275 Amendments of Annemie NEYTS-UYTTEBROECK
Amendment 4 #
2013/2259(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 90 – paragraph 4
Rule 90 – paragraph 4
4. At any stage of the negotiations and from the end of the negotiations to the conclusion of the agreement, Parliament may, on the basis of a report from the committee responsible, and after considering any relevant proposal tabled pursuant to Rule 121, adopt recommendations and require them to be taken into account before the conclusion of the international agreement under consideration.
Amendment 3 #
2013/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 33 a (new)
Citation 33 a (new)
– having regard to the Presidential Policy Directive (PPD-28) on Signals Intelligence Activities, issued by US President Barack Obama on 17 January 2014,
Amendment 4 #
2013/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 34
Citation 34
– having regard to legislative proposals currently under examination in the US Congress, in particularcluding the draft US Freedom Act, the draft Intelligence Oversight and Surveillance Reform Act, and others,
Amendment 5 #
2013/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 36
Citation 36
– having regard to the ruling of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Klayman et al. v Obama et al., Civil Action No 13-0851 of 16 December 2013, and to the ruling of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, ACLU et al. v James R. Clapper et al., XXX of 27 December 2013,
Amendment 14 #
2013/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the ties between Europe and the United States of America are based on the spirit and principles of democracy, liberty, justice and solidarity; whereas cooperation between the United States and the European Union and its Member States in counter-terrorism remains vital for the security and safety of both partners;
Amendment 49 #
2013/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the District Court for the District of Columbia, in its Decision of 16 December 2013, has ruled that the bulk collection of metadata by the NSA is in breach of the Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution25 ; whereas, however the District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled in its Decision of 27 December 2013 that this collection was lawful; __________________ 25 Klayman et al. v Obama et al., Civil Action No 13-0851, 16 December 2013.
Amendment 54 #
2013/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Recital K a (new)
Ka. whereas in his Presidential Policy Directive on Signals Intelligence Activities of 17 January 2014 and the related speech, US President Barack Obama insisted that mass electronic surveillance continues to be necessary for the United States to protect its national security, citizens and the citizens of US allies and partners, as well as to advance its foreign policy interests; whereas this policy directive limits the authorisation for the bulk collection of signals intelligence and specifically excludes the gathering of any kind of signals intelligence for commercial purposes; whereas the policy directive mandates the development of safeguards for the personal information of all individuals, regardless of their nationality or residence, partly providing for treatment equivalent to that enjoyed by US citizens; whereas however President Obama did not announce any concrete proposals in terms of the introduction of administrative and judicial redress for non-US persons;
Amendment 148 #
2013/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Considers it very doubtfulIs strongly convinced that mass data collection of such magnitude is only guided by the fight against terrorism, as it involves the collection of all possible data of all citizens; points thereforeand electronic surveillance must meet specific requirements related to national security and that its use for other purposes, such as political and economic espionage, must be credibly excluded; deplores that the magnitude of the mass surveillance disclosed leaves doubts as to the possible existence of other power motives such as political and economic espionagethan the fight against terrorism and that these need to be comprehensively dispelled;
Amendment 156 #
2013/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Condemns in the strongest possible terms the vast, systemic, blanket collection of the personal data of innocent people, often comprising intimate personal information; emphasises that the systems of mass, indiscriminate surveillance by intelligence services constitute a serious interference with the fundamental rights of citizens; stresses that privacy is not a luxury right, but that it is the foundation stone of a free and democratic society; points out, furthermore, that mass surveillance has potentially severe effects on the freedom of the press, thought and speech, as well as a significant potential for abuse of the information gathered against political adversaries; emphasises that these mass surveillance activities appear also to entail illegal actions by intelligence services and raise questions regarding the extra-territoriality of national laws;
Amendment 220 #
2013/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Welcomes in this regard the remarks made and the Presidential Policy Directive issued by US President Obama on 17 January 2014 as a step towards limiting the authorisation for the use of surveillance and data processing to national security purposes and towards equal treatment of all individuals' personal information, regardless of their nationality or residence, by the US intelligence community; however awaits in the context of the EU-US relationship further specific steps which will, most importantly, strengthen trust in transatlantic data transfers and provide for binding guarantees for enforceable privacy rights of EU citizens, as outlined in detail in this report;
Amendment 235 #
2013/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Calls on the Commission to present by June 2014 a comprehensive assessment of the US privacy framework covering commercial, law enforcement and intelligence activities in response to the fact that the EU and the US legal systems for protecting personal data are drifting apart; encourages the Commission to engage with the US administration and the US Congress to enhance compatibility of EU and US privacy frameworks;
Amendment 294 #
2013/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59
Paragraph 59
59. Strongly emphasises, given the importance of the digital economy in the relationship and in the cause of rebuilding EU-US trust, that the consent by the European Parliament to the final TTIP agreement is endangered without a prior adequate solution for data privacy rights of EU citizens, including administrative and judicial redress; underlines that the European Parliament will only consent to the final TTIP agreement provided the agreement fully respects fundamental rights recognised by the EU Charter, and that the protection of the privacy of individuals in relation to the processing and dissemination of personal data must continue to be governed by Article XIV of the GATS;
Amendment 328 #
2013/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69
Paragraph 69
69. Urges the Commission to present, by September 2014, a proposal for a legal basisInsists that a proper legal basis must be established for the EU to develop its own intelligence and data collection facility; urges the HR/VP to regularly account for the activities of the EU Intelligence Analysis Centrer (IntCen), as well as a proper oversight mechanism adapted to its activities, including regular reporting to the European Parliamentincluding full compliance with fundamental human rights and applicable EU data privacy rules; notes that the IntCen is part of the European External Action Service, and as such produces strategic analysis for EU decision makers based on information provided by the EU Member States and that it does not collect data itself; calls for regular reporting to the responsible bodies of the European Parliament and intends to improve the present oversight mechanism in this regard;
Amendment 21 #
2013/2168(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Takes the view, however, that that local administrations should be strengthened as building a sustainable democracy and pluralistic society will entail deep and difficult reforms of Pakistan’s political and socio- economic order, which remains characterised by feudalistic structures of land ownership and political allegiances, imbalances in priorities between military spending and welfare provision, and a revenue collection system that systematically undercuts the state’s capacity to deliver public goods;
Amendment 23 #
2013/2168(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Supports and encourages the Pakistani Government to develop effective means to prevent and monitor the possibility of future natural disasters and for a better coordination and cooperation of humanitarian aid with local actors, international NGOs and fundraisers;
Amendment 37 #
2013/2168(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. RBelieves that the battle against extremism and radicalism is directly linked with stronger democratic process and reaffirms the EU’s strong interest in, and continued support for, a democratic, secure and well-governed Pakistan, with independent judicial system and good governance that upholds the rule of law and human rights, enjoys friendly relations with neighbours and projects a stabilising influence in the region;
Amendment 38 #
2013/2168(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Recalls that EU-Pakistan relations traditionally developed inside a framework focused on development and trade; appreciates the significant and enduring contribution of EU development and humanitarian cooperation, and welcomes the prospective eligibility of Pakistan to benefit from the EU’s GSP Plus as from 2014; invites however the Commission to guarantee that enhanced monitoring is being strictly applied as foreseen under the new GSP Regulation;
Amendment 40 #
2013/2168(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Is convinced that EU-Pakistan relations need to grow deeper and more comprehensive by developing political dialogue thereby maintaining a relationship of mutual interest amongst equal partners; welcomes, in this context, the adoption of the 5-year Engagement Plan and the commencement of the EU- Pakistan Strategic Dialogue, reflecting the increased weight of political and security cooperation, including on counter- terrorism policy, disarmament and non- proliferation; expects, however, more progress in all areas of the Engagement Plan;
Amendment 42 #
2013/2168(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Encourages both the EU and Pakistan to cooperate in the implementation process with follow-up of the progress on regular basis by strengthening the dialogue between both on the long term;
Amendment 51 #
2013/2168(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Reiterates that progress in bilateral relations is linked to improvement in Pakistan’s human rights record, in particular as regards eradicating modern- day slavery, child labour, curbing gender- based violence, enhancing women’s rights, including that of access to education, promoting tolerance and protection of vulnerable minorities, women and children at risk, ensuring freedom of speech and independent media, preserving freedom of religion and belief, including tolerance of religious diversity at all levels and by easing the strict anti-blasphemy legislation, and moving towards abolition of the death penalty;
Amendment 10 #
2013/2167(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EU is founded on the principles of human rights and democracy and has the will and a legal and a moral duty to promote these values in its external relations with all other countries;
Amendment 15 #
2013/2167(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)
Recital A d (new)
Ad. whereas religious and cultural diversity, as it enables mutual respect and understanding of the mentalities and inclusion, is a firm means to encourage human rights and democracy;
Amendment 24 #
2013/2167(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas under the conditions of globalisation all nations, states and civilizations actively interact with each other, and the rules and norms which guide the functioning of economic and political systems are becoming more closely linked; and facing common challenges such as climate change, terrorism and poverty;
Amendment 33 #
2013/2167(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. whereas the necessity to combat all kind of extremism remains a condition for the successful construction of a new international order based on widely shared universal values;
Amendment 49 #
2013/2167(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Considers access to education in all its forms, especially through the memory of past events, history and the promotion of cultural exchange is indispensable in understanding and respecting religion and cultural heritage;
Amendment 64 #
2013/2167(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes in particular that the democratisation of numerous states throughout the world in the past two decades, and more recently the events of the uprisings in the Arab world, have shown that the quest for democracy, human dignity and equal participation is not only a Western ideology but an important universal action driver within and across diverse cultural systems and religious backgrounds;
Amendment 73 #
2013/2167(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Considers that the notion of cultural and religious differences has, until now, been used repeatedly as a pretext for blatant violations of human rights by authoritarian and radical groups and regimes;
Amendment 84 #
2013/2167(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls that respecting and defending smaller and minority cultures and promoting their ability to peacefully express themselves in accordance with human rights is a way to avoid a vision of cultural differences as a confrontation between irreconcilable blocks;
Amendment 113 #
2013/2167(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls for the EU to strengthen the dialogue and to cooperate with those Islamic states which uphold an inclusive and tolerant vision of Islam to counter the attempts to promote fundamentalist and exclusivist interpretations of religion; notes that radical religious resurgence is not limited to the Muslim world but it is taking place on a global scale;
Amendment 32 #
2013/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the 2012 Gender Inequality Index (GII from PNUD) ranks Saudi Arabia 145 out of 148 countries, making it one of the world’s most unequal countries; whereas the Global Gender Gap Report 2012 (World Economic Forum) ranks the women labour market participation in KSA as one of the weakest in the world (133 out of 135 countries);
Amendment 43 #
2013/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recognises the interdependence between the EU and KSA in terms of regional stability, relations with the Islamic world, the fate of the transitions in the Arab Spring countries, the Israel-Palestine peace process, stability of the global oil and financial markets, and global governance issues, especially through the World Bank, the International Monetary Funds and the G-20 framework;
Amendment 51 #
2013/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the KSA authorities to allow the work of human rights organisations by facilitating the registration of their license; regrets the harassment of human rights activists and their detention without charges;
Amendment 58 #
2013/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the KSA authorities to ensureallow independent press and media and freedom of expression for all inhabitants of KSA, and stresses that the peaceful advocacy of basic legal rights or making critical remarks using social media are expressions of an indispensable right, as Parliament has stressed in its report on digital freedom;
Amendment 61 #
2013/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Calls on the KSA authorities to allow freedom of association and assembly; regrets the repression of activists and protesters when they peacefully manifest;
Amendment 63 #
2013/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Calls on the KSA authorities to improve their Shari’a-based criminal justice system in order to meet the international standards governing procedures for arrest, detention and trials, as well as prisoners’ rights;
Amendment 68 #
2013/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Reiterates its call for the universal abolition of torture, corporal punishment, and the death penalty and calls for an immediate moratorium on the carrying out of death sentences in KSA; regrets that KSA continues to apply the death penalty for a wide variety of crimes, including drug offences, apostasy, sorcery and witchcraft;
Amendment 77 #
2013/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. RegretsWelcomes the establishment of the ‘Kind Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue’ (KAICIID) in Vienna for encouraging dialogue among followers of different religions and cultures around the world, regrets however that there is no freedom of religion in KSA; encourages the authorities to foster moderation and tolerance of religious diversity at all levels of the education system, including in religious establishments, as well as in the public discourse of officials and civil servants;
Amendment 96 #
2013/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Urges the authorities to revoke the medieval male guardianship system, and to take further steps aimed at lifting restrictions on women’s rights, including freedom of movement, health, education, marriage, employment opportunities, legal personality and representation in judicial processes, eliminating all forms of discrimination against women in the family law and in private and public life and promoting their participation in the economic, social, cultural and political spheres;
Amendment 98 #
2013/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Regrets the high unemployment rates for women and young people; stresses that ending absolute gender segregation is necessary for an efficient labour market;
Amendment 104 #
2013/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. RTakes note of the election of the KSA as Member of the Human Rights Council in November 2013; recalls that KSA’s human rights record was assessed under the Universal Periodic Review of the UN Human Rights Council in February 2009, and that the KSA authorities formally accepted a significant number of the recommendations put forward by EU Member States during the review, including, for example, those calling for abolition of male guardianship and those aimed at limiting the application of the death penalty and corporal punishment; awaits more substantive progress in implementing these recommendations and urges KSA to adopt a constructive approach with regard to the recommendations presented in the context of the on-going 2013 Universal Periodic Review;
