33 Amendments of Michael GAHLER related to 2009/2214(INI)
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9
Citation 9
– having regard to the Ilulissat Declaration adopted on 28 May 2008 at the Arctic Ocean Conference and the Chelsea Declaration 2010,
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas Norway as a reliable partner is associated to the EU trough the EEA agreement,
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas there has been a longstanding engagement of the EU in the Arctic by way of its involvement in the Common Northern Dimension Policy with Russia, Norway and Iceland including its Arctic Window, in the Barents cooperation and particularly in the Barents- Euro-Arctic- Council, the implications of the strategic partnerships with Canada, the United States and Russia and its participation as an active ad hoc observer in the ACrctic Council (AC),
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas it is estimated that about a fifth of the world's remainingundiscovered hydrocarbon resources are located in the Arctic Region,
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the growing interest in the Arctic region of other non-Arctic actors such as China, illustrated by China's commissioning of a first icebreaker, their allocation of funding to polar research and not least the applications by ChinaSouth Korea, China, Italy, the EU, Italy, Japan, and Singapore and Korea for status as permanent observers at the AC, indicates a different geopolitical appreciation of the Arctic on a larger scale,
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the recently established self- government in Greenland with regard to relevant policy areas including environmental legislation and resources and the recent update of the EU- Greenland Partnership Agreement has led to an increased interest in the exploration and exploitation of resources in Greenland and on its Continental shelf,
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the effects of climate change mainly originating from outside the Arctic and the globalisation of the world economy will impact the region; whereas in particular the retreat of the sea ice, as well as the potential for resources and the possible use of new technologies is likely to produce major effects, such as an increase in shipping in particular between Europe, Asia and North America, in exploration and exploitation of natural resources, namely gas, oil and other minerals but also natural resources such as fish, and exploitation of marine genetic resources, increased mining and logging activities and increased tourism and research activities; whereas those effects will produce new challenges but also new opportunities in the Arctic,
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that three EU Member States are Arctic States, acknowledges that the EU has no Arctic Ocean coastline so far, but reaffirms the legitimate interest of the EU as a stakeholder by virtue of its rights and obligations under international law, its commitment to environmental, climate and other policies and its funding, research activities and economic interests, including shipping;
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Takes into account that through its Northern Members States and Candidate Countries the EU is affected by Arctic policies and likewise has am impact on Arctic policies, and recognises the ongoing work in the several partnerships of the Northern Dimension, a common policy of the EU with Russia, Norway and Iceland;
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Highlights that the EU is committed to devise its policy responses in the Arctic based on the best available scientific knowledge and understanding of the processes affecting the Arctic, and is accordingly already devoting sizeable research efforts to generate sound scientific evidence to support policymaking;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Conscious of the need to protect the fragile environment of the Arctic, underlines the importance of overall stability and peace in the region; stresses that the EU should pursue policies that ensure the compatibility of the environmental agenda andat measures to address environmental concerns take into account the interests of the inhabitants of the Arctic region, including its indigenous peoples, in protecting and developing the region; stresses the similarity in approach, analysis and priorities between the Commission Communication and policy documents in the Arctic States; stresses the need to engage in policies that respect the interest in sustainable management and use of the natural resources of the Arctic region, which in turn provide important resources for Europe and are a major source of income to the inhabitants of the region;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Highlights that a future accession of Iceland to the EU would transform the Union in an Arctic coastal state, while noting that Iceland's status as a candidate country to the EU underlines the need for a coordinated Arctic Policy at the EU level and represents a strategic opportunity for the EU to have a more active role and contribute to multilateral governance in the Arctic Region;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Suggests that important non-Arctic shipping nations using the Arctic Ocean should be included in the results of the Search and Rescue Work Initiative of the AC; therefore recommends the Commission and the Council along with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) to coordinate EU and Member States policies in that particular field in the IMO, the AC and other organisations;
