BETA

686 Amendments of Willy MEYER

Amendment 2 #

2014/2008(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. considering that even though such a figure remains modest by comparison with the population of the European Union, it nevertheless denotes a marked increase in the awareness of the right of petition and the usefulness of the petitions process as a means of securing the attention of the European Institutions and the Member States for the concerns of individual citizens, local communities, NGOs and voluntary associations, private businesses;
2014/01/30
Committee: PETI
Amendment 4 #

2014/2008(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. bearing in mind that the right of petition enhances the responsiveness of the European Parliament towards the citizens and residents of the union, while at the same time might provides people with an open, democratic and transparent mechanism for obtaining, where legitimate and justified, a non-judicial remedy for their complaints, notably when this relates to problems with the implementation of European legislation;
2014/01/30
Committee: PETI
Amendment 6 #

2014/2008(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
C. a whereas further irreparable losses in biodiversity must be averted, especially inside Natura 2000 designated sites; whereas Member States have undertaken to ensure the protection of special conservation areas under the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and the Birds Directive (79/409 EEC); whereas, although the Commission can fully check compliance with EU law only when a final decision has been taken by national authorities, it is important – particularly in relation to environmental matters – to verify at an early stage that local, regional and national authorities correctly apply all relevant procedural requirements under EU law, including implementation of the principle of precaution;
2014/01/30
Committee: PETI
Amendment 7 #

2014/2008(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas it is necessary to increase citizen participation in the EU decision- making process, with a view to reinforcing its legitimacy and accountability; whereas the petitions process also constitutes a means to establish a reality check regarding the tensions which exist within European societies, particularly during times of economic crisis and social unrest, such as have resulted from the impact of the collapse of the world financial markets and banking systems on the people of Europe; recalling that the Committee on Petitions organised a public hearing involving petitioners on this subject in September 2013;
2014/01/30
Committee: PETI
Amendment 21 #

2014/2008(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital V
V. whereas the Committee on Petitions has become , over the years,intends to be a useful and transparent tool at the service of European citizens and residents, which exercises democratic control and scrutiny over many aspects of European Union activity, especially regarding the implementation of EU laws by the national authorities; and whereas it can contribute further, on the basis of petitions received, to the improvement of future EU legislation by drawing attention to the lessons that should be learned from the substance of petitions received;
2014/01/30
Committee: PETI
Amendment 24 #

2014/2008(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Deplores the fact that the austerity policies the EU has imposed on Member States are curtailing the exercise of European citizens’ fundamental rights – especially the right to food, healthcare, education and housing – as never before; considers it is urgent to increase citizen participation in the EU decision- making process, with a view to reinforcing its legitimacy and accountability;
2014/01/30
Committee: PETI
Amendment 27 #

2014/2008(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that the Committee on Petitions, along with other institutions and bodies, such as the committees of inquiry, the European Citizens’ Initiative and the European Ombudsman, might play an independent and clearly defined role as points of contact for each individual citizens;
2014/01/30
Committee: PETI
Amendment 41 #

2014/2008(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Highlights the very constructive work undertaken by the entire Committee as regards the petitions received which concern the Spanish law on coastal management (Ley de Costas) both as regards the results and conclusions of the fact-finding visit and as regards the cooperation with both petitioners and the responsible national authorities; recalls that a special ad hoc working group was established by the Committee to look at this complex issue in more detail and to ensure liaison with the very large number petitioners concerned; recognises that although some advances were obtained for petitioners stresses the need to regulate coastal protection effectively, but notes that the Costal Law is not consistent with the objectives sought, since it is affecting historic heritage and traditional communities, punishing the new legislation adopted by the Spanish Parliameninhabitants of coastal villages who have always coexisted sustainably with the sea and its ecosystems; recalls that there are some unresolved concerns, both in the field of property rights and environmental protection some of which have now been addressed to the Spanish Constitutional Court; requests the Commission to continue to actively monitor the issue;
2014/01/30
Committee: PETI
Amendment 44 #

2014/2008(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the fact that the fact-finding visit to Galicia, which took place in February 2013, was able to hold extensive discussions with petitioners and the regional authorities on issues related to the lack of proper waste-water treatment facilities in the region which has had an impact on the health of local people and on economic activity in certain areas which are contaminated by sludge and residues which contain substances which endanger the environment and potentially the on- going production of sea-food in certain areas; recognises that the authorities have committed themselves to act more diligently to resolve these issues and that a new waste water treatment facility is being constructed in Vigo;
2014/01/30
Committee: PETI
Amendment 49 #

2014/2008(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Acknowledges that environmental issues remain a priority for petitioners, thus highlighting the fact that Member States continue to fall short in this area; observes that many of the petitions focus on public health e.g. waste management, water safety, nuclear energy, and protected animals; points out that many petitions are concerned with new and upcoming projects on shale gas extraction or oil prospections which increase the dangers of effecting the aforementioned areas;
2014/01/30
Committee: PETI
Amendment 53 #

2014/2008(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Deplores that European citizens continue to experience frequent problems caused by the misapplication of Internal MarketEU law by public authorities while exercising their freedom of movement; deplores the fact that nationals from some EU Member States do not enjoy of full rights in terms of freedom of movements; draws the attention to the fact that hundreds of Spanish, Romanian and Bulgarian citizens have been deported from Belgium as this Member State has decided to revoke their status as legal residents;
2014/01/30
Committee: PETI
Amendment 135 #

2013/2945(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Takes the view that the protests in Gezi Park testify both to the existence in Turkey of a vibrant civil society and also the need for further vital reforms on the promotion of fundamental values; highlights the importance of including civil society more structurally in the decision making process; deeply regrets the loss of life amongst the protesters and the police forces, the excessive use of force by the police and the violent acts by a number of protestersstate violence of the Turkish Government; welcomes the on-going administrative investigations launched by the Ministry of Interior and the inquiries by the Ombudsman into complaints related to the events in Gezi Park and expects them to fully address the concerns without delay; calls on Turkey to adopt adequate internal review procedures and to establish an independent supervisory body for police offences; is of the opinion that the Gezi Park events underline the need for far- reaching reforms in order to ensure respect for freedom of assembly; calls on the Turkish Government to re-examine its social, political, cultural and economic policies which were the main cause that led to the popular uprising in the Gezi park;
2014/01/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 218 #

2013/2945(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Strongly supports the Government’s initiative to strive for a settlement of the Kurdish problem on the basis of negotiations with the PKK; encourages the Government to devise the reforms directed at promoting the social, cultural and economic rights of the Kurdish community on the basis of adequate consultation of relevant stakeholders and the opposition; calls on the opposition to actively support the negotiations and the reforms as an important step for the benefit of Turkish society at large and facilitate a real opening to the claims for basic rights in the Constitutional process in which all citizens can find themselves and their rights fully recognised; calls on all political parties to actively support the negotiations and the reforms as an important step for the benefit of Turkish society at large; expresses concern at the large number of cases launched against writers and journalists writing on the Kurdish issue and the arrest of several Kurdish politicians, mayors and members of municipal councils, trade unionists, lawyers, protestors and human rights defenders in connection with the KCK trial; calls on the Turkish authorities to cooperate closely with the European Commission to assess which programs under IPA could be used to promote sustainable development in the South East in the framework of negotiations on Chapter 22;
2014/01/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 273 #

2013/2945(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Welcomes Turkey’s decision to grant the Committee on Missing Persons access to a fenced military area in the northern partoccupied area of Cyprus and encouragescalls on Turkey to allow the Committee tofully access all relevant archives and military zones for exhumation; calls for special consideration for the work done by the Committee on Missing Persons;
2014/01/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 281 #

2013/2945(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Stresses the importance of a coherent and comprehensive security approach in the Eastern Mediterranean, and calls on Turkey to allow political dialogue between the EU and NATO by lifting its veto on EU-NATO cooperation including Cyprus, and calls, in parallel, on the Republic of Cyprus to lift its veto on Turkey’s participation in the European Defence Agency;deleted
2014/01/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 288 #

