal weapons’ means devices with a cartridge holder which are designed to fire only blanks, irritants, other active substances or pyrotechnic signalling rounds and which are not capable of being converted to expel a shot, bullet or projecalarm and signal weapons as defined in Article by the action of a combustible propellant1(1)(4) of Directive 2021/555 ;
2023/07/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 66 #

2022/0288(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 29 – introductory part
29. ‘dealer’ means any person whose trade or business consists wholly or partly of either of the following: dealer as defined in Article 1(1)(9) of Directive 2021/555;
2023/07/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 67 #

2022/0288(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 29 – point a
(a) the manufacture, trade, exchange, hiring out, repair, modification or conversion of firearms or essential components;deleted
2023/07/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 68 #

2022/0288(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 29 – point b
(b) the manufacture, trade, exchange, modification or conversion of ammunition;deleted
2023/07/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 69 #

2022/0288(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 30 – introductory part
30. ‘broker’ means any person, other than a dealer, whose trade or business consists wholly or partly of either of the following: broker as defined in Article 1(1)(10) of Directive 2021/555;
2023/07/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 70 #

2022/0288(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 30 – point a
(a) the negotiation or arrangement of transactions for the purchase, sale or supply of firearms, essential components or ammunition;deleted
2023/07/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 71 #

2022/0288(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 30 – point b
(b) arranging the transfer of firearms, essential components or ammunition within a Member State, from one Member State to another Member State, from a Member State to a third country or from a third country to a Member State;deleted
2023/07/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 129 #

2022/0288(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 8
8. The Commission shall adopt an implementing act to establish anbe empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 36 in order to supplement this Regulation by establishing rules defining a Union general import authorisation and setting out the conditions for the import of firearms, their essential components and ammunitions by authorised economic operators for security and safety pursuant to Article 38(2), point (b), of Regulation (EU) 952/2013.Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 37(2).
2023/07/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 150 #

2022/0288(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 7
7. The Commission shall adopt an implementing act to establish anbe empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 36 in order to supplement this Regulation by establishing rules defining a Union general export authorisation and setting out the conditions for the export of firearms, their essential components and ammunitions by authorised economic operators for security and safety pursuant to Article 38(2), point (b), of Regulation (EU) 952/2013. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 37.
2023/07/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 190 #

2022/0288(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 5
5. Within the period or extended period referred to in paragraph 4, Member States shall either importrelease the firearms, their essential components or ammunition, or take action pursuant to Article 19 (1), point (b).
2023/07/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 236 #

2022/0288(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 34 – paragraph 3
3. Upon request of the Coordination Group and in any event every 105 years, the Commission shall review the implementation of this Regulation and present a report to the European Parliament and the Council on its application, which may include proposals for its amendment. Member States shall provide the Commission with all appropriate information for the preparation of the report . The Commission shall publish a first interim application report by 53 years after the entry into force of this Regulation .
2023/07/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 241 #

2022/0288(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 2
2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Articles 9(8), 15(7) and 35 shall be conferred on the Commission for an indeterminate period of time.
2023/07/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 242 #

2022/0288(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 3
3. The delegation of power referred to in Articles 9(8), 15(7) and 35 may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force.
2023/07/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 243 #

2022/0288(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 5
5. A delegated act adopted pursuant to Articles 9(8), 15(7) and 35 shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or of the Council.
2023/07/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 30 #

2022/0252M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital P a (new)
Pa. whereas the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement aims to establish a modern, broad-based and mutually beneficial partnership, based on shared interests and principles such as equality, mutual respect, the rule of law and human rights;
2023/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 36 #

2022/0252M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Reiterates its call for a swift implementation of the EU Global Gateway strategy in coordination with the Indo- Pacific strategy; welcomes the announcement of a EUR 10 billion package to accelerate infrastructure investments in ASEAN countries, in particular with regard to the green transition and sustainable connectivity, with the aim of building a new economically sustainable partnership, in accordance with the current environmental issues and the Paris Agreement;
2023/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 43 #

2022/0252M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls for visa free travel to Thailand to be provided to all EU citizens;
2023/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 52 #

2022/0252M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls for the strengthening of gender equality and women empowerment and promoting the inclusion of young people in Thailand;
2023/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 58 #

2022/0252M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes Thailand’s enactment in 2022 of the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act as a critical milestone in combating torture, ill treatment and enforced disappearances in Thailand and calls for its effective implementation; regrets that on 14 February 2023, the Thai government approved a decree to postpone the enforcement of Articles 22 to 25 of the Act on Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance from February to October 2023; underlines the need to improve the existing legal framework as well as for other measures and actions to be taken in order to move away from the culture of impunity and prevent human rights abuses;
2023/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 61 #

2022/0252M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Reiterates its calls urging Thailand to take concrete steps towards the abolition of the death penalty and to sign and ratify the 1951 Refugee ConventionSecond Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty;
2023/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 65 #

2022/0252M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Welcomes the EU humanitarian aid programmes providing protection services and health care assistance to Rohingya refugees living in detention centres in the country; calls for Thailand to sign and ratify the 1951 Refugee Convention;
2023/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 27 #

2022/0221M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Calls for Malaysia to align itself with the EU sanctions policy on Russia to put an end to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine;
2023/03/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 50 #

2022/0221M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Expresses serious concerns about the situation of refuges in Malaysia, in particular as regards the detention and deportation of Rohingya refugees; calls for Malaysia to immediately stop the forced returns of Myanmar refugees seeking safety from serious harm and ensure the full respect for the rights of people in need of international protection; reiterates its call on Malaysia to sign and ratify the 1951 Refugee Convention;
2023/03/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 53 #

2022/0221M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Strongly condemns former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's calls for violence against French citizens following the terrorist attacks which took place in France. Calls on the Malaysian authorities to combat such hate speech;
2023/03/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2022/0212(BUD)

Draft opinion
Recital A
A. whereas the growing instability and the rise of unprecedented challenges in the international environment, not forgetting the environmental challenges but also the future and the security of the Artic, increases the demands on the Union to act and with a budget fit for purpose;
2022/07/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 13 #

2022/0212(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines its undivided solidarity with the people of Ukraine; welcomes therefore the mobilisation of the EUR 4.2 billion already proposed and asks for additional funds, also for reconstruction; stresses the need to continue the support for Moldova;
2022/07/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 30 #

2022/0212(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the Commission to present proposals on how the new candidate countries, Ukraine and Moldova, along with Georgia, as a potential candidate country, can be integrated into IPA III funding for the 2024 budgetary cycle, and how IPA III can be made fully compatible with the specific needs of the countries in question; underlines that the move to IPA III based funding may necessitate a number of legislative and budgetary adjustments, and commits itself to work swiftly on forthcoming proposals in this respect, and stresses that the move to IPA III should not lead to a reduction in EU assistance;
2022/07/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 60 #

2022/0212(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Calls to urgently launch a discussion on Heading 6, with a view to propose further measures; notes that the funding for external action has been lagging behind the geopolitical necessities; stresses the need to increase the humanitarian aid budget line (HUMA) meaningfully to address the unprecedented level of humanitarian needs worldwide, aggravated by the Russian aggression in Ukraine and its global economics repercussions, notably in terms of food insecurity worldwide; highlights that funds from the Solidarity and Emergency Aid Reserve (SEAR) can be mobilised for humanitarian crises outside the EU throughout the whole financial year;
2022/07/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 115 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) on obligations for companies regarding actual and potential human rights adverse impacts and environmental adverse impacts, with respect to their own operations, the operations of their subsidiaries, and the valuesupply chain operations carried out outside of the EU and by entities with whom the company has an established direct business relationship and
2022/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 128 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
The nature of direct business relationships as ‘established’ shall be reassessed periodically, and at least every 12 months.
2022/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 129 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Member States shall not maintain or introduce, in their national laws, provisions diverging from those laid down in this Directive, unless otherwise provided for in the Directive.
2022/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 137 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the company had more than 500 employees on average and had a net worldwide turnoverturnover within the Union of more than EUR 150 million in the last financial year for which annual financial statements have been prepared;
2022/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 146 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – introductory part
(b) the company did not reach the thresholds under point (a), but had more than 250 employees on average and had a net worldwide turnover of more than EUR 40 million within the Union in the last financial year for which annual financial statements have been prepared, provided that at least 50% of this net turnover was generated in one or more of the following sectors:
2022/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 210 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) ‘established business relationship’ means a direct business relationship, whether direct or indirect, which is, or which is expected to be lasting, in view of its intensity or duration and which does not represent a negligible or merely ancillary part of the valuesupply chain;
2022/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 234 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point q
(q) ‘appropriate measure’ means a measure that is capable of achieving the objectives of due diligence, commensurate with the degree of severity and the likelihood of the adverse impact, and reasonably available to the company, taking into account the circumstances of the specific case, including characteristics of the economic sector and of the specific direct business relationship and the company’s influence thereof, and the need to ensure prioritisation of action.
2022/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 288 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2
Member States shall provide for, as a last resort, the availability of an option to terminate the business relationship in contracts governed by their laws.
2022/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 296 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that companies provide the possibility for persons and organisations listed in paragraph 2 to submit complaints to them where they have legitimate concerns regarding actual or potential adverse human rights impacts and adverse environmental impacts with respect to their own operations, the operations of their subsidiaries and their value chainssupply chains outside of the Union. The complaint must be factually justified and reasonably documented.
2022/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 313 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) persons who are directly affected or have reasonable and justifiable grounds to believe that they mightwill be affected by an adverse impact,
2022/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 319 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) trade unions and, other workers’ representatives or civil society organisations representing individuals working in the valueor affected by the supply chain concerned,
2022/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 324 #

2022/0051(COD)

(c) civil society organisations active in the areas related to the value chain concerndeleted.
2022/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 344 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 13 – paragraph 1
In order to provide support to companies or to Member State authorities on how companies should fulfil their due diligence obligations, the Commission, in consultation with Member States and stakeholders, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, the European Environment Agency, and where appropriate with international bodies having expertise in due diligence, mayshall issue specific and timely guidelines, including for specific sectors or specific adverse impacts. In particular, those guidelines shall facilitate the compliance of all companies with the obligations laid down in this Directive, taking into account the need to simplify the administrative burden for smaller companies, to ensure a level playing field within the Union and to ensure a consistent implementation of this Directive.
2022/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 414 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 29 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) whether the thresholds regarding the number of employees and net turnover laid down in Article 2(1) need to be lowerchanged;
2022/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 428 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 29 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 (new)
e) the impact on SMEs
2022/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 431 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 29 – paragraph 1 a (new)
f) the availability and effectiveness of supporting tools
2022/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 144 #

2022/0000(INI)

Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) take note of the voting results of the United Nations General Assembly on the Russian aggression in Ukraine and on the UN General Assembly vote to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council in the further development of EU relations with those countries that fail to condemn the Russian aggression in Ukraine;
2022/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 145 #

2022/0000(INI)

Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point e b (new)
(eb) insist that the EU candidate countries align their positions and policies on Russian aggression in Ukraine with the EU Common Foreign and Security policy decisions and positions;
2022/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 47 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas Turkey, besides being a candidate forto EU accession, is a key partner in relation to the economy, trade and migration, as well as a strategic partner, security and counter-terrorism, green transition and migration, as well as a strategic partner; Whereas Turkey is the EU’s sixth trading partner while the EU is Turkey’s largest trading partner; Whereas Turkey is a key member in NATO and plays an instrumental geostrategic role in the security architecture of the Black Sea and, in particular, in the security of Ukraine, which is facing Russian aggression;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 62 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas, in the aftermath of recent tensions between the EU and Turkey, particularly in relation to the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, the European Council offered to nurture a more positive dynamic in EU-Turkey relations by expressing readiness to engage with Turkey in a phased, proportionate and reversible manner in a number of areas of common interest on the condition of improvements in EU-Turkey relations and the respect for democratic values and the rule of law by the Turkish government;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 132 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Notes, however, that there has been a slight improvement over the past year in overall EU-Turkey relations, which have on average remained stable, aswith enhanced cooperation and dialogue through the high-level dialogues on a number of issues, while haveing coexisted with regular conflicts; expresses its hope that this pattern of ‘conflictual cooperation’ can be overcome and replaced with a more sustained and genuine positive dynamic;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 185 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Insists that the crucial area of fundamental rights and freedoms, which is at the core of the accession process, cannot be disconnected and isolated from overall relations with the EU and stresses that for Parliament, it remains one of the main obstacles to further progress on any positive agenda that could be offered to Turkey;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 202 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Reiterates its strong condemnation of Turkey’s withdrawal, by presidential decree, from the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention) and expresses deep concern about the persistence of violences against women in Turkey;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 205 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Reiterates its strong condemnation and regret of Turkey’s withdrawal, by presidential decree, from the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention);
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 213 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Notes the importance of upholding the freedom of assembly in Turkey, which is enshrined in its constitution; but increasingly under pressure, in particular for certain opposition parties;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 222 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Reiterates its serious concern about the disproportionate and arbitrary measures curtailing freedom of expression; welcomes the further decrease in the number of journalists in prison in Turkeycondemns the high number of imprisoned journalists, media employees as well as social media users; notes with deep concern the increasing restrictions and censorship imposed on social media platforms;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 223 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Reiterates its serious concern about the disproportionate and arbitrary measures curtailing freedom of expression; welcomes the further decrease in the number of journalists in prison in Turkey while regretting that Turkey still ranks among the countries where freedom of the press is the most attacked;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 246 #

2021/2250(INI)

10. Asserts thatCondemns the continued prosecution, censorship and harassment of journalists and independent media remains an issue of concerin Turkey; is concerned as well by the targeting of journalists and opponents in the European Union, as was the case of Turkish journalist Erk Acarer in Berlin;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 249 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Is worried by the increasing number of fake news in Turkish social media environment; is also worried by the spread of state propaganda, in particular from the state-run news agency Anadolu;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 257 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Takes note of the adoption of the fourth and fifth judicial packages in Turkey during 2021; asserts, however, that the current problems stem not only from problematic legislation, but are often caused by a failure to implement existing adequate provisions; remains concerned about the continuing erosion of the rule of law and judicial independence in Turkey;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 272 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Regrets the sustained pressurelegal and administrative pressure by the Turkish government on civil society and, human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, academics, ethnic and religious minorities and numerous Turkish citizens and the continuously shrinking space to operate freely in Turkey;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 285 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Continues to urge the Turkish Government to release Osman Kavala after more than four years of unlawful and illegitimate detention; reiterates its call on the Turkish authorities to abide by the final judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in this case;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 301 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Expresses deep concern about the deterioration in the human rights situation for LGBTI people, in particular with regard to physical attacks – especially against transgender persons – the protracted bans on Pride marches across the country, restrictions on the freedoms of assembly, association and expression, and censorship in the media and urges the Turkish government to protect their equal and legal rights;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 312 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Is deeply concerned about the constant attacks, imprisonment of members of the opposition and pressure on the opposition parties, particularly the HDP and the Republican People’s Party (CHP), which undermine the proper functioning of the democratic system; stresses that democracy presupposes an environment in which political parties, civil society and the media can function without threats or arbitrary restrictions;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 321 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Notes with great concern that the HDP, its elected mayors and its party organisations have been specifically and continuously targeted by the Turkish authorities, leading to a situation where over 4 000 HDP members are currently in prison; continues to strongly condemn the continued detention since November 2016 of Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ, the former co-chairs of the HDP;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 339 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Recognises that Turkey has legitimate security concerns and the right to fight terrorism; stresses, nevertheless, that this must be done with full respect for the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms; reiterates its firm and unambiguous condemnation of the violent terrorist attacks by ISIS and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has been on the EU list of terrorist organisations since 2002;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 350 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Calls on Turkey to abide by a zero- tolerance policy on torture and to duly investigate persistent and credible reports of torture, ill-treatment and inhumane or degrading treatment in detention, interrogation or custody, in order to put an end to impunity and hold those responsible to account;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 395 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Expresses its appreciation to Turkey for demanding all Black Sea and non-Black Sea states to halt passage through its straits;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 415 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Acknowledges that Turkey can pursue its own foreign policy in line with its interests and goals, but expects this policy to be defended through diplomacy and dialogue based on international law and, as a candidate country, to be increasingly aligned with that of the EU; deplores that Turkey's foreign policy alignment rate with EU foreign policy is a meagre 14%; believes that increased EU- Turkey cooperation can be achieved on multiple foreign policy areas such as on Ukraine and Afghanistan;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 428 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22 a. Reaffirms its call expressed in its resolution of 15 April 2015 and once again encourages Turkey’s government to recognise the Armenian Genocide, thus paving the way for a genuine reconciliation between the Turkish and Armenian peoples; welcomes, in this regard, the recent intensified diplomatic exchanges and growing interaction between the Turkish and Armenian governments;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 445 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Welcomes the relative decrease in tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean during the past year, but remains fully awareconcerned that these positive dynamics could be reversed at any moment while the underlying issues remain unresolved underlying issues remain unresolved; expresses solidarity with EU member states which have suffered from these tensions and urges Turkey to refrain from any provocative statement or action towards EU Member States;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 453 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23 a. Calls on Turkey to remain committed to the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Libya under the auspices of the UN, to fully adhere to the arms embargo imposed by the UN Security Council and to not obstruct EU and NATO missions mandated to enforce the UN arms embargo on Libya;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 470 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Deplores the fact that the unresolved conflict in Cyprus is a major obstacle to EU-Turkey relations; reaffirms its view that the only sustainable solution to the Cyprus issue is that of a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement on the basis of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with a single international legal personality and political equality, in accordance with international law and on the basis of respect for the principles on which the Union is founded; deeply regrets that Turkey’s government has abandoned this UN framework by unilaterally opening up the town of Varosha, in violation of UNSC resolutions;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 471 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Deplores the factRecalls that the unresolved conflict in Cyprus is a major obstacle to EU-Turkey relations; strongly reaffirms its view that the only sustainable solution to the Cyprus issue is that of a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement on the basis of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with a single international legal personality and political equality, in accordance with international law and on the basis of respect for the principles on which the Union is founded; deeply regorets that Turkey has abandoned this UN framework;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 482 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. Recognizes the importance of a well-functioning NATO; deplores in this regard Turkey’s unilateral actions undermining NATO by purchasing Russian S-400 missiles; calls on the Turkish government to overcome these tensions by halting actions that go against the collective interests of the alliance;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 496 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24 b. Calls on the EEAS StratCom divisions to document suspicions of Turkish disinformation directed at the EU, particularly in the Balkans and the MENA region and to report its findings to the European Parliament;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 506 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 d (new)
24 d. Encourages once again Turkey to recognise the Armenian Genocide, thus paving the way for a genuine reconciliation between the Turkish and Armenian peoples; calls on Turkey, in this regard, to refrain from any anti- Armenian propaganda and hate speech, and to fully respect its obligations to protect Armenian and other cultural heritage;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 536 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25 a. Calls on the Commission for full transparency and accuracy in the allocation of funds under the successor of the FRT and requests that it ensures that these funds are primarily given directly to the refugees and host communities and are managed by organisations that guarantee accountability and transparency;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 551 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Notes that the varying priorities of the EU institutions set out in the existing frameworks governing EU-Turkey relations make it very difficult to find an effective way to move forward; deplores the lack of a long-term strategy, a coherent policy and consistent leadership towards Turkey in the EU and among all its institutions; calls on the EEAS to intensify transatlantic dialogue and cooperation with the Biden administration as regards to its relations with Turkey;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 558 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27 a. Welcomes the meeting in March 2022 of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee and expresses in this regard the hope that the continued functioning of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee shall be restored;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 561 #

2021/2250(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27 b. Calls for the mutually beneficial modernisation of the Customs Union, accompanied with an effective and efficient dispute settlement mechanism;
2022/03/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 69 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the increased voter turnout at the elections on 3 April 2022 and the return to a more pluralistic parliament; regrets the highly polarised political environment of the campaign, which was characterised by the absence of a level- playing field, limited media pluralism and pressure on voters; condemns the violent attregrets that the abuse of public office by ruling party members remained a persistent problem throughout the campaign; regrets that issues concerning the accuracky on Pavle Grbović, one of the opposition leadersf the Single Electoral Roll were not resolved in advance of this election cycle and that this left room for its abuse;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 76 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Expresses concern over the absence of a more proactive role of the Republic Electoral Commission and the City Electoral Commission of Belgrade when it came to determining and communicating the election results; notes that this might cause the deterioration of trust of citizens in the independence of the election administration; expresses concern that the complete preliminary results of the Belgrade local election were not published until more than two weeks after the election had taken place;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 77 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Condemns attacks on members of the opposition, journalists, members of civil society organisations, and members of the different electoral monitoring missions; condemns the violent attack on Pavle Grbović, one of the opposition leaders, and calls upon the authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 83 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the new majority to accelerate Serbia’s alignment with European policies and values; calls for the distribution of parliamentary offices to reflect political pluralism in the National Assembly; notes that all but one Serbian parliament in the past ten years were dissolved early and that any further unnecessary snap elections would not contribute to political stability; underlines its readiness to work further in the context of the Inter-Party Dialogue, while stressing that clear decisions are needed on Serbia’s strategic direction;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 104 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Reiterates the importance of alignment with the EU common foreign and security policy (CFSP), which must progressively become an integral part of Serbia’s foreign policy as a condition for the accession process; expresses concern about Serbia’s alignment rate, which is the lowest in the region; notes that some government officials and some politicians continue to make occasional statements that call into question Serbia’s foreign policy orientation;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 123 #

2021/2249(INI)

6. Welcomes the adoption of the measures improving the electoral conditions and media space ahead of the April 2022 elections as a result of the Inter- Party Dialogue facilitated by the European Parliament; notes progress in their implementation; regrets that many measures have been implemented with delay and without the participation of all relevant actors; regrets that more ambitious measures that could have led to a more substantial impact on the electoral conditions were not adopted;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 128 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. NotWelcomes the decision of the non- parliamentary opposition to participate in the April 2022 elections; reiterates that the only way to guarantee political representation is to engage in political and electoral processes;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 135 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. RExpresses concern over the very limited visibility of the European Integration processes in Serbia; reiterates its call on Serbia, the European Commission and EU Member States to pursue more active and effective communication about the benefits of EU enlargement; expresses concern that public support for EU membership in Serbia has consistently been significantly lower than the rest of the region in recent years;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 147 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Urges the EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement to be more proactive when it comes to the EU accession process of Serbia, especially regarding the fundamental areas, democracy and rule of law, fight against corruption and organized crime;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 149 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8c. Notes that the adoption of the new accession methodology has not led to a substantial acceleration of the EU accession process of Serbia and calls for the full implementation of EU legislation in Serbia's national legislation;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 151 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Regrets that the European Integration process in Serbia is insufficiently transparent, as some important documents, such as the reports on the implementation of the National Programme for the Adoption of Acquis, have not been published for years;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 170 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the recent changes to the Constitution following the referendum in January 2022, which aim to enhance the independence of the justice system; regretcondemns the continuous pressure on the judiciary and public denials of international verdicts for war crimes and calls on the newly elected majority to strengthen the safeguards for the independence and efficiency of the judiciary as a matter of priority; emphasises the need for the new set of laws, that are expected to be adopted in line with the constitutional changes, to fully guarantee the independence of the judiciary;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 177 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes some improvements inRegrets that the work of the National Assembly was limited, due to the lack of genuine political debate between majority and opposition parties; is concerned, however, that inflammatory language is still used during parliamentary discussions, including by government officials and calls on the new parliament not to tolerate this practice; hopes that the negative practices that have characterised previous parliaments, including the overuse of urgent legislative procedure, filibustering and irregular presence of government representatives in the sessions will not resurface;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 186 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Reiterates its concern about limited progress in the fight against corruption and organised crime and calls on Serbia to intensify its efforts to effectively address these issues; calls upon the authorities to refrain from commenting ongoing investigations and trials, exercising pressure on the judiciary; encourages further progress to be made, in particular on improving the track record of investigations, indictments and final convictions in high-level corruption cases, and implementing the laws on the prevention of corruption in line with the EU acquis and the recommendations of GRECO;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 193 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 c (new)
12c. Urges Serbia to deliver convincing results, including a sustainable track record with effective investigations in the area of fight against corruption, especially in cases with a high level of public interest, and to improve its track record in investigations, the pressing of charges and convictions in high-level corruption cases, including the seizure and confiscation of criminal assets; notes with concern that none of the cases mentioned in the previous report(s) – Krušik, Jovanjica, Telekom Srbija – have either been fully processed by the judiciary or have been fully investigated; notes with concern the emergence of new cases of high-level corruption in investigative media and so called “Pandora papers”;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 197 #

2021/2249(INI)

12b. Reiterates its call for justice on regard to the unlawful demolition of private property in the Savamala neighbourhood in Belgrade; urges the authorities to fully investigate the case and prosecute all persons responsible;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 203 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Reminds the Serbian authorities that a strong and independent civil society is an essential component of any democracy; calls upon the Serbian authorities to substantially include civil society in policy and decision-making and to refrain from brushing off any criticism by civil society as foreign interference;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 209 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Urges the Commission to consider initiating an independent senior experts’ report on the rule of law issues in Serbia modelled after similar reports carried out in North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina (Priebe Report);
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 217 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Regrets the limitations on the freedom and independence of the media and the misuse of the media to gaCalls on the authorities to create an environment that favours freedom of expression, media pluralism and journalistic professionalism and allows for independent and investigative media to access funding an unfair political advantage, attack political opponents and spread disinformationd operate safely; calls for increased transparency of media public financing and its distribution based on merit;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 225 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Condemns the limitations on the freedom and independence of the media and the misuse of the media by the ruling party to gain an unfair political advantage, attack political opponents and spread disinformation; notes that the alleged abuse of public money to acquire ownership in media outlets is considered to be one of the main mechanisms of media capture in Serbia; urges the European Commission to consider initiating an independent senior experts’ report on media landscape in Serbia;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 229 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Notes that several recent elections of the members of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM), as well as the election of the members of the governing board of the Radio Television of Serbia in June 2021 were regarded as controversial; notes with concern the persisting assessments that REM's decision-making is politically biased; notes the new open call for the allocation of national television frequencies and urges REM members to carry out this process in a fair and professional manner;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 237 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Deplores the continuing physical attacks, intimidation, hate speech and political slurs against journalists and civil society, including by MPs and government officials; ; calls on the authorities to investigate all cases of such attacks and to improve the safety of journalists;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 241 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 c (new)
14c. Calls on Serbia to strengthen human rights institutions, guarantee their independence, allocate them the necessary financial and human resources and ensure timely follow-up on their recommendations;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 245 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Calls for general respect for the basic right to peaceful gatherings; condemns violence by groups of extremists and hooligans during peaceful protest and calls upon law-enforcement officials to refrain from the use of excessive force; condemns violence by groups of extremists and hooligans during peaceful protests, such as the November 2021 protests against the Ratko Mladić mural in Belgrade and the December 2021 environmental protests in Šabac and Belgrade; calls for an effective investigation of attacks against protesters;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 248 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Welcomes the adoption of the Law on Gender Equality and the amendments to the Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination, and calls on government to ensure that these laws are promptly implemented; regrets that in the previous legislative term the Serbian parliament failed to adopt the Law on Same-Sex Partnerships which was drafted by the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue, and calls on the new and more democratic parliament to do so;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 257 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the Serbian authorities to step up efforts to ensure the non- discriminatory treatment of nationethnic, religious and sexual minorities and to actively pursue investigations and convictions for hate- motivated crimes;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 265 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Welcomes the commitment of the Serbian authorities to support the organisation of EuroPride in Belgrade as a key moment for the LGBTI+ community in Serbia and in the region; calls on the government and on police forces to ensure the smooth planning and execution of the programme, as well as the safety and wellbeing of participants;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 273 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Reiterates its concern overdemnation of the alleged use of forced labour and violation of basic human rights at the Chinese Linglong factory construction site; calls upon the relevant authorities to ensure that labour rights of citizens and residents are respected;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 280 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Deplores the deportation of a Bahraini national despite the European Court of Human Rights interim ruling that his extradition should be postponed; calls on the Serbian authorities to respect its international obligations and fully enforce all rulings of the European Court of Human Rights;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 288 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Is deeply concerned about the spread of disinformation about Russian aggression against Ukraine; calls on the Serbian authorities and the Commission to bolster infrastructure to fight disinformation and other hybrid threats; is deeply concerned that among the main sources of disinformation are government-funded or supported tabloid newspapers and some television channels with national coverage;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 299 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Welcomes Serbia’s participation in some regional cooperation mechanisms and commitment toits efforts to improve bilateral relations and encourages it to promote reconciliation; commends its decision to donate vaccines to the region;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 305 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Notes the calls of the Serbian authorities for the return of Bosnian Serbs to the work of the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 324 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Calls for the stepping up of efforts and the delivery of solutions on the issues of missing persons and justice for war crimes in the north of Kosovo; calls on the government to address these topics also as part of the Serbia/Kosovo dialogue agenda and to establish cooperation between Serbia and Kosovo on these matters; calls for finding sustainable solutions to the electricity arrangements in the north of Kosovo;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 345 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Urges the Serbian authorities to act decisively against the glorification of convicted war criminals and to cease all divisive rhetoric and actions that undermine the integrity of countries in the neighbourhood and threaten regional stability and reconciliation;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 347 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Calls on the authorities to ensure the continuation of war crimes trials, including at local level where there has been long-standing inaction; calls for decisive actions by the competent authorities in order to ensure the accountability of those responsible;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 349 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27b. Calls on Government to ensure the removal the murals glorifying war criminals such as Ratko Mladić; regrets that persons sentenced for war crimes, such as Veselin Šljivančanin, Dragoljub Ojdanić and Nikola Šainović, are close to the ruling parties in Serbia;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 365 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
30. Welcomes the progress made in developing a functioning market economy and the fact that the impact of the COVID- 19 crisis was successfully mitigated; notes with concern that none of the allegations mentioned in the previous report made by investigative journalists of government manipulation of COVID-19 statistics for political purposes have been investigated; stresses that trust and transparency are of particular importance in the government’s efforts against COVID-19 and therefore urges the Serbian Government to provide citizens with all relevant statistics;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 373 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 b (new)
31b. Is deeply concerned by the socio- economic situation in several districts of southern Serbia, especially in the city of Vranje; calls on the Serbian government to investigate all allegations about the use of social assistance instruments to put pressure on voters, especially among vulnerable groups and members of the Roma minority; calls on the Serbian government to respond to the challenges of poverty and unemployment in these parts of the country and to devote the necessary attention to regional and local socio-economic development, especially in rural areas;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 377 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Calls on Serbia to improve its capacities to provide statistics and to carry out the census, adhering to the highest international standards and with the inclusion of independent observers;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 420 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)
38a. Welcomes the progress made on the gas interconnector between Serbia and Bulgaria; notes with concern the consistent lack of compliance with and the consequent breach of the Energy Community Treaty;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 421 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
39. Reiterates its concern at the high levels of air pollution and urges the authorities to speed up the implementation of air quality plans; regrets the fact that several cities in Serbia are often on the list of the most polluted cities in the world in terms of air quality; urges the authorities to swiftly take measures to improve air quality, especially in large cities and industrial areas such as Belgrade, Smederevo, Bor and Kolubara and Tamnava valleys; stresses the importance of finding sustainable solutions and limiting the use of lignite and other low-calorie coal in energy production, as well as for heating;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 431 #

2021/2249(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
41. Notes the withdrawal of the exploration licences for the lithium extraction and processing project in Western Serbia; calls on the Serbian government to be fully transparent in this process;
2022/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2021/2247(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that all 33 screened chapters have been opened, but regrets that none have been closed since 2017; encourages Montenegro to continue to specifically focus on meeting the interim benchmarks in Chapters 23 and 24 and thereafter on closing chapters;
2022/03/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 32 #

2021/2247(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Calls on all political forces to overcome the current political crisis in the country, with a view to building a strong pro-European and democratic platform that can ensure the necessary political stability and reduce political polarization and radicalization;
2022/03/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 35 #

2021/2247(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Notes the protests against possible minority government organised by the Democratic Front and strongly condemns the support expressed for the Russian Federation, by a rather small group of people, on the day of the start of Russian aggression against Ukraine; recalls Russia’s persistent interest in destabilising the country; welcomes Montenegro's adoption of its own temporary protection mechanism for persons fleeing Ukraine, granting them the right to stay in the country for the duration of one year;
2022/03/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 46 #

2021/2247(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Regrets that key positions in negotiating structures have remained vacant for a long time; urges the authorities to re-establish a fully functional negotiating structure as soon as possible; welcomes the efforts in consolidating and upgrading the negotiating structure in 2021 and calls on all political forces to maintain the accession process as a national political priority;
2022/03/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 52 #

2021/2247(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes Montenegro’s continued and full alignment with EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, including its announcement offull support for the latest EU sanctions against Russia, and its active participation in EU Common Security and Defence Policy missions and operations;
2022/03/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 61 #

2021/2247(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Encourages Montenegro to make best use of the EU funds available under the Pre-Accession Instrument (IPA III) and the Economic and Investment plan for the Western Balkans, in order to strengthen institution-building and foster economic and democratic development, especially in the areas of rule of law, fundamental freedoms and wellbeing of its citizens;
2022/03/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 69 #

2021/2247(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Is deeply concerned by the continuing political tensions between and within the executive and legislative powers, and by the boycott of the parliament, which continues to slow down the reform process; calls on all parties to engage in constructive political dialogue aimed at overcoming the current political crisis;
2022/03/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 75 #

2021/2247(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Welcomes the appointment of a new Prosecutorial Council in December 2021 including representatives of NGOs, which is a novelty in the Montenegrin system; welcomes the appointment of judges of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals in March 2022; calls for further necessary steps to be taken to enhance the independence and functioning of the judiciary as well as other relevant supervisory and law enforcement institutions;
2022/03/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 81 #

2021/2247(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Reiterates its strong recommendation that Montenegro should hold local elections simultaneously across the country; notes in this regard that on 4 February 2022 the Parliament of Montenegro adopted the Law amending the Law on Local Self Government, which foresees that local elections in 14 municipalities are to be held on the same date;
2022/03/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 96 #

2021/2247(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Welcomes the adoption of the Strategy on Migration and Reintegration of Returnees in Montenegro for the period 2021-2025;
2022/03/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 108 #

2021/2247(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Notes the limited progress on freedom of expression; encourages Montenegro to step up its efforts to fight disinformation, hate speech, online harassment, politically-biased reporting and foreign influence in the Montenegrin media, in close cooperation with the relevant EU and NATO institutions;
2022/03/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 122 #

2021/2247(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Strongly condemns attacks and harassment of journalists and calls for them to be investigated, sanctioned and for there to be effective judicial follow-up; welcomes the proposal to introducetion of tougher penalties for threats to or attacks on journalists and calls on all political parties to enhance their efforts in creating the conditions for the work of independent and free media;
2022/03/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 131 #

2021/2247(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Condemns all violent acts during the demonstrations in Cetinje linked to the inauguration of the headMetropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral of the Serbian Orthodox Church; condemns Serbian interference in this regard; calls for religious tolerance in line with the Montenegrin constitution and European values and principles;
2022/03/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 164 #

2021/2247(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Regrets that persons with disabilities continue to face discrimination; notwelcomes that the reform of the National Disability Determination System is under way;
2022/03/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 174 #

2021/2247(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Notes Montenegro’s continued cooperation under the Sarajevo Declaration Process; welcomes the adoption of the resolution on Srebrenica of 17 June 2021; welcomes the first ever attendance by the Foreign Minister of Montenegro at the joint commemoration of Morinj camp victims; notes that since 2006 just eight war crime trials have been held and only low-level perpetrators have been tried; underlines there should be no tolerance for genocide denial, inflammatory rhetoric or the glorification of war criminals;
2022/03/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 182 #

2021/2247(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Calls on the Montenegrin authorities to take concrete steps to build resilience and cybersecurity as it faces increasing pressure from third country interference, in close cooperation with the relevant EU and NATO institutions;
2022/03/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 183 #

2021/2247(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. ENotes the recovery of the labour market in 2021, as a result of high economic growth; expresses its concern, however, about the persistently high unemployment rate; reiterates the need for better alignment of the education system with the job market and welcomes in this regard the steps made towards the introduction of the Youth Guarantee programme;
2022/03/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 192 #

2021/2247(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Welcomes the announcement of the ‘Europe Now’ initiative and, which aims to achieve higher living standards and a more competitive economy through a more sustainable and inclusive economic growth model; calls on the authorities to make the best use of available EU pre- accession assistance in this regard;
2022/03/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 218 #

2021/2247(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
35. Welcomes the adoption of a national climate change adaptation plan and; encourages Montenegro to speed up reforms in line with the EU’s 2020 climate and energy policy framework and calls on the authorities to make the best use of available EU pre-accession assistance in this regard;
2022/03/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 226 #

2021/2247(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
36. Reiterates its call on Montenegro to take urgent measuWelcomes the proclamation of three protected areas to preserve protected areas, andand reiterates its call on Montenegro to continue identifying potential Natura 2000 sites;
2022/03/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 231 #

2021/2247(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
38. Calls on Montenegro toNotes the progress made in addressing illegal waste disposal and calls on Montenegro to take further steps in this regard;
2022/03/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2
— having regard to the Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Moldova (hereinafter referred to as Moldova), of the other part (AA), which includes a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) and fully entered into force on 1 July 2016,
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 11 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas after a period of political instability and democratic backsliding Maia Sandu won the presidential election with 57,75% of the votes on 15 November 2020 and Party of Action and Solidarity received 52,8%of the votes and won 63 of the 101 seats in the Parliament of Moldova in the early parliamentary elections on 11 July 2021;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 17 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas participants in the 10th meeting of the EU-Moldova PAC held on 2 December 2021, took note of the resolve of the Republic of Moldova President, government and parliamentary majority to implement the EU-Moldova Association Agenda thoroughly, thus bringing tangible improvements to the Moldovan citizens' lives;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 19 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas the concrete outcomes of the sixth EU-Moldova Association Council that took place on 28 October 2021 give new impetus for closer and enhanced cooperation on key areas;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 35 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Stresses that the high expectations by people of Moldova need to be fulfilled by achieving tangible improvement in their livelihoods and restoring their trust in state institutions;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 40 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission toWelcomes the intensified high- level political dialogue with the Moldovan authorities and calls on the Commission and the European External Action Service to further increase its engagement with its Moldovan counterparts and to maximise its political, technical and financial support to the Republic of Moldova during this crucial time in order to give further impetus to progress and to ensure adequate absorption capacity for EU assistance;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 45 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses the need to look into ways to consolidate and enhance the capacity of Moldovan public institutions in this regard;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 46 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Stresses the importance of an updated Association Agenda for the guidance of the implementation of the AA/DCFTA; reiterates its call on the Commission to adopt regular annual comprehensive reports assessing implementation of reforms based on clear benchmarks and a common methodology;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 57 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Encourages the three countries to work together to further advance the reform agenda and exchange best practices; calls on the Commission to respond to the interest of the associated countries to deepen sectoral cooperation with the EU in areas of mutual interest while maintaining the principle of inclusivity;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 74 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Notes and urges the steps undertaken by the authorities to continue their efforts to address the issue of unfounded asylum applications and alignment of the Republic of Moldova's visa policy with the EU lists of visa- required third countries as well as in the areas of financial fraud, anti-money laundering, prevention and fight against corruption, and organised crime;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 77 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Stresses the importance of a clear and effective policy in the area of recovering embezzled funds and fraudulent assets by establishing international cooperation with a focus on better liaison with EUROPOL and EUROJUST; encourages the Moldovan authorities to build a framework dedicated to strategic collaboration with the European Public Prosecutor's Office for better management of fraud and anti- corruption investigations;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 78 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Encourages ongoing and close cooperation between the General Prosecutor's Office in Chisinau and the EUROJUST office, including a regular secondment of Moldovan representatives to the EUROJUST office as a preparatory step for building a task force dedicated to recovering embezzled funds and fraudulent assets;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 86 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Underlines the geostrategic importance of severing the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine energy dependency on Russia and notes the urgency of implementing and further developing energy interconnection projects with the EU; asks the Commission to urgently set up a dedicated structure within its administration that will work to support the Republic of Moldova’s and Ukraine’s integration with the European continental power grid (ENTSO-E); notes that the support and promotion of the EU enhanced cooperation with the EaP associated countries in these sectors will also create economic growth and will strengthen the energy resilience of the region;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 89 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Welcomes the approval of the National Strategy for Regional Development for the years 2022-2028 and calls for an administrative-territorial reform focused on growing competitiveness and sustainable development; underlines the necessity of a balanced social and economic growth in all regions of Moldova and efficient implementation of national policies of regional development;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 95 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses the inadmissibility of the weaponisation of the gas supply in order to put political pressure on the Republic of Moldova to change its geopolitical orientation; urges the Commission and the European External Action Service to continue providing the Republic of Moldova with the financial and technical support necessary to ensure its resilience against such external interference; calls on the Moldovan authorities to maintain the country’s commitment as a member of the Energy Community to implementing the EU’s Third Energy Package, in particular the unbundling of gas and electricity transmission and distribution;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 101 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that while the presidential and the early parliamentary elections were well managed and competitive, persistent shortcomings need to be addressed by implementing the recommendations of the Council of Europe Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR; underlines the fact that the election campaign was dividing and conducted in a negative way which involved intolerant rhetoric and attacks on the person; calls for better monitoring of campaign spending, transparency of political party funding and a system to better identify voting day irregularities;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 109 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the agreement between the EU and the Republic of Moldova on launching a High-Level Political and Security Dialogue; invites the Republic of Moldova to further align its positions with those of CFSP and to continue its contribution to Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and its miss and the renewed engagement on security and CSDP through the bilateral political staff-to- staff consultations; encourages the EEAS and the Republic of Moldova to make full use of these platforms in order to advance cooperation on matters such as, but not limited to combating hybrid threats, enhancing resilience, strengthening cybersecurity, enhancing strategic communications;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 114 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Invites the Republic of Moldova to further align its positions with those of CFSP and to continue its contribution to Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and its missions as well as encourages EU and the Republic of Moldova to identify ways to expand this cooperation;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 116 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Calls on the EU institutions to include the Republic of Moldova in new formats of cooperation concerning cybersecurity, hybrid threats and cyber- crime investigations;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 117 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)
9c. Calls for an increase of the budget and a strengthening of the European Union's Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM), which plays a very important role in harmonising border management and customs regime to that of the Union, also with regard to the solution of the Transnistrian issue;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 122 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Reiterates its support for a comprehensive and peaceful settlement of the Transnistria conflict based on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova, within its internationally recognised borders, with a special status for the Transnistrian region, inside a viable Moldovan state;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 128 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Underlines that any resolution to the Transnistrian issue must respect the Republic of Moldova’s sovereign right to choose its own defence and foreign policy orientation;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 129 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Expresses its concern over the numerous military exercises conducted by the Russian military forces in Transnistria and calls on the Russian Federation to withdraw its military forces and armaments from the Transnistria region fully and in an orderly manner, in accordance with the repeated requests of the Moldovan authorities and in respect of the Republic of Moldova's sovereignty and territorial integrity;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 131 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 c (new)
10c. Calls on the Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation, EU Member States and other international partners to cooperate on the total removal and destruction of the about 20 000 tons of old Soviet-era ammunition stored at the Cobasna ammunition depot, which, due to it being long time expired, represents a grave danger for the people on both banks of the Dniester river;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 134 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 d (new)
10d. Encourages the Moldovan Government to continue promoting an environment favourable to the settlement of conflicts and supporting activities that increase confidence and people-to-people contacts across conflict-divided communities;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 135 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 e (new)
10e. Praises the Moldovan authorities for the support offered to the Transnistria region in the context of the COVID- 19pandemic, including through the donation of 10% of its vaccines supply, the training of medical staff and the processing of COVID-19 tests;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 136 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 f (new)
10f. Expresses its concern regarding the deteriorating human rights situation in the Transnistrian region; reminds the Russian Federation of the responsibility it has regarding the respect of human rights in the Transnistria region, as confirmed by several rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR); calls on the Russian authorities to execute all the ECHR judgements regarding violations of human rights and the right to freedom and security in the Transnistria region;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 139 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Calls on the Council to extend the areas of cooperation with the Republic of Moldova under the European Peace Facility; encourages Moldovan authorities to make further use of the potential European Peace Facility assistance in subsequent annual programmes in order to consolidate its capacity in countering cyber and hybrid threats; encourages the EEAS and the Council to further support strengthening capacity of the defence sector through assistance measures under this instrument;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 144 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Calls for an increased and better communicated EU support for development projects in the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 152 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Reiterates the fundamental importance of justice reform and the fight against corruption; recognises the magnitude of the challenge faced by the authorities and encourages them to focus on established priorities; calls for the adoption and implementation of the amendments to the Constitution on justice that were voted by the Parliament on 23 September 2021, as well as of the Strategy for Ensuring the Independence and Integrity of the Justice Sector 2021- 2-20245;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 159 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Calls the Moldovan authorities to continue cooperation with the Council of Europe and the European Union on justice reform, including on initiatives related to the extraordinary evaluation of judges and prosecutors (vetting) and evaluation of the integrity of candidates for the position of members of Superior Council of Magistracy and Superior Council of Prosecutors (pre-vetting);
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 164 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Deplores the fact that the investigation into the bank fraud exposed in 2014 has still not yielded significant results in terms of bringing those responsible to justice and recovering lost assets; stresses that this lack of progress has a serious negative effect on the credibility of the justice system in the eyes not only of the people of the Republic of Moldova, but also of the country’s international partners; calls for an intensification of the process of completing criminal cases against persons involved in the "Russian laundromat" and bank fraud;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 167 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Welcomes the new regulations in the field of public procurement, but emphasizes the need for public monitoring of procurement processes and the importance of clearer and permanent reports to the general public; encourages the simplification of the mechanisms by which civil society representatives can be part of procurement processes and emphasizes the need to replace bureaucratic processes with transparent ones that remove barriers and restore confidence in the allocation and use of public budgets;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 209 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Highlights the positive effect of the EU-Moldova Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) agreement on the trade between the two sides, with more than a 33% increase in total trade between 2015 and 2020, over 61% of Moldovan exports going to the EU market and over 70% of Moldovan companies engaged in export activities exporting to the EU market;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 211 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Encourages the Moldovan government to intensify European cooperation to improve the digital infrastructure and improve the resilience of the national system in the face of cyber-attacks; supports the process of digitization of economic processes and the development of special mechanisms for IT companies, especially innovation and start-ups that have problems finding sources of financing and as such fail to support their transition and growth process;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 215 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Acknowledges the commitment of the Republic of Moldova to pursue legal approximation with EU agricultural legislation in order to increase exports to the EU and open up new commercial opportunities for its farmers and rurlocal communities;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 221 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Calls on the EU institutions to give concrete support to the Republic of Moldova to meet the criteria to join the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) once it has met all of the necessary requirements;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 222 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Emphasises that the Republic of Moldova's exports could increase through expanded production, reprioritising exports, and adjusting quality standards; reiterates that the main categories of goods for export remain animal and vegetable products, which are the least profitable products that Moldova can offer to Member States; calls on the European Commission to support the Republic of Moldova in diversifying its exports to the EU, including through a better fulfilment of its tariff quotas for high-profit products;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 228 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)
16c. Encourages the harmonisation of national quality standards with those of the EU; underlines the disadvantage for Moldovan entrepreneurs and businesses due to the large number of different standards they need to meet for exports into the Member States and emphasises the need for a policy of excluding standards that are non-aligned or in direct conflict with European standards;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 233 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 d (new)
16d. Stresses the need for greater transparency regarding the results of the audit missions of the Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) and emphasises the need to grow and strengthen the network of laboratories for sanitary and phytosanitary analysis while intensifying the training of inspectors and specialists working in these laboratories for better implementation of regulations in the field of phytosanitary and food safety;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 235 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 e (new)
16e. Supports a better policy of integration of environmental policies in the economic sectors and broader participation of the citizens in the process of elaborating the environmental protection policies; calls for a more intense approach to partnerships with civil society for a better functioning waste collection and recycling activity, as well as increased attention to land afforestation, reduction of soil degradation and water quality;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 245 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Welcomes the launch of a high- level energy dialogue between the European Union and Moldova in the context of the emergency situation in Moldova’s gas sector. Invites the Commission to consider the launch of other enhanced / high-level sectorial dialogues, such as in the justice sector or climate / Green Deal, which would contribute to reaching objectives within the AA and DCFTA;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 251 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses the importance of fighting disinformation, fake news and propaganda, in particular through strategic communication that would improve public perception on the tangible benefits that EU cooperation and support brings to Moldovan citizens; hopes that the reconstituted Television and Radio Broadcasting Council will effectively carry out its tasks as a media watchdog and address the long-standing shortcomings of the media landscape;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 255 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Emphasises the need for an institutional framework and a consistent set of public policies through which misinformation and disinformation in the media can be opposed and fought, mainly in the online environment. Calls on the Moldovan authorities to build a national media development program to review the legal framework, regulate the economic situation, specifically the advertising law, ensure fair competition in the media market, and strengthen media actors' resilience to commercial attacks and political influence;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 261 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Invites the European Commission to consider the idea of creating a Support Group for Moldova, in order to better streamline EU financial and technical support and provide necessary assistance to Moldovan authorities, particularly in the implementation of the Economic and Investment Plan for EaP countries and the Economic Recovery Plan for Moldova;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 263 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
18c. Welcomes the efforts and the continuing progress made by Moldovan authorities towards further improving its safety oversight system and implementing international aviation safety standards that led to the removal of all air carriers certified in the Republic of Moldova from the EU Air Safety List, and calls the Moldovan authorities to ensure the implementation of the EU-Republic of Moldova Common Aviation Area Agreement;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 265 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 d (new)
18d. Calls for the Republic of Moldova and the EU to advance work on the Moldovan sections of the trans-European extended transport network for EaP (TEN-T), to support the railway sector reforms and to explore together with Member States and International Financial Institutions possibilities for upgrading the EU-Republic of Moldova rail connections, while ensuring environmental sustainability; encourages the Republic of Moldova to advance in implementing the relevant acquis; and calls for increased cooperation and the gradually integration of the Republic of Moldova into the EU Transport Market and Transport Community;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 266 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 e (new)
18e. Calls on the EU institutions to analyse the possibility of including the Republic of Moldova and the other EaP associated countries as observers in the proceedings of the Committees established pursuant to Article 291 TFEU and Regulation (EU) No. 182/2011(7), as well as in the meetings of the Council working groups and committees, to show the EU’s commitments to further integration and to strengthening the countries’ reform orientation and administrative know-how;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 267 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 f (new)
18f. Welcomes the commitments of the Republic of Moldova in the field of environment and climate change, and the intention to cooperate with the EU in implementing the EU Green Deal; encourages to seek guidance and support from the European Commission to strengthen cooperation in this direction;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 268 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 g (new)
18g. Supports a continued cooperation between the Republic of Moldova and the EU on addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences, as well as enhancing long term cooperation in the field of public health;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 269 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 h (new)
18h. Welcomes the adoption by the European Commission of the decision of equivalence of COVID-19certificates issued by the Republic of Moldova to the EU Digital COVID Certificate and encourages the EU Member States to continue to ensure its application;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 272 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the signature on 29 November 2021 of the Memorandum of Understanding between the European Parliament and the Parliament of Moldova on a joint framework for parliamentary democracy support, which opens up opportunities for strengthening its institutional capacity and parliamentary democracy in the Republic of Moldova through closer bilateral institutional ties; invites the Parliament of Moldova to implement the full range of democracy support activities available to it, including a Jean Monnet Dialogue and a Simone Veil programme, on the basis of a mutually agreed roadmap;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 275 #

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Invites the Parliament of Moldova to implement the full range of democracy support activities available to it, including a Jean Monnet Dialogue and a Simone Veil programme, on the basis of a mutually agreed roadmap;
2022/02/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2021/2236(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the positive Georgian progress in implementing the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), notably the approximation to the EU law for deepening economic integration into the single market, further welcomes that the EU is the leading trade partner of Georgia, as around 21% of its total trade takes place with the EU;
2022/08/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2021/2236(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Reiterates its calls to reduce the political polarisation in the country which is of key essence for Georgia’s European path;
2022/08/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 3 #

2021/2236(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Highlights that after the Commission’s 17 June recommendations at least 60 000 people took to the streets of Tbilisi to demonstrate their commitment to Georgia’s European future; notes that according to the National Democratic Institute’s (NDI) survey of January 2022, 83% of Georgians approve joining the EU;
2022/08/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2021/2236(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Georgian government to steadily continue the working on approximating the rule of law standards, particularly those ensuring transparency, an independent judiciary system and good governance and its proper reform implementation; in addition, calls on the Commission to closely monitor the development of the rule of law situation, and to explore the possibilities to or lim in line with the direct funding and even suspending thMacro-Financial Assistance (MFA if the situation further deteriorate) obligations;
2022/08/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 6 #

2021/2236(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
9. CEmphasises that in its REPowerEU Plan, the EU wishes to swiftly reduce its dependence on Russian fossil fuels and to accelerate the green transition; highlights that in line with the RePowerEU Plan, the EU should further support Georgia in ensuring reliable and sustainable energy; calls on Georgia to enhance its engagement in the fight against climate change and the EU Commission to facilitate Georgian participation in the European Green Deal and to ensure that the DCFTA doesn't contradict climate imperatives, social and environmental objectives and initiatives set out therein;
2022/08/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 9 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10
— having regard to the urgent opinion of the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission of 26 August 2022 on the Draft Law on the Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code adopted by the Parliament of Georgia on 7 June 2022, its opinion of 20 June 2022 on the December 2021 amendments to the organic law on common courts, its urgent opinion of 2 July 2021 on the amendments to the organic law on common courts, its urgent joint opinion of 5 July 2022 on the revised draft amendments to the election code, its opinion of 8 October 2020 on the draft organic law amending the organic law on common courts and its urgent opinion of 16 April 2019 on the selection and appointment of Supreme Court judges,
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 27 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the freedom of media in Georgia has worsened, ranking 89th among 180 countries in 2022 World Press Freedom Index, as opposed to ranking 60th in 2021;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 32 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas the Russian Federation continues the illegal occupation of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia in blatant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 33 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)
Dc. whereas the continued ethnic cleansing, discrimination and other severe forms of human rights violations of Georgians in the Russian occupied territories of Georgia, erection of barbed wire fences and other artificial barriers and lengthy closure of so-called crossing points along the occupation line, as well as the illegal detentions and kidnappings of the Georgian citizens by the Russian occupation forces destabilize the situation throughout the country;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 51 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Georgian authorities to uphold the highest standards of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms and to determinedly pursue the priorities for reform set out in the Commission’s opinion in order to unambiguously demonstrate their political determination to implement the nation’s ambitious European aspirations, as expressed by the application for EU membership that Georgia submitted on 3 March 2022; calls on the Georgian authorities to initiate and lead the work on these priorities in an inclusive manner before the Commission reports on their implementation by the end of 2022; calls on all Georgian political forces to constructively participate in and contribute to these efforts; calls on the Georgian authorities to take into account the Plan of Action "12 steps towards the EU candidacy" elaborated by the civil society organisations and to actively and openly engage CSOs in implementing the key priorities set forward by the EU Commission; stresses that Georgia’s bid for accession to the EU will continue to be assessed based on its own merits and its success in meeting the Copenhagen criteria for EU membership;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 58 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Highlights the important role and full involvement of Georgian civil society in monitoring and supporting democratic reforms; calls for its transparent involvement and active participation in the working groups setup to implement the key priorities identified by the Commission;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 61 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Encourages Georgia to continue its enhanced cooperation with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova as the ‘Associated Trio’, as well as regional cooperation in the South Caucasus under the EU's Eastern Partnership initiative;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 77 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates its steadfast support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders; calls for the continuation of efforts to achieve a negotiated peaceful resolution of the conflict, including through the Geneva International Discussions, the ongoing activities of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia and the efforts of the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia; notes with concerncondemns Russia's continued military presence on Georgia’s territory, the continuation of illegal ‘borderisation’ activities in the occupied regions of Georgia, unlawful detentions of the local population, severe restrictions on rights related to freedom of movement, education and the discrimination against ethnic Georgians in Gali and Akhalgori districts; calls on the Council to extend the mandate of EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia beyond 14 December 2022 and to provide it with a budget that is commensurate with its tasks to stabilise and normalise the situation and build confidence between the parties in the conflict in an increasingly tense security environment;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 83 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Expresses concern regarding Georgia´s decreasing alignment rate with relevant EU High Representative statements on behalf of the EU and Council Decisions and calls for Georgia to reverse this trend;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 94 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Regrets that deep polarisation continues to be the defining feature of Georgia’s political environment; calls on all political stakeholders to unite their forces around the key goal of Georgia’s EU membership through the implementation of ambitious democratic, judicial and anti- corruption reforms; reiterates that the core provisions of the EU-brokered agreement of 19 April 2021 continue to present a pathway towards strengthening democracy and the rule of law in Georgia; regrets the decision of the governing Georgian Dream party to withdraw from this agreement; calls on the government to return to the agreement and start its implementation immediately as it presents a way forward towards depolarisation and implementing reforms;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 95 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Regrets that deep polarisation continues to be the defining feature of Georgia’s political environment; calls on all political stakeholders to unite their forces around the key goal of Georgia’s EU membership through the implementation of ambitious democratic, judicial and anti- corruption reforms; reiterates that the core provisions of the EU-brokered agreement of 19 April 2021 continue to present a pathway towards strengthening democracy and the rule of law in Georgia, and invites Georgia’s ruling party and the opposition to recommit to full implementation of 19 April Agreement;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 98 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the Georgian authorities to follow European Commission's recommendation and ensure credible involvement of civil society in decision- making processes at all levels;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 103 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Is concerned over refusal by the ruling party to include the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) to the electoral reforms working group; expresses its full confidence in, and appreciation of, ISFED’s work in monitoring and reporting on election processes in Georgia;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 108 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines the need to eliminate the excessive influence of vested interests, including oligarchsverarching control of the government by oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, in economic, political and public life as one of the priorities identified by the Commission to be addressed before Georgia is granted candidate status;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 113 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls on the Georgian authorities to put an end to politically motivated persecution of political opponents; notes that the decision of the court to convict the leaders of Lelo for Georgia party, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, and using the court’s verdict to strip Japaridze of his parliamentary mandate is a clear demonstration of a case of politicized justice;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 115 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Underlines Georgia’s role as a reliable security partner of the EU through its significant contributions to EU CSDP operations;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 116 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Reiterates its call on the Georgian authorities to release former President Mikhail Saakashvili from prison on humanitarian grounds so that he can receive proper medical treatment abroad;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 117 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Regrets that the reform of the judiciary has stalled and even regressed in key areas, while the human rights situation has deteriorated;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 124 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Calls on the Georgian authorities to strengthen the independence of its Anti-Corruption Agency, in particular to rigorously address high-level corruption cases, and to provide it with adequate means and resources to fully exercise its mandate;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 126 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Underlines the importance of further strengthening administrative capacity at central and local government level;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 127 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Regrets that the number of organised crime convictions remains relatively low compared to the estimated value of the criminal market;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 128 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Georgian authorities to effectively investigate the massive illegal wiretapping revealed in September 2021; is concerned about the amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of Georgia that increase the number of crimes for which covert investigative actions are permitted and the duration of these actions, which were adopted by the Georgian Parliament on 7 June 2022 and vetoed by the President on 22 June 2022; calls on the Parliament of Georgia to ask the Venice Commission to isGeorgian authorities to follow recommendations of the Venice Commission issued on 26 August 2022, in particular to ensure an opin transparent, rational and to implement its recommendationsinclusive legislative process by including the relevant stakeholders and civil society;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 132 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Expresses its concern over the significant deterioration in recent years of the situation of media and the safety of journalists in Georgia; condemns the increasing number of cases of intimidation, threats, and violence against and persecution of journalists, including an increasing number of criminal investigations against media workers and owners; calls on Georgia to ensure media freedom, which entails editorial independence, transparent media ownership, and pluralistic, impartial and non-discriminatory coverage of political views in programming by private and in particular public broadcasters, and especially during electoral campaign periods, as well as unhindered access to information that is supposed to be publicly available and to ensure the safety, protection and empowerment of journalists and other media professionals; calls on all the representatives of the Georgian authorities to refrain from using aggressive rhetoric and discriminatory treatment towards media representatives in Georgia and to advocate for a tolerant approach respectful of human rights in their public statements;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 133 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Expresses its concerns about the significant deterioration of the media situation and the safety of journalists in Georgia in recent years, despite Georgia's strong legal framework for freedom of expression and media freedom; calls on Georgia to ensure freedom of the media, which should include editorial independence, transparency of media ownership and pluralistic, impartial and non-discriminatory coverage of political views in the programmes of private and, in particular, public broadcasters, including during election campaigns; calls on Georgia to ensure unhindered access to information that is supposed to be available to the public, and to ensure the safety, protection and empowerment of journalists and other media professionals;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 136 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Reiterates its concern about the serious deterioration of the media situation and the safety of journalists in Georgia; calls on the Georgian authorities to ensure media freedom and a safe working environment for media workers, to put an end to the politically motivated persecution of critical media outlets and their owners, and reiterates its calls for a review of the conviction of Nika Gvaramia;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 140 #

2021/2236(INI)

11b. Calls on the Parliament of Georgia to ensure the harmonization of Georgian media laws with the EU Directive on Audiovisual Media Services based on the wide consensus, particularly in the context of an effective co-regulation system, suggested by CSOs and journalists’ unions, which assert that ethical disputes should be resolved by a special professional council, rather than by the Georgian National Communications Commission, the role of which should not exceed its current legal mandate;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 143 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Reminds that Georgia is heavily exposed to Russian disinformation campaigns; recalls that the best way to combat these campaigns is to protect the pluralism and independence of the press;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 144 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Calls on the Georgian authorities to review the ongoing criminal cases against media owners or close family members of media outlets critical of the government;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 147 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)
11c. Stresses the importance of continuous efforts to increase Georgian society's resistance to Russian propaganda and disinformation and to attempts to influence Georgian politics and public opinion;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 152 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Condemns the violence committed against peaceful participants of the Tbilisi Pride march on 5-6 July 2021 and the journalists covering the event; strongly denounces the lack of diligent investigations into or prosecutions of those responsible for organising the violence; notes that six perpetrators of the violence were sentenced to a maximum of five years in prison in April 2022; calls on the authorities to ensure the protection of the human rights of vulnerable groups, such as women, the LGBTQI+ community and ethnic minorities; Public Prosecutor’s Office to reopen an impartial, effective, and timely investigation into the organisers and perpetrators of the violence against peaceful participants and media workers on July 5-6, 2021, in the light of the overwhelming amount of evidence gathered by the media, civil society and the Ombudsman; calls on the authorities to ensure the protection of the human rights of vulnerable groups, such as women, the LGBTQI+ community and ethnic minorities; notes that the events planned for the Tbilisi Pride 2022 took place indoors and that the police reacted in time to prevent interference and violence by groups opposing the Pride events;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 164 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Reiterates the importance of independent oversight of Georgia’s state institutions; regrets, in this respect, the dismantling of State Inspector’s Service against ODIHR recommendations; highlights the positive role of the public defender of Georgia in protecting human rights, promoting good governance and strengthening the rule of law; condemns the attempts to undermine the independence of the Public Defender of Georgia and to cast doubts over the integrity of the office and its staff; commends Nino Lomjaria, the Public Defender of Georgia, for her actions in safeguarding the freedom of media, despite regular attacks by the government; calls for an inclusive process regarding the selection of the new Public Defender;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 171 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Expresses concern regarding the number of Georgian asylum seekers in the EU and calls on the Georgian authorities to increase cooperation with their European partners and take further measures to address this issue;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 174 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Calls on the Georgian authorities to release former president Mikhail Saakashvili, whose health has severely deteriorated since he was arrested in October 2021 on his return from exile, from prison on humanitarian grounds;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 182 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Calls on the Georgian government to step up its efforts to increase and sustain socio-economic development in order to ensure a rising level of income and regional development;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 184 #

2021/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Stresses the importance for Georgia to align to the EU sanctions imposed on Russia as a result of its unprovoked and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine; notes the influx of Russian citizens to Georgia since the start of the war, including registration of some 7,500 Russian companies, and urges the Georgian authorities to take precautionary measures to ensure that these entities are not able to circumvent the sanctions and support the criminal Putin regime;
2022/09/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 41 #

2021/2232(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the EU is the number one foreign investor and development assistance provider; whereas the EU has already concluded and is in the process of negotiating free trade agreements with countries in the region; whereas the EU can already rely on a broad network of partnerships and agreements with a number of countries, such as Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, India, New Zealand, Vietnam and Singapore, and with regional organisations, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS); whereas the EU is present in the region through its Member State France, notably through the French overseas departments of La Réunion and Mayotte, as well as the French Southern and Antarctic Lands in the Indian Ocean, and in the Pacific Ocean through New Caledonia, as well as through the French overseas collectivities of French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna; whereas these French regions are home to roughly 1.5 million EU citizens; whereas, consequently, the EU is a resident actor in the Indo-Pacific;
2021/12/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 116 #

2021/2232(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses its concern that the current tensions and disputes in the region, unless properly mediated and managed, pose a threat to free and open communication in the maritime, air, space and cyber areas, which are essential to stability and peace and to maintain regional and global trading routes;
2021/12/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 143 #

2021/2232(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Takes note of the recent conclusion of the AUKUS trilateral security pact; regrets the lack of prior consultation in this process and reiterates its solidarity with France; is of the firm opinion that strong EU-Australia relations based on trust and mutual consultation are important for the stability of the region and that these should be further advanced and not affected by the conclusion of AUKUSon the basis of these principles; calls on the Vice- President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) to examine with the relevant partners possibilities to set up a permanent dialogue with AUKUS and representation at the meetings of the members of QUAD in order to align ourstrengthen synergies between our respective strategies on the Indo- Pacific and strengthen synergies;
2021/12/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 148 #

2021/2232(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Expresses serious concerns at reports that Australia, because of its unilateral decision to cancel its contract with Naval Group for conventional submarines, might find itself without a functional fleet of submarines in the near future, despite a growing tense situation in the near future;
2021/12/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 152 #

2021/2232(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Highlights the fundamental role that connectivity plays in the geopolitical relations of the EU and its Member States, and welcomes the announcement by Commission President von der Leyen to present the EU’s global gateway strategy; calls for a swift implementation of this strategy in the Indo-Pacific, including through the implementation of concrete and visible projects;
2021/12/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 185 #

2021/2232(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Calls for the EU to strengthen its dialogue with NATO’s four Asia-Pacific partners, namely Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand, with a view to enhancing mutual situational awareness on security developments in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions; invites NATO to use its 2030 reflection process to enhance cooperation with its four Asia Pacific partners in order to defend shared values, bolster resilience and uphold the international rules-based order, while ensuring greater consistency between policies on China; in full respect of the autonomy of decision and action of the European Union;
2021/12/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 189 #

2021/2232(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the ‘Enhancing Security Cooperation in and with Asia’ project and calls for enhanced efforts towards its implementation; calls for the EU to further extend the project to other countries and to step up the deployment of military advisors to EU delegations to support its implementation;
2021/12/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 191 #

2021/2232(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes the well established cooperation between the EU and Japan in the area of security and defence, and; strongly welcomes Japan participation in international efforts in counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, by conducting exercises with the EUNAVFOR ships of the Atalanta operation; urges both partners to further advance the strategic partnership; calls for both partners to enhance cooperation in the area of maritime security and to further develop cooperation within the framework of the common security and defence policy (CSDP) in areas such as intelligence and capacity-building;
2021/12/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 204 #

2021/2232(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Welcomes positivNotes some developments in EU- Australia security and defence cooperation in the past decade and Australia’s engagement in EU crisis management operations; calls for both partners to further enhance coordination and synergies with a view to promoting security and stability in the Indo-Pacific, including as regards freedom of navigation;
2021/12/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 207 #

2021/2232(INI)

18. Stresses the crucial role played by the Republic of Korea in supporting efforts towards the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsulacomplete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs; calls for both the EU and the Republic of Korea to further step up joint efforts to combat cybercrime and build resilient infrastructure;
2021/12/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 220 #

2021/2232(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the positive role Taiwan plays in fostering peace and security in the Indo-Pacific regionSupports the efforts of Taiwan in maintaining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region and reaffirms the vigilance of the European Union against any unilateral sanctions that could alter the status quo;
2021/12/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 225 #

2021/2232(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Underlines the important cooperation by Indo-Pacific partners in the EU’s CSDP missions and operations through framework participation agreements (FPAs) with Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea and Vietnam, and calls for the conclusion of further FPAs with partner countries; calls for the maintaining of Japan naval facility in Djibouti that supports its participation in international efforts in counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, in particular via its participation to Atalanta operation;
2021/12/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 267 #

2021/2232(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Underlines the importance of information and cybersecurity as an element of theto promote a free, open, secure and unique cyberspace, thus contributing to the stability of the global economy, the safety of critical infrastructures of the global economycommunication and forthe protectingon of democracies fromagainst disinformation and malicious attacks;
2021/12/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 275 #

2021/2232(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Welcomes the cooperation launched between the EU and a number of Indo-Pacific partners on cybersecurity and defence; calls for the EU to accelerate the establishment of an EU Cyber Diplomacy Network, aimed to promote cybersecurity norms agreed at the UN level and legal frameworks in the region;
2021/12/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 20 #

2021/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas the UN estimated that Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya needed an urgent humanitarian assistance of USD 4.4 Billion for 2022 to reach 29.1 million people; whereas only 5% of those needs had been met by the international community as of April 2022; whereas according to humanitarian NGOs, since Russia's invasion of Ukraine the prices of wheat and oil have increased by 300% in a number of regions of Somalia, which is importing 90% of its wheat from Ukraine and Russia; whereas according to the UN as of March 2022 over 38% of Somalia's population was suffering from severe food insecurity;
2022/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 27 #

2021/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas the mission ATMIS replaced AMISOM since the 1st of April 2022 with the hand-over to the Somalian national army forces in 2024 as main objective;
2022/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 31 #

2021/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
A b. whereas the non-extension of the resolution 2608 (2021) of the UN Security Council Fighting Piracy off the Coast of Somalia limits the access of the EUNAVFOR Atalanta to the Somalian territorial waters; whereas the security situation is fragile and the Shebabs terrorist group remains active;
2022/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 70 #

2021/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(c a) encourage the UK to coordinate its efforts in the region with the ones of the EU;
2022/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 103 #

2021/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
(g) provide the countries affected by conflicts and natural disasters with prompt and adequate humanitarian assistance, in coordination with like- minded partnerallocate prompt and adequate humanitarian aid and assistance to the countries affected by the extreme drought and other natural disasters and by the Russian aggression in Ukraine, which has contributed to soaring food and fuel costs and disrupted global supply chains;
2022/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 107 #

2021/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
(g a) calls on the EU and its Member States to take leadership in convening the donors community for an exceptional pledging conference for the Horn of Africa, to avoid hunger from hitting the region again;
2022/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 108 #

2021/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g b (new)
(g b) take note of the Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch report that documents a systematical expelling of several hundred thousand Tigrayan civilians from their homes using threats, unlawful killings, sexual violence, mass arbitrary detention, pillage, forcible transfer, and the denial of humanitarian assistance amounting to crimes against humanity as well as war crimes;
2022/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 109 #

2021/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g c (new)
(g c) call for an urgent deployment of an AU-led international peacekeeping force with a robust civilian protection mandate to Western Tigray, which is crucial to promote human rights, to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid, and to help protect at-risk communities in Tigray;
2022/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 117 #

2021/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h
(h) acknowledge the positive impacts of Operation Atalanta in guaranteeing maritime security, and take note of the non-extension of its mandate within the UNSC; he achievements of the EUCAP Nestor mission and the EU MASE programme in developing national and regional capacities for maritime law enforcements;call on the Member States to show adequate commitment to the EU Training Mission in Somalia both in terms of personnel and means, in order to empower the Somali Armed Forces to guarantee security in the country;
2022/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 131 #

2021/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i
(i) take note of the growingpersistent activity of the Al Shabab terrorist groups in the wholpart of the region, and providecalls for the provision of tailored and effective assistance to the affected countries in countering both the immediate effects of this expansion and the root causes of extremism and radicalisation;
2022/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 140 #

2021/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j
(j) ensure that assistance channelled through the European Peace Facility abides by European fundamental values andmaintain the support provided via the European Peace Facility, especially to EUNAVFOR Atalanta and to EUTM Somalia to helps in building a transparent,n accountable, robust and reliable security sector;
2022/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 143 #

2021/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j a (new)
(j a) ensure the funding of the civilian component of ATMIS;
2022/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 167 #

2021/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m a (new)
(m a) urge Eritrean authorities to release Swedish-Eritrean writer and journalist David Isaak, detained since 2001, and all other prisoners of conscience; calls for his family to be at least given the right to know whether he is dead or alive;
2022/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 169 #

2021/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m a (new)
(m a) require the conclusion of the electoral process in Somalia to remain a priority and adopt a firm position if the crisis persists;
2022/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 171 #

2021/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m b (new)
(m b) call for an independent international commission of inquiry on the alleged crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing perpetrated in Ethiopia’s Western Tigray province since November 2020 by Amhara security forces, local authorities and militias against the Tigrayan population;
2022/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 173 #

2021/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m c (new)
(m c) call for an UN- led international investigation on the alleged crimes against Eritrean refugees perpetrated in the Hitsats and Shimelba refugee camps in Ethiopia’s Tigray region by Eritrean forces and Tigrayan militias;
2022/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 193 #

2021/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point p a (new)
(p a) call on the EU to provide technical support to empower the diaspora in Europe to step up business relations with the region,notably by allowing remittances to be sent through legal, transparent and trusted channels instead of resorting to the halawa system, in order to prevent the misuse of the diaspora’s funding for criminal activities;
2022/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 222 #

2021/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point t
(t) acknowledge that safe and efficient infrastructures are key to consistent, sustainable and fair development in the region; fully exploit the potential of new EU-sponsored initiatives aiming at enhancing regional integration and connectivity; increase consultation and coordination with African counterparts in the definition of specific projects to be developed in the global gateway framework;
2022/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 227 #

2021/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point t a (new)
(t a) take note of possible insecurities and tensions that can arise from the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) by Ethiopia and the sharing of Nile waters with Sudan and Egypt that are located downstream;
2022/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 235 #

2021/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point u
(u) take note of the growing, multifaceted and often opaque influence of third parties in the regionsuch as China, Russia and Turkey in the region particularly in the economic, energy, security and military spheres; and take, when possible, all the appropriate actions to counter these interferences; recognise that the increasing presence of factors that do not share the Union`s values, interests and objectives could undermine the EU’s role as a privileged partner;
2022/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 247 #

2021/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v
(v) reinforce strategic communication through effective and fact-based campaigns about EU actions and EU sponsored initiatives in the region, underlining their added value for local communities, sustainable development and inclusive growth, while also countering disinformation and false narratives from third parties such as Russia;
2022/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 268 #

2021/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Expresses its concern over the establishment of a Chinese naval base in Djibouti since 2017 for long-range military projection,hosting over 1,000 personnel and conducting military drills such as in Mogadishu in November 2017; is concerned over China's takeover of the strategic port of Doraleh and Djibouti's rising public foreign debt contracted through loans from China;
2022/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 269 #

2021/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. Expresses its deep concern over the planned establishment of a Russian naval base in Port Sudan for a 25-year- lease; believes this decision would bear negative repercussions for the peace and security of the Red Sea; is deeply disappointed by Sudan President Hemetti's statement of 23 February 2022 in Moscow, falsely claiming that Russia's aggression against Ukraine was to "protect" Russia; points at the particular responsibility of Sudanese authorities in providing secure passage to the CAR to Russia's Wagner group, in return for security guarantees to help Hemetti remain in power.
2022/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 11 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the Indo-Pacific region has become a geopolitical and geoeconomic reality; whereas the global economy’s centre of gravity has shifted from the Atlantic to the PacificIndo-Pacific region has become a major economic power;
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas Europe and the Indo- Pacific together represent over 70 % of global trade in goods and services and over 60 % of foreign direct investment (FDI) with their annual trade reaching EUR 1.5 trillion in 2019; whereas the Indo-Pacific region produces 60 % of global gross domestic product (GDP) and contributes to two thirds of global economic growth; whereas the EU is the biggest investor in the areagion, which includes four (China, Japan, South Korea and India) out of the EU’s top 10 global trading partners;
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 43 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas the COVID-19 crisis has accelerated a number of geopolitical trends that were already under way; whereas it also highlighted the need for international cooperation; whereas it has also shown vulnerabilities in the global supply chains and has made clear the need for more diversification; whereas this has been further accentuated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine;
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 48 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
G a. Whereas, as stated in the Trade Policy Review, the EU works together with its partners to ensure adherence to universal values, notably the promotion and protection of human rights. This includes core labour standards, social protection, gender equality, and the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss;
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 52 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G b (new)
G b. whereas the EU outermost regions and overseas countries and territories, constitutionally linked to its Member States, are an important part of the EU’s approach to the Indo-Pacific;
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 56 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the EU strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, which identifies trade as a priority; believes its main focus on inclusiveness and cooperation based on shared values and principles, including a commitment to respecting democracy, human rights and the rule of law, is essential; calls for the EU’s strategic approach and engagement with the Indo-Pacific region to be developed based on the multilateral, rules- based international order with a modernised World Trade Organization at its core, based on the principles of open environment for trade and investment, a level playing field, reciprocity and mutual benefit; stresses that this new approach should constitute a fundamental reorientation based on shared interests as the region is vital to EU prosperity;
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 61 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission to work closely with its Indo-Pacific like-minded partners to reinforce value chains by strengthening and diversifying trade relations in order to reduce strategic dependencies in critical supply chains with a particular focus on technologies and raw materials, by working towards the full implementation and better enforcement of existing trade agreements, by finalising ongoing trade negotiations and by developing cooperation in strategic sectors; underlines the importance of working together with like-minded Indo-Pacific countries on establishing technical standards, to further promote the EU as a global standard-setter; further calls on the Commission to closely work together with the Indo-Pacific partners in the process of shaping and implementing the planned Due Diligence framework;
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 71 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that the EU should make better and more strategic use of its economic leverage while respecting the political and economic specificities of its partner countries in order to reach its geopolitical goals, by deploying its full, integrated range of policy instruments, including the requirement of promoting fundamental human and labour rights, environmental protection and good governance as part of GSP, for this purpose;
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 89 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Believes the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement has been instrumental in creating more sustainable trade; welcomes the increase in the preference utilisation rates for EU exports to Japan in 2020; underlinnotes that further progress is needed e has been some progress regarding the implementation of the agreement, in particular as regardsexpansion of the list for GI protection for both parties, the utilisation rates of tariff rate quotas opened by Japan for EU exporters, and the process for ratification of ILO Convention No 105 by Japan; underlines that further progress is needed in the implementation of the agreement, in particular as regards the liberalisation of trade in services and the ratification of ILO Conventions No 105 and No 111;
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 98 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Call on the Member States to ratify the EU-Vietnam IPA so that it enters into force and creates favourable conditions to boost EU investment in Vietnam and in the region, in particular in areas promoting green transformation and the circular economy; urges Vietnam to guarantee a full implementation of the sanitary and phytosanitary provisions; inviturges Vietnam to complete its key labour reforms in accordance with the agreement and to swiftly ensure the ratification of ILO Convention No 87 by 2023;
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 102 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for continuing actions oriented at raising awareness among businesses and citizens of existing FTAs in the region and the opportunities they provide; calls for strengthened technical and financial support where necessary to help partner countries to effectively implement FTAs, in particular the chapters on TSD; Calls on the Commission to work together with our Indo-Pacific partners also in the context of the TSD review;
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 112 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Calls for substantive progress and the conclusion of negotiations on the EU- Australia and EU-New Zealand FTAs by no later than mid 2022 in order for the European Parliament to be able to duly ratify these agreements in the current parliamentary mandate; believes that, especially in the current geopolitical situation, it is of utmost importance that democracies strengthen their mutual relations, also when it comes to trade;
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 120 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines the need for the EU to pursengage in a comprehensive dialogue wits multifaceted engagement with Chinah China and firmly defend the interests and values of the EU, keeping in mind that China’s goals are often divergent from ours, especially in this geopolitically challenging global context; stresses that it is important to continue engaging bilaterally to promote solutions to common challenges and to cooperate on issues of common interest such as fighting climate change; acknowledges that the support of China was vital for the conclusion of the Paris Agreement, and that engagement with China is necessary to curb global greenhouse emissions;
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 123 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Acknowledges that China’s continued delay in complying with all WTO rules continues to complicate the trade relations between the EU and China. Main issues that must be solved are the multiple barriers European companies face to access the Chinese market, protection of intellectual property rights, counterfeiting, product safety concerns, social and environmental standards, forced technology transfers, obliged Joint Ventures, unfair subsidies and unfair competition by state-owned enterprises;
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 125 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Acknowledges that the discussions on the ratification of the Comprehensive Investment Agreement between the EU and China have been put on hold in the European Parliament for the moment; believes, however, that despite our differencesdue to China’s decision to sanction, among others, five Members of the European Parliament and the Human Rights sub-committee for criticizing China’s human rights record; stresses that it is unthinkable that the European Parliament will discuss or ratify the CAI as long as MEPs and one of its committees are under sanctions; further recalls the coercive pressure China has put on member states such as in the case of Lithuania; believes, however, that we should continue to maintain dialogue at all levels and through various channels to be able to understand each others positions and in particular to find a way out of the present situation;
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 129 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Reminds that the cooperation with China must go hand in hand with firmness on the issue of human rights and minority; underlines the need for the EU to take a clear stance against the human rights violations in China, notably the forced labour camps and continuous repression against the Uyghur community in Xinjiang, which according to several international organisations amount to crimes against humanity and that some parliaments already have called a genocide; further deplores the oppression of the Tibetan community and the violation of China’s international commitments in Hong Kong;
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 135 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Is looking forward toTakes note of the EU-China Summit taking place in April 2022; trusthopes that it will contribute to calming the recently the de-escalatingon of trade and geopolitical tensions between both parties, that it will allow progress towards developing a much more balanced economic relationship based on reciprocity and, that it will help to resolve the crisis linked tobe the occasion for a frank dialogue on the worrying human rights situation in China as well as that it will help to lift the unjustified Chinese sanctions imposed on EU policymakers, including members of the European Parliament;
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 140 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Urges the EU to launch a structured dialogue with Taiwan on cooperating in green technology and digital economy, including the semiconductor industry, with a view to signing a memorandum of understanding that benefits both the EU and Taiwan; repeats thatits call on the Commission shouldto begin an impact assessment, public consultation and scoping exercise on a bilateral investment agreement with Taiwan in preparation for negotiations to deepen bilateral economic ties;
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 148 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. RegretsTakes note of the fact that negotiations on a bilateral trade and investment agreement with Philippines, which started in 2015, have been put on hold; acknowledgunderlines that negotiations should only resume once the worrying and critical situation concerning human rights and the rule of law in Philippines has improved;
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 149 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. RegretsTakes note of the fact that negotiations on a bilateral trade and investment agreement with Malaysia have been put on hold since 2012; invites the Malaysian authorities to take a position on the possible resumption of negotiations and invites both parties to take stock of the findings of the sustainability impact assessment; underlines that a possible resumption of negotiations should be preceded by tangible improvement of the human rights situation in the country;
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 152 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Notes that negotiations for an EU- Thailand FTA were launched in 2013; further notes that they were put on hold in 2014 following the military take-over in Thailand. Acknowledges that the EU in recent years has taken steps towards broadening its engagement with Thailand; underlines that a possible resumption of negotiations on a comprehensive FTA should be preceded by tangible improvement of the democratic situation in the country;
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 169 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Calls for a new strategic approach towards the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership as a core element of the EU’s Indo-Pacific strategy, stresses that closer cooperation would allow the EU to reap important economic benefits with regard to possible welfare gains, diversification of supply chains and reduction of strategic dependencies, and would give the EU the opportunity to continue to shape standards in the Indo-Pacific region and globally;
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 171 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. recalls the need to take into account the specificity of the outermost regions and overseas countries and territories in these regional and bilateral negotiations and to take and implement specific provisions in their regards;
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 4 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 a (new)
— having regard to the Council conclusions of 24 January 2022 on the European security situation,
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 37 a (new)
— having regard to the Charter of the United Nations and the Helsinki Final Act of 1975 of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE),
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2021/2199(INI)

— having regard to the Minsk Protocol of 5 September 2014, the Minsk Memorandum of 19 September 2014 and the package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk Agreements, adopted and signed in Minsk on 12 February 2015, and endorsed as a whole by the UN Security Council in Resolution 2202 (2015) of 17 February 2015,
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 20 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 50
— having regard to its previous resolutions on Russia, especially those related to Russia’s actions in the territories of the EaP countries, violations of the rights of the Crimean Tatars, the occupation of parts of the territory of Georgia and Ukraine and related borderisation activities, and hostile propaganda and disinformation against the EU and the EaP countries,
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 34 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the EaP is part of the EU’s comprehensive approach to security, specifically designed to bolster relationships with the six EaP countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, to help promote peace and stability on the EU’s eastern flank;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 49 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas the EU should do its utmost to help EaP countries, such as Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, to gain their independence and full control over their territories;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 55 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the EaP Summit on 15 December 2021 resulted in increased efforts to bolsterenhance resilience, security dialogue and cooperation in the areas of the CSDP;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 74 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas the 2014 invasion and illegal annextemporary occupation of Crimea demonstrated that Russia rejects EU or NATO aspirations in former Soviet territoof the EaP countries and is determined to contend and contest any attempts to aid democratic development in a region which it considers its ‘near abroad’;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 76 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas the direct military aggression against Georgia in 2008 and subsequent occupation of 20% of its territories and 2014 invasion and illegal annexation of Crimea demonstrated that Russia rejects EU or NATO aspirations in former Soviet territories and is determined to contend and contest any attempts to aid democratic development in a region which it considers its ‘near abroad’;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 94 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I
I. whereas Russia, against the backdrop of a crisis on the EU-Belarusian border, has amassed over 1020 000 troops on the border of Ukraine, in the occupied territories of Eastern Ukraine and in Crimea in an offensive formation while increasing its hybrid warfare tactics targeting the elected government in KyivUkrainian authorities, creating widespread concern about a potential secondnew full-scale invasion of Ukraine; whereas on 13-14 January 2022 Ukraine experienced a massive cyber-attack against its key government websites;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 105 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
I a. whereas Russia seeks to renegotiate the European security architecture by raising the spectre of a possible war in Ukraine, and to extract promises from the transatlantic community not to accept Ukraine and Georgia into NATO; whereas the EU, NATO and their Member States advocate for a peaceful diplomatic solution, reject Russia’s demands and work to enhance Ukraine’s resilience and ability to defend;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 118 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J
J. whereas following the electoral unrest, Belarus has largely abandoned its aim of fostering better relations with the EU, having reversed trends towards democratisation and taken to weaponising refugeemigrants in an attempt to uproot domestic aspirations towards liberalisation and destabilise EU Member States bordering Belarus, notably Lithuania, Latvia and Poland;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 126 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
J a. whereas the illegitimate regime of Aliaksandr Lukashenka seeking to remain in power tightened relations with Putin’s Russia, agreed to deepen the Union State integration, to host Russian troops along the Belarus-Ukraine border and declared a commitment to fight alongside Russia in case of war;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 127 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J b (new)
J b. whereas in January 2022, Armenia and Belarus took part in a Russian-led CSTO mission to Kazakhstan to intervene in civil unrest and ensure continuation of the current ruling regime;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 136 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital L
L. whereas the Russian Federation is continuing to further reinforce its illegal military presence in Georgia’s occupied territories and to intensify its military build-up and military exercises, as well as to continue installation of barbed wire fences and other barriers along the occupation lines, seriously destabilising the security situation on the ground;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 151 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital N
N. whereas the threats posed to the EU’s east not only concern friction with Russia but also terrorism, organised crime, human trafficking, corruption, mass irregular migration, environmental pollution as a result of military conflict and a host of other threats to the cohesion of societies both within and outside the EU;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 190 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital W
W. whereas in its 13 years of existence, the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM) has represented the strong political commitment of the EU in the region by providingcontributing to stability and security to conflict-affected communitieson the ground;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 192 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital X a (new)
X a. whereas Member States, Ukraine and other international partners established the International Crimea Platform – a consultation and coordination format aimed at increasing the effectiveness of the international response to the ongoing temporary occupation of Crimea, reaffirming the non-recognition of its annexation and achieving de-occupation of Crimea and its peaceful return under Ukraine’s control;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 193 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital Y
Y. whereas the original mandate from 2008 remains unchanged as regards monitoring the implementation of the six- point agreementEU- mediated 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement between Georgia and Russia;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 195 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital Z
Z. whereas Russia does not comply with the six-point agreement as itEU-mediated 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement between Georgia and Russia as it illegally maintains a presence of its armed forces and Federal Security Service (FSB) agents in the occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions, whodoes not allow establishment of international security mechanisms on the ground, likewise prevents the EUMM from entering the territories that are beyond the control of the Government of Georgoccupied by Russia, a critical obstruction to the accomplishment of mission objectives; whereas the EUMM is not able to prevent Russian borderization of pushing administrative boundary lines into Georgian territory and further expanding territorial occupation of Georgia;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 200 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital AA
AA. whereas flagrant violations of the six-point aEU-mediated 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement and ceasefire by occupying forces are often met with limited responses or calls to action by Member States, or no response at all, which risks emboldening the occupying forces to carry out more such actions;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 209 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital AC
AC. whereas the EUMM is a target of disinformation activities, especially by media outlets and social media channels based in breakawayoccupied regions supported by Russia, forcing the EUMM to organise its internal resources to provide the necessary cooperation and explore ways to counter disinformation;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 210 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital AD
AD. whereas the EUMM has created a new confidence-building mechanism – a ‘hotline’ – which is the only channel of communication between the Government of Georgia and the de facto authorities in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, including Russia’s FSB border guards deployed in both territoriessupports the negotiation formats and communication channels through participating in the Geneva International Discussions (GID), co-chairing the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) meetings in Ergneti, noting with concern that Gali IPRM has been suspended for more than 3 years due to Russia’s destructive attitude, and efficiently handling the ‘hotline’ – which is the significant 24/7 channel of communication on urgent incidents on the ground; whereas this hotline was activated 3 000 times in 2020;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 216 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital AF
AF. whereas the EUMM’s role in securing the release of detained border guards, as well as its efforts to address the human security and humanitarian needs of the local population in conflict-affected areas, including to assist sick people from the occupied territories in getting proper treatment in Georgian government- controlled territory, adds tremendous value to the important role the EUMM plays in both conflict managementtributing to security and confidence building;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 233 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital AJ
AJ. whereas the United Kingdom provides capacity building and non-lethal training to over 20 000 Ukrainian armed forces personnel, in the face of the rising threat of Russian forces on the Ukrainian border, supplied defensive weapons systems and signed an agreement for a 1.7 billion pounds loan to strengthen Ukraine’s navy;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 236 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital AK a (new)
AK a. whereas Lithuania-Polish- Ukrainian brigade is the largest structure for training and manoeuvre between European and Ukrainian armed forces;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 239 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital AK b (new)
AK b. whereas several EU Member States, in particular the Baltic states, have sent lethal weapons to Ukraine to reinforce its preparedness in case of a Russian invasion;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 249 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Is deeply concerned about military tensions on Ukraine’s borders, reiterates its call on the Russian Federation to cease its provocations, to stop all measures that further aggravate the conflict and to de- escalate tensions in line with its international obligations, such as the OSCE principles and commitments on transparency of military movements and the Vienna Document;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 251 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 a (new)
-1 a. Taking into account security challenges faced by the EaP countries, particularly protracted conflicts, overt military actions, hybrid threats and interference into democratic processes, urges the EU to invest more in the capacities, security and defence of its immediate neighbourhood to match the ambitions of a more geopolitical and strategically sovereign EU;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 257 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 b (new)
-1 b. Considers that attempts to appease Russia by limiting security engagement with the EaP countries are counterproductive, as Russia, among other threatening actors, is taking the advantage and strengthens its malign influence in the EaP region;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 259 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 c (new)
-1 c. Calls on the Commission and the EEAS to step up dialogue and cooperation in the area of foreign and security policy and further promote EaP countries’ gradual convergence with Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), in line with partners’ commitments with the EU;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 260 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 d (new)
-1 d. Calls upon developing strategic security partnerships with the EaP countries, which include military and intelligence engagement, active role in conflict resolution process, cooperation in cyber-security, protection of critical infrastructure, countering hybrid threats, disinformation and propaganda, developing realistic national defence strategies, professional education of personnel in defence and security agencies, assisting and cooperating on civilian defence and achieving the whole- of-government/society approach in the EaP countries’ security;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 265 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the decision of the European Council of 2 December 2021 to utilise the European Peace Facility (EPF) in providing Ukraine with a package of EUR 31 million, Georgia with a package of EUR 12.75 million and Moldova with a package of EUR 7 million to assist in strengthening their resilience and defence capabilities, particularly cybersecurity, medical, engineering, mobile and logistics capabilities; encourages further utilisation of the EPF to increase the ability of EaP countries to exchange intelligence via secure communication lines, particularly those EaP countries hostingcovered by CSDP missions;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 272 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Stresses that continued Russian aggression and expansion of its military activities in Ukraine has a direct impact also on European security as well as European economy, migration flows and cyberspace and is clearly meant to test the unity of the transatlantic community; considers it important that the EU maintains its unity, resolve and coherence as regards these challenges and speaks in one and clear voice in all diplomatic channels;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 276 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Considers it essential that the EU supports and launches a comprehensive Security Sector Review in the associated EaP countries, which identifies areas of defence and security that need to be improved and enables the EU and the Member States to coordinate their support;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 279 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Calls on the Council and the EEAS to continue to build confidence, reduce tensions and work towards a peaceful settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan; highlights the importance of full exchange and release of detainees, addressing the fate of missing persons, facilitating humanitarian de-demining, ensuring safe and free movement of civilians in Nagorno-Karabakh, assisting conflict-affected populations, supporting reconstruction efforts and preservation of cultural heritage;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 286 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Encourages Member States to ensure that any provision of equipment support via the EPF to EaP countries is in line with the needs of the EaP country and is carried out in collaboration with NATO strategic planning in order to avoid duplication; calls upon the Member States to restrain from overusing their power in technical procedures to block already made decisions regarding equipment provisions to the EaP countries;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 293 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Encourages Member States to develop military aid instruments enabling the EaP countries to purchase large-scale and expensive equipment from the EU producers;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 298 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Encourages Member States each to deploy personnel to CSDP missions in EaP countries to ensure all Member States are represented in missions throughout the region and to encourage greater participation by non-EU countries in these missions, particularly former communist countries that have hosted successfully completed CSDP mission; acknowledges and calls for continuous EaP countries’ participation in CSDP missions and operations in third countries;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 312 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Encourages Member States to expand support mechanisms for the participation of EaP countries in CSDP misscivilian and military missions and operations;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 324 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Encourages the Member States to expand their support to Ukraine in its efforts transforming defence sector which is undergoing fundamental reforms that will have long-term consequences for the Ukrainian armed forces, their ability to ensure Ukraine’s security, and public trust and confidence; welcomes the VP/HR initiative and invites the Member States to launch CSDP military advisory and training mission in Ukraine to assist in reforming Ukrainian professional military education system, which is the most significant area for facilitating change and ensuring the sustainability of the transformation of the defence system;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 328 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9 b. Calls on EU and its Member States to support Ukraine in strengthening its military resilience through providing defence weapons of different kinds;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 329 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)
9 c. Encourages Members States to consider engaging in joint exercises with the EaP countries in areas such as maritime exercises, common air support operations and peace support;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 330 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 d (new)
9 d. Encourages to expand the Military Erasmus Program by accepting officers from the EaP countries, also to fund their studies in military academies across the EU;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 331 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 e (new)
9 e. Expresses concerns and urges to address prevailing politisation of and political influences on defence forces in EaP countries resulting into politically motivated removal or downgrading of officers educated and trained in the programmes supported by the EU, the Member States and other partner countries;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 355 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) to ensure that the upcoming Strategic Compass dedicates ample focus to EaP countries, including resilience to Russian provocations and threats, and that it is closely coordinated with NATO’s upcoming Strategic Concept 2022, especially in areas of cyber defence and countering hybrid warfare;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 374 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Encourages Member States to useconsider the third-country PESCO agreement over military mobility as a template for EaP country participation, with an emphasis on tailoring PESCO projects to the needs of CSDP missions and on developing highly encrypted secure civilian communication systemsparticipation in PESCO, using an example of a military mobility project, with an emphasis on PESCO projects which would contribute to strengthening cooperation and countries‘ capabilities, thus enhancing the abilities to fill the needs of CSDP missions and on developing highly encrypted secure civilian communication systems; notes that inclusion of EaP countries in PESCO projects is mutually beneficial, as the EaP countries obtain unique capacities and expertise, particularly in addressing hybrid threats and cyber security;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 383 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Calls for closer coordination with the OSCE in order to address security challenges in the EaP region, particularly in the areas of human trafficking, arms control, illegal migration, confidence- building and facilitating dialogue among all parties to the crisis;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 386 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16 b. Calls on the Commission and the EEAS and encourages Member States to contribute to the cooperation within the International Crimea Platform to address the hybrid threats to wider Black Sea region security posed by or related to Russia’s temporary occupation in Crimea, militarization of the Black and Azov Seas;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 388 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the Commission, the EEAS and the CPCC to ensure that the EUAM maintains as its priority the reform of Ukraine’s national security servicethe Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) and to strengthen cooperation with the SSU on cybersecurity related matters, countering terrorism and hybrid threats;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 405 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Encourages Member States to strengthen the professional component of the EUAM by special services representatives in order to effectively implement reforms and provide practical advice;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 407 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19 b. Calls on extension of the mandate of the EUAM on the field of combating hybrid threats, strategic communication, digital technology and cybersecurity in order to strengthen the capacity of Ukrainian government institutions to counter information threats, such as the use of communications to undermine trust in public institutions, spread of misinformation and hostile propaganda, polarization of society and the formation of negative perceptions of Ukraine in the world;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 431 #

2021/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. Acknowledges the role of the civil society in policy formulation and oversight of security sector reform and calls for its continuous support and funding and, where circumstances allow, its inclusion in important projects to facilitate greater accountability and transparency in the defence and security sector;
2022/02/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 30 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 29 a (new)
— having regard to the final communiqué issued by the ECOWAS extraordinary summit of 8 September 2021,
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 32 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas in 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the rise in global threats and the Union’s vulnerability to its external dependencies; whereas the pandemic has expanded the concept of security and strategic autonomy to cover health, technological and economic concerns;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 33 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas Europe is facing a rapid and lasting deterioration in its strategic environment; whereas terrorism remains a major threat; whereas states are displaying their ambitions for more power and are pursuing expansion strategies that involve the use of armed force; whereas the result of such strategies is a risk of militarising the sea, space, the Arctic and cyberspace as well as reviving the arms race;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 34 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Ac. whereas the proliferation of cyber- attacks against strategic infrastructure during the COVID-19 crisis, and more recently the Pegasus affair, are examples that justify the rapid development of protective measures against the most recent forms of cyber-threat and the most advanced spying techniques; whereas the EU has committed to investing EUR 1.6 billion in response capacity and the deployment of cybersecurity tools for public authorities, enterprises and individuals, and to increasing cooperation between the public and private sectors;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 35 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)
Ad. whereas the European Parliament, as the forum for the expression of European democracy, is a target; whereas the digitisation of activities resulting from remote working during the COVID-19 pandemic has only served to increase our exposure to existing threats;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 36 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A e (new)
Ae. whereas, through the military capabilities of its Member States, the EU has a total budget of EUR 395 billion, putting it in second place globally; whereas Europe is, however, not the second largest military power in the world, since its capabilities are fragmented and suffer from duplication, gaps and a lack of interoperability;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 37 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A f (new)
Af. whereas the increasing complexity of threats is linked to technological development, the digitisation of societies and the integration of international economies; whereas, as a result, hybrid threats are proliferating, combining military and/or non-military means such as disinformation, migration blackmail, cyber-attacks or economic pressure that run counter to European interests and values and constitute a growing threat to the security of the EU, its enterprises, its public services and its citizens;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 38 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A g (new)
Ag. whereas, in order to address the risks of crisis that are multiplying at the Union’s borders and in the areas in which it has an interest, the Member States have committed to providing rapid response capabilities in line with the EU’s Headline Goals, namely the battlegroups; whereas these suffer from various limitations in political, organisational and financial terms; whereas, as a result, they have never been deployed;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 39 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A h (new)
Ah. whereas the international community, and especially the EU, has a commitment to the Sahel and to Mali in particular; whereas the Malian junta has made declarations about its readiness to use a private Russian security firm to participate in military activities in Mali; whereas that firm has committed atrocities in every location where it has intervened;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 40 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A i (new)
Ai. whereas the withdrawal from Afghanistan and the return to power of the Taliban is leading to an increased terrorist risk for the region and also outside its borders; whereas the EU deployed a CSDP mission, EUPOL Afghanistan (2007-2016), and granted EUR 17 billion to Afghanistan; whereas during the withdrawal Member States depended on the United States, which deployed 6 000 soldiers to secure Kabul airport within a very short time, making it possible to evacuate European citizens as well as Afghan nationals who were in danger; whereas, in this situation, the EU was unable to put an air bridge in place or to coordinate its own evacuations; whereas if the EU were to have to run an operation similar to the evacuation from Kabul, it would not, as things currently stand, be able to take decisions swiftly, deploy troops or successfully implement evacuations or air bridges effectively and proactively; whereas, therefore, the EU and its Member States must urgently learn all the lessons of the Afghan crisis in order to strengthen the EU’s capacity to act autonomously in similar circumstances; whereas the Strategic Compass should make it possible to set the EU’s level of ambition, in particular in terms of the lessons learnt from the Afghan failure;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 141 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Recalls that the Union is currently deploying 11 civilian missions and six military missions and operations; recalls that only three of the military missions are executive missions; notes that these missions and operations are suffering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected their activities and limited their effectiveness;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 154 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Deplores the actions of the coup leaders in Mali; is deeply concerned at the lack of essential state services in Mali and in the Sahel in general; expresses its deep concern at the deteriorating security in the region; notes the announcement of the reorganisation of French military action in the Sahel, in conjunction with our international and African partners; welcomes the increasing involvement of Europeans in the Takuba Task Force; welcomes the adaptation of the new extended mandate of the European Union Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) to the regionalisation process; calls on the Member States to make a significant contribution to EUTM Mali’s advisory activities; continued commitment of the EU and Member States to the stabilisation of the countries of the G5 Sahel, particularly through support to the G5 Sahel Joint Force, through the strengthening of the EU’s CSDP missions and the increasing involvement of Europeans in the Takuba Task Force; welcomes the adaptation of the new extended mandate of the European Union Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali); calls for the reinforcement of structural cooperation and non-executive support for the armed forces, as well as a speeding up of the regionalisation process so that it is possible for the mission to provide military assistance to the armed forces of the G5 countries, and in particular Burkina Faso and Niger; stresses the opportunities opened up by the European Peace Facility with regard to the delivery of materiel intended for the training of the Malian armed forces, who will be vital in reinforcing the action and effectiveness of European action; stresses the importance of being able to provide more active support to the states bordering the Gulf of Guinea in order to be able to counter the spread of the terrorist threat; calls on the Member States to make a significant contribution to EUTM Mali’s advisory activities and to send staff who can make a contribution to them; expresses grave concern at the growing influence of private foreign military companies that could jeopardise the joint objective of the EU and Mali to achieve security, stability and sustainable development in the country; points out that in the Sahel the process of regionalising the CSDP must be pursued in order to strengthen cooperation and coordination with the international actors and the EU Member States involved in the region, through initiatives in progress such as the Partnership for Security and Stability in the Sahel (P3S); stresses that the EU is also providing significant support for the operationalisation of the G5 Sahel Joint Force and its associated Police Component; stresses the efforts made by EUCAP Sahel Mali to support the deployment of Malian security forces in the centre of Mali; stresses the efforts of EUCAP Sahel Niger in providing assistance for the drafting of a Niger national defence and security policy; points out that the regionalisation of the CSDP actions is intended to support the EU’s integrated approach to the Sahel and that, therefore, action by the RACC should continue; points out that in order for military and security responses to have lasting effectiveness they must be accompanied by concrete and visible measures for the populations in terms of essential services;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 169 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses that EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, EUCAP and EUTM Somalia form a coherent whole supporting the Union’s Strategic Framework for the Horn of Africa; welcomes the crucial role played by Operation ATALANTA in the fight against piracy and trafficking in the Horn of Africa and that of EUCAP Somalia in advising the federal and regional authorities of Puntland and Somaliland on developing the coast guard and maritime police functions; stresses that the EU’s commitment in the Horn of Africa region remains relevant in order to strengthen the capacities of the Somali security forces; also emphasises the need to improve their effectiveness;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 174 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Notes with concern the deteriorating political and security situation in the Central African Republic (CAR); denounces the growing threats and hostile incidents targeting MINUSCA by certain local and foreign armed forces, including foreign security companies, and disinformation campaigns targeting Union action; welcomes and fully supports the establishment of the EU Advisory Mission in the CAR (EUAM RCA); welcomes and fully supports the action of the EUTM mission, and particularly the training of officers and non-commissioned officers in the Central African Armed Forces (CAAF) and its contribution to the overall security sector reform (SSR) process coordinated by MINUSCA; emphasises the need to communicate with the population regarding the mission’s aims and progress; emphasises the importance of assessing the EU’s actual capacity to respond to CAAF needs in terms of equipment, as part of the strategic review to be held in the first half of 2022; emphasises the fact that support within the framework of the European Peace Facility to the units trained by the EUTM must be conditional on positive changes in the political situation, both internal and regional, implemented by the Central African authorities;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 184 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Recalls the strategic importance for European interests of the Mozambique Channel; welcomes the commitment of the Member States and the VP/HR to respond to the growing terrorist threat in the area; notes the forthcoming establishment of an EUTMCabo Delgado and is concerned about the risk of this threat expanding in the area; notes the forthcoming establishment of an EUTM and calls for it to be deployed as rapidly as possible, in view of the situation; urges the Member States to contribute to the generation of forces for the mission;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 193 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the renewal of the Althea mission in 2020 and the refocusing of its mandate in support of the Bosnia- Herzegovina authorities in an effort to maintain a safe and secure environment; stresses the importance of continuing with the secondary activity of mine clearance and the collective training of the armed forces of Bosnia-Herzegovina; insists that the Member States fulfil their commitments concerning the generation of forces for Althea;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 201 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Notes with satisfaction the results of the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM Georgia); approves its extension for a period of two years; stresses the need for further reflection on CSDP commitments in the area; is concerned about the deteriorating security situation in the region; is concerned by the disinformation campaigns besetting EUMM Georgia and calls for a reinforcement of its strategic intelligence, analysis and communications capacities;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 210 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Notes the reinforcement of the EUAM Iraq advisory mission with the addition of a component to support the implementation of the internal security reform to the implementation of national terrorism combating and prevention strategies (including combating violent extremism) and organised crime, with specific reference to border management, financial crime, and particularly corruption, money-laundering and trafficking items of cultural heritage;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 212 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Encourages the deployment of EUBAM Libya members to Tripoli, from where the mission should operate; proposes that the mission, engaged in supporting the Libyan authorities to dismantle the organised crime networks involved in trafficking migrants, trafficking in human beings and terrorism in the border management field, should continue to explore, within the framework of a regional strategy, the opportunities for supporting the development of the border capabilities of the Sahel states run by the EU, working together with the CSDP missions in the Sahel (and particularly EUCAP Sahel Niger);
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 213 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Welcomes the results of the European Union Liaison and Planning Cell (EULPC), consisting of offering expertise relating to security, intelligence and planning to EU actors in Brussels, in the theatre of operations (DUE, EUBAM, EUNAVFOR MED) and to UNSMIL;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 239 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses the importance of providing military missions with more flexible and more robust mandates; calls for closer linkages between existing European ad hoc operations and CSDP military missions or operations, particularly when facing an urgent crisis or ensuring access to contested strategic spaces;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 250 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Is deeply concerned about the low force generation for operations and missions, and urges the Member States to address this matter as soon as possible; considers that third-country participation in CSDP operations and missions must always be in line with European interests and values; calls on the EU to provide staff in missions and operations with appropriate equipment and training to become more alert and more resilient under less permissive conditions, including with a view to addressing hybrid threats, CBRN risks and cyber-attacks; welcomes the creation of the response capability reserve to deal with any crises in the field of CBRN incidents;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 259 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Is concerned about the increasing information manipulation, disinformation and hybrid threats affecting several theatres; calls for a structured response to these threats by CSDP missions; urges the HR/VP to provide concrete support to the CSDP missions and operations through a strategic communication;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 264 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Calls for a strengthening of the Union’s command structures, in particular the Military Staff (EUMS) and the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC), which must be provided with the requisite personnel, equipment and resources as soon as possible, and be able to exchange classified information safely, including with Member States and missions/operations; calls for the creation of a European HQ for conduct of operations; in this connection, deplores the postponement of the progression of the MPCC to phase 2 and calls on the Member States to fully meet their commitments in order to permit such a progression; stresses the importance of making the MPCC, as soon as possible, into a genuine command and control structure (HQ) that is fully operational, able to fulfil a strategic forward-looking and advance planning function, to lead European operations and missions with the proactive and flexible approach required by the strategic context and to strengthen the operational strategic autonomy of Europeans;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 279 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Welcomes the cooperation capacity of European armies in helping citizens in the fight against the pandemic in 2020; calls on the EU and the Member States to set out detailed arrangements for the implementation of Article 44 TEU so as to enable the Union to respond rapidly and effectively to crises, including by permitting an ad hoc operation run by a group of Member States to have an ex post mandate; welcomes the positive pooling and coordinating role played by air forces during the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular as regards transfers for medical treatment and deliveries of equipment between Member States; welcomes in particular the role of the EATC in the evacuation and transfer of patients and the delivery of medical equipment during the pandemic; in general terms, encourages military air mobility, including transport, in-flight refuelling and aeromedical evacuation in Europe, guaranteeing the effectiveness and efficiency of military air transport in Europe;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 296 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Supports the ambition of creating a ‘rapid entry force’ that may be mobilised in the context of a security emergency; points out that currently the EU lacks the ground, sea and air expertise and capabilities needed to run first entry operations to re-establish security in a theatre of war; considers that it is realistic and necessary, initially, for Member States to agree, within the framework of the Strategic Compass, on the circumstances that would make it necessary to mobilise such a force, and to agree on one or more operational scenarios, including under extremely tight deadlines; recalls the existence of battlegroups and the need to make them credibleoperational by conducting regular field exercises; deplores the Member States’ lack of commitment to the battlegroups; criticises the fact that only one battlegroup, led by Italy, is operational in 2021; laments the weakness of the planning for 2022 and 2023; shares the level of ambition set by the High Representative regarding the robustness of the EU’s military tools, particularly ad hoc tools;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 308 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Calls for a re-examination of the processes for monitoring and managing CSDP missions and operations; believes it is necessary to delegate more operational responsibilities in the conduct and management of missions and operations to their military commands; calls, more generally, for EU military structures to be systematically linked to all policies and instruments with an impact on the operational commitment of European armed forces and particularly to the work of the European Defence Fund’s programme committee;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 311 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)
21b. Stresses the importance of precise and timely intelligence to support decision-making, secure missions and operations and improve the combating of influence and disinformation campaigns targeting them; calls on the EEAS to put in place an intelligence capability for theatres of operation, through the creation of intelligence cells in all the CSDP missions and operations, which feed in real time into INTCEN, EUMS and the CPCC to support decision- making; more generally, stresses the importance of situational knowledge and coordination between national intelligence agencies, and would like to see the creation of an EU intelligence coordination cell;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 322 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Welcomes the establishment of the European Peace Facility (EPF) in 2020 and calls for it to be made operational swiftly; stresses that the requisite equipment and training must be delivered in the relevant theatres of operation, taking into account the balanced, including geographically balanced nature of the facility; undertakes to ensure coherence and complementarity between CSDP missions and operations, the Union’s financial instruments (NDICI) and the EPF;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 329 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Welcomes the EEAS’s Climate Change and Defence Roadmap of November 2020; considers that it is vital, in order to preserve the competitiveness of EDTIB, to support its enterprises’ access to banking and non-banking finance; stresses that defence production is mainly dual in nature, and is used in the civilian field; calls on the Commission, therefore, to ensure that the contribution of European defence enterprises to the EU’s strategic autonomy is duly taken into account when the European Ecolabel is awarded;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 345 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Stresses the European Union’s competences and power, including its legislative power, in the area of resilience;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 356 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Welcomes, in this context, the launch of the concept of Coordinated Maritime Presences (CMPs) and a pilot project in the Gulf of Guinea; calls for this concept to be extended to other areas of interest, in particular the Indo-Pacific region; calls for the UnionCommission and the EU to update its maritime security strategy by 2022;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 360 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Welcomes the launch in early 2020 of the EMASOH mission, and supports its twin objectives of ensuring a safe navigation environment and lowering existing tensions in the region; welcomes the ‘holistic and coordinated’ strategic review of EUNAVFOR Atalanta, EUTM Somalia and EUCAP Somalia and their extension, with a view to encompassing all aspects of security;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 366 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Condemns the malicious cyber acts committed against Member States; insists that the Union and the Member States react firmly and in coordination against any new malicious, illegal or destabilising cyber activity by making full use of the instruments at the EU’s disposal and in coordination with its partners; calls on the Union to work towards the creation of a legal instrument to respond to hybrid threats and to develop a comprehensive cyber capacity including the securing of networks, communications and information-sharing, the implementation of training/exercises, including via CSP projects, and by making good use of the EU’s cyber diplomacy toolkit; calls for a revision of the cyber-defence policy framework in order to increase the prevention and deterrence capacity of the Union and its Member States, by enhancing their posture capability, situational awareness, tools and procedures;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 378 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Calls on the EEAS to create, as part of the European democracy action plan, an EU toolbox intended to step up the fight against disinformation and deliberate malicious behaviour, in order to identify, deter and thwart it;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 380 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)
26b. Insists, in view of the changed threat and the need to adapt our institutions, that measures be put in place in the European institutions, including the European Parliament, to consolidate their internal capacities; stresses the importance of the inter-institutional coordination established by CERT-EU; urges the European institutions, in particular the Commission, to make available the human resources needed to strengthen CERT-EU;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 384 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Calls for mutual operational assistance between Member States to be enhanced; stresses the importance of carrying out additional exercises based on crisis management scenarios, including the activation of Article 222 TFEU and Article 42(7) TEU in a hypothetical cyber-attack scenario;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 391 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Calls on the Union to develop a space defence strategy, which is essential for its strategic autonomy in space; encourages the Union to improve its situational awareness and geo-intelligence suppor, in order to maintain autonomous space access for the EU and its Member States, promote the emergence of a common European strategic space security and defence culture, reduce strategic dependencies and improve the operational governance of European space programmes; encourages the Union to improve its situational awareness and geo-intelligence support, by strengthening its expertise capacities (via SATCEN) and those of the Member States, to ensure a link between the CSDP and the EU space programme via Galileo, notably the PRS and Copernicus, to leverage investment possibilities (notably Horizon Europe and the European Defence Fund) and to explore other possible synergies between space and defence (including capabilities); regrets that the funding of SATCEN missions cannot benefit from the long-term budget programming of the European Union; wants the technological development needs of SATCEN to be taken into account in the work programme of the European Defence Fund; suggests creating a geospatial data analysis community under the CSP; considers that SATCEN should play a major role in this context; considers that the activities of this community should be covered by the EU budget; stresses the importance of the Union having autonomous access to space and its own launchers; insists that the Union should lead the way in strengthening the increasingly contested area of international space law;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 406 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Suggests that the European Parliament sign an agreement with SATCEN giving it access to the centre’s imaging and analysis services which are useful for its information and for taking positions and decisions, in full compliance with SATCEN’s confidentiality and security procedures;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 407 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 b (new)
28b. Welcomes the proposal for a European new secure connectivity project, including quantum satellites; calls for this project to be concluded swiftly in order to raise the level of telecommunications security in the Union; stresses the growing risk of cyber and physical attack on European and Member State satellites; stresses the need to prevent such attacks and to provide for defensive mechanisms;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 408 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 c (new)
28c. Is concerned about the continuous increase in space debris, particularly in low orbit, which is putting at risk our satellite capacities, and in the number of microsatellites; stresses that the new mega-constellations of satellites further increase the risk of collision; welcomes the work being undertaken to develop a European space traffic management policy and calls for the negotiations to be stepped up in order to obtain international responses; considers that one of the tangible achievements of such a policy should be an improvement in space debris monitoring capacities;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 410 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Insists that freedom of air traffic must be maintained; calls on the Union to defend itself against any threat to civil aviation or any failure to respect its airspace and to defend international aviation safety; calls on the HR/VP to ensure that work is begun to evaluate the usefulness of extending to the air sector the concept of Coordinated Maritime Presences;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 417 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
30. Calls for existing Union instruments to be made operational so that they can contribute more effectively to preventing and countering hybrid threats and to protecting critical infrastructure; stresses the urgency for the European institutions, agencies and other bodies of developing secure communication systems and a capacity to react rapidly to attacks, and to greatly increase their resilience to them;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 422 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Calls on the Union to put into practice the lessons learned from exercises based on Article 42(7) TEU scenarios and to develop a flexible and non-binding action plan for its activation in order to strengthen the mutual assistance and solidarity between Member States;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 428 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
32. Notes that the pandemic has exposed our vulnerabilities and calls, therefore, for a reduction in Europe’s strategic dependencies, in particular where they affect its capacity to take military action; recalls the goal of enhancing the Union’s strategic autonomy in order for it to be a credible and demanding strategic partner capable of defending its interests and values; welcomes, in this regard, the work and initiatives of the Commission;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 433 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32a. Stresses that fibre optic cables are the central nervous system of the global internet, carrying 97% of all internet traffic; stresses that these cables are a central and indispensable part of the EU’s critical infrastructure, and thus of great geopolitical importance, and that they have recently been targeted by foreign spying operations; believes that the EU should prioritise the security and protection of these cables; calls on the EU to set up an EU fibre optic cable security programme, including research, coordination, policy-making, incident follow-up and coast guard training;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 438 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
33. Welcomes the progress made in enabling the development of new European military capabilities in connection with the European Defence Industrial Development Plan (EDIDP) and the Preparatory Action on Defence Research (PADR); calls on the Commission to draw useful lessons from this for the European Defence Fund (EDF), with the aim of achieving operational results; welcomes the adoption of the EDF Regulation and the clear rules it sets out;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 447 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
34. Laments the reduction in the amount of the EDF under the MFF, which makes coherence between Union defence initiatives even more necessary: PESCO, CARD, EDF; stresses, in this regard, the role of the European Defence Agency (EDA); points to the conclusions of the first Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) and, in particular, to the importance of increasing coherence between European capability prioritisation initiatives and the various national planning processes; points in that connection to the ultimate responsibility of the Member States for achieving the objective of a coherent European capability landscape, in particular in the areas identified by the CARD report; points also to the importance of the Member States' commitment, made in various settings, to maintain a sustained pace of defence investment and to make use of the opportunities afforded by the European Defence Fund in order to stimulate new investment;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 455 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34a. Calls for EU Member States to aim to ensure that their national defence budgets amount to at least 2 % of their respective GDPs;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 458 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
35. Stresses that PESCO and the EDF must make it possible to enhance defence cooperation between Member States with the following objectives: European added value, operational capability,are, firstly, tools to serve the Member States; stresses that PESCO and the EDF must make it possible to enhance defence cooperation between Member States that has genuine European added value; points accordingly to the objectives of greater Union strategic autonomy, enhanced operational capability of European forces, reduced fragmentation of the capability landscape and of the European defence market for those initiatives, and support for the competitiveness of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), strengthening of strategic autonomy and reduced fragmentation of the European defence market;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 468 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
36. Regrets the accumulated delay in revising the decision on the governance of PESCO; points to the need to develop financial incentives; recalls that third- country participation in PESCO projects must be decided on a case-by-case basis; welcomes the initial stages of military mobility and calls for subsequent stages to be implemented swiftly; approves the participation of the United States, Norway and Canada in the military mobility project; asks to be fully involved in decisions to open up any PESCO project for third-country participation;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 479 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
37. Stresses that the EDF must promote the build-up of European industrial sectors and European champions, with multiannual programming, and take advantage of civilian-defence synergies; stresses the need, therefore, to establish synergies with the various Union policies, and in particular Horizon Europe and the European space programme, so that EDF resources can be effectively concentrated on strictly military issues; welcomes the Commission's action plan for synergies between civil, defence and space industries, which promotes innovation in dual-use goods; calls on the Union and the Commission to take systematic account, in all policies, of the contribution of the EDTIB to the Union's strategic autonomy; calls also on the Commission to submit a specific industrial strategy for the EDTIB;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 488 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37a. Backs the Commission proposal for VAT exemption for defence equipment designed and developed within the EU, which is a positive measure seeking to standardise practices at global level and foster European strategic autonomy;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 489 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 b (new)
37b. Welcomes the fact that the PESCO strategic review has led to a reduction in the number of projects and an increase in its political monitoring; reminds the Member States of the importance of abiding by their commitments in this connection in order to achieve full operational capability on schedule, and in particular before 2025; deplores the lack of transparency on the progress of projects vis-à-vis the European institutions; deplores also the fact that Parliament is being excluded from the process of monitoring implementation of PESCO and considers that its governance needs to be reviewed in order to step up parliamentary oversight, particularly over the selection of projects that address the gaps, and to ensure that the Member States fulfil their commitments;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 490 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 – introductory part
38. Welcomes the fact that the PESCO strategic review has led to a reduction in the number of projects and an increase in its political monitoring; laments the fact that Parliament has been excluded from the monitoring of its implementation; cConsiders that the Strategic Compass should aim to:
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 500 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 – indent 2
- streamline the planning and capability development processes (CDP, HLG/HICG, PESCO, CARD) and maintain coherence of results with the respective NATO processes, in particular the NDPP,
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 505 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 – indent 3
- integrate EU military capability development processes into national defence planning processes and make the best use of EU defence initiatives through PESCO and CARD,
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 516 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
39. Stresses that the digital sector is an area of opportunity but also of significant threat of malicious action against our security and democracies (by state and non-state actors, and erasing the lines laid down in the law of armed conflict), and that it transcends borders; considers that it is necessary to go further in order to ensure that Europeans have access to what is now a contested area and develop a culture but also effective tools for security and solidarity among Europeans; calls for particular attention to be paid to the impact of emerging technologies so as to ensure that they are applied and used throughout the Union, facilitate research and innovation and enhance the Union’s resilience, keeping in mind the need to control their use precisely;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 521 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 – indent 1 (new)
- work on the security and defence impact of artificial intelligence (AI), including the malicious use of this type of technology and the use of AI by Member States against such threats;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 522 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 – indent 2 (new)
- work at EU level on the issues of ethics / autonomous weapons; support the work on autonomous lethal weapons systems within the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), which, for the time being, remains the only appropriate international forum to address those issues;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 523 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 – indent 3 (new)
- stress the importance of an innovative and competitive EDTIB (which is the vehicle for meeting the needs defined by the Member States and the EU) as well as identify strengths and vulnerabilities;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 524 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 – indent 4 (new)
- guarantee the security of supply chains (both within and outside the EU), including raw materials, critical components and technologies;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 525 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 – indent 5 (new)
- share alerts, information and threats in real time via the direct line to the operational centres;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 527 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)
39a. Welcomes the Member States’ renewed commitment to the common position as amended by Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1560, and stresses the importance of thoroughly assessing export licence applications for military technology and equipment according to the criteria stipulated therein; points out that Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1560 and the relevant conclusions of 16 September 2019 reflect a growing awareness among Member States of the need for greater national and EU-wide transparency and convergence in the area of arms exports and of the need to strengthen public oversight in this sensitive national security domain; stresses that these decisions have the potential to ensure that national oversight bodies, parliaments and EU citizens are supplied with better information about the strategic choices made by their governments, in an area which directly affects their security and their countries’ adherence to values and norms;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 543 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
40. Calls for support to be given to strengthening and preserving the conventional arms control architecture in Europe, in a context of gradual erosion marked by the USA’s and Russia’s withdrawal from the Treaty on Open Skies; calls for disarmament regimes and forums to be supported and strengthened in every aspect: universalisation, support for implementation, political and institutional support, and financial support; calls on the Union to pay particular attention to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) risk, in conjunction with the OPCW, with particular emphasis on the prohibition regime and conventional obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the fight against impunity; welcomes the extension of the New START Treaty and laments the end of the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF);
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 568 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
42. Welcomes the establishment of an EU-US strategic dialogue on security and defence, with a view to helping build a mutually beneficial and balanced transatlantic relationship; stresses the operational dimension of the partnership and the importance of ensuring that the Union maintains its strategic autonomy, in particular as regards the United States’ International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR); welcomes the relevance of this format for addressing hybrid risks; welcomes, in this regard, the involvement of third countries in the EDA on the basis of administrative agreements, provided that it is accompanied by legally binding counterparts and safeguards to protect the defence and security interests of the Union and its Member States;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 585 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
43. Calls for a stronger NATO supported by a stronger European Union, and wishes to see very tangible development in the EU-NATO partnership, particularly with regard to the growing hybridisation of threats and the inclusion of non-directly military parameters in peacetime strategic competition; stresses that the current strategic situation calls for NATO’s unequivocal support for European defence initiatives, including in the area of capabilities, with due regard for the powers of each institution; recalls the importance of fully implementing the ‘Berlin plus’ agreements and of enabling classified documents to be passed between the two organisations; calls, in this context, for NATO’s new strategic concept to take full account of and be coherent with the EU’s Strategic Compass;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 590 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
43. Calls for a stronger NATO supported by a stronger European Union, and wishes to see very tangible development in the EU-NATO partnership on both political and practical level; calls, in this context, for NATO’s new strategic concept to be coherent with the EU’s Strategic Compass; calls for more cooperation and openness between EU and NATO;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 603 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
43a. Welcomes the involvement of third countries in the European Defence Agency, provided that it is accompanied by legally binding quid pro quos and guarantees to protect the defence and security interests of the Union and its Member States;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 609 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
45. Calls for closer relations with non- traditional partnerWelcomes the bilateral partnerships for security and defence dialogue, in particular with Canada and Norway, two important contributors to CSDP missions and operations; calls for closer relations with democratic countries in the Indo-Pacific region (India, Japan, Australia), and in specific policy sectors (cybersecurity, hybrid, maritime, etc.), and with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN);
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 619 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 a (new)
45a. Notes with serious concern the recent display of force and escalating tensions in the regional hotspots such as South and East China Sea and Taiwan Strait; underlines that the peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific regions is of great importance for the EU and its Member States; expresses grave concern over China’s continued military manoeuvers in the Taiwan Strait, including those aimed at Taiwan or taking place in Taiwan’s Air Defence Identification Zone; calls on the PRC to stop such military sabre-rattling that pose serious threats to the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the Indo- Pacific region; reiterates that the relationship between China and Taiwan should be developed constructively through dialogues, without coercion or destabilizing tactics by either side; stresses the opposition to any unilateral action that may undermine the status quo of the Taiwan Strait and that any change to cross-strait relations must not be made against the will of Taiwan’s citizens;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 621 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 a (new)
45a. Welcomes the ongoing discussions on the participation of Japan in EUTM Mali and Mozambique and that of India in CSDP operations and missions in Africa; is pleased to see Georgia’s active participation in CSDP efforts and in particular in training missions in the Central African Republic and Mali;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 625 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 b (new)
45b. Recalls that China, together with other non-democratic countries, also remains a major threat to democracies in Europe through disinformation campaigns, in which they exploit the openness and freedom of expression to propose an authoritarian alternative to the democratic system; note that cooperation in the fight against disinformation is therefore in the interest of both the EU and Taiwan;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 627 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 c (new)
45c. Encourages the EU and the Member States to deepen cooperation with Taiwan in confronting disinformation from malign third countries, including the sharing of best practices, joint approaches to fostering media freedom and journalism, deepening cooperation on cybersecurity and cyber-threats, raising citizens’ awareness and improving overall digital literacy among the population in order to strengthen the resilience of our democratic systems; support intensified cooperation between relevant European and Taiwanese government agencies, NGOs and think tanks in this field;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 639 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
46. LamenRegrets the absence of a security and defence cooperation partnership between the UK and the EU on account of the British Government’s lack of interest, despite the assurances given in the political declaration; calls for a stronger partnership to be built with relevant African organisations, such as the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and G5 Sahel;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 650 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 a (new)
47a. Stresses that the Arctic is of strategic and political importance to the EU and underlines the need to include the EU Arctic policy in the CSDP; stresses that the EU must have a clear vision of its role in the security matters in the Arctic and a good cooperation with NATO;
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 654 #

2021/2183(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 a (new)
47a. Welcomes the fact that DG DEFIS has become operational
2021/10/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 20 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas recent international developments and challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent rapid collapse of the state structures of Afghanistan, and Belarusian continuous breach of international law, have accelerated existing trends affecting key aspects of the EU’s CFSP;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 38 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas the EU needs to act on the global stage with a common strategic culture to develop its leadership role and to actively push for the revitalisation of multilateralism guided by its democratic values and freedoms, social fairness and its vision for a sustainable future;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 101 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for the EU to promote an alliances of democracies worldwide; insists on the need to pool resources and exchange best practices between democracies, including as regards countering malign interference and disinformation by authoritarian states and organisationhostile non-state actors; believes that, for this to be successful, the EU should promote on the global stage a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to counter hybrid threats; expresses in this regard its full support to the Summits for Democracy to be hosted by the US, focussing on concrete actions to defend universal human rights, prevent democratic backsliding and fight corruption;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 106 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for the EU to promote alliances of democracies worldwide; insists on the need to pool resources and exchange best practices between democracies, including as regards countering malign interference and disinformation by authoritarian states, foreign malign actors and organisations; believes that, for this to be successful, the EU should promote on the global stage a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to counter hybrid threats;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 112 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Expresses concern at information manipulation and interference by foreign state actors, which have an adverse impact on societies across the globe; calls on EEAS and HRVP to further invest in countering information manipulation by foreign state actors and strengthen relevant structures, specifically the work of EEAS Strategic Communication division; and further engage with likeminded international partners and stakeholders from civil society and private sector;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 113 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Emphasizes that the EU needs to increase the visibility of its actions if it aims to assume a global leadership role, including by ensuring a better, more strategic communication of its external actions, both towards its own citizens and beyond, and by countering false propaganda and disinformation spread by other major powers;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 114 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Encourages the EU to develop shared strategies with like-minded, democratic partners in order to counter rising authoritarian hybrid threats;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 123 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Encourages the EU to further develop its leadership role in the defence and promotion of human rights in multilateral forums, and in particular the UN; believes that the EU should ensure an effective use of the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (EU Magnitsky Act), including the development of a complementary EU anti- corruption sanctions regimeby extending its scope to corruption-related offences, and better enforce the human rights provisions of the international agreements it has concluded;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 137 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for the EU’s role as an actor and mediator in conflict prevention and resolution to be enhanced following the adoption of the 2020 EU Peace Mediation Concepteffective implementation of the 2020 EU Peace Mediation Concept to enhance the EU’s role as a trusted and capable actor in conflict prevention and resolution; recalls the EU’s comparative advantage in the area of conflict prevention and resolution vis-à-vis individual member states; underscores the key role played by the European Parliament in this area through parliamentary diplomacy; highlights the significant contribution of conflict prevention and resolution activities towards making the EU a relevant geopolitical actor while advancing its security interests;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 151 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the EU’s efforts as a global frontrunner in the fight against climate change and urges the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) to propose new initiatives such as the internationalisation of the European Green Deal; believeexpects that the implementation of the European Green Deal will have significant geopolitical consequences and will positively influence the EU’s relations with some of its partners;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 164 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Urges the EU to develop global partnerships for the establishment of norms and standards on a rules-based, ethical use of technologies, in particular as regards artificial intelligence, and to ensure cooperation and coordination among democracies in this respect;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 166 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Urges the EU to develop global partnerships for the establishment of norms and standards on a rules-based, ethical and human-centric use of technologies, in particular as regards artificial intelligence;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 175 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Reiterates that the EU should develop a global connectivity strategy as an extension of the current EU-Asia Connectivity Strategy and as a strategic response to overcome its diminishing influence in many regions of the world; stresses that the Commission should make connectivity projects with third countries conditional upon the ethical use of technology and the respect for human rights and liberties, both domestically and abroad; welcomes the Commission President’s announcement of plans to present a new connectivity strategy called the ‘Global Gateway’;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 176 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Reiterates that the EU should develop a global connectivity strategy as an extension of the current EU-Asia Connectivity Strategy and as a strategic response to overcome its diminishingstrengthen its influence in many regions of the world; stresses that the Commission should make connectivity projects with third countries conditional upon the ethical use of technology both domestically and abroad; welcomes the Commission President’s announcement of plans to present a new connectivity strategy called the ‘Global Gateway’;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 182 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the G7 global initiative ‘Build Back Better World’ and urges the EU to play an active role in developing it further, including by identifying linkages with its “Global Gateway” strategy;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 185 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2
Improving EU visibility, decision-making and making full use of the EU’s hard and soft powers
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 190 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Reiterates that the EU needs first and foremost a stronger and genuine political will and commitment from of its Member States to jointly agree on and promote common EU foreign policy goals and, notably through greater EU security and defence cooperation;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 200 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Highlights the need for the EU to strengthen its ability to act efficiently and to shape the EU’s response to ongoing and upcoming challenges; therefore welcomes the ongoing Strategic Compass process as the starting point for making process towards a European Defence Union and for the strategic autonomy of the EU as regards its security and defence, as well as for the development of a common strategic culture and expects that it will help shape a shared vision for EU security and defence; stresses that the outcome should be reflected in a revised version of the 2016 EU Global Strategy;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 206 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Highlights the need for the EU to strengthen its ability to act efficiently and to shape the EU’s response to ongoing and upcoming challenges; therefore welcomes the ongoing Strategic Compass process as the starting point for the development of a common strategic culture and expects that it will help shape a shared vision for EU security and defence; stresses that the outcome should be reflected in a revisformed version of the 2016 EU Global Strategy;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 207 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Highlights the need for the EU to strengthen its ability to act efficiently and to shape the EU’stake timely and effective action in response to ongoing and upcoming challenges; therefore welcomes the ongoing Strategic Compass process as the starting point for the developmentemergence of a common strategic culture and expects that it will help shape a shared vision for EU security and defence; stresses that the outcome should be reflected in a revised version of the 2016 EU Global Strategy;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 227 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Reiterates its call for the establishment of new formats of cooperation such as the European Security Council; underscores the importance of creating a fully-fledged “Security and defence” committee in the European Parliament, highlights that such proposal would allow to better define the current subcommittee’s competencies and grant it the necessary powers for the European Parliament to fully exercise its mandate of oversight and scrutiny in the realm of security and defence policy; recalls that the ongoing Conference on the Future of Europe provides a relevant framework to shape innovative proposals in this respect;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 237 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Stresses that a holistic approach to the CFSP requires the synergy of all available EU assets in the field of external action; in this respect, highlights the key role and comparative advantage of the European Parliament in the EU’s diplomacy notably through interparliamentary relations and the Parliament’s extensive engagement with civil society at large; calls on the Commission, the EEAS and the Member States to recognise Parliament as an integral part of ‘Team Europe’ and to reflect this in the operational structures;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 246 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Emphasises that the external dimension of the Union budget must be appropriately funded and prepared to respond without delay to current, emerging as well as future challenges; insists that the budget for the external action should focus on priority areas, both geographically and thematically, and on areas where EU action can bring the most added value;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 278 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Stresses that EU sovereignty in the field of security and defence means the development, coordination and deployment of strategic capabilities required for effective crisis management, protection of the EU and its citizens, and training of key partners, an efficient division of labour between the Member States and other international organisations such as the UN and NATO and the EU’s ability to decide and act autonomously, in line with its own interests, principles and values; stresses that this approach reinforces cooperation with partners, in particular within the framework of NATO; welcomes in this regard the Commission President’s announcement of a Summit on European Defence under the French Presidency and that the EU and NATO will present a joint declaration on cooperation by the end of 2021; welcomes the discussion on an ‘initial entry force’ as presented by the VP/HR;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 285 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Stresses that EU sovereignty in the field of security and defence means the development, coordination and deployment of strategic capabilities, an efficient division of labour, of development and of production capabilities between the Member States and the EU’s ability to decide and act autonomously, in line with its own interests, principles and values; stresses that this approach reinforces cooperation with partners, in particular within the framework of NATO; welcomes in this regard the Commission President’s announcement that the EU and NATO will present a joint declaration on cooperation by the end of 2021; welcomes the discussion on an ‘initial entry force’ as presented by the VP/HR;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 289 #

2021/2182(INI)

