Activities of Nathalie LOISEAU
Plenary speeches (129)
Situation in the Persian Gulf (debate)
The UK’s withdrawal from the EU (debate)
The Turkish military operation in northeast Syria and its consequences (debate)
Turkish drilling activities in EU waters in the Eastern Mediterranean (debate)
Interference from other countries in our democracies and elections (topical debate)
Violations of human rights including religious freedoms in Burkina Faso
Situation in Iran and Iraq following recent escalations (debate)
Annual report on the implementation of the common foreign and security policy - Annual report on the implementation of the common security and defence policy (debate)
Withdrawal Agreement of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community (debate)
Assessment of the revised enlargement methodology proposal of the Commission (debate)
Proposed mandate for negotiations for a new partnership with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (debate)
Preparation of the European Council meeting of 19 June 2020 - Recommendations on the negotiations for a new partnership with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (debate)
Foreign policy consequences of the COVID-19 crisis - The PRC national security law for Hong Kong and the need for the EU to defend Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy - The EU's response to the possible Israeli annexation in the West Bank (debate)
The 2019 Human Rights Annual report - Stability and Security in the Mediterranean and the negative role of Turkey - Situation in Belarus (debate)
Preparation of the Special European Council, focusing on the dangerous escalation and the role of Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean (debate)
Situation in Belarus - Situation in Lebanon - Situation in Russia, the poisoning of Alexei Navalny (debate)
Conclusions of the Special European Council meeting of 1 and 2 October 2020 - Preparation of the European Council meeting of 15 and 16 October 2020 (continuation of debate)
The resumption of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan in relation to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict (debate)
Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 15 and 16 October 2020, in particular the negotiations of the future relations with the UK (debate)
The fight against impunity for crimes committed against journalists around the world (debate)
Preparation of the European Council meeting of 10-11 December 2020 (debate)
25 year anniversary of the Barcelona Process and the Southern Neighbourhood (debate)
Future Relations between the EU and the UK (debate)
The crackdown on the democratic opposition in Hong Kong
The Syrian conflict – 10 years after the uprising (debate)
Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 25 and 26 March 2021 - The outcome of the high level meeting between the EU and Turkey of the 6th of April (continuation of debate)
The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement - The outcome of EU-UK negotiations (debate)
European Defence Fund (debate)
Blasphemy laws in Pakistan, in particular the case Shagufta Kausar and Shafqat Emmanuel
2019-2020 Reports on Turkey (debate)
The situation in Haiti
The situation in Chad
Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument 2021-2027 – Global Europe (debate)
Breach of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child and the use of minors by the Moroccan authorities in the migratory crisis in Ceuta
Foreign interference in democratic processes (debate)
Breaches of EU law and of the rights of LGBTIQ citizens in Hungary as a result of the adopted legal changes in the Hungarian Parliament - The outcome of 22 June hearings under Article 7(1) of the TEU regarding Poland and Hungary (continuation of debate)
Hong Kong, notably the case of Apple Daily
Situation in Afghanistan (debate)
A new EU-China strategy (debate)
The Pegasus spyware scandal (debate)
The future of EU-US relations (debate)
Situation in Tunisia (debate)
Situation in Belarus and at its border with the EU and the security and humanitarian consequences (debate)
Human rights violations by private military and security companies, particularly the Wagner Group
Situation at the Ukrainian border and in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine (debate)
Forced labour in the Linglong factory and environmental protests in Serbia
Implementation of the common foreign and security policy – annual report 2021 - Implementation of the common security and defence policy – annual report 2021 (debate)
EU-Russia relations, European security and Russia’s military threat against Ukraine (debate)
Russian aggression against Ukraine (debate)
Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU (debate)
Debate with the Prime Minister of Estonia, Kaja Kallas - The EU's role in a changing world and the security situation of Europe following the Russian aggression and invasion of Ukraine (debate)
Destruction of cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh
EU Protection of children and young people fleeing the war against Ukraine (debate)
Question Time with the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy - Security and the EU's strategic compass
Question Time with the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy - Security and the EU's strategic compass
Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 24-25 March 2022: including the latest developments of the war against Ukraine and the EU sanctions against Russia and their implementation (debate)
Cooperation and similarities between the Putin regime and extreme right and separatist movements in Europe (topical debate)
Order of business
EU preparedness against cyber-attacks following Russia invasion on Ukraine (debate)
Threats to stability, security and democracy in Western and Sahelian Africa (debate)
2021 Report on Turkey (debate)
The EU’s Foreign, Security and Defence Policy after the Russian invasion of Ukraine (debate)
The UK government’s unilateral introduction of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill and respect for international law (debate)
The relations of the Russian government and diplomatic network with parties of extremist, populist, anti-European and certain other European political parties in the context of the war (debate)
Renewed partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood – a new agenda for the Mediterranean (debate)
Question Time (VPC/HR) Heightening tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan following the recent military escalation
Question Time (VPC/HR) Heightening tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan following the recent military escalation
The situation in Burkina Faso following the coup d'état (debate)
Russia’s escalation of its war of aggression against Ukraine (debate)
Countering the anti-European and anti-Ukrainian propaganda of Putin’s European cronies (topical debate)
Recognising the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism (debate)
Outcome of the first meeting of the European Political Community (debate)
Cultural solidarity with Ukraine and a joint emergency response mechanism for cultural recovery in Europe (debate)
New EU strategy for enlargement (debate)
Defending democracy from foreign interference (debate)
The humanitarian situation in Ukraine due to Russia’s attacks against critical infrastructure and civilian areas (debate)
New developments in allegations of corruption and foreign interference, including those related to Morocco, and the need to increase transparency, integrity and accountability in the European institutions (debate)
Implementation of the common foreign and security policy - annual report 2022 - Implementation of the common security and defence policy - annual report 2022 (debate)
The EU’s response to the appalling attack against civilians in Dnipro : strengthening sanctions against the Putin regime and military support to Ukraine (debate)
Humanitarian consequences of the blockade in Nagorno-Karabakh
Preparation of the EU-Ukraine Summit (debate)
EU response to the humanitarian situation following the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria (debate)
EU funding allocated to NGOs incriminated in the recent corruption revelations and the protection of EU financial interests (debate)
Following up on measures requested by Parliament to strengthen the integrity of European institutions (debate)
Establishment of an independent EU Ethics Body (debate)
One year of Russia’s invasion and war of aggression against Ukraine (debate)
Order of business
Implementation report on the Agreement on the withdrawal of the UK from the EU - The Windsor Framework (debate)
EU-Armenia relations (debate)
Strengthening the EU Defence in the context of the war in Ukraine: speeding up production and deliveries to Ukraine of weapons and ammunitions (debate)
Iran: in particular the poisoning of hundreds of school girls (B9-0170/2023, B9-0172/2023) (vote)
The need for a coherent strategy for EU-China Relations (debate)
Establishing the Act in support of ammunition production (debate)
Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation - Election integrity and resilience build-up towards European elections 2024 (debate)
Humanitarian and environmental consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam - Sustainable reconstruction and integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community (debate)
Establishment of the EU Ethics Body (debate)
Question Time (VPC/HR) - Relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and at the Lachin Corridor
Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 29-30 June 2023, in particular the recent developments in the war against Ukraine and in Russia (debate)
Recommendations for reform of the European Parliament’s rules on transparency, integrity, accountability and anti-corruption (debate)
Recommendations for reform of the European Parliament’s rules on transparency, integrity, accountability and anti-corruption (debate)
Statements by the President
Question Time (VPC/HR) - Situation in West and Central Africa in the light of the recent coups d’état
Question Time (VPC/HR) - Situation in West and Central Africa in the light of the recent coups d’état
2022 Report on Türkiye (debate)
Order of business
Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan’s attack and the continuing threats against Armenia (debate)
Human rights situation in Afghanistan, in particular the persecution of former government officials
A true geopolitical Europe now (topical debate)
Question Time with Commissioners - The state of implementation of the EU’s commitment to provide 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition to Ukraine until March 2024
Question Time with Commissioners - The state of implementation of the EU’s commitment to provide 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition to Ukraine until March 2024
Humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need for the release of hostages and for an immediate humanitarian truce leading to a ceasefire and the prospects for peace and security in the Middle East (debate)
One year after Morocco and QatarGate – stocktaking of measures to strengthen transparency and accountability in the European institutions (debate)
One year after Morocco and QatarGate – stocktaking of measures to strengthen transparency and accountability in the European institutions (debate)
One year after Morocco and QatarGate – stocktaking of measures to strengthen transparency and accountability in the European institutions (debate)
European Defence investment programme (EDIP) (debate)
Keeping commitments and delivering military assistance to Ukraine (debate)
Humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need to reach a ceasefire and the risks of regional escalation (debate)
Humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need to reach a ceasefire and the risks of regional escalation (debate)
Humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need to reach a ceasefire and the risks of regional escalation (debate)
The need for unwavering EU support for Ukraine, after two years of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine (debate)
Russiagate: allegations of Russian interference in the democratic processes of the European Union (debate)
Need to fight the increase of antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred (debate)
Closer ties between the EU and Armenia and the need for a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia (debate)
Closer ties between the EU and Armenia and the need for a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia (debate)
Recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the EEAS on the situation in Syria (debate)
Strengthening European Defence in a volatile geopolitical landscape - Implementation of the common foreign and security policy – annual report 2023 - Implementation of the common security and defence policy – annual report 2023 (joint debate - European security and defence)
Council and Commission statements - Preparation of the European Council meeting of 21 and 22 March 2024 (debate)
Question Time with Commissioners - Preparedness of EU governments to combat foreign interference, including from Russia
New allegations of Russian interference in the European Parliament, in the upcoming EU elections and the impact on the Union (debate)
Reports (4)
REPORT on the implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy – annual report 2021
REPORT on a European Parliament recommendation to the Council and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the EU’s Foreign, Security and Defence Policy after the Russian invasion of Ukraine
REPORT on recommendations for reform of European Parliament’s rules on transparency, integrity, accountability and anti-corruption
REPORT on a European Parliament recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the situation in Syria
Shadow reports (6)
REPORT on the European Parliament recommendation on the negotiations for a new partnership with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
REPORT on a European Parliament recommendation to the Commission and the Commission Vice-President / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the renewed partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood – a new agenda for the Mediterranean
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down rules for the exercise of the Union's rights in the implementation and enforcement of the Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part
REPORT on EU-Armenia relations
RECOMMENDATION FOR SECOND READING on the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement (Kosovo*)
REPORT on the implementation of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement
Opinions (1)
Opinion on Establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (‘STEP’) and amending Directive 2003/87/EC, Regulations (EU) 2021/1058, (EU) 2021/1056, (EU) 2021/1057, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) 2021/1060, (EU) 2021/523, (EU) 2021/695, (EU) 2021/697 and (EU) 2021/241
Shadow opinions (4)
OPINION on the assessment of the implementation of Article 50 TEU
OPINION on the implementation report on the Agreement on the withdrawal of the UK from the EU
OPINION on the implementation report on the Agreement on the withdrawal of the UK from the EU
OPINION on the implementation report on the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement
Institutional motions (240)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Iran, notably the situation of women's rights defenders and imprisoned EU dual nationals
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Myanmar, notably the situation of the Rohingya
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Turkey, notably the removal of elected mayors
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Iran, notably the situation of women’s rights defenders and imprisoned EU dual nationals
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Myanmar, notably the situation of the Rohingya
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on situation in Turkey, notably the removal of elected mayors
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the proposed new Criminal Code of Indonesia
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Egypt
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION On the situation of LGBTI people in Uganda
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Turkish military operation in northeast Syria and its consequences
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Turkish military operation in northeast Syria and its consequences
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the proposed criminal code of Indonesia
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of LGBTI people in Uganda
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the criminalisation of sexual education in Poland
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on children’s rights on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the EU’s accession to the Istanbul Convention and other measures to combat gender-based violence
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Haiti
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cuba, the case of José Daniel Ferrer
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of freedoms in Algeria
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Bolivia
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on recent actions by the Russian Federation against Lithuanian judges, prosecutors and investigators involved in investigating the tragic events of 13 January 1991 in Vilnius
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Bolivia
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on recent actions by the Russian Federation against Lithuanian judges, prosecutors and investigators involved in investigating the tragic events of 13 January 1991 in Vilnius
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Haiti
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cuba, the case of José Daniel Ferrer
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of freedoms in Algeria
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on violations of human rights including religious freedoms in Burkina Faso
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Russian "Foreign Agents" Law
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Afghanistan, notably the allegations of sexual abuse of boys in the Logar Province
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of human rights and democracy in Nicaragua
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of human rights and democracy in Nicaragua
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on violations of human rights including religious freedoms in Burkina Faso
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Russian ‘foreign agents’ law
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Afghanistan, notably the allegations of sexual abuse of boys in the Logar Province
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the proposed mandate for negotiations for a new partnership with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the PRC national security law for Hong Kong and the need for the EU to defend Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the PRC national security law for Hong Kong and the need for the EU to defend Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the humanitarian situation in Venezuela and the migration and refugee crisis
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the humanitarian situation in Venezuela and the migration and refugee crisis
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the preparation of the special European Council summit focusing on the dangerous escalation and the role of Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the preparation of the special European Council summit focusing on the dangerous escalation and the role of Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Eritrea, the case of Dawit Isaak
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on escalating tensions in Varosha following the illegal actions by Turkey and the urgent need for the resumption of talks
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on escalating tensions in Varosha following the illegal actions by Turkey and the urgent need for the resumption of talks
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the need for a dedicated Council configuration on gender equality
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on human rights situation in Turkey, notably the case of Selahattin Demirtas and other prisoners of conscience
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the crackdown on the democratic opposition in Hong Kong
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the arrest of Aleksei Navalny
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the arrest of Aleksei Navalny
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Turkey, notably the case of Selahattin Demirtaş and other prisoners of conscience
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the crackdown on the democratic opposition in Hong Kong
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on human rights situation in Kazakhstan
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Rwanda, the case of Paul Rusesabagina
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the humanitarian and political situation in Yemen
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Myanmar
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Kazakhstan
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Syrian conflict – 10 years after the uprising
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Syrian conflict – 10 years after the uprising
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Chinese countersanctions on EU entities and MEPs and MPs
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Chad
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Haiti
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on prisoners of war in the aftermath of the most recent conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Haiti
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on prisoners of war in the aftermath of the most recent conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION The listing of German NGOs as 'undesirable organisations' by Russia and the detention of Andrei Pivovarov
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on systematic repression in Belarus and its consequences for European security following abductions from an EU civilian plane intercepted by Belarusian authorities
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Afghanistan
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the systematic repression in Belarus and its consequences for European security following the abductions from an EU civilian plane intercepted by Belarusian authorities
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Afghanistan
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Hong Kong, notably the case of Apple Daily
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Ahmadreza Djalali in Iran
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the repression of the opposition in Turkey, specifically the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the repression of the opposition in Turkey, specifically the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Hong Kong, notably the case of Apple Daily
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Ahmadreza Djalali in Iran
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Afghanistan
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Lebanon
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Afghanistan
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Myanmar, including the situation of religious and ethnic groups
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION The state law relating to abortion in Texas, USA
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Belarus after one year of protests and their violent repression
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the humanitarian situation in Tigray
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the state law relating to abortion in Texas, USA
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the humanitarian situation in Tigray
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Belarus after one year of protests and their violent repression
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Pandora Papers: implications for the efforts to combat money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Tunisia
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the rule of law crisis in Poland and the primacy of EU law
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Pandora Papers: implications for the efforts to combat money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on human rights violations by private military and security companies, particularly the Wagner group
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights violations by private military and security companies, particularly the Wagner Group
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on continuous crackdown on civil society and human rights defenders in Russia: the case of Human Rights organisation Memorial
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on forced labour in the Linglong factory and environmental protests in Serbia
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation at the Ukrainian border and in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the continuous crackdown on civil society and human rights defenders in Russia: the case of human rights organisation Memorial
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on forced labour in the Linglong factory and environmental protests in Serbia
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation at the Ukrainian border and in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the political crisis in Sudan
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Kazakhstan
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on violations of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION the political crisis in Burkina Faso
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the death penalty in Iran
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the political crisis in Burkina Faso
on the Russian aggression against Ukraine
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on destruction of cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the destruction of cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION the EU Protection of children and young people fleeing because of the war in Ukraine
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the conclusions of the European Council meeting of 24-25 March 2022: including the latest developments of the war against Ukraine and the EU sanctions against Russia and their implementation
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Afghanistan, in particular the situation of women’s rights
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the conclusions of the European Council meeting of 24-25 March 2022, including the latest developments of the war against Ukraine and the EU sanctions against Russia and their implementation
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on threats to stability, security and democracy in West and Sahelian Africa
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the state of play of EU-Moldova cooperation
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Osman Kavala in Turkey
threats to stability, security and democracy in Western and Sahelian Africa
the State of play on the EU-Moldova cooperation
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Osman Kavala in Turkey
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION the fight against impunity of war crimes in Ukraine
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the prosecution of the opposition and the detention of trade union leaders in Belarus
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the fight against impunity for war crimes in Ukraine
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the prosecution of the opposition and the detention of trade union leaders in Belarus
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on reports of the human rights situation in Xinjiang, including the Xinjiang police files
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the rule of law and the potential approval of the Polish national recovery plan (RRF)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Xinjiang, including the Xinjiang police files
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the EU candidate status of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the candidate status of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the arrest of Cardinal Zen and the trustees of the 612 relief fund in Hong Kong
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Tajikistan’s Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province
on the arrest of Cardinal Zen and the trustees of the 612 relief fund in Hong Kong
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Tajikistan’s Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on human rights violations in the context of forced deportation of Ukrainian civilians to and forced adoption of Ukrainian children in Russia
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Strait of Taiwan
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Strait of Taiwan
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on human rights violations in the context of the forced deportation of Ukrainian civilians to and the forced adoption of Ukrainian children in Russia
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of human rights in Haiti in particular related to gang violence
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Media freedom crackdown in Myanmar, notably the cases of Htet Htet Khine, Sithu Aung Myint and Nyein Nyein Aye
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the recent humanitarian and human rights situation in Tigray, Ethiopia, notably that of children
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the death of Mahsa Amini and the repression of women’s rights protesters in Iran
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Russia’s escalation of its war of aggression against Ukraine
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the death of Mahsa Jina Amini and the repression of women’s rights protesters in Iran
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Media freedom crackdown in Myanmar, notably the cases of Htet Htet Khine, Sithu Aung Myint and Nyein Nyein Aye
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Russia’s escalation of its war of aggression against Ukraine
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the recent humanitarian and human rights situation in Tigray, Ethiopia, notably that of children
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of human rights in Haiti in particular related to gang violence
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Burkina Faso following the coup d’état
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on recognising the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on recognising the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Egypt
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION forced displacement of people as a result of escalating conflict in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Afghanistan and specially the deterioration of women's rights and attacks against education institutions
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the continuing repression of the democratic opposition and civil society in Belarus
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on human rights in the context of the FIFA world cup in Qatar
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the continuing repression of the democratic opposition and civil society in Belarus
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Afghanistan, especially the deterioration of women’s rights and attacks against educational institutions
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the prospects for the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Chinese government crackdown on the peaceful protests across the People's Republic of China
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on 90 years after the Holodomor: recognising the mass killing through starvation as genocide
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on 90 years after the Holodomor: recognising the mass killing through starvation as genocide
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the prospects of the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Chinese Government crackdown on the peaceful protests across the People’s Republic of China
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the humanitarian consequences of the blockade in Nagorno-Karabakh
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the establishment of a tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the EU response to the protests and executions in Iran
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the storming of Brazilian democratic institutions
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the humanitarian consequences of the blockade in Nagorno-Karabakh
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the EU response to the protests and executions in Iran
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the establishment of a tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the preparation of the EU-Ukraine Summit
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the preparation of the EU-Ukraine Summit
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of the former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of the former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION the recent deterioration of the inhuman imprisonment conditions of Alexei Navalny and other political prisoners in Russia
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on violence against opposition activists in Equatorial Guinea, notably the case of Julio Obama Mefuman
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on one year of Russia’s invasion and war of aggression against Ukraine
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the inhuman imprisonment conditions of Alexei Navalny
on one year of Russia’s invasion and war of aggression against Ukraine
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of human rights defenders in Eswatini, notably the murder of Thulani Maseko
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on one year of Russia’s invasion and war of aggression against Ukraine
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on violence against opposition activists in Equatorial Guinea, notably the case of Julio Obama Mefuman
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on further repression against the people of Belarus, in particular the cases of Andrzej Poczobut and Ales Bialiatski
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Iran, in particular the poisoning of hundreds of schoolgirls
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the challenges facing the Republic of Moldova
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the risk of death penalty and execution of singer Yahaya Sharif Aminu for blasphemy in Nigeria
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION The crackdown on the right to education and education rights activists in Afghanistan, including the case of Matiullah Wesa
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on repression in Russia, in particular the cases of Vladimir Kara-Murza and Alexei Navalny
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on repression in Russia, in particular the cases of Vladimir Kara-Murza and Aleksei Navalny
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the risk of the death penalty and the execution of singer Yahaya Sharif-Aminu for blasphemy in Nigeria
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the crackdown on the right to education and education rights activists in Afghanistan, including the case of Matiullah Wesa
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Belarus: the inhumane treatment and hospitalization of prominent opposition leader Viktar Babaryka
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION Myanmar notably the dissolution of democratic political parties
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Belarus: the inhumane treatment and hospitalisation of prominent opposition leader Viktar Babaryka
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION the humanitarian situation in Sudan in particular the death of children trapped by fighting
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on deterioration of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong, notably the case of Jimmy Lai
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION torture and criminal prosecution of Ukrainian minors Tihran Ohannisian and Mykyta Khanhanov by the Russian Federation
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the sustainable reconstruction and integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the humanitarian situation in Sudan, in particular the death of children trapped by fighting
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the deterioration of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong, notably the case of Jimmy Lai
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the sustainable reconstruction and integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the torture and criminal prosecution of Ukrainian minors Tihran Ohannisian and Mykyta Khanhanov by the Russian Federation
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Lebanon
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Lebanon
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION The case of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, imprisoned in Azerbaijan
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, imprisoned in Azerbaijan
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION the case of Zarema Musaeva in Chechnya
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on taking stock of Moldova’s path to the EU
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION human rights situation in Afghanistan, in particular the persecution of former government officials
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan’s attack and the continuing threats against Armenia
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on taking stock of Moldova’s path to the EU
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Afghanistan, in particular the persecution of former government officials
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan’s attack and the continuing threats against Armenia
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the despicable terrorist attacks of Hamas against Israel, Israel’s right to defend itself in line with humanitarian and international law and the humanitarian situation in Gaza
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the recent developments in the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue, including the situation in the northern municipalities in Kosovo
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the recent developments in the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue, including the situation in the northern municipalities in Kosovo
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the despicable terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel, Israel’s right to defend itself in line with humanitarian and international law and the humanitarian situation in Gaza
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the effectiveness of the EU sanctions on Russia
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the effectiveness of the EU sanctions on Russia
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Georgian citizens Tamaz Ginturi killed and Levan Dotiashvili abducted by the Russian occupation forces in the occupied Tskhinvali region of Georgia
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on 30 years of Copenhagen criteria - giving further impetus to EU enlargement policy
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the unknown status of Mikalai Statkevich and the recent attacks on Belarussian politicians’ and activists’ family members
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION the abduction of Tibetan children and forced assimilation practices through Chinese boarding schools in Tibet
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the abduction of Tibetan children and forced assimilation practices through Chinese boarding schools in Tibet
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the unknown status of Mikola Statkevich and the recent attacks on Belarusian politicians’ and activists’ family members
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION Tajikistan: state repression against the independent media
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need to reach a ceasefire and the risks of regional escalation
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Tajikistan: state repression against the independent media
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Russiagate: allegations of Russian interference in the democratic processes of the European Union
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION new wave of mass arrests in Belarus of opposition activists and their family members
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Russiagate: allegations of Russian interference in the democratic processes of the European Union
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the new wave of mass arrests in Belarus of opposition activists and their family members
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Serbia following the elections
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the recent attacks on Christmas Eve in Plateau State in Nigeria
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the increased number of executions in Iran, in particular the case of Mohammad Ghobadlou
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the need for unwavering support for Ukraine, after two years of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the murder of Alexei Navalny and the need for EU action in support of political prisoners and oppressed civil society in Russia
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the murder of Alexei Navalny and the need for EU action in support of political prisoners and oppressed civil society in Russia
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the need for unwavering EU support for Ukraine, after two years of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on closer ties between the EU and Armenia and the need for a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on closer ties between the EU and Armenia and the need for a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the immediate risk of mass starvation in Gaza and the attacks on humanitarian aid deliveries
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the repressive environment in Afghanistan, including public executions and violence against women
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on including the right to abortion in the EU Fundamental Rights Charter
Oral questions (8)
The need for a dedicated Council configuration on gender equality
The use of contact tracing apps in the fight against the coronavirus
The use of contact tracing apps in the fight against the coronavirus
LGBTI-free zones in Poland within the scope of the Rete Lenford case
The need for a dedicated Council configuration on gender equality
Breaches of EU law and of the rights of LGBTIQ citizens in Hungary as a result of the adopted legal changes in the Hungarian Parliament
The EU’s responsibility to protect local staff targeted due to their working relations with the EU
Restitution of plundered property to Holocaust victims and Jewish communities
Written explanations (14)
Macro-financial assistance to Jordan (A9-0045/2019 - Luisa Regimenti)
. – En tant que groupes politiques pro-européens, convaincus de l’intérêt et de l’importance de la politique européenne de voisinage, Renew Europe, S&D, les Verts/ALE et GUE/NGL adhèrent pleinement à la démarche de la Commission européenne au regard du soutien financier apporté à la Jordanie, dont l’économie est durement touchée par les troubles dans la région, en particulier en Irak et en Syrie. Nos groupes politiques soutiendront donc le rapport législatif de Mme Luisa Regimenti approuvant l’attribution à ce pays d’une troisième assistance macrofinancière d’un montant de 500 millions d’euros afin de l’aider à redresser son économie et à mener à bien ses réformes. Nos groupes entendent néanmoins préciser que notre adhésion à ce rapport, dont la rapporteure est issue des rangs du groupe ID, ne saurait en aucun cas être interprétée comme un lien avec ce groupe politique et les positions eurosceptiques qu’il défend et auxquelles nous sommes fermement opposés.
Foreign policy consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak (A9-0204/2020 - Hilde Vautmans)
Si nous soutenons le rapport dans son ensemble, nous ne défendons pas un siège européen dans les organisations internationales. En effet, le fait que plusieurs Etats Membres soient susceptibles de siéger en même temps au sein d’une organisation internationale est une solution favorable qui permet à l’Union de se coordonner afin de mieux promouvoir ses valeurs et défendre ses intérêts.
Implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy - annual report 2020 (A9-0266/2020 -David McAllister)
Le rapport sur la mise en œuvre de la PESC de l’Union européenne dresse un bilan de l’année écoulée. La pandémie et ses conséquences ont favorisé une prise de conscience pour l’Union, celle de la nécessité de construire une politique étrangère plus unie, affirmée et autonome. Ce rapport invite l’Union à assumer un rôle de premier plan pour défendre le multilatéralisme, la démocratie et les droits de l'homme, ainsi qu’à passer à la majorité qualifiée en matière de politique étrangère, et affirme que notre priorité doit être la construction de notre autonomie stratégique.Un paragraphe du rapport souligne toutefois l’importance de l’accord de libre-échange conclu avec les pays du Mercosur. Or notre position est claire: nous ne pouvons ratifier cet accord en l’état. Dans sa forme actuelle, il ne permet pas d'assurer une mise en œuvre effective de l'Accord de Paris, de lutter efficacement contre la déforestation et laisse les mains libres au président brésilien pour mener sa politique destructrice de l’Amazonie.Ainsi, bien qu’il reprenne de nombreuses priorités de notre délégation, la mention positive de l’accord UE-Mercosur nous a contraints à nous abstenir sur ce rapport.
Public access to documents for the years 2016-2018 (A9-0004/2021 - Ioan-Rareş Bogdan)
Mon vote en faveur de ce rapport marque mon attachement à la transparence et à la possibilité d'accès à certains documents et informations, indispensable à l'exercice de la démocratie. Toutefois si les institutions européennes doivent répondre à cette exigence, il est raisonnable et nécessaire de veiller à la conjuguer avec celle des intérêts supérieurs de l’Union en termes de souveraineté et de sécurité. Il est en effet essentiel pour nos institutions de pouvoir faire face aux ingérences dont elles sont la cible de la part d’acteurs extérieurs étatiques ou non se livrant à des pratiques inamicales. Ainsi, la confidentialité de certaines procédures ou documents reste un moyen de protection contre ces pratiques et doit être maintenue.
2019-2020 Reports on Kosovo (A9-0031/2021 - Viola Von Cramon-Taubadel)
J'ai soutenu cette résolution qui présente de façon équilibrée la situation au Kosovo. En revanche, il me semble difficile d'à la fois s'inquiéter de la fuite des cerveaux de ce pays et d'encourager la libéralisation des visas vers l'Union européenne. Pristina doit pouvoir compter sur la jeunesse que le pays a formée pour faire avancer le Kosovo et la perspective européenne ne doit pas aller à l'encontre de cette nécessité.
Breaches of EU law and of the rights of LGBTIQ citizens in Hungary as a result of the adopted legal changes in the Hungarian Parliament (B9-0412/2021, B9-0413/2021)
Le 15 juin 2021, le Parlement hongrois a voté en faveur d'amendements proposés par des députés du Fidesz qui restreignent gravement la liberté d'expression et les droits des enfants. La loi interdit « la représentation et la promotion d'une identité de genre différente du sexe assigné à la naissance, le changement de sexe et l'homosexualité » dans les écoles, les programmes télévisés et les publicités accessibles au public sur toutes les plateformes destinées aux personnes de moins de 18 ans, même à des fins éducatives ; la loi empêche la qualification d'un tel contenu comme une annonce de service public ou une publicité de responsabilité sociale, même s'il est destiné aux adultes ; la loi introduit des amendements à la loi sur la protection de l'enfance, la loi sur la protection de la famille, la loi sur l'activité publicitaire commerciale, la loi sur les médias et la loi sur l'éducation publique.Je considère que cette loi est en violation du droit européen et des droits des citoyens LGBTQI en Hongrie, en particulier la liberté de fournir des services et la liberté de circulation des marchandises telles qu'elles sont définies dans le traité sur le fonctionnement de l'Union européenne, la directive sur les services de médias audiovisuels et la directive sur le commerce électronique en conjonction avec la charte des droits fondamentaux. C'est pourquoi j'ai voté en faveur de la résolution « Violations du droit de l’UE et des droits des citoyens LGBTIQ en Hongrie par suite de l’adoption de modifications de la législation au Parlement hongrois ».
Statute and funding of European political parties and foundations (A9-0294/2021 - Charles Goerens, Rainer Wieland)
J'ai voté en faveur de ce rapport qui implique plus de transparence dans le financement des partis européens. En revanche, je suis réservée sur la demande visant à autoriser l'affiliation de membres d'États membres du Conseil de l’Europe et d’autres pays européens à ces partis. Je considère en effet que se concentrer sur les partis des États membres de l'Union européenne est un défi déjà suffisamment important.
Hague Convention (1980) on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction: accession of Philippines (A9-0300/2021 - Gilles Lebreton)
En tant que députée pro-européen, convaincue de l’intérêt et de l’importance de défendre l’intérêt des enfants quelles que soient leurs origines, j’adhère pleinement au principe d’autorisation par les États membres de l’Union européenne de l’adhésion des Philippines à la Convention de la Haye du 25 octobre 1980, qui cherche à combattre l’enlèvement parental d’enfants en instaurant un système de coopération entre les Autorités nationales et une procédure rapide de retour de l’enfant dans son État de résidence habituelle. Je soutiendrai donc le rapport législatif de M. Gilles Lebreton approuvant cette adhésion. J’entends néanmoins préciser que mon soutien à ce rapport, dont le rapporteur est issu des rangs du groupe ID, ne saurait en aucun cas être interprété comme un lien avec ce groupe politique et les positions eurosceptiques qu’il défend et auxquelles je suis fermement opposée.
Cooperation on the fight against organised crime in the Western Balkans (A9-0298/2021 - Lukas Mandl)
La corruption et la criminalité organisée restent un sujet de préoccupation important dans toute la région des Balkans occidentaux. Ces phénomènes peuvent également avoir une incidence néfaste sur les États membres de l'Union, les réseaux étant étroitement liés entre eux et enracinés dans les pays tiers comme dans les États membres. C'est en ce sens que j'ai considéré important de soutenir ce rapport. Cependant, je m'inscris en faux contre l'affirmation selon laquelle lier la libéralisation du régime des visas à la lutte contre la criminalité organisée est contre-productif et ne souhaite pas inviter le Conseil à faire bénéficier le Kosovo de cette mesure.
Statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations (A9-0223/2022 - Rainer Wieland, Charles Goerens)
Renforcer les partis et fondations politiques européens, y assurer une parité effective, la plus grande transparence et un contrôle rigoureux sont évidemment des objectifs que je partage pleinement. Comme bien sûr celui de promouvoir l’Union européenne et ses valeurs au-delà de ses frontières. Toutefois, sachant que nous luttons pied à pied contre des ingérences étrangères dans nos processus démocratiques, je ne peux aller, dans ce contexte, dans le sens d’une ouverture de l’adhésion à ces partis et fondations européens à des partis issus d’États non membre de l’Union européenne. C’est pour répondre à ce souci d’assurer et de renforcer notre souveraineté européenne que j’ai voté contre la motion de résolution sur ce projet de règlement.
New EU strategy for enlargement (A9-0251/2022 - Tonino Picula)
Alors que le Parlement adopte ce rapport sur la nouvelle stratégie de l’Union européenne en matière d’élargissement, il est nécessaire de rappeler que, dans les conditions actuelles, le processus d’adhésion de la Turquie est au point mort. Par ses actions et ses atteintes aux droits de l’homme et à l’état de droit – telles que le chantage aux migrants, le non-respect de l’intégrité territoriale des États membres, les forages illégaux, ou encore sa non-coopération avec l’opération IRINI –, la Turquie s’éloigne des valeurs et des principes qui sont les nôtres. En adoptant ce rapport, nous rappelons à la Turquie que nous surveillons attentivement chacun de ses agissements et que nous la tiendrons responsable de ceux-ci.
EU/Euratom/Ukraine Association Agreement: temporary trade liberalisation supplementing trade concessions applicable to Ukrainian products (A9-0165/2023 - Sandra Kalniete)
L'agression illégale et unilatérale russe se poursuivant, l'UE est déterminée à continuer à soutenir économiquement l'Ukraine. En 2022, la Commission proposait la suspension des droits de douane pour les produits ukrainiens importés dans l'UE afin de soulager la pression économique suite au blocus russe, mais aussi pour assurer la disponibilité de ces produits agricoles sur les marchés globaux.Cette mesure de suspension expirant le 3 juin, il était essentiel de la prolonger pour renvoyer un signal clair de soutien à l'économie ukrainienne. Un an après sa première adoption, il est aussi évident que sa mise en œuvre doit être améliorée. Des crispations au sein des États membres sur la gestion de l'importation des céréales émergent. Nos réponses ne doivent être ni unilatérales ni uniquement conjoncturelles et partielles fragilisant le marché unique. Elles doivent être européennes, réfléchies, de long-terme et structurelles. N’oublions jamais que certains pays du monde manquent de ces produits pour se nourrir, nous devons y répondre en Européens pour garantir notre soutien inconditionnel à l'Ukraine comme la stabilité du marché commun agricole, afin qu'aucune filière ne supporte un coût disproportionné. Pour cela, il faut consolider le corridor de solidarité en termes d'infrastructures et donner un cadre aux transactions.
Weights and dimensions of certain road vehicles (A9-0047/2024 - Isabel García Muñoz)
En ouvrant la porte à la circulation des méga-camions sur nos routes, une courte majorité de députés a fait le choix de l'accroissement de la compétitivité du transport routier, à rebours des politiques européennes de transport promouvant traditionnellement le report vers des modes plus vertueux sur le plan environnemental. La circulation de ces véhicules, en plus de la généralisation des camions de 44 tonnes pour le transport international, fait par ailleurs peser un risque sur la sécurité routière et la maintenance de l'infrastructure.J'ai donc voté contre ce texte, qui est incompatible avec les objectifs de décarbonation des transports fixés par l'Union européenne.
Minimum requirements on minimum breaks and daily and weekly rest periods in the occasional passenger transport sector (A9-0370/2023 - Henna Virkkunen)
Ce texte vise à améliorer les conditions de travail, la sécurité routière et à rétablir une concurrence loyale dans ce secteur occasionnel du transport de voyageurs en harmonisant les règles en matière de pauses et de temps de repos des conducteurs.Les chauffeurs de transports touristiques sont confrontés à une fatigue importante et un stress dus à la forte saisonnalité de leur activité, dans un secteur fortement touché par une pénurie de main d’œuvre.Ce texte prévoit donc une meilleure répartition des pauses quotidiennes et des temps de repos des conducteurs, ainsi que des dispositions innovantes de contrôle du bon respect des règles via des solutions numériques.J’ai voté pour ce texte qui prévoit des mesures intéressantes pour offrir plus de flexibilité aux chauffeurs. Je regrette toutefois que l’accord étende aux services de transport nationaux la possibilité de travailler 12 jours consécutifs sans repos hebdomadaire, n’étant pas de nature à préserver les chauffeurs contre une grande fatigue. Cette mesure était jusqu’ici réservée aux services internationaux.
Written questions (52)
EU must protect African elephants
EU must protect African elephants
Regulating artificial intelligence on virtual assistants
Coca-Cola fined for LGBTI campaign in Hungary
Laws against blasphemy and religious insult
UK authorities’ concealed failure to alert the EU to 75 000 criminal convictions
COVID-19 – Transport of healthcare supplies in Europe
Rail industry supply chain
The Commission’s decision to award a contract to BlackRock to oversee the development of ESG factors in the EU banking sector and corporate investment policies
Strengthening the EU-level tool to screen foreign direct investment
European holiday vouchers
Renewable forms of maritime energy
Mass arrest of LGBTI activists in Poland
Call for the release of Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh
Alleged Turkish military interference in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Demolition and confiscation of EU-funded aid projects in the West Bank
Call for the proper transposition of Directive (EU) 2017/541 on combating terrorism
Stepping up measures against dangerous terrorist online content, and EU funding of associations that violate EU values
Extending the mandate of EPPO to cover cross-border terrorist crimes
Derogation for unlicensed slaughter establishments
Recently proposed bills in Hungary infringing on the rights of LGBTI persons
State aid Temporary Framework and support for small and medium-sized enterprises
Conflict of interest resulting from the appointment of Ms Tocci to the Eni Board of Directors
Combating the emerging threat of online extortion
Necessary parliamentary scrutiny of TCA and WA implementation
Protective measures for children online – TikTok case
Armenian captives in Azerbaijan
Nagorno‑Karabakh
Sexual violence against children as a weapon of war in conflict zones
Media freedom and independence of the Polish competition authority
Belarusian state-sponsored air piracy and terrorism
Chinese industrial espionage in the European Union
Chinese hypersonic missile test in space
End of the temporary recognition of UK central counterparties
EU-US Trade and Technology Council and the role of the European Parliament
Extension and amendment of the sanctions framework for Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH)
Support from European Union agencies for the management of refugees fleeing as a consequence of the Russian war in Ukraine
Decision on the removal of Russian interest representatives from the Transparency Register
Purchase of a new residence for the head of the EU delegation in New York
Criticism of the 2022 Code of Practice on Disinformation: lack of KPIs, enforcement mechanism and involvement of European Parliament
Large-scale pro-Russian disinformation operations online on Twitter and Facebook
Modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty
Modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty
Big tech layoffs and compliance with the Digital Services Act
Bulgarian investigative journalist on Russia’s ‘wanted’ list
Selection and pre-selection of Ordo Iuris as a member of EU fund monitoring committees
Syrian regime forces blockade of aid convoys of the Kurdish Red Crescent (KRC) directed to the North-West
Situation in Armenia following the installation of a checkpoint in the Lachin corridor
Attack on Stepanakert by Azerbaijan
Sexualised violence in the context of Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023
Defence of European and ACP banana cultivation in the face of competition from ‘dollar’ bananas
Clarification on lifting sanctions against Iranian tech company ArvanCloud
Individual motions (1)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the review of the Financial Regulation and the Commission’s guidelines on public procurement for policy-related service contracts
Amendments (2952)
Amendment 20 #
2023/2128(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas maritime security is being challenged in many regions; whereas the Indo-Pacific, where the European Union has outermost regions and overseas countries and territories, has become an area of intense geopolitical competition; whereas on 5 October 2023, the EU and India have held their 3rd India-EU Maritime Security Dialogue;
Amendment 67 #
2023/2128(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
Paragraph 1 – point g
(g) expand EU-India cooperation on maritime security as an area of considerable potential, in particular to uphold freedom of seas and maintain security along key shipping routes such as in the Indian Ocean; underline that ensuring that a free and open, rules-based order comprising freedom of navigation, open and secure sea lines of communication, enhanced security of shipping and more robust response systems for natural disasters and non- traditional security threats should remain a priority for both partners;
Amendment 90 #
2023/2128(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i
Paragraph 1 – point i
(i) urge India to join the international condemnation of Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine; engage with India oncall on India to put an end to its continued purchases of crude oil from Russia at low prices and its subsequent sale of refined products on international markets, including in the EU; presengage with India on the adoption of sanctions against Russia; ensure proper control of sanctions implementation and sanction any attempt at circumventing them, in particular towards EU- based businesses who have to cease purchasing such products;
Amendment 95 #
2023/2128(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j
Paragraph 1 – point j
Amendment 178 #
2023/2128(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point z a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point z a (new)
(za) denounce the use of hundreds of fake media outlets and dozens of government-organised non-governmental organisations that have illegitimately targeted international institutions to serve Indian interests;
Amendment 89 #
2023/2127(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas numerous critics, including by human rights organisations, have accused China of using the government-funded Confucius Institutes and their classrooms on campus as platforms to spread propaganda under the guise of teaching, interfere with academic freedom and free speech on campuses by means of censorship of certain topics and perspectives in course materials on political grounds, particularly topics related to ethnic minorities in China, and even to spy on students and other members of the Chinese diaspora abroad;
Amendment 139 #
2023/2127(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas China's grey-zone activities, such as warplane incursions, missile drills, economic coercion, and cyberattacks, aim to pressure Taiwan into submission; whereas China's expansionist policies and harassment behaviour in the South China Sea demonstrate a flagrant disregard for the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the freedom of navigation;
Amendment 167 #
2023/2127(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
Paragraph 1 – point a
(a) continue engaging with China to tackle global challenges such as climate change and loss of biodiversity, health and pandemic preparedness, debt relief and humanitarian assistance, and increase dialogue with China on security issues in view of China’s increasingly critical role in global security;
Amendment 191 #
2023/2127(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c
Paragraph 1 – point c
(c) maintain diplomatic stability while increasing the EU’s assertiveness towards China in order to assume its responsibility as a permanent member of the UN Security Council to pressure Russia into stopping its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine;
Amendment 275 #
2023/2127(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
(ia) condemn Chinese authorities assimilationist policies in Tibet that violate the educational, religious, cultural and linguistic rights of the Tibetan people and threaten to ultimately eradicate Tibetan culture and identity, in particular the compulsory boarding school and pre- school system which separates over 1 million Tibetan children from their families and enforces Chinese-language education; urge China to immediately abolish the boarding school and pre- school system imposed on Tibetan children, to allow private Tibetan schools to be established and to ensure that Mandarin is not the only language of instruction in Tibet; consider adopting sanctions on Chinese officials responsible for designing and implementing the boarding school and preschool system in Tibet;
Amendment 286 #
2023/2127(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point i b (new)
(ib) condemn the promulgation of the “Administrative Measures for Religious Activity Venues” (also known as “Order number 19”) that came into force on 1 September 2023 and intensifies the ongoing repression on Tibetans and other ethnic and religious minorities, notably by requiring temples, monasteries, mosques, churches and other religious sites to “uphold the leadership of the CCP and the socialist system, thoroughly implement Xi Jinping’s ideology of socialism with Chinese characteristics for the new era (...) [and] adhere to the direction of Sinicization of China’s religions”;
Amendment 353 #
2023/2127(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point o
Paragraph 1 – point o
(o) work closely towards fostering unity among the Member States’ approach towards China and strengthen the EU’s strategic autonomy to ensure that Europe is able to defend its values and economic interests, as well as the global rules-based order; to this end, take seriously into account the obligations relating to Business and Human Rights under international law, in particular the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, as well as European rules on due diligence and the prohibition of goods made using forced labour;
Amendment 397 #
2023/2127(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point s
Paragraph 1 – point s
(s) work towards a more coordinated approach towards the protection of critical infrastructure at EU level, in favour of maintaining status quo countering acts of hybrid warfare such as cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, surveillance of Chinese diaspora and espionage originating from China and taking place within the European Union;
Amendment 416 #
2023/2127(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point t a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point t a (new)
(ta) express grave concern about the accusations of the misuse of Confucius Institutes as platforms to spread propaganda, to censor all debate about topics deemed “politically sensitive” by Chinese government, and to spy on students and the Chinese diaspora abroad; closely monitor the impact of Chinese government interference in academic freedom in European educational institutions and campuses;
Amendment 430 #
2023/2127(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v
Paragraph 1 – point v
(v) revisit the EU’s engagement policy with Taiwan and continue supporting democracy there together with like-minded partners; encourage further exchanges between Parliament and its Taiwanese counterparts as well as cooperation between the EU, Member States and Taiwan on issues of common interest in this context;
Amendment 445 #
2023/2127(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point w
Paragraph 1 – point w
(w) ensure that the status quo in the Taiwan Strait is not changed by means of force or coercion by supporting initiatives aimed at promoting dialogue, cooperation and confidence-building between the two sides; take concrete steps, including increasing Coordinated Maritime Presences (CMP) in the Taiwan Strait in order to ensure freedom of navigation in the area; prepare a scenario-based strategy for tackling potential security challenges in the Taiwan Strait;
Amendment 41 #
2023/2126(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the United States, with its bipartisan support for Ukraine, has shown true solidarity with the EU as we jointly work to protect peace and security on the European continent, as well as the principles of international law and the UN Charter; whereas recent decisions triggered by internal political divide in the US threaten the continuity of a strong American support to Ukraine;
Amendment 58 #
2023/2126(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas EU-US transatlantic dialogue and parliamentary diplomacy must continue to address global challenges and be used to insist on the importance of a strong and continuing transatlantic support to Ukraine;
Amendment 92 #
2023/2126(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) foster the EU’s open strategic autonomy as a means to pursue the EU’s own legitimate interests while strengthening the transatlantic bond and increasing the joint leverage of the EU and the US on the world scenedialogue on shared interests;
Amendment 162 #
2023/2126(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i
Paragraph 1 – point i
(i) continue the excellent cooperation on countering foreign information manipulation and interference and reinforce our readiness against the malign usage of technological advancement to harm our shared interests; recall that the EU-US cooperation on fighting disinformation and foreign interference should take into account that some organisations focusing on social issues, such as women's sexual and reproductive rights, and lobbying in the EU receive funding from outside the EU, including from US-based far-right groups, and intend to influence the European way of life;
Amendment 204 #
2023/2126(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l
Paragraph 1 – point l
(l) explore ways to create synergies and possibilities of EU-US engagement with China in multilateral frameworks on common and global challenges, such as climate change, health-related risks, respect for human rights, cyberspaceincluding foreign information manipulation and interference, cyberspace, freedom of navigation, arms control, non-proliferation and emerging disruptive technologies;
Amendment 214 #
2023/2126(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n
Paragraph 1 – point n
(n) deepen cooperation in forging democratic standards for the use of technology by aligning their digital diplomacy strategies in order to defend our values, enhance our security and foster democracy- serving digital standards at home and worldwide;
Amendment 221 #
2023/2126(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point p
Paragraph 1 – point p
(p) ensure that the EU and the US, together with other relevant partners, create robust avenues for transatlantic data transfer and secure alternatives so that data flow can be maintained or quickly be restored even in instances of attempts at disruption bearing in mind the importance of ensuring full protection of personal data;
Amendment 224 #
2023/2126(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q
Paragraph 1 – point q
(q) foster closer partnership with the US and other like-minded partners in the Indo-Pacific region, including Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan, in order to counter challenges that affect our shared values, interests, security and prosperity, in particular, any unilateral attempt to alter the status quo between the PRC and Taiwan; note that China's continued military provocations pose a threat not just to Taiwan, but to the wider Indo- Pacific, and ultimately, the established global order;
Amendment 243 #
2023/2126(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r
Paragraph 1 – point r
(r) continue EU-US cooperation in the Western Balkans to bring the countries in that region closer to EU membership, stabilisation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and take forward the EU-facilitated Belgrade- Pristina Dialogue;
Amendment 269 #
2023/2126(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point u
Paragraph 1 – point u
Amendment 286 #
2023/2126(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point w a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point w a (new)
Amendment 309 #
2023/2126(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point z
Paragraph 1 – point z
(z) enhance collaboration between US-EU defence companies on joint projects which serve to achieve shared security and defence goals and ensure better interoperability between the EU, the US and NATOsure better interoperability between the EU and NATO, in order to achieve shared security and defence goals;
Amendment 319 #
2023/2126(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point aa
Paragraph 1 – point aa
(aa) encourage furtherassess the perspectives of defence cooperation between the EU, its Member States and the US by putting in practiceas foreseen by the Administrative Arrangement between the European Defence Agency and the United States Department of Defense, in view of its importance in the current geopolitical reality;
Amendment 338 #
2023/2126(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ad
Paragraph 1 – point ad
(ad) jointlyexchange information on mutual addressing the spread of Russian and Chinese information manipulation and interference, particularly in the context of Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine and its impact on the Western Balkans, Africa and Latin America;
Amendment 21 #
2023/2122(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Welcomes the Commission’s new awareness, which has led to the cessation of EU funding and the recovery of funds paid to associations whose actions were contrary to EU values; calls on the Commission to continue its efforts to ensure that EU funds do not finance associations that do not respect EU values;
Amendment 38 #
2023/2122(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses that the funding by non-EU countries of EU-based legal entities, including human rights NGOs, while also carrying out lobbying or advocacy activities within the EU and aiming to influence EU foreign policymaking, raises questions as to their objectives; denounces the use of organisations sponsored by non- EU country governments (government- organised NGOs (GONGOs)) to spread disinformation and false narratives related, in particular, to human rights issues; recalls in this respect the findings of its resolution of 1 June 2023 on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation, and of 13 July 2023 on recommendations for reform of the European Parliament’s rules on transparency, integrity, accountability and anti-corruption, highlighting the risks of foreign interference and disinformation stemming from some NGOs funded by non-EU countries; highlights that, in the context of recent corruption allegations against some Members of the European Parliament, an NGO, whose stated purpose was to carry out advocacy activities on human rights, is suspected to have been used as a vector of foreign interference; considers that there is a public interest in knowing the financial sources, including non-EU funding, of the stakeholders active in the fields of lobbying or advocacy;
Amendment 39 #
2023/2122(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that civil society is a broader category than that of NGOs; notes that while NGOs are, on the one hand, a favoured institutional form of the neoliberal state and therefore rarely truly oppositional, on the other hand many resist instrumentalisation and expose the excesses of state and private interests; stresses, therefore, that they must be protected, including through the provision of adequate funding, including foreign funding; notes that it is short-sighted to treat NGOs as a singular bloc with a singular policy outlook at risk of instrumentalisation by malign state and non-state actors; stresses, therefore, that they must be protected, including through the provision of adequate funding providing they respect European values and are subject to scrutiny, due diligence and transparency rules; whereas such requirements are key to trace foreign interference but should not stigmatise legitimate foreign funding;
Amendment 43 #
2023/2122(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Welcomes the Commission’s new awareness, which led to the cessation of EU funding and the recovery of funds paid to organisations whose actions were contrary to EU values; calls on the Commission to continue its efforts to ensure that EU funds do not finance any entity that do not respect EU values, as set out in Article 2 TEU, in a context of intolerable interference against our democracies by foreign state or non-state actors through NGOs;
Amendment 56 #
2023/2122(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Remains deeply concerned by threats to and attacks on NGOs in Member States as well as EU-funded NGOs in third countries;
Amendment 88 #
2023/2122(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls that transparency and accountability measures must only serve the purpose of ensuring legitimate public scrutiny; stresses that reporting requirements for NGOs must remain strictly necessary and proportionate to the specific aims pursued and non-cumbersome, in particular for small NGOs;
Amendment 106 #
2023/2122(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that current EU instruments are likely insufficient for achieving proportionate transparency goals concerningto ensure proper scrutiny of NGO funding;
Amendment 117 #
2023/2122(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Warns emphatically against the weaponisation of the concept of ‘foreign interference’ and emphasises that this can be and is being used by governmentsagainst the risk of foreign interference through NGOs coming from malign third countries as highlighted in its resolution of 13 July 2023 on recommendations for reform of European Parliament’s rules on transparency, integrity, accountability and anti- corruption; emphasises that any measures taken to prevent malign foreign interference through NGOs should not be used to repress civil society and NGOs.
Amendment 20 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)
Citation 12 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 9 March 2022 on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation,
Amendment 52 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A (new)
Recital -A (new)
-A. whereas the Russian invasion of Ukraine is an attack against the rules- based international order and the European security architecture; whereas Russia’s persistent attempts to destabilize the Union and to undermine the European security architecture demands that the Union substantially enhances the cohesion and effectiveness of its foreign, security and defence policy as well as its strategic sovereignty;
Amendment 53 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A a (new)
Recital -A a (new)
-Aa. whereas Europe is facing the most complex combination of both military and non-military threats since the end of the Cold War accentuated by Russia’s unprovoked and illegal military aggression against Ukraine; whereas such non-military means include disinformation, cyberattacks, economic pressure, food and energy blackmailing, instrumentalisation of migration, and subversive political influence to seek support for Russia’s illegitimate military operations; whereas this requires the EU to enhance the effectiveness of its security and defence policy to defend its interests and values;
Amendment 55 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A b (new)
Recital -A b (new)
-Ab. whereas there is a new urgency to boosting EU security and defence capabilities, including building on the unprecedented support for Ukraine and including increased funding of the EPF, the EDF and Military mobility;
Amendment 64 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas, in addition to territories in Ukraine, Russia continues to occupy the Abkhazia region and South Ossetia of Georgia and the Transnistria region in the Republic of Moldova;
Amendment 71 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the Strategic Compass aims to equip the EU with the necessary strategic guidance, realistic and operational tools to move towards a coherent and credible defence policy, and to make it an effective and capable security provider and an assertive global actor, also in view of the new security context and the growing presence of Europe's strategic competitors in operational theatres;
Amendment 74 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas in 2023 the establishment of the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act (EDIRPA), an EU short-term instrument aimed at incentivising joint procurement to fill our most critical needs has been adopted; whereas the Act in support of Ammunition (ASAP) was swiftly adopted by the Parliament and entered into force in September 2023; whereas the European Parliament expects the European Commission to propose a Regulation establishing a plan dedicated to setting conditions for Member states to jointly procure while benefitting from VAT exemption and EU financial support, provided the 2024 revision the MFF allows the conditions to effectively finance all the European Defence newly created tools as well as this plan;
Amendment 89 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas CSDP has 13 civilian missions and 9 military operations under way with around 4 000 personnel deployed on three continents; whereas missions and operations persistently suffer from Member States not delivering on their pledges to provide sufficient military or civilian personnel; whereas CSDP missions and operations suffer from slow decision making; whereas EU CSDP missions and operations are often targeted by hybrid threats, including disinformation, putting at risk their effectiveness in stabilising the country in which they are deployed and, instead, reinforcing pre-existing instability whose only beneficiaries are malicious third states actors;
Amendment 95 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas the People’s Republic of China increasingly attempts to change the international rules-based order and threatens to undermine European security by supporting Russia’s illegal war of aggression in Ukraine and through its escalating hybrid warfare tactics in the Indo-Pacific and South China Sea;
Amendment 100 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)
Recital B c (new)
Bc. whereas EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM) has already reached the target of 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers trained; whereas, based on current results and trends, EUMAM stands ready to train more Ukrainian military personnel to reach a target of 40,000 soldiers; whereas the mission is also prepared to integrate training in the Air and Maritime domains as appropriate, or to react to any other urgent UA training requests;
Amendment 105 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B d (new)
Recital B d (new)
Bd. whereas in July, Niger suffered a military coup; whereas the junta has taken a decision to prepare a case for the prosecution of legitimate Nigerian President Bazoum for “high treason”; whereas ECOWAS has followed a “two- track” policy – one track of mediation whilst applying sanctions (trade, banking, and individual); whereas the EU has expressed strong support for ECOWAS, a readiness to prepare an autonomous sanctions regime, and a willingness to look at any request that might come from ECOWAS for further support; whereas following the coup, both CSDP missions (EUCAP Sahel Niger and the EU Military Partnership Mission in Niger) have suspended their operational activities and have kept only necessary core staff in the country; whereas the ongoing four assistances measures from the European Peace Facility (74 M€ in total) have been suspended;
Amendment 112 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B e (new)
Recital B e (new)
Be. whereas Russia’s influence in Africa has developed, in particular due to an increased footprint of the Wagner group on the continent; whereas Wagner has been gaining a strong foothold in countries like Mali and the Central African Republic; whereas the regions in which Wagner is present have been subject to rampant human rights abuses, plundering of resources, whereas all this is done in all impunity; whereas in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger the situation is marked by the non-cooperative stance of authorities towards other partners (including EUTM Mali), regional organizations as well as MINUSMA;
Amendment 117 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B f (new)
Recital B f (new)
Bf. whereas Azerbaijan has created an extremely tense situation by tightening the illegal blockade of the Latchin corridor, multiplying the number of military incidents at various points on the border with Armenia and making threatening comments against Armenia; whereas the European Union has launched in 2023 a new EU CSDP civilian mission in Armenia (EU Mission in Armenia - EUMA) on the Armenian side of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, aiming to contribute to stability in the border areas of Armenia, promote confidence-building, enhance human security in conflict- affected areas, and create an environment conducive to EU-supported normalisation efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan that has almost reached its full capacity; whereas members of the mission have been targeted by unidentified attacks;
Amendment 128 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B g (new)
Recital B g (new)
Bg. whereas cultural heritage has a universal dimension as a testimony of history inseparable from peoples’ identity, which the international community has to protect and preserve for future generations;
Amendment 149 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stands united with Ukraine and resolutely condemns Russia’s illegal war of aggression and the actions of countries such as Belarus, Iran and North Korea that enable Russia's war of aggression; deplores the global consequences of Russia’s illegal war of aggression which is hitting countries and vulnerable societies around the world through increased energy prices and food shortages and which also grossly violates international law and the principles of the UN Charter and undermines European and global security and stability;
Amendment 161 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Confirms the EU will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes to end Russia’s war of aggression and restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, enabling it to effectively exercise its sovereignty, protect its civilians, document and investigate war crimes and bring those responsible to justice, and fulfil their wish of the people of Ukraine for EU membership;
Amendment 163 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Confirms the EU will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes toby providing the necessary military means until Ukraine’s victory, end Russia’s war of aggression and restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, enabling it to effectively exercise its sovereignty, protect its civilians and fulfil their wish for EU membership;
Amendment 170 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the importance of the European Peace Facility (EPF) which has supported the Ukrainian armed forces by financing and delivering military equipment and training, while providing coordination for all stakeholders through the Clearing House Mechanism hosted by the EU Military Staff; calls for the financial sustainability and durability of the EPF to be ensured in order to provide Ukraine and other EU partners around the world with the support they request; supports, in this regard, the proposal made by the VP/HR for an Ukraine Assistance Fund within the EPF that will contribute up to EUR 5 billion annually over the next four years in security commitments to Ukraine and encourages the Member States to adopt it without delay;
Amendment 176 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Is concerned by the fact that one Member State is still blocking the 8th tranche of the EPF dedicated to Ukraine, thus knowingly delaying military support for Ukraine;
Amendment 180 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the setting up of the Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine and its role in enhancing the military effectiveness of Ukraine’s armed forces so they can defend their territorial integrity within Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders and allow the country to effectively exercise its sovereignty and protection of civilians; welcomes EUMAM Ukraine capacity to addresse Ukrainian training needs in a flexible way, expects of it to bring added value by expanding training offers and to be synchronized with other training initiatives already underway; thus, expects EUMAM and other training initiatives to be mutually reinforcing; insists on adapting training modules to lessons learnt in order to adequately correspond to Ukrainian forces needs;
Amendment 216 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. UExhorts the EU and the Member States to swiftly implement the Strategic Compass, to provide the Union with a common strategic defence culture and the tools to be an effective security provider in a hostile environment; therefore calls on Member States to engage in systematic, regular updates of the threat analysis; underlines the commitment of the EU’s heads of state and government, made in the Versailles Declaration, to provide all the necessary support needed by Ukraine and to take greater responsibility for European security by bolstering European defence capabilities; calls on the EU and its Member States to deliver on this commitment by accelerating the full implementation of the Strategic Compass in order to make the European Union a stronger and more capable security provider;
Amendment 249 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Reiterates its full support forNotes that, while some progress has been made (first coordination conference held, three operational scenarios adopted on the Rapid deployment capacit) much work remains to be done; reiterates the importance of the full implementation of the rapid deployment capacity (RDC) with at least 5 000 troops available for rescue and evacuation tasks, initial entry and stabilisation operations or temporary reinforcement of missions; considers that without a firm political commitment and more resources in the next months of 2023, the ambition to have the RDC operational by 2025 is at risk; calls on the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) to set out the practical modalities for implementing Article 44 TEU, in order to allow a group of willing and able Member States to plan and conduct a mission or operation within the EU framework and, thereby, ensure the swift activation of the RDC;
Amendment 259 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Reiterates its call for the establishment of regular EU Defence Ministers Council meetings and for setting up a fully functional EU military headquarters by merging MPCC and CPCC, providing it with sufficient human and material resources;
Amendment 270 #
2023/2119(INI)
12. Calls on the VP/HR and Member States to deliver more robust, flexible and modular CSDP missions and operations, that can adapt to the changing security context and that build on the synergies and complementarities of civilian and military dimensions of CSDP; highlights the importance of civilian CSDP missions to coordinate with other international partners engaged in similar activities in the host country; welcomes the adoption of the new Civilian CSDP Compact and the commitment to increase the effectiveness, flexibility and responsiveness of civilian missions, including through speeding up decision making, strengthening operational planning, improving selection and recruitment of personnel, emphasising greater gender equality and improving responsiveness tools;
Amendment 274 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the VP/HR and Member States to deliver more robust, flexible and modular CSDP missions and operations, that can adapt to the changing security context and that build on the synergies and complementarities of civilian and military dimensions of CSDP; welcomes the adoption of the new Civilian CSDP Compact and the commitment to increase the effectiveness, flexibility and responsiveness of civilian missions, including through speeding up decision making, strengthening operational planning, as well as improving selection and recruitment of personnel, emphasising greater gender equality and improving responsiveness tools;
Amendment 293 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Emphasises the importance of adequate, flexible and sustainable funding for all security and defence programs and initiatives, including the CFSP budget and the EPF; calls for a substantive increase of funding for the CFSDP budget, including a dedicated CFSP budget line establishing a civilian support facility to provide partner countries with equipment and services to enhance their civilian capabilities; calls onurges the Member States to increase the resources allocated to security and defence in the next multiannual financial framework; further calls on Member States to amend the EPF financing process to ensure adequate and sustainable support for partners, allies and CSDP operations;
Amendment 295 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Deplores again the fact that Member States are still not making full use of the PESCO framework and that, despite political declarations, progress in implementing the initiative remains far below expectations, particularly in terms of meeting commitments; is concerned that a very limited number of PESCO projects have reached the maturity phase and even a smaller number of projects have reached a full operational capacity; calls on the HR/VP and the Member States to draw the necessary consequences by deciding to merge, regroup or even abandon projects that are insufficiently advanced and to redirect efforts towards a small number of priority projects intended to lead to concrete actions as stated in the Strategic Compass, also given the changing security environment;
Amendment 323 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Stresses that EDIRPA can only be a first step towards improving the European technological and industrial base’s capacities to supply Member States with the products and quantities needed and should be complemented with further initiatives, including the envisaged long- term European Defence Investment Program (EDIP) for which adequate funding needs to be ensured; calls, in this context, also for a swift revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework to allocate adequate budgets to all European Defence instruments and urges the European Investment Bank to utilize all available tools for facilitating sufficient access to public and private finance and investment for the European defence industry, including by revising its rules;
Amendment 330 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Calls on the Member States to work on a "Buy European Act" in the field of defence; considers that the VAT exemption alone will not be sufficient to make the future Plan for investment in European Defence, decisive in supporting the EDTIB; calls therefore on the European Commission to consider other financial incentive mechanisms;
Amendment 331 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17b. Calls for strengthening the resilience of our supply chains and industries’ access to private funding as they are necessary for our European Defence Technological and Industrial Base; calls on the European Investment Bank to take stock of the recent major geopolitical changes and to contribute to that effort, including by revising its rules; considers it is equally important to ensure that horizontal EU policies, such as initiatives on sustainable finance, remain consistent with the European Union efforts to facilitate the European defence industry’s access to public and private finance and investment;
Amendment 356 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Highlights that China has established a ‘no-limits friendship’ with Russia, that includes significant transfer of technology and military capabilities, and poses an increasing number of security challenges to the EU, especially in the fields of cyber and FIMI; stresses the need for the EU to strengthen the security and integrity of its critical infrastructures, supply chains and technology base, including through close monitoring of their ownership and control by actors linked to the Chinese government; expresses concern over China’s aggressive military posturing in the South China Sea as well as its continued military pressure, assault exercises, airspace violations and other grey-zone military actions including cyber and disinformation campaigns against Taiwan; calls upon China to cease all of these activities, which endanger the stability of the entire region and, in the broader context, directly affect European security;
Amendment 365 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Calls on China to uphold the rules-based international order, especially the principle of territorial integrity, and to oppose Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine; Condemns China’s aggressive posture in the Strait of Taiwan and the South China Sea, acknowledges that the potential repercussions of destabilisation in the region would directly impact the security of the EU, and thus calls for greater Coordinated Maritime Presences and capacity building with the EU’s partners in the region;
Amendment 376 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls for supplementary progress on further improving the EU Hybrid Toolbox, specifically addressing activities involving cyber-attacks and FIMI, and the revision of the implementing guidelines of the EU’s cyber diplomacy toolbox; welcomes the commitment set out in the new Civilian Compact to provide the necessary capabilities to enable civilian CSDP missions to respond to hybrid attacks, including FIMI and cyber, by 2024; reiterates the needurgent necessity for ensuring the existence of the expertise and capacity for secure information and communications technologies for all CSDP missions and operations to communicate securely in theatre and with all EU institutions;
Amendment 378 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Recalls that, to have an effective CSDP, the EU and its Member States must complement it with the tools necessary to ensure that the efforts undertaken to provide stability have long term effect; calls on the EEAS to upgrade its strategy and to take concrete actions dedicated to support CSDP missions and operations fighting against and countering disinformation and propaganda, in countries where CSDP missions and operations are deployed, in particular in the Sahel and CAR, but also in in the Western Balkans and in Eastern Partnership countries;
Amendment 380 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)
Paragraph 21 b (new)
21b. Expresses deep concern about developments in the Sahel region and the recent coups d’état in the region; takes stocks of the interruption of the CSDP military support mission to Niger; firmly believes that Russia’s and the Wagner PMC company involvement in West Africa runs counter to the objective of bringing peace, security and stability to the region; acknowledges that the various international missions have not yet achieved their primary goal of lasting peace in the region; welcomes the decision to suspend all operational trainings and delivery of military equipment to Mali and Niger; calls on the HRVP to close EUTM Mali and withdraw the troops stationed there, given that EUTM trains FAMA soldiers, some of whom then join forces with the PMC Wagner; calls for a deep assessment and on the mandates and roles of international missions and policies in Africa; believes that a revised strategy of CSDP in Sahel region is therefore needed;
Amendment 382 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 c (new)
Paragraph 21 c (new)
21c. Express its concern about the situation in Cyprus, an EU Member State, in the context the attack on the UN Peacekeapers and the damage caused to UN vehicles by staff from the Turkish Cypriot side, as the UN peacekeepers were trying to block "unauthorised construction work" near Pyla;
Amendment 383 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 d (new)
Paragraph 21 d (new)
21d. Encourages the EEAS to continue the progress already made by the European Union Military Training Mission in Mozambique (EUTM Mozambique) in the response to the growing terrorist threat in Cabo Delgado and in the training of Mozambican forces on the ground; is still concerned about the risk of this threat spreading in the area; calls for immediate action to speed up the delivery of non-lethal equipment;
Amendment 384 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 e (new)
Paragraph 21 e (new)
21e. Condemns the pre-planned military attack of Azerbaijan against Nagorno-Karabakh; deplores the loss of at least 200 people and 400 wounded during the assault; recalls that this attack follows months of organized starvation and isolation of the Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh through the blockade of the Lachin corridor; underlines that the Russian peacekeepers on site have not taken any action to end the blockade or to stop the Azeri military assault against Nagorno-Karabakh; takes notes of the ceasefire decided on September 20; condemns the military support provided by third states to Azerbaijan; is seriously concerned about the consequences on the civilian population and urges Azerbaijan not to force the exodus of the local population, which would amount to de facto ethnic cleansing; calls for international guarantees to protect the life and the rights of Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh; calls on the full and unimpeded humanitarian access to be restored on the territory; stresses that the multiple warnings of the EU Parliament on the situation has not led to any change in the EU policy vis-à-vis Azerbaijan; considers that the attack carried out by Azerbaijan cannot remain without consequences, and calls on the EU to take sanctions against the Azerbaijani authorities responsible for multiple ceasefire violations; calls on the EU to review its partnership agreement with Azerbaijan in the light of recent events and in light of the country's dramatic human rights situation; calls on the EU civilian mission in Armenia to continue to observe the evolution of the security situation on the ground, to make it transparent and to report to the European Parliament;
Amendment 385 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 f (new)
Paragraph 21 f (new)
21f. Welcome Bosnia and Herzegovina stated strong support for the executive mandate of EUFOR Althea; recall the importance of the EUFOR Althea to help maintaining a safe and secure environment in the country; in that sense, welcome the Cooperation and Training Contract for 2023 concluded between the AFBiH and EUFOR; call on BiH to work towards forming multi-ethnic units of the AFBiH; recalls the EU engagement in supporting BiH's defence capacity building, in particular via the €20 million that have been allocated through the EPF so far;
Amendment 393 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Welcomes the Council’s decision of 4 May 2023 to allocate EUR 40 million under the European Peace Facility to support the Armed Forces of the Republic of Moldova and EUR 30 million to support the Georgian Defense Forces; stresses the need to further increase support to these Eastern Partnership countries and to consider providing similar support to Armenia in order to strengthen its defence and security sector;
Amendment 396 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Amendment 400 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Welcomes the joint communication on the EU cyber defence policy and calls on Member States to implement the ambitious but realistic set of actions proposed by the Commission, including the proposal for a Cyber Solidarity Act to enhance their ability to detect and respond to cybersecurity threats and incidents in the EU; recalls the Member States that the effectiveness of the EU cyber defence policy remains in their political will and concrete commitments;
Amendment 436 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Emphasises that the EU must further develop its own capabilities in all domains to enhance its own strategic autonomy and protect the sovereignty of all its Member States, while enhancing its security cooperation with partners across the globe;
Amendment 454 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Underlines the importance of the partnership dimension of the Strategic Compass in reinforcing cooperation between the EU and its allies and partners around the world in order to counter foreign strategies aimed at undermining the EU and destabilising the rules-based international order; welcomes the long- awaited third Joint Declaration on EU- NATO Cooperation which confirmed that the EU and NATO are essential partners who share common values ancalls on, in this regard, the EEAS to task EU delegations and EU CSDP missions in third countries to fully reinforce third strategic interests, and who work is ability to detect and debunk disinformation coamplementarity to ensure Euro-Atlantic and global security and stabilityaigns orchestrated by foreign state actors; calls ion particular for synergies and coherence between NATO’s Strategic Concept and the EU’s Strategic Compass, particularly in the areas ofEU delegations and EU CSDP missions to play an active role in identifying early developments, in third countering Russian aggression, hybrid and cyber warfare, and providing support to partnerses, that might provide concrete examples, experience and solutions to the EU and its missions abroad;
Amendment 460 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Welcomes the long-awaited third Joint Declaration on EU-NATO Cooperation which confirmed that the EU and NATO are essential partners who share common values and strategic interests, and who work in complementarity to ensure that NATO allies benefit from a strong European pillar within NATO; calls in this regard for synergies and coherence between NATO’s Strategic Concept and the EU’s Strategic Compass, particularly in the areas of countering Russian aggression, hybrid and cyber warfare, and providing support to partners;
Amendment 466 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)
Paragraph 26 b (new)
26b. Calls on the EU to continue active cooperation with the US, in the framework of the EU-US strategic dialogue on security and defence, as mutual security and defence initiatives, disarmament and non-proliferation, the impact of disruptive technologies, climate change, hybrid threats, cyber defence, military mobility, crisis management and the relationship with strategic competitors;
Amendment 471 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 c (new)
Paragraph 26 c (new)
26c. Underlines the need for solidarity among Member States, especially with those whose geographical position leaves them directly exposed to imminent threats and challenges; fully supports efforts to operationalize article 42-7 TEU in this respect;
Amendment 492 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Reiterates its call for an institutionalised security and defence cooperation with the United Kingdom; encourages the United Kingdom to seriously engage with the EU on pressing strategic challenges; encourages the VP/HR to invite the United Kingdom to informal Council meetings of foreign affairs (and defence) ministers to exchange views on issues of common concern while fully protecting the EU decision making autonomy;
Amendment 514 #
2023/2119(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Notes that the increase in spending on defence policies and programmes at an EU level and among the Member States are of particular importance for European defence and security, in order to ensure that they contribute in the most effective way to the achievement of EU strategic objectives and to the protection of European security and defence interests and requires full parliamentary scrutiny and accountability; underlines the existing calls for the establishment of a fully-fledged European Parliament Committee on Security and Defence, in recognition of the emerging defence acquis in the framework of the EU with scrutiny, legislation and budgetary responsibilities;
Amendment 23 #
2023/2107(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas Russian war against Ukraine demonstrated the need for improving alliances in the Indo-Pacific area and to work more closely with like- minded partners around the world;
Amendment 34 #
2023/2107(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas Japan adopted new national security and defence strategies in December 2022; whereas, on 19 April 2021, the Council adopted the EU Strategy for cooperation in the Indo- Pacific, highlighting the region's strategic importance for Europe due to its growing economic, demographic, and political weight, which makes it a key player in shaping the international order; whereas, the Indo-Pacific strategy underlines the importance of engaging with partners in the region, such as Japan, Korea, Indonesia, India, and Singapore, on a wide range of issues, including security and defence, for example, within the Enhancing Security Cooperation in and with Asia (ESIWA) framework;
Amendment 105 #
2023/2107(INI)
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 ahighlights that both the EU and Japan’s enhanced defence policy framework provide new opportunities for cooperation including on securing sea lines of communication, combating piracy and terrorism, and upholding freedom of navigation in the region; welcomes Japan’s participation in EUNAVFOR Atalanta operation military exercise and calls on finalising an ongoing agreement on communication with it; continues to support Japan’s engagement for non-proliferation; welcomes the 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; 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 15 #
2023/2072(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)
Citation 11 a (new)
– having regard to the Parliament's resolutions of 9 March 2022 and of 1 June 2023 on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation,
Amendment 33 #
2023/2072(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas a large number of Chinese students study in Member States universities, especially in the field of dual use technologies potentially leading for some to a high risk of espionage;
Amendment 36 #
2023/2072(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Recital E b (new)
Eb. whereas former European fighter pilots have been employed by the Chinese army; whereas such recruitments create a heavy riskof transfer of critical information putting the military-strategic interests of the concerned countries at risk;
Amendment 107 #
2023/2072(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Regrets in this regard the lack of adequate screening of risks of interference on public procurement related to security equipment, such as the case of the contract signed by the Airport of Strasbourg to instal airport security scanners and gates supplied by the European subsidiary of the Chinese company Nuctech, partially owned by the Chinese government and bound by the United Front policy; warns that any such technologies could incorporate in-built security gaps or be accessed during their maintenance;
Amendment 109 #
2023/2072(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Recalls that Huawei has been participating in 11 projects under Horizon Europe until June 2023, thus receiving 3.89 million euros of funding in total, and raising obvious security concerns due to the type of services that threaten the EU's data security and strategic autonomy; therefore, calls on the EU and European institutions to carry out a systematic screening of Chinese companies benefiting directly or indirectly from European programmes of strategic importance for the EU;
Amendment 133 #
2023/2072(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Recalls the need to perform a thorough evaluation of the EU institutions' information security infrastructure and services, in particular regarding classified communications between the institutions and missions and operations abroad; reminds that the full supply chain should be taken into account to ensure that the companies do not have any direct or indirect links with the PRC; calls for specific provisions in EU institutions procurements procedures to limit the risk of interference, including the acquisition, maintenance, or the vetting of third party;
Amendment 50 #
2023/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas Hezbollah has attempted to receive Iranian weapons through Syrian territory; whereas Israel has carried repeated air strikes to prevent such arms transfers, including on Damascus and Aleppo airports in October 2023 in the aftermath of the October 7 terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians by Hamas;
Amendment 77 #
2023/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas several countries in the region have started to normalise their relations with the Syrian regime, which has led to Syria’s reintegration into the Arab League in May 2023; whereas the working groups of the Arab League have been suspended since September 2023 due to the fact the Syrian regime did not respect its commitments, including to limit drug trafficking, facilitate a safe return of refugees, release political prisoners and allow humanitarian aid to all areas;
Amendment 80 #
2023/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)
Recital H b (new)
Hb. whereas no action has been undertaken since the adoption of the European Parliament resolution of 11 March 2021 on the Syrian conflict – 10 years after the uprising to ensure that war criminal suspects cannot be given asylum in an EU Member State, especially when other EU Member States have already rejected the asylum claim;
Amendment 157 #
2023/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l
Paragraph 1 – point l
(l) step up efforts to counter Russian disinformation about Syria, including disinformation in Arabic; take the necessary steps in order to ensure that online platforms substantially increase their fight against disinformation in the region, in particular through the recruitment of Arabic-speakers to moderate online content;
Amendment 161 #
2023/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point l a (new)
(la) condemn the launch of two Syrian rockets towards Israel and the Israeli- occupied Golan heights, by Syrian forces, on October 16, and the sending of an unarmed drone to the North of Israel;
Amendment 164 #
2023/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point l b (new)
(lb) condemn the repeated attempts by Hezbollah to receive Iranian weapons through Syrian territory;
Amendment 168 #
2023/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m
Paragraph 1 – point m
(m) stress that the fight against impunity in Syria is a moral and political imperative for Europe; welcome the judicial progress made by the Franco- German Joint Investigation Team regarding the 11 000 bodies of torture victims identified in the César report, the suspension of Syria from the International Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the progress made in Germany, France and Sweden in bringing Syrian criminals to justice; welcome the issuance of international arrest warrants against Bashar Al-Assad, his brother Maher Al-Assad and two generals, by French courts in November 2023, for crimes against humanity relating to their use of chemical weapons on civilians;
Amendment 184 #
2023/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point p
Paragraph 1 – point p
(p) call on Member States to establish a European fund for victims of crimes against humanityserious violations of international law in Syria, by ideveloping a legal framework allowing the transfer to families of the victims funds frozen for being linked to property unlawfully acquired by the Syrian regimentifying existing funds linked to violations of international law in Syria within their jurisdictions, such as monetary judgements, sanctions fines and penalties, forfeiture orders, funds frozen for being linked to property unlawfully acquired by the Syrian regime, and other revenue; call to develop a legal framework allowing the transfer of such funds to the families of the victims; recall that such funds must be carefully designed in full cooperation with the families of the victims;
Amendment 220 #
2023/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point u a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point u a (new)
(ua) highlight the impact of the Syrian conflict on the 438,000 Palestinian refugees estimated in the country and who depend primarily on the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) for their basic needs; express concern regarding the Agency’s financial situation and call for Palestinian refugees to be better included in the EU’s humanitarian plans in Syria;
Amendment 1 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation -1 (new)
Citation -1 (new)
– having regard to the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which establish the principles, objectives and competences of the EU, and which recognize the right of European States to apply for membership of the Union,
Amendment 2 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation -1 a (new)
Citation -1 a (new)
-1a having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA), which recognizes the right of any Member State of the European Union or member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) to apply for membership of the European Economic Area,
Amendment 6 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5
Citation 5
– having regard to the Decision of the Council,Bilateral Agreements I of 21 June 1999 and of the Commission as regards the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, of 4 April 2002 on the conclusion of seven Agreements with the Swiss Confederation, known as ‘Bilaterals I’Bilateral Agreements II of 26 October 2004 between the EU and Switzerland, which cover a wide range of areas of cooperation, including free movement of persons, land and air transport, research and technology, education and training, agriculture, public procurement, taxation, customs fraud, police and judicial cooperation, asylum and migration policy, and environmental issues 4, _________________ 4 OJ, L 114, 30.4.2002.
Amendment 9 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6
Citation 6
Amendment 20 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11
Citation 11
– having regard to the Agreement between the Swiss Confederation and the European Police Office in force sincesigned in 20064,
Amendment 21 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)
Citation 11 a (new)
– having regard to the agreement on the participation of Switzerland in the Schengen Area of 26 October 2004, which allows the free movement of persons between Switzerland and the EU Member States, and which facilitates cooperation in matters of security and the fight against cross-border crime,
Amendment 24 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 12
Citation 12
– having regard to the Agreement between Eurojust and Switzerland ofsigned on 267 November 2008,
Amendment 29 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15
Citation 15
– having regard to the Arrangement between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation on the modalities of its participation in the European Asylum Support Office11signed on 10 June 2014, and , ratified by Switzerland onin force since1 March 2016, _________________ 11 OJ L 65, 11.3.2016, p. 22.
Amendment 31 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16
Citation 16
– having regard to the Agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the automatic exchange of financial account information, which entered into force on 1 January 2017, and which significantly facilitates the fight against tax evasion,
Amendment 32 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)
Citation 17 a (new)
– having regard to the regulatory package presented by the European Commission on 14 July 2021, which aims to reduce the EU's net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030,
Amendment 34 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 19
Citation 19
– having regard to the decision by the Swiss Federal Council of 26 May 2021 to terminate the negotiations of the EU-Swissn an Institutional Framework Agreement between the EU and Switzerland,
Amendment 38 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 23
Citation 23
Amendment 41 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EU and Switzerland are close like-minded allies and key economic partners, with shared values such as democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the protection of minorities, both committed to the promotion of peace, security and stability in Europe and in the world;
Amendment 45 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the EU and Switzerland have a long-standing relationship, founded on shared values and goals of peace andcommon economic prosperity;, with strong social, economic, and cultural connections,
Amendment 47 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the EU and Switzerland face common challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, diminution of resources, international instabilities, challenge to the multilateral system, accelerating digitalisation, strengthening of undemocratic or authoritarian regimes, inequalities and the rapid changing world of work;
Amendment 55 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas to date, the EU and Switzerland have concluded over 120many bilateral agreements; whereas many of them urgently need to be updated;
Amendment 73 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas Swiss citizens benefit fully from free movement within the Union, and installations in the Union, on the same basis as EU citizens;
Amendment 78 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas Switzerland will hold general elections on 22 October 2023; whereas the EU will hold elections for the European Parliament in 2024;
Amendment 81 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1
Subheading 1
Amendment 82 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Recalls that the Union and Switzerland are united by common values, that they face common challenges and that they often have similar responses;
Amendment 84 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 b (new)
Paragraph -1 b (new)
-1b. Regrets in this context the Swiss Federal Council’s decision to terminate the negotiations on the EU-Swiss Institutional Framework in May 2021; regrets any narratives that the EU works against Swiss interests; stresses that a new failure in negotiating an agreement on EU-Swiss relations would be damaging for the citizens of both the EU and Switzerland;
Amendment 86 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 d (new)
Paragraph -1 d (new)
-1d. Welcomes Switzerland's participation in the summits of the European political community;
Amendment 87 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 e (new)
Paragraph -1 e (new)
-1e. Is concerned that existing bilateral agreements are reaching the end of their validity, or their distance from the law applied in the rest of the Common Market;
Amendment 88 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 f (new)
Paragraph -1 f (new)
-1f. Notes that the bilateral path remains the one preferred by Switzerland, and not membership of the European Economic Area or membership of the Union; stresses that Switzerland is still welcome to join the EEA or the Union in the future if it so wishes, thus enabling it to participate fully in European decisions and rules;
Amendment 89 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 g (new)
Paragraph -1 g (new)
-1g. Calls for the negotiation of a Cooperation Pact between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation; stresses that such a Pact should enable a new start to be made in the relationship between the EU and Switzerland, and should be of full benefit to EU and Swiss citizens; calls for this Pact to modernise all existing bilateral agreements, and to extend Euro-Swiss cooperation to new areas;
Amendment 90 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 h (new)
Paragraph -1 h (new)
-1h. Welcomes the Swiss Federal Council’s decision to set out its approach for negotiations and that it commissioned the development of key figures for a negotiation mandate with the EU by the end of June 2023; calls on the Federal Council to respect this timetable by rapidly adopting a negotiating mandate on the essential structural issues, which would give a clear political signal to the EU, so that negotiations can be opened as soon as possible;
Amendment 91 #
2023/2042(INI)
-1i. Expects the progress in exploratory talks between the Commission and the Swiss Federal Council to be stepped up with a view to obtaining the clarifications and assurances required to adopt a mandate for negotiations; calls on both sides to use this window of opportunity for talks on a Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation, which both parties should agree on before the end of the term of the current European Commission and European Parliament;
Amendment 92 #
Amendment 94 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights the EU’s strong interest in cooperating with Switzerland on international peace, security and defence matters, in particular in response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; welcomes Switzerland’s alignment with EU sanctions adopted in this context, diverging from its traditionally neutral stancethe fact that Switzerland has taken over EU sanctions adopted in this context;
Amendment 106 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes Switzerland’s close stance with the EU’s common foreign and security policy; welcomes, further, Switzerland’s announcement in November 2021 that it wcould participate in the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO);
Amendment 115 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. WUnderlines the important contribution of Member States to the security of Switzerland, due to its geographical position; welcomes the fact that Switzerland is seeking closer cooperation with the EU and NATO in the field of defence, joining the strengthening of the European pillar of NATO; welcomes, in this regard, Switzerland’s involvement in the Partnership for Peace programme; urginvites Switzerland to deepen its cooperation with the EU on food security and defence;
Amendment 124 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that Switzerland’s alignment withpplication of EU sanctions against Russia is on a case-by- case basis; encourages Switzerland to closely and consistently apply restrictive measureall sanctions and to prevent their circumvention; encourages Switzerland to step up the seizure and, confiscation and freezing of Russian assets subject to sanctions, including reserves of the Russian central bank, held by Switzerland;
Amendment 125 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that Switzerland’s alignment with EU sanctions against Russia is on a case-by-case basis; encourages Switzerland to closely and consistently apply restrictive measures and to prevent their circumvention; in this regard, calls on Switzerland to join the Russian Elites, Proxies, and Oligarchs (REPO) Task Force; encourages Switzerland to step up the seizure and confiscation of Russian assets;
Amendment 129 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Amendment 131 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Regrets that the federal law on war material based on the long humanitarian tradition of Switzerland as a neutral state prevents Member States from re-exporting war material produced in Switzerland to Ukraine;
Amendment 132 #
Amendment 135 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 138 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. RecognisesUnderlines the EU-Switzerland cooperation on international migration, including the management of flows and relocation of refugees; notes the large number of cross-border commuters between the EU andinvites Switzerland to strengthen its exchanges with the European Union Agency for Asylum and the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders, which are directly involved in better management of international migration to and from Switzerland;
Amendment 144 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Regrets that Switzerland does not qualifyyet participate to join the EU Civil Protection Mechanism; calls on a future partnership with Switzerland within this frameworkrapid participation of Switzerland to this Mechanism;
Amendment 147 #
Amendment 162 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Is concerned about Switzerland’s inconsistent implementation of certain agreements with the Union and its subsequent adoption of legislative measures and practices that are incompatible with those agreements, in particular with the Agreement on the free movement of persons;
Amendment 173 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes that a large number of bilateral agreements between the EU and Switzerland need to be revisited in order to prevent their expiry, in particular those on enhanced access to the Swiss market for EUnd reciprocal access to the economic operatormarkets, in particular in the agriculture, food and services sectormedical goods, machines, agriculture, personal data protection, land and air transportation fields;
Amendment 177 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Notes that an effective dispute settlement mechanism is fundamental, as is a solution on institutional matters, such as cohesion policy; stresses that a common jurisdiction between the EU and Switzerland is a prerequisite for a common market; recalls that a single interpretation of EU law is a prerequisite for access to the common market; recalls that this single interpretation of EU law is to be determined by the Court of Justice of the European Union, and that it does not concern the interpretation of Swiss law;
Amendment 182 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Welcomes the release of a second Swiss contribution to certain EU Member States, in particular to ensure cohesion between states; recalls that this contribution is a counterpart to access the European single market; notes, however, that this Swiss contribution is unique, while other countries such as Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein have accepted a regular and planned contribution; calls on Switzerland to propose regular contributions in the future;
Amendment 184 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Underlines the importance of a fair competition for companies between the EU and Switzerland; Highlights the importance of a common framework regime for state aid, that applies to all types of sectors; Recalls that a common framework will facilitate the coordinated investments in strategic sectors between the EU and Switzerland;
Amendment 185 #
Amendment 186 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)
Paragraph 11 c (new)
11c. Recalls that the freedom of movement of persons is a fundamental principle of the European single market and is inseparable from the other freedoms of movement;
Amendment 187 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 d (new)
Paragraph 11 d (new)
11d. Highlights the large number of cross-border commuters between the EU and Switzerland and the large number of EU citizens and Swiss nationals who live and work in Switzerland or the EU respectively;
Amendment 188 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 e (new)
Paragraph 11 e (new)
11e. Notes with concern Swiss legislative measures and practices that are incompatible with the agreement on the free movement of persons, in particular with regard to expulsions and Swiss accompanying measures for posted workers;
Amendment 189 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 f (new)
Paragraph 11 f (new)
11f. Insists on the arrival in recent years of new European legislation for social rights and workers; stresses that this participates in the development of a real "social Europe", which is not limited to an economic market; highlights the recent revision in 2018 of Directive (EU) 2018/957, which provides for the principle of equal pay from the first day of posting with local workers;
Amendment 195 #
2023/2042(INI)
12. Urges Switzerland to apply the relevant EU acquis where required and to comply with its obligations under the 1999 Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons, in particular on posted workers and to adapt flanking measures applicable to EU economic operators providing services in its territory; notes Switzerland’s concerns in this regard and points out that former EU candidate countries had similar concerns and that they have not materialised;
Amendment 196 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Stresses the need for Switzerland to dynamically adopt Union law, in areas where both parties cooperate, in order to provide the legal certainty and coherence necessary for businesses and citizens; recalls that the Union is no longer asking for the automatic adoption of Union law by Switzerland, as is the case for the Member States;
Amendment 199 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Recalls that this freedom of movement of persons is framed and associated with appropriate measures for external border control, asylum, immigration and crime prevention; stresses that settlement in another EU country is not without limits, and does not allow for "social tourism"; calls on Switzerland to fully take on board the Directive on the rights of EU citizens (2004/38/EC), which will benefit Swiss and EU citizens;
Amendment 206 #
Amendment 214 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Notes with concern that Switzerland did not sufficiently support the EU’s push to remove fossil fuel protections from the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT); invites Switzerland to consider withdrawing this treaty, following the example of several EU Member States;
Amendment 217 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses that grid stability and the security of supply and transit depend on close cooperation between the EU and Switzerland; notes the interconnection of Swiss, German and, French and Austrian power grids; remains concerned that excluding Switzerland’s energy industry poses systemic risks for the whole of continental Europe’s synchronous grid; stresses that more effective cooperation in the management of the continental European synchronous zone would be desirable, but that this would require a strengthening of the regulatory framework for cooperation;
Amendment 219 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Stresses that solutionsCalls for the conclusion of new agreements on energy between the EU and Switzerland, in particular for crfoss- borderil-free electricity trading must be found in order to allow continued and closeand clean gases, within the framework of a Cooperation Pact; stresses the importance that any new agreement on electricity or gas should also include the relevant acquis communautaire in relation to the European Green Deal, but also provisions for cooperation between the EU and Switzerlandss energy regulators;
Amendment 226 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Recalls that the EU and Switzerland are each other committed towards reaching climate neutrality in 2050; stresses that since 2019 the EU has begun to revise a great deal of legislation to bring it into line with its climate objectives, in particular in the context of the European Green Deal;
Amendment 228 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Stresses the potential for further cooperation in the climate and environmental field, and a better alignment of legislation between the EU and Switzerland; invites Switzerland to take over legislation related to environmental protection in the framework of the Cooperation Agreement, in particular the Border Carbon Adjustment Mechanism, the overhaul of the Emissions Trading Scheme, energy efficiency, the development of renewables, the infrastructure for alternative fuels, the ecodesign of products, the protection of water and soils, or the rules on land use and forestry;
Amendment 230 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15c. Stresses that, like the EU, Switzerland is dependent on imports of industrial products, but also of critical raw materials; points out that the strategic autonomy sought by the EU also serves the interests of Switzerland, because of the intensity of economic exchanges between the parties; is of the opinion that Switzerland and the EU would have a common interest in better coordinating their industrial policies in order to be more complementary in strategic industrial areas;
Amendment 231 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 5
Subheading 5
Amendment 237 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the European Commission and the Swiss Federal Council to do their utmost to ensure Switzerland’s return to Horizon Europe; calls on the Swiss Federal Council to adopt a negotiating mandstart discussions on the first day of negotiations of the Cooperation Pact for an agreement on Swiss participation in Horizon Europe and Erasmus+, in exchange for a Swiss commitment to a regular and appropriate con key structural issues, giving a clear political signal to the EUtribution to the European cohesion policy;
Amendment 245 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Underlines the good cooperation between the Union and Switzerland in the space field, in particular with its participation in the European satellite navigation program Galileo and EGNOS;
Amendment 246 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Calls for deepening this space cooperation, by working to study a participation of Switzerland in the Earth observation program Copernicus, as well as in the satellite telecommunications program IRIS², within the framework of a Cooperation Pact; recalls that Switzerland already benefits from the open access data of Copernicus, and that it could benefit even more, in particular to facilitate the participation of Swiss companies, access to the data and services of these programs;
Amendment 247 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Paragraph 18 c (new)
18c. Stresses that, in a field where a growing number of European space programs are established within the institutional and financial framework of the Union, the erosion of cooperation between the Union and Switzerland risks disjoining in the long run the industrial ecosystems built by Swiss companies and institutions and their European counterparts;
Amendment 248 #
Amendment 249 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
Amendment 254 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
Amendment 259 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
Amendment 265 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
Amendment 271 #
2023/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
Amendment 16 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
Citation 8 a (new)
– having regard to the OSCE Moscow Mechanism report of 11 May 2023 on the serious threat to the OSCE human dimension in Belarus since 5 November 2020,
Amendment 24 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas almost three years after the so-called elections on 9 August 2020, the Belarusian authorities are continuing their repression against the Belarusian people; whereas more than 50 000 Belarusians have been illegally arrested and tortured, more than 1 500 persons remain imprisoned on political grounds and are daily exposed to isolation, torture, inhumane and degrading treatment, and around 300 000 have left the country for fear of a similar fate;
Amendment 28 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas repression expanded to all segments of society - civil society organizations, human rights defenders, charitable organisations, environmental associations, independent trade unions, lawyers of political prisoners, private businesses and independent media - making any form of public dissent liable;
Amendment 31 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas around 1 000 civil organisations were deregistered and closed and over 300 media organisations labelled as extremists; whereas most of civil society organisations and independent media, especially their leaders, were forced to flee Belarus and to relaunch their activities in exile, primarily in Lithuania and Poland; whereas over 30 journalists and media workers remain imprisoned on bogus criminal charges;
Amendment 32 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
Ac. whereas four major independent trade unions and the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions were shut down and at least 14 of their leaders and members were imprisoned;
Amendment 33 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)
Recital A d (new)
Ad. whereas almost 100 Belarusian attorneys were stripped of their licenses;
Amendment 40 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the Lukashenka regime is dangerously undermining the sovereignty of Belarus by deepening Belarus’ integration into the Uturning it into a satellite state of Russia and allowing Belarus to be absorbed by Russia into a so-called union Sstate with Russia;
Amendment 45 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the Lukashenka regime is further destructing manifestation of national identity of Belarusians and is pursuing the aggressive policy of russification and destruction of Belarusian culture;
Amendment 47 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas religious and ethnic minorities in Belarus, in particular the Lithuanian and Polish minorities, face harassment and restrictions on their rights, such as the right to learn in their own language;
Amendment 51 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the Belarusian authorities actively support and have become accomplices in Russia’s unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine; whereas majority of Belarusians are against their country’s participation in this war and demonstrate it by organizing peaceful protests that result in arrests and police misconduct, sabotaging transportation of Russian military equipment and joining or supporting Belarusian regiments fighting alongside Ukrainian armed forces;
Amendment 56 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas Belarus is the only country in Europe to use capital punishment; whereas recent amendments to the Criminal Code introduced the death penalty for terrorist attacks not resulting in death, attempting terrorist attack or an assassination of a foreign official and treason committed by a state official or a serviceman, with the aim to deter any resistance to the involvement of Belarus into Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine;
Amendment 60 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas the Lukashenka regime is actively engaged in Russian efforts to illegally transfer and re-educate Ukrainian children; whereas around 2 000 Ukrainian children, mainly from the territories temporarily occupied by Russia, have been sent to camps and sanatoriums in Belarus, including the Dubrava camp owned by Belarus’s main potash producer Belaruskali;
Amendment 82 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the leaders of democratic political parties have publicly declared the European aspirations of Belarusians;
Amendment 87 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas in response to the ongoing repression, the EU and its Member States have adopted a number of restrictive measures against the Lukashenka regime, including sanctions against 195 individuals and 34 entities directly involved into human rights violations and providing support to the regime, and allocated over EUR 100 million to support the people of Belarus and their democratic aspirations;
Amendment 90 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas as a result of the Western sanctions Belarus’ GDP shrank by 4,7 percent in 2022 or twice less than expected;
Amendment 92 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G b (new)
Recital G b (new)
Gb. whereas the Lukashenka regime is curbing the effect of Western sanctions by using Russia provided assistance, which includes transiting Belarusian goods via Russian transport and port infrastructure, preferential access to Russian market and postponement of debt payments to Russia, as well as by circumventing the sanctions;
Amendment 94 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G c (new)
Recital G c (new)
Gc. whereas the Lukashenka regime is restoring the Soviet-era centrally planned economic model, particularly regulation of retail prices, maintaining industrial production of state owned companies at the high level even if there is no demand and repressions against private businesses, including banning foreign investors from selling their stakes in companies in Belarus and imposing regulations allowing confiscation of private property;
Amendment 96 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G d (new)
Recital G d (new)
Gd. whereas EU imports from Belarus in 2022 reduced twice if compared to previous years, from EUR 6,54 billion in 2021 to EUR 3,19 billion; whereas Belarus’ exports to Russia increased by 40 percent from USD 16,3 billion in 2021 to USD 23 billion in 2022; whereas Belarus’ exports to China have almost doubled in 2022;
Amendment 99 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G e (new)
Recital G e (new)
Ge. whereas as a result of EU support hundreds of Belarusians are currently receiving scholarships, many more are taking part in online trainings to strengthen their professional skills and will be engaged in professional exchanges;
Amendment 104 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 (new)
Subheading 1 (new)
Continuous repression by the Lukashenka regime and EU support for repressed
Amendment 132 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the EU institutions and its Member States to explore the possibility of allowing representatives of the Belarusian democratic forces and civil society to take up the empty seats, in bilateral and multilateral formats, in particular within the framework of the Eastern Partnership policy, which were previously occupied by representatives of the Belarusian authorities; calls on the Commission to include independent, non regime- affiliated Belarusian experts as national representatives for Belarus in cooperation programmes such as EU4Climate, EU4Environment and other initiatives;
Amendment 141 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Denounces politically motivated ‘show trials’ aimed at instilling fear in representatives and supporters of the democratic forces, civil society, independent media, free trade unions and human rights defenders, and in particular the recent sentencing to long prison terms of Nobel Peace Prize and Sakharov Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, Valiantsin Stefanovich, Zmitser Salauyou, Uladzimir Labkovich, Raman Pratasevich, Henadz Fiadynich, Vasil Berasneu and Vatslau Areshka, as well as the sentencing in absentia of leading figures of the democratic forces such as Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Pavel Latushka, Maryia Maroz, Volha Kavalkova, Siarhei Dyleuski, Valery Tsapkala, Stsiapan Putsila and Yan Rudzik on spurious charges of ‘conspiracy to seize power’ or ‘forming extremist organisations’;
Amendment 144 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Reiterates its call on the Belarusian authorities to put an immediate end to the ill-treatment of political prisoners, who are being held in cruel, inhuman and degrading conditions, without adequate medical care and without access to lawyers and family members; is deeply concerned that imprisoned democratic opposition leaders Viktar Babaryka and Maria Kalesnikava have been secretly transferred to hospital without any information on their state of health, and that there is no information on the state of Siarhei Tsikhanouski, Mikalai Statkevich, Maksim Znak and Ihar Losik;
Amendment 152 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to enable human rights defenders, lawyers and civil society organisations to continue providing services, particularly social aid, healthcare and public defence, to political prisoners and their families;
Amendment 159 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Calls on the International Labour Organization to consider at its 111th Session, to be held in Geneva on 17 June 2023, to apply the restrictive measures listed under article 33 of the ILO Constitution to Belarus as a response to the continued persecution of independent trade union leaders and activists and of the systematic violations of workers’ rights by Lukashenka’s regime;
Amendment 160 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Calls on the Belarusian authorities to allow diplomats and international organisations, in particular the International Committee of the Red Cross, to visit political prisoners so that they can assess their condition and provide aid;
Amendment 161 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 d (new)
Paragraph 5 d (new)
5d. Calls on the International Committee of the Red Cross to intensify its support for political prisoners and other oppressed persons in Belarus;
Amendment 162 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 e (new)
Paragraph 5 e (new)
5e. Calls on the EU and Member States diplomats, despite existing difficulties, to engage and support the civil society, human rights defenders, independent media, pro-democratic groups and families of political prisoners in Belarus;
Amendment 168 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Encourages the Member States to further simplify the procedures and guaranteeing access in Belarus for obtaining visas and residence for those fleeing Belarus for political reasons or for those who require medical treatment as a result of violence perpetrated against them;
Amendment 170 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to prepare rules and procedures to deal with cases where human rights defenders and other civil society activists are stripped of their citizenship in Belarus, as well as to provide support to those Belarusians residing in the EU whose identity documents are about to expire and who have no means of renewing them, since they cannot return to Belarus;
Amendment 171 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 a (new)
Subheading 1 a (new)
Involvement of the Belarusian regime in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine
Amendment 173 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Condemns in the strongest possible terms the Belarusian regime’s involvement in Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, including promotion of hate speech, disinformation and propaganda echoing Moscow’s bellicose rhetoric, as well as the massive provision of ammunition and military hardware to the Russian aggressors and, including the manufacture of military components for the Russian military, the use of Belarusian territory as a staging ground to launch missile attacks on military and civilian targets in Ukraine and training Russian troops; notes that the vast majority of Belarusians disapprove of this multifaceted involvement in Russia’s war of aggression; expresses its support for the Belarusian volunteers, in particular the ‘Kastuś Kalinouŭski’ and ‘Pahonia’ regiments, who are bravely fighting alongside the Ukrainian army to repel the aggressors;
Amendment 182 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Considers that by enabling Russia’s unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine the Lukashenka regime has become an accomplice in committed crimes; Calls for the EU institutions and the Member States to take all the actions necessary to enable the criminal prosecution, including issuing an international arrest warrant, of Aliaksandr Lukashenka and other of Belarusian officials who are complicit in the war crimes, crimes against humanity, crimes of genocide and the crime of aggression committed in Ukraine;
Amendment 201 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 b (new)
Subheading 1 b (new)
Sovereignty of Belarus and protection of its language and national culture
Amendment 202 #
2023/2041(INI)
10. Notes with great concern the rampant economic, political and military integraabsorption of Belarus into the Uso-called union Sstate with Russia; regrets that Belarus has become a satellite state of Russia; condemns the announced deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons under Russian command on Belarusian territory in blatant violation of Belarus’ nuclear-free status that was revoked following the fraudulent constitutional referendum of 27 February 2022; calls for the EU and the Member States to maintain unity in addressing the multifaceted threats posed by the Lukashenka regime to the EU, in particular the continued state-engineered illegal migration crisis at the borders of Belarus with Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, and to work in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency to ensure nuclear safety at the Belarusian NPPand the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group to ensure nuclear safety at the Belarusian NPP; regrets that the second reactor of the Belarusian NPP in Astravyets was launched without nuclear safety concerns by the international community being properly addressed;
Amendment 213 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Notes Belarus's growing economic dependence on Russia and other non- democratic countries, including China; deplores the fact that Belarus is returning to the Soviet-era centrally planned economic model, which will further isolate Belarus from the world market, lead to a lag in innovation and modernisation, and lead to a continuous brain drain, which is contrary to the interests of the Belarusian people, who have shown increasing entrepreneurial skills in recent years;
Amendment 220 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 c (new)
Paragraph 10 c (new)
10c. Considering that small and medium-sized enterprises played an important role in supporting the pro- democracy movement in Belarus during and after the 2020 presidential elections, calls on the Commission and the EU Member States to continue supporting entrepreneurship in Belarus;
Amendment 223 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 d (new)
Paragraph 10 d (new)
10d. Reminds all EU businesses operating in Belarus of its previous call to exercise particular diligence and uphold their responsibility to respect human rights, in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: asks them to refrain from any new investment and to publicly protest to the Belarusian authorities against the continuing repression of workers and citizens in general;
Amendment 226 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 e (new)
Paragraph 10 e (new)
10e. Expresses solidarity with Belarusians seeking to protect and nurture their national identity, particularly efforts to spread the use of Belarusian language; deplores recent sentencing of art manager Pavel Belavus to 13 years in prison for his activities in promoting Belarusian language and culture; commits to increasing its communication in Belarusian language, notably translation of its reports and resolutions on Belarus and Eastern Partnership policies into Belarusian language and calls upon other EU institutions to follow;
Amendment 229 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 f (new)
Paragraph 10 f (new)
10f. Condemns the harassment of religious and national minorities in Belarus, notably the Lithuanian and Polish minorities, as illustrated by the forced closure of Lithuanian and Polish schools, the prohibition and disbandment of Lithuanian and Polish associations on far-fetched grounds, and the destruction of Polish cemeteries, graves and monuments; denounces the detention and sentencing of Union of Poles activist Andrzej Poczobut on political grounds; calls on the Belarusian regime to cease immediately this multifaceted persecution of national minorities, and to uphold their rights, including the right to education in their native languages;
Amendment 233 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 g (new)
Paragraph 10 g (new)
10g. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to continue and broaden support for the cultural and educational activities of the Belarusian civil society and academic institutions, including those directed to the support of Belarusian language, including independent media;
Amendment 234 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 c (new)
Subheading 1 c (new)
Support for democracy and European aspirations
Amendment 235 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 i (new)
Paragraph 10 i (new)
10i. Highlights that Belarus shares historical ties and heritage of European culture and identity and based on aspirations by the people of Belarus should remain a part of European political, cultural and economic space;
Amendment 236 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 j (new)
Paragraph 10 j (new)
10j. Warmly acknowledges and supports declarations about the European aspirations of Belarusians made by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the leaders of democratic political parties; welcomes the opening in Brussels, on 1 March 2023, of the official Mission of Democratic Belarus; calls on the EU institutions to develop relations with the Coordination Council, the United Transitional Cabinet and other groupings of representatives of democratic forces, and to further engage with the Mission of Democratic Belarus in Brussels;
Amendment 237 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls for the EU, its institutions and its Member States to develop a more ambitious and comprehensive strategy in order to support democratic forces, civil society activists, human rights defenders, independent trade unions and free media both in and outside Belarus, with a view to fostering a democratic transition in this country and to upholding the independence and sovereignty of Belarus; calls for comprehensive capacity-building programs, including trainings on legal expertise for the legislation drafts, digital and personal security, mentoring initiatives, traineeships and other educational opportunities to empower these actors and nurture their potential; calls for improved EU communication with the people in Belarus in order to provide them with information and counter disinformation and propaganda by the state-controlled media; urges the EU Member States to foster people-to-people contacts between their own populations and the Belarusian people, and to coordinate their actions in order to alleviate the difficulties faced by democratic forces and civil society activists in exile, for example in the process of obtaining residence permits or opening bank accounts; acknowledges the work of the EU civil society in supporting their Belarusian counterparts and assisting Belarusians during the process of relocation, and calls upon the EU and its Member States to further enable their work;
Amendment 248 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Calls upon the Council to review and update its conclusions on Belarus by focusing on pre-emption and containment of security risks posed by the Lukashenka regime, effective EU public policy and engagement with the people of Belarus, including those in exile, structured cooperation with the Belarusian democratic forces and civil society and support for the victims of the Lukashenka regime;
Amendment 254 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Calls on the Commission, Council, the HR/VP and the Member States to maintain international attention and support for the pro-democracy movement in Belarus, particularly to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and her led the United Transitional Cabinet, which has shifted in the wake of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine;
Amendment 257 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)
Paragraph 11 c (new)
11c. Welcomes the Commission’s approval of the support programme “EU4Belarus: Supporting societal resilience and human capital development”, which aims to support the democratic aspirations in Belarus; considers that such support is essential in order to preserve the changes in Belarusian society that emerged from the peaceful pro-democracy movement during the 2020 presidential elections;
Amendment 261 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 d (new)
Paragraph 11 d (new)
11d. Insists that EU4Belarus funds be strategically channelled into activities to support the European aspirations of the people of Belarus;
Amendment 262 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 e (new)
Paragraph 11 e (new)
11e. Insists that a significant proportion of EU financial support should continue to be channelled through flexible and impartial EU mechanisms, such as the European Endowment for Democracy (EED), which would ensure good targeting and accountability for civil society, independent media and pro- democracy groups;
Amendment 265 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 f (new)
Paragraph 11 f (new)
11f. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to continue to support Belarus’ independent media, which was decimated after 2020 Presidential elections and had to relocate and rebuild its activities; urges support for digitalisation and creation of spaces for pro-democracy civic and political participation of Belarusians; welcomes the opening of the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty office in Lithuanian working to provide credible media service for Russian-speakers in Belarus;
Amendment 266 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 g (new)
Paragraph 11 g (new)
11g. Highlights the importance of continuously strengthening links and cooperation between Belarus and the European youth and academic community; welcomes the EU's allocation of financial resources to provide educational opportunities for Belarusian students and professionals, and expects that such support will be continued, by ensuring that Belarusians are substantially included in EU programmes such as Erasmus+ and the Horizon Europe, and by supporting a number of initiatives in the Member States, such as the Belarusian university in exile: the European University for Humanities in Vilnius;
Amendment 267 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 h (new)
Paragraph 11 h (new)
11h. Expresses its concern about the transparency, freedom and fairness of the 2024 parliamentary and local elections in Belarus, in particular in the light of new legal restrictions on political parties and statements by the Central Electoral Commission questioning the importance of international election observation and the role of the OSCE ODIHR;
Amendment 268 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 i (new)
Paragraph 11 i (new)
11i. Condemns the new law on political parties adopted in February 2023, which is clearly aimed at hindering and deterring the activities of democratic forces by imposing additional restrictions and obligations to register with the Ministry of Justice; takes the view that this law deliberately attempts to prevent democratic parties from taking part in the 2024 parliamentary elections;
Amendment 269 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 j (new)
Paragraph 11 j (new)
11j. Calls upon the leadership of the Belarusian democratic forces to maintain unity and continue to employ innovative methods to engage the people of Belarus, particularly in Belarus, to maintain their trust and faith in democratic change, and to mobilize them in the upcoming elections;
Amendment 270 #
2023/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 k (new)
Paragraph 11 k (new)
11k. Calls on the national political parties of the Member States and European political parties to further develop their cooperation and support for democratic political parties in Belarus;
Amendment 79 #
2023/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Requests that the MTE provide legal and political clarity with regard to the listing of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia as beneficiaries under the neighbourhood chapter of the Instrument; notes that these countries have become candidates for accession to the EUUkraine and the Republic of Moldova have been granted EU candidate status, while a decision on Georgia is pending, and should therefore be listed as beneficiaries with the adequate budgetary transfer of bilateral financial envelopes to the Instrument for Pre- accession Assistance (IPA III) Regulation10 ; welcomes the Commission’s proposal for a Ukraine facility to meet immediate needs, but stresses the importance of using a long- term instrument; _________________ 10 Regulation (EU) 2021/1529 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 September 2021 establishing the Instrument for Pre-Accession assistance (IPA III) (OJ L 330, 20.9.2021, p. 1).
Amendment 166 #
2023/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Welcomes the Team Europe approach and its aim of increasing the coherence, impact and visibility of EU development projects, and calls for more joint actions with the Member States, in particular Team Europe Initiatives (TEIs); underlines the need for better communication campaigns to enhance the EU’s visibility among the citizens and public officials in countries receiving EU assistance, notably in countries which do not align with the EU's foreign policy; calls on the Commission to review the effectiveness of the approach and to inform Parliament of its findings;
Amendment 211 #
2023/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Requests that the MTE be used to the fullest extent possible in order to update either the Instrument or its delegated acts on priority areas and to reassess the validity of the geographic and thematic MIPs, including more prominent conditions relating to compliance with international law, alignment with the EU’s foreign policy and the application of the associated suspension mechanism, as a last resort, where the foreign policy of an Instrument beneficiary country diverges completely from EU foreign policy; calls for the suspension or significant reduction of assistance to countries that openly support aggressor states and their policies, in particular the Russian Federation in its war of aggression against Ukraine;
Amendment 60 #
2023/0441(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 37 a (new)
Recital 37 a (new)
(37a) Where the 'Strategic Compass for Security and Defence – For a European Union that protects its citizens, values and interests and contributes to international peace and security’, endorsed by the European Council on 24 March 2022 enacted the development of an EU Rapid Deployment Capacity, with a projected strength of 5000 troops, to be used in different phases of an operation in a non- permissive environment, and which will initially focus on rescue and evacuation operations as part of a coordinated crisis response.
Amendment 107 #
2023/0441(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Decision No 1313/2013/EU
Article 13 a – paragraph 4
Article 13 a – paragraph 4
4. When providing assistance, Member States may seek, if appropriate, support from Union instruments such as the crisis management structures of the EEAS and its Crisis Response Centre and, via the Emergency Response Coordination Centre established by Article 7 of Decision No 1313/2013/EU, the Union Civil Protection Mechanism and, when applicable, the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity as provided for in the ‘Strategic Compass for Security and Defence – For a European Union that protects its citizens, values and interests and contributes to international peace and security’, endorsed by the European Council on 24 March 2022.;
Amendment 200 #
2023/0397(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11 a (new)
Recital 11 a (new)
(11a) Activities under the Facility should not question the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Bosnia-and- Herzegovina.
Amendment 221 #
2023/0397(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) The Commission, in cooperation with the Member States and the Beneficiaries, should contribute to increased transparency and accountability in the delivery of assistance, including by implementing appropriate internal control systems and anti-fraud policies. The support under the Facility should be made available under the preconditions that each of the Beneficiaries continues to respect and uphold effective democratic mechanisms and institutions, including a multi-party parliamentary system, the safeguard of free and pluralistic media and fight against disinformation, foreign information manipulation and interference, and the rule of law, and to guarantee respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. Another pre-condition should be that Serbia and Kosovo engage constructively in the normalisation of their relations with a view to fully implementing all their respective obligations stemming from the Agreement on the Path to Normalisation and its Implementation Annex as well as all past Dialogue Agreements and engage in negotiations on the Comprehensive Agreement on normalisation of relations.
Amendment 234 #
2023/0397(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) In order to ensure an efficient implementation of the Facility, including the facilitation of the Western Balkans Beneficiaries’ integration in European value chains, all supplies and materials financed and procured under this Facility should originate from Member States, Beneficiaries, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, as well as contracting parties to the Agreement on the European Economic Area and countries covered by Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2021/947 of the European Parliament and of the Council10 and Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2021/1529 and countrieswhich provide a level of support to Beneficiaries comparable to the one provided by the European Union in order to develop our autonomic strategy, while taking into account the size of their economy and for which reciprocal access to external assistance in Beneficiaries is established by the Commission, unless the supplies and materials cannot be sourced at reasonable conditions in any of those countries. _________________ 10 Regulation (EU) 2021/947 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 June 2021 establishing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe, amending and repealing Decision No 466/2014/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Regulation (EU) 2017/1601 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 480/2009 (OJ L 209, 14.6.2021, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/947/oj).
Amendment 339 #
2023/0397(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point i
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point i
(i) further strengthen the fundamentals of the enlargement process, including the rule of law, democracy, the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, through promoting an independent judiciary, reinforced security, the fight against fraud, corruption, organised crime andincluding illicit weapons trafficking, money laundering and terrorism financing, tax evasion and tax fraud; compliance with international law; strengthen freedom and pluralism of media, ands well as protection of its ability to fight against disinformation, foreign information manipulation and interference, academic freedom and an enabling environment for civil society; foster social dialogue; promote gender equality, non- discrimination and tolerance, to ensure and strengthen respect for the rights of persons belonging to minorities;
Amendment 383 #
2023/0397(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 1
1. Preconditions for the support under the Facility shall be that the Beneficiaries continue to uphold and respect effective democratic mechanisms, including a multi- party parliamentary system, the safeguard of free and pluralistic media and fight against disinformation, foreign information manipulation and interference and the rule of law, and guarantee respect for all human rights obligations, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. Another pre- condition shall be that Serbia and Kosovo engage constructively in the normalisation of their relations with a view to fully implementing all their respective obligations stemming from the Agreement on the Path to Normalisation and its Implementation Annex as well as all past Dialogue Agreements and engage in negotiations on the Comprehensive Agreement on normalisation of relations.
Amendment 389 #
2023/0397(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 1 (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 1 (new)
(1) Another precondition shall be full alignment with the Union's common foreign and security policy, including adoption of restrictive measures against Russia as well as with EU visa requirements for third countries.
Amendment 409 #
2023/0397(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Article 7 – paragraph 3
3. Depending on the required operational and financial capacity, the entrusted entity implementing blending operations may be the European Investment Bank or the European Investment Fund,group, a multilateral internationalEuropean financial institutions, such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, or bilateral European finance institutions, such as development banks. Whenever possible, t or the World Bank Group. Whenever possible, non-European multilateral financial institutions may participate in the Facility through joint operations with European financial institutions. The implementation of blending operations under the Facility shall be complemented by additional forms of financial support, from either Member States or third parties.
Amendment 412 #
2023/0397(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) Member States, Beneficiaries, and contracting parties to the Agreement on the European Economic Area and countries covered by Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2021/947 and Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2021/1529, as well as in Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia;
Amendment 413 #
2023/0397(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) countries which provide a level of support to Beneficiaries comparable to the one provided by the European Union taking into account the size of their economy and for which reciprocal access to external assistance in Beneficiaries is established by the Commission in line with our strategic autonomy.
Amendment 463 #
2023/0397(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Funds under the Facility will not support activities or measures which could compromise the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Amendment 4 #
2023/0264(BUD)
Draft opinion
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the Union must continue to support Ukraine including military support and respond to other urgent global needs as they evolve; whereas it is of outmost importance to continue demining Ukraine as there will be no sustainable reconstruction without it;
Amendment 9 #
2023/0264(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Strongly believes that a revision of the MFF is needed to make the Union budget fit for purpose in order to address global challenges, among which European defence; welcomes therefore the Commission proposal for a revision presented on 20 June, believes however that an even stronger increase in Heading 6 would be needed to address the various challenges in the neighbourhood and beyond; calls on the Council to agree on a revision of the MFF before the end of the year so that it can have an impact on the 2024 budget; furthermore calls on the Commission to present as soon as possible a detailed breakdown per budget line regarding the suggested increases for 2024 of EUR 2.331 million (in 2018 prices) in order for the budgetary authority to make full use of the additional funds in Heading 6;
Amendment 24 #
2023/0264(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Calls for greater support for independent media fighting Russian disinformation and propaganda, in particular media in the national languages of the Eastern Partnership countries, Russian-language media inside and outside Russia, as well as media in the Western Balkans and in the African countries where the Wagner Group is active;
Amendment 25 #
2023/0264(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Reiterates that adequate level of funding should be maintained for the Southern Neighbourhood in 2024; regrets therefore the diminution of 100 million EUR compared to 2023;
Amendment 27 #
2023/0264(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Welcomes the continuation of funding for humanitarian aid and support for Syrian refugees in the country and the region;
Amendment 30 #
2023/0264(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Believes that funding of projects focussing on women and girls in conflict areas, including on gender-based violence, conflict prevention, rebuilding and empowering of women, is insufficient and should be strengthened throughout all geographical regions in the budget; believes in particular that projects aiming at actively countering disinformation, in particular on these issues, can further strengthen EU actions and help establish long-term stability;
Amendment 43 #
2023/0264(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Strongly believes that a considerable reinforcement of humanitarian aid, accompanied by clear objectives in terms of the rule of law and governance is needed for the Union to be able to respond to emerging crises and therefore increases this budget line by EUR 1 billion.
Amendment 45 #
2023/0264(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the Commission to ensure that there is no direct or indirect funding of foreign associations that run counter to European values;
Amendment 130 #
2023/0200(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 31
Recital 31
(31) Reconstruction from the damage caused by the war of Russian aggression cannot be limited to rebuilding what was destroyed as it was before the war. The reconstruction offers an opportunity to support Ukraine in its process of integration into the Single Market and in accelerating its sustainable green and digital transitions, in line with Union policies. The Facility should promote reconstruction in a way that modernises and improves Ukraine’s economy and society, building on Union rules and standards, by investing in the transition of Ukraine towards a green, digital and inclusive economy and in the recovery, reconstruction and, modernisation and protection of its critical infrastructure, productive capacity and human capital in a resilient way, taking into account the growing cybersecurity risks and an overall complex threat landscape.
Amendment 145 #
2023/0200(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 35
Recital 35
(35) Strengthening the rule of law, including the independence of the judiciary, the fight against corruption, money laundering and organised crime, as well as transparency, good governance at all levels, safeguarding the free and pluralistic media and fighting disinformation, foreign information manipulation and interference, strengthening public administration reform, including in the fields of public procurement, competition and State aid, remain key challenges and are essential for Ukraine to come closer to the Union and to prepare to fully assume the obligations of Union membership. In view of the longer- term nature of the reforms pursued in those areas and the need to build up track records, support under the Ukraine Facility should address those issues as early as possible.
Amendment 193 #
2023/0200(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 66
Recital 66
(66) Ukraine should prepare the Plan as a coherent, comprehensive and adequately balanced response to rebuilding and modernising Ukraine, supporting its economic, social and environmental recovery and its progress towards accession to the Union. In view of the increasing risks coming from economic dependencies, the Plan should minimise the exposure to high-risk suppliers of critical products from countries designated as strategic rivals of the Union, in particular whenever a country engages in economic espionage or economic coercion and its legislation obliges arbitrary access to any kind of company operations or data, especially when the critical products are intended for the use by critical entities. As such, the Ukraine Plan would also provide a basis for other donors to identify the priority funding areas for the reconstruction of Ukraine and foster ownership, coherence and additional contributions to that end. For that purpose, Ukraine should ensure that the Plan as prepared covers its recovery, reconstruction and modernisation needs in an integrated manner, identifying to what extent the measures of the Plan are expected to be financed by the Union through the Facility. In preparing the Plan, Ukraine should take into account support provided under other Union programmes. Ukraine should develop its Plan ensuring that other donors are able to contribute to supporting the measures of the Plan, including by increasing the funding available under the Facility.
Amendment 246 #
2023/0200(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 95
Recital 95
(95) The communication capacities of Ukraine should be enhanced in order to ensure existence of strong and free pluralistic media and public support for and understanding of Union values and the benefits and obligations of potential Union membership, while addressing disinformation, foreign information manipulation and interference. Visibility of the Union funding should also be ensured.
Amendment 269 #
2023/0200(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) rebuild and modernise infrastructure damaged by the war, such as energy infrastructure, water systems, internal and cross-border transport networks including rail, roads and bridges and border crossing points, and foster modern, improved and resilient infrastructures, equip digital and other critical infrastructures with state-of-the- art and highly-secure tools, excluding high-risk suppliers of critical products; restore food production capacities; help address social challenges stemming from the war, including for specific groups such as war veterans, Internally Displaced Persons, single parents, disabled people, minorities and other vulnerable persons; contribute to the demining effort; strengthen cyber security and defence as well as resilience against disinformation, foreign information manipulation and interference;
Amendment 288 #
2023/0200(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) further strengthen the rule of law, democracy, the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including through promoting an independent judiciary, reinforced security, the fight against fraud, corruption, organised crime, illicit firearms trafficking and money laundering, tax evasion and tax fraud; compliance with international law; strengthen freedom of media and academic freedom and an enabling environment for civil society; foster social dialogue; promote non- discrimination and tolerance, to ensure and strengthen respect for the rights of persons belonging to minorities and the promotion of gender equality; reinforce the effectiveness of public administration and support transparency, structural reforms and good governance at all levels, including in the areas of public financial management and public procurement and State aid; support initiatives and bodie, bodies and organisations involved in supporting and enforcing democracy, international justice and anti-corruption efforts in Ukraine;
Amendment 365 #
2023/0200(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 7 – point b
Article 11 – paragraph 7 – point b
(b) where the action or specific award procedures affect security or public order, in particular concerning strategic assets and interests of the Union, its Member States, or Ukraine, including the protection of the integrity of digital infrastructure, communication and information systems, and related supply chains, especially where there is a risk of influence by governments of states classified as systemic rivals of the Union.
Amendment 81 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The EU industry has proven its inbuilt resilience but is being challenged. High inflation, labour shortages, post- COVID supply chains disruptions, the Russian war in Ukraine, rising interest rates, and spikes in energy costs and input prices are weighing on the competitiveness of the EU industry. and have put forward the need for the Union to secure its open strategic autonomy and reduce its dependence on non-EU countries. Several strategic dependencies have already been identified in the energy intensive industries, health and digital ecosystems.39a This is paired with strong, but not always fair, competition on the fragmented global market. The EU has already put forward several initiatives to support its industry, such as the Green Deal Industrial Plan,40 the Critical Raw Materials Act41 , the Net Zero Industry Act42 , the new Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework for State aid,43 and REPowerEU.44 While these solutions provide fast and targeted support, the EU needs a more structural answer to the investment needs of its industries, safeguarding cohesion and the level playing field in the Single Market and to reduce the EU’s strategic dependencies. _________________ 39a Commission Staff Working document on Strategic dependencies and capacities (SWD(2021)352) and Commission Staff Working Document on EU strategic dependencies and capacities: second stage of in-depth reviews (SWD(2022) 41) 40 Communication on A Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net-Zero Age, COM(2023) 62 final. 41 COM(2023) 160 final 42 COM(2023) 161 final 43 Communication on a Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework for State Aid measures (OJ C 101, 17.3.2023, p. 3). 44 Regulation (EU) 2023/435 as regards REPowerEU (OJ L 63, 28.2.2023, p. 1).
