171 Amendments of Angelika BEER
Amendment 3 #
2008/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas whenever the EU has spoken with one voice it has enjoyed substantial authority, achieved tangible results and exercised considerable influence on the course of events, an influence commensurate with its economic power,
Amendment 6 #
2008/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas, in order to be an effective playerimprove the effectiveness and consistency of its action on a global stage, the EU needs, first and foremost, the foreign policy tools provided for by the Lisbon Treaty; whereas, none the less, all the practical possibilities offered by the current treaties, coupled with a strong common political will, should be used to strengthen the institutional coherence of the EU’s external action,
Amendment 9 #
2008/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Reiterates that the CFSP must be underpinned and guided by the values which the European Union and its Member States cherish, notably democracy, the rule of law and respect for the dignity of the human person, for human rights and for fundamental freedoms;
Amendment 13 #
2008/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Strongly believes that the European Union can make an impact only if it speaks with one voice, if it is equipped with appropriate instruments and if it is granted the robust democratic legitimacy which results also from parliamentary scrutiny; believes in this respect that the committees on foreign affairs and defence of the Member States’ national parliaments should meet regularly, under the auspices of the European Parliament, in order to scrutinise the main developments in the CFSP; takes the view that fresh efforts should be made to raise the awareness of European citizens with regard to the CFSP;
Amendment 17 #
2008/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Is of the opinion that, rather than contenting itself with providing an exhaustive catalogue of the activities carried out, the Council’s annual report should provide the opportunity to establish a dialogue with the European Parliament aimed at developing a more strategic approach to the CFSP, based on the identification of the main challenges, and defining priorities and objectives for future action in line with the resources and means available;
Amendment 22 #
2008/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Believes that the coming months provide a unique opportunity for the EU to work out a new transatlantic agenda with the incoming US administration, covering strategic issues of common concern, such as a new global order based on stronger and more effective multilateral organisations and the restoration of international law, the financial crisis, the establishment of a deep and comprehensive transatlantic market, climate change, energy security, nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, the situation in the Middle East, Iran and Afghanistan, the fight against terrorism and organised crime, and the Millennium Development Goals;
Amendment 28 #
2008/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Believes that the CFSP should continue to focus on the promotion of human rights, support for multilateral organisations and international law, the fight against terrorism, non- proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and disarmament, climate change and energy security, since these issues directly relate to the concerns of European citizens;
Amendment 30 #
2008/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Amendment 33 #
2008/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Council to pursue with determination the recommendations made by Parliament for the development of a common European external energy policy, in particular by promoting EU cohesion in negotiations with energy suppliers and transit countries and defending EU common interests, by developing effective energy diplomacy and more efficient mechanisms for responding to crisis situations and, finally, by ensuring the diversification of energy supplies and energy resources, notably sources of renewable energy;
Amendment 36 #
2008/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Believes also that the war in Georgia confirms the need to develop, within the framework of the revision of the ESS, EU preventive diplomacy, matched by adequate crisis prevention tools and contingency plann, notably the Stability Instrument, contingency planning and reliable long-term funding;
Amendment 46 #
2008/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Is opposed to a prematurExpresses its concern at the possible disengagement on the part of the international community from Bosnia and Herzegovina; believes that no date, not even an indicative one, should be fixed for the closure of the office of the High Representative and the withdrawal of EUFOR Althea, since such closure and withdrawal can only take place in full agreement with the Bosnian authorities and once Bosnia and Herzegovina finally becomes a stable, well-functioning State;
Amendment 48 #
2008/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Takes note of the decision of some of the countries in the Western Balkans to lodge complaints or seek advisory opinions from the International Court of Justice on bilateral disputes; takes the view that the EU should make every effort to assist and facilitate the negotiations between the parties with a view to reaching a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the pending issues, thus enhancing the European perspective of the whole region; calls on those Member States which are party to such disagreements to maintain an open- minded and constructive attitude as regards the possible accession of the other parties;
Amendment 52 #
2008/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Points out, however, that in the South Caucasus such a partnership can only be successful if a comprehensive agreement is reached on the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict; calls on the Council, therefore, to redouble its efforts to step up the dialogue between the parties concerned and to make concrete progress on the way to a lasting settlement;
Amendment 54 #
2008/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Commends the French Presidency of the Council for ensuring that the European Union has played a key role in bringing an end to the war in Georgia; calls on the Union, and in particular on its Special Representative, to uphold the principle of Georgia’s territorial integrity, whilst endeavouring to reach a settlement which provides for efficient mechanisms for the safe return of internally displaced persons and refugees and for effective monitoring of the region’s security;
Amendment 58 #
2008/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Believes that the EU’s partnership with Russia must be based on a coherent strategy and a clear commitment by both sides to acting in full respect for international law; in line with the European Council Presidency conclusions of 1 September and 15-16 October 2008, underlines that Russia must comply with the commitments it entered into under the agreements of 12 August and 8 September 2008; is convinced, therefore, that there can be no normalisation of relations until Russia allows international observers to monitor the situation in South Ossetia and Abkhazia and fully complies with the terms of the 6-point plantakes the view that no strategic partnership is possible if the values of democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law are not fully shared and respected; calls on the Council to place those values at the core of the ongoing negotiations for a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement;
Amendment 66 #
2008/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Regrets the lack of substantial progress in the Middle East peace process and warns of the paucity of time available till the expiry of the deadline agreed at the Annapolis Conference; believes that the European Union should assume a strong and visible political role in the region, commensurate with the financial resources it has made available with regard, in particular, to the urgent and dramatic issue of the humanitarian crisis in the Occupied Territories; calls on the Council to give the High Representative for CFSP a clear mandate which should include efforts towards achieving reconciliation in Palestinian society and also contacts and coordination with other regional actors;
Amendment 70 #
2008/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Is satisfied with the progress achieved at the EUROMED Ministerial Summit in Marseilles in further defining the institutional framework of the Union for the Mediterranean; is of the opinion that human rights, peace and security concerns in the Mediterranean region cannot be pursued in isolation and that, in order to be successful, the fight against terrorism and illegal migration should be integrated into the Union’s broader range of development and cooperation policies;
Amendment 74 #
2008/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls on the EU to develop a more effective and comprehensive relationship with Iran which, besides dealing with the nuclear issue, covers also trade and energy cooperation, regional stability and, last but not least, good governance and respect for human rights; believes that such enhanced cooperation needs to be underpinned by an EU permanent representation in Tehran;
Amendment 78 #
2008/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Considers that the EU should promote a new approach to Afghanistan and should coordinate with the new US administration, opening the door for a negotiated settlement and focusing more on the rule of law, good governance, the provision of basic services, economic development and the promotion of real alternatives to opium production;
Amendment 79 #
2008/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Deplores the decision of the Chinese authorities to end the talks with the representatives of the Dalai Lama, and reminds them the undertakings given after the tragic events of March 2008 before the Olympic Games; once again calls on the Council to appoint a special envoy for Tibetan issues in order to follow the situation closely and to facilitate the resumption of dialogue between the parties;
Amendment 20 #
2008/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that transparency and cost- efficiency , as well as parliamentary accountability and the respect of international human and humanitarian law, are crucial to ensure public support for European defence;
Amendment 28 #
2008/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that both the European Security Strategy and the NATO Strategic Concept are being reviewed at almost the same time, thus offering an opportunity to arrive at a coherent approach to the future security of Europe; nevertheless emphasizes that these concepts are fundamentally different and that it is far from certain if NATO can play a positive role instead of being a stumble block to efficiently address and manage modern and future European and global security challenges; encourages the EU to develop own security concepts for post-conflict- regions such as Afghanistan;
Amendment 30 #
2008/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Points out that the European Union should not try to replace the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) but instead work hard to bolster the conflict prevention and crisis management capacity of this pan- European organisation;
Amendment 33 #
2008/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 e (new)
Paragraph 4 e (new)
