Activities of Željana ZOVKO related to 2023/2050(INI)
Plenary speeches (2)
Role of preventive diplomacy in tackling frozen conflicts around the world – missed opportunity or change for the future? (debate)
Role of preventive diplomacy in tackling frozen conflicts around the world – missed opportunity or change for the future? (debate)
Reports (1)
REPORT on a European Parliament recommendation to the Council, Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the role of preventive diplomacy in tackling frozen conflicts around the world – missed opportunity or change for the future?
Amendments (72)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
Citation 2 a (new)
– having regard to the Council Conclusions on Conflict Prevention (2011) and on the Integrated Approach to External Conflicts and Crises (2018),
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 b (new)
Citation 2 b (new)
– having regard to Council Conclusions on EU Peace Mediation (2020),
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
– having regard to the Joint Staff Working Document (September 2023) on the Updated toolset for EU Conflict Analysis and Conflict Early Warning,
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A (new)
Recital -A (new)
-A. whereas preserving peace, preventing conflicts and strengthening international security is one of the key external action objectives of the European Union as provided in article 21(2) of the Treaty on European Union;
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas a changing geopolitical context stemming from emerging powers confronting traditional players, attacks on the multilateral system, emerging technologiesdemocracy and rule-based order, emerging technologies and cyber threats, malign third party interference, climate change, food security issues and migration are among the factors contributing to the spread of conflicts and instability around the world;
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
A b. whereas preventive diplomacy in the EU encompasses political and financial support for the multilateral system, trade, development, humanitarian assistance, human rights, focusing on identifying opportunities to address the causes of conflict and creating spaces for dialogue, often in partnership with international and regional organizations as well as concerned parties;
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
A c. whereas emerging powers are confronting traditional players and together with new technologies and further globalisation are leading to increased international competition, together with climate change, food security and migration causes rising tensions and leads to conflicts across the world which are also challenging the EU;
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the multilateral, rules- based order is being reshaped and some former alliances are beginning to re- emergcurrently under threat and being reshaped in the volatile geopolitical situation; whereas some former alliances based on common interest to disrupt this system are beginning to re-emerge; whereas Russia's unilateral actions had a significant impact on the formation of alliances and the establishment of its sphere of influence;
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the EU needs to step up its preventive tools and acknowledge the vital role it has in preserving peace, stability and security both within the EU and outside its borders;
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas although the EU is the biggest international aid donor, in the world providing help to overcome poverty and advance global development; whereas it has not achieved the same impact in the public- diplomacy sphere and should therefore improve its ambition and visibility in the area of preventive diplomacy around the world primarily by communicating its achievements and success in the diplomatic activities undertaken so far, as well as in results of financial support;
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas the EU's approach to preventive diplomacy is aimed at preserving peace, preventing conflicts, and strengthening international security, involving multi-dimensional, multi-level, and multi-actor actions, at the same time addressing various aspects and stages of conflicts, and facilitating spaces for dialogue;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the Council has appointed nine EU special representatives for different conflict regions tounstable and conflict affected regions, some of them acting as mediators and peace facilitators to prevent disputes from escalating and limit the spread of conflict when they occur, but their initiatives and the effects of their actions are not always sufficiently visible;
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas the EU has always been trying to facilitate direct talks and reduce the risk of escalation in different regions of the world, offering support for peace processes, peacebuilding initiatives, and regional early warning systems in a complex geopolitical context;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the EU still does not have the necessary confidence and tools to initiate mediation in areas of strategic importance; whereas this could lead to a rise of anti-European narratives in EU's immediate neighbourhood and third countries;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and its consequences around the world highlights the need for stronger and more ambitious, credible, strategic, tangible and unified EU action on the world stage, and accentuates the necessity of the EU autonomously setting its own strategic objectives and developing and using theits capabilities needed to pursue them in order to avoid repeating prior mistakes and learn from them for the future challenges;
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas security in the Eastern Neighbourhood and, the Western Balkans and Sahel, West Africa and Horn of Africa region is greatly threatened by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its hybrid malign actions and the possibility of this aggression spilling over into neighbouring countries; whereas the destabilisation of our immediate neighbourhood threatens the stability, peace and security of the EUuropean external borders and thus of the EU and its Member States;
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine is a wake-up call for the EU, as it presents an immediate threat to the European and global security order and to the security of the EU and its Member States; whereas Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its consequences around the globe has galvanised the momentum towards achieving a geopolitical redefinition of the EU’s foreign policy, including a reconsideration of its response mechanisms, including the preventive diplomacy toolbox;