Amendment 124 #
2013/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the authorities to improve the ‘Kalafa’ sponsorship system, the working conditions and treatment of immigrant workers, with special attention to the situation of women working as domestic helpers, who are at particular risk of sexual violence and who often find themselves in conditions of virtual slavery; welcomes recent efforts to introduce national labour laws in order to provide standardised protection for domestic workers and ensure the prosecution of employers responsible for sexual, physical and labour rights abuses;
Amendment 133 #
2013/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Welcomes the contribution of the KSA for the establishment of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre;
Amendment 150 #
2013/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. CallsWelcomes the contribution of the KSA to the ‘Friends of Syria Group’ and the assistance the KSA provided to the Syrian people and refugees; calls however on KSA to refrain from acting on the basis of a narrow sectarian-based zero- sum game logic regarding the Syrian conflict, and to contribute instead to a peaceful, inclusive solution, notably through support for the Geneva II talks, without preconditions; calls also for the more active involvement of KSA in humanitarian relief for victims of the Syrian civil war;
Amendment 5 #
2013/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 a (new)
Citation 14 a (new)
– having regard to the conclusions of the inter-parliamentary conference for the CFSP and the CSDP of 4-6 September 2013 in Vilnius,
Amendment 36 #
2013/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses that the main asset of the European Union is the availability of various policies and instruments, combined through the so-calleda ‘comprehensive approach’, and that it is possible to achieve bettersubstantial results at all levels by better integrating the CSDP into this approach; welcomes in this respect the review of the organisation and functioning of the EEAS published by the HR/VP in July 2013, which recognises the problems of coordination and those related to the speed and effectiveness of decision- making in the area of the CSDP; looks forward to specific decisions being taken at the December Summit and expects the further integration of the CSDP to be analysed thoroughly in the upcoming joint Communication by the HR/VP and the Commission on the implementation of the comprehensive approach;
Amendment 55 #
2013/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Notes with concern that the number and timeliness of CSDP missions and operations, and the development of civilian and especially military means for the CSDP, fall short of what is required, given the EU's increasingly insecurewould be desirable, in regard of certain regional conflicts in the EU's neighbourhood; deplores, in particular, the limited overall scope of the CSDP missions related to the crises in Libya and Mali; calls for greater ambition and serious efforts to improve the design of future CSDP missions and operations under a ‘lessons learned process’ and to develop appropriate exit strategies;
Amendment 78 #
2013/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Deplores the fact that EU battlegroups have never yet been deployed in EU military operations; stresses nonetheless that they constitute an important tool for timely force generation and rapid reaction; welcomes the decision to address this issue during the December Summit; is convinced that the EU should dispose of high- readiness standing battle forces, with land, air, naval, cyber and special forces components and a high level of ambition; favours a more flexible and targeted approach to enhance the response and adaptability to different crisis situations, and to improve modularity in order to close gaps during the initial phases of the launch of CSDP operations without, however, compromising the operational capacity of the battlegroup as a whole;
Amendment 83 #
2013/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Expresses its concern, furthermore, that the economic and debt crisis may have an impact on the willingness of EU Member States to contribute to CSDP missions and operations, particularly those with military and defence implications; calls therefore for extension of the scope of the ATHENA mechanism and use of the start-up fund (Article 41.3 TEU) to ensure the rapid financing of urgent tasks; stresses however that even if the CSDP needs to get reenergized, this should be done in accordance with budgetary constraints;
Amendment 87 #
2013/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Invites Member States to exploit the possibilities offered by PESCO and to start implementing this Treaty provision in order to tackle the prevailing ‘CSDP fatigue’ and deepen military cooperation and integration; calls on the European Council to deliver clear guidelines for its implementation and invites Member States that are not interested to act constructively; stresses that the possibility of joining at a later stage should be left open in order to ensure flexibility and to avoid a two-speed Europe;
Amendment 104 #
2013/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Calls for stronger cooperation between the EU and NATO structures through a complementary approach and closer coordination in order to help avoid duplication between the two partners; is convinced that strengthening the CSDP does no harm to, and indeed reinforces, collective security and transatlantic links; asserts that the development of defence capabilities within an EU context also benefits NATO; considers that coordination and cooperation between the EU and NATO structures remains unsatisfactory due to the implications of the unresolved Cyprus issue; hopes that the Republic of Cyprus's intention to join NATO's Partnership for Peace Programme can be a game changer and urges Turkey to adopt an equally constructive attitude; urges the development of a comprehensive framework for EU-NATO cooperation and the deepening of political dialogue with full respect for the decision-making of each party;
Amendment 115 #
2013/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Echoes concerns that further cuts in national defence budgets will make it impossibledifficult to maintain critical military capabilities and will result in the irreversible loss of know-how and technologies; notes that the shortfalls in Member States' capabilities became apparent during the operations in Libya and Mali and that the economic crisis has exacerbated existing structural problems; reiterates its view, however, that the problem is less of a budgetary nature than of a political one;
Amendment 118 #
2013/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Stresses the opportunity for Member States to enjoy the full benefits of working closer together to generate military efficiency and to decide to optimise and spend scarce resources in a better and smarter way, avoiding redundancy and unnecessary duplicationby a coordinated reduction of unnecessary duplication, redundant and obsolete capabilities;
Amendment 134 #
2013/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Welcomes the Commission Communication entitled ‘Towards a more competitive and efficient defence and security sector’, which brings forward some fresh ideas and proposals; fully supports the Commission's efforts to deepen the internal defence and security market and to develop a defence industrial policy, providing adequate support for SMEs which play a key role in innovation, R&D and, job creation and economic growth, in line with the Europe 2020 Strategy;
Amendment 144 #
2013/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Calls on the European Council to take action in these areas and to reverse the tendency to cut R&D expenditurethrough a sound financing of R&D, including at Union level; supports the development of effective and cost-efficient cooperation between civilian security and defence research activities; stresses, however, the continued need for an effective dual-use export regime;
Amendment 146 #
2013/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Calls on the European Council, as well as policymakers at all levels in the Member States of the Union, to show greater ambition and courage in launching a public debate, this being even more important in times of economic austerity; stresses the need to invest morebetter allocate the budget and step up cooperation in the area of security and defence, and to explain the causal nexus between security and defence on the one hand, and freedom, democracy, rule of law and prosperity on the other;
Amendment 10 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas Malaysia has a multicultural, multi-languages and multi-faith society, with a Malay- Muslim (bumiputra) majority and minority communities of Indians, Chinese and non- Malay indigenous people;
Amendment 14 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas Malaysia has to hold parliamentary elections ion Aprilthe 5th orf May 2013;
Amendment 16 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas Malaysia has established successive socioeconomic restructuring programmes, starting with the New Economic Policy (NEP) in 1971, which was replaced by the National Development Policy in 1991 and subsequently by the National Vision Policy in 2001 under the "New Economic Model" for Malaysia's long term development goal to become a developed country by 2020 ("Vision 2020");
Amendment 33 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) to congratulate the very high rate of participation to the legislative elections held on the 5 of May 2013, expressing the interest of the people in the political participation;
Amendment 39 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
(ga) to encourage the government to take the necessary steps to sign, ratify and effectively implement the UN Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, its Optional Protocol, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR);
Amendment 42 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h
Paragraph 1 – point h
(h) to welcome the progress made when the Internal Security Act (ISA) was replaced in July 2012 by the Security Offences Special Measures Act (SOSMA), which has limited the maximum detention period without trial or charge to 28 days; to express disappointment, however, that some provisions of the SOSMA still have shortcomings, for instance and fail to meet international human rights standards, for instance by allowing the police to detain suspects incommunicado for 48 hours, by allowing detention without charge or access to the courts for up to 28 days and as regards the appeal system, which could nevertheless result in indefinite detention if bail is not allowed, and the fact that the SOSMA restricts basic rights such as privacy of communications and allows the source of evidence to be concealed, thereby preventing cross-examination during trials;
Amendment 49 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point j a (new)
(j a) to encourage the government to improve women's rights to meet gender equality, especially in relation to Sharia legislation and family law; to stop the use of caning as a punishment;
Amendment 60 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas a ceasefire in Western Sahara between the Moroccan Government and the Polisario Front has been in place since 1991; whereas the UN considers Western Sahara a non-self-governing territory; whereas no country recognises Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara; whereas the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is currently recognised by the AU and over 45 UN states, but not by the UN collectively or by any EU Member State; whereas the UN and EU do not explicitly consider Morocco to be an occupying power; whe, under the auspices of the Security Council, is acting as a mediator to find a solution to the conflict; whereas, however, according to the Secretary-General of the UN, no progreass a referendum on the status of Western Sahara, first agreed on principle in 1988, has still not taken placehas been made on the fundamental issues of the future status of the territory;
Amendment 77 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the refugee camps near Tindouf in Algeria, having first been established thirty-seven years ago, remain the second longest-operating in the world; whereas a political stalemate precludes any realistic prospect of their dissolution, or the resettlement or repatriation of their inhabitants, in the near future; whereas no population register has ever been drawn up of the people in the Tindouf camps, in spite of numerous calls by the Security Council and by the HCR on Algeria to comply with its international legal obligations by authorising the HCR to carry out registration and a census of the people in the Tindouf camps;
Amendment 86 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas the report of the UN Secretary General of 8 April 2013 on the Western Sahara situation devotes a 3 pages section on Human Rights;
Amendment 244 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Notes the April 2013 report of the UN Secretary-General on the situation concerning Western Sahara, which stresses 'the critical importance of addressing the Western Sahara conflict as part of a broader strategy for the Sahel', and that 'the issue of human rights remains important for any resolution of the conflict'; further notes that the conclusions of many observers that Western Sahara risks becoming destabilised by the conflict in the Sahel and the groups participating in itgoing conflicts in the Sahel, and in particular the presence of terrorist groups such as AQMI in northern Mali and southern Algeria, are factors destabilising Western Sahara;
Amendment 245 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Notes the April 2013 report of the UN Secretary-General on the situation concerning Western Sahara, which stresses 'the critical importance of addressing the Western Sahara conflict as part of a broader strategy for the Sahel', and that 'the issue of human rights remains important for any resolution of the conflict'; further notes that the conclusions of many observers that Western Sahara risks becoming destabilised by the conflict in the Sahel and the groups participating in itgoing conflicts in the Sahel, and in particular the presence of terrorist groups such as AQMI in northern Mali and southern Algeria, are factors destabilising Western Sahara;
Amendment 251 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Emphasises the need for human rights in Western Sahara to be considered without anticipating any final political settlement or expressing a view on such a settlement; reiterates, nevertheless, that self- determination is a fundamental human right, as specified by Article 1 of the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; moreover, recalls UN Security Council Resolution 1754, urging the parties to enter into negotiations in good faith, without preconditions, ‘with a view to achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which would provide for the self- determination of the people of Western Sahara’; fears that the 25-year delay in arranging a referendum is increasing Sahrawi fears that the 25 years delay in devising an acceptable political solution increases the risk of alienation and radicalienzation and the potential for violence, particularly amongst the youngmongst segments of the population;
Amendment 253 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Emphasises the need for human rights in Western Sahara to be considered without anticipating any final political settlement or expressing a view on such a settlement; reiterates, nevertheless, that self- determination is a fundamental human right, as specified by Article 1 of the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and that territorial integrity is a principle enshrined in international law; moreover, recalls UN Security Council Resolution 1754, urging the parties to enter into negotiations in good faith, without preconditions, 'with a view to achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which would provide for the self- determination of the people of Western Sahara'; fears that the 25-year delay in arranging a referendum is increasing Sahrawi alienation and the potential for violence, particularly amongst the young;
Amendment 262 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Expresses deep concern at the recent report from the UNSR on torture, who found evidence that Moroccan officials have detained individuals on political grounds, inflicted torture and rape on Sahrawi inmates, kidnapped and abandoned protesters in the desert to intimidate them, and deliberately and frequently targeted pro-independence advocates, including in their homes; notes further widespread allegations of forced disappearances and unfair trials; draws particular attention to the dismantling of the Gdeim Izik protest camp in November 2010, where significant violence claimed Moroccan and Sahrawi lives, and the subsequent trial of 25 Sahrawis, many of them known human rights activists, in February 2013; notes Morocco's insistence regarding the trial's fairness and due process, and the positive conclusions of some international observers, but also recalls the UNSR's concern at the use of a military court, the allegations of torture, and the Moroccan authorities' failure to investigate them; notes the conclusions by some NGOs and human rights observers relating to the case's alleged politicised prosecutions, deficient evidence and excessive sentences; calls therefore on the Moroccan authorities to work with civil society and other actors to guarantee the transparency and fairness of its judicial processes, and to investigate and prosecute security officials alleged to have been involved in arbitrary detentions, torture and other abuses of power and encourages the Moroccan government to implement all of the reports recommendations;
