Activities of Klemen GROŠELJ related to 2023/2106(INI)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the EU strategy on Central Asia
Amendments (14)
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the first C5+1 Summit between Central Asia leaders and the President of the United States was held in New York on 19 September 2023; whereas the C5+Germany summit took place in Berlin on 29 September 2023;
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Believes that the EU's policy in the fields of energy, connectivity and resource diversification should be based on mutually beneficial strategic partnerships with Central Asia, ensuring Central Asian states' access to modern technologies and qualitative jobs while guaranteeeing the EU secure and competitive access to raw materials and energy;
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recognises that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its implications present both challenges and opportunities for the Central Asian states, which have traditionally maintained close relations with Russia; expresses deep concern about Central Asian states’ circumvention of EU sanctions against Russia, which are intended to stop the war in Ukraine; calls on the authorities of the Central Asian states, particularly Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, to cooperate closely with the EU, in particular its Sanctions Envoy; welcomes Kazakhstan’s administrative measures and high-level political commitment to prevent the circumvention of EU sanctions against Russia;
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Strongly encourages the EU to use all available opportunities to enhance cooperation with Central Asia in the fields of economics, security, energy and infrastructure development; recalls the need to take into account the peculiarities of each Central Asian state and develop ad-hoc, merit-based cooperation strategies;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Calls on the Commission to begin negotiations on visa regime simplification for Central Asian citizens and in particular for residents of Kazakhstan and to strengthen cooperation in the field of R&D, including academic level exchange;
Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls on the Commission to investigate the possibility of EIB support for investments in infrastructure development in Central Asian states, especially in the Middle Corridor;
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls on Central Asian countries to settle all border and water disputes in line with international law and good neighbourly relations, avoiding at all costs the use or threat of force;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Urges the Central Asian states to adhere to their democracy and human rights obligations, noting that this is also in line with the Partnership and Cooperation Agreements and the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus; underlines the importance of maintaining regular human rights dialogues with the Central Asian states, as these dialogues are an instrument to promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and a forum to raise issues of concern; calls on the EU delegations and the Member States’ representations in Central Asia to continue playing an active role in monitoring the situation on the ground, working with human rights defenders and reacting to human rights violations and politically- motivated persecution, including by attending trials and visiting political prisoners; urges all authorities in Central Asia to prevent the use of excessive force and torture by police and security forces;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Calls on Central Asian states to continue the on-going democratic reforms and not to allow backsliding on fundamental rights and citizens' liberties; underlines the need to make election processes more transparent, open and fair for all political actors;
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Calls on the governments of Central Asian countries to carry out judicial reforms with a view to ensuring greater independence and transparency;
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Underlines the fundamental democratic shortcomings in Central Asia, which still persist, and highlights the important role that civil society can play in supporting reforms and good governance in the region; regrets the restrictive approach taken in legislative initiatives on non- governmental organisations and the media, as well as the use of anti-disinformation legislation, which reduce the space for civil society activities; notes that the Central Asian states have young and dynamic populations that should be given opportunities to get meaningfully involved in shaping their countries’ future; welcomes the activities of the EU-Central Asia Civil Society Forum and calls on the EU to enhance its support to civil society;
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Urges Central Asian states to strive for greater democratization of their political systems, incuding by adopting legislation allowing NGOs and CSOs to operate in a free and safe environment;
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Stresses the need to strengthen media independence and freedom in Central Asia in line with the highest democratic standards;
Amendment 110 #
12. Is concerned that gender-based violence, discrimination and harassment of minorities and LGTBIQ people are still widespread in Central Asia and urges the Central Asian governments to prevent these human rights violations through appropriate laws and, measures and education campaigns;