19. Stresses that EU sovereignty in the field of security and defence means the development, coordination and deployment of strategic capabilities, an efficient division of labournhanced interoperability between the Member States and the EU’s ability to decide and act autonomously, in line with its own interests, principles and values; stresses that this approach reinforces cooperation with partners, in particular within the framework of NATO; welcomes in this regard the Commission President’s announcement that the EU and NATO will present a joint declaration on cooperation by the end of 2021; welcomes the discussion on an ‘initial entry force’ as presented by the VP/HR;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 300 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Underlines the need for the Union to develop its technological sovereignty through the enhancedevelopment of industrial defence capabilitiesa strong European defence industry, in particular in emerging disruptive technologies (EDTs), and the protection and resilience of critical infrastructures; recalls the opportunities offered in this respect by existing instruments and mechanisms such as PESCO, EDF and CARD; calls on the Member States to use such instruments and mechanisms to their full extent;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 306 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Underlines the need for the Union to develop its technological and digital sovereignty through the enhancement of industrial defence capabilities, in particular in emerging disruptive technologies (EDTs), and the protection and resilience of critical infrastructures;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 310 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Stresses the need to secure the undersea telecommunications infrastructure, especially submarine optic fibre cables;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 312 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Underlines that common cyber defence policy and substantial cyber defence capabilities are core elements for the development of a deepened and enhanced European Defence Union; stresses the urgent need to develop and strengthen both common and Member State military cyber defence capabilities;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 325 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Reiterates its call for acceleratingCalls to strengthen efforts to build on the new methodology as regards the enlargement process, with a strong and continuous focus on strengthening democracy, the rule of law, fight against corruption and human rights, as well as fostering reconciliation in the Western Balkans, as prerequisites for durable stability and prosperity;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 335 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Reiterates its call for accelerating the enlargement process, with a focus on strengthening democracy, the rule of law, and human rights, as well as fostering reconciliation in the Western Balkans, as prerequisites for durable stability and prosperity; calls for the EU to support civil society in the Western Balkans in promoting and disseminating European values;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 340 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Underlines that the newly adopted Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance 2021-2027 (IPA III) should support a long- term investment in the European future of the region and that the improved conditionality of the instrument should be used effectively to deliver the expected results; welcomes stronger conditionality related to democracy, human rights and rule of law under the modernised IPA III;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 349 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Reaffirms its unwavering support to the Eastern Partnership countries, and in particular as regards their independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within their internationally recognised borders; condemns Russia’s direct and indirect involvement in armed conflicts as well as hybrid attacks, occupations and military build-ups inside the region or on its borders with the region; urges the Eastern Partnership countries, and in particular those that have chosen to pursue the path of European integration, to ensure that fundamental freedoms are upheld and to continue implementing the necessary reforms; reiterates that the EU’s support is conditional upon concrete progress on those reforms;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 380 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25 a. Stresses that the underlying conditions for conflict between the Israeli and Palestinian persist and that only a political solution addressing those conditions will bring lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians; recalls in this respect the EU's support for the two-state solution; calls on the EU to increase its engagement to revive the peace process between Israeli and Palestinians, including through confidence building measures, regional dialogue and increased transatlantic cooperation in the region as well as by making better use of its leverage towards both parties;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 392 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Is concerned by the Turkish Government’s increasingly assertive foreign policy, which is repeatedly putting the country at odds with the EU and individual Member States; deplores the long-deteriorating situation regarding human rights and democracy in Turkey; recalls, however,acknowledges that Turkey will continue to be a country of key strategic interest for the EU and that engagement needs to continue in a phased, proportionate and reversible manner, keeping the country as closely anchored to the EU as possible;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 399 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Underlines the importance of the full implementation of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement, including the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, as well as the Trade and Cooperation Agreement; welcomes steps towards the establishment of a Parliamentary Partnership Assembly for Members of the European Parliament and Members of the UK Parliament, as provided for by the agreement; hopes that foreign policy and security cooperation will beremains open to further developeding and strengthened in areas of commoning cooperation on foreign and security issues of shared concern;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 407 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Underlines the need to strengthen EU-US transatlantic cooperation on the basis of an equal partnership; welcomes in this context the statement ‘Towards a renewed Transatlantic partnership’ from the EU-US summit 2021, which provides a good basis for an ambitious transatlantic agenda; fully supports and commits to pursuing synergies and shared foreign and security objectives by further deepening cooperation in the framework of the EU- US transatlantic dialogue; highlights that the EU should be prepe necessity to swiftly adapt to the changing role of the US on the global stage in order to safeguared to reflect on how to adapt to the changing role of the US on the global stageits vital interests, notably by becoming a credible geopolitical actor on the international stage, acting in cooperation with likeminded partners and allies first and foremost, yet also able and willing to do so autonomously when necessary;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 409 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Underlines the need to strengthen EU-US transatlantic cooperation on the basis of an equal partnership; welcomes in this context the statement ‘Towards a renewed Transatlantic partnership’ from the EU-US summit 2021, which provides a good basis for an ambitious transatlantic agenda; fully supports and commits to pursuing synergies and shared foreign and security objectives by further deepening cooperation in the framework of the EU- US transatlantic dialogue; highlights that the EU should be prepared to reflect on how to adapt to the changing role of the US on the global stage;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 427 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Emphasises that the EU’s relations with Africa are of utmost importance; welcomes the joint communication of the Commission and the VP/HR entitled ‘Towards a comprehensive strategy with Africa’3 ; insists on the need, in this perspective, to update the EU strategy in an integrated approach that can ensure security and development for achieving stability in the worrying situation in the Sahel, taking into account the developments observed during the year 2021; calls on the Commission and the VP/HR to deepen discussions with the EU’s African partners in order to prepare for a successful EU-African Union Summit; _________________ 3 JOIN(2020)0004.
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 433 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29 a. Is deeply concerned by the growing instability in Sahel that affects the security and living conditions of countless civilians and has direct consequences on the European Union and its Member States;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 434 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)
29 b. Condemns the presence in Africa of private military militias such as Wagner Company acting in support of non-democratic states interests;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 444 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
30. Is gravely concerned by the developments in Russia and reiterates the EU’s interest in maintaining freedom, stability and peace on the European continent and beyond; believes that the EU should deter Russia from carrying out destabilising and subversive actions in Europe and from repressing its own citizens; underlines that closer coordination, cooperation and unity among the EU Member States are necessary in order to maintain a constructive dialogue with the Russian authorities based on the five guiding principles, which is only possible if both parties are genuinely interested in it; urges the EU to engage more closely with the people of Russia, including by developing a clearly defined ‘engagement’ objective, which should focus not only on traditional selective engagement with the Kremlin, but also on ‘strategic’ engagement with Russian civil society; calls on the Commission to closer coordinate its Russia strategy with Member States so that the EU presents a united front in the face of Russian threats;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 451 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Stresses that the Arctic is of strategic and political importance to the EU and underlines the EU’s commitment to be a responsible actor, seeking the long-term sustainable and peaceful development of the region; is concerned, however, by the progressive and substantial Russian military build-up in the Arctic as well as by the impact of far-reaching Chinese projects and initiatives in the region; calls in this respect for closer attention to the first Arctic fibre cable, part of the nervous system of the internet, which has increasingly been the subject of international spying operations; calls on all stakeholders to respond to the very alarming effects and consequences of climate change in the Arctic;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 453 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Stresses that the Arctic is of strategic and geopolitical importance to the EU and underlines the EU’s commitment to be a responsible actor, seeking the long- term sustainable and peaceful development of the region; is concerned, however, by the progressive and substantial Russian military build-up in the Arctic as well as by the impact of far-reaching Chinese development and infrastructure projects and initiatives in the region; calls on all stakeholders to respond to the very alarming effects and consequences of climate change in the Arctic;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 455 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Stresses that the Arctic is of strategic and political importance to the EU and underlines the EU’s commitment to be a responsible actor, seeking the long-term sustainable and peaceful development of the region; is concerned, however, by the progressive and substantial Russian military build-up in the Arctic as well as by the impact of far-reaching Chinese projects and initiatives in the region; highlights that the prospect of Arctic militarisation carries substantial security risks in and beyond the region; notes that the Arctic plays a crucial role in the security of Europe as whole; stresses that the EU must have a clear vision of its role in the security matters in the Arctic and a good cooperation with NATO; highlights the importance of respecting international laws and agreements in place to keep the Arctic a low-tension area; the EU must also continue to strive for the official observer status of the Arctic Council for a stronger geopolitical influence; calls on all stakeholders to respond to the very alarming effects and consequences of climate change in the Arctic;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 461 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
32. Reiterates, as underlined in its resolution of 16 September 2021 on a new EU-China strategy4 , its call for the EU to develop a more assertive, comprehensive, and consistherent EU-China strategy that unites all Member States and shapes relations with China in the interest of the EU as a wholean increasingly assertive and interventionist China in the interest of the EU as a whole; highlights in this respect the growing number of aggressive actions taken by China towards Taiwan, including repeated violations of Taiwanese airspace, China’s crackdown on Hong Kong’s freedoms, including through the imposition of a draconian national security law in 2020, as well as China’s encroachments on the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea; emphasises that this strategy should promote a rules-based multilateral order, have the defence of EU values at its core and should be based on the three principles of cooperating where possible, competing where needed, and confronting where necessary; strongly advocates for Taiwan’s full participation as an observer in meetings, mechanisms and activities of international organisations; _________________ 4 Texts adopted, P9_TA(2021)0382.
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 468 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32 a. Notes with serious concern the recent display of force and escalating tensions in the regional hotspots such as South and East China Sea and Taiwan Strait; underlines that the peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific regions is of great importance for the EU and its Member States; expresses grave concern over China’s continued military manoeuvers in the Taiwan Strait, including those aimed at Taiwan or taking place in Taiwan’s Air Defence Identification Zone; calls on the PRC to stop such military sabre-rattling that pose serious threats to the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the Indo- Pacific region; reiterates that the relationship between China and Taiwan should be developed constructively through dialogues, without coercion or destabilizing tactics by either side; stresses the opposition to any unilateral action that may undermine the status quo of the Taiwan Strait and that any change to cross-strait relations must not be made against the will of Taiwan’s citizens;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 477 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
33. Welcomes the Commission President’s announcement of plans to present a new joint communication on a partnership with the Gulf region; calls for the EU to present a coherent strategy for balanced EU engagement in the region, with the promotion of regional security and cooperation as awell as human rights as key strategic objectives; reiterates that the EU’s priority is to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as a matter of security for Europe and the region and the only way to stop Iran’s worrying nuclear activities; ; recalls that the JCPOA remains the most effective instrument to stop Iran’s nuclear programme and stabilise the region; calls on the United States and Iran to pursue meaningful negotiations with a view of returning to compliance with the JCPOA; calls however, in the case of continued non-engagement and stalling by Iran in the JCPOA negotiations, on the EU and its Member States to consider reimposing sanctions, in coordination with the US, UK and others;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 511 #

2021/2182(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
37. Calls for special attention to be paid to enhancing cooperation with our partners in Latin America; believes that a strengthened relationship with Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is centralhighly important to the EU’s geopolitical strategy in the world; stresses the need for the Union to strengthen the ties that unite the EU with LAC countries, particularly in defending the rules-based multilateral order; calls for the EU to use all available tools to deepen its cooperation with LAC partners, ensure the swift ratification of the EU-Mexico agreement, deliver on the sustainable and environmental protocol with Mercosur so that the EU association agreement with Mercosur can be ratified, and conclude the negotiations for updating the EU association agreement with Chile; urges the EU to recover its position as the preferred partner of Latin American countries in view of other geopolitical actors occupying increasing space in the region, especially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine diplomacy;
2021/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2021/2178(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the EU and Africa have an important and longstanding political, economic and cultural relationship; whereas the 6th Summit of the EU and the AU in 2022 led to an agreement on ‘A Joint Vision for 2030’, to drive our common priorities, shared values and international law, by preserving together our interests and common public goods, the security and prosperity of our citizens, the protection of human rights for all, gender equality and women’s empowerment in all spheres of life; whereas both Unions recognised the importance of food security and nutrition;
2022/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 43 #

2021/2178(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas strengthening the intra- continental trade in Africa is essential for its sustainable economic development; whereas the entry into force of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) gives new momentum to pan-African trade and investment opportunities; whereas the EU’s trade policy has an important role in strengthening EU-Africa, as well as intra- African trade;
2022/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 50 #

2021/2178(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas AfCFTA aims to be beyond a trade liberalising instrument an enabler of inclusive growth and sustainable development; whereas the AfCFTA can contribute to the advancement of women and youth-lead SMEs; whereas the effective implementation of the AfCFTA is essential for enhancing intra-African trade, notably through enhanced trade facilitation, removal of tariff and non- tariff barriers, and better customs procedures;
2022/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 62 #

2021/2178(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas Africa is a continent of hope and opportunity and perceived as such by a growing number of its young population; whereas empowering the economic position of women and youth in Africa contributes to both economic growth, and advancing their position in society;
2022/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 92 #

2021/2178(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital O
O. whereas EU-Africa trade in agricultural products needs to be revised to advance sustainable agriculture on both continents;
2022/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 95 #

2021/2178(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital O a (new)
O a. whereas the war in Ukraine demonstrates the interconnectedness of food security and the global market, and the dependency of some African countries on food imports from a small number of exporting countries or regions; whereas an overdependence can leave countries vulnerable to external shocks;
2022/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 114 #

2021/2178(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Affirms that EU-Africa trade and investment relations form part of our joint endeavour to achieve the UN SDGs by 2030 and the objectives of the Paris Agreement; stresses that the modernisation of EU-AU trade and investment relations must adhere to the principle of policy coherence for development and contribute to the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic by means of, and to the green and digital transformation of the economies in both the EU and the AU, as well as among our global trading partners;
2022/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 124 #

2021/2178(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses the importance of creating a resilient, competitive and solid infrastructural and industrial basis in Africa, as laid down in the AU Agenda 2063, aiming at the development of resilient value chains and high added value processing of raw materials in Africa as a major avenue towards quality job creation;
2022/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 129 #

2021/2178(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines that the EU needs an entirely new foundation for itsmust engage in a renewed, mutually beneficial economic partnership with Africa, based on equal grounds and based on mutual respectity, mutual respect and understanding of the challenges African partners face in the context of trade and investment relations; underlines that the EU-Africa trade relationship should take into consideration commitments towards promoting human rights, good governance, the rule of law and ugenderstanding; equality; calls on the Commission to advance these elements within the context of EU-Africa trade relations;
2022/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 152 #

2021/2178(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines the need for the further development of infrastructure that contributes to better interconnectedness of the African continent, most notably for rural areas; stresses that Global Gateway should contribute to the development of infrastructure to increase intra-African trade; Calls on the Commission to facilitate the development of regional value chains and better regional infrastructures in Africa;
2022/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 166 #

2021/2178(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Underlines that a rules-based multilateral trading system contributes to advancing economic growth in the EU, and on the African continent; Notes that the future of the international trading system depends on the revitalising of the WTO and finalising the Doha Round, on which African countries have placed their hopes;
2022/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 194 #

2021/2178(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses that the EU should deepen its economic and trade relations with Africa through investments and the creation of jobs; underlines the discrepancy of access to finance within African regions and countries due to various factors; underlines that the emphasis of investments should be placed on new infrastructures, such as digital and green infrastructures, and renewable energy production; Calls on the Commission to foster investment in the African continent through innovative financial instruments to increase capital flows and reduce risks; encourages the Commission to propose sustainable investment initiatives- as announced in its communication “Trade Policy Review - An Open, Sustainable and Assertive Trade Policy” - with African countries;
2022/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 209 #

2021/2178(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses that least developed countries (LDCs) have an interest in and are strong supporters of rules-based multilateral trading systems; is aware of the fact that special and differentiated treatment is a founding principle of the WTO; calls on the Commission to ensure that developing countries can fully exercise their rights under the WTO special and differential treatment provisions, most notably to ensure their food security; is of the opinion that an overdependence on a single country or geographic region for any given product can leave countries vulnerable to external shocks, which could have a hugely damaging impact on the food security of developing countries; believes therefore that the Commission should support our African partners in diversifying their trade flows, to increase their resilience;
2022/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 222 #

2021/2178(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Underlines the asymmetrical dependence of some African countries on agricultural imports for food security; Is deeply concerned with the implications of the war in Ukraine on access to agricultural products, global supply chain disruptions and price increases leading to global food insecurity, most notably on the African continent; Calls on the Commission to work with African countries in securing access to agricultural products, and to use the existing trade toolbox available to address and facilitate access to agricultural products for our African partners, as well as support them in boosting their agricultural production in order to enhance their food resilience;
2022/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 232 #

2021/2178(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Reiterates that the different EPAs should contribute to developing intra- African integration and to the development of a fair and sustainable trade model; stresses that EPAs should contribute to and promote sustainable development in line with the SDGs and Agenda 2030, foster intra-African trade flows, contribute to trade facilitation and the removal of unnecessary barriers to trade, market access for businesses, most notably SMEs, to the European and African market, promote public and private investments in Africa, and foster trade relations between the EU and Africa, taking into account the outcomes of the EU-AU summit; calls on the Commission in the revision of EPAs to address, mitigate and avoid any potential effect that could impair the objectives of the development of the intra-African market, in close cooperation with our African partners; calls on the Commission to ensure EPAs are a basis for the strengthening of economic relations between the parties in a mutually beneficial way, taking into account their respective levels of development; calls on the Commission to pay special attention to SMEs, and to support African SMEs who export to the EU with technical assistance;
2022/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 250 #

2021/2178(INI)

18. Is committed to strengthening fair and sustainable trade and investment relations between Europe and Africa as part of a wider advanced cooperation framework, including increased investments in research and development related to green goods and technologies; in this context, calls on the Commission to work with our African partners to advance fair and sustainable trade, notably through TSD chapters in EPAs, and to work with our partners in the upcoming TSD review;
2022/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 251 #

2021/2178(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Welcomes the reform of the GSP and its role in increasing trading opportunities for developing countries, advancing sustainable development and ensuring adherence to human rights, good governance and gender equality; underlines that the GSP has the potential for African countries to foster sustainable and resilient economic growth and interconnectedness in the global economy; stresses that countries benefitting from the GSP must adhere to international conventions, such as the Paris Agreement and ILO conventions; calls on the Commission to ensure GSP is complementary to other trade policy initiatives on the African continent;
2022/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 256 #

2021/2178(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the agreement of the AfCFTA Council of Ministers on common rules of origin for the bloc for 87.7 % of goods or 3 800 tariff lines covered by AfCFTA; calls on the European Commission to harmonise the rules of origin in all the different EU agreements with regions and countries in Africa with the common AfCFTA rules; calls on the EU to engage with the AfCFTA Secretariat to advance capacity building and technical support for the implementation of the AfCFTA;
2022/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 263 #

2021/2178(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Appreciates the initiative by the Council and the Commission to organise the first Africa-Europe Week, which was held in February 2022 in Brussels; stresses that better European engagement with young Africans and the African diaspora in Europe can structurally improve the EU-Africa relationship on the long-term; calls on the Commission to organise the Africa-Europe week on an annual basis, and to include young people, especially women and girls, in discussions organised during the Africa-Europe Week;
2022/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 277 #

2021/2178(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Calls for the responsible and swift implementation of the commitments on trade and investment agreed at the 2022 EU-Africa Summit, and calls on the Commission to structurally report to the European Parliament on the implementation of the commitments on trade and investment in the relevant committees;
2022/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 286 #

2021/2178(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Notes that knowledge-sharing and skills development within Africa can contribute to the development of a sustainable trade relationship; underlines the possibilities digital infrastructure has in stimulating the African economy, as well as driving innovation on the continent; Calls for reinforced cooperation on EU-AU digital agendas based on the principles of democratic governance, effective regulatory mechanisms across the digital domain and global-to-local governance mechanisms for data and digital infrastructures that place people- centred development at the core;
2022/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 289 #

2021/2178(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25 a. Underlines that human rights and gender equality must be at the centre of the reinforced cooperation between the EU and the AU, with a special focus on the impact of emerging and innovative technologies on human rights and the inclusion of women in the economy; Stresses the potential digital trade can have for advancing and improving trade facilitation in Africa, and calls on the Commission to advance digital capabilities in light of the implementation of EPAs, and the implementation of the AfCFTA; calls on the Commission to include the EU-AU digital agenda in the engagement with its global strategic partners;
2022/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 293 #

2021/2178(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25 b. Underlines that effective engagement with civil society groups, businesses, most notably SMEs, and disadvantaged groups, such as women, are a vital element in advancing the EU’s equal partnership with Africa; stresses in this regard that the EU should further facilitate and include civil society dialogues in its trade relations with Africa to better understand the position of African interest groups, and their specific needs in trade relations with the EU; calls on the Commission to structurally advance its engagement with African civil society to advance inclusive engagement and economic growth across the continent;
2022/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 9 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the EU is India’s third- largest trading partner and leading foreign investor, while India is the EU’s ninth- largest trading partner and only accounted for less than 2.1 % of its total trade in goods in 2021; whereas there is untapped potential for stronger, deeper and mutually beneficial economic cooperation that could lead to the creation of new jobs and increased perspectives for both partners;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 24 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Calls on the Commission and the European External Action Service to pursue all efforts to improve and deepen the relationship with India, a strategic partner of the EU; reiterates the need for a deeper partnership based on the shared values of freedom, democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, good governance, equality, respect for human rights and labour rights, women’s rights and gender equality, a commitment to promoting an inclusive, coherent and rules-based global order, effective multilateralism and sustainable development, fighting climate change, and promoting peace and stability in the world;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 30 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that EU-India trade increased by more than 70 % between 2009 and 2019 and that both parties share a common interest in fostering closer and deeper economic ties; recognises that India is a solid alternative for an EU that wants to diversify its supply chains, and that the EU is India’s largest trading partner in the agri-food sector; further recognises that there are sensitives on both sides but believes that those could be addressed to create a win-win situation for both partners;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 35 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Expects a swift follow-up to the EU-India leaders’ meeting in order to openly address values-based cooperation at the highest level in matters of trade and investment; welcomes both partners’ readiness to work towards the conclusion of an ambitious, values-based, comprehensive and mutually beneficial trade agreement as well as a stand-alone investment protection agreement and an agreement on geographical indications;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 38 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Regrets India’s continued position in the international fora, such as at the United Nations to abstain from condemning Russian aggression against Ukraine; calls for India, as the largest democracy in the world, to take a clear stance against Russia’s invasion and to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 39 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Stresses the importance of EU- India joint working groups on regulatory cooperation and resilient supply chains, aimed at solving an increasing number of trade barriers and trade irritants;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 40 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Points out that one of the objectives of the future EU-India trade and investment agreements is to strengthen the economic, trade and investment relationship between the EU and India in full compliance with internationally recognised human rights, environmental and labour standards and agreements, and to create a sound, transparent, open, non-discriminatory and predictable regulatory and business environment for companies on both sides and unlock the untapped potential of two- way economic cooperation between the EU and India:
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 41 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Calls on the Commission to closely monitor India’s position and activities in the context of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and to raise the issue also in connection to the EU-India trade-related talks;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 42 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3 c. Regrets that there remains uncertainties for EU investors, notably as a result of India’s decision to unilaterally terminate all its bilateral investment treaties in 2016;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 43 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 d (new)
3 d. Reaffirms EU’s condemnation of Russian Federation’s military aggression against Ukraine; denounces India’s hesitancy to condemn the Russian Federation’s actions in Ukraine; underlines the importance of democracies working together and aligning on core areas and especially trade;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 44 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 e (new)
3 e. Recalls that the EU is India’s largest trading partner in the agri-food sector; stresses the need for the EU and India to cooperate closely to address the repercussions on food security caused by the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 51 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that the existing negotiating mandate is comprehensive and broad enough for negotiations to restart; takes the view, however, that an addendum is necessary to ensure that the prospective comprehensive trade agreement contains as integral parts thereof a dedicated chapter for SMEs, a dedicated digital trade chapter, a dedicated chapter on raw materials to remove all export duties on raw materials, and an ambitious and enforceable trade and sustainable development chapter aligned with the Paris Agreement; furthermore believes that the agreement should include provisions on sustainable food systems and on gender;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 61 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Agrees with EU and Indian leaders that in order to give the negotiations the impetus they need, it is imperative to find early solutions to long-standing market access issues; encourages the negotiators, therefore, to find swift solutions to the long-standing market access issues both across governance levels and sectors (e.g. cars, car parts, agriculture, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, sanitary and phytosanitary irritants, public procurement, and non-tariff barriers such as quality control orders); while not compromising the content over a speedy conclusion;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 65 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – introductory part
6. Encourages the negotiators to make good progress in achieving a comprehensive, mutually beneficial, state- of-the-art and WTO- compatible rules- based free trade agreement, giving priority to areas conducive to sustainable growth and the digital and green transitions, as follows:
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 86 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point iv
iv. a comprehensive chapter on public procurement at all levels of governance in order to enforce the principles of transparency and non-discrimination in public procurement through effective remedy procedures; calls, in this respect, for India to accede to the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement and to prohibit ‘buy national’ practices aimed to promote domestic manufacturing and discourage imports, such as “Make in India” and “Self-reliant India”;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 95 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point vi
vi. a robust chapter on high-level protection for intellectual property rights (IPR), which should facilitate a non- restrictive and swift patent application process and the rapid and effective enforcement of IPR standards; however, special attention shall be paid to India's ability to produce affordable generic medicines for domestic health needs or for export to other developing countries in need;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 97 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point vi a (new)
vi a. a chapter on SMEs in order to take into account SMEs’ specific needs and provide legal certainty; underlines the need for a business-friendly regulatory environment for SMEs, including harmonised and simplified customs procedures as well as reduced administrative and regulatory burdens in order to overcome all tariff and non-tariff barriers preventing SMEs from entering the Indian market;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 98 #

2021/2177(INI)

vi b. a Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) chapter that guarantees values-based cooperation in trade and investment and includes the Paris Agreement, core ILO conventions and SDGs, aims at responsible trade and investment respecting human rights and labour rights, including strong action to eliminate child labour and forced labour, as well as takes climate and environment concerns and sustainable food systems into consideration, and promotes gender equality and women’s empowerment;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 112 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point x a (new)
x a. guarantee of good governance and the rule of law and solution to the obstacles created by legal uncertainty;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 119 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Underlines the importance of boosting trade in technology with special attention given to technologies combating climate change, e.g. in regard to enhancing recycling as well as circular economy and energy production;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 123 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Highlights the importance of gender issues; stresses the opportunity of future EU-India trade agreements to promote gender equality, women’s participation in trade and women’s emancipation;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 124 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8 b. Reaffirms the EU's commitment to promote environmental standards and fight against climate change in line with the Paris Agreement; urges the EU to cooperate closely with India and other like-minded partners to achieve climate neutrality; urges both sides to step up their cooperation on trade and technology especially with regards to fighting climate change;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 11 #

2021/2115(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Emphasises the need to ensure the coherence of EU’s foreign policy, there is also a need to provide necessary resources for a successful implementation of an efficient EU Security and Defence Policy;
2021/12/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 28 #

2021/2115(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Emphasises the growing need for a coherent updated EU-Arctic policy; notes that the new NDICI instrument opens up opportunities to finance the Arctic region.
2021/12/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Noting with concern the continuous complicated situation in Belarus, it is important to review EU funding and ensure that it is not directed to Lukashenko regime, but towards support of civil society in Belarus; notes that Frontex needs to be sufficiently funded to secure EU's outside border with Belarus.
2021/12/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 3 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
— having regard to the Commission communication of 8 July 2020 on a hydrogen strategy for a climate-neutral Europe (COM(2020)0301),
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 23 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas climate change and climate-related impacts, including environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, deforestation and natural disasters are already threatening local, regional and international security, stability and peace; whereas climate change, which is predicted to accelerate in the medium and long term, has become an increasingly dominant risk multiplier and must be viewed as a new security challenge, together with hybrid and cyber threats;
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 27 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas the climate crisis affects both human and state security; whereas global warmiclimate change intersects in various ways with political, ethnic and socio-economic dynamics, and is a direct driver of conflict in that it increases disaster risks and places additional pressure on ecosystems, thereby threatening people’s livelihoods, water and food security, and critical infrastructure, by, inter alia, instigating land-use change;
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 37 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the US armed forces have lost more military hardware and infrastructure due to natural disasters than due to the armed conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq combined;deleted
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 39 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas the Union’s domestic oil and gas production is steadily declining; whereas the Union is highly and increasingly energy dependent, with all its Member States being net importers of energy from a limited number of third countries and with an energy dependency rate that increased from 56% to 61% over the period 2000-2019;
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 53 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas, due to the security effects of global warmiclimate change, climate security measures and their financing have to be understood as contributing to defence and security;
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 57 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
H a. whereas the melting of polar ice caps is increasing geopolitical tensions, particularly around the North Pole;
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 58 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)
H b. whereas some EU Member States are using their vast military-designated areas to protect biodiversity, for example by preventing helicopter flights over nesting areas;
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 59 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H c (new)
H c. whereas environmental crime has become the world's fourth-largest proceeds-generating crime sector, growing three times as fast as the global economy; whereas a 2016 INTERPOL and UNEP report estimated the proceeds from environmental crime to be Worth as much as USD 258 billion a year, including illegal trade in wildlife, foresty and fishery crimes, waste trafficking and illegal mining;
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 60 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H d (new)
H d. whereas a 2018 report by INTERPOL, RHIPTO and the Global initiative against transnational organized crimes found environmental crime to be the largest financial driver of conflicts and the largest source of income for non- state armed groups and terrorist organisations, ahead of traditional illegal activities such as kidnapping for ransom and drug trafficking;
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 65 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Strongly believes that military activities and technology have to contribute to the Union’s carbon neutrality targets in order to both contribute to the fight against climate change and increase mission security; underlines, in that regard, that the Union’s external action should reduce its own carbon footprint and its negative effects on natural resources and biodiversity to a minimum; recalls however, that the nature and the primary objective of EU CSDP missions and operations is to contribute to security in theatres where they are deployed, that their full operational efficiency has to be ensured, and that this original mission cannot be undermined;
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 67 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Strongly believes that military activities and technology have to contribute to the Union’s carbon neutrality targets in order to both contribute to the fight against climate change and increase mission security; underlines, in that regard, that the Union’s external action and the armed forces of the Member States should reduce itstheir own carbon footprint and itstheir negative effects on natural resources and biodiversity to a minimum;
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 78 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for the development of concrete benchmarks to measure progress in addressing the links between climate change, on the one hand, and peace, conflict and the conflict and climate sensitivity of EU external action on the other; calls on the VP/HR to report on an annual basis to Parliament on progress made; calls on EU member states to incorporate knowledge of climate’s security ramifications into foreign military assistance programs, whenever relevant;
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 91 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the Roadmap and cCalls on the EEAS to ensure, together with the relevant Commission services and the EDA, where appropriate, the comprehensive implementation of the three work strands – the operational dimension, capability development and partnerships; calls for the timeframes for reviewing the Roadmap to be reconsidered and, in particular, for the overall objectives to be reviewed much earlier than 2030; calls on the Member States to develop national structures in support of the objectives; urges all actors to treat this process as a priority and to develop and implement initiatives in line with the integrated approach; stresses the need to assess the environmental footprint of armed forces, as proposed in the Roadmap; urges the VP/HR to propose to the Member States an immediate action programme which consists of prioritised actions presented in the Roadmap which can be implemented in the short term; calls for the timeframes for reviewing the Roadmap to be reconsidered and, in particular, for the overall objectives to be reviewed much earlier than 2030;
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 97 #

2021/2102(INI)

8 a. Underlines that hydrogen’s characteristics make it one of the candidate to replace fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the military forces; stresses that stronger legislation is needed to incentivise the use of zero-emission fuels, including in military use cases;
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 102 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the VP/HR to present, by mid-2022, an assessment of the carbon footprint and environmental impact of the EU’s external action; stresses the need to develop by 2022 a meaningful methodology to quantify the emissions from all EU security and defence activities; while considering the sensitivity of information assessed from CSDP missions and operations; believes that the Roadmap should be used to trigger clear national pledges to reduce military emissions, including mandatory military emissions reporting to the UNFCCC, as without reporting and transparency, there will be no pressure to cut emissions and no means of determining the impact of any pledges;
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 112 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines the need to boost the Union’s strategic foresight, early-warning, situational awareness and conflict-analysis capacities using qualitative and quantitative data and innovative methods from various sources; underlines that, in addition to systematic cooperation with civil society organisations, the Union’s space programmes and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) should also contribute; Commends the essential role played by European space programmes such as Copernicus, in understanding climate change and monitoring GHG emissions;
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 126 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Believes that environmental peace building should be reinforced, as it generatesis one of the overall sustainable and fair solutions addressing the effects of climate change and can also present opportunities to build peace, while fostering dialogue and cooperation at the local, national and international level and presenting opportunities to adopt a transformational approach to address the root causes of conflict and structural drivers of marginalisation; stresses the need to increase pre-conflict mediation initiatives, including by means of higher levels of funding via NDICI;
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 134 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Stresses that due to climate change the Arctic has warmed three times as fast as the planet on average during the last 50 years; underlines how climate change has changed the geopolitical situation in the Arctic; stresses that the Arctic is of strategic and political importance to the EU and underlines the EU’s commitment to be a responsible actor, seeking the long-term sustainable and peaceful development of the region;
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 145 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Highlights that CSDP missions and operations and EPF actions can contribute to enhancing the climate resilience of their host countries and stresses that a positive legacy in terms of their local footprint should be included, whenever possible and without affecting their main security and defence tasks, in particular in their exit strategies, without jeopardising mission effectiveness or the security of own personnel;
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 153 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Stresses the need to design mission infrastructure and a supply-chain that are climate- and environment-ally-resilient and sensitive and as carbon-neutral as possible, and that make use of new technology such as mobile solar systems, in particular for static features;
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 161 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 – point a
(a) climate-induced scarcity of resources leadcontributing to conflict and instability,
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 162 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. recalls, however, that insecurity stems from many different root causes like poverty, state fragility, lack of public infrastructure and services, very limited access to basic goods, lack of education, corruption, etc., among which figures climate change;
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 166 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. States that all military capabilities and services used by the Union and its Member States should contribute to reaching the EU’s climate targets and adapt to increasingly challenging climate conditions in order to be able, inter alia, to guarantee the fulfilment of their tasks at home and abroad;
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 172 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Underlines that an increase in defence expenditure should, whenever possible and bearing in mind the necessity to maintain the level of ambition of our armies, not lead to an increase in emissions, and that part of defence spending should be dedicated to investments in instruments that significantly reduce emissions; recalls that EU and NATO military strategists and planners have been working on the question of how armed forces can reduce their carbon footprint for more than a decade; welcomes, in this respect, the EDA’s activities, in particular the Go Green policy it launched in 2012, its Military Green concept and its working group on the circular economy, and calls for an acceleration and broadening of such projects and for an independent external evaluation thereof;
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 180 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Calls on DG DEFIS, the Member States, the EEAS and the EDA to adopt an approach incorporating a low energy, carbon and environmental footprint by design when implementing relevant EU funds and to regularly report on progress; welcomes, in this respect, the fact that 30 % of the European Defence Fund aims to contribute to climate actionwill aim at contributing to the overall target of 30% climate action target set up for the EU 2021-2027 budget; welcomes the relevant investment of EUR 133 million provided for in the first annual work programme, but notes that this represents only 11 % of the overall annual EDF budget;
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 186 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Underlines the need to significantly increase investments in ‘green’ defence, in particular by dedicating a higher share of military R&D funded from the EU budget to carbon-neutral fuels and propulsion systems for military aircraft, ships and other vehicles, in particular as regards future major weapons systems (e.g. the future combat air system (FCAS) and the European main battle tank (EMBT)); underlines that, given the dual nature of such investments, they have strong positive spill-over effects in the civilian sector, in particular for the ailing civil aviation industry; believes that the electrification of military technology should be further promoted and extensively financed via the EDF, in particular as regards weapons systems, but also in terms of housing, barracks and related heating or cooling systems; recalls that the adaptation of defence means and their uses to climate changes, lies primarily on the Member States and that the EU as such does not have yet its own capacities;
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 192 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Calls on the Member States to consider the feasibility of PESCO for setting up a corps of military engineers to focus on addressing climate-induced natural disasters and the protection of environmentally-critical infrastructure in fragile countries; Commends the role played by joint operations to save civilians in natural disasters, such as the French- Dutch disaster management "Hurricane Exercice" (Hurex) training in the Caribbean;
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 200 #

2021/2102(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Welcomes the stated ambition of 29. NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg that NATOto reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050; underlines the fact that 22 Member States are NATO members and calls on the VP/HR to make sure that emission reduction objectives, benchmarks and methodologies are synchronised, as Member States have only a single set of forces and cannot afford to have different EU and NATO standards or the duplication of forces; believes that NATO and the EU should decide to treat climate security as a new area for cooperation and concrete actions;
2021/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 202 #

2021/2055(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Deplores the crimes against Muslim communities in Asia, including the past and current human rights abuses against and the ethnic cleansing of the Muslim Rohingya population;
2021/06/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 207 #

2021/2055(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Deeply deplores the ongoing persecution and the serious and systematic human rights violations that amount to crimes against humanity in China against Uyghur and other Muslim minorities;
2021/06/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 208 #

2021/2055(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17b. Notes with particular concern the situation of Muslims in Cambodia, who are facing discrimination daily, most recently in the context of being accused of spreading the COVID-19 virus in Cambodia;
2021/06/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 305 #

2021/2055(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Considers that religious illiteracy, as well as the lack of knowledge and recognition of the role that religions play for a large part of humankind, fuel bias and stereotypes that contribute to increase tensions, misunderstanding and disrespectful and unfair treatment related to attitudes and behaviour of large parts of the population; stresses the importance of education for preserving and building freedom of religion or belief worldwide and fighting intolerance;
2021/06/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 54 #

2021/2042(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas Russia is continuing its aggressive behaviour on the border with Ukrainein occupied territories in Ukraine, on the border with Ukraine, continues to occupy the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia and interfering with acts of terrorism on the territory of EU Member States, such as Czechia Republic, and its eastern neighbours, inter alia by supporting the illegitimate regime of Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus;
2021/06/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 112 #

2021/2042(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas these domestic developments are a warning to the EU of what may come in the preparation and in the aftermath of the September 2021 parliamentary elections in Russia, when Mr Putin, in the same manner as Mr Lukashenko in Belarus, is waging a war against the people of Russia;deleted
2021/06/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 141 #

2021/2042(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas the five EU guiding principles for relations with Russia have deterred the Kremlin regime from further aggression against Ukraine, but they are silent with respect to containing President Putin’s war against the people of Russia and act as a functional framework;
2021/06/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 151 #

2021/2042(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas the newupdated EU strategy should be centred on the ‘push-back, contain and engage’ principles aimfurther centred aton strengthening the EU’s capacity to combat the Kremlin’s threats, especially in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) region, including Belarus, as well as in Russia itself, by defending human rights and assisting Russia’s transformation into a democracy in accordance with the principle of ‘democracy first’;
2021/06/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 152 #

2021/2042(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas Russia is mobilising its infrastructure and increasing its military presence rapidly in the Arctic by rebuilding its military capabilities; whereas Russia is refurbishing Soviet-era airfields and radar installations, constructing new ports and search-and- rescue centres, and building up its fleet of nuclear- and conventionally-powered icebreakers; whereas Russia is developing new high-tech weapons and a nuclear reactor powered torpedo;
2021/06/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 207 #

2021/2042(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Recommends that the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) review, together with the Member States, the EU policy vis-à-vis Russia, including the five guiding principles, and develop a comprehensive EU strategy towards Russia based on the current five guiding principles and the following principles and actions:
2021/06/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 214 #

2021/2042(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subheading 1
Deterring the Russian threat – pushing back against the security threat
2021/06/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 257 #

2021/2042(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c
(c) the EU must have a clear goal and plans on how to cut its dependency on Russian gas and oil, at least while President Putin is in power, therefore the completion of Nord Stream 2 pipeline must be stopped;
2021/06/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 266 #

2021/2042(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(ca) notes with concern that the Russian military activities in the Arctic are increasing and destabilising the region; the geopolitical importance of the region is growing fast, however, the Artic must stay as a low tension area; calls for Russia to respect the international law and conventions in the Arctic;
2021/06/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 280 #

2021/2042(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subheading 2
Containing the Russian threat – fightuntering Russian interference in the EU and Eastern neighbourhood countries
2021/06/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 294 #

2021/2042(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(da) emphasises the need for a political solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine and a stronger role for the EU in peaceful conflict resolution; calls on Russia to implement the provisions of the Minsk Agreements, and to engage constructively in the Normandy Process and the Trilateral Contact Group;
2021/06/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 299 #

2021/2042(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d b (new)
(db) reiterates its support to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders;
2021/06/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 348 #

2021/2042(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subheading 3
EngagementImplementing measures to support democracy – pushing back with sanctions, financial controls and international investigationsin Russia
2021/06/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 360 #

2021/2042(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
(f) the EU should establishnhance with the US a transatlantic alliance to defend democracy globally and propose a democracy defence toolkit, which should include joint actions on sanctions, anti- money laundering policies, rules on the conditionality of economic and financial assistance, international investigations, and support for human rights activists and defenders of democracy;
2021/06/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 376 #

2021/2042(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
(ga) regrets the current state of EU- Russia relations caused by Russia’s aggression and continued destabilisation of Ukraine, hostile behaviour towards and outright attacks on EU Member States and societies manifested, inter alia, through interference in election processes, the use of disinformation, deep fakes, malicious cyberattacks, sabotage and chemical weapons, and the significant deterioration in the human rights situation and respect for the right to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly in Russia; strongly condemns Russia’s hostile behaviour in Europe and calls on its government to put an end to these activities, which violate international principles and norms and threaten stability in Europe;
2021/06/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 402 #

2021/2042(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h a (new)
(ha) calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Alexei Navalny, whose sentencing is politically motivated and runs counter to Russia’s international human rights obligations, and of all persons detained during protests in support of his release or his anti-corruption campaign; expects Russia to comply with the interim measure of the European Court of Human Rights with regard to the nature and extent of risk to Alexei Navalny’s life;
2021/06/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 403 #

2021/2042(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h b (new)
(hb) reiterates that unity among EU Member States is the best policy to deter Russia from carrying out destabilising and subversive actions in Europe; calls on the Member States to coordinate their positions and actions vis-à-vis Russia and to speak with a unified voice; considers that the EU should seek further cooperation with like-minded partners, in particular NATO and the US, to use all means available at international level to effectively counter Russia’s continued interferences, ever-more aggressive disinformation campaigns and gross violations of international law that threaten security and stability in Europe;
2021/06/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 431 #

2021/2042(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subheading 4
Engagement to support democracy – supporting a pro-democracy society in Russiadeleted
2021/06/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 495 #

2021/2042(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subheading 5
Engagement to support democracy – Eastern Partnership success as an inspiration for the people of Russiadeleted
2021/06/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 40 #

2021/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(ca) remains seriously concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas and strongly opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo and increase tensions; reiterates the importance of respecting international law, in particular the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) with its provisions on the obligation to settle disputes by peaceful means, and maintaining freedom of navigation and overflight;
2021/06/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 69 #

2021/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j
(j) encourages the EU and Member States to deepen cooperation with Taiwan in confronting disinformation from malign third countries, including the sharing of best-practices and to deepen cooperation in matters regarding cybersecurity and cyber threats;
2021/06/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2021/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Underlines that the European Union and the United States have the most integrated economic relationship in the world, which is also the largest and deepest bilateral trade and investment relationship with bilateral trade in goods and services accounting for more than 1 trillion euros per year; emphasises the importance of reinvigorating our Transatlantic relationship as historic allies and trading partners with the aim of promoting multilateralism, an open rules- based trading system and finding common solutions to pressing global challenges, including the global health crisis; stresses that improved trade relations between the EU and the US will benefit citizens and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic;
2021/05/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 2 #

2021/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 a (new)
-1a. Highlights that the Covid-19 crisis has not reduced but reinforced the need for closer cooperation between the EU and the US, including on the manufacturing and distribution of vaccines;
2021/05/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 3 #

2021/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Identifies trade policy as a strategic geopolitical tool for the transatlantic agenda; highlights the need to identify joint actions based on shared interests and values in order to contribute to a global sustainable and inclusive economic recovery; stresses that ‘workers and wages’ and more resilient and responsible supply chains should be at the core of such an agenda taking into account that our economic relations are also intertwined with our security interests; therefore welcomes the positive signals from the Biden administration to strengthen bilateral relations with the EU, and calls for renewed cooperation that should bring lasting and concrete results in the years to come; highlights the need to identify joint actions based on shared interests and values in order to contribute to a global sustainable and inclusive economic recovery; emphasises the need to reform the global trading system, so that it improves the global level-playing field and to work together to develop new rules, in particular with regard to unfair trade practices, as unfair competition is heavily affecting our companies and workers; notes that the US trade policy agenda focuses on ‘workers and wages’ and more resilient and responsible supply chains;
2021/05/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 9 #

2021/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Identifies trade policy as a strategic geopolitical tool for the transatlantic agenda; highlights the need to identify joint actions based on shared interests and values, as well as on shared risks and threats, in order to contribute to a global sustainable and inclusive economic recovery; stresses that ‘workers and wages’ and more resilient and responsible supply chains should be at the core of such an agenda;
2021/05/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 15 #

2021/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Recalls that the EU and the US economies together account for around half the entire world GDP and for nearly a third of world trade flows;
2021/05/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 17 #

2021/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the US support for the new Director-General of the WTO, the US’s return to the Paris Agreement, the WTO tariff rate quota agreement and the temporary suspension of Airbus Boe's return to the Paris Agreement; also welcomes, the swift conclusion of the WTO TRQ agreement, which was the first agreement with the US under the new Biden administration and demonstrates the willingness of this new administration to seek agreements with the EU ing tariffshe WTO framework;
2021/05/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 18 #

2021/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the US support for the new Director-General of the WTO, the US’s return to the Paris Agreement, the WTO tariff rate quota agreement and the temporary suspension of Airbus Boeing tariffs; considers these steps to lead the way towards a more positive and enhanced transatlantic trade relationship; calls for the consideration of launching negotiations on a possible new free trade agreement between the EU and US;
2021/05/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 22 #

2021/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Welcomes the four-month temporary suspension of Airbus Boeing tariffs as a positive step to finding a lasting solution to removing additional tariffs and proposing new rules for civil aircraft subsidies; notes that the suspension of Airbus Boeing tariffs will end in July, and urges that these tariffs are permanently lifted;
2021/05/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 27 #

2021/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Notes the move by the Commission to suspend the increase of tariffs against US imports related to the dispute on aluminium and steel; urges the US to remove section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminium and emphasises the need to address the concerns related to the steel and aluminium excess capacity from third countries;
2021/05/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 32 #

2021/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Recognises at the same time that some diverging interests remain; in this regard, urges both sides to resolve bilateral disputes; urges the US to remove unilateral trade measures and refrain from taking further ones; urges the removal of section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminium; calls for a rapid and lasting solution on aircraft subsidias European companies cannot be considered a national security threat; calls for a rapid and lasting solution on aircraft subsidies; and calls for the EU-US Summit in June to be used to seek progress and potentially solve these issues;
2021/05/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 45 #

2021/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for enhanced cooperation on WTO reform, including reinstating the appellate body,Welcomes the US support for the new WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; calls for enhanced cooperation on WTO reform to make the WTO ready for the green and digital transitions, and address the paralysis of the WTO appellate body as an urgent matter; calls for the need to regulatinge trade in health products, settingdevelop rules for digital trade, set an ambitious environmental agenda, and agreeing on concrete deliverables for the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12); encourages both sides to stick topromote multilateral agreements and trade based on rules;
2021/05/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 47 #

2021/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. CUnderlines that the WTO remains as the cornerstone of a rules-based, multilateral system for trade; calls for enhanced cooperation on WTO reform, including reinstating the appellate body, regulating trade in health products, setting an ambitious environmental agenda, and agreeing on concrete deliverables for the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12); encourages both sides to stick to multilateral agreements;
2021/05/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 55 #

2021/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Advocates for a joint strategic approach towards China, addressing the roots of unfair trade practices and tackling industrial subsidies, state-owned enterprises and human rights concern in order to tackle unfair trade practice that lead to market distortions and a lack of a level-playing field as a matter of urgency; calls for the EU and the US to find an approach to tackle industrial subsidies and SOEs, forced technology transfers, theft of intellectual property, obliged joint ventures, market barriers and address human rights concerns; urges to build upon the trilateral agreement on industrial subsidies with the US and Japan whilst also developing an autonomous instrument against unfair foreign subsidies; calls for the EU and the US to exchange information on foreign investments in strategic sectors, including on potential hostile takeovers;
2021/05/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 63 #

2021/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Advocates a joint strategic approach towards China, addressing the roots of unfair trade practices and tackling industrial subsidies, state-owned enterprises and human rights concerns; welcomes the launch of the EU-US dialogue on China to cooperate on topics such as reciprocity, multilateralism, economic issues, human rights, resilience, security and climate change; calls to enhance EU-US coordination and cooperation on China even further;
2021/05/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 79 #

2021/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. While promoting dialogue and common action, calls on the Commission to assertively promote the EU’s interests and react to US unwarranted duties, extraterritorial sanctions and market barriers; however, stresses in this context the European Parliament’s clear position that the Nord Stream 2 project must be halted;
2021/05/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 86 #

2021/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Encourages both sides to engage in an ambitious dialogue and find a framework for joint action and look for selective agreements, such as on trade & technology as well as conformity assessments which will particularly benefit SMEs; calls for a stronger regulatory, green and digital partnership through the Trade and Technology Council and a coordinated approach to critical technologies, a carbon border adjustment mechanism andsetting international standards for critical and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, and digital trade more broadly; welcomes the proposal by the Commission for a Transatlantic AI Agreement to set such standards and develop ethical guidelines; and find common grounds for a CBAM as well as digital and global taxes.
2021/05/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 97 #

2021/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls for the EU-US enhanced cooperation in the Arctic considering the opening up of new navigation routes and possible availability of natural resources due to climate change and taking into account the growing economic interest in the Arctic by other countries, such as China; calls on the Commission to also address these possibilities and challenges in its upcoming Arctic Strategy;
2021/05/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 149 #

2021/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls for the consideration of launching negotiations on a possible free trade agreement between the EU and US;
2021/05/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 193 #

2021/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Finds it necessary to work together with the US on strengthening the multilateral trading system and reforming the World Trade Organization, solving trade disputes and moving towards transatlantic free-trade;
2021/05/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 200 #

2021/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Calls for a close cooperation with the US and EU Member States in the United Nations including on the UN reform to strengthen the UN's effectiveness as a multilateral organization, bring more transparency to the institution and enhance its credibility;
2021/05/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 281 #

2021/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Calls for enhanced cooperation in the field of cybersecurity and cyber defence; considers it vital for the EU and NATO to step up the sharing of intelligence in order to enable the formal attribution of cyberattacks and consequently enable the imposing of restrictive sanctions for those responsible for cyber-attacks;
2021/05/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 348 #

2021/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Considers it essential for the EU and US to jointly address regional conflicts and global challenges based on principles of international law;
2021/05/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 377 #

2021/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Calls for close cooperation and joint transatlantic response to Russia's attempts to pressure, influence, destabilise and exploit the weaknesses and the democratic choices of western societies; calls for close cooperation to jointly address the range of threats emanating from the Russian Federation, such as the continued destabilisation of Ukraine and Georgia, interferences in democratic processes in the EU and the US, hybrid threats and disinformation campaigns, while at the same pursuing selective cooperation in the areas of shared transatlantic interest, notably in the area of arms control;
2021/05/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 395 #

2021/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Calls for better cooperation in the Arctic considering the opening up of new navigation routes and possible availability of natural resources due to climate change and taking into account the growing interest in the Arctic by other countries, such as China and the activities and military build-up by Russia in the Arctic;
2021/05/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2021/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that China's continued economic rise will have a strong impact on global economic developments over the next decade and that in 2020 China for the first time ranked as the EU’s largest partner for trade in goods, with the trade balance further deteriorating to the EU’s detriment; stresses, however, that if also considering trade in services, China is still far from overtaking the US as the EU’s largest trading partner; recognizes nevertheless the important, yet challenging trade and investment relationship with China;
2021/05/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 3 #

2021/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that in 2020, in the COVID- 19 context, China for the first time ranked as the EU’s largest partner for trade in goods, with the trade balance further deteriorating to the EU’s detriment; calls on the Commission to deeply analyse the EU's dependency on China in certain strategic and critical sectors, as the pandemic has revealed, using all our policies and setting out plans to make our supply chains more resilient, more diversified and reduce dependency;
2021/05/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 14 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
— having regard to its resolution of 21 January 2021 on the crackdown on the democratic opposition in Hong Kong;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 19 #

2021/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Is convinced that the EU-China bilateral trade and investment relationship is of strategic importance and should be rules-based, with the multilateral trading system at its core; stresses in this regard the importance of the WTO reform;
2021/05/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 20 #

2021/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Is convinced that the EU-China bilateral trade and investment relationship is of strategic importance and should be rules-based, with the multilateral trading system and the notion of reciprocity at its core;
2021/05/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 21 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 b (new)
— Having regard to its resolution of 20 May 2021 on Chinese countersanctions on EU entities and MEPs and MPs;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 23 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 c (new)
— Having regard to its resolution of 17 December 2020 on Forced labour and the situation of the Uyghurs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 25 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 d (new)
— Having regard to its resolution of 19 June 2020 on the PRC national security law for Hong Kong and the need for the EU to defend Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 30 #

2021/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Is concerned about the increasingly unbalanced EU-China bilateral economic and trade relationship; stresses that rebalancing and a more level playing field are vital to EU interests; recalls the overall objective for the European Union to build its open strategic autonomy;
2021/05/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 31 #

2021/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Is concerned about the increasingly unbalanced EU-China bilateral economic and trade relationship; stresses that rebalancing and a more level playing field are vital to EU interests; highlights in this regard the EU’s ongoing work in strengthening its trade toolbox;
2021/05/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 32 #

2021/2037(INI)

A. whereas through its strong economic growth and ambitious foreign policy agenda, notably its investment strategy and its policies “Going Global”, “Made in China 2025” and its “Belt and Road Initiative”, China is asserting a stronger global role both as an economic power and as foreign policy actor, which poses serious political, economic, security and technological challenges to the EU, and has significant and long-lasting consequences foron the world order and poses threats to liberal democracy;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 33 #

2021/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Calls on the EU Member States and candidate countries to consider leaving the 16+1 format which can be counterproductive to speaking with one voice and undermines the unity of the European Union; encourages instead to pursue a common and unified EU policy towards China; acknowledges Lithuania’s recent decision to quit participating in the format and calls on other countries to follow its lead;
2021/05/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 35 #

2021/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Welcomes the launch of the EU- US dialogue on China to cooperate on topics such as reciprocity, multilateralism, economic issues, human rights, resilience, security and climate change; calls to enhance EU-US coordination and cooperation on China even further;
2021/05/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 37 #

2021/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Repeats its deep concern about the many barriers that European businesses face when accessing and operating on the Chinese market; is worried that China’s ‘dual circulation strategy’ referred to in its 14th Five Year Plan will further deteriorate the business environment for EU companies; is extremely concerned that several international companies, notably in the apparel and textiles sector, have been subject to an extensive and widespread boycott after expressing concern about the reports on forced labour in Xinjiang and taking the decision to cut supply-chain ties with Xinjiang; strongly condemns the aggressive political coercion exercised against them by the Chinese Government; highlights again its particular concern about the market distorting practices of Chinese state-owned enterprises, forced technology transfers and data localisation, industrial overcapacity in sectors such as steel and the related dumping of exports, and other unfair trading practices; calls on the Commission and the Member States to step up their cooperation at WTO-level with like-minded allies to develop a joint approach to tackle these Chinese unfair trading practices, including a new initiative on fighting counterfeiting;
2021/05/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 39 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas China is a cooperation partner but also an economic competitor and systemic rival; whereas, in this respect, the EU may share policy objectives with China, but it also has vulnerabilities that need to be carefully assessed, in order to develop a strategic response to Chinese projection of power and influence in the world and in to Europe;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 45 #

2021/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. calls on China to play a more active part in multilateral initiatives at WTO-level such as the Trade and Climate, Trade and Health and the implementation of the SDGs; calls on China to play a more active role in the WTO reform, especially in restoring all the WTO dimensions, from monitoring, creating new rules and solving disputes; urges China to fully comply with all its WTO obligations;
2021/05/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 46 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
A b. whereas in recent years the EU faced a rising number of challenges from China through the Belt and Road Initiative, the 16 +1 format, divide-and- rule tactics, the Chinese investment strategy, disinformation campaigns, technological challenges and an increasingly assertive diplomacy;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 49 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
A c. whereas Chinese foreign policy expansion poses threats to liberal democracy, by indebting African, Asian, Latin American and even some Western Balkan countries through its Belt and Road Initiative and by attempting to assert its illiberal views through its growing influence in international organisations;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 52 #

2021/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. calls on the Member States to allow for a swift adoption of an International Procurement Instrument to ensure reciprocal access to third country public procurement markets, in order to help European businesses which are facing discrimination and lack of access to the Chinese public procurement markets that remain largely closed;
2021/05/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 58 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas China has a track record of human rights violations that eschew the country’s bilateral and multilateral commitments in these areas; whereas goodwill measures and non-binding commitments have not been sufficient to increase Chinese commitment to values that are fundamental for the EU;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 63 #

2021/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. WelcomNotes the conclusion at the political level of the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI); recalls that the CAI has to be considered in the context of a strengthened EU toolbox of unilateral measures; underlines it will thoroughly scrutinise the agreement, including its sustainable development section, and take stock of the human rights context, before determining its position; highlights the European Parliament resolution of 20 May 2021 on Chinese countersanctions on EU entities and MEPs and MPs which states that any consideration of CAI, as well as any discussion on ratification by the European Parliament, has justifiably been frozen because of the Chinese sanctions in place; notes that in its resolution the European Parliament demands that China lift the sanctions before Parliament can deal with the CAI, without prejudice to the final outcome of the CAI ratification process;
2021/05/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 72 #

2021/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Calls on the Commission to consistently use all its available tools, including the debate and leverage around CAI, to improve and protect human rights and assist the civil society in China; stresses the importance of enhanced cooperation of Member States in countering Chinese disinformation and influence campaigns as many of such campaigns are targeting concrete Member States rather than the EU as a whole; is concerned about the reduction of the foreign correspondents in China, as it is causing a vacuum in the China coverage;
2021/05/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 77 #

2021/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Highlights the urgent need to re- balance EU-China relations through the adoption of a more assertive toolbox of autonomous measures while recognising the need to maintain an open dialogue with Chinese government on other common challenges such as the global fight against climate change;
2021/05/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 79 #

2021/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. Calls on the Commission to propose an EU mandatory and horizontal due diligence legislation as a matter of urgency in order to ensure that EU companies and non-EU companies operating in the Single Market respect human rights, social and environmental standards through their supply chain as well as to eliminate the risk of forced labour and human rights abuses from their supply chains;
2021/05/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 84 #

2021/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5 c. Is extremely concerned by the recent unilateral trade-related measures taken by China against Australia in retaliation to the Australian critics on the Chinese COVID-19 crisis management; calls on the Commission, in this very worrying context, to propose urgently its instrument to deter and counteract coercive actions by third countries in order to be able in future to respond to any illegal and unilateral measures adopted against the EU interests and international law;
2021/05/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 86 #

2021/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 d (new)
5 d. Urges the Commission to present a blacklist and to propose an instrument to ban on the importation of goods produced using child labour or any other form of forced labour or modern slavery;
2021/05/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 88 #

2021/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 e (new)
5 e. Reiterates its full support to the EU FDI Screening Regulation, putting in place for the first time an EU-level mechanism to coordinate the screening of foreign investments in strategic sectors; calls on Member States to adopt urgently a national screening mechanism if they do not have one yet, in line with the Commission guidelines from March 2020; recalls the importance to strengthen the existing EU FDI Screening Regulation in order to make sure that any potential investments which could be a threat to the EU security and public order, in particular with regard to Chinese state- owned and state-controlled enterprises in European strategic sectors, are blocked;
2021/05/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 89 #

2021/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 f (new)
5 f. welcomes the Commission regulation proposal on foreign subsidies distorting the internal market; calls for a swift adoption of this regulation, making sure that thresholds and the procedures allow for an efficient instrument, in order to tackle the Chinese unfair trading practices in the European Single Market;
2021/05/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 91 #

2021/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 h (new)
5 h. Reiterates its call on the Commission and the Council to start the scoping exercise and formally launch the negotiations with Taiwan for an Investment Agreement;
2021/05/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 92 #

2021/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the entry into force of the EU-China Agreement on geographical indications (GIs), and reiterates the importance of effective and exemplary implementation of the Agreement; underlines that this limited agreement on GIs could serve as a model and basis for future GIs agreements; highlights the crucial role that the Chief Trade Enforcement Officer (CTEO) will play in monitoring and improving compliance with this Agreement; calls on the CTEO to react immediately in the event that the Agreement is not implemented correctly.
2021/05/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 97 #

2021/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Calls on the Commission to closely follow the developments of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) which is the largest free trade agreement in the world and of which China is one of the main winners; notes that although the EU is not a party to RCEP, the agreement will have implications on the EU; stresses that even though the European Commission has found the immediate economic impact of RCEP to be rather modest, RCEP has a review clause every five years, which provides for future tariff negotiations and incremental liberalisation;
2021/05/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 103 #

2021/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Urges the Commission to move forward with the Bilateral Investment Agreement with Taiwan and start the impact assessment, public consultation and scoping exercise with Taiwan before the end of 2021;
2021/05/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 105 #

2021/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6 c. Underlines China’s active engagement and rising influence in the Arctic region, including in economic activity; calls on the Commission to address China’s rising influence, its possible threats and risks and the EU’s response to it in its upcoming Arctic Strategy;
2021/05/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 110 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the VP/HR to ensure that the new EU-China strategy involves China in an open regular EU-China 27+1 dialogue on global challenges, such as climate change, promotion of economic recovery from Covid-19 and the fight against global pandemics;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 123 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Supports greater dialogue and cooperation with China on peace and security, sustainable development, science, technology and innovation, environmental issues, space and aerospace, the reform of the WTO;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 141 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for Human Rights Dialogues to be held regularly and calls for a solid benchmarking of the progress made in bilateral dialogues more generally; calls furthermore for a shadow human rights dialogue involving EU and member states diplomats, Chinese diaspora, NGOs, academics and lawmakers aimed at forging a better understanding of the Chinese system and devising better strategies to influence human rights progress in China;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 211 #

2021/2037(INI)

(b) a recommitment by China to uphold its international commitments to Hong Kong under the Sino-British Joint Declaration and Hong Kong’s Basic Law through the suspension of planned reforms to the city’s electoral system;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 214 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 – point c
(c) the lifting the counter-of sanctions imposed by the Chinese Ggovernment on EU entities and individuals, including Members of the European Parliament and the Subcommittee on Human Rights in retaliation of the Council 22nd March’s decision to impose sanctions on 4 Chinese officials and one entity;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 226 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. States its support for UN to carry outUrges the EU and its Member States to intensify efforts to reach enough international support for an independent UN legal investigations into alleged genocide and crimes against humanity taking place in the Xinjiang region and in the meantime to commission an EU led legal investigation to make preliminary determinations into the alleged crimes;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 230 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. States its support for UN to carry out legal investigations into alleged genocide and crimes against humanity taking place in the Xinjiang region; Calls China to allow UN Commissioner of Human Rights independent and unfettered access to Xinjiang to investigate the situation on the ground;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 238 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Calls for the introduction of a unilateral ban on the import of products from forced labour and child labour or any other form of modern slavery; Calls on the Commission to bring forward the proposed Mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence Framework as a matter of urgency; Underlines the need to ensuring that the current trade and internal market legislation, as well as any due diligence framework or forced labour import ban, be efficiently and effectively used in order to exclude entities directly or indirectly involved in human rights abuses in Xinjiang, operating on the EU internal market;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 247 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Commission to put forward the proposed Mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence Framework as a matter of urgency;deleted
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 255 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Calls on the Commission to address the crackdown on foreign NGOs by Chinese authorities and urges it to delete the ninth section of Annex II of the CAI that states that senior staff of foreign NGOs that are operating in China must be Chinese citizens; believes that the passage further restricts the work of foreign NGOs that already have to operate under the strict NGO law of 2017;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 259 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11 b. Calls on the EU Member States to fully implement the package of measures that was agreed following the introduction of the National Security Law for Honkong in July 2020 and to review their asylum, migration, visa and residence policy for Hong Kongers; Calls for targeted measures under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, as necessary, in order to address repressions in Hong Kong;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 274 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Commission to commission an EU-wide audit of the EU dependency on China in certain strategically important and critical sectors on both national and subnational levels, setting out plans to reduce dependency, while maintaining overall trade relations with China, which should be as open as possible;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 291 #

2021/2037(INI)

(b) building on the EU toolbox for national, regional and local risk-mitigating measures, to develop joint standards for the new generation of technologies, such as 5G networks;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 324 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Calls for EU Member States to stop their participation in 17+1 format and concentrate on having a common 27+1 foreign policy with China;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 327 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Believes that the future EU-China strategy should be more coordinated between the EU institutions and the Member States, as well as between the different Commission Directorates General; believes that policies should also be coordinated with regional and local actors that develop and maintain links with China;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 332 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Believes that the EU-China strategy should have appropriate budgetary arrangements and financing, as well as integrated performance measurement, monitoring, reporting and evaluation arrangements;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 351 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Notes that the increasing number of hybrid attacks originating from China requires special attention, due to their destabilising and dangerous nature; Recalls that these attacks are by itself often not serious enough to trigger Article 5of the NATO treaty or Article 42(7) of the TEU, though have a strategic effect cumulative and cannot be effectively tackled by retorsions by the injured member state; Believes that the EU should therefore strive to find a solution to fill this legal vacuum in a way that would reserve the right for collective defence below the collective defence threshold and allow for collective countermeasures of EU Member States on a voluntary basis;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 356 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Calls on the Commission to take into account and include in its strategy Chinas rapidly growing interest in the Arctic and its actions already taking place in the Arctic region;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 357 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18 b. Supports expanding contacts between peoples on both sides as well as mutual exchange visits of students but encourages the EU member states to better monitor the impact of Chinese government interference in academic freedom, and if deemed necessary counter Chinese efforts to undermine academic freedom;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 368 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Expresses concern over China’s expansionist policies in the South China Sea, East China Sea and Taiwan Strait; reiterates strong opposition to any unilateral actions that could escalate tensions and undermine the status quo;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 395 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Underscores the necessity of fostering closer cooperation with NATO and G7 countries to fight hybrid and cyber threats and disinformation campaigns stemming from China;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 437 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30 a. Urges the Commission to come up with concrete proposals and action to facilitate Taiwan’s full participation as an observer in the meetings, mechanism and activities of the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the UNFCCC;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 441 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Considers it necessary to develop new industrial policies in areas such as microchips and semiconductor production, rare earth mining, cloud computing and telecoms technology in order to decrease EU’s reliance on Chinese supply chains, always with an outlook to ensure better coordination of those policies with that of other like-minded liberal democracies whilst exploring the potential to jointly pool resources and create new synergies along the way;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 466 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
34. Points to the need to strengthen the EU’s tools to defend itself, increase its capacity to protect its interests overseas, acquire greater influence in its direct neighbourhood and ensure that the Member States are united in their geopolitical approach; finds that in this regard the EU should urgently develop an effective toolbox comprising economic instruments to tackle threats of economic coercion and of weaponization of choke points in an increasingly networked global economy;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 487 #

2021/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
36. Calls for defence cooperation among the Member States to be strengthened and for the Member States to invest in stronger cooperation with other democratic players such as United States, Canada, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand;
2021/05/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 6 #

2021/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the EU and India are to convene a leaders’ meeting on 8 May 2021 in Porto, Portugal, following their commitment to convene regularly at the highest level and to strengthen the strategic partnership established in 2004, with a view to enhancing economic and political cooperation;
2021/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 40 #

2021/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
a) consolidate the progress in the Strategic Partnership achieved since last year’s Summit and make tangible advances on priority issues, notably resilient global health, climate change and green growth, digitalisation and new technologyies, connectivity, trade and investment, and foreign, security and defence policy;
2021/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 48 #

2021/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c
c) reiterate the need for a regular political dialogue and a deeper partnership based on the shared values of democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights, a commitment to promoting an inclusive, coherent and rules-based global order, effective multilateralism and sustainable development;
2021/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 61 #

2021/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
f a) support further democratic development in India in line with its constitutional and traditional multiculturalism; recall the common fight against all forms of discrimination, hate speech, fake news and destructive political populism;
2021/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 67 #

2021/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
g) promote greater synergy in foreign and security policy through the existing relevant dialogue mechanisms and within fora set up under the Agenda for Action 2020, and in light of the EU’s recent strategic emphasis on enhanced security cooperation in and with Asia, where India plays an important strategic role;
2021/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 80 #

2021/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h
h) emphasise the need for closer thematic coordination of international security policies and for action in areas such as nuclear security and the non- proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, mitigation of chemical, biological and radiological weapons, the promotion of regional conflict prevention and peacebuilding, counter-piracy, maritime security, countering violent extremism, as well as cybersecurity, hybrid threats and, outer space and terrorism;
2021/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 85 #

2021/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i
i) point out that the EU and India are two of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping and committed advocates for sustainable peace; encourage discussion and initiatives towards widening cooperation in peacekeeping and include the use of IT in peacekeeping;
2021/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 89 #

2021/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j
j) take positive note of the six regular EU-India consultations on disarmament and non-proliferation that have taken place and encourage India to strengthen regional cooperation in this regard; acknowledge that India has joined three major proliferation-related multilateral export control regimes and encourage a closer EU-India partnership within these fora;
2021/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 91 #

2021/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k
k) coordinate positions and initiatives in multilateral fora, notably the UN, by pushing for joint objectives, increasing dialogue and effectively aligning positions; underline that India will hold a UN Security Council seat in 2021-2022 and the G20 presidency in 2023, marking an opportunity for the EU and India to enhance coordination on global governance and further promote a shared vision of rules-based multilateralism; support India’s bid for permanent membership of a reformed UN Security Council;
2021/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 93 #

2021/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k
k) coordinate positions and initiatives in multilateral fora, notably the UN, by pushing for joint objectives, increasing dialogue and effectively aligning positions; support India’s bid for permanent membership of a reformed UN Security Council and coordinate positions towards UN Security Council reform and working methods;
2021/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 118 #

2021/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n
n) underline that preserving peace, stability and the freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region remains of critical importance to the interests of the EU and its Member States; increase mutual engagement to ensure that trade in the Indo-Pacific region will not be hampered by an increasingly assertive Chinese stance; intensify cooperation in maritime security and joint training missions in the Indo-Pacific region;
2021/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 190 #

2021/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point t
t) address the human rights situation and challenges faced by civil society in its dialogue with the Indian authorities, including at summit level; encourage India, as the world’s largest democracy, to demonstrate its commitment to respecting and protectingrespect, protect and fully enforce the constitutionally guaranteed rights to the freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, to prevendt attacks against - and to release arbitrarily detained - human rights defenders and journalists, including in the Indian- administered part of Kashmir, to repeal laws that may be used to silence dissent, and to ensure accountability for human rights violations;
2021/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 205 #

2021/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point u
u) act upon the commitment made in the EU-India Roadmap to resume the bilateral human rights dialogue as soon as possible; make the dialogue meaningful by ensuring high- level participation, setting concrete commitments and criteria for progress, addressing individual cases and facilitating an EU-India civil society dialogue ahead of the intergovernmental dialogue;
2021/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 213 #

2021/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v a (new)
v a) recall that the EU is India’s largest trading partner and it is in their mutual interest to foster closer economic ties; recognise that India is a solid alternative for an EU that wants to diversify its supply chains to reduce its dependence on China and the United States;
2021/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 223 #

2021/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point w a (new)
w a) highlight that EU-India trade rose by more than 70% between 2009 and 20191a and that liberalising trade with India would increase EU exports to India by up to 56%1b; explore the possibility of concluding an EU-India investment agreement as a first step towards a potential future Free Trade Agreement; _________________ 1a https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/isdb_results/ factsheets/country/details_india_en.pdf 1b https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/ etudes/STUD/2020/642841/EPRS_STU(2 020)642841_EN.pdf
2021/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 237 #

2021/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ab
ab) continue common global leadership in support of the Paris Agreement and focus on implementing the clean and renewable energy agenda; reaffirm a joint commitment, as two major global greenhouse gas emitters, to more coordinated efforts in mitigating the effects of climate change and increasing their investment in green and sustainable technologies;
2021/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2021/2011(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the new EU Action Plan on Critical Raw Materials and stresses that EUthe EU's trade policy can plays a key role as a vehicle for improving EU access to these materials; notes that the COVID-19 outbreak has exposed the lack of resilience of global value chains for certain key products, showing the need for more robust and resilient supply chains for critical raw materials;
2021/06/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 18 #

2021/2011(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that demand for raw materialsWelcomes the Commission's flagship policies of the green and the digital transition, notes that critical raw materials have an important role to play in facilitating these transitions and that their demand is projected to double by 2050; andcknowledges that an increase in demand globally is likely to lead to an increase in price and encourages the Commission to present analysis on this point; believes that this analysis should be complemented by a strong communication strategy, explaining potential trade-offs to citizens; notes that the EU is highly reliant on non- EU countries for critical raw materials, making diversified sourcing essential to increase the EU’s security of supply; calls, therefore, on the Commission to diversify the supply sources of critical raw materials as much as possible, and reduce current reliance on a few countries; calls on the Commission to focus also on securing supplies by establishing strategic stocks and appropriate stockpiling of critical raw materials in Europe, particularly in light of the uncertainties linked to the evolution of the geopolitical situation worldwide and the potential trade tensions with rich non-EU producer countrcontinue monitoring the EU's strategic dependencies in order to identify potential vulnerabilities, and conduct a detailed analysis on the role strategic stockpiles could play in addressing these vulnerabilities;
2021/06/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 23 #

2021/2011(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that demand for raw materials is projected to double by 2050 and that the EU is highly reliant on non-EU countries for critical raw materials, making diversified sourcing essential to increase the EU’s security of supply; calls, therefore, on the Commission to diversify the supply sources of critical raw materials as much as possible, and reduce current reliance on a few countries; underlines the potential of the Arctic in this regard; calls on the Commission to focus also on securing supplies by establishing strategic stocks and appropriate stockpiling of critical raw materials in Europe, particularly in light of the uncertainties linked to the evolution of the geopolitical situation worldwide and the potential trade tensions with rich non- EU producer countries;
2021/06/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 43 #

2021/2011(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines that future EU free trade agreements (FTAs) should include a specific focus onprovisions on critical raw materials; calls on the Commission to further enhance the enforcement of FTAs to ensure that commitments and obligations on responsible sourcing of critical raw materials are met by trading partners; calls on the Commission to strengthen cooperation on sustainable sourcing of critical raw materials with third countries, particularly with likeminded partners such as the US, under existing and future EU policies and instruments, including enlargement, neighbourhood, development and cooperation policies, as well as in its engagement at the WTO;
2021/06/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 65 #

2021/2011(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines that a fully functioning rules-based multilateral trading system is also key to ensuring open trade flows of critical raw materials; renews its call on the Commission, in this regard, to pursuexpresses concern at the use of export restrictions on critical raw materials by some WTO Members, including China, and urges all Members to refrain from pursuing such policies; renews its call on the Commission to redouble its efforts for the modernisation, strengthening and substantial reactivation of the World Trade Organization to fight distortions of provide a stable and predictable international tradeing environment and guarantee effectivefair competition worldwide;
2021/06/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 22 #

2021/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas the threat posed by criminals originating from the Western Balkans has been used as an argument against EU accession in some countriesserious efforts and tangible results in the fight against organized crime are necessary steps for candidate countries to make progress towards EU accession;
2021/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 24 #

2021/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas the threat posed by criminalorganised crime groups originating from the Western Balkans has been used as an argument against EU accession in some countries;
2021/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 26 #

2021/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas in order to meet the EU membership criteria, the Western Balkan countries need to implement comprehensive reforms in crucial areas such as the rule of law and deliver concrete results in judicial reforms and in the fight against corruption and organised crime;
2021/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 34 #

2021/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines that depriving countries of the Western Balkans of a European perspective is worsening rather than improving the situation as regardsorganized crime originating in the Western Balkans has serious consequences for Member States of the EU; recalls that an absence of serious efforts and tangible results in the fight against organiszed crime, and underlines that only by fostering the EU integration process can it be improved will hamper progress towards accession of Western Balkans candidate countries to the EU ;
2021/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 49 #

2021/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that the lack of employment opportunities, corruption, elements of state capture, and inequality and the slow process of EU accession are among the factors that make Western Balkans societies vulnerable to organised crime, and urges both the authorities of the Western Balkan countries and their international partners, including the EU, to intensify their efforts in addressing these challenges;
2021/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 52 #

2021/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that the lack of employment opportunities, corruption, disinformation, elements of state capture, inequality, foreign interference from non-democratic regimes such as Russia and China and the slow process of EU accession, are among the factors that make Western Balkans societies vulnerable to organised crime, and urges both the authorities of the Western Balkan countries and their international partners, including the EU, to intensify their efforts in addressing these challenges as they sow instability, undermine integration, and delay democratic and economic development;
2021/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 60 #

2021/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the transposition into national laws by the Western Balkan countries of EU and international standards on asset recovery; regrets, however, that implementation remains low; urges the jurisdictions in the region to establish the confiscation of proceeds and instrumentalities of crime as a priority in the fight against corruption and organised crimewelcomes other efforts that have been undertaken to fight organised crime in the region, such as the development of governmental coordination mechanisms and special courts and law enforcement units; urges the jurisdictions in the region to establish the confiscation of proceeds and instrumentalities of crime as a priority in the fight against corruption and organised crime; calls for EU assistance in supporting law enforcement agencies to obtain required capacities, proper conditions and resources in order for them to be able to fulfil their mandates;
2021/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 63 #

2021/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Western Balkan countries to target both criminal organisations rather than individual cases; urges the relevant authorities to strengthen the protection ofand individual cases; notes that rightly identifying and accurately investigating criminal activity as "organised" is essential to the criminal justice response; urges the relevant authorities to fill in the legislative gaps that expose informants and whistle- blowers and protect them from being fired, harassed, sued or even prosecuted or threatened in order to increase the capacity to dismantle organised criminal groups; and to successfully fight corruption and organised crime;
2021/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 70 #

2021/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Calls on the Western Balkan countries to strengthen their interinstitutional cooperation, including in intelligence gathering and sharing, in order to better understand and tackle organised crime;
2021/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 82 #

2021/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Underlines the importance of cooperation and intelligence sharing with the Member States, with international partners like the Unites States, the United Kingdom ands well as with international organisations such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the UNODC;
2021/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 87 #

2021/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Notes that the Western Balkan countries are both an origin of and a destinationtransit countries for trafficking in human beings; calls on the relevant authorities to place more focus on prevention and strengthening the resilience of groups that are vulnerable to the risks of trafficking in human beings; welcomes joint actions carried out with international partners, including Interpol and Europol, which have led to the arrests of suspected traffickers and migrant smugglers;
2021/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 93 #

2021/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Notes that the Western Balkan countries serve as a transit corridor for migrants and refugees and that the large population movements in recent years have posed an enormous challenge to the region; calls for enhanced efforts in fighting the smuggling of migrants; calls for greater exchange of information and enhanced coordination between countries of the Western Balkans, and encourages the EU and its Member States to provide more assistance in addressing these issues through, inter alia, the Joint Operational Office and the Operational Platform – Eastern Mediterranean Route;
2021/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 107 #

2021/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Notes that the six Western Balkan countries remain a major transit region for the trafficking of drugs; notes that drug production and trafficking are the most commonly convicted crimes in the region; welcomes the increasing number of joint counter- narcotics operations; calls, in this respect, for cooperation to be intensified between EU law-enforcement agencies and their counterparts from the Western Balkans; underlines that law enforcement authorities must develop their capacities to better monitor and combat drug trafficking;
2021/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 111 #

2021/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Notes the increase in organised cyber-criminal activities; welcomes the efforts of the Western Balkan countries to expand their capacity to fight cybercrime and the increase in prosecutions for cybercrime; calls forencourages the EU to promote greater cooperation with the Western Balkan countries on tacklingassist the Western Balkan countries with the appropriate tools and means on tackling cybercrime and other online threats;
2021/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 117 #

2021/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Notes the expansion of a black market, including through the Deep Web, for fake COVID-19 vaccine certificates that sell across Western Balkan countries; calls on the Western Balkan authorities to closely monitor such criminal acts and to take action against any developments with regards to counterfeit vaccines and vaccination cards;
2021/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 121 #

2021/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Notes that Eurojust has facilitated approximately 200 joint criminal investigations between EU Member States and the Western Balkan countries; Welcomes the conclusion of cooperation agreements between Eurojust and four Western Balkan countriesAlbania, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, as well as the authorisation to open negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina; urges the Council to authorise the opening of negotiations for a similar agreement with Kosovo, as judicial cooperation in criminal matters with all Western Balkan countries is crucial to fighting organised crime;
2021/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 126 #

2021/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. WUnderlines that the Western Balkans is a region of particular relevance for Europol; welcomes the agreements on operational cooperation between Europol and five Western Balkan countries, as well as the working arrangement with the law enforcement authorities of Kosovo, and commends the successful operations led in the context of this cooperation; welcomes the opening of Europol’s Liaison Office in Albania in 2019 and the decision to open similar Liaison Offices in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Serbia, encourages similar cooperation with the remaining Western Balkan countries;
2021/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 129 #

2021/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Welcomes the Working Agreements undertaken by CEPOL with the Western Balkan countries which focus on specific activities on specific topics related to combating organised crime, such as money laundering, migration, financial investigation and terrorism; underlines the importance to further strengthen the already established mechanisms between CEPOL and the Western Balkans region;
2021/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 133 #

2021/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Welcomes the working arrangements which are in place between FRONTEX and the Western Balkan countries, as well as the Status Agreements signed with Albania, Montenegro and Serbia which lead to activities aimed at tackling cross-border crime and illegal immigration and increased technical and operational assistance at the border; welcomes the similar status agreements initiated with North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina; underlines the need to further develop the cooperation between FRONTEX and the Western Balkan countries in matters related to combating organized crime;
2021/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 138 #

2021/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Reiterates the need to increase the focus on prevention activities and education, as well asparticularly on issues related to the negative impact of organised crime, human, drug and arms trafficking on societies, as well as radicalisation; reiterates the need to increase the focus on a proper understanding of citizenship, and to increase resilience, paying greater attention to socio-economic conditions, especially in suburban and rural areas, and providing support for local initiatives to reduce vulnerability to crime and corruption;
2021/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 140 #

2021/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Underlines the importance of monitoring links between organised crime groups and radicalised individuals and terrorist organisations; reiterates the importance of EU’s role in countering terrorism financing and money laundering; encourages further cooperation in this regard, especially through EU support for training of financial experts in the region, information sharing and exchange of best practices and know-how;
2021/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 142 #

2021/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Underlines that regional cooperation is key to fighting organised crime effectively; commends the work of existing regional initiatives aimed at strengthening interinstitutional relations in the fight against corruption and organised crime between the Western Balkan countries, such as The Southeast European Law Enforcement Center (SELEC) and encourages further regional cooperation in combating more effectively trans-border organised crime;
2021/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 150 #

2021/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 d (new)
7d. Notes with concern the lack of credible data on organised crime in the region; calls on the Western Balkan countries to increase the understanding of organised crime by enhancing their capacity to collect and process reliable data on organised crime, underlines that the development of strategic and policy documents to guide the national response to organised crime is essential for setting priorities and establishing goals to tackle this phenomena;
2021/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 155 #

2021/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Underlines the crucial role of civil society organisations (CSO), academics and journalists in monitoring the work of governments and assessing track records in fighting organised crime; notes that legal and institutional frameworks for CSO participation are largely in place in the Western Balkan countries but regrets that their potential is not being used to the full extent;
2021/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 116 #

2021/0297(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) The general objectives of the GSP are to support eradication of poverty in all its forms, in line with Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goal 17.12 and, to promote the sustainable development agenda and to encourage exports diversification from GSP beneficiary countries, while averting harm to EU industry’s interests. The 2018 GSP Mid- term Evaluation and the 2021 supporting Study for the Impact Assessment underpinning this Regulation concluded that the GSP framework under Regulation (EU) No 978/2012 has delivered on these main objectives, which were at the core of the 2012 overhaul of Council Regulation (EC) No 732/200815 . _________________ 15 Council Regulation (EC) No 732/2008 of 22 July 2008 applying a scheme of generalised tariff preferences from 1 January 2009 and amending Regulations (EC) No 552/97, (EC) No 1933/2006 and Commission Regulations (EC) No 1100/2006 and (EC) No 964/2007 (OJ L 211, 6.8.2008, p. 1).
2022/02/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 119 #

2021/0297(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
(6) Those objectives remain relevant in the current global context and they are consistent with the analysis and perspective of the recent Commission Communication Trade Policy Review “An Open, Sustainable and Assertive Trade Policy”16 (‘TPR’). According to the TPR, the Union has a “strategic interest to support the enhanced integration into the world economy of vulnerable developing countries” and it “must fully use the strength provided by its openness and the attractiveness of its Single Market” to support multilateralism and to ensure adherence to universal values. For GSP specifically, the TPR notes its important role in “promoting respect for core human and labour rights” and sets the objective for the GSP “to further increase trading opportunities for developing countries to reduce poverty and create jobs based on international values and principles”. Together with openness to trade, the scheme should support GSP beneficiary countries to develop a strong industrial base and to create an infrastructure that facilitates access to knowledge and information to foster diversification of trade flows. Moreover, the scheme should assist beneficiaries in recovering from the COVID-19 impact and in re-building their economies in a sustainable manner, including with respect to international human rights, labour, environmental and good governance standards. By prioritising diversification of exports from GSP beneficiary countries, the scheme should focus preferences on less competitive products which should ultimately contribute to sustainable development and poverty eradication. Coherence should be ensured between the GSP and its objectives and the assistance provided to beneficiary countries, in line with Union’s Policy Coherence for Development (PCD), which constitutes a key pillar of Union’s efforts to enhance the positive impact and increase effectiveness of development cooperation17 . _________________ 16 COM(2021) 66 final, 18 February 2021 17 Article 208 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU concerning PCD reads: “The Union shall take account of the objectives of development cooperation in the policies that it implements which are likely to affect developing countries”.
2022/02/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 135 #

2021/0297(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
(7 a) The Union has set ambitious goals to promote sustainable development in its human, social, economic and environmental dimensions, notably through the European Green Deal, the Circular Economy Action Plan, the Farm to Fork Strategy, or in the areas of sustainable corporate governance and de- forestation, which will trigger fundamental changes in trade patterns with relevant impacts on the GSP scheme during the next decade. The GSP could play an important role in promoting trade in sustainably-produced goods, as long as it is compatible with WTO rules, and targeted development and technical assistance should be designed and provided in order to ensure that beneficiary countries can also fully take part in sustainable trade.
2022/02/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 161 #

2021/0297(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
(18) In July 2020, the Commission appointed the Chief Trade Enforcement Officer with the role of enforcing trade rules. In this connection, in November 2020, the Commission launched a new complaints mechanism, the Single Entry Point (‘SEP’), as part of its increased efforts to strengthen the enforcement and implementation of trade commitments. Through the SEP, the Commission receives complaints on various matters related to trade policy, including breaches of the GSP commitments. The SEP is accessible to citizens, entities, stakeholders or civil society. Such new system of complaints should be integrated within the framework of this Regulation.
2022/02/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 341 #

2021/0297(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 5
5. The Commission shall provide the beneficiary country concerned with every opportunity to cooperate during the monitoring and evaluation period of six months from the date of publication of the noticmonitoring and evaluation period will be of six months from the date of publication of the notice. During this period, the Commission shall provide the beneficiary country concerned with every opportunity to start engaging and cooperate any time.
2022/02/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 7 #

2021/0227(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Recalls the need to implement strict conditionality in regard to financial support for EU’s partner countries and neighbourhood in cases of human rights violations;
2021/09/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 9 #

2021/0227(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Welcomes the increased contribution from NDICI and IPA III to Erasmus+, enabling increased mobility of students from the pre-accession countries;
2021/09/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 29 #

2021/0227(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Notes that from 2022 onwards the activities funded by the EU Trust Funds will be largely programmed and implemented through NDICI-Global Europe; insists on full involvement of the Parliament in decisions including contributions to the EU Trust Funds from the Union budget; insists on ensuring that the FRT funding will not come at the expense of the newly adopted financing instruments IPA III and NDICI-Global Europe (including the cushion); advocates for the funding of any such initiative through fresh appropriations;
2021/09/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 30 #

2021/0227(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Reaffirms that the EU must continue to provide effective and monitored aid to Syrian refugees in Turkey, ensuring that its funds are directly and in full transparency channelled to non-governmental organisations; insists that the European Parliament will be fully informed about the types of expenditure financed and the channels used to reach all beneficiaries;
2021/09/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 41 #

2021/0227(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Insists that all funding for the civil society organisations in Afghanistan will be allocated directly to these organisations without using the Taliban government as an intermediary; calls for special attention to be focussed on the support of women and children in Afghanistan;
2021/09/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 42 #

2021/0227(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Insists that the room for external action expenditure given by the MFF ceiling for Heading 6 'Neighbourhood and the world' and the rules for the mobilisation of the Solidarity and Emergency Aid Reserve must be fully utilised; reiterates that the balance between the resources assigned to the different external action instruments through the respective regulations must be preserved; emphasises that the future funding for the needs of the Syrian refugees was not factored in the MFF or NDICI-Global Europe discussion sand it should therefore not be borne by the programmed instruments; furthermore, as the expected Syrian refugees package is not responding to a new crisis or unforeseen needs, stresses that any funding from the emergency cushion of NDICI-Global Europe towards this should be limited; calls instead on Member States to make available additional "fresh funds" for this package;
2021/09/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 50 #

2021/0227(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Emphasises that optic fibre cables are the central nervous system of the global internet, as 97% of all internet traffic travels through these cables; Underlines that although these cables are a central and indispensable part of the critical infrastructure of the EU and thus of great geopolitical importance, they have recently been the subject of foreign spying operations; believes that the EU should prioritize the security and protection of these cables; calls for the EU to set up an EU optic fibre cables security program, that includes research, coordination, policy-making, the tracking of incidents and the training of coast guards;
2021/09/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 51 #

2021/0227(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Calls on the Bureau to draw up a translation of key foreign policy resolutions adopted under Rule 54 (own- initiative reports) into the non-Union official languages of the United Nations (namely Arabic, Chinese and Russian), as well as country-specific resolutions adopted under Rules 132 (resolution accompanying Commission/VPHR statements) and 144 (urgency resolution) into the official language of the country concerned, with a view to enhancing the impact and outreach of the Parliament's foreign affairs activities, and calls on the budgetary authority to ensure that sufficient appropriations are made available for that purpose;
2021/09/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 53 #

2021/0227(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Calls on strengthening support for fighting disinformation and challenges linked to EU’s work against foreign interference; calls for ensuring appropriate funding and mandates for the EEAS units and projects dealing with this issues; calls for a creation of a Far East Task Force to tackle threats coming from the far east and south east Asia region;
2021/09/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 55 #

2021/0227(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7 b. Acknowledges the need to reinforce the EEAS in order to allow it to fulfil its functions under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime; calls for adequate funding for additional staff in order to ensure carrying out the tasks under this new EU foreign policy tool;
2021/09/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 56 #

2021/0227(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7 c. Rejects the Council’s cuts to the administrative budget of the European External Action Service; calls on the Rapporteur for the Committee on Budgets for section X to restore the draft budget on all lines cut by the Council in section X;
2021/09/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 57 #

2021/0227(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Stresses the importance of the protection of the EU against foreign interference and influence, notably through hybrid attacks and disinformation, and the key role the EEAS plays therein; recalls that the European Court of Auditors has concluded that the EEAS needs a broader mandate to tackle the surge in hybrid attacks in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and new emerging threats, accompanied with sufficient funding; calls the European Commission to meet those demands and calls for the creation of a dedicated Far East Task Force, to deal with the specific threats coming from the far east and south east Asia region;
2021/09/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 60 #

2021/0227(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
9. SUnderlines the importance of connecting the Common Foreign and Security Policy to the EU Arctic Policy and stresses the responsibility of the Union to support the protection of the Arctic and its local communities.
2021/09/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 64 #

2021/0227(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Welcomes an ambitious external Gender Action Plan (GAP III), calls for adequate financial resources for its implementation;
2021/09/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 61 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) It is therefore necessary to complement existing Union instruments with a new tool to effectively deal with distortions in the internal market caused by foreign subsidies and ensure a level playing field. In particular, the new tool complements Union State aid rules which deal with distortions in the internal market caused by Member State subsidies. In parallel, the Union should promote effective rules on subsidies at multilateral level.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 63 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
(6) Rules and procedures to investigate foreign subsidies that actually or potentially distort the internal market should be laid down and, where relevant, those distortions should be redressed. Foreign subsidies could distort the internal market if the undertaking benefitting from the foreign subsidy engages in an economic activity in the Union. The proper application and enforcement of this Regulation will contribute to the resilience of the internal market against distortions caused by external economic actors. This Regulation should therefore establish rules for all undertakings engaging in an economic activity in the Union. Given the significance of the economic activities pursued by SMEs, and their contribution to the fulfilment of the Union’s key policy goals, special attention is given to the impact of this Regulation on them.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 71 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
(9) There should be a financial contribution provided, directly or indirectly, by the public authorities of a third country. The financial contribution may be granted through public or private entities. Whether a public entity provides a financial contribution should be determined on a case-by-case basis with due regard to elements such as the characteristics of the relevant entity and the legal and economic environment prevailing in the third country in which the entity operates including the government’s role in the economy of that third country. Financial contributions may also be granted through a private entity if its actions can be attributed to the third country. A financial contribution includes the privileged access to the domestic market that an undertaking has, for instance due to special or exclusive rights that were granted to an undertaking without receiving adequate remuneration in conformity with market rates. Such a privileged access could lead to an unfair competitive advantage and create distortions in the internal market.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 81 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) Such aA financial contribution should confer a benefit to an undertaking engaging in an economic activity in the internal market. A financial contribution that benefits an entity engaging in non- economic activities does not constitute a foreign subsidy. The existence of a benefit should be determined on the basis of comparative benchmarks, such as the investment practice of private investors, rates for financing obtainable on the market, a comparable tax treatment, or the adequate remuneration for a given good or service.. If no directly comparable benchmarks are available, existing benchmarks could be adjusted or alternative benchmarks could be established based on generally accepted assessment methods.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 86 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
(14) When applying these indicators, the Commission could take into account different elements such as the size of the subsidy in absolute terms or in relation to the size of the market or to the value of the investment. For instance, a concentration, in the context of which a foreign subsidy covers a substantial part of the purchase price of the target, is likely to be distortive. Similarly, foreign subsidies covering a substantial part of the estimated value of a contract to be awarded in a public procurement procedure are likely to cause distortions. If a foreign subsidy is granted for operating costs, it seems more likely to cause distortions than if it is granted for investment costs. Foreign subsidies to small and medium-sized undertakings may be considered less likely to cause distortions than foreign subsidies to large undertakings. Furthermore, the characteristics of the market, and in particular the competitive conditions on the market, such as barriers to entry, should be taken into account. Foreign subsidies leading to overcapacity by sustaining uneconomic assets or by encouraging investment in capacity expansions that would otherwise not have been built are likely to cause distortions. A foreign subsidy to a beneficiary that shows a low degree of activity in the internal market, measured for instance in terms of turnover achieved in the Union, is less likely to cause distortions than a foreign subsidy to a beneficiary that has a more significant level of activity in the internal market. Finally, foreign subsidies not exceeding EUR 5 million200.000 should be deemed, as a general rule, unlikely to distort the internal market within the meaning of this Regulation if the undertaking is established in the internal market, and EUR 5 million if the undertaking is established in a third country. The Commission should make available guidelines to clarify the assessment of the distortive nature of a foreign subsidy and provide legal certainty to undertakings.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 91 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
(16) The Commission should take into account the positive effects of the foreign subsidy on the development of the relevant subsidised economic activity. The Commission should weigh these positive effects against the negative effects of a foreign subsidy in terms of distortion on the internal market in order to determine, if applicable, the appropriate redressive measure or accept commitments. The positive effects of the foreign subsidy should effectively contribute to achieving the objectives of Union policies. The balancing may also lead to the conclusion that no redressive measures should be imposed. Categories of foreign subsidies that are deemed most likely to distort the internal market are less likely to have more positive than negative effects. The Commission should make available guidelines to clarify the criteria used for the application of the balancing test, including the positive effects in relation to the objectives of Union policies.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 97 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
(19) The undertaking concerned could offer to repay the subsidy, together with appropriate interest. The Commission shcould accept a repayment offered as a commitment if it can ascertain that the repayment fully remedies the distortion, is executed in a transparent manner and is effective in practice, while taking into account the risk of circumvention of the objectives of this Regulation.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 107 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21 a (new)
(21 a) A contact point should be established by the Commission so that Member States or interested parties such as undertakings or trade associations can share information regarding actual or potential cases of distortion on the internal market with the Commission. The Commission can use this information for the relevant procedures under this Regulation, including the ex officio review.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 110 #

2021/0114(COD)

(22) The Commission should be given adequate investigative powers to gather all necessary information. It should therefore have the power to request information from any undertaking or association of undertakings throughout the whole procedure. The Commission should be able to use information from any available source, including from Member States and interested parties such as undertakings and trade associations. In addition, the Commission should have the power to impose fines and periodic penalty payments for failure to timely supply the requested information or for supplying incomplete, incorrect or misleading information. The Commission could also address questions to Member States or to third countries. Furthermore, the Commission should have the power to make fact-finding visits at the Union premises of the undertaking, or, subject to agreement by the undertaking and the third country concerned, at the premises of the undertaking in the third country. The Commission should also have the power to take decisions on the basis of facts available if the undertaking in question does not cooperate.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 115 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
(26) The Commission should have appropriate instruments to ensure the effectiveness of commitments and redressive measures. If the undertaking concerned does not comply with a decision with commitments, a decision imposing redressive measures, or a decision ordering interim measures, the Commission should have the power to impose fines and periodic penalty payments. The Commission shall take into account cases of repeated non-compliance when imposing such fines and periodic penalty payments.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 120 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 30
(30) It is necessary to strike a balance between effective protection of the internal market and the need to limit the administrative burden on undertakings subject to this Regulation. Therefore, only concentrations meeting combined thresholds as defined in this Regulation based on the size of the turnover in the Union and the size of the subsidy should be subject to mandatory prior notification. The effectiveness of the threshold for the notification obligation for concentrations should be reviewed one year after the entry into force of this Regulation.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 122 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 31
(31) Below the notification thresholds, the Commission cshould require the notification of potentially subsidised concentrations that were not yet implemented or the notification of potentially subsidised bids prior to the award of a public contract, if it considers that the concentration or the bid would merit ex-ante review given their impact in the Union. The Commission should also have the possibility to carry out a review on its own initiative of already implemented concentrations or awarded public contracts.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 129 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32
(32) When reviewing a concentration, the assessment of whether there is a distortion in the internal market should be limited to the concentration at stake, and only foreign subsidies granted in the three years prior to the concentration or known subsidies that have already been established and shall become effective following the concentration should be considered in the assessment.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 135 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 34
(34) When a foreign financial contribution is notified in the context of a public procurement procedure, the assessment should be limited to that procedure. The assessment shall include foreign financial contributions in the three years prior to the notification and known subsidies that have already been established and shall become effective following the procurement procedure.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 141 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 36 a (new)
(36 a) The effectiveness of the threshold for the notification obligation for procurement should be reviewed one year after the entry into force of this Regulation.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 145 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 37 a (new)
(37 a) Whereas this Regulation should cover all economic sectors of the internal market, the ex officio review could in particular take into account sectors that are of strategic interest to the Union, such as sectors related to national security or public order.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 146 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 37 b (new)
(37 b) The Commission should be able to use information obtained from the market investigation for the relevant procedures under this Regulation, including the ex officio review.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 156 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 48
(48) In order to ensure a level playing field on the internal market also in the long term, with a view to ensuring adequate coverage of cases investigated both through notifications as well as ex officio, the Commission should review the functioning and effectiveness of this Regulation at the latest three years after its entry into force. The Commission should present its findings in a report to the European Parliament and the Council. The power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty should be delegated to the Commission in respect of amending the notification thresholds for concentrations and for public procurement procedures, including the use of different thresholds for certain sectors, exempting certain categories of undertakings from the notification obligations under this Regulation, as well as amending the time limits for the preliminary review and the in-depth investigations of notified concentrations or notified financial contributions in the context of a public procurement procedure. In relation to financial contributions in the context of a public procurement procedure, the power to adopt such acts should be exercised in a way thatSuch acts should takes into account the interests of SMEs. It is of particular importance that the Commission carries out appropriate consultations during the preparations of those acts, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making47 . In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council should receive all documents at the same time as Member States' experts, and their experts systematically should have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts. _________________ 47 Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making (OJ L 123, 12.5.2016, p. 1).
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 171 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a – introductory part
(a) a financial contribution shall include, inter alia:
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 176 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a – point ii
(ii) the foregoing of revenue that is otherwise due; or such as granting special or exclusive rights without adequate remuneration or tax exemptions;
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 178 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a – point iii
(iii) the provision of goods or services or the purchase of goods andor services;
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 197 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
(1) A distortion on the internal market shall be deemed to exist where a foreign subsidy is liable to improve the competitive position of the undertaking concerned in the internal market and where, in doing so, it actually or potentially negatively affects competition on the internal market. Whether there is a distortion on the internal market shall be determined on the basis of indicators, which may include, inter alia, the following:
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 201 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) the level of economic activity of the undertaking concerned on the internal market, including of any subsidiaries of that undertaking on the internal market;
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 203 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(d a) the level of economic activity of that undertaking on its domestic market;
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 207 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
(2) A foreign subsidy is unlikely to distort the internal market if its total amount is below EUR 5 million200.000 over any consecutive period of three fiscal years, and that undertaking is established in the internal market.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 214 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 a (new)
(2 a) A foreign subsidy is unlikely to distort the internal market if its total amount is below EUR 5 million over any consecutive period of three fiscal years, and that undertaking is established in a third country.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 217 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 b (new)
(2 b) The Commission shall make available guidelines on the application of this Article.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 222 #

2021/0114(COD)

(4 a) a foreign subsidy compensating for the operating costs of an undertaking, enabling that undertaking to offset its operating losses and provide goods and services at price levels that are not economically justifiable.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 227 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 a (new)
the transfer of a foreign subsidy to a subsidiary of the undertaking established in the internal market;
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 235 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1
(1) The Commission shall, where warranted, balance the negative effects of a foreign subsidy in terms of distortion on the internal market with positive effects on the development of the relevant economic activity. The positive effects shall contribute to the achievement of the objectives of Union policies.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 245 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 a (new)
(2 a) The Commission shall make available guidelines on the criteria that are used for the balancing between the negative and the positive effects of a foreign subsidy.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 257 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
(3) Commitments or redressive measures may consist, inter alia, of the following:
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 259 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) offering access under fair and non- discriminatory conditions to an infrastructure or facility that was acquired or supported by the distortive foreign subsidies unless such fair and non- discriminatory access is already provided for by legislation in force in the Union;
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 263 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3 – point h a (new)
(h a) exclusion from future procurement procedures;
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 266 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 5
(5) If an undertaking offers commitments which fully and effectively remedy the distortion on the internal market, the Commission may accept them and make themthe Commission shall in that case make those commitments binding on the undertaking in a decision with commitments according to Article 9(3).
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 272 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 6
(6) Where the undertaking concerned proposes to repay the foreign subsidy including an appropriate interest rate, the Commission shallcould accept such repayment as commitment if it can ascertain that the repayment is transparent and effectively remedies the distortion, while taking into account the risk of circumvention.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 284 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
The Commission may on its own initiative examine information from any source regarding alleged distortive foreign subsidies, including from Member States and interested parties such as undertakings and trade associations.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 331 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 5 a (new)
(5 a) The Commission shall establish a contact point where Member States and interested parties such as undertakings and trade associations can share information with regard to actual or potential distortions of the internal market.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 345 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
In order to carry out the duties assigned to it by this Regulation, the Commission may conduct inspections in the territory of a third country, provided that the undertaking concerned has given its consent and the government of the third country has been officially notified and has agreed to the inspection. Article 12(1), (2), and (3) points (a) and (b) shall apply by analogy.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 357 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2
(2) Fines imposed in the cases referred to in paragraph 1 shall not exceed 1 5% of the aggregate turnover of the undertaking or association of undertakings concerned in the preceding business year.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 359 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3
(3) Periodic penalty payments imposed in the cases referred to in paragraph 1 shall not exceed 510% of the average daily aggregate turnover of the undertaking or association of undertakings concerned in the preceding business year for each working day of delay, calculated from the date established in the decision, until it submits complete and correct information as requested by the Commission.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 361 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 5 – point b
(b) periodic penalty payments not exceeding 510% of the average daily aggregate turnover of the undertaking concerned in the preceding business year for each day of non-compliance, starting from the day of the Commission decision imposing such penalty payments, until the Commission finds that the undertaking concerned complies with the decision.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 367 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1
In a concentration, the assessment whether there is a distortion on the internal market within the meaning of Articles 3 or 4 shall be limited to the concentration at stake. Only foreign subsidies granted in the three calendar years prior to the conclusion of the agreement, the announcement of the public bid, or the acquisition of a controlling interest, or known subsidies that have already been established and shall become effective following the concentration, shall be considered in the assessment.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 388 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 4
(4) If the undertakings concerned fail to meet their obligation to notify, the Commission mayshall review a notifiable concentration in accordance with this Regulation by requesting the notification of that concentration. In that case the Commission shall not be bound by the time limits referred to in Article 23(1) and (4).
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 394 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 5
(5) The Commission may request the prior notification of any concentration which is not a notifiable concentration within the meaning of Article 18 at any time prior to its implementation where the Commission suspects that the undertakings concerned may have benefitted from foreign subsidies in the three years prior to the concentration or may benefit from known subsidies that have already been established and shall become effective following the concentration. That concentration shall be deemed to be a notifiable concentration for the purposes of this Regulation.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 416 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1
Foreign subsidies that cause or risk causing a distortion in a public procurement procedure shall be understood as foreign subsidies that enable an undertaking to submit a tender that is unduly advantageous in relation to the works, supplies or services concerned. The assessment of whether there is a distortion on the internal market pursuant to Article 3 and whether a tender is unduly advantageous in relation to the works, supplies or services concerned shall be limited to the public procurement procedure at stake. Only foreign subsidies granted during the three years prior to the notification or known subsidies that have already been established and shall become effective following the procurement procedure shall be taken into account in the assessment.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 422 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 2
(2) For the purpose of Article 28, a notifiable foreign financial contribution in an EU public procurement procedure shall be deemed to arise where the estimated value of that public procurement is equal or greater than EUR 250 million150 million for goods and services and EUR 250 million for public works.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 435 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 2
(2) The obligation to notify foreign financial contributions under this paragraph shall extend to economic operators, groups of economic operators referred to in Article 26(2) of Directive 2014/23/EU, Article 19(2) of Directive 2014/24/EU and Article 37(2) of Directive 2014/25/EU, main subcontractors and main suppliers. A subcontractor or supplier shall be deemed to be main where their participation ensures key elements of the contract performance and in any case where the economic share of their contribution exceeds 3015% of the estimated value of the contract.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 444 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 6
(6) Where the Commission suspects that an undertaking may have benefitted from foreign subsidies in the three years prior to the submission of the tender or request to participate in the public procurement procedure or may benefit from known subsidies that have already been established and shall become effective following the procurement procedure, it may request the notification of the foreign financial contributions received by that undertaking in any public procurement procedure which are not notifiable under Article 27(2) or fall within the scope of paragraph 5 of this Article, at any time before the award of the contract. Once the Commission has requested the notification of such a financial contribution, it is deemed to be a notifiable foreign financial contribution in a public procurement procedure.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 452 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 2
(2) The Commission shall carry out a preliminary review no later than 630 days after it received the notification.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 458 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 4
(4) The Commission may adopt a decision closing the in-depth investigation no later than 2100 days after it received the notification. In exceptional circumstances, this time limit may be extended after consultation with the concerned contracting authority or contracting entity.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 490 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 34 – paragraph 3
(3) The Commission may use the information obtained from such market investigations in the framework of procedures under this Regulation, including the ex officio review.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 503 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 40 – paragraph 7
(7) An investigation pursuant to this Regulation shall not be carried out and measures shall not be imposed or maintained where such investigation or measures would be contrary to the Union’s obligations emanating from any relevant international agreement it has entered into. In particular, no action shall be taken under this Regulation which would amount to a specific action against a subsidy within the meaning of Article 32.1 of the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures except where the country granting the subsidy is not a WTO member or where the Commission has well-founded indications that the country granting the subsidy is in substantial non-compliance with notification obligations under the Agreement or under other international agreements. Provided that, regardless of the sector involved, actions may always be taken under this Regulation in relation to foreign subsidies which cause distortions on the internal market in public procurement procedures or in relation to concentrations. This Regulation shall not prevent the Union from exercising its rights or fulfilling its obligations under international agreements.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 520 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 46 – paragraph 1
Within fivthree years after the entry into force of this Regulation at the latest, the Commission shall present a report to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of this Regulation, accompanied, where the Commission considers it appropriate, by relevant legislative proposals. The relevant thresholds for the concentration and procurement procedures shall also be subject to a review one year after entry into force of this Regulation.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 10 #

2020/2260(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that EU trade policy has a major role to play in the transition towards more sustainable agri-food systems, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal;
2021/02/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 17 #

2020/2260(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Underlines that as a result of the recent trade policy review process, the EU will soon have a renewed trade policy which can positively contribute to the Farm to Fork Strategy;
2021/02/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 35 #

2020/2260(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that the EU internal market is the world’s biggest importer and exporter of agri-food products; is convinced that the EU should use this position to set the benchmark in terms of standards for sustainable food systems, based on the precautionary principle, environmental protection and animal welfare in accordance with the WTO rules;
2021/02/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 55 #

2020/2260(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that sustainable productionility should become a key characteristic of EU agri- food products, ensuring competitiveness and a sustained income to EU producers and expanding the concept of quality to social and environmental aspects;
2021/02/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 59 #

2020/2260(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that sustainable production should become a key characteristic of EU agri-food products, expanding the concept of quality to social and environmental aspects;
2021/02/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 100 #

2020/2260(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Emphasises the importance of enforceable Trade and Sustainable Development chapters in trade agreements to promote biodiversity, foster more sustainable agri-food production and stop EU-driven global deforestation; urges support for developing countries to promote food security and alignment with European standards for sustainabilitythe EU requirements for imported food;
2021/02/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 126 #

2020/2257(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Highlights that the transatlantic community is faced with a broad array of rising threats, systemic competition and unprecedented common challenges, ranging from conventional threats and aggressive actions to the fight against terrorism to, hybrid threats, climate change, disinformation, cyber attacks, emerging and disruptive technologies (EDTs), and a shifting global power balance, as well as the resulting challenge to the international rules-based order;
2021/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 143 #

2020/2257(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Commends the key suggestions made by the 2030 NATO independent group of experts, in particular their call for stronger EU-NATO cooperation; endorses the proposals of December 2020 by the Commission President and the VP/HR for an EU-US Security and Defence Dialogue; welcomes the intention and affirmation of the Biden administration to engage with EU and NATO partners; underlines both the key relevance of the US forces stationed in Europe for Europe’s security and its full commitment to their continued presence;
2021/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 158 #

2020/2257(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Considers that the ongoing and future work being carried out in parallel on both the EU’s Strategic Compass and the expected update of NATO’s Strategic Concept represents a unique opportunity to identify additional synergies in order to further EU-NATO cooperation; underlines that both processes must come to cohesive conclusions; expresses its vision that the EU Strategic Compass could lay the foundations for an EU contribution to the update of NATO’s Strategic Concept; believes that these processes should separately and transparently highlight the added value of each organisation, help define a better division of tasks and, by means of a constant dialogue and close coordination, map out whether the EU or NATO should take the lead in a given field;
2021/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 202 #

2020/2257(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Recalls the importance of close transatlantic cooperation in the areas of arms control, disarmament and non- proliferation; furthermore, sees potential for further transatlantic cooperation on a range of international issues, such as maritime security, cyber security, pandemic response and in the areas of outer space and the fight against terrorism;
2021/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 287 #

2020/2257(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Emphasises that both the EU and NATO should further strengthen their capabilities to prevent, deter and respond to hybrid and cyber attacks; suggests the creation of a joint cyber threat information hub, as well as a joint task force for cyber security; considers it crucial in this regard to increase cooperation and synchronisation between EU and NATO and to increase cyber defence training capabilities; calls to complement NATO´s deterrence posture with EU´s sanctions as a response to malicious activity;
2021/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 332 #

2020/2257(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Is convinced that the Member States must increase their efforts to improve the EU’s ability to act with a more capable, deployable, interoperable and sustainable set of military capabilities and forces, which would give the EU the capacity to contribute more equitably to transatlantic security, enable it to achieve strategic autonomy, and further pave the way to progressively frame a European Defence Union (EDU) in line with Article 42 of the TEU; stresses that strategic autonomyEU Defence Union should strengthens transatlantic security, and by no means aims to decouple from or weaken NATOthe transatlantic bond and NATO, which remain the irreplaceable foundation of security and defence in Europe; underlines at the same time that strategic autonomy not only entails defence capability development but also the institutional capacity enabling the EU to act, where possible with partners, and independently if necessary; believes that these increased European military efforts will allow the EU to take greater responsibility for European securitysecurity in the European neighbourhood, and to better promote common EU-NATO interests and values, in particular in the European neighbourhood;
2021/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 343 #

2020/2257(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Underscores the need to advance defence capability development in order to adequately respond to commonly identified threats; believes that EU Member States, especially the 21 joint EU-NATO members, need to act coherently and should consider identifying a clear ‘European level of ambition’ in quantitative and qualitative terms regarding capability development in NATO; encourages stronger efforts by members of both organisationencourage stronger efforts to achieve greater synergies and coordination between the EU’s Capability Development Plan (CDP), the EU’s Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) and with the NATO’s Defence Planning Process (NDPP);
2021/04/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 364 #

2020/2257(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Believes that as a long-term objective, the European allies in NATO, supported where possible by non-NATO European partners, as appropriate, should aim to account for half of the forces and capabilities derived under the NDPP in order to ensure adequate long-term burden- sharing inside the alliance; underlines that the transatlantic partnership can only be successful if all Member States fulfil their commitments and engage in mutual support; underlines NATO’s 2 % goala minimum of 2 % of GDP guideline, set at the 2014 NATO Summit in Wales;
2021/04/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 431 #

2020/2257(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Calls to consider an Action Plan focusing on EU-NATO common interests in military mobility by increasing ambition in areas like digitalisation, cyber resilience of transport infrastructure and - systems, and the possibilities to use artificial intelligence solutions for the benefit of military mobility;
2021/04/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 17 #

2020/2256(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas cyberspace is considered as the fifth dimension of warfare in addition to land, sea, air and space;
2021/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 27 #

2020/2256(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas during the development of the Requirements Catalogue (2017), which is used to identify the full range of CSDP military requirements across a number of illustrative scenarios, the need for cyber defence capabilities emerged as a high priority;
2021/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 29 #

2020/2256(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
D b. whereas the successful implementation of EU missions and operations is increasingly dependent on uninterrupted access to a secure cyberspace, and thus requires resilient cyber operational capabilities;
2021/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 31 #

2020/2256(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas the defence and space industries are facing unprecedented global competition and major technological changes with the emergence of advanced cyber technologies;
2021/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 41 #

2020/2256(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
G a. whereas one of the goals envisaged by the European Commission proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council establishing the “European Cybersecurity Industrial, Technology and Research Competence Centre and the Network of National Coordination Centres” has been to enhance synergies between the civilian and military dimensions and to increase cooperation between civilian and defence cybersecurity research and innovation communities;
2021/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 45 #

2020/2256(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G b (new)
G b. whereas different state actors like Russia, China and North Korea have been involved in malicious cyber activities in pursuit of political, economic or security objectives that include attacks on critical infrastructure, cyber espionage and mass surveillance of EU citizens, aiding disinformation campaigns and distributing malware, limiting access to the internet and the functioning of IT systems; whereas such activities disregard and violate international law, human rights and EU fundamental rights while jeopardising democracy, security, public order and the strategic autonomy of the EU, and should therefore lead to a joint EU response, such as using the framework for a joint EU diplomatic response, including the use of restrictive measures envisaged for the EU cyber diplomacy toolbox;
2021/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 47 #

2020/2256(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
H a. whereas attribution forms are central component in cyber diplomacy and deterrence strategies;
2021/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 81 #

2020/2256(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the EEAS to further develop a coherent IT security policy to strengthen cyber defence coordination; urges ato strengthen cooperation strategy with the EU’s Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERT-EU) to protect networks used by all EU institutions; calls on the European Parliament to ensure its participation in CERT-EU results to ensured a level of IT security that will allow it to receive all the necessary classified and non-classified information to carry out its responsibilities under the Treaties, including as a result of the current process to replace the 2002 Inter- Institutional Agreement on access to information in the area of security and defence;
2021/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 110 #

2020/2256(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Stresses that cyber defence is considered an operational task for all CSDP missions, and that cyber resilience and related capabilities must be established, tested and deployed prior to the start of CSDP planning processes;
2021/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 119 #

2020/2256(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Notes the imposition of restrictive measures in July 2020 and October 2020 as a credible step in strengthening the EU’s cyber diplomacy toolbox, while respecting the European vision for the internet, which is one of a single, open, neutral, free, secure and un-fragmented network;
2021/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 133 #

2020/2256(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Calls on all Member States to ensure coherence and focus on cyber capability, developing a strategic common approach to priorities; calls on fostering research, innovation and the exchange of expertise, in order to guarantee the full potential of PESCO and EDF;
2021/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 147 #

2020/2256(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Stresses that fragmentation is accompanied by serious concerns over the lack of resources and staff at the EU level, thereby stresses the need to increase both; urges the VP/HR and/or the Member States to increase financial and cyber defence personnel resources, in particular experts in cyberforensicdecision and policy making, policy implementation, cyber incidents response and investigation areas, including the development of cyber skills; calls for further funding for CERT- EU and the creation of an EU security operations centre;
2021/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 171 #

2020/2256(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Welcomes the Commission’s initiative to build a network of Security Operations Centres across the EU which could enhance civil-military cooperation to provide timely warnings on cybersecurity incidents;
2021/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 189 #

2020/2256(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Stresses that the proliferation of dual-use, off-the-shelf systems may present challenges in terms of systems being exploited by an increasing number of state as well as non-state adversaries; calls on the Commission and Member States to activate several levers, such as certification as well as the supervision of the responsibility of private actors;
2021/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 190 #

2020/2256(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19 b. Recommends that the establishment of a Joint Cyber Unit to increase cooperation to respond to the lack of information sharing among EU institutions, bodies and agencies guaranteeing a secure and rapid information network and to enable the full use of existing structures, resources and capabilities;
2021/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 195 #

2020/2256(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Notes that a streamlined EU military training & education in the cyber domain would significantly improve the level of trust among Member States, increasing standard operating procedures and clearer regulations and enforcement;
2021/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 203 #

2020/2256(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Calls for enhanced mutual operational assistance between Member States; strongly emphasises the importance of further exercises and scenario-based policy discussions on crisis management, including on the mutual assistance clause (Article 42(7) of the TEU) in a hypothetical cyber attack scenario; calls for increased coordination with NATO in this matter through participation in cyber exercises and joint training, such as the parallel and coordinated exercises (PACE); calls for such initiatives to strengthen the common understanding on the implementation procedures for mutual assistance and/or solidarity in line with Article 42(7) of the TEU and Article 222 of the TFEU, including with a specific objective of operationalising these procedures for cyber-attacks on the EU institutions orEU Member States;
2021/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 205 #

2020/2256(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Reiterates that common strong attribution capabilities are also an essential component of effective cyber defence and cyber deterrence; welcomes the VP/HR proposal to encourage and facilitate the establishment of a Member States’ EU cyber intelligence working group residing within the EU Intelligence and Situation Centre (INTCEN) to advance strategic intelligence cooperation on cyber threats and activities, in order to further support EU situational awareness and decision-making on a joint diplomatic response;
2021/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 232 #

2020/2256(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Calls for further synchronisation of EU-NATO cooperation, notably on cyber defence interoperability requirements, by looking for possible complementarities, pursuing the affiliation of relevant CSDP structures to NATO’s Federated Mission Networking and avoiding duplication and acknowledging their respective responsibilities;
2021/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 237 #

2020/2256(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. Calls for increased cooperation and exchange of information with those that have increasingly been targeted by cyber attacks, such as Taiwan;
2021/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 240 #

2020/2256(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Calls for closer coordination on cyber defence between Member States, the EU institutions, NATO, the United Member States and other strategic partners; underlines the urgent need for implementing like Japan, Australia, South Korea, New Zealand and others; underlines the urgent need to respect international law, including the UN Charter in its entirety, and adhere to the widely- recognised international normative framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace;
2021/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 251 #

2020/2256(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Calls on all Member States and the EU to show leadership during discussions and initiatives under the auspices of the UN to help truly promote responsible state behaviour in cyber space, building on the consensus reports of the UN GGE endorsed by the UN General Assembly, and more recently the OEWG; calls for UN peacekeeping missions to be reinforced with cyber defence capacities in line with the effective implementation of their mandates;
2021/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2020/2216(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the European Union needs to take urgent steps to close the gap with the US and China to be at the forefront of ensuring a competitive data- driven global economy and to become a leader in setting digital standards;
2021/02/01
Committee: INTA
Amendment 12 #

2020/2216(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. SNotes the risks of incompatibility between approaches of different trading partners when it comes to the regulation of digital trade; strongly supports multilateral solutions for digital trade rules and calls for the plurilateral WTO negotiations on e- commerce to be concluded as a matter of urgency; regrets that, in the absence of global rules, EU companies are faced with non-tariff barriers in digital trade such as unjustified data localisation and mandatory technology transfer requirements; supports making the WTO moratorium on electronic transmissions permanent; calls for the EU to further work with partners, for instance within the OECD and WTO, to set global standards for AI, in the interest of reducing trade barriers and promoting trustworthy AI in line with the EU's values;
2021/02/01
Committee: INTA
Amendment 18 #

2020/2216(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. NStresses the centrality of data flows to digital trade, and that apart from being a means of production, data itself has become a tradable asset; notes that data access and processing are often indispensable to providing competitive digital services, notably in AI; calls on the Commission to adopt digital trade rules that increase the competitiveness of EU business and facilitate the free transfer of data flowsflow of non- personal data across borders while respecting EU data protection rules; highlights that in line with the GDPR, personal data can be transferred to third countries via adequacy decisions, standard contractual clauses and binding corporate rules; calls for data protection considerations to be raised in future trade agreements, with the aim to facilitate the adequacy decision process with trading partners;
2021/02/01
Committee: INTA
Amendment 37 #

2020/2216(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the conclusion of the rules-based Asian Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, which deepens the economic integration of the region; regrets, however, the lack of a robust sustainable development chapter in the RCEP; believes that the conclusion of the RCEP should encourage the EU to help set global rules for the digital economy; supports in this regard the establishment of an EU-US Trade and Technology Council and the work on a Transatlantic AI Agreement to help facilitate trade and the development of compatible rules and common standards in digital trade; calls on both parties to use the momentum of the new Biden administration to begin working on these issues urgently, and to find an agreement at the OECD on fair taxation for the digital economy;
2021/02/01
Committee: INTA
Amendment 40 #

2020/2216(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines the role of digital trade and the use of blockchain for instance in facilitating access to global value chains for SMEs and contributing to women’s economic empowerment. making cross-border trade processes and commercial transactions more efficient and less costly; Highlights in particular the benefits these could bring to contributing to women’s economic empowerment and also using blockchain to facilitate due diligence for companies; Calls for Digital Trade to be a pillar of the EU's new Trade Strategy; Further calls for Digital Trade Chapters to be included in all future FTAs;
2021/02/01
Committee: INTA
Amendment 4 #

2020/2202(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B
B. whereas the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland (the Protocol) is the only solution found with the UK, after four years of intense negotiations, to address the specific consequences for Northern Ireland of the UK’s decision to leave the EU single market and the customs union, and to ensure the protection of the Good Friday Agreement in all its dimensions, the functioning of the all- island economy without a hard border and the integrity of the EU’s single market for goods, consumer protection and other areas;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 12 #

2020/2202(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas it is necessary to preserve a level-playing field and legal certainty for businesses and citizens;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2020/2202(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C b (new)
C b. whereas a lack of implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement will have serious consequences for the entire EU- UK relationship, extending beyond the Withdrawal Agreement;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 15 #

2020/2202(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C c (new)
C c. whereas it is paramount to uphold international law and strengthen cooperation with likeminded countries and democratic allies on the basis of mutual trust, in particular given the current geopolitical and security context;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 26 #

2020/2202(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Reiterates the consistent EU position that the Protocol will not be renegotiated and highlights that EU Member States and institutions remain united in this view; points out that renegotiation would only further increase legal uncertainty and lack of predictability for businesses and citizens in Northern Ireland;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 34 #

2020/2202(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Notes the recent resumption of talks between the EU and the UK following a pause in the talks since February 2022; regrets that the UK has not been willing to accept a satisfactory negotiated solution yet, despite the flexibility of the EU to engage on the Northern Ireland Protocol;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 36 #

2020/2202(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. DStrongly deplores the publication on 13 June 2022 of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill by the UK; calls on, which is an attempt to unilaterally override most parts of the Protocol; highlights the need to preserve the role of the European Court of Justice, which is necessary to interpret the applicable EU law; strongly rejects the proposed removal of the obligation for businesses in Northern Ireland to align with provisions in EU law; reaffirms the need for a level-playing field in the field of state-aid; and therefore urges the UK Parliament not to adopt the bill and calls on the UK Government to engage constructively with the Commission toand address practical trading issues within the legal framework of the Protocol.
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 39 #

2020/2202(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Takes note of the Regulation 2022/0068(COD)1a proposal by the Commission which will allow the Union to take swift action in the form of measures if there is a breach of the Withdrawal Agreement and/or the Trade and Cooperation Agreement; emphasises the importance of this readiness, given the recent threats by the UK government to unilaterally override parts of the Protocol; however, believes that a satisfactory negotiated solution should be found in good faith and on the basis of mutual trust. _________________ 1a Laying down rules for the exercise of the Union's rights in the implementation and enforcement of the Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part (COM(2022)0089 – C9- 0059/2022 – 2022/0068(COD))
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 7 #

2020/2149(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Emphasises the need to ensure the coherence of EU’s foreign policy, there is also a need to provide necessary resources for a successful implementation of an efficient EU Security and Defence Policy;
2020/12/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 20 #

2020/2149(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Emphasises the growing need for a coherent updated EU-Arctic policy; notes that the new NDICI instrument opens up opportunities to finance the Arctic region;
2020/12/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 12 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Notes with concern the complicated situation in Belarus, it is important to review EU funding and ensure that it is not directed to Lukashenko regime, but towards support of civil society in Belarus;
2020/12/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 17 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Highlights the importance of increasing visibility, transparency, effectiveness and accountability in EU foreign funding in light of the restructuring of external financing instruments;
2020/12/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 6 #

2020/2137(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Reiterates that global value chains are the key feature of the global economy and that trade policy must contribute to a transparent production process throughout the value chain and; demonstrate compliance with environmental, social and safety standards in line with the Paris Climate Agreement and promote the achievement of the SDGs;
2020/09/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 33 #

2020/2137(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the COVID-19 crisis has exposed the vulnerabilities of unregulated global supply chains, and that businesses with better environmental, social and governance practices and risk mitigation processes have weathered the crisis better;
2020/09/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 38 #

2020/2137(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Notes with concern that less than 1 % of companies publicly list their suppliers, even in high-risk sectors; notes that publicly listed companies, unlisted public companies and private companies registered in the EU may have different obligations under national law in regards to sustainable corporate governance; recalls the importance of levelling the playing field vis-a-vis companies registered outside of the EU;
2020/09/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 48 #

2020/2137(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that directors’ duties should encompass an obligation to develop, disclose and implement a long- term corporate sustainability strategy for all aspects of the company’s operations, including its supply chainlocal and global supply chains; notes that adjustments to the composition of a board of directors, such as through the appointment of a member with knowledge of sustainable corporate governance, could increase compliance with these obligations; considers that the principle of proportionality should be applied to the likelihood of a breach of obligations rather than the size of the company; notes notwithstanding that all efforts should be made to reduce the regulatory burden on SMEs;
2020/09/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 55 #

2020/2137(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Calls upon the Commission to review the impact of sustainable corporate governance obligations on financial institutions providing trade finance;
2020/09/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 67 #

2020/2137(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that sustainable corporate governance cannot reach its full potential without due diligence legislation that requires companies to identify, prevent, mitigate and account for human rights abuses and environmental damage in their global value chains.; calls on the Commission to explore an EU-level certification scheme for supply chains as part of its legislative proposal on due diligence; calls on the Commission to rapidly assess, following the principle of “one in, one out”, which existing regulation could be updated or replaced;
2020/09/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 7 #

2020/2131(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that Europe's 25 million small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the EU economy employing around 100 million people and accounting for more than half of Europe’s GDP; underlines that the proper functioning of the internal market and the creation of a capital market union remains an absolute priority for SMEs;
2020/09/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 10 #

2020/2131(INI)

1 a. Welcomes the new SME Strategy for a Sustainable and Digital Europe, especially its focus on the EU’s twin transitions to a sustainable and digital economy as well as on reducing regulatory burden for SMEs and improving their market access and access to financing; believes that focusing on digital and innovative solutions will increase Europe’s global competitiveness as a whole;
2020/09/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 17 #

2020/2131(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Welcomes the European Union trade policy review responding to the new global challenges and taking into account the lessons learned from the coronavirus crisis; emphasizes that it must recognise the challenges faced by SMEs in international trade;
2020/09/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 27 #

2020/2131(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Encourages the Commission to fully support SMEs inUnderlines that global markets are a crucial source of growth for SMEs; notes however that only 600 000 SMEs export goods outside the EU; encourages the Commission to fully support SMEs and to effectively implement the new SME strategy in order to overcominge all barriers that prevent their access to third- countryinternational markets; requests therefore for the Commission to continue the inclusion of an SME chapter in every trade agreement; underlines the need for the effective enforcement of trade agreements as a priority task of the Chief Trade Enforcement Officer (CTEO); welcomes the recent appointment of the first CTEO and highlights its important role in ensuring that SMEs get maximum value from EU trade agreements;
2020/09/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 33 #

2020/2131(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Highlights the significance of the ongoing plurilateral WTO negotiations on e-commerce; calls for a comprehensive and ambitious set of rules, to facilitate the free flow of data across borders while guaranteeing European data protection standards, to address digital trade barriers including data localisation requirements and ensure that businesses, especially SMEs, can compete globally on a level playing field;
2020/09/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 37 #

2020/2131(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission to be more active in its support of national and regional export agencies in order to allow SMEs to overcome the information gap and take better advantage of trade agreements; opines, in this respect, that the Commission could set up an SME internationalisation platform to monitor progress; recalls that the EU Delegations also have a crucial role in providing support by addressing queries and practical difficulties of SMEs linked to the implementation of FTAs;
2020/09/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 41 #

2020/2131(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission to take greaterinto account of the role of SMEsSME specifities in all chapters of trade and investment negotiations, including when it comes to negotiating public procurement chapters in trade agreements; welcomes the announcement from the Commission that it will launch a new information portal on customs procedures and formalitiesto raise awareness of SMEs on trade policies and provide detailed information on customs procedures and formalities for exporting to third countries; asks the Commission to reach out to businesses at the earliest possible stage when setting up new information portals or improving already existing ones to ensure that the information needs of SMEs in particular can be met in a practical way; calls on the Commission to deliver on its objective of launching a self-assessment tool for rules of origin to help SMEs assess whether a product benefits from preferences under a given trade agreement; reiterates, in this context also the importance of streamlined and simplified rules of origin;
2020/09/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 57 #

2020/2131(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission to strengthen the EU’s safeguard and trade defence instrumentstrade toolbox in order to better protect European industrybusinesses, in particular when it affects sectors with a majority of SMEs; urges the Commission to raise more awareness among stakeholders about trade defence instruments (TDI) and increase its support to SMEs in facilitating their access to TDIs.
2020/09/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 129 #

2020/2129(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 26
26. Recommends that, requirements for corporate mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence be grounded in the principle of corporate responsibility to respect human rights as articulated by the UNGPs; businesses should avoidmust not infringinge human rights an, but ensure they are respected and they should address adverse human rights impacts with which they are directly or indirectly connected, entailing in practice that they should have in place an embedded human rights policy, a human rights due diligence process and appropriate and adequate measures to facilitate access to effective remedies for business-related human rights abuses, including at company level, and other grievance mechanisms;
2020/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 136 #

2020/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Is convinced that the EU is too dependent on a limited number of suppliers for critical goods and services; insists that the EU should overcome these undesirable dependencies via a mix of policies to incentivise companies to stockpile, diversify sourcing strategies and promote nearshoring, which could create new trading opportunities for partners in the Eastern and Southern Neighbourhoods; underlines the role that trade agreements should have in diversifying supply and open trade relations for critical goods and services; stresses that shortening or altering supply chains to the EU’s neighbourhood and Africa can have a positive effect on their sustainable, green, inclusive and resilient economic growth, as well as for the EU’s strategic interests;
2021/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 180 #

2020/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Is concerned about the recent rise in variants of COVID-19, as well as export restrictions on vaccines by the main manufacturing countries such as the US, the UK, China and India and by the EU and emphasises that this endangers the rapid global scaling up of vaccine production capacity; urges the Commission to engage with producing countries to swiftly eliminate export barriers and to replace the export authorisation mechanism with an export and import notification requirement; insists on having timely and comprehensive access to such data;
2021/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 256 #

2020/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Is aware of the importance of the EU’s multifaceted trade relationship with China; firmly believes that EU-China trade relations require a more balanced and reciprocal approach; stresses that the ratification process of the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment can only begin once the EU has the requisite autonomous measures in place, including a ban on products made using forced labour, an upgraded trade defence toolbox and a working sanctions mechanism on human rights; demands that the Commission move forward with the Investment Agreement with Taiwan and start the impact assessment, public consultation and scoping exercise with Taiwan before the end of 2021;
2021/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 260 #

2020/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Calls on the EU Member States and candidate countries to consider leaving the 17+1 format which can be counterproductive to speaking with one voice and undermining the unity of the European Union and encourages instead to pursue a common and unified EU policy towards China;
2021/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 266 #

2020/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Welcomes the TPR’s engagement towards Africa and the Eastern and Southern Neighbourhoods and looks forward to concrete steps to deepen the EU’s relations with these partners; notes however, that due to the recent war between Armenia and Azerbaijan and massive human rights violations in Belarus, the Commission should review its Eastern Partnership strategy until the situation in Belarus and between Armenia and Azerbaijan changes; reiterates the importance of a strategic and sustainable partnership with Southeast Asia, India and Latin America;
2021/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 269 #

2020/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Underlines the importance of the EU-Africa relationship and fostering close political and economic cooperation between the continents; stresses the importance of having a robust partnership with the African continent based on reciprocity, equality and shared interests; underlines that various trade policy instruments can complement the Commission’s efforts in this regard; calls on the Commission to foster an inclusive trade policy approach with Africa and to contribute to sustainable development, economic growth and resilience, taking into account the wide variety in levels of economic development on the continent;
2021/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 4 #

2020/2115(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Believes that as Asia is home to the world’s largest population and fastest- growing economies, increasing efficient and sustainable connectivity between the EU and Asia, with an open, rules-based multilateral trading system that ensures a level playing field, will and reciprocity, can play a key role in mutual economic growth and will be an important factor in the recovery from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic;
2020/10/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 8 #

2020/2115(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that the EU-Asia connectivity strategy should go hand in hand with efforts to increase access to respective markets, including public procurement, and promote an open and transparent investment environment, unlocking opportunities and contributing to global competitiveness; Regrets that many countries in Asia still apply protectionist economic policies creating an unfair playing field for European businesses; notes that allowing free trade flows will buildcontributes to strengthening economic resilience and to ensure the global availability of products through the diversification of supply chains;
2020/10/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 14 #

2020/2115(INI)

3. Believes that efficient and sustainable connections and networks between Europe and Asia through priority transport corridors, including air, sea and land transport, and high-capacity network links as well as more efficient and reliable customs procedures, that build on digitalisation and administrative simplification, will increase trade flows between the EU and Asia; acknowledges the existence of an investment gap in connectivity and recognises the need to mobilise and strengthen cooperation with private investors, national and international institutions, and multilateral development banks; Stresses that the facilitation of trade between the EU and Asian partners through improved connectivity should at the same time result in the strengthening of customs performance and management, notably in enforcing Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), as a tool to fight against fraud and prevent counterfeit goods entering the single market;
2020/10/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 19 #

2020/2115(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Recalls the potential of New Arctic shipping routes of reducing by up to 40 percent the time and distance between Europe and Asia, creating new trading hubs, with a significant impact on trade flows; Stresses that the management of these new routes should be sustainable and in line with international rules and norms, preventing any additional pressure on the Arctic ecosystem;
2020/10/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 20 #

2020/2115(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Acknowledges the new Arctic shipping and trade route opening from Asia to North Europe and vice versa which is up to 40% shorter than the conventional southern shipping route; underlines that through a comprehensive Arctic Strategy, the EU must actively engage in the Arctic region while promoting sustainable development and environmental objectives;
2020/10/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 26 #

2020/2115(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines the importance of the existing network of bilateral, regional and multilateral trade agreements and the bilateral cooperation between the EU and Asian partners, with successful examples of strategic partnerships in Japan, South Korea and Singapore; urges the Commission to swiftly start a scoping exercise and an impact assessment in preparation for negotiations on an investment agreement with Taiwan, which could play an important role in the EU’s supply chain and its Connectivity Strategy in the region;
2020/10/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 27 #

2020/2115(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines the importance of the existing network of bilateral, regional and multilateral trade agreements and the bilateral cooperation between the EU and Asian partners, with successful examples of strategic partnerships in Japan, South Korea and Singapore, Singapore and Vietnam, as well as ongoing negotiations, such as the Comprehensive Agreement on Investments with China; calls on the Commission to start a scoping exercise for the investment negotiations with Taiwan;
2020/10/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 29 #

2020/2115(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. calls on the EU Member States and candidate countries to consider leaving the 17+1 format which can be counterproductive to speaking with one voice and undermining the unity of the European Union and encourages instead to pursue a common and unified EU policy towards China;
2020/10/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 41 #

2020/2115(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Recalls that EU and Asia are important partners on sustainable development, notably on the delivery of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, and that the promotion of efficient and sustainable connectivity is an essential element, together with trade, of a broader strategic partnership with Asian partners.
2020/10/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 16 #

2020/2114(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Regrets the growing tendencies towards protectionism and trade weaponisationusing trade as a tool of coercion by certain actors that have developed in parts of the global economy; welcomes the strengthening of the EU’s trade enforcement efforts and the development of a toolbox of autonomous trade instruments, such as the anti- coercion instrument, distortive subsidies instrument and international procurement instrument, to respond to these emerging challenges; stresses the need, however, to remain fully engaged in efforts to reinvigorateform the World Trade Organization (WTO) as the cornerstone of a liberalised global economyn open, fair and sustainable global economy based on rules, and to deal with the challenges posed by non-market economies; calls on the Commission to engage with partners in the WTO to advance multilateral negotiations; underlines role of other multilateral institutions such as the OECD, the IMF, the World Bank, and the G7 in advancing an open, rules-based trading system; stresses that for the advancement of rules-based global trade, effective engagement of the EU must be based on a forward-looking approach to trade;
2022/01/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 20 #

2020/2114(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Regrets the current geopolitical turmoil and the growing tendencies towards protectionism and trade weaponisation that have significantly developed in parts of the global economy; welcomes, in this context, the strengthening of the EU’s trade enforcement efforts and, the development of a toolbox of autonomous trade instruments as well as the creation of the post of the Chief Trade Enforcement Officer (CTEO) to respond to these emerging challenges; stresses the need, however, to remain fully engaged in efforts to reinvigorate the World Trade Organization (WTO) as the cornerstone of a liberalised global economy and to deal with the challenges and risks posed by non-market economies;
2022/01/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 32 #

2020/2114(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Notes the need to work closely with like-minded partners, and to engage with all members of the WTO that are committed to a positive agenda for reform; recognises that historically it has been EU- US cooperation that has been the main driving force for progress within multilateral trade negotiations, and therefore welcomes the positive statements on WTO reform made by the current US administration, which should provide a basis for renewed engagement on actionable outcomes; supports a forward- looking transatlantic agenda based on common interests and shared values, aiming to achieve meaningful WTO reform, including ofensuring a fully functioning dispute settlement system;
2022/01/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 37 #

2020/2114(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Welcomes the launch of the EU- US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in June 2021 and the first TTC meeting held in November 2021; considers the TTC as a crucial opportunity for the EU and US to cooperate on key global trade, economic, and technology issues and to deepen transatlantic trade and economic ties;
2022/01/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 39 #

2020/2114(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that accountable and transparent global governance should feature greater participation of parliamentary bodies, as directly elected parliamentarians can function as a crucial link between citizens and the multilateral system; emphasises the importance of the work of the joint European Parliament and Inter-Parliamentary Union parliamentary conference on the WTO; underlines the need to ensure that parliamentarians have better access to trade negotiations and are involved in the formulation and implementation of WTO decisions, as well as negotiations on trade related matters within other multilateral bodies and institutions.
2022/01/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 11 #

2020/2113(INI)

A. whereas the broader Middle East region referred to in this report encompasses the area between the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf; whereas this region is strategic for the European Union given its geographical position and common ties; whereas the stability and security of Europe and the broader Middle East region are interdependent, and whereas the situation in the region is currently characterised by ongoing conflicts with a strong regional dimension;
2022/06/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 37 #

2020/2113(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the summit of 27 to 28 March 2022 between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt and Morocco aiming to create a security alliance, which was also attended by the US Secretary of State, paved the way for a new regional approach to security and confirmed the countries’ intention to divide the region into blocks;deleted
2022/06/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 66 #

2020/2113(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas countries in the region are keyimportant trading partners for the EU and there are important economic ties between the two sides; whereas the ongoing global energy crisis; whereas the latest energy crisis exacerbated by Russia's war in Ukraine has led to increased contact with Qatar and other countries in the region on the import of energy resources into the EU; whereas there is potential for stronger cooperation in other areas such as the green transition, tourism, better governance, culture, education and human rights;
2022/06/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 77 #

2020/2113(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas problems associated with non-inclusive governance and breaches of the rule of law in the region are a significant source of instability; whereas the imprisonment or torture of political opposition figures and social activists across the region is paving the way for further conflicthas increased in response to the legitimate democratic aspirations expressed in the Arab spring in 2011;
2022/06/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 88 #

2020/2113(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I
I. whereas the EU guidelines on violence against women and girls andfull inclusion of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts has proven to be beneficial in promoting security and stability globally; whereas the promotion of women’s rights and gender equality shouldcontinues to be at the core of ithe EU's strategy for the region; whereas women’s human rights are beingfundamental rights continue to be systematically violated and women’s rights activists in the region continue to be detained and imprisoned in the regionharassed, intimidated, imprisoned or barred from travelling;
2022/06/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 91 #

2020/2113(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
I a. whereas studies have demonstrated that the clampdown on media pluralism and freedom of the press has further destabilised the region, by increasing the promotion of violence and demonizing all opposition voices;
2022/06/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 117 #

2020/2113(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the region is becoming increasingly polarised into blocks; considers this counterproductive for the EU’s goals in the area of stability and security; calls on the EU to enhance its bilateral discussions with all the different stakeholders;deleted
2022/06/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 129 #

2020/2113(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Highlights the important role the EU could play in facilitating dialogue between regional and local stakeholders, including civil society peaceful opposition voices, unions and the business community, which is key to fostering stability; calls, therefore, for cooperation with the regional supranatcivil society actors and the regional organisations to be enhanced;
2022/06/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 155 #

2020/2113(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Stresses the particular responsibility of the Syrian regime in destabilising the region following its all- out repression on peaceful protesters in 2011; underlines the particular responsibility of Russia, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, in opposing 18 vetoes against the UN Security Council resolutions which aimed at finding a political situation to the Syrian crisis since 2011; recalls the human tragedy caused by the killing of half a million Syrians and the displacement of over half of its population internally and as refugees across the region and Europe; urges Syria to stop using chemical weapons on its civilian population; welcomes the decision of April 2021 of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to suspend Syria's members from the organisation;
2022/06/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 169 #

2020/2113(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Stresses the humanitarian disaster caused by the war in Yemen since 2016; calls on all parties to abide by International Humanitarian Law and fully engage in the UN-led peace talks;
2022/06/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 174 #

2020/2113(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the countries in the region to refrain from exporting arms or combatants or intervening militarily in other countries, as such interventions are some of the main causes of regional destabilisation; firmly opposes the use of drones in extrajudicial and extraterritorial killings of terror suspects and demands a ban on the use of drones for this purpose;deleted
2022/06/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 196 #

2020/2113(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Expresses deep concern about a potential nuclear race in the region and calls on the EU to activate all diplomatic efforts to avoid it; calls on Israel to ratify the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons;
2022/06/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 224 #

2020/2113(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Highlights the need to combat the funding of terrorist organisations and activities; stresses that the EU must help to stop money laundering and stem illicit financial flows by adopting a clear strategy to address the shortcomings in controlling these kind of funds by several states in the region; deplores the UAE's welcoming safe haven for Russian oligarchs avoiding EU sanctions on Russia; underlines that the advanced and historical security partnership with the region requires a joint approach towards Russia's aggression of Ukraine and fundamental European interests; equally deplores that EU sanctions on the Syrian regime have been circumvented via Lebanon, Iran and Russia since 2011;
2022/06/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 251 #

2020/2113(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. Calls on the EU and its Member States to use all multilateral fora at their disposal, including the UN, to renew or establish independent international investigative and reporting mechanisms to address the most serious violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in the MENA region, notably torture, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings; to this end, calls for there-establishment of the UN Group of Eminent Experts (GEE) on Yemen, the establishment of a UN monitoring and reporting mechanism on human rights violations in Egypt and the renewal of the mandate of the UN independent Fact Finding Mission (FFM) in Libya;
2022/06/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 259 #