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the main obstacle to the EU’s global leadership in preventive diplomacy is the lack of will on the part of the Member States to step away from their individualnational, political or economic interests in external relations in order to build joint capacity together;
Amendment 70 #
J. whereas coordination between the European External Action Service (EEAS), Parliament and the Member States needs to be reassessed in order to deliver results and launch meaningful initiatives in preventive diplomacyand strengthened in order to build up joint capacities and modernize current approach to deliver tangible results and launch meaningful initiatives in preventive diplomacy, peacebuilding and peacemaking; whereas the EU needs to speak with a single voice and its action on the ground should be aligned with that of its Member States, in terms of early warning, conflict prevention and crisis management; whereas the conflict prevention is a common objective for all member states;
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
J a. whereas EU's civilian and military operations have a mandate for conflict prevention, peacekeeping and crisis management, whereas their preventive toolbox capacity should be expanded and additional staff training should be provided;
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J b (new)
Recital J b (new)
J b. whereas emblematic and cultural heritage monuments in war affected areas contribute to peace building and reconciliation amongst communities;
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J c (new)
Recital J c (new)
J c. whereas the implementation of the Women Peace and Security agenda represents an essential tool to confirm that a meaningful and equitable role in decision-making is secured for women of all ages during all stages of conflict prevention, peace-making, peacebuilding and post-conflict rehabilitation; whereas in the EU Strategic Compass Women, Peace and Security forms an integral part of the document;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J d (new)
Recital J d (new)
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J e (new)
Recital J e (new)
J e. whereas EU's cultural diplomacy and protection of cultural and historical heritage are important for coexistence, peace, democracy and sustainable development by promoting solidarity, tolerance and reconciliation through its delegations and actors on the ground;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J f (new)
Recital J f (new)
J f. whereas the return of the US to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is important for global cooperation on the transnational challenges, including preventive diplomacy efforts;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J g (new)
Recital J g (new)
J g. whereas cooperation with Member States, institutions, transatlantic and international partners, EU candidate countries and other countries through exchanges of tools, information and practices can play a key role in upgrading and improving preventive diplomatic tools of the European Union;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
Paragraph 1 – point a
(a) acknowledge the strong link between EU internal and external security and reflect this when approaching conflict prevention and that preventive diplomacy should happen both inside and outside of the EU;
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) adapt and regularly update the EU’s conflict prevention tools to the changing nature of conflicts, including as a result of climate change, the rise of new technologies and food scarcity, while continually assessing emerging global challenges and effectively promoting peace, stability and security;
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) adapt the EU’s conflict prevention tools to the changing nature of conflicts, including as a result of climate change, geopolitical instability, the rise of new technologies and food scarcity;
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c
Paragraph 1 – point c
(c) fully use the means at their disposal to prevent conflict, align the EU’s prevention tools with its political agenda and act as a caretaker during global tragediesequidistant mediatior during crises around the globe; reminds that the EU is known for its legitimacy, credibility, impartiality, and inclusivity;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(c a) integrate cultural heritage in EU's overall approach of crisis management, as a cross cutting component of all actions within the EU toolbox for conflicts and crises;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point c b (new)
(c b) strengthen Peace, Stability and Conflict Prevention thematic programme of the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI – Global Europe) to enable the European Union (EU) to better fund actions to promote peace, stability and conflict prevention;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e
Paragraph 1 – point e
(e) ensure complementarity and a harmonised approach across Parliament’s preventive diplomacy actions;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
Paragraph 1 – point f
(f) improve the EU’s understanding of local, historical, political, social and cultural contexts and invest in cultivating the necessary skills among EEAS staff working on and for conflict prevention;
Amendment 123 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
(g a) utilize and expand cultural heritage protection component in conflicts and crises as a factor contributing to the development of peace, reconciliation and multual understanding and intercultural dialogue in conflict and postconflict areas;
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point g b (new)
(g b) keep track of regional fragmentation and draft regional conflict analyses, with the aim of assessing and preventing transnational threats, inter- state tensions, as well as actual or potential spill-overs;
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subheading 2 – point h
Paragraph 1 – subheading 2 – point h
(h) ensure that the EU’s conflict Early Warning System is sufficiently proactive and based on forward-looking and robust analysis of risk factors that frequently correlate with the outburst of violence, as well as management tools that identify, assess and help to prioritise situations at risk of violent conflict;
