29 Amendments of Željana ZOVKO related to 2024/2080(INI)
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the pace of geopolitical change is dramatic, with autocratic actors working individually and in concerted action to undermine the rules-based international order and, its multilateral organisations and global security; whereas conflicts are proliferating and the use of force is increasingly normalised as a means to pursue political objectives by both states and non-state actors; whereas the European Union needs to reinforce transatlantic relations and build constructive partnerships with like- minded partners in the Global South;
Amendment 69 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas this report first reviews the VP/HR’s annual CFSP report and subsequently complements it with Parliament’s positions on the CFSP objectives in 2025; whereas in so doing, the report expands particularly on (1) the global consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, (2) conflict and peace in the Middle East, (3) cooperation with like-minded partners and (4) the general visibility and influence of EU action abroad; whereas Parliament’s forward- looking CFSP position is ultimately underlined by key demands concerning the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) and the parliamentary oversight of the MFF;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – indent 1
Paragraph 2 – indent 1
– the successful finalisation of the screening process for Albania at the end of 2023; reiterates the call for entering into the next phase of negotiations without further delay; highlights the need to further intensify reforms to address deficiencies that persist regarding the ‘fundamentals’; emphasises this new step should serve as an impetus for accelerating the accession process of other Western Balkans countries, as they are the EU’s closest partners and as the prosperity and stability of the region is fundamental.
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – indent 2
Paragraph 2 – indent 2
– the opening of accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina; encourages the authorities to take all of the relevant steps set out in the Commission’s recommendation of 12 October 2022 and to intensify efforts in reaching a political agreement on the electoral and constitutional reform in accordance with the decisions of the Constitutional Court of BiH in order to ensure the principles of equality and non-discrimination of constituent peoples and all citizens as enshrined in the Constitution; reminds that EU assistance in BiH should be focused on the electoral law reform following the Mostar Agreement and in the spirit of the Dayton-Paris Agreement based on power-sharing; emphasizes that the EU should play a central role as mediator in this process; calls for an internal agreement in Bosnia and Herzegovina regarding the alignment of visa requirements with third countries; deplores the recurring inflammatory rhetoric and secessionist laws and policies of the leadership of the entity ‘Republika Srpska’ and recalls in this context the importance of EUFOR Althea being visibly present;
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – indent 3
Paragraph 2 – indent 3
– the progress in the Belgrade- Pristina Dialogue, especially in the areas of freedom of movement and energy; regrets the lack of progress in the implementation of the path to normalisation and calls for efforts to be made and capacity to be put into normalising relations and developing the EU-facilitated dialogue; calls on Serbia to fully align with the European common foreign and security policy, in particular regarding the adoption of the sanction regime in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine; reminds that Serbia, as country that strives towards European integration has to adhere to the common values;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – indent 6
Paragraph 2 – indent 6
– the successful resumption of the CFSP dialogue between the EU and its partners in the Western Balkans and the importance of these partnerships for peace and security; recalls that EU enlargement is a geostrategic investment, which requires commitment from both the EU and the enlargement countries on their pathways to accession; recalls in this context the continued need for reforms regarding the rule of law, fundamental rights and, public administration, visa alignment and for full alignment with the CFSP, including on sanctions;
Amendment 204 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 – indent 2
Paragraph 3 – indent 2
– the role of the illegitimate regime of Aliaksandr Lukashenka in effectively surrendering national sovereignty to the Kremlin in order to maintain its grip on Belarus; the role of Belarus in instrumentalised migration, particularly in light of the influx of thousands of migrants in Poland which Belarus orchestrates to force their passage into the European Union;
Amendment 216 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 – indent 3
Paragraph 3 – indent 3
– the increasing malicious activities, interference, including Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference, and hybrid warfare deployed by the Russian Federation, its institutions and proxies in undermining and subverting the democratic stability and sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova;
Amendment 295 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 – indent 9
Paragraph 3 – indent 9
– the decision of the central Sahel military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to leave the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), thus plunging ECOWAS into a deep political crisis; takes note of the de facto closure of the European Union Capacity Building Mission in Niger (EUCAP Sahel Niger) and the non-renewal of the European Union Training Mission in Mali (EUTM); ); the abuses by various jihadist factions, local armies, and the Wagner group which are multiplying in the Sahel; is deeply concerned by the population displacements and the influx of refugees caused by the instability in the region; calls for greater European involvement, assistance and help to the region, including greater role, visibility and capacity to act of CSDP missions and operations; commends the activities and the role of the ongoing EU's civilian and military missions in the Sahel region, such as EUCAP Sahel Mali, whose presence greatly contributes to safety and security of the region;
