Activities of Véronique DE KEYSER related to 2011/2032(INI)
Plenary speeches (2)
EU external policies in favour of democratisation (debate)
EU external policies in favour of democratisation (debate)
Reports (1)
REPORT on EU external policies in favour of democratisation PDF (250 KB) DOC (170 KB)
Amendments (30)
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 19 a (new)
Citation 19 a (new)
- having regard to the Council conclusions of 17 November 2009 on ‘Democracy Support in the EU’s External Relations’,
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas it is now clear that civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights are interdependent and mutually reinforcing, and whereas democratic governancecy is the best means of guaranteeing those rights and working to combat poverty,
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas, in the EUits Agenda for Action on Democracy Support in EU External Relations adopted by, the Council, the Union stated that it wished to improve the coherence and the effectiveness of its support, but whereas little progress has been made when it comes to implementationin that respect,
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the Union has a genuine policy of incentives in this area with a view to providing leverage for reform, but whereas the full potential of those incentives has not been exploited for political reasons; whereas in theory, even though there is no structural impediment to using external financing instruments in a coordinated manner to support democratisation,
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas this situation may stem from a lack of political commitment on the part of partner countries’ governmentgovernments of the countries which host EU election observation missions and from the inability of the Commission and the Member States to ensure that the recommendations give rise to specific support programmes, in particular for newly elected parliaments in countries in democratic transition,
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas it still does not have at its disposal sufficiently detailed studies which would enable it to assess the scope of the support for democracy provided by the Union, including its Member States; whereas this is partly the result of transparency, document-access and consultation issues which have not yet been resolved by the Council,
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Believes that only flourishing democracy in third countries can lay the foundations for balanced, legitimate partnerships with the Union that are in keeping with the needs and interests of both parties;
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that the events unfolding on the southern shore of the Mediterranean have demonstrated the limitations of a focuspolicy based on security andconcerns and a desire to maintain stability, which has failed to stamp out poverty and social injustice; believes that, although there has been economic growth, its benefits have not been distributed fairly; highlights the need for a paradigm shift aimed at the genuine consolidation of democracy on the basis of endogenous, sustainable development that benefits the local population;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that priority ismust now being given to making greater and more vigorous practical use of the Union’s existing range of incentives, and to eliminating inconsistencies and double standards in their implementation, which undermine perceptions of Europe and the latter’s ability to implement a strong, consistent policy;
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recommends that international agreements, country strategy papers, action plans, the GSP+ programme and all other sources of reciprocal undertakings byforms of contractual relations between the Union and third countries be tightened up by means of more clearly worded clauses on human rights and democracy, specific mechanisms in the event of non- compliance (based, at the very least, on those set out in the Cotonou Agreement), commitments coupled with detailed criteria for assessing the progress made, and a specific timetable for implementation;
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Recalls that the objectives of the common commercial policy should be fully coordinated with the European Union's overall objectives; points out that, pursuant to Article 207 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the EU's common commercial policy must be conducted ‘in the context of the principles and objectives of the Union's external action’, and that, pursuant to Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union, it must contribute, inter alia, to sustainable development, the eradication of poverty and the protection of human rights;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Recalls the firm position adopted by Parliament in favour of including in all free trade agreements legally binding clauses on social and environmental aspects and respect for human rights, taking as a minimum basis the list of conventions contained in the GSP+ Regulation;
Amendment 106 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reaffirms that the European Parliament must supervise these aspects more closely; calls, therefore, for the Union to involve ParliamentEuropean Parliament to be involved at every stage in the conclusion, application and suspension of international agreements with third countries, including the process of defining the negotiating mandate for new agreements (in particular as regards the promotion of human rights), in dialogue within association councils or any other equivalent political body responsible for overseeing an agreement (as regards the honouring of commitments relating to democratisation), and in the process of deciding whether to launch consultation or suspend an agreement;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that monitoring of the human rights situation in each country derives its legitimacy wholly from the United Nations framework; calls on the UnionCommission and the EEAS, nevertheless, to present regular, comprehensive reports on third countries’ implementation of commitments relating to democracy and human rights that are specifically included in agreements with the Union;