2013/2945(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Reminds Turkey that the judgment of the ECtHR on the fourth inter-state case of Cyprus v. Turkey, is not limited to the issue of the missing people;
2014/01/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 6 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the revolutionary mass movements in North Africa and the Middle East, referred to as the Arab Spring, hasve brought about dramatic changes to the peoples of the countries concerned and there is considerable expectation that the European Union will respond in a manner commensurate with the commitments it undertook towards its Southern neighbours in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy; whereas almost three years later, there are hardly any results in terms of meeting the aspirations of those who made the revolutions for democratic rights and improved living standards;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 10 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas the EU should use its exclusive competence over trade and investment policy to foster greater links and economic integration in the Mediterranean area, with the sole objective of assisting with the meeting of the just aspirations of the people in the Southern Mediterranean countries in terms of a meaningful and lasting increase in living standards, democratic freedoms and the creation of decent and unionised jobs;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas the evolving political landscape in the Southern Mediterranean is very fragile and necessitates a clear and supportive response by the European Union in order to consolidate and broaden the democratic gains achieved to date and support those whose realisation is still underway; whereas trade based on the principles of solidarity and sustainable development in the interests of the majority of the people and the environment, potentially offers genuine opportunities of lifting countries out of poverty and creating new opportunities in order to meet the social demands of the people which have so far not been met;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 16 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the useEuropean Union's design of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements (DCFTAs) where the economic and political requiich focus on further liberalisation and market opening in the areas of procurements are met offer a means of furthering the economic links between the European Union and the SMCs, particularly as regards regulatory convergencend services does not sufficiently take into account the asymmetries between the EU and the respective countries and are therefore not likely to be beneficial for the majority of the people, both in the EU and the SMCs;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 18 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas trade liberalisation in the Mediterranean area, in particular in the agricultural sectors, should be beneficial to all Mediterranean regions and not undermine EU regions' economyis most likely to have detrimental effects for small farmers on both sides of the Mediterranean;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 19 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas on 19 November 2012, the Polisario raised five pleas in law in support of its action against (i) Council Decision 2012/497/EU of 8 March 2012 on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco concerning reciprocal liberalisation measures on agricultural products, processed agricultural products, fish and fishery products, the replacement of Protocols 1, 2 and 3 and their Annexes and amendments to the Euro- Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part (OJ 2012 L 241, p. 2) and (ii) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 812/2012 of 12 September 2012 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 747/2001 as regards tariff quotas of the Union for certain agricultural and processed agricultural products originating in Morocco (OJ 2012 L 247, p. 7);
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 20 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas many SMCs suffer from serious economic weaknesses and obstacles to growth such as poor governance and, corruption and nepotism, partly inherited from the old dictatorships but also partly carried on by the new rulers as well as chronic unemployment where large sectorions of the population, and young people in particular, are excluded from the job market and whereas according to the ILO Euromed countries have the highest ratio of women compared to men in low quality jobs;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 27 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Believes that the already strong trade links between the European Union and the SMCs through the Association Agreements need to be furthered strengthened exploiting the possibilities and opportunities offered by these Agreements; in particular is of the opinion that economic diversification is key and given; underlines that the preservices sector is becoming increasingly significant for the SMCs, supports offering the SMCs more integraation and the development of strong and democratically run public services is another important precondition into the EU's internal market for servicesguarantee sustainable development in the region;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 29 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Points out the vulnerability and fragility of the economies of the Southern Mediterranean countries and insists that those asymmetries need to be taken into account when engaging in trade relations with those countries in order for the benefits of economic reforms, political, social and environmental commitments to be enjoyed by the whole population of the partner country; is therefore convinced that DCFTAs and a fully-fledged Southern Mediterranean Free Trade Area are not the right tool to advance regional integration and the social and economic development of the region;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 30 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Reiterates its position that it consider the public external debt of the countries in North Africa and the Middle East to be odious debt considering that the debt was built up by dictatorial regimes, mostly through the enrichment of the political and economic elite and the purchasing of arms often used to oppress their own populations; therefore calls for the cancellation of this debt, and notably that related to arms expenditure;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 31 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Strongly opposes the conditionalities with regard to demands for economic, structural adjustment programmes stipulated in the MoU for IMF loans and the EU's Macro Financial Assistance (MFA) Scheme, as they contribute to the worsening of living standards of workers and the most vulnerable layers of society;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 32 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Calls for regulatory convergence in areas that have an impact on trade and investment but also more generally on economic governance and on the business climate, such as competition, intellectual property rights, customs and trade facilitation;deleted
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 36 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. WelcomesTakes note of the future establishment of the Euro-Mediterranean trade and investment facilitation mechanism (TIFM), which should provide economic operators with the necessary information on doing business in the region, including inter alia on regulations and trade and investment flows;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 45 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Underlines that Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements (DCFTA) where appropriate are a good opportunity to enhance bilateral trade and address issues which are of mutual concern to both sides, such as promoting sustainable economic growth and tackling crippling youth unemployment;deleted
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 49 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Notes the progress made by Morocco in opening its economic relations with the European Union and in this context welcomes the launch of the DCFTA with Morocco and the progress made to date in the negotiating rounds; believes that the agreement being negotiated with Morocco could serve as a model for the DCFTAs with Tunisia, Jordan and Egypt whilst nonetheless taking account of the specificities of each trading partner;deleted
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 51 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Is deeply concerned about the European Union's relations with the deeply undemocratic Kingdom of Morocco, urges the European Union to suspend the advanced status it has granted the country and not to conclude the fisheries agreement or the negotiations for a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement while Morocco continues with its policy of systematic human rights violations in the occupied territories of Western Sahara;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 52 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Reiterates that Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara has never been recognised by international law, as noted by the opinion of the International Court of Justice in The Hague in October 1975; states that Morocco is illegally occupying the territory of Western Sahara and does not, therefore, have any sovereignty over its natural resources; calls on the EU to demand that the Kingdom of Morocco respect international law regarding the exploitation of the natural resources of Western Sahara; therefore stresses the urgent need to complete the decolonisation process of the Non- Autonomous Territory of Western Sahara as established by international law in order to put end to the Moroccan occupation;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 53 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the mobility partnership signed with Morocco in June 2013, the first of its kind between the Union and a Mediterranean partner, which will facilitate the issuing of visas for certain groups of people such as business professionals and researchers; hopes that the ongoing negotiations on mobility partnerships with Tunisia and with Jordan will be concluded in the near future; stresses however that ordinary citizens, including trade unionists and political activists encounter enormous difficulties when applying for visas to enter the European Union, underlines that this situation is unsustainable;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 56 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Is opposed to the agreement between the EU and Morocco concerning reciprocal liberalisation measures on agricultural products and fishery products as well as any steps towards concluding free trade agreements with the countries of the Mediterranean; is of the opinion that the conclusion of free trade agreements will adversely affect small farmers, working people and young people, as well as the environment, in both the Southern Mediterranean and the EU;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 57 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Reiterates that the Western Sahara cannot be included in any agreement that the EU concludes with the Kingdom of Morocco, is of the opinion that the door should be opened to separate agreements with the Western Saharan people, concluded through their legitimate representatives, if they wish to pursue this course;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 65 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Condemns the military coup d'état in Egypt, demands an immediate end to all EU military aid to Egypt and stresses that the release of all political prisoners the right to a fair trial and a return to civilian rules based on the objectives of the 2011 revolutionary movements with regard to democratic and social rights and freedoms as well as an improvement of living standards is an absolute precondition before entering into ant negotiations for a possible DCFTA with Egypt;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 66 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Expresses its concerns about political developments in Egypt and condemns the military coup d'état of 3 July 2013; is of the opinion that the leaders and generals of the Egyptian army cannot offer a way forward to advance the rightful demands of the Egyptian people, as the army's leadership holds powerful economic positions within Egypt and represents different economic and political interests from those of the workers, the poor and young people who demand social justice and higher living standards; reiterates that meeting those demands of the Egyptian people must be the sole objective of the EU's trade policy towards Egypt;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 74 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Highlights the importance of the uniform implementation of the principle of territoriality in conformity with international law by all Parties to facilitating the expansion of cooperation and commercial exchange, as well as securing the fundamental rights of all peoples of the region in a climate of peace;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 76 #

2013/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Reiterates its condemnation of the practices of extraordinary rendition, secret prisons and torture, in which USA and some EU Member States were involved, which are prohibited under domestic and international human rights law and which breach inter alia the rights to liberty, security, humane treatment, freedom from torture, presumption of innocence, fair trial, legal counsel and equal protection under the law; regrets that up to the moment no responsibility have been depurated neither in the US non at the EU level; demands the immediate closure of the centre of detention and torture of Guantanamo;
2013/10/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 77 #

2013/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Considers that the climate of impunity regarding the CIA programme has enabled the continuation of fundamental rights violations in the counterterrorism policies of the EU and the US as further revealed by the mass spying activities of the US National Security Agency surveillance programme, and surveillance bodies in various Member States currently being investigated by Parliament; demands the immediate suspension of negotiations on a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with the US;
2013/10/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 191 #

2013/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37a. Regrets the circumstances in which the Sahrawi people find themselves, having been forced to live under Moroccan occupation or in exile in refugee camps for almost 40 years following Morocco’s invasion of the former Spanish colony; points out that there are more than 80 000 Moroccan troops and millions of mines along the 2 000 km-plus wall that divides the territories of Western Sahara from north to south, and deplores the fact that, more than 20 years after the ceasefire between Morocco and the Polisario Front and the establishment of MINURSO (the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara), the referendum has still not taken place, thanks to the intransigence of Morocco and the accompanying complicity and passivity of the international community and the European Union;
2013/10/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 212 #

