Activities of Lukas MANDL related to 2019/2172(INI)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the 2019-2020 Commission Reports on Kosovo
Amendments (46)
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2
Citation 2
— having regard to the European Reform Agenda (ERA) for Kosovo, launched in Pristina on 11 November 2016, as well as the launching of the ERA 2 in October 2020,
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas Kosovo benefits from the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA II), with a total indicative allocation of EUR 602.1 million for 2014-2020; calls for further improving the absorption capacity of Kosovo in this regard;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes Kosovo’s continued and strong commitment to advancing on its European path, as well as the strong support for European integration among Kosovo’'s population; and its European identity:
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Regrets the limited progress in implementing the ERA 1, and calls on the Kosovo authorities to take ownership of the process, demonstrate greater political will and improve administrative capacity in order to enhance implementation of the EU-related reforms; takes positive note of the government’s commitment to a broad and comprehensive reform process in the context of the recently launched ERA 2;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. ExpresseCalls concern about the dissolution the Government of Kosovo to fully and properly integrate the former structures of the Ministry of the EU Integration, and calls on the Government of Kosovo into the Prime Minister's Office as foreseen by the newly approved Regulation on the Organisational Structure of the Prime Minister’s Office and to ensure that the new structure is granted the level of competence and responsibilities appropriate to ensuring proper coordination of the integration process;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the Commission’s statement of 26 August 2020 confirming its assessment of Kosovo’s ability to benefit from the visa liberalisation regime, and18 July 2018 that Kosovo has fulfilled all benchmarks for visa liberalisation; takes the view that visa liberalisation will improve stability and bring Kosovo closer to the EU by improving the ease of travelling and doing business; regrets that the isolation of Kosovo citizens is impacting the implementation of EU programmes; notes that further delay could undermine the EU’s credibility and thus also impact the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia and the whole enlargement process and therefore reiterates its calls on the Council, expressed inter alia in its resolution of 29 November 2018, to urgently proceed with the adoption of a visa-free regime for the citizens of Kosovo;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the EU Member States to show continued commitment to enlargement, and to pursue a more effective communication policy towardsdeliver the promised benefits once the conditions have been met, and to improve the information exchange with EU citizens on enlargement;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. NotWelcomes the signature of the agreement for economic normalisation between Kosovo and Serbia on 4 September in Washington; underlines that transatlantic cooperation is a crucial factor for stability in the region; welcomes the renewed engagement of the United States and stresses the need for close coordination and synergies; underlines the primacy of the EU when it comes to the normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia;
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Acknowledges the important contribution of KFOR and the participating States in maintaining a safe and secure environment, freedom of movement for all citizens in Kosovo and in facilitating the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkans;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the progress in adapting the legal framework on the rule of law; regrets, however, the weak level of implementation, and calls on the Kosovo authorities to step up efforts in enforcing the laws to the benefit of their citizens, including the Law on the disciplinary liability of judges and prosecutors and the Law on mediation as well as the roll-out of an electronic case management system and central criminal record registry; regrets, however, the weak level of implementation, and calls on the Kosovo authorities to step up efforts in enforcing the laws to the benefit of their citizens as well as ensure better coordination of various rule of law programmes supported by various donors, including the development of an overall review and subsequent strategy for the entire rule of law sector;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on Kosovo to improve its regulatory measures for the freezing, confiscation and recovery of assets, and for final convictions in cases of high-level corruption, organised and financial crime, money laundering and terrorist financing; and also including suspension measures for public officials indicted for such offenses and furthermore ensure that financial and audit reports of political party financing are consistently available and sanctions are applied when they are due;
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Regrets the lack of tangible results in the fight against organised crime and calls on the Kosovar authorities to strengthen the investigation and prosecution of organised crime cases including cases of trafficking in human beings and drug trafficking;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Welcomes the conclusion of a Working Arrangement between the Kosovo Police and Europol in July 2020, which will constitute the basis for enhanced cooperation between Kosovo Police, Europol and EU Member States in fighting terrorism and extremism as well as organised crime, and calls on Kosovar authorities to make full use of this potential;
Amendment 121 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)
