Activities of Martin HLAVÁČEK related to 2022/2188(INI)
Opinions (1)
OPINION on the implementation report on the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement
Amendments (13)
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Points out that the full impact of Brexit is not yet fully known, not least because the full implementation of the TCA in relation to fisheries is still ongoing and will only be completed after the transition period ends on 30 June 2026; highlights the importance of a faithful implementation of the Agreement considering that issues are still emerging;
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Expresses its deep concern at the uncertainty created by the review clause (Article 510) under Heading Five (Fisheries) of Part Two of the TCA, which will be applied four years after the end of the adjustment period; calls on the Commission to swiftly and steadfastly engage in negotiations for a multiannual post-2026 agreement while keeping in mind the stability and economic viability of the sector; highlights that this agreement must be linked to the overall review of the TCA and must not allow further losses in shared quotas for the EU, stresses in this regard the importance of keeping all aspects of the TCA interlinked and especially access to the single market for the UK connected to the aspects of fisheries;
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Reiterates the fact that decisions on equivalence are not reciprocal and do not form part of the TCA; notes also the UK’s decisions on equivalence in respect of the EU and also in respect of other non-EU countries such as Switzerland, where mutual recognition status has been agreed; recalls that decisions on equivalence could benefit EU firms in terms of greater access to the UK market, including for banking, payment services, investment services, and insurance; notes that the EU has only granted the UK equivalence status in one area – central counterparties – on a time- limited basis, recently extended until 2025; calls for further equivalence decisions to be considered, notes in this regard that the Commission has previously indicated that equivalence assessments for the UK could resume once the Memorandum of Understanding is agreed3a; notes that as of October 2021, the EU had granted 22 equivalence decisions to the United States compared to one in the case of the UK4 ; recognises that while equivalence assessments are predominantly technical, broader political factors are relevant, and supports the Commission’s position that decisions on equivalence should be made when they are in the EU’s interests; encourages the Commission to discuss further equivalence decisions in order to provide greater market access benefits to both EU and UK firms; _________________ 3a https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/ britain-eu-edge-forward-with-financial- services-forum-plan-2021-02-23/ 4 European Affairs Committee of the House of Lords, ‘1st Report of Session 2022–23: The UK-EUrelationship in financial services’, 23 June 2022.
Amendment 32 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes the desire of the British Government to adopt divergent regulation from the EU in respect of financial services, including by way of the Financial Services and Markets Bill5 , which proposes to repeal, replace, or amend retained EU law in the area of financial services and to delegate greater responsibility to UK regulators; welcomes the EU’s recent progress on legislation in respect of financial services, even where this may result in regulatory divergence from the UK, including with respect to cryptocurrencies, taxonomy, listing and anti-money laundering; acknowledges that the UK and the EU may adopt different regulatory approaches in the area of financial services and may not necessarily maintain a harmonised regulatory regime; supports the EU’s legislative progress in this area, even where this may result in regulatory divergence from the UK; stresses, however, the benefits of future regulatory cooperation, and of engaging in the development and integration of international standards; _________________ 5 UK Parliament, ‘Financial Services and Markets Bill’, 11 May 2023.
Amendment 33 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Recalls that Brexit has destabilised relations among North Atlantic countries; believes that Brexit should not be misused to manipulate the distribution of quotas in the Northern Agreements; insist that the historically evolved distribution of fishing opportunities, always based on the best available scientific data and advice should be respected; calls on the Commission to take initiatives to find new arrangements with States in the North-East Atlantic in order to find more stable and long term arrangedments in the area of fisheries management;
Amendment 40 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that the TCA offers the EU an opportunity to develop and strengthen its own financial services infrastructure and expertise; strongly supports the completion of the capital markets union and the banking union, based on an approach that is outward-looking, innovative and competitive; recalls that the City of London remains a major centre for financial services with a global reach that EU businesses could benefit from accessing 6 ; recognises the importance of a strong financial services sector for both the EU and the UK and supports efforts to enhance the EU’s financial services infrastructure and expertise; _________________ 6 Reuters, ‘London is top global finance centre but lags in key areas, says study’, 27 January 2022.
Amendment 43 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Reiterate that the Trade and Cooperation Agreement provides that technical measures should be proportionate, should be based on the best scientific advice, should not be discriminatory, should apply equally to vessels from both parties and must be notified in advance; calls for better cooperation and coordination in relation to the introduction of technical, management and control measures including developing clear and non- discriminatory criteria for these measures to ensure that they cannot be used to indirectly restrict access to fishing fleets where they have fishing rights; highlights especially that the designation of marine protected areas must be non- discriminatory, science-based and proportionate; emphasises that marine protected areas should be established with well-defined conservation objectives and should not be used as a tool to restrict foreign access to waters; regrets, in this regard, the unilateral approach that the UK has taken in relation to the designation of new areas around the Dogger Bank and the fact that they are planned to be used for other economic activities;
Amendment 45 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Reiterate its call that the Commission embrace its role as the EU’s representative in dealings with third countries in order to propose enhanced participatory management models and co- management in cross-border situations with third countries;
Amendment 51 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Supports continued cooperation between the EU and the UK in areas related to economic and monetary affairs that are of mutual interest, including tackling money laundering, terrorist financing and customs fraud, countering harmful tax regimes, implementing sanctions and promoting global financial stability; invites the Council and the Commission to launch an assessment of the UK's tax regimes on the basis of objective criteria laid down in the Code of Conduct for Business Taxation1a; _________________ 1a https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/docu ment/ST-14452-2022-INIT/en/pdf
Amendment 59 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Recognises that the close economic links between Ireland and Northern Ireland will continue despite the latter being part of a designated third country; supports an acknowledgement of these economic links, including with respect to the supervision of transactions between both jurisdictions; calls for measures to ensure that such links are not disrupted by any changes in regulatory or legal frameworks, particularly in respect of services provided to consumers and SMEs who cannot take advantage of being mobile; emphasises the importance of maintaining close economic ties and minimising disruption in the aftermath of Brexit, particularly with respect to this relationship;
Amendment 74 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Stresses that such a forum must operate in a transparent manner with stakeholder engagement as appropriate; notes that, after several years of turmoil, institutions and investors in the EU and UK need clarity and legal certainty in order to make business decisions and investments;
Amendment 76 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Calls on the parties to use the forum to identify and address mutual threats to financial stability and consumer protections, as well as new developments and innovations in the markets, to promote a consistent approach where possible;
Amendment 78 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 13 c (new)
Paragraph 13 c (new)
13c. Stresses that the parties to the forum should engage in the spirit of sincere cooperation to ensure that the relationship is constructive and underpinned by the common objectives of safeguarding financial stability and consumer protection;