2020/2113(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the EU to further promote the development of a strong and independent civil society in the region; highlights that the shrinking civil space in several countries poses a threat to regional stability; deeply deplores the sharp deterioration of freedom of association and attacks against civil society organizations, whether through legal or de facto repression and intimidation, in a number of countries in the past decade; strongly reaffirms that defending basic civil and political rights and freedoms are a legitimate field of work for civil society organizations, including in the MENA region;
2022/06/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 267 #

2020/2113(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Calls on the authorities in the region to uphold the ban on torture as enshrined in particulareffectively ban torture under all circumstances as enshrined in the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which most of them have signed and ratified; calls for the abolition of the death penalty throughout the region;
2022/06/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 271 #

2020/2113(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16 b. Calls on authorities to release all prisoners of conscience, including journalists and citizen journalists, and to allow a free, independent and diverse media landscape to develop in the long term interest of their own stability and security;
2022/06/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9
— having regard to the Council conclusions of 8 December 2009 on Arctic issues, of 12 May 2014 on developing a European Union Policy towards the Arctic Region, of 20 June 2016 on the Arctic, of 21 November 2019 on Space Solutions for a sustainable Arctic and of 9 December 2019 on the EU Arctic policy,
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 14 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 25
— having regard to the statements adopted at the Northern Dimension Parliamentary Forum in Bodø, Norway, in November 2019, in Reykjavik, Iceland, in May 2015, in Archangelsk, Russia, in November 2013, in Tromsø, Norway, in February 2011 and in Brussels in September 2009,
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 19 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 25 a (new)
— having regard to the statement from the 14th Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region 13- 14 April 2021,
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 31 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas since the end of the Cold War, the Arctic has long been a zone of peace andn area of constructive international cooperation, and the goal of the internatneeds to remain as an area of peace and low-tensional community should be to keep it as suchoperative regional order;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 44 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas climate change is warming the Arctic two to three times faster than the global average, thus significantly changing the regional ecosystem and geography, including by opening new transport routes, enabling the access to rare natural resources, and intensifying fishing and tourism;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 45 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas some parts of the Arctic have the highest concentration of plastic litter in the world, already affecting Arctic animal species, posing a risk of contaminating the food web and eventually affecting humans;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 46 #

2020/2112(INI)

Cc. whereas, due to its remoteness, man-made environmental disasters in the Arctic, particularly when extracting oil and other Arctic resources, are difficult to contain and manage and eliminating their damages is problematic;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 47 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C d (new)
Cd. whereas the largest oil contamination of the Arctic took place on Russian territories in May 2020 when more than 20,000 tons of diesel fuel poured into the surrounding ground and waterways near the city of Norilsk, and the clean-up work is still ongoing;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 52 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the effects of climate change in the Arctic and the re-emergence of geopolitical competition in the region may impact theaffect sustainable and economic development ofin the northern hemisphereArctic;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 55 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the Arctic is warming at a rate three times of the global average, resulting in rapid social, environmental, and economic impacts, not only in the region but worldwide;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 79 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas the management of climate change and its effect in the Arctic requires international cooperation and the implementation of the Paris Agreement is at the heart of such cooperation;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 81 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I
I. whereas the remit of the Arctic Council is limited, giving it the flexibility to adapt to new challenges but also making it less able to respond to all the issues affecting the Arctic;deleted
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 110 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital L
L. whereas Russian obstruction has since 2014the EU has been denied the EU formal observer status to the Arctic Council;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 114 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
La. whereas Russia’s economic and military investments in the Arctic far exceed those of the rest of the Arctic states;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 117 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital M
M. whereas the military importance of the Arctic is rapidly increasing due to the progressive and steady re-militarisation of the Russian Federation, including modernization of its Northern Fleet, provision of new submarines and nuclear- powered heavy icebreakers, reopening of former Soviet-era Arctic outposts and building new military structures equipped with combat ready radars and missile systems stretching from the Barents Sea to the Bering Straits, significantly increasing the likelihood of military confrontation in the region;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 124 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital M a (new)
Ma. whereas Russia is mobilising its infrastructure and increasing its military presence rapidly by rebuilding its military capabilities; whereas Russia is refurbishing Soviet-era airfields and radar installations, constructing new ports and search-and-rescue centres, and building up its fleet of nuclear- and conventionally-powered icebreakers; whereas Russia is developing new high- tech weapons and a nuclear reactor powered torpedo;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 130 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital M b (new)
Mb. whereas such geopolitical developments have led to an increase in exercises, deployments, patrols, and capability investments in the Arctic;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 150 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that the Arctic plays a crucial role in keeping the environmental balance of the planet and aims to maintain the region as a zonen area of peace, low-tension and international cooperation; stresses that the Arctic is disproportionally affected by climate change and pollution;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 175 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that the Arctic states hold the primary responsibility for tackling issues within their territories; reiterates that international law is the cornerstone of the legal framework regulating inter-state relations in the Arctic and underlines the importance of the UNCLOS and decision- making platforms such as the Arctic Council, The Conference of Arctic Parliamentarians, The Barents Euro- Arctic-Council, the Northern Dimension, the United Nations;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 178 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to take a stronger role in promoting the effective implementation of international conventions such as the Paris Agreement, Minamata Convention, Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution, Gothenburg Protocol, Stockholm Convention, the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code), Århus Convention and Convention on Biological Diversity;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 180 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Urges cooperation with the Arctic states and responsible international organizations to harmonize the legal system applicable to the Arctic and avoid unilateral disruptive actions by the Arctic states to enact domestic regulations over the international norms;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 198 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Urges the Russian Federation to enact its Arctic policies in full respect of international law and to be mindful of the consequences of its actions; is therefore worried by the military build-up pursued by Russia, including the development of anti-access and area denial (A2/AD) capabilities;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 206 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines that constructive cooperation with Russia in the Arctic should be consistent with the principle of selective engagement, also in the areas of climate and environment, and should not jeopardise the goals of sanctionrestrictive measures against Russian actions elsewhere;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 217 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Expresses concerns over China’s investment attempts in the seaports along the Northern Sea Route and to obtain mining rights, inter alia, as a way to establish its presence in the Arctic, and urges the Arctic states to carry out a thorough screening of foreign investments in their objects of strategic importance;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 233 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Stresses the need to invest into infrastructure projects in the European Arctic and strengthen regional cohesion policy to support capacity-building;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 235 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Stresses that the protection of the environment and the management of man-made pollution should be a key objective in the Arctic; discourages the exploitation of Arctic resources if it is scientifically proven to cause irreparable damage to the ecosystem of the Arctic and beyond;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 237 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Emphasises the role of EU and its Member States to help to prevent and resolve conflicts in the Arctic, help build civilian security mechanisms, enhance crisis management capacities and search and rescue infrastructures;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 250 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Underlines the importance of the Arctic for EU energy security, strongly insists on a sustainable science-based exploitation of the energy resources;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 252 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Highlights the need for an enhanced policy of EU-generated renewable energies and energy efficiency that significantly reduces the Union's reliance on external sources and thereby improves its security position; recognizes the threat which oil and gas exploitation in the Arctic might cause;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 257 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Stresses the need to fight climate change by keeping to the goals of the European Green Deal and becoming climate neutral by 2050 following the Paris Agreement;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 266 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Emphasises the usefulness of place-based instruments such as smart specialisation strategies and territorial cooperation for tailoring sustainable investments in the Arctic and believes these EU policies should be further developed and linked to the EU Arctic Policy;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 267 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Welcomes the work of the Arctic Council in tackling pollution in the Arctic and calls on the EU to play an active role and provide assistance in this regard;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 270 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Encourages cooperation with the Arctic states in developing rapid response systems for the real-time management of environmental disasters, in particular oil spills;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 279 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Notes the signing and entry into force of the CAOF aAgreement, which represents an ambitious and innovative step towards tackle the problems of achieve sustainable development in the Arctic;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 282 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Underlines the importance of takingto implement a precautionary approach toat all stages of Arctic fisheries, at all stages, and encourages the adoption of a sustainable, science-based approach; is concerned by the inability of Arctic coastal states to agree on how to divide quotas on transboundary fish stocks and and encourages a sustainable, scientific based approach. expresses its support for existing regional fisheries management organiszations;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 297 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Notes that Russian and Chinese national interests are to develop the North Sea Route as a means to boost economic growth and as a globally competitive national transport network; notes the development of large-scale energy projects, such as the current Russian- Chinese cooperation on the Yamal LNG project and the Arctic LNG 2, is concerned that such projects significantly increase shipping volumes via the North Sea Route and imply substantial pressure on an already threatened Arctic ecosystem;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 304 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Reiterates its call to actively involve all the communities and inhabitants of the Arctic, and particularly indigenous peoples, in the decision-makingal processes concerning development choices; stresses the importance to ensure people- to-people cooperation, access to education and business opportunities and support to the youth in the Arctic;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 324 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Emphasises the importance of sustainable development, cohesion policy and cross-border cooperation to tackle geopolitical tension;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 327 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Calls for an increase of the accessibility of digital infrastructure in the Arctic, which promotes entrepreneurship, innovation and helps diversify economic development in the Arctic;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 353 #

2020/2112(INI)

18. Welcomes the updating of the EU’s Arctic policy, which should alsoneeds to take a proactive role in the Arctic taking account accelerated climate change and exponentially increasing international attention and reflect on new security realities; ichallenges. Is of the opinion that the EU should engagactively engage in policy dialogue with stakeholders which have a vested interest in promoting regional stability and prosperity;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 357 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Recognises the contribution of EU Space programmes such as Copernicus, Galileo, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service and the satellite communications to environmental, maritime and human safety and security in the Arctic by enabling the monitoring of ice evolution, sustainable management of marine resources, detection of pollution, emergency warning, identification and tracking of maritime movement, search and rescue services, inter alia; supports continuous investment in development of these capabilities and advises their application in the Arctic in cooperation and under the leadership of the Arctic states that are members of the EU and/or NATO;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 360 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Calls on the Commission to include the security dimension of the Arctic in EU’s Foreign and Security Policy;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 367 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Regrets Russia’s veto tof EU observer status in the Arctic Council;, supports the EU’s continued de facto membership of Arctic Councilobserver status of working groups;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 368 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Highlights the important role of the Arctic Council as a platform for dialogue between its Members and promote constructive cooperation, low- tension, peace and stability in the Arctic region;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 397 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Calls for the aims of the new Arctic Strategy to be reflected in the EU’s programmes with dedicated funding, projects, finances and relevant legislation, as well as in the work of the relevant EU agencies;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 401 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Highlights the need for improved synergies between existing financing instruments in order to prevent possible duplications, and to maximise interaction between internal and external EU programmes;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 404 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23b. Calls for the EU to renew the partnership agreements between the EU and Greenland and the Faroe Islands;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 407 #

2020/2112(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 c (new)
23c. Calls for the creation of a unit in the EEAS for Northern policies to expand EU’s presence and capacity as well as to provide more security and coherence in its policies;
2021/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 28 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 61 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 84 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 113 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 159 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Is concerned about the lack of leadership the United States has shown in fighting COVID-19; believes that the false information in President Trump’s tweets and during his press conferences have been very unhelpful in the joint fight against the virus;deleted
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 177 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 191 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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);
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 213 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 229 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 239 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 247 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 273 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 287 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 301 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 314 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 316 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 324 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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.;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 327 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Expresses indignation over reported Russian cyberattacks attempting to steal coronavirus-related research material from European pharmaceutical companies;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 361 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 368 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 377 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 380 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 402 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 407 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 418 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 424 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 433 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 434 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 455 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 461 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 471 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 472 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 474 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 520 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 554 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 559 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 575 #

2020/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2020/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2020/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6
— having regard to the agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Belarus on the facilitation of the issuance of visas2 , which will entered into force on 1 July 2020, __________________ 2 OJ L 180, 9.6.2020, p. 3.
2020/09/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 56 #

2020/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas the 2020 presidential elections have thus far followed the same pattern as the parliamentarywere fraudulent and the EU has refused to accept the result of the elections;
2020/09/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 229 #

2020/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) insist that the EU needs to be united and persistent in its response to the situation in Belarus following the presidential elections;
2020/09/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 232 #

2020/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e b (new)
(eb) impose individual sanctions to Alexander Lukashenka and those individuals that have a central role in falsifying election results in Belarus and using violence against peaceful protesters;
2020/09/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 235 #

2020/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e c (new)
(ec) acknowledge that the imposing of individual sanctions is most efficient if applied by the EU as a whole;
2020/09/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 360 #

2020/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point o a (new)
(oa) highlight initiatives in the framework of the Northern Dimension Environmental Partnership (NDEP), which are concerted to tackle the most pressing environmental problems in the area;
2020/09/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 370 #

2020/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point p a (new)
(pa) increase EUs political, financial, technological and informational support to the civil society in Belarus;
2020/09/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 13 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas according to Article 1(a) to Protocol (No 10) on permanent structured cooperation established by Article 42 of the TEU, one of the objectives of PESCO is for the Member States to develop their defence capacbilities more intensively by furthering their national contributions and participation, where appropriate, in multinational forces, the main European equipment programmes, and in the European Defence Agency’s activity;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 17 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas Article 1(b) of Protocol 10 states that the Member States are to ‘have the capacity to supply by 2010 at the latest either at national level or as a component of multinational force groups, targeted combat units for the missions planned, structured at a tactical level as a battle group, with support elements including transport and logistics, capable of carrying out the tasks referred to in Article 43 of the Treaty on European Union, within a period of five to 30 days, in particular in response to requests from the United Nations Organisation, and which can be sustained for an initial period of 30 days and be extended up to at least 120 days’; whereas Article 1(b) needs to be revised in order to adequately respond to the challenging geopolitical environment; whereas the Member States are still far from achieving this goal;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 26 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the three-fold level of ambition under the EU Global Strategy in the field of security and defence covers securing external borders, countering hybrid threats and fighting against terrorism; whereas no Member State can protect itself alone, since security and defence threats faced by the EU, and which are targeted againstthe EU, its citizens and its territory faces, are a joint threat and cannot be addressed by onea single Member State on its own; whereas an effective EU system for addressing burden-sharing would be advantageous for the EU’s overall level of security and defence;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 34 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas PESCO’s long-term vision is to achievecontribute to a coherent full-spectrum force package available to the Member States; whereas PESCO should enhance the EU’s capacity to act as an international security provider in order to protect EU citizens and maximise the effectiveness of defence spending; whereas the cost of non-Europedue to doubling, overcapacity and obstructions for joint procurement in security and defence is, the costs are estimated to be more than EURbetween 25 and 100 billion EUR per year; 8a; _________________ 8a https://ec.europa.eu/commission/sites/beta -political/files/budget-may2018-eu- defence-fund_en_0.pdf
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 45 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the consequences of the EU not having enough competence when it comes to health care; whereas, by the same analogy, it would make sense to establish an EU common defence strategy in order to be able to respond to an attack on the EU’s borders and territories; whereas PESCO constitutes an important step towards achieving the objective of a common defence;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 47 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the consequences of the EU not having enough competence when it comes to health care; whereas, by the same analogy, it would make sense to establish an EU common defence strategy in order to be able to respond to an attack on the EU’s borders and territories; whereas PESCO constitutPESCO constitutes an important step towards achieving the objective of strengthening European defence capabilities and important step towards achieving the objective of a common defencenteroperability;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 54 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the consequences of the EU not having enough competence when it comes to health care; whereas, by the same analogy, it would make sense to establish an EU common defence strategy in order to be able to respond to an attack on the EU’s democratic model, borders and territories; whereas PESCO , alongside the EDF and other EU Defence initiatives constitutes an important step towards achieving the objective of a common defence;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 65 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas according to Council decision 2017/2315, establishing PESCO enhanced defence capabilities of the Member States will also benefit NATO, while strengthening the European pillar within the alliance and responding to repeated calls for strongermore balanced transatlantic burden-sharing; whereas NATO remains the cornerstone of many MS’s security architecture;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 93 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K
K. whereas PESCO was originally conceived as an avant-garde, comprising the Member States willing and able to upgrade their cooperation in defence to a new level of ambition; whereas the fact that there are 25 pMS means that PESCO is at risk of beingust not lead PESCO to be constrained by the ‘lowest common denominator’ approach;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 97 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital L
L. whereas work on the first three waves of PESCO projects hasve led to the pMS proposingadoption of 47 projects; whereas the current list of projects lacks coherence, strategic ambition and does not adequately address priority shortfalls as identified by the pMS through the Capability Development Plan (CDP) and the Coordinated Annual Defence on Review (CARD); whereas one of these projects has been stopped in order to avoid unnecessary duplication; whereas other projects did not make sufficient progress or are at risk of being stopped, and around 30 projects are still in the ideation and preparatory phase;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 106 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
La. whereas the second phase of PESCO is to start in 2021; whereas this second phase shall deliver concrete and significant results which means that a prioritization of projects is necessary;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 113 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital M
M. whereas only some of the most strategic PESCO projects, such as EUFOR Crisis Response Operation Core (EUFOR CROC) have the potential to decisively contribute to the creation of a coherent full spectrum force packageUnion’s strategic sovereignty;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 135 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital R
R. whereas the NATO Defence Planning Process (NDPP) drivescontributes to defence national planning processes in most casesof several pMS;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 136 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital R
R. whereas the NATO Defence Planning Process (NDPP) drives defence national planning processes in most casMember States;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 154 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital U
U. whereas currently, PESCO projects are dependent on the 25 participating Member States’ financial contributions; whereas it is expected that, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, national defence budgets will suffer reductions; whereas paradoxically, several of the currently 47 PESCO projects, if funded accordingly, could strengthen Member States’ preparedness, should another massive public health crisis occur: military mobility – a flagship PESCO project –, the European Medical Command and many other projects in areas related to logistics and transportation, health care, disaster relief and, the fight against malicious cyber activities and hostile disinformation campaigns; whereas cutting funding for the strategic capabilities that the EU and its Member States currently lack would also weaken their ability to jointly act against future pandemics;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 156 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital U
U. whereas currently, PESCO projects are dependent on the 25 participating Member States’ financial contributions; whereas it is expected that, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, national defence budgets will suffer reductions; whereas paradoxically, several of the currently 47 PESCO projects, if funded accordingly, could strengthen Member States’ preparedness, should another massive public health crisis occur: military mobility – a flagship PESCO project –, the European Medical Command and many other projects in areas related to logistics and transportation, health care, disaster relief and the fight against malicious cyber activities; whereas cutting funding for the strategic capabilities that the EU and its Member States currently lack would also weaken their ability to jointly act against future pandemics and CBRN threats;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 160 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital V
V. whereas the prospect of co- financing certain PESCO projects viaPESCO and the future European Defence Fund (EDF) shas led pMS to multiply their proposals, and despite the fact that this has encouraged exchanges and cooperation, not all proposals necessarily have the EU’s best strategic interest in mindll be mutually reinforcing and interlinkages between them shall be further developed in order to deliver critical capabilities identified under the CDP;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 162 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital V
V. whereas the prospect of co- financing certain PESCO projects via the future European Defence Fund (EDF) has led pMS to multiply their proposals, and despite the fact that this has encouraged exchanges and cooperation, not all proposals necessarily have the EU’s best common strategic interest in mind;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 169 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital W
W. whereas the participation of third countries, such as the UK, in individual PESCO projects might be in the strategic interest of the European Union, particularly in case of the United KingdomU, noting that this participation can only be exceptional, decided on a case-by-case basis and at the invitation of EU Members States;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 170 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital W
W. whereas the participation of third countries in individual PESCO projects might be in the strategic interest of the European Union, particularly in case of the United Kingdom; whereas an agreement on third state participation in PESCO projects is long overdue;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 207 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d
(d) encourage the pMS to switch from a strictly national focus on defence to a European one and to undertake structured efforts to increase the use of European collaborative approach as a priority, as no individual pMS alone has the potential to address identified capacity shortfalls; encourage pMS and MS more generally not to reduce their defence spending in the coming years, and especially their financial involvement in European cooperative projects in order to avoid being distanced by other global powers;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 213 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d
(d) encourage the pMS to switch from a strictly national focus on defence to a more prominent European one and to undertake structured efforts to increase the use of European collaborative approach as a priority, as no individual pMS alone has the potential to address identified capacity shortfalls alone;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 248 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h
(h) ensure that PESCO, is treated as a Union institutions sui generis, as is the case with the European External Action Service (EEAS), which would require amending the Financial Regulation8 in order to include PESCO, with a specific section in the Union budgetincluded with a specific section in the Union budget, which would require amending the Financial Regulation; recognise that Parliament, jointly with the Council, exercises legislative and budgetary functions, as well as functions of political control and consultation as laid down in the Treaties; _________________ 8 OJ L 193, 30.7.2018, p. 1.
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 257 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j
(j) focus PESCO efforts on projects with a strategic and integrative dimension, such as EUFOR CROCdimension and to those projects that contribute to the remedy of important capability and operational shortfalls, and link those to other PESCO projects in order to create additional synergies and effects of scale;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 273 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
(ka) formulate innovative incentives to improve the interoperability and deployment of CSDP missions and operations;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 284 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m
(m) groupsupport and promote the grouping of PESCO projects into capability clusters and make a distinction between strategically relevant and other projects, keeping in mind the objective of achieving a full-spectrum force package and concentrate their efforts on those having the highest potential to deliver European strategic autonomy;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 285 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m
(m) group PESCO projects into capability clusters and make a distinction between strategically relevant and other projectsdesignated projects; review the current list of 47 projects and either cluster or cancel projects which are making insufficient progress or present insufficient mutually beneficial gain to the European Union;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 291 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n
(n) promote compliance with the 20 PESCO commitments by establishing clearer definition of compliance benchmarks, and by ensuring that future project proposals must address a specific CDP priority; ensure that any reviews of project progress should be based on clear and transparent criteria, including when co-financed in the framework of EDIDP/future EDF; ensure that such criteria serve as benchmark for all Member States participating in PESCO projects;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 326 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point u
(u) clarify or define the link between the governance of PESCO and that of the EDF and toin order to maximise their combined impact; involve Parliament in the ex- post control process when it comes to EDF funding of PESCO projects;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 336 #

2020/2080(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point w a (new)
(wa) encourage ‘future threats’ to be at the basis of future PESCO project proposals, thus focussing on future developments which might present new security challenges to the Union;
2020/07/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 7 #

2020/2077(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that a strategic trade policy is an essential tool for implementing the circular economy and the EU’s sustainability agenda globally; underlines that increased recycling can reduce the EU’s reliance on imports of raw materials, and points to the need to decouple economic growth from resource use in order to ensure the long- term sustainability of global value chains; underlines that the transition from a linear to a circular economy needs to be inclusive and collaborative in all its aspects and with the consideration and participation of all genders;
2020/10/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 17 #

2020/2077(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. RAcknowledges the need for a comprehensive legal framework on circular economy; regrets the lack of international and European standards on waste quality and end-of-waste criteria as this hinders a viable trade policy that is conducive to the circular economy; calls on the Commission to present harmonised standards on waste quality and end-of- waste rules, a legal definition of recyclable waste, and to include these in future FTAs; and introduce these standards on an international level; believes that a revision of the Waste Shipment Regulation would provide an opportunity to put an end to the export of the EU’s waste problems and therefore welcomes the Commission's announcement of revising this regulation;
2020/10/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 27 #

2020/2077(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that in the transition to a circular economy particular attention must be given to key supply chains where the EU’s environmental footprint is significant; underlines the need for transparency and increased traceability in these supply chains and calls on the Commission to tackle notably the efficient use of resources and sustainable production and consumption patterns in the garment sector under its future ‘EU Strategy for Textiles’; welcomes the planned ‘Circular Electronics Initiative’ and underlines the need to in this context define how e-waste can be exported for re- use and recycling;
2020/10/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 42 #

2020/2077(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission to identify and abolish barriers that prevent or restrict market access for circular products from outside the EU and to investigate the possibilities and benefits of reducing tariffs on certain products in order to encourage the development of the circular economy; calls on the Commission to take into account the special needs of EU’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and to support them in the implementation of their business strategies to export circular products;
2020/10/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 50 #

2020/2077(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Urges the Commission to ensure that FTAs reflect the objectives of the circular economy by including strong, binding and enforceable sustainable development chapters; suggests that the circular economy should be addressed in a cross-cutting manner in all relevant FTA chapters and competitive business models that encourage trade in recycled rather than in primary materials; calls on the Commission to evaluate how to balance enhancing trade in recycled goods with upholding strong quality standards and consumer protection; suggests that the circular economy should be addressed in a cross-cutting manner in all relevant FTA chapters; underlines the need for the effective enforcement of trade agreements as a priority task of the Chief Trade Enforcement Officer;
2020/10/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 63 #

2020/2077(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Encourages the Commission to engage in regulatory dialogues and cooperation with the EU’s trading partners to further support the objectives of the circular economy; calls on the Commission and Member States to further deploy efforts in international fora (UNCTAD, WTO, G20, G7) to pursue the EU’s agenda on circular economy and ensure a global level playing field with international partners; stresses that particular attention must be given to how less developed partner countries can benefit from the circular economy; calls for an assessment of the impact of increased intra-EU recycling rates on countries strongly relying on waste imports; calls on the Commission in particular to integrate the circular economy principles in its strategy ‘Towards a comprehensive Strategy with Africa’.
2020/10/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 2 #

2020/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Welcomes the New Industrial Strategy for Europe, especially its focus on ensuring fair competition and level playing field globally and on the tools to make EU industry fit to address today’s and tomorrow’s challenges worldwide;
2020/06/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 8 #

2020/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Takes note of the Commission’s initiatives to support European SMEs’ access to international markets; stresses, however, that SMEs have to deal with too many regulations and burdens and excessive bureaucracy; stresses that SMEs are kept at a competitive disadvantage by investing in cEncourages the Commission to strengthen and improve its initiatives to support European SMEs in overcoming barriers that prevent their access to international markets, among others, through negotiating dedicated chapters in trade agreements; calls on the Commission for an effective implementation of the SME strategy in order to reduce burdens and excessive bureaucracy for our businesses abroad and facilimtate neutrality to comply with the Green Deal while trying to remain competitive and thrive on export marketstheir internationalisation;
2020/06/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2020/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Recalls that our industries are asked to contribute actively to achieving the European Green Deal’s objectives, by investing in climate neutrality and comply with new standards, while confronted with competitors from third countries that are less ambitious on emissions reduction; stresses that European companies, in particular SMEs, risk to be kept at a competitive disadvantage while trying to remain competitive and thrive on export markets; Calls on the Commission for the swift adoption of the Carbon border adjustment mechanism;
2020/06/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 25 #

2020/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission to focus on domestic productivity within Europe, in order to establish less dependStresses the importance of diversification to improve the resilience onf vulnerable supply chainsalue chains as well as of smart reshoring in core industry sectors such as the tech and telecommunications, medical products and pharmaceuticals sectors, and raw materials, to achieve an open strategic autonomy especially in times of global crisis, and to remain competitive on the global markets, at the same time taking into account the needs of developing countries;
2020/06/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 43 #

2020/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Supports, in principle, the initiative to reinforce a rule-based multilateral trading system; expresses its concern, however, about the functRecalls the commitment of the European Union to a rule-based multilateral trading system and underlines that the EU should be at the forefront of defending and reinforcing it; supports the Commission ing of the WTO, owing to some international actors abusing their market power its overall efforts to modernize the WTO and urges to continue engaging with WTO Members to find a long-term multilateral solution to overcome the current deadlock of the Appellate Body; welcomes the multi-party interim appeal arbitration arrangement;
2020/06/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 50 #

2020/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Underlines the importance of the ongoing plurilateral WTO negotiations on e-commerce, and calls for a comprehensive and ambitious set of rules, guaranteeing European data protection standards, to address digital trade barriers and ensure that companies, especially SMEs, can compete worldwide in a level playing field;
2020/06/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 53 #

2020/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission to work towards effective and opuncil to move on the ‘International pProcurement that allows the EU to take swift, targeted and compelling measures and increase leverage to negotiate reciprocity and market openingInstrument’; emphasizes the need for an instrument that targets discriminatory practices against EU businesses in third country procurement markets and increase leverage to negotiate reciprocity and market opening; Calls on the Commission to start a reflection on a possible framework for monitoring third country bidders’ access to EU procurement markets in strategic sectors;
2020/06/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 59 #

2020/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Calls on the Commission to finalise and share its White Paper on an Instrument on Foreign Subsidies, to address the distortive effects caused by foreign subsidies within the single market as part of the European trade defence toolbox; recalls that it should be coherent with the possible modernization or update of targeted EU competition rules, with the aim of ensuring a level playing field for EU companies;
2020/06/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 69 #

2020/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Calls for the adoption of the review of Regulation 654/2014 (Enforcement Regulation), in order to strengthen it; stresses that this is an important tool to protect the Union’s interests under international trade agreements in situations when third countries adopt illegal measures that can negatively hit our businesses;
2020/06/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 71 #

2020/2076(INI)

6. Calls on the Commission to consider the urgent enforcement of intellectual property rights and the involvement of all actors in the fight against infringement and counterfeiting as key objectives of the intellectual property action plan; Calls on the Commission to promote and ensure the protection of Geographical indications (GIs) both at international and bilateral level and to resume the debate on GIs for non- agricultural products that could support innovation, sustainable production and jobs in the EU, improving the attractiveness and reputation of our quality productions worldwide;
2020/06/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 80 #

2020/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission to strengtheWelcomes the guidelines on the screening of fForeign dDirect iInvestment and to protect access to(FDI) and calls on the Commission to strengthen it, also in light of the current crisis, in order to protect strategic industries, infrastructure, key enabling technologies, or any other assets in the interests of security and cybersecurity.
2020/06/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 17 #

2020/2071(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Recognises that the EU depends on a narrow set of countries for a large proportion of its imports of active pharmaceutical ingredients and chemical raw materials; stresses that this over- reliance can poses a risk when limitations in production capacity, excess demand or protectionist measures threaten the proper functioning of global supply chains and potentially undermine the availability of medicines in the EU; calls on the Commission to present a long-term strategy focused on ensuring the EU’s open strategic autonomy in health which includes guidelines on the diversification of pharmaceutical supply chains;
2020/05/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 21 #

2020/2071(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Recognises that the EU depends on a narrow set of countries, mainly China and India, for a large proportion of its imports of active pharmaceutical ingredients and chemical raw materials; stresses that this over- reliance can pose a risk when limitations in production capacity, excess demand or protectionist measures threaten the proper functioning of global supply chains and potentially undermine the availability of medicines in the EU; calls on the Commission to present a long-term strategy focused on ensuring the EU’s open strategic autonomy in health;
2020/05/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 25 #

2020/2071(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that the EU is a leading global exporter of pharmaceutical products; notes that the protection and enforcement of well-balanced IP rights in free trade agreements (FTAs) and at the WTO is crucial toshould serve the development of new medicines and treatments; underlines that the flexibilities provided in the TRIPS agreement can be used to address potential supply shortages in exceptional circumstances; stresses that public health crises should constitute legitimate grounds for activating such flexibilities; and notes that developing countries may need to rely on these flexibilities in order to respond appropriately to the COVID-19 crisis;
2020/05/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 42 #

2020/2071(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises that a broad network of FTAs together with a fully functioning multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organisation and an operational Appellate Body at its core constitute the best way of guaranteeing that multiple sources of manufacturing for essential medicines are available and regulatory standards converge globally;
2020/05/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 50 #

2020/2071(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Strongly encourages all countries to join the WTO’s Pharmaceutical Tariff Elimination Agreement; callurges for its scope to be extended to all pharmaceutical and medicinal products; stresses that medical products should at all times be exempted from retaliation in trade disputes;
2020/05/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 57 #

2020/2071(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines that a complete repatriation of medical supply chains is not possible in a global economy nor is it desirable; urges the Commission and the Member States to work with the EU’s partners, the WHO and WTO, on establishing an international framework that can prevent the breakdown of supply chains and limit resort to protectionist measures during health crises; calls on the Commission to explore the creation of a common European strategic reserve of medicines, building on the rescEU stockpile initiative.
2020/05/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 60 #

2020/2071(INI)

6. Underlines that a complete repatriation of medical supply chains is not possible in a global economy; urges the Commission and the Member States to work more closely between each other, with the EU’s partners, the WHO and WTO, on establishing an international framework that can prevent the breakdown of supply chains and limit resort to protectionist measures during health crises.
2020/05/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 170 #

2020/2045(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Notes the impact of COVID-19 on the refugees; consequently many on the unofficial labour market have lost their income and children are unable to follow schooling due to lack of technological equipment;
2021/05/05
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 172 #

2020/2045(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20 b. Project-based nature of the FRT can prevent addressing long-term development and protection needs of Syrian refugees that are based in Syria for longer; calls for more efforts in integration projects;
2021/05/05
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 31 #

2020/2043(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Supports, in the absence of a global carbon price and a multilateral solution, a market-based EU carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) on condition that it is compatible with EU free trade agreements (FTAs) and WTO rules (by being non- discriminatory and not constituting a disguised restriction on international trade) and EU free trade agreements (FTAs), and that it is proportionate, based on the polluter pays principle and fit for purpose in delivering the climate objectives;
2020/11/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 38 #

2020/2043(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Believes that the implementation of a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism would fill an essential gap in the EU climate policy and is therefore essential to delivering on the EU’s climate ambition to tackle its carbon footprint;
2020/11/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 54 #

2020/2043(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the general exception clause of Article XXprovisions of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), such as Articles I, III and XX GATT, should be the basis for any CBAM design and its only rationale should be an environmental one – reducing global CO2 emissions and preventing carbon leakage;
2020/11/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 65 #

2020/2043(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for thorough impact assessments and for the utmost transparency of the process leading to the CBAM, as well as engagement with the EU’s trading partners to build coalitions and avoid any possible retaliations; notes that the impact assessment must be conducted with the goal of reducing total global emissions, and that is must include the effects on sustainable innovation and changing trade flows and supply chains;
2020/11/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 92 #

2020/2043(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Considers that international trade and trade policy, as key enablers of the transition towards a climate neutral, resource efficient, circular global economy, need to support global efforts towards the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and international environmental commitments, such as the Paris Agreement, including efforts to reduce pollution, combat climate change and carbon leakage, and promote more sustainable production and consumption;
2020/11/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 101 #

2020/2043(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Notes that special consideration must be taken with regards to least developed countries (LDCs) to make sure that a CBAM does not have negative effects on development;
2020/11/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 104 #

2020/2043(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Urges the Commission to advance environmental sustainability in the WTO, with the UN SDGs and the Paris Agreement at the core of its work, also by updating the multilateral rules;
2020/11/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 5 #

2020/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights that, while there are a number of dynamic middle income countries on the African continent, its economic development is still relatively weak in comparison to other parts of the world; stresses that many of its countries will therefore face almost insurmountable challenges caused by the COVID-19 crisis and the effects of climate change; highlights that due to their economic situation, not all of these countries are able to take lockdown measures similar to those taken in developed countries and therefore the containment of the COVID- 19 virus has been impeded;
2020/06/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 10 #

2020/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Highlights that the EU together with the Member States are the biggest partner to Africa in terms of trade, investment, official development assistance and security;
2020/06/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 20 #

2020/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the announcement from the G20 on a temporary moratorium on debt repayments for the weakest developing countries; and encourages the G20 to go further on debt relief to ensure that the basic human needs of citizens can be provided for;
2020/06/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 25 #

2020/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights that the European Union still has important economic ties with African states, and that China has intensified its economic engagement in Africa;
2020/06/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 40 #

2020/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines that the role of many African states in the international division of labour does not promote their sustainable development; calls on the Commission to create a strategy aimed at assisting the African nations with value chain development in order for more added value to be generated within the African continent;
2020/06/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 42 #

2020/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Underlines that European companies have a responsibility for their supply chains; calls on the Commission to create an ambitious proposal on mandatory rules for due diligence for both human and social rights and environmental effects which includes provisions enabling victims in third countries to pursue civil remedies for breaches of these rules;
2020/06/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 44 #

2020/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Stresses that the EU and the African Union share the common interest of a stable and rules-based multilateral trading system that is centered on the World Trade Organization (WTO);
2020/06/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 48 #

2020/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission to reformappropriately revise its current version of its strategy entitled ‘Towards a comprehensive Strategy with Africa’ with a view to addressing the needs of the African countries and regions in the wake of this health and economic crisis;
2020/06/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 53 #

2020/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that Africa is still undergoing the process of integration at regional, continental and international level and that as yet 54 African countries remain divided and diversified in areas of key strategic importance to the EU, such as meeting internationally recognised standards and practices in trade, human rights, sustainable development and positioning in international organisations; calls on the EU to forge a stronger partnership between the EU and the African Union to tackle global common challenges, by focusing on strategic areas such as digital transformation and climate diplomacy, under the principle of common and differentiated responsibilities; urges the EU to continue its support to the integration process in Africa through the AU, namely by supporting the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
2020/07/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 56 #

2020/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission to support Africa in its ambitions for a continental free trade area by making the necessary adjustments in order to implement its Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and make them fit the project of theensure that the EPAs will not form an obstacle towards the creation of the African Continental Free Trade Area;
2020/06/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 69 #

2020/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Underlines that the fragmented implementation of EPAs has resulted in a lack of substantial progress in supporting regional integration, capacity-building on border cooperation, and improvements in investment climates and good governance; calls on the Commission to further assist the African countries in these areas without making this assistance fully conditional on implementation of EPAs;
2020/06/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 78 #

2020/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the joint communication from the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 9 March 2020 entitled ‘Towards a comprehensive strategy with Africa’ (JOIN(2020)0004); calls for strongUnderlines the need to adopt, within the Africa-EU partnership, a coordinated and comprehensive approach, both between the EU-AU and among the EU and its Member States, as provided for by Article 210 TFEU; calls on the EU to step up this joint perspective in view of the next EU- Africa Summit to be held in October2 020; calls for a strong, coherent and constant EU engagement in the security, stability and development of Africa;
2020/07/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 80 #

2020/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. CUnderlines the vital importance of meeting the goals as set by the Paris Climate Agreement; calls for a concrete proposal that establishes common initiatives on a renewable energy supply on the African continent;
2020/06/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 88 #

2020/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Stresses the vital role of digital transformation and digitalisation for sustainable development and resilience of societies that has been especially visible during the current global situation triggered by the COVID-19 crisis; calls for a continued, strengthened, systematic and mutually beneficial cooperation with the African states on digitalisation, innovative technologies and solutions at all levels of society, including on e- governance, e-commerce, digital skills and cyber security, in line with the Digitalisation for Development (D4D) approach;
2020/06/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 93 #

2020/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Notes that Africa and Europe have a shared interest and responsibility when it comes to migration and mobility and stresses that managing migration calls for global solutions based on solidarity, the sharing of responsibility and respect for human rights and international law;
2020/07/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 95 #

2020/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Recalls that the position of women can be strengthened with strong provisions on Gender & Trade in Trade Agreements; calls in this regards on the European Commission to assist the African Union with the implementation of it Strategy for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment and implement measures that contribute to the achievement of gender equality in its trade agreements with the African countries;
2020/06/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 96 #

2020/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Stresses the vital role of digital transformation and digitalisation for sustainable development and resilience of societies that has been especially visible during the current global situation triggered by the COVID-19 crisis; calls for a continued, strengthened, systematic and mutually beneficial cooperation with the African states on digitalisation, innovative technologies and solutions at all levels of society, including on e- governance, e-commerce, digital skills and cybersecurity, in line with the Digitalisation for Development (D4D)approach;
2020/07/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 101 #

2020/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10 b. Highlights that the Covid-19 pandemic and its consequences will have an impact on the Sustainable Development Goals; calls on the Commission to make the achievement of the SDGs a guiding principle in all its policies with regard to the African countries and urges the Commission to have full regard for these goals when negotiating the post-Cotonou Agreement in order to ensure balanced and free trade with the African continent;
2020/06/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 105 #

2020/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 c (new)
10 c. Highlights that around 60% of the population of the African countries is under 25 years old; calls on the Commission to assist the African youth with dedicated education programs under for example Erasmus+ and to increase educational and professional mobility by means of a dedicated strategy in cooperation with the African Union, the private sector and financial institutions (for example by making available micro- credit for start-ups) with the aim of improving economic and trading opportunities;
2020/06/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 109 #

2020/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 d (new)
10 d. Highlights that the future partnership between the European Union and the African Union should be one that is built upon shared values with respect for human rights and good governance;
2020/06/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 110 #

2020/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 e (new)
10 e. Underlines that Africa and sub- Saharan Africa in particular will have the highest population growth in the coming decades; calls in this respect for the EU to follow the Task Force for Rural Africa (TFRA) conclusions on the need of investments to Africa food chains with a focus to be given to value-added commodities;
2020/06/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 121 #

2020/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that the EU is among the first to bear the costs of all destructive policies employed againstshould also focus on a political and normative partnership in terms of strengthening the multilateral system and the international rule-based order together with African nationstates, while other players, especially China and Russia, are focused only on their own benefits at the expense of African sovereignty and European security; a growing unilateralism.
2020/07/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 150 #

2020/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Shares the opinion that the matter of the security of Africa should be transferred into the hands of Africans and that the EU should assissupport its African partners in the successful accomplishment of this ultimate goal, with a special focus in dialogue and peace-building solutions.
2020/07/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 157 #

2020/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Highlights that the socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 could have a grievous impact on African States; urges the Council, the EEAS and EU Member States to support to their multilateral partners in order to take more action on debt relief for African countries as well as to explore viable solutions to come to a humanitarian economic sanctions’ relief on a case by case basis within the context of COVID-19.
2020/07/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 160 #

2020/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Recalls the importance of the role of the International Criminal Court in tackling impunity and in upholding the values of peace, security, equality, fairness, justice and compensation; calls for the EU and African states to continue supporting the Rome Statute and the ICC; urges all signatories of the Rome Statute to ratify it as soon as possible;
2020/07/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
A b. whereas during the transition period, EU law across all policy areas, is still applicable to, and in, the UK, with the exception of provisions of the Treaties and acts that were not binding upon, and in, the UK before the Withdrawal Agreement entered into force; whereas on the 14th of May 2020, the European Commission opened infringement proceedings against the UK for failure to comply with EU rules on free movement;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 6 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
A c. whereas the European Parliament gave its position on the proposed mandate for negotiations for a new partnership with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in its resolution the 12 February 2020.
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 7 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas the EU mandate is based B. on the European Council guidelines of 23 March 2018 and the Political Declaration both agreed withby the EU and the UK on 17 October 2019; and whereas the Political Declaration establishes the parameters of the new partnership.
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 8 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas the negotiations on the future partnership shouldcan only be premised on the effective and full implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement and its three protocols;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 21 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas the EU and the UK agreed in the Political Declaration to convene at a high level in June 2020 to take stock of progress of the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement and of the negotiations with the aim of agreeing action to move forward with negotiations on the future relationship;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 22 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas unity of the EU and its Member States should maintain their unity throughout the negotiations in order to defend the interests of their citizens in the best possible waythroughout the negotiations is essential in order to defend the interests of the EU, including those of its citizens in the best possible way; whereas the EU and its Member States have remained united throughout the negotiation and adoption of the Withdrawal Agreement and ever since; whereas this unity is reflected in the adoption of the negotiating mandate entrusted to the EU negotiator and Head of the EU Task Force Michel Barnier, who enjoys the strong support of the EU and its Member States;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 27 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I
I. whereas the EU and UK agreed in the Political Declaration that the future relationship should be underpinned by shared values such as the respect for and safeguarding of human rights and fundamental freedoms, democratic principles, the rule of law, and support for non-proliferation, international rules-based order including support for non-proliferation, protection of the environment and that these values are an essential prerequisite for cooperation within the framework of the Political Declaration; whereas the future relationship should incorporatebe conditioned to the United Kingdom’s continued commitment to respect the framework of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR);
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 29 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
I a. whereas the Political Declaration states that the future economic partnership will be underpinned by provisions ensuring a level playing field for open and fair competition.
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 31 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I b (new)
I b. whereas the COVID19 pandemic has created a totally unexpected and un- precedented new situation, which has significant consequences on the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement and on the rhythm and efficiency of the negotiations between the UK and the EU.
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 32 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I c (new)
I c. whereas facing a global pandemic and its foreseeable geopolitical, economic and social consequences reinforces the necessity to improve cooperation mechanisms between partners and allies.
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 41 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Welcomes and insists that the Commission continues its practice to provide timely information to the Parliament on the negotiations, in line with the information that is shared with the Member States;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 42 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. Strongly believes that transparency benefits the negotiation process and is also beneficial to citizens and businesses as it allows them to better prepare for the post-transition phase;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 53 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Underlines that the covid-19 pandemic directly affects the negotiation process; recognizes the willingness by both parties to continue negotiations during the covid-19 pandemic through virtual means in order to limit the extent of the delay; acknowledges that negotiations through virtual means pose additional challenges; calls on the parties to hold face-to-face meetings once this is deemed safe;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 55 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Strongly believes that the negative impact of the covid-19 pandemic on global trade and economic relations serves as an additional incentive to make substantial progress in the negotiations and work towards a comprehensive and ambitious partnership;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 66 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – point iv
(iv) the safeguarding of the EU legal order and the role of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) as the sole body responsible for interpreting EU law in this respect;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 70 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – point vi
(vi) a level playing field, ensuring equivalent standards in social, labour, environmental, competition and State aid policies, including through a robust and comprehensive framework on competition and State aid control, dispute settlement and enforcement mechanisms;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 75 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – point vii a (new)
(vii a) the Parties' commitments to international agreements to tackle climate change including those which implement the United-Nations Framework Conventions on Climate Change, in particular the Paris Agreement should constitute an essential element of the future agreement.
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 92 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Emphasises the importance of making substantial progress on all topics in parallel, including on those that showed limited to no progress such as the level-playing field, governance, law enforcement as well as the timely conclusion of a fisheries agreement;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 94 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises the importance of being ready for the UK’s withdrawal from the internal market and the customs union at the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020, regardless of the outcome of the negotiations; stresses that the consequences will be even more significant should no agreement be reached; welcomes, in this regard, the Commission’s sector-specific ‘readiness notices’, which seek to ensure that EU industry is ready for the inevitable shock that the UK’s withdrawal from the single market will cause; encourages the European Commission and Member States to enhance their efforts in order to fully inform European citizens and businesses of the risks that the transition period might end before an agreement is reached, in order to allow for and support adequate preparedness to such an unintended but possible outcome.
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 105 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Recalls the negotiating directives, which set out that Gibraltar will not be included in the territorial scope of the agreement to be concluded between the EU and the UK, and that any separate agreement will require the prior agreement of the Kingdom of Spain;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 128 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Insists on having solid guarantees that the UK will implementthe full implementation by the UK of the Withdrawal Agreement effectively and in its entirety before the end of the transition period; stresses that monitoring its implementation should be an integral part of the work on the future relations;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 130 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8 b. Pays special attention to the full respect of citizens' rights as defined in the Withdrawal Agreement; is determined to ensure that Member States fully respect and protect rights of British citizens living in the European Union under the Withdrawal Agreement; is equally committed to monitor closely that the UK fully respects and protects the rights of EU citizens living on its soil under the Withdrawal Agreement;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 131 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Insists the European Parliament to be fully and immediately informed of all the discussions held and decisions taken by the Joint Committee; recalls in this respect the obligations stemming from Council Decision (EU) 2020/135 of 30 January 2020 on the conclusion of the Agreement on the withdrawal of the United-Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community2, and in particular Article 2(3) thereof, which provides that Parliament must be in a position to exercise fully its institutional prerogatives throughout the Joint Committee proceedings;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 134 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Insists that the European Parliament is regularly informed regarding the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 135 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8 c. Notes with concern that the COVID19 pandemic had significant consequences on the possibility for EU citizens living in the UK to apply to the EU settlement scheme as front offices have been closed due to the lockdown decided by British authorities;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 136 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 d (new)
8 d. Expresses concern at reports that EU citizens under pre-settled status were denied social benefits in the UK due to bureaucratic obstacles; underlines that such situations equal undue discrimination and have significant consequences, especially at the time of severe economic and social uncertainty;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 137 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls that under the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, designed and adopted in order to ensure the absence of a hard border on the island of Ireland while protecting the integrity of the Single market after the end of the transition period the UK, while being a third country, will have the task of implementing parts of the Union Customs Code, which will require unprecedented structures to be set up even before the end of the transition period, necessitating due consideration for the issue of proper implementation and enforcement; calls on the Commission to carry out efficient checks and controls; expresses concern at the repeated refusal expressed by the British authorities to authorize the opening of a permanent office for EU officials in Belfast to monitor the good implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland; notes that the term goods ‘at risk of subsequently being moved into the Union’ used in Article 5 of that Protocol is unclear and depends on subsequent decisions of the Joint Committee which are exempt from formal European Parliament scrutiny; requests to be kept fully informed on the application of that Article and any proposals for decisions of the Joint Committee in that regard;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 146 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Emphasises the need to proceed with the necessary measures for the introduction of customs procedures for goods entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain, as well as necessary sanitary and phytosanitary controls and other regulatory checks;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 162 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Takes note that the UK has chosen to establish its future economic and trade partnership with the EU on the basis of a ‘Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement’ as laid down in the UK’s Approach to Negotiations; emphasises that, while the European Parliament is supportive of the EU constructively negotiating a balanced, ambitious and comprehensive FTA with the UK, by its nature an FTA will never be equivalent to ‘frictionless’ trade; expresses concern at the intention of the UK government to move away from zero tariffs and zero quota and avoid any commitments on the level playing field; emphasizes, in this regard, that the agreement should ensure open and fair competition, and prevent distortions in trade and unfair competitive advantages; shares the Commission’s negotiating position whereby the scope and ambition of an FTA that the EU would agree to is conditional on the UK agreeing to provisions related to the level playing field, given the geographical proximity and integration of markets, as well as on the conclusion of an agreement on fisheries;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 179 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 – point i
(i) reciprocal arrangement for mutually beneficial market access for goods, services, public procurement, recognition of professional qualifications and where relevant foreign direct investment to be negotiated in full compliance with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules while recalling the necessary difference of treatment between a third country and a Member State;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 189 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 – point iii
(iii) while striving for the widest possible trade in goods, the Commission should evaluate possible quotas and tariffs for the most sensitive sectors as well as the need for safeguard clauses to protect the integrity and stability of the EU single market; reiterates, moreover, that for instance with respect to food and agricultural products, access to the single market ishould be conditional on strict complianceregulatory alignment with all EU laws and standards ensuring a level playing field, particularly in the fields of food safety, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), pesticides, geographical indications, animal welfare, labelling and traceability, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards, and human, animal and plant health;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 202 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 – point vi
(vi) commitments on services should be made with the aim of delivering a level of liberalisation in trade in services well beyond the parties’ WTO commitments, building on recent EU FTAs, while safeguarding the high quality of the EU’s public services in accordance with the TFEU and in particular Protocol 26 on Services of General Interest; audio-visual services should be excluded from provisions related to liberalisationthe scope of the economic partnership; reiterates that under an FTA market access for services is limited and always subject to exclusions, reservations and exceptions; all modes of supply of services should be covered, including commitments on the movement of natural persons across borders (Mode 4) and provisions, linked to EU rules and the respect for equal treatment of workers and recognition of professional qualifications while recalling the necessary difference of treatment between a third country and a Member State; the arrangements should include provisions on market access and national treatment under host state rules to ensure that EU service providers are treated in a non- discriminatory manner, including with regard to establishment as well as regulatory coordination platformexchange of information on regulations; the new arrangements should allow for the temporary entry and stay of natural persons for business purposes with the aim of providing services;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 208 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 – point vii
(vii) there should be opportunities for access to both Parties to public procurement markets beyond WTO Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) commitments, guaranteeing market access for EU companies in strategic sectors at all levels of government and a degree of openness equal to the EU’s public procurement markets; regrets the fact, in this regard, in specific areas at all level of governments without prejudice to their national rules aimed at protecting their essential security interests, guaranteeing market access for EU companies and a degree of openness equal to the EU’s public procurement markets; however, defence and security contracts will have to remain excluded from the provisions of the agreement; regrets the fact that the UK’s initial negotiating position does not cover public procurement;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 216 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 – point ix
(ix) an overarching chapter on the needs and interests of micro-enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with regard to market access facilitation issues including, but not limited to, compatibility of technical standards, and streamlined customs procedures with the aim of preserving and generating concrete business opportunities and fostering their internationalisation; noteregrets that the UK’s approach to the negotiations does not include specific provisions reflecting these objectives;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 227 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 – point xii
(xii) ambitious provisions allowing for the development and facilitation of digital trade, and to address unjustified barriers to trade by electronic means, and ensure an open, secure and trustworthy online environment for businesses and consumers, and regulating cross-border data flows, including principles such as fair competition and ambitious rules for cross- borderfacilitating two-way data transfers, in full compliance with, and without prejudice to, the EU’s current and future data protection and privacy rules;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 239 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Reiterates that given the UK’s geographic proximity and economic interdependence with the EU, the breadth and depth of the agreement on a level playing field will be essential in determining the extent of the overall future EU-UK relationship; considers, therefore, that a level playing field must be ensured and EU standards safeguarded are a condition in order to avoid a ‘race to the bottom’ while contributing to sustainable development and the fight against climate change, with a view to dynamic alignment; stresses the need to ensure that the UK does not gain an unfair competitive advantage through the undercutting of levels of protection and to prevent regulatory arbitrage by market operators;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 247 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 – introductory part
16. Recalls its determination to prevent any kind of ‘dumping’ in the framework of the future EU-UK relationship; considerspoints out that a key outcome of the negotiations is to guarantee a level playing field through robust commitments and enforceable provisions on:
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 249 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 – point i
(i) competition and State aid, which should prevent undue distortion of trade and competition and include provisions on state-owned enterprises; regrets, with regard to State aid, that the UK approach does not reflect the same ambition and only covers subsidies;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 253 #
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 256 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 – point iv
(iv) environmental protection and climate change related standards, the promotion of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals; the Parties' commitments to international agreements to tackle climate change including those which implement the United-Nations Framework Conventions on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement; enforceable midterm commitments to tackle climate change; the implementation by the UK of a system of carbon pricing of at least the same scope and effectiveness as provided for by the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the same principles regarding the use of external credits by the end of the transition period should apply;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 260 #
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 263 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Points out that these provisions should ensure that standards are not lowered, while empowering both parties to modify commitments over time to lay down higher standards or include additional areas; stresses, moreover, that commitments and provisions should be enforceable by autonomous interim measures, a solid dispute settlement mechanism and remedies, to provide the Union with the ability to adopt sanctions as a last resort in every covered areas, including in relation to sustainable development with a view to dynamic alignment;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 271 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Strongly believes that the UK should adhere to the evolving standards on taxation and, anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing legislation within the EU acquis, including tax transparency, the exchange of information on tax matters and anti-tax avoidance measures, and should address the respective situations of its Overseas Territories, its Sovereign Base Areas and its Crown Dependencies and their non- compliance with EU good governance criteria and transparency requirements;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 276 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Reiterates the need to maintain high standards and a level playing field in the areas of medicinal products, medical devices, food safety and labelling, animal wellbeing and veterinary, phytosanitary, and environmental policy and standards;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 293 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Recalls that this is contrary to the provisions of the Political Declaration, which envisages an ambitious, broad, deep and flexible partnership in the field of foreign policy, security and defence and contains a part dedicated specifically to the EU-UK future security partnership, and to which the UK has agreed;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 301 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Deplores the fact that the UK is showing no ambition for relations with the EU in the field of foreign policy, security and defence and that these were explicitly not covered by the UK mandate and therefore do not form part of the 11 negotiating tables; underlines that foreign and security cooperation with UK is important both for the EU and UK;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 327 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Underlines the fact that the EU is an important partner for the UK in foreign and security policy, as the need for common responses to address foreign, security and defence policy challenges is crucial to both sides; encourages the exchange of information and intelligence as well as close cooperation in the areas of counter-terrorism, hybrid threats; space policy, cyberwarfare and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) defence;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 351 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Recalls that a number of restrictive measures (sanctions regimes) are currently in force in the UK under EU legislation; calls for the UK to continue aligning its sanctions policy with the EU even after it is withdrawal; underlines the fact that the UK will still be bound to apply UN sanctions regimes following its withdrawal; calls for the establishment of a proper coordination mechanism for sanctions between both parties in order to maximise their impact and to ensure convergence and that mutual interests are pursued and met in the promotion of common values;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 369 #

2020/2023(INI)

31. Emphasises the importance of consular cooperation between the EU and the UK, as this would ensure efficient assistance for each other’s citizens and would allow both the UK and EU to offer its citizens the possibility of benefiting from consular protection via a wider network of consulates worldwide;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 376 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
32. Points out that the entire Agreement with the UK as a third country, including among others provisions on the level playing field and fisheries, should include the establishment of a coherent and solid governance system as an overarching framework, covering the joint continuous supervision and management of the Agreement as well as dispute settlement and enforcement mechanisms with sanctions and interim measures where necessary with respect to the interpretation and application of the Agreement’s provisions;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 15 #

2020/2013(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Considers in particular that the use of AI- enabled systems in armed conflicts must, abs provided by the principles of the Martens Clause,Martens Clause, abide by the general principles of IHL and must never breach or be permitted to breach the dictates of the public conscience and humanity; considers that this is the ultimate test forclause should guide the admissibility of an AI- enabled system in warfare; calls on the AI research community to integrate this principle in all AI-enabled systems intended to be used in warfare; considers that no authority can issue a derogation from those principles or certify an AI- enabled system;
2020/06/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 37 #

2020/2013(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the need for robust testing and evaluation systems based on norms to ensure that during the entire lifecycle of AI-enabled systems in the military domain, in particular during the phases of human- machine interaction, machine learning and adjusting and adapting to new circumstances, the systems do not go beyond the intended limits and willmust be used at all times in complyiance with the applicable international law;
2020/06/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 43 #

2020/2013(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Highlights that any AI-enabled system used in the military domain must, as a minimum set of requirements, be able to distinguish between combatants and non-combatants on the battlefield, not have indiscriminate effects, not cause unnecessary suffering to persons, not be biased or be trained on biased data, and be in compliance with the IHL general principles of military necessity, and humanity, and the implementing principles of proportionality in the use of force and precaution prior to engagement;
2020/06/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 48 #

2020/2013(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses that in the use of AI- enabled systems in security and defence, fullcomprehensive situational understanding of the operator, ability to detect possible changes in circumstances and ability to discontinue an attack are needed to ensure that IHL principles, in particular distinction, proportionality and precaution in attack, are fully applied across the entire chain of command and control; stresses that AI- enabled systems must allow the military leadership to assume its full responsibility at all timthroughout each of their uses;
2020/06/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 62 #

2020/2013(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the HR/VP, in the framework of the ongoing discussions on the international regulation of lethal autonomous weapon systems by states parties to the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), to remain engaged and help streamline the global debate on core issues and definitions where consensus has not been reached, in particular as regards concepts and characteristics of AI-enabled lethal autonomous weapons and their functions in the identification, selection and engagement of a target, application of the concept of human responsibility in the use of AI-enabled systems in defence, and the degree of human/machine interaction, including the concept of human control and judgment, during the different stages of the lifecycle of an AI-enabled weapon.
2020/06/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 20 #

2020/2012(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that current and future defence-related activities within the Union framework will draw on AI, on robotics and autonomy, and on related technologies and that the Union must assume leading role in research and development of AI systems in defence field; believes that the use of AI-enabled applications in defence offer number of direct benefits such as higher quality collected data, greater situational awareness, increased speed for decision-making, as well as greater reliability of military equipment; recalls that AI systems are also becoming key elements in countering emerging security threats both in the online and offline spheres; notes, however, that AI could be exposed to forms of dangerous malign manipulation in unpredictable ways and with incalculable consequences;
2020/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 38 #

2020/2012(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Highlights that, based on a human- centric approach, the Union follows a path of responsibility, of protecting our citizens, and of defending our values, whilst seizing the opportunities that those technologies offer as well as realizing that AI enabled systems will be a key element in future defence-developments and defensive capabilities;
2020/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 40 #

2020/2012(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Highlights that, based on a human- centric approach, the Union follows a path of responsibility, of protecting our citizens and their data, and of defending our values, whilst seizing the opportunities that those technologies offer;
2020/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 46 #

2020/2012(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines that the Union must be at the forefront of mastering those technologies by establishing well defined processes for their use, for understanding the related ethical aspects and for fostering an effective international regulatory framework that contains the inherent risks of these technologies and prevents use for malicious purposes; those include in particular unintended harm to persons, be it material or immaterial, such as breach of fundamental rights or physical harm; underlines that further AI research and development should ensure that AI enabled systems are better equipped to understand unique context; Calls for regular monitoring to make sure that AI- driven decision-making does not lead to discrimination and that AI systems are not trained on bias data;
2020/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 93 #

2020/2012(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
9. Underlines that the entire responsibility and accountability for the decision to design, develop, deploy and use AI-systems must rest on human operators and the human-in- the-loop principle must also be applied to the command and control of AI-enabled systems; stresses that AI- enabled systems must allow the military leadership to assume its full responsibility and exercise the necessary level of judgment for taking lethal or large-scale destructive action be means of such systems;
2020/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 99 #

2020/2012(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
10. Underlines that the Union must promote understanding the military implications of AI, of robotics and of autonomy; considers that the Union needs to promote the acquisition of the necessary skills and knowledge on technology development processes and operational methods throughout the supply chain and over the full lifecycle of AI-enabled military capabilities; underlines the urgent need for establishing increased European strategic and technological independence in the field of AI enabled systems, including the critical infrastructure it relies on;
2020/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 124 #

2020/2012(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Notes that since the bulk of AI research and development is happening in the private sector, it will be necessary to establish a closer cooperation with leading companies and enterprises in order to harness the potential of AI to the fullest, while fostering a better understanding of risks and benefits as well as ensuring maximum operational security;
2020/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 13 #

2020/2006(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. emphasises the need to further improve the implementation and enforcement of the EU Timber Regulation to best preserve sustainable trade in imported and domestically produced timber and timber products;
2020/06/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 15 #

2020/2006(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. repeats its demand that imports of timber and timber products should be more thoroughly checked at the EU borders in order to ensure that the imported products do indeed comply with the criteria for entry into the EU; stresses that the Commission needs to ensure that customs controls throughout the EU follow the same standards, by means of a direct unified customs control mechanism, incoordination with Member States and in full compliance with the principle of subsidiarity;
2020/06/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 17 #

2020/2006(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3 c. notes with concern that research continues to affirm a worrying link between zoonotic diseases, such as COVID-19, and deforestation, climate change and biodiversity loss;
2020/06/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 18 #

2020/2006(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 d (new)
3 d. welcomes the EU communication of 23 July 2019 on stepping up EU action to protect andrestore the world’s forests; recalls that sustainable and inclusive forest management and governance is essential to the achievement of the objectives set in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal; underlines the importance of measures ensuring that demand is in line with the stated goals, as the EU is a significant importer of commodities associated with deforestation, such as soy, palm oil, eucalyptus, rubber, maize, beef, leather and cocoa, which are often drivers of global deforestation;
2020/06/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 19 #

2020/2006(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 e (new)
3 e. highlights the fact that commodities like cocoa offer an early chance to make progress on such an approach, learning lessons from the FLEGT VPA process;
2020/06/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 20 #

2020/2006(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 f (new)
3 f. believes that the EU needs to ensure that it only promotes global supply chains and financial flows which are sustainable and deforestation-free and which do not result in human rights violations;
2020/06/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 21 #

2020/2006(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 g (new)
3 g. calls on the Commission to base any future proposals regarding forest-risk commodities on lessons learned from the FLEGT Action Plan, the EU Timber Regulation, the Conflict Mineral Regulation, the Non-Financial Reporting Directive, legislation on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and other EU initiatives to regulate supply chains; takes note with interest of the Commission’s announcement of future proposals on due diligence throughout the supply chain for products to be put on the internal market; calls for the role of civil society, as a crucial source of information on deforestation, to be strengthened; urges the Commission, in developing any such proposals, to ensure that such commodities and products do not cause deforestation, forest degradation, the conversion or degradation of natural ecosystems or related human rights violations, and that they apply to the whole supply chain and cover OECD guidelines on social responsibility and human rights intrade, are WTO compatible, and that after careful assessment the proposals are found to be functional and applicable to all actors on the market, including SMEs;
2020/06/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 22 #

2020/2006(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 h (new)
3 h. underlines the fact that the drivers of deforestation go beyond the forest sector per se and relate to a wide range of issues, such as land tenure, protection of the rights of indigenous people, agricultural policies, climate change, democracy, human rights and political freedom; recalls that indigenous women and women farmers play a central role in protecting forest ecosystems; calls on the Commission to step up its efforts to address deforestation holistically through a coherent policy framework, while ensuring the conservation of ecosystems; believes that gender equality in forestry education is a key point in the sustainable management of forests which should be reflected in the EU Action Plan;
2020/06/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 23 #

2020/2006(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 i (new)
3 i. recalls the importance of respecting the UN’s Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights; supports the ongoing negotiations to create a binding UN instrument on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights and stresses the importance of the EU being proactively involved in this process;
2020/06/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 24 #

2020/2006(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 j (new)
3 j. calls on the Commission to deliver on its commitment to extend the due diligence obligations provided by the EU Timber Regulation so as to cover conflict timber in the framework of the upcoming review;
2020/06/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 40 #

2020/2006(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Highlights the importance of strengthening international cooperation on policies and actions to halt deforestation, forest degradation and to restore forests by increasing efforts in key international fora, including the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD);
2020/06/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 46 #

2020/2006(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. the proposal should ensure that there is legal certainty for all relevant stakeholders on any new EU wide measure and framework relating to the current use of FLEGT VPAs and licencing, in order to secure the interest in investing in deforestation free export to the EU;
2020/06/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 30 #

2020/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital O
O. whereas there is a significant risk that major military powers no longer tend to resort to arms control and disarmament to ease international tensions and improve the global security environment, ultimately leading to an increase in nuclear risks worldwide;
2020/01/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 31 #

2020/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital Q
Q. whereas the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) was adopted in 2017 by 122 states, among which none of the nuclear -weapon States; whereas the European Union was not able to agree on a common position on the Treaty;
2020/01/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 42 #

2020/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital W
W. whereas the status of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK), who withdrew in 2003 from the Treaty and acquired the ability to manufacture nuclear weapons despite strong international sanctions, weapons of mass destruction remains unchanged; whereas, according to the IAEA Annual Report for 2018, Pyongyang continued its nuclear activities; whereas signs of activity from DPRK’s nuclear sites were reported throughout 2019, and Pyongyang announced an imminent ‘very important test’ at a satellite-launching site; whereas perspectives for concrete steps towards denuclearisation of the area in the short- term are slim;
2020/01/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 43 #

2020/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital W a (new)
W a. whereas Inside the Arctic Circle, the number of nuclear-powered vessels has increased sharply over the last decade; whereas the presence of radiological and nuclear material in the Arctic poses a risk for serious incidents or accidents;
2020/01/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 71 #

2020/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q
(q) consider the adoption of the TPNW by 122 states as evidence of the desire of the majority of the international community to achieve the objective of a nuclear-weapons-free world;deleted
2020/01/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 74 #

2020/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q
(q) consider the adoption of the TPNW by 122 states, signed by 80 States and ratified by 35, as evidence of the desire of the majority of the international community to achieve the objective of a nuclear-weapons-free world;
2020/01/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 82 #

2020/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r
(r) confirm the inalienable right of the NPT parties to the peaceful use of nuclear energy to meet their long-term energy requirements, in conformity with the NPT provisions; work with countries wishing to develop capacities in this area towards a responsible use of nuclear energy for solely peaceful purposes, provided all safety, security and non-proliferation conditions are met; recall in particular that the needs of developing countries should be duly taken into account; encourage the state parties to use the opportunity of the 2020 review process to further deepen the debate on the peaceful use of nuclear energyin cases when such countries fail to cooperate and comply with all safety, security and non-proliferation conditions, an appropriate measures to be considered; provide help and make it obligatory for countries wishing to develop capacities in the peaceful use of nuclear energy to develop a strong nuclear safety culture; recognise the role and value of the IAEA and its safeguard system in implementing the NPT and in strengthening the nuclear security framework;
2020/01/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 98 #

2020/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v
(v) call on the state parties to develop and put in place measures aimed at mitigating the risks of using nuclear weapons, be it intentionally, by misperception or miscalculation in an escalating conflict, or accidentally; measures could include improving communication channels and protocols, creating a clear distinction between conventional and nuclear assets, as well as improving resilience to hybrid threats, cyberattacks and extending decision-time in a crisis;
2020/01/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 110 #

2020/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point aa
(aa) reaffirm the EU’s continuing commitment to the JCPOA as the best possible means for obtaining assurances of an exclusively peaceful use of nuclear energy by Iran, and as a vital tool for enhancing stability and security in the Middle East; reiterate the EU’s regret over deep concern over Iran's violations of its commitments since July 2019; and deplores the withdrawal by the US from the JCPOA and the re- impositions of sanctions; call on Iran to return to full compliance with its nuclear- related commitments under the JCPOA and the NPT;
2020/01/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 25 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the global crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic could have significant geostrategic repercussions and strengthens the need to build a genuine European strategic autonomy;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 41 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the publication of the 20th and 21st annual reports; deplores the late publication of information about exports during 2017 and 2018, albeit with delay; believes that the publication of both reports represent a step forward towards a common EU position in the field of arms export, in the framework of an ever more challenging international context marked by increasing volumes of export and decreasing levels of transparency; considers both reports as valuable complements to the UN reports on global and regional arms export transparency;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 45 #

2020/2003(INI)

1. Welcomes the publication of the 20th and 21st annual reports; deploregrets the late publication of information about exports during 2017 and 2018;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 49 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that ten Member States made full submissions to the 20th annual report, and eleven to the 21st; deplores the fact thataccording to the Common Position all Member States are obliged to report on their arms exports, and urges all Member States two of the main exporting countries – Germany and the UK – didcomply fully with their obligations, as set out in the Common Position; criticises the fact that a number of Member States did not make full submissions to the annual reports; reiterates its request that all Member States which have not makde full submissions provide additional information regarding their past exports with a view to the next annual report;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 52 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that ten Member States made full submissions to the 20th annual report, and eleven to the 21st; deplores the fact that two of the main exporting countries – Germany and the UK – did not make full submissions, thereby showing an increased implementation of common rules at a time of decreasing global transparency in the arms trade, especially among several major arms exporting countries; calls on Member States to provide submissions for future annual reports with a view to further strengthening the EU’s efforts to improve the transparency of the global arms trade;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 59 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Deplores the fact thatCalls on Member States to use very different information in order to generate data on the value of licences, which rendersharmonised and EU-level standardised data on the value of licences and other arms transfers, with a view to make the annual report considerably lessmore usable as a comparative data set and serves to diminish its transparency and accountability before citizens and parliaments; urges France, in particular, to refrain from submitting data on the value of licences at pre-contract stage and broad values for global licences, which undermines the comparability of the reportas a tool to increase its transparency and accountability;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 60 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Deplores the factIs concerned that Member States use very different information in order to generate data on the value of licences, which renders the annual report considerably less usable as a comparative data set and serves to diminish its transparency and accountability before citizens and parliaments; urges France, in particular, to refrain from submitting data on the value of licences at pre-contract stage and broad values for global licences, which undermines the comparability of the report;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 67 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that the countries of the Middle East and North Africa, a region of several armed conflicts, remain the foremost regional destination for exports according to the last two annual reports; is concerned that this regional focus undermines the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and specific EU action aimed at regional peace and stability;deleted
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 72 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that the countries of the Middle East and North Africa, a region of several armed conflicts, remain the foremost regional destination for exports according to the last two annual reports; is concernednotes that thisese regional focus undermines the Common Foreign and Security Policy (s face significant and continuing security challenges and that every export has to be assessed on a case by case basis, in the context of the wider CFSP) and EU specific EU actions aimed at regional peace and stability;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 79 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls that the EU has been implementing a number of arms embargoes25 in line with the objectives of the CFSP; notes that the EU undertakes missions in the framework of the CFSP, including a mission enforcing an arms embargo in Libya, with the aim of strengthening regional peace stability; _________________ 25 https://www.sanctionsmap.eu/#/main?chec ked=
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 84 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls on the Member States, with regard to export controls, to pay greater attention to goods which may be used for both civilian and military purposes;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 93 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Welcomes Member States’ renewed commitment to the legally binding Common Position as amended by Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1560 and stresses the importance of thoroughly assessing export licence applications for military technology and equipment according to the criteria stipulated therein;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 94 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Welcomes the update of the EU common position of 2008 to take into account relevant developments, such as the adoption of the Arms trade treaty, to which all Member States are party;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 95 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Supports Council’s commitment to strengthening the control of export of military technology and equipment; notes the willingness of Member States to reinforce cooperation and promote convergence in this field, within the framework of the CFSP; in this regard, calls on Member States to develop, implement and uphold common standards of management of transfers of military technology and equipment;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 98 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Points out that Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1560 and the relevant conclusions of 16 September 2019 have the potential to ensure that EU citizens are furnished with better information about the strategic choices made by their governments in an area which directly affects their security and their countries’ adherence to values and norms;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 101 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Points out that Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1560 and the relevant conclusions of 16 September 2019 have the potential to ensure that EU citizens are furnished with better information about threflect a growing awareness among Member States of the need for even greater national and EU-wide strategic choices made by their governmentsnsparency and convergence in anthe area which directly affects their security and their countries’ adherence to values and normsof arms export and the need to strengthen public oversight in this sensitive national security domain;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 102 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on EU Member States exporting arms to regions with ongoing conflicts to adhere to the greatest possible extent to CFSP principles, objectives and trade regimes;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 103 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Supports Council’s reaffirmation that military equipment and technology should be traded in a responsible and accountable way; welcomes Council’s renewed commitment to further promoting cooperation and convergence in Member States’ policies to prevent the export of military technology and equipment that might be used for internal repression or international aggression, or contribute to regional instability;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 105 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Notes with concern the growing divergences between the arms export policies and practices of the Member States and the failure to introduce new instruments to promote convergence towards the strict application of EU rules in this area;deleted
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 113 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. SNotes and fully supports the Council’s decision to introduce a clear reporting deadline for national submissions; welcomes the steps taken towards the online approach and encourages the further developmentreaffirmed commitment to transparency in the international arms trade; welcomes in this regard the introduction of concrete measures intended to facilitate the correct, coherent and timely reporting of Member States’ arms exports, such as the inclusion of clear reporting deadlines to the EU Annual Report and further guidelines ofn the lattersubstance and process of reporting;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 117 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Welcomes Council’s support for clear guidelines on information-sharing and exchange between Member States on their arms export policies; welcomes the steps taken towards the digital approach with the COARM Online System and encourages its further expansion;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 124 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. NotWelcomes that since the adoption of the legally binding Common Position in 2008, an increasing number of weapon systems produced in Europe are made up of components from multiple countries and involve bi- or multilateral cooperation for; underlines the positive role of technological, industrial and political reasoncooperation in promoting confidence building among Member States and third countries;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 129 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Notes an increase in the transfer of knowledge and technology, which allows third countries to undertake licensed production of European military technology; believes that this process can foster the harmonisation of public oversight and transparency standards in defence production and accelerate the creation of internationally recognised and respected rules on arms production and export;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 133 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Notes that most Member States have not outlined a policy regulating the transfer of weapons components to another Member State which would ensure that any export to third countries from the Member State of assembly is consistent with the export policy of the Member State providing the components; regards this as particularly problematic in the context of the increasing divergences between licensing practices across the EU; observes that Directive 2009/43/EC on intra-Community transfers has proven ill-equipped to achieve the stated goal of setting high common standards for exports to third countries;deleted
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 149 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Notes that despite a correlation between divergences in export policies and difficulties of intra-UE cooperation, the sooner is the consequence of the weakness of the European defence spending, the persistent fragmentation of the internal market for defence-related products and the existence of industrial duplications; calls therefore the European Commission, the Council and Member States to fully implement the European Action Plan for Defence; calls in particular for a swift adoption of the European Defence Fund and for an adequate level of funding enabling the reduction of market fragmentation and industrial consolidation while ensuring the EU and its Member States will dispose of military capabilities they need; calls the Commission to ensure the correct implementation of directive 2009/81/EC and Directive 2009/43/EC;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 165 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. NotWelcomes that EU funds such as the Preparatory Action on Defence Research (PADR), the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) and the European Defence Fund (EDF), initiatives such as the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) and the European Peace Facility (EPF), legislation such as the intra- Community transfers and defence procurement directives of 2009, and the creation of administrative capacities such as the Commission Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) are heralding an increasing Europeanisation of arms production and capability development as well as strengthening cooperation among Member States and enhancing common standards in the field of arms exports;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 169 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Notes that EU funds such as the Preparatory Action on Defence Research (PADR), the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) and the European Defence Fund (EDF), initiatives such as the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) and the European Peace Facility (EPF), legislation such as the intra-Community transfers and defence procurement directives of 2009, and the creation of administrative capacities such as the Commission Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) are heraldaiming ant increasing Europeanisation of arms production and capability development;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 170 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Believes that the strengthening of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base should be accompanied by closer cooperation and convergence in the control of exports of military technology and equipment, with the aim of improving the effectiveness of the CFSP and the CSDP in particular;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 171 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Calls on the Member States to overcome the current lack of efficiency in defence spending due to duplication, fragmentation and lack of interoperability, and to aim for the EU to become a security provider also by better controlling arms exports;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 178 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. UnderlinWelcomes the fact that the interinstitutional agreement on the establishment of the EDF authorises the Commission to assess whether the transfer of ownership or the granting of an exclusive licence of EDF-co-funded military technology contravenes the security and defence interests of the EU and its Member States or the objectives of the fund as set out in Article 3 of the proposed regulation; notes that this new legislation establishes a specific type of control function for the Commission with regard to a specific category of exports of military technology to third countrieis a clear commitment to a greater level of control and equips the Commission with additional powers of civilian oversight with regard to a specific category of exports of military technology to third countries, thereby further enhancing transparency and minimising the risk of a misuse of EU funds;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 184 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Notes that under the EPF, Member States and the European External Action Service (EEAS) will work on creating an EU-level system for arms transfers to third countries; Believes that for any future steps towards an EU-level system for arms transfers, in particular to a common denominator, the Schmidt-Debré harmonisation agreement with the ‘de Dinimis’ rule can already be handled as a framework;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 195 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Notes that the lack of convergence of national arms export policies and decision-making is becoming increasingly untenable in the context of the prevailing Europeanisation of arms production and the stated ambitions and plans to increase this further;deleted
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 206 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Welcomes the strengthening of EU defence cooperation in the framework of the CSDP, resulting in increased convergence of common rules and standards of transparency of arms exports and technology and fostering confidence- building among Member States and third country partners;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 214 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 – point a
a) to add the following additional categories in a revised reporting template, in line with internationally recognized standards, in order to implement the recent September 2019 Council conclusions: the exact type of weapon and the quantity exported, denomination of the munitions, the lot size and the specific end-user, revoked licences, and the value and duration of contracts regarding post-delivery services such as training and maintenance;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 217 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 – point b
b) to disaggregate data with regard to denial information so as to facilitate the scrutiny of specific shipments or Member States;deleted
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 220 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 – point b
b) to disaggregate data with regard to denial information so as to facilitate thecollect and present data in a way that would enable, if required, the necessary scrutiny of specific shipments or Member States;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 224 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 – point c
c) to clarifydevelop EU and internationally recognized definitions such as licensed value and actual exports so as to facilitate the comparability of data between Member States and at international level;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 231 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Welcomes the decision to transform the annual report into an interactive and searchable online database and expects it to be up and running before publication of the export data for 2019; calls on the EEAS to inform Parliament about the precise date on which this database will go online; urges COARM to choseapply a solution that enables data to be exported in a structured format;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 237 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 – introductory part
21. Calls on COARM to work towards amending Article 7 of the Common Position, by calling for an improved exchange of relevant information, including information on denial notifications and arms export policies’ and other ‘measures to further increase convergence’; stresses the need, to this end:
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 247 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 – point b
b) to follow the example of the UK in this regard by publishing risk assessments in the annual reports;deleted
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 261 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Believes that the EU institutions should organise peer reviews with a view to encouraginge authorities to share best practices on the collection and processing of data, fostering a better understanding of different national approaches, identifying differencnational peculiarities as regards the interpretation of the eight criteria, and discussing ways and means to improve harmonisation and convergence among Member States;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 267 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Strongly bBelieves that a much higher level of convergence as regards the strictfull application of the criteria will strengthenmore effectively ensure the respect for human rights, and international law and the CFSP,by all parties involved in the arms trade and bolster the EU’s strategic security interests and strategic autonomy, in accordance with the goals and ambitions of the CFSP;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 281 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Believes that the increasing Europeanisation of arms production, the recent Council conclusions on convergence in arms exports and the establishment of the EPF should be complemented by a mechanism for EU- level monitoring and control based on strict compliance with the eight criteria;deleted
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 289 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Believes that the increasing Europeanisation of arms production, the recent Council conclusions on convergence in arms exports and the establishment of the EPF should be complemented by a mechanism for EU-level monitoring and control based on strict compliance with the eight criteria;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 300 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Considers that regular consultations with national parliaments, arms export control authorities, industry associations and civil society are central to meaningful transparency; calls on COARM to enhancecontinue its dialogue with civil society and consultations with Parliament and arms export control authorities; 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;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 301 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Considers that regular consultations with national parliaments, arms export control authorities, industry associations and civil society are central toneeded to enhance meaningful transparency; calls on COARM to enhance dialogue with civil society and industries, as well as consultations with Parliament and arms export control authorities; 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;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 308 #

2020/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Encourages Member States to help third countries in the creation, improvement and application of arms checking systems in compliance with the Common Position;
2020/05/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
- having regard to the Joint Declaration of the Members of the European Council with the Member States of the G5 Sahel of 28 April 2020,
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 84 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the above-mentioned challenges will be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic; whereas the European Commission announced an additional 194 million euros to support the security, stability and resilience in Sahel;
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 146 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
K a. whereas China has increased its influence in Africa by opening up more embassies, increased arms sales to African states, opening up a military base in Djibouti in 2017 and increasing its military presence;
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 369 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Calls for the EU to pay particular attention to the spread of jihadism in areas such as the Indian Ocean and West Africa and to lend cooperation and establish aid programmes when required; Encourages the EU to persist with its global efforts to combat jihadism, as jihadism has a worldwide reach by exporting its ideology and thereby negatively influencing societies across the globe, including African societies;
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 22 #

2020/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas in the current tense geopolitical context, key arms control treaties that came into force at the end of the Cold War have recently been dismantlweakened;
2021/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 34 #

2020/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) entered into force on 22 January 2021; whereas three EU Member States are States Parties to the TPNW; whereas no NATO Allies and no state possessing nuclear weapons are States Parties to the TPNW; whereas no meaningful results in the global non-proliferation and disarmament efforts are possible without the involvement and active participation of the five nuclear-weaponall States Parties to the NPT;
2021/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 38 #

2020/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was an achievement of multilateral diplomacy led by the EU; whereas the US and Iranparticipants to the 2015 nuclear deal and the US have begun indirect negotiations with a view to their mutual return tof Iran and the US to the implementation of the JCPOA; whereas Iran has ceased the application of the additional protocol and the implementation of modified Code 3.1 of the Subsidiary Arrangements to Iran’s Safeguards Agreement;
2021/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 54 #

2020/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital M
M. whereas in recent years, China has substantially stepped up the development of its conventional and nuclear capabilities, whereas China has shown lack of transparency and reluctance to engage in talks on its potential participation in multilateralnuclear arms control instruments;
2021/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 60 #

2020/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital N
N. whereas since the withdrawal of the UK from the EU, France is now the only nuclear Member State within the EU;
2021/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 77 #

2020/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital T
T. whereas the nuclear activiti, WMD and ballistic missiles programmes of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) represent a serious threat to international peace and security, and to global disarmament and non-proliferation efforts;
2021/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 96 #

2020/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Is alarmed by the ongoing erosion of the global non-proliferation, disarmament and arms control architecture, which is worsened by the rapid development of new systemdestabilising systems and the persistence of the proliferation crisis; fears that withdrawal from, or the non-extension of, major arms control treaties would seriously damage the international arms control regimes that have provided decades of stability, and would undermine relationships between nuclear-armedweapon states; underlines the urgent need to restore cross-border trust;
2021/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 101 #

2020/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Reaffirms its full support to the NPT as the cornerstone of the international non-proliferation regime; expects nuclear-weapon states to take steps to demonstrate their genuine commitment to nuclear disarmament; exhorts States Parties to do their utmost to contribute to a successful and ambitious outcome of the upcoming 10th Review Conference in all its pillars: disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy;
2021/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 117 #

2020/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for the EU to assist efforts to universalise existing non-proliferation treaties and instruments such the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty; asks the European External Action Service to also work on strengthening the training and capacity- building of our partners;
2021/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 126 #

2020/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the EU’s commitment to help establishing a WMD-free zone in the Middle East, in accordance with the resolution on the Middle East of the 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons;
2021/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 132 #

2020/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Notes the entry into force of the TPNW as an expression of the desire of the majority of the global community to live in a nuclear weapon-free world; recalls that the goal of nuclear disarmament must be pursued within the framework of the NPT while ensuring international stability and undiminished collective security for all; invites all NPT States Parties to therefore constructively engage in the NPT framework, and agree on realistic, effective, tangible, reciprocal and verifiable measures conducive to the achievement of the ultimate shared long- term goal of nuclear disarmament;
2021/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 145 #

2020/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Reaffirms its full support for the JCPOA as a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture; calls on all partiesIran to return to the negotiations with a view to returning to full and effective compliance with the agreement;
2021/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 162 #

2020/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Warmly welcomes the decision taken by the US and the Russian Federation to extend the New START Treaty; advocates the involvement of other nuclear-China, in armeds countries, notably China, in negotiol dialogue and for more transparency regarding the continued increase and modernizations on any new arms control agreementf its nuclear arsenal;
2021/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 172 #

2020/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Expresses its concern over Russian activities of testing of nuclear weapons and building up its fleet of nuclear- and conventionally-powered icebreakers in the Arctic; highlights that such activities go against the aim of maintaining stability and peace and can also be highly dangerous for the fragile environment in the Arctic;
2021/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 178 #

2020/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Highlights that the international community must work on active measures to counter the adverse strategic implications of cruise-risk of missile proliferation;
2021/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 202 #

2020/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Reiterates its will to work towards achieving a complete, irreversible and verifiable denuclearisation of the Korean peninsulaDemocratic People's Republic of Korea and the full implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions which require the DPRK to abandon all nuclear weapons, other WMD and delivery systems programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner; urges the DPRK to swiftly sign and ratify the CTBT and return to compliance with the NPT;
2021/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 206 #

2020/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Points to the rapid advances in the development of artificial intelligence- enabled systems in the military domain; insists on the launch of international negotiations on a legally binding instrument that would prohibit fully autonomous weaponssupport of the EU to the efforts of the UN/CCW where the HCP contributes to the work of the GGE on emerging technologies in the area of LAWS to fulfil its mandate and reach consensus on a possible normative and operational framework;
2021/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 33 #

2020/1998(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses the importance of a progressive framing of the EU’s common security and defence policy and the need to support further funding to ensure its implementation; highlights the need for increasing the budget for the European Defence Fund;
2020/09/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 37 #

2020/1998(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Emphasises the strong need for financial support to civil society and non- governmental organisations in Belarus;
2020/09/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 51 #

2020/1998(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses the responsibility of the EU to support the protection of the Arctic; underlines the importance of investing into developing a more coherent EU Arctic Policy;
2020/09/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 56 #

2020/1998(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Calls for increased visibility and transparency for funding the EU's near neighbourhood and monitoring that no funding is misused or used to encourage corruption;
2020/09/23
Committee: AFET
Amendment 301 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) the number of notices submitted in accordance with Article 14, categorised by the type of alleged illegal content concerned, the number of notices submitted by trusted flaggers, any action taken pursuant to the notices by differentiating whether the action was taken on the basis of the law or the terms and conditions of the provider, and the average time needed for taking the action;
2021/06/24
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 314 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. The information provided shall be broken down per Member State in which services are offered and in the Union as a whole.
2021/06/24
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 316 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2
2. Paragraphs 1 and 1a shall not apply to providers of intermediary services that qualify as micro or small enterprises within the meaning of the Annex to Recommendation 2003/361/EC.
2021/06/24
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 412 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Member States can acknowledge trusted flaggers recognized in another Member State as a trusted flagger on their own territory. Trusted flaggers can be awarded the status of European trusted flagger;
2021/06/24
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 415 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 7
7. The Commission, after consulting the Board, mayshall issue guidance to assist online platforms and Digital Services Coordinators in the application of paragraphs 2, 5 and 6.
2021/06/24
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 439 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – title
22 Traceability of traders and online advertisers
2021/06/24
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 444 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Where an online platform allows consumers to conclude distance contracts with traders or sells online advertisements, it shall ensure that traders can only use its services to promote messages on or to offer products or services to consumers located in the Union if, prior to the use of its services, the online platform has obtained the following information:
2021/06/24
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 482 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission mayshall adopt implementing acts to establish a set of Key Performance Indicators and lay down templates concerning the form, content and other details of reports pursuant to paragraph 1.
2021/06/24
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 498 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Online platforms that display advertising on their online interfaces shall ensure that advertisers: (a) can request information where their advertisements have been placed; (b) can request information on which broker treated their data; (c) can indicate on which specific websites their ads cannot be placed. In case of non-compliance with this provision, advertisers should have an option to judicial redress.
2021/06/24
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 525 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Very large online platforms shall identify, analyse and assess, from the date of application referred to in the second subparagraph of Article 25(4), at least once a year thereafter, any significant systemic risks stemming from the functioning and use made of their services in the Union. The risk assessment shall be broken down per Member State in which services are offered and in the Union as a whole. This risk assessment shall be specific to their services and shall include the following systemic risks:
2021/06/24
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 540 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) intentional manipulation of their service, including by means of inauthentic use, deep fakes or automated exploitation of the service, with an actual or foreseeable negative effect on the protection of public health, minors, civic discourse, or actual or foreseeable effects related to electoral processes and public security.
2021/06/24
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 563 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. The Board, in cooperation with the Commission, shall publish comprehensive reports, once a year, which. The reports of the Board shall be broken down per Member State in which the systemic risks occur and in the Union as a whole. The reports shall be published in all the official languages of the Member States of the Union. The reports shall include the following:
2021/06/24
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 617 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
(b a) the natural or legal person who paid for the advertisement;
2021/06/24
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 623 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. The Board shall, together with trusted flaggers and vetted researchers, publish guidelines on the way add libraries should be organized.
2021/06/24
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 625 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. Very large online platforms shall label inauthentic video’s (‘deep fakes’) as inauthentic in a way that is clearly visible for the internet user.
2021/06/24
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 642 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. The reports shall be published in the official languages of the Member States of the Union.
2021/06/24
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 4 #

2020/0157M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas almost half of the land area in Honduras is covered by forests, half of which is tropical rainforest; whereas there is still a huge resource of unclassified trees and species; whereas Honduras has lost about 12.5 % of its forest area since 2015 due mainly to climate change, forest fires, deforestation and illegal logging, and suffered a pest infestation in 2016;
2021/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 7 #

2020/0157M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas Honduras passed its Climate Change Law in 2014 and was the first state to publish its first nationally determined contribution (NDC) in the framework of the Paris Agreement the following year, of which one commitment is to restore one million hectares of forests;
2021/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 8 #

2020/0157M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas the share of the forest sector in Honduras’ economy has decreased over the years representing around 3,6% of the GNP in the last 16 years owing to stricter requirements on the legality of timber in Honduras’ export markets and to forest destruction; whereas the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) process, which emphasises legality and good governance, is helping the forest sector to increase its share, provide rural jobs and generate income for Hondurans;
2021/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 11 #

2020/0157M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas Honduras is a lower- middle- income country where poverty, inequaliaccording to the World Bank classification; whereas it is the second poorest in Latin America, and third poorest in the Western Hemisphere; whereas the poverty, corruption, violence and impunity in Honduras remain persistent concerns, as well as the situation for women's rights, in particular the recent backlash concerning sexual and reproductive health rights;
2021/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 16 #

2020/0157M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas despite the fact that the Honduran Government has made positive commitments and initiated legislation to protect human rights defenders, it remains one of the most dangerous countries in the region for human and indigenous rights defenders and environmental activists who continue to be subject to abuses, violence, arbitrary detentions, threats and killings;
2021/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 18 #

2020/0157M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
F a. whereas the mandate of the Mission to Support the Fight against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH) ended in January 2020 and was not renewed;
2021/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 19 #

2020/0157M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
G a. whereas the EU-Central America Association Agreement was concluded in 2012, and the trade part provisionally applied since 1st of August 2013;
2021/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 20 #

2020/0157M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G b (new)
G b. whereas VPAs provides for a Joint Implementation Committee, responsible for its implementation and monitoring;
2021/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 25 #

2020/0157M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
J a. whereas the negotiations leading to the conclusion of this VPA have created a cooperative space among different stakeholders to discuss environmental, human rights, social and economic issues;
2021/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 27 #

2020/0157M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
K a. whereas a good forest management requires sustainable land tenure, respect of the environmental needs and human rights, transparency, legal security, trust and long-term investments;
2021/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 29 #

2020/0157M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K b (new)
K b. whereas general elections will take place in Honduras before the end of 2021;
2021/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 31 #

2020/0157M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the conclusion of negotiations on the VPA between the EU and Honduras and calls for its swift ratification by both sides so it can enter into force in 2021, thus allowing for the important next steps in terms of implementation, including setting up the licencing;
2021/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 36 #

2020/0157M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Believes that the EU has a very important role and an obligation in improving both the supply and the demand side of timber, in order to responsibly reject illegally produced timber and to reinforce exporting countries in their efforts to combat illegal logging and corruption that results in destruction of their forests, climate change, and violation of human rights;
2021/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 52 #

2020/0157M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Highly appreciates that Honduras has managed to ensure involvement of government institutions, civil society, private sector, indigenous and afro- descendant people of Honduras, academia and communities, who accepted and contributed to the process to drafting the VPA; welcomes the fact that all these sectors agreed to be present around the same negotiating table and the achievement of the feeling of inclusiveness and the possibility to contribute;
2021/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 53 #

2020/0157M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Believes that the fight against corruption needs to be constant, in every part of the world; welcomes that transparency has proven useful in the process to concluding this VPA, and cannot be enough stressed in the forthcoming process of implementation;
2021/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 61 #

2020/0157M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Believes that the successful negotiations of this VPA also proves the importance of the Union’s Delegations to third countries;
2021/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 68 #

2020/0157M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Asks the Commission to annually report on the implementation of the EU- Honduras FLEGT VPA to Parliament, including on the work of the Joint Implementation Committee, calls on the Commission to consider improving the regulation on FLEGT licencing at the next review exercise in order to enable it to respond quickly to cases of significant infringements of VPA commitments;
2021/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 74 #

2020/0157M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Supports the European Commission in finding additional potential partners for future voluntary partnership agreements under FLEGT;
2021/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 14 #

2019/2213(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Stresses the importance of maintaining Parliament's position regarding the amount of the European Defence Fund and the amount earmarked for military mobility.
2020/02/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 30 #

2019/2213(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Stresses the importance of maintaining Parliament's position regarding the amount of the European Space programme which strengthens Europe's role as a global player and is a strong asset for its security and defence.
2020/02/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 45 #

2019/2213(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Requests that the Commission come up with a comprehensive EU Arctic Strategy that takes into account all the geopolitical and geostrategic aspects as well as the rapid climate change in the region; asks the Commission to include the Arctic in the 2020 Work Programme;
2020/02/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 47 #

2019/2213(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7 b. Stresses the need for sufficient funding for the EU’s security and defence policy to enforce the EU’s stronger role on the global level;
2020/02/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 48 #

2019/2213(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7 c. Highlights the importance of investing in the visibility of the Union's external action in order to strengthen the impact of funding and enhance EU public diplomacy;
2020/02/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 49 #

2019/2213(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 d (new)
7 d. Asks for increased funding for democracy, rule of law and human rights instruments to protect the EU’s core values;
2020/02/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 50 #

2019/2213(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 e (new)
7 e. Calls for further funding for strategic communication actions to counter disinformation campaigns, which are increasingly used to undermine the democratic order in the Union and in countries in the Union's near neighbourhood;
2020/02/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2019/2210(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3
– having regard to the Final Agreement for the Settlement of the Differences as described in the UN Security Council resolutions 817 (1993) and 845 (1993), the termination of the Interim Accord of 1995 and the establishment of a Strategic Partnership on 17 June 2018 between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic ofNorth Macedonia, also known as the Prespa Agreement,
2020/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 12 #

2019/2210(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that the EU’s enlargement policy is a two-way street on which both sides must uphold their commitments; stresses that the pace of negotiations should reflect the merits and readiness of each country and their progress with regards to internal reforms;
2020/02/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 14 #

2019/2210(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Notes with concernHighlights that a free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and the Republic of Serbia has entered into force, which riskss negotiated by the Western Balkan countries should not undermininge the aims of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) and Serbia’s 2009the application for membership of the EU;
2020/02/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 17 #

2019/2210(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Demands strong integration effortsCalls for an increase to the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance and other funds to support reforms and assistance for remaining countries in the Western Balkans; In this regard, calls for strong integration efforts and projects, for instance from funds such as the Western Balkans Fund, in order to support Western Balkan countries in promoting improvement ofstrengthening the rule of law, democracy and, human rights, and their administrative and judicial capacity so as to enhance economic competitiveness, budgetary balance and structural reform and to achieve stable conditions for business to operate and invest in the region;
2020/02/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 23 #

2019/2210(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Reminds the Western Balkan countries of the importance of regional economic cooperation and good neighbourly relations; Highlights the importance of stability and prosperity in the region as well for the EU; Supports initiatives that promote regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations while moving countries closer to EU membership, for instance through a border free "mini Schengen" area within the region;
2020/02/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 26 #

2019/2210(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Recalls that the EU is the largest foreign investor in the region and emphasises the need to give the region high priority under the EU’s Connectivity Strategy; Highlights the importance of improving transport infrastructure in the region, and in particular the role this plays in facilitating trade; Supports the swift construction of European railway and highway corridors throughout the Western Balkan countries;
2020/02/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 31 #

2019/2210(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Recalls the importance of WTO membership to open up trade opportunities and to bring candidate countries closer to EU membership; Recalls that Bosnia and Herzegovina applied from WTO membership in 1999, and Serbia in 2005; Calls on the EU to continue supporting Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina with their WTO accession processes;
2020/02/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 35 #

2019/2210(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
9. Urges the Western Balkan countries to stick to projects in the energy sector which help to meetbear in mind climate objectives and are aligned with EU environmental legislation when selecting projects in the energy sector;
2020/02/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 43 #

2019/2210(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Ca. Whereas the Thessaloniki Agenda and the Sofia Declaration highlighted that special emphasis will be placed on creating further opportunities for youth, while ensuring that this contributes to the socio-economic development of the Western Balkans;
2020/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 58 #

2019/2210(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas European prosperity and security is closely linked to the integration process and the advancement of peace, democracy, respect for human rights and rule of law in the Western Balkans region and their future in a strong and reformed EU;
2020/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 65 #

2019/2210(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas following the accession of Croatia in July 2013, the enlargement process has been beset by challenges, the progress of reforms remain slow and uneven, sometimes experiencing significant reversals; the EU enlargement policy faces chronical problems, such as the challenges to the rule of law, corruption and weak democratic institutions;
2020/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 67 #

2019/2210(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)
Dc. whereas there is an urgent need to enhance the effectiveness of the accession process and to seriously tackle the challenges posed by the bigger picture of democratic backsliding across the region as well divided public opinions on the process within the EU;
2020/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 68 #

2019/2210(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D d (new)
Dd. whereas the reform of the EU can and should go hand in hand with the enlargement process;
2020/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 69 #

2019/2210(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D e (new)
De. whereas the EU also need to strengthen the rule of law mechanisms inside the EU and establish an ambitious agenda for the Future of Europe conference;
2020/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 91 #

2019/2210(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(ba) to ensure that citizens and societies from candidate countries are more closely associated with and benefit from the accession process; in this framework, pro- European and pro-democratic parts of society, views and opinions should be particularly supported and encouraged by the EU;
2020/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 92 #

2019/2210(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b b (new)
(bb) the EU Commission must make sure that each step taken include a substantial and comprehensive dialogue with civil society organizations, academia and youth from the early stage of decision making to the implementation and evaluation phase with special care not to support or finance existing local anti- European power structures or local structures of dubious democratic reputation, thereby fostering the development of EU values, rule of law, fight against corruption and building strong and efficient democratic institutions as a foundation for successful accession into the EU;
2020/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 104 #

2019/2210(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d
(d) to provide clear and consistent accession benchmarks as well as continued support throughout the process, and to improve the measuring of progress, ensuring that each accession country is assessed on the basis of its own merits; to accelerate the accession process of the countries committed, both politically and administratively, through the implementation of the EU related reforms;
2020/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 106 #

2019/2210(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(da) to ensure that the opening and closing of chapters are based on clear benchmarks and conditions while keeping the rule of law and fundamental rights as a priority throughout the process, as accession to the European Union requires a strong commitment to shared values; all steps of the accession process should be made reversible, in case of commitments unfulfilled or major political shifts in candidate countries; underlines that a focus on respecting international court rulings must be set;
2020/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 118 #

2019/2210(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
(g) to encourage gradual participation in EU sectoral policies and programmes prior to accession, including through targeted financial support, in order to bring tangible benefits for citizens, particularly for children and young people and enhance the EU’s assistance and presence in these countries; the involvement of the candidate countries in sectorial policies at an early stage requires that the Council as well as the European Parliament have a regular say in the accession process, bringing more democratic support to the process;
2020/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 158 #

2019/2210(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l
(l) to engage the representatives of accession countries in the Conference on the Future of Europe with a special focus on youth participation;
2020/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 261 #

2019/2210(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point x
(x) to increase EU engagement in solving outstanding bilateral issues and to urge the Western Balkan countries to commit to reconciliation and peaceful solutions to longstanding disputes; to stress the importance of good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation;
2020/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 264 #

2019/2210(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point x a (new)
(xa) to nominate a double-hatted EU Special Envoy for the Western Balkans to work under the authority of the High Representative and Commissioner in charge of Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy and focus on solving the lingering conflicts throughout the region;
2020/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 273 #

2019/2210(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point z
(z) to promote and actively support the implementation of anti-discrimination policies and to insist on the prosecution of hate crimes; to encourage swifter progress towards gender equality, and in tackling discrimination and ensuring social inclusion of ethnic and religious minorities, people with disabilities, Roma and LGBTQI+ people, with special attention to children, by establishing inclusive policies to protect the fundamental rights of citizens;
2020/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 294 #

2019/2210(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a d
(ad) to tackle the brain drain with concrete measures such as promoting quality and inclusive educational reforms and, so that the education sector better matches requirements in the labour market and contributes to the creation of job opportunities for young people;
2020/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 314 #

2019/2210(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a g
(ag) to include the accession countries in the European Green Deal and Just Transition Fund processes; IPA III funding for the region must be in line with the objectives of the EU Green Deal;
2020/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 329 #

2019/2210(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a j
(aj) to establish a regional roaming-free zone and further decrease tariffs for communications with the EU; this must be based on increased regional cooperation and connectivity, both physical and digital, must be a key focus;
2020/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 334 #

2019/2210(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a k
(ak) to acknowledge the difficulties Western Balkan countries face in managing migration and refugee flowxed movements and the substantial efforts the region has made to provide shelter and humanitarian supplies, primarily with the support of the EU; to implement the agreements between Western Balkan countries and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex); to underline the need to strengthen the capacity of the asylum system in the region in cooperation with EASO and UNHCR;
2020/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 336 #

2019/2210(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ak a (new)
(aka) to acknowledge the possible difficulties rising with regard to the migration and refugee flows taking into account Turkey's recent decision to encourage the flow of refugees from Turkey towards Europe; considers it necessary to continue helping the Western Balkan countries in this regard as necessary;
2020/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 341 #

2019/2210(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point al a (new)
(ala) to considers it important to continue working together with Western Balkan countries on countering terrorism and organised crime;
2020/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 342 #

2019/2210(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point al b (new)
(alb) to commend the cooperation of Western Balkan countries in CSDP missions with the EU;
2020/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 354 #

2019/2210(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point an a (new)
(ana) to improve the cooperation with other IFIs, above all the World Bank, in order to streamline efforts and avoid double funding;
2020/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 365 #

2019/2210(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a p
(ap) to strengthen strategic communication of the values of the Union and the overall visibility of EU support in the region, as well as in the Member States to develop an understanding for the benefits of the accession process and the unification of the continent;
2020/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2019/2209(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights that the Eastern Partnership (EaP) is an important part of the EU Neighbourhood Policy and is aimed at achieving political association, ensuring further economic integration, promoting prosperity and establishing a platform to address common challenges;
2020/02/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 3 #

2019/2209(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Highlights that the EaP countries are a crucial partner to the European Union and this also applies to trade; notes that the six countries together are the EU's 10th trading partner, whereas the EU is the main trading partner to Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova and Azerbaijan and the second main trading partner to Armenia and Belarus; remarks that the number of companies from DCFTA countries exporting to the EU has significantly increased since 2015: Georgia by 35%, Moldova by 40% and Ukraine by 26%; notes that volumes of trade have also increased: by 12% with Armenia, 28% with Azerbaijan and 16% with Belarus; points out that the above- mentioned numbers demonstrate the increasing practical cooperation between the EU and Eastern Partnership countries; points out that the EU is a significant donor and investor in the Eastern neighbourhood;
2020/02/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 4 #

2019/2209(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that the EaP offers a solid framework for multilateral and bilateral cooperation; emphasises that due to the tense global trade environment, the EU’s and EaP countries’ close cooperation with like-minded countries and with international organisations is essential;
2020/02/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 8 #

2019/2209(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Is aware that common problems in the EaP countries are aNotes that issues such as high level of corruption, bank fraud, the influence of oligarchs, the informal economy and poor governance are of concern in the Eastern Partnership countries; calls on the EaP countries to improve the rule of law, to eliminate these problems and to tackle illicit trade; stresses that the continuation of judicial reforms, reducing level of corruption, applying EU standards, ensuring competition and improving the business environment are key in providing more certainty and security for economic stakeholders, including investors and thereby increasing investments and better realising the full potential of economic development; points out that the Association Agreements and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements (AA/DCFTA) with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, and the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Armenia, serve as the roadmaps for reforms;
2020/02/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 20 #

2019/2209(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Calls for the EU to continue to support reforms in the EaP countries with technical and financial assistance;
2020/02/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 89 #

2019/2209(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas the European Parliament rejectdeplores the use of force or the threat of force in the resolution of conflicts and shares the EU’s commitment to supporting the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all EaP countries within their internationally recognised borders, in accordance with international law, norms and principles;
2020/03/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 146 #

2019/2209(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) acknowledge that those countries that are undertaking comprehensive reforms and taking action to meet the criteria of Article 49 of the TEU mayshould be eligible for EU membership, through a process of gradual integration;
2020/03/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 259 #

2019/2209(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k
(k) acknowledge and encourage initiatives by the governments of associated countries to boost their mutual cooperation; call upon the associated countries to expand their cooperation in order to achieve a more sector-specific integration, in particular in the area of energy, transport, digital affairs, cybersecurity, environmental protection, maritime economy, border control, customs cooperation, trade facilitation and justice and home affairs; a similar approach should be applied to cooperation amongst all the Eastern European Partners on various issues;
2020/03/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 266 #

2019/2209(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
(ka) the Commission to engage further in joint discussions with the associated countries on the progress, opportunities and challenges concerning the implementation of the AA/DCFTAs; call upon the EU relevant institutions to consider to further develop the EU+ Associated Partners dialogue in the areas including, but not limited to trade, transport, energy, justice and digital economy;
2020/03/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 317 #

2019/2209(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point p
(p) adopt a comprehensive infrastructure-building plan with the aim of improving connectivity between the EU and its Eastern European Partners, and among the EaP countries themselves; Underline the need to better exploit the connectivity potential of the Black Sea, namely in transport, energy, environmental and digital sectors that will further boost regional and international trade and transportation. Call upon the European Commission and the Eastern Partners to fully use the opportunities of the trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) Investment Action Plan that identifies priority projects for investments estimated 13 billion Euros;
2020/03/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 324 #

2019/2209(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point p a (new)
(pa) consider that the EaP countries and its citizens would benefit from cooperation in financial services, for example fighting money laundering or bolstering financial surveillance; calls upon the European Commission to reflect on the possibility to invite Eastern Partnership countries, especially the Partners who are implementing AAs/DCFTAs, to make the necessary adjustments to allow for the possible future expansion of Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), which will enable their consumers, businesses and public administrations to make and receive transfers and payments in Euro;
2020/03/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 341 #

2019/2209(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q a (new)
(qa) ensure that the MFF continue to ensure the EUs financial support for the infrastructure and investment projects of EaP countries, increasing their resilience to cyber threats and improving and modernizing education;
2020/03/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 420 #

2019/2209(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v a (new)
(va) to commit to sustaining the unity of action among EU Member States in maintaining collective pressure on Russia to solving the conflicts in Ukraine and Georgia; calls for a more active role of the EU in the peaceful resolution of all ongoing conflicts in its neighbourhood;
2020/03/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 426 #

2019/2209(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v b (new)
(vb) condemn Russia's direct and indirect involvement in the armed conflict in Ukraine and its illegal annexation of Crimea, together with its illegal occupation of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia, and economic coercion and political destabilisation of its European neighbours, which constitute a deliberate violation of democratic principles and fundamental values and of international law;
2020/03/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 445 #

2019/2209(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point w a (new)
(wa) take effective steps to ensure that Russia allows the EU Monitoring Mission - the only international presence on the ground - access to the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia as per its mandate;
2020/03/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 451 #

2019/2209(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point w b (new)
(wb) in view of the grave humanitarian situation in the occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia, urge the Russian Federation to allow unhindered access for international human rights mechanisms, in particular, the UN, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, and other international humanitarian organizations to both occupied regions;
2020/03/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 458 #

2019/2209(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point w c (new)
(wc) call for a more intensive and institutionalized cooperation between the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries on cybersecurity and strategic communication with a view to strengthening the resilience of these countries, especially following the large- scale cyber-attack of the Russian Federation against Georgia in October 2019;
2020/03/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 3 #

2019/2202(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. BHighlights that Ukraine is an important geopolitical, geostrategic and trading partner for the European Union; believes that the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) has contributed to the positive evolution of trade and to economic modernisation, has boosted foreign direct investments and has created new jobs on both sides; welcomes the continuous positive results achieved in bilateral trade and economic relations, with the EU being Ukraine's largest trading partner and with Ukrainian imports growing by 12.3 % and exports by 9.7 %, amounting to EUR 43.3 billion in 2019;
2020/09/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2019/2202(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the approval and disbursement in two parts of the fourth consecutive Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) programme of EUR 1 billion in support to Ukraine; recalls that the MFA has been an important tool in implementing Ukraine’s ambitious reform agenda and accelerating economic growth, notably through the ‘more for more’ approach and the conditionalities attached to it; encourages Ukraine to continue making progress in regulatory approximation; highlights the importance and timeliness of the additional EUR 1.2 billion MFA to Ukraine in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic; notes that it is a crucial demonstration of the EU's solidarity at a time of unprecedented crisis;
2020/09/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 28 #

2019/2202(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the results achieved under the DCFTA Facility for SMEs in terms of improving access to finance and opening up trade opportunities; highlights that a proper information campaign could enable SMEs to benefit more from the opportunities offered by the DCFTA; calls on the Commission to monitor the impact of the DCFTA on SMEs; notes that the support and promotion of intra-regional trade among Eastern Partnership countries will also create new economic opportunities, including for SMEs;
2020/09/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 34 #

2019/2202(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. ANotes that poultry meat and poultry meat products are considered as sensitive items in the EU; acknowledges the solution found for the export of ‘other’ cuts of poultry by amending the trade preferences for poultry meat and poultry meat preparations and thereby closing the loophole in the agreement; calls on Ukraine to abstain from similar practices and to fully respect and implement all provisions of the DCFTA in good faith; calls on Ukraine to immediately make further progress in complying with the EU animal welfare requirements;
2020/09/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 35 #

2019/2202(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Welcomes Ukraine’s reform efforts; underlines that further strengthening the rule of law, structural reforms as well as the fight against corruption are of key importance for creating a more attractive business and investment climate in Ukraine; notes that the Ukrainian civil society and NGOs play an active role in the oversight of reforms and in monitoring the implementation of the Association Agreement; calls on the Commission to prioritise support to these NGOs and civil society organisations;
2020/09/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 40 #

2019/2202(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Welcomes the positive steps taken by Ukraine in digital transformation and calls on the Commission and Member States to further support Ukraine’s efforts in this field, including in e-governance and digital economy; acknowledges in this regard the new EUR 25 million EU programme supporting e-governance and the digital economy in Ukraine;
2020/09/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 1 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5
— having regard to the Republic of Moldovan's National Action Plan on the Implementation of the Moldova-European Union Association Agreement (NAPIAA) for 2017-2019,
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6
— having regard to its previous resolutions relating to the Republic of Moldova, in particular the previous resolution on the Implementation of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement of 14 November 20181 , its resolution of 5 July 2018 on the political crisis in the Republic of Moldova following the invalidation of the mayoral elections in Chișinău2 , of 15 November 2017 on the Eastern Partnership in the run-up to the November 2017 Summit3 , of 4 July 2017 on providing macro-financial assistance to the Republic of Moldova4 , and of 21 January 2016 on Association Agreements / Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine5 , _________________ 1 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2018)0458. 2 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2018)0303. 3 OJ C 356, 4.10.2018, p. 130. 4 OJ C 334, 19.9.2018, p. 199. 5 OJ C 11, 12.1.2018, p. 82.
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2019/2201(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the positive results achieved in trade and economy with the implementation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), allowing for the reorientation of Moldovanthe Republic of Moldova’s (hereinafter “Moldova”) trade and a marked increase in trade with the EU, accounting for 54 % of its total trade in 2019; notes, in this regard, that the EU is Moldova's largest trading partner and also the biggest investor in the country;
2020/08/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 3 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8
— having regard to the subsequent EU decision of July 2019 to resume budget support disbursements in light of the Republic of Moldova’s commitment to reform the justice system,
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10
— having regard to the European Commission and European External Action Service (EEAS) joint staff working document (SWD(2019)0325) on the Association Implementation Report on the Republic of Moldova of 11 September 2019,
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2019/2201(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Moldovan authorities to continue progress and implement reforms, as the implementation of the DCFTA is an important opportunity for growth for the Moldovan economy and for the development of business in Moldova, including the continuing extension of the DCFTA and its benefits for the Transnistrian region, in with a particular as regardsference to the introduction of VAT and support for SMEs
2020/08/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 5 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 11
— having regard to the outcome of the fifth Association Council meeting between the EU and the Republic of Moldova of 30 September 2019,
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2019/2201(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Calls on the European Commission and the Member States to support the strategic goal of Moldova to further unlock the« real potential of free trade with the EU, remove non• tariff barriers to trade, facilitate access and move ahead on the integration into the European Single Market;
2020/08/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 7 #

2019/2201(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls the importance of the Macro-Financial Assistance conditionalities and the need for the ‘more for more’ incentiveWelcomes the disbursement of the second instalment of the Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) to Moldova of which 20 million euros is in the form of a loan and 10 million euros in the form of a grant; acknowledges the efforts by Moldova undertaken to fulfil the relevant conditionalities; expresses support to the conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a new exceptional EU MFA programme aimed at countering the negative economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and looks forward to the implementation of the underlying commitments; recalls the importance of the MFA conditionalities and the need for the ‘more for more’ incentive; takes note of the cancellation of the third MFA instalment and expresses concern that progress in the investigation of the 2014 bank fraud and the related asset recovery is still limited; calls on the EU to provide assistance to the Moldovan authorities in investigating this case if needed;
2020/08/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 10 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15
— having regard to the 2018 Transparency International corruption perception list that awards the Republic of Moldova the 117th place out of 180 countries and territories assessed (first place being the best),
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 12 #

2019/2201(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses the need for reforms that aim to improve transparency, including in trade-related policies and encourages Moldova to continue to makemaking progress in the area of public procurement;
2020/08/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2019/2201(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on Moldova to fully respect the environmental objectives and initiatives set out in the DCFTA, as well as its international commitments to sustainable trade and development, in particular the Paris Agreement; welcomes the February 2019 package on climate and the environment of the Republic of Moldova and its national response, which made it the fourth country in the world to submit its updated National Determined Contribution (NDC2), including an increased ambition to reduce GHG emissions, to the Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC);
2020/08/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 14 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 16
— having regard to the opinions and recommendations of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and of the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission, in particular of 15 March 2018 on electoral reform in the Republic of Moldova, of 24 June 2019 on the constitutional situation with particular reference to the possibility of dissolving parliament, and of 14 October 2019 on the draft law on the reform of the Supreme Court of Justice and the Prosecutor’s Office,
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 16 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17
— having regard to the recommendations and activities of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum and other representatives of civil society in the Republic of Moldova,
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 19 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 18
— having regard to the conclusions of the European Parliament election observation mission to the Republic of Moldova parliamentary elections of 24 February 2019 integrated in the international election observation mission led by the OSCE/ODIHR,
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 20 #

2019/2201(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the national strategy ‘Digital Moldova 2020’, but and recognizes Moldova’s efforts to build a genuine digital market economy; calls on the Commission and Moldova to support and assist programmes and reforms aimed at upgrading sectoral cooperation in the digital economy.
2020/08/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 21 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 19
— having regard to the Commission economic aid package adopted on 29 March 2020 to help the Republic of Moldova, among other countries, in its fight against the COVID- 19 pandemic, which included the redirection of existing instruments to mitigate the socioeconomic impact of the crisis;,
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 31 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas through the AA/DCFTA the Republic of Moldova committed to incorporating the EU acquis into its own laws and practices in a large number of areas; whereas, in order to support these efforts, the EU committed to provide substantial financial and budgetary assistance to the Republic of Moldova;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 34 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas on 13 September 2017 Parliament and the Council adopted a decision to provide macro-financial assistance to the Republic of Moldova worth EUR 100 million in the context of the IMF programme to support the country’s economic and financial reforms;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 43 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas in November 2019 the Moldovan Parliament of the Republic of Moldova passed a motion of no-confidence in the Government constituted in June 2019, formed a minority government, and subsequently a new coalition government;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 61 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the AA/DCFTA remains of primary importance for the development of the Republic of Moldova, especially in current exceptional times, and commends the progress achieved by Moldova to date; recalls, however, that further progress must be achievedsustained engagement in this process of Moldovan society and authorities; recalls, however, that further progress must be achieved in its implementation, to deliver its full potential and benefits; underlines that the AA/DCFTA was the main vector in encouraging and supporting the process of structural reforms, democracy and the rule of law;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 67 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Welcomes the reforms that led to the introduction of a visa-free regime with the Union; the program has been used extensively by the citizens of the Republic of Moldova and represents a very good example of how the implementation of the AA/DCFTA touches upon the lives of citizens by fostering people-to-people contacts with other fellow Europeans;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 69 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Welcomes all intentions towards a closer political, human, and economic integration with the Union in line with the principle of differentiation and based on the performance, results, and aspirations of the Republic of Moldova's authorities and society;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 74 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the conclusions of the IMF’s March 2020 Article IV consultation and the IMF Board’s sixth and final review of the Republic of Moldova’s economic performance under the Extended Credit Facility and Extended Fund Facility arrangements, with particular regard to the rehabilitation of the Moldovan banking system of the Republic of Moldova and the strengthening of financial sector governance;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 76 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Welcomes the disbursement of the second instalment of the Union MFA; acknowledges the reform efforts pursued by Moldova in areas including the fight against corruption, the strengthening of the anti-money laundering framework, the adoption of a new law on the activities of NGOs, and notes that the Republic of Moldova has joined the OECD anti- corruption peer-review program (Istanbul Action Plan);
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 77 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Welcomes the negotiations on the Memorandum of Understanding on the new exceptional EU MFA program aimed at countering the negative economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 79 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the November 2019 Activity Program of the Moldovan Government is less ambitious than the previous government’s 2030 Global Agenda,; and regrets the lack of a new NAPIAAcknowledges the correlation between the next Association Agenda and the new NAPIAA and underlines the importance of agreeing as soon as possible on the new Agenda as a distinct tool to steer the implementation of the Association Agreement; insists that the continuation of EU sector budget support remains conditional upon the delivery of tangible reform, in particular of the judiciary;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 82 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the November 2019 Activity Program of the Moldovan Government of the Republic of Moldova is less ambitious than the previous government’s 2030 Global Agenda, and regrets the lack of a new NAPIAA and underlines the importance of agreeing as soon as possible on a new Agenda as a distinct tool to steer the Association Agreement's implementation; insists that the continuation of EU sector budgetpolitical and financial support remains conditional upon the delivery of tangible reforms, in particular of the judiciary;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 84 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Welcomes the conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding on new exceptional EU Macro Financial Assistance program aimed at countering the negative economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and looks forward to the implementation of the undertaken commitments;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 92 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the European Commission to develop a conditionality mechanism to monitor the concrete implementation of reforms, including clear benchmarks;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 94 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the European Commission to develop a mechanism to monitor the concrete implementation of reforms, including clear benchmarks;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 102 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Welcomes the constructive contribution of Moldova to the cooperation within the Eastern Partnership;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 104 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Welcomes the fact that since 2014 more than 2,3 million Moldovan citizens have benefited from the visa-free regime; acknowledges the efforts undertaken by the Moldovan authorities in implementing the recommendations outlined in the annual visa suspension mechanism reports; recommends the continuation of the implementation of the benchmarks related to the visa liberalisation policy;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 106 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. is concerned about the rise of the number of Moldovan nationals found to be illegally staying in the Schengen+ area (47% rise) and the rise in asylum applications (48% rise); calls for Moldova to increase efforts and take action to address the increase of unfounded asylum applications;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 109 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Acknowledges the adoption by the Moldovan ParliamentParliament of the Republic of Moldova adoption of numerous legislative acts in line with the country’s commitments enshrined in the AA; underlines the importance of a full implementation of these acts, including by adopting secondary legislation;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 112 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Is concerned that political instability and frequent government changes are affecting the implementation of AA/DCFTA provisions and limiting the pace of reforms;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 113 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Reiterates its concern regarding the lack of a constant commitment to improvements in the public sector, which discourages competent people from pursuing a career in public administration;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 114 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Stresses the need for the development of a professional public administration and the encouragement of young people to take up a career in the public sector, so as to achieve a more transparent administration in which nepotism and favouritism do not lead to chronic politicisation;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 121 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the authorities to consider the critical structural changes as priorities to allow the emergence of real self- government since crucial reforms are still not implemented and there are cases in which local authorities are subjected to intense political pressure or harassment by the central authorities or people associated with the ruling groups;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 123 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Acknowledges the Republic of Moldova's essential steps to increase the performance of public administration and calls for action to start a more comprehensive decentralization reform as soon as possible;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 124 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6c. Underlines the need for more in- depth and broader cooperation between local authorities, for a reduced number of local administrations and more measures to ensure their greater independence and decrease their operating costs;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 132 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Is concerned by the high level of concentration and politicisation of the media and advertising sectors, leading to a low level of public confidence in the media; urges the Moldovan authorities of the Republic of Moldova to refrain from exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to adopt measures curtailing freedom of speech and limiting the media’s ability to report facts in an independent and unbiased way;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 141 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Asks the authorities to sustain the development of actions to ensure full disclosure of media ownership and to support a deeper involvement of civil society in monitoring and assessing of the transparency process;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 142 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Calls for more support from the government in the development of civil society, calls on government and authorities to refrain from any pressure on NGOs and other civic actors; regrets the distrust and hostility with which political officials approach civil society in general;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 143 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 d (new)
7d. Urges more meaningful and active involvement of civil society in the policymaking processes;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 144 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the amendments to the electoral legislation adopted in August 2019, and the ruling of the Moldovan Constitutional Court of Republic of Moldova in February 2020 on the territorial requirements for establishing political parties;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 153 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Asks for strict restraint from changing the electoral legislation to satisfy specific political needs or from altering the rules and regulations to manipulate the results, which will always end in political unrest and instability affecting the commitment for structural reforms;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 169 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the Republic of Moldovan participation in common security and defence policy (CSDP) missions and operations, on cyber -security and cyber- crime investigations, as well as Moldova’s cooperation with NATO; calls on the EU to include the Republic of Moldova in new formats of cooperation countering hybrid threats;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 173 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Acknowledges the Republic of Moldova's unique experience and expertise and the contribution that it can provide to the Union collective security and defence policy;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 174 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Encourages a deepened cooperation in EU-related defence policies, including participation in PESCO once the issue of involvement of third countries is determined;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 177 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Reiterates the EU’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova, and for the efforts to reach a peaceful solution to the Transnistrian issuepeaceful resolution of the Transnistrian conflict, based on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova, ensuring the protection of human rights on the territories not controlled by constitutional authorities;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 180 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Acknowledges the increased security interdependence between Moldova and the Transnistria region and the stability of both as the main factor for prevention and resolution of security challenges such as hybrid threats, cyberattacks, election cyber-meddling, disinformation and propaganda campaigns, and third-party interference in the political, electoral, and other democratic processes;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 183 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Encourages the Moldovan Government to continue promoting an environment favourable to the settlement of conflicts and supporting activities that increase confidence and people-to-people contacts across conflict-divided communities;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 184 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 c (new)
10c. Welcomes all activities that enhance the economic collaboration and increase the level of goods and services exchanges between Republic of Moldova and Transnistria;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 188 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Reiterates that the UN General Assembly adopted on 22 June 2018a resolution urging the Russian Federation to withdraw its troops and armaments unconditionally from the territory of the Republic of Moldova and reaffirming the support for the immediate implementation of that resolution;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 191 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Encourages the authorities of the Republic of Moldova to look for more in- depth collaboration with the Union and its Members States in order to enhance the implementation of good practices and solutions for countering disinformation, propaganda, manipulation and hostile influencing carried out by external forces aimed at dividing, destabilizing, and undermining the integrity of the internal political processes and the relations with the Union;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 192 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)
11c. Urges the authorities of the Republic of Moldova to consider the development and implementation of the package of laws regarding the fields of conflict prevention and crisis management part of NAPIAA in 2017- 2019;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 194 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Urges the Moldovan Government of the Republic of Moldova to complete judicial reforms so as to ensure the independence, impartiality and effectiveness of the judiciary and specialised anti-corruption institutions, taking the necessary measures, including the introduction of guarantees of judicial independence in the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 198 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Asks for measures to provide more robust and more resilient institutions, the prevalence of the rule of law, the implementation of judicial reforms and the fight against corruption and money laundering, broader participation in the process of all the stakeholders including a permanent presence from the civil society to achieve a meaningful consultation regarding the objectives and the implementation for a significant acceptance of decisions;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 204 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Is concerned by the very high level of disapproval of the judiciary, and therefore calls on the Moldovan authorities of the Republic of Moldova to ensure that the Prosecutor General, his staff, and public prosecutors in general, work independently and abide by the highest standards of professionalism and integrity;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 205 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Urges an in-depth reform of magistrates' status using international precedents and good practices to allow the Supreme Council of the Magistracy (SCM) full independence in defending judges and prosecutors against any act of interference in or in connection with their professional activity and to promote a merit-based and transparent system for the selection and promotion of judges; calls on the Moldovan authorities to advance in the transparent process of drafting and timely adoption of the amendments to the Constitution on the SCM, in line with Venice Commission recommendations, and of the new Strategy to ensure justice sector independence and integrity with the participation of and in consultation with the Council of Europe and EU experts, civil society, and other interested actors;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 208 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Urges the Moldovan authorities of the Republic of Moldova to ensure the complete independence of the Constitutional Court, and that it is not subject to any form of political interference;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 217 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Is concerned by the very high level of perceived corruption in the Republic of Moldova, and therefore urges the Government to step up the fight against it, as well as money laundering, arms smuggling and organised crime; calls on the Moldovan Government of the Republic of Moldova to adopt concrete measures to reinforce the independence and integrity of the National Anticorruption Centre’s Office and the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 219 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Is concerned by the very high level of perceived corruption in Moldova, and therefore urges the Government to step up the fight against it, as well as money laundering, arms smuggling and organised crime; calls on the Moldovan Government to adopt concrete measures to reinforce the independence and integrity of the National Anticorruption Centre’s Office and the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 223 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Reiterates its concern at the persistent failure to bring transparent prosecution of all those responsible for the bank fraud exposed in 2014, as well as the slow recovery of stolen assets; calls on Member States to offer the necessary assistance to the Republic of Moldova's authorities in the investigation of the case if there will be any requests for it;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 227 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Reiterates its concern at the persistent failure to bring transparent prosecution of all those responsible for the bank fraud exposed in 2014, as well as the slow recovery of stolen assets; calls on the EU to provide assistance to the Moldovan authorities in investigating this case if needed;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 231 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Urges the Moldovan authorities of the Republic of Moldova to increase transparency on the funding of political parties, and to investigate all irregularities in a fair and unbiased way;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 233 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Calls on European Commission to increase funding through the available budget support and technical assistance instruments, aimed at strengthening the justice and law enforcement authorities' capacity and efficiency, taking into account progress in the implementation of the reforms;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 237 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the authorities to significantly increase efforts to uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular for vulnerable groupsAcknowledges the improvement of legislation on the protection of human rights and calls on the authorities to recognize the respect for human rights as a critical criterion and a vital condition for a democratic society;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 255 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Calls for more concrete measures to improve detention conditions and to eliminate the detention of people with disabilities in psychiatric hospitals against their will; calls for the complete elimination of torture and ill-treatment in prisons as a method of pressure on imprisoned or detained political opponents;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 261 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Urges further steps in implementing the national legislation for preventing and combatting trafficking in human beings and for a substantial increase in the quality of services provided to victims;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 263 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 c (new)
19c. Calls for more protection, assistance, and support of victims of crime, especially children, during investigations and after the judicial process, and for more support during the social reintegration of the victims;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 265 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 d (new)
19d. Encourages the authorities of the Republic of Moldova to promote programs that include consistent gender equality dimension, offer more support to the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups in society, implement legislation to fight hate speech and physical violence perpetrated against the more vulnerable groups;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 267 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 e (new)
19e. Welcomes the progress in the adoption by the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova of the new law on NGOs and looks forward to the implementation of the law, which will represent an essential step in strengthening transparent policy dialogue and ensure a favourable climate for the functioning of the civil society in the Republic of Moldova;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 269 #

2019/2201(INI)

19f. Calls for an increased presence of civil society actors in all the actions regarding human rights, fundamental freedoms legislation and implementation, allowing NGOs to act more efficiently as a watchdog for reforms and hold the respective State institutions accountable;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 271 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Welcomes the significant increase in Moldovan imports into the EU, as well as the fact that the EU is the largest investor in Moldova; welcomes the Moldovan Parliament’s adoption of the European LEADER approach as the basis for its national rural policy;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 275 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Encourages full implementation of the DCFTA in order to further increase the EU – Moldova bilateral trade and investment relationship;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 276 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Welcomes the Moldovan Parliament’s adoption of the European LEADER approach as the basis for its national rural policy;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 281 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. PraisWelcomes the regulatory approximation with the EU acquis, and encourages the Commission to provide technical and financial help for this endeavour to the Moldovan institutions and public administration;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 282 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Calls on the Moldovan authorities to adopt and implement policies aimed at regulating the participation of the entities from jurisdictions that do not implement international transparency standards (offshore jurisdictions) or the businesses that are directly or indirectly controlled by such companies from trading with public authorities (public procurement, privatization, concession, and public- private partnership);
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 289 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Urges further steps to ensureWelcomes actions to strengthen institutional capacity and the independence of the National Agency for Eenergy Rregulation,or and the rapid adoption ofencourages the snecondessary legislation needed to ensure the fulland urgent actions to be taken for the implementation of the Third Energy Package, in particular in the field of natural gas;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 291 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Urges further steps to ensure the independence of the National Agency for Energy Regulation full compliance with the Energy Community acquis, and the rapid adoption of the secondary legislation needed to ensure the full implementation of the Third Energy Package;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 293 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Calls on the National Agency for Energy Regulations of the Republic of Moldova to approve the energy market Rules based on fair competition and ensure compliance by all market participants;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 298 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Welcomes the steps undertaken to asynchronously interconnect the electricity system of Moldova with Romania, being a significant milestone on the way to strengthening and diversifying Moldova’s energy infrastructure;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 299 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Encourages the Moldovan authorities to continue the efforts to reinforce the energy security of the country and commends the finalisation of the Ungheni – Chișinau gas pipeline by the end of 2020;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 304 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23b. Urges the Moldovan authorities to ensure the timely implementation of the project for interconnection of Moldova- Romania electricity systems by providing the necessary support and monitoring the activity;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 305 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Welcomes the February 2019 package on climate and the environment, and calls for increased ef of the Republic of Moldova and its national response, which made it the fourts on the national commitments related to the 2015 Paris Agreement to fight ch country in the world to submit its updated National Determined Contribution (NDC2), including an increased ambition to reduce GHG emissions, to the Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate cChange; (UNFCCC);
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 307 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Recognises Moldovas’s efforts to build a genuine digital market economy, including progress with open data development, broadening access to conditional access systems for digital television and virtual network services, increasing the number of electronic communication services for citizens and public registers such as MTender; highlights that further work must be done to ensure that the rights and needs of Moldovan citizens using the internet are protected and to fully implement the Digital Single Market requirements;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 312 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24b. Acknowledge the importance of a further modernization of the education system in Moldova, as well as the growing role of youth in all life sectors, and invite EU to offer further support, especially in the area of vocational education and training (VET), in order to meet labour market needs; Stresses the need to promote opportunities in volunteering and civic engagement for young people and to invest more in young people by expanding funding for and increasing the participation of Moldovan representatives in the existing mobility programmes, such as Erasmus+, Creative Europe and Horizon 2020;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 320 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Encourages the Moldovan authorities to requestconsider the establishment of a Jean Monnet Dialogue to support inter- party dialogue and parliamentary capacity building;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 321 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Encourages the Moldovan authorities to requestconsider the establishment of a Jean Monnet Dialogue to support inter- party dialogue and parliamentary capacity building;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 323 #

2019/2201(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Calls for all EU institutions, the Member States and Moldovan authoritiesin close cooperation with the authorities of the Republic of Moldova to better communicate the benefits of the AA/DCFTA and ofthe EU assistance to the citizens of the Republic of Moldova;
2020/07/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 17 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Expresses concerns over continuous political polarization and the lack of effective political dialogue in Georgia, which necessitated facilitation by the Head of the EU Delegation in Tbilisi to reach the Memorandum of Understanding of 8 March 2020, and the negative effect such political division may have on reforms related to the AA and DCFTA implementation;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 20 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Reiterates its full support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and condemns the illegal occupation of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia by the Russian Federation, as well as ongoing illegal borderisation along the dividing lines, which escalate the situation, damage the security environment and cause further hardships to the local population, including abductions of Georgian citizens from unoccupied Georgian territory; emphasises that the AA covers the entire territory of Georgia, including its occupied regions, and aims to benefit its whole population; calls on the Russian Federation to fulfil its obligations under the EU- mediated ceasefire agreement of 12 August 2008, notably to withdraw all its military forces from Georgia’s occupied territories and allow the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) unhindered access to the whole territory of Georgia; asks the Commission and the EEAS to enhance their efforts to resolve the conflict peacefully, including through the EUMM and the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 29 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Condemns the continuing illegal "borderisation" in Russian-occupied Georgian territory of South Ossetia and stresses that these actions of violations of international law need to be stopped;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 38 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Welcomes strengthened international law enforcement cooperation between Georgia and the Europol and notes the importance of continuous efforts to combat serious and organized cross-border criminal activities, particularly human trafficking and trafficking of illegal drugs;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 40 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Welcomes actions taken by Georgian authorities, institutions and the civil society to flatten the curve and to manage the effect of the COVID-19 crisis; encourages further investments into improving the quality of care and reducing inequalities in the healthcare system;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 41 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Encourages the Georgian authorities to show leadership in fostering neighbourly relations and cooperation among the South Caucasus countries and supports such efforts;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 48 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Commends the Georgian authoriefforts by the major Georgian political parties forto completinge the constitutional reform process and the major political parties for, particularly the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding of 8 March 2020, which established the key features of the electoral system to be used for the upcoming parliamentary elections;October 2020 parliamentary elections; however, expresses deep concerns over attempts by the ruling party to avoid implementation of the agreement to its full extent, welcomes the input made by the President of Georgia to ensure its undivided application and calls on all parties to ensure that the agreement is translated into law and fully implemented as soon as possible;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 50 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Commends the Georgian authorities for completing the constitutional reform process and the major political parties for signing the Memorandum of UnderstandingWelcomes the pardoning of European Georgia party Secretary- General Gigi Ugulava by President of Georgia as an important step towards the full implementation of the internationally- mediated Agreement between the Georgian Government and opposition of 8 March 2020, which included the establishedment of the key features of the electoral system to be used for the upcoming parliamentary elections and elimination of political interference into justice system; calls on all parties to ensure that the agreement is translated into law and fully implemented as soon as possible;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 55 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses the need for the parliamentary elections in 2020 to be free and fair;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 56 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Notes that the upcoming parliamentary elections will be pivotal in confirming Georgia’s democratic credentials;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 58 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Georgian authorities to implement swiftly and fully the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations and review relevant legislation to address the identified shortcomings; ensure that concerns enumerated in the OSCE/ODIHR and other legitimate election observation reports, particularly related to the use of public resources for political campaigning, impunity of violence, vote-buying as well as the ability of voters, especially civil servants, “to vote free from pressure and fear of retribution” are eliminated;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 65 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Encourages the Georgian authorities and the Election Administration of Georgia to ensure safe environment for the October 2020 parliamentary elections by providing protective personal equipment for election personnel, adjusting the voting facilities to guarantee health and safety of participating citizens and ensuring undisturbed work of the election observers;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 71 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Notes the importance to ensure editorial independence and pluralistic opinions in Georgian Public Broadcaster and Adjara Public Broadcaster and to eliminate cases of political persecution against media owners and managers in order to ensure a fair and free environment for media outlets and journalists, in which they could carry their duties in adherence to the internationally accepted professional standards and would enjoy timely and equal access to all public information;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 82 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Expresses its concern about recent court cases against opposition politicians and media owners, which contributed to a climate of increased mistrust and heightened tensions between the ruling party and the opposition, and led to a polarisation of politics and society; calls for the release of Giorgi Rurua, an independent media owner and entrepreneur, as part of the Memorandum of Understanding of 8 March 2020; calls on Georgia to respect the highest standards of judicial independence and fair trial as committed to under the AA;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 84 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Expresses its concern about recent court cases against opposition politicians, which contributed to a climate of increased mistrust and heightened tensions between the ruling party and the opposition, and led to a polarisation of politics and society; calls for the release of the remaining political prisoners; calls on Georgia to respect the highest standards of judicial independence and fair trial as committed to under the AA;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 93 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for a revision of the selection procedures for judges to be carried out to ensure that the recommendations of the Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR are fully implemented before any new appointments are made; regrets that the recent selection procedure of Supreme Court judges suffered from serious shortcomings;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 101 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Strongly condemns the cyber- attacks against Georgian institutions and media outlets widely attributed to Russian actors; takes note with concern that in December 2019 and May 2020 hundreds of coordinated inauthentic pages and profiles sponsored by the ruling party, spreading criticism of the opposition and local activist organizations were removed by Facebook and calls on all political actors in Georgia to refrain from using social media to attack people, organisations and institutions and spread deliberate misinformation; encourages to review relevant legislation to protect the personal data of Internet users from, inter alia, secret surveillance;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 105 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Strongly condemns the cyber- attacks against Georgian institutions and media outlets widely attributed to Russian actors and the intensifying disinformation campaigns; calls on all political actors in Georgia to refrain from using social media to attack people, organisations and institutions and spread deliberate misinformation;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 113 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Deplores the constant violations by the Russian Federation, which exercises de facto control of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia regions, of the fundamental rights of the people in these occupied regions, who are being deprived of the freedom of movement and residence, the right to property and the right of access to education in the native language, and reiterates its full support for the right of return of internally displaced persons; is concerned that the restriction of the freedom of movement is depriving people of access to necessary medical services thereby endangering their lives;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 115 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Deplores any actions to limit freedom of thought and assembly, actions to instigate violence among peaceful protesters and the use of force against citizens exercising their right to freedom of thought and assembly;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 120 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines that gender equality is a key precondition to sustainable and inclusive development; calls for the Georgian Authorities to take further steps to uphold fundamental freedoms and human rights, notably for vulnerable groups, by fighting hate speech and discrimination against LGBTQI people, Roma people and other minorities; commends the work of the Georgian Parliament’s Gender Equality Council and its efforts to identify sexual harassment as a form of discrimination;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 122 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines that gender equality is a key precondition to sustainable and inclusive development; commends the work of the Georgian Parliament’s Gender Equality Council and its efforts to identify sexual harassment as a form of discrimination; calls for a full implementation of the Istanbul Convention;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 125 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the work of the Human Rights Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and insists that the existing human rights and anti-discrimination legislation must be thoroughly and efficiently implemented; calls upon the Georgian leadership, the Church, the civil society and other relevant groups to foster an environment for dialogue and cooperation in order to eradicate all forms of discrimination, hate speech and physical violence against minorities and vulnerable groups;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 129 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Calls upon the Georgian Orthodox Church to play a more unifying role within society, particularly on the matters related to human rights and fundamental freedoms;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 135 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Underlines the importance of improving the political culture in Georgia and of reducing antagonism and the polarisation of politics, and ensuring constructive cooperation in the country’s democratic institutions, in particular the parliament; therefore profoundly regrets that the ninth meeting of the EU-Georgia Parliamentary Association Committee of 12 and13 February 2020 in Strasbourg ended without an agreement on a final statement and recommendations being reached;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 138 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Calls on the Parliament of Georgia to strengthen its capacities to exercise the parliamentary control mechanisms, particularly control over the security system; encourages to increase the role of the opposition in the process of parliamentary oversight, to simplify the procedures for summoning members of the government and other accountable officials and establishing a centralized recording system to provide timely and complete information on parliamentary control to all interested stakeholders;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 139 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Acknowledges the role of Georgian civil society in supporting and monitoring the implementation of AA and DCFTA and calls on the Georgian Government and the Parliament to establish formal mechanisms governing their liaison with the civil society; notes the importance of launching national support mechanisms for the activities of the civil society in addition to those provided by the EU and the international donor community;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 144 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Notes with satisfaction that the EU is one of Georgia’s largest trading partners; welcomes the continued approximation of Georgia’s legislation in trade-related areas; encourages Georgia to take a full advantage of trade opportunities, particularly of DCFTA, and to develop its export capacities beyond agricultural commodities and raw materials;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 147 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Underlines the importance of structural reforms aimed to further advance the investment climate in Georgia, particularly investor protection guarantees and their implementation; regrets that the Anaklia Deep Sea Port Project failed to secure required investments and encourages Georgian authorities to improve the environment for the attracting foreign direct investment, including capacities of responsible institutions and political support and unity over projects of national strategic importance;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 157 #