2013/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)
41a. Recalls its resolutions of 25 November 2010 on the situation in Western Sahara and its previous Annual Report 2010 and 2011; condemns the on- going repression of Sahrawi people in the occupied territories and expresses its concern at the deterioration of human rights situation, as reported by, among others, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; calls for the fundamental rights of the people of Western Sahara, including freedom of association, freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate, to be respected; demands the release of all Sahrawi political prisoners; demands the opening of the territory to independent observers, NGOs, and the media; reiterates its support for the establishment of an international mechanism to monitor human rights in Western Sahara; supports a fair and lasting settlement of the conflict, on the basis of the right to self-determination of the Sahrawi people, in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions;
2013/10/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 221 #

2013/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 a (new)
42a. Condemns the constant harassment by Israel of the Palestinian people; calls on Israel to stop the abusive use of unlawful administrative detention of Palestinians, and to respect international law in relation to the conditions of detention of Palestinian prisoners, especially women and children, and draws attention to the need to put the EU-Israel Association Agreement on hold until this happens;
2013/10/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 222 #

2013/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 b (new)
42b. Condemns the continuing occupation of Palestine by the State of Israel and the violation of international law and international humanitarian law; reiterates its call for an end to the settlements and the isolation of Gaza; stresses the urgent need to bring about a fair and lasting solution to the conflict in the Middle East with a view to achieving a two-State solution – an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian State and the State of Israel, living side by side in peace and security on the basis of the internationally recognised 1967 borders;
2013/10/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 261 #

2013/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52 a (new)
52a. Notes that Colombia remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world in which to be a trade union activist, and that human rights violations, including violations of the rights of students, farmers, women and children, continue to meet with almost total impunity; as a consequence, calls for the Multi-Party Trade Agreement signed between the EU and Peru and Colombia to be put on hold until Colombia respects human rights; strongly condemns the fact that the administrative security department (DAS), which is directly answerable to the President of the Republic, has undertaken systematic bugging and illegal actions with the aim of discrediting senior judges, opposition parliamentarians and human rights defenders; recalls that the European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights, people residing in Europe and NGOs have also been targeted; requests that these serious offences do not go unpunished; calls on the European Union to apply the recommendations concerning Colombia made in the report of the Committee against Torture;
2013/10/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 262 #

2013/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52 b (new)
52b. Protests at the current situation of the Mapuche people, who are suffering real judicial terrorism on the part of the State, with laws such as the Chilean State Security Law and the Anti-Terrorism Law, which date from the time of the dictatorship; considers the strong degree of militarisation in the Mapuche territories, aimed at demobilising, de- politicising and punishing social movements that support the Mapuche cause, to be alarming; considers it worrying that the Chilean government's response to the legitimate demands of the Mapuche people for the restoration of their ancestral lands, respect, autonomy and self-determination is not dialogue and the search for a lasting peace but criminalisation and repression; calls for the rights and guarantees of the Mapuche people to be respected and the rights of indigenous peoples enshrined in ILO Convention 169 to be recognised;
2013/10/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 7 #

2013/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas KSA is a hereditary, feudal, absolute monarchy without an elected parliament; whereas it faces the challenge of royal succession; whereas KSA has a population of 28 million, including 9 million foreigners, mostly from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Egypt and Yemen, and 10 million aged under 18; whereas some reforms have been implemented in KSA since 2001, but are not institutionalised and can thus be easily reversed; whereas the country's record in the field of human rights remains dismalalarming, particularly with regard to discrimination against women, lack of democratic rights and the existence of corporal punishment and the death penalty, with fundamental gaps between its international obligation and their implementation;
2014/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 13 #

2013/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the death penalty is still applied in KSA for a wide variety of crimes and at least 82 people were executed in 2011, including minors and foreigners; whereas public executions take place and those executed can be crucified and publicly displayed;
2014/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 14 #

2013/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas women's rights are being violated in KSA, as they are considered inferior to men and are under the control of a male member of their family rather than having the freedom to make their own decisions on matters such as going out or travelling; whereas Saudi women do not have the right to vote and are prohibited from driving and are therefore discriminated against in public life and public space;
2014/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 24 #

2013/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas freedom of religion is not guaranteviolated in KSA, since public practice of any religion but Islam is forbidden; whereas minority Islamic groups, such as Shias and Sufis, are targets of discrimination and prejudice which are often condoned by the country´s religious establishment;
2014/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 31 #

2013/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas KSA plays a leading role in financing, disseminating and promoting worldwide a particularly rigorous Salafi/Wahhabi interpretation of Islam; whereas the most extreme manifestations of Salafism/Wahhabism have inspired terrorist organisations such as Al-Qaeda and pose a global security threat, including for KSA itself; whereas KSA has developed a system to control financial transactions to ensure that no funds are being channelled into terrorist organisations, but no such control can be guaranteed regarding private charities or entities operating outside KSA;
2014/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 49 #

2013/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the European interest in a peaceful and orderly evolution and political reform procDeplores the EU policy of double standards demonstrated in the hypocritical and preferential treatment of KSA, motivated by the EU's economic and geostrategic interests in KSA, as a key factor for long-term peace, stability and development in the regionand its dependence on oil; condemns European complicity which allows and encourages the sale of arms to said government;
2014/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 69 #

2013/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Reiterates its call for the universal abolition of the death penalty and calls for an immediate moratorium on the carrying out of death sentences in KSA; regrets that KSA continues to apply the death penalty for a wide variety of crimes, including homosexuality, drug offences, apostasy, sorcery and witchcraft;
2014/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 81 #

2013/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Deplores the fact that despite KSA's ratification in October 2004 of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), in practice Saudi women are still discriminated against in many ways, in their personal lives, in matters of employment, participation in public life, submission to men, widespread domestic violence, or by restrictions on their rights to free movement and on the freedom to choose their partner; condemns the criminalisation of women who are victims of rape and sexual exploitation, who are not protected as victims but rather condemned as prostitutes;
2014/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 82 #

2013/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. WelcomNotes the King’s appointment in 2013 of the first women to serve in the Consultative Assembly (Shura council) of KSA, occupying 30 seats out of 150;
2014/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 121 #

2013/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. CExpresses its concern and calls on the authorities to improve the working conditions and treatment of immigrant workers, with special attention to the situation of women working as domestic helpers, who often find themselves in conditions of virtual slavery; welcomes recent efforts tonotes the recent introducetion of national labour laws in order toand hopes that they provide standardised protection for domestic workers and ensure the prosecution of employers responsible for sexual, physical and labour rights abuses;
2014/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 132 #

2013/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Rejects the zero-sum game logic as a paradigm for international relations in the Middle East, since it fuels distrust, sectarian hatred and the arms race in the region, including the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; in this connection, deplores the destabilising effects of arms sales by some EU Member States to KSA and other countries in the region; deplores the involvement of Spain, which increased arms sales from EUR 14 million in 2011 to EUR 21.3 million in 2012 and recalls the close and publicly notorious relationship between the Spanish royal family and the Al Saud dynasty and their shared interests; believes that the solution to the region’s escalating security problems lies in establishing a common security framework, from which no country is excluded and in which the legitimate security interests of all countries are taken into consideration;
2014/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 145 #

2013/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Is concerned that KSA’s financial and political support for religious and political groups in North Africa may result in reinforcing fundamentalist and obscurantist forces that undermine efforts to create democratic governance and oppose the participation of women in public life; is further concerned that the unconditional political and financial support offered to the leaders of the military coup in Egypt is undermining the efforts of the EU to promote a peaceful and inclusive political solution to the Egyptian crisis;
2014/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 148 #

2013/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the KSA authorities to act to stop Salafi movements supporting the anti- state activities of the military rebels in Mali, which are leading to the destabilisation of the entire region; condemns any form of direct and indirect interference in the region from either Saudi Arabia or the European Union;
2014/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 156 #

2013/2147(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Reiterates its condemnation of KSA's military intervention to suppress the popular protests in Bahrain in 2011; in this regard, urges KSA to abstain from taking this kind of action and reiterates its call on KSA to contribute constructively and to mediate in the interests of peaceful reforms and national dialogue in Bahrain;
2014/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 18 #

2013/2119(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines that due to the poor management of a public sector, the burden on the citizens is constantly rising; therefore urges the Commission and Member States to put more efforts in this sphere in order to improve the management of this sector and reduce costs;deleted
2013/10/31
Committee: PETI
Amendment 25 #

2013/2119(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses that citizens, businesses and other stakeholders expect a simple and predictable regulatory framework; indicates that excessive regulation disrupts competitiveness and retards the growth of economy; points, therefore, to the need of a reduction in bureaucracy and administrative burdens and calls on the Commission to identify the pieces of legislation where regulatory costs can be reduced;
2013/10/31
Committee: PETI
Amendment 28 #

2013/2119(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. Urges Member States to avoid unnecessary administrative requirements and burdens for enterprises;Considers that Member States therefore should clearly identify mandatory provisions of EU law and measures for their implementation proposed by parliaments on the national level, together with clarifications regarding the establishment of additional (not that indicated in the EU law) provisions;
2013/10/31
Committee: PETI
Amendment 45 #

