Activities of Arba KOKALARI related to 2023/2107(INI)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on EU-Japan relations
Amendments (30)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
Citation 2 a (new)
– having regard to the 19th Japan- EU High Level Dialogue on Environment held on 23 January 2023,
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 a (new)
Citation 14 a (new)
– having regard to the fifth meeting of the Japan-EU Space Policy Dialogue, held in Brussels 17 January 2023, and the signing of the Copernicus Cooperation Arrangement,
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas Japan is the EU’s closest strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region; whereas both sides share a very broad range of values and goals; whereas Japan is a like-minded global partner in defending multilateralism, democracy and the rules-based order in an increasingly complex global and regional security landscape;
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas it is of paramount importance for the EU to cooperate with Japan given our many shared values and interests, and the Indo-Pacific’s growing economic, demographic, and political weight and its geopolitically and geo- economically strategic position;
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the EU and Japan seek peace and stability throughout the Indo- Pacific, in particular by promoting compliance by all countries with UNCLOS; whereas UNCLOS sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out; whereas Japan is an important defender of the rules-based international order in the region;
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas Japan adopted new national security and defence strategies in December 2022; whereas one of the pillars in Japan’s national defence strategy to achieve national security objectives entails maintaining a free and open international order and strengthening ties with like-minded countries and allies;
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas Japan is a partner of NATO in defending global norms and rules; whereas the NATO-Japan partnership has been further enhanced with the Individually Tailored Partnership Programme for 2023-2026;
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the EU and Japan have both voiced their support for Ukraine and their opposition to Russia’s brutal, unprovoked and illegal war of aggression; whereas the EU and Japan have imposed restrictive measures against Russia following the illegal war of aggression;
Amendment 45 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas China's military build up, military activities and increasingly assertive foreign policy are causing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F b (new)
Recital F b (new)
Fb. whereas both the EU and Japan have faced foreign influence operations and disinformation campaigns from authoritarian actors;
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas the digital transformation and the global competition for technology have important economic and security dimensions; whereas the EU and Japan have shared interests in cooperation on international standard setting, artificial intelligence, network infrastructure, quantum computing and innovative technologies;
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)
Recital H b (new)
Hb. whereas the International Maritime Organization (IMO) sets global regulatory standards for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H c (new)
Recital H c (new)
Hc. whereas the EU has dedicated collaborative research financing, including from Horizon Europe, on semiconductor research and development;
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H d (new)
Recital H d (new)
Hd. whereas the EU and Japan are leading donors of global development assistance; whereas the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have signed agreements, including on transport, infrastructure investments, microfinance and renewable energy sources;
Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Applauds the work of the Japanese G7 presidency in 2023 and the overall excellent cooperation in the G7; points out that the EU, including its agencies and financial institutions, also needs to cooperate very closely with Japan in the G20, the UN and its specialised agencies, the UNFCCC, international standardisation organisations and financial institutions and other international formats in the pursuit of peace, human rights, prosperity, the rule of law and the implementation of the sustainable development goals;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Observes with interest Japan’s efforts to promote a stable architecture in the Indo-Pacific, for instance through its participation in the Quad, its engagement with Pacific island states or the recent Camp David Agreement with Korea and the US; continues to notefully understands Japan’s concerns about North Korea and reiterates condemning North Korea’s unlawful testing of ballistic missiles; intends to continuously cooperate with Japan in order to oppose China’s aggressive policies towards its neighbours; shares Japan’s position that Taiwan is an important partner and a precious friend; shares, further, Japan’s high regard for the Association of Southeas Asian Nations (ASEAN); welcomes the fact that some new vice-ministerial formats also include the EU (in groupings such as Japan/Australia/Korea/EU and Japan/Korea/US/EU);
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. IUnderlines that Russia's unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine will have long-lasting effects on global security and economy; is grateful for the USD 7.6 billion of robust and unwavering support Japan is providing to Ukraine for its self-defence in Russia’s war of aggression; welcomes Japan’s decision to strengthen sanctions against Russia, including export controls on sensitive technologies, and supports further alignment with EU restrictive measures as well as other coordinated measures with like-minded partners; agrees with Japan that it is crucially important to promote the alignment of all international actors that support the UN principles of national sovereignty and territorial integrity against imperialist revisionism or hegemonic coercion; expresses the EU’s clear commitment to supporting efforts to uphold peace and stability in the Indo- Pacific, particularly in the South China Sea, the East China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, and to promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific;