Amendment 134 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subheading 2 – point i
Paragraph 1 – subheading 2 – point i
(i) closely involve the EU delegations in countries and regions at risk of conflict or dealing with frozen conflict in monitoring the situation on the ground and regularly contributing to the EU conflict Early Warning System;
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subheading 2 – point j
Paragraph 1 – subheading 2 – point j
(j) assess the results achieved by the EU conflict Early Warning System and propose adjustments to make it more effective so it can indentify structural risk factors and enable policy makers to develop timely strategic responses to mitigate risks and identify opportunities for conflict prevention;
Amendment 142 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k
Paragraph 1 – point k
(k) consider cultural and historical background when appointing special representatives and envoys in order to avoid sparking controversy in conflict regions should the appointment come from a Member State with historical ties to the region concerned; reiterates the crucial importance that these representatives are properly familiarised and trained for the area they will assess;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
(k a) ensure gender equality among special representatives and special envoys in line with policy framework on gender equality, notably the Gender Action Plan III (GAP III) that, together with the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025;
Amendment 148 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l
Paragraph 1 – point l
(l) thoroughly assess, including scrutiny in the European Parliament, what initiatives EU special representatives and envoys have undertaken, what are their results and how they are contributing to preventive diplomacy;
Amendment 150 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m
Paragraph 1 – point m
(m) provide regular and thorough assessments on the accountability of the EU special representatives and envoys and overviewing the initiatives they have undertaken and results that they have achived;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n
Paragraph 1 – point n
(n) improve the transparency and parliamentary scrutiny of the work of the EU special representatives and envoys by providing European Parliament with regular and detailed reports on their activities and achievements;
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point o
Paragraph 1 – point o
(o) ensure that the appointment of EU special representatives, special envoys and ambassadors can only be confirmed after a positive assessment by European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs;
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point p
Paragraph 1 – point p
(p) draw on the lessons learnt from the EU’s prior actions, missed opportunities for preventive diplomacy and its achievements in Africa, the Western Balkans, South Caucasus especially Nagorno-Karabakh, Cyprus, Northern Ireland, Afghanistan, West Bank and Gaza Strip and Ukraine;
Amendment 162 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point q a (new)
(q a) expand the preventive diplomacy toolbox of the EU's civilian and military missions and operations as well as their capacity and staff training in order to anticipate and react more quickly to developing situation on the ground;
Amendment 165 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r
Paragraph 1 – point r
(r) ensure a coordinated approach between the EU and its Member States in conflict prevention and peacebuilding, as opposed to what occurred in Afghanistan where they were working in parallel in different regions;
Amendment 169 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point s
Paragraph 1 – point s
(s) enhance the EU’s ability to rigorously and continuously analyse and predict the political and security situation in crisis regions and adapt the EU’s response to shifting realities on the ground;
Amendment 171 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point t
Paragraph 1 – point t
(t) assess what whas been lacking in the EU’'s preventive diplomacy efforts in Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to avert the increato avert rising tensions due to electoral law issues, recurring inflammatory rhetoric and secessionist acts, which are undermininge its European path and the Dayton-Paris Peace Agreement that created the current institutional framework of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was the basis of peace;
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point t a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point t a (new)
(t a) extend the mission EUFOR Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina and strengthen its conflict prevention toolbox; note that it is most successfull EU peacekeeping and peacebuilding mission to date that has maintained stability in the region and contributed to a safe and secure environment in the country;
Amendment 176 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v
Paragraph 1 – point v
(v) aim to come up with lessons learnt from failed preventive diplomacy efforts in Nagorno-Karabakh in order to avoid future escalations like the one that occurred on 19 September 2023 and situations similar to the one during and after the 2020 war when the EU’s passive stance gave other regional actors, such as Russia, Iran and Türkiye, the opportunity to continue exerting their influence in the regionand diminish European one in the region and prevent the spill-over effect in Armenia;
Amendment 182 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point v a (new)
(v a) prioritise quiet diplomacy as the tool of choice when undertaking prevention initiatives, overcome the early warning-early action gap, increase effectiveness of cooperation with other international partners and improve intra- EU coordination, including on civil- military matters and increase local ownership of EU initiatives;
Amendment 185 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point v b (new)
(v b) develop an EU Agenda/Compact/Guidelines for Peace and Diplomacy under the auspices of the HR/VP;
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v c (new)
Paragraph 1 – point v c (new)
(v c) designate Peace and Conflict Advisors, who will co-ordinate the work of the political, press, and information and co-operation sections of the Delegations;
Amendment 187 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v d (new)
Paragraph 1 – point v d (new)
(v d) create a Council Working Party on prevention and mediation, to discuss the prioritisation of opportunities for preventive engagement, as well as resulting analysis, follow-up, and monitoring;