4e. Strongly reiterates its call that through the European Security Strategy and the European Security and Defence Policy all guarantees should be provided to ensure the successful implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820 in furthering women's equal participation in all matters and decisions concerning peace and security and categorizing the systematic use of sexual violence against women in conflict situations as a war crime against humanity; regrets that progress on gender equality in ESDP operations is made far too slow;
Amendment 36 #
2008/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points out that until now, Member States have defined theirConsiders it necessary to define the Union’s common security interests; stresses that only with a clear idea of its common interests can the European Union make its common policy more coherent and effective; welcomes any move away from security interests on adefined in purely national basis while the notion of "European security interest", by contrast, is still politically taboo; considers this approach no longer acceptable; terms towards an increasingly European notion of such interests; rejects, however, any military broadening of the notion of security to include issues such as energy supplies or refugees policy;
Amendment 41 #
2008/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 44 #
2008/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 55 #
2008/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Considers that the European Union in accordance with international law has to define more clearly its ambitions concerning its role in the world; is of the opinion that the European Union should not try to become a superpower like the United States, but that it should instead guarantee its security and security in its neighbourhood and contribute to a multilateral global system of security based on the concept of " Human Security" and the "Responsibility to Protect";
Amendment 74 #
2008/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Regrets that the revision of the European Security Strategy - despite profound preparation but as a result of lost momentum by the impasse over the Lisbon Treaty - has not lead to a brand- new strategic orientation but merely to a report expressing day-to-day policy concern as these are coming up; notes that the range of threats has been expanded, i.e. to cyber security and piracy but not yet to the worldwide financial crisis ; welcomes innovations such as climate change, energy security (including in the nuclear field the support for a multilateral nuclear fuel cycle and the multilateral nuclear fissile material treaty) and the International Arms Trade Treaty as well as other disarmament treaties such as the brand-new Oslo Convention on Cluster munitions ;
Amendment 75 #
2008/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 c (new)
Paragraph 12 c (new)
12c. Encourages in the implementation of the Security Strategy to be included a strong commitment of the European Union and its Member States to work hard for the strengthening of the nuclear disarmament part of the Nuclear-Non Proliferation Treaty and more in particular to provide maximal support to the action of both leading non governmental organisations as leading diplomats to come to a genuine global treaty for the elimination of nuclear weapons; in this light calls on European government leaders to reconsider the concept of a European nuclear weapon free zone;
Amendment 76 #
2008/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 d (new)
Paragraph 12 d (new)
12d. Profoundly regrets that the revision of the European Security Strategy has not led to the adoption of the concept of Human Security as the basis for all security including the principle to protect citizens of Europe and of the world instead of prioritising state-interests; also regrets that - in particular when it comes to the implementation of the strategy, the leading emphasis is put on its military dimension instead of on all other approaches;
Amendment 77 #
2008/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 e (new)
Paragraph 12 e (new)
12e. Finds it unacceptable that only limited parliamentary debate and any public debate has taken place before the adoption of the report to revise the European Security Strategy;
Amendment 78 #
2008/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
Amendment 89 #
2008/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes that the European Union took concerted action on the Russian challenge posed by the war in the Caucasus; points out that the rapid reaction of the European Union, which led to the signing of a ceasefire agreement, has demonstrated its capacity for crisis management and common action;
Amendment 92 #
2008/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Welcomes the fact that there will be an independent commission headed by the European Union to examine the causes of the war;
Amendment 93 #
2008/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
Amendment 103 #
2008/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Expresses its opinion thatWelcomes the fact that NATO has decided once again to use existing channels of communication should be used and that the NATO-Russia Council shouldis to be reactivated;
Amendment 116 #
2008/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Stresses that the European Union needs the means to implement its policies and hence it needs - apart of dramatically strengthening its diplomatic capacities - both civil and military capabilities to strengthen the European Security and Defence Policy and to fulfil its responsibilities in the world;
Amendment 118 #
2008/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Stresses as well that - with most of the emphasis being put on the military dimension of the ESDP - in the area of civil capabilities and conflict prevention progress is far to slow and that in this domain urgently new dynamics must be put forward by both the Council and the Commission; calls for the further development of the Peace building Partnership into a European Civil Peacecorps;
Amendment 126 #
2008/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Is of the opinion that the European Union should continue to build its capabilities on the basis of the Helsinki Headline Goal; notes that it should endeavour to make 60 000 soldiers permanently available; reaffirms its proposal that the Eurocorps should be the core of such a force, if necessary reinforced by additional maritime and air capacities; finds it confusing that the whole concept of battle groups and their concretisation seems not to lead to their use in the external operations of the European Union;
Amendment 129 #
2008/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Points out that the EU Member States together spend more than EUR 200 billion per year on defence, which is more than half the defence expenditure of the United States; remainshowever does not see this comparison as valid, rather urges for more harmonisation with the aim of cost reduction; remains in this respect deeply concerned about the lack of efficiency and coordination in using those funds; urges therefore stronger efforts in eliminating unnecessary duplication between Member States; and develop all ways of reasonable specialisation and division of labour;
Amendment 144 #
2008/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Considers it necessary to allow the use of Galileo and GMES for security and defence purposes; nevertheless reiterates its call that such should under no condition contribute to the militarisation and weaponisation of space;
Amendment 159 #
2008/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Supports the idea of creating a Council of Ministers for Defence in order to make the various national defence policies more coherent, thus boosting the respective national contributions to European Security and Defence Policy; stresses the objective of full parliamentary scrutiny of ESDP mission, including through the European Parliament;
Amendment 164 #
2008/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Welcomes, in this connection, the adoption of the Common Position by the Council of Foreign Ministers of 8 December 2008, to make the Code of Conduct on Arms Exports binding; welcomes, furthermore the fact that national states remain free to adopt more stringent measures on an individual basis;
Amendment 168 #
2008/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Demands an increase in Community funding for security research and the creation of joint research programmes involving the Commission and the EDA; nevertheless underlines that such should not lead to community spending on military projects or on dual use project which will have overwhelming military applications;
Amendment 172 #
2008/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Considers that the United States' ballistic missile defence system has important implications for Europe, as the subsystems based in the Czech Republic and Poland could also be used to protect parts of Europe; points out that NATO decided in Bucharest to complement this protection by additional elements; is of the opinion that it is necessary to make sure that European interests are safeguarded as regards the force structure, command and control and participation in research and developmentwelcomes the announcement by the French Council Presidency about entering into a dialogue with Russia about new European security structures;
Amendment 185 #
2008/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Considers it particularly important to strengthen the European Security and Defence College and give it a permanent structure which will contribute more to the development of a specifically European security culture among political and military elites;
Amendment 123 #
2008/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Welcomes the ratification of the US- Iraqi agreement on the presence in Iraq of US military forces; underlines the readiness of the EU to continue helping with the reconstruction of Iraq, in particular focusing on the rule of law, respect for human rights and consolidation of the state institutions; calls on the partners to continue, by means of coordinated efforts, to work with the Iraqi government and the UN in order to improve stability and national reconciliation and to contribute to the unity and independence of Iraq; urges the EU and the US governments to support the Iraqi authorities in their efforts to close down Camp Ashraf, in which members of the People's Mujahedin of Iran (MKO) have been held hostage for years by their own leadership; calls, as a first step, for the immediate opening-up of the camp to family members, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Committee of the Red Cross/Red Crescent, and for refuge to be given to those who do not want to return to Iran;
Amendment 7 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EU and NATO are founded on shared values such as freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and throughout their existence have well served the cause of peaceo avoid wars on European territory,
Amendment 15 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas NATO is an intergovernmental organisation of democratic nations, in which civilians decide and the military executesmilitary alliance of western industrialised democratic nations, heavily dominated by the USA, not directly subordinated to parliamentary control and with an overemphasis on the military dimension of security,
Amendment 35 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas EU and NATO cooperation that falls under the framework of the "Berlin plus arrangement" has not been working satisfactorily up until now, as demonstrated in the case of Bosnia, from NATO SFOR to EUFOR Altheabecause of unsolved problems connected with the fact that some countries are members of NATO but not of the EU,
Amendment 51 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