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Notes with deep concern the increasing tension in the Indo-Pacific region and opposes any unilateral attempts to change status quo by force or coercion; expresses the EU’s clear commitment to supporting efforts to uphold peace and stability in the Indo- Pacific, particularly in the South China Sea, the East China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, and to promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific, in accordance with international law; reiterates that a stable and secure Indo-Pacific is vital both for regional and global security;
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Condemns China's military activities and economic coercion; underlines the EU's commitment to have close cooperation with Japan in defending the global rules-based order and reducing dependencies in supply chains;
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Notes that the Asia-Pacific region accounts for the largest portion of seaborne trade; highlights the need to protect and uphold open sea lines of communications and technology supply chains;
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Wants to collaborate with Japan in developing more balanced relations with countries from the Global South; emphasises the importance of implementing necessary climate change policy financing, sustainable and free trade and a fair international energy transition; emphasises the importance of the Global Gateway Initiative and the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment; believes that coordinated actions in strategic investments is of high geopolitical importance, through the mobilisation of public and private funds; welcomes the first five EU-Japan connectivity projects and the Far North Fiber Project;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses that the EU and its Member States have shown commitment in increasing its maritime capabilities and to increase its permanent naval presence through the Coordinated Maritime Presences concept; recalls cooperation on joint naval exercices, such as through the CSDP operation EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta;
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Takes note of the shift in Japan’s national security strategy; continues to support Japan’s engagement for a world without nuclear weapons; calls for a comprehensive security partnership between the EU and Japan as the basis for enhanced consultations, common exercises, shared defence research and development and work on joint contingency planning for dangerous crises; welcomes Member States’ 2+2 dialogue formats with Japan; welcomes NATO’s Individual Tailored Partnership Programme with Japan, but regrets the fact that the opening of a NATO liaison office in Japan has been delayed; proposes the creation of an EU/NATO/AP4 (Japan/Korea/Australia/New Zealand) security dialogue format; encourages the European External Action Service to post a military attaché in Tokyo; supports Japan's participation in EU CSDP operations and would welcome the negotiation of an EU-Japan Framework Participation Agreement; is critical of the fact that the Enhancing Security Cooperation In and With Asia (ESIWA) project is not very substantive; calls for enhanced maritime awareness cooperation on the basis of the Critical Maritime Routes Indian Ocean (CRIMARIO) initiative; insists on including non- conventional security issues such disinformation, cyber, space and climate change;
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Shares the Japanese emphasis on economic security and resilience and welcomes its support for the de-risking paradigm; takes note, in this context, of the G7 Coordination Platform on Economic coercion; points out the huge relevance of the EU-Japan Digital Partnership; values the G7 Framework for Collaboration on Digital Technology Standardisation, cooperation with Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) on critical raw materials, the Industrial Policy Dialogue and the Hiroshima AI Process for responsible artificial intelligence (AI); regrets Japan’s reluctance to participate in Horizon Europe and supports the Council and the Commission in promoting this aim; emphasizes that it is of mutual interest to strengthen cooperation and increase financing of science, research and innovation;
Amendment 118 #
8a. Seeks to further boost strategic cooperation on secure digital connectivity, new technologies and common approaches to digital development on a bilateral and multilateral level; stresses the importance of international standard setting based on open and values-driven norms use of technology; seeks a more common approach to technology transfers; wants to explore closer cooperation on cyber security through joint training and information sharing;
Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Amendment 121 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 c (new)
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8c. Stresses the strategic importance of the submarine cables of telecommunications in the North Atlantic;
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Regrets the fact that the EU-Japan Green Alliance of 2021 still remains a largely unfulfilled promisNotes that Japan has expressed its continued commitment to enhance mutual environmental ambition at national and multilateral levels in line with the EU- Japan Green Alliance; notes that Japan has committed to releasing water from the Fukushima power plant only on the basis of scientific standards, transparency and independent supervision; hopes for a more proactive Japanese role on loss and damage, as well as climate finance, at the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP 28);
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Believes that the Copernicus Cooperation Arrangement, providing free and open access to data from Earth observation satellites and exchanging good practices, is a good example of civilian space cooperation which will benefit the long-term management of natural resources and climate adaptation; notes that cooperation on satellite information and space could be further explored to increase maritime surveillance and information sharing;
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Emphasises the importance of people-to-people contacts for sharing and comparing experienbest practices on issues such as gender equality and economic opportunities for women, an ageing society, new cultural developments or labour practises; values parliamentary exchanges and the human rights dialogue, where we can discuss the death penalty in Japan; proposes the creation of an EU-Japan young leaders forum on global partnership; reiterates its concerns about parental child abduction; welcomes the Japanese government’s Guidelines on Respecting Human Rights in Responsible Supply Chains of 2022 and welcomes its efforts to adopt legislation equivalent to the EU’s corporate sustainability due diligence directive in 2024;