2013/2119(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 17
17. Pays attention to a constantly decreasing number of unfinished infringement cases; itexpresses its appreciatedconcern on the fact that Member States put much efforts to eliminate infringements without judicial process trying to avoid a full implementation of EU law in case of infringements;
2013/10/31
Committee: PETI
Amendment 12 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Points out that the solution to the world's crisis will only arrive by a radical abolition of neoliberal policies to create a new world framework based on social development, welfare of the people, social justice and fight against poverty;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 15 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Is of the opinion that the EU must defend its citizens' interests in the world in a determineeconomic, political, social, cultural or any other type of relations between the EU and manner, while always basing its action on the fundamental values on which the Union is foundedy other country must be based on equality of treatment, solidarity, dialogue and respect for the specific asymmetries and characteristics of each country;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 26 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. States that only by acting jointly or in unity do we have the strength to pursue our interests and defend our values in this world, and that the Member States must therefore – more than in the past – demonstrate their preparedness and political will for collective, fast and effective action; affirms that the Member States must fulfil their contractual duty of loyalty towards the CFSP in both action and spirit, which is enshrined in the Treaty of Lisbon8 ;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 30 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that the effectiveness of the EU's external action also depends on the full support of its citizens and the legitimacy this provides, and therefore calls for close consultation of the European Parliamcitizents in setting clear priorities and objectives for EU foreign policy;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 58 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. States that the European External Action Service (EEAS) is under no circumstances the institution suited to coordinate CFSP and external policies since it is neither transparent nor democratic and is guided by vested interests;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 70 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. WelcomDeplores the steps taken by the Council, with the VP/HR's support, in the 2011 Annual Report towards mapping out the Union's foreign policy in a forward- looking and strategic policy document;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 98 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Welcomes the announcement concerning the launch of negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, which could give the European and US economies an important boost and stimulate progress on other international agreements; recalls the need to set up a Transatlantic Political Council; notes that, in the meantime, continuing the practice of holding annual EU-US summits would provide an opportunity to identify common objectives and coordinate strategies in relation to threats and challenges of global relevance and the development of a common approach to emerging powers;deleted
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 105 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28 a. Condemns the NSA spying programmes to European citizens and Member States by the United States and expresses the need to freeze the ongoing negotiations on the EU-USA transatlantic agreement;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 115 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29 a. Reiterates its condemnation of the practices of extraordinary rendition, secret prisons and torture, in which USA and some EU Member States were involved, which are prohibited under domestic and international human rights law and which breach inter alia the rights to liberty, security, humane treatment, freedom from torture, presumption of innocence, fair trial, legal counsel and equal protection under the law; regrets that up to the moment no responsibility has been depurated neither in the US non at the EU level; demands the immediate closure of the centre of detention and torture of Guantanamo;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 209 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
46. Calls for the principles underlying the new ENP approach, as set out by the VP/HR and the Commission in the relevant joint communications9 , in particular the «more-for-more», differentiation and mutual accountability principles and the «partnership with society», to be fully operational and for Union assistance to be fully aligned to this new approach; __________________ 9 Joint communication of 25 May 2011 entitled «A New Response to a Changing Neighbourhood: A review of European Neighbourhood Policy» (COM(2011)0303); joint communication of 20 March 2013 entitled «European Neighbourhood Policy: Working towards a Stronger Partnership» (JOIN(2013)0004).deleted
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 213 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 a (new)
46 a. Considers that the processes to transition to democracy must be based in the fulfilment of the people's demands: social, economic and labour progress, public services like education and health with the aim of achieving the full happiness of ENP partners;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 216 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 a (new)
47 a. Reiterates its condemnation to the foreign military intervention in Libya, which on the pretext of protecting the Libyan people, concealed an intention to get hold of the country's oil and gas reserves;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 217 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 b (new)
47 b. Points out that its initiative of sending Tasks Forces to the Southern Mediterranean has limited to meeting with public and private agents without any tangible outcome;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 224 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 a (new)
48 a. Recalls that Turkey's unacceptable policy of blocking participation and vetoing membership of Cyprus to different international organisations, arrangements, regimes and treaties to which Cyprus is a member (or signatory) is having a negative effect on EU's foreign policy;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 227 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 b (new)
48 b. Underlines that Turkey, as a candidate country, must firstly commit to good neighbourly relations with all EU member states; calls, therefore, the Government of Turkey to recognise all Members States and immediately withdraw its military forces from the EU territory; the aforementioned prerequisites are indispensable in order to reinforce the existing political dialogue with the EU on foreign policy choices and objectives of mutual interest;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 234 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 a (new)
49 a. Condemns the coup d' État in Egypt and the brutal repression by the Egyptian army; reiterates is support for the Egyptian people's demands for freedom, human dignity, social justice, full freedom, true democracy, respect for human rights, better living conditions and a secular state, in particular for their demands for an increase in wages to match the increase in prices, housing, health and job creation; Insists that the future of Egypt must rest firmly in the hands of the Egyptian people, without any external interference;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 244 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 a (new)
50 a. Strongly opposes any military intervention in Syria since such a move would constitute a violation of the Charter of the United Nations and further exacerbate the situation with unpredictable consequences for the population and the whole region of the Middle East; insists that the future destiny of Syria must firmly rest in the hands of the Syrian people and that the only solution to the conflict is a political solution agreed by the Syrians, without any kind of foreign intervention;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 248 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51 a (new)
51 a. Denounces the Israeli policy of settlements in the Palestinian occupied territories and the illegal blockade of Gaza. Stresses the need for the establishment of an independent Palestinian State on the 1967 borders, living side by side with the State of Israel in peace within internationally recognised frontiers in compliance with all relevant United Nations resolutions;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 249 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51 a (new)
51 a. Deplores that advanced status has already been granted or is currently under negotiation with some of the partners countries, like the Kingdom of Morocco, who systematically violates the human right clause in article 2 of the EU- Morocco association agreement; stresses the importance of having a more transparent and coherent approach towards this differentiation and of clear criteria being established which must be fulfilled in order for advanced status to be granted;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 250 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51 b (new)
51 b. Reminds that the Western Sahara conflict remains an obstacle to the regional integration of the Magreb region; therefore stresses the urgent need to complete the decolonization process of the Non-Autonomous Territory of Western Sahara as established by international law in order to put a end to the Moroccan occupation;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 257 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52 a (new)
52 a. Denounces the continuous occupation of Palestine by the State of Israel and the violation of international law and humanitarian law: ask for the peaceful resolution of the conflict based on the two States solution with the 1967 borders;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 259 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55
55. Expresses its support forTakes note of the process of negotiating an association agreement between the EU and Mercosur and notes the commitment of both parties to arriving at an exchange of offers on market access by the end of 2013; notes that such a deal would represent an advance in strategic relations with Latin America;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 286 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62 a (new)
62 a. Stresses that cooperation in the field of energy supply with third countries must be based on the principles of cooperation and transparency and in the importance of reciprocity; recalls the sovereign right of each country to manage is own natural resources; stresses that the energy supply must not be guaranteed by the use of military means; insists on the critically importance that Member states should retain responsibility for the content of the intergovernmental agreements in the field of energy;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 293 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64 a (new)
64 a. Denounces that the EU policy towards Afghanistan and Pakistan follows the US strategy which seeks mainly for a military solution; insists that Afghanistan needs stability but not through military means but development aid and respect for its territorial and political sovereignty; asks for the immediate withdrawal of all foreign troops;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 314 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 75
75. Calls for the EU and its Member States to cooperate with partners in strengthening the role of regional organisations in peacekeeping, conflict prevention, civilian and military crisis management, and conflict resolution; stresses the need to work with partners in ensuring that the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) concept focuses on prevention, protection and post-conflict reconstruction; underlines the need to develop more effective mediation guidelines and capacities, including through collaboration between the EU and the UN;deleted
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 318 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 75 a (new)
75 a. Underlines that civil and military operations should remain strictly separate in every area; stresses that civil-military cooperation involves the incalculable risk of civilians being used to achieve military objectives with far-reaching consequences;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 319 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 75 b (new)
75 b. Strongly believes in the need to build partnerships in the area of conflict prevention, clearly separating civilian and military crisis management, and peace- building; strongly rejects the use of the "responsibility to protect" as an excuse to justify military intervention;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 320 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 76
76. Welcomes the commitments made by the EU and NATO to strengthen their strategic partnership; notes that the current global and European economic crisis has spurred efforts to seek more cost-effective operational capabilities in both the EU and NATO, which are urgently needed; calls for an urgent political solution to the blockage on cooperation under the Berlin Plus arrangements, which are holding back the prospects for the two organisations to cooperate more effectively;deleted
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 326 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 76 a (new)
76 a. Asks for the dissolution of NATO; states that the European Union must have only a civil nature, therefore asks to use the military expenses to civil purposes; denounces that the adoption of NATO's Strategic Concept in order to strengthen the partnership between EU and NATO prevents an independent, peaceful and civilian EU Foreign Policy, as it only increases the militarization of the EU Foreign policy;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 23 #

