92 Amendments of Dan BARNA
Amendment 225 #
2024/2082(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Reaffirms its unwavering support for the EU and its Member States to stand in solidarity with Ukraine in the face of Russia’s war of aggression, and to provide it with theall necessary military means and in time it needs to defend itself, end the conflict and restore its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders; welcomes the joint security commitments between the EU and Ukraine, and the bilateral security agreements concluded by Ukraine with several Member States; reiterates its call for Member States to accelerate their delivery of weapons, air defence systems and ammunition to Ukraine, including air- launched cruise missiles; calls for Member States to lift all restrictions hindering Ukraine from using Western weapons systems against military targets within Russia, as allowed by international law;
Amendment 249 #
2024/2082(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls for the EU and its Member States to support Ukraine in expanding the international coalition in support of its Victory Plan presented by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as the only viable route to restore Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity on the basis of international law, thereby holding Russia and its accomplices, in particular Belarus, to account for itstheir war crimes, including the crime of aggression, and ensuring Russian reparations and other payments for the massive damage caused in Ukraine;
Amendment 261 #
2024/2082(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Strongly condemns the deployment and training of thousands of North Korean troops in Russia in support of its war of aggression against Ukraine, and views such action as an attempt to further escalate the conflict;
Amendment 289 #
2024/2082(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Urges that the ongoing EU military training and financial assistance to Ukraine be used to accelerate Ukraine's accession to the EU, to start adapting the Ukrainian Armed Forces to EU capability requirements and to involve them in cross-border technological and defence industrial cooperation projects and programmes;
Amendment 302 #
2024/2082(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8 b. Welcomes the ongoing initiatives of several EU Member States to deepen cooperation with Ukraine in the field of defence industrial production and urges further use of Ukraine’s innovative defence potential to develop weapons and ammunition and to accelerate their production in close cooperation with the EU and other Western partners, using available support mechanisms;
Amendment 304 #
2024/2082(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 c (new)
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8 c. Deplores the fact that some components of Western origin are found in weapons and their systems used by Russia against Ukraine, and calls on the EU and Member States to implement sanctions more thoroughly;
Amendment 388 #
2024/2082(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Emphasizes the importance of developing, maintaining and protecting the infrastructure necessary to ensure rapid and efficient military mobility and calls for the appropriate EU funding for ongoing and necessary military mobility projects to be secured in the next MFF;
Amendment 514 #
2024/2082(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Condemns Iran, in the strongest terms, for its destabilising activities in the Middle East region and for its continued support for terrorist groups, which pose a direct threat to regional and global security; expresses concern at the growing military cooperation between Iran and Russia, in particular the intention to sign a treaty on a comprehensive strategic partnership, and strongly condemns Iran's provision of drones and ballistic missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine and its people; expresses, however, full support for and solidarity with Iran’s civil society and democratic forces;
Amendment 591 #
2024/2082(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Emphasises the disproportionate and unique impact of armed conflicts on women and girls, especially in terms of conflict-related sexual violence; highlights the imperative need to ensure the provision and accessibility of appropriate related healthcare in armed conflicts, including sexual and reproductive health and rights; calls in this regards on the Member States to guarantee the respect for sexual and reproductive health and rights of refugees in their territory; calls on the EU and Member States to ensure that armed conflicts are considered through the lens of gender;
Amendment 592 #
2024/2082(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Recalls that mainstreaming and operationalising gender perspectives in external relations and implementing the women, peace and security agenda are long-standing priorities for the EU; insists that the update of the Strategic Compass propose further measures to ensure gender equality and the full and meaningful participation of women in CSDP, especially in military missions;
Amendment 666 #
2024/2082(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Expresses serious concern over the growing security challenges posed by cyber and hybrid attacks, andwhich are aimed at critical infrastructure or supply chains, as well as foreign information manipulation and interference, which are aimed, inter alia, at festering polarisation and undermining the stability of democratic societies, especially in the run- up to elections; calls on the Commission and the European External Action Service to strengthen their capabilities to address these challenges and increase resilience against disinformation;
Amendment 697 #
2024/2082(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23 a. Calls for European solidarity and support for building a defence infrastructure system along the EU’s external border with Russia and Belarus to protect the EU from military and hybrid threats, in particular artificially facilitated waves of illegal migrants;
Amendment 777 #
2024/2082(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Stresses the importance of NATO and the EU playing complementary, coherent and mutually reinforcing roles in supporting international security and thus avoiding the duplication of defence efforts while maintaining a strong mutual cooperation; welcomes the accession of Sweden to NATO in 2024, following Finland in 2023, representing a historic step forward in strengthening security in Europe;
Amendment 783 #
2024/2082(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Stresses the importance of NATO and the EU playing complementary, coherent and mutually reinforcing roles in supporting international security and thus avoiding the duplication of defence efforts; welcomes the accession of Sweden to NATO in 2024, following Finland in 2023, representing a historic step forward in strengthening security in Europe; reiterates its belief that Ukraine is on an irreversible path to NATO membership;
Amendment 827 #
