Activities of Željana ZOVKO related to 2023/2105(INI)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the role of the European Parliament and its parliamentary diplomacy in the EU’s foreign and security policy
Amendments (18)
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights the distinct role and value of parliamentary diplomacy in complementing and reinforcing the visibility and impact of EU foreign and security policy, alongside the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Commission and the diplomatic services of the Member States; reminds that parliamentary diplomacy stands out as Parliament's best tool and its most prominent representation in partner and in third countries, particularly when it comes to anticipating actions against undemocratic regimes and advocating enlargement and European values;
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Believes, therefore, that great untapped potential exists for Parliament to further develop its diplomatic role and contribution to the achievement of EU foreign policy objectives; notably through preventive diplomacy that could prevent conflicts before they arise by using the lessons-learned approach and significantly strengthen EU's role as a regional and global peacekeeper;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Highlights Parliament’s specific, dynamic and public contribution to the EU’s foreign and security policy through the work of its committees working on external affairs, which contribute to EU's relations with its partners, particularly the Western Balkans, the Southern and Eastern Neighbourhood and other non- EU countries and international organisations;
Amendment 78 #
6. Notes that, under the overall oversight of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, standing delegations complement the work of the committees by establishing a regular and sustained forum for political dialogue with non-EU countries, including through joint parliamentary bodies and multilateral assembliesits partners in the Western Balkans, the Southern and Eastern Neighbourhood and other non-EU and partner countries, including through joint parliamentary bodies and multilateral assemblies; underlines the importance of parliamentary dialogues and its complimentary role in tackling global challenges and acting as an honest broker;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Highlights that the standing delegations play a key role as a relay between Parliament and its partners around the world, facilitating interaction, debating positions and policies of common interest, and also listening to partners and conveying their views to the competent bodies within Parliament; reiterates that the European Parliament is the only institution that is directly elected by European citizens;
Amendment 92 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Considers that Parliament’s official missions outside the EU form an integral part of EU external policy, which must therefore enjoy the full support of the EU delegations; highlights the Parliament's role in peers contact both in house and senate across party lines in order to foster bridge building and mutual understanding;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Believes that the political dialogue carried out by Parliament with governmental, parliamentary and civil society actors across the world contributes to promoting EU views and values on global standards in areas such as human rights, democracy, climate and energy diplomacy, connectivity, artificial intelligence and digital and technological policies;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses the consistent dedication of Parliament to placing human rights and democracy at the heart of EU external action and providing a key forum in which to hear and amplify the voice of civil society and democratic actors from around the world; underlines that this is of vital importance in the current geopolitical volatile situation and emerging conflicts that threaten EU's stability, security and safety;
Amendment 121 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines the importance and unique nature of Parliament’s democracy support programmes; reminds that this is largely important for better EU visibility in the Western Balkans, Eastern and Southern Neighbourhood and the Pan- African Parliament and can serve as a forum to discuss further actions in the area of democracy support;
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Believes that the lessons learned approach should be applied as soon as possible in order to enhance EU's toolbox for external action in the next parliamentary term and the establishment of the future Commission should be an opportunity tothat will strengthen the framework of interinstitutional relations between Parliament, the EEAS and the Commission, including EU delegations, in order to enhance parliamentary diplomacy and strengthen the EU’s toolbox for external action;
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls on the Commission, the Council and the Member States to genuinely involve Parliament in the implementation and scrutiny of matters of strategic relevance in EU foreign affairs, as well as in the scrutiny of external financing instruments, especially IPA III, Ukrainian Facility and the NDICI;
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses that Parliament’s oversight function and power to monitor the negotiation and implementation of international agreements grants it a critical role in shaping the Union’s engagement with third countries and its overall action in the international arena; reminds that successful scrutiny rests upon regular parliamentary meetings with parliamentarians from third countries to exchange views, best practices and work towards better cooperation;
Amendment 150 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Underlines the importance of regular bi-annual interparliamentary conferences on CFSP and CSDP for harmonising EU's foreign, security and defence positions with those of Member States and like-minded partners;
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Considers that Parliament has a unique role to play in bringing EU foreign policy closer to European citizens, in particular by engaging with sub-state entities such as regional governments and parliaments; recommends better transparency tools and regular consultation with EEAS that take on board parliamentary resolutions and consult the AFET Committee on the strengths and weaknesses of its EU delegations during exchanges at regular EEAS Ambassadors' conferences;
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Takes the view that, in the context of backsliding in terms of respect for human rights and democracy worldwide, Parliament has a specific role to play in helping democratically elected parliaments globally to consolidate their institutional role and internal working methods; highlights the key role that Electoral Observation Missions play in improving democracy and checks and balances in a country; points out that free and credible elections are fundamental for EU's role as a mediator in the global arena;
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Highlights the specific role of Parliament in helping partner countries and, in particular, enlargement countries such as the Western Balkans to strengthen their role in the EU accession process; reiterates the key role that IPA III has in transforming institutions countries aspiring for enlargement to adjust European standards and protect the rule of law among other fundamental criteria for EU accession;
Amendment 174 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Reiterates its call to enhance the EU’s institutional capacities for preventive diplomacy, conflict prevention and mediation, and believes that Parliament can provide expertise and a substantial contribution through its bodies and actions in this area; notes the strong link between EU's internal and external security and calls on better coordination between EU institutions, EEAS and Member States in this regard;
Amendment 200 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Urges each EU delegation to publicise Parliament’s work relevant to its host country, including in the local language on its website, and to follow up with local authorities and civil society groups; reiterates that this is highly important for citizens and media to deal with fact-checking and recognising disinformation, malign influences and hybrid threats;