Amendment 91 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The uptake and scaling up in the Union of deep and digital technologies, clean technologies, and biotechnologies will be essential to reduce the Union’s strategic dependencies, seize the opportunities and meet the objectives of the green and digital transitions, thus securing the sovereignty and strategic autonomy of the Union and promoting the competitiveness of the European industry and its sustainability. Therefore, immediate action is required to support the development or manufacturing in the Union of such technologies, safeguarding and strengthening their value chains thereby reducing the Union’s strategic dependencies, and addressing existing labour and skills shortages in those sectors through trainings and apprenticeships and the creation of attractive, quality jobs accessible to all.
Amendment 124 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) The STEP should identify resources which should be implemented within the existing Union programmes and funds, the InvestEU, Horizon Europe, European Defence Fund and Innovation Fund. This should be accompanied by providing additional funding of EUR 104 billion. Of this, EUR 5,8 billion should be used to increase the endowment of the Innovation Fund46 and EUR 34,2 billion to increase the total amount of the EU guarantee available for the EU compartment under the InvestEU Regulation to EUR 710,5 billion,47 taking into account the relevant provisioning rate. EUR 0.5 billion should be made available to increase the financial envelope under the Horizon Europe Regulation,48 which should be amended accordingly; and EUR 13.5 billion to the European Defence Fund.49 _________________ 46 Directive 2003/87/EC establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading (OJ L 275, 25.10.2003, p. 32). 47 Regulation (EU) 2021/523 establishing the InvestEU Programme (OJ L 107, 26.3.2021, p. 30). 48 Regulation (EU) 2021/695 establishing Horizon Europe (OJ L 170, 12.5.2021, p. 1). 49 Regulation (EU) 2021/697 establishing the European Defense Fund (OJ L 170, 12.5.2021, p. 149.)
Amendment 188 #
2023/0199(COD)
1. To strengthen European sovereignty and security, reduce its strategic dependencies, accelerate the Union’s green and digital transitions and enhance its competitiveness, reduce its strategic dependencies, favour a level playing field in the Single Market for investments throughout the Union, and promote inclusive access to attractive, quality jobs, the Platform shall pursue the following objectives:
Amendment 208 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(ba) facilitate access to finance for project promoters, streamlining the procedures and reducing the administration burden thereof.
Amendment 238 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) An amount of EUR 13 500 000 000 in current prices of the financial envelope referred to in Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/697. That amount shall be implemented in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/697.
Amendment 385 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point a
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point a
Regulation (EU) 2021/697
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. In accordance with Article 12(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/695, the financial envelope for the implementation of the Fund for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027 shall be EUR 911 453 000 000 in current prices.
Amendment 387 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b
Regulation (EU) 2021/697
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) EUR 3 151484 000 000 for research actions;
Amendment 388 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b
Regulation (EU) 2021/697
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) EUR 6 3027 969 000 000 for development actions.
Amendment 44 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) Access to raw materials is essential for the Union economy and the functioning of the internal market. There is a set of non-energy, non-agricultural raw materials that, due to their high economic importance and their exposure to high supply risk, often caused by a high concentration of supply from a few third countries, are considered critical. Often, these third countries are ruled by non-democratic regimes and leverage their resources to exert undue influence on the Union or even as coercive mechanisms against the Union. Given the key role of many such critical raw materials in realising the green and digital transitions, and in light of their use for security and defence and space applications, demand will increase exponentially in the coming decades. At the same time, the risk of supply disruptions is increasing against the background of rising geopolitical tensions and resource competition, both within the EU and with our strategic partners. Furthermore, if not managed properly, increased demand for critical raw materials could lead to negative environmental and social impacts. Considering these trends, it is necessary to take measures to ensure access to a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials to safeguard the Union's economic resilience and open, security and long term strategic autonomygoals.
Amendment 59 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) Firstly, in order to effectively ensure the Union's access to a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials, that framework should include measures to decrease the Union's growing supply risks by strengthening Union capacities along all stages of the strategic raw materials value chain, including extraction, processing and recycling, towards benchmarks defined for each strategic raw material. Secondly, as the Union will continue to rely on imports, the framework should include measures to increase the diversification of external supplies of strategic raw materials, and derisking from China, as its regime poses a great long-term risk for the EU. Thirdly, is necessary to provide measures to reinforce the Union’s ability to monitor and mitigate existing and future supply risks. Fourthly, the framework should contain measures to increase the circularity and sustainability of the critical raw materials consumed in the Union.
Amendment 61 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) In order to ensure that the measures set out in the Regulation focus on the most relevant materials, a list of strategic raw materials and a list of critical raw materials should be established. Those lists should also serve to guide and coordinate Member States’ efforts to contribute to the realisation of the aims of this Regulation. The list of strategic raw materials should contain raw materials that are of high strategic importance, taking into account their use in strategic technologies underpinning the green and digital transitions or for defence or space applications, that are characterised by a potentially significant gap between global supply and projected demand, and for which an increase in production is relatively difficult, for instance due to long lead-times for new projects increasing supply capacity. To take account of possible technological and economic changes, the list of strategic materials should be periodically reviewed and, if necessary, updated. In order to ensure that efforts to increase the Union capacities along the value chain, reinforce the Union’s capacity to monitor and mitigate supply risks and increase diversification of supply are focused on the materials for which they are most needed, the relevant measures should only apply to the list of strategic and critical raw materials.
Amendment 63 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) The list of critical raw materials should contain all strategic raw materials as well as any other raw materials of high importance for the overall Union economy and for which there is a high risk of supply disruption, naturally or intentionally. To take account of possible technological and economic changes, the Commission should, in continuation of current practice, periodically perform an assessment based on data for production, trade, applications, recycling, and substitution for a wide range of raw materials to update the lists of critical and strategic raw materials reflecting the evolution in the economic importance and supply risk associated with those raw materials. The list of critical raw materials should include those raw materials which reach or exceed the thresholds for both economic importance and supply risk, without ranking the relevant raw materials in terms of criticality. This assessment should be based on an average of the latest available data over a 5-year-period. The measures set out in this Regulation related to one stop shop for permitting, planning, exploration, monitoring, circularity, and sustainability should apply to all critical raw materials.
Amendment 64 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) The list of critical raw materials should contain all strategic raw materials as well as any other raw materials of high importance for the overall Union economy and for which there is a high risk of supply disruption. To take account of possible technological and economic changes, the Commission should, in continuation of current practice, periodically perform an assessment based on data for production, trade, applications, recycling, and substitution for a wide range of raw materials to update the lists of critical and strategic raw materials reflecting the evolution in the economic importance and supply risk associated with those raw materials. The list of critical raw materials should include those raw materials which reach or exceed the thresholds for both economic importance and supply risk, without ranking the relevant raw materials in terms of criticality. This assessment should be based on an average of the latest available data over a 52-year-period. The measures set out in this Regulation related to one stop shop for permitting, planning, exploration, monitoring, circularity, and sustainability should apply to all critical raw materials.
Amendment 76 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) In order to ensure the sustainability of increased raw material production, new raw materials projects should be implemented sustainably. To that end, the Strategic Projects receiving support under this Regulation should be assessed taking into account international instruments covering all aspects of sustainability highlighted in the EU principles for sustainable raw materials31 , including ensuring environmental protection, socially responsible practices, including respect for human rights such as the rights of women, and transparent business practices. Projects should also ensure engagement in good faith as well as comprehensive, pragmatic and meaningful consultations with local communities, including with indigenous peoples. To provide project promoters with a clear and efficient way of complying with this criterion, compliance with relevant Union legislation, international standards, guidelines and principles or participation in a certification scheme recognised under this Regulation should be considered sufficient. The project promoters should have a deep understanding of the country they are negotiating with, build a relationship with the local communities and truly understand their needs, input and ouput to the project. The EU needs to build long-term partnerships that go beyond the sole purpose of accesing raw materials, but create diplomatic ties in a deeply polarized geopolitical context. _________________ 31 European Commission, Directorate- General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, EU principles for sustainable raw materials, Publications Office, 2021, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2873/27875
Amendment 81 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) To ensure the effective and efficient treatment of applications, the Commission should be able prioritise the processing of applications for projects related to specific underrepresented value chain stages or strategic raw materials, in order to be able to ensure the Union's balanced progress towards all benchmark for Union capacity included in this Regulation. The Commission should also proactively seek out partner countries to promote strategic collaborations.
Amendment 85 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) In order to reduce complexity and increase efficiency and transparency in permitting process, project promoters of critical raw materials projects should be able to interact with a single national authority, which is responsible for facilitating and coordinating the entire permit granting process and in the case of Strategic Projects shall issue a comprehensive decision within the applicable time limit. To that end, Member States should designate a single national competent authority. Where needed in light of a Member State's internal organisation, the tasks of the national competent authority should be able to be delegated to a different authority, subject to the same conditions. To ensure the effective implementation of its responsibilities, Member States should provide their national competent authority, or any authority acting on its behalf, with sufficient qualified personnel and resources.
Amendment 95 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 46
Recital 46
(46) To address the current lack of information on the critical raw materials potential of closed extractive waste facilities, Member States should draw up a database containing all information relevant to promote the recovery, notably the quantities and concentrations of critical raw materials in the extractive waste facility, in compliance with Union competition rules. The information should be made publicly available and in a user- friendly and digital form, enabling access to more detailed, technical information. To facilitate interactive, user-friendly access to the information, Member States should for instance provide a point of contact to enable more in-depth exchanges with potential developers of critical raw materials recovery projects. The database should be designed to allow potential project promoters to easily identify facilities with a high potential for economically viable recovery. To focus limited resources, Member States should follow a staged approach in the collection of information and perform the more demanding information collection steps only for the most promising facilities. The information collection activities should be aimed at providing accurate and representative information on the extractive waste facilities and gaining the best possible indication of the critical raw materials recovery potential.
Amendment 110 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. The general objective of this Regulation is to improve the functioning of the internal market by establishing a framework to ensure the Union's access to a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials, while strengthening existing democratic partnerships and creating new diplomatic ties with the Global South.
Amendment 118 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
(ba) reduce dependencies on non- democratic systemic rivals such as China;
Amendment 138 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(ba) the project would contribute to reducing European Union dependency on non-democratic systemic rivals;
Amendment 146 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) for projects in third countries that are emerging markets or developing economies, the project would be mutually beneficial for the Union and the third country concerned by adding value in that country, as also measured by the third country following pragmatic consultations.
Amendment 150 #
2023/0079(COD)
3. Where the Commission considers that information provided in the application is incomplete, it shall give the applicant the opportunfurther clarifications regarding the missing information and the possibility to submit the additional information required to complete the application in a timely manner.
Amendment 152 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 9
Article 6 – paragraph 9
9. Projects which are no longer recognised as Strategic Projects shall lose all rights connected to that status under this Regulation. The project promoter shall ensure that no sensitive or classified information about EU critical raw materials is made publicly available on the website beyond what is required for fulfilling the transparency obligations in this paragraph.
Amendment 165 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – point a a (new)
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – point a a (new)
(aa) expedited processing of bureaucratic requirements directly related to the granting of Strategic Project status and the implementation of the Project;
Amendment 168 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the permit-granting process and related bureaucratic processes required for obtaining the permit;
Amendment 169 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1
1. Each Member State shall draw up a national programme for general exploration targeted at critical raw materials. Each Member State shall draw up the first such programme by [OP please insert: 1 year after the date of entry into force of this Regulation]. The national programmes shall be reviewed and, if necessary, updated, at least every 53 years.
Amendment 175 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Article 19 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
The Commission, in collaboration with the national authorities participating in the standing sub-group referred to in Article 35(6), point (c), shall ensure that a stress test is performed for each strategic raw material’s supply chain at least every threewo years. To that end, the standing sub-group referred to in Article 35(6), point (c) shall coordinate and divide the implementation of stress tests for the different strategic raw materials by the different participating authorities.
Amendment 177 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2 – point a a (new)
Article 19 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2 – point a a (new)
(aa) whether the raw meterials are controlled by non-democratic systemic rivals and the extent to which the Union is dependent on the given raw material;
Amendment 184 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 5 – point b a (new)
Article 24 – paragraph 5 – point b a (new)
(ba) directly or indirectly owned or controlled by, or acting on behalf or at the direction of non-democratic countries designated as systemic rivals of the European Union controling more than 50% of the supply for the given strategic raw material.
Amendment 222 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 1 – point c – point iv a (new)
Article 33 – paragraph 1 – point c – point iv a (new)
(iva) the potential to build new partnerships and create a mutualy beneficial cooperation with long-term geopolitical gains;
Amendment 223 #
2023/0079(COD)
1a. reducing strategic dependencies for critical raw materials on non- democratic systemic rivals of the Union;
Amendment 230 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 3 – point b a (new)
Article 33 – paragraph 3 – point b a (new)
(ba) seek to reduce their bilateral strategic dependencies on non-democratic systemic rivals;
Amendment 62 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas Türkiye remains a major neighbour of the EU, a candidate for EU accession, a NATO ally and a key trade and economic partner, as well as a key partner on migration;
Amendment 67 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas Türkiye has been gradually moving further away from the EU’s values and normative framework, as exemplified by an increasing number of laws and measures curtailing fundamental freedoms and human rights; whereas EU accession negotiations have effectively been at a standstill since 2018, due to the deterioration of rule of law and democracy in Türkiye;
Amendment 73 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas Türkiye has been gradually moving further away from the EU’s values and normative framework, as exemplified by a number of measures curtailing fundamental freedoms and human rights and by distancing itself from the EU foreign and security policy;
Amendment 75 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the Turkish Government seeks to influence members of the Turkish diaspora in the EU, such as through the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) and the Turkish- Islamic Union for Religious Affairs (DITIB), to interfere with democratic processes in some Member States; whereas the Turkish Authorities actively called the Turkish diaspora to support “political parties that were not enemy of Turkey”;
Amendment 93 #
2022/2205(INI)
F. whereas the Turkish Government has repeis deliberatedly employed political delaying tactics and a transactional approach with regard to Sweden’s application for NATO membershipputting pressure on Sweden and delaying its accession to NATO membership at a moment of historical Russian aggressiveness;
Amendment 104 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas Türkiye is a member of the Council of Europe and is therefore bound by the judgements of the ECtHR;
Amendment 110 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Takes note of the results of the recent presidential and parliamentary elections in Türkiye and considers them a sign foreboding political continuity in the country; acknowledges the peaceful manner in which the Turkish people conducted this process and applaudnotes that the elections were largely peaceful, despite isolated instances of violence, primarily against opposition supporters and welcomes the high turnout; regrets, however, that, as reflected by the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission, the elections did not takbiased media coverage and the placek onf a level playing field and were impactgave an unjustified, among other things, by essential freedoms being heavily hindered by the current legal framework and practicedvantage to the incumbent; regrets that harsher rhetoric, inflammatory and discriminatory language, including against minorities, and by the unjustified advantage enjoyed by the ruling partiecontinued intimidation and harassment of supporters of some opposition parties undermined the process;
Amendment 113 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Reiterates its profound sadness about the deadly, devastating earthquakes that shook south-eastern Türkiye and Syria on 6 February 2023 and its heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families; welcomes the international relief and recovery effort, including particular by the EU and its Member States, which has demonstrated strong European solidarity with the Turkish people; believes that the EU should continue to support the people of Türkiye for its humanitarian needs and reconstruction efforts; underlines that European solidarity could lead to a tangible improvement in relations between the EU and Türkiye;
Amendment 116 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Reiterates its profound sadness about the deadly, devastating earthquakes that shook south-eastern Türkiye and Syria on 6 February 2023 and its heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families; welcomes the international relief and recovery effort, the organization of the International Donor's conference for earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria in Brussels and the pledge of 6 billion euros of humanitarian aid for recovery and reconstruction in Turkey, including by the EU and its Member States;
Amendment 127 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is of the opinion that the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine continues to impact EU-Türkiye relations in ways that are yet to unfoldas Türkiye attempts to uphold ties to both the West and Russia simultaneously; regrets and is deeply concerned that Türkiye’s alignment with the EU CFSP decreased from 14% to 7% in the context of the Russian War in Ukraine; therefore, calls on Türkiye to make significant steps on alignment to the EU’s CSFP as soon as possible, including on sanctions and the anti-circumvention of sanctions, as Türkiye has an instrumental key role to play in further isolating Russia and strategically weakening its war efforts; reiterates its appreciation for Türkiye’s role as an early mediator between Ukraine and Russia and the key part played by Türkiye in brokering and keeping alive the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which has been crucial in helping to counter a severe global hunger crisis;
Amendment 130 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. IDeplores Turkey’s weak level of alignment on the EU foreign and security policy; is of the opinion that the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine continues to impact EU-Türkiye relations in ways that are yet to unfold; reiterates its appreciation for Türkiye’s role as an early mediator between Ukraine and Russia andwelcomes Türkiye’s aim to facilitate talks between Ukraine and Russia and reiterates its appreciation for the key part played by Türkiye together with the UN in brokering and keeping alive the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which has been crucial in helping to counter a severe global hunger crisis;
Amendment 138 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. AcknowledgeNotes that the trade between Türkiye and Russia nearly doubled since the start of the War in Ukraine, and that there is an elevated risk that sanctioned goods and technologies, such as semiconductors, could pass through Turkish territory; Acknowledges Türkiye´s decision to halt the transit of sanctioned goods as well as the partial measures taken in recent months by the Turkish authorities to prevent the re- exportation to Russia of goods covered by EU sanctions, but urges them to go further in order to ensure that Türkiye stops being a hub for entities and individuals that wish to circumvent such sanctions; ; however, urges Türkiye to fully ensure that circumvention of sanctions shall never take place on its territory, and that it shall take all necessary steps to stop circumvention, including by punishing entities and individuals; in this regard, calls on the Commission to investigate the increase in trade between Russia and Türkiye and assess the relevant trade flows that could point towards circumvention of sanctions; is concerned about the presence of an increasing number of Russian citizens in Turkey, such as oligarchs, that take up residency in Türkiye, acquire citizenship, and invest their capital in real estate, and calls on Türkiye to avoid becoming a safe haven for Russian oligarchs;
Amendment 144 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Acknowledges the partial measures taken in recent months by the Turkish authorities to prevent the re-exportation to Russia of goods covered by EU sanctions, but urges them to go further in orderdeplores that Turkey refrained from aligning with EU sanctions against Russia, which is undermining the work of the REPO Task Force fighting against the circumvention of sanctions; urges the Turkish authorities to take measures to ensure that Türkiye stops being a hub for entities and individuals that wish to circumvent such sanctions;
Amendment 154 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Deplores, against the backdropStrongly deplores, in the context of the war, the delaying of the ratification of Sweden’s NATO accession, following the previous delay of Finland’s NATO accession, which has only playsed into Russia’s hands; invites the Turkish authorities to deliver on their promise of a more constructive partnership in NATO and to ratify Sweden’s NATO membership in the Grand National Assembly as early as possiblcalls on Türkiye, following the ratification of Finland’s NATO membership in March, to also ratify Sweden’s NATO membership without any further delay, as now is the time to show unity and strength within NATO and further isolate Russia; calls on the Turkish government to overcome any tensions with NATO allies by halting actions that go against the collective interests of the alliance, such as its destabilising involvement in various conflicts in the region; calls on the EEAS to intensify transatlantic dialogue and cooperation with the Biden administration as regards the relations with Türkiye;
Amendment 164 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Is concerned about foreign interference by the Turkish state in EU Member States which is directed towards European citizens of Turkish origins, such as in the Netherlands, where 40% of the Dutch-Turkish citizens have expressed the need to receive more protection against this foreign interference; calls on the Commission to implement the recommendations of the ING2 Committee in the Defence of Democracy Package to counter foreign interference by foreign authorities; calls on the EEAS StratCom divisions to document suspicions of Turkish disinformation directed at the EU and to report its findings to the European Parliament;
Amendment 165 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Takes note with deep concern of reports about Turkey’s violation of the UN arms embargo in Libya; deplores the persistent absence of efficient cooperation between NATO Operation Sea Guardian and EU Operation IRINI, due to Turkey’s opposition to this cooperation, which is detrimental to the implementation of the UN arms embargo;
Amendment 167 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Regrets that the unresolved conflict in Cyprus continues to be a major obstacle to EU-Türkiye relations and reaffirms that the only viable solution is a settlement on the basis of a bi-communal and bi-zonal federation;
Amendment 168 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Condemns the air strikes and repeated attacks against the autonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq, which disregard Iraq's sovereignty;
Amendment 169 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Commends Türkiye’s efforts to continue hosting the largest refugee population in the world of almost 4 million people; welcomes, in this regard, the continued provision of EU funding for refugees and host communities in Türkiye and expresses its strong commitment to sustain this in the future; recognizes the migratory pressure Türkiye is facing, but firmly objects to any instrumentalisation of migrants by the Turkish government;
Amendment 170 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Condemns the air strikes and the recent retaliatory strikes in Northern Syria; recalls that these actions put the gains of the Global Coalition against Daesh made in the fight against the Islamic State in jeopardy; reiterates that ground incursion into Syria would have grave implications for international security;
Amendment 191 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Is dismayed byDeeply regrets the fact that, far from the negative trend stopping or being reversed, the democratic backsliding in Türkiye has continued in the last year, with new legal reforms and a relentless crackdown on any critical voice, particularly ahead of and during the recent elections; affirms with regret that Türkiye has now become a global showcase for all kinds of authoritarian practices; is deeply concerned that members of the opposition have come under increasing pressure, in certain cases leading to imprisonment; condemns the high number of imprisoned journalists and media employees; deplores the increasing online restrictions and censorship imposed by the Disinformation Law;
Amendment 199 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Condemns the continued prosecution, censorship and harassment of journalists and independent media in Türkiye; is concerned as well by the targeting of journalists and political opponents originating from Türkiye in the European Union;
Amendment 200 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Is worried by the increasing number of fake news in the Turkish social media environment; is also worried by the spread of state propaganda, in particular from the state-run news agency Anadolu;
Amendment 203 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Remains deeply concerned about the lack of independence of the judiciary, the continued breach of the obligation to abide by the landmark rulings of the European Court of Human Rights, the serious restrictions on fundamental freedoms – particularly freedom of expression and of association – and the constant attacks on the fundamental rights of members of the opposition, lawyers, journalists, academics and civil society activists and in particular human rights defenders in Türkiye; is particularly worried by the continued crackdown on Kurdish politicians, journalists, lawyers and artists; expresses concern about as well as the deterioration of the rights of women and the constant targeting and harassment of LGBTI+ people, both of whom could see their rights further curtailed by the possible amendments to Türkiye’s constitution; is in particular worried about the issue of domestic violence against women and so- called “honour killings”, in the context of Türkiye’s withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, as well as the increased targeted attacks or hate speech including by high-ranking officials and politicians towards LGBTI+ people; expresses the expectation that civil society activists, in particular human rights defenders, will have the possibility to carry out their work freely, as this could strengthen the Turkish democracy; is deeply committed to provide support to Turkish citizens and civil society organisations that promote European norms and values;
Amendment 226 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Concludes that the Turkish Government has no interest in closing the persistent and growing gap between Türkiye and the EU on values and standards, as it has shown, for the past few years, a clear lack of political will to carry out the necessary reforms to address, in particular, the serious concerns about regarding the rule of law and fundamental rights that continue to negatively affect the country’s EU accession process; furthermore, concludes that the Turkish government has not shown any interest to respect and uphold the Copenhagen criteria and to align itself with EU policies and objectives; underlines, in this regard, that accession negotiations cannot be resumed;
Amendment 233 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Expresses deep concerns about the continued proper funcdeteriorationing of Türkiye’s market economy, particularly with regard to the conduct of monetary and fiscal policies, and the institutional and regulatory environment; is concerned about the direct interference by the Turkish president in monetary policy; is of the opinion that Türkiye will need to implement reforms that will address the vulnerabilities of its economy and currency, such as the unprecedented high level of inflation;
Amendment 254 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Encourages once again Türkiye to recognise the Armenian Genocide, thus paving the way for a genuine reconciliation between the Turkish and Armenian people; calls on Turkey, in this regard, to refrain from any anti- Armenian propaganda and hate speech, to fully respect its obligations to protect Armenian and other cultural heritage and to exercise its influence on Azerbaïdjan in order to encourage a peaceful settlement between Erevan and Baku;
Amendment 272 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Welcomes the overall de-escalation of tensions observed in the eastern Mediterranean in recent times, particularly in the wake of the February earthquakes,; expresses solidarity with EU member states which have suffered from these tensions and expresses its hope that a possible new era in Türkiye’s foreign policy might yield positive results in the bilateral relations between Türkiye and all EU Member States; reiterates its long- standing support for a solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of a bi- communal, bi-zonal federation and reaffirms its positions on the matter expressed in its resolution of 7 June 2022;
Amendment 340 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Reiterates its firm conviction that Türkiye is a country of strategic relevance in political, economic and foreign policy terms, a key partner for the stability of the wider region and a vitaln important ally, including within NATO, and reaffirms that the EU is committed to pursuing the best possible relations with Türkiye based on dialogue, respect and mutual trust, under the conditions that it does not further drift apart from EU values and foreign and security policy;
Amendment 354 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Considersmes to the conclusion, in view of all the above, that in the absence of a drastic change of course by the Turkish Government, Türkiye’s EU accession process has lost its purpose and will not endure much longer in the current circumstancesTürkiye has drifted far away from the Copenhagen criteria, with no positive change foreseen on the short or midterm, and that Türkiye’s EU accession process has lost its purpose; therefore, concludes that the accession negotiations with Turkey cannot be resumed; recommends, in that case, starting a reflection process to find an alternative and realistic framework for EU- Türkiye relations in substitution for the accession process; calls on the Commission, therefore, to explore possible formats for a mutually appealing framework through a comprehensive and inclusive process, such as an update of the Association Agreement, through a comprehensive and inclusive process; calls for an opening in the relations after the solidarity shown following the earthquake, and to use this new momentum to break the current deadlock and move forward towards a closer, more dynamic and strategic partnership that works beneficially for both parties by modernizing and enhancing the current Association Agreement, which could include provisions inter alia on rule of law, human rights, fundamental freedoms, migration, and trade;
Amendment 396 #
2022/2205(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Reaffirms its support for an upgraded c mutually beneficial modernization of the Customs uUnion with a broader, mutually beneficial scopen effective dispute settlement mechanism, which could encompass a wide range of areas of common interest, including digitalisation and Green Deal alignment; insists that such a modernisation would need to be based on strong conditionality related to human rights and the aforementioned principles; stresses that both parties must be fully aware of this democratic conditionality from the outset of any negotiations, as Parliament will not give its consent to the final agreement if no progress is made in this field; remains ready to advance towards visa liberalisation as soon as the Turkish authorities fulfil the six outstanding benchmarks;
Amendment 66 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the fact that EU membership continues to be Serbia’s strategic goal; welcomes the appointment of a new Minister for European Integration; underlines the fact that progress on the rule of law and fundamental rights, the normalisation of relations with Kosovo and alignment with the CFSP will determine the dynamics of the accession process;
Amendment 74 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. RStrongly regrets that Serbia’s continued low level of alignment with the CFSP, in particular in the has still not aligned with EU sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; stresses that Serbia is one of the very few European countext of the Russian war on Ukraine; underlines the fact that, as a candidate country, Serbia must adhere to the EU’s principles and policies, and alignment with a warmongering autocratic regime is unacceptableries not aligning with EU sanctions against Russia; calls on the relevant authorities to swiftly show unambiguous commitment to EU values, standards and rules and to urgently align with the EU’s decisions and positions in foreign and security policy, including a swift and full alignment with restrictive measures against Russia, including sanctions on individuals, groups and entities;
Amendment 79 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Regrets Serbia’s continued low level of alignment with the CFSP, in particular in the context of the Russian war on Ukraine; urges Serbian authorities to ensure that the sanctions decided by the EU against Russia and Belarus are as effective as possible, by seeking out and countering any circumvention or attempted circumvention of these sanctions; underlines the fact that, as a candidate country, Serbia must adhere to the EU’s principles and policies, and alignment with a warmongering autocratic regime is unacceptable;
Amendment 83 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Regrets Serbia’s continued low level of alignment with the CFSP, in particular in the context of the Russian’s war onf aggression against Ukraine; underlines the fact that, as a candidate country, Serbia must adhere to the EU’s principles and policies, and alignment with a warmongering autocratic regimes is unacceptable and must discontinue;
Amendment 96 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes Serbia’s alignment with the EU in voting in favour of relevant UN General Assembly resolutions and Russia’s suspension from the Human Rights Council; regrets, however, the fact that Serbia has consistently failed to align with the EU’s restrictive measures against Russia; deplores Serbia’s close relationship with Russia, which is an aggressor against Ukraine;
Amendment 100 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Welcomes Serbia’s alignment with EU restrictive measures against Belarus for its role in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as measures against the former Ukrainian leadership; regrets, however, that the Government of Serbia chose not to publicly announce its decision to align with these measures;
Amendment 103 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Regrets the fact that key components of Serbian foreign policy run directly counter to EU positions, including the signature of agreements setting out joint foreign policy priorities between Serbia and Russia for 2023-2024 and meetings with senior officials from Russia who are on the EU sanctions list; is concerned by the appointment of the Director of the Security Intelligence Agency, who is known for his anti-EU and pro-Kremlin rhetoric and in the past has shared with the Russian authorities information about meetings of the Russian opposition in exile; stresses that this appointment poses a threat to democratic practices and human rights and thus further distances Serbia from European security policies;
Amendment 108 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. RDeeply regrets the fact that key components of Serbian foreign policy run directly counter to EU positions, including the signature of agreements setting out joint foreign policy priorities between Serbia and Russia for 2023-2024 and meetings with senior officials from Russia who are on the EU sanctions list; is concerned by the appointment of the Director of the Security Intelligence Agency, who is known for his anti-EU and pro-Kremlin rhetoric;
Amendment 111 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Expresses concern about allegations of wiretapping of members of the Russian opposition in Belgrade by the Serbian authorities and the alleged subsequent transfer of the material to Russian security services; stresses that any cooperation contributing to authoritarian and anti-democratic practices in either Russia or Serbia would be detrimental to the future of EU-Serbia relations;
Amendment 112 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Regrets Serbia’s engagement with the authoritarian regime in Iran and hosting its high-level representatives in Belgrade at the same time as the Iranian regime is brutally repressing mass protests of its citizens, killing women, including minor girls, and those who are fighting for their rights;
Amendment 118 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Expresses concern about the rapid decreasing public support for EU membership in Serbia;condemns the attacks by politicians against the EU and certain member states, especially France and Germany; notes that this decrease in support is concomitant to the increase in presence of other international actors;
Amendment 120 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 125 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Expresses concern about the decreasing public support for EU membership in Serbia and anti-EU declarations by country’s politicians;
Amendment 127 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Amendment 129 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Is concerned that since the publication of the European Commission 2020 Report on Serbia there has been no improvement in the assessment of the overall state of play across 33 negotiating chapters and that, in 2022, the Commission did not detect “good progress” in any chapter;
Amendment 141 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes the initial steps taken by Serbia to align with the EU’s list of non- EU countries whose nationals require visas for the EU and calls for; recalls that such alignment is of crucial importance for overall EU- Serbia relations, including on migration management and on the sustainability of the visa-free regime; stresses the urgent need for immediate further alignment;
Amendment 143 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes the initial steps taken by Serbia to align with the EU’s list of non- EU countries whose nationals require visas for the EU and calls for further alignment; condemns the use of visas for political purposes undermining Kosovo by Serbia;
Amendment 144 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes the initial steps taken by Serbia to align with the EU’s list of non- EU countries whose nationals require visas for the EU and calls for immediate and further alignment;
Amendment 152 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes the approval of the amendments to the Serbian constitution and stresses that the reform process should continue as a matter of priority; notes with concern that the National Convention on the European Union assessed that the views of civil society may not have been sufficiently taken into account during the public consultation process on the new set of legislation on the judiciary;
Amendment 154 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes the approval of the amendments to the Serbian constitution and stresses that the reform process should continue as a matter of priority; notes the need to associate closely the population to the process of reform to increase its democratic legitimacy and prevent backlashes; deplores the low turn-out to the referendum;
Amendment 157 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Is concerned that multiple civil society organisations have assessed that the proposed draft laws on the judiciary still leave space for undue influence on its work by the executive;
Amendment 160 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the adoption of measures on improving the electoral conditions and media environment ahead of the April 2022 elections as a resul; regrets that, since the start of the inter-party dialogue facilitated by the European Parliament; welcomes the readiness of the National Assembly to continue this dialogue; in 2019, political will to seriously improve electoral conditions has often been absent, seriously limiting the effectiveness of the measures adopted ahead of both the 2020 and 2022 elections; welcomes, nevertheless, the readiness of the National Assembly to continue this dialogue; regrets that parts of the opposition parties did not participate in the first meeting of the third phase of the inter-party dialogue; stresses that the aim of the dialogue is to improve the work of the National Assembly of Serbia and that all parties are invited to contribute to this goal, regardless of their ideological orientation;
Amendment 165 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Amendment 167 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8 b. Expresses concern over the violation of the Code of Conduct for members of the National Assembly during the special parliamentary session over Kosovo; reiterates the importance of following Assembly procedures as well as maintaining the reputation of the highest house of representatives; calls on the President of National Assembly to objectively approach parliamentary debates and adhere to Assembly procedures;
Amendment 181 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the participation of all relevant political actors in the early parliamentary elections, resulting in a more pluralistic parliament; regrets, however, the delays in the formation of the new parliament and government, which resulted in limited decision-making, including on EU-related reforms; regrets, also, verbal attacks and smear campaigns against opponents and civil society organisations;
Amendment 185 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Welcomes the distribution of vice- presidential offices and committee chairmanships in the new Parliament which reflect its composition; regrets, however, the return of unwelcome practices in the work of Parliament, including the absence of government question-time sessions, lack of discussion on reports of independent institutions, and increased use of urgent procedures; stresses that the return of these practices reverses most of the progress achieved by the reform of Parliament in recent years; expresses concern about the frequent heated atmosphere in parliamentary debates, as well as instances of obstruction of the work of some parliamentary committees;
Amendment 188 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Welcomes the appointment of the new Serbian delegation to the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee and the Committee’s 14th meeting in November 2022; encourages Serbian MPs and MEPs to continue with constructive cooperation;
Amendment 195 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Notes somevery limited progress in the fight against corruption; stresses the factreiterates its call on Serbia to deliver convincing results in cases with high level of public interest, including Krušik, Jovanjica, Telekom Srbija and Savamala; is concerned about the little progress made in these cases since last year’s report; stresses that more effort and political will are needed to achieve tangible results, in particular with regard to serious and organised crime;
Amendment 209 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Regrets that the new Ombudsperson has not been elected despite the fact that the five-year term in office of the current one has expired; notes furthermore that the Government of Serbia has not filled the vacancies in the Anti-Corruption Council;
Amendment 211 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11 b. Welcomes the holding of regular elections for the national minority councils in November 2022;
Amendment 213 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 c (new)
Paragraph 12 c (new)
12 c. Reiterates its concern about limited progress in the fight against corruption and organised crime and about several high-profile corruption scandals pointing to probable links between state officials and organised crime; calls on Serbia to intensify its efforts to effectively address these issues; calls on the authorities to refrain from commenting ongoing investigations and trials, exerting undue pressure on the judiciary;
Amendment 214 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 d (new)
Paragraph 12 d (new)
12 d. Reiterates its call for justice with regard to the unlawful demolition of private property in the Savamala neighbourhood in Belgrade; notes the allegations of the sentenced police officer forced to take sole responsibility for the entire case; reiterates its concern about the possibility that this case may lapse in the next few years and therefore urges the authorities to fully investigate the case and prosecute all persons responsible;
Amendment 216 #
2022/2204(INI)
12 e. Urges the authorities to investigate and prosecute all alleged ties to the Belivuk criminal group; expresses concern about recent allegations that Darko Saric was running an international criminal organization while in prison in Serbia;
Amendment 217 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 f (new)
Paragraph 12 f (new)
12 f. Stresses that IPA III provides for the modulation or even suspension of funds in the event of a significant regression or persistent lack of progress on fundamentals, including the fight against corruption and organised crime, as well as media freedom; calls in this context on the EU and Western Balkan countries to establish a framework for fruitful cooperation between the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and Western Balkan counterparts in order to ensure that the EPPO can effectively exercise its competences on IPA III funds in Western Balkan countries;
Amendment 230 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12 b. Notes that the Government of Serbia withdrew the Draft Law on Internal Affairs in December 2022 following a strong negative reaction of civil society; notes that this was the second time that the Government introduced highly controversial provisions, including the legalisation of the use of face-recognition cameras purchased from China; urges the Government to take the opinion of civil society and human rights organisations on these issues into serious consideration;
Amendment 231 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Calls on the Serbian National Assembly to ensure that independent regulatory bodies are empowered to exercise their oversight roles effectively by supporting and monitoring the implementation of independent regulatory bodies’ findings and recommendations;
Amendment 233 #
2022/2204(INI)
12 h. Regrets the limitations on the freedom and independence of the media and the misuse of the media by the governing majority to gain an unfair political advantage, attack political opponents and spread disinformation; emphasises the negative impact of these restrictions on democratic processes in the country; emphasises that competition in the media sector improves media pluralism;
Amendment 234 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 i (new)
Paragraph 12 i (new)
12 i. Is worried about reports on the abuse of public money to acquire ownership of media outlets and allegedly use them as a tool for media capture in Serbia; reiterates that information on media ownership should be available to the public and calls for greater transparency of media ownership and financing, as well as for the creation of an environment that allows independent and investigative media to access funding and operate safely; calls for increased transparency of public financing of media;
Amendment 239 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Deplores the stagnation on freedom of expression, the cases of hate speech and smear campaigns, including President Vučić’s targeting of N1 journalists in December 2022, and the increasing number of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) in the country; reiterates that pressure and attacks on activists, journalists and media outlets are unacceptable; urges the authorities to investigate and prosecute all such offences, including those against the investigative outlet KRIK and the daily newspaper Danas, and to create an environment in which freedom of expression can genuinely flourish; condemns the extreme imbalance in the presence of government and opposition members in the reporting of national television channels outside the period of the election campaign, which remains a major challenge for media pluralism in Serbia;
Amendment 253 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Condemns the opening of an RT (formerly Russia Today) office in Belgrade and the launch of its online news service in Serbian; condemns state-owned Telekom Srbije for enabling its transmission; urges the Serbian authorities to counter hybrid threats and align with the Council’s decision on the suspension of the broadcasting activities of Sputnik and RT; calls on Serbia to fight disinformation, including manipulative anti-EU narratives;
Amendment 254 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Condemns the opening of an RT (formerly Russia Today) office in Belgrade and the launch of its online news service in Serbian; points out that it goes against the Council's decision on the suspension of the broadcasting activities of Sputnik and RT; urges the Serbian authorities to counter hybrid threats and align with the Council’s decision on the suspension of the broadcasting activities of Sputnik and RT; calls on Serbia to fight disinformation, including manipulative anti-EU narratives;
Amendment 255 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Condemns the opening of an RT (formerly Russia Today) office in Belgrade and the launch of its online news service in Serbian; urges the Serbian authorities to counter hybrid threats and fully align with the Council’s decision on the suspension of the broadcasting activities of Sputnik and RT; calls on Serbia to fight disinformation, including manipulative anti-EU narratives;
Amendment 256 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. Is deeply concerned about the spread of disinformation about Russian aggression against Ukraine and calls on the Serbian authorities to take decisive steps to tackle disinformation and to discredit the most widely circulated fake news; calls on Serbia and the European Commission to bolster infrastructure for fighting disinformation, Russian propaganda and other hybrid threats, and to support evidence-based responses to both short-term and long-term disinformation threats in the Western Balkans; stresses that all political leaders have the responsibility to stop the spread of malicious disinformation about Russian aggression against Ukraine; notes that a tolerant attitude towards malign external influences may have serious negative consequences on Serbia’s prospects for EU accession;
Amendment 260 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. Is deeply concerned about the attempts by Wagner Group to run recruitment campaigns in Serbia; deplores the role of the so-called “People’s patrol” in spreading pro- Kremlin propaganda; notes that Serbia's Criminal Code forbids citizens from participating in foreign wars;
Amendment 272 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Regrets the fact that the REM awarded four national frequencies to channels that have a history of violating journalistic standards; calls for the fifth licence to be awarded through a transparent and impartial process; condemns the unjustified delay in the process; regrets the decision of the REM to suspend its work for two weeks in December 2022;
Amendment 274 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15 b. Condemns the state financing of Telekom Srbija, which gives the company an unfair competitive advantage and contributes to the declining state of independent media in Serbia; urges the European Commission to look into the European Investment Bank's loan to Telekom Srbija in view of the alleged abuse of its dominant market position and use by the state to control the media environment in Serbia and neighbouring countries;
Amendment 275 #
2022/2204(INI)
16 a. Regrets the delays in the implementation of the Media Strategy; reiterates its concern about the operations of Telekom Srbija, a majority-government owned telecommunications company, with persistent allegations of the ruling party using it to increase its influence over the media market in Serbia through the acquisition and funding of various media outlets;
Amendment 278 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16 b. Urges Serbia to ensure full financial and operational independence of the regulators, in particular for electronic communication and postal services (RATEL) and for electronic media (REM), to enhance their capacity to work; urges RATEL to ensure the implementation of competitive safeguards and market operators' access to the relevant infrastructure, such as telecommunications ducts, poles and fibre optics;
Amendment 298 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Welcomes the significanttronger representation of national minorities in the new parliament;
Amendment 303 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18 b. Calls on the Serbian authorities to step up efforts to ensure the non- discriminatory treatment of ethnic, religious and sexual minorities and other vulnerable groups, and to continue the implementation of a positive agenda on this issue, in full conformity with EU principles and legislation; urges the authorities to actively pursue investigations and convictions for hate- motivated crimes; condemns the ethnic hatred spread by some government officials and politicians;
Amendment 307 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Reiterates its concern about violence by extremist groups, with recent instances including the demolition of a cafe in Novi Sad and anti-Semitic graffiti in the Sephardic Jewish cemetery in Belgrade; is further concerned about the activities of the Russian Wagner group in Serbia; calls on the authorities to prosecute all illegal activities in connection with these groups;
Amendment 328 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Regrets the way in which the EuroPride in Belgrade was organized and the unacceptable use of hate speech against the LGBTI+ community in the period right before the EuroPride; denounces the decision to first cancel the EuroPride and thus increase the uncertainty whether the event would take place; expresses its disappointment that the Government did not explicitly support the EuroPride; calls on the Government and Police to ensure the smooth planning and organization, as well as the safety and well-being of participants of all future Pride events in Belgrade; calls for increased measures to combat hate crimes against LGBTI + people;
Amendment 352 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Notes Serbia’s engagement in regional cooperation initiatives; encourages it to step up its reconciliation efforts and seek solutions to past disputes; underlines that there is no place for genocide denial or the glorification of war criminals in a candidate country; urges the government to step up its 'dealing with the past' processes and to bring all war criminals to justice;
Amendment 356 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Amendment 357 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Welcomes the recent steps taken to improve the relations between Serbia and Croatia and encourages both sides to address all outstanding issues in good faith;
Amendment 366 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 g (new)
Paragraph 12 g (new)
12g. Deplores that certain parts of the former Yugoslav historical archives are still inaccessible; reiterates its call on the authorities to facilitate access to these archives, especially those of the former Yugoslav Secret Services (UDBA) and the Yugoslav People’s Army Secret Service (KOS), in order to allow communist-era crimes to be thoroughly investigated and addressed and to facilitate the reconciliation process; calls for these archives to be returned to the respective governments of the successor states if they so request;
Amendment 397 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Condemns all actions that endanger stability and jeopardise the reconciliation process; is deeply concerned about the tensions in North Kosovo and the unacceptable shooting on Orthodox Christmas Eve; condemns the arbitrary detention of Kosovo Serb politician Rada Trajković at the Merdare crossing point in December 2022; recalls the shared responsibility for peace and the rule of law for all people in Kosovo;
Amendment 414 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Welcomes Serbia’s progress in developing atowards functioning market economy but underlines the fact that the country’s private sector is hampered by weaknesses in the rule of law;
Amendment 424 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Calls on the Serbian authorities to take measures to counter depopulation; notes the results of the 2022 population census, which detected a population decrease of 495.975 since 2011;
Amendment 425 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Calls on the Serbian authorities to take measures to counter depopulatioin association with partners to counter the brain drain;
Amendment 426 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Calls on the Serbian authorities to take measures to counter depopulation and emigration ;
Amendment 431 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Is deeply concerned about the investments in Serbia by Russia and China and their influence on the political and economic processes in the region; deplores that foreign actors, most notably Chinese companies, have been able to benefit from lower social and environmental standards to the detriment of the safety of local populations.
Amendment 436 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Is deeply concerned about the strategic investments in Serbia by Russia and China and their influence on the political and economic processes in the region;
Amendment 453 #
2022/2204(INI)
32. Welcomes the Commission’s energy support package to help the Western Balkans overcome the energy crisis; calls on the Serbian authorities to prepare a credible plan for reducing the country’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels and building environmentally friendly energy systems; welcomes Serbia's moves to diversify its energy supply by seeking new contracts and building interconnections.
Amendment 455 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Welcomes the Commission’s energy support package to help the Western Balkans overcome the energy crisis; calls on the Serbian authorities to prepare a credible plan for reducing the country’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels and building environmentally friendly energy systems; welcomes the beginning of construction of the gas interconnector between Serbia and Bulgaria;
Amendment 467 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Expresses concern about air pollution; recalls that several places in Serbia, notably Belgrade, Smederevo, Kostolac, Bor and the Kolubara and Tamnava valleys, are often on the list of the most polluted areas in the world in terms of air quality; remains worried about Chinese-financed coal power generation projects and their impact on the environment and air quality; reiterates its calls on the Serbian authorities to urgently accelerate the implementation of air quality plans; including available IPA III, WBIF and other EU funds;
Amendment 472 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Is concerned about the failure of Serbia to unbundle its gas transmission operators and to grant third-party access to the Horgos interconnection pipeline despite its obligations under the Energy Community;
Amendment 477 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Expresses concern about the environmental impact of new infrastructure constructions in Serbia byand projects in Serbia by Serbian actors and by foreign actors such as Chinese companies; calls on the Serbian authorities to address the legitimate concerns expressed in the environmental protests;
Amendment 480 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34a. Express concern about the lack of a proper legal framework for environmental impact assessment, which creates a situation where projects can obtain development consent, namely the construction permit, prior to environmental assessment; urges the Serbian authorities to fully and properly transpose the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive;
Amendment 486 #
2022/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
Paragraph 35 a (new)
35a. Notes with concern the cargo train accident near the city of Pirot in December 2022 and the resulting environmental hazard caused by an ammonia leak; calls on the authorities to ensure the safe transport of all hazardous substances especially trough urban areas and the Belgrade railway tunnels system;
Amendment 29 #
2022/2203(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has considerable potential to further destabilise many EU and non- EU countries, especially those in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership and highlights the critical importance of EU enlargement;
Amendment 77 #
2022/2203(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Commends North Macedonia’s full alignment with the EU’s foreign and security policy, including its clear-cut response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine by aligning with the EU’s restrictive measures against Russia and Belarus;
Amendment 79 #
2022/2203(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Welcomes the adoption of an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility amounting to EUR 9 million in support of the army of North Macedonia who is actively contributing to EU missions and operations
Amendment 90 #
2022/2203(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Urges decision-makers to foster a national consensus on EU integration, to work towards strengthening administrative capacities, building upon a successful start to the screening process, to work towards fulfilment and the ambitious goal of meeting the criteria for EU membership by 2030;
Amendment 122 #
2022/2203(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Encourages the country to increase institutional integrity and intensify its judicial reform to guarantee the independence, professionalism, transparency and impartiality of the judicial system; welcomes prosecutions related to the abuse of office and looks forward to systematic action to prevent, prosecute and follow-up on corruption cases; insists on adequate funding for and the effective functioning of independent bodies and agencies and on the consistent implementation of their decisions and recommendations; applauds anti-corruption contribution of independent civil society and the media;
Amendment 129 #
2022/2203(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Urges the authorities to effectively fight corruption and organised crime through coordinated investigations and prosecutions leading to final convictions and asset confiscations in cases involvof corruption including high-level corruption, organised crime and money laundering;
Amendment 137 #
2022/2203(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Deplores the malign foreign interference and hybrid attacks, such as disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks and false bomb threats, directed against North Macedonia’s institutions and citizens; invites the EU to support the authorities to considerably strengthen North Macedonia’s resilience against such threats; calls for a stronger involvement of all stakeholders, including the Parliament of North Macedonia, in tackling foreign interference and disinformation
Amendment 157 #
2022/2203(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Invites North Macedonia to fully align with EU visa policy and to limit security risks related to its citizenship-by- investment scheme; calls on the authorities to refrain from enabling systematic acquisition of citizenship based on economic interest; urges the authorities to take further action against criminal trafficking networks and to step up cooperation with the EU’s justice and home affairs agencies;
Amendment 178 #
2022/2203(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Urges the authorities to step up protection of vulnerable groups and the prosecution of domestic and online abuse and to improve services for the victims of violence; stresses that the Ombudsman concluded that courts' sentences against convicted offenders of rape and domestic violence were overly lenient and did not contribute to a reduction and elimination of severe forms of domestic violence nor provide sufficient protection to survivors; welcomes changes to the Criminal Code of North Macedonia, covering crimes related to violence against women and the safety of journalists and insists on the need to strengthen North Macedonia’s anti- discrimination commission and Ombudsman’s office;
Amendment 227 #
2022/2203(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Acknowledges North Macedonia’s enabling environment for media freedom and urges the authorities to ensure transparency of media ownership, financing and political advertising, as well as the public broadcaster’s and the media regulator’s ability to operate independently; recalls the need to counter political interference and foreign and home-grown disinformation and manipulative narratives; deplores threats and attacks against journalists, including the use of SLAPPs;
Amendment 233 #
2022/2203(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Is concerned about the lack of trust in journalism in North Macedonia, in particular due to the extreme political polarisation and pressure from businessmen on the media sector; deplores the high number of violations of professional and ethical standards by media in North Macedonia with portals being accused of spreading fake news and inciting speech, as highlighted by the Council for Media Ethics of North Macedonia; calls on the Association of Journalists of North Macedonia and its members to fully abide by the industry standards set up in the Journalism Trust Initiative developed by Reporters Without Borders, as the appropriate tool to increase professional journalists credibility and rebuilt society's trust
Amendment 238 #
2022/2203(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Notes North Macedonia’s commitment to positive diplomacy and good neighbourly relations; reiterates its full support for a consistent mutual implementation of the Treaty of Friendship with Bulgaria and the Prespa Agreement with Greece; deplores the persistent disinformation campaigns creating distorted and polarised narratives that have marred the period leading to the 2018 referendum on the Prespa Agreement to reduce turnout, such as alleged threats to the Macedonian language, despite clear support for the agreement
Amendment 18 #
2022/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas Montenegro evinces full alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy;
Amendment 65 #
2022/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Remains seriously concerned by malign foreign interference, destabilisation efforts, hybrid threats and disinformation campaigns by foreign actors in Montenegro, particularly Russia's and Serbia’s employment of blackmail and hybrid warfare tactics in response to Montenegro's accession to NATO in 2017; notes that religious institutions can be used as a tool for external influence and condemns Serbian interference in this regard;
Amendment 70 #
2022/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Condemns the unprecedented cyberattack of August 2022 against Montenegro’s digital infrastructure; urges Montenegro to actively enhance its resilience in this regard by adopting the strategy on countering hybrid threats and the relevant action plan, in alignment with the EU strategic documents, including the 2022 EU Cyber Defence Policy; further encourages Montenegro to fully leverage EU-funded cybersecurity tools, such as the Cybersecurity Rapid Response project for Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia, to bolster its cybersecurity capabilities;
Amendment 129 #
2022/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Expresses its concern about the deep political polarisation in the media landscape and the pressure being put on the local media market by expanding regional media competition; calls upon media regulatory bodies, and relevant stakeholders to promote and support initiatives that encourage balanced and unbiased reporting, as well as the representation of diverse perspectives, in order to mitigate the impact of political polarisation;
Amendment 161 #
2022/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Calls on Montenegro to improve access to justice and to ensure better follow-up and enforcement of rights in proceedings on domestic violence, as well as; calls for further specific measures to prevent gender-based violence, particularly within the domestic environment, by providing enhanced protection;
Amendment 203 #
2022/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Calls for concrete steps to be taken to resolve long-standing bilateral disputes in a constructive and neighbourly manner; encourages the promotion of cross-border initiatives, including the EU co-financed Cross-Border Cooperation Programme between Serbia and Montenegro;
Amendment 213 #
2022/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Calls on Montenegro to enhance its fiscal economic policies in order to align its public debt levels with the target set by the EU's Stability and Growth Pact, ensuring they do not exceed 60% of the GDP; urges Montenegro to strengthen its foreign investment screening mechanism to enhance economic security, prevent political interference, and address issues of bad governance; emphasizes the importance of improving the sustainability of its exports by reducing overreliance on extractive industries, such as copper ore and raw aluminium;
Amendment 89 #
2022/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Commends Kosovo’s ongoing alignment with the EU’s foreign and security policy, in particular its strong condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its implementation of the EU’s restrictive measures against Russia and Belarus; commends the demonstrated commitment of the government of Kosovo to offer shelter to refugees from Ukraine and Afghanistan and to host a specific program for the journalists of these countries;
Amendment 131 #
2022/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the positive steps taken towards reforming Kosovo’s public administration and encourages the government to intensify its efforts to create a professional, depoliticised and citizen- oriented civil service; representative of Kosovo's diversity; regrets the boycott of judicial institutions encouraged by Serbian nationalist political parties in the north of Kosovo;
Amendment 160 #
2022/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. EncouragesCalls on the government to enhance its cooperation with civil society on decision-making; stresses the importance of increasing accountability and transparency in relation to public funding for civil society organisations;
Amendment 168 #
2022/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Deplores the many cases of femicide and gender-based and sexual violence; calls on the police, courts and government to step up itstheir efforts to combat domestic and gender-based violence and improve the protective and preventive measures in place;
Amendment 182 #
2022/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19 b. Calls for a bolder commitment to improving the situation of the Roma and Ashkali communities and to ensure they have equal opportunities in social and public life; underlines the importance of implementing the strategy in this sense, including by budgeting it accordingly;
Amendment 185 #
2022/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 c (new)
Paragraph 19 c (new)
19 c. Reiterates its call on the competent authorities to continue working on the Civil Code that is in line with the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo, acquis, European standards and international practices, and ensure its adoption without further delay;
Amendment 187 #
2022/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 d (new)
Paragraph 19 d (new)
19 d. Calls for the revision of high- school textbooks, which provide misinformation and use discriminatory language and descriptions for ethnic minorities, sexual minorities and women; encourages government authorities to pursue the initiative started in late 2021 aimed at updating them;
Amendment 189 #
2022/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Calls for support by the government for the 2023 Pristina Pride; urges the government to ensure the equality of LGBTIQ+ persons with other citizens and enjoyment of their full rights;
Amendment 192 #
2022/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Underlines the importance of ensuring that persons with disabilities have equal access to education, health services, public buildings and transport; commends the increased employment of people with disabilities through the recovery packages of the government that targeted people with disabilities;
Amendment 198 #
2022/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Commends the fact that the first draft of the Law that regulates the work of the new Institute of Crimes Committed during the War in Kosovo includes crimes committed in the period up to 31 December 2000 and related to the war; calls on the Parliament to adopt the law with this proposed timeline and to make it mandatory to document these crimes; encourages the government to overcome inconsistency between laws related to the war and ensure the applicability of this timeline in all cases;
Amendment 221 #
2022/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22 a. Welcomes the EU proposal for an interim agreement between Belgrade and Pristina; calls on the two sides to make further steps to reach this interim agreement and proceed to its implementation;
Amendment 222 #
2022/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. welcomes the recent European proposal to put the relationship between both parties on a new and sustainable basis as a historic chance that should be seized by both parties;
Amendment 228 #
2022/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. welcomes the work of the European Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) in assisting Kosovo on the rule of law, notably police, justice and customs and in supporting relevant rule of law institutions in Kosovo on their path towards increased effectiveness, sustainability, multi-ethnicity and accountability, free from political interference and in full compliance with international human rights standards and best European practices.
Amendment 233 #
2022/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Condemns all actions that endanger stability and jeopardise the reconciliation process, including the tensions in Nnorth of Kosovo, and recalls the shared responsibility for peace and the rule of law for all people in Kosovoof the governments of Kosovo and Serbia, as well as of the local communities, for peace and the rule of law for all people in Kosovo; condemns the arbitrary detention of Kosovo Serb politician Rada Trajković at the Merdare crossing point in December 2022;
Amendment 250 #
2022/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Reiterates the necessity of carrying out structural reforms in order to boost competitiveness and ensure inclusive and sustainable economic growth; welcomes the progress made in tackling the informal economy; notes however that the widespread informal economy, the high prevalence of corruption and the overall weak rule of law, continue to hinder the private sector;
Amendment 264 #
2022/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Welcomes the progress made in digitalising the economy and increasing access to internet; stresses the importance of maintaining high-level of cybersecurity through adequate financing and regulation;
Amendment 297 #
2022/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Regrets the fact that Kosovo has failed to adopt the long-announced energy strategy for 2022-2030, and calls for the immediate adoption and implementation of both this strategy and the law on renewable energy sources; welcomes the adoption of a roadmap for the implementation of the 2013 and 2015 energy agreements regarding the supply of electricity in four Serb-majority municipalities in the north of Kosovo putting an end to unfair practices and giving a legal and transparent framework for the supply of electricity in the region;
Amendment 42 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Amendment 43 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
C b. whereas in March 2023 President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik announced plans to introduce a ‘foreign agents’ law in Republika Srpska;
Amendment 45 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)
Recital C c (new)
C c. whereas the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet reports persistent discrimination based on various grounds in BiH, primarily based on ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation, and voices concerns about access to education, social protection, and the rights of Roma and people with disabilities;
Amendment 70 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the European Council's decision to grant candidate status to BiH; reiterates its clear support for BiH’s EU integration, grounded in unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity; calls on all political actors in BiH to end and refrain from the blockades of democratic processes and work of institutions; condemns the secessionist policies and actions by the President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik and all political parties and movements promoting the dissolution of BiH;
Amendment 75 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the swift appointment of a new state-level government, the resumption of political decision-making and the appointment of the President and two Vice-Presidents of the Federation of BiH; calls for the Federation of BiH’s government formation to be swiftly completed in line with democratic standards and principles; calls on the Office of the High Representative to show due political insight and avoid actions which may lead to additional political and ethnic tensions in the country;
Amendment 80 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Encourages all authorthe government of BiH and especially the ruling coalitieson to seize the momentum to meaningfully advancerepresent the aspirations of all citizens of BiH and to focus on the preparation and meaningful implementation onf the 14 key priorities and avoid slipping back into obstructive policies, respecting the accountability of institutions and the quality and transparency of the processes; urges all political actors to avoid slipping back into obstructive policies of ethnocentrism and calls on all members of the ruling coalition to refrain from the nationalistic rhetoric shown by the Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers Borjana Krišto in the exchange of views held in the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament on 21 March 2023; underscores that BiH’s path towards EU accession needs to be anchored in functioning democratic institutions, rule of law, the fight against corruption and organised crime, respect for fundamental rights and non-discrimination for all citizens and constituent peoples as enshrined in the constitution;
Amendment 89 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission and the European External Action Service to continue supporting BiH’s EU integration based on strict conditionality, to promote and call for the accountability, transparency and inclusiveness of reform processes in state institutions, to publish detailed explanations of and measurement criteria for the 14 key priorities in order to raise citizens’ awareness of the benefits of EU membership and to strengthen monitoring capacities in BiH;
Amendment 94 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Expresses deep concern about media reports based on leaked Commission documents that the Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement deliberately seeks to circumvent and undermine the centrality of democratic and rule of law reforms in talks with high ranking representatives of Republika Srpska; urges once again the Commission to initiate an independent and impartial investigation into whether the conduct engaged in and policies furthered by the Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement constitute a breach of the Code of Conduct for the Members of the Commission and of the Commissioner’s obligations under the Treaties;
Amendment 96 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. ReaffirmExpresses its support for the mandates of the Office of the High Representative and EUFOR Operation Althea in overseeing the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement, especially in enhancing stability and democratic processes in BiH; reaffirms its full support for EUFOR Operation Althea in overseeing the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement; calls on Member States to reinforce EUFOR and make it more fit for operational needs; calls on the OHR to act in line with its mandate and to refrain from using "Bonn Powers", which may strengthen illiberal political forces and ignite additional political and ethnic divisions in the country and in the wider region;
Amendment 109 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes BiH’s increasedCalls on the new government of BiH’s to swiftly and fully alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy (CFSP), and urges for the effective implementation of sanctions stemming from CFSP alignment;
Amendment 119 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Strongly supports BiH’s sustained aspirations towards Euro-Atlantic integration and NATO membership; calls on all political actors to demonstrate full support for Euro-Atlantic integration and NATO membership not only in words but with concrete political action;
Amendment 124 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Denounces the recurring inflammatory rhetoric and secessionist laws and policies by the leadership of the Republika Srpska (RS) entity, including and other political parties including members of the ruling coalition in the Federation of BiH entity, such as the celebration of the so- called RS Day and other celebrations which cause tensions and discomfort among BiH citizens, as well as the refusal to implement rulings of the Constitutional Court of BiH; underlines that such actions destabilise BiH, undermine the Dayton Peace Agreement, contradict BiH’s EU perspective and endanger access to EU funding;
Amendment 140 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Reiterates its call for targeted and sustainable sanctions against all destabilising actors in BiH;
Amendment 141 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Reiterates its call for targeted sanctions against destabilising political actors in BiH;
Amendment 146 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Condemns malign foreign interference by third actors in BiH, notably Russia’s destabilisation of the Western Balkans; condemns interferences in BiH and the use of inflammatory ethnic-based rhetoric by high-ranking officials of Croatia and Serbia;
Amendment 160 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses that the rule of law, good governance, pluralism and fundamental rights need to be mainstreamed in IPA III funding, which must be based on strict conditionality and safeguarded by comprehensive and thorough oversight by the Commission; recalls that EU funding for projects in the RS entity should remain frozen until the reversal of democratic backsliding by the RS entity and until full alignment with the CFSP;
Amendment 161 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses that the rule of law, support for free and independent media, fight against corruption, good governance, pluralism and fundamental rights need to be mainstreamed in IPA III funding, which must be based on strict conditionality; recalls that EU funding for projects in the RS entity should remain frozen until the reversal of democratic backsliding by the RS entity and until full alignment with the CFSP;
Amendment 163 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Calls on the European Commission to make all necessary legal and political arrangements to extend the EPPO's jurisdiction and authority with regard to the use of EU funds also to BiH as a candidate country;
Amendment 174 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the fact that the general elections were held in October 2022 were generally well organised and competitive; notes however that they took place against a backdrop of stagnant reforms, divisive rhetoric and political obstruction, political and financial obstruction, non-transparent financing of the election campaign, misuse of public resources, trading of polling stations between political parties and undue political pressure on the Central Election Commission; regrets the numerous irregularities reported by election observers, including instances in which some local municipalities failed to publish and/or display voter registry lists; takes note of the changes introduced by the High Representative to the election law and constitution of the Federation of BiH, aimed at addressing a number of functionality issues; underlines however the criticism regarding the transparency, timing and lack of consultations in these processes;
Amendment 180 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. Expresses concern about the amount of public expenditure aimed at attempting to influence the electorate; regrets that governmental structures have introduced new methods of electoral influence over interest groups; calls for the introduction of strict policies to prevent officials from abusing public funds, especially during the pre-election period;
Amendment 192 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls on BiH to harmonise party registration rules and to ensure the transparency of political party financing; acknowledges the steps taken by the Central Election Commission and calls for its capacities to be strengthened; deplores all forms of intimidation and threats made by political actors in BiH against members of the Central Election Commission;
Amendment 196 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for the judiciary’s integrity and independence to be strengthened, namely by bringing the Law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council and the Law on Courts in line with EU standards, and by eliminating selective justice, the case backlog, corruption, a lack of transparency and poor oversight; regrets that the strategic goal to solve all cases related to war crimes will not be met due to the high backlog; reiterates the necessity to prosecute and accelerate criminal proceedings, as 28 years have passed and reconciliation cannot be achieved without adequate judgements; expresses its concern over numerous scandals involving high ranking judiciary officials, political pressure and quality of the processes of selection of high ranking judges and prosecutors;
Amendment 203 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Expresses its concern about the lack of progress on preventing widespread corruption and the increasing signs of state capture, political interference and obstruction; urges BiH to adopt conflict of interest laws and to strengthen protection for whistleblowersan Anti-Corruption Strategy in line with international standards and best practices, and to strengthen protection for whistleblowers in particular in the Federation of BiH entity, by ensuring the implementation of existing laws and ensuring the independence of institutions responsible for implementation;
Amendment 206 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Expresses its concern about the lack of progress on preventing widespread corruption and the increasing signs of state capture, political interference and obstruction; calls for transparent use of EU financial assistance; urges BiH to adopt conflict of interest laws and to strengthen protection for whistleblowers;
Amendment 209 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Calls on the Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement to strictly adhere to the Commission's own criteria throughout the entire monitoring process of the implementation of institutional reforms in BiH in order to meet the objectives of the 14 priorities put forward by the Commission in 2019 concerning democracy, functionality and the rule of law.
Amendment 210 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Urges the authorities to prosecute high-profile corruption cases and to conduct criminal proceedings in a timely manner; calls on the courts to issue a higher number of final judgements in corruption cases;
Amendment 217 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls for increased resources for anti-corruption structures and the adoption of integrity plans for these structures; points to the added value of effective cooperation among law enforcement agencies and with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office;
Amendment 222 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Notes the steps taken to increase the alignment of public procurement laws with the EU acquis; expresses its concern about the sector’s vulnerabilities to corruption and irregularities; calls for more robust and efficient legislation regarding the exploitation of natural resources, including measures to increase transparency and integrity especially in the area of concessions;
Amendment 229 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Reaffirms the significance of genuine reconciliation in BiH and calls on all authorities to actively promote and ensure access to truth, justice and non- selective reparations;
Amendment 232 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Expresses its solidarity with all survivors of war crimes and their families; deplores all historical revisionism, including genocide denial, the glorification of war crimes and war criminals, and the contestation of established facts and tribunals; calls for effective prosecution of such cases; regrets that prosecutors have failed to initiate any criminal proceedings on these matters; condemns the prohibition of public gatherings for families commemorating the victims of Prijedor in the Republika Srpska entity;
Amendment 237 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Notes the ongoing reduction in the backlog of war crimes cases, but regrets that the pace remains slow; is concerned about the fact that some war criminals convicted in BiH courts escape justice by hiding in some EU member and candidate states due to dual citizenship;
Amendment 254 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Emphasises the vital role of independent media; condemns attacks on and threats and intimidation against journalists, including by politicians and public figures; insists on appropriate judicial follow-up and the protection of journalists, public figures and private companies; expresses its concern regarding the announced criminalization of defamation in Republika Srpska; insists on appropriate judicial follow-up and the protection of journalists; underlines the importance of ensuring the transparency of media ownership and financial sustainability of the public broadcasting system;
Amendment 270 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Deplores discrimination, segregation, violence and hate speech against minorities and people on the move, and urges effective prosecution of such cases; calls on BiH to safeguard and promote the countrywide rights of all minorities and people on the move and to collect data on hate crimes categorized by motivation;
Amendment 273 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Deplores discrimination, segregation, violence and hate speech against minorities, and urges effective prosecution of such cases; calls on BiH to safeguard and promote the countrywide rights of all minorities, including their right to participate in democratic elections;
Amendment 280 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27 a. Expresses its deep concern at the discrimination faced by children from ethnic minorities, in particular Roma children, in accessing public services, including education and healthcare, and calls for the full protection of children's rights in BiH;
Amendment 281 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27 a. Calls for a higher degree of protection of the rights of the Roma minority and for an end to segregation and discriminatory practices;
Amendment 286 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27 b. Calls on BiH to ensure gender equality in all aspects of public and private life; regrets that BiH does not collect data on femicide and calls for the establishment of crisis centres for victims of sexual violence;
Amendment 288 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27 b. Notes that domestic violence, especially violence against women, remains among most serious human rights violations in BiH and calls for urgent actions in addressing gender-based violence, including for coordination among responsible institutions;
Amendment 300 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Regrets that rulings of the European Court of Human Rights have still not been implemented and calls for their swift implementation; regrets that discriminatory provisions from the BiH Constitution prevent all its citizens from enjoying equal political rights;
Amendment 309 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Underscores the importance of inclusive and quality education; reiterates i and urges BiH institutions to implement domestic courts’ judgements calling for an urgent end to the discriminatory practice of ‘two schools under one roof’; calls on BiH institutions to reduce administrative barriers for students who wish to continue their education in another canton or entity;
Amendment 321 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30 a. Urges politicians, public figures, authorities and private companies to refrain from using SLAPPs as a form of intimidation against human rights defenders and journalists;
Amendment 323 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30 a. Deplores plans to introduce a ‘foreign agents’ law in the Republika Srpska;
Amendment 326 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 b (new)
Paragraph 30 b (new)
30 b. Emphasises the need to withdraw the proposed amendments to the criminal code of Republika Srpska criminalising slander; calls on government representatives to cease labelling civil society as foreign agents and mercenaries;
Amendment 329 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 c (new)
Paragraph 30 c (new)
30 c. Regrets that laws on freedom of assembly are fragmented and restrictive; urges the authorities to amend laws according to European standards and refrain from interfering with the right to freedom of assembly;
Amendment 331 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 d (new)
Paragraph 30 d (new)
30 d. Reiterates its call on politicians and public figures to refrain from using hate speech in public statements and inciting violence towards journalists, LGBT persons and civil society; regrets the political obstruction of freedom of assembly for LGBT activists across the country and condemns violence and hate crimes against LGBT people in Banja Luka; regrets that the Pride March is continuously being discriminated against, and that this event is continuing to face administrative obstacles due to its nature;
Amendment 366 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Urges BiH to finalise and adopt the national energy and climate plan and to avoid energy infrastructure projects increasing the country's dependence on Russia and China; calls on it to adopt the necessary legislation on gas, electricity, renewable energy and energy efficiency, and to ensure the full harmonisation of laws for a functional energy market;
Amendment 371 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36 a. Calls for improvements to the legislation on concessions and use of natural resources to remove existing corruption risks, especially with regard to several major non-transparent projects with Chinese and Hungarian companies;
Amendment 379 #
2022/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Calls on BiH to accelerate its implementation of projects under the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans and the Green Agenda; emphasises the importance of transparent and efficient use of investments;
Amendment 62 #
2022/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Welcomes the support measure for the Balkan Medical Task Force amounting to EUR 6 million under the European Peace Facility, which procures the necessary equipment and materiel for the medical units of the Armed Forces of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia;
Amendment 83 #
2022/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Commends Albania’s commitment to completing its comprehensive justice reform and looks forward to its implementation; encourages the country to intensify steps aimed at finalising the vetting process and ensuring universal justice through cross-cutting measures;
Amendment 105 #
2022/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes the ongoing progress and looks forward to systematic improvements and concrete results in the prevention, proactive investigation and prosecution of and non-selective final convictions for cases involving corruption and organised crime; calls for further progress in establishing a comprehensive, efficient, soundly coordinated and accountable public administration;
Amendment 115 #
2022/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Expresses its concern with the aspects of the draft law on fiscal amnesty and the proposed citizenship by investment scheme that are incompatible with EU norms and its visa policy and would pose risks as regards security, money laundering, tax evasion, terrorist financing, corruption and infiltration by organised crime ; welcomes Prime Minister Rama’s announcement to suspend the golden passport project;
Amendment 122 #
2022/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls for continued action to reduce unfounded asylum claims by Albanian nationals, while tackling criminal trafficking networks and increasing cooperation with the EU’s justice and home affairs agencies; welcomes successful international investigations and police operations to combat the trafficking of people, narcotics and firearms, and online fraud; stresses that countering cybercrime, trafficking in human beings and money laundering remain areas in which additional results are needed; calls on the authorities to step up its fight against child sexual abuse online which remains a concern;
Amendment 171 #
2022/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Expresses its concern with the lack of progress on achieving institutional transparency, freedom of expression and media freedom and stresses the role of political leaders in creating an enabling environment for the pursuit of these freedoms; condemns attempts to discredit reporters and arbitrarily withhold public information, as well as the failure to ensure the safety of journalists; urges the authorities to take immediate action against political and economic interference in the media and intimidation against reporters; welcomes the withdrawal of the draft anti- defamation legislationcondemns any regulatory attempts aiming at increasing the political control over media institutions; welcomes in this context the withdrawal of the draft anti- defamation legislation; deplores the fact that only a minority of Albanian media have a sustainable business model and transparent funding; urges the government to ensure the independence of the public broadcaster and media regulator and the transparency of media ownership, financing and public advertising;
Amendment 175 #
2022/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Urges the authorities to counter disinformation and manipulative narratives by promoting media literacy and improving the working conditions of journalists; welcomes the work of the Alliance for Ethical Media of Albania aiming at rigorously implementing the Code of Ethics of Journalists; calls on the Association of Professional Journalists of Albania and its members to adhere to the highest industry standards, in particular by adopting the Journalism Trust Initiative set up by Reporters Without Borders, to maintain trust and fight against disinformation;
Amendment 8 #
2022/2196(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas civilian crisis management has become established as a key pillar of the EU’s CSDP since 1999 in conflict prevention, stabilisation and promotion of sustainable peace; whereas the demand for civilian crisis management has grown, also as a result of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine; whereas civilian missions are crucial in the EU’s wider response to security challenges through non-military means, including those linked to hybrid threats, terrorism, organised crime and various kinds of transnational trafficking;
Amendment 10 #
2022/2196(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas one of the objectives of the EU Strategic Compass is to reinforce EU civilian and military CSDP missions and operations by providing them with more robust and flexible mandates, promoting rapid and more flexible decision-making process and ensuring greater financial solidarity; whereas it should allow CSDP missions and operations to adapt swiftly to new threats and challenges and increase their effectiveness, also in view of the new security context and the growing presence of our strategic competitors in operational theatres; whereas the EU and MS agreed to reinforce civilian CSDP through a new Compact allowing for a faster deployment, also in complex environments;
Amendment 20 #
2022/2196(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas civilian CSDP tasks have, over the years, broadened to include, inter alia, transitional justice, mediation, dialogue and conflict analysis, and have alsomust without delay adapted to new and emerging challenges such as hybrid threats, including cyberattacks and foreign influence, and the manipulation of informationof information manipulation and interference;
Amendment 45 #
2022/2196(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that Crisis management lies at the heart of the EU's CSDP, in particular through its military and civilian missions and operation; recalls that a key take-away from the 2020 threat analysis was the need to strengthen the EU's ability to react quickly to crises and to enhance its overall preparedness; Stresses that EU civilian crisis management should makes important contributions to international peace and security, and plays a key role in implementing the EU’s Integrated Approach to External Conflicts and Crises;
Amendment 49 #
2022/2196(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Respects the commitment and expertise of the personnel serving in civilian CSDP missionsUnderlines the importance of the assignments entrusted to the personnel serving in civilian CSDP missions which implies for Member States the necessity to provide relevant profiles and for the EEAS to implement an attentive HR policy; welcomes in this regard the recent reorganization of the CPCC;
Amendment 61 #
2022/2196(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – introductory part
Paragraph 4 – introductory part
4. Believes that traditional civilian CSDP tasks such as policing, the rule of law, civil administration, SSR and monitoring remain very important in ordmore relevant than ever to stabilise and modernise the security and justice sectors; underlines the need to continue updating and enlargat enlarging its maing tasks in the framework of the Integrated Approach and the Treaties in light of the new risks and threats that have emerged should be considered; stresses the need, where relevant, to integrate and strengthen cross- cutting issues, in particular:
Amendment 95 #
2022/2196(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for the new Civilian CSDP Compact to be used to strive for the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in civilian CSDP, including, as a first step, toto aim at increaseing the participation of women to at least 40 % across missions and at all levels by 2024;
Amendment 96 #
2022/2196(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Underlines the importance of fully implementing objectives set in the Strategic Compass for civilian CSDP (inter alia being able to deploy 200 experts in 30 days) by building on recent efforts demonstrated by the EU to act in a more agile, reactive and coordinated way; in this regard, welcomes the rapid decision- making and launch of the EU Monitoring capacity (EUAM) in Armenia;
Amendment 103 #
2022/2196(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Member StatUrges, the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) to develop a concrete plan on how to implement the integrated approach and ensure that all relevant EU instruments (Military CSDP, Global Europe, the Instrument for Pre- accession Assistance) are applied coherently and lead more efficiently to achieve the EU’s overall objectives;
Amendment 109 #
2022/2196(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. WelcomesTakes notes of the achievements of the 2018 Compact in engaging Member States in the development of their National Implementation Plans (NIPs), including through structured dialogue and the exchange of good practices and lessons learned, and further building on those through structured and regular capability processes to be agreed upon;
Amendment 110 #
2022/2196(INI)
9. Calls for these efforts to be continued, for more numerical targets to be set and timelines for all actions to be established, including identifying the responsible entities;
Amendment 111 #
2022/2196(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Supports all initiatives aiming at developing a train and equip instrument for civilian Missions in order to enhance the EU capacity to support third States, and respond to their concrete expectations and needs;
Amendment 113 #
2022/2196(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Underlines the challenges that civilian CSDP missions face, such as the availability of capabilities and resources, responsiveness, swifter decision-making and more scalable, adaptable, modular missions and clearer mandates, and that these were already highlighted in the first Compact, which has led to an increased focus on civilian CSDP, but not to full operationalisation and the corresponding increase in participation and ownership by Member States, which need to be addressed as a matter of urgency in the new Civilian CSDP Compact;
Amendment 120 #
2022/2196(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls for clear exit strategies for civilian missions, allowing for swifter closure of missions when operational and political objectives are menot met or, when security, political or strategic conditions are not met or not possible to meet anymore in the country of establishment;
Amendment 126 #
2022/2196(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Regrets the factNotes that the only assessments of civilian CSDP missions’ mandates currently in place are Strategic Reviews feeding into the renewal, adaptation or closure of the mission mandates; stresses the importance of developing and establishing a system and methodology to assess, inter alia, the performance of missions, their effectiveness and their financial management; stresses, in this regard, the importance of establishing an independentmpartial system to evaluation ofe the impact of missions;
Amendment 139 #
2022/2196(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Deplores the fact that in spite of being one of the core commitments in the Compact, civilian CSDP missions persistently suffer from Member States not delivering on their pledges to provide sufficient personnel, with 10 Member States currently providing 78 % of seconded personnel, and 17 Member States only 22 %; calls on all Member States to ensure that they provide seconded staff to fill 100 % of all operational positions and to aim at provideing at least 60 % of the seconded staff for non-operational positions;
Amendment 167 #
2022/2196(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Underlines that the CFSP budget for civilian CSDP missions has only marginally increased from the multiannual financial framework (MFF) 2014-2020 to the MFF 2021-2027 (from a starting point of approximately EUR 350 million per year), while at the same time the number and tasks of missions has increased, the security environment has become more challenging, the cost of operations has increased, inflation has grown and the number of contracted personnel has increased, making it extremely difficult to expand the current missions’ mandates or for new missions to be established to respond to urgent security needs;
Amendment 171 #
2022/2196(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls for a substantive increase of funding for the CFSP budget in order to the efficiency of the use of the funding allocated to the CSDP civilian missions in order to make sure that they effectively respond to crisis situations and unforeseen events, and to actively identify where complementary projects and programmes could be funded from other relevant EU budgets;
Amendment 186 #
2022/2196(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Regrets the factNotes that while EU spending on defence has recently increased considerably, the funding for civilian CSDP has not; notes that the Strategic Compass fails to take into account the fact that civilian capabilities also require enhanced fundsdue to the current very instable geopolitical situation and the return of the war in Europe, the funding for civilian CSDP has not;
Amendment 190 #
2022/2196(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. (new subheading) Give a renewed and focused attention to current missions
Amendment 191 #
2022/2196(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24 b. Commands the work as well as the physical presence in the Ukraine territory of the 50 staff of the EU civilian mission (EUAM) in Ukraine; encourages the mission to continue its work in support of Ukraine in the documentation and investigation of war crimes; calls on the Commission, in the context of Ukraine accession negotiations, to engage as soon as possible with EUAM Ukraine to build upon its experience on security issues, its longstanding partnership with the Ukrainian authorities, and strong presence on the ground; underlines the relevant support the mission is bringing in the field of criminal investigations;
Amendment 193 #
2022/2196(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 c (new)
Paragraph 24 c (new)
24 c. Recognises the critical security situation in South Caucasus and strongly supports the launch of a new civilian CSDP Mission in Armenia; calls for the mission to contribute to any dialogue and initiative leading to an increased peace and security in the region;
Amendment 194 #
2022/2196(INI)
24 d. Considers the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia as an essential assets for the EU in the region; calls for a continued cooperation and mutual support with the mission in Armenia;
Amendment 195 #
2022/2196(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 e (new)
Paragraph 24 e (new)
24 e. Acknowledges that the critical support of EULEX Kosovo has recently contributed to lower tensions and restore confidence in Northern Kosovo; urges EU Member States to continue supporting the Mission by mobilising and sending highly needed gendarmerie forces on the ground;
Amendment 196 #
2022/2196(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 f (new)
Paragraph 24 f (new)
24 f. Stresses the importance of EUAM Iraq, EUBAM Rafah, EUPOL COPPS currently deployed in the Middle East region; calls for all possible synergies between the two Missions deployed in Palestine;
Amendment 197 #
2022/2196(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 g (new)
Paragraph 24 g (new)
24 g. Expresses concerns about the political and security developments in Libya; urges the Libyan authorities to facilitate the work of EUBAM Libya in the implementation of its mandate and in its entire functional scope;
Amendment 198 #
2022/2196(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 h (new)
Paragraph 24 h (new)
Amendment 3 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10
Citation 10
– having regard to the concluding observations on the sixth periodic report of Uzbekistan of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women of 1 March 2022, the third periodic report of Uzbekistan of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the fifth periodic report of Uzbekistan of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child of March 2022, February 2022 and September 2022 respectively,
Amendment 9 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 18 a (new)
Citation 18 a (new)
– having regard to the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission Final Report, 22 April 2022,
Amendment 21 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas protests erupted in the Republic of Karakalpakstan on 1 July 2022 following the publication of the proposed amendments to Uzbekistan’s constitution, which would have abolished its status as a sovereign republic within Uzbekistan and its right to secede; whereas at least 21 people were killed, and over 270 were injured, in the ensuing crackdown by the authorities; whereas human rights groups have documented that law enforcement officers used excessive force in response to the largely peaceful demonstrations; whereas 22 people were sentenced on 13 January 2023 for their participation in the unrest and Dauletmurat Tajimuratov, a lawyer accused of leading the unrest, was sentenced to 16 years in prison; whereas on 17 FebruaryMarch 2023 the trial startedsecond trial against another 39 people charged with participating in the protests ended with lengthy prison sentences of up to 11 years;
Amendment 23 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas in June 2022, the government of Uzbekistan published proposed constitutional amendments, including a provision that would enable the president to remain in office for another two seven-year terms;
Amendment 24 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas promised legal reforms have stalled, including the revision of the Criminal Code and a new NGO Code;
Amendment 29 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas Uzbekistan has accelerated its imprisonment of journalists and bloggers in recent years, including of Otabek Sattoriy, an independent blogger, investigative journalist, and activist serving a six year and six-month prison sentence for his reporting on corruption; whereas a November 2022 decision by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found Sattoriy’s detention to be in violation of international law; whereas other journalists and bloggers imprisoned for their reporting or expression include Miraziz Bazarov, a blogger arrested in March 2021 and serving a three-year sentence under house arrest on charges related to his support of the decriminalization of homosexuality, Fazilkhoja Arifkhojayev, a Muslim blogger arrested in June 2021 and sentenced to seven years and six months for reposting and commenting on religious matters on social media, and Lolagul Kallykhanova, the founder of Makan.uz arrested in July 2022 and sentenced to eight years of restricted liberty for her alleged participation in the Karakalpakstan protests; whereas Valijon Kalonov, a government critic who called for a boycott of the 2021 presidential elections, is being held in a psychiatric hospital in the Samarkand region, after a court ruling that he should undergo compulsory psychiatric treatment;
Amendment 33 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas consensual same-sex relations between men remains criminalised under Article 120 of the current Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, punishable with imprisonment for up to three years;
Amendment 37 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Recital E b (new)
Eb. whereas defamation and insult, including insulting the president, remain criminal offenses, despite President Mirziyoyev’s pledge in 2020 to decriminalise both offenses; whereas blogger Sobirjon Babaniyazov was sentenced to three years in prison for insulting the President online;
Amendment 43 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E d (new)
Recital E d (new)
Ed. whereas the job of righting past wrongs against individuals who were imprisoned illegally and in violation of their rights remains unfinished in Uzbekistan; whereas while Uzbekistan released dozens of former prisoners of conscience in recent years, the authorities have not taken steps to rehabilitate these individuals, who remain convicted of crimes under the law, or to repair the harm caused to them by their lengthy detentions, torture and abuse many endured, isolation from their family and friends, and loss of work, among other impacts;
Amendment 55 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the completion of negotiations on the EU-Uzbekistan EPCA agreement, which creates a new, modern and ambitious framework for deepening bilateral relations; reiterates that the agreement puts a strong emphasis on shared values, democracy and the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and sustainable development; notes that it also lays the groundwork for enhanced cooperation in foreign and security policy, including on issues such as regional stability, digital connectivity, international cooperation and conflict prevention;
Amendment 60 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes the ambitious reforms planned under the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026, which aims to achieve genuine change in the country in socioeconomic development, efficient administration and respect for human right, a more independent judicial system, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; welcomes measures to improve the anti-corruption system; calls to include in the reforms agenda guarantees to religious and press freedoms; stresses that the constitutional reform is an opportunity to strengthen the rule of law and to give the reforms a solid legal foundation; calls on the authorities of Uzbekistan to continue this process in consultation with citizens and stakeholders, including the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe , based on international norms and best practices; notes that on 10 March 2023 the Legislative Chamber adopted a law calling for a constitutional referendum on 30 April 2023; supports the work of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), which opened a referendum observation mission on 28 March 2023 in order to assess the conduct of the referendum;
Amendment 84 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recognises that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its implications present both challenges and opportunities for Uzbekistan and other Central Asian states, which have traditionally maintained close relations with Russia; notes that Uzbekistan abstained in the votes on the United Nations General Assembly resolutions on Ukraine, in particular those of 2 March 2022, 24 March 2022 and 23 February 2023 demanding an end to the Russian offensive and immediate withdrawal from Ukraine; notes that Uzbekistan opposed the expulsion of Russia from the UN Human Rights Council on 7 April 2022; notes the commitment of the political leadership of Uzbekistan not to allow the circumvention of sanctions imposed on Russiaat the same time that the Uzbek authorities rejected the declaration of independence of Donetsk and Luhansk republics; notes the commitment of the political leadership of Uzbekistan not to allow the circumvention of sanctions imposed on Russia and encourages the authorities to clearly condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in line with the international community; welcomes recent initiatives taken by the business community in Uzbekistan with regards to sanctions and calls for enhanced cooperation between the EU and Uzbekistan in this field;
Amendment 87 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recognises that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its implications present both challenges and opportunities for Uzbekistan and other Central Asian states, which have traditionally maintained close relations with Russia; notes that Uzbekistan abstained in the votes on the United Nations General Assembly resolutions on Ukraine, in particular those of 2 March 2022, 24 March 2022 and 23 February 2023 demanding an end to the Russian offensive and immediate withdrawal from Ukraine; notes that Uzbekistan opposed the expulsion of Russia from the UN Human Rights Council on 7 April 2022; notes the commitment of the political leadership of Uzbekistan not to allow the circumvention of sanctions imposed on Russia and calls for a close cooperation with the EU on these matters;
Amendment 88 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recognises that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its implications present both challenges and opportunities for Uzbekistan and other Central Asian states, which have traditionally maintained close relations with Russia; notesdeplores however that Uzbekistan abstained in the votes on the United Nations General Assembly resolutions on Ukraine, in particular those of 2 March 2022, 24 March 2022 and 23 February 2023 demanding an end to the Russian offensive and immediate withdrawal from Ukraine; noteregrets that Uzbekistan opposed the expulsion of Russia from the UN Human Rights Council on 7 April 2022; notes the commitment of the political leadership of Uzbekistan not to allow the circumvention of sanctions imposed on Russia; calls on the EU to closely engage with the authorities on this matter;
Amendment 103 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the agreement of 27 January 2023 between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan on the delimitation of the border between the two countries, which settles the outstanding issues between the two sides and completes a process that lasted three decades; equally welcomes the agreement of 22 December 2022 between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan on the demarcation of the Kazakh-Uzbek state border, which is the result of 19 years of negotiations;
Amendment 106 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Welcomes Uzbekistan’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and its actions to mobilise global support to tackle the consequences of the desiccation and salinisation of the Aral Sea; Encourages further regional and global cooperation to find potential solutions to the Aral Sea environmental disaster;
Amendment 111 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Notes that despite recent reforms, the lack of genuine pluralism and meaningful engagement between candidates or with citizens meant that Uzbekistan’s presidential election was not truly competitive, while significant procedural irregularities were noted on election day by the OSCE;
Amendment 116 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Regrets the loss of life during protests in the Republic of Karakalpakstan on 1 and 2 July 2022; calls on the authorities to investigate the actions of the security services that led toestablish a genuinely independent, impartial, and effective investigation into the events, including into the deaths and severe injuries among the protesters andthat occurred and the actions taken by the security forces; calls on the authorities to bring those responsible to justice; calls for the independence and transparency of the judicial process to be ensured in the cases linked to the protests; welcomes the Uzbek authorities’ commitment to maintaining the current constitutional status of Karakalpakstan;
Amendment 117 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Regrets the loss of life during protests in the Republic of Karakalpakstan on 1 and 2 July 2022; calls onurges the authorities to investigate the actions of the security services that led to deaths and injuries among the protesters and calls on the authorities to bring those responsible to justice; calls for the independence and transparency of the judicial process to be ensured in the cases linked to the protests; welcomes the Uzbek authorities’ commitment to maintaining the current constitutional status of Karakalpakstan; reiterates the importance of defending the right to peaceful demonstration;
Amendment 122 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Deplores the persistent lack of accountability for torture and ill- treatment by police and law enforcement, urges to hold perpetrators accountable, in particular, calls for prompt investigations into the allegations of torture by activist and lawyer Dauletmurat Tazhimuratov; calls upon Uzbek authorities to ensure that detainees and prisoners are held in conditions consistent with respect for their human dignity;
Amendment 123 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the government to ensure the security and non-discrimination of LGBTI people in Uzbekistan;
Amendment 124 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Amendment 126 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Calls on the government to restart the reform of the Criminal Code in line with international human rights standards and the recommendations of UN treaty bodies;
Amendment 128 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Amendment 137 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls on the government of Uzbekistan to allow independent human rights organizations, including international human rights groups, to register in the country and to adopt an NGO code in line with international standards;
Amendment 141 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses the needDeplores the lack of pluralism of the media in Uzbekistan; calls for the financial sustainability and independence of media outlets to be ensured in order to eliminate political influence; calls for greater transparency on media ownership with a view to enhancing media independence and pluralism; condemns any threats against journalists and bloggers and calls on the authorities to ensure respect for the rights of journalists, independent bloggers and human rights defenders and their protection against harassment, pressure and threats and to investigate any attacks against them;
Amendment 148 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Deplores persecutions against journalists, bloggers and government critics and calls for their immediate and unconditional release, in particular of Lolagul Kallykhanova, Otobek Sattoriy, Miraziz Bazarov, Fazilhoja Arifhojaev, Sobirjon Babaniyazov, and Valijon Kalonov;
Amendment 151 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Recalls President Mirziyoyev’s commitment to decriminalise defamation; regrets the legislative changes criminalising online criticism of the President;
Amendment 152 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Notes that a draft Information Code, published in mid-December 2022, includes provisions that would violate freedom of expression, if adopted, and calls on the government to ensure that any restrictions on freedom of information enshrined in the Information Code are strictly limited to the extent that is necessary and proportionate, and only for legitimate purposes, as provided for under international human rights law;
Amendment 155 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)
Paragraph 9 c (new)
9c. Deplores religious persecution and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Bobirjon Tukhtamurodov, Oybek Khamidov, Khasan Abdirakhimov, and Alimardon Sultonov;
Amendment 156 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 d (new)
Paragraph 9 d (new)
9d. Urges Uzbek authorities to take steps to rehabilitate victims of wrongful detention and repair the damage caused to them, including by removing their convictions, acknowledging and compensating them for the harm done, and providing assistance, such as medical and psychological care;
Amendment 162 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes that despite the adoption of a number of laws, including the Law on Protection of Women from Harassment and Violence of 2019, gender-based violence against women remains widespread; regrets that domestic violence is not defined or specifically criminalised in Uzbekistan’s legislation; calls on the authorities to takecontinue taking measures to bring Uzbekistan into line with its obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, as indicated in the concluding observations on the sixth periodic report of Uzbekistan by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women; welcomes the recent legislative measures in Uzbekistan on providing women and children with greater legal protection against gender-based violence; calls on Uzbek authorities to continue working with local and international civil society organisations and international partners to address these issues;
Amendment 167 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Notes that the definitions of extremism and terrorism remain vague and overbroad, leading to arbitrary detention and undue restriction to the right of freedom of religion or belief; recommends that the related legal provisions are narrowly and precisely drafted, in line with the recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief;
Amendment 168 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Deplores that LGBTQI+ people in Uzbekistan are at constant risk of serious human rights violations without any possible recourse to justice; calls on Uzbekistan to decriminalise homosexuality and to honour its international human rights commitments;
Amendment 171 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Amendment 173 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Calls on Uzbek authorities to continue to make progress in their compliance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles);
Amendment 177 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 c (new)
Paragraph 10 c (new)
10c. Welcomes progress towards the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) and encourages the authorities to complete this process as soon as possible;
Amendment 181 #
2022/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 d (new)
Paragraph 10 d (new)
10d. Calls on the government to protect the right to freedom of religion and to amend the 2021 religion law in accordance with recommendations issued by the former UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief in a report from 29 March 2023;
Amendment 1 #
Amendment 7 #
2022/2188(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Expresses its concerns over current legislative processes in the UK that would put these conditions at risk, namely the Retained EU Law Bill, the Bill of Rights Bill and, the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill and the Illegal Migration Bill;
Amendment 11 #
2022/2188(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Underlines that Article 524 of the TCA provides that the cooperation is based on the Parties' and Member States' long-standing respect for democracy, the rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals, including as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the European Convention on Human Rights, and on the importance of giving effect to the rights and freedoms in that Convention domestically. Is therefore concerns about certain provisions in the Bill of Rights Bill and the Illegal Migration Bill that would put in question these principles.
Amendment 29 #
2022/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. IsUnderlines that Article 524 of the TCA provides that the cooperation is based on the Parties' and Member States' long-standing respect for democracy, the rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals, including as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the European Convention on Human Rights, and on the importance of giving effect to the rights and freedoms in that Convention domestically; is therefore deeply concerned by the Illegal Migration Bill, which passed through the UK Parliament on 26 April 2023, and, if adopted, could have the potential to diverge from the European Convention on Human Rights, causing clear divergence between the two parties and could, according to the TCA, lead to the termination of law enforcement cooperation between the UK and the EU;
Amendment 34 #
2022/2188(INI)
8a. Is concerned about provisions in the Bill that would give the Secretary of State the possibility to intervene in the way the Information Commissioner’s Office operates.
Amendment 34 #
2022/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the swift setting up of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly (PPA) and notes that twohree meetings have already taken place in 2022 and two2023, and one more haves been scheduled for late 2023; considers that the PPA provides a good framework for parliamentary cooperation and open exchanges between parliamentarians on topics of common interest;
Amendment 35 #
2022/2188(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Is concerned about provisions in the Bill that would introduce the new lawful ground of “recognised legitimate interests” that would eliminate the need to carry out a balancing test and would empower the Secretary of State to designate a “recognised legitimate interest”, regardless of whether it trumps the rights and freedom of individuals.
Amendment 36 #
2022/2188(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 c (new)
Paragraph 8 c (new)
Amendment 39 #
2022/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Underlines the specific situation of Northern Ireland thanks to its unique position, with access to both the EU and UK internal markets; suggests therefore the establishment of an EU one-stop shop in Belfast where people and business would get the assistance and expertise they need to navigate the legislation applicable to them and the necessary help to unlock the full potential of the new arrangements set out in the Windsor Framework;
Amendment 40 #
2022/2188(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Points out that, with regard to the necessary revision ofRecalls that the two adequacy decisions for the UK expire in 2025 and that the European Commission can intervene at any point, if the UK deviates from the level of protection of data currently in place. Recalls that to beneficiate from these adequacy decision fors, the transfer of personal data to the UK in two years, it is of the utmost importanceUK is subject to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights and it must adhere to the European Convention of Human Rights. Points out that the guaranteeing of the rights protected under the European Convention onf Human Rights beis non-negotiable and that the European Parliament shall closely monitors any non- compliance; .
Amendment 43 #
2022/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Takes note of the Commission’s assessment that overall, the trade arrangements in goods and services established in the TCA are working well, although certain implementation difficulties have persisted such as the sponsorship scheme for the entry and temporary stay of natural persons for business purposes and the verification of origin for applying preferential tariff treatment; notes that as of August 2023, the UK Government has postponed sanitary and phyto-sanitary controls for a fifth time, with these now being introduced in January 2024; notes that the UK Government could reduce barriers to trade with the EU by committing to voluntary alignment across key sectors; maintains its call that the EU and the UK should come to an agreement on mutual recognition of conformity assessments and regulatory equivalence for SPS measures;
Amendment 47 #
2022/2188(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Calls on the EU Commission to carefully assess if the conditions under which the two adequacy decisions were granted are upheld in the light of the Data Protection and Information Bill, the Bill of Rights Bills or the Illegal Migration Bill and to take the necessary measures if this is not the case.
Amendment 49 #
2022/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Agrees with the Commission that the horizontal and product-specific rules in the TCA are satisfactory and that product- specific rules should not be revisited beyond technical adaptations, as these rules strike a fair balance while contributing to the Union’s overarching objective of achieving strategic autonomy in essential sectors; calls, however, for reasonable solutions to be fstresses that any exception wounld with regard to the upcoming changes to the rules of origin for electric vehicles, given the difficulties encountered by EU manufacturers in sourcing parts, in particular batteries, from within the EUrender European efforts and investments pointless and would lead to a shift in investment away from Europe ; calls on the UK and the EU, as like-minded partners, to explore new avenues for cooperation on the supply of raw materials, the development of net- zero technologies and other global trade issues;
Amendment 53 #
2022/2188(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Recalls that, in order to ensure effective extradition procedures, an arrest warrant must be executed as a matter of urgency and, in the event that a person does not consent to the extradition, a hearing must take place within 21 days of the arrest; recalls that, in order to safeguard the fundamental right to a fair trial, these time limits must not be exceeded. Calls on the UK to respect the time limits set up in the TCA to facilitate the application between Member States and the United Kingdom of the mutual legal assistance.
Amendment 62 #
2022/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Welcomes the draft deal between the EU-UK on the UK’s re-entry into the EU’s Horizon Europe Programme; notes the importance of UK universities in leading global research; recalls that any agreement would be mutually beneficial to citizens and scientists on both sides; urges the UK Government to swiftly implement the draft deal;
Amendment 75 #
2022/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Regrets that the TCA does not include provisions on cooperation in foreign policy and defence; recalls the EP's position that in the current geopolitical context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the signing of a structured framework for cooperation on foreign and security affairs between the European Union and the UK would be more effective than current ad hoc cooperation; highlights the need to intensify the dialogue with the UK on possible avenues for future cooperation and coordination on foreign, security and defence policy, in line with the provisions of the political declaration and including in the framework of the EU-NATO partnership, the United Nations, the European Political Community (EPC) and other international forums; underlines the importance of coordinating sanctions regimes;
Amendment 86 #
2022/2188(INI)
31. Calls for the stronger involvement of the UK in European security and defence projects; welcomes, in this context, the decision of Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) members and the Council of 14 November 2022 to invite the UK to join the Military Mobility PESCO project, which would improve mutual rapid security and defence assistance; calls on the Member States to sign the administrative agreement on Military Mobility with the UK as soon as possible;
Amendment 4 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5
Citation 5
— having regard to the action plan entitled ‘Strategic Compass for Security and Defence – For a European Union that protects its citizens, values and interests and contributes to international peace and security’, which was approvdopted by the Council on 21 March 2022 and endorsed by the European Council on 25 March 2022,
Amendment 9 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8
Citation 8
— having regard to the Response Force of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Response Force (NRF),
Amendment 23 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the European Union has extensive experience in deploying multinational mississions and operations abroad in order to promote peace, security and progress in Europe and in the world; whereas these common security and defence policy (CSDP) missions regularly operate alongside and complement missions of the Member States, United Nations, NATO, international organisations and third countries;
Amendment 36 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas CSDP missions regularly depend on the effective performance of third-partyinternational partners missions, reliable cooperation, timely information sharing and sincere host nation support; whereas the lack of any of these can jeopardise the implementation of a CSDP mission’s mandate and could ultimately lead to the withdrawal of EU forces;
Amendment 67 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the Strategic Compass sets out EU-level action in many of these areas; whereas the European Defence Fund and the European Peace Facility are EU instruments which have already been deployestablished and that are designed to improve military capabilities, in the case of the European Defence Fund; and foster operational support, cooperation and burden-sharing abroad, in the case of the European Peace Facility;
Amendment 68 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the Strategic Compass sets out EU-level action in many of these areas; whereas the European Defence Fund and the European Peace Facility are EU instruments which have already been deployused and that are designed to improve military capabilities, in the case of the European Defence Fund, and foster operational support, cooperation and burden-sharing abroad, in the case of the European Peace Facility;
Amendment 101 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Recital K a (new)
Ka. whereas although NATO remains the foundation of the Euro-Atlantic security, the European Union urgently needs to assume more responsibility for its own safety by acting in its neighbourhood and beyond; to this end, the EU must improve its own security and defence capabilities to ensure its strategic autonomy as well as its ability to safeguard its own values and interests;
Amendment 118 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas the Strategic Compass sets out a clear roadmap for implementing EU- level actions, in particular for transforming the EU battlegroup system, establishing a rapid deployment capacity (EU RDC) and paving the way towards entrusting the implementation of specific CSDP tasks to a group of Member States within the Union framework in accordance with Articles 42(5) and 44 of the TEU;
Amendment 120 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M a (new)
Recital M a (new)
Ma. whereas while adopting the Strategic Compass, MS agreed that they must collectively be able to respond to imminent threats or to react rapidly to a crisis situation outside the Union at any stage of the conflict cycle and to develop a rapid deployment capability for the EU to rapidly deploy a modular force of up to 5000 troops, including land, air and maritime components, as well as the necessary strategic assets;
Amendment 126 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital O
Recital O
O. whereas the practical implementation of Article 44 of the TEU, as well as the establishment and operation of the EU RDC, should be considered among the main aspects of the CSDP on which the Vice- President of the European Commission / High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) needs to regularly consult Parliament;
Amendment 127 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital O
Recital O
O. whereas the practicalossible implementation of Article 44 of the TEU, as well as the establishment and operation of the EU RDC, should be considered among the main aspects of the CSDP on which the Vice- President of the European Commission / High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) needs to regularly consult Parliament;
Amendment 138 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital P
Recital P
P. whereas, in line with Article 41(2) of the TEU, the administrative and operating expenditure for the RDC should bereaty on European Union (TEU) prohibits ‘expenditure arising from operations having military or defence implications’ from being charged to the EUnion budget except for expenditure that is covered by the European Peace Facility, notwithstanding the possibility for participating Member States to make free-of-charge contributions to the RDC; whereas the CSDP military missions and operations, in their common costs, are funded under the European Peace Facility;
Amendment 148 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the VP/HR’s proposal, enshrined in the Strategic Compass, to establish an RDC; stressethe EU RDC, a modular capability that will be able to be used in different phases of an operation in a hostile environment, such as initial entry or reinforcement, or as a reserve force to secure an exit, where the development of this capability will be based on operational scenarios, initially focusing on rescue and evacuation operations, as well as the initial phase of stabilization operations; recalls that the capability will be composed of substantially modified EU Battlegroups and pre-identified military forces and capabilities from Member States, in accordance with the principle of the single set of forces; recalls the importance of the EU having the necessary capabilities and structures to take action rapidly and decisively during crises in order to serve and protect the Union’s citizens, interests and values across the world;
Amendment 168 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – introductory part
Paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. Strongly encourages the VP/HR to propose a Council Decision on establishingAsks the VP/HR to establish, as soon as 2025, and with the strong engagement of the Member States, an EU RDC to protect the Union’s values and serve its interests along the following lines:
Amendment 174 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point a
Paragraph 2 – point a
Amendment 184 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point b
Paragraph 2 – point b
(b) The RDC’s tasks should include, but not be limited to, rescue and evacuation operations, initial entry and initial phase of stabilisation operations, temporary reinforcement of other missions, andthe tasks referred to in article 43 as well as acting as a reserve force to secure exit; the Council could assign further tasks as referred to under Article 44 of the TEU, and the duration and scope of the assignments should be consistent with resources allocated to the RDC;
Amendment 187 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
Paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
(ba) Stresses that joint training for civil and military officials in the DRC requires the progressive adaptation of the teaching and training of the European Security and Defence College (Established by Joint Action 20008/550/CFDP);
Amendment 188 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point b b (new)
Paragraph 2 – point b b (new)
(bb) Underlines the vital need to have exercises at the strategic, joint forces, and tactical level in line with NATO standards; advises that training of the tactical level should remain the responsibility of Member States, though it must be coordinated by the MPCC/OHQ in order to optimise their ability to operate together;
Amendment 193 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point c
Paragraph 2 – point c
(c) The RDC should number at least 5 000 troops, excluding strategic enablers such as air and sea lift personnel, intelligence assets, special operations forces and medical evacuation and care units; points out that the target number for the RDC should be at least between 7 000 and 10 000 troops in total; 5 000 troops may be insufficient in some cases, thus the force limit should be increased to meet all eventual scenarios' requirements;
Amendment 198 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point c
Paragraph 2 – point c
(c) The RDC should number at leastn average 5 000 troops, excluding strategic enablers such as air and sea lift personnel, intelligence assets, special operations forces and medical evacuation and care units; the target number for the RDC should be at least between 7 000 and 10 000 troops in totaldapted to the needs of the scenario-based concept;
Amendment 207 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point d
Paragraph 2 – point d
(d) The EU RDC should frequently simulatebe based, as stated in the Strategic Compass, on pre- defined operational scenarios and hold joint exercises following uniform training and certification standards such asand based on those sin NATOgle set of forces principle;
Amendment 222 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
Paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
(ea) Takes into account that the RDC must be able to be deployed on the ground, so all participating Member States must communicate to the RDC Headquarters at the time of their engagement which units and equipment, including air, sea and land transport will be permanently at the disposal of the RDC so that the responsible country can deploy them without delay; stresses that each Member State engaged in the RDC should be responsible for a rotation term of one year;
Amendment 227 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point f
Paragraph 2 – point f
(f) In line with Article 41 of the TEU,Change the current arrangement to fund the RDC’s administrative expenditure, should be funded from under the Union budget; evaluate the relevance of a amending article 41 TEU;
Amendment 236 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point g
Paragraph 2 – point g
(g) Similarly, its operating expenditure should be funded from the Union budget via a change in the treaties, with the exception of expenditure that is charged to the European Peace Facility;
Amendment 243 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses that Europe is a pillar of peace and stability in the world, which requires the strong support of the European citizens; highlights, in this context, the need to counter hostile disinformation campaigns, and to proactively communicate the purpose and objectives of RDC deployments to the European citizens, the local populations of host countries and the international community;
Amendment 247 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Member States to transform the EU battlegroup system to match the needs of the RDC; considers that the EU battlegroups should be funded from the Union budget during their stand-up, stand-by and stand-down phaseake action as soon as possible and not later than 2025, and deliver the transformation of the EU battlegroup system to match the needs of the RDC, that will be composed of modules, as stated in the Strategic compass; urges them to agree and plan scenarios, and conduct regular live exercises to improve readiness and interoperability of the RDC, starting from 2023 onwards;
Amendment 273 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. The RDC must, at any moment, be fully operational and adequately equipped with strategic enablers -such as information systems, intelligence and target acquisition, strategic airlift, or air- to-air refuelling; therefore, calls on the Member States to adequately increase and coordinate their defence procurement programs, and to give special consideration to the RDC's potential needs in existing frameworks such as PESCO;
Amendment 280 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points outInsists that the RDC should have permanent operational headquarters under the Military Planning and Conduct Capability in order to ensure its effectiveness and organise training exercises, with sufficient office space, including a proper communication and information system as well as adapted facilities for secure meetings and for the use of intelligence services; suggests to keep one or more national ‘High Readiness’ OHQs as a fall-back option, as long as the MPCC has not reached FOC necessary resources and capabilities to reach FOC status; therefore, calls for a fast implementation of the role of Operational Commander of the Director of the MPCC; emphasises that a permanently activated headquarters requires 200 staff members, up to 300 in the case of executive operations, to be fully operational, and that this important staffing step requires a genuine political will and rapid action from the MS;
Amendment 303 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for the EU RDC to have the possibility of being deployed and acting in emergencies, natural disasters such as floods or wildfires, or other significant civil-protection crises inside EU territory, at the proposal of the VP/HR and following the pertinent authorisation procedures;
Amendment 313 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – introductory part
Paragraph 7 – introductory part
7. Calls on the Member States participating in the RDC twho agreed to act in the name of the European Union as mandated by the Council under Article 44 of the TEU:, under the EU CSDP, to do so solely upon a proposal by the VP/HR, who should ensure that the views of Parliament are duly taken into consideration in their proposal;
Amendment 317 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point a
Paragraph 7 – point a
Amendment 321 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point b
Paragraph 7 – point b
Amendment 328 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point b a (new)
Paragraph 7 – point b a (new)
(ba) calls on the HR/VP to regularly inform the EP as stated in Article 36 TEU;
Amendment 335 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Highlights that the use of Article 44 offers significant benefits, such as speed and flexibility, and represents a strong political symbol of joint EU action, compared to Member States acting outside the EU framework;
Amendment 340 #
2022/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
Amendment 2 #
2022/2142(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital -A (new)
Recital -A (new)
-A. Whereas the unanimity rule is one of the major shortcomings of the EU, affecting its ability to act and making it unfit to tackle many of today's challenges; whereas a reform of the EU's decision- making should therefore be a priority for Member States to ensure that the EU can react more swiftly to future crises;
Amendment 17 #
2022/2142(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. Whereas according to the Treaties, the activitation of the passerelle clauses always requires unanimity in the Council or European Council;
Amendment 19 #
2022/2142(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Amendment 20 #
2022/2142(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B c (new)
Recital B c (new)
B c. Whereas in light of a possible future enlargement of the Union, internal reform and abolishing unanimity becomes even more pressing;
Amendment 24 #
2022/2142(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Calls for limiting the use of unanimity by using the passerelle clauses or by amending the Treaties;
Amendment 27 #
2022/2142(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Regrets that passerelle clauses have never been used in the field of the CFSP, even though the Russian war against Ukraine hasdespite repeated calls of the European Parliament and recommendations of citizens in the context of the Conference on the Future of Europe, even though the Russian war against Ukraine and the corresponding increased geopolitical volatility and security instability in Europe clearly called for more efficient and swift decision-making;
Amendment 38 #
2022/2142(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Urges the Swedish and upcoming Spanish and Belgian Council Presidencyies to follow up on the Czech initiative in an effective way by putting the use of the passerelle clauses in the field of the CFSP on the agenda and decide on its activation without delay and certainly by the end of this parliamentary term;
Amendment 8 #
2022/2090(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the EEAS’s efforts to ensure gender balance also in higher grades in Headquarters and EU delegations, particularly the appointment of the EEAS Ambassador for Gender and Diversity and the #NoWomenNoEUDiplomacy initiative;
Amendment 13 #
2022/2090(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Deplores the remaining lack of diversity, gender and geographical imbalances within the EEAS staff and the slow improvement in those matters; reiterates the importance of ensuring an intersectional distribution, greater diversity, and gender equality, as well as promoting a balance of staff in terms of gender and geographical origin within different categories and grades, particularly at senior management levels; calls on the EEAS to significantly improve the representation of women and marginalised groups across all levels and calls on all Member States to nominate more women and candidates from marginalised groups to seconded positions in the EEAS; draws attention to the remaining overrepresentation of some Member States’ diplomats among the Heads of Delegation and calls for further efforts to address those imbalances; encourages the EEAS to create and share guidelines on best practices on the conducting of recruitment procedures in order to ensure diversity, openness, fairness and transparency;
Amendment 20 #
2022/2090(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Encourages EU delegations to engage with local actors, civil society organisations and social partners in third countries to stimulate social dialogue. and dialogue about rule of law, fundamental rights and fight against corruption;
Amendment 22 #
2022/2090(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Acknowledges the EEAS’s efforts on fight against disinformation and foreign interference, welcomes that EEAS strengthened its international cooperation with Member States, Union institutions and the NATO in this regard; is strongly of the opinion that EEAS should not only highlight the disinformation coming from third countries but also reveal sources which are distributing the same or similar style disinformation within the Union as well.
Amendment 4 #
2022/2081(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Regrets that according to ECA Special Report No 01/2022, EUR 700 million in financial support for the improvement of the rule of law in the Western Balkans provided by the EU between 2014 and 2020 had little impact on fundamental reforms; calls on the Commission to send clear signals to those candidate countries in which a backlash against rule of law standards - including limitations on the freedom of expression, the freedom of press, women’s and minority rights, the harassment of NGOs and human rights defenders - is jeopardising or delaying their accession to the EU; invites the Commission to examine the efficiency of the funds spent on the improvement of the state of the Rule of Law in the accession countries and report back to the AFET and CONT committees;
Amendment 6 #
2022/2081(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Is strongly of the opinion that the financial interest of the EU should be protected within the EU and outside the EU equally, therefore considers that the Commission should put more emphasis on the funds spent in non-EU countries in order to verify that those funds are spent in accordance with European rules and without the involvement of fraud or corruption, and to confirm whether they contribute to the goals of the Union’s development and external policy; recommends sanctions and suspension of budgetary support in non-EU countries where national authorities manifestly fail to take genuine action against widespread corruption, while ensuring that the assistance reaches the civil population through alternative channels;
Amendment 7 #
2022/2081(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that in 2021 the Parliament broadly agreed with the use of the NDICI budgetary cushion for the political priorities pursued, particularly as regards the support to fight the pandemic; recalls that the financial package for refugees from Syria cannot be considered as responding to unforeseen circumstances; insists that any funding from the emergency cushion for that purpose should be limitedremains a pressing need which could have been anticipated; insists that any funding from the emergency cushion should be primarily used for unforeseen circumstances; ensures sufficient resources for the funding of the financial package for refugees from Syria;
Amendment 35 #
2022/2081(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Underlines the increasing need to ensure the transparency of NGOs and of their funding, as they are important actors in the implementation of the Union budget, especially in the area of external action; is concerned by the funding of projects carried out by or involving NGOs with links to radical religious and political organisations, such as the Muslim Brotherhood; urges the Commission to set up ex ante mechanisms clearly identifying NGOs operating on EU territory and abroad that have acknowledged ties to religious fundamentalist networks and push forward an agenda that is undermining EU values, such as the freedom of thought, the freedom of speech and equality between men and women, under the disguise of for instance promoting inclusion, fighting discrimination and providing humanitarian assistance; demands the Commission to re-evaluate its identification of entities as NGOs, improving the reliability of information (making sure to have them registered as lobbyists, having clearly established whether they stand for the topics they claim they represent, and having insight into their financing); demands the disclosure of their financing be it private (e.g. NGOs financed by the industrial actors) or public; recalls that as regards public funding, the Union basic acts regulate how transparency and visibility in this regard need to be handled, therefore reminds the Commission about the responsibility it has to check the compliance with rules and procedures, especially rules and procedures on sub- granting to NGOs; moreover, demands that the Commission provides the discharge authority with clear information about the total amount of Union funds implemented by NGOs;
Amendment 1 #
2022/2079(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines that the EU’s defence sector is fragmented, which creates strategic vulnerabilities for the Union, Member States and industry; is concerned about the lack of cooNotes that in the face of the significant increase of threats in an increasingly destabilised geopolitical order, the EU must act more strongly to reduce its critical dependencies from the rest of the world; considers that critical technologies should be considered as one of the European Security priorities; underlines that the EU’s defence sector suffers from strategic external dependencies that create vulnerabilities for the Union, Member States and the European Defence Technological and industrial base (ETDIB); recalls the importance of the European Defence fund (EDF) and the Horizon programme as regard ination and calls for more strategic cohesion in security and defence policies at Union levelvestment on critical technologies, and calls for a revision of the MFF in order to increase its budget; welcomes, in this context, the Commission’s launch of the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act (EDIRPA) and encourages the Commission and Member States to take this initiative a step further and strive towards a de facto military union supported by a strongly articulated common market for defence equipment, followed by a review of the Treaties for more EU competences on critical technologies for defence, innovation in defence, and security and defence affairs; is concerned about the lack of coordination and calls for more strategic cohesion in security and defence policies at Union level;
Amendment 13 #
2022/2079(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Calls on the Commission to encourage Member States to make full use of common procurement and common R&D projects, particularly within the framework of the European Defence Agency, as a tool for exploiting synergies in the EU defence sector and providing the necessary competitiveness and technological edge in arms and equipment production;
Amendment 20 #
2022/2079(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the relevant EU bodies to consolidate EU cooperative frameworks for developing cutting-edge military technologies, equipment and capabilities and for EU-level legislation to coordinate Member States’ strategies for critical technologies and to reduce dependencies, while maintaining a competitive internal and global market for the EU defence sector and companies;
Amendment 27 #
2022/2079(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the EU to agree on a common definition of what are “critical technologies”, and to agree on a list on main critical domains, as well as to decide on domains where EU action is a priority; calls on the EDA to include the notion of critical technologies in its annual CARD exercise; calls on the Commission to encourage Member States to review all defence programmes and policy tools, check if they are still fit for purpose, and summarise findings and share them with all other Member States when possible and relevant; suggests that the European Defence Agency can provide light touch support and coordination suggestions, including a strategic assessment of the findings;
Amendment 31 #
2022/2079(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission to encourage Member States to review all defence programmes and policy tools, check if they are still fit for purpose, and summarise findings; suggests that the European Defence Agency can provide light touch support and coordination suggestions, including a strategic assessment of the findings and present solutions to support common R&;D and procurement projects, especially with regard to ammunition;
Amendment 39 #
2022/2079(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for a more pragmatic and business-oriented approach to military research in order to provide incentives for innovation in military technology, including by reducing or removing barriers to entry into the defence market, while preserving and enhancing the necessary levels of standardisation and interoperability; further calls for increased support for European companies in emerging technologies to ensure they remain competitive in international markets by relaxing the rules on compliance documentation and by providing tax incentives and stimulating investments;
Amendment 50 #
2022/2079(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines the need to stimulate the development of skills for innovation, EU financially supported training programmes, research and development (R&D), and fundamental research in critical areas related to emerging technologies; calls on the Commission to encourage Member States to establish and fund defence innovation hubs;
Amendment 61 #
2022/2079(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is concerned about the EU’s dependence on China for raw materaw material, in particular from some non-democratic countries and strategic rivals andsuch as China, calls on Member States to reduce their vulnerabilities resulting from dependence on non-democratic suppliers of critical technologies and materials, and to enhance defence production chains in Europe by localising or near-shoring production; recalls that any dependence on critical technologies may lead to increased risks of blackmail on the CFSP and CSDP;
Amendment 69 #
2022/2079(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Expresses its support for the Observatory of Critical Technologies; calls for it to be further developed and for its analysis capabilities, including on reducing strategic dependencies, to be enhanced; calls on the Commission to implement a project to continuously map the need for critical materials, evaluate the EU’s strategic dependencies, monitor supply and demand and changes in the behaviour or strategy of competitors, and engage in foresight exercises to predict new needs in critical materials; considers that these efforts should be made jointly with our strategic partners in NATO, when necessary, and included in a Trade and Technology Council (TTC) working group in order to coordinate diplomatic efforts to secure supplies and ensure alternative sources; recalls the need to screen any foreign direct investment in European companies in defence-related emerging technologies to avoid economic dependence and limit the risk of espionage and sabotage on EU critical infrastructure downstream;
Amendment 78 #
2022/2079(INI)
8. Calls for military and strategic interoperability between the EU and like- minded partners and NATO, and among Member States, to be ensured, given that the risk of fragmentation is exacerbated by different national requirements and national public spending and investment and procurement schemeswithout the EU at risk of any strategic dependency;
Amendment 86 #
2022/2079(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Commission to work on a plan and investment scheme to update and strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure, such as nuclear power plants, electricity grids, water and food supply and telecommunications infrastructure (undersea cables), for the digital age, including by adapting it to AI- assisted drone supervision and maintenance; subsequently calls for the elaboration of an EU R&D and manufacturing strategy for advanced drones;
Amendment 12 #
2022/2078(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. Recognising that current and future space-based capabilities and services will enhance the operational capacity of Member States and the EU for both dual-use purposes and the implementation of common security and defence policies, as well as other Union's policies in areas such as external action, border management, protection of critical assets, crisis or humanitarian aid;
Amendment 26 #
2022/2078(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas the development of “New Space” private space capabilities constitutes opportunities of innovation in cooperation with Member States but also challenges; whereas such private capabilities have been used in the context of the illegal war of aggression of Russia against Ukraine, for example when Starlink suspended the services it was providing to Ukraine;
Amendment 32 #
2022/2078(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the deliberate creation of debris fields by malicious actors, using anti-satellite missiles, can lead to collisional cascading (Kessler syndrome), preventing safe access to space; whereas such actions constitute a type of hybrid warfare;
Amendment 34 #
2022/2078(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas threats of that kind also have major humanitarian and crisis management effects, as those capacities are often used to assist people affected by emergencies (natural disasters or armed conflicts), as well as to monitor climate change effects (wildfire, sea currents, crops);
Amendment 45 #
2022/2078(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that the upsurge in risks and threats in space and on space systems, either ground- (ground stations, launchers) or space-based (satellites), is good reason to bolster the resilience of space infrastructure, systems and services;
Amendment 63 #
2022/2078(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for the regulatory and capacity resources for space traffic management to be boosted with the aim of better protecting the EU’s infrastructure in orbit; calls on theinsists on the fact that the EU should not rely on third-party space surveillance systems; calls therefore on the European Union and its Member States to consolidatestrengthen their efforts in the field of space surveillance and the tracking of objects in an effort to reducing the risk of collision;
Amendment 68 #
2022/2078(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Regrets the Union's heavy dependence on third countries for space surveillance and tracking (SST) data; urges for increased investments by the Commission and Member States in SST detection capacities to support the development of a more extensive European database, in cooperation with EUSST consortium; calls for a participation of all EU Member States to the EUSST consortium; highlights the need to develop a European market of SST data; recalls the role that the SST Front Desk operated by EUSPA is a good foundation for space traffic management development and operations;
Amendment 71 #
2022/2078(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 f (new)
Paragraph 5 f (new)
5f. Highlights the crucial role of the Galileo Public Regulated Service (PRS) and emphasises the need for its continued development in subsequent generations to effectively address evolving threats;
Amendment 83 #
2022/2078(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Takes the view that, with a view to maintaining continuity of service if an incident takes place, protective measures should be made more robust by systematically integrating cybersecurity requirements by design and throughout the lifespan of existing components; recalls that, in order to prevent long-term effects of any temporary or permanent degraded access to space, it is necessary to maintain autonomous ground-systems such as inertial navigation systems;
Amendment 90 #
2022/2078(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses that capacity for autonomous access to space is an essential element of European space policy; takes the view, therefore, that a special, synergy- based effort must be made to further the long-term production of European launchers; calls on the Union and the Member States to apply the principle of "European preference" when choosing launchers;
Amendment 101 #
2022/2078(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 f (new)
Paragraph 8 f (new)
8f. Calls for a drastic change in European launcher policy to ensure that this situation never occurs again; calls on the European Commission to develop a comprehensive strategy for the Union launcher policy that prioritises autonomous access to space, redundancy, reuse and scalability, covering all types of missions, orbits, and types of payload, and to rely on the technical expertise of the European Space Agency; highlights the importance of both competitiveness and European preference, in order to assure the economic sustainability of the European launch sector;
Amendment 110 #
2022/2078(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that space domain awareness (SDA) is essential to attributing a threat and enabling Member States to take appropriate decisions in the event of a space attack; recalls that any response to an attack must be proportionate to its nature, from non-kinetic to kinetic action, and reversibility (permanent or temporary); encourages the Member States to supply the information needed to attribute hostile behaviour, for which secure, robust and reliable communication and exchange capabilities at EU level will need to be established;
Amendment 127 #
2022/2078(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls for the EU to adopt a genuine industrial policy and to be able to draw upon a competitive industry; takes the view that EU support to enable Member States to develop their capacity must primarily benefit European industrial players (both long-established groups and innovative SMEs); supports, at the same time, heavy investment in key technologies, including in disruptive space technologies, with the aim of reducing strategic dependence on third countries;
Amendment 131 #
2022/2078(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Regrets the lack of ambition from the Commission regarding the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform, which could have greatly benefited from investment in space activities; emphasises the importance of investment to foster the development of strategic European capabilities in space;
Amendment 134 #
2022/2078(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Amendment 135 #
2022/2078(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 c (new)
Paragraph 13 c (new)
13c. Highlights the underutilisation of data provided by the EU components of the space program; calls for an improved utilisation of EU space data and services by public authorities, particularly in the field of security and defence; advocates for a European preference in the selection of space data and services by public authorities;
Amendment 152 #
2022/2078(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Highlights the fragmentation of competences in the EU approach to space and defence, with competences split between the Commission, the EEAS, the EUMC, the EUMS, the EUSPA, national defence authorities, national space agencies, the EU Sat Centre, the EDA, and other non-EU bodies such as ESA; Calls the Commission and the Council to reflect on a more integrated and clear governance for the competences related to space and defence, in order to avoid duplication;
Amendment 156 #
2022/2078(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Is concerned by situations where the decision to allow or suspend the use of satellite communication networks is left to private companies and their impact on the conduct of military operations, considering the increasing role that "New Space" private space companies play; calls for the establishment of specific measures to ensure that private space companies providing a service are considered, in times of crisis, as private entities with a public service mission in order to prevent any suspension or degraded access to space services, in particular satellite communication;
Amendment 161 #
2022/2078(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Stresses that changes to Copernicus services to enable it to meet defence requirementWelcomes the reflexion set out in the strategy for new governmental earth observation capacities and services; highlights that only few Member States have advanced capabilities in this field; is of the opinion that these new services could benefit all Member States and the EU, in particular by mutualising investments and capacities in this strategic area; stresses that changes these new governmental earth observation services should be subject to appropriate governance closely involving the European Union Satellite Centre (SatCen); recognises the essential role of SatCen as a single collective geospatial intelligence capability that lends weight to the EU’s and its Member States’ capacity to take autonomous decisions and action; recalls the need to make use of EU Agencies' expertise in the security accreditation, monitoring and contract implementation in this regard;
Amendment 162 #
2022/2078(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Stresses the importance of ensuring coherence and further develop Permanent European Structured Cooperation (PESCO) projects in the field of governmental imagery, space-based missile early warning, military PNT, defence of space assets; is attentive to the delivery in time of PESCO capability projects related to space;
Amendment 24 #
2022/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)
Citation 12 a (new)
— having regard to the 2022 Court of Auditors report on EU support for the rule of law in the Western Balkans which concluded that EU support has only delivered limited results and that a key reason for this is the insufficient domestic political will to drive the necessary reforms,
Amendment 36 #
2022/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas enlargement is the most effective EU foreign policy instrument and one of the Union’s most successful policies, and it remainsa very powerful policy instrument and a strategic investment in stability and prosperity on the European continent;
Amendment 45 #
2022/2064(INI)
A a. whereas negotiations for accession should be more than a political and an administrative process, as they amount to a civilisation choice and as such they entail the progressive transfer and reinforcement of EU values and policies in candidate countries;
Amendment 51 #
2022/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
A b. whereas in parallel with the accession negotiations leading to the next enlargement wave, the functioning of the European institutions, as well as the main policies of the EU and mainly the common agriculture policy and the cohesion policy should be revised to make them more efficient and less burdensome;
Amendment 61 #
2022/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the actions and results of the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement cast a shadow on the credibility of the Commission and the EU as a honest broker in the neighbourhood and accession countries;
Amendment 84 #
2022/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine received candidacy status following the European Council Summit on 23 June 2022;
Amendment 121 #
2022/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
Paragraph 1 – point a
(a) recognise that the EU’s prosperity and security rests on its ability to defend democracy, the rule of law, human rights and freedoms, and the rules- based multilateral order;
Amendment 162 #
2022/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e
Paragraph 1 – point e
(e) strengthen Member States’ commitment to enlargement by delivering on EU’s obligationsa common EU approach towards the Western Balkan countries;
Amendment 178 #
2022/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
Paragraph 1 – point f
(f) avoid usingdopt an official mechanism allowing the arbitration of unresolved bilateral disputes toin order to avoid that these conflicts block candidate countries’ accession processes;
Amendment 255 #
2022/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point m a (new)
(m a) multiply exchanges to promote best-practices between MS and candidate countries;
Amendment 259 #
2022/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n
Paragraph 1 – point n
(n) recognise Western Balkan countries’ achievements by opening long over-due accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia and granting visa liberalisation to Kosovo without delay;
Amendment 261 #
2022/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n
Paragraph 1 – point n
(n) recognise Western Balkan countries’ achievements by organizing the first inter-governmental conference with the Republics of Albania and North Macedonia, thus opening long over-due accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia and granting visa liberalisation to Kosovo without delay;
Amendment 317 #
2022/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point s
Paragraph 1 – point s
(s) prioritise the alignment of accession countries with the EU’s common foreign and security policy and continue accession negotiations with Serbia only if the country aligns with EU sanctions against Russia and shows progress in democracy, rule-of-law and embraces EU values and priorities;
Amendment 346 #
2022/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v
Paragraph 1 – point v
(v) bringconfirm the central role of democratic transformation and the rule of law back to the very centre of the EU accession processin the accession negotiations as foreseen in the Renewed consensus on enlargement since 2006, prioritising judicial independence, the fight against corruption and organised crime, good governance, human rights, fundamental freedoms and media freedom;
Amendment 360 #
2022/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point v a (new)
(v a) recalls the European Commissioners' obligation of integrity, discretion and independence in compliance with the code of conduct for the Members of the Commission and therefore calls on the Commission to assess the actions of Commissioner Varhelyi in this light;
Amendment 382 #
2022/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point z
Paragraph 1 – point z
(z) formally assess accession countries under the EU’s rule of law mechanism and reporting, and the EU Justice Scoreboard, using the same working methods as for Member States, with the aim of preventing a persistent lack of progress, serious deficiencies and regression and calls on the Commission to draft Rule of Law Reports on the accession countries in the years before full membership rights are granted;
Amendment 385 #
2022/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point z a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point z a (new)
(z a) Invites the Commission to set up a dedicated Rule of Law Task Force, tasked with developing more substantial and more effective support to candidate and potential candidate countries, with the active involvement of judges and prosecutors from the Member States;
Amendment 400 #
2022/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ac
Paragraph 1 – point ac
(ac) uphold democratic accountability and enhance the parliamentary dimension of the accession process, encourage the organization of bilateral parliamentary meetings between parliaments of Member States and those of accession countries;
Amendment 405 #
2022/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ac a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point ac a (new)
(ac a) Consider methods to invite observers from the candidate countries at an earlier stage to sit in the European Parliament and possibly after concluding the first cluster of accession negotiations;
Amendment 408 #
2022/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ad a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point ad a (new)
(ad a) Underlines the direct link between the rule of law and fighting corruption and sustainable and equitable economic development;
Amendment 430 #
2022/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point af
Paragraph 1 – point af
(af) step up citizen participation and the involvement of civil society in the enlargement process and invest in the youth and intraregional mobility; by increasing funding allocated to the civil society and invest in the youth and intraregional mobility by increasing the budget of the Erasmus+ programme and adopt a 14 years transition period after accession in which civil society organisations from these countries are still able to apply for EU financial support;
Amendment 444 #
2022/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ag a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point ag a (new)
(ag a) include candidate countries in our energy policy strategies, especially Moldova and Ukraine gravely dependent on Russian gas and hugely impacted because of their choice to join the European Union.