Amendment 323 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – indent 1
Paragraph 4 – indent 1
– the need to improve relations with Türkiye; welcomes the partial de- escalation of tensions in the east Mediterranean and the Aegean; reiterates its concern that Türkiye’s foreign policy continues to be at odds with EU priorities under the CFSPnot only shows a very low alignment with EU priorities under the CFSP but is even taking the country further away from the EU CFSP; regrets the absence of progress in Türkiye in some crucial areas such as fundamental rights;
Amendment 390 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – indent 5
Paragraph 4 – indent 5
– the fact that the law on ‘transparency of foreign influence’, the law on ‘family values and protection of minors’, as well as the changes to the Electoral Code in Georgia, are incompatible with EU values and democratic principles; recalls that Georgia’s bid for accession to the EU will be assessed on the basis of its own merits and of the country’s success in meeting the Copenhagen criteria for EU membership; expresses concerns about the irregularities of the 27 October 2024 election and the illiberal shift in Georgia;
Amendment 397 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – indent 6
Paragraph 4 – indent 6
– the concern about Russian and Chinese pressure exerted in Central Asia and stresses the need to scale up the EU’s presence in Central Asia in response; underlines the EU’s interest in increasing economic relations and intensifying political ties with the countries of Central Asia, in part to address the circumvention of sanctions against Russia and Belarus; calls for a renewed European commitment to our partners in the region in order to divert Russian and Chinese pressure; notes the importance of the region for European energy security and trade in critical raw materials;
Amendment 426 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that the EU’s response to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine is being closely watched by autocratic actors around the world and will have a decisive influence in shaping their behaviour on the international stage; notes that Russian aggression has seriously undermined European and global security, causing economic uncertainty, food insecurity and high energy prices; points out that the Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine destabilises both the Eastern Neighbourhood and the Western Balkans, posing a direct threat to the security and stability of the EU; considers that in light of these escalating risks, the EU must keep as an urgent priority to accelerate the enlargement process;
Amendment 606 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Calls for ensuring that the EU promotes long term stability and peace in the region rather than addressing these issues on an occasional basis; reminds in this regard that the continuous support for the countries of the region are essential to the trust that the local populations place in the European Union;
Amendment 627 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Welcomes the EU’s decision to renew sanctions against Iran until July 2025, including by sanctioning Iran’s production of unmanned drones and missiles and its supply thereof to Russia and the wider Middle Eastern region; points out that the sanctioning options that have not yet been exhausted include a much more restrictive approach to technology transfers through exports of products that are not categorised as ‘dual- use’; recalls that the European Parliament has called for Hezbollah and the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to be added to the EU list of terrorist organisations, notably given the intolerable connection between the IRGC and terrorist attacks on the European soil;
Amendment 660 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Calls for the increase of the European Peace Facility in the protection of the Jordan-Syria border, as it is being used by traffickers as a crossing point for arms and drug trafficking, with arms directed towards Gaza and the West Bank, and drugs towards Saudi Arabia; emphasizes the need for the EU to support its Jordanian partner, which has been weakened by the ongoing crisis in the Middle East;
Amendment 662 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Highlights the need for the EU to follow up on its election observation and assist finding solutions for electoral crises such as the one in Lebanon; calls on the EU to support and ensure the participation of communities in future electoral cycles in Jordan;
Amendment 731 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Recalls the importance of a strong and constructive partnership with the UK; welcomes the renewed impetus from the new UK Government to reflect with the EU on possibilities for closer foreign policy and security cooperation, which would be of added value for both the EU and the UK; in this regard calls for accelerating the dialogue on an ambitious “UK-EU Security Pact” covering a large panel of areas of common interest; demands that Parliament be duly involved and informed in such reflections;
Amendment 738 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Recalls that the transatlantic relationship remains the most important and strategic relationship for the EU and its Member States, which has been emphasised by the unity and strength of the partnership demonstrated following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; underlines that a strong transatlantic relationship remains indispensable for the security of the partners on both sides of the Atlantic and is based on shared values, interests and objectives, and on the principle of partnership of equals; calls on the Commission to foster closer ties with key partners in both the US and Canada in order to counter global challenges that affect our shared values, interests, security and prosperity; fully supports deepening cooperation in the framework of the EU - US transatlantic dialogue, such as through transatlantic parliamentary diplomacy; calls on stronger transatlantic cooperation on trade and to combat challenges caused by rapid technological changes and growing cyber threats; welcomes in that regard the work of the Transatlantic Trade and Technology Council;