Paragraph 11 c (new)
11c. Commends Kosovo’s efforts in fighting terrorism and violent extremism; calls for active regional cooperation in countering potential terrorist activities and disrupting financial flows destined for terrorist financing; urges Kosovo to address online radicalisation and external extremist influences and calls on the Commission and the Member States to assist Kosovo in this important endeavour;
Amendment 128 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the adoption of measures helping to limit external interferundue influence in judicial proceedings, as well as the increase in final court judgments published; believes that further measures are required to ensure greater independence and de-politicisation of the judiciary and to stop undue interference in high-profile cases;
Amendment 135 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Welcomes the one-year technical extension of the mandate of the EULEX mission and underlines the important role played by EULEX in strengthening rule of law institutions; reiterates its call on EULEX to increase its effectiveness and uphold the highest standards of transparency and a zero-tolerance approach to corruption, maladministration, misconduct and political pressure and interference;
Amendment 142 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Reiterates that selections and appointments for high-level decision- making positions in the civil service and publicly owned enterprises remain of great concern, and notes that appointments for such positions need to take place on the basis of a merit-based procedure;
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes the improvement in the organisation of the work of the NationalKosovo Assembly and the management of plenary sessions based on the rules of procedure; regrets however the frequent lack of quorum, and calls on the Assembly and the Government to adhere to parliamentary best practices;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Underlines the importance of political stability and urges all political parties to work together in the spirit of constructiveness, in particular when it comes to the appointment of a new President;
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for greater protection and inclusion of persons belonging to minorities, including Roma, Ashkali and, Egyptians, Bosniak, Turkish and Gorani, as well as persons with disabilities, by providing them with adequate health and social protection and care; urges more efforts to fight discrimination and antigypsyism;
Amendment 157 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Commends Kosovo for the peaceful co-existence of religious communities, and highlights the importance of the continued protection of the cultural heritage and property rights of all religious communities;
Amendment 160 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Notes the failure to ensure the financial and editorial freedom of the public broadcaster; reiterates the need to guarantee full transparency of media ownership; recognises that despite these challenges, freedom of expression is enshrined in Kosovo’s Constitution and there is a pluralistic and lively media environment;
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Calls for the strengthening of European cooperation with Kosovo on addressing disinformation and hybrid threats that seek to undermine the European perspective of the region;
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18 b. Encourages the establishment of a multinational and multilingual public broadcaster that would unite people and promote Peace and reconciliation among Southeast European States, following the example of ARTE;
Amendment 168 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls for betterommends the continued efforts of Kosovo authorities to enhance the ability of civil society to contribute meaningfully to policy development; calls for further improving cooperation between government and civil society, and for increased participation of civil society in policymaking;
Amendment 177 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Hails the unanimous decision by the National Assembly of Kosovo to give direct effect to the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence; reiterates its concern about the scale of domestic and gender-based violence; also highlights the importance of the fight against violence against children; welcomes the revisions of the Criminal Code in this respect; notes, however, that the impunity of perpetrators is still of concern;
Amendment 179 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. CWelcomes the adoption of the Kosovo programme for gender equality in May 2020 as well as the work of the Women’s Caucus in the Kosovo Assembly and the increase of women in senior government positions, nonetheless calls on the Kosovo authorities to increase efforts to promote t gender equality and strengthen the economic position of women, including by prioritising gender mainstreaming and increased cooperation with civil society, including women’s organisations, as well as by creating an environment conducive to the better representation of women in decision- making positions;
Amendment 183 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
Amendment 192 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Welcomes Kosovo’s efforts in maintaining constructive neighbourly relations throughout the region and in proactively aligning with the EU’s common foreign and security policy (CFSP); Welcomes Kosovo’s commitment to regional initiatives and calls for the implementation of obligations within various regional frameworks that advance the Common Regional Market;