Amendment 21 #
2022/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas the EIB eligibility list currently excludes equipment and infrastructure for military use; whereas investments for dual use are not excluded1a; _________________ 1a https://www.eib.org/en/publications/eib- eligibility-excluded-activities-and- excluded-sectors-list
Amendment 59 #
2022/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 c (new)
Paragraph 10 c (new)
10 c. Regrets the exclusion of ammunition, weapons, equipment and infrastructure for military use from the list of eligible investments, given that investment in these areas is critical in order to sustain European security; considers that any military product is not unethical in and of itself and that its use should always be aligned with international law; calls on the EIB to include investments in defence products and activities in its eligibility list;
Amendment 39 #
2022/2051(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Calls for the main citizens’ recommendations in the field of foreign and security policy, notably the need to switch to more efficient decision-making, through the use of qualified majority voting (QMV) instead of unanimity, and the need to improve the Union’s methods to impose sanctions, to be incorporated in a Treaty change; underlines that switching to QMV will ensure that the EU - instead of going with the lowest common denominator - acts quicker and more deliberate and will also shield the EU from third-country pressure and divide- and-rule tactics; stresses that this will help the EU develop into a credible geopolitical power, increase the effectiveness of its external action and hence will also strengthen the influence of Member States in an unstable, rapidly changing and increasingly multipolar world; recalls that Article 31(2) TEU, which is designed to ensure that no Member State could be imposed a decision on issues vital to its national interests if QMV were to be used in CFSP, would remain applicable;
Amendment 63 #
2022/2051(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for an amendment of Article 42 TEU that would allow switching to reinforced QMV, requiring 72% of Council members representing at least 65% of population, for decisions with military implications, with the exception of decisions creating military missions or operations with an executive mandate under the CSDP, for which unanimity must still be required;
Amendment 74 #
2022/2051(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines the need to strengthen the role of the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and to ensure that the Union speaks with one voice, as requested by the citizens of the Union in the Conference on the Future of Europe; points out that his can be done through a Treaty change that would name the Vice-President/High Representative a foreign minister of the Union, would make him or her the main external representative of the Union in international fora and would allow him or her to be present ex-officio in negotiating formats initiated or led by the Member States;
Amendment 110 #
2022/2051(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. CWelcomes the Commission proposal for a regulation allowing the joint purchase of defence equipment (Edirpa); calls for the introduction of provisions in Articles 42 and 46 TEU enabling the joint procurement of defence equipment andconsolidating this possibility and enabling other security-related spending from the budget of the Union as well as the establishment of joint military units and command structures; calls for the extension of the possibilities for financing common military expenditure from the EU budget in order to allow a proper parliamentary budgetary control;
Amendment 118 #
2022/2051(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Calls for the establishment of new formats of cooperation and discussion, such as a European Security Council and for the formalisation of an EU Council of Defence Ministers; believes that such new formats are particularly relevant in an increasingly unstable world and following Russia's illegal war in Ukraine which has affected Europe's security significantly; calls furthermore for the establishment of a fully-fledged Security and Defence Committee in Parliament;
Amendment 121 #
2022/2051(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Calls for the transformation of The Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) into a common EU policy with an opt-out option, thus allowing the European Parliament to exercise genuine budgetary control;
Amendment 126 #
2022/2051(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the Council to convene a specific ad-hoc working group to reflect on possible Treaty changes, with a view to convening a convention composed of representatives of the national parliaments, the Heads of State or Government of the Member States, the European Parliament and the Commission to propose possible Treaty changes.
Amendment 1 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
Citation 2 a (new)
— having regard to the Charter of the United Nations, in particular its article 2.4 prohibiting the use of force and article 51 on the inherent right to individual and collective self-defence,
Amendment 33 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 54 a (new)
Citation 54 a (new)
— having regard to its recommendation of 9 March 2022 on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation,
Amendment 39 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas Europe is facing the most complex combination of both military and non-military threats since the end of the Cold War accentuated by; whereas Russia’'s unjustified and illegal war against Ukrainprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine has shown that robust military capacities are necessary to defend peace and freedom in Europe; whereas this requires the EU to enhance the effectiveness of its foreign, security and defence policy to defend its interests and values; whereas the Strategic Compass aims to equip the EU with the necessary tools to make it an effective security provider and an assertive global actor; whereas there is a new urgency to boosting EU security and defence capabilities, including building on the unprecedented support for Ukraine and including the use of the EPF;
Amendment 42 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas Europe is facing the most complex combination of both military and non-military threats since the end of the Cold War accentuated by Russia’s unjustifiprovoked and illegal war against Ukrainemilitary aggression against Ukraine; whereas such non-military means include disinformation, cyberattacks, economic pressure, food and energy blackmailing, instrumentalisation of migration, and subversive political influence that tend to seek support to illegitimate military operations; whereas this requires the EU to enhance the effectiveness of its security and defence policy to defend its interests and values; whereas the Strategic Compass aims to equip the EU with the necessary tools to make it an effective security provider and an assertive global actor; whereas there is a new urgency to boosting EU security and defence capabilities, including building on the unprecedented support for Ukraine and including the use of the EPF;
Amendment 50 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas the Russian invasion of Ukraine is an attack against the rules- based international order; whereas this war of aggression is an attack to the European security architecture that was built after the Second World War and the end of the Cold War to which Russia was a party; whereas Russia’s persistent attempts to create instability in the Union and to undermine the European security architecture demands that the Union substantially enhance the cohesion and effectiveness of its foreign, security and defence policy as well as its strategic sovereignty; whereas, on 21 September, the Russian occupation authorities of Russian-occupied Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson announced referendums to join the Russian Federation, in a blatant violation of international law; whereas the EU strongly condemned it; whereas President Vladimir Putin announced a so- called partial mobilisation and threatened Ukraine and its allies with nuclear war on 22 September;
Amendment 51 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
A b. whereas Russia has repeatedly threatened Ukraine as well as NATO and EU Member States with nuclear war;
Amendment 52 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas Russia’s hybrid aggression makes it necessary to design the defence of a free Europe in a comprehensive and multifaceted manner incorporating all critical areas, from the improvement of traditional military capacities, to the protection of critical civilian infrastructure, supply chains and energy facilities, as well as the active fight against disinformation and cybersecurity threats;
Amendment 54 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)
Recital A d (new)
A d. whereas any deliberate disruption of active European energy infrastructure is unacceptable and should lead to the strongest possible response;
Amendment 62 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas industrial fragmentation and inefficiency in developing European military capability costs between EUR 25 and EUR 100 billion each year; whereas Member States only procured some 11 % of their total equipment collaboratively in 2020; whereas the Member States have agreed on more and better defence spending;
Amendment 68 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the European Commission and the EEAS have proposed the establishment of the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act (EDIRPA), an EU short-term instrument aimed at incentivising joint procurement to fill our most critical needs; whereas it will be backed by 500 million EUR from the EU budget on top of MS own investments; whereas by the third quarter 2022, the Commission will put forward a Regulation establishing a European Defence Investment Programme (EDIP) setting conditions for Member States to jointly procure while benefitting from VAT exemption and EU financial support;
Amendment 74 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas CSDP has 11 civilian missions and 7 military operations under way with around 5 000 personnel deployed on three continents; whereas total personnel deployed by the Member States has steadily declined in recent years, and missions and operations persistently suffer from Member States not delivering on their pledges to provide sufficient military or civilian personnel; whereas CSDP missions and operations suffer from slow decision making process and excessive micro-management from the Council, as well as from insufficient coordination between training activities and providing of military equipment to partners;
Amendment 78 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas EU CSDP missions and operations are often targeted by hybrid threats, including disinformation, putting at risk their effectiveness in stabilising the country in which they are deployed and, instead, reinforcing pre-existing instability whose only beneficiaries are malicious third states;
Amendment 81 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)
Recital C c (new)
Amendment 84 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
C b. whereas Russia’s influence in Africa has developed, in particular due to an increased footprint of the Wagner group on the continent; whereas Wagner has been gaining a strong foothold in countries like Mali and the Central African Republic; whereas the regions in which Wagner is present are subject to rampant human rights abuses, plundering of resources; whereas all this is done in all impunity; whereas in Mali, it is reinforced by the non-cooperative stance of authorities towards Western partners (including EUTM Mali), regional organisations as well as MINUSMA; whereas the EU has responded firmly to these developments and excludes all cooperation with Wagner or other mercenaries; whereas in both CAR and Mali, the mandates of CSDP missions have been adapted accordingly;
Amendment 85 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C d (new)
Recital C d (new)
C d. whereas cultural heritage has a universal dimension as a testimony of history inseparable from peoples’ identity, which the international community has to protect and preserve for future generations; whereas cultural diversity plays an important role in the promotion of conflict prevention, reconciliation and counter-extremism;
Amendment 90 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas security and defence partnerships are essential instruments in supporting the EU’s ambition to be a global actor; whereas EU-NATO cooperation and other partnerships such as with the UN, the United States, the United Kingdom,African Union and certain Eastern Partnership (EaP) and Western Balkan countries constitute an integral pillar of the CSDP;
Amendment 104 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights the dramatic deterioration in European security accelerated by Russia’s unjustified and illegal warprovoked military aggression against Ukraine; stresses that this situation demands that the EU step up its strategic sovereignty and defence capacities and show greater willingness to act in order to deliver the security expected by the EU’s citizens; underlines the unprecedented and united EU response to Russia’s war against Ukraine, including the provision of military equipment through the EPF; remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s defence of its territorial integrity and sovereignty; calls on the EU to sustain its efforts and provide Ukraine with all necessary financial, humanitarian and military aid; strongly supports the creation of a training mission in support of the Ukrainian army;
Amendment 123 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the need for solidarity among Member States, especially with those whose geographical position leaves them directly exposed to imminent threats and challenges; fully supports efforts to operationalize article 42.7 in this respect;
Amendment 130 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Stresses that the enforcement of restrictive measures against Russia remains one of the key elements in the Union's toolbox for countering Russian military aggression against Ukraine; welcomes the Commission's eighth package of restrictive measures in response to the illegal referenda organised in the Russian occupied territories, the mobilisation and Putin's threat to use nuclear weapons;
Amendment 138 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes new EU initiatives to enhance defence, notably the Versailles Declaration, the Strategic Compass and Joint Communication on defence investment gaps; welcomes the Commission’s proposal for a regulation to incentivise joint procurement while stressing the need for budgetary resources that genuinely meet the ambitious goals set; welcomes the upcoming review of the European defence investment programme regulation, the budget of which should be significantly increased as well; therefore, calls for a swift revision of the MFF, in order to allocate the adequate budget to all European Defence instruments, notably the European Defence Fund, Military Mobility, the future EDIRPA and EDIP, given the consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on European and global security;
Amendment 140 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes new EU initiatives to enhance defence, notably the Versailles Declaration, the Strategic Compass and Joint Communication on defence investment gaps; welcomes the Commission’s proposal for a regulation to incentivise joint procurement while stressing the need for budgetary resources that genuinely meet the ambitious goals set; welcomes the upcoming review of the European defence investment programme regulation, the budget of which should be significantly increased as well; highlights the need to increase funding opportunities of the European defence industry and urges the European Investment Bank to remove military equipment from the list of excluded activities;
Amendment 154 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the new ambition in the Strategic Compass to provide the Union with a vision, a common strategic defence culture and the tools to be an effective security provider in a hostile environment, as well as to enhance the CSDP to build resilience and make it more capable and responsive, so it can act rapidly to defend our interests and values and protect the EU and its citizens; considers the Strategic Compass a major step towards a genuine European Defence Union enabling the EU to act as a credible partner; calls for the timely and sound implementation of the approximately 80 concrete actions and for them to be updated regularly along with the EU Threat Analysis; calls for the sustained political will of all Member States and EU institutions in this process;; therefore calls on Member States to engage in systematic, regular and frequent updates of the threat analysis; stresses that this threat analysis will strengthen the Union’s strategic culture and provide guidance on prioritising policy objectives in the field of security and defence, as set up in the strategic compass; recalls that the Strategic Compass must be a dynamic process, which must be regularly updated and adapted on the basis of the common threat analysis;
Amendment 165 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Considers it necessary to establish a regular EU Defence Ministers Council;
Amendment 168 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses the need to substantially strengthen the society-wide focus on resilience and the response to hybrid warfare; welcomes the decision to develop an EU Hybrid Toolbox for a coordinated response to hybrid threats; encourages further development of the EU’s cyber- defence policy and capabilities; cyber-defence policy and capabilities; underlines that the EU institutions, bodies, agencies, delegations, mission and operations networks, buildings and staff area target for all types of hybrid threats and attacks by foreign state actors and should, therefore, be properly protected, paying special attention to the EEAS’s assets, premises and activities abroad and the safety of EU staff delegated to non- democratic countries with repressive regimes; reiterates the urgent need for European institutions, agencies and other bodies to develop their strategic communication capabilities, to equip themselves with secure communication systems and a rapid reaction capacity to attacks, and to greatly increase their resilience;
Amendment 174 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses the need to substantially strengthen the society-wide focus on resilience and the response to hybrid warfare; welcomes the decision to develop an EU Hybrid Toolbox for a coordinated response to hybrid threats; encouragesstresses the need to further development of the EU’s cyber- defence policy and capabilities;
Amendment 194 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on Member States to assess the reform of the decision-making process with a view to realising untapped potential within the Treaties, in particular by activating Article 31 TEU extending qualified majority voting (QMV) to areas relating to the CSDP and pursuing full use of the ‘passerelle clauses’ and scope of articles that enhance EU solidarity and mutual assistance in the event of crises; proposes changes to the Treaties in the CSDP, to be discussed and decided upon within a convention following up on the Conference on the Future of Europe, primarily focusing on switching from unanimity to QMV for Council decisions with military implications and on defence matters for situations where passerelle clauses do not apply, only in the case of the dispatch of military equipment or CSDP missions that do not involve an executive mandate;
Amendment 205 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Amendment 214 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the EU’s ambition to strengthen its military and civilian capabilities; stresses the need to make full use of EU capability-development initiatives and budgets, notably the EDIRPA, EDF, PESCO, the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) and Military Mobility, in order to fill critical capability gaps, restore the readiness of our forces and replenish depleted stocks, reduce fragmentation in the defence-procurement sector, achieve full interoperability of our forces and strengthen a resilient, competitive and innovative European defence technological and industrial base; calls for ensuring maximum consistency between these initiatives;
Amendment 218 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the EU’s ambition to strengthen its military and civilian capabilities; stresses the need to make full use of EU capability-development initiatives and budgets, notably the EDIRPA, EDF, PESCO, the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) and Military Mobility, in order to fill critical capability gaps, reduce fragmentation in the defence-procurement sector, achieve full interoperability of our forces and strengthen, strengthen the supply chain security of the European defence industry by excluding risky vendors from third countries with an offensive intelligence and IP theft programme against the Union and its Member States, to contribute to a resilient, competitive and innovative European defence technological and industrial base; calls for ensuring maximum consistency between these initiatives;
Amendment 232 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. CBuilding on the EDF model, considers it importantcrucial to fill the identified defence investment gaps such as replenishing stockpiles, replacing Soviet- era systems, reinforcing air and missile defence systems, expanding existing main battle tank capabilities and armoured vehicles, strengthening naval forces and improving satellite-based secure connectivity; strongly calls on Member States to commit to a significant increase in funding for EU procurement mechanisms such as the EDIRPA and the EDIP and to take swift and thorough action in this crucial field; welcomes the proposed regulation of EDIRPA, calls on the Member States to adopt it as soon as possible under the terms and conditions proposed by the Commission and the EEAS; calls on the Council to provide it with the proposed financial amount; considers that the rules applicable to EDIRPA should be similar to those adopted for the European Defence Fund, which have proved their worth, particularly as regards the involvement of third countries; recalls that the financial support provided for by EDIRPA and the future EDIP should benefit European industry as a matter of priority; calls on the Member States to work on a "Buy European Act" in the field of defence; considers that the VAT exemption alone will not be sufficient to make the future EDIP decisive in supporting the EDTIB; calls on the EC to consider other financial incentive mechanisms;
Amendment 234 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Considers it important to fill the identified defence investment gaps such as replenishing stockpiles, replacing Soviet- era systems, reinforcing air and missile defence systems towards a mature European-wide anti-ballistic missile shield, expanding existing main battle tank capabilities and armoured vehicles, strengthening naval forces and improving satellite-based secure connectivityEurope's ship-building capacity and naval forces, intensifying coastguard cooperation to counter hybrid threats against offshore cables and pipelines that are vital to Europe's energy and connectivity security, improving satellite-based secure connectivity and investing in industry partnerships that contribute to a stronger European cyber defence ecosystem; strongly calls on Member States to commit to a significant increase in funding for EU procurement mechanisms and to take swift and thorough action in this crucial field;
Amendment 244 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Deplores the fact that Member States are still not making full use of the PESCO framework and that, despite political declarations, progress in implementing the initiative remains far below expectations, particularly in terms of meeting commitments; is concerned that a very limited number of PESCO projects have reached the maturity phase and even a smaller number of projects have reached a full operational capacity; calls on the HR/VP and the Member States to draw the necessary consequences by deciding to merge, regroup or even abandon projects that are insufficiently advanced and to redirect efforts towards a small number of priority projects intended to lead to concrete actions as stated in the Strategic Compass, also given the changing security environment; deplores that the Parliament isn’t in a situation to exercise proper scrutiny of PESCO projects ; considers that at a stage when 25out of 27 Member States participate in PESCO, the mechanism should be turned into a fully EU initiative keeping the possibility of opt outs for non-interested member states, and enjoy full scrutiny from the Parliament;
Amendment 246 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. stresses that any additional resources allocated to meet the target of spending 2% of GDP on defence should be used in a coordinated and cooperative manner, making full use of EU defence instruments to overcome capability shortfalls and strengthen European defence;
Amendment 252 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Underlines the need for much more support for EU research and development, development and production in high-tech defence systems that would otherwise be too expensive for individual Member States, such as ballistic and hypersonic missile defence systems or advanced electronic warfare capabilities, to ensure that the defence industrial and technological base is able to remain competitive, meet increasing demands and ambitions, and to reduce reliance on foreign parties;
Amendment 270 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Calls for strengthening the resilience of our supply chains and industries’ access to private funding as they are necessary for our European Defence Technological and Industrial Base; calls on the European Investment Bank to take stock of the recent major geopolitical changes and to use all its tools to contribute to that effort, including by revising its rules; considers it is equally important to ensure that horizontal EU policies, such as initiatives on sustainable finance, remain consistent with the European Union efforts to facilitate the European defence industry’s sufficient access to public and private finance and investment;
Amendment 276 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses the need to significantly raise the ceiling of the EPF and create a separate EPF envelope for Ukraine which guarantees adequate support for the country without systematically neglecting other priority regions, including Africa; underlines the need to ensure continuity with the support provided to Africa, considering the amount of crisis the continent is facing; calls for significantly increased military support in all its aspects, including training and information sharing with other particularly vulnerable countries such as the Republic of Moldova, Georgia and Western Balkan countries; calls for all EPF support for the provision of equipment to also contribute to the strengthening of the EDTIB and, when relevant for European sovereignty, be carried out in coordination with NATO to increase efficiency and avoid unnecessary duplication;
Amendment 289 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Expresses deep concern about developments in the Sahel region and the recent coups d’état in the region; condemns the increasing presence of the Kremlin- backed Wagner Group in the Sahel; firmly believes that the latter’s involvement in West Africa runs counter to the objective of bringing peace, security and stability to the region; acknowledges that the various international missions have not yet achieved their primary goal of lasting peace in the region and that a reflection process on the mandates and roles of international missions and policies is therefore needed; expresses similar concern over the increased presence and activity of Islamist terrorist groups, in particular Al-Qaeda, Daesh and Al- Shabaab in the Middle East and Africa; calls on the HR/VP to take stock of the main strands of the Strategic Review of EUCSDP engagement in the region; welcomes the decision to suspend all operational trainings and delivery of military equipment to Mali; welcomes the preparation and underlines the need to provide a CSDP military support to Niger, making the best use of a broad and flexible mandate; calls on the EU to continue exploring the ways to increase security partnerships with the coastal States of the Gulf of Guinea;
Amendment 312 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. Commands the work of the European Union Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine), that despite its relocation due to the war, has kept on supporting Ukraine; welcomes the extension of its mandate to training activities to identify and document war crimes;
Amendment 313 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14 b. Welcomes the HR/VP proposal to establish a CSDP non-executive military assistance CSDP Mission for Ukraine, as expressed by the Ukraine ministry of Defence, and as Ukraine urgently needs to regenerate its armed forces, as many training initiatives are already under way, but needs are considerable in the short and longer term; calls for its swift launch; expects it to addressing Ukrainian training needs in a flexible way, by bringing added value by expanding training offers and to be synchronized with other training initiatives already underway; thus, expects EUMAM and other training initiatives to be mutually reinforcing; considers that this mission should be based on EU soil; considers that this mission will be efficient to the condition that EU Member States and the MPCC are reinforced, to be able to exercise strategic command and control over the mission; calls on the EEAS to open this mission to the participation of third states, for example to those who have been participating in the work of the Clearing House Cell;
Amendment 318 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Considers it important that EU interventions are based on a clear understanding of the types of crisis and conflict the EU seeks to respond to, especially where others are not willing orthe EU should be able to intervene in hostile or in non-permissive environments in the future;
Amendment 325 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Takes note of the extension and refocusing of the EUAM and EUTM in the Central African Republic (CAR) missions on strategic communication, on strategic advice to the Ministry of Defence and the FACA staff, and on teaching the FACA about human rights, international humanitarian law, gender issues, the protection of civilians, the women, peace and security programme and the children and armed conflict programme; remains strongly preoccupied with the continuing deterioration of the political and security situation there; deplores that since 2018 the President of the CAR has turned to the Wagner Group, a private military company and Russian proxy responsible for war crimes and grave violations of human rights in the CAR; remains concerned about the impact of this decision on the viability and effectiveness of the training mission for Central African troops;
Amendment 326 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15 b. Welcomes the renewal of the CSDP EUCAP Sahel for two years; welcomes its new task to communicate with the internal security agencies and better communicate in general; insists on the importance of its third new priority to coordinate with EUBAM Libya for the EU-led development of the border capacities of the Sahel States;
Amendment 327 #
2022/2050(INI)
15 d. Welcomes the progress already made by the European Union Military Training Mission in Mozambique (EUTM Mozambique) to respond to the growing terrorist threat in Cabo Delgado and in training Mozambican forces on the ground; is still concerned about the risk of this threat spreading in the area; notes the use of the European Peace Facility to cover the common costs of EUTM Mozambique and to provide military equipment; calls for immediate action to speed up the delivery of non-lethal equipment; calls on the EEAS to consider delivering lethal weapons under the EPF to Mozambican forces, in order to train soldiers to better fight against terrorism; supports a broader action in order to support the reform of the Mozambican armed forces; insists on the necessity to pursue an integrated approach to the crisis in Cabo Delgado, which can only be overcome with a combination of job opportunities, presence of public services and increased security;
Amendment 328 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Expresses concern about increased tensions as a result of aggressive Chinese actions in the South China Sea and Taiwan resulting into potential disruption of trade links and regional security;
Amendment 329 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15 c. Calls on the EU to better address the consistent and growing threats to the protection and preservation of cultural heritage and to clamp down on the smuggling of cultural artefacts, especially in conflict zones; recalls that EUAM Iraq is the only CSDP mission or operation that has a cultural heritage protection component; expects EUAM Iraq to fully fulfil all dimensions of its mandate, including the protection of cultural heritage and the fight against artefacts trafficking; calls for such provision to be generalised to all CSDP mission or operation mandates;
Amendment 336 #
2022/2050(INI)
16. UnderlinesIs concerned by the persistent and structural problem of ensuring that CSDP missions and operations are fully staffed; calls onurges the Member States to follow through on their decisions to launch missions and operations by providing the necessary personnel; strongly urges all Member States to fulfil their pledges so as to match their actual engagement to their ambitions;
Amendment 337 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Is concerned about the increasing manipulation of information, disinformation and hybrid threats and attacks stemming in particular from Russia and China but also from other actors, affecting several theatres and CSDP missions and operations directly, destabilising whole regions and delegitimising the EU’s missions abroad; recalls that, to have an effective CSDP, the EU and its Member States must complement it with the tools necessary to ensure that the efforts undertaken to provide stability have long term effect; calls the EEAS to upgrade its strategy and to take concrete actions dedicated to support CSDP missions and operations fighting against and countering disinformation and propaganda, in countries where CSDP missions and operations are deployed, in particular in the Sahel and CAR, but also in EU candidate and potential candidate countries in the Western Balkans and in Eastern Partnership countries;
Amendment 344 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16 b. Reiterates its call to the EEAS to rapidly setting up a fully functional EU military headquarters by merging the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) structure and the Civil Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC) directorate, in order to create a fully- fledged civil-military operational headquarters; insists on the fact that they must be provided with the necessary personnel, equipment and resources and be able to exchange classified information in a secure way, including with Member States and missions or operations;
Amendment 354 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for faster operationalisation of the Rapid Deployment Capacity (RDC) as soon as possible, and before 2025, based on the increased readiness of Member States’ military forces, and given its significant importance for the Union’s capacity to protect its citizen, the need to be ready for high intensity conflicts and its strategic sovereignty; calls on Member States to commit to substantially narrowing critical gaps in strategic enablers by 2025, and to coordinate better assets in particular linked to the RDC, such as strategic airlift, space communication assets, medical assets, cyber-defence capabilities and intelligence and reconnaissance; underlines the need to better develop an articulation with ad hoc operations and modules;
Amendment 355 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for faster operationalisation of the Rapid Deployment Capacity (RDC) based on the increased readiness of Member States’ military forces and given its significant importance for the Union’s security and defence architecture for reaching operational capability significantly sooner than 2025; calls on Member States to commit to substantially narrowing critical gaps in strategic enablers by 2025, in particular linked to the RDC, such as strategic airlift, space communication assets, medical assets, cyber-defence capabilities and intelligence and reconnaissance;
Amendment 367 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Supports the EU training mission for Ukraine’s armed forces and calls on the Member States to provide necessary support for its implementation;
Amendment 391 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls for the systematisation of security and defence partnerships with like- minded partners worldwide to meet the EU’s level of ambition as a security provider, when strategically relevant; considers it essential to include security and defence issues more systematically in the EU’s political dialogues with like- minded partners;
Amendment 404 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Underlines the fundamental shared democratic values at the heart of the EU and NATO; calls for the deepening of EU- NATO relations, such as through a third Joint EU-NATO Declaration as well as increased joint exercises; underlines the need to strongly upgrade the strategic partnership with NATO to base it on the strengthening of political unity and solidarity and enhanced political dialogue on all aspects of common challenges and strategically relevant issues; encourages coordinated responses in conflict prevention and crisis management mechanisms to counter emerging common threats;
Amendment 406 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Underlines the fundamental shared democratic values at the heart of the EU and NATO; calls for the deepening of EU- NATO relations, such as through a third Joint EU-NATO Declaration; underlines the need to strongly upgrade the strategic partnership with NATO to base it on the strengthening of political unity and solidarity and enhanced political dialogue on all aspects of common challenges and strategically relevant issues; encourages coordinated responses in conflict prevention and crisis management mechanisms to counter emerging common threats;
Amendment 422 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Considers synergies and coherence with the implementation of NATO’s Strategic Concept essential, particularly in the areas of countering Russian aggression, cyber defence, hybrid warfare and support to strategicto partners;
Amendment 429 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Emphasises the importance of developing coherent, complementary and interoperable defence capabilities to increase the security of the Euro-Atlantic area in line with the principle of the single set of forces; calls for the EU and NATO to maintain global technological leadership in military capabilities; stresses the need to ensure coherence of output between EU and NATO capability respective development planning processes;
Amendment 432 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Welcomes the participation of the US, Canada and Norway in the PESCO project on military mobility as important to increase coherence between EU and NATO capability development efforts; recalls nevertheless that third country participation in individual PESCO projects must be decided on a case-by- case basis, when such participation is in the strategic interest of the Union, particularly for the provision of technical expertise or additional capabilities, and be carried out in a highly conditional manner; welcomes the EU-NATO Structured Dialogue on Military Mobility;
Amendment 444 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Welcomes the EU-US strategic dialogue on security and defence as an important milestone in closer transatlantic cooperation; encourages the VP/HR to devote particular attention to the security ofin the EaP regionstern and Southern neighbourhood in this dialogue, to include in the discussion areas such as mutual security and defence initiatives, disarmament and non-proliferation, the impact of disruptive technologies, climate change, hybrid threats, cyber defence, military mobility, crisis management and the relationship with strategic competitors;
Amendment 450 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. UrgesReiterates its call for an institutionalised security and defence cooperation with the United Kingdom; encourages the United Kingdom to seriously engage with the EU on pressing strategic challenges; encourages the VP/HR to invite the United Kingdom to informal Council meetings of foreign affairs (and defence) ministers to exchange views on issues of common concern while fully protecting the EU decision making autonomy;
Amendment 465 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls for stronger military-security cooperation with Western Balkan countries, in particular in areas such as resilience, cybersecurity, hybrid threats, counter-terrorism and countering disinformation; calls on, in this regard, the EEAS to strengthen the role of the EU delegations and EU CSDP missions in third countries in order to reinforce their ability to detect and debunk disinformation campaigns orchestrated by foreign state actors, and to fund education projects strengthening democratic values and fundamental rights; calls on EU delegations and EU CSDP missions to play an active role in identifying early developments, in third countries, that might provide concrete examples, experience and solutions to the EU and its missions abroad;
Amendment 471 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls for stronger military-security cooperation with likeminded Western Balkan countries, in particular in areas such as resilience, cybersecurity, hybrid threats, counter-terrorism and countering disinformation;
Amendment 474 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26 a. Expresses deep concern about the situation between Azerbaijan and Armenia, where Armenia has been attacked within its internationally recognised borders and where Russia has not played a stabilising role; urges the HR/VP to fully engage in efforts to uphold the ceasefire, including by supporting an international observers mission with the participation of EU Member States;
Amendment 484 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 – introductory part
Paragraph 27 – introductory part
27. Stresses the need to involve Parliament more actively in CSDP decision-making, in particular with regard to the implementation of the Strategic Compass and the EPF, the EPF and the various policies and initiatives which affects or are of particular importance for European defence and security, in order to ensure that they contribute in the most effective way to the achievement of EU strategic objectives and to the protection of European security and defence interests; encourages proposals for further action by Parliament, and in particular its Subcommittee on Security and Defence, to improve its impact on the CSDP, such aand to ensure the effectiveness, the consistency and the democratic accountability of EU defence and security policies and initiatives by:
Amendment 501 #
2022/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Calls for further strengthening Parliament’s relations with the NATO PA, in the framework of which Parliament should support the establishment of the NATO Centre for Democratic Resilience aimed at monitoring and identifying challenges to democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and facilitating democracy and governance assistance to member and partner states;
Amendment 156 #
2022/2049(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 b. Reiterates its call for more involved work of the EU Delegations in support for human rights defenders, particularly in countries where human rights activists, political opposition, civil society organizations, trade unions and journalists, among others, are constantly persecuted, prevented from their activities and exposed to physical danger; urges the EU Delegations to thoroughly address topics and individual cases voiced in Parliament’s monthly resolutions on human rights abuses, as well as the cases of Sakharov Prize laureates and finalists at risk, by raising them to state authorities, engaging on a daily basis and providing support to the above mentioned oppressed and persecuted groups, including visiting those in prison and attending their trial procedures;
Amendment 232 #
2022/2049(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Strongly condemns and is deeply concerned by the war crimes and serious violations of international humanitarian law including sexual violence, torture and killings of civilians and prisoners of war committed by Russian armed forces and its proxies in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine;
Amendment 238 #
2022/2049(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Strongly welcomes the continuous contribution of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to the fight against impunity; calls for the EU and its Member States to provide the ICC with sufficient support to enable it to carry out its work; reiterates its condemnation of continuous efforts to undermine the legitimacy and work of the ICC by authoritarian and illiberal regimes and calls for the EU and its Member States to continue their efforts to counter them; welcomes the fact that the EU has provided support for the very first time to the ICC’s investigation capacities to help it scale up its investigations into war crimes committed by Russian armed forces in Ukrainecalls on the EU to support the ICC Prosecutor in investigating and prosecuting suspected perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity and, possibly, genocide, by providing political support, making available any evidence in their possession, including open source intelligence, information and data, satellite imagery and intercepts of communications, and providing adequate human and financial resources to the general budget of the Court in order to fully protect its independence and impartiality;
Amendment 253 #
2022/2049(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Reiterates its call on the Commission to develop a comprehensive EU action plan on fighting impunity, which should include a chapter on Ukraine including measures to fight impunity for gender-based and sexual and reproductive rights violations in conflict settings; calls for the EU and its international partners to make full use of all relevant instruments to fight impunity, including support for universal jurisdiction at national level, special tribunals at a national and international level including for the crime of aggression, as well as establishing flexible cooperation and funding mechanisms to swiftly collect and analyse evidence of crimes; calls on the Commission to ensure that these instruments are applied in a coordinated and complementary manner with other relevant EU and Member State instruments; reiterates its commitment to providing all possible assistance to ensure accountability for atrocities committed by Russian armed forces and its proxies in Ukraine and provide effective remedies for the damages suffered by Ukrainian civilians;
Amendment 321 #
2022/2049(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27 a. Deplores forced relocation and deportation of Ukrainian children, including those from institutions, to the Russian Federation and the Russian- occupied territories and their forced adoption by Russian families; calls for the EU and Member States support in locating these children and reuniting them with their families or legal guardians;
Amendment 372 #
2022/2049(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Welcomes the Commission’s intention to fund projects to assist journalists on legal and practical issues, including outside the EU, through the European democracy action plan; calls for the EU to intensify its efforts to assist targeted journalists worldwide, to ensure their safety, including by providing safe haven and means to continue their work in case they have to leave their place of residency; welcomes the role played by programmes such as Media4Democracy and the EU-funded activities of the European Endowment for Democracy to this end;
Amendment 8 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
— having regard to its recommendation of 9 Mars 2022 on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation,
Amendment 29 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the unprovoked and unjustified military aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine has brought war back to the European continent, has seriously underminedsignificantly threatened and continues to challenge European and global security, has created economic uncertainty, has led to a spike in energy prices, has considerable potential to further destabilise many non-EU countries and has therefore significantly changed the geopolitical context of the EU’s common foreign and security policy (CFSP);
Amendment 38 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine was a wake-up call for the European Union, presenting a real threat to European security, underlining the need and creating a momentum to achieve a geopolitical redefinition of the CFSP; whereas it is also an opportunthe war against Ukraine highlights the necessity for the Member States to show the political will to transform the CFSP into a fully fledged European policy;
Amendment 39 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine was a wake-up call for the European Union, presenting a real threat to European security and creating momentum to achieve a geopolitical redefinition of the CFSP; whereas it is also an opportunity for the Member States to show the political will to transform the CFSP into a fully fledged European policy, with bold vision guided by Union interests in the new geopolitical reality;
Amendment 62 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Points out that the EU’s response to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine is a test of the effectiveness of the EU’s foreign, security and defence policy and of its role as a credible foreign policy player, a reliable international partner and a credible security and defence actor; notes that the response of the EU to this provocations is closely watched by many autocracies around the world and will have a decisive influence in shaping their behaviour on the international stage;
Amendment 89 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that the Strategic Compass, adopted by the Council in March 2022, gives the EU the tools to be both an effective security provider in a hostile environment and a more assertive global actor for peace and human security, and therefore calls for its swift and full implementation;
Amendment 98 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – indent 2
Paragraph 4 – indent 2
- putting the concept of strategic sovereignty into practice while reducing strategic dependencies with non- democratic regime,
Amendment 115 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the remarkable level of unity and resolve in responding swiftly and forcefully to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine calls for the same level of unity against any kind of attacks against our democracies or common values in the future;
Amendment 116 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the remarkable level of unity and resolve in responding swiftly and forcefully to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; urges Member States to maintain their unity and resolve and to build on this unprecedented level of cooperation;
Amendment 132 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point a
Paragraph 6 – point a
(a) switching progressively to qualified majority voting for decisions in areas of the CFSP that do not have military or defence implications, as well as for other EU external policy tools such as the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, by using the passerelle clauses provided for in the Treaties;
Amendment 133 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point a – point i (new)
Paragraph 6 – point a – point i (new)
i) Strive to achieve a genuine military and defence union that is interoperable and complementary to the NATO Alliance and that can act independently when needed;
Amendment 145 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point d
Paragraph 6 – point d
(d) implementing and making full use of the ‘Team Europe’ approach to coordinate and avoid duplication in the EU’s foreign and security policy;
Amendment 146 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point e
Paragraph 6 – point e
(e) providing sufficient funding at EU and Member State level to respond without delay to current, emerging and future challenges; calls in particular for increased financing for EU external action, including for the European Defence Fund;
Amendment 149 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Welcomes the European Commission's intention to extend the scope of the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime to include acts of corruption thereby acknowledging the close link between corruption and human rights violations;
Amendment 166 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Welcomes the new European Diplomatic Academy aiming at acquiring common skills and competencies to promote and defend effectively the EU’s principles and interests in the world;
Amendment 192 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the shift in the Member States’ approaches, moving towards creating more EU strategic sovereignty by adopting the Versailles Declaration of 11 March 2022 and the Strategic Compass on 21 March 2022, which highlight the need to strengthen EU defence capabilities and to contribute positively to global and transatlantic security, in close collaboration with NATO when relevant to the EU;
Amendment 194 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the shift in the Member States’ approaches, moving towards creating more EU strategic sovereignty by adopting the Versailles Declaration of 11 March 2022 and the Strategic Compass on 21 March 2022, which highlight the need to strengthen EU defence capabilities and to contribute positively to global and transatlanticEuropean and global security, in close collaboration with NATO;
Amendment 212 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the swift use of the European Peace Facility to support Ukraine, improve its ability to act and build on the European Peace Facility support already delivered to Ukraine, including through the Clearing House Cell; calls for Member States to revise the EFP budget in order to increase its amount, given the need to continue to support arms and ammunition delivery to Ukraine and other partner countries;
Amendment 226 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines the importance of stepping up the EU’s efforts, in cooperation with NATO and other international partners, to address hybrid threats, cyberattacks, disinformation and propaganda campaigns; underlines that the EU institutions, bodies, agencies, delegations, mission and operations networks, buildings and staff area target for all types of hybrid threats and attacks by foreign state actors and should, therefore, be properly protected; reiterates the urgent need for European institutions, agencies and other bodies to develop their strategic communication capabilities, to equip themselves with secure communication systems and a rapid reaction capacity to attacks, and to greatly increase their resilience;
Amendment 230 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines the importance of stepping up the EU’s efforts, in cooperation with NATO and other international partners, to address hybrid threats, cyberattacks, disinformation and, propaganda campaigns and to protect critical infrastructure;
Amendment 234 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Welcomes the EU's steps to reduce its dependency on Russia and to diversify its energy supply sources, a longstanding call of the European Parliament; stresses that the any cooperation with third countries in the energy field may not undermine the EU's commitment to defend human rights;
Amendment 267 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Underlines that the war of aggression against Ukraine has shown the relevance of NATO as security alliance; reiterates that NATO, in the absence of a strong common European defence and European strategic autonomy in the field of defence, is and remains the cornerstone of the EU's security; welcomes that the EU and NATO will take their partnership forward and calls for a new EU-NATO Joint Declaration that fully reflects the changed security environment and new security challenges that have emerged since Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine;
Amendment 271 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Reiterates its call on the Commission to present an EU action plan on impunity; stresses that this action plan should seek to better coordinate and harmonise Member States’ resources and efforts to prosecute war criminals in the EU; is of the view that transitional justice plays a fundamental role in securing peace in the long term;
Amendment 274 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Supports the European Political Community as a forum for dialogue and cooperation on issues of common interest and to strengthen the security of the European continent; welcomes that 44 countries took part in the first meeting in Prague, including close partners such as the UK;
Amendment 281 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Highlights the need to intensify the dialogue with the UK on possible avenues for future cooperation and coordination in the area of foreign and security policy, including in the framework of the EU- NATO partnership, the United Nations and other international forums; welcomes in this sense the holding of the first meeting of the European political community in Prague which aims to foster political dialogue and cooperation in order to address issues of common interest and to strengthen the security, stability and prosperity of the European continent;
Amendment 285 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Highlights the need to intensify the dialogue with the UK on possible avenues for future cooperation and coordination in the area of foreign and security policy, including in the framework of the EU- NATO partnership, the United Nations and other international forums; welcomes the UK's participation in the first meeting of the European Political Community;
Amendment 299 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Takes note of the outcome of the EU-China Summit; reiterates its requests for a renewed, more assertive EU-China strategy that shapes relations with China in the interest of the EU as a whole and takes full account of the challenges stemming from China's rise as a global actor; calls on the EU and Member States to consider their dependency on China and address economic dependencies in strategic sectors that may result in vulnerabilities; underscores the necessity of ensuring that any support to Russia’s war in Ukraine and any circumvention of the effects of the sanctions against Russia by China must have consequences for its relations with the EU; believes that the no- limits partnership between China and Russia and China's efforts to prevent a debate in the UN Human Rights Council on Xinjiang abuses are exemplary of our systemic rivalry with China;
Amendment 301 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Takes note of the outcome of the EU-China Summit, and is deeply concerned by the outcome of the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party that highlights Xi Jinping’s geopolitical ambitions; reiterates its requests for a renewed and more assertive EU-China strategy; underscores the necessity of ensuring that any support to Russia’s war in Ukraine and any circumvention of the effects of the sanctions against Russia by China must have consequences for its relations with the EU;
Amendment 318 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Strongly condemns China's continued military provocations against Taiwan and reiterates its firm rejection of any unilateral change to the status quo in the Strait of Taiwan; denounces statements by the Chinese president that China will never renounce the right to use force over Taiwan; Calls on the Commission and the VP/HR to establish strategic cooperation with Taiwan;
Amendment 340 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls for a stronger partnership between the EU and Japan in the Indo- Pacific, in connectivity, R&D, frontier technologies, and resource analysis/mapping and in defending the multilateral rules-based order;
Amendment 369 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22b. Welcomes the setting up of a monitoring capacity along the Armenian- Azerbaijan border to monitor the situation in the region, build confidence and contribute to restoring peace and security;
Amendment 370 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Strongly condemns the latest attacks by Azerbaijan against the internationally recognized territory of Armenia and the crimes committed against Armenian soldiers; calls for the EU to step up its efforts for an efficient and secured peace in the region;
Amendment 391 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Salutes the measures announced by the Commission for strengthening Ukraine, such as access to our internal market and lifting roaming fees; trusts that the same measures will be extended to the Republic of Moldova, in equal need of a strong signal of support from the EU and of concrete steps towards EU integration, in the face of strong destabilising forces threatening its democracy;
Amendment 397 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Reiterates its strong support for the European future of the Western Balkans; calls on the Member States to renew their commitment to enlargement by delivering on the EU’s commitments towards the Western Balkan countries, in particular by lifting visa requirements for Kosovo citizens; welcomes the start of accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia; welcomes the European Council’s readiness to grant candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and urges the country’s political actors to show commitment and make significant steps towards EU membership by advancing on the 14 key priorities and implementing the substantial set of reforms; recalls that each enlargement country should be judged on its own merits and that advancement on the EU path should depend on sustained and irreversible progress made through necessary EU-related reforms, in particular in the area of rule of law; Calls for the full alignment of accession and candidate countries to the EU’s common foreign and security policy and sanctions and deplores the lack of alignment of Serbia which should not remain without consequences;
Amendment 410 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Calls on the Commission and the EEAS to assist Bosnia-Herzegovina in swiftly implementing the key priorities and in preventing a backslide into nationalistic policies of the past; reiterates the need to ensure that every citizen’s rights, regardless of ethnic, political and religious affiliation, are fully respected in line with ECHR rulings, Constitutional Court decisions and Venice Commission recommendations;
Amendment 414 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 d (new)
Paragraph 24 d (new)
24d. Takes note of the Türkiye 2022 report presented by the European Commission on 12 October 2022; is highly concerned by the fact that the Turkish government has not reversed the negative trend in relation to reform, that concerns on the deterioration of democracy, the rule of law, fundamental rights and the independence of the judiciary have not been addressed and that Türkiye’s foreign policy continued to be at odds with the EU priorities under the CFSP, with an alignment rate of only 7 % in the reporting period; reiterates its position of 18 May 2022 in which it states that it cannot envisage any resumption of the accession negotiations with Turkey;
Amendment 421 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24b. Stresses the need for candidate and non-candidate countries of the Western Balkans to fully align their policies to the EU CSFP and calls on the Commission and Member states to use the CSFP as a tool to enhance cooperation with Western Balkan countries; underlines the particular importance of Serbia's full CFSP alignment in the light of Russia's illegal war of aggression, as well as on other fundamental EU values and principles such as the respect for human rights and the Rule of Law;
Amendment 433 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Is concerned by the dire economic and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan as well as by the rights of women and girls in the country; supports the five key benchmarks that were adopted by the Council on 21 September 2021 and serve as guiding principles for future engagement with the Taliban but believes that a major effort in defining a long-term strategy is needed to address the human rights emergency and gender apartheid occurring in Afghanistan today;
Amendment 435 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25 aa. Calls for an Africa-Europe partnership aimed at creating an area of solidarity, security, peace and lasting prosperity; calls for swift actions of the EU to counter the growing presence of Wagner group in several African countries, fuelling further instability and undermining the efforts in the fight against terrorism;
Amendment 445 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls for a swift restoration and full implementation by all parties of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which is a cornerstone of non-proliferation and the stabilisation of the Middle East and the Gulf region; welcomes the adoption of targeted sanctions against the Iranian regime, including Iran's Morality Police, for the violent crackdown on peaceful protestors; calls for a strong EU response to Iran's involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine;
Amendment 460 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Takes note of the first meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council; is of the opinion that the Association Council should not only be used to strengthen the EU-Israel partnership but also as a forum for dialogue on issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and as a means to revive the Middle East peace process; supports the efforts of the High Representative in bringing Arab leaders together with a view to make progress towards a comprehensive regional peace that ends the Israeli Palestinian conflict and brings substantial security, trade, and other cooperation for the region1a; welcomes the decision to provide multiannual support to UNRWA; calls on the Commission to maintain the current level of funding in view of the Agency’s role as key element for stability in a volatile region; __________________ 1a https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/eu- israel-association-council-discussed- difficult-path-peace-region_en
Amendment 466 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Condemns in the strongest possible terms the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and calls on the Russian leadership to end it immediately and withdraw unconditionally from Ukraine and any other country whose territory, or parts thereof, it has unlawfully occupied; urges the international community to hold Russia accountable for the countless war crimes and human rights violations its armed forces have perpetrated in Ukraine and elsewhere, and reaffirms that Russia will have to pay compensation for all of the damage and destruction it has caused in Ukraine; welcomes the adoption of the latest sanctions package against Russia; calls however on the Council to extend the list of individuals directly targeted by EU sanctions, taking into account the list of 6 000 individuals presented by Alexei Navalny’s Foundation;
Amendment 468 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Condemns in the strongest possible terms the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and calls on the Russian leadership to end it immediately and withdraw unconditionally from Ukraine and any other country whose territory, or parts thereof, it has unlawfully occupied; urges the international community to hold Russia accountable for the countless war crimes and human rights violations its armed forces have perpetrated in Ukraine and elsewhere, and reaffirms that Russia will have to pay compensation for all of the damage and destruction it has caused in Ukraine; calls for all those who voluntarily assisted Russia in any way in this war or in the organisation of illegitimate referendums be held accountable and individually sanctioned.;
Amendment 472 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Condemns in the strongest possible terms the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and calls on the Russian leadership to end it immediately and withdraw unconditionally from Ukraine and any other country whose territory, or parts thereof, it has unlawfully occupied; urges the international community to hold Russia accountable for the countless war crimes, mass rapes and human rights violations its armed forces have perpetrated in Ukraine and elsewhere, and reaffirms that Russia will have to pay compensation for all of the damage and destruction it has caused in Ukraine;
Amendment 478 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Calls on the international community to mitigate as much as possible the negative spillover of the consequences of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine on the Arctic, the peaceful conservation of which should remain a priority; Calls on the competent EU institutions to jointly elaborate end of war scenarios while taking into account a potentially destabilised and weakened Russia and its potential reform;
Amendment 495 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Denounces Russia’s interference in Africa, in particular via an increased footprint of the Wagner group on the continent; strongly condemns the abuses and crimes committed by the same Wagner group;
Amendment 502 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Highlights the specific contribution of the European Parliament to the EU’s foreign and security policy through its parliamentary diplomacy assets; calls for the establishment of a fully-fledged Security and Defence Committee and for closer Parliamentary scrutiny on matters of strategic relevance in European foreign affairs;
Amendment 511 #
2022/2048(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
Paragraph 35 a (new)
35a. Calls on all EU institutions and agencies as well as the EU Member States to be sufficiently engaged in the fight against disinformation and propaganda undermining its policies by increasing strategic communication and narrative on its work; calls to increase support to EU delegations and missions for strategic communication;
Amendment 5 #
2022/2047(INI)
Draft opinion
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
— having regard to its resolutions of 28 April2015 on the destruction of cultural sites perpetrated by ISIS/Da’esh and of 10March 2022 on the destruction of cultural heritage in Nagorno- Karabakh,
Amendment 9 #
2022/2047(INI)
Draft opinion
Citation 8 a (new)
Citation 8 a (new)
— having regard to its resolution of 9 March 2022 on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation,
Amendment 47 #
2022/2047(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas cultural heritage has a universal dimension as a testimony of history inseparable from peoples’ identity, which the international community has to protect and preserve for future generations; whereas cultural diversity play an important role in the promotion of human rights, conflict prevention, reconciliation and counter-extremism;
Amendment 57 #
2022/2047(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Calls on the Council, European External Action Service (EEAS) and Commission to mainstream culture as a strategic pillar through all EU’s external action policy areas; supports the inclusion of culture in all existing and future bilateral and multilateral agreements, with due respect for the commitments made under the UNESCO Convention on Cultural Diversity;
Amendment 62 #
2022/2047(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the development of the Cultural Relations Platform and the joint implementation of programmes allowing cultural actors and public stakeholders to develop innovative ideas and concrete projects, finance cultural relations and facilitate networks; welcomes the establishment of focal points in the EU Delegations to that effect; calls on the EEAS and Commission to further strengthen their role with the objective to better coordinate EU’s cultural outreach and cooperation in partner countries, aligned with EU’s foreign policy objectives; calls on the EEAS and Commission to enhance the specific skills of the focal points needed to perform their duties at the highest level;
Amendment 90 #
2022/2047(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for the allocation of the necessary budgetary and personnel resources to the EU’s international cultural relations and cultural diplomacy in order to facilitate cultural cooperation with local actors and academia in third countries; calls on the EEAS and Commission to consider the feasibility of introducing a dedicated chapter for international cultural relations in the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe;
Amendment 95 #
2022/2047(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Condemns the deliberate destruction of cultural sites in Ukraine as a result of unprovoked and illegal Russian war of aggression; commends the efforts of volunteers, museum curators and cultural workers in Ukraine, as well as in the EU Member States, to rescue and protect artworks and artefacts belonging to Ukraine; calls on the EU and its Member States to support these efforts in maintaining and reconstruction of destroyed and damaged cultural sights, and to work in cooperation with international institutions to pressure Russia to return stolen artefacts from Ukraine;
Amendment 96 #
2022/2047(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Deplores the fact that ongoing conflicts continue to lead to the destruction, pillaging, looting of cultural heritage and trafficking of illicit cultural goods; urges the Council, Commission and EEAS to step up their action in protecting cultural heritage in conflict and crises zones, including by providing emergency support for its preservation and by considering targeted sanctions against actors identified as responsible for destruction, illegal trafficking, falsifying or damaging cultural heritage;
Amendment 98 #
2022/2047(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Urges the Council, Commission and EEAS to step up their action in protecting cultural heritage in conflict and crises zones, including by providing emergency support for its preservation and by considering targeted sanctions against actors identified as responsible for destruction, illegal trafficking, falsifying or damaging cultural heritage;
Amendment 101 #
2022/2047(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Recalls that authoritarian countries, under the pretence of cultural cooperation, attempt to perform influence operations to shape or confuse the European public debate, undermine the European democratic values and depict themselves in a positive way; recalls similarly that travelling to authoritarian countries to develop a cultural project expose cultural stakeholders to malign influence; recalls for instance China’s attempts to pressure and censor the museum of Nantes in relation to an exhibition on Genghis Kahn initially planned for 2020 or the role played by Confucius Institutes enabling China to exercise strict control over all topics related to China in the field of research and teaching, thus constituting a violation of the constitutional protection of academic freedom and autonomy;
Amendment 102 #
2022/2047(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Highlights the strategic importance for the EU to further strengthen the partnership with the EU National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) network and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), including via the allocation of additional financial resources;
Amendment 104 #
2022/2047(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Amendment 105 #
2022/2047(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Calls on the EEAS to produce a study into the prevalence and influence of malicious state actors in the European cultural sector as well as in international cultural relations in which the EU is involved; calls in addition the EU, its Member States and stakeholders of the cultural sector to apply the utmost vigilance when engaging in international cultural cooperation;
Amendment 106 #
2022/2047(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 d (new)
Paragraph 4 d (new)
4d. Condemns Azerbaijan’s continued policy of erasing and denying the Armenian cultural heritage in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, in violation of international law and the decision of the ICJ of 7 December 2021; condemns further the renewed aggression of Azerbaijan on Armenia, which further puts at risk Armenian cultural heritage; calls for the EU to actively pressure Azerbaijan to end hostilities and to participate in efforts to protect cultural heritage at risk in Nagorno-Karabakh, notably by deploying mechanisms to facilitate UNESCO’s fact-finding mission;
Amendment 19 #
2022/2046(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines its undivided solidarity with the people of Ukraine and recalls the need to mobilise all available EU budget instruments to support the Ukraine war effort and to provide the strongest possible economic and financial support to Ukraine and to people fleeing the war; calls for work to start on a Marshall-Plan-like facility within the EU budget (Ukraine solidarity trust fund) to rebuild Ukraine after the war, and for a massive investment programme to be launched;
Amendment 24 #
2022/2046(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the Commission’s upcoming proposal for a European Defence Investment Programme (EDIP), the aim of which would beis to introduce joint procurement and life cycle management of military capabilities, in particular those necessary to harness EU defence over, stock replenishment and enhanced coordination of Member States military capabilities; calls on the Council and the Commission to provide sufficient incentive by endowing this joint procurement mechanism with a relevant budget amount to achieve effective result, to make full use of the possibilities for funding from the Union’s budget and to work on the mid-term review of the multiannual financial framework, to provide the dnecades to counter a military threat from Russiaessary increase in funding for EU instruments and relevant EU initiatives in the area of defence, in particular to strengthen the EDF and military mobility and increase the relevance of collaborative defence industry projects; calls on all Member States to complement EU fundingthe European Peace Facility with funding from their national defence budgets; invites the Commission to open this programme to key strategic partners and allies;
Amendment 35 #
2022/2046(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for stronger defence cooperation with Ukraine and Moldova to be established, including by enhancing the financial capabilities of the European Defence Agency (EDA) to help identify where Ukraine should participate in EU defence capability development over the years to come.increased funding and the acceleration of military mobility ;
Amendment 36 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas the Southern Neighbourghood countries are facing common challenges, each of them is undergoing a specific political and economic situation and have particular problems that must be acknowledged in EU policies towards the region;
Amendment 43 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the Southern Neighbourhood should not be seen in a vacuum, but in close correlation with the Eastern Neighbourhood and an overall reflection on how to pursue closer relations between the EU and its neighbours; whereas both the EU’s Southern and Eastern Neighbourhoods are strategic for the EU in that they can ensure shorter and,various fields, such as the security, managing conflicts or the risk of therefore, more secure and more effective supply lines;rorism, combating climate change, trade, managing migration, etc. whereas the EU should pursue a common regulatory space that includes its Southern and Eastern Nneighbourhoods, and therefore ensures access for its neighbouring countries to the highest policy standards, which are not only multipliers of economic investment and economic growth but are also crucial for a better security and political stability of both these countries and the EU and for environmental protection;
Amendment 48 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the COVID 19 crisis has increased the risk of further destabilisation, as its socio-economic consequences are harsh for the Southern Neighbourhood countries;
Amendment 54 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the war in Ukraine has underlinedbeen the latest illustration of the threat posed by third countries that seek political and economic hegemony in the EU’s neighbourhood to the detriment of the democratic aspirations and territorial integrity of target countries; whereas Russia, China, Turkey, some Gulf states and Iran are all seeking to increase their capacity to exercise political and/or economic hegemony in certain Southern Neighbourhood countries and, therefore, the EU’sseverely challenging the EU and its Member States’ capacity-building forto fighting disinformation and promotinge freedom of the press is crucial; whereas the EU should reaffirm its role as the primary political, economic and democratic anchor for the countries of the Southern Neighbourhood; ; whereas the EU should actively focus on reducing the influence of those third countries whose actions have a negative impact on the stability of the region; whereas the EU should reaffirm its role as a privileged partner in matters such as human rights, democracy and rule of law, security, migration, prevention and fight against radicalisation and terrorism, fight against climate change, research and development;
Amendment 64 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas the EU has sought a comprehensive approach on migration and asylum, based on EU values of solidarity and the protection of human rights and the rule of law; whereas the EU has sought to create new safe pathways for refugees, for example through cooperation with Southern Neighbourhood partner countries on resettlement programmes from safe third countries to the EU;
Amendment 67 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the war in Ukraine and the resulting need to further decarbonise and diversify the EU’s energy supplyies have shownhighlighted the essential role of the Southern Neighbourhood can have, notably in securing sufficient gas and oil supplies to the EU with mutual benefits for both the EU and the Southern Neighbourhood countries, in accordance with the European Green Deal; whereas the discovery of relevsignificant natural gas reserves in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean provides a unique opportunity for economic development in the countries concerned; whereas these gas reserves equally provide an important opportunity for partnerships, investments and the sharing of know-how between the countries of the Southern Mediterranean and the EU and its Member States; whereas the Southern Neighbourhood is therefore not only essential for reasons of regional security and stability, but also as a primary partner for access to reliable energy sources, including renewables;
Amendment 76 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas the Sahara is the world’s largest solar belt and represents its largest potential for renewable electricity production;
Amendment 77 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
D b. whereas, according to the UN Environment Programme, the Mediterranean is warming 20% faster than the world average; whereas rainfall is expected to decrease by 30% in spring and summer by 2080;
Amendment 78 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)
Recital D c (new)
Amendment 79 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D d (new)
Recital D d (new)
D d. whereas Egypt will host the 27th UN Climate Conference, COP 27, in November 2022;
Amendment 80 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D e (new)
Recital D e (new)
D e. whereas democracy, human rights and the Rule of Law are core EU values including in the conduct of its European Neighbourhood Policy; whereas a free, strong and independent civil society is fundamental to the development of any country in the region; whereas the Arab spring of 2011 created unprecedented spaces for freedom of expression, freedom of the press, freedom of association, and freedom of syndicates in countries like Tunisia, Egypt and parts of Syria; whereas repression, conflict or both led to these countries backtracking in some or all of these freedoms;
Amendment 81 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D f (new)
Recital D f (new)
D f. whereas the fight against organized crime and terrorism, including Islamic terrorism, remains a priority; whereas the fight against the Islamic State has been ongoing in the region since 2015; whereas some of the root causes of radical movements, including social and political marginalization, remain unaddressed to this day;
Amendment 82 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D g (new)
Recital D g (new)
D g. whereas the war in Ukraine has dramatic consequences in many vulnerable countries on the level of prices, production, access and supply of cereals, particularly wheat; whereas the French President Emmanuel Macron announced the launch of an international initiative called FARM (Food &Agriculture Resilience Mission) on March 24 2022, in conjunction with the European Union, the G7 and the African Union to prevent the disastrous effects, for world food security, of the war waged by Russia in Ukraine;
Amendment 83 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D h (new)
Recital D h (new)
D h. whereas the Southern Neighbourhood partners are structurally dependent on imports of cereals and whereas the war in Ukraine has a substantial impact on wheat and cooking oil commodity supply chains, with implications on food security; whereas Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, Tunisia and Palestine rely heavily on Ukraine or Russia for their food and feed imports, particularly cereals, while Morocco and Tunisia rely heavily on Russian exports of nitrogen fertilisers for their agri-food sectors;
Amendment 85 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas security and stability in the Southern Neighbourhood are closely correlated with the full respect of the women and youth fundamental rights and also their prospects for real socioeconomic integration of women and youth and their capacity to access education, vocational training, employment and adequate longer-term professional development; whereas women integration in the labour market remains significantly lower than in other parts of the world, reaching on average 19% according to the 2020 UN Women report on situational analysis of women in the MENA region;
Amendment 105 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(a a) Re-establish the position of the EU Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood in order to increase the EU’s unity and action in the region, to promote and defend our common values and interests;
Amendment 113 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) Address, as a matter of priority, the impact of the war in Ukraine on certain Southern Neighbourhood countries in terms of food security, with particular reference to countries most vulnerable because of their population size, dependence on food imports or economic model; asks the Commission to engage with Parliament on ways to ensure food security for countries in the Southern Mediterranean that face difficulties in this regard and devise a robust policy and assistance response for this purpose without further delay, also building on the Food and Resilience Facility in order to address food security in the region;
Amendment 114 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) Address, as a matter of priority, the impact of the war in Ukraine on certain Southern Neighbourhood countries in terms of food security, with particular reference to countries most vulnerable because of their population size, dependence on food imports or economic model; asks the Commission to engage with Parliament on ways to ensure food security for countries in the Southern Mediterranean that face difficulties in this regard and devise a robust policy and assistance response for this purpose without further delay, also building on the Food and Resilience Facility in order to address food security in the region;
Amendment 127 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c
Paragraph 1 – point c
(c) Implement under the NDICI, as a matter of priority, strategies and dedicated programming for broader youth access to education, vocational training, higher education together with adequate funding for access to education and to support the establishment and development of efficient higher or vocational education structures in the Southern Neighbourhood countries; recalls that youth migration, whether regular or irregular, and professional brain drain are a matter of serious concern to our partners in the region, as well as a serious threat to the longer-term capacity for economic growth and economic viability of Southern Neighbourhood countries; stresses the importance of expanding access to the Erasmus and Erasmus+ programmes for participants from Southern Neighbourhood countries; recalls the importance of circular mobility, including South-to-South exchanges, so that professionals from Southern Neighbourhood countries can have concrete opportunities to further their professional training in the EU and return to their country of origin to share and build knowledge; recalls the importance of mainstreaming the socioeconomic integration of women in the region and of gender equality in all EU policies areas whenever possible; stresses the importance of targeted EU support for women with the objective of improving their access to education, training and employment and, more generally, promoting equal professional and socioeconomic opportunitie thus advocating their financial independence and more generally, promoting equal rights;
Amendment 147 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d
Paragraph 1 – point d
(d) PursueUrgently step up partnership and cooperation with relevant Southern Neighbourhood countries in order to tackle climate change and, environmental protection and fight water scarcity; recalls that the EU strategy on climate action and climate mitigation will not be as effective without sizeable investment and improvement in the EU’s neighbourhood; supports the flagship initiatives on climate preservation in the Economic and Investment Plan for the Southern Neighbourhood; recalls that access to water, reforestation, decarbonisation and access to renewable energy sources will be essential for the climate neutrality of the Southern Neighbourhood and to protect it against the effects of climate change; recalls, further, that this, in turn, will increase the EU’s capacity to achieve its objectives of climate neutrality;
Amendment 155 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(e a) Pursue an active EU role in facilitating dialogue and cooperation among all the countries of the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean, promoting the respect for international law and negotiated final settlements on maritime border demarcation;
Amendment 161 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
Paragraph 1 – point f
(f) Pursue an active EU role in facilitating dialogue and cooperation among all the countries of the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean that have relevant natural gas reserves, promoting, where necessary, the capacity for understanding and final settlements on maritime border demarcation, and further promotingFurther promote the interconnection capacity between countries in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean that produce natural gas and the European Union, through relevant EU hubs and considering, in particular, adequate pipeline, harbour and regasification infrastructures and technology both in the EU and in Southern Neighbourhood countries for the benefit of all producer countries and all Member States and in full compliance with the objectives of the Green Deal;
Amendment 165 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
(f a) Call the EU and its Member states to make all the means possible at the disposal of their Southern Neighbourhood partner countries to help them develop their energy offer in a manner consistent with the commitments of the Paris agreement;
Amendment 171 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
Paragraph 1 – point g
(g) Build on the very positive experience of some Member States in supporting start-up companies and further advancing their work through dedicated incubators or accelerators, especially in key sectors such as health, renewable energy and education; takes the view that the EU should encourage partners to set up incubators or accelerators in relevant Southern Neighbourhood countries, support the creation of local start-up companies, and increase their digital and green capacities; concurs on the importance of further improving the digital infrastructure of relevant Southern Neighbourhood countries and including these countries in the EU’s digital agenda; points out that this is a prerequisite for economic development, socioeconomic integration and wider access to education; recalls the importance of close policy dialogue and cooperation between the EU and the Southern Neighbourhood countries to develop adequate cybersecurity policies that protect fundamental rights and freedoms of all users, in line with EU values, and partnership in international forums on cybersecurity standards; takes the view that the EU should build onmust urgently develop the StratCom Task Force South and develop a concrete strategy for combating disinformation in our Southern Neighbourhood countries, aiming to counter fake news and propaganda from Russia, China, Iran and Turkey, in order to reinforce democracy and stability; expresses its deep concern over the domestic impact, in EU Member States, of disinformation campaigns aggressively led by Turkey, Russia and China on social media platforms and conventional media;
Amendment 184 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h
Paragraph 1 – point h
(h) Promote regional, sub-regional and bilateral integration in the Southern Mediterranean, in particular with a view to the removal of any border, transport or trade barriers between the countries of the region and actively promoting closer links and partnerships; takes the viewcontinue to support a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Western-Sahara, asks for the return to full respect of the ceasefire and encourage Morocco and Algeria to improve their relations; notes that the recent Negev Foreign Ministers summit in Sde Boker attests to; stresses the potential for regional integration and peace in the region in, including in the UN framework and the framework of the Abraham Accords; welcomes the intention of holding this summit annually and calls on the VP/HR and the Commission to use the positive momentum of the Abraham Accords in the fields of environmental protection, water cooperation and renewable energy, as exemplified by the Green-Blue Deal between Israel, Palestine and Jordan, to advance dialogue and cooperation in the region on support for the Middle East Peace process and the two-state solution;
Amendment 194 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point h a (new)
(h a) Reiterate the longstanding EU commitment reaffirmed at the UN Security Council in January 2022 for a just and comprehensive resolution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, based on the two state solution, with the State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign and viable State of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security and mutual recognition, and with Jerusalem serving as the future capital of both states;
Amendment 197 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point h b (new)
(h b) Duly address, following a letter by 15 EU Member States of 8 April 2022 to Commissioner Varhelyi, the continued delay and blockage of the disbursement of EU financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority for 2021, a large part of which supports education, health and vulnerable families; urges the Commission resubmit the original proposal it circulated on 15 December as a matter of urgency; is concerned about the ongoing suspension, by DG NEAR, of funding for several Palestinian civil society organisations since May 2021 while the Commission stated on 14 September 2021 that it found no substantiated evidence of misuse or deviation of funds, including in relation to terrorism;
Amendment 203 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i
Paragraph 1 – point i
(i) Implement the new agenda for the Mediterranean by reinforcing EU's support for a free, strong and independent civil society across the Mediterranean, and through dedicated dialogue and consultation with local and regional authorities, as well as reinforce the links between EU Delegations and the Euro- Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM); recalls that these are important drivers for development and are closer to the people, so that implementation strategies can reach all communities, including those most disadvantaged geographically or in socioeconomic terms; insists that EU support to civil society organizations is essential in all countries of the region without exception, and should not be conditioned to the approval of authoritarian Governments;
Amendment 208 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
(i a) Call on all Southern Mediterranean countries to allow a free, secure and transnational space for science and civil society organisations ahead of Egypt’s hosting of the UN Climate Change Conference COP 27;
Amendment 209 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point i b (new)
(i b) Present an ambitious EU action plan against impunity for crimes against humanity, as requested by the European Parliament in March 2021, with an immediate priority on Syria as the region's deadliest conflict in decades, notably for crimes perpetrated by the Islamic State and particularly the Assad regime since 2011, including the widespread and documented use of chemical weapons against civilians, the use of conventional bombs as well as barrel, incendiary and cluster bombs on civilians and the use of mass concentration camps and rape as a weapon of war against women, causing the death of half a million people and forcibly displacing 14 million Syrians in total;
Amendment 214 #
2022/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j
Paragraph 1 – point j
(j) Present annual updates on the implementation of the new agenda for the Mediterranean, with particular regard to the financial resources made available for the Economic and Investment Plan; takes the view that the Commission and the VP/HR should regularly consult Parliament on the annual and multi-annual programming related to the implementation of the new agenda for the Mediterranean and the Economic and Investment Plan, and that they should regularly brief Parliament on the state of play of the new agenda for the Mediterranean, and inform it about the implementation ofresponse to Parliament recommendations in all EU policies areas, as well as on additional projects and programmes that will boost the EU’s partnership capacity with Southern Neighbourhood countries;
Amendment 58 #
2022/0252M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes Thailand’s enactment in 2022 of the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act as a critical milestone in combating torture, ill treatment and enforced disappearances in Thailand and calls for its effective implementation; regrets that on 14 February 2023, the Thai government approved a decree to postpone the enforcement of Articles 22 to 25 of the Act on Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance from February to October 2023; underlines the need to improve the existing legal framework as well as for other measures and actions to be taken in order to move away from the culture of impunity and prevent human rights abuses;
Amendment 53 #
2022/0221M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Strongly condemns former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's calls for violence against French citizens following the terrorist attacks which took place in France. Calls on the Malaysian authorities to combat such hate speech;
Amendment 22 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) As the instrument aims to enhance the competitiveness and, efficiency and the independence of the Union’s defence industry, to benefit from the instrument, according to the legal basis, common procurement contracts will need to be placed with legal entities which are established in the Union or in associated countries and are not subject to control by non-associated third countries or by non- associated third- country entities. In that context, control should be understood to be the ability to exercise a decisive influence on a legal entity directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediate legal entities. Additionally, in order to ensure the protection of essential security and defence interests of the Union and its Member States, the infrastructure, facilities, assets and resources of the contractors and subcontractors involved in the common procurement which are used for the purposes of the common procurement shall be located on the territory of a Member State or of an associated third country.
Amendment 34 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) In certain exceptional circumstances, it should be possible to derogate from the principle that contractors and subcontractors involved in a common procurement supported by the Instrument are not subject to control by non-associated third countries or non associated third- country entities. In that context, a legal entity established in the Union or in an associated third country and controlled by a non-associated third country or a non- associated third country entity may participate as contractor and subcontractor involved in the common procurement if strict conditions relating to the security and defence interests of the Union and its Member States, as established in the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy pursuant to Title V of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), including in terms of strengthening the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base, are fulfilled.
Amendment 40 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1
Article 6 – paragraph 1
1. The Instrument shall be implemented in direct management in accordance with the Financial Regulation. Grants shall take the form of financing not linked to costs referred to in Article 180(3) of the Financial Regulation.
Amendment 41 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3
Article 6 – paragraph 3
3. WBy way of derogation to Article 193 of the Financial Regulation, and where necessary for the implementation of an action, financial contributions may cover a perioctions started prior to the date of the request for financial contributions for that action, provided that these actions hasve not started prior to the 24 February 2022. 18 May 2022 and have not been completed before the signature of the grant agreement. Retroactively eligible actions must comply with all eligibility criteria provided for in Articles 7 and 8.
Amendment 46 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) Member States should appoint a procurement agent to conduct a common procurement on their behalf. The procurement agent should be a contracting authority established in a Member State or an associated third country, including Union bodies or international organisations, such as the Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d'ARmement (OCCAR). The instrument should be without prejudice to the rules laid down in particular by the Directive 2009/81/EC on the coordination of procedures for the award of certain works contracts, supply contracts and service contracts by contracting authorities or entities in the fields of defence and security. Additional eligibility requirements as set out in article 8 in this regulation should be part of the tender documents and prevail over conflicting laws of the Member State in which the procurement agent is established.
Amendment 49 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The unjustified invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation on 24 February 2022 and the ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine has made it clear that it is critical to act nowurgently to address the existing shortfalls It has led to the return of high- intensity warfare and territorial conflict in Europe,. It requiringes a significant increase in the capacity of Member States to fill the most urgent and critical gaps, especially those exacerbated by the transfer of defence products to Ukraine, in particular in the Member States in its close neighbourhood.
Amendment 52 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2a) The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a wake-up call for the European Union, which still has Soviet-era military equipment, barely functioning or no longer relevant in the context of technological developments. The defence budget has been neglected critically in many Member States, while both our partners and other third countries have invested massively in modernizing their military capabilities. Ramping up our military R&D, our defence industry, and our military capabilities would make the EU a relevant global player, which is both adequate and necessary for the current geopolitical landscape.
Amendment 60 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) A dedicated short-term instrument, designed in a spirit of solidarity, was indicated as a tool to incentivise Member States, on a voluntary basis, to pursue common procurement to fill the most urgent and critical gaps, especiallyincluding those created by the response to the current Russia’s aggression, in a collaborative way.
Amendment 61 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) A dedicated short-term instrument, designed in a spirit of solidarity, was indicated as a tool to incentivise Member States, on a voluntary basis, to pursue common procurement to fill the most urgent and critical gaps, especially those created by the response to the current Russia’s aggression, in a collaborative way.
Amendment 65 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) Such a new instrument will contribute to reinforce common defence procurement and, through the associated Union financing, to strengthen and improve EU defence industrial capabilities.
Amendment 66 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5a) This instrument should be viewed as a first step towards more coordination in the field of security and defence, and, together with future measures, paves the way towards a European defence single market and a European Defence Union. European unity and interoperability are key for the future of the European security architecture.
Amendment 82 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) In the light of the above challenges and the related structural changes in the EU Defence industry, and in accordance with Article 173 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union where the Union and the Member States aim at ensuring that the competitiveness of the Union’s industry exist, it appears necessary to speed up the adjustment of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base, enhance its competitiveness and efficiency, and thereby contribute to strengthening and reforming Member States’ defence industrial capabilities. Addressing industrial shortfalls should include promptly tackling the most urgent gaps.
Amendment 83 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) In the light of the above challenges and the related structural changes in the EU Defence industry, it appears necessary to speed up the adjustment of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base, enhance its competitiveness and efficiency, and thereby contribute to strengthening and reforming Member States’ defence industrial capabilities. Addressing industrial shortfalls should include promptly tackling the most urgent gaps, while also thinking critically ahead about securing all necessary components needed in the EU defence supply chain.
Amendment 84 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) In the light of the above challenges and the related structural changes in the EU Defence industry, and in accordance with Article 173 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, it appears necessary to speed up the adjustment of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base, enhance its competitiveness and efficiency, and thereby contribute to strengthening and reforming Member States’ defence industrial capabilities. Addressing industrial shortfalls should include promptly tackling the most urgent gaps.
Amendment 87 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 8
Article 8 – paragraph 8
8. The infrastructure, facilities, assets and resources of the contractors and subcontractors involved in the common procurement which are used for the purposes of the common procurement shall be located on the territory of a Member State or of an associated third country. Where no competitive substitutesthere are no readily available substitutes in the Union or in an associated third country, contractors and subcontractors involved in the common procurement may use their assets, infrastructure, facilities and resources located or held outside the territory of the Member States or of the associated third countries provided that such use does not contravene the security and defence interests of the Union and its Member States and is consistent with the objectives set out in Article 3.
Amendment 90 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) Common investment and defence procurement should in particular be incentivised, as such collaborative actions would ensure that the necessary changes in the EU industrial base takes place in a collaborative manner, avoiding further fragmentation of the industry, and increasing interoperability.
Amendment 96 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 9
Article 8 – paragraph 9
9. Common procurement procedures and contracts shall also include a requirement for the defence product to not be subject to a restriction to use, maintain, modify or transfer it by a non- associated third country or a non- associated third country entity.
Amendment 100 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 9 a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. In regard of the urgency of the situation, a defence product subject to a restriction to transfer by a non-associated third country or a non-associated third country entity may be declared eligible by the Commission where the Member States or associated countries participating in the common procurement have demonstrated that this derogation only concerns defence products being in use prior to 24 February 2022 within the Armed Forces of all Member States or associated countries participating in the common procurement.
Amendment 102 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13 b (new)
Recital 13 b (new)
(13b) This instrument should be effective, seamless, and de- bureaucratised, in order to encourage SME participation, to stimulate innovation in defence products, and to open up the defence market to new European companies from across the EU.
Amendment 105 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) This Instrument will build on and take into account the work of the Defence Joint Procurement Task Force established by the Commission and the High Representative/Head of Agency, in line with the Joint Communication ‘Defence Investment Gaps Analysis and Way Forward”, to coordinate very short-term defence procurement needs and engage with Member States and EU defence manufacturers to support joint procurement to replenish, strengthen and increase stocks, notably in light of the support provided to Ukraine and in view to perpetuate it.
Amendment 106 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 10 – point b
Article 8 – paragraph 10 – point b
(b) other subcontractors to which at least 105 % of the work share is allocated;
Amendment 108 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 a (new)
Recital 14 a (new)
(14a) The ‘Defence Investment Gaps Analysis and Way Forward’, should become an annual report to ensure that EU military landscape is monitored and stocks are prepared, interoperable, and ready for deployment.
Amendment 110 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 10 a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. The proportion of the equipment originating from non-associated third countries shall not exceed 25% of the value of the end product. No components shall be sourced from non-associated third countries that contravene the security and defence interests of the Union and its Member States, including respect for the principle of good neighbourly relations.
Amendment 115 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15 a (new)
Recital 15 a (new)
(15a) Member States participating in the common procurement of defence products under this Instrument should have a right to invite Ukraine and Moldova to participate in the action. To do this they should authorise a procurement agent to enter into an agreement for procuring additional quantities of the defence product with these countries. Such an agreement would benefit the EDTIB as these countries' participation would provide for a better economy of scale and scope, higher demand and interoperability at the technical level, common training, cross-servicing and maintenance which would provide a foundation for the later inclusion of their defence industries in the EDTIB. It would also strengthen the two countries' defence capabilities in light of Russia's aggression and threat. The possibility to participate on the invitation of the Member States in the procurement agreement should be open to Georgia as soon as the European Council grants it the status of candidate country once the priorities specified in the Commission’s opinion on Georgia’s membership application have been addressed.
Amendment 120 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15 b (new)
Recital 15 b (new)
(15b) To make sure that all these initiatives are coherent, the Commission should prepare an overview of all instruments that can facilitate the joint procurement process and facilitate dialogue with Member States and their governments.
Amendment 121 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15 c (new)
Recital 15 c (new)
(15c) The Commission together with the EEAS should hold regular briefings and training programs with Member States to ensure they are ready to absorb funds and can make full use of this instrument. Regular info sessions should also be made available for the defence industry, including for SMEs.
Amendment 123 #
2022/0219(COD)
(16) As the instrument aims to enhance the competitiveness and, efficiency and independence of the Union’s defence industry, to benefit from the instrument in accordance with the legal basis, common procurement contracts will need to be placed with legal entities which are established in the Union or in associated countries and are not subject to control by non-associated third countries or by non- associated third- country entities. In that context, control should be understood to be the ability to exercise a decisive influence on a legal entity directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediate legal entities. Additionally, in order to ensure the protection of essential security and defence interests of the Union and its Member States, the infrastructure, facilities, assets and resources of the contractors and subcontractors involved in the common procurement which are used for the purposes of the common procurement shall be located on the territory of a Member State or of an associated third country.
Amendment 126 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16 a (new)
Recital 16 a (new)
(16a) Considering the very nature of this instrument, based on its legal basis, which aims at strengthening the European defence industry, any possible derogation shall be kept to a strict minimum.
Amendment 129 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) In certainstrictly framed exceptional circumstances, it should be possible to derogate from the principle that contractors and subcontractors involved in a common procurement supported by the Instrument are not subject to control by non-associated third countries or non -associated third- country entities. In that context, a legal entity established in the Union or in an associated third country and controlled by a non-associated third country or a non- associated third country entity may participate as contractor and subcontractor involved in the common procurement if strict conditions relating to the security and defence interests of the Union and its Member States, as established in the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy pursuant to Title V of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), including in terms of strengthening the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base, are fulfilled.
Amendment 133 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) Furthermore, the common procurement procedures and contracts shall also include a requirement for the defence product to not be subject to control or restriction by a non-associated third country or a non-associated third country entity that limits Member States’ ability to use, maintain, modify or transfer it.
Amendment 137 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 7 a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 7 a (new)
7 a. The interplay of the action within the framework of the European Defence Fund.
Amendment 140 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 7 b (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 7 b (new)
7 b. The contribution of the action to diversifying the supply chain by involving SMEs and mid-capitalisation companies in the manufacturing process in the manufacturing process.
Amendment 144 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) Where the Union grant takes the form of financing not linked to costs, the Commission should determine in the work programme the funding conditions for each action, in particular (a) a description of action involving cooperation for common procurement with a view to addressing the most urgent and critical capacity needs, (b) the milestones for the implementation of the action, (c) the rough order of magnitude expected from the common procurement and (d) the maximum Union contribution available.
Amendment 147 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) To generate the incentive effect, the level of Union contribution may be differentiated based on factors such as (a) the complexity of the common procurement, for which a proportion of the anticipated size of the procurement contract, based on experience gained in similar actions, may serve as an initial proxy, (b) the characteristics of the cooperation, such as joint usage, stockpiling, ownership or maintenance, which are likely to induce stronger interoperability outcomes and long-term investment signals to industry, and (c) the number of participating Member States or associated countries or the inclusion of additional Member States or associated countries to existing cooperations, and (d) the development of the action supported as part of the European Defence Fund.
Amendment 154 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) In accordance with Article 193(2) of the Financial Regulation, a grant may be awarded for an action which has already begun, provided that the applicant can demonstrate the need for starting the action prior to signature of the grant agreement. However, financial contribution should not cover a period prior to the date of submission of the grant application, except in duly justified exceptional cases, such as equipment replacement sent to Ukraine. In order to avoid any disruption in Union support which could be prejudicial to the interests of the Union, it should be possible to provide in the financing decision for financial contributions to actions that cover a period from the 24 February 2022, even if they have started before the grant application was submitted.
Amendment 156 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26 a (new)
Recital 26 a (new)
(26a) The EPPO and OLAF should closely monitor this instrument and its implementation in order to proactively prevent any risk of corruption.
Amendment 166 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5
(5) ‘procurement agent’ means a contracting authority as defined in Directive 2009/81/EC, established in a Member State or an associated country, or the European Defence Agency or an international organisation such as OCCAR, designated by at least three Member States to conduct a common procurement on their behalf, including Union bodies or international organisations; ;
Amendment 171 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 a (new)
(6a) ‘classified information’ means information or material, in any form, the unauthorised disclosure of which could cause varying degrees of prejudice to the interests of the Union, or of one or more of the Member States, and which bears an EU classification marking or a corresponding classification marking, as established in the Agreement between the Member States of the European Union, meeting within the Council, regarding the protection of classified information exchanged in the interests of the European Union;
Amendment 172 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 a (new)
(6a) ‘defence products’ means products and services within the scope of Article 2 of Directive 2009/81/EC.
Amendment 173 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 b (new)
(6b) ‘classified information’ means information or material, in any form, the unauthorised disclosure of which could cause varying degrees of prejudice to the interests of the Union, or of one or more of the Member States, and which bears an EU classification marking or a corresponding classification marking, as established in the Agreement between the Member States of the European Union, meeting within the Council, regarding the protection of classified information exchanged in the interests of the European Union;
Amendment 174 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 b (new)
(6b) ‘sensitive information’ means information and data, including classified information, that is to be protected from unauthorised access or disclosure because of obligations laid down in Union or national law or in order to safeguard the privacy or security of a natural or legal person;
Amendment 175 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 c (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 c (new)
(6c) ‘sensitive information’ means information and data, including classified information, that is to be protected from unauthorised access or disclosure because of obligations laid down in Union or national law or in order to safeguard the privacy or security of a natural or legal person;
Amendment 176 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to foster the competitiveness and efficiency of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), including SMEs and mid- capitalisation companies (mid-caps), for a more resilient Union, in particular by speeding up, in a collaborative manner, the adjustment of industry to structural changes, including the creation and ramp- up of its manufacturing capacities, in accordance with the legal basis of the instrument, in order to provide the most critical and urgent defence products needed by Member States;
Amendment 179 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to foster the competitiveness and efficiency of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), including SMEs and mid- capitalisation companies (mid-caps) for a more resilient Union, in particular by speeding up, in a collaborative manner, the adjustment of industry to structural and technological changes, including ramp-up of its manufacturing capacities and increase in the resilience of its supply chains;
Amendment 187 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) to foster cooperation in defence procurement process between participating Member States contributing to solidarity, interoperability, prevention of crowding- out effects, avoiding fragmentation and, increasing the effectiveness of public spending, and encouraging the harmonisation of defence procurement legislation across Member States.
Amendment 190 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) to foster cooperation in defence procurement process between participating Member States contributing to solidarity, interoperability, prevention of crowding- out effects, avoiding fragmentation and, increasing the effectiveness of public spending, and fostering the emergence of European standards in the field of defence.
Amendment 192 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i (new)
i) to stimulate the uptake of new technologies in the EDTIB and to support the development of a defence technological and industrial base in more Union Member States.
Amendment 197 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. The objectives shall be pursued with an emphasis on strengthening and developing the Union defence industrial base to allow it to address in particular the most urgent and critical defence products needs, especially those revealed or exacerbated by the response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine, taking into account the work of the Defence Joint Procurement Task Force and the capability gaps identified in the Joint Communication of the Commission and the High-Representative on Defence investment gaps analysis. This can be achieved through the replenishment of stockpiles, including with the equipment in the EDTIB, as well as through the replacement of obsolete ones, especially post-Soviet equipment, and the reinforcement of overall defence capabilities.
Amendment 204 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. The objectives shall be pursued with an emphasis on strengthening and developing the Union defence industrial base in accordance with the legal basis of the instrument to allow it to address in particular the most urgent and critical defence products needs, especially those revealed or exacerbated by the response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine, taking into account the work of the Defence Joint Procurement Task Force.
Amendment 205 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. The objectives shall be pursued with an emphasis on strengthening and, developing, modernising, and expanding the Union defence industrial base to allow it to address in particular the most urgent and critical defence products needs, especially those revealed or exacerbated by the response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine, taking into account the work of the Defence Joint Procurement Task Force.
Amendment 207 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Nothing in this Instrument shall be interpreted as constraining the Member States arms export policies, in particular shipments to Ukraine.
Amendment 209 #
2022/0219(COD)
1. The financial envelope for the implementation of the Instrument for the period from the entry into force of this Regulation to 31 December 2024 shall be EUR 500 m1.5 billion in current prices.
Amendment 210 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. The financial envelope for the implementation of the Instrument for the period from the entry into force of this Regulation to 31 December 2024 shall be EUR 500 m1.5 billion in current prices.
Amendment 211 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – indent 1 (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – indent 1 (new)
Amendment 225 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 2
2. The EU funding shall incentivize the cooperation between Member States to fulfil the objectives referred to in Article 3. The financial contribution shall be set up taking into consideration the collaborative nature of the common procurement plus an appropriate amount to create the incentive effect necessary to induce cooperation.
Amendment 226 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3
Article 6 – paragraph 3
3. WBy way of derogation to Article 193 of the Financial Regulation, and where necessary for the implementation of an action, financial contributions may cover a period prior to the date of the request for financial contributions for that action, provided that the action has not started prior to the 24 February 202218 May 2022 and the common procurement has not been tendered before the signature of the Grant Agreement.
Amendment 234 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the actions shall involve cooperation for common procurement of the most urgent and critical defence products between eligible entities implementing the objectives referred to in Article 3;
Amendment 235 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) the actions shall involve new cooperation or an extension of existing cooperation to at least one new Member States or associated countries;
Amendment 236 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) the actions shall involve new cooperation or an extension of existing cooperation to at least onew Member States or associated countriesy;
Amendment 244 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. Member States or associated third countries in accordance with Article 5 shall appoint a procurement agent to act on their behalf for the purpose of the common procurement. The procurement agent shall carry out the procurement procedures and conclude the resulting agreements with contractors on behalf of the participating Member States.
Amendment 248 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 5
Article 8 – paragraph 5
5. By way of derogation from paragraph 4, a legal entity established in the Union or in an associated third country and controlled by a non-associated third country or a non-associated third country entity may participate as contractor and subcontractor involved in the common procurement only if it provides guarantees approved by the Member State or associated third country in which the contractor is established are made available to the Commission by the procurement agent or if it demonstrates that it has been subject to a screening within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2019/452 and, where necessary, to mitigating measures equivalent to the conditions of paragraph 7.
Amendment 249 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 5
Article 8 – paragraph 5
5. By way of derogation from paragraph 4, a legal entity established in the Union or in an associated third country and controlled by a non-associated third country or a non-associated third country entity may participate as contractor and subcontractor involved in the common procurement only if it provides adequate guarantees approved by the Member State or associated third country in which the contractor is established, pursuant to Article 7.
Amendment 254 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 6
Article 8 – paragraph 6
6. The participating Member States shall provide to the Commission a notification from the procurement agent on the guarantees or the equivalent measures provided by a contractor or subcontractor involved in the common procurement that is established in the Union or an associated third country and controlled by a non- associated third country or a non- associated third country entity. The guarantees, the equivalent measures and related provisions in the procurement contract shall be made available to the Commission upon request. The guarantees and equivalent measures shall provide assurances that the involvement of the contractor or subcontractor involved in the common procurement does not contravene the security and defence interests of the Union and its Member States as established in the framework of the CFSP pursuant to Title V of the TEU, or the objectives set out in Article 3 of this Regulation.
Amendment 256 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 7 – introductory part
Article 8 – paragraph 7 – introductory part
7. The guarantees and equivalent measures shall in particular substantiate that, for the purposes of the common procurement, measures are in place to ensure that:
Amendment 260 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 7 a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 7 a (new)
Amendment 269 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 9
Article 8 – paragraph 9
9. Common procurement procedures and contracts shall also include a requirement for the defence product to not be subject to a restriction by a non- associated third country or a non- associated third country entity that limits Member States’ ability to use, maintain, modify or transfer it.
Amendment 272 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 9 a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. By way of derogation from paragraph 9, and in regard of the urgency of the situation and the short-term nature of the Instrument, a defence product subject to a restriction by a non- associated third country or a non- associated third country entity shall be eligible for common procurement only if the Member States or associated countries participating in the common procurement request to waive this requirement. The request shall in particular substantiate that the following conditions are cumulatively met: (a) The waiver shall only concern defence products being in use prior to 24 February 2022 within the Armed Forces of all Member States or associated countries participating in the common procurement. (b) The waiver shall only concern defence products the stocks of which need to be replenished due to the new security environment in Europe, and (c) The waiver shall only concern defence products the non-availability of which, due to an absence of waiver, would put at risk the requesting Member States’ immediate ability to defend themselves’.
Amendment 275 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 10 – introductory part
Article 8 – paragraph 10 – introductory part
10. For the purposes of this Article, and in view of criticality and urgency to procure to fulfil the objectives of this regulation, ‘subcontractors involved in the common procurement’ means all of the followingre only the ones:
Amendment 278 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 10 – point a
Article 8 – paragraph 10 – point a
(a) subcontractors with a direct contractual relationship to a contractor;
Amendment 281 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 10 – point b
Article 8 – paragraph 10 – point b
(b) other subcontractors to which at least 105 % of the work share is allocated;
Amendment 283 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 10 – point c
Article 8 – paragraph 10 – point c
(c) subcontractors which may require access to classified informaproviding critical inputs that possess unique attributes essential for the function ing order to carry out the common procuremenf a product.
Amendment 285 #
2022/0219(COD)
10a. The proportion of the equipment originating from non-associated third countries shall not exceed 20 per cent of the value of the end product. No components shall be sourced from non- associated third countries that contravene the security and defence interests of the Union and its Member States, including respect for the principle of good neighbourly relations.
Amendment 291 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 1
1. The contribution of the action to strengthening and developing the Union defence industrial base to allow it to address in particular the most urgent and critical defence products needs as referred to in Article 3, including with respect to procurement procedure and delivery lead times, replenishment of stocks, availability and supply;
Amendment 292 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 2
2. the contribution of the action to competitiveness and adaptation of the EDTIB, including through the envisaged ramp-up of its manufacturing capacities, reservation of manufacturing capacities, its reskilling and upskilling, and overall modernizsation including increased military interoperability between Member States and with NATO;
Amendment 293 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 3
3. the contribution of the action to strengthening cooperation among Member States or associated countries and interoperability of products, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, and any declaration by the participants to strengthen their defence cooperation beyond the joint procurement;
Amendment 294 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 3 a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 3 a (new)
3a. 3a. the extent to which the procurement stimulates the expansion of the EDTIB to more Member States, the modernization of Member States military capabilities, and the uptake of cutting- edge technologies and equipment;
Amendment 295 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 4 a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 4 a (new)
4a. whether the participants include Member States on the Eastern Flank, Ukraine, or the Republic of Moldova;
Amendment 296 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 6
6. catalytic effect of Union financial support through demonstration of how the Union contribution can overcome obstacles to common procurement and contribute to the goal of moving towards a European Defence Union;
Amendment 297 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 7 a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 7 a (new)
7a. The contribution of the action to diversifying the supply chain by involving SMEs and mid-capitalisation companies in the manufacturing process.
Amendment 298 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 7 a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 7 a (new)
7a. The articulation of the action in the framework of the European Defence Fund.
Amendment 307 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 3
Article 11 – paragraph 3
3. The work programme shall set out the minimum financial size of the joint procurement actions and determine the indicative amount of financial support for actions carried out by the minimum number of Member States as referred to in point c) of Article 7 paragraph 1 as well as incentives for procurement of higher value and inclusion of additional Member States or associated countries or countries referred to in Article 5, subparagraph 2.
Amendment 310 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point 1 (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point 1 (new)
(1) The Commission, assisted by the European Defence Agency, shall endeavour to identify those components of non EU origin for which no alternative exists in the Union and take appropriate measures to foster their development in the Union, including through research and development, and in particular, through the European Defence Fund.
Amendment 313 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 a (new)
Article 11 a (new)
Article 11 a Application of the rules on classified and sensitive information 1. Within the scope of this Regulation : (a) each Member State shall ensure that it offers a degree of protection of EU classified information equivalent to that provided by the security rules of the Council set out in Council Decision 2013/488/EU (28); (b) the Commission shall protect classified information in accordance with the security rules set out in Decision (EU, Euratom) 2015/444; 2. The use and disclosure of sensitive information should be governed by relevant Union and national law and subjected to authorizition of the Member States.
Amendment 330 #
2022/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 a (new)
Article 12 a (new)
Article 12 a Application of the rules on classified information 1. Member States and associated countries participating in a common procurement shall determine among themselves the arrangements applicable to the protection of classified information for the purposes of the common procurement, in accordance with national laws and regulations. 2. The Commission shall protect EU classified information received in relation to the Instrument in accordance with the security rules set out in Decision (EU, Euratom) 2015/444. 3. The Commission shall set up a secured exchange system in order to facilitate the exchange of sensitive and classified information between the Commission and the Member States and associated countries and, where appropriate, with the applicants and the recipients. That system shall take into account the Member States’ national security regulations.
Amendment 8 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas we must both continue to strengthen our support to Ukraine and respond to other urgent global needs as they evolve; whereas, in particular, the provision of aid to Ukraine should not result in the diversion of EU funds earmarked to address humanitarian situations that are growing ever worse in the rest of our neighbourhood;
Amendment 15 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines its undivided solidarity with the people of Ukraine; welcomes therefore the mobilisation of the EUR 4.2 billion already proposed and asks for additional funds, also for reconstruction and support in the form of military equipment;
Amendment 18 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that the purpose of European cooperation in defence matters is to make Europe and its citizens safer and reduce costs by creating, to contribute to conflict prevention and resolution, and to the security and stability of the EU’s priority regions, to boost our strategic autonomy, to consolidate the ‘European Defence Technological and Industrial Base’ (EDTIB) in order to meet our capability requirements and foster synergies; highlights that the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) has been deeply impacted by Russia’s war; notes that the European Peace Facility (EPF) has enabled an unprecedented support from EU Member States, including weapons, amounting to EUR 2 billion by the end of May 2022, but regrets that this is off-budget which does not allow for parliamentary scrutiny; takes the view that the EPF’s financial ceiling, set at EUR 5.692 billion for 2021-2027, has largely been reached and that therefore the Member States must consider reviewing that ceiling to take into account the significant expenditure connected with the conflict in Ukraine; notes that the efforts the Member States have agreed to with regard to providing support to Ukraine have highlighted the need for stocks of military equipment to be replenished quickly, and supports the introduction of a scheme to encourage the joint purchasing of equipment; stresses the heightened importance of promoting and providing sufficient resources for military mobility;
Amendment 39 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Continues to see the Western Balkans integration as a geopolitical priority, especially in the context of Russia’s unprovoked aggression against Ukraine, which resonated strongly across the region, but insists on the conditionality requirements regarding rule of law, and the fight against corruption, for every euro committed in the 2023 budget; calls for enhanced coherence among the EU’s various financing instruments to ensure that a genuinely integrated approach can be taken;
Amendment 44 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Points out, furthermore, that Russia is waging hybrid warfare, including disinformation campaigns, in Ukraine, the Western Balkans, the candidate countries and sub-Saharan Africa, and throughout the EU; emphasises that such campaigns are damaging the effectiveness of EU action, especially as regards foreign and defence policy; calls, therefore, for more funding to be allocated to EU StratCom in order to establish genuine strategic communication, to raise the EU’s profile and to counter the disinformation campaigns; stresses that strengthening the task force on responding to Russian disinformation should not be detrimental to efforts to combat disinformation originating from other regions of the world;
Amendment 83 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) An effective asset recovery system requires the swift tracing and identification of instrumentalities and proceeds of crime, and property suspected to be of criminal origin. Such proceeds, instrumentalities, and property should be frozen in order to prevent its disappearance, following which it should be confiscated upon conclusion of criminal proceedings. An effective asset recovery system further requires the effective management of frozen and confiscated property to maintain its value for the State or, in particular, for the restitution for victims.
Amendment 84 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) Therefore, the existing legal framework should be updated, so as to facilitate and ensure effective asset recovery and confiscation efforts across the Union. To that end, the Directive should lay down minimum rules on tracing and identification, freezing, confiscation and management of property within the framework of proceedings in criminal matters. In this context, proceedings in criminal matters is an autonomous concept of Union law interpreted by the Court of Justice of the European Union, notwithstanding the case law of the European Court of Human Rights. The term covers all types of freezing and confiscation orders issued following proceedings in relation to a criminal offence. It also covers other types of orders issued without a final conviction. Proceedings in criminal matters could also encompass criminal investigations by the police and other law enforcement authorities. If their national system is so designed, Member States may apply this Directive in the domain of criminal law, administrative law or civil law, as long as it is ensured that any procedure satisfies the essential characteristics of criminal procedure, in particular its safeguards. It is necessary to reinforce the capacity of competent authorities to deprive criminals of the proceeds from criminal activities. For this purpose, rules should be laid down to strengthen asset tracing and identification, as well as freezing capabilities, to improve management of frozen and confiscated property, to strengthen the instruments to confiscate instrumentalities and proceeds of crime and property derived from criminal activities of criminal organisations, and to improve the overall efficiency of the asset recovery system.
Amendment 87 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) The rules should facilitate cross- border cooperation by providing the competent authorities with the necessary powers and resources to respond in a swift and effective way to requests from authorities in other Member States. Provisions laying down rules on early tracing and identification, urgent action to freeze, or efficient management contribute to improving the possibilities for asset recovery across borders. Given the global nature of in particular organised crime, and the fleeting nature of criminal assets that can easily be moved, cooperation with third countries should also be strengthened.
Amendment 100 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) In order to facilitate cross-border cooperation, the tracing and identification of property at an early stage of a criminal investigation is of essence to ensure the prompt identification of instrumentalities, proceeds, or property, which might be subsequently confiscated, including property related to criminal activities located in other jurisdictions. To ensure a high standard of operating, it is important that rules relating to the work of asset recovery office are harmonised, in order to increase the rate of cross-border information exchange and the tracing of criminal assets. To ensure that financial investigations are sufficiently prioritised in all Member States, so to address a crime of cross-border nature, it is necessary to require competent authorities to launch asset tracing from the moment there is a suspicion of criminal activities that are likely to generate substantial economic benefits.
Amendment 102 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) In order to perform effective asset tracing investigations, efficiently assess whether it is worthwhile to issue a freezing order under Regulation (EU) 2018/1805, and to swiftly respond to cross- border requests, asset recovery offices should have access to the information that allows them to establish the existence, ownership or control of property that may become object of a freezing or a confiscation order. Therefore, asset recovery offices should have swift access to the relevant data such as balances on bank accounts and transaction data, fiscal data, national citizenship and population registries, commercial databases and social security information. This should include law enforcement information in so far as data such as criminal records, vehicles stops, property searches and previous legal actions such as freezing and confiscation orders or seizures of cash can be of value to identify relevant property. Access to information should be subject to specific safeguards that prevent the misuse of the access rights. These safeguards should be without prejudice toin full compliance with Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2016/680 of the European Parliament and of the Council23. The direct and immediate access to this information does not prevent Member States from making access subject to procedural safeguards as established under national law while taking due account of the need for asset recovery offices to be able to swiftly reply to cross-border requests. Requests for information may be refused by asset recovery offices when it would entail a manifest breach of a relevant fundamental right as set out in the Charter, in particular the right to an effective remedy, the right to a fair trial or the right to defence. The implementation of the procedural safeguards for access to databases should not affect the ability of asset recovery offices to respond to requests from other Member States, especially in case of urgent requests. Access to relevant databases and registries under this Directive should complement access to bank account information pursuant to Directive (EU) 2019/1153 of the European Parliament and of the Council24and to beneficial ownership information pursuant to Directive (EU) 2015/849 of the European Parliament and of the Council25. _________________ 23 Directive (EU) 2016/680 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by competent authorities for the purposes of the prevention, investigation, detection or prosecution of criminal offences or the execution of criminal penalties, and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Council Framework Decision 2008/977/JHA (OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 89). 24 Directive (EU) 2019/1153 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 laying down rules facilitating the use of financial and other information for the prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of certain criminal offences, and repealing Council Decision 2000/642/JHA (OJ L 186, 11.7.2019, p. 122). 25 Directive (EU) 2015/849 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2015 on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing, as amended by Directive (EU) 2018/843 (OJ L 141 5.6.2015, p. 73).
Amendment 104 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) To ensure and facilitate the security of the information and personal data shared between asset recovery offices, and the use ofsupervision thereof, all asset recovery offices should be able to directly access the Secure Information Exchange Network Application (SIENA), managed by Europol in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/794 of the European Parliament and of the Council26,. The use of SIENA should be mandatory for all communications among asset recovery offices under this Directive. Therefore, in order to be able to fulfil all the tasks assigned by this Directive, all asset recovery offices should be able to directly access SIENA. _________________ 26 Regulation (EU) 2016/794 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and replacing and repealing Council Decisions 2009/371/JHA, 2009/934/JHA, 2009/935/JHA, 2009/936/JHA and 2009/968/JHA (OJ L 135, 24.5.2016, p. 53).
Amendment 114 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 26
Recital 26
(26) Confiscation should also be possible where a court is satisfied that the instrumentalities, proceeds, or property in question is derived from criminal conduct but where a final conviction is not possible because of illness, absconding or death of the suspected or accused person, or because the suspected or accused person cannot be held liable because of immunity or amnesty as provided for under national law. The same should be possible where the time limits prescribed under national law have expired, where such time limits are not sufficiently long to allow for the effective investigation and prosecution of the relevant criminal offences. Confiscation in such cases should only be allowed where the national court is satisfied that all the elements of the offence are present. For reasons of proportionality, confiscating property without a prior conviction should be limited to cases of serious crimes. TConfiscations that do not follow a conviction need to be in compliance with fundamental rights. In particular, the right of the defendant to be made aware of the proceeding and to be represented by a lawyer should not be affected.
Amendment 126 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 34
Recital 34
(34) Freezing, confiscation, and interlocutory sales orders should, in principle, be communicated to the affected party without delay, except in circumstances wherein such communication can put at risk the confidentiality or integrity of a criminal investigation. The purpose of communicating those orders is, inter alia, to allow the affected person to challenge them before a court. Therefore, such communications should, as a general rule, indicate the reason or reasons for the order concerned. The affected party should have the effective possibility to challenge the freezing, confiscation, and interlocutory sales orders. In the case of confiscation orders where all elements of the criminal offence are present but a criminal conviction is impossible, the defendant should have a possibility to be heard before the adoption of the order. The same possibility should be provided for the owner affected by an order to sell the property before confiscation.
Amendment 128 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 39 a (new)
Recital 39 a (new)
(39a) It is important that minimum standards for the functioning of asset recovery offices and asset management offices are ensured throughout the Union. For this reason, Member States should be required to regularly report to the Commission on the financial, human and technical resources allocated to these offices.
Amendment 129 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 43 a (new)
Recital 43 a (new)
(43a) In order to advise the Commission on the implementation of the measures provided for in this Directive, to exchange information on the efficiency and effectiveness of the cooperation with third countries and to analyse the national strategies on asset recovery adopted by Member States to identify best practices, a platform on asset recovery and confiscation (the ‘platform’) should be established under the political guidance of the Commission. The platform should be composed of representatives from asset recovery offices and asset management offices and should be co-chaired by a representative of the Commission and of Europol. It should invite representatives from Eurojust and the European Public Prosecutors Office to participate to the meetings of the platform.
Amendment 130 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 43 b (new)
Recital 43 b (new)
(43b) In order to enhance the effectiveness of the Union’s restrictive measures, an EU Coordinator for compliance with restrictive measures of the Union should be appointed. The EU Coordinator for compliance with restrictive measures of the Union should analyse, coordinate, and promote new restrictive measures in the Union, pool information and resources to counter their violation, and identify sectors and trade flows with a high circumvention risk;
Amendment 131 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 43 c (new)
Recital 43 c (new)
(43c) To manage the frozen assets within the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy efficiently, the European Commission should set up a special EU Asset Management Office.
Amendment 146 #
Amendment 154 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point j a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point j a (new)
(ja) illicit trafficking in hormonal substances and other growth promoters;
Amendment 155 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point j b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point j b (new)
(jb) illicit trafficking in nuclear or radioactive materials;
Amendment 156 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point j c (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point j c (new)
(jc) crimes within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court;
Amendment 157 #
2022/0167(COD)
(jd) unlawful seizure of aircraft or ships.
Amendment 163 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 5 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 5 a (new)
(5a) ‘urgent freezing measure’ means immediate action undertaken by an asset recovery action when necessary in order to preserve a property;
Amendment 168 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. To facilitate cross-border cooperation, Member States shall take measures to enable the swift tracing and identification of instrumentalities and, proceeds, or property, or unexplained wealth which may become or is the object of a freezing or confiscation order in the course of criminal proceedings.
Amendment 170 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. Asset tracing investigations pursuant to paragraph 1 shall be carried out immediately by competent authorities whenever an investigation is initiated in relation to a criminal offence which is likely to give rise to substantial economic benefit, or where necessary to prevent, detect or investigate criminal offences related to the violation of Union restrictive measures. The initiation of the asset tracing investigation shall be systematic, but may be subject to a minimum threshold as regards the value linked to the criminal offence.
Amendment 173 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 1
1. Each Member State shall set up at least one asset recovery office to facilitate cross-border cooperation in relation to asset tracing investigations which shall act under the responsibility of a judicial authority.
Amendment 175 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) trace and identify instrumentalities, proceeds, or property, or unexplained wealth whenever necessary to support other competent national authorities responsible for asset tracing investigations pursuant to Article 4;
Amendment 177 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) trace and identify instrumentalities, proceeds, or property, or unexplained wealth which may become or is the object of a freezing or confiscation order issued by another Member State;
Amendment 179 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) cooperate and exchange information with other Member States’ asset recovery offices in the tracing and identification of instrumentalities and , proceeds, or property, or unexplained wealth which may become or is the object of a freezing or confiscation order;
Amendment 186 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. For the purposes of performing the tasks referred to in Article 5, Member States shall ensure that asset recovery offices have immediate and direct access to the following information to the extent that information is necessary for the tracing and identification of proceeds, instrumentalities, and property:, and unexplained wealth
Amendment 187 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) data regarding the balance on bank accounts and financial transactions;
Amendment 192 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
(ga) in accordance with national law, data stored by providers of virtual assets, including account balances of virtual assets;
Amendment 193 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point g b (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point g b (new)
(gb) in accordance with national law, data stored in the Visa Information System (VIS), Schengen Information System (SIS II), Entry/Exit System (EES), European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), and European Criminal Records Information System for Third-Country Nationals (ECRIS-TCN).
Amendment 197 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 2
2. Where the information referred to in paragraph 1 is not stored in databases or registers, Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that asset recovery offices can swiftly obtain that information by other means in a systematic and automised manner.
Amendment 198 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The Commission may adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 30 laying down specifications for a standardised template for requests for information as referred to in paragraph 1, point (b) of this Article.
Amendment 201 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. Access to information pursuant to Article 6 shall be performed only where necessary on a case-by-case basis by the staff specifically designated and authorised to access the information referred to in Article 6, in line with Directive 2016/680 (LED).
Amendment 204 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Without prejudice to the requirements laid down in Article 25 of Directive 2016/680, Member States shall ensure that the authorities holding the information referred to in Article 6 keep logs of all access and search activities by asset recovery offices in accordance with this Directive. The logs shall contain the following:
Amendment 207 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that their asset recovery offices provide, upon request from an asset recovery office of another Member State, any information that is necessary for the performance of their tasks pursuant to Article 5. The categories of personal data that can be provided are those listed in Section B, point 2 of Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2016/794, with the exclusion of the special data categories of personal data relating to forensic identification information under Section B, point 2(c)(v) .
Amendment 211 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. When making a request pursuant to paragraph 1, the requesting asset recovery office shall, in line with the objective of data minimisation, specify as precisely as possible the following:
Amendment 219 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 6 – point b a (new)
Article 9 – paragraph 6 – point b a (new)
(ba) (c) in particular and objectively specified circumstances, entail a manifest breach of a relevant fundamental right as set out in the Charter, in particular the right to an effective remedy, the right to a fair trial or the right to defence.
Amendment 224 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 7
Article 9 – paragraph 7
7. For refusals to give information, Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that reasons are given for refusals to provide informationand that the requesting asset recovery office is consulted in advance. Refusals shall only affect the part of the requested information to which the reasons set out in paragraph 6 relate and shall, where applicable, leave the obligation to provide the other parts of the information in accordance with this Directive unaffected.
Amendment 225 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 10 – paragraph 2
Article 10 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shall ensure that the receipt of requests for information pursuant to this Directive are immediately and systematically acknowledged. Where the information requested pursuant to paragraph 1, point (b) is not directly available or the request pursuant to paragraph 1, point (a) imposes a disproportionate burden, the asset recovery office receiving the request may postpone the provision of the information. In that case, the requested asset recovery office shall immediately inform the requesting asset recovery office of this postponement and shall provide the requested information as soon as possible, and in any event within three days of the initial deadline established pursuant to paragraph 1.
Amendment 229 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 2
Article 11 – paragraph 2
2. Freezing measures shall include immediate action, in the form of urgent freezing measures, to be taken when necessary in order to preserve the property.
Amendment 268 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 16 – paragraph 2
Article 16 – paragraph 2
2. When determining whether the frozen property is derived from criminal offences, account shall be taken of all the circumstances of the case, including the specific facts and available evidence, such as that the value of the property is substantially disproportionate to the lawful income of the owner of the property for which there is no reasonable explanation.
Amendment 271 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 17 – paragraph 1
Article 17 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall take the necessary measures to enable the tracing and identification of property to be frozen and confiscated even after a final conviction for a criminal offence, or following proceedings in application of Articles 15 and 16. Member States shall ensure that such investigations are also possible with the aim of victim compensation.
Amendment 272 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 17 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 17 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. For the purpose of paragraph 1, Member States shall ensure that competent authorities can use the same investigative powers as those available for tracing and freezing of assets pursuant to Chapter III of this Directive.
Amendment 277 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 17 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 17 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Member States shall ensure that assets that are confiscated when acting upon the request of another Member State shall be executed in accordance with an asset-sharing agreement.
Amendment 281 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 18 – paragraph 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1
Where, as a result of a criminal offence, victims have claims against the person who is subject to a confiscation measure provided for under this Directive, Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the confiscation measure does not affect victims’ rights to obvictims’ rights to obtain compensation for their claims has priority over payment to the State. The European Commission shall provide guidelines for compensation for victims of crimes in relation to article 2(3), takin compensation for their claimsg into account damage caused to the individual victims and the public interest.
Amendment 289 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 19 – paragraph 2
Article 19 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shall ensure that, before issuing a freezing order within the meaning of Article 11 paragraph 1, competent authorities responsible for the management of frozen and confiscated property carry out, wherever possible and relevant, an assessment of the costs which may be incurred in the management of the property which may be frozen, for the purposes of preserving and optimizing the value of such property until its disposal.
Amendment 302 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 22 – paragraph 1
Article 22 – paragraph 1
Member States shall ensure that the freezing orders pursuant to Article 11, confiscation orders pursuant to Articles 12 to 16, and orders to sell the property pursuant to Article 20 are communicated to the affected person setting out the reasons for the measure. To protect ongoing criminal investigations, Member States may put in place rules allowing for the temporary postponement of informing the affected persons. Member States shall inform the affected persons as soon as it is no longer necessary to postpone.
Amendment 304 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 23 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Article 23 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Member States shall provide for the effective possibility for the person whose property is affected to challenge the confiscation order and the relevant circumstances of the case before a court, in accordance with procedures provided for in national law. Member States shall ensure that affected persons may always join the judicial procedure if they have a claim on the confiscated property.
Amendment 308 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 23 – paragraph 6
Article 23 – paragraph 6
6. Member States shall provide for the effective possibility for the person whose property is affected to challenge an order pursuant to Article 20 to sell the property in question. Member States shall provide for the possibility that such an appeal has suspensory effectall legal remedies to challenge the freezing order.
Amendment 311 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 24 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 24 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) strategic objectives, priorities and measures for the purposes of enhancing efforts by all competent national authorities involved in the recovery and management of property as set out in this Directive;
Amendment 312 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 24 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 24 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) a governance framework to achieve the strategic objectives and priorities, including an effective cooperation framework between asset recovery offices and asset management offices, and a further description of the roles and responsibilities of all the competent authorities and cooperation mechanisms;
Amendment 317 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 24 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
Article 24 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
(da) the use of confiscated assets for public interest or social use;
Amendment 321 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 25 – paragraph 1
Article 25 – paragraph 1
Member States shall ensure that asset recovery offices and asset management offices performing tasks pursuant to this Directive, have appropriately qualified staff and appropriate financial, technical and technological resources necessary for the effective performance of their functions related to the implementation of this Directive. In addition to Article 24(2)(c), Member States shall update the Commission annually on the resources allotted to asset recovery offices and asset management offices.
Amendment 329 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 26 – paragraph 5
Article 26 – paragraph 5
5. Member States shall ensure that appropriate technical and organisational measures are in place to ensure the security of the data contained in the centralised registries of frozen and confiscated property. As regards data protection, Member States shall designate a competent authority for the management of the centralised registries, thereby functioning as data controller in accordance with Article 3(8) of Directive 2016/680 (LED).
Amendment 334 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 26 a (new)
Article 26 a (new)
Article 26a Assets confiscated relating to the violation of Union restrictive measures Member States shall transfer the monetary value of confiscated assets listed in the centralised registries referred to in Article 26 to the Rebuild Ukraine Facility where those assets have been confiscated as a result of a criminal investigation relating to the violation of Union restrictive measures, pursuant to Article 2(3) of this Directive and in accordance with Article 21(5) of the Financial Regulation.
Amendment 336 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 27 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 27 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The statistics collected shall include: (a) the number of freezing orders executed; (b) the number of confiscation orders executed; (c) the estimated value of property frozen, at least of property frozen with a view to possible subsequent confiscation at the time of freezing; (d) the estimated value of property recovered at the time of confiscation; (e) the number of requests for freezing orders to be executed in another Member State; (f) the number of requests for confiscation orders to be executed in another Member State; (g) the value or estimated value of the property recovered following execution in another Member State (h) the value of the property destined to be used for victim compensation or reused for social purposes (i) the type of use to which the confiscated property has been put.
Amendment 338 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 27 – paragraph 2
Article 27 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shall ensure that the statistics referred to in paragraph 1 are collected on a calendar basis and transmitted to the Commission on an annual basis, by [1 September] of the following year. The Commission shall make these statistics publicly available.
Amendment 349 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 27 a (new)
Article 27 a (new)
Amendment 350 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 27 b (new)
Article 27 b (new)
Article 27b EU Coordinator for compliance with restrictive measures 1. With the view of promoting the effectiveness of the Union’s restrictive measures, the Commission shall appoint an EU Coordinator for compliance with restrictive measures of the Union. 2. The EU Coordinator for compliance with restrictive measures of the Union shall: (a) analyse, coordinate, and promote new restrictive measures in the Union; (b) pool information and resources to counter evasion of EU sanctions; (c) identify sectors and trade flows with a high circumvention risk; (d) provide information and assistance to the EU Asset Management Office on frozen assets related to EU restrictive measures; 3. Upon the publication of new restrictive measures, the EU Coordinator for compliance with Union restrictive measures shall make available a list of relevant targeted entities in a manner that is compatible with Member States’ tracing systems. 4. The Commission shall provide the EU Coordinator for compliance with restrictive measures of the Union with sufficient resources and staff to support its tasks.
Amendment 351 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 27 c (new)
Article 27 c (new)
Article 27c Asset management of confiscated assets relating to the violation of Union restrictive measures The European Commission, in cooperation with the EU Coordinator for compliance with restrictive measures shall set up a special EU Asset Management Office to actively manage the frozen assets within the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the directive on the violation of Union restrictive measures. Any net return from these activities shall be transferred to the Rebuild Ukraine Facility.
Amendment 352 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 28 – paragraph 1
Article 28 – paragraph 1
1. Asset recovery offices of Member States shall closely cooperate with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office for the purposes of facilitating the identification of instrumentalities and proceeds, or property that may become or is the object of a freezing or confiscation order in proceedings in criminal matters concerning criminal offences for which the European Public Prosecutor’s Office exercises its competence. For the purposes of this Directive, asset recovery offices of Member States shall treat the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in the same manner as an asset recovery office of any other Member State, in so far as it falls within the remit of the EPPO’s competences.
Amendment 354 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 28 – paragraph 2
Article 28 – paragraph 2
2. Asset recovery offices shall cooperate with Europol and Eurojust, in accordance with the areas of their competence, for the purposes of facilitating the identification of instrumentalities and proceeds, or property that may become or is the object of a freezing or confiscation order made by a competent authority in the course of criminal proceedings, and where necessary to prevent, detect or investigate criminal offences related to the violation of Union restrictive measures. For matters relating to countering money laundering and the financing of terrorism, asset recovery offices shall cooperate with the Anti-money laundering Authority (AMLA).
Amendment 360 #
2022/0167(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 28 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 28 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The exchange and further processing of personal data for the purposes of cooperation with EU bodies and agencies shall be in compliance with the provisions of Chapter IX of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 (EUDPR).
Amendment 328 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 a (new)
Recital 14 a (new)
(14a) Given the severity of these crimes and the long-lasting negative consequences on the victims and the risk of revictimization as a result of the dissemination of known material, new material, as well as activities constituting the solicitation of children, it is essential that this Regulation provides specific obligations for providers of hosting service and providers of interpersonal communication services to prevent, detect, report and remove child sexual abuse material in all their services, including interpersonal communications services, which may also be covered by end-to-end encryption, in light of the prevalence of dissemination of child sexual abuse material, including the solicitation of children, in interpersonal communication services.
Amendment 400 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27 a (new)
Recital 27 a (new)
(27a) Due to the nature of child sexual abuse materials, the sharing of those contents does not stop at border. The competent authorities and the EU Centre should therefore have a cooperation procedure with the American NCMEC (The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) to detect and remove those contents more effectively.
Amendment 481 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 72
Recital 72
(72) Considering the need for the EU Centre to cooperate intensively with Europol, the EU Centre’s headquarters should be located alongside Europol’s, which is locatThe EU Centre’s headquarters should be decided ion The Hague, the Netherlands. The highly sensitive nature of the reports shared with Europol by the EU Centre and the technical requirements, such as on secure data connections, both benefit from a shared location between the EU Centre and Europol. It would also allow the EU Centre, while being an independent entity, to rely on the support services of Europol, notably those regarding human resources management, information technology (IT), including cybersecurity, the building and communications. Sharing such support services is more cost-efficient and ensure a more professional service than duplicating them by creating them anewthe basis of objective criterias between the Parliament and the Council in an ordinary legislative procedure.
Amendment 485 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 74
Recital 74
(74) In view of the need for technical expertise in order to perform its tasks, in particular the task of providing a list of technologies that can be used for detection, the EU Centre should have a Technology Committee composed of experts with advisory function. The Technology Committee may, in particular, provide expertise to support the work of the EU Centre, within the scope of its mandate, with respect to matters related to detection of online child sexual abuse, to support the EU Centre in contributing to a high level of technical standards and safeguards in detection technology, and the evolution of those technologies and developping new ones.
