17 Amendments of Thomas WAITZ related to 2019/2170(INI)
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Supports the convening of the first intergovernmental conference without further delay, following the adoption of the negotiating framework by the Council; reminds that Albania is a candidate country since 2014, and that since 2018 the Commission recommends starting accession talks;
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Recalls that the transformation of a candidate country towards an EU Member State takes place during accession negotiations, which last as long as needed to implement the necessary reforms;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Recalls that the EU has promised all Western Balkan countries a fair chance to become EU Member States and urges it to not damage its credibility further by questioning the accession process; reminds that rival actors seek to undermine further Euro-Atlantic integration and political stability of Western Balkan countries; notes that the Commission aims to become a geopolitical Commission and the EU aims to develop an effective and coherent foreign and security policy;
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Stresses the need to develop a more strategic approach to justice sector reform which addresses the increasing backlog of cases; underlines the need to improve the situation of appeal courts as regards human resources;
Amendment 134 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Expresses its support for inclusive policies and calls for progress to be made in adopting measures to effectively protect the fundamental freedoms and rights of all citizens, including LGBTQ and persons with disabilities;
Amendment 141 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Urges the authorities to ensure that sufficient resources are provided to the Ombudsman, the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner and the Commissioner for the Right to Information and Data Protection, and that their respective recommendations are implemented systematically; calls for ensuring high standards as regards transparency in the justice sector and to in particular re- activate tools such as online data-bases which have already been operational in the past;
Amendment 170 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Recalls that freedom of assembly is a fundamental right to which a balanced approach that respects the principle of proportionality is needed also in times of crisis; stresses the recommendations made by the Ombudsperson in this respect;
Amendment 188 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Underlines the need to improve the climate for the functioning of civil society and urges the authorities to ensure meaningful, timely and representative consultations, and to enhance the financial sustainability of the non-governmental sector; stresses the need to improve conditions and an environment for accountability and scrutiny of public institutions, in particular cooperation with civil society and journalists, as well as their access to justice and legal certainty;
Amendment 192 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Recalls the importance of ensuring quality journalism and media literacy for the functioning of democracy and in tackling disinformation; urges the EEAS to address disinformation and hybrid threats that seek to undermine the European perspective of the region by more strategically underscoring the EU’s relevance to citizens in the region; stresses the need to improve coordination in order to fight regional disinformation campaigns; calls on the Commission to foster the creation of a Balkan-focused Centre of Excellence on disinformation;
Amendment 200 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Expresses grave concern about the proposed measures under the draft media law and welcomes the commitment to adopt amendments only if they are assessed as being fully in line with the Venice Commission’s recommendations; calls for revising the 2015 Law on Audio- visual Media, which currently does not contain limits to the ownership of broadcasting companies;
Amendment 202 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
Paragraph 35 a (new)
35a. Calls for amending the anti- defamation package and the Criminal Code with the aim of improving media freedom and the work environment of independent journalists in a transparent and inclusive manner, which makes sure that the voices and opinions of civil society, media and journalists are heard by lawmakers in hearings and other fora;
Amendment 219 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 b (new)
Paragraph 40 b (new)
40b. Welcomes the Commission’s efforts to invest more strategically in the Western Balkans through a dedicated Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) and Albania’s inclusion in the EIP, in particular in terms of regional and cross- border cooperation; stresses that any investment must be in line with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and EU decarbonisation targets; calls on the Commission to focus IPA III funds on the ongoing democratic transition of Albania, more so than infrastructure projects, especially in light of persistent problems with the investment climate, absorption capacity, and environmental standards in Albania;
Amendment 222 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)
Paragraph 41 a (new)
41a. Expresses deep concern about certain economic projects that have led to grave environmental damage in protected areas, such as large-scale tourist resorts, Vlora Airport, and unregulated hydropower plants; underlines the need to significantly improve both, independent and objective environmental and socio- economic impact assessments, and transparency as regards relevant procedures across eco-sensitive sectors and boost the prosecution of environmental crimes; stresses the urgent need to fully take into account the views of the local population, civil society and independent experts prior to any decision- making as regards new hydropower plant construction and other infrastructure projects that impact the environment and socio-economic situation of local communities;
Amendment 224 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Encourages the diversification of energy production, moving from hydropower towards wind and solar sources; urges the authorities to minimise the impact on biodiversity by restricstopping and preventing hydropower development in protected areas; underlines the need to improve both environmental and impact assessmentstrongly supports the Albanian government’s announcement to stop all hydropower plant construction projects along the Vjosa River and to establish the Vjosa National Park covering the whole length of the river and its tributaries, which may serve, once implemented, as ac ross eco-sensitive sectors and boost the prosecution of environmental crimele model for the Biodiversity Strategy within the framework of the European Green Deal; urges the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) to review their support for hydropower plant projects should they lack sound ex ante strategic environmental assessments and environmental impact assessments;
Amendment 235 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
Paragraph 43 a (new)
43a. Urges the authorities to develop a national energy strategy which guarantees full alignment and implementation of the Paris Accords on Climate, relevant EU climate objectives and legislation, and the EU’s decarbonisation target; stresses the need to put in place an appropriate carbon price as a means for effective decarbonisation in line with the European Green Deal and the political commitments made in the Sofia Declaration of 2020;
Amendment 244 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 a (new)
Paragraph 44 a (new)
44a. Calls for further efforts in the field of agriculture and rural development; believes it is important to establish a solid system for consultations between policymakers and various interest groups in rural areas; stresses the need to develop a modern, ecological, climate-friendly small- and medium-scale agriculture that ensures the livelihood of farmers and protection of Albania’s natural resources as well as biodiversity;
Amendment 246 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 a (new)
Paragraph 44 a (new)
44a. Calls for a revision of the National Strategy on Waste Management for 2018- 2035 and to focus on the most sophisticated methods for recycling in line with EU standards; stresses the need to use modern filter technology for incineration plants until a full recycling strategy is in place in order to reduce harm to human health and the environment;