Amendment 56 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas our collective defence is based on a combination of conventional and tactical as well as strategic nuclear forces adapted over the years to correspond to a rapidly changing environment; whereas the ultimate guarantor of military security for the Allies is the, regrettably, the tactical and strategic nuclear forces of the Alliance, and its member states, which may even be used on a "first-strike" basis in the event of an emergency, which constitutes a violation of the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice of 8 July 1996 on the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons;
Amendment 63 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
- 1. Underlines that the deployment and use of nuclear weapons (as well as the threat to use them), both tactical and strategic, should no longer be part of any security strategy or doctrine concerning Europe; stresses, therefore, that all members of NATO and of the EU should actively work for the establishment of a global convention for the elimination of nuclear weapons and for Europe to become a nuclear weapon-free zone;
Amendment 70 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines that the raison d'être of the European Union is to build peace; notes that an ineffective security strategy or security policy, as well as the overemphasis on the military dimension of security, leads to unnecessary human suffering;
Amendment 96 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Despite the current signals of a return to juxtaposition in EU-Russia-US relations, emphasises its view that such a development is not desirable; is convinced that democratic freedoms are the answer to aspirations for people around the world; believes that no country or nation should be excluded from such a vision, because every human being has the right to live in a democracywelcomes the recent appeal by the French President for a new security-agreement between the EU and Russia, independent of NATO and the USA;
Amendment 107 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the updating of the ESS as part of the European Union’s commitment to defining and protecting European security interests and thus making it possible to create a strategy for tackling the threats of the 21st century; notes that this strategy can only be fully implemented through a revived EU-NATO cooperation consensus, based on a common approach to security policies, as well as renewed and common security consensus between the EU and the United States of the America, reflecting the common values and goals of these two democracies; recognises that, after eight years of the Bush administration, this will not be easily realised;
Amendment 124 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Insists that all democracies should be united in their efforts to build stability and peace, and thus join with all intergovernmental organisations in promoting these goals; regrets profoundly that the doctrine of non-alignment, inherited from the Cold War era, undermines the alliance of democracies to the benefit of undemocratic and not yet truly democratic powers; regrets that, in the name of a doctrine of non-alignment, certain Member States opted out of the joint responsibility provided for by the solidarity clause contained in the Treaty of Lisbon at global level within the United Nations and at regional level within the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE);
Amendment 132 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Recognises the fundamental role of NATO, in the past as well as todayNotes the survival of NATO, after the end of the Cold War, in the security architecture of the Europe; notes that for the majority of EU Member States, which are also NATO allies, the Alliance remains the foundation of their collective defence; therefore takes the view that the only meaningful way to organise the future collective defence of the EU is within the Alliancerecognises the need for a critical fundamental debate about the continuation of NATO in a globalised world where the nature of security problems and their solutions has changed dramatically and where the narrow military security of States needs to be replaced by the all-embracing principles of human security for all citizens of this planet;
Amendment 179 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Notes that EU citizens support missions aimed at alleviating human suffering in conflict zones; notes that citizens are insufficiently informed about EU and NATO missions and their purpose; therefore calls on the EU and NATO to better inform people of their missionscalls for more open and public debates about missions; is of the opinion that transparency is essential for the purposes of garnering public support; believes that the best way of achieving this is the exercise of parliamentary scrutiny; urges, therefore, that parliamentary scrutiny be exercised in all nation states as well as in the European Parliament;
Amendment 211 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Is of the view that, in addition to the need for more efficient use of military resources, the need forit must be recognised that more investment in military defence at Member State level is essential in order to support the efforts to build effective EU-NATO cooperation and action; notesout of the question in the light of the current financial crisis and other vital problems to be solved at planetary level such as climate change and desperate poverty in many parts of the world; calls instead for much greater emphasis to be placed on harmonisation; finds it unacceptable that the United States called on European NATO members during the NATO Bucharest Summit to increase their defence investments so as to support both NATO and EU operations; notes also the significant difference in numbers, as well as in effectiveness of defence spending, between European members of NATO and the U.S.; calls on the EU to commit itself to fairer global burden-sharingis nevertheless fully aware that the absurd level of military expenditure of the United States is part and parcel of many problems that threaten the survival of our planet;
Amendment 238 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Notes that it is essential for the future of EU-NATO cooperation that member states having a different and sometimes divergent tradition as to their views of that relationship should find a common ground and adopt a common visshould be fully respected in their adherence to those traditions and views, even if this does not suit the foreign-policy interests of the United States of America and its allies; recognises that those EU Member States which regard themselves as ‘neutral’ or 'non-aligned’ have an enormous positive reputation forin the futureield of UN peacekeeping and civil conflict management;
Amendment 244 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. WelcomNotes the fact that, at the NATO summit held in Bucharest, the Allies recognised the value that a stronger and more capable European defence brings, and that the Alliance reconfirmed its commitment to continue enlargement; regretunderlines that at, in the same summit the Allies postponed the NATO Membership Action Plan for Georgia and Ukraine, when instead continued support should be givenfuture, no country should become a member of NATO if it cannot in parallel become a member of the EU; underlines that no nation can be part of the EU and NATO if it does not live up to theEU democratisation process of Ukraine in the spirit of the Orange Revolution; notes that for many European Neighbourhood Policy countries, and with a view to their democratic development, the open-door policy which stems from the very foundingc standards and/or engages in irresponsible foreign-policy activities which endanger Europe 's security as a whole; regards it as self- evident that all border issues must be resolved before any country affected thereby is permitted to join one of the organisations and that all candidate states, as well as member states, must act in accordance with the principles of the EU is of the utmost importancegood neighbourliness;
Amendment 264 #
2008/2197(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Is of the view that NATO's forthcoming 60th anniversary Summit in Strasbourg and Kehl wshould offer an excellent opportunity to organise the first ever EU-NATO Summnot be used for uncritical celebration of the Western military alliance but instead would offer the opportunity to be held with a view to revising the nature of the partnership and strengthening its cooperationconsider whether European security would not be better served by winding it up without further ado;
Amendment 2 #
2008/2157(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that fighting illegal immigration is a high priority for the European Union, and considers it crucial in this connection that Frontex should conclude operational cooperation agreements with the border control authorities of countries which have common borders with the European Union and with those of countries which, according to a wide range of risk analyses, are regarded as transit countries for illegal immigration; the right to leave one's country and the right to seek asylum are guaranteed by international law and that operations by Frontex to intercept migrants must fully respect them; recalls in this connection the obligations of States by virtue of the principle of non- refoulement and the ban on collective expulsions; recalls likewise the obligations of States by virtue of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms; stresses that consideration of an asylum application, in compliance with the associated procedural guarantee, is not a process that can be carried out on the high seas; considers therefore that refoulement at sea would not be of a nature to guarantee respect for the rights of asylum-seekers and migrants;
Amendment 7 #
2008/2157(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers it very important that Frontex should provide extensive assistance to the competent authorities of such States in order to ensure that both the training and technical expertise of border control personnel of such countries and their actual border control systems comply with EU standards, norms and requirements; advocates that the necessary financial and technical resources be made available for States which cooperate fully with Frontexstaff taking part in the operations of Frontex, particularly in the rapid border intervention teams, should undergo training in international humanitarian law and more specifically in the law of asylum and issues relating to the prevention of mistreatment; recalls, however, that responsibility for considering an asylum application rests solely with the national competent authorities and the HCR and under no circumstances with Frontex staff or border control officers;
Amendment 12 #
2008/2157(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that Libya is a very important transit country for illegal immigrants on their way from North Africa to Italy and Malta, and that it is important to establish a systematic form of cooperation inot a State Party to the Geneva Convention on the Status of Refugees and has not transposed into its domestic law the provisions of the African Union cControlling borders withvention on the Stateus on the southern side of the Mediterranean Sea region, in which Libya plays a leading role and must be fully involved; calls, therefore, for the negotiationsf Refugees; recalls furthermore that migrants returned to Libya have no means of protection or redress against risks of mistreatment; considers, therefore, that in the absence of such guarantees, no negotiations should be conducted between Frontex and the Libyan authorities to be reinvigorated;
Amendment 17 #
2008/2157(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