Amendment 487 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 74 a (new)
Recital 74 a (new)
(74a) The Technology Committee could therefore establish a certification for technologies which could be used by online service providers to detect child sexual abuse material on their request.
Amendment 515 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point d a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point d a (new)
(da) obligations on providers of online search engines and any other artificial intelligence systems to delist or disable specific items of child sexual abuse, or both;
Amendment 555 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) “online search engine” means an intermediary service as defined in Article 3, point (j), of Regulation (EU) 2022/2065;
Amendment 556 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e b (new)
(eb) ‘intermediary service’ means a service as defined in Article 3, point (g), of Regulation (EU) 2022/2065;
Amendment 557 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e c (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e c (new)
(ec) ‘artificial intelligence system’ (AI system) means software as defined in Article 3(1) of Regulation (EU) .../... on Artificial Intelligence (Artificial Intelligence Act);
Amendment 569 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point f – point iv a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point f – point iv a (new)
(iva) an online search engine;
Amendment 570 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point f – point iv b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point f – point iv b (new)
(ivb) an artificial intelligence system.
Amendment 581 #
2022/0155(COD)
(j) ‘child user’ means a natural person who uses a relevant information society service and who is a natural person below the age of 178 years;
Amendment 582 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point j
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point j
(j) ‘child user’ means a natural person who uses a relevant information society service and who is a natural person below the age of 178 years;
Amendment 613 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. Providers of hosting services and providers of interpersonal communications services shall identify, analyse and assess, for each such service that they offer, the risk of use of the service for the purpose of online child sexual abuse., which requires a targeted and tailor-made response;
Amendment 627 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b – introductory part
(b) the existence and implementation by the provider of a policy and the availability of functionalities to prevent and address the risk referred to in paragraph 1, including through the following:
Amendment 628 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b – introductory part
(b) the existence and implementation by the provider of a policy and the availability of functionalities to prevent and address the risk referred to in paragraph 1, including through the following:
Amendment 634 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b – indent 2 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b – indent 2 a (new)
Amendment 650 #
2022/0155(COD)
- – Functionalities enabling detection for known child sexual abuse material on upload; – Functionalities preventing uploads from the dark web;
Amendment 688 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point e – point iii – indent 3 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point e – point iii – indent 3 a (new)
- – Enabling users to create usernames that contain a representation about, or imply, the user’s age; – Enabling child users to create usernames that contain location information on child users; – Enabling users to know or infer the location of child users.
Amendment 693 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. When providers of hosting services and providers of interpersonal communication services put forward age assurance or age verification systems as mitigating measures, they shall meet the following criteria: (a) Protect the privacy of users and do not disclose data gathered for the purposes of age assurance for any other purpose; (b) Do not collect data that is not necessary for the purposes of age assurance; (c) Be proportionate to the risks associated to the product or service that presents a risk of misuse for child sexual abuse; (d) Provide appropriate remedies and redress mechanisms for users whose age is wrongly identified.
Amendment 734 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Providers of hosting services and providers of interpersonal communications services shall take reasonable mitigation measures, tailored to their specific service and the risk identified pursuant to Article 3, to minimise that risk. Such measures shall include some or all of the following:
Amendment 741 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) Designing educational and awareness-raising campaigns aimed at informing and alerting users about the risks of online child sexual abuse, including child-appropriate information;
Amendment 775 #
2022/0155(COD)
1a. Providers of hosting services and providers of interpersonal communications services shall continue the voluntary use of specific technologies, as mitigation measures, for the processing of personal and other data to the extent strictly necessary to detect, report and remove online child sexual abuse on their services and to mitigate the risk of misuse of their services for the purpose of online child sexual abuse, including for the purpose of the solicitation of children, pursuant to the risk assessment conducted or updated in accordance with Article 3 and prior authorization from the Coordinating Authority;
Amendment 804 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3
Article 4 – paragraph 3
3. Providers of interpersonal communications services that have identified, pursuant to the risk assessment conducted or updated in accordance with Article 3, a risk of use of their services for the purpose of the solicitation of children, shall take the necessary and proportionate age verification and age assessment measures to reliably identify childdifferentiate between child users and adult users on their services, enabling them to take the mitigation measures and protect child users. Age assurance or age verification systems as mitigation measure shall be implemented only if they meet the criteria set in Article 3, paragraph 2a of this Regulation.
Amendment 838 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) any mitigation measures taken and those that require prior authorization pursuant to Article 4.
Amendment 935 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2 – point b
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2 – point b
(b) where the draft implementation plan concerns an intended detection order concerning new child sexual abuse material and the solicitation of children other than the renewal of a previously issued detection order without any substantive changes, conduct a data protection impact assessment and a prior consultation procedure as referred to in Articles 35 and 36 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679, respectively, in relation to the measures set out in the implementation plan;
Amendment 1023 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 8 – subparagraph 2
Article 7 – paragraph 8 – subparagraph 2
To that aim, they shall take into account all relevant parameters, including: (i) the availability of sufficiently reliable detection technologies in that they can be deployed without undermining the security of the service in question and they limit to the maximum extent possible the rate of errors regarding the detection and; (ii) their suitability and effectiveness of the available technologies for achieving the objectives of this Regulation, as well as; (iii) the impact of the measures on the rights of the users affected, and require the taking ofthereby ensuring that detection orders are only requested and issued when sufficiently reliable technologies in accordance with point (i) are available and that the least intrusive measures are chosen, in accordance with Article 10, from among several equally effective measures.
Amendment 1030 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 8 – subparagraph 3 – point a
Article 7 – paragraph 8 – subparagraph 3 – point a
(a) where that risk is limited to an identifiable part or component of a service information gathered in the risk assessment process indicates that that risk is limited to an identifiable part or component of a service where possible without prejudice to the effectiveness of the measure, the required measures are only applied in respect of that part or component;
Amendment 1035 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 9 – subparagraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 9 – subparagraph 1
The competent judicial authority or independent administrative authority shall specify in the detection order the period during which it applies, indicating the start date and the end date., within which the providers of hosting services and providers of interpersonal communications services shall prove that their service is no longer misused for child sexual abuse and their specific service provided no longer poses a risk for child sexual abuse;
Amendment 1050 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 a (new)
Article 7 a (new)
Article7a Safeguards on encrypted services For the scope of this regulation and for the sole purpose to prevent and combat child sexual abuse, providers of interpersonal communications services shall be subjected to obligations to prevent, detect, report and remove online child sexual abuse on all their services, which may include as well those covered by end-to-end encryption, when there is a significant risk that their specific service is misused for online child sexual abuse, including for the purpose of the solicitation of children, pursuant to the risk assessment established in Article 3 of this Regulation. The technologies deployed to execute the detection order pursuant to Article 7 of this Regulation shall never prohibit or make encryption impossible and only be deployed after a prior authorization by the Coordinating Authority, in consultation with the competent data protection authority, and be subjected to constant monitoring and auditing by the competent data protection authority to verify their compliance with Union law.
Amendment 1137 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2
Article 10 – paragraph 2
2. The provider shall be entitled to acquire, install and operate, free of charge, technologies made available by the EU Centre in accordance with Article 50(1), for the sole purpose of using voluntary measures, when authorised, ofr executing thea detection order. The provider shall not be required to use any specific technology, including those made available by the EU Centre, as long as the requirements set out in this Article are met. The use of the technologies made available by the EU Centre shall not affect the responsibility of the provider to comply with those requirements and for any decisions it may take in connection to or as a result of the use of the technologies.
Amendment 1162 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 3 – point d a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 3 – point d a (new)
(da) not able to prohibit or make end- to-end encryption impossible.
Amendment 1171 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 4 – point a
Article 10 – paragraph 4 – point a
(a) take all the necessary measures to ensure that the technologies and indicators, as well as the processing of personal data and other data in connection thereto, are used for the sole purpose of detecting the dissemination of known or new child sexual abuse material or the solicitation of children, as applicable, insofar as strictly necessary to use voluntary measures, when authorised, or execute the detection orders addressed to them;
Amendment 1340 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Amendment 1363 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 21 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Amendment 1391 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1
Article 23 – paragraph 1
1. PAs referred to in Article 12 of the Digital Service Act Regulation, providers of relevant information society services shall establish a single point of contact allowing for direct communication, by electronic means, with the Coordinating Authorities, other competent authorities of the Member States, the Commission and the EU Centre, for the application of this Regulation.
Amendment 1515 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 1
Article 39 – paragraph 1
1. Coordinating Authorities shall cooperate with each other, any other competent authorities of the Member State that designated the Coordinating Authority, the Commission, the EU Centre and other relevant Union agencies, including Europol, the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), and other organisations such as NCMEC to facilitate the performance of their respective tasks under this Regulation and ensure its effective, efficient and consistent application and enforcement.
Amendment 1541 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 42 – paragraph 1
Article 42 – paragraph 1
The choice of the location of the seat of the EU Centre shall be The Hague, The Netherlandmade in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, based on the following criteria: (a) it shall not affect the EU Centre’s execution of its tasks or the organisation of its governance structure; (b) it shall ensure that the EU Centre is able to recruit the high-qualified and specialised staff it requires to perform the tasks provided by this Regulation; (c) it shall ensure that it can be set up on site upon the entry into force of this Regulation; (d) it shall ensure appropriate accessibility of the location, the existence of adequate education facilities for the children of staff members, appropriate access to the labour market, social security and medical care for both children and spouses; (e) it shall enable close cooperation with EU institutions, bodies and agencies; (f) it shall ensure sustainability and digital security and connectivity with regards to physical and IT infrastructure and working conditions.
Amendment 1580 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point b a (new)
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point b a (new)
(ba) Referring victims to the appropriate national child protection services;
Amendment 1593 #
2022/0155(COD)
(6a) support Member States in designing preventive measures, such as awareness-raising campaigns to combat child sexual abuse, with a specific focus on girls and other prevalent demographics, including by: (a) Acting on behalf of victims in liaising with other relevant authorities of the Member States for reparations and all other victim support programmes; (b) Referring victims to the appropriate child protection services, and to pro bono legal support services; (c) Facilitating access to care qualified health support services, including mental health and psychological support;
Amendment 1634 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 46 – paragraph 2
Article 46 – paragraph 2
2. The EU Centre shall give providers of hosting services, providers of interpersonal communications services and providers of internet access services access to the databases of indicators referred to in Article 44, where and to the extent necessary for them to put in place voluntary measures, when authorised, and execute the detection or blocking orders that they received in accordance with Articles 7 or 16. It shall take measures to ensure that such access remains limited to what is strictly necessary for the period of application of the detection or blocking orders concerned as well as for the execution of the voluntary measures, when authorised, and that such access does not in any way endanger the proper operation of those databases and the accuracy and security of the data contained therein.
Amendment 1711 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 50 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 50 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) information resulting from research or other activities conducted by Member States’ authorities, other Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies, the competent authorities of third countries, international organisations, research centres, hotlines and civil society organisations.
Amendment 1739 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 53 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 53 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Europol and the EU Centre shall cooperate with the NCMEC center in the fight against child sexual abuse material. This cooperation may consist of sharing their databases of known child sexual abuse materials.
Amendment 1755 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 54 – paragraph 1
Article 54 – paragraph 1
1. Where necessary for the performance of its tasks under this Regulation, the EU Centre may cooperate with organisations and networks with information and expertise on matters related to the prevention and combating of online child sexual abuse, including civil society organisations acting in the public interest, hotlines and semi-public organisations.
Amendment 1761 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 54 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 54 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The EU Centre shall cooperate with other organisations and bodies carrying out similar functions in other jurisdictions, such as the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (‘NCMEC’) and the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, among others, which serve the same purpose of this Regulation, as well as in order to avoid potential duplication of reporting obligations for providers.
Amendment 1778 #
2022/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 57 – paragraph 1 – point f
Article 57 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) appoint the members of the Technology Committee, of the Children's Rights and Survivors Advisory Board and of any other advisory group it may establish;
Amendment 13 #
2022/0068(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) The Union and the United Kingdom may conclude other bilateral agreements between them that constitute supplementing agreements to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and such supplementing agreements are an integral part of the overall bilateral relations as governed by this Agreement and form part of the overall framework. It is recalled that in accordance with Article 774 of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement that agreement neither applies to Gibraltar nor has any effects in that territory.
Amendment 18 #
2022/0068(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) Should the need arise to exercise its rights in implementing and enforcing the Withdrawal Agreement and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the Union should be in a position to make appropriate use of the instruments available to it swiftly and in a proportionate, effective and flexible manner, while fully involving Member States and the European Parliament. The Union should also be able to take appropriate measures if effective recourse to binding dispute settlement under those Agreements is not possible because the United Kingdom does not cooperate in making such recourse possible. It is therefore necessary to lay down rules and procedures governing the adoption of those measures.
Amendment 19 #
2022/0068(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
Amendment 21 #
2022/0068(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 b (new)
Recital 5 b (new)
(5 b) Without prejudice to the powers of the Commission laid down in this Regulation, the European Parliament and the Council should be able to exercise their right of scrutiny under Article 11 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.
Amendment 25 #
2022/0068(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) Since only the Union is party to the TCA and the WA, action at the level of international law in respect of these agreements can only be taken by the Union where they concern its exclusive competences, and thus the objective of this Regulation, namely to lay down rules and procedures governing the exercise of Union's rights under the Withdrawal Agreement and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, and to empower the Commission to adopt the necessary measures including, as appropriate, restrictions in trade, investment or other activities within the scope of the latter Agreement cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States but can rather, by reason of its scale and effects, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. Moreover, since only the Union is Party to the TCA and the WA, action at the level of international law in respect of these agreements can only be taken by the Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective,.
Amendment 35 #
2022/0068(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. The measures to be adopted pursuant to paragraph 1 shall be determined on the basis of the following criteria, in light of available information and of the Union's general interest:proportionality to the objectives pursued, the effectiveness of the measures in inducing compliance of the United Kingdom with the agreements referred to in Article 1(1) and any specific criteria that may be established in the agreements in connection with the measures referred to in Article 1(2).
Amendment 37 #
2022/0068(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a
Amendment 39 #
2022/0068(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b
Amendment 41 #
2022/0068(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c
Amendment 42 #
2022/0068(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point d
Amendment 44 #
2022/0068(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point e
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point e
Amendment 48 #
2022/0068(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. The Commission shall fully inform the European Parliament and the Council simultaneously and in a timely manner of all difficulties that may arise, in particular possible breaches of the Agreements and other situations that may give rise to measures taken pursuant to this Regulation, as well as of its intention to adopt measures referred to in paragraph 1 and of the follow up to any measures taken in order to enable a meaningful exchange of views to take place. The European Parliament shall have the possibility to give its opinion to the Commission, which the Commission shall consider before it adopts any enforcement measures. If the Commission does not follow the position of the European Parliament, the Commission shall explain the reasons for not doing so.
Amendment 50 #
2022/0068(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4
Article 2 – paragraph 4
4. Where there is a particular concern of one or more Member States, or the European Parliament, that or those Member States may request the Commission to adopt measures referred to in Article 1(2), or the European Parliament may request the Commission to review its concern and assess the need to adopt such measures. If the Commission does not respond positively to such a request, it shall inform the European Parliament and the Council in a timely manner of its reasons.
Amendment 54 #
2022/0068(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 5
Article 2 – paragraph 5
5. If, due to persisting significant divergences, rebalancing measures referred to in Article 1(2), point (c), of this Regulation last for more than a year, one or more Member States may request the Commission to activate the review clause provided for in Article 411 of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, or the European Parliament may express its concern and request the Commission to review its concern and assess the need to activate the review clause. The Commission shall examine this request in a timely manner and shall consider seizing as appropriate the Partnership Council of that matter, in accordance with the provisions set out in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. If the Commission does not respond positively to such a request, it shall inform the European Parliament and the Council in a timely manner of its reasons.
Amendment 1 #
2022/0000(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Citation 2
Citation 2
– having regard to the ‘Strategic Compass for Security and Defence - For a European Union that protects its citizens, values and interests and contributes to international peace and security’ action plan, which was approvdopted by the Council on 21 March 2022 and endorsed by the European Council on 25 March 2022,
Amendment 6 #
2022/0000(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Citation 9 a (new)
Citation 9 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 7 April 2022 on Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 24-25 March 2022: including the latest developments of the war against Ukraine and the EU sanctions against Russia and their implementation,
Amendment 21 #
2022/0000(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the unprovoked and unjustified military aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine along with Russia’s attempted annexation of Crimea and illegal occupation of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia is a blatant violation of international law, the UN Charter and the principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act of 1975 and the Budapest Memorandum of 1994, and seriously undermines European and global security and stability;
Amendment 44 #
2022/0000(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the Russian invasion of Ukraine has brought war back to Europe and we Europeans in the European Union now need to use all our determination and resolve to protect and defend this Union and the values and principles it stands for, including in close cooperation with NATO as the bedrock of collective defence of its members;
Amendment 63 #
2022/0000(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas there is an urgent need to end the humanitarian and security crises Europe is encountering and better prepare for the full spectrum of crises to come; whereas the Union needs to utilise all the instruments at its disposal, with an emphasis on timely engagement, to protect the Union and its residcitizents and its values and interests, and to contribute to international peace and security;
Amendment 75 #
2022/0000(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Recital O
Recital O
O. whereas the Union’s competence in matters relating tof the common foreign and security policy (CFSP) covers all areas of foreign policy and all questions relating to the Union’s security, including the progressive framing of a common defence policy which might lead to a common defence union in accordance with Articles 24 and 42(2) TEU;
Amendment 86 #
2022/0000(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Recital X
Recital X
X. whereas the Union aims, in particular, to strive to establish newuphold the EU peace and security architecture providing the continent and its residents with the peace and security they deserve;
Amendment 191 #
2022/0000(INI)
(i) improve intelligence sharing among the Member States and engage in a systematic, regular and frequent updates of the threat analysis includedas committed to in the Strategic Compass;
Amendment 296 #
2022/0000(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point y
Paragraph 1 – point y
(y) ensure that the budget proposal for 2023 includes appropriate funding for the European Defence Agency, and relevant EU defence initiatives such as the Permanent Structured Cooperation, the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity and NATO support capacities under the CFSP budget and, under that same title and under other titles as appropriate, funding for the initiatives referred to above;
Amendment 17 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
— – Having Regard to Turkey’s membership in the Council of Europe and in NATO;
Amendment 54 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas Turkey, besides being a candidate for EU accession, is a key partner in relation to the economy, trade and migration, as well as a strategic partner is a major neighbour and partner of the EU and is candidate to accession ;
Amendment 62 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas, in the aftermath of recent tensions between the EU and Turkey, particularly in relation to the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, the European Council offered to nurture a more positive dynamic in EU-Turkey relations by expressing readiness to engage with Turkey in a phased, proportionate and reversible manner in a number of areas of common interest on the condition of improvements in EU-Turkey relations and the respect for democratic values and the rule of law by the Turkish government;
Amendment 71 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas being a candidate country presumes a willingness to progressively approach in all aspects the values, interests, standards and policies of the EU and to respect and uphold the Copenhagen criteria and to align itself with EU policies and objectives; whereas an analysis of the EU’s reports in recent years reveal that Turkey’s distance from the EU’s values and its normative framework is still considerablevast and is even growing in fundamental areas such as respect for international law, the rule of law and human rights; Whereas the links between Turkish civil society and pro-democratic forces and the EU remain strong, as the EU is deeply committed to provide support to Turkish citizens and organisations that promote European norms and values;
Amendment 92 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas over the past year, EU- Turkey relations have on average remained stable, asdespite enhanced cooperation and dialogue on a number of issues have coexisted with, EU-Turkey relations have suffered regular conflicts; whereas this report reflects this situation by welcoming positive developments and pointing to further potential in the relationship, while signalling remaining significant problems, in particular as regards violations of international law, the rule of law and fundamental rights;
Amendment 97 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas Turkey’s interference in European democracies through efforts towards the Turkish diaspora is clearly documented, inparticular via the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB); whereas the Turkish Authorities actively called the Turkish diaspora to support “political parties that were not enemy of Turkey”.
Amendment 134 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes, however, that there has been that despite a slight improvement over the past year in overall EU-Turkey relations, which have on average remained stable, as enhanced cooperation and dialogue on a number of issues have coexisted with regular conflicts; expresses its hopeurges Turkish authorities to act so that this pattern of ‘conflictual cooperation’ can be overcome and replaced with a more positive dynamic;
Amendment 153 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Reiterates its firm conviction that Turkey is a country of strategic relevancen important neighbour country in political, economic and foreign policy terms, a partner that is key forshould be actively involved in the stability of the wider region, and an ally with which the EU wishes to pursue the best possible relations; welcomes, in this view, NATO ally; acknowledges the recent statements expressed at the highest level by the Turkish authorities about the recommitment of the Turkish Government to the EU path, but urges the Turkish authorities to put their words into action and demonstrate this commitment with specific facts and decisions;
Amendment 161 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Expresses its deep concern over the current economic situation in Turkey, which through soaring inflation and a constantly rising cost of living is pushing a high and increasing number of people into hardship and poverty; expresses concern over the direct interference by the Turkish president in Turkish monetary policy; Calls for financial institutions such as the ECB or the IMF to provide technical support, if desired by the Turkish authorities;
Amendment 167 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Expresses deep concern over the current economic situation in Turkey, which through soaring inflation and a constantly rising cost of living is pushing a high and increasing number of people into hardship and poverty;
Amendment 185 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Insists that the crucial area of fundamental rights and freedoms, which is at the core of the accession process, cannot be disconnected and isolated from overall relations with the EU and stresses that for Parliament, it remains one of the main obstacles to further progress on any positive agenda that could be offered to Turkey;
Amendment 202 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Reiterates its strong condemnation of Turkey’s withdrawal, by presidential decree, from the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention) and expresses deep concern about the persistence of violences against women in Turkey;
Amendment 205 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Reiterates its strong condemnation and regret of Turkey’s withdrawal, by presidential decree, from the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention);
Amendment 213 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes the importance of upholding the freedom of assembly in Turkey, which is enshrined in its constitution; but increasingly under pressure, in particular for certain opposition parties;
Amendment 223 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Reiterates its serious concern about the disproportionate and arbitrary measures curtailing freedom of expression; welcomes the further decrease in the number of journalists in prison in Turkey while regretting that Turkey still ranks among the countries where freedom of the press is the most attacked;
Amendment 246 #
2021/2250(INI)
10. Asserts thatCondemns the continued prosecution, censorship and harassment of journalists and independent media remains an issue of concerin Turkey; is concerned as well by the targeting of journalists and opponents in the European Union, as was the case of Turkish journalist Erk Acarer in Berlin;
Amendment 249 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Is worried by the increasing number of fake news in Turkish social media environment; is also worried by the spread of state propaganda, in particular from the state-run news agency Anadolu;
Amendment 272 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Regrets the sustained pressurelegal and administrative pressure by the Turkish government on civil society and, human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, academics, ethnic and religious minorities and numerous Turkish citizens and the continuously shrinking space to operate freely in Turkey;
Amendment 285 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Continues to urge the Turkish Government to release Osman Kavala after more than four years of unlawful and illegitimate detention; reiterates its call on the Turkish authorities to abide by the final judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in this case;
Amendment 301 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Expresses deep concern about the deterioration in the human rights situation for LGBTI people, in particular with regard to physical attacks – especially against transgender persons – the protracted bans on Pride marches across the country, restrictions on the freedoms of assembly, association and expression, and censorship in the media and urges the Turkish government to protect their equal and legal rights;
Amendment 312 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Is deeply concerned about the constant attacks, imprisonment of members of the opposition and pressure on the opposition parties, particularly the HDP and the Republican People’s Party (CHP), which undermine the proper functioning of the democratic system; stresses that democracy presupposes an environment in which political parties, civil society and the media can function without threats or arbitrary restrictions;
Amendment 321 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Notes with great concern that the HDP, its elected mayors and its party organisations have been specifically and continuously targeted by the Turkish authorities, leading to a situation where over 4 000 HDP members are currently in prison; continues to strongly condemn the continued detention since November 2016 of Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ, the former co-chairs of the HDP;
Amendment 339 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Recognises that Turkey has legitimate security concerns and the right to fight terrorism; stresses, nevertheless, that this must be done with full respect for the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms; reiterates its firm and unambiguous condemnation of the violent terrorist attacks by ISIS and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has been on the EU list of terrorist organisations since 2002;
Amendment 350 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls on Turkey to abide by a zero- tolerance policy on torture and to duly investigate persistent and credible reports of torture, ill-treatment and inhumane or degrading treatment in detention, interrogation or custody, in order to put an end to impunity and hold those responsible to account;
Amendment 381 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Commends the efforts made by Turkey to continue hosting the largest refugee population in the world of almost 4 million registered refugees; welcomes, in this regard, the continued provision of EU funding for refugees and host communities in Turkey, and expresses its commitment to sustain this support in the future; recognizes the migratory pressure Turkey is facing, however firmly objects to any instrumentalisation of migrants by the Turkish government;
Amendment 411 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Acknowledges thatRecalls that, while Turkey can pursue its own foreign policy in line with its interests and goals, but expects this polic; deplores that only 14% of Turkey’s foreign policy actions are aligned with EU foreign policy and that this gap continues to widen; deplores also the way that Turkey has never aligned with EU restrictive measures, including that of economic sanctions; expects Turkey to be defended its interests through diplomacy and dialogue based on international law and, as a candidate country, to be increasingly aligned with that of the EU; notes in particular with concern that despite the military agression of Ukraine by the Federation of Russia with the support of Belarus, Turkey has refused to take sanctions against the Russian authorities responsible for this serious breach of international law;
Amendment 428 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22 a. Reaffirms its call expressed in its resolution of 15 April 2015 and once again encourages Turkey’s government to recognise the Armenian Genocide, thus paving the way for a genuine reconciliation between the Turkish and Armenian peoples; welcomes, in this regard, the recent intensified diplomatic exchanges and growing interaction between the Turkish and Armenian governments;
Amendment 445 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Welcomes the relative decrease in tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean during the past year, but remains fully awareconcerned that these positive dynamics could be reversed at any moment while the underlying issues remain unresolved underlying issues remain unresolved; expresses solidarity with EU member states which have suffered from these tensions and urges Turkey to refrain from any provocative statement or action towards EU Member States;
Amendment 453 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23 a. Calls on Turkey to remain committed to the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Libya under the auspices of the UN, to fully adhere to the arms embargo imposed by the UN Security Council and to not obstruct EU and NATO missions mandated to enforce the UN arms embargo on Libya;
Amendment 470 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Deplores the fact that the unresolved conflict in Cyprus is a major obstacle to EU-Turkey relations; reaffirms its view that the only sustainable solution to the Cyprus issue is that of a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement on the basis of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with a single international legal personality and political equality, in accordance with international law and on the basis of respect for the principles on which the Union is founded; deeply regrets that Turkey’s government has abandoned this UN framework by unilaterally opening up the town of Varosha, in violation of UNSC resolutions;
Amendment 471 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Deplores the factRecalls that the unresolved conflict in Cyprus is a major obstacle to EU-Turkey relations; strongly reaffirms its view that the only sustainable solution to the Cyprus issue is that of a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement on the basis of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with a single international legal personality and political equality, in accordance with international law and on the basis of respect for the principles on which the Union is founded; deeply regorets that Turkey has abandoned this UN framework;
Amendment 482 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. Recognizes the importance of a well-functioning NATO; deplores in this regard Turkey’s unilateral actions undermining NATO by purchasing Russian S-400 missiles; calls on the Turkish government to overcome these tensions by halting actions that go against the collective interests of the alliance;
Amendment 485 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. Is worried by cases of rapprochement of Turkey, a NATO member, with Russia; going as far as watering down NATO responses, for instance, following the forced diversion of an EU plane over Belarus;
Amendment 495 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24 b. Takes note with deep concern of reports about Turkey’s violation of the UN arms embargo in Libya; deplores the persistent absence of efficient cooperation between NATO Operation Sea Guardian and EU Operation IRINI, due to Turkey’s opposition to this cooperation, which is detrimental to the implementation of the UN arms embargo;
Amendment 496 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24 b. Calls on the EEAS StratCom divisions to document suspicions of Turkish disinformation directed at the EU, particularly in the Balkans and the MENA region and to report its findings to the European Parliament;
Amendment 503 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 c (new)
Paragraph 24 c (new)
24 c. Is concerned by the attempts of the Turkish Government to influence members of the Turkish diaspora in the EU, in particular via the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), in order to interfere with EU democratic processes;
Amendment 506 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 d (new)
Paragraph 24 d (new)
Amendment 511 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 e (new)
Paragraph 24 e (new)
24 e. Calls on Turkey to cease all military interference in the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia;
Amendment 513 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Insists that democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights should remain at the heart of EU-Turkey relations under any framework; reaffirms its support for kconcludes that Turkey has drifted unbridgeably far away from meepting the accession process and its value-based approach as the main frameworkCopenhagen criteria, with no positive change foreseen on the short and/or midterm; calls therefore for the accession negotiations with Turkey to be formally suspended; notes however, that an EU membership perspective for EU-Turkey relations, as it is still the most powerful tool to exercise normative pressure and sustain the democratic and pro-European aspirations of Turkish society; nevertheless remains open to the possibility of both sides reviewing, in a realistic manner, the appropriateness of this framework and its ability to function, or, if necessary, exploring other possible models for future relationwill remain possible, as laid down in Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union; calls instead for the creation of new momentum and structures to break the current deadlock and to move forward towards a closer, more dynamic and strategic, unique partnership that works beneficially for both parties by modernizing and enhancing the current Association Agreement as the main framework, based on specific benchmarks related to good neighbourly relations and respect for democratic principles, rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms;
Amendment 536 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25 a. Calls on the Commission for full transparency and accuracy in the allocation of funds under the successor of the FRT and requests that it ensures that these funds are primarily given directly to the refugees and host communities and are managed by organisations that guarantee accountability and transparency;
Amendment 548 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
Amendment 558 #
2021/2250(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27 a. Welcomes the meeting in March 2022 of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee and expresses in this regard the hope that the continued functioning of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee shall be restored;
Amendment 104 #
2021/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Reiterates the importance of alignment with the EU common foreign and security policy (CFSP), which must progressively become an integral part of Serbia’s foreign policy as a condition for the accession process; expresses concern about Serbia’s alignment rate, which is the lowest in the region; notes that some government officials and some politicians continue to make occasional statements that call into question Serbia’s foreign policy orientation;
Amendment 135 #
2021/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. RExpresses concern over the very limited visibility of the European Integration processes in Serbia; reiterates its call on Serbia, the European Commission and EU Member States to pursue more active and effective communication about the benefits of EU enlargement; expresses concern that public support for EU membership in Serbia has consistently been significantly lower than the rest of the region in recent years;
Amendment 147 #
2021/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Urges the EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement to be more proactive when it comes to the EU accession process of Serbia, especially regarding the fundamental areas, democracy and rule of law, fight against corruption and organized crime;
Amendment 151 #
2021/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Regrets that the European Integration process in Serbia is insufficiently transparent, as some important documents, such as the reports on the implementation of the National Programme for the Adoption of Acquis, have not been published for years;
Amendment 170 #
2021/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the recent changes to the Constitution following the referendum in January 2022, which aim to enhance the independence of the justice system; regretcondemns the continuous pressure on the judiciary and public denials of international verdicts for war crimes and calls on the newly elected majority to strengthen the safeguards for the independence and efficiency of the judiciary as a matter of priority; emphasises the need for the new set of laws, that are expected to be adopted in line with the constitutional changes, to fully guarantee the independence of the judiciary;
Amendment 186 #
2021/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Reiterates its concern about limited progress in the fight against corruption and organised crime and calls on Serbia to intensify its efforts to effectively address these issues; calls upon the authorities to refrain from commenting ongoing investigations and trials, exercising pressure on the judiciary; encourages further progress to be made, in particular on improving the track record of investigations, indictments and final convictions in high-level corruption cases, and implementing the laws on the prevention of corruption in line with the EU acquis and the recommendations of GRECO;
Amendment 193 #
2021/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 c (new)
Paragraph 12 c (new)
12c. Urges Serbia to deliver convincing results, including a sustainable track record with effective investigations in the area of fight against corruption, especially in cases with a high level of public interest, and to improve its track record in investigations, the pressing of charges and convictions in high-level corruption cases, including the seizure and confiscation of criminal assets; notes with concern that none of the cases mentioned in the previous report(s) – Krušik, Jovanjica, Telekom Srbija – have either been fully processed by the judiciary or have been fully investigated; notes with concern the emergence of new cases of high-level corruption in investigative media and so called “Pandora papers”;
Amendment 273 #
2021/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Reiterates its concern overdemnation of the alleged use of forced labour and violation of basic human rights at the Chinese Linglong factory construction site; calls upon the relevant authorities to ensure that labour rights of citizens and residents are respected;
Amendment 305 #
2021/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Notes the calls of the Serbian authorities for the return of Bosnian Serbs to the work of the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Amendment 324 #
2021/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Calls for the stepping up of efforts and the delivery of solutions on the issues of missing persons and justice for war crimes in the north of Kosovo; calls on the government to address these topics also as part of the Serbia/Kosovo dialogue agenda and to establish cooperation between Serbia and Kosovo on these matters; calls for finding sustainable solutions to the electricity arrangements in the north of Kosovo;
Amendment 345 #
2021/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Urges the Serbian authorities to act decisively against the glorification of convicted war criminals and to cease all divisive rhetoric and actions that undermine the integrity of countries in the neighbourhood and threaten regional stability and reconciliation;
Amendment 349 #
2021/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27b. Calls on Government to ensure the removal the murals glorifying war criminals such as Ratko Mladić; regrets that persons sentenced for war crimes, such as Veselin Šljivančanin, Dragoljub Ojdanić and Nikola Šainović, are close to the ruling parties in Serbia;
Amendment 421 #
2021/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Reiterates its concern at the high levels of air pollution and urges the authorities to speed up the implementation of air quality plans; regrets the fact that several cities in Serbia are often on the list of the most polluted cities in the world in terms of air quality; urges the authorities to swiftly take measures to improve air quality, especially in large cities and industrial areas such as Belgrade, Smederevo, Bor and Kolubara and Tamnava valleys; stresses the importance of finding sustainable solutions and limiting the use of lignite and other low-calorie coal in energy production, as well as for heating;
Amendment 431 #
2021/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Notes the withdrawal of the exploration licences for the lithium extraction and processing project in Western Serbia; calls on the Serbian government to be fully transparent in this process;
Amendment 30 #
2021/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas Kosovo has not been granted visa liberalisation, although all benchmarks have been fulfilled since 2018;
Amendment 67 #
2021/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 9 #
2021/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10
Citation 10
— having regard to the urgent opinion of the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission of 26 August 2022 on the Draft Law on the Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code adopted by the Parliament of Georgia on 7 June 2022, its opinion of 20 June 2022 on the December 2021 amendments to the organic law on common courts, its urgent opinion of 2 July 2021 on the amendments to the organic law on common courts, its urgent joint opinion of 5 July 2022 on the revised draft amendments to the election code, its opinion of 8 October 2020 on the draft organic law amending the organic law on common courts and its urgent opinion of 16 April 2019 on the selection and appointment of Supreme Court judges,
Amendment 58 #
2021/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Highlights the important role and full involvement of Georgian civil society in monitoring and supporting democratic reforms; calls for its transparent involvement and active participation in the working groups setup to implement the key priorities identified by the Commission;
Amendment 61 #
2021/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Encourages Georgia to continue its enhanced cooperation with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova as the ‘Associated Trio’, as well as regional cooperation in the South Caucasus under the EU's Eastern Partnership initiative;
Amendment 95 #
2021/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Regrets that deep polarisation continues to be the defining feature of Georgia’s political environment; calls on all political stakeholders to unite their forces around the key goal of Georgia’s EU membership through the implementation of ambitious democratic, judicial and anti- corruption reforms; reiterates that the core provisions of the EU-brokered agreement of 19 April 2021 continue to present a pathway towards strengthening democracy and the rule of law in Georgia, and invites Georgia’s ruling party and the opposition to recommit to full implementation of 19 April Agreement;
Amendment 103 #
2021/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Is concerned over refusal by the ruling party to include the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) to the electoral reforms working group; expresses its full confidence in, and appreciation of, ISFED’s work in monitoring and reporting on election processes in Georgia;
Amendment 108 #
2021/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines the need to eliminate the excessive influence of vested interests, including oligarchsverarching control of the government by oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, in economic, political and public life as one of the priorities identified by the Commission to be addressed before Georgia is granted candidate status;
Amendment 113 #
2021/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls on the Georgian authorities to put an end to politically motivated persecution of political opponents; notes that the decision of the court to convict the leaders of Lelo for Georgia party, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, and using the court’s verdict to strip Japaridze of his parliamentary mandate is a clear demonstration of a case of politicized justice;
Amendment 116 #
2021/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Reiterates its call on the Georgian authorities to release former President Mikhail Saakashvili from prison on humanitarian grounds so that he can receive proper medical treatment abroad;
Amendment 124 #
2021/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Calls on the Georgian authorities to strengthen the independence of its Anti-Corruption Agency, in particular to rigorously address high-level corruption cases, and to provide it with adequate means and resources to fully exercise its mandate;
Amendment 126 #
2021/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Underlines the importance of further strengthening administrative capacity at central and local government level;
Amendment 127 #
2021/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Regrets that the number of organised crime convictions remains relatively low compared to the estimated value of the criminal market;
Amendment 128 #
2021/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Georgian authorities to effectively investigate the massive illegal wiretapping revealed in September 2021; is concerned about the amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of Georgia that increase the number of crimes for which covert investigative actions are permitted and the duration of these actions, which were adopted by the Georgian Parliament on 7 June 2022 and vetoed by the President on 22 June 2022; calls on the Parliament of Georgia to ask the Venice Commission to isGeorgian authorities to follow recommendations of the Venice Commission issued on 26 August 2022, in particular to ensure an opin transparent, rational and to implement its recommendationsinclusive legislative process by including the relevant stakeholders and civil society;
Amendment 133 #
2021/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Expresses its concerns about the significant deterioration of the media situation and the safety of journalists in Georgia in recent years, despite Georgia's strong legal framework for freedom of expression and media freedom; calls on Georgia to ensure freedom of the media, which should include editorial independence, transparency of media ownership and pluralistic, impartial and non-discriminatory coverage of political views in the programmes of private and, in particular, public broadcasters, including during election campaigns; calls on Georgia to ensure unhindered access to information that is supposed to be available to the public, and to ensure the safety, protection and empowerment of journalists and other media professionals;
Amendment 136 #
2021/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Reiterates its concern about the serious deterioration of the media situation and the safety of journalists in Georgia; calls on the Georgian authorities to ensure media freedom and a safe working environment for media workers, to put an end to the politically motivated persecution of critical media outlets and their owners, and reiterates its calls for a review of the conviction of Nika Gvaramia;
Amendment 140 #
2021/2236(INI)
11b. Calls on the Parliament of Georgia to ensure the harmonization of Georgian media laws with the EU Directive on Audiovisual Media Services based on the wide consensus, particularly in the context of an effective co-regulation system, suggested by CSOs and journalists’ unions, which assert that ethical disputes should be resolved by a special professional council, rather than by the Georgian National Communications Commission, the role of which should not exceed its current legal mandate;
Amendment 143 #
2021/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Reminds that Georgia is heavily exposed to Russian disinformation campaigns; recalls that the best way to combat these campaigns is to protect the pluralism and independence of the press;
Amendment 147 #
2021/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)
Paragraph 11 c (new)
11c. Stresses the importance of continuous efforts to increase Georgian society's resistance to Russian propaganda and disinformation and to attempts to influence Georgian politics and public opinion;
Amendment 152 #
2021/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Condemns the violence committed against peaceful participants of the Tbilisi Pride march on 5-6 July 2021 and the journalists covering the event; strongly denounces the lack of diligent investigations into or prosecutions of those responsible for organising the violence; notes that six perpetrators of the violence were sentenced to a maximum of five years in prison in April 2022; calls on the authorities to ensure the protection of the human rights of vulnerable groups, such as women, the LGBTQI+ community and ethnic minorities; Public Prosecutor’s Office to reopen an impartial, effective, and timely investigation into the organisers and perpetrators of the violence against peaceful participants and media workers on July 5-6, 2021, in the light of the overwhelming amount of evidence gathered by the media, civil society and the Ombudsman; calls on the authorities to ensure the protection of the human rights of vulnerable groups, such as women, the LGBTQI+ community and ethnic minorities; notes that the events planned for the Tbilisi Pride 2022 took place indoors and that the police reacted in time to prevent interference and violence by groups opposing the Pride events;
Amendment 182 #
2021/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Calls on the Georgian government to step up its efforts to increase and sustain socio-economic development in order to ensure a rising level of income and regional development;
Amendment 184 #
2021/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Stresses the importance for Georgia to align to the EU sanctions imposed on Russia as a result of its unprovoked and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine; notes the influx of Russian citizens to Georgia since the start of the war, including registration of some 7,500 Russian companies, and urges the Georgian authorities to take precautionary measures to ensure that these entities are not able to circumvent the sanctions and support the criminal Putin regime;
Amendment 31 #
2021/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the recently adopted EU strategy for cooperation in the Indo- Pacific, which is based on a principled engagement with a long-term perspective, reflects a deep evolution in the way the EU looks at its interests, the opportunities, and challenges in the region and the potential role it can play; whereas building strong relations and security cooperation with Indo-Pacific regional organisations and countries is central to the strategy;
Amendment 39 #
2021/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas in recent years the dynamics in the region have given rise to intense geopolitical tensions and competition, mirrored in an increase in military spending and a more aggressive rhetoric, thereby calling into question the rules-based international order; whereas a new centre of global competition has therefore evolved in the Indo-Pacific region; whereas there is no overarching regional security order to mitigate the associated challenges; whereas such dynamics represent serious threats to stability and security in the region and beyond, impacting directly the EU’s strategic interests as a key political and economic partner of the countries in the region; whereas the EU is committed to security, peace and, international law, and human rights;
Amendment 41 #
2021/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the EU is the number one foreign investor and development assistance provider; whereas the EU has already concluded and is in the process of negotiating free trade agreements with countries in the region; whereas the EU can already rely on a broad network of partnerships and agreements with a number of countries, such as Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, India, New Zealand, Vietnam and Singapore, and with regional organisations, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS); whereas the EU is present in the region through its Member State France, notably through the French overseas departments of La Réunion and Mayotte, as well as the French Southern and Antarctic Lands in the Indian Ocean, and in the Pacific Ocean through New Caledonia, as well as through the French overseas collectivities of French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna; whereas these French regions are home to roughly 1.5 million EU citizens; whereas, consequently, the EU is a resident actor in the Indo-Pacific;
Amendment 116 #
2021/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses its concern that the current tensions and disputes in the region, unless properly mediated and managed, pose a threat to free and open communication in the maritime, air, space and cyber areas, which are essential to stability and peace and to maintain regional and global trading routes;
Amendment 143 #
2021/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Takes note of the recent conclusion of the AUKUS trilateral security pact; regrets the lack of prior consultation in this process and reiterates its solidarity with France; is of the firm opinion that strong EU-Australia relations based on trust and mutual consultation are important for the stability of the region and that these should be further advanced and not affected by the conclusion of AUKUSon the basis of these principles; calls on the Vice- President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) to examine with the relevant partners possibilities to set up a permanent dialogue with AUKUS and representation at the meetings of the members of QUAD in order to align ourstrengthen synergies between our respective strategies on the Indo- Pacific and strengthen synergies;
Amendment 148 #
2021/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Expresses serious concerns at reports that Australia, because of its unilateral decision to cancel its contract with Naval Group for conventional submarines, might find itself without a functional fleet of submarines in the near future, despite a growing tense situation in the near future;
Amendment 152 #
2021/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Highlights the fundamental role that connectivity plays in the geopolitical relations of the EU and its Member States, and welcomes the announcement by Commission President von der Leyen to present the EU’s global gateway strategy; calls for a swift implementation of this strategy in the Indo-Pacific, including through the implementation of concrete and visible projects;
Amendment 169 #
2021/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses that enhancing existing partnerships with regional actors and building new ones is a key feature of the strategy; highlights that priority areas for cooperation should include capacity- building, hybrid threats, non-cybersecurity, non-traditional security challenges, non- proliferation, disarmament and crisis response;
Amendment 185 #
2021/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls for the EU to strengthen its dialogue with NATO’s four Asia-Pacific partners, namely Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand, with a view to enhancing mutual situational awareness on security developments in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions; invites NATO to use its 2030 reflection process to enhance cooperation with its four Asia Pacific partners in order to defend shared values, bolster resilience and uphold the international rules-based order, while ensuring greater consistency between policies on China; in full respect of the autonomy of decision and action of the European Union;
Amendment 189 #
2021/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the ‘Enhancing Security Cooperation in and with Asia’ project and calls for enhanced efforts towards its implementation; calls for the EU to further extend the project to other countries and to step up the deployment of military advisors to EU delegations to support its implementation;
Amendment 191 #
2021/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes the well established cooperation between the EU and Japan in the area of security and defence, and; strongly welcomes Japan participation in international efforts in counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, by conducting exercises with the EUNAVFOR ships of the Atalanta operation; urges both partners to further advance the strategic partnership; calls for both partners to enhance cooperation in the area of maritime security and to further develop cooperation within the framework of the common security and defence policy (CSDP) in areas such as intelligence and capacity-building;
Amendment 193 #
2021/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes the well established cooperation between the EU and Japan in the area of security and defence, and urges both partners to further advance the strategic partnership; calls for both partners to enhance cooperation in the area of maritime security and to further develop cooperation within the framework of the common security and defence policy (CSDP) in areas such as intelligence and, capacity-building, and cybersecurity;
Amendment 204 #
2021/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Welcomes positivNotes some developments in EU- Australia security and defence cooperation in the past decade and Australia’s engagement in EU crisis management operations; calls for both partners to further enhance coordination and synergies with a view to promoting security and stability in the Indo-Pacific, including as regards freedom of navigation;
Amendment 207 #
2021/2232(INI)
18. Stresses the crucial role played by the Republic of Korea in supporting efforts towards the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsulacomplete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs; calls for both the EU and the Republic of Korea to further step up joint efforts to combat cybercrime and build resilient infrastructure;
Amendment 220 #
2021/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the positive role Taiwan plays in fostering peace and security in the Indo-Pacific regionSupports the efforts of Taiwan in maintaining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region and reaffirms the vigilance of the European Union against any unilateral sanctions that could alter the status quo;
Amendment 225 #
2021/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Underlines the important cooperation by Indo-Pacific partners in the EU’s CSDP missions and operations through framework participation agreements (FPAs) with Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea and Vietnam, and calls for the conclusion of further FPAs with partner countries; calls for the maintaining of Japan naval facility in Djibouti that supports its participation in international efforts in counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, in particular via its participation to Atalanta operation;
Amendment 260 #
Amendment 267 #
2021/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Underlines the importance of information and cybersecurity as an element of theto promote a free, open, secure and unique cyberspace, thus contributing to the stability of the global economy, the safety of critical infrastructures of the global economycommunication and forthe protectingon of democracies fromagainst disinformation and malicious attacks;
Amendment 275 #
2021/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Welcomes the cooperation launched between the EU and a number of Indo-Pacific partners on cybersecurity and defence; calls for the EU to accelerate the establishment of an EU Cyber Diplomacy Network, aimed to promote cybersecurity norms agreed at the UN level and legal frameworks in the region;
Amendment 281 #
2021/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Underlines the growing importance of the space dimension of international cooperation and security; underlines the need to ensure the security of the global internet infrastructure, including undersea cables;
Amendment 291 #
2021/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Highlights that the fight against violent extremism and propaganda is of shared interest to the EU and Indo-Pacific countries; highlights the need to further promote cooperation between Europol and Aseanapol and between Europol and national law enforcement agencies to facilitate exchanges of good practices and expertise in key areas of interest, such as counter-terrorism, fighting transnational crime, human trafficking and migrant smuggling;
Amendment 292 #
2021/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31 a. Identifies fake news, fake science, disinformation, and election interference as direct threats to democracy and democratic mechanisms, exponentially capacitated by social media and technological development; calls for an increased focus on countering such threats in the democracies of the region and sanctioning such attacks on European democracy emanating from the region;
Amendment 294 #
2021/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31 a. Calls for closer engagement with the Indo-Pacific countries in addressing security challenges emanating from Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover, including terrorism, drug and human trafficking, addressing humanitarian crisis and ensuring rights and safety of all Afghan people;
Amendment 7 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
— having regard to its resolution of 10 March 2022 on the destruction of cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh,
Amendment 27 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 a (new)
Citation 16 a (new)
— having regard to the report of the Independent Investigation Body on the allegations of corruption within the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe of 15 April 2018,
Amendment 28 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 a (new)
Citation 16 a (new)
— having regard to its recommendation of 19 June 2020 on the Eastern Partnership, in the run-up to the June 2020 Summit,
Amendment 36 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas since the collapse of the Soviet Unionover more than three decades, the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties, immense destruction and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people;
Amendment 40 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas deadly military confrontations between Azerbaijan and Armenia continue to erupt periodically; whereas the 9 November 2020 ceasefire statement, introduced after 44-day war triggered by Azerbaijan in 2020, has been violated several times resulting in more casualties;
Amendment 52 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the high-level meetings held in Brussels between President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan, mediated by President Charles Michel, resulted in encouraging developcommitments;
Amendment 55 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas despite these commitments Azerbaijan started a military aggression against the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia just after the Brussels meeting and has not withdrawn its troops yet;
Amendment 73 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas Azerbaijan is a reliable and trustworthy supplier of fossil fuels to the EU and whereas it is becoming increasingly important in this role;
Amendment 80 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas Azerbaijan’s record in terms of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is still unsatisfactory and highlight the risks of deepening the EU’s political and energy partnership with Azerbaijan;
Amendment 86 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas a report of the Independent Investigation Body on the allegations of corruption within the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) of 15 April 2018 established that "a number of former PACE MPs […] had acted contrary to the PACE code of conduct;" and that "certain current and former members of PACE had engaged in activity of a corruptive nature" in favour of Azerbaijan;
Amendment 93 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)
Recital H b (new)
Hb. whereas Azerbaijan has targeted journalists and opponents, including in the European Union, such as the assassination attempt of Azerbaijani blogger and opposition figure Mahammad Mirzali in Nantes; whereas Azerbaijani's political opponents have also been targeted by Azerbaijan's allies in the region, in particular via the Turkish diaspora;
Amendment 108 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict has significantly hampered the development and stability of the whole South Caucasus region; is convinced that a sustainable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan cannot be achieved through military means but requires a comprehensive political settlement in accordance with international law, including the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, the 1975 OSCE Helsinki Final Act and the OSCE Minsk Group’s Basic Principles; calls on the international community to remain seized of this conflict which is a matter of stability and security of the whole region;
Amendment 122 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Strongly condemns the clashes that erupted on 12 September 2022 and their consequences for the peace process; reiterates that the territorial integrity of Armenia and Azerbaijan must be respected andmilitary aggression by Azerbaijan in September 2022 against multiple targets in the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia and its consequences for the peace process; reiterates that the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia must be fully respected and Azerbaijani forces should withdraw to their initial positions; underlines the EU’'s readiness to be more actively involved in settling the region’'s protracted conflicts;
Amendment 128 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls for Azerbaijani forces’ complete withdrawal from the sovereign territory of Armenia and return to their positions held on 9 November 2020 when the statement on ceasing hostilities was signed;
Amendment 129 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to fully implement the tripartite ceasefire agrestatement of 9 November 2020; calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to avoid using inflammatory rhetoric and to and condemns Azerbaijan for the regular violations of the ceasefire; recalls that the implementation of article 9 of the ceasefire statement of 9 November 2020 cannot go against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia; calls on both parties to urgently implement measures to prepare their respective populations for peaceful coexistence; calls in this respect on the Azerbaijani authorities to stop using inflammatory rhetoric which threatens the peace process;
Amendment 138 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. To achieve lasting peace and reconciliation, calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to set up a transitional justice mechanism or truth commission, which the EU could support and help facilitate in conjunction with other bodies such as the ICRC or OSCE, to look into all alleged crimes committed during the armed conflict starting in 1988 until now. Such a mechanism could include members of academia, independent journalists and civil society activists with a mandate to establish the fate of missing persons, repatriation of prisoners of war, and invest in establishing historical truths, eliminating hateful narratives and building trust between the two nations;
Amendment 142 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that the EU’s passive stance during and immediately after the 2020 war gave other regional actors, such as Russia and Turkey, the opportunity to gain influence; strongly supports, therefore, the initiative taken by the President of the European Council Charles Michel to convene and mediate bilateral meetings of the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Brussels and encourages the work of the EU’s special representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia to be actively engaged; deplores however that Azerbaijan did not respect its commitment to the EU and has invaded the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia few days after the meeting with the President of the Council; urges the governments of both countries to fully engage in the drafting of a peace treaty and welcomes in this regard the meeting of the foreign affairs ministers of both countries on 30 September in Geneva;
Amendment 154 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Takes note of the initial progress made on the process of border delimitation; welcomes the agreementWelcomes the agreement reached at the quadrilateral meeting between President Aliyev, Prime Minister Pashinyan, French President Macron and President of the European Council Michel to deploy a civilian EU mission to build trust and contribute to the border commissionof 40 EU civilian monitoring experts for a period of two months in order to build trust between the two countries and support the work of the border commissions; welcomes in this respect the holding of the 3rd meeting of the border commissions in Brussels and urges the EU to closely follow up on this process;
Amendment 159 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Takes note of the initial progress made on the process of border delimitation; welcomes the agreement to deploy a civilian EU mission to build trust and contribute to the border commissionscalls for the demarcation process to be internationally facilitated by the EU and/or OSCE in order to ensure credibility, fairness and sustainability;
Amendment 160 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Welcomes the deployment of the EU Monitoring Capacity to Armenia, along the Armenian side of the international border with Azerbaijan, to build trust and contribute to the border commissions, especially welcomes the approach to transfer EU monitoring experts from the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM Georgia) as a timely and experience- sharing solution; Calls for extending the mandate of the EU mission, making it permanent and increasing significantly the number of monitors so that it can effectively perform its monitoring, confidence-building, and stabilisation functions along the border between the two countries;
Amendment 165 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Calls on Azerbaijan to cooperate fully with the EU Monitoring Capacity and grant it due access;
Amendment 170 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls for granting of access to international humanitarian organisations, especially the United Nations, to Nagorno-Karabakh and recalls that currently only the ICRC is allowed access to the region which is insufficient to accurately assess the conditions and needs of the population residing there;
Amendment 179 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Condemns the footage that has appeared depicting the torture, mutilation and killing of an Armenian servicewoman and unarmed Armenian prisoners of war by Azerbaijani armed forces; calls for a full independent and impartial investigation of the videos to identify those responsible and hold them accountable for their actions; stresses that those acts are in violation of the Geneva conventions which were ratified by Azerbaijan and may constitute war crimes;
Amendment 180 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Condemns the footage that has appeared from 1 to11 October 2022 depicting the torture, mutilation and killing of an Armenian servicewoman and unarmed Armenian prisoners of war by Azerbaijani armed forces; takes note of reports by human rights groups, particularly a Human Rights Watch report, classifying this act as a war crime; calls for a full and impartial investigation of the videos to identify those responsible and hold them accountable for their actions;
Amendment 184 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Strongly insists that Azerbaijan and Armenia refCondemns Azerbaijan's continued policy of destroying, erasin from destroying cultural, religious or historical heritage; calls for the restoration of damaged sites in accordance with UNESCO standards and indications; calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to quickly allow a UNESCO mission to visit both countries without preconditg and denying the existence of the Armenian cultural, religious or historical heritage in and around Nagorno-Karabakh in violation of international law and the decision of the International Court of Justice of 7 December 2021; calls for the restoration of damaged sites in accordance with UNESCO standards and indications; calls the EU to actively push Azerbaijan to participate in efforts to protect at-risk cultural heritage notably by deploying mechanisms to facilitate UNESCO's fact finding missions without preconditions; deplores that after the two years since the signing of the ceasefire statement of November 9 2020, the UNESCO mission has not been able to visit the regions;
Amendment 194 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Underlines in this respect Azerbaijan’s obligations under the International Court of Justice’s decision of 7 December 2021 on the application of urgent measures, which require Azerbaijan to prevent and punish acts of vandalism and desecration affecting Armenian cultural heritage, including but not limited to churches and other places of worship, monuments, landmarks, cemeteries and artefacts;
Amendment 200 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Encourages increased bilateral contacts between the political authorities of Armenia and Azerbaijan and underlines the role played by the civil societies of both countries in improving relationships between the two countries;
Amendment 201 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Deplores statements by high- ranking Azerbaijani officials and public figures inciting hatred and violence towards Armenians, including operation of the Military Trophies Park in Baku, which at the beginning used to depict Armenian soldiers in dehumanising way, and calls on Azerbaijan to take steps to eliminate such rhetoric, including at the highest levels, in accordance with the interim measures issued by the International Court of Justice on 7 December 2021;
Amendment 206 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Highlights the concluding observations on the tenth to twelfth reports on Azerbaijan by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination from 30 August 2022 that expressed concerns over incitement to racial hatred and the propagation of racist stereotypes against persons of Armenian national or ethnic origin, including on the Internet and social media, as well as by public figures and governmental officials, and the lack of detailed information on investigations, prosecutions, convictions and sanctions of such acts;
Amendment 211 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Recognises the strategic role played by Azerbaijan as a provider of fossil fuels to the EU and welcomes its willingness to contribute even more to the EU’s objectives in terms of security and diversificationIs concerned about Azerbaijan’s increasing role as a provider of fossil fuels to the EU and in the EU’s energy diversification strategy, given Azerbaijan’s aggressive action against Armenia and poor democracy and rights record; calls on the European External Action Service, the European Commission and EU Member States to consider the political risks of deepening dependency on Baku in the EU’s security of energy supply and climate neutrality strategies;
Amendment 228 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the new memorandum of understanding between the EU and Azerbaijan signed by President Aliyev and Commission President von der Leyen in Baku on 18 July 2022; stresses however that further investment by the UE should go in hand with strong commitments from Azerbaijan on the normalisation of its relations with the tangible progress on Republic of Armenia and on tangible progress on human rights and the rule of law;
Amendment 272 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Deeply regrets the current state of press freedom in Azerbaijan; expresses its concern at the new law on media adopted in December 2021; calls for a swift review of that law in accordance with the recommendations included in the opinion of the Venice Commission of 17-18 June 2022; urges Azerbaijan to stop persecuting bloggers and journalists; calls for an immediate release of Azeri human rights lawyer Elchin Sadykov and journalist Avaz Zeynalli; urges Azerbaijan to stop surveillance, imprisoning, harassing and persecuting bloggers, journalists and civil society activists, and to ensure their safe working environment;
Amendment 291 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Strongly insists that Azerbaijan cease all repression of political opposition activists both domestically and abroad;
Amendment 294 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Deplores the arrest of civil society activists who made public calls for peace, regarding the September 2022 renewed clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and calls upon the Azeri authorities to respect freedom of peaceful assembly and association;
Amendment 297 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Deplores the brutal treatment by the police and security services during the protests and during detention, and calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to eradicate such treatment;
Amendment 298 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Paragraph 18 c (new)
18c. Deplores the application of travel bans for opposition politicians, journalists, and civil society activists, without even informing targeted individual, as a form of control and repression and calls upon the Azerbaijani authorities to respect freedom of movement;
Amendment 306 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Condemns Azerbaijan's elite capture activities in several international organisations aiming at watering down international critic of the regime, in particular in the field of human rights as is demonstrated by the case of certain current and former members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe who "had engaged in activity of a corruptive nature" in favour of Azerbaijan;
Amendment 314 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Condemns Azerbaijan persistent attacks on media freedom; notes that Azerbaijan is ranked 154 out 180 in media freedom by Reporters without Borders;
Amendment 316 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)
Paragraph 20 c (new)
20c. Recalls that poor media freedom leads to an increase vulnerability and spread of disinformation, including Azerbaijani State propaganda; condemns in particular the spreading of videos or images of war crimes committed on Armenian prisoners of wars by members of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan; condemns the use of such images to reinforce hatred and ultra-nationalism in the region;
Amendment 319 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 d (new)
Paragraph 20 d (new)
20d. Condemns similarly disinformation emanating from Azerbaijan targeting the West, in particular in the wake of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine; notes that the narratives used against the West are copy-pasted from Russia propaganda, including attacks on LGBTIQ rights or alleged threat to traditional values;
Amendment 321 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 e (new)
Paragraph 20 e (new)
20e. Condemns similarly attempts at falsifying history by eliminating traces of Armenian cultural heritage in the Nagorno-Karabakh region; condemns the establishment on 3 February 2022, by the Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan, Anar Karimov, of a working group responsible for removing "the fictitious traces written by Armenians on Albanian religious temples";
Amendment 333 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Takes good note of the limited progress made by Azerbaijan on the prevention of corruption; calls on Azerbaijan to address the lack of an effective system of asset disclosure for members of parliament, judges and prosecutors;
Amendment 337 #
2021/2231(INI)
22a. Condemns the massive-scale and illicit use of the NSO Group's Pegasus surveillance software by Azerbaijan against journalists, human rights defenders and politicians;
Amendment 348 #
2021/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Strongly welcomes Azerbaijan’s repeated support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine as well as the humanitarian aid provided to Ukraine during the ongoing war; urges Azerbaijan to ensure that sanctions against Russia are not circumvented;
Amendment 2 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
— having regard to its resolution of 10 March 2022 on the destruction of cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh,
Amendment 11 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)
Citation 15 a (new)
— having regard to its recommendation of 19 June 2020 on the Eastern Partnership, in the run-up to the June 2020 Summit,
Amendment 18 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas since the collapse of the Soviet Unionover more than three decades, the Nagorno-Karabakh war and the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan have resulted in tens of thousands of casualties, immense destruction and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people;
Amendment 24 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas periodical deadly military confrontations between Azerbaijan and Armenia continue; whereas the 9 November 2020 ceasefire agrestatement, introduced after the 44-day war triggered by Azerbaijan in 2020, has been violated several times resulting in more casualties;
Amendment 27 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the 44-day war resulted in 3825 human casualties on the Armenian side and 203 people are still missing, including civilians; whereas as of September 2022 breaches of the ceasefire regime by Azerbaijan further resulted in human casualties on the Armenian side, both military and civilian; whereas the Armenian authorities reported that the military aggression of September 2022 left 201 people dead, both military and civilian and 27 are missing;
Amendment 29 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas according to the 9 November 2020 ceasefire statement the parties have committed to remain in their positions of that day, exchange prisoners of war and other detainees, and unblock all economic and transport connections in the region;
Amendment 31 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas Russian peacekeeping forces were deployed along the contact line in Nagorno-Karabakh and along the Lachin Corridor following the 2020 war with a 5-year stabilisation mandate but have failed to act on several occasions to stop the break-out of hostilities;
Amendment 33 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Amendment 35 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)
Recital B c (new)
Bc. whereas Azerbaijani military actions follow the worrying statements by Azerbaijani authorities referring to the territory of the Republic of Armenia as Azerbaijani ancestral land and threatening to use force;
Amendment 47 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas a sustainable normalisation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan requires that all violence cease and that all the root causes of conflict be addressed, so as to ensure the long-term stability of bilateral relations and of the wider region as a whole, in line with international law and in the spirit of good neighbourly relations;
Amendment 54 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas on 20 October 2022 the EU dispatched a temporary civilian monitoring mission, called EU Monitoring Capacity, on the Armenian side of the internationally recognized border between Armenia and Azerbaijan;
Amendment 70 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas Russia’s militarywar of aggression against Ukraine has had implications for the South Caucasus and has further complicated the security situation in the region;
Amendment 72 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine has had implications for the South Caucasus and has further complicated the security situation in the region;
Amendment 75 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas Armenia is targeted by disinformation from neighbouring countries, in particular Russian media outlets, as Armenian news outlets mostly rely on Russia as news sources and agencies;
Amendment 77 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F b (new)
Recital F b (new)
Fb. whereas Armenia is the target of Azerbaijani information operations, in particular with the aim of harassing social media users and disseminating false information;
Amendment 81 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict, which over the years has caused immense suffering and destruction, has significantly hampered the socio-economic development and stability of the whole South Caucasus region; is convinced that a durable and sustainable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan cannot be achieved through military means but requires a comprehensive political settlement in accordance with international law, including the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, the 1975 OSCE Helsinki Final Act and the OSCE Minsk Group’s 2009 Basic Principles; calls on the international community to remain seized of this conflict which is a matter of stability and security of the whole region;
Amendment 85 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Strongly condemns the large-scale military attackggression by Azerbaijan in September 2022 against multiple targets in the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia and its consequences for the peace process; reiterates that the territorial integrity of Armenia and Azerbaijan must be fully respected andcalls that this follows violations of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia as reported in May and November 2021; reiterates that the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia must be fully respected and the Azerbaijani forces should withdraw to their initial positions; underlines the EU’'s readiness to be more actively involved in settling the region’'s protracted conflicts;
Amendment 95 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Amendment 97 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to fully implement the tripartite ceasefire agreement of 9 November 2020 and condemns Azerbaijan for regular violations of the ceasefire; recalls that the implementation of article 9 of the ceasefire statement of 9 November 2020 cannot go against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia; calls on both Parties to urgently implement measures to prepare their respective populations for peaceful coexistence; calls in this respect on the Azerbaijani authorities to avoidstop using inflammatory rhetoric which threatens to undermine the peace process;
Amendment 105 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. To achieve lasting peace and reconciliation, calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to set up a transitional justice mechanism or truth commission, which the EU could support and help facilitate in conjunction with other bodies such as the ICRC or OSCE, to look into all alleged crimes committed during the armed conflict starting in 1988 until now; such a mechanism could include members of academia, independent journalists and civil society activists with a mandate to establish the fate of missing persons, repatriation of prisoners of war, and invest in establishing historical truths, eliminate hateful narratives and build trust between the two nations;
Amendment 112 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that the EU’s passive stance during and immediately after the 2020 war gave other regional actors, such as Russia and Turkey, the opportunity to gain influence; strongly supports, therefore, the initiative taken by the President of the European Council Charles Michel to convene and mediate bilateral meetings of the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Brussels and encourages the work on the ground of the EU’s special representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia; deplores however that Azerbaijan did not respect its commitment to the EU and has invaded the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia few days after the meeting with the President of the Council; urges the governments of both countries to fully engage in the drafting of a peace treaty and welcomes in this regard the meetings of the foreign affairs ministers of both countries;
Amendment 114 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that the EU’s passive stance during and immediately after the 2020 war gave other regional actors, such as Russia and Turkey, the opportunity to gain influence; strongly supports, therefore, the initiative taken by the President of the European Council Charles Michel to convene and mediate bilateral meetings of the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Brussels and encourages the work on the ground of the EU’s special representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia; highlights the importance of continued close engagement by the EU and the EU-led mediation format in order to prevent further attacks and bring a peaceful resolution of the conflict; urges the governments of both countries to fully engage in the drafting of a peace treaty and welcomes in this regard the meetings of the foreign affairs ministers of both countries;
Amendment 122 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Takes note of the initial discussions on the process of border delimitation; welcomes the agreement to deploy a civilian EU mission to build trust and contribute to the border commissions; Welcomes the agreement reached at the quadrilateral meeting between President Aliyev, Prime Minister Pashinyan, French President Macron and President of the European Council Michel to deploy a civilian EU mission of 40 EU civilian monitoring experts for a period of two months in order to build trust between the two countries and support the work of the border commissions; welcomes in this respect the holding of the 3rd meeting of the border commissions in Brussels and urges the EU to closely follow up on this process;
Amendment 128 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Takes note of the initial discussions on the process of border delimitation; welcomes the agreement to deploy a civilian EU mission to build trust and contribute to the border commissionscalls for the demarcation process to be internationally facilitated by the EU and/or OSCE in order to ensure credibility, fairness and sustainability;
Amendment 129 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Welcomes the deployment of the EU Monitoring Capacity to Armenia to build trust and contribute to the border commissions, especially welcomes the approach to transfer EU monitoring experts from the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia as a timely and experience-sharing solution; calls for extending the mandate of the EU Monitoring Capacity, making it permanent and increasing significantly the number of monitors so that it can effectively perform its monitoring, confidence-building, and stabilisation functions along the border between the two countries;
Amendment 131 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Reiterates that the transport communication between the western regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic should be ensured in line with the 9 November 2020 ceasefire statement and under sovereign control of the Republic of Armenia; suggests therefore that the notion of so-called "Zangezur corridor" or the Azerbaijani idea of an extraterritorial route be abandoned;
Amendment 138 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls for granting of access to international humanitarian organisations, especially the United Nations, to Nagorno-Karabakh and recalls that currently only the ICRC is allowed access to the region, which is insufficient to accurately assess the conditions and needs of the population residing there;
Amendment 141 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Given the significant power imbalance between the sides, highlights the importance of international mediation in any direct talks between Baku and Stepanakert, and the EU’s particularly important role in this context to ensure a fair agreement and the protection of the rights of the Nagorno-Karabakh population;
Amendment 143 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 c (new)
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6c. Notes that with the expiration of the peacebuilding mandate of Russian forces in three years, a new peacekeeping presence should be assured on the ground, and stresses the need that this be an international peacekeeping mission;
Amendment 150 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Notes that at least 33 Armenian prisoners of war whose whereabouts are confirmed by Azerbaijan continue to be in detention in Azerbaijan; regrets, however, that the fate and whereabouts of over 200 Armenians, including 20 civilians, in relation to the 2020 war continue to be unknown; notes that in relation to at least 18 missing persons, the UN working group on enforced disappearances has started procedures and requested information from Azerbaijan;
Amendment 154 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Condemns the footages that hasve appeared depicting the torture, mutilation and killing of an Armenian servicewoman and unarmed Armenian prisoners of war by Azerbaijani armed forces; calls for a full independent and impartial investigation of the videos to identify those responsible and hold them accountable for their actions; stresses that those acts are in violation of the Geneva conventions which were ratified by Azerbaijan and may constitute war crimes;
Amendment 156 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Condemns the footage that has appeared from 1 to 11 October 2022 depicting the torture, mutilation and killing of an Armenian servicewoman and unarmed Armenian prisoners of war by Azerbaijani armed forces; takes note of reports by human rights groups, particularly a Human Rights Watch report, classifying this act as a war crime; calls for a full and impartial investigation of the videos to identify those responsible and hold them accountable for their actions;
Amendment 157 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. CStrongly condemns the footage that has appeared depicting the torture, mutilation and killing of an Armenian servicewoman and unarmed Armenian prisoners of war by Azerbaijani armed forces; calls for a full and impartial investigation of the videos to identify those responsible for these war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law, and hold them fully accountable for their actions;
Amendment 162 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Strongly insists that Azerbaijan and Armenia refCondemns Azerbaijan's continued policy of destroying, erasin from destroying cultural, religious or historical heritage; calls for the restoration of damaged sites in accordance with UNESCO standards and indications; calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to quickly allow a UNESCO mission to visit both countries without preconditg and denying the existence of the Armenian cultural, religious or historical heritage in and around Nagorno Karabakh in violation of international law and the decision of the International Court of Justice of 7 December 2021; calls for the restoration of damaged sites in accordance with UNESCO standards and indications; calls on the EU to actively push Azerbaijan to participate in efforts to protect at-risk cultural heritage notably by deploring mechanisms to facilitate UNESCO's fact finding mission without preconditions; deplores that after two years since the signing of the ceasefire statement of November 9 2020 the UNESCO mission has not been able to visit the regions;
Amendment 174 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Encourages increased bilateral contacts between the political authorities of Armenia and Azerbaijan and underlines the role played by the civil societies of both countries in improving relationships between the two countries;
Amendment 179 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Supports the normalisation of relations between Armenia and Turkey and welcomes the progress achieved so far; calls for the speedy implementation of agreements reached by the special representativesommends the recent rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia with regard to the resumption of flights between the two countries; considers this attempt a highly positive development which has a positive impact on prosperity and security in the region; calls for the speedy implementation of agreements reached by the special representatives; encourages both sides to pursue these efforts with a view to fully normalising their relations and calls for the EU to actively support this process; encourages Turkey to pave the way for genuine reconciliation between the Turkish and Armenian peoples, and to fully respect its obligations to protect Armenian cultural heritage; expresses the hope that this may lead to a dynamic of normalisation of relations in the South Caucasus; presses Turkey, once again, to recognise the Armenian Genocide; calls on both sides to engage in the process in good faith and without preconditions;
Amendment 187 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. CRecalls that the clauses of the Collective Security Treaty Organization were not activated either during the 2020 war or last September despite Armenian requests; calls on Armenia to consider diversifying its security partnerships, as its long-standing reliance on Russia and its allies in the Collective Security Treaty Organization has proved insufficient;
Amendment 189 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on Armenia to consider diversifying and intensifying its security partnerships with its regional and Euro- Atlantic partners, as its long-standing reliance on Russia and its allies in the Collective Security Treaty Organization has proved insufficient;
Amendment 204 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Highlights in particular the need for stronger action in the area of judicial reform and fight against corruption, including to ensure a balanced mechanism for the election of key judicial positions, to carry out non-politicised and merit-based vetting of the judiciary through a professional commission, consisting of legal experts nominated by different institutions and representatives of civil society, to develop a new anti- corruption reform strategy and action plan in line with recommendations by OECD and the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), to publicise the concluding part of the Corruption Prevention Commission’s (CPC) decisions regarding the integrity checks of candidates for judges and candidates for key public positions, to introduce a comprehensive electronic procurement system with an independent verification mechanism to check the profiles of participants in tenders, beneficial owners and (possible) cases of conflict of interest, to provide the CPC with access to the electronic procurement system in order to scrutinise for conflict of interests and affiliations with public officials;
Amendment 208 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Calls on all political actors in the country to continue carrying out the necessary reforms aimed at strengthening the rule of law, media freedom and the independence of the judiciary, while ensuring the full respect of democratic principles and human rights;
Amendment 227 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Is concerned about the relentless Russian disinformation campaigns in Armenia, that spread into the Armenian medias and on social media platforms targeting the European Union and the West in general; calls on the EEAS to work together with Armenian authorities to fight against disinformation, particularly by supporting efforts to train and improve the diversity of the media sector and contribute to an increased level of media literacy in Armenia;
Amendment 233 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Welcomes Armenia's efforts regarding its human rights and anti- corruption reforms; regrets, however, that Armenia is lagging behind in the defence of LGBTIQ rights and is concerned about the situation in the country; urges the Armenian authorities to uphold and promote the LGBTQI rights in its legislation and calls on the EU to support Armenia in this process;
Amendment 241 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Notes that over the last 10 years, the volume of Armenia-EU bilateral trade has been increasing and calls on the Commission to take the necessary steps to further strengthen economic and trade cooperation with Armenia;
Amendment 249 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Calls for advancing discussions on an EU-Armenia visa liberalisation scheme to support people-to-people contacts, closer bilateral ties, and reform progress;
Amendment 257 #
2021/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Reiterates its concerns regarding the ongoing operation of the Metsamor nuclear power plant; calls for the swift adoption of a road map or action plan for the closure and safe decommissioning of the plantWelcomes the safety and security improvements made to Metsamor nuclear power plant; encourages Armenian authorities to continue to closely work with the IAEA;
Amendment 21 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 29
Citation 29
— having regard to its previous resolutions on the Middle East peace process, in particular that of 18 May 2017 on achieving the two-state solution in the Middle East5 , and the resolution of 14 December 2022 on the prospects of the two-State solution for Israel and Palestine; _________________ 5 OJ C 307, 30.8.2018, p. 113.
Amendment 57 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas the first month of 2023 has been marked by a cycle of violence, with around 30 Palestinians killed by the Israeli Defense Forces, including 9 Palestinians killed in the Jenin Refugee Camp; whereas 7 people have been killed in a brutal attack by a Palestinian terrorist in a synagogue in East Jerusalem;
Amendment 73 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas international assistance is key to the stability of the West Bank and Gaza and thus also benefits Israel; whereas Israel is obliged under international humanitarian law to ensure the basic needs and well-being of the civilian population under its occupation;
Amendment 75 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
D b. whereas in Gaza, the blockade and intermittent conflict have crippled the economy and 63% of the area's population requires some form of humanitarian assistance.
Amendment 76 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas EU assistance provides vital budget support to the PA through the PEGASE programme; whereas since the beginning of the current multiannual financial framework, EU assistance to Palestine has been ad hoc; whereas the 2021-2024 joint strategy provides a basis on which annual action programmes can be adopted, but a multiannual prospect for concrete funding is still lacking; whereas it is necessary to continue implementing an effective process and a scrutinized review of the designation of EU funds;
Amendment 85 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas EU funding includes a multiannual contribution to UNRWA, whose work Parliament continually supports and advocates to be continued with a strong focus on promoting education based on peacebuilding, reconciliation, tolerance, co-existence and non-violence in view of the crucial role played by the Agency for the promotion of stability and development in the region, keeping alive the prospects of sustainable peace;
Amendment 88 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas EU funding includes a multiannual contributionthe EU and its Member States are the largest donor to UNRWA, whose work Parliament continually supports and advocates to be continued; whereas EU funding includes a multiannual contribution to UNRWA, ensuring predictable support for Palestinian refugees in line with the EU- UNRWA Joint Declaration 2021-2024;
Amendment 94 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
F a. whereas the United Nations General Assembly has recently voted to extend the mandate of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East until 30 June 2026;
Amendment 102 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas in 2011, the UN Ad Hoc Liaison Committee concluded that Palestinian institutions are ready for statehood; whereas however, since then, the democratic status of Palestine has deteriorated owing to the ongoing occupation, pressure from radical groups and internal problems, as well as worsening rule of law and corruption;
Amendment 104 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas in 2011, the UN Ad Hoc Liaison Committee concluded that Palestinian institutions are ready for statehood; whereas however, since then, the democratic status of Palestine has deteriorated owing to the ongoing occupationexternal and internal problems, as well assuch as the worsening rule of law and corruption and the ongoing occupation;
Amendment 126 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas socioeconomic and employment conditions in Palestine have severely deteriorated; whereas the Israeli occupation involves significant restrictions on the Palestinian economy, which undermines the effectiveness of EU aid and increases Palestinian dependence on foreign aid; ith the continued conflict which increases Palestinian dependence on foreign aid; whereas economic reforms by the Palestinian authorities are necessary, while they are not in themselves enough to ensure sustainable economic growth and private sector development on Palestinian territories; whereas the World Bank has highlighted to which extent the restrictions on movement and access in the West Bank and the Israeli movement and access restrictions on Gaza are obstacles to achieving these goals;
Amendment 138 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
I a. whereas the pandemic has had a severe impact on the Palestinians; whereas the public health system has been pushed to the brink due to the occupation and the fragile socioeconomic, humanitarian and political situation;
Amendment 161 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(a a) condemn the recent terror attack in a Jerusalem synagogue which led to the death of seven people;
Amendment 162 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point a b (new)
(a b) call for an immediate end to all act of violence between Israelis and Palestinians, to reverse this spiral of violence and engage in meaningful efforts to restart peace negotiations;
Amendment 169 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) continue to underline that Israeli settlements in the oPt are illegal; call for an end to all actions that under international law; call for an end to the continuation of the colonization policy, plans for expansion, the evictions of Palestinian families and the demolitions which undermine the viability of the two- state solution on the ground and which constitute violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention;
Amendment 171 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) continue to underline that Israeli settlements in the oPt are illegal; call for an end to all actions that undermine the viability of the two-state solution on the ground and call for breaking the cycle of violence;
Amendment 182 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(c a) stress the importance of education in the building of prospects for a two-state solution; reiterates its position that all schoolbooks and school materials must be in line with UNESCO standards of peace, tolerance, coexistence and non-violence;
Amendment 194 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d
Paragraph 1 – point d
(d) support Palestinian calls for renewed and inclusive political representation; strongly urge the PA and President Abbas to hold free and fair national elections in order to strengthen the legitimacy of the Palestinian political leadership; recall in this respect that Hamas is listed in the EU's list of terrorist organizations; call on Israel to respect its obligations to allow these elections to take place in East Jerusalem; promote the participation of youth and women;
Amendment 198 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d
Paragraph 1 – point d
(d) support Palestinian calls for renewed and inclusive political representation; strongly urge the PA and President Abbas to hold free, credible, inclusive, transparent and fair national elections in order to strengthen the legitimacy of the Palestinian political leadership; call on Israel to respect its obligations to allow these elections to take place in East Jerusalem; promote the participation of youth and women;
Amendment 205 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(d a) deploy an EU election observation mission to the oPt upon the announcement of general elections;
Amendment 233 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h
Paragraph 1 – point h
(h) demand that the PA establish independent and reliable mechanisms to investigate occurrences of torture or ill- treatment; and other human rights violations;
Amendment 257 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l
Paragraph 1 – point l
(l) comply with the commitment to fully and effectively implement existing EU legislation and the bilateral arrangements applicable to settlement products; demand the adoption of EU legislation banning trade with notably on the mandatory labelling of products from Israeli settlements inand the oPt, in compliancir exclusion from preferential customs regime and ensure with international humanitarian laws more efficient functioning;
Amendment 262 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point l a (new)
(l a) better monitor the implementation of clear differentiation policies within the EU;
Amendment 270 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point m a (new)
(m a) engage with the PA to jointly establish a more regular political dialogue at the ministerial level with a strong focus on human rights, rule of law and the fight against terrorism, and to move towards negotiations on a full association agreement between the EU and Palestine; convene an association council when an agreement has been reached;
Amendment 277 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n
Paragraph 1 – point n
(n) work towards an immediate end to the blockade of the Gaza Stripcontinue supporting the efforts to mitigate the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and to actively work for an end to the sixteen-year-long blockade through a political solution respected by all parties;
Amendment 282 #
2021/2207(INI)
Amendment 283 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point o
Paragraph 1 – point o
(o) continue its support to the work of the Central Elections Commission and to engage with relevant actors to support the electoral process; actively offer to deploy an EU election observation mission to the oPt upon the announcement of general elections;
Amendment 285 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point o a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point o a (new)
(o a) deplore the striking disparities between the health services available to Palestinians and those available to Israelis resulting in higher mortality rates; urge the EU to work with the Israeli authorities on a solution to ensure the inhendered access of Palestinian patients to medical care by Israeli authorities;
Amendment 324 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point t
Paragraph 1 – point t
(t) continue applying the incentive based approach and policy dialogue of PEGASE which aim to accompany the PA to foster effective and accountable institutions ready for statehood and enable inclusive social development; exclude the PA Ministry of Interior from EU financial assistance through PEGASE to the PA, while retaining the overall level of financial support, until authorities take effective steps to end arbitrary arrests and torture and to investigate and prosecute those responsible for abuses;
Amendment 327 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point t a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point t a (new)
(t a) strengthen policy dialogue in the framework of PEGASE, through more frequency and better coherence of meetings and concrete indicators;
Amendment 329 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point t b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point t b (new)
(t b) increase the visibility of EU actions on the ground through a better and more strategic communication;
Amendment 332 #
2021/2207(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point u
Paragraph 1 – point u
(u) ensure continued and additional financial support to Palestinian refugees through UNRWA to meet the increasing needs on the ground; recall that in the agreement for the 2023 EU Budget, the two arms of the budgetary authority jointly decided on an increase for the NDICI-Southern Neighbourhood budget line to be dedicated also to UNRWA; call for an special focus on education and health care within this funding;
Amendment 27 #
2021/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas the mission ATMIS replaced AMISOM since the 1st of April 2022 with the hand-over to the Somalian national army forces in 2024 as main objective;
Amendment 31 #
2021/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
A b. whereas the non-extension of the resolution 2608 (2021) of the UN Security Council Fighting Piracy off the Coast of Somalia limits the access of the EUNAVFOR Atalanta to the Somalian territorial waters; whereas the security situation is fragile and the Shebabs terrorist group remains active;
Amendment 70 #
2021/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(c a) encourage the UK to coordinate its efforts in the region with the ones of the EU;
Amendment 103 #
2021/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
Paragraph 1 – point g
(g) provide the countries affected by conflicts and natural disasters with prompt and adequate humanitarian assistance, in coordination with like- minded partnerallocate prompt and adequate humanitarian aid and assistance to the countries affected by the extreme drought and other natural disasters and by the Russian aggression in Ukraine, which has contributed to soaring food and fuel costs and disrupted global supply chains;
Amendment 108 #
2021/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point g b (new)
(g b) take note of the Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch report that documents a systematical expelling of several hundred thousand Tigrayan civilians from their homes using threats, unlawful killings, sexual violence, mass arbitrary detention, pillage, forcible transfer, and the denial of humanitarian assistance amounting to crimes against humanity as well as war crimes;
Amendment 109 #
2021/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g c (new)
Paragraph 1 – point g c (new)
(g c) call for an urgent deployment of an AU-led international peacekeeping force with a robust civilian protection mandate to Western Tigray, which is crucial to promote human rights, to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid, and to help protect at-risk communities in Tigray;
Amendment 116 #
2021/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h
Paragraph 1 – point h
(h) acknowledge the positive impacts of Operation Atalanta in guaranteeing maritime security, and take note ofdeplore the non- extension of its mandate within the UNSCthe UNSC resolution 2608 (2021) which unfortunately limits the access of the operation to the Somalian territorial waters; call on the Member States to show adequate commitment to the EU Training Mission in Somalia both in terms of personnel and means, in order to empower the Somali Armed Forces to guarantee security in the country;
Amendment 117 #
2021/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h
Paragraph 1 – point h
(h) acknowledge the positive impacts of Operation Atalanta in guaranteeing maritime security, and take note of the non-extension of its mandate within the UNSC; he achievements of the EUCAP Nestor mission and the EU MASE programme in developing national and regional capacities for maritime law enforcements;call on the Member States to show adequate commitment to the EU Training Mission in Somalia both in terms of personnel and means, in order to empower the Somali Armed Forces to guarantee security in the country;
Amendment 131 #
2021/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i
Paragraph 1 – point i
(i) take note of the growingpersistent activity of the Al Shabab terrorist groups in the wholpart of the region, and providecalls for the provision of tailored and effective assistance to the affected countries in countering both the immediate effects of this expansion and the root causes of extremism and radicalisation;
Amendment 140 #
2021/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j
Paragraph 1 – point j
(j) ensure that assistance channelled through the European Peace Facility abides by European fundamental values andmaintain the support provided via the European Peace Facility, especially to EUNAVFOR Atalanta and to EUTM Somalia to helps in building a transparent,n accountable, robust and reliable security sector;
Amendment 143 #
2021/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point j a (new)
(j a) ensure the funding of the civilian component of ATMIS;
Amendment 167 #
2021/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point m a (new)
(m a) urge Eritrean authorities to release Swedish-Eritrean writer and journalist David Isaak, detained since 2001, and all other prisoners of conscience; calls for his family to be at least given the right to know whether he is dead or alive;
Amendment 169 #
2021/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point m a (new)
(m a) require the conclusion of the electoral process in Somalia to remain a priority and adopt a firm position if the crisis persists;
Amendment 171 #
2021/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point m b (new)
(m b) call for an independent international commission of inquiry on the alleged crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing perpetrated in Ethiopia’s Western Tigray province since November 2020 by Amhara security forces, local authorities and militias against the Tigrayan population;
Amendment 173 #
2021/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m c (new)
Paragraph 1 – point m c (new)
(m c) call for an UN- led international investigation on the alleged crimes against Eritrean refugees perpetrated in the Hitsats and Shimelba refugee camps in Ethiopia’s Tigray region by Eritrean forces and Tigrayan militias;
Amendment 193 #
2021/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point p a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point p a (new)
(p a) call on the EU to provide technical support to empower the diaspora in Europe to step up business relations with the region,notably by allowing remittances to be sent through legal, transparent and trusted channels instead of resorting to the halawa system, in order to prevent the misuse of the diaspora’s funding for criminal activities;
Amendment 222 #
2021/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point t
Paragraph 1 – point t
(t) acknowledge that safe and efficient infrastructures are key to consistent, sustainable and fair development in the region; fully exploit the potential of new EU-sponsored initiatives aiming at enhancing regional integration and connectivity; increase consultation and coordination with African counterparts in the definition of specific projects to be developed in the global gateway framework;
Amendment 227 #
2021/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point t a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point t a (new)
(t a) take note of possible insecurities and tensions that can arise from the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) by Ethiopia and the sharing of Nile waters with Sudan and Egypt that are located downstream;
Amendment 235 #
2021/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point u
Paragraph 1 – point u
(u) take note of the growing, multifaceted and often opaque influence of third parties in the regionsuch as China, Russia and Turkey in the region particularly in the economic, energy, security and military spheres; and take, when possible, all the appropriate actions to counter these interferences; recognise that the increasing presence of factors that do not share the Union`s values, interests and objectives could undermine the EU’s role as a privileged partner;
Amendment 247 #
2021/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v
Paragraph 1 – point v
(v) reinforce strategic communication through effective and fact-based campaigns about EU actions and EU sponsored initiatives in the region, underlining their added value for local communities, sustainable development and inclusive growth, while also countering disinformation and false narratives from third parties such as Russia;
Amendment 268 #
2021/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Expresses its concern over the establishment of a Chinese naval base in Djibouti since 2017 for long-range military projection,hosting over 1,000 personnel and conducting military drills such as in Mogadishu in November 2017; is concerned over China's takeover of the strategic port of Doraleh and Djibouti's rising public foreign debt contracted through loans from China;
Amendment 269 #
2021/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. Expresses its deep concern over the planned establishment of a Russian naval base in Port Sudan for a 25-year- lease; believes this decision would bear negative repercussions for the peace and security of the Red Sea; is deeply disappointed by Sudan President Hemetti's statement of 23 February 2022 in Moscow, falsely claiming that Russia's aggression against Ukraine was to "protect" Russia; points at the particular responsibility of Sudanese authorities in providing secure passage to the CAR to Russia's Wagner group, in return for security guarantees to help Hemetti remain in power.
Amendment 4 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 a (new)
Citation 16 a (new)
— having regard to the Council conclusions of 24 January 2022 on the European security situation,
Amendment 8 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 37 a (new)
Citation 37 a (new)
— having regard to the Charter of the United Nations and the Helsinki Final Act of 1975 of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE),
Amendment 10 #
2021/2199(INI)
— having regard to the Minsk Protocol of 5 September 2014, the Minsk Memorandum of 19 September 2014 and the package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk Agreements, adopted and signed in Minsk on 12 February 2015, and endorsed as a whole by the UN Security Council in Resolution 2202 (2015) of 17 February 2015,
Amendment 20 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 50
Citation 50
— having regard to its previous resolutions on Russia, especially those related to Russia’s actions in the territories of the EaP countries, violations of the rights of the Crimean Tatars, the occupation of parts of the territory of Georgia and Ukraine and related borderisation activities, and hostile propaganda and disinformation against the EU and the EaP countries,
Amendment 34 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EaP is part of the EU’s comprehensive approach to security, specifically designed to bolster relationships with the six EaP countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, to help promote peace and stability on the EU’s eastern flank;
Amendment 55 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the EaP Summit on 15 December 2021 resulted in increased efforts to bolsterenhance resilience, security dialogue and cooperation in the areas of the CSDP;
Amendment 74 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the 2014 invasion and illegal annextemporary occupation of Crimea demonstrated that Russia rejects EU or NATO aspirations in former Soviet territoof the EaP countries and is determined to contend and contest any attempts to aid democratic development in a region which it considers its ‘near abroad’;
Amendment 76 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the direct military aggression against Georgia in 2008 and subsequent occupation of 20% of its territories and 2014 invasion and illegal annexation of Crimea demonstrated that Russia rejects EU or NATO aspirations in former Soviet territories and is determined to contend and contest any attempts to aid democratic development in a region which it considers its ‘near abroad’;
Amendment 84 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the Normandy Format and Minsk I & II Agreements have failed toare the only diplomatic initiatives aiming at ending hostilities between Ukraine and Russian- backed separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk; whereas the conflict in the Donbas region has killed more than 14 000 people; whereas the ceasefire is repeatedly breached; whereas efforts to restart talks in the Normandy format must be supported but must lead to tangible results;
Amendment 94 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas Russia, against the backdrop of a crisis on the EU-Belarusian border, has amassed over 1020 000 troops on the border of Ukraine, in the occupied territories of Eastern Ukraine and in Crimea in an offensive formation while increasing its hybrid warfare tactics targeting the elected government in KyivUkrainian authorities, creating widespread concern about a potential secondnew full-scale invasion of Ukraine; whereas on 13-14 January 2022 Ukraine experienced a massive cyber-attack against its key government websites;
Amendment 102 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas Russia, against the backdrop of a crisis on the EU-Belarusian border, has amassed over 100 000 troops on the border of Ukraine in an offensive formation while increasing its hybrid warfare tactics targeting the elected government in Kyiv, creating widespread concern about a potential second invasion of Ukraine; whereas Russia deliberately and purposely ignored the European Union in the dialogue and negotiations on the situation in Ukraine, while the security of the EU is at stake; whereas considerable efforts are deployed to sustain intense cooperation between the European Union, its member states and the United States and among member states as regards the situation at the Russian-Ukrainian border; whereas, the Russian troops crossing the border into Belarusian territory are posing a direct threat to Lithuania and thus to the EU;
Amendment 118 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas following the electoral unrest, Belarus has largely abandoned its aim of fostering better relations with the EU, having reversed trends towards democratisation and taken to weaponising refugeemigrants in an attempt to uproot domestic aspirations towards liberalisation and destabilise EU Member States bordering Belarus, notably Lithuania, Latvia and Poland;
Amendment 120 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas following the electoral unrest, Belarus has largely abandoned its aim of fostering better relations with the EU, having reversed trends towards democratisation and taken to weaponising refugees in an attempt to uproot domestic aspirations towards liberalisation and destabilise EU Member States; whereas Belarus suspended its participation in the Eastern Partnership on June 28, 2021; whereas the regime of Mr Lukashenko threatens regional stability by conducting a hybrid war through the instrumentalisation of migrants on the Eastern borders of the European Union and has forced the landing of a Ryanair flight in Minsk, to the detriment of air safety, the EU took sanctions;
Amendment 126 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
J a. whereas the illegitimate regime of Aliaksandr Lukashenka seeking to remain in power tightened relations with Putin’s Russia, agreed to deepen the Union State integration, to host Russian troops along the Belarus-Ukraine border and declared a commitment to fight alongside Russia in case of war;
Amendment 128 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas the outbreak of hostilities between Azerbaijan and Armenia fundamentally altered the political, strategic 44 days conflict triggered by Azerbaijan, with Turkish support, in Nagorno-Karabakh resulted in thousands of casualties, tens of thousands operational status quo of the South Caucasus and resulted inf displaced people and the use by Azerbaijan of Syrian mercenaries; whereas Armenian prisoners of war are still detained in Azerbaijan in violation of international law; whereas Russia’s deployment ofed approximately 2 000 peacekeeping troops to the area in and around Nagorno-Karabakh as part of a ceasefire agreement and established a Russian-led border demarcation commission; whereas the conflict of Nagorno-Karabagh is not settled; whereas Russia will not be able to settle alone a conflict born on the ashes of the Soviet Union and revived by the return of the Turkish presence; whereas skirmishes between Azerbaijan and Armenia continue to take place in Armenian internationally recognized territory;
Amendment 139 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
Recital L a (new)
L a. whereas every country in the EU Eastern Partnership, with the exception of Belarus, has a territorial conflict on its soil, orchestrated by or involving Russia;
Amendment 155 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital O
Recital O
O. whereas hybrid threats in the years to come will sees the systematic combination of information warfare, agile force manoeuvre, mass cyber warfare and emerging and disruptive technologies;
Amendment 164 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital Q
Recital Q
Q. whereas the upcoming Strategic Compass must provide the CSDP with the political and strategic ambition, capabilities and resources needed to lead to a genuine European Defence and generate positive change, particularly across its strategic neighbourhood;
Amendment 190 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital W
Recital W
W. whereas in its 13 years of existence, the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM) has represented the strong political commitment of the EU in the region by providingcontributing to stability and security to conflict-affected communitieson the ground;
Amendment 193 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital Y
Recital Y
Y. whereas the original mandate from 2008 remains unchanged as regards monitoring the implementation of the six- point agreementEU- mediated 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement between Georgia and Russia;
Amendment 195 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital Z
Recital Z
Z. whereas Russia does not comply with the six-point agreement as itEU-mediated 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement between Georgia and Russia as it illegally maintains a presence of its armed forces and Federal Security Service (FSB) agents in the occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions, whodoes not allow establishment of international security mechanisms on the ground, likewise prevents the EUMM from entering the territories that are beyond the control of the Government of Georgoccupied by Russia, a critical obstruction to the accomplishment of mission objectives; whereas the EUMM is not able to prevent Russian borderization of pushing administrative boundary lines into Georgian territory and further expanding territorial occupation of Georgia;
Amendment 200 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital AA
Recital AA
AA. whereas flagrant violations of the six-point aEU-mediated 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement and ceasefire by occupying forces are often met with limited responses or calls to action by Member States, or no response at all, which risks emboldening the occupying forces to carry out more such actions;
Amendment 216 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital AF
Recital AF
AF. whereas the EUMM’s role in securing the release of detained border guards, as well as its efforts to address the human security and humanitarian needs of the local population in conflict-affected areas, including to assist sick people from the occupied territories in getting proper treatment in Georgian government- controlled territory, adds tremendous value to the important role the EUMM plays in both conflict managementtributing to security and confidence building;
Amendment 237 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital AK a (new)
Recital AK a (new)
AK a. whereas a number of EU Member States have decided to answer positively to Ukraine’s requests for military equipment;
Amendment 249 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Is deeply concerned about military tensions on Ukraine’s borders, reiterates its call on the Russian Federation to cease its provocations, to stop all measures that further aggravate the conflict and to de- escalate tensions in line with its international obligations, such as the OSCE principles and commitments on transparency of military movements and the Vienna Document;
Amendment 251 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 a (new)
Paragraph -1 a (new)
-1 a. Taking into account security challenges faced by the EaP countries, particularly protracted conflicts, overt military actions, hybrid threats and interference into democratic processes, urges the EU to invest more in the capacities, security and defence of its immediate neighbourhood to match the ambitions of a more geopolitical and strategically sovereign EU;
Amendment 265 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the decision of the European Council of 2 December 2021 to utilise the European Peace Facility (EPF) in providing Ukraine with a package of EUR 31 million, Georgia with a package of EUR 12.75 million and Moldova with a package of EUR 7 million to assist in strengthening their resilience and defence capabilities, particularly cybersecurity, medical, engineering, mobile and logistics capabilities; encourages further utilisation of the EPF to increase the ability of EaP countries to exchange intelligence via secure communication lines, particularly those EaP countries hostingcovered by CSDP missions;
Amendment 268 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. WStresses the importance for the EU, given the increasingly difficult security environment affecting the stability and governance of our Eastern partners, to strengthen our cooperation in the field of security and defence; welcomes the decision of the European Council of 2 December 2021 to utilise the European Peace Facility (EPF) in providing Ukraine with a package of EUR 31 million, Georgia with a package of EUR 12.75 million and Moldova with a package of EUR 7 million to assist in strengthening their resilience and defence capabilities, particularly cybersecurity, medical, engineering, mobile and logistics capabilities; encourages further utilisation of the EPF to increase the ability of EaP countries to exchange intelligence via secure communication lines, particularly those EaP countries hosting CSDP missions;
Amendment 279 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Calls on the Council and the EEAS to continue to build confidence, reduce tensions and work towards a peaceful settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan; highlights the importance of full exchange and release of detainees, addressing the fate of missing persons, facilitating humanitarian de-demining, ensuring safe and free movement of civilians in Nagorno-Karabakh, assisting conflict-affected populations, supporting reconstruction efforts and preservation of cultural heritage;
Amendment 286 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Encourages Member States to ensure that any provision of equipment support via the EPF to EaP countries is in line with the needs of the EaP country and is carried out in collaboration with NATO strategic planning in order to avoid duplication; calls upon the Member States to restrain from overusing their power in technical procedures to block already made decisions regarding equipment provisions to the EaP countries;
Amendment 289 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Encourages Member States to ensure that any provision of equipment support via the EPF to EaP countries is in line with the needs of the EU supporting objectives to the EaP country and is carried out in collaborordination with NATO strategic planning in order to avoid duplication;
Amendment 303 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Encourages Member States each to deploy personnel to CSDP missions in EaP countries to ensure all useful Member States are ssets are presentovided in missions throughout the region and to encourage greater participation by non-EU countries in these missions, particularly former communist countries that have hosted successfully completed CSDP missions;
Amendment 313 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Encourages Member States to expand support mechanisms for the participation of EaP countries in CSDP missions, when necessary;
Amendment 324 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Encourages the Member States to expand their support to Ukraine in its efforts transforming defence sector which is undergoing fundamental reforms that will have long-term consequences for the Ukrainian armed forces, their ability to ensure Ukraine’s security, and public trust and confidence; welcomes the VP/HR initiative and invites the Member States to launch CSDP military advisory and training mission in Ukraine to assist in reforming Ukrainian professional military education system, which is the most significant area for facilitating change and ensuring the sustainability of the transformation of the defence system;
Amendment 328 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9 b. Calls on EU and its Member States to support Ukraine in strengthening its military resilience through providing defence weapons of different kinds;
Amendment 345 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Invites Member StatWelcomes tohe reinforced cooperation with NATO, also through the upcoming EU-NATO joint declaration, in supportingbetween the United States, the European Union and its Member States and the defintencse and security capacity of our neighbours to the eastdiscussions taking place within NATO regarding the security of Europe;
Amendment 352 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) and the EU Member States to ensure that the upcoming Strategic Compass dedicates ample focus to EaP countries and that it is closely coordinated with NATO’s upcoming Strategic Concept 2022 is closely coordinated with it, especially in areas of cyber defence and countering hybrid warfare;
Amendment 361 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
Amendment 366 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Encourages Member States that share both EU and NATO membership and that lead different NATO capacity building initiatives with EaP countries to ensure that training efforts and the transfer of best practices are coordinated with the EU MPCC and CPCC; encourages Member States to ensure that CSDP missions in EaP countries embrace close coordination with NATO’s defence and deterrence posture and Open Door Policy;
Amendment 370 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. Is concerned that one member of NATO is delaying the access of Ukraine to the NATO Support and Procurement Agency despite urgent needs and for reasons unrelated to the current situation;
Amendment 371 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14 b. Is concerned that a NATO member state is blocking discussions between NATO and Ukraine at the ministerial level, thus preventing this partnership from developing;
Amendment 377 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Welcomes in this regard the proposal made by the EU as regards the PESCO project related to Cyber Rapid Reaction Unit and its extension to Ukraine;
Amendment 383 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Calls for closer coordination with the OSCE in order to address security challenges in the EaP region, particularly in the areas of human trafficking, arms control, illegal migration, confidence- building and facilitating dialogue among all parties to the crisis;
Amendment 404 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Recalls that extended mandates must be accompanied by appropriate resources; is concerned by a risk of dispersal if EUAM embraces broad sectors but does not have the adequate means to fulfil its mission;
Amendment 427 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Expresses deep concern about destabilising and terrorist actions by certain countries, notably Iran, in the South Caucasus; strongly condemns any acts of terrorism; welcomes the security cooperation between the EU, its Member States and EaP countries and fully supports the further deepening of counter-terrorism cooperation; calls on the EEAS to enter into a security dialogue with Armenia as it does with Azerbaijan, as soon as possible; calls on the EU and the Member States not to let the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia get bogged down;
Amendment 436 #
2021/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Calls on the Commission and the EEAS to increase the visibility of CSDP missions in the EaP by including them in their political messaging notably the EU representations, publicly accessible documents and engagements with the international press;
Amendment 8 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
— having regard to its resolution of 23 October 2020 on Gender Equality in EU’s foreign and security policy,
Amendment 30 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 29 a (new)
Citation 29 a (new)
— having regard to the final communiqué issued by the ECOWAS extraordinary summit of 8 September 2021,
Amendment 32 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas in 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the rise in global threats and the Union’s vulnerability to its external dependencies; whereas the pandemic has expanded the concept of security and strategic autonomy to cover health, technological and economic concerns;
Amendment 33 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas Europe is facing a rapid and lasting deterioration in its strategic environment; whereas terrorism remains a major threat; whereas states are displaying their ambitions for more power and are pursuing expansion strategies that involve the use of armed force; whereas the result of such strategies is a risk of militarising the sea, space, the Arctic and cyberspace as well as reviving the arms race;
Amendment 34 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
Ac. whereas the proliferation of cyber- attacks against strategic infrastructure during the COVID-19 crisis, and more recently the Pegasus affair, are examples that justify the rapid development of protective measures against the most recent forms of cyber-threat and the most advanced spying techniques; whereas the EU has committed to investing EUR 1.6 billion in response capacity and the deployment of cybersecurity tools for public authorities, enterprises and individuals, and to increasing cooperation between the public and private sectors;
Amendment 35 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)
Recital A d (new)
Ad. whereas the European Parliament, as the forum for the expression of European democracy, is a target; whereas the digitisation of activities resulting from remote working during the COVID-19 pandemic has only served to increase our exposure to existing threats;
Amendment 36 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A e (new)
Recital A e (new)
Ae. whereas, through the military capabilities of its Member States, the EU has a total budget of EUR 395 billion, putting it in second place globally; whereas Europe is, however, not the second largest military power in the world, since its capabilities are fragmented and suffer from duplication, gaps and a lack of interoperability;
Amendment 37 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A f (new)
Recital A f (new)
Af. whereas the increasing complexity of threats is linked to technological development, the digitisation of societies and the integration of international economies; whereas, as a result, hybrid threats are proliferating, combining military and/or non-military means such as disinformation, migration blackmail, cyber-attacks or economic pressure that run counter to European interests and values and constitute a growing threat to the security of the EU, its enterprises, its public services and its citizens;
Amendment 38 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A g (new)
Recital A g (new)
Ag. whereas, in order to address the risks of crisis that are multiplying at the Union’s borders and in the areas in which it has an interest, the Member States have committed to providing rapid response capabilities in line with the EU’s Headline Goals, namely the battlegroups; whereas these suffer from various limitations in political, organisational and financial terms; whereas, as a result, they have never been deployed;
Amendment 39 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A h (new)
Recital A h (new)
Ah. whereas the international community, and especially the EU, has a commitment to the Sahel and to Mali in particular; whereas the Malian junta has made declarations about its readiness to use a private Russian security firm to participate in military activities in Mali; whereas that firm has committed atrocities in every location where it has intervened;
Amendment 40 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A i (new)
Recital A i (new)
Ai. whereas the withdrawal from Afghanistan and the return to power of the Taliban is leading to an increased terrorist risk for the region and also outside its borders; whereas the EU deployed a CSDP mission, EUPOL Afghanistan (2007-2016), and granted EUR 17 billion to Afghanistan; whereas during the withdrawal Member States depended on the United States, which deployed 6 000 soldiers to secure Kabul airport within a very short time, making it possible to evacuate European citizens as well as Afghan nationals who were in danger; whereas, in this situation, the EU was unable to put an air bridge in place or to coordinate its own evacuations; whereas if the EU were to have to run an operation similar to the evacuation from Kabul, it would not, as things currently stand, be able to take decisions swiftly, deploy troops or successfully implement evacuations or air bridges effectively and proactively; whereas, therefore, the EU and its Member States must urgently learn all the lessons of the Afghan crisis in order to strengthen the EU’s capacity to act autonomously in similar circumstances; whereas the Strategic Compass should make it possible to set the EU’s level of ambition, in particular in terms of the lessons learnt from the Afghan failure;
Amendment 141 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Recalls that the Union is currently deploying 11 civilian missions and six military missions and operations; recalls that only three of the military missions are executive missions; notes that these missions and operations are suffering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected their activities and limited their effectiveness;
Amendment 147 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the EU to reflect and act on the current procedures for mission deployment, as many times the decision- making process is inefficient and lengthy. Crises appear suddenly; therefore, swift action is needed. This would make the EU a truly reliable and relevant actor on the international arena;
Amendment 154 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Deplores the actions of the coup leaders in Mali; is deeply concerned at the lack of essential state services in Mali and in the Sahel in general; expresses its deep concern at the deteriorating security in the region; notes the announcement of the reorganisation of French military action in the Sahel, in conjunction with our international and African partners; welcomes the increasing involvement of Europeans in the Takuba Task Force; welcomes the adaptation of the new extended mandate of the European Union Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) to the regionalisation process; calls on the Member States to make a significant contribution to EUTM Mali’s advisory activities; continued commitment of the EU and Member States to the stabilisation of the countries of the G5 Sahel, particularly through support to the G5 Sahel Joint Force, through the strengthening of the EU’s CSDP missions and the increasing involvement of Europeans in the Takuba Task Force; welcomes the adaptation of the new extended mandate of the European Union Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali); calls for the reinforcement of structural cooperation and non-executive support for the armed forces, as well as a speeding up of the regionalisation process so that it is possible for the mission to provide military assistance to the armed forces of the G5 countries, and in particular Burkina Faso and Niger; stresses the opportunities opened up by the European Peace Facility with regard to the delivery of materiel intended for the training of the Malian armed forces, who will be vital in reinforcing the action and effectiveness of European action; stresses the importance of being able to provide more active support to the states bordering the Gulf of Guinea in order to be able to counter the spread of the terrorist threat; calls on the Member States to make a significant contribution to EUTM Mali’s advisory activities and to send staff who can make a contribution to them; expresses grave concern at the growing influence of private foreign military companies that could jeopardise the joint objective of the EU and Mali to achieve security, stability and sustainable development in the country; points out that in the Sahel the process of regionalising the CSDP must be pursued in order to strengthen cooperation and coordination with the international actors and the EU Member States involved in the region, through initiatives in progress such as the Partnership for Security and Stability in the Sahel (P3S); stresses that the EU is also providing significant support for the operationalisation of the G5 Sahel Joint Force and its associated Police Component; stresses the efforts made by EUCAP Sahel Mali to support the deployment of Malian security forces in the centre of Mali; stresses the efforts of EUCAP Sahel Niger in providing assistance for the drafting of a Niger national defence and security policy; points out that the regionalisation of the CSDP actions is intended to support the EU’s integrated approach to the Sahel and that, therefore, action by the RACC should continue; points out that in order for military and security responses to have lasting effectiveness they must be accompanied by concrete and visible measures for the populations in terms of essential services;
Amendment 169 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses that EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, EUCAP and EUTM Somalia form a coherent whole supporting the Union’s Strategic Framework for the Horn of Africa; welcomes the crucial role played by Operation ATALANTA in the fight against piracy and trafficking in the Horn of Africa and that of EUCAP Somalia in advising the federal and regional authorities of Puntland and Somaliland on developing the coast guard and maritime police functions; stresses that the EU’s commitment in the Horn of Africa region remains relevant in order to strengthen the capacities of the Somali security forces; also emphasises the need to improve their effectiveness;
Amendment 174 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Notes with concern the deteriorating political and security situation in the Central African Republic (CAR); denounces the growing threats and hostile incidents targeting MINUSCA by certain local and foreign armed forces, including foreign security companies, and disinformation campaigns targeting Union action; welcomes and fully supports the establishment of the EU Advisory Mission in the CAR (EUAM RCA); welcomes and fully supports the action of the EUTM mission, and particularly the training of officers and non-commissioned officers in the Central African Armed Forces (CAAF) and its contribution to the overall security sector reform (SSR) process coordinated by MINUSCA; emphasises the need to communicate with the population regarding the mission’s aims and progress; emphasises the importance of assessing the EU’s actual capacity to respond to CAAF needs in terms of equipment, as part of the strategic review to be held in the first half of 2022; emphasises the fact that support within the framework of the European Peace Facility to the units trained by the EUTM must be conditional on positive changes in the political situation, both internal and regional, implemented by the Central African authorities;
Amendment 184 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Recalls the strategic importance for European interests of the Mozambique Channel; welcomes the commitment of the Member States and the VP/HR to respond to the growing terrorist threat in the area; notes the forthcoming establishment of an EUTMCabo Delgado and is concerned about the risk of this threat expanding in the area; notes the forthcoming establishment of an EUTM and calls for it to be deployed as rapidly as possible, in view of the situation; urges the Member States to contribute to the generation of forces for the mission;
Amendment 193 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the renewal of the Althea mission in 2020 and the refocusing of its mandate in support of the Bosnia- Herzegovina authorities in an effort to maintain a safe and secure environment; stresses the importance of continuing with the secondary activity of mine clearance and the collective training of the armed forces of Bosnia-Herzegovina; insists that the Member States fulfil their commitments concerning the generation of forces for Althea;
Amendment 201 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes with satisfaction the results of the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM Georgia); approves its extension for a period of two years; stresses the need for further reflection on CSDP commitments in the area; is concerned about the deteriorating security situation in the region; is concerned by the disinformation campaigns besetting EUMM Georgia and calls for a reinforcement of its strategic intelligence, analysis and communications capacities;
Amendment 210 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Notes the reinforcement of the EUAM Iraq advisory mission with the addition of a component to support the implementation of the internal security reform to the implementation of national terrorism combating and prevention strategies (including combating violent extremism) and organised crime, with specific reference to border management, financial crime, and particularly corruption, money-laundering and trafficking items of cultural heritage;
Amendment 212 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Encourages the deployment of EUBAM Libya members to Tripoli, from where the mission should operate; proposes that the mission, engaged in supporting the Libyan authorities to dismantle the organised crime networks involved in trafficking migrants, trafficking in human beings and terrorism in the border management field, should continue to explore, within the framework of a regional strategy, the opportunities for supporting the development of the border capabilities of the Sahel states run by the EU, working together with the CSDP missions in the Sahel (and particularly EUCAP Sahel Niger);
Amendment 213 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Welcomes the results of the European Union Liaison and Planning Cell (EULPC), consisting of offering expertise relating to security, intelligence and planning to EU actors in Brussels, in the theatre of operations (DUE, EUBAM, EUNAVFOR MED) and to UNSMIL;
Amendment 214 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the launch of the CSDP operation in the Mediterranean, EUNAVFOR MED IRINI; stresses its key role in the implementation of the arms embargo and in the training of the Libyan coastguard; deplores the fact that, in 2020, it encountered many refusals to allow inspections; calls for a transparent communication from the European External Action Service (EEAS) on this issue; laments the fact that NATO, which is active in the area through Operation Sea Guardian, is unwilling to cooperate, in order to supplement the action and aims of Irini; stresses the strategic importance of publicly communicating information about the mission relating to seizures, friendly approaches and inspections, including refusals;
Amendment 239 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses the importance of providing military missions with more flexible and more robust mandates; calls for closer linkages between existing European ad hoc operations and CSDP military missions or operations, particularly when facing an urgent crisis or ensuring access to contested strategic spaces;
Amendment 250 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Is deeply concerned about the low force generation for operations and missions, and urges the Member States to address this matter as soon as possible; considers that third-country participation in CSDP operations and missions must always be in line with European interests and values; calls on the EU to provide staff in missions and operations with appropriate equipment and training to become more alert and more resilient under less permissive conditions, including with a view to addressing hybrid threats, CBRN risks and cyber-attacks; welcomes the creation of the response capability reserve to deal with any crises in the field of CBRN incidents;
Amendment 259 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Is concerned about the increasing information manipulation, disinformation and hybrid threats affecting several theatres; calls for a structured response to these threats by CSDP missions; urges the HR/VP to provide concrete support to the CSDP missions and operations through a strategic communication;
Amendment 264 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls for a strengthening of the Union’s command structures, in particular the Military Staff (EUMS) and the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC), which must be provided with the requisite personnel, equipment and resources as soon as possible, and be able to exchange classified information safely, including with Member States and missions/operations; calls for the creation of a European HQ for conduct of operations; in this connection, deplores the postponement of the progression of the MPCC to phase 2 and calls on the Member States to fully meet their commitments in order to permit such a progression; stresses the importance of making the MPCC, as soon as possible, into a genuine command and control structure (HQ) that is fully operational, able to fulfil a strategic forward-looking and advance planning function, to lead European operations and missions with the proactive and flexible approach required by the strategic context and to strengthen the operational strategic autonomy of Europeans;
Amendment 270 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. calls for immediate attention to prevailing gender equality gaps in CSDP missions and operations; urges to increase the number of women working in CSDP missions and operations and to ensure working environment free of sexual and gender-based harassment; reiterates its call for gender analysis to be included in new CSDP instruments, including the European Defence Fund and the European Peace Facility;
Amendment 279 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Welcomes the cooperation capacity of European armies in helping citizens in the fight against the pandemic in 2020; calls on the EU and the Member States to set out detailed arrangements for the implementation of Article 44 TEU so as to enable the Union to respond rapidly and effectively to crises, including by permitting an ad hoc operation run by a group of Member States to have an ex post mandate; welcomes the positive pooling and coordinating role played by air forces during the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular as regards transfers for medical treatment and deliveries of equipment between Member States; welcomes in particular the role of the EATC in the evacuation and transfer of patients and the delivery of medical equipment during the pandemic; in general terms, encourages military air mobility, including transport, in-flight refuelling and aeromedical evacuation in Europe, guaranteeing the effectiveness and efficiency of military air transport in Europe;
Amendment 296 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Supports the ambition of creating a ‘rapid entry force’ that may be mobilised in the context of a security emergency; points out that currently the EU lacks the ground, sea and air expertise and capabilities needed to run first entry operations to re-establish security in a theatre of war; considers that it is realistic and necessary, initially, for Member States to agree, within the framework of the Strategic Compass, on the circumstances that would make it necessary to mobilise such a force, and to agree on one or more operational scenarios, including under extremely tight deadlines; recalls the existence of battlegroups and the need to make them credibleoperational by conducting regular field exercises; deplores the Member States’ lack of commitment to the battlegroups; criticises the fact that only one battlegroup, led by Italy, is operational in 2021; laments the weakness of the planning for 2022 and 2023; shares the level of ambition set by the High Representative regarding the robustness of the EU’s military tools, particularly ad hoc tools;
Amendment 308 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Calls for a re-examination of the processes for monitoring and managing CSDP missions and operations; believes it is necessary to delegate more operational responsibilities in the conduct and management of missions and operations to their military commands; calls, more generally, for EU military structures to be systematically linked to all policies and instruments with an impact on the operational commitment of European armed forces and particularly to the work of the European Defence Fund’s programme committee;
Amendment 311 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)
Paragraph 21 b (new)
21b. Stresses the importance of precise and timely intelligence to support decision-making, secure missions and operations and improve the combating of influence and disinformation campaigns targeting them; calls on the EEAS to put in place an intelligence capability for theatres of operation, through the creation of intelligence cells in all the CSDP missions and operations, which feed in real time into INTCEN, EUMS and the CPCC to support decision- making; more generally, stresses the importance of situational knowledge and coordination between national intelligence agencies, and would like to see the creation of an EU intelligence coordination cell;
Amendment 329 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Welcomes the EEAS’s Climate Change and Defence Roadmap of November 2020; considers that it is vital, in order to preserve the competitiveness of EDTIB, to support its enterprises’ access to banking and non-banking finance; stresses that defence production is mainly dual in nature, and is used in the civilian field; calls on the Commission, therefore, to ensure that the contribution of European defence enterprises to the EU’s strategic autonomy is duly taken into account when the European Ecolabel is awarded;
Amendment 345 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Stresses the European Union’s competences and power, including its legislative power, in the area of resilience;
Amendment 356 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Welcomes, in this context, the launch of the concept of Coordinated Maritime Presences (CMPs) and a pilot project in the Gulf of Guinea; calls for this concept to be extended to other areas of interest, in particular the Indo-Pacific region; calls for the UnionCommission and the EU to update its maritime security strategy by 2022;
Amendment 360 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Welcomes the launch in early 2020 of the EMASOH mission, and supports its twin objectives of ensuring a safe navigation environment and lowering existing tensions in the region; welcomes the ‘holistic and coordinated’ strategic review of EUNAVFOR Atalanta, EUTM Somalia and EUCAP Somalia and their extension, with a view to encompassing all aspects of security;
Amendment 366 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Condemns the malicious cyber acts committed against Member States; insists that the Union and the Member States react firmly and in coordination against any new malicious, illegal or destabilising cyber activity by making full use of the instruments at the EU’s disposal and in coordination with its partners; calls on the Union to work towards the creation of a legal instrument to respond to hybrid threats and to develop a comprehensive cyber capacity including the securing of networks, communications and information-sharing, the implementation of training/exercises, including via CSP projects, and by making good use of the EU’s cyber diplomacy toolkit; calls for a revision of the cyber-defence policy framework in order to increase the prevention and deterrence capacity of the Union and its Member States, by enhancing their posture capability, situational awareness, tools and procedures;
Amendment 378 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Calls on the EEAS to create, as part of the European democracy action plan, an EU toolbox intended to step up the fight against disinformation and deliberate malicious behaviour, in order to identify, deter and thwart it;
Amendment 380 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)
Paragraph 26 b (new)
26b. Insists, in view of the changed threat and the need to adapt our institutions, that measures be put in place in the European institutions, including the European Parliament, to consolidate their internal capacities; stresses the importance of the inter-institutional coordination established by CERT-EU; urges the European institutions, in particular the Commission, to make available the human resources needed to strengthen CERT-EU;
Amendment 384 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Calls for mutual operational assistance between Member States to be enhanced; stresses the importance of carrying out additional exercises based on crisis management scenarios, including the activation of Article 222 TFEU and Article 42(7) TEU in a hypothetical cyber-attack scenario;
Amendment 391 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Calls on the Union to develop a space defence strategy, which is essential for its strategic autonomy in space; encourages the Union to improve its situational awareness and geo-intelligence suppor, in order to maintain autonomous space access for the EU and its Member States, promote the emergence of a common European strategic space security and defence culture, reduce strategic dependencies and improve the operational governance of European space programmes; encourages the Union to improve its situational awareness and geo-intelligence support, by strengthening its expertise capacities (via SATCEN) and those of the Member States, to ensure a link between the CSDP and the EU space programme via Galileo, notably the PRS and Copernicus, to leverage investment possibilities (notably Horizon Europe and the European Defence Fund) and to explore other possible synergies between space and defence (including capabilities); regrets that the funding of SATCEN missions cannot benefit from the long-term budget programming of the European Union; wants the technological development needs of SATCEN to be taken into account in the work programme of the European Defence Fund; suggests creating a geospatial data analysis community under the CSP; considers that SATCEN should play a major role in this context; considers that the activities of this community should be covered by the EU budget; stresses the importance of the Union having autonomous access to space and its own launchers; insists that the Union should lead the way in strengthening the increasingly contested area of international space law;
Amendment 406 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Suggests that the European Parliament sign an agreement with SATCEN giving it access to the centre’s imaging and analysis services which are useful for its information and for taking positions and decisions, in full compliance with SATCEN’s confidentiality and security procedures;
Amendment 407 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 b (new)
Paragraph 28 b (new)
28b. Welcomes the proposal for a European new secure connectivity project, including quantum satellites; calls for this project to be concluded swiftly in order to raise the level of telecommunications security in the Union; stresses the growing risk of cyber and physical attack on European and Member State satellites; stresses the need to prevent such attacks and to provide for defensive mechanisms;
Amendment 408 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 c (new)
Paragraph 28 c (new)
28c. Is concerned about the continuous increase in space debris, particularly in low orbit, which is putting at risk our satellite capacities, and in the number of microsatellites; stresses that the new mega-constellations of satellites further increase the risk of collision; welcomes the work being undertaken to develop a European space traffic management policy and calls for the negotiations to be stepped up in order to obtain international responses; considers that one of the tangible achievements of such a policy should be an improvement in space debris monitoring capacities;
Amendment 410 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Insists that freedom of air traffic must be maintained; calls on the Union to defend itself against any threat to civil aviation or any failure to respect its airspace and to defend international aviation safety; calls on the HR/VP to ensure that work is begun to evaluate the usefulness of extending to the air sector the concept of Coordinated Maritime Presences;
Amendment 417 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Calls for existing Union instruments to be made operational so that they can contribute more effectively to preventing and countering hybrid threats and to protecting critical infrastructure; stresses the urgency for the European institutions, agencies and other bodies of developing secure communication systems and a capacity to react rapidly to attacks, and to greatly increase their resilience to them;
Amendment 422 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Calls on the Union to put into practice the lessons learned from exercises based on Article 42(7) TEU scenarios and to develop a flexible and non-binding action plan for its activation in order to strengthen the mutual assistance and solidarity between Member States;
Amendment 428 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Notes that the pandemic has exposed our vulnerabilities and calls, therefore, for a reduction in Europe’s strategic dependencies, in particular where they affect its capacity to take military action; recalls the goal of enhancing the Union’s strategic autonomy in order for it to be a credible and demanding strategic partner capable of defending its interests and values; welcomes, in this regard, the work and initiatives of the Commission;
Amendment 433 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32a. Stresses that fibre optic cables are the central nervous system of the global internet, carrying 97% of all internet traffic; stresses that these cables are a central and indispensable part of the EU’s critical infrastructure, and thus of great geopolitical importance, and that they have recently been targeted by foreign spying operations; believes that the EU should prioritise the security and protection of these cables; calls on the EU to set up an EU fibre optic cable security programme, including research, coordination, policy-making, incident follow-up and coast guard training;
Amendment 438 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Welcomes the progress made in enabling the development of new European military capabilities in connection with the European Defence Industrial Development Plan (EDIDP) and the Preparatory Action on Defence Research (PADR); calls on the Commission to draw useful lessons from this for the European Defence Fund (EDF), with the aim of achieving operational results; welcomes the adoption of the EDF Regulation and the clear rules it sets out;
Amendment 447 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Laments the reduction in the amount of the EDF under the MFF, which makes coherence between Union defence initiatives even more necessary: PESCO, CARD, EDF; stresses, in this regard, the role of the European Defence Agency (EDA); points to the conclusions of the first Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) and, in particular, to the importance of increasing coherence between European capability prioritisation initiatives and the various national planning processes; points in that connection to the ultimate responsibility of the Member States for achieving the objective of a coherent European capability landscape, in particular in the areas identified by the CARD report; points also to the importance of the Member States' commitment, made in various settings, to maintain a sustained pace of defence investment and to make use of the opportunities afforded by the European Defence Fund in order to stimulate new investment;
Amendment 458 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Stresses that PESCO and the EDF must make it possible to enhance defence cooperation between Member States with the following objectives: European added value, operational capability,are, firstly, tools to serve the Member States; stresses that PESCO and the EDF must make it possible to enhance defence cooperation between Member States that has genuine European added value; points accordingly to the objectives of greater Union strategic autonomy, enhanced operational capability of European forces, reduced fragmentation of the capability landscape and of the European defence market for those initiatives, and support for the competitiveness of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), strengthening of strategic autonomy and reduced fragmentation of the European defence market;
Amendment 468 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Regrets the accumulated delay in revising the decision on the governance of PESCO; points to the need to develop financial incentives; recalls that third- country participation in PESCO projects must be decided on a case-by-case basis; welcomes the initial stages of military mobility and calls for subsequent stages to be implemented swiftly; approves the participation of the United States, Norway and Canada in the military mobility project; asks to be fully involved in decisions to open up any PESCO project for third-country participation;
Amendment 479 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Stresses that the EDF must promote the build-up of European industrial sectors and European champions, with multiannual programming, and take advantage of civilian-defence synergies; stresses the need, therefore, to establish synergies with the various Union policies, and in particular Horizon Europe and the European space programme, so that EDF resources can be effectively concentrated on strictly military issues; welcomes the Commission's action plan for synergies between civil, defence and space industries, which promotes innovation in dual-use goods; calls on the Union and the Commission to take systematic account, in all policies, of the contribution of the EDTIB to the Union's strategic autonomy; calls also on the Commission to submit a specific industrial strategy for the EDTIB;
Amendment 488 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37a. Backs the Commission proposal for VAT exemption for defence equipment designed and developed within the EU, which is a positive measure seeking to standardise practices at global level and foster European strategic autonomy;
Amendment 489 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 b (new)
Paragraph 37 b (new)
37b. Welcomes the fact that the PESCO strategic review has led to a reduction in the number of projects and an increase in its political monitoring; reminds the Member States of the importance of abiding by their commitments in this connection in order to achieve full operational capability on schedule, and in particular before 2025; deplores the lack of transparency on the progress of projects vis-à-vis the European institutions; deplores also the fact that Parliament is being excluded from the process of monitoring implementation of PESCO and considers that its governance needs to be reviewed in order to step up parliamentary oversight, particularly over the selection of projects that address the gaps, and to ensure that the Member States fulfil their commitments;
Amendment 490 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 – introductory part
Paragraph 38 – introductory part
38. Welcomes the fact that the PESCO strategic review has led to a reduction in the number of projects and an increase in its political monitoring; laments the fact that Parliament has been excluded from the monitoring of its implementation; cConsiders that the Strategic Compass should aim to:
Amendment 500 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 – indent 2
Paragraph 38 – indent 2
- streamline the planning and capability development processes (CDP, HLG/HICG, PESCO, CARD) and maintain coherence of results with the respective NATO processes, in particular the NDPP,
Amendment 505 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 – indent 3
Paragraph 38 – indent 3
- integrate EU military capability development processes into national defence planning processes and make the best use of EU defence initiatives through PESCO and CARD,
Amendment 516 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Stresses that the digital sector is an area of opportunity but also of significant threat of malicious action against our security and democracies (by state and non-state actors, and erasing the lines laid down in the law of armed conflict), and that it transcends borders; considers that it is necessary to go further in order to ensure that Europeans have access to what is now a contested area and develop a culture but also effective tools for security and solidarity among Europeans; calls for particular attention to be paid to the impact of emerging technologies so as to ensure that they are applied and used throughout the Union, facilitate research and innovation and enhance the Union’s resilience, keeping in mind the need to control their use precisely;
Amendment 521 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 – indent 1 (new)
Paragraph 39 – indent 1 (new)
- work on the security and defence impact of artificial intelligence (AI), including the malicious use of this type of technology and the use of AI by Member States against such threats;
Amendment 522 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 – indent 2 (new)
Paragraph 39 – indent 2 (new)
- work at EU level on the issues of ethics / autonomous weapons; support the work on autonomous lethal weapons systems within the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), which, for the time being, remains the only appropriate international forum to address those issues;
Amendment 523 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 – indent 3 (new)
Paragraph 39 – indent 3 (new)
- stress the importance of an innovative and competitive EDTIB (which is the vehicle for meeting the needs defined by the Member States and the EU) as well as identify strengths and vulnerabilities;
Amendment 524 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 – indent 4 (new)
Paragraph 39 – indent 4 (new)
- guarantee the security of supply chains (both within and outside the EU), including raw materials, critical components and technologies;
Amendment 525 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 – indent 5 (new)
Paragraph 39 – indent 5 (new)
- share alerts, information and threats in real time via the direct line to the operational centres;
Amendment 527 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)
Paragraph 39 a (new)
39a. Welcomes the Member States’ renewed commitment to the common position as amended by Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1560, and stresses the importance of thoroughly assessing export licence applications for military technology and equipment according to the criteria stipulated therein; points out that Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1560 and the relevant conclusions of 16 September 2019 reflect a growing awareness among Member States of the need for greater national and EU-wide transparency and convergence in the area of arms exports and of the need to strengthen public oversight in this sensitive national security domain; stresses that these decisions have the potential to ensure that national oversight bodies, parliaments and EU citizens are supplied with better information about the strategic choices made by their governments, in an area which directly affects their security and their countries’ adherence to values and norms;
Amendment 543 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Calls for support to be given to strengthening and preserving the conventional arms control architecture in Europe, in a context of gradual erosion marked by the USA’s and Russia’s withdrawal from the Treaty on Open Skies; calls for disarmament regimes and forums to be supported and strengthened in every aspect: universalisation, support for implementation, political and institutional support, and financial support; calls on the Union to pay particular attention to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) risk, in conjunction with the OPCW, with particular emphasis on the prohibition regime and conventional obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the fight against impunity; welcomes the extension of the New START Treaty and laments the end of the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF);
Amendment 568 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Welcomes the establishment of an EU-US strategic dialogue on security and defence, with a view to helping build a mutually beneficial and balanced transatlantic relationship; stresses the operational dimension of the partnership and the importance of ensuring that the Union maintains its strategic autonomy, in particular as regards the United States’ International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR); welcomes the relevance of this format for addressing hybrid risks; welcomes, in this regard, the involvement of third countries in the EDA on the basis of administrative agreements, provided that it is accompanied by legally binding counterparts and safeguards to protect the defence and security interests of the Union and its Member States;
Amendment 585 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Calls for a stronger NATO supported by a stronger European Union, and wishes to see very tangible development in the EU-NATO partnership, particularly with regard to the growing hybridisation of threats and the inclusion of non-directly military parameters in peacetime strategic competition; stresses that the current strategic situation calls for NATO’s unequivocal support for European defence initiatives, including in the area of capabilities, with due regard for the powers of each institution; recalls the importance of fully implementing the ‘Berlin plus’ agreements and of enabling classified documents to be passed between the two organisations; calls, in this context, for NATO’s new strategic concept to take full account of and be coherent with the EU’s Strategic Compass;
Amendment 603 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
Paragraph 43 a (new)
43a. Welcomes the involvement of third countries in the European Defence Agency, provided that it is accompanied by legally binding quid pro quos and guarantees to protect the defence and security interests of the Union and its Member States;
Amendment 609 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Calls for closer relations with non- traditional partnerWelcomes the bilateral partnerships for security and defence dialogue, in particular with Canada and Norway, two important contributors to CSDP missions and operations; calls for closer relations with democratic countries in the Indo-Pacific region (India, Japan, Australia), and in specific policy sectors (cybersecurity, hybrid, maritime, etc.), and with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN);
Amendment 621 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 a (new)
Paragraph 45 a (new)
45a. Welcomes the ongoing discussions on the participation of Japan in EUTM Mali and Mozambique and that of India in CSDP operations and missions in Africa; is pleased to see Georgia’s active participation in CSDP efforts and in particular in training missions in the Central African Republic and Mali;
Amendment 622 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 a (new)
Paragraph 45 a (new)
45a. calls for a thorough reflection on lessons learned from Afghanistan, in particular the impact of the withdrawal on the security and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and on regional security;
Amendment 626 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 b (new)
Paragraph 45 b (new)
Amendment 629 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 d (new)
Paragraph 45 d (new)
45d. Welcomes the launch of EU - Ukraine dialogue on cybersecurity and encourages similar engagement with other interested Eastern Partnership countries;
Amendment 630 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 e (new)
Paragraph 45 e (new)
45e. Calls for involvement of interested Eastern Partnership countries in the activities of the European Center of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats;
Amendment 654 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 a (new)
Paragraph 47 a (new)
47a. Welcomes the fact that DG DEFIS has become operational
Amendment 674 #
2021/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51 a (new)
Paragraph 51 a (new)
Amendment 18 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas recent international developments and challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, a changing role of the US on the global stage and the recent rapid collapse of the state structures ofin Afghanistan and subsequent takeover of the country by the Taliban, have accelerated existing trends affecting key aspects of the EU’s CFSP;
Amendment 28 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the detrimental impact of climate change on the security of the EU is becoming increasingly clear;
Amendment 89 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the EU’s growing ambition and initiatives to take the lead in promotinge global partnerships on key priorities and in strengthening the multilateral order through a reform of key institutions and organisations and strengthen multilateralism by making better use of existing mechanisms and institutions for global governance as well as introducing necessary reforms in key international organisations;
Amendment 106 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for the EU to promote alliances of democracies worldwide; insists on the need to pool resources and exchange best practices between democracies, including as regards countering malign interference and disinformation by authoritarian states, foreign malign actors and organisations; believes that, for this to be successful, the EU should promote on the global stage a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to counter hybrid threats;
Amendment 113 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Emphasizes that the EU needs to increase the visibility of its actions if it aims to assume a global leadership role, including by ensuring a better, more strategic communication of its external actions, both towards its own citizens and beyond, and by countering false propaganda and disinformation spread by other major powers;
Amendment 176 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Reiterates that the EU should develop a global connectivity strategy as an extension of the current EU-Asia Connectivity Strategy and as a strategic response to overcome its diminishingstrengthen its influence in many regions of the world; stresses that the Commission should make connectivity projects with third countries conditional upon the ethical use of technology both domestically and abroad; welcomes the Commission President’s announcement of plans to present a new connectivity strategy called the ‘Global Gateway’;
Amendment 200 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Highlights the need for the EU to strengthen its ability to act efficiently and to shape the EU’s response to ongoing and upcoming challenges; therefore welcomes the ongoing Strategic Compass process as the starting point for making process towards a European Defence Union and for the strategic autonomy of the EU as regards its security and defence, as well as for the development of a common strategic culture and expects that it will help shape a shared vision for EU security and defence; stresses that the outcome should be reflected in a revised version of the 2016 EU Global Strategy;
Amendment 219 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Recalls that the Treaties provide for the possibility to improve decision-making procedures for the CFSP; stresses that unanimity hampers the EU’s ability to act and therefore calls forurges the Member States to use qualified majority voting for specific aspects of the CFSPCFSP decision making; in particular, reiterates its call for the introduction of qualified majority voting for the adoption of sanctions; stresses that the use of Article 44 TEU could improve the EU’s flexibility and capacity to act;
Amendment 227 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Reiterates its call for the establishment of new formats of cooperation such as the European Security Council; underscores the importance of creating a fully-fledged “Security and defence” committee in the European Parliament, highlights that such proposal would allow to better define the current subcommittee’s competencies and grant it the necessary powers for the European Parliament to fully exercise its mandate of oversight and scrutiny in the realm of security and defence policy; recalls that the ongoing Conference on the Future of Europe provides a relevant framework to shape innovative proposals in this respect;
Amendment 259 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls for the EU to ensure its strategic sovereignty in specific areas that are fundamental to the Union’s existence on the globinternational scentage, such as economics, security and technology, and to establish a European Defence Union; reiterates its call for the creation of a European Defence Union, which will allow the EU to act autonomously to safeguard its security interests when necessary, as well as contribute to making Europeans more capable and credible strategic partners for their allies, including NATO and the United States; calls in this respect for the establishment, as proposed by 14 Member States at the May 6, 2021 Foreign Affairs Council, of a European first entry force under single command as the first step towards a European integrated military force;
Amendment 278 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Stresses that EU sovereignty in the field of security and defence means the development, coordination and deployment of strategic capabilities required for effective crisis management, protection of the EU and its citizens, and training of key partners, an efficient division of labour between the Member States and other international organisations such as the UN and NATO and the EU’s ability to decide and act autonomously, in line with its own interests, principles and values; stresses that this approach reinforces cooperation with partners, in particular within the framework of NATO; welcomes in this regard the Commission President’s announcement of a Summit on European Defence under the French Presidency and that the EU and NATO will present a joint declaration on cooperation by the end of 2021; welcomes the discussion on an ‘initial entry force’ as presented by the VP/HR;
Amendment 285 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Stresses that EU sovereignty in the field of security and defence means the development, coordination and deployment of strategic capabilities, an efficient division of labour, of development and of production capabilities between the Member States and the EU’s ability to decide and act autonomously, in line with its own interests, principles and values; stresses that this approach reinforces cooperation with partners, in particular within the framework of NATO; welcomes in this regard the Commission President’s announcement that the EU and NATO will present a joint declaration on cooperation by the end of 2021; welcomes the discussion on an ‘initial entry force’ as presented by the VP/HR;
Amendment 289 #
2021/2182(INI)
19. Stresses that EU sovereignty in the field of security and defence means the development, coordination and deployment of strategic capabilities, an efficient division of labournhanced interoperability between the Member States and the EU’s ability to decide and act autonomously, in line with its own interests, principles and values; stresses that this approach reinforces cooperation with partners, in particular within the framework of NATO; welcomes in this regard the Commission President’s announcement that the EU and NATO will present a joint declaration on cooperation by the end of 2021; welcomes the discussion on an ‘initial entry force’ as presented by the VP/HR;
Amendment 290 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Believes that regarding new threats facing Europe, such as economic coercion, the rise of disinformation and elections interference, Europe is better positioned and equipped to deal with them; underlines that this not only requires a strengthened European pillar within NATO, but also new and innovative solutions from the EU; calls upon Member States to together develop a new possibility for Member States to execute, on a voluntary basis, collective countermeasures as part of the Strategic Compass;
Amendment 300 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Underlines the need for the Union to develop its technological sovereignty through the enhancedevelopment of industrial defence capabilitiesa strong European defence industry, in particular in emerging disruptive technologies (EDTs), and the protection and resilience of critical infrastructures; recalls the opportunities offered in this respect by existing instruments and mechanisms such as PESCO, EDF and CARD; calls on the Member States to use such instruments and mechanisms to their full extent;
Amendment 310 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Stresses the need to secure the undersea telecommunications infrastructure, especially submarine optic fibre cables;
Amendment 325 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Reiterates its call for acceleratingCalls to strengthen efforts to build on the new methodology as regards the enlargement process, with a strong and continuous focus on strengthening democracy, the rule of law, fight against corruption and human rights, as well as fostering reconciliation in the Western Balkans, as prerequisites for durable stability and prosperity;
Amendment 348 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Reaffirms its unwavering support to the Eastern Partnership countries, and in particular as regards their independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within their internationally recognised borders as well as the respect for the will of the people; condemns Russia’s direct and indirect involvement in armed conflicts, occupations and military build-ups inside the region or on its borders with the region; urges the Eastern Partnership countries, and in particular those that have chosen to pursue the path of European integration, to ensure that fundamental freedoms are upheld and to continue implementing the necessary reforms; reiterates that the EU’s support is conditional upon concrete progress on those reforms;
Amendment 349 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Reaffirms its unwavering support to the Eastern Partnership countries, and in particular as regards their independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within their internationally recognised borders; condemns Russia’s direct and indirect involvement in armed conflicts as well as hybrid attacks, occupations and military build-ups inside the region or on its borders with the region; urges the Eastern Partnership countries, and in particular those that have chosen to pursue the path of European integration, to ensure that fundamental freedoms are upheld and to continue implementing the necessary reforms; reiterates that the EU’s support is conditional upon concrete progress on those reforms;
Amendment 368 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 d (new)
Paragraph 24 d (new)
24 d. Welcomes engagement of the President of the European Council in alleviating political crisis in Georgia; sees it as an act of EU leadership and calls for similar approach to crisis and conflict situations in the Eastern Partnership region and beyond; reiterates its call for a lasting settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan on Nagorno-Karabakh;
Amendment 380 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25 a. Stresses that the underlying conditions for conflict between the Israeli and Palestinian persist and that only a political solution addressing those conditions will bring lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians; recalls in this respect the EU's support for the two-state solution; calls on the EU to increase its engagement to revive the peace process between Israeli and Palestinians, including through confidence building measures, regional dialogue and increased transatlantic cooperation in the region as well as by making better use of its leverage towards both parties;
Amendment 381 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25 a. Reiterates its call to the Commission to present an EU action plan on impunity, with a specific chapter on Syria; stresses that this action plan should seek to better coordinate and harmonise Member States’ resources and efforts to prosecute war criminals in the EU;
Amendment 387 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. IRemains concerned by the Turkish Government’s increasingly assertive foreign policy, which is repeatedly putting the country at odds with the EU and, its individual Member States and with countries in its neighbourhood; deplores the long-deteriorating situation regarding human rights and democracy in Turkey; recalls, however, that Turkey will continue to be a country of key strategic interest for the EU and that engagement needs to continuebe intensified in a phased, proportionate and reversible manner, keeping the country as closely anchored to the EU as possiblewith a special focus on certain policy areas such as on climate change, anti-terrorism, migration, security and economy; concludes that momentarily the prospect of Turkey joining the EU is unrealistic; reiterates therefore its call on the Commission to recommend the formal suspension of accession negotiations with Turkey, in order for both sides to review in a realistic manner and through a structured and high-level dialogue, the appropriateness of the current framework and its ability to function, or to explore possible new and alternative comprehensive models for future relations;
Amendment 399 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Underlines the importance of the full implementation of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement, including the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, as well as the Trade and Cooperation Agreement; welcomes steps towards the establishment of a Parliamentary Partnership Assembly for Members of the European Parliament and Members of the UK Parliament, as provided for by the agreement; hopes that foreign policy and security cooperation will beremains open to further developeding and strengthened in areas of commoning cooperation on foreign and security issues of shared concern;
Amendment 407 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Underlines the need to strengthen EU-US transatlantic cooperation on the basis of an equal partnership; welcomes in this context the statement ‘Towards a renewed Transatlantic partnership’ from the EU-US summit 2021, which provides a good basis for an ambitious transatlantic agenda; fully supports and commits to pursuing synergies and shared foreign and security objectives by further deepening cooperation in the framework of the EU- US transatlantic dialogue; highlights that the EU should be prepe necessity to swiftly adapt to the changing role of the US on the global stage in order to safeguared to reflect on how to adapt to the changing role of the US on the global stageits vital interests, notably by becoming a credible geopolitical actor on the international stage, acting in cooperation with likeminded partners and allies first and foremost, yet also able and willing to do so autonomously when necessary;
Amendment 427 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Emphasises that the EU’s relations with Africa are of utmost importance; welcomes the joint communication of the Commission and the VP/HR entitled ‘Towards a comprehensive strategy with Africa’3 ; insists on the need, in this perspective, to update the EU strategy in an integrated approach that can ensure security and development for achieving stability in the worrying situation in the Sahel, taking into account the developments observed during the year 2021; calls on the Commission and the VP/HR to deepen discussions with the EU’s African partners in order to prepare for a successful EU-African Union Summit; _________________ 3 JOIN(2020)0004.