2024/2082(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 22
Subheading 22
Partnership with the Eastern Partners and Western Balkan countries
Amendment 5 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
– having regards to the Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War,
Amendment 72 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas liberal democratic systems are the most suitable to guarantee that every person has the ability to enjoy their human rights and fundamental freedoms; whereas rules-based multilateralism is the best organisational system to defend democracies;
Amendment 122 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas the past year has been marked by a further proliferation of so- called “foreign agent” or foreign influence style laws, including in EU candidate countries, targeting civil society organizations and media outlets, and attempts to prevent them from receiving financial support from abroad, including from the EU and its Member States, fostering a climate of fear and self- censorship;
Amendment 124 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I b (new)
Recital I b (new)
Ib. whereas in 2024 more than half the world’s population went to the polls, and many of these elections were marked by manipulation, disinformation and attempts at interference from inside or outside the country; whereas the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought was awarded to Venezuela’s democratic forces, disqualified opposition’s presidential candidate María Corina Machado and President-elect Edmundo González;
Amendment 125 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I c (new)
Recital I c (new)
Ic. whereas the 2024 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) warns of a decline in the intent of states and other political forces to protect press freedom; whereas, according to RSF, 47 journalists and media workers were killed, most of them in conflict zones, and 573 were imprisoned since 1st of January 2024;
Amendment 126 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I d (new)
Recital I d (new)
Id. whereas at least one million people are unjustly imprisoned for political reasons in countries such as China, Belarus, Russia, Azerbaijan, Venezuela, Cuba, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Cambodia and Vietnam; whereas among them are numerous finalists of the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, in particular, Gubad Ibadoghlu, Ilham Tohti, Mikalai Statkevich, Maryia Kalesnikava, Siarhei Tsikhanouski, and Ales Bialiatski;
Amendment 127 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I e (new)
Recital I e (new)
Ie. whereas 251 million children and youth are deprived of their fundamental right to education and remain out of school, according to the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report 2024; whereas, in addition to poverty, girls and women are affected by cultural norms, gender bias, child marriage, violence and, in countries such as Afghanistan, by official discriminatory policies that prevent them from accessing education and the labour market and attempt to erase them from public life;
Amendment 278 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Reiterates its concern regarding the increasing attacks by authoritarian and illiberal regimes on democratic principles and values; stresses that the defence and support of democracy around the world is increasingly becoming of geopolitical and strategic interest; emphasises the importance of Parliament’s efforts in capacity-building for partner parliaments, promoting mediation and encouraging a culture of dialogue and compromise, especially among young political leaders, and empowering women parliamentarians, HRDs and representatives from civil society and independent media; reiterates its call on the Commission to continue and expand its activities in these areas by increasing funding and support for EU bodies, agencies and other grant-based organisations; stresses the critical importance of directly supporting civil society and persons expressing dissenting views, particularly in the current climate of growing global tensions and repression in increasing numbers of countries; reiterates the importance of EU election observation missions and Parliament’s contribution to developing and enhancing their methodology; calls for the development of an EU toolbox to be used in cases of disputed or intransparent election results in order to prevent political and military crises in the post-election environment; calls for enhanced EU action to counter manipulative and false messages against the EU in election campaigns, in particular in countries that receive significant EU humanitarian and development assistance and in countries that are candidates for EU membership; calls for enhanced collaboration between Parliament’s Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group, the relevant Commission directorates-general and the EEAS;
Amendment 292 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Is extremely concerned by the continuing restriction of civil society space and rising threats to the work of HRDs, as well as their families, communities and lawyers, and finds particularly concerning the increasingly sophisticated means used to persecute them, such as the so-called “foreign agent” laws; supports wholeheartedly the work of HRDs and EU action to ensure their protection worldwide; calls for the complete and consistent application of the EU Guidelines on HRDs by the EU and its Member States; calls for efforts to strengthen the visibility of EU actions and channels for the protection and support of HRDs:
Amendment 374 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Notes with concern the increasing disregard for international humanitarian law and international human rights law, particularly in the form of ongoing conflicts around the world; underlines that it is of the utmost importance for humanitarian aid agencies to be able to provide full, timely and unhindered assistance to all people in vulnerable situations and calls on all parties to armed conflicts to protect civilian populations and, humanitarian and medical workers and journalists and media workers; calls upon all states to unconditionally and fully conform with international humanitarian law; calls upon the international community and the Member States in particular to promote accountability and the fight against impunity for grave breaches of international humanitarian law; calls for the systematic creation of humanitarian corridors in regions at war and in combat situations, whenever necessary, in order to allow civilians at risk to escape conflicts, and strongly condemns any attacks on them; demands unhindered access to humanitarian organizations monitoring and assisting the prisoners of war as provided for in the Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War; expresses its concern at the reported abuses and shortcomings of the Russian Red Cross in assisting Ukrainian prisoners of war and informing their families of their place of detention, and expects the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (IFRC) to take prompt action in accordance with its constitution; calls for international cooperation and assistance in the return of forcibly deported and illegally adopted Ukrainian children from the Russian Federation;