Amendment 23 #
2008/2157(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Considers that negotiations on an agreement between Frontex and the border control authorities of a third State, and more particularly a candidate Member State, are conducted against the background of the political and economic relations which exist between the European Union as a whole and the State in question and that active refusal by a State to cooperate with Fr are conducted against the background of international law and must therefore guarantee the principle of non-refoulement; considers in this context that there cannot be any agreement with third countries where a migrant who has been readmitted could be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, torture or could be subjected to any other punishment purely for having left the third country in question; considers in this contex must thave direct consequences for those relationst no readmission agreement should apply to people other than nationals or residents of the third country concerned;
Amendment 31 #
2008/2157(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls upon the Commission and Council to investigate how Frontex and Eurosur can be integrated with efforts to combat terrorism, arms trafficking, drugs trafficking and international crime.onsiders the information provided to the European Parliament concerning the operations of Frontex to be inadequate; recommends in this context that it be made possible for the Director of the agency to be heard regularly by the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and by the Committee on Foreign Affairs; proposes that an annual debate be held in plenary on the activity report of Frontex;
Amendment 34 #
2008/2157(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Considers it very important that the further work of Frontex should be as transparent as possible and subject to regular parliamentary scrutiny;
Amendment 1 #
2008/2152(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Supports the European Commission's efforts to help Afghanistan and calls on the EC to work closer with the UN and the World Bank to ensure that the Commission's contribution to the Trust Funds is managed transparently and, in particular, to increase the options for coordinated audits between OLAF and the UN agencies; urges the EC to keep Parliament adequately informed;
Amendment 6 #
2008/2152(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that the priorities outlined in the EC Country Strategy Paper (2007- 2013) are in line with Afghan society's needs; underlines the need to focus particular attentionwelcomes the increased focus on rural development and the fight against poverty in view of the overriding problem of opium production; underlines the need to continue to focus on police and judicial reform as key elements for rebuilding the trust of Afghan citizens in their state;
Amendment 9 #
2008/2152(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the Commission to react to the serious concerns over the weaknesses of the current international development strategy for Afghanistan, and notably to support a stronger decentralisation of the government structures, a radical shift from military raids against the so-called "Taliban" to integration of the local leadership in an encompassing development plan, and an agenda to enhance regional stabilisation and cooperation in order to avoid the spreading of the war into Pakistan;
Amendment 2 #
2008/2127(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the emphasis on dfact that, with the enactment of the DCI, the European Union has for the first time acquired an instrument that is clearly devoted to Official Development aAssistance and(ODA), including a ring-fenced budget, thus spelling out the Community's contribution to the Millennium Development Goals, but considers; is however of the view that on the current focus of the DCI is too narrow; isone hand development policy is wider in scope than the measures forming part of ODA and that ofn the view thatother hand the Commission should be allowed more flexibility in carrying out measures in third (mostly developing) countries consistent with overall foreign policy aims and serving development; believes that such a re; believes that the DCI should therefore be complemented by a second instrument form necessitates an improvement in the legal base; on-ODA activities with third countries by adapting Council Regulation (EC) No 1934/2006 ( the Industrialised Countries Instrument);
Amendment 5 #
2008/2063(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses that both in the formulation and implementation of CFSP, the High Representative/Vice-President of the Commission is not only required to respect the principles enounced in Articles 2, 3 and 21 TEU but also fully respect the Charter of Fundamental Rights;
Amendment 6 #
2008/2063(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses that both in the formulation and implementation of CFSP, the High Representative/vice-president of the Commission is not only required to respect the principles enounced in Articles 2, 3 and 21 TEU but also fully respect the Charter of Fundamental Rights;
Amendment 23 #
2008/2063(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Insists that Parliament be fully consulted onbefore the nomination of the first High Representative/Vice-President of the Commission, as well as any other interim appointment;
Amendment 46 #
2008/2063(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Resolves to put the respect of the principles in article 2, 3 and 21 TEU and the full application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights in CFSP as one of its foremost imperatives; charges its responsible committee to monitor that they are effectively adhered to;
Amendment 47 #
2008/2063(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Resolves to put the respect of the principles in article 2, 3 and 21 TEU and the full application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights in CFSP as one of its foremost imperatives; charges its responsible committee to monitor that they are effectively adhered to;
Amendment 57 #
2008/2063(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Welcomes provisions for closer cooperation between the European Parliament and national parliaments under the Lisbon Treaty; stresses the need to establish closer collaboration between relevant committees of the European and national parliaments, building on the current practice of meetings between the chairs of the foreign affairs, defence and European affairs committees of national parliaments and of Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs, including parliamentary observers from non-EU NATO members together with members of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly; refers to its ongoing report on this matter with the long-term aim to establish a permanent body comprising national and European Parliament Members in order to coordinate and control actions in the field of CFSP;
Amendment 4 #
2008/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the need for space assets in order that the political and diplomatic activities of the European Union may be based on independent, reliable and complete information in support of its policies for conflict prevention, crisis management operations and global security, especially the monitoring of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of transportation and verification of international treaties, the transnational smuggling of light weapons and small arms, the protection of critical infrastructure and of the European Union’s borders, and civil protection in the event of natural and man-made disasters and crises;
Amendment 7 #
2008/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. ApplaudNotes the inclusion of a legal basis for the European Space Policy in the Treaty of Lisbon; also welcomes the possibilities of permanent structured cooperation in security and defence matters and enhanced cooperation in the civilian area;
Amendment 8 #
2008/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Encourages the Member States of the European Union, the European Space Agency and the various stakeholders to make greater and better use of the existing national and multinational space systems and to foster their mutual complementarity; notes in this respect that common capabilities are needed for ESDP in threeat least the following areas: telecommunications, information management, observation and navigation; recommends the sharing and exchange of these data in line with the EU concept for Network Centric Operations Architecture;
Amendment 13 #
2008/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Underlines the necessity of Galileo for autonomoused for Galileo to remain of a civilian nature, but recognises its use for civilian and military ESDP operations, for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and for Europe’s own security; notes that, in particular, its public-regulated service will be vital in the field of navigation, positioning and timing, not least in order to avoid unnecessary risks; welcomes the agreement on the public financing of the project from the budget of the European Union;
Amendment 26 #
2008/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
Amendment 31 #
2008/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Underscores the vulnerability of strategic space assets as well as the infrastructure allowing access to space, e.g. launchers and space ports; therefore stresrecognises the need for themir ground bases to be adequately protected – and therefore at a high cost – by ground-based theatre missile defence, planes and space surveillance systems; furthermore supports the sharing of data with international partners in the event that satellites are rendered inoperable by enemy action;
Amendment 35 #
2008/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Stresses that, as a result of this vulnerability, advanced communication should never be made fully dependent on space-based technologies;
Amendment 36 #
2008/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)
Paragraph 29 b (new)
29b. Urges that under no circumstances should European space policy contribute to the overall militarisation and weaponisation of space and that, in full compliance with the Outer Space Treaty, it should exclude the stationing of any offensive or defensive weapon systems in space;
Amendment 38 #
2008/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Calls on all international actors, both members and non-members of the NATO, to restrain from using offensive equipment in space, such as the Chinese anti-satellite system tested in January 2007; recommendurges, therefore, the adoption of voluntary, legally binding international instruments focusing on banning the use of weapons against space assets and the stationing of weapons in space;
Amendment 40 #
2008/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Calls on all space users to register their satellites, including military satellites, by way of a space security confidence- building measure promoting transparency; supports the Council’s pursuit of a comprehensive EU Code of Conduct on Space Objects; demands that this Code be transformed into a legally binding instrument;
Amendment 42 #
2008/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Urges the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to launch a strategic dialogue on space policy and missile defence; especially on the complementarity and interoperability of systems for satellite communications, space surveillance, and early warning of ballistic missiles, as well as protection of European forces by a theatre missile defence systemthe peaceful use of space;
Amendment 44 #