Amendment 433 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29 a. Is deeply concerned by the growing instability in Sahel that affects the security and living conditions of countless civilians and has direct consequences on the European Union and its Member States;
Amendment 434 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)
Paragraph 29 b (new)
29 b. Condemns the presence in Africa of private military militias such as Wagner Company acting in support of non-democratic states interests;
Amendment 440 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Is gravely concerned by the developments in Russia and reiterates the EU’s interest in maintaining freedom, stability and peace on the European continent and beyond; believes that the EU should deter Russia from carrying out destabilising and subversive actions in Europe and from repressing its own citizens; deplores Russia’s use of energy resources, in particular supply of gas to the EU Member States via Ukraine, as a geopolitical tool of pressure; underlines that closer coordination, cooperation and unity among the EU Member States are necessary in order to maintain a constructive dialogue with the Russian authorities based on the five guiding principles, which is only possible if both parties are genuinely interested in it; urges the EU to engage more closely with the people of Russia, including by developing a clearly defined ‘engagement’ objective, which should focus not only on traditional selective engagement with the Kremlin, but also on ‘strategic’ engagement with Russian civil society; reiterates that full implementation of the Minsk agreements remains the key condition for any substantial change in the EU’s stance in its relations with Russia;
Amendment 461 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Reiterates, as underlined in its resolution of 16 September 2021 on a new EU-China strategy4 , its call for the EU to develop a more assertive, comprehensive, and consistherent EU-China strategy that unites all Member States and shapes relations with China in the interest of the EU as a wholean increasingly assertive and interventionist China in the interest of the EU as a whole; highlights in this respect the growing number of aggressive actions taken by China towards Taiwan, including repeated violations of Taiwanese airspace, China’s crackdown on Hong Kong’s freedoms, including through the imposition of a draconian national security law in 2020, as well as China’s encroachments on the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea; emphasises that this strategy should promote a rules-based multilateral order, have the defence of EU values at its core and should be based on the three principles of cooperating where possible, competing where needed, and confronting where necessary; strongly advocates for Taiwan’s full participation as an observer in meetings, mechanisms and activities of international organisations; _________________ 4 Texts adopted, P9_TA(2021)0382.
Amendment 486 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Underlines that the situation in Afghanistan is a wakeup call for the EU to deploy its external actions and means; is concerned by the dramatic humanitarian, political, economic and security situation in Afghanistan, particularly as 1 in 3 Afghans face severe hunger; stresses the need for those in power across Afghanistan to bear responsibility and accountability for the protection of human life and property and for the restoration of security and civil order and public services; reiterates that Afghan women and girls, like all Afghan people, deserve to live in safety, security and dignity, to have a full access to education and public life, and welcomes the broad international support for their rights and freedoms; calls for further evacuation of Afghans at risk, notably women judges, human rights defenders, journalists, local staff and other persons at risk due to their activities in promoting democracy and fundamental freedoms; calls for the EU to preserve the achievements of the last 20 years and to ensure that Afghanistan does not descend into a safe haven for terrorist groups; calls for the immediate development of a comprehensive lessons-based EU strategy for Afghanistan and the surrounding countries; emphasises the importance of cooperating with neighbouring and regional countries to ensure global security and regional stability;
Amendment 488 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Underlines that the situation in Afghanistan is a wakeup call for the EU to deploy its external actions and meansseek greater autonomy and sovereignty in its foreign and security policy; is concerned by the dramatic humanitarian and security situation in Afghanistan; stresses the need for those in power across Afghanistane Taliban regime to bear responsibility and accountability for the protection of human life and property and for the restoration of security and civil order; reiterates that Afghan women and girls, like all Afghan people, deserve to live in safety, security and dignity and welcomes the broad international support for their rights and freedoms; calls for the EU to preserve the achievements of the last 20 years and to ensure that Afghanistan does not descend intobecome once more a safe haven for terrorist groups; emphasises the importance of cooperating with neighbouring and regional countries to ensure global security and regional stability; calls on the EU to draw lessons from its 20-year engagement in Afghanistan;
Amendment 499 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Welcomes the EU’s renewed commitment to the Indo-Pacific region and recognition of its growing importance for EU interests; acknowledges the intense geopolitical competition in the region spurred largely by China’s growing assertiveness with its neighbours, and calls for the EU to strengthen its strategic focus, presence and actions with the aim of contributing to the stability, security, prosperity and sustainable development of the region; underlines the need for a strategic long-term engagement in the Indo-Pacific region and for establishing comprehensive bilateral and multilateral dialogue mechanisms with Indo-Pacific countries and their societies;
Amendment 511 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Calls for special attention to be paid to enhancing cooperation with our partners in Latin America; believes that a strengthened relationship with Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is centralhighly important to the EU’s geopolitical strategy in the world; stresses the need for the Union to strengthen the ties that unite the EU with LAC countries, particularly in defending the rules-based multilateral order; calls for the EU to use all available tools to deepen its cooperation with LAC partners, ensure the swift ratification of the EU-Mexico agreement, deliver on the sustainable and environmental protocol with Mercosur so that the EU association agreement with Mercosur can be ratified, and conclude the negotiations for updating the EU association agreement with Chile; urges the EU to recover its position as the preferred partner of Latin American countries in view of other geopolitical actors occupying increasing space in the region, especially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine diplomacy;
Amendment 523 #
2021/2182(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Welcomes the increased involvement of the European Parliament in the programming of Global Europe and IPA III as well as the introduction of a biannual High-Level Geopolitical Dialogue; urges to reflect the lessons learned from the rapid collapse of state institutions in Afghanistan in the EU state-building activities around the globe;
Amendment 3 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
— having regard to the Commission communication of 8 July 2020 on a hydrogen strategy for a climate-neutral Europe (COM(2020)0301),
Amendment 23 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas climate change and climate-related impacts, including environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, deforestation and natural disasters are already threatening local, regional and international security, stability and peace; whereas climate change, which is predicted to accelerate in the medium and long term, has become an increasingly dominant risk multiplier and must be viewed as a new security challenge, together with hybrid and cyber threats;
Amendment 27 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the climate crisis affects both human and state security; whereas global warmiclimate change intersects in various ways with political, ethnic and socio-economic dynamics, and is a direct driver of conflict in that it increases disaster risks and places additional pressure on ecosystems, thereby threatening people’s livelihoods, water and food security, and critical infrastructure, by, inter alia, instigating land-use change;
Amendment 37 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
Amendment 39 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas the Union’s domestic oil and gas production is steadily declining; whereas the Union is highly and increasingly energy dependent, with all its Member States being net importers of energy from a limited number of third countries and with an energy dependency rate that increased from 56% to 61% over the period 2000-2019;
Amendment 53 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas, due to the security effects of global warmiclimate change, climate security measures and their financing have to be understood as contributing to defence and security;
Amendment 57 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
H a. whereas the melting of polar ice caps is increasing geopolitical tensions, particularly around the North Pole;
Amendment 58 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)
Recital H b (new)
H b. whereas some EU Member States are using their vast military-designated areas to protect biodiversity, for example by preventing helicopter flights over nesting areas;
Amendment 59 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H c (new)
Recital H c (new)
Amendment 60 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H d (new)
Recital H d (new)
H d. whereas a 2018 report by INTERPOL, RHIPTO and the Global initiative against transnational organized crimes found environmental crime to be the largest financial driver of conflicts and the largest source of income for non- state armed groups and terrorist organisations, ahead of traditional illegal activities such as kidnapping for ransom and drug trafficking;
Amendment 61 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H e (new)
Recital H e (new)
H e. whereas France unveiled in September 2020 its new Defence Energy Strategy with 34 recommendations to reduce and optimize the Energy consumption of its armed forces and enhance its energy security;
Amendment 65 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Strongly believes that military activities and technology have to contribute to the Union’s carbon neutrality targets in order to both contribute to the fight against climate change and increase mission security; underlines, in that regard, that the Union’s external action should reduce its own carbon footprint and its negative effects on natural resources and biodiversity to a minimum; recalls however, that the nature and the primary objective of EU CSDP missions and operations is to contribute to security in theatres where they are deployed, that their full operational efficiency has to be ensured, and that this original mission cannot be undermined;
Amendment 78 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for the development of concrete benchmarks to measure progress in addressing the links between climate change, on the one hand, and peace, conflict and the conflict and climate sensitivity of EU external action on the other; calls on the VP/HR to report on an annual basis to Parliament on progress made; calls on EU member states to incorporate knowledge of climate’s security ramifications into foreign military assistance programs, whenever relevant;
Amendment 80 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for the development of concrete benchmarks to measure progress in addressing the links between climate change, on the one hand, and peace, conflict and the conflict and climate sensitivity of EU external action on the other; calls on the VP/HR to report on an annual basis to Parliament on progress made;
Amendment 91 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the Roadmap and cCalls on the EEAS to ensure, together with the relevant Commission services and the EDA, where appropriate, the comprehensive implementation of the three work strands – the operational dimension, capability development and partnerships; calls for the timeframes for reviewing the Roadmap to be reconsidered and, in particular, for the overall objectives to be reviewed much earlier than 2030; calls on the Member States to develop national structures in support of the objectives; urges all actors to treat this process as a priority and to develop and implement initiatives in line with the integrated approach; stresses the need to assess the environmental footprint of armed forces, as proposed in the Roadmap; urges the VP/HR to propose to the Member States an immediate action programme which consists of prioritised actions presented in the Roadmap which can be implemented in the short term; calls for the timeframes for reviewing the Roadmap to be reconsidered and, in particular, for the overall objectives to be reviewed much earlier than 2030;
Amendment 102 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the VP/HR to present, by mid-2022, an assessment of the carbon footprint and environmental impact of the EU’s external action; stresses the need to develop by 2022 a meaningful methodology to quantify the emissions from all EU security and defence activities; while considering the sensitivity of information assessed from CSDP missions and operations; believes that the Roadmap should be used to trigger clear national pledges to reduce military emissions, including mandatory military emissions reporting to the UNFCCC, as without reporting and transparency, there will be no pressure to cut emissions and no means of determining the impact of any pledges;
Amendment 108 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Strongly welcomes the fact that the Union’s new Global Europe instrument (NDICI) reflects well the urgency and importance of swift, strong and extensive external climate action; strongly welcomes, in particular the NDICI climate security policy (See subsection B.1.(d) of Annex III to the NDICI Regulation); calls on the Commission to prioritise actions seeking to achieve comprehensive and inclusive outcomes through linking climate mitigation and adaptation to conflict prevention and peacebuilding; stresses the need to include greater support for fragile and conflict-affeccalls on the Commission and the EEAS to harness existing research on emerging climated states in environmental governance, including institution-building; demands that the full potential for environmental peacebuilding be unleashed under the NDICI peace, stabilecurity hotspots around the EU’s borders, notably in the Sahel, the Middle East, and East Africa, and target relevant areas wityh and conflict-prevention programmedditional aid;
Amendment 112 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines the need to boost the Union’s strategic foresight, early-warning, situational awareness and conflict-analysis capacities using qualitative and quantitative data and innovative methods from various sources; underlines that, in addition to systematic cooperation with civil society organisations, the Union’s space programmes and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) should also contribute; Commends the essential role played by European space programmes such as Copernicus, in understanding climate change and monitoring GHG emissions;
Amendment 116 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Underlines that the principle of data-driven policy and programmes must be central to climate security programmes; is mindful, at the same time, of the limitations of big data approaches and quantitative environmental stress indices with regard to conflict prediction, as they risk paying too little attention to the local societal context; recalls the non-availability of reliable data in some fragile countries, also as a result of corruption and weak governance structures, in which case proxy data shouldmight be used instead;
Amendment 119 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses the importance of strengthening the resilience of communities, and that supporting local ownership and inclusive local governance structures is essential to ensure that efforts are sustainable; stresses that an inclusive and accountable approach towards local populations and which increases environmental protection and access to vital resources also increases the security of EU forces and personnel; Expresses its full support for and defence of conservationists and environmental defenders as they experience increased repression in parts of the world; Stresses that, in reducing their capacity to act, states such as Egypt, Iran, and Turkey are harming many of those whose skills are most needed, damaging EU interests in the process;
Amendment 126 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Believes that environmental peace building should be reinforced, as it generatesis one of the overall sustainable and fair solutions addressing the effects of climate change and can also present opportunities to build peace, while fostering dialogue and cooperation at the local, national and international level and presenting opportunities to adopt a transformational approach to address the root causes of conflict and structural drivers of marginalisation; stresses the need to increase pre-conflict mediation initiatives, including by means of higher levels of funding via NDICI;
Amendment 145 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Highlights that CSDP missions and operations and EPF actions can contribute to enhancing the climate resilience of their host countries and stresses that a positive legacy in terms of their local footprint should be included, whenever possible and without affecting their main security and defence tasks, in particular in their exit strategies, without jeopardising mission effectiveness or the security of own personnel;
Amendment 153 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Stresses the need to design mission infrastructure and a supply-chain that are climate- and environment-ally-resilient and sensitive and as carbon-neutral as possible, and that make use of new technology such as mobile solar systems, in particular for static features;
Amendment 161 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 – point a
Paragraph 20 – point a
(a) climate-induced scarcity of resources leadcontributing to conflict and instability,
Amendment 162 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. recalls, however, that insecurity stems from many different root causes like poverty, state fragility, lack of public infrastructure and services, very limited access to basic goods, lack of education, corruption, etc., among which figures climate change;
Amendment 166 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. States that all military capabilities and services used by the Union and its Member States should contribute to reaching the EU’s climate targets and adapt to increasingly challenging climate conditions in order to be able, inter alia, to guarantee the fulfilment of their tasks at home and abroad;
Amendment 172 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Underlines that an increase in defence expenditure should, whenever possible and bearing in mind the necessity to maintain the level of ambition of our armies, not lead to an increase in emissions, and that part of defence spending should be dedicated to investments in instruments that significantly reduce emissions; recalls that EU and NATO military strategists and planners have been working on the question of how armed forces can reduce their carbon footprint for more than a decade; welcomes, in this respect, the EDA’s activities, in particular the Go Green policy it launched in 2012, its Military Green concept and its working group on the circular economy, and calls for an acceleration and broadening of such projects and for an independent external evaluation thereof;
Amendment 180 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls on DG DEFIS, the Member States, the EEAS and the EDA to adopt an approach incorporating a low energy, carbon and environmental footprint by design when implementing relevant EU funds and to regularly report on progress; welcomes, in this respect, the fact that 30 % of the European Defence Fund aims to contribute to climate actionwill aim at contributing to the overall target of 30% climate action target set up for the EU 2021-2027 budget; welcomes the relevant investment of EUR 133 million provided for in the first annual work programme, but notes that this represents only 11 % of the overall annual EDF budget;
Amendment 183 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls on DG DEFIS, the Member States, the EEAS and the EDA to adopt an approach incorporating a low energy, carbon and environmental footprint by design when implementing relevant EU funds and to regularly report on progress; welcomes, in this respect,Welcomes the fact that 30 % of the European Defence Fund aims to contribute to climate action; welcomes the relevant investment of EUR 133 million provided for in the first annual work programme, but notes that this represents only 11 % of the overall annual EDF budget; Recalls the role of NextGenerationEU for climate action and calls on Member States to use resources from national recovery plans in order to invest in the green transition of their armed forces and military infrastructure;
Amendment 186 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Underlines the need to significantly increase investments in ‘green’ defence, in particular by dedicating a higher share of military R&D funded from the EU budget to carbon-neutral fuels and propulsion systems for military aircraft, ships and other vehicles, in particular as regards future major weapons systems (e.g. the future combat air system (FCAS) and the European main battle tank (EMBT)); underlines that, given the dual nature of such investments, they have strong positive spill-over effects in the civilian sector, in particular for the ailing civil aviation industry; believes that the electrification of military technology should be further promoted and extensively financed via the EDF, in particular as regards weapons systems, but also in terms of housing, barracks and related heating or cooling systems; recalls that the adaptation of defence means and their uses to climate changes, lies primarily on the Member States and that the EU as such does not have yet its own capacities;
Amendment 192 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls on the Member States to consider the feasibility of PESCO for setting up a corps of military engineers to focus on addressing climate-induced natural disasters and the protection of environmentally-critical infrastructure in fragile countries; Commends the role played by joint operations to save civilians in natural disasters, such as the French- Dutch disaster management "Hurricane Exercice" (Hurex) training in the Caribbean;
Amendment 200 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
Amendment 201 #
2021/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Welcomes the stated ambitdecision ofby NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg that NATO reach net zero carbonallies at the 2021 Brussels Summit to assess the feasibility of a target to reduce NATO's net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050; underlines the fact that 22 Member States are NATO members and calls on the VP/HR to make sure that emission reduction objectives, benchmarks and methodologies are synchronised, as Member States have only a single set of forces and cannot afford to have different EU and NATO standards or the duplication of forces; believes that NATO and the EU should decide to treat climate security as a new area for cooperation and concrete actionstherefore calls on the EU and NATO to coordinate their efforts to cut down emissions through shared objectives and benchmarks; believes climate security offers fruitful avenues for future cooperation between the EU and NATO;
Amendment 18 #
2021/2065(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas in order to achieve the strategic objective of developing its global leadership role, the EU must continue to take the lead in strengthening multilateral partnerships on global priorities, in particular its partnership with the UN, and itsan improved, more comprehensive and open cooperation with NATO and other like-minded countries, and in protecting and promoting democracy and human rights globally;
Amendment 24 #
2021/2065(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the time is ripe to reform EU decision-making, making full and more effective use of the EU’s hard and soft power instruments, including by introducing qualified majority voting for decision-making in certain EU foreign policy areas such as human rights and the protection of international law, and with the exception of decisions creating military missions or operations with an executive mandate under the CSDP, for which unanimity must still be required, while also ensuring that the EU’s external and internal actions are coherently interlinked;
Amendment 37 #
2021/2065(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the role of the EEAS is at the heart of implementing the necessary reforms of the EU’s foreign, security and defence policies and must show the way to a more comprehensive approach including DGs of the Commission such as DG INTPA, DG NEAR among others;
Amendment 43 #
2021/2065(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas the EU, its CFSP and CSDP are increasingly targeted by campaigns of disinformation, requiring a stronger strategic communication policy from the EEAS;
Amendment 48 #
2021/2065(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas Parliament’s determination and resolve to protect and defend the Union and the values and principles for which it stands, including the principle of territorial integrity, national sovereignty and the rules-based international order, must be matched by adequate decision- making and institutional structures for external actions, and interinstitutional dialogue and cooperation;
Amendment 81 #
2021/2065(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c
Paragraph 1 – point c
(c) increase leverage by introducing qualified majority voting for certain foreign policy areas, such as human rights and the protection of international law, and for imposing sanctions, with the exception of decisions creating military missions or operations with an executive mandate under the CSDP, for which unanimity must still be required, in order to increase the effectiveness of the EU’s foreign policy;
Amendment 102 #
2021/2065(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
Paragraph 1 – point f
(f) integrate fully the ‘more for more’ principle into relations with third countries, whereby the EU will develop stronger partnerships with those that share the CFSP’s principles and the fundamental values of the Union; ensure the full alignment of candidate countries on EU sanctions and make sure EU sanctions cannot be circumvented;
Amendment 107 #
2021/2065(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
Paragraph 1 – point g
(g) adapt the structure of the EEAS to the new enlargement policies, hybrid threats and disinformation, the development of defence instruments and other emerging challenges and avoid to operate in silos;
Amendment 116 #
2021/2065(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h
Paragraph 1 – point h
(h) improve the EEAS and EU delegations’ operative flexibility to react to emerging issues and challenges more swiftly and effectively; calls on the establishment of a rapid alert system for the EEAS and the EU Parliament to be duly informed on situation on the ground;
Amendment 124 #
2021/2065(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i
Paragraph 1 – point i
(i) ensure that the financial resources available match the level of ambition and support the operative flexibilities needed in order to react in real time to emerging geopolitical challenges; live up to gender equality promises and fulfil the target to have women in 40 percent of senior posts at EEAS by 2025;
Amendment 126 #
2021/2065(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i
Paragraph 1 – point i
(i) ensure that the financial resources available as well as recruitments including stricter qualification requirements for the most important positions, match the level of ambition and support the operative flexibilities needed in order to react in real time to emerging geopolitical challenges;
Amendment 132 #
2021/2065(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j
Paragraph 1 – point j
(j) increase the EU’s visibility and urgently equip the EEAS and, in particular, EU delegations with the tools to develop their strategic communication capabilities, which will enable them to communicate more effectively with both decision-makers and the general public in third countries, including in particular the task of countering disinformation; calls on EU delegations to step up their participation on social media, TV and debates also in local languages, to engage in the battle of narratives pre-empting disinformation campaigns; clarify the role of delegations and the role of headquarters in achieving this goal;
Amendment 142 #
2021/2065(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k
Paragraph 1 – point k
Amendment 184 #
2021/2065(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point p
Paragraph 1 – point p
(p) task the EEAS with preparing a revision of the Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy of 2016, taking stock of the EU Strategic Compass and the need to act in an integrated way as regards the CSDP;
Amendment 186 #
2021/2065(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point p a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point p a (new)
(p a) increase the effectiveness of Human Rights Dialogue meetings by ensuring the active participation of civil society, by raising and agreeing on next steps to address prevailing human rights violations, and by conducting a comprehensive assessment of committed progress;
Amendment 188 #
2021/2065(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point p b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point p b (new)
(p b) ensure that EU delegations follow the European Parliament's urgency resolutions, call on the authorities to address the highlighted problems, and provide support to civil society and other actors whose rights are violated; for this purpose strengthen the capacity of human rights focal points in EU delegations;
Amendment 193 #
2021/2065(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q
Paragraph 1 – point q
(q) adapt the organisation of the EEAS and the corresponding Commission services to new strategic needs without further delay, starting with the Arctic, and allow for flexible mandates to be able to promptly answer existing and new emerging threats;
Amendment 199 #
2021/2065(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point q a (new)
(q a) ensure that Team Europe is more than a slogan and works on the ground; improve cooperation and coordination between EU delegations and EU CSDP missions in one given third country; consider that EP missions abroad are fully part of the External Policy of the EU and must therefore enjoy full support from the EU delegations abroad;
Amendment 201 #
2021/2065(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point q a (new)
(q a) work together with likeminded partners to address the dominance of non- democratic countries in some of the most important bodies of international organisations, including the UN and its agencies;
Amendment 220 #
2021/2065(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point t
Paragraph 1 – point t
(t) support fully and develop the pilot project ‘Towards a European Diplomatic Academy’, which has been extended by one year in order to establish these functions within permanent organisational structures; calls for transparency on the criteria to recruit participants for this programme;
Amendment 13 #
2021/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
— having regard to the Joint Declaration by France, Germany, Italy, the United-Kingdom and the United States of America on the roadmap of 24 June 2022,
Amendment 14 #
2021/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
Citation 2 a (new)
— having regard to the Declaration of the Paris International Conference for Libya of 12 November 2022,
Amendment 46 #
2021/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the situation Libya has further deteriorated since the indefinite postponement of the elections at the end of 2021, deepening the political deadlock and division in the country; whereas this postponement disappointed the more than 2.8 million Libyan citizens who had registered to vote; whereas as a result, protests against the mismanagement of political institutions in Libya have been continuously held; whereas protesters are calling for elections to be held without delay;
Amendment 51 #
2021/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas following the protests, the Presidential Council has proposed an action plan to move forward and preserve the unity of the country, including parliamentary and presidential elections within a specific timeframe to overcome the deadlock;
Amendment 52 #
2021/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
A b. whereas since the invasion of Ukraine, Russia is seriously undermining the capacity of action of the United Nations, leading to a deterioration of already severe crises;
Amendment 85 #
2021/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas a comprehensive security sector reform is critical to preventing future human rights violations and to fighting against impunity;
Amendment 87 #
2021/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
F a. whereas the absence of a robust judicial system and the climate of impunity is a breeding ground for terrorist groups;
Amendment 91 #
2021/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
G a. whereas the EU is allocating 37 million euros per year between 2021-2024 in state-building efforts, humanitarian needs and in basic health services;
Amendment 109 #
2021/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Recital K a (new)
K a. whereas the EU Border Assistance Mission in Libya (EUBAM) supports the Libyan authorities in developing border management and security at the country's land, sea and air borders; whereas as a civilian crisis management mission with a capacity-building mandate, EUBAM assists Libyan authorities at the strategic and operational levels through advising, training and mentoring Libyan counterparts in strengthening the border services in accordance with international standards and best practices, and by advising the Libyan authorities on the development of a national Integrated Border Management (IBM) strategy; whereas EUBAM Libya has been extended until June 30, 2023;
Amendment 116 #
2021/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K b (new)
Recital K b (new)
K b. whereas, following one of the outcomes of the international conference in Berlin to effectively implement the UN arms embargo on Libya on 17 February, the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union decided to launch a new CSDP (Common Security and Defence Policy) Operation in the Mediterranean focused on the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions on the arms embargo on Libya, while closing Operation SOPHIA; whereas the Operation, named EUNAVFOR MED was thus launched on 31 March 2020 and extended to 31 March 2023; whereas its core task is the implementation of the UN arms embargo on Libya through the use of aerial, satellite and maritime assets, whereas the mission is, in particular, mandated to carry out inspections of vessels on the high seas off the coast of Libya suspected to be carrying arms or related material to and from Libya in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2292 (2016) in addition to monitoring violations perpetrated via aerial and land routes; whereas on 18 July 2022 IRINI has intercepted a ship carrying 140 armoured vehicles to Benghazi, which constitutes a blatant violation of the arms embargo; whereas as far as supplies to the west are concerned, Turkey is still opposed to any cooperation with IRINI and refuses vessels inspections; whereas, as secondary tasks, EUNAVFOR MED IRINI monitors and gathers information on illicit exports from Libya of petroleum, crude oil and refined petroleum products, contributes to the capacity building and training of the Libyan Coast Guard and Navy, contributes to the disruption of the business model of human smuggling and trafficking networks through information gathering and patrolling by planes;
Amendment 145 #
2021/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(a a) invite the EU and its Member States to step up their efforts and have an instrumental role to support nation-wide, inclusive and collaborative efforts to achieve the desired political transition; stress that it is in the EU's security interest to reach stability in the region;
Amendment 153 #
2021/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) continue to cooperate closely with UNSMIL and actively support the renewal of its mandate; stress that, given the current political impasse, the continuation of UN- backed negotiations on a roadmap for free, fair and credible elections remains vital; evaluate the feasibility ofcall for the deployment of an EU electoral observation mission to monitor the electoral process;
Amendment 197 #
2021/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h
Paragraph 1 – point h
(h) support the valuable work of the EU Border Assistance Mission in Libya and the European Union Naval Force Mediterranean operation Irini, two common security and defence policy (CSDP) missions and operations, in contributing to sustainable peace, security and stability, in particular through their support for the implementation of the arms embargo imposed on Libya by the UN Security Council; renew, if necessary, the mandate of these two common security and defence policy missions in order to contribute to; support IRINI key role in the implementation of the arms embargo on Libya imposed by the UN; call for transparent communication from the EEAS on the repeatedly denied permission to carry out inspections, even on Turkish vessels, which is still opposed to any cooperation with IRINI and refuses vessels inspections; call on Member States to urgently fulfil their commitments, as EUNAVFOR MED currently has very limited resources which severely limits its capabilities; ask NATO, which is active in the region through Operation Sea Guardian, to collaborate effectively through more cohesive cooperation or the sharing of information and resources; enhance public communication about the mission and its boardings, friendly approaches and inspections, as well as the refusals it has received; continue to support the positive efforts of the EU Planning and Liaison Cell (EULPC) in providing security, intelligence and planning expertise to EU actors in Brussels and on the ground or at sea (EU Delegation, EUBAM, EUNAVFOR MED) and to the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL); carry on the EU support with a view to contributing improving the security conditions on the ground, including by preventing terrorists, human traffickers and armed groups from carrying out cross- border activities; guarantee that all activities carried out or facilitated by these two missions respect human rights and are in line with international and EU laws, in particular the principle of non-refoulement; conduct and provide Parliament with regular human rights impact assessments of all their activities; ' subcommittee on Security and Defence with regular impact assessments of all their activities; recommends that the EEAS initiates an evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of EUBAM; encourage the deployment of members of the European Union Border Assistance Mission to Libya (EUBAM Libya) to Tripoli, from where the mission will conduct its activities; proposes that this mission, conducted with a view to assisting the Libyan authorities in the field of border management to dismantle organized criminal networks involved in the smuggling of migrants, trafficking in human beings and terrorism, continue to explore, within the framework of a regional strategy, the possibilities of supporting the development, under the aegis of the Union, of the border management capacities of the Sahel States, in conjunction with the CSDP missions in the Sahel, in particular EUCAP Sahel Niger;
Amendment 229 #
2021/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j
Paragraph 1 – point j
(j) condemn the violent repression on civil society organisations via arbitrary travel bans, arrests, detentions, enforced disappearances and torture; urge the Libyan authorities to lift restrictions on civil society organisations that continue to put up serious obstacles to the freedom of association and the right to peaceful assembly, as guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Libya has ratified;
Amendment 1 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)
Citation 15 a (new)
— having regard to UN General Assembly resolution on promoting a culture of peace and tolerance to safeguard religious sites, adopted on 21 January 2021,
Amendment 12 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 29 a (new)
Citation 29 a (new)
— having regard to its resolution of 17 December 2020 on forced labour and the situation of the Uyghurs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region,
Amendment 51 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas women face more difficulties in exercising their right to leave a religious or belief community due to lack of social or economic independence or threats of violence or loss of custody of their children;
Amendment 53 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas indigenous beliefs or religions' practices are part of a people's cultural identity and that indigenous peoples have the right to promote, develop and maintain their institutional structures and their distinctive customs, spirituality, traditions, procedures, practices according to international human rights standards;
Amendment 54 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)
Recital C c (new)
Cc. whereas discrimination on the grounds of religion and belief forces many individuals and communities to migrate or become internally displaced; whereas the instrumentalization of religion and belief constitutes an important driver of conflict worldwide;
Amendment 59 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C e (new)
Recital C e (new)
Ce. whereas social networks are increasingly used as a forum for incitement to hatred, intimidation and violence by religious, political and organized groups;
Amendment 81 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Affirms its unwavering commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of persons belonging to religious and belief minorities everywhere in the world, including their right to change or choose their religion or belief, in respect of the principles of equality and non- discrimination; condemns in the strongest terms all persecution, violence, incitement to violence and terrorism targeting any minority on the grounds of religion and belief;
Amendment 87 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Takes the view that, regardless of their religion and belief, it is essential to promote and help to ensure the inclusion of all citizens in their societies and in political and cultural life;
Amendment 89 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that freedom of religion or belief, including freedom to worship, and freedom to believe or not believe, is a human right, and that it often serobservance, practice and teaching, freedom to adopt, change or abandon one's religion or belief and freedom to believe or not believes as a last bastion of liberty and as a source of fierce dend to manifest one's religion or belief, is a human right protected under intermination in highly repressive settingsal law;
Amendment 98 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is deeply concerned about the rise over the last decade of violencecoercion, violence and repression against people belonging to minorities on the grounds of their belief or religion as a global phenomenon, which is intensifying and affecting more and more countries; notes that it affects many religious communities, namely Christians (including Copts), Jews, Muslims (including Ahmadis and Alevis), Buddhists, Hindus and smaller religious groups, such as Baha’is, Sikhs and Zoroastrians, as well as groups of people who are atheists, humanists, agnostics or do not identify with any religion;
Amendment 135 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Recognizes the important contribution of faith-based non- governmental organizations to development; acknowledges the growing role of some of these organizations in the fight against environmental degradation and in advocacy for peace and reconciliation;
Amendment 204 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Deplores the genocide of Uyghurs in China, along with persecution of members of other religious communities in attempts to discourage religious practice; condemns Chinese government’s efforts to interfere into the process of naming the successor of the Dalai Lama;
Amendment 227 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Strongly condemns terror attacks on places of worship, including the Easter attacks in Sri Lanka in 2019, when nine suicide bombers carried out a series of attacks, including on three churches, and increasing numbers of attacks against worshippers in Afghanistan, including May 2021 attack at Sunni mosque in Kabul, which took place during a cease- fire to celebrate the Eid holiday and killed at least 12 people;
Amendment 258 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Stresses the paramount importance of holding accountable perpetrators of human rights abuses against persons belonging to religious minorities; calls on the EU and Member States to urgently work towards the establishment of UN mechanisms and committees to investigate current human rights violations against religious minoritbased on religion or beliesf around the world;
Amendment 263 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls on the Council and EU Member States to apply sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for or involved in systematic abuses or violations of the rights of persons belonging to religious minorities, as provided for by the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regimfreedom of religion or belief, as provided for by the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (EU Magnitsky Act); notes that the Rome Statute covers both crimes against humanity and genocide based on the persecution of groups on the basis of religion or belief and establishes a fundamental international legal framework to fight impunity; calls on the EU and its Member States to increase their political and financial support to the International Criminal Court and calls on UN member states to commit to the fight against impunity in this context through the ratification of the Rome Statute;
Amendment 267 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls on the Council and EU Member States to apply sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for or involved in systematic violations of the rights of persons belonging to religious minorities, as provided for by the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (EU Magnitsky Act);
Amendment 269 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Is appalled by the exacerbation of persecution against religious minority groupand belief minorities during the COVID-19 pandemic; denounces the fact that persons belonging to religious and belief minorities have been scapegoated, blamed for spreading the COVID-19 virus, and have been denied or faced discrimination in access to public healthcare, food or humanitarian aid, on the basis of religious or belief criteria;
Amendment 272 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Calls on the EU and its Member States to recognize the rights, beliefs and values of indigenous peoples, and to commit to address the specific discrimination of indigenous populations based on their beliefs, in a comprehensive manner through EU's external action;
Amendment 274 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Underlines that women belonging to religious and belief minorities have been specifically and increasingly targeted with the purpose of inflicting harm on their community as a whole; condemns all types of gender-based violence against women; stresses that they are particularly exposed to violent attacks, kidnapping, rape and sexual violence, forced conversion, female genital mutilation, beatings, forced and early marriage and domestic incarceration, and that lockdown measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic have made their human rights situation even more precarious; strongly condemns the use of forced sterilization against women as an extremely violent form of persecution;
Amendment 280 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Condemns the imposition of discriminatory norms based on gender and sexuality rooted in religious orthodoxy, which are often translated into national legislation as secular restrictions; stresses that the defence of "tradition" or "public morality" cannot contradict, in any case, international human rights provisions subscribed by States; expresses deep concern about the situation of LGBTI+ and transgender people, women and girls who, in many contexts, see their conduct criminalized, are subject to gender-related violence and whose access to basic services such as health and education is restricted on the basis of narrow interpretations of religious beliefs or principles, which are often instrumentalized to justify discrimination;
Amendment 282 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)
Paragraph 26 b (new)
26b. Deplores the instrumentalization of religion or beliefs to restrict sexual and reproductive rights and women's access to safe and free abortion worldwide;
Amendment 286 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Condemns the use by authoritarian regimes of legislation on security, sedition and the fight against terrorism and extremism as an instrument to persecute persons belonging to religious and belief minorities, to outlaw the practise or expression of their religion and gatherings ofor believersf, and to deter the registration of religious or belief associations; calls on the Commission and European External Action Service (EEAS) to monitor carefully the implementation of such legislation, and to consistently raise this issue in bilateral dialogues with the governments concerned; urges EU Member States to reject any request by foreign authorities for judicial and police cooperation in individual judicial cases if they are based on such legislation;
Amendment 290 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Strongly condemns any practice of coercive detention, forced labour and exploitation of belief or religious' minorities as well as the extensive use of digital surveillance technologies to monitor and control population belonging to belief or religious minorities;
Amendment 293 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27b. Deplores the restriction on access to legal documentation and registration for organizations and individuals belonging to religious and belief minorities, and recalls that legal identity is a right that must be guaranteed for all citizens on an equal manner;
Amendment 298 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Deplores the fact that more than 70 countries in the world enforce criminal laws or seek to introduce new legislation which provide for punishments for blasphemy, apostasy and conversion, including the death sentence; notes that laws already in place are used disproportionately against people belonging to religious and belief minorities, and are thus seen, with good reason, as an instrument of oppression; calls for the EU to intensify its political dialogue with all countries concerned with a view to repeal those laws;
Amendment 306 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Underlines the importance of strategic approaches and educational initiatives aimed at addressing religious intolerance and hate speech, encouraging interreligious and intercultural dialogue, and building mutual respect and understanding;
Amendment 311 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 b (new)
Paragraph 28 b (new)
28b. Deplores destruction and damage to the religious sites, which constitute an integral part of the cultural heritage, and calls for their protection and restoration;
Amendment 320 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Calls on the Council, the Commission, EEAS and EU Member States to address persecutions based on belief or religion as a priorityn important element of EU human rights foreign policy, in line with the EU action plan for human rights and democracy for 2020-2024; stresses that a multi-layered and multi-actor approach is needed to protect and promote freedom of religion or belief, encompassing human rights, conflict resolution and interfaith initiatives that involve multiple state and non-state actorsdialogue and mediation, conflict resolution and prevention in cooperation with multiple state and non-state actors such as faith-based organisations, religious leaders and actors, non- believer's groups, civil society organizations and human rights defenders; calls for enhanced cooperation with UN initiatives on this matter; reiterates its call for a public review of the EU Guidelines on freedom of religion or belief, allowing for the assessment of their implementation and of proposals for their update; also calls for progress reports on the implementation of the Guidelines to be communicated regularly to Parliament;
Amendment 329 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Urges the EEAS and EU Delegations to include objectives specifically related to the protection of religious minorities for all relevant situations, as part of the human rights and democracy country strategies (HRDCSs) for 2021-2024. and to consistently raise general issues and specific cases relating to the persecution of religious and belief minorities during human rights dialogues with partner countries including a gender- perspective; reiterates its call for Members of the European Parliament to be given access to the content of HRDCSs;
Amendment 335 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
Amendment 341 #
2021/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Recommends strengthening EU multilateral engagement with like-minded states and other actors with a view to promoting and mainstreaming the respect for religious and belief minorities in human rights policies everywhere in the world; calls for the EU and EU Member States to enhance cooperation with the UN, the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), to intensify its dialogues with the African Union and, the Organization of American States, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and other regional organisations, and to forge alliances with third countries in order to provide international responses to human rights issues faced by religious and belief minorities, in particular those who are most vulnerable or targeted in conflict areas; also recommends that the EU continue to be the lead sponsor of resolutions on freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief in the UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council and reiterates its call to step up cooperation with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief on this matter;
Amendment 21 #
2021/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital –A c (new)
Recital –A c (new)
-Ac. whereas the current Russian regime is stirring up animosity and mistrust in Russian civil society towards foreigners, particularly Europeans, and conveying the image of the West as an enemy, and whereas this misinformation has become the cultural and political foundation of the policy of Russian authorities, which are losing economic and social credibility and deepening the rupture between Russia and Europe;
Amendment 22 #
2021/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A c (new)
Recital -A c (new)
-Ac. whereas the Freedom in the World 2021 report placed Russia in the category of ‘not free’ countries; whereas citizens’ fundamental freedoms are limited in Russia the election environment is controlled, Russian people are discouraged from public protests by the burdensome bureaucratic procedures established in order for citizens to receive a permission and by police violence during peaceful protests;
Amendment 24 #
2021/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A d (new)
Recital -A d (new)
-Ad. whereas, according to the Memorial Human Rights Centre, the Russian authorities currently hold nearly 400 political prisoners in violation of the Russian Federation’s obligations under Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights, Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and Article 23 of the Concluding Document of the Vienna Meeting of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe;
Amendment 29 #
2021/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A f (new)
Recital -A f (new)
-Af. whereas the media space in Russia is controlled and owned by the state, there is no public broadcaster, the remaining few independent media sources struggle financially and face persecution, including physical attacks and imprisonment of media workers; whereas since 1992, 58 journalists have been killed in Russia; whereas the “sovereign internet” law enables the government to block any unwanted Internet content;
Amendment 33 #
2021/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A h (new)
Recital -A h (new)
-Ah. whereas the LGBTI+ community in Russia faces extensive discrimination, including harassment, torture, imprisonment and killings; whereas situation for LGBTI+ community is particularly dangerous in Chechnya, which in 2017 started its purge of LGBTI+ people, detaining and torturing dozens, with at least two killed, and many seeking for safe refuge abroad; whereas existing laws prohibit any public discussion on “non-traditional sexual relationships”;
Amendment 36 #
2021/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A j (new)
Recital -A j (new)
-Aj. whereas the 2020 Russian constitutional reforms revised the history of the WWII, cleansing the Soviet history and naming Russia as a successor of the Soviet Union, introduced the right to intervene internationally in defence of Russian compatriots and outlawed discussions about returning Russian lands to foreign actors;
Amendment 43 #
2021/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A q (new)
Recital -A q (new)
-Aq. whereas the “Russian World” is being promoted by state-owned media channels such as Russia Today (RT) and Sputnik in the native languages of the EU Member States; whereas the COVID-19 pandemic is being used by Kremlin’s propaganda to seed division among the EU Member States, portray the EU as unable to cope with the pandemic, seed doubts about the vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency, discourage EU citizens from vaccination, and rehabilitate Russia’s image in the eyes of EU population, particularly via the promotion of the Sputnik V vaccine;
Amendment 46 #
2021/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A t (new)
Recital -A t (new)
-At. whereas the Russian financial support for political parties and movements is a direct interference into the democratic processes of the EU and its Member States, as these parties and movements promote Russia’s interests as well as values contradictory to those of the EU;
Amendment 58 #
2021/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas Russiathe current Russian regime is continuing its aggressive behaviour on the border with Ukraine and interfering with acts of terrorism on the territory of EU Member States, such as Czechia, and its eastern neighbours, inter alia by supporting the illegitimate regime of Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus;
Amendment 127 #
2021/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas Russia ranks 120 out of 180 countries in the 2020 Corruption Perception Index, as massive state-level corruption prevents Russian population from quality public services, which remain underfunded, including the public health care, which is of particular importance during the pandemic; whereas nearly 19 million of Russians live under the poverty line;
Amendment 166 #
2021/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F e (new)
Recital F e (new)
Fe. whereas any new framework for relations between the EU and the Russian Federation must be based on full respect for international law and the founding principles of the OSCE;
Amendment 193 #
2021/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas the role of the EU as a global actor and the foreign policy competences of the EU institutions should be strengthened;
Amendment 199 #
2021/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 a (new)
Paragraph -1 a (new)
-1a. Stresses that the EU's foreign and security policy approach towards the Russian authorities requires greater coordination and coherence, in particular in strategic areas such as the European Defence Union, the European Energy Union, cyber defence, cyber terrorism and strategic communication tools;
Amendment 202 #
2021/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 d (new)
Paragraph -1 d (new)
-1d. Deplores the fact that the Russian authorities are tending to lock themselves into a privileged partnership with China, which can only weaken the Russian Federation and the entire European continent and, in particular, enable the Beijing authorities to expand their presence and influence in Central Asia and Siberia;
Amendment 205 #
2021/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – introductory part
Paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Recommends that the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) review, together with the Member States, the EU policy vis-à-vis Russiathe current regime of the Russian Federation, including the five guiding principles, and develop a comprehensive EU strategy towards Russia based on the following principles and actions:
Amendment 218 #
2021/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
Paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the EU, together with NATO and international partners, should deter Russia and keep stability in the EaP region by taking a more active role in the peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflicts and in the prevention of any future conflicts, by pressing Russia not to interfere in the region and to return the occupied territories in the EU’s Eastern neighbourhood;
Amendment 224 #
2021/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
Paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the EU, together with NATO and international partners, should deter Russia and keep stability in the EaP region by pressing Russian authorities not to interfere in the region and to return the occupied territories in the EU’s Eastern neighbourhood;
Amendment 314 #
2021/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) increase resilience and strengthen capacities to react to hybrid treats posed by Russia and others: cyber-security, propaganda and disinformation; call out Russia each time it executes hybrid attack against the EU and the Member States; increase resilience to cyber-attacks and expand capacities of the EU StratCom, as there is a need to cover not only the East and the Western Balkans, but also disinformation in the EU space;
Amendment 324 #
2021/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point e b (new)
(eb) ensure a swift implementation of the incoming proposals of the European Parliament Special Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes in the European Union, including Disinformation (INGE);
Amendment 430 #
2021/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
(ka) must call all the national governments and the international organisations to conduct inquiries on hidden patrimonies of the main Russian leaders and oligarchs and publicize those figures;
Amendment 491 #
2021/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n e (new)
Paragraph 1 – point n e (new)
(ne) urges the EU to establish a binding legal framework enabling it to react strongly to campaigns aimed at undermining democracy or the rule of law, including through targeted action against those responsible for such campaigns;
Amendment 492 #
2021/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n f (new)
Paragraph 1 – point n f (new)
(nf) is deeply concerned about the links between the Russian government and far- right parties and populist governments in the EU and must fight against aggressions to democracy;
Amendment 494 #
2021/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n g (new)
Paragraph 1 – point n g (new)
(ng) stresses that money laundering and criminal financial activities perpetrated by Russian nationals constitute a threat to the security and stability of Europe;
Amendment 496 #
2021/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subheading 5
Paragraph 1 – subheading 5
Engagement to support the Russian people and democracy – Eastern Partnership success as an inspiration for the people of Russia
Amendment 2 #
2021/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
— having regard to the Council Conclusions on EU-US relations of 7 December 2020,
Amendment 72 #
2021/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas, while pursuing transatlantic cooperation in areas of shared interest, the EU should also foster its strategic autonomy and capacity in defence and economic relations;
Amendment 153 #
2021/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Emphasises that the announced return of the US to multilateralism and commitment to restore alliances provides an opportunity to re-engage with the US in repairing and rebuilding the transatlantic relationship and strengthening together the global rules-based order in the spirit of our shared democratic values;
Amendment 208 #
2021/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls for enhanced coordination on the use of the human-rights sanctions mechanisms, the Global Magnitsky Act, with corruption included among sanctioned crimes;
Amendment 232 #
2021/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Encourages the US to move towards the abolition of the death penalty, the reform of the criminal justice system, including through addressing systemic racism, hate speech and the end of all discrimination against LGBTQI persons; urges dialogue and exchange of best practices between the EU and US on promoting racial and gender equality;
Amendment 381 #
2021/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Calls for close cooperation to jointly address the range of threats emanating from the Russian Federation, such as the continued destabilisation of Ukraine and Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Georgia, support for Lukashenka's illegitimate rule and crimes against humanity in Belarus, interferences in democratic processes in the EU and the US, hybrid threats and disinformation campaigns, while at the same pursuing selective cooperation in the areas of shared transatlantic interest, notably in the area of arms control;
Amendment 419 #
2021/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Expresses concerns over a withdrawal of the NATO Allies forces from Afghanistan, calls for a dialogue based decisions in the future, urges a responsible committed action towards the Afghan people, particularly in supporting the Intra-Afghan Peace Talks and safeguarding the fundamental freedoms and human rights with particular attention to the rights of ethnic minorities, girls and women, including their right to education and public participation, and other vulnerable groups;
Amendment 14 #
2021/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
Citation 5 a (new)
— having regard to its resolution of 21 January 2021 on the crackdown on the democratic opposition in Hong Kong;
Amendment 21 #
2021/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 b (new)
Citation 5 b (new)
— Having regard to its resolution of 20 May 2021 on Chinese countersanctions on EU entities and MEPs and MPs;
Amendment 23 #
2021/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 c (new)
Citation 5 c (new)
— Having regard to its resolution of 17 December 2020 on Forced labour and the situation of the Uyghurs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region;
Amendment 25 #
2021/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 d (new)
Citation 5 d (new)
— Having regard to its resolution of 19 June 2020 on the PRC national security law for Hong Kong and the need for the EU to defend Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy;
Amendment 32 #
2021/2037(INI)
A. whereas through its strong economic growth and ambitious foreign policy agenda, notably its investment strategy and its policies “Going Global”, “Made in China 2025” and its “Belt and Road Initiative”, China is asserting a stronger global role both as an economic power and as foreign policy actor, which poses serious political, economic, security and technological challenges to the EU, and has significant and long-lasting consequences foron the world order and poses threats to liberal democracy;
Amendment 39 #
2021/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas China is a cooperation partner but also an economic competitor and systemic rival; whereas, in this respect, the EU may share policy objectives with China, but it also has vulnerabilities that need to be carefully assessed, in order to develop a strategic response to Chinese projection of power and influence in the world and in to Europe;
Amendment 46 #
2021/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
A b. whereas in recent years the EU faced a rising number of challenges from China through the Belt and Road Initiative, the 16 +1 format, divide-and- rule tactics, the Chinese investment strategy, disinformation campaigns, technological challenges and an increasingly assertive diplomacy;
Amendment 49 #
2021/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
A c. whereas Chinese foreign policy expansion poses threats to liberal democracy, by indebting African, Asian, Latin American and even some Western Balkan countries through its Belt and Road Initiative and by attempting to assert its illiberal views through its growing influence in international organisations;
Amendment 58 #
2021/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas China has a track record of human rights violations that eschew the country’s bilateral and multilateral commitments in these areas; whereas goodwill measures and non-binding commitments have not been sufficient to increase Chinese commitment to values that are fundamental for the EU;
Amendment 123 #
2021/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Supports greater dialogue and cooperation with China on peace and security, sustainable development, science, technology and innovation, environmental issues, space and aerospace, the reform of the WTO;
Amendment 214 #
2021/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 – point c
Paragraph 8 – point c
(c) the lifting the counter-of sanctions imposed by the Chinese Ggovernment on EU entities and individuals, including Members of the European Parliament and the Subcommittee on Human Rights in retaliation of the Council 22nd March’s decision to impose sanctions on 4 Chinese officials and one entity;
Amendment 228 #
2021/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. States its support for UN to carry out legal investigations into alleged genocide and crimes against humanity taking place in the Xinjiang region; calls on China to comply with its obligations under national and international law to respect human rights, including the rights belonging to minorities in Xinjiang, Tibet and Inner Mongolia;
Amendment 238 #
2021/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls for the introduction of a unilateral ban on the import of products from forced labour and child labour or any other form of modern slavery; Calls on the Commission to bring forward the proposed Mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence Framework as a matter of urgency; Underlines the need to ensuring that the current trade and internal market legislation, as well as any due diligence framework or forced labour import ban, be efficiently and effectively used in order to exclude entities directly or indirectly involved in human rights abuses in Xinjiang, operating on the EU internal market;
Amendment 255 #
2021/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Calls on the Commission to address the crackdown on foreign NGOs by Chinese authorities and urges it to delete the ninth section of Annex II of the CAI that states that senior staff of foreign NGOs that are operating in China must be Chinese citizens; believes that the passage further restricts the work of foreign NGOs that already have to operate under the strict NGO law of 2017;
Amendment 259 #
2021/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11 b. Calls on the EU Member States to fully implement the package of measures that was agreed following the introduction of the National Security Law for Honkong in July 2020 and to review their asylum, migration, visa and residence policy for Hong Kongers; Calls for targeted measures under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, as necessary, in order to address repressions in Hong Kong;
Amendment 274 #
2021/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Commission to commission an EU-wide audit of the EU dependency on China in certain strategically important and critical sectors on both national and subnational levels, setting out plans to reduce dependency, while maintaining overall trade relations with China, which should be as open as possible;
Amendment 291 #
2021/2037(INI)
(b) building on the EU toolbox for national, regional and local risk-mitigating measures, to develop joint standards for the new generation of technologies, such as 5G networks;
Amendment 327 #
2021/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Believes that the future EU-China strategy should be more coordinated between the EU institutions and the Member States, as well as between the different Commission Directorates General; believes that policies should also be coordinated with regional and local actors that develop and maintain links with China;
Amendment 351 #
2021/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Notes that the increasing number of hybrid attacks originating from China requires special attention, due to their destabilising and dangerous nature; Recalls that these attacks are by itself often not serious enough to trigger Article 5of the NATO treaty or Article 42(7) of the TEU, though have a strategic effect cumulative and cannot be effectively tackled by retorsions by the injured member state; Believes that the EU should therefore strive to find a solution to fill this legal vacuum in a way that would reserve the right for collective defence below the collective defence threshold and allow for collective countermeasures of EU Member States on a voluntary basis;
Amendment 357 #
2021/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18 b. Supports expanding contacts between peoples on both sides as well as mutual exchange visits of students but encourages the EU member states to better monitor the impact of Chinese government interference in academic freedom, and if deemed necessary counter Chinese efforts to undermine academic freedom;
Amendment 362 #
2021/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls on the VP/HR to coordinate the Union’s actions with like-minded partners on the protection of human rights and support for civil society in China and for Chinese diaspora around the world, as well as the defence of liberal democracy in the world, notably in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and with a view to engaging China to respect international law, the freedom of navigation in the South China and the East China Seas and the peaceful resolution of disputes;
Amendment 454 #
2021/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32 a. Encourages a close observation of China's involvement in the Arctic region and preparedness to ensure freedom of navigation in the Arctic’s Northern Sea Route;
Amendment 459 #
2021/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Believes that the Union should continue working towards its transformation into a geopolitical player by ensuring a more united geopolitical approach of its Member States, as well as by fostering its strategic autonomy and capacity;
Amendment 464 #
2021/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33 a. Highlights that success of the European Neighbourhood Policy determines the EU's capacity to take upon the role of global actor; warns about the icreasing role of China in the immediate neighbourhood of the EU, including the candidate countries, and calls for active EU's engagement in providing the neighbouring countries with a viable alternative to Chinese investments;
Amendment 466 #
2021/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Points to the need to strengthen the EU’s tools to defend itself, increase its capacity to protect its interests overseas, acquire greater influence in its direct neighbourhood and ensure that the Member States are united in their geopolitical approach; finds that in this regard the EU should urgently develop an effective toolbox comprising economic instruments to tackle threats of economic coercion and of weaponization of choke points in an increasingly networked global economy;
Amendment 3 #
2021/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the EU Gender Action Plan III (GAP III) and its ambitious and comprehensive objectives, and insists on its full implementation, policy coherence and institutional capacity across all areas of EU external action and the institutional structures of the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS); including EU Delegations and Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions;
Amendment 6 #
2021/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Calls on the Commission and the EEAS to strengthen the synergies with the EU Strategic Approach to Women, Peace and Security and its Action Plan (2019- 2024), the EU Gender Equality Strategy (2020-2025), the LGBTIQ Equality Strategy (2020-2025), the EU Anti-racism Action Plan 2020-2025, the EU Roma Strategic Framework for equality, inclusion and participation and the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2024;
Amendment 22 #
2021/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Calls on the Commission and EEAS to strengthened synergies with the United Nations, partner countries and other international stakeholders, to jointly advance and successfully reach international targets related to gender equality in the 2030 Agenda, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and their review conferences, the UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security and its follow-up resolutions, as well as the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence;
Amendment 43 #
2021/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Stresses the important role of member states in achieving the objectives of GAP III; encourages EU Member States to align their policies and programmes in coherence with the objectives of the European Union and to increase their actions in the fight against gender-based violence through, inter alia, the establishment of focal points for gender-based violence within their consular services;
Amendment 45 #
2021/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Calls on the Member States and the Commission for continuous actions to eliminate gender-based violence, committing to a widespread ratification and implementation of the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence;
Amendment 49 #
2021/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Welcomes the inclusion of sexual and gender-based violence within the criteria for the imposition of sanctions in the framework of the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (EU Magnitsky Act); reiterates its call to the Council and the European Council to move towards qualified majority voting, by activating the passerelle clause regarding sanctions and human rights;
Amendment 74 #
2021/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Highlights the need to tackle the shrinking space for civil society and to closely consult in all the stages of the joint programming and implementation, with organisations fighting, in particular, for the rights of women, girls and marginalised groups; stresses the need to support women human rights defenders and peace builders in the EU external action;
Amendment 77 #
2021/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Points out the need to increase the monitoring and accountability of EU action, especially with regards to the human rights, democracy and gender nexus; requests the EEAS and the Commission to include a specific update on the actions carried out to mainstreaming gender equality in the country reports of its Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy;
Amendment 78 #
2021/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. Calls on the EU to recognize women's leadership in the fight against climate change, and to promote their participation both at European level and in international fora, while increasing synergies with the external dimension of the EU Green Deal; encourages the EEAS and the Commission to ensure that a gender perspective is included in political dialogues and partnerships with third countries on disaster risk reduction, natural resources management and climate adaptation and mitigation;
Amendment 80 #
2021/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the integration of the Women, Peace and Security framework in GAP III; insists on the inclusion of women and marginalised groups in conflict resolution and peace negotiations, across all tracks; is strongly concerned over women rights situation in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of the NATO troops and urges the Member States and the Commission to closely monitor situation and further support the empowerment of women as a key condition for continuous financial support to the country;
Amendment 82 #
2021/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the integration of the Women, Peace and Security framework in GAP III; insists on the inclusion of women and marginalised groups in conflict resolution and peace negotiations, across all tracks; encourages the EU and its Member States to make substantial political and financial support for peace processes conditional on the meaningful participation of women as negotiators, mediators as well as on the inclusion of women and girl's rights;
Amendment 99 #
2021/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the introduction of country-level implementation plans; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to take full ownership of gender-sensitive country reporting and gender mainstreaming, by, among others, enhancing the role of gender focal persons (GFP) within EU Delegations to implement GAP III through adequate time and resources assigned to this position;
Amendment 101 #
2021/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Amendment 111 #
2021/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Expects specific and measurable baselines and targets to be added to the joint staff working document on the objectives and indicators to frame the implementation of the GAP III (SWD(2020)0284), as well as road maps and timelines for all objectives, and sanctions in case of non-fulfilment; notes that indicators based on the percentage of trainings on GEWE and GAP III, WPS, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and Sexual Harassment (SH) are not sufficient to determine the achievement of targets in this area; calls for the number of complaints on sexual abuse and harassment to be taken into account in the evaluation of compliance and reiterates the need to strengthen complaint mechanisms and to further protect victims and whistle-blowers.
Amendment 118 #
2021/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Underlines that sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is a weapon of war, and that women are disproportionately affected by conflict related sexual violence and other human rights violations with impunity, including higher risk of trafficking; Recalls that the Rome Statute provides a permanent legal framework to extensively address SGBV as a crime against humanity and therefore, calls on the EU to actively support the independent and essential activity of the International Criminal Court both politically and financially;
Amendment 121 #
2021/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8 b. Stresses the need for the European Union to support women leaders in political institutions, including parliament, political parties and Election Management Bodies, therefore promoting working opportunities for women at all governmental levels; calls on the EU to encourage and retain women leaders, and highlight the constructive contribution women leaders make to decision-making as well as increasing role models;
Amendment 122 #
2021/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 c (new)
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8 c. Stresses the enormous gender dimension of the crime of trafficking; considers international cooperation to be a fundamental condition for the success of any response to human trafficking; calls for further integration of the fight against trafficking in women and girls into the objectives of GAP III and for increased synergies with the EU Strategy on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings (2021-2025); Calls on the Commission to deepening partnerships with third countries, regional and international organisations in order to step up cooperation and enhance criminal intelligence, information sharing and facilitate international judicial cooperation; Calls on the EEAS to play a key role on the fight against trafficking of women and children through political dialogue and by making full use of its external tools; underlines the potential for international cooperation in training for law enforcement, immigration and other relevant officials in the prevention of trafficking in persons with a human rights, child- and gender-sensitive approach, which should encourage cooperation with non-governmental organizations and civil society;
Amendment 125 #
2021/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 d (new)
Paragraph 8 d (new)
8 d. Stresses the important role of parliamentary diplomacy in advancing gender equality, promoting women's political participation and empowerment and breaking gender stereotypes; calls on the EU and its Member States to further involve the European Parliament and national parliaments in their gender strategies in external action;
Amendment 127 #
2021/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 e (new)
Paragraph 8 e (new)
8 e. Notes the need for greater coordination between the European institutions, the External Action Service and the Member States in reporting on the implementation of GAP III; stresses that, for a proper monitoring of implementation, reporting must adopt a strong and solid impact-oriented approach;
Amendment 2 #
2021/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
— having regard to Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/1788 of 19 November 2018 in support of the South-Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC) for the implementation of the Regional Roadmap on combating illicit arms trafficking in Western Balkans,
Amendment 5 #
2021/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas organised crime is a global threahas become a central issue in international affairs and a threat to peace and development, which necessitates a common and coordinated response byfrom the EU, its Member States and international partners;
Amendment 22 #
2021/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the threat posed by criminals originating from the Western Balkans has been used as an argument against EU accession in some countriesserious efforts and tangible results in the fight against organized crime are necessary steps for candidate countries to make progress towards EU accession;
Amendment 26 #
2021/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas in order to meet the EU membership criteria, the Western Balkan countries need to implement comprehensive reforms in crucial areas such as the rule of law and deliver concrete results in judicial reforms and in the fight against corruption and organised crime;
Amendment 34 #
2021/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines that depriving countries of the Western Balkans of a European perspective is worsening rather than improving the situation as regardsorganized crime originating in the Western Balkans has serious consequences for Member States of the EU; recalls that an absence of serious efforts and tangible results in the fight against organiszed crime, and underlines that only by fostering the EU integration process can it be improved will hamper progress towards accession of Western Balkans candidate countries to the EU ;
Amendment 49 #
2021/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that the lack of employment opportunities, corruption, elements of state capture, and inequality and the slow process of EU accession are among the factors that make Western Balkans societies vulnerable to organised crime, and urges both the authorities of the Western Balkan countries and their international partners, including the EU, to intensify their efforts in addressing these challenges;
Amendment 63 #
2021/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Western Balkan countries to target both criminal organisations rather than individual cases; urges the relevant authorities to strengthen the protection ofand individual cases; notes that rightly identifying and accurately investigating criminal activity as "organised" is essential to the criminal justice response; urges the relevant authorities to fill in the legislative gaps that expose informants and whistle- blowers and protect them from being fired, harassed, sued or even prosecuted or threatened in order to increase the capacity to dismantle organised criminal groups; and to successfully fight corruption and organised crime;
Amendment 69 #
2021/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Calls on the Western Balkans countries to keep a concrete and sustained track record in tackling organised crime, corruption and money laundering and to develop periodic national reports on this matter;
Amendment 70 #
2021/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Calls on the Western Balkan countries to strengthen their interinstitutional cooperation, including in intelligence gathering and sharing, in order to better understand and tackle organised crime;
Amendment 87 #
2021/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Notes that the Western Balkan countries are both an origin of and a destinationtransit countries for trafficking in human beings; calls on the relevant authorities to place more focus on prevention and strengthening the resilience of groups that are vulnerable to the risks of trafficking in human beings; welcomes joint actions carried out with international partners, including Interpol and Europol, which have led to the arrests of suspected traffickers and migrant smugglers;
Amendment 93 #
2021/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes that the Western Balkan countries serve as a transit corridor for migrants and refugees and that the large population movements in recent years have posed an enormous challenge to the region; calls for enhanced efforts in fighting the smuggling of migrants; calls for greater exchange of information and enhanced coordination between countries of the Western Balkans, and encourages the EU and its Member States to provide more assistance in addressing these issues through, inter alia, the Joint Operational Office and the Operational Platform – Eastern Mediterranean Route;
Amendment 111 #
2021/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Notes the increase in organised cyber-criminal activities; welcomes the efforts of the Western Balkan countries to expand their capacity to fight cybercrime and the increase in prosecutions for cybercrime; calls forencourages the EU to promote greater cooperation with the Western Balkan countries on tacklingassist the Western Balkan countries with the appropriate tools and means on tackling cybercrime and other online threats;
Amendment 117 #
2021/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Notes the expansion of a black market, including through the Deep Web, for fake COVID-19 vaccine certificates that sell across Western Balkan countries; calls on the Western Balkan authorities to closely monitor such criminal acts and to take action against any developments with regards to counterfeit vaccines and vaccination cards;
Amendment 121 #
2021/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Notes that Eurojust has facilitated approximately 200 joint criminal investigations between EU Member States and the Western Balkan countries; Welcomes the conclusion of cooperation agreements between Eurojust and four Western Balkan countriesAlbania, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, as well as the authorisation to open negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina; urges the Council to authorise the opening of negotiations for a similar agreement with Kosovo, as judicial cooperation in criminal matters with all Western Balkan countries is crucial to fighting organised crime;
Amendment 126 #
2021/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. WUnderlines that the Western Balkans is a region of particular relevance for Europol; welcomes the agreements on operational cooperation between Europol and five Western Balkan countries, as well as the working arrangement with the law enforcement authorities of Kosovo, and commends the successful operations led in the context of this cooperation; welcomes the opening of Europol’s Liaison Office in Albania in 2019 and the decision to open similar Liaison Offices in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Serbia, encourages similar cooperation with the remaining Western Balkan countries;
Amendment 129 #
2021/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Welcomes the Working Agreements undertaken by CEPOL with the Western Balkan countries which focus on specific activities on specific topics related to combating organised crime, such as money laundering, migration, financial investigation and terrorism; underlines the importance to further strengthen the already established mechanisms between CEPOL and the Western Balkans region;
Amendment 133 #
2021/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Welcomes the working arrangements which are in place between FRONTEX and the Western Balkan countries, as well as the Status Agreements signed with Albania, Montenegro and Serbia which lead to activities aimed at tackling cross-border crime and illegal immigration and increased technical and operational assistance at the border; welcomes the similar status agreements initiated with North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina; underlines the need to further develop the cooperation between FRONTEX and the Western Balkan countries in matters related to combating organized crime;
Amendment 138 #
2021/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Reiterates the need to increase the focus on prevention activities and education, as well asparticularly on issues related to the negative impact of organised crime, human, drug and arms trafficking on societies, as well as radicalisation; reiterates the need to increase the focus on a proper understanding of citizenship, and to increase resilience, paying greater attention to socio-economic conditions, especially in suburban and rural areas, and providing support for local initiatives to reduce vulnerability to crime and corruption;
Amendment 140 #
2021/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Underlines the importance of monitoring links between organised crime groups and radicalised individuals and terrorist organisations; reiterates the importance of EU’s role in countering terrorism financing and money laundering; encourages further cooperation in this regard, especially through EU support for training of financial experts in the region, information sharing and exchange of best practices and know-how;
Amendment 155 #
2021/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Underlines the crucial role of civil society organisations (CSO), academics and journalists in monitoring the work of governments and assessing track records in fighting organised crime; notes that legal and institutional frameworks for CSO participation are largely in place in the Western Balkan countries but regrets that their potential is not being used to the full extent;
Amendment 3 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Finds the proposed reduction in the budget of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) by 0,5 % very disappointing; stresses that the FRA’s tasks of collection and analysis of reliable information on fundamental rights compliance in the Member States are expected to increase in the future; calls instead for a budgetary increase of EUR 27,1 million and for the addition of two temporary agents at AD grade and two contractual agents to function group IV in the establishment plan to allow FRA to continue to operate effectively;
Amendment 7 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Recalls the need to implement strict conditionality in regard to financial support for EU’s partner countries and neighbourhood in cases of human rights violations;
Amendment 8 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the proposed increase of the budget of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) by 11,2 %; considers that the continuous challenge of migration and asylum management calls for strong support from the agency to strengthen the implementation of the a Common European Asylum System (CEAS), enhance practical cooperation, provide operational and technical assistance and stimulate information exchange as well as convergence in the assessment of protection needs between the Member States; stresses that the interinstitutional agreement reached on June 29th 2021 on the transformation of EASO into the European Union Asylum Agency (EUAA) requires additional human resources which were not foreseen in the Commission’s draft budget; underlines in particular the need to recruit from 2022 new staff at AD and AST positions for the function of Fundamental Rights Officer, the Asylum Support Teams, the Liaison Officers in Member States or to strengthen legal and training teams; also calls for adjustments to the establishment plan as regards the distribution of posts across different grades to enable reclassification needs and for the publication of planned posts for 2022; emphasises that the latter will not impact the total budget or the total number of staff proposed, set aside the additional staff required for the implementation of the EUAA;
Amendment 9 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Welcomes the increased contribution from NDICI and IPA III to Erasmus+, enabling increased mobility of students from the pre-accession countries;
Amendment 12 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is concerned with the serious and repeated allegations made against European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) related to pushbacks at external borders; is disappointed to note that, according to the Court of Auditors, Frontex has not managed to implement its mandate from 2016, let alone its updated mandate of 2019, and that serious and multiple deficiencies regarding its effectiveness have been identified, while taking note of the conclusion from Frontex’ s Management Board “working group on fundamental rights and legal and operational aspects of operations” (WG FRaLO), that has closed its investigation on 13 incidents in the Aegean Sea and found no evidence of pushbacks; is disappointed to note that, according to the Court of Auditors, Frontex has not managed to implement its mandate from 2016, let alone its updated mandate of 2019, and that serious and multiple deficiencies regarding its effectiveness have been identified; points out that the audit period runs from the end of 2016, when the Agency's new mandate comes into force, to the end of 2020, and therefore does not take into account recent steps from the Agency to comply with its mandate; welcomes the presentation by Frontex on March 3rd 2021 of a comprehensive roadmap addressing the recommendations from the WG FRaLO; considers it is an important step to implement fully the new mandate and expects the recommendations to be implemented by the end of the year; stresses that substantial budget and staff increases for Frontex are conditional on its accountability and transparency, on its commitment to Union law, and on its fulfilment of its mandate; proposes, therefore, to make a part of the budget allocations conditional upon Frontex recruiting 40 fundamental rights monitors at AD gradadequate level to ensure their independence, adopting a clear procedure for the implementation of Article 46 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 of the European Parliament and of the Council1 , and swiftly appointing deputy executive directors in line with Frontex’ 2019 mandate; stresses, meanwhile, that any amount of budget put in a reserve should not prevent the Agency from actually meeting the above-mentioned requirements and the implementation of its mandate, including the recruitment of the standing corps; _________________ 1Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 November 2019 on the European Border and Coast Guard and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1052/2013 and (EU) 2016/1624 (OJ L 295, 14.11.2019, p. 1).
Amendment 14 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises the need to increase funding for Western Balkan countries and the countries of the Eastern and Southern Neighbourhood to support comprehensive political and socio-economic reforms and recovery from the COVID-19 crisis;
Amendment 16 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls the estimate made by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) that it will process 3 000 investigations in 2022; emphasises that EPPO is a prosecutorial body with mandatory competences and obligations to investigate irrespective of budgetary provision; is concerned that the funding proposed for 2022 does not include a meaningful increase as compared with 2021; considers that last year budget was already falling short compared to the workload anticipated and a potential extension of the EPPO mandate covering environmental offences will require sufficient budgetary means, especially for the establishment of a EPPO Green Prosecutor with a special environmental crime unit; stresses that a substantial funding increase to EUR 55,7 million, ands well as 59 additional members of staff at AD grade and 76 additional members of staff at AST grade are required;
Amendment 21 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Highlights that the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) is a cornerstone of the EU Security Union Strategy and plays an ever greater role in the fight against terrorism, radicalisation, organised crimes and environmental crimes, in line with the Agency’s Strategy 2020+; expects an intensification of tasks for Europol to fight criminal infiltrations in the legal economy and prevent fraud to the EU recovery budget; therefore, welcomes the budget increase of 11,2% and the additional 71 Temporary Agents for the Europol; however, regrets that the grade of 14 staff in the draft proposal does not reflect Europol’s request for 2022; therefore requests a reclassification of 14 staff from AST to AD grades; also stresses that EUR 15 987 100 million is put in reserve until the revised mandate of the Agency is adopted, corresponding to the amount required for the recruitment of the 71 additional Temporary Agents; considers that a smaller amount should be put in reserve to allow the recruitment of new staff from early 2022, in order to complete preparatory actions for the implementation of the upcoming revised mandate; recalls that the Agency didn't benefit of any staff increase in 2021;
Amendment 24 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Regrets the small funding increase of 1,5 % proposed for the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA); believes that this will not be sufficient to cover EMCDDA’s needs without hampering the scientific activities of EMCDDA; highlights that the 2021 budget was already insufficient and that EMCDDA was obliged to downsize a significant part of its work programme; notes with concern that the drug market has been remarkably resilient to disruption caused by the pandemic, while globalisation and new technology support the establishment of new trafficking routes and the growth of online markets; requests, therefore, an increase in EMCDDA’s 2022 budget to EUR 18,4 million;
Amendment 25 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the proposed budgetary increase for the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) which contributes to the EU Security Union policy; is disappointed that the proposed establishment plan would reduce the number of members of staff by two, from 207 staff in 2021 to 205 in 2022; considers that increasing Eurojust’s budget while reducing its personnel sends a conflicting signal on how to handle the challenges faced by Eurojust with its ever increasing caseload; stresses that a staff increase is necessary for the Agency to carry out existing and future tasks, in particular as regards to the digitalisation of Justice, the implementation of new instruments in the field of judicial cooperation such as e-Evidence or the fight against environmental crimes;
Amendment 26 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes the increase of 44,2 % in commitment appropriations and the increase of 39,1 % in payment appropriations for eu-LISA; requests 24grets however as in 2021 that the proposed allocation of staff in the draft budget falls short of the request from the Agency; recalls that the eu-LISA plays a key role in the development of a fully functioning Schengen area by ensuring adequate border management and internal security tools; stresses that in 2022 eu-LISA will carry out important tasks in the implementation of the EES, ETIAS and the interoperability regulations; therefore requests 27 additional members of staff at AD grade to support the implementation of important large-scale IT projects, including projects relating to interoperability, and in particular to reduce eu-LISA’s dependency on external contractors;
Amendment 29 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Notes that from 2022 onwards the activities funded by the EU Trust Funds will be largely programmed and implemented through NDICI-Global Europe; insists on full involvement of the Parliament in decisions including contributions to the EU Trust Funds from the Union budget; insists on ensuring that the FRT funding will not come at the expense of the newly adopted financing instruments IPA III and NDICI-Global Europe (including the cushion); advocates for the funding of any such initiative through fresh appropriations;
Amendment 30 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Regrets the decrease of 3,3 % in commitment and payment appropriations for the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL) and requests rather additional funding of EUR 750 000, including for specific appropriations for training programmes tackling the rise of environmental crime, and additional five posts at AD grade in the establishment plan;
Amendment 30 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Reaffirms that the EU must continue to provide effective and monitored aid to Syrian refugees in Turkey, ensuring that its funds are directly and in full transparency channelled to non-governmental organisations; insists that the European Parliament will be fully informed about the types of expenditure financed and the channels used to reach all beneficiaries;
Amendment 34 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Notes the slight reduction in payment appropriations for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) compared to 2021; further takes note of the substantivewelcomes the 25,9% increase in commitment appropriations to get that new fund up to cruising speed as quickly as possible; stresses that this increase is essential at a time where the pressure on national authorities for asylum remains very high, with huge gaps in terms of proper reception of asylum seekers and major delays in the procedures for asylum in the Member States; recalls the importance of providing adequate financial capacities to support the development of the CEAS, to bring concrete solidarity to Member States most exposed to migration and asylum flows, as well as to ensure efficient and fair asylum and return procedures; calls, in the light of the proposed New Pact on Migration, for a further 10 % increase in commitment and payment appropriations for the Common European Asylum SystemEAS and the solidarity objectives of the AMIF;
Amendment 38 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises that the protection and promotion of human rights globally continues to be of core interest for external actions of the Union; encourages a thorough application of the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (EU Magnitsky Act) and extension of its scope to acts of corruption;
Amendment 39 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Is deeply concerned by the continuing loss of lives in the Mediterranean Sea, which have increased 56,6 % with respect to last year, representing at least 1146 people who lost their life on maritime routes to Europe between January and June 20211a; believes that search and rescue is a state responsibility that cannot be left only to non-state actors; considers that the Commission should present a legislative proposal to set up a Search and Rescue Fund to support search and rescue missions in the Mediterranean Sea; proposes, therefore, the creation of a new budget line for such a fund; _________________ 1a Migrants deaths on maritime routes to Europe in 2021, GMDAC and IOM: https://missingmigrants.iom.int/sites/mmp /files/Mediterranean_deaths_Jan- Jun_2021.pdf
Amendment 41 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Welcomes the 47% increase in commitment appropriations and the 20% increase of payment appropriations of the Integrated Border Management Fund (IBMF); considers that this programme will provide essential operational support to Member States in the areas of external border surveillance, common visa policy and customs controls;
Amendment 41 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Insists that all funding for the civil society organisations in Afghanistan will be allocated directly to these organisations without using the Taliban government as an intermediary; calls for special attention to be focussed on the support of women and children in Afghanistan;
Amendment 46 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Reiterates its call for the creation of a separate budget line per specific objective set out in the legal bases of AMIF and the Instrument for Border Management and Visa Policy (BMVI); believes that a separate budget line per specific objective would help ensure adequate transparency and funding for all objectives of AMIF and BMVI;
Amendment 48 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Welcomes the 29,3% increase in commitment appropriations and the 33,3% increase of payment appropriations of the Internal Security Fund (ISF); stresses that this programme is a strong tool to implement the EU Security Union Strategy, by support cooperation and efforts of law enforcement authorities to strengthen cybersecurity, combat terrorism and organised crime in Europe;
Amendment 50 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Recalls that independent and qualitative investigative journalism is an essential component of a well-functioning democracy, by bringing quality fact-based information, combating disinformation, raising awareness to citizens, and revealing wrongdoings or crimes; stresses that journalism across Europe faces strong challenges, in particular the lack of financial resources, hence threatening their independence or survival; calls for ambitious funding programmes in the European budget in this field;
Amendment 50 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Emphasises that optic fibre cables are the central nervous system of the global internet, as 97% of all internet traffic travels through these cables; Underlines that although these cables are a central and indispensable part of the critical infrastructure of the EU and thus of great geopolitical importance, they have recently been the subject of foreign spying operations; believes that the EU should prioritize the security and protection of these cables; calls for the EU to set up an EU optic fibre cables security program, that includes research, coordination, policy-making, the tracking of incidents and the training of coast guards;
Amendment 51 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Calls on the Bureau to draw up a translation of key foreign policy resolutions adopted under Rule 54 (own- initiative reports) into the non-Union official languages of the United Nations (namely Arabic, Chinese and Russian), as well as country-specific resolutions adopted under Rules 132 (resolution accompanying Commission/VPHR statements) and 144 (urgency resolution) into the official language of the country concerned, with a view to enhancing the impact and outreach of the Parliament's foreign affairs activities, and calls on the budgetary authority to ensure that sufficient appropriations are made available for that purpose;
Amendment 52 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Notes with regret the decrease in commitment and payment appropriations of 6 % and 16,9 % respectively for the Justice Programme, in particular in the field of support to judicial training; recalls that Justice is a key component of a Security Union; proposes rather to maintain the funding in 2022 at the level of the 2021 Budget;
Amendment 53 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Calls on strengthening support for fighting disinformation and challenges linked to EU’s work against foreign interference; calls for ensuring appropriate funding and mandates for the EEAS units and projects dealing with this issues; calls for a creation of a Far East Task Force to tackle threats coming from the far east and south east Asia region;
Amendment 54 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Regrets that Member States still provide an insufficient amount of Seconded National Experts (SNE) to EU agencies in the field of Justice and Home Affairs; highlights the importance of such exchanges to support EU agencies’ human resources, but also to develop a European culture in this area and common understanding between national administrations.
Amendment 55 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7 b. Acknowledges the need to reinforce the EEAS in order to allow it to fulfil its functions under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime; calls for adequate funding for additional staff in order to ensure carrying out the tasks under this new EU foreign policy tool;
Amendment 56 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Amendment 57 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Stresses the importance of the protection of the EU against foreign interference and influence, notably through hybrid attacks and disinformation, and the key role the EEAS plays therein; recalls that the European Court of Auditors has concluded that the EEAS needs a broader mandate to tackle the surge in hybrid attacks in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and new emerging threats, accompanied with sufficient funding; calls the European Commission to meet those demands and calls for the creation of a dedicated Far East Task Force, to deal with the specific threats coming from the far east and south east Asia region;
Amendment 60 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. SUnderlines the importance of connecting the Common Foreign and Security Policy to the EU Arctic Policy and stresses the responsibility of the Union to support the protection of the Arctic and its local communities.
Amendment 8 #
2020/2257(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 a (new)
Citation 14 a (new)
— having regard to the Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1639 of 5 November 2020 establishing the general conditions under which third States could exceptionally be invited to participate in individual PESCO projects,
Amendment 111 #
2020/2257(INI)
4. Underlines that NATO is a valued partner also to EU Member States which are not members of the alliance; recalls that NATO cooperation with non-NATO EU Member States is an integral part of EU- NATO cooperation while respecting the EU’s ambitions in security and defence, and encourages the fullest possible involvement of the non- NATO EU Member States in the alliance’s initiatives;
Amendment 114 #
2020/2257(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Expresses nevertheless its concern that Turkey, a NATO member, is moving away from the respect for fundamental values and the rule of law, acted in a confrontational manner with two NATO members in the recent past, France and Greece, and is acquiring Russian military equipment;
Amendment 148 #
2020/2257(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Commends the key suggestions made by the 2030 NATO independent group of experts, in particular their call for stronger EU- NATO cooperation; endorses the proposals of December 2020 by the Commission President and the VP/HR for an EU-US Security and Defence Dialogue; welcomes the intention of the Biden administration to engage with EU and NATO partners; underlines both the key relevance of the US forces stationed in Europe for Europe’s security and its full commitment to their continued presence;
Amendment 156 #
2020/2257(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Considers that the ongoing and future work being carried out in parallel on both the EU’s Strategic Compass and the expected update of NATO’s Strategic Concept represents a unique opportunity to identify additional synergies in order to further EU-NATO cooperation; underlines that both processes mustare expected to come to cohesive conclusions; expresses its vision that the EU Strategic Compass could lay the foundations for an EU contribution to the update of NATO’s Strategic Concept; believes that these processes should separately highlight the added value of each organisation, help define a better division of tasks and, by means of a constant dialogue and close coordination, map out whether the EU or NATO should take the lead in a given field;
Amendment 172 #
2020/2257(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Believes that the upcoming NATO Summit is an important opportunity to advance EU-NATO cooperation; underlines that the EU is a partner of NATO and that EU-NATO cooperation is mutually reinforcing and based on the agreed guiding principles of transparency, reciprocity, inclusiveness, the decision- making autonomy of both organisations and the principle of the single set of forces; reiterates that a European military capability to act is essential to contribute to the fulfilment of NATO’s core tasksalongside and within NATO to the security of the European continent, as well as to enhance deterrence;
Amendment 176 #
2020/2257(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Insists European initiatives aim at incentivising Member States engagement in the field of defence, thus contributing to the fulfilment of the Defence Investment Pledge;
Amendment 186 #
2020/2257(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. WelcomesTakes note of the requests by the United States, Canada, and Norway to participate in the PESCO project on military mobility; underlines that this marks an important step towards increased coherence between the common EU and NATO capability development efforts, and illustrates the revitalisation of the transatlantic partnershipto address the challenges in military mobility by adopting a whole-of-society perspective, protection of critical infrastructures and by working towards Europe-wide strategic multimodal transport corridors including alignment with Logistic Hubs, and illustrates the revitalisation of the transatlantic partnership; recalls that any third-country participation to a PESCO project must be made in accordance with the relevant rules as listed in the Council decision 2020/1639;
Amendment 218 #
2020/2257(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Calls for enhanced coordination between the EU, the UN and NATO in Iraq, following the decision taken by Allied defence ministers to increase the size of NATO Mission Iraq in order to expand training activities to include more Iraqi security institutions and areas beyond Baghdad in February2021, and to support EUAM Iraq Mission’s efforts in developing effective, sustainable and accountable civilian security institutions in Iraq, that are in full rise;
Amendment 226 #
2020/2257(INI)
12b. Recalls that the North Atlantic Treaty is directly tied to the UN Charter; calls on NATO to demand from its members full compliance with all articles of the UN Charter, whereas the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that freedom of expression is not guaranteed in Turkey;
Amendment 242 #
2020/2257(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Expresses its utmost concern regarding the continuous revisionist policies pursued by Russia under President Putin; underscores the need for both NATO and the EU to remain vigilant and to adequately respond to acts of aggression and provocation by Russia, such as, in particular, its illegitimate and illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, cyber attacks and disinformation campaigns against NATO, the EU and their member states and partners; regrets President Putin’s evident rejection of dialogue, and considers Russia’s continued aggressive actions as a threat to Euro- Atlanticinternational security and stability;
Amendment 263 #
2020/2257(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Recognises that the growing influChina has growing ambitions as regards the global scence and military rise of China need to be met with a coordhas become a factor of geopolitical destabilization in many areas, challenging inated transatlantic strategrnational security and stability; expresses its concern regarding the policies pursued by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) when it comes to, among other things, the suppression of democracy in Hong Kong, the treatment of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang, threats towards Taiwan or aggressive policies and actions in the South China Sea, and hybrid actions such as cyber attacks and disinformation campaigns against the EU and NATO members; further points to the relevance of the fact that China, as a non-democraticn authoritarian regime, has entered into systemic competition with the transatlantic partnershipother major democratic actors by undermining the rules-based international order, and in turn is attempting to reshape it according to the CCP’s own values and interests;
Amendment 283 #
2020/2257(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Is deeply concerned about the behaviour of Turkey, one of its allies, regarding the human rights violations committed, the decline in democracy and women’s rights, the unfriendly actions carried out against some EU member states, and its destabilizing actions in Libya, Syria and in the Caucasus, including by spreading disinformation and false narratives against EU's actions;
Amendment 291 #
2020/2257(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Emphasises that both the EU and NATO should further strengthen their autonomous own capabilities to prevent, deter and respond to hybrid and cyber attacks, including against their own institutions; suggests the creation of a joint cyber threat information hub, as well as a joint task force for cyber security;
Amendment 309 #
2020/2257(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Recognises the unprecedented challenge to global prosperity, security and stability posed by climate change as a ‘threat multiplier’; calls for enhanced EU- NATO dialogue on climate change and its multifaceted consequences for international security; recalls that the EU has a wider range of competences and instruments than a military alliance that allow it to provide a comprehensive response to the challenges posed by the control of foreign investments in strategic sectors, climate change, the COVID pandemic or an external action by combining military missions, civilian missions, governance assistance and rule of law and throughout its Common Security and Defence Policy;
Amendment 342 #
2020/2257(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Underscores the need to advance defence capability development in order to adequately respond to commonly identified threats; believes that EU Member States, especially the 21 joint EU-NATO members, need to act coherently and should consider identifying a clear ‘European level of ambition’ in quantitative and qualitative terms regarding capability development in NATO, in particular by increasing their investment in research and innovation; encourages stronger efforts by members of both organisations to achieve greater synergies and coordination betweencoherence between NATO’s Defence Planning Process (NDPP) and EU initiatives on capability development, in particular the High-Impact Capability Goals (HICG), the EU’s Capability Development Plan (CDP), and the EU’s Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) and NATO’s Defence Planning Process (NDPP); ; calls the 21 common EU-NATO members to declare the same pool of capabilities potentially available in both frameworks for planning purpose in application of the “single set of forces” principle;
Amendment 359 #
2020/2257(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Believes that as a long-term objective, the European allies in NATO, supported where possible by non-NATO European partners, as appropriate, should aim to account for half of the forces and capabilities derived under the NDPP in order to ensure adequate long- term burden-sharing inside the alliance; uUnderlines that the transatlantic partnership can only be successful if all Member States fulfil their commitments and engage in mutual support; underlines NATO’s 2 % goal, set at the 2014 NATO Summit in Wales;
Amendment 399 #
2020/2257(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Welcomes the extension of the New START Treaty; recalls the need to increase cooperation and investment in the key area of air and missile defence; expresses its strong concern about the disappearance of the INF treaty and its wish that a new architecture be found that takes into account Europe's security concerns;
Amendment 406 #
2020/2257(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls for the EU and its institutions, building on the foundation laid by the ‘integrated approach’, to develop both a common security and defence culture, as well as a strategic approach, throughout its policy-making, which should apply in particular to decisions in the fields of trade, development cooperation, infrastructure, mobility and digital technologies; underlines the key role that the Strategic Compass has in this regard;
Amendment 454 #
2020/2257(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Underlines that the transatlantic partnership not only needs strong militaries but also strong and resilient societies; emphasises the mutually reinforcing link between strong democratic foundations and a strong transatlantic partnershiprules-based international order, which only together can ensure the longevity of our democracies; supports the idea put forward by the Biden administration for a global summit of democracies; calls for increased efforts to encourage the participation of young people in our democratic processes;
Amendment 462 #
2020/2257(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Recalls the importance of effective and clear communication, both in the EU and externally, and calls for closer cooperation between the respective staff of NATO and the EU on strategic communication, especially with regard to countering disinformation; calls in this respect for an improved information- sharing in identifying cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns in order to increase responsiveness; insists however on the fact that both the EU and NATO must keep their respective independent capacities of analysis of hybrid threats and disinformation as the EU is better equipped to identify and track disinformation campaigns and interference coming both from within and outside its member states;
Amendment 3 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 18 a (new)
Citation 18 a (new)
— having regards the Declaration of the European Council of 25 March 2021,
Amendment 4 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 18 b (new)
Citation 18 b (new)
— having regards the Open Ended Working Group (OEWG) report of 10 March 2021,
Amendment 17 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas cyberspace is considered as the fifth dimension of warfare in addition to land, sea, air and space;
Amendment 27 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas during the development of the Requirements Catalogue (2017), which is used to identify the full range of CSDP military requirements across a number of illustrative scenarios, the need for cyber defence capabilities emerged as a high priority;
Amendment 29 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
D b. whereas the successful implementation of EU missions and operations is increasingly dependent on uninterrupted access to a secure cyberspace, and thus requires resilient cyber operational capabilities;
Amendment 31 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas the defence and space industries are facing unprecedented global competition and major technological changes with the emergence of advanced cyber technologies;
Amendment 41 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
G a. whereas one of the goals envisaged by the European Commission proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council establishing the “European Cybersecurity Industrial, Technology and Research Competence Centre and the Network of National Coordination Centres” has been to enhance synergies between the civilian and military dimensions and to increase cooperation between civilian and defence cybersecurity research and innovation communities;
Amendment 45 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G b (new)
Recital G b (new)
G b. whereas different state actors like Russia, China and North Korea have been involved in malicious cyber activities in pursuit of political, economic or security objectives that include attacks on critical infrastructure, cyber espionage and mass surveillance of EU citizens, aiding disinformation campaigns and distributing malware, limiting access to the internet and the functioning of IT systems; whereas such activities disregard and violate international law, human rights and EU fundamental rights while jeopardising democracy, security, public order and the strategic autonomy of the EU, and should therefore lead to a joint EU response, such as using the framework for a joint EU diplomatic response, including the use of restrictive measures envisaged for the EU cyber diplomacy toolbox;
Amendment 47 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
H a. whereas attribution forms are central component in cyber diplomacy and deterrence strategies;
Amendment 58 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines that a common approach on cyber defence policy and a substantial cyber defence capability are core elements for the development of the European Defence Union; stresses the urgent need to strengthen EU and the Member State cyber defence capabilities;
Amendment 81 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the EEAS to further develop a coherent IT security policy to strengthen cyber defence coordination; urges ato strengthen cooperation strategy with the EU’s Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERT-EU) to protect networks used by all EU institutions; calls on the European Parliament to ensure its participation in CERT-EU results to ensured a level of IT security that will allow it to receive all the necessary classified and non-classified information to carry out its responsibilities under the Treaties, including as a result of the current process to replace the 2002 Inter- Institutional Agreement on access to information in the area of security and defence;
Amendment 85 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes the 2018 CDPF’s objective to setup an EU Military CERT-Network; calls on Member States to significantly increase classified information sharing, capacities in order to facilitate information sharing, when needed and useful, and to develop a European rapid and secure network to counter cyber-attacks;
Amendment 99 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. NotesWelcomes the progress already made under the EDIDP with several relevant projects, and the fact that the European Defence Fund (EDF), will also support strengthening resilience, and improve preparedness, responsiveness and cooperation in the cyber domain;
Amendment 107 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the progress achieved by the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) Cyber Rapid Response Team; recalls that the EDF as well as PESCO offers excellent ways to speed up cyber security initiatives, such as through the Cyber Threats and Incident Response Information Sharing Platform and Cyber and Information Domain Coordination Centre;
Amendment 110 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Stresses that cyber defence is considered an operational task for all CSDP missions, and that cyber resilience and related capabilities must be established, tested and deployed prior to the start of CSDP planning processes;
Amendment 119 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Notes the imposition of restrictive measures in July 2020 and October 2020 as a credible step in strengthening the EU’s cyber diplomacy toolbox, while respecting the European vision for the internet, which is one of a single, open, neutral, free, secure and un-fragmented network;
Amendment 133 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Calls on all Member States to ensure coherence and focus on cyber capability, developing a strategic common approach to priorities; calls on fostering research, innovation and the exchange of expertise, in order to guarantee the full potential of PESCO and EDF;
Amendment 149 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Stresses that fragmentation is accompanied by serious concerns over resources and staff at the EU level; urges the VP/HR and/or the Member States to increase financial and personnel resources, in particular experts in cyberforensics to strengthen EU’s ability to characterize, attribute cyber attacks and hence provide the adequate response; calls for further funding for CERT-EU and the creation of an EU security operations centre;
Amendment 160 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Recalls that cyber defence has both military and civilian dimensions; calls on the VP/HR, therefore, to develop an integrated policy approach and close cooperationpromote synergies between the Military CERT- Network and CERT-EUthe CSIRTs Network;
Amendment 171 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Welcomes the Commission’s initiative to build a network of Security Operations Centres across the EU which could enhance civil-military cooperation to provide timely warnings on cybersecurity incidents;
Amendment 175 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Recalls that improving cyber defence capabilities also requires civilian network and information security expertise; welcomes the proposed revision of the Directive on security of network and information systems (NIS) and of current EU law, seeking to protect critical infrastructures, enhance supply chain security and the inclusion of regulated actors in the digital ecosystem; recalls that the NIS Directive should respect Member States competencies, in particular their responsibility regarding national security;
Amendment 189 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Stresses that the proliferation of dual-use, off-the-shelf systems may present challenges in terms of systems being exploited by an increasing number of state as well as non-state adversaries; calls on the Commission and Member States to activate several levers, such as certification as well as the supervision of the responsibility of private actors;
Amendment 190 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19 b. Recommends that the establishment of a Joint Cyber Unit to increase cooperation to respond to the lack of information sharing among EU institutions, bodies and agencies guaranteeing a secure and rapid information network and to enable the full use of existing structures, resources and capabilities;
Amendment 192 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Deplores that currently the EU Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) has limitations in the classified systems that are hampering its capabilities; calls therefore on the EEAS to swiftly provide the MPCC with a state- of-the-art autonomous and secure Communications and Information System (CIS) able to handle up to “EU Secret” data for its CSDP missions and operations and with a level of protection and resilience that is adequate with a deployed FHQ;
Amendment 195 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Notes that a streamlined EU military training & education in the cyber domain would significantly improve the level of trust among Member States, increasing standard operating procedures and clearer regulations and enforcement;
Amendment 198 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls to further integrate cybersecurity into EU crisis response mechanisms and link the existing initiatives, structures and procedures (such as the IPCR, the CSIRTs Network, the NIS Cooperation Group, the CyCLONe) between various cyber communities for enhanced mutual operational assistance between Member States; strongly emphasises the importance of further exercises and scenario-based policy discussions on crisis management, including on the stake of solidarity and mutual assistance clause (Article 42(7) of the TEU) in a hypothetical cyber attack scenario; calls for increased coordination with NATO in this matter through participation in cyber exercises and joint training, such as the parallel and coordinated exercises (PACE); calls for such initiatives to strengthen the common understanding on the implementation procedures for mutual assistance and/or solidarity in line with Article 42(7) of the TEU and Article 222 of the TFEU, including with a specific objective of operationalising these procedures for cyber-attacks on the EU institutions or Member States; welcomes further discussions on the articulation between the EU cybersecurity crisis management framework and the cyber diplomacy toolbox;
Amendment 203 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls for enhanced mutual operational assistance between Member States; strongly emphasises the importance of further exercises and scenario-based policy discussions on crisis management, including on the mutual assistance clause (Article 42(7) of the TEU) in a hypothetical cyber attack scenario; calls for increased coordination with NATO in this matter through participation in cyber exercises and joint training, such as the parallel and coordinated exercises (PACE); calls for such initiatives to strengthen the common understanding on the implementation procedures for mutual assistance and/or solidarity in line with Article 42(7) of the TEU and Article 222 of the TFEU, including with a specific objective of operationalising these procedures for cyber-attacks on the EU institutions orEU Member States;
Amendment 204 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Notes that the EU is increasingly involved in hybrid conflicts with geopolitical adversaries; Underlines that these acts are of a particularly destabilising and dangerous nature as they blur the lines between war and peace, destabilise democracies and sow doubt in the minds of target populations; Recalls that these attacks are by itself often not serious enough to trigger Article 5 of the NATO treaty or Article 42(7) of the TEU, though have a strategic effect cumulative and cannot be effectively tackled by retorsions by the injured member state; Believes that the EU should therefore strive to find a solution to fill this legal vacuum by reinterpreting Article 42(7) TEU and Article 222TFEU in a way that would reserve the right for collective defence below the collective defence threshold and allow for collective countermeasures of EU Member States on a voluntary basis, and work internationally with allies for a similar solution at the international level; Underlines that this is the only effective means to counter the paralysis in reacting against hybrid threats and an instrument to increase the costs for our adversaries;
Amendment 205 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Reiterates that common strong attribution capabilities are also an essential component of effective cyber defence and cyber deterrence; welcomes the VP/HR proposal to encourage and facilitate the establishment of a Member States’ EU cyber intelligence working group residing within the EU Intelligence and Situation Centre (INTCEN) to advance strategic intelligence cooperation on cyber threats and activities, in order to further support EU situational awareness and decision-making on a joint diplomatic response;
Amendment 209 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Considers that EU-NATO cyber cooperation is crucial, as it enables strong formal attribution and thus the imposition of restrictive sanctions; notes that functioning deterrence would be achieved if adversaries were aware of the catalogue of possible countermeasures (based on the severity, scale, and target of the cyber- attacks); calls for increased coordination with NATO in this matter through participation in cyber exercises and joint training, such as the parallel and coordinated exercises (PACE);
Amendment 233 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls for further synchronisation of EU-NATO cooperation, notably on cyber defence interoperability requirements, by looking for possible complementarities, avoiding duplicationnd mutually beneficial strengthening of capacities, and acknowledging their respective responsibilities;
Amendment 240 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Calls for closer coordination on cyber defence between Member States, the EU institutions, NATO, the United Member States and other strategic partners; underlines the urgent need for implementing like Japan, Australia, South Korea, New Zealand and others; underlines the urgent need to respect international law, including the UN Charter in its entirety, and adhere to the widely- recognised international normative framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace;
Amendment 249 #
2020/2256(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls on all Member States and the EU to show leadership during discussions and initiatives under the auspices of the UN, including through the proposition of a Programme of Action, to help truly promote responsible state behaviour in cyber space, building on the consensus reports of the UN GGE endorsed by the UN General Assembly; welcomes the recommendations of the OEWG final report, notably on the establishment of a Programme of Action; calls for UN peacekeeping missions to be reinforced with cyber defence capacities in line with the effective implementation of their mandates;
Amendment 302 #
2020/2215(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Recalls that stereotypes and taboo surrounding menstruation remain widespread in our societies, and that these can delay diagnosis of diseases such as the endometriosis disease, which despite affecting 1 women on 10 of reproductive age, being the first cause of women's infertility, causing chronic pelvic pain, has a median delay of 8 years for its diagnosis and for which there is no cure ; Calls on Member states to ensure comprehensive and scientifically accurate education about menstruation, to raise awareness and to launch major information campaigns on endometriosis targeting the public, healthcare professionals and legislators, and to invest on research about the causes and treatments of this disease;
Amendment 1 #
2020/2202(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the Withdrawal Agreement included ‘specific arrangements relating to the Union’s external action’ whereby, during the transition period, the United Kingdom was bound by the obligations stemming from the international agreements concluded by the EU to implement the Union’s restrictive measures, whether decided upon during the transition period or already in place, and to support EU statements and positions vis-à- vis third countries and international organisations; whereas the agreement envisaged the UK’s participation on a case- by-case basis in EU military operations and civilian missions established under the common security and defence policy through a framework participation agreement, while respecting the EU's decision-making autonomy and the relevant EU decisions and legislation and while excluding it from leading such operations or missions;
Amendment 4 #
2020/2202(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Recalls that the signature of the European Union to the TCA and its ratification by the European Parliament was conditioned to the full implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement; regrets that as of today, the Withdrawal Agreement has still not been fully implemented especially as regards to the Protocol on Northern Ireland;
Amendment 7 #
2020/2202(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Regrets that despite the mutual interest in cooperation in the areas of foreign policy and security, which would be based on shared values and would contribute to promoting peace and strengthening the rules-based global order, the parties were not ableUnited Kingdom was not willing to take advantage of this possibility;
Amendment 17 #
2020/2202(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Deeply regrets the publication of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill by the UK Government, considering it an unfortunate and unilateral action that comes at a time when the EU and the UK should be showing; recalls that this unilateral action is in violation of international law and undermine the relationship between the EU and the UK, damages the UK's reputation as a reliable partner and comes at a time when the geopolitical crises calls for more unity and solidarity between allies than ever.
Amendment 27 #
2020/2202(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Considers it inconsistent with the WA that pre-settled status holders who do not reapply successfully for settled status risk losing their rights to live, work and access services in the UK leaving them in an administrative vacuum;
Amendment 28 #
2020/2202(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Commends the work of the Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA); Recalls that in December 2021, the IMA launched judicial review proceedings against the Home Office for the domestic implementation of the UK’s commitments to EU and EEA citizens in the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement and that the hearing will take place at the Royal Courts of Justice on the 1st and 2nd of November 2022
Amendment 40 #
2020/2202(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Emphasises the competence of the CJEU for the interpretation of questions related to EU law under the Withdrawal Agreement.