Amendment 399 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Recognises the potential for stronger alignment in approaches to human rights protection and promotion between Member States’ embassies and EU delegations in non-EU countries, particularly in encouraging those countries to comply with their international obligations and to refrain from harassment and persecution of critical voices; emphasises the opportunity for Member States’ embassies to take an increasingly active role in advancing and safeguarding human rights, while also supporting civil society in these countries; calls on the EU and its Member States to use all possible means to encourage countries to release political prisoners; highlights the importance of shared responsibility between Member States and EU delegations in these efforts; calls for the EU and its Member States to intensify their collective efforts to promote the respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights and to support democracy worldwide;
Amendment 416 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Condemns any action or attempt to legalise, instigate, authorise, consent or acquiesce to torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment methods under any circumstances; condemns the increasing reports of the use of torture by state actors in conflict situations around the world, notably violation of the Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War, as well as the killing of prisoners of war amounting to a crime of war, and reiterates the non-derogable nature of the right to be free from torture or other forms of inhuman or degrading treatment;
Amendment 453 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Stresses the importance of closing the financing gap that would enable countries to meet their SDG 4 targets on quality education and ensure access to education for all children and youth; reiterates its calls to address cultural norms and gender bias that prevent girls and women from receiving an education and urges the creation of gender- responsive education systems worldwide;
Amendment 462 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Stresses that women’s rights and gender equality are indispensable and indivisible human rights, as well as a basis for the rule of law and inclusive resilient democracies; deplores the fact that millions of women and girls continue to experience discrimination and violence, especially in the context of conflicts, and are denied their dignity, autonomy and even life; calls for the EU, its Member States and like- minded partners to step up their efforts to ensure the full enjoyment and protection of women’s and girls’ human rights; condemns in the strongest terms the increasing attacks on sexual and reproductive health and rights around the world, as well as gender-based violence; welcomes the accession of the EU to the Istanbul Convention; urges the remaining EU Member States to ratify the Istanbul Convention without further delay; calls for the EU and its international partners to strengthen their efforts to ensure that women fully enjoy human rights and are treated equally to men; stresses the need to pursue efforts to fully eradicate the practice of female genital mutilation; strongly condemns the Taliban's policies towards women and girls, which amount to gender apartheid, and calls for continued and increased EU support to provide Afghan girls and women with the means to access education and the labour market;
Amendment 546 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Deplores the human rights violations, including discrimination, persecution, violence and killings, against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) persons around the world; is extremely concerned by the spreading of hatred and anti- LGBTIQ+ narratives and legislation that target LGBTIQ+ persons and HRDs; reiterates its calls for the full implementation of the LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 as the EU’s tool for improving the situation of LGBTIQ+ people around the world; calls to reject the use of the death penalty under any circumstances, including any legislation that would impose the death penalty for homosexuality; calls on the EU and its Member States to further engage the countries in reconsidering their position on the death penalty; notes, further, that the imposition of the death penalty based on such legislation is arbitrary killing per se and a breach of Article 6 of the ICCPR;
Amendment 626 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Emphasises the critical significance of freedom of expression and access to trustworthy information for sustaining democracy and a thriving civic space; is seriously concerned about the increasing restrictions on freedom of expression in numerous countries worldwide, particularly for journalists, through censorship, enforced self-censorship, so- called “foreign agent” laws and the misuse of counter-terrorism or anti- corruption laws to suppress journalists and civil society groups; raises concerns, additionally, about the physical security of journalists and media workers and their being targeted in conflict zones;
Amendment 681 #
2024/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 a (new)
Paragraph 42 a (new)
42a. While stressing the crucial importance of media freedom and freedom of expression as a pillar of human rights protection, notes with concern the prevalence of the practice of disinformation, propaganda and fake news originating from and disseminated by illiberal regimes and malign foreign actors as an example of hybrid threats and foreign information manipulation;
Amendment 101 #
2024/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – indent -1 (new)
Paragraph 2 – indent -1 (new)
– achievements of the EU enlargement policy, particularly 20th anniversary of the “big bang” enlargement when ten countries joined the EU; reiterates that enlargement is of the utmost strategic importance for the EU as it represents a geostrategic investment in long-term peace, democracy, stability, security, climate protection and prosperity across the continent and all the more so in the face of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and other common geopolitical challenges; stresses that preparation for enlargement requires reforms on the EU side and calls on the EU Institutions and Member States to undertake the necessary reforms to ensure that their absence does not delay the accession of new Member States;
Amendment 159 #
2024/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – indent 7
Paragraph 2 – indent 7
– the decision to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova; commends the fact that the CFSP alignment rate of Moldova has substantially increased from 54 % in 2022 to 86 % in 2024; welcomes the results of the constitutional referendum in Moldova, expressing the will of the people to join the EU; calls for the acceleration of the screening process and the timely organisation of the subsequent intergovernmental conferences;