Amendment 188 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v e (new)
Paragraph 1 – point v e (new)
(v e) propose an institutional upgrade through a new Peace and Prevention Hub that acts as a single-entry point for matters of prevention within the EEAS, enhanced regional co-operation, and increased capacity to engage on topics of conflict, peace, prevention, and diplomacy;
Amendment 191 #
(w) strengthen partnerships and coordination with international, regional and sub-regional actors, such as the UN, the Organization for Security and Co- operation in Europe (OSCE), the African Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, African regional organisations (such as ECOWAS) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN); notes that a closer partnership with the UN and its bodies, notably the Peacebuilding Commission can lead to strengthened coordination in conflict prevention globally;
Amendment 195 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point w a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point w a (new)
Amendment 196 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point w b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point w b (new)
(w b) welcome UN's New Agenda for Peace and the Peacebuilding Commission's role and actions in human rights protection and peace building efforts; proposes to coordinate national conflict prevention strategies with EEAS and their presentation on PBC's agenda as well as stronger collaboration with the UN; notes that these exchanges and better partnership with international and regional financial institutions could attribute significantly to conflict prevention in the areas of EU interest, as well as through smaller preventive missions that could assess instabilities after civilian missions withdraw from conflict affected countries or countries with a potential risk of conflict with a mission to remove factors that threaten security and safety;
Amendment 198 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point x
Paragraph 1 – point x
(x) ensure a coordinated and dynamic approach to early warning, conflict prevention and mediation between the EU and other international organisations, such as the UN, the Peacebuilding Commission, Council of Europe, OECD and the OSCE;
Amendment 200 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point y
Paragraph 1 – point y
(y) pursue structured information exchanges, joint horizon scanning, strategic foresight and gender-responsive conflict analyses to ensure alignment between the EU and its partners within and outside of the European Union; notes that these actions could potentially bring the EU closer to become a leading actor in conflict prevention and resolution around the world;
Amendment 201 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point z
Paragraph 1 – point z
(z) empower national actors in Members States and like-minded partners to serve as key players in effective prevention and as peace actors by using their historical relationships and individuals of distinguished record to mitigate the possible crises;
Amendment 206 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point aa
Paragraph 1 – point aa
(aa) use diplomatic means and cooperate with multilateral platforms for peace to strengthen anticipatory relationships before conflicts arise, especially the UN's Peacebuilding Commision and the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), OECD's International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding (IDPS) and OSCE's Conflict Prevention Centre;
Amendment 208 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point aa a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point aa a (new)
(aa a) call on the EC and EEAS to further enhance EU's visibility in other third and partner countries and strengthen their efforts in implementing EU's strategy for international cultural relations that can demonstrate EU’s added value and advance cooperation and relations with those countries and international partners;
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ab
Paragraph 1 – point ab
(ab) ensure that the EU that is the single largest contributor to the UN system takes leading positions at the UN, in proportion to the size of its contributions to the organisation, which cover 30 % of the its costs and 33 % of the expenses for UN peace-keeping missions;
Amendment 215 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ac
Paragraph 1 – point ac
(ac) enhance the EU’s strategic autonomy in order to increase its standing and geopolitical leverage in conflict prevention and strengthen the EU’s role as a more pro-active and resilient actor in the international order;
Amendment 226 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ae
Paragraph 1 – point ae
(ae) work towards ensuring that the EU takes up a prominent leadership position in peacemaking and mediationkeeping operations, peacemaking, mediation, conflict prevention and the strengthening of international security around the world;
Amendment 228 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ae a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point ae a (new)
(ae a) reminds that greater focus in protecting and preserving cultural heritage after conflicts and crises can help to protect identities, develop mutual understanding and create foundations for sustainable recovery, reconciliation and lasting peace in post-conflict environments; notes that these practices can lay foundations for succesful preventive diplomacy actions;
Amendment 239 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ag
Paragraph 1 – point ag
(ag) step up visibility efforts and communication effortcampaigns in order to ensure that the EU is seen as a global peace actor and a key stakeholder in preventive diplomacy, peacebuilding and conflict prevention and that its actions and success stories are visible and not undermined by false narratives spread or claimed by other global powers present in conflict regions;
Amendment 243 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ah
Paragraph 1 – point ah
(ah) build on existing well-functioning cooperation mechanisms in the EU, such as the Civil Protection Mechanism and CSDP missions and operations, in order to make use of the Member States’ expertise and avoid the duplication of efforts and resources; believes that EU Member States should be more involved in the identification of prevention priorities and options for action, which should lead to improved sharing and coordination among them;