2008/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Calls on the European Union and the United States of America to engage in a strategic dialogue on the use of space assets and to take the global lead within and outside the UN to make sure that outer space is preserved for peaceful policies only;
Amendment 48 #
2008/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)
Citation 9 a (new)
– having regard to the 1967 Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (‘the Outer Space Treaty’),
Amendment 2 #
2008/2020(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that in certain situations profiling constitutes a legitimate tool for law enforcement and border control; believeinsists, however, that, i on the absence ofbasis of Article 13of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union and Article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights adequate legal restrictions and safeguards as regards the use of data on ethnicity, race, religion, nationality and political affiliation, there is a considerable risk that profiling may lead to must exclude discriminatory practices;
Amendment 13 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Invites the High Representative to assess in a White Paper the progress made, and any shortcomings, in the implementation of the ESS since 2003, including lessons learned from ESDP operations; the link between external and internal aspects of security (the fight against terrorism); the protection of borders and critical infrastructure including protection against cyber-attacks; the security of energy supply as a challenge facingor civilian, economic, technical and diplomatic efforts; unsolved regional disputes in the EU's neighbourhood, i.e.g. in Transnistria, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Nagorno- KaKrabakh; humanitarian and security challenges on the African continent; and the consequences of climate change and natural disasters for civil protection and human security as well as proliferation of weapons of mass destruction;
Amendment 23 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
European External Action Service (EEAS) 6a. Notes the significant effect which the setting-up of the EEAS will have on the Union’s external relations; stresses the need for transparency and democratic input into this process; therefore requests the Council and the Commission to keep Parliament informed of the status of negotiations regarding the setting-up of the EEAS, and to include Parliament and civil society in consultation processes so as to ensure that their views regarding the future service may be taken into account;
Amendment 24 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Notes the indispensable contribution made by civilian elements in ESDP missions; regrets, therefore, that whereas the Lisbon Treaty commits Member States progressively to improve their military capabilities it does not similarly commit them to improve their civilian capabilities for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts;
Amendment 25 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. WIs of the view that, in order to achieve maximum quality, efficiency and consistency in terms of civilian contributions to ESDP missions, structured cooperation within the framework of the EU is necessary; therefore welcomes the establishment within the Council secretariat of the CPCC, which will serve as the civilian equivalent of an EU Operational Headquarters and will provide assistance and support in the planning and implementation of civilian ESPD missions, thereby preventing EU civilian missions from being under a military chain of command; calls for such a balance to be reflected in the role and administrative structure of the Civil- Military Cell; however, considers that a more appropriate institutional setting for this structured cooperation would be either a Peacebuilding Agency, along the lines of the European Defence Agency for military capabilities, or alternatively a specialised unit within the European External Action Service designed to ensure greater coherence and consistency between the institutions;
Amendment 27 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Is of the view that structured cooperation on civilian capabilities for conflict prevention and management should focus primarily on: cooperation with external organisations and non- governmental organisations; training and recruitment of civilian personnel; planning, mission support and evaluation for civilian crisis management; coordination of internal EU instruments; and research and evaluation;
Amendment 35 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Acknowledges Member States’ efforts to make personnel available for civilian ESDP missions in the areas of civil protection, monitoring, EUSR support and mission support; notes, however, continued shortfalls in the areas of police, the rule of law and civilian administration; stresses the importance of providing competent and highly skilled staff for ESDP missions;
Amendment 38 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Urges the Member States to regularly review the availability of personnel for civilian ESDP missions and to bring their competent national authorities together in order to set up national action plans with regard to possible contributions, as is the case in Finland, including the creation of procedures to secure the career perospectives of participants in such missions; and appropriate consideration of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) concerning the representation of women in mechanisms for the prevention, management and resolution of conflict; further urges that specific training be devised with regard to the protection of children, in line with the EU Guidelines on Children and Armed Conflict, and in order to prepare EU nationals to interact in a fair and respectful way with local populations;
Amendment 45 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. IsConsiders that a security strategy for the 21st century must make "human security" – the protection of human beings, not the state, against threats – its key yardstick for security policy; is therefore of the view that human security ishould become a core principle at the heart of the ESS, which – when combined with the principle of “"responsibility to protect”" – provides the EU with a strong political guideline when it comes to deciding whether an intervention should take place, and with a robust political mandate enabling it to intervene effectively in crises; emphasises that a threat analysis based on the concept of "human security" entails practical consequences for the strategic orientation of European security policy, taking into account that all policy areas within the European Union have to follow a coherent policy in order to cope efficiently with crisis situations – ideally long before they become a matter of concern;
Amendment 47 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. In the light of this, underlines that ESDP missions – even those conducted under the auspices of the UN – must at all costs be prevented from being considered or even perceived as a prolongation of the pursuit of economic and/or strategic foreign policy goals by one or more particular EU Member States;
Amendment 54 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Recalls the importance of human rights and gender mainstreaming, and calls for the nomination of more female candidates for CFSP/ESDP senior management positions, including for EU Special Representatives as well as for ESDP operations in general; considers that the most effective way to achieve a greater level of representation of women in ESDP missions is through the adoption of national action plans for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) concerning the representation of women in mechanisms for the prevention, management and resolution of conflict;
Amendment 58 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. In this light, finds it embarrassing that, despite the fact that the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Transfers will celebrate its tenth anniversary in 2008, "irresponsible" arms exports from EU Member States seem to be continuing without much hindrance, even to governments in countries where the EU is launching or considering an ESDP operation;
Amendment 60 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the first ever EU joint meeting of Defence and Development Ministers on 19 November 2007, which was an important step in reviewing the problems faced by the developing world, thus enhancing coherence and consistency in the EU'’s short-term actions on security and long-term actions on development vis- à-vis the countries concerned; also welcomes the Council Conclusions on Security and Development dated 19 November 2007, particularly the emphasis placed therein on conflict analysis and conflict sensitivity, and strongly encourages the Commission and the Council to implement those conclusions;
Amendment 62 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Strongly expects the Council and the Member States to do their utmost to contribute to a successful conclusion of the worldwide convention banning cluster munitions, as planned for this year; urges that the conclusion of that convention be swiftly followed conclusion of the ongoing negotiation on strengthening the global ban on landmines, a global ban on uranium weapons and a global ban designed to control conventional arms transfers;
Amendment 63 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Amendment 64 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Title and Paragraph 20
Title and Paragraph 20
Amendment 68 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
Amendment 72 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Weapons of mass destruction including nuclear weapons and, in particular, harmful conventional arms 21a. In the light of the public announcements about the "successfully" completed bilateral talks concerning the deployment of ballistic missile defence interceptors on European territory and their possible integration in the NATO missile defence strategy, reiterates its position that it is totally unacceptable for the Council to refuse to recognise this issue as a part of the European Security Strategy and to debate it as such with Parliament;
Amendment 86 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Regrets recent statements at Presidency level that these "battle groups" must not be regarded as being set up for deployment on ESDP missions; is of the view that this means that it is very unclear what they are for and what would be their use and mandate, as well as their financial basis; is of the view that, in order to avoid a wasteful overlapping of military structure-building, urgent clarification is needed;
Amendment 97 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Welcomes the Commission'’s defence package, in particular its proposals for a Ddirective in the field of defence procurement and for a Ddirective in the field of intra-Ccommunity defence equipment transfers; is of the opinion that these are necessary steps in order to provide national and EU military personnel with the best possible and interoperable equipment; notes, however, the danger that weapons may be transferred through the EU via those Member States with less strict export controls to third countries and/or by an irresponsibly flexible use of the EU/NATO International Import Certificate (ICC); stresses, therefore, that it is important for all Member States to apply the highest standards in terms of arms export controls, so as to prevent EU weapons from fuelling conflicts in developing countries;
Amendment 106 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Points out that the European Parliament, through its contacts with the national parliaments (Conference of Foreign Affairs Committee Chairs, Conference of Defence Committee Chairs, NATO Parliamentary Assembly) and through the future implementation of the Protocol to the Lisbon Treaty on the role of national parliaments, is the legitimate body at European level in which parliamentary scrutiny, monitoring and control of ESDP should take place in the first instance;