Amendment 202 #
2024/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 – indent 2
Paragraph 3 – indent 2
– the role of the illegitimate regime of Aliaksandr Lukashenka in effectively surrendering national sovereignty to the Kremlin in order to maintain its grip on Belarus and its active support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; reiterates its call for EU sanctions against Belarus to be extended by mirroring EU sanctions against Russia; calls for continued support from the EU and Member States for Belarusian democratic forces, political prisoners and their families; given the repressive environment in Belarus, does not believe that the announced presidential election to be held in January 2025 will be free or fair;
Amendment 215 #
2024/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 – indent 3
Paragraph 3 – indent 3
– the increasing malicious activities, interference and hybrid warfare deployed by the Russian Federation, its institutions and proxies in undermining and subverting the democratic stability and sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova, including the recent interference in the constitutional referendum on EU accession and the presidential elections;
Amendment 251 #
2024/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 – indent 5
Paragraph 3 – indent 5
– Iran’s persistent non-compliance with its legal safeguard obligations under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the advancement of its nuclear programme beyond all credible civilian justification; expresses concern at the growing military cooperation between Iran and Russia, in particular the intention to sign a treaty on a comprehensive strategic partnership, and strongly condemns Iran’s provision of drones and ballistic missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine and its people;
Amendment 284 #
2024/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 – indent 8
Paragraph 3 – indent 8
– the increasing breadth and intensity of operations of Chinese Government vessels and aircraft, FIMI and cyber- attacks intimidating China’s neighbours; denounces the government-led system of forced labour and China’s crimes against humanity in Xinjiang;
Amendment 287 #
2024/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 – indent 8 a (new)
Paragraph 3 – indent 8 a (new)
– North Korea’s continued weapons testing and development of its nuclear programme, further escalating tensions in the region, and the recent deployment of thousands of North Korean troops to Russia to support its war effort against Ukraine;
Amendment 381 #
2024/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – indent 5
Paragraph 4 – indent 5
– the fact that the law on ‘transparency of foreign influence’, the law on ‘family values and protection of minors’, as well as the changes to the Electoral Code in Georgia, are incompatible with EU values and democratic principles; recalls that Georgia’s bid for accession to the EU will be assessed on the basis of its own merits and of the country’s success in meeting the Copenhagen criteria for EU membership; deeply regrets the uneven playing field in the recent parliamentary elections, the divisive campaign rhetoric that further polarised the population, and the reported irregularities that raise concerns about the ability of some voters to cast their ballot without fear of retribution; calls on the Georgian authorities to heed the will of the Georgian people to join the EU and therefore to ensure free and fair elections, to stop democratic backsliding, to abandon the laws that jeopardise Georgia’s European future and to pursue pro-European democratic reforms;
Amendment 458 #
2024/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for the EU and its Member States to provide continuous and timely humanitarian assistance, military support, economic and financial aid and political support in every possible way until Ukraine’s victory in order to ultimately stop Russia’s war of aggression and allow Ukraine to liberate all its people and re- establish full control within its internationally recognised borders; underlines in particular the urgent need to provide Ukraine with increased air defence capacities to defend its critical energy infrastructure ahead of the forthcoming winter, and calls on the Member States to immediately lift restrictions on the use of Western weapons systems delivered to Ukraine against legitimate military targets on Russian territory;
Amendment 459 #
2024/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls for action by the EU and the Member States to address Russian violations of the Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War, in particular denial of access to humanitarian organisations, medical treatment of prisoners and executions of prisoners; reiterates its call for the necessary measures to be taken to return forcibly deported and illegally adopted Ukrainian children from Russia or occupied Ukrainian territory; deplores Russian actions, also involving the Belarusian regime, to re-educate Ukrainian children and erase their national Ukrainian identity;
Amendment 469 #
2024/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls for the EU and the Member States to reinforce the effectiveness of its 14 sanction packages adopted so far and adopt new ones as soon as the need arises; calls for effective cooperation with like- minded partners across the globe to increase the pressure on Russia; urges the EU and the Member States to review development assistance to governments of countries that openly support Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, particularly in their votes on relevant UN resolutions;
Amendment 485 #
2024/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Calls on the EU and Member States to take swift action to eliminate Russia’s so-called shadow fleet of old and unsafe tankers and, until they are prevented from carrying Russian oil and oil products, to be prepared to deal with any environmental disaster caused by these ships;
Amendment 531 #
2024/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Commends the Commission’s proposal approved by the European Parliament to establish the Ukraine Loan Cooperation Mechanism, worth an estimated EUR 35 billion, which responds to Parliament’s call and builds upon the decision of the Council to direct extraordinary revenues stemming from immobilised Russian state assets to the Ukraine Assistance Fund and the Ukraine Facility, as well as upon the G7’s decision to offer Ukraine a USD 50 billion loan secured through immobilised Russian state assets;
Amendment 802 #
2024/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Expresses concern at the growing membership of the BRICS group, which currently includes 45 percent of the world’s population and presents itself as an alternative to the countries of North America and Europe; stresses that such cooperation provides Russia with means of overcoming the sanctions imposed following its invasion of Ukraine and enables China to further extend its influence through its modus operandi of financing infrastructure projects;