2013/2051(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Reiterates that transparency, openness, access to information, respect for the rights of citizens, and high ethical standards are essential for maintaining trust between citizens and the institutions; in that sense criticises that European Commission and European Council have been and continue to behave in a non-transparent way, mainly in what concerns very important decisions which have a clear impact of daily life of European citizens
2013/06/25
Committee: PETI
Amendment 31 #

2013/2051(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Underlines the importance of the work of the European Network of Ombudsmen in favour of good administration and more transparency in the European institutions; considers that the Ombudsmen all over the EU play an important role being by the side of European citizens and trying to fight the lack of transparency and democracy in Member States and European Union; expresses its concern about the cuts on the budget of Ombudsmen in many Member States, warns about the attempts of eliminating Regional Ombudsmen in Spain, considers that this decision will damage the possibility of many European citizens of effectively protect their rights;
2013/06/25
Committee: PETI
Amendment 40 #

2013/2051(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Recalls that in 2012 the Ombudsman submitted one special report to Parliament, which concerned the Commission's failure to address a conflict of interest in the handling of the expansion of Vienna Airport, the lack of Environmental Impact Assessment relating to that expansion, and the absence of review procedures available to those who complained about the construction project and the absence of an EIA; denounces that the Commission failed in its obligations when investigating and acting on a complaint it had received and in its response to the Ombudsman's requests and recommendations from his first investigation into this case, recalls that Commission preferred - rather than bringing Austria before the CJEU- to seek an agreement with the Austrian authorities and authorise an ex post EIA which attacks the legitimacy of this institution, congratulates the Ombudsman for having taken the decision of submitting an special report to Parliament on this case
2013/06/25
Committee: PETI
Amendment 12 #

2013/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9
– having regard to the UN Secretary- General’s report to the UN Security Council on Western Sahara, dated 8 April 2013, in particular its reference to the inter- connectedness between Western Sahara and the situation in the Sahel, and having regard to the Strategy for Security and Development in the Sahel drawn up by the European External Action Service, in particular its statement that the problems in the Sahel are cross-border in nature and closely intertwined, and that only a regional focus and a holistic strategy that also includes neighbouring Maghreb countries will enable progress to be made in the region,
2013/07/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 14 #

2013/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)
- having regard to its previous resolutions on Western Sahara, in particular the resolution of 25 November 2010, in the light of the report by the European Parliament ad hoc delegation to Western Sahara (PE 422.290),
2013/07/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 16 #

2013/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 c (new)
- having regard to the numerous resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly on the question of Western Sahara, adopted on the basis of the reports of the Fourth Committee - Special Political and Decolonisation Committee, in particular resolutions 34/37 and 35/19, as well as the European Parliament resolution of 27 May 1993 on the fate of the disappeared Saharans, which define Morocco as the occupying power in Western Sahara, given that this description of Morocco's status was confirmed by the UN Legal Counsel's opinion S/2002/161 of January 2002,
2013/07/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 63 #

2013/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas a ceasefire in Western Sahara between the Moroccan Government and the Polisario Front has been in place since 1991; whereas the UN considers Western Sahara a non-self-governing territory; whereas no country recognises Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara; whereas the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is currently recognised by the AU and over 45 UN states, but not by the UN collectively or by any EU Member State; whereas the UN and EU do not explicitly consider Morocco to be anaccording to international law, the Kingdom of Morocco not only has no sovereignty over Western Sahara, but is the occupying power; whereas a referendum on the status of Western Sahara, first agreed on principle in 1988, has still not taken place;
2013/07/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 69 #

2013/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas a ceasefire in Western Sahara between the Moroccan Government and the Polisario Front has been in place since 1991; whereas the UN considers Western Sahara a non-self-governing territory; whereas no country recognises Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara; whereas the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is currently recognised by the AU and over 4570 UN states, but not by the UN collectively or by any EU Member State; whereas the UN and EU do notSwedish Parliament is urging the Swedish Government to recognise it; whereas the UN and EU have explicitly considered Morocco to be an occupying power; whereas a referendum on the status of Western Sahara, first agreed on principle in 1988, has still not taken placafter Morocco had repeatedly failed to comply with the ceasefire agreements reached, has still not taken place; whereas the acts of violence committed by Morocco against the Sahrawi population in the Occupied Territories, in particular the violent dismantling of the Gdeim Izik camp in 2010, are instances of hostile attitudes that might well be considered to be in breach of this ceasefire;
2013/07/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 79 #

2013/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I
I. whereas the refugee camps near Tindouf in Algeria, having first been established thirty-seven years ago, remain the second longest-operating in the world and still house between 170 000 and 200 000 Sahrawis; whereas a political stalemate precludes any realistic prospect of their dissolution, or the resettlement or repatriation of their inhabitants, in the near future;
2013/07/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 85 #

2013/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J
J. whereas the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) is the only UN mission not to include a human rights dimension in its mandate, and offers no mechanism for alleged human rights violations to be reported; whereas both the Moroccan Government and the Polisario Front have been accused of human rights violationis firmly opposed to any expansion of MINURSO's responsibilities with regard to monitoring the human rights situation, whilst the Polisario Front has repeatedly called for this international mechanism to be established in both the Occupied Territories and the Tindouf camps;
2013/07/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 223 #

2013/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Notes the discrimination faced by women and girls in much of the region, the manifestations of which include forced marriage, child marriage, sexual exploitation, under-education and, particularly in Chad, widespread female genital mutilation, including infibulation; draws particular attention, however, to the situation of Sahrawi women, the significant decline in literacy levels among Sahrawi women in recent decades and the key social role that they play in the refugee camps, their key contribution to the organisation of Sahrawi institutions and their high rate of participation in political life; deplores, however, the human rights violations suffered by Sahrawi women in the territories occupied by Morocco, including humiliating treatment and sexual violence against women, which are used by the occupying forces in an attempt to intimidate the Sahrawi population; calls on the EU to assist local women’s groups and civil society to tackle oppression, and enable women to lead lives that they have freely chosen;
2013/07/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 248 #

2013/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
36. Notes the April 2013 report of the UN Secretary-General on the situation concerning Western Sahara, which stresses ‘the critical importance of addressing the Western Sahara conflict as part of a broader strategy for the Sahel’, and that ‘the issue of human rights remains important for any resolution of the conflict’; further notes the conclusions of many observers that Western Sahara risks becoming destabilised by the conflict in the Sahel and the groups participating in it; welcomes the Swedish Parliament's decision to urge the Swedish Government to recognise the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and considers that a corresponding initiative by the European Union would be a positive step and would help to provide a way out of the impasse in which the conflict is now caught; points out that Spain remains the de facto administering power in the non-self- governing territory of Western Sahara under international law, and that if Spain does not shoulder its historical responsibilities, then the EU must push for the completion of the final process of decolonisation in Africa; nevertheless deeply regrets the European policy of complicity with Morocco and urges the European Union to freeze the advanced status granted to Morocco and suspend negotiations on the fisheries agreement and the free trade agreement for as long as Morocco continues its systematic policy of human rights violations in the occupied territories of Western Sahara; demands an immediate end to the Moroccan occupation;
2013/07/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 268 #

2013/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
38. Expresses deep concern at the recent report from the UNSR on torture, who found evidence that Moroccan officials have detained individuals on political grounds, inflicted torture and rape on Sahrawi inmates, kidnapped and abandoned protesters in the desert to intimidate them, and deliberately and frequently targeted pro-independence advocates, including in their homes; notes further widespread allegations of forced disappearances and unfair trials; draws particular attention to the dismantling of the Gdeim Izik protest camp in November 2010, where significant violence claimed Moroccan and Sahrawi livethe lives of Sahrawi civilians, including some minors, and the subsequent trial of 25 Sahrawis, many of them known human rights activists, in February 2013; notes Morocco’s insistence regarding the trial’s fairness and due process, and, following which nine of those charged were sentenced to life imprisonment, four were sentenced to 30 years imprisonment, seven received a 25-year prison sentence, three received a 20-year sentence and two were sentenced to the positivme conclusions of some international observers, but also recalls the UNSR’s concern at the use of a military court, the allegthey had served in provisional detention; recalls that these prisoners were transferred to a prison in Rabat and brought before a military court, which represents a violations of torture, and the Moroccan authoArticle 76 of the Fourth Geneva Convention on the protection of civilians in occupied territories’ failure to investigate them; notes the conclusions by some NGOs and human rights observers relating to the case’s alleged politicised prosecutions, deficient evidence and, under which Morocco is obliged not to transfer citizens from the occupied territory to places outside that territory; notes the conclusions by the majority of international observers, who denounced the failings which had deprived the trial of any legitimacy and the failure to investigate reports of torture made by the defendants, and highlights the concern excpressive sentences; calls therefore on the Moroccan authorities to work with civil society and other actors to guarantee the transparency and fairness of its judicial processes, and to investigate and prosecute security officed by the United Nations special rapporteur with regard to the use of a military court, allegations of torture and the fact that the Moroccan authorities failed to investigate those allegations; takes the view, therefore, that the procedure followed did not properly guarantee the rights of those accused, who were deprived of the presumption of innocence, their right to defence and effective legal remedy, and their right to a fair trials alleged to have been involved in arbitrary detentions, torture and other abuses of powernd an independent court, since the entire procedure was motivated by a clear political objective;
2013/07/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 269 #