Amendment 109 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. StressReiterates that it should continuebe given the opportunity to adopt a recommendation or resolution before the launching of an ESDP operation (including the launch of a Battle Group) in close consultation with national parliaments, in order to give democratic legitimacy to the operation; is of the opinion that in order to be flexible and when it is not in session, its Rules should be adapted in view of authorising its responsible committee to adopt on its behalf that recommendation or resolution;
Amendment 18 #
2007/2268(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that the 2005 Law on the Use of Community Flags allows communities’ national symbols be placed on and near local government offices; notes that disquiet arose followinga minority community which is in a majority within a municipality to use its flag; notes that the Constitutional Court judgment of 24 October 2007 con the use of national community symbols by local authorities, which gave the impressiofirmed the right of a community to fly its flag alongside the state flag and that it also extended the right to fly an ethat, contrary to the Ohrid Framework Agreement, use of the flag depicting the Albanian eagle would no longer be allowed, and welcomes the government’s interpretation that the Constitutional Court judgment on national symbols does not mean that flags at local government offices, including Albanian symbols, must be removednic flag to all ethnic communities in a municipality and affirmed the right of ethnic Albanians to use the Albanian state flag as their ethnic symbol; stresses that the Court also sought to clarify the limits to this right because it considered that the state and community flags have different meanings, and concluded that community flags may not be flown permanently, for example during official state visits, or on state buildings; calls on all parties to discuss this issue in the spirit of the Ohrid Framework Agreement and international standards;
Amendment 29 #
2007/2268(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Supports the initiative of the Thessaloniki-based Center for Democracy and Reconciliation in Southeast Europe and the Soros Foundation to publish textbooks on Balkan history, in both the Albanian and the Macedonian language, intended for history teachers and secondary school students and aimed at incorporating different views on the common past, providing a balanced perspective and promoting reconciliation;
Amendment 32 #
2007/2268(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that the draft Law on Revision of the Electoral Code, which was given a reading on 27 September 2007 and would provide for the parliament to be enlarged by 13 seats in the interests of both representation of small ethnic minorities and representation of nationals living abroad, could help bring about a relative weakening of representation for the Albanian speaking community, and regards the factwas given a reading on 27 September 2007; expresses its concern at the fact that the proposed Law would have the effect of bypassing the use of the Badinter majority rule as intended by the Ohrid Framework Agreement, and trusts that the reading has been suspended as a contribution towards domestic stability will be further consultations in order to achieve a consensus;
Amendment 44 #
2007/2268(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Takes the view that, despite the adoption of the visa-facilitation agreement, access to EU countries still represents a big problem for Macedonian citizens and in general for citizens of the countries of the Western Balkans; welcomes, in this regard, the intention of the Commission to launch a visa dialogue with all the countries of the region, aimed at gradual visa liberalisation, and calls on the Commission to make every effort to finalise this dialogue quickly and transform it into an agreement;
Amendment 68 #
2007/2268(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Draws attention to the call by AmneNotes that on 7 November, a large police operation took place around the village of Brodec, north of Tetovo, with the aim of apprehending a number of alleged criminals, in which six members of the so-called "Brodec gang" were killed and a further 13 individuals from the village detained by the Ministry of International to set up an inquiry into the events on 7 November 2007, north of Tetovo, during which at least six possible intruders from Kosovo died; ior; points out that, according to the EU Monitoring Mission and the OSCE, the operation was carried out in a professional and effective manner resulting in no police or civilian casualties; welcomes the fact that the government has publicly stated that it will rebuild the mosque and other damaged infrastructure; expresses its concern about some reports that detainees may have been subjected to maltreatment on being arrested; calls in this regard on the Ombudsman to fully investigate the events and stresses that any outstanding questions relating to the police operation in Brodec should be addressed in an open, transparent and legally consistent manner;
Amendment 106 #
2007/2268(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. RecCalls that, at world level, most other states have in fact recognised this state under the constitutional name of 'Republika Makedonija', but that the European Union and the United Nations take as their starting point the 1993 interim agreement with Greece, which, for international use, lays down the temporary designation 'former Yugoslavon both sides to make every effort to overcome the name issue; points out that despite bilateral talks held under the auspices of the United Nations and assisted by Special Envoy Matthew Nimitz to find a mutually acceptable solution to the differences that have arisen over the name of the country no progress could be achieved since the adoption of the resolution of 12 July 2007; acknowledges the increased bilateral cooperation as well as people-to-people-contacts between the Republic of Macedonia', and calls on both parties to reach a final agreement as soon as possible with the help of ongoing mediation by the United Nations, under the direction of Mr Matthew Nimetz, and expresses the hope that this name issue will play no role in any decision on relations with NATO; Greece; stresses once again that the name issue is not part of the Copenhagen criteria and should become in no circumstances an obstacle to the membership of the state in international organisations as provided in the Interim Accord of 1995 and therefore urges the Athens’ authorities to stop threatening Skopje’s authorities to use their veto both for EU and NATO negotiations in case the name dispute is not solved;
Amendment 116 #
2007/2268(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
Amendment 128 #
2007/2268(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
Amendment 140 #
2007/2268(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
Amendment 161 #
2007/2268(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a (new). Regrets the signing and the ratification by Macedonia of the Bilateral Immunity Agreement with the US authorities; stresses that such act contradicts EU standards and policies all aimed at supporting the International Criminal Court; calls on Macedonia, in this regard, to bring its legislation in line with the ones in the EU Member States;
Amendment 164 #
2007/2268(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Notes that, of the three countries which have been European Union candidate Member States since 2005, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is the onlyAcknowledges the recent progress made by the country won iths which noay to EU accession negotiations have taken place to date, considers it desirable that this exceptional sand welcomes, in this regard, the inituiation should end, and callsve onf the European Commission to develop a roadmap leading to commencement of those negotiations, after which, if there are no new domestic conflicts, the Council can take a decision in 2008 on a starpresent to the Skopje authorities a document with a set of benchmarks whose fulfilment would result in setting a date for theaccession negotiations;
Amendment 176 #
2007/2268(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A (new)
Recital A (new)
A (new). whereas the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia was granted since 2005 the status of EU candidate but as of today no date for the start of accession negotiations has yet been set; whereas this prolonged situation is adding frustration and uncertainty taking into account of the sustained pace of reforms undertaken lately by the Skopje authorities,
Amendment 3 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Takes the view, nevertheless, that the EU's role in the world is not commensurate to its potential and to the expectations of European public opinion, due to the unwillingness of the Member States to adopt the necessary and indispensable reforms aimed at enhancing the effectiveness, coherence and accountability of its foreign policy;
Amendment 5 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Points out, in this regard, that the EU's strong energy dependence on non- democratic countries deeply undermines the coherence, assertiveness and sustainability of its common foreign policy;
Amendment 16 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Is of the view that Parliament should more systematically adopt positions on each successive stage of CFSP and ESDP decision–making; recommends that, in order to enhance their democratic legitimacy, common positions and joint actions should where appropriate take into account and contain references to those positions adopted by Parliament;
Amendment 24 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Proposes that priority be given in 2008 to a limited number of subjects which better relate to the concerns of European citizens and to their expectations as regards the role to be played by the Union in international affairs; takes the view that those subjects are: security including energy security, crisis management, conflict prevention and conflict resolution, climate change, migration management, human rights and civil liberties, and that they complement the priorities and objectives pursued by the Community's external action; in this context, welcomes the report by the Commission and the High Representative to the Council on climate change and international security;
Amendment 33 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Is of the opinion that the ESS should be updated and reviewed, especially with a view to addressing the most pressing security challenges and making human security and the "responsibility to protect" its guiding principles;
Amendment 43 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Is of the view that the importance of the foreign policy dimension of energy security, including the Union's dependence on energy and other strategic supplies from unstable or undemocratic countries and regions, will continue to increase in 2008; recommends wide-ranging diversification of energy sources and energy transport routes and increased energy efficiency as well as solidarity in energy policy among EU Member States; deplores the use of energy by third parties as a political instrument and the uncoordinated signing of bilateral energy agreements by Member States, which undermine the interests and call into question the strategic projects of the EU as a whole and of other Member States; reiterates its call for the creation of the post of High Official for Foreign Energy Policy under the authority of the future double- hatted High Representative/Vice-President of the Commission, with responsibility for coordinating the Union's activities in this field;