2019/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Welcomes the allocation by the Commission of EUR 3.4 billion for 18 priority projects in Georgia under the indicative trans-European transport network (TEN-T) investment action plan; notes that all infrastructure development projects need to be accompanied by a sound assessment of the environmental impact and of the effects on local communities;
2020/05/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
- having regard to the Commission Staff Working Document Report (SWD(2019)370) of 14 October 2019, accompanying the Commission’s report on the Implementation of Free trade Agreements, 1 January 2018 - 31 January 2018 (COM(2019)455),
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 2 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 b (new)
- having regard to the Commission communication entitled “Trade for All: Towards a more responsible trade and investment policy;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 3 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3
— having regard to the Political Guidelines for the next European Commission 2019-2024 of the President of the Commission Ms Ursula von der Leyen16 July 2019,
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 7 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)
- having regard to the resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on 25 September 2015, entitled ‘Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’,
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 9 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 b (new)
- having regard to Articles 2 and 21 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and to Chapter V, Title II of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), as well as article 218 TFEU.
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 10 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 c (new)
- having regard to its resolution in June 2015 on the EU strategy for equality between women and men post-2015;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 11 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 d (new)
- having regard to its own- initiative resolution on gender equality in trade agreements, March 2018;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 12 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 e (new)
- Having regard to the gender equality strategy of the European Commission in March 2020;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 17 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
A a. Whereas the EU’s common commercial policy is an exclusive competence of the EU that is carried out together by the European Commission, the Council and the Parliament;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 18 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
A b. Whereas the Common Commercial Policy comprises a body of trade agreements and legislative measures which aims to ensure that the EU continues to safeguard its existing social and regulatory model, while using trade policy to promote EU values around the world; whereas the EU should step up its efforts to promote fair competition, ensuring a level playing field and addressing contemporary trade issues; whereas fulfilling these objectives requires good orientation of Union trade policy and full and efficient implementation and monitoring thereof in a fairer and more transparent manner;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 19 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
A c. Whereas the Union is the world’s leading commercial power and the biggest single market in the world, acting as a major driver of economic prosperity; whereas the Union is the world’s leading exporter of goods and services, sustaining more than 36 million jobs in Europe; whereas the last indicators reveal that in 2019 the EU exports on goods rose to €2.132.3 billion, which amounts to an increase of 3,5% from the previous year, being the largest exporter of agri-food products in the world; whereas despite the current global challenges the main trading partners are the US and China;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 20 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)
A d. Whereas the EU trade and investment policy also provides investors with market access and investment protection through legal certainty and a stable, predictable and properly regulated environment in which to conduct their economic activities;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 21 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A e (new)
A e. Whereas since the European Commission adopted in 2015 the Communication entitled ‘Trade for All: Towards a more responsible trade and investment policy’, the EU has concluded and started applying a number of new trade agreements.
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 22 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A f (new)
A f. Whereas EU trade agreements should represent opportunities for growth through market access and the lifting of trade barriers; whereas it is of fundamental importance that negotiations are conducted in a spirit of reciprocity and mutual benefit, in order to tackle unfair trade practices and secure EU rules and standards; whereas the Union should continue safeguarding EU geographical indications, which are of great economic and cultural value, in multilateral and bilateral negotiations;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 24 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas recent Eurobarometer figures show that around 60 % of the EU citizens believe that the EU’s trade policy bringsy benefits for themrom international trade; whereas part of the public opinion is strongly vocal against trade policy and trade agreements; whereas the European Commission and the Member States must continue to develop a proper communication strategy on trade policy and trade agreements, which aims to tackle misconceptions, erroneous perceptions and distorted interpretations, as well as fake news on trade and to transmit as much information as possible, while targeting specific stakeholders and raising economic operators’ awareness about trade agreements;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 32 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the European Parliament has stressed the need for a gender perspective in EU international trade policy in 2015 and in 2018 for gender equality in trade agreements;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 33 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the EU is the world’s largest trading block and the largest trader of manufactured goods and services;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 37 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
B b. whereas the EU has negotiated comprehensive agreements governing trade relations with nearly all of Latin America and the Caribbean, with the exception of Bolivia, Cuba and Venezuela;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 52 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that since the Commission adopted its latest trade strategy in 2015, entitled ‘Trade for All’, the EU has concluded and started applying a number of new trade agreementsdeleted
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 58 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Insists that EU trade strategy must continue to promote EU interests and values when contending with new challenges worldwide in order to keep and increase the competitiveness of its industry; considers, therefore, that an ambitious multilateral and plurilateral agenda, the conclusion of win-win trade agreements and their effective implementation and the elimination of unjustified trade barriers constitute the best way to make the EU more competitive in a globalised world; welcomes the creation of the Chief Trade Enforcement Officer post;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 69 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that choices in our relationship with the two other trade superpowers, China and the USA, which represent approximately 30 % of our trade exchanges, are key when it comes to driving EU trade policy;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 79 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that it is a critical moment for multilateralism and for the global trading system; reiterates its commitment to defend the rules-based multilateral trading system;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 82 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. 5. Stresses its support for an open, fair, balanced, sustainable, and valued based and multilateral trading system, considering that it has been under pressure over the last years;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 87 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for a substantive reform of the WTO, led by the EU, based on modernising its rule-book in order to make it more effective by providing structural and long-term solutions; encourages WTO members to reach an ambitious and balanced agreement on the long-standing issue of fishery subsidies during the ministerial summit in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan and send out a clear signal that the WTO is still able to deliver on its negotiating function;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 105 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Takes note ofRegrets the dramatic change in the US trade strategy over the past three years, which is focused on bilateral trade and often legally questionable unilateral trade measures; takes note of the limited progress made towards implementing the joint US-EU Statement of 25 July 2018; stresses the importance of relaunching the EU-US talks on the basis of the existing negotiating mandates adopted in April 2019 by the Council;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 113 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that despite recent tensions in transatlantic relations, the EU shouldmust continue to work with the USA as a partner, with whom it has to find solutions to trade issues of common interest; and threats;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 114 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Expresses deep concern at the damages that the EU agri-food sector is facing as a result of the Airbus-Boeing dispute; stresses that it has been a long- standing conflict whose implications the European Commission had to foresee, ahead of the tariffs applied by the US, in the most thorough and comprehensive manner; deplores the lack of timely solutions and effective preventive measures to counter the negative impact experienced, and therefore urges the European Commission to take its responsibility and increase its efforts for a coordinated and unified EU response;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 128 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Notes that China remainpresents a market of opportunities because of its size and growth, but that great challenges remain for EU businesses due to the consolidation of the state-lere are many barriers for EU businesses to access and operate in this market, due to the state-led and state- sponsored Chinese economy, where state- owned businesses benefit from exclusive or dominating market access; condemns all types of discriminatory measures facing EU companies in China and calls on the Commission to constantly monitor the persistent acts of discrimination and work with the Chinese authorities in order to put an end to such actdismantle such acts and barriers;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 142 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. Calls for the EU Member States and candidate countries to consider leaving the 17+1 format which undermines the unity of the European Union and instead to pursue a common and unified EU policy towards China;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 156 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Acknowledges the promising outcome presented in the Commission’s report regarding the implementation of free trade agreements (FTAs), in particular South Korea, Central and Latin America, Canada, Eastern partners, and African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) countries; stresses that EU trade agreements have a clear track record of, in most cases, reaching their primary objective of creating significant opportunitpoints out however that the European Commission has estimated an increase of negative economic impact of trade and investment barriers for EU exportersas a result onf third- country trade marketse protectionist trend;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 158 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Encourages the Commission to continuously search for ways to enhance trade relations and to further deepen the economic integration with the Eastern Partnership countries, particularly that of the three associated countries;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 183 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. NotWelcomes the progress made towards implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA), which aims to provide a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement of people and investments; welcomes the EU’s support in setting up the new African Union Trade Observatory; calls for continued EU support for ACFTA in line with the Africa-Europe Alliance for Sustainable Investments and Jobs;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 186 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 6 a (new)
Latin America
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 187 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Recalls that the European Union and Latin America maintain close cooperation with each other on the basis of their historical, cultural and economic ties, with the LAC region representing the EU's fifth largest trade partner. Believes that the EU's presence in the region is fundamental in terms of both enhancing cooperation based on shared values as well as a vector for pursuing the EU's external action policy, notably in terms of strengthening the multilateral rules-based trade system;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 188 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19 b. Welcomes the conclusions of the trade negotiations with Mexico and the Mercosur countries, which have both the potential to deepen our strategic partnership with Latin America and to create additional opportunities in our trade relations with those countries; notes that such opportunities would also give EU companies access to an increasingly growing market;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 189 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 c (new)
19 c. Is convinced that the modernisation of the Association Agreement with Chile will serve to further boost the EU's presence in the wider region and help promote an international trade agenda based on sustainable development, stronger protection for environmental and labour standards and respect for human rights; call on the Commission to ensure the on-going negotiations deliver on these principles and an agreement can be reached in a timely manner;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 190 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 d (new)
19 d. Considers that the Association Agreement between the EU and Mercosur represents the first "block to block" deal of its nature, with the potential to create a free market area encompassing approximately 800 million citizens, and placing the EU in a unique position given its "first mover advantage" in an otherwise highly-protectionist market;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 195 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Welcomes the entry into force of the EU-Singapore trade agreement of 21 November 2019; welcomes its consent on the EU-Vietnam agreement and calls for its quick implementation; notes that in 2018 the EU exported to Vietnam around 13.8€ billion worth of goods and points out that the rules-based FTAs and IPAs will ensure predictability and rule-of-law for investors, as well as positively increase exports in both ways and create stability and trust for SMEs; views these agreements as a step towards concluding an FTA with the entire Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 201 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 8 a (new)
Stresses that the European Commission and Member States must work on a better communication strategy of EU trade policy benefits and awareness-raising in order to effectively engage with society and stakeholders; recalls that roadmaps provide the opportunity for the European Commission to communicate and explain the reasons behind a particular initiative and its objectives, as well as to engage with them and receive feedback; points out that the European Commission should ensure the full transparency of roadmaps and other consultation activities to maximise their impact and guarantee the involvement of stakeholders;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 206 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Calls for an ambitious agenda to be pursued when it comes to negotiating FTAs, in particular with Australia and New Zealand, Tunisia. Morocco and Indonesia; reiterates its call for swiftly opening investment negotiations with Taiwan;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 216 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Welcomes the conclusions of the trade negotiations with Mexico and the MERCOSUR countries, which have both the potential to deepen our strategic partnership with Latin America and to create additional opportunities in our trade relations with those countries; notes that such opportunities would also give EU companies access to an increasingly growing market;deleted
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 239 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28 a. Welcomes in this regard the inclusion of the Paris Agreement and its binding nature in the TSD Chapter of the EU-Mercosur Association Agreement, which represents a clear commitment with the fight against climate change, deforestation and to the multilateral approach that is needed in order to reduce global warming.
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 273 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32 a. Notes that rules under EU trade agreements should be effectively enforced in order to ensure their effectiveness and address market distortions; stresses the urgency on this matter and welcomes the European Commission’s proposal to amend the Enforcement Regulation, with the aim of reinforcing the Union’s tools on compliance and enforceability of trade rules; points out that sanctions should only be used as a measure of last resort, as they have proven to be inefficient; asks the European Commission to further clarify the role of the proposed Chief Trade Enforcement Officer;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 282 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
34. Points out that the share of trade in services in the overall trade picture is underestimated; sStresses that the EU is by far the world’s biggest exporter of services and that services represent about 70 % of the EU’s gross domestic product (GDP);
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 290 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
36. Notes that SMEs account for approximately 30 % of the EU goods exports; supports the idea that a specific chapter on SMEs should be part of all proposed FTAs, as done in the EU-Japan agreement, and that they should be included when revising existing FTAs, as is the case of the modernised Agreement with Mexico; notes that trade barriers and bureaucracy are especially problematic for SMEs that cannot afford the extra work to overcome them;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 307 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)
39 a. Is convinced of the importance of including gender provisions in free trade agreements, in order to promote gender equality; insist on strengthening the economic position of women in third countries and calls on the European Commission to combat the exploitation of women;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 308 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 b (new)
39 b. Believes that trade agreements should become vectors for achieving gender equality and improving living standards for women across all industries covered by the EU's FTAs, especially with regards to equal pay. Notes that women receive less than two-fifths of the benefits of free trade agreements in terms of jobs generated; Insists on the need to start collecting gender-disaggregated data to formulate the provisions necessary to strengthen the position of women and to monitor the progress of women;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 309 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 c (new)
39 c. Welcomes the introduction of gender aspects in the modernisation of the EU-Chile Association Agreement and the recommendations on gender and trade issued by the EU-Canada Joint Committee, setting out a platform that can promote understanding on how trade agreement can contribute to gender equality.
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 14 #
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 43 #

2019/2176(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas being a candidate country presumes a willingness to progressively approach in all aspects the values, interests, standards and policies of the EU and to respect and uphold the Copenhagen criteria and to align itself with EU policies and objectives;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 71 #

2019/2176(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas, in spite of this principled stance by Parliament and all of the current circumstances, the European Council, in its conclusions of 1 October 2020, offered Turkey a renewed and broad positive agenda, provided that constructive efforts are sustained, in a further attempt to restore our relations; whereas after the European Council meeting of October 2020, no such constructive efforts were made;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 177 #

2019/2176(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Regrets the current lack of understandingstate of play of relations between the EU and Turkey, but reaffirms its firm conviction that Turkey is a strategic neighbour, key for the stability of the wider region, and ally with which the EU wishes to have the best possible relations, including within NATO; is deeply concerned about Turkey's current destabilising role in the wider region through its involvement in several conflicts;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 209 #

2019/2176(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Expresses its will to strengthen and deepen mutual knowledge and understanding between Turkish and European societies, combating all manifestations of social, religious or cultural prejudice; expresses its full commitment to continue supporting Turkey’s independent civil society in whatever circumstances and framework of relations that the future may bring; believes, nevertheless, that the accession process would still be the mostis a powerful tool to exercise normative pressure on the Turkish government and the best framework to sustain the democratic and pro-European aspirations of Turkish society; stresses that a purely transactional relationship will hardly contribute to the advancement of Turkey towards a more democratic modrecognises however that the advancement of Turkey towards a more democratic model will require political will at the highest political level;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 232 #

2019/2176(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Notes with deep concern that, despite the formal lifting of the state of emergency in July 2018, its impact on democracy and fundamental rights continues to be strongly felt, most recently with the mass sentencing on November 26 of 337 people to life imprisonment for taking part in the failed coup in 2016;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 271 #

2019/2176(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Is deeply worried about the disregard by the Turkish judiciary of European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) rulings and the increasing non-compliance of lower courts with the judgments of the Constitutional Court; recognises that there have been instances where Turkey has requested the re-trial of its prisoners following a decision by the ECtHR however, notes with regret that these retrials often fail to meet internationally recognised standards for a fair trial, such as in the Ilhan Sami Comak case;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 274 #

2019/2176(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Is deeply worried about the disregard by the Turkish judiciary of European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) rulings and decisions adopted by UN mechanisms such as the UN Human Rights Committee and Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the increasing non-compliance of lower courts with the judgments of the Constitutional Court;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 297 #

2019/2176(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Condemns the harassment and imprisonment of journalists and media workers;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 308 #

2019/2176(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Is deeply concerned about the constant attacks and pressure on the opposition parties and sentencing of members of the opposition, which undermines the proper functioning of a democratic system;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 325 #

2019/2176(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on Turkeythe Turkish government to release all imprisoned human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, academics and others who have been detained on unsubstantiated charges and to enable them to carry out their work without threat or impediment in all circumstances; strongly condemns the re-arrest and continued detention of Osman Kavala, a prominent civil society figure; is appalled by the tragic death of human rights lawyer Ebru Timtik after 238 days of hunger strike at protest of her unfair trial after being convicted of membership of a terrorist organisation;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 377 #

2019/2176(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Urges Turkeythe Turkish government to protect the rights of minorities and vulnerable groups, including women, LGBTI people and ethnic and religious minorities and to take further measures to end violence against women and the deplorable practice of so called “honour killings”; calls on Turkey to fully implement and abide by the Istanbul Convention to which it has signed up;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 395 #

2019/2176(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Expresses concern about Uighurs living in Turkey who are increasingly at risk of detention and deportation to third party countries, where they can then be potentially handed over to China and likely to face grave persecution there;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 475 #

2019/2176(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. RecallAhead of the 10-year anniversary of the conflict in Syria, commends the laudable role played by Turkey in responding to the migration crisis resulting from the war in Syria; acknowledges that Turkey continues to host and provide social services for 3.6 million Syrian refugees; takes the view that the EU should continue to give the necessary support to Syrian refugees and host communities in Turkey; supports an objective assessment of the EU-Turkey Statement and underlines the importance of both parties’ compliance with their respective commitments; recognizes the migratory pressure Turkey is facing however, firmly objects to the Turkish government using migrants as blackmail against the EU;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 500 #

2019/2176(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Notes the importance for both the EU and its Member States and Turkey of maintaining close dialogue and cooperation on foreign policy, defence and security issues, including counter- terrorism cooperation;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 515 #

2019/2176(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Stresses that a modernisation of the Customs Union could be beneficial for both parties and would keep Turkey economically and normatively anchored to the EU; reiterates that this would need to be based on strong conditionality related to human rights and fundamental freedoms; highlights that it seems unrealistic to envisage any modernisation of the Customs Union given the current circumstances; recalls that the current Customs Union will not achieve its full potential until Turkey fully implements the Additional Protocol in relation to all Member States;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 516 #

2019/2176(INI)

26. Stresses that a modernisation of the Customs Union cwould be beneficial for both parties and would keep Turkey economically and normatively anchored to the EU; reiterates that this would need to be based on strong conditionality related to human rights and fundamental freedoms; highlights that it seems unrealistic to envisage any modernisation of the Customs Union given the current circumstancebelieves that a door should be left open for a modernisation of the Customs Union but stresses that would require a change of attitude and constructive efforts by the Turkish government to improve overall relations and would need to be based on strong conditionality related to human rights and fundamental freedoms; recalls that the current Customs Union will not achieve its full potential until Turkey fully implements the Additional Protocol in relation to all Member States;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 542 #

2019/2176(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Is deeply concerned by the ongoing dispute in the Eastern Mediterranean and the related risk of a military escalation; condemns Turkey’s illegal activities in Greek and Cypriot waters, which violate both the sovereign rights of EU Member States and international law; expresses its full solidarity with Greece and the Republic of Cyprus; urges Turkey to engage in the peaceful settlement of disputes and to refrain from any unilateral and illegal action or threat; welcomes the proposal of the European Council for a Multilateral Conference on the Eastern Mediterranean and calls on the High Representative to launch it as soon as soon as possible;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 608 #

2019/2176(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
30. Calls on Turkey to remain committed to the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Libya under the auspices of the UN, and to fully adhere to the arms embargo imposed by the UN Security Council and to not obstruct EU and NATO missions mandated to enforce the UN arms embargo on Libya;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 640 #

2019/2176(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Recognizes the importance of a well-functioning NATO; deplores in this regard Turkey’s unilateral actions undermining NATO, obstructing its functioning and fuelling tensions within the alliance, including the purchase of Russian S-400missiles and provocative moves against allies operating under NATO command; calls on the Turkish government to overcome these tensions by halting actions that go against the interests of the alliance;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 653 #

2019/2176(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
32. Believes that it is high time to review the EU’s relations with Turkey and to define a comprehensive, unified and coherent strategy for the medium to long term, among all EU institutions and Member States; believes that the EU should not confuse Turkey with the policies of its current government, therefore underlines that the EU should remain committed to support Turkey’s civil society, human rights defenders and journalists and to increase opportunities for people-to-people contacts, academic dialogue, access for Turkish students to European universities, and media platforms for journalists with the objective of protecting and promoting democratic values and principles, human rights and the rule of law;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 670 #

2019/2176(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32a. Recalls that Turkey is also a longstanding and important member of the NATO alliance and sits at a key geostrategic location for maintaining regional and European security;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 684 #

2019/2176(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
33. Takes the view that enhancing communication and dialogue at all levels are key to restoring mutual trust between the EU and Turkey; deplores the continuous and unjustified refusal of the Turkish side to reinstexpresses in this regard the hope thate the normal functioning of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee can be reinstated soon;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 694 #

2019/2176(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 b (new)
33b. calls for an EU-Turkey leaders meeting after a genuine process of de- escalation, in order to review the current framework of relations, or, to explore new, more effective models for the relations;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 69 #

2019/2175(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls on the Serbian Government to officially adopt the new enlargement methodology of the European Commission and to appoint a new Head of the Negotiating Team for Serbia's accession to the European Union as soon as possible; calls on the Government to raise the administrative capacities of the Ministry of European Integration, in order to adequately conduct membership negotiations;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 71 #

2019/2175(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Welcomes the cooperation between the Serbian Government and the National Assembly on the National Convention on the European Union (NCEU); calls on Serbian institutions to do their utmost to make the European integration process as inclusive and open as possible;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 79 #

2019/2175(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that Serbia has continued aligning its legislation with the acquis; regrets that the pace of the alignment has been significantly slower than what the Government originally planned, including in the period before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic; underlines thatlimited progress on the rule of law and fundamental rights chapters, as well as on; stresses that the normalisation of relations with Kosovo, and the factual respect of fundamental rights continues to be essential and will determine the pace of accession negotiations;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 90 #

2019/2175(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the importance of strategic communication on EU accession by Serbian stakeholders; underlines that public discussion about EU accession must be based on facts and must promote the full respect of fundamental rights and democratic values upon which the EU is based; ; encourages the Serbian authorities to communicate more actively their commitment to European values in public debate;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 97 #

2019/2175(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on Serbia and the EU Member States to pursue a more active and effective communication policy on the European perspective, aimed at both Serbian and EU citizens; expresses concern over the promotion of anti-EU messages and rhetoric by publicly financed media outlets;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 108 #

2019/2175(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls for an active engagement and the appropriate inclusion of the Western Balkans countries in the Conference on the Future of Europe;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 161 #

2019/2175(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Urges the Serbian parliament to adopt constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening the independence of the judiciaryaccountability, professionalism, independence and overall efficiency of the judiciary; calls for the implementation of all rulings of the European Court of Human Rights;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 164 #

2019/2175(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Regrets that the Serbian Parliament failed to adopt constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening the independence of the judiciary, which were originally scheduled in 2017; notes that the lack of representativeness of the current parliament does not bode well for their adoption in the current mandate;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 172 #

2019/2175(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes improvements to the practices and procedures of the national assembly; underlines that the quality of the legislative process still needs to be improved by increasing transparency and social and political dialogue and fully ensuring that independent regulatory bodies are legally empowered and staffed in a way that allows them to exercise their oversight roles effectively; calls for additional measures to ensure cross-party dialogue and effective involvement of civil society;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 183 #

2019/2175(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Believes that the acquisition of two television channels with national coverage in December 2018 by an individual connected with the ruling party represented a step towards monopolisation of the media landscape in the country by the ruling party; invites the editorial teams of all television channels with national coverage in Serbia to respect the highest professional standards and allow for differing opinions to be heard regularly;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 195 #

2019/2175(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Calls on the Serbian authorities to promote a climate of tolerance and to condemn all forms of hate speech, public approval and denial of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 205 #

2019/2175(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)
16c. Condemns the lack of media freedom and dominance of abusive language, intimidation and hate speech towards members of the parliamentary opposition, independent intellectuals, NGOs, journalists and prominent individuals who criticize government policies;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 237 #

2019/2175(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Underlines the need for protection of LGBTI rights; calls for more adequate and effective responses from the authorities to hate speech and hate- motivated crimes;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 277 #

2019/2175(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Regrets the reiterated denial of the Srebrenica genocide by some Serbian authorities; reminds them that fully cooperating with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, and its successor the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, also implies fully accepting and implementing its rulings and decisions; stresses that the recognition of the Srebrenica genocide is a fundamental step in Serbia’s path towards joining the European Union;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 314 #

2019/2175(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
30. Reiterates the importance ofCalls on Serbia to increase its alignment with the EU common foreign and security policy (CFSP), whichincluding Russia, also within the United Nations, as CFSP must progressively become an integral part of Serbia’s foreign policy;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 324 #

2019/2175(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 b (new)
30b. Underlines the need for the EU and the United States to strengthen their partnership and coordination in the Western Balkans in order to advance key reforms, improve governance and reconciliation;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 329 #

2019/2175(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Welcomes the fact that Serbia aligned with the EU’s position on the presidential elections in Belarus; remains however concerned that Serbia has failed to align with the sanctioning of Belarusian officials and with the EU’s position on the new security law in China; calls on Serbia to increase its level of alignment with the declarations of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on behalf of the EU, and with Council decisions;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 336 #

2019/2175(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
32. Calls for the strengthening of European cooperation with Serbia on addressing disinformation, cyber and hybrid threats that seek to undermine the European perspective of the region;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 350 #

2019/2175(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
34. Takes note of Serbia’s decision to sign a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union in October 2019; expects Serbia, however, to align with EU trade policy; regrets that Serbia is still not a member of the World Trade Organisation;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 367 #

2019/2175(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36a. Expresses concern over Serbia’s increasing dependence on Chinese investments, by which China wishes to increase its influence in the region; is concerned over Serbia’s support towards Chinas policy towards Muslim Uighur community;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 26 #

2019/2174(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the rule of law is a key benchmark for assessing the state of the democratic transformation and progress towards the EU accession;
2020/12/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 36 #

2019/2174(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D b(new)
Db. whereas the EU has mobilised €66 million to assist North Macedonia in tackling COVID-19 and a post-pandemic recovery and made available up to EUR 160 million in macro-financial assistance;
2020/12/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 81 #

2019/2174(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Welcomes steps strengthening impartiality and transparency and accountability of the judiciary through the pro-active action of the Judicial Council and calls for the effective implementation of the revised law on the Council of Public Prosecutors; calls for a full use of mechanisms to confirm professionalism and integrity of judiciary through verifications, financial investigations and asset confiscations;
2020/12/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 86 #

2019/2174(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Encourages the conclusion of institutional reforms and the restructuring of the security and intelligence sectorimplementation of the ongoing reforms in the security and intelligence sectors, ensuring financial and operational independence of the new National Security Agency and a meaningful parliamentary oversight over secret services;
2020/12/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 91 #

2019/2174(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Calls for continued efforts to tackle organised crime and corruption through effective dissuasion, prevention, detection, financial investigation and sanctions for money laundering, financial crimes and terrorism finance, along with operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks; urges to further align with the acquis and conduct systematic financial investigations, stepping up freezing, confiscation and management of illegally acquired assets;
2020/12/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 95 #

2019/2174(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 d (new)
9d. Encourages to strengthen the newly-established Asset Recovery Office and improve fight against money laundering and economic crimes, including through partnership with Europol; calls to step up joint efforts in tackling organised, economic and cyber- crime;
2020/12/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 97 #

2019/2174(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 e (new)
9e. Deems it necessary for the authorities to continue and intensify their efforts to combat Islamic radicalisation and foreign terrorist fighters; calls for this to be implemented through increased cooperation between security agencies and CSOs, religious leaders, local communities and other state institutions in the education, health and social services sectors; calls for continued monitoring of returning foreign fighters by the security services, their proper reintegration into society and the constant exchange of information with the authorities of the EU and of neighbouring countries;
2020/12/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 112 #

2019/2174(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Underlines the need to complete a timely, inclusive and comprehensive review of the Eelectoral Codelegislation, by addressing the remaining recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR and Venice Commission;
2020/12/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 170 #

2019/2174(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Welcomes the ongoing co- operation and supports the finalisation of the status agreement with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) that would facilitate better protection of borders and fighting cross border crime in full respect for fundamental rights;
2020/12/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 203 #

2019/2174(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 c (new)
28c. Calls on the European Commission and the Member States to allocate a sufficient amount of COVID-19 vaccines to the citizens of all Western Balkan countries; encourages regional cooperation in the field of health, in particular on cross-border diseases in order to mitigate the burden in the region;
2020/12/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 209 #

2019/2174(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Welcomes the social protection reform broadening the support base and urges for targeted measures addressing child poverty, aggravated by the pandemic;
2020/12/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 262 #

2019/2174(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 b (new)
39b. Underlines the need for the EU and the United States to strengthen their partnership and coordination in the Western Balkans in order to advance key reforms, improve governance and reconciliation;
2020/12/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 181 #

2019/2173(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Considers it necessary for the EU to show its solidarity with Western Balkan countries in helping them to receive COVID-19 vaccines;
2021/03/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 110 #

2019/2172(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses the need for a political will to intensify the fight against corruption, and expresses its serious concern about the abolition of the special anti-corruption department within the Kosovo Police (KP);
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 122 #

2019/2172(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Takes note of Kosovo’s efforts in fight against terrorism and its de- radicalisation efforts; is concerned however that the current COVID-related situation could have detrimental effects on the de-radicalisation efforts, as the worsening economic situation is prompting the creation of groups who want to radicalise young people;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 153 #

2019/2172(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for greater protection and inclusion of persons belonging to minorities, including Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians, as well as persons with disabilities and displaced persons, by providing them with adequate health and social protection and care; urges more efforts to fight discrimination and antigypsyism;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 161 #

2019/2172(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Notes the failure to ensure the financial and editorial freedom of the public broadcaster; reiterates the need to guarantee full transparency of media ownership; stresses the need to step up fight against threats and attacks against journalists;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 246 #

2019/2172(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Calls for considerable improvement in the area of education and the quality of education;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 254 #

2019/2172(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32a. Welcomes the steps taken in building cybersecurity capacity, most notably by adopting its first National Cybersecurity Strategy; considers it crucial to maintain this momentum to enable the full enforcement of legislative initiatives in this area and to tackle the shortage of skilled professionals in ICT and cybersecurity;
2020/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 35 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)
- having regard to the Joint Declaration of the European Parliament – Western Balkans Speakers’ Summit of 28 January 2020,
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 93 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that the path towards the EU depends on sustainable peace and genuine reconciliation warranting the democratic and multicultural character of BiH; urges the country to expedite effective prosecution of war crimes under the revised National War Crimes Processing Strategy, and calls for impartial and effective investigations into these crimes; condemns any kind of historical revisionism, secessionist rhetoric and related acts, denial or glorification of war crimes committed during the 1990’s war, including the Srebrenica genocide; condemns the non-respect of the rulings of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and of the International Court of Justice;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 102 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that over 7 200 BiH citizens are still missing, and urges the authorities to intensify cooperation and data sharing on issues related to missing persons, redress to civilian victims of war, and to ensure the safe return of refugees and internally displaced people in accordance with Annex VII of the Dayton Peace Agreement; calls for the eradication of all forms of discrimination against returnees;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 103 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that over 7 200 BiH citizens are still missing, and urges the authorities to intensify cooperation and data sharing between regional, national and international stakeholders on issues related to missing persons, redress to civilian victims of war, and to ensure the safe return of refugees and internally displaced people;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 118 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Urges the authoritieresponsible authorities at all levels to ensure inclusive and non- discriminatory education for all children; regardless of their ethnic, cultural or personal background, by working towards a meaningful harmonization of the three ethno-national curricula in place, by progressively eliminating content in history, geography, language, literature and religious education that promotes division and by mainstreaming critical thinking skills into teacher training and classroom work; recognizes that only through quality education that gives young people a vision and perspective of a positive future can the brain drain issue be addressed;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 142 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. UWelcomes Bosnia and Herzegovina’s commitment to advancing on its EU path, as well as the strong support for European integration among its population; urges all BiH political leaders and institutions to significantly accelerate work and co-operation to fully comply with the 14 key priorities; calls on the authorities to maintain the political will for enhanced co- operation demonstrated at the onset of the COVID-19 crisis;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 150 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines that the effective organisation and, independent functioning and accountability of institutions is an essential feature of a viable democracy and a prerequisite for advancing the EU integration process, including obtaining candidate status; warns that ethno- nationalistic rhetoric and attempts to obstruct the functioning of institutions undermine country-wide co- ordination and decision-making on key policies and reforms;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 180 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Regrets the lack of progress on reforms in the judiciary; reiterates the as a pivotal and urgently need to strengthen the professionalism and accountability of the judiciary and to ensure its independence from undue influenceed reform, including the conditions and recommendations contained in the Commission Opinion’s 14 priorities as well as in the December 2019 Priebe report; notes that the Commission’s 31 December 2020 deadline for adoption of three systemic laws (amendment to the Law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council, Law on public procurement, Law on conflict of interest) has not been met by BH authorities;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 187 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Reiterates the urgent need to resolve the mounting backlog of cases pending trial; calls for an urgent strengthening of the professionalism and accountability of the judiciary and to ensure its independence from undue influence, especially undue political pressure; calls for reform of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 190 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Calls for establishing a national contact point for cooperation with Europol and signing an agreement on operational cooperation with Eurojust;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 197 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Calls for immediate steps to tackle corruption and impunity in the public sphere in order to rebuild citizens’ trust in the institutions; calls on the authorities to duly investigate and resolve the lack of effective prosecutions for high-profile corruption cases; stresses that the persistent lack of transparency shown by political actors and public institutions alike needs to be swiftly addressed;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 216 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Expresses concern over the fundamental rights situation, andin particular over the persisting discrimination and hate speech faced by the LGBTI+ community, migrants and asylum seekers, as well as ethnic and religious minorities; calls for more effective and comprehensive countrywide human rights and anti- discrimination strategies, as well as measures against interfaith and interethnic intolerance; stresses the need to duly prevent and prosecute the proliferation of hate speech, hate crimes and violence, and to promote social inclusion of minorities and vulnerable populations, including the Roma;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 230 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Regrets BiH’sthe continued inabilityunwillingness of BiH’s party leaders to comply with anti-discrimination rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR); stresses that any possible future negotiations and agreements on the implementation of the rulings must not be misused for purposes other than the ones laid out by the ECtHR; notes the continuing shortcomings in the election process, and reiterates the need to address discriminatory ethnicity and residency- based restrictions on the right to stand for election through the required constitutional changes;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 241 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Calls for thorough investigations into alleged electoral irregularities, including identity theft, barriers to independent electoral observation and political pressure on the BiH Central Election Commission (CEC), during of the 2020 municipal elections, specifically in relation to the 20 December 2020 Mostar elections;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 248 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Regrets continued political and financial pressure and instrumentalisation of the media, undermining freedom of expression and media pluralism; expresses its concern at the hostile environment for independent media, and urges the authorities to effectively investigate and prosecute threats and attacks against journalists and media personnel; urges media, information and digital literacy to become a compulsory subject in elementary, secondary and tertiary education institutions;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 270 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. calls for the EU integration process to be properly communicated to the public also as a project for reconciliation and the development of a political culture based on compromise and mutual understanding;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 281 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Notes the increased migratory pressure on the country; calls for effective inter-institutional coordination of migration and border management in the face of a mounting humanitarian crisis; calls for equitable burden-sharing of responsibility on the whole territory of BiH and adequate support for local communities hosting temporary reception centres; calls in particular on the Republika Srpska and HDZ BiH to end their refusal to participate in migratory management; underlines the need to ensure appropriate reception conditions and to boost capacity for processing incoming migrants and asylum- seekers; urges BiH to conclude an agreement with the European Asylum Support Office (EASO); calls on the EU to step up its support to BiH’s authorities, namely with regard to operational assistance;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 285 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Notes the increased migratory pressure on the country; calls for effective inter-institutional coordination of migration and improved border management in the face of a mounting humanitarian crisis; calls for equitable burden-sharing and adequate support for local communities hosting temporary reception centres; underlines the need to ensure appropriate reception conditions and to boost capacity for processing incoming migrants and asylum- seekers; urges BiH to conclude an agreement with the European Asylum Support Office (EASO); calls on the EU to step up its support to BiH’s authorities, namely with regard to operational assistance;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 286 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Calls for a co-ordinated, strategic countrywide response to the migrant crisis on the Croatian border; stresses the need for Bosnian authorities to provide adequate, heated accommodation for migrants and asylum seekers stranded in freezing temperatures in the north western part of the country; calls for increased cooperation on state, entity, cantonal, and local levels to adequately address the ongoing humanitarian crisis and ensure that the EU funding allocated to Bosnia and Herzegovina in December 2020 and January 2021 for managing migration and providing humanitarian assistance serves its purpose; calls for the EU Commission to engage actively with Bosnian authorities to develop a functioning asylum system and ensure that migrants and asylum seekers are treated humanely and with dignity;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 290 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. believes that cooperation with neighbouring countries and the EU is essential in addressing this common migration challenge;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 314 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Calls for a co-ordinated, strategic countrywide response to the ongoing health emergency and post-pandemic recovery measures that must reach all individuals affected by the crisis; calls for more proactive information-sharing on the pandemic, including clarifications regarding preventive measures and instructions for citizens, as well as data on infections and vaccinations through official channels; recalls COVID-related EU support to address the acute situation in the country; calls on the European Commission and the Member States to allocate a sufficient number of COVID-19 vaccines to the Western Balkan countries;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 320 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Calls for a better management of the COVID-19 crisis, providing equal access to remote schooling, avoiding any selective enforcement of the ban on assemblies and any unnecessary curtailment of freedom of expression by excluding the media from press conferences; calls for a thorough investigation on all COVID-19 related public procurement irregularities and calls for state level solutions to meet the needs of all citizens including refugees, asylum seekers and migrants;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 361 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Recommends focusing on growth- enhancing public investment and infrastructure projects, making full use of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans; urges the authorities to carry out comprehensive and up-to-date social impact assessments prior to all infrastructure projects to ensure that projects and investments strengthen BiH’s European values and perspective;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 369 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Urges BiH’s authorities to ensure alignment with EU standards and policy objectives on climate protection and energy, facilitating the green and digital transition, and calls for the prioritisation of measures reducing ecological degradation and environmental risks to health; urges BiH’s authorities to consult and engage with the main grassroots initiatives focused on preserving the pristine nature of BiH’s natural ecosystem, so as to ensure that local communities have a say on their future;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 375 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)
26b. Urges BiH’s authorities to commence the repeatedly delayed sector reforms in natural gas and to complete unbundling, enable market coupling in electricity and equip the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) with the nationwide competences in both electricity and gas in order to secure compliance with the EU’s Second and Third Energy Package; notes that the serious and persistent failure to comply with the related Energy Community acquis in these two sectors jeopardizes the prospects of integrating the energy markets of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the ones of its neighbours;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 377 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 c (new)
26c. Urges to seize the opportunity of the ongoing development of different climate and energy policy documents, such as the Nationally Determined Contribution and the National Energy and Climate Plan, to set ambitious 2030 targets along with clear policies and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in order to put the economy of BiH on a climate-friendly and transformative path towards climate neutrality;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 379 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 d (new)
26d. Welcomes the transposition of the electricity connection code Regulations as well as the transposition and implementation of REMIT Regulation 1227/2011 into the national electricity regulatory framework and invites authorities to apply the same integrity regime also in the gas sector;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 381 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 e (new)
26e. Urges Bosnia and Herzegovina to put in place carbon pricing mechanisms and the related rules and instruments aligning with Directive 2003/87/EC on the emission trading scheme, as undertaken in the Sofia Declaration;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 383 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 f (new)
26f. Underlines the lack of implementation of Directive 2001/42/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment (SEA Directive), concerning plans and programmes related to energy, such as the National Determined Contribution Plan and urges BiH to secure wide public consultations for such documents;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 385 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 g (new)
26g. Takes note of the compliance of emissions for nitrogen oxides in large combustion plants and urges swift actions to remedy the breach of the emission ceiling limits for dust and sulphur dioxide;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 390 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Urges BiH to continue progressively improving Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) alignment; calls for the strengthening of good neighbourly relations and increased efforts to resolve all outstanding bilateral issues; strongly urges BiH to align itself with Council decisions introducing EU restrictive measures in the context of Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and events in eastern Ukraine;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 393 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27b. Underlines the need for the EU and the United States to strengthen their partnership and coordination in the Western Balkans in order to advance key reforms, improve governance and reconciliation;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 401 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Reiterates its support to the European integration of BiH and calls on the European Council to continue supporting the European perspective of the country, based on fulfilling EU criteria, including sending a positive political message on the granting of candidate status;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 404 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
30. Reaffirms its position that representatives of the Western Balkan countries should be appropriately included and actively engaged in the Conference on the Future of Europe;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 406 #

2019/2171(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Calls for the creation of new opportunities for high level political and policy dialogue with the Western Balkans countries, through regular EU-Western Balkans summits and intensified ministerial contacts, in order to strengthen the political nature of the enlargement process and to ensure stronger steering and high-level engagement, as also called for by the revised enlargement methodology;
2021/02/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 215 #

2019/2170(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)
38a. Whereas around 153,000 families in Albania do not have access to the internet, meaning their children are unable to continue their school lessons during the Coronavirus lockdown; calls on the Albanian government to take all necessary measures to improve this situation to guarantee the right of the child to education; calls on the Albanian government to improve the affordability of internet; regrets that Albania is one of the biggest sources of cyber attacks in Europe; calls for greater cooperation between Albania and the EU to improve cyber security and to fight against cybercrime;
2020/12/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 15 #

2019/2167(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Calls on the EEAS, the Commission and the EU Member States to systematically integrate gender mainstreaming into the EU’s foreign and security policy; recalls that one of the primary strategic goals of EU foreign and security policy is to promote peace and development; underlines that more gender-equal societies are more resilient healthier, and more prosperous, therefore more secure and better suited for peacebuilding and peacekeeping efforts;
2020/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 30 #

2019/2167(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the VP/HR to make substantial and highly visible progress on gender equality in terms of leadership and management, staffing, organisational hierarchy, training, financial resources and organisational hierarchypay gap, and work-life balance; calls in this regard for mandatory training on gender equality;
2020/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 31 #

2019/2167(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the VP/HR to make substantial and highly visible progress on gender equality in terms of leadership and management, staffing, training, financial resources and organisational hierarchy; calls in this regard for mandatory training on gender equality and gender mainstreaming;
2020/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 50 #

2019/2167(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the VP/HR to ensure that the Heads of EU Delegations abroad have a formal responsibility to ensure that gender equality is mainstreamed throughout all aspects of the Delegation’s work, including mandatory consultations with women’s rights defenders and activists as experts in third countries, and are required to report on it; further calls on the VP/HR to ensure that there is one full-time gender focal point in the EU Delegations;
2020/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 56 #

2019/2167(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Regrets that not a single one of the 12 civilian CSDP missions is headed by a woman; calls on the VP/HR to draw up a gender strategy for CSDP missions with specific targets; invites the Member States to pursue active recruitment strategies and to identify and address specific obstacles limiting women’s participation, through mission reports that include relevant statistics;
2020/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 77 #

2019/2167(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that developing and using gender analysis and the systematic integration of a gender perspective constitutes one of the foundations of effective and lasting conflict prevention and resolution; underlines that countries where women are empowered are more secure in terms of food security, combating violent extremism, and conflict resolution; recalls that states with higher levels of gender equality are less likely to resort to violent means to settle disputes and conflict;
2020/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 78 #

2019/2167(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that developing and using gender analysis and the systematic integration of a gender perspective constitutes one of the foundations of effective and lasting conflict prevention and resolution; insists on the importance of women’s full participation in the rebuilding of their countries in line with sustainable development goals, and highlights the unique contribution that women make to peacebuilding and reconstruction efforts;
2020/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 82 #

2019/2167(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that developing and using gender analysis and including it in decision making and the systematic integration of a gender perspective constitutes one of the foundations of effective and lasting conflict prevention and resolution;
2020/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 85 #

2019/2167(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses that in societies facing conflict, women and girls are exposed to heightened risks of violations of their human rights, necessitating for gender- sensitive language and gender provisions within peace agreements; notes that women have better access to critical information in conflict resolution due to their societal roles and responsibilities;
2020/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 94 #

2019/2167(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the EU Strategic Approach to Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and the EU Action Plan on WPS adopted in 2019; insists on gender perspectives to be systematically addressed, together with gender balance and specific actions to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment, throughout all relevant policy frameworks of foreign and security policy; regrets, however, that translating this policy commitment into action remains a challenge;
2020/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 95 #

2019/2167(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the EU Strategic Approach to Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and the EU Action Plan on WPS adopted in 2019; regrets, however, that translating this policy commitment into action remains a challenge; highlights that while inclusive peace processes are the most sustainable, women are generally underrepresented; calls for increased involvement of women in peace efforts and peacebuilding by closing the gender gap in workforce participation;
2020/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 103 #

2019/2167(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the work done by the EEAS Principal Advisor on Gender; regrets, however, the limited capacity of this role and calls for the advisor to’s role to be significantly strengthened as well as reporting directly to the VP/HR;
2020/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 125 #

2019/2167(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
9. Recognises that gender equality is a prerequisite for efficient management of climate challenges; highlights the vulnerability of women and girls living in poverty to climate change; calls for gender-responsive climate action, so that women’s and men’s specific needs and priorities are identified and addressed.
2020/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 127 #

2019/2167(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
9. RecogniStresses that gender equality is a prerequisite for efficient management of climate challenges due to the important contributions of women as decision makers, stakeholders, educators, carers and experts across sectors and at all levels.
2020/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 135 #

2019/2167(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Regrets that women and girls around the world are still subjected to systematic discrimination and subordination; notes that women’s poverty is largely due to a lack of access to economic resources; calls for increased investment in women’s education, economic empowerment and visibility for women’s entrepreneurship;
2020/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 141 #

2019/2167(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Calls for increased efforts to prevent and combat all forms of sexual and gender-based violence and serious violations of human rights of women and girls, including the practice of Female Genital Mutilation;
2020/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 144 #

2019/2167(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 c (new)
9c. Notes that as a consequence of the globally shrinking democratic space, women are often exposed in multiple ways; calls for increased support and protection for defenders of human rights, journalists, academics and artists;
2020/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2019/2156(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the progress made through Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs), especially in Indonesia, and the increased dialogue between governments, industry and civil society in several countries resulting from the VPA process; Notes that to date, seven countries have ratified VPAs with the EU (Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Ghana, Indonesia, Liberia, the Republic of the Congo and Vietnam), among which Indonesia is the first and so far the only VPA partner with FLEGT licencing since 2016, and that the EU has concluded negotiations and initialled VPAs with Honduras and Guyana, while negotiations are ongoing with six other countries (Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Laos, Thailand and Malaysia); is convinced that the EU should continue to engage with VPA countries to ensure it remains an attractive alternative to export markets with less stringent environmental standards; welcomes the Commission’s upcoming fitness check of the FLEGT Regulation and the EU Timber Regulation;
2020/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 7 #

2019/2156(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Notes with deep concern the recent developments in Indonesia regarding the discussion to lift FLEGT licensing, which will seriously undermine the VPA and the export advantages it provides to the EU market; calls on the Commission to take immediate action and through dialogue with the Indonesian government find a way to continue with the licensing, without jeopardising the integrity of the commitments under the agreement;
2020/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2019/2156(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission to step up capacity support to VPA countries in order to accelerate the implementation of the commitments made, including combatting corruption and greenwashing, enhancing good governance, and exploring the inclusion of more ambitious sustainable forestry provisions in trade and sustainable development chapters in free trade agreements;
2020/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 19 #

2019/2156(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the EU to more closelystrengthen international cooperation by increasing efforts in key international fora, including the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Organisation for Economic Co- operation and Development (OECD); calls on the Commission to investigate avenues for multi-, pluri-, or bilateral cooperateion with like-minded importing countries in the fight against deforestation and climate change as a consequence of imports while safeguarding avenues for legal trade;
2020/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 25 #

2019/2156(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines the importance of measures ensuring that demand is in line with the stated goals, such as the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal, as the EU is a major importer of commodities associated with deforestation, such as soy, palm oil, eucalyptus, rubber, maize, beef, leather and cocoa, which are often drivers of global deforestation;
2020/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 31 #

2019/2156(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Is convinced that green public procurement policies can play an important role in encouraging trade in legal and sustainable timber; notes however that most EU Member States have mandatory purchasing policies for central government departments and voluntary policies for local authorities that undertake the majority of public spending; calls on the Member States to improve their statistics on the volume of wood they purchase including the indication of how much sustainable, legal or FLEGT-licensed material might be included within their procurement;
2020/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 36 #

2019/2156(INI)

5 b. Repeats its demand that imports of timber and timber products should be more thoroughly checked at the EU borders, to ensure that the imported products comply with the criteria necessary to enter the EU; stresses that the Commission needs to ensure that custom controls throughout the EU follow the same standards, by means of a direct unified customs control mechanism, in coordination with Member States and in full compliance with the principle of subsidiarity; believes that the EU needs to ensure imports to and production within the EU only support global supply chains and financial flows which are sustainable and deforestation-free and do not result in human rights violations by reinforcing private sector efforts through policies and appropriate measures;
2020/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 40 #

2019/2156(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5 c. Calls for the EU to address global deforestation also by regulating European trade and consumption of forest-risk commodities, such as soy, palm oil, eucalyptus, rubber, maize, beef, leather and cocoa, based on lessons learned from the FLEGT Action Plan, the Timber Regulation, the Conflict Mineral Regulation, the Non-Financial Reporting Directive, legislation on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) and other EU initiatives to regulate supply chains;
2020/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 11 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas Parliament has a duty and responsibility to exercise its democratic oversight of the common foreign and security policy (CFSP) and common security and defence policy (CSDP) and should have theffective means to fulfil this role;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 13 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas the EU’s external action has a direct impact on the wellbeing of its citizens, within and outside the EU, and aims to ensure security and stability while safeguarding the European values of freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 29 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas the world is facing a global shift of powers with geopolitical competition being a leading trend in foreign politics that requires quick and adequate response mechanisms; whereas the EU is largely absent in this global shift of powers and geopolitical competition due to a lack of unity among its Member States;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 38 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas new economic powers and political forces are pushing for their own global and regional ambitions with unpredictable consequences for global security;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 48 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas the EU’s security environment is vulnerable to external pressure that prevents the EU from exercising its sovereignty;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 76 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that at a moment when competing powers are increasingly challenging the rules-based global order, we, as Europeans, must defend multilateralism, free and fair trade, international law, democracy, and human rights;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 94 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for a stronger, united, effective, proactive and more strategic European Union, especially given that a new European political cycle has just started and that the EU’s foreign and security policy is subject to change;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 100 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Reiterates the urgent need to strengthen the EU’s resilience and independence by reinforcing a CFSP which promotes peace, security, human rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe and throughout the world; believes that this reinforced CFSP should include traditional soft power but also a strong European defence capacity, an effective sanctions policy and cross-border anti- terrorism cooperation;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 110 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Believes that the European Union needs to take on a global leadership role and unlock its political potential to think and act like a geopolitical power while defending and promoting its common values and interests in the world; reaffirms the need to secure ‘EU strategic autonomy’; fully supports the Commission President’s decision to transform the EU’s executive branch into a ‘geopolitical commission’; underlines that a 'geopolitical Commission' would therefore be expected to adopt a preventive rather than responsive approach to global affairs; believes, in this regard, that the European Union should strive to become a more assertive actor, without prejudice to its standing as a Normative Power;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 111 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Believes that the European Union needs to take on a global responsible and tangible leadership role and unlock its political potential to think and act like a geopolitical power while defending and promoting its common values and interests in the world; reaffirms the need to secure ‘EU strategic autonomy’; fully supports the Commission President’s decision to transform the EU’s executive branch into a geopolitical commission’; that will systematically address external action matters; welcomes the commitment of the future HRVP to coordinate the external dimensions of the Commission’s action and to ensure a better link between internal and external aspects of our policies;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 118 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Believes that the European Union needs to take on a global leadership role and unlock its political potential to think and act like a geopolitical power while defending and promoting its common values and interests in the world, help resolve conflicts worldwide and shape global governance; reaffirms the need to secure ‘EU strategic autonomy’; fully supports the Commission President’s decision to transform the EU’s executive branch into a ‘geopolitical commission’;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 126 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Considers that the EU, in order to keep its external credibility, should put the respect for human rights clauses at the core of the EU's agreements with third countries, making them conditional and applying them when necessary;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 154 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls for greater solidarity and enhanced coordination between the EU and the Member States; recalls the need for the Union’s external policies to be consistent with each other and with other policies with an external dimension as well as for them to be coordinated with international partners; believes that good cooperation among the Member States is essential to safeguard our democracy, our common values, our freedom, and our social and environmental standards; underlines the need to extend cooperation between Member States, partner countries and international organisations;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 157 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Underscores that the European Union must use its existing instruments more effectively and act in a more unified and coherent way in order to improve its decision-making processes; notes the Commission's proposal to combine most of the existing instruments for external action into a single instrument, the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI); reiterates that pooling external action instruments into a single fund may lead to synergies, effectiveness and rapidness in decision-making process and disbursement of funds, but should not divert the Union's funding from its longstanding and overarching foreign policy goals of poverty eradication, sustainable development and the protection of human rights;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 177 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Underlines that the European Union can only deliver its full potential when speaking with one voice and when decision-making is shifted step by step from the national to the supranational level, taking full advantage of the possibilities offered by the EU treaties, institutions and their procedures; stresses that the European Union should use all available means to achieve this goal, including those offered by parliamentary diplomacy;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 194 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Calls for the more effective and comprehensive sharing of information by the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) to enable Parliament to exercise its scrutiny role in an efficient and timely manner, including in the field of the CFSP; welcomes the commitment of the future HRVP to better and sooner inform, involve and consult Parliament on the fundamental choices of the CFSP;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 236 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Calls for greater coherence, consistency and complementarity, as laid down in the Treaties, between the EU’s external financing instruments and the CFSP to enable the European Union to tackle growing security and foreign policy challenges; considers that the simplified structure of external instruments proposed under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument calls for proper checks and balances, a sufficient level of transparency, and strategic policy input and scrutiny of implementation by Parliament; stresses the need for efficient and adequate funding under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance for 2021-2027 (IPA III); highlights the role of the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP), particularly in supporting peace and stability around the world; expects a timely adoption of the post-2020 instruments, so as to avoid unnecessary funding gaps;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 244 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Encourages the EU to further prioritise conflict prevention and mediationBelieves that conflict prevention and mediation as well as the peaceful resolution of protracted conflicts, notably in the EU's immediate neighbourhood, should be a priority in the coming years; underlines that this approach delivers a high degree of EU added value in political, social, economic and security terms; recalls that conflict prevention and mediation activities help to assert the presence and credibility of the EU on the international scene; highlights Parliament’s valuable contribution in the field of mediation and dialogue, especially in the Western Balkan and Eastern Partnership countries, and calls for the further development of interinstitutional cooperation on mediation;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 258 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Notes that the stability of the Eastern Neighbourhood is important for the Union's own stability and encourages the development of closer relations with the Eastern Partnership; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to continue strengthening economic and connectivity ties, using trade and association agreements, access to the single market and deepened people-to-people contacts, including through visa facilitation and liberalisation when all requirements are fulfilled, as incentives to foster democratic reforms and the adoption of European rules and standards;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 269 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17b. Reiterates the EU’s commitment to support its partners’ sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity; underlines the need to address all frozen conflicts in accordance with international law, norms and principles, to increase support to conflict-affected residents, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees and to counter attempts at destabilisation from third countries, in particular Russia; reiterates its condemnation of Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and military intervention in Eastern Ukraine; calls for continued efforts to ensure the implementation of the Minsk agreements and calls for the EU sanctions against Russia to be extended until it complies with these agreements; condemns, furthermore, the continued militarisation in the Georgian occupied territories of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia and calls on Russia to fulfil its obligations under international laws;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 288 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Underlines that the strategic partnership between the EU and NATO is fundamental to addressing the security challenges facing the EU and its neighbourhood;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 295 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Believes that qualified majority voting (QMV) cwould make the EU’s foreign and security policy more effective and would speed up the decision-making process; calls on the Council to make regular use of QMV in the cases envisaged in Article 31(2) of the TEU and calls on the European Council to take up this initiative by making use of the ‘passerelle clause’ contained in Article 31(3) of the TEU; encourages the Council to consider extending QMV to other areas of the CFSP;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 325 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Reiterates that sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states, as well as inviolability of internationally recognised borders and peaceful settlement of disputes are key principles of the European security order, applying to all states, both within and beyond the EU’s borders;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 330 #

2019/2136(INI)

23. Recalls that climate change impacts all aspects of human life, including by increasing the likelihood of conflicts and violence; stresses that climate security concerns should be integrated throughout the foreign policy portfolio; underscores the fact that the EU should develop capacities to monitor climate change- related risks, which should include conflict sensitivity and crisis prevention policies; underlines the need to develop a comprehensive approach to climate change and security; stresses the value of climate diplomacy in this regard;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 333 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Underlines the growing geopolitical importance of the Arctic and its effect on the security situation in the EU and globally; urges the EU to work towards a more coherent EU internal and external policy, an Arctic strategy and concrete action plan on the EUs engagement in the Arctic, taking into account also the security and geostrategic aspect; notes the EU´s capacity to contribute to the resolution of potential security and geostrategic challenges;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 334 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23b. Regrets the fact that the transatlantic partnership is facing a significant number of challenges and disruptions, yet it remains indispensable for security and prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic; regrets the progressive retreat of the US from the multilateral, rules-based world order;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 335 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 c (new)
23c. Calls once again on the Member States to support reforms in the composition and functioning of the Security Council; emphasises that the EU is committed to strengthening the international role of the UN;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 337 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Calls for stronger support to the EU maritime security strategy as freedom of navigation is an increasing challenge; insists that freedom of navigation must be respected at all times; regrets that tensions are on the rise and violations of the Law of the Sea and international maritime law continue to persist around many of the world's major maritime hotspots, such as in the South China Sea, the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Guinea etc.; notes that many of these tensions are oftentimes geopolitical in nature;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 348 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Calls on the EU Member States to make multilateral nuclear disarmament an EU foreign and security policy priority; believes that the EU must continue its efforts to keep the Iran nuclear deal alive;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 382 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Recognises the important role of the civil and military missions that form part of the CSDP in maintaining peace, avoiding conflicts and strengthening international security; believes the EU has not yet made adequate use of its abundant resources in the field of CSDP; calls on the HRVP, on the Commission and on the Member States to step-up their efforts in the field of common foreign and security policy cooperation, in order to make CSDP civil and military missions more robust, to improve their operational capacity by means of increased flexibility, to increase efficiency and effectiveness on the ground, and make their mandates more encompassing, streamlined and clear;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 385 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Recognises the important role of the civil and military missions that form part of the CSDP in maintaining peace, avoiding conflicts and strengthening international security; believes that new instruments such as the European Peace Facility could enhance solidarity and burden-sharing between Member States when it comes to contributing to CSDP operations and could more generally help increase the effectiveness of the EU’s external action;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 391 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Calls on the EU to promote the increased participation of women in peacekeeping and peacebuilding processes and EU military and civil crisis management missions; recalls the increased success of conflict resolution when women have a formal role in the process;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 394 #

2019/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Stresses that the terrorist threat remains present both in Europe and beyond; strongly believes that the fight against terrorism should remain a priority for the EU in the coming years; calls on the new European Commission to present a European action plan against terrorism;
2019/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 13 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Notes the lasting deterioration in the Union’s strategic environment in the face of multiple challenges directly or indirectly affecting the security of its Member States and citizens: armed conflicts and fragile states immediately to the east and south of the European continent, terrorism and particularly jihadist terrorism, cyber attacks, foreign interference in European political and electoral processes, tensions over EU Member States' energy supply, the rise of organised crime (drug, arms and human trafficking) at the borders and with Europe as its target, weakening of disarmament efforts and international arms control regimes, uncontrolled migration, increasing threats to natural resources, climate change, etc.;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 16 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Notes the lasting deterioration in the Union’s strategic environment in the face of multiple challenges directly or indirectly affecting the security of its Member States and citizens: armed conflicts immediately to the east and south of the European continent, jihadist terrorism, cyber attacks, uncontrolled migration and in particular migration facilitated by transnational organized crime networks, increasing threats to natural resources, climate change, etc.;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Notes the lasting deterioration in the Union’s strategic environment in the face of multiple challenges directly or indirectly affecting the security of its Member States and citizens: armed conflicts immediately to the east and south of the European continent, jihadist terrorism, cyber attacks, hybrid threats, uncontrolled migration, increasing threats to natural resources, energy insecurity, climate change, etc.;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 38 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that instability and unpredictability on the Union’s borders and in its immediate neighbourhood (north Africa, the Middle East, Ukraine, the Caucasus, the Balkans, etc.) pose a direct threat to the security of the continent; stresses the inextricable link between internal and external security;(Does not affect the English version.)
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 41 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that global actors (the US, China, Russia) and an increasing number of regional actors (Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, etc.) are seeking to assert power through a combination of unilateral diplomatic posturing, destabilizing activities of a primarily hybrid nature and increasing military military build-ups;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 45 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that some global actors (the US, China, Russia) and an increasing number of regional actors (Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, etc.) are seeking to assert power through a combination of unilateral diplomatic posturing and increasing military military build-ups;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 47 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Underlines the growing geopolitical importance of the Arctic and its effect on the security situation in EU and globally; urges the EU to work towards a more coherent EU internal and external policy, an Arctic strategy and a concrete action plan on the EUs engagement in the Arctic taking into account also the security and geostrategic aspect; notes the EU’s capacity to contribute to the resolution of potential security and geostrategic challenges;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 56 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Deplores the fact that, in this context, some of these actors are deliberately circumventing or attempting to destroy the multilateral mechanisms essential to maintaining peace;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 59 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Is concerned about the activities and policies by Russia that continue to destabilise and change the security environment; stresses that Russia´s occupation in Ukraine is still ongoing, the Minsk agreements have not been implemented and the illegal annexation and militarisation of Crimea and Donbass are continuing; is concerned about the continuing frozen conflicts kept by Russia in Europe (in Moldova, Georgia); stresses the need to have a common voice as regards EUs policy in that context;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 80 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes, in this adverse and volatile context, the belated but real the recognition of shared security interests and the growing political will on the part of European countries and the European institutions to act collectively for their security by endowing themselves with greater means to act autonomously;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 82 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Stresses that these challenges are best met together, not by any single country; considers it vital for the EU to respond to these challenges rapidly, consistently, effectively, with one voice and in concert with allies, partners and other international organisations;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 89 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Is convinced that the response to the Union’s security challenges lies primarily in strengthening its strategic autonomy and its ability to work in strategic partnership with others, especially with NATO;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 95 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Underlines that the strategic partnership between the EU and NATO is fundamental to addressing the security challenges facing the EU and its neighbourhood; stresses that the EU strategic autonomy is not challenging NATO and is not undermining the current security architecture in Europe; a stronger Europe strenghtens NATO and allows us to take on more global challenges together;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 130 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Considers, therefore, that European strategic autonomy is based, above all, on the ability of the Union to assess a crisis situation and take a decision autonomously, which necessarily entails an independent decision-making process, the availability of means of assessment and a freedom to analyse and take action; considers, also, that European strategic autonomy is based on the ability of the Union to act alone when its interests are at stake (theatres of operations not considered as priorities by its European partners) or within the framework of existing cooperation arrangements; considers, lastly, that European strategic autonomy is part of a multilateral framework which respects commitments within the UN and complements the (NATO)NATO, and alliances and partnerships to which most Member States are signed up; stresses that strategic autonomy does not and should not mean that the Union will systematically act alone, everywhere and always;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 141 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Stresses that in order to increase EU´s strategic autonomy, Member States need to increase their defence spending and aim for the target of 2% of GDP; considers that increased investment in security and defence is a matter of urgency for the Member States and the EU and that defence solidarity and cooperation should become the norm;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 152 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses that strategic autonomy can only be genuinely achieved ifthe introduction of the concept of independent strategic autonomy requires the Member States to demonstrate solidarity, which is reflected in particular in the needtheir determination to prioritise the procurement of European capabilities where equipment is available and competitive;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 176 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Considers that Europe’s defence is based largely on the Union’s capacity to intervene militarily, in a credible manner, in external theatres of operations; notes the importance of exchange of information with NATO in this context;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 197 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses the Union’s comprehensive commitment in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa through six civilian (EUCAP Mali, EUCAP Niger, EUCAP Somalia) and military (EUTM Mali, EUTM Somalia, ATALANTA) missions; welcomes and encourages the efforts made to regionalise the functioning of civilian missions in the Sahel in the face of security challenges extending beyond those countries where European missions are deployed and welcomes EU support for the G5 Sahel operation;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 206 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Reiterates the strategic importance of the Eastern Europe and Western Balkans for the stability and security of the EU and the need to focus and strengthen the EU´s political engagement towards these regions, including the strong mandate for the EU´s CSDP missions;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 214 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Notes, however, that the effectiveness of CSDP missions and operations in general is being hampered by an increasing reluctance on the part of Member States and the European institutions to make such missions and operations more robust, both in terms of human resources and their mandates; notes that CSDP military operations increasingly tend to be based on armed forces training (EUTM), with no executive dimension and notes that, although EUTM personnel do valuable work, owing to training limits and the absence of weapons, the units formed are unable to operate adequately and incapable of containing armed rebellions and the progression of jihadist terrorism;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 222 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Notes with concern that the effectiveness of the most recent CSDP civilian and military operations has been hampered by persistent structural weaknesses and calls for the creation of a common EU solution to them;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 229 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Stresses the lack of flexibility inat the objective of administrative and budgetary procedures, which is causing serious problems for personnel deployed on the ground for CSDP missions should be to guarantee rigorous management of those missions, but without being so rigid as to hamper their performance and effectiveness;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 233 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Stresses the need to assess missions and operations on a regular basis in order to make them more effective; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to draw up mandates and budget, budgets and rules of engagement and operational procedures which are appropriate to the operations concerned and to provide for an exit strategy; calls, in that connection, for more regular consultations with the relevant parliamentary committees, and calls on the latter to focus their missions and delegations on areas where CSDP missions and operations are deployed;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 237 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Recalls the importance of organising and executing joint training and exercises between European armed forces, thereby promoting organizational, procedural and technical interoperability, with a view to maximising mission preparedness and addressing a broad range of threats, both conventional and non- conventional;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 240 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Stresses the recurring problem faced by armed forces of a lack of equipment, which is an obstacle to the success of training missions; notes the difficulty of supplying suitable equipment in a timely manner (binding public procurement procedures to be followed, etc.); believes that achieving positive results in terms of training and advice for third-country armies is extremely difficult in the long term without supplying the military equipment needed to complete theoretical training; stresses that to provide weaponless military training is to condemn its recipients to certain death in combat; points out that the armed threats in these countries call for armed responses; supports the repeated calls made by local populations, administrations and governments for destabilisation and terrorism to be tackled effectively; highlights that Russia has become a strong presence in the Central African Republic by responding to those calls and that more and more Sahel countries are now tempted to turn to Russia for assistance; the capacity to back up such efforts with worthwhile and coordinated equipment programmes; welcomes the Capacity Building for Security and Development (CBSD) initiative, which resulted in the revision of the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (‘IcSP+’) in 2017 so as to provide funding for training and the supply of non- lethal equipment to third countries’ armed forces; notes that, to date, three projects have been carried out, in Mali, the Central African Republic and Burkina Faso; highlights the strong demand from local populations for support in the area of training and equipment supply;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 243 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Stresses that the recurring problem faced by armed forces ofin countries in which the EU is intervening is a lack of equipment, which is an obstacle to the success of training missions; notes the difficulty of supplying suitable equipment in a timely manner (bindingowing, in particular, to cumbersome public procurement procedures to be followed, etc.); believes that achieving positive results in terms of training and advice for third-country armies is extremely difficultwill not be possible in the long term without the capacity to back up such efforts with worthwhile and coordinated equipment- supply programmes; welcomes the Capacity Building for Security and Development (CBSD) initiative, which resulted in the revision of the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (‘IcSP+’) in 2017 so as to provide funding for training and the supply of non- lethal equipment to third countries’ armed forces; notes that, to date, three projects have been carried out, in Mali, the Central African Republic and Burkina Faso; highlights the strong demand from local populations for support in the area of training and equipment supply;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 246 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Questions the appropriateness of continuing certain missions; believes that the Union should concentrate its efforts on missions where it generates the highest added value; is in favour of the establishment of and compliance with objective criteria to measure that added value and decide whether to pursue a mission;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 254 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
30. Notes the decision of 26 September 2019 to extend the EU maritime operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFORMED Sophia) by six months to 31 March 2020; deeply deplores the decision temporarily to suspendcontinuation of the suspension of the naval presence; stresses the urgent need to reach agreement among the Member States and calls for the redeployment of naval assets and full implementation of the mandate;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 260 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Considers that the issue of financing for CSDP missions and operations is crucial to the sustainability of the policy; highlights the importance of reviewing the Athena mechanism so that it covers the full costs of CSDP military operations and missions; supports, in this connection, the proposal by the VP/HR, backed by the Commission, to create a European Peace Facility, which would finance part of the costs of EU defence activities, including the joint costs of CSDP military operations and those relating to military capacity-building for partners; hopes that the Member States will reach an agreement quickly so that this instrument can be introduced; stresses the importance of makadapting the Union’s financial rules more flexible in order to enhance its ability to respond to crises and facilitate the implementation of Lisbon Treaty provisions; calls on the Member States and the Commission to consider a flexible mechanism to help Member States wishing to participate in a CSDP mission to bear the cost of doing so, thereby facilitating their decision to launch or strengthen a mission; notes that this instrument would be wholly consistent with the Union’s strategic autonomy objectives in the operational field;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 261 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Calls on the VP/HR to regularly consult the European Parliament on all aspects of and the fundamental choices regarding the common security and defence policy; considers, in that regard, that Parliament should be consulted beforehand on strategic planning for CSDP missions, on changes to their mandate and on the potential to bring them to an end;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 269 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
33. Notes the failure of the Union’s battlegroup project; the battlegroups have never been deployed since their creation in 2007, owing in particular to opposition on the part of all the Member States and the complexity of their implementation and funding, which is at odds with the original objective of speed and efficiency; calls for a re-evaluation and reinvigoration of the battlegroup project based on past lessons learned;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 274 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
33. Notes the failureIs of the Uopinion’s battlegroup project; that the EU battlegroups have never been deployed since their creation in 2007, owing in particular to op system should be restructured, further developed poslition on the part of all the Member States and the complexity of their implementation and funding, which is at odds with the original objective of speed and efficiencycally and with effective funding to become functional, usable, fast and efficient as was the original objective of establishing the battlegroup system;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 277 #

2019/2135(INI)

34. Notes that the mutual assistance clause (Article 42(7) TEU), which has been invoked once, demonstrates the solidarity among Member States in the common fight against terrorism; notes, however, that the conditions for triggering the article and the arrangements for providing the assistance required have never been clearly defined; calls for a moreprecise guidelines to provide a well-defined framework for the future activation and operational implementation of this instrument;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 291 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
36. Expects the Union to make effective use of all existing CSDP policy instruments in the areas of diplomacy, cooperation, development, humanitarian aid, conflict management and peacekeeping; stresses that CSDP military and civilian instruments cannot, under any circumstances, be the only solution to security issues and that a ‘comprehensive approach’ should always be adopted; considers that only the use of all these instruments on the basis of a ‘comprehensive approach’ will provide the flexibility needed to effectively achieve the most ambitious security objectives;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 296 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36a. stresses the growing and essential role of women in peacekeeping missions and security and defence policy and calls on the VP/HR to enter into dialogue with the European Parliament on the instruments to be introduced and action to be taken;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 311 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
38. Welcomes the significant reversal of the trend of cutting defence budgets; is of the opinion that this should be supported and encouraged at Union level; encourages Member States to increase their defence spending to 2% of GDP;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 337 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
41. Welcomes the Commission’s proposal of June 2017 to create a European Defence Fund (EDF), which would foster cooperation between Member States and support the European defence industry; notes that this proposal is the first initiative for which Community funds are to be used in direct support of defence projects; recognises that this is a major step forward for European defence, from both a political and an industrial perspective; notes that the EDF could financebe involved in the financing of research and the development of structural projects such as the future European aircraft or tank or a European anti-missile defence capability; notes that the 2019 work programme for the preparatory action will focus on electromagnetic spectrum dominance and future disruptive defence technologies, two key areas for maintaining Europe’s technological independence in the long term; welcomes, also, the adoption by the Commission in March 2019 of the first European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) and the publication of nine calls for proposals for 2019, including for the Eurodrone, which is a key capability for Europe’s strategic autonomy; points out that 12 further calls for proposals will follow in 2020, covering priority areas in all domains (air, land, sea, cyber and space); notes the link between the procurement decisions taken today by the Member States and the prospects for industrial and technological cooperation under the EDF;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 339 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
41. Welcomes the Commission’s proposal of June 2017 to create a European Defence Fund (EDF), which would foster cooperation between Member States and support the European defence industry; notes that this proposal is the first initiative for which Community funds are to be used in direct support of common EU defence projects; recognises that this is a major step forward for European defence, from both a political and an industrial perspective; notes that the EDF could finance structural projects such as the future European aircraft or tank or a European anti-missile defence capability; notes that the 2019 work programme for the preparatory action will focus on electromagnetic spectrum dominance and future disruptive defence technologies, two key areas for maintaining Europe’s technological independence in the long term; welcomes, also, the adoption by the Commission in March 2019 of the first European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) and the publication of nine calls for proposals for 2019, including for the Eurodrone, which is a key capability for Europe’s strategic autonomy; points out that 12 further calls for proposals will follow in 2020, covering priority areas in all domains (air, land, sea, cyber and space); notes the link between the procurement decisions taken today by the Member States and the prospects for industrial and technological cooperation under the EDF;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 346 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
42. Welcomes the effective implementation of Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) as an important step towards closer cooperation in security and defence among Member States; stresses that this provision, introduced in the 2009 Lisbon Treaty (Article 46 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union), is legally binding and includes a set of ambitious commitments to enable European countries wishing to do so to move ahead faster on common defence projects; recognises the rolecontribution that PESCO can play inmake to the structuring of European demand; notes that a significant number of EDIDP- eligible projects are being developed within the PESCO framework and may also benefit from higher rates of subsidy; supports full consistency between PESCO projects and the EDF;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 350 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
43a. Welcomes the full coordination between the capability roadmap established by the European Defence Agency and the capability planning that has been carried out, demonstrating that there is extensive interoperability between the armies of the EU Member States that are members of NATO;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 353 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
44. NotWelcomes the Commission’s proposal to allocate EUR 6.5 billion to military mobility projects in the next MFF; emphasises that progress needs to be made to establish military mobility that works for both the EU and NATO; is pleased that the project is part of PESCO;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 357 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
44. NotUnderlines the importance of military mobility; welcomes the Commission’s proposal to allocate EUR 6.5 billion to military mobility projects in the next MFF;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 366 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
45. Questions the slow start-up of the 34 projects and the delays to the launch of a third wave of 13 projects, given that none are as yet up and running; notes that only four projects will reach their initial operational capacity in 2019; highlights the lack of ambition and scale of some projects, which do not address the most obvious capability gaps, particularly those in the first wave, which are primarily capability projects involving as many Member States as possible; notes that the desired inclusion of participation in PESCO projects should not jeopardise a high level of ambition on the part of the participating Member States; considers that third countries’ involvement should be subject to should only be involved in PESCO in line with stringenct conditions laid down from the outset and based on established and effective reciprocity; calls on the Member States to submit projects with a strategic European dimension, thereby strengthening the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), which is an essential part of the strategic autonomisation process and relates more to the operational side in order to respond directly to the operational needs of European armed forces;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 371 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
46. Stresses the still virtual nature of the European Defence FundCalls on the Council to adopt the European Parliament’s position on Article 5 of the Regulation establishing the European Defence Fund; emphasises the need to finalise the EDF without delay; points out that that this instrument has not yet been finally approved, with only partial and political agreement having been given in April 2019; stresses the importance of maintaining Parliament’s position concerning the amount of the EDF, the involvement of third countries and the establishment of an appropriate intellectual property policy in relation to security and defence in order to protect research results; draws attention, in that connection, to the highly sensitive and strategic nature of defence research, both for industrial competitiveness and for the strategic autonomy and sovereignty of the Union; calls for the initial lessons learned from the implementation of the EDIDP (in particular concerning the application of derogations for eligible entities), the pilot project and the preparatory action on defence research to be properly taken into account; calls on the Member States to be fully involved in the decision-making process in order to avoid bureaucratic excesses andto the extent that they are the final customers of the defence industries, so as to ensure that the programmes included address the strategic needs of the CSDP and the Member States; considers that the success of the EDF will depend on its ability to cater for the specific defence needs of the participating states and to guarantee the availability of sufficient budgetary resources, whilst ensuring that industrial know-how is not duplicated, national defence investment is not crowded out and cooperation does not become over- complicated; considers that developing the European defence industry by regulating access for entities controlled by non-EU third parties to projects financed by the Fund is fully consistent with the European ambition of strategic autonomy;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 374 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
46. Stresses the still virtual nature of the European Defence Fund; points out that that this instrument has not yet been finally approved, with only partial and political agreement having been given in April 2019; stresses the importance of maintaining Parliament’s position concerning the amount of the EDF, the involvement of third countries and the establishment of an appropriate intellectual property policy in relation to security and defence in order to protect research results; draws attention, in that connection, to the highly sensitive and strategic nature of defence research, both for industrial competitiveness and for the strategic autonomy of the Union; calls for the initial lessons learned from the implementation of the EDIDP (in particular concerning the application of derogations for eligible entities), the pilot project and the preparatory action on defence research to be properly taken into account; calls on the Member States to be fully involved in the decision-making process in order to avoid bureaucratic excesses and to ensure that the programmes included address the strategic needs of the CSDP and the Member States; considers that the success of the EDF will depend on its ability to cater for the specific defence needs of the participating states and to guarantee the availability of sufficient budgetary resources, whilst ensuring that industrial know-how is not duplicated, national defence investment is not crowded out and, cooperation does not become over-complicated and is based on common EU armament and military equipment standardisation and interoperability; considers that developing the European defence industry by regulating access for entities controlled by non-EU third parties to projects financed by the Fund is fully consistent with the European ambition of strategic autonomy;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 402 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
50. Believes that the Union and its Member States face an unprecedented threat in the form of cyber attacks as well as cyber crime and terrorism; believes that the nature of cyber attacks makes them a threat that requires a Union-level response including common analytic support capabilities; encourages the Member States to provide mutual assistance in the event of a cyber attack against any one of them;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 405 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 a (new)
50a. Considers it vital that the EU and NATO continue and step up the sharing of intelligence in order to enable the formal attribution of cyber attacks and consequently enable the imposing of restrictive sanctions on those responsible for cyber attacks; deems it necessary to continue active interaction between EU and NATO by participating in cyber exercises, joint trainings and keeping up active interaction in the field of cyber security and defence;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 407 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 b (new)
50b. Urges the EEAS and the Council to step up their ongoing efforts to improve cybersecurity, in particular for CSDP missions, inter alia by taking measures at EU and Member State levels to mitigate threats to the CSDP, for instance by building up resilience through education, training and exercises, and by streamlining the EU cyber-defence education and training landscape;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 415 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
52. Recognises the increasingly prominent role of artificial intelligence (AI) in European defence; notes, in particular, the many military applications stemming from AI for managing and simulating operational environments, assisting the decision-making process, detecting threats and processing intelligence; stresses that the development of reliable AI in the field of defence is essential for ensuring European strategic autonomy in capability and operational areas; calls on the Union to keep up its investment in this area and in particular in disruptive technologies through existing instruments (European Defence Fund, European Innovation Council, future Horizon Europe, Digital Europe programme); calls on the Union to play an active role in the global regulation of autonomous lethal weapons systems;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 418 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52 a (new)
52a. Notes that emerging technologies, including AI, that are used in weapons systems must be developed and applied according to the principles of responsible innovation and ethical principles, such as accountability and compliance with international law; taking into account the highly controversial concept of fully autonomous weapon systems, the EU must explore the possibilities of AI and at same time guarantee the full respect of human rights and international law;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 422 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52 b (new)
52b. Underlines that as the risk of proliferation and use of chemical weapons poses a serious threat to international peace and security the EU needs to continue its strong and consistent support to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in the implementation of its mandate, politically and financially and the EU must step up the its resilience to hybrid and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear-related threats;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 423 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 a (new)
53a. Stresses the need to apply a gender perspective in the EU’s CSDP action, considering the role that women play in war, post-conflict stabilisation and peace- building processes; emphasises the need to address gender violence as an instrument of war in conflict regions; underlines that women are more adversely affected by war than men; invites the EU and its international partners to actively involve women in peace and stabilisation processes, and to address their specific security needs;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 434 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55
55. Considers that European strategic autonomy must be based on sustainable cooperation and strategic partnerships with countries and organisations sharing the Union’s values, most importantly with NATO; welcomes, further, the contributions made by CSDP partners to Union missions and operations;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 437 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55 a (new)
55a. Stresses that partnerships and cooperation with countries and organisations that share the EU’s values contribute to a more effective CSDP; welcomes the contributions made by CSDP partners to ongoing EU missions and operations that contribute to enhancing peace, regional security and stability;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 456 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59
59. Stresses the importance of cooperation between the Union and other international institutions, in particular the African Union and the OSCE; considers that the Union should also strengthen dialogue and cooperation with third countries in the regionthat share their values and strategic priorities and with regional and sub-regional organisations;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 479 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61
61. Considers that progress in European defence will pave the way for major structural changes; notwelcomes the announcement of the creation of a Directorate-General for the Defence Industry and Space at the Commission under the responsibility of the Commissioner-designate for the Internal Market; notes that this new DG should be responsible for supporting, coordinating or complementing the Member States’ actions in the area of European defence and would thus contribute to strengthening European strategic autonomy; notes the definition of its five main tasks (implementation and oversight of the EDF, creation of an open and competitive European defence equipment market, implementation of the action plan on military mobility, enhancement of a strong and innovative space industry, implementation of the future space programme), but; calls on the Commission to provide further details on the role and responsibilities of the new DG; Wwonders how it will coordinate its work with that of other defence policy structures which have other responsibilities (EDA, EEAS, etc.);
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 481 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61
61. Considers that progress in European defence will pave the way for major structural changes; notes the announcement of the creation of a Directorate-General for Defence and Space at the Commission under the responsibility of the Commissioner-designate for the Internal Market; notes that this new DG should be responsible for supporting, coordinating or complementing the Member States’ actions in the area of European defence and would thus contribute to strengthening European strategic autonomy; notes the definition of its five main tasks (implementation and oversight of the EDF, creation of an open and competitive European defence equipment market, implementation of the action plan on military mobility, enhancement of a strong and innovative space industry, implementation of the future space programme), but calls on the Commission to provide further details on the role and responsibilities of the new DG; Wonders how it will coordinate its work with that ofstresses the need for coordination with other defence policy structures which have other responsibilities (EDA, EEAS, etc.);
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 484 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61 a (new)
61a. Commits to providing close parliamentary scrutiny and monitoring of European defence missions, instruments and initiatives; calls on the HR/VP, the Council and the various European structures concerned to report to the subcommittee on a regular basis on the fulfilment of their mandate;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 485 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61 b (new)
61b. Calls for a European defence strategy to be drafted as a necessary supplement to the 2016 global strategy, providing a framework for steering and planning, both of which are vital to ensure that new instruments and resources can be implemented effectively;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 6 #

2019/2131(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission to ensure thatReiterates that the objective of EU competition policy is to promotes fair competition and reciprocal trading conditions at EU and global levelin a free and dynamic internal market; notes that an increasing number of external actors operate within the further aim of strengthening our own industry in the EUat internal market and stresses the need to ensure that EU competition rules apply to all actors active within the EU internal market; calls, on therefore, for unfair trading Commission to safeguard the EU level playing field with a more coordinated, assertive and integrative approactices to be addressed effectively by making full use of the available instruments, developing new, effective tools and tackling the distortive effects of foreign state ownership and subsidies in the internal market, in particular where EU funding is involvedh of existing instruments instruments, including competition and procurement policies as well as trade instruments; calls on the Commission to also consider including state subsidies and government ownership as exclusion criteria and/or the contract award criteria of the EU's public procurement direction as well as the extraterritorial application of EU competition policy to address the distortive effects of foreign state ownership and subsidies in the internal market; welcomes in this regards the recent proposal by the Dutch government the strengthen the level playing field on the internal market; welcomes, against this backdrop,lso the new Commission’s intention to strengthen the foreign direct investment screening mechanism, and calls for discussions on the EU’s international procurement instrument to be resumed;
2019/12/10
Committee: INTA
Amendment 57 #

2019/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas respect for and the promotion, indivisibility and safeguarding of the universality of human rights, as well as the promotion of democratic principles and values including the rule of law, respect for human dignity and the principle of equality and solidarity, are the cornerstones of the EU’s ethical and legal acquis and its common foreign and security policy (CFSP), as well as of all its external action; whereas the EU should continue to strive to be the leading global actor in the universal promotion and protection of human rights, including on the level of multilateral cooperation, in particular through an active and constructive role in diverse UN bodies and in compliance with the UN Charter, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and international law, as well as the obligations in the area of human rights and of the commitments assumed under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals;
2019/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 72 #

2019/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas increased coherence between the EU’s internal and external policies, as well as between the EU’s external policies represents an indispensable requirement for a successful and effective EU human rights policy; whereas policies in support of human rights and democracy should be mainstreamed across all other EU policies with an external dimension, such as development, migration, security, counter- terrorism, women's rights and gender equality, enlargement and trade, in particular through the implementation of human rights conditionality; whereas improved consistency should enable the EU to respond more rapidly during the early stages of human rights violations;
2019/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 90 #

2019/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas illegal occupation of a territory or a part of it is an ongoing violation of international law, which triggers the responsibility of the occupying power towards the civilian population under international humanitarian law;
2019/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 107 #

2019/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights the scourge of armed conflicts, which continues to claim civilian lives and causes mass displacement, with states and non-state actors seemingly abdicating their responsibility to abide by international humanitarian law and international human rights law; stresses that regions at war or in conflict situations face grave human rights violations, exceptional in nature and aimed at denying human dignity, which are both devastating for victims and degrading for perpetrators; highlights, as an example, the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war to destroy, destabilise, and demoralise individuals, families, communities and societies;
2019/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 122 #

2019/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Is seriously concerned at the increase in the number of cases of murder, attacksviolence, harassment and intimidation against people standing up for human rights throughout the world, in particular journalists, scholars, lawyers and civil society activists, inter alia environmental and land defenders, mainly in countries with high levels of corruption and a poor record of upholding the rule of law and judicial oversight; deplores the fact that the increasing global phenomenon of shrinking civil society space also occurs in established democracies and middle- and high-income countries;
2019/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 172 #

2019/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses that freedom of speech and expression, as well as media pluralism, both online and offline, are at the heart of resilient democratic societies; urges that the best possible safeguards against disinformation campaigns and hostile propaganda be put in place by developing a legal framework both at EU and international level for tackling hybrid threats, including cyber and information warfare; emphasises the importance of ensuring effective and systematic implementation of the EU Guidelines on Freedom of Expression Online and Offline and of regularly monitoring their impact;
2019/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 248 #

2019/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Welcomes the EU’s efforts to promote the universality of the Rome Statute in 2018, during which the 20th anniversary of its adoption was celebrated, and reaffirms its unwavering support of the International Criminal Court; calls for the EU and its Member States to encourage all UN member states to ratify and implement the Rome Statute of the ICC, and is dismayed at the withdrawals from the Statute and the threats to do so; calls also on all the signatories of the Rome Statute to coordinate and cooperate with the ICC; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to explore ways and present new tools to help the victims of violations of international human rights law and of international humanitarian law to access international justice and obtain remedy and reparation;
2019/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 255 #

2019/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Strongly condemns all heinous crimes and human rights violations committed by state and non-state actors, including against citizens peacefully exercising their human rights; is horrified at the vast range of crimes committed, including murder, torture, rape, enslavement and sexual slavery, the recruitment of child soldiers, forced religious conversions, and systematic killings targeting religious and ethnic minorities; urges the EU and its Member States to fight crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, and to ensure that their perpetrators are brought to justice;
2019/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 309 #

2019/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Condemns all forms of physical, sexual and psychological violence and exploitation, mass rape, trafficking and the violation of women’s sexual and reproductive rights; emphasises that proper and affordable healthcare and universal respect for and access to sexual and reproductive rights and education should be guaranteed for all women and that they should be able to make free and responsible decisions about their health, body and sexual and reproductive rights; points out that education is an essential tool for combating discrimination and violence against women and children;
2019/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 339 #

2019/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Underlines the fact that children are often exposed to specific forms of abuse, such as child marriage, child prostitution, use of child soldiers, genital mutilation, child labour and child trafficking, especially in humanitarian crises and armed conflicts, and therefore require enhanced protection; calls for the EU to cooperate with third countries in order to end early, child and forced marriages by making 18 the legal minimum age for marriage, requiring the verification of the age of both spouses and of their full and free consent, introducing compulsory marriage records, and ensuring compliance with those rules; stresses the need to step up the EU’s engagement when it comes to addressing the protection of children; calls for an urgent solution to the issue of stateless children within and outside the EU, in particular those born outside their parents’ country of origin, and migrant children, in accordance with international law; urges the EU and its Member States to develop an action plan to stop children being detained as a result of their migratory status;
2019/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 353 #

2019/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Condemns the arbitrary detention, torture, persecution and killings of LGBTI people; acknowledges that sexual orientation and gender identity can increase the risks of discrimination, violence and persecution; notes that in a number of countries around the world, LGBTI people still face persecution and violence on the basis of their sexual orientation, whereas a large number of countries still criminalise same-sex relationships and some treat it as a capital offence;
2019/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 407 #

2019/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Considers it deeply regrettable that torture, inhuman or degrading treatment and the death penalty continue to be applied in many countries all over the world, and calls for the EU to intensify its efforts to eradicate these practices; calls on countries that have not already done so to establish an immediate moratorium on the death penalty as a step towards its abolition; considers it essential to combat all forms of torture and ill-treatment of detainees, including psychological torture, and to step up efforts to ensure compliance with the relevant international law and ensure compensation for victims;
2019/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 421 #

2019/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Stresses that the advancement of human rights and democratic principles, including the implementation of human rights conditionality clauses in international agreements, needs to be supported through all EU policies with an external dimension, including trade policy;
2019/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 436 #

2019/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Takes positive note of the GSP+ preference system as a means of stimulating the effective implementation of the 27 core international conventions on human rights and labour standards; acknowledges that global value chains contribute to enhancing international core labour, environmental and social standards, and represent an opportunity in terms of sustainable progress, particularly in developing countries; calls on the Commission to review and better monitor GSP+ schemes in order to ensure that human rights standards are upheld by beneficiary countries;
2019/10/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2019/2064(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Notes that the EEAS carries a vital role to ensure the coherence of the EU’s foreign policy; also highlights the need to provide necessary resources for a successful implementation of an efficient EU Security and Defence Policy;
2019/12/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2019/2064(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the EEAS to consider creatinge posts for local agent responsible for reporting on legislative work in countries of strategic interest (particularly accession countries and those of the Eastern Partnership) in order to increase the Union’s understanding of the neighbourhood and its approximation to the acquis;
2019/12/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 14 #

2019/2064(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Underlines the need for fighting propaganda and to expose disinformation; stresses the importance of the EEAS Strategic Communication Task Force and calls for providing it with the necessary financial and personnel resources;
2019/12/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 15 #

2019/2064(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Emphasises the growing importance of the EU-Arctic Policy and the need to strengthen the EU’s credibility among partners by ensuring the stability of the EU’s Arctic Ambassador post;
2019/12/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 17 #

2019/2055(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Concerned by the lack of visibility of EU financed projects, emphasises the need to improve visibility and strengthen the complementarity of the EU’s financial instruments.
2019/12/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 24 #

2019/2028(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for reversing the proposed budget cuts for the countries in the Southern Neighbourhood under the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI); emphasises the need to prioritise the stability of the Eastern and Southern neighbourhood of the EU; reiterates that contributions from ENI to the Syria pledge and the EU Trust Fund for Africa must not come at the expense of the ENI core priorities and calls for these additional commitments to be fully offset by reinforcements;
2062/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 28 #

2019/2028(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Stresses the need to increase the financial contributions to the Syrian Trust Fund “Madad”, underlines the efforts by organisations working on evidence gathering in Syria and calls for the evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by all sides to the conflict to be preserved as a fundamental priority;
2062/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 32 #

2019/2028(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Calls for the reinstatement of the mandate of the EU Special Representative for the Southern Mediterranean, leading EU engagement with the region and providing heightened EU visibility;
2062/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 34 #

2019/2028(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4 c. Stresses the importance of a progressive framing of the common EU’s defence policy and the need to support further funding to ensure its implementation;
2062/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 43 #

2019/2028(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Reaffirms its strong support to the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) aiming at supporting the competitiveness and innovation capacity of the Union's defence industry; reiterates that EDIDP contributes to the relevance of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Basis until a fully-fledged European Defence Fund as of 2021.
2062/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 47 #

2019/2028(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Stresses the responsibility of the EU to support the protection of the Arctic; underlines the importance of investing into a more coherent EU Arctic policy.
2062/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 53 #

2019/2028(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. Calls for an increased funding for projects focussed on the support of refugees from Venezuela who have fled to the neighbouring countries including EU Member States’ territories in the Caribbean.
2062/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 56 #

2019/2028(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5 c. Highlights the critical need to eradicate sexual and gender based violence by addressing their widespread and systematic use as a weapon of war; calls for the use of EU funds to provide support to victims of gender based violence.
2062/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2019/2003(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Emphasises that maximum care should be taken to ensure that the overall budgetary and staffing resources at Parliament's disposal are used in the most cost-efficient way possible to enable the institution and its Members to fulfil their ultimate mission on legislation successfully; reiterates that this implies careful planning and organisation of its working methods and, whenever possible, the pooling of functions and structures to avoid unnecessary bureaucracy, functional overlaps and duplication of effort and resources;
2019/03/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 48 #

2019/2003(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Questions the very high costs of certain proposed developments, namely: the installation of the Atrium building visitors' seminar rooms (EUR 8,720 million), the multifunctional space in the Esplanade area (EUR 2,610 million), the creation of a self-service canteen in the SDM building in Strasbourg (EUR 1,9 million); calls on the Secretary-General to provide the Committee on Budgets with any information relating to these decisions before the Parliament's reading of the budget in autumn 2019;
2019/03/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 49 #

2019/2003(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18 b. Wonders about the opportunity to allocate EUR 2,420 million for the installation of interactive touch-screens at the entrances of a number of small and medium meeting rooms; asks the Secretary-General to explain the elements that led to such decision before the Parliament's reading of the budget in autumn 2019 ;
2019/03/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 50 #

2019/2003(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
18 c. Is surprised that security cameras are only installed up to the 5th floor of the ASP building; considers that each floor must be equipped with such a camera to allow the "Security Investigations" service of the Parliament to do its work properly, especially in case of theft; considers that the idea is not to make Parliament a “police space”, but rather to guarantee the security of everyone; asks, therefore, to grant the DG safe of the necessary means for the installation of these cameras;
2019/03/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 54 #

2019/2003(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. BelieveConsiders that further savings canshould be achieved as regards the expenditure on furniture for the offices of Members and their assistants, given the complete refurbishment of those offices at the start of the mandate in 2019;
2019/03/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 58 #

2019/2003(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19 b. Considers that potential savings to the Parliament’s budget can be achieved with a single seat; recalls the 2014 ECA analysis which estimated the costs of the geographic dispersion of Parliament to be EUR 114 million per year; recalls furthermore that due to this Parliament's geographic dispersion, 78 % of all missions by Parliament statutory staff arise and the environmental impact is between 11 000 and 19 000 tonnes of CO2 emissions; calls therefore for a roadmap to a single seat;
2019/03/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 64 #

2019/2003(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Considers that the social and pension rights of Accredited Parliamentary Assistants (APAs) should be respected; in this regard, reiterates its call to find a workable solution for those APAs who, having worked for two parliamentary terms without interruption in the end of the current term, will not be entitled to access the European pension rights scheme when they reach pension age, since they will be lacking some time out of ten years' service needed as set out in the Staff Regulations, due to early elections in 2014 and the delays in the validation of the APAs new contracts because of heavy workload during the period after the elections of 2009; calls, therefore, on the Secretary- General to submit new practical and credible proposals aimed at resolving this problem definitively;
2019/03/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 77 #

2019/2003(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Requests an examination of the voluntary Members´ Pension Fund by the European Court of Auditors, while ensuring full transparencycalls the Statute for Members which states in Article 27(1) and (2) that “The voluntary pension fund set up by Parliament shall be maintained after the entry into force of this Statute for Members or former Members who have already acquired rights or future entitlements in that fund” and that “Acquired rights and future entitlements shall be maintained in full”; requests, in this regard, the Court of Auditors to investigate the ways to ensure a sustainable financing of the Voluntary Pension Fund in accordance with the provisions of the Statute for Members;
2019/03/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 83 #

2019/2003(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28 a. Questions the fact that there are different scales of unemployment benefits depending on whether you are a temporary agent, a contract agent or an accredited parliamentary assistant; considers that the basic allowance of unemployment benefits for former accredited parliamentary assistants and former contract staff must be aligned to the basic allowance for former temporary staff; asks the Secretary-General to put an end to this discrimination;
2019/03/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 96 #

2019/2003(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
32. Recommends the greater use of videoconferences and other technologies in order to protect the environment and save resources, in particular by reducing staff duty travel between the three places of work;
2019/03/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 14 #

2019/2001(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines that the 2020 Union budget is the bridge to the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) for the period 2021-2027 and should contribute to creating a common, long-term vision on the future political priorities of the Union which bring the highest European added value; expects that, at the time of adoption of the 2020 budget, the Council and Parliament will be engaged in fully-fledged MFF negotiations, following a political agreement in the European Council; believes that a strong, responsible and forward-looking 2020 budget will facilitate an agreement and the transition towards the next MFF;
2019/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 15 #

2019/2001(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Believes that the last annual budget of the current MFF calls for special attention to its diligent implementation; expresses its support for the performance-based budgeting approach and reinforcing of the well performing programmes in the 2020 budget;
2019/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 31 #

2019/2001(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that the transition from Horizon 2020 to Horizon Europe must be smooth to ensure stability for businesses, research facilities and academia; underlines the importance of Europe’s claim to leadership in key technologies in areas such as space, healthcare, the environment, safety and transportation, digitalisation and artificial intelligence; recalls at the same time the important role of fundamental research; requests an increase in financial resources to ensure that research and innovation activities continue to provide solutions for Europe’s needs and challenges and competitiveness; is alarmed by the substantial underfunding of Horizon 2020 during the entire period, resulting in a low success rate for excellent applications;
2019/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 34 #

2019/2001(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Underlines that the 2020 budget is expected to be the largest annual budget of Horizon 2020 and calls on the Commission to make full use of the upward flexibility when increasing its resources; calls for deepening of synergies with the European Structural and Investment Funds, for example by using these to enhance R&I capabilities especially in Member States with below average research and innovation performance;
2019/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 36 #

2019/2001(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Highlights the successes of EFSI in triggering additional investment in the EU, is concerned therefore by some of the recent findings by the European Court of Auditors pointing to instances of EFSI financing partly replacing other EU financial instruments or projects receiving EFSI support while they could have been financed otherwise1a, calls for improvements in the rest of the implementation period following the ECA’s recommendations; __________________ 1a European Fund for Strategic Investments: Action needed to make EFSI a full success. Special Report. European Court of Auditors, Luxembourg, 2019.
2019/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 44 #

2019/2001(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Considers the protection of the EU’s external borders with the support of a strengthened European Border and Coast Guard to be an inseparable condition for a European Union without internal borders, the proper functioning of the Schengen area and freedom of movement within the EU; considers it to be an obligation to ensure adequate funding, staffing and training of staff for all agencies operating in the field of border control, migration and security, acknowledging the considerable increase in their responsibilities, the importance of cooperation among them, and their vital role in reinforcing cooperation and coordination among the Member States;
2019/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 46 #

2019/2001(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Stresses the importance to deepen European defence cooperation and support the competitiveness and innovative capacity of the EU defence industry; highlights therefore the importance of further increasing the EU defence budget; further encourages the European Council to lead the progressive framing of a common Union defence policy and to provide additional financial resources to ensure its implementation, with a view to its establishment under the next MFF;
2019/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 48 #

2019/2001(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Strongly supports initiatives in the field of defence with the aim of encouraging better cooperation between Member States; underlines furthermore the need to improve the competitiveness and innovation in the European defence industry that can contribute to stimulate growth and job creation;
2019/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 50 #

2019/2001(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses that cybersecurity is critical to the Union’s prosperity and security, as well as to the privacy of its citizens, that cyberattacks and manipulation are threatening open societies, and that economic espionage is hindering the functioning of the digital single market and endangering the competitiveness of European enterprises; requests adequate financial resources to secure network and information systems and build strong cyber resilience; supports the new strategic cooperation agreement between the centre of expertise for cyber security in Europe (ENISA) and Europol to facilitate collaboration and exchange of expertise in the fight against cybercrime; considers it necessary to ensure adequate funding and staffing for ENISA;
2019/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 52 #

2019/2001(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Highlights the importance of a strong coordinated EU response to the challenges of disinformation and to enhance systematic use of strategic communication tools, including tracking and uncovering disinformation spread by foreign powers; stresses the importance to further support the EEAS Strategic Communications Division with a special focus on the EU neighbourhood;
2019/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 57 #

2019/2001(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Believes, with reference to its resolution of 25 October 2018 on the use of Facebook users’ data by Cambridge Analytica and the impact on data protection, that the fight against disinformation and any other type of foreign interference is a priority to ensure fair and democratic elections, in particular in the year of the European elections; requests additional financial resources to invesupports the guidelines that the Commission has set out on how exist in tools such as the recent What the EU does for me initiative to inform citizens on the Union’s work and highlight the efforts undertaken to promote peace, democracy, the rule of law and freedom of speechg EU rules should be used to tackle the use of personal data to target citizens on social media during election periods and guarantee the fairness of the electoral process; calls on all the political parties and foundations which are increasingly using these data to participate in the implementation of these guidelines;
2019/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 60 #

2019/2001(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Stresses that many citizens have the impression that Europe today does nothing for them but the opposite, and that Europe is viewed as a mechanics, distant and anonymous, from which only the economic, political, cultural or media elites benefit; requests, therefore, adequate financial resources to invest in tools such as the recent Citizens’ App and What Europe does for me initiative to inform citizens on the Union’s work and highlight the efforts undertaken to promote peace, democracy, the rule of law and freedom of speech; considers that such tools should be better disseminated at national level;
2019/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 63 #

2019/2001(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Requests additional financial resources to meet future demand for Erasmus+, the primary programme for education, training, youth and sport in Europe, also taking into account its external dimension; highlights the need for adequate resources for vocational education and training and for making the Programme’s funding accessible for people from all backgrounds; recalls that Parliament requested that the financial envelope for this programme be tripled in the next MFF; calls for cooperation to be strengthened between education and research, apprenticeship and research and in the area of sharing best practices based on participation in the Programme’s actions to maximize its added value;
2019/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 70 #

2019/2001(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that the fight against youth unemployment requires substantial additional financial efforts to create opportunities for education, training and employment; underlines, in this respect, the positive impact of the Youth Employment Initiative, supporting approximately 1.7 million young people until the end of 2017, thanks also to additional appropriations that Parliament secured for this programme in the EU budget over the years; underlines however that the Youth Employment Initiative should be further improved and be made more efficient, notably by ensuring that it brings real European added value to youth employment policies in the Member States and does not replace the financing of former national policies;
2019/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 71 #

2019/2001(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Stresses the importance of democratising Erasmus+ in order to develop a European Framework for Quality and Effective Apprenticeship as a way to boost the fight against youth unemployment; considers that the structural funds could be deployed in a more targeted manner for the financing of Vocational Education and Training (VET) centres as well as any relevant action undertaken to support apprenticeships; believes that, depending on the regional level of development, this support should be more saliently reflected in the investment priorities of the European Social Fund (for the apprentice’s work compensation and the social security coverage) as well as of the European Regional Development Fund as regards the provision of infrastructure and equipment for the VET centres;
2019/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 78 #

2019/2001(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Reiterates that social cohesion in Europe must contribute to sustainable solutions to long-term structural demographic change; emphasises the need for financial resources for research to provide ageing populations in Europe with adequate support in terms of access to mobility, healthcare and public services;
2019/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 83 #

2019/2001(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Recalls the need for solidarity and responsibility-sharing between the Member States in the area of migration and for asylum seekers, with a focus on effective integration of migrants and refugees in the Member States, as well as fair and mutual beneficial partnerships with countries in need; calls on the Member States to make good use of AMIF funds through national programs; reaffirms that tackling the root causes of migration represents a long-term sustainable solution; recalls therefore the necessity to devote sufficient financial means to instruments that aim at tackling issues such as lack of investment, instability and conflict in the countries of origin and transit especially in Africa;
2019/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 90 #

2019/2001(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Stresses that 2020 is the last year to achieve 20 % climate mainstreaming in the budget over the years 2014-2020; considers that a significant increase in climate-related spending is essential; calls for a robust, annual consolidation exercise to progress towards the mainstreaming target, with concrete and coherent safeguards that guarantee climate proof budgetary decisions are in line with the EU’s commitments under the Paris agreement, with comprehensive reporting and monitoring of results and a realistic assessment of climate change needs that corrects overestimations and proposes additional measures in case the exercise shows that targets will not be met; calls furthermore for the establishment of climate and sustainability proofing throughout the budget, where applicable;
2019/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 96 #

2019/2001(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses that the 2020 budget must significantly contribute to tackling environmental challenges and climate change; recalls the Union’s pledge to make the transition to a low-carbnet-zero emissions circular economy, but regrets that the Union might fall short of its climate goals; requests increased financial resources for LIFE and other programmes to support projects with European added value contributing to a clean energy transition and resource efficiency, as well as nature conservation, with a focus on biodiversity, habitats and endangered species;
2019/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 99 #

2019/2001(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Stresses that, in view of a coherent and effective approach to tackling climate change, the ratification and implementation of the Paris Agreement should be a condition of the EU for future trade agreements; recalls in this regard the European Parliament resolution of 3 July 2018 on climate diplomacy and its call on the Commission for a comprehensive assessment of consistency of existing free trade agreements with the Paris Agreement commitments; considers that if these commitments should not be fulfilled by a EU partner, the Commission could impose a temporary suspension of EU trade liberalisation commitments towards those partners;
2019/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 110 #

2019/2001(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. IRequests the application of Article 15(3) of the Financial Regulation, allowing de-committed amounts made as a result of total or partial non- implementation of corresponding research projects to be made available again to the benefit of the research programme in the framework of the annual budgetary procedure; recalls that contrary to the previous Financial Regulation where this possibility only existed under exceptional circumstances and had to be duly justified, no pre- conditions are now set for the implementation of this article; invites the Commission to report specifically on the amounts de-committed for research programmes and to provide all relevant information and details concerning Article 15(3) of the Financial Regulation; expects this Article and its corresponding procedure to be fully respected in the context of the 2020 budgetary procedure;
2019/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 5 #

2019/0142M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas the US on October 18th 2019, based on the WTO arbitration decision circulated on 2 October 20198 , declared its willingness to impose, in retaliation for illegal EU subsidies granted to the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, tariffs on USD 7.5 billion worth of EU imports also of agricultural and industrial items in addition to aircraft; __________________ 8European Communities and Certain Member States – Measures Affecting Trade in Large Civil Aircraft: Recourse to Article 7.9 of the SCM Agreement and Article 22.7 of the DSU by the United States of 4 October 2019 (WT/DS316/42).
2019/11/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 17 #

2019/0142M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes and acknowledges the fact that, while it remains unclear whether any compensation has been foreseen, other WTO members that export beef to the EU agreed to support this agreement by accepting that the vast majority of the quota would be allocated to the US;
2019/11/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 28 #

2019/0142M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Supports the Commission in its efforts to and stresses the importance of finding negotiated solutions, such as this agreement, including this agreement, a fair and balanced solution for our respective aircraft industries and the revocation of the US tariffs on steel, aluminium and olives in order to dilute current trade tensions between the EU and the US; calls on the US to work with the EU in this regard;
2019/11/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 32 #

2019/0142M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the US to work with the EU on a fair and balanced solution for our respective aircraft industries in order to prevent the mutual imposition of countermeasures as a result of the longstanding Airbus/Boeing dispute;deleted
2019/11/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 36 #

2019/0142M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the US to revoke the additional tariffs on steel and aluminium, and olives, and to withdraw its threat to impose additional tariffs on cars and car parts;deleted
2019/11/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 3 #

2019/0099(NLE)

Draft legislative resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Refuses to gGives its consent to Solomon Islands’ accession to the agreement;
2019/11/14
Committee: INTA
Amendment 9 #

2018/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Point a
(a) welcome strongly the steps taken by Uzbekistan towards a more open society and the genuine engagement within the political dialogue between the EU and Uzbekistan, which led to negotiations on a comprehensive EPCA;
2019/01/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 26 #

2018/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Point c a (new)
(ca) encourage genuine reforms in the justice sector, penitentiary and of security services and encourage steps for full independence of the judiciary and depoliticisation of the security services;
2019/01/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 27 #

2018/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Point c b (new)
(cb) urge authorities to end the practice of surveillance and harassment, both online and offline, of human rights defenders and civil society actors and to ensure that they can operate in a legally sound and politically safe environment, without interference in their activities;
2019/01/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 28 #

2018/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Point c c (new)
(cc) ensure that international monitors and human rights organisations are allowed to operate freely in Uzbekistan including by opening a branch office for monitoring purposes in the country;
2019/01/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 29 #

2018/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Point c d (new)
(cd) urge the Uzbek government to allow regular, unfettered and independent monitoring of conditions in prison and detention sites; encourage the Uzbek government to invite the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and bring its laws and practices in line with international law and standards;
2019/01/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 40 #

2018/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Point e
(e) welcome the release of political prisoners and ensure their rehabilitation, and encourage the authorities to resolve cases of prisoners of conscience;
2019/01/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 67 #

2018/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Point f a (new)
(fa) call on the Uzbekistan authorities to uphold and promote women’s rights;
2019/01/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 71 #

2018/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Point g a (new)
(ga) urge the authorities to decriminalise same-sex relations and uphold the rights of LGBTI people;
2019/01/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 92 #

2018/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Point k a (new)
(ka) welcome Uzbekistan’s announcement that it will no longer require visas from citizens of the EU Member States as of January 2019;
2019/01/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 7 #

2018/2176(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Emphasizes the continuing and growing need for exposing disinformation, and deems the work of the EEAS Strategic Communication Task Force necessary and valuable; deems it necessary to support them by providing them with adequate financial and personnel resources;
2018/12/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2018/2176(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Considers the EEAS to be in an increasingly important position in international cooperation regarding peace, security and human development in its role as a mediator and representative in international organisations; emphasizes the need to strive for common positions and coordinated responses for the EU to be efficient in this role;
2018/12/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 14 #

2018/2160(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)
- having regard to the EU Guidelines to promote and protect the enjoyment of all human rights by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons, adopted by the Council in 2013,
2019/01/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 15 #

2018/2160(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 b (new)
- having regard to the joint communication by the Commission and the VP/HR to the European Parliament and the Council of 14 March 2017 entitled ‘Elements for an EU Strategy for Syria’ (JOIN(2017)0011) and to the Council conclusions on Syria of 3 April 2017, which together make up the new EU strategy on Syria,
2019/01/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2018/2160(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the Arab uprisings that affected the MENA region in 2011 constituted a moment of mass upheavals against authoritarian regimes; whereas a large segment of the protesters was composed of young women and men aspiring to a better and more inclusive future; whereas the overthrow of most of thsome regimes and the introduction of liberal reforms gave rise to great hope and expectations;
2019/01/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 43 #

2018/2160(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas, eight years after the Arab Spring and political developments which have led countries in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions to follow many diverse evolutionary paths in terms of politics and stability, it is still essential to assess how to respond to the legitimate democratic aspirations in the region; whereas it is important to take stock of the efforts and policy stance adopted by the EU in response to the Arab Spring and to assess its capacity for policy delivery; whereas it is essential to reassess the policy framework of the EU towards Southern Neighbourhood countries and its future objectives;
2019/01/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 68 #

2018/2160(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas despite some reforms some MENA region countries’ authorities have intensified their crackdown on civil society, with continuous and widespread cases of politically-motivated prosecution, arbitrary detention and harassment of human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, and political opposition activists;
2019/01/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 71 #

2018/2160(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
E b. whereas companies based in several EU Member States have continued to export surveillance technology to some MENA countries facilitating hacking and malware as well as other forms of attacks on human rights defenders and civil society activists on social media; whereas this activity has led to the repression of freedom of expression online;
2019/01/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 73 #

2018/2160(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E c (new)
E c. whereas any detention that results from the exercise of the rights or freedoms guaranteed in international law, such as freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, is an arbitrary detention that is prohibited under international law;
2019/01/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 82 #

2018/2160(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Notes with concern that, eight years after the upheavals, most of the expectations have still not been met; condemns the persistent and continuing violations of human rights, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms in several cases, and attacks on the rights of minorities and LGBTI people; is worried about the socio- economic situation in the region, which continues to be dire and, in particular, about the high levels of youth unemployment and social exclusion, which cause disillusionment and disenfranchisement on a large scale;
2019/01/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 88 #

2018/2160(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Supports the aspirations of the majority of MENA region people who want to establish free, stable, prosperous, inclusive, and democratic countries which respect their national and international commitments on human rights and fundamental freedoms;
2019/01/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 92 #

2018/2160(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Reminds the MENA region authorities that their long-term prosperity goes hand in hand with the protection of universal human rights and the establishment and anchorage of democratic and transparent institutions that are engaged in protecting citizens’ fundamental rights; condemns the extended use of security arguments in some MENA region countries to repress freedom of expression both online and offline and supress the role of the media in promoting well-informed citizens;
2019/01/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 104 #

2018/2160(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Welcomes the different EU assistance and aid packages for MENA countries after the Arab Spring; stresses however the need to increase efforts to tackle the root causes of conflict in the MENA countries;
2019/01/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 105 #

2018/2160(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. Welcomes EU initiatives aimed at addressing the terrorist threat in the MENA region; underlines the importance of strengthening the capacity of state actors that play a key role in countering terrorism and violent extremism as well as the essential need to focus on partnerships between authorities, youth and communities to address underlying factors that can make communities vulnerable to violent extremism;
2019/01/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 106 #

2018/2160(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Expresses concern about the fact that, in spite of its considerable political and budgetary investments and continuous political and economic outreach, the EU has not been able to gain real political and economic leverage, and is no longer perceived as a game changer by the countries in the region; points to the dissatisfaction felt by civil society and local NGOs at how the EU translates its vision into action on the ground; is concerned about the increasingly complex political situation in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions, and the emergence of new political and economic regional players such as Russia and China, in addition to the competing narratives and financing from the Gulf countries and Iran;
2019/01/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 147 #

2018/2160(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Recalls, in this regard, the crucial support provided by EIDHR in the implementation of the EU’s Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy and its Human Rights Guidelines and country strategies, which has enabled the EU to act more strategically in this area and has ensured accountability, visibility and effectiveness;
2019/01/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 160 #

2018/2160(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Is concerned, however, that the complexity of managing the migration and refugee flows from and through the Maghreb and Mashreq regions, the nexus between security and migration, the challenge of terrorism and the legitimate concerns about the fragility of certain countries in the region, as well as the lack of a cohesive approach by the Member States, is encouraging the EU’s action towards the region to rely excessively on an ideology of stability; takes the view that when stability and security become the predominant objectives, they lead to a shorter-term policy vision and deprive EU action directed at reaffirming human rights and fundamental freedoms of the required intensity; reiterates that human rights are not subsidiary to migration management or counter-terrorism actions and is convinced that stability and security can only be achieved through longer-term objectives;
2019/01/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 193 #

2018/2160(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Takes the view that, as the EU struggles to come up with a renewed vision for the management of migration and assistance to refugees, there is an increasing risk that some countries in the region might use migration containment and their role therein to seek greater leverage in their political and policy dialogue with the EU; is concerned about the possible instrumentalisation of EU foreign policy as ‘migration management’, and emphasises that all attempts to work with MENA region countries, including countries of origin and transit, on migration must go hand in hand with improving human rights conditions within these countries and complying with international human rights and refugee law; stresses, instead, the importance of a policy framework promoting democratic, political and socio- economic inclusion as mutually reinforcing factors; is convinced that, where the prerequisites for the negotiation of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements, conditional on democratic progress, are not yet in place, the EU should provide increased access to trade and investment, and assistance for reconstruction and infrastructure modernisation in strict correlation with progressive political and economic reforms;
2019/01/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 217 #

2018/2160(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Welcomes the European Endowment for Democracy’s consistent efforts to promote democracy and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms in the southern neighbourhoods of the EU; recognises the risks faced by human rights defenders, including women human rights defenders who face specific risks and threats due to their gender, and calls on the EEAS and the Member States to pay special attention to them in the EU Guidelines for Human Rights Defenders; underlines the need for strong EU coordination on engagement with MENA region country authorities regarding human rights defenders and civil society;
2019/01/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 250 #

2018/2160(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Recalls that women’s rights, gender equality and the right to non-discrimination of vulnerable groups, including LGBTQI people, are fundamental rights and key principles of the EU’s external action;
2019/01/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 263 #

2018/2160(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Strongly condemns, once again, all atrocities and the widespread violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed during the conflict, and in particular the perpetrations committed by forces of the Assad regime including with the support of its allies Russia and Iran, as well as by the UN-listed terrorist organisations; deeply regrets the failure of repeated regional and international attempts to end the war, and urges renewed and intensive global cooperation to achieve a peaceful, sustainable solution to the conflict; stresses that there should not be any tolerance and impunity for the horrific crimes committed in Syria; reiterates its call for independent, impartial, thorough and credible investigations and prosecutions of those responsible and supports the work of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism on international crimes committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2012(IIIM); calls, furthermore, for support for civil society organisations and NGOs, which are collecting and help preserving evidence of human rights abuses and humanitarian law violations;
2019/01/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 9 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6
— having regard to UN Security Council resolutions 1325, 1820, 1888, 1889, 1960, 2106, 2122 and 2242 on women, peace and security and UN Security Council resolutions 2250 and 2419 on youth, peace and security,
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 15 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)
- having regard to the new EU Strategic Approach to Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and the Council conclusions on Women, Peace and Security of 10 December 2018 (15086/18),
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 22 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 a (new)
- having regard to Regulation (EU) 2017/2306 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2017 amending Regulation (EU) No 230/2014 establishing an instrument contributing to stability and peace,
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 23 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 b (new)
- having regard to the Proposal of 13 June 2018 of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, with the support of the Commission, to the Council for a Council Decision establishing a European Peace Facility(HR(2018) 94),
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 32 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas the EU is committed to implementing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and subsequent updates and the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2250 and subsequent updates;
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 38 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas the EU, as a key contributor to international organisations, an core aid donor and the world's largest trading partner, should take a leading role in peacebuilding and conflict prevention;
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 42 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the prevention of violent conflict is fundamental to political and social advancement; whereas it is instrumental to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); whereas continued EU support to civil and military actors in third countries is an important factor for preventing recurrent violent conflict;
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 43 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the prevention of violent conflict is fundamental to political and social advancement; whereas it is instrumental to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); whereas sustainable and lasting peace and security are inseparable from sustainable development;
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 64 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J
J. whereas violent conflict and war have a disproportionate impact on civilians, particularly women and children; whereas the active participation of women and girls is crucial for conflict prevention and peacebuildingall aspects of peacebuilding; as well as the prevention of all forms of violence, including sexual and gender-based violence;
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 72 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital L
L. whereas it is essential to include and support the active and meaningful participation of local actors, both civilian and military, especially women, minorities, indigenous peoples and youth, when promoting and facilitating capacity and confidence building in mediation, dialogue and reconciliation;
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 80 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital M
M. whereas gender equality and peace remain drastically under-funded with a consistent disparity between policy commitments to gender equality and women and girlss empowerment, and the financial allocations required to achieve them;
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 90 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls for long term peacebuilding addressing root causes of conflict;
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 95 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls for conflict sensitive and people-centred approaches which put human security at the core of EU engagement in order to have positive and sustainable results on the ground;
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 103 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Welcomes the fact that the involvement of military actors is increasingly being recognised by the EU as a potentially important element in conflict prevention; welcomes in this regard the Capacity Building for Security and Development initiative and the recent proposal by the High Representative for a European Peace Facility, two instruments aimed at enhancing the Union's ability to contribute to stability, to preserve peace and prevent conflicts in third countries and hence to provide a secure basis for development;
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 111 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for the establishment, under the authority of the VP/HR, of an EU high- level advisory board on mediation with the aim of setting up a gender-sensitive pool of senior political mediators and conflict prevention experts to make available political and technical expertise at short notice;
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 112 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for the establishment, under the authority of the VP/HR, of an EU high- level advisory board on conflict prevention and mediation with the aim of setting up a gender-sensitive pool of senior political mediators to make available political and technical expertise at short notice;
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 129 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Calls for further capacity development on gender and conflict analysis and conflict prevention for in- house staff and senior mediators, as well as for third parties;
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 133 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Calls for gender-sensitive conflict analysis as a requirement of any major EU engagement in violent and conflict-affected areas;
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 141 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Highlights the fact that all EU interventions in violent and conflict- affected areas need to be conflict and gender sensitive; calls for immediate action to embed these aspects in all relevant policies, strategies, actions and operations, entailing a greater focus on the avoidance of doing harm, while maximising the EU's contribution to achieving long term conflict prevention and peacebuilding objectives;
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 152 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Recommends that the existing parliamentary training and coaching programmes available for Members of the European Parliament, as well as training programmes for third country parliamentarians, political parties and staff, be further developed, including those on gender and youth aspects;
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 159 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. CWelcomes the Council Conclusions on Women, Peace and Security; calls for the EU to take a lead role in the implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions on women, peace and security, and the incorporation of the principles contained therein at all stages of EU conflict prevention and mediation activities;
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 164 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Calls for the implementation of full gender equality and for efforts to ensure the participation and, protection of women and women's rights, rights and agency of diverse women across the conflict cycle, from conflict prevention through to post-conflict reconstruction;
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 166 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Calls for the inclusion of expertise on gender, including gender-based violence, in all stages of conflict prevention and, the mediation process and peacebuilding;
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 169 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Calls for the EU to actively engage and share best practice with key international actors such as the UN, AU and NATO, including NATO's Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security;
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 170 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Calls for the protection and participation of young people, particularly young women and girls, across the conflict cycle, from conflict prevention through to post-conflict reconstruction;
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 171 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24b. Calls for all cooperation, trainings and interventions to be sensitive to and informed by young women’s and young men’s needs and aspirations; keeping in mind the differentiated ways in which violent conflict impacts their lives and futures and the valuable contributions they can make to preventing and resolving violent conflict;
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 177 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Calls for mandatory consultations with diverse civil society organisations, especially those specialised in women's rights and minority human rightwomen's groups, youth groups and minority human rights organisations, as well as organisations not based in capitals, when establishing and implementing EU programmes and policies on peace, security and mediation;
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 187 #

2018/2159(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Invites the VP/HR to provide Parliament with an update on the EEAS budget line dedicated to conflict analysis and conflict sensitivity, early warning, mediation support and the future priorities in this field;
2019/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
– having regard to its recommendation to the Council of 2 April 2014 on establishing common visa restrictions for Russian officials involved in the Sergei Magnistky case,
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 3 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
– having regard to its recommendation to the Council of 2 April 2014 on establishing common visa restrictions for Russian officials involved in the Sergei Magnitsky case,
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 25 November 2018 on the situation in the Sea of Azov,
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 27 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the EU remains open to such a stronger relationship and to dialogue leading thereto, and wishes to return to cooperative relations with Russia, should the Russian authorities meet their international and legal obligations and prove Russia's genuine commitment to restore broken trust;
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 28 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the EU remains open to such a stronger relationship and to dialogue leading thereto, and wishes to return to cooperative relations with Russia, should the Russian authorities meet their international and legal obligations;
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 36 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas the implementation of the Minsk Agreement remains a precondition for closer cooperation with Russia; whereas in reaction to the illegal annexation of Crimea and the hybrid was against Ukraine by Russia, the EU has adopted a series of restrictive measures that should remain until the Minsk Agreement is fulfilled;
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 50 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas new areas of tension between the EU and Russia have arisen since 2015, including: Russian military intervention in Syria and interference in countries, such as Libya and Central African Republic; large-scale military exercises (Zapad 2017); rRussian interference aimed at influencing elections and stoking tensions in European societies; restrictions on fundamental freedoms and extensive human rights violations in Russia, including the systemic targeting of human rights defenders and civil society in Russia, discrimination against the Tatar minority in occupied Crimea, and the politically motivated persecution of Alexei Navalny and many others; cyber attacks and assassinations on European soil carried out by Russian intelligence agents using chemical weapons; the intimidation, arrest and imprisonment of foreign citizens in Russia in breach of international law, including Oleg Sentsov and many others; the organisation of illegal and illegitimate elections in the Donbas; flawed Russian presidential elections lacking any real choice and with restrictions on fundamental freedoms; the illegal construction of the Kerch bridge; large- scale militarisation of the illegally occupied and annexed Crimea, as well as parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov; restrictions on the international navigation in the Sea of Azov and through the Kerch Strait, including the ships sailing under the EU Member States flags; the illegal attack on and seizure of the Ukrainian military navy and arrest of the Ukrainian servicemen in the Kerch Strait; violations of arms control agreements;
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 66 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas new areas of tension between the EU and Russia have arisen since 2015, including: Russian intervention in Syria; large-scale military exercises (Zapad 2017); russian interference aimed at influencing elections and stoking tensions in European societies; restrictions on fundamental freedoms and extensive human rights violations in Russia, including the systemic targeting of human rights defenders and civil society in Russia, discrimination against the Tatar minority in occupied Crimea, and the politically motivated persecution of Alexei Navalny and many others; cyber and hybrid attacks and, assassinations on European soil carried out by Russian intelligence agents using chemical weapons; the intimidation, arrest and imprisonment of foreign citizens in Russia in breach of international law, including Oleg Sentsov and many others; the organisation of illegal and illegitimate elections in the Donbas; flawed presidential elections lacking any real choice and with restrictions on fundamental freedoms; violations of arms control agreements;
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 69 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas Russia is directly involved in a number of "frozen conflicts" in its neighbourhood - in Transnistria, South Ossetia and Abkhasia - that constitute serious impediments to the development and stability of the neighbouring countries concerned and to their rapprochement with the EU;
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 83 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas the EU’s dependency on Russian gas supplies has increased since 2015energy, which plays a central and strategic role in EU-Russia relations, is a key instrument of Russian foreign policy; whereas the EU’s dependency on Russian gas supplies has increased since 2015; whereas the EU´s resilience to external pressures can be achieved through diversification of energy supply and decrease in dependence on Russia; whereas the EU must speak with one voice and show strong internal solidarity when it comes to its energy security;
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 86 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas the irresponsible actions of Russian jet fighters near the airspace of EU and NATO Member States are jeopardising the safety of civilian flights and could be a threat to European airspace security; whereas provocative large-scale military manoeuvres have been conducted by Russia in the immediate vicinity of the EU;
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 103 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1
Challenges and shared interebroken trusts
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 109 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines that Russia's illegal occupation and annexation of Crimea, region of Ukraine, direct and indirect involvement in armed conflicts and its illegal annexation of Crimeain the eastern part of Ukraine and violation of the territorial integrity of Georgia and Moldova constitute a deliberate violation of democratic principles and fundamental valuesinternational peace order;
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 111 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines that Russia's direct and indirect involvement in armed conflicts and its illegal annexation of Crimea and violation of the territorial integrity of Georgia and Moldova constitute a deliberate violation of democratic principlesinternational law and fundamental values;
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 118 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines that Russia's direct and indirect involvement in armed conflicts and its illegal annexation of Crimea and violation of the territorial integrity of Georgia constitute a deliberate violation of democratic principles and fundamental values and international law;
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 125 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Believes therefore that the EU- Russia relationship requires a new framework of cooperation only in those areas that are necessary and in a common interest, and with a view to guaranteeing secuStresses that under present circumstances Russia can no longer be treated as, or considered, a ‘strategic partner’; points out that strategic partnerships must be based on mutual trust and respect for international law, which is based on democracy, state sovereignty and the freedom to choose internal constitutional order and foreign policy orientations, territorial integrity inof the EU’s neighbourhood and a European peace orState, and respect for the rule of law, human rights, and the principles of international diplomacy and trader; is of the view that the PCA should be discontinued;
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 129 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Believes therefore that under the present circumstances the EU- Russia relationship requires a new framework of cooperation only incan no longer be developed beyond those areas that are necessary and in a common interest, and with a view to guaranteeing security in the EU’s neighbourhoo; stresses that at this point Russia cannot be considered or treated ands a European peace order; is of the view that the PCA"strategic partner" of the EU; is of the view that the EU-Russia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement should be discontinued;
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 145 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that non-implementation of the Minsk Agreements demonstrates Russia's lack of good will; asks for consultations to be advanced within the Normandy formatunderlines that the EU’s new strategy on Russia must entail renewed efforts in the Normandy process, including a stronger EU role; reiterates its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine;
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 149 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that non-implementation of the Minsk Agreements demonstrates Russia's lack of good will; askdeliberate policy directed at continuous destabilisation of Ukraine and against the latter's pro-European course and reforms; calls for consultations to be advanced within the Normandy format;
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 157 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Believes in the importance of finding ways to de-escalate current tensions and of engaging in consultations with Russia to identify measures aimed at reducing the risk of misunderstandings and miscalculations;
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 174 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Believes, however, that Russia´s actions, i.e. the Skripal case and cyber attacks orchestrated by the Russian intelligence services show an interest on the Russian side to further increase tensions in relations with the EU and its Member States;
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 179 #

2018/2158(INI)

6. Emphasises that increased mutual transparency in military and border guard activities is important in order to avoid further tensions; calls for a clear code of conduct concerning airspace used by military and civilian aircraft;
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 220 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Underlines, in this regard, that the deepening of EU integration and coherence between its internal and external policies is the key to a more coherent, effective and successful EU external and security policy, including vis-à-vis Russia, in particular in policy areas such as the European Defence Union, European Energy Union, cyber-defence and strategic communication;
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 244 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Reiterates its support for the five principles guiding the EU's policy towards Russia, and calls for further definition of the selective engagement principle; recommends that the focus be placed on issues relating to the MENA region, terrorism, non-proliferation, arms control and climate change; calls for a high-level dialogue between EU, EEU and AA/DCFTA countries; reiterates that while consultations between the EU and Russia on cyber terrorism and organised crime need to continue, Russia’s systematic hybrid threats require strong deterrence; calls, in this context, for the initiation of a high-level EU-EEU-China- Central Asia dialogue on Belt and Road Initiative and connectivity, organised crime and climate change;
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 246 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Reiterates its support for the five principles guiding the EU's policy towards Russia, and calls for further definition of the selective engagement principle; recommends that the focus be placed on issues relating to the MENA region, terrorism, non-proliferation, arms control and climate change; calls for a high-level dialogue between EU, EEU and AA/DCFTA countries; reiterates that while consultations between the EU and Russia on cyber terrorism and organised crime need to continue, Russia’s systematic hybrid threats require strong deterrence; calls, in this context, for the initiation of a high-level EU-EEU-China-Central Asia dialogue on Belt and Road Initiative and connectivity;
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 288 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Insists that EU clearly speaks up against systematic violation of human rights in Russia and continues supporting Russian civil society in its struggle for freedom, for an economy not plagued by corruption and for pluralism in the Russian speaking media sphere;
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 289 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Insists that the EU clearly speaks up against systematic violation of human rights and continues supporting civil society in its struggle for freedom, for an economy not plagued by corruption and for pluralism in the Russian speaking media sphere;
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 307 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for the EU institutions and Member States to make greater efforts to build resilience, particularly in the cyber and media fields; calls for EU-wide support for the European cyber-security industry and a stronger engagement in research; encourages, in this context, the promotion of European values in Russian by East Stratcom; welcomes the adoption of EU Action Plan against Disinformation and calls on Member States and all relevant EU actors to implement its actions and measures, in particular in the run up to the upcoming European elections in May 2019;
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 344 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Calls for a European version of the Magnitsky Act as no third country citizen enjoys a principle right of entry into the EU, the EU should use the possibility of imposing visa bans on individuals who grossly violate human rights or violate international law;
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 371 #

2018/2158(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Underlines that independent from advancing an EU-Russia strategy, the EU must reinforce its commitment and support for its Eastern Partners and support reforms to strengthen security and stability, democratic governance and the rule of law;
2019/01/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 40 #

2018/2157(INI)

1a. Encourages countries in the process of attaining candidate status, or countries otherwise wishing to engage themselves on the path of EU accession, to apply the provisions of the Common Position;
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 50 #

2018/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that one of the reasons for establishing the Common Position was to prevent European weaponry from being used against Member States’ armed forces and to prevent human rights abuses and the prolongation of armed conflict; reiterates that the Common Position sets minimum requirements which Member States have to apply in the field of arms export controls and that the Common Position includes the obligation to assess a request for an export licence against all eight criteria listed in it;
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 58 #

2018/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Criticises the violations of the eight criteria by Member States and the fact that military technology does sometimes reach destinations and end users that do not meet the criteria laid down in the Common Position; considers thatalls for a uniform and consistent application of the eight criteria should be promoted; regrets the lack of provisions on sanctions to be imposed on Member States that fail to comply with the eight criteria when granting licences and advises the Member States to make provision for arrangements to conduct independent checks;
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 60 #

2018/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Believes it necessary to launch a process leading to a mechanism which sanctions those Member States which do not comply with the Common Position;
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 83 #

2018/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the Member States to overcome the current lack of efficiency in defence spending due to duplication, fragmentation, lack of interoperability and to aim for the EU to become a security provider also by better controlling arms exports;
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 97 #

2018/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Urges Member States and the Commission to invest sufficient funds in technology and human resources to train individuals in specific cybersecurity programmes and methods in order to prevent cyber-attacks and address cybersecurity challenges;
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 101 #

2018/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Stresses the need to develop an approach to address situations where Member States make a different interpretation of the 8 criteria of the Common Position for exports of products that are essentially alike, to similar destinations and end users, in order to preserve the level playing field and the EU’s credibility abroad;
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 104 #

2018/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Calls on the Member States and the EEAS to cooperate closely to prevent risks arising from the diverting and stockpiling of weapons, such as illegal arms trafficking and smuggling; stresses the risk of weapons exported to third countries re-entering the EU via arms smuggling and trafficking;
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 146 #

2018/2156(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Notes that the use of EU funds would be a clear expression of cohesion and solidarity, and that this would allow all Member States to improve their military capabilities in a more common effort; stresses the need to support (in addition to transport infrastructure) infrastructure development, like housing, in the Member States which host NATO multinational battalions;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 167 #

2018/2156(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Calls for further measures to be taken to increase cooperation and trust between cybersecurity and defence actors and to enhance cooperation between national cybersecurity strategies, capabilities and command centres and the EDA, as part of permanent structured cooperation to help protect against and counter cyberattacks;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 170 #