2013/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
38. Expresses deep concern at the recent report from the UNSR on torture, who found evidence that Moroccan officials have detained individuals on political grounds, inflicted torture and rape on Sahrawi inmates, kidnapped and abandoned protesters in the desert to intimidate them, and deliberately and frequently targeted pro-independence advocates, including in their homes; notes further widespread allegations of forced disappearances and unfair trials; draws particular attention to the dismantling of the Gdeim Izik protest camp in November 2010, where significant violence claimed Moroccan and Sahrawi lives, and the subsequent trial of 25 Sahrawis, many of them known human rights activists, in February 2013; notes Morocco's insistence regardunderlines that during theis trial's fairness and due process, a military court as sentenced 25 Sahrawi civiliands the positive conclusions of some international observers, but also recalls the UNSR's concern at the use of a military court, the allegations of torture, and the Moroccan authorities' failure to investigate themo 9 life sentences, 4 sentenced to 30 years, 7 sentenced to 25 years, 3 sentenced to 20 years and 2 sentenced to 2 years and 3 months, which they already have spent in custody; notes Morocco's failure to investigate claims that the defendants were subjected to torture; underlines Morocco's refusal to transfer the trial to a civilian court capable of handling fair trial standards and Morocco's obligations under international law; notes the conclusions by some NGOs and human rights observers relating to the case's alleged politicised prosecutions, deficient evidence and excessive sentences; calls therefore on the Moroccan authorities to work with civil society and other actors to guarantee the transparency and fairness of its judicial processes, and to investigate and prosecute security officials alleged to have been involved in arbitrary detentions, torture and other abuses of power;
2013/07/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 274 #

2013/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)
38a. Condemns the fact that on Wednesday 6 March 2013 Morocco expelled a delegation of four Members of the European Parliament; notes that the aim of the delegation was to visit the territories of Western Sahara, to inquire about the situation of human rights and to meet with representatives of the MINURSO; condemn Morocco's authorities behaviour and demands the Kingdom of Morocco to permit free access and free movement in Western Sahara to independent observers, members of parliaments, to the press and to humanitarian organisations;
2013/07/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 278 #

2013/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
39. Reiterates the concerns of the 2006 OHCHR report about restrictions on freedom of speech, assembly and association in Western Sahara; notes Morocco’s claim to allow sit-ins and other forms of protest; regrets Morocco’s apparent institutional obstruction of NGOs advocating a pro-independence positionSahrawi NGOs by preventing their legal registration and recognition; condemns the often severe punishments for ‘undermining Moroccan territorial integrity’, an item of legislation reportedly used to target Sahrawis peacefully advocating independencedefending their legitimate right to self-determination; recalls the findings of the UN Independent Expert on cultural rights that the Moroccan authorities suppress certain aspects of Sahrawi culture, and repeats her call to overturn such measures and promote full cultural diversity;
2013/07/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 291 #

2013/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
40. WelcomDeplores the significant economic andfact that the infrastructural develope investments implemented by the Moroccan Government in Western Sahara are geared solely to exploiting its rich natural resources, which does not benefit the Sahrawi population; cites, as an example, the lack of universities in the Western Saharan territories occupied by Morocco; remains concerned, however, by the ongoing dispute over the exploitation of the territory’s natural resources, particularly relating to phosphate mines, fisheries, and preliminary oil exploration; recalls the UN Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs’ advice in 2002, which stressed the Western Saharan people’s ‘inalienable rights’ to their territory’s natural resources, and determined that further exploitation ‘in disregard of the interests and wishes of the people of Western Sahara’ would be illegal; stresses, therefore, that Western Saharan goods and resources should be exempt from any trade agreements between Morocco and the EU unless the Sahrawi population’s consent and benefit can be clearly demonstrated; expresses particular concern that the EU should not re- instituturges the EU not to conclude any fisheries agreement with Morocco while this controversy remains unresolvedthat unlawfully includes the territorial waters of Western Sahara;
2013/07/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 298 #

2013/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
41. Notes that landmines in Western Sahara have tragically caused at least 2 500 casualties since 1975, continuing to threaten many thousands of Sahrawi nomads, and representing a major obstacle to a resolution of the Western Saharan dispute and refugee situation; commends, therefore, the work of MINURSO, the Royal Moroccan Army, Landmine Action and others to map and clear affected areas, and; welcomes the fact that the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic has signed the Ottawa Convention on the prohibition of anti-personnel mines, while regretting that Morocco has not done likewise and continues to place mines in the territory; encourages all actors to do everything possible to educate the population, assist victims and remove all remaining munitions;
2013/07/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 300 #

2013/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)
41a. Highlights the existence of the wall which divides the territories of Western Sahara from north to south, comprising a set of eight defensive walls over 2 720 km long, built by Morocco from the 1980s onwards; condemns what has become known as the 'Wall of Shame', a military zone with bunkers, barriers and minefields guarded by 160 000 Moroccan soldiers, the daily cost of maintaining which is estimated at around 2 million euros;
2013/07/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 301 #

2013/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 b (new)
41b. Expresses its total repudiation of a criminal wall that separates Sahrawi families; protests at the fact that, despite the ceasefire, Morocco is continuing to place mines in the area around the wall, repeatedly causing deaths and injuries among the Sahrawi population, and draws attention to the complete impunity enjoyed by Moroccan soldiers, who even fired shots at young Sahrawis who were demonstrating against the wall on 31 December 2012, in the presence of around 20 Spanish witnesses and in the absence of MINURSO forces, a serious incident which could recur at any time and that might be considered a de facto breach of the ceasefire;
2013/07/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 306 #

2013/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
42. Expresses deep concern about the chronic poverty, and lackshortage of basic services and adequate housing in the Polisario Front-administered refugee camps near Tindouf; repeats the recommendations of the UNSR on adequate housing that sufficient international funding be directed for this purpose; notes in this regard the lack of clear documentemphasises, however, that, despite the shortcomings found, humanitarian aid and water are being distributed to the entire Sahrawi population, about the precise number of inhabitants in Tindouf, and urges the authorities to conduct or facnd highlights the importance of promoting access to education and health services in the refugee camps; welcomes the efforts made by the Polisario Front, which has achieved a drastic 95% reduction in the levels of illitate regular censuses or formal registrationeracy inherited from colonial times and virtually eradicated it in the camps;
2013/07/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 313 #

2013/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
43. Expresses concern that the poverty in Tindouf, coupled with an absence of long- term prospects for many refugees, leaves them vulnerable to radicalisation along religious fundamentalist lines; draws attention to the region’s porous borders, which risk facilitating deeper infiltration of the camps by jihadi groups from northern Mali and elsewhere; stresses, therefore, the paramount importance of ensuring the safety and security of the camps;
2013/07/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 321 #

2013/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
44. Notes that whilePoints out that most recent observers, and reports from the OHCHR, Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, and Human Rights Watch, have identified littleemphasised their freedom of movement and have not identified any evidence of systemic andor institutional human rights violations in the camps, multiple actors, including the Moroccan Government, Moroccan NGOs and some former inhabitants of Tindouf, have; notes that the Moroccan Government has nevertheless alleged that the Polisario authorities restrict inhabitants’ freedom of expression and freedom of movement, practise or permit slavery, forcibly marry children, and separate families in order to send children to Cuba for military training; notes Polisario’s vigorous denials of these accusations, which it claims are politically motivated; callpoints out, on the contrary, that the eradication of slavery practices and the abolition of polygamy and forced marriage, as well as the refore on Polisario tgulation of divorce, were in fact proposed and achieved by the Sahrawis in the refugee camps; commends the position of solidarity taken by the Republic of Cuba vis-à-vis the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, which has enabled cooperation between the two states and made it possible to train thousands of Sahrawi professionals since 1977, particularly teachers and doctors; welcomes the fact that Polisario allows independent human rights observers full, regular and unfettered access to the camps; amidst reported evidence of some residual private slavery in both Tindouf and Western Sahara, calls on the Polisario and Moroccan authoregrets, however, the many restrictions on and repeated expulsion of international observer delegations to the territories occupied by Morocco, including Members of the European Parliament and journalists; protests at the constant monitoring and harassment of those foreign delegations which succeed in entering the occupied territories to redouble their efforts to terminate this practice and rehabilitate its victims; , as the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights highlighted in its latest report; recalls that the Polisario Front is calling for an international mechanism to monitor human rights in both Western Sahara and the camps, whilst Morocco is vehemently opposed to any such mechanism;
2013/07/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 333 #