Amendment 48 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Reiterates that terrorism constitutes one of the main threats to the EU’'s security but that the fight against terrorism must be conducted with due respect for the universal values of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the protection thereof, in close cooperation with international partners and in keeping with the strategy laid down by the United Nations; notes the rulings of the Court of First Instance stating that the European Union terrorist list system in its present form violates basic legal standards and fundamental human rights, and calls on the Council and the Commission to thoroughly revise the practice, to issue an assessment of whether the terrorist list system is useful, and to introduce a joint initiative through the EU members of the Security Council for a revision of the UN terrorist list system;
Amendment 71 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Considers that stability in the Western Balkans should be the top priority for the EU in 2008, in line with the Council's view as set out in its Annual Report for 2006; therefore attaches the utmost importance to the redoubling of efforts to bring the Western Balkans closer to the EU, including the introduction of a visa-free regime, the stepping-up of regional cooperation in areas such as trade, transport, energy, and the participation of Western Balkans countries in Community programmes; believes that these steps would facilitate and underpin those countries' preparations for EU accession, in line with the Thessaloniki Agenda; stresses the importance of involving civil society in the accession process;
Amendment 79 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Refers to the conclusions of the General Affairs and External Relations Council held on 18 February 2008, in which the Council noted the adoption by the Kosovo Assembly on 17 February 2008 of a resolution declaring Kosovo to be independent and in which the Council also stated that Member States will decide in accordance with national practiceregrets the failure of the Council to reach a common position on such and international law on their relations with Kosovomportant issue;
Amendment 84 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Takes the view that the EULEX mission in Kosovo shouldmust safeguard the interests of national minorities as provided for by the Ahtisaari plan in order to preserve the multi-ethnic character of the territory, protect the cultural, religious and historical heritage, consolidate the rule of law and promote economic development;
Amendment 89 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Takes the view, in this regard, that in order to enhance the credibility and the effectiveness in the ENP the EU should engage more actively in crisis management and conflict resolution with regard, in particular, to so-called frozen conflicts; regrets, in this respect, the lack of any progress as regards the peace processes and calls on the Council to step up the assistance to the countries concerned with a view to becoming more deeply involved and facilitating the dialogue between the parties;
Amendment 101 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Underlines the need to strengthen the transatlantic link and further intensify contacts with the United States through a new Transatlantic Partnership Agreement, the potential of which should be exploited in full, including on issues such as human rights, the rule of law in international relations, peace and disarmament;
Amendment 105 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Also considers it important that during 2008 the Union should review its relations with Russia on a new basis of a balanced, wide-ranging partnership, encompassing international challenges, trade and energy, but also including human rights and respect for democracy; recalls in this regard that a genuine strategic partnership must be based on shared values; calls in this regard on the Commission to highlight in the guidelines for negotiation with the Russian Federation of the new agreement, which will replace the present Partnership and Cooperation Agreement that expired at the end of 2007, the importance of placing democracy, human rights and freedom of expression at the core of future relations and establishing a clear mechanism to monitor the implementation of all the clauses of such an agreement;
Amendment 110 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Acknowledges the right of every country that has ratified the Non- Proliferation Treaty to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; however, strongly opposes the production and dissemination of weapons of mass destruction; in this connection, fully supports the Union's two–track approach aimed at persuading Iran to comply with IAEA prescriptions and in line with the United Nations Security Council's resoluBelieves that the nuclear non- proliferation regime under the Non- Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is in serious danger and calls on the Council and particularly the two Member States possessing nuclear weapons to bring forward a European initiative on the implementation of the disarmament obligations contained in Article VI of the NPT with regard, in particular, to the 2010 NPT review conference; strongly opposes the production and dissemination of weapons of mass destruction, which threatens to become a reality in an increasing number of countries due to the impossibility of clearly separating the use of nuclear technology for energy purposes and its use for weapons productions; callites oin the United States to join the EU–3 in direct negotiations with Iran; fully supports the United Nations Security Council's targeted sanctions against Iran; commends the efforts by the High Representative on behalfis context, in particular, the uncertainties as to the goals of Iran's nuclear programme; calls on Iran to be actively transparent in its relations with the IAEA and to seek to rebuild trust with the international community; calls ofn the EU, and by the United States, Russia and China, aimed at the initiation of negotiations on the nuclear issue with representatives of Iran; calls on Iran to be actively transparent in its relations with the IAEA and to seek to rebuild trust with the international communitymembers of the UN Security Council to refer the Iran issue back to the International Atomic Energy Agency and to start negotiations without preconditions; calls on the EU Member States to ban all exports of nuclear technology to any country that has not ratified the additional protocols to the NPT;
Amendment 114 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Believes that the EU could contribute to confidence-building vis-à-vis countries with which it has no contractual ties, or reduced contractual ties, by boosting people-to-people contacts, such as through town twinning or Erasmus Mundus programmes;
Amendment 119 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Reiterates that promoting international solidarity, stability, peace and democratic and economic development must continue to be among the priorities of the EU's policy towards Afghanistan in 2008;: stresses the need to restore security in Afghanistan, which cannot be achieved by military means alone; underlines that, to this end, it is equally vital to strengthen the police forces in order to establish the rule of law and to increase development efforts;: is concerned that insufficient coordination, both among the international community (and especially between the EU and NATO) and in relations with the Afghan authorities, seriously hampers the effectiveness of the activities on the ground; calls on all players to make efforts to improve thise situation; welcomes in this regard the appointment of Kai Eide as the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan; calls for an end to all Operation Enduring Freedom missions;
Amendment 120 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Expects a rapid and comprehensive implementation of the Central Asia strategy; regrets that so far it has been limited mainly to energy projects and calls, therefore, for a shift in order to address the other priorities such as human security and environmental problems;
Amendment 122 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Recommends that political and economic relations with China and ASEAN be deepened in 2008, on condition that substantial progress be made in the field of democracy and human rights, maintaining a constructive dialogue with the authorities in this connection, a fortiori in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics; regrets in this regard the lack of substantial results as regards the EU- China human rights dialogue; recognises ASEAN’s growing role as a force for regional stability and prosperity; believes that the EU and ASEAN have great potential for increased cooperation based in part on ASEAN's progress with regard to regional integration and in the fields of democracy and human rights;
Amendment 127 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Recalling the Aceh example, believes that the European Union could bring its peace-building and mediation capacities to bear in some of the remaining violent conflicts which are still impeding yet greater development in South Asia, notably Kashmir and Sri Lanka;
Amendment 144 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Invites the future High Representative/Vice–President of the Commission to build on the experience of the periodic appearances by High Representatives and by the External Relations Commissioner before Parliament in plenary and its Committee on Foreign Affairs and on the practice of informal meetings, in order to develop regular, systematic and substantive consultations with Parliament and its competent bodies, and to involve Parliament in the decision- making process so as to enhance the transparency and accountability of the main choices of the CFSP;
Amendment 147 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. RUnderlines the significant effect which the setting-up of the EEAS will have on the Union's external relations; stresses the need for transparency and democratic input into this process; recalls its right to be consulted on the establishment of the EEAS in accordance with Article 13a(3) of the EU Treaty; requests full association with the preparatory work in this regard; refers to its ongoing report on this matter;
Amendment 151 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Is of the opinion that parliamentary scrutiny is of crucial value for the ESDP; in this regard, invites the Political and Security Committee (PSC) to organise meetings with chairpersonselected members of the relevant Committee and Subcommittees on emerging crises or international security events, building on the current practice of informal joint meetings between members of the PSC and the chairpersons of Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs and of its Security and Defence and Human Rights Subcommittees;
Amendment 161 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the Treaty of Lisbon clearly improves the CFSP arrangements currently in force, thus raising the Union's international profile and enhancing its effectiveness; whereas, nevertheless, further efforts are needed in order to streamline the decision-making process as regards foreign policy with a view to overcoming the veto power and introducing qualified-majority voting,