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Points out that in spite of the efforts on a mandatory Polar Code for shipping a faster solution to the issue of safety of Arctic shipping might be found through coordination and harmonization of national legislation and calls on EMSA to fully engage on Arctic shipping;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes other cooperation initiatives on secure and safe shipping in the Arctic and on better access to the various Northern Sea Routes;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the new delimitation agreement4 between Norway and Russia, in particular the expressed will to engage in closer cooperation and the envisagedregarding the joint management of resources, particularly fish stocks, between the two countriesand the continued joint management of fish stocks, in the Barents Sea, including in terms of sustainability; regards in particular the bilateral cooperation between Norway and Russia as a show case of joint application of the highest available technical standards in the field of environmental protection while prospecting for oil and gas in the Barents Sea; points out in particular the importance of the contentious development of new technologies especially developed for Arctic environment such as the sub seabed installation technology;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Is conscious of the different interpretations of the Svalbard/Spitsbergen treaty with regard to its applicability to the continental shelf and the maritime zones of Svalbard/Spitsbergen, and given the relatively good accessibility of resources in the continental shelf; would welcome an agreement on the legal status of the shelf acknowledging the legal rights and duties of the costal shelf states; is confident that possible arising disputes will be dealt with in a constructive way; calls on the Commission to clarify the application of the EEA Agreement to Svalbard, and the Norwegian EEZs and continental shelves;
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Recalls the position of the EU as a main consumer of Arctic natural resources, as well as the involvement of European industry; requests the Commission to further engage in fostering cooperation and technology transfer to ensure the highest standards and adequate administrative procedures, to establish a sound scientific basis of future trends and governance needs for Arctic resources, such as fisheries and others, and to make full use of the EU competences to regulate in this regard;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Supports an increased cooperation with Arctic and non-Arctic states on developing the Sustaining Arctic Observing Network (SAON) and encourages the European Environmental Agency to continue its valuable work and to promote corporation through the European Environment Information and Observation Network (Eionet) using the guiding principles of the Shared Environmental Information System (SEIS)
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Recognises the disproportionately large Arctic warming impact caused by local emissions of soot ('black carbon') as compared to emissions originating elsewhere, largely due to its effect on highly reflective surfaces such as snow or ice; thus welcomes the ban on the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil on vessels operating in the Antarctic Area, approved by the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) entering into force on 1 August 2011; stresses that a similar ban might be appropriate in Arctic waters to reduce risks to the environment in case of accidents;
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Recognises that the effects of the melting ice are also creating opportunities for economic development in the Arctic region; acknowledges the wish of the inhabitagovernments of the Arctic Region with sovereign rights and responsibilities to continue to pursue sustainable economic development while at the same time protecting the very sensitive nature of the Arctic ecosystems, taking into account their experience in using and developing the resources of the region in a sustainable way;
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Notes the special position and recognises the rights of the indigenous peoples of the Arctic and points in particular to the legal and political situation of the indigenous peoples in the Arctic States and in the Arctic Council;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Takes note of the recent legal developments regarding the EU'’s ban on seal products, in particular the suspension of Regulation (EC) No 1007/20096 on the trade in seal products by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in several casesaction brought for annulment of the Regulation (Case T-18/10, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami v Parliament and Council) pending before the General Court; notes the consultation procedure under the auspices of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) requested by Canada and Norway, joined by Iceland according to Annex 2 to the WTO Agreement; expresses its hope that disagreements between the parties can be overcome following the rulings of the ECJ and the WTO; 6 OJ L 286, 31.10.2009, p. 36.result of the WTO procedures;