2013/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
46. Notes, nevertheless, the serious and contested allegations against both the Moroccan and Polisario administrationsMorocco, and recalls the UN Secretary-General’s recent emphasis on ‘independent, impartial, comprehensive and sustained monitoring of the human rights situation in both Western Sahara and the camps’; noteregrets, in this regard, that the UN did not upgrade the mandate of MINURSO in April 2013 to incorporate a human rights dimension; reiterates that Morocco was opposed to the incorporation of a human rights dimension, whilst the Polisario Front had called for it; encourages the UN to do so, or else to establish a new, permanent, impartial human rights body for the purpose of supervising and reporting on the overall situation of human rights, and investigating individual complaints; calls on such a body to encompass the Moroccan-controlled section of Western Sahara, the Tindouf camps, and other territory controlled by the Polisario Front;
2013/07/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 341 #

2013/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47
47. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the EUSRs for Human Rights and for the Sahel, the EU Member States, the governments and parliaments of the Sahel countries, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Morocco, Algeria, and the Polisario Front, the UN Secretary-General and Security Council, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the AU Chair and Secretary- General of the Commission, and the ECOWAS Chair and President of the Commission;
2013/07/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 12 #

2013/2013(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the austerity policies the EU has imposed on Member States are curtailing the exercise of European citizens’ fundamental rights – especially the right to food, healthcare, education and housing – as never before;
2013/07/12
Committee: PETI
Amendment 20 #

2013/2013(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas, although the Commission can fully check compliance with EU law only when a final decision has been taken by national authorities, it is important – particularly in relation to environmental matters – to verify at an early stage that local, regional and national authorities correctly apply all relevant procedural requirements under EU law, including implementation of the principle of precaution;
2013/07/12
Committee: PETI
Amendment 22 #

2013/2013(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F b (new)
Fb. whereas further irreparable losses in biodiversity must be averted, especially inside Natura 2000 designated sites; whereas Member States have undertaken to ensure the protection of special conservation areas under the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and the Birds Directive (79/409 EEC);
2013/07/12
Committee: PETI
Amendment 33 #

2013/2013(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas the petitions process can be complementary to other European instruments available to citizens, such as the option to address complaints to the European Ombudsman or to the European Commission; whereas the Committee on Petitions works closely with the European Ombudsman, other European Parliament committees, European bodies, agents and networks and Member States;
2013/07/12
Committee: PETI
Amendment 36 #

2013/2013(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas it is necessary to increase citizen participation in the EU decision- making process, with a view to reinforcing its legitimacy and accountability;
2013/07/12
Committee: PETI
Amendment 64 #

2013/2013(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Deplores the fact that the austerity policies the EU has imposed on Member States are curtailing the exercise of European citizens’ fundamental rights – especially the right to food, healthcare, education and housing – as never before;
2013/07/12
Committee: PETI
Amendment 93 #

2013/2013(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Stresses the need to regulate coastal protection effectively, but notes that the Costal Law is not consistent with the objectives sought, since it is affecting historic heritage and traditional communities, punishing the inhabitants of coastal villages who have always coexisted sustainably with the sea and its ecosystems;
2013/07/12
Committee: PETI
Amendment 1 #
2013/11/06
Committee: PECH
Amendment 346 #

2012/2870(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Stresses the importance of a coherent and comprehensive security approach in the Eastern Mediterranean and calls on Turkey to allow political dialogue between the EU and NATO by lifting its veto on EU-NATO cooperation including Cyprus, and consequently calls on the Republic of Cyprus to lift its veto on Turkey's participation in the European Defence Agency;deleted
2013/02/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 359 #

2012/2870(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25a (new)
25a. Stresses the need for peaceful resolution of conflicts in the region of the Eastern Mediterranean in respect of international law and the relevant United Nations Resolutions, leading to equitable cooperation to the benefit of all the peoples of the region, hence contributing to peace and stability in the whole region;
2013/02/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 399 #

2012/2870(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28a (new)
28a. Considers that the deployment by NATO of Patriot missiles on Turkey's borders with Syria leads to further escalation of tensions with unpredictable consequences and calls for their immediate withdrawal;
2013/02/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 9 #

2012/2253(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas the EEAS was established as a sui generis institution which is not subject to any parliamentary control;
2013/04/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 14 #

2012/2253(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the parliamentary involvement and consultation in the respective Committees on the establishment of the EEAS was organised in only short time, non-democratic and limited manner;
2013/04/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 25 #

2012/2253(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas operational decision-making and implementation in the area of the Common Foreign and Security Policy / Common Security and Defence Policy (CFSP/CSDP) are too slow because of structural and procedural reasons; whereas this has become apparent once more with the crisis in Mali, in response of which decision-making procedures and funding decisions have not been swiftly adopted and implemented;deleted
2013/04/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 32 #

2012/2253(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas the EEAS should be a streamlined, results-orientated, efficient structure, capable of providing support for political leadership in the area of CFSP and facilitating democratic and consensual decision-making in the Council; whereas, for this reason, the EEAS should be capable of providing, at short notice and in a coordinated fashion, expertise from different departments, including from the Commission; whereas the current structure of the EEAS is too top-heavy and marked by too many decision-making layers;
2013/04/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 33 #

2012/2253(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I
I. whereas the opportunities for quick deployment offered by the EU battlegroups are not used;deleted
2013/04/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 41 #

2012/2253(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J
J. whereas the experience of the past has clearly shown there is no need for establishing permanent operational Headquarters in Brussels for the conduct of CSDP missions;
2013/04/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 43 #

2012/2253(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K
K. whereas, in the case of the Arab revolutions, it has become apparent what dramatic effects a geostrategic, based on power politics - EU foreign policy has and that the EU is unable to ensure, in the short term, a reallocation of resources, including staff, to match new political priorities; whereas the size and staff profiles of EU delegations must reflect the Union's strategic interests;
2013/04/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 47 #

2012/2253(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital L
L. whereas the role of the EEAS inEEAS was made responsible for defining the strategic orientation, and in contributing tobut not of the implementation of the EU financial assistance instruments, should be strengthened in line with the key lines of EU foreign policy;ince the Commission is the only one responsible and accountable,
2013/04/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 52 #

2012/2253(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital N
N. whereas, at a time when Member States' governments are seriously reducing their diplomatic and consular presence, the EEAS should be seen as an opportunity to foster greater cooperation and synergies;deleted
2013/04/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 85 #

2012/2253(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. the planning, programming, management and implementation of operational expenditure of all financing instruments of EU external action, namely - the Development Cooperation Instrument, - the European Development Fund, - the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, - the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument, - the Instrument for Cooperation with Industrialised Countries, - the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation. - the Instrument for humanitarian aid shall not be transferred to the EEAS as the European Parliament must have the full budgetary and parliamentary control over them;
2013/04/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 89 #

2012/2253(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. to integrate, as a matter of priority, the Directorate for Foreign Policy Instruments in the EEAS;deleted
2013/04/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 92 #

2012/2253(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. to ensure that the European Union Special Representatives (EUSRs) are closely integrated into the work of the EEAS by anchoring them and their staff in the EEAS structure, and to consider, whenever possible, double-hatting them with EU Heads of Delegation; ; to reject the system of double-hatting throughout the whole EEAS-structures since parliamentary control of the EEAS has been fully undermined; to ensure that the European Parliament's right of scrutiny is guaranteed to its full extent, and assured for the national parliaments as well, especially in terms of the CSFP and CSDP;
2013/04/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 110 #

2012/2253(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. to implement the full potential of the Lisbon Treaty by pursuing a Comprehensive Approach that integrates diplomatic, economic, development, and – in the last resort and in full compliance with the UN Charter – military means behind common Union strategic policy guidelines in order to promote the security and prosperity of EU citizens and their neighbours; in this respect, to ensure that the EEAS has the capacity to forward proposals for implementing important innovations offered by the Lisbon Treaty, including on Permanent Structured Cooperation;deleted
2013/04/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 115 #

2012/2253(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. to ensure that the military structures of the EU, located in the General Secretariat of the Council, as well as the civilian-military structures such as the European Union Military Staff, the European Defence Agency (EDA), the Crisis Management Planning Directorate (CMPD), EU Situation Centre (SitCen) and the European Union Satellite Centre (EUSC), are neither part of the EEAS nor institutionally connected to it; furthermore to ensure that the Council stops the further militarisation of EU foreign policy and abolishes all military and civil-military structures under its competence, as well as stops the financing of military and civil-military activities;
2013/04/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 118 #