Amendment 7 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1. Takes the view that after more than 20 years of civil war Afghanistan has become a ‘failed state’, characterised by missing or weak institutions at all levels and unable to satisfy the most basic needs of its citizens such as education, housing, health, nutrition; is convinced that the country has become a test case for the success or failure of international development assistance and the legitimacy of bi- and multi-lateral development cooperation; stresses the need for the international community to demonstrate its ability to end the vicious circle of violence and poverty and to give the country the prospect of sustainable peace and development; calls on the Council and the Commission to bring forward an initiative for an international Council comprising the main donors, military contributors and UN organisations, possibly led by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and based on the concept of the UN Peacebuilding Commission, in order to harmonise the different reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan;
Amendment 28 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls on the United States to put an end to its secret detention programme, to dismantle the facilities used in that connection, and to try, or else release, the remaining detainees in full compliance with international law and standards; considers that the perpetrators of the documented crimes of torture, murder and enforced disappearances in the context of the secret detention programme should be held accountable;
Amendment 29 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Insists that, as long as the basic conditions for due process are not met, Coalition and ISAF forces should refrain from delivering prisoners to the Afghan law-enforcement bodies;
Amendment 47 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Points out that one of the main problems facing the country is restoring security; notes that Afghanistan’s security problems are more complex than just a war on terror and therefore they requirethe ‘war on terror’ can only aggravate the lack of the rule of law and the continuing state of impunity; believes that Afghanistan’s security problems require a political more than a military solution; points out that security is a prerequisite for the rule of lawand the rule of law are interdependent, which in turn creates an atmosphere conducive to human development, and that strengthening the rule of law can serve as an important means to advance the freedom of people to exercise choices and enhance their capacity to live meaningful and healthy lives;
Amendment 52 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Calls on the Afghan government to urgently reform the security law of 1987, which is partly responsible for the largely arbitrary criminal justice system in Afghanistan;
Amendment 61 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Draws attention to the fact that the EUPOL mandate foresees the coordination of activities in reforms of the police and justice sectors, and therefore calls on the Council and the Commission to better co- ordinate their respective activities in order to make the EU’s policies more coherent and efficient; considers it equally important for the EU to considerably increase the resources foreseen for EUPOL both in terms of personnel and financing; expresses its support for the EUR 2.5 million programme under the Stability Instrument concerning measures to reform the appointment of judges and prosecutors, and expects that this pilot scheme will serve to develop a substantial long-term justice sector reform programme for 2009;
Amendment 70 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses the need to redefine the role of the provincial reconstruction teams (PRTs) as a result of the wider role of the military, which is increasingly overlapping with the mandates of civilian aid agencies, causing significant friction; is convinced that the goals of humanitarian organisations, which operate on the basis of neutrality, independence and impartiality, and those of the military are not compatible; strongly believes that the PRTs should concentrate on specific objectives related to security, training and working with the Afghan police and military, and supporting the reach of the central government into insecure areas; believes that the numbers of Afghans working in PRTs should be boosted and that local ownership should be enhanced as much as possible;
Amendment 94 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Draws attention to the fact that the UNHCR has helped 3.69 million Afghan refugees return to Afghanistan since March 2002, marking the largest assisted return operation in its history but that, despite these returns, approximately 3.5 million registered and unregistered Afghans still remain in Pakistan and Iran and the governments of both those countries have announced their intention to repatriate large numbers of refugees over the coming year; is concerned about the decline in funding for Afghan refugees and underlines that maintaining a successful repatriation program is likely to become more expensive, as the refugees remaining in Pakistan and Iran have less resources and weaker ties to Afghanistan than those who returned earlier; stresses that the safe and voluntary return of Afghan refugees and displaced persons should remain a high priority for Afghanistan and the international community; calls on the Commission and the Member States to increase funding for refugee reintegration;
Amendment 98 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13a (new)
Paragraph 13a (new)
13a. Calls on the US government to abandon its crop eradication policy and notably the use of ‘Roundup’ for aerial sprayings, a substance which is associated with serious environmental and health hazards, inasmuch as targeting poppy farmers will only fuel resentment against the international troop presence;
Amendment 99 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Believes that, given the extent of the dependence of Afghan farmers on opium production, all possible contributions to a viable income solution for the rural population concerned should be considered, including licit opium production for medical treatment; expresses its regret that the EU Council, in its conclusions of 29 April 2008, rejects any such notion, and expects the Council and the Commission to present to Parliament within the next few months a conclusive concept of economic development for Afghanistan;
Amendment 119 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas Afghanistan’s educational system is showing the first signs of positive developments such as an increasing number of children and particularly girls, students and teachers who have returned to school (although female enrolment has been stagnating at some 30%), the ongoing rehabilitation of primary schools and the training for teachers,
Amendment 124 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas there are no official figures on civilian deaths in Afghanistan but a study by the Afghan government suggests that more than 3,700 people were killed by fighting in Afghanistan in 2006; whereas the majority appear to be insurgents, but it is estimated that some 1,000 civilians were killed by bo, according to UN figures, violence has risen dramatically in 2007, with 8 000 deaths (of which 1 500 are civilian deaths), the highest casualty figure since the overthrow of the Taliban attacks and NATO air strikesin 2001; whereas in June 2007 a network of Afghan and international NGOs had ‘strongly condemned the operations and force protection measures carried out by international military forces in which disproportionate or indiscriminate use of force has resulted in civilian casualties’,
Amendment 125 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas under the US secret detention programme hundreds of Afghan prisoners remain detained in various prison facilities, such as at the Bagram military base and at Guantánamo, in violation of international humanitarian and human rights law; whereas prisoners in Afghan custody continue to be faced with a law enforcement system that lacks the minimum standards of the rule of law and respect for fundamental human rights,
Amendment 147 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)
Citation 17 a (new)
– having regard to the Council Conclusions of 29 April 2008 on Afghanistan’s National Drug Control Strategy,
Amendment 27 #
2007/2118(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Therefore asks the Commission and the Member States to put forward the the Member States to put forward the following demands and to call for: following demands and to call for: - a thorough assessment of the - a thorough assessment of the various transparency, economic various transparency, economic and budget-related aspects of and budget-related aspects of Nord Stream and its affiliated Nord Stream and its affiliated companies; companies; - a thorough legal assessment aimed - a thorough legal assessment aimed at determining whether a broader at determining whether a broader set of legal framework is set of legal framework is applicable; applicable; - a thorough assessment of the need - a thorough assessment of the need for the project and consideration for the project and consideration of all alternatives, including the of all alternatives, including the Amber and Yamal II pipelines; Amber and Yamal II pipelines; - a truly independent environmental - a truly independent environmental impact assessment, to be impact assessment, to be commissioned with the approval commissioned with the approval of all littoral states; of all littoral states, focusing in particular on the problem of - ratification of, and commitment to hazardous abandoned the full implementation of the ammunition along the entire provisions of, the Espoo pipeline route; Convention and the Energy Charter Treaty, including its - ratification of, and commitment to Transit Protocol, as an act of good the full implementation of the faith and to encourage the Russian provisions of, the Espoo Federation’s confidence in the Convention and the Energy project; Charter Treaty, including its - opportunities for equal Transit Protocol, as an act of good participation by all the littoral faith and to encourage the Russian states; Federation’s confidence in the project; - opportunities for equal participation by all the littoral states;
Amendment 53 #
2007/2118(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 59 #
2007/2118(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Categorically rejects the idea of securing energy routes by military means.
Amendment 30 #
2007/0279(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 10 – paragraph 2
Article 10 – paragraph 2
2. Where consent from the originating Member State for the contemplated export is required but has not been obtained, Member States shall consult the originating Member State. The Commission and other Member States shall be informed about such consultations.
Amendment 31 #
2007/0279(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 10 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The Commission shall by [12 months after the date of entry into force of this Directive] present a proposal for the designation of an authority to monitor the application of this Article.
Amendment 33 #
2007/0279(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 16 – paragraph 2
Article 16 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission shall, beginning not later than [5 year48 months after the date of entry into force of this directive], submit regularly aan annual report to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of the directive and its impact on developments of the European defence equipment market and the European defence technological and industrial base, including implementation of Article 10, accompanied by a legislative proposal, where appropriate.