Amendment 848 #
2024/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34a. Calls on the HR/VP to place democracy promotion at the forefront of the CFSP and to ensure the EU’s proactive role in this regard, building on lessons learned from previous democracy support actions, in particular in support of civil society, human rights defenders, critical voices, democratic opposition and media;
Amendment 861 #
2024/2080(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Calls on the VP/HR to make the work with like-minded democracies a priority of his term and to systematise cooperation and consultation with democratic like-minded partners in order to promote democracy, improve common preparedness and access to crisis response resources;
Amendment 1 #
2024/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (Common Provisions Regulation),
Amendment 6 #
2024/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) supports, complements and adds value to the policies of the Member States in order to ensure equal opportunities, equal access to the labour market, fair and high-quality working conditions, social cohesion, protection and inclusion and to develop a skilled and resilient workforce across all regions that is prepared for the green and digital transition; Whereas the ESF+ is and shall continue to be a key pillar of the Cohesion Policy;
Amendment 14 #
2024/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the ESF+ is the only EU structural and investment fund primarily focused on social policies, and is therefore unique in itself and is strongly effective in achieving social inclusion, together with the cohesion policyensuring that cohesion policy contributes to social inclusion, convergence, and fairness;
Amendment 20 #
2024/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas different vulnerable groups have different needs,- such as women in poverty, labour migrants, children, people with disabilities and elderly people; whereas the digital and green transition is much needed but also brings challenges for all people and all workers, and w - and different regions have specific needs,; whereas the Union shall complete the digital and green transition by leaving no one behind; Whereas to succeed in this endeavour, the EU must ensure a just and harmonious transition, that does not lose sight of workers and vulnerable people in regions lagging behind, in regions in or at risk at falling into development traps, in rural areas and in outermost regions;
Amendment 53 #
2024/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Insists that the ESF+ must continue to be thea key and primary instrument for supporting the Member States, people and regions in strengthening the social dimension and cohesion of the Union;
Amendment 63 #
2024/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for a strong, reinforced, stand-alone ESF+ with significantly increased public support for existing instruments aimed at providing for the poorest in our societies; insists, therefore, on doubladjusting the funding for the ESF+ post- 2027 to the financing needs of an enlarging Union in the process of embracing the twin digital and green transition;
Amendment 79 #
2024/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Believes that a differentthe ESF+ governance wshould lead to the loss of priority given to social aspects, including employment and social inclusion projects, and to the funding not reaching local levels and those most in need, while increasing the risk of reallocation of funds for other purposesbe streamlined to facilitate access by regions and by local authorities to structural funds, with a view to boost tailor-made and place-based investment favouring employment and social inclusion projects, affordable housing and future-proof training of the European workforce;
Amendment 88 #
2024/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure the participation of social partners, civil society organisations (CSOs) and representatives of theregional and local authorities and target groups in allthe design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation stages of the ESF+, to allocate adequate funding for this purpose and to prevent the exclusion of smaller actors;
Amendment 91 #
2024/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that the current ESF+ programme was adopted before the emergence of crises that have caused high inflation and increased costs of living, and therefore require higher public and social investment such that the existing ESF+ cannot meet current needs; calls on the Commission to ensure that a comprehensive, stable and large-scale needs- and rights-based budget and which is targeted to the needs on the ground is guaranteed for the ESF+ in the next multiannual financial framework;
Amendment 98 #
2024/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines that the ESF+ post-2027 should invest in tackling enduring social challenges and stay close to the general and specific objectives set out in the current ESF+; emphasises the importance of the fund’s principles of shared management, partnership, multilevel governance, place- based approach, clear objectives and thematic concentrations, and that most of the fund should be spent as close as possible to those using the fund;
Amendment 103 #
2024/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses that the ESF+, and more broadly the Cohesion Policy funds, should focus on long-term investments in European regions and should not be regularly used to respond to emergencies or crises; insists that a social rescue facility capable of reacting to social emergencies and crisis situations should supplement the ESF+; calls on the Commission to build on the success of the temporary EU instrument launched in 2020, entitled ‘Support to mitigate Unemployment Risks in an Emergency (SURE)’, in fighting temporary unemployment, and to put forward an EU unemployment reinsurance scheme without further delay;
Amendment 115 #
2024/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Insists that the ESF+ should targetreach all regions but concentrate on the most disadvantaged territories and people in our societies, regardless of their sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion or belief, or racial or ethnic origin – in particular marginalised communities such as Roma people, people with disabilities or chronic diseases, homeless people, children and elderly people; underlines that the ESF+ must be inclusive, with special attention given to all kinds of families, including single-parent families, families with more than two parents and rainbow families;
Amendment 134 #
2024/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses that reaching the EPSR’s targets on poverty becomes challenging, unless specific support is dedicated to alleviating the pressure on social protection systems and mitigating the social impact of crises; insists on dedicating support to ensure decent living conditions for all, with access to high-quality essential services; calls for the EU anti-poverty strategy, outlined in Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s political guidelines for the 2024-2029 term, to be implemented via thean adequately financed ESF+, with its binding poverty-reduction targets, national living wage indices and reference budgets used as benchmarks, applying a multidimensional approach;