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -7 a (new)
Paragraph -7 a (new)
-7a. Calls also on the European Union, in such a sensitive field, to base its strategies with regard to democracy on a detailed analysis of the scope for reform in third countries and of the political will of leaders to engage in such a process, and to identify possible logjams in order to determine the most appropriate strategies; takes the view that this identification process should be based on regular exchanges of views with all democratic forces in a country so that it is based on mutual confidence and knowledge;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph - 7 b (new)
Paragraph - 7 b (new)
-7b. Endorses the ‘more for more’ approach outlined in the communication entitled ‘A partnership for democracy and shared prosperity with the southern Mediterranean’; believes that, by the same token, the Union should not hesitate to reassign funds previously earmarked for countries whose governments fail to honour their commitments in the area of good democratic governance;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recommends, in the case of the most problematic partnerships, that the Union refrain from isolating the countries concerned, instead conducting relations with them on the basis ofAdvises the European Parliament and the Council not to automatically rule out all partnerships with authoritarian regimes if they are deemed capable of transforming themselves; recommends appropriate and effective conditionality serving as a genuine incentive to democratic reform, and that itrecommends verifying that such cooperation genuinely benefits the population; endorses the ‘more for more’ approach outlined in the communication entitled ‘A partnership for democracy and shared prosperity with the southern Mediterranean’; believes that, by the same token, the Union should not hesitate to reassign funds previously earmarked for countries whose governments fail to honour their commitments in the area of democratic governance;
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Would welcome the establishment of a forum bringing together national parliaments and the European Parliament to consider foreign policy issues, particularly regarding sensitive subjects such as human rights and democracy;
Amendment 149 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Emphasises that it is essential to combine the two approaches to promoting democracy, namely the developmental approach, which focuses on socio- economic progress, and the political approach, which supports political pluralism and parliamentary democracy; calls for such support for the political dimension in third countries to consist of pluralist, institutional support rather than interference; stresses the added value supplied by former Members of the European Parliament in the EU’s measures to promote democratisation;
Amendment 165 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Stresses that, in order to be completely legitimate and rooted in the will of the people, any strategy for promoting democracy must be based on dialogue with as wide as possible a range of local actors; urges the Council, the EEAS and the Commission to conduct wide-ranging and in-depth consultations with all stakeholders;
Amendment 188 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes that this strategic document should shape all external policies pertaining to the country concerned, along with the use of EU instruments; calls for it to be made available to Parliament;
Amendment 199 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Calls on the Conference of Presidents to expand the remit of the Election Observation Coordination Group to cover all issues relating to the development of parliamentary democracy;
Amendment 200 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Considers that the EP’s standing delegations and the joint parliamentary assemblies should play a significantly enhanced role in following up the recommendations of election observation missions and analysing progress with regard to human rights and democracy;
Amendment 205 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Stresses the importance, at the end of each election observation mission, of drawing up realistic and achievable recommendations, the implementation of which must be strongly supported by all the EU institutions and by the Member States; points out once again that former Members can be called upon in order to bring the European Parliament’s observation delegations up to strength;
Amendment 213 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Calls for the EIDHR to be retained and strengthened when the next revision of the financial instruments is carried out, and calls for more resources to be assigned to it;
Amendment 223 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Proposes developing a more open and active policy of supporting social movements and those encouraging civic participation, such as trade unions, mutual societies, women’s groups, youth associations, farmers’ organisations, indigenous movements, NGOs and social networks, along with individuals promoting reform, including human rights defenders and emerging political leaders; suggests fostering the influence of such movements and individuals by means of specific programmes and by incorporating this concept into existing programmes;
Amendment 231 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Affirms the need for a more committed policy on social, cultural and political rights and in the areas of promoting the freedom of ‘old’ and ‘new’ media, protecting the media, reducing the digital divide and facilitating internet accessmaking access to information a universal right;
Amendment 237 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and, the Commission, the EEAS and to the governments and parliaments of the Member States.