Amendment 264 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Expresses deep concern at the recent report from the UNSR on torture, who found evidenceobtained credible testimony stating that Moroccan officials have detained individuals on political grounds, inflicted torture and rape on Sahrawi inmates, kidnapped and abandoned protesters in the desert to intimidate them, and deliberately and frequently targeted pro-independence advocates, including in their homethat these types of treatment, which are contrary to international law, are being suffered by both Moroccan citizens and Sahrawis; notes further widespread allegations of forced disappearances and unfair trials; draws particular attention to the dismantling of the Gdeim Izik protest camp in November 2010, where significant violence claimed Moroccan and Sahrawi lives, and the subsequent trial of 25 Sahrawis, many of them known human rights activists, in February 2013; notes Morocco's insistence regarding the trial's fairness and due process, and the positive conclusions of some international observers, but also recalls the UNSR's concern at the use of a military court, the allegations of torture, and the Moroccan authorities' failure to investigate them; notes the conclusions by some NGOs and human rights observers relating to the case's alleged politicised prosecutions, deficient evidence and excessive sentences; calls thereforenotes that the King of Morocco has endorsed the proposal made by the Moroccan National Human Rights Council urging that civilians should not be tried by military tribunals; calls on the Moroccan authorities to work with civil society and other actors to guarantee the transparency and fairness of its judicial processes, and to investigate and prosecute security officials alleged to have been involved in arbitrary detentions, torture and other abuses of power;
Amendment 265 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Expresses deep concern at the recent report from the UNSR on torture, who found evidenceobtained credible testimony stating that Moroccan officials have detained individuals on political grounds, inflicted torture and rape on Sahrawi inmates, kidnapped and abandoned protesters in the desert to intimidate them, and deliberately and frequently targeted pro-independence advocates, including in their homethat these types of treatment, which are contrary to international law, are being suffered by both Moroccan citizens and Sahrawis; notes further widespread allegations of forced disappearances and unfair trials; draws particular attention to the dismantling of the Gdeim Izik protest camp in November 2010, where significant violence claimed Moroccan and Sahrawi lives, and the subsequent trial of 25 Sahrawis, many of them known human rights activists, in February 2013; notes Morocco's insistence regarding the trial's fairness and due process, and the positive conclusions of some international observers, but also recalls the UNSR's concern at the use of a military court, the allegations of torture, and the Moroccan authorities’ failure to investigate them; notes the conclusions by some NGOs and human rights observers relating to the case's alleged politicised prosecutions, deficient evidence and excessive sentences; calls thereforenotes that the King of Morocco has endorsed the proposal made by the Moroccan National Human Rights Council urging that civilians should not be tried by military tribunals; calls on the Moroccan authorities to work with civil society and other actors to guarantee the transparency and fairness of its judicial processes, and to investigate and prosecute security officials alleged to have been involved in arbitrary detentions, torture and other abuses of power;
Amendment 273 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)
Paragraph 38 a (new)
38a. Draws attention to the dismantling of the Gdeim Izik protest camp in November 2010, where significant violence claimed the lives of 11 Moroccan security forces and 2 Sahrawi men, one of them a minor;
Amendment 283 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
Amendment 287 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Welcomes the significant economic and infrastructural development implemented by the Moroccan Government in Western Sahara; welcomes the regional development model for the southern provinces drawn up by Morocco's Economic, Social and Environmental Council, which would allow the people of the area to exercise their economic, social and cultural rights to the full and to prepare to make the Moroccan autonomy initiative a success; remains concerned, however, by the ongoing dispute over the exploitation of the territory's natural resources, particularly relating to phosphate mines, fisheries, and preliminary oil exploration; recalls the UN Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs' advice in 2002, which stressed the Western Saharan people's 'inalienable rights' to their territory's natural resources, and determined that further exploitation 'in disregard of the interests and wishes of the people of Western Sahara' would be illegal; draws attention to the UN Secretary- General's statement to the effect that Morocco was seeking to improve living conditions in the territory and, to that end, to draft a new regional development strategy for the area; stresses, therefore, that Western Saharan goods and resources should be exempt from any trade agreements between Morocco and the EU unless the Sahrawi population's consent and benefit can be clearly demonstrated; expresses particular concern that the EU should not re-institute a fisheries agreement with Morocco while this controversy remains unresolved;
Amendment 302 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Expresses deep concern about the chronic poverty, and lack of basic services and adequate housing in the Polisario Front-administered refugee camps near Tindouf; repeats the recommendations of the UNSR on adequate housing that sufficient international funding be directed for this purpose; notes in this regard the lack of clear documentation about the precise number of inhabitants in Tindouf, and urges the authorities to conduct or facilitate regular censuses or formal registrationscalls on the Algerian authorities to abide by their international obligations and allow the HCR to carry out a census of and formally register the people living in the camps in Tindouf; welcomes the fact that the EU is supplying humanitarian aid to the Tindouf camps through DG ECHO; questions, however, whether all possible steps are being taken to ensure that the aid is reaching the people for whom it is intended;
Amendment 311 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Expresses concern that the poverty in Tindouf, coupled with an absence of long- term prospects for many refugees, leaves them vulnerable to radicalisation along religious fundamentalist lines; points to the danger of young people being recruited by criminal or terrorist organisations and draws attention to the region's porous borders, which risk facilitating deeper infiltration of the camps by jihadi groups from northern Mali and elsewhere; stresses, therefore, the paramount importance of ensuring the safety and security of the camps;
Amendment 312 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Expresses concern that the poverty in Tindouf, coupled with an absence of long- term prospects for many refugees, leaves them vulnerable to radicalisation along religious fundamentalist lines; points to the danger of young people being recruited by criminal or terrorist organisations and draws attention to the region's porous borders, which risk facilitating deeper infiltration of the camps by jihadi groups from northern Mali and elsewhere; stresses, therefore, the paramount importance of ensuring the safety and security of the camps;
Amendment 323 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Welcomes efforts to improve the documentation of alleged human rights abuses in Western Sahara, in particular through the institution of the Moroccan National Council for Human Rights (CNDH), with offices in Laayoune and Dakhla; notes the positive work of the CNDH, and calls on the Moroccan Government to help strengthen its independence and remit, and to ensure the implementation of its recommendations; welcomes the adoption in 2012 of five recommendations on the human rights situation in Western Sahara; furthermore welcomes Moroccan invitations to, and acceptances of, ad-hoc international delegations, including the UNSR on torture, and urges all relevant parties to continue such engagement with UN human rights bodies;
Amendment 324 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Welcomes efforts to improve the documentation of alleged human rights abuses in Western Sahara, in particular through the institution of the Moroccan National Council for Human Rights (CNDH), with offices in Laayoune and Dakhla; notes the positive work of the CNDH, and calls on the Moroccan Government to help strengthen its independence and remit, and to ensure the implementation of its recommendations; welcomes the adoption in 2012 of five recommendations on the human rights situation in Western Sahara; furthermore welcomes Moroccan invitations to, and acceptances of, ad-hoc international delegations, including the UNSR on torture, and urges all relevant parties to continue such engagement with UN human rights bodies;
Amendment 339 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 a (new)
Paragraph 46 a (new)
46a. Calls upon the governments of Morocco and Algeria to further improve their relations as to avoid increasing the tensions in the region;
Amendment 11 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas, in the whole Atlantic Basin, one of the most important political and economic relationship is that linking the EU and the US; whereas the beginning of a new term of the Obama presidency should serve to strengthen that relationship through an ambitious new agenda;
Amendment 32 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas other playercountries such as China are increasingly present in the Atlantic areand India are becoming increasingly active in the Atlantic basin area, particularly in the Southern Atlantic, where their actions are influenced by their need to acquire raw materials;
Amendment 37 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas an increase in the number and sophistication of high profile cyber attacks has led to the review of related legislation, with the US adopting voluntary reporting mechanisms while the EU plans to adopt tighter compulsory measures;
Amendment 49 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the fact that the agenda will include the launching of negotiations for a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP); stresses that this agreement will reinvigorate the EU-US relationship andan EU-US FTA could represent a significant boost to EU and US economies by stimulating growth and job creation and that this agreement will reinvigorate the EU-US relationship and may also provide an economic counterbalance to Washington's "pivot to Asia"; stresses further that its global impact will go beyond its bilateral implications;
Amendment 76 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Reiterates its determination to continue the fight against terrorism and organised crime and, at the same time, to respect and uphold human rights and fundamental liberties; welcomes the fact that the Passenger Name Records Agreement and the Terrorist Finance Tracking Programme Agreement (SWIFT Agreement), approved by the European Parliament, are already in force; urges the partners to promptly conclude the negotiations on the Data Protection Exchange Agreement; urges the Commission and the United States to resolve the issue of a visa requirement for the citizens of four EU Member States;
Amendment 83 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the creation, at the 2010 Summit, of the Working Group on Cyber- Security and Cyber-Crime; believes that the EU and the US should give special priority to their cooperation on countering cyber attacks and cyber-crime while also upholding fundamental liberties;
Amendment 85 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Regrets that the EU and US plan to implement differing levels of cyber security vigilance at a time when NATO is pushing for intensified cooperation; stresses that such inconsistencies not only pose a threat for cyber defence but may also create trade-related problems for companies whose operations span both jurisdictions;
Amendment 86 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Calls on President Obama to honour his January 2009 pledge to close Guantánamo, to allow detainees who have not been charged to return home or to another safe country as quickly as possible, to try Guantánamo detainees against whom sufficient admissible evidence exists without delay in a fair and public hearing by an independent, impartial tribunal and to ensure that, if convicted, they are imprisoned in the United States in accordance with the applicable international standards and principles; calls, similarly, for an investigation into human rights violations in Guantanamo and clarification of responsibilities;
Amendment 87 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 c (new)
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8c. Calls on the United States, given the cardinal role of the transatlantic partnership and the United States' leadership in this area, to fully investigate and secure accountability for any abuses committed in the context of the "war on terror", ensure that relevant domestic and international law is fully applied with a view to ending legal black holes, end military trials, fully apply criminal law to terrorist suspects and restore review of detention and habeas corpus, due process, freedom from torture and non- discrimination between foreign and United States citizens;
Amendment 109 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the EU and the US to work in a coordinated manner with a view to ensuring a stable international order of peace and cooperation, based on effective multilateralism with emerging players, including those of the South Atlantic rim; urges the partners to continue working on the UN reform programme while engaging the other Atlantic countries; expresses the need for an enhanced cooperation between the EU and the American countries within the UN;
Amendment 119 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Stresses that the integration of two of the biggest market economies may create a geopolitical template to promote liberal- democratic values;
Amendment 120 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Highlights, however, that significant obstacles remain in the area of trade barriers in the agricultural sector and in the WTO; calls on the partners to strengthen and deepen the commitment in the WTO to extend the rules-based multilateral system in order to stimulate the economies of all partners;
Amendment 167 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Urges the US administration to make the stalling Middle East peace process a priority and to ensure that direct negotiations are resumed without delay; urges the twoall partners to continue with the double-track approach and to find, as a matter of urgency, a diplomatic solution to the Iranian and North Korean nuclear programme issue;
Amendment 169 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Calls on President Obama to launch a joint US-Russia initiative whose ultimate aim would be to take both countries' land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles off "ready alert", thereby also honouring his 2008 campaign pledge;
Amendment 194 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Notes the shift of international attention towards the East due to the political and economic growth of the Asia-Pacific region; welcomes the fact that closer consultation between the EU and the US on that region has recently been established; calls on the EU and the US to deepen their collaboration and find coordinated responses to issues that may trouble the regional peace, especially the South-East China Sea Conflict which is fuelling nationalist exacerbation in some Asian countries and threatens maritime security;
Amendment 63 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital S a (new)
Recital S a (new)
S a. whereas this assessment should also address ways to improve the appearances before the Parliament and it's bodies of the HR/VP and EEAS officials, including the HOD and EUSRs and how the EEAS follows up the Parliament's resolutions;
Amendment 79 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. to improve and strengthen the coordinating role of the HR/VP, by ensuring that, in the next Commission, (s)he realises his/her full potential as Vice- President of the Commission and is entrusted with the chairing of the group of RELEX Commissioners, enlarged to other Commissioners when needed; in that regard, to develop further the practice of joint proposals and joint decisions; with a view to strengthen the political leadership of the HR/VP in his/her capacity of Chair of the Foreign Affairs Council;
Amendment 94 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. to ensure that the European Union Special Representatives (EUSRs) are closely integrated into the work of the EEAS by anchoring them and their staff in the EEAS structure, and to consider, whenever possibleuseful, double-hatting them with EU Heads of Delegation;
Amendment 101 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 157 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26 a. at the delegations level, to encourage both the EEAS and the European Commission's Development and Cooperation - EuropeAid to work more actively to engage in political and policy dialogue with stakeholders including CSOs and NGOs;
Amendment 166 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. to ensure that, once appointed by the HR/VP, the new Heads of Delegations are officially confirmed bygiven a positive advise from the relevant committee of Parliament before taking up their posts;
Amendment 8 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EU should develop its foreign policy objectives further and advance its values and interests worldwide with the overall aim of contributing to peace, security, solidarity, conflict prevention, the promotion of democracy, the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, gender equality, respect for international law, support for international institutions, effective multilateralism and mutual respect among nations, sustainable development, free and fair trade and the eradication of poverty;
Amendment 26 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas parliamentary scrutiny of EU foreignthe involvement of the European Parliament in EU common foreign and security policy is essential if European external action is to be understood and supported by EU citizens; whereas effective parliamentary scrutiny of the European External Action Service will enhances the its legitimacy of this action;
Amendment 52 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines the role of political leadership expected of the HR/VP in ensuring the unity, consistency and effectiveness of action by the Union; calls on the HR/VP to use to the full and in a timely manner her powers to initiate, conduct and ensure compliance with the CFSP, involving Parliament's relevant bodies fully in that endeavour; welcomes the important lead role, on behalf of the international community, played under difficult circumstances by the HR/VP in the negotiations with Iran; calls for such leadership in enhancing the European Union's role in support of the Middle East Peace Process and in the Neighbourhood;