Amendment 153 #
2024/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Emphasises the need to ensure sufficient financing of the ESF+ post-2027 for access to high-quality and public education for all, skills development, upskilling, reskilling, training, and lifelong learning, and for the addressing of skills shortages, ensuring that individuals can successfully navigate labour market transitions;
Amendment 164 #
2024/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Underlines the importance of the ESF+ in focusing on different groups and regions with different needs; stresses, therefore, the importance of allocating support to projects on the socio-economic position of migrants, including labour migrants, the social inclusion of people with disabilities, the ageing population in society, women and children, and female- headed households; insists that the ESF+ post- 2027 incorporate other aspects of social inclusion, such as housing, health and family circumstances and the support of community-based services;
Amendment 195 #
2024/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Calls on the Member States to ensure that regional and local authorities and organisations have a say inmeaningful role in the definition of projects co-financed from national budgets;
Amendment 202 #
2024/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Insists that the rules governing the use of the ESF+ must ensure and enhance compliance with the rule of law, the EU acquis, the highest EU social standards, social rights and democratic principles, and be aligned with the EPSR, the UN’s sustainable development goals and fundamental human and workers’ rights;
Amendment 212 #
2024/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Calls for the reduction of the administrative burden, notably by simplifying the application processes for accessing funds and the reporting procedures for organisations, in particular for those of a smaller size; warns that simplification must not compromise the fundamental principles of shared management, multilevel governance, transparency and accountability, ensuring the proper administration of publicEuropean funds;
Amendment 217 #
2024/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Warns that not all people are prepared for digitalisation, and that certain groups of people, especially the most vulnerable, could miss ovulnerable groups, rural regions, and outermost regions have limited access to high-quality digital infrastructure; Reiterates its call for a place-based approach to Cohesion policy, aimed at ensuring harmonious and just digital transition in regions lagging behind; Underlines the importance of Cohesion Policy in enhancing institut ion funding opportunities as a resultal quality in all regions, to allow local authorities to properly absorb and invest Structural and Investment Funds;
Amendment 3 #
2024/2024(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights that recent events, notably Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have brought EU foreign policy and its implementation to the forefront of concerns among the EU Member States and institutions; underlines the central role played by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and its delegations in conducting the Union’s external policy and in fighting foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI); stresses the importance of the EEAS for the EU’s relations with the 25 to 30 million EU citizens living outside the Union;
Amendment 26 #
2024/2024(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that that the EEAS is committed to make itself more cost- effective while continuing to face significant budgetary constraints in 2023; acknowledgeregrets that the EAAS has substantially cut mission and representation budget, reducing non- compulsory expenditure and freezing and postponing building maintenance, infrastructure and IT projects; expresses concern that, in these times of global challenges, such budgetary constraints could lead to excessive closures of EU embassies, which are crucial for defending EU values and interests around the world;
Amendment 32 #
2024/2024(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Underlines the extremely vulnerable situation of children in the world, specifically in armed conflict; expresses serious concern about the tens of thousands of children that were affected by armed conflict across the globe and suffered abhorrent abuses and violations of their most basic rights in 2023; calls on the EEAS to put children's rights at the centre of their efforts;
Amendment 39 #
2024/2024(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. 6. Recalls the dire situation of women’s rights and LGBTQI+ rights in many parts of the world; stresses the urgent need to better protect these rights; highlights the central role of the EEAS in advancing human rights around the world; calls on the EEAS to enhance their efforts in this regard;
Amendment 2 #
2024/2019(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Points out to the unprecedented challenges in the global environment, peace and geopolitical instability in the current year of audit; recalls that since Russian’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU has provided economic, humanitarian and military support for Ukraine worth over €88 billion; emphasizes, in light of President Zelenskyy's mention of a potential peace process in 2025, the continued importance of providing military support to Ukraine and preparing to assist with the reconstruction of the country;
Amendment 31 #
2024/2019(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. 4. Underlines the extremely vulnerable situation of children in the world, specifically in armed conflict; expresses serious concern about the tens of thousands of children that were affected by armed conflict across the globe and suffered abhorrent abuses and violations of their most basic rights in 2023; urges the Commission to put children's rights at the top of the foreign affairs agenda;
Amendment 41 #
2024/0258(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9 a (new)
Recital 9 a (new)
(9 a) The Growth Plan for Moldova should support viable sustainable development projects and help mitigate the “energy state of emergency” declared on 16 December 2024 in the Republic of Moldova and its possible medium and long-term effects, an energy crisis ultimately caused by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The investment projects in the energy sector should ensure energy that is affordable for both the population and economic actors, as long as they contribute to climate change mitigation, are compatible with the 1,5°C pathway, do not hamper the development of low-carbon alternatives, and avoid a lock-in of carbon-intensive assets.