2018/2156(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Underlines the need to continue developing a joint network on countering hybrid threats so as to ensure the resilience of those infrastructures which are strategic in light of the work to improve military mobility in the EU;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1
– having regard to the international legal protection of freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief guaranteed by Article 18 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Article 18 of the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the 1981 Declaration on the Elimination of all Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination based on Religion or Belief, Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Articles 10, 21 and 22 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union,
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion orand belief (FoRB) is a, and the rights to apostasy and to espouse atheistics views are human rights inherent to all human beings and a fundamental right of individuals which should be subjected to no kind of discrimination, as enshrined by international and European founding texts, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas FoRBfreedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief implies the right of the individual to choose what to believe or to not believe, the right to change and quit one’s religion and convictions without any constraints, and the right to practise and manifest the religion of one’s choice, whether individually or in community and whether in private or in public; whereas the manifestation of religion or belief can be expressed in worship, teaching, practice and observance; whereas FoRBfreedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief entails the right of believers’ and non- believers' communities to preserve or quit their ethos and to act in accordance with it, and the entitlement for their religious and non-confessional organisations to have recognised legal personality; whereas protecting individuals adhering to any religion or none and effectively addressing violations of FoRBfreedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief, such as discrimination or legal restrictions based on thought, conscience, religion or belief, are primordial conditions to ensure that individuals may enjoy FoRBfreedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief on an equal basis;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 30 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas FoRBfreedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief is indivisible, is interdependent on and interrelated to fundamental freedoms and other human rights, and is a cornerstone human right that protects the core of human dignity;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 34 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas FoRB directlfreedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief may contributes to democracy, development, the rule of law, peace and stability; whereas violations of FoRBfreedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief are increasingly widespread, affect people in all parts of the world and may exacerbate intolerance, often constituting early indicators of potential violence and conflicts;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 46 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas the promotion of FoRBfreedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief, including through civil society support for the protection of the rights of individuals belonging to religious and belief minorities and non-believers, support for human rights defenders (HRDs) and the fight against discrimination on grounds of religion and belief , as well as the promotion of intercultural and interreligious dialogue, is a funding priority under the 2014-2020 European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR); whereas the European Development Fund (EDF) and EU financial instruments such as the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI), the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI), the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP) and the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) have also supported projects that are conducive to improving the environment for FoRB;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 58 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Affirms that the right to freedom of thought, conscience and, religion, commonly referred as freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), as a fundamental and belief or to not believe, and the rights to apostasy and to espouse atheistic views are an important human right and a founding value of the EU, and has to be duly protected, promoted and safeguarded by all actors; underscores the duty of states to guarantee FoRB as well as enhanced through interreligious and intercultural dialogue; underscores the duty of states to guarantee freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief in order to preserve peaceful, democratic and pluralistic societies that are respectful of diversity and beliefs;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 64 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Expresses its deep concern at the fact that recent years have seen a dramatic rise in violations of FoRB worldwide, including persecution basefreedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, and persecution of believers and non r-beligion or beliefevers worldwide; stresses that these violations are frequently at the root of or increasingly exacerbate wars or other forms of armed conflict, resulting in violations of humanitarian law, including mass murders or genocide; stresses that violations of FoRBfreedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief undermine democracy, impede development, and negatively affect the enjoyment of other fundamental freedoms and rights; emphasises that this obligates the international community, the EU and its Member States to reaffirm their determination and strengthen their actions in promoting FoRBfreedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief and the rights to apostasy and to espouse atheistic views;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 73 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that, in accordance with Article 17 TEU, the EU is committed to maintaining open, transparent and regular dialogues with churches and religious, philosophical and non-confessional organisations; highlights the supporting effect of these dialogues for respect for other human rights, equal rights for women, children’s rights, as well as for democracy, development, the rule of law, good governance, peace and stability, and environmental and labour standards; stresses that such interreligious and intercultural dialogues are often met by greater openness by some EU international partners and create a starting-point for progress in other areas;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 75 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that, in accordance with Article 17 TEU, the EU is committed to maintaining open, transparent and regular dialogues with churches and religious, philosophical and non-confessional organisations; highlights the supporting effect of these dialogues for respect for other human rights, equal rights for women, children’s rights, as well as for democracy, development, the rule of law, good governance, peace and stability, and environmental and labour standards; stresses that such interreligious and intercultural dialogues are often met by greater openness by some EU international partners and can create a starting-point for progress in other areas;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 78 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Condemns the persecution of and attacks under religious basis against ethnic, religious groups, non-believers, atheists, women or other minorities such as LGBTI and calls for immediate accountability of such violations; condemns forced conversions and harmful practices such as female genital mutilation, forced marriages and certain other practices associated with or perceived as manifestations of a religion or belief; opposes such practices that often affect women and girls, members of religious minorities and persons on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity and stresses that they may constitute violations of international human rights standards;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 80 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses the need to include a human rights clause in all agreements on trade or cooperation with non-EU countries stipulating the importance of human rights and the necessity to enforce them and to ensure that respect for human rights and democratic development is mainstreamed across development cooperation;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 82 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the enhancement of the promotion of FoRBfreedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief in EU foreign policy and external actions over recent years, in particular through the EU Global Strategy for foreign policy and security and the 2015-2019 EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy; welcomes the fact that this enhancement is being met with an increased commitment on the part of many partner countries to comply with the respective Articles 18 of the UDHR and ICCPR;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 87 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Commends the creation of the post of Special Envoy for the promotion of FoRB outside the EU in 2016 by the President of the Commission, in response to the resolution of Parliament of 4 February 2016; considers the appointment of the Special Envoy as an important step forward and a clear recognition of FoRB as one of the core parts of the human rights agenda of EU foreign policy and external actions, both bilateral and multilateral, and within development cooperation; praisencourages the Special Envoy for histo continuoue his engagement and cooperation and complementarity of actions with the EU Special Representative for Human Rights on this issue, including the promotion of the EU Guidelines; commends the Commissioner on International Cooperation and Development, together with the Commission’s DG DEVCO, for actively supporting the Special Envoy;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 99 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Deplores the fact that some countries in order to limit freedom of religion and belief and freedom of expression, have, enforce or seek to introduce penal laws providing punishment for blasphemy, conversion or apostasy, including the death penalty; also draws attention to the situation of some other countries facing or being at risk of conflicts of a religious dimension; calls for the EU to take further actions and increase its political engagement to prioritise in its foreign policy efforts towards all the countries concerned with a view to the repeal of such discriminatory laws and protect the ones at risk;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 104 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Denounces the recourse to blasphemy, apostasy or other accusations based on religious grounds, in order to crack-down on human rights defenders in relation to their legitimate activities, including on social media, and more broadly to restrict civil society space; condemns the continued detention of Sakharov Prize laureate Raif Badawi after an unlawful trial and presses the Saudi authorities to immediately and unconditionally release him;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 106 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the fact that the Special Envoy has developed effective working networks within the Commission, the Council, and the European Parliament, as well as with other stakeholders; deplores, however, the fact that the Special Envoy’s mandate was not established and consolidated with sufficient human and financial resources;deleted
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 107 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the fact that the Special Envoy has developed effective working networks within the Commission, the Council, and the European Parliament, as well as with other stakeholders; deplores, however, the fact that the Special Envoy’s mandate was not established and consolidated with sufficient human and financial resources;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 115 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Council and the Commission to strengthenmake an assessment of the Special Envoy’s institutional mandate and capacity, by earmarking funding and human resources adequate to the Envoy’s duties, developing a systemic institutionalisation of working networks established by the Special Envoy within all relevant EU institutions or establishing the positionin order to establish if necessary adequate funding and human resources to carry out Envoy’s duties that should focus on promoting freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief, and the rights to apostasy and to espouse atheistic views; calls ofn the EU Special Representative for FoRBEnvoy to annually report on his achievements and priorities;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 117 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Council and the Commission to strengthencontinue supporting the Special Envoy’s institutional mandate and capacity, by earmarking funding and human resources adequate to the Envoy’s duties, developing a systemic institutionalisation of working networks established by the Special Envoy within all relevant EU institutions or establishing the position of the EU Special Representative for FoRB;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 122 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the Council and the Commission to reflect on creating the EU Special Representative for FoRB; considers that the competences and mandate of this Special Representative should include: (a) effectiveness, coherence and accountability of the EU’s FoRB policy outside the EU; (b) Parliament, the Council, the Vice- President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Commission with an annual progress report and a comprehensideleted enhancing the visibility, providing the European being a high-level implementation report on the mandate at the end thereof; (c) working in close cooperation with the Council Working Group on Human Rights (COHOM); (d) his or her counterparts in third countries and at international organisations, also able to engage with the UN (UNGA, UNHRC, etc.) as well as relevant regional organisations; (e) FoRB and interreligious and intercultural issues and leading consultations with third countries on FoRB issues;nterlocutor for chairing high-level dialogues on
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 123 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the Council and the Commission to reflect on creating the EU Special Representative for FoRB; considers that the competences and mandate of this Special Representative should include: (a) effectiveness, coherence and accountability of the EU’s FoRB policy outside the EU; (b) Parliament, the Council, the Vice- President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Commission with an annual progress report and a comprehensive implementation report on the mandate at the end thereof; (c) the Council Working Group on Human Rights (COHOM); (d) his or her counterparts in third countries and at international organisations, also able to engage with the UN (UNGA, UNHRC, etc.) as well as relevant regional organisations; (e) FoRB and interreligious and intercultural issues and leading consultations with third countries on FoRB issues;deleted enhancing the visibility, providing the European working in close cooperation with being a high-level interlocutor for chairing high-level dialogues on
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 139 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Calls for the term of office of the Special Envoy to be extended to a multi- year term, corresponding to the term of the Commission;deleted
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 146 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Recommends that the title and mandate of the Special Envoy visibly include the promotion of interreligious dialogue and interfaith cooperation;deleted
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 147 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Recommends that the title and mandate of the Special Envoy visibly include the promotion of interreligious dialogue and interfaith cooperation;deleted
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 152 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Recommends the setting up of a regularn informal advisory working group of Member States’ FoRB institutions and European Parliament representatives together with experts, scholars, and representatives of civil society, including churches and other faith-based organisations, providing advice on FoRB issues to assist the Special Envoy as well as non-confessional organisations, providing advice on freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 159 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Recommends that the EU Special Representative for Human rights in collaboration with the Special Envoy further develop cooperation with counterparts outside the EU, in particular by working in close cooperation with the different UN Special Rapporteurs and in particular the one on FoRB, as well as exploring the possibility of EU-UN joint annualinitiatives reporting on discrimination against religious minorities and non- believers, also formulating common proposals on how to put an end to such acts;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 167 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Urgently calls for the implementation of the EU Guidelines on FoRB to be increased in intensity and effectiveness; nNotes that further dedicated efforts need to be made by the EU and its Member States to implement more effectively the EU Guidelines and make the EU more influential in advancing FoRB worldwide; stresses that understanding how societies may be shaped and influenced by religions and other beliefs is instrumental to better comprehending the promotion of FoRB in EU foreign policy and international cooperation;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 173 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Commends, in this respect, the efforts made to date by the EEAS and the Commission to provide training on religious literacy to EU officials and national diplomats; stresses, however, the need for broader and more systematic training programmes which would raise awareness of and increase the use of the EU Guidelines among the EU’s and Member States’ officials and diplomats and strengthen cooperation with the Special Envoy; asks for churches and religious communities and associations to be involved in this training process; calls on the Commission and the Council to earmark resources for establishing such training programmes;deleted
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 174 #

2018/2155(INI)

19. Commends, inUnderlines thise respect, the efforts made to date by the EEAS and the Commission to provide training on religonsibilities fulfilled by human rights focal points within all EU Delegatiouns literacy to EU officials and national diplomats; stresses, however, the need for broader and more systematic training programmes which would raisand CSDP Missions and calls for the strengthening of knowledge on freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief to increase the awareness of and increase the use of the EU Guidelines among the EU's and Member States’ officials and diplomats and strengthen cooperation with the Special Envoy; asks for churches and religious communities and associat; notes, in this respect, the efforts made to date by the EEAS and the Commissions to be involved in this training process; calls on the Commission and the Council to earmark resources for establishing such training programmeprovide training on the situation of religious minorities as well as non-believers to EU officials and national diplomats;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 184 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Calls on the Commission and the EEAS to produce EU Annual Reports on FoRBcontinue including a chapter on freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief within the EU Annual Reports on human rights and democracy in the world, to be communicated to the European Parliament and the Council; notes that the EU Guidelines on FoRB provide for an evaluation of their implementation by COHOM after a period of three years, and that no such evaluation has been communicated or made public; calls for the evaluation to be made public without delay; considers that the evaluation should highlight best practices, identify areas for improvement, and provide concrete recommendations on implementation in accordance with a specified timeline and milestones subject to regular annual evaluation; calls for the evaluation to be included in the EU Annual Reports on FoRBHuman rights and democracy in the world;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 186 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Underlines the responsibilities fulfilled by human rights focal points within all EU Delegations and CSDP Missions; calls for the designating of FoRB-specific focal points in every EU Delegation and CSDP Mission; calls for more resources to be allocated to EU Delegations and CSDP Missions so as to allow them to carry out their work of promoting FoRB;deleted
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 187 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Underlines the responsibilities fulfilled by human rights focal points within all EU Delegations and CSDP Missions; calls for the designating of FoRB-specific focal points in every EU Delegation and CSDP Mission; calls for more resources to be allocated to EU Delegations and CSDP Missions so as to allow them to carry out their work of promoting FoRB;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 193 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Recalls the importance of human rights country and democracy strategies (HRDCSs), which tailor EU action to each country’s specific situation and needs; calls for adequate attention to be paid to FoRB- related issues, with lines for EU action being drawn up so that they can be tackled under the HRDCSs wherever respect for FoRB is endangered; reiterates its call for Members of the European Parliament to be given access to the content of HRDCSs;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 198 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Welcomes the EU commitment to promoting FoRBfreedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief in multilateral fora, in particular within the UN, the Council of Europe and the OSCE and with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC); supports, in this respect, EU cooperation with the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; recommends continuing the EU practice of taking the lead on resolutions at the UNGA and UNHRC on FoRBfreedom of thought, conscience and religion and seeking to build alliances and defend common positions with third countries and international organisations; calls on the EEASU and the OIC to consider preparing a joint resolution on FoRBfreedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief within the UN framework;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 201 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Welcomes the EU commitment to promoting FoRB in multilateral fora, in particular within the UN, the Council of Europe and the OSCE and with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC); supports, in this respect, EU cooperation with the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; recommends continuing the EU practice of taking the lead on resolutions at the UNGA and UNHRC on FoRB and seeking to build alliances and defend common positions with third countries and international organisations; calls on the EEAS and the OIC to consider preparing a joint resolution on FoRB within the UN framework;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 206 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Expresses its satisfaction that FoRBfreedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief is identified as a priority of the European Instrument of Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR); welcomnotes the significant increase of EIDHR funding allocated to FoRB-related projects since the adoption of the EU Guidelines; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to ensure that EU diplomatic work for the promotion of FoRBhuman rights, including freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief and EIDHR-funded projects is mutually reinforcing; stresses that FoRBfreedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief can also be supported by other instruments than human rights- oriented funds, among others those dedicated to the conflict prevention dimension or to education and culture; calls on the Commission and the Council to maintain sufficient funding for FoRB-human rights related projects, including equal treatment of all convictions, under the EU external financial instruments, within the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021-2027;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 216 #

2018/2155(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Stresses that the EU’s policies in the fields of peace, security and conflict prevention and development and cooperation face challenges, for which solutions can be devised with the participation among others of churches, religious leaders, academics, religious communities and associations or faith- based organisations that are a critical part of civil societyas well as non- confessional organisations; acknowledges the importance of being mindful of the diversity of churches, religious communities and associations and faith- based and secular organisations which perform actual development and humanitarian work for and with communities; calls on the Council and the Commission to incorporate, where relevant, objectives and activities relating to the promotion and protection of FoRB into the programming of funding instruments linked to those policies, namely the EDF, the DCI, the ENI, the IcSP and the IPA;
2018/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2018/2154(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas under no circumstances can the use of PSCs be a substitute for national armed forces personnel; whereas the highest priority should be accorded, when implementing defence policies, to ensuring that the armed forces of the Member States have sufficient resources, instruments, training, knowledge and means with which to perform their tasks fully;
2018/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 124 #

2018/2154(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital S a (new)
Sa. whereas PMSCs could play a more important role in the fight against piracy and in improving maritime security, in missions involving cyber defence, research and development of security tools, mixed surveillance missions and training in cooperation with, and under the supervision of, public authorities; whereas the use of armed PSCs has created specific challenges for the maritime sector and has resulted in numerous incidents which have led to the loss of life and diplomatic conflicts;
2018/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 137 #

2018/2154(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Underscores the need for PSCs, when operating in host countries and particularly those that significantly differ in terms of culture and religion, to be mindful of local customs and habits in order not to jeopardise the effectiveness of their mission and alienate the local population;
2018/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 153 #

2018/2154(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Notes that the EU makes use of PSCs abroad to guard its delegations and staff and to support its civilian and military CSDP missions; notes that their use thus directly contributes to the EU’s reputation and perception by third parties, which makes them important facets of the EU’s local presence and impacts on the level of trust in the EU;
2018/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 237 #

2018/2154(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Calls for an EU security supervisor of an EU security company to be present at EU-funded sites and EU delegations with the tasks of ensuring the quality of the security services provided, vetting and training the locally hired security personnel, establishing and keeping up good relations with local security forces, providing risk assessments and being the first point of contact in security-related matters for the delegation;
2018/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 266 #

2018/2150(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Recalls the important role played by Turkey in responding to the migration crisis resulting from the war in Syria; takes the view that Turkey’s population has shown great hospitality by offering shelter to more than 3 million Syrian refugees; calls on the EU and its Member States to keep their promise regarding a large-scale resettlement, and to ensure adequate financial resources for the long-term support of Syrian refugees in Turkey;
2018/12/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 23 #

2018/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the flourishing informal economy hinders the development of a viable Kosovar economy;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 24 #

2018/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas gender based violence still forms a major challenge for Kosovo, including prenatal gender selection;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 25 #

2018/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)
Dc. whereas Kosovo struggles with serious problems related to medication registration and quality, corrupt links between doctors and pharmaceutical companies, inflated prices and an 'essential medicines list' fabricated by pharmaceutical companies; whereas Kosovar citizens pay the price;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 27 #

2018/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas on 8 June 2018 the Council decided to refocus the mandate of the EU rule of law mission EULEX Kosovo, bringing the judicial executive part of the mission’s mandate to an end; whereas the mandate’s end date is set on 14 June 2020;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 52 #

2018/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Urges the Kosovar authorities to comprehensively deal with previously identified electoral shortcomings by enacting timely legislative and administrative measures to address the outstanding recommendations of EU and European Parliament observation missions well in advance of the next round of elections; welcomes the steps forward in relation to gender equality in the election administration; calls on Kosovo to further step up its efforts to increase female political participation;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 74 #

2018/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls for greater cooperation between Kosovo and the EU on cybercrime and cyber defence issues;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 108 #

2018/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Commends Kosovo’s efforts in stemming the outflow of foreign fighters and tackling terrorist threats; calls for active regional cooperation in countering potential terrorist activities and disrupting financial flows destined for terrorist financing; urges Kosovo to address online radicalisation and external extremist influences; underlines the importance of terrorism prevention, and of the rehabilitation, education and social reintegration of returned fighters and their families; stresses the need to prevent the radicalisation of prisoners and to actively work on the deradicalisation of prisoners;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 127 #

2018/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Takes note of EULEX’s new mandate and its end date; stresses however the prevalence of concrete progress in the country over a set timetable;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 138 #

2018/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Calls for the enforcement of the human rights framework to be prioritised, and backed by sufficient coordination and funding, especially in the field of gender equality, child and labour protection, social exclusion and discrimination against persons with disabilities and minorities, including LGBTI people; expresses in particular its concern about the high number of cases of gender based violence and prenatal gender selection; calls on the Kosovar authorities to effectively address these cases and provide support to victims, to collect data, and to train police, prosecutors and judges; believes that a comprehensive plan of awareness raising, the elimination of gender based discrimination, access to education and reproductive health services can prevent prenatal gender selection; underlines the need to reinforce the Agency for Gender Equality and the National Coordinator for the Protection from Domestic Violence and to strengthen prevention;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 178 #

2018/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Notes that five Member States have not recognised Kosovo; considers that the recognition would be beneficial to the normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia and increase the EU´s credibility in its own external policy;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 185 #

2018/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Considers it imperative that any agreement on possible change of Serbia - Kosovo border could only be acceptable if both parties agree, takes into account the overall stability in the region, and is in agreement with international law;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 186 #

2018/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Notes the on-going debate concerning possible adjustments of the border between Serbia and Kosovo, including exchanges of territories; underlines that any changes to internationally recognized borders can only take place after thorough and inclusive debates in the framework of a comprehensive, legally binding agreement on the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, and with the full support of all parties concerned; underlines the multi-ethnic nature of both Kosovo and Serbia and that ethnically pure states cannot and should not be the objective in the region; stresses that any border changes should not undermine overall stability in the region and should not represent an alternative to the adequate protection of national minorities;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 202 #

2018/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Regrets the rise of nationalist and right wing rhetoric in the region; requests the European Commission to support reconciliation in the region as a whole, by for example supporting cultural projects;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 209 #

2018/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Welcomes Kosovo’s efforts in maintaining constructive neighbourly relations throughout the region and in proactively aligning with the EU’s common foreign and security policy (CFSP), and calls for further progress in this field; considers that Kosovo’s membership in international bodies would confer rights and obligations that entail the application of international norms and standards; encourages a positive approach with regard to Kosovo´s participation in international organisations;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 212 #

2018/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. CExpresses its concern about the dire registration and quality of medicines, as well as the corruption involved in the sector; urges the Kosovar Ministry of health to speed up its efforts in investigating these crimes and in addressing the registration and quality problems as soon as possible; calls for a comprehensive reform of the health sector, including the implementation of universal health insurance, in order to ensure universal access to healthcare; underlines the need for adequate funding of the public health system;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 215 #

2018/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
30. Call on the Commission to develop a regional strategy to address the persistent youth unemployment and brain drain by tackling the skills mismatch between the education system and the labour market, improving the quality of teaching, and ensuring adequate funding for active labour market measures and vocational training schemes, along with adequate childcare and pre-school education facilities; regrets the persisting discrimination and segregation in the education system; calls on Kosovo to develop a joint schooling system including all components of Kosovo’s society;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 222 #

2018/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Calls on the European Commission and Kosovo to effectively support SMEs in order to develop a viable Kosovar economy;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 3 #

2018/2148(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)
- having regard to the general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 7 October 2018,
2018/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 38 #

2018/2148(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Notes that at the general elections in BiH citizens exercised their democratic right in a calm and orderly manner; stresses however the continuing shortcomings in the democratic election process and expects the recommendations by OSCE /ODIHR to be addressed without delay to improve the electoral process;
2018/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 40 #

2018/2148(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Calls on all political leaders to engage in the formation of the governments at all levels, by working constructively together, in the interest of the citizens of their country;
2018/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 51 #

2018/2148(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Regrets that no compromise has been reached with regard to changes to the electoral legislation required to implement the Constitutional Court decision in the Ljubić case on the election of the members of the Federation House of Peoples; urges all political leaders to show responsibility and amend swiftly the electoral framework in order to ensure smooth implementation of the results of the elections; stresses that holding credible elections and implementing the results is an essential feature of a well-functioning democracy, as well as a requirement for any country aspiring to join the EU; reiterates that all acts of election irregularities should be investigated and condemned in the clearest possible terms, and any unlawful activities prosecuted;
2018/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 104 #

2018/2148(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Notes that legislation without implementation is futile and urges swift implementation of legal provisions providing equality between women and men; firmly points at the lack of effective implementation of legislation on the prevention and protection which facilitates gender-based violence, in particular domestic violence; urges aligning of the relevant legislation with the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence; is concerned that the number of protective measures issued remains low, and calls for improvement of the general system of response and support to victims; draws attention to the fact that the existing safe houses remain in most cases strongly underfunded, which is in breach of existing legislation;
2018/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 110 #

2018/2148(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Is concerned about lack of educational and economy reforms that fosters high youth unemployment and high economic emigration which will have long-term consequences on country’s demography; notes with concern a high gender imbalance of labour force participation rates;
2018/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 156 #

2018/2148(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Acknowledges that some progress has been achieved in the implementation of Annex VII to the Dayton Peace Agreement on refugees and internally displaced persons; calls again for significant attention to be devoted to damages compensation for property that cannot be returned, access to healthcare and employment, social protection, safety and education; notes that there are still extremely high number of internally displaced persons (98,324 according to UNHCR data from 2017), 47,000 minority returnees and a huge number of refugees; is concerned with persistently high number of missing persons and slow progress in that respect; urges resumption of operations of the Commission for Real Property Claims of Displaced Persons and Refugees; calls again for significant attention to be devoted to damages compensation for property that cannot be returned, access to healthcare and employment, social protection, safety and education; deplores cases of attacks against properties of returnees; calls on the authorities to embark on intensive cooperation between the two entities, and strengthen the efforts to find persons still missing as a result of the war, including full sharing of all relevant military and intelligence data;
2018/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 166 #

2018/2148(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Calls for the boosting of efforts to combat radicalisation and further measures to identify, prevent and disrupt the flow of foreign fighters as well as channels of untraceable money intended for further radicalisation; calls for the adoption and implementation of programmes on deradicalisation and preventing youth radicalisation;
2018/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 179 #

2018/2148(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Reminds BiH of the need for a unified foreign policy and that foreign policy alignment is an essential part of EU membership;
2018/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 186 #

2018/2148(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Regrets that BiH has not aligned itself with EU restrictive measures in the context of Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and events in eastern Ukraine;
2018/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 188 #

2018/2148(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)
20c. Welcomes the continued presence of EUFOR Althea operation in the country, which assists in capacity building and training of the armed forces of BiH, as well as retaining deterrence capacity to support a safe and secure environment; welcomes the extension of EUFOR´s mandate by the UN Security Council until November 2018;
2018/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 6 #

2018/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital –A (new)
-A. whereas the EU enlargement continues to represent a strategic investment in peace, democracy, prosperity, security and stability in Europe;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 9 #

2018/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas Albania has continued to make steady progress towards meeting the political criteria and the five key priorities for the opening of accession negotiations: public administration reform, reform of the judiciary, fight against corruption, fight against organised crime and protection of human rights, including rights of persons belonging to minorities and property rights;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 13 #

2018/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas challenges still persist and need to be addressed swiftly and efficiently in a spirit of dialogue and cooperation;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 15 #

2018/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas constructive dialogue between political forces on reforms is essential for making further progress in the EU accession processthe government and the opposition on EU-related reforms remains crucial to advance on the reform agenda to the benefit of the citizens and move the country closer to the EU;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 17 #

2018/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas there is wide public support for Albania’s accession to the EU in Albania;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 27 #

2018/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Fully supports the Commission’s recommendation that accession negotiations be opened in recognition of the reform efforts made by Albania; calls onwelcomes the Council to open accession talks without delay in order to sustadecision to set out the path towards opening the reform momentumaccession negotiations in June 2019; considers that the opening of negotiations would provide further incentives for the reform process and enhance its scrutiny;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 40 #

2018/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for action addressing the outstanding recommendations of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE/ODIHR) as regards electoral reform; underlines that inclusive and timely electoral reform is needed with a view to increasing public trust in the electoral process; welcomes the work by the Ad-hoc Committee on Electoral Reform of the Albanian Parliament related to election administration, campaign finance, voter registration, vote buying, the use of new voting technologies and out-of-country voting, and urges it to reach consensus on, and adoption of, the necessary reforms in due time before the 2019 local elections; notes that additional efforts are needed to better involve civil society organisations as part of an inclusive policy dialogue;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 53 #

2018/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the progress made in justice reform aimed at increasing the independence, accountability, professionalism and efficiency of judicial institutions; regrets that the administration of justice continues to be slow and inefficient; notes that the re-evaluation process for all judges and prosecutors has started and is delivering the first tangible results; calls on the Albanian authorities to speed upfurther advance the vetting process, without compromising on quality or fairness, which is crucial for the success of justice reform; takes note of first dismissals and voluntary resignations of candidates prior to their hearings;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 54 #

2018/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Encourages Albania to continue its good cooperation with the International Monitoring Operation and pursue intensively the justice reform;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 65 #

2018/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Commends the significant improvements made in the legal and institutional framework with a view to preventing and eradicating corruption in public institutions; calls for additional efforts to reduce the corruption affecting the daily life of Albania’s citizens and the climate of investment and to guarantee legal certainty of investments;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 68 #

2018/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Calls for increased attention to be given to political and public-private corruption, and stresses that a convincing track record can only be attained through; calls for strengthening the track record of proactive investigations, prosecutions and final convictions in corruption cases at all levelsthe fight against corruption and organised crime, including high-level cases;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 74 #

2018/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Welcomes the progress made in the fight against organised crime, including the substantial progress made in seizures of illicit drugs and the reduction of cannabis cultivationand calls to further pursue tangible and sustainable results, including in the specific area of countering cultivation and trafficking of drugs; notes Albania’s intensified international police cooperation – leading to effective operations against criminal networks – including in joint working groups with Member States;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 83 #

2018/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the additional steps takenReiterates the need for effective legislative and policy measures to reinforce the protection of human rights, minority rights and anti- discrimination policies, including the equal treatment of all minorities; insists that measures be taken to further improve the education, employment rates and living conditions for Roma, Egyptians and other ethnic minorities;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 117 #

2018/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Urges the Albanian authorities to address the largstep up reforms aimed at increasing competitiveness and tackling the informal economy; stresses that corruption, rule-of- law deficiencies and cumbersome regulatory procedures continue to deter investment; calls to further improve the business and investment environment, including ensuring enforcement of property rights, vigorously pursuing fiscal consolidation and strengthening tax administration;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 128 #

2018/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26 a. Commends that according to the Institute of Statistic in Albania (INSTAT) the level of unemployment in Albania decreased; stresses the need to improve the quality of the education system, including increasing capacity in order to better equip people with skills and knowledge in line with labour market needs; underlines the need to support long-term growth by developing the capacity for technological absorption, research, development and innovation;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 132 #

2018/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Welcomes Albania’s commitment to implement the Connectivity Agenda in the framework of the Berlin Process; supports the proposal to reduce roaming fees in the Western Balkans in order to promote a market- and investment- friendly environment towards a digital economy;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 151 #

2018/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Expresses concern that Albania remains the Western Balkan country from which are made the highest number of illegal entries and stays, and unfounded asylum claims, in Member States; calls to increase the measures taken in recent months to address effectively the phenomenon of unfounded asylum applications in the EU as well as unaccompanied minors;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 162 #

2018/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30 a. Calls for greater cooperation between Albania and the EU on cyber crime and cyber defence issues;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 12 #

2018/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 16
– having regard to the Bulgarian Presidency work programme (1 January - 30 June 2018),deleted
2018/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 40 #

2018/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the continued engagement of Serbia on the path of integration into the European Union; calls on Serbia to actively promote this strategic decision among the Serbian public, including by promoting enhanced awareness of Serbian citizens about funding from the EU budget directed to Serbia;
2018/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 61 #

2018/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Takes note of the presidential elections on 2 April 2017; welcomes the general conduct of the elections; calls on the authorities to fully address the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission;
2018/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 67 #

2018/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Takes note of the presidential elections on 2 April 2017 and calls on the authorities to ensure that procedures for free and fair elections are in line with international standards; welcomes the general conduct of the elections; calls on the authorities to fully address the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission and to engage in dialogue with domestic independent election observation missions; calls on the authorities to properly investigate claims of irregularities, violence and intimidation that arose during the electoral process;
2018/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 75 #

2018/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on Serbia to progressively align its foreign and security policy to that of the EU, including its policy on Russia; considers that taking into account the integration path of Serbia to the EU, more emphasis should be put to joint military exercises with the EU and NATO, instead of Russia and Belarus; welcomes Serbia’s important contribution and continued participation in international peacekeeping operations;
2018/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 77 #

2018/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Regrets that in December 2016 Serbia was one of the 26 countries that did not support the resolution on Crimea at the United Nations;
2018/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 87 #

2018/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Urges Serbia to step up its reform efforts in the area of rule of law, and in particular to ensure the independence and overall efficiency of the judicial system; stresses that special focus should be put on implementing effective reform in this area; notes that while some progress has been made in reducing the backlog of old enforcement cases, and in putting in place measures to harmonise court practice, judicial independence in Serbia is not fully assured; calls on Serbia to strengthen the accountability, impartiality, professionalism and overall efficiency of the judiciary, and to establish a free legal aid system ensuring the broad range of free legal aid providers, including civil society organisations;
2018/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 90 #

2018/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Urges Serbia to step up its reform efforts in the area of rule of law, and in particular to ensure the independence and overall efficiency of the judicial system; stresses that special focus should be put on implementing effective reform in this area; notes that while some progress has been made in reducing the backlog of old enforcement cases, and in putting in place measures to harmonise court practice, judicial independence in Serbia is not fully assured; calls on Serbia to strengthen the accountability, impartiality, professionalism and overall efficiency of the judiciary, and to establish a free legal aid system; calls for the implementation of the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights;
2018/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 100 #

2018/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Reiterates the importance of intensifying the fight against corruption and urges Serbia to show a clear commitment to tackle this issue; welcomes the adoption of the amendments made in the economic crimes section of the country’s criminal code; reiterates its call to swiftly adopt a new law on the Anti- Corruption Agency to improve the planning, coordination and monitoring of the implementation of new legislation and policies; urges Serbia to adopt or amend other necessary anti-corruption legislation, as identified in the Action Plan for Chapter 23 of negotiations and in GRECO and ODIHR recommendations; stresses that it is critical that the Agency receives and maintains the human and financial resources it needs to carry out its mandate in an independent manner; calls on the authorities to fill all open positions in the Agency; urges the Serbian Parliament to finalize the election of the Anti-corruption Agency Board members in a transparent and democratic manner; calls on Serbia to further improve its track record on investigations, indictments and final convictions in high- level corruption cases, and to publish statistics and information about the results of investigations in all publicly known cases of alleged corruption of public officials;
2018/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 103 #

2018/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Acknowledges some progress has been made in theUrges Serbia to show a clear commitment in fighting against organised crime; calls on Serbia to establish a convincing track record of investigations, prosecutions and convictions in organised crime cases, including mafia-related murders and money laundering, based on proactive investigations; calls on Serbia to focus on the implementation of the action plan agreed with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF);
2018/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 111 #

2018/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 a (new)
Calls for greater cooperation between Serbia and the EU on cybercrime and cyber defence issues;
2018/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 115 #

2018/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that the Serbian parliament still does not exercise effective oversight of the executive, and that the transparency, inclusiveness and quality of the legislative process need to be enhanced; welcomes the declining use of urgent procedures to adopt legislation; stresses, however,stresses that the still-frequent use of urgent procedures undermines parliamentary and public scrutiny; stresses thcondemns the deliberate actions that limit the ability of the Serbian parliament to conduct an effective debate on, and scrutiny of, legislation should be avoided; is concerned by the increased practice of filibustering adopted by the ruling majority, which prevents the opposition from actively taking part in parliamentary procedures: calls for additional measures to ensure cross-party dialogue and the effective involvement of civil society in the work of the parliament; welcomes the Serbian parliament’s continued efforts to improve transparency through debates on Serbia’s negotiating positions on EU accession chapters, and through exchanges with the core negotiating team and with the National Convention on the European Union; stresses that the role of independent regulatory bodies, including the country’s Ombudsman, needs to be fully acknowledged and supported; urges the Serbian Parliament to engage in promoting and monitoring the implementation of independent regulatory bodies' findings and recommendations;
2018/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 145 #

2018/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Underlines that the legislative and institutional framework for upholding human rights is in place; stresses that consistent and efficient implementation across the whole country is needed; calls on Serbia to adopt the new Law on Personal Data Protection fully in line with EU standards; notes that further sustained efforts are necessary to improve the situation of persons belonging to vulnerable groups, including children, persons with disabilities, persons with HIV/AIDS, and LGBTI persons; underlines that shortcomings in the legislative and institutional framework for upholding human rights of children and adults with disabilities still persist; calls on Serbia to actively pursue investigations, prosecutions and convictions of hate- motivated crimes;
2018/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 163 #

2018/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Reiterates its concern that no progress has been made to improve the situation regarding freedom of expression and of the media; stresses that threats, violence and intimidation against journalists remain an issue of concernand media outlets, including administrative harassment and intimidation through the courts remain an issue of concern especially when coming from elected officials; calls upon officials at all levels to be consistent in publicly condemning any form of intimidation of journalists and to refrain from such behaviour; notes, in this regard, that while several cases have been solved and some criminal charges have been filed, convictions are still rare; calls on the authorities to investigate and prosecute any cases of attacks against journalists and media outlets; express its concern over the Regulatory Body for Electronic Media's absence of supervision and action, especially during the election period; calls for the full implementation of media laws and the strengthening of the independence of the country’s Regulatory Body for Electronic Media by eliminating any political interference and influence over its work through the process of nomination and appointment of its Council members, and by broadening its mandate to issue sanctions and securing its financial independence; welcomes the renewed efforts to adopt a media strategy to create a pluralistic media environment, and stresses, in this regard, the importance of a transparent and inclusive consultation with stakeholders; underlines the need for complete transparency in media ownership and funding;
2018/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 166 #

2018/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Notes that no progress was made towards establishing an enabling environment for the development and financing of civil society; regrets that the relationship between government and CSOs is still marked by fragmented cooperation and a selective approach towards individual CSOs; condemns the negative statements made by government officials on civil society in general and the harsh criticism of human rights defenders by some media outlets; notes that most CSOs lack stable funding and transparent criteria for public financial support are not clearly defined; calls for the adoption of a national strategy and related action plan to regulate the environment in which CSOs operate; stresses that further efforts are needed to ensure systematic cooperation between government and civil society;
2018/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 179 #

2018/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes the adoption of an action plan for the realisation of the rights of national minorities, and the adoption of a decree establishing a fund for national minorities; calls for the full implementation of the action plan and for improved coordination and inclusion of stakeholders; notes that the fund for national minorities is functioning and that its funding has been increased; reiterates its call on Serbia to ensure consistent implementation of legislation on the protection of minorities, including in relation to education, the use of languages, representation in public administration and access to media and religious services in minority languages; calls for full implementation of the right to timely birth registration for all children born in Serbia, including those of undocumented parents;
2018/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 184 #

2018/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Stresses that the promotion and protection of human rights, including the rights of national minorities, is a precondition for joining the EU;
2018/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 199 #

2018/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Welcomes the adoption of the new Roma social inclusion strategy for the period 2016-2025 along with an action plan covering education, health, housing and employment; notes that the majority of Roma live in informal settlements lacking adequate access to fresh water and electricity, suffer from social exclusion and face systematic violations of their rights: calls for full implementation of the new strategy for Roma inclusion and the action plan; highlights the importance of formulating policies to combat discrimination against Roma and Anti-gypsyism;
2018/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 212 #

2018/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the adoption of a national strategy for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes and the adoption of an operational prosecutorial strategy; welcomes the appointment in May 2017 of a new war crimes prosecutor; reiterates its call for thean efficient and timely implementation of this strategy, in particular by means of bringing forward indictments, and; calls for the adoption of an operational prosecutorial strategy;effective investigation of high-profile war crimes cases: calls on Serbia to again cooperate fully with the current Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals; urges the Serbian authorities to continue working on the issue of the fate of missing personscalls on the Serbian political and judicial authorities to fully cooperate with their regional partners in order to identify remaining war criminals and bring them to justice; urges the Serbian authorities to continue working on the issue of the fate of missing persons, including opening state archives related to the war period; urges Serbia to prepare a reparations scheme for victims and their families as an important precondition for reconciliation; highlights the importance of the work carried out by the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) and its local branches in promoting reconciliation among the youth;
2018/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 217 #

2018/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Regrets the persisting lack of an objective assessment and understanding of the crimes committed in the former Yugoslavia; stresses the need for far- reaching political decisions and initiatives aimed at establishing responsibilities and raising awareness in schools about Serbia's troubled past; calls for enhanced inclusiveness of education systems across the region so as to eliminate old prejudices and eradicate the seeds of hatred in the new generations; reiterates its support for the initiative to set up a Regional Commission for the establishment of facts about war crimes and other serious violations of human rights committed in the former Yugoslavia, and urges the Serbian government to take the lead in its creation;
2018/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 224 #

2018/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Notes the on-going debate concerning possible adjustments of the border between Serbia and Kosovo, including exchanges of territories; underlines that any changes to internationally recognized borders can only take place after thorough and inclusive debates in the framework of a comprehensive, legally binding agreement on the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, and with the full support of all parties concerned; underlines the multi-ethnic nature of both Kosovo and Serbia and that ethnically pure states cannot and should not be the objective in the region; stresses that any border changes should not undermine overall stability in the region and should not represent an alternative to the adequate protection of national minorities;
2018/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 225 #

2018/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Considers it imperative that any agreement on possible change of Serbia - Kosovo border could only be acceptable if both parties agree, takes into account the overall stability in the region, and is in agreement with international law;
2018/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 227 #

2018/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Expresses its concern over repeated statements by high-ranking politicians putting into question the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and condemns any form of nationalist rhetoric aimed at encouraging its disintegration;
2018/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2018/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 11
– having regard to the decision of the Heads of State and Government of the NATO meeting of 11-12 July 2018, whereby the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia was invited to begin NATO membership talks,
2018/09/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 112 #

2018/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Calls for sustained efforts in increasing transparency, accountability and inclusiveness of the decision-making process and improving interinstitutional coordination; reminds in this regard that e-governance and e-services contribute to enhancing the country´s economic performance and increase transparency and efficiency of the public administration and services; encourages the search for innovative e-solutions to ensure easy access to public information and to reduce related bureaucracy;
2018/09/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 146 #

2018/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Emphasises the need to ensure that migrants and refugees, especially women and children; applying for asylum in the country or travelling through its territory, are treated in accordance with international and EU law;
2018/09/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 147 #

2018/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Deems it necessary for the authorities to continue and intensify its efforts to fight Islamic radicalisation and foreign terrorist fighters; calls for the implementation through more cooperation between security agencies and civil society organisations, religious leaders, local communities and other state institutions in the education, health and social services; calls for continued monitoring of returning foreign fighters by security services, their proper reintegration into society and constant exchange of information with the authorities of the EU and neighbouring countries;
2018/09/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 224 #

2018/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34a. Commends the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia for ratifying the Paris Agreement on January 9th 2018 as combating climate change will only be achieved through common efforts;
2018/09/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 7 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas Montenegro has to further strengthen, inter alia, parliamentary, legislative and oversight capacity, institutional transparency, respect for the rule of law, domestic handling of war crimes cases, integrity of the electoral process, media freedom, and the fight against corruption, organised crime and the informal economy;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 22 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that fundamental freedoms were respected in the April 2018 presidential elections; calls for shortcomings identified by the OSCE ODIHR to be comprehensively addressed in order to improve public trust in the electoral process, notes that frequent local elections cause ‘election fatigue’ that hinders quality of and transparent elections and calls for comprehensive electoral reform;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 30 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the efforts made to improve the transparency of public administration and information sharing but would encourage steps towards establishing a more citizen- friendly, professional and de-politicised public administration; calls for improved regulatory impact assessments, comprehensive reports on audit and inclusive public consultations on law proposals; stresses the importance of cooperation with the CSOs;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 37 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the moderate progress made towards increasing the independence, transparency, accountability, professionalism and efficiency of judicial institutions; calls for safeguards against political interference, but notes with the concern that the corruption in judiciary is still prevalent; calls for safeguards against political interference, particularly of Anti- Corruption Agency, proactive attitude of institutions, and for a coherent application of codes of ethics and disciplinary measures; welcomes the fact that new judges and prosecutors have been appointed for the first time using the new recruitment system;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 42 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Is concerned by the increasing instances of violence and assassinations linked to organised crime, which have a detrimental effect on the daily life of ordinary citizens; welcomes the fact that the authorities have identified this issue but calls for more robust preventative action and production of a convincing track record against money laundering and human trafficking;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 75 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Reiterates its call for systematic, inclusive, timely and genuine consultations with civil society on key EU-related legislative reforms, including their implementation at local level; stresses the need to improve financial regulatory environment for CSOs;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 80 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. UHighlights the need to ensure effective implementation of fundamental rights policies on gender equality, disability rights, rights of the child and Roma rights by securing sufficient budget allocation to implement the policies, improve the capacity of responsible institutions and increase their inter- institutional coordination; urges improvement in the enforcement and monitoring mechanisms for human rights protection, including by tackling violence against women and children, highlighting the findings of the recent evaluation of the child rights monitoring system in Montenegro;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 98 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Urges that the full potential offered by digital tools in the field of land registry, invoicing and the issuing of construction permits be used; notes the need to speed up the roll-out of broadband access to businesses and households; stresses the need for government-wide interoperability framework to support further digitalisation and simplification of administrative and business procedures;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 101 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Welcomes regulatory changes in the field of education; urges the authorities to address and efforts to increase pre-school participation rates, including by children from disadvantaged backgrounds and highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach to early childhood development including by addressing health concerns such as the low immunization coverage; encourages continued curricular reform in primary and secondary education to teach basic and transversal skills and focus on learning outcomes; urges the authorities to address the low secondary education completion among Roma students (3%, the lowest in the region) and the high long-term unemployment rate among youth, Roma and women;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 108 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Welcomes Montenegro’s strengthened participation in the Erasmus+ programme and expresses its support for the Commission’s proposal to double the Erasmus+ budget; encourages stronger coordination on horizontal issues affecting youth employment, inclusion, active citizenship, volunteering and education;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 114 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 7
Environment and energy, energy and transport
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 117 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Notes that the development of additional hydropower and tourism capacities must meet EU environmental standards; urges the further exploitation of potential renewables and energy-efficiency measures and the improvement of water and waste management; urges the Montenegrin authorities to fully align national legislation with the Renewable Energy Directive and Energy Performance of Buildings Directive;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 123 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29 a. Highlights Montenegro's proactive participation and constructive role in regional and international cooperation trough the "Berlin process" and the Western Balkans six initiative, welcomes the outcome of the Sofia Summit 2018 and the adoption of IPA 2018 package that includes funding of two important infrastructure projects “Budva bypass” on the Adriatic Ionian Corridor and “Vrbnica- Bar railway section” on Orient/East-Med Corridor; emphasizes the importance of those traffic routes that are the direct link between Balkan countries and the EU markets;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 131 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
32. Urges Montenegro to intensify its efforts in proactively prioritising and punishing war crimes and clarifying the fate of missing persons; welcomes the efforts for reintegration of displaced persons under the Regional Housing Programmeis concerned that the Special Prosecutor's Office (SPO) opened eight new cases in 2016 of which six are still in preliminary investigation phase, as well as that in all cases SPO had to rely on letters rogatory to ICTY & prosecution services of neighbouring countries; notes with disappointment that there is still no charges for command responsibility, co-perpetration and aiding and abetting, and that the judicial decisions reached contained legal mistakes and shortcomings in application of international humanitarian law; welcomes the efforts for reintegration of displaced persons under the Regional Housing Programme; urges the insurance of the equal access to justice for all victims, reparations in line with national legislation; stresses the need to fight the impunity;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 137 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33 a. Calls for greater cooperation between Montenegro and the EU on cyber crime and cyber defence issues;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 14 #

2018/2118(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c
(c) to ensure a firm engagement from both sides to respect and advance democratic principles, human rights, including freedom of expression, association and assembly, and the rule of law; to pursue a regular dialogue on human rights;
2018/09/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2018/2118(INI)

(f) to step up cooperation in crisis management, conflict prevention, the fight against terrorism and organised crime, cyber-crime, development of cyber defence capabilities, the prevention of radicalisation and cross- border crime, and integrated border management;
2018/09/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 60 #

2018/2118(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point w
(w) to recall that corruption undermines human rights, equality, trade and fair competition and deters foreign investments, thereby impeding economic growth;
2018/09/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 79 #

2018/2118(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point z a (new)
(za) to align its foreign policy more with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy;
2018/09/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 87 #

2018/2116(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Point n
n. to consider non-proliferation, cyber security and international coordination of the fight against climate change as areas where EU efforts could merit stronger and more focused engagement;
2019/02/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 18 #

2018/2115(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1
State of play 2018 – Tackling informationhybrid warfare
2018/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 49 #

2018/2115(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph c
c) to support the growing number of state institutions, think tanks, NGOs and other actors dealing with propaganda and disinformation, and ensure that EU strategic communication becomes a matter of high priority on the European agenda; calls on the VP/HR and the Commission to become more closely involved in this area;
2018/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 51 #

2018/2115(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph c a (new)
ca) to ensure that the EU institutions and Member States work hand in hand on existing and future initiatives to step up efforts to secure free and fair democratic processes and to address disinformation campaigns, which attempt to create divisions in open societies and interfere in the elections and decision-making process of EU, Member States and EU's neighbours;
2018/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 65 #

2018/2115(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph d a (new)
da) to raise awareness about Russia´s disinformation campaigns, as this constitutes the main source for disinformation in Europe;
2018/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 69 #

2018/2115(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph e
e) to recognise the work done at various levels to identify the types of influence and tools used against the EU and its neighbours, and to shift attention to in-depth analysis of their impact and effectiveness in order to develop measures to counteract them; raising awareness about ongoing disinformation campaigns, identifying and naming the source of disinformation to give a proper response;
2018/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 81 #

2018/2115(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph f
f) to focus and adapt EU and Member States' response on the continuously growing sophistication of the tools used to spread fake news, including the new ways of spreading propaganda by using multiple low-level websites, deep fakes and video content manipulations, automated bots, encrypted messaging services, on-line portals and TV stations to disseminate the main narratives; is concerned about Russia’s and other third parties' activities in this context;
2018/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 116 #

2018/2115(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph h a (new)
ha) to make sure the industry and on- line platforms deliver on the commitments undertaken in the Code of Practice on Disinformation and effectively tackle the disinformation problem by: (i) ensuring transparency of political advertising based on effective due diligence checks of the identity of sponsors, (ii) taking decisive action against fake accounts active on their services, (iii) identifying the misuse of automated bots, and (iv) cooperating effectively with independent fact- checkers;
2018/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 144 #

2018/2115(INI)

k) to continue to develop greater resilience based on all government and all society approach, and the ability to respond to threats in real time, develop pre- emptive measures and think one step ahead, rather than merely reacting to and analysing attacks that have already taken place; to work in cooperation with intelligence community and INTCEN;
2018/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 149 #

2018/2115(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph l
l) to pay special attention to the importance of not only debunking and exposing, but also ensuring the clear attribution of such attacks, including publicly naming the perpetrators, their sponsors and the goals they seek to achieve, as well as measuring the effects of these attacks on the targeted audience;
2018/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 157 #

2018/2115(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph m a (new)
ma) to raise awareness about negative impact of disinformation through dedicated communication campaigns as well as seminars and trainings for media, influencers and public opinion shapers in the EU and its neighbourhood;
2018/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 160 #

2018/2115(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph m b (new)
mb) to support cross-border cooperation on media literacy programmes and promote tools for the media literacy, such as EU on-line media literacy library and learning centre;
2018/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 171 #

2018/2115(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph n a (new)
na) to welcome the establishment of the new EEAS Strategic Communication Task Forces consisting of experts with appropriate linguistic and knowledge skills, namely the Task Force for Western Balkans and the Task Force South for the countries in the Middle East, Northern Africa and Gulf region, which are tasked to ensure coordinated and consistent EU communications in the regions and counteract disinformation and propaganda against the EU;
2018/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 173 #

2018/2115(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph n b (new)
nb) to support the joint efforts of the Commission and the EEAS to improve capabilities to detect, analyse and expose disinformation by equipping the EEAS Strategic Communication Task Forces and EU Delegations in the neighbourhood with new staff, tools and skills, including new data analysis tools, hiring of additional data scientists and disinformation experts, as well as covering a wider range of sources and languages on the reach and impact of disinformation;
2018/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 177 #

2018/2115(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph o
o) to turnsupport all three EastEAS StratCom Task Force into a fully-fledged unit, and to provideegic Communication Task Forces by providing them with adequate financial and personnel resources which willaimed at significantly increase itsof their potential, effectiveness, professionalism, institutional continuity and quality of work;
2018/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 179 #

2018/2115(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph o a (new)
oa) to make sure that the forthcoming allocation of the funding by the European Parliament, including the 3 M euros top- up of prep action, will be directed to actual countering of Russian disinformation and placed under East StratCom Task Force control, as designated;
2018/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 183 #

2018/2115(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph p
p) to address the current deficiencies in the East StratCom Task Force, including lack of regional expertise, a large turnover of staff and lack of institutional continuity, and to ensure adequate financial resources and an adequate organisational structure, as this is the only way to ensure full professionalism, effectiveness and results;deleted
2018/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 189 #

2018/2115(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph q
q) to invite Member States which have not done so already to assign their own seconded National Experts to the Eastthree StratCom Task Forces;
2018/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 197 #

2018/2115(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph r
r) to engage the EU Representations inside the EU, and the EU Delegations outside the EU, in supporting the work of the East StratCom Task Force, Task Force South and Task Force for Western Balkans, including by providing translations of their publications in local languages;
2018/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 204 #

2018/2115(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph s
s) to focus on the accession countries and partners in the EU neighbourhood, which are often on the front line in terms of exposure to Russian propaganda; to assist them in their efforts to counteract hostile propaganda and disinformation activities, inter alia by supporting strategic communication units within their respective institutions; to urge these EU partner countries, when necessary, to take more dedicated, proactive, effective and transparent measures in this regard;
2018/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 207 #

2018/2115(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph s a (new)
sa) to strengthen capabilities of the EU Delegations abroad, the Commission Representations and the European Parliament Liaison Offices in Member States to develop local capacity to detect and expose disinformation and to communicate effectively the EU's values and policies;
2018/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 209 #

2018/2115(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph s b (new)
sb) to extend campaign-based communication and better coordinate and amplify positive narratives across the EU institutions and Member States, including by consolidating respective budgets and building a shared on-line repository of success stories;
2018/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 221 #

2018/2115(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph u
u) to propose to the next European Council and the Commission that counteracting strategic propaganda is given a separate portfolio in the new Commission with adequate support from a specialised agency;deleted
2018/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 229 #

2018/2115(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph v
v) to link existing national and local specialised centres, think tanks, NGOs and other actors and institutions, in particular NATO, dealing with strategic propaganda into an EU-wide network that would help coordinate their actions and gather their findings in one place; to assign adequate resources to this undertaking; stresses that this network should be open to like-minded partners of the EU;
2018/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 260 #

2018/2115(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Instructs its President to forward this recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and, for information, to the EEAS and NATO, as well as the President, Government and Parliament of Russia.
2018/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2018/2099(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the rules-based world order is being increasingly challenged both at the political-military level and, more recently, at the commercial-economic one, and that the societal, ecological, economic, technological and geopolitical trends point to the growing vulnerability of the world's population to shocks and stresses; notes that these systemic challenges are being accompanied by the continuous deterioration of the international environment confronted with interstate conflicts, natural disasters, extreme weather events, water crises, terrorism, state failure and cyber and hybrid attacks on the foundational pillars of our societies; acknowledges that the defence of the rules-based international order and the values defended by liberal democracies should be of the outmost priority and should be approached without compromise;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 13 #

2018/2099(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the rules-based world order is being increasingly challenged both at the political-military level and, more recently, at the commercial-economic one; notes that these systemic challenges are being accompanied by the continuous deterioration of the international environment confronted with violence, interstate conflicts, natural disasters, terrorism, state failure and cyber and hybrid attacks on the foundational pillars of our societies;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 18 #

2018/2099(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that these challenges are too vast to be successfully met by any single country; emphasises that it is vital for the EU to respond to these challenges, consistently, effectively and with one voice; notes that the CSDP is a useful tool for addressing many of these challeng and to do so in concert with our allies and partners; stresses that strong cooperation is needed in the context of CSDP as well as focusing of resources on strategic priorities;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 32 #

2018/2099(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that this need for cooperation has been increasingly recognised in recent years and welcomes the advances that have been made in this direction, like establishing permanent structured cooperation (PESCO);
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 37 #

2018/2099(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Emphasises, however, that to this date cooperation is still in a developing stage and much more needs to be done to ensure that the EU and Member States reap the rewards of deep, and sustained, long-term cooperation on defence that will lead to common EU defence;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 40 #

2018/2099(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Emphasises practical and financial benefits of further integrations of European defence capabilities; underlines that through comprehensive and trustworthy work of all stakeholders, it is possible to increase the scope and efficiency of defence spending without the increase of defence spending itself;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 61 #

2018/2099(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Calls on the Member States to aim for the target of 2% of GDP for defence spending, and to spend 20% of their defence budgets on equipment identified as necessary through the EDA, including related research and development;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 71 #

2018/2099(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the creation of a dedicated title for defence in the Commission’s MFF proposal, and in particular the establishment of a budget line from which the European Defence Fund and Military Mobility projects will be funded; is of the opinion that these decisions will, most probably, call for a centralized management on defence at Commission level; underlines that funding from that budget line should be exclusively spent for defence purposes without politicization as security is indivisible and should be coherent with the capability and infrastructure needs of Member States and in line with the EU’s aspirations for strategic defence autonomy;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 87 #

2018/2099(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. CUrges the establishment of precise and binding guidelines to provide a well- defined framework for future activation and implementation of Article 42(7) TEU; calls, therefore, for the conceptualization and adoption of a EU Security and Defence White Book that will guarantee that future capability building processes will be based on EU´s strategic security interests in accordance with military and industrial necessities;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 104 #

2018/2099(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. RUnderlines that the EU needs to apply the entire toolbox of available policy instruments - from soft to hard power and from short-term measures to long-term policies, reaffirms the importance of developing the necessary military capabilities to deal with the comprehensive security challenges in and around Europe outlined by the EU Global Strategy; recalls that European Union´s Global Strategy encourages the realization of deep defence cooperation;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 105 #

2018/2099(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Reaffirms the importance of developing the necessary military capabilities to deal with the comprehensive security challenges in and around Europe outlined by the EU Global Strategy as the facilitation of the EU security is firstly and chiefly EU obligation; recalls that European Union´s Global Strategy encourages the realization of deep defence cooperation that would lead, as stipulated in the Lisbon Treaty, to a common EU defence;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 196 #

2018/2099(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Strongly believes that the EU’s long-standing and largest CSDP mission, EUFOR BiH / Operation Althea, still plays an important role of deterrence as a visible sign of EU commitment to the country; considers it therefore essential to continue its executive mandate and sustain its current force strength (600 staff) as the safe and secure environment has still the potential to deteriorate with increased tensions and current ethno-nationalist centred politics;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 218 #

2018/2099(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29 a. Stresses the need to ease the administrative procedures for the cross- border movement of rapid response forces inside the EU;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 219 #

2018/2099(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)
29 b. Urges the EEAS and the Council to step up their ongoing efforts to improve cyber security, in particular for CSDP missions, inter alia by taking measures at EU and Member State levels to mitigate threats to the CSDP, for instance by building up resilience through education, training and exercises, and by streamlining the EU cyber-defence education and training landscape;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 220 #

2018/2099(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 c (new)
29 c. Believes that the EU and its Member States face an unprecedented threat in the form of state-sponsored and cyber attacks as well as cyber crime and terrorism; believes that the nature of cyber attacks makes them a threat that needs an EU-level response; encourages the Member States to provide mutual assistance in the event of a cyber attack against any one of them;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 223 #

2018/2099(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
30. Underlines that the strategic partnership between the EU and NATO is fundamental to addressing the security challenges facing the EU and its neighbourhood; underlines that EU- NATO cooperation should be complementary and respectful of each other’s specificities and roles; is convinced that a stronger EU and NATO reinforce each other, creating more synergies and effectiveness for the security and defence of all partners; stresses that the EU-NATO strategic partnership is equally fundamental for the EU’s evolving CSDP and for the future of the Alliance, as well as for EU-UK relations after Brexit;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 246 #

2018/2099(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33 a. Stresses the importance of cooperation and integration in cyber security, not only between Member States, key partners and NATO, but also between different actors within society;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 251 #

2018/2099(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34 a. Stresses that Russia’s occupation in Ukraine is still ongoing, the Minsk agreements – without which there can be no solution to the conflict – have not been implemented and the illegal annexation and militarisation of Crimea continue; is deeply concerned that Russia's excessive exercises and military activities, hybrid tactics, including cyber- terrorism, fake news and disinformation campaigns, economic and energy blackmail are destabilising the Eastern Partnership countries and the Western Balkans, as well as are being targeted at Western democracies and increasing tensions within them; is concerned that the security environment surrounding the EU will remain highly volatile for years to come; reiterates the strategic importance of the Western Balkans for the security and stability of the EU and the need to focus and strengthen the EU's political engagement towards the region, including by strengthening the mandate of our Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions; is firmly convinced that in order to overcome the EU's vulnerability there is a need for more integration as well as coordination;
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 254 #

2018/2099(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
35. Considers it vital to further enhance cooperation with institutional partners, including the UN, NATO, the African Union and the OSCE, as well as strategic bilateral partners, such as the US; recommends taking forward CSDP partnerships in the fields of strengthening partners’ resilience and Security Sector Reform (SSR);
2018/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 45 #

2018/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas respect for and the promotion, indivisibility and safeguarding of the universality of human rights, democracy, the rule of law, respect for human dignity, the principle of equality and solidarity are the cornerstones of the EU’s ethical and legal acquis and its common security and defence policy (CFSP); whereas the EU should continue to strive to be a leading player in the universal promotion and protection of human rights, including at a multilateral level, in particular through an active and constructive role in diverse UN bodies and in compliance with the UN Charter, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and international law;
2018/09/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 67 #

2018/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Expresses profound concern about the pushback against democracy, human rights and the rule of law worldwide in 2017 and reiterates that the EU and its Member States must more actively pursue the principle of mainstreaming human rights and democracy in all EU policies, including those with an external dimension, such as in the fields of development, migration, security, counter- terrorism, enlargement and trade, and ensure increased coherence between the EU’s internal and external human rights policies and greater coordination between the external policies of the Member States, as the EU’s influence as a credible and legitimate international actor is greatly shaped by its ability to advance respect for human rights and democracy both internally and externally;
2018/09/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 73 #

2018/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Stresses that efforts of the whole international community are needed to fight against worldwide abuses of human rights and fundamental freedoms and to stop crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide;
2018/09/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 130 #

2018/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Strongly condemns all heinous crimes and human rights violations committed by state and non-state actors; urges the EU and its Member States to fight crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, and to ensure that their perpetrators are brought to justice; calls for the EU to provide support for organisations that collect, keep and protect evidence – digital or otherwise – of the crimes committed by any parties to these conflicts, in order to facilitate their prosecution at an international level; supports the key role played by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in cases where the states concerned are unable or unwilling to exercise their jurisdiction; calls on all the signatories of the Rome Statute to coordinate and cooperate with the ICC; reiterates its call for the VP/HR to appoint an EUSR on International Humanitarian Law and International Justice with a mandate to promote, mainstream and represent the EU’s commitment to the fight against impunity;
2018/09/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 136 #

2018/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Denounces the fact that media freedom had never been so threatened as it was in 2017; reiterates the importance of freedom of expression, both online and offline, as it fosters a culture of pluralisma vital component of any democratic society as it fosters a culture of pluralism that empowers civil society and citizens to hold their governments and decision-makers to account and supports respect for the rule of law; strongly condemns the threats, intimidation and attacks against journalists, independent media, bloggers and whistle-blowers, as well as hate speech, defamation laws and incitements to violence, as they constitute a threat to the rule of law and the values embodied by human rights; believes that the free expression of legitimate and peaceful grievances must be allowed; stresses that the EU should intensify its efforts to promote freedom of expression through its external policies and instruments;
2018/09/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 174 #

2018/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Reaffirms that freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief, and the rights to apostasy and to espouse atheistic views, must be enhanced unconditionally through interreligious and intercultural dialogue; condemns the persecution of and attacks against ethnic and religious groups in 2017; deplores the attempts by state actors to limit freedom of religion and belief and freedom of expression by adopting and implementing blasphemy laws, among other means; requests that further action be taken to protect religious minorities, non-believers and atheists, including the victims of blasphemy laws, and calls for the EU and its Member States to increase their engagement in political discussions to repeal such laws; supports the EU’s efforts to and to step up their efforts to enhance respect for freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief and to promote intercultural and interreligious dialogue when engaging with third countries; requests concrete action towards the effective implementation of the EU Guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief;
2018/09/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 186 #

2018/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Strongly condemns all heinous crimes and human rights violations committed by state and non-state actors; urges the EU and its Member States to fight crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, and to ensure that their perpetrators are brought to justice; calls for the EU to provide support for organisations that collect, keep and protect evidence – digital or otherwise – of the crimes committed by any parties to these conflicts, in order to facilitate their prosecution at an international level; supports the key role played by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in cases where the states concerned are unable or unwilling to exercise their jurisdiction; calls on all the signatories of the Rome Statute to coordinate and cooperate with the ICC; reiterates its call for the VP/HR to appoint an EUSR on International Humanitarian Law and International Justice with a mandate to promote, mainstream and represent the EU’s commitment to the fight against impunity;deleted
2018/09/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 218 #

2018/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Recalls the EU’s commitment to placing human rights and democracy at the centre of its relations with third countries; stresses, therefore, that the advancement of human rights and democratic principles, including human rights conditionality clauses in international agreements, needs to be supported through all EU policies with an external dimension, such as enlargement and neighbourhood policy, the CSDP, and environment, development, security, counter-terrorism, trade, migration, justice and home affairs policies;
2018/09/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 224 #

2018/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Condemns the use of sexual violence against women and girls, including mass rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, gender-based forms of persecution, trafficking, sex tourism and all other forms of physical, sexual and psychological violence as a weapon of war; draws attention to the fact that gender-related crimes and crimes of sexual violence are classified in the Rome Statute as war crimes, crimes against humanity or constitutive acts with respect to genocide or torture; points out that education is the best tool for combating discrimination and violence against women and children;
2018/09/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 234 #

2018/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Welcomes the EU’s signature of the 22. Istanbul Convention and; calls for the ratification and the effective implementation of the Convention by those EU Member States that have not yet done so; stresses the need to combat by all means violence against women, including domestic violence; supports, in this connection, the joint EU- UN Spotlight Initiative; urges countries to step up their legislation in order to tackle, at the earliest possible stage, gender-based violence, female genital mutilation and sexual violence, while promoting gender equality; condemns the frequent violation of women’s sexual and reproductive rights; emphasises that proper, affordable healthcare and universal respect for and access to sexual and reproductive rights and education should be guaranteed for all women;
2018/09/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 243 #

2018/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22 a. Believes that the EU should continue mainstreaming support for women within common security and defence policy (CSDP) operations, conflict prevention and post-conflict reconstruction; reiterates the importance of UN Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security; stresses the importance of women’s systematic, equal, full and active participation in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, in the promotion of human rights and democratic reforms, and in peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance, post- conflict reconstruction and democratic transition processes leading to lasting and stable political solutions;
2018/09/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 272 #

2018/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23 a. Calls for an urgent solution to the issue of stateless children, in and outside the EU, in particular those born outside their parents' country of origin, and migrant children;
2018/09/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 300 #

2018/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Denounces and explicitly rejects trafficking in human beings; underlines the fact that trafficking in human beings is a modern kind of slavery, and a serious crime which constitutes one of the worst forms of human rights violations; emphasises, in this respect, the importance of a consistent approach to the internal and external dimensions of the EU’s policies for combating trafficking in human beings; calls for the EU and the Member States to increase cooperation with third countries in order to investigate all stages of trafficking in human beings; expresses its profound concern at the extreme vulnerability of migrants and refugees, especially women and children, to exploitation, smuggling and trafficking in human beings;
2018/09/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 307 #

2018/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Expresses profound concern and solidarity with the growing number of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, including an ever larger number of women, as the victims of conflicts, violence, persecution, governance failures, poverty, irregular migration, trafficking and smuggling networks; stresses the urgent need to take genuine steps to tackle the root causes of migration flows and find long-term solutions based on respect for human rights and dignity, and therefore to address the external dimension of the refugee crisis, including by finding sustainable solutions to conflicts in our neighbourhood, for example by developing cooperation and partnerships with the third countries concerned that comply with international law and ensure respect for human rights in these countries;
2018/09/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 309 #

2018/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25b. Is deeply concerned at the plight and rising number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and calls for their safe return, resettlement or local integration; calls for the EU and its Member States to provide humanitarian assistance in the field of education, housing, health and other humanitarian areas that help the refugees closest to their homeland, and for return policies to be properly implemented;
2018/09/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 377 #

2018/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32a. Calls on the EEAS and the Member States to seek accountability in multilateral fora for those responsible for genocide and committing crimes in Myanmar on the Rohingya people; urges that the EU and the EU Member States to take the lead in the UN Security Council and table a dedicated resolution referring the entire situation in Myanmar/Rakhine State to the ICC; urges that the EU Member States take the lead in the UN General Assembly and the UΝ Human Rights Council and ensure the urgent establishment of an international, impartial, and independent mechanism to support investigations into alleged atrocity crimes;
2018/09/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 380 #

2018/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 b (new)
32b. Reiterates its full support for the ICC, the Rome Statute, the Office of the Prosecutor, the Prosecutor’s proprio motu powers, and the progress made in initiating new investigations as an essential means to fight impunity for atrocity crimes; calls on all Member States to ratify the Kampala amendments on the crime of aggression and to add the ‘atrocity crimes’ to the list of crimes for which the EU has competence; condemns any attempt to undermine its legitimacy or independence and calls for the EU and its Member States to cooperate consistently in order to support the ICC’s investigations and decisions with the aim of putting an end to impunity for international crimes, including when referring to the arrest of persons wanted by the ICC; urges the EU and its Member States to consistently support ICC examinations, investigations and decisions and to take steps to prevent and respond effectively to instances of non- cooperation with the ICC and provide for adequate funding;
2018/09/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 381 #

2018/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 c (new)
32c. Notes, with profound regret, the announcements of withdrawals from the Rome Statute, which represent a challenge in terms of victims’ access to justice and which should be firmly condemned; considers that the Commission, the EEAS and the Member States should continue to encourage third countries to ratify and apply the Rome Statute; calls for the EU and its Member States to support UN accountability mechanisms and resolutions at UN multilateral fora, including the Human Rights Council;
2018/09/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 382 #

2018/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 d (new)
32d. Recalls that sanctions are an essential tool of the CFSP; urges the Council to adopt the sanctions provided for in EU legislation when they are deemed necessary to achieving the objectives of the CFSP, in particular with a view to protecting human rights and consolidating and supporting democracy, while ensuring that they do not have an impact on the civilian population; asks that these sanctions be focused on officials identified as responsible for human rights violations in order to punish them for their crimes and abuse;
2018/09/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 388 #

2018/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Highlights that climate change has a direct and indirect impact on migration, propelling increasing numbers of people to move from vulnerable to more viable areas of their countries or abroad to build new lives; notes that the EU foreign policy should develop capacities to monitor climate change-related risks, including crisis prevention and conflict sensitivity; believes that consequential and rapid climate action contributes essentially to the prevention of social, economic, but also security risks, the prevention of conflicts and instabilities and ultimately the prevention of major political, social and economic costs; stresses, therefore, the importance of mainstreaming climate diplomacy in the EU conflict prevention policies, broadening and adapting the scope of EU missions and programmes in third countries and conflict areas; reiterates that moving towards a circular net-zero carbon economy will contribute to prosperity and enhanced equality, peace and human security both within and outside the EU as climate change can often create new instabilities and conflicts or exacerbate existing ones, and deepening existing inequalities or create new ones, due to the scarcity of resources, the lack of economic opportunities, the loss of land as a result of rising sea levels or prolonged droughts, a fragile governance structure, an insufficient supply of water and food and a deterioration in living conditions;
2018/09/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 23 #

2018/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas the new world order is characterised by asymmetry, with numerous non-state actors becoming increasingly influential over the past decade: from NGOs advocating human rights, to transnational corporations influencing government policy, to social media activists calling for democratic change; whereas, nevertheless, no emergent state or non-state actor can impose an incontestable world view;
2018/10/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 29 #

2018/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas globalisation has increased interdependence, with decisions taken in Beijing or Washington having a direct impact on our lives; whereas, in turn, interdependence that has resulted in global public opinion becoming cognisant of transnational problems, which require transnational solutions;
2018/10/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 73 #

2018/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that the time has come for the European UnionIs convinced that the EU needs to takuse its destiny into its own hands; takes the view that the EU should embrace its role as a fully- fledged, sovereign politicalpolitical, diplomatic and economic power in international relations thato helps to resolve conflicts worldwide and contribute to shapesing global governance;
2018/10/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 86 #

2018/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Is convinced that no single EU Member State can respond effectively to today’s global challenges on its own; believes that, by pulling their weight together within the EU, the Member States can exert an influence on the world stage that they would not otherwise possescommon EU action is the most effective way to preserve Europe´s interests and uphold its values; is convinced that 28 Member States together, representing 500 million citizens, have more leverage in international negotiations and in setting international regulations and standards; believes, moreover, that under the protection of the EU, globalisation can rep, and that they together can best protect its citizens and from increasent an opportunity for EU citizens and not a threatd threats to their security, including in a global digital sphere;
2018/10/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 99 #

2018/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Regretcalls the fact that the Member States all too often prioritise their national interests, regardless of the possible consequences at a European level, thereby undermining the EU’s credibility as a global playerEU´s commitment to develop a Common Foreign and Security Policy guided by the values of democracy, rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms; stresses the need to speak with a united voice and ensure that their message is heard for this goal to be achieved; calls for a greater division of responsibilities and enhanced coordination between the EU and its Member States; believes that good cooperation among the Member States is essential to safeguard ourthe human rights, democracy, our freedom, and our social and environmental standards of the EU;
2018/10/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 123 #

2018/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – indent 2
- a commitment to multilateralism, with the support of the UN system and regional organisations at its core and compliance with and upholding of the UN Charter and international law;
2018/10/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 132 #

2018/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – indent 4
- an emphasis on conflict prevention, peacebuilding and, institution building and development aid and cooperation;
2018/10/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 138 #

2018/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that the EU should stay true to itse need for the EU to effectively promote the principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law; emphasises the importance of assessing whether the promotion of these principles in third countries has been suc, among others and revise its strategies where necessfulary;
2018/10/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 151 #

2018/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Commission and the Member States to act strategically by using all the means at their disposal, including political, trade, development, and diplomatic and military tools, to strengthen the EU’s geopolitical influence and protect itsthe interests of the EU and its Member States;
2018/10/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 156 #

2018/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Stresses that only a combination of effective multilateralism, joint soft power and credible hard power can be capable of confronting major security challenges, notably the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the violation of the security order in Europe, terrorism, conflicts in the Eastern and Southern neighbourhood, proxy wars, hybrid and information warfare, including digital aggression, and energy insecurity; highlights that these challenges also include the refugee crises in its humanitarian dimension, the genocide in Myanmar, the unpredictability and challenging aggressive behaviour of North Korea, the violation of international law by Russia and China’s growing military power, for which only a strong diplomatic response will suffice;
2018/10/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 158 #

2018/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Recalls that to ensure its long-term security, Europe needs political will and determination underpinned by a broad set of relevant policy instruments; believes that for the EU to be effective, credible and values-based global player, the EU must act together and focus its resources on strategic priorities;
2018/10/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 174 #

2018/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the EEAS to invest in collective leadership and develop ‘issue- based coalitions’ with like-minded countries, to support a rules-based international order, multilateralism and free trade, and to pursue cooperative solutions to global challenges; calls on the EEAS to engage with emerging powerother likeminded countries in the provision of global public goods such as peace and security, including by working together on crisis management operations around the world, climate change mitigation, financial stability, and clean air and water;
2018/10/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 182 #

2018/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Notes that deadlocks within the UN Security Council are impeding action by the international community and preventing crisis resolution; calls once again on the Member States to support reforms in the composition and functioning of the Security Council;
2018/10/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 185 #

2018/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Notes that the EU has played an important role in de-escalating and resolving foreign policy crises, namely when some Member States have taken the lead under the auspices of the Union overall, such as in the Normandy format or the EU3+3 negotiations with Iran; supports the establishment of ad hoc coalitions of Member States that can intervene to respond to international crises, making EU external action more flexible and responsive by reducing the pressure of having to achieve universal consensus among the Member States;deleted
2018/10/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 215 #

2018/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Underlines the need to fight against terrorism and to target those groups which seek to encourage EU citizens to fight for their extremist cause; reiterates the need to establish a common strategy with international partners to address this global challenge; believes that diplomatic efforts should be accompanied by the wide range of other tools and instruments at the EU’s disposal, including those for the improvement of political, social and economic conditions conducive to the establishment and preservation of peace;
2018/10/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 216 #

2018/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Calls on the VP/HR, the Commission and the Member States to step up their efforts to increase the EU’s ability to confront hybrid and cyber threats, to further strengthen the capacity of the EU and its partner countries to fight fake news and disinformation, to draw up clear criteria to facilitate the detection of fake news, to allocate more resources and turn the Stratcom task force into a fully-fledged unit within the EEAS; calls, in this regard, for the development of joint, comprehensive risk and vulnerability analysis capacities and methods, and for the EU’s resilience and strategic communication capabilities to be bolstered; stresses the role of independent media – both on- and offline – in promoting cultural diversity and intercultural competences, and the need to strengthen such media as a source of credible information, especially in the EU and its neighbourhood;
2018/10/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 234 #

2018/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Stresses that investing in the stability and prosperity of the Western Balkans means investing in the security and future of our Unionstability of the EU; reiterates the European perspective for the countries in the Western Balkans; highlights that the enlargement process is merit-based and must depend on nothing other than the concrete results achieved by each individual country; reiterates the importance, throughout this process, of promoting the reforms necessary for a rules based, cooperative political and economic international order with a focus on the rule of law, reconciliation and good neighbourly relations, security and migration, socio-economic development, transport and energy connectivity and the digital agenda;
2018/10/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 248 #

2018/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Strongly believes that a new approach to the EU’s relations with its Eastern neighbours is needed; believes that supporting those countries that wish to have closer ties with the EU must be a top priority for EU foreign policy; believes that the prolongation of sanctions against individuals and entities in Russia is an inevitable outcome of the failure to implement the Minsk agreements;
2018/10/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 274 #

2018/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Is of the opinion that a more effective common foreign and security policy depends primarily on the establishment of common strategic priorities and visions; takes the view that it is necessary to tackle the root causes of instability, spread largely because of failed or fragile states, and of forced and irregular migration; poverty, the lack of economic opportunities and access to education, social exclusion, armed conflicts, undemocratic and inefficient governance, corruption, climate change, increasing sectarianism, the threat of radicalisation and the spread of extremist ideologies;
2018/10/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 282 #

2018/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 d (new)
17d. Stresses that preserving peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region is in the interest of the EU and its member states; calls for all parties concerned in the region to solve differences through peaceful means and to refrain from taking unilateral actions to change the status quo, including in the East and South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, in order to safeguard regional security; reiterates its commitment to supporting Taiwan´s participation in international organisations and activities;
2018/10/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 305 #

2018/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the increased defence cooperation between EU Member States and steps taken to increase the EU’s military autonomy, namely the establishment of a European single command centre in Brussels for European military training missions, and removing obstacles to the deployment of EU Battlegroups; believes that the establishment of Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) on defence projects and the coordinated review of national defence budgets will help the Member States to become more efficient in defence cooperation spend their defence budgets more effectively;
2018/10/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 308 #

2018/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Considers that the development of a strong defence industry is strengthening the technological independence of the EU; calls for the industrial and technological resources needed to improve cybersecurity to be developed, including through the promotion of a single market for cybersecurity products; calls for significantly increased financial and human resources to be made available within the EU institutions in order to increase the EU’s cyber security and cyber defence capacity; emphasises the need to mainstream cyber defence into external action and common foreign and security policy, as well as the need for an improved ability to identify cybercrime;
2018/10/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2018/2059(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas supporting Union air companies is of crucial importance considering that the Union’s market share in the international air transport sector is decreasing;
2018/05/18
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 6 #

2018/2059(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that France argues that the redundancies are linked to major structural changes in world trade patterns due to globalisation and more particularly, the serious economic disruption undergone by the international air transport sector, notably the decline of the Union’s market share in the face of a spectacular rise of three major companies in the Persian Gulf, which receive state aid and subsidies to a very high extent;
2018/05/18
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 17 #

2018/2059(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that the application relates to 1 858 workers made redundant at Air France, the majority of whom are between 55 and 64 years old; further notes that 47.6% of the redundant workers are women; acknowledges, in view of thiacknowledges, the importance of active labour market measures co-funded by the EGF for improving the chances of reintegration in the labour market of these groups; further notes that none of the workers made redundant are in age group 25-29 years and over 64 years old;
2018/05/18
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 114 #

2018/2054(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Underlines the very important and positive role of European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) programmes in the economic and social development and cohesion of border regions; including maritime and external border regions, calls on the Commission to preserve ETC as an important objective, with a more distinct role within cohesion policy post- 2020, as well as a significantly increased budget; underlines at the same time the need to simplify the programmes and reduce the administrative burdens for beneficiaries;
2018/05/23
Committee: REGI
Amendment 2 #

2018/2046(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines the importance of cohesion policy as the main investment policy of the Union that helps to reduce economic, social and territorial disparities between and within EU regions, enhances smart, sustainable and inclusive economic growth, improves SMEs competitiveness and access to global markets, fosters innovation in urban and rural areas and encourages local and regional authorities to make the transition towards a carbon freeneutral economy; notes every 1 Euro invested in cohesion policy has a proven return on investment by 174%1 and less investment would mean less growth and jobs for citizens; calls for cohesion funds to maintain their role as the main investment policy of the European Union; _________________ 1 Commission Staff Working Document of 19 September 2016 entitled ‘Ex post evaluation of the ERDF and Cohesion Fund 2007-13’ (SWD(2016)0318).
2018/07/17
Committee: REGI
Amendment 6 #

2018/2046(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Welcomes the increase in funding for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) for the Union to better enforce its role on the global level;
2018/07/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 7 #

2018/2046(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. Underlines the importance of a progressive framing of the common EU's defence policy and the need to support further funding to ensure its implementation;
2018/07/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 7 #

2018/2046(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights that the Union continues to face numerous challenges and is convinced that, especially ahead of the UK withdrawal from the Union and, the 2019 European elections, Union citizens expect the necessary financial resources to be deployed from the Union budget, in order to allow the Union to effectively respond to the abovementioned challeUnion needs the necessary financial resources to respond to citizens expectations and allow the Union to effectively tackle the numerous challenges it faces such as the fight against youth unemployment, the security as well as humanitarian and migratory challenges, the fight against climate changes and to improve the day- to-day life of its citizens;
2018/10/03
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 14 #

2018/2046(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Points out that Europe's citizens expect the Union to strain every sinew to ensure economic growth and foster job creation; recalls that meeting those expectations requires investments in research and innovation, digitalisation, education, infrastructure, SMEs and employment, particularly among the young people of Europe, and that any failure in that regard will foster disillusionment with the European ideal; expresses wonderment that the Council yet again proposes cuts to the very programmes that are designed to make the Union economy more competitive and innovative; stresses moreover that many of these programmes, for example Horizon 2020, are heavily oversubscribed, which constitutes a poor use of resources and means that many excellent projects do not receive funding; highlights also the fact that programmes such as Erasmus +, Horizon 2020 and the Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (COSME) provide a vivid demonstration of the advantages of working together across the Union and help create a feeling of European belonging; decides therefore to reinforce considerably Erasmus + and to strengthen programmes that contribute to growth and job creation, including Horizon 2020, Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and COSME;
2018/10/03
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 14 #

2018/2046(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Highlights the need for improvements in terms of visibility and communication of EU funding both to potential beneficiaries and to EU citizens in general ; urges Commission together with Member States to raise awareness of the varied EU investment possibilities, to showcase innovative projects and to share good practices.
2018/07/17
Committee: REGI
Amendment 16 #

2018/2046(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7 b. Calls on the Commission to look for further synergies and complementarities with ESIF and other research, innovation and competitiveness- related EU programs, such as Horizon, for instance to foster innovation and digitalisation in rural areas and rural economies.
2018/07/17
Committee: REGI
Amendment 20 #

2018/2046(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Highlights that youth unemployment remains unacceptably high in certain Member States and that the situation of young people in NEET (not in education, employment or training) situations and the long-term unemployed is particularly worrying; stresses that young people are the most at risk of poverty and social and economic exclusion; decides therefore to reinforce the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) beyond the level proposed by the Commission; stresses that such reinforcement should in no way be seen as a frontloading of the YEI allocation endorsed in the context of the MFF mid-term revision; underlines however that the YEI should be further improved and be made more efficient, notably by ensuring that it brings real European added value to youth employment policies in the Member States and does not replace the financing of former national policies;
2018/10/03
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 21 #

2018/2046(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Highlights that youth unemployment is the lowest since 2000 in the Union, but remains unacceptably high in certain Member States and that the situation of young people in NEET (not in education, employment or training) situations and the long-term unemployed is particularly worrying; stresses that young people are the most at risk of poverty and social and economic exclusion; decides therefore to reinforce the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) beyond the level proposed by the Commission; stresses that such reinforcement should in no way be seen as a frontloading of the YEI allocation endorsed in the context of the MFF mid-term revision;
2018/10/03
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 24 #

2018/2046(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Recalls that cohesion policy plays a primary role in the development and growth of the Union; emphasises Parliament’s commitment to ensuring adequate appropriations for those programmes that represent one of the core policies of the Union; welcomes the fact that more and more Member States consider that structural funds should be a tool for guaranteeing solidarity in all Union policies, in particular regarding the migration issues;
2018/10/03
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 30 #

2018/2046(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Is deeply concerned by the fact that the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) will continue to be under considerable stress in 2019, exacerbated by the use of ENI funds to finance the Syria pledge and projects under the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa; calls for these new commitments to be fully compensated by reinforcements; stresses the strategic importance of the Eastern and Southern near neighbourhood of the EU;
2018/07/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 35 #

2018/2046(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines that Heading 3 has been largely mobilized in the recent years to address the migratory and refugee crisishallenge and that such actions should continue for as long as needed; calls on the Commission to actively monitor the adequacy of allocations under Heading 3 and make full use of all available instruments to respond in a timely manner to any unforeseen event that might require additional funding in the area of migration; decides to reinforce the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund to fully cover the needs of the Union in the field of migration, notably to support Members States in improving reception conditions, integration measures and practices for migrantasylum seekers and migrants, enhancing solidarity and responsibility-sharing between the Member States and fair and effective return strategies; notes, once again, that the Heading 3 ceiling is inadequate to provide appropriate funding to the internal dimension of those priorities, as well as to other priority programmes, for example in the field of security, justice, citizenship and culture; considers that willingness of local authorities to do more than planned in their National Programme under shared management, to support the Union Resettlement Programme, should be further supported through the direct management strand of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF);
2018/10/03
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 44 #

2018/2046(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Reiterates that part of the solution to the migratory and refugee crisishallenge as well as to the security concerns of Union citizens lies in addressing the root causes of migration and devoting sufficient financial means to internal and external instruments that aim at tackling issues such as poverty, lack of employment, education and economic opportunities, instability, conflict and climate change in the European Neighbourhood and Africa ; is of the opinion that the Union should make optimal use of financial means under Heading 4 which proved to be insufficient to equally address all external challenges;
2018/10/03
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 46 #

2018/2046(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Regrets that Parliament has not been duly involved in the discussions on the extension of the Facility for Refugees in Turkey (FRT); reiterates its longstanding position that new initiatives must not be financed to the detriment of existing Union externalsuccessful Union projects; maintains, while recalling its support for the continuation of the FRT, that, given the stretched situation under Heading 4 to respond to external challenges, including migration, the Union budget should contribute to the financing of the second tranche in the same proportion as for the first one, i.e. EUR 1 billion, while the Member States should contribute EUR 2 billion to its financing;
2018/10/03
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 47 #

2018/2046(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Restores all cuts proposed by Council to the Draft Budget (DB) 2019 across all headings, with limited exceptions in Heading 4 and subheading 1b; fails to understand the reasoning behind the proposed cutsrefuses to accept the proposed cuts to programs with the highest European added value, for example those to Horizon 2020 and CEF, two programmes already affected by redeployments to EFSI, or majority of cuts to external policies; stresses that the logic behind Council’s cuts is not substantiated by the actual implementation figures and ignores the varying implementation patterns of certain programmes;
2018/10/03
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 53 #

2018/2046(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Recalls that Erasmus+ remains a highly valued and hugely popular programme promoting youth learning mobility and vocational training, as demonstrated by the volume of applications received, which by far exceeds the funding available, and notes also that it helps foster a strong sense of European identity and encouragement for young people to take part in European democracy; deeply regrets that the 2019 draft budget for Erasmus+ falls well below Parliament’s expectations, failing to go beyond the programmed figures under the current MFF; considers it therefore essential to reinforce the education and training and youth strands of Erasmus +, as a corollary to the strengthening of the Youth Employment Initiative under subheading 1b;
2018/10/03
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 55 #

2018/2046(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Welcomes the increase in commitment appropriations for confidence building, security and the prevention and settlement of conflicts in Mediterranean countries; underlines in this context the need for appropriate support of vulnerable groups, in particular (unaccompanied) children, women and victims of sexual violence in and outside armed conflict;
2018/07/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 55 #

2018/2046(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Highlights yet again the fact that SMEs are an essential part of the Union economy and play a crucial role in job creation throughout the Union; believes that there is a need to create an SME- friendly business environment, as well as to support SME clusters and networks; notes, however, with deep concern the Council cuts to the SME instrument, which send a contradictory signal to businesses in the Union; considers that the Union budget and access to finance backed by it can be a key tool in making SMEs more competitive and more innovative and in fostering the spirit of enterprise in the Union; recalls in this regard COSME and Horizon 2020;
2018/10/03
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 63 #

2018/2046(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Recalls that youth unemployment ratesWelcomes the decreasing rate of youth unemployment at Union level, with 14,8 % (1.10.2018) which is lower than before the economic crisis, but regrets that the level still remains unacceptably high in the Unioncertain Member States; emphasises that, in order to address this issue, it is of importance to ensure proper funding of the Youth Guarantee schemes through YEI and the European Social Fund (ESF); welcomes the agreement on the need to provide fresh funding for YEI, and the inclusion of the corresponding appropriations in the DB 2019; considers nevertheless that, given the challenges and risks posed by youth unemployment, YEI should benefit from increased appropriations and therefore decides to bring YEI to EUR 580 million in commitments in 2019; considers that this increase is in addition to the amount for YEI currently programmed for the 2014- 2020 period;
2018/10/03
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 88 #

2018/2046(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
35. Points out the essential role played by the Union agencies in the area of justice and home affairs in enhancing cooperation between Member States to address the concerns of Union citizens; decides to increase budgetary appropriations and staffing of European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (EUROPOL), European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL), European Union Agency for the operational management of Large-Scale IT Systems (eu- LISA), European Union’s Judicial Cooperation Unit (Eurojust) and for the new European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO);
2018/10/03
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 119 #

2018/2046(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53
53. In the context of the challenges the Union is still facing in terms of security, and bearing in mind the necessity for a coordinated European response, decides to reinforce the appropriations for the EUROPOL, EU-LISA, CEPOL, EUROJUST, EPPO, and the European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA);
2018/10/03
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 163 #

2018/2046(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 79 a (new)
79 a. Reiterates Parliament’s support to the Strategic Communication Capacity and reinforces it to deliver a stronger coordinated EU response to the challenge of disinformation;
2018/10/03
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 2 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
- having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to the UN Human Rights Conventions and the optional protocols thereto,
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
- having regard to the resolution (A/RES/65/276) of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on the participation of the European Union in the work of the United Nations, which grants the EU the right to intervene in the UN General Assembly, to present proposals and amendments orally which will be put to a vote at the request of a Member State, and to exercise the right to reply,
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 12 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
- having regard to the key principles enshrined in the Global Strategy for the EU’s Foreign and Security Policy of June 2016, particularly those pertaining to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of state borders which are equally respected by all participating states,
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 13 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 b (new)
- having regard to its Annual report on the implementation of CFSP of 13 December 2017,
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 17 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the EU remains fully committed to multilateralism, good global governance and the promotion of UN core values as an integral part of the EU’s external policy;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 31 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the EU and its Member States remain collectively the single largest financial contributor to the UN, with the primary aims of eradicating poverty, promoting long-term peace and stability, combating social inequalities, and providing humanitarian assistance to populations, countries and regions that are confronted with all types of crises, whether natural or human-made;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 33 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states, the inviolability of borders and the peaceful settlement of disputes are key elements of European security order, and these principles apply to all states, both within and beyond the EU’s borders;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 46 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E d (new)
Ed. whereas the EU is one of the most dedicated defenders and promoters of human rights, fundamental freedoms, cultural values and diversity, democracy and the rule of law;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 51 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to actively support the UN Secretary-General’s (UNSG) three pillar reform agenda; to support the streamlining of the peace and security structure, which needs to become more efficient, focused and operational with power divided in a more balanced way and with more effective diversity in the regional representation at all its bodies;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 78 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
(f) to redouble efforts to reform the UNSC in particular, notably though a limitation of the use of the right to veto in cases where there is evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity, and a change in the composition of its membership to better reflect today’s world, inter alia through a permanent seat for the European Union;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 95 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
(g) to call on the EU and the UN to play complementary and reinforcing roles every time peace and security are threatened; to initiate structured political cooperation between the EU and the UN; to push for stronger multilateral commitments to find lasting sustainable political and peaceful solutions to current conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 98 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
(ga) to continue to support UN special envoys’ work, actions and initiatives aimed at solving these conflicts;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 103 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g c (new)
(gc) to further strengthen the oversight and accountability mechanisms regarding the United Nations peacekeeping operations;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 119 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i b (new)
(ib) to further strengthen the role of R2P as an important principle in UN Member States' work on conflict resolution, human rights and development; to promote a broad definition of the human security concept and the R2P principle;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 127 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i h (new)
(ih) to support actions strengthening the resilience of communities targeted by extremist propaganda and vulnerable to radicalisation, including by addressing the economic, social, cultural, and political causes which lead to it;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 129 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i i (new)
(ii) to reiterate its unequivocal condemnation of terrorism and its full support for actions aimed at defeating and eradicating terrorist organisations, which pose a clear threat to regional and international security;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 131 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i j (new)
(ij) to support efforts deployed by the UN to find a sustainable resolution to the conflict in Syria and to continue to back the EU’s role in the humanitarian field;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 132 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i k (new)
(i k) to urge the international community to do whatever is in their power in order to strongly condemn those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Syrian conflict; to support the UNSG’s call for the establishment of a new impartial and independent panel to determine perpetrators of chemical attacks in Syria, as the absence of such a body increases the risks of a military escalation;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 134 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i l (new)
(i l) to support the UN peace plan initiative in Yemen and to tackle the ongoing humanitarian crisis as a matter of urgency; to call on all parties to respect the human rights and freedoms of all Yemeni citizens, and to stress the need of negotiated political settlement through inclusive intra-Yemeni dialogue;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 142 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i s (new)
(i s) to continue to call for the full respect of the sovereignty, internationally recognised borders and the territorial integrity of countries, including Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova, in light of the violations of international law in these areas; to urge the international community to implement fully the policy of non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 143 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i t (new)
(i t) to continue to call for the full respect of internationally recognised borders and the territorial integrity of Ukraine and all other Eastern European countries in light of the violations of international law in these areas; to support and reinvigorate diplomatic efforts for a peaceful and sustainable settlement of these ongoing and protracted conflicts;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 155 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j d (new)
(jd) to continue to promote equality and non-discrimination between women and men, and to actively promote the support of further actions against violation of LGBTI rights;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 160 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k
(k) to recall that sexual violence such as rape is used as a tactic of war and constitutes a war crime; to ensure safe medical assistance for cases of war rape; to call for strengthened protection of women and girls in conflict situations, especially as regards sexual violence; to urge all UN Member States to make all necessary financial and human resources available to assist the population in conflict areas;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 165 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
(ka) to support and strengthen international efforts through the UN to end the use of children in armed conflicts;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 169 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k d (new)
(kd) to call for the strengthening of child protection systems and to support concrete measures in the best interests of the child refugees and migrants, based on the Convention on the Rights of the Child;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 200 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r a (new)
(ra) to strongly condemn the widespread human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law; to call for greater protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in every dimension of their expression, including in the context of new technologies;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 227 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point t a (new)
(ta) to strengthen the role of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the international criminal justice system in order to promote accountability and to end impunity; to call on all UN Member States to join the ICC by ratifying the Rome Statute and to encourage the ratification of the Kampala amendments; to provide the ICC with strong diplomatic, political and financial support; to call on those withdrawing from the ICC to reverse their decisions;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 240 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point u b (new)
(ub) to recall the obligation of the General Assembly, when electing the membership of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), to take into account the respect of candidates for the promotion and protection of human rights, the rule of law and democracy; to call for the establishment of clear human rights performance-based criteria for membership of the UNHRC;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 262 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v
(v) to fully support the UN-led efforts to negotiate two Global Compacts for Migration and on Refugees based on the September 2016 New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants; to recall that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), contained in the UN 2030 Agenda, recognise that planned and well-managed migration policies can help achieve sustainable development and inclusive growth, as well as reduce inequality within and between states;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 270 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point x
(x) to ensure that human rights are put at the core of the Global CompactsGlobal Compacts are people-centred and human rights-based, and provide long-term, sustainable and comprehensive measures, for the benefit of all parties involved; to pay specific attention to migrants in situations of vulnerability, such as children, women at risk, victims of human trafficking or persons with disabilities;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 278 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point x a (new)
(xa) to call for a strengthening of the child protection systems and to support concrete measures in the best interests of the child refugees and migrants, based on the Convention on the Rights of the Child;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 283 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point y a (new)
(ya) to assist Eastern Partnership countries in dealing with problems that they have been facing as a result of massive forced internal displacement from conflict areas, and to act resolutely for the protection and restoration of the rights of displaced people, including their rights to return, property rights and the right to personal security;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 286 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point y b (new)
(yb) to reiterate its serious concern that hundreds of thousands of IDPs and refugees who fled their native lands in connection with protracted conflicts remain displaced and to reaffirm the right of all IDPs and refugees to return to their places of origin in safety and dignity;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 305 #

2018/2040(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point z
(z) to reaffirm the EU’s commitment to (z) the Paris Agreement and to stress the need to implement the Paris Agreement globally to preserve our habitat for future generations; to work towards more effective action for environmental sustainability, notably in the fight against climate change by promoting international measures and actions to preserve and improve the quality of the environment and the sustainable management of natural resources;
2018/05/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B
B. whereas it is necessary to ensure support for genuine farmers, and to give priority to small farms while ensuring the fair distribution of support between farms of different sizes; whereas it is essential to ensure a fair standard of living across regions and Member States and to secure agricultural production in all parts of the EU, including areas of natural constraints;
2018/04/09
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 10 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the EU is both the world’s largest importer and exporter of agri-food products; at the same time the options of using CAP rural development programmes (RDPs) to contribute towards insurance, mutual funds and income stabilisation schemes for farmers have not been implemented widely;
2018/04/09
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 11 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B b (new)
B b. whereas there is a gap between income in agricultural sector and those in other sectors of the economy and additionally agricultural income is highly volatile; there is a risk of land being abandoned in areas with natural constraints; there should be sufficient investment into farm restructuring, modernization, innovation, diversification and the uptake of new technologies;
2018/04/09
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 41 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Draws attention toWelcomes the intention to simplify and modernise the CAP, but; calls on the Commission to ensure that financial and performance control and audit functions are performed tounder the same standards and under the same criteria across all Member Statcross all Member States while fully respecting the principles of subsidiarity and flexibility; stresses that the Member States need to be given adequate competence to decide on the content, monitoring, control and sanctions of the support schemes applicable in their territories;
2018/04/09
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 71 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. SUnderlines that agreeing on applying a sound definition of EU value added would benefit public debate and decision-making on future EU spending; supports the move towards increased efficiency of farming and EU added value.
2018/04/09
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 76 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Stresses the need to continue the financing for rural development measures; endorses in this context the principles of LEADER-method as it is fostering innovations, partnership and networking in rural areas;
2018/04/09
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 78 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Calls for increased support for family farms and young farmers;
2018/04/09
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 79 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Calls for better synergies between CAP and other EU policies, in particular regarding energy, water supply, land use, biodiversity and ecosystems, and the development of remote and mountainous areas;
2018/04/09
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 82 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4 c. Urges the Commission and the Member States to monitor the significant price volatility of agricultural products and encourage the uptake of ‘risk management’ tools as they help to protect farmers’ incomes;
2018/04/09
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 83 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 d (new)
4 d. Calls for measures to further increase the competitiveness of food production sector, introduction of new technologies and increased productivity thus thereby strengthening the EU's leading role in the world.
2018/04/09
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 161 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas it is essential to ensure a level playing field for farmers in all Member States, fair standard of living across regions and Member States, affordable prices for citizens and consumers, and access to quality food and healthy diets, while delivering on the commitments for environmental care, climate action, and animal and plant health and welfare;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 183 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas there is a need for an updated and fairer system of payments, as in many Member States the currentthe system of entitlements is based in many Member States on historic benchmarksreferences, which are now almostnearly 20 years old and which constituteserve as an obstacle to generational renewal and hindeaccess for young farmers’ access to farm land, as given the fact that new entrants do not possess entitlements and are thus at a disadvantaged;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 365 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the intention to simplify and modernise the CAP, but emphasisunderlines that the integrity of the sSingle mMarket and a truly common and adequately financed by the EU policy must be the overriding priorities of reform;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 415 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that subsidiarity for Member States should only be granted within a common general set of rules and tools agreed at EU level as part of a uniform approach to all programming efforts and eligibility criteria, should cover both of the CAP’s pillars and ensure, in particular, a European approach in Pillar I without national co-financing and thus a level playing field;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 499 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission to avoid renationalisation of CAP and grant more flexibility to Member States and regions within the framework of the agricultural de minimis rules ;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 535 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Considers it necessary to maintain the current two-pillared architecture, particularly Pillar I, which is dedicated to income support for farmers; considers it necessary, at the same time, to compensate for the provision of public goods on the basis of uniformgeneral criteria, while allowing Member States to take specific approaches to reflect local conditions;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 553 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Considers that the current CAP architecture can only deliver its objectives if sufficiently funded; calls, therefore, for the CAP budget to be maintained in the nextonly if it remains a common, modern and well- funded EU policy which supports sustainable development of agriculture and is crucial for providing safe, high quality and diverse food, jobs and growth in rural areas; which contributes to further levelling of developmental gaps in agriculture and rural areas and which reflects social and economic cohesion in its financial and programming dimension as well as proposed instruments and thus calls for maintaining the CAP budget in the post-2020 MFF at at least athe current levels in order to achieve the ambitions of a revised and efficient CAP beyondafter 2020;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 619 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Believes that more targeted support for family farms is necessary and that this can be achieved by introducing a compulsory higher support rate for small farms; considers, moreover, that and, at the same time and reflecting economies of scale considering different agricultural structures, support for larger farms should be digressive, reflecting economies of scale, with the possibility for capping to be decided by the Member States;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 673 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Calls forStresses that the existing system for calculating direct payments in Pillar I, which is often based on historic entitlements, to and not most recent data, should be replaced by an EU-wide uniform method of calculating payments, in order to based on support paid per hectare, in order to ensure a level playing field for farmers in all Member States and make the system simpler and more transparent;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 708 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Is certain that both the Basic Payment Scheme(BPS) and the Single Area Payment Scheme (SAPS) should continue to apply and all Member States should be allowed to choose between them;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 740 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses the need for a fair and equal distribution of direct payments between Member States, which must take into account socio-economic differences, different production costs and the amounts received by Member States under Pillar II;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 761 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls to complete the process of full convergence of direct payments between Member States as of 2021;
2018/03/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 764 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Underlines that all EU farmers have to meet the same standards and requirements and are facing the same challenges;
2018/03/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 780 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Believes that, provided that a level playing field in the single market can be guaranteed, voluntary coupled support (VCS) payments should be maintained, and used as a tool to address needs of sensitive sectors and in a wider scope to address specific objectives related to environment, climate or quality and marketing of agricultural products, counteract specific difficulties, particularly those arising from the structural competitive disadvantage of less- favoured and mountainous regions, as well as those which are more temporary in nature and arise from a shift away from the old entitlement scheme, for example;
2018/03/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 795 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. In case of direct payments related to voluntary coupled support (VCS), more support should be given to small and medium-sized farms, and socio-economic considerations, that could be used in addition to statistical production figures, need to be taken into account;
2018/03/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 822 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Recalls that generational renewal is a challenge faced by farmers in many Member States and that consequently each nNational sStrategy must therefore address this issue through a comprehensive approach, including top-ups in Pillar I1 and targeted measures in Pillar II, as well as by means of new financial instruments and national measures, in ordernd also via national measures and wider use of new financial instruments as a tool to grant access to capital in the circumstances of limited resources, to incentivise famers to pass on their farming operations;
2018/03/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 857 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Recalls that the investment support(non-repayable) should primarily be used in areas of EU-level added value;
2018/03/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 878 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Underlines the importance of rural development, including the LEADER initiative, in, to improve the synergy of different policies and to enhance competitiveness, promotes effective and sustainable economies and enhances development of rural areas, to supporting multi-functional agriculture and in fostering additional entrepreneurial activities and opportunities, in order to generate income from agri-tourism, and to secure community-supported agricultureby financially strengthening Pillar II, thus increasing potential to generate income, to tackle depopulation, unemployment, poverty and theo provision of social services in rural areasmote social inclusion;
2018/03/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 940 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the Commission to introduce a new and comprehensive legal framework which allows the integration of the various types of environmental actions at present, such as cross compliance, greening and the good agricultural and environmental conditions (GAEC) standards, as well as agri-environment measures (AEMs) for rural development, so that farmers can deliver effectively and with less bureaucracy on environmental care, biodiversity and climate action, receiving equal awards for provision of comparable services of public interest, while ensuring that Member States have adequate control and taking into account local conditions;
2018/03/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1165 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Insists on the necessity tof strengthening the position of the producers within the food supply chain, in particular by guaranteeing them a fair share of the added value, by fostering inter-sectoral cooperation, and strengthencombating unfair trade practices (UTPs) in the food supply chain as a minimum by introducing EU legislative document as well as promoting transparency in the markets and crisis preventiontackling crises;
2018/03/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1207 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Calls on the Commission to allow and indeed encourage – particularly in the dairy sector –Underlines the importance of new Omnibus regulation to encourage active crisis management instruments, such as voluntary sector agreements to manage supply in quantitative terms among producers, producers organisations and processors, and to examine the possibility of extending such instruments to other sectors;
2018/03/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1252 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Believes that the compliance of farming in partner states with good and sustainable farming practices, climate measures and other means to minimise environmental impact of farming, which are applied in the EU, shall become an obligatory threshold for allowing access of goods manufactured in the third states to enter the EU market;
2018/03/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 12 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the proposed reinforcements to Horizon 2020, the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), Erasmus+ and programmes contributing to increase the security of EU citizens; points, however, to the need to further reinforce support for SMEs, which are key to enabling economic growth and job creation, and to dedicated appropriate resources to the digitalisation of the EU industry and the promotion of digital skills and digital entrepreneurship, as well as for programmes supportive to young people, namely ErasmusPro; recalls its conviction that the 2019 Erasmus+ budget needs to be at least doubled in 2019;
2018/06/20
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 20 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Commends the role of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) in reducing the investment gap in the EU; reiterates its longstanding position that any new initiatives within the MFF must be financed by new appropriations and not to the detriment of the existing programmes; reiterates also that the cuts made to Horizon 2020 and CEF to finance the extension of EFSI should be reversed in the 2019 budgetits commitment to reinforce Horizon 2020 and CEF after the cuts made to the programs to finance the extension of EFSI;
2018/06/20
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 32 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Remains committed to the fight against unemployment and against youth unemployment in particular; believes in this respect that the YEI should be further strengthened, in spite of the complexities involved in reprogramming YEI and ESF programmes in case of modifications of the YEI envelope; stresses that the YEI funding should complement national and not to replace Member States' own policies and funding to fight youth unemployment; recalls that ECA Special Report No 5/2017 states that there is a risk that EU funding is replacing national funding in the sector rather than creating added value; calls for close monitoring of the performance and European added value of the YEI funding;
2018/06/20
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 33 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Remains committed to the fight against unemployment and against youth unemployment in particular; believes in this respect that the YEI should be further strengthened, in spite of the complexities involved in reprogramming YEI and ESF programmes in case of modifications of the YEI envelope; emphasises the fact that both vocational training and apprenticeship constitute efficient practices to tackle youth unemployment; recommends, therefore, the creation of a specific programme to encourage Europe’s most important investment for the future - our youth; stresses that the mobility through Erasmus Pro strongly stimulates benchmarking to implement the best practices;
2018/06/20
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 35 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses that in 2019, cohesion policy programmes will be at cruising speed, and emphasises Parliament’s commitment to ensuring adequate appropriations for these programmes; welcomeregrets the fact that almost allsome of the managing authorities for the 2014-2020 programmes have still nowt been designated ; asks the Commission to analyse the reasons for the delays and, if it results from procedural difficulties, to review the whole designation procedure; points out that the unacceptable delays in the implementation of operational programmes have been to a large extent due to the late designation of those authorities; calls on the Member States to ensure that the implementation of the programmes is accelerated so as to catch up with the delays, and to seek the Commission’s assistance in this respect;
2018/06/20
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 38 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Takes note of reports on cohesion policy in the Union, that reoccuringly points out shortcomings in efficiency and results;
2018/06/20
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 39 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. CommendsTake notes of the fact that the Commission proposal would enable reaching the target of 20 % of the budget being dedicated to climate spending in 2019; regrets, however. that the Commission has not followed up on Parliament’s request regarding offsetting the lower allocations made during the first years of the MFF; considers this proposal to be insufficient since by allocating only 20% of the budget to climate protection in 2020, the target of 20% for the whole period 2014-2020 will not be achieved; regrets that the Commission has not been able to present draft budgets that are aligned with the commitments and targets set by the Union in this field; believes that more should be done through the development of an action plan within programmes with massive potential, as for example under Horizon 2020, CF, ESF , EAGF, EAFRD, EMFF or LIFE+;
2018/06/20
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 45 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. AgreBelieves that migrationensuring the security of its citizens and addressing the migration challenges remains a top Union priorityies in 2019; deems it crucial to maintain spending in thisese areas at a high and stable level;
2018/06/20
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 47 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Agrees that migration remains a top Union priority in 2019; deems it crucial to maintain spending in this area at a high and stable levellevel that is adequate to respond to the needs;
2018/06/20
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 58 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. DisapprovesTakes note of the Commission’s proposal for the funding of the second tranche of the Facility for Refugees in Turkey (FRT); supports the continuation of the FRT, but maintains that, as also proposed by the Commission on 14 March 20186 , the EU budget should contribute to its financing to the sum of EUR 1 billion, with Member States contributing EUR 2 billion by means of bilateral contributions, in order to leave sufficient margins under the MFF special instruments for unforeseen events in the last two years of the current MFF, as well as the financing of other priorities; also maintains that as the FRT has been a new initiative within this MFF, it should be funded by fresh appropriations; _________________ 6 OJ C 106, 21.3.2018, p. 4. OJ C 106, 21.3.2018, p. 4.
2018/06/20
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 64 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Stresses that Erasmus+ remains the leading programme to foster youth mobility at all levels of education and vocational training and to encourage young people to take part in European democracy; recalls that administrative efforts need to be done to increase access to Erasmus+ and that the volume of eligible applications is by far exceeding the current budget ; believes, therefore, that the envelope of Erasmus+ should at least be doubled in 2019 to meet the eligible demand for this programme, notably that linked to lifelong learning;
2018/06/20
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 65 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17 b. Recalls the crucial role of SMEs as an important driver of EU’s employment, economic growth and competitiveness, and underscores that their adequate funding must remain one of the top priorities of the EU budget; reminds that the EU programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (COSME)is a successful programme, which have far more applicants than recipients of funding; regrets, in this respect, that the proposed allocation in commitments for COSME is not higher than 2.3 % in comparison with the 2018 budget and that the proposed allocation in payments is 0.6% lower in comparison with the 2018budget; calls, therefore, for COSME appropriations and payments to be reinforce in 2019, given the success of this programme;
2018/06/20
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 68 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Welcomes the amount of EUR 500 million allocated to the EDIDP for the years 2019 and 2020; takes note that, according to the European Parliamentary Research Service estimates, the lack of cooperation between national industries in this field costs to the EU EUR 10 billion per year; considers that defence is a clear example of how a greater effectiveness could be achieved by transferring some competences and actions currently performed by the Member States and the corresponding appropriations to the EU; emphasises that this would result in the demonstration of the European added value and allow to limit the overall burden of public expenditure in the EU;
2018/06/20
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 70 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Welcomes the fact that the implementation of the 2014-2020 programmes is reaching full speed, and reiterates that any ‘abnormal’ buildup of unpaid bills must be avoided in the future; also welcomeregrets the fact that the great majoritysome of the national managing authorities have still nowt been designated ; asks the Commission to analyse the reasons for the delays and, if it results from procedural difficulties, to review the whole designation procedure; calls on the Commission and the Member States to resolve any outstanding issues in order for the implementation to proceed smoothly;
2018/06/20
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 73 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Notes that some measures related to the Russian ban and included in the 2018 budget will not be extended (e.g. for fruit and vegetables where the market situation is still difficult), while market difficulties can still be found in the dairy sector; awaits the Commission’s letter of amendment, expected in October, which should be based on updated information on EAGF funding in order to verify the real needs in the agricultural sector; underlines that cases where market intervention is needed under the EAGF remain limited and represent only a relatively small part of the EAGF (around 5.9 %);
2018/06/20
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 76 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Notes that a total of EUR 3 728.5 million in commitment appropriations is proposed for Heading 3, which represents a 6.7 % increase over 2018, and that the total for payment appropriations is EUR 3 486.4 million, i.e. a 17 % increase over last year’s proposals; underlines, however, that these increases follow years of declining funding levels and that overall funding for different key areas such as migration, border management or internal security still represents only 2.3 % of total proposed EU spending in 2019; questions the proposed EUR 281.2 million in commitments for supporting legal migration to the Union and promoting the effective integration of third-country nationals and enhancing fair and effective return strategies, which represents a 14.4 %decrease over 2018 ; calls on the Commission to provide further explanations as to the reasons for this cut;
2018/06/20
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 79 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Expects the pressure on some Member States’ migration and asylum systems, as well as on their borders, to remain high in 2019, and urges the Union to remain vigilant regarding any future, unpredictable needs in these areas; calls in this regard for a reinforcement of the means of control at the external borders and reaffirms that tackling the root causes of the migration and refugee crisis represents a long-term sustainable solution, along with stabilisation of the EU’s neighbourhoods, and that investments in the countries of origin of migrants and refugees are key to achieving this objective ;
2018/06/20
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 81 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
32. Notes that the instrument allowing the provision of emergency humanitarian support within the Union will expire in March 2019; invites the Commission, against the backdrop of persisting humanitarian needs of refugees and asylum seekers in certain Member States, to assess whether a reactivation and replenishment of this instrument would be appropriate; highlights the need for greater solidarity towards those countries in which arrivals and asylum seekers are concentrated; underlines, in the meantime, the importance of the continued availability of funding through the emergency assistance mechanisms under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF):
2018/06/20
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 83 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32 a. Takes note of the fact that, in its financial programming for the year 2019, the Commission grants EUR 175 million of financial aid for Greece: considers this aid appropriate in the light of the situation in that country and in any case does not relieve this aid in question; considers, however, that financial support should also be granted to Italy and questions the lack of such support in the Commission's programming; calls therefore on the Commission to state the reasons which led it to take such a decision; recalls that Italy is the only country where a majority of its population considers that they have not benefited from membership of the European Union;
2018/06/20
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 89 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
33. Believes that in the context of a wide range of security concerns, including changing forms of radicalisation, violence and terrorism that surpass individual Member States’ capacity to respond, the EU budget should encourage cooperation on security-related matters; in this context, questions how this high-risk security context is reconcilable with the proposed significant decrease of commitment appropriations (-26,6 %) for the Internal Security Fund (ISF); regrets that the Commission has still not presented a proposal which would provide for the expression of financial solidarity at EU level to victims of acts of terrorism and their families; recalls the commitments made by the Commission in this respect during the conciliation on the 2018 budget and calls on the Commission to do the necessary to ensure that such aid is put in place rapidly;
2018/06/20
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 99 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
39. Welcomes the increased support for regional actions in the Western Balkans; is, however, of the opinion that support for political reforms should be further stepped up; noteregrets the increased support for political reforms in Turkey (IPA II), which is to be primari and questions its alignment to the budgetary authority’s decision to reduce the appropriations on this line for the current budgetary year; reiterates its position in which it called for funds destined for the Turkish authorities under the IPAII to be made conditional on improvements in the field of human rights, democracy and the rule of law; calls for the appropriations on this line, pending such improvements and being aware of the limited space for manoeuvre, to be entirely redirected to civil society actors with a view to implementing measures supportive of the objectives relating to the rule of law, democracy, human rights and media freedoms; supports the overall downward trend for political reforms in the allocations for Turkey;
2018/06/20
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 100 #

2018/2024(BUD)

41 a. Reiterates its support for adequate financial means to the EU strategic communication, aimed at tackling disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks, as well as the promotion of an objective image of the union outside its borders;
2018/06/20
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 107 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
45. Stresses the importance of pilot projects (PP) and preparatory actions (PA) as tools for the formulation of political priorities and the introduction of new initiatives that might turn into standing EU activities and programmes; intends to proceed with the identification of a balanced package of PP-PAs, reflecting the political priorities of Parliament; calls for and taking into account a proper and timely technical pre- assessment of its proposals submitted toby the Commission; notes that in the current proposal, the margin in some headings is limited, or even non-existent, and intends to explore ways to make room for possible PP-PAs without decreasing other political priorities;
2018/06/20
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 116 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47
47. Reiterates its position that the 5 % staff reduction target has been successfully reached and underlines that in the light of the Court of Auditors’ rapid case review, there isis practice did not need to continue this policycessarily meet the expected results; believes that the decentralised agencies need to be assessed using a case-by-case approach; welcomes the endorsement by all institutions of the recommendations of the Interinstitutional Working Group;
2018/06/20
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 4 #

2018/2018(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas Chile is a strong advocate of democracy and human rights, free and open trade and multilateralism; whereas it is also a key member of the Pacific Alliance, the Organisation of American States (OAS), and the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR); taking into account that Chile is a high income country and OECD member;
2018/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2018/2018(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas Chile has been a major player in regional affairs, for example as a guarantor country in the Colombian peace process and the Santo Domingo talks between the Venezuelan Government and opposition; whereas Chile decided to suspend indefinitely its participation in the Santo Domingo talks as the minimum conditions for a democratic presidential election and an institutional normalization were not reached;
2018/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2018/2018(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas the recent parliamentary and presidential elections have once again demonstrated the stable and mature character of Chilean democracy; whereas Chile has benefited from strong economic growth in recent decades; whereas Chile is one of South America’s fastest-growing economies in recent decades, and reform efforts in the country are still ongoing;
2018/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 13 #

2018/2018(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas the existing Association Agreement has been instrumental in deepening EU-Chile political relations and substantially increasing trade and investment flows; whereas continued respect to the rule of law and to a stable legal and political framework enables both Chile and the EU to exercise a free enterprise and adequate investment environment that include safeguards to the principle of legal certainty;
2018/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 17 #

2018/2018(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I
I. whereas an updated Association Agreement, together with the agreements with Mexico and Mercosur that are currently being (re-)negotiated, would reinforce the EU’s role as a key ally of Latin America, at a time when other players are increasingly trying to gain influence in the region, such as China and Russia;
2018/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 20 #

2018/2018(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
a) to considerably strengthen cooperation between Chile and the EU, two like-minded partners in an environment of new uncertainty in international relations, on the basis of our shared values and principles of democracy, the rule of law, good governance, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;
2018/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2018/2018(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
a) to considerably strengthen cooperation between Chile and the EU, two like-minded partners in an environment of new uncertainty in international relations, on the basis of our shared values and principles of democracy, the rule of law, good governance, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; welcomes the regular dialogue between the EU and Chile on human rights, notably the successful VIII Dialogue of 13 December 2017, and encourages both parties to continue to address it in a multilateral cooperation, strengthening the institutional framework and public policies to promote human rights;
2018/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 26 #

2018/2018(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c
c) to put shared values at the core of the modernisation process and to continue the practice of including a human rights clause, as it is done in all AAs; to include a joint commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights, fundamental freedoms, gender equality, and the rights of minorities such as the LGBTI community, ethnic minorities and indigenous people;
2018/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 29 #

2018/2018(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c
c) to include a joint commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights, fundamental freedoms, gender equality, and the rights of minorities such as the LGBTI community, ethnic minorities and indigenous people; to include the promotion of sustainable development;
2018/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 38 #

2018/2018(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e
e) to strengthen dialogue and cooperation on regional and global challenges, such as organised crime, migration, terrorism and climate change, including the implementation of Agenda 2030 for sustainable development;
2018/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 40 #

2018/2018(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
ea) to recall the importance of the multilateral agenda and that any bilateral negotiation must not undermine the ambition to achieve progress multilaterally;
2018/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 43 #

2018/2018(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
g) to encourage Chile to continue supporting regional integration and cooperation schemes, most importantly the Pacific Alliance taking into consideration its encouraging results as a real and active driver of economic integration between the members of the region, as well as, UNASUR, and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC); to examine the possibility of the EU gaining an observer status in the Pacific Alliance;
2018/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 44 #

2018/2018(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
ga) to create innovative mechanisms that broaden and strengthen triangular cooperation which Chile and the EU has undertaken in Central America and in the Caribbean;
2018/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 51 #

2018/2018(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k
k) to enhance cooperation on the fight against corruption, money laundering and tax evasion; to promote international effortsinclude provisions on tax good governance and transparency standards that reaffirm the parties’ commitment to implementing international standards in the fight against tax avoidance and tax evasion;
2018/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 53 #

2018/2018(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
ka) to recall that corruption undermines human rights, equality, social justice, trade and fair competition, impeding economic growth; to include specific sections outlining clear and strong commitments and measures to combat corruption in all its forms and to implement international standards and multilateral anti-corruption conventions;
2018/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 67 #

2018/2018(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q
q) to ensure the appropriate involvement of civil society both during the negotiations and in the implementation phase of the Association Agreement, including but not limited to the Joint Consultative Committee; stresses the need to establish an institutionalized mechanism for political dialogue of civil society organizations in both regions;
2018/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 69 #

2018/2018(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point t
t) to delaensure that any provisional application of the new agreement until Parliament has given itsshould be subject to the Parliament giving its prior consent;
2018/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 24 #

2018/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the Libyan Political Agreement and the UN Action Plan for Libya constitute the only viableoffer a framework for a solution to the crisis;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 29 #

2018/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas Libya has become a transit country for human trafficking; whereas Libya continues to host hundreds of thousands of migrants and asylum seekers of different nationalities, many of whom are living in tragic conditions and thus constitute a target for smugglers; whereas there have been allegations of slavery in Libya;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 106 #

2018/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
(ga) calls on the EU to assist Libya in reforming its justice system, as well as other fields crucial for democratic governance;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 145 #

2018/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k
(k) to investigate thoroughly the allegations about abuses and inhuman treatment of migrants and refugees in Libya by criminal groups; to devise initiatives to prevent any such incidents from occurring in the future and to close as soon as possible those facilities which are found not to be in line with international standards; to ensure that migrants are treated in a manner accordant with the relevant international human rights instruments and to allocate the necessary funding from the EU budget; to ensure that the EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) in Libya is actively contributing to developing the capacities of the Libyan authorities, notably the Libyan Coast Guard, in line with the highest standards of international law;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 164 #

2018/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l a (new)
(la) expresses its concern of the growing presence of Daesh in Libya, which is destabilising the country and threatening the neighbouring countries as well as the EU;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2018/2012(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that Sweden argues that the redundancies are linked to major structural changes in world trade patterns due to globalisation, more particularly to the negative growth in the hardware-centric business line of the telecom industry for Ericsson in Sweden, because of global competition; points out that Ericsson has gradually been cutting staff in Sweden, but in the meantime been growing tremendously worldwide;
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 9 #

2018/2012(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Is aware that there is a hugeigh demand for people with skills in IT across the different regions, while there is a skills mismatch from those dismissed by Ericsson and labour market requirements; acknowledges that many people with the same skills are being made redundant at the same time, in the same geographical areas;
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 1 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 a (new)
- having regard to Directive (EU) 2016/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 2016 concerning measures for a high common level of security of network and information systems across the Union,
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 b (new)
- having regard to the work of the Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace,
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 6 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)
- having regard to the Commission's Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on ENISA, the "EU Cybersecurity Agency", and repealing Regulation (EU) 526/2013, and on Information and Communication Technology cybersecurity certification (''Cybersecurity Act'') of 13 September 2017,
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 22 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas cyber defence is of importance for the military, but more generally it is important for governments, industries, consumers and citizens as cyber incidents have a strong economic and societal impact;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 33 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas several Member States have invested substantially in setting up well-staffed cyber commands to meet these new challenges and improve cyber resilience; whereas cyber defence is an activity that can best be tackled cooperatively as its operational domain recognises neither national nor organisational boundaries;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 34 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas several Member States have invested substantially in setting up well-staffed cyber commands to meet these new challenges; whereas cyber defence is an activity that can best be tackled cooperatively as its operational domain recognises neither national nor organisational boundaries; whereas the majority of knowledge about operating and securing data systems, software and networks is overwhelmingly in the hands of private companies, which creates fundamental governance and security questions about the ability of states to defend their citizens;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 37 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas several Member States have invested substantially in setting up well-staffed cyber commands to meet these new challenges; however much more needs to be done; whereas cyber defence is an activity that can best be tackled cooperatively as its operational domain recognises neither national nor organisational boundaries;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 49 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas while cyber defence remains a core competence of the Member States, the EU has a vital role to play in ensuring that these new endeavours are closely coordinated from the start to avoid the inefficiencies that mark many traditional defence efforts; whereas a substantial cyber defence capability is a necessary part of the development of the European Defence Union; whereas the protection of our network and information security is a core competence of the European Union and should be an essential part of the European Digital Single Market;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 52 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the EU has contributed in improving Member States cyber defence capabilities, both through dual-use research and, projects coordinated by the European Defence Agency (EDA) and in improving Member States cyber resilience, through support provided by the EU Cyber Security Agency (ENISA);
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 59 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas among the seventeen projects selected for PESCO, two projects are in the field of cyber defence;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 65 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas the European Defence Fund (EDF) needs to support the global competitiveness and innovativeness of the European defence industry by investing in digital and cyber technologies as well as provide opportunities for SMEs and start- up companies to participate in order to facilitate development of smart solutions;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 66 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas the EDA has launched a number of projects to meet Member States’ need for cyber defence capability development, including on education and training such as the Cyber Defence Training & Exercises Coordination Platform (CD TEXP), Demand Pooling for Cyber Defence Training and Exercise support by the private sector (DePoCyTE) and the Cyber Ranges project;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 68 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas there are other ongoing EU projects in the area of situational awareness, malware detection and information sharing (Malware Information Sharing Platform (MISP), Multi-Agent System For Advanced persistent threat Detection (MASFAD));
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 73 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J
J. whereas the EU and NATO have agreed to a broad agenda of cooperation in the EU-NATO Joint Declaration of 8 July 2016; whereas four out of forty two proposals for closer cooperation concern cyber security and defence, with further proposals aiming at hybrid threats more broadly; whereas this has been complemented by a further proposal regarding cyber security and defence on 5 December 2017;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 75 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas CSDP missions and operations like all modern organisations are deeply reliant on functioning IT systems; whereas cyber threats to CSDP missions and operations can exist at different layers ranging from the tactical layer (CSDP mission and operation) and operational layer (EU networks), to a broader global IT infrastructure;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 84 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital M
M. whereas the UN Group of Governmental Experts on Information Security (UNGGE) has concluded its last round of deliberation; whereas even though it failed to arrive at a consensus report this timein 2017, the 2015 and 2013 agreements still apply, in that international law, in particular the Charter of the United Nations, is applicable and essential to maintaining peace and stability, and to promoting an open, secure, peaceful and accessible cyberspace; whereas the European Union should actively engage in norm-setting initiatives that promote responsible state behaviour in cyberspace outside the UN when the UN GGE process is dormant;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 85 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital M
M. whereas the UN Group of Governmental Experts on Information Security (UNGGE) has concluded its last round of deliberation; whereas even though it faiwas not abled to arrive atproduce a consensus report this time, the 2015 and 2013 agreements still apply, including that international law, and in particular the Charter of the United Nations, is applicable and is essential to maintaining peace and stability, and to promoting an open, secure, peaceful and accessible cyberspaceICT environment;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 93 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital O
O. whereas different non-state and state actors – Russia, China and North Korea, among others – have been involved in malicious cyber activities in pursuit of political, economic or security objectives that include attacks on critical infrastructure, cyber-espionage, disinformation campaigns and limiting access to the internet (such as Wannacry, NonPetya); whereas such activities could constitute wrongful acts under international law and could lead to a joint EU response, such as using the EU cyber diplomacy toolboxframework for a joint EU diplomatic response to malicious cyber activities;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 94 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital O
O. whereas different state actors – Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, among others – have been involved in malicious cyber activities in pursuit of political, economic or security objectives that include attacks on critical infrastructure (such as Wannacry, NonPetya), cyber-espionage, disinformation campaigns and limiting access to the internet (such as Wannacry, NonPetya); whereas such activities could constitute wrongful acts under international law and cshould lead to a joint EU response, such as usingincluding the use of restrictive measures as envisaged by the EU cyber diplomacy toolbox;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 102 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital O a (new)
Oa. whereas cyber security technologies ("dual-use" technologies) are relevant to the military and civilian domains and offer many opportunities to develop synergies between civilian and military actors in a number of areas, such as for example encryption, security and vulnerability management tools, intrusion detection and prevention systems;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 105 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital O b (new)
Ob. whereas the cyber commands established by several Member States can make a substantial contribution to the protection of vital civilian infrastructure and whereas cyber defence related knowledge is often equally useful in the civilian domain;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 116 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Commends the work done by the EDAU and the Commissionits Member States in the field of cyber defence; notes in particular the EDA projects on cyber ranges, the Cyber Defence Strategic Research Agenda and the development of deployable cyber situation awareness packages for headquarters;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 123 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the cyber projects to be launched in the framework of PESCO, namely an information-sharing platform for cyber incidents and acyber rapid response team fors in cyber incidentssecurity;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 128 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Recognises that many Member States consider possession of their own cyber defence capabilities to be at the core of their national security strategy and to constitute an essential part of their national sovereignty; stresses, however, that – as with other military branches, and also owingdue to the borderless nature of cyberspace – the scale required for truly comprehensive and effective forces ensuring the strategic autonomy of the EU in cyberspace is beyond the reach of any single Member State;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 136 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Recognises that many Member States consider possession of their own cyber defence capabilities to be at the core of their national security strategy and to constitute an essential part of their national sovereignty; stresses, however, that – as with other military branches, and also owing to the borderless nature of cyberspace – the scale required for truly comprehensive and effective forces is beyond the reach of any single Member State; welcomes in this regard the proposed permanent mandate and strengthened role for ENISA;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 137 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Recognises that many Member States consider possession of their own cyber defence capabilities to be at the core of their national security strategy and to constitute an essential part of their national sovereignty; stresses, however, that – as with other military branches, and also owing to the borderless nature of cyberspace – the scale and knowledge required for truly comprehensive and effective forces is beyond the reach of any single Member State;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 157 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Urges the Members States to increase financial and personal resources, in particular forensic experts, in order to improve the attribution of cyber attacks;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 173 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Stresses that all CSDP mission and operation planning needs to be accompanied by a thorough assessment of the cyber threat landscape; notes that the threat taxonomy prepared by the European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA) provides a suitable template for such an assessment; recommends the creation of cyber- resilience assessment capability for CSDP HQs;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 180 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Strongly supports the Military Erasmus initiative aimed at enhancing the interoperability of the armed forces of the Member States through an increased exchange of young officers; believes however that exchanges for training and education in the field of cyber defence should go beyond this initiative and include military personnel from all ranks and students from all academic institutions with educational programs in cyber security; stresses that there is a need for more experts in the cyber defence domain; calls on theacademic institutions and military academies to pay more attention to, and create more possibilities in, the field of cyber defence education and training;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 186 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Strongly supports the Military Erasmus initiative aimed at enhancing the interoperability of the armed forces of the Member States through an increased exchange of young officers and other military personnel; stresses that there is a need for more experts in the cyber defence domain; calls on the military academies to pay more attention to, and create more possibilities in, the field of cyber defence education; welcomes the introduction by France, with the support of Portugal and Belgium, of an EU pilot module on cyber defence; encourages Member States to foresee the necessary means in their budgets to increase their pool of cyber security experts;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 188 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Calls on all Member States to sufficiently and proactively inform, raise awareness and advise companies, schools and citizens about cyber security and the main actual digital threats; welcomes in this regard cyber guides as a tool to guide citizens and organizations towards a better cyber security strategy, to boost cyber security knowledge and improve cyber resilience across the board;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 191 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Notes that, given the need for more specialised personnel, the focus of the Member States should not only be on recruitment of competent armed forces personnel, but also on the retention of needed specialists;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 192 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the introduction by France, with the support of Portugal and Belgium, of an EU pilot module on cyber defence;deleted
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 195 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Strongly encourages the development of the Cyber Defence Education, Training and Exercise and Evaluation Platform, within the ESDC, with a view to upscaling the training and education opportunities within the Member States;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 204 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Strongly encourages the development of a collaborative platform, the planned Cyber Defence Education, Training and Exercise Coordination Platform, within the ESDC with a view to facilitating the pooling and sharing of training and exercises; cCalls on the EDA to launch the Cyber Defence Training and Exercise Coordination Platform to support the Cyber Ranges Federation as soon as possible;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 218 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Calls for identifying new initiatives to further cooperation between EU and NATO, taking into account as well the possibilities of cooperating within the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence and the NATO Communications and Information (NCI) Academy; welcomes the recent creation of the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats; urges all relevant institutions to regularly meet to discuss their activities in order to avoid overlaps and encourage a coordinated approach towards cyber defence;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 226 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Is convinced that increased cooperation between EU and NATO is vital in the area of cyber defence; calls, therefore, on both organisations to increase their operational cooperation and coordination, and to expand their joint capacity-building efforts, in particular joint training for cyber defence staff; considers it vital that the EU and NATO step up the sharing of intelligence in order to enable the formal attribution of cyberattacks and consequently enable the imposition of restrictive sanctions to those responsible for cyberattacks;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 227 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Is convinced that increased cooperation between EU and NATO is vital in the area of cyber defence; calls, therefore, on both organisations to increase their operational cooperation and coordination, and to expand their joint capacity-building efforts, in particular joint training for cyber defence staff; urges both organisations to cooperate more closely also on the cyber aspects of crisis management;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 228 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Welcomes the exchange of concepts to integrate cyber defence requirements and standards into planning and conduct of missions and operations to foster interoperability and expresses the hope that this will be followed up by more operational cooperation on ensuring the cyber defence of respective missions and synchronisation of operational approaches;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 232 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Welcomes the arrangement between the EU’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-EU) and the NATO Computer Incident Response Capability (NCIRC) aimed at facilitating the exchange of information, logistical support and the sharing of best practices; stresses that it is important to encourage information exchanges between CERTs-EU and NCIRC and to work towards increasing the level of trust;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 241 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Notes the ongoing work on the Proposal for a Regulation revising ENISA Regulation (No 526/2013) and laying down a European ICT security certification and labelling framework; calls on ENISA to sign an agreement with NATO to increase their practical cooperation, including the sharing of information and participation in cyber defence exercises;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 244 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Regrets that, after several months of negotiations, the 2016-2017 UN Group of Governmental Experts fai(UNGGE) was not abled to adopt aproduce a new consensus report; recalls, however, that that as recognized by the 2013 report, international law applies to cyberspace and that the 2013 and 2015 UNGGE reports still provide relevant guidelines, in particular as regards lists a set of norms of responsible state behaviour including the prohibition for states to conduct or knowingly support cyber activities contrary to their obligations under international rules;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 249 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Notes in this regard the importance of article 2(4) of the UN Charter States, which calls on states to refrain from the threat or use of force against the political independence of any state; believes that this includes a prohibition to pursue or knowingly support coercive cyber operations intended to disrupt the technical infrastructure essential to the conduct of official participative procedures in another state, including elections and referenda;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 250 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Notes the relevance of the Tallinn Manual 2.0 in this context as an excellent basis for a debate on howand offering analysis how existing international law can be appliesd to cyberspace; notes that it is now time for the Member States to start analysing and applying what the experts have stated in the Tallinn Manual;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 255 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Notes the relevance of the Tallinn Manual 2.0 in this context as an excellent basis for a debate on how international law applies to cyberspace; notes that it is now time for the Member States to start analysing and applying what the experts have stated in the Tallinn Manual; notes in particular that any offensive use of cyber capabilities should be based on international law;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 263 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Confirms its full commitment to an open, free, stable and secure cyberspace, which respects the core values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and where international disputes are settled by peaceful means; calls on the Member States to promote further implementation of the common and comprehensive EU approach to cyber diplomacy; strongly supports the development and implementation of voluntary, non-binding norms of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace and regional confidence building measures;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 264 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Confirms its full commitment to an open, free, stable and secure cyberspace, which respects the core values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and where international disputes are settled by peaceful means; calls on the Member States to promote further implementation of the common and comprehensive EU approach to cyber diplomacy; strongly supports the development of voluntary, non-binding norms of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace; Supports in this context the work of the Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace to develop proposals for norms and policies to enhance international security and stability and guide responsible state and non-state behaviour in cyberspace; endorses the proposal that state and non- state actors should not conduct or knowingly allow activity that intentionally and substantially damages the general availability or integrity of the public core of the Internet, and therefore the stability of cyberspace;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 271 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Welcomes the adoption by the Council of the framework for joint EU diplomatic responses to malicious cyber activities, the so-called EU Cyber Diplomacy Toolbox; supports the possibility for the EU to take restrictive measures against adversaries attacking its Member States in cyberspace, including a possible imposition of sanctions;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 285 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Calls on all stakeholders to reinforce knowledge transfer partnerships, implement appropriate business models and develop trust between companies and defence and civilian end-users, as well as to improve the transfer of academic knowledge into practical solutions, in order to create synergies and port solutions between the civilian and military markets – in essence a single market for cybersecurity and cyber security products;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 295 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Encourages the Commission to integrate cyber defence elements into the Network of European Cybersecurity Competence and Research Centers, also in view of providing sufficient resources to dual use cyber capabilities and technologies within the next Multiannual Financial Framework;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 300 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Notes that the protection of public and other civilian critical infrastructure assets is becoming a vital defence task that should form part of the remit of national cyber commands; stresses that this will require a level of trust, and the closest possible cooperation, between military actors and the affected industries, and urges all stakeholders to take this into account in their planning processes;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 306 #

2018/2004(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Encourages close cooperation between EU agencies such as EDA, ENISA, the European Cybercrime Centre in a cross-sectoral approach in order to promote synergies and avoid overlapping;
2018/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 6 #

2018/2001(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas, in the case of the US House of Representatives, the total appropriations dedicated to the representational allowance of Members amounted to 500 million for 435 Representatives8 , whereas for Parliament, those appropriations amounted to 458 million for 751 MEPs9 ; __________________ 8CRS report on Legislative Branch: FY2016 Appropriations, 1 February 2016. 9 Report of the Secretary General to the Bureau on the Preliminary Draft Estimates of the European Parliament for the Financial Year 2019;deleted
2018/03/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 23 #

2018/2001(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that, as was the case for budgets for previous years, it is proposed to set aside an amount for ‘extraordinary’ investment and expenditure, i.e. investment and expenditure that is unusual or atypical for Parliament and arises infrequently; notes that in 2019, those investments and expenditure amount to EUR 71,6 million, including EUR 37,3 million for the change of parliamentary term and EUR 34,3 million for other extraordinary expenditure; recalls that the distinction, made in the 2016 budget and included in the consecutive budgets, between ordinary and extraordinary expenditure was made solely in order to respond to the implementation of urgent measures concerning security buildings and cybersecurity following the terrorists attacks; considers that the excessive use of this distinction, i.e. the inclusion of other expenditure in extraordinary expenditure, gives an erroneous indication of the evolution of the budgetary margin and is therefore in contradiction with the principle of transparency of Parliament's expenditure;
2018/03/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 86 #

2018/2001(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Considers it appropriate to have an adequate increase in budget line 422 ‘Expenditure related to parliamentary assistance’, in particular taking into account the higher workload as a result of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the Union, the growing number of trilogues, the increasing number of temporary and special committees, reaching a historical threshold of 25 standing and temporary committees, and the coincidence of the end of legislature with the complex package of legislative MFF proposals;deleted
2018/03/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 19 #

2018/0358M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Fully supports the human rights dialogue between the EU and Viet Nam, which is a very effective way to discussallows for issues related to human rights to be continuously discussed; calls for the strengthening of the annual EU-Viet Nam human rights dialogue with the involvement of local and international civil society and taking into account information received from relevant international organisations;
2019/11/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 33 #

2018/0358M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that the agreement will ensure a high level of investment protection and legal certainty while safeguarding the right of the Parties to regulate and pursue legitimate public policy objectives, such as public health and environmental protection; emphasises that the agreement will ensure transparency and accountability; asks the Commission to further take into account the fight against climate change and the respect of the Paris Agreement in safeguarding the right of the parties to regulate, as it has been done with CETA;
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 56 #

2018/0358M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Notes that the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) does not contain a separate trade and sustainable development (TSD) chapter, as the latter applies to investment by virtue of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EUVFTA) that liberalises it; stresses that the EVIPA also contains a provision establishing a legal link to the PCA, as well as specific references in its preamble to the TSD values and principles as enshrined in the EUVFTA and to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; points out that the provisions of the EVIPA and the EUVFTA must be implemented in a complementary manner, especially with regard to human, environmental and social rights and sustainable development;
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 59 #

2018/0358M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Notes with concern that the Vietnamese penal code still allows for serious human rights violations, which have intensified since the entry into force of the PCA; calls on a Vietnam to revise the penal code in line with international standards and welcomes the European Union's assistance in this respects; regrets that the Commission has failed to undertake a comprehensive human rights impact assessment of the EVIPA; calls on the Commission to carry out such an assessment;
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 61 #

2018/0358M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10 b. Points out that a new Vietnamese Cyber Security Law, that entered into force at the beginning of 2019, has attracted a lot of criticism, as an intensified crackdown on human rights activists in the country has been documented, linked to the provisions of this new law which gives the authorities licence to censor content, control information and silence online dissidents; notes with regret that the legislation also raises concerns for EU economic interests, including forced data localisation provisions which are at odds with the EU's liberalisation agenda in this respect; calls on Vietnam to revise this law in line with international standards and welcomes the European Union's assistance in this respect;
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 62 #

2018/0358M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 c (new)
10 c. Underlines the need for close monitoring of the implementation of the agreement and the human rights developments in Vietnam; Calls for a joint parliamentary scrutiny board, basing itself on the monitoring Group for Vietnam in the European Parliament and its equivalent in the Vietnamese National Assembly, which will be tasked to monitor the implementation of the agreement and the human rights developments in Vietnam;
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 67 #

2018/0358M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. ECalls on the Commission to take accompanying measures for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with this agreement in order to make it transparent and accessible; encourages the Commission to continue its work on making the ICS more accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs);
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 70 #

2018/0358M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Calls on both Parties to undertake to develop programmes of cooperation activities to improve capacity and conditions for women to benefit from opportunities created by the agreement, including encouraging capacity building and skills enhancement of women at work and in business, fostering women's representation in decision making and positions of authority; improving women's access to, and participation and leadership in, science, technology and innovation; conducting gender-based analysis and gender-focused statistics relating to investments;
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 75 #