Amendment 65 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. WelcomeQuestions the commitment by the Member States in the Lisbon Treaty to playing their full role in the development and implementation of the Union's foreign policy; stresses the importance of the Member States‘' solidarity, during a time of economic constraints, on improving the effectiveness of the Union as a cohesive global actor; notes in particular the importance of the Member States’' making available civilian and military capabilities for the effective implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy;
Amendment 69 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls on the HR/VP to come forward with proposals to further encourage Member State cooperation under the CFSP, specifically by setting out a process that will lead to European Council conclusions on Permanent Structur, while strengthening systematic cooperation between all Member States in the conduct of foreign policy, to explore fully the possibilities provided by the Lisbon treaty for enhanced Ccooperation, in the area of security and defence and guidelines for more systematic use of coalitions of the willing, such as in the ‘core group’ concept for CSDP missions and operations, as a means of overcoming the limits of the ‘battlegroup’ cocluding the production of guidelines for the consignment of specific tasks and missions to a core group of EU states, and to start the process of developing Permanent Structured Cooperation in the area of security and defencept;
Amendment 89 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Continues to support the potential enlargement of the European Union to any European state which respects the Union's values and is committed to promoting them and which is willing and able to fulfil the accession criteria; believes that the Union would lose moral authority and political credibility worldwide were it to close its doors to its neighbours;
Amendment 125 #
Amendment 136 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Recalls that the Southern Neighbourhood is of vital importance to the European Union and urges that a better balance be struck between pursuing market-oriented, on the one hand, and human and social approaches on the other in the EU's response to the Arab Spring; finds scarcely credible the EU's promise of 'Money, Mobility and Markets'; calls, therefore, for a greater focus on employment, education, training and regional development in order to help alleviate the current social and economic crisis in these countries, and to provide the assistance needed to support the ongoing political reforms and social and economic development; underlines the importance of supporting institutional capacity-building, including for the parliaments of these countries, an independent judicial system, the strengthening of civil-society organisations and the formation of pluralist political parties within a secular system;
Amendment 154 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Points out that Turkey is bnoth only a candidate country andbut also an important strategic partner and NATO ally; calls, therefore, for the existing political dialogue with Turkey on foreign policy choices and objectives of mutual interest to be reinforced; stresses the importance of encouraging Turkey to pursue its foreign policy in a framework of dialogue and coordination with the European Union in order to create valuable synergies and reinforce the potential for a positive impact;
Amendment 158 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Recalls Turkey's ambition to inspire and assist democratic transitions and socio- economic reforms in the southern neighbourhood; notes that participation of Turkish institutions and non-governmental organisations in ENP instruments would generate unique synergy effects, especially in areas such as institution-building and socio-economic and civil society development; believes that practical cooperation in the context of the 'positive agenda' should be complemented with a structured dialogue between the EU and Turkey with a view to coordinating their respective neighbourhood policies; hopes that the conditions will improve for the opening of further chapters in the membership negotiations (e.g.in particular, resolution of the Cyprus problem including ratification and implementation of the Ankara Protocol); recognisealls that the lack of cooperation in migration policy is having a negative impact, especially on Greeceprogress is still needed urgently in the matter of visas, immigration and asylum;
Amendment 190 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36 a. Notes the importance of enhancing relations with Moldova in the light of recent positive changes within the country;
Amendment 205 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Considers Russia to have potential as an important strategic partner, but continues to have concerns regarding Russia's commitment to the rule of law, pluralist democracy and human rights should it transform its attitude to the rule of law, pluralist democracy and human rights in line with its responsibilities as a member of the Council of Europe; urges the Russian government to respond to the growing discontent expressed by many Russian citizens at the continuing corruption and oppression of the regime by returning to the path of liberal reform;
Amendment 214 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Believes that it is the sovereign right of countries in the region to choose, free from external interference, the security organisation/arrangements/framework which, in their view, brings greatest security to their citizensUrges Russia to respect the territorial and constitutional integrity of regional neighbours and to join the international consensus in the United Nations with respect to emerging democracy;
Amendment 256 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Notes that, given the increasing global and regional relevance of China, India and other emerging countries in Asia, both the United States of America and the EU may progressively shift their primary attention, political investment and resources to the Pacific; further notes that Asia should have a more important place on the foreign agenda of the European Union and EU Member States; calls therefore for greater coordination of the US and EU policies towards China, India and other emerging countries in Asia in order to avoid a decoupling of approaches to key policies the US and EU have common interests in developing closer trade and political relations with China, India and other emerging countries in Asia;
Amendment 262 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Believes that the USA as a NATO member is an important partner forwill continue to make a vital contribution to the collective security of Europethe West;
Amendment 344 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64
Paragraph 64
64. Urges the Member States to meet their obligation to rapidly conclude the negotiations on the accession of the EU to the ECHR; underlines the importance of the monitoring procedures of the Council of Europe as a major contribution to assessing progress by neighbouring countries in achieving democratic reforms;
Amendment 370 #
Amendment 371 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70 a (new)
Paragraph 70 a (new)
70 a. Believes that in its treatment of authoritarian regimes the EU should develop a more consistent policy with respect to the imposition and lifting of sanctions and restrictive measures;
Amendment 5 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
Citation 5 a (new)
– having regard to the "positive agenda", launched in May 2012 between the Commission and Turkey,
Amendment 6 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 b (new)
Citation 5 b (new)
– having regard to the renewed enlargement consensus, adopted by the Council in 2006 and the consolidated enlargement strategy implemented by the Commission thereafter,
Amendment 21 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas 20 years after the Copenhagen summit the moment has come for a general re-evaluation of the accession criteria, of the established procedures and of enlargement policy as a whole; whereas Parliament contributes to improving the transparency and accountability of enlargement and thereby increasing public support for this processthe 2004 and 2006 enlargements will now be followed by the forthcoming accession of Croatia in July 2013, and whereas the consolidated enlargement strategy and the new focus on justice and home affairs, the rule of law and fundamental rights have proved effective and efficient;
Amendment 36 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has been a candidate state since December 2005, but the EU so far has been unable to open formal accession negotiations;
Amendment 90 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Points out that the EU continues to be attractive, also because of its unique combination of economic dynamism with a social model, and regrets that this social dimension has been largely neglected in the enlargement process; invites the Commission to reflect on possible options, including developing a set of social criteria, to address this deficiency and foster positive social transformation in the future EU Member States; stresses that failure to comply with the EU's common basic social standards constitutes a form of social dumping which is detrimental to European enterprises and workers;
Amendment 109 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Takes the view that strict conditionality requires that the progress of a country is effectively assessed at every stage of the process, and that countries wishing to join the EU should proceed from one stage to the next only once all the conditions have been met at each stage; notes, however, certain tendencies to exaggeration, and recommends avoiding requiring of candidate and potential candidate countries higher standards than those applying in the EU; stresses the importance of setting transparent and fair benchmarks throughout the process;
Amendment 139 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Calls on the Council and the Member States to take a greater responsibility to live up to made commitments and to avoid blocking progress, as for example the long delay for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to open up the negotiations; underlines that the Member States carry a joint responsibility to work out solutions to such deadlocks;
Amendment 236 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Supports the Commission's commitment to improving the quality of the accession process by making it more benchmark-driven and transparent; takes the view that this will make the process fairer and more objectively measurable, thus further enhancing its credibility; in this context, recommends that the progress reports should be more assertive and clearer in their demands; stresses that the benchmarks should not set additional conditions for the candidate and potential candidate countries, but should translate the general membership criteria into concrete steps towards accession;
Amendment 5 #
2011/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas twenty years after the declaration of its independence and some eight years following the application for EU membership, Croatia marked a historic milestone in the process of its reEU integration into Europeprocess by successfully closing accession negotiations with the EU; whereas Croatia’s achievements deserve unqualified recognition;
Amendment 16 #
2011/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas a true reconciliation between the different peoples and the establishment of good-neighbourly relations can substantially contribute to a genuine European integration process; whereas prosecutions for war crimes and the reintegration of refugees and displaced persons are fundamental elements of the reconciliation process;
Amendment 20 #
2011/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas Croatia’s successful accession would have wider regional implications and give positive impetus to the process of European integration in the Western Balkan region; whereas the prospect of EU membership is a powerful incentive for candidate and potential candidate countries in the region on the path to European integration to pursue the necessary political, economic and legislative reforms and the strengthening of peace, stability and reconciliation based on good- neighbourly relations; whereas the EU should reinforce the European perspective for Croatia’s neighbouring countries and constantly encourage these countries to fulfil their obligations on their own route towards full EU membership;
Amendment 24 #
2011/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the conclusion of the accession negotiations with Croatia, bringing to an end almost six years of negotiations and several years of preparations that have significantly altered the country’s socio-political, economic and cultural landscape; stresses the need to keep up the reform momentum and considers that this process is not complete but should continue with the same vigour and hard work after the conclusion of negotiations and beyond accession; expresses its strong confidence in the positive results of this process which will strengthen the support and trust of Croatia’s citizens in EU membership;
Amendment 26 #
2011/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Strongly believes that the conclusion of the accession negotiations is proof of the credibility of the EU’s enlargement process; underlines that the progress on the road to membership reflects the fact that accession prospects continue to promote political and economic reforms and that European integration serves as a means of reconciling countries even beyond EU borders;
Amendment 29 #
2011/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission to closely monitor further preparations for accession with rigour and objectivity and to help the Croatian authorities fulfil their commitments and obligations entered into in the negotiations; is of the view that the pre-accession monitoring mechanism is a way to provide Croatia with additional support in its continued reform efforts;
Amendment 32 #
2011/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines the need to focus in particular on commitments undertaken in the area of the judiciary, home affairs and fundamental rights, freedom and security, including the continued implementation of judicial reform and efficiency, impartial handling of war crimes cases, the fight against corruption, border management, police cooperation, the fight against organised crime, judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters, as well as on commitments in the area of competition policy with a view to the restructuring of the shipbuilding and steel industries;
Amendment 33 #
2011/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines the need to focus in particular on commitments undertaken in the area of the judiciary, fundamental rights, freedom and security, including the protection of freedom of the media as one of the crucial instruments of democracy, as well as the continued implementation of judicial reform and efficiency, impartial handling of war crimes cases, the fight against corruption, border management, police cooperation, the fight against organised crime, judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters, as well as on commitments in the area of competition policy with a view to the restructuring of the shipbuilding and steel industries;
Amendment 59 #
2011/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Urges the Croatian Government to continue actively to encourage and support prosecutions for war crimes and, to continue cooperating with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and to continue developing regional judicial cooperation with other countries concerned; urges the Croatian judiciary to seriously address impunity for war crimes, especially where the victims were ethnic Serbs or the alleged perpetrators were members of the Croatian security forces;
Amendment 71 #
2011/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Encourages the Croatian authorities to continue their efforts to combat discrimination and to enforce the anti- discrimination legislation as well as to address resolutely cases of hate crimes, hate speech, racial threats and intolerance against sexualethnic and LGBT minorities; further invites Croatia to continue to act in the spirit of tolerance and take appropriate measures to protect those who may still be subject to threats or acts of intimidation;
Amendment 97 #
2011/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Invites Croatia to consistently advocate EU enlargement and the promotion of European values of peace, prosperity, freedom, the rule of law, democracy and the social market economy in the region; encourages Croatia to continue to maintainenhance good-neighbourly relations, to remainbe an important and proactive promoter of regional cooperation on all levels and to maintain its commitment to translate reconciliation efforts into practical steps of economic benefit to all citizens of the region;
Amendment 98 #
2011/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Invites Croatia to consistently advocate EU enlargement and the promotion of European values of peace, prosperity, freedom, the rule of law, democracy and the social market economy in the region; encourages Croatia to continue to maintain good-neighbourly relations, to remain an important and proactive promoter of regional cooperation on all levels and to maintain its commitment to translate reconciliation efforts into practical steps of economic, social and human benefit to all citizens of the region;
Amendment 103 #
2011/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls for progress in the resolution of outstanding bilateral issues with some neighbouring countries, in particular as regards border demarcation, missing persons, property restitution and refugees, and strongly believes that open issues of a bilateral nature must not halt the process of EU accession of candidate and potential candidate countries in the Western Balkans;
Amendment 45 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The Union seeks to promote, develop and consolidate the principles of democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms on which it is founded, through dialogue and cooperation with partner countries and regions. This calls for a rights-based approach, promoting in particular the right to universal and non-discriminatory access to basic services, participation in democratic processes, transparency and accountability, justice and the rule of law.