Amendment 748 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Stresses the importance of fast and merit based European integration of the Western Balkans; notes the strategic importance of the Western Balkans in today's geopolitical context, as well as for the security and stability of European Union as a whole; reiterates the need for greater European presence and visibility in the region in order to divert foreign malign influences and their hybrid activities;
Amendment 825 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Urges the VP/HR and the Member States to focus on bilateral relations with like-minded partners in Africa, among others Ghana, Kenya and Senegal, taking into account mutual needs and interests in order to foster real and balanced partnerships; believes that the ‘more for more’ principle should be integrated fully into relations with non-EU countries, whereby the EU develops stronger partnerships with those countries that uphold the principles of the CFSP and the common security and defence policy (CSDP), and the fundamental values of the EU; calls for the EU to respond to partner countries’ expectations and to deliver quickly on political agreements with them in order to show that the EU is a key, reliable and strategic partner and demonstrate that the international rules- based system can meet contemporary challenges;
Amendment 836 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Emphasises the need to continue stepping up the EU’s engagement with like-minded countries in Latin America, particularly given the growing influence of China and Russia in Latin America and the Caribbean; notes that the European engagement in region has dwindled in recent decades which created a vacuum for foreign malign actors; calls on the Member States and the European External Action Service (EEAS) to pursue proactive diplomacy in the region, with a strong emphasis on defending the multilateral global order, international law and respect for democracy and human rights; reminds that the European Union and countries of the region share the same culture, history, language, religion and values which makes them traditional and like-minded partners in today's geopolitical context;
Amendment 863 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Believes simultaneously in the significance of building new alliances, inter alia with the countries in our neighbourhood as well as in the ‘Global South’, taking into account mutual needs and interests in order to foster real and balanced partnerships; notes that the European Union should take particular interest in reinvigorating partnership with countries of Latin America and Caribbean;
Amendment 889 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Highlights the role of the VP/HR as a bridge-builder between the CFSP and EU external relations to ensure the highest level of coordination and coherence in EU external action; regrets, nonetheless, that in some cases there is a lack of clarity in the external representation of the EU; stresses the need to clearly define the competences of the VP/HR, the President of the Commission and the President of the European Council with regard to the EU’s external action and representation so that the EU’s voice is coherent and perceived as such by our partners;
Amendment 924 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Calls on the Commission to effectively and swiftly use the Global Gateway as a sustainable alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative and as an instrument to increase the EU’s presence and visibility worldwide; notes that European investment and assistance should focus on common objectives at the most appropriate level of action with clear visibility in receiving countries;
Amendment 940 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Calls for the further development of the EU’s preventive diplomacy, including peace mediation and dialogue, as a proactive foreign policy tool; urges the EEAS to conduct ‘lessons learnt’ exercises as a pro- active external policy tool to avoid conflict between third parties and to mediate and support them in finding peaceful resolutions, including peace mediation and dialogue; notes that prior diplomatic efforts resulted in emergence of malign third actors that diminished the influence of EU around the world; urges the EEAS to conduct ‘lessons learnt’ exercises and analyse prior European diplomatic efforts and their results, as well as work of Special Representatives and Special Envoys; as part of a renewed approach to preventive diplomacy calls for a better understanding of local, historical, cultural and religious context in order to adapt the EU’s message to the local context and so that the EU is perceived as a reliable partner;
Amendment 955 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 a (new)
Paragraph 42 a (new)
42a. Welcomes the renewal for one year of the EUFOR Althea's mandate in Bosnia and Herzegovina by the UN Security Council. This extension sends a clear message and reflects the united commitment across all political spectrums in Bosnia and Herzegovina to uphold peace and security in cooperation with the EU.
Amendment 964 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 – indent 1
Paragraph 43 – indent 1
– to work with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, NATO and the other partners concerned, to enable robust constabulary forces to assume all key tasks of internal security in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo as from 2026, and to prepare the proposals for the necessary CFSP missions to be launched in 2025, using the EU’s Rapid Deployment Capacity (RDC) as preventive military reinforcement; recalls that the expenditure for these measures, including the RDC’s standby expenditure, should be charged to the EU budget;
Amendment 1001 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Believes that there is a need for stronger institutionalised parliamentary oversight of the EU’s external action, including regular and timely, yet secure, access to confidential information and briefings in the European Parliament;