Activities of Michael GAHLER related to 2021/2002(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Cooperation on the fight against organised crime in the Western Balkans (debate)
Amendments (6)
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Underlines that in the Western Balkans, the construction sector is among the most vulnerable to organized crime and corruption; is concerned that there is no action taken on the highway case Bar- Boljare in Montenegro in spite of unclear public procurement procedures, lack of proper planning documentation, extraordinary prices and ecological concerns;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Notes with concern that the case named “Mafia” in the Republic of North Macedonia, where employees of the Ministry of Interior are accused of issuing alternative identities to more than 214 high-risk foreign nationals, among which ISIS members, criminals with international arrest warrants for murder, racketeering, extortion and drug trafficking has not been properly addressed by the government; calls for a thorough investigation into the case;
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Notes with concern the large share of grey economy (estimated at more than 30% of GDP in the region) and massive illicit cash payments flowing across the region; underlines that while cash transactions are not synonymous with illegal behaviour, their traceless nature offers an ideal vehicle for money laundering; calls on governments in the region to implement measures to reduce informality, where possible;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Notes that the corridor between Kukes and Tetovo is still a key axis for the smuggling of cannabis east and heroin to the west; calls on the governments of Albania and the Republic of North Macedonia to redouble their efforts in fighting drug trafficking and closing down illicit drug routes;
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Welcomes the police intervention in Mojkovac as a significant attempt to tackling cigarette trafficking in Montenegro; Reiterates that further measures are needed, specifically in the Bar “free zone” to tackling drug and cigarette smuggling in the country;
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Notes with concern that the “public room” case in North Macedonia, where a group of more than 7 000 people used social networks to share explicit pictures and videos of women and girls has not been properly addressed by authorities; reiterates the need to tackle cases of tech facilitated commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) more effectively;