Amendment 91 #
2010/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Points out that in the context of this revision the limitation imposed on European political foundations to use their funds within the European Union should be removed; thereby enabling these Foundations to play a role within as well as beyond European borders;
Amendment 12 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty hais broughtinging a new dimension to European external action and will be instrumental in enhancing the coherence, consistency and effectiveness of EU foreign policy,
Amendment 17 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the Lisbon Treaty is creating a new momentum in EU foreign policy, notably enablingenables the Union to take on an international role compatible with its prominent economic status and its ambitions and to organise itself in such a way as to be an effective global player, able to share responsibility for global security and take the lead in defining common responses to common challenges,
Amendment 24 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
Amendment 30 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Council's annual report and commends its transparent and theme- driven structure, which provides a clear overview of policies and actions in the field of the common foreign and security policy; welcomes also the Council's ambition to place further emphasis and a stronger focus on the regional context of conflicts and issues; deploregrets, however, the fact that no possible approaches to resolving those conflicts and issues are outlined in the report;
Amendment 35 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that the annual report on the CFSP should draw on the new momentumpotential created by the Lisbon Treaty and serve as an instrument for enhanced interinstitutional dialogue, notably by discussing the implementation of an EU foreign policy strategy, evaluating its effectiveness and outlining its future direction;
Amendment 36 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Reiterates its position in favour of developing a coherent EU foreign policy strategy, based on the objectives and principles establishedlaid down in Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), which should clearly identify the common foreign and security policy interests of the EU; calls on the VP/HR to use to the full her powers to initiate, implement and ensure compliance with CFSP, involveing Parliament's relevant bodies fully in that endeavour;
Amendment 48 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Expects the EEAS, by promoting closer coordinationg between the CFSP and other external policies, to help strengthen the EU's role and influence on the global stage and enable it to project its interests and values more efficiently, in a manner commensurate with its existing international trade and economic status;
Amendment 54 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes, however, that full coherence and consistency across EU foreign policy will not be achieved simply by setting up the EEAS, but will also require EU Member States to overcome their differing outlooks on key foreign policy issues such as Russia, Turkey and Kosovo; considers it essential, in this regard, that EU Member States not only agree on a common strategy for foreign and security policy, but also ensure thaadjust their national policies areto supportive of EU positions EU common guidelines, actions and positions and to avoid national actions which are contrary to the interests of the Union;
Amendment 68 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Notes its Treaty obligation to determine, together with national parliaments, the organisation and promotion of effective and regular interparliamentary cooperation, in particular in the field of the common foreign, security and defence policy;
Amendment 78 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Emphasises the need for optimal coordination between EU disaster responses and other EU instruments – such as CSDP civilian or military missions – which are already being deployed on the ground or which could be set up in the aftermath of a crisis; believes that a rigid distinction between military and civilian crisis-management operations reflects outdated institutional patterns rather than the reality on the ground, and therefore emphasises the fact that responses to crises usually require a combination of military and civilian instruments;
Amendment 79 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Emphasises the need for optimal coordination between EU disaster responses and other EU instruments – such as CSDP civilian or military missions – which are already being deployed on the ground or which could be set up in the aftermath of a crisis; believes that a rigid distinction between military and civilian crisis-management operations reflects outdated institutional patterns rather than the reality on the ground, and therefore emphasises the fact that responses to crises may require a combination of military and civilian instruments;
Amendment 86 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Considers it an EU strategic priority to strengthen international crisis-management partnerships and enhance dialogue with other major crisis-management actors – such as the UN, NATO, the African Union (AU) and the OSCE and third countries such as the USA, Turkey, Norway and Canada – an; underlines the need to synchronise actions, share information and pool resources in the fields of peacekeeping and peace-building, including cooperation on crisis management and, in particular, maritime security, and the fight against terrorism under international law;
Amendment 94 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Emphasises the need to prevent the EU from becomingWarns of the risk that the EU becomes wholly dependent for its energy supplies on third countries, which would undermine the independence of EU foreign policy; recalls the urgent need to address energy challenges by implementing a common European external energy policy, based on the diversification of energy suppliers; calls, in this regard, on the VP/HR to pursue with determination Parliament's recommendations for the development of a coherent and coordinated policy, in particular by promoting EU cohesion in constructive dialogue with energy suppliers, and especially with Russia and transit countries;
Amendment 95 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Emphasises the need to prevent the EU from becoming dependentensure that the EU does not become overly-dependent on third countries for its energy supplies on third countries, which wcould ultimately undermine the independence of EUits foreign policy; recalls the urgent need to address energy challenges by implementing a common European external energy policy, based on the diversification of energy suppliers; calls, in this regard, on the VP/HR to pursue with determination Parliament's recommendations for the development of a coherent and coordinated policy, in particular by promoting EU cohesion in constructive dialogue with energy suppliers, and especially with Russia and transit countries;
Amendment 109 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Takes the view that, in order to be consistent, EU foreign policy must give absolute priority to promoting democracythe rule of law and democratic government, given that a lawful democratic society is the basis for upholding human rights; believes that the new institutional structure of the EU, with particular reference to the EEAS and its dedicated department, offers an opportunity to enhance the EU's coherence and effectiveness in this area; reiterates Parliament's strong determination, and recalls its longstanding efforts, to defend human rights and democracy in the world through bilateral relations with third countries and active participation in international forums, as well as support for international and local civil-society organisations;
Amendment 125 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Takes the view that, in order to speak with a strong single voice on global issues within the UN system, the EU should be granted complementary recognition and participatory rights at the UN as a logical consequence of the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty; calls on all EU States to back the VP/HR in securing the necessary enhanced status for the EU throughout the UNO; urges France and the United Kingdom, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, and in accordance with Article 34 (2) TEU, to invite the VP/HR to represent the EU whenever a common position has been defined; insists that the President of the European Council should be enabled to address the General Assembly after the manner of heads of states or government; recommends placing the issue of EU's position at the UN high on the agenda for bilateral and multilateral summits with strategic partners;
Amendment 133 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Believes that the EU should take advantage of the adoption of NATO's new Strategic Concept in order to strengthen its partnership with NATO, bearing in mind the development of the EU's foreign, security and defence policies; points to the need to find pragmatic ways of solving the difficulties – in particular the differences between Cyprus and Turkey – which are hampering the development of closer cooperation between the EU and NATO, given the importance of ensuring that existing forces and capabilities which are shared to a large extent by both organisations are used as efficiently as possible and that conditions are optimized for the security of European troops and civilian operators;
Amendment 145 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Underlines the need for close and continuous coordination of EU foreign policy with the EU'Calls for better coordination and increased cooperation between the EU and its closest ally and strategic partner, the US, in order to ensuringe a joint approach to global governance and to challenges such as nuclear non- proliferation and terrorism; calls on the VP/HR to coordinate closely and develop synergies with the US with a view to ensuring stability and security on the European continent, including on the basis of cooperation with Russia, and with regard to stability in the greater Middle East, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan;
Amendment 148 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Urges the development of a comprehensive EU-US strategy for the improvement of the security situation throughout the greater Middle East, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan which involves cooperation with Turkey, Russia and China;
Amendment 159 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Welcomes the fact that the situation in Kosovo remains stable and peaceful, but is concerned at the serious problems and breaches of electoral law which occurred in several municipalities during the recent elections; stresses the importance of fair elections as part of Kosovo's ongoing democratic transition; urges the Government of Kosovo to improve future electoral processes in order to secure the democratic rights of Kosovo citizens and to strengthen the country's European perspective; calls for the planned talks between Kosovo and Serbia to start without delay, under the sponsorship of the EU, and stresses that they have vast potentialin order to contribute to stability inthroughout Kosovo and to improvinge the situation for local people, including as regards upholding the rule of law in the north of the countryall its people; reiterates the need for the EULEX Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo to ensure that it can function effectively throughoutacross the entire territory of Kosovo, by stepping up its activities in the north of the country, and to enjoy the trust and support of the entire population;
Amendment 195 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Calls on the VP/HR to ensure that the EU's approach towards Russia, including in the negotiations on a new EU-Russia Agreement, is coherent, focused on enhancing the rule of law, and driven by a commitment to the values of pluralist democracy, and respect for human rights and the rule of law, including international law; stresses the importance of the Partnership for Modernisation in this context; underlines at the same time the need for a reinvigorated partnershiprelations with Russia, based on mutual respect and reciprocity, on the issues of the fight against terrorism, energy security and supply, climate change, disarmament, conflict prevention and nuclear non- proliferation, including with reference to Iran, Afghanistan and the Middle East, in pursuit of the goal of strengthening global security and stability; takes the view that cooperation on such issues should form the basis for the new EU-Russia Agreement, and therefore looks forward to speeteady progress in the current negotiations on a new comprehensive agreement that is expected substantially to enhance EU- Russia relations;
Amendment 201 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Emphasizes that strengthening the rule of law in all areas of Russian public life, including the economy, would benefit the society as a whole, because the increasing arbitrariness of legislation and business regulation effectively discourages Foreign Direct Investment;
Amendment 220 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Is monitoring the situation in Tunisia closely, and calls on the EU to support the Tunisian people in its democratic transition, including byWelcomes the flight of Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali from Tunisia and the installation of the transitional government; expects the early resignation of Hosni Mubarak in Egypt; looks forward to the transition to liberal democracy in both these countries, and supports the Arab people in extending and consolidating their efforts to achieve liberty and justice at home and across their region; commits the EU to providing appropriateny assistance that may be needed; emphasises the need to adjust funding to help alleviate the social and economic crisis in the country to enhance the political, social and economic development;
Amendment 237 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Reiterates its view that Pakistan has a key role in the region and that a stable, secular, democratic and prosperous Pakistan is of vital importance to stability in Afghanistan and the wider region; stresses, furthermore, Pakistan's key role in the Afghan peace process; recognises that the devastating floods of August 2010 have been a setback for Pakistan's new government, which had been starting to make progress in dealing with numerous challenges; urges the Council and the Commission, together with the wider international community, to respond with a strong show of solidarity and concrete support to Pakistan's urgent need for post- flood reconstruction and rehabilitation and the country's aspirations to build a strong and prosperous society; welcomes and further encourages EU efforts to bolster political support for stepping up institution- and capacity- building in Pakistan and helping Pakistan's democratic institutions to combat extremism;
Amendment 267 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Believes thatIn light of the worsening security situation and increase in terrorist activities, calls on the EU shouldto adopt a comprehensive approach to security and stability concerns in the Sahel region by employing all relevant EU instruments to eradicate poverty, guarantee sustainable development, address climate change concerns in the region, manage South- South and South-North migratory flows and ensure democracy and institution- building; believes that a process of consensus-building amongst the countries of the region, in cooperation with, and with the progressive ownership of, the AU, should also be put in place;
Amendment 11 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 a (new)
Citation 13 a (new)
– having regard to the fact that Iran's violations of its NPT Treaty obligations add to world's concerns about the safety of the world non-proliferation system, with the nuclear powers India and Israel refusing to join, the DPRK leaving the treaty and Pakistan's chief nuclear specialist operating a proliferation system in the past,
Amendment 19 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16
Citation 16
– having regard to the Vienna Group proposal for transferring Iranian uranium to Russia and France and to the bridging proposal sponsored by the governments of Turkey and Brazil in an attempt to delay the passage of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1929 (2010),