2018/0358M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. Welcomes the agreement which will create more free and fair trade opportunities between the EU and Vietnam; urges the European Parliament to give it consent to the agreement, given that Vietnam takes steps to improve the civil and labour rights situation as to move in the direction of its commitments;
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 1 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
– having regard to the Framework Participation Agreement, signed on 17 October 2019, which will facilitate Vietnam's participation in European Union-led civilian and military crisis management operations and show strong commitment from both sides to a rules- based multilateral approach to international peace and security
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 5 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the strategic importance of Viet Nam as a crucial partner of the EU in South East Asia and among the ASEAN countries, specifically but not exclusively in relation to climate change negotiations, good governance, sustainable development, economic and social progress and the fight against terrorism; stresses the importance for the EU and Vietnam to fully respect and implement the Paris Agreement;
2019/11/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 7 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the strategic importance of Viet Nam as a crucial partner of the EU in South East Asia and among the ASEAN countries, specifically but not exclusively in relation to climate change negotiations, good governance, sustainable development, economic and social progress and the fight against terrorism and the advancement of human rights and democratic reform;
2019/11/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 19 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 20 a (new)
– having regard to the 2019 Universal Periodic Review on Vietnam undertaken by the UN Human Rights Council
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 24 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Remains concerned about human rights violations, including the application of the death penalty in Viet Nam; calls on Viet Nam to introduce a moratorium and move towards abolition; calls for Vietnam to revise the penal code and the new Cyber Security Law in line with international standards; highlights that human rights constitute a cornerstone of the trade and sustainable development chapter of the FTA; calls for periodic evaluation of the impact of the agreement;
2019/11/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 30 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Notes, and subsequently regrets, that the text of the sustainability chapter does not include any reference to human rights, which are a fundamental aspect of good and sustainable governance, and a part of the founding principles of the European Union; human rights ought therefore to be an integral part of any agreement between the EU and a third state;
2019/11/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 30 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas 90 % of future world economic growth is predicted to be generated outside Europe, and notablya significant part of this occurs in Asia;
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 34 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas Vietnam is a founding member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and a party to the ongoingrecently concluded negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP);
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 40 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas it is important to maximise the opportunities offered by this agreement in the most inclusive manner for businesses, in particular SMEs;
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 44 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Highlights that the FTA creates an institutional and legally binding link to the PCA; points out that Article 1 of the PCA contains a standard human rights clause which can trigger appropriate measures, including, as a last resort, the suspension of the PCA, or parts thereof, without delay; notes however that there is no precedent for the EU suspending bilateral trade agreements and believes that for such conditions to be credible, consequences must follow from breaches of agreements;
2019/11/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 56 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Points out that civil society in Viet Nam is not allowed to operate freely and unrestricted from state interference, as restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly and association in Viet Nam continue to persist; calls, in this regard, on the Commission to ensure that civil society groups, especially those which will be part of the Domestic Advisory Groups, will be allowed to operate independently, impartially, thoroughly, and safely from any repercussions;
2019/11/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 74 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the economic and strategic importance of this agreement, as the EU and Vietnam share a common agenda and common values – to stimulate growth and employment, boost competitiveness, fight against poverty and make progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); and champion a rules-based multilateral international trade system;
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 85 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Is convinced that the agreement will make further strides towards setting high standards and rules in the ASEAN region, helping to pave the way for a future region-to-region trade and investment agreement; stresses that the agreement also sends a strong signal in favour of open and free trade at times of protectionist tendencies and the questioning of multilateral rules-based trade; highlights that the agreement helps the EU to strengthen its presence in the ASEAN region, and allows the EU to promote its standards and values in the region; recalls its full support to multilateralism and the importance to achieve a sustainable and ambitious reform of the WTO able to ensure a rules-based international trade;
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 110 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Welcomes the strong SPS chapter which will set up a single and transparent procedure for the approval of EU exports of food products into Vietnam in order to accelerate the approval of EU export applications and avoid discriminatory treatment; commends Vietnam's commitment to applying the same import requirements to like products coming from all EU member states;
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 131 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines that the EVFTA includes a robust, comprehensive and binding chapter on Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) dealing with labour and environmental matters; stresses that the TSD chapter is designed to contribute to broader EU policy objectives, notably on inclusive growth, the fight against climate change and more generally in upholding EU values; emphasises that it is also an instrument for development and social progress in Vietnam to support Vietnam in its efforts to improve labour rights and to enhance protection at work and protection of the environment; calls on the EU to offer its support where necessary to help Vietnam advance in this regard; stresses the importance to ensure a specific and adequate monitoring of the TSD chapter in order to see it respected and implemented;
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 134 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Points out that a new Vietnamese Cyber Security Law, that entered into force at the beginning of 2019, has attracted a lot of criticism, as an intensified crackdown on human rights activists in the country has been documented, linked to the provisions of this new law which gives the authorities licence to censor content, control information and silence online dissidents; notes with regret that the legislation also raises concerns for EU economic interests, including forced data localisation provisions which are at odds with the EU's liberalisation agenda in this respect; calls on Vietnam to revise this law in line with international standards and welcomes the European Union's assistance in this respect;
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 140 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Notes with concern that the Vietnamese penal code still allows for serious human rights violations, which have intensified since the entry into force of the PCA; calls on a Vietnam to revise the penal code in line with international standards and welcomes the European Union's assistance in this respects; regrets that the Commission has failed to undertake a comprehensive human rights impact assessment of the FTA; calls on the Commission to carry out such an assessment;
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 158 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Welcomes the envisaged cooperation on the trade/related aspects of the ILO Decent Work Agenda, in particular the inter-linkage between trade and full and productive employment for all, including youth, women and people with disabilities; calls for a swift and meaningful start of this cooperation;
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 167 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the commitment to effectively implement multilateral environmental agreements such as the Paris Agreement on climate change, and to act in favour of the conservation and sustainable management of wildlife, biodiversity and forestry; recalls that the Agreement provides for specific measures to fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing (IUU) and to promote a sustainable and responsible fishery sector, including aquaculture; stresses that it is crucial for the EU and Vietnam to ensure full respect and implementation of the Paris Agreement, notably through the EVFTA;
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 182 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Underlines the crucial importance of effectively implementing all provisions and chapters of the agreement, ranging from market access to sustainable development and enforcement of all commitments; considers that all of the TSD provisions should be read as providing for legal obligations in international law; highlights in this context the new post of Chief Trade Enforcement Officer, who will work directly under the guidance of the Trade Commissioner; underlines that European companies, especially SMEs, should be encouraged to make full use of the benefits of the agreement and that any hurdle regarding the implementation should be remediated immediately;
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 189 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for enhanced monitoring of the agreement and efforts to ensure that shortcomings are addressed rapidly with our trading partner; calls for specific technical assistance in order to help Vietnam implement some of their commitments via projects and expertise, notably linked to environmental and labour provisions;
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 191 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses that the involvement of civil society in monitoring the implementation of the agreement is crucial, and calls for the swift establishment of domestic advisory groups following the entry into force of the agreement and for the balanced representation of civil society therein; notes with concern that the Vietnamese independent civil society has been harshly repressed and largely operates underground for fear of persecution and retaliation; encourages the EU institutions to support the independent civil society in Vietnam; calls on appropriate measures to be put in place to ensure that advisory groups can exercise their mandate independently, impartially, thoroughly and safely;
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 200 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Calls on both Parties to undertake to develop programmes of cooperation activities to improve capacity and conditions for women to benefit from opportunities created by the agreement, including encouraging capacity building and skills enhancement of women at work and in business, fostering women's representation in decision making and positions of authority; improving women's access to, and participation and leadership in, science, technology and innovation; conducting gender-based analysis and gender-focused statistics relating to trade;
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 202 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Underlines the need for close monitoring of the implementation of the agreement and the human rights developments in Vietnam; Calls for a joint parliamentary scrutiny board, basing itself on the monitoring Group for Vietnam in the European Parliament and its equivalent in the Vietnamese National Assembly, which will be tasked to monitor the implementation of the agreement and the human rights developments in Vietnam;
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 210 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Welcomes the agreement, which will create more free and fair trade opportunities between the EU and Vietnam; urges the European Parliament to give it consent to the agreement, given that Vietnam takes steps to improve the civil and labour rights situation as to move in the direction of its commitments;
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 22 #

2018/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) The Fund would contribute to the establishment of a strong, competitive and innovative defence industrial and technological base and go hand in hand with the Union's initiatives towards a more integrated European Defence Market and in particular, the two Directives6 on procurement and on EU transfers in the defence sector adopted in 2009. The fund will form a cornerstone of a sound European defence industrial policy. _________________ 6 Directive 2009/43/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, simplifying terms and conditions of transfers of defence-related products within the Community, OJ L 146, 10.6.2009, p. 1; Directive 2009/81/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the coordination of procedures for the award of certain works contracts, supply contracts and service contracts by contracting authorities or entities in the fields of defence and security, OJ L 216, 20.8.2009, p. 76.
2018/09/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 22 #

2018/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) The Fund would contribute to the establishment of a strong, competitive and innovative defence industrial and technological base and go hand in hand with the Union's initiatives towards a more integrated European Defence Market and in particular, the two Directives6 on procurement and on EU transfers in the defence sector adopted in 2009. The fund will form a cornerstone of a sound European defence industrial policy. _________________ 6 Directive 2009/43/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, simplifying terms and conditions of transfers of defence-related products within the Community, OJ L 146, 10.6.2009, p. 1; Directive 2009/81/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the coordination of procedures for the award of certain works contracts, supply contracts and service contracts by contracting authorities or entities in the fields of defence and security, OJ L 216, 20.8.2009, p. 76.
2018/10/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 26 #

2018/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 a (new)
(6a) The Fund should provide adequate support for research and development actions in the area of disruptive technologies for defence;
2018/10/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 28 #

2018/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 a (new)
(6a) The Fund should provide adequate support for research and development actions in the area of disruptive technologies for defence;
2018/09/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 29 #

2018/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 b (new)
(6b) The European Defence Fund will not finance the development and production of any lethal autonomous weapon systems (LAWS) which lacks human control in critical functions such as target selection and engagement.
2018/09/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 33 #

2018/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21 a (new)
(21a) Actions with the participation of cross-border SMEs support the opening up of the supply chains and contribute to the objectives of the Fund. Such actions should therefore be eligible for an increased funding rate which should benefit all entities participating in the consortium.
2018/10/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 35 #

2018/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
(23) The promotion of innovation and technological development in the Union defence industry should take place in a manner coherent with the security and defence interests of the Union. Accordingly, the action's contribution to those interests and to the defence research and capability priorities commonly agreed by Member States should serve as an award criterion. Within the Union, common defence research and capability shortfalls are identified in the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) framework notably through Overarching Strategic Research Agenda and the Capability Development Plan. Other Union processes such as the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence and the Permanent Structured Cooperation will support the implementation of relevant priorities through identifying and taking forward opportunities for enhanced cooperation with a view to fulfilling the EU level of ambition on security and defence. Where appropriate, regional and international priorities, including those in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation context, mayshould also be taken into account if they are in line with Union priorities and do not prevent any Member State or an associated country from participating, while also taking into account that unnecessary duplication should be avoided.
2018/10/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 43 #

2018/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 46 a (new)
(46a) The Commission should establish and maintain a standing stakeholder conference on the development of a common European armaments and capability policy. Twice a year this conference should be an open forum for an exchange between all defence stakeholders where the European armaments and capability policy stands and how it could develop in the future.
2018/10/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 46 #

2018/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) support collaborative development projects of defence products and technologies consistent with defence capability priorities commonly agreed by Member States within the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, thus contributing to greater efficiency of defence spending within the Union, achieving greater economies of scale, reducing the risk of unnecessary duplication and as such reducing the fragmentation of defence products and technologies throughout the Union. Ultimately, the Fund will lead to greater interoperability between Member States' capabilities and to the effective implementation of a sound European defence industrial policy.
2018/10/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 52 #

2018/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) up to EUR 8 900 000 000 for development actions of which up to 5% for SMEs.
2018/10/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 54 #

2018/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21 a (new)
(21a) Actions with the participation of cross-border SMEs support the opening up of the supply chains and contribute to the objectives of the Fund. Such actions should therefore be eligible for an increased funding rate, which should benefit all entities participating in the consortium.
2018/09/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 59 #

2018/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2
2. Proposals shall be systematically screened to identify those actions raising complex or serious ethics issues and submit them to an ethics assessment. Ethics screenings and assessments shall be carried out by the Commission with the support of experts on defence ethicin close cooperation with the Member States. The Commission shall ensure the transparency of the ethics procedures as much as possible.
2018/10/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 60 #

2018/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
(23) The promotion of innovation and technological development in the Union defence industry should take place in a manner coherent with the security and defence interests of the Union. Accordingly, the action's contribution to those interests and to the defence research and capability priorities commonly agreed by Member States should serve as an award criterion. Within the Union, common defence research and capability shortfalls are identified in the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) framework notably through Overarching Strategic Research Agenda and the Capability Development Plan. Other Union processes such as the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence and the Permanent Structured Cooperation will support the implementation of relevant priorities through identifying and taking forward opportunities for enhanced cooperation with a view to fulfilling the EU level of ambition on security and defence. Where appropriate, regional and international priorities, including those in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation context, mayshould also be taken into account if they are in line with Union priorities and do not prevent any Member State or an associated country from participating, while also taking into account that unnecessary duplication should be avoided.
2018/09/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 71 #

2018/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1
1. The Fund mayshall finance up to 100% of the eligible costs of an action without prejudice to the co-financing principle.
2018/10/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 72 #

2018/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 3 – point d
(d) the overall increase in the funding rate of an action shall not exceed 30an action developed by Member States or associated third countries which meet the 2 % GDP target to be spent on defence, or which spend 20 % of their defence budgets on major equipment, shall benefit from a funding rate increased by their cumulated GDP percentage points spent on defence.
2018/10/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 83 #

2018/0254(COD)

2. The Commission shall implement information and communication actions relating to the Fund, and its actions and results. Financial resources allocated to the Fund shall also contribute to the corporate communication of the political priorities of the Union, as far as they are related to the objectives referred to in Article 3, and set- up and maintain a standing stakeholder conference on the development of a common European armaments and capability policy.
2018/10/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 84 #

2018/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 46 a (new)
(46a) The Commission should establish and maintain a standing stakeholder conference on the development of a common European armaments and capability policy. Twice a year this conference should be an open forum for an exchange between all defence stakeholders where the European armaments and capability policy stands and how it could develop in the future.
2018/09/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 88 #

2018/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The general objective of the Fund is to foster the competitiveness, efficiency and innovation capacity of the technological and industrial base of the European defence industrysector, by supporting collaborative actions and cross-border cooperation between legal entities throughout the Union, including SMEs and mid-caps as well as fostering the better exploitation of the industrial potential of innovation, research and technological development, at each stage of the industrial life cycle, thus contributing to the Union strategic autonomy. It is important that more concrete proposals are put forward on how to improve the cross-border defence market access of SMEs and mid- caps. The Fund should also contribute to the freedom of action of the Union and its autonomy, in particular in technological and industrial terms. Taking more responsibility for its own security will also serve NATO.
2018/09/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 98 #

2018/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) support collaborative development projects of defence products and technologies consistent with defence capability priorities commonly agreed by Member States within the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, thus contributing to greater efficiency of defence spending within the Union, achieving greater economies of scale, reducing the risk of unnecessary duplication and as such reducing the fragmentation of defence products and technologies throughout the Union. Ultimately, the Fund will lead to greater interoperability between Member States' capabilities and to the effective implementation of a sound European defence industrial policy.
2018/09/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 111 #

2018/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) up to EUR 8 900 000 000 for development actions of which up to 5% for SMEs.
2018/09/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 130 #

2018/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2
2. Proposals shall be systematically screened to identify those actions raising complex or serious ethics issues and submit them to an ethics assessment. Ethics screenings and assessments shall be carried out by the Commission with the support of experts on defence ethicin close cooperation with the Member States. The Commission shall ensure the transparency of the ethics procedures as much as possible.
2018/09/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 190 #

2018/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1
1. The Fund mayshall finance up to 100% of the eligible costs of an action without prejudice to the co-financing principle.
2018/09/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 195 #

2018/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 3 – point d
(d) the overall increase in the funding rate of an action shall not exceed 30 percentage points.an action developed by Member States or associated third countries which meet the 2% GDP target to be spent on defence, or which spend 20% of their defence budgets on major equipment, shall benefit from a funding rate increased by their cumulated GDP percentage points spent on defence;
2018/09/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 257 #

2018/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission shall implement information and communication actions relating to the Fund, and its actions and results. Financial resources allocated to the Fund shall also contribute to the corporate communication of the political priorities of the Union, as far as they are related to the objectives referred to in Article 3, and set- up and maintain a standing stakeholder conference on the development of a common European armaments and capability policy.
2018/09/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 31 #

2018/0249(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3
3. Within the specific objectives set out in paragraph 2, the instrument shall be implemented inter alia through the implementation measures listed in Annex II.
2018/10/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 32 #

2018/0249(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. Within the objectives referred to in Article 3 and, where appropriate, in line with the implementation measures listed in Annex II, the instrument shall in particular support the actions listed in Annex III.
2018/10/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 41 #

2018/0249(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. The contribution from the Union budget to the technical assistance at the initiative of the Member States may amount to 100% of the total eligible expenditure.
2018/10/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 42 #

2018/0249(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1
1. Each Member State shall ensure that the priorities addressed in its programme are consistent with and respond to the Union priorities and challenges in the area of border management and visa, and that they are fully in line with the relevant Union acquis and agreed Union priorities. In defining the priorities of their programmes, Member States shall ensure that the implementing measures as set out in Annex II are adequately addressed.
2018/10/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 43 #

2018/0249(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 3
3. ItThe Commission shall consult the European Border and Coast Guard Agency on the draft programmes with a specific emphasis on the activities included under operating support in line with Article 3(2)(a) to ensure consistency and complementarity of the actions of the Agency and those of the Member States regarding border management as well as to avoid double financing and to achieve cost efficiency.
2018/10/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 46 #

2018/0249(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 12 – point c
(c) Member States may decide to purchase items for multi-purpose maritime operations supported by the instrumentassets or develop ICT-systems, provided that these items when operated by the relevant national authorities are involved in border surveillance operations at least 60 % of the total period of use for national purposes within a year. These iItems shall be registered at the technical equipment pool of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in view of making these assets available in accordance with Article 39(8) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1624;
2018/10/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 47 #

2018/0249(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Member States may decide to purchase equipment or develop ICT- systems for multi-purpose use provided that these items and systems when operated by the relevant national authorities are in a majority used for the actions which fall under the scope of the Fund or instrument. The costs of these actions maybe included in full to the Fund or instrument.
2018/10/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 51 #

2018/0249(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3
3. Within the specific objectives set out in paragraph 2, the instrument shall be implemented inter alia through the implementation measures listed in Annex II.
2018/11/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 53 #

2018/0249(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – point 9 a (new)
(9 a) Measures which aim at improving the interoperability of IT systems and communication networks.
2018/10/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 54 #

2018/0249(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. Within the objectives referred to in Article 3 and, where appropriate, in line with the implementation measures listed in Annex II, the instrument shall in particular support the actions listed in Annex III.
2018/11/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 76 #

2018/0249(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 a (new)
Article 11a The contribution from the Union budget to the technical assistance at the initiative of the Member States may amount to 100% of the total eligible expenditure.
2018/11/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 77 #

2018/0249(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1
1. Each Member State shall ensure that the priorities addressed in its programme are consistent with and respond to the Union priorities and challenges in the area of border management and visa, and that they are fully in line with the relevant Union acquis and agreed Union priorities. In defining the priorities of their programmes, Member States shall ensure that the implementing measures as set out in Annex II are adequately addressed.
2018/11/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 81 #

2018/0249(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 3
3. ItThe Commission shall consult the European Border and Coast Guard Agency on the draft programmes with a specific emphasis on the activities included under operating support in line with Article 3(2)(a) to ensure consistency and complementarity of the actions of the Agency and those of the Member States regarding border management as well as to avoid double financing and to achieve cost efficiency.
2018/11/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 89 #

2018/0249(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 12 – point c
(c) Member States may decide to purchase items for multi-purpose maritime operations supported by the instrument, assets or develop ICT-systems, provided that these items when operated by the relevant national authorities are involved in border surveillance operations at least 60 % of the total period of use for national purposes within a year. These iItems shall be registered at the technical equipment pool of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in view of making these assets available in accordance with Article 39(8) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1624;
2018/11/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 107 #

2018/0249(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Member States may decide to purchase equipment or develop ICT- systems for multi-purpose use provided that these items and systems when operated by the relevant national authorities are in a majority used for the actions which fall under the scope of the Fund or instrument. The costs of these actions may be included in full to the Fund or instrument.
2018/11/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 150 #

2018/0249(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV a (new)
Measures which aim at improving the interoperability of IT systems and communication networks.
2018/11/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 114 #

2018/0248(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. A reasonable minimum percentage of funding shall be allocated to civil society organizations and local authorities to manage integration.
2018/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 18 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
(9) Enhanced strategic and operational cooperation between the Union and the beneficiaries listed in Annex I on security and defence issues is pivotal to addressing effectively and efficiently security and terrorism threats.
2018/10/10
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 25 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
(26) External actions are often implemented in a highly volatile environment requiring a continuous and rapid adaptation to the evolving needs of Union partners and to global challenges such as human rights, democracy and good governance, security, defence and stability, climate change and environment and irregular migration and its root causes. Reconciling the principle of predictability with the need to react rapidly to new needs consequently means adapting the financial implementation of the programmes. To increase the ability of the Union to respond to unforeseen needs, while respecting the principle that the Union budget is set annually, this Regulation should preserve the possibility to apply the flexibilities already allowed by the Financial Regulation for other policies, namely carry-overs and re-commitments of committed funds, to ensure an efficient use of the EU funds both for the EU citizens and the beneficiaries listed in Annex I, thus maximising the EU funds available for the EU external action interventions.
2018/10/10
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 34 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) Strengthening the Union and its partners' capacity to prevent conflict, build peace and address pre-and post-crisis including through early warning and conflict-sensitive risk analysis; promoting people to people networking, reconciliation, peace-building and confidence-building measures, supporting capacity building in support of security and development (CBSD) actions; contributing to the defence and cyber defence of the beneficiaries listed in Annex I; strengthening the capabilities of strategic communication to foster systematic uncovering of disinformation.
2018/10/10
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 68 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) The objectives of an instrument for pre-accession are substantially distinct from the general objectives of Union external action as this instrument aims to prepare the beneficiaries listed in Annex I for future membership of the Union and supportto prepare the beneficiaries listed in Annex I for future membership of the Union and support their accession process while always taking into account the general objectives of Union external action, including respect for fundamental rights and principles as well as the protection and promotion of human rights, democracy and the rule of law as laid down in Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union. While the distinct nature of their accession process. It is therefore essential to have warrants a dedicated instrument in support of enlargement, while ensuring itsthe objectives and functioning of this instrument shall be in coherence with and complementarity withy to the general objectives of Union external action and in particular with the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI).
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 75 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) Strengthening the Union and its partners' capacity to prevent conflict, build peace and address pre-and post-crisis including through early warning and conflict-sensitive risk analysis; promoting people to people networking, reconciliation, peace-building and confidence-building measures, supporting capacity building in support of security and development (CBSD) actions; contributing to the defence and cyber defence of the beneficiaries listed in Annex I; strengthening the capabilities of strategic communication to foster systematic uncovering of disinformation.
2018/11/26
Committee: REGI
Amendment 76 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) The eEnlargement policy of the Union is an investment in peace, security and stability in Europetegral part of the Union's external action and also contributes to peace, security and stability both within and outside the Union's borders. It provides increased economic and trade opportunities to the mutual benefit of the Union and the aspiring Member States. The prospect of Union membership has a powerful transformative effect, embedding positive democratic, political, economic and societal change.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 81 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
(7) Assistance should also be provided in compliance with the agreements concluded by the Union with the beneficiaries listed in Annex I. Assistance should mainly focus on assisting the beneficiaries listed in Annex I to strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law, reform the judiciary and public administration, respect fundamental rights and promote gender equality, tolerance, social inclusion and non-discrimination, in particular people in vulnerable situations. Assistance should also support the key principles and rights as defined in the European Pillar of Social Rights.17 Assistance should continue to support their efforts to advance regional, macro-regional and cross-border cooperation as well as territorial development, including through implementation of Union macro-regional strategies. It should also enhance their economic and social development and economic governance, underpinning a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth agenda, including through implementation of regional development, agriculture and rural development, social and employment policies, reducing poverty, regional imbalances and social exclusion, and the development of the digital economy and society, also in line with the flagship initiative Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans. _________________ 17 European Pillar of Social Rights solemnly proclaimed by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission at the Gothenburg Social Summit for Fair Jobs and Growth, Gothenburg 17 November 2017.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 83 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
(7) Assistance should also be provided in compliance with the international agreements concluded by the Union, including with the beneficiaries listed in Annex I. Assistance should mainly focus on assisting the beneficiaries listed in Annex I to strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law, reform the judiciary and public administration, respect fundamental rights, including those of minorities and promote gender equality, tolerance, social inclusion and non- discrimination. Assistance should also support the key principles and rights as defined in the European Pillar of Social Rights.17 Assistance should continue to support their efforts to advance regional, macro-regional and cross-border cooperation as well as territorial development, including through implementation of Union macro-regional strategies. It should also enhance their economic and social development and economic governance, underpinning a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth agenda, including through implementation of regional development, agriculture and rural development, social and employment policies and the development of the digital economy and society, also in line with the flagship initiative Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans. _________________ 17 European Pillar of Social Rights solemnly proclaimed by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission at the Gothenburg Social Summit for Fair Jobs and Growth, Gothenburg 17 November 2017.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 91 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
(9) Enhanced strategic and operational cooperation between the Union and the beneficiaries listed in Annex I on security and defence issues is pivotal to addressing effectively and efficiently security and terrorism threats.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 94 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9 a (new)
(9 a) The beneficiaries listed in Annex I should be encouraged to progressively align their policies with the Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy, including the implementation of restrictive measures as well as the Union's broader external policies in international institutions and multilateral fora;
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 96 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) It is essential to further step up cCooperation on migration including border management, ensuring access to international protection, sharing relevant information, strengthening the development benefits of migration, facilitating legal and labour migration, enhancing border control and pursuing our effort in the fight againstefforts to prevent and discourage irregular migration, the fight against trafficking in human beings and migrant smuggling are an important aspect of cooperation between the Union and the beneficiaries listed in Annex I.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 101 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
(11) Strengthening the rule of law, including the independence of the judiciary, fight against corruption and organised crime, and good governance, including public administration reform, remain key challenges in most of the beneficiaries listed in Annex I and are essential in order for beneficiaries to come closer to the Union and later to fully assume the obligations of Union membership. In view of the longer-term nature of the reforms pursued in those areas and the need to build up track records, financial assistance under this Regulation should address the requirements placed on the beneficiaries listed in Annex Ibe programmed to address these issues as early as possible.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 108 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
(14) Actions under this Instrument should support implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as a universal agenda, to which the EU and its Member States are fully committed and which all beneficiaries listed in Annex I have endorsed.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 110 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
(16) The Commission and the Member States should ensure compliance, coherence, and complementarity of their assistance, in particular through regular consultations and frequent exchanges of information during the different phases of the assistance cycle. The necessary steps should also be taken to ensure better coordination and complementarity, including through regular consultations, with other donors. The role of civil society should be enhanced both inIn line with the principle of inclusive partnership as set out in Regulation (EU) .../... [NDICI Regulation] and Regulation (EU) .../... [Common Provisions Regulation], civil society organisations should be part of both the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the programmes implemented through government bodies and as abe direct beneficiaryies of Union assistance.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 111 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
(16) The Commission and the Member States should ensure compliance, coherence, consistency and complementarity of their assistanceall external financing, in particular through regular consultations and frequent exchanges of information during the different phases of the assistance cycle. The necessary steps should also be taken to ensure better coordination and complementarity, including through regular consultations, with other donors. The role of civil society, including independent civil society and non-governmental organisations and relevant individuals should be enhanced both in programmes implemented through government bodies and as a direct beneficiary of Union assistance.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 118 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
(18) It is in the Union's and the beneficiaries' interest to assist the beneficiaries listed in Annex I in their efforts toimplement political, economic and legal reforms with a view to Union membership. Assistance should be managed with a strong focus on results and withights and principles and include a performance based approach including positive and negative incentives for those who demonstrate their commitment to reform through efficient implementation of pre- accession assistance, respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law and progress towards meeting the membership criteria.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 120 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18 a (new)
(18 a) The Commission should set-up clear monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure that the objectives and actions with regards to the different beneficiaries remain relevant and feasible and to regularly measure progress. To that effect, every objective should be accompanied by one or more performance indicators. Progress should be monitored at least yearly to establish whether the performance reward is applicable to a beneficiary.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 121 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
(19) The transition from direct management of pre-accession funds by the Commission to indirect management by the beneficiaries listed in Annex I should be progressive and in line with the respective capacities of those beneficiaries and can be reversed if the beneficiaries are unable or unwilling to administer these funds in accordance to the established rules, principles and objectives. Assistance should continue to make use of the structures and instruments that have proved their worth in the pre-accession process.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 122 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
(20) The Union should seek the most efficient use of available resources in order to optimise the impact of its external action. That should be achieved through coherence, consistency and complementarity among the Union's external financing instruments, as well as the creation of synergies with other Union policies and programmes. This includes, where relevant, coherence and complementarity with macro-financial assistance.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 123 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
(21) In order to maximise the impact of combined interventions to achieve a common objective, this Regulation should be able to contribute to actions under other programmes, as long as the contributions do not cover the same costs and the goals and objectives of these programmes do not deviate from the goals and objectives laid down in this Regulation.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 127 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
(26) External actions are often implemented in a highly volatile environment requiring a continuous and rapid adaptation to the evolving needs of Union partners and to global challenges such as human rights, democracy and good governance, security and stability, climate change and environment and irregular migration and its root causes. Reconciling the principle of predictability with the need to react rapidly to new needs consequently means adapting the financial implementation of the programmes. To increase the ability of the Union to respond to unforeseen needs, while respecting the principle that the Union budget is set annually, this Regulation should preserve the possibility to apply the flexibilities already allowed by the Financial Regulation for other policies, namely carry-overs and re-commitments of committed funds while adhering to the goals and objectives laid down in this Regulation, to ensure an efficient use of the EU funds both for the EU citizens and the beneficiaries listed in Annex I, thus maximising the EU funds available for the EU external action interventions.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 128 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
(26) External actions are often implemented in a highly volatile environment requiring a continuous and rapid adaptation to the evolving needs of Union partners and to global challenges such as human rights, democracy and good governance, security, defence and stability, climate change and environment and irregular migration and its root causes. Reconciling the principle of predictability with the need to react rapidly to new needs consequently means adapting the financial implementation of the programmes. To increase the ability of the Union to respond to unforeseen needs, while respecting the principle that the Union budget is set annually, this Regulation should preserve the possibility to apply the flexibilities already allowed by the Financial Regulation for other policies, namely carry-overs and re-commitments of committed funds, to ensure an efficient use of the EU funds both for the EU citizens and the beneficiaries listed in Annex I, thus maximising the EU funds available for the EU external action interventions.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 142 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The general objective of IPA III shall be to support the beneficiaries listed in Annex I in adopting and implementing the political, institutional, legal, administrative, social and economic reforms required by those beneficiaries to comply with Union values and to progressively align to Union rules, standards, policies and practices with a view to Union membership, thereby contributing to their peace, stability, security and prosperity.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 147 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) To strengthen the rule of law, democracy, the respect of human rights, including those of minorities, fundamental rights and international law, civil society and security as well as improve migration management including border management;
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 148 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) To strengthen the rule of law, democracy, the respect of human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities and the rights of the child, gender equality, fundamental rights and international law, civil society, peace and security, the respect for cultural diversity, non-discrimination and tolerance as well as improve migration management including border management;
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 162 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) To shape the rules, standards, policies and practices of the beneficiaries listed in Annex I in alignment to those of the Union and to reinforce reconciliation and good neighbourly relations, as well as peace-building and conflict prevention, including through people to people contacts, freedom of media and communication;
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 163 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) To shape the rules, standards, policies and practices of the beneficiaries listed in Annex I in alignment to those of the Union, including on the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the defending of multilateralism and to reinforce reconciliation and good neighbourly relations, as well as people to people contacts and communication;
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 166 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) To strengthen economic and social development including through increased connectivity and regional development, agriculture and rural development and social and employment policies, reducing poverty, regional imbalances and social exclusion, to reinforce environmental protection, increase resilience to climate change, accelerate the shift towards a low- carbon economy and develop the digital economy and society.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 209 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2
2. Programmes and actions under this Regulation shall mainstream climate change, environmental protection and gender equality, conflict prevention and gender equality, reducing poverty, regional imbalances and social exclusion and shall, where applicable, address interlinkages between Sustainable Development Goals34 , to promote integrated actions that can create co- benefits and meet multiple objectives in a coherent way. _________________ 34 https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/policies/sust ainable-development-goals_en
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 213 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2
2. Programmes and actions under this Regulation shall mainstream human rights, climate change, environmental protection and gender equality and shall, where applicable, address interlinkages between Sustainable Development Goals34 , to promote integrated actions that can create co-benefits and meet multiple objectives in a coherent way. _________________ 34 https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/policies/sust ainable-development-goals_en
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 215 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3
3. The Commission and the Member States shall cooperate in ensuring coherence and shall strive to avoid duplication between assistance provided under IPA III and other assistance provided by the Union, the Member States and the European Investment Bank, in line with the established principles for strengthening operational coordination in the field of external assistance, and for the harmonisation of policies and procedures, in particular the international principles on development effectiveness.35 Coordination shall involve regular consultations, frequent exchanges of information during the different phases of the assistance cycle and inclusive meetings aimed at coordinating the assistance and shall constitute a key step in the programming processes of the Union and the Member States. _________________ 35 https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/policies/eu- approach-aid-effectiveness_en
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 220 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. When preparing, implementing and monitoring assistance under this Regulation, the Commission shall in principle act in partnership with the beneficiaries listed in Annex I. The partnership shall include, as appropriate, competent national and local authorities, as well as civil society organisations. Coordination among the relevant stakeholders shall be encouraged by the Commission. The capacities of civil society organisations shall be strengthened, including, as appropriate, as direct beneficiaries of assistance;
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 223 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. The Commission, in liaison with Member States, shall contribute to the implementation of Union commitments towards increased transparency and accountability in the delivery of assistance, including by publicly disclosing information on assistance volume and allocation, ensuring that data is internationally comparable and can be easily accessed, shared and published;
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 229 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
The IPA programming framework shall take relevant European Parliament resolutions, reports and work of monitoring groups and delegations as well as national strategies and sector policies into due account.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 241 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 5
5. The IPA programming framework shall include indicators for assessing progress with regard to attainment of the targets set therein, inter alia progress and the establishment of track records in the areas of: - strengthening democracy, the rule of law and an independent and efficient justice system; - respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities and vulnerable groups, fundamental freedoms; - gender equality and women´s rights; - the fight against corruption and organised crime; - reconciliation, peace-building, good neighbourly relations; - freedom of the media; - cultural diversity.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 247 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. The Commission shall include progress against those indicators in its annual reports.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 250 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 a (new)
Article 7 a Governance A horizontal steering group based throughout the relevant Commission and EEAS departments and chaired by the HR/VP or a representative of that office shall be responsible for the steering, coordinating and managing of the principles, objectives and spending under both this Regulation and Regulation (EU) .../... [NDICI regulation] in order to ensure consistency, efficiency, transparency and accountability of Union external financing;
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 258 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2
2. Under this Regulation, action plans may be adopted for a period of up to sevenfour years.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 260 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. The Steering Group referred to in Article 7a shall be responsible for keeping the European Parliament informed about ongoing measures and actions, results, changed or challenging circumstances.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 277 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2
2. Indicators to monitor implementation and progress of the IPA III towards the achievement of the specific objectives set out in Article 3 are set in Annex IV to this Regulationshall be formulated for each specific objective. Those indicators shall take into account the Commission's and European Parliament's annual enlargement reports.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 325 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) Establishing and promoting from an (a) early stage the proper functioning of the institutions necessary in order to secure the rule of law. Interventions in this area shall aim at: establishing independent, accountable and efficient judicial systems, including transparent and merit-based recruitment and promoting judicial cooperation, evaluation and promotion systems and effective disciplinary procedures in cases of wrongdoing; ensuring the establishment of robust systems to protect the borders, manage migration flows and provide asylum to those in need; developing effective tools to prevent and fight organised crime, trafficking in human beings, migrants smuggling, money laundering/financing of terrorism and corruption; promoting and protecting human rights, including the rights of the child, rights of persons belonging to minorities including Roma as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons fundamental freedoms, including freedom of the media and data protection.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 330 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) Reforming public administrations in line with the Principles of Public Administration. Interventions shall aim at: strengthening public administration reform frameworks; improving strategic planning and inclusive and evidence-based policy and legislative development; promoting free and fair democratic processes, inclusive and representative democracy, enhancing professionalisation and de-politicisation of public service by embedding meritocratic principles; promoting transparency and accountability; improving quality and delivery of services, including adequate administrative procedures and the use of citizen centred eGovernment; strengthening public financial management and the production of reliable statistics.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 332 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) Strengthening economic governance: Interventions shall aim at supporting participation in the economic reform programme (ERP) process and systematic cooperation with international financial institutions on fundamentals of economic policy and the promotion and protection of multilateral economic institutions. Enhancing the capacity to strengthen macroeconomic stability and supporting progress towards becoming a functioning market economy with the capacity to cope with competitive pressures and market forces within the Union;
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 334 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) Strengthening the Union and its partners' capacity to prevent conflict, build peace and address pre-and post-crisis including through early warning and conflict-sensitive risk analysis; promoting people to people networking, reconciliation, peace-building and confidence-building measures, supporting capacity building in support of security and development (CBSD) actions.; contributing to the defence and cyber defence of the beneficiaries listed in Annex I; and strengthening the capabilities of strategic communication to foster systematic uncovering of disinformation;
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 335 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) Strengthening the Union and its partners' capacity to prevent conflict, build peace and address pre-and post-crisis including through early warning and conflict-sensitive risk analysis; promoting people to people networking, reconciliation, accountability, international justice, peace-building and confidence-building measures, supporting capacity building in support of security and development (CBSD) actions.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 340 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) Promoting the alignment of partner countries’ rules, standards, policies and practices to those of the Union, including Common Foreign and Security Policy and state aid rules.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 352 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point i
(i) Promoting social protection and inclusion and combating poverty. Interventions in this area shall aim at modernising social protection systems to provide effective, efficient, and adequate protection throughout all stages of a person’s life, fostering social inclusion, promoting equal opportunities and addressing inequalities and poverty, and promoting the transition from institutional to family and community based care. Interventions in this area shall also focus on: integrating marginalised communities such as the Roma; combating discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation; enhancing access to affordable, sustainable and high quality family and community based services, such as inclusive early childhood education and care, housing, healthcare and essential social services and long term care, including through the modernisation of social protection systems, and the transition from institutions to family- and community-based care.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 367 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) promoting employment, labour mobility and social and cultural inclusion across borders through, inter alia: integrating cross-border labour markets, including cross-border mobility; joint local employment initiatives; information and advisory services and joint training; gender equality; equal opportunities; integration of immigrants' communities and vulnerable groups; investment in public employment services; and supporting investment in public health and social services as well as the transition from institutional to family-and community-based care;
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 380 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – paragraph 1 – point 1
1. a) Composite indicator43 on the readiness of enlargement countries on fundamental areas of the political accession criteria (including Democracy, Rule of Law (Judiciary, Fight against corruption and Fight against organised crime) and Human Rights) (source European Commission); b) Composite indicator on partners´ efforts related to reconciliation, peace- building, good neighbourly relations, gender equality and women's rights; c) Absence of violence indicator in conjunction with reductions in drivers of conflict (e.g political or economic exclusion) built on a baseline assessment. _________________ 43 The three composite indicators are elaborated by the European Commission on the basis of the reports on Enlargement, which also draw from multiple, independent sources.
2018/11/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 69 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 a (new)
Article 25 a By way of further derogation from Article 209(3) of the Financial Regulation, repayments and revenues generated by investments under the existing endowments of the ACP Investment Facility shall be considered as revolving assets intended for investment in the sectors and regions covered by the ACP Investment Facility and shall continue to be managed by the EIB. If at any point the Commission or the Council propose for all such assets and liabilities to be transferred to the Union in accordance with [Article 25 of]the Financial Regulation, the legislative acts concerning the future functioning of the ACP Investment Facility shall be prepared in close dialogue with the EIB, in particular taking into account the EIB’s contractual obligations to lend that might be existing at that time.
2018/11/27
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 71 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
The financial envelope referred to in Article (6)(2)(a) shall finance the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+), the External Lending Mandate of the EIB, and the External Action Guarantee.
2018/11/27
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 75 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
The EIB Group shall, under chapter IV of this regulation, inter alia: a. indirectly manage and implement the ELM+; b. provide all strategic banking and risk management competences required by the Commission, including those related to the operational management of the EFSD+ Guarantee, c. provide a written opinion on banking related matters to accompany each Commission proposal for investment windows under the EFSD+ guarantee; d. be an eligible counterpart for managing and implementing activities under EFSD+. Notwithstanding the above, the Commission and the EIB Group may agree on any other role of the EIB Group as part of the implementation of the External Investment Framework in line with the Statute of the relevant EIB Group entity and role under the Treaty.
2018/11/27
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 443 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
(13) Pursuant to the Sustainable Development Goals, this Regulation should contribute to reinforced monitoring and reporting with a focus on results, covering outputs, outcomes and impacts in partner countries benefiting from the Union's external financial assistance. Access to and the provision of basic services is essential to achieving development results and the Sustainable Development Goals. In line with the Consensus, the EU is dedicated to helping partners to improve the delivery of essential public basic services, such as health, education, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, and social protection, and equitable access to food security and accessible, decent and affordable housing, and to improve the quality of life of rapidly growing urban populations. In particular, as agreed in the Consensus, actions under this Regulation are expected to contribute 20% of the Official Development Assistance funded under this Regulation to social inclusion and human development, including gender equality and women's empowerment. .
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 463 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 a (new)
(14a) Children and youth are essential agents of change and contributors to the realisation of Agenda 2030, as recognised in the European Consensus on Development and Art. 3 of the Treaty on European Union. The Union's external action under this regulation will give particular attention to their needs and empowerment and will contribute to the realisation of their potential as key agents of change by investing in human development and social inclusion.
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 610 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Pursue development cooperation with partner countries to achieve sustainable development, underlined by the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2030, combat inequalities, and poverty eradication.
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 611 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. At least 20% of the Official Development Assistance funded under this Regulation, across all programmes, geographic and thematic, annually and over the duration of its actions should be ring-fenced for social inclusion and human development, in order to support and strengthen the provision of basic social services, such as health - including nutrition, education and social protection, particularly to the most marginalised, and with an emphasis on women and children.
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 645 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) contribute to strengthening resilience of states, societies, communities, children and individuals and to linking humanitarian aid and development action;
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 717 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. This Regulation shall give particular attention to the needs and empowerment of children and youth, in particular girls and young women, whilst contributing to the realisation of their potential as key agents of change.
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 792 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) without prejudice to paragraph 4, actions shall be based, to the extent possible, on aon an inclusive dialogue between the Union, the Member States and the partner countries concerned, including national and local authorities, involving civil society, national and local parliaments and other stakeholdercommunities, which meaningfully involves those who are most disadvantaged and left behind, including children, older persons, persons with disabilities, LGBTI persons and indigenous peoples, in order to enhance ownership of the process and to encourage support for national and regional strategies;
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 821 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. In order to address adequately the demographic dividend and ensure the highest transformative potential to break the cycle of poverty and inequality, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and the EU Consensus for Development, at least 25% of annual spending under geographic programmes shall be targeted to actions directly relevant to children’s rights, especially those most left behind, from early childhood through the second decade of life.
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 828 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) a national or regional strategy in the form of a development plan or a similar document accepted by the Commission as a basis for the corresponding multiannual indicative programme, at the time of adoption of the latter document and based on a meaningful consultation with the local population, civil society and with the participation of marginalised groups including children, older persons with disabilities, LGBTI persons and indigenous people;
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 965 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 a (new)
Article 25 a By way of further derogation from Article 209(3) of the Financial Regulation, repayments and revenues generated by investments under the existing endowments of the ACP Investment Facility shall be considered as revolving assets intended for investment in the sectors and regions covered by the ACP Investment Facility and shall continue to be managed by the EIB. If at any point the Commission or the Council propose for all such assets and liabilities to be transferred to the Union in accordance with [Article 25 of]the Financial Regulation, the legislative acts concerning the future functioning of the ACP Investment Facility shall be prepared in close dialogue with the EIB, in particular taking into account the EIB’s contractual obligations to lend that might be existing at that time.
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 970 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
The financial envelope referred to in Article (6)(2)(a) shall finance the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+), the External Lending Mandate of the EIB and the External Action Guarantee.
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 981 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
The EIB Group shall, under chapter IV of this regulation, inter alia: a. indirectly manage and implement the ELM+; b. provide all strategic banking and risk management competences required by the Commission, including those related to the operational management of the EFSD+ Guarantee, c. provide a written opinion on banking-related matters to accompany each Commission proposal for investment windows under the EFSD+ guarantee; d. be an eligible counterpart for managing and implementing activities under EFSD+. Notwithstanding the above, the Commission and the EIB Group may agree on any other role of the EIB Group as part of the implementation of the External Investment Framework in line with the Statute of the relevant EIB Group entity and role under the Treaty.
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 1072 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – part A – point 1 – point c
(c) Promoting the fight against discrimination in all its forms, and the principle of equality, in particular gender equality and the rights of children and persons belonging to minorities;
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 1088 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – part A – point 2 – point b
(b) Enhancing efforts for the adoption of policies and appropriate investment to promote, protect and fulfil women, and young people and children’s rights, to facilitate their engagement and meaningful participation in social, civic and economic life, and to ensure their full contribution to inclusive growth and sustainable development;
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 1098 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – part A – point 2 – point f
(f) Giving children, particularly the most left behind, the best start in life by investing as early as possible to enhance childhood development and ensure that children experiencing poverty or inequality have access to basic social services such as health, nutrition, education and social protection. Supporting the provision of a safe, nurturing environment for children as an important element for fostering a healthy young population able to reach its full potential paying special attention to the needs of girls;
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 1103 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – part A – point 2 – point g
(g) Supporting universal access to sufficient, affordable, safe and nutritious food, particularly for those in the most vulnerable situations, and strengthening food security and nutrition, particularly in countries facing protracted or recurrent crisesin particular children under five, adolescents, girls and women, especially during pregnancy and breastfeeding, strengthening food security and nutrition, particularly in countries facing protracted or recurrent crises and fostering multi-sectoral nutrition-sensitive approaches to agriculture, women’s and girls’ rights and empowerment, health, social protection and education.
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 1112 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – part A – point 2 – point m
(m) Promoting inclusive and equitable quality formal, informal and non-formal education for all, at all levels and including early childhood development, technical and vocational training, including in emergency and crisis situations, and including through the use of digital technologies to improve education teaching and learning;
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 1219 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – point 1 – indent 3 a (new)
– The scope of the programme includes civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights and will address inter alia: the rights of the child, as set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Optional Protocols thereto, including the fight against child labour, child trafficking and child prostitution, the recruitment and use of child soldiers, and the protection of children from discrimination;
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 1272 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – point 4 – part A – point 2 – point a
(a) Promoting joint global efforts for inclusive and equitable quality education and training at all levels, including in emergency and crisis situationearly childhood development, with a focus on emergency and crisis situations with a particular priority on strengthening public education systems;
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 1281 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – point 4 – part A – point 3 – point a
(a) Leading and supporting global efforts, partnerships and alliances to end all forms of discrimination and eliminate all forms of violence, harmful practices against women and girls; this includes physical, psychological, sexual, economic and other types of violence and discrimination, including exclusviolence, exclusion and stigmatisation that women suffer in the different areas of their private and public lives;
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 1285 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – point 4 – part A – point 3 – point a a (new)
(aa) Promoting the protection and fulfilment of women’s and girls’ rights, including economic, labour and social rights, and sexual and reproductive health and rights, including via comprehensive sexuality education. Recognizing and valuing unpaid care and domestic work;
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 1288 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – point 4 – part A – point 3 – point a b (new)
(ab) Supporting women’s and girls’ full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership in social, economic, political and civil life.
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 1291 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – point 4 – part A – point 3 – point b
(b) Promoting new initiatives to build stronger child protection systems in third countries, ensuring that children are protected in all areas from violence, abuses and neglect, including by promoting the transition from institutional to community-based care for children.hat ensure that children get the best start in life including stronger child protection systems in third countries;
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 1292 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – point 4 – part A – point 3 – point b a (new)
(ba) Ensuring that children are protected in all areas from violence, abuses and neglect, including by promoting the transition from institutional to community-based care for children;
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 1293 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – point 4 – part A – point 3 – point b b (new)
(bb) Promoting access to basic social services for children, including the most marginalised, with a focus on health, nutrition, education, early childhood development and social protection;
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 1294 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – point 4 – part A – point 3 – point b c (new)
(bc) Promoting children’s empowerment by opening spaces for their active and meaningful participation in matters that concern them.
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 1296 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – point 4 – part A – point 3 a (new)
3a. Supporting universal access to basic social services including health, notably sexual and reproductive health services, information and supplies, through dedicated youth-friendly services and comprehensive sexuality education, nutrition, education and social protection;
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 1297 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – point 4 – part A – point 3 b (new)
3b. Stepping up assistance to youth to support them in acquiring relevant skills and in accessing decent and quality jobs through education, vocational and technical training, and access to digital technologies;
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 1298 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – point 4 – part A – point 3 c (new)
3c. Supporting youth entrepreneurship and promoting the creation of sustainable jobs with decent working conditions;
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 1299 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – point 4 – part A – point 3 d (new)
3d. Promoting youth empowerment and responsible citizenship, by opening spaces for their active and meaningful participation in political life and in peace process and mediation efforts, by supporting initiatives of inter-cultural dialogue among youth organisations and by preventing marginalization and exclusion.
2018/12/17
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 30 #

2018/0229(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) With 1.8% of EU GDP, down from 2.2% in 2009, infrastructure investment activities in the Union in 2016 were about 20% below investment rates before the global financial crisis. Thus, while a recovery in investment-to-GDP ratios in the Union can be observed, it remains below what might be expected in a strong recovery period and is insufficient to compensate years of underinvestment. More importantly, the current investment levels and forecasts do not cover the Union’s structural investment needs in the face of technological change and global competitiveness, including for innovation, skills, infrastructure, small and medium- sized enterprises (‘SMEs’) and the need to address key societal challenges such as sustainability or population ageing. Consequently, continued support is necessary to address market failures and sub-optimal investment situations to reduce the investment gap in targeted sectors to reduce disparities in the level of development and to achieve the Union’s policy objectives.
2018/10/10
Committee: REGI
Amendment 99 #

2018/0229(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 36
(36) In order to ensure a wide geographic outreach of the advisory services across the Union and to successfully leverage local knowledge about the InvestEU Fund, a regional and local presence of the InvestEU Advisory Hub should be ensured, where needed, taking into account existing support schemes, with a view to provide tangible, proactive, tailor-made assistance on the ground.
2018/10/10
Committee: REGI
Amendment 106 #

2018/0229(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 47
(47) The InvestEU Programme should address EU-wide market failures and, sub- optimal investment situations, disparities in the level of development and provide for Union-wide market testing of innovative financial products, and systems to spread them, for new or complex market failures. Therefore, action at Union level is warranted,
2018/10/10
Committee: REGI
Amendment 117 #

2018/0229(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(ba) balanced development and the reduction of disparities;
2018/10/10
Committee: REGI
Amendment 141 #

2018/0229(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) sustainable infrastructure policy window: comprises sustainable investment in the areas of transport, energy, communication and digital connectivity, supply and processing of raw materials, space, oceans and water, waste, nature and other environment infrastructure, equipment, mobile assets and deployment of innovative technologies that contribute to the environmental or social sustainability objectives of the Union, or to both, or meet the environmental or social sustainability standards of the Union;
2018/10/10
Committee: REGI
Amendment 147 #

2018/0229(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) research, innovation and digitisation policy window: comprises research and innovation activities, transfer of research results to the market, demonstration and deployment of innovative solutions and support to scaling up of innovative companies other than SMEs as well as digitisation of Union industry;
2018/10/10
Committee: REGI
Amendment 182 #

2018/0229(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) cross-border and interregional projects between entities located or established in one or more Member States and extending to one or more third countries, including acceding countries, candidate countries and potential candidates, countries covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy, the European Economic Area or the European Free Trade Association, or to an overseas country or territory as set out in Annex II to the TFEU, or to an associated third country, whether or not there is a partner in those third countries or overseas countries or territories;
2018/10/10
Committee: REGI
Amendment 191 #

2018/0229(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) achieves geographical diversification in relation to the need for balanced development;
2018/10/10
Committee: REGI
Amendment 212 #

2018/0229(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 4
The composition of the Investment Committee shall ensure that it has a wide knowledge of the sectors covered by the policy windows referred to in Article 7(1) and of the geographic markets in the Union and that it is geographical and gender- balanced as a whole.
2018/10/10
Committee: REGI
Amendment 216 #

2018/0229(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
When participating in the activities of the Investment Committee, its members shall perform their duties impartially and in the sole interest of the InvestEU Fund. They shall not seek or take instructions from the implementing partners, the institutions of the Union, the Member States, the regions or any other public or private body.
2018/10/10
Committee: REGI
Amendment 234 #

2018/0229(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 1
1. The implementing partners shall acknowledge the origin and ensure the visibility of the Union funding (in particular when promoting the actions and their results), by providing coherent, effective and targeted information to multiple audiences, including the media and the public, according to the standards applicable to EU programs.
2018/10/10
Committee: REGI
Amendment 18 #

2018/0228(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) In order to achieve smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and to stimulate job creation, the Union needs an up-to-date, high-performance infrastructure to help connect and integrate the Union and all its regions, in the transport, telecommunications and energy sectors. Those connections should help to improve the free movement of persons, goods, capital and services. The trans-European networks should facilitate cross-border connections for civil and military purposes, foster greater economic, social and territorial cohesion and contribute to a more competitive social market economy and to combating climate change.
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 25 #

2018/0228(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
(6) An important objective of this Programme is to deliver increased synergies between the transport (civil and military), energy and digital sector. For that purpose, the Programme should provide for the adoption of cross-sectoral work programmes that could address specific intervention areas, for instance as regards connected and automated mobility or alternative fuels. In addition, the Programme should allow, within each sector, the possibility to consider eligible some ancillary components pertaining to another sector, where such an approach improves the socio-economic benefit of the investment. Synergies between sectors should be incentivized through the award criteria for the selection of actions.
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 31 #

2018/0228(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 8
8. As regards the amounts transferred from the Cohesion Fund, 350% of these amounts shall be made available immediately to all Member States eligible for funding from the Cohesion Fund to finance transport infrastructure projects in accordance with this Regulation, with priority to cross-border and missing links. Until 31 December 2023, the selection of projects eligible for financing shall respect the national allocations under the Cohesion Fund with regard to 750% of the resources transferred. As of 1 January 2024, resources transferred to the Programme which have not been committed to a transport infrastructure project shall be made available to all Member States eligible for funding from the Cohesion Fund to finance transport infrastructure projects in accordance with this Regulation.
2018/09/18
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 32 #

2018/0228(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
(14) Following the Joint Communication on improving military mobility in the European Union of November 20179 , the Action Plan on Military Mobility adopted on 28 March 2018 by the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy10 highlighted that transport infrastructure policy offers a clear opportunity to increase synergies between defence needs and TEN- T. The Action Plan indicates that by mid- 2018, the Council is invited to consider and validate the military requirements in relation to transport infrastructure and that, by 2019 the Commission services will identify the parts of the trans-European transport network suitable for military transport, including necessary upgrades of existing infrastructure. It is important that the timetable in the Action Plan is adhered to, both by the EU and by Member States. Union funding for the implementation of the dual-use projects should be implemented through the Programme on the basis of specific work programmes specifying the applicable requirements as defined in the context of the Action Plan. __________________ 9 10Dual-use military mobility projects financed under CEF will enhance overall European security as they will not only enhance the safety of the infrastructure for citizens but will also improve the credibility of the EU's defence and deterrence. Efficient military mobility is a crucial element for strong external borders and will help EU Member States that are also NATO member states to meet their Article 5 commitments. __________________ 9 JOIN(2017) 41 JOIN(2017) 41 10 JOIN(2018) 5 JOIN(2018) 5
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 36 #

2018/0228(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) Under the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(a)(ii): actions, or specific activities within an action, supporting new and existing transport infrastructure on the TEN-T Network in order to adapt it to military mobility requirements with the purpose of enabling a civilian-military dual-use of the infrastructure.
2018/09/18
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 42 #

2018/0228(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) for works relating to the specific objectives referred to in Article 3 (2) (a), the amount of Union financial assistance shall not exceed 30 % of the total eligible cost. The co-financing rates may be increased to a maximum of 650 % for actions relating to cross-border links under the conditions specified in point (c) of this paragraph, for actions supporting telematic applications systems, for actions supporting new technologies and innovation, for actions supporting improvements of infrastructure safety in line with relevant Union legislation and for actions located in outermost regions; The co-funding rates may be increased to a maximum of 65% for the specific objective referred to in Article 3 (2) (a) (ii) in case of Member States benefitting from the transfer from the Cohesion Fund;
2018/09/18
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 46 #

2018/0228(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 2
2. The grant agreement may be terminated on the basis of the grounds specified in paragraph 1. In that event, the Commission shall make the unused funds available to other projects without delay.
2018/09/18
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 53 #

2018/0228(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 8
8. As regards the amounts transferred from the Cohesion Fund, 350% of these amounts shall be made available immediately to all Member States eligible for funding from the Cohesion Fund to finance transport infrastructure projects in accordance with this Regulation, with priority to cross-border and missing links. Until 31 December 2023, the selection of projects eligible for financing shall respect the national allocations under the Cohesion Fund with regard to 750% of the resources transferred. As of 1 January 2024, resources transferred to the Programme which have not been committed to a transport infrastructure project shall be made available to all Member States eligible for funding from the Cohesion Fund to finance transport infrastructure projects in accordance with this Regulation.
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 54 #

2018/0228(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point d – introductory part
(d) other third countries, including strategic military partner countries, in accordance with the conditions laid down in a specific agreement covering the participation of the third country to any Union programme, provided that the agreement:
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 61 #

2018/0228(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2
2. Studies aiming at the development and identification of projects of common interest, including military interest, in the area of digital connectivity infrastructure shall be eligible for funding under this Regulation.
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 71 #

2018/0228(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) Under the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(a)(ii): actions, or specific activities within an action, supporting new and existing transport infrastructure on the TEN-T Network in order to adapt it to military mobility requirements with the purpose of enabling a civilian-military dual-use of the infrastructure.
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 80 #

2018/0228(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. military mobility dimension;
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 81 #

2018/0228(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) for works relating to the specific objectives referred to in Article 3 (2) (a), the amount of Union financial assistance shall not exceed 30 % of the total eligible cost. The co-financing rates may be increased to a maximum of 650 % for actions relating to cross-border links under the conditions specified in point (c) of this paragraph, for actions supporting telematic applications systems, for actions supporting new technologies and innovation, for actions supporting improvements of infrastructure safety in line with relevant Union legislation and for actions located in outermost regions; The co-funding rates may be increased to a maximum of 65% for the specific objective referred to in Article 3 (2) (a) (ii) in case of Member States benefitting from the transfer from the Cohesion Fund;
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 83 #

2018/0228(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 2
2. The grant agreement may be terminated on the basis of the grounds specified in paragraph 1. In such case, the Commission will make the unused funds available to other projects without delay.
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 113 #

2018/0228(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 8
8. As regards the amounts transferred from the Cohesion Fund, 350% of these amounts shall be made available immediately to all Member States eligible for funding from the Cohesion Fund to finance transport infrastructure projects in accordance with this Regulation, with priority to cross-border and missing links. Until 31 December 2023, the selection of projects eligible for financing shall respect the national allocations under the Cohesion Fund with regard to 750% of the resources transferred. As of 1 January 2024, resources transferred to the Programme which have not been committed to a transport infrastructure project shall be made available to all Member States eligible for funding from the Cohesion Fund to finance transport infrastructure projects in accordance with this Regulation.
2018/09/13
Committee: REGI
Amendment 141 #

2018/0228(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) Under the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(a)(ii): actions, or specific activities within an action, supporting new and existing transport infrastructure on the TEN-T Network in order to adapt it to military mobility requirements with the purpose of enabling a civilian-military dual-use of the infrastructure.
2018/09/13
Committee: REGI
Amendment 167 #

2018/0228(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) for works relating to the specific objectives referred to in Article 3 (2) (a), the amount of Union financial assistance shall not exceed 30 % of the total eligible cost. The co-financing rates may be increased to a maximum of 650 % for actions relating to cross-border links under the conditions specified in point (c) of this paragraph, for actions supporting telematic applications systems, for actions supporting new technologies and innovation, for actions supporting improvements of infrastructure safety in line with relevant Union legislation and for actions located in outermost regions. The co-funding rates may be increased to a maximum of 65% for the specific objective referred to in Article 3 (2) (a) (ii) in case of Member States benefitting from the transfer from the Cohesion Fund;
2018/09/13
Committee: REGI
Amendment 184 #

2018/0228(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 2
2. The grant agreement may be terminated on the basis of the grounds specified in paragraph 1. In such case, the Commission will make the unused funds available to other projects without delay.
2018/09/13
Committee: REGI
Amendment 105 #

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
(19) The pillar 'Open Innovation' should establish a series of measures for integrated support to the needs of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship aiming at realising and accelerating breakthrough innovation for rapid market growth. It should attract innovative companies with potential for scaling up at international and at Union level and offer fast, flexible grants and co- investments, including with private investors. These objectives should be pursued through the creation of a European Innovation Council (EIC). This Pillar should also support the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and European innovation ecosystems at large, notably through co-funding partnerships with national and regional innovation support actors. Moreover, excellence- driven actions can have positive consequences for the development of innovation capacity of regions across the Union.
2018/10/04
Committee: REGI
Amendment 310 #

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – point 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – paragraph 1
Areas of intervention: Pathfinder, supporting future and emerging breakthrough technologies; supporting all forms of excellence and innovation, including non-technological and social innovation; Accelerator, bridging the financing gap between late stages of innovation activities and market take-up, to effectively deploy breakthrough market- creating innovation and scale up companies where the market does not provide viable financing, and; additional activities such as prizes and fellowships, and business added-value services.
2018/10/04
Committee: REGI
Amendment 312 #

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – point 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – paragraph 1
Areas of intervention: Connecting with regional and national innovation actors and supporting the implementation of joint cross-border innovation programmes by Member States and associated countries, from the enhancement of soft skills for innovation to research and innovation actions, to boost the effectiveness of the European innovation system. This will complement the ERDF support for innovation eco-systems and interregional partnerships around smart specialisation topics and will increase the impact of research and innovation activities on growth and jobs across regions and cities.
2018/10/04
Committee: REGI
Amendment 49 #

2018/0209(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
(25) In the implementation of the Programme due consideration should be given, in accordance with Articles 174 and 349 TFEU, to the strategy for outermost regions30 in view of Article 349 TFEU andand, in general, to the specific needs and vulnerabilities of these regions which suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps. Union policies other than environmental, climate and relevant clean energy transition policies should also be taken into account. _________________ 30 COM(2017) 623 final COM(2017) 623 final
2018/09/26
Committee: REGI
Amendment 87 #

2018/0209(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. The Commission should aim for a balanced annual distribution of the funding of traditional projects between the Member States.
2018/09/26
Committee: REGI
Amendment 91 #

2018/0209(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(a a) projects shall have a direct and measurable benefit for the environment of the EU Member States;
2018/09/26
Committee: REGI
Amendment 92 #

2018/0209(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) where appropriate, special regard shall be given to projects in geographical areas with specific needs or vulnerabilities, such as areas with specific environmental challenges or natural constraints, trans- border areas, northern sparsely populated areas or outermost regions.
2018/09/26
Committee: REGI
Amendment 94 #

2018/0209(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
(f a) projects shall respect the general principal of geographical balance;
2018/09/26
Committee: REGI
Amendment 181 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall allocate at least 25% of their ESF+ resources under shared management to the specific objectives for the social inclusion policy area set out in points (vii) to (xi) of Article 4(1), including the promotion of the socio- economic integration of third country nationals.deleted
2018/09/17
Committee: REGI
Amendment 185 #

2018/0206(COD)

Member States shall allocate at least 2% of their ESF+ resources under shared management to the specific objective of addressing material deprivation set out in point (xi) of Article 4(1).deleted
2018/09/17
Committee: REGI
Amendment 207 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
The resources referred to in Article 7(4) shall be programmed under a dedicated priority or programme.deleted
2018/09/17
Committee: REGI
Amendment 210 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1
The actions addressing the challenges identified in relevant country-specific recommendations and in the European Semester as referred to in Article 7(2) shall be programmed under one or more dedicated priorities.deleted
2018/09/17
Committee: REGI
Amendment 225 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 4
4. EachWhere the Member State shall dedicates at least one priority to the implementation of paragraphs 1 or 2 or to both. T, the maximum co-financing rate for these priorities may be increased to 95% for the allocation of maximum 5% of the national ESF+ allocation under shared management to such priorities.
2018/09/17
Committee: REGI
Amendment 227 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) the purchase of furniture, equipment and vehicles except where the purchase is necessary for achieving the objective of the operation, or these items are fully depreciated, or the purchase of these items is the most economic option.
2018/09/17
Committee: REGI
Amendment 228 #

2018/0206(COD)

4. Direct staff costs shall be eligible for a contribution from the general support of the ESF+ strand under shared management provided that their level is not higher than 100% of the usual remuneration for the profession concerned in the Member State as demonstrated by Eurostat data.deleted
2018/09/17
Committee: REGI
Amendment 234 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) the administrative, transport and storage costs borne by the beneficiaries involved in the distribution of the food and/or basic material assistance to the most deprived at a flat-rate of 5% of the costs referred to in point (a); or 5% of the costs of the value of the food products disposed of in accordance with Article 16 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013; a higher flat rate may be established by the Managing Authority using a fair, equitable and verifiable calculation method based on: (i) statistical data, other objective information or an expert judgement; or (ii) the verified historical data of individual beneficiaries.
2018/09/17
Committee: REGI
Amendment 16 #

2018/0202(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 a (new)
(14a) EGF should remain as a special EU instrument reacting to unexpected situations that cause major disruptions in the European labour markets. However the Union should continue the efforts to find more sustainable ways of tackling the structural change and challenges that affect the labour markets and lead to restructuring events in the Member States.
2018/09/13
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 18 #

2018/0202(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 37
(37) Reflecting the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union's commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this Programme will contribute to mainstream climate action in the Union's policies and to the achievement of an overall target of 2530 % of the EU budget expenditures supporting climate objectives. Relevant actions will be identified during the fund's preparation and implementation, and reassessed in the context of its evaluation.
2018/09/13
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 19 #

2018/0202(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The general objective of the programme is to demonstrate solidarity with and offer support tofinancial support for re- employment measures of displaced workers and self-employed persons whose activity has ceased in the course of unexpected major restructuring events, referred to in Article 5.
2018/09/13
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 20 #

2018/0202(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. The specific objective of the EGF is to offer assistance for reintegration in the labour market in case of unexpected major restructuring events, particularly those caused by globalisation-related challenges, such as changes in world trade patterns, trade disputes, financial or economic crises, the transition to low- carbon economy or as a consequence of digitisation or automation. Particular emphasis shall lie on measures that help the most disadvantaged groups.
2018/09/13
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 21 #

2018/0202(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
(6) In its ‘Reflection Paper on Harnessing Globalisation’20 the Commission identifies the combination of trade related globalisation and technological change as the major drivers of an increased demand for skilled labour and a reduced number of jobs that require lower qualifications. Despite the overall tremendous advantages of more open trade and further integration of world economies, these negative side effects need to be tackled. As the current benefits of globalisation are already unequally distributed among people and regions, causing a significant impact on those adversely affected, there is a danger that the ever faster evolving technological advances will further fuel these effects. Therefore, in line with the principles of solidarity and sustainability, it will be necessary to ensure that the benefits of globalisation will be shared more fairly by reconciling economic opening and technological advance with social protectionre-employment measures. _________________ 20 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/publicatio ns/reflection-paper-harnessing- globalisation_en.
2018/10/04
Committee: REGI
Amendment 39 #

2018/0202(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 a (new)
(14 a) The EGF should remain as a special EU instrument reacting to situations that cause major restructuring events in the European labour market. However, the Union should continue with efforts to find more sustainable ways of tackling the structural change and the challenges that affect labour markets and lead to restructuring events in the Member States.
2018/10/04
Committee: REGI
Amendment 58 #

2018/0202(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24 a (new)
(24 a) Financial contributions from the EGF should create real European added value. They cannot replace national measures or measures that are the responsibility of dismissing companies under national law or collective agreements.
2018/10/04
Committee: REGI
Amendment 65 #

2018/0202(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1
The EGF shall contribute to a better distribution of the benefits of globalisation and technological advance by helping displaced workers adapt to structural change in order to find a new employment. As such, the EGF shall contribute to the implementation of the principles defined under the European Pillar of Social Rights and enhance social and economic cohesion among regions and Member States.
2018/10/04
Committee: REGI
Amendment 71 #

2018/0202(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The general objective of the programme is to demonstrate solidarity with and offer support tofinancial support for re- employment measures of displaced workers and self-employed persons whose activity has ceased in the course of unexpected major restructuring events, referred to in Article 5.
2018/10/04
Committee: REGI
Amendment 79 #

2018/0202(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. The specific objective of the EGF is to offer assistance in case of unexpected major restructuring events, particularly those caused by globalisation-related challenges, such as changes in world trade patterns, trade disputes between the EU and third countries, financial or economic crises, the transition to low- carbon economy or as a consequence of digitisation or automation. Particular emphasis shall lie on measures that help the most disadvantaged groups.
2018/10/04
Committee: REGI
Amendment 53 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
(6) The transnational cooperation and maritime cooperation component should aim to strengthen cooperation by means of actions conducive to integrated territorial development linked to the Union's cohesion policy priorities, and should also include maritime cross-border cooperation. Transnational cooperation should cover larger territories on the mainland of the Union, whereas maritime cooperation should cover territories around sea-basins and integrate cross-border cooperation on maritime borders during the programming period 2014-2020that extend geographically beyond those covered by cross-border programmes. Maximum flexibility shouldmay be given to continue implementing previous maritime cross- border cooperation within a larger maritime cooperation framework, in particular by defining the territory covered, the specific objectives for such cooperation, the requirements for a project partnership and the setting-up of sub- programmes and specific steering committees.
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 56 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) Based on the positive experience with the interregional cooperation programmes under Interreg, on the one hand, and the lack of such cooperation within programmes under the Investment for jobs and growth goal during the programming period 2014-2020, theon the other, interregional cooperation component should focus more specifically on boostamong cities and regions is an important component with a view to finding common solutions ing the effectiveness of cohesion policy. That component should therefore be limited to two programmes, one to enable all kind of experience, innovative approaches and capacity building for programmes under both goals and to promotecohesion policy field and building lasting partnerships. Existing programmes and, in particular, promotion of project-based cooperation, including promoting European groupings of territorial cooperation ('EGTCs') set up or to be set up pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1082/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council24 and one to improve the analysis of development trends. Project-based cooperation throughout the Union should be integrated into the new component on interregional innovation investments and closely linked to the implementation of the Communication from the Commission 'Strengthening Innovation in Europe's Regions: Strategies for resilient, inclusive and sustainable growth'25 , in particular to support thematic smart specialisation platforms on fields such as energy, industrial modernisation or agrifood. Finally, integrated territorial development focusing on functional urban areas or urban areas should be concentrated within programmes’), should therefore be continued. Through early measures for regional networking and coordination ahead of the programming process, support should be provided for interregional cooperation under the Investment for jobs and growth goal and in one accompanying instrument, the ‘European Urban Initiative”. The two programmes under the interregional cooperation component should cover the whole Union and should also be open for the participation of third countries. _________________ 24 European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 on a European grouping of territorial cooperRegulation (EGTC) (OJ L 210, 31.7.2006, p. 19). 25 to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions 'Strengthening Innovation in Europe's Regions: Strategies for resilient, inclusive and sustainable growth' - COM(2017) 376 final, 18.7.2017.No 1082/2006 of the Communication from the Commission
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 66 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) In order to support the harmonious development of the Union's territory at different levels, the ERDF should support cross-border cooperation, transnational cooperation, maritime cooperation, outermost regions’ cooperation and interregional cooperation under the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg).
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 68 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b – point iii a (new)
(iiia) exchange of experience concerning the identification, transfer and dissemination of good practices in relation to sustainable urban development, including urban-rural linkages between partners throughout the Union;
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 73 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) The cross-border cooperation component should aim to tackle common challenges identified jointly in the border regions, and to exploit the untapped growth potential in border areas as evidenced in the Communication of the Commission 'Boosting Growth and Cohesion in EU Border Regions’23 ('Border Regions Communication'). Consequently, t. The cross-border component should be limited toinclude cooperation on land borders and cross- border cooperation on maritime borders should be integrated into the transnational component. _________________ 23 Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament 'Boosting growth and cohesion in EU border regions' - COM(2017) 534 final, 20.9.2017maritime borders. It integrates cross-border cooperation on maritime borders as during the programming period 2014-2020.
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 74 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. For any component 4 Interreg programme or for interregional innovation investments under component 5, the entire territory of the Union shall be supported by the ERDF. Third countries may participate, provided that they make a funding contribution in the form of externally allocated revenue.
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 75 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
1. The ERDF resources for the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg) shall amount to EUR 8 430 000 000for components 1 to 4 referred to in Article 3 to 3 % (i.e. a total of EUR xx xxxxxx xxx) of the global resources available for budgetary commitment from the ERDF, ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund for the 2021- 2027 programming period and set out in Article [1023(1)] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR].
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 82 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
(6) The transnational cooperation and maritime cooperation component should aim to strengthen cooperation by means of actions conducive to integrated territorial development linked to the Union's cohesion policy priorities, and should also include maritime cross-border cooperation. Transnational cooperation should cover larger territories on the mainland of the Union, whereas maritime cooperation should cover territories around sea-basins and integrate cross- border cooperation on maritime borders during the programming period 2014- 2020. Maximum flexibility should be given to continue implementing previous maritime cross-border cooperation within a larger maritime cooperation framework, in particular by defining the territory covered, the specific objectives for such cooperation, the requirements for a project partnership and the setting-up of sub-programmes and specific steering committeooperation not covered by cross-border cooperation programmes.
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 88 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
(6) The transnational cooperation and maritime cooperation component should aim to strengthen cooperation by means of actions conducive to integrated territorial development linked to the Union's cohesion policy priorities, and should also include maritime cross-border cooperation. Transnational cooperation should cover larger territories on the mainland of the Union, whereas maritime cooperation should cover territories around sea-basins and integrate cross-border cooperation on maritime borders during the programming period 2014-2020that extend geographically beyond those covered by cross-border programmes. Maximum flexibility shouldmay be given to continue implementing previous maritime cross- border cooperation within a larger maritime cooperation framework, in particular by defining the territory covered, the specific objectives for such cooperation, the requirements for a project partnership and the setting-up of sub- programmes and specific steering committees.
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 94 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) Based on the positive experience with the interregional cooperation programmes under Interreg, on the one hand, and the lack of such cooperation within programmes under the Investment for jobs and growth goal during the programming period 2014-2020, theon the other, interregional cooperation component should focus more specifically on boosting the effectiveness of cohesion policy. That component should therefore be limited to two programmes, one to enable all kind of experience, innovative approaches and capacity building foramong cities and regions is an important component with a view to finding common solutions in the cohesion policy field and building lasting partnerships. Existing programmes uander both goals and to, in particular, promotion of project-based cooperation, including promoteing European groupings of territorial cooperation ('EGTCs') set up or to be set up pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1082/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council24 and one to improve the analysis of development trends. Project-based cooperation throughout the Union should be integrated into the new component on interregional innovation investments and closely linked to the implementation of the Communication from the Commission 'Strengthening Innovation in Europe's Regions: Strategies for resilient, inclusive and sustainable growth'25 , in particular to support thematic smart specialisation platforms on fields such as energy, industrial modernisation or agrifood. Finally, integrated territorial development focusing on functional urban areas or urban areas should be concentrated within programmes’), should therefore be continued. Through early measures for regional networking and coordination ahead of the programming process, support should be provided for interregional cooperation under the Investment for jobs and growth goal and in one accompanying instrument, the ‘European Urban Initiative”. The two programmes under the interregional cooperation component should cover the whole Union and should also be open for the participation of third countries. _________________ 24 European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 on a European grouping of territorial cooperRegulation (EGTC) (OJ L 210, 31.7.2006, p. 19). 25 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions 'Strengthening Innovation in Europe's Regions: Strategies for resilient, inclusive and sustainable growth' - COM(2017) 376 final, 18.7.2017.No 1082/2006 of the
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 97 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2
2. An additionalUp to 15 % of the ERDF and, where applicable, of the external financing instruments of the Union allocations under priorities other than for technical assistance to each Interreg programme under components 1, 2 and 3, shallmay be allocated on the Interreg-specific objective of 'a better Interreg governance' or, where applicable, on the external Interreg- specific objective of 'a safer and more secure Europe'.
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 98 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1
1. The European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg) shall be implemented through Interreg programmes under shared management with the exception of component 3, which may be implemented as a whole or partially under indirect management, and of component 5 which shall be implemented under direct or indirect management.
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 99 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 1
1. The Member State hostingOn the basis of the monitoring committee decision the managing authority mayshall submit a motivated request for an amendment of an Interreg programme together with the amended programme, setting out the expected impact of that amendment on the achievement of the objectives.
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 100 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
The Member Stamonitoring committee may decide to transfer during the programming period an amount of up to 5% of the initial allocation of a priority and no more than 3% of the programme budget to another priority of the same Interreg programme.
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 101 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Where all or part of an operation is implemented outside the programme area [inside or outside the Union], the selection of that operation shall require the explicit approval by the managing authority in the monitoring committee or, where applicable, the steering committee.
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 103 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 3
3. The managing authority shall consult the Commission and take its comments into account prior to the initial submission of the selection criteria to the monitoring committee or, where applicable, the steering committee. The same shall apply for any subsequent changes to those criteria.deleted
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 104 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 4 – point e
(e) ensure that selected operations which fall under the scope of Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council36 are subject to an environmental impact assessment or a screening procedure, on the basis of the requirements of that Directive as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council37 . _________________ 36 Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (OJ L 26, 28.1.2012, p. 1). 37 Directive 2014/52/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 amending Directive 2011/92/EU (OJ L 124, 25.4.2014, p. 1).deleted
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 106 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 2
2. The beneficiary of a small project fund shall be a cross-border legal body or an EGTC, a Euroregion, an EGTC or managing authority or existing institution in one country in accordance with agreement between countries or regions participating in the programme.
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 108 #

2018/0199(COD)

The monitoring committee shall be chaired by a representative of the Member State hosting the managing authority or of the managing authority.deleted
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 109 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Where the rules of procedure of the monitoring committee establish a rotating chair, the monitoring committee may be chaired by a representative of a third country, partner country or OCT, and co- chaired by a representative of the Member State or of the managing authority, and vice-versa.deleted
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 110 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 3
3. Each member of the monitoring committee shall have the right to vote.deleted
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 111 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
The composition of the monitoring committee of each Interreg programme shall be agreed by the Member States and, where applicable, by the third countries, partner countries and OCTs participating in that programme and shall ensure a balanced representation of the relevant authorities, intermediate bodies and representatives of the programme partners referred to in Article [6] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR] from Member States, third countries, partner countries and OCTs.
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 112 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) the methodology and criteria used for the selection of operations, including any changes thereto, after consultation with the Commission pursuant to Article 22(2), without prejudice to [points (b), (c) and (d) of Article 27(3)] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR];
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 113 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
(da) the MC shall approve the document setting out the conditions for support to small project fund set up according to Article 24 (3);
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 114 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Project application and implementation rules of the programme;
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 115 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 30
1. Commission to examine the performance of Interreg programmes. The review may be carried out in writing. 2. At the request of the Commission, the managing authority shall, within one month, provide the Commission with the information on the elements listed in Article 29(1): (a) implementation and in achieving the milestones and targets, any issues affecting the performance of the respective Interreg programme and the actions taken to address them; (b) evaluations, syntheses of evaluations and any follow-up given to findings (c) capacity building of public authorities and beneficiaries. 3. recorded in agreed minutes. 4. follow-up issues raised by the Commission and inform the Commission within three months of the measures taken.Article 30 deleted Review A review may be organised by the progress in programme progress made in carrying out the progress in the administrative The outcome of the review shall be The managing authority shall
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 117 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Each managing authority shall electronically transmit to the Commission cumulative data for the respective Interreg programme by 31 January, 31 March, 31 May, 31 July, 30 Septembery and 30 NovemOctober of each year in accordance with the template in Annex [VII] to Regulation (EU) [new CPR].
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 118 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 6
6. Where the beneficiary does not comply with its obligations under Article [42] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR] or paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article, the Member Statemanaging authority shall apply a financial correction by cancelling up to 5% of the support from the Funds to the operation concernedconcerned activity of operation.
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 118 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) It is necessary to continue supporting or, as appropriate, to establish cooperation in all its dimensions with the Union's neighbouring third countries, as such cooperation is an important regional development policy tool and should benefit the regions of the Member States which border third countries. To that effect, the ERDF and the external financing instruments of the Union, IPA27 , NDICI28 and OCTP29 , should support programmes under cross-border cooperation, transnational cooperation and maritime cooperation, outermost regions’ cooperation and interregional cooperation. The support from the ERDF and from the external financing instruments of the Union should be based on reciprocity and proportionality. However, for IPA III CBC and NDICI CBC, the ERDF support should be complemented by at least equivalent amounts under IPA III CBC and NDICI CBC, subject to a maximum amount set out in the respective legal act, that is to say, up to 3 % of the financial envelope under IPA III and up to 4 % of the financial envelope of the Neighbourhood geographic programme under Article 4(2)(a) of the NDICI. _________________ 27 Regulation (EU) XXX establishing the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (OJ L xx, p. y). 28 Regulation (EU) XXX establishing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (OJ L xx, p. y). 29 Council Decision (EU) XXX on the association of the Overseas Countries and Territories with the European Inion including relations between the European Union on the one hand and Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark on the other (OJ L xx, p. y).
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 119 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
However, where an Interreg programme selects operations based on calls for proposals, those additional rules shall be adopted before the firsteach call for proposals is published. In all other cases, those additional rules shall be adopted before the first operations are selected.
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 123 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) 2021: 12%;
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 125 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) 2023: 16%;
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 127 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) 2024: 17%;
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 129 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 2 – point e
(e) 2025: 15%;
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 131 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 2 – point f
(f) 2026: 15%.
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 131 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
(15) It is necessary to set out the resources allocated to each of the different components of Interreg, including each Member State's share of the global amounts for the cross-border cooperation, the transnational cooperation and maritime cooperation, the outermost regions’ cooperation and the interregional cooperation, the potential available to Member States concerning flexibility between those components. Compared to the programming period 2014-2020, the share for cross-border cooperation should be reduced, while the share for transnational cooperation and maritime cooperation should be increased because of the integration of maritime cooperation, and a new outermost regions’ cooperation component should be created.
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 133 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 2 – point f a (new)
(fa) 2027: 1%
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 134 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 2 – point f b (new)
(fb) 2028: 1%
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 135 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 61
Interregional innovation investments At the initiative of the Commission, the ERDF may support interregional innovation investments, as set out in point 5 of Article 3, bringing together researchers, businesses, civil society and public administrations involved in smart specialisation strategies established at national or regional levels.Article 61 deleted
2018/10/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 185 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point a
(a) internal cross-border cooperation between adjacent land and maritime border regions of two or more Member States or between adjacent land and maritime border regions of at least one Member State and one or more third countries listed in Article 4(3); or
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 198 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b – point iii a (new)
(iii a) exchange of experience concerning the identification, transfer and dissemination of good practices in relation to sustainable urban development, including urban-rural linkages between partners throughout the Union;
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 201 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 2
(2) transnational cooperation and maritime cooperation over larger transnational territories or around sea- basins, involving national, regional and local programme partners in Member States, third countries and partner countries and in Greenland, with a view to achieving a higher degree of territorial integration ('component 2'; where referring only to transnational cooperation: 'component 2A'; where referring only to maritime cooperation: 'component 2B');.
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 224 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. For cross-border cooperation, the regions to be supported by the ERDF shall be the NUTS level 3 regions of the Union along all internal and external land and maritime borders with third countries or partner countries taking into account the continuity of the existing program areas from period 2014-2020.
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 233 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. Regions on maritime borders which are connected over the sea by a fixed link shall also be supported under cross-border cooperation.deleted
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 245 #

2018/0199(COD)

1. For transnational cooperation and maritime cooperation, the regions to be supported by the ERDF shall be the NUTS level 2 regions of the Union covering contiguous functional areas, taking into account, where applicable, macro-regional strategies or sea basin strategies.
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 252 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Transnational cooperation and maritime cooperation Interreg programmes may cover:
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 262 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. For any component 4 Interreg 1. programme or for interregional innovation investments under component 5, the entire territory of the Union shall be supported by the ERDF. Third countries may participate, provided that they make a funding contribution in the form of externally allocated revenue.
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 276 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
1. The ERDF resources for the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg) shall amount to EUR 8 430 000 000for components 1 to 4 referred to in Article 3 to 3 % (i.e. a total of EUR xx xxxxxx xxx) of the global resources available for budgetary commitment from the ERDF, ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund for the 2021- 2027 programming period and set out in Article [1023(1)] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR].
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 296 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) 31.4 % (i.e., a total of EUR 2 649 900 000) for transnational cooperation and maritime cooperation (component 2);deleted
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 380 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 4 – point a – introductory part
(a) under component 1 and 2B Interreg programmes:
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 404 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2
2. An additionalUp to 15 % of the ERDF and, where applicable, of the external financing instruments of the Union allocations under priorities other than for technical assistance to each Interreg programme under components 1, 2 and 3, shallmay be allocated on the Interreg-specific objective of 'a better Interreg governance' or, where applicable, on the external Interreg- specific objective of 'a safer and more secure Europe'.
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 411 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 4
4. Where a component 2B Interreg programme supports a macro-regional strategy or sea-basin strategy, at least 70% of the total ERDF and, where applicable, of the external financing instruments of the Union allocations under priorities other than for technical assistance shall be allocated on the objectives of that strategy.deleted
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 418 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1
1. The European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg) shall be implemented through Interreg programmes under shared management with the exception of component 3, which may be implemented as a whole or partially under indirect management, and of component 5 which shall be implemented under direct or indirect management.
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 465 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 1
1. The Member State hostingOn the basis of the monitoring committee decision the managing authority mayshall submit a motivated request for an amendment of an Interreg programme together with the amended programme, setting out the expected impact of that amendment on the achievement of the objectives.
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 479 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
The Member Stamonitoring committee may decide to transfer during the programming period an amount of up to 5% of the initial allocation of a priority and no more than 3% of the programme budget to another priority of the same Interreg programme.
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 482 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Where all or part of an operation is implemented outside the programme area [inside or outside the Union], the selection of that operation shall require the explicit approval by the managing authority in the monitoring committee or, where applicable, the steering committee.
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 486 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 3
3. The managing authority shall consult the Commission and take its comments into account prior to the initial submission of the selection criteria to the monitoring committee or, where applicable, the steering committee. The same shall apply for any subsequent changes to those criteria.deleted
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 495 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 4 – point e
(e) ensure that selected operations which fall under the scope of Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council36 are subject to an environmental impact assessment or a screening procedure, on the basis of the requirements of that Directive as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council37 . _________________ 36 Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (OJ L 26, 28.1.2012, p. 1). 37 Directive 2014/52/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 amending Directive 2011/92/EU (OJ L 124, 25.4.2014, p. 1).deleted
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 525 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 2
2. The beneficiary of a small project fund shall be a cross-border legal body or an EGTC, a Euroregion, an EGTC or managing authority or existing institution in one country in accordance with agreement between countries or regions participating in the programme.
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 553 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
The monitoring committee shall be chaired by a representative of the Member State hosting the managing authority or of the managing authority.deleted
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 555 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Where the rules of procedure of the monitoring committee establish a rotating chair, the monitoring committee may be chaired by a representative of a third country, partner country or OCT, and co- chaired by a representative of the Member State or of the managing authority, and vice-versa.deleted
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 557 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 3
3. Each member of the monitoring committee shall have the right to vote.deleted
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 566 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
The composition of the monitoring committee of each Interreg programme shall be agreed by the Member States and, where applicable, by the third countries, partner countries and OCTs participating in that programme and shall ensure a balanced representation of the relevant authorities, intermediate bodies and representatives of the programme partners referred to in Article [6] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR] from Member States, third countries, partner countries and OCTs.
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 574 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) the methodology and criteria used for the selection of operations, including any changes thereto, after consultation with the Commission pursuant to Article 22(2), without prejudice to [points (b), (c) and (d) of Article 27(3)] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR];
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 577 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
(d a) the MC shall approve the document setting out the conditions for support to small project fund set up according to Article 24 (3);
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 578 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Project application and implementation rules of the programme;
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 579 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 30
1. A review may be organised by the Commission to examine the performance of Interreg programmes. The review may be carried out in writing. 2. At the request of the Commission, the managing authority shall, within one month, provide the Commission with the information on the elements listed in Article 29(1): (a) progress in programme implementation and in achieving the milestones and targets, any issues affecting the performance of the respective Interreg programme and the actions taken to address them; (b) progress made in carrying out evaluations, syntheses of evaluations and any follow-up given to findings (c) the progress in the administrative capacity building of public authorities and beneficiaries. 3. The outcome of the review shall be recorded in agreed minutes. 4. The managing authority shall follow- up issues raised by the Commission and inform the Commission within three months of the measures taken.Article 30 deleted Review
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 588 #

2018/0199(COD)

Each managing authority shall electronically transmit to the Commission cumulative data for the respective Interreg programme by 31 January, 31 March, 31 May, 31 July, 30 Septembery and 30 NovemOctober of each year in accordance with the template in Annex [VII] to Regulation (EU) [new CPR].
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 610 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 6
6. Where the beneficiary does not comply with its obligations under Article [42] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR] or paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article, the Member Statemanaging authority shall apply a financial correction by cancelling up to 5% of the support from the Funds to the operation concernedconcerned activity of operation.
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 614 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
However, where an Interreg programme selects operations based on calls for proposals, those additional rules shall be adopted before the firsteach call for proposals is published. In all other cases, those additional rules shall be adopted before the first operations are selected.
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 640 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 44 – paragraph 5
5. With regard to an Interreg programme under component 2B or under component 1 where the latter1 coversing long borders with heterogenous development challenges and needs, Member States and, where applicable, third countries, partner countries and OCTs participating in an Interreg programme may define sub- programme areas.
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 681 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) 2021: 12%;
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 688 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) 2023: 16%;
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 696 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) 2024: 17%;
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 704 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 2 – point e
(e) 2025: 15%;
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 711 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 2 – point f
(f) 2026: 15%.
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 718 #
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 719 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 (new)
2028: 1%
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 767 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 61
Interregional innovation investments At the initiative of the Commission, the ERDF may support interregional innovation investments, as set out in point 5 of Article 3, bringing together researchers, businesses, civil society and public administrations involved in smart specialisation strategies established at national or regional levels.Article 61 deleted
2018/10/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 114 #

2018/0198(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 1
1. Where the competent transferring authority has accepted to monitor the application of the legal provisions of the transferring Member State in the relevant area and can act in its own name towards persons resident in the cross-border region of the committing Member State, the competent courts for legal redress against any action or omission by that authority shall be the courts of the Member State where those persons have their legal residence.deleted
2018/10/23
Committee: REGI
Amendment 115 #

2018/0198(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 2
2. Where the competent transferring authority has accepted to monitor the application of the legal provisions of the committing Member State on the territory of the committing Member State, but cannot act on its own name towards persons resident in the cross-border region, the competent courts for legal redress against any action or omission by that authority shall be only the courts of the committing Member State, including for persons having their legal residence in the transferring Member State.deleted
2018/10/23
Committee: REGI
Amendment 116 #

2018/0198(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 1
1. If Member States opt for the mechanism the Member States shall make such provisions as are appropriate to ensure the effective application of this Regulation
2018/10/23
Committee: REGI
Amendment 60 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I a (new)
RCO 34 - Additional capacity RCR X - Waste generation per capita capacity for waste prevention and ERC X - Per capita waste sent to disposal and energy recovery recycling RCR 46 - Population served by waste recycling facilities for waste recyclingand small and small waste management systems RCR 47 - Waste recycled RCR 47A - Biowaste recycled RCR 48 - Recycled waste used as raw materials RCR 49A - Population served by waste preparing for re-use facilities RCR 49B - Waste precovered pared for re-use as defined in the Article 11a.1(b) on the Waste Framework Directive (EU) 2018/851 RCR 49C - Indicators that the Commission has to establish by 31 March 2019 via the adoption of implementing acts to measure the overall progress in the implementation of waste prevention measures (Article 9.7 of the Waste Framework Directive (EU) 2018/851)
2018/10/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 592 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Member States shall ensurdecide an appropriate balance between investments under points (a) and (b).
2018/11/06
Committee: REGI
Amendment 704 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
At least 6% of the ERDF resources at national level under the Investment for jobs and growth goal, other than for technical assistance, shall be allocated to sustainable urban development in the form of a specific programme, a specific priority axis, community-led local development, integrated territorial investments or another territorial tool under PO5s, as set out in point (c) of Article 22 of Regulation (EU) 2018/xxxx (new CPR).
2018/11/06
Committee: REGI
Amendment 715 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Operations carried out under PO5 may, if consistent, contribute to reaching the thematic concentration threshold for PO1 and PO2.
2018/11/06
Committee: REGI
Amendment 721 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
The ERDF shall also support the European Urban Iinitiative, implemented by the Commission in direct and indirectand the Member States in shared management.
2018/11/06
Committee: REGI
Amendment 804 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 2 – Column 2 – Outputs – RCO 34
RCO 34 - Additional capacity for waste prevention and recycling
2018/11/08
Committee: REGI
Amendment 808 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 2 – Column 3 – Results – RCR -46 a (new)
RCR -46a – Waste generation per capita
2018/11/08
Committee: REGI
Amendment 811 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 2 – Column 3 – Results – RCR -46 b (new)
RCR -46b – Per capita waste sent to disposal and energy recovery
2018/11/08
Committee: REGI
Amendment 814 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 2 – Column 3 – Results – RCR -47 a (new)
RCR -47a – Biowaste recycled
2018/11/08
Committee: REGI
Amendment 822 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 2 – Column 3 – Results – RCR -49 a (new)
RCR -49a – Population served by waste preparing for re-use facilities
2018/11/08
Committee: REGI
Amendment 823 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 2 – Column 3 – Results – RCR -49 b (new)
RCR -49b – Waste prepared for re-use as defined in the Article 11a.1(b) on the Waste Framework Directive (EU) No 2018/851
2018/11/08
Committee: REGI
Amendment 824 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 2 – Column 3 – Results – RCR -49 c (new)
RCR -49c – Indicators that the Commission has to establish by 31 March 2019 via the adoption of implementing acts to measure the overall progress in the implementation of waste prevention measures (Article 9.7 of the Waste Framework Directive (EU) No 2018/851)
2018/11/08
Committee: REGI
Amendment 462 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. However, the Commission shall implement the amount of support from the Cohesion Fund transferred to the Connecting Europe Facility ('CEF'), the European Urban Initiative, Interregional Innovative Investments, the amount of support transferred from the ESF+ to transnational cooperation, the amounts contributed to InvestEU37 and technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission under direct or indirect management in accordance with [points (a) and (c) of Article 62(1)] of the Financial Regulation. _________________ 37 [Regulation (EU) No […] on […] (OJ L […], […], p. […])].
2018/10/24
Committee: REGI
Amendment 488 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Each Member State shall organise a partnership with the competent regional and local authorities. That partnership shallmay include at least the following partners:
2018/10/24
Committee: REGI
Amendment 551 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. Each Member State shallmay prepare a Partnership Agreement which sets out arrangements for using the Funds in an effective and efficient way for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027.
2018/10/24
Committee: REGI
Amendment 1064 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1
1. The ERDF, the ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund may jointly provide support for programmes and priorities under the Investment for jobs and growth goal.
2018/10/24
Committee: REGI
Amendment 1099 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
The Member State shallmay support integrated territorial development through territorial and local development strategies in any of the following forms:
2018/10/24
Committee: REGI
Amendment 1103 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) another territorial tool supporting initiatives designed by the Member State for investments programmed for the ERDF under the policy objectives referred to in Article 4(1)(e).
2018/10/24
Committee: REGI
Amendment 1121 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d
(d) a description of the involvement of partners in accordance with Article 6 in the preparation and in the implementation of the strategy.
2018/10/24
Committee: REGI
Amendment 1149 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 2
2. The managing authority shall ensure that the electronic system for the programme or programmes provides for the identification of operations and outputs and results contributing to an ITI.deleted
2018/10/24
Committee: REGI
Amendment 1159 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) led by local action groups composed of representatives of public and private local socio-economic interests, in which no single interest grouppublic or local authorities do not controls the decision-making;
2018/10/24
Committee: REGI
Amendment 1165 #

2018/0196(COD)

3. Where support to strategies referred to in paragraph 2(c) is available from more than one Fund, including EAFRD, the relevant managing authorities shall organise a joint call for selection of those strategies and establish a joint committee for all the Funds concerned to monitor the implementation of those strategies. The relevant managing authorities may choose one of the Funds concerned to support all preparatory, management and animation costs referred to in points (a) and (c) of Article 28(1) related to those strategies.
2018/10/24
Committee: REGI
Amendment 1166 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 4
4. Where the implementation of such a strategy involves support from more than one Fund, including the EAFRD, the relevant managing authorities may choose one of the Funds concerned as the Lead Fund.
2018/10/24
Committee: REGI
Amendment 1174 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The relevant managing authorities shall ensure that each strategy referred to in Article 25(2)(c) is aligned with the objectives of other local and territorial strategies covering the same geographical area, and sets out the following elements:
2018/10/24
Committee: REGI
Amendment 1190 #

2018/0196(COD)

3. The local action groups, exclusively, shall carry out all of the following tasks:
2018/10/24
Committee: REGI
Amendment 1196 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The Member State shall ensure that sSupport from the Funds for community-led local development may covers:
2018/10/24
Committee: REGI
Amendment 1488 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 63 – paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Member States may decide not to recover an amount unduly paid if the amount to be recovered from the beneficiary, not including interest, does not exceed EUR 250 in contribution from the Funds.
2018/10/24
Committee: REGI
Amendment 1537 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 3 – point g
(g) ensure that selected operations fall within the scope of the Fund concerned and are attributed to a type of intervention or area of supportspecific objective for the EMFF;
2018/10/24
Committee: REGI
Amendment 1903 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 106 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
The co-financing rate for the Investment for jobs and growth goal at the level of each prioritya programme shall not be higher than:
2018/11/15
Committee: REGI
Amendment 1923 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 106 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) 80 % for all regions whose GDP per capita used as an eligibility criterion for the 2014-2020 programming period was less than 75 % of the average of the EU-28 but whose GDP per capita is above 75 % of the GDP average of the EU-28.
2018/11/15
Committee: REGI
Amendment 1938 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 106 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) 5560 % for the transition regions;
2018/11/15
Committee: REGI
Amendment 1979 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 106 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3
The co-financing rate for the Cohesion Fund at the level of each prioritya programme shall not be higher than 70 %.
2018/10/24
Committee: REGI
Amendment 38 #

2018/0138(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) "comprehensivensolidated decision" means the decision or set of decisions taken by a Member State authority or authoritiesby a Member State competent authority adopted according to its national legal or administrative system not including courts or tribunals that determines whether or not a project promoter is to be granted authorisation to build the transport infrastructure needed to complete a project without prejudice to any decision taken in the context of an administrative appeal procedure;
2018/10/16
Committee: REGI
Amendment 39 #

2018/0138(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) "single competent authority" means tan existing or newly established authority which the Member State designates as responsible for performing the duties arising from, identified by a Member State at the appropriate administrative level, which acts as a contact point for project promotors, works closely with the respective European Coordinators and facilitates the implementation of this Regulation;
2018/10/16
Committee: REGI
Amendment 45 #

2018/0138(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
The single competent authority shall issue the comprehensivensolidated decision within the time limits specified in Article 6. It shall do so following joint procedures.
2018/10/16
Committee: REGI
Amendment 46 #

2018/0138(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
The comprehensivensolidated decision issued by the single competent authority shall be the solepackage of legally binding decision resulting from the statutory permit granting procedures. Where other authorities are concerned by the project, they may give their opinion as input to the procedureshall exercise their competences, in accordance with national legislation. This opinione binding decisions of other authorities shall be taken into account by the single competent authority.
2018/10/16
Committee: REGI
Amendment 47 #

2018/0138(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2
2. The pre-application phase, covering the period from the start of the permit granting procedure to the submission of the complete application file to the single competent authority, shall in principle not exceed two years. Decisions concerning spatial planning and strategic environmental impact assessment are to be conducted separately from the pre- application phase.
2018/10/16
Committee: REGI
Amendment 51 #

2018/0138(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 a (new)
It shall apply from [OP – insert two years after entry into force of this Regulation];
2018/10/16
Committee: REGI
Amendment 10 #

2017/2286(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas support for populist and extremists movements in all Member States has been rising and has often led to misleadingpopulist movements in all Member States highlighting the need for better and more transparent information about the EU and its budget;
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 12 #

2017/2286(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas years of austerity policies have reinforced the mistrust of citizens towards the EU;deleted
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 23 #

2017/2286(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that the slow recovery from the consequences of the financial, economic and social crisis has fallen short of influencing positively the day-to-day lives of EU citizens, while sociwhile the strengthening recovery from the financial, economic and social crisis creates possibilities for the EU Member States and citizens, a special focus should however be on the different regions capability to take advantages of the increasing growth, so as to avoid social and regional inequalities keep onfrom growing;
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 25 #

2017/2286(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that the slow recovery from, after many of them have been hard hit, for several years, by the consequences of the financial, economic and social crisis has fallen short of influencing positiv, citizens feely the day-to-day lives of EU citizens, while social inequalities keep on growingbeneficial effects of the renewed growth, the increase in employment and the stabilizing of public finances;
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 33 #

2017/2286(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises that, contrary to populist narrative, EU citizens expect the Union to do more, and to protect them from the consequences of global competition, climate change and international security threaclimate change, international security threats and the negative consequences of global competition, while helping them reap its benefits; believes that in order to fulfil these expectations, the EU must, within the remit of its competences, perform better, so as to narrow the gap in living standards between EU citizens, to prepare the European economy and EU citizens to face up to the challengefor the opportunity of digitalisation, to manage migration flows, and to put an end to various kinds of discrimination, such as discrimination against women or LGBTI people, while fully adhering to the EU 2020 strategy and, UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris agreement;
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 47 #

2017/2286(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that the 2019 EU budget must primarily answer to the challenges the EU youth is facing, through support for entrepreneurship and via an improved mobility at all levels of education and vocational training;
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 52 #

2017/2286(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Believes that the priorities for the 2019 EU budget should be growth, innovation, competitivness, fight against climate change and transition to renewable energy, migration and security;
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 53 #

2017/2286(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Calls on the Commission to fulfil the objectives of the Paris agreement and the EU’s own long-term climate goals by meeting the 20 % spending target for climate in current 2014-2020 MFF; stresses, in this regard, that the contribution for 2019 should significantly overshoot the overall target in order to offset the lower allocations made during the first years of the MFF and that the mechanism of climate change mainstreaming should be fully optimised;
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 54 #

2017/2286(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Supports the widening of opportunities for the young people to participate in solidarity activities; calls for a swift roll-out and thorough implementation of the European Solidarity Corps following the foreseen adoption of the initiative in 2018;
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 59 #

2017/2286(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the fact that, at the strong request of Parliament, the result of the conciliation on the 2018 EU budget was to increase the originally proposed specific allocation for the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) by EUR 116.7 million of fresh appropriations, bringing its total amount to EUR 350 million in 2018, but points to the need to improve the implementation of the funds that has lagged behind; expects the 2019 budget to demonstrate great ambition to fight youth unemployment in accordance with the real absorption capacity in that area;
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 63 #

2017/2286(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Calls on the Commission to make available for 2019 the financial data on implementation of the Youth Employment Initiative broken down by national share to complement the data reporting on total costs that is currently publicly available; urges the Commission to improve synergies between the Youth Employment Initiative, the European Social Fund, and national budgets of the Members States to make sure that the YEI does not substitute for national funding for the NEETs;
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 66 #

2017/2286(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Believes that, in the light of the celebration of its 30as proved by the volume of applications exceeding the anniversaryvailable funding, Erasmus+ remains the leading programme to foster youth mobility, learning and inculcateing key European values in young people, together with the EU’s culture programmes; believes that the 2019 Erasmus+ budget should be sufficient to answer positively to all eligible demands;
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 70 #

2017/2286(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. RecommendsBelieves that research, competitiveness and SMEs are key to enable economic growth and job creation; underlines therefore the importance to providinge EU companies, especially SMEs, with a favourable environment for innovation, by properly financing the EU’s research programmes, such as Horizon 2020, and programmes that support SMEs, such as COSME; considers this to be necessary in view of the rapidly changing and highly competitive world and the profound changes in all sectors brought on by digitalisationresearch and investments to reach a genuinely competitive EU economy on a global level; stresses the importance of a stable and increased budget of Heading 1a, with a proper financing of the successful Horizon 2020, and programmes that support SMEs, such as COSME;
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 75 #

2017/2286(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Stresses the potential for economic growth stemming from the technological transformation and calls for an appropriate role of the EU budget in supporting the digitalisation of the European industry and the promotion of digital skills and digital entrepreneurship.
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 80 #

2017/2286(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Recalls thatWelcomes the extension and enhancement of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) and the expansion of the investment target enabled by the increase of the EU guarantee; reminds that the enlarged guarantee fund has been financed partly at the expense of Horizon 2020 and the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF); reiterates Parliament’s long-standing position that any new initiatives should be financed by new appropriations;
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 86 #

2017/2286(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Stresses that the extended EFSI should make a significant progress in 2019 on delivering on better geographical coverage, so that all regions can equally benefit from the leverage provided by the EU budget guarantee; calls on the Member States to implement structural reforms that improve the investment environment and local capacities for successful implementation of EFSI support in all regions;
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 93 #

2017/2286(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the Member States’ recent commitment to a renewed EU defence agenda, which seeks to enhance both hard and soft power, and considers it to be in line with the security concerns of citizens, in the light of rising global instability that is exacerbated by new types of threats; supports the recent Commission initiative to launch the European Defence Industrial Development Programme, as a first stage of the European Defence Fund; reiterates that it should not be financed by any redeployments from existing successful programmes;
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 94 #

2017/2286(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Underlines that tackling internal security must remain the Union’s top priority and calls for the reinforced funding for this evolving policy; is convinced that the EU needs to invest more in the strengthening and the management of its borders, enhancing cooperation between law enforcement agencies and national authorities and fighting terrorism, radicalisation and organised crime, ensuring the interoperability of information systems; underlines, in this respect, the role played by the Internal Security Fund (ISF) and the need to adequately fund agencies in the areas of borders, security and justice; reminds that the financial envelope of this instrument was significantly reduced for 2018;
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 96 #

2017/2286(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8 b. Calls for increased funding to combat the phenomenon of radicalization that breeds violent extremism within the Union; considers that this objective can be achieved by promoting integration and combating discrimination, racism and xenophobia;
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 97 #

2017/2286(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8 c. Considers that tackling irregular migration and the reception of the asylum seekers is one of the main challenge; welcomes the role played by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF); calls for adequate budgeting in 2019 for this fund in order to support dignified reception of asylum seekers in the Member States, fair return strategies, resettlement programs, legal migration policies and the promotion of effective integration of third country national; reaffirms the importance of having targeted financial means to tackle the root causes of the migrant and refugee crisis; stresses that, to this end, the EU budget must fund measures in the countries of origin of migrants and in the host countries of refugees, including, but not limited to, measures to tackle poverty, unemployment, educational and economic challenges and instability, conflict and climate change;
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 98 #

2017/2286(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 d (new)
8 d. Calls on the Commission to present a proposal which would aim at providing at the European level for the expression of financial solidarity to victims of acts of terrorism and their families;
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 101 #

2017/2286(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Expects the negotiations on the 2019 budget to lead to realistic operational and administrative funding of the EU agencies and the new EU bodies, enabling them to accomplish their growing tasks of fighting organised crime, terrorism and border managemen against cross-border crime and cybercrime, drugs, fraud, money laundering, terrorism, support for asylum, judicial cooperation, police cooperation, border management, data protection, support for information systems on a large scale and support for fundamental rights; calls for the allocation of adequate resources to ensure the proper implementation and functioning of the European Public Prosecutor's Office; calls, in a more general way, for a thorough assessment of the strategic interest and tasks of all agencies and the possibilities of grouping agencies according to the strategic nature of their mission and their result;
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 105 #

2017/2286(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Expects the negotiations on the 2019 budget to lead to realistic operational and administrative funding of the EU agencies, enabling them to accomplish their growing tasks of fighting organised crime, terrorism and border management, and completeing the Energy Union;
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 117 #

2017/2286(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. StressBelieves that the Member States’ strong social protection systems have helped them to mitigate the consequences of the crisis; believes that the EU can support the Member States, while fully respecting their competences, by budgeting properly programmes which set out to fight inequalities, alleviate the worst forms of poverty, including child poverty, and overcome the negative effects of digitalisation on working conditions and social protection systemsEU budget should contribute to the efforts by the Member States, to fight inequalities, create growth and jobs, alleviate the worst forms of poverty, including child poverty, and prepare citizens to benefit from digitalisation;
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 132 #

2017/2286(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Reiterates its concern about delays to the implementation of the cohesion policy, and expects this important expresse Member States to get the implementation of theis EU’s territorial solidarity to getmost important investment policy up to speed; believes that sufficient levels of payment and appropriations for commitments should be provided in order for implementation to proceed smoothly;
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 143 #

2017/2286(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Believes that both the EU and the Member States should demonstrate solidarity towards migrantasylum seekers arriving in Europe in facing up to this challenge; reiterates the importance of the principle of burden-sharing among Member States in financing the efforts needed to provide sufficient support for refugees; believes that EU agencies and policies involved in or relating to the management of migration flows should be adequately financed to meet this challenge and that the EU, in order to mitigate the cost in the long term and by acting in a manner befitting its values, should also demonstrate solidarity in creating conditions for peace and prosperity in the countries of origin by placing greater emphasis on development policies; recalls that the redeployment of funding from development to security and defence objectives must be avoided;
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 147 #

2017/2286(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. Reiterates its position that the satellite budgetary mechanisms such as trust funds and other similar instruments circumvent the budgetary procedure, undermine transparency of budgetary management and obstruct the right of the Parliament to exercise effective scrutiny of expenditures; considers, therefore, that these external instruments that were created in recent years must be incorporated into the Union budget;
2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 15 #

2017/2283(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas Ukraine deserves particular praise for reforms in the areas of energy, health, public administration, pensions, education and decentralisation, public procurement, banking and financial sectors, defence and security;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 17 #

2017/2283(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation is illegal and in violation of international law and European agreements signed by both the Russian Federation and Ukraine, notably the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and the Budapest Memorandum and the 1997 Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between Ukraine and the Russian Federation;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 22 #

2017/2283(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas while condemning the continued Russian aggression in Easternthe east of Ukraine and Russia’s illegal occupation of Crimea, it is to be recognised that Ukraine is facing challenges of a transformational nature in an environment of warfare and destabilisation attempts;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 42 #

2017/2283(INI)

1a. Reaffirms its unequivocal support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and its non-recognition of the illegal occupation of Crimea; remains committed to the agreed sanctions against Russia;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 48 #

2017/2283(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Welcomes efforts of Ukraine to set up the institutional and monitoring system for the implementation of the Association Agreement, including the respective Government Action Plan;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 53 #

2017/2283(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Is concernedWelcomes efforts on consolidating positions and cooperation between the cabinet and the parliament on the basis of the Roadmap for the implementation of the Association Agreement; however, encourages that the interaction between the cabinet and the parliament has not beenis regulated by a specific mechanism in relation to the implementation of the AA/Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA);
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 65 #

2017/2283(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Supports the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders and strongly reiterates its condemnation of the illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation; fully supports the firm and sustained determination of the EU and its Member States not to recognise this annexation and the restrictive measures taken in this respect;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 103 #

2017/2283(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Remains deeply concerned at the growing number of illegally detained Ukrainian citizens from the temporarily occupied territories who have been arrested, sentenced and imprisoned by the Russian authorities and demands that the Russian Federation immediately and unconditionally release Oleg Sentsov and all other illegally detained Ukrainian citizens;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 105 #

2017/2283(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Recalls that the human rights situation on the Crimean peninsula has significantly deteriorated, violation of freedom of speech, media abuse and forced imposition of Russian citizenship have become systematic and fundamental human rights and freedoms are not guaranteed in Crimea;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 108 #

2017/2283(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Calls forWelcomes the final adoption of the draft law on the legal status of missing persons;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 112 #

2017/2283(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Calls for the ratification of the Istanbul Convention on violence against women; in this regard, takes into account the adoption of the Law on Preventing and Combating Domestic Violence; welcomes creation of the position of the Government Commissioner for Gender Policy;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 137 #

2017/2283(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. IAcknowledges economy growth and introduction of reforms in Ukraine, however, remains concerned about the growing poverty of large parts of the population;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 141 #

2017/2283(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Welcomes the adaptation of the National Transport Strategy and calls for legal and institutional reforms needed for its actual implementation;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 147 #

2017/2283(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Praises Ukraine for good cooperation in the energy sector, not least the progress it has made in energy efficiency; points out the need for continued reforms, in particular to complete reform of the gas and electricity markets in order to be fully integrated into the EU Energy Market, and to end existing monopolies, which will bring long-term economic benefits to industry and consumers;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 155 #

2017/2283(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Welcomes the adoption of the Law on electronic trust services as well as the priorities defined in the Concept for the Development of the Digital Economy and Society in Ukraine for 2018-2020 as important steps on the way of integration into the EU Digital Single Market;
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 173 #

2017/2283(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and to the President, Government and Parliament of the Republic of Ukraine.
2018/09/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 20 #

2017/2282(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Warmly welcomes the progress made in implementing the Association Agreement and calls on the Georgian authorities to keep up the momentum and tocontinue ensureing stability, further democratic reforms and economic improvements as a key factor in winning hearts and minds on the path towards re-establishing Georgia’s sovereignty over the whole oftowards reconciliation of the societies divided by the war and conflict, while reaffirming EU´s strong support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised territoryborders;
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 50 #

2017/2282(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 o (new)
3o. Recommends that the Georgian authorities ensure proper involvement of the civil society in the reform processes;
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 63 #

2017/2282(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Reiterates the fact that the EU’s position on Georgia’s constitutional reform coincides with the Venice Commission’s overall positive assessment; regrets the postponement of the implementation of a fully proportional electoral system until 2024 and calls upon political dialogue among main stakeholders to find an intermediary solution for the 2020 parliamentary elections aimed to address shortcomings of the current electoral system; reiterates its readiness to observe future elections in Georgia and to assist the Georgian authorities in following up on and implementing the recommendations that will be presented;
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 67 #

2017/2282(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Calls upon the Georgian authorities to address concerns expressed by credible observers in the context of electoral environment and in particular to conduct meaningful investigation of violent incidents against representatives of opposition;
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 76 #

2017/2282(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Stresses the role of opposition in a parliamentary system, supports efforts of the Parliament of Georgia to strengthen parliamentary oversight and urges to put in place more rigorous mechanisms of scrutinising the executive;
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 84 #

2017/2282(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the effective implementation of the visa free regime for Georgian citizens since 27 March 2017; Takes note of Georgia’s compliance with visa liberalisation benchmarks and encourages regular monitoring thereof in order ensure continued compliance; calls on EU Member States to recognise Georgia as a safe country of origin; points out the need to further address the rise in the number of asylum seekers travelling to the Schengen zone and the disproportionate representation of Georgian citizens in organised criminal groups across the EU;
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 92 #

2017/2282(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Supports Georgia in its pursuit of a policy of peaceful conflict resolution reconciliation and engagement and its constructive participation in the Geneva International Discussions; praises the initiative entitled ‘A Step towards a Better Future’, presented on 4 April 2018, aimed at improving humanitarian and socio- economic conditions of population residing in Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia and fostering people-to-people contacts and confidence building between divided communities;
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 98 #

2017/2282(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Stresses that the international community must take a consistent, coordinated, united and firm stance against Russia’s occupation and annexation policy as the only means to ensure peaceful conflict resolution in Georgia and prevention of similar conflicts in the neighbourhood;
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 100 #

2017/2282(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Reaffirms its unequivocal support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia; acknowledges that the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, the 1975 Helsinki Final Act and the 1990 OSCE Charter of Paris represent the cornerstones of a peaceful European continent;
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 101 #

2017/2282(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Reaffirms its unequivocal support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia; demands that the Russian Federation cease its occupation of the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and that it stop the de facto integration of both Georgian territories into Russian administration;
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 102 #

2017/2282(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8c. Recalls with regret that 10 years after the Russian military aggression in Georgia of August 2008, the Russian Federation still continues its illegal occupation of the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia, undermining international law and the rules-based international system; states that the so-called integration and alliance treaties signed between Russia and Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2014 and 2015 were clear violations of international law, OSCE principles and Russia’s international commitments;
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 148 #

2017/2282(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Urges the Georgian authorities to implement without delay the judgement of 28 November 2017 of the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights in relation to the former Prime Minister Vano Merabishvili which established that the Georgian authorities breached Article 18 of the European Convention of Human Rights by pursuing "hidden agenda" and "ulterior motives" when arresting Vano Merabishvili; stresses the fact that after early release of Ilgar Mammadov by Azerbaijan, Vano Merabishvili remains the only individual in Europe in relation to whom the ECHR found breach of Article 18 and who continues to be kept in prison;
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 154 #

2017/2282(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17b. Referring to the European Parliament resolution of 15 June 2017 on the case of Azeri journalist Afgan Mukhtarli expresses concern over the lack of progress in investigation of his abduction from downtown Tbilisi and calls upon the Georgian Government to ensure credible investigation and its prompt conclusion;
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 162 #

2017/2282(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. CWelcomes Georgia´s recent ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention) and calls on the Georgian authorities to take further steps to uphold fundamental freedoms, notably for vulnerable groups, by fighting hate speech and discrimination, including on the labour market through an amended Labour Code, against LGBTQI people, disabled people and minorities;
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 184 #

2017/2282(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Recalls the importance of free and independent mass media and a pluralistic media environment as key democratic principles; in this regard, follows very closely the legal dispute concerning the ownership rights of the Rustavi 2 TV company and expects that the Georgian authorities will respect fully the decision of the European Court of Human Rights on this case; notes with satisfaction the improvements in Georgia as reflected in the 2018 World Press Freedom Index established by Reporters Without Borders;
2018/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 92 #

2017/2281(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Stresses the need for a peaceful solution to the Transnistrian conflict; emphasises the EU´s firm commitment to the territorial integrity of Moldova; calls on the Russian Federation to immediately stop its support for the self-proclaimed authorities in Transnistria and fulfil the commitments made in 1996 in the Council of Europe and reflected in OSCE decisions(Istanbul, 1999 and Oporto, 2002) concerning the withdrawal of Russian troops and arms from the territory of Moldova;
2018/09/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 156 #

2017/2281(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Calls on the authorities to significantly step up efforts to uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms, notably for vulnerable groups, by fighting hate speech and discrimination against LGBTQI people, persons with disabilities and minorities such as the Roma population; calls for Moldova to guarantee freedom of speech and the right to peaceful assembly and protests;
2018/09/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 34 #

2017/2280(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Regrets that the instruments do not contain any explicit reference to the possibility of suspending assistance in cases where a beneficiary country (in particular where indirect management with the beneficiary country - IMBC, has been used) fails to observe such basic principles as democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights;
2018/02/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 48 #

2017/2280(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Notes the existence of the performance framework; however, regrets that the performance rewards are yet to be considered and awarded; calls in this regard on increased work to be undertaken to further improve the framework, also taking into account cases of negative performance and an ensuing decrease in funding;
2018/02/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 75 #

2017/2280(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Notes that the need for conflict prevention and to address security challenges have increased drastically in the recent period; notes that the IcSP may function as a measure of last resort or forerunner for longer-term actions funded by other instruments;
2018/02/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 80 #

2017/2280(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Notes that IcSP is in the early stages of countering cyber threats globally; urges a stronger emphasis on cyber security, including through a coherent strategy applicable throughout all EU external actions; calls for an accompanying increase in funds allocated for cyber security under the IcSP as the appropriate instrument to deal with such threats;
2018/02/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 91 #

2017/2280(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Underlines that the PI has been designed specifically to pursue thematic EU and mutual interests with partners; notes that in practice the PI is used as an instrument of last resort, being deployed when it is considered the only instrument to facilitate the pursuit of the EU policy agenda and tackling global challenges;
2018/02/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 106 #

2017/2280(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Calls for EU and universal values and rights to remain at the core of all EU external actions;
2018/02/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 114 #

2017/2280(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Is in favour of a more direct and active promotion of EU policies, its financial assistance and its visibility;
2018/02/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 117 #

2017/2280(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20 b. Calls for bigger efforts to ensure joint programming of assistance with Members States and, where possible, other donors;
2018/02/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 134 #

2017/2280(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23 a. Supports targeted counter- propaganda and strategic communication efforts, especially, when the EU’s image and interests are actively targeted and undermined;
2018/02/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 157 #

2017/2280(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27 a. Calls for a stronger involvement of civil society in the identification of needs;
2018/02/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 158 #

2017/2280(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27 b. Concludes that increasing the indicative financial amount by means of legislative amendment to the ENI Regulation might be necessary in the light of the magnitude of challenges in the Neighbourhood;
2018/02/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 161 #

2017/2280(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 c (new)
27 c. Regards economic development, and especially opportunities to support youth as a primary element in developing the Neighbourhood;
2018/02/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 163 #

2017/2280(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Calls for better efforts to leverage IcSP influence through regular strategic dialogues with partners and international organisations; in this context asks to ensure co-financing by other important donors with stakes in the outcomes of relevant actions;
2018/02/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 173 #

2017/2280(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30 a. Calls for an improved strategic framework and synergies between IcSP and follow-up actions from other instruments and actors;
2018/02/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 192 #

2017/2280(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34 a. Calls upon the Commission to specifically provide funding to projects targeting the increasing abuse of surveillance technology and online attacks by repressive governments;
2018/02/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 201 #

2017/2280(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36 a. Recommends a review of the geographical allocations in the next MIP in order to adapt to challenges; in this context suggests enhanced coverage of cooperation with third non-strategic countries, such as middle-income countries (MICs) which are currently not sufficiently covered;
2018/02/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2017/2279(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the crucial role cohesion policy has played in the achievement of economic and social convergence in the EU; expresses concern, however, that inequalities persist between rich and poor regions and between the salaries of the social categories of citizens; stresses that neither the objectives nor the EU funding of cohesion policy should be watered down; notes with concern that in many areas, like health and income, socio- economic disparities are increasing;
2018/02/23
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 9 #

2017/2279(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas cohesion policy aims to promote harmonious development of the whole Union, leading to a strengthening of its economic, social and territorial cohesion, in a spirit of solidarity and with the aim of promoting growth, and reducing disparities between the levels of development of the various regions and the backwardness of the least favoured regions;
2018/02/28
Committee: REGI
Amendment 23 #

2017/2279(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the 7th Cohesion Report draws attention to the diversity of regions and territories, including within current categories of regions, owing to their specific circumstances (ultraperipherality, sparse population, low income, low growth, etc.), making a tailored approach essential;
2018/02/28
Committee: REGI
Amendment 33 #

2017/2279(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses that investing in and developing connectivity and infrastructure lessens the disparities between regions and peripheral areas and must be taken with high priority.
2018/02/23
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 77 #

2017/2279(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises that European added value is alsostrongly reflected in European territorial cooperation,; in all its dimensions (cross-border, transnational, interregional co-operation); calls for an increase in its share of the budget allocated to cohesion policy, while improving coordination between different programmes to avoid overlaps;
2018/02/28
Committee: REGI
Amendment 110 #

2017/2279(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Reminds that the permanent natural and demographic situation of the northernmost regions (sparse population, cold climate, long distances to European markets) justifies specific measures in accordance with Article 174 TFEU; stresses the need to secure and extend the specific allocation for these regions in order to promote unions overall harmonious development and to enable inhabitants of the northernmost Europe to take full advantage of their regions specific characteristics;
2018/02/28
Committee: REGI
Amendment 272 #

2017/2279(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. NPoints out that the efficiency of governance varies substantially in Member States; notes that the quality of public administration is a decisive factor in regional growth and the effectiveness of ESI funds; emphasises the need to increase administrative capacities;
2018/02/28
Committee: REGI
Amendment 6 #

2017/2276(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10
– having regard to the NATO Secretary-General’s Annual Report 20167, released on March 15, 2018,
2018/04/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 15 #

2017/2276(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas Western values and unity are under stress in an era of geopolitical turbulence; whereas the West’s two major organisations that have Europe at the centre of their activities, the EU and NATO, are making progress on enhancing their cooperation in facing complex threats, both conventional and hybrid, generated by state and non-state actors, coming from the South and the East; whereas neitherboth organisation has the full range of toolss would be able to address them all on its ownse threats in cooperation, rather than alone;
2018/04/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 37 #

2017/2276(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas the EU is better equipped to deal with internal security and NATO to manage external defence; whereas the EU is developing in an accelerated way to bolster its defence;
2018/04/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 65 #

2017/2276(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas, in general, the Eastern European EU Members see Russia as a geopolitical actor and the Western members see it mainly as a commercial partner, polarizing EU commercial interests in the West and the security ones in the East;deleted
2018/04/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 79 #

2017/2276(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the Southern neighbourhood is facing unprecedented instability and represent a strategically important challenge to both EU Member States and NATO members, especially those located on the front line;
2018/04/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 117 #

2017/2276(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Strongly believes that effective responses to the full spectrum of security challenges require strategic vision, further structural adaptation and a combination of hard and soft power instruments for both the EU and NATO; underlines that time is of the essence for strengthening the EU- NATO partnership;
2018/04/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 127 #

2017/2276(INI)

3. Notes that the absence of a common threat perception within the EU can have an impact on relations between the EU and NATO; eEncourages the EU Member States therefore to find a shared understanding of the evolving threat environment and welcomes recent efforts in that direction;
2018/04/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 145 #

2017/2276(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Is convinced that for its Members NATO must remain the cornerstone of collective defence and deterrence in Europe and that a stronger EU of security and defence fully capable of honouring the provisions of Article 42(7) of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) contributes to a stronger NATO; underlines that EU-NATO cooperation must also take into account the security and defence policy of those six EU Member States which are not NATO members; calls for double structures between the EU and NATO to be avoided;
2018/04/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 169 #

2017/2276(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the tangible results in the implementation of the Joint Declaration of 8 July 2016, in particular regarding countering hybrid threats, strategic communications and maritime cooperation, and encourages further progress; welcomes the new set of actions that were added on 5 December 2017, in particular those regarding counter-terrorism, military mobility and women, peace and security; welcomes the change in the culture of engagement and the smooth functioning of staff-to-staff cooperation in the implementation of each action; welcomes the engagement also of Members of both the EU and NATO; considers it important to ensure proper resources for implementation and further improvement of cooperation;
2018/04/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 175 #

2017/2276(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the re-affirmation of US commitment to NATO and European security; recalls that the EU and the United States are key international partners and that this partnership is also through NATO; underlines the value of bilateral relations between EU Member States and the US; strongly believes that strengthening EU-NATO cooperation reinforces the transatlantic bond; notes that the US, which generally encouraged and welcomed the substantive developments in EU defence, still needs convincing to renounce their remaining reservations;deleted
2018/04/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 181 #

2017/2276(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the re-affirmation of US commitment to NATO and European security; recalls that the EU and the United States are key international partners and that this partnership is also through NATO; underlines the value of bilateral relations between EU Member States and the US; strongly believes that strengthening EU- NATO cooperation reinforces the transatlantic bond; notes that the US, which generally encouraged and welcomed the substantive developments in EU defence, still needs convincing to renounce their remaining reservationneeds more and better understanding of European strategic interests;
2018/04/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 192 #

2017/2276(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Considers that EU-NATO cooperation should be strengthened on the Eastern flank for the security of both organisations and that Russian penetration in Eastern flank countriesany form of aggression coming from Russia, hybrid or conventional, should be countered appropriately; underlines that the current infrastructure in Europe, which is mainly West-East oriented, should be complemented by the development of a new North-South dimension, responding to the requirements for military mobility;
2018/04/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 210 #

2017/2276(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Welcomes the launch of Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and stresses that it does not represent a competitor for NATO and should be a driver for further EU-NATO cooperation in capabilities development and for a stronger EU pillar in NATO; notes that after Brexit, 80 percent of NATO’s defence spending will be non-EU and three out of four battalions in the East will be led by non-EU countries; welcomes in this regard the binding commitments to which Member States agreed in the context of PESCO, in particular those on defence spending and investments;
2018/04/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 217 #

2017/2276(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Urges the EU and NATO to organise regular strategic level exercises with the participation of the top political leadership of both organisations; welcomes, in this regard, the Estonian exercise EU CYBRID 2017 where, for the first time, the Secretary General of NATO participated in an EU exercise;
2018/04/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 221 #

2017/2276(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Calls on the Member States to aim for the target of 2% of GDP for defence spending, and to spend 20% of their defence budgets on equipment identified as necessary through the EDA, including related research and development;
2018/04/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 223 #

2017/2276(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Notes that security threats have become more hybrid and less conventional, and that international cooperation is required to tackle them; calls for the EU and NATO to further build resilience and to develop shared situational awareness of hybrid threats; encourages the EU and NATO to synchronise their crisis response mechanisms in order to provide coherent responses to hybrid threats; welcomes in this regard the separate but parallel exercises, PACE17 and CMX17, which were held in 2017 and through which respectively EU and NATO staff tested their respective procedures for communicating and sharing information during an unfolding fictitious hybrid threat;
2018/04/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 323 #

2017/2276(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Considers that the next EU-NATO Joint Declaration, to be adopted at the upcoming NATO summit in July 2018, should initiate the process of reviewing the ‘Berlin Plus’ arrangements; considers in this context that capabilities developed under PESCO should be available for NATO operations and that PESCO projects should be opened to non-EU members of NATO, such as Norway and, in view of Brexit, the UK; stresses that the review of ‘Berlin Plus’ should provide the framework of cooperation not only for crisis management but also for ensuring security together on the continent;
2018/04/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 330 #

2017/2276(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Stresses the need to address, in close cooperation between the EU and NATO, the physical and legal obstacles to the swift and rapid movement of troops and military equipment within Europe in order to ensure frictionless movement of equipment and forces across Europe, whenever necessary; stresses that compatible defence capacities facilitate EU -and NATO-wide deployment and cooperation; therefore deplores situations in which NATO allies opt for non- compatible capabilities;
2018/04/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 348 #

2017/2276(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 e (new)
30e. Underlines the geopolitical and geostrategic importance of Turkey as a NATO Member State; is concerned, since the attempted coup of 2016, with the growing signs of authoritarianism, a nationalist political frame and the breach of human rights; encourages NATO to further straighten its political commitment to Turkey in order to ensure its continued democratic development and respect for human rights;
2018/04/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 352 #

2017/2276(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 d (new)
30d. Questions whether in the current global security environment nuclear deterrence is still credible; stresses that many EU citizens are worried about nuclear proliferation; recalls that diplomacy and multilateralism are the only means for effective non-proliferation and disarmament; calls in this regard for the EU and NATO to launch a global security roundtable with major global actors including China, the US, both Korea’s, Japan, India, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Brazil, Pakistan, Israel and Russia; strongly believes that this roundtable could be the starting point for a transparent discussion on the global nuclear status quo and renewed talks on non-proliferation and disarmament;
2018/04/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 353 #

2017/2276(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Strongly believes that the EU and NATO should strengthen cooperation on CBRN threats; stresses that interoperability between the EU and NATO, in particular between the security and health sectors, will be a crucial element in mitigating the impact of CBRN-incidents;
2018/04/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 355 #

2017/2276(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 b (new)
30b. Stresses the importance of the principles enshrined in the Vienna Document, in particular the principle of openness and transparency; welcomes in this regard the openness of EU and NATO military exercises and joint exercises to international observers;
2018/04/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 356 #

2017/2276(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 c (new)
30c. Reiterates the important role of women in CSDP and NATO missions, in particular in dealing with women and children in conflict areas; welcomes the fact that both the EU and NATO have recognised this important role; recommends the EU and NATO to proactively promote gender diversity in their structures and operations;
2018/04/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 17 #

2017/2275(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas various international charters and laws prohibit the marriage of minors such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols; whereas early and forced marriage has a vern extremely negative impact on the personal development of the individuals concerned and on the children resulting from the marriage;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 24 #

2017/2275(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the EU is committed to promoting the rights of the child, and whereas child, early, and forced marriage is a violation of these rights; whereas the EU is committed to comprehensively protecting and promoting the rights of a child in its external policy;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 65 #

2017/2275(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas child-mothers are exposed to considerable risks and difficulties during pregnancy and childbirth, particularly owing to highly inadequate or non-existent medical support, frequently resulting in maternal mortality; whereas there is an increased risk of contracting viral infections such as HIV; whereas complications in pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death in girls aged 15-19 in low- and middle- income countries;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 90 #

2017/2275(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas ending CEFM is included as one of the priorities for the EU´s external action in the field of promoting women´s rights and human rights;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 93 #

2017/2275(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)
Hb. whereas the problem is present not only in third countries, but also in EU Member States;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 94 #

2017/2275(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H c (new)
Hc. whereas situations of armed conflict and instability significantly increase CEFM;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 108 #

2017/2275(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Calls for the EU and Member States to meet the objectives of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda to combat harmful practices more effectively and to hold those responsible to account;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 111 #

2017/2275(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Believes it is important to tackle the multiple causes of early and forced marriage, including age-old traditions having little regard for gender equality and women’s affairs, the lack of educational opportunities and, very often, the endemic poverty in the communities concerned; calls in that regard for the EU and the Member States to work together with UN Women, UN Children´s Fund, UNFPA and other partners to bring attention to the issue of CEFM;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 207 #

2017/2275(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. stresses the need to guarantee the protection of children among refugees and asylum seekers in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child; calls on host countries to ensure that refugee children are given full access to education and to promote their integration and inclusion in national education systems;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 212 #

2017/2275(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the European Union to ensure that training is provided to law enforcement agencies so that they are better able to uphold the rights of girls exposed to forced and early marriage, domestic violence, the risk of rape and any other practice which undermines human dignity; stresses the need to give special training to social workers, teachers and other personnel in contact with potential victims on how to identify victims and how to assist them;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 32 #

2017/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas the so called 16+1 format between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (CEE) was established in 2012 in the aftermath of the financial crisis and as part of Chinese sub-regional diplomacy; whereas Chinese investments in those countries are wide-ranging; whereas EU countries participating in this format should reconsider their participation to give more power to the notion of one voice for the EU in its relations with China;
2018/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 145 #

2017/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on those Member States 3. participating in the 16+1 format to reconsider their participation in this format to enable EU to have one voice in its relationship with China; calls on those Member States in any regard to carry out sound analysis and scrutiny of suggested infrastructure projects and to ensure not to compromise national and European interests for short-term financial support and long-term commitments to Chinese involvement in strategic infrastructure projects and potentially greater political influence, which would undermine the EU’s common positions on China;
2018/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 255 #

2017/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Commends China for adhering to the sanctions of North Korea; calls on China to constructively contribute to the resolving of the situation in the Korean peninsula and to continue applying sanctions to North Korea until it has made significant progress in giving up its nuclear weapons, changing the rhetorics vis-à-vis South Korea and Japan and starts to uphold human rights;
2018/04/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2017/2272(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 19
– having regard to Pope Francis’ encyclical deletter ‘Laudato Si’ on care for our common home’,d
2018/04/25
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 19 #

2017/2272(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas EU climate diplomacy was keycontributed to the conclusion of the Paris Agreement and, since then, the EU’s approach to climate diplomacy has been broadened; whereas, as part of the EU’s Global Strategy, climate policy has been integrated into foreign and security policy, and the link between energy and climate, security and climate change adaptation and migration has been strengthened;
2018/04/25
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 67 #

2017/2272(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Reaffirms the EU’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and to the UN Agenda 2030, including the SDGs, and stresses the need to fully and swiftly implement the Paris Agreement and the SDGs both in the EU and globally to develop a more sustainable economy and society; reaffirms the need for an ambitious EU climate policy and its readiness to improve the existing EU National Determined Contribution (NDC) for 2030 as well the necessity of developing a long-term strategy for 2050 in a timely manner;
2018/04/25
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 80 #

2017/2272(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Notes thatFinds the US President’s announcement of the country’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement gives the EU the opportunity and reinforces its obligationextremely regrettable; notes that the EU has the responsibility and the opportunity to assume a leading role in climate action and to step up its climate diplomacy efforts to form a strong alliance of countries and actors that will continue to support and contribute to the objectives of limiting global warming to well below 2°C while pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C;
2018/04/25
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 93 #

2017/2272(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Underlines that the global transition to low carbon, climate resilient economies and societies requires significant transformational investment; stresses the need for governments to create the enabling environments to reorient capital flows towards sustainable investment, building on the conclusions of the High-Level Expert Group on Sustainable Finance and in line with the Commission Communication on Sustainable Finance (COM(2018)0097); points out that ambitious climate action is compatible with economic development and shared improvements in living standards;
2018/04/25
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 99 #

2017/2272(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Recalls that future migration will increase if the negative repercussions of climate change are not adequately managed, and that measures have to be taken to address this pressing issue in the long-run;
2018/04/25
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 103 #

2017/2272(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Welcomes that the EU and its Member States continue to be the largest provider of global public climate finance; insists on the need for the Union to reach the target on climate change-related spending in the current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF); underlines that, taking into account the cross-cutting nature of the climate challenge, climate mainstreaming is critical to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and therefore reminds of Parliament’s call for the next MFF to include a new and higher climate mainstreaming target and through aligning the whole EU budget to the achievement of the Paris objectives;
2018/04/25
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 107 #

2017/2272(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Acknowledges that climate change exacerbates the conditions that lead to migration in vulnerable areas, and considers it therefore imperative to address the link between climate change and migration in the Union’s climate diplomacy objectives;
2018/04/25
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 139 #

2017/2272(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Calls for an increased allocation of human and financial resources in the EEAS and the Commission, whichin order to better reflects the strong commitment to and increased engagement in climate diplomacy; urges the EEAS to include climate diplomacy on EU delegations’ agendas when meeting their counterparts from third countries and international or regional organisations and to orchestrate and assign strategic importance to climate diplomacy efforts in every EU delegation with the representations of the Member States in third countries; calls, therefore, for the inclusion of a higher percentage of climate experts when creating mixed posts in the EU delegations;
2018/04/25
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 143 #

2017/2272(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the EEAS and the CommissionCommission to fully reflect the global dimension, including EU climate diplomacy objectives, in its upcoming communications on the ‘Future of EU energy and climate policy’ and on the long-term EU strategy for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; also invites the Commission and EEAS to further develop a long-term vision in order to put forward a joint communication setting out itstheir understanding of EU climate diplomacy as well as a strategic approach for the EU’s climate diplomacy activities within 12 months following the adoption of this report, and taking into account Parliament’s approach as laid down in this text;
2018/04/25
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 158 #

2017/2272(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines that the EU and its Member States must be an active player in international organisations and forums (such as the UN, UNFCCC, the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HPFL), NATO, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the Arctic Council and the G7 and G20) and closely cooperate with regional organisations (such as the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and MERCOSUR) to foster global partnerships and ensure the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the SDGs, while defending, strengthening, and further developing multilateral cooperation regimes; notes that climate can be an entry point for diplomatic relations with partners with whom other agenda items are highly contested, thereby offering an opportunity to enhance stability and peace;
2018/04/25
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 160 #

2017/2272(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines that the EU must be an active player inartner for international organisations and forums (such as the UN, UNFCCC, the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HPFL), NATO, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the G7 and G20) and closely cooperate with regional organisations (such as the Arctic Council, African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and MERCOSUR) to foster global partnerships and ensure the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the SDGs, while defending, strengthening, and further developing multilateral cooperation regimes; notes that climate can be an entry point for diplomatic relationsengagement with partners with whom other agenda items are highly contested, thereby offering an opportunity to enhance stability and peace;
2018/04/25
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 188 #

2017/2272(INI)

13a. Highlights the particular vulnerability of the ecosystems in the Arctic to the climate change taking into account that in the last decades, the temperature in the Arctic has been increasing at about twice the rate of global average; recognises that pollution appearing in the Arctic climate is mostly derived from Asian, North American and European emitters, so that the emission reduction measures in the EU play a great role in tackling the climate change of the Arctic; taking into account also the interest in the Arctic and its resources because of the changing environment of the area and of the growing geopolitical importance of the Arctic; considers healthy and sustainable Arctic ecosystems, inhabited by viable communities, strategically important for the political and economic stability of Europe and the world; considers it necessary to finally implement EUs formal status as an observer in the Arctic Council;
2018/04/25
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 211 #

2017/2272(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Recommends that the EU deepen its strategic cooperation with emerging economies which have a major impact on global warming, but which are also decisive in terms of global climate action; calls on the EU to create dedicated panels to debate climate and sustainability policies during high-level ministerial meetings; calls on the EU to share policy experiences and lessons learnt with its partners in order to accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement; calls on the EU to build up partnerships for carbon markets beyond Europe;
2018/04/25
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 7 #

2017/2271(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)
– having regard to the tweets of the US President Donald Trump that give an indication of the direction of US policies,
2018/06/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 81 #

2017/2271(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Is concerned about the diverging views on addressing global issues and regional conflicts that have appeared since the election of President Trump; seeks clarity as to whetheronfirmation that the transatlantic relationship, which was defined over decades, still has the same relevance today; stresses that the values-based overarching framework of our partnership is essential to securing the architecture of the global economy and security;
2018/06/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 108 #

2017/2271(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Considers the presence of US military forces important in the European countries where necessary and the continued fulfilment of agreed commitments;
2018/06/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 136 #

2017/2271(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Recalls that both in the EU and the US, our societies are strong because they are built on a plurality of actors, including among others our governments, parliaments, various political institutions, civil society organisations, media and religious groups and media; highlights that we should foster links across the Atlantic to promote the merits of our transatlantic partnership, including by allocating appropriate funding, at different levels and not only focusing on the East and West Coasts;
2018/06/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 144 #

2017/2271(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Notes with regret that the US imposed tariffs on EU steel and aluminium products; the EU needs to have a joint response that is proportionate and in line with WTO rules;
2018/06/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 184 #

2017/2271(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses the importance of cooperation, coordination and synergy effects in the field of security and defence and insists that burden sharing should not be solely focused on the target of spending 2 % of GDP on defence; states that NATO is still crucial for the collective defence of Europe;
2018/06/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 321 #

2017/2271(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Welcomes the opening of new high-level dialogues with North Korea (DPRK) and recalls that these talks should aim at a peaceful resolution of the tensions and thus at promoting regional and global peace, security and stability; underlines that, at the same time, we must maintain pressure on DPRK until it gives up its nuclear ambitions and stops the violation of human rights;
2018/06/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 341 #

2017/2271(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Highlights that the EU and US must work together to keep the Arctic low tension area as due to climate change access to new navigation routes and natural resources becomes available;
2018/06/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 89 #

2017/2269(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Calls on Armenia to align itself more with the EU Foreign and Security Policy;
2018/04/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 46 #