Amendment 42 #
2020/2202(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7 b. Recalls that the signature of the European Union to the TCA and its ratification by the European Parliament was conditioned to the full implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement; Regrets that as of today, the WA has still not been fully implemented especially as regards to the Protocol on Northern Ireland;
Amendment 46 #
2020/2202(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7 c. Deeply regrets the publication of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill by the UK Government; Recalls that this unilateral action is in violation of international law; Calls on the UK Government to honour its commitments and to engage with the Commission within the legal framework of the WA;
Amendment 49 #
2020/2202(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 d (new)
Paragraph 7 d (new)
7 d. Welcomes the Regulation 2022/0068(COD) proposal by the Commission which will allow the Union to take swift action in the form of measures if there is a breach of the Withdrawal Agreement and/or the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
Amendment 19 #
2020/2149(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Amendment 4 #
2020/2136(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. Considering the current tensions generated by the UK's failure to comply with its obligations under the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland;
Amendment 23 #
2020/2136(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. 1. Is deeply concerned about recent decisions taken unilaterally by the United Kingdom and going against the full implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement to which both parties have committed; supports the actions taken by the Commission and calls on the UK to quickly return to a cooperative and good faith attitude;
Amendment 27 #
2020/2136(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. 1. Recalls that the Withdrawal Agreement provides that the practical modalities of its implementation can be discussed in the Joint Committee, while the EU has already shown flexibility in granting grace periods, a deliberate and unilateral violation of commitments made will have consequences;
Amendment 28 #
2020/2136(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4 c. 3. Stresses the difficulties encountered by the EU delegation in the United Kingdom with regard to the recognition of its status, at a time when its work is particularly necessary following the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union; hopes that solutions can be found and implemented rapidly to enable the EU delegation in the United Kingdom to fulfil its mission effectively;
Amendment 31 #
2020/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas at the same time, the global order is increasingly confronted with policy issues and challenges that require effective global policy dialogue and convergence of positions in order to devise real solutions and common agreed upon standards that can deliver effectively in the interest of all and are promoting human rights and the rule of law;
Amendment 41 #
2020/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas multilateralism is in crisis, resulting in part from the emergence of new actornon-state actors and authoritarian state networks on the global stage, the tensions derived from the nature of multilateral institutions, the growing gap between public opinion and institutions, the decline of traditionally dominant geopolihe liberal democratical powers and the subsequent decline of global freedoms and democracy; whereas we are on the cusp of a new era that threatens to undermine more than seventy years of progress and relative peace and consolidate an era of strongman politics striving to undermine the rule of law, responsibility and diversity; whereas the combination of national populist impulses, divergent and changing objectives and a lack of application and accountability methods is forcing the multilateral system to face three connected crises: a crisis of power, of relevance and of legitimacy, which are a result of a lack of political will and coordination, mostly from the West;
Amendment 48 #
2020/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas multilateralism is in need of swift revitalisation to tackle this multidimensional crisis; whereas threats to peace and security, climate change, global public health challenges, disinformation, foreign interference, and the deepening of poverty and inequalities at the global level are some of the pressing challenges that the world is facing right now; whereas only through a reinforced multilateral order and political leadership will the international community be able to find lasting and sustainable answers to these challenges;
Amendment 72 #
2020/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the increasing positions of strength by illiberal third countries in multilateral fora and international organisations, including through a strong presence as regards the management and decision-making processes of relevant international organisations and multilateral fora, can lead to asymmetric and, less effective, if notand biased, policy responses, absent the level playing field for all members of the international community, and to a much weaker commitment by the international community to the defence of universal values and universal rights; whereas individual agendas, unilateral actions and a lack of engagement and support for multilateral solutions can further undermine multilateralism as an essential organising principle to tackle transnational challenges; whereas, in this context, it is essential to reaffirm the value of rules- based governance, international cooperation, a commitment to fundamental rights and a true level playing field for all members of the international community; whereas relevant international organisations and multilateral fora will be key to achieving these objectives; whereas these objectives will not only allow a more effective positive policy impact on global challenges, but will also curb and prevent the risk of conflict;
Amendment 80 #
2020/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the UN Secretary- General’s report entitled ‘Our Common Agenda’, which was presented to the UN General Assembly in September 2021 and drafted through a wide-ranging consultation process including UN member states, thought leaders, young people, civil society, relevant stakeholders and citizens, as well as the UN system and its many partners, attests to the need for a more effective, inclusive rules-based, and networked multilateralism for the future; whereas this will be essential for the UN system and other multilateral fora in order to continue being an effective venue for global consultation and decision-making; whereas, in this context, the EU is uniquely positioned to support the UN and other relevant international organisations in pursuing a process of reform and in revitalising their delivery capacity and their ability to connect to relevant stakeholders, such as young people or the communities most impacted by climate change; whereas in doing so the EU should seize the opportunity to engage constructively and effectively with rival powers, while maintaining a firm stance on fundamental rights and pursuinge closer cooperation and coordination with like-minded countries to reinforce the primacy of universal values and fundamental rights and to advance effective solutions to global challenges; whereas parliamentary diplomacy will be a key component of reinforcing rules-based, inclusive, networked and effective multilateralism;
Amendment 104 #
2020/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Calls on the EU to become more assertive and strategic in dealing with rising global threats; underlines that in the context of a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape, the world is at a crossroads and multilateral institutions are in danger of becoming dominated by non-democratic regimes; calls for strong, action-based, commitment to protecting democracy and fundamental rights in multilateral fora;
Amendment 115 #
2020/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Reiterates its strongest support for the programme of reforms introduced by UN Secretary-General António Guterres; stresses the importance of a UN system that can continue to deliver effectively; points to the value of the ‘One UN’ vision of the UN Secretary-General for the UN system, where the various agencies and components of the UN can truly be interlinked and function together on the basis of a single budgetary and managerial structure and can reinforce the attainment of the UN’s objectives; points, in particular, to the enhanced role of the UN Resident Coordinators provided for by the reform of the UN development system and considers that these UN Resident Coordinators should not only take the lead in coordinating the implementation of UN programmes on the ground to reinforce the unity of UN action, but should also liaise and consult closely with EU delegations in the relevant UN member state to pursue synergies and mutual reinforcement with the EU’s thematic and geographic programmes for that country; recalls that the EU can greatly reinforce the outreach and impact of UN programmes in third countries and can define its programming and assistance in synergic and reinforcing fashion in conjunction with the objectives of the UN; stresses, therefore, the value of close EU-UN consultation and cooperation and invites the UN to regularly consult with the EU at UN headquarters, but also on the ground in third countries; takes the view that the EU and the UN should hold annual summits with the possibility for the UN Secretary-General to confer with Council, Commission, EEAS and Parliament; calls on the UN to ensure a steady presence of high-level UN interlocutors at the European Parliament to further structured and consistent policy dialogue and give enhanced visibility to UN efforts;
Amendment 118 #
2020/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Takes the view that the EU should identify the UN bodies and other multilateral organisations that are key to promoting policy dialogue, convergence and policy solutions to global challenges and standard setting and should define clear objectives and clear priorities for dialogue with and support, including budgetary support, to such bodies and organisations; recalls, in this regard, that the EU and its Member States are already the leading donors to the UN and many of its agencies and programmes, but that this commitment to and support for the UN does not always translate into a stronger presence by the EU and its Member States in key UN agency positions; points to the increased geopolitical importance of standards, especially in technology, and urges the EU to act strategically to become a standard-setting superpower in multilateral fora; calls on the EU and its Member States to further improve their coordination when it comes to establishing joint support for candidacies for leadership positions in multilateral fora; points to the positive potential of also enhancing thisneed to coordinatione with like- minded partners in other world regions and looking at the importance of the principle of the equitable geographical distribution of leadership positions, keeping a strong focus on democratic values;
Amendment 127 #
2020/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Praises the ability of the EU and its Member States to work in a coherent and synergic fashion and to present unified positions in the UN system, with particular regard to the UN General Assembly, UN Security Council and UN Human Rights Council; praises, in this regard, the valuable coordination efforts by the EU delegations to the UN in New York and Geneva; believes that this unified, synergic approach should be replicated for every UN body, agency or other international organisation, so that the EU can act and deliver as one across the board in multilateral fora; stresses the importance of cooperation and coordination of the EU CSDP missions and operations in Sahel, CAR, Libya, Somalia, Bosnia- Herzegovina, with, for example, MINUSMA, MINUSCA, MINUK, EUFOR ALTHEA, and MANUSOM; laments that the Security Council is not as reactive to crises like the ones in Syria, Ethiopia and Sudan as it has been to other crises in the past and that this has had a negative impact on preventing, managing and resolving these crises; urges the UN to appoint its special envoy to Libya, as the position is vacant since November 2021 and as the democratic process in Libya remains at a turning point; points to the fact that in 2022, only two EU Member States will be on the Security Council; considers that the EU should promote reflecting on the terms of a reform of the Security Council that can restore its ability to address crises in a timely and effective manner, thoroughly limit the right to veto and change the composition of the Security Council to reflect today’s world better; reiterates its view, in this regard, that the EU and its Member States should find a broad consensus on reforming the Security Council, inter alia, through the provision of a permanent seat for the EU, in addition to the already existing seats held by EU Member States;
Amendment 148 #
2020/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that the new Global Europe financial instrument and the ‘Team Europe’ approach to geographic and thematic assistance and programming provide a unique opportunity to define a common inter-institutional agenda that duly reflects and values the contributions of the EU Member States and reinforces the leveraging ability of the EU and its Member States; warns that the quest by some illiberal countries to attain and consolidate leverage through financing international organisations raises the issue of financial antagonism in multilateral fora and prompts the need for a reflection at EU level on how to secure the independence and effectiveness of relevant international organisations and multilateral fora throughby using the full range of tools at the disposal of the EU institutions, including, when necessary and relevant, adequate EU funding; recalls that EU humanitarian aid and development assistance to third countries is very often channelled through the UN system; supports this partnership between the EU and the UN, but calls on the EU to ensure that the UN gives more visibility to the EU’s specific role and contributions; underlines, in this regard, the importance of carrying out, at EU level, an in-depth evaluation of both existing and envisaged EU-UN partnerships to assess whether there is adequate visibility for the EU’s contribution and whether the leadership roles conferred on the EU and its Member States are commensurate with the EU’s strong commitment and dedication to the UN system; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to carry out this review and to confer with Parliament on their findings and on the way forward to ensure that adequate value is given to the EU’s contributions to the UN system;
Amendment 161 #
2020/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses the need to work towards an effective, results-oriented, values-based, and inclusive multilateralism, where governments, civil society, the private sector, academia and other relevant stakeholders can effectively work together to serve and achieve global goals, values and interests; acknowledges the importance of reconciling the two critical EU goals of enhancing the EU’s visibility and leverage as a global actor and supporting the role of multilateral fora; recalls the need to address and manage these tensions and to articulate a balancedprincipled and assertive position between these two goals, in line with the EU’s core values, ideas and interests;
Amendment 176 #
2020/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses the importance of continuing to reach out to allies and like- minded partners in international organisations and multilateral fora to consolidate a coalition of like-minded countries committed to common values and objectives and to policy dialogue and effective cooperation globally; points, in this regard, to the particular relevance, not only of traditional transatlantic partners such as the US and Canada, as well as the UK, but also to countrdemocracies in Latin America and democracies in the Indo- Pacific region; recalls that the EU, the UK, the US, Canada and the countrdemocracies of Latin America and the Indo-Pacific can create, in partnership together, a broader transatlantic areainternational coalition of common values and standards and a commitment to advancing global responses to global challenges; underlines, in this regard, that this broad transatlantic coalition could expand dialogue and cooperation to African countries and support the latter in their quest for political and economic stability; notes that cooperation between the EU and its northern and southern Atlantic partners would empower the political voices that want to build a future for Africa premised on democracy, inclusion and prosperity, while being mindful of the need to protect the African continent from the ravages and security threats stemming from climate change; supports, in this regard, efforts by the VP/HR, the Council and the Commission to further strengthen the EU’s partnership with the African Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States; points to the importance of furthering a convergence of positions at the UN and other multilateral fora between the EU and both accession and partner countries; calls on the EU to expand its ability to assist partner and like-minded countries, including through capacity building, knowledge-sharing, training and twinning, so that they can engage more effectively in the multilateral system; reiterates the importance of reinforcing the existing multilateral fora with like-minded partners, especially the EU-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States summits;
Amendment 189 #
2020/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Supports the EU’s tireless advocacy for and defence of universal human rights, its staunch support for the universalisation of international human rights law, its active support to and use of UN human rights fora to address pressing human rights issues, its steadfast support for strengthening accountability and international justice mechanisms and its fight against impunity; supports the VP/HR and the Commission in their quest to ensure that the UN Human Rights Council acts more efficiently, and swiftly addresses all human rights issues and country situations effectively, credibly and without bias and ensures synergies with other multilateral human rights fora; pays tribute to the work of the current UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and takes the view that her tenure provides a unique opportunity to engage on effective dialogue and cooperation on how to streamline and reinforce the delivery capacity of the UN human rights system, including through increased public scrutiny of Human Rights Council membership, responsibilities and mandatory pledging events at the UN General Assembly with candidates to the Human Rights Council, as proposed by the VP/HR and the Commission in their joint communication; welcomes the launch on 12 October 2021 of an annual strategic dialogue with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; welcomes the EU’s initiatives and activities pertaining to human rights in the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee and the UN Security Council, as well as the cooperation between the EU and the UN on multiple thematic and country-based human rights issues;
Amendment 211 #
2020/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Recalls Parliament’s important role as a democratic, convening institution that can provide a unique public forum to promote multilateralism; considers that Parliament should regularly invite high- level leaders from relevant international organisations to discuss shared interests and priorities; believes that to reinforce the parliamentary dimension of multilateral fora, Parliament should host on its premises, on an annual basis, a conference of speakers from G7 and G20 countries; calls for the reinforcement of structured dialogue between Parliament and the UN system; stresses, in this regard, the importance of holding regular meetings to exchange views between the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the heads of the EU delegations to the UN in New York and Geneva and between the committee and the Heads of Mission of the EU Member States that are either permanent or rotating members of the UN Security Council; highlights the positive contributions of the annual delegations from the Committee on Foreign Affairs and its sub-committees to the UN headquarters in New York; calls for the formalisation of some of the informal sessions between the EU and the UN Security Council; encourages the setting up of a formal association between Parliament and the UN General Assembly;
Amendment 255 #
2020/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls for extending multilateralism to new challenges and realities such as biodiversity, cybersecurity, biotechnology and, artificial intelligence, which need to be developed alongsideand emerging threats such as the technology-enabled spread of fake news, fake science, and disinformation; argues that experts and scientists who should be party to multilateral, multi-stakeholder arrangements;
Amendment 270 #
2020/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Stresses that the success of multilateral organisations plays a crucial role in rebuilding public trust in democracy, liberalism, and the importance of rules-based world order;
Amendment 2 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9
Citation 9
— having regard to the Council conclusions of 8 December 2009 on Arctic issues, of 12 May 2014 on developing a European Union Policy towards the Arctic Region, of 20 June 2016 on the Arctic, of 21 November 2019 on Space Solutions for a sustainable Arctic and of 9 December 2019 on the EU Arctic policy,
Amendment 14 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 25
Citation 25
— having regard to the statements adopted at the Northern Dimension Parliamentary Forum in Bodø, Norway, in November 2019, in Reykjavik, Iceland, in May 2015, in Archangelsk, Russia, in November 2013, in Tromsø, Norway, in February 2011 and in Brussels in September 2009,
Amendment 19 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 25 a (new)
Citation 25 a (new)
— having regard to the statement from the 14th Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region 13- 14 April 2021,
Amendment 31 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas since the end of the Cold War, the Arctic has long been a zone of peace andn area of constructive international cooperation, and the goal of the internatneeds to remain as an area of peace and low-tensional community should be to keep it as suchoperative regional order;
Amendment 45 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas some parts of the Arctic have the highest concentration of plastic litter in the world, already affecting Arctic animal species, posing a risk of contaminating the food web and eventually affecting humans;
Amendment 46 #
2020/2112(INI)
Cc. whereas, due to its remoteness, man-made environmental disasters in the Arctic, particularly when extracting oil and other Arctic resources, are difficult to contain and manage and eliminating their damages is problematic;
Amendment 47 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C d (new)
Recital C d (new)
Cd. whereas the largest oil contamination of the Arctic took place on Russian territories in May 2020 when more than 20,000 tons of diesel fuel poured into the surrounding ground and waterways near the city of Norilsk, and the clean-up work is still ongoing;
Amendment 52 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the effects of climate change in the Arctic and the re-emergence of geopolitical competition in the region may impact theaffect sustainable and economic development ofin the northern hemisphereArctic;
Amendment 55 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the Arctic is warming at a rate three times of the global average, resulting in rapid social, environmental, and economic impacts, not only in the region but worldwide;
Amendment 79 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas the management of climate change and its effect in the Arctic requires international cooperation and the implementation of the Paris Agreement is at the heart of such cooperation;
Amendment 81 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
Amendment 83 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the remit of the Arctic Council is limited, giving it the flexibility to adapt to new challenges but also making it less able to respond to all the issues affecting the Arctic, particularly security- related affairs and de-escalation of tensions related to the race for the Arctic territories, resources and dominance in the Arctic waters;
Amendment 114 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
Recital L a (new)
La. whereas Russia’s economic and military investments in the Arctic far exceed those of the rest of the Arctic states;
Amendment 117 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas the military importance of the Arctic is rapidly increasing due to the progressive and steady re-militarisation of the Russian Federation, including modernization of its Northern Fleet, provision of new submarines and nuclear- powered heavy icebreakers, reopening of former Soviet-era Arctic outposts and building new military structures equipped with combat ready radars and missile systems stretching from the Barents Sea to the Bering Straits, significantly increasing the likelihood of military confrontation in the region;
Amendment 124 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M a (new)
Recital M a (new)
Ma. whereas Russia is mobilising its infrastructure and increasing its military presence rapidly by rebuilding its military capabilities; whereas Russia is refurbishing Soviet-era airfields and radar installations, constructing new ports and search-and-rescue centres, and building up its fleet of nuclear- and conventionally-powered icebreakers; whereas Russia is developing new high- tech weapons and a nuclear reactor powered torpedo;
Amendment 127 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M a (new)
Recital M a (new)
Ma. whereas Russia is taking unilateral actions to tighten the control of the Northern Sea Route along its Arctic coastline;
Amendment 150 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that the Arctic plays a crucial role in keeping the environmental balance of the planet and aims to maintain the region as a zonen area of peace, low-tension and international cooperation; stresses that the Arctic is disproportionally affected by climate change and pollution;
Amendment 155 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Is concerned by the deep and lasting potential economic and social consequences for Egypt of a significant decrease of its revenues due to the avoidance of the Suez Canal route in case of a massive development of the Arctic route;
Amendment 175 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that the Arctic states hold the primary responsibility for tackling issues within their territories; reiterates that international law is the cornerstone of the legal framework regulating inter-state relations in the Arctic and underlines the importance of the UNCLOS and decision- making platforms such as the Arctic Council, The Conference of Arctic Parliamentarians, The Barents Euro- Arctic-Council, the Northern Dimension, the United Nations;
Amendment 178 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to take a stronger role in promoting the effective implementation of international conventions such as the Paris Agreement, Minamata Convention, Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution, Gothenburg Protocol, Stockholm Convention, the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code), Århus Convention and Convention on Biological Diversity;
Amendment 180 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Urges cooperation with the Arctic states and responsible international organizations to harmonize the legal system applicable to the Arctic and avoid unilateral disruptive actions by the Arctic states to enact domestic regulations over the international norms;
Amendment 206 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines that constructive cooperation with Russia in the Arctic should be consistent with the principle of selective engagement, also in the areas of climate and environment, and should not jeopardise the goals of sanctionrestrictive measures against Russian actions elsewhere;
Amendment 217 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Expresses concerns over China’s investment attempts in the seaports along the Northern Sea Route and to obtain mining rights, inter alia, as a way to establish its presence in the Arctic, and urges the Arctic states to carry out a thorough screening of foreign investments in their objects of strategic importance;
Amendment 233 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Stresses the need to invest into infrastructure projects in the European Arctic and strengthen regional cohesion policy to support capacity-building;
Amendment 235 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Stresses that the protection of the environment and the management of man-made pollution should be a key objective in the Arctic; discourages the exploitation of Arctic resources if it is scientifically proven to cause irreparable damage to the ecosystem of the Arctic and beyond;
Amendment 237 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Emphasises the role of EU and its Member States to help to prevent and resolve conflicts in the Arctic, help build civilian security mechanisms, enhance crisis management capacities and search and rescue infrastructures;
Amendment 250 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Underlines the importance of the Arctic for EU energy security, strongly insists on a sustainable science-based exploitation of the energy resources;
Amendment 252 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Highlights the need for an enhanced policy of EU-generated renewable energies and energy efficiency that significantly reduces the Union's reliance on external sources and thereby improves its security position; recognizes the threat which oil and gas exploitation in the Arctic might cause;
Amendment 257 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Stresses the need to fight climate change by keeping to the goals of the European Green Deal and becoming climate neutral by 2050 following the Paris Agreement;
Amendment 266 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Emphasises the usefulness of place-based instruments such as smart specialisation strategies and territorial cooperation for tailoring sustainable investments in the Arctic and believes these EU policies should be further developed and linked to the EU Arctic Policy;
Amendment 267 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Welcomes the work of the Arctic Council in tackling pollution in the Arctic and calls on the EU to play an active role and provide assistance in this regard;
Amendment 270 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Encourages cooperation with the Arctic states in developing rapid response systems for the real-time management of environmental disasters, in particular oil spills;
Amendment 279 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes the signing and entry into force of the CAOF aAgreement, which represents an ambitious and innovative step towards tackle the problems of achieve sustainable development in the Arctic;
Amendment 297 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Notes that Russian and Chinese national interests are to develop the North Sea Route as a means to boost economic growth and as a globally competitive national transport network; notes the development of large-scale energy projects, such as the current Russian- Chinese cooperation on the Yamal LNG project and the Arctic LNG 2, is concerned that such projects significantly increase shipping volumes via the North Sea Route and imply substantial pressure on an already threatened Arctic ecosystem;
Amendment 304 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Reiterates its call to actively involve all the communities and inhabitants of the Arctic, and particularly indigenous peoples, in the decision-makingal processes concerning development choices; stresses the importance to ensure people- to-people cooperation, access to education and business opportunities and support to the youth in the Arctic;
Amendment 324 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Emphasises the importance of sustainable development, cohesion policy and cross-border cooperation to tackle geopolitical tension;
Amendment 327 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Calls for an increase of the accessibility of digital infrastructure in the Arctic, which promotes entrepreneurship, innovation and helps diversify economic development in the Arctic;
Amendment 353 #
2020/2112(INI)
18. Welcomes the updating of the EU’s Arctic policy, which should alsoneeds to take a proactive role in the Arctic taking account accelerated climate change and exponentially increasing international attention and reflect on new security realities; ichallenges. Is of the opinion that the EU should engagactively engage in policy dialogue with stakeholders which have a vested interest in promoting regional stability and prosperity;
Amendment 357 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Recognises the contribution of EU Space programmes such as Copernicus, Galileo, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service and the satellite communications to environmental, maritime and human safety and security in the Arctic by enabling the monitoring of ice evolution, sustainable management of marine resources, detection of pollution, emergency warning, identification and tracking of maritime movement, search and rescue services, inter alia; supports continuous investment in development of these capabilities and advises their application in the Arctic in cooperation and under the leadership of the Arctic states that are members of the EU and/or NATO;
Amendment 360 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Calls on the Commission to include the security dimension of the Arctic in EU’s Foreign and Security Policy;
Amendment 367 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Regrets Russia’s veto tof EU observer status in the Arctic Council;, supports the EU’s continued de facto membership of Arctic Councilobserver status of working groups;
Amendment 368 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Highlights the important role of the Arctic Council as a platform for dialogue between its Members and promote constructive cooperation, low- tension, peace and stability in the Arctic region;
Amendment 397 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls for the aims of the new Arctic Strategy to be reflected in the EU’s programmes with dedicated funding, projects, finances and relevant legislation, as well as in the work of the relevant EU agencies;
Amendment 401 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Highlights the need for improved synergies between existing financing instruments in order to prevent possible duplications, and to maximise interaction between internal and external EU programmes;
Amendment 404 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Amendment 407 #
2020/2112(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 c (new)
Paragraph 23 c (new)
23c. Calls for the creation of a unit in the EEAS for Northern policies to expand EU’s presence and capacity as well as to provide more security and coherence in its policies;
Amendment 28 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas COVID-19 has caused a global pandemic, which is affecting millions of human lives, giving rise to an unprecedented global health, economic, social and humanitarian crisis and will affect key aspects of EU foreign policy;
Amendment 61 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the pandemic has highlighted existing challenges such as the fight against disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks, and other malign third-party interference;
Amendment 62 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas COVID 19 crisis reveals once more the need to strengthen multilateralism and the rules-based order to better address global challenges
Amendment 66 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas the challenges the EU was facing prior to the pandemic persist or/and have worsened by it
Amendment 69 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)
Recital B c (new)
Bc. whereas the pandemic has aggravated the critical humanitarian situation of vulnerable people notably in conflict zones, refugee camps and fragile states; whereas in this perspective, the EU supported the United Nations' appeal to ease sanctions amid pandemic to not impede the delivery of essential equipment and supplies necessary to fight the coronavirus;
Amendment 72 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B d (new)
Recital B d (new)
Bd. whereas the EU echoed the United Nations' appeal for an immediate global ceasefire
Amendment 73 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B e (new)
Recital B e (new)
Be. whereas the EU was the target of disinformation campaigns from governmental and non-governmental actors with the direct intention to destabilize the EU institutions and the Member states and to weaken European values;
Amendment 84 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Warns that the crisis has highlighted EU vulnerabilities including in the field of security and defence and in particular in preparedness and responsiveness to CBRN, cyberattacks and disinformation;
Amendment 113 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) to review the 2016 Global Strategy in light of the global impact of the crisis, reflecting these geopolitical shifts and ensuring more strategic EU action and that the EU plays its part in defending the rules-based multilateral world order that was created after the Second World War;
Amendment 119 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Deplores the early denial of the reality of the pandemic by a number of governments and political leaders across the globe, slowing down decisive actions against the spread of the virus in a dangerous way for the population;
Amendment 174 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Is concerned about the lack of leadership the United States has shown in fightingUnited States' response to the COVID-19; believes that the false information in President Trump’s tweets and during his press conferences have been very unhelpful in the joint fight against the virus;
Amendment 177 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Regrets the lack of communication between the EU and United States and unilateral measures taken during the COVID-19 crises, for example when imposing of travel restrictions; stresses the need to work together in fighting COVID-19, including timely exchange of information;
Amendment 191 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is worried about the decision of the USurges the US to review its decision to withdraw funding from the World Health Organization (WHO) and; regrets the general tendency of its US President to withdraw the US from the multilateral organisations that were created to establish a rules-based world order or undermine them (ICC);
Amendment 213 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. AcknowledgStresses the need to find a new method ofadvance cooperation between the EU and US, based on mutual respect and a joint agenda to defend multilateralism, the rule of law and human rights;
Amendment 229 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes the strengthening of the People’s Republic of China’s worldwide diplomatic efforts following the COVID- 19 outbreak, seeking to position itself as the dominant global player;
Amendment 239 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recognises the emergency contributions provided by China to fight the virus; also recognises, however, a clear geopolitical and geo-economic dimension, bolstered by ‘virus and wolf warrior diplomacy’ and the politicisation of humanitarian assistance; condemns the massive infodemic by China and Russia during COVID-19 crises;
Amendment 247 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Is concerned about the lack of transparency related to the Chinese reaction to the global outbreak, involving the withholding of information, censorship, the suppression of whistle-blowers and human rights activists, and the projection of power in the region; is concerned about the increased efforts by the Chinese state to influence the European public domain by swaying public opinion and pressuring governments;
Amendment 250 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Is concerned about the lack of transparency related to the Chinese reaction to the global outbreak, involving the withholding of information, censorship, the suppression of whistle-blowers and human rights activists, – casting doubt on the official number of COVID-19 victims – and the projection of power in the region;
Amendment 260 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Condemns the disinformation campaigns and aggressive propaganda of China against the Union and its Members states during the crisis;
Amendment 273 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Urges the Chinese regime to fully cooperate with an independent investigation into the origins of COVID- 19, and calls on the Member States to present a united front towards a rising China, which is leading a crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong and has threatened to annex Taiwan, while brutally repressing and persecuting members of the Uyghur ethnic minority; calls on the Member States to advocate Taiwan’s membership of the WHO;
Amendment 278 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. UrgesDemands that the Chinese regime to fully cooperates with an independent investigation into the origins of COVID- 19, and calls on the Member States to present a united front towards a rising China, which is leading a crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong and has threatened to annex Taiwan; calls on the Member States to advocate Taiwan’s membership of the WHO;
Amendment 287 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the VP/HR to recognise these concerns and simultaneouslywork to prevent this new geopolitical environment from having negative repercussions in more fragile regions in the world; calls on the VP/HR to create an atmosphere of dialogue, engagement and genuine cooperation, based on a new, more assertive strategy in which the EU pushes back when necessary to defend European values; is of the view that, as part of this new strategy, the EU should seek closer collaboration with countries in the region and other democracies;
Amendment 314 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Expresses concern over the structural attempts of the Russian Federation to undermine EU unity and to create mistrust between the EU and Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership countries by the intensification of disinformation campaigns;
Amendment 316 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Expresses concern over the structural attempts of the Russian Federation to undermine EU unity by the intensification of disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks;
Amendment 321 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Is very sceptical about the reported discovery of an effective vaccine against COVID-19 and believes that ‘Sputnik V’, which is viewed with suspicion by the scientific community, has been launched to promote the diplomacy to which the Russian authorities are accustomed;
Amendment 327 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Expresses indignation over reported Russian cyberattacks attempting to steal coronavirus-related research material from European pharmaceutical companies;
Amendment 368 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Calls for the EU's budget for external action in the MFF 2021-2027 to be strengthened and for the budgets of the NDICI, the European Defence Fund and the European Peace Facility to be sufficient so that the EU has the necessary resources to address the challenges in its neighbourhood, the geopolitical consequences of COVID-19 and can live up to its ambition to become a responsible geopolitical actor;
Amendment 377 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Stresses that only a more united EU, backed up by sufficient and credible military capacities, will be able to conduct a strong foreign policy, and; calls for heightened vigilance that any economic downturn as a result of COVID-19 does not expose critical defence industrial and research capacities to opportunistic foreign investment and thereby threatening the security of supply in strategic sectors; believes that the VP/HR should receive a stronger mandate in speaking on behalf of the EU;
Amendment 402 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Believes that the end of the unanimity rule on foreign policy would help the EU to conduct a foreign policy that is more effective and more proactive; calls on the Council or European Council to follow the European Commission and European Parliaments' call to move to qualified majority voting, at least on human rights or sanctions implementation, by activating the passerelle clause;
Amendment 424 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Underlines the important role of the armed forces during the COVID-19 pandemic and believes that a more in-depth joint operation and coordination of member states’ armed forces within existing frameworks - such as the European Medical Command - or within new frameworks - such as military hospital trains - could lead to greater efficiency and contribute to the EU’s preparedness to fight pandemics; recognises the need to review the EU’s security and defence strategies to develop strategic autonomy, to become better prepared and more resilient to the new and hybrid threats and technologies that have made the nature of warfare less conventional and challenge the traditional role of the military, as well as for a future in which Russia and China are becoming more assertive; stresses that the future Strategic Compass on security and defence should reflect these developments and take account of the broader geopolitical implications of COVID-19; stresses that the future Strategic Compass on security and defence should reflect these developments and take account of the broader geopolitical implications of COVID-19; believes that, given the new political balance and a potential worsening of the international security environment following COVID-19, the EU defence budgets must not be cut;
Amendment 433 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that the emerging Strategic Compass on European Defence needs to take account of the broader geopolitical implications of COVID-19 and to address the full spectrum of threats such as a new pandemic, CBRN, foreign interference, including disinformation or cyber-attacks that are not deterred by borders; urges the EEAS to work on the resilience and sustainability of CSDP missions and operations during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic; insists on the importance of maintaining the continuity of CSDP missions and operations in such context; Calls for a full review of the impact of COVID-19 on the preparedness, readiness, force generation, safety of personnel and continuity of CSDP Operations and Missions, in order to ensure the EU’s operational presence and effectiveness is not affected by the crisis or future similar scenarios;
Amendment 434 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Recognises the need to review the EU’s security and defence strategies to develop strategic autonomy, to become better prepared and more resilient to the new and hybrid threats and technologies that have made the nature of warfare less conventional and challenge the traditional role of the military, as well as for a future in which Russia and China are becoming more assertive; stresses that the future Strategic Compass on security and defence should reflect these developments and take account of the broader geopolitical implications of COVID-19; believes that, given the new political balance and a potential worsening of the international security environment following COVID-19, the EU defence budgets must not be cut;
Amendment 447 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls for the expansion and modernisation of EU communication strategies so; asks thate EU action is sufficiently visible both within and beyinstitutionds the EU; urges the European External Action Service (EEAS) to further streo step up its efforts on increasing then its capacities to counter disinformation, including the creation of a dedicated far- East StratCom Task Force focused on the disinformation emanating from China, and imposing costs on countries that deliberately spread disinformation to divide and harm the EU and its Member Stat visibility of the EU actions and EU 'support to third countries;
Amendment 460 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Welcomes the work of EUvsDisinfo on the fight against disinformation and calls the European External Action Service (EEAS) to further strengthen its capacities and to impose costs on countries that deliberately spread disinformation to divide and harm the EU and its Member States;
Amendment 461 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Notes that the online crime is on the rise, with the possibilities of major cyber-attacks on critical infrastructures increasing; stresses therefore the need to invest into fight against cyber-crimes and to raise the awareness of this increasing threat;
Amendment 471 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Stresses that its biggest globallarge consumer market of almost 500 million people gives the EU leverage on the world stage, and believes that a geopolitical Commission should use this leverage when other countries are not prepared to comply with the rule of law or international treaties;
Amendment 472 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Stresses that the EU has a global responsibility in preventing the erosion of democratic values and principles and the declining respect for fundamental human rights in the wake of the pandemic;
Amendment 474 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the need to reduce dependency on third countries in certain strategic and existential sectors and might prompt diversification of its most critical supply chains; points out that COVID-19 has led to growing protectionism, therefore underlines the importance of finding the right balance between improving the resilience of our value chains to achieve strategic autonomy and maintaining trade relations as open as possible;
Amendment 503 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Welcomes the Team Europe package and the mobilisation of 36 billion euros to help partner countries in Africa, the Southern and Eastern Neighbourhood, the Western Balkans, the Middle East, and parts of Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean to tackle the impact of the coronavirus.
Amendment 521 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Underlines the strategic importance of EU engagement and support in its neighbourhood, both in the East and in the South; stresses that the EU must givwelcomes the inclusion of the Western Balkans countries that are not yet part of the EU a fair chance to join the EU, andin the EU joint procurement of medical equipment and stresses that the EU must continue its efforts to invest in the regionWestern Balkans;
Amendment 554 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Notes the impact that COVID-19 has on more vulnerable regions, including conflict regions and least developed countries thereby increasing poverty and insecurity, prolonging conflicts and threaten gender equality and women’s rights; calls for the EU to increase its multilateral cooperation on humanitarian responses;
Amendment 556 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Calls on the EU to defend humanitarian accesses to remote conflict zones
Amendment 559 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25b. Highlights that the EU’s partners in the Sahel-Saharan and Horn of Africa regions are facing the unprecedented consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to their ongoing struggle against armed terrorist groups, including jihadists;
Amendment 575 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Welcomes the EU's rejecting of vaccine nationalism and calls on the European Commission to take the lead in ensuring that any future vaccine is accessible to all;
Amendment 576 #
2020/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Calls on the EU Commission to work with its international partners to ensure that no one will be left behind once a vaccine will be made available;
Amendment 4 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5
Citation 5
— having regard to the agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Belarus on the readmission of persons residing without authorisation, which will entered into force on 1 July 20201 , __________________ 1 OJ L 182, 10.6.2020, p. 1.
Amendment 6 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6
Citation 6
— having regard to the agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Belarus on the facilitation of the issuance of visas2 , which will entered into force on 1 July 2020, __________________ 2 OJ L 180, 9.6.2020, p. 3.
Amendment 12 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
Citation 8 a (new)
— having regard to its recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the Eastern Partnership, in the run-up to the June 2020 Summit,
Amendment 14 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 b (new)
Citation 8 b (new)
— having regard to the statement of the President of the European Parliament calling to stop the violence in Belarus of 13 August 2020,
Amendment 15 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 c (new)
Citation 8 c (new)
— having regard to a common statement on Belarus of political leaders from EPP, S&D, Renew Europe, Greens/EFA and ECR groups in the European Parliament of 17 August 2020,
Amendment 16 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 d (new)
Citation 8 d (new)
— having regard to the declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the presidential elections in Belarus of 11 August 2020,
Amendment 17 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 e (new)
Citation 8 e (new)
— having regard to the conclusions on Belarus of the European Council on 19 August 2020,
Amendment 18 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 f (new)
Citation 8 f (new)
— having regard to the UN Human Rights Council’s Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus of 10 July 2020,
Amendment 19 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 g (new)
Citation 8 g (new)
— having regard to the UN statements on situation in Belarus, in particular those of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights of 12 August 2020, the UN Special Rapporteurs on human rights of 13 August 2020, and the Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights of 21 August 2020,
Amendment 20 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 h (new)
Citation 8 h (new)
— having regard to the open letter on Diplomatic Watch activities during Presidential Elections 2020 in Belarus, Minsk of 13 August 2020,
Amendment 25 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas actions of the Lukashenka’s regime are criminal, against the European values, principles of democracy, and against the will of the Belarusian people; whereas despite the fundamental restrictions on basic freedoms and human rights that remain in Belarus, the EU policy of critical engagement with Belarus has produced some results in the form of signed agreements and increased cooperation; whereas unlawful actions of Belarusian regime jeopardize these results and risk causing negative consequences to the EU - Belarus relations; whereas future relations between the EU and Belarus will be defined in the Partnership Priorities to be agreed by both sides;
Amendment 31 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas following the Presidential election on 9 August, which did not comply to the international standards of democratic, free and fair elections, massive, peaceful and orderly protests erupted all over Belarus with the Belarusian people demanding for the end of violence and prosecution against protesters, for the release of political prisoners and detained protesters and for a new presidential election in accordance to the international election standards and with observation of the OSCE ODIHR and other independent observers;
Amendment 33 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas the Belarusian people are in an urgent need of assistance and support from the international community;
Amendment 34 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
Ac. whereas the Belarusian protests are of previously unseen scale, they are nationwide, intergenerational, with a visible leadership of women and include persons of different occupations: workers of the state-owned enterprises and TV stations, public servants, diplomats, teachers, law enforcement officers, artists and employees of the national cultural and social institutions; whereas the Belarusian people are assembling into peaceful protests despite losing or being threatened with losing their jobs, receiving inadequate fines, and worse, facing the health- and life-threatening violence and torture;
Amendment 36 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A e (new)
Recital A e (new)
Ae. whereas the level of repression by the Belarusian regime significantly increased after the Presidential election leaving at least six Belarusian citizens dead, five due to injuries sustained during the protests and one over refusal to take part in the election fraud, over 7000 Belarusian people, including minors, were unlawfully detained, tortured and ill- treated, hundreds were injured, including children, at least 100 people remain in detention with approximately 60 individuals facing criminal charges, and the fate and whereabouts of at least eight people remain unknown;
Amendment 37 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A f (new)
Recital A f (new)
Af. whereas testimonies of the Belarusian protesters about the violence, torture and abuse they were subjected to during unlawful detention include reports of endless beatings, acts of rape, degrading treatment, inhumane detention conditions in overcrowded cells with no access to drinking water, meals, sanitary facilities and medical assistance; whereas after the release many people were hospitalized, some taken into the intensive care, with such injuries as broken limbs, cracked skulls, damaged eyesight and hearing, some of which together with incurred psychological traumas will have a life-long effects, including infertility;
Amendment 38 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A g (new)
Recital A g (new)
Ag. whereas medics were prevented from providing medical assistance to injured protesters and where exposed to brutal behaviour and violence when caring for the wounded;
Amendment 40 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A i (new)
Recital A i (new)
Ai. whereas the Belarusian regime seeks to intimidate and to disperse the National Coordination Council of Belarus by targeting its members and launching a criminal case against them; whereas so far two members of the National Coordination Council of Belarus, Siarhei Dyleuski and Volha Kovalkova, received a sentence of 10 days in prison each under charges of ‘staging an unauthorized event’;
Amendment 41 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A j (new)
Recital A j (new)
Amendment 42 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A k (new)
Recital A k (new)
Ak. whereas the leadership of the EU Member States and its institutions condemned the disproportionate and unacceptable violence displayed by the state authorities against peaceful protesters and decided to impose sanctions against individuals responsible for violence, repression and the falsification of election results;
Amendment 43 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A l (new)
Recital A l (new)
Al. whereas the lifting of the EU sanctions to Belarus in 2016 was done prematurely, not because Belarus fulfilled all conditions, but rather with a hope that it will continue on improving environment for political and civic participation, implementing the human rights and fundamental freedoms, and after the removal of sanctions there was no proper monitoring of expected improvements;
Amendment 44 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A m (new)
Recital A m (new)
Am. whereas on August 14 the Belarusian regime denied the entrance to Belarus for two Members of European Parliament, Robert Biedroń, chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for relations with Belarus, and Petras Auštrevičius, the European Parliament’s standing rapporteur on Belarus, traveling to Belarus upon invitation of the Belarusian civil society;
Amendment 51 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the 2020 presidential elections have thus far followed the same pattern as the parliamentary elections; whereby there were many candidates, but a restrictive and arbitrary registration process prevented most of them from participating, including the arrest of the main presidential contender Viktar Babaryka and of Siarhei Tsikhanouski, the husband of another key candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and a denied registration by the Central Election Commission to a key opposition candidate Valery Tsapkala over insufficient number of valid ballot access signatures with no possibility to appeal for reassessment of the rejected signatures;
Amendment 58 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas no new political party has been registered in Belarus since 2000 despite repeated attempts, due to burdensome registration process and wide discretionary powers of the Ministry of Justice to reject applications on formalistic grounds, thereby limiting the right to freedom of association; whereas participants in the activities of unregistered organizations are still being persecuted, only criminal liability has been replaced by administrative fines since the entry into force of new legislation in July 2019;
Amendment 62 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas the presidential campaign in Belarus took place against the background of continuous repression, which reached another level of violence after announcement of the official and fraudulent election results; whereas reports suggest of 703 cases of reprisals against civilians in Belarus (out of which 127 are women), including physical violence, kidnapping, and threats of the removal of children, as of 1 July 2020, and a total sum of received fines reached the amount of EUR73,748 and is increasing; whereas criminal proceedings were initiated against 33 people, including against bloggers, presidential candidates and their headquarters; whereas at least 420 people were arrested across Belarus on 14-15 July 2020 during the protests against the decision of the Central Election Commission not to register Viktar Babaryka and Valery Tsapkala as official presidential candidates;
Amendment 66 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)
Recital C c (new)
Cc. whereas pre-election arrests were related to the series protest movements, namely weekly protests against a battery factory in Brest, the Youth Bloc rally in Minsk against the decision to hold the annual Victory Day parade on 9 May in the context of COVID-19, numerous gatherings in protest against the arrests of presidential hopefuls Viktar Babaryka and Siarhei Tsikhanouski and against the Central Election Commission’s decision not to register Viktar Babaryka and Valery Tsapkala as official presidential candidates;
Amendment 68 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C d (new)
Recital C d (new)
Amendment 71 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C e (new)
Recital C e (new)
Ce. whereas according to Belarusian human rights organizations there are over 40 persons detained for political reasons in Belarus; whereas among imprisoned Belarusian opposition members is Mikola Statkevich, a democratic contender in 2010 Presidential elections, who was a prisoner of conscience from 2011 until 2017; whereas Belarusian human rights organisations declared Siarhei Tsikhanouski a prisoner of conscience, as well as other imprisoned persons in his case: Yauhen Raznichenka, Dzmitry Furmanau, Viarhili Ushak, Aliaksandr Aranovich, Vasil Babrouski, Artsiom Sakau, and Uladzimir Navumik;
Amendment 72 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C f (new)
Recital C f (new)
Cf. whereas there was almost no representation of the democratic political parties, civil society organizations, and independent civic initiatives on the participation and observation in the electoral commissions;
Amendment 73 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C g (new)
Recital C g (new)
Cg. whereas due to a lack of timely invitation from Belarusian authorities, the OSCE was not able to send an election observation mission to Belarus to observe 2020 Presidential election;
Amendment 74 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C h (new)
Recital C h (new)
Amendment 75 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C i (new)
Recital C i (new)
Ci. whereas in 2016, the EU lifted the restrictive measures against 170 individuals and four companies in Belarus, which were enacted due to post- 2010 Presidential election crackdowns, and currently applies an embargo on arms and equipment that could be used for internal repression, and an asset freeze and travel ban against four persons suspected of involvement in disappearances of two opposition politicians, one businessman and one journalist in 1999 and in 2000;
Amendment 76 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the Belarusian authorities denied that COVID-19 had spread in the country, thereby wasting precious time that could have been used to prepare and protect the country’s population and in particular its medical staff, did not cancel mass events, notably the military parade on 9 May with thousands of participants and the annual community work day attended by a quarter of Belarusian population, and instead engaged in the intimidation of journalists and ordinary people who dared to contradict the official government narrative, as a result Belarus has one of Europe's highest per capita COVID-19 infection rates and is a health threat to the region;
Amendment 82 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas there are no independent Belarusian news agencies registered in Belarus, and press freedom in Belarus has significantly deteriorated since 2015,; whereas the few independent journalists, bloggers, photographers or media outlets that are able to operate in the country and who denounce human rights violations are subject to systematic harassment and punitive measures, such as arrests or initiation of criminal investigations, including on charges of illegal production and distribution of information, extremism, discrediting and insulting the president or hooliganism and the number of prosecutions for statements on the iInternet has increased; whereas in 2000 and in 2016, two human rights journalists were killed following their active reporting on human rights violations and criticism of repressive policies of the authoritarian government of Belarus;
Amendment 87 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas in the last months, 8 media resources received warnings from the Ministry of Information of the Republic of Belarus, mainly for violating the Media Legislation and “disseminating information that could harm the national interests of Belarus”; whereas the human rights defenders and journalists who observed or covered the demonstrations in relation to the Presidential election, and those who have criticised the state’s environmental policy or commented on COVID-19 have also been targeted and may face criminal charges, at least 6 journalists received administrative arrests of 77 days, others were subjected to paying fines; whereas among arrested journalists are those working for such international news organizations as BBC, DW, Reuters and the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and all of the human rights defenders targeted are from different regions of Belarus, particularly Brest, Mogilev, Rechytsa, Svetlogorsk, Bobruysk, and six of the human rights defenders detained are from the leading human rights organization in Belarus, the Human Rights Centre “Viasna”;
Amendment 92 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Recital E b (new)
Eb. whereas after the Presidential election the Belarusian regime further tightened its grip on media freedom and people’s right to access and share information by blocking the Internet access, disrupting the printing of newspapers, arresting local and foreign correspondents and exposing them to torture and inhumane treatment, journalists were specifically targeted and several got injured while covering the Belarusian regime authorised crackdown on peaceful protesters; whereas the state- owned TV stations do not cover ongoing protests and atrocities committed by the Lukashenka’s regime and are being used for spreading propaganda, attacking and discrediting Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, political activists and peaceful protesters, after resignation of journalists at the state owned TV stations, they were replaced by propaganda experts from Russia;
Amendment 95 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E c (new)
Recital E c (new)
Ec. whereas independent journalists cooperating with and working for foreign media are prosecuted under article 22.9 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, which makes it illegal to receive financial rewards from media that are not dully registered and accredited in Belarus; whereas Belsat TV channel, which is officially registered in Poland, does not receive registration in Belarus and its activities are under constant pressure and attacks, including brutal detentions of its journalists and fines imposed to its contributors totalling USD 101,791 as of 18 June 2020;
Amendment 97 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E d (new)
Recital E d (new)
Ed. whereas Belarusian regime is repressing art activists, bloggers and other cultural workers, who use their work to criticize the government and to support the political opposition; whereas as of 29 June 2020, 73 cases of repressed people who are somehow involved in art activity were recorded, with 21 person being imprisoned and 20 criminal cases initiated; whereas Belarusian human rights organizations have recognized 9 art activists as political prisoners;
Amendment 98 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E e (new)
Recital E e (new)
Amendment 99 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E f (new)
Recital E f (new)
Ef. whereas the widespread impunity of law enforcement officers contributes to even further human rights violations and retaliations against human rights defenders; whereas human rights organizations along with other civil society organizations are systematically denied registration and legislative amendments passed in 2011 made it illegal for these organizations to hold funds abroad and established criminal liability for receiving foreign grants or donations; whereas these regulations were further tightened in May, 2020 with a new Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus "On foreign aid";
Amendment 100 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E g (new)
Recital E g (new)
Eg. whereas human rights lawyers are disbarred for defending detained civil and political activists and denouncing their conditions of detention or the violation of fair trial guarantees, and the human rights community is routinely stigmatized as being politically motivated and accused of receiving foreign funding in order to carry out sedition, criticize the government or destabilize the existing political system;
Amendment 101 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E h (new)
Recital E h (new)
Eh. whereas since 2014, 18,000 Belarusian minors were sentenced to unproportionally long terms of imprisonment, between 8 and 15 years, for non-violent drug-related offences under the Article 328 of the Criminal Code; during detention and imprisonment Belarusian minors face numerous violations of their rights, including physical violence and torture, and are exposed to dangerous for health working conditions;
Amendment 102 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E i (new)
Recital E i (new)
Ei. whereas the Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus of July 2020 notes no major improvements in the legal and regulatory protection of human rights in Belarus and, in addition to above highlighted problems, brings attention to continuous application of the death penalty, prevalent discrimination of vulnerable groups, including women, persons with disabilities, ethnic and religious minorities and LGBTQI persons, continuous practice of forced labour, torture and other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment of detained persons, and discrimination against speakers of Belarusian language;
Amendment 103 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E j (new)
Recital E j (new)
Ej. whereas the EU has allocated EUR 60 million to Belarus for mitigation of the immediate and direct effects of the COVID-19 outbreak and, in reaction to post-election situation in Belarus, additional EUR 53 million to support the Belarusian people were added; whereas Belarus is exploring the possibility to seek macro-financial assistance from the EU;
Amendment 107 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas Belarus has been subject to unprecedented pressure from Russia to deepen their integration in the context of the Union State, to the detriment of the sovereignty of Belarus, resulting in an ongoing standoff over oil and gas imports from Russia;
Amendment 108 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas Belarus in partnership with Russian ROSATOM corporation is building the Astravyets Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in unjustified location just 20 kilometres way from the EU’s external border and 45 kilometres away from the capital city of Lithuania; whereas the construction of the Astravyets NPP has been followed by the lack of respect for international standards for nuclear safety, serious safety violations and major incidents, including continuous construction works despite the Covid-19 outbreak at the site; whereas the first reactor of the Astravyets NPP was planned to launch before Presidential election in August 2020 and before full implementation of the recommendations of the stress tests carried out by the EU nuclear safety authorities;
Amendment 120 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas after eruption of massive protests Aliaksandr Lukashenka reached out to Russia for assistance to ensure survival of the Belarusian regime;
Amendment 121 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G b (new)
Recital G b (new)
Amendment 124 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G c (new)
Recital G c (new)
Gc. whereas Belarus does not recognize the independence of the breakaway republic of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, de jure annexation of Crimea and invoked the neutrality pledge in its Constitution to refuse siding with Russia in the war in Eastern Ukraine;
Amendment 127 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G e (new)
Recital G e (new)
Ge. Condemns criminal behaviour of the Lukashenka’s regime and calls for an immediate end of violence and inhumane treatment of the Belarusian people, for an immediate and unconditional release of all detainees and political prisoners, for a thorough investigation of committed atrocities and bringing culpable to justice, more importantly, for recognizing and entering into a dialogue with the National Coordination Council of Belarus;
Amendment 130 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G f (new)
Recital G f (new)
Amendment 132 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G g (new)
Recital G g (new)
Gg. whereas the European Parliament expresses support to the Belarusian people’s claims for free and fair elections and ability to freely make decisions about their country’s future;
Amendment 134 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G h (new)
Recital G h (new)
Gh. whereas the European Parliament welcomes and encourages to sustain peaceful organisation of the nationwide protests and commends the role and strong leadership of Belarusian women;
Amendment 136 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G i (new)
Recital G i (new)
Gi. whereas the European Parliament expresses deepest condolences over deaths of Alyaksandr Taraykouski, Alyaksandr Vikhor, Artsyom Parukou, Henadz Shutau and Kanstantsin Shyshmakou to their families and to all Belarusian nation;
Amendment 137 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G j (new)
Recital G j (new)
Gj. whereas the European Parliament commits itself to enabling the EU assistance to the victims of the Belarusian regime, including provision of health services to recover from incurred injuries and traumas;
Amendment 138 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G k (new)
Recital G k (new)
Gk. whereas the European Parliament deplores any targeting of human rights defenders, environmental rights defenders, journalists, bloggers, art activists and those criticizing the Belarusian regime and calls for full implementation of the fundamental freedoms and human rights government policies in Belarus;
Amendment 139 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G l (new)
Recital G l (new)
Gl. whereas the European Parliament deplores decision of the Belarusian regime not to grant entrance to Belarus for two members of the European Parliament traveling upon invitation of the Belarusian civil society;
Amendment 163 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
Paragraph 1 – point a
(a) support the sovereignty of Belarus against pressure from the Russian Federation for deeper integration and remind Belarus that the European Union is open to further development of relations with the country both bilaterally and within the Eastern Partnership framework if Belarus meets conditions linked to democracy, the rule of law, free and fair elections, international law, human rights and fundamental freedoms;
Amendment 166 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) do not recognize the results of fraudulent August 9 Presidential election;
Amendment 167 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point a b (new)
(ab) deplore and request an immediate halt of violence used against peaceful protesters by the Belarusian regime;
Amendment 168 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a c (new)
Paragraph 1 – point a c (new)
(ac) insist on the Belarusian regime to immediately and unconditionally release all detained protesters and political prisoners;
Amendment 169 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a d (new)
Paragraph 1 – point a d (new)
(ad) call upon the Belarusian authorities to organize a new, free and fair, according to the international election standards Presidential election;
Amendment 170 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a e (new)
Paragraph 1 – point a e (new)
(ae) assess and accordingly review the European Union’s relations with Belarus;
Amendment 171 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a f (new)
Paragraph 1 – point a f (new)
(af) suspend negotiations on the EU- Belarus Partnership Priorities until the free and fair Presidential election takes place in Belarus;
Amendment 173 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a h (new)
Paragraph 1 – point a h (new)
(ah) insist on the Belarusian regime to recognize and enter into a dialogue with the National Coordination Council of Belarus;
Amendment 174 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a i (new)
Paragraph 1 – point a i (new)
(ai) organise an official meeting between the EU representatives and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and organize a visit of the EU representatives to Belarus to facilitate a national dialogue and an inclusive solution benefiting all people of Belarus;
Amendment 175 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a j (new)
Paragraph 1 – point a j (new)
(aj) insist upon non-interference of external actors into the internal affairs of Belarus; publicly name the hybrid interference executed by the Russian Federation in such ways as delegating so- called media experts to the Belarusian state media and advisors to the military and law enforcement agencies of Belarus, as violating the agreement of non- interference, and deter continuation of such actions;
Amendment 176 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a k (new)
Paragraph 1 – point a k (new)
(ak) deplore intention of the Russian Federation to send Russian law enforcement services to Belarus and further enable the Lukashenka regime’s crackdown on peaceful protesters;
Amendment 177 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) acknowledge that while the critical engagement policy has brought about some developments in bilateral relations, progress in the key areas of democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and civil society remains very limited or almost non- existent, and, as the EU is engaging in a more tailored approach to the Eastern Partnership, consider applying the ‘less for less’ principle in the case of further deteriorationsocial-economic situation includes low household income and high unemployment rates, the economy stagnates and is heavily-troubled by the state-owned enterprises and corruption, and, as the EU is engaging in a more tailored approach to the Eastern Partnership, consider applying the ‘less for less’ principle in the case of further deterioration; application of ‘less for less’ principle should not affect engagement and support for the civil society of Belarus, on the contrary, it needs to be further boosted by advocating for greater involvement of Belarusian civil society in initiatives and projects supported by the EU, other international organizations and individual countries, in Belarus;
Amendment 191 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c
Paragraph 1 – point c
(c) insist that any EU macro-financial support for mitigating the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic is conditional on strict political criteria, notably those linked to democracy and human rights, particularly, ending political repressions and releasing all political prisoners, nuclear safety concerns voiced by some of the EU Member States and threats posed by Belarus-Russia military cooperation, and that adequate measures are taken to combat the virus and protect the population;
Amendment 194 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(ca) insist that support programs implemented through EIB, EBRD, WB, UN and other international organizations would also be conditioned on improving the situation of human rights and democracy, and on meeting the international standards for nuclear safety; note and address the situation that, currently, the programs implemented in cooperation between these international organizations and state structures in Belarus usually do not include independent stakeholders in their governing bodies, which leads not only to dubious achievements of such programs, but also contributes to the displacement of civil society organizations from the structure of cooperation with the EU by the state-owned public organizations (GONGOs);
Amendment 196 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point c b (new)
(cb) note that delivery of medical supplies, including personal protection gear, as part of the EU support for Belarus to fight the COVID-19, did not fully comply with the EU visibility rules; address issues related to the lack of visibility and spread of information about the EU efforts to assist Belarusian people; note that the Belarusian regime is using disinformation to portray the EU support as a support for the regime and ensure that the EU support is free of any political affiliations, as it is for the Belarusian people;
Amendment 197 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c c (new)
Paragraph 1 – point c c (new)
(cc) note that Belarusian state media outlets maintain a clear anti-Western rhetoric and use it to further discredit the democratic political opposition in Belarus; request for removal of Russia sent alleged journalists to replace resigned employees of the Belarusian state-owned TV stations;
Amendment 198 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c d (new)
Paragraph 1 – point c d (new)
(cd) deplore the creation and spread of propagandist narratives by the Belarusian state media accusing the neighbouring countries, among which are the EU Member States, of interference into the ongoing processes in Belarus and posing assumed security threats for territorial integrity of Belarus;
Amendment 199 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c e (new)
Paragraph 1 – point c e (new)
(ce) ensure that the EU support of EUR 60 million to Belarus for mitigation of the effects of the COVID-19 would not result into a direct transfer of these funds to the budget of Belarusian state;
Amendment 200 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c f (new)
Paragraph 1 – point c f (new)
(cf) ensure that the additional support of EUR 53 million meets the needs of the Belarusian people, therefore, in addition to the COVID-19 related relief, support medical treatment of Belarusian people injured and traumatized as a result of brutal crackdown on protesters, for most serious cases facilitate and support treatment and recovery in the EU Member States, support the civil society organizations and activists, including those working in exile, enable organizations and lawyers providing legal services to the victims of the Belarusian regime, support documentation and investigation of the human rights violations, support the Belarusian workers on strike and the independent trade unions, the independent media and investigative journalism;
Amendment 202 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c h (new)
Paragraph 1 – point c h (new)
(ch) develop a strategy for distribution of the EU funds in cooperation with the civil society and democratic representatives of the Belarusian people, the EU and international civil society organizations and institutions with experience of working with Belarus;
Amendment 203 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c i (new)
Paragraph 1 – point c i (new)
(ci) develop a clear procedure and capacities among the EU Member States to fast-track consideration and issuance of the Schengen visas and Humanitarian corridor for Belarusian citizens in cases of the urgent need of medical assistance and refuge;
Amendment 204 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d
Paragraph 1 – point d
(d) maintain the issue of nuclear safety as a priority concern for the EU owing to the potentially disastrous consequences of an accident for the whole region; treat the issue of the Astravyets Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) with urgency as it is approaching the start of its operations, the first delivery of nuclear fuel having been received from Russia in May 2020; insist on full respect for international nuclear safety standards and transparent cooperation with international authorities; support efforts to ensure Member State solidarity on the issue of banning imports of energy from the Astravets NPP into the EU market and loading of nuclear fuel to the first reactor has began;
Amendment 211 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(da) demand from the Belarusian authorities to suspend the launch of the Astravyets NPP until the internal political situation in Belarus normalizes;
Amendment 212 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point d b (new)
(db) express concern that Belarus will not implement the recommendations of the stress tests carried out by the EU nuclear safety authorities before the launch of the first reactor of the Astravyets NPP; moreover, that the Astravyets NPP is being built without ensuring a secondary control reserve necessary for a safe functioning of the NPP;
Amendment 213 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d c (new)
Paragraph 1 – point d c (new)
(dc) insist on full respect for international nuclear safety standards, transparent cooperation with international authorities, and providing access and monitoring capabilities for independent environmental organizations of Belarus in regards to the Astravyets NPP, and link their implementation to the disbursement of the EU’s financial support; support efforts to ensure European solidarity on the issue of banning imports of energy from the Astravyets NPP into the EU market;
Amendment 214 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d d (new)
Paragraph 1 – point d d (new)
(dd) remind the Belarusian authorities that a number of key OSCE/ODIHR and the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission recommendations remain unaddressed and that no significant steps regarding comprehensive electoral reform have been taken ahead of the 9 August Presidential election, which will prevent the EU-Belarus relations from achieving their full potential;
Amendment 215 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d e (new)
Paragraph 1 – point d e (new)
(de) finalise the EU human rights sanctions mechanism allowing to apply sanctions similar to those of the US Magnitsky Act sanctions against individuals and companies involved into grave human rights violations and apply them against Belarusian officials, including investigators and judges who conduct criminal cases against political prisoners, and other individuals and companies involved in violent suppression of peaceful signature collection rallies and protests in Belarus, including torture and ill-treatment of detainees and political prisoners;
Amendment 216 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d f (new)
Paragraph 1 – point d f (new)
(df) ensure that the list of sanctions include not only the highest-ranking officials responsible for the violent crackdown on peaceful protesters and the fraudulent election results, but also include the involved middle and entry level public servants and members of the Central Election Commission and consider applying sanctions to their family members;
Amendment 217 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d g (new)
Paragraph 1 – point d g (new)
(dg) coordinate sanctions against Belarus with the democratic allies of the European Union;
Amendment 219 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e
Paragraph 1 – point e
Amendment 227 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) insist on full compliance of election processes in Belarus with international standards, the recommendations of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the opinions of the Venice Commission;
Amendment 230 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point e b (new)
(eb) note that invitation for the international election observation was issued late by the Belarusian regime and, as a result, the election monitoring was limited and due to restrictions imposed by the Central Election Commission the observers were deprived of fully executing their duties, including observation of the counting of ballots;
Amendment 234 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e c (new)
Paragraph 1 – point e c (new)
(ec) remain vigilant regarding arrests, disappearances and harassment of candidates, protesters, activists and independent journalists and follow up such cases with Belarusian authorities;
Amendment 237 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e d (new)
Paragraph 1 – point e d (new)
(ed) initiate an official OSCE fact- finding mission to Belarus to investigate the situation and the human rights violations in relation to the 2020 Presidential election;
Amendment 238 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
Paragraph 1 – point f
(f) insist that the upcoming constitutional reform is a crucial opportunity to introduce genuine changes which would address the weaknesses of the current political system and enable the Belarusian people to participate more actively in political life; note that so far the constitutional amendments have been prepared in a closed way for the public and insist on ensuring the transparency and inclusiveness of this process, and that any changes of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus would comply to the legal procedures listed in the Constitution;
Amendment 247 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
Amendment 249 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point f b (new)
Amendment 252 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
Paragraph 1 – point g
(g) call on the authorities to remove the arbitrary barriers under which no new political party has been registered in Belarus since 2000 and enable the registration of political parties and public organisat, civil society organizations and independent trade unions, and to stop the restrictions applied to established organisations;
Amendment 255 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
(ga) insist on an independent and effective investigation into protests-related deaths of Alyaksandr Taraykouski, Alyaksandr Vikhor, Artsyom Parukou, Henadz Shutau and Kanstantsin Shyshmakouand murders of political opposition figures Yuriy Zakharenko, Anatoliy Krasovskiy and Victor Honchar that took place in 1999 and into the fate and whereabouts of journalist Dmitriy Zavadski in 2000;
Amendment 284 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h
Paragraph 1 – point h
(h) condemn the ongoing application of the death penalty in Belarus and continue to work with the Belarusian authorities towards a moratorium as a first step towards its permanent abolition; encourage the intensification of public debate regarding the abolition of capital punishment, paving the way for a possible future referendum on the issue;
Amendment 288 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i
Paragraph 1 – point i
(i) condemn the ongoing intimidation and persecution of opposition figures, including presidential hopefuls, civil society activists and independent journalists; , independent journalists and bloggers, in particular the tactics of their disappearance and heavy financial fines applied by the authorities; deplore silencing and intimidation of doctors, medical personnel and others who openly spoke and warned about the spread of COVID-19 in Belarus; call for ending the political repression and politically motivated arrests, for immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and for bringing the perpetrators of these crimes, including members of the security forces responsible for torture, ill-treatment, physical violence, to accountability;
Amendment 296 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
(ia) closely follow the cases of disappearances in Belarus, bring the attention of Belarusian authorities to these cases and request their proper and immediate action; enable the use of the EU support to the Belarusian people to cover fees for arrested people on healthcare, lawyer, destroyed equipment;
Amendment 299 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point i b (new)
Amendment 301 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j
Paragraph 1 – point j
(j) encourage the continuation of the EU-Belarus Human Rights Dialogue, but insist that its true usefulness comes from not just institutional contacts but real and tangible progress, which is not taking place according to the participating Belarusian civil society organizations;
Amendment 303 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point j a (new)
(ja) note interruption with attempts to limit the work activities and silence reporting of the Human Rights Centre "Viasna" members, notably Aliaksandr Burakou, Ales Burakou, Raman Kisliak, Uladzimir Vialichkin, Alena Masliukova, Andrei Miadzvedzeu and Siarhej Lacinski, and cease their detention, prosecution, intimidation of them and their family members, and most importantly enable to monitor human rights situation and Presidential election related events in Belarus;
Amendment 306 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k
Paragraph 1 – point k
(k) insist on the immediate and unconditional release of human rights defenders, activists, journalists, bloggers, and others convicted in retaliation for exercising their civil and political rights; urge the authorities to carry out an immediate thorough and impartial investigation into the arbitrary detention of the human rights defenders, and to drop all charges against them; call on the authorities to cease the harassment of the Human Rights Center "Viasna", Charter’97 and Belsat TV; urge the authorities to guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in Belarus are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment;
Amendment 313 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
(ka) address the issue of unproportional punishment within the legal system of Belarus, notably the Article 328 of the Criminal Code under which minors for non-violent drug-related offences get punished by unproportianally long terms of imprisonment and are being detained in improper prone to torture and physical violence conditions; welcome a recent lowering of the threshold of sentence by two years and improve the conditions of detention and labour of prisoners convicted under the Article 328, including lifting the strict regime, which usually is applicable to the worse offenders, for example, deprivation of visits, food parcels and possibility of parole, clearly define a list of misconduct for which juvenile could be penalized at the time of detention, ban their placement in isolation rooms as a punitive measure, ensure full provision for juvenile during their time of imprisonment, including organization of healthcare and education, safe working conditions and work under conclusion of an official working contract with the deduction of all taxes to the pension fund;
Amendment 315 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point k b (new)
Amendment 317 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k c (new)
Paragraph 1 – point k c (new)
(kc) deplore the Belarusian regime’s control over the access and sharing of information, notably blocking the Internet access and disrupting the printing of newspapers, and demand for and immediate and full restoration of the Internet and media services in Belarus;
Amendment 319 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l
Paragraph 1 – point l
(l) support and create a safe working environment for independent media outlets and journalists, including those who work on a freelance basis with unregistered foreign media as they are an important source of information both for Belarus and about Belarus and provide a much- needed channel for alternative views;
Amendment 330 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point l a (new)
Amendment 339 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point m a (new)
(ma) express concerns over Russia using negotiations for continuous supply of oil and gas to Belarus as a political pressure method, particularly in matters of damage to sovereignty of Belarus;
Amendment 341 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point m b (new)
(mb) note that Belarusian economy is stagnating, more than one fifth of Belarusian population lives in an absolute poverty with numbers tending to increase due to COVID-19 caused crisis; the minimum salary in Belarus is 375 Belarusian rubles per month or EUR 137; the country is facing a demographic crisis with population of the working-age shrinking and massive labour migration from Belarus;
Amendment 342 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m c (new)
Paragraph 1 – point m c (new)
(mc) note the damaging effects to Belarusian economy caused by the refusal of Belarusian regime to enter into a dialogue with the Belarusian people, notably the ongoing nationwide workers’ strikes at the state owned enterprises, strikes of teachers, social and cultural workers, as well as the damaging effects to the IT sector, which might not recover to its previous level;
Amendment 344 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m e (new)
Paragraph 1 – point m e (new)
(me) express regret towards unwillingness of Belarusian authorities to follow the recommendations of international finance institutions, such as the WB and IMF, and to implement reforms reducing the vast number of state-owned enterprises, reforming the business sector, encouraging entrepreneurship, supporting SMEs, reducing the public debt, outsourcing the costs of living to the population and improving conditions of labour market;
Amendment 345 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m f (new)
Paragraph 1 – point m f (new)
Amendment 346 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m g (new)
Paragraph 1 – point m g (new)
(mg) express concern over State regulations of damaging nature for the private sector, particularly a requirement to pay a minimum wage not lower than the average wage of the 10 most successful state-owned enterprises;
Amendment 347 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m h (new)
Paragraph 1 – point m h (new)
(mh) encourage to improve working environment for vulnerable groups, particularly women, as 90 percent of women face discrimination in the employment sphere, and there are 181 professions that are considered unsuitable for women in Belarus;
Amendment 348 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m i (new)
Paragraph 1 – point m i (new)
(mi) address the problems faced by the independent trade unions, including denied registration, politically motivated prosecution of leaders of the independent trade unions, and forced membership of newly contracted employees to the state- controlled trade unions;
Amendment 351 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n
Paragraph 1 – point n
(n) welcome and encourage the energy diversification of Belarus, reducing its dependence on Russia through imports of oil and gas from new suppliers, including via the territory of the EU and through the development of alternative energy sources;
Amendment 354 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point n a (new)
(na) express concerns over increasing investments into strategic infrastructure from China and warn about the effect of dependency it might create for Belarus;
Amendment 355 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point o
Paragraph 1 – point o
(o) emphasisze the importance that the EU attaches to the fight against climate change, notably through the implementation of the European Green Deal, and encourage Belarus to enhance its cooperation with the EU on environmental matters with a view to green transformation, energy efficiency, sustainability and climate neutrality and to use the opportunities offered by the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership, while insisting that the harassment of environmental activists must be stopped;
Amendment 363 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point o b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point o b (new)
Amendment 365 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point o c (new)
Paragraph 1 – point o c (new)
(oc) express concerns over prevalent large-scale systemic corruption in Belarusian public institutions and state- owned companies, encourage and support anti-corruption investigations and informational campaigns, voice concerns over harassment and persecution of journalists reporting the corruption cases and insist on a safe environment for investigative journalists and whistle blowers;
Amendment 366 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point o d (new)
Paragraph 1 – point o d (new)
(od) insists to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the financial flows of the family of Aliaksandr Lukashenka and his associates, including the activities of state enterprises of Belarus in offshore zones, as well as corruption schemes of Belarusian enterprises;
Amendment 367 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point p
Paragraph 1 – point p
(p) maintain that the EU is interested in the broadest possible people-to-people contacts as the best way of bringing the EU and Belarus closer together; promote exchange programmes with a proven track record such as MOST and reiterate that the visa facilitation agreement is a tangible expression of this policy;
Amendment 369 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point p a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point p a (new)
(pa) acknowledge that many voices of ongoing democratic revolution in Belarus are graduates of the EU Member States’ universities, participants of different the EU supported programs aimed to raise their professional qualifications and to enable professional activities;
Amendment 374 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point p e (new)
Paragraph 1 – point p e (new)
(pe) support education digitalization due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Belarus;
Amendment 375 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point p f (new)
Paragraph 1 – point p f (new)
(pf) support cooperation in the sphere of culture through programmes such as Creative Europe and in particular projects aimed at fostering creativity, involving civil society organizations and initiatives at local level; promote and mobilize European solidarity with Belarusian society through cultural expressions;
Amendment 381 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point r a (new)
(ra) support cross-border cooperation and movement between Belarus and the neighbouring EU Member States, particularly encourage Belarusian authorities to implement the local border traffic regime with Lithuania, which would benefit those living within a 50- kilometer radius on both sides of the border;
Amendment 385 #
2020/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point r b (new)
(rb) acknowledge the role of Belarusian diaspora in democratic awakening in Belarus and engage its members in the EU Member States as the important actors of a national dialogue in Belarus;
Amendment 13 #
2020/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas according to Article 1(a) to Protocol (No 10) on permanent structured cooperation established by Article 42 of the TEU, one of the objectives of PESCO is for the Member States to develop their defence capacbilities more intensively by furthering their national contributions and participation, where appropriate, in multinational forces, the main European equipment programmes, and in the European Defence Agency’s activity;
Amendment 54 #
2020/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the consequences of the EU not having enough competence when it comes to health care; whereas, by the same analogy, it would make sense to establish an EU common defence strategy in order to be able to respond to an attack on the EU’s democratic model, borders and territories; whereas PESCO , alongside the EDF and other EU Defence initiatives constitutes an important step towards achieving the objective of a common defence;
Amendment 93 #
2020/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas PESCO was originally conceived as an avant-garde, comprising the Member States willing and able to upgrade their cooperation in defence to a new level of ambition; whereas the fact that there are 25 pMS means that PESCO is at risk of beingust not lead PESCO to be constrained by the ‘lowest common denominator’ approach;
Amendment 97 #
2020/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas work on the first three waves of PESCO projects hasve led to the pMS proposingadoption of 47 projects; whereas the current list of projects lacks coherence, strategic ambition and does not adequately address priority shortfalls as identified by the pMS through the Capability Development Plan (CDP) and the Coordinated Annual Defence on Review (CARD); whereas one of these projects has been stopped in order to avoid unnecessary duplication; whereas other projects did not make sufficient progress or are at risk of being stopped, and around 30 projects are still in the ideation and preparatory phase;
Amendment 106 #
2020/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
Recital L a (new)
La. whereas the second phase of PESCO is to start in 2021; whereas this second phase shall deliver concrete and significant results which means that a prioritization of projects is necessary;
Amendment 113 #
2020/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas only some of the most strategic PESCO projects, such as EUFOR Crisis Response Operation Core (EUFOR CROC) have the potential to decisively contribute to the creation of a coherent full spectrum force packageUnion’s strategic sovereignty;
Amendment 135 #
2020/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital R
Recital R
R. whereas the NATO Defence Planning Process (NDPP) drivescontributes to defence national planning processes in most casesof several pMS;
Amendment 143 #
2020/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital S
Recital S
S. whereas interactions between Member States’ national priorities, EU priorities and NATO priorities should be synchronised at the earliest possible convenience, where appropriate and relevant; whereas PESCO canshould be an effective tool in order toand a complimentary tool in achieveing EU and NATO targets simultaneously;
Amendment 154 #
2020/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital U
Recital U
U. whereas currently, PESCO projects are dependent on the 25 participating Member States’ financial contributions; whereas it is expected that, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, national defence budgets will suffer reductions; whereas paradoxically, several of the currently 47 PESCO projects, if funded accordingly, could strengthen Member States’ preparedness, should another massive public health crisis occur: military mobility – a flagship PESCO project –, the European Medical Command and many other projects in areas related to logistics and transportation, health care, disaster relief and, the fight against malicious cyber activities and hostile disinformation campaigns; whereas cutting funding for the strategic capabilities that the EU and its Member States currently lack would also weaken their ability to jointly act against future pandemics;
Amendment 156 #
2020/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital U
Recital U
U. whereas currently, PESCO projects are dependent on the 25 participating Member States’ financial contributions; whereas it is expected that, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, national defence budgets will suffer reductions; whereas paradoxically, several of the currently 47 PESCO projects, if funded accordingly, could strengthen Member States’ preparedness, should another massive public health crisis occur: military mobility – a flagship PESCO project –, the European Medical Command and many other projects in areas related to logistics and transportation, health care, disaster relief and the fight against malicious cyber activities; whereas cutting funding for the strategic capabilities that the EU and its Member States currently lack would also weaken their ability to jointly act against future pandemics and CBRN threats;
Amendment 160 #
2020/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital V
Recital V
V. whereas the prospect of co- financing certain PESCO projects viaPESCO and the future European Defence Fund (EDF) shas led pMS to multiply their proposals, and despite the fact that this has encouraged exchanges and cooperation, not all proposals necessarily have the EU’s best strategic interest in mindll be mutually reinforcing and interlinkages between them shall be further developed in order to deliver critical capabilities identified under the CDP;
Amendment 169 #
2020/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital W
Recital W
W. whereas the participation of third countries, such as the UK, in individual PESCO projects might be in the strategic interest of the European Union, particularly in case of the United KingdomU, noting that this participation can only be exceptional, decided on a case-by-case basis and at the invitation of EU Members States;
Amendment 207 #
2020/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d
Paragraph 1 – point d
(d) encourage the pMS to switch from a strictly national focus on defence to a European one and to undertake structured efforts to increase the use of European collaborative approach as a priority, as no individual pMS alone has the potential to address identified capacity shortfalls; encourage pMS and MS more generally not to reduce their defence spending in the coming years, and especially their financial involvement in European cooperative projects in order to avoid being distanced by other global powers;
Amendment 248 #
2020/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h
Paragraph 1 – point h
(h) ensure that PESCO, is treated as a Union institutions sui generis, as is the case with the European External Action Service (EEAS), which would require amending the Financial Regulation8 in order to include PESCO, with a specific section in the Union budgetincluded with a specific section in the Union budget, which would require amending the Financial Regulation; recognise that Parliament, jointly with the Council, exercises legislative and budgetary functions, as well as functions of political control and consultation as laid down in the Treaties; _________________ 8 OJ L 193, 30.7.2018, p. 1.
Amendment 273 #
2020/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
(ka) formulate innovative incentives to improve the interoperability and deployment of CSDP missions and operations;
Amendment 284 #
2020/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m
Paragraph 1 – point m
(m) groupsupport and promote the grouping of PESCO projects into capability clusters and make a distinction between strategically relevant and other projects, keeping in mind the objective of achieving a full-spectrum force package and concentrate their efforts on those having the highest potential to deliver European strategic autonomy;
Amendment 291 #
2020/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n
Paragraph 1 – point n
(n) promote compliance with the 20 PESCO commitments by establishing clearer definition of compliance benchmarks, and by ensuring that future project proposals must address a specific CDP priority; ensure that any reviews of project progress should be based on clear and transparent criteria, including when co-financed in the framework of EDIDP/future EDF; ensure that such criteria serve as benchmark for all Member States participating in PESCO projects;
Amendment 326 #
2020/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point u
Paragraph 1 – point u
(u) clarify or define the link between the governance of PESCO and that of the EDF and toin order to maximise their combined impact; involve Parliament in the ex- post control process when it comes to EDF funding of PESCO projects;
Amendment 11 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)
Citation 10 a (new)
- having regard to the United Nations Convention against Corruption;
Amendment 12 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 b (new)
Citation 10 b (new)
Amendment 56 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities, as set out in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU); whereas those values are values which are common to the Member States and to which all Member States have freely subscribed; whereas those values are based on objective criteria;
Amendment 61 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the rule of law has been proclaimed as a basic principle at universal level by the United Nations;
Amendment 79 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas breaches of the values referred to in Article 2 TEU without proper response and consequences on European level weaken the cohesion of the European project, the rights of all Union citizens and mutual trust among the Member States;
Amendment 96 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas any monitoring mechanism must closely involve stakeholders active in the protection and promotion of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights, including civil society, Council of Europe and United Nations bodies, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, national human rights institutions, national parliaments and local authorities; whereas therefore an adequate European funding is necessary to the civil society particularly through the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme;
Amendment 115 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. emphasises the urgent need for the Union to develop a robust, comprehensive and positive agenda for protecting and reinforcing democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights for all itsEuropean citizens effectively; insists that the Union must remain a champion of freedom and justice in Europe and the world;
Amendment 125 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. warns that the Union is facing an unprecedented and escalating crisis of its founding values, which threatens its long- term survival as a democratic peace project; is gravely concerned by the rise and entrenchment of autocratic and illiberal tendencies, further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and, the economic recession, and malicious interference, disinformation and diminishing media pluralism as well as corruption and state capture, in several Member States; underlines the dangers of this trend for the cohesion of the Union’s political and legal order, the functioning of its single market, the effectiveness of its common policies and its international credibility;
Amendment 130 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. recognisealls that so far the Union remainsand its institutions have been structurally ill- equipped to tackle democratic and rule of law backsliding in the Member States; regrets that the Commission did not consider it necessary to open Article 7 TEU procedures in the case of Hungary despite the emerging signs since 2010; regrets the inability of the Council to make meaningful progress in enforcing Union values in ongoing Article 7 TEU procedures regarding Poland and Hungary; notes with concern the disjointed nature of the Union’s toolkit in that field;
Amendment 149 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. welcomes the Commission’s work on the Annual Rule of Law Report; welcomes that besides the rule of law, corruption and media freedom is part of the annual assessment; notes, however, that it fails to encompass the most of the areas of democracy and fundamental rights; particularly regrets that the freedom of association and the shrinking space of civil society is not incorporated in the procedure; reiterates the need for a comprehensive monitoring mechanism enshrined in a legal act binding Parliament, the Council and the Commission to a transparent and regularised process, with clearly defined responsibilities, so that the protection and promotion of Union values becomes a permanent and visible part of the Union agenda;
Amendment 166 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. underlines that the Annual Monitoring Cycle must be comprehensive, objective, impartial, evidence-based and applied equally and fairly to all Member States, contain country- specific recommendations, with clear timelines and targets for implementation, to be followed up in subsequent annual or urgent reports; stresses that failures to implement the recommendations must be targeted and concrete, and linked to concrete Union enforcement measures;
Amendment 173 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Takes the view that an ambitious Mechanism should also aim at effectively upholding press freedom and media pluralism thus leading to concrete improvements for journalists and the media sector;
Amendment 191 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. recalls the indispensable role played by civil society, national human rights institutions and other relevant actors in all stages of the Annual Monitoring Cycle, from providing input to facilitating implementation; points out that the accreditation status of national human rights institutions and the space for civil society may themselves serve as indicators for assessment purposes; considers that national parliaments must hold public debates and adopt positions on the outcome of the monitoring cycle; reiterates its call on the Commission to provide an adequate European funding to the civil society, particularly though the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme;
Amendment 207 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. is of the view that, in the long-term, strengthening the Union’s ability to promote and defend its constitutional core will require deepening the European integration and a Treaty change; looks forward to the reflection and conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe in that regard;
Amendment 284 #
2020/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Acknowledges that cooperation with representatives of local communities, including local religious leaders, in settings affected by conflict is crucial to foster reconciliation, dialogue and peace;
Amendment 5 #
2020/2041(INI)
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 #
2020/2041(INI)
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 12 #
2020/2041(INI)
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 #
2020/2041(INI)
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 24 #
2020/2041(INI)
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 32 #
2020/2041(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Highlights that Africa is disproportionately affected by the adverse impacts of climate change; notes that it is our common responsibility to introduce measures to fight climate change through promoting climate proofing of investments, adaptation, decentralised access to renewable energy, and climate mitigation in the African continent;
Amendment 33 #
2020/2041(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Considers that partnerships between the EU and the African countries of departure or transit of migrants need to be strengthened to improve the return, readmission and reintegration of people not eligible for asylum in the EU; proposes, therefore, encouraging the signing of readmission agreements and issuing of consular laissez-passers, thereby contributing to speeding up asylum procedures in the European Union;
Amendment 44 #
2020/2041(INI)
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 #
2020/2041(INI)
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 53 #
2020/2041(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that Africa is still undergoing the process of integration at regional, continental and international level and that as yet 54 African countries remain divided and diversified in areas of key strategic importance to the EU, such as meeting internationally recognised standards and practices in trade, human rights, sustainable development and positioning in international organisations; calls on the EU to forge a stronger partnership between the EU and the African Union to tackle global common challenges, by focusing on strategic areas such as digital transformation and climate diplomacy, under the principle of common and differentiated responsibilities; urges the EU to continue its support to the integration process in Africa through the AU, namely by supporting the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Amendment 57 #
2020/2041(INI)
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 organised crime; reiterates that the fight against terrorism is a common priority; calls on the EU to continue in its efforts and to provide a more comprehensive assistance to African partners in regions affected by terrorism;
Amendment 68 #
2020/2041(INI)
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 78 #
2020/2041(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the joint communication from the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 9 March 2020 entitled ‘Towards a comprehensive strategy with Africa’ (JOIN(2020)0004); calls for strongUnderlines the need to adopt, within the Africa-EU partnership, a coordinated and comprehensive approach, both between the EU-AU and among the EU and its Member States, as provided for by Article 210 TFEU; calls on the EU to step up this joint perspective in view of the next EU- Africa Summit to be held in October2 020; calls for a strong, coherent and constant EU engagement in the security, stability and development of Africa;
Amendment 82 #
2020/2041(INI)
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.
Amendment 91 #
2020/2041(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Underlines that Africa's future relies in the hands of its young generation; calls the EU to support concrete initiatives for the empowerment of youth and women in its renewed EU- Africa strategy ensuring their active involvement in decision-making processes of civic and political life.
Amendment 118 #
2020/2041(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that the EU is among the first to bear the costs of all destructive policies employed against African nations, while other players, especially China and Russia, are focused only on their own benefits at the expense of African sovereignty and European security; calls the European Commission to take it into account in its EU-Africa strategy and to raise this issue at the future EU-China Summit;
Amendment 143 #
2020/2041(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Shares the opinion that the matter of the security of Africa should be transferred into the hands of Africans and that the EU should assist its African partners in the successful accomplishment of this ultimate goal.Recalls that the fight against terrorism is a common priority; calls the EU to continue its efforts to assist its African partners throughout its military operations and civilian missions and support for initiatives coming from the AU, regional organizations such as ECOWAS or G5 Sahel; encourages Member States to participate in EU missions and operations and in bilateral efforts; insists on the importance of the establishment of the European Peace Facility in order to provide a more comprehensive assistance to African partners in regions affected by terrorism;
Amendment 159 #
2020/2041(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Stresses the need to strengthen the cooperation on migration, based on the respect for human rights and international law; calls on the EU to target its policies to tackle the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement, improving the return rates and to help African partners to fight against smuggling networks and human trafficking;
Amendment 86 #
2020/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Urges the Commission and the Member States to prioritise, on paper and in practice, the fight against THB; Calls on the Member States to allocate the necessary financial and human resources on a structural basis, to enable all involved sectors and actors, such as law enforcement, the judiciary, and social and health workers, to fully and efficiently fulfil their responsibilities;
Amendment 90 #
2020/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Points out the need for a coordinated and coherent framework at EU level that guarantees the protection of victims of THB, including through coordinated implementation with the rights conferred by the Victims’ Rights Directive, the Residence Permit Directive, , the Directive 93/2011/EU on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography, and the Compensation Directive15 ; _________________ 15 Council Directive 2004/80/EC of 29 April 2004 relating to compensation to crime victims, OJ L 261, 6.8.2004, p. 15.
Amendment 102 #
2020/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls on the Commission to ensure the continuity of the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator’s work by appointing a full- time EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator with relevant expertise, working with national representatives from state and civil society to ensure consistent cooperation across the EU;
Amendment 122 #
2020/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Highlights that the lack of consistent and detailed data continues to hamper the adequate assessment of trends in THB; calls on the Member States to collect more up-to-date, centralised and comprehensive data disaggregated by age and gender and including internally trafficked people, by compiling statistical information in cooperation with civil society;
Amendment 176 #
2020/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on all Member States to effectively guarantee the rights of victims and to support them with a gender- sensitive approach while ensuring complementarity with the Victims’ Rights Directive; notunderscores that the Anti- Trafficking Directive prohibits the criminalisation of victims of THB;
Amendment 188 #
2020/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Highlights that while the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is not yet measureable, it is nevertheless clear that the crisis disproportionately affects the most vulnerable victims of THB, especially women and children; Stresses that due to the increased use of the Internet, social media and online advertisements, a sharp increase in the number of victims of trafficking exploited online is expected; calls on the Member States for more effective and coherent actions targeting online exploitation, with the support of relevant EU agencies, such as Europol;
Amendment 207 #
2020/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Points out the need for a coherent and coordinated National Referral Mechanism (NRM); underlines that good cooperation between the police and non- governmental organisations (NGOs) cannot be a substitute for a fully fledged NRM defining the roles and responsibilities of all relevant actors16 ; encourages Member States to set up national centres specialised in the support and reception of victims of THB and to facilitate direct and efficient cross-border cooperation between those centres as well as between law enforcement agencies; _________________ 16 The recommendations by the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human beings (GRETA) include ensuring the application of the NRM to asylum seekers and persons in immigration detention.
Amendment 271 #
2020/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Urges the Member States to focus on the recurring and emerging patterns of THB for sexual exploitation, such as the increasing exploitation of children and the use of the ‘lover boy’ method as the most frequent means of recruiting victims by using online technologies; notes that the increased use of online technologies by criminal networks engaged in THB has significantly transformed their traditional modus operandi;
Amendment 380 #
2020/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls on the Member States to focus on identifying child victims and helping them to avail themselves of their rights; emphasises the need for well- trained and well-supported guardians, including temporary guardians as an emergency measure, to be appointed immediately for child victims; advises the Member States to increase the number of guardians by organising awareness campaigns;
Amendment 384 #
2020/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Calls on Members States to ensure that consulate staff pays particular attention to the correct verification of the identity of minors and the link with the person(s) exercising parental authority or legal guardianship when taking the minor's biometric data in the visa application procedure; calls on the Commission, in close cooperation with Europol, to provide targeted and effective education and training for Member States' authorities to prevent child trafficking;
Amendment 388 #
2020/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Calls on the Member States to fully implement Directive 2011/93/EU on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography26 , and to reinforce police and judicial cooperation to prevent and combat sexual exploitation; urges the Member States to cooperate with EU agencies, in particular with Europol and its dedicated entities, to step up information exchange and to support cross border investigations; _________________ 26 OJ L 335, 17.12.2011, p. 1.
Amendment 390 #
2020/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Points out that child victims need specific support, taking into account their best interests and specific vulnerabilities; encourages the Member States to ensure that professionals in contact with child victims, such as law enforcement, border guards, civil servants, the judiciary, and social and health workers (including youth care facilities), are sufficiently trained in identifying, supporting and referring of child victims of THB;
Amendment 394 #
2020/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27b. Deplores that specialised teams within law enforcement, trained in the audio-visual recording of child testimonies, are not consistently involved in the questioning of all child victims of THB; urges the Member States to make this standard practice and to train law enforcement staff in this type of (child friendly) questioning;
Amendment 395 #
2020/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 c (new)
Paragraph 27 c (new)
Amendment 396 #
2020/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Notes that children in migration, and, in particular, unaccompanied migrant children, continue to be at higher risk of trafficking and exploitation along migration routes en route to and within the EU; urges the Member States to protect unaccompanied migrant children against those risks by assuring them the same rights as all other children and taking their best interests into account, to assign them a guardian upon arrival, and to provide them with proper and adapted living conditions; stresses that a coordinated European approach is necessary to find and protect unaccompanied migrant children when they go missing, including data exchange (e.g. through an integrated database which can only be accessed and used in the best interests of the child);
Amendment 401 #
2020/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Points out that other vulnerable children, such as children in youth care facilities, runaways or children with disabilities, can become victim of THB; Calls on the Member States to reinforce the protection of those minors by informing and empowering them and by raising awareness in schools, youth centres and youth movements;
Amendment 406 #
2020/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Notes with high concern the prevalence of child pornography and normalisation of trafficking and sexual exploitation due to hypersexualisation in pornography, and calls on the Commission and Member States to ensure prevention of unlawful materials becoming available and normalised;
Amendment 408 #
2020/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 b (new)
Paragraph 28 b (new)
28b. Notes that most children either have a smartphone or have access to a smartphone from the ages of 9 or 10; Underlines that grooming and sextortion are well-known techniques to sexually exploit children and that those reports are on a rise; Encourages the Commission and the Member States to take further action in fighting these online crimes and to reinforce preventive measures towards minors on the one hand and (potential) offenders on the other;
Amendment 430 #
2020/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Regrets that conditions for a victim to receive the official status of THB victim are often too rigid to fulfil, especially for minors and other vulnerable victims who are financially and emotionally dependent on their traffickers; Calls on the Member States to adopt clear provisions on the non- prosecution or non-punishment of THB victims and on decoupling protection from cooperation with law enforcement agencies, currently putting the complete burden on the victim; requests the Member States to rather fulfil their needs on a more psycho-emotional level;
Amendment 435 #
2020/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Deplores that data on the identity of THB victims appear in police reports and throughout proceedings, making it hard for victims to speak out or to protect them from retaliation; encourages Member States to keep names and other identity data in separate files, accessible for the police and the prosecution but not to be disclosed to the suspects of THB or their lawyers;
Amendment 444 #
2020/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32a. Underlines the crucial importance for the EU law enforcement community to develop efficient and extended analytical capabilities in response to the ever- increasing online-facilitated THB criminal patterns; calls on the Commission to provide financial support to EU agencies such as Europol, to secure the highest analytical standards and adequate tools to process increasingly complex amounts of information;
Amendment 5 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
A b. whereas during the transition period, EU law across all policy areas, is still applicable to, and in, the UK, with the exception of provisions of the Treaties and acts that were not binding upon, and in, the UK before the Withdrawal Agreement entered into force; whereas on the 14th of May 2020, the European Commission opened infringement proceedings against the UK for failure to comply with EU rules on free movement;
Amendment 6 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
A c. whereas the European Parliament gave its position on the proposed mandate for negotiations for a new partnership with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in its resolution the 12 February 2020.
Amendment 7 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
Amendment 8 #
2020/2023(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Takes the position that if the UK does not explicitly commit to enforce the European Convention of Human Rights and will not accept the jurisdiction of the CJEU, there will be no agreement possible on judicial and police cooperation in criminal matters. Is concerned about the fact that, during the first round of negotiations (2-5 March 2020) for the future partnership agreement, the UK stated that, as regards judicial and police cooperation in criminal matters, it will not commit to enforcing the European Convention of Human Rights, nor will it accept the jurisdiction of the CJEU; deplores the fact that the latter position has been maintained during the second round of negotiations; fully endorses the declaration made by the EU negotiator Mr Barnier that, if this position is maintained by the UK, this will have immediate and practical consequences for the cooperation between the EU and the UK, which will remain possible on the basis of international agreements but will not be very ambitious8 ; takes note also of the declarations made by the EU negotiator Mr Barnier further to the second negotiation round, stating that, during this second round, the UK refused to provide firm guarantees on fundamental rights and individual freedoms and insisted on lowering current standards and deviating from agreed mechanisms of data protection, thus creating serious limitations for our future security partnership9 ; _________________ 8 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorn er/detail/en/INF_19_5950 9 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorn er/detail/en/statement_20_739
Amendment 8 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the negotiations on the future partnership shouldcan only be premised on the effective and full implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement and its three protocols;
Amendment 10 #
2020/2023(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Underlines that the UK as an EU Member in 2014 by way of opt out decided to participate no longer in EU instruments in the field of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, but then opted back into legislative measures on a case-by-case basis;
Amendment 12 #
2020/2023(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Is deeply concerned aboutStrongly objects to the UK’s request to receive direct access to the EU data information systems in the field of Justice and Home Affairs and to retain a status in the Justice and Home Affairs agencies close to that enjoyed by the Member States; stresses once more in this regard that the UK, as a non-Schengen third country, cannot have direct access to EU information systems data or participate in the management structures of the EU agencies in the area of Freedom, Security and Justice; cautions that any sharing of information, including personal data, with the UK should be subject to strict safeguards, audit and oversight conditions, including an equivalent level of protection of personal data to that provided by Union law;
Amendment 13 #
2020/2023(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Recalls the UK authorities’ hack of Belgian telecommunications provider Belgacom, which came to light in 2013, and which was attributed to the GCHQ as concluded by the Belgian Federal Prosecutor in 2018;
Amendment 13 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas the United Kingdom (UK) ceased to be a Member State of the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2020.
Amendment 14 #
2020/2023(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16 b. Recalls that UK authorities failed to forward details of 75 000 convictions against EU citizens to their home country in accordance with Council Framework Decision 2009/315/JHA and concealed this failure from other Member States, for fear of damaging the UK’s reputation as regards law enforcement cooperation and judicial cooperation in criminal matters; deplores that the UK have still not forwarded details of these 75 000 cases to law enforcement authorities in the EU-27;
Amendment 16 #
2020/2023(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Recalls that the Schengen Information System (SIS) was created as a compensatory tool to remedy the lifting of border controls in the Schengen area; points out that the SIS legislation explicitly forbids the access of third countries to the system; underlines that, as a third country, the UK cannot have access to the SIS; recalls that, in 2015, the UK started applying certain provisions of Schengen acquis related to the SIS in the area of police cooperation10 and that serious deficiencieviolations in its application by the UK were identified and have still not been remedied; considers that future cooperation between the EU and the UK in the area of law enforcement and judicial cooperation should be based on mutual trust; considers, therefore, that the arrangements for the future cooperation between the EU and the UK in the area of law enforcement and judicial cooperation should be dependent on those deficiencies being remedied; underlines, in this regard, the importance of robust rules on data protection in both negotiatmade conditional upon the full remedy of the violations of the SIS and the failed transfer of details of 75,000 convictions prior to any agreement; underlines that such cooperation can only be considered if robust rules on data protection are established and if strong enforcement mechanisms are ing partieslace; _________________ 10Council Decision 2007/533/JHA of 12 June 2007 on the establishment, operation and use of the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II), OJ L 205, 7.8.2007, p. 63.
Amendment 18 #
2020/2023(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Points out that the automated exchange of DNA data with UK under the Prüm Framework was launched only in 2019 and that the Council is about to adopt an implementing decision which would allow the UK to take part in automated exchanges of dactyloscopic data; reminds the negotiators that the Council decisions authorising these automated data exchanges will expire at the end of the transition period; stresses the need for a timely agreement on new arrangements for the future relationship, given the importance of information exchange in the fight against serious and organised cross- border crime and terrorism; considers that the future relationship should not be predetermined by the rules applied during the transition period; believes that the agreement should be based on the principle of full reciprocity; strongly urges the UK, therefore, to reconsider its position not to disclose data of suspected persons, failing which, exchanges under Prüm between the EU and the UK will have to remain limited;
Amendment 19 #
2020/2023(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Is concerned that the UK negotiating mandate lacks ambition in important areas of judicial cooperation in criminal matters such as anti-money- laundering and counter terrorism financing provisions; insists that a level playing field on anti-money laundering is essential for a final agreement; believes that a solution allowing for a more ambitious cooperation than the one under the Council of Europe convention on extradition could be found by the negotiating parties;
Amendment 21 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the EU and the UK agreed in the Political Declaration to convene at a high level in June 2020 to take stock of progress of the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement and of the negotiations with the aim of agreeing action to move forward with negotiations on the future relationship;
Amendment 22 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas unity of the EU and its Member States should maintain their unity throughout the negotiations in order to defend the interests of their citizens in the best possible waythroughout the negotiations is essential in order to defend the interests of the EU, including those of its citizens in the best possible way; whereas the EU and its Member States have remained united throughout the negotiation and adoption of the Withdrawal Agreement and ever since; whereas this unity is reflected in the adoption of the negotiating mandate entrusted to the EU negotiator and Head of the EU Task Force Michel Barnier, who enjoys the strong support of the EU and its Member States;
Amendment 27 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the EU and UK agreed in the Political Declaration that the future relationship should be underpinned by shared values such as the respect for and safeguarding of human rights and fundamental freedoms, democratic principles, the rule of law, and support for non-proliferation, international rules-based order including support for non-proliferation, protection of the environment and that these values are an essential prerequisite for cooperation within the framework of the Political Declaration; whereas the future relationship should incorporatebe conditioned to the United Kingdom’s continued commitment to respect the framework of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR);
Amendment 29 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
I a. whereas the Political Declaration states that the future economic partnership will be underpinned by provisions ensuring a level playing field for open and fair competition.
Amendment 31 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I b (new)
Recital I b (new)
Amendment 32 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I c (new)
Recital I c (new)
I c. whereas facing a global pandemic and its foreseeable geopolitical, economic and social consequences reinforces the necessity to improve cooperation mechanisms between partners and allies.
Amendment 41 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Welcomes and insists that the Commission continues its practice to provide timely information to the Parliament on the negotiations, in line with the information that is shared with the Member States;
Amendment 42 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. Strongly believes that transparency benefits the negotiation process and is also beneficial to citizens and businesses as it allows them to better prepare for the post-transition phase;
Amendment 47 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the UK has submitted various draft texts to the EU which – unlike the EU’s text – are not public and cover, inter alia, a trade agreement including annexes, an air transport agreement, an aviation safety agreement and an agreement on civil nuclear energy cooperation via Euratom; notes that the UK, in contradiction with the Political Declaration, has denied any interest in reaching an agreement on security and defence matters;
Amendment 53 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Underlines that the covid-19 pandemic directly affects the negotiation process; recognizes the willingness by both parties to continue negotiations during the covid-19 pandemic through virtual means in order to limit the extent of the delay; acknowledges that negotiations through virtual means pose additional challenges; calls on the parties to hold face-to-face meetings once this is deemed safe;
Amendment 55 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Strongly believes that the negative impact of the covid-19 pandemic on global trade and economic relations serves as an additional incentive to make substantial progress in the negotiations and work towards a comprehensive and ambitious partnership;
Amendment 66 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – point iv
Paragraph 4 – point iv
(iv) the safeguarding of the EU legal order and the role of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) as the sole body responsible for interpreting EU law in this respect;
Amendment 70 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – point vi
Paragraph 4 – point vi
(vi) a level playing field, ensuring equivalent standards in social, labour, environmental, competition and State aid policies, including through a robust and comprehensive framework on competition and State aid control, dispute settlement and enforcement mechanisms;
Amendment 75 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – point vii a (new)
Paragraph 4 – point vii a (new)
(vii a) the Parties' commitments to international agreements to tackle climate change including those which implement the United-Nations Framework Conventions on Climate Change, in particular the Paris Agreement should constitute an essential element of the future agreement.
Amendment 91 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Recalls that without a balanced and long-term fisheries agreement that ensures reciprocal access to waters and resources with respect to the principle of sustainable management of fisheries and marine ecosystems and ensuring a level playing field, there will be no economic and trade partnership agreement;
Amendment 92 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Emphasises the importance of making substantial progress on all topics in parallel, including on those that showed limited to no progress such as the level-playing field, governance, law enforcement as well as the timely conclusion of a fisheries agreement;
Amendment 94 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises the importance of being ready for the UK’s withdrawal from the internal market and the customs union at the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020, regardless of the outcome of the negotiations; stresses that the consequences will be even more significant should no agreement be reached; welcomes, in this regard, the Commission’s sector-specific ‘readiness notices’, which seek to ensure that EU industry is ready for the inevitable shock that the UK’s withdrawal from the single market will cause; encourages the European Commission and Member States to enhance their efforts in order to fully inform European citizens and businesses of the risks that the transition period might end before an agreement is reached, in order to allow for and support adequate preparedness to such an unintended but possible outcome.
Amendment 105 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Recalls the negotiating directives, which set out that Gibraltar will not be included in the territorial scope of the agreement to be concluded between the EU and the UK, and that any separate agreement will require the prior agreement of the Kingdom of Spain;
Amendment 119 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recalls that the Withdrawal Agreement is the instrument for implementing the arrangements for the UK’s withdrawal, that it is not subject to any sort of renegotiation of its provisions and that the onlysole purpose of the EU-UK Joint Committee is to oversee its application; underlines the importance of the effective implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement as a litmus test for the good faith that the UK brings to the negotiating process and recalls that the outcome of the negotiations would be linked to ion the future relationship should be linked to implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement;
Amendment 128 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Insists on having solid guarantees that the UK will implementthe full implementation by the UK of the Withdrawal Agreement effectively and in its entirety before the end of the transition period; stresses that monitoring its implementation should be an integral part of the work on the future relations;
Amendment 130 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8 b. Pays special attention to the full respect of citizens' rights as defined in the Withdrawal Agreement; is determined to ensure that Member States fully respect and protect rights of British citizens living in the European Union under the Withdrawal Agreement; is equally committed to monitor closely that the UK fully respects and protects the rights of EU citizens living on its soil under the Withdrawal Agreement;
Amendment 131 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Insists the European Parliament to be fully and immediately informed of all the discussions held and decisions taken by the Joint Committee; recalls in this respect the obligations stemming from Council Decision (EU) 2020/135 of 30 January 2020 on the conclusion of the Agreement on the withdrawal of the United-Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community2, and in particular Article 2(3) thereof, which provides that Parliament must be in a position to exercise fully its institutional prerogatives throughout the Joint Committee proceedings;
Amendment 134 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Insists that the European Parliament is regularly informed regarding the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement;
Amendment 135 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 c (new)
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8 c. Notes with concern that the COVID19 pandemic had significant consequences on the possibility for EU citizens living in the UK to apply to the EU settlement scheme as front offices have been closed due to the lockdown decided by British authorities;
Amendment 136 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 d (new)
Paragraph 8 d (new)
8 d. Expresses concern at reports that EU citizens under pre-settled status were denied social benefits in the UK due to bureaucratic obstacles; underlines that such situations equal undue discrimination and have significant consequences, especially at the time of severe economic and social uncertainty;
Amendment 137 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls that under the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, designed and adopted in order to ensure the absence of a hard border on the island of Ireland while protecting the integrity of the Single market after the end of the transition period the UK, while being a third country, will have the task of implementing parts of the Union Customs Code, which will require unprecedented structures to be set up even before the end of the transition period, necessitating due consideration for the issue of proper implementation and enforcement; calls on the Commission to carry out efficient checks and controls; expresses concern at the repeated refusal expressed by the British authorities to authorize the opening of a permanent office for EU officials in Belfast to monitor the good implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland; notes that the term goods ‘at risk of subsequently being moved into the Union’ used in Article 5 of that Protocol is unclear and depends on subsequent decisions of the Joint Committee which are exempt from formal European Parliament scrutiny; requests to be kept fully informed on the application of that Article and any proposals for decisions of the Joint Committee in that regard;
Amendment 146 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Emphasises the need to proceed with the necessary measures for the introduction of customs procedures for goods entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain, as well as necessary sanitary and phytosanitary controls and other regulatory checks;
Amendment 150 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Recalls that until 31 December 2020, the United Kingdom is obliged to contribute to the financing of the European Defence Agency, the European Union Institute for Security Studies, and the European Union Satellite Centre, and to the costs of Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) operations in which it participates;
Amendment 162 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Takes note that the UK has chosen to establish its future economic and trade partnership with the EU on the basis of a ‘Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement’ as laid down in the UK’s Approach to Negotiations; emphasises that, while the European Parliament is supportive of the EU constructively negotiating a balanced, ambitious and comprehensive FTA with the UK, by its nature an FTA will never be equivalent to ‘frictionless’ trade; expresses concern at the intention of the UK government to move away from zero tariffs and zero quota and avoid any commitments on the level playing field; emphasizes, in this regard, that the agreement should ensure open and fair competition, and prevent distortions in trade and unfair competitive advantages; shares the Commission’s negotiating position whereby the scope and ambition of an FTA that the EU would agree to is conditional on the UK agreeing to provisions related to the level playing field, given the geographical proximity and integration of markets, as well as on the conclusion of an agreement on fisheries;
Amendment 178 #
2020/2023(INI)
(-i) a level playing field;
Amendment 179 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 – point i
Paragraph 13 – point i
(i) reciprocal arrangement for mutually beneficial market access for goods, services, public procurement, recognition of professional qualifications and where relevant foreign direct investment to be negotiated in full compliance with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules while recalling the necessary difference of treatment between a third country and a Member State;
Amendment 189 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 – point iii
Paragraph 13 – point iii
(iii) while striving for the widest possible trade in goods, the Commission should evaluate possible quotas and tariffs for the most sensitive sectors as well as the need for safeguard clauses to protect the integrity and stability of the EU single market; reiterates, moreover, that for instance with respect to food and agricultural products, access to the single market ishould be conditional on strict complianceregulatory alignment with all EU laws and standards ensuring a level playing field, particularly in the fields of food safety, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), pesticides, geographical indications, animal welfare, labelling and traceability, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards, and human, animal and plant health;
Amendment 197 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 – point iv
Paragraph 13 – point iv
(iv) rules of origin should mirror the most recent EU FTAs and be based on the interests of EU producers; the Agreement should safeguard the framework of existing commercial relationships between the EU and third countries and avoid any free- riding by ensuring consistency in keeping a tuned tariff and quota system and rules of origin for products vis-à-vis third countries; and ad hoc mechanism against "swap" risks 1a; _________________ 1aIt is necessary to include, in the future agreement, an ad hoc mechanism against “swap” risks in order to protect the internal market from a situation where UK would choose to import goods at low cost from third countries (in order to satisfy its domestic consumption) and export duty free to the more lucrative EU market its domestic production. This phenomenon benefitting both the UK and third countries, which the rules of origin can not prevent, would destabilize European agricultural sectors and therefore requires specific operational mechanisms
Amendment 202 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 – point vi
Paragraph 13 – point vi
(vi) commitments on services should be made with the aim of delivering a level of liberalisation in trade in services well beyond the parties’ WTO commitments, building on recent EU FTAs, while safeguarding the high quality of the EU’s public services in accordance with the TFEU and in particular Protocol 26 on Services of General Interest; audio-visual services should be excluded from provisions related to liberalisationthe scope of the economic partnership; reiterates that under an FTA market access for services is limited and always subject to exclusions, reservations and exceptions; all modes of supply of services should be covered, including commitments on the movement of natural persons across borders (Mode 4) and provisions, linked to EU rules and the respect for equal treatment of workers and recognition of professional qualifications while recalling the necessary difference of treatment between a third country and a Member State; the arrangements should include provisions on market access and national treatment under host state rules to ensure that EU service providers are treated in a non- discriminatory manner, including with regard to establishment as well as regulatory coordination platformexchange of information on regulations; the new arrangements should allow for the temporary entry and stay of natural persons for business purposes with the aim of providing services;
Amendment 208 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 – point vii
Paragraph 13 – point vii
(vii) there should be opportunities for access to both Parties to public procurement markets beyond WTO Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) commitments, guaranteeing market access for EU companies in strategic sectors at all levels of government and a degree of openness equal to the EU’s public procurement markets; regrets the fact, in this regard, in specific areas at all level of governments without prejudice to their national rules aimed at protecting their essential security interests, guaranteeing market access for EU companies and a degree of openness equal to the EU’s public procurement markets; however, defence and security contracts will have to remain excluded from the provisions of the agreement; regrets the fact that the UK’s initial negotiating position does not cover public procurement;
Amendment 216 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 – point ix
Paragraph 13 – point ix
(ix) an overarching chapter on the needs and interests of micro-enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with regard to market access facilitation issues including, but not limited to, compatibility of technical standards, and streamlined customs procedures with the aim of preserving and generating concrete business opportunities and fostering their internationalisation; noteregrets that the UK’s approach to the negotiations does not include specific provisions reflecting these objectives;
Amendment 239 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Reiterates that given the UK’s geographic proximity and economic interdependence with the EU, the breadth and depth of the agreement on a level playing field will be essential in determining the extent of the overall future EU-UK relationship; considers, therefore, that a level playing field must be ensured and EU standards safeguarded are a condition in order to avoid a ‘race to the bottom’ while contributing to sustainable development and the fight against climate change, with a view to dynamic alignment; stresses the need to ensure that the UK does not gain an unfair competitive advantage through the undercutting of levels of protection and to prevent regulatory arbitrage by market operators;
Amendment 247 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 – introductory part
Paragraph 16 – introductory part
16. Recalls its determination to prevent any kind of ‘dumping’ in the framework of the future EU-UK relationship; considerspoints out that a key outcome of the negotiations is to guarantee a level playing field through robust commitments and enforceable provisions on:
Amendment 249 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 – point i
Paragraph 16 – point i
(i) competition and State aid, which should prevent undue distortion of trade and competition and include provisions on state-owned enterprises; regrets, with regard to State aid, that the UK approach does not reflect the same ambition and only covers subsidies;
Amendment 253 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 – point ii
Paragraph 16 – point ii
(ii) relevant tax matters, including the fight against tax evasion and avoidance and, money laundering and terrorism financing;
Amendment 256 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 – point iv
Paragraph 16 – point iv
(iv) environmental protection and climate change related standards, the promotion of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals; the Parties' commitments to international agreements to tackle climate change including those which implement the United-Nations Framework Conventions on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement; enforceable midterm commitments to tackle climate change; the implementation by the UK of a system of carbon pricing of at least the same scope and effectiveness as provided for by the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the same principles regarding the use of external credits by the end of the transition period should apply;
Amendment 260 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 – point v
Paragraph 16 – point v
(v) a high-level of protection and product sanitary quality in food sector for consumers;
Amendment 263 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Points out that these provisions should ensure that standards are not lowered, while empowering both parties to modify commitments over time to lay down higher standards or include additional areas; stresses, moreover, that commitments and provisions should be enforceable by autonomous interim measures, a solid dispute settlement mechanism and remedies, to provide the Union with the ability to adopt sanctions as a last resort in every covered areas, including in relation to sustainable development with a view to dynamic alignment;
Amendment 271 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Strongly believes that the UK should adhere to the evolving standards on taxation and, anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing legislation within the EU acquis, including tax transparency, the exchange of information on tax matters and anti-tax avoidance measures, and should address the respective situations of its Overseas Territories, its Sovereign Base Areas and its Crown Dependencies and their non- compliance with EU good governance criteria and transparency requirements;
Amendment 273 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Stresses that in line with the 5th Money Laundering Directive (EU) 2015/849, of the European Parliament and the Council and the recommendation of the European Parliament to the Council, the Commission and the Vice- President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs on measures to cut off sources of income for jihadists and to combat the funding of terrorism 2017/2203 of 26th February 2018, the United Kingdom shall fully implement the anti-money- laundering and anti-terrorist financing tax legislation contained in the Directive, as well as its posterior developments and refinements, in particular in the areas of fiscal transparency, exchange of information and measures to combat tax evasion, and shall implement and enforce such legislation in its Overseas Territories, Sovereign Base Areas, Crown Dependencies and Territories under its authority or jurisdiction. Furthermore, for the purposes of combating money-laundering and the financing of terrorism, the United Kingdom should exchange information with the intelligence units of the Union and of the Member States to make possible to identify the identity of the owners of virtual currency and transfers and trust payments, as well as the origin and recipients of Hawala or similar transfers, incorporating them to the standards of transparency required for an equitable taxation.
Amendment 276 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Reiterates the need to maintain high standards and a level playing field in the areas of medicinal products, medical devices, food safety and labelling, animal wellbeing and veterinary, phytosanitary, and environmental policy and standards;
Amendment 288 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. RegretNotes the fact that the UK negotiating objectives published on 27 February stated that foreign policy will be determined only within a framework of broader friendly dialogue and cooperation between the UK and the EU; that the UK is showing no ambition for relations with the EU in the field of foreign policy, security and defence as these were explicitly not covered by the UK mandate and therefore do not form part of the negotiations on future relations;
Amendment 292 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Highlights the fact that the COVID 19 pandemic has illustrated the importance of military capacities and assets, with European armed forces playing a crucial role in support of civilian efforts in tackling the pandemic, while fulfilling their core missions; emphasises that this pandemic has demonstrated the importance of strategic autonomy of the EU and European defence cooperation to protect European populations in times of emergency and to foster the resilience of Member States; considers that mechanisms should be put in place to enable prompt cooperation between the Union and the United Kingdom in the face of future crises of a similar nature and scale; is of the view that drawing the lessons of the COVID19 pandemic, European military medical services should form an information exchange and support network to foster broad European resilience in times of emergency and crisis; considers that the participation of the UK in any such future European military medical network would be mutually beneficial;
Amendment 293 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Recalls that this is contrary to the provisions of the Political Declaration, which envisages an ambitious, broad, deep and flexible partnership in the field of foreign policy, security and defence and contains a part dedicated specifically to the EU-UK future security partnership, and to which the UK has agreed;
Amendment 297 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Recalls the EU’s position that foreign policy, security and defence should be part of a comprehensive agreement governing the future EU-UK relationship; underlines the importance of protecting the decision-making autonomy of the EU as a general principle of particular value in the field of security and defence;
Amendment 323 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Underlines the fact that the EU is an important partner for the UK in foreign and security policy, as the need for common responses to address foreign, security and defence policy challenges is crucial toare necessary for both sides; encourages the exchange of information and intelligence as well as close cooperation in the areas of counter- terrorism, space policy, cyberwarfare and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) defence; recalls that exchanges of classified information must be organized within a specific framework;
Amendment 330 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Emphasises that as of 1 January 2021, if there is no agreement on cooperation in foreign and security policy, the UK will be considered a third country, which will have an impact on existing cooperation in foreign and security policythe UK will become a third country, which will have a significant impact on existing cooperation in foreign and security policy; stresses in particular that a possible participation of the UK to CSDP missions and operations would require a framework agreement between the EU and the UK;
Amendment 339 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Considers that it is in the common interest of the UK and the EU to cooperate on the development of effective and genuinely interoperable defence capabilities, including within the European Defence Agency, for which an administrative arrangement should be concluded and to continue the highly valuable partnerships within NATO and EU programmes on defence and external security, such as the European Defence Fund, Galileo and cyber-security programmGalileo, cyber-security programmes and the fight against targeted disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks as the current COVID 19 pandemic has illustrated; recalls that as regards the participation to the Public Regulated Service of Galileo, a specific agreement is both possible and necessary; as regards the upcoming European Defence Fund, the UK could be associated under the conditions set for third states;.
Amendment 354 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Encourages the UK to participate in EU crisis management operations and in CSDP missions and operations, through the signing of a framework participation agreementin defence capabilities development, in the relevant Union agencies , as well as in projects under Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), with the corresponding rights and obligations of third countries and based on effective reciprocity; stresses that such participation should be subject to stringent conditions, through the signing of a framework agreement respecting the decision making autonomy of the EU as well as the sovereignty of the UK, the principle of balanced rights and obligations and based on effective reciprocity; underlines that such participation of the UK as a third country should include a fair and appropriate financial contribution; recalls that the UK has made the sovereign choice of becoming a third state, which has consequences on the nature and the intensity of such a partnership;
Amendment 359 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Amendment 376 #
2020/2023(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Points out that the entire Agreement with the UK as a third country, including among others provisions on the level playing field and fisheries, should include the establishment of a coherent and solid governance system as an overarching framework, covering the joint continuous supervision and management of the Agreement as well as dispute settlement and enforcement mechanisms with sanctions and interim measures where necessary with respect to the interpretation and application of the Agreement’s provisions;
Amendment 9 #
2020/2022(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
Amendment 18 #
2020/2022(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the data protection rules applicable to all providers offering digital services in the EU’s territory were recently updated and harmonised across the EU with the General Data Protection Regulation; whereas the Digital Services Act should apply without prejudice to the rules laid down in the General Data Protection Regulation and in other instruments, such as the Copyright Directive;
Amendment 64 #
2020/2022(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas child sexual exploitation online is shaped by technological developments; whereas the vast amount of child sexual abuse material circulating online poses serious challenges for detection, investigation and, most of all, victim identification efforts; whereas the lockdown resulting from the Covid-19 health crisis has seen a 106% rise in online traffic in child pornography according to Europol1 a; _________________ 1a Catherine de Bolle, Executive Director of Europol, in an exchange of views with Parliament's LIBE Committee on 18 May 2020.
Amendment 92 #
2020/2022(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes in the clear economic benefits of a functioning digital single market for the EU and its Member States; stresses the important obligation to ensure a fair digital ecosystem in which fundamental rights and data protection are respected and in which citizens' online digital security is guaranteed; calls for a minimum level of intervention based on the principles of necessity and proportionality;
Amendment 105 #
2020/2022(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Deems it necessary that illegal content is removed swiftly and consistently in order to address crimes and fundamental rights violations; considers that voluntary codes of conduct only partially address the issue and that a more effective liability regime for platforms should be introduced;
Amendment 112 #
2020/2022(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that illegal content online should not only be removed by online platforms, but should be followed up by law enforcement and the judiciary; finds, in this regard, that a key issue in some Member States is not that they have unresolved cases but rather unopened ones; considers that providing national judicial services with specialised staff and adequate financial resources is key to improving access to and the efficiency of the justice system in the area of digital services; calls for barriers to filing complaints with competent authorities to be removed; is convinced that, given the borderless nature of the internet and the fast dissemination of illegal content online, cooperation between service providers and national competent authorities should be improved;
Amendment 123 #
2020/2022(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Acknowledges the fact that, while the illegal nature of certain types of content can be easily established, the decision is more difficult for other types of content as it requires contextualisation; warns that some automated tools are not sophisticated enough to take contextualisation into account, which could lead to unnecessary restrictions being placed on the freedom of expression; considers that the use of artificial intelligence in this area must comply with EU data protection and transparency legislation and principles and must be subject to human supervision;
Amendment 125 #
2020/2022(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Acknowledges the fact that, while the illegal nature of certain types of content can be easily established, the decision is more difficult for other types of content as it requires contextualisation; considers it necessary to provide a clear definition of ‘illegal’ content and ‘dangerous’ content; warns that some automated tools are not sophisticated enough to take contextualisation into account, which could lead to unnecessary restrictions being placed on the freedom of expression;
Amendment 138 #
2020/2022(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Strongly believes that the current EU legal framework governing digital services should be updated with a view to addressing the challenges posed by new technologies and ensuring legal clarity and respect for fundamental rights and privacy; considers that the reform should build on the solid foundation of and full compliance with existing EU law, especially the General Data Protection Regulation and the Directive on privacy and electronic communications;
Amendment 142 #
2020/2022(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Deems it indispensable to have the widest-possible harmonisation of rules on liability exemptions and content moderation at EU level to guarantee the respect of fundamental rights and the freedoms of users across the EU; expresses its concern that recent national laws to tackle hate speech and disinformation lead to an increasing fragmentation of rules;
Amendment 152 #
2020/2022(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Believes, in this regard, that online platforms that are actively hosting or moderating content should bear more, yet proportionate, responsibility for the infrastructure they provide and the content on it; emphasises that this should be achieved without resorting to general monitoring requirements; proposes the implementation of a common and permanent liability framework for platforms in order to effectively identify and remove illegal content; considers, in particular, that a harmonised EU framework should be based on due diligence obligations so that platforms implement proactive and effective measures, in addition to their obligations relating to transparency and information; considers it important to accompany 'notification and action' procedures for identifying new content with an obligation to monitor content which has already been deemed illegal and removed, in order to prevent it from reappearing online;
Amendment 232 #
2020/2022(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Supports the creation of an independent EU bodyCalls on the Commission to exercise effective oversight of compliance with the applicable rules; believes that it should, in particular the enforcement of procedural safeguards and transparency and provide quick and reliable guidance on contexts in which legal content is to be considered harmful;
Amendment 241 #
2020/2022(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Considers that the transparency reports drawn up by platforms and national competent authorities should be made available to this EU bodye Commission, which should be tasked with drawing up yearly reports that provide a structured analysis of illegal content removal and blocking at EU level;
Amendment 242 #
2020/2022(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
Amendment 249 #
2020/2022(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Considers it necessary, given the increasing fragmentation of national laws on tackling illegal content, to strengthen cooperation mechanisms between the Member States, including with the support of the Commission and the EU agencies; underlines the importance of such a dialogue, in particular on countries' differing opinions as to whether content is illegal or not and its potential impact;
Amendment 252 #
2020/2022(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22b. Considers it necessary also to strengthen marketplace liability by means of a specific liability regime in order to protect consumers from dangerous products, particularly through information and transparency, and to guarantee their rights;
Amendment 15 #
2020/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers in particular that the use of AI- enabled systems in armed conflicts must, abs provided by the principles of the Martens Clause,Martens Clause, abide by the general principles of IHL and must never breach or be permitted to breach the dictates of the public conscience and humanity; considers that this is the ultimate test forclause should guide the admissibility of an AI- enabled system in warfare; calls on the AI research community to integrate this principle in all AI-enabled systems intended to be used in warfare; considers that no authority can issue a derogation from those principles or certify an AI- enabled system;
Amendment 37 #
2020/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the need for robust testing and evaluation systems based on norms to ensure that during the entire lifecycle of AI-enabled systems in the military domain, in particular during the phases of human- machine interaction, machine learning and adjusting and adapting to new circumstances, the systems do not go beyond the intended limits and willmust be used at all times in complyiance with the applicable international law;
Amendment 43 #
2020/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Highlights that any AI-enabled system used in the military domain must, as a minimum set of requirements, be able to distinguish between combatants and non-combatants on the battlefield, not have indiscriminate effects, not cause unnecessary suffering to persons, not be biased or be trained on biased data, and be in compliance with the IHL general principles of military necessity, and humanity, and the implementing principles of proportionality in the use of force and precaution prior to engagement;
Amendment 48 #
2020/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses that in the use of AI- enabled systems in security and defence, fullcomprehensive situational understanding of the operator, ability to detect possible changes in circumstances and ability to discontinue an attack are needed to ensure that IHL principles, in particular distinction, proportionality and precaution in attack, are fully applied across the entire chain of command and control; stresses that AI- enabled systems must allow the military leadership to assume its full responsibility at all timthroughout each of their uses;
Amendment 62 #
2020/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the HR/VP, in the framework of the ongoing discussions on the international regulation of lethal autonomous weapon systems by states parties to the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), to remain engaged and help streamline the global debate on core issues and definitions where consensus has not been reached, in particular as regards concepts and characteristics of AI-enabled lethal autonomous weapons and their functions in the identification, selection and engagement of a target, application of the concept of human responsibility in the use of AI-enabled systems in defence, and the degree of human/machine interaction, including the concept of human control and judgment, during the different stages of the lifecycle of an AI-enabled weapon.
Amendment 6 #
2020/2012(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Welcomes the endorsement, by the 2019 Meeting of High Contracting Parties to the United Nations Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), of 11 Guiding Principles for the development and use of autonomous weapons systems;
Amendment 12 #
2020/2012(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that a UnionRecommends that a EU Member States' framework regulating the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled systems in defence must respect all applicable legal regimes, in particular the international humanitarian law and the international human rights law, and be in compliance with Union law, principles and values; calls on the Union to assess the inherent AI-related risks with regard to the application of Union law, and foresee necessary adjustment and enforcement where needed;
Amendment 22 #
2020/2012(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that current and future defence-related activities within the Union framework will draw on AI, on robotics and autonomy, and on related technologies and that the Union must assume leading role in research and development of AI systems in defence field; believes that the use of AI-enabled applications in defence offer number of direct benefits such as higher quality collected data, greater situational awareness, increased speed for decision-making, reduced risk of collateral damage thanks to better cabling, protection of forces on the ground, as well as greater reliability of military equipment; recalls that AI systems are also becoming key elements in countering emerging security threats;
Amendment 27 #
2020/2012(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Stresses that AI technologies are, in essence, dual use; highlights that AI in defence-related activities is a transverse disruptive technology whose development may provide opportunities for the competitiveness and the strategic autonomy of the EU;
Amendment 38 #
2020/2012(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Highlights that, based on a human- centric approach, the Union follows a path of responsibility, of protecting our citizens, and of defending our values, whilst seizing the opportunities that those technologies offer as well as realizing that AI enabled systems will be a key element in future defence-developments and defensive capabilities;
Amendment 51 #
2020/2012(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines that the Union, in connection with the work carried out by the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons’ Governmental Expert Group, must be at the forefront of mastering those technologies by establishing well defined processes for their use, for understanding the related ethical aspects and for fostering an effective international regulatory framework that contains the inherent risks of these technologies and prevents use for malicious purposes; those include in particular unintended harm to persons, be it material or immaterial, such as breach of fundamental rights;
Amendment 60 #
2020/2012(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Recalls that most of current military powers worldwide have already engaged in significant R&D efforts related to the military dimension of AI; considers that the EU must see to it that it does not lag behind in this regard; Stresses that for any defence application of AI enabled systems, the Union should set technical and organisational standards to ensure their resilience against cyber-attacks and digital influence, as well as their compliance with the highest possible trustworthiness standards as regards the collection and exploitation of operational data;
Amendment 79 #
2020/2012(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stressed that all AI-systems in defence must have a concrete and well- defined domain of usemission framework and must be endowed with the ability to detect and disengage or diseactivate deployed systems should they move from their domain of usebeyond the mission framework defined and assigned by the human command or engage in any escalatory or unintended action;
Amendment 91 #
2020/2012(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Underlines that the entire responsibility for the decision to design, develop, deploy and use AI-systems must rest on human operators and the human- in-the-loop principle must also be applied to the command and control of AI-enabled systems control should remain effective for the command and control, following a human- on-the-loop principle at the military leadership level; stresses that AI-enabled systems must allow the military leadership to assume its full responsibility and exercise the necessary level of judgment for taking lethal or large-scale destructive action be means of such systems;
Amendment 99 #
2020/2012(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Underlines that the Union must promote understanding the military implications of AI, of robotics and of autonomy; considers that the Union needs to promote the acquisition of the necessary skills and knowledge on technology development processes and operational methods throughout the supply chain and over the full lifecycle of AI-enabled military capabilities; underlines the urgent need for establishing increased European strategic and technological independence in the field of AI enabled systems, including the critical infrastructure it relies on;
Amendment 120 #
2020/2012(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Highlights that the European Union needs to strive for strategic resilience so that it is never again found unprepared in times of crisis, and underlines that especially in what artificial intelligence and its application to defence and security is concerned this is of crucial significance; emphasises that supply-chains for AI systems in defence and security that can lead to technological dependence should be recalibrated and such dependencies should be phased-out; calls for increased investment in European AI for defence and in the critical infrastructure that sustains it;
Amendment 124 #
2020/2012(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Notes that since the bulk of AI research and development is happening in the private sector, it will be necessary to establish a closer cooperation with leading companies and enterprises in order to harness the potential of AI to the fullest, while fostering a better understanding of risks and benefits as well as ensuring maximum operational security;
Amendment 134 #
2020/2012(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the European Commission and on the VP/HR to present, also as part of an overall approach, a sectoral AI strategy for defence-related activities within the Union framework, that should propose a consistent regulatory approach spanning from the inception of AI-enabled systems to their military uses; calls on the Council, the European Commission and on the VP/HR to enter in a structured dialogue with the European Parliament to that end.
