Activities of Hilde VAUTMANS related to 2020/2041(INI)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on a new EU-Africa Strategy – a partnership for sustainable and inclusive development
Amendments (17)
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls the particularly close historical ties binding the European Union (EU) and Africa, and the EU’s major contribution both in terms of development aid1 and in the smooth functioning of the African Union (AU)2 ;and reaffirms that the partnership between Africa and the EU must be established between two equal entities that are loyal and credible partners. _________________ 1 EUR 19.6 billion, 46% of the overall total (2018)https://ec.europa.eu/commission/pre sscorner/detail/en/qanda_20_375 2USD 327 million, 42% of its budget, E- 003478/2018
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Recalls the importance of designing the strategic partnership with Africa by strengthening the links established with the AU but also by developing regional cooperation and trilateral EU-AU-UN dialogue.
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Recalls that poverty in the African continent remains a key motive for migration; considers that the EU can make better and more efficient use of its instruments such as the EU-Africa Trust Fund and could increase funding of the Erasmus+ Programme for youth education both within the EU and Africa
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Invites to finalize important projects for the development of the African continent such as the fight against corruption, digitalization, sustainable development, the strengthening of the rule of law, the protection of minorities and the most vulnerable, notably children, gender equality, and equal opportunities for all.
Amendment 24 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that the issue of migration must be prioritised in a context in which more than half of all asylum applications in the EU are rejected in a final court decision3 ; takes the view, therefore, that we must focus on making returns more effective by signing readmission agreementsat we must develop a strong cooperation in the field of migration, established on the principles of solidarity, shared responsibility and respect for human rights; underlines the importance of ensuring effectiveness and due process in the return policy and in the conclusion of readmission agreements, giving preference to voluntary return, and isensuring consular laissez-passers;that the rights and dignity of individuals are fully protected and respected. _________________ 3 Source: EUROSTAT
Amendment 40 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Recalls that up to 80% of all international migrants who originate from African countries are moving within the African continent, contributing to Africa’s development, prosperity and integration.
Amendment 44 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Stresses the importance to develop a genuine circular migration policy enabling skilled and unskilled workers to benefit from an exchange of professional knowledge and mobility between the EU and Africa, allowing people to return to their countries of origin and, thus, promoting “brain gain”;
Amendment 50 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Recalls that brain drain is a problem that needs to be addressed with the utmost attention in order to design a genuine and sustainable strategic partnership with Africa; supports prioritizing eligible applications for work permits from countries of origin and transit to the EU (for instance, through embassies or online) in order to discourage migrants from migrating irregularly and ease the burden on the asylum system.
Amendment 53 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
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).
Amendment 78 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
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;
Amendment 82 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for the security and interests of the European continent and its citizens to be taken into accountinterests and legitimate expectations of both Africans and Europeans to be taken into account, including through the direct participation of civil society organisation in the EU- Africa Strategy process.
Amendment 91 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Underlines that Africa's future relies in the hands of its young generation; calls the EU to support concrete initiatives for the empowerment of youth and women in its renewed EU- Africa strategy ensuring their active involvement in decision-making processes of civic and political life.
Amendment 118 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that the EU is among the first to bear the costs of all destructive policies employed against African nations, while other players, especially China and Russia, are focused only on their own benefits at the expense of African sovereignty and European security; calls the European Commission to take it into account in its EU-Africa strategy and to raise this issue at the future EU-China Summit;
Amendment 121 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
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.
Amendment 143 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
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 assist its African partners in the successful accomplishment of this ultimate goal.Recalls that the fight against terrorism is a common priority; calls the EU to continue its efforts to assist its African partners throughout its military operations and civilian missions and support for initiatives coming from the AU, regional organizations such as ECOWAS or G5 Sahel; encourages Member States to participate in EU missions and operations and in bilateral efforts; insists on the importance of the establishment of the European Peace Facility in order to provide a more comprehensive assistance to African partners in regions affected by terrorism;
Amendment 150 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
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.
Amendment 159 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Stresses the need to strengthen the cooperation on migration, based on the respect for human rights and international law; calls on the EU to target its policies to tackle the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement, improving the return rates and to help African partners to fight against smuggling networks and human trafficking;