2017/2227(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the strong commitment of both partners on cooperation in combating terrorism as set out in the FA; underlines the importance of ever-closer bilateral cooperation on exchanging information on foreign fighters and their return; encourages both partners to continue to ensure effective implementation of the four pillars of the UN Counter-Terrorism Strategy; commends Australia’s role in the Global Coalition against Daesh and its significant work in the fight against international terrorism in Southeast Asia; encourages strong cooperation also in matters of cyber security;
2018/03/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 13 #

2017/2225(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that the special EU programmes for Northern Ireland, includingespecially the Northern Ireland Peace Programme, are of key importance for the continuing peace process, as they foster inter-community and cross-border contacts; notes that cross-community and cross- border social hubs and shared services are particularly important in this regard;
2018/05/16
Committee: REGI
Amendment 17 #

2017/2225(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Sees that cross-community trust- building measures and measures for a peaceful coexistence, such as shared spaces and support networks, have played a key role in the peace process, as shared spaces allow the two communities in Northern Ireland to come together for joint activities, thereby helping to heal the divide;
2018/05/16
Committee: REGI
Amendment 25 #

2017/2225(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Is if the opinion, nevertheless, that more couldmust be done to increase general awareness of the impact of EU funding in Northern Ireland, in particular by informing the general public about the impact of EU-funded projects for the peace process and the general economic development of the region;
2018/05/16
Committee: REGI
Amendment 33 #

2017/2225(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Believes it desirable that, post- 2020, it is crucial for Northern Ireland shouldto be able to continue to participate in the EU’s general cohesion funds if possible, as that would strongly benefit economic and social development, particularly in disadvantaged and rural areas;
2018/05/16
Committee: REGI
Amendment 37 #

2017/2225(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Considers that, post-2020, EU- supported territorial cooperation programmes, especially cross-border and inter- community schemes should be continued; stresses that the continuance of the special EU cohesion programmes for Northern Ireland, namely the Northern Ireland Peace Programme and the Interreg programmes, are particularly important for the stability of the region; fears that an end to these programmes would endanger cross-border and inter-community trust- building activities and, as a consequence, the peace process;
2018/05/16
Committee: REGI
Amendment 47 #

2017/2225(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Commission to promote the Northern Irish experience with cohesion funding, especially with the PEACE Programme, as an example of how the EU wants to address inter- community conflicts;
2018/05/16
Committee: REGI
Amendment 49 #

2017/2225(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. believes that the good practices of the PEACE Programme should be taken as the EU model for overcoming mistrust between conflicting communities and achieving lasting peace in other parts of Europe, especially in the Western Balkans;
2018/05/16
Committee: REGI
Amendment 177 #

2017/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Highlights the role of indigenous peoples and local communities and stresses the need to incorporate indigenous and local know-how as well as to ensure a closer involvement, acceptance and engagement of the indigenous and local communities in the decision-making processes;
2018/02/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 187 #

2017/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Stresses the need to enable indigenous communities to benefit from the latest information technology to provide better quality of life, better healthcare and that this is an area where the EU can play a vital role; reiterates the right of the indigenous people to determine their own livelihoods and stresses the need for sustainable development;
2018/02/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 94 #

2017/2204(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point t – point i (new)
(i) notes with concern that the UN Panel of Experts on the North Korea has established in its reports that Hong Kong is one of two business jurisdictions where the largest share of North Korean- controlled front companies have been operating; recalls that joint international ventures with North Korea are in violation of the latest UN Security Council Resolution and urges Hong Kong authorities to address the concerns of the UN Panel of Experts on North Korea;
2017/10/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 14 #

2017/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas, given that the EU considers cooperation to be a value in itself and, strongly believes that it leads to win- win situations for all parties concerned, there is a commitment on the side of the EU and considers it necessary to continue to work with all Eastern Partnership countries regardless of their strategic choices;
2017/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 18 #

2017/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the EU and Associated Partners need to match resources and instruments to the commitments taken under Association Agreements and bring more focus on the implementation of these agreements, taking into account the fact that the EaP Association Agreements are different in that they contain gradual establishment of DCFTAs;
2017/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 25 #

2017/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas significant progress has been made since the last Summit, notably with the conclusion and entry into force of three Association Agreements including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, as well as visa-free regimes with Georgia and Ukraine since 2017 (and with Moldova since 2014), the conclusion of negotiations on a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement with Armenia, the launching of negotiations on a new comprehensive agreement with Azerbaijan, and the adoption of major reforms in a number of these countries with the political, technical and financial support of the European Union; whereas the EU remains open for those European countries that respect and are fully committed to the European values, as stated in the Rome Declaration of 25 March 2017;
2017/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 35 #

2017/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I
I. whereas the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the EU’s eastern partners remains under threat from unresolved regional conflicts, including some that are sustained by the Russian Federation in contradiction with its international commitments to uphold the international legal order; having regard to Russia's destabilising activity in Ukraine;
2017/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 53 #

2017/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) to ensure that the outcomes of the November 2017 Summit will, as a first priority, provide the basis for upholding the core values of the European Union, in particular respect for democracy, fundamental freedoms, human rights, the rule of law and non-discrimination, on which the Eastern Partnership is based, underlining that these values are at the heart of the Association Agreements and recognising the commitment of the partners concerned to implement and promote these values; to stress that membership of the EU remains open to those that wish to have it, that work towards it and that meet the corresponding criteria;
2017/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 56 #

2017/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) to acknowledge the European aspirations and European choice of the Partner countries, as stated in the Association Agreements, previous EaP Summit declarations, as well as the Joint Statement of the parliaments of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine of 3 July 2017;
2017/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 57 #

2017/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) to guarantee respect for human rights and civil rights in all Eastern Partnership countries;
2017/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 62 #

2017/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d
(d) to encourage electoral reforms thatin order to ensure that these are in line with international standards, that implement recommendations by OSCE-led international observation missions and Venice Commission opinions and that are the subject of broad consultation and, as far as possible, consensus with opposition and civil society, in order to improve electoral frameworks without any bias towards ruling parties;
2017/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 75 #

2017/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point f
(f) to ask the Commission together with the European Investment Bank to propose arrangements for the implementation of a new European Investment Plan for Ukraine and other Eastern Partnership countries that have made the mosts respectively for Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova to assist in achieving bigger progress on reforms towards gradual economic and political integration with the European Union, by increasing the lending capacity of the European Investment Bank from the current EaP levels of EUR 1.6 billion per year and by taking into account EEIP provisions in carrying out its investment mandate; to request as a first step in this regard the establishment of a separate investment window in the form of a trust fund for Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova based on the best practices of multi-donor instruments, stressing that this trust fund should focus on private and public investments, in particular on social and economic infrastructure and those aimed at boosting investment absorption capacity, and on the coordination of IFIs and international donor support on the ground;
2017/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 96 #

2017/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point m
(m) to support the development of the necessary transport and connectivity infrastructure, on a regional scale and with the EU, including through an ambitious investment plan for the TEN-T core network, and to also promote intra- regional trade; to engage through appropriate investment facilities and increased grant component in infrastructure projects that will provide new opportunities for trade and enable more communication and exchanges between the EU and the partner countries, as well as among the partners;
2017/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 106 #

2017/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point n
(n) to improve both energy independence and efficiency, and diversify the EU's energy sources, through specific investments, strengthened cooperation in all priority areas covered by the EU Energy Union and by closer integration of the partners’ energy markets with the European energy market with a particular focus on interconnectivity and infrastructure, whilst scrutinising closely the consequences of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline;
2017/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 111 #

2017/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point o
(o) to also increase prioritisation of the highest levels ofensure full respect of international nuclear safety standards and environmental protection andgreements and obligations and also to increase the fulfilment of climate change commitments, including through raising public awareness; in particular of new projects such as Belarus nuclear power plant in Ostrovets;
2017/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 117 #

2017/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point p
(p) to ensure that the outcomes of the November 2017 Summit also address, where possible, the security threats that affect the sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and political, social and economic development of the partners and of the region as a whole;
2017/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 118 #

2017/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point p
(p) to ensure that the outcomes of, at the November 2017 Summit also address, where possible, the security threats that affect the sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and political, social and economic development of the partners and of the region as a whole are also addressed;
2017/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 139 #

2017/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point q
(q) to commit to sustaining the unity of action among EU Member States in maintaining collective pressure on Russia, in particular through strengthened targeted restrictive measures, to solving the conflict in Ukraine through genuine implementation of the Minsk agreements, to solving the Russia-Georgia conflict through ensuring full implementation of the 12 August 2008 ceasefire agreement and of Geneva International Discussions, to re- establishing Ukraine’s full sovereignty in Crimea, and that of Georgia in its occupied regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and of Moldova in Transnistria, and to putting an end to the additional threats of state- sponsored assassinations, cyber warfare, disinformation and other types of destabilisation;
2017/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 174 #

2017/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point s
(s) to call for continued support to the work carried out by the EU and OSCE missions in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine as essential operations to ensure peace and security first and foremost for the benefit of the citizens on the ground, in particular, to insist on full implementation of mandates of these missions; to reflect, jointly with the partner countries, on the prospect of an enhanced role for the EU in solving these conflicts, including by launching ambitious fully-fledged Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions tasked with enhancing security and stability;
2017/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 183 #

2017/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point t
(t) in order to enhance a more effective implementation of the EaP goals, to consider an attractive ‘EaP+’ model for associated countries, based on the highest possible common denominator, that would include joining the customs union and Schengen area, further EU internal market access,the Digital Union and the Energy Union, further EU internal market access, integration into the EU transport networks and industrial partnerships, increased participation in other EU programmes and agencies, increased involvement and cooperation within the CSDP, as well as more immediate measures such as additional unilateral tariff preferences, the abolition of roaming tariffs between the partners and the EU and the development of high- capacity broadband; to open the ‘EaP+’ model to other EaP countries once they are ready for such enhanced commitments;
2017/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 204 #

2017/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point y
(y) to invite Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine to focus on the comprehensive and full implementation of the Association agendas in order to unlock all the opportunities available through the Association Agreements, engaging also in the joint discussions on the progress, opportunities and challenges relating to the AA/DCFTA-related reforms; reiterates the importance of genuine implementation of the abovementioned reforms for the future stability and development of the countries and the wellbeing of their societies; to reaffirm that the prospect of EU membership requires significant progress in terms of the implementation of these reforms, notably as regards the rule of law, respect for human rights and good governance;
2017/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 213 #

2017/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point aa a (new)
(aaa) to call on the EaP countries´ full and effective cooperation with the EU in tackling such challenges as illegal migration, terrorism, cyber-crimes, human trafficking and smuggling;
2017/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 215 #

2017/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point ab
(ab) to highlight the importance of communicating policies related to the Eastern Partnership coherently and effectively, internally as well as externally, and of providing communication activities tailored to specific regions; to acknowledge the excellent work done so far by the East Stratcom Task Force and to support it with additional funding for its activities and personnel; to address the challenge of better information about the concrete benefits and goals of the Eastern Partnership, as well as to target disinformation through fact-based and accessible quality information in all languages of the partner countries and ensuring full respect for the freedom of expression;
2017/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 218 #

2017/2130(INI)

(ac) to maintain that EU support should be tailor-made to match the level of shared ambition regarding cooperation with each partner following the principles of both ‘more for more’ and ‘less for less’; to call in particular for the EU to align budgetary instruments such as the European Neighbourhood Instrument and the European Fund for Sustainable Development to political ambitions, notably within its annual and multiannual budgetary procedures, including through setting up a separate support mechanism directed towards a more effective implementation of the three Association Agreements;
2017/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 226 #

2017/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point ad
(ad) to welcome the Commission proposals to provide the partners with macro-financial assistance while insisting on strict and effective conditionality attached to the proposals, notably in terms of upholding the rule of law (including an independent judiciary and multi-party parliamentary system), ensuring good governance (including combating corruption effectively) and defending human rights and freedom of media; to call on the Commission to make systematic provision for this conditionality in future proposals for such assistance; to provide Parliament and the Council with a detailed written report every six months on the progress made in these three areas for partners already benefiting from such assistance;
2017/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 84 #

2017/2123(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Calls on the Member States to aim for the target of 2% of GDP for defence spending;
2017/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 148 #

2017/2123(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Stresses that it is necessary to ease the administrative procedures that are unnecessarily slowing down the generation of forces for CSDP missions and the cross-border movement of rapid response forces inside the EU;calls on the Member States to establish an EU-wide system for the coordination of rapid movement of defence forces personnel, equipment and supplies for the purposes of CSDP, where the solidarity clause is invoked and where there is an obligation to provide aid and assistance by all the means of their power, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter;
2017/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 198 #

2017/2123(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Encourages Member States to explore the possibility of joint procurement of defence resources;
2017/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 279 #

2017/2123(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29 a. Stresses the importance of cooperation and integration in cyber security not only between EU Member States, key partners and NATO, but also between different actors within society;
2017/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 36 #

2017/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas Article 21 of the TEU commits the EU to developing a common foreign and security policy (CFSP) guided by the principles of democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principle of equality and solidarity, including women's rights and gender equality and compliance with the UN Charter, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and international law;
2017/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 38 #

2017/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas today’s worldwide abuses of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocides, necessitate determined efforts on the part of the whole international community;
2017/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 48 #

2017/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas children and women face increasing threats, discrimination and violence, especially in war zones and authoritarian regimes;
2017/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 58 #

2017/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas Article 207 of the TFEU stipulates that the EU’s commercial policy is to be based on the principles and objectives of the Union’s external action; whereas trade and human rights reinforce each other, and whereas the business community has an important role to play in offering positive incentives in terms of promoting human rights, democracy and corporate responsibility;
2017/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 76 #

2017/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital M a (new)
M a. whereas human rights and democracy support policies should be mainstreamed across all other EU policies with an external dimension, such as development, migration, security, counter- terrorism, women’s rights and gender equality, enlargement and trade in particular through the implementation of human rights conditionality;
2017/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 92 #

2017/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Reiterates its firm belief that the EU and its Member States must actively pursue the principle of mainstreaming human rights and democracy in all EU policies, including those with an external dimension, such as development, migration, security, counter-terrorism, enlargement and trade, in particular through the implementation of human rights conditionality; reiterates, in this regard, the crucial importance of ensuring increased coherence between the EU’s internal and external policies;
2017/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 114 #

2017/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Expresses grave concern about the increasing number of attacks against religious minorities, in particular Christians, which are often committed by non-state actors such as ISIS/Daesh; deplores the attempts of state actors to limit freedom of religion and belief and freedom of expression by adopting and implementing blasphemy laws; calls for the EU and its Member States to step up their efforts to enhance respect for freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief and to promote interreligious dialogue when engaging with third countries; requests concrete action towards the effective implementation of the EU Guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief, including by ensuring the systematic and consistent training of EU staff at headquarters and in delegations; supports fully the EU practice of taking the lead on thematic resolutions on freedom of religion and belief at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the UN General Assembly (UNGA); supports fully the work of the EU Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief outside the EU, Mr Ján Figel;
2017/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 132 #

2017/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Is deeply concerned that civil society is increasingly under attack worldwide, through, inter alia, a growing number of repressive laws adopted throughout the world, under the pretext of combating terrorism or disclosing "foreign agents"; recalls that independent civil society plays an essential role in the defence and advancement of human rights and in the functioning of democratic societies; deeply regrets the fact that human rights defenders, journalists and civil society activists are victims of harassment, intimidation and killings; calls for the EU and its Member States to constantly monitor and raise cases of violations of freedom of assembly and association, including the various forms of bans and limitations on civil society organisations (CSOs) and their activities, such as laws aiming at shrinking civil society space or the promotion of NGOs sponsored by governments (GONGOs) which mimic a functioning and free civil society space; calls, in addition, for the EU and its Member States to use all available means, such as human rights dialogues, political dialogues and public diplomacy, to systematically raise individual cases of human rights defenders (HRDs) and civil society activists at risk, particularly those in prison;
2017/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 152 #

2017/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Considers it deeply regrettable that torture, ill-treatment and the death penalty continue all over the world, and calls for the EU to intensify its efforts to eradicate these serious human rights violationsm; urges the EEAS and the VP/HR to engage more strongly in the fight against torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, including the death penalty, through increased diplomatic efforts and more systematic public positioning; recommends that the EEAS, the EU delegations and the Member States use all existing instruments, such as the EU Guidelines on Torture, to their full potential; welcomes the fact that the UN’s resolution on a moratorium on the use of the death penalty was adopted by the UNGA in December 2016 with the support of 117 countries; calls on countries that still retain this practice to adopt a moratorium and abolish the death penalty;
2017/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 164 #

2017/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the adoption of the EU Gender Action Plan 2016-2020 which sets out a comprehensive list of measures to improve the situation of women in terms of equal rights and empowerment; emphasises the importance of ensuring its effective implementation; welcomes, in addition, the adoption of the Strategic Engagement for Gender Equality 2016-2019, which promotes gender equality and women’s rights worldwide; requests that the Commission, the EEAS and the VP/HR step up their fulfilment of the obligations and commitments in the area of women’s rights under the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); reiterates the importance of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security; believes that the EU should continue mainstreaming support for women within common security and defence policy (CSDP) operations, conflict prevention and post- conflict reconstruction; recalls that the 2016 Sakharov Prize was awarded to Nadia Murad and Lamiya Aji Bashar, survivors of sexual enslavement perpetrated by ISIS/Daesh; strongly condemns all forms of abuse and violence against women and girls in this connection;
2017/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 172 #

2017/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Condemns the fact that women’s sexual and reproductive rights are frequently violated;emphasises that proper, affordable health care and universal respect for and access to sexual and reproductive rights and education should be ensured to all women;
2017/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 176 #

2017/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Reaffirms the urgent need for the universal ratification and effective implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols; underlines that children are often exposed to specific abuses, such as child marriages or genital mutilation, and therefore are in need of enhanced protection; requests that the EU systematically consult relevant local and international child rights organisations, and raise, in its political and human rights dialogues with third countries, States Parties’ obligations to implement the Convention; welcomes the Council of Europe Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2016-2021); requests that the EU continue to promote the EU-UNICEF Child Rights Toolkit for integrating child rights in development cooperation through its external delegations, and to train the EU delegation staff adequately in this field; reiterates its request for the Commission to propose a comprehensive children’s rights strategy and action plan for the next five years, in order to prioritise children’s rights within EU external policies; welcomes the fact that under the 2016 Development Cooperation Instrument, resources were allocated to support UN agencies in carrying out measures targeted to children’s rights;
2017/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 240 #

2017/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Strongly condemns the heinous crimes and human rights violations committed by state actors, as well as non- state actors such as Boko Haram in Nigeria and, ISIS/Daesh in Syria and Iraq and Houthi in Yemen, among others; is horrified at the vast range of crimes committed, including murder, torture, rape as a weapon of war, enslavement and sexual slavery, the recruitment of child soldiers, forced religious conversions and the systematic killing of religious minorities, including Christians, Yazidis and others; emphasises that the EU and its Member States should support the prosecution of state actors, as well as members of non-state groups such as ISIS/Daesh by seeking a consensus within the UN Security Council to confer jurisdiction to the International Criminal Court (ICC);
2017/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 246 #

2017/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Roundly condemns the human rights violations in North Korea, the Philippines, and elsewhere, as well as the persecution and killings of Rohingya in Myanmar; points out that states have an obligation to observe the principle of non- refoulement;
2017/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 255 #

2017/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Reiterates its full support for the ICC, the Rome Statute, the Office of the Prosecutor, the Prosecutor’s proprio motu powers, and the progress made in initiating new investigations as an essential means to fight impunity for atrocity crimes; points out that it is vital that states should cooperate in the arrest of persons wanted by the ICC, whatever their status; welcomes the meeting of 6 July 2016 between EU and ICC representatives in Brussels in preparation for the 2nd EU-ICC round table meeting, enabling relevant staff at the ICC and the EU institutions to identify common areas of interest, exchange information on relevant activities and ensure better cooperation between both parties; notes, with profound regret, the recent announcements of withdrawals from the Rome Statute, which represent a challenge in terms of victims’ access to justice and which should be firmly condemned; reiterates its call for the VP/HR to appoint an EUSR for International Humanitarian Law and International Justice with a mandate to promote, mainstream and represent the EU’s commitment to the fight against impunity and to the ICC across EU foreign policies;
2017/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 339 #

2017/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
43. Acknowledges that Human Rights Dialogues with third countries can be an efficient tool for bilateral engagement and cooperation in the promotion and protection of human rights; welcomes the establishment of Human Rights Dialogues with a growing number of countries; urges the EEAS to ensure that women’s rights are included in all agendas and to systematically hold consultation meetings with civil society, including local civil society, before and after each Dialogue; praises and further encourages the involvement of civil society in preparatory dialogues; reiterates its call for the development of a comprehensive mechanism for monitoring and reviewing the functioning of Human Rights Dialogues;
2017/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2017/2121(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Reiterates its call for the full utilisation of the Treaty tools for raising funds under the CFSP and the common security and defence policy (CSDP), namely Permanent Structured Cooperation and the start-up fund for the initial phase of the missions; reiterates the need for synergies in order to improve cost efficiency; believes that European defence cooperation must be strengthened by looking for further avenues for joint purchase, maintenance and upkeep of forces and material as it would lead to boosting EU assets and capabilities and having positive potential effects on defence research and industrial matters; notes that because of Member States’ financial constraints there should be more coordination and clearer choices about which capabilities to maintain, so that Member States can specialise in certain capabilities; calls on the Member States to review and broaden substantially the Athena financing mechanism and to take full advantage of the cooperative projects proposed by the European Defence Agency;
2017/09/22
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 8 #

2017/2121(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission to fully reflect the growing security challenges in its proposal for the next multiannual financial framework; considers that both the size and the flexibility of the CFSP budget must match, inter alia, EU citizens’ expectations on the EU’s role as a security provider, and the likely challenges and opportunities for the EU’s standing as a strategic actor following Brexit; insists on the need for a global vision for EU policy and instruments in the field of security, including fruitful coordination with the proposed European Defence Fund; calls on the Member States to aim for the target of 2 % of GDP for defence spending, and to spend 20 % of their defence budgets on equipment identified as necessary through the EDA;
2017/09/22
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 11 #

2017/2083(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the need for a stronger and more political partnership between the EU and Africa, based on shared values and interests, in order to tackle global issues such as climate change, food insecurity, access to water, population growth, youth unemployment, urbanization of large cities, the fight against impunity, terrorism, organised crime and migratory flows, and to promote a rule-based global order based on a strong UN;
2017/07/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2017/2083(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for continued EU support to African partners in the area of peace and security and conflict prevention, including through specific instruments such as CSDP operations and the African Peace Facility; highlights the importance of fostering security and stability by helping our partners to build more resilient states and societies, including through capacity building and security sector reforms, the creation of more and better jobs, especially for young people, the empowerment of women and the support of education, who are and should, increasingly, be the force of economic progress in the region, the support of education by investing more in schools and universities, and research;
2017/07/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 41 #

2017/2083(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that the pursuit of common interests and cooperation on security must be totally consistent with the EU’s fundamental values and with the objectives of supporting democracy, good governance, and promoting human rights and the rule of law; calls for a more strategic, pragmatic, respectful, comprehensive and structured approach to political dialogue under the Cotonou Partnership Agreement, with the greater involvement of civil society and a stronger people-to-people dimension;
2017/07/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 47 #

2017/2083(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. As a well-functioning democracy enhances stability and is a powerful tool against terrorism, the European Parliament offers to work more intensively with African Parliaments in building stronger Parliaments and Parliamentarians in taking up their role in the checks and balances between the executive and parliamentary bodies;
2017/07/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 49 #

2017/2083(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4. Notes that the EU needs to support infrastructure development in ICT in Africa to boost trade and economy in the region and grant people access to health, education and job opportunities;
2017/07/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 57 #

2017/2083(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls the importance of the effective implementation of external EU policies that are able to address the real root causes of migration; calls for increased joint efforts to implement the Valetta Action Plan based on a fair and true partnership with third countries of origin and transit; recalls the importance of a balanced approach in the new partnership framework; stresses that the new partnership framework with third countries must not become the only pillar of EU action on migration and should extend beyond a quantitative approach focused mainly on border management; underlines in this matter the importance of democratic scrutiny by the European Parliament;
2017/07/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 62 #

2017/2083(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Recalls that the root causes of migration are conflicts, weak governance, government instability, violation of human rights, corruption, non-existence of the rule of law, impunity, inequality, unemployment or underemployment, lack of livelihoods and resources, and climate change;
2017/07/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 63 #

2017/2083(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses that the upcoming Africa EU summit will provide an opportunity to stress our priorities concerning the EU- Africa relations in the context of the post Cotonou process;
2017/07/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 64 #

2017/2083(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls on the Commission to present a legislative proposal on accompanying measures for the ‘Conflict Minerals Regulation’ (2014/0059(COD)) in line with the relevant Joint Communication (JOINT (2014) 8);
2017/07/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 65 #

2017/2083(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Underlines the importance of small- scale development projects which have a direct effect on people’s lives; urges the Commission to continue their support;
2017/07/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 66 #

2017/2083(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Emphasises the added value of transport infrastructures to boost the economy and trade between the EU and Africa; Underlines the strategic importance of ports, harbours and airports;
2017/07/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 67 #

2017/2083(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. urges the European Commission to give special attention to sexual and reproductive health rights of women and girls in their external development programmes;
2017/07/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 166 #

2017/2056(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point o
(o) to allow for increased cooperation in the fight against terrorism, organised crime and cybercrime, the prevention of radicalisation and cross-border crime; by means of cooperation, to find ways of combating recruitment by terrorist groups such as ISIS;
2018/04/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 243 #

2017/2056(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point w
(w) to allow for increased cooperation in the energy sector in line with the EU’s and Azerbaijan’s strategic energy partnership; inter alia, to establish new energy interconnections between the EU and Azerbaijan and to increase the EU’s energy security;
2018/04/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 3 #

2017/2052(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that the EU is faced with multiple challenges that affectand hybrid challenges and situations that threaten global stability and that can only be tfackled with strategic, long- term and holistic external actions; recalls that EU external action is built on a values-based foreign policy; recalls the ambition of EU leaders as expressed in the Rome Declaration to strive towards a Union that is ‘big on big issues and small on small ones’; calls for the multi-annual financial framework (MFF) to make this a realityshow ambition by substantially increasing external action appropriations (in strategic sectors for Heading 4), thereby making common foreign policy a core EU functionelement of the EU;
2017/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 18 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas having regard to the draft report on the implementation of the EU external financing instruments: mid-term review 2017 and the future post-2020 architecture(2017/2280(INI));
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 20 #

2017/2052(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights that increased fundingand targeted funding in strategic areas is needed for an effective European response to modern challenges and to tackle Europe’s new priorities, some of which are reflected in the EU Global Strategy and the renewed European Neighbourhood policy, including development aid, human rights violations, bagood governance, security threatsand hybrid threats, propaganda and armed conflicts, and natural disasters and climate change as well as the refugee and migratory challenges caused by these issues;
2017/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2017/2052(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights that increased funding is needed for an effective European response to modern challenges and to tackle Europe’s new priorities, which are reflected in the EU Global Strategy and the renewed European Neighbourhood policy, including development aid, human rights violations, bad governance, security threats and armed conflicts, and natural disasters and climate change as well as the refugee and migratory challenges caused by these issues; calls for a significant increase in funding for the EU defence sector;
2017/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 32 #

2017/2052(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls the importance of enhanced flexibility that allows for the mobilisation of additional resources to respond to unforeseen situations; stresses the necessity of resource availability to be ready to respond to rapidly developing new threats like hybrid warfare and cyber attacks; stresses, however, that increased flexibility should not be achieved at the expense of long-term policy objectives; calls for a considerable strengthening of the flexibility mechanisms (‘special instruments’) under the MFF;
2017/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 59 #

2017/2052(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the importance of strengthenedat support for the rule of law, democracy and human rights as ashould remain the cornerstones of EU foreign policy and takes the view that these issues should remain cross- cutting issues in all EU instruments and foreign policy objectives, especially in view of ongoing developments in the European Neighbourhood and beyond.
2017/12/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 62 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Is convinced that the next MFF should build on the Union’s well- established policies and priorities, which aim at promoting peace, democracy and human rights, at boosting welfare, long- term and sustainable economic growth, high-quality jobs, sustainable development and innovation, protecting healthy living environment, fighting climate change and at fostering economic, social and territorial cohesion, as well as solidarity between Member States and citizens; considers that these pillars are prerequisites for a properly functioning single market, the Energy Union and Economic and Monetary Union as well as for reinforcing Europe’s position in the world; trusts that they are more relevant than ever for Europe’s future endeavours;
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 102 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Calls, therefore, for continuous support for existing policies, in particular the long-standing EU policies enshrined in the Treaties, namely the common agricultural and fisheries policies, and the cohesion policy; rejects any attempt to totally renationalise these policies, as this would neither reduce the financial burden on taxpayers and consumers, nor achieve better results, but would instead hamper growth and the functioning of the single market while widening the disparities between territories and economic sectors; intends to secure the same level ofan adequate funding for the EU-27 for these policies in the next programming period while further improving their added value and simplifying the procedures associated with them;
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 104 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Recalls the accountability to taxpayers and consumers and therefore urges for a strong budget discipline in the upcoming MFF in order to take duly into account the financial burden of citizens; stresses that the cost effectiveness of current policies and programmes should be reviewed and, where necessary, take appropriate measures.
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 151 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Is convinced that, unledeleted1 __________________ 1 It's not appropriate in this report to discuss the Csouncil agrees to significantly increase the level of its national contributions to the EU budget, the introduction of new EU own resources remains the only option for adequately financing the next MFF; rces of funding for the multiannual financial framework; this point must be dealt with exclusively in the own resources report. That's why we wish to delete this paragraph.
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 166 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Believes that, by translating the political priorities of the EU into concrete investments, the multiannual financial framework constitutes an excellent instrument for the long-term planning of the European projectunion spending and for ensuring a certain stable level of public investment in the Member States; regrets however the lack of mutually agreed long-term strategic vision for the European project; recalls, furthermore, that the EU budget is predominantly an investment budget that serves as an additional and complementary source of funding for actions undertaken at national, regional and local levels;
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 175 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Is of the opinion that the decision on the duration of the MFF should strike the right balance between two seemingly conflicting requirements: on the one hand, the need for several EU policies – especially those under shared management, such as agriculture and cohesion – to operate on the basis of the stability and predictability of a commitment of at least seven years, and, on the other hand, the need for democratic legitimacy and accountability that results from the synchronisation of each financial framework with the five-year political cycle of the European Parliament and the European Commission;
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 180 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Underlines, therefore, the need for the MFF’s duration to move progressively towards a 5+5 period with a mandatory mid-term revision; calls on the Commission to elaborate a clear proposal setting out the methods of the practical implementation of a 5+5 financial framework;
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 184 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Acknowledges, however, that the timing of the next European Parliament elections in spring 2019, given that the current MFF runs until December 2020, does not allow for a 5+5 solution to be implemented immediately, as no satisfactory alignment of the different cycles would be achieved; takes the view, therefore, that the next MFF should be set for a period of seven years (2021- 2027), including a mandatory revision, by way of a transitional solution to be applied for one last time;deleted
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 207 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
34. Calls, in particular, for a substantial increase in the financial envelope of the Flexibility Instrument of up to an annual allocation of at least EUR 2 billion; recalls that the Flexibility Instrument is not linked to any specific policy field and can thus be mobilised for any purpose that is deemed necessary; considers, therefore, that this instrument can be mobilised to cover any new financial needs as they occur during the MFF;
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 210 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
35. Points to the role of the Emergency Aid Reserve in providing a rapid response to specific aid requirements for third countries for unforeseen events, and stresses its particular importance in the current context; calls for a substantial increase in its financial envelope of up to an annual allocation of EUR 1 billion;
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 213 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
36. Notes, in particular, the significant mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund to provide assistance in a number of serious natural disasters with substantial budgetary consequences; stresses also the positive impact that this instrument has on public opinion; proposes the reinforcement of its financial envelope to an annual allocation of EUR 1 billion;
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 230 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 9
Revenue – special reservedeleted1 __________________ 1 These paragraphs come from the own resources report. We wish to delete them outright because the duplication of the same paragraphs in two different reports may lead to an inconsistency in Parliament's position. Moreover, it is inappropriate in this report to mention the sources of funding for the multiannual financial framework; this point must be dealt with exclusively in the own resources report.
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 233 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
42. Reiterates its long-standing position that any revenue resulting from fines imposed on companies for breaching EU competition law or linked to late paydeleted1 __________________ 1 These paragraphs come from the own resources report. We wish to delete them outright because the duplication of the same paragraphs in two different reports may lead to an inconsistency in Parliament's of national contributions to the EU budget should constitute an extra item of revenue for the EU budget without a corresponding decrease of the GNI contributions;position. Moreover, it is inappropriate in this report to mention the sources of funding for the multiannual financial framework; this point must be dealt with exclusively in the own resources report.
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 236 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
43. Calls, to this end, for a special reserve to be established on the revenue side of the EU budget, which will be progressively filled up by all types of unforeseen other revenue; considers that this reserve should be deployed in order to cover additional payment needs, especially those linked to the mobilisation of the Global Margin for Commitments or the MFF special instruments;deleted1 __________________ 1 These paragraphs come from the own resources report. We wish to delete them outright because the duplication of the same paragraphs in two different reports may lead to an inconsistency in Parliament's position. Moreover, it is inappropriate in this report to mention the sources of funding for the multiannual financial framework; this point must be dealt with exclusively in the own resources report.
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 245 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
44. Agrees that the search forachieving real European added value should be one of the main principles guiding the EU institutions when deciding about the type of spending in the next MFF; points out, however, the existence of multiple interpretations of the concept and calls for a clear definition of the criteria thereof that should take territorial specificities into account;;
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 255 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
46. Considers that better spending, i.e. the efficient use of every single euro of the EU budget based on critical assessment of current expenditure, can be achieved not only by directing EU resources towards actions with the highest European added value and the greatest increase in the performance of the EU’s policies and programmes, but also by achieving greater synergies between the EU budget and the national budgets, and by ensuring the tangible improvement of the spending architecture;
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 258 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 a (new)
46a. Reiterates that focus should equally be put on the relationship between spending and performance of the EU budget; supports the recommendations of the 2016 Annual Report of the European Court of Auditors, for an efficient measurement framework of indicators for the spending programmes, more streamlined and balanced reporting on performance, and an easier access to the assessment results.;
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 263 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
48. Underlines that the ‘health check’ of EU spending cannotshould provide for a reduction in the level of EU ambition or a sectoralisation of EU policies and programmes, nor should it lead to a replacement of grants by financial instrumentsn opportunity to re-prioritize with a view to generating some savings, as the great majority of actions supported by the EU budget are not suitable to be funded by the latter;
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 278 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
52. Questions the justification and added value of establishing instruments outside the Union budget; considers that decisions to set up or maintain such instruments are in reality driven by attempts to conceal the real financial needs and to bypass the constraints of the MFF and own resources ceilings; deplores that they often also result in bypassing Parliament in its triple responsibility as legislative, budgetary and control authority and lead to less transparency towards the general public and beneficiaries;
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 318 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65
65. Believes, therefore, that the current presentation of the headings requires some improvements, but is against any unjustified radical changes; proposes, as a result, the following structure for the MFF post-2020; Heading 1: A stronger and sustainable economy Including programmes and instruments supporting: under direct mcalls on the Commission to propose a new structure for the MFF post-2020; transport, digitalisation, energy environment and climate chanagement: - research and innovation - industry, entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises - large-infrastructure projects - - adaptation - - - supporting investments in Europe (possible umbrella agriculture and rural development maritime affairs and fisheries horizontal (financial) instrument at EU level, incl. EFSI) Heading 2: Stronger cohesion and solidarity in Europe Including programmes and instruments supporting: - cohesion (under shared management):  investments in innovations economic, social and territorial education and life-long learning culture, citizenship and health and food safety asylum, dmigitalisation, reindustrialisation, SMEs, transport, climate change adaptation  employment, social affairs and social inclusion - - communication - - justice and consumers - national administrations Heading 3: Stronger responsibility in the world Including programmes and instruments supporting: - development - - - - - external relations facilities Heading 4: Security, peace and stability for all Including programmes and instruments supporting: - - - policy - Heading 5: An efficient administration at the service of Europeans - - equipment of EU institutionsration and integration, support to and coordination with international cooperation and neighbourhood enlargement humanitarian aid trade contribution to EU trust funds and security crisis response and stability common foreign and security defence financing EU staff financing the buildings and
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 333 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67
67. Highlights the importance of completing the European research area, the energy union, the Single European Transport Area and the digital single market as fundamental elements of the European single market and reiterates the need for appropriate funding of the Connecting Europe Facility as strategic tool to support the attainment of these objectives;
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 386 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73
73. Insists on the importance of the MFF for sectors relying on long-term investment, such as the transport sector; highlights that transport infrastructures are the backbone of the single market and the basis for sustainable growth and job creation; notes that accomplishing a single European transport area connected to neighbouring countries requires major transport infrastructure and must be treated as a key priority in terms of the EU’s competitiveness and for economic, social and territorial cohesion, including for peripheral areas; considers, therefore, that the next MFF should provide for sufficient funding for projects that contribute in particular to the completion of the TEN-T core network and its corridors, which should be further extended; stresses that an updated and more effective CEF programme should cover all modes of transport, in particular railway and other modes of transport, which contribute to reducing CO2 emissions, and focus on interconnections and the completion of the network in peripheral areas while using common standards;
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 427 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 77
77. Affirms that the common agricultural policy is fundamental for food security and autonomy, the preservation of rural populations, sustainable development and the provision of high-quality and affordable food products for Europeans; stresses the need to secure agricultural production in all parts of the EU as well as in the areas of natural constraints; points out that food requirements have increased, as has the need to develop environmentally friendly farming practices and the need to tackle climate change; underlines that the CAP is one of the most integrated policies and is mainly financed at EU level and, therefore, replaces national spending;
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 452 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78
78. Expects the global amount of direct payments to be kept intact under the next MFF, as they generate clear EU added value and strengthen the single market by avoiding distortions of competition between Member States; opposes any total renationalisation and any national co- financing in that respect; stresses the need to increase funding in line with responses to the various cyclical crises in sensitive sectors, to create new instruments that can mitigate price volatility and to increase funding for Programmes of Options Specifically Relating to Remoteness and Insularity (POSEI); concludes, therefore, that the CAP budget in the next MFF should be at least maintained at its current level for the EU-27receive an adequate funding for the EU-27 based on an analysis of the needs and taking into account the evaluation of the implementation of the policy;
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 472 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 80 a (new)
80a. Draws attention to the first recommendations of the High Level Expert Group on Sustainable Finance1a,including those relating to the multiannual financial framework, and emphasize that the sustainability objectives must be supported by a financial system capable of promoting long-term, sustainable growth; calls on the Commission also to examine and address these recommendations for the next Multiannual Financial Framework, including the need to develop a 'sustainability test' for all future EU financial regulations and policies, and for financial instruments to achieve greater policy steering effects; __________________ 1a https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/17 0713-sustainable-finance-report_en.pdf
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 493 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 81
81. StressUnderlines that cohesion policy post- 2020 should remainis the main investment policy of the European Union covering all EU regions while concentrating the majority of the resources on the most vulnerable ones; believes that, beyond the goal of reducing the disparities between levels of development and enhancing convergence as enshrined in the Treaty, it should focus on the achievement of the broad EU political objectives and proposes, therefore, that under the next MFF, the three cohesion policy funds – the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Cohesion Fund – should concentrate mainly on providing support for innovation, structural reforms, digitalisation, reindustrialisation, SMEs, transport, climate change adaptation, employment and social inclusion; calls, moreover, for a reinforced territorial cooperation component and an urban dimension for the policy;
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 509 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 82
82. Considers maintaining thStresses the need for an adequate financing of cohesion policy post-2020 for the EU-27 at least abased on an analysis of the needs and taking into account the level of the 2014- 2020 budget to be of the utmost importancealuation of the implementation of the policy; stresses that GDP should remain one of the parameters for the allocation of cohesion policy funds, but believes that it should be complemented by an additional set of social, environmental and demographic indicators to better take into account new types of inequalities between EU regions; supports, in addition, the continuation under the new programming period of the elements that rendered cohesion policy more modern and performance-oriented under the current MFF;
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 549 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 84
84. Emphasises in particular the continuous need to fight unemployment, especially among young people, and calls, therefore, for a doubling of the Ysubstantial strengthening of initiatives to boost youth Eemployment Initiative envelope in the next programming period; considers that investment to boost education and training, especially the development of digital skills, remains one of the top priorities of the EU; insists that the Union's resources in support of these initiatives result in a net increase in the funds available for NEETs (young people not in employment, education or training) and shall not replace expenditure previously financed by national budgets.
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 586 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 86
86. Expects that in the post-2020 period, the European Union will move from crisis-management mode to a permanent, European common policy in the field of asylum and migration; stresses that the actions in this field should be covered by a dedicated instrument, i.e. the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund; emphasises that the future fund, as well as the relevant Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) agencies, must be equipped with an adequate level of funding for the whole of the next MFF to address the comprehensive challenges in this area; believes, furthermore, that the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) should be complemented by additional components tackling this issue under other policies, in particular by the cohesion funds and the instruments financing external actions, as no single tool could hope to address the magnitude and complexity of needs in this field; recognises, moreover, the importance of cultural, educational and sports programmes in integrating refugees and migrants into European society;
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 588 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 87
87. Recognises the European added value of collaboration in addressing common public health threats; notes that no single Member State can tackle cross- border health challenges alone, and calls for the next MFF to reflect the EU’s responsibility to support Member States in reducing health inequalities; considers that, on the basis of the positive outcome of the ongoing actions in this field, the next MFF should include a robust next generation Health programme that addresses these issues on a cross-border basis, notably by making innovative solutions for healthcare delivery, such as the European Reference Networks; recalls that good health is a prerequisite for achieving other goals set by the EU and that policies in such fields as agriculture, environment, employment, social issues or inclusion also have an impact on the health of Europeans; calls, therefore, for the strengthening of health impact assessments and for cross- sectoral cooperation in the next MFF in this field;
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 606 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 88
88. Stresses that the world is confronted with multiple challenges including conflicts, cyber-attacks, terrorism, disinformation, natural disasters, climate change, biodiversity loss; marine pollution; human rights violations and protracted crises; believes that the Union has a particular political and financial responsibility which is founded on rules- based foreign policy, cooperation with partner countries, poverty eradication and crisis response;
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 608 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 88
88. Stresses that the world is confronted with multiple challenges including conflicts, cyber-attacks, hybrid warfare, terrorism, disinformation, natural disasters, climate change, human rights violations and protracted crises; believes that the Union has a particular political and financial responsibility which is founded on rules-based foreign policy, cooperation with partner countries, poverty eradication and crisis response;
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 625 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 90
90. Is ready to consider a streamlinedRecalls that the European Parliament is already engaged in the post- 2020 architecture of the EU's external financingal instruments, as long as the Commission and the High Representative clearly demonstrate the expected advantages of such changes and provided that the specificities of the underlying Union policies are respected; reiterates that the objective of a modelling of the current structure should be increased transparency, accountability, efficiency, coherence as well as flexibility; stresses the need for EU external action to be policy, rather than instrument driven; notes that such architecture should include a budgetised EDF, a more transparent incorporation of trust funds and facilities, as well as a possible continuation of the External Investment Plan based on its evaluation; could consider, as part of an overall increase in the external financing instruments, a larger unallocated reserve aimed at increasing in- built flexibility, but stresses that this should not be achieved at the expense of long-term geographic and thematic prioritiesincreased flexibility cannot be detrimental to funds allocated for pre-defined goals and objectives, including in the field of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, support to civil society, conflict resolution, fragile states, development policy, economic and social development and support to countries in various stages of EU accession;
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 673 #

2017/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 96
96. Welcomes initiatives by the institutions, bodies and agencies to further enhance efficiency through increased administrative cooperation and the pooling of certain functions, thereby generating savings to the Union budget; highlights that, for certain agencies, further efficiency gains could be made, especially through increased cooperation among agencies with similar tasks, such as in the field of the financial market supervision and of agencies with multiple locations; calls, in a more general way, for a thorough assessment of the strategic interest and tasks of all agencies and the possibilities of grouping agencies according to the strategic nature of their mission and their result;
2018/02/01
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 32 #

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Welcomes the fact that more and more Member States consider that cohesion funds should be a tool for guaranteeing solidarity in all Union policies, in particular for migration issues;
2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 45 #

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Reiterates that essential part of the solution to the migratory and refugee crisis as well as to the security concerns of Union citizens lie in addressing the root causes of migration and devoting sufficient financial means to external instruments that aim at tackling issues such as poverty, lack of employment, education and economic opportunities, instability, conflict and climate change; considers that climate change is one of the underlying causes globally behind increasing migration and its significance will only increase in the future; is of the opinion that the Union should make an optimal use of financial means under Heading 4 which proved to be insufficient to equally address all external challenges;
2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 50 #

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Reminds that the Union budget must support the fulfilment of the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the Union’s own long-term climate goals by achieving the target of 20 % climate spending in the 2014-2020 MFF; regrets that the Commission has failed to put forward concrete and realistic proposals to achieve these goals; therefore proposes increases above the level of the DB for climate-related actions; notes however that these increases are not sufficient and calls on the Commission to present all the necessary proposals to reach the goals in the forthcoming amending letter and in the following draft budgets;
2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 66 #

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Warns that such cuts would jeopardize programmes with real European added value and a direct impact on job and growth creation, such as Horizon 2020 or CEF; points out, in particular, that sufficient funding for Horizon 2020 is essential to allow for the development of research and, innovation in Europe and for SMEs, leadership in digitalisation and for the support of SMEs in Europe; recalls that this programme has demonstrated a strong European added- value with 83% of Horizon 2020-funded projects that would not have gone ahead without Union-level support; reiterates the importance of the CEF funding instrument for the completion of the TEN-T network and for achieving a Single European Transport Area; consequently decides to reverse all cuts made by the Council and, furthermore, to fully restore the original profile of the Horizon 2020 and CEF lines that were cut for the provisioning of the EFSI Guarantee Fund;
2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 74 #

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses the importance of stimulating cooperative defence research in Europe for addressing key capability shortfalls at a time when international developments increasingly require Europe to step up its efforts on defence; fully supports the increased allocation for the Preparatory Action on defence research but calls for a defence research programme with a dedicated budget within the next Multiannual Financial Framework; reiterates, nevertheless, its longstanding position that new initiatives should be financed through fresh appropriations and not at the expense of existing EU programmes; underlines, furthermore, the need to improve the competitiveness and innovation in the European defence industry that can contribute to stimulate growth and job creation;
2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 95 #

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
30. Notes that, while the number of migrant crossings on the Central and Eastern Mediterranean routes into the Union fell in the first eight months of 2017, pressure on the Western Mediterranean route remains high; according to IOM, 134,549 migrants and refugees entered Europe by sea in the first nine months of 2017, compared with 302,175 arrivals across the region through the same period last year, with over 75 % arriving in Italy and the remainder divided between Greece, Cyprus and Spain; is of the opinion that additional funding is needed to fully cover the needs of the Union in the field of migration, notably through the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund;
2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 102 #

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
32. Highlights the crucial role played by the EU agencies in the area of justice and home affairs in addressing pressing concerns of Union citizens; decides therefore to increase budgetary appropriations and staffing of Europol, including the creation of 7 staff posts for the new operating unit called Europol operating unit for missing children, as well as to reinforce Eurojust, EASO and CEPOL; reiterates the contribution of these agencies to enhancing cooperation between Member States in the field;
2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 153 #

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 56
56. Recalls also the significance of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF), the Emergency Aid Reserve (EAR) and the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF); supports the Commission’s intention to provide for a quicker mobilisation of the EUSF by putting most of its annual amount in a reserve in the Union budget, on top of the amount already budgeted for advances; regrets the Council’s cut in that respect and restores partially the DB level, with the exception of the amount which has been frontloaded to 2017 via amending budget 4/2017 and the mobilisation of the EUSF for Italy; extends the scope of the EUSF to provide assistance to victims of acts of terrorism and their families;
2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 3 #

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that in its resolution of 15 March 2017, Parliament confirmed that sustainable growth, jobs and, security and climate change are the core issues and main priorities for the 2018 EU budget;
2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 10 #

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Believes that in general terms the Commission proposal corresponds to Parliament’s view that the 2018 EU budget must enable the EU to continue to generate growth and jobs while ensuring the security of its citizens yet regrets that the Commission proposal does not fully correspond to the Parliament's call on action against climate change;
2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 22 #

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Reiterates its firm conviction that in order to achieve sustainable growth and job creation in the EU, investments in research, innovation, infrastructure, education and SMEs are key; welcomes in this respect the proposed reinforcements to Horizon 2020, the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and Erasmus+ as these programmes will contribute directly to reaching these goals; regrets, however, that the proposed allocation for COSME is lower in comparison with the 2017 budget and points to the need to further reinforce SMEs, which are the main source of job creation in the EU and have a crucial role in reducing the investment gap and contributing to the prosperity of the EU;
2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 31 #

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Recalls the crucial role of SMEs in job creation and reduction of the investment gap and underscores that their adequate funding must remain one of the top priorities of the EU budget; regrets, in this respect, that the proposed allocation for COSME is lower in comparison with the 2017 budget, points to the need to further reinforce SMEs and calls for full delivery on the programme's financial commitments in the rest of the current MFF;
2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 43 #

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Highlights the quick uptake of funds in the SME Window of EFSI and welcomes its intended scale-up in the proposed extension of EFSI; welcomes the Commission's attempt at streamlining SME financing within Horizon 2020, regrets however the lack of a holistic approach to SME funding that would allow for a clear overview of total funds available;
2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 48 #

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the EU initiatives and long-term perspective in the field of defence research and technology development and acquisition, which will contribute to achieving economies of scale in the sector and thus lead to greater coordination among Member States in the field; believes that this kind of pooling and sharing of resources can enable a better use of tax payer's money and offers a potential for savings; underlines also the need to improve the competitiveness and innovation in the European defence industry and to stimulate growth and job creation;
2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 59 #

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Regrets thatWelcomes the Move2Learn, Learn2Move initiative by the Commission has not followed up on Parliament’s request to put forward an assessment and relevant proposals for an ‘18th Birthday Interrail Pass for Europe’; is convinced that this proposal has the potential to boost European consciousness and identity and can serve as a concrete example of European added value; strongly reiterates its previous call on the Commission to put forward relevant proposals in this regarda positive step to increase mobility, intercultural experience and European identity of the youth, while supporting learning and promoting low-emission travel and combination of various means of transport; believes that any possible future actions beyond this one-off initiative should be socially and geographically inclusive and always linked to educational objectives, based on multimodal and decarbonised transport, and not undermine the budget of other existing successful EU youth programmes;
2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 69 #

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the fact that the draft budget 2018 includes an additional allocation for the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI), responding thus to Parliament’s previous calls for the continuation of the programme; notes, in parallel, the proposal for draft amending budget 3/2017 that integrates the provision of EUR 500 million in commitments for YEI, as agreed upon by Parliament and the Council in the 2017 budgetary conciliation; is convinced that while the proposed amounts alone will not be sufficient to tackle youth unemployment, YEI will continue to contribute to the Union’s priority objective of growth and jobs; insists on the need to provide an effective response to youth unemployment across the European Union and underlines that YEI can be further improved and become more efficient;
2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 80 #

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. StressNotes that in 2018, cohesion policy programmes are expected to reach cruising speed and emphasises Parliament’s commitment to ensuring adequate appropriations for these programmes; is however preoccupied by the unacceptable delays in the implementation of operational programmes at national level; calls on Member States to ensure that the designation of managing, auditing and certifying authorities is concluded and implementation is accelerated;
2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 83 #

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Welcomes the fact that more and more Member States consider that cohesion funds should be a tool for guaranteeing solidarity in all Union policies, in particularly for migration issues;
2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 127 #

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Reiterates its support for the implementation of the Commission's strategy 'Budget Focused on Results' and calls on continuous improvement of the quality and presentation of performance data, in order to provide accurate, clear and understandable information on EU programmes' performance;
2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 142 #

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Takes note ofWelcomes the Commission’s proposal to set up a European Solidarity Corps (ESC); notes, however, with concern that, despite Parliament’s warnings, the legislative proposal adopted on 30 May 2017 envisages that three fourths of the ESC budget would be financed by redeployments from existing programmes, and mainly from Erasmus+ (EUR 197.7 million); is concerned by the risk that this situation would pose to those EU programmes and expresses its intention to further reinforce Erasmus+ in the 2018 budget;
2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 170 #

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Notes the proposed EUR 3 473.1 million in commitment appropriations for Heading 3; emphasises the need for joint, comprehensive and sustainable solutions to the current migration and refugee crisihallenges, and to addressing safety and security concerns particularly following the series of terrorist attacks that the European Union has known on its territory; welcomes, therefore, the Commission’s proposal for an additional EUR 800 million dedicated to tackling these issues;
2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 178 #

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Furthermore believes that cooperation among Member States in security related matters could be further enhanced through increased support from the EU budget; questions how such an objective could be reached while relevant budgetary lines of the ISF are significantly decreased compared to 2017 Budget; stresses the need to guarantee the necessary funding to implement the new information and border systems such as European Travel Information and Authorisation and Entry-Exit Systems.
2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 221 #

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
46. Reiterates its conviction that the European agencies active in the Justice and Home Affairs field must be provided with the necessary operational expenditure and staffing levels to allow them to achieve the additional tasks and responsibilities they have been given in recent years; welcomes, in this regard, the substantial staff increases proposed for the European Coast and Border Guard Agency (Frontex) and the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), which it considers a minimum to ensure that these agencies can effectively perform their operations; calls the Commission to reassess whether the staff increase proposed for Europol is enough, as this does not reflect the increased workload related to the additional tasks recently conferred to the Agency, especially in the area of terrorism, cybercrime and migrant smuggling ; underlines the identified gaps in the existing exchange of information architecture and urges the Commission to provide eu-LISA with the appropriate human and financial resources to fulfil the additional tasks and responsibilities recently assigned to the Agency in this respect ; requests the Commission to reassess whether the proposed operational funding (-23.6 % compared to 2017) and staffing levels (-4) for Eurojust will indeed allow this agency to fulfil in an effective manner its key role in the promotion of judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters, including in the fields of drug policy and crime prevention;
2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 53 #

2017/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph a a (new)
(aa) to urge all UN Member States to make all necessary financial and human resources available to assist local populations in armed conflicts and the refugees and to urge all UN Member States to fulfil the financial commitments made to the UN;
2017/04/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 55 #

2017/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph b
(b) to push for stronger multilateral commitments to find sustainable political and peaceful solutions to current conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa, particularly in Syria, Yemen and Libya; to continue to support UN special envoys’ work, actions and initiatives aimed at solving these conflicts; to call for continued humanitarian, financial and political assistance from the international community in order to address the humanitarian situation and to work towards the immediate cessation of violence; to urge all UN Member States to make all necessary financial and human resources available to assist the population in conflict areas; to support efforts deployed by the UN to find a sustainable resolution to the conflict in Syria and to continue to back the EU’s role in the humanitarian field and the EU’s regional initiative; to strongly condemn the widespread human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law in Syria; to support the UN peace plan initiative in Yemen and to tackle the ongoing humanitarian crisis as a matter of urgency; to call for stronger support for the UN-backed government in Libyaon all parties to respect the human rights and freedoms of all Yemeni citizens, and to stress the importance of improving the security of all those working on peace and humanitarian missions in the country; to call for stronger support for the UN-backed government in Libya and to play a central role in the stabilisation of Libya under the framework of the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA); to reiterate the urgent need to unite all armed forces under the control of the legitimate civilian authorities as set out in the LPA and to work for stability and preservation of the country's unity and territorial integrity;
2017/04/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 68 #

2017/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph b a (new)
(ba) to strongly condemn the widespread human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law in Syria and to make sure that those responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity and other human rights violations will be held responsible;
2017/04/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 70 #

2017/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph c
(c) to call for a stronger empowerment of Iraqi institutions and for the need to work towards a more inclusive society and the reintegration of all the ethnic and religious minorities that have been displaced; to reiterate the critical importance of sustained protection of civilians and respect of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) during the military strategies in Iraq, in particular in the outgoing West Mosul operation;
2017/04/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 74 #

2017/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph d
(d) to keep addressing the major security threats in the Sahel, Sahara and Lake Chad and Horn of Africa regions, and in Central, Western and South-East Asia regions with a view to eradicating the terrorist threat posed by ISIL/Daesh and al- Qaeda affiliates and by Boko Haram or any other affiliated terrorist groups;
2017/04/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 91 #

2017/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph i a (new)
(ia) to make certain that the UN General Assembly provides, in cooperation with the EU and USA, all instruments needed to work towards a two-state solution of Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace with secure and recognised borders;
2017/04/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 123 #

2017/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph m
(m) to support the UN in making counter-terrorism a key element of its prevention agenda in line with the EU’s engagement in preventive measures to combat terrorism and counter violent extremism; to strengthen joint EU-UN efforts in combating the root causes of terrorism, particularly in countering hybrid threats and developing research and capacity-building in cyber defence; to promote education as a main tool for preventing violent extremism and to rely on the existing initiatives set up by local partners to devise, implement, and develop approaches to counter radicalisation and terrorist recruitment;
2017/04/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 126 #

2017/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph m a (new)
(ma) to support an enhanced EU contribution to UN capacity building initiatives concerning the fight against foreign fighters and violent extremism;
2017/04/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 153 #

2017/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph t
(t) to promote greater support for the work of UNHCR in implementing its international mandate to protect refugees; to stress the substantial funding gap between UNHCR’s budgetary needs and funds received and to demand greater global solidarity; to call for greater UN regular budget funding of the UNHCR core functions in order to safeguard its functioning;
2017/04/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 159 #

2017/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph t a (new)
(ta) to call for a strengthening of the child protection systems and to support concrete measures in the best interests of the child refugees and migrants, based on the Convention on the rights of the child;
2017/04/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 178 #

2017/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph w
(w) to continue to advocate freedom of religion or belief; to call for greater efforts to protect the rights of religious and other minorities; to call for greater protection of religious and ethnic minorities against persecution and violence; to call for the repeal of laws criminalising blasphemy or apostasy, which serve as a pretext for the persecution of religious minorities and non-believers; to support the work of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief; to actively work for UN recognition of the genocide of religious and other minorities committed by ISIL/Daesh, and for referral to the ICC of cases of suspected crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide; to support the work of UN against torture and other cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment or punishment, mass executions, executions including for drug- related offences;
2017/04/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 187 #

2017/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph y
(y) to strengthen the role of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the international criminal justice system in order to promote accountability and to end impunity; to call on all UN member states to join the Court by ratifying the Rome Statute, and to encourage the ratification of the Kampala amendments; to call on those UN member states withdrawing from the Rome Statute to reconsider their decision;
2017/04/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 189 #

2017/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph y
(y) to strengthen the role of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the international criminal justice system in order to promote accountability and to end impunity; to call on all UN member states to join the International Criminal Court (ICC) by ratifying the Rome Statute and to promote the ratification of the Kampala amendments;
2017/04/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 251 #

2017/2041(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph ad a (new)
(ada) to urge Security Council members to refrain from using their right to veto in cases when crimes against humanity are being committed;
2017/04/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 149 #

2017/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Stresses that guaranteeing human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cuba should be the priority of the EU and will work to put an end to political harassment and persecution of human rights defenders; considers that freedom of expression should also be guaranteed both at public gatherings and, for example, on the Internet; takes the view that human rights organisations should be guaranteed access in Cuba, including to prisoners;
2017/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 162 #

2017/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Considers it vital that the next national elections in Cuba in 2018 should be transparent and democratic;
2017/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2017/2035(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4
– having regard to the signing of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) on 21 December 2015 in Astana, in the presence of the then Vice- President / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR), Catherine AshtonFederica Mogherini,
2017/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 68 #

2017/2035(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Recommendquests that the EU consistently include in its political dialogue with Kazakhstan, the issues of the rule of law and democracy, fundamental freedoms and human rights;
2017/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 79 #

2017/2035(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Urges the reversal of the negative trends in terms ofExpresses its concerns about the climate for freedom of the media, freedom of expression, and freedom of association and assembly, and freedom of religion; points out that freedom of speech for independent media, bloggers and individual citizens is a universal value that must be upheld; recommends Kazakhstan to apply the standards of the Council of Europe in its laws; urges the country to implement fully the recommendations made by the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the outcome report on his mission to Kazakhstan in January 2015;
2017/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 90 #

2017/2035(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Notes the existence of civil society dialogue platforms; reiterates its concern about the legislation on NGOs, undermining their independence and ability to operate; recalls the importance of a vibrant civil society for the sustainable future of Kazakhstan; urges the Kazakh authorities to guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights activists and NGOs in Kazakhstan are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals, and free of all restrictions;
2017/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 99 #

2017/2035(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Calls for the end of harassment of independent trade union activists and the release of the remaining political prisoners;
2017/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 108 #

2017/2035(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Recommends closer cooperation on countering violent extremism and terrorism, including addressing the root causes of radicalisation; calls for a closer cooperation with the EU in the fight against terrorism;
2017/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 119 #

2017/2035(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
33. Voices understanding for the country’s multi-vector foreign policy, including building good neighbourly relations with Russia and China and other partners;
2017/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 130 #

2017/2035(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
36. Welcomes the enhanced chapter on raw materials and energy cooperation, which holds great potential for contributing to EU energy security; calls for the EU to have a more active energy cooperation with Kazakhstan and other Central-Asian countries to strengthen the EU energy security;
2017/09/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 56 #

2017/2029(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Demands the strict application of the Common Position 2008/944/CFSP regarding EU arms production permits for non-EU producers, producing outside EU territory;
2017/06/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 70 #

2017/2029(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Notes the extreme security liability for the Union arising from the absence of a stronger support and commitment from the European Union on the decommissioning of the many arms stockpiles still existing in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania or Ukraine;
2017/06/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 113 #

2017/2029(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3 a (new)
Ensuring a harmonised approach and application of the Common Criteria
2017/06/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 114 #

2017/2029(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Notes the lack of provisions on sanctions for Member States that fail to comply with the eight Criteria when granting licences; calls in this regard for an update of the Common Position whereby a sanctioning mechanism is introduced;
2017/06/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 115 #

2017/2029(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Notes the lack of a common approach concerning sanctions on individuals or companies that have failed to fulfil the provisions of the Common Criteria (false exports);calls on Members States to provide for effective sanctions to be imposed on said individuals or companies that fail to comply with any of the provisions set out in the eight criteria;
2017/06/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 116 #

2017/2029(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15c. Considers that, in order for the sanctions to be effective, these should include both an economic dimension and a temporary suspension from being granted licenses for a certain period of time; stresses that, in the case of companies, the sanctions should be extended to any other entity that is participated by the concerned company, either through stock owners or through a parent company;
2017/06/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 117 #

2017/2029(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 d (new)
15d. Strongly recommends countries in the process of attaining candidate status, or countries otherwise wishing to engage themselves on the path of EU adhesion, to apply the provisions of the Common Position and to exercise an effective control over their arms deposits;
2017/06/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 118 #

2017/2029(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 e (new)
15e. Stresses the importance of effectively limiting arms exports to private security companies as an end user, and that any such licence be granted only when, after thorough diligence checks, it is determined the private security company in question has not participated in human rights violations; accountability mechanisms shall be put in place in order to ensure the responsible use or arms by private security companies;
2017/06/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 119 #

2017/2029(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 f (new)
15f. Calls on the EU and its Members States to work towards fostering a European industrial and technological base that is competitive and innovative, that contributes to overcoming the current lack of efficiency in defence-spending among the EU members due to duplicities, fragmentation, lack of interoperability, technological gaps and economies of scale for both industry and production in field of key importance to Europe, thus allowing the EU to become a global security provider and enabling more and better control of arms exports, by preventing national export expansive policies;
2017/06/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 3 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
- having regard to the report of the European Investment Bank (EIB) entitled ´Policy on preventing and deterring prohibited conduct in European Investment Bank activities' ("EIB Anti- Fraud Policy") adopted on 8 November 20131a, _________________ 1a http://www.eib.org/attachments/strategies/ anti_fraud_policy_20130917_en.pdf
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
- having regard to the Council conclusions on business and human rights of 20 June 20162a, _________________ 2a http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/ press-releases/2016/06/20-fac-business- human-rights-conclusions/
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 b (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 23 October 2013 on organised crime, corruption, and money laundering: recommendations on action and initiatives to be taken3a, _________________ 3a Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0245.
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 7 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 11 June 2015 on recent revelations of high-level corruption cases in FIFA4a, _________________ 4a Texts adopted, P8_TA(2015)0233.
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 b (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 25 October 2016 on the fight against corruption and follow up of the CRIM resolution5a, _________________ 5a Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0403.
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 11 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 c (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 25 October 2016 on corporate liability for serious human rights abuses in third countries1a, _________________ 1a Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0405.
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 31 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas in many countries corruption not only constitutes a significant systemic obstacle to the realisation of all human rights, — civil, political, economic, social and cultural but may also cause many human rights violations; whereas corruption is one of the most neglected human rights violations of our times as it fuels injustice, inequality and deprivation;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 38 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas corruption, far from being an abstract crime, has specific negative impacts on the enjoyment of human rights affecting individuals, targeted groups such as women, children, persons with disabilities, the elderly, the poor, indigenous people or people belonging to minorities, or society at large, notably as regards financial and economic resources and the realisation of democracy and the rule of law;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 44 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas corruption directly affects social programmes addressed to improve the lives of vast sectors of the population, in particular those in need of basic services such as healthcare, education, and housing;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 59 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas according to the World Bank about 1 trillion dollars is paid each year in bribes around the world and the total economic loss from corruption is estimated to be many times that number;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 65 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas organised crime, which is a serious problem in many countries and has a cross-border dimension, is often linked to corruption;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 69 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas acts of corruption and human rights violations typically involve the misuse of power, lack of accountability and the institutionalisation of various forms of discrimination; whereas corruption shows strong correlation with deficiencies in the rule of law, and whereas corruption often undermines the effectiveness of the institutions and entities which are entrusted to ensure checks and balances and respect for democratic principles and human rights, such as parliaments, law enforcement authorities, the judiciary and civil society;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 79 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas practices such as electoral fraud, illicit funding of political parties or the perceived disproportionate influence of money in politics erode confidence and create social dissatisfaction in elected representatives and governments, undermine democratic legitimacy and may significantly weaken civil and political rights; whereas inadequate regulation of political financing can create opportunities for organized criminals to influence and interfere in the conduct of public affairs; whereas corruption can also be used as a political instrument in order to discredit the reputation of politicians;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 80 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas corruption in the judicial sector breaches the principles of non- discrimination, access to justice and the right to a fair trial and to an effective remedy and makes people become disempowered, as they lose their ability to seek justice in court or hold politicians to account; whereas the absence of an independent judiciary and public administration fosters distrust in public institutions, undermining the rule of law and occasionally fuelling violence;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 87 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
H a. whereas it is difficult to measure corruption as it usually involves illegal practices that are deliberately covered up, although some mechanisms to identify, monitor, measure and combat corruption have been developed and implemented;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 89 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I
I. whereas strengthening the protection of human rights, and the principle of non-discrimination in particular, is a valuable instrument in combating corruption; whereas fighting corruption through criminal law and private law means taking repressive and remedial measures; whereas there is a direct link between the promotion and strengthening of human rights and corruption prevention;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 94 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
K a. whereas existing international obligations are good mechanisms to take appropriate and reasonable measures in order to prevent or punish corruption in public and private sectors, in particular under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and other relevant human rights instruments;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 106 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital N
N. whereas the absence of free media both online and offline creates favourable conditions for opaque practices to flourish; whereas media play an important role in increasing public awareness of corruption and human rights violations; whereas defamation laws are in place in several countries;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 118 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital P a (new)
P a. whereas the EU funds to third countries, including in the emergency situations, need to be properly monitored with clear checks and balances in the beneficiary countries in order to prevent the opportunities for corruption that might emerge;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 129 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Calls for collective action to be taken at international level to prevent and combat corruption, given that corruption spreads across borders and that cooperation between countries and between regions needs to be encouraged; calls on States to actively engage within international fora to discuss and reach joint decisions on good practices and policies suited to the specific situation in each region, with a view to tackling corruption as an interlinked complex phenomenon obstructing political, economic and social development;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 138 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Is concerned about the implementation and enforcement of the existing international anti-corruption instruments - such as the UN Convention against Corruption, the Council of Europe´s Criminal Law Convention on Corruption and the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention; calls on the signatory countries to apply them in full in order to better protect their citizens;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 141 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Is concerned over the harassment, threats, intimidation and reprisals suffered by members of civil society organisations, including anticorruption associations and human rights movements, journalists, bloggers and whistle-blowers that expose and denounce corruption cases; calls on the authorities to take all the necessary measures to guarantee their physical and psychological integrity and to ensure immediate, thorough and impartial investigations in order to bring those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 148 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that States are bound to fulfil their human rights obligations; underlines that States are responsible for reacting to any negative impact of corruption occurring in their territory; recalls the responsibilities of business operators to respect human rights and tackle corruption; stresses the need to integrate a human rights perspective into anti-corruption strategies; in order that the implementation of preventive policies relating to matters such as transparency, laws on access to public information and external controls become an obligation;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 159 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines the need to mainstream the principle of local and democratic ownership of projects financed under EU assistance programmes; highlights the need to establish and operationalise conditionality and incentives of EU external financial instruments based on anti-corruption norms and commitments made by partner countries; recalls the need of permanent monitoring of the EU funded projects and holding recipient country authorities accountable if the EU funds are not used appropriately;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 173 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Calls on the EU to promote effective mechanisms for public participation and public accountability, including the right to access to information and open data in all relevant human rights dialogues and consultations with third countries and to finance projects that aim the establishment, implementation and enforcement of these practices;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 177 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Welcomes persistent efforts under the Development Cooperation Instrument and the Neighbourhood Programming Instrument to establish and consolidate independent and effective anti-corruption institutions;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 183 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Commission and the EEAS to channel further funds to assist with enacting and implementing protection programmes targeting civil society organisations’ members, including anti- corruption associations and human rights movements, journalists, bloggers and whistle-blowers that expose and denounce corruption cases and human rights violations; insists that any future update of the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders or any guidance note on their implementation should make explicit references to the protection of these people; welcomes the Commission’s recently launched consultation process on whistle-blower protection; stresses that human rights focal points in EU delegations should also pay special attention to these targeted groups;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 185 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Calls on EU delegations to make use of local demarches and public diplomacy to denounce cases of corruption and impunity, in particular when they lead to serious human rights violations;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 192 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Recommends that the European Endowment for Democracy and the EU´s comprehensive HRD´s mechanism (protectdefenders.eu) should focus specific programmes to protect anti- corruption activists who also contribute to upholding human rights;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 194 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Encourages EU Member States to consider adopting legislation providing for the possibility of the freezing of assets and visa restrictions targetingReiterates its call from the previous resolutions, that the EU should bring the Magnitsky sanctions list against the 32 Russian state officials responsible for the death of Russian whistleblower Sergei Magnitsky as soon as possible to the Council for its adoption and impose targeted sanctions against them such as an EU-wide visa ban and a freezing of their financial assets that they hold inside the European Union; encourages EU Member States to consider adopting a legislation which would establish a clear criteria allowing for black listing and imposition of similar sanctions against third country individuals who have been involved in serious human rights violations against other individuals or corruption;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 207 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Is convinced that an ambitious anti- corruption policy in EU external relations is only credible if underpinned by an effective anti-corruption strategy within the EU; regrets in this context that the Commission decided not to follow up its 2014 EU anti-corruption report, which would have also reinforced the EU’s credibility to promote an ambitious anti- corruption agenda in its external policies; stresses that the European Commission and other EU institutions should undertake regular, ambitious and rigorous reporting and self-assessment in line with the provisions of the UN Convention against Corruption;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 213 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Emphasises the need to step up national and international communication and awareness-raising campaigns targeting citizens participation in order to highlight the fact that corruption has negative impact on human rights and leads among others to social inequalities, lack of social justice and increased levels of poverty; stresses that education is key in building strong individuals in our society based on respect for the rule of law;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 225 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Calls on the EU and its Member States to continue supporting anti- corruption institutions established in third countries as it is the case of the Guatemalan International Commission against Impunity (CICIG); urges these countries to provide the institutions with all the necessary tools, including the investigating power, in order to be effective in their work;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 231 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Encourages all EU Member States to fully implement the UN Guiding Principles on business and human rights and to include specific commitments on anti-corruption measures in their national action plan on human rights (as required under the EU´s Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy) or to enact specific anti-bribery legislation;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 235 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the revised Accounting Directive on disclosure of non-financial and diversity information (2014/95/EU) regarding reporting requirements of large companies and groups, including on their efforts related to human rights and anti- corruption; encourages companies to disclose all relevant information in line with the forthcoming guidance note to be issued by the Commission;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 236 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Renews its call to all states including the EU to engage actively and constructively in the on-going work of the UN´s open-ended intergovernmental working group on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights with the view to reach a legally binding instrument in order to prevent, investigate, redress and have access to remedy when human rights violations, including those as a result of corruption, occur;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 241 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19 b. Recommends that the EU steps up support to international instruments to increase transparency in economic sectors most prone to human rights abuses and corruption;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 242 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 c (new)
19 c. Welcomes that some EU Member States' National Action Plans make references to corruption but suggests specific measures to prevent and punish corrupt practices and bribery that may lead to human rights violations;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 243 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 d (new)
19 d. Is of the view that misuse of public funds, illicit enrichment or bribery should be punishable by specific sanctions under criminal law if they directly lead to human rights violations, caused by the act of corruption;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 244 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Emphasises that one of the objectives of the fight against corruption should be to put an end to grave abuses that distort political processes and to promote an independent, impartial and effective judiciary; calls for political parties to be strengthened in their role as channels of democratic representation and political participation by being equipped in efficient ways; in this sense the regulation of political financing including the identification of donors and other financial sources are therefore central to the preservation of democracy;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 247 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Notes with concern that electoral fraud and corruption linked to electoral processes and the functioning of elected representative bodies and assemblies seriously undermine trust in democratic institutions and weaken civil and political rights by preventing equal and fair representation; notes the positive role of the election observation missions and support to electoral law reform; encourages further cooperation with specialized international bodies such as the Council of Europe or the OSCE in this field;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 252 #

2017/2028(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Underlines the specific need to uphold the highest possible ethical standards and transparency in the functioning of international organisations and regional assemblies in charge of protecting and promoting democracy, human rights and the rule of law; underlines the need to promote transparent practices by elaborating codes of conduct and specific transparency measures to prevent and investigate any fraud or misconduct;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2017/2027(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 16
– having regard to the declaration by the Co-Presidents of EuroLat of 7 February 2017 on the executive orders issued by the TrumpUS Administration in the area of foreign policy and their repercussions on Latin America,
2017/05/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 17 #

2017/2027(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the Latin American and Caribbean region (LAC) constitutes a keyvital partner for the EU when it comes to jointly facing current global challenges, such as the eradication of poverty, access to drinking water, peace and security, socioeconomic development, sustainability, the fight against climate change, the digital transformation and managing migration;
2017/05/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 46 #

2017/2027(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the EU has also experienced important shifts in the past years, namely the economic crisis, an increase in inequality, the challenges linked to Brexit, the refugee crisis, and the significant rise in citizen discontent with political institutions;deleted
2017/05/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 58 #

2017/2027(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas the main geopolitical shifts currently in play in LAC countries, marked by the increasing presence of Asian states seeking economic partnership in the region, require that the EU stands up as a truthful ally to its partners in the LAC region;
2017/05/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 73 #

2017/2027(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that in the wake of the economic crisis, the EU and LAC countries are facing common challenges in the areas of economic growth, digital transformation, social inclusion and gender equality, while at the same time sharing common values such as democracy, human rights, peace and solidarity, and underlines that this partnership and political dialogue, based on common principles and interests in a horizontal relationship, has become crucial to the advancement of the bi- regional and cooperation exchange;deleted
2017/05/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 81 #

2017/2027(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights the fact that the new geopolitical scenario reinforces the LAC region as a strategic priority for the EU’s foreign policy, as both regions share a common vision of the world based on multilateralism, dialogue, sustainability, the rule of law and open societies;
2017/05/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 87 #

2017/2027(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls for unequivocal respect for the principle of the territorial integrity of states;
2017/05/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 109 #

2017/2027(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that current global challenges, includingthe EU, Latin America and the Caribbean region must cooperate more than hitherto in such fields as the digital transformation, mass migration, cybersecurity, efforts to fight organised crime and terrorism, climate change, geopolitical shifts, inequality within and across countries, and drug trafficking, offer new opportunities for a strategic EU-LAC partnership in which a common vision is sharedmeasures against drug trafficking;
2017/05/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 132 #

2017/2027(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses the need to develop sustainable and effective tax systems in both regions, together with an appropriate tax culture, that could foster the development of welfare states providing public goods, such as public education, infrastructure and security, and reiterates that tax havens and tax avoidance are detrimental to social redistributive policies;
2017/05/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 139 #

2017/2027(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Reiterates that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, along with the SDGs, should be the main tools of the EU- LAC cooperation, including all their dimensions of economic, social and sustainable development, not just poverty eradication; underlines the fact that the EU must continue to supply Official Development Assistance to LAC countries, including middle-income countries that no longer qualify for bilateral development cooperation under the differentiation principle;
2017/05/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 153 #

2017/2027(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Reiterates the importance of the existence of work and education opportunities for young people, as they embody the future hopes for, and are a key factor in, the continent’s future political stability; encourages further cooperation in the form of bilateral university participation, knowledge exchange and international mobility between EU and LAC students; points out the need to advance full and mutual recognition of university degrees and to strengthen bi-regional cooperation in the quality and accreditation system;
2017/05/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 164 #

2017/2027(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Highlights the advances in freedoms and social rights made in the last decade, and the great efforts made to elaborate public policies to distribute wealth and economic growth equally; notes the necessity to guarantee the rights and safety of religious minorities, indigenous groups, the LGTBI community and populations in rural areas;
2017/05/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 42 #

2017/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas the EU experience has in the past served as a source of inspiration for other regional integration processes; whereas the ASEAN countries, however, have been waiting to see whether the EU will be able to overcome its problems and divisions;
2017/05/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 47 #

2017/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas at present centrifugal forces are threatening the integration processes in both regions; whereas the EU is struggling with several overlapping crises ranging from the euro to migration and Brexit, and whereas ASEAN, in spite of the goal of fostering ASEAN centrality, saw intra-ASEAN trade decline in 2016 and has been beset with problems, including diverging foreign policy trajectories and spillover effects from domestic problems pertaining to religious relations, social inequalities and human rights;
2017/05/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 100 #

2017/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Strongly condemns the nuclear tests as an unnecessary and dangerous provocation as well as a violation of the UN Security Council resolutions and a serious threat to the peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and the north-east Asian region; hopes that ASEAN will do its utmost to influence the defusing of tensions in the Korean Peninsula; deems it necessary for the EU and ASEAN to cooperate in this matter;
2017/05/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 125 #

2017/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Believes that negotiations on a regional EU-ASEAN free trade agreement should be re-launched; encourages the EU also to conclude free trade agreements with all ASEAN countries;
2017/05/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 154 #

2017/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Considers it vital that the governments of those countries to which large numbers of Rohingya people are travelling should cooperate closely with the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, which has technical expertise with regard to the status of refugees; insists that the governments of those countries should observe the principle of non-refoulement and should not compel Rohingya refugees to return, at least until a satisfactory and decent solution has been found for their situation;
2017/05/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 21 January 2016 on Estonian and UK seamen under detention in India1a, _________________ 1a Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0022
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 7 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the EU and India are the world’s two largest democracies and are strongly committed to the promotion of peace, stability and security, as well as to respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;deleted
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 16 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas the EU and India have built over the last two decades a Strategic Partnership founded on shared values, given that they are natural partners and factors of stability in the present multi- polar world; whereas the Strategic Partnership could be deepened;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 20 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas the EU and India, as important economic partners, have been engaged since 2007 in negotiations for an ambitious free trade agreement, which should reach a conclusion as soon as possible;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 25 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas increased coordination between the EU and its Member States regarding their relationship with India would further allow the Strategic Partnership to be strengthendeleted;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 26 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas India is a vibrant democracy and an open society with a free press and an active civil society; whereas the EU and India have regularly exchanged best practices regarding human rights and democratic practices;deleted
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 35 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Expresses full support for a stronger and deeper partnership between the EU and India, rooted in their powerful political, economic, social and cultural links and founded on the shared values of democracy, respect for human rights and pluralism, as well as on mutual respect;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 45 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that enhanced political relations between the two partners could positively contribute to fostering regional and international cooperation in a world that faces multiple challenges, such as security tensions, disrespect for international law, terrorism, poverty and inequality, inequality and violation of human rights;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 79 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Takes positive note that the EU and India have re-engaged in discussion on the ways to proceed with negotiations on a Broad- based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA); urges both sides to proceed with the negotiations with a view to concluding the BTIA as soon as possible;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 83 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Recommends the adoption at EU level of a consistent strategy for its relations with India, with clear priorities; draws attention to the importance of both the EU institutions and the Member States implementing such a strategy in a coherent and coordinated manner; considers that that EU’s priorities for India could also be defined in an updated strategy for EU-Asia relations; stresses the importance of continuous work on ending persecution of minorities, such as Rohingyas, in some Asian countries;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 140 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Takes positive note of the support expressed at the 13th EU-India Summit by both sides for full implementation of the Minsk Agreement by all parties regarding the conflict in Eastern Ukraine; recalls that the EU has strongly condemned Russia’s aggressive actions and has a non- recognition policy of the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol; hopes that, through dialogue, the EU and India could further align their positions and further calls for India to condemn Russian aggression;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 148 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Stresses the significant mutual benefits the EU and India could draw from intensifying their cooperation in areas such as maritime security, cyber security and data protection, as well as migration and mobility; recommends, in the area of maritime security, developing a common understanding of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and identifying the most appropriate joint measures for cooperating within its framework;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 153 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22 a. Recommends, in the area of maritime security, developing a common understanding of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and identifying the most appropriate joint measures for cooperating within its framework;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 156 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22 b. Calls on the EU and India to increase cooperation in matters of maritime security and counter-piracy, including through the development of international doctrine and standard operating procedures, in order to fully exploit the potential offered by India's role in the region;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 157 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 c (new)
22 c. Recommends that India consider signing the Montreux Document of 18 September 2008, which, inter alia, defines how international law applies to the activities of private military and security companies (PMSCs);
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 185 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Acknowledges the significant efforts made by the Indian authorities with a view to combating all forms of discrimination, including caste-based; notes with concern, however, that caste- based discrimination continues to be a source of abuse, and encourages India’s authorities, therefore, to strengthen their efforts to eradicate this violation of human rights; encourages India, furthermore, to ensure full protection of minorities, in particular religious and ethnic ones; calls for Indian authorities to guarantee an effective fight against rape and police violations and ensure the protection of women's rights;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 190 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26 a. Is concerned of the situations of labourers in the textile field, and calls on the Indian authorities to pursue exhaustive investigations of abuse denouncements;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 191 #

2017/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26 b. Notes with regret that the 35- strong crew (including 14 Estonians and 6 Britons, as well as Indians and Ukrainians) of the ship MV Seaman Guard Ohio, arrested in Tamil Nadu state on 12 October 2013 are held in Palayamkottai prison in Tamil Nadu; whereas the EU respects India's sovereignty over its territory and jurisdiction and recognises the integrity of the Indian legal system; calls on the Indian authorities to ensure that the case of the MV Seaman Guard Ohio crew is dealt with on a basis of full respect for the human and legal rights of the defendants, in line with the obligations enshrined in the various human rights charters, treaties and conventions that India has signed up to; urges the Indian authorities to act sympathetically in this case, to resolve the legal proceedings as swiftly as possible, and to release all personnel concerned pending conclusion of the judicial processes, in order to minimise the adverse effects on those involved and their families;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 15 #

2017/2012(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses the need to make use of the possibilities that the Digital Age presents us with in order to fully reach gender equality; notes that in order to empower women in political and economic terms as well as to close the digital gender gap access to digital education must be provided from the grass-root level; notes that access to internet and skills to use ICTs enables women and girls learn about their own rights as well as to participate in modern society on equal grounds with men which in turn boosts economy and increases overall wellbeing;
2017/11/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 29 #

2017/2012(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses the importance of enabling women to participate and be equally represented at all levels of political processes and public life in each community and society and promoting women's and girls' potential through education, skill development and employment; stresses the importance of reproductive health education among women and girls;
2017/11/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 30 #

2017/2012(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Stresses the importance of raising awareness in the societies at large as well as targeting specific groups and people to create a common understanding of the causes and consequences of gender inequality;
2017/11/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 38 #

2017/2012(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Notes the importance of UN Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security and the importance of finding the best possible ways for the EU to implement this resolution;
2017/11/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 46 #

2017/2012(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Welcomes the global, multi-year Spotlight initiative launched by the EU and the United Nations focused on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls as it brings focused attention to this issue placing it at the centre of efforts to achieve gender equality and women´s empowerment, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; calls for other states to join this initiative;
2017/11/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2017/0352(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 60 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. The cost incurred in connection with the establishment and operation of a central EU backup solution for each system indicated in paragraph 1, where necessary, shall be borne by the general budget of the Union.
2018/05/25
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 9 #

2017/0352(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 60 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Costs incurred in connection with the integration of the existing national infrastructures and their connection to the national uniform interfaces as well as in connection with hosting and future developments of the national uniform interfaces shall be borne by the general budget of the Union.
2018/05/25
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 8 #

2017/0351(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 60 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. The cost incurred in connection with the establishment and operation of a central EU backup solution for each system indicated in paragraph 1, where necessary, shall be borne by the general budget of the Union.
2018/05/23
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 9 #

2017/0351(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 60 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Costs incurred in connection with the integration of the existing national infrastructures and their connection to the national uniform interfaces as well as in connection with hosting and future developments of the national uniform interfaces shall be borne by the general budget of the Union.
2018/05/23
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 7 #

2017/0225(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 a (new)
(3 a) ENISA should give more practical and information based support to the EU cybersecurity industry, in particular SMEs and start-ups, which are key sources of innovative solutions in the area of cyber defence, and should promote closer cooperation with university research organisations and large players with a view to reducing dependencies on cybersecurity products form external sources and to creating a strategic supply chain inside the Union.
2018/03/28
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 8 #

2017/0225(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) Cyber-attacks are on the increase and a connected economy and society that is more vulnerable to cyber threats and attacks requires stronger defences. However, while cyber-attacks are often cross-border, policy responses by cybersecurity authorities and law enforcement competences are predominantly national. Large-scale cyber incidents could disrupt the provision of essential services across the EU. This requires effective EU level response and crisis management, building upon dedicated policies and wider instruments for European solidarity and mutual assistance. Training needs in the area of cyber defence are substantial and increasing, and are most efficiently met cooperatively at Union level. Moreover, a regular assessment of the state of cybersecurity and resilience in the Union, based on reliable Union data, as well as systematic forecast of future developments, challenges and threats, both at Union and global level, is therefore important for policy makers, industry and users.
2018/03/28
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 10 #

2017/0225(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13 a (new)
(13 a) Cooperation between the EU and NATO is essential in order to organise regular strategic level exercises with the participation of the top political leadership of both organisations. A good example of that cooperation is the Estonian exercise EU CYBRID 2017.
2018/03/28
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 11 #

2017/0225(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15 a (new)
(15 a) International law applies to cyberspace and the 2013 and 2015 UN Group of Governmental Experts on Information Security (UNGGE) reports provide relevant guidelines, in particular as regards the prohibition for states to conduct or knowingly support cyber activities contrary to their obligations under international rules. The relevance of the Tallinn Manual 2.0 in this context is an excellent basis for a debate on how international law applies to cyberspace and it is now time for the Member States to start analysing and applying the Manual.
2018/03/28
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 204 #

2017/0225(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) lays down a framework for the establishment of European cybersecurity certification schemes for the purpose of ensuring an adequate level of cybersecurity of ICT products, processes and services in the Union. Such framework shall apply without prejudice to specific provisions regarding voluntary or mandatory certification in other Union acts.
2018/04/30
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 228 #

2017/0225(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 10
(10) ‘European cybersecurity certificate’ means a document issued by a conformity assessment body attesting that a given ICT product, process or service fulfils the specific requirements laid down in a European cybersecurity certification scheme;
2018/04/30
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 241 #

2017/0225(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. The Agency shall assist Member States and Union institutions in establishing policies and practices for the responsible management and coordinated disclosure of vulnerabilities in ICT products and services that are not publicly known.
2018/04/30
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 271 #

2017/0225(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. The Agency shall assist and advise Member States and Union institutions in establishing policies and practices for the responsible management and coordinated disclosure of vulnerabilities in ICT products and services that are not publicly known, inter alia, by establishing government vulnerability disclosure review processes and coordinated vulnerability disclosure policies.
2018/04/30
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 273 #

2017/0225(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 2
2. assisting Member States to implement consistently the Union policy and law regarding cybersecurity notably in relation to Directive (EU) 2016/1148, including by means of opinions, guidelines, advice and best practices on topics such as secure software and systems development, risk management, incident reporting and information sharing, technical and organisational measures, in particular the establishment of coordinated vulnerability disclosure programmes, as well as facilitating the exchange of best practices between competent authorities in this regard;
2018/04/30
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 277 #

2017/0225(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 2 a (new)
2 a. proposing a blueprint which establishes the roles, responsibilities and legal obligations of vendors, manufacturers, CERTs and CSIRTs, and which further clarifies the legal rights and protections of information security researchers in the context of a coordinated vulnerability disclosure programme, in particular in cases of multi-party vulnerability disclosures that affect multiple vulnerability finders and vendors in different Member States
2018/04/30
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 286 #

2017/0225(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point 2 a (new)
(2 a) the development and promotion of policies that would sustain the general availability or integrity of the public core of the open internet, which provide the essential functionality to the Internet as a whole and which underpin its normal operation, including, but not limited to, the security and stability of key protocols (in particular DNS, BGP, and IPv6), the operation of the Domain Name System (including those of all Top Level Domains), and the operation of the Root Zone
2018/04/30
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 288 #

2017/0225(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(a a) Members States and Union institutions in establishing and implementing coordinated vulnerability disclosure policies and government vulnerability disclosure review processes, whose practices and determinations should be transparent and subject to independent oversight.
2018/04/30
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 306 #

2017/0225(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. The Agency shall prepare, together with the EEAS, a regular global Cybersecurity Situational Report on incidents and threats towards individuals, including towards vulnerable users outside the EU such as lawyers, journalists, or human rights defenders, in order to help the Union institutions respond to external needs and uphold its human rights responsibilities abroad
2018/04/30
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 311 #

2017/0225(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 8 – point e a (new)
(e a) assisting and advising Member States on establishing and implementing coordinated vulnerability disclosure policies and government vulnerability disclosure review processes.
2018/04/30
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 344 #

2017/0225(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(c a) support and promote the development and implementation of coordinated vulnerability disclosure policies and government vulnerability disclosure review processes
2018/04/30
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 511 #

2017/0225(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 46 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The methodology to distinguish between the different assurance levels should be guided by a test which assesses the resistance of the security functionalities against attackers that have significant to unlimited resources.
2018/04/30
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 534 #

2017/0225(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 47 – paragraph 1 – point j
(j) rules concerning how previously undetected cybersecurity vulnerabilities in ICT products and services are to be reported and dealt with; requiring vulnerabilities in ICT products and services that are not publicly known to be reported expeditiously by the appropriate authorities to relevant vendors and manufacturers using a coordinated vulnerability disclosure process.
2018/04/30
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 540 #

2017/0225(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 47 – paragraph 1 – point m a (new)
(ma) rules concerning how and when Member States must inform each other when they acquire knowledge of a vulnerability that is not publicly known in an ICT product or service that is certified under this certification scheme.
2018/04/30
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 62 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
(16) Where the Commission considers that a foreign direct investment is likely to affect projects or programmes of Union interest on grounds of security or public order, the Commission should have the possibility to address an non-binding opinion to the Member States in which such investment is planned or completed within a reasonable timeframe. The Member States should take utmost account of the opinion and provide an explanation to the Commission if they do not follow this opinion, in compliance with their duty of sincere cooperation under Article 4(3) TEU. The Commission should also have the possibility to request from those Member States the information necessary for its screening of such investment.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 79 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
This Regulation establishes a framework for the screening by the Member States and the Commission of foreign direct investments in the Union on the grounds of security or public order. This is without prejudice to the sole responsibility of the Member States for the maintenance of national security.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 162 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3
3. Where the Commission considers that a foreign direct investment is likely to affect security or public order in one or more Member States, it may issue an non- binding opinion addressed to the Member State in which the foreign direct investment is planned or has been completed. The Commission may issue an opinion irrespective of whether other Member States have provided comments.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 174 #

2017/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
1. Where the Commission considers that a foreign direct investment is likely to affect projects or programmes of Union interest on grounds of security or public order, the Commission may issue an non- binding opinion addressed to the Member State where the foreign direct investment is planned or has been completed.
2018/02/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2017/0125(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) In the European Defence Action Plan, adopted on 30 November 2016, the Commission committed to complement, leverage and consolidate collaborative efforts by Member States in developing defence capabilities to respond to security challenges, as well as to foster a competitive and innovative European defence industry. The Programme should complement Member States defence budgets and give incentive to invest more in Union's common defence strategies. It proposed in particular to launch a European Defence Fund to support investment in joint research and the joint development of defence equipment and technologies. The Fund would support cooperation during the whole cycle of defence product and technology development.
2017/12/07
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 26 #

2017/0125(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) In order to contribute to the enhancement of the competitiveness and innovation capacity of the Union's defence industry, a European Defence Industrial Development Programme (hereinafter referred to as the Programme) should be established. The Programme should aim at enhancing the competitiveness of the Union's defence industry and to improve the Union's independence in defence and security inter alia cyber defence by supporting the cooperation between undertakings in the development phase of defence products and technologies. The development phase, which follows the research and technology phase, entails significant risks and costs that hamper the further exploitation of the results of research and adversely impact the competitiveness of the Union's defence industry. By supporting the development phase, the Programme would contribute to a better exploitation of the results of defence research and it would help to cover the gap between research and production as well as to promote all forms of innovation. The Programme should complement activities carried out in accordance with Article 182 TFEU and it does not cover the production of defence products and technologies.
2017/12/07
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 69 #

2017/0125(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
(21) The Commission should establish a multiannual work programme in line with the objectives of the Programme. The Commission should be assisted in the establishment of the work programme by a committee of Member States (hereinafter referred to as Programme Committee). In light of the Union policy on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as key to ensuring economic growth, innovation, job creation, and social integration in the Union and the fact that the supported actions will typically require trans-national collaboration, it is of importance that the work programme will reflect and enable such cross-border participation of SMEs and that therefore a fixed proportion of at least 20% of the overall budget will benefit such action.
2017/12/07
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 77 #

2017/0125(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25 a (new)
(25a) There is a need for dedicated budget lines in the next MFF for such activities like the Programme and other defence related matters.
2017/12/07
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 100 #

2017/0125(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
(13) As the Programme aims at enhancing the competitiveness of the Union's defence industry, only entities established in the Union and effectively controlled by Member States or their nationals should be eligible for support, as direct beneficiaries or subcontractors. Additionally, in order to ensure the protection of essential security interests of the Union and its Member States, the infrastructure, facilities, assets and resources used by the beneficiaries and subcontractors in actions funded under the Programme, shall not be located on the territory of non-Member States.
2017/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 144 #

2017/0125(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
(21) The Commission should establish a multiannual work programme in line with the objectives of the Programme. The Commission should be assisted in the establishment of the work programme by a committee of Member States (hereinafter referred to as Programme Committee). In light of the Union policy on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as key to ensuring economic growth, innovation, job creation, and social integration in the Union and the fact that the supported actions will typically require trans-national collaboration, it is of importance that the work programme will reflect and enable such cross-border participation of SMEs and that therefore a fixed proportion of at least 20% of the overall budget will benefit such action.
2017/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 147 #

2017/0125(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 3
3. The work programme shall ensure that a crediblefixed proportion of 20% of the overall budget will benefit actions enabling the cross-border participation of SMEs.
2017/12/07
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 159 #

2017/0125(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25 a (new)
(25 a) For the next MFF, the Commission should deploy financial resources for the next Programme to follow.
2017/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 183 #

2017/0125(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(b a) to support the creation of a common definition of technical specifications;
2017/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 254 #

2017/0125(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Subcontractors shall be undertakings established in the Union, in which Member States and/or nationals of Member States own more than 50% of the undertaking and effectively control it within the meaning of Article 6(3), whether directly or indirectly through one or more intermediate undertakings.
2017/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 271 #

2017/0125(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. The members of a consortium participating in an action shall be considered beneficiaries as defined in Article 7(1).
2017/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 291 #

2017/0125(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(c a) contribution to the unification of technical specifications;and
2017/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 22 #

2017/0102(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
(23) The European Solidarity Corps should target young people aged 186-305. Participation in the activities offered by the European Solidarity Corps should require prior registration in the European Solidarity Corps Portal.
2017/11/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 23 #

2017/0102(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 39
(39) The financial envelope of the European Solidarity Corps under Heading 1a of the Multiannual Financial Framework also builds on funds redeployed from the Erasmus+ programme. These funds should mainly come from appropriations aimed at financing European Voluntary Service activities that would fall under the scope of the volunteering placements supported under this Regulation. In addition, some appropriations of the Student Loan Guarantee Facility, which are unlikely to be absorbed under Erasmus+, should be redeployed with a view to providing adequate co-financing to the operating costs of national agencies and be brought more in line with the absorption capacity of this action.deleted
2017/11/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 26 #

2017/0102(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
(6) “volunteering” means a full- time32 unpaid voluntary service for a period of up to twelve months, which provides young people with the opportunity to contribute to the daily work of non-profit organisations active in solidarity-related fields, to the ultimate benefit of the communities within which the activities are carried out, including a solid learning and training dimension in order to enable the young volunteer(s) to gain skills and competences, which will be useful for their personal, educational, social and professional development, and which will also contribute to improving their employability; _________________ 32 As a general principle, an activity carried out continuously, 5 days a week for 7 hours a day.
2017/11/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 27 #

2017/0102(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to provide young people, with the support of participating organisations, with easily accessible opportunities for engagement in solidarity activities while improving their knowledge, skills and competences for personal, educational, social, civic, cultural and professional development, as well as their employability and facilitating transition into the labour market, including by supporting the mobility of young volunteers, trainees and workers;
2017/11/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 28 #

2017/0102(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(da) the setting up of information campaigns to raise awareness of European Solidarity Corps actions.
2017/11/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 35 #

2017/0102(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2
2. TAfter 2020 and on the basis of the report provided for in Article 15(3), the European Solidarity Corps shallmay be opened up for the participation of other countries on the basis of bilateral agreements. Cooperation shall be based, where relevant, on additional appropriations to be made available in accordance with the procedures to be agreed with those countries.
2017/11/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 36 #

2017/0102(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt a delegated act setting out the procedures and conditions for other countries to participate as provided for in paragraph 2.
2017/11/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 37 #

2017/0102(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1
1. Young people aged 176 to 305 years willing to participate in the European Solidarity Corps shall register in the European Solidarity Corps Portal. However, at the moment of commencing a placement or a project a registered young person shall be at least 18 years of age and not older than 30.
2017/11/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 38 #

2017/0102(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2
2. An application from an eligible entity to become a European Solidarity Corps participating organisation shall be assessed by the competent implementing body of the European Solidarity Corps in order to ascertain that its activities adhere to the principles and requirements ofset out in the European Solidarity Corps Charter.
2017/11/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 39 #

2017/0102(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 3
3. As a result of the assessment the entity may be attributed the European Solidarity Corps quality label. The obtained label shall be re-assessed periodically and may be revokedregularly and at least every two years, and may be revoked as soon as the activities of that entity no longer adhere to the principles and requirements set out in the European Solidarity Corps Charter.
2017/11/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 40 #

2017/0102(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Any entity which has received the European Solidarity Corps quality label shall be incorporated into the database of European organisations participating in the European Solidarity Corps on the Europe Youth Portal, which all young Europeans can access.
2017/11/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 41 #

2017/0102(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission, in cooperation with the participating countries, shall regularly monitor the performance of the European Solidarity Corps towards achieving its objectivesand adherence to its principles, specifically cohesion and solidarity.
2017/11/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 42 #

2017/0102(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) number and profile of participants in volunteering placements (in-country and cross-border);
2017/11/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 43 #

2017/0102(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) number and profile of participants in traineeship placements (in-country and cross-border);
2017/11/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 44 #

2017/0102(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) number and profile of participants in job placements (in-country and cross- border);
2017/11/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 45 #

2017/0102(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d
(d) number and profile of participants in solidarity projects;
2017/11/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 46 #

2017/0102(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e a (new)
(e a) employment rate of former participants.
2017/11/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 47 #

2017/0102(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3
3. In 2020 the Commission shall publish a report taking stockon the cost-effectiveness of the programme, on its qualitative and quantitative aspects and ofn the progress made towards achieving its results, including the target of offering 100 000 young people opportunities under the European Solidarity Corps by 2020 (covering all the placements and projects referred to in points (a) and (b) of Article 7(1)).
2017/11/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 48 #

2017/0102(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 4
4. Four years after the date of application of this Regulation, the Commission shall carry out an independent evaluation of this Regulation and present a report on the main findings to the European Parliament, the Council, the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committeeto assess the efficiency, effectiveness and impact of the programme against its objectives and shall present a report on the main findings, including recommendations for the future of the programme, to the European Parliament, the Council, the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee. As part of that evaluation, the Commission shall consult regularly with all stakeholders, including participants, participating organisations and the local actors concerned. The results of the evaluation shall feed back into the future design of the programme and any new resource allocation proposals.
2017/11/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 8 #

2016/2326(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Notes the shortcomings of the financial planning and implementation system that led to the accumulation of unpaid bills and the build-up of an unprecedented backlog that rolled over from the last MFF to the current one; is increasingly concerned about the slow start-up of the implementation of the 2014- 2020 operational programmes, which may lead to the same situation in the future; calls on the Commission to come up with a structural solution to solve such problems before the end of the current MFF and to prevent them from happening again in the next MFF; calls for a good balance of financial instruments and grants in the cohesion policy;
2017/04/05
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 14 #

2016/2326(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines the increasing need for flexibility in the EU budget in general, includingnotably in cohesion policy; encourages the Commission to explore different solutions that would enable the policy to be readily adapted to new challenges during a programming period; considers the creation of a reserve at EU level an interesting option in this context; believes, however, that efforts in this regard should be made both at EU level and at national and regional levels; calls for more flexibility for Member States, while supporting the shared management implementation method;
2017/04/05
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 17 #

2016/2326(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Stresses the importance of endorsing simplification and coherence of the cohesion policy to minimise many different sets of rules and to make financing more efficient;
2017/04/05
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 19 #

2016/2326(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Calls for sufficient auditing and control over the financing of programmes to ensure scrutiny and also to maximise visibility of the cohesion policy;
2017/04/05
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 30 #

2016/2326(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas these principles should be maintained and consolidated after 2020 in order to ensure sound economic governance, continuity, legal certainty, accessibility and transparency of policy implementation;
2017/04/04
Committee: REGI
Amendment 32 #

2016/2326(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas in order to render the cohesion policy a success, it is essential to reduce the administrative burden for its beneficiaries, as it today often is perceived as too complex;
2017/04/04
Committee: REGI
Amendment 90 #

2016/2326(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Underlines that the current categorisation of regions, the thematic objectives and the performance framework have demonstrated the value of cohesion policy and should be consolidated; asks the Commission to present ideas for greater flexibility, such as an unallocated reserve or a simplification of re- programming, in order to adapt ESIF investments to unforeseen events and to the specific needs of each region; reiterates, nevertheless, that re- programming should only take place in exceptional circumstances, in order to ensure the stability and predictability of the multiannual investment strategy;
2017/04/04
Committee: REGI
Amendment 116 #

2016/2326(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Underlines that Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3) are supporting the strategic programming of the ESI Funds and have led to an increased performance orientation on the ground; pleads, therefore, to maintain this ex ante conditionality in the next policy framework;
2017/04/04
Committee: REGI
Amendment 119 #

2016/2326(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. OpposWelcomes macro-economic conditionalities and highlights that the link between cohesion policy and economic governances it improves the effectiveness of cohesion policy and, at the same time, creates processes should be reciprocal and that a greater recognition of ure on Member States to comply withe territorial dimension would be beneficial for the European Semesterhe EU economic governance rules;
2017/04/04
Committee: REGI
Amendment 143 #

2016/2326(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Highlights the need to simplify the cohesion policy’s management system at all governance levels in order to make it more accessible and effective; believes that there is a need for greater legal certainty and clarity and the that the prevention of goldplating, when implementing the ESI Funds, is essential; supports the conclusions and recommendations hitherto adopted by the ‘High Level Group monitoring simplification for beneficiaries of ESI Funds’;
2017/04/04
Committee: REGI
Amendment 157 #

2016/2326(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Asks the Commission to reflect on solutions based on proportionality and risk based differentiation, especially with regard to the multiple layers of audit and the number of controls, to a greater harmonisation between cohesion policy and competition policy, in particular state aid rules, as well as with regard to the possibility of a single set of rules for all ESI Funds;
2017/04/04
Committee: REGI
Amendment 229 #

2016/2326(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Suggests an increased better use of ESI Funds in order to tackleto create jobs and growth in regions facing demographic change and addressto tackle its regional and local consequences; notes the increasing importance of the Territorial Agenda and of successful rural-urban partnerships, as well as the exemplary role of smart cities as microcosms and catalysts for innovative solutions for regional and local challenges;
2017/04/04
Committee: REGI
Amendment 236 #

2016/2326(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Calls for a substantially increased budget for ETC in the next programming period to provide adequate support to cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation projects;
2017/04/04
Committee: REGI
Amendment 238 #

2016/2326(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17b. Underlines the importance of the current Interreg Europe cooperation programme for European public authorities to facilitate the exchange of experience and transfer of good practice; suggests to set enlarge the funding possibilities in the succeeding Interreg Europe-programme after 2020 to enable investments in physical pilot projects and demonstration projects with involvement of stakeholders across Europe also to be taken into account;
2017/04/04
Committee: REGI
Amendment 239 #

2016/2326(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 c (new)
17c. Is of the opinion that creating synergies between transnational RIS3s and world-class clusters will bolster the economic development of the European Union's regions and contribute to the competitiveness of the EU;
2017/04/04
Committee: REGI
Amendment 243 #

2016/2326(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Recalls the great interest in the new instrument called Urban Innovative Actions; believes that urban authorities should be equipped with more financial resources in order to answer increasingly complex challenges they face; calls, therefore, to continue with this instrument in the post 2020 period and to increase its financing;
2017/04/04
Committee: REGI
Amendment 264 #

2016/2326(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Calls for the fostering of economic, social and territorial cohesion and solidarity across the EUthe steering of EU Funds towards growth, jobs and competitiveness to be put at the top of the EU agenda, and; further, asks to maintain the fight against poverty and social exclusion, as well as against discrimination;
2017/04/04
Committee: REGI
Amendment 24 #

2016/2324(INI)

2a. Considers that there needs to be a clearer connection among the EU's various foreign policy instruments: for example, when determining development cooperation allocations for third countries, account should be taken of trends and the situation with regard to the defence of human rights and with regard to democratic freedoms in the country concerned and of how close the country's foreign policy positions are to the EU's;
2017/06/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 55 #

2016/2323(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Underlines that the EU budget must support the fulfilment of the objectives of the Paris agreement and the EU's own long-term climate goals by meeting the 20% spending target for climate in 2014-2020 MFF; stresses, in this regard, that the contribution for 2018 should overshoot the overall target in order to offset the lower allocations from the first half of the current MFF and that the mechanism of climate change mainstreaming should be fully optimized;
2017/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 74 #

2016/2323(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that investments in research and innovation represent a pre- condition for achieving genuine competitiveness in the EU; regrets the fact that, a, and for having an innovative and competitive EU economy on a global level; regrets that Member States a result of an alarmingly low success rate of applications, fewer high- quality projects in the field of research and innovation are receiving EU funding cutting their funding for R&I activities and recognises that more applications are directed towards the EU as a result and notes that many interested parties, many of which are new comers or SME's, are being deterred from submitting time-consuming Horizon 2020 project proposals due to lower success rates; calls in this respect for an adequate level of appropriations to be ensured for Horizon 2020;
2017/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 98 #

2016/2323(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Underlines the important role and potential of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) in reducing the investment gap in Europe, and recognises the positive results achieved so far; welcomes also the Commission proposal for extending the EFSI until 2020, which will serve to further improve its functioning, especially as regards the additionality principle and the geographical balance; with added focus on technological additionality; underlines that the selection of projects finances through EFSI should be based on quality and demand-driven; welcomes the Commission's intentions to reinforce the role of the European Investment Advisory Hub in terms of providing more targeted local technical assistance across the EU; has reservations on the proposal to again cut funds from Connecting Europe Facility;
2017/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 110 #

2016/2323(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Considers education to be a prerequisite for well-paid, stable jobs; welcomes in this respect the role played by Erasmus+ in facilitating intra-European mobility of young studenunderlines the importance of cross-border mobility as a means of enabling young Europeans to take advantage of the variety of skills of people while expanding opportunities for training and employment; welcomes in this respect the role played by Erasmus+ in facilitating intra-European mobility of young students and apprentices; support the development of the European voluntary service (EVS) which helps young people travel abroad to participate in volunteering projects; calls, in this context, for the financing of this programme Eramus+ to continue to be increased in 2018;
2017/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 120 #

2016/2323(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Underlines that youth unemployment is one of the main concerns at European level and that it puts at risk an entire generation of young Europeans; stresses that, as part of the conciliation agreement for the 2017 EU budget, a EUR 500 million allocation will be granted to the Youth Employment Initiative through an amending budget in 2017; remains firmly committed to securing adequate funding to fight against youth unemployment and for the continuation of the Youth Employment Initiative until the end of the current MFF, while at the same time improving its functioning and implementation;
2017/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 123 #

2016/2323(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Acknowledges the importance of Erasmus+ programme as a key component in increasing fellowship among European youth; believes that especially in the times of rising nationalism and populism it is important to facilitate natural interaction between different European nations and cultures to increase European consciousness and identity;
2017/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 164 #

2016/2323(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Is convinced that, under the current circumstances, where the ceiling in Heading 3 is too low, the EU budget has maximised its impact in dealing with the effects of the migratory and refugee crisis; points out, however, that a sustainable solution must be found to this issue, as it has been shown by the repeated mobilisation of special instruments, such as the flexibility instrument, that the EU budget was not initially designed to address crises of such magnitudehas proven to insufficient to provide for appropriate funding for the internal dimension of the current security as well as humanitarian and migratory challenges, as it has been shown by the repeated mobilisation of special instruments, such as the flexibility instrument; points out that a sustainable solution must be found in the future to this issue as a matter of utmost urgency and priority; recalls, however, that the necessity to mobilise supplementary means to face these challenges should not take precedence over other important Union policies, for example in the field of jobs and growth;
2017/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 176 #

2016/2323(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the role played by instruments such as the Internal Security Fund (ISF) and the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) in addressing the effects of the migratory and refugee crisisecurity and humanitarian and migratory challenges, and calls for adequate budgeting in the coming years for these funds; welcomes also the role of EU agencies in the area of justice and home affairs, such as Europol and the, European Asylum Agency, European Border and Coast Guard, Eurojust and EU-LISA, and calls, in this context, for their mandate to be executed through adequate budgeting and staffing; is convinced that the EU needs to invest more in strengthening its borders, managing migration, enhancing cooperation between law enforcement national authorities and agencies, fighting terrorism and, radicalisation and ensuringserious and organized crime, ensuring the interoperability of information systems and guarantee sound return operations;
2017/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 187 #

2016/2323(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Strongly supports initiatives in the field of defence research with the aim of encouraging better cooperation between Member States and calls for a defence research programme with a dedicated budget within the next Multiannual Financial Framework; recalls that, while respecting provisions enshrined in the Treaties, strengthened cooperation in the field of defence is needed in order to meet the security challenges that the EU is facing, which are generated by prolonged instability in the EU neighbourhood and uncertainty regarding the commitment of certain EU partners towards NATO objectives; underlines, furthermore, the need to improve the competitiveness and innovation in the European defence industry that can contribute to stimulate growth and job creation;
2017/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 210 #

2016/2323(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Reaffirms its conviction that in order to tackle the root causes of the migratory and refugee crisicurrent humanitarian and migratory challenges, the EU needs to step up its role through investments in the countries of origin of the refugees and migrants; notes that investments in infrastructure, housing, education, medical services and support for SMEs are part of the solution to tackle the root causes of migration; welcomes therefore the External Investment Plan as a coherent and coordinated framework to promote investments in Africa and the Neighbourhood countries;
2017/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 212 #

2016/2323(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. MaintainsNotes that the current trend by the Commission to resort to satellite budgetary mechanisms such as the Facility for Refugees in Turkey, trust funds and other similar instruments has not always proven to be a success; is concerned that the establishment of financial instruments outside the Union budget could threaten its unity and circumvent the budgetary procedure; considers, indeed, that it undermines the transparent management of the budget and hampers the right of the Parliament to exercise effective scrutiny of expenditures; maintains, therefore, its previous position that ad hoc external financial instruments which emerged in recent years must be incorporated into the EU budget, with Parliament having full scrutiny over the implementation of these instruments; recalls, however, that the funding needed for these instruments should not be deployed to the detriment of the Union's existing external action, including its development policy;
2017/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 226 #

2016/2323(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Underlines that one of the conditions for preserving stability and prosperity in the EU is a stable EU Neighbourhood; calls on the Commission therefore to ensure that priority is given to investments in the EU Neighbourhood in order to support efforts to tackle the main issues that this area is facing: the migration and refugee crisicurrent humanitarian and migratory challenges in the Southern Neighbourhood and Russian aggression in the Eastern Neighbourhood; reiterates that supporting countries which are implementing association agreements with the EU is key to facilitating political and economic reforms;
2017/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 231 #

2016/2323(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Welcomes in principle the establishment of European Defence Fund, with research and capability windows, as a promising model of an EU project with genuine European added value as the union faces unprecedented security challenges both within and beyond its borders;
2017/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 250 #

2016/2323(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Underlines that the Commission will put forward by the end of 2017 its proposals for the post-2020 MFF; attachesunderstands that the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the EU will have a significant impact on the post-2020 MFF and resources available; attaches therefore the utmost importance to the process leading up to the establishment of the new financial framework, and expects this to be commensurate to the challenges the Union is facinga reformed, more agile and efficient EU budget; calls for a swift conclusion to the ongoing MFF mid-term revision;
2017/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 262 #

2016/2323(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Underlines that predictability and long-term sustainability of the EU budget is a prerequisite for a strong and stable European Union; draws attention to the fact that the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU will provide an opportunity to address the long-standing issues which have prevented the EU budget from reaching its real potential, especially as regards the revenue side of the budget; reaffirms its position in favour of an in- depth reform of EU own resources, and welcomes in this respect the presentation of the final report of the High-Level Group on Own Resources (HLGOR); invites all involved parties to draw the appropriate conclusions from this report and analyse the feasibility of implementing the recommendations of the HLGOR that would help make the EU budget more stable and predictable; welcomes the conclusion of the HLGOR regarding the fact that the EU budget needs to focus on areas bringing the highest European added value and regarding the ‘juste retour’ approach, which should end, as it has been shown by the report that all Member States benefit from the EU budget, irrespective of their ‘net-balance’;
2017/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 268 #

2016/2323(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. Encourages the Commission to continue developing and implementing the 'EU budget focused on results' strategy; underlines, in this regard, the importance of simplifying rules, streamlining the monitoring process and developing relevant performance indicators;
2017/02/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 55 #

2016/2314(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Notes that a non-authorized train, covered with Serbian political and religious symbols, scheduled to travel from Belgrade to North Mitrovica on 14 January 2017, and launched by the director of Serbia's 'Office for Kosovo and Metohija,' has been stopped by Kosovo authorities; condemns these Serbian provocations;
2017/01/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 111 #

2016/2314(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Considers it vital that Kosovo's foreign and security policy should accord with the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy;
2017/01/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 46 #

2016/2313(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas there are still 74 000 internally displaced persons and a significant number of refugees from Bosnia and Herzegovina in neighbouring countries, whole Europe and world-wide, as well as 6 808 missing persons;
2017/01/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 78 #

2016/2313(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the progress on the implementation of the 2015-2018 Reform Agenda, as well as the country’s determination to pursue further institutional and socio-economic reforms; stresses that harmonised implementation of the Reform Agenda is needed to achieve real change across the country and to improve the lives of all BiH citizens; calls for the reform momentum to be maintained in order to transform BiH into a fully effective, inclusive and functional state; regrets that common reform efforts often continue to be hampered by ethnic and political divisions, and through further politicization of public administrations; considers it essential to maintain consensus on EU integration and to advance in a concerted manner on the rule of law, including the fight against corruption and organised crime, the reform of the judiciary and public administration;
2017/01/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 99 #

2016/2313(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that the local elections of 2 October 2016 have been broadly conducted in an orderly manner; regrets that the citizens of Mostar have again been deprived of their democratic rights to elect their local representatives owing to continued disagreements between political leaders, and urges swift implementation of the Constitutional Court ruling on Mostar; condemns the unacceptable incident in Stolac and calls on all sides to resolve the situation by respecting the rule of law; reiterates that all acts of violence or election irregularities should be investigated and condemned in the clearest possible terms, and any unlawful activities prosecuted;
2017/01/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 130 #

2016/2313(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Strongly condemns the still effective Law on Order in RS which undermines the fundamental democratic rights of the freedom of assembly, freedom of association and freedom of media, as well as the provision on the death penalty in the RS; urges the full implementation of the Freedom of Access of Information Act; urges the authorities to swiftly implement the additional Protocol to the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime concerning the criminalisation of acts of a racist and xenophobic nature committed through computer systems;
2017/01/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 148 #

2016/2313(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Notes satisfactory cooperation on war crimes cases with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and encourages more regional cooperation with regard to processing war crimes cases; welcomes the fact that the backlog of domestic war crimes cases is being tackled and that some further progress was achieved in the successful prosecution of war crimes involving sexual violence; reminds all political leaders and institutions in BiH that they have a responsibility to assess war-time events objectively, in the interests of truth, reconciliation and a peaceful future, and to avoid misuse of judiciary for political purposes; strongly condemns the decision of the RS National Assembly in October 2016 to express appreciation to former leaders of the RS convicted of war crimes, as well as entity- wide glorification of persons convicted for the gravest crimes against humanity; calls, as a matter of urgency, for respect for victims of war crimes and for reconciliation to be promoted;
2017/01/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 167 #

2016/2313(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Notes some progress in fighting organised crime; is concerned, however, about the absence of a consistent approach in tackling organised crime owing to the numerous action plans by the various law enforcement agencies at different levels; highlights the need to strengthen the framework for inter-agency cooperation; welcomes joint investigations but calls for more coordinated operations and better exchange of information; calls for enhancing capacities of law enforcement bodies including on counter-terrorism; welcomes the signing of the operational and strategic cooperation agreement with Europol aimed at combating cross-border criminality; calls on the Federation entity to make swift changes to the criminal code that would ban all forms of human trafficking, whose victims are 80% women and girls;
2017/01/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 179 #

2016/2313(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Calls for boosting efforts to combat radicalisation and further measures to identify, prevent and disrupt the flow of foreign fighters as well as channels of untraceable money intended for further radicalization, including by close cooperation with relevant services of the Member States and countries in the region; calls for the introduction of programmes on de-radicalisation and preventing youth radicalisation; is of the opinion that linking various central institutions with local actors would enable early detection of radicalism; calls on the authorities to defend the country's secular Constitution;
2017/01/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 193 #

2016/2313(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Deems it essential to enhance public participation in decision-making and to better engage citizens in the EU accession process; notes that civil society is fragmented, institutionally and financially weak; calls for better cooperation mechanisms between government and civil society organisations, including the developing of a strategic framework for cooperation; condemns repeated smear campaigns and violent attacks on CSO representatives and human rights defenders;
2017/01/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 208 #

2016/2313(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Underlines the need for a substantial improvement in the strategic, legal, institutional and policy frameworks on the observance of human rights; calls for the adoption of a countrywide strategy on human rights and non-discrimination; is concerned about continued discrimination against persons with disabilities in the fields of employment, education and access to health care; calls for developing a comprehensive and integrated approach to the social inclusion of Roma, and the introduction of programmes on de- radicalisation and the prevention of the radicalisation of Roma population; welcomes the fact that some governments and parliaments have begun discussing LGBTI rights and drawing up specific measures for their protection; welcomes changes to the BiH anti-discrimination law extending the listed grounds for discrimination to age, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity;
2017/01/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 214 #

2016/2313(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for efforts to increase the participation of women in political life and employment, to improve their socio- economic situation and to strengthen women’s rights on the whole; notes that legal provisions providing equality between women and men are broadly in place but their implementation continues to be ineffective; is concerned about lack of systematic recording of gender-based violence and calls for urgent harmonisation of adopted laws in that regard (free legal aid, court representation, protective measures, support to victims); is extremely worried about underfunding of safe houses and continuation of work of safe house in Mostar, which closed in early 2016 due to the absence of official financial support, and is now only reopened thanks to donations of international NGOs;
2017/01/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 223 #

2016/2313(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Calls on the Government to harmonise legislation and public policies with the Istanbul Convention: to inform women survivors of violence about the available forms of support and assistance, to establish crisis centres for victims of rape or other forms of sexual violence, to criminalise offences of stalking, forced marriage and genital mutilation;
2017/01/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 252 #

2016/2313(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Remains concerned by the continued fragmentation, inefficiency and complexity of the education system; calls for countrywide common core curricula and better coordination between the different levels of education governance; continues to be concerned about high proportion of early leavers from education and training, especially males, and the persistently high school-drop-out rates of Roma pupils; regrets the slow progress in addressing and resolving the issue of ‘two schools under one roof’ and other forms of segregation and discrimination in schools;
2017/01/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 267 #

2016/2313(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Welcomes the slight reduction in unemployment; remains concerned, however, that unemployment continues to be largely of a structural nature and that youth unemployment continues to be high, resulting in very high levels of brain drain; calls on the competent authorities to introduce active labour market policies targeting in particular the youth, women and the long-term unemployed as well as reinforcing the capacities of the employment services; underlines how market conditions remain adverse for women, with lingering maternity-related discrimination;
2017/01/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 273 #

2016/2313(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22 a. Commends the adoption of the country-wide Framework transport strategy and action plan in July 2016; calls on the authorities to align the legal framework on transport with the relevant EU legislation to provide the functional transport chains and remove the bottlenecks on corridor Vc;
2017/01/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 277 #

2016/2313(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 c (new)
22 c. Notes active engagement of the Joint Parliamentary Committee for Security and Defence in ensuring democratic control over the armed forces of BiH; is concerned by the widespread presence of weapons held illegally by the population and still large stockpiles of ammunition and weapons under the responsibility of the armed forces; urges a comprehensive approach to address the remaining challenges of clearing the country of mines by 2019; calls on the Commission and HR/VP to enhance its aid in these activities;
2017/01/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 281 #

2016/2313(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Welcomes BiH’s continued constructive and pro-active role in promoting bilateral and regional cooperation; calls for further efforts to resolve outstanding bilateral issues, including on border demarcation with Serbia and Croatia; commends BiH for further increasing its alignment with relevant EU statements and decisions under the Common Foreign and Security Policy from 62 % to 77 %; considers it important to coordinate BiH foreign policy with EU foreign policy and that the EU remain actively engaged in preserving safety and security in BiHnotes with disappointment that BiH did not align itself with Council decisions introducing EU restrictive measures in the context of Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and events in eastern Ukraine; considers it important to coordinate BiH foreign policy with EU foreign policy and that the EU remain actively engaged in preserving safety and security in BiH; welcomes the continued presence of Operation Althea, which retains the capability to contribute to the Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities' deterrence capacity if the situation so requires while focusing on capacity building and training;
2017/01/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 14 #

2016/2312(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas challenges still persist and need to be addressed swiftly and efficiently in a spirit of dialogue, cooperation and compromise between government and opposition in order to make further progress on its path to EU accession;
2017/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 19 #

2016/2312(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the EU has highlighted the need to strengthen economic governance, the rule of law and public administration capacities in all of the Western Balkan countries;
2017/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 38 #

2016/2312(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes Albania’s continuous progress on EU-related reforms, in particular the adoption of constitutional amendments paving the way for a deep and comprehensive judicial reform; stresses that not only consistent adoption but also full and timely implementation of reforms and sustained political commitment are essential in order to further advance the EU accession process;
2017/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 47 #

2016/2312(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Fully supports Albania’s accession to the EU, and calls for the accession negotiations to be opened as soon as there is credible and sustainable progress in the implementation of judicial reform, fight against organized crime and corruption in order to keep the reform momentum; expects Albania to consolidate the progress achieved and to maintain the pace of progress on implementation of all key priorities;
2017/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 52 #

2016/2312(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Reiterates that a constructive dialogue, sustainable political cooperation and a willingness to compromise is crucial for the success of the reforms and for; underlines that lack of political cooperation and polarisation undermine the entire EU accession process;
2017/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 83 #

2016/2312(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Stresses the fact that around 2 million citizens of Albania living abroad are not able to cast their vote in the upcoming elections which is a basic constitutional right; calls on authorities to make further efforts that allows for the adoption and implementation of the necessary reforms in order to provide voting right for Albanians who live abroad;
2017/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 95 #

2016/2312(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Notes the efforts towards a more citizen-friendly public administration and steady progress in the implementation of public administration reform; calls for further progress in strengthening the application of the Civil Service Law and the Law on Administrative Procedures, in order to safeguard the independence of regulatory bodies, improve recruitment procedures based on merit and performance, and enhance institutional and human resource capacities, with a view to ensuring efficient conduct of EU accession negotiations; calls for enhancing the authority, autonomy, efficiency and resources of human rights structures, such as the office of the Ombudsman; commends the National Council for European Integration on its initiatives to enhance the capacities of public administration and civil society in monitoring the implementation of accession-related reforms;
2017/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 104 #

2016/2312(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the adoption of key pieces of anti-corruption legislation, including on the protection of whistle- blowers; is concerned, however, that corruption remains prevalent in many areas and key anti-corruption institutions continue to be subject to political interference and have limited administrative capacities; notes that poor interinstitutional cooperation and exchange of information continue to hamper proactive investigation and effective prosecution of corruption; stresses the need for a more adequate legal framework for conflicts of interest, regulating lobbying and better interinstitutional cooperation, especially between police and prosecution services, with a view to improving their track record as regards investigation, prosecution and conviction, including in high level cases; in view of the upcoming parliamentary elections, calls for effective oversight of political party financing;
2017/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 127 #

2016/2312(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Notes the improving EU-related cooperation between state institutions and civil society organisations (CSOs), including their participation in meetings of the National Council on European Integration (NCEI); stressesnotes that an empowered civil society is a crucial component of any democratic system; stresses, therefore, the need for even closer coordination at all levels of government, including at local level, with CSOs; calls for the effective implementation of the right to information and public consultation and for better regulation of the fiscal framework affecting CSOs;
2017/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 136 #

2016/2312(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Urges the competent authorities to actively promote respect of human rights and continue improving the climate of inclusion and tolerance for all minorities and other vulnerable groups in the country, including by enhancing the role of the State Committee on Minorities; as regardsunderlines the need to improve the living conditions for Roma and Egyptians,; calls for continued efforts in improving their access to employment, education, health, social housing and legal aid; is concerned that, despite improvements, the inclusion of Roma children in the education system remains the lowest in the region;
2017/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 147 #

2016/2312(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Recalls that institutional mechanisms to protect the rights of the child and to tackle gender-based violence remain poor; calls for better policy implementation and better inter- institutional cooperation in order to tackle social exclusion and discrimination effectively; stresses the need for additional efforts in order to develop a track record of anti-discrimination cases;
2017/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 164 #

2016/2312(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Commends religious tolerance and good cooperation among religious communities; encourages the competent authorities and religious communities to cooperate in preserving and fostering religious harmony; notes that Albania has been affected by the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters and a number of unauthorized mosques in the country present risks of radicalisation; considers it essential to prevent Islamic radicalisation, including through disengagement and reintegration of returning foreign fighters, to counter violent extremism in cooperation with CSOs and religious communities, and to intensify regional and international cooperation in this area;
2017/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 182 #

2016/2312(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Commends that according to the Institute of Statistic in Albania (INSTAT) the level of unemployment in Albania decreased at the lowest level during the last three years; stresses the need to rise the quality of education at all levels in order to better equip people with skills and knowledge in line with labour market needs;
2017/01/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 26 #

2016/2311(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas Serbia has taken importantseveral steps towards the normalisation of relations with Kosovo, resulting in the First Agreement on the Principles of Normalisation of Relations of 19 April 2013 and the August 2015 agreements;
2017/01/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 60 #

2016/2311(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the continued engagement of Serbia on the path of integration into the EU and its constructive and well-prepared approach to the negotiations, which is a clear sign of determination and political will; calls on Serbia to actively promote this strategic decision among the Serbian population;
2017/01/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 103 #

2016/2311(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on Serbia to align its foreign and security policy with that of the EU, including its policy on Russia, with that of the EU, not least by associating itself with the EU restrictive measures against Russia; welcomes Serbia’s important contribution to and continued participation in international peacekeeping operations;
2017/01/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 114 #

2016/2311(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Maintains that no joint military exercises should be held with Russia, as these are a source of irritation to Serbia's neighbours that belong to the EU;
2017/01/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 18 #

2016/2309(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas organized crime and widespread corruption remains a serious concerns;
2017/02/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 44 #

2016/2309(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Commends the competent authorities for holding parliamentary elections on 16 October 2016 in an orderly manner in which fundamental freedoms were generally respected; however, notes reports of irregularities and incidents, as well as the temporary closure of two mobile communication platforms; hopes that the relevant authorities will swiftly and transparently investigate the reported irregularities; welcomes the revised legal framework under which the elections took place, but notes the persistence of some administrative deficiencies, including on the part of the State Election Commission (SEC), as well as concerns about the accuracy of the electoral register and politicisation; expects that the alleged procedural irregularities, including alleged abuses of state funds and abuse of office, and any other reported shortcomings, will be investigated fully and addressed effectively by the competent authorities; is of the opinion that an improvement of the electoral process is needed in order to build full confidence in the electoral process; notes with regret that part of the opposition has not recognised the results of the elections; recognises the attempts by external actors to discredit the electoral process and the difficulties this has caused;
2017/02/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 81 #

2016/2309(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the new public administration reform strategy (PAR) 2016-2020, the public financial management reform programme, the entry into force of the new law on salaries and the simplification of administrative procedures; calls for measures to allocate the appropriate budgetary resources for PAR’s implementation, as well as for consistent political will to rationalise public administration, also in view of accession preparations; notes that limited progress towards strengthening administrative capacity is often due to weak commitment to reform by the authorities and a lack of clear requirements in IPA-funded projects for the authorities to follow up and capitalise on; encourages further depoliticisation of the public administration, and considers it essential to adhere to the principles of merit, accountability and transparency, and to ensure the citizens’ right to good administration, free of corruption;
2017/02/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 91 #

2016/2309(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Calls on Montenegrin authorities to take a more proactive approach in following up on outstanding allegations of war crimes as well as to fight impunity; emphasises the need to effectively investigate, prosecute, try and punish war crimes in line with international standards; is concerned that no charges have been brought against officials at the top of command chain, and in regard to crimes of co-perpetration and aiding and abetting; stresses the need to effectively ensure that victims of war crimes have equal access to justice and reparations and calls for the full protection of witnesses;
2017/02/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 93 #

2016/2309(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the further strengthening of the anti-corruption framework, inter alia by making the Anti-Corruption Agency fully operational and by appointing special anti-corruption prosecutors; considers it essential to ensure their independence in investigations; stresses repeatedly the need to establish a track record on successful investigations and convictions, in particular in high-level corruption cases, and on measures to prevent corruption; calls for criminalising illicit enrichment; calls on the new government to make combating corruption one of its priorities by allocating sufficient human and budgetary resources to the task; regrets that sectorial action plans for areas particularly vulnerable to corruption, such as public procurement, privatisation, urban planning, education, health care, local government and police, has had very limited impact;
2017/02/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 99 #

2016/2309(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Notes the adoption of an action plan for fighting money laundering and terrorism financing, and the signing of the Additional Protocol to the Council of Europe’s Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism; stresses the need to continue to develop the track record in organised crime cases, especially as regards trafficking in human beings and drugs, cigarette smuggling and money laundering, to ensure stronger inter-agency cooperation and to further intensify regional and international cooperation in the fight against organised crime; is concerned about the lack of identification and protection of victims of trafficking as well as a general lack of understanding of international human rights standards and case-law which affect the performance of the judiciary;
2017/02/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 112 #

2016/2309(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. While acknowledging CSOs’ involvement in the accession preparations, calls on the competent authorities to further improve CSOs’ access to EU-related information and to ensure that consultations with CSOs are held in a meaningful way, where possible; is deeply concerned that smear campaigns and intimidation attempts have continued against certain CSO activistof the opinion that authorities need to develop a more supportive and inclusive approach to facilitate grassroots activities by civil society, as well as to constructively accept criticism of state institutions, and to increase CSO's level of consultation in policy-making and theirs access to information; calls on authorities to encourage CSOs to actively participate in the overview of the whole electoral process and have observers in all bodies for conducting elections; is deeply concerned that smear campaigns and intimidation attempts have continued against certain CSO activists; urges authorities to establish a sustainable and efficient system of public funding for CSOs and an appropriate institutional and legal framework; insists on proper implementation, in line with legal requirements, of the law on gaming that is the largest source of public financing for CSOs;
2017/02/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 117 #

2016/2309(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Notes some progress in improving the situation of minorities; welcomes the adoption of a 2016-2020 strategy and action plan for the social inclusion of Roma and Egyptians; calls for an appropriate budget to be allocated so that the action plan may be implemented properly; encourages the competent authorities to continue to strengthen efforts to safeguard the rights of LGBTI people, notwithstanding the difficulties in acceptance of sexual diversity within Montenegrin society; remains concerned that most public buildings, including medical centres and university faculties, are still not accessible to people with disabilities;
2017/02/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 122 #

2016/2309(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Notes some progress in improving the situation of minorities; is concerned about the vulnerable position of women and girls in the Roma community including forced child marriages; welcomes the adoption of a 2016-2020 strategy and action plan for the social inclusion of Roma and Egyptians; calls for an appropriate budget to be allocated so that the action plan may be implemented properly; is concerned about persistent attacks against LGBTI community members and activists; encourages the competent authorities to continue to strengthen efforts to safeguard the rights of LGBTI people, notwithstanding the difficulties in acceptance of sexual diversity within Montenegrin society; calls on authorities to make further efforts on raising awareness about anti- discrimination among general public; remains concerned that most public buildings, including medical centres and university faculties, are still not accessible to people with disabilities;
2017/02/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 127 #

2016/2309(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Calls for a further strengthening of human rights institutions, including the Ombudsperson and the Ministry of Human Rights and Minorities, and is of opinion that their knowledge of international and European human rights law and standards should be increased; is concerned about the lack of a uniform approach and low levels of penalties for human rights violations;
2017/02/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 132 #

2016/2309(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Remains concerned about continued gender-based violencedomestic and sexual violence, as well as prevalence of femicide, widespread gender-selective abortions on the detriment of female sex, the lack of prosecutions and the inefficient support to, and protection of, victims; calls for measures to establish adequate protection services, enhance relevant inter- institutional coordination, make effective use of the new unified database of cases of domestic violence, and implement the 2016-2020 strategy on combating domestic violence; underlines the importance to educate and train employees in state institutions to work with victims; stresses the importance of encouraging women’s representation in politics, including in key decision-making positions, as well as their access to the labour market; notes the continued implementation of the 2013- 2017 action plan on gender equality; urges the competent authorities to make sufficient budget allocations for its implementation;
2017/02/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 159 #

2016/2309(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Notes with concern that some IPA- funded capacity-building outputs were not fully used or followed up by the authorities; stresses that for positive outcomes authorities need to ensure adequate staff availability, adopt the necessary legislation to allow the output to be used and grant the necessary independence to newly created institutions;
2017/02/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 172 #

2016/2309(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Welcomes the new law on the environment, as well as the national strategy for the transposition and implementation of the EU acquis on the environment and climate change and its 2016-2020 action plan; stresses the need to reinforce implementation efforts, in particular in water quality, nature protection and waste management, as well as related administrative capacities at all levels; is concerned about the significant delay in establishing protection over the potential Natura 2000 site of Ulcinj Salina; calls for further efforts to preserve the biodiversity of the Salina and the sustainable development of the coastline; notes the awarding of six concession contracts for the exploration of offshore oil and gas blocks in the Adriatic Sea, and calls on authorities to keep vigilant oversight over the operations and to implement all protective measures in accordance with adopted legislation, regulations and EU acquis; calls on Montenegro to introduce legislation implementing the Third Energy Package, particularly Renewable Energy Directive;
2017/02/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 188 #

2016/2309(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Welcomes Montenegro’s proactive participation and constructive role in regional and international cooperation; commends Montenegro for continuing fully to align its foreign policy with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy; encourages it to continue to address, in a constructive and neighbourly spirit, outstanding bilateral issues with its neighbours, including the unresolved border demarcation issues with Serbia and Croatia; urges Montenegro to comply with the EU common positions on the integrity of the Rome Statute and related EU guiding principles on bilateral immunity agreements;
2017/02/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 193 #

2016/2309(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Calls on the Commission to continue the work on migration related issues with all the countries of the Western Balkans, in order to make sure that European and international norms and standards are followed, welcomes the work done so far and underlines that adequate IPA funding should be set aside to this end;
2017/02/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 194 #

2016/2309(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18 b. Welcomes the active participation of Montenegro in the 2016 Paris summit on Western Balkans, notably on the connectivity agenda; calls on the authorities to implement newly signed border crossing agreement with Albania and to implement the Trans-European Network Regulation with regard to licensing and permitting the open access to railway market; notes that even railway market in Montenegro has been open to competition since 2014, to date, no private operators have shown interest in entering the market; calls on new government to provide an open railway market, with transparent track access charges and capacity allocation that are fully aligned with the acquis;
2017/02/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 204 #

2016/2309(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the fact that Montenegro’s NATO Accession Protocol was signed in May 2016 and is currently being ratified by NATO members; encourages NATO members within the EU to prioritise the ratification process and to recognise that NATO membership for Montenegro is an important symbolic and strategic part of the country’s Euro- Atlantic integration process;
2017/02/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 176 #

2016/2308(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Expresses its serious concern at the continuously deteriorating situation in south-east Turkey, especially in the areas where curfews were imposed, where some 2 000 people were reportedly killed in the context of security operations and an estimated half a million people became displaced in the period from July 2015 to December 2016; notes that local prosecutors have consistently refused to open investigations into the reported killings; is convinced that only a fair political settlement of the Kurdish question can bring sustainable stability and prosperity both to the area and to Turkey as a whole; therefore calls on both sides to lay down their weapons and return to the negotiation table; notes that a series of laws have created an atmosphere of ‘systematic impunity’ for the security forces; regrets the decision of the Turkish Parliament to waive the immunity of a large number of MPs unconstitutionally, paving the way for the arrests of opposition politicians;
2017/05/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 294 #

2016/2308(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Condemns in the strongest terms all terrorist attacks carried out in Turkey, and stands firmly by Turkey’s population in our joint fight against terrorism; welcomes the close bilateral relations between EU Member States and Turkey in the field of anti-terrorism cooperation, including on ‘foreign fighters’; underlines that strong cooperation between Europol and Turkish law enforcement authorities is key to effectively combat terrorism; reiterates its condemnation of the return to violence by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has been on the EU’s list of terrorist organisations since 2002; invites the Member States to enforce legislation banning the use of signs and symbols of organisations which are on that list;
2017/05/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 313 #

2016/2308(INI)

17. Commends the engagement by the Turkish Government and the hospitality shown by the population in hosting around 3 million refugees; notes the EU-Turkey statement on migration, and urges the Member States to initiate the voluntary resettlement scheme for the most vulnerable refugees in Turkey; calls on the Commission to ensure long-term investment in both refugees and their host communities in Turkey; encourages the Turkish Government to grant work permits to all Syrian refugees and provide access to education for Syrian children and adequate access to healthcare to all Syrian refugees; calls on Ankara to keep up its patrolling efforts in the Aegean and to implement fully the bilateral readmission agreements signed with Bulgaria and Greece;
2017/05/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 318 #

2016/2308(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Commends the engagement by the Turkish Government and the hospitality shown by the population in hosting around 3 million refugees; notes the EU-Turkey statement on migration, and urges the Member States to initiate the voluntary resettlement scheme for the most vulnerable refugees in Turkey; calls on the Commission to ensure long-term investment in both refugees and their host communities in Turkey; encourages the Turkish Government to grant work permits to all Syrian refugees; calls on Ankara to keep up itsTurkey and the EU to keep up their coordinated patrolling efforts in the Aegean and to implement fully the bilateral readmission agreements signed with Bulgaria and Greece;
2017/05/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 332 #

2016/2308(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Condemns strongly the recent statements by President Erdogan accusing some EU leaders of ‘Nazi practices’ and warnstates that the continuation of such unwarranted statements undermines Turkey’s credibility as a political partner; notes with concern the reports of alleged pressure on members of the Turkish diaspora living in the Member States, and condemns the Turkish authorities’ surveillance of citizens with dual nationality living abroad; is concerned at the revocation of a large number of passports, leaving people stateless;
2017/05/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 55 #

2016/2305(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses that access to public e- services is vital, as a modern communications infrastructure is the basis for devising services and applications aimed at public-sector institutions, businesses and the public;
2017/02/14
Committee: REGI
Amendment 61 #