Amendment 30 #
2020/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital O
Recital O
O. whereas there is a significant risk that major military powers no longer tend to resort to arms control and disarmament to ease international tensions and improve the global security environment, ultimately leading to an increase in nuclear risks worldwide;
Amendment 31 #
2020/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital Q
Recital Q
Q. whereas the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) was adopted in 2017 by 122 states, among which none of the nuclear -weapon States; whereas the European Union was not able to agree on a common position on the Treaty;
Amendment 71 #
2020/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q
Paragraph 1 – point q
Amendment 98 #
2020/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v
Paragraph 1 – point v
(v) call on the state parties to develop and put in place measures aimed at mitigating the risks of using nuclear weapons, be it intentionally, by misperception or miscalculation in an escalating conflict, or accidentally; measures could include improving communication channels and protocols, creating a clear distinction between conventional and nuclear assets, as well as improving resilience to hybrid threats, cyberattacks and extending decision-time in a crisis;
Amendment 110 #
2020/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point aa
Paragraph 1 – point aa
(aa) reaffirm the EU’s continuing commitment to the JCPOA as the best possible means for obtaining assurances of an exclusively peaceful use of nuclear energy by Iran, and as a vital tool for enhancing stability and security in the Middle East; reiterate the EU’s regret over deep concern over Iran's violations of its commitments since July 2019; and deplores the withdrawal by the US from the JCPOA and the re- impositions of sanctions; call on Iran to return to full compliance with its nuclear- related commitments under the JCPOA and the NPT;
Amendment 25 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the global crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic could have significant geostrategic repercussions and strengthens the need to build a genuine European strategic autonomy;
Amendment 41 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the publication of the 20th and 21st annual reports; deplores the late publication of information about exports during 2017 and 2018, albeit with delay; believes that the publication of both reports represent a step forward towards a common EU position in the field of arms export, in the framework of an ever more challenging international context marked by increasing volumes of export and decreasing levels of transparency; considers both reports as valuable complements to the UN reports on global and regional arms export transparency;
Amendment 52 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that ten Member States made full submissions to the 20th annual report, and eleven to the 21st; deplores the fact that two of the main exporting countries – Germany and the UK – did not make full submissions, thereby showing an increased implementation of common rules at a time of decreasing global transparency in the arms trade, especially among several major arms exporting countries; calls on Member States to provide submissions for future annual reports with a view to further strengthening the EU’s efforts to improve the transparency of the global arms trade;
Amendment 59 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Deplores the fact thatCalls on Member States to use very different information in order to generate data on the value of licences, which rendersharmonised and EU-level standardised data on the value of licences and other arms transfers, with a view to make the annual report considerably lessmore usable as a comparative data set and serves to diminish its transparency and accountability before citizens and parliaments; urges France, in particular, to refrain from submitting data on the value of licences at pre-contract stage and broad values for global licences, which undermines the comparability of the reportas a tool to increase its transparency and accountability;
Amendment 67 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
Amendment 72 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that the countries of the Middle East and North Africa, a region of several armed conflicts, remain the foremost regional destination for exports according to the last two annual reports; is concernednotes that thisese regional focus undermines the Common Foreign and Security Policy (s face significant and continuing security challenges and that every export has to be assessed on a case by case basis, in the context of the wider CFSP) and EU specific EU actions aimed at regional peace and stability;
Amendment 79 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls that the EU has been implementing a number of arms embargoes25 in line with the objectives of the CFSP; notes that the EU undertakes missions in the framework of the CFSP, including a mission enforcing an arms embargo in Libya, with the aim of strengthening regional peace stability; _________________ 25 https://www.sanctionsmap.eu/#/main?chec ked=
Amendment 93 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Welcomes Member States’ renewed commitment to the legally binding Common Position as amended by Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1560 and stresses the importance of thoroughly assessing export licence applications for military technology and equipment according to the criteria stipulated therein;
Amendment 94 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Welcomes the update of the EU common position of 2008 to take into account relevant developments, such as the adoption of the Arms trade treaty, to which all Member States are party;
Amendment 95 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Supports Council’s commitment to strengthening the control of export of military technology and equipment; notes the willingness of Member States to reinforce cooperation and promote convergence in this field, within the framework of the CFSP; in this regard, calls on Member States to develop, implement and uphold common standards of management of transfers of military technology and equipment;
Amendment 98 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Points out that Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1560 and the relevant conclusions of 16 September 2019 have the potential to ensure that EU citizens are furnished with better information about the strategic choices made by their governments in an area which directly affects their security and their countries’ adherence to values and norms;
Amendment 108 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes with concern the growingthat divergences between the arms export policies and practices of the Member States cand the failure to introduce new instruments to promote convergence towards the strict application slow down the convergence of EU rules in this area;
Amendment 113 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. SNotes and fully supports the Council’s decision to introduce a clear reporting deadline for national submissions; welcomes the steps taken towards the online approach and encourages the further developmentreaffirmed commitment to transparency in the international arms trade; welcomes in this regard the introduction of concrete measures intended to facilitate the correct, coherent and timely reporting of Member States’ arms exports, such as the inclusion of clear reporting deadlines to the EU Annual Report and further guidelines ofn the lattersubstance and process of reporting;
Amendment 117 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Amendment 124 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. NotWelcomes that since the adoption of the legally binding Common Position in 2008, an increasing number of weapon systems produced in Europe are made up of components from multiple countries and involve bi- or multilateral cooperation for; underlines the positive role of technological, industrial and political reasoncooperation in promoting confidence building among Member States and third countries;
Amendment 133 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 137 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes that most Member States have not outlined a common policy regulating the transfer of weapons components to another Member State which would ensure that any export to third countries from the Member State of assembly is consistent with the export policy of the Member State providing the components; notes that some of them continue to consider intra-EU transfers of arms and defence-related products as exports operations; regards this as particularly problematic in the context of the increasing divergences between licensing practices across the EU; observes thatcalls the Commission to assess the effects of Directive 2009/43/EC on intra- Community transfers has proven ill- equipped to achieveand the stated goal of setting high common standards for exports to third countries;
Amendment 143 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
Amendment 149 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Notes that despite a correlation between divergences in export policies and difficulties of intra-UE cooperation, the sooner is the consequence of the weakness of the European defence spending, the persistent fragmentation of the internal market for defence-related products and the existence of industrial duplications; calls therefore the European Commission, the Council and Member States to fully implement the European Action Plan for Defence; calls in particular for a swift adoption of the European Defence Fund and for an adequate level of funding enabling the reduction of market fragmentation and industrial consolidation while ensuring the EU and its Member States will dispose of military capabilities they need; calls the Commission to ensure the correct implementation of directive 2009/81/EC and Directive 2009/43/EC;
Amendment 150 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Notes that bilateral cooperation on industrial defence-related projects between Member States lead to export control agreements which can provide a baseline for the EU as a whole;
Amendment 152 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
Amendment 156 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses that bilateral and multilateral agreements may further reducepave the way towards convergence at EU level aund that the failure to regulate exports uniformly between the Member States ander certain conditions and that the lack of convergence in export decisions to third countries have a negative impact on human rights and international law,may generate market distortions, and hinder industrial strategic planning, economies of scale and a level playing field;
Amendment 169 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Notes that EU funds such as the Preparatory Action on Defence Research (PADR), the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) and the European Defence Fund (EDF), initiatives such as the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) and the European Peace Facility (EPF), legislation such as the intra-Community transfers and defence procurement directives of 2009, and the creation of administrative capacities such as the Commission Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) are heraldaiming ant increasing Europeanisation of arms production and capability development;
Amendment 170 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Believes that the strengthening of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base should be accompanied by closer cooperation and convergence in the control of exports of military technology and equipment, with the aim of improving the effectiveness of the CFSP and the CSDP in particular;
Amendment 175 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Underlines the fact that the interinstitutional agreement on the establishment of the EDF authorestablishes the Commission to assess whether the transfer of ownership or the granting of an exclusive licence of EDF-co-fundeda specific type of assessment function for the Commission with regard to a specific category of exports of military technology to third countravenes the security and defence interests of the EU and its Member States or the objectives of the fund as set out in Article 3 of the proposed regulation; notes that this new legislation establisies without prejudice to the competences of EU Member States export control authorities to grant thes a specific type of control function for the Commission with regard to a specific category of exports of military technology to third countriesuthorization in this framework;
Amendment 184 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Notes that under the EPF, Member States and the European External Action Service (EEAS) will work on creating an EU-level system for arms transfers to third countries; Believes that for any future steps towards an EU-level system for arms transfers, in particular to a common denominator, the Schmidt-Debré harmonisation agreement with the ‘de Dinimis’ rule can already be handled as a framework;
Amendment 186 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Notes that under the EPF, Member States and the European External Action Service (EEAS) will work on creating an EU-level systemagreeing EU-level framing principles for arms transfers to third countries;
Amendment 192 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 5
Subheading 5
Implementing the Common Position in the light of enhanced coordination on Europeanisedation of arms production at EU level
Amendment 195 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
Amendment 196 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Notes that the lack of convergence of national arms export policies and decision-making is becoming increasingly untenable in the context of the prevailing Europeanisgrowing Europeanisation of arms production and the stated ambitions and plans to increase this further will require in the long run a progressive convergence of national arms export policies and decision-making; recalls the importance of the appropriation by Member States of such a process; regrets the current divergences between nation ofal arms production and the stated ambitions and plans to increase this furtherexport policies and decision-making; calls the Council to continue its efforts to favour the convergence of arms export policies and decision-making;
Amendment 211 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 – introductory part
Paragraph 19 – introductory part
19. Believes that the Europeanisenhanced coordination ofn arms production at EU level needs to go hand in hand with increased transparency; believnotes that there is still room for improvement in this area, particularly as regards the quality and uniformity of the data submitted by Member States; calls on the Working Party on Conventional Arms Exports (COARM): COARM information exchange system and the guide to the implementation of the Common Position are useful day-to-day tools for control authorities;
Amendment 214 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 – point a
Paragraph 19 – point a
a) to add the following additional categories in a revised reporting template, in line with internationally recognized standards, in order to implement the recent September 2019 Council conclusions: the exact type of weapon and the quantity exported, denomination of the munitions, the lot size and the specific end-user, revoked licences, and the value and duration of contracts regarding post-delivery services such as training and maintenance;
Amendment 217 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 – point b
Paragraph 19 – point b
Amendment 224 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 – point c
Paragraph 19 – point c
c) to clarifydevelop EU and internationally recognized definitions such as licensed value and actual exports so as to facilitate the comparability of data between Member States and at international level;
Amendment 237 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 – introductory part
Paragraph 21 – introductory part
21. Calls on COARM to work towards amending Article 7 of the Common Position, by calling for an improved exchange of ‘relevant information, including information on denial notifications and arms export policies’ and other ‘measures to further increase convergence’; stresses the need, to this end:
Amendment 247 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 – point b
Paragraph 21 – point b
Amendment 254 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 – point c
Paragraph 21 – point c
c) to undertake a jointshare assessments of country situations or potential export recipients in the light of the principles and criteria of the Common Position within the framework of the CFSP and in consultation with external stakeholders, including Parliament;
Amendment 261 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Believes that the EU institutions should organise peer reviews with a view to encouraginge authorities to share best practices on the collection and processing of data, fostering a better understanding of different national approaches, identifying differencnational peculiarities as regards the interpretation of the eight criteria, and discussing ways and means to improve harmonisation and convergence among Member States;
Amendment 275 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Stresses that effective end-use controls are crucial for acould result in a more responsible export policy and forcould lowering the risk of diversion in particular; calls on the Council, the Member States, the EEAS and the Commission to set up a large-scalcomprehensive training and capacity-building programme for national and EU officials on arms export controls; stresses the need to use and adequate amount of EU funding to ensure that sufficientthe necessary staff resources are available at national and EU levels and at delegations and embassies in importing countries for the purposes of implementing viable end-use controls of all aspects of the global arms trade; calls on the EEAS and COARM to report on iTrace any identified diversion of EU- origin goods as part of the annual report;
Amendment 281 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
Amendment 300 #
2020/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Considers that regular consultations with national parliaments, arms export control authorities, industry associations and civil society are central to meaningful transparency; calls on COARM to enhancecontinue its dialogue with civil society and consultations with Parliament and arms export control authorities; encourages civil society and academia to exercise independent scrutiny of the arms trade and calls on the Member States and the EEAS to support such activities, including by financial means;
Amendment 3 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
Citation 2 a (new)
- having regard to the Joint declaration of the members of the European Council with the Member States of the G5 Sahel of 28 April 2020,
Amendment 5 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 b (new)
Citation 2 b (new)
- having regard to the Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/253 of 25 February 2020, amending Decision (CFSP) 2018/906 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the Sahel,
Amendment 91 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the European Union has conducted fourthree military common security and defence policy missions and operations to train and advise the Armed Forces of Somalia (EU training mission (EUTM) Somalia – 2010), Mali (EUTM Mali – 2013) and the Central African Republic (EUTM CAR – 2016), one naval military operation (EU naval force operation (NAVFOR) ATALANTA – 2009), and three civilian missions to train and advise the internal security forces of Mali (EU capacity-building mission (EUCAP) Sahel Mali – 2012), Niger (EUCAP Sahel Niger – 2014) and Somalia (EUCAP Somalia – 2014), and has established and will soon conductlaunch an advisory mission (EUAM) in the Central African Republic;
Amendment 127 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas neither the Somali army, nor thean, Burkinabe, Malian army nor the Central African Aarmed Forces (FACA)ies have been able to contribute effectively to the fight against jihadists and armed groups or hold and secure the ground cleared with the aid of friendly international forces, the result being that the local populations feel abandoned and. They also fear being accused of collaborating with the government by the jihadists or the armed groups in the CAR once they return and reoccupy the space from which they were expelled;
Amendment 139 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas after years of involvement in the above-mentioned civil and military missions, the general situation has become worse and worse and a new and comprehensive strategy therefore needs to be implemented;
Amendment 145 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas Russia has sent hundreds of instructors to train and arm FACA soldiers and China steps up its presence;
Amendment 153 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas the European Development Fund andthrough the African Peace Facility (APF) provides support to the African Union, financing, among other things, the operational cost of military peacekeeping operations in Africa;
Amendment 157 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
Recital L a (new)
Amendment 172 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that the European Union must coordinate the development and security initiatives in which it is involved as part of an integrated strategy; recalls that the fight against terrorism depends on the ability of the states concerned to have strong and reliable institutions, well established basic services including internal security capacities and a justice system, in particular on criminal matters, in which citizens have confidence;
Amendment 186 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that the European Union’s common foreign development and security missions, operations and programmejects should be coordinated by the VP/HR under the authority of the Council in accordance with Article 43(2) of the TEU and that a centralised doctrine centre should be estabthe Joint Support Coordination Cell (JSCC) should have an enhanced coordination role and should propose a centralished coveringdoctrine that would reinforce the capacities of the Military Planning and Conduct Capability and the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability training missions, and projects supporting or reforming the security sector;
Amendment 209 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for the revision of Article 3a(4)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EU) No 230/2014Stresses that in the light of the grave and profound degradation in the security conditions in the region and in order to fill any gaps in EU missions and projects with a view to supporting the capacity-building of partners in the security sector, including through funding for military spending and the provision of weapons, ammunition or lethal equipment, transport and training essential for improving the combat capability of African armed forces fighting against jihadism; supports the Joint Communication of the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 28 April 2015 entitled ‘Capacity building in support of security and development – Enabling partners to prevent and manage crises’4 ; _________________ 4 JOIN(2015)0017.' and the establishment of the future EPF let to the authorisation of the supply of military equipment including weapons and ammunition as well as lethal equipment to support military capabilities in African armed forces;
Amendment 212 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Insists on the importance that the ongoing discussion on the establishment of the future EPF lead to authorization of the supply of military equipment, including weapons and ammunition as well as lethal equipment to support military capability of African armed forces;
Amendment 215 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the VP/HR to propose a Council decision on the establishment of a specific service to oversee the supply and use of such equipment and training;Welcomes the proposal from the HR, with the support of the Commission, for the establishment under the Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) of an “European PeaceFacility” (EPF) for the financing of military and defence-related cooperation with third countries and international organisations, including equipment under the EU common military list[1],which will fill an important gap in EU support. In this regard, and considering the actual situation in Africa, calls on the Council to approve this proposal adopting the necessary Decision without delay establishing this new instrument, and : a) calls for funding from the EU budget to be provided for the administrative expenditure arising from that Council decision, including for personnel; b)calls on the Council to charge the Member States for the operational expenditure arising from the supply and use of suchits implementation, including equipment and training; c) calls on the Member States that do not participate in the funding the supply and use of such materialof a specification or part of it to abstain from the vote in the Council; d) Calls for the establishment in the EEAS of a new dedicated Division in charge of managing this new instrument, to oversee the supply and use of equipment and training including proper safeguards and risk mitigation measures;
Amendment 230 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – introductory part
Paragraph 5 – introductory part
5. Considers that the sustainability and effectiveness of EU civilian and military missions in Africa have also been hampered by the lack of basic equipment in the countries affected and that it is therefore necessary:;
Amendment 237 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – point a
Paragraph 5 – point a
a) for the EUPF budget to be large enough to effectively address the current challenges including relatinged to trainingoperations, missions and military equipment (including weapons, munitions and transport);
Amendment 246 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – point b
Paragraph 5 – point b
b) to adapensure that the AEPF in order to overcomes the current limitations under the APF and the Union's budget on the acquisition of arms and munitions;
Amendment 258 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recommends that the EU considers contributing to the operational and logistical costs of the operations against jihadist terrorism conducted by the national armed forces of Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad, within the framework of peacekeeping operations in the Sahel-Saharan area and by taking a similar approach to the one it takes to financing the G5 Joint Forces and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISON)M) and notes that the EPF should be appropriate instrument to do so;
Amendment 271 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recommends that any financing of capacity-building operations for African countries isbe conditional on an action plan with reasonable deadlinesthe recipient country presenting a commonly agreed support plan with reasonable deadlines to be achieved with EU monitoring with the possibility of further adjustments depending on the evolution of the situation;
Amendment 277 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 – introductory part
Paragraph 10 – introductory part
10. Calls for the format of the EUTM Mali, EUTM CAR and EUTM Somalia training missions to be redefined to better adapt them to the real needs of the armed forces of the beneficiary countries by:
Amendment 282 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 – point a
Paragraph 10 – point a
a) harmonising training methods and rules of procedure and engagement and ensuring they are unique and tailored to the identified needs in country;
Amendment 290 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 – point b
Paragraph 10 – point b
b) ensuring that EU instructors are ablemandated, in coordination with the local military authorities, to select soldiers from among those proposed by the local governments, to train them to be capable fighters, and to supervise and accompany them on the ground once they have finished their training in order to assess them and prevent units from disbanding and soldiers from dispersing;
Amendment 296 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 – point d
Paragraph 10 – point d
d) ensuring that training corresponds to the operational reality, i.e. it should include mobility and command and control capacities;
Amendment 299 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 – point d a (new)
Paragraph 10 – point d a (new)
d a) benefiting from the secondment of the required military expertise, notably in the field of strategic advice;
Amendment 304 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Believes that the EU mustshould continue conducting a comprehensive and effective periodic evaluation of the EUCAP Sahel Mali, EUCAP Sahel Niger, EUCAP Somalia and EUAM CAR civilian missions, adapting them to real needsthrough regular Strategic Reviews, in order to adapt them to evolving security and political situations and real needs on the ground in order to make them fullyeven more operational and effective;
Amendment 311 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Considers that the Federal Government of Somalia is unable to perform its duties and that the Somali National army is also unable to counter al- Shabab’s terrorist activities and is not yet ready to take over from AMISOM; recalls that the Somali army was supposed to take over from AMISOM in December 2021; underlines that the achievement of that objective requires a new and comprehensive assistance programme and calls the UE to agree with the African Union and the Somali Government a position on the mechanism to be put in place once the AMISOM is over;
Amendment 316 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Requires the Malian signatories to the Algiers agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, resulting from the Algiers Process to abide by and implement them without further delay;
Amendment 319 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Believes that the European Union should continue its financial support to AMISON via the APF, maintain the presence of the three EU military missor civilian missions and operations (ATALANTA, EUTM Somalia and EUCAP Somalia), support democratic institutions and continue any training of the national army not linked to regional interests;
Amendment 325 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls for the EU to help the joint forces of the G5 Sahel to become operational through the direct provision of financial assistance for the acquisition of adequate weapons and military equipment; and the advice in the field of doctrine, planed capacities and management; calls on the partners who made pledges at the Brussels Donors’ Conference on 22 February 2018 to implement them expeditiously;
Amendment 332 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Believes that the African states have to take responsibility for fulfilling their sovereign duties in all areas cleared of jihadists, armed groups, traffickers and bandits by providing basic services (administration, water and power supply, health, justice, education), even if some of these services should be temporarily provided by the army or security forces, until such time as the civil administration takes over;
Amendment 337 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Supports the African Union request to the United Nations Security Council for the G5 Sahel joint force and AMISON to be placed under Chapter VII of the UN Charter in order to benefit from sustainable fundingto have access to UN assessed contributions for EU-UN missions mandated by the United Nations Security Council;
Amendment 345 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses that coordination with the countries of North Africa is desirableneeded as well as an effective contribution to peace and reconciliation in Libya in order to prevent it from becoming a hotspot for the spread of jihadism, arms and human trafficking;
Amendment 354 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the efforts of Mauritania to take a social and development approach to its military and security response; expresses its solidarity with Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, countries that are deeply affected by terrorism; compliments the efforts and sacrifices of the international community, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, the Multinational Joint Task Force, the G5 and the French Armed Forces (Operation Barkhane), EUTM Malithe EU Regional Advisory Coordination Cell (RACC), EUTM Mali, GAR-SI Sahel and the Chadian Army, which is the essential force in the central and east sectors of the G5 requiring special support for its battalions;
Amendment 363 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Encourages the Member States to support and cooperate with the Barkhane and Takuba operations; Stresses the important human and military investment of those Member States who are already part of them; insists on the need for a stronger European involvement;
Amendment 369 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls for the EU to pay particular attention to the spread of jihadism in areas such as the Indian Ocean and West Africa and to lend cooperation and establish aid programmes when required; Encourages the EU to persist with its global efforts to combat jihadism, as jihadism has a worldwide reach by exporting its ideology and thereby negatively influencing societies across the globe, including African societies;
Amendment 373 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls for the EU to pay particular attention to the maritime security as well as the spread of jihadism in areas such as the Indian Ocean and West Africa and to lend cooperation and establish aid programmes when required;
Amendment 398 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23 a. Recommends that an harmonisation of the EU's modes of action be studied, particularly for civil and military actions, possibly through a regional centralized command centre;
Amendment 411 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 – point a a (new)
Paragraph 25 – point a a (new)
a a) supporting preventive stabilisation action plans;
Amendment 445 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Expresses its deep concern that the current security crisis in Africa could lea, added to persistent inequalities, lack of opportunities for youth and weak governance, could lead to migrations and to a massive displacement of the population, undermining North African states and affecting Europe;
Amendment 477 #
2020/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Recommends that the EU, together with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, and the African Development Bank, intervenes on a financial level to help control debt and the payment of interest;
Amendment 15 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas solid and comprehensive arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament architecture based on robust confidence building mechanisms and binding treaties and reinforced by a reliable and transparent verification mechanism is key to building and maintaining peace, stability, predictability, human security and sustainable development, de-escalating existing tensions between states and reducing the possibility of armed conflict with unpredictable and possibly catastrophic consequences;
Amendment 22 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas in the current tense geopolitical context, key arms control treaties that came into force at the end of the Cold War have recently been dismantlweakened;
Amendment 24 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the EU, through its Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), is proactively contributing to the prevention of the use and proliferation of WMDs; whereas the Strategy should also be focused on new threats such as missile, drone, autonomous AI-based and energy- based weapons systems and technologies;
Amendment 28 #
2020/2001(INI)
D. whereas the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) has proven to be and remains a cornerstone of global nuclear arms control architecture and an effective tool to uphold international peace and security;
Amendment 34 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) entered into force on 22 January 2021; whereas three EU Member States are States Parties to the TPNW; whereas no NATO Allies and no state possessing nuclear weapons are States Parties to the TPNW; whereas no meaningful results in the global non-proliferation and disarmament efforts are possible without the involvement and active participation of the five nuclear-weaponall States Parties to the NPT;
Amendment 38 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was an achievement of multilateral diplomacy led by the EU; whereas the US and Iranparticipants to the 2015 nuclear deal and the US have begun indirect negotiations with a view to their mutual return tof Iran and the US to the implementation of the JCPOA; whereas Iran has ceased the application of the additional protocol and the implementation of modified Code 3.1 of the Subsidiary Arrangements to Iran’s Safeguards Agreement;
Amendment 54 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas in recent years, China has substantially stepped up the development of its conventional and nuclear capabilities, whereas China has shown lack of transparency and reluctance to engage in talks on its potential participation in multilateralnuclear arms control instruments;
Amendment 55 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas in recent years, China has substantially stepped up the development of its conventional, missile and nuclear capabilities, whereas China has shown reluctance to engage in talks on its potential participation in multilateral arms control instruments;
Amendment 60 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital N
Recital N
N. whereas since the withdrawal of the UK from the EU, France is now the only nuclear Member State within the EU;
Amendment 77 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital T
Recital T
T. whereas the nuclear activiti, WMD and ballistic missiles programmes of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) represent a serious threat to international peace and security, and to global disarmament and non-proliferation efforts;
Amendment 83 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital U
Recital U
U. whereas WMD disarmament and non-proliferation efforts can contribute to sustainable development, global security predictability and long-term stability;
Amendment 87 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital V
Recital V
V. whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the need to increase EU chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence (CBRN) preparedness as well as investments in CBRN civil and military capabilities;
Amendment 92 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Reiterates its full commitment to the preservation of effective international arms control, disarmament and non- proliferation regimes as a cornerstone of global and European security; recalls its commitmentwillingness to pursuing policies designed to move forward the reduction and elimination of all nuclear arsenals and to create the conditions to achieve a world without nuclear weapons; calls for a renewed arms control multilateral order with undiminished security for all;
Amendment 96 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Is alarmed by the ongoing erosion of the global non-proliferation, disarmament and arms control architecture, which is worsened by the rapid development of new systemdestabilising systems and the persistence of the proliferation crisis; fears that withdrawal from, or the non-extension of, major arms control treaties would seriously damage the international arms control regimes that have provided decades of stability, and would undermine relationships between nuclear-armedweapon states; underlines the urgent need to restore cross-border trust;
Amendment 101 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Reaffirms its full support to the NPT as the cornerstone of the international non-proliferation regime; expects nuclear-weapon states to take steps to demonstrate their genuine commitment to nuclear disarmament; exhorts States Parties to do their utmost to contribute to a successful and ambitious outcome of the upcoming 10th Review Conference in all its pillars: disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy;
Amendment 105 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Insists on the need to ensure that the EU plays a strong and constructive role in developing and reinforcing the global rules-based non-proliferation efforts and arms control and disarmament architecture; calls on the EU to step up its multilateral diplomacy efforts to promote confidence- building measures among all parties to the NPT, with a view to defusing existing tensions and reducing distrust;
Amendment 107 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Insists on the need to ensure that the EU plays a strong and constructive role in developing and reinforcing the global rules-based non-proliferation efforts and arms control and disarmament architecture;
Amendment 117 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for the EU to assist efforts to universalise existing non-proliferation treaties and instruments such the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty; asks the European External Action Service to also work on strengthening the training and capacity- building of our partners;
Amendment 120 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 125 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses its full support for the work of the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs, for the UN Secretary-General’s ambitious Agenda for Disarmament and for the multilateral deliberative processes and negotiations under the auspices of the UN; underlines the need to ensure the involvement of all stakeholders, civil society and academia and the meaningful and diverse participation of citizens in disarmament and non-proliferation debates; supports the confidence-building measures set out by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe;
Amendment 126 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the EU’s commitment to help establishing a WMD-free zone in the Middle East, in accordance with the resolution on the Middle East of the 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons;
Amendment 127 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the EU’s commitment to establishing a WMD-free zone in the Middle East; encourages the EU to continue its engagement for the elimination of all WMDs in the Korean Peninsula;
Amendment 132 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes the entry into force of the TPNW as an expression of the desire of the majority of the global community to live in a nuclear weapon-free world; recalls that the goal of nuclear disarmament must be pursued within the framework of the NPT while ensuring international stability and undiminished collective security for all; invites all NPT States Parties to therefore constructively engage in the NPT framework, and agree on realistic, effective, tangible, reciprocal and verifiable measures conducive to the achievement of the ultimate shared long- term goal of nuclear disarmament;
Amendment 145 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Reaffirms its full support for the JCPOA as a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture; calls on all partiesIran to return to the negotiations with a view to returning to full and effective compliance with the agreement;
Amendment 156 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Reiterates its deep regret aton the withdrawal from the INF Treaty by the US and the Russian Federation following Russia’s persistent failure to comply with the treaty, which led to its termination; underlines its strong opposition to a new arms race and re-militarisation o; underlines its strong concern regarding a new arms race in European soil; welcomes the commitment made by the US and Russia to continue working towards the achievement of their stated common goal of ensuring predictability in the strategic domain and reducing the risks of armed conflict and the threat of nuclear war; calls on all other countries, notably China, in possession or in the process of the development of missile systems to engage in efforts to multilateralise and universalise theon a successor treaty to the INF;
Amendment 162 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Warmly welcomes the decision taken by the US and the Russian Federation to extend the New START Treaty; advocates the involvement of other nuclear-China, in armeds countries, notably China, in negotiol dialogue and for more transparency regarding the continued increase and modernizations on any new arms control agreementf its nuclear arsenal;
Amendment 169 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Notes with concern the ongoing Russian modernisation programmes which raise questions about Russian compliance with the objectives of the Presidential Nuclear Initiatives; calls on both the US and the Russian Federation to stick to their commitments in relation to non-strategic nuclear weapons and to ensure transparency on arsenals, deployments and the, status of their respective weapons, modernisation and new weapons development;
Amendment 178 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Highlights that the international community must work on active measures to counter the adverse strategic implications of cruise-risk of missile proliferation;
Amendment 182 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Highlights the need to address the issue of non-nuclear hypersonic missile technology, which represents a delivery system for WMD and due to its technical characteristics lowers the threshold of the use of WMD in response to an attack;
Amendment 190 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Insists on the need to uphold the global ethical norm against chemical weapons by preventing impunity for their use; welcomes the adoption by the Council of a horizontal sanctions regime to address the growing usviolations in the production, storage and proliferation of chemical weapons; reiterates its grave concern at the attempted assassination of Alexei Navalny; welcomes the sanctions imposed on Russian officials in response to this blatant violation of international norms;
Amendment 194 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Praises the instrumental role the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has been playing in the verified destruction of chemical agents; strongly condemns the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian Arab Republicdeeply regrets the development and large- scale use of chemical weapons by States that are members of the Chemical Weapons Convention, such as the Syrian Arab Republic; strongly condemns the use of chemical weapons in any part of the world;
Amendment 202 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Reiterates its will to work towards achieving a complete, irreversible and verifiable denuclearisation of the Korean peninsulaDemocratic People's Republic of Korea and the full implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions which require the DPRK to abandon all nuclear weapons, other WMD and delivery systems programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner; urges the DPRK to swiftly sign and ratify the CTBT and return to compliance with the NPT;
Amendment 206 #
2020/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Points to the rapid advances in the development of artificial intelligence- enabled systems in the military domain; insists on the launch of international negotiations on a legally binding instrument that would prohibit fully autonomous weaponssupport of the EU to the efforts of the UN/CCW where the HCP contributes to the work of the GGE on emerging technologies in the area of LAWS to fulfil its mandate and reach consensus on a possible normative and operational framework;
Amendment 1 #
2020/1998(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Regrets that the proposed commitment appropriations for the “Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme” at EUR 90 600 000 are much lower than initially requested by the Parliament, and represents a decrease of - 9,9% on commitment appropriations and - 17,8% on payment appropriations compared to 2020; requests, in line with the first reading position of the Parliament adopted on 17 April 2019, that commitment appropriations are increased to EUR 265 000 000 and that a new budget line to “promote and protect Union values“ (EUR 120 000 000 in commitment appropriations) is created; calls, in line with the partial agreement reached with Council, to increase the commitment appropriations under the “Daphne” budget line to EUR 37 100 000 and to earmark EUR 27 300 000 of this amount for the fight against gender-based violence by creating a subline “Combating all forms of gender-based violence”; calls further for an increase of the commitment appropriations of the budget line “Promote citizens engagement and participation in the democratic life of the Union” to EUR 70 600 000, to rename the budget line “Promote equality and rights” to “Promote equality, rights and gender equality” and to earmark EUR 10 300 000 to “Promote gender equality and gender mainstreaming” by creating a new subline;
Amendment 6 #
2020/1998(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Recalls that independent and qualitative investigative journalism is an essential component of a well-functioning democracy, by bringing quality fact-based information, combating disinformation, raising awareness to citizens, and revealing wrongdoings or crimes; stresses that journalism across Europe faces strong challenges, in particular the lack of financial resources, hence threatening their independence or survival; calls for ambitious funding programmes in the European budget in this field;
Amendment 12 #
2020/1998(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes the small increase (+0.5%) of commitment and payment appropriations of the Justice programme; requests, in line with position of the Parliament on the financial envelope for the Justice programme included in the European Parliament resolution of 14 November 2018 on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, to further increase the funding of that programme in 2021 by a total of EUR 6 800 000 to EUR 50 500 000; stresses that Justice is a key component of a Security Union as defended by the President of the European Commission, and that judicial cooperation should be strengthened with the help of European JHA agencies, in particular to fight organised crime and terrorism;
Amendment 13 #
2020/1998(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Amendment 14 #
2020/1998(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Is deeply concerned by the continuing loss of lives in the Mediterranean in the absence of functioning SAR capacities; believes that SAR is a state responsibility that cannot be left to non-state actors; calls on the Commission to urgently create a fund to support the setting up of a EU Search and Rescue mission for the Mediterranean;
Amendment 15 #
2020/1998(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that the small funding increase (+1.8%) proposed for the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction will not be sufficient to comply with its legal obligations deriving from the Staff Regulations as well as its rental contracts; emphasises, moreover, that additional funding should be provided for the Centre to fully deploy its operational capacity and to effectively respond to the most recent developments of the drug phenomenon, including effects of Covid-19 outbreak; highlights that the drug retail value in Europe is estimated at 30 billion euros per year, and that 100 tonnes of cocaine were seized in the EU in 2019; requests, therefore, to increase the Centre’s budget to EUR 18 100 000;
Amendment 16 #
2020/1998(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Takes note of the proposal to increase the appropriations of the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) by 11.5% while leaving the number of statutory staff unchanged; reminds that the AgencyEuropol is requested to provide increased analysis and operational support to Member States and, upon request, has recently launched new initiatives such as the European Financial and Economic Crime Centre and the Innovation Lab which require additional funding, tools and innovation to Member States’ law enforcement authorities, in areas such as countering terrorism and its financing, radicalisation and extremism, migrant smuggling, drugs trafficking or cybercrime, and, upon request, has recently launched new initiatives such as the European Financial and Economic Crime Centre and the Innovation Lab which require additional funding; also stresses the increase of criminal activities during the pandemic, such as cyberattacks and cybercrimes, online child abuse and exploitation, goods counterfeiting, and the surge of new activities in the recent years like environmental crimes, showing the adaptability and flexibility of criminals and the need for Europol to adapt likewise; expects Agency’s tasks to be further extended in 2021 with the upcoming revision of the Agency mandate; considers, therefore, that EUR 184 900 000 should be provided to the Agency in line with its request; requests to add further 63 posts to the Agency establishment plan;
Amendment 22 #
2020/1998(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the importance of integrated border management to ensure the functioning of the Schengen area; highlights the important role of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) in this regard andnotes that the Covid-19 outbreak showed to which extent borders management has implications in various areas, not only in security and migration, but also in mobility; highlights the important role of the European Border and Coast Guard (Frontex) in this regard; regrets that Commission’s proposal is below the anticipated budget in the financial statement of the Agency’s regulation, hence putting at risk the ability of Frontex to deliver the European standing corps of border by 2024, as requested by the President of the European Commission; underlines that the recruitment, training and deployment of 10,000 border and coats guards requires exceptional resources that cannot be reduced; calls for a significant budget increase for 2021 to EUR 838 000 000 to allow the Agency to build and train its standing corps as well as to purchase own equipment, thereby allowing a successful and timely deployment and operational support to the Member States at the external borders;
Amendment 27 #
2020/1998(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Takes note of the decrease in commitment appropriations (-5%) and the increase in payment appropriations (12%) for eu-LISA; highlights the important role of the Agency in the proper implementation and operational management of EU large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice (EES, ETIAS, ECRIS-TCN, EURODAC, VIS, SIS) and to provide interoperability between these systems for faster and more reliable data to border management and law enforcement authorities; regrets that Commission’s proposal does not meet eu-LISA’s request in terms of staff; requests 14 additional staff to support the securing information networks and databases, the project for the extension of the operational sites of the Agency and the activities of the management board;
Amendment 30 #
2020/1998(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 33 #
2020/1998(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Stresses that the Recovery plan is a new opportunity for criminals to make profits and misappropriate funds intended to saving jobs and supporting the legal economy in Europe; considers that the fight against fraud to EU’s budget, corruption, money laundering, criminal financing should be strengthened in 2021; in this context, stresses the importance of adequate funding for European JHA agencies, in particular Europol, EPPO, CEPOL, OLAF and Eurojust;
Amendment 34 #
2020/1998(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7 b. Welcomes the new Security Union Strategy published by the Commission on 24 July, focusing on critical infrastructure protection, the fight against cybercrime, responding to hybrid threats and organised crime; also notes the three action plans presented on online sexual abuse against children, on firearms and on drugs; considers therefore that adequate funding is necessary in the Union’s budget and for the European JHA agencies to pursue these objectives;
Amendment 37 #
2020/1998(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Regrets the reduction of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights’ budget by 0.4%; requests instead to increase Agency’s commitment and payment appropriations to EUR 24 600 000; calls for adding two AD6 and two contractual agent function group IV posts to the Agency establishment plan; highlights that without adequate financial and staff resources, the Agency may not be able to implement projects that respond to identified needs, in particular in countering discriminations and racism, defending individuals data protection and fundamental rights, including at the external borders, protecting migrants and refugees, supporting justice and victims’ rights;
Amendment 39 #
2020/1998(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Considers the proposed increase of appropriations for the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) insufficient in light of the challenges faced by the Agency with regard to digitalisation and the continuously growing caseload; requests to provide the Agency with 217 additional posts and to increase its budget accordingly to EUR 43 800 000;
Amendment 41 #
2020/1998(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the proposed increase of the European Asylum Support Office’s commitment and payment appropriations by 16.5% but regrets that the number of posts in its establishment plan have not been increased accordingly; requests therefore to reinforce the establishment plan of the Office by an additional 50 posts; recalls that Office plans to keep the same level of staff as requested for 2021 throughout the new programming period but stresses that additional staff will be needed if the new Regulation on the European Union Agency for Asylum is adopted; recalls that EASO’s operational activities have increased considerably in the recent years to address the challenge of the migration crisis and to assist Member States for the reception of asylum seekers and the processing of asylum procedures, in particular in EU hotspots; stresses that EASO has also been tasked with a number of new missions, in the fields of disembarkation or relocation; highlights that the additional staff will reinforce field operations, development and delivery of trainings, information and analysis, practical tools, governance activities and administrative functions, while the pressure on EU migration and asylum systems remains high.
Amendment 15 #
2020/0365(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) Despite existing measures at 19 19 Union and national level aimed at supporting the protection of critical infrastructures in the Union, the entities operating those infrastructures are not adequately equipped to address current and anticipated future risks to their operations that may result in disruptions of the provision of services that are essential for the performance of vital societal functions or economic activities. This is due to a dynamic threat landscape with hybrid threats, emerging technologies, in particular artificial intelligence, an evolving terrorist threat and growing interdependencies between infrastructures and sectors, as well as an increased physical risk due to natural disasters and climate change, which increases the frequency and scale of extreme weather events and brings long-term changes in average climate that can reduce the capacity and efficiency of certain infrastructure types if resilience or climate adaptation measures are not in place. Moreover, relevant sectors and types of entities are not recognised consistently as critical in all Member States. _________________ 19European Programme for Critical Infrastructure Protection (EPCIP).
Amendment 37 #
2020/0365(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. This Directive shall not apply to matters covered by Directive (EU) XX/YY [proposed Directive on measures for a high common level of cybersecurity across the Union; (‘NIS 2 Directive’)], without prejudice to Article 7. This Directive is without prejudice to the competences of Member States concerning the maintenance of public security, defence and national security in compliance with Union law. As a consequence: (a) public administration entities that carry out activities in the areas of public security, law enforcement, defence or national security are excluded. (b) entities in the sectors referred to in the Annex carrying out activities of a dual nature in connection with or for the benefit of public security, law enforcement, defence or national security are excluded.
Amendment 144 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) Considering the particular characteristics of the services concerned and the corresponding need to make the providers thereof subject to certain specific obligations, it is necessary to distinguish, within the broader category of providers of hosting services as defined in this Regulation, the subcategory of online platforms. Online platforms, such as social networks, content-sharing platforms, search engine, livestreaming platforms, messaging services or online marketplaces, should be defined as providers of hosting services that not only store information provided by the recipients of the service at their request, but that also disseminate that information to the public, again at their request. However, in order to avoid imposing overly broad obligations, providers of hosting services should not be considered as online platforms where the dissemination to the public is merely a minor and purely ancillary feature of another service and that feature cannot, for objective technical reasons, be used without that other, principal service, and the integration of that feature is not a means to circumvent the applicability of the rules of this Regulation applicable to online platforms. For example, the comments section in an online newspaper could constitute such a feature, where it is clear that it is ancillary to the main service represented by the publication of news under the editorial responsibility of the publisher.
Amendment 146 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) The concept of ‘dissemination to the public’, as used in this Regulation, should entail the making available of information to a potentially unlimited number of persons, that is, making the information easily accessible to users in general without further action by the recipient of the service providing the information being required, irrespective of whether those persons actually access the information in question. Accordingly, where access to information requires registration or admission to a user group, such information should only be considered to be publicly available when users seeking to access such information are automatically registered or admitted without human intervention to decide or select the users to whom access is granted. The mere possibility to create groups of users of a given service, including a messagings service, should not, in itself, be understood to mean that the information disseminated in that manner is not disseminated to the public. However, the concept should exclude dissemination of information within closed groups consisting of a finite number of pre- determined persons. Interpersonal communication services, as defined in Directive (EU) 2018/1972 of the European Parliament and of the Council,39 such as emails or private messaging services, fall outside the scope of this Regulation. Information should be considered disseminated to the public within the meaning of this Regulation only where that occurs upon the direct request by the recipient of the service that provided the information. _________________ 39Directive (EU) 2018/1972 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 establishing the European Electronic Communications Code (Recast), OJ L 321, 17.12.2018, p. 36
Amendment 162 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
Recital 25
(25) In order to create legal certainty and not to discourage activities aimed at detecting, identifying and acting against illegal content that providers of intermediary services may undertake on a voluntary basis, it should be clarified that the mere fact that providers undertake such activities does not lead to the unavailability of the exemptions from liability set out in this Regulation, provided those activities are carried out in good faith and in a diligent manner. In addition, it is appropriate to clarify that the mere fact that those providers take measures, in good faith, to comply with the requirements of Union law, including those set out in this Regulation as regards the implementation of their terms and conditions, should not lead to the unavailability of those exemptions from liability. Therefore, any such activities and measures that a given provider may have taken in order to detect, identify and act on illegal pieces of content on a voluntary basis, should not be taken into account when determining whether the provider can rely on an exemption from liability, in particular as regards whether the provider provides its service neutrally and can therefore fall within the scope of the relevant provision, without this rule however implying that the provider can necessarily rely thereon.
Amendment 167 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28
Recital 28
(28) Providers of intermediary services should not be subject to a monitoring obligation with respect to obligations of a general nature. This does not concern monitoring obligations in a specific case and, in particular, does not affect orders by national authorities in accordance with national legislation, in accordance with the conditions established in this Regulation. Nothing in this Regulation should be construed as an imposition of a general monitoring obligation or active fact-finding obligation, or as a general obligation for providers to take proactive measures to relation to illegal content. Member states should however have the possibility to require from service providers, who host information provided by users of their service, to apply diligent duty of care.
Amendment 171 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 29
Recital 29
(29) Depending on the legal system of each Member State and the field of law at issue, national judicial or administrative authorities may order providers of intermediary services to act against certain specific items of illegal content or to provide certain specific items of information. The national laws on the basis of which such orders are issued differ considerably and the orders are increasingly addressed in cross-border situations. In order to ensure that those orders can be complied with in an effective and efficient manner, so that the public authorities concerned can carry out their tasks and the providers are not subject to any disproportionate burdens, without unduly affecting the rights and legitimate interests of any third parties, it is necessary to set certain conditions that those orders should meet and certain complementary requirements relating to thto ensure the effective processing of those orders.
Amendment 175 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 31
Recital 31
(31) The territorial scope of such orders to act against illegal content should be clearly set out on the basis of the applicable Union or national law enabling the issuance of the order and should not exceed what is strictly necessary to achieve its objectives. In that regard, the national judicial or administrative authority issuing the order should balance the objective that the order seeks to achieve, in accordance with the legal basis enabling its issuance, with the rights and legitimate interests of all third parties that may be affected by the order, in particular their fundamental rights under the Charter. In addition, where the order referring to the specific information may have effects beyond the territory of the Member State of the authority concerned, the authority should assess whether the information at issue is likely to constitute illegal content in other Member States concerned and, where relevant, take account of the relevant rules of Union or national law, or international law and the interests of international comity.
Amendment 177 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 33
Recital 33
(33) Orders to act against illegal content and to provide information are subject to the rules safeguarding the competence of the Member State where the service provider addressed is established and laying down possible derogations from that competence in certain cases, set out in Article 3 of Directive 2000/31/EC, only if the conditions of that Article are met. Given that the orders in question relate to specific items of illegal content and information under either Union or national law, respectively, where they are addressed to providers of intermediary services established in another Member State, they do not in principle restrict those providers’ freedom to provide their services across borders. Therefore, the rules set out in Article 3 of Directive 2000/31/EC, including those regarding the need to justify measures derogating from the competence of the Member State where the service provider is established on certain specified grounds and regarding the notification of such measures, do not apply in respect of those orders.
Amendment 188 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 42
Recital 42
(42) Where a hosting service provider decides to remove or disable information provided by a recipient of the service, for instance following receipt of a notice or acting on its own initiative, including through the use of automated means that have been proven to be efficient, proportionate and accurate, that provider should inform the recipient of its decision, the reasons for its decision and the available redress possibilities to contest the decision, in view of the negative consequences that such decisions may have for the recipient, including as regards the exercise of its fundamental right to freedom of expression. That obligation should apply irrespective of the reasons for the decision, in particular whether the action has been taken because the information notified is considered to be illegal content or incompatible with the applicable terms and conditions. Available recourses to challenge the decision of the hosting service provider should always include judicial redress.
Amendment 198 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 46
Recital 46
(46) Action against illegal content can be taken more quickly and reliably where online platforms take the necessary measures to ensure that notices submitted by trusted flaggers through the notice and action mechanisms required by this Regulation are treated with priority, without prejudice to the requirement to process and decide upon all notices submitted under those mechanisms in a timely, diligent and objective manner. Such trusted flagger status should only be awarded to entities, and not individuals, that have demonstrated, among other things, that they have particular expertise and competence in tackling illegal content, that they represent collective interests and that they work in a diligent and objective manner. Such entities can be public in nature, such as, for terrorist content for instance, internet referral units of national law enforcement authorities or of the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (‘Europol’) or they can be non-governmental organisations and semi- public bodies, such as the organisations part of the INHOPE network of hotlines for reporting child sexual abuse material and organisations committed to notifying illegal racist and xenophobic expressions online. For intellectual property rights, organisations of industry and of right- holders could be awarded trusted flagger status, where they have demonstrated that they meet the applicable conditions. The rules of this Regulation on trusted flaggers should not be understood to prevent online platforms from giving similar treatment to notices submitted by entities or individuals that have not been awarded trusted flagger status under this Regulation, from otherwise cooperating with other entities, in accordance with the applicable law, including this Regulation and Regulation (EU) 2016/794 of the European Parliament and of the Council.43 _________________ 43Regulation (EU) 2016/794 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and replacing and repealing Council Decisions 2009/371/JHA, 2009/934/JHA, 2009/935/JHA, 2009/936/JHA and 2009/968/JHA, OJ L 135, 24.5.2016, p. 53
Amendment 201 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 47
Recital 47
(47) The misuse of services of online platforms by frequently providing manifestly illegal content or by frequently submitting manifestly unfounded notices or complaints under the mechanisms and systems, respectively, established under this Regulation undermines trust and harms the rights and legitimate interests of the parties concerned. Therefore, there is a need to put in place appropriate and, proportionate and reliable safeguards against such misuse. Information should be considered to be manifestly illegal content and notices or complaints should be considered manifestly unfounded where it is evident to a layperson, without any substantive analysis, that the content is illegal respectively that the notices or complaints are unfounded. Under certain conditions, online platforms should temporarily suspend their relevant activities in respect of the person engaged in abusive behaviour. This is without prejudice to the freedom by online platforms to determine their terms and conditions and establish stricter measures in the case of manifestly illegal content related to serious crimes. For reasons of transparency, this possibility should be set out, clearly and in sufficiently detail, in the terms and conditions of the online platforms. Redress should always be open to the decisions taken in this regard by online platforms and they should be subject to oversight by the competent Digital Services Coordinator. The rules of this Regulation on misuse should not prevent online platforms from taking other measures to address the provision of illegal content by recipients of their service or other misuse of their services, in accordance with the applicable Union and national law. Those rules are without prejudice to any possibility to hold the persons engaged in misuse liable, including for damages, provided for in Union or national law.
Amendment 203 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 48
Recital 48
(48) An online platform may in some instances become aware, such as through a notice by a notifying party or through its own voluntary measures, of information relating to certain activity of a recipient of the service, such as the provision of certain types of illegal content, that reasonably justify, having regard to all relevant circumstances of which the online platform is aware, the suspicion that the recipient may have committed, may be committing or is likely to commit a serious criminal offence involving a threat to the life or safety of person, notably when it concerns vulnerable users such as children, such as offences specified in Directive 2011/93/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council44 . In such instances, the online platform should inform without delay the competent law enforcement authorities of such suspicion, providing all relevant information available to it, including where relevant the content in question and an explanation of its suspicion. This Regulation does not provide the legal basis for profiling of recipients of the services with a view to the possible identification of criminal offences by online platforms. Online platforms should also respect other applicable rules of Union or national law for the protection of the rights and freedoms of individuals when informing law enforcement authorities. _________________ 44Directive 2011/93/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA (OJ L 335, 17.12.2011, p. 1).
Amendment 204 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 48 a (new)
Recital 48 a (new)
Amendment 209 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 52
Recital 52
(52) Online advertisement plays an important role in the online environment, including in relation to the provision of the services of online platforms. However, online advertisement can contribute to significant risks, ranging from advertisement that is itself illegal content, to contributing to financial incentives for the publication or amplification of illegal or otherwise harmful content and activities online, or the discriminatory display of advertising with an impact on the equal treatment and opportunities of citizens. In addition to the requirements resulting from Article 6 of Directive 2000/31/EC, online platforms should therefore be required to ensure that the recipients of the service have certain individualised information necessary for them to understand when and on whose behalf the advertisement is displayed. In addition, recipients of the service should have an easy access to information on the main parameters used for determining that specific advertising is to be displayed to them, providing meaningful explanations of the logic used to that end, including when this is based on profiling. The requirements of this Regulation on the provision of information relating to advertisement is without prejudice to the application of the relevant provisions of Regulation (EU) 2016/679, in particular those regarding the right to object, automated individual decision- making, including profiling and specifically the need to obtain consent of the data subject prior to the processing of personal data for targeted advertising. Similarly, it is without prejudice to the provisions laid down in Directive 2002/58/EC in particular those regarding the storage of information in terminal equipment and the access to information stored therein.
Amendment 210 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 53
Recital 53
(53) Given the importance of very large online platforms, due to their reach, in particular as expressed in number of recipients of the service, in facilitating public debate, economic transactions and the dissemination of information, opinions and ideas and in influencing how recipients obtain and communicate information online, it is necessary to impose specific obligations on those platforms, in addition to the obligations applicable to all online platforms. Those additional obligations on very large online platforms are necessary to address those public policy concerns, t specifically regarding disinformation, misinformation, hate speech or any other types of harmful content. There being no alternative and less restrictive measures that would effectively achieve the same result.
Amendment 213 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 56
Recital 56
(56) Very large online platforms are used in a way that strongly influences safety online, the shaping of public opinion and discourse, as well as on online trade. The way they design their services is generally optimised to benefit their often advertising-driven business models and can cause real societal concerns. In the absence of effective regulation and enforcement, they can set the rules of the game, without effectively identifying and mitigating the risks and the societal and economic harm they can cause. Under this Regulation, very large online platforms should therefore assess the systemic risks stemming from the functioning and use of their service, as well as by potential misuses by the recipients of the service, and take appropriate mitigating measures.
Amendment 216 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 57
Recital 57
(57) Three categories of systemic risks should be assessed in-depth. A first category concerns the risks associated with the misuse of their service through the dissemination of illegal content, such as the dissemination of child sexual abuse material or illegal hate speech, and the conduct of illegal activities, such as the sale of products or services prohibited by Union or national law, including counterfeit products. For example, and without prejudice to the personal responsibility of the recipient of the service of very large online platforms for possible illegality of his or her activity under the applicable law, such dissemination or activities may constitute a significant systematic risk where access to such content may be amplified through accounts with a particularly wide reach. A second category concerns the impact of the service on the exercise of fundamental rights, as protected by the Charter of Fundamental Rights, including the freedom of expression and information, the right to private life, the right to non-discrimination and the rights of the child. Such risks may arise, for example, in relation to the design of the algorithmic systems used by the very large online platform or the misuse of their service through the submission of abusive notices or other methods for silencing speech or, hampering competition or the way platforms' terms and conditions including content moderation policies, are enforced, including through automatic means. A third category of risks concerns the intentional and, oftentimes, coordinated manipulation of the platform’s service, with a foreseeable impact on health, civic discoursefundamental rights, electoral processes, public security and protection of minors, having regard to the need to safeguard public order, protect privacy and fight fraudulent and deceptive commercial practices. Such risks may arise, for example, through the creation of fake accounts, the use of bots, and other automated or partially automated behaviours, which may lead to the rapid and widespread dissemination of information that is illegal content or incompatible with an online platform’s terms and conditions.
Amendment 223 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 58
Recital 58
(58) Very large online platforms should deploy the necessary means to diligently mitigate the systemic risks identified in the risk assessment. Very large online platforms should under such mitigating measures consider, for example, enhancing or otherwise adapting the design and functioning of their content moderation, algorithmic recommender systems and online interfaces, so that they discourage and limit the dissemination of illegal content, adapting their decision-making processes, or adapting their terms and conditions as well as making content moderation policies, as well as the way they are enforced fully transparent for the users. They may also include corrective measures, such as discontinuing advertising revenue for specific content, or other actions, such as improving the visibility of authoritative information sources. Very large online platforms may reinforce their internal processes or supervision of any of their activities, in particular as regards the detection of systemic risks. They may also initiate or increase cooperation with trusted flaggers, organise training sessions and exchanges with trusted flagger organisations, and cooperate with other service providers, including by initiating or joining existing codes of conduct or other self-regulatory measures. Any measures adopted should respect the due diligence requirements of this Regulation and be effective and appropriate for mitigating the specific risks identified, in the interest of safeguarding public order, protecting privacy and fighting fraudulent and deceptive commercial practices, and should be proportionate in light of the very large online platform’s economic capacity and the need to avoid unnecessary restrictions on the use of their service, taking due account of potential negative effects on the fundamental rights of the recipients of the service.
Amendment 229 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 60
Recital 60
(60) Given the need to ensure verification by independent experts, very large online platforms should be accountable, through independent auditing, for their compliance with the obligations laid down by this Regulation and, where relevant, any complementary commitments undertaking pursuant to codes of conduct and crises protocols. They should give the auditor access to all relevant data necessary to perform the audit properly. Auditors should also be able to make use of other sources of objective information, including studies by vetted researchers. Auditors should guarantee the confidentiality, security and integrity of the information, such as trade secrets, that they obtain when performing their tasks and have the necessary expertise in the area of risk management and technical competence to audit algorithms. Auditors should be independent, so as to be able to perform their tasks in an adequate, efficient and trustworthy manner. If their independence is not beyond doubt, they should resign or abstain from the audit engagement.
Amendment 241 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 64
Recital 64
(64) In order to appropriately supervise the compliance of very large online platforms with the obligations laid down by this Regulation, the Digital Services Coordinator of establishment or the Commission may require access to or reporting of specific data. Such a requirement may include, for example, the data necessary to assess the risks and possible harms, such as the dissemination of illegal and harmful content, brought about by the platform’s systems, data on the accuracy, functioning and testing of algorithmic systems for content moderation, recommender systems or advertising systems, or data on processes and outputs of content moderation or of internal complaint-handling systems within the meaning of this Regulation. Investigations by researchers on the evolution and severity of online systemic risks are particularly important for bridging information asymmetries and establishing a resilient system of risk mitigation, informing online platforms, Digital Services Coordinators, other competent authorities, the Commission and the public. This Regulation therefore provides a framework for compelling access to data from very large online platforms to vetted researchers. All requirements for access to data under that framework should be proportionate and appropriately protect the rights and legitimate interests, including trade secrets and other confidential information, of the platform and any other parties concerned, including the recipients of the service.
Amendment 246 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 67
Recital 67
(67) The Commission and the Board should encourage the drawing-up of codes of conduct to contribute to the application of this Regulation, and encourage online platforms to follow those codes. While the implementation of codes of conduct should be measurable and subject to public oversight, this should not impair the voluntary nature of such codes and the freedom of interested parties to decide whether to participate. In certain circumstances, it is important that very large online platforms cooperate in the drawing-up and adhere to specific codes of conduct. Nothing in this Regulation prevents other service providers from adhering to the same standards of due diligence, adopting best practices and benefitting from the guidance provided by the Commission and the Board, by participating in the same codes of conduct.
Amendment 249 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 68
Recital 68
(68) It is appropriate that this Regulation identify certain areas of consideration for such codes of conduct. In particular, risk mitigation measures concerning specific types of illegal content should be explored via self- and co-regulatory agreements. Another area forspect which needs to be considerationed is the possible negative impacts of systemic risks on society and democracy, such as disinformation, harmful content, in particular hate speech, or manipulative and abusive activities. This includes coordinated operations aimed at amplifying information, including disinformation, such as the use of bots or fake accounts for the creation of fake or misleading information, sometimes with a purpose of obtaining economic gain, which are particularly harmful for vulnerable recipients of the service, such as children. In relation to such areas, adherence to and compliance with a given code of conduct by a very large online platform may be considered as an appropriate risk mitigating measure. The refusal without proper explanations by an online platform of the Commission’s invitation to participate in the application of such a code of conduct could be taken into account, where relevant, when determining whether the online platform has infringed the obligations laid down by this Regulation.
Amendment 251 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 69
Recital 69
(69) The rules on codes of conduct under this Regulation could serve as a basis for already established self-regulatory efforts at Union level, including the Product Safety Pledge, the Memorandum of Understanding against counterfeit goods, the Code of Conduct against illegal hate speech as well as the Code of practice on disinformation. In particular for the latter, since the Commission willhas issued guidance for strengthening the Code of practice on disinformation as announced in the European Democracy Action Plan, in May 2021.
Amendment 253 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 71
Recital 71
(71) In case of extraordinary circumstances affecting public security or public health, the Commission may initiate the drawing up of crisis protocols to coordinate a rapid, collective and cross- border response in the online environment in the public interest. Extraordinary circumstances may entail any unforeseeable event, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, pandemics and other serious cross-border threats to public health, war and acts of terrorism, where, for example, online platforms may be misused for the rapid spread of illegal content or disinformation or where the need arises for rapid dissemination of reliable information. In light of the important role of very large online platforms in disseminating information in our societies and across borders, such platforms should be encouraged in drawing up and applying specific crisis protocols. Such crisis protocols should be activated only for a limited period of time and the measures adopted should also be limited to what is strictly necessary to address the extraordinary circumstance. Those measures should be consistent with this Regulation, and should not amount to a general obligation for the participating very large online platforms to monitor the information which they transmit or store, nor actively to seek facts or circumstances indicating illegal content.
Amendment 301 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) the number of notices submitted in accordance with Article 14, categorised by the type of alleged illegal content concerned, the number of notices submitted by trusted flaggers, any action taken pursuant to the notices by differentiating whether the action was taken on the basis of the law or the terms and conditions of the provider, and the average time needed for taking the action;
Amendment 314 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 13 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. The information provided shall be broken down per Member State in which services are offered and in the Union as a whole.
Amendment 316 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2
Article 13 – paragraph 2
2. Paragraphs 1 and 1a shall not apply to providers of intermediary services that qualify as micro or small enterprises within the meaning of the Annex to Recommendation 2003/361/EC.
Amendment 319 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1
Article 6 – paragraph 1
Providers of intermediary services shall not be deemed ineligible for the exemptions from liability referred to in Articles 3, 4 and 5 solely because they carry out voluntary own-initiative investigations or other activities aimed at detecting, identifying and removing, or disabling of access to, illegal content, or take the necessary measures to comply with the requirements of Union or national law, including those set out in this Regulation.
Amendment 367 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point a – indent 1
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point a – indent 1
— a statement of reasons explaining the objective for which the information is required and why the requirement to provide the information is necessary and proportionate to determine compliance by the recipients of the intermediary services with applicable Union or national rules, unless such a statement cannot be provided for reasonspecific reasons such as ones related to the prevention, investigation, detection and prosecution of criminal offences;
Amendment 388 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 4
Article 9 – paragraph 4
4. The conditions and requirements laid down in this article shall be without prejudice to requirements falling under national criminal procedural law in conformity with Union law.
Amendment 402 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2
Article 12 – paragraph 2
2. Providers of intermediary services shall act in a diligent, objective and proportionate manner in applying and enforcing the restrictions referred to in paragraph 1, with due regard to the rights and legitimate interests of all parties involved, including the applicable fundamental rights of the recipients of the service as enshrined in the Charter, as well as the national and Union law.
Amendment 412 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 19 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Member States can acknowledge trusted flaggers recognized in another Member State as a trusted flagger on their own territory. Trusted flaggers can be awarded the status of European trusted flagger;
Amendment 415 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 7
Article 19 – paragraph 7
7. The Commission, after consulting the Board, mayshall issue guidance to assist online platforms and Digital Services Coordinators in the application of paragraphs 2, 5 and 6.
Amendment 433 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1
Article 14 – paragraph 1
1. Providers of hosting services shall put mechanisms in place to allow any individual or entity to notify them of the presence on their service of specific items of information that the individual or entity considers to be illegal content. Those mechanisms shall be easy to access, user- friendly, and allow for the submission of notices exclusively by electronic means. For instance a clearly identifiable banner, allowing the users of those hosting services to notify quickly and easily the providers of hosting services, of illegal content or manifestly illegal content when it is encountered by users, as well as putting at users’ disposal, including children, information regarding what is considered illegal content under Union and national law. They shall also, where applicable, inform users, including children, of available public tools in the Member State which provides a service to signal manifestly illegal content to the authorities.
Amendment 439 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – title
Article 22 – title
22 Traceability of traders and online advertisers
Amendment 444 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 22 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Where an online platform allows consumers to conclude distance contracts with traders or sells online advertisements, it shall ensure that traders can only use its services to promote messages on or to offer products or services to consumers located in the Union if, prior to the use of its services, the online platform has obtained the following information:
Amendment 482 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 4
Article 23 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission mayshall adopt implementing acts to establish a set of Key Performance Indicators and lay down templates concerning the form, content and other details of reports pursuant to paragraph 1.
Amendment 489 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Online platforms shall provide recipients of the service, for a period of at least six months following the decision referred to in this paragraph, the access to an effective internal complaint-handling system, which enables the complaints to be lodged electronically and free of charge, against the following decisions taken by the online platform on the ground that the information provided by the recipients is illegal content under national or Union law, or incompatible with its terms and conditions:
Amendment 498 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 24 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Online platforms that display advertising on their online interfaces shall ensure that advertisers: (a) can request information where their advertisements have been placed; (b) can request information on which broker treated their data; (c) can indicate on which specific websites their ads cannot be placed. In case of non-compliance with this provision, advertisers should have an option to judicial redress.
Amendment 525 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 26 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Very large online platforms shall identify, analyse and assess, from the date of application referred to in the second subparagraph of Article 25(4), at least once a year thereafter, any significant systemic risks stemming from the functioning and use made of their services in the Union. The risk assessment shall be broken down per Member State in which services are offered and in the Union as a whole. This risk assessment shall be specific to their services and shall include the following systemic risks:
Amendment 540 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 26 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) intentional manipulation of their service, including by means of inauthentic use, deep fakes or automated exploitation of the service, with an actual or foreseeable negative effect on the protection of public health, minors, civic discourse, or actual or foreseeable effects related to electoral processes and public security.
Amendment 557 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1
Article 20 – paragraph 1
1. Online platforms shall suspend, for a reasonable period of time and after having issued a prior warning, the provision of their services to recipients of the service that frequently provide manifestly illegal content. , unless those manifestly illegal contents were due to wrongful notices and complaints as described in point 2 of this article.
Amendment 563 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 27 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. The Board, in cooperation with the Commission, shall publish comprehensive reports, once a year, which. The reports of the Board shall be broken down per Member State in which the systemic risks occur and in the Union as a whole. The reports shall be published in all the official languages of the Member States of the Union. The reports shall include the following:
Amendment 578 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1
Article 21 – paragraph 1
1. Where an online platform becomes aware of any information giving rise to a suspicion that a serious criminal offence involving a threat to the life or safety of persons has taken place, is taking place or is likely to take place, it shall remove or disable the content and promptly inform the law enforcement or judicial authorities of the Member State or Member States concerned of its suspicion and provide all relevant information available.
Amendment 591 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) the number of suspensions imposed pursuant to Article 20, distinguishing clearly between suspensions enacted for the provision of manifestly illegal content, the submission of manifestly unfounded notices and the submission of manifestly unfounded complaints;
Amendment 617 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
Article 30 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
(b a) the natural or legal person who paid for the advertisement;
Amendment 623 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 30 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. The Board shall, together with trusted flaggers and vetted researchers, publish guidelines on the way add libraries should be organized.
Amendment 625 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 2 b (new)
Article 30 – paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. Very large online platforms shall label inauthentic video’s (‘deep fakes’) as inauthentic in a way that is clearly visible for the internet user.
Amendment 632 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 2
Article 26 – paragraph 2
2. When conducting risk assessments, very large online platforms shall take into account, in particular, how and whether their content moderation systems, recommender systems and systems for selecting and displaying advertisement influence any of the systemic risks referred to in paragraph 1, including the potentially rapid and wide dissemination of illegal content and of information that is incompatible with their terms and conditions.
Amendment 640 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 27 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Very large online platforms shall put in place reasonable, proportionate and effective mitigation measures, tailored to address the specific systemic risks identified pursuant to Article 26. Such measures may include, where applicable:
Amendment 641 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 33 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. The reports shall include content moderation broken down per Member State in which the services are offered and in the Union as a whole.
Amendment 642 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 2 b (new)
Article 33 – paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. The reports shall be published in the official languages of the Member States of the Union.
Amendment 739 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 2
Article 31 – paragraph 2
2. Upon a reasoned request from the Digital Services Coordinator of establishment or the Commission, very large online platforms shall, within a reasonable period, as specified in the request, provide access to data to vetted researchers who meet the requirements in paragraphs 4 of this Article, for the sole purpose of conducting research that contributes to the identification and understanding of systemic risks as set out in Article 26(1), which is in the public interest.
Amendment 774 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 1
Article 35 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission and the Board shall encourage and facilitate the drawing up of codes of conduct at Union level to contribute to the proper application of this Regulation, taking into account in particular the specific challenges of tackling different types of illegal content under Union and national law and systemic risks, in accordance with Union law, in particular on competition and the protection of personal data.
Amendment 785 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 3
Article 36 – paragraph 3
3. The Commission shall encourage the development of the codes of conduct within one year following the date of application of this Regulation and their application no later than six months after that date. The Commission shall supervise the monitoring of the application of those codes two years after the application of this Regulation.
Amendment 104 #
2020/0359(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) Sector-specific legislation and instruments can contribute to ensuring high levels of cybersecurity, while taking full account of the specificities and complexities of those sectors. Where a sector–specific Union legal act requires essential or important entities to adopt cybersecurity risk management measures or to notify incidents or significant cyber threats of at least an equivalent effect to the obligations laid down in this Directive, those sector-specific provisions, including on supervision and enforcement, should apply. The Commission mayshould issue guidelines in relation to the implementation of the lex specialis, taking relevant opinions, expertise and best practices of ENISA and the Cooperation Group into account. This Directive does not preclude the adoption of additional sector- specific Union acts addressing cybersecurity risk management measures and incident notifications. This Directive is without prejudice to the existing implementing powers that have been conferred to the Commission in a number of sectors, including transport and energy.
Amendment 158 #
2020/0359(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 47
Recital 47
(47) The supply chain risk assessments, in light of the features of the sector concerned, should take into account both technical and, where relevant, non- technical factors including those defined in Recommendation (EU) 2019/534, in the EU wide coordinated risk assessment of 5G networks security and in the EU Toolbox on 5G cybersecurity agreed by the Cooperation Group. To identify the supply chains that should be subject to a coordinated risk assessment, the following criteria should be taken into account: (i) the extent to which essential and important entities use and rely on specific critical ICT services, systems or products; (ii) the relevance of specific critical ICT services, systems or products for performing critical or sensitive functions, including the processing of personal data; (iii) the availability of alternative ICT services, systems or products; (iv) the resilience of the overall supply chain of ICT services, systems or products against disruptive events and (v) for emerging ICT services, systems or products, their potential future significance for the entities’ activities.
Amendment 237 #
2020/0359(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 6
Article 2 – paragraph 6
6. Where provisions of sector–specific acts of Union law require essential or important entities either to adopt cybersecurity risk management measures or to notify incidents or significant cyber threats, and where those requirements are at least equivalent in effect to the obligations laid down in this Directive, the relevant provisions of this Directive, including the provision on supervision and enforcement laid down in Chapter VI, shall not apply. The Commission shall issue guidelines in relation to the implementation of the sector–specific acts of Union law in order to ensure that security requirements established by this Directive are met by those acts. When preparing those guidelines, the Commission shall take into account ENISA and the Cooperation Group best practices and expertise.
Amendment 279 #
2020/0359(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(ba) a framework for allocating the roles and responsibilities of public bodies and entities as well as other relevant actors, including the organisation of the cooperation at the national level, between the competent authorities designated under Article 7(1) and Article 8(1), the single point of contact designated under Article 8(3), and CSIRTs designated under Article 9;
Amendment 347 #
2020/0359(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 4 – point d a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 4 – point d a (new)
(da) provide advice on the overall consistency of sector-specific cybersecurity requirements;
Amendment 395 #
2020/0359(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 18 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 18 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) backup management, business continuity and crisis management;
Amendment 419 #
2020/0359(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 19 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 19 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. To identify the specific critical ICT services, systems or products supply chains that are subject to a coordinated risk assessment, the following criteria shall be taken into account: (a) the extent to which essential and important entities use and rely on specific critical ICT services, systems or products; (b) the relevance of specific critical ICT services, systems or products for performing critical or sensitive functions, including the processing of personal data; (c) the availability of alternative ICT services, systems or products; (d) the resilience of the overall supply chain of ICT services, systems or products against disruptive events; and (e) the potential significance to entities' activities of emerging ICT services, systems or products.
Amendment 489 #
2020/0359(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 21 – paragraph 1
Article 21 – paragraph 1
1. In order to demonstrate compliance with certain requirements of Article 18, Member States may require essential and important entities to use certifyain certainified ICT products, ICT services and ICT processes, whether procured from third parties or developed by the essential or important entity, certified under specific European cybersecurity certification schemes adopted pursuant to Article 49 of Regulation (EU) 2019/881. The products, services and processes subject to certification may be developed by an essential or important entity or procured from third parti, or, in the absence of such a scheme, under equivalent internationally recognised certification schemes.
Amendment 497 #
2020/0359(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 21 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 21 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. In order to demonstrate compliance with certain requirements of Article 18 of this Directive, Member States may require essential and important entities to use qualified trust services pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 910/2014.
Amendment 498 #
2020/0359(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 21 – paragraph 2 b (new)
Article 21 – paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Member States may rely on certified cybersecurity services providers, which could be certified under specific European cybersecurity certification schemes adopted pursuant to Article 49 of Regulation (EU) 2019/881, to enforce the supervision activities provided for in Articles 29 and 30 of this Directive.
Amendment 296 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13 a (new)
Recital 13 a (new)
(13a) The Facility should also be a tool to protect the Union's budget in the event of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law. In such a case, the Commission should adopt a decision by means of an implementing act to suspend the period for the adoption of decisions on proposals for recovery and resilience plans or to suspend payments under this Facility in accordance with Regulation [.../....] on the protection of the Union's budget in case of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States. The Commission should adopt a decision by means of an implementing act to lift the suspension of the period or of payments.
Amendment 300 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13 b (new)
Recital 13 b (new)
(13b) It is essential that the legitimate interests of the final recipients and beneficiaries of the Facility are properly safeguarded from the suspension of payments in the event of a generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law. In such case, the Commission should take over the responsibility of the management of the Facility. Such a tool in the Facility to protect the Union's budget in the event of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law should be aligned on any other tool pursuing the same objective in other EU legislation.
Amendment 1132 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 3 – point b a (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 3 – point b a (new)
(b a) whether the plan contains measures that effectively strengthen the Union's strategic autonomy;
Amendment 1138 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 3 – point b b (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 3 – point b b (new)
(b b) whether the plan contains measures that effectively contribute to the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and to the European Pillar of Social Rights;
Amendment 1141 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 3 – point b c (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 3 – point b c (new)
(b c) whether the plan contains measures that effectively contribute to the climate and environmental objectives of the EU, in particular to the achievement of the Union’s updated 2030 climate targets and the objective of climate neutrality by 2050;
Amendment 1144 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 3 – point b d (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 3 – point b d (new)
(b d) whether the plan contains measures to ensure that at least 37% of the amount requested for the recovery and resilience plan contribute to mainstreaming climate objectives based on the methodology provided by the Commission in accordance with Article 14(2a) and a demonstration of how the measures significantly decrease the national climate friendly investment gap;
Amendment 120 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 b (new)
Recital 3 b (new)
(3b) Health inequalities are rooted in social inequalities in terms of living conditions and models of social behaviour linked to gender, race, educational standards, employment, income and the unequal distribution of access to medical assistance, sickness prevention and health promotion services. The programme should facilitate the establishment of a common set of health determinants to monitor health inequalities by age, sex, socio-economic status and geographic location and introduce a methodology for auditing the health situation in Member States with the aim of identifying and prioritising areas in need of improvement and increased fundings. In its annual implementation assessment report, the Commission should evaluate the effectiveness of measures to reduce health inequalities resulting from policies relating to the social, economic and environmental risk factors. Through the allocation of fundings to the relevant regional and local stakeholders, the Programme should support a ‘local care approach’ to provide integrated healthcare, accessible at local or regional level, enabling patients to be better supported in their own local and social environment. The programme could also facilitate partnerships between border regions in order to share the cost of infrastructure and personnel and reduce inequalities with regard to health, particularly in respect of access to state- of-the-art equipment. The programme should therefore be implemented in close links with EU cohesion policy and structural funds.
Amendment 130 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5a) According to the definition of the World Health Organisation (WHO), "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." At this stage, the Union has not yet adopted a common definition of health. Following the COVID-19crisis. The Commission should propose a broader definition of the “public health” at European level.
Amendment 131 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 b (new)
Recital 5 b (new)
Amendment 164 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) Due to the serious nature of cross- border health threats, the Programme should support coordinated public health measures at Union level to address different aspects of such threats. With a view to strengthen the capability in the Union to prepare for, respond to and manage healthany future sanitary crisises, the Programme should provide support to the actions taken in the framework of the mechanisms and structures established under Decision No 1082/2013/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council10 and other relevant mechanisms and structures established at Union level. Thise revision of Decision No 1082/2013/EU could includitiate strategic stockpiling of essential medical supplies, in addition to the reactive reserve created under RescEU during the Covid-19 pandemic, or capacity building in crisis response, preventive measures related to vaccination and immunisation, strengthened surveillance programmes. This revision could also introduce the creation of a European Health Response Mechanism to respond to all types of health crises (infectious, chemical, environmental, biological, food, nuclear), to strengthen operational coordination at European level and to monitor the constitution and the triggering of the strategic reserve of medicines and medical equipment and ensure its proper functioning. In this context the Programme should foster Union-wide and cross-sectoral crisis prevention, preparedness, surveillance, management and response capacity of actors at the Union, national, regional and local level, including contingency planning and preparedness exercises, in keeping with the “One Health” and “Health in all policies” approaches. It should facilitate the setting up of an integrated cross-cutting risk communication framework working in all phases of a health crisis - prevention, preparedness and response. __________________ 10Decision No 1082/2013/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2013 on serious cross-border threats to health and repealing Decision No 2119/98/EC (OJ L 293, 5.11.2013, p. 1).
Amendment 183 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) As in the time of health crisis emergency health technology assessment as well as clinical trials can contribute to the rapid development of medical countermeasures the Programme should provide support to facilitate such actions. The Commission has adopted a proposal11 on Health Technology Assessment (HTA)TA to support cooperation on health technology assessment at Union level. The Council should adopt a common position and start the negotiations with the Parliament on this proposal. __________________ 11Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on health technology assessment and amending Directive 2011/24/EU, COM(2018) 51 final of 31.01. 2018.
Amendment 193 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) With a view to protect people in vulnerable situpopulations, including those suffering from mental illnesses andchildren, the elderly, pregnant women, people affected by a disability, patients with chronic diseases, the Programme should also promote actions which address the collateral impacts of the health crisis and medical products shortages on people belonging to such vulnerable groups.
Amendment 198 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted many challenges in ensuring the supply of medicines, medical devices as well as personal protective equipment needed in the Union during the pandemics. The Programme therefore should provide support to actions which foster the production, procurement and, management and distribution of crisis relevant products ensuring complementarity with other Union instruments. The Programme should promote the establishment of a specific Joint Action on the prevention of shortages of medical supply to allow the exchange of good practises between Member States and the development of common prevention measures. The Commission should also present a specific strategy for managing shortages of medicines and medical products in Europe in the framework of its Pharmaceutical Strategy.
Amendment 207 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) In order to minimise the public health consequences of serious cross- border threats to health it should be possible for actions supported under the Programme to cover coordination of the activities which strengthen the interoperability and coherence of Member States’ health-systems through benchmarking, cooperation and exchange of best practices via an increased number of Joint Actions and ensure their capability to respond to health emergencies, that includes contingency planning, preparedness exercises and the upskilling of health care and public health staff and the establishment of mechanisms for the efficient monitoring and needs-driven distribution or allocation of goods and services needed in time of crisis.
Amendment 209 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 a (new)
Recital 14 a (new)
(14a) The COVID-19 crisis has revealed the important need for Member States to organize stress tests to assess the resilience of their national health systems to all types of crises. These tests must be carried out on the basis of precise evaluation criteria set by the European Commission. The results of these tests could determine the weaknesses of the national health systems and the areas to be the subject to specific financial support.
Amendment 210 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 b (new)
Recital 14 b (new)
(14b) The coordination between national health systems is essential to guarantee solidarity within the Union. Joint procurement, coordinated transfer of equipment, reserve and circulation of blood products and organs, transports of patients for cross-border care should be adequately anticipated.
Amendment 211 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 c (new)
Recital 14 c (new)
(14c) In addition to an increased budget, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) and its instrument RescEU should be strengthened to ensure a truly common, coordinated and effective response at EU level.
Amendment 212 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 d (new)
Recital 14 d (new)
(14d) The Union should be able to rely on the mobilization of health professionals through the “European Medical Corps” created to enable quick medical assistance and public health expertise to all Member States.
Amendment 213 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 e (new)
Recital 14 e (new)
(14e) European health agencies, in particular the ECDC and the EMA should be granted strengthened competences, resources and personnel to allow them to better and quicker carry out their duties efficiently to the benefit of European citizens. To anticipate any types of crises, the Commission should also evaluate the needs of the other European health agencies such as EFSA, ECHA and EU- OSHA. A stronger coordination between European Agencies should be guaranteed by the Commission.
Amendment 214 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 f (new)
Recital 14 f (new)
(14f) The Programme should support the revision of ECDC’s mandate to extend its competencies to the chronical diseases, to elaborate mandatory guidances for Member States and to be able to coordinate laboratory research in times of health crises.
Amendment 215 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 g (new)
Recital 14 g (new)
(14g) The programme should also support the revision of the EMA’s mandate to extend its competencies on clinical trial’s coordination and management of the shortages of medicines. EMA could therefore meet any future challenges such as monitoring and responding to shortages in coordination with the Member States. In the long term, EMA should be able to make conditional marketing authorizations upon guarantees of supply and accessibility from manufacturers. The reinforcement of the EMA’s personnel should enable the Agency to carry out inspections of production sites established in third countries.
Amendment 216 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 h (new)
Recital 14 h (new)
(14h) In order to facilitate EU Joint Procurement procedures, the Commission could adopt a specific legislation to promote their use to buy vaccines and treatments, to guarantee the efficiency and the transparency of the process and to ensure an equal access to medicines, medical devices, protective equipment and other relevant health products. A part of the medical products purchased via the EU joint procurement procedure could constitute a European contingency reserve of medical products subjected to shortages.
Amendment 217 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 i (new)
Recital 14 i (new)
(14i) The establishment of a communication portal for the public would allow the Union to share validated information, send alerts to European citizens and fight against disinformation. It could include a wide range of information, prevention campaigns and youth education programs. This portal could also be used to promote, in cooperation with the ECDC, a strong immunization coverage at European level.
Amendment 218 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 j (new)
Recital 14 j (new)
(14j) A digital exchange platform, such as the COVID-19 Data Portal, could facilitate exchanges on epidemiological data, science-based practice recommendations to health professionals and hospitals, and the exact state of mobilizable capacities and medical products stocks.
Amendment 221 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) Experience from the COVID-19 crisis has indicated that there is a general need for the support to structural transformation of and systemic reforms of health systems across the Union to improve their effectiveness, accessibility and resilience. In the context of such transformation and reforms, the Programme should promote, in synergy with the Digital Europe Programme, actions which advance digital transformation of health services and increase their interoperability, contribute to the increased capacity of health systems to foster disease prevention and health promotion, to provide new care models and to deliver integrated services , from the community and primary health care to the highly specialised services, based on people's needs and ensure an efficient public health workforce equipped with the right skills, including digital skills. The development of aprogramme should facilitate the collection of large clinical and biological databases to better understand emerging threats, rare and low prevalence diseases. Health data, and how it can be securely shared in full respect of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)’s requirements, will be critically important to fight any kind of health crisis and to improve the management of communicable and non- communicable diseases. In this regard, the development of the future European health data space will be a crucial step to support patients and their health providers directly, to ensure that citizens have control over their personal data, to facilitate research and to support the development of diagnostics, treatments and services. The European health data space would provide health care systems, researchers and public authorities with means to improve the availability and quality of healthcare. Given the fundamental right to access to preventive healthcare and medical treatment enshrined in Article 35 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and in view to the common values and principles in European Union Health Systems as set out in the Council Conclusions of 2 June 200612 the Programme should support actions ensuring the universality and inclusivity of health care, meaning that no- one is barred access to health care, and those ensuring that patients’ rights, including on the privacy of their data, are duly respected. The more the Union relies on shared data in order to improve European healthcare, the more the EU will increase its independence over the GAFAM, its cybersecurity capabilities to guarantee data safety and to avoid security breaches that would expose personal information of patients. __________________ 12Council Conclusions on Common values and principles in European Union Health Systems (OJ C 146, 22.6.2006, p. 1).
Amendment 231 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15 a (new)
Recital 15 a (new)
(15a) The programme should support innovations in the digitalization area that could bring concrete benefits to patients and healthcare professionals and provide cost-effective high-quality healthcare whilst reducing inequalities. Important steps could be taken in digital skills, both for healthcare professionals and patients training, especially in rural and sparsely populated areas.
Amendment 234 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15 b (new)
Recital 15 b (new)
(15b) The programme should facilitate the reinforcement of e-health and m- health as well as the use of telemedicine and remote monitoring of patients, especially in times of sanitary crises.
Amendment 257 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) Non-communicable diseases are a result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors. Such non- communicable diseases as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes, represent major causes of disability, ill-health, health- related retirement, and premature death in the Union, resulting in considerable affective, social and economic impacts. To decrease the impact of non-communicable diseases on individuals and society in the Union and reach goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals, Target 3.4, to reduce premature mortality from non- communicable diseases by one third by 2030, it is key to provide an integrated response focusing on prevention across sectors and policy fields, combined with efforts to strengthen health systems.
Amendment 275 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) The Programme therefore should contribute to disease prevention throughout the lifetime of an individual and to health promotion by addressing health risk factors, such as the use of tobacco and related products and exposure to their emissions, the harmful use of alcohol, abuse and the consumption of illicit drugs. The Programme should also contribute to the reduction of drugs-related health damage, unhealthy dietary habits via the adoption of a mandatory harmonized nutrition label such as the Nutri-Score and physical inactivity, and exposure to environmental pollution, and foster supportive environments for healthy lifestyles in order to complement Member States action in these areas. The Programme should also therefore contribute to the objectives of the European Green Deal, the Farm to Fork Strategy and, the Biodiversity Strategy and Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability.
Amendment 290 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18 a (new)
Recital 18 a (new)
(18a) The Programme should continue supporting actions in the area of reducing and preventing alcohol related harm in the perspective of a revised EU alcohol strategy. Protecting children from alcohol commercial communication as well as product placement and sponsorship of alcohol brands, especially in the online environment, should be one of the Programme’s priorities.
Amendment 294 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18 b (new)
Recital 18 b (new)
(18b) Vaccination prevents an estimated 2,5 million deaths each year worldwide and reduces disease-specific treatment costs. The introduction of large-scale protective vaccinations in Europe has significantly contributed to the eradication or decline of many infectious diseases. Nevertheless, the worrying phenomenon of vaccine hesitancy and the disinformation on vaccination should be addressed by the Programme to reassure European citizens.
Amendment 296 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality in the Member States after cardiovascular diseases. Cancer is caused by many factors in multiple stages and therefore requires a new prevention paradigm that addresses individual health determinants (genetic, lifestyle) and wider (populations) determinants related to occupational, environmental and social exposure factors; It is also one of non- communicable diseases that share common risk factors with others and the prevention and control of which would benefit the majority of citizens. Poor nutrition, physical inactivity, obesity, tobacco and alcohol are risk factors common to other chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and respiratory diseases, and therefore cancer prevention programmes should be conducted within the context of an integrated chronic disease prevention programme. In 2020 the Commission announced the ‘Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan’ which would cover the entire cyclevery key stage of the disease starting from prevention and early diagnosis to tre:prevention, diagnosis, treatment, life as a cancer survivor, reinsertion and palliative care. The programme should promote actions to improve cancer patmient and quality of life of patients and survivorss' rights including the return to work with a disability, the right to be forgotten, the access to preserved fertility and provide optimal relief during the end-of-life stage. The measures should benefit from the Programme and from Horizon Europe’s Mission on Cancer. which will work in close link.
Amendment 328 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20 a (new)
Recital 20 a (new)
(20a) The programme should encompass a “Health in all policies” and “Health in all fundings” approaches in its implementation and evaluation. In the programme’s framework, the Commission should proceed to a systematic health impact assessment, built on cross-sectorial indicators, of all EU policies and fundings in order to evaluate their impact on improving health and well-being of our citizens.
Amendment 330 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20 b (new)
Recital 20 b (new)
(20b) The programme should guarantee a strong involvement of the civil society (in particular patients' associations) and academics (in particular healthcare professionals' societies) to ensure a balanced representation and participation in achieving public health goals. European health organizations should contribute to the implementation and the evaluation of the programme.
Amendment 331 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20 c (new)
Recital 20 c (new)
(20c) The evaluations of the last and current programmes should be taken into consideration in the framework of the Conference on the Future of Europe, which could come forward with clear proposals to strengthen the European Health Policy.
Amendment 335 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) In accordance with Article 114 TFEU, a high level of health protection should be ensured in the legislation adopted by the Union for the establishment and the functioning of the internal market. On the basis of Article 114 TFEU and point (c) of Article 168(4) TFEU, a considerable body of Union acquis was developed which guarantees the high standards of quality and safety for medicinal products and medical devices. Given the rising healthcare demand, Member States’ healthcare systems face challenges in the availability and affordability of medicines and medical devices. To ensure a better public health protection as well as the safety and empowerment of patients in the Union, it is essential that patients and health systems have access to affordable high quality healthcare products and can fully benefit from them.
Amendment 336 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21 a (new)
Recital 21 a (new)
(21a) The programme should contribute to the strengthening of the European Medicines Market to speed up equitable access to medicines, make care more affordable, maximize savings in national health budgets and avoid obstacles for generic and biosimilar use.
Amendment 344 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) The Programme should therefore support actions to monitor and respond to shortages of medicines, medical devices, vaccines and diagnostic tools and other healthcare products and to ensure greater availability and affordability of those products while limiting the dependency of their supply chains on third countries. In particular, in order to address unmet medical needs, the Programme should provide support to clinical trials so as to speed up the development, authorisation and access to innovative and effective medicines, promote incentives to develop such medicinal products as antimicrobials and foster the digitial transformation of healthcare products and platforms for monitoring and collecting information on medicines. The full and rapid application of Regulation (EU) N° 536/ 2014 on clinical trials for medicinal products for human use should facilitate the launch of large clinical trials carried out in a harmonized and coordinated manner at European level.
Amendment 358 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22 a (new)
Recital 22 a (new)
(22a) In its Pharmaceutical Strategy, the Commission should introduce the revision of the orphan and paediatric legislation and of the Directive 2001/83/EC establishing a Community code relating to medicinal products for human use.
Amendment 360 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22 b (new)
Recital 22 b (new)
(22b) To ensure effective controls and full transparency of the procedures used to determine the prices of medicines, the Commission should propose a revision of Directive 89/105/EEC on the transparency of measures regulating the price of medicinal products.
Amendment 371 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23 a (new)
Recital 23 a (new)
(23a) According to WHO, 12.6 million people died as a result of living or working in an unhealthy environment in2012 – nearly 1 in 4 of total global deaths. Environmental pollution factors, such as air, water and soil pollution, chemical exposures, climate change, and ultraviolet radiation, contribute to more than 100 diseases and injuries.
Amendment 372 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23 b (new)
Recital 23 b (new)
(23b) The Programme should promote and guarantee via its actions the environmental health of European citizens in the framework of the European Green Deal. The Union should adopt the WHO definition which describes environmental health as the inclusion of “ aspects of human health, such as the quality of life, which are determined by the physical, chemical, biological, social, psychosocial and aesthetic factors of our environment. It also concerns the policy and practices for the prevention, management and control of environmental factors likely to affect the health of present and future generations”.
Amendment 374 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24
Recital 24
(24) Since environmentalthe pollution caused by human and veterinary pharmaceutical substances is an emerging environmental problem that can impact on public health, the Programme should foster measures to strengthen the assessment and appropriate management of environmental risks associated with the production, use and disposal of medicinal products, in line with the European Union Strategic Approach to Pharmaceuticals in the Environment15 . __________________ 15Communication of the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council and the European economic and Social Committee ‘European Union Strategic Approach to Pharmaceuticals in the Environment’, COM(2019)128 final of 11.03.2019.
Amendment 379 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
Recital 25
(25) The Union health legislation has an immediate impact on public health and safety, the lives of citizens, the efficiency and resilience of the health systems and the good functioning of the internal market. The regulatory framework for medical products and technologies (medicinal products, medical devices and substances of human origin), as well as for tobacco legislation, patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare and serious cross-border threats to health is essential to health protection in the Union. The Programme therefore should support the development, implementation and, enforcement and improvement of Union health legislation, adopt early and long-term evaluation criteria in order to assess its implementation and provide high quality, comparable and reliable data to underpin policymaking and monitoring.
Amendment 394 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27
Recital 27
(27) The ERNs, established pursuant to Directive 2011/24/EU of the European Parliament and the Council16 are virtual networks involving healthcare providers across Europe. They aim to facilitate discussion on complex or rare diseases and conditions that require highly specialised treatment, and concentrated knowledge and resources. As the Networks can improve the access to diagnosis and the provision of high-quality healthcare to patients with rare conditions and can be focal points for medical training and research and dissemination of information, the Programme should contribute to the upscaling of networking through the ERNs, and other transnational networks. It should consider the extension of ERNs beyond rare diseases to complex communicable and non- communicable diseases such as cancer and in the field of health crises management. __________________ 16 Directive 2011/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2011 on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare (OJ L 88, 4.4.2011, p. 45).
Amendment 396 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27 a (new)
Recital 27 a (new)
(27a) The programme should support the EU-wide mobility of healthcare professionals, during both their education and professional careers through Erasmus + fundings, and of their particular role in improving knowledge and expertise on health threats. The programme should also facilitate the implementation of the Professional Qualifications Directive to ensure better mutual recognition of qualifications of health professionals within the Union.
Amendment 400 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27 c (new)
Recital 27 c (new)
(27c) The programme should guarantee the sustainable funding of European research consortia on medicines, vaccines and biological tests designed for specific infectious and transmissible diseases.
Amendment 401 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27 d (new)
Recital 27 d (new)
(27d) The Programme should take concrete actions against rare, complex and low-prevalence diseases. Early detection must be facilitated and projects such as “Rare 2030” encouraging with the objective to set up concrete and innovative policies for developing research and improving the lives of patients.
Amendment 402 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27 e (new)
Recital 27 e (new)
(27e) The programme should facilitate the revision of the EU-OSHA’s mandate to promote healthy and safe workplaces across the Union and to support the Agency’s activities and analysis on occupational safety and health. The Commission should propose a new EU Strategic Framework on Occupational Safety and Health for the period 2021 – 2027 and continue updating the directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to carcinogens or mutagens at work. The programme should also support actions to facilitate people’s return to the workplace after long-term sick leave and to better include people who are chronically sick or have a disability in the workforce.
Amendment 403 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27 f (new)
Recital 27 f (new)
(27f) The programme should effectively guarantee safe and timely access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), goods (e.g. medicines, contraceptives) and services (e.g. sex education, safe abortions).
Amendment 406 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 30
Recital 30
(30) In order to optimise the added value and impact from investments funded wholly or in part through the budget of the Union, synergies should be sought in particular between the Programme for the Union's action in the field of health and other Union programmes, including those under shared-management and the EU agencies. To maximise those synergies and avoid duplications, key enabling mechanisms should be ensured, including cumulative funding in an action from the Programme for the Union's action in the field of health and another Union programme, as long as such cumulative funding does not exceed the total eligible costs of the action. For that purpose, this Regulation should set out appropriate rules, in particular on the possibility to declare the same cost or expenditure on a pro-rata basis to Programme for the Union's action in the field of health and another Union programme.
Amendment 413 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 36
Recital 36
(36) Cooperation with third countries should be strengthened on the exchange of knowledge and best practices in health systems preparedness and response. The programme should help building a strong and effective partnership between the Union and Africa and prioritise health systems strengthening, universal access to health services and global health research and development in the framework of the EU-Africa Strategy.
Amendment 414 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 39 a (new)
Recital 39 a (new)
(39a) The preamble to the Paris Agreement acknowledges the “right to health” as a key right; the article 4(1)(f) of the UNFCCC states that all Parties thereto should employ “appropriate methods, for example impacts assessments, formulated and determined nationally with a view to minimising adverse effects on the economy, on public health and on the quality of the environment, of projects or measures undertaken by them to mitigate or adapt climate change".
Amendment 418 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 40
Recital 40
(40) Reflecting the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union's commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this Programme will contribute to mainstream climate action in the Union's policies and to the achievement of an overall target of 2530 % of the EU budget expenditures supporting climate objectives. Relevant actions will be identified during the Programme's preparation and implementation, and reassessed in the context of its mid-term evaluation.
Amendment 428 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4
(4) ‘crisis relevant products’ means products and substances necessary, in the context of a health crisis, to prevent, diagnose or treat a disease and its consequences, included but not limited to: medicinal products - including vaccines - and their intermediates, active pharmaceutical ingredients and raw materials; bloods products and organs; medical devices; hospital and medical equipment (such as ventilators, protective clothing and equipment, diagnostic materials and tools); personal protective equipment; disinfectants and their intermediary products and raw materials necessary for their production);
Amendment 432 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5 a (new)
(5a) “Environmental health” means aspects of human health, such as the quality of life, which are determined by the physical, chemical, biological, social, psychosocial and aesthetic factors of our environment;
Amendment 442 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
The Programme shall pursue the following general objectives, in keeping with the “One Health” and “Health in all policies” approaches where relevant:
Amendment 457 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 1
(1) protect people in the Union from any serious cross-border threats to health;
Amendment 465 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 2
(2) improvrestore pharmaceutical independence of the Union to improve ensure the availability in the Union of medicines, vaccines and diagnostic tools, medical devices and other crisis relevant products, contribute to their affordability, and support innovation via the Pharmaceutical Strategy;
Amendment 482 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 3
(3) strengthen health systems and the healthcare workforce, including by digital transformation and by increased integrated and coordinated work among the Member States, sustained implementation of best practice and data sharing, to ensure interoperablity of their actions and increase the general level of public health.
Amendment 485 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 3 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 3 a (new)
(3a) reduce health inequalities between Member States and within Member States while taking into account the “health in all policies” approach;
Amendment 493 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 3 b (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 3 b (new)
(3b) provide integrated healthcare, accessible at local or regional level, enabling patients to be better supported in their own local and social environment;
Amendment 495 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
The general objectives referred to in Article 3 shall be pursued through the following specific objectives, in keeping with the “One Health” and “Health in all policies” approaches where relevant:
Amendment 503 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 1
(1) strengthen the capability of the Union for prevention, preparedness and response to serious cross-border threats to health, and the management of health crises, including through organization of stress tests, coordination, provision and deployment of emergency health care capacity, data gathering and surveillance;
Amendment 506 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 1 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 1 a (new)
(1a) Support the strengthening of the competences and resources of the European health agencies namely the ECDC and the EMA, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and EU- OSHA;
Amendment 517 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 2
(2) ensure the availability in the Union of reserves or stockpiles of crisis relevant products, and a reserve of medical, healthcare and support staff to be mobilised in case of a crisis such as the European Medical Corps;
Amendment 523 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 3
(3) strengthen the European Medicines Market and support actions to ensure appropriate availability, accessibility and affordability of crisis relevant products and other necessary health supplies via a strengthened EU joint procurements on treatments and vaccines;
Amendment 535 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 4
(4) strengthen the effectiveness, accessibility, sustainability and resilience of health systems, including by supporting digital transformation, the uptake of digital tools and services, systemic reforms, implementation of new care models and universal health coverage, and addressreduce inequalities in health;
Amendment 550 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 5
(5) support actions aimed at strengthening health system’s ability to foster disease prevention and health promotion, patient rights and cross-border healthcare, and promote the excellence of medical and healthcare professionals, their education, training and mobility;
Amendment 583 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 8
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 8
(8) support the development, implementation and, enforcement and when necessary the revision of Union health legislation and provide high-quality, comparable and reliable data to underpin policy making and monitoring, and promote the use of health impact assessments of relevant policies to evaluate their impacts on European citizen’s health and well-being;
Amendment 587 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 8 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 8 a (new)
(8a) ensure healthy and safe workplaces across the Union and to support EU-OSHA’s activities and analysis on occupational safety and health.
Amendment 592 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 9
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 9
(9) support integrated work among Member States, and in particular their health systems, including the implementation of high-impact prevention practices, and scaling up networking through the European Reference Networks through their extension beyond rare diseases to complex to communicable and non-communicable diseases and other transnational networks;
Amendment 628 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 14 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) any legal entity created under Union law or any international organisation such as public authorities, public sector bodies, health establishments, research institutes, universities and higher education establishments, patient associations etc.;
Amendment 649 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 1
Article 19 – paragraph 1
1. Indicators to report on progresassess the implementation of the actions of the Programme towards the achievement of the general and specific objectives set out in Articles 3 and 4 are set out in Annex II.
Amendment 655 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 2
Article 20 – paragraph 2
2. The interim evaluation of the Programme shall be performed and submitted to the European Parliament and to the Council once there is sufficient information available about their implementation, but not later than four years after the start of the implementation.
Amendment 656 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 3
Article 20 – paragraph 3
3. At the end of the implementation period, but no later than four years after the end of the period specified in Article 1, a final evaluation shall be carried out by the Commission and submitted to the European Parliament and to the Council.
Amendment 657 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 4
Article 20 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall publish and communicate the conclusions of the evaluations accompanied by its observations, and shall present them to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.
Amendment 660 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – point a – point ii
Annex I – point a – point ii
(ii) Critical health infrastructure relevant in the context of health crises, tools, mechanisms, structures, processes, production and laboratory capacity, including tools for surveillance, modelling, forecast, prevention and management of outbreaks.
Amendment 670 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – point b
Annex I – point b
(b) Transfer, adaptation and roll-out of best practices and innovative solutions with established Union level added-value between Member States, and country- specific tailor made support to countries, or groups of countries or regions, with the highest needs, through the funding of specific projects including twinning, expert advice and peer support.
Amendment 712 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – point d – point i
Annex I – point d – point i
(i) Implementation, enforcement, monitoring and improvement of Union health legislation and action; and technical support to the implementation of legal requirements;
Amendment 713 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – point d – point i a (new)
Annex I – point d – point i a (new)
(ia) Strengthening of European Health agencies namely the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control Centre(ECDC), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and European Agency for Safety and Health at Work(EU-OSHA).
Amendment 726 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – point d – point viii
Annex I – point d – point viii
(viii) Networking by non-governmental organisations and their involvement in projects covered by the Programme and the evaluation of the implementation of the programme;
Amendment 727 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – point d – point ix
Annex I – point d – point ix
(ix) Collaboration with third countries on the areas covered by the Programme especially with African countries in the framework of the EU- Africa Strategy;
Amendment 730 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – point d – point x
Annex I – point d – point x
(x) National contact points providing guidance, information and assistance related the promotion and the implementation of Union health legislation and of the Programme;.
Amendment 731 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – point d – point xi
Annex I – point d – point xi
(xi) Stakeholders in view of transnational and regional cooperation.
Amendment 742 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – point e – point i
Annex I – point e – point i
(i) Establishment and support of a mechanism to develop, procure and manage crisis relevant productsof a European Health Response Mechanism (EHRM) to respond to all types of health crises (infectious, chemical, environmental, biological, food, nuclear) and to strengthen operational coordination at European level;
Amendment 743 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – point e – point i
Annex I – point e – point i
(i) Establishment and support of a mechanism to develop, procure and, manage and secure crisis relevant products;
Amendment 744 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – point e – point i a (new)
Annex I – point e – point i a (new)
(ia) Establishment of an EU contingency reserve of medicines of major therapeutic interest and medical equipment to be triggered and monitored by the European Health Reaction Mechanism(EHRM);
Amendment 777 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – point f – point vii
Annex I – point f – point vii
(vii) Establishment and operation of a mechanism for cross-sectorial One-Health coordinationand Health in all policies coordination via a systematic health impact assessment, built on cross-sectorial indicators, of all EU policies and funding to evaluate their impact on improving health and well- being of our citizens.
Amendment 799 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – point g – point ii
Annex I – point g – point ii
(ii) Training and mobility programmes for medical and healthcare staff, and programmes for temporary exchanges of staff;
Amendment 905 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – point h – point ix a (new)
Annex I – point h – point ix a (new)
(ixa) Support actions in the area of reducing and preventing alcohol abuse in the perspective of a revised EU alcohol strategy;
Amendment 928 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – point i – point ii
Annex I – point i – point ii
(ii) Support actions to fight vaccine hesitancy and disinformation;
Amendment 968 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – point i – point viii
Annex I – point i – point viii
(viii) Action to strengthen the environmental risk assessment of pollution factors, such as air, water and soil pollution, chemical exposures, climate change, ultraviolet radiation and pharmaceuticals;
Amendment 14 #
2019/2213(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Stresses the importance of maintaining Parliament's position regarding the amount of the European Defence Fund and the amount earmarked for military mobility.
Amendment 30 #
2019/2213(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Stresses the importance of maintaining Parliament's position regarding the amount of the European Space programme which strengthens Europe's role as a global player and is a strong asset for its security and defence.
Amendment 2 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3
Citation 3
– having regard to the Final Agreement for the Settlement of the Differences as described in the UN Security Council resolutions 817 (1993) and 845 (1993), the termination of the Interim Accord of 1995 and the establishment of a Strategic Partnership on 17 June 2018 between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic ofNorth Macedonia, also known as the Prespa Agreement,
Amendment 21 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas enlargement has been one of the EU’s most successful policies and the most effective foreign policy instrument contributing to extending the area of democracy, peace and prosperity across Europethe Western Balkans belong geographically, historically as well as culturally to Europe; whereas the European Union will be more secure and stronger once the region is firmly anchored inside the Union;
Amendment 34 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the enlargement process is reform of the European Union should go hand integral part of European integration hand with the enlargement process;
Amendment 37 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the new methodology proposed by the European Commission aims at injecting new dynamism into the enlargement process and provides a new impetus for the transformation of accession countries;
Amendment 43 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. Whereas the Thessaloniki Agenda and the Sofia Declaration highlighted that special emphasis will be placed on creating further opportunities for youth, while ensuring that this contributes to the socio-economic development of the Western Balkans;
Amendment 44 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas Western Balkan countries should increase efforts to overcome political polarisation and protracted parliamentary boycotts to strengthen parliamentary oversight;
Amendment 58 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas European prosperity and security is closely linked to the integration process and the advancement of peace, democracy, respect for human rights and rule of law in the Western Balkans region and their future in a strong and reformed EU;
Amendment 61 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas an ambitious enlargement policy requires an adequate budget; whereas the Council should provide for sufficient budgetary means in order to support the enlargement policy;
Amendment 65 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas following the accession of Croatia in July 2013, the enlargement process has been beset by challenges, the progress of reforms remain slow and uneven, sometimes experiencing significant reversals; the EU enlargement policy faces chronical problems, such as the challenges to the rule of law, corruption and weak democratic institutions;
Amendment 67 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)
Recital D c (new)
Dc. whereas there is an urgent need to enhance the effectiveness of the accession process and to seriously tackle the challenges posed by the bigger picture of democratic backsliding across the region as well divided public opinions on the process within the EU;
Amendment 68 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D d (new)
Recital D d (new)
Dd. whereas the reform of the EU can and should go hand in hand with the enlargement process;
Amendment 69 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D e (new)
Recital D e (new)
De. whereas the EU also need to strengthen the rule of law mechanisms inside the EU and establish an ambitious agenda for the Future of Europe conference;
Amendment 89 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) to ensure that the enhanced methodology sustains fully-fledged EU membership as the final goal and that the EU sets clear and predictable rules and criteria and applies them consistently, thus restoring its credibility;
Amendment 91 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(ba) to ensure that citizens and societies from candidate countries are more closely associated with and benefit from the accession process; in this framework, pro- European and pro-democratic parts of society, views and opinions should be particularly supported and encouraged by the EU;
Amendment 92 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point b b (new)
(bb) the EU Commission must make sure that each step taken include a substantial and comprehensive dialogue with civil society organizations, academia and youth from the early stage of decision making to the implementation and evaluation phase with special care not to support or finance existing local anti- European power structures or local structures of dubious democratic reputation, thereby fostering the development of EU values, rule of law, fight against corruption and building strong and efficient democratic institutions as a foundation for successful accession into the EU;
Amendment 102 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d
Paragraph 1 – point d
(d) to provide clear and consistent accession benchmarks as well as continued support throughout the process, and to improve the measuring of progress on the ground, ensuring that each accession country is assessed on the basis of its own merits;
Amendment 106 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(da) to ensure that the opening and closing of chapters are based on clear benchmarks and conditions while keeping the rule of law and fundamental rights as a priority throughout the process, as accession to the European Union requires a strong commitment to shared values; all steps of the accession process should be made reversible, in case of commitments unfulfilled or major political shifts in candidate countries; underlines that a focus on respecting international court rulings must be set;
Amendment 118 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
Paragraph 1 – point g
(g) to encourage gradual participation in EU sectoral policies and programmes prior to accession, including through targeted financial support, in order to bring tangible benefits for citizens, particularly for children and young people and enhance the EU’s assistance and presence in these countries; the involvement of the candidate countries in sectorial policies at an early stage requires that the Council as well as the European Parliament have a regular say in the accession process, bringing more democratic support to the process;
Amendment 158 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l
Paragraph 1 – point l
(l) to engage the representatives of accession countries in the Conference on the Future of Europe with a special focus on youth participation;
Amendment 164 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m
Paragraph 1 – point m
Amendment 176 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n
Paragraph 1 – point n
Amendment 189 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point o
Paragraph 1 – point o
(o) to grant visa liberalisation to Kosovo, as the benchmarks have been fulfilled; once sufficient progresses are made on the fight against organized crime and smuggling networks;
Amendment 210 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q
Paragraph 1 – point q
(q) to increase the involvement of rule of law experts from the Member States on the ground, to increase support in State capacity building and to improve the measuring of progress in this area;
Amendment 215 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r
Paragraph 1 – point r
Amendment 222 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point s
Paragraph 1 – point s
(s) to fostermonitor the implementation of electoral reforms thato ensure free, fair and transparent elections, in line with international standards; to urge Western Balkan countries to overcome political polarisation and protracted parliamentary boycotts and to strengthen parliamentary oversight; to contribute to the European Parliament’s democracy support programmes in the region;
Amendment 232 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point t
Paragraph 1 – point t
(t) to strengclosely associate then civil society in its role as an indispensable actor inand the youth to the proaccess of democratic consolidationion process;
Amendment 253 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point x
Paragraph 1 – point x
(x) to increase EU engagement in solving outstanding bilateral issues andby nominating a double-hatted EU Special Envoy for the Western Balkans working under the authority of the HRVP, that would focus on solving lingering conflicts throughout the region; to urge the Western Balkan countries to commit to reconciliation and peaceful solutions to longstanding disputes;
Amendment 261 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point x
Paragraph 1 – point x
(x) to increase EU engagement in solving outstanding bilateral issues and to urge the Western Balkan countries to commit to reconciliation and peaceful solutions to longstanding disputes; to stress the importance of good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation;
Amendment 264 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point x a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point x a (new)
(xa) to nominate a double-hatted EU Special Envoy for the Western Balkans to work under the authority of the High Representative and Commissioner in charge of Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy and focus on solving the lingering conflicts throughout the region;
Amendment 273 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point z
Paragraph 1 – point z
(z) to promote and actively support the implementation of anti-discrimination policies and to insist on the prosecution of hate crimes; to encourage swifter progress towards gender equality, and in tackling discrimination and ensuring social inclusion of ethnic and religious minorities, people with disabilities, Roma and LGBTQI+ people, with special attention to children, by establishing inclusive policies to protect the fundamental rights of citizens;
Amendment 294 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a d
Paragraph 1 – point a d
(ad) to tackle the brain drain with concrete measures such as promoting quality and inclusive educational reforms and, so that the education sector better matches requirements in the labour market and contributes to the creation of job opportunities for young people;
Amendment 314 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a g
Paragraph 1 – point a g
(ag) to include the accession countries in the European Green Deal and Just Transition Fund processes; IPA III funding for the region must be in line with the objectives of the EU Green Deal;
Amendment 328 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a j
Paragraph 1 – point a j
(aj) to establishfasten the entry into force of a regional roaming-free zone and further decrease tariffs for communications with the EU;
Amendment 329 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a j
Paragraph 1 – point a j
(aj) to establish a regional roaming-free zone and further decrease tariffs for communications with the EU; this must be based on increased regional cooperation and connectivity, both physical and digital, must be a key focus;
Amendment 334 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a k
Paragraph 1 – point a k
(ak) to acknowledge the difficulties Western Balkan countries face in managing migration and refugee flowxed movements and the substantial efforts the region has made to provide shelter and humanitarian supplies, primarily with the support of the EU; to implement the agreements between Western Balkan countries and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex); to underline the need to strengthen the capacity of the asylum system in the region in cooperation with EASO and UNHCR;
Amendment 335 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a k
Paragraph 1 – point a k
(ak) to acknowledge the difficulties Western Balkan countries face in managing migration and refugee flows and the substantial efforts the region has made to provide shelter and humanitarian supplies, primarily with the support of the EU; to monitor the implementation of the agreements between Western Balkan countries and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex);
Amendment 339 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a l
Paragraph 1 – point a l
(al) to improve the consistency, efficiency and transparency of Union financing in the field of external action thereby fostering the development of the Union's values, the rule of law, the fight against corruption and building strong and efficient democratic institutions;
Amendment 354 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point an a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point an a (new)
(ana) to improve the cooperation with other IFIs, above all the World Bank, in order to streamline efforts and avoid double funding;
Amendment 359 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a o
Paragraph 1 – point a o
(ao) to ensure that IPA III is driven by political priorities that have a direct impact on citizens’ lives and that pre-accession funding is allocated in a transparent, proportionate, and non-discriminatory manner; to ensure scrutiny of the European Parliament over the funding;
Amendment 365 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a p
Paragraph 1 – point a p
(ap) to strengthen strategic communication of the values of the Union and the overall visibility of EU support in the region, as well as in the Member States to develop an understanding for the benefits of the accession process and the unification of the continent;
Amendment 372 #
2019/2210(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a q
Paragraph 1 – point a q
(aq) to ensure that the 2020 EU- Western Balkans Summit will evaluate, reassess and inject new dynamism into the enlargement process and provide a new impetus for the transformation of accession countriesdorse the new methodology proposed by the European Commission for a re-launch of the process in time for the Zagreb Western Balkans Summit as well as for the opening of negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia;
Amendment 148 #
2019/2209(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) acknowledge that those countries that are undertaking comprehensive reforms and taking action to meet the criteria of Article 49 of the TEU may be eligible for EU membership, through a process of gradual integrataccording to Article 49 of the TEU, any European State which respects the values referred to in Article 2 and is committed to promoting them may apply to become a member of the Union;
Amendment 365 #
2019/2209(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r
Paragraph 1 – point r
(r) address the EU’s qualified labour shortages by increasing labourincrease the mobility from the EaP countries and providing social guarantby lowering the price of visa fees;
Amendment 449 #
2019/2209(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point w a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point w a (new)
(wa) increase the support in the fight against hybrid threats and in improving resilience against disinformation;
Amendment 3 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3
Citation 3
— having regard to Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 18, 19 and 1847 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union,
Amendment 6 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4
Citation 4
— having regard to Articles 2, 3, 5, 8 and 813 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR),
Amendment 12 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 19 a (new)
Citation 19 a (new)
— having regard to the report of the European Asylum Support Office of June 2020, entitled ‘Annual Report on the Situation of Asylum in the European Union’,
Amendment 16 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A (new)
Recital -A (new)
-A. whereas the implementation of the Dublin regulation is closely linked to the implementation of other files of the European asylum and migration policy; whereas these pieces of legislations and policies impact the efficiency of the Dublin regulation and therefore need to be considered in its evaluation;
Amendment 17 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas 2.5 million people applied for asylum in the European Union in the period 2015-2016, a fourfold increase compared to 2012-20131,393,920 asylum seekers applied for international protection in the EU+ in 2015 and 1,292,740 in 2016, a fourfold increase compared to 2012 (373,375) and 2013 (464,515); whereas the number of applications for international protection in the EU+ is rising again in 2018 (665,920) and 2019 (738,425); whereas about 17,700 unaccompanied minors lodged an application for international protection in 2019; whereas 86% of them were boys and 90% between 14-18 years;
Amendment 23 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas early 2020, about 855,000 asylum applications were still pending in the EU+;
Amendment 26 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas in the recent years a significant new trend was an increase in the number of applications lodged by third-country nationals who travel visa- free or with a short-term visa to enter the Schengen area; whereas in 2019 the number of applications lodged by third- country nationals who travelled visa-free accounted for one-quarter of all applications; whereas the rate of protection of these third-country nationals is often low while the volume of application is high; whereas visa waiver or short-term visa also represent a regular and safe path to enter the EU for third- country nationals eligible to international protection;
Amendment 27 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
Ac. whereas in the recent years the main countries of origin of asylum seekers in the EU+ are Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, countries torn by civil war, violence and conflict; whereas in 2019, three countries of origin accounted for one-quarter of all applications for international protection in EU+, naming Syria, Afghanistan, and Venezuela;
Amendment 30 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas one-third of the Member States currently play host toed 90% of asylum seekers between 2008-17;
Amendment 33 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas several “first-entry” Member States in the Mediterranean, Greece, Italy, Malta, Cyprus and Spain, received a large part of first time applications, in particular during the 2015-16 crisis; whereas a strong burden is put on first-entry countries to determine the Member State responsible for examining an application for international protection in accordance to the Dublin regulation;
Amendment 37 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas in 2018, Germany recorded the largest number of applications (184,180, or 28% of the total), followed by France (120,425 applications, or 19%), Greece (66,695 applications, or 11%), Italy (59,950 applications, or 10%) and Spain(52,700 applications, or 9%);
Amendment 38 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)
Recital B c (new)
Bc. whereas there are significant divergences between Member States in terms of safe-country of origin analysis;
Amendment 67 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the temporary solidarity mechanism for Search and Rescue in the Mediterranean settled by the Malta declaration, and signed on 23rd September 2019 by Germany, France, Italy and Malta, was valid for a period of at least six months; whereas no other Member State joined this ad hoc agreement;
Amendment 71 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas information gaps do not allow for a comprehensive evaluation of the implementation of Dublin regulation; whereas statistical information is not provided to the same degree or frequency between the Member States; whereas key information gaps cover grounds for requests, duration of procedures, resources, withdrawn applications, failed transfers, appeal, processes and detention;
Amendment 82 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that the Dublin system places a significant burden on a minority of Member States, in particular when influxes of migrants occur; considers that the first- entry criterion in Dublin put an unprecedented and disproportionate burden on frontline countries in 2015-16 in terms of registration and reception of asylum seekers; stresses that the introduction of hotspots and a temporary relocation programme as proposed by the Commission in 2015 was intended to rebalance the management of asylum- seekers when entering the EU territory, as a pragmatic approach compared to the strict application of Dublin regulation principles; takes the view that the EU therefore needs a solidarity mechanism which makes for fair sharing of burdens and responsibility among Member States in accordance with article 80 TFEU, including through relocation on the basis of objective criteria of asylum seekers who are manifestly eligible for asylum;
Amendment 118 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the crisis management tool provided for in Article 33 did not provide effective support to the Member States, nor did it offer a response to the consequences of the COVID-19 crisis; notes that Article 33 has actually never been applied, not even during the migration crisis in 2015-16; considers that a solidarity-based crisis management mechanism, endowed with a financial instrument managed by the Commission, should be established to ensure continuity of the right of asylum in the EU under the best possible conditions;
Amendment 126 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. CUnderlines that the discretionary clause of article 17 which grants discretion to a Member State to undertake responsibility for an asylum application is used with parsimony and only by few Member States; notes that Germany, Netherlands and France accounted for the majority of cases in 2018; calls on the Member States to make use of the discretionary clause in Article 17 when exceptional circumstances so warrant, for example to relocate asylum seekers currently living in the Greek hotspots in an atmosphere of extreme tension and to provide decent reception conditions;
Amendment 177 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Commission to monitor compliance with the hierarchy of criteria more closely; regards it as essential to clarify the conditions for applyingPoints out numerous and systematic deficiencies as regards compliance with the hierarchy of criteria; stresses that family unity is far from being the most frequent criterion applied, whereas it is at the top of the hierarchy according to chapter III of the regulation; notes for instance that the family reunificationt criterion and to harmonise the standard of proof required; calls on the Member States and the Commission to protect the best interests of children and to clarify the criteria for keeping children in detentionwas invoked in 5% of “take charge” requests in France (out of 12 000) and in 3.7% in Germany (out of 17 500), and in even lower figures in Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland; underlines on the contrary that Greece issued 79.3% of its “take charge” request on the basis of the family unity criterion in 2018; also stresses that applications for family reunification are less frequently accepted (48% of cases), compared to the average rate of acceptance for all procedures (67.6%); Calls on the Commission to monitor compliance with the hierarchy of criteria more closely;
Amendment 184 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Regards it as essential to clarify the conditions for applying the family reunification criterion and to harmonise the standard of proof required; recalls that the best interest of the child should be the primary consideration in all Dublin procedures according to the regulation; notes that good practices are developed in certain Member States, such as the use of specialised staff for unaccompanied minors or the multidisciplinary approach to determine the age; yet, is deeply concerned that the appointment of a representative to assist unaccompanied minors with respect to Dublin procedures is often delayed or not assured in many Member States due to practical challenges; also notes that the representatives in some countries are insufficiently informed about Dublin procedures and that unaccompanied minors lack child-friendly support; calls on the Member States and the Commission to better protect the best interests of children;
Amendment 190 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Detention shall be as short as possible and shall be for no longer than the time reasonably necessary to fulfil the required administrative procedures with due diligence until the transfer under this Regulation is carried out; stresses that in the absence of harmonised criteria for determining the risk of absconding, Member States have adopted divergent and sometime controversial criteria; calls on the Member States and the Commission to clarify the criteria for keeping asylum seekers in detention;
Amendment 197 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses that the number of transfer procedures has increased significantly, in 2016-17, generating considerable human, material and financial costs; deplores, however, the fact that in only 11% of cases are transfers actually carried out, a further factor in the permanent overloading of asylum systems; stresses the lack of cooperation and information-sharing between Member States; regards efforts to combat secondary movements as essential in order to reduce the number of transfer requests; proposes that the conditions which trigger transfer procedures be clarified and harmonisedunderlines that between 2016 and 2019, Germany and France issued by far the most requests (68% of the total for the two countries alone), while Spain, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Poland and Czech Republic issued few Dublin requests; stresses that Spain issued almost no Dublin requests, despite a large and growing number of asylum applications; deplores, however, the fact that in only 11% of cases are transfers actually carried out, a further factor in the permanent overloading of asylum systems; underlines that there are significant differences between countries, with 54.6% of transfers carried out from Greece, 42.2% from Sweden, 11.2% from Germany, 6.7% from France, and 1.6% from Italy between 2016 and 2019, while noting significant information gap for a number of countries;
Amendment 210 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Notes that shortages in terms of structural organisation, resources and functioning of national asylum authority contributed to delay Dublin procedures and hindered the application of the Regulation; notes that while most countries entrusted one specialised authority for asylum, some Member States have chosen to separate the responsibility between different authorities, creating in certain cases practical complexities for asylum seekers and divergences in the implementation of the regulation;
Amendment 212 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)
Paragraph 9 c (new)
9c. Stresses that the efficiency of Dublin procedures also depends on the quality and size of staff in each national asylum authority; notes important gaps between asylum authorities in terms of number of staff per asylum applicants; stresses that national Dublin Units are understaffed while facing significant increase in their workload;
Amendment 213 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 d (new)
Paragraph 9 d (new)
9d. Stresses the lack of cooperation and information-sharing between Member States; notes that “take back” requests have been the dominant form of Dublin procedures in recent years, meaning that most persons placed in a Dublin procedure had already applied for asylum in another Member State; regards efforts to combat secondary movements as essential in order to reduce the number of transfer requests; stresses that the strict application of the “irregular entry” criterion puts a disproportionate burden on first-entry countries, who often lack resources and capacities to host and register asylum seekers; recalls that the time limits at each stages of the Dublin procedure are meant to keep the procedure short and enable fast access to the asylum procedure; notes that there are still a lack of clarity and variations between the Member States for the calculation of time limits and the point at which the clock starts for each procedure; proposes that the conditions which trigger transfer procedures be clarified and harmonised;
Amendment 225 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Considers that providing asylum seekers with legal assistance in connection with Dublin procedures, in particular in the hotspots, would simplify the process of obtaining asylum and improve decision- making; calls on the Member States to improve the information made available to asylum seekers on the complex Dublin procedures, to ensure that it is clear and accessible to everyone;
Amendment 229 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Stresses that the quality and amount of information provided to the applicants along the Dublin procedures is far from being satisfactory, varies significantly between countries, and in some cases within countries; notes that different factors affect the compliance the right of information, such as the quality and clarity of information, the access to an interpreter, the availability of translated documents, the access to information in due time; recalls that the right to information according to article 4 of the regulation is essential regarding the complex nature of Dublin procedures and to guarantee the access to a fair examination of an asylum application in the EU; underlines that gaps in this field can be related to a lack of resources but also results from deliberate policy choices in certain countries; calls on the Member States to improve the information made available to asylum seekers, to ensure that it is clear and accessible to everyone;
Amendment 252 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. TStresses that the Commission's network of Member States’ Dublin units met only once or twice a year and did not have an operational role; notes however that the EASO Dublin Units Network has been more active and that EASO has carried-out a number of useful missions in support to Member States for implementing the Dublin regulation, such as the production of guidance documents and analysis, or the deployment of agents; takes the view that closer cooperation between national asylum authorities is needed, in order to share information and streamline transfers; proposes that EASO be given the task of drawing up enhanced governance arrangements for the application of the Dublin III Regulation, including a monthly operational dialogue between national authorities, and a platform for the exchange and sharing of information and best practices;
Amendment 281 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. UNotes that bilateral agreements have been concluded between Member States to improve the efficiency of Dublin procedures or ensure the transfer of asylum seekers; urges the Commission and the Council to work towards convergence in the bilateral agreements concluded between Member States and with third countries, in order to optimise implementation of the Dublin III Regulation;
Amendment 284 #
2019/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Considers that the implementation of the Dublin regulation is not effective as the primary objectives are not met, i.e. a swift and fair determination of the Member States responsible for an application to international protection; recalls that significant gaps of implementation are identified for a number of Dublin provisions; stresses that the regulation is highly inefficient with regard to the cost of implementation compared to the efficiency of the regulation;
Amendment 1 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5
Citation 5
— having regard to the Republic of Moldovan's National Action Plan on the Implementation of the Moldova-European Union Association Agreement (NAPIAA) for 2017-2019,
Amendment 2 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6
Citation 6
— having regard to its previous resolutions relating to the Republic of Moldova, in particular the previous resolution on the Implementation of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement of 14 November 20181 , its resolution of 5 July 2018 on the political crisis in the Republic of Moldova following the invalidation of the mayoral elections in Chișinău2 , of 15 November 2017 on the Eastern Partnership in the run-up to the November 2017 Summit3 , of 4 July 2017 on providing macro-financial assistance to the Republic of Moldova4 , and of 21 January 2016 on Association Agreements / Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine5 , _________________ 1 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2018)0458. 2 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2018)0303. 3 OJ C 356, 4.10.2018, p. 130. 4 OJ C 334, 19.9.2018, p. 199. 5 OJ C 11, 12.1.2018, p. 82.