Amendment 55 #
2024/0258(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) The Facility should promote the development of effectiveness principles, respecting additionality to and complementarity with the support provided under other Union programmes and instruments and striving to avoid duplication and ensure synergies between assistance under this Regulation and other assistance, including integrated financial packages composed of both export and development financing provided by the Union, the Member States, third countries, multilateral and regional organisations and entities. The creation of the Facility should not prevent Moldova from participating in other Union funding programmes.
Amendment 63 #
2024/0258(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) Technical assistance, and know- how as well as cross-border cooperation assistance, should be provided in support of the objectives of this Facility and in order to strengthen the relevant capacities of Moldova to implement the Reform Agenda.
Amendment 71 #
2024/0258(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) Activities under the Facility should support progress towards Union social, climate and environmental standards, and support progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement adopted under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and should not contribute to environmental degradation or cause significant harm to the environment or climate. Measures funded under the Facility should be in line with Moldova’ Energy and Climate Plans, their Nationally Determined Contribution and ambition to reach climate neutrality by 2050. The Facility should contribute to the mitigation of climate change and to the ability to adapt to its adverse effects, and foster climate resilience. In particular, funding under the Facility should promote the transition towards a decarbonised, climate- neutral, climate-resilient and circular economy.
Amendment 118 #
2024/0258(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 64
Recital 64
(64) Moldova should support free pluralistic media that enhance and promoteGiven Russia’s interference in Moldova’s 2024 presidential elections and constitutional referendum in Moldova, the Facility should enable Moldova to strengthen its resilience to foreign malign interference in its sovereignty, democratic processes and institutions. This requires close cooperation between the Moldovan authorities, civil society and the media. Moldova should support free pluralistic media and civil society projects that enhance and promote democracy, awareness and responsible participation of citizens in democratic processes, the understanding of Union values and the benefits and obligations of potential Union membership, while undertaking decisive actions in terms of tackling Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference. They should also ensure pro-active, clear and consistent public communication, including on the Union support. The recipients of Union funding should actively acknowledge the origin and ensure visibility of the Union funding, in line with the Communication and Visibility Manual for EU External Actions.
Amendment 144 #
2024/0258(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) fight disinformation and Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference against Moldova’s sovereignty, democratic processes and institutions, as well as against the Union and its values;
Amendment 156 #
2024/0258(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point h
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point h
(h) support enhanced integration with the Union single market through improved and sustainable connectivity in line with trans-European networks, including TEN- E and TEN-T network, to reinforce good neighbourly relations, as well as people-to- people contact;
Amendment 159 #
2024/0258(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point i
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point i
(i) accelerate the inclusive and sustainable green transition to climate neutrality by 2050, in accordance with the Paris Agreement and the Green Deal and covering all economic sectors, particularly energy, including the transition towards a de-carbonised, climate-neutral, climate- resilient and circular economy, while ensuring that investments respect the ‘do no significant harm’ principle, taking into consideration the framework for defining environmentally sustainable activities as outlined in Regulation (EU) 2020/852 (EU Taxonomy Regulation);
Amendment 187 #
2024/0258(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 8
Article 4 – paragraph 8
8. The Facility shall not support activities or measures which are incompatible with Moldova’s Energy and Climate Plans, their Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement, and ambition to reach climate-neutrality by 2050 at the latest or that promote investments in fossil fuels, or that cause significant adverse effects on the environment, the climate or biodiversity. The Facility shall consider transitional activities that make a substantial contribution to climate change mitigation where no technologically and economically feasible low carbon alternative exists, provided they are compatible with a pathway to limit the temperature increase to 1,5 °C above pre- industrial levels.
Amendment 196 #
2024/0258(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 9
Article 4 – paragraph 9
9. In line with the principle of inclusive partnership, the Commission shall strive to ensure, as appropriate, democratic scrutiny in the form of consultation by Moldova’s government of its parliament as well as of relevant stakeholders, including local and regional authorities, social partners and civil society, including vulnerable groups, refugees, and all minorities and communities, as relevant, so as to allow them to participate in shaping the design and the implementation of activities eligible for funding under the Facility and in the related monitoring, scrutiny and evaluation processes, as relevant. That consultation shall seek to represent the pluralism of Moldova’s society.