Amendment 197 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Stresses that normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo is a priority and a precondition for EU accession of both countries; acknowledges the increased engagement from both sides in the EU-facilitated dialogue; calls for further active and constructive engagement in the EU-facilitated dialogue led by the EU Special Representative, seeking a comprehensive and legally binding agreement in accordance with international law; reiterates its call to move forward with the full implementation, in good faith and in a timely manner, of all the agreements already reached; urges the Serbian and Kosovo Governments to refrain from any action that could undermine trust between the parties and put the constructive continuation of the dialogue at risk;
Amendment 204 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Reiterates its full support for the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Miroslav Lajčák;
Amendment 214 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. NWelcomes the recent recognition of the independence of Kosovo by Israel within the framework of the Washington Agreement, but notes that five Member States have not yet recognised Kosovo, and reiterates its call for them to do so; stresses that recognition would be beneficial to the normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia;
Amendment 220 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Commends the good regional cooperation between Kosovo and Serbia in the fight against the spread of the COVID- 19 pandemic, including cooperation between the mayors of North and South Mitrovica and communication between Ministers of Health;
Amendment 225 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Welcomes the Commission’s Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) for the Western Balkans; recognises the importance of the EIP in reinforcing regional and cross-border cooperation;
Amendment 234 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Calls for more efforts in dealing with the requests of family members of missing persons, the opening of all wartime archives, and for information to be revealed about people who are still listed as missing from the 1998-99 Kosovo war;
Amendment 240 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Stresses the need for urgent implementation of active labour market policies, including upskilling, vocational education, and on-the- job training, in order to increase employment of vulnerable groups; expresses serious concern about the massive emigration of highly-skilled workers from Kosovo; Notes that the growing emigration of healthcare workers including doctors, nurses, technical staff and medical caretakers has a detrimental impact on the healthcare system; calls for Kosovo to introduce comprehensive socio- economic measures to address demographic decline and brain drain;
Amendment 243 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Calls on the Commission to develop a regional strategy to address the persistent youth unemployment and brain drain by tackling the skills mismatch between the education system and the labour market, improving the quality of teaching, and ensuring adequate funding for active labour market measures and vocational training schemes, along with adequate childcare and pre-school education facilities; regrets the lack of progress in improving the quality of education; calls on the relevant actors to include persons belonging to minority groups in the design and implementation of employment measures;
Amendment 247 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 b (new)
Paragraph 31 b (new)
31b. Calls on Kosovo’s authorities and the Commission to further support SMEs in order to develop a viable economy for Kosovo;
Amendment 251 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Emphasises the need for investing in digitalisation as a way of minimising the digital divide and ensuring equal access to the internet, including for the most vulnerable groups and rural areas; notes the great potential of digitalisation for the development of Kosovo’s economy;
Amendment 261 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Underlines the importance of European solidarity and calls on the Commission to further support Kosovo and the other Western Balkan states in their efforts to curb the pandemic;
Amendment 269 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Is deeply concerned that the overwhelming majority of energy in Kosovo derives from coal power; urges Kosovo to increase the sustainability of its energy sector by diversifying its sources, decentralising production and moving towards renewables and urgently find the means for disposing of hazardous waste; notes that the legal framework needs to be aligned with the EU Directives on large combustion plants and industrial emissions;
Amendment 276 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Expresses serious concern about the continuing high rate of premature deaths due to polluted air; urges the Kosovo authorities to tackle air pollution immediately and phase out coal in a cost- effective way;
Amendment 278 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Encourages Kosovo authorities to give more priority to the enforcement of environmental legislation and biodiversity standards in line with EU acquis;
Amendment 281 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Calls on Kosovo to implement credible and sustainable public transport and mobility policies for addressing long- standing infrastructure deficiencies, including regular public transport links to North Mitrovicaall major towns throughout the country;
Amendment 284 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)
Paragraph 38 a (new)
38a. Believes that the Conference on the Future of Europe should seek ways of involving Kosovar representatives;
Amendment 289 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 b (new)
Paragraph 38 b (new)
38b. Welcomes Kosovo’s progress in managing both regular migration and mixed migration flows; takes positive note of the adoption of the Regulation on Integration of Foreigners and calls for its full implementation; commends the continued reduction in the number of asylum requests and readmissions of Kosovo’s citizens and the good cooperation of Kosovar authorities on readmission;