Amendment 33 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the leadership has continuously used the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) to suppress internal dissent, and whereas IRGC intervention in internal Iranian politics has peaked under President Ahmadinejad,
Amendment 49 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas Iran has problematic relations with almost all its neighbours; whereas especially Israel and the Gulf region feel intimidated by's relations with some neighbours have been volatile; whereas especially Israel and some Persian Gulf states have expressed concern over Iran's aggressive rhetoric and, its ongoing nuclear programme and its support for Hezbollah and Hamas,
Amendment 65 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas there has been a remarkable deepening of relations between Iran and Turkey, and whereas Iran is using its stateshould be much more forthcoming and ncon-state allies Syria, Hezbollah and Hamas, to destabiliseructive in its actions in the region,
Amendment 89 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Observes that previous Iranian mass movements were based on a dual pillar – the quest for both welfare and liberty – and suggests that the Green Movement add to its powerful political call of "Where is my voice?" the socio-economic and anti- corruption call "Where is my oil money?"that these remain unfulfilled promises of the 1979 revolution; whereas economic shortcomings such as inflation, corruption, high unemployment, energy shortages, an inefficient state sector and the waste of public funds have increased drastically over the last years;
Amendment 93 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Expresses its solidarity with the millions of Iranians who have taken to the streets peacefully after the June 2009 presidential elections in the hope of political change in Iran;
Amendment 98 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Warns that the IRGC is slowly taking over Irdevelopment of an; indicates that despite ideological congruity between Supreme Leader Khamenei and the IRGC leadership, the development of the IRGC into a state within a state is turning Khamenei into a hostage in the hands of his own Praetorian Guardcreasingly greater role for the IRGC in different spheres of Iranian society raises fears of further militarization of the state;
Amendment 104 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 112 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Reiterates its opposition to the death penalty and calls on the Iranian authorities, in accordance with UN General Assembly Resolutions 62/149 and 63/138, to institute a moratorium on executions pending the abolition of the death penalty;
Amendment 118 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Calls on the Islamic Republic of Iran finally to abolish the death penalty for crimes committed before the age of 18 and to amend its legislation to bring it into line with the international human rights conventions that Iran has ratified, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the ICCPR;
Amendment 122 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Expresses its grave consternation that Iran continues to be one of the very few countries, together with Afghanistan, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Nigeria, which still practise stoning; calls on the Iranian Parliament to pass legislation outlawing this cruel and inhumane form of punishment;
Amendment 125 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 d (new)
Paragraph 5 d (new)
5d. Strongly condemns the continuing legal discrimination of women and the persecution of sexual minorities in Iran; denounces the inhumane and medieval practice of sentencing people to death for alleged acts pertaining to the choice of partners or sexual practices; in this context, reiterates its condemnation of the death sentence against Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, charged with having had relations with two men; expresses continued concern about the fate of Ebrahim Hamidi, condemned to death by hanging on false charges of sodomy;
Amendment 128 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 e (new)
Paragraph 5 e (new)
5e. Urges the Iranian authorities to eliminate, in law and in practice, all forms of torture and other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment, and to uphold due process of law and to end impunity for human rights violations; in particular, calls on the Iranian Parliament and judiciary to abolish such cruel and inhumane punishments as limb amputation, stoning and flogging, which are inconsistent with Iran's international obligations; firmly rejects the notion promoted by the Iranian judicial authorities that such punishments are culturally justified;
Amendment 134 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Is horrifiappalled by the fact that shooting into demonstrating crowds was considered acceptable by the security forces from the night of 15 June 2009 on, as shown in video footage; urges the EU institutions to present to the Iranian authoritiesCommission and the Council to establish a detailed list of all known incidents/violent actions against Iranian civilians in the aftermath of the elections, and insist that there be an honescalls on the Iranian authorities to set up an independent judicial investigation;
Amendment 141 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Insists that in any possible future negotiations with Iran the HR/VP makes the situation of human rights in the country a top priority; calls on the Commission to implement all the instruments at its disposal for the protection and promotion of human rights in Iran; in particular urges it to devise additional measures in the context of the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights in order to actively protect human rights defenders; stresses that facilitating shelter to human rights defenders and access to organisational resources and communication platforms is of particular importance; encourages the Member States to support the European Shelter City Programme and programmes to develop measures against media interception technology;
Amendment 151 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
Amendment 157 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Deplores the fact that, in contradiction with the Constitution, members of religious minorities endure discrimination in housing, education and official jobs, which is leading young members of these minorities to opt for emigration; condemns in particular the systematic persecution of the Baha'i community, the wave of arrests of Christians in 2009, and the harassment of religious dissidents or non-believers as well as Sufi and Sunni Moslems; reiterates its call for the release of the 7 Baha'i leaders and calls on the Iranian Parliament to change Iranian legislation so as to ensure that all adherents of different beliefs in Iran can follow their convictions free from persecution;
Amendment 161 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
Amendment 166 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Concludes that the position of Iranian NGOs worsened considerably in the wake of the disturbanceprotests following the controversial presidential election of 12 June, 2009; strongly supports the Coucriticizes the fact that all international contacts or financial and the Commission for backing these NGOs in a sensible waysupport for NGOs in Iran are systematically abused by the authorities to try to discredit these organisations and their work;
Amendment 172 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Expects the Council and the Commission toCalls for the re-establishment of a UN mandate for a Special Rapporteur to investigate human rights abuses and encourage accountability for those perpetrating human rights violations in Iran; urges the Iranian authorities to react positively to longstanding requests by several UN Special Rapporteurs (e.g. Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions; Torture; Freedom of Religion or Belief; Independence of Judges and Lawyers) for official visits to Iran;
Amendment 179 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Urges the Council and the Commission to demandDemands that the Iranian regimeauthorities do not deter human rights activists from making use of their constitutional rights; calls for the immediate release of all those human rights defenders and prisoners of conscience who are still imprisoned;
Amendment 185 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls on the Islamic Republic of Iran to sign, ratify and implement the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW);
Amendment 191 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses that representatives of EU institutions should include in the programmes of their official visits to Iran meetings with opposition leaders/representatives of the Green Movement and prominent Iranian human rights dissidents; stresses also that official mutual contacts between the delegations of the EP and the Majlis should be conditional on concrete improvements idevelop contacts with representatives from a broad range of Iranian political and social life including prominent Iranian human rights defenders;
Amendment 195 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Urges official representatives of the EU and its Member States, when meetingCondemns the repression by the Iranian authorities of the independent media, including the censorship of video and photo materials; calls on their Iranian counterparts, to insist onauthorities to respect the freedom of the media and to allow for the re-opening of the many dailyforcibly closed newspapers; closed down in recent years, as well as the release of political prisoners, by presenting lists of names in both casesondemns the practice of expulsion of foreign correspondents by the Iranian Government, including reporters from major European newspapers such as El Pais and the Guardian; believes that the censorship imposed by the Government is leading Iran into increasing isolation;
Amendment 212 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Condemns the campaign of dismissals of prominent university professors on political grounds as an intolerable attack on their human rights and academic freedom; believes that these policies will further politicise and debase Iranian universities, long a source of national pride and admiration by scholars around the world; calls on the Iranian authorities to take immediate steps to restore academic freedom in the country;
Amendment 231 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the Commission, the Council and EU Member States to strengthen all enforcement mechanisms for the implementation of the EU Common Position - especially with regard to export licensing, custom and border controls, air cargo and shipping – in order to prevent Iran from evading the sanctions regime through third parties and locally registered front companiNotes that in view of Iran's persistent lack of full cooperation with the IAEA, additional sanctions have become the logical consequence and re-iterates its position that these measures should not negatively affect the general population; welcomes in this context the decision of the US to impose targeted sanctions on Iranian officials determined to be responsible for or complicit in serious human rights abuses in Iran since the disputed presidential election of June 2009; calls on the Council to adopt similar measures;
Amendment 235 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Believes that renewed efforts are needed worldwide to rid the globe of the threat of nuclear weapons; welcomes President Obama's appeal for nuclear disarmament and calls on High Representative Catherine Ashton to make this issue one of her priorities both in her dealings with Member States and in her contacts with governments in the Middle East and Asia;
Amendment 250 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Rejects fiercely the desire expressed by the Iranian leadership to "wipe out" Israel; also fiercely rejectCondemns the anti-Semitic rhetoric of the Iranian president, especially his denial of the Holocaust and his underlying agenda of delegitimizing the Israeli state; calls on the EU institutions to safeguard the existence of the Jewish statreaffirms its full support for the existence of Israel and a two-state solution for Palestine;
Amendment 269 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Expresses its concerns on the remarkable deepening of relations between Iran and EU accession candidate Turkey; asks the Council and the Commission to discuss the Turkish attitude towards Iran with their counterparts in Ankara; calls on the Turkish authorities to follow the European approach towards the Iranian nuclear threat; calls on the EU instRecognizes the role of Turkey as an influential regional actor and commends its efforts at promoting regional stability and cooperation; welcomes the initiative of Turkey and Brazil to reach a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear impasse; encourages Turkey to include the situations to do their utmost to sever the lines between Teheran and Syria, Hezbollah and Hamas of human rights in Iran in its dialogue with Iran;
Amendment 290 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
Amendment 297 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Takes note of the converging interests of the EU and Iran in finding peace and stability in Afghanistan; welcomes the constructive role of Iran in reviving infrastructure and economy in as well as preventing drug trafficking from Afghanistan; stresses, however, that sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan will require all neighbours to refrain from political interference in the country;
Amendment 8 #
2009/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. taking into account the fact that the European Parliament will be consulted on the setting-up of the EEAS, and given the budgetary consequences, believes that an early and substantive dialogue with Parliament is essential for the effective start-up of the EEAS and to ensure that it receives the necessary financial resources,
Amendment 11 #
2009/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls on the Commission, the Council, the Member States and the next High Representative to clearly commit themselves to a comprehensive and ambitious plan for the setting-up of the EEAS, as a gradual and step-by-step approach could lead to inconsistencies and waste of resources;
Amendment 17 #
2009/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – point b
Paragraph 4 – point b
(b) the EEAS should take a form which improves the uniformity of the external action of the Union and its representation in foreign relations, for which purpose in particular the units dealing with external relations in the stricter sense and senior positions in the delegations in third countries should be brought under the umbrella of the EEAS; in the course of further development, consideration can then be given to whamust deal with the CFSP and the common security and defence policy (CSDP) and with the tasks and policies currently dealt with by the Directorate-General for External Relations (DG Relex) in the Commission; in addition, the High Representative should present a comprehensive proposal on how other major external action- related policies will be organised in the new institutional set-up; enlargement, trade, development and humanitarian aid together constitute a substantial part of ther functions should also be assigned to the EEAS EU's overall external policies; there are compelling reasons to include development policy in the new service;
Amendment 20 #
2009/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – point b a (new)
Paragraph 4 – point b a (new)
(ba) the EEAS should be established and set up within the administrative and budgetary remit of the Commission while faithfully carrying out its Treaty mandate to assist the High Representative in conducting the Union's common foreign and security policy on behalf of the Council;
Amendment 23 #
2009/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – point c a (new)
Paragraph 4 – point c a (new)
(ca) the EEAS must include the military and civilian crisis management units within the Council secretariat, even if for military personnel the command and organisational structure may have to differ from that for civilian personnel; the sharing of the intelligence analysis of players within the EEAS is of vital importance in order to assist the High Representative in fulfilling his/her mandate of conducting a coherent, consistent and efficient external Union policy;
Amendment 27 #
2009/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – point d a (new)
Paragraph 4 – point d a (new)