Amendment 228 #
2024/0258(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Article 10 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Funds under the Facility shall not support activities or measures which undermine peace agreements in the region or sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova.
Amendment 256 #
2024/0258(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2
Article 14 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission, after consulting the European Parliament and the Council, may amend the implementing decision, in particular to take into account a change of the amounts available in line with the principles under Article 19.
Amendment 283 #
2024/0258(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
Article 21 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
(e a) to insert all information related to project implementation, in particular concerning performance and financial implementation, and final recipients in an interoperable information system provided by the Commission as laid down under Article 36(2)(d) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509;
Amendment 293 #
2024/0258(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 a (new)
Article 26 a (new)
Article26a Reform and Growth Facility for the Republic of Moldova Dialogue 1. The Commission shall hold twice a year and on top of ad-hoc meetings responding to sudden developments in the country or concerning the Facility, a dialogue with the competent committees of the European Parliament, as relevant, on the state of progress in the implementation of the Facility and the Reform Agenda. Ahead of each dialogue, the Commission shall provide the European Parliament with written information on: a) the state of progress in the implementation of the Facility, in particular the Reform Agenda and related investments and reforms, as well as the Facility Agreement; b) the assessment of the Reform Agenda, and any amendments thereof; c) the main findings of the report referred to in Article 23(3); d) payment, withholding and reduction procedures, where applicable, including any observation presented to ensure a satisfactory fulfilment of the conditions; e) information on the withholding and suspension of payments as well as the reduction of funds, including any observation presented and remedial measures taken by the beneficiary to ensure a satisfactory fulfilment of the payment conditions; f) any other relevant elements in relation to the implementation of the Facility. 2. The European Parliament may express its views in resolutions as regards the matters referred to in paragraph 1. 3. The Commission shall take into account the views expressed by the European Parliament.
Amendment 19 #
2024/0086(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) The Union’s macro-financial assistance should aim to support the restoration of a sustainable external financing situation for Jordan thereby supporting its economic and social development. In this context, and in recognition of Jordan's crticial role in the Middle-East, it is imperative for the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) to further deepen and strenghtenen the EU-Jordan partnership, thereby advancing cooperation.
Amendment 32 #
2024/0086(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) A pre-condition for granting the Union’s macro-financial assistance should be that Jordan respects effective democratic mechanisms – including a multi-party parliamentary system – and the rule of law, and guarantees respect for human rights. In addition, the specific objectives of the Union’s macro-financial assistance should strengthen the efficiency, transparency and accountability of the public finance management systems in Jordan and promote structural reforms aimed at supporting sustainable and inclusive growth, employment creation and fiscal consolidation. Both the fulfilment of the pre-conditions and the achievement of those objectives should be regularly monitored by the Commission and the EEAS which should subsequently be reported to the European Parliament.
Amendment 37 #
2024/0086(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 27
Recital 27
(27) The Union’s macro-financial assistance should be subject to economic policy conditions, to be laid down in a Memorandum of Understanding. In order to ensure uniform conditions of implementation and for reasons of efficiency, the Commission should be empowered to negotiate such conditions with the Jordanian authorities under the supervision of the committee of representatives of the Member States in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011. Under that Regulation, the advisory procedure should, as a general rule, apply in all cases other than as provided for in that Regulation. Considering the potentially important impact of assistance of more than EUR 90 million, it is appropriate that the examination procedure be used for operations above that threshold. Considering the amount of the Union’s macro-financial assistance to Jordan, the examination procedure should apply to the adoption of the Memorandum of Understanding, including clear and measurable benchmarks to evaluate the implementation of each installment, and to any reduction, suspension or cancellation of the assistance.
Amendment 38 #
2024/0086(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 27
Recital 27
(27) The Union’s macro-financial assistance should be subject to clear and measurable economic policy conditions, to be laid down in a Memorandum of Understanding. In order to ensure uniform conditions of implementation and for reasons of efficiency, the Commission should be empowered to negotiate such conditions with the Jordanian authorities under the supervision of the committee of representatives of the Member States in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011. Under that Regulation, the advisory procedure should, as a general rule, apply in all cases other than as provided for in that Regulation. Considering the potentially important impact of assistance of more than EUR 90 million, it is appropriate that the examination procedure be used for operations above that threshold. Considering the amount of the Union’s macro-financial assistance to Jordan, the examination procedure should apply to the adoption of the Memorandum of Understanding, and to any reduction, suspension or cancellation of the assistance.
Amendment 49 #
2024/0086(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2
Article 2 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission and the European External Action Service shall monitor the fulfilment of this pre-condition throughout the life cycle of the Union’s macro- financial assistance and report regularly to the European Parliament on the conditions as outlined in Article 2(1).