Activities of Maria BADIA i CUTCHET related to 2011/2113(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Trade and investment strategy for the southern Mediterranean following the Arab Spring revolutions (debate)
Amendments (12)
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas, thus far, the economies of SMCs have been run by undemocratic leaders to the benefit of the few, often overlooking the needs of the most vulnerable; whereas the fact that many dictators have now been deposed opens up new opportunities to open up the economies of the region and create a true market economy;
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas chronic unemployment, especially of young people, and lack of trade diversification remain a serious concern; whereas long-term structural unemployment and informal labour, including child labour, remains high in most SMCs and has further deteriorated in those countries which have experienced severe social unrest during the Arab Spring; whereas the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) estimates that the region needs to create around 25 million new jobs over the next decade to maintain the current level of employment;
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas adolescents (aged 10-19) represent 20 % of the population and unemployment rates for those aged between 15 and 24 are around 25- 30 % while the participation of women in the labour market remains very low; whereas unemployment is particularly high amongst university graduates, leading to a brain drain and a waste of human resources;
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points out that the EU is the biggest consumer market in the world, to which access should only be granted if partner countries are serious about engaging in the bilateral opening of markets, if the benefits of economic reforms are enjoyed by the whole population of the partner country, including the most vulnerable, and if the appropriate political, social and environmental commitments are given and fulfilled;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Is concerned that the European External Action Service (EEAS) has not yet made public the details of the ‘more for more’ criteria that will determine, together with the commercial scoping exercise, whether a country is eligible for a DCFTA; asks the EEAS, therefore, to establish these criteria so that the process is transparent and so that partner countries know in advance where adjustments need to be made; insists that respect for democratic institutions and fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and freedom of association, and respect for international labour laws, ILO conventions and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), must be central to this process and considers that it should be responsive to significant improvements or deteriorations in partner countries during the preparatory phase and the negotiations themselves; insists that these criteria should include an appropriate level of economic opening and an index of how all levels of society benefit from trade and foreign direct investment (FDI);
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Is concerned that the European External Action Service (EEAS) has not yet made public the details of the ‘more for more’ criteria that will determine, together with the commercial scoping exercise, whether a country is eligibleready for a DCFTA; asks the EEAS, therefore, to establish these criteria so that the process is transparent and so that partner countries know in advance where adjustments need to be made; insists that respect for democratic institutions and fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and freedom of association, and abolishment of capital punishment must be central to this process and considers that it should be responsive to significant improvements or deteriorations in partner countries during the preparatory phase and the negotiations themselves; insists that these criteria scoping exercise should incluconsider an appropriate level of economic opening and an index of how all levels of society benefit from trade and foreign direct investment (FDI);
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls that FTAs are not an end in themselves and that they should serve to benefit each country; Maintains that the trade provisions should be supported by strengthened human rights clauses with improved monitoring and implementing provisions, and an ambitious sustainable development chapter with a central role for civil society, including provisions on corporate social responsibility (CSR) which will strengthen the joint ownership of the process;
Amendment 45 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Asks the Commission to specifically support and promote Fair Trade and organic farming initiatives, in particular in support of small-holder farmers, producers and cooperatives, as a way to integrate sustainable agricultural practices and rural development, simultaneously developing the supply chain to ensure European consumers of the products' quality, traceability and social and environmental credentials;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the focus on behind-the- border barriers to trade and alignment with the EU's acquis, but notes that there is still scope for further negotiations on tariff reductions with certain countries; stresses that, for DCFTAs to be of true value to SMCs, the EU must be prepared to make genuine concessionadditional efforts in sensitive areas such as agriculture and Mode IV services; notes, in this context, that the EU actually has a significant total trade surplus in agriculture with these countries;
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes, however, that previous attempts to negotiate sectoral arrangements under the Association Agreements have not proved successful; asks the Commission to incentivise SMCs to negotiate on investment and other so-called ‘Singapore issues’ such as services within the context of DCFTAs; considers that the Commission should apply asymmetrical implementation, where appropriate, and be flexible regarding the sensitive sectors of partner countries concerned;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Encourages EU Member States to play a more ambitious role in the EU's strategy for the Southern Neighbourhood by providing major programmes of fellowships for SMC students of both genders and from all socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds, particularly in the fields of economics, business, IT, communication and trade; calls on the Commission and the Vice-President/High Representative to immediately propose the establishment of the Euromed Erasmus and Da Vinci programmes; observes that other players in the region, such as Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, have been more effective in providing this support to SMCs; believes that these exchanges can provide lasting connections with future business partners in SMCs;
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31 a. Recalls the role played by artists, cultural actors and bloggers in allowing some Arab civil societies to liberate themselves from dictatorship and open up the path to democracy; calls on the EU to integrate in its trade policy cultural cooperation, including joint initiatives in the fields of arts, education, media, the Internet and other crucial sectors to promote human rights and democracy;