2016/2245(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that demographic change should be tackled in a coordinated manner through the action of all European, national, regional and local authorities and preparing a common European strategy for challenging demographic progress;
2017/07/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 74 #

2016/2245(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Stresses the importance of regional and local level of authority in confronting and tackling demographic challenges;
2017/07/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 86 #

2016/2245(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that the main problems relating to the demographic change currently experienced by many EU regions are decreasing population densities, an ageing population due to structural changes in the age period, falling birth rates and gradual depopulation, especially of working-age population;
2017/07/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 111 #

2016/2245(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for a greater coordination of EU instruments in the different policy areas, such as the Common Agricultural Policy, European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds, European Territorial Cooperation, the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) and, the Connecting Europe Facility and financial instruments, so as to ensure a more comprehensive approach to demographic change, which will include regional and local aspects; reiterates its call for the Commission to adopt a European strategy on demographic change that will deliver synergies and maximise the positive impact on European citizens;
2017/07/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 148 #

2016/2245(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Considers that tackling demographic problems must have an integral approach on the whole Europe and that the solving of the problem in one part of Europe should not have a negative effect on other European territories;
2017/07/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 161 #

2016/2245(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Highlights the fact that the European Regional Development Fund can assist regions experiencing population change by boosting transport, telecommunications and, public service infrastructure and support such economic sectors for which certain regions have comparative advantages;
2017/07/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 168 #

2016/2245(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses that the European Social Fund can improve education, training and employment prospects in declining regions and serve to stem trends of out-migration;
2017/07/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 181 #

2016/2245(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses that the EFSI can benefit declining regions by boosting investment in energy, transport, educational, business and ICT infrastructure, as well as in research, SMEs, education and social infrastructure;
2017/07/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 100 #

2016/2239(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Notes with utmost regret the recent announcements of withdrawals from the Rome Statute, which represent a challenge in terms of victims’ access to justice; calls on the countries concerned to reconsider their decision; welcomes the fact that one of these has already retracted its withdrawal notification;
2017/04/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 129 #

2016/2239(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Stresses that all atrocity crimes must be investigated and prosecuted. In this context, reaffirms that all atrocities committed in Syria must be investigated and prosecuted.
2017/04/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 153 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls for an EU security supervisor of an EU security company to be present at EU funded sites and EU delegations with the tasks of ensuring the quality of the security services provided, vetting and training the locally hired security personnel, establishing and keeping up good relations with local security forces, providing risk assessments and being the first point of contact in security related matters for the delegation;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 236 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Notes that PSCs should have a liability insurance which would make the security market more stable and reliable, bringing in also smaller and medium- sized PSCs;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 237 #

2016/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Stresses that the award of contracts to PSCs should take into account and be evaluated based on the PSCs experience and period of working in hostile environments rather than by a turnover of a similar contract;
2017/03/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 11 #

2016/2235(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Notes that this is the first time that Estonia has applied for EGF funding;
2016/10/13
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 25 #

2016/2231(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. PraisNotes Mongolia ’s effor its sustained commitment to theto consolidation ofe democratic progress and the rule of law, including multi-party elections, more independent media, and a vibrant civil society;
2016/11/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 57 #

2016/2231(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. DeploresIs concerned, nevertheless, the fact that in some areas poverty is becoming entrenched and that the reported economic boom of 2010-2012 did not sufficiently contribute to poverty reduction in the country;
2016/11/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 61 #

2016/2231(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Encourages Mongolia in its efforts to achieve sustained economic growth; expresses its concern at the sharp slowdown of GDP growth, which in 2011 stood at record levels (17.3 %) but was only 2.3 % in 2015, with the 2016 figure forecast to be 1.3 %; is concerned that the current economic crisis and the means chosen - mainly spending cuts - to tacklethat is negatively effecting the budget deficit, which has risen to 20 % of GDP, may have a negative impact on poverty alleviation;
2016/11/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 86 #

2016/2231(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Takes note of Mongolia’s friendly, although and also economically competitive, relations with the other countries in the region;
2016/11/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 88 #

2016/2231(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
30. Notes that Mongolia is seriously evaluating the impact of potential membership of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) for the modernisation and diversification process of its economy; is concerned, however, that such a move might hinder further political and trade relations with the EU, as well as damaging Mongolia’s extensive trade with China, as long as the nature of relations between the EU and the EEU remains to be determined;
2016/11/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 12 #

2016/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 12
– having regard to the Declaration on the Establishment of the Arctic Council (AC) and the current programme for 2015 to 2017 under US chairmanship,
2016/11/14
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 17 #

2016/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 a (new)
– having regard to the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters,
2016/11/14
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 41 #

2016/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the Arctic faces unique social, environmental and economic challenges;
2016/11/14
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 79 #

2016/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas environmental protection and sustainable development are the two main tenets of the Ottawa declaration that laid the foundation for the Arctic Council in 1996;
2016/11/14
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 86 #

2016/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I
I. whereas some four million people live in the Arctic region, of which some ten percent are members of indigenous peoples; whereas the vulnerable Arctic environment, as well as the fundamental rights of indigenous peoples, require more stringent safeguards, especially when it comes to projects where intrusive extraction of natural resources takes place;
2016/11/14
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 89 #

2016/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J
J. whereas the ecosystems in the Arctic, including its flora and fauna, isare particularly vulnerable to abruptions, with a relatively long recovery period; whereas the negative environmental impacts are often accumulated and irreversible;
2016/11/14
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 96 #

2016/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Ka. whereas the risks posed by the use of heavy fuel oil (HFO) in the Arctic maritime transport are multiple: in case of spills the highly dense fuel emulsifies, sinks and can be transported extremely long distances if it gets trapped in ice; spilled HFO poses enormous risks for the food security of Arctic indigenous communities whose subsistence depends on fishing and hunting; combustion of HFO produces sulphur oxides, heavy metals, as well as large amounts of black carbon which, when deposited on Arctic ice, stimulates the absorption of heat into the ice mass and hence accelerates its melting and climate change;
2016/11/14
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 99 #

2016/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K b (new)
Kb. whereas the risks derived from the use of nuclear power in ice breakers and coastal facilities should be taken into account and minimised in all activities related to preparedness and response;
2016/11/14
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 100 #

2016/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K c (new)
Kc. whereas dumping of any sort of waste in the Arctic permafrost is not under any circumstances a sustainable waste management solution, as demonstrated by recent findings in Camp Century in Greenland;
2016/11/14
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 117 #

2016/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the joint communication as a positive step towards an integrated EU policy on Arctic matters, identifying 39 specific areas of action, and towards developing a more coherent framework for EU action; stresses the need for more coherence between the EU’s internal and external policies as regards Arctic matters; calls for the Commission to establish concrete implementation and follow-up measures for its Communication; reiterates its call for a comprehensive strategy and a concretised action plan on the EU’s engagement in the Arctic;
2016/11/14
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 132 #

2016/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the importance of UNCLOS ins providing a complementarythe essential multilateral legal framework for settling intra-Arctic sovereignty issues; notes that only very few unresolved issues of jurisdiction exist in the Arctic; considers respect for international law in the Arctic essential; advocates a strong role for the EU in promoting effective multilateral arrangements and a global rules-based order through the strengthening and consistent implementation of relevant international, regional and bilateral agreements, frameworks and arrangements; underlines that the EU should have a strong role in reaching an agreement to maintain that part of the Arctic, which is not under any country’s jurisdiction, as an area of common heritage to be used exclusively for peaceful and scientific purposes; notes that this does not concern navigation and traditional livelihoods;
2016/11/14
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 154 #

2016/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to take a stronger role in the effective implementation of international conventions such as the Paris Agreement, the Minimata Convention, the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution, the Gothenburg Protocol, the Stockholm Convention and, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the International Polar Code; asks the Commission to pay special attention to the ongoing international process by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee to further restrict the use of persistent organic pollutants;
2016/11/14
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 155 #

2016/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to take a stronger role in the effective implementation of international conventions such as the Paris Agreement, the Minimata Convention, the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution, the Gothenburg Protocol, the Stockholm Convention, the Polar Code and the Convention on Biological Diversity; asks the Commission to pay special attention to the ongoing international process by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee to further restrict the use of persistent organic pollutants;
2016/11/14
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 203 #

2016/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses the importance to find mechanisms to incorporate Corporate Social Responsibility – CSR – for companies doing business in the Arctic Region through cooperation with representatives of the business sector, such as the Arctic Economic Council;
2016/11/14
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 215 #

2016/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Underlines the importance of accessibility of the Arctic region to the TEN-T network as well as the potential of EU funding, such as CEF and EFSI, in financing infrastructure projects in European Arctic; notes EIB's prominent role in this regard;
2016/11/14
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 227 #

2016/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses the need for the EU to engage with all Arctic partners in policy dialogue; and calls for improved coordinperation between the EU, the AC, the Northern Dimension, the Barents Euro- Arctic Council and other bodies involved in cooperation in the High North;
2016/11/14
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 228 #

2016/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses the need for the EU to engage with all Arctic partners in policy dialogue; calls for improved coordinperation between the EU, the AC, the Barents Euro- Arctic Council and other bodies involved in cooperation in the High North;
2016/11/14
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 235 #

2016/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Reconfirms its support forStrongly supports the granting of observer status tof the EU in the AC; is convinced that the upgrading of the EU’s status would reinforce the political and institutional role of the AC in tacklingdealing with Arctic matters;
2016/11/14
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 284 #

2016/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Welcomes plans to create a European Arctic stakeholder forum; agrees not to create new funding mechanisms but to enhance synergies between existing financing instruments in order to prevent possible duplications and to maximise interaction between internal and external EU programmes;
2016/11/14
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 285 #

2016/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Welcomes plans to create a European Arctic stakeholder forum; agrees not to create new funding mechanisms but to with the aim of enhanceing synergies between existing financing instruments in order to prevent possible duplications and to maximise interaction between internal and external EU programmes; notes that Finland has invited the first forum to be convened in Finland in 2017;
2016/11/14
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 295 #

2016/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for better and earlier involvement of indigenous peoples in the making of a citizen-centred Arctic policy; stresses the need to safeguard their rights, cultures and languages;
2016/11/14
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 307 #

2016/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Pays special attention to the SDG 4.5, which includes ensuring equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for indigenous peoples;
2016/11/14
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 315 #

2016/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Highlights the role of local communities and indigenous peopleindigenous peoples and local communities in keeping the Arctic region viable and sustainable; calls on the Commission to target these communities in providing access to all relevant information on EU single market requirements, best practices and funding instruments; underlines the role of fluent transport, communication and electricity networks in creating economic activity in the area; highlights the role of good accessibility of the Arctic region to the TEN-T network, its planned core network corridor extension of the North Sea - Baltic and Scandinavian - Mediterranean corridors as well as second level access routes as the key transport structure to enable sustainable economic growth;
2016/11/14
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 339 #

2016/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Given that better knowledge of the Arctic is key to adequately meeting all challenges, encourages the promotion and facilitation of international scientific and research cooperation among all stakeholders active in the field of Arctic research and in establishing research infrastructures; supports cooperation between leading Arctic research institutions to develop an integrated European polar research programme under the EU-PolarNet initiative; notes that the Commission has invited for an international Arctic science conference to be held in Europe in 2018;
2016/11/14
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 60 #

2016/2220(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K
K. whereas significantome progress has been made in South and Southeast Asia in recent years with amendments to nationality laws introducing adequate provisions to prevent statelessness and to allow stateless persons to acquire nationality; whereas those laws must also be complied with in practice;
2016/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 61 #

2016/2220(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital L
L. whereas the Rohingya are one of the world’s most persecuted minorities, and have been officially stateless since the 1982 Burmese Citizenship Law; whereas the Rohingya are unwanted by the Myanmar authorities and by neighbouring countries, although some of the latter host large refugee populations; whereas ongoing clashes in Rakhine State are causing continued human trafficking; thousands of refugees who have made it across the border to Bangladesh in desperate need of humanitarian assistance are being forcibly pushed back in flagrant violation of international law; whereas ongoing clashes in Rakhine State are causing continued human trafficking; whereas the Rohingya are fleeing a policy of collective punishment in Rakhine State, where security forces are mounting indiscriminate reprisal attacks, firing at villagers from helicopter gunships, torching hundreds of homes, carrying out arbitrary arrests and raping women and girls;
2016/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 67 #

2016/2220(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
La. whereas Ms Suu Kyi should, in her capacity as State Councillor, Foreign Minister and Minister for the President’s Office in a civilian government, use her influence to tackle the issue of Rohingyas, their discrimination and statelessness effectively.
2016/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 71 #

2016/2220(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital N a (new)
Na. whereas it is of utmost importance that the governments and relevant authorities of all countries in the region fully comply with the principle of non- refoulement and protect refugees, in line with their international obligations and with international human rights standards;
2016/12/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 44 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 30 e (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 11 December 2012 on a Digital Freedom Strategy in EU Foreign Policy1a, __________________ 1a Texts adopted, P7_TA(2012)0470.
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 101 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K d (new)
Kd. whereas the Russian Federation passed, three years after its "Foreign Agent Law", a law on "undesirable organisations", granting the General Prosecutor authority to declare foreign organisations undesirable when deemed a threat to Russia's constitutional order, defence or security;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 102 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K e (new)
Ke. whereas human rights defenders, lawyers and journalists faced increased intimidation, harassment, arbitrary arrest and violence in China, and authorities stepped up their controls over the internet, media and academia;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 104 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K g (new)
Kg. whereas travel bans to prevent human rights defenders from attending international events are being used by a growing number of countries, particularly in Asia, the Middle East and Africa, and also in Azerbaijan;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 114 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital M c (new)
Mc. whereas evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity is difficult to preserve - especially at a time of unprecedented flows of refugees fleeing violence; whereas the preservation of evidence is essential to bringing perpetrators to justice;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 115 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital M d (new)
Md. whereas in Syria, government forces and non-state armed groups committed war crimes and gross human rights abuses with impunity, carrying out indiscriminate attacks and attacks that directly targeted civilians, including bombardments of civilian residential areas and medical facilities with artillery, mortars, barrel bombs and chemical agents, unlawfully killing civilians;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 116 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital M e (new)
Me. whereas the situation in Ukraine remained unstable in 2015, with parts of the Donetsk and Lugansk region under de facto control of Russia-backed fighters and all sides in the conflict violating international humanitarian law;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 118 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital M g (new)
Mg. whereas EU Member States continue to sell arms and military material to Gulf States and other countries which violate human rights, both internally and in other places;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 119 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital M h (new)
Mh. whereas the European Parliament, in its resolution of 25 February 2016 on the humanitarian situation in Yemen, called for an arms embargo on Saudi Arabia on the basis of the serious allegations of ongoing breaches of international humanitarian law by Saudi Arabia in Yemen;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 124 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital M m (new)
Mm. whereas EU and Turkish leaders reached a "deal" or "statement" announced on 29 November 2015 and aimed at stemming the flow of refugees via Turkey to Europe and the EU promising Turkey €3 billion in aid as well as other measures in return;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 125 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital M n (new)
Mn. whereas the human rights situation in Turkey deteriorated exorbitantly following the parliamentary elections in June 2015;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 126 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital N
N. whereas justice is essential to advance respect for human rights, and the EU and its Member States have been unconditional supporters of the International Criminal Court (ICC) since its inception, while promoting the universality of the Rome Statute and defending its integrity with the purpose of strengthening the Court’s independence;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 131 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital O a (new)
Oa. whereas 2015, however, saw a dramatic rise in the number of people executed - at least 1,634 according to Amnesty International, which is the highest recorded by the organisation since 1989 - with 90% of the executions carried out in Iran, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 132 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital O b (new)
Ob. whereas authorities in Egypt handed down hundreds of death sentences and long prison sentences to journalists, human rights defenders, political opposition leaders and activists after grossly unfair mass trials, and subjecting some to enforced disappearances; whereas Egypt enacted a draconian new antiterrorism law and NGO law;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 151 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital R
R. whereas violence against and unlawful prosecution of LGBTI people continues in many places around the world, and discrimination in health care, education, employment and other sectors is widespread;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 154 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital S
S. whereas reports of violations of civil and political, economic, social and cultural rights resulting from corporate behaviouras well as environmental damage resulting from malpractices by some private sector actors continue to be heard from around the world;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 160 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital T a (new)
Ta. whereas in October 2015, the European Commission released its new trade strategy 'Trade for All', in which the Commission sets out its aim to use trade as a means to strengthen human rights in third countries;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 161 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital T b (new)
Tb. whereas in 2015, the European Union started working on legislation to tackle the trade in minerals which fuels conflict;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 162 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital T c (new)
Tc. whereas the hacking of Italian spyware firm Hacking Team in July 2015 demonstrated that there is an urgent need to reform European dual-use export legislation to make sure that technologies, which can be used against the EU's strategic interests and for human rights violations, do not fall into the wrong hands;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 163 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital U
U. whereas sporting events such as the Olympic Games and the football World Cups should be organised in full respect of all human rights, as enshrined in the Olympic Charter, and should aim at a harmonious development of humankind, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human rights and human dignity, and with no discrimination based on any grounds such as nationality, race, religion, politics, gender or sexual orientation;deleted
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 190 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Expresses its serious concern at the numerous, ever-increasing attempts made to shrink the space of civil society and human rights defenders, and the growing number of repressive laws adopted throughout the world, under the pretext of combating terrorism (through the introduction of counter-terrorism laws), emergency situations and security measures), whereas there is often a negative impact on human rights as well as frequent abuse of these laws for repression; calls on clear condemnation of these abuses and violations;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 210 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Draws attention to its long-term commitment to promote human rights and advance democratic values, as reflected, inter alia, in the annual award of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, in the work of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, and in the monthly plenary debates and resolutions on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law; and the many parliamentary delegations;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 217 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the EU to denounce, systematically and unequivocally, the persecution and killings of human rights defenders, and to step up its public diplomacy in open and clear support of human rights defenders, also when it comes to their testimony in multilateral fora;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 269 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 d (new)
16d. Regrets that the work and the impact of the EUSR can only be partially assessed through the a review of the Annual Report on Human Rights, his Twitter account and available speeches; calls for a more systematic exchange of information on his activities, visits and plans;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 300 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Recalls the EU’s commitment to mainstream human rights and gender aspects in common security and defence policy missions, in line with the landmark UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820 on women, peace and security, and the recently adopted UN Security Council resolution 2242 making women a central component in all efforts to address global challenges; reiterates, in this context, its call on the EU and its Member States to support, in the process of building sustainable reconciliation, the systematic participation of women as a vital component of peace processes; calls, in this regard, on the EU to support, at the international level, the recognition of the added value of women’s participation in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, as well as in peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance and post-conflict reconstruction;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 301 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Stresses that the CSDP is an instrument that not only ensures European security, but is part of the EU's foreign policy instruments and must therefore be used towards the strengthening of furthering human rights and democracy in third countries;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 302 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)
26b. Calls for further European military integration to improve European armed forces' readiness and flexibility, to respond to threats and in cases of grave violations of human rights, genocide or ethnic cleansing; stresses, in this regard, that the concept of 'Responsibility to Protect' should be consolidated into international law and that the EU, as a community of values, should lead initiatives and meaningful actions to protect civilians also when they are threatened by their own state;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 324 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Underlines the need for EU leadership to push for reforms of the UN with the goal of strengthening the impact and the strength of the rules-based multilateral system, and of ensuring more efficient human rights protection and the advancing of international law;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 325 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 b (new)
30b. Condemns that seats on the UNHRC are often occupied by countries with proven track record of grave human rights violations; calls on the EU to intensify its efforts to improve the credibility and effectiveness of the UNHRC;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 326 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 c (new)
30c. Calls on the permanent members of the UN Security Council to agree to restrict the right of veto so that the permanent members would refrain from using their veto for resolutions relating to genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 331 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Condemns the dramatic number of deaths at sea in the Mediterranean; is extremely concerned about the growing numbers of human rights abuses against migrants and asylum seekers on their route to Europe; highlightdeplores the weaknesses and systematic incoherence of the policies of the EU and the Member States in this area and stresses the need for a holistic approach to find long-term solutions;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 352 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 f (new)
31f. Calls on the EU to increase efforts to support Lebanon and Jordan, which shelter unprecedented numbers of refugees, who often face multiple threats to the respect for their human rights;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 353 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 g (new)
31g. Draws attention to the problematic situation concerning refugees in Syria’s neighbouring states and considers it important for the EU to do everything in its power to help ensure that refugees in these countries are guaranteed decent living conditions, and in particular access to healthcare, education and employment possibilities;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 381 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
34. Calls on the Member States to respect and fully implement the adopted EU common asylum package and the common migration legislation, particularly to safeguard vulnerable asylum seekers, such as LGBTI people, against violence and discrimination during the asylum process; calls on the Member States to participate in resettlement programmes, giving access to family reunification and granting humanitarian visas;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 410 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 j (new)
35j. Recognises that LGBTI asylum seekers are often at risk of additional danger during their journey and upon arrival in the country where they seek asylum, which can take the form of harassment, exclusion, sexual violence, or other forms of violence; recalls that a number of countries deemed 'safe' for asylum seekers discriminate against LGBTI people or even criminalise homosexuality, and are therefore not 'safe' for this group; emphasises that vulnerable groups require additional safeguards and calls on states to ensure that LGBTI refugees are protected as required by international humanitarian law;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 433 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 l (new)
36l. Condemns the human rights abuses faced by refugees and asylum- seekers when being sheltered 'in the region'; calls for more scrutiny of the situation of refugees in Turkey as the government negotiated a migration deal with the EU, while individuals face arbitrary detention, documented refugees are denied entry into Turkey at the Syrian border, violence and forced returns to the country of origin take place, which are illegal practices under Turkish and international law;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 434 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 m (new)
36m. Is concerned about the negative impact of the migration deal with Turkey on sheltering refugees, warns against managing migration through deals with third countries; calls on the EU to take its responsibility to protect its borders and to shelter asylum seekers, in accordance with our commitment to international law;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 455 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
40. Notes the persistent financing gap with regard to humanitarian aid and the shortcomings in the World Food programme resulting in cutting food; calls on the member states of the United Nations, and on the European Union and its Member States, at a minimum, to honour their financial pledges;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 457 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
40. Notes the persistent financing gap with regard to humanitarian aid and the shortcomings in the World Food programme resulting in cutting food; calls on the member states of the United Nations, and on the European Union and its Member States to, at a minimum, to the very least, honour their financial pledges;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 467 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
42. Reaffirms the urgent need to act in a continuous, effective and coherent manner at all levels, including national, European and international, in order to effectively to address human rights abuses by international corporations when they appeaoccur, and to address the legal problems resulting from the extra-territorial dimension of companies and their conduct;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 470 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
43. Calls on the UN, and on the EU and its Member States, to raise with multinational and European enterprises the issues of land-grabbing and the treatments of land rights defenders, who are often victims of reprisals, including threats, harassment, arbitrary arrest, assault and even murder;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 479 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 a (new)
46a. Welcomes the adoption of the Commission's new trade strategy 'Trade for All', in which it aims to mainstream human rights in trade policy and use the EU's position as a trading bloc to leverage human rights in third countries; stresses that this will need full convergence and complementarity of trade and foreign policy initiatives, including close cooperation between the different DGs, the EEAS and Member State authorities;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 482 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 d (new)
46d. Notes the Commission's plans to strengthen European economic diplomacy; warns, in this regard, that economic diplomacy must not substitute the Union's long-standing policy to link market access and trade promotion and facilitation with other foreign policy goals such as respect for human rights and democratisation; stresses that the goal of trade policy must not only be economic opportunity for European businesses, but also sustainable growth in third countries;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 491 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 a (new)
48a. Further recommends that, whenever a gross breach of human rights occurs by a partner country with which an agreement has been concluded, the EU takes more effective steps in carrying out the appropriate sanctions as stipulated in the human rights clauses of the agreement, including (temporary) suspension of the agreement;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 503 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 a (new)
50a. Welcomes the Commission's proposal to update the EU's dual-use export control legislation; stresses that human rights as a criteria for export licences is a priority for Parliament and calls on the Member States to finally agree to move towards a more modern, flexible and human rights-based export policy;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 504 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 b (new)
50b. Calls on the Member States to exercise stricter and more human rights- based arms export controls, especially when it comes to countries with proven track records of violent internal repression and human rights violations;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 533 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 56
56. Stresses the importance of not undermining the acquis of the Beijing Platform for Action regarding access to education and health as a basic human right, and the protection of sexual and reproductive rights, and to ensure that all necessary safe medical assistance is provided to female war rape victims - including abortion, as foreseen under international humanitarian law; points out that family planning, maternal health, easy access to contraception and safe abortion are important elements in saving women’s lives, and highlights the need to place these policies at the core of development cooperation with third countries;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 556 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61
61. Reiterates its request that the Commission propose a comprehensive Child Rights Strategy and Action Plan for the next five years, in order to prioritise children’s rights within EU external policies and to promote children’s rights, in particular by contributing to ensuring children’s access to water, sanitation, healthcare and education, including in conflict zones and refugee camps, and eliminating child labour, torture, trafficking, early and forced marriage, female genital mutilation and sexual exploitation, as well as the misuse of children as soldiers in conflict areas;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 574 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63
63. Firmly condemns the recent increase in discriminatory laws and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity, including in Egypt where LGBTI people were prosecuted on charges of "debauchery";
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 585 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64
64. Requests that the EEAS prioritise its actions in situations where the death penalty is in forceIs deeply concerned by the increase in violence and discrimination against LGBTI people; requests that the EEAS prioritise its actions in countries with prevalent violence and discrimination against LGBTI people, including 76 countries which still criminalise homosexuality and 20 countries which still criminalise transgender identities, and/or where LGBTI people are subjected to torture and ill- treatment, by condemning these practices in accordance with the EU Guidelines on the Death Penalty and the EU Guidelines on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and by continuing to work with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in this field;
2016/10/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 624 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68 b (new)
68b. Welcomes the declaration issued by Ukraine accepting the jurisdiction of the ICC for crimes committed in the country since 20 February 2014, as this declaration paves the way for the ICC prosecutor to consider whether the court could investigate abuses committed during the armed conflict, even though Ukraine is not yet an ICC member country;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 633 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71
71. Deeply regrets the lack of respect for international humanitarian law, and expresses its grave concern overstrongly condemns the alarmingly increasing rate of collateral damage in armed conflicts around the world, and of deadly attacks against hospitals, schools and other civilian targets;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 637 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71 b (new)
71b. Reiterates its condemnation, in the harshest terms, of the crimes perpetrated by the Syrian regime against its population, including the use of chemical and incendiary weapons against civilians, mass arbitrary detention and its siege strategy to starve the population into submission; calls for more EU leadership towards a negotiated end to violence, and in ensuring perpetrators are brought to justice;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 640 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72 b (new)
72b. Calls for the establishment of a dedicated fund which can help finance initiatives that preserve evidence, digital and otherwise, of suspected crimes against humanity in war crimes with the aim of bringing perpetrators to justice;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 654 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72 p (new)
72p. Reiterates its call on the VP/HR to launch an initiative aimed at imposing an EU arms embargo against Saudi Arabia, given the serious allegations of breaches of international humanitarian law by Saudi Arabia in Yemen and the fact that the continued licensing of weapons sales to Saudi Arabia would therefore be in breach of Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP of 8 December 2008;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 689 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 75 c (new)
75c. Requests concrete actions to protect religious minorities, non-believers and atheists that are victims of blasphemy laws and calls on the EU and Member States to engage in political discussions to repeal such laws;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 706 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78
78. Expresses the need for international assistance in efforts to search for and liberate women and childrenpeople who still remain in the captivity of ISIS and other terrorist groups, and in promoting special programmes for treatment within the European Union of former captives; expresses concern over the recruitment of children by terrorist groups and their participation in terrorist activities; stresses the need to establish policies to guide the search for, and the liberation, rehabilitation and reintegration of these children;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 716 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 79 b (new)
79b. Strongly condemns the issuing of travel bans by authorities as a tool to intimidate and silence independent voices of human rights defenders and activists, as well as lawyers and journalists, and emphasises that these measures are often taken arbitrarily and without judicial grounds;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 718 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 79 d (new)
79d. Strongly condemns the "Foreign Agent Law" and law on "undesirable organisations" adopted by the Russian Federation, which cripple civil society and lead to arbitrary application with punishments including imprisonment, asset freezes and access bans for non- Russian staff members;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 722 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 80 a (new)
80a. Calls on the VP/HR, the EEAS and/or the EUSR to adopt a policy to systematically condemn the killings of human rights defenders, and issue guidelines on this to all Delegations; emphasizes that this adds consistency to the EU's current priorities as set out in the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders, on Freedom of Expression and on the Death Penalty;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 730 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 81 a (new)
81a. Calls on the VP/HR, the EEAS and/or the EUSR to step up its public response to assaults by the Egyptian regime against human rights defenders and other voices of dissent;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 743 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 86
86. Highlights the importance of promoting unrestricted access to the internet in all forms of contact with third countries, including in accession negotiations, trade negotiations, human rights dialogues and diplomatic contacts, to make information about human rights and democracy as accessible as possible to people all around the world;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 750 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 87 a (new)
87a. Strongly condemns the increasing number of human rights defenders facing digital threats, including compromised data through confiscation of equipment, remote surveillance and data leakages; condemns the practice of online surveillance and hacking to gather information which can be used in legal cases or defamation campaigns, as with the defamation trial in Azerbaijan against investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 751 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 87 b (new)
87b. Expresses its serious concern at the proliferation and spread of monitoring, surveillance, censoring and filtering technologies, which represent a growing threat to human rights and democracy activists in autocratic countries;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 753 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 87 d (new)
87d. Strongly condemns the unprecedented pressure by the Turkish government on the media, causing freedom of expression online and offline to suffer immensely;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 754 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 87 e (new)
87e. Strongly condemns the Chinese authorities' control over the internet, media and academia, and the increased intimidation, harassment and arbitrary arrests that human rights defenders, lawyers and journalists face;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 771 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 89 f (new)
89f. Points out that measures to integrate people into the Member States also form a significant aspect of combating and preventing terrorism and that the Member States must work on this aspect more intensively and consistently;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 801 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 101 a (new)
101a. Notes the conclusion of an agreement to update the EU's export controls with regard to goods that could be used for torture or capital punishment; calls on the European Commission and Member States, in this regard, to move towards full implementation as soon as possible and to promote this unilateral policy in international fora and to look for possibilities to cooperate further with third countries to stop trade in these products;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 805 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 103 a (new)
103a. Strongly condemns the human rights situation in Turkey, where cases of excessive use of force by police and ill- treatment of detainees increased, impunity for human rights abuses persisted, and the independence of the judiciary further eroded;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 830 #

2016/2219(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 106
106. Calls on the VP/HR, the Member States and the Council to include armed drones and fully autonomous weapons in relevant European and international disarmament and arms control mechanisms;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 113 #

2016/2148(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Points out that Country Specific Recommendations (CSRs) and National Reform Programmes (NRPs) represent a clear linkage between the ESI Funds and the processes of the European semester;
2016/09/19
Committee: REGI
Amendment 131 #

2016/2148(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Notes that the European Commission's Article 16 Report does not include a lot of information about coordination and synergies among different programmes and with instruments of other policy areas;
2016/09/19
Committee: REGI
Amendment 152 #

2016/2148(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Supports a further balanced increase in financial instruments; asks the Commission, therefore, to come forward with incentives for managing authorities to achieve this;deleted
2016/09/19
Committee: REGI
Amendment 169 #

2016/2148(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. ANotes that one of the main goals of the 2014-2020 programming period is simplification for beneficiaries of ESI Funds and acknowledges that simplification is an important factor in access to funding;
2016/09/19
Committee: REGI
Amendment 173 #

2016/2148(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Underlines that there is a need for further efforts to develop the full potential of SCOs in terms of alleviating administrative burden;
2016/09/19
Committee: REGI
Amendment 174 #

2016/2148(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Regrets that an assessment of administrative burden, including in particular components such as time, cost and paperwork, has not yet been undertaken; calls on the Commission in consequence to produce a fully fledged study of the cost of administrative burden in EU funding based on evidence from the 2007-2013 period and the start of the new period;deleted
2016/09/19
Committee: REGI
Amendment 219 #

2016/2148(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 32 a (new)
32a. Stresses that future cohesion policy must incorporate supporting measures to help refugees integrate successfully into the EU’s labour market, thus promoting economic growth and helping to ensure general safety in the EU;
2016/09/19
Committee: REGI
Amendment 249 #

2016/2148(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
39. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Committee of the Regions, and to the governments and national and regional parliaments of the Member States.
2016/09/19
Committee: REGI
Amendment 21 #

2016/2147(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Notes the divergences in aims and focus between the Framework Programme and the ESI Funds; takes the view, however, that efforts must be made to maximise synergies at programme level; observes furthermore that effective joint use of the various funds depends on harmonisation of the rules, particularly for beneficiaries of funding;
2017/02/14
Committee: REGI
Amendment 74 #

2016/2147(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Observes that ESI funds and Horizon 2020 should be planned more effectively so that they supplement each other in the best possible way.
2017/02/14
Committee: REGI
Amendment 10 #

2016/2144(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital D
D. whereas the lack of specific gender indicators and of collection of gender- disaggregated data as well as insufficient implementation strategies makes it impossible to achieve correct financial and budgetary accountability with a view to evaluating the gender equality impact of EU policies;
2016/11/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 19 #

2016/2144(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Calls for all budget titles to pursue equally strongambitious and clear gender targets and gender mainstreaming standards, and to specify the amount to be allocated to individual policy objectives and actions in order to become more transparent and not to overshadow gender objectives; believes that gender equality should be embedded as a distinct policy objective in all titles of the EU budget;
2016/11/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 34 #

2016/2144(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for strong gender budgeting and gender mainstreaming to be taken into account in preparincorporated and implemented ing the post- 2020 generation of EU funding programmes.
2016/11/14
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 79 #

2016/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines that, as Europe is no longer in control of its security environment and has lost the luxury of choosing the time and place of acin addition to crisis management operations, the CSDP, which has, until now, focused mainly on crisis management operations, should complement these operations should also be complemented with crisis prevention and crisis resolution, and that it is necessary to truly ensure the common security and defence of the entire area of freedom, security and justice;
2016/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 120 #

2016/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. WelcomesObserves that the presentation by the VP/HR of the Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy (EUGS) ais a necessary and positive development for the institutional framework in which the CFSP and the CSDP will operate and develop; stresses that further work is needed toit is necessary to rapidly and effectively ensure the implementation of the EUGS’s political level of ambition, priorities and comprehensive approach;
2016/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 130 #

2016/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. SupportConsiders the development of a sectoral strategy to be necessary as a follow-up to the EUGS, to be agreed by the Council, that sha strategy that would further specify the civil-military level of ambition, tasks, requirements and capability priorities; reiterates its previous calls for the development of a European Defence White Book and expresses hope that the Council will assign the task of drafting this document without delay;
2016/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 258 #

2016/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Calls for the Member States to aim for the 2% GDP target to be spent on defence;
2016/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 25 #

2016/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises that EFSI was launched to help resolve difficulties and remove obstacles to financing as well as to implement strategic, transformative and productive investments that provide a high level of added value to the economy, the environment and society to complement structural reforms in EU Member States to modernise their economies to create growth and jobs;
2017/03/02
Committee: BUDGECON
Amendment 44 #

2016/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls the role of Parliament as foreseen in the regulation, in particular in relation to the monitoring of EFSI implementation; acknowledges, however, that it is too early to finalise a comprehensive assessmentwelcomes the Commission’s evaluation on the use of the EU guarantee and the functioning of the guarantee fund; regrets however that its proposal for the extension of the funcdurationing of EFSI and its impact on the EU economy, but is of the opinion that a preliminary evaluation is crucial in order to identify possible areas of improvement for EFSI 2.0 and thereafterfor increasing the EU guarantee is not accompanied by a comprehensive evidence-based impact assessment, which is in contradiction to better regulation guidelines;
2017/03/02
Committee: BUDGECON
Amendment 253 #

2016/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Recalls that diversified investments with a geographical or thematic focus should be made possible by helping to finance and bundle projects and funds from different sources; notes with concern that the first investment platform was only set up in the third quarter of 2016; requests the EIB and the EIAH to promote the use of investment platforms as a way to achieve geographic and thematic diversification of investments;
2017/03/02
Committee: BUDGECON
Amendment 324 #

2016/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
43. Notes that the Commission has proposed an extension of EFSI, both in terms of duration and financial capacity, and that this would have an impact on the EU budget; recalls the Parliaments opposition to finance EFSI by making cuts to Connecting Europe Facility and Horizon 2020 and expresses its intention to put forward alternative financing proposals for the proposed extension;
2017/03/02
Committee: BUDGECON
Amendment 338 #

2016/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 13
Complementarities with other EU financing sources and policies
2017/03/02
Committee: BUDGECON
Amendment 380 #

2016/2064(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49
49. Acknowledges that EFSI alone - and on a limited scale- will probably not be able to close the investment gap in Europe, but that it nevertheless constitutes a central pillar of the EU’s investment plan and signals the EU’s determination to tackle this issue; calls for further proposals to be made on how to permanently boost investment in Europe, such as completing the single market in services, digital and energy, and establishing a genuine Capital Markets Union;
2017/03/02
Committee: BUDGECON
Amendment 154 #

2016/2062(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that many of the limits to growth, both in the air and on the groundAcknowledges the existing connectivity gap within the EU and the importance of regional connectivity; Believes that many of the limits to growth, both in the air and on the ground (e.g. capacity crunch, under and over utilization of infrastructures, different ANSP or limited investments), can be addressed by taking connectivity as the main indicator when assessing and planning actions in the sector;
2016/10/13
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 272 #

2016/2062(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Acknowledges the substantial costs spent on security measures; stresses that security challenges, including cybersecurity, posed to the aviation sector will only be greater in the future, requiring an immediate shift to a more intelligence- based and reactive security system, and an improvement of the security of airports' facilities so that they can adapt to evolving threats without requiring constant updates, in this respect welcomes the Commission's proposal for a EU certification system for aviation security screening equipment; insist on the need for a consistent implementation of the existing regulation regarding staff recruitment and training; calls on the Commission to look into the possibility of deepening the one-stop security concept, and of developing a EU pre-check system allowing pre-registered EU travellers to go through a lighter and faster screening; urges the Member States to commit to share intelligence systematically and to exchange best practices on airport security systems; also underlines that security concerns arising from non-cooperative military flights with no active transponders and from conflict zones overflight must continue to be addressed;
2016/10/13
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 8 #

2016/2060(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Calls for representation of women at all levels of government, if necessary with the use of quotas, and for women’s systematic inclusion in transitional institutions; supports electoral systems that require voters to select both male and female candidates; stresses the importance of women’s equal, full and active participation in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, and supports empowerment projects aimed at training women to negotiate women-related issues;
2016/09/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 59 #

2016/2060(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Considers it essential to devise practices and legislation whereby jobs may be preserved for women during their pregnancy and for a given period thereafter in order, by means of state support, to maintain income at its earlier level for persons whose earnings are reduced because they are bringing up children, and to facilitate work-life balance;
2016/09/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 23 #

2016/2059(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Maintains that if the Energy Union is to work, it is essential to have sufficient connections between EU Member States and that this applies both to pipelines and to power networks; considers that only in that way will it be possible to minimise such adverse impacts as might be caused by suppliers;
2016/06/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2016/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights the need to rebuild the EU-ACP relationship on fresh foundations asat EU-ACP relationship needs to be based on a fair partnership between equals, respecting countries’ heterogeneity and sovereignty; stresses that the partnership must have as its objectives the United Nations SDGs, the meeting of basic needs and respect for human rights;
2016/06/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2016/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that fighting poverty is the Union’s overarching objective in development cooperation and a primary way tofor the Member States to jointly address the root causes of migration and forced displacement; warns, in the context of the EU Trust Fund for Africa, against diverting appropriations from their intended purposes and breaching the objectives of the legal bases; recalls also the positive role of the African Peace Facility as a key instrument for stabilisation, and expects a solution to be found as part of EDF budgetisation which ensures its continuation in full observance of the Treaty;
2016/06/22
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 14 #

2016/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls for a more effective joint action with the emphasis on funding support for the ACP countries on conflict prevention, peace-building and state- building activities as well as tackling transnational security challenges;
2016/06/22
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 22 #

2016/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises the negative effects of association agreements on the economies of ACP countries; takes the view that the new partnership will need to be based on developing the countries’ productive capacities, completing the most advantageous regional integration processes, protecting traditional agriculture, and combating land grabbing, the privatisation of national natural resources and public services, and over-exploitation;deleted
2016/06/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 58 #

2016/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Invites ACP countries to audit their debts with a view to their complete elimination, and invites them to claim reparations for the spoliation of natural resources by foreign multinationals, and for the wars that have been sparked; supports the United Nations working group on an international framework for sovereign debt restructuring;
2016/06/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 87 #

2016/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines the importance of putting an end to foreign interference in the internal affairs of ACP countries, and to neocolonial policies; supports the idea of dismantling all foreign military bases.deleted
2016/06/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 100 #

2016/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls for a more effective joint action on conflict prevention, peace- building and state-building activities as well as tackling transnational security challenges;
2016/06/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 102 #

2016/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Stresses that it is necessary to jointly find solutions for tackling the root causes of migration in some of the ACP countries;
2016/06/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2016/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)
- having regard to the EU Global Strategy for the European Union´s Foreign and Security Policy,
2016/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 92 #

2016/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that to ensure its long-term security, Europe needs political will and determination underpinned by a broad set of relevant policy instruments, including strong and modern military capabilities. Encourages the European Council to lead the progressive framing of the EDU, with a view to its establishment under the next multiannual political and financial framework of the EU (MFF); takes the view that the Lisbon Treaty provides a solid basis for the EDU;
2016/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 178 #

2016/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses the importance of putting in place the necessary measures to allow a working, accessible, transparent and simple European market in defence equipment in order to enable Member States to reach better defence and security budget maximisation; takes note that a solid European defence, technological and industrial base needs a fair, functioning and transparent internal market, security of supply and a structured dialogue with defence relevant industries; is concerned that the progress towards improved competitiveness, greater transparency, and less red tape in the defence sector has been slow so far, and that a sound European defence industrial policy is still missing;
2016/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 186 #

2016/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Recalls that to ensure its long-term security, Europe needs political will and determination underpinned by a broad set of relevant policy instruments, including strong and modern military capabilities; Calls on the European Commission to play its role through the Defence Action Plan, to support a strong industrial base, able to deliver the strategic capability needs of Europe and identify where the EU could provide an added-value;
2016/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 191 #

2016/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Encourages the Commission, working in liaison with the European Defence Agency, to act as a facilitator and enabler for defence cooperation via the mobilisation of EU funds and instruments aiming at the development of defence capabilities programmes by Member States; Recalls that the European Defence Action Plan should be a strategic tool to foster cooperation in defence at European level, in particular through an EU-funded Defence Research Programme and through measures strengthening the industrial cooperation throughout the entire value chain;
2016/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 227 #

2016/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. InvitWelcomes the VP/HR to propose an initial EU security and defence white book which will bproposed implementation plan on security and defence based on the EU global strategy endorsed by the European Council; takes the view that theis implementation plan should be a precursor to a regular security and defence white book process which should guide the Union contributions in security and defence policy for each multiannual political and financial framework of the EU;
2016/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 249 #

2016/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 – introductory part
16. Considers that the initial EU security and defence white book process should encompass, inter alia, the following launch initiativesfollowing initiatives should be launched immediately:
2016/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 298 #

2016/2052(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 – indent 9 a (new)
- measures to increase cooperation and trust among cyber security and defence actors;
2016/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 16 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights that the Union is currently facing a number of serious emergencies and new challenges, which could not be foreseen at the time when the MFF 2014-2020 was set-up; is convinced that the necessary financial resources need to be deployed from the Union budget, in order to meet the political challenges and allow the Union to deliver answers and effectively respond to those crises as a matter of utmost urgency and priority; considers that a strong political commitment is needed to secure fresh appropriations in 2017 and until the end of the programming period for this purpose;
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 20 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Regrets the proposed cuts for intervention in the agricultural markets, especially for milk and milk products compared to 2016; sees a continued financial effort being necessary to combat the crisis in the milk market; asks the Commission to extend emergency measures related to both sales difficulties and consequences of the Russian embargo; is concerned that further markets intervention will be necessary;
2016/07/26
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 23 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that whilst Parliament has supported the Commission’s actions in the tackling of the migration and refugees crisicurrent humanitarian and migratory challenges and the sustainable development goals, it has always insisted that thisese challenges not take precedence over other important Union policies, for example in the field of jobs and growth; notes that the Heading 3 ceiling is vastly insufficient to provide for appropriate funding for the internal dimension of the migration and refugee crisicurrent humanitarian and migratory challenges as well as priority programmes, such as culture programmes;
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 27 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates its position that requests for additional funding needed for addressing the migration and refugee crisicurrent humanitarian and migratory challenges should not be deployed to the detriment of the Union’s existing external action, including its development policy; repeats that the setting-up of the Facility for Refugees in Turkey (FRT), Trust Funds, and any other ad-hoc instruments cannot be financed by cuts to other existing instruments; is concerned that the establishment of financial instruments outside the Union budget could threaten its unicity and circumvent the budgetary procedure, that requires the involvement and scrutiny of the European Parliament; notes that the Heading 4 ceiling (Global Europe) is vastly insufficient to provide a sustainable and effective response to the current external challenges, including the migration and refugee crisicurrent humanitarian and migratory challenges;
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 33 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Reiterates its conviction that the Union budget should find ways of financing new initiatives which are not to the detriment of existing Union programmes and policies and is disappointed that the Preparatory Action for defence research, which will amount to EUR 80 million in the next three years will be squeezed under the current budget of the MFF; underlines the need to improve the competitiveness and innovation in the European defence industry and to stimulate growth and job creation; is convinced that with an already underfinanced Union budget, additional efforts for operations, administrative costs, preparatory actions and pilot projects in relation to the common security and defence policy also need additional financial means by the Member States; considers that the current MFF mid-term review/revision should be used by the Member States in that respect; calls for a defence research programme with a dedicated budget within the next MFF;
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 38 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Recalls that, in compliance with the goals of the Europe 2020 Strategy, and in order to respond to the challenges and investment needs related to climate action, the Commission took the commitment to mainstream climate action in the 2014-2020 MFF and aims at reaching the target of at least 20% of Union spending dedicated to climate- related actions; notes that, according to the Statement of Estimates for the financial year 2017, the draft budget is expected to allocate 19,2% of expenditure to this aim; strongly encourages the Commission to pursue on this track so to apply the 20% target for the second half of this MFF;
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 42 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Announces that, for the purpose of adequately financing those pressing needs, and considering the very tight MFF margins in 2017, Parliament will finance the reinforcements above the DB by the exhaustion of all margins available and an increased recourse to the Contingency Margin, to be offset against the remaining margins of 2016 and 2017;
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 45 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Restores all cuts related to the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) in the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and Horizon 2020 for a total of EUR 1 240 million in commitments via new appropriations to be obtained through the mid-term revision of the MFF; insists on the need to provide an effective response to youth unemployment accross the Union; therefore increases the Youth Employment Initiative with additional EUR 1 500 million in commitment appropriations to provide an effective response to youth unemploymentenable its continuation, which should also be financed by additional funds provided in the mid-term revision of the MFF;
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 80 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Recalls that the Commission has not proposed any commitment appropriations for the Youth Employment Initiative in 2017 as a result of its frontloading in the years 2014-2015; decides, in line with the Regulation on the European Social Fund7 which foresees the possibility of such a continuation, to increase the Youth Employment Initiative with additional EUR 1 500 million in commitment appropriations and EUR 500 million in payment appropriations to provide an effective response to youth unemployment, drawing lessons from the results of the coming Commission's evaluation of the YEI implementation; notes that, in line with Parliament’s requests, these new appropriations should be financed by the use of all financial means available under the current MFF Regulation and through the MFF mid-term revision; urges the Member States to do their utmost to speed up the implementation of the Initiative on the ground, for the direct benefit of young Europeans; __________________ 7 Regulation (EU) No 1304/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on the European Social Fund and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 470).
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 91 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Awaitnticipates the presentation of the Amending Letter for the emergency support package in particular for the dairy sector and increases therefore the appropriations by EUR 600 million; considers that this measure will contribute significantly to improving market disposition and will be reflected in improved prices for European dairy producers, in particular after the end of the quota system, and the financial impact of the Russian ban;
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 96 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Underlines that Parliament continues to put the current migration challenge at the top of its agenda; welcomes the Commission’s proposal for an additional EUR 1,8 billion to tackle the migration crisishallenge in the Union, above what had initially been programmed for 2017; notes that the big deviation of the original programming shows the need of a full revision of the current MFF; is disappointed that the Commission did not use the opportunity to adjust the ceilings accordingly, particularly of Heading 3; stresses that the Commission proposes to finance this reinforcement through the mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument (for EUR 530 million, thereby fully exhausting the funding available for this year) and the Contingency Margin (for EUR 1 160 million); given the unprecedented level of funding for migration-related expenditure (totalling EUR 5,2 billion in 2017 in headings 3 and 4 and the mobilization of the European Development Fund) and the proposals for applying flexibility on the table, does not request further reinforcements for migration-related policies; at the same time, will resist any attempts to reduce funding for Union actions in this field;
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 104 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26 a. In the context of the current security and migration challenges, welcomes the increase of the funding of AMIF (EUR 1,6 billion) and ISF (EUR 0,7 billion); considers that the increase of AMIF adds to the need to ensure a fair and transparent distribution of annual funding between the different programs and objectives of the fund and a better readability on how these financial resources will be spent;
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 111 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Welcomes the Commission’s proposal, as part of the MFF mid-term revision, to establish a new European Union Crisis Reserve, to be financed from de-committed appropriations, as an additional instrument to react rapidly to crises, such as the current migrhumanitariant and refugee crisimigratory challenges, as well as a wider set of events with serious humanitarian or security implications;
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 114 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. In the face of increased threat levels in several Member States and, the concurrent challenges of migration management and, the fight against terrorism and organised crime, requests funding for additional staff for Europol and the necessity for a coordinated European response, requests funding for additional staff for Europol, with the aim to establish a 24/7 counter-terrorism cell providing Member States' competent authorities with intelligence responses; considers that this increase is also provided to improve the fight against trafficking with human beings (with a special focus on unaccompanied minors) and to reinforce the human resources at the Italian and Greek hotspots;
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 118 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
30. Condemns the Council’s cuts to numerous programmes in the areas of culture, the media, citizenship, fundamental rights and public health by a total of EUR 24,3 million in commitment appropriations; considers it a detrimental sign by the Council to cut culture programmes in order to free funds for the refugee and migration crisicurrent humanitarian and migratory challenges; deplores that many of these cuts seem applied in an arbitrary manner and disregard excellent implementation rates; is of the opinion that even small cuts risk jeopardising the achievement of programme outcomes and the smooth implementation of Union actions; therefore restores all cuts to the level of the DB;
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 123 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32 a. Welcomes the establishment of a Victims of Terrorism Response Co- ordination Centre (EUR 2 million) which should overcome barriers such as poor knowledge and weak skills development by bringing together key operational experts, victim advocates and organisation from around Europe to identify key priorities and issues for victims of terrorism and deliver a coordinated support for victims of terrorism across borders in order to have a proper victim- oriented approach in emergency response infrastructures;
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 132 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
34. Notes that, in the light of the ongoing refugee crisihumanitarian and migratory challenges, the Union’s external action is faced with ever growing funding needs which largely exceed the current size of Heading 4; therefore, underlines that the Heading 4 ceilings are vastly insufficient to provide for appropriate funding for the external dimension of the migration and refugee crisicurrent humanitarian and migratory challenges; is disappointed that the Commission did not use the opportunity to adjust the ceilings, particularly of Heading 4 accordingly; deplores, that in order to fund new initiatives such as the FRT, the Commission chose in its DB to cut other programmes such as the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI) and the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP) which is against the principle that humanitarian distress must go in parallel with the development processes,; regrets also that appropriations for humanitarian aid and for the Mediterranean strand of the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) are below those approved in the 2016 budget, despite their obvious relevance in tackling the large number of external challenges; disapproves, finally, the irresponsible cuts made by the Council, in particular on DCI and support expenditure lines;
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 139 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
37. Notes with concern that, despite their topical nature and significant size, EU Trust Funds as well as the FRT are virtually invisible in the Union budget; calls for them to be incorporated in a way that is more transparent and more respectful of the unity of the Union budget and of the prerogatives of the budgetary authority, and creates new budget lines to that end; also calls on the Commission to provide evidence that the use of financial instruments under the Trusts Funds does not result in diverting appropriations from the objectives under their initial legal bases; notes that the objective of leveraging national contributions on top of the Union budget has so far notoriously failed; highlights in that respect that, in future calls for an EU budget contribution to the Trust Funds, the Parliament will only agree to them once a comparable amount of Member States’ contributions has been delivered; invites, therefore, Member States to live up as soon as possible to their commitments;
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 149 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 a (new)
42 a. Welcomes the budget increase of the efficient JHA agencies, especially those involved with migration and security; stresses that these agencies must be sufficiently resourced (including for investing in new technologies) and staffed when their mandates are increased;
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 150 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
43. In the context of the current security challenges, and, bearing in mind the necessity for a coordinated European response, decconsiders to increase, within the overall package on security, the appropriations for the European Union Agency for Network and Informhat some of these increases are not sufficient and decides to reinforce the appropriations for the European Police Office (Europol), the European Union’s Judicial Cooperation SecurUnity (ENISAurojust), the European Police Office (Europol) and the European Union’s Judicial Cooperation UnitAgency for the operational management of large- scale IT systems (EU-LISA) and the European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA),;
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 156 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
44. In view of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Europe’s southern neighbourhood, and the increased number of asylum seekers, and mainly the intention to reinforce its mandate further than the Commission's proposal, decides furthermore to increase the 2016 budget appropriations for the European Asylum Support Office;
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 161 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 a (new)
46 a. Considers that the grades of temporary posts for the European Border and Coast Guard Agency have to be increased to meet the complex nature of the new tasks assigned to the agency by the revised regulation;
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 174 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
52. Maintains unchanged the overall level of its budget for 2017, as adopted by the plenary on 14 April 2016 at EUR 1 900 873 000; incorporates the budgetary neutral technical adjustments to reflect into the budget its recent decisions and releases the reserve on the transport of Members, persons and goods budget line; opposes the additional expense of EUR 3,7 million to internalize the chauffeur service, which is against the Parliament's will as expressed in the abovementioned paragraph 47 of its resolution of 14 April 2016 on Parliament's estimates of revenue and expenditure for 2017;
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 176 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53
53. Approves the changes in its establishment plan and corresponding budgetary appropriations to respond to additional needs of the political groups; fully compensates these reinforcements by reducing the appropriations in the contingency reserve and fitting out of premises budget line;deleted
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 182 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 56
56. Reduces further its establishment plan by 20 posts to reflect the end of the transfer of posts foreseen in the cooperation agreement with the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions; stresses that as these posts were not budgeted, no appropriations need to be reduced on Parliament’s side;deleted
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 192 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 c (new)
60 c. Regrets that despite numerous calls by the Committee on Budgets, mid- term and long-term strategy for Parliament buildings is not available for informed committee deliberations;
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 196 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61
61. Given the substantial benefits that Google and similar companies are deriving from the Parliament's translation service to boost Google Translate and similar translation services, calls on the Secretary General to negotiate with Google and similar companies an appropriate contribution to the EP Budget;deleted
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 202 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69
69. Reinstates the 12 posts and related appropriations cut by the Commission in the DB in accordance with the abovementioned cooperation agreement , thus reflecting the actual number of posts transferred from the European Economic and Social Committee to Parliament;deleted
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 204 #

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71
71. Reinstates the eight posts and related appropriations cut by the Commission in the DB in accordance with the abovementioned cooperation agreement, thus reflecting the actual number of posts transferred from the Committee of the Regions to Parliament;deleted
2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 18 #

2016/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses the importance of renewable energy cooperation mechanisms on electricity or heating and cooling between EU Member States rather than joint projects with non-Member States as this contributes to the independence of EU renewable energy market and therefore helps to better ensures its security;
2016/03/21
Committee: REGI
Amendment 2 #

2016/2036(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Deeply regrets that, on an already limited budget of around EUR 320 million (0.2% of the EU budget), the European Union's foreign policy was under- implemented to the tune of EUR 96 million in 2015, which reveals the lack of ambition and, indeed, the denial of reality in which Europeans find themselves at a time when international conflicts pose a threat to their safety at the very heart of Europe;
2016/05/03
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 10 #

2016/2036(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Calls for the Member States to meet the 2% GDP criteria on national defence spending.
2016/05/03
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 71 #

2016/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls what many seem to have forgotten, namely that the European Union is one of the greatest achievements in European history and that the transformative power of the EU has brought peace, stability and prosperity to its citizens; emphasises that the EU remains the largest economic power, the most generous donor of humanitarian and development assistance, and a frontrunner in global diplomacy on issues such as climate change, non-proliferation and human rights;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 88 #

2016/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that the current crisis is alsoshould be an opportunity for the EU if it is used to make the EU work better; recalls that European citizens see an effective common foreign and security policy as a priority area of action for the EU and that this is one of the areas where European cooperation can yield most value added; emphasises, therefore, that Member States must change their mentality since nowadays thinking about foreign policy and security in a narrow minded national perspective is obsolete; is convinced that no single Member State alone is able to tackle any of the challenges we face today; urges Member States to finally show sufficient levels of political will and trust in one another to make it possible to use the tools at hand in a concerted manner in order to pursue our interests and values; reiterates that the EU can only be a strong global player on an equal footing with other major powers if all Member States speak with one voice and act together in the framework of a strong EU foreign policy;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 105 #

2016/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that an effective implementation of the EU Global Strategy presented by the VP/HR in June 2016 is not possible withoutdemands strong commitment, ownership, political will and leadership from the Member States; highlights that the appropriate resources need to be allocated to the implementation of this strategy, in particular in the crucial area of security and defence;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 125 #

2016/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Believes that a strengthened European security and defence cooperation would lead to a higher effectiveness, unity, efficiency as well as an increase of EU assets, EU capabilities and positive potential effects on defence research and industrial matters. Highlights that only through such deeper cooperation that should gradually develop into a real European Defence Union, the EU and its member States would acquire the technological and industrial capabilities necessary to enable to act quicker, autonomously, effectively and addressing today's threats in a responsive and efficient manner;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 299 #

2016/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Takes the view that it is time to define a new, more realistic strategy for the EU’s relations with Russia, based on credible deterrence but also on dialogue in areas of common interest; stresses that sanctions have proven to be the most effective means for deterring Russian aggression; recalls that the full implementation of the Minsk agreement is a prerequisite for the suspension of sanctions; stresses that sanctions should be neither relaxed nor reduced for as long as the reasons they were imposed remain valid; insists that the EU should consider imposing further sanctions in case Russia continues to violate international law; believes it is in the common interest of the EU and Russia to achieve a better relationship, provided international law is applied;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 309 #

2016/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Believes it is important to engage in dialogue with Russia in order to identify measures aimed at reducing the risk of dangerous misunderstandings and miscalculations; underlines the importance of increased transparency in military activities in order to avoid air and maritime incidents with Russia and the need to develop common standards for the management of possible accidents and incidents; deems non-cooperative military flights with no active transponders a serious endanger to civil aviation and deems it necessary to devise measures to detect such flights as early as possible in order to avoid dangerous situations and to find an international way forward to put an end to such safety risk;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 338 #

2016/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Believes that a deepening of the relationship with the US and Canada is of strategic interest to the EU, while at the same time it is important for the EU to strengthen its relationship with Central and South America, New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, Japan and other allied nations is of strategic interest to the EU;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 402 #

2016/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Highlights the importance of finding a sustainable solution to the conflict in Syria; supports the UN-led efforts to facilitate negotiations between all parties to the Syrian conflict on an inclusive political settlement; calls on the EU to use its leverage over key actors such as Iran, Saudi Arabia and Russia to ensure that they take a constructive position; emphasises that the use of sanctions should be considered in case some of the actors involved do not deliver on their commitments;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 455 #

2016/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Highlights the EU’s immense potential as a diplomatic superpower, which is based on the wide range of instruments at our disposal and our normative power as a championin the field of democracy, freedom and human rights;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 498 #

2016/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Stresses the need of speeding up the consolidation of the fully-fledged European Diplomatic Service, and in particular strengthening its thematic expertise and strategic policy planning and forecasting, as well as the area of intelligence; considers that it is important to also give the EEAS representations in crisis areas a consular role with a view to assisting EU citizens; insists on the need for a fair balance between diplomats seconded from the Member States and EU officials in the EEAS, including in management positions;
2016/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 9 #

2016/2032(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Points out key factors enabling SMEs to develop, such as business-friendly environment, modern infrastructure, the existence of technologically advanced sectors of the economy and a highly qualified workforce; believes, therefore, that Capital Markets Union initiatives should be prepared in such a way as to lower the transaction costs of raising capital and to reach the micro-enterprises group, which is both the largest and the one with the weakest links to capital markets;
2016/04/22
Committee: REGI
Amendment 41 #

2016/2032(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Believes that regulatory proposals connected to the Capital Markets Union should not lead to excessive regulatory burdens on SMEs or limiting the benefits this sector could reap as a result of creating a single capital market;
2016/04/22
Committee: REGI
Amendment 1 #

2016/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4
— having regard to the Charter of the United Nations,deleted
2016/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2016/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5
— having regard to the proposal for a recommendation to the Council on the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly by Andrey Kovatchev, on behalf of the PPE Group (B8- 1374/2015),deleted
2016/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 39 #

2016/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph a
(a) to continue to support multilateral attempts to find lasting political solutions to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa, in particular in Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen; to continue to support the work of the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Syria, the Special Representative and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya, and the Special Envoy of the Un Secretary-General for Yemen; to call for continued humanitarian, financial and political assistance from the international community in order to address the humanitarian situation, and to work towards the immediate cessation of violence;
2016/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 58 #

2016/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph c a (new)
(ca) to devote particular attention to the situation of children in conflicts and to protecting children's rights;
2016/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 144 #

2016/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph u
(u) to strengthen the role of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the international criminal justice system in order to promote accountability and to end impunity; to support the day-to-day operation of the International Criminal Court;
2016/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 205 #

2016/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph x a (new)
(xa) to support limits on the use of the veto in the UN Security Council in the case of decisions concerning genocide and other mass crimes;
2016/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 23 #

2016/0287(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) Local wireless connectivity should only qualify as free where it is provided without corresponding remuneration, whether by direct payment or other types of consideration, including, but not limited to, advertising and the provision of personal data. The security risk increases with the extension of free local wireless connectivity. There is therefore a need to ensure proper protection of personal data.
2017/03/10
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 44 #

2016/0287(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Regulation (EU) No 283/2014
Annex – section 4 – paragraph 3 – point 2 – point b a (new)
ba) has systems in place for the proper protection of personal data of users;
2017/03/10
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 456 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. a comparative table including the Commission's draft budget for the other institutions and the other institutions' original financial requests as sent to the Commission;
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 530 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 123 – paragraph 1
Where an audit based on internationally accepted standards providing reasonable assurance has been conducted by an independent auditor on the financial statements and reports setting out the use of the Union contribution, that audit shall form the basis of the overall assurance, as further specified, where appropriate, in sector specific rules. Information already available at the management authority shall be used to the extent possible to avoid asking beneficiaries for the same information more than once.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 557 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 150 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) not make use of or engage in tax avoidance structures, in particular aggressive tax planning schemes, or practices not complying with good governance criteria on taxationprinciples, as set out in EU legislation or communications and recommandations or any formal instruction by the Commission;
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 628 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 202 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) after the end of the period of implementation of a financial instrument or budgetary guarantee and taking into account the nature of the financial instrument or budgetary guarantee, any outstanding amount originating in the Union budget shall be returned to the budget;
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 637 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 208 – paragraph 4
4. Where the Union participates in aestablished financial instruments as a minority stakeholder, the Commission shall ensure compliance with this Title in accordance with the principle of proportionality, on the basis of the size and value of the participation of the Union in the instrument. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Commission shall ensure compliance with Article 124.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 79 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) The Union's ambitious External Investment Plan (EIP) is needed to support investments starting in Africa and the Union's Neighbourhood as a means to promote the sustainable development goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ('the 2030 Agenda') in particular poverty eradication and reducing inequality as well as the commitments under the recently revised European Neighbourhood Policy thus addressing root causes of migration. It should also contribute to the implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change (COP 21). , and in particular incorporate climate proofing and climate resilience measures in all financing operations and investments.
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 84 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) Investments under the EFSD should focus on supporting micro enterprises and SMEs from developing countries, in order to create decent, sustainable and inclusive jobs, offer economic opportunities for women and young people and engage in a just transition towards a green and circular economy.
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 97 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) This is in line with the Union Global Strategy for Foreign and Security Policy which embeds challenges such as migration and resilience in the overall EU foreign policy, ensuring coherence and synergies with European development and Neighbourhood policiesthe external policy is coherent with the objectives of the development policy and ensuring synergies with European development and Neighbourhood policies.. This is in line with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and international Human Rights law, ensuring human rights based approach while addressing forced displacement and irregular migration.
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 104 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) The EIP should provide an integrated financial package to finance investments starting in regions of Africa for countries that are signatories to the Partnership Agreement between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States of the one part, and the European Community and its member States, of the other part, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 200022 and the Neighbourhood countries, thereby creatingmaking sure not to increase debt risks or macroeconomic vulnerability, thereby supporting longer term development through green and inclusive growth and employment opportunities, maximising additionality, delivering innovative products, and crowding-in private sector funds. __________________ 22 OJ L 317, 15.12.2000 as last amended by OJ L 287, 4.11.2010
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 111 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 a (new)
(4a) In order to fulfil the political commitments of the EU on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate change mitigation and adaptation, a minimum share of 35% of the funding under the EFSD should be devoted to financing and investment operations wholly relevant for these sectors thus contributing to the implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 121 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
(5a) The EFSD in all its capacity will fully commit to and respect human rights and equal treatment in recipient countries and of all actors associated with financial and investment activities.
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 127 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 a (new)
(6a) The EFSD should deploy innovative instruments to support investments and involve the private sector in particular local micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, targeting areas which can help achieve sustainable development outcome. Bottlenecks and obstacles to domestic and foreign investments need to be addressed in this respect.
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 131 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) Moreover, the Strategic Board should support the Commission in setting strategic guidance and overall investment goals. The Strategic Board should also support coordination and coherence between the regional platforms. This should ensur, with core EU development goals, and with existing strategies and instruments in view of strengthening the complementarity of the various instruments in external action while ensuring policy coherence for development. The Strategic Board should be co-chaired by the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to ensure consistency and coherence withof Union external policy objectives and partnership frameworks with third countries. The European Parliament shall participate in the Strategic Board as a permanent observer to ensure its right and obligation to exercise scrutiny over the implementation of the EFSD. The minutes of the strategic board shall be published as soon as they are approved by the strategic board.
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 151 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
(15) As the funds of the EDF are to be used for the countries eligible under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF)25, it requires the allocation of a minimum of EUR 400 000 000 of EFSD Guarantee coverage for investments throughout the implementation period of the EFSD Guarantee. The EFSD Guarantee should only become available when EUR 400 000 000 of 11th EDF funds have been allocated to the EFSD Guarantee Fund. As the funds of EDF are to be used, the EFSD Guarantee should comprise investments in the areas from which the original funds had been diverted. Commitments to ensure EDF funding is ODA eligible as well as upcoming decisions to be made by the OECD DAC on private sector instruments are to be respected. __________________ 25 Internal Agreement between the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States of the European Union, meeting within the Council, on the financing of European Union aid under the multiannual financial framework for the period 2014 to 2020, in accordance with the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement and on the allocation of financial assistance for the Overseas Countries and Territories to which Part Four of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union applies (OJ L 210, 6.8.2013, p. 1).
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 154 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15 a (new)
(15a) The European Parliament should act to ensure maximum capacity vis-à-vis decision making on loans financing and investment to ensure the credibility and scrutiny of the EFSD.
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 155 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15 b (new)
(15b) Calls for maximum efficiency and effectiveness in financing and investments' management under the EFSD.
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 156 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
(16) The Commission should report annually to the European Parliament and the Council on the financing and investment operations covered by the EFSD Guarantee, and the plans for coming year, with a view to ensuring full accountability to the European citizens. The report should be made public in order to allow relevant stakeholders, including civil society, to express their views. All other documents relating to the fund should be made publicly available, with a limited regime of exceptions. The Commission should also report annually to the European Parliament and the Council on the management of the EFSD Guarantee Fund so that accountability and transparency are ensured.
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 165 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
(17) In order to take into account lessons learned and allow for further evolvement of the EFSD, the functioning of the EFSD and the use of the EFSD Guarantee Fund should be evaluated by the Commission and subjected to an annual consultation process with relevant stakeholders, including civil society organizations. The application of this Regulation should be evaluated independently in order to assess the level of conformity of the implementation with the legal basis, but also to establish the applicability and practicability of the Regulation in the achievement of its objectives.
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 168 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
(19) In order to contribute to the international fight against tax fraud, tax evasion, fraud, corruption and money- laundering, all financing through EFSD should be provided in a completely transparent manner. Furthermore the eligible counterparts should not support any activities carried out for illegal purposes and should notnor participate in any financing or investment operation through a vehicle located in a non-cooperative jurisdiction. or in tax haven. Counterparts shall also refrain from making any use of tax avoidance or aggressive tax planning schemes.
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 172 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
(20) In order to fulfil the political commitments of the EU on renewable energy and climate change a minimum share of 20% for the funding allocated under the EFSD should be devoted to financing and investment operations relevant for these sectors.deleted
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 179 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5
(5) 'additionality' means the principleevidence based operational approach ensuring that the EFSD Guarantee support contributes to sustainable development by achieving positive results above and beyond what could have been achieved without the support. It may not be aimed at replacing the support of a Member State, private funding or another Union financial intervention, as well as that it is aimed at addressing market failures and avoiding crowding out other public or private investments. It aims to bring development and value additionality as essential parts.
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 189 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. The EFSD shall contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda and the implementation of the European Neighbourhood policy with a particular focus on sustainable growth, job creation, socio-economic sectors and on the support to micro, small and medium sized enterprises, thus addressing. The EFSD shall also contribute to the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement by targeting investments to sectors that advance climate change mitigation and adaptation. The EFSD shall thus address root causes of migration and contributinge to sustainable reintegration of returned migrants in their countries of origin while maximising additionality, delivering innovative products and crowding in private sector funds.
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 208 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
The strategic board shall support overall coordination, complementarity and coherence between the EFSD and existing strategies and instruments, national and geographic indicative programmes, the regional investment platforms, between the three pillars of the EIP and, between the EIP and the Union's efforts on the implementation of the Agenda 2030.
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 215 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. The strategic board shall be composed of representatives of the Commission and of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (High Representative), of the Member States and, of the EIB. The Commission may invite oth, and of partner countributors to become members of the strategic board having regard where appropriate to the view of the board. Partner Countries and res. The European Parliament shall participate in the strategic board as a permanent observer with the right to participate fully in its deliberations. Relevant regional organisations, othe eligibler counterpartsributors, and othe European Parliamentr stakeholders such as civil society groups may be given observer status, where appropriate. The strategic board shall be co-chaired by the Commission and the High Representative.
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 220 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The minutes of the strategic board shall be published as soon as they are approved by the strategic board.
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 221 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. The strategic board should organize annual consultations of relevant stakeholders on the orientation and the implementation of the EFSD as well as the impact on the eradication of poverty and reduction of inequalities. This shall take the form of a civil society advisory board which will ensure that the environmental, social and human rights standards are adequately implemented and respected.
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 229 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The Commission shall establish and make public a scoreboard of indicators covering all three dimensions of sustainable development to be used for the selection of the economically viable projects, to ensure an independent and transparent assessment of the potential and actual use of the EU guarantee.
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 240 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) contribute to economic and social development, with particular focus on sustainability and job creation (in particular for youth and, providing young people, and in particular women), thus addressing root causes of migration and contributing to sustainable reintegration of returned migrants in their countries of origiwith the right skills and decent job creation;
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 243 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda with a specific focus on poverty eradication, reducing inequalities and domestic resource mobilisation;
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 245 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) target socio-economic sectors, in particular infrastructure including sustainable and renewable energy, water, transportwaste, low-carbon mobility, information and communications technologies, environment, sustainable use of natural resources and blue growth, social infrastructure, human capital, in order to improve the socio-economic environmenthuman capital,, with the objective of promoting an inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development that benefits all and leaves no one behind;
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 256 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) provide finance, including in local currency, and capacity development programmes in favour of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises with a particular focus on private and cooperative sector development in partner countries;
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 272 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) provide additionality; in particular, development additionality as defined in article 2;
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 274 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point a b (new)
(ab) allocate at least 35% of the financing to investments with the principle objective of climate action.
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 275 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
(ba) are implemented in full respect of the Human Rights conventions, the OECD Guidelines for Multi-National Enterprises, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the ILO conventions and standards, the Maastricht Principles on the Extraterritorial Obligations of States in the Area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the FAO Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security;
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 277 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
(ca) respect the principles of development effectiveness including untied aid, democratic ownership, alignment and mutual accountability;
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 298 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission mayshall define investment windows for specific regions or partner countries or for both, for specific sectors, for specific projects or for specific categories of final beneficiaries or for both to be funded by instruments referred to in Article 9 to be covered by the EFSD Guarantee up to a fixed amount. In addition, the EIB should provide a written opinion on banking-related matters to accompany each proposal for investment windows. All requests for financial support within investment windows shall be made to the Commission.
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 322 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. At least 100 000 000 shall be allocated for investments in the Eastern and Southern Neighbourhood partner countries and for this purpose the funds should be transferred from the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA II), established by regulation (EU) No 231/2014;
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 325 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The guarantee agreements shall be made publicly available, with a limited regime of exceptions.
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 340 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 4
4. The management of the resources of the EFSD Guarantee Fund referred to in paragraph 2 shall be directly managed by the Commissionentrusted to the EIB under a mandate on behalf of the Union. These resources shall be managed and invested in accordance with the principle of sound financial management and shall follow appropriate prudential rules. On 30 June 2018 the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and the Council a report evaluating the application of this paragraph which shall provide input for a possible amendment.
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 348 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) an assessment of the financing and investment operations in operation and covered by the EFSD Guarantee, sector, country and regional levels and their compliance with this Regulation, including the 35% climate change-related spending;
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 350 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) an assessment of the overall contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda and the implementation of the Paris Agreement;
2017/03/27
Committee: AFETDEVEBUDG
Amendment 66 #

2016/0225(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27
(27) Given the expertise of UNHCR in facilitating the different forms of admission of persons in need of international protection from third countries, to which they have been displaced, to Member States willing to admit them, UNHCR should continue to play a key role in resettlement efforts conducted under the Union Resettlement Framework. In addition to UNHCR, other international actororganisations and non-governmental organisations such as the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the EU delegations should be called upon to assist Member States in the implementation of the Union Resettlement Framework.
2017/04/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 67 #

2016/0225(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28
(28) [The European Union Agency for Asylum] should assist Member States in the implementation of Union Resettlement Framework in accordance with its mandate, including by providing practical and technical assistance and operational support.
2017/04/06
Committee: AFET
Amendment 104 #

2016/0133(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Each Member State where an unaccompanied minor is obliged to be present shall ensure that a representative represents and/or assists the unaccompanied minor with respect to the relevant procedures provided for in this Regulation. The representative shall have the qualifications and expertise to ensure that the best interests of the minor are taken into consideration during the procedures carried out under this Regulation. Such representative shall have access to the content of the relevant documents in the applicant’s file including the specific leaflet for unaccompanied minors. Upon arrival, a well-trained guardian shall be appointed immediately.
2017/03/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 116 #

2016/0133(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph new5 – subparagraph 1
All applications for international protection and requests for family reunification of unaccompanied minors shall be treated with priority. For the purpose of applying Article 10, the Member State where the unaccompanied minor lodged an application for international protection shall, as soon as possible, take appropriate action to identify the family members or relatives of the unaccompanied minor on the territory of Member States, whilst protecting the best interests of the child.
2017/03/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 119 #

2016/0133(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph new5 – subparagraph 3
The staff of the competent authorities referred to in Article 47 who deal with requests concerning unaccompanied minors shall have received, and shall continue to receive, appropriate training concerning the specific needs of minors. This includes modules on risk assessment to target care and protection depending on the individual needs of the child, with a specific focus on early identification of victims of trafficking and abuse, and training on good practices to prevent disappearance.
2017/03/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 58 #

2016/0131(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26 a (new)
26 a Everything possible must be done to guarantee refugees a humane living environment within Member States and refugee camps, particularly with regard to healthcare, the opportunity to receive an education, and the opportunity to work;
2016/09/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 59 #

2016/0131(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26 b (new)
26 b Optimal financing of refugee camps and resource allocation must be followed, so that displaced persons are guaranteed the opportunity to continue living their lives with dignity;
2016/09/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 66 #

2016/0131(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 30 a (new)
30a It is important that Member States continue to contribute financially and with other means towards effectively resolving the refugee crisis;
2016/09/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 10 #

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) In order to safeguard the European Union’s energy supply, it is necessary to diversify energy sources and build new energy interconnections between Member States. At the same time, it is essential to increase energy-security cooperation with the European Union’s neighbouring countries, with strategic partners and also among the European institutions.
2016/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 34 #

2016/0030(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
(5a) In order to safeguard the European Union’s energy supply, it is necessary to diversify energy sources and build new energy interconnections between Member States. At the same time, it is essential to increase energy-security cooperation with the European Union’s neighbouring countries, with strategic partners and also among the European institutions.
2016/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 58 #

2016/0030(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
(5a) In order to safeguard the European Union’s energy supply, it is necessary to diversify energy sources and build new energy interconnections between Member States; at the same time, it is essential to increase energy-security cooperation with the European Union’s neighbouring countries, with strategic partners and also among the European institutions.
2016/06/23
Committee: REGI
Amendment 7 #

2015/2353(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Stresses that the ongoing multiple crises face limited funding under Heading 4 hence constraining EU's capability to fully perform within other policy areas; notes that current crises will endure accordingly with all available assessments, thus additional funding under Heading 4 is urgently required vis- à-vis a sustainable solution to also secure better performance under other Headings;
2016/05/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 49 #

2015/2347(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 – a (new)
7a. Stresses the importance of developing a better regular and functioning air traffic system that would support smaller border EU Member States and bigger central cities; the current flight systems do not operate well as the connections tend to be infrequent and time- consuming.
2016/03/21
Committee: REGI
Amendment 176 #

2015/2344(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Notes that the creation of the Euro led to the establishment of a European Central Bank of federal essence; deplores that Member States did not draw the political and institutional consequences of the creation of a single currency by creating a democratic economic, budgetary and fiscal government for the Eurozone; is convinced that without a genuine Economic government the euro area will always be deprived of the necessary tools to implement a proper policy mix;
2016/06/09
Committee: BUDGECON
Amendment 332 #

2015/2344(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Points out that effective stabilisation of large euro area Member States or a group of closely economically intertwined countries requires sufficient resourcein order to access the fiscal capacity, Eurozone members will have to qualify for it and converge the way they did in the run-up to the euro; Notes that the creation of the fiscal capacity must go hand-in-hand with the democratisation and strengthening of the governance structure of the Eurozone as well as the harmonisation of national public accounts;
2016/06/09
Committee: BUDGECON
Amendment 757 #

2015/2344(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
38. Stresses that the Communitya new federal method should prevail in the development of economic governance for the euro area; urges that no reinforcement of intergovernmental structures should take place in parallel with existing structures;
2016/06/09
Committee: BUDGECON
Amendment 798 #

2015/2344(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)
41a. Is convinced that the macroeconomic governance of the euro area should evolve towards a system of surveillance centred on a limited number of fiscal indicators with clear and simple rules; considers that a strong enforcement of these rules coupled with an ambitious fiscal capacity should allow for less intrusion from the European level into policy-making at national level; stresses that such an application of the subsidiarity principle would allow for a more credible and more democratic governance of the euro area, which would foster ownership by citizens;
2016/06/09
Committee: BUDGECON
Amendment 813 #

2015/2344(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Stresses that the non-euro countries, who do not have an opt-out need to make further effort to fulfil the criteria needed for the adoption of Euro, furthermore the relevant EU institutions must help them to achieve this goal;
2016/06/09
Committee: BUDGECON
Amendment 82 #

2015/2343(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas EU defence policy should enhance Europe's ability to reinforce security both within and outside the EU and consolidate the partnership with NATO and transatlantic relations, thereby helping to strengthen NATO as well;
2017/01/13
Committee: AFETAFCO
Amendment 209 #

2015/2343(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 c (new)
10 c. In accordance to with Article 43(2) TEU calls on the Council to ensure coordination of the civilian and military aspects of tasks referred to in Article 43(1) TEU and civilian and military capabilities listed in Council conclusions on implementing the EUGS in the area of Security and Defence from 14 November 2016 by setting-up an EU Operational Headquarters as a precondition for effective planning, command and control of common operations;
2017/01/13
Committee: AFETAFCO
Amendment 232 #

2015/2343(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Stresses that the use of all possibilities provided for in the Treaty would improve competitiveness and functioning of the defence industry in the single market, further stimulate defence cooperation through positive incentives, and targeting projects that Member States are not able to undertake, reducing unnecessary duplication, and promoting a more efficient use of public money;
2017/01/13
Committee: AFETAFCO
Amendment 252 #

2015/2343(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the projectedConsiders it essential to increase in national defence expenditure to 2 % of EU GDP; highlights that this would mean extra expenditure of nearly EUR 100 billion on defence by the end of the coming decade; considers that this boost should be used to launch more strategic cooperative programmes within and through the Union, by better structuring the demand and supply sides and making both sides more efficient and more effective;
2017/01/13
Committee: AFETAFCO
Amendment 276 #

2015/2343(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Considers it essential to create within the Commission a separate post of Commissioner for the CSDP;
2017/01/13
Committee: AFETAFCO
Amendment 335 #

2015/2343(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Encourages the Member States to establish and join PESCO within the Union framework, with a view to sustaining and improving their military capabilities through doctrine and leadership development, personnel development and training, defence material and infrastructure development, and interoperability and certification; underlines the importance and necessity of participation by all Member States in permanent and efficient structured cooperation;
2017/01/13
Committee: AFETAFCO
Amendment 385 #

2015/2343(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31 a. Urges the Parliament to turn its Subcommittee on Security and Defence into a fully-fledged parliamentary committee, enabling it to have a prominent role in the implementation of the common security and defence policy and particularly a role in the scrutiny of legal acts related to the security and defence;
2017/01/13
Committee: AFETAFCO
Amendment 428 #

2015/2343(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36 a. Urges the establishment of precise and binding guidelines to provide a well- defined framework for future activation and implementation of Article 42(7) TEU;
2017/01/13
Committee: AFETAFCO
Amendment 6 #

2015/2342(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that the financial response to the exceptional influx of refugees has been an ad hoc one and has demonstrated that the Union budget and the multiannual financial framework (MFF) 2014-2020 lack the necessary resources and flexibility for a rapid and comprehensive approach to a major external crisis; emphasises the importance of tackling the root causes of the refugee and migrant movements;
2016/10/19
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 27 #

2015/2342(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes, however, the Commission proposal for a new European External Investment Plan, with a new focus on investment to promote economic and social development in the EU Neighbourhood and Africa; expresses doubts, however, as to whether the proposal is ambitious enough to fully harness the EU’s borrowing and lending potentialects that the investment plan will promote sustainable development without compromising human rights, climate change mitigation and good governance and that transparent management of the European Fund for Sustainable Development and its projects will be ensured;
2016/10/19
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 36 #

2015/2342(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the Commission proposal on the revision of the MFF, in particular with regard to endowing the EU budget with larger crisis instruments; expects that the proposed revision of the financial rules to reconcile the necessary flexibility and accountabilitywill increase accountability and sound financial management.
2016/10/19
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 39 #

2015/2342(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses that all Member States must keep to their financial commitments made with regards to Syria and the refugees;
2016/10/19
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 276 #

2015/2342(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Stresses that everything possible must be done to guarantee refugees a humane living environment within Member States and in refugee camps, particularly with regard to healthcare, the opportunity to receive an education, and the opportunity to work;
2016/10/20
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 444 #

2015/2342(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Is extremely concerned by the continuing conflict in Syria, in which violence against civilians and violations of international humanitarian law over the past five years have led to the forced displacement of half of the country; expresses its full support to Lebanon and Jordan, which continue to demonstrate extraordinary solidarity in hosting millions of refugees in spite of limited resources; expresses its full support to Turkey who is hosting the largest refugee population in the world and notes the importance of the implementation of the EU-Turkey Joint Action Plan to ensure better protection to the refugees;
2016/10/20
Committee: AFETDEVE
Amendment 3 #

2015/2341(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Is concerned by the inconsistent influence that EU funding has on recipient countries due to the lack of country-based funding objectives and limited assessment over its direct and long-term influence;
2016/04/05
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 4 #

2015/2341(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Stresses the importance of providing a better balance of funding for recipient country governments and especially its reliable civil society actors, who tend to be more aware of societal deficiencies, which are in need of support;
2016/04/05
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 32 #

2015/2327(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Regrets that due to high level of administrative burden Erasmus+ funding can be unreachable for smaller organisations; believes that bureaucracy and reporting requirements should be simplified;
2016/10/17
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 33 #

2015/2327(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Regrets that the lengthy payment periods in Erasmus+ affects the possibilities of smaller organization to apply for funding;
2016/10/17
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 34 #

2015/2327(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Is of the opinion that volunteering should be considered eligible as a source of own contribution to the project budget as this facilitates the participation of smaller organizations; welcomes the CULT proposal in this regard;
2016/10/17
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 18 #

2015/2320(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Underlines the importance of accessibility to supportive EU funding measures for SMEs located in rural and sparsely populated areas understanding the emphasized positive impact for employment potential of SMEs in these areas;
2016/04/05
Committee: REGI
Amendment 21 #

2015/2320(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Urges both the Member States and the Commission to make significant progress in further simplification of EU funding by 2017 with regard to application, management and monitoring/control of projects by introducing an EU-wide public procurement procedure, complete e- cohesion, applying the single audit based on riskprinciple, the reduction of data and information requirements and the elimination of gold- plating through extensive regulatory optimisation;
2016/04/05
Committee: REGI
Amendment 47 #

2015/2320(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Invites the Commission and the Council to provide further support for COSME, Horizon 2020 and Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs in the context of the MFF review/revision,; stresses the importance of first analysing their effectiveness and then asses ways of better implementation given their crucial role for SMEs locally and regionally and the important effects of innovation and clustering;
2016/04/05
Committee: REGI
Amendment 73 #

2015/2316(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls to mind that ‘everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own’31; emphasises that social status or nationality should in no way impinge upon a person’s right to freedom of movement; castigates states that penalise unauthorised departure from their territory and illegal migration, and denounces the effects of statelessness on access to rights; _________________ 31 Article 13(2) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
2016/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 188 #

2015/2316(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Reiterates that the children of migrants and refugees are entitled to special protection based on the best interests of the child, and is concerned about difficulties in registering their birth; considers it essential to protect and safeguard the health of refugees' children;
2016/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 138 #

2015/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on all natthe European Unional and international authorit, above all, third countries, to ensure thaadopt binding instruments devoted to the effective protection of human rights in this field are adopted as a matter of urgency and as widely as possible, and ensure that all obligations stemming from the abovementioned international rules are fully enforced;
2016/04/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2015/2284(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the evaluations of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) show that the results of the interventions of this fund are influenced by factors such as the level of education and qualifications of the targeted workers, as well as by the capacity of absorption of the relevant labour markets and the GDP of the recipient countries; emphasises that such factors are mostly influenced by long- term measures which can be effectively supported by the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds);
2016/01/21
Committee: REGI
Amendment 6 #

2015/2284(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Is concerned by the lack of evaluation on the efficiency and effectiveness of the EGF and calls for more thorough overview on funding and the usage of it for specific Member States; justification of the selection of recipient countries and further work on ensuring that all Member States have equal motivation to apply should be done;
2016/01/21
Committee: REGI
Amendment 16 #

2015/2284(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that the ESI Funds have been contributing significantly to reversing the economic and social effects of the crisis and promoting the long-term objectives of sustainable employment and growth; emphasises that integrated approaches based on multi-fund programming should be preferred only when necessary in order to tackle redundancies and unemployment in a sustainable manner, through an efficient allocation of resources and closer coordination and synergibalance among the Member States, in particular betweenas regards to the ESF and the ERDF;
2016/01/21
Committee: REGI
Amendment 36 #

2015/2284(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Notes that in order to apply for the current EGF funding, 500 workers must be made redundant by a single company but for smaller Member States this marginal rate is more difficult to reach than for bigger Member States, therefore the current minimum threshold should conform to national employment rates and not be restricted to a quota;
2016/01/21
Committee: REGI
Amendment 53 #

2015/2282(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Highlights that there is an overall need for mechanisms that help to simplify business environment and fasten the process of setting up new businesses with REFIT to support the SME competitiveness and absorption of ESI funds, which also stresses the need for fulfilment of ex-ante conditionalities;
2016/03/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 74 #

2015/2282(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Is concerned about the low absorption of funds devoted to SMEs in certain Member States in the 2007-2013 programming period, and warns that the underlying reaswhich is an indicator that shows a stronsg need to be addressed in order to avoid any recurrence of the same problfor improvement in providing access to financing for SMEs and there is a need to reduce complexity of implementation of support schemes in the 2014-2020 programming period;
2016/03/03
Committee: REGI
Amendment 135 #

2015/2276(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Also considers it essential to pursue cooperation in this field with like-minded external allies of the EU and NATO, for example Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand;
2016/03/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 53 #

2015/2275(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital R
R. whereas, and above all, the needs of the countries concerned, rather than any institutional ambition or the desire prematurely to impose values which may have little relevance to the immediate crisis, should be the guiding principle for EU involvement;deleted
2016/02/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 114 #

2015/2275(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Calls for regular reviews to be carried out to determine how far Member States have met their contribution commitments;
2016/02/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 120 #

2015/2275(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Maintains that crimes committed by peacekeepers should be treated as an extremely serious matter and the utmost efforts made to prevent them;
2016/02/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 98 #

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Recognises that differences exist between the EU and Iran on the use of the death penalty; nevertheless believesBelieves that cooperation on anti- narcotics programmes and on the question of juvenile executions, in line with Iran’s own commitments, could provide a common agenda for addressing this question;
2016/08/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 339 #

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Calls on Iran to take steps to normalise relations with Israel;
2016/08/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 352 #

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Believes that Iran’s revolutionary legacy and its constitution as an Islamic State must not be an impediment for finding common groundCalls on Iran to cooperate with the EU on matters related to democracy orand human rights;
2016/08/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 443 #

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Calls for special attention to be focused on the protection of women’s rights;
2016/08/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2015/2273(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1
— having regard to Tunisia’s ‘Strategic Development Plan, 2016-2020’,deleted
2016/05/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 15 #

2015/2273(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
- having regard to the final report of the EU Electoral observation mission for the legislative and presidential elections in Tunisia in 2014;
2016/05/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 16 #

2015/2273(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 b (new)
- having regard to its resolution of March 10 2016, introducing emergency autonomous trade measures for Tunisia (COM(2015)0460 – C8-0273/2015 – 2015/0218(COD))
2016/05/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 30 #

2015/2273(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas Tunisia currently hosts over a millionmore than 200.000 displaced Libyans, fleeing instability and violence in Libya, thereby putting a strain on the internal situation and infrastructures and leading displaced people to use the premises of former refugees camps such as Choucha, without any basic services being provided;
2016/05/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 38 #

2015/2273(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas Tunisia has suffered several terrorist attacks in the last year; whereas Tunisia is an essential partner of the European Union in the fight against terrorism;
2016/05/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 51 #

2015/2273(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Urges the mobilisation and better coordination of substantial resources for support Tunisia; underlines that without increasing Tunisia's absorption capacity, its stability and good governance in the region, any prospect of reform will be put at risk;
2016/05/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 56 #

2015/2273(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on participants of the Deauville Partnership to fulfil pledge commitments; considers that the situation in Tunisia justifies the launch of a real ‘Marshall Plan’ with appropriatebetter coordination of focused funding to support the consolidation of the democratic transition and foster investment and development in all sectors of the economy, in a comprehensive way; also calls upon the authorities of Tunisia to increase its efforts to enhance its absorption capacity for the financial assistance and consolidation efforts;
2016/05/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 61 #

2015/2273(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on participants of the Deauville Partnership to fulfil pledge commitments; considers that the situation in Tunisia justifies the launch of a real ‘Marshall Plan’ with appropriate fundingsubstantial aid with a view to supporting the consolidation of the democratic transition and foster investment and development in all sectors of the economy, in a comprehensive way;
2016/05/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 67 #

2015/2273(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Commends the good cooperation between Tunisia and its neighbours, as illustrated for example by the signing of a preferential trade agreement and the establishment of local transborder committees with Algeria aimed at fostering local development, and by the intertwining of Tunisia’s economy with Libya’s and by the solidarity of the Tunisian people with displaced Libyans; expresses the utmost concern regarding a possible foreign military intervention in Libya;
2016/05/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 90 #

2015/2273(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for the continuation of technical and capacity-building support for civil society groups, since these have proven to be of fundamental importance for democratic transition and overall development, government accountability, and monitoring of respect for human rights, including the protection of women; whereas civil society organisations have a crucial role to play in Tunisia;
2016/05/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 97 #

2015/2273(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Deems it necessary that the Commission and the EEAS provide support for local elections (scheduled in October 2016) and an EU and EP monitoring mission, should it be requested by the Tunisian Government as it was already the case for the legislative and presidential elections in 2014; calls for strengthened support for municipalities in the framework of Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM), and by fostering the development of twinning projects in coordination with the Member States;
2016/05/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 128 #

2015/2273(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Whereas freedom of expression online and offline and freedom of assembly are indispensable pillars of a democratic and pluralistic society; whereas freedom of the press and media are vital elements for democracy and an open society;
2016/05/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 132 #

2015/2273(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Supports using IT-based solutions for establishing and developing an e-state and an e-administration;
2016/05/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 134 #

2015/2273(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Welcomes the fact that Tunisia has joined the Freedom Online Coalition and calls for it to participate more actively;
2016/05/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 145 #

2015/2273(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Welcomes the start of the negotiations on an ambitious Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Tunisia; underlines that international trade is essential for the Tunisian economic, social and political development and stability;
2016/05/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 147 #

2015/2273(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. CWelcomes the adoption of the emergency autonomous trade measures for the Republic of Tunisia as a concrete step to support the Tunisian economy; calls for an increase in EU aid to Tunisia through the ENI and for the coordination of international aid to Tunisia; encourages partnerships with other interested global and regional donor countries and organisations, and in particular, measures promoting investment in the manufacturing sector which would boost employment; notes that the tourism sector has been dramatically impacted by the attacks in 2014 and, considering the measures implemented since then by the Tunisian authorities, calls on the Member States to reassess the security situation as quickly as possible;
2016/05/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 169 #

2015/2273(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. WelcomesEncourages the early adoption of the Tunisian Strategic Plan for Development 2016-2020 and calls for its swift implementation with the adoption of regulatory frameworks aimed at facilitating the absorption of European support and of all international financial institutions; welcomes the adoption of the new investment code, which should create regulatory stability and facilitate investments, and the tax reforms; calls for the modernisation of the public administration, which should operate in an efficient and transparent way, thus greatly facilitating the implementation of projects and the better use of funds;
2016/05/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 209 #

2015/2273(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Recognises that Tunisian security is weakened among other reasons by the current internal situation in Libya; notes the building of a wall at the border with Libya; expresses concerns at the high number of Tunisian foreign fighters joining Daesh and other terrorist groups; underlines the necessity to reform the country’s intelligence services while respecting the rule of law and human rights conventions;
2016/05/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 222 #

2015/2273(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Calls for an increase in support for security sector reform in Tunisia and calls for swift implementation of the programmes currently in place; strongly calls on the Tunisian Ministry of the Interior, to support the reform of the security sector and also calls for the establishment of a national security adviser in Tunisia; calls for the Member States to share best practices in the security field in Tunisia;
2016/05/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 229 #

2015/2273(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28 a. Welcomes the enhanced political dialogue between the EU and Tunisia in the fight against terrorism; reminds the importance of protecting human rights in the context of counter-terrorism measures.
2016/05/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 248 #

2015/2273(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Welcomes the EU and the Tunisia Mobility Partnership signed in March 2014 and calls for its rapid implementation; calls for the signature of a visa waiver forwift negotiation of a readmission agreement between the EU and Tunisia; and notes that though mobility partnerships rely on national competences, they are included in the EU proposal within the ENP and recommends that Member States show their solidarity with Tunisia by facilitating visas for entrepreneurs, students, researchers etc.;
2016/05/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 48 #

2015/2272(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas closer cooperation between the European Union and NATO is key to European security;
2016/02/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 102 #

2015/2272(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that in future the EU and its Members States will have to rely less on the United States and take greater responsibility for their own security and territorial defence. Calls on the EU and the Member States, therefore, to improve their strategic autonomy regarding defence capabilities and capacities, in order to be prepared to respond to the broad spectrum of civilian and military threats and risks, in full complementarity with NATO;
2016/02/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 226 #

2015/2272(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Is of the opinion that in order to build stability and peace, the EU should keep up its enlargement commitments and continue cooperation with very closely associated countries within the context of the newly revised European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP); recalls that according to Article 49 TEU any European state may apply to become a member of the European Union, provided it adheres to the Copenhagen criteria and the principles of democracy and respect for fundamental freedoms and human and minority rights, and ensures the rule of law; considers that countries which are candidates for membership of the EU should, to the maximum, base their action on the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy;
2016/02/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 327 #

2015/2272(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Supports the principleConsiders it essential that EU Member States should commit to using 2% of their GDP for defence expenditure by 2024 in order to attain a higher degree of defence capability;
2016/02/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 12 #

2015/2258(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that persons with disabilities make a valuable contribution to society as a whole and also as successful entrepreneurs who often run small business, and that this enriching contribution can be even greater if the (working and entrepreneurial) environment is properly adapted, for which ESI Ffunds are needed;
2016/02/23
Committee: REGI
Amendment 14 #

2015/2258(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. NotStresses that persons with disabilities make a valuable contribution to society as a whole, and that this contribution can be even greater if the (working) environment is properly adapted, for which ESI Funds are needed;
2016/02/23
Committee: REGI
Amendment 17 #

2015/2258(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Encourages the Member States as well as regional and local authorities to increasestrengthen their efforts in the area of prevention of discrimination and exclusion of persons with disabilities, including equal access to health care, housing, transport, product and services, education and employment while increasing the overall awareness of the different disabilities and the corresponding needs;
2016/02/23
Committee: REGI
Amendment 21 #

2015/2258(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. EncourageStrongly recommends the Member States as well as regional and local authorities to increase their efforts in the area of prevention of discrimination and exclusion of persons with disabilities, including equal access to health care;
2016/02/23
Committee: REGI
Amendment 28 #

2015/2258(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Is of the opinion that ESI funding should be used to support deinstitutionalisation and services andzation in a balanced way, meaning that instead of determining that all disabled people must live in homes, policy is framed around people having access to the same range of options as everyone else with regard to where they live and receiving the support they need, wherever they may and if they may choose; notes also that ESI funds should be used to support equal access services, including internet, as well as equal and sufficient living arrangements for persons with disabilities in local communities in all areas: rural and sparsely populated, urban, on equal basis;
2016/02/23
Committee: REGI
Amendment 42 #

2015/2258(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Urges policy makers at local, regional, national and EU level to ensure efficient monitoring of the implementation of the provisions aimed at non-discrimination, as well as the accessibility and use of ESI funding and services to persons with disabilities;
2016/02/23
Committee: REGI
Amendment 45 #

2015/2258(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Notes that the number of citizens with disabilities and/or functional limitations increases significantly within the ageing EU population and this poses an additional challenge and important task for which EFI funds can be of a great use, especially for regional and local authorities;
2016/02/23
Committee: REGI
Amendment 35 #

2015/2229(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas respect for human rights is being challenged and is under threatincreasingly less heed is being paid to respect for human rights worldwide;
2015/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 69 #

2015/2229(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital L
L. whereas the death penalty remains one of the EU’s biggest concernsa great concern for the EU when approaching third countries;
2015/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 262 #

2015/2229(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 j (new)
53j. Maintains that it is absolutely essential to end the Russian aggression in Ukraine and bring about stability and respect for human rights;
2015/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 218 #

2015/2220(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Considers it important that all of the countries of Central Asia respect the rules of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and join the WTO;
2015/12/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 226 #

2015/2220(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22 b. Recommends that negotiations be initiated for entry into free trade agreements between the EU and the countries of Central Asia;
2015/12/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 278 #

2015/2220(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26 a. Expresses its concern about the activities of the extremist organisation ISIL in recruiting citizens of the countries of Central Asia and highlights the importance of cooperation between the EU and the countries of Central Asia in preventing and combating terrorism;
2015/12/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2015/2163(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that the staffing formula establishing the balance between staff drawn from Member States and from the community institutions should apply to all levels of the hierarchy, in particular also to Heads of Delegation where Member States diplomats are strongly overrepresented; also underlines that there is still an overreliance on seconded national experts, which further circumvents the staffing formula; urges the EEAS to work towards reducing this overreliance;deleted
2016/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 7 #

2015/2163(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Considers it essential that, when a crisis occurs, the EU’s external offices should also provide consular services for EU citizens;
2016/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 23 #

2015/2132(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses the need to foresee funding for the EEAS to start providing consular functions in its delegations in order to provide help for all EU citizens during crises, as not all Member States can afford having embassies and representations in all of the countries where the EEAS is present; underlines that it is therefore necessary for EU delegations to start providing consular assistance to all EU citizens in need.
2015/07/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2015/2121(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Regrets however the limited amount of the increases proposed in Draft amending budget No 5/2015, which do not correspond to the actual needs given the ongoing and probably worsening crisis in the Mediterranean, the growing risk of an increase in refugees from Ukraine and the necessity to address migratory challenges in general;
2015/06/15
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 22 #

2015/2114(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Is deeply concerned by the spread of violent conflicts in its neighbourhood, notably in Ukraine, Syria, Iraq and Libya, Libya and Yemen, and Russia’s aggression in Ukraine;
2015/09/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 155 #

2015/2114(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Considers it vital that countries which are candidates for accession to the EU should comply with EU positions and principles regarding arms exports and the arms trade;
2015/09/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 41 #

2015/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls on the Commission to accelerate the establishment of mutual energy interconnections between EU Member States, which would help to reduce dependence on energy suppliers outside the EU;
2015/09/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 41 #

2015/2112(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses that climate change topic should be an integral part of development policy and it has to be taken into account in the planning of humanitarian aid and development policy budget.
2015/07/14
Committee: AFET
Amendment 88 #

2015/2104(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital W
W. whereas the United Nations System does not have any parliament;deleted
2015/09/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 127 #

2015/2104(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that the General Assembly representing the governments of all member countries must have ways and means to give direction to the United Nations System and coordinate all its activities; is of the opinion that in the long term the democratic governance of the UN should be strengthened by establishing a World Parliament representing the people;
2015/09/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 156 #

2015/2104(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Considers that, as part of the reform of the UN, consideration should be given to the right of veto of the permanent members of the UN Security Council, their responsibility for its use and preclusion of its use in the case of investigations of crimes against humanity;
2015/09/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 157 #

2015/2104(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Considers that the procedure for selecting the UN Secretary General should be substantially altered and that the aim should be to permit all UN member states to participate in electing the UN Secretary General; takes the view that the UN Secretary General should be chosen by means of a vote in the UN General Assembly;
2015/09/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 194 #

2015/2104(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Considers that more should be done to ensure that UN member states honour their promises to provide humanitarian aid by publishing regular overviews of compliance with obligations;
2015/09/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 208 #

2015/2104(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Is of the conviction that the economic and social dimension of the UN System must be substantially strengthened, and that this could be achieved through the establishment of a Sustainable Development Council as the main decision making body for all sustainable development related matters (based on the three pillars, social, economic and environmental), ensuring coordinated and efficient assessment of the needs, and adoption of necessary roadmaps, decisions and binding measures; stresses that this is necessary to effectively implement the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the UN Summit in September;deleted
2015/09/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 225 #

2015/2104(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. With a view to ensure the necessary legitimacy, efficiency and effectiveness of the decisions that this Sustainable Development Council would take, considers that its status and composition should be similar to those of the Security Council with a few permanent members, including the EU, and rotating ones; considers however that no justification whatsoever can be found to entitle a country or a regional organisation to the right to stop any decision taken by a majority or a qualified majority of the members, and therefore rejects any form of veto right;deleted
2015/09/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 237 #

2015/2104(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Considers that this Council should also have a strong coordinative role in all other fields in the UN System but security; in light of the recurring human catastrophes linked to illegal migrations, and considering that sustainable development of the countries of origin could facilitate in the long run a drying up of illegal migration flows, is of the conviction that this Council should coordinate the work of all agencies related to this concern;deleted
2015/09/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 256 #

2015/2104(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Is of the view that the Sustainable Development Council should coordinate also the work of the World Bank Group, the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organisation, to ensure that their respective decisions are taken and actions are carried out in an efficient and coherent fashion; in the same spirit, is therefore of the opinion that the activities of the unofficial G-20 Group should be merged to those of this Council;deleted
2015/09/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 272 #

2015/2104(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Believes that, besides promoting economic and social development in the world, the Sustainable Development Council should also be responsible for human well-being related matters; considers that the Sustainable Development Council should also be responsible for cultural sustainability, since culture is recognized as a key factor for building sustainable societies together with social, economic and environmental development, by integrating education, cultural diplomacy, protection of heritage, creative sector and scientific research in the policy-making approach;deleted
2015/09/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2015/2096(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the Partnership and Co- operation Agreement aims to establish a modern, broad-based and mutually- beneficial partnership, based on shared interests and principles such as equality, mutual respect, the rule of law and human rights;
2015/09/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 17 #

2015/2096(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas Article 1(1) of the Framework Agreement confirms the commitment to the general principles of international law and lays down ‘respect for democratic principles and human rights' as an essential element of the agreement and binds both parties to strive for a high standard of rule of law and respect for fundamental right, underpinning the internal and international policies of both Parties;
2015/09/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 37 #

2015/2096(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Underlines that the Partnership and C-Operation Agreement defines the future relations in a broad spectrum, to further enhance the co-operation on global and regional challenges, such as good governance and the fight against corruption, economic and social progress taking into account the principle of sustainable development, disarmament and weapons of mass destruction, the fight against terrorism;
2015/09/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 38 #

2015/2096(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Calls upon the Vietnamese Government to honour its commitments in the World Trade Organisation, and the full implementation of all relevant WTO- rules in this regard;
2015/09/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 42 #

2015/2096(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Calls upon the EU Member States, in an effort to achieve policy coherence, to align their individual goals of their respective development co-operation as much as possible with the goals set out in the Partnership and Co-Operation Agreement;
2015/09/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 43 #

2015/2096(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Welcomes as well the near doubling since 2010 of the Vietnamese GDP/capita, as well as the Vietnamese exports and notes their high share in the total Vietnamese GDP, and encourages in this regard the full and swift implementation of all international trade related chapters in the Agreement and the Free Trade Agreement, to support the further growth of the Vietnamese economy to the benefit of it's citizens;
2015/09/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 45 #

2015/2096(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 d (new)
1d. Welcomes the early implementation of the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement, while the ratification process is ongoing, in the fields of trade, human rights, migration, regional security, energy, science and technology;
2015/09/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 46 #

2015/2096(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 e (new)
1e. Stresses the importance of establishing clear benchmarks and binding deadlines for the implementation of the Agreement;
2015/09/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 57 #

2015/2096(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Encourages the EU to continue Vietnam's capacity development in promoting respect for good governance and rule of law and welcomes the focus of EU cooperation on inter alia reforms of public administration, science and technology, transport, and urban and regional planning and development;
2015/09/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 67 #

2015/2096(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the EU to ensure that the policies the EU and its Member States pursue in the context of the implementation of the PCA and the future FTA with Vietnam help advance the respect for human rights, rule of law and good governance; suggestsand calls for capacity building efforts to enhance the setting uplement of a complaint mechanism that can be useds by affected individuals and communities; in the context of Titel VI, art 35 of the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement;
2015/09/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 72 #

2015/2096(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses the importance of establishing clear benchmarks and binding deadlines for the implementation of the Agreement;deleted
2015/09/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 110 #

2015/2096(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Shares the Vietnamese Government's concerns that increasing corruption represents one of Vietnam's main challenges and notes with particular concern that citizens, including journalists and bloggers who denounce corruption are targeted by the authorities;
2015/09/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 153 #

2015/2095(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls for the EU to make a greater contribution for the purposes of financing and equipping refugee camps outside the EU in order to create better conditions there; considers that this would help reduce the need for refugees to move on;
2015/09/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2015/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6
— having regard to the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on trade and commercial and economic cooperation, signed on 18 December 1989 and approved by the Council Decision of 26 February 19904 , __________________ 4 OJ L 68, 15.3.1990, p. 1.deleted
2016/04/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 117 #

2015/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Takes note of some limited improvements regarding freedom of the media, including a new law adopted in 2013; calls on the Turkmen authorities to fully guarantee freedom of speech, to lift any state controls on print and electronic media and social networks, and to allow foreign media outlets access to the country and to information;
2016/04/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 147 #

2015/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Calls on the Turkmen authorities to fully implement the laws banning child labour in a better way;
2016/04/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 174 #

2015/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Calls for a greater cooperation between Turkmenistan and the EU on fight against terrorism and ISIS, in particular;
2016/04/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 180 #

2015/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
34. Notes that 2015 marks the 20th anniversary of the recognition by the UN of Turkmenistan’s neutrality;deleted
2016/04/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 9 #

2015/2074(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the fact that the Commission Draft General Budget of the European Union for the financial year 2016 reinforces those priorities and proposes to step up EU support for investment, knowledge, jobs and growth-orientated programmes, and in particular for an emblematic mobility programme such as Erasmus+; will pay particular attention to reducing inequalities between apprenticeships and higher education in Europe, notably through ensuring equal access to mobility; is satisfied that, in addition to duly expected increases throughout Heading 3 (Security and Citizenship) and Heading 4 (Global Europe), the Commission is taking up the challenge of responding to new developments such as the crises in Ukraine, Syria and the Mediterranean by responding to the EU's and Member States' needs in the area of security and migration and by demonstrating strong political will in the field of external action and budgetary commitment towards countries of origin and transit;
2015/06/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 23 #

2015/2074(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Notes that the EU Draft Budget for 2016 amounts to EUR 153.5 billion in commitment appropriations (including EUR 4.5 billion reprogrammed from 2014) and EUR 143.5 billion in payment appropriations; points out that, disregarding the effect of the reprogramming in 2015 and 2016, this corresponds to an increase of +2.4% in commitments and +1.6% in payments as compared to the 2015 budget; stresses that these are overall moderate increases following the path set by the MFF, accounting for inflation represent almost no increase in real terms, which stresses on the importance of the efficiency and effectiveness of the spending;
2015/06/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 32 #

2015/2074(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the fact that the EU Draft Budget reflects the joint statement on a payment plan 2015-2016 agreed between Parliament, the Council and the Commission following the shared diagnosis and commitment entered into by the three institutions to reduce this backlog; recalls that, according to the Commission's estimations, the payment appropriations requested in the Draft Budget would bring the total backlog of unpaid bills down to a sustainable level of approximately EUR 2 billion for the cohesion programmes 2007-2013, and would also reduce the abnormal backlog in other headings; consequently undertakes to fully support the Commission proposal and expects the Council to respect its commitments in this regard;
2015/06/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 35 #

2015/2074(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Underlines that Parliament and, the Council and the Commission have committed to avoiding the future build-up of an unsustainable backlog of outstanding payment claims at year's end, while fully respecting and implementing the agreements reached as part of the multiannual financial framework and of the annual budgetary procedures; invites the CommissionReiterates the need, in this regard, to closely and actively monitor the development of this backlog; In this vein, recalls to the Commission its agreement, in the joint statement on a payment plan, to develop its medium- and long-term forecasting tools and to set up an early warning system by early 2016, with the aim to present these first payment forecasts in July, so that the budgetary authority can take duly informed decisions in the future;
2015/06/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 82 #

2015/2074(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
40. Recalls that, with programmes expected to reach full swing, with the integration of new major initiatives in the areas of investment and migration, with the opportunity to settle issues of the past such as payments and special instruments, and with the first activation of new MFF provisions such as the global margin for commitments, the 2016 budgetary procedure will be a test case for the assessment of the current MFF, which will culminate in the process of review/revision to be launched next year; reminds the Commission of its legal obligation to present a review of the functioning of the MFF by the end of 2016 and reiterates its call on the Commission to accompany this budgetary review by a legislative proposal for the revision of regulation No 1311/2013 laying down the MFF 2014- 2020;
2015/06/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 23 #

2015/2063(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Expresses concern that without such action and without combating the root causes of terrorism and radicalisation leading to violence the phenomenon of fighters from Europe travelling to different locations to join jihadist extremist groups, as well as the security risk they present when returning to the EU, are likely to worsen in the years ahead; calls for an immediate review of current programmes in this field and a comprehensive study on the efficiency and proportionality of national and European actions to prevent and combat terrorism;
2015/07/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 38 #

2015/2063(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Encourages the development of targeted and regularly upgraded security and counter-terrorism initiatives, social inclusion and deradicalisation campaigns at Member State, EU and international level with a view to ensuring appropriate responses to emerging threats, including through working in partnership with neighbouring countries and, regional actors, including countries professing authentic Islam;
2015/07/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 55 #

2015/2063(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Council to keep the EU Syria and Iraq and Counter- Terrorism/Foreign Fighters Strategy, adopted on 20 October 2014, under constant review, in the light of the developing security situation in the EU’s southern neighbourhood, alongside other initiatives such as the Commission’s Radicalisation Awareness Network; calls on further obligations to be introduced for Member States, so that they mandatorily share information related to serious crimes and terrorism through a SIS reporting;
2015/07/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 69 #

2015/2063(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Supports greater international cooperation and information sharing from national intelligence services, to identify EU citizens who are at risk of becoming radicalised and travelling to join jihadist extremist groups; further calls for enhanced cooperation between the EU, its Member States, and third countries to divert European citizens from this course of action and to intercept them at the point of exit;
2015/07/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 74 #

2015/2063(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5.a Calls on the European Commission to support Member States in addressing the underlying factors of radicalisation and extremism, designing prevention strategies which encompass the fields of education, social integration, fight against discrimination, intercultural and inter- religious dialogue;
2015/07/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 92 #

2015/2063(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Notes with concern that some Member States are assessing the potential for recruiting former foreign fighters to assist in deradicalisation programmes; believes that deradicalisation programmes can be important tools to reduce recruitment of European citizens by terrorist organisations; calls on Member States to proceed cautiously when introducing such programmes, especially where cooperation is linked to immunity from prosecution;
2015/07/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 102 #

2015/2063(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Believes it is necessary to consider cancelling EU residence permits for those third country nationals and persons with undefined citizenship with permanent or temporary EU residence permits that have joined jihadist extremist groups;
2015/07/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 15 #

2015/2051(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Calls on States to give full support to the International Criminal Court in identifying crimes against humanity and prosecuting those responsible, so as to prevent impunity;
2015/09/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 16 #

2015/2051(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Calls on the UN Security Council to stop using the veto in the case of resolutions concerning humanitarian disasters and crimes against humanity;
2015/09/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 78 #

2015/2008(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Recalls that the EU budget is a tool of internal solidarity in that it supports economic, social and territorial cohesion, helps combat poverty and promotes social inclusion; strengthens EU common foreign and security policy, among other activities enables consular function for EU External Action Services to help EU citizens in case of larger crises; stresses that it is also an instrument of external solidarity by helping make the EU the biggest donor of development aid, by offering support to neighbouring countries and by assisting countries and people facing humanitarian and civilian crises;
2015/02/12
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 199 #

2015/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses that the 16+1 format, in which 11 EU Member States are also participating, is not an official element in relations between the EU and China or in the cooperation agenda of the EU and China, as it does not embrace all 28 EU Member States; considers that, in their relations with China, Member States should avoid adopting positions which require coordination in the Council of Europe or with regard to which the EU is competent;
2015/09/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 285 #

2015/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Observes that the one child policy has indeed gradually been relaxed, but calls for it to be abandoned completely;
2015/09/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 329 #

2015/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Calls on China to increase Internet freedom and to respect the cybersecurity of all countries;
2015/09/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 386 #

2015/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Draws Beijing’s attention to the indispensable role of the US and the EU with regard to China’s modernisation goals, given its support for PutinRussia against the West;
2015/09/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 6 #

2015/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5
– having regard to its previous resolutions on the European Neighbourhood Policy of 20 November 2003 on relations with our neighbours to the east and south6 , of 20 April 2004 on wider Europe – new neighbourhood policy7 , of 19 January on the European Neighbourhood Policy8 , of 15 November 2007 on strengthening the European Neighbourhood Policy9 , of 20 May 2010 on the need for an EU strategy for the South Caucasus, of 7 April 2011 on the review of the European Neighbourhood Policy – Eastern dimension10 , of 7 April 2011 on the review of the European Neighbourhood Policy – Southern dimension11 , of 14 December 2011 on the review of the European Neighbourhood Policy12 , of 23 October 2013 on the European Neighbourhood Policy: towards a strengthening of the partnership: EP's position on the 2012 reports13 , and of 12 March 2014 on assessing and setting priorities for EU relations with the Eastern Partnership countries14 , __________________ 6 Texts adopted, P5_TA(2003)0520. 7 Texts adopted, P5_TA(2004)0278. 8 Texts adopted, P6_TA(2006)0028. 9 Texts adopted, P6_TA(2007)0538. 10 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0153. 11 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0154. 12 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0576. 13 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0446. 14 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2014)0229.
2015/05/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 14 #

2015/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) was created to strengthen the European Union's (EU) partnerships with neighbouring countries in order to develop an area of shared stability, security and prosperity as underlined in Article 8 of the TEU; whereas the objective remains the same;
2015/05/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 24 #

2015/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas the neighbourhood is currently in a state of flux and is less stable and less secure than when the ENP was launched; whereas violence has grown in many of the neighbouring states of the EU affecting the EU directly;
2015/05/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 74 #

2015/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the objectives of the Neighbourhood Policy can better be achieved if it is conceptually split in its two dimensions -- the Eastern Partnership and the Southern Neighbours should be separated and allowed to develop in their own distinct direction;
2015/05/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 79 #

2015/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas freer trade remains of the fundamental importance to the partner countries and the EU itself;
2015/05/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 104 #

2015/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the importance and timeliness of the review of the ENP; emphasises that the revised ENP should be able to provide a quick and adequate response to the situation on the ground, while also putting forward a long-term vision for developinvestment with the neighbouring countries based on lessons learned and, in particular, addressing the lack of reactivity while preserving prelations withdictability; expresses its deep concern over the lack of EU initiatives to engage in the solution of "frozen conflicts" in the neighbouring countries;
2015/05/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 139 #

2015/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Underlines that the fundamental challenge of the ENP lies in delivering tangible and concrete improvements to the citizens of the partner countries - through easier travel rules and visa facilitation and liberalisation, economic opportunities from freer trade and commercial cooperation, and political stability through a long-term focus on democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights;
2015/05/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 216 #

2015/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Regrets the limited resources allocated to the EU's cooperation with its partners within its neighbourhood, notably in comparison with other stakeholders; calls on the Commission to strengthen analytical capacities of the EU on the process in and around Neighbourhood, by, inter alia, allocating such analytical tasks and, accordingly, bigger resources to the EU think tanks such as European Endowment for Democracy (EED) and others;
2015/05/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 302 #

2015/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3
Support for democracy, judicial reform, rule of law, state building and institutional capacity- building
2015/05/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 404 #

2015/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Notes that security and stability are basic concerns in the neighbourhood and that current developments in the region call for a strong security component in the ENP, with adequate policy tools, which hasve regrettably been missing to date;
2015/05/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 407 #

2015/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Notes that security and stability are basic concerns in the neighbourhood and that current developments in the region call for a strong security component in the ENP, which has regrettably been missing to date; security problems and violence directly affect the security situation also in the EU;
2015/05/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 422 #

2015/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Calls for closer coordination between the ENP and wider Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) activities, addressing with one voice the different aspects of the security of ENP countries and of the EU; calls for maintaining the ENP coherence with the EU Security Strategy; welcomes the Eastern partners' in-kind contributions to the EU-led operations and missions worldwide;
2015/05/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 468 #

2015/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Stresses the need to actively promote and assist in the peaceful settlement of conflicts in the region, using different tools and instruments, on the basis of the added value they may provide – such measures include its EU Special Representatives, confidence-building programmes and CSDP missions; believes that greater security in the region could be achieved by enhanced security and defence cooperation in particular with the associated Eastern partners via CSDP missions in these partner countries;
2015/05/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 477 #

2015/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Stresses that more cooperation and harmonization of positions is needed in foreign and security policy areas between the EU and ENP countries;
2015/05/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 508 #

2015/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Underlines the importance of the role of multilateral assemblies, such as EuroNest and PA-UfM,Notes that multilateral organizations, including their assemblies, such as EuroNest and PA-UfM, have showed a lack of flexibility and reaction, failing to deliver the expected results to the radical changing situations in the neighbouring countries; underlines, nevertheless, their important role as fora for political dialogue and a tool for fostering ownership of the Neighbourhood Policy and strongly encourages them to increase their engagement in an adequate manner;
2015/05/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 524 #

2015/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Emphasises the need to build strong partnerships with neighbouring countries; stresses the importance of ensuring that the ENP is part of the EU's broader external policy and of taking into account the other strategic players that have influence on the neighbourhood – the ‘neighbours ofa framework of cooperation between the EU and partners while acknowledging the broader geographical context of our neighbours and their relations with their neighbours' – as well as international and regional organisations;
2015/05/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 529 #

2015/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Notes that it is important to support the ENP countries that receive refugees from third countries and to help the ENP countries to ensure the security of these refugees;
2015/05/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 533 #

2015/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Stresses that the EU should realistically consider the different policy options that its partners face and how to build bridges with their neighbours on different levels and how to address the foreign policy of third countries in its neighbourhood ensuring that it is for the EU and its sovereign partners to decide on how they want to proceed with their relations;
2015/05/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 553 #

2015/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Calls for the EU to explore and identify, together with its partners, priorities for strengthened cooperation and integration in different policy fields, such as economic development, infrastructure and regional development, digital economy, strategic communication, transport interconnections, the environment, competition policies, SMEs, migration, security, energy and energy efficiency, science, education and cultural heritage, with the aim of creating an area of prosperity and good neighbourliness;
2015/05/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 579 #

2015/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
33. Stresses the importance of free movement of people, and supports enhancing visa facilitation and visa liberalisation within the neighbourhood, particularly for students, young people and researchers; calls on the Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, to further enhance mobility partnerships within the neighbourhood and develop possibilities for circular migration schemes, which would encourage and reward regular migrants; visa liberalisation should be accelerated in the ENP countries which have concluded an association agreement with the EU and fully want to cooperate with the EU;
2015/05/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 615 #

2015/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
35. Calls on the Commission to explore and offer to the ENP countries different levels of participation, cooperation and engagement in its policies, programmes and agencies, such as in EUROPOL, customs management and the Energy Community in the fields of fighting against human trafficking, economic and cross-border crimes;
2015/05/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 646 #

2015/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
41. Considers that the visibility of EU assistance should be enhanced in order to make clear to the populations of the partner countries and the EU Member States the benefits of EU support; calls on the Commission to design a special mechanism for providing the EU humanitarian assistance to the Neighbourhood countries that would differ from the model used for all the third countries worldwide and would ensure the EU's high visibility and political agenda among other goals;
2015/05/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 658 #

2015/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
42. Calls on the EU to strengthen its capacity to counter misinformation and propaganda campaigns against the EU and its Member States as such campaigns are directed at diminishing the unity and solidarity of the EU and undermining its fundamental values; calls on the EU to increase visibility of its policies in the Neighbourhood countries;
2015/05/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2015/0302M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8
– having regard to the Council conclusions of 16 Octo9 November 20178 on Afghanistan,
2018/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2015/0302M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)
– having regard to the Geneva ministerial conference on Afghanistan on 27-28 November 2018,
2018/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 7 #

2015/0302M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 22 a (new)
– having regard to the EU Country Roadmap for Engagement with civil society in Afghanistan 2018-2020,
2018/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2015/0302M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 22 b (new)
– having regard to the Tashkent Conference on Afghanistan on 26-27 of March 2018,
2018/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 15 #

2015/0302M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas Afghanistan is at a crucial point, meaning that if further efforts are not taken, then all of the effort, progress, and sacrifice so far put into the development of Afghanistan willrisks to be lost;
2018/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 16 #

2015/0302M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas Afghanistan is at a crucial point, meaning that if further efforts are not taken, then all of the effort, progress, and sacrifice so far put into the development of Afghanistan will be lostare at risk;
2018/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 18 #

2015/0302M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the European Union and its Member States are collectively the largest international donor to Afghanistan and its people; according to the Multiannual Indicative programme for Afghanistan (MIP 2014-2020), a new development funding of €1.4 billion for the period 2014-2020 is allocated;
2018/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 50 #

2015/0302M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Remains committed to supporting the Afghan Government in its efforts to build a secure and stable future for the people of Afghanistan by undertaking key reforms in order to further improve governance and the rule of law, to fight terrorism and extremism, to achieve sustainable peace and development, to build legitimate, democratic institutions, to promote the respect of human rights, including women’s rights, to fight corruption, to counter narcotics, to improve fiscal sustainability and to foster inclusive economic growth;
2018/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 52 #

2015/0302M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Remains committed to supporting the Afghan Government in its efforts to build a secure and stable future for the people of Afghanistan by undertaking key reforms in order to further improve governance and the rule of law, to build legitimate, democratic institutions, to promote the respect of human rights, including women’s rights, to fight corruption, to counter narcotics, to improve fiscal sustainability and to foster inclusive economic growth and rural development;
2018/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 56 #

2015/0302M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Underlines the importance of continuing support of the EU and international community to achieve and preserve the stability and development of Afghanistan;
2018/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 62 #

2015/0302M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Underscores that the long-term development of Afghanistan will depend on accountability of governance, the sustainable provision of human security, reduction of poverty, the protection of fundamental freedoms and human rights, and the creation by the country’s government of an environment that enables further foreign investment;
2018/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 63 #

2015/0302M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses that a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Afghanistan is needed and all efforts should be directed towards that most urgent objective;
2018/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 68 #

2015/0302M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Is concerned of the highly volatile security situation in Afghanistan with continuing high number of incidents, especially the deteriorating security conditions in the North; is concerned about the worsening effect of the conflict on the civilian population in which in the first half of 2018 the conflict caused the highest number of civilian deaths in a six- month period since 2009;
2018/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 87 #

2015/0302M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Recognises that support and positive co-operation from neighbouring countries and, regional powers and Central Asia, in particular China, Iran, India, Russia and Pakistan, are essential to the stabilisation and development of Afghanistan; regrets that a stable and successful Afghanistan is not always the end goal for these regional actors;
2018/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 95 #

2015/0302M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Emphasises the importance of Afghanistan´s infrastructure and regional development as fundamental elements to improve trade and connectivity between Central Asia and South Asia countries generating, as well, a stabilising factor in the region;
2018/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 106 #

2015/0302M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Is concerned about the ongoing territorial gains of the Taliban and various terrorist groups and strongly condemns attacks committed by them against Afghan civilians, security forces, institutions and civil society; reiterates its full commitment to fighting all forms of terrorism and pays tribute to all coalition and Afghan forces and civilians who have paid the ultimate price for a democratic, secure and stable Afghanistan;
2018/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 107 #

2015/0302M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Is concerned about the territorial gains of the Taliban and various terrorist groups, including IS, and attacks committed by them against Afghan civilians, security forces, institutions and civil society; reiterates its full commitment to fighting all forms of terrorism and pays tribute to all coalition and Afghan forces and civilians who have paid the ultimate price for a democratic, secure and stable Afghanistan;
2018/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 119 #

2015/0302M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Emphasises the need to continue and enhance the fight against narcotics as Afghanistan economy is highly dependent on poppy production and whereas this illicit drug trade is used by the Taliban to fund its operations; notes that opium from Afghanistan is the main source of heroin in the EU; calls on Afghanistan to fight against the illicit mining, which is the second largest source of funding for terrorist organisations;
2018/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 122 #

2015/0302M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Underscores that combating terrorism and its financing is key to creating an environment conducive to security in Afghanistan; underlines the need to fight radicalisation, extremism and recruitment of terrorist organisations;
2018/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 123 #

2015/0302M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)
9c. Welcomes the first ceasefire period since 2001, Eid al-Fitr, which demonstrated a widespread desire for peace among Afghans; calls for Taliban to adhere to the calls of Afghan president for a new ceasefire period;
2018/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 141 #

2015/0302M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Welcomes the EU financial package for Afghanistan launched at the Geneva ministerial conference on 27-28 November 2018 in the amount of 474 million euros, which is intended to support Afghanistan public sector to sustain its reform and fight against corruption, as well as development of human rights and democratic governance, the peace process, work towards achieving gender equality, justice sector reform as well as challenges in migration and forced displacement;
2018/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 151 #

2015/0302M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Supports and endorses the Government of Afghanistan’s new counter- narcotics strategy, backed by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); notes that it is critical to generate tangible and sustainable alternatives vis-a-vis poppy production and its producers;
2018/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 160 #

2015/0302M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Is concerned about the growing number of more violent and deliberate attacks on health facilities, health workers and the targeting of civilian infrastructure; urges all parties to respect their obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law to prevent attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructures;
2018/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 162 #

2015/0302M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Stresses the need to work towards decreasing the mortality rate of women giving birth as well as newly born children;
2018/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 173 #

2015/0302M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Stresses the need to address high rate of unemployment and fight against poverty in order to work towards achieving peace and stability in the country;
2018/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 223 #

2015/0302M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 8 a (new)
Migration Is concerned about the unprecedented numbers of returning migrants mainly from Pakistan and Iran and to a lesser extent from Europe; is concerned about the lack of standing integrational policies from the Afghan authorities to manage the present returnees; is convinced that proper integration of migrants is crucial to ensure stability in the country;
2018/12/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 14 #

2015/0277(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10 a (new)
(10a) Flights with transponders that are not switched on seriously endanger civil aviation, and it is therefore necessary to devise measures to detect such flights as early as possible, in order to avoid dangerous situations, and to find an international way of putting an end to such flights with transponders that are not switched on.
2016/05/27
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 16 #

2015/0277(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 a (new)
(14a) Pilots, cabin crew, operators and all other persons who are permitted to be present unsupervised in the movement area of an aerodrome or in another operating area must undergo background security vetting in order to guarantee maximum trustworthiness of people involved with aviation and thus security of aviation.
2016/05/27
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 38 #

2015/0277(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 2
2. A pilot licence shall be issued upon application, when the applicant has demonstrated that he or she complies with the rules established by delegated acts adopted pursuant to Article 25 to ensure compliance with the essential requirements referred to in Article 19 on theoretical knowledge, practical skill, language proficiency and experience and when the pilot has undergone thorough background security vetting.
2016/05/27
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 39 #

2015/0277(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 3
Those attestations shall be issued upon application, when the applicant has demonstrated that he or she complies with the rules established by delegated acts adopted pursuant to Article 25 to ensure compliance with the essential requirements referred to in Article 19 on theoretical knowledge, practical skill and medical fitness and when the cabin crew have undergone thorough background security vetting.
2016/05/27
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 40 #

2015/0277(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
That certificate shall be issued upon application, when the applicant has demonstrated that it complies with the rules established by the delegated acts adopted pursuant to Article 28 to ensure compliance with the essential requirements referred to in Article 26 and when the operator has undergone thorough background security vetting. The certificate shall specify the privileges granted to the operator and the scope of the operations.
2016/05/27
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 74 #

2015/0277(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex VII – point 2 – point 2.1 – paragraph 2 – point l
(l1) the aerodrome operator shall ensure that any person permitted unescorted access to the movement area or other operational areas is adequately trained and qualified for such access and has undergone background security vetting;
2016/05/27
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 95 #

2015/0263(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) Support under the Programme should be provided by the Commission upon request by a Member State, in areas such as regional and urban policy, budget and taxation, public function, institutional and administrative reforms, the justice system, anti-fraud, anti-corruption and anti-money laundering, business environment, private sector development, investment, competition, public procurement, privatization processes, access to finance, investment, trade, sustainable development, innovation, education and training, labour policies, public health, asylum, migration policies, agriculture and rural development and financial sector policies.
2016/09/20
Committee: REGI
Amendment 160 #

2015/0263(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24 a (new)
(24a) Member States that request support from the Programme might contribute with additional funds to the financial envelope of the Programme. Currently, Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 limits the possibility of a transfer of resources dedicated to technical assistance at the initiative of a Member State to those Member States which face temporary budgetary difficulties. Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 should therefore be amended in order to allow all Member States to participate financially to the Programme. The resources transferred to the Union budget should be used for supporting actions contributing to smart, sustainable and inclusive growth or Fund-specific purposes in the Member States concerned. The transfer of the additional funds from the Member States' technical assistance, mentioned above, should be approved by means of a delegated act.
2016/09/20
Committee: REGI
Amendment 174 #

2015/0263(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
The general objective of the Programme shall be to contribute to institutional, administrative and structural reforms in the Member States by providing support to national authorities for measures aimed at reforming institutions, governance, administration, economic and social sectors in response to economic and social challenges with a view to enhancing competitiveness, of EU enterprises, in particular SMEs and their access to finances, economic growth, jobs, creation and investment, in particular in the context of economic governance processes, including through assistance for the efficient and effective use of the Union funds.
2016/09/20
Committee: REGI
Amendment 248 #

2015/0263(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 a (new)
Article 10a Additional financial contributions to the budget of the Programme 1. In addition to the financial envelope set out in Article 9, the Programme may be financed through additional contributions from Member States. 2. The additional contributions referred to in paragraph 1 may consist of contributions from resources provided for technical assistance at the initiative of the Member States under Article 59 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and transferred pursuant to Article 25 of that Regulation. 3. These additional contributions referred to in paragraph 1 shall be used to support actions which contribute to delivering the Union strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. A contribution made by a Beneficiary Member State in accordance with paragraph 2 shall be used exclusively in that Member State. 4. Each additional contribution from Member States, as mentioned in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Article 10a, to the financial envelope set out in Article 9, shall be approved through a delegated act.
2016/09/20
Committee: REGI
Amendment 259 #

2015/0263(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 a (new)
Article 17 a Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 is amended as follows: 1. Article 25 is amended as follows: (a) the title is replaced by the following: 'Management of technical assistance for Member States' (b) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following: '1. On the request of a Member State pursuant to Article 10 of Regulation (EU) 2015/ XXX of the European Parliament and the Council(*), a part of the resources provided for under Article 59 of this Regulation and programmed in accordance with Fund-specific rules may, in agreement with the Commission, be transferred to technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission for implementation of measures in relation to the Member State concerned in accordance with point (l) of the third subparagraph of Article 58(1) of this Regulation through direct or indirect management." (*) OJ [...]' (c) in paragraph 3, the first subparagraph is replaced by the following: 'A Member State shall request the transfer referred to in paragraph 1 for a calendar year by 31 January of the year in which a transfer is to be made. The request shall be accompanied by a proposal to amend the programme or programmes from which the transfer will be made. Corresponding amendments shall be made to the Partnership Agreement in accordance with Article 30(2) which shall set out the total amount transferred each year to the Commission.' (d) the following paragraph 4 is added: '4. Resources transferred by a Member State according to paragraph 1 shall be subject to the decommitment rule set out in Article 136.' 2. in the third subparagraph of Article 58(1), point (l) is replaced by the following: '(l) actions financed under Regulation (EU) 2015/XXX in order to contribute to delivering the Union strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.'
2016/09/20
Committee: REGI
Amendment 36 #

2015/0028(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 1
Regulation (EC) No 1007/2009
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The placing on the market of seal products shall also be allowed provided that all the following conditions are satisfied: (a) the person placing the seal products on the market can provide evidence that the seal products would otherwise be discarded; (b) the nature and quantity of seal production provided by the hunter indicate that trading opportunities of seal material are occasional, small scale and that such trading has been conducted for a non-commercial purpose; (c) the seal products result from hunts conducted on seal populations with favourable conservation status; (d) the seal products result from hunts that have been conducted in a way that respects animal welfare.
2015/04/28
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 4 #

2014/2214(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the strategic importance of promoting European integration, regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations through the tools and means of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR); expects new impetus to be given to the strengthening of peace and security in South East Europe; stresses that there must be a clear EU perspective for the South East Europe countries;
2015/06/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 25 #

2014/2214(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Considers it essential that EUSAIR contribute to the EU accession process of the South East Europe countries by addressing common regional challenges; calls for these countries to be fully and effectively involved in all steps of EUSAIR's implementation and for them to improve their connectivity among themselves and with the rest of the EU, including the Adriatic-Ionian Corridor; calls for their significant disparities and deficits in infrastructure to be tackled, in particular as regards road and rail networks, intermodal connections and traffic management systems; encourages the development of synergies and coordinated policies between the EU, the relevant Member States and the South East Europe countries, also in the area of foreign policy; considers it important that the South East Europe countries tackle issues of corruption, ensuring the rule of law and respect for human rights;
2015/06/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2014/2205(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that, under Article 208 TFEU, the primary objectives of EU development cooperation isare to reduce and eradicate poverty; highlights the fact that development cooperation must be guided by that objective and not by geostrategic or economic interests; refuses to accept that development cooperation should be subordinate to external and security policy, to promote human rights, to spread and to strengthen democracy, good governance and the rule of law; highlights the fact that development cooperation must be guided by these objectives;
2015/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 14 #

2014/2205(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Requests all EU enterprises to fulfil their corporate social responsibility to respect human rights in line with the UN Guiding Principles; Urges the European Union to look for ways to strengthen Corporate Social Responsibility, for example by improving visibility of CSR and enhancing market reward for companies adhering to CSR guidelines;
2015/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 15 #

2014/2205(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Calls for the development of more effective transparency and accountability standards for EU technology companies in connection with the export of technologies that can be used to violate human rights, to aid corruption or to act against the EU's security interests;
2015/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 16 #

2014/2205(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Notes that the framework for development assistance must be set by governments and that there is a primary task for the public sector; acknowledges however, that the private sector also plays an important role in strengthening the economies of third countries and improving access to capital;
2015/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 17 #

2014/2205(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Stresses that development policy cannot achieve these objectives as a stand-alone policy, but must be integrated in a broader approach, which combines foreign and security policy, trade policy and any other external action policy instruments; Notes that coherence between these different branches of EU external action is crucial;
2015/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 18 #

2014/2205(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1 c. Stresses the need to look at how the private sector can be further engaged in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy, to help create economic growth and jobs in Europe's neighbourhood, for example through sharing expertise of providing access to capital;
2015/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 22 #

2014/2205(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that reducing poverty is not the primary objective of the private sector, by its very nature, and that that is therefore a task for the public sector; rejects public- private partnerships, blending and the focus on microcredit, since they finance corporate profits, above all, and do not reduce poverty;deleted
2015/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 96 #

2010/0310M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Is concerned of the continuing threat of terrorism not only from Daesh, but from other terrorist groupings like Al Qaeda and White Flags among others; recognises that the fight against terrorism in Iraq is greatly influenced by situations surrounding it, like the war in Syria; understands that the root causes of terrorism must be addressed in order to be able to combat it;
2018/04/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 122 #

2010/0310M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the EU to enhance its cooperation in the education sectors and for a reform of education in order to ensure access to quality education at all levels and for all, particularly girlsespecially minors; recognizes the problem of lack of access to school for girls due to customs, perceptions in the society, poverty and safety; calls on the EU to promote awareness regarding the education of girls and to work with Iraqi government to improve the situation as this is crucial for the improvement of their quality of life;
2018/04/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

1998/0031R(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6
– having regard to the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on trade and commercial and economic cooperation, signed on 18 December 1989 and approved by the Council Decision of 26 February 19906, _________________ 6 OJ L 68, 15.3.1990, p. 1.deleted
2018/12/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 3 #

1998/0031R(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas once fully ratified, the PCA would be concluded for an initial period of 10 years, and then renewed annually, enabling the EU to resile from the agreement should serious doubts arise concerning respect for human rights or other serious infringements; whereas the parties may amend the PCA in order to take account of new developments;
2018/12/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 20 #

1998/0031R(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point iv
(iv) An end to enforced disappearances, forced labour, acknowledgment by the country’s authorities of the existence of political prisoners and their release, and access to the country for international organisations and independent monitors;
2018/12/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 23 #

1998/0031R(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v
(v) Ensuring access to various sources of information and, in particular, allowing people to access alternative sources of information and to keep telecommunications devices, such as private satellite dishes or internet connections, an end to the harassment of independent media and human rights activists;
2018/12/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 48 #

1998/0031R(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Council and the VP/HR to proceed with setting up a fully- fledged EU Delegation in Ashgabat, as announced by the VP/HR’s predecessor in November 2018, and thus upgrade the existing EU Liaison Office run from the EU Delegation to Turkey, which is also accredited to Turkmenistan; emphasises that the new Delegation should develop a mutually beneficial cooperation strategy tailored to Turkmenistan’s development conditions and requirements, should monitor the situation in the country, including human rights violations and individual cases of concern, should enable diplomacy on the ground, and should improve the management and oversight of projects funded by the EU external financing instruments;
2018/12/12
Committee: AFET