(da) the building of an "esprit de corps" through joint training and professional development is essential for the EEAS's ultimate objective of creating a framework of integrated diplomacy that brings together national and European levels of diplomacy; in order to develop a common European diplomatic culture in the EU's international relations, joint training programmes and a common diplomatic syllabus will be required; the existing training measures and networks of diplomatic training centres could usefully be brought together in a European Diplomatic Academy;
Amendment 33 #
2009/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point c a (new)
Paragraph 6 – point c a (new)
(ca) Notes that, while the EU delegations in third countries will complement existing diplomatic representations of the Member States, there will be possibilities for long-term gains in efficiency, as the future EU delegation could in many cases take over consular services and deal with Schengen visa issues;
Amendment 34 #
2009/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Believes that the decision establishing the organisation and operation of the EEAS should also stipulate that Union embassies in third countries must, whenever necessary, provide logistical and administrative support to the members of all Union institutions; considers that, subject to the consent of the VP/HR, heads of embassies should be accountable to the parliamentarywhile the European Union delegations will be an integral part of the EEAS, and while they should take their instructions from and be subject to the supervision of the High Representative and should administratively belong to the Commission, requests the next High Representative to commit him/herself to informing Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs about his/her appointments to senior posts in the EEAS and to agreeing to the committees concerned and should be required to undergo an appropriate hearing procedure before they are appointedducting hearings with the nominees, if the committee so decides; also requests that the next High Representative commit him/herself to renegotiating the current interinstitutional agreement with the European Parliament, in particular on access to sensitive information and other issues relevant for smooth interinstitutional cooperation;
Amendment 41 #
2009/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Reiterates its determination to exercise its budgetary powers to the full in connection with these institutional innovations; emphasises that all aspects of the funding arrangements for the EEAS must remain under the supervision of the budgetary authority in accordance with the Treaties;
Amendment 3 #
2009/2002(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. States its general satisfaction with spending under the Instrument for Pre- Accession (IPA) but points out that further efforts must be made to strengthen regional cooperation in South-East Europe, in particular in fields such as transport and energy, education, regional parliamentary cooperation, reconciliation measures and trade, and to further promote sustainable economic development in the region;
Amendment 13 #
2009/2002(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that the Lisbon Treaty will have substantial implications on the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) by reorganising the administrative responsibilities and introducing new policy fields; points out that, since the institutional set-up is not yet determined, the necessary budgetary appropriations should be made available gradually as the scope and role of the new organisational structures become clearer; calls on the Commission and the Council to ensure that the economies of scale in terms of support structures lead to a reduction of administrative costs;
Amendment 23 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas a vibrant EU and NATO have built a partnership that is now well established and deep-rooted; whereas however, in order for this partnership to work,partnership should allow for greater maximisation of the assets of both organisations mustand ensure effective consultation, cooperation and transparency at all timesoperation by putting an end to institutional bickering,
Amendment 27 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
Amendment 55 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas oEurope's collective defence is based on a combination of conventional and nuclear forces adapted over the years to correspond to a rapidly changing environment; whereas the ultimate guarantor of military security for the Allies is the strategic nuclear forces of the Alliancewhich ought to have been adapted more thoroughly to the changing security situation,
Amendment 61 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M c (new)
Recital M c (new)
Mc. whereas both the EU and NATO are currently undertaking a reappraisal of their respective security strategies (the ESS and the Declaration on Alliance Security),
Amendment 62 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M d (new)
Recital M d (new)
Md. whereas the Treaty of Lisbon commits civilian and military capabilities of all Member States to the ESDP, provides for permanent structured cooperation in defence between a pioneer group of states, commits states to the progressive improvement of military capabilities, expands the role of the European Defence Agency, obliges states to come to the aid of another under attack (without prejudice to the neutrality of certain states or to the NATO membership of others), upgrades EU objectives (the Petersberg tasks) to include the fight against terrorism, and, finally, insists on mutual solidarity in the event of a terrorist attack or natural disaster,
Amendment 68 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines that the raison d'être of the European Union is to build peace; notes that an ineffective security strategy or security policy leads to unnecessary human sufferingbolsters democracy and the protection of fundamental rights;
Amendment 75 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Therefore calls on the EU to extend the missions of the European Security and Defence Policy so as to prevent conflicts, promote stability and bring relief to where it is needed, subject to a common consensus between EU Member Statensure the sustainability of the results of European Security and Defence Policy missions; believes in the further need for the EU and NATO to develop a comprehensive approach to crisis management, where there is better calibration of civilian and military instruments;
Amendment 86 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recognises that the diversity of interests inherent in a Union of 27 or more Member States – in other words, the mosaic-like composition of the EU – gives it a unique character and the potential to intervene, mediate and help in different parts of the world, unlike any other major power; hopes that the existing military capability of the EU will develop into a credible forceEU Member States will become more integrated, cost-effective and militarily efficient, enabling the Union to exploit its unique abilities in the fields of conflict prevention and conflict resolution and complementing its broad range of civilian crisis management mechanisms;
Amendment 91 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is convinced that the prospect ofa strong Euro- Atlantic integration of democracies ispartnership is still the best guarantor of security and stability across Europe and of respect of the principles of democracy, human rights, the rule of law and good governance;
Amendment 95 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 113 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Urges that the concurrent review of the security strategies of the EU and NATO should be not only complementary but also convergent, each giving due weight to the potential of the other;
Amendment 121 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Insists that all democracies should be united in their efforts to build stability and peace, and thus join with all intergovernmental organisations in promoting these goals; regrets profoundly that the doctrine of non-alignment, inherited from the Cold War era, undermine under the authority of the United Nations; welcomes, moreover, the joint declaration of the secretaries-general of the UN and NATO of 23 September 2008, which confirms the valliance of democracies to the benefit of undemocratic and not yet truly democratic powers; regrets that, in the name of a doctrine of non-alignment, certain Member States opted out of the joint responsibility provided for by the solidarity clause contained in the Treaty of Lisbonue of coordination between the two organisations in the pursuit of international peace and security, and which commits both organisations to developing their cooperation within a framework of dialogue on political and operational issues;
Amendment 136 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Recognises the fundamental role of NATO, in the past as well as today, in the security architecture of the Europe; notes that for the majority of EU Member States, which are also NATO allies, the Alliance remains the foundation of their collective defence; therefore takes the view that the only meaningful way to organise the future collective defence of the EU is within the A, and that the security of Europe as a whole, regardless of the individual positions adopted by its states, continues to benefit from the maintenance of the transatlantic alliance;
Amendment 160 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Notes that the Berlin plus arrangements, which have been useful up until now, need to be improved in order to allow the two organisations to effectively deliver relief in current crises which demand a multi-task civilian-military response; regards it as necessary, therefore, to further develop the existing relationship between NATO and the EU, making them ever more integrated, reducing duplication and creating permanent joint structures of cooperationallow the EU to have recourse to NATO assets and capabilities, need to be enhanced specifically in order to allow NATO to deploy EU assets and capabilities as and when such a complementary approach serves common objectives, while always respecting the independent natdifferent mandates, expertise and procedures of both organisations;
Amendment 171 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Strongly welcomes the French initiative of a formal return to the military structures of NATO, and the efforts by the French Presidency within the EU Council to further bring the EU and NATO together as a response to the new security challenges; welcomes the efforts of the French Presidency aimed at the adoption of concrete initiatives for the pooling of EU and NATO defence capabilities; also welcomes the newly positive approach of the United States of America towards the consolidation of EU defence capabilities;
Amendment 173 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Urges the member states of both organisations to be more flexible, goal- oriented and pragmatic in the implementation of the EU-NATO partnership; therefore asks the member states of both organisations to empower the EU Council and the NAC to implement the partnership more effectively, especially through the ability to have technical arrangements whensupports, therefore, the proposal of the French government for the establishment of systematic contact between the secretaries-general of NATO and wthere needed, given the need to deliver in circumstances EU Council, in particular so as to avoid confusion where the EU and NATO operate side by side in different missions towards the same common purpose in the same theatre, as in Kosovo and Afghanistan;
Amendment 177 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Recognises the vital importance of improving the pooling of intelligence among NATO allies and EU partners;
Amendment 197 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Stresses that an EU Operational Headquarters would complement the current NATO command structures and should not in any case lead to the creation of an EU caucus inside the NAC which could further undermine NATO's transatlantic integrity; is of the view that development of the EU and NATO should not under any circumstances lead to any degree of disintegration in the Alliance and that an adequate level of international credibility must be maintainedby strengthening the European pillar of NATO;
Amendment 214 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Is of the view that, in addition to the need for the much more efficient use of military resources, the need for more investment in defence atby certain EU Member State levels is essential in order to support the efforts to build effective EU-NATO cooperation and action; notes that the United States called on European NATO members during the NATO Bucharest Summit to increase their defence investments so as to support both NATO and EU operationsthe interests of European security; notes also the significant difference in numbers,scale as well as in effectiveness ofbetween the defence spending, between of European members of NATO and the U.S., on the one hand, and the U.S., on the other; calls on the EU to commit itself to fairer global burden- sharing;
Amendment 215 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Recognises the important potential contribution of the European Defence Agency, strengthened by the Treaty of Lisbon, towards cost-effective procurement and enhanced interoperability of armaments;
Amendment 216 #
Amendment 218 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
Amendment 219 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Insists that EU-NATO relations can only benefit if all the EU Member States must be present at the joint EU-NATO meetings without discrimination, even though there might on some occasions be disputes between Member States over certain issues; stresses that unity in terms of values and security arrangements is a vital factor guaranteeing Europeof each institution are comfortable with the relationship; therefore, is of the view that EU Member States that are not members of NATO should be closely associated with NATO's activities, particularly as regards operations and, conversely, that NATO members that are not EU Member States must be allowed an appropriate level of participation in the ESDP and peace, stability and prosperityrmitted to play a full part in the specialised bodies supporting the ESDP;
Amendment 224 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Proposes that those NATO Allies that are candidate for EU accession should at this point at least be given the status of Associate Members of the European Defence Agency, and that they should thereafter should be further, more thoroughly and more permanently involved in ESDP in the spirit of being likely future membersTurkey should be invited to participate in certain programmes of the European Defence Agency;
Amendment 233 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Deplores, in particular, the fact that the Cypriot problem continues to badly impair the development of EU-NATO cooperation - given that, on the one hand, Turkey refuses to allow Cyprus to participate in ESDP missions involving NATO intelligence and resources and that, on the other hand, Cyprus refuses to allow Turkey to engage in the overall development of ESDP to the extent commensurate with Turkey's military weight and strategic importance to Europe and the Atlantic Alliance;
Amendment 252 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Is of the view that, as regards future enlargements of NATO, each case should be judged on its own merits; nevertheless, on the grounds of European security interests, would be opposed to enlarging the organisation to include any country where membership does not have the support of the population or where there are serious unresolved territorial disputes with its neighbours;
Amendment 265 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Is of the view thatLooks forward to the opportunities afforded by NATO's forthcoming 60th anniversary Summit in Strasbourg and Kehl would offer an excellent opportunity to organise the first ever EU-NATO Summit to be held with a view to revisifor the rejuvenation of the Alliance and the streng the nature of the partnership and strengthening its cooperatning of its relations with the European Union;
Amendment 19 #
2008/2063(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
Amendment 28 #
2008/2063(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. RequestsPoints out that the High Representative's representative chairing the Political and Security Committee (PSC) to appear regularly before Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs to report on current issues under discussion in PSC meetingsHeads of the European Union's Delegation in third countries and other high officials will be invited to hearings and meetings in the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee on issues related to their respective field of responsibility;
