Activities of Olivier CHASTEL related to 2020/2041(INI)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on a new EU-Africa Strategy – a partnership for sustainable and inclusive development
Amendments (20)
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls the particularly close historical ties binding the European Union (EU) and Africa, and the EU’s major contribution both in terms of development aid1 and in the smooth functioning of the African Union (AU)2 ;and reaffirms that the partnership between Africa and the EU must be established between two equal entities that are loyal and credible partners. _________________ 1 EUR 19.6 billion, 46% of the overall total (2018)https://ec.europa.eu/commission/pre sscorner/detail/en/qanda_20_375 2USD 327 million, 42% of its budget, E- 003478/2018
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Recalls the importance of designing the strategic partnership with Africa by strengthening the links established with the AU but also by developing regional cooperation and trilateral EU-AU-UN dialogue.
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Recalls that poverty in the African continent remains a key motive for migration; considers that the EU can make better and more efficient use of its instruments such as the EU-Africa Trust Fund and could increase funding of the Erasmus+ Programme for youth education both within the EU and Africa
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Invites to finalize important projects for the development of the African continent such as the fight against corruption, digitalization, sustainable development, the strengthening of the rule of law, the protection of minorities and the most vulnerable, notably children, gender equality, and equal opportunities for all.
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls for the strengthening of efforts to combat corruption – constituting as it does a major obstacle to effective development, preventing Africa’s peoples from fully benefiting from the effects of joint EU-AU policies – to be taken into account in the comprehensive strategy with Africa; proposes stepping up the channelling of EU funds to direct beneficiaries via international organisations on the ground; stresses the importance of promoting human rights, women's and minority rights, democracy and good governance in EU-Africa relations, in particular by strengthening links to and support for civil society in African countries;
Amendment 23 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that the issue of migration must be prioritised in a context in which more than half of all asylum applications in the EU are rejected in a final court decision3; taconstitutes a long-term priority issue in EU-Africa relations and that a strong dialogue between the EU, the AU and the African states is needed on the issue in order to address the root causes of migration and promote partnerships on migration and mobility; considers that the fight against smugglers and human traffickers the view, therefore, that we must focus on making returns more effective by signing readmission agreements and issuing consular laissez-passers; _________________ 3 Source: EUROSTATmust be conducted jointly with the two parties, and with the support of Europol, among others; proposes increasing EU support for the creation of reception centres in African countries for people fleeing wars or persecution, in order to ensure decent, humane and healthy conditions; proposes stepping up programmes for resettlement from African countries to the EU, for refugees;
Amendment 24 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that the issue of migration must be prioritised in a context in which more than half of all asylum applications in the EU are rejected in a final court decision3 ; takes the view, therefore, that we must focus on making returns more effective by signing readmission agreementsat we must develop a strong cooperation in the field of migration, established on the principles of solidarity, shared responsibility and respect for human rights; underlines the importance of ensuring effectiveness and due process in the return policy and in the conclusion of readmission agreements, giving preference to voluntary return, and isensuring consular laissez-passers;that the rights and dignity of individuals are fully protected and respected. _________________ 3 Source: EUROSTAT
Amendment 28 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that the issue of migration must be prioritised in a context in which more thanalmost half of all asylum applications in the EU are rejected in a final court decision3 accepted; takes the view, therefore, that we must focus on making returns more effective by signing readmission agreements and issuing consular laissez-passers; _________________ 3Source: EUROSTAT
Amendment 37 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Recalls that one of the decisive factors for migration among young Africans is the lack of opportunities versus aspirations in the countries of origin. Therefore, calls on the EU to invest much more in the promotion of good governance and democratic processes, as well the empowerment of democratic actors.
Amendment 40 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Recalls that up to 80% of all international migrants who originate from African countries are moving within the African continent, contributing to Africa’s development, prosperity and integration.
Amendment 44 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Stresses the importance to develop a genuine circular migration policy enabling skilled and unskilled workers to benefit from an exchange of professional knowledge and mobility between the EU and Africa, allowing people to return to their countries of origin and, thus, promoting “brain gain”;
Amendment 50 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Recalls that brain drain is a problem that needs to be addressed with the utmost attention in order to design a genuine and sustainable strategic partnership with Africa; supports prioritizing eligible applications for work permits from countries of origin and transit to the EU (for instance, through embassies or online) in order to discourage migrants from migrating irregularly and ease the burden on the asylum system.
Amendment 52 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 e (new)
Paragraph 3 e (new)
3e. Stresses the importance of including in the new strategy concrete actions aimed at empowering migrant and diaspora groups to contribute to the shaping, implementation and monitoring of the new strategy and for increased involvement of EU and African civil society in shaping the strategy and monitoring its implementation;
Amendment 59 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Supports the digitisation and modernisation of public administration in African countries, in particular with a view to developing reliable civil registration agencies and promoting data exchange so as to combat terrorism and all sorts of organised crime, notably human trafficking and smuggling;
Amendment 61 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Amendment 64 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Deems it essential that both parties benefit equally from any such professional migration policy and that it does not lead to a brain drain and outflow of expertise from African countries to EU countries; supports in this regard programmes whose goal is to train the same number of workers in the country of origin as work permits issued per skilled post in the EU, in order to contribute actively to the prosperity, innovation and growth of African countries;
Amendment 68 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes Africa’s sustained economic growth; calls, therefore, on the AU to do its utmost to guarantee a decent future for its young people, the main driving force behind the continent’s development4, and thus to contribute to stopping the arrival of unaccompanied minors in Europe and to cooperate in readmitting those eligible for returnNotes that while global economic growth on the African continent may be higher than the global average, there are still significant disparities, both between the countries themselves, where some are even experiencing declining growth, and in per capita GDP; calls on the AU to do its utmost to support fair and inclusive economic growth that benefits everyone, and in particular young people, the main driving force behind the continent's development4; _________________ 4 62% of sub-Saharan Africa’s population is under 25 years of age https://population.un.org/wpp/Publications/ Files/WPP2019_Highlights.pdf
Amendment 76 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls on the EU to provide direct and indirect assistance to migrants and refugees near the homes they fled from but also to step up its commitments on resettlement in the EU for the most vulnerable.
Amendment 77 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Deplores that many economic migrants apply for asylum in the EU due to the lack of alternative channels; calls on the EU to develop more channels for legal migration to facilitate mobility and unburden the overloaded asylum system; considers a more open visa policy to be a sustainable approach to simplify labour migration; highlights the importance of economic partnerships between European and African businesses, notably SMEs, to boost economic opportunities for both continents.
Amendment 82 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for the security and interests of the European continent and its citizens to be taken into accountinterests and legitimate expectations of both Africans and Europeans to be taken into account, including through the direct participation of civil society organisation in the EU- Africa Strategy process.