Amendment 3 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8
Citation 8
— having regard to the subsequent EU decision of July 2019 to resume budget support disbursements in light of the Republic of Moldova’s commitment to reform the justice system,
Amendment 4 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10
Citation 10
— having regard to the European Commission and European External Action Service (EEAS) joint staff working document (SWD(2019)0325) on the Association Implementation Report on the Republic of Moldova of 11 September 2019,
Amendment 5 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11
Citation 11
— having regard to the outcome of the fifth Association Council meeting between the EU and the Republic of Moldova of 30 September 2019,
Amendment 10 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15
Citation 15
— having regard to the 2018 Transparency International corruption perception list that awards the Republic of Moldova the 117th place out of 180 countries and territories assessed (first place being the best),
Amendment 14 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16
Citation 16
— having regard to the opinions and recommendations of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and of the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission, in particular of 15 March 2018 on electoral reform in the Republic of Moldova, of 24 June 2019 on the constitutional situation with particular reference to the possibility of dissolving parliament, and of 14 October 2019 on the draft law on the reform of the Supreme Court of Justice and the Prosecutor’s Office,
Amendment 16 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 17
Citation 17
— having regard to the recommendations and activities of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum and other representatives of civil society in the Republic of Moldova,
Amendment 19 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 18
Citation 18
— having regard to the conclusions of the European Parliament election observation mission to the Republic of Moldova parliamentary elections of 24 February 2019 integrated in the international election observation mission led by the OSCE/ODIHR,
Amendment 21 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 19
Citation 19
— having regard to the Commission economic aid package adopted on 29 March 2020 to help the Republic of Moldova, among other countries, in its fight against the COVID- 19 pandemic, which included the redirection of existing instruments to mitigate the socioeconomic impact of the crisis;,
Amendment 31 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas through the AA/DCFTA the Republic of Moldova committed to incorporating the EU acquis into its own laws and practices in a large number of areas; whereas, in order to support these efforts, the EU committed to provide substantial financial and budgetary assistance to the Republic of Moldova;
Amendment 34 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas on 13 September 2017 Parliament and the Council adopted a decision to provide macro-financial assistance to the Republic of Moldova worth EUR 100 million in the context of the IMF programme to support the country’s economic and financial reforms;
Amendment 43 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas in November 2019 the Moldovan Parliament of the Republic of Moldova passed a motion of no-confidence in the Government constituted in June 2019, formed a minority government, and subsequently a new coalition government;
Amendment 61 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the AA/DCFTA remains of primary importance for the development of the Republic of Moldova, especially in current exceptional times, and commends the progress achieved by Moldova to date; recalls, however, that further progress must be achievedsustained engagement in this process of Moldovan society and authorities; recalls, however, that further progress must be achieved in its implementation, to deliver its full potential and benefits; underlines that the AA/DCFTA was the main vector in encouraging and supporting the process of structural reforms, democracy and the rule of law;
Amendment 69 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Welcomes all intentions towards a closer political, human, and economic integration with the Union in line with the principle of differentiation and based on the performance, results, and aspirations of the Republic of Moldova's authorities and society;
Amendment 74 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the conclusions of the IMF’s March 2020 Article IV consultation and the IMF Board’s sixth and final review of the Republic of Moldova’s economic performance under the Extended Credit Facility and Extended Fund Facility arrangements, with particular regard to the rehabilitation of the Moldovan banking system of the Republic of Moldova and the strengthening of financial sector governance;
Amendment 82 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the November 2019 Activity Program of the Moldovan Government of the Republic of Moldova is less ambitious than the previous government’s 2030 Global Agenda, and regrets the lack of a new NAPIAA and underlines the importance of agreeing as soon as possible on a new Agenda as a distinct tool to steer the Association Agreement's implementation; insists that the continuation of EU sector budgetpolitical and financial support remains conditional upon the delivery of tangible reforms, in particular of the judiciary;
Amendment 84 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Welcomes the conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding on new exceptional EU Macro Financial Assistance program aimed at countering the negative economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and looks forward to the implementation of the undertaken commitments;
Amendment 92 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the European Commission to develop a conditionality mechanism to monitor the concrete implementation of reforms, including clear benchmarks;
Amendment 109 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Acknowledges the adoption by the Moldovan ParliamentParliament of the Republic of Moldova adoption of numerous legislative acts in line with the country’s commitments enshrined in the AA; underlines the importance of a full implementation of these acts, including by adopting secondary legislation;
Amendment 112 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Is concerned that political instability and frequent government changes are affecting the implementation of AA/DCFTA provisions and limiting the pace of reforms;
Amendment 113 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Reiterates its concern regarding the lack of a constant commitment to improvements in the public sector, which discourages competent people from pursuing a career in public administration;
Amendment 114 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Stresses the need for the development of a professional public administration and the encouragement of young people to take up a career in the public sector, so as to achieve a more transparent administration in which nepotism and favouritism do not lead to chronic politicisation;
Amendment 121 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the authorities to consider the critical structural changes as priorities to allow the emergence of real self- government since crucial reforms are still not implemented and there are cases in which local authorities are subjected to intense political pressure or harassment by the central authorities or people associated with the ruling groups;
Amendment 123 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Acknowledges the Republic of Moldova's essential steps to increase the performance of public administration and calls for action to start a more comprehensive decentralization reform as soon as possible;
Amendment 124 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 c (new)
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6c. Underlines the need for more in- depth and broader cooperation between local authorities, for a reduced number of local administrations and more measures to ensure their greater independence and decrease their operating costs;
Amendment 132 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Is concerned by the high level of concentration and politicisation of the media and advertising sectors, leading to a low level of public confidence in the media; urges the Moldovan authorities of the Republic of Moldova to refrain from exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to adopt measures curtailing freedom of speech and limiting the media’s ability to report facts in an independent and unbiased way;
Amendment 141 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Asks the authorities to sustain the development of actions to ensure full disclosure of media ownership and to support a deeper involvement of civil society in monitoring and assessing of the transparency process;
Amendment 142 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Calls for more support from the government in the development of civil society, calls on government and authorities to refrain from any pressure on NGOs and other civic actors; regrets the distrust and hostility with which political officials approach civil society in general;
Amendment 143 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 d (new)
Paragraph 7 d (new)
7d. Urges more meaningful and active involvement of civil society in the policymaking processes;
Amendment 144 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the amendments to the electoral legislation adopted in August 2019, and the ruling of the Moldovan Constitutional Court of Republic of Moldova in February 2020 on the territorial requirements for establishing political parties;
Amendment 153 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Asks for strict restraint from changing the electoral legislation to satisfy specific political needs or from altering the rules and regulations to manipulate the results, which will always end in political unrest and instability affecting the commitment for structural reforms;
Amendment 169 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the Republic of Moldovan participation in common security and defence policy (CSDP) missions and operations, on cyber -security and cyber- crime investigations, as well as Moldova’s cooperation with NATO; calls on the EU to include the Republic of Moldova in new formats of cooperation countering hybrid threats;
Amendment 177 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Reiterates the EU’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova, and for the efforts to reach a peaceful solution to the Transnistrian issuepeaceful resolution of the Transnistrian conflict, based on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova, ensuring the protection of human rights on the territories not controlled by constitutional authorities;
Amendment 180 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Acknowledges the increased security interdependence between Moldova and the Transnistria region and the stability of both as the main factor for prevention and resolution of security challenges such as hybrid threats, cyberattacks, election cyber-meddling, disinformation and propaganda campaigns, and third-party interference in the political, electoral, and other democratic processes;
Amendment 183 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Encourages the Moldovan Government to continue promoting an environment favourable to the settlement of conflicts and supporting activities that increase confidence and people-to-people contacts across conflict-divided communities;
Amendment 188 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Reiterates that the UN General Assembly adopted on 22 June 2018a resolution urging the Russian Federation to withdraw its troops and armaments unconditionally from the territory of the Republic of Moldova and reaffirming the support for the immediate implementation of that resolution;
Amendment 191 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Encourages the authorities of the Republic of Moldova to look for more in- depth collaboration with the Union and its Members States in order to enhance the implementation of good practices and solutions for countering disinformation, propaganda, manipulation and hostile influencing carried out by external forces aimed at dividing, destabilizing, and undermining the integrity of the internal political processes and the relations with the Union;
Amendment 192 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)
Paragraph 11 c (new)
11c. Urges the authorities of the Republic of Moldova to consider the development and implementation of the package of laws regarding the fields of conflict prevention and crisis management part of NAPIAA in 2017- 2019;
Amendment 194 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Urges the Moldovan Government of the Republic of Moldova to complete judicial reforms so as to ensure the independence, impartiality and effectiveness of the judiciary and specialised anti-corruption institutions, taking the necessary measures, including the introduction of guarantees of judicial independence in the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova;
Amendment 198 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Asks for measures to provide more robust and more resilient institutions, the prevalence of the rule of law, the implementation of judicial reforms and the fight against corruption and money laundering, broader participation in the process of all the stakeholders including a permanent presence from the civil society to achieve a meaningful consultation regarding the objectives and the implementation for a significant acceptance of decisions;
Amendment 204 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Is concerned by the very high level of disapproval of the judiciary, and therefore calls on the Moldovan authorities of the Republic of Moldova to ensure that the Prosecutor General, his staff, and public prosecutors in general, work independently and abide by the highest standards of professionalism and integrity;
Amendment 205 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Urges an in-depth reform of magistrates' status using international precedents and good practices to allow the Supreme Council of the Magistracy (SCM) full independence in defending judges and prosecutors against any act of interference in or in connection with their professional activity and to promote a merit-based and transparent system for the selection and promotion of judges; calls on the Moldovan authorities to advance in the transparent process of drafting and timely adoption of the amendments to the Constitution on the SCM, in line with Venice Commission recommendations, and of the new Strategy to ensure justice sector independence and integrity with the participation of and in consultation with the Council of Europe and EU experts, civil society, and other interested actors;
Amendment 208 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Urges the Moldovan authorities of the Republic of Moldova to ensure the complete independence of the Constitutional Court, and that it is not subject to any form of political interference;
Amendment 210 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Encourages the strengthening of the Constitutional Court to enable it to resist permanent partisan temptation to use it for political purposes;
Amendment 217 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Is concerned by the very high level of perceived corruption in the Republic of Moldova, and therefore urges the Government to step up the fight against it, as well as money laundering, arms smuggling and organised crime; calls on the Moldovan Government of the Republic of Moldova to adopt concrete measures to reinforce the independence and integrity of the National Anticorruption Centre’s Office and the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office;
Amendment 231 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Urges the Moldovan authorities of the Republic of Moldova to increase transparency on the funding of political parties, and to investigate all irregularities in a fair and unbiased way;
Amendment 233 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Calls on European Commission to increase funding through the available budget support and technical assistance instruments, aimed at strengthening the justice and law enforcement authorities' capacity and efficiency, taking into account progress in the implementation of the reforms;
Amendment 237 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the authorities to significantly increase efforts to uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular for vulnerable groupsAcknowledges the improvement of legislation on the protection of human rights and calls on the authorities to recognize the respect for human rights as a critical criterion and a vital condition for a democratic society;
Amendment 255 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Calls for more concrete measures to improve detention conditions and to eliminate the detention of people with disabilities in psychiatric hospitals against their will; calls for the complete elimination of torture and ill-treatment in prisons as a method of pressure on imprisoned or detained political opponents;
Amendment 261 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Urges further steps in implementing the national legislation for preventing and combatting trafficking in human beings and for a substantial increase in the quality of services provided to victims;
Amendment 263 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 c (new)
Paragraph 19 c (new)
19c. Calls for more protection, assistance, and support of victims of crime, especially children, during investigations and after the judicial process, and for more support during the social reintegration of the victims;
Amendment 265 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 d (new)
Paragraph 19 d (new)
19d. Encourages the authorities of the Republic of Moldova to promote programs that include consistent gender equality dimension, offer more support to the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups in society, implement legislation to fight hate speech and physical violence perpetrated against the more vulnerable groups;
Amendment 267 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 e (new)
Paragraph 19 e (new)
19e. Welcomes the progress in the adoption by the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova of the new law on NGOs and looks forward to the implementation of the law, which will represent an essential step in strengthening transparent policy dialogue and ensure a favourable climate for the functioning of the civil society in the Republic of Moldova;
Amendment 269 #
2019/2201(INI)
19f. Calls for an increased presence of civil society actors in all the actions regarding human rights, fundamental freedoms legislation and implementation, allowing NGOs to act more efficiently as a watchdog for reforms and hold the respective State institutions accountable;
Amendment 271 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Welcomes the significant increase in Moldovan imports into the EU, as well as the fact that the EU is the largest investor in Moldova; welcomes the Moldovan Parliament’s adoption of the European LEADER approach as the basis for its national rural policy;
Amendment 275 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Encourages full implementation of the DCFTA in order to further increase the EU – Moldova bilateral trade and investment relationship;
Amendment 276 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Welcomes the Moldovan Parliament’s adoption of the European LEADER approach as the basis for its national rural policy;
Amendment 282 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Calls on the Moldovan authorities to adopt and implement policies aimed at regulating the participation of the entities from jurisdictions that do not implement international transparency standards (offshore jurisdictions) or the businesses that are directly or indirectly controlled by such companies from trading with public authorities (public procurement, privatization, concession, and public- private partnership);
Amendment 293 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Calls on the National Agency for Energy Regulations of the Republic of Moldova to approve the energy market Rules based on fair competition and ensure compliance by all market participants;
Amendment 295 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Commends the arrangements agreed between Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Romania in December 2019 to enable gas transfers to Ukraine and Moldova via the Trans-Balkan pipeline, and the February 2020 Action Plan to ensure the independence of the transmission system operator Moldovatransgaz;
Amendment 299 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Encourages the Moldovan authorities to continue the efforts to reinforce the energy security of the country and commends the finalisation of the Ungheni – Chișinau gas pipeline by the end of 2020;
Amendment 304 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23b. Urges the Moldovan authorities to ensure the timely implementation of the project for interconnection of Moldova- Romania electricity systems by providing the necessary support and monitoring the activity;
Amendment 320 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Encourages the Moldovan authorities to requestconsider the establishment of a Jean Monnet Dialogue to support inter- party dialogue and parliamentary capacity building;
Amendment 323 #
2019/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls for all EU institutions, the Member States and Moldovan authoritiesin close cooperation with the authorities of the Republic of Moldova to better communicate the benefits of the AA/DCFTA and ofthe EU assistance to the citizens of the Republic of Moldova;
Amendment 20 #
2019/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Reiterates its full support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and condemns the illegal occupation of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia by the Russian Federation, as well as ongoing illegal borderisation along the dividing lines, which escalate the situation, damage the security environment and cause further hardships to the local population, including abductions of Georgian citizens from unoccupied Georgian territory; emphasises that the AA covers the entire territory of Georgia, including its occupied regions, and aims to benefit its whole population; calls on the Russian Federation to fulfil its obligations under the EU- mediated ceasefire agreement of 12 August 2008, notably to withdraw all its military forces from Georgia’s occupied territories and allow the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) unhindered access to the whole territory of Georgia; asks the Commission and the EEAS to enhance their efforts to resolve the conflict peacefully, including through the EUMM and the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia;
Amendment 29 #
2019/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Condemns the continuing illegal "borderisation" in Russian-occupied Georgian territory of South Ossetia and stresses that these actions of violations of international law need to be stopped;
Amendment 38 #
2019/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Amendment 50 #
2019/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Commends the Georgian authorities for completing the constitutional reform process and the major political parties for signing the Memorandum of UnderstandingWelcomes the pardoning of European Georgia party Secretary- General Gigi Ugulava by President of Georgia as an important step towards the full implementation of the internationally- mediated Agreement between the Georgian Government and opposition of 8 March 2020, which included the establishedment of the key features of the electoral system to be used for the upcoming parliamentary elections and elimination of political interference into justice system; calls on all parties to ensure that the agreement is translated into law and fully implemented as soon as possible;
Amendment 55 #
2019/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses the need for the parliamentary elections in 2020 to be free and fair;
Amendment 58 #
2019/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Georgian authorities to implement swiftly and fully the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations and review relevant legislation to address the identified shortcomings; ensure that concerns enumerated in the OSCE/ODIHR and other legitimate election observation reports, particularly related to the use of public resources for political campaigning, impunity of violence, vote-buying as well as the ability of voters, especially civil servants, “to vote free from pressure and fear of retribution” are eliminated;
Amendment 82 #
2019/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Expresses its concern about recent court cases against opposition politicians and media owners, which contributed to a climate of increased mistrust and heightened tensions between the ruling party and the opposition, and led to a polarisation of politics and society; calls for the release of Giorgi Rurua, an independent media owner and entrepreneur, as part of the Memorandum of Understanding of 8 March 2020; calls on Georgia to respect the highest standards of judicial independence and fair trial as committed to under the AA;
Amendment 84 #
2019/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Expresses its concern about recent court cases against opposition politicians, which contributed to a climate of increased mistrust and heightened tensions between the ruling party and the opposition, and led to a polarisation of politics and society; calls for the release of the remaining political prisoners; calls on Georgia to respect the highest standards of judicial independence and fair trial as committed to under the AA;
Amendment 93 #
2019/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for a revision of the selection procedures for judges to be carried out to ensure that the recommendations of the Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR are fully implemented before any new appointments are made; regrets that the recent selection procedure of Supreme Court judges suffered from serious shortcomings;
Amendment 105 #
2019/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Strongly condemns the cyber- attacks against Georgian institutions and media outlets widely attributed to Russian actors and the intensifying disinformation campaigns; calls on all political actors in Georgia to refrain from using social media to attack people, organisations and institutions and spread deliberate misinformation;
Amendment 113 #
2019/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Deplores the constant violations by the Russian Federation, which exercises de facto control of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia regions, of the fundamental rights of the people in these occupied regions, who are being deprived of the freedom of movement and residence, the right to property and the right of access to education in the native language, and reiterates its full support for the right of return of internally displaced persons; is concerned that the restriction of the freedom of movement is depriving people of access to necessary medical services thereby endangering their lives;
Amendment 120 #
2019/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines that gender equality is a key precondition to sustainable and inclusive development; calls for the Georgian Authorities to take further steps to uphold fundamental freedoms and human rights, notably for vulnerable groups, by fighting hate speech and discrimination against LGBTQI people, Roma people and other minorities; commends the work of the Georgian Parliament’s Gender Equality Council and its efforts to identify sexual harassment as a form of discrimination;
Amendment 122 #
2019/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines that gender equality is a key precondition to sustainable and inclusive development; commends the work of the Georgian Parliament’s Gender Equality Council and its efforts to identify sexual harassment as a form of discrimination; calls for a full implementation of the Istanbul Convention;
Amendment 125 #
2019/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the work of the Human Rights Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and insists that the existing human rights and anti-discrimination legislation must be thoroughly and efficiently implemented; calls upon the Georgian leadership, the Church, the civil society and other relevant groups to foster an environment for dialogue and cooperation in order to eradicate all forms of discrimination, hate speech and physical violence against minorities and vulnerable groups;
Amendment 157 #
2019/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Welcomes the allocation by the Commission of EUR 3.4 billion for 18 priority projects in Georgia under the indicative trans-European transport network (TEN-T) investment action plan; notes that all infrastructure development projects need to be accompanied by a sound assessment of the environmental impact and of the effects on local communities;
Amendment 116 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas persistent racist, xenophobic and homophobic attitudes are starting to be seen as normal in the Member States and are embraced by opinion leaders and politicians across the EU, fostering a social climate that provides fertile ground for racism, discrimination and hate crimes;
Amendment 129 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas hate speech and hate crimes motivated by intolerance from far- right and far-left extremisms are growing;
Amendment 135 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
Ac. whereas an independent judiciary, freedom of expression and information and media pluralism are crucial components of the rule of law;
Amendment 166 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas Roma women are particularly affected as regards women’s rights and often face exacerbated forms of verbal, physical, psychological and racial harassment in reproductive health care settings, as has found to be the case in Bulgaria19 ; whereas Roma have also experienced in that Member State, ethnic segregation in maternal health care facilities, and are placed in segregated rooms with segregated bathrooms and eating facilities20 ; whereas in some Member States, such as the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic, Roma have been subjected to systematic practices of forced and coercive sterilisation and have been unable to obtain adequate reparations, including compensation, for the resulting violations of their human rights21 ; __________________ 19Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Europe, Council of Europe, Strasbourg, 2017, pp. 42-44; Decision of the European Committee of Social Rights of 5 December 2018, European Roma Rights Centre v Bulgaria, Complaint No. 151/2017 ; European Roma Rights Centre, Romani woman harassed by racist hospital staff during childbirth wins case, European Roma Rights Centre, 18 January 2017, http://www.errc.org/press- releases/romani-woman-harassed-by- racist-hospital-staff-during-childbirth- wins-case 20Decision of the European Committee of Social Rights of 5 December 2018, European Roma Rights Centre v Bulgaria, Complaint No. 151/2017. 21Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Concluding observations on the third periodic report of Slovakia, 18 October 2019, E/C.12/SVK/CO/3, paras. 44-45; Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Concluding observations on the combined twelfth and thirteenth periodic reports of Czechia, 19 September 2019, CERD/C/CZE/CO/12-13, paras. 19-20; Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Concluding observations on the combined eleventh and twelfth periodic reports of Slovakia, 12 January 2018, CERD/C/SVK/CO/11-12, paras. 23- 24; Human Rights Committee, Concluding observations on the fourth report of Slovakia, 22 November 2016, CCPR/C/SVK/CO/4, paras. 26-27.;
Amendment 171 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the values referred to in Article 2 of the TEU are in serious risk, whereas the development of education and training to foster critical thinking, to give tools to identify all forms of discrimination and intolerance and promote digital literacy, is crucial;
Amendment 185 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
Amendment 193 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas many instances of disproportionate use of force against peaceful demonstrators continue to be reported across the EU, including the beating of demonstrators; whereas law enforcement authorities in some Member States such as Romania23 , Spain and France24 are increasingly using less lethal weapons, such as batons, tear gas, hand- held sting grenades, electroshock weapons, water cannons and rubber bullets to control or disperse crowds of demonstrators; whereas the number of persons seriously wounded in demonstrations in recent years as a result of the use of rubber bullets is particularly striking; __________________ 23European Parliament resolution of 13 November 2018 on the rule of law in Romania (Texts adopted, P8_TA(2018)0446) 24Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Shrinking space for freedom of peaceful assembly, Council of Europe, Strasbourg, 2019; Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Memorandum on maintaining public order and freedom of assembly in the context of the ‘yellow vest’ movement in France, Council of Europe, Strasbourg, 2019; Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Protection of the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly during last week’s demonstrations in Catalonia, Council of Europe, Strasbourg, 2019;
Amendment 203 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
Amendment 218 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. wWhereas pushbacks constitute a violthe EU has an obligation ofunder EU and international law and prevent migrants from benefiting from the legal guarantees firmly laid down in such law; whereas the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights expressed grave concern about consistent reports of violent pushbacks by Croatian law enforcement officials25 to help those who come to the EU seeking asylum; whereas the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights also expressed concerns regarding the practice of ‘summary returns’ in the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla in relation to the ECtHR cases N.D. v Spain and N.T. v Spain26 ; __________________ 25 Letter from the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe to the Prime Minister of Croatia of 20 September 2018; Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Bosnia and Herzegovina must immediately close the Vučjak camp and take concrete measures to improve the treatment of migrants in the country, Council of Europe, Strasbourg, 2019 26Third party intervention by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights of 22 March 2018, N.D. v Spain and N.T. v Spain, CommDH(2018)11.grave concern about consistent reports of violent pushbacks;
Amendment 233 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas access to justice is a fundamental right and impunity represents an important obstacle for recovery and protection of victims;
Amendment 257 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recognises that the EU plays an important role in preventing poverty and social exclusion in the Member States, and calls on the Commission and the Council to make macroeconomic decisions based onscrupulously respect the fundamental rights enshrined in the Charter when presenting proposals and making decisions;
Amendment 269 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that the effects of austerity measureconomic policies have deeply impacted in the social fabric of the EU in many Member States and that this continues today – exacerbating alreadyand that European institutions and the Member States have the tools to avoid widening inequalities and breaching fundamental rights – and affects women, migrants, Roma, Travellers and other disadvantaged groups with a particular ferocity;
Amendment 274 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Recalls that citizens shall have equal opportunities to access jobs and that employment is, as general principle, the best way to lift people out of poverty;
Amendment 282 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that housing is not a commodity, but a necessity, without which citizens cannot fully participate in society and access fundamental rights; calls on the Commission and the Member States to integrate the recommendations made by the Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner in her comment of 23 January 2020 entitled ‘The right to affordable housing: Europe’s neglected duty’, particularly the recommendatiand place among that all Member States should promptly accept to be bound by Article 31 of the revised European Social Charter on the right to housing, and step up investment in social and affordable housing to eradicate the burden of high housing costeir priorities of social policies the right to adequate housing for citizens, particularly amongto protect disadvantaged and vulnerable groups;
Amendment 297 #
Amendment 298 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Calls on the Member States to ensure the right to education for all children in the EU and the respect of the best interests of the child and protect them from any discrimination; points out that education systems with language immersion schemes may compromise learning, especially for those children with any disability involving language development problems, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD);
Amendment 299 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Calls on the Member States to ensure that migrant and refugee children are granted access to formal and informal education swiftly after their arrival in the European Union territory;
Amendment 300 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Calls on the Member States to include in school curricula education about the value of tolerance, in order to provide children with the tools they need to identify all forms of discrimination and the features of hate speech and incitement to violence;
Amendment 301 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 d (new)
Paragraph 4 d (new)
4d. Highlights that children face new risks in the digital world and that they have to be educated about their fundamental rights to make this environment safer for them; calls on the Commission and the Member States to promote digital literacy, including media and information literacy, as a part of the basic education curriculum and from the earliest years of schooling;
Amendment 302 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 e (new)
Paragraph 4 e (new)
4e. Stresses that political profiling, disinformation and manipulation of information represent a threat to the EU’s democratic values; calls on the Commission and the Member States to contribute to the development of education and training in critical thinking that citizens can form their own opinion to face these risks;
Amendment 309 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 f (new)
Paragraph 4 f (new)
4f. Condemns any discrimination based on any grounds, such as prejudice against someone’s sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation, as stated in Article 21 of the Charter, or any other form of intolerance or xenophobia and recalls Article 2 of the TEU;
Amendment 311 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 g (new)
Paragraph 4 g (new)
4g. Stresses that sexism and gender stereotypes, which have led discrimination against women, have a severe impact on women’s fundamental rights in all spheres of life;
Amendment 369 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the Council to urgently conclude the EU ratification of the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, on the basis of a broad accession, without any limitation;
Amendment 373 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Emphasises that women face all types of gender-based discrimination in sport jobs; calls on the Commission and Member States to reinforce their commitment to end up with these practises;
Amendment 376 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Regrets the rise of number of cases of LGBTI people experiencing bullying and harassment and suffering from discrimination in different aspects of their lives;
Amendment 377 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 d (new)
Paragraph 7 d (new)
7d. Strongly condemns all discriminations against LGBTI people and their fundamental rights, including by public authorities and also the growing number of attacks and hate speech against the LGBTI community, motivated by homophobia and transphobia, that are currently on the rise across in the EU, including coming from the State, State officials, Governments at the national, regional and local levels, and politicians;
Amendment 380 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 e (new)
Paragraph 7 e (new)
7e. Calls on the Member States to implement the appropriate policies to ensure that the elderly can fully enjoy their social, political and economic rights to avoid their exclusion from society and ensure that life in old age is defined just as much by choice, control and autonomy as in other stages of life;
Amendment 382 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 f (new)
Paragraph 7 f (new)
7f. Recalls that the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) is a legally binding international treaty, signed and ratified by the EU, the aim being to ensure equal opportunities regarding accessibility, participation, equality, employment, education and training, social protection, health, and EU external action; calls the Member States to implement the appropriate policies to ensure that people with disabilities can fully enjoy their social, political and economic rights;
Amendment 406 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2 a (new)
Subheading 2 a (new)
Racism, xenophobia and related intolerance
Amendment 412 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Condemns hate crime and hate speech motivated by racism, xenophobia or religious intolerance or prejudice against someone´s political or any other opinion, or by bias on the grounds of disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, sexual characteristics or minority status;
Amendment 420 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Emphasises that hate speech and hate crimes motivated by intolerance from far-right and far-left extremisms, are growing and must be addressed;
Amendment 425 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 c (new)
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8c. Condemns the normalisation of hate speech sponsored or supported by authorities, political parties or political leaders and reported by social media that is putting in risk the European values;
Amendment 430 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 d (new)
Paragraph 8 d (new)
8d. Calls on the Commission in this context to propose a recast of the Council Framework Decision on combating certain forms and expressions of racism, homophobia and xenophobia by means of criminal law in order to cover other forms of bias crime;
Amendment 436 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 e (new)
Paragraph 8 e (new)
8e. Emphasises the need to encourage victims to report hate crimes or discrimination, and to give them appropriate protection and support;
Amendment 452 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3
Subheading 3
Freedoms of expression, information, association and media freedom
Amendment 467 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Calls on public institutions to prevent and penalise attacks on journalists in the exercise of their work because of their language, media or editorial line;
Amendment 470 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Expresses its concern about the threat that fake news pose to freedom of speech and expression and to the independence of the media, while underlining the negative effects that the spread of false news might have on the quality of political debate and on the well- informed participation of citizens in democratic society; calls on the Commission to pursue its actions aimed at preventing these practises and guaranteeing data protection, transparency and cybersecurity;
Amendment 473 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)
Paragraph 9 c (new)
9c. Strongly condemns the increasing restrictions on freedom of assembly caused by intolerants during elections periods; reaffirms the crucial role of these fundamental freedoms in the functioning of democratic societies, and calls on the Commission to take an active role in promoting these rights in line with international human rights standards;
Amendment 528 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Calls on the Commission to propose an urgent solution to resolve the flagrant cases of human rights violations in reception centres for refugees and migrants on European soil;
Amendment 531 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Urges the Commission and the Council to start the procedure to close the registration centres for asylum seekers based in European territory, where thousands of vulnerable people, including hundreds of children, have no access to basic services (health, education, etc.) and are subjected to intolerable subhuman conditions inside the EU;
Amendment 533 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 c (new)
Paragraph 12 c (new)
12c. Points out that almost a third of asylum seekers are children and are particularly vulnerable; calls on the EU and its Member States to step up their efforts to prevent unaccompanied minors from going missing and end up being victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation;
Amendment 539 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Expresses grave concern about consistent reports of violent pushbacks by law enforcement officials in several Member States; calls on the Commission and the Member States to investigate the matter and take effective measures to ensure that such policies and practices are scrapped, including by putting on hold funds for border surveillance and ensuring the independent monitoring of border control activities by national ombudsmen and NGOs; calls on the Commission and the Member States to provide a broad framework to enable orderly migration and avoid pushing migrants to use irregular migration channels;
Amendment 552 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4 a (new)
Subheading 4 a (new)
Artificial intelligence and data protection
Amendment 554 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls on the EU institutions and the Member States to address the “digital gap” derived from the change of social paradigm introduced by the artificial intelligence and ensure the access to public administration and public services of all citizens, in particular those with disabilities, digital deficits or greater vulnerability; stresses that elderly people are one of the most affected groups by the “digital gap”;
Amendment 562 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Express concern about the risk of complexity of algorithms that may lead to bias, since algorithms apply their bias more consistently than humans do; points out that biased data can lead to biased outputs and to discrimination based on social, economic, ethnic, racial, sexual, gender, disability status or other factors;
Amendment 564 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 c (new)
Paragraph 13 c (new)
13c. Highlights that further safeguards to ensure privacy and data protection are needed in light of the development of new technologies; notes that, aside from ethical implications from emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data, fundamental rights need to be considered;
Amendment 575 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 d (new)
Paragraph 13 d (new)
13d. Regrets the lack of ambitious actions, from the Commission and the Council, regarding the respect of rule of law in the European Union ; calls on the Commission and the Council to make full use of the tools available to address a clear risk of a serious breach of the rule of law and to move forward with the Article 7 on-going procedures and to present the EU mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights, without delay;
Amendment 576 #
Amendment 580 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 e (new)
Paragraph 13 e (new)
13e. Call on the Commission to provide Union citizens and residents with information about citizens’ rights to judicial redress and litigation routes in cases relating to violations of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights by national, regional, governments or EU institutions;
Amendment 583 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 f (new)
Paragraph 13 f (new)
13f. Stresses the importance of ensuring effective prevention of infringements of fundamental rights as a tool to truly protect the rule of law in the EU; underlines the importance of Parliament sending ad hoc delegations to Member States when there is clear evidence of serious breaches of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights;
Amendment 600 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Points out that the access to justice and the right of defence are both, fundamental rights; the disrespect of any of them leads to impunity and injustice, respectively; stresses that fight against impunity has to be a priority for European and national institutions; calls on the EU institutions and the Member States to improve the effectiveness of the European instruments of judicial cooperation, in particular the European Arrest Warrant to ensure the equal protection of victims and suspects or accused persons;
Amendment 604 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 c (new)
Paragraph 14 c (new)
14c. Calls on the EU institutions and the Member States to setup legal mechanisms to criminalise the glorification of a specific act of terrorism and crimes against humanity, as it humiliates the victims and causes secondary victimisation by damaging the victims’ dignity and recovery;
Amendment 606 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 d (new)
Paragraph 14 d (new)
14d. Strongly condemns the upsurge in the trafficking of human beings and urges the Member States to increase cooperation and step up their fight against organised crime, including smuggling and trafficking in human beings, but also exploitation, forced labour, sexual abuse, and torture, all while protecting victims;
Amendment 3 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1
Citation 1
- having regard to its previous resolutions on Turkey, in particular those of 13 March 2019 on the 2018 Commission Report on Turkey1 , of 19 September 2019 on the situation in Turkey, notably the removal of elected mayors2 , of 24 October 2019 on the Turkish military operation in northeast Syria and its consequences3 , and of 17 September 2020 on the preparation of the special European Council summit focusing on the dangerous escalation and the role of Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean4 and of 26 November 2020 on escalating tensions in Varosha following the illegal actions by Turkey and the urgent need for the resumption of talks 4a, _________________ 1 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2019)0200. 2 Texts adopted, P9_TA(2019)0017. 3 Texts adopted, P9_TA(2019)0049. 4 Texts adopted, P9_TA(2020)0230. 4a Texts adopted, P9_TA(2020)0332.
Amendment 14 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
Citation 5 a (new)
- having regard to Turkey's membership in the Council of Europe and in NATO;
Amendment 43 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas being a candidate country presumes a willingness to progressively approach in all aspects the values, interests, standards and policies of the EU and to respect and uphold the Copenhagen criteria and to align itself with EU policies and objectives;
Amendment 54 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas an analysis of the Commission’s reports on Turkey since 2014 and, in particular, the 2019 and 2020 reports, reveals that Turkey has increasingly and rapidly distanced itself from the EU’s values and its normative framework; not only by the domestic democratic backsliding but also by aggressive foreign policy moves, including illegal actions against EU member states; notes that these reports state that Turkey did not implement the recommendations of the previous reports, pointing to a lack of commitment from the Turkish side and calling into question Turkey’s wish for accession;
Amendment 67 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the European Parliament has substantially cut the Pre-Accession funding for Turkey, in light of the democratic backsliding and inability to adhere to the rule of law;
Amendment 71 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas, in spite of this principled stance by Parliament and all of the current circumstances, the European Council, in its conclusions of 1 October 2020, offered Turkey a renewed and broad positive agenda, provided that constructive efforts are sustained, in a further attempt to restore our relations; whereas after the European Council meeting of October 2020, no such constructive efforts were made;
Amendment 102 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes with concern that Turkey’the Turkish government's continuous and growing distancing from European values and standards hasand the Turkish president’s threats and openly provocative, on occasions insulting, statements against the EU and its leaders have brought EU- Turkey relations to a historical low point, having deteriorated to such an extent that it requires both parties to profoundly reassess the current framework of relations;
Amendment 155 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that, since the Parliament’s last report, the situation, far from improving, has deteriorated even further; firmly insists, therefore, on therefore that, in line with the Negotiating Framework from October 2005, the Commission should recommend the formal suspension of accession negotiations with Turkey, in order for both sides to review in a realistic manner the appropriateness of the current framework and its ability to function, or, if necessary, to explore possible new models for future relations;
Amendment 177 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Regrets the current lack of understandingstate of play of relations between the EU and Turkey, but reaffirms its firm conviction that Turkey is a strategic neighbour, key for the stability of the wider region, and ally with which the EU wishes to have the best possible relations, including within NATO; is deeply concerned about Turkey's current destabilising role in the wider region through its involvement in several conflicts;
Amendment 209 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Expresses its will to strengthen and deepen mutual knowledge and understanding between Turkish and European societies, combating all manifestations of social, religious or cultural prejudice; expresses its full commitment to continue supporting Turkey’s independent civil society in whatever circumstances and framework of relations that the future may bring; believes, nevertheless, that the accession process would still be the mostis a powerful tool to exercise normative pressure on the Turkish government and the best framework to sustain the democratic and pro-European aspirations of Turkish society; stresses that a purely transactional relationship will hardly contribute to the advancement of Turkey towards a more democratic modrecognises however that the advancement of Turkey towards a more democratic model will require political will at the highest political level;
Amendment 232 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes with deep concern that, despite the formal lifting of the state of emergency in July 2018, its impact on democracy and fundamental rights continues to be strongly felt, most recently with the mass sentencing on November 26 of 337 people to life imprisonment for taking part in the failed coup in 2016;
Amendment 271 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Is deeply worried about the disregard by the Turkish judiciary of European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) rulings and the increasing non-compliance of lower courts with the judgments of the Constitutional Court; recognises that there have been instances where Turkey has requested the re-trial of its prisoners following a decision by the ECtHR however, notes with regret that these retrials often fail to meet internationally recognised standards for a fair trial, such as in the Ilhan Sami Comak case;
Amendment 308 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Is deeply concerned about the constant attacks and pressure on the opposition parties and sentencing of members of the opposition, which undermines the proper functioning of a democratic system;
Amendment 325 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on Turkeythe Turkish government to release all imprisoned human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, academics and others who have been detained on unsubstantiated charges and to enable them to carry out their work without threat or impediment in all circumstances; strongly condemns the re-arrest and continued detention of Osman Kavala, a prominent civil society figure; is appalled by the tragic death of human rights lawyer Ebru Timtik after 238 days of hunger strike at protest of her unfair trial after being convicted of membership of a terrorist organisation;
Amendment 352 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Reaffirms its call expressed in its resolution of 15 April 2015 and once again encourages Turkey to recognise the Armenian Genocide, thus paving the way for a genuine reconciliation between the Turkish and Armenian peoples; in this regard calls on Turkey to refrain from any anti-Armenian propaganda and hate- speech and to fully respect its obligations to protect Armenian and other cultural heritage;
Amendment 377 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Urges Turkeythe Turkish government to protect the rights of minorities and vulnerable groups, including women, LGBTI people and ethnic and religious minorities and to take further measures to end violence against women and the deplorable practice of so called “honour killings”; calls on Turkey to fully implement and abide by the Istanbul Convention to which it has signed up;
Amendment 475 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. RecallAhead of the 10-year anniversary of the conflict in Syria, commends the laudable role played by Turkey in responding to the migration crisis resulting from the war in Syria; acknowledges that Turkey continues to host and provide social services for 3.6 million Syrian refugees; takes the view that the EU should continue to give the necessary support to Syrian refugees and host communities in Turkey; supports an objective assessment of the EU-Turkey Statement and underlines the importance of both parties’ compliance with their respective commitments; recognizes the migratory pressure Turkey is facing however, firmly objects to the Turkish government using migrants as blackmail against the EU;
Amendment 542 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Is deeply concerned by the ongoing dispute in the Eastern Mediterranean and the related risk of a military escalation; condemns Turkey’s illegal activities in Greek and Cypriot waters, which violate both the sovereign rights of EU Member States and international law; expresses its full solidarity with Greece and the Republic of Cyprus; urges Turkey to engage in the peaceful settlement of disputes and to refrain from any unilateral and illegal action or threat; welcomes the proposal of the European Council for a Multilateral Conference on the Eastern Mediterranean and calls on the High Representative to launch it as soon as soon as possible;
Amendment 558 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Condemns the partial illegal reopening of Varosha beach, which undermines mutual trust and therefore the prospect of the resumption of direct talks on the comprehensive resolution of the Cyprus issue; calls on Turkey to reverse this action; reiterates its support for a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement on the basis of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with political equalitycalls on Turkey to withdraw its troops from Cyprus, to transfer the Varosha area to its lawful inhabitants under the temporary administration of the UN in accordance with UNSC Resolution 550 (1984), and to refrain from any actions altering the demographic balance on the island through a policy of illegal settlements; reiterates its call on Turkey, to commit and contribute to a comprehensive settlement in line with United Nations Security Council relevant resolutions; reiterates its support for a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem within the UN framework and in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions, international law and in line with the EU acquis and the principles on which the EU is founded;
Amendment 588 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Strongly condemns the Turkish military interventions in Syria, especially in the northeast and Idlib, which constitute grave violations of international law; reiterates its position as expressed in its resolution of 24 October 2019 on the Turkish military operation in northeast Syria and its consequences, including the call for an EU-wide arms embargo on Turkey;
Amendment 608 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Calls on Turkey to remain committed to the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Libya under the auspices of the UN, and to fully adhere to the arms embargo imposed by the UN Security Council and to not obstruct EU and NATO missions mandated to enforce the UN arms embargo on Libya;
Amendment 619 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Regrets that, rather than calling for an end to the violence and for a resumption of peaceful negotiations supporting the efforts of the Co-Chairs of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group, Turkey instead decided to unconditionally sustain the military actions of one of the sides in the recent conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh; strongly condemns the transfer of foreign fighters by Turkey and Azerbaijan from Syria and elsewhere to the conflict zone, as confirmed by international actors, including the OSCE Minsk Group Co- Chair countries; is concerned by the destabilizing role of Turkey, which puts at risk the security of the whole South Caucasus region and calls on Turkey to refrain from any military interference in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict;
Amendment 621 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. RFirmly regrets that, rather than calling for an end to the violence and for a resumption of peaceful negotiations supporting the efforts of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group, Turkey instead decided to unconditionally sustain the military actions of one of the sides in the recent conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh thereby resorting to provocative rhetoric fuelling tensions instead of reducing them ; condemns the transfer of foreign fighters by Turkey from Syria and elsewhere to Nagorno-Karabakh, as confirmed by international actors, including the OSCE Minsk Group Co- Chair countries;
Amendment 640 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Recognizes the importance of a well-functioning NATO; deplores in this regard Turkey’s unilateral actions undermining NATO, obstructing its functioning and fuelling tensions within the alliance, including the purchase of Russian S-400missiles and provocative moves against allies operating under NATO command; calls on the Turkish government to overcome these tensions by halting actions that go against the interests of the alliance;
Amendment 648 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 b (new)
Paragraph 31 b (new)
31b. Calls on the EEAS StratCom division to document suspicions of Turkish disinformation directed at the EU, particularly in Africa and the MENA region and to report its findings to the European Parliament;
Amendment 650 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 c (new)
Paragraph 31 c (new)
31c. Calls for a transatlantic dialogue on relations with Turkey, as soon as the new US administration takes office, with the view of adopting a joint policy towards Turkey to assist in bringing Turkey back to compliance with values, interests and standards of the EU and of NATO;
Amendment 653 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Believes that it is high time to review the EU’s relations with Turkey and to define a comprehensive, unified and coherent strategy for the medium to long term, among all EU institutions and Member States; believes that the EU should not confuse Turkey with the policies of its current government, therefore underlines that the EU should remain committed to support Turkey’s civil society, human rights defenders and journalists and to increase opportunities for people-to-people contacts, academic dialogue, access for Turkish students to European universities, and media platforms for journalists with the objective of protecting and promoting democratic values and principles, human rights and the rule of law;
Amendment 691 #
2019/2176(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Calls on the European Council to take appropriate actions against Turkey, including restrictive measures, given the absence of progress, but underlines that these sanctions should not have an adverse impact on the Turkish people, its civil society or the refugees in Turkey;
Amendment 52 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the fact that EU membership continues to be Serbia’s strategic goal and that it is among the priorities of the newly elected government; notes however that the stated intentions of Serbian officials are often not followed by actions; expects a clear and unambiguous commitment by Serbia, in both words and deeds, to fulfilling all of its obligations towards EU accession in a visible and verifiable way;
Amendment 62 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines that the momentum created by the new mandate following the 21 June 2020 elections in Serbia is an opportunity to make important progress towards Serbia’s European perspective; takes note of the OSCE/ODIHR report on the elections and the substantial deficiencies of the election process outlined therein; notes that the new composition of the Serbian Parliament does not guarantee an effective scrutiny over the government's actions, which is usually provided by the opposition; advocates for the opening of additional negotiating chapters as Serbia makes the necessary commitments to reform; notes that the clearly set conditionality linked to the opening of chapters is a tool for achieving sustainable pro-European change in Serbia;
Amendment 69 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls on the Serbian Government to officially adopt the new enlargement methodology of the European Commission and to appoint a new Head of the Negotiating Team for Serbia's accession to the European Union as soon as possible; calls on the Government to raise the administrative capacities of the Ministry of European Integration, in order to adequately conduct membership negotiations;
Amendment 71 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Welcomes the cooperation between the Serbian Government and the National Assembly on the National Convention on the European Union (NCEU); calls on Serbian institutions to do their utmost to make the European integration process as inclusive and open as possible;
Amendment 79 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that Serbia has continued aligning its legislation with the acquis; regrets that the pace of the alignment has been significantly slower than what the Government originally planned, including in the period before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic; underlines thatlimited progress on the rule of law and fundamental rights chapters, as well as on; stresses that the normalisation of relations with Kosovo, and the factual respect of fundamental rights continues to be essential and will determine the pace of accession negotiations;
Amendment 90 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the importance of strategic communication on EU accession by Serbian stakeholders; underlines that public discussion about EU accession must be based on facts and must promote the full respect of fundamental rights and democratic values upon which the EU is based; ; encourages the Serbian authorities to communicate more actively their commitment to European values in public debate;
Amendment 97 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on Serbia and the EU Member States to pursue a more active and effective communication policy on the European perspective, aimed at both Serbian and EU citizens; expresses concern over the promotion of anti-EU messages and rhetoric by publicly financed media outlets;
Amendment 100 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls for the creation of new opportunities for high level political and policy dialogue with the Western Balkans countries, through regular EU-Western Balkans summits and intensified ministerial contacts, in order to strengthen the political nature of the enlargement process and to ensure stronger steering and high-level engagement, as also called for by the revised enlargement methodology;
Amendment 103 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that the Conference on the Future of Europe should seek ways of involving Serbian representatives;government and civil society representatives in an open and inclusive democratic dialogue, without any form of intimidation or exclusion of parts of Serbian society.
Amendment 108 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls for an active engagement and the appropriate inclusion of the Western Balkans countries in the Conference on the Future of Europe;
Amendment 112 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Takes note of the conclusions of the final report of the OSCE/ODIHR special election assessment mission that the 21 June 2020 parliamentary elections were administered efficiently but that the dominance of the ruling party, including in the media, was of concern; regrets the persistence throughout this election cycle of long-term trends of pressures on voters, media bias and blurring of the lines between activities of state officials and partisan campaigning, including in the case of the President of the Republic; expresses concern over allegations of irregular voter registration in the June 2020 elections and urges the authorities to investigate this matter; calls on the authorities to address fully all ODIHR recommendations well ahead of the nextin order to guarantee free and fair future elections;
Amendment 117 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Notes with concern that just weeks before the scheduled elections the ruling party changed important elements of the electoral system, notably the electoral threshold, in a process that lacked public discussion, transparency and inclusiveness;
Amendment 121 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Regrets the decision by parts of the opposition to boycott the elections and stresses that in light of the findings of the OSCE/ODIHR special election assessment mission, the authorities should also be held responsible for provoking such decision; stresses that the only way to guarantee political representation for their constituents is by engaging in political and electoral processes;
Amendment 126 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the establishment of the Inter-Party Dialogue (IPD) facilitated by the European Parliament and the initial measures taken by the Serbian authorities and the parliamentary majority to improve electoral conditions; regrets that the majority of given commitments were only partially or not at all fulfilled by the Serbian authorities, including appointments to the Regulatory Council on Electronic Media (REM) which were decided without any input from the participating opposition and the failure of the public service broadcaster (RTS) to properly implement all of the agreed changes; calls for further implementation of all commitments undertaken in the framework of the IPD;
Amendment 130 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Condemns the series of verbal attacks on Members of the European Parliament, including on one of the facilitators in the IPD, by ruling party MPs and by media close to the ruling party;
Amendment 136 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls for the continuation of the IPD with the involvement of all relevant stakeholders and pro-European political forces in the country; urges that new rounds of a more inclusive IPD take place as soon as possible and that all parties be treated as equal participants in the preparation and implementation of the dialogue;
Amendment 140 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the new government to focus on effective and verifiable fundamental reforms and address existing and potentially additional deep structural shortcomings in the areas of rule of law, fundamental rights, the functioning of democratic institutions and public administration;
Amendment 147 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Urges Serbia to deliver convincing results, including a sustainable track record with effective investigations in areas of concern such as the judiciary, media freedom, freedom of expression and the fight against corruption and organised crime, in particular regarding corruption allegations with a high level of public interest, such as the cases of Krušik, Jovanjica and Telekom Srbija; reiterates its call for justice from 2018 with regard to the unlawful demolition of private property in the Belgrade neighbourhood of Savamala;
Amendment 163 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Urges the Serbian parliament to adopt constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening the independence and professionalism of the judiciary;
Amendment 164 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Regrets that the Serbian Parliament failed to adopt constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening the independence of the judiciary, which were originally scheduled in 2017; notes that the lack of representativeness of the current parliament does not bode well for their adoption in the current mandate;
Amendment 167 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Expresses concern about the effective functioning of the new parliament, where there is no parliamentary opposition, whose legitimacy is challenged by opposition parties and whose term has already been announced to be shortened by the Serbian President, and that adopts far-reaching constitutional changes without an open, inclusive and democratic public debate, especially in the area of judiciary;
Amendment 172 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes improvements to the practices and procedures of the national assembly; underlines that the quality of the legislative process still needs to be improved by increasing transparency and social and political dialogue and fully ensuring that independent regulatory bodies are legally empowered and staffed in a way that allows them to exercise their oversight roles effectively; calls for additional measures to ensure cross-party dialogue and effective involvement of civil society;
Amendment 175 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 d (new)
Paragraph 14 d (new)
14d. Notes with concern that the Serbian Parliament met only 44 days after the declaration of the state of emergency in March 2020, which undermined its position as the key institution of parliamentary democracy as enshrined in the Constitution of Serbia; notes with further concern that the parliament did not begin its work in full for 109 days after the declaration of the final election results on 5 July 2020, despite there being a clear parliamentary majority.
Amendment 177 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Stresses that the Serbian Parliament still does not exercise effective oversight of the executive, and that the transparency, inclusiveness and quality of the legislative process need to be further improved; welcomes the declining use of urgent procedures to adopt legislation and calls on the Serbian Parliament to review the practice of filibustering and whether it stifles democratic debate;
Amendment 179 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Emphasises that all actions which limit the ability of the Serbian Parliament to conduct an effective debate on, and scrutiny of, legislation should be avoided; underlines the importance of the work of the opposition in a democracy and underlines that its politicians should not be subject to slander and libel; regrets that some politicians misuse the public discourse to fuel the rise of radicalism;
Amendment 180 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 c (new)
Paragraph 14 c (new)
14c. Underlines that the role of independent regulatory bodies, including the country’s Ombudsperson, the Anti- Corruption Agency, the National Audit Authority and the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection, needs to be fully acknowledged and supported; calls on the Serbian Parliament to engage in the implementation of independent regulatory bodies’ findings and recommendations, notably those of the Ombudsperson; recalls that social dialogue is one of the pillars of the European social model and that regular consultation between the government and social partners is instrumental in the prevention of social tension and conflict; underlines that it is essential for social dialogue to go beyond the exchange of information and that interested parties should be consulted on important laws before they are subject to parliamentary procedure;
Amendment 183 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Believes that the acquisition of two television channels with national coverage in December 2018 by an individual connected with the ruling party represented a step towards monopolisation of the media landscape in the country by the ruling party; invites the editorial teams of all television channels with national coverage in Serbia to respect the highest professional standards and allow for differing opinions to be heard regularly;
Amendment 186 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Is concerned about allegations made by investigative journalists of government manipulation of COVID-19 statistics for political and electoral purposes; stresses that trust and transparency are of particular importance in the government’s efforts against COVID-19 and that the authorities should ensure that no doubt is cast on the validity of publicly available data;
Amendment 193 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Regrets the lack of progress on media freedom, abusive language, intimidation and even hate speech, including from members of the ruling parties, whose responsibility to act with respect towards all the representatives of the media is of utmost importance; urges Serbian authorities to take immediate measures to guarantee freedom of expression and media independence;
Amendment 197 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Regrets that the work of civil society organisations takes place in an environment that is not open and even hostile to criticism, with some CSOs facing particular pressure, threats and intimidation from the government and the media close to the ruling party; urges the authorities to enable an atmosphere that allows all civil society organisations to carry out their work in a safe and unobstructed manner;
Amendment 199 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Urges the authorities to fully clarify the situation concerning investigations on CSOs and journalists for money laundering and stresses that any unjustified investigation is considered an act of intimidation;
Amendment 205 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)
Paragraph 16 c (new)
16c. Condemns the lack of media freedom and dominance of abusive language, intimidation and hate speech towards members of the parliamentary opposition, independent intellectuals, NGOs, journalists and prominent individuals who criticize government policies;
Amendment 208 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. While firmly condemning all acts of violence, notes that incidents of disproportional use of police force during the July 2020 protests deserve particular attention of the authorities, as well as the treatment of Mr. Aleksandar Obradović, who provided proof of alleged corruption in the state-owned arms manufacturer Krušik; stresses that all cases in which it is determined that police has overstepped its authority should be properly investigated and sanctioned;
Amendment 211 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Notes that the legal and institutional framework for upholding human rights is formally broadly in place and, but lacks mechanisms to ensure that these fundamental rights are effectively respected; calls for its more effective implementation, with particular regard to the most vulnerable groups in society, including national minorities, in the areas of education, use of minority languages, adequate representation in public administration and the judiciary;
Amendment 237 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Underlines the need for protection of LGBTI rights; calls for more adequate and effective responses from the authorities to hate speech and hate- motivated crimes;
Amendment 249 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Welcomes Serbia’s engagement in regional cooperation initiatives; encourages Serbia to sustain its efforts at all levels aimed at reconciliation and strengthening good neighbourly relations; invites Serbia to engage in the resolution of all remaining border disputes with its neighbours in a constructive and timely manner.
Amendment 264 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Stresses that the normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo is a priority and a precondition for EU accession; calls for active and constructive engagement in the EU-facilitated dialogue led by the EU Special Representative seeking a comprehensive and legally binding agreement, in accordance with international law; reiterates its call to move forward with the full implementation, in good faith and in a timely manner, of all the agreements already reached; reiterates its call to the authorities to refrain from using inflammatory language towards the citizens of Kosovo of Albanian ethnicity;
Amendment 277 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Regrets the reiterated denial of the Srebrenica genocide by some Serbian authorities; reminds them that fully cooperating with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, and its successor the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, also implies fully accepting and implementing its rulings and decisions; stresses that the recognition of the Srebrenica genocide is a fundamental step in Serbia’s path towards joining the European Union;
Amendment 283 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. WelcomNotes the progress Serbia has made in the development of a functional market economy; invites Serbia to continue its efforts to boost competitiveness and long- term and inclusive growth through structural reforms; calls on the Serbian government to directly tackle the issue of corruption, which stifles the development of a functional market economy, and to address the 2020 Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) concerns;
Amendment 294 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Calls on Serbia to increase the sustainability of its energy sector by diversifying its energy sources and moving towards renewables while at the same time adopting the necessary measures to preserve and protect environmentally sensitive areas; and less polluting fuels to ensure compliance with its indicative trajectory; urges the authorities to remove all non-compliant coal subsidies and convert the existing coal- based or petroleum products-based district heating into a high efficiency cogeneration- and renewables-based system; encourages Serbia to adopt the necessary measures to preserve and protect environmentally sensitive areas and to step up the monitoring of the implementation and the enforcement of the National Emissions Reduction Plan;
Amendment 306 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Urges the authorities to ensure alignment with EU standards and policy objectives on climate protection and environment, in particular in light of the Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans – including but not limited to the introduction of carbon emissions pricing, the update of energy efficiency legislation and the development and adoption of an integrated National Energy and Climate Plan, in order to facilitate the transition to a circular economy; encourages Serbia to finalise the reforms of the national electricity and gas sectors by ensuring in particular the unbundling of the system operators, and to work on regional connectivity and the completion of the regional energy market in electricity and natural gas;
Amendment 310 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Is concerned by the alarming levels of air pollution and urges the authorities to swiftly take measures to improve air quality, especially in large cities and industrial areas such as Smederevo, Bor and Kolubara region; stresses the importance of finding sustainable solutions and limiting the use of lignite and other low-calorie coal in energy production, as well as for heating;
Amendment 317 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Reiterates the importance of alignment with the EU common foreign and security policy (CFSP), which must progressively become an integral part of Serbia’s foreign policy; regrets the general lack of effective alignment with the CFSP in the past 5 years;
Amendment 322 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Stresses that moving the Serbian Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem would contradict the position of the European Union on the long-term two state solution to the Israel-Palestine dispute;
Amendment 324 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 b (new)
Paragraph 30 b (new)
30b. Underlines the need for the EU and the United States to strengthen their partnership and coordination in the Western Balkans in order to advance key reforms, improve governance and reconciliation;
Amendment 329 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Welcomes the fact that Serbia aligned with the EU’s position on the presidential elections in Belarus; remains however concerned that Serbia has failed to align with the sanctioning of Belarusian officials and with the EU’s position on the new security law in China; calls on Serbia to increase its level of alignment with the declarations of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on behalf of the EU, and with Council decisions;
Amendment 333 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Notes that disinformation coming from Serbia spreads across border due to the central role the country has in the Western Balkans; Calls on Serbia to support measures aiming at reinforcing media pluralism and quality journalism; Calls for the strengthening of European cooperation with Serbia on addressing disinformation and hybrid threats that seek to undermine the European perspective of the region;
Amendment 350 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Takes note of Serbia’s decision to sign a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union in October 2019; expects Serbia, however, to align with EU trade policy; regrets that Serbia is still not a member of the World Trade Organisation;
Amendment 364 #
2019/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Expresses concern over Serbia’s increasing dependence on defence equipment and technologies from the People’s Republic of China and the insufficient transparency of the security sector’s public procurement practices; continues to be concerned about Serbia’s close political and military cooperation with Russia, including the continued presence of Russian air facilities in Nis;
Amendment 140 #
2019/2173(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Encourages the Montenegrin authorities to push forward the measures undertaken for a full implementation of the Roadmap for countering firearms trafficking in the Western Balkans;
Amendment 36 #
2019/2172(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas Kosovo remains the only country in the Western Balkans whose citizens need a visa to travel to the Schengen Area although all benchmarks for visa liberalisation have been fulfilled since 2018;
Amendment 80 #
2019/2172(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the Commission’s statement of 26 August 2020 confirming its assessment of Kosovo’s ability to benefit from the visa liberalisation regime, and calls on the Council to urgently proceed with the adoption of a visa-free regime for the citizens of Kosovo;
Amendment 181 #
2019/2172(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Calls on the Kosovo authorities to increase efforts to promote t gender equality and strengthening women’s economic position, including by prioritising gender mainstreaming and increased cooperation with civil society, including women’s organisations, as well as by creating an environment conducive to the better representation of women in decision- making positions;
Amendment 35 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)
Citation 15 a (new)
- having regard to the Joint Declaration of the European Parliament – Western Balkans Speakers’ Summit of 28 January 2020,
Amendment 93 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that the path towards the EU depends on sustainable peace and genuine reconciliation warranting the democratic and multicultural character of BiH; urges the country to expedite effective prosecution of war crimes under the revised National War Crimes Processing Strategy, and calls for impartial and effective investigations into these crimes; condemns any kind of historical revisionism, secessionist rhetoric and related acts, denial or glorification of war crimes committed during the 1990’s war, including the Srebrenica genocide; condemns the non-respect of the rulings of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and of the International Court of Justice;
Amendment 102 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that over 7 200 BiH citizens are still missing, and urges the authorities to intensify cooperation and data sharing on issues related to missing persons, redress to civilian victims of war, and to ensure the safe return of refugees and internally displaced people in accordance with Annex VII of the Dayton Peace Agreement; calls for the eradication of all forms of discrimination against returnees;
Amendment 103 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that over 7 200 BiH citizens are still missing, and urges the authorities to intensify cooperation and data sharing between regional, national and international stakeholders on issues related to missing persons, redress to civilian victims of war, and to ensure the safe return of refugees and internally displaced people;
Amendment 118 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Urges the authoritieresponsible authorities at all levels to ensure inclusive and non- discriminatory education for all children; regardless of their ethnic, cultural or personal background, by working towards a meaningful harmonization of the three ethno-national curricula in place, by progressively eliminating content in history, geography, language, literature and religious education that promotes division and by mainstreaming critical thinking skills into teacher training and classroom work; recognizes that only through quality education that gives young people a vision and perspective of a positive future can the brain drain issue be addressed;
Amendment 150 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines that the effective organisation and, independent functioning and accountability of institutions is an essential feature of a viable democracy and a prerequisite for advancing the EU integration process, including obtaining candidate status; warns that ethno- nationalistic rhetoric and attempts to obstruct the functioning of institutions undermine country-wide co- ordination and decision-making on key policies and reforms;
Amendment 155 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Commends the adoption of the amendments to the BiH Election Law that allowed Mostar citizens to vote in the 2020 local elections; is concerned about reports that the wider Mostar agreement co- facilitated by EU officials contravenes the Union’s long-held aim of reunification of the city; welcomes the Parliamentary Assembly’s vote of 22 July 2020 on the Rules of Procedure governing the meetings of Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC), paving the way for their formal adoption by the 2nd EU-BiH SAPC as soon as possible;
Amendment 171 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines the urgent need to address shortcomings in the constitutional framework, including through the harmonisation of laws on cantonal and federal level and expanding the state’s jurisdiction, and to make progress on reforms that would transform BiH into a fully functional and inclusive civic state; stresses that institutional reforms depend on the will and commitment of political leaders and institutions in the country, which must be reflected in a new social contract for all citizens; urges the international community to facilitate the conditions for and actively support constitutional dialogue under the leadership and guidance of the EU, in particular Parliament, and in consultwith the active participation withof civil society representatives and citizens as fully engaged and fully equal partners;
Amendment 180 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Regrets the lack of progress on reforms in the judiciary; reiterates the as a pivotal and urgently need to strengthen the professionalism and accountability of the judiciary and to ensure its independence from undue influenceed reform, including the conditions and recommendations contained in the Commission Opinion’s 14 priorities as well as in the December 2019 Priebe report; notes that the Commission’s 31 December 2020 deadline for adoption of three systemic laws (amendment to the Law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council, Law on public procurement, Law on conflict of interest) has not been met by BH authorities;
Amendment 187 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Reiterates the urgent need to resolve the mounting backlog of cases pending trial; calls for an urgent strengthening of the professionalism and accountability of the judiciary and to ensure its independence from undue influence, especially undue political pressure; calls for reform of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council;
Amendment 190 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Calls for establishing a national contact point for cooperation with Europol and signing an agreement on operational cooperation with Eurojust;
Amendment 197 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls for immediate steps to tackle corruption and impunity in the public sphere in order to rebuild citizens’ trust in the institutions; calls on the authorities to duly investigate and resolve the lack of effective prosecutions for high-profile corruption cases; stresses that the persistent lack of transparency shown by political actors and public institutions alike needs to be swiftly addressed;
Amendment 216 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Expresses concern over the fundamental rights situation, andin particular over the persisting discrimination and hate speech faced by the LGBTI+ community, migrants and asylum seekers, as well as ethnic and religious minorities; calls for more effective and comprehensive countrywide human rights and anti- discrimination strategies, as well as measures against interfaith and interethnic intolerance; stresses the need to duly prevent and prosecute the proliferation of hate speech, hate crimes and violence, and to promote social inclusion of minorities and vulnerable populations, including the Roma;
Amendment 230 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Regrets BiH’sthe continued inabilityunwillingness of BiH’s party leaders to comply with anti-discrimination rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR); stresses that any possible future negotiations and agreements on the implementation of the rulings must not be misused for purposes other than the ones laid out by the ECtHR; notes the continuing shortcomings in the election process, and reiterates the need to address discriminatory ethnicity and residency- based restrictions on the right to stand for election through the required constitutional changes;
Amendment 241 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls for thorough investigations into alleged electoral irregularities, including identity theft, barriers to independent electoral observation and political pressure on the BiH Central Election Commission (CEC), during of the 2020 municipal elections, specifically in relation to the 20 December 2020 Mostar elections;
Amendment 248 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Regrets continued political and financial pressure and instrumentalisation of the media, undermining freedom of expression and media pluralism; expresses its concern at the hostile environment for independent media, and urges the authorities to effectively investigate and prosecute threats and attacks against journalists and media personnel; urges media, information and digital literacy to become a compulsory subject in elementary, secondary and tertiary education institutions;
Amendment 281 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Notes the increased migratory pressure on the country; calls for effective inter-institutional coordination of migration and border management in the face of a mounting humanitarian crisis; calls for equitable burden-sharing of responsibility on the whole territory of BiH and adequate support for local communities hosting temporary reception centres; calls in particular on the Republika Srpska and HDZ BiH to end their refusal to participate in migratory management; underlines the need to ensure appropriate reception conditions and to boost capacity for processing incoming migrants and asylum- seekers; urges BiH to conclude an agreement with the European Asylum Support Office (EASO); calls on the EU to step up its support to BiH’s authorities, namely with regard to operational assistance;
Amendment 314 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls for a co-ordinated, strategic countrywide response to the ongoing health emergency and post-pandemic recovery measures that must reach all individuals affected by the crisis; calls for more proactive information-sharing on the pandemic, including clarifications regarding preventive measures and instructions for citizens, as well as data on infections and vaccinations through official channels; recalls COVID-related EU support to address the acute situation in the country; calls on the European Commission and the Member States to allocate a sufficient number of COVID-19 vaccines to the Western Balkan countries;
Amendment 361 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Recommends focusing on growth- enhancing public investment and infrastructure projects, making full use of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans; urges the authorities to carry out comprehensive and up-to-date social impact assessments prior to all infrastructure projects to ensure that projects and investments strengthen BiH’s European values and perspective;
Amendment 369 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Urges BiH’s authorities to ensure alignment with EU standards and policy objectives on climate protection and energy, facilitating the green and digital transition, and calls for the prioritisation of measures reducing ecological degradation and environmental risks to health; urges BiH’s authorities to consult and engage with the main grassroots initiatives focused on preserving the pristine nature of BiH’s natural ecosystem, so as to ensure that local communities have a say on their future;
Amendment 371 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Deplores the policy decisions of the Federation’s authorities locking-in the generation mix on coal-fired power production, especially via unjustified State aid measures and direct subsidies; notes that concurrently to the strong support to coal and lignite, the 2020 target of 40% in renewable energy is unlikely to be met and that the implementation of energy efficiency legislation is lagging behind the binding legal deadlines of the Energy Community; regrets the delay in the adoption of long-term targets and strategies for the renovation of buildings;
Amendment 375 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)
Paragraph 26 b (new)
26b. Urges BiH’s authorities to commence the repeatedly delayed sector reforms in natural gas and to complete unbundling, enable market coupling in electricity and equip the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) with the nationwide competences in both electricity and gas in order to secure compliance with the EU’s Second and Third Energy Package; notes that the serious and persistent failure to comply with the related Energy Community acquis in these two sectors jeopardizes the prospects of integrating the energy markets of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the ones of its neighbours;
Amendment 377 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 c (new)
Paragraph 26 c (new)
26c. Urges to seize the opportunity of the ongoing development of different climate and energy policy documents, such as the Nationally Determined Contribution and the National Energy and Climate Plan, to set ambitious 2030 targets along with clear policies and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in order to put the economy of BiH on a climate-friendly and transformative path towards climate neutrality;
Amendment 379 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 d (new)
Paragraph 26 d (new)
26d. Welcomes the transposition of the electricity connection code Regulations as well as the transposition and implementation of REMIT Regulation 1227/2011 into the national electricity regulatory framework and invites authorities to apply the same integrity regime also in the gas sector;
Amendment 381 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 e (new)
Paragraph 26 e (new)
26e. Urges Bosnia and Herzegovina to put in place carbon pricing mechanisms and the related rules and instruments aligning with Directive 2003/87/EC on the emission trading scheme, as undertaken in the Sofia Declaration;
Amendment 383 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 f (new)
Paragraph 26 f (new)
26f. Underlines the lack of implementation of Directive 2001/42/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment (SEA Directive), concerning plans and programmes related to energy, such as the National Determined Contribution Plan and urges BiH to secure wide public consultations for such documents;
Amendment 385 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 g (new)
Paragraph 26 g (new)
26g. Takes note of the compliance of emissions for nitrogen oxides in large combustion plants and urges swift actions to remedy the breach of the emission ceiling limits for dust and sulphur dioxide;
Amendment 393 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27b. Underlines the need for the EU and the United States to strengthen their partnership and coordination in the Western Balkans in order to advance key reforms, improve governance and reconciliation;
Amendment 398 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Welcomes the continued presence of EUFOR’s Operation Althea in the country and the extension of EUFOR’s mandate until November 2021; regrets that the UK chose not to participate in the CSDP missions and operations anymore and withdrew from operation EUFOR Althea; questions the current composition of EUFOR Althea, including the presence of staff from non-EU countries;
Amendment 402 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Stresses the importance of enhancing efforts to fight against trafficking of small arms and light weapons in Bosnia-Herzegovina and in the region; to this end, praises the French-German initiative launched in 2018 and encourages BiH authorities to fully engage in resolute efforts, with the support of the EU;
Amendment 406 #
2019/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Calls for the creation of new opportunities for high level political and policy dialogue with the Western Balkans countries, through regular EU-Western Balkans summits and intensified ministerial contacts, in order to strengthen the political nature of the enlargement process and to ensure stronger steering and high-level engagement, as also called for by the revised enlargement methodology;
Amendment 56 #
2019/2170(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Supports the convening of the first intergovernmental conference without further delay, following the adoption of the negotiating framework by the Council and the fulfilment of all conditions mentioned in the Council conclusions of 25 March 2020 by Albania;
Amendment 60 #
2019/2170(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Supports the convening of the first intergovernmental conference without further delay, following the adoption of the negotiating framework by the Council; notes that the credibility of the accession process requires that the fulfilment of milestones being reflected in progress towards EU membership;
Amendment 72 #
2019/2170(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Encourages political leaders to create a climate of confidence by increasing transparency and overcoming the lack of dialogue and expresses its serious concern about the polarised political climate and lack of sustainable cross-party cooperation that continue to hamper the democratic process;
Amendment 76 #
2019/2170(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on public authorities to act transparently and implement good governance practices; stresses the importance of making information available to the public in a timely and orderly manner, in particular when related to issues of high public interest such as the ongoing health emergency;
Amendment 77 #
2019/2170(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Notes with concern that corruption allegations continue to undermine the public's trust in government and democratic institutions more generally;
Amendment 78 #
2019/2170(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. SNotes that the political situation in the country has become less stable since 2019; stresses that the general elections of 25 April 2021 will be key for the country’s democratic consolidation;
Amendment 90 #
2019/2170(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines the importance of implementing the electoral reform measures codified in July 2020, which are in line withas well as the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) recommendations; welcomes the commitment to implement the forthcoming Venice Commission opinion regarding the amendments to the Electoral Code adopted in October 2020;
Amendment 104 #
2019/2170(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Encourages Albania to complete the relevant steps towards re-establishing the Constitutional Court’s ability to function fully and efficiently, and urges all involved to swiftly conclude the appointment process; stresses the need to ensure the continued functioning of appeal courts as well;
Amendment 111 #
2019/2170(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the fact that the High Court has regained its ability to function and that it has been reviewing more than a thousand cases, and encourages it to make further progress in the appointment of additional judges and dramatically reducing its unsustainable backlog of pending cases;
Amendment 115 #
2019/2170(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Expresses satisfaction that the National Bureau of Investigation has been established, that its Director is performing her duties and that investigative staff are currently being recruited; underlines the importance of delivering tangible results in the form of independent and impartial investigations leading to successful prosecution of high-profile crime, including corruption;
Amendment 139 #
2019/2170(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Calls on Albanian authorities to foster public acceptance of LGBTI persons who continue to experience discrimination and hate speech on a regular basis;
Amendment 142 #
2019/2170(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Urges the authorities to ensure that sufficient resources are provided to the Ombudsman, the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner and the Commissioner for the Right to Information and Data Protection, and that their respective recommendations are implemented systematically; stresses that only individuals whose independence and professionalism is beyond doubt should be appointed to these offices;
Amendment 186 #
2019/2170(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Condemns the fatal shooting of a man by police enforcing a COVID-19- related curfew; stresses the importance of investigating and prosecuting disproportionate use of violence by the police;
Amendment 204 #
2019/2170(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Encourages the Albanian Government to prioritise measures aimed at mitigating the health and socio- economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, while taking further steps to enhance the representativeness of the social dialogue and to tackle the widespread informal economy;
Amendment 225 #
2019/2170(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Encourages the diversification of energy production, moving from hydropower towardsincreasing investments in wind and solar sources; urges the authorities to minimise the impact on biodiversity by restricting hydropower development in protected areas; underlines the need to improve both environmental and impact assessments across eco- sensitive sectors and boost the prosecution of environmental crimes;
Amendment 231 #
2019/2170(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 a (new)
Paragraph 42 a (new)
42a. Stresses the importance of improving Albania's strategy with regards to nuclear energy, nuclear safety and radiation protection; notes that Albanian legislation concerning the matter is yet to fully align with the 2013 Council (Euratom) Directive setting out basic safety standards for protection against the dangers arising from exposure to ionising radiation;
Amendment 248 #
2019/2170(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 b (new)
Paragraph 44 b (new)
44b. Welcomes the new 2020-2035 national strategy for integrated waste management; stresses the importance of removing numerous non-compliant landfills and dumpsites throughout Albania; urges Albanian authorities to further promote and support the recycling and reuse of garbage, and to prevent waste generation;
Amendment 250 #
2019/2170(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Welcomes Albania’s unremitting efforts in promoting good neighbourly relations and regional integration;
Amendment 256 #
2019/2170(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 a (new)
Paragraph 46 a (new)
46a. Underlines the importance of taking further steps to promote reconciliation with neighbours and regional cooperation;
Amendment 259 #
2019/2170(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 a (new)
Paragraph 48 a (new)
48a. Calls on political leaders to support international efforts to investigate war crimes committed in the region, promote regional reconciliation and refrain from instrumentalising these topics in internal political struggles;
Amendment 264 #
2019/2170(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 a (new)
Paragraph 49 a (new)
49a. Calls for the creation of new opportunities for high level political and policy dialogue with the Western Balkans countries, through regular EU-Western Balkans summits and intensified ministerial contacts, in order to strengthen the political nature of the enlargement process, to ensure stronger steering and high-level engagement, as also called for by the revised enlargement methodology;
Amendment 266 #
2019/2170(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 b (new)
Paragraph 49 b (new)
49b. Underlines the need for the EU and the United States to strengthen their partnership and coordination in the Western Balkans in order to advance key reforms, improve governance and reconciliation;
Amendment 267 #
2019/2170(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 c (new)
Paragraph 49 c (new)
49c. Calls for an active engagement and appropriate inclusion of the Western Balkans countries in the Conference on the Future of Europe;
Amendment 6 #
2019/2169(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the Istanbul Convention is the first legally binding international instrument on preventing and combating violence against women and girls, establishing a comprehensive framework of legal and policy measures for preventing violence against women, supporting victims and punishing perpetrators;
Amendment 30 #
2019/2169(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Reiterates its call for the Council and the Commission to swiftly adopt the Horizontal Anti-discrimination Directive; welcomes the Commission's intention to propose additional anti-discrimination legislation as set out in the political guidelines for the 2019-2024 European Commission and calls on the Commission to swiftly come up with it;
Amendment 37 #
2019/2169(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Expresses its concern at the widespread prevalence of GBV in all its forms and the lack of full access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR); condemns serious violations of women's and children's rights within and beyond the EU, including female genital mutilation (FGM), forced abortion and sterilisation, early and forced marriage and other harmful practices against women and girls; calls for an EU-wide action plan to prevent and combat all forms of GBV; to this end calls for the appointment of a coordinator to implement this action plan; harmful practices against women and girls;
Amendment 51 #
2019/2169(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Urges the EU to accede toIs deeply concerned that 33% of women in the EU have experienced physical and/or sexual violence; deplores that six member states - Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia and Slovakia - still have not ratified the Istanbul Convention; finds that the failure of the EU to accede to the Istanbul Convention impacts its credibility and ability to be a normative power in the world; urges the EU to accede to and all member states to ratify the Istanbul Convention without delay; commends the Commission on its commitment to propose measures to achieve the same objectives if accession to the Convention remains blocked;
Amendment 59 #
2019/2169(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 77 #
2019/2169(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on Member States to ensure and improve access to justice, inter alia by training law enforcement and judicial staff on GBV and hate crimes, including those committed online; calls on Member States to ensure safe conditions for reporting, combat under-reporting, and provide legal aid as well as integrated support services and shelters; urges the Member States to tackle the impunity for sexual and gender-based violence;
Amendment 85 #
2019/2169(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Notes with concern the issue of shrinking civic space in relation tofor civil society organisations and human rights defenders working on gender equality, minority and women’s rights and SRHR. and calls for intensified measures to address the shrinking space for civil society;
Amendment 87 #
2019/2169(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Is concerned that women are disproportionally affected by the COVID- 19 crisis; is alarmed by the substantial increase in violence against women and girls and particularly domestic violence since the outbreak of COVID-19; calls on the EU and Member States to target specific actions and support for women and girls, including by setting up adequate services to address violence against women and girls and specialist support services for victims such as shelters, helplines, chat services and other creative support solutions;
Amendment 91 #
2019/2169(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Underlines that gender stereotypes are a root cause of gender inequality and that traditional gender roles and stereotypes are formed in early childhood; believes therefore that preventive measures are key to realising gender equality and women and girls empowerment and that schools are a good environment to challenge gender roles and stereotypes; welcomes that the Commission will launch an EU-wide communication campaign combatting gender stereotypes, focussing on youth engagement; finds however that the EU and Member States should make better use of education systems to prevent the development of gender stereotypes in early childhood;
Amendment 15 #
2019/2167(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Calls on the EEAS, the Commission and the EU Member States to systematically integrate gender mainstreaming into the EU’s foreign and security policy; recalls that one of the primary strategic goals of EU foreign and security policy is to promote peace and development; underlines that more gender-equal societies are more resilient healthier, and more prosperous, therefore more secure and better suited for peacebuilding and peacekeeping efforts;
Amendment 30 #
2019/2167(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the VP/HR to make substantial and highly visible progress on gender equality in terms of leadership and management, staffing, organisational hierarchy, training, financial resources and organisational hierarchypay gap, and work-life balance; calls in this regard for mandatory training on gender equality;
Amendment 56 #
2019/2167(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Regrets that not a single one of the 12 civilian CSDP missions is headed by a woman; calls on the VP/HR to draw up a gender strategy for CSDP missions with specific targets; invites the Member States to pursue active recruitment strategies and to identify and address specific obstacles limiting women’s participation, through mission reports that include relevant statistics;
Amendment 78 #
2019/2167(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that developing and using gender analysis and the systematic integration of a gender perspective constitutes one of the foundations of effective and lasting conflict prevention and resolution; insists on the importance of women’s full participation in the rebuilding of their countries in line with sustainable development goals, and highlights the unique contribution that women make to peacebuilding and reconstruction efforts;
Amendment 94 #
2019/2167(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the EU Strategic Approach to Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and the EU Action Plan on WPS adopted in 2019; insists on gender perspectives to be systematically addressed, together with gender balance and specific actions to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment, throughout all relevant policy frameworks of foreign and security policy; regrets, however, that translating this policy commitment into action remains a challenge;
Amendment 103 #
2019/2167(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the work done by the EEAS Principal Advisor on Gender; regrets, however, the limited capacity of this role and calls for the advisor to’s role to be significantly strengthened as well as reporting directly to the VP/HR;
Amendment 125 #
2019/2167(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recognises that gender equality is a prerequisite for efficient management of climate challenges; highlights the vulnerability of women and girls living in poverty to climate change; calls for gender-responsive climate action, so that women’s and men’s specific needs and priorities are identified and addressed.
Amendment 134 #
2019/2167(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Notes that the UN has warned that the COVID-19 pandemic is exposing and exacerbating all kinds of inequalities, including gender inequality; calls on the EU to target specific actions and support for women and girls in all efforts to support third countries in addressing the socio-economic impact of COVID-19;
Amendment 138 #
2019/2167(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Believes that education is key to realising gender equality and empowerment of women and girls; therefore calls on the EU to increase its commitment to promoting gender equality and combating gender stereotypes in and through education systems in its upcoming Gender Action Plan III; furthermore calls for increased efforts to prevent and combat all forms of sexual and gender-based violence and serious violations of human rights of women and girls, including the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), child, early and forced marriages and violations of the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls;
Amendment 141 #
2019/2167(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Calls for increased efforts to prevent and combat all forms of sexual and gender-based violence and serious violations of human rights of women and girls, including the practice of Female Genital Mutilation;
Amendment 11 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas Parliament has a duty and responsibility to exercise its democratic oversight of the common foreign and security policy (CFSP) and common security and defence policy (CSDP) and should have theffective means to fulfil this role;
Amendment 16 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the European Union cannot be a promoter of these European values unless they are protected and respected in all its Member States;
Amendment 18 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the need for a stronger and more united Europe when it comes to external relations is more urgent than beforin external relations is more urgent than ever in order to address the multiple challenges which directly or indirectly affect the Member States and its citizens: armed conflicts and fragile states, terrorism and particularly Jihadism, cyber-attacks, foreign interference in European political and electoral processes, tensions over the energy supply of EU Member States, the rise of organised crime at the borders and towards Europe, weakening of disarmament efforts, uncontrolled migration and climate change;
Amendment 29 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the world is facing a global shift of powers with geopolitical competition being a leading trend in foreign politics that requires quick and adequate response mechanisms; whereas the EU is largely absent in this global shift of powers and geopolitical competition due to a lack of unity among its Member States;
Amendment 76 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that at a moment when competing powers are increasingly challenging the rules-based global order, we, as Europeans, must defend multilateralism, free and fair trade, international law, democracy, and human rights;
Amendment 91 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Expresses its regret at the gradual retreat by the United States from the multilateral world order, namely its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the UN Human Rights Council and Unesco, and its decision to suspend its funding of UNRWA;
Amendment 100 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Reiterates the urgent need to strengthen the EU’s resilience and independence by reinforcing a CFSP which promotes peace, security, human rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe and throughout the world; believes that this reinforced CFSP should include traditional soft power but also a strong European defence capacity, an effective sanctions policy and cross-border anti- terrorism cooperation;
Amendment 111 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Believes that the European Union needs to take on a global responsible and tangible leadership role and unlock its political potential to think and act like a geopolitical power while defending and promoting its common values and interests in the world; reaffirms the need to secure ‘EU strategic autonomy’; fully supports the Commission President’s decision to transform the EU’s executive branch into a ‘geopolitical commission’; that will systematically address external action matters; welcomes the commitment of the future HRVP to coordinate the external dimensions of the Commission’s action and to ensure a better link between internal and external aspects of our policies;
Amendment 118 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Believes that the European Union needs to take on a global leadership role and unlock its political potential to think and act like a geopolitical power while defending and promoting its common values and interests in the world, help resolve conflicts worldwide and shape global governance; reaffirms the need to secure ‘EU strategic autonomy’; fully supports the Commission President’s decision to transform the EU’s executive branch into a ‘geopolitical commission’;
Amendment 125 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Considers, in this regard, that the EU should rely more on trade and development instruments such as bilateral agreements and free trade agreements with third countries by making the ratification of an agreement conditional on compliance with the Paris Agreement and respect for fundamental European values;
Amendment 148 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Promotes an EU foreign policy that will unite the EU institutions and all foreign ministries behind a common and strong EU-level foreign policy; emphasises the need to build ad hoc coalitions to strengthen EU cohesion and demoncourages the establishment of ad hoc coalitions of Member States which contribute to greater flexibility and responsiveness of the Union’s external action, by reducing the pressure creatic legitimacyed by the need to achieve consensus among the Member States;
Amendment 177 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Underlines that the European Union can only deliver its full potential when speaking with one voice and when decision-making is shifted step by step from the national to the supranational level, taking full advantage of the possibilities offered by the EU treaties, institutions and their procedures; stresses that the European Union should use all available means to achieve this goal, including those offered by parliamentary diplomacy;
Amendment 194 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls for the more effective and comprehensive sharing of information by the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) to enable Parliament to exercise its scrutiny role in an efficient and timely manner, including in the field of the CFSP; welcomes the commitment of the future HRVP to better and sooner inform, involve and consult Parliament on the fundamental choices of the CFSP;
Amendment 244 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Encourages the EU to further prioritise conflict prevention and mediationBelieves that conflict prevention and mediation as well as the peaceful resolution of protracted conflicts, notably in the EU's immediate neighbourhood, should be a priority in the coming years; underlines that this approach delivers a high degree of EU added value in political, social, economic and security terms; recalls that conflict prevention and mediation activities help to assert the presence and credibility of the EU on the international scene; highlights Parliament’s valuable contribution in the field of mediation and dialogue, especially in the Western Balkan and Eastern Partnership countries, and calls for the further development of interinstitutional cooperation on mediation;
Amendment 245 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Encourages the EU to further prioritise conflict prevention and mediation; underlines that this approach delivers a high degree of EU added value in political, social, economic and security terms; recalls that conflict prevention and mediation activities help to assert the presence and credibility of the EU on the international scene; highlights the Parliament’s valuable contribution in the field of mediation and dialogue, especially ininput on mediation, dialogue and the promotion of the values of democracy, the rule of law, respect for minorities and fundamental rights, particularly in the countries of the Western Balkan ands, the Eastern Partnership countriesand the Southern Neighbourhood, and calls for the further developmentdeepening of interinstitutional cooperation on mediationwith these countries;
Amendment 295 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Believes that qualified majority voting (QMV) cwould make the EU’s foreign and security policy more effective and would speed up the decision-making process; calls on the Council to make regular use of QMV in the cases envisaged in Article 31(2) of the TEU and calls on the European Council to take up this initiative by making use of the ‘passerelle clause’ contained in Article 31(3) of the TEU; encourages the Council to consider extending QMV to other areas of the CFSP;
Amendment 325 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Reiterates that sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states, as well as inviolability of internationally recognised borders and peaceful settlement of disputes are key principles of the European security order, applying to all states, both within and beyond the EU’s borders;
Amendment 330 #
2019/2136(INI)
23. Recalls that climate change impacts all aspects of human life, including by increasing the likelihood of conflicts and violence; stresses that climate security concerns should be integrated throughout the foreign policy portfolio; underscores the fact that the EU should develop capacities to monitor climate change- related risks, which should include conflict sensitivity and crisis prevention policies; underlines the need to develop a comprehensive approach to climate change and security; stresses the value of climate diplomacy in this regard;
Amendment 333 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Underlines the growing geopolitical importance of the Arctic and its effect on the security situation in the EU and globally; urges the EU to work towards a more coherent EU internal and external policy, an Arctic strategy and concrete action plan on the EUs engagement in the Arctic, taking into account also the security and geostrategic aspect; notes the EU´s capacity to contribute to the resolution of potential security and geostrategic challenges;
Amendment 348 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Calls on the EU Member States to make multilateral nuclear disarmament an EU foreign and security policy priority; believes that the EU must continue its efforts to keep the Iran nuclear deal alive;
Amendment 359 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Stresses that space is a genuine security challenge; calls on the European Commission to put in place concrete measures for a strong and innovative space industry, which protects the EU’s autonomous, reliable and economic access to space;
Amendment 385 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Recognises the important role of the civil and military missions that form part of the CSDP in maintaining peace, avoiding conflicts and strengthening international security; believes that new instruments such as the European Peace Facility could enhance solidarity and burden-sharing between Member States when it comes to contributing to CSDP operations and could more generally help increase the effectiveness of the EU’s external action;
Amendment 394 #
2019/2136(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Stresses that the terrorist threat remains present both in Europe and beyond; strongly believes that the fight against terrorism should remain a priority for the EU in the coming years; calls on the new European Commission to present a European action plan against terrorism;
Amendment 13 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes the lasting deterioration in the Union’s strategic environment in the face of multiple challenges directly or indirectly affecting the security of its Member States and citizens: armed conflicts and fragile states immediately to the east and south of the European continent, terrorism and particularly jihadist terrorism, cyber attacks, foreign interference in European political and electoral processes, tensions over EU Member States' energy supply, the rise of organised crime (drug, arms and human trafficking) at the borders and with Europe as its target, weakening of disarmament efforts and international arms control regimes, uncontrolled migration, increasing threats to natural resources, climate change, etc.;
Amendment 38 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
Amendment 45 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that some global actors (the US, China, Russia) and an increasing number of regional actors (Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, etc.) are seeking to assert power through a combination of unilateral diplomatic posturing and increasing military military build-ups;
Amendment 47 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Underlines the growing geopolitical importance of the Arctic and its effect on the security situation in EU and globally; urges the EU to work towards a more coherent EU internal and external policy, an Arctic strategy and a concrete action plan on the EUs engagement in the Arctic taking into account also the security and geostrategic aspect; notes the EU’s capacity to contribute to the resolution of potential security and geostrategic challenges;
Amendment 56 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Deplores the fact that, in this context, some of these actors are deliberately circumventing or attempting to destroy the multilateral mechanisms essential to maintaining peace;
Amendment 59 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Is concerned about the activities and policies by Russia that continue to destabilise and change the security environment; stresses that Russia´s occupation in Ukraine is still ongoing, the Minsk agreements have not been implemented and the illegal annexation and militarisation of Crimea and Donbass are continuing; is concerned about the continuing frozen conflicts kept by Russia in Europe (in Moldova, Georgia); stresses the need to have a common voice as regards EUs policy in that context;
Amendment 109 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Considers that the principle of European strategic autonomy is based on the ability of the Union to strengthen its freedom to assess, take decisions and take actits independent operational capacity comprising credible military forces, its industrial capacity to produce the equipment that its forces need and its political capacity to take decisions where circumstances so require in order to defend its interests and values;
Amendment 141 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Stresses that in order to increase EU´s strategic autonomy, Member States need to increase their defence spending and aim for the target of 2% of GDP; considers that increased investment in security and defence is a matter of urgency for the Member States and the EU and that defence solidarity and cooperation should become the norm;
Amendment 152 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses that strategic autonomy can only be genuinely achieved ifthe introduction of the concept of independent strategic autonomy requires the Member States to demonstrate solidarity, which is reflected in particular in the needtheir determination to prioritise the procurement of European capabilities where equipment is available and competitive;
Amendment 158 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. ConsiderReiterates that the principle of European strategic autonomy is a legitimate and necessary ambition and that it must remain a priority objective of European defence policy; stresses that its practical and operational implementation is a common responsibility of European sfalls to both the EU and its Member States;
Amendment 197 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses the Union’s comprehensive commitment in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa through six civilian (EUCAP Mali, EUCAP Niger, EUCAP Somalia) and military (EUTM Mali, EUTM Somalia, ATALANTA) missions; welcomes and encourages the efforts made to regionalise the functioning of civilian missions in the Sahel in the face of security challenges extending beyond those countries where European missions are deployed and welcomes EU support for the G5 Sahel operation;
Amendment 206 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Reiterates the strategic importance of the Eastern Europe and Western Balkans for the stability and security of the EU and the need to focus and strengthen the EU´s political engagement towards these regions, including the strong mandate for the EU´s CSDP missions;
Amendment 214 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Notes, however, that the effectiveness of CSDP missions and operations in general is being hampered by an increasing reluctance on the part of Member States and the European institutions to make such missions and operations more robust, both in terms of human resources and their mandates; notes that CSDP military operations increasingly tend to be based on armed forces training (EUTM), with no executive dimension and notes that, although EUTM personnel do valuable work, owing to training limits and the absence of weapons, the units formed are unable to operate adequately and incapable of containing armed rebellions and the progression of jihadist terrorism;
Amendment 229 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Stresses the lack of flexibility inat the objective of administrative and budgetary procedures, which is causing serious problems for personnel deployed on the ground for CSDP missions should be to guarantee rigorous management of those missions, but without being so rigid as to hamper their performance and effectiveness;
Amendment 240 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Stresses the recurring problem faced by armed forces of a lack of equipment, which is an obstacle to the success of training missions; notes the difficulty of supplying suitable equipment in a timely manner (binding public procurement procedures to be followed, etc.); believes that achieving positive results in terms of training and advice for third-country armies is extremely difficult in the long term without supplying the military equipment needed to complete theoretical training; stresses that to provide weaponless military training is to condemn its recipients to certain death in combat; points out that the armed threats in these countries call for armed responses; supports the repeated calls made by local populations, administrations and governments for destabilisation and terrorism to be tackled effectively; highlights that Russia has become a strong presence in the Central African Republic by responding to those calls and that more and more Sahel countries are now tempted to turn to Russia for assistance; the capacity to back up such efforts with worthwhile and coordinated equipment programmes; welcomes the Capacity Building for Security and Development (CBSD) initiative, which resulted in the revision of the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (‘IcSP+’) in 2017 so as to provide funding for training and the supply of non- lethal equipment to third countries’ armed forces; notes that, to date, three projects have been carried out, in Mali, the Central African Republic and Burkina Faso; highlights the strong demand from local populations for support in the area of training and equipment supply;
Amendment 243 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Stresses that the recurring problem faced by armed forces ofin countries in which the EU is intervening is a lack of equipment, which is an obstacle to the success of training missions; notes the difficulty of supplying suitable equipment in a timely manner (bindingowing, in particular, to cumbersome public procurement procedures to be followed, etc.); believes that achieving positive results in terms of training and advice for third-country armies is extremely difficultwill not be possible in the long term without the capacity to back up such efforts with worthwhile and coordinated equipment- supply programmes; welcomes the Capacity Building for Security and Development (CBSD) initiative, which resulted in the revision of the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (‘IcSP+’) in 2017 so as to provide funding for training and the supply of non- lethal equipment to third countries’ armed forces; notes that, to date, three projects have been carried out, in Mali, the Central African Republic and Burkina Faso; highlights the strong demand from local populations for support in the area of training and equipment supply;
Amendment 246 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Questions the appropriateness of continuing certain missions; believes that the Union should concentrate its efforts on missions where it generates the highest added value; is in favour of the establishment of and compliance with objective criteria to measure that added value and decide whether to pursue a mission;
Amendment 254 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Notes the decision of 26 September 2019 to extend the EU maritime operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFORMED Sophia) by six months to 31 March 2020; deeply deplores the decision temporarily to suspendcontinuation of the suspension of the naval presence; stresses the urgent need to reach agreement among the Member States and calls for the redeployment of naval assets and full implementation of the mandate;
Amendment 260 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Considers that the issue of financing for CSDP missions and operations is crucial to the sustainability of the policy; highlights the importance of reviewing the Athena mechanism so that it covers the full costs of CSDP military operations and missions; supports, in this connection, the proposal by the VP/HR, backed by the Commission, to create a European Peace Facility, which would finance part of the costs of EU defence activities, including the joint costs of CSDP military operations and those relating to military capacity-building for partners; hopes that the Member States will reach an agreement quickly so that this instrument can be introduced; stresses the importance of makadapting the Union’s financial rules more flexible in order to enhance its ability to respond to crises and facilitate the implementation of Lisbon Treaty provisions; calls on the Member States and the Commission to consider a flexible mechanism to help Member States wishing to participate in a CSDP mission to bear the cost of doing so, thereby facilitating their decision to launch or strengthen a mission; notes that this instrument would be wholly consistent with the Union’s strategic autonomy objectives in the operational field;
Amendment 261 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Calls on the VP/HR to regularly consult the European Parliament on all aspects of and the fundamental choices regarding the common security and defence policy; considers, in that regard, that Parliament should be consulted beforehand on strategic planning for CSDP missions, on changes to their mandate and on the potential to bring them to an end;
Amendment 273 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Notes the failure of the Union’s battlegroup project; the battlegroups have never been deployed since their creation in 2007, owing in particular to opposition on the part of allthe reticence of the Member States and the complexity of their implementation and funding, which is at odds with the original objective of speed and efficiency;
Amendment 274 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Notes the failureIs of the Uopinion’s battlegroup project; that the EU battlegroups have never been deployed since their creation in 2007, owing in particular to op system should be restructured, further developed poslition on the part of all the Member States and the complexity of their implementation and funding, which is at odds with the original objective of speed and efficiencycally and with effective funding to become functional, usable, fast and efficient as was the original objective of establishing the battlegroup system;
Amendment 277 #
2019/2135(INI)
34. Notes that the mutual assistance clause (Article 42(7) TEU), which has been invoked once, demonstrates the solidarity among Member States in the common fight against terrorism; notes, however, that the conditions for triggering the article and the arrangements for providing the assistance required have never been clearly defined; calls for a moreprecise guidelines to provide a well-defined framework for the future activation and operational implementation of this instrument;
Amendment 291 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Expects the Union to make effective use of all existing CSDP policy instruments in the areas of diplomacy, cooperation, development, humanitarian aid, conflict management and peacekeeping; stresses that CSDP military and civilian instruments cannot, under any circumstances, be the only solution to security issues and that a ‘comprehensive approach’ should always be adopted; considers that only the use of all these instruments on the basis of a ‘comprehensive approach’ will provide the flexibility needed to effectively achieve the most ambitious security objectives;
Amendment 296 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36a. stresses the growing and essential role of women in peacekeeping missions and security and defence policy and calls on the VP/HR to enter into dialogue with the European Parliament on the instruments to be introduced and action to be taken;
Amendment 305 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37a. Notes that the defence and space industries are facing unprecedented global competition and major technological changes with the emergence of advanced technologies (robotics, artificial intelligence, cyber, etc.);
Amendment 311 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Welcomes the significant reversal of the trend of cutting defence budgets; is of the opinion that this should be supported and encouraged at Union level; encourages Member States to increase their defence spending to 2% of GDP;
Amendment 330 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Welcomes the Commission’s proposal of June 2017 to create a European Defence Fund (EDF), which would foster cooperation between Member States and support thcoordinate, supplement and boost national investment in defence, foster cooperation between Member States to develop cutting-edge, interoperable defence technology and equipment, and support an innovative and competitive European defence industry; notes that this proposal is the first initiative for which Community funds are to be used in direct support of defence projects; recognises that this is a major step forward for European defence, from both a political and an industrial perspective; notes that the EDF could finance structural projects such as the future European aircraft or tank or a European anti-missile defence capability; notes thatwelcomes the 2019 work programme for theon preparatory action will focuson defence research (PADR), which is to earmark EUR 25 million for research on electromagnetic spectrum dominance and future disruptive defence technologies, two key areas for maintaining Europe’s technological independence in the long term; welcomes, also, the adoption by the Commission in March 2019 of the first European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP), which provides for co-financing to the tune of EUR 500 million for the joint development of defence capabilities for the period 2019-2020 and the publication of nine calls for proposals for 2019, including for the Eurodrone, which is a key capability for Europe’s strategic autonomy; points out that 12 further calls for proposals will follow in 2020, covering priority areas in all domains (air, land, sea, cyber and space); notes the link between the procurement decisions taken today by the Member States and the prospects for industrial and technological cooperation under the EDF;
Amendment 337 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Welcomes the Commission’s proposal of June 2017 to create a European Defence Fund (EDF), which would foster cooperation between Member States and support the European defence industry; notes that this proposal is the first initiative for which Community funds are to be used in direct support of defence projects; recognises that this is a major step forward for European defence, from both a political and an industrial perspective; notes that the EDF could financebe involved in the financing of research and the development of structural projects such as the future European aircraft or tank or a European anti-missile defence capability; notes that the 2019 work programme for the preparatory action will focus on electromagnetic spectrum dominance and future disruptive defence technologies, two key areas for maintaining Europe’s technological independence in the long term; welcomes, also, the adoption by the Commission in March 2019 of the first European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) and the publication of nine calls for proposals for 2019, including for the Eurodrone, which is a key capability for Europe’s strategic autonomy; points out that 12 further calls for proposals will follow in 2020, covering priority areas in all domains (air, land, sea, cyber and space); notes the link between the procurement decisions taken today by the Member States and the prospects for industrial and technological cooperation under the EDF;
Amendment 346 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Welcomes the effective implementation of Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) as an important step towards closer cooperation in security and defence among Member States; stresses that this provision, introduced in the 2009 Lisbon Treaty (Article 46 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union), is legally binding and includes a set of ambitious commitments to enable European countries wishing to do so to move ahead faster on common defence projects; recognises the rolecontribution that PESCO can play inmake to the structuring of European demand; notes that a significant number of EDIDP- eligible projects are being developed within the PESCO framework and may also benefit from higher rates of subsidy; supports full consistency between PESCO projects and the EDF;
Amendment 349 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Highlights the close link between PESCO,at it is vital that PESCO be aligned with the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) launched in 2017, and the EDF for, in order to enhancinge the Member States’ defence capabilities and optimise their budget expenditure in this field; stresses that new projects should be covered by the Capability Development Plan (CDP), which will serve to foster cooperation between Member States with a view to closing the capability gap through the work of the European Defence Agency; considers that the CARD should make an effective contribution to harmonising and ensuring the complementarity of the investments and capabilities of national armed forces in an effective manner, guaranteeing the Union’s strategic and operational autonomy and allowing Member States to invest more efficiently in defence;
Amendment 350 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
Paragraph 43 a (new)
43a. Welcomes the full coordination between the capability roadmap established by the European Defence Agency and the capability planning that has been carried out, demonstrating that there is extensive interoperability between the armies of the EU Member States that are members of NATO;
Amendment 351 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. NotWelcomes the Commission’s proposal to allocate EUR 6.5 billion to military mobility projects in the next MFF; points out that the collective security and defence of the EU Member States and their ability to intervene in crises abroad are fundamentally dependent on the ability to move allied troops and civilian crisis management personnel, material and equipment across each other’s territory and outside the EU freely and rapidly;
Amendment 353 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. NotWelcomes the Commission’s proposal to allocate EUR 6.5 billion to military mobility projects in the next MFF; emphasises that progress needs to be made to establish military mobility that works for both the EU and NATO; is pleased that the project is part of PESCO;
Amendment 357 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. NotUnderlines the importance of military mobility; welcomes the Commission’s proposal to allocate EUR 6.5 billion to military mobility projects in the next MFF;
Amendment 366 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Questions the slow start-up of the 34 projects and the delays to the launch of a third wave of 13 projects, given that none are as yet up and running; notes that only four projects will reach their initial operational capacity in 2019; highlights the lack of ambition and scale of some projects, which do not address the most obvious capability gaps, particularly those in the first wave, which are primarily capability projects involving as many Member States as possible; notes that the desired inclusion of participation in PESCO projects should not jeopardise a high level of ambition on the part of the participating Member States; considers that third countries’ involvement should be subject to should only be involved in PESCO in line with stringenct conditions laid down from the outset and based on established and effective reciprocity; calls on the Member States to submit projects with a strategic European dimension, thereby strengthening the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), which is an essential part of the strategic autonomisation process and relates more to the operational side in order to respond directly to the operational needs of European armed forces;
Amendment 371 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Stresses the still virtual nature of the European Defence FundCalls on the Council to adopt the European Parliament’s position on Article 5 of the Regulation establishing the European Defence Fund; emphasises the need to finalise the EDF without delay; points out that that this instrument has not yet been finally approved, with only partial and political agreement having been given in April 2019; stresses the importance of maintaining Parliament’s position concerning the amount of the EDF, the involvement of third countries and the establishment of an appropriate intellectual property policy in relation to security and defence in order to protect research results; draws attention, in that connection, to the highly sensitive and strategic nature of defence research, both for industrial competitiveness and for the strategic autonomy and sovereignty of the Union; calls for the initial lessons learned from the implementation of the EDIDP (in particular concerning the application of derogations for eligible entities), the pilot project and the preparatory action on defence research to be properly taken into account; calls on the Member States to be fully involved in the decision-making process in order to avoid bureaucratic excesses andto the extent that they are the final customers of the defence industries, so as to ensure that the programmes included address the strategic needs of the CSDP and the Member States; considers that the success of the EDF will depend on its ability to cater for the specific defence needs of the participating states and to guarantee the availability of sufficient budgetary resources, whilst ensuring that industrial know-how is not duplicated, national defence investment is not crowded out and cooperation does not become over- complicated; considers that developing the European defence industry by regulating access for entities controlled by non-EU third parties to projects financed by the Fund is fully consistent with the European ambition of strategic autonomy;
Amendment 380 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
48. Stresses the strategic dimension for Europe of the space sector, takes the view that an ambitious space policy can make an effective contribution to improving the ESDP and emphasises the need to make progress in developing new space capabilities and technologies with both civilian and military uses, in particular in the field of communications, information, surveillance, reconnaissance, disaster response and arms control, which are capable of ensuring European strategic autonomy; welcomes the inclusion Commission’s proposal for a regulation establishing the next MFF of the Commission’s EUR 16 billion space programme proposal to boost EU space leadershipspace programme of the Union and the European Union Agency for the space programme, the aim of which is to boost EU space leadership, under the next MFF; supports the European Parliament’s proposal to finance the programme with up to EUR 16.9 billion; welcomes the progress made on EU satellite services (Galileo, Copernicus, EGNOS); emphasises that, if it is to enjoy decision- making and operational autonomy, the Union must have adequate satellite resources in the fields of space imagery, intelligence-gathering, communications and space surveillance; considers that space-based services should be fully operationalised in order to provide high- resolution satellite imaging in support of CSDP planning, missions and operations; stresses the need to finance, through the EDF, industrial projects with a space dimension where the Union can generate real added value and become a key player in new global space exploration initiatives;
Amendment 384 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
48. Stresses the strategic dimension for Europe of the space sector, and emphasises the need to make progress in developing technologies with both civilian and military uses which are capable of ensuring European strategic autonomy; welcomes the inclusion in the next MFF of the Commission’s EUR 16 billion space programme proposal to boost EU space leadership; welcomes the progress made on EU satellite services (Galileo, Copernicus, EGNOS); emphasises that, if it is to enjoy decision-making and operational autonomy, the Union must have adequate satellite resources in the fields of space imagery, intelligence-gathering, communications and space surveillance; emphasises how important it is for the European Union to enjoy autonomous access to space; considers that space-based services should be fully operationalised in order to provide high-resolution satellite imaging in support of CSDP missions and operations; stresses the need to finance, through the EDF, industrial projects with a space dimension where the Union can generate real added value;
Amendment 386 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 a (new)
Paragraph 48 a (new)
48a. Emphasises that satellite communications are vital for defence, security, humanitarian aid, emergency response interventions and diplomatic communication, and are a key element of civilian missions and military operations, in particular in isolated environments with little or no infrastructure; welcomes the government satellite telecommunications initiative, Govsatcom, which will give Member States guaranteed access to secure satellite telecommunications; points out that Govsatcom was recognised as one of the elements comprising the 2016 global strategy;
Amendment 388 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 b (new)
Paragraph 48 b (new)
48b. Emphasises that space infrastructure is vulnerable to interference, attacks, and a host of other threats, including collisions with space debris or other satellites; reiterates the importance of securing critical infrastructure and communications, as well as developing resilient technologies; takes the view that there is a need for capacity-building to address emergent threats with regard to space, and welcomes the Commission’s proposal, as part of the space programme, to strengthen the space surveillance and tracking services (SST) currently in place;
Amendment 390 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 d (new)
Paragraph 48 d (new)
42d. Takes the view that the Commission’s future Directorate-General for the Defence Industry and Space should look into the synergies between European space programmes and the European Defence Action Plan of November 2016 so as to ensure general consistency in this strategic area;
Amendment 407 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 b (new)
Paragraph 50 b (new)
50b. Urges the EEAS and the Council to step up their ongoing efforts to improve cybersecurity, in particular for CSDP missions, inter alia by taking measures at EU and Member State levels to mitigate threats to the CSDP, for instance by building up resilience through education, training and exercises, and by streamlining the EU cyber-defence education and training landscape;
Amendment 415 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
52. Recognises the increasingly prominent role of artificial intelligence (AI) in European defence; notes, in particular, the many military applications stemming from AI for managing and simulating operational environments, assisting the decision-making process, detecting threats and processing intelligence; stresses that the development of reliable AI in the field of defence is essential for ensuring European strategic autonomy in capability and operational areas; calls on the Union to keep up its investment in this area and in particular in disruptive technologies through existing instruments (European Defence Fund, European Innovation Council, future Horizon Europe, Digital Europe programme); calls on the Union to play an active role in the global regulation of autonomous lethal weapons systems;
Amendment 418 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52 a (new)
Paragraph 52 a (new)
52a. Notes that emerging technologies, including AI, that are used in weapons systems must be developed and applied according to the principles of responsible innovation and ethical principles, such as accountability and compliance with international law; taking into account the highly controversial concept of fully autonomous weapon systems, the EU must explore the possibilities of AI and at same time guarantee the full respect of human rights and international law;
Amendment 422 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52 b (new)
Paragraph 52 b (new)
52b. Underlines that as the risk of proliferation and use of chemical weapons poses a serious threat to international peace and security the EU needs to continue its strong and consistent support to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in the implementation of its mandate, politically and financially and the EU must step up the its resilience to hybrid and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear-related threats;
Amendment 423 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 a (new)
Paragraph 53 a (new)
53a. Stresses the need to apply a gender perspective in the EU’s CSDP action, considering the role that women play in war, post-conflict stabilisation and peace- building processes; emphasises the need to address gender violence as an instrument of war in conflict regions; underlines that women are more adversely affected by war than men; invites the EU and its international partners to actively involve women in peace and stabilisation processes, and to address their specific security needs;
Amendment 456 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59
Paragraph 59
59. Stresses the importance of cooperation between the Union and other international institutions, in particular the African Union and the OSCE; considers that the Union should also strengthen dialogue and cooperation with third countries in the regionthat share their values and strategic priorities and with regional and sub-regional organisations;
Amendment 479 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61
Paragraph 61
61. Considers that progress in European defence will pave the way for major structural changes; notwelcomes the announcement of the creation of a Directorate-General for the Defence Industry and Space at the Commission under the responsibility of the Commissioner-designate for the Internal Market; notes that this new DG should be responsible for supporting, coordinating or complementing the Member States’ actions in the area of European defence and would thus contribute to strengthening European strategic autonomy; notes the definition of its five main tasks (implementation and oversight of the EDF, creation of an open and competitive European defence equipment market, implementation of the action plan on military mobility, enhancement of a strong and innovative space industry, implementation of the future space programme), but; calls on the Commission to provide further details on the role and responsibilities of the new DG; Wwonders how it will coordinate its work with that of other defence policy structures which have other responsibilities (EDA, EEAS, etc.);
Amendment 481 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61
Paragraph 61
61. Considers that progress in European defence will pave the way for major structural changes; notes the announcement of the creation of a Directorate-General for Defence and Space at the Commission under the responsibility of the Commissioner-designate for the Internal Market; notes that this new DG should be responsible for supporting, coordinating or complementing the Member States’ actions in the area of European defence and would thus contribute to strengthening European strategic autonomy; notes the definition of its five main tasks (implementation and oversight of the EDF, creation of an open and competitive European defence equipment market, implementation of the action plan on military mobility, enhancement of a strong and innovative space industry, implementation of the future space programme), but calls on the Commission to provide further details on the role and responsibilities of the new DG; Wonders how it will coordinate its work with that ofstresses the need for coordination with other defence policy structures which have other responsibilities (EDA, EEAS, etc.);
Amendment 483 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61 a (new)
Paragraph 61 a (new)
61a. Points out that developing new formats, such as an EU Security Council, as advocated by Chancellor Merkel and President Macron, and new ways of coordinating more closely within the EU and with international authorities could potentially facilitate a more effective decision-making process for the CFSP; takes the view that, alongside the creation of those formats, new mechanisms should be developed to ensure their democratic scrutiny by the European Parliament;
Amendment 484 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61 a (new)
Paragraph 61 a (new)
61a. Commits to providing close parliamentary scrutiny and monitoring of European defence missions, instruments and initiatives; calls on the HR/VP, the Council and the various European structures concerned to report to the subcommittee on a regular basis on the fulfilment of their mandate;
Amendment 485 #
2019/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61 b (new)
Paragraph 61 b (new)
61b. Calls for a European defence strategy to be drafted as a necessary supplement to the 2016 global strategy, providing a framework for steering and planning, both of which are vital to ensure that new instruments and resources can be implemented effectively;
Amendment 42 #
2019/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 20 a (new)
Citation 20 a (new)
– having regard to the Council Conclusions on Democracy, adopted on 14 October 2019,
Amendment 185 #
2019/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Recalls the EU’s commitment to placing human rights and democracy at the centre of its relations with non-EU countries; stresses, therefore, that the objective of advancing human rights and democracy around the world requires it to be mainstreamed in all EU policies which have an external dimension; welcomes therefore the Council Conclusions on Democracy adopted by the Council at its meeting held on 14 October 2019 and calls on the Commission and EU Member States to adopt a new ambitious, comprehensive and binding Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy, for the next years; asks for a strong monitoring mechanism;
Amendment 198 #
2019/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Highlights that trade and human rights can and have to reinforce each other, and that the business community has an important role to play in offering positive incentives in terms of promoting human rights, democracy and corporate responsibility; reminds the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) of the need to make effective use of human rights clauses within international agreements, based on political dialogue, the regular assessment of progress and recourse to the consultation procedure upon request from a party; requests that robust implementation and monitoring mechanisms of human rights clauses be put in place, involving Parliament, local civil society and relevant international organisations, as well as establishing a complaints mechanism for groups of citizens and stakeholders who are affected by human rights violations;
Amendment 250 #
2019/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Welcomes the EU’s efforts to promote the universality of the Rome Statute in 2018, during which the 20th anniversary of its adoption was celebrated, and reaffirms its unwavering support of the International Criminal Court; calls on the EU and its Member States to systematically support ICC examinations, investigations and decisions and to take the necessary steps to prevent instances of non-cooperation with the ICC; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to explore ways and present new tools to help the victims of violations of international human rights law and of international humanitarian law to access international justice and obtain remedy and reparation;
Amendment 287 #
2019/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Asks for the creation of an urgency contact point where HRDs can notify the European institutions when violations of basic rights take place;
Amendment 302 #
2019/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Strongly supports the EU’s strategic engagement for gender equality and its ongoing efforts to improve the human rights situation of women and girls, in line with the 2030 SDGs; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to further contribute to gender equality and girls’ and women’s empowerment by working closely with international organisations and non-EU countries, in order to develop and implement new legal frameworks regarding gender equality, and to eradicate harmful practices targeted at women and girls, such as child marriage and female genital mutilation; , female genital mutilation and use of sexual violence as a weapon of war; recalls that gender-related crimes and crimes of sexual violence are classified in the Rome Statute as war crimes, crimes against humanity or constitutive acts with respect to genocide or torture;
Amendment 324 #
2019/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Emphasises the role of women in conflict prevention and resolution, in peacekeeping, humanitarian aid and post- conflict reconstruction operations and in the promotion of human rights and democratic reforms; calls on the EU to continue to include support for women in Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) operations;
Amendment 337 #
2019/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Calls for new EU initiatives to prevent and combat child abuse in the world, to rehabilitate conflict-affected children and to provide them with a sheltered environment in which care and education are fundamental; calls for the EU to initiate an international movement to advocate the rights of the child, inter alia by organising an international conference on the protection of children in fragile environments; calls also on the EU to continue to promote the EU and UNICEF Child Rights Toolkit through its external delegations and to effectively train the staff of its delegations on these issues;
Amendment 341 #
2019/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Reaffirms the urgent need for universal ratification and effective implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Child and its Optional Protocols; notes that child labour, recruitment of children in armed conflicts, sexual abuse and early and forced marriages remain critical issues in some countries;
Amendment 367 #
Amendment 370 #
2019/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Reiterates its call on the EU institutions and Member States to intensify efforts and support initiatives to eliminate caste discrimination, such initiatives should include the promotion of specific indicators, disaggregated data and special measures to tackle caste discrimination in the implementation and monitoring of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, observance of the new UN Guidance tool on descent-based discrimination and support to states;
Amendment 389 #
2019/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Urges the Commission, the EEAS and the Member States to step up advocacy in relation to FoRB, and to launch interreligiousfreedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, and to launch a dialogue with states and representatives of civil society and faith groups in order to prevent acts of violence and discrimination against persons on the grounds of thought, conscience, religion or belief; calls for the EU to continue to forge alliances and to enhance cooperation with a broad range of countries and regional organisations, in order to deliver positive change in relation to FoRB; reminds the Council and Commission of the need to adequately support the institutional mandate, capacity and duties of the Special Envoy for the promotion of FoRB outside the EU;
Amendment 401 #
2019/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 10 a (new)
Subheading 10 a (new)
Freedom of the press and right to information
Amendment 402 #
2019/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Amendment 403 #
2019/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Urges the EUSR to pay special attention to the protection of the freedom, independence and pluralism of media worldwide; supports initiatives that help dividing fake news and propagandistic misinformation from information gathered as a result of genuine and independent journalistic efforts, such as the Journalism Trust Initiative; calls on the EU institutions and EU Member States to condemn any means of physical or judiciary intimidation that is used against journalists in an effort to silence them;
Amendment 431 #
2019/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Reiterates its support for the systematic introduction of human rights clauses in international agreements between the EU and third countries, including trade and investment agreements; calls on the Commission to systematically monitor the implementation of such clauses and to provide Parliament with regular reports on partner countries’ respect for human rights; Takes positive note of the GSP+ preference system as a means of stimulating the effective implementation of the 27 core international conventions on human rights and labour standards; acknowledges that global value chains contribute to enhancing international core labour, environmental and social standards, and represent an opportunity in terms of sustainable progress, particularly in developing countries;
Amendment 441 #
2019/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Stresses the importance of elaborating an EU strategy to put new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, at the service of the people, and to address the potential threat of new technologies to human rights, including mass surveillance, fake news, disinformation and the abusive use of artificial intelligence, and to strike the right balance between human rights and other legitimate considerations, such as security or fighting crime, terrorism and extremism; expresses its concern at the ever-increasing use of certain cyber surveillance dual-use technologies against human rights defenders, journalists and political opponents; recalls, in this connection, Regulation (EC) 428/2009 setting up a regime for the control of dual-use items and the need to annually update its Annex I listing the controlled items;
Amendment 455 #
2019/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Stresses the urgent need to tackle the root causes of migration flows such as wars, conflicts, persecution, networks of illegal migration, trafficking, smuggling and climate change and to find lasting solutions based on the respect of human rights and dignity; calls for the external dimension of the refugee crisis to be addressed, including by finding sustainable solutions to conflicts through building cooperation and partnerships with the third countries concerned; insists that the implementation of the Global Compacts on migration and refugees must therefore go hand in hand with the implementation of the UN’s 2030 Agenda as set out in the Strategic Development Goals, as well as with increased investment in developing countries; calls on the EU and its Member States to be fully transparent in the allocation of funds to third countries for cooperation on migration issues, and to ensure that such cooperation does not benefit authorities involved in human rights violations;
Amendment 467 #
2019/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Environmental and natural disasters and climate change Underlines that the UN estimates that there will be many environmentally displaced people by 2050; recalls the obligations and responsibilities of States and other bodies responsible to mitigate the effects of climate change and to prevent it impacting negatively on human rights; welcomes international efforts to promote the integration of the issues of environmental and natural disasters and climate change with human rights;
Amendment 9 #
2019/2064(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes the remaining gender and geographical imbalances within the EEAS staff, despite positive trends in recent years; reiterates the importance of ensuring a balanced distribution of staff in terms of gender and geographical origin within different categories and grades, particularly at middle and senior management levels; points also to the overrepresentation of Member States’ diplomats among Heads of Delegation; calls for further efforts to address these imbalances;
Amendment 12 #
2019/2055(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. WelcomesTakes note of the ECA's analytical review on European Defence and supports its recommendations; calls on the Commission as guardian of the treati; undertakes to ensure the coherence of all Union defence efforts carried out for the implementation of a Union activity under the CSDP (PESCO, EDIDP, EDF, CARD etc.) and to ensure synergiesinteroperability with NATO; considers that a competitive European defence technological and industrial base, enhancing Member States’ military capabilities and framing a European Defence Union must be the key objectives of the Union under the next MFF;
Amendment 6 #
2019/2028(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes the overall reduction of AMIF commitment appropriations by 15,4 % (-172 million euros) compared to 2019; regrets the decrease of commitment appropriations aimed at strengthening and developing the CEAS and enhancing responsibility-sharing between Member States (-29,5 %) compared to 2019; recalls the importance of providing adequate financial capacity to improve the reception of asylum seekers, the efficiency of asylum application examinations, the enforcement of decisions regarding asylum applications, the integration of migrants as well as the re- integration of migrants who forcibly or voluntarily returned to a third country, and to respond to emergency assistance needs of Member States under migratory pressure; expresses its disappointment at the fact that the AMIF budget does not include some financial reserves to finance the reformed Dublin legislation and the new Union Resettlement schemes in case of adoption during 2020; proposes to foresee an amount in the reserve for temporary arrangements for disembarkation in the Union and relocation of people rescued in the Mediterranean; requests, in order to free financial resources, that the EU Trust Fund for Africa and the Regional development protection programmes for North Africa that primarily support external policies of the Union are funded byduce the burden of the Member States of first entry; recalls that appropriate and coordinated actions need to be undertaken at the internal and the external levels, under Heading IVII of the Union budget (Global Europe) instead of by AMIF under Heading III (Security and Citizenship)Security and Citizenship) and Heading IV (Global Europe) respectively;
Amendment 12 #
2019/2028(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Notes the overall reduction of ISF commitment appropriations by 6,1% (- 32,6 million euros) compared to 2019; recalls the importance of financial support to strengthen police and judicial cooperation in criminal and terrorist matters, to harmonise border management and reinforce security checks, and to improve the detection and management of irregular immigration.
Amendment 20 #
2019/2028(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the increases of Commitment appropriations of JHA Agencies such as EASO (41,5 %), EBCG (34,6 %), CEPOL (14 %), EMCDDA (7,7 %), and FRA (5,4 %), Eurojust (5,2 %), and Europol (2,1 %) compared to the budget 2019;
Amendment 25 #
2019/2028(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points out that the budget of the EBCG has increased by 34,8 % (+108 million euros) in 2020 which is by far the largest increase among all JHA agencies; recalls that the Court of Auditorin line with the strengthening of the EBCG mandate, scope of activities and human resources as identified as part of the discharge of the 2017 Budget that Member States overestimated the financial need of the EBCG in 2017; underlines that when the objective of providing the EBCG with more human resources (10.000 border guards by 2027), the number of migrants arriving irregularly over sea or land in the Union has substantially decreased compared to previous years; suggests that such boost in resources should also bcided by the Union legislator in 2016; notes that this budget increase is necessary to achieve the objective of providing the EBCG with more human resources (10.000 border guards by 2027); recalls that the objective of safer borders in the Union is essential to ensure the used for rescuing lives at sea; regrets the remarkable difference between the commitment appropriations assigned to EBCG (420 million euros) in 2020 and the amount accorded to EASO (133 million euros); suggests that the budget and staffing of EASO should be increased for a better performance of the duties entrusted to the Agencycurity of Union citizens and of third- countries nationals;
Amendment 28 #
2019/2028(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Stresses the need to increase the financial contributions to the Syrian Trust Fund “Madad”, underlines the efforts by organisations working on evidence gathering in Syria and calls for the evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by all sides to the conflict to be preserved as a fundamental priority;
Amendment 33 #
2019/2028(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Considers that the increase of the EASO budget (+39 million euros compared to 2019 in Commission's proposal) should be proportionally as important as the increase of the EBCG budget (+108 million euros compared to 2019 in Commission's proposal); stresses that an efficient, equal and humane treatment of asylum-seeker applications is a priority in the Union; suggests that the budget and staff of EASO are increased for a better performance of the duties entrusted to the Agency;
Amendment 34 #
2019/2028(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4 c. Stresses the importance of a progressive framing of the common EU’s defence policy and the need to support further funding to ensure its implementation;
Amendment 39 #
2019/2028(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Regrets thaIs concerned about the Commission did’s draft budget not following the budgetary request of Europol and proposeding to underfund the Agency by 30 million euros in 2020; notes that the decrease of the eu-LISA commitment appropriations by 18,7 % (- 55 million euros) correspo, which would lead to a decrease of 25% of the Agency staff in 2020 compared to 2019; notes that Europol’s support has been crucial in joint investigations across the Union and that, if adequately funded, the Agency could do more to handle criminal intelligence, to combat terrorism ands to the end of the development of the Entry Exit System; reiterates the need to ensure adequate financial support for JHA Agencies to deliver the tasks assigned to them in full transparency and to fight against cross-border serious crime in full compliance with fundamental rightsprevent, detect and help investigate child trafficking, child labour and sexual exploitation; also regrets that the Commission did not follow the budgetary request of Eurojust (funding gap of 3,7 million euros), noting that not just arrests, but also successful prosecutions in serious cross-border crime areas, including terrorism and migrant smuggling, are essential for the security of Union citizens; considers that cross-border police cooperation and judicial cooperation in the Union are two prerequisites for a Union of Security; notes that these funding gaps will lead to staff and operational budget decreases, which are not coherent with the strengthening of Agencies’ missions such as Europol and Eurojust; requests the Commission to re- evaluate the amount provided to these Agencies and to abandon any decrease in their staff;
Amendment 43 #
2019/2028(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Reaffirms its strong support to the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) aiming at supporting the competitiveness and innovation capacity of the Union's defence industry; reiterates that EDIDP contributes to the relevance of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Basis until a fully-fledged European Defence Fund as of 2021.
Amendment 48 #
2019/2028(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Notes the increasing recruitment of “temporary agents” as compared to “contract agents” in the EU agencies; considers that the sensitivity of information accessible to the staff of Agencies in the JHA field requires a strict policy of confidentiality, in particular with regard to the staff recruitment and management.
Amendment 50 #
2019/2028(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Notes that the decrease of the eu- LISA commitment appropriations by 18,7% (-55 million euros) corresponds to the end of the development of the Entry- Exit System;
Amendment 52 #
2019/2028(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 c (new)
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6 c. Reiterates the need to ensure adequate financial support for JHA Agencies to deliver the tasks assigned to them in full transparency and to fight against cross-border serious crime in full compliance with fundamental rights;
Amendment 53 #
2019/2028(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. Calls for an increased funding for projects focussed on the support of refugees from Venezuela who have fled to the neighbouring countries including EU Member States’ territories in the Caribbean.
Amendment 56 #
2019/2028(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5 c. Highlights the critical need to eradicate sexual and gender based violence by addressing their widespread and systematic use as a weapon of war; calls for the use of EU funds to provide support to victims of gender based violence.
Amendment 242 #
2017/0360R(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 a (new)
Paragraph 48 a (new)
48a. Calls on the Council and the Commission to refrain from narrowly interpreting the rule of law principle, and to use the Article 7(1) TEU procedure to its full potential by addressing the implications of the Polish government’s action for all the principles enshrined in Article 2 TEU, including democracy and fundamental rights, such as freedom of association, women’s rights, media freedom and the right to free and fair elections;
Amendment 246 #
2017/0360R(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49
Paragraph 49
49. Calls upon the Council to resume the formal hearings - the last one of which was held as long ago as December 2018 - as soon as possible and to include in those hearings all the latest and major negative developments in the areas of rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights; urges the Council to finally act under the Article 7(1) TEU procedure by finding that there is a clear risk of a serious breach by the Republic of Poland of the values referred to in Article 2 TEU, in the light of overwhelming evidence thereof as displayed in this resolution and in so many reports of international and European organisations, the case-law of the CJEU and the European Court of Human Rights and reports by civil society organisations; strongly recommends that the Council address concrete recommendations to Poland, as provided for in Article 7(1) TEU, as a follow-up to the hearings, and that it indicate deadlines for the implementation of those recommendations; calls on the Council to keep Parliament regularly informed and closely involved; furthermore on the Council to commit to assessing the implementation of these recommendations in a timely manner and, should conditions warrant it, move forward under Article 7(2) TEU; calls on the Council to keep Parliament regularly informed and closely involved; points out the need for informing, in a transparent manner, about the proceedings in the Council in order to allow for meaningful participation and oversight by all European institutions and civil society;
Amendment 29 #
2013/0186(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9 a (new)
Recital 9 a (new)
(9a) Airspace is a common resource for all categories of users and should be used flexibly by all of them in a fair and transparent manner, with due account for Member States’ security and defence needs and undertakings they have made under the aegis of international organisations.
Amendment 99 #
2013/0186(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 33
Recital 33
(33) In the cooperative decision making process for the decisions to be taken by the Network Manager, the interest of the network should prevail, except in cases where national security demands otherwise. Parties to the cooperative decision-making process should therefore act to the maximum extent possible with a view to improving the functioning and performance of the network. The procedures for the cooperative decision- making process should promote the interest of the network, and be such that issues are resolved and consensus found wherever possible.
Amendment 106 #
2013/0186(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 37 a (new)
Recital 37 a (new)
(37a) This Regulation shall be without prejudice to Member States’ competence to adopt provisions concerning the organisation of their armed forces. This competence may require Member States to take measures to ensure that their armed forces have sufficient airspace to ensure a suitable level of training. Provision should therefore be made for a safeguards clause to enable this power to be exercised.
Amendment 119 #
2013/0186(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. The application of this Regulation shall be without prejudice to Member States’ sovereignty over their airspace and to the requirements of the Member States relating to public order, public security and defence matters, as set out in Article 44 and their national security, as set out in Article 4 of the TEU. This Regulation does not cover military operations and training. Cooperation with the military authorities is however necessary to ascertain the potential effects of implementing this regulation on these activities.
Amendment 481 #
2013/0186(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
Article 13 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
3. Draft performance plans for en route air navigation services shall contain performance targets for en route air navigation services that are consistent with the respective Union-wide performance targets in all key performance areas and fulfil the additional conditions laid down in the third subparagraph. Military training and operations shall not be taken as criteria in the assessment of performance objectives.
Amendment 853 #
2013/0186(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 7
Article 27 – paragraph 7
7. The Network Manager shall take decisions through a cooperative decision- making process. Parties to the cooperative decision-making process shall act to the maximum extent possible with a view to improving the functioning and performance of the network. The cooperative decision-making process shall promote the interest of the network, taking account of the essential security-related interests of the Member States and their competence to ensure national security.
Amendment 878 #
2013/0186(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 3
Article 31 – paragraph 3
3. Access to relevant operational data as referred to in paragraph 1 shall be granted to the authorities in charge of safety oversight, performance oversight and network oversight, including the Agency. The military bodies responsible for oversight and protection of airspace shall also be granted access to its data.
Amendment 882 #
2013/0186(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 1
Article 33 – paragraph 1
1. Taking into account the organisation of military aspects under their responsibility, Member States shall ensure the application within the single European sky of the concept of the flexible use of airspace as described by ICAO and as developed by Eurocontrol, in order to facilitate airspace management and air traffic management in the context of the common transport policy and, when circumstances allow, in consistency with the European ATM Master Plan .
Amendment 905 #
2013/0186(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 37 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. If no opinion is issued, the Commission shall not adopt the draft implementing act and the third subparagraph of Article 5(4) of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.
Amendment 927 #
2013/0186(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I a (new)
Annex I a (new)