Amendment 35 #
2008/2063(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 52 #
2008/2063(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
Amendment 45 #
2008/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Considers that the European Union sanctions against the Palestinian Government formed in February 2006 following elections which the EU recognised as free and democratic have undermined the consistency of Union policy and proved seriously counterproductive by making the political and humanitarian situation considerably worse;
Amendment 57 #
2008/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Considers that failure to take appropriate or restrictive measures in the event of a situation marked by persistent human rights violations seriously undermines the Union's human rights strategy, sanctions policy and credibility; in this connection, believes that the persistent violations of international law by Israel call for urgent action on the part of the Union;
Amendment 3 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the signature of the Lisbon Treaty, which will introduce major innovations in the field of ESDP, in particular by strengthening the office of High Representative, establishing a European External Action Service, introducing an article on mutual defence assistance, a solidarity clause and, permanent structured cooperation in the field of defence; urges all Member States to ratify the Lisbon Treaty as quickly as possible; is of the opinion that the European Parliament and national parliaments should jointly debate these innovation and an extension of the "Petersberg tasks"; hopes that the ratification process will be completed successfully and in a timely fashion in all Member States; points out that Parliament will uphold its responsibilities under the current Treaty and will closely monitor the implementation of any new innovations;
Amendment 8 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Asks the Member States concerned to brinvestigate the possibilities and possible impact of bringing under permanent structured cooperation, as envisaged in the Lisbon Treaty, existing multinational forces such as Eurocorps, Eurofor, Euromarfor, the European Gendarmerie Force, the Spanish- Italian amphibious force, the European Air Group, the European Air Coordination cell in Eindhoven, the Athens Multinational Sealift Coordination Centre (AMSCC) and all relevant forces and structures for ESDP operations;
Amendment 11 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Invites the High Representative to assess in a White Paper the progress made, and any shortcomings, in the implementation of the ESS since 2003, including lessons learned from ESDP operations;, the link between external and internal aspects of security (the fight against terrorism); the protection of borders and critical infrastructure including protection against cyber-attacks; the security of energy supply as a challenge facing civilian, economic, technical and diplomatic efforts; unsolved regional disputes in the EU's neighbourhood, e.g. in Transnistria, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Nagorno-Karabakh; humanitarian and security challenges on the African continent; and the consequences of climate change and natural disasters for civil protection and humanogether with the link and relationship between external and internal aspects of security;
Amendment 29 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Requests the Council, against the background ofAcknowledges the Member States' efforts to make personnel available for civilian ESDP missions and requests the Council to take steps to avoid experiences of the kind that resulted in unsatisfactory planning and deployment of EUPOL Afghanistan, to carry out an immediate review of the decision-making, financing and deployment aspects of civilian ESDP missions and to put forward concrete proposals designed to avoid any repetition of this situation in the future;
Amendment 34 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
Amendment 39 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
Amendment 46 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Is of the view that human security and effective multilateralism are core principles at the heart of the ESS, which – when combined with the principle of "responsibility to protect" – provides the EU with a strong political guideline when it comes to deciding whether an intervention should take place, and with a robust political mandate enabling it to intervene effectively in crises;
Amendment 65 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Title and Paragraph 20
Title and Paragraph 20
Amendment 69 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
Amendment 74 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
Amendment 79 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Welcomes the Franco-German heavy transport helicopter project, but is also aware of the complex reasons for the shortage of available and operational helicopters, mostly related to the high costs of flight hours and maintenance; therefore urges the Member States to envisage an increase in defence expenditure for the purpose of being able to make efficient use of acquired helicopterremains extremely concerned by the lack of operational helicopters available for short- range transport, and therefore reiterates that one of the principal obstacles to modernising and transforming European forces so as to enable them to cope effectively with the security challenges of the 21st century is not the level of defence expenditure, but rather the lack of cooperation, the absence of a clear division of labour and specialisation, and the duplication and fragmentation in arms production and procurement, which increase the risk of non-interoperability between armies;
Amendment 83 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Encourages Member States to increase their exchange of intelligence through the EU Joint Situation Centre; believes that special measures need to be taken into account concerning new threats not covered in the ESS, such as the security of energy supply and the security consequences of climate change;
Amendment 92 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Calls for continued improvement in interoperability between EU national armed forces; deplores the existing heterogeneity in training and equipment among various armed forces of the Member States and calls for a military 'Erasmus' programme that would include common training for military personnel that could be deployed in ESDP operations;
Amendment 95 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Regrets that the establishment of the EDA came too late to prevent the emergence of three different national programmes on the unmanned air vehicle instead of a single European one, thus enabling some companies to engage in more than one project and thereby to pocket taxpayers’ money several times over, leaving the EDA with no option but to work on the insertion of unmanned aerial vehicles into the regulated airspace; expresses its preference for a single European satellite projects, whether in the fields of intelligence or communication;
Amendment 98 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
Amendment 107 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Stresses that Parliament should continue to adopt a recommendation or resolution prior tobe informed about the launch of any ESDP operation (including the launch of a Battle Group), in close consultation with national parliaments, in order to impart democratic legitimacy to the operation in question; is of the opinion that, in order to ensure flexibility when Parliament is not in plenary session, its Rules should be adapted with a view to authorising its responsible committee to adopt that recommendation or resolution on its behalf;
Amendment 115 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
Paragraph 43 a (new)
43a. Regards the European Union and NATO as mutually reinforcing, and urges close cooperation between them;
Amendment 118 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital –A
Recital –A
–A. recalling that the objective of the European Union's foreign and security policy is to safeguard the Union's common values, fundamental interests, independence and integrity as well as to fulfil the need to preserve peace, prevent conflicts and strengthen international security, in conformity with the principles of the United Nations Charter: a. stating that conflict and crisis prevention by civil and diplomatic means must be the overall guiding principle underlying any EU security and defence policy; b. convinced that the new security and defence measures must not result in any weakening of human rights in general, or of civil liberties and the rights of Union citizens as laid down in the Charter of Fundamental Rights; c. emphasising that the European Security Strategy can be implemented successfully as long as there are no differing levels of security within the territory of the European Union; d. convinced that the European Security and Defence Policy should provide for the identification of "common threats" and, consequently, the elaboration of "common interests" as long as security is affected within the territory of the European Union;
Amendment 124 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C – point f
Recital C – point f
f. the failure as yet to sign the technical agreements drafted between EU and NATO with a view to ensuring coordination in Kosovo between KFOR and the possible future ESDP mission, and in Afghanistan between EUPOL and ISAF, due to opposition by Turkey,
Amendment 127 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas continuous efforts need to be made to avoid duplication and to increase interoperability within the EU, and whereas the most cost-effective way of doing this is to share and pool defence assets in order to maximise Europe's defence capability,
Amendment 32 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Is of the opinion that the ESS should be updated, especially with a view to addressing the most pressing security challenges; invites the High Representative to assess the progress made, and any shortcomings, in the implementation of the ESS since 2003;
Amendment 49 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Reiterates that terrorism constitutes one of the main threats to the EU’s security butand in this regard welcomes the efforts made by the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator to consolidate implementation of the EU counter- terrorism strategy; in this context, notes that the fight against terrorism must be conducted with due respect for the universal values of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the protection thereof, in close cooperation with international partners and in keeping with the strategy laid down by the United Nations;
Amendment 76 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Is of the view that, given the current situation in Serbia, dialogue with BelgradeSerbia should be based on concrete assistance, implementation of mutually made commitments and cooperation measures, and that particular emphasis should be placed on strengthening ties with civil society in areas of common interest;
Amendment 82 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Takes the view that the EULEX mission in Kosovo should safeguard the interests of national minorities in order to preserve the multi-ethnic character of the territory, protect the cultural, religious and historical heritage, consolidate the rule of law and promote economic development; points out that EULEX will assist Kosovo institutions in combating crime and corruption and enhancing the functioning of justice and customs and peacekeeping, but that it is the local ownership of these efforts that will ensure a successful transition and sustainable social, political and economic development in Kosovo;
Amendment 124 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Recommends that political and economic relations with China and ASEAN be deepened in 2008, on condition that substantial progress be made in the field of democracy and human rights, maintaining a constructive dialogue with the authorities in this connection, a fortiori in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics; recognises ASEAN’s growing role as a force for regional stability and prosperity; believes that the EU and ASEAN have great potential for increased cooperation based in part on ASEAN's progress with regard to regional integration and in the fields of democracy and human rights; remains particularly concerned by the situation in Burma;
Amendment 128 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Stresses the need to give substantial follow-up during 2008 to the decisions reached at the EU-Africa Summit held in December 2007 in Lisbon; in this context, welcomes the appointment of a double- hatted EU Special Representative/Head of Delegation of the European Commission for the African Union, based in Addis Ababa; believes in this regard that the Union, in cooperation with the United Nations, should make every effort to reinforce the peace-building and peace- keeping capacity of the African Union; welcomes in this regard the EU Security Sector Reform missions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, and calls for a coordinated use of CFSP and Community instruments such as the Instrument for Stability;
Amendment 131 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Recommends that the Union strengthen its political dialogue with third countries and regions, in particular with major partners; reiterates in this regard the important role that parliamentary diplomacy plays as a complementary tool in the Union’`s relations with third countries and regions, principally through the threefour major multilateral interparliamentary assemblies (the ACP–- EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly (ACP- EU JPA) the Euro–-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (EuroMed), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC) and the Euro–-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EuroLat)); undertakes to set up an EU–-Neighbourhood-East Parliamentary Assembly (Euro–-Nest) by 2009, in order to enhance the parliamentary dimension of the political partnership between the European Parliament and the countries involved in the eastern part of the ENP;
Amendment 145 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Further underlines that Council- Parliament relations also need to be reconsidered in order to take account of the major reforms of the future CSDP and of Parliament's strengthened powers of scrutiny, following the transfer of the remaining Western European Union competences to the EU; in this regard, welcomes provisions for closer cooperation between the European Parliament and national parliaments;
Amendment 148 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Recalls its right to be consulted on the establishment of the EEAS in accordance with Article 13a(3) of the EU Treaty; requests full association with the preparatory work in this regard; refers to its ongoing report on this matter; hopes that the establishment of the EEAS will provide greater clarity with regard to the criteria for, and the appointment and evaluation of, EU Special Representatives, including the definition and purpose of their tasks, the length of their mandate, and coordination and complementarity with EC delegations;
Amendment 149 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Calls on the future High Representative/Vice-President of the Commission, as well as the Council and the Commission, to reinforce collaboration with the existing multilateral parliamentary assemblies (ACP-EU JPA, EuroMed, PABSEC, EuroLat and , once it is established, Euro- Nest), which bring parliamentarians of the Union together with some of their most important counterparts, as this clearly provides added value for the consistency and efficiency of the Union's external action;
Amendment 159 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas an increased political unity within the European Union is necessary in order to strengthen and make effective the CFSP, since otherwise the credibility of the European Union as a global player risks being undermined, as has happened in the way in which the EU has dealt with Turkey, Russia, the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan; whereas it is to be hoped that the Lisbon Treaty and the strengthened role of the High Representative will facilitate a more forward-looking foreign policy strategy and the establishment of a comprehensive approach that commands the support of all Member States,