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Is aware of the increasing interest in the exploitation of resources; in that regard points out the need for broad all encompassing ecosystem-based approach as most likely to be capable to deal with the multiple challenges facing the Arctic related to climate change, shipping, environmental hazards and contaminants, fisheries and other human activities, along the lines of the EU's Integrated Maritime Policy or Norway's Integrated Management Plan for the Barents Sea and sea areas of Lofoten islands; recommends the Member States to endorse the revised Arctic Council Offshore Oil and Gas Guidelines of 2009;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Recognises the institutions and the broad framework of international law and agreements that govern areas of importance to the Arctic such as UNCLOS (including the basic principles of freedom of navigation and innocent passage), the IMO, the OSPAR Convention7 , the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC), CITES8 and the Stockholm Convention as well as the existing numerous bilateral agreements and frameworks, in addition to the national regulations in place in the Arctic states; thus concludes that the Arctic region is not to be regarded as a legal vacuum, but as an area with well developed tools for governance; nevertheless points out that, due to the challenges of climate change and increasing economic development, those existing rules need to be further developed, strengthened and implemented by all parties concerned;
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Welcomes the degree of political organisation of indigenous interests in the Sami Parliaments and then Sami Council in Northern Europe and the cooperation among several indigenous organisations on a circumpolar basis and acknowledges the unique role of the AC with regard to the involvement of Indigenous people; recognises the rights of the indigenous peoples of the Arctic as set out in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and encourages the Commission to make a use of the EIDHR for the benefit of Arctic indigenous people empowerment;
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Welcomes the continuous AC assessment of the scope and structure of its work and is confident that it will continue to broaden the basis for decision-shaping processes to include non-AC actors;
Amendment 135 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Expresses its hope that the AC will further develop its important work and broaden the basis for decision-shaping processes to include non-other Arctic actors who are upgrading their presence in the Arctic region, and thus involve their knowledge and capacities and take into account their legitimate interests under international law; welcomes the internal procedure within the AC regarding a review of the status of observers and of the possible future scope of the tasks of the AC;
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Confirms its support for permanent observer status for the EU in the AC; recognises that EU Member States are involved in AC work through various international organisations (such as the IMO, OSPAR, NEAFC and the Stockholm Convention) and highlights the need for coherence in all EU policies towards the Arctic; asks the Commission to keep Parliament duly informed about meetings and work in the AC and its Working Groups; stresses meanwhile that the EU and its Member States are already present as members or observers in other international organisations with relevance to the Arctic such as the IMO, OSPAR, NEAFC and the Stockholm Convention and therefore should more coherently focus on the work in these organisations; underlines in this regard alsoin particular the need for coherence in all EU policies towards the Arctic;
Amendment 150 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Requests the Commission to set updevelop the existing Inter-Service-Group into a permanent inter-service structure to ensure a coherent, coordinated and integrated policy approach across key policy areas relevant to the Arctic, such as the environment, energy, transport and fisheries; recommends integrating the Arctic Service working in DG MARE into this structureassigning the co- lead of this structure to the EEAS and DG MARE, the latter acting as a cross- sectoral coordinator within the Commission; further recommends creating a coordinatingn Arctic unit in the EEAS accordingly;
Amendment 155 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Underlines the fact that the EU and its Member States are the main contributors to Arctic-relevant research, regional cooperation and the development of technology relevant to the region and beyond, and requests the Commission to examine the possibilities of developing circumpolar co-funding and co- programming initiatives to enable smoother and more effective cooperation between experts from the nations involved; further requests the Commission to create a means to work directly with Arctic Member States, indigenous organisations and Arctic research institutes in order to help inform the EU about relevant issues, important research topics, and matters that concern those living and working in the Arctic to help establish future research activities;
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Emphasises the contribution of the EU's European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) objective, as a clear European added value in particular the Cross- border cooperation programmes of Kolartic and Karelia as well as the CBC Baltic Sea Basin programme that includes the Barents region; requests the Commission to explore how a suitably enhanced Northern Periphery Programme could have a similar impact on an Arctic Strategy in the next programming period;
Amendment 165 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Requests the Commission to put forward proposals as to how the Galileo Project or projects thatlike Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) that could have an impact on the Arctic could be developed to enable safer and faster navigation in Arctic waters, thus investing in the safety and accessibility of the North-East Passage in particular, to contribute to better predictability of ice movements as well as to better mapping of the Arctic seabed;