2012/2253(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. to that end, to develop further an ‘appropriate structure’ that integrates crisis response, peace building and CSDP structures, and assures coordination with the geographical desks, delegations and other policy departments concerned in crisis management, building on the crisis platform concept;deleted
2013/04/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 124 #

2012/2253(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. to ensure effective and integrated planning, and faster decision-making, for CSDP operations, by combining the relevant planning capacities from the Crisis Management and Planning Directorate (CMPD) and the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC); in addition, to create a permanent conduct structure by establishing a permanent military Operational Headquarter, co-located with a Civilian Conduct Capability, in order to allow the effective implementation of military and civilian operations whilst safeguarding their respective chains of command;deleted
2013/04/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 130 #

2012/2253(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. to resolve current rigidities in the financial circuit so as to authorise Commission staff in delegations, when conditions on the ground so require, to take over some budgetary tasks in order to allow Heads of Delegation to focus on their political tasks;deleted
2013/04/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 132 #

2012/2253(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. to reject the incorporation of the Union delegations by the EEAS, in particular because of the lack of transparency and parliamentary control of the EEAS; to further reject in this regard the shift of significant competences towards the EEAS and therefore rejects any further shifts of competences such as payment authorisation or budgetary matters towards the EEAS;
2013/04/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 138 #

2012/2253(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. in this context, to strengthen the authority of the Heads of Delegation over the whole staff including Commission staff, and to ensure that the Head of Delegation is the addressee of all instructions issued by Headquarters;deleted
2013/04/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 151 #

2012/2253(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. to ensure that, wherever applicable, every delegation has a CSDP civil-attaché specialised in mediation and peaceful conflict resolution, in particular in delegations in situations of political instability or fragility or where a recent CSDP operation or mission has been terminated, in order to ensure continuity and monitoring of the environment;
2013/04/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 164 #

2012/2253(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. to ensure full political reporting from Union delegations to key office holderall political groups of Parliament under regulated access;
2013/04/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 172 #

2012/2253(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
35. to further pursue and intensify efforts to achieve betterequalised gender and geographical balance, with due regard to merit and competences;
2013/04/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2012/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
- having regard to the European Parliament’s report of 11 September 2012 on Alleged transportation and illegal detention of prisoners in European countries by the CIA1 __________________ 1 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2012)0309,
2012/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 31 #

2012/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas economic, social and cultural rights are an integral part of human rights and their observance leads to full implementation of the eight Millennium Development Goals from the year 2000, namely: eradicate extreme hunger and poverty, achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality and empower women, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, ensure environmental sustainability, and develop a global partnership for development; whereas an ambitious timetable was set for these goals to be achieved by 2015, but this is currently far from being achieved;
2012/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 39 #

2012/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the EU is bound to help countries with which it has signed international agreements, including trade agreements, to implement all these fundamental principles, and in particular by ensuring strict compliance with the human rights and democracy clauses in said agreements;
2012/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 66 #

2012/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Deplores the fact that the European Union’s human rights policy is restricted, and even contradicted, by diplomatic, political or economic considerations, creating double standards which damage all EU policies in this field and are in total contradiction to a universal vision of human rights; stresses the importance for the EU’s credibility of not exploiting any of these issues, not imposing restrictions on the people’s right to self- determination, and not interfering in the political life of third countries;
2012/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 67 #

2012/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to check that companies which come under national or EU law do not disregard the human rights and social, health and environmental standards they are subject to when moving to or carrying out their activities in a third country;
2012/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 68 #

2012/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Emphasises the need for particular attention to be paid by the European Union and its Member States to the human rights situation in the Western Sahara; recalls that any form of occupation should be strongly condemned by the international community, notably in Palestine and the Western Sahara;
2012/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 91 #

2012/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 e (new)
12e. Is firmly opposed to any change in direction for the CFSP and believes that the European Union’s policies should be directed solely towards peace and political resolution of conflicts;
2012/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 134 #

2012/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Deplores the signature of the Multi- Party Trade Agreement with Peru and Colombia as it exacerbates existing inequalities, harms the economic and labour rights of workers, and favours multinationals and the European extractive industry sector to the detriment of fragile, highly biodiverse ecosystems; denounces that Colombia continues to perpetrate violence and repression against trade unionists, human rights activists and indigenous peoples;
2012/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 147 #

2012/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Believes that the EU’s response to global threats and challenges can in no case be of a military nature; underlines the importance of tackling the root causes of instability by means of development policies that are in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other socio-economic, political and cultural measures which can create an environment conducive to preventing the resurgence of conflict, and which aim to eliminate poverty, foster economic, social and cultural development, create institutional and administrative capacities, improve the quality of life of the population and consolidate the rule of law;
2012/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 158 #

2012/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Recalls the European Parliament resolution of 25 November 2010 on the situation in Western Sahara; urges Morocco and the Polisario Front to continue negotiation for a peaceful and long-lasting solution of the Western Sahara conflict and reiterates the rights of the Sahrawi people to self determination which should be decided through a democratic referendum, in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions; condemns the ongoing violation of the human rights of the Sahrawi people; calls for the release of the Sahrawi political prisoners;
2012/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 182 #

2012/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
35a. Recognises that the current economic and financial crisis is having a severe social impact on communities within and outside the EU, notes that the various austerity plans adopted by the EU and other international institutions such as the IMF have led to an erosion of social and democratic rights and a significant deterioration in living conditions, particularly for the most vulnerable and susceptible groups;
2012/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 222 #

2012/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 d (new)
42d. Stresses that while clauses concerning democracy and human rights have been included in political framework agreements with third countries since 1995, and in agreements concluded with more than 120 countries, these clauses have mostly remained a dead letter; is convinced that these clauses, which should constitute a legally binding commitment on the part of the EU and partner countries, must be complemented by an operational enforcement mechanism to give them concrete form; considers there is a need for ex-ante monitoring mechanisms prior to the conclusion of a framework agreement, and on which such conclusion is made conditional as a fundamental part of the agreement, and for ex-post monitoring mechanisms which enable tangible action to be taken in response to infringements of these clauses, including the possible suspension of an agreement;
2012/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 228 #

2012/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 a (new)
44a. Calls once again on the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission and the Member States to endeavour to establish a common position for the European Union concerning the action to be taken on the report by the UN fact-finding mission headed by Judge Goldstone on the Gaza conflict in the south of Israel, and to endeavour to ensure the effective implementation of its recommendations, including those concerning the assignment of responsibilities for all violations of international law, including alleged war crimes; calls in this connection for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement;
2012/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 268 #

2012/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58 a (new)
58a. Regrets that persecution and marginalisation of Kurdish human rights defenders remain a widespread practice in Turkey. Expresses concern at the large number of criminal cases launched against writers and journalists writing on the Kurdish issue and the arrest of several Kurdish politicians, locally elected mayors, members of municipal councils and human rights defenders in connection with the KCK trial;
2012/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 288 #

2012/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67 a (new)
67a. Reiterates its condemnation of the practices of extraordinary rendition, secret prisons and torture, in which the USA and some EU Member States were involved, which are prohibited under domestic and international human rights law and which breach, inter alia, the rights to liberty, security, humane treatment, freedom from torture, presumption of innocence, fair trial, legal counsel and equal protection under the law; regrets that thus far no responsibility has been apportioned, either in the USA, or at EU level; sincerely hopes that, in accordance with the promises made, the detention and torture centre at Guantánamo be closed as soon as possible;
2012/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 290 #

2012/2145(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68 a (new)
68a. Regrets that human rights violations still remain a painful problem in the occupied areas of Cyprus. Thousands of refugees, who have been forced to abandon their homes and properties, are being denied by the Turkish military forces to live in their homeland until today. Moreover, the families and relatives of missing persons are still denied the right to have an answer about the fate of their loved ones as Turkey does not facilitate the access to military zones and relevant reports from archives for the investigations of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus.
2012/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 184 #

2012/2138(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 81
81. Notes that the impasse linked to the dispute between Turkey and Cyprus has not prevented the two organizations from conducting, by appropriate channels, a political dialogue, from working together through ‘staff-to-staff’ contacts or from coordinwith the presence of approximately 43,000 Turkish occupation troops, Turkey, who is a member of NATO, sustains a situation which is clearly a threat to peace and stability in the EU; calls, therefore, for the immediate ceasing of international law violationg their activities; calls, nevertheless, for a resolution of this dispute in order to improve cooperation between the two organizatrough the immediate withdrawal of Turkish forces from Cyprus in order to improve the stability of the regions;
2012/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2012/2107(DEC)

Draft opinion
Recital A
A. whereas, with a view to creating the foundations for an effectontributing to a comprehensive solution tofor the reunification of Cyprus, it is essential, inter alia, to support the process of reconciliation and confidence-building between the two Cypriot communities, as well as to facilitate the economic integration of the island, to the extent possible, prior to the solution,
2012/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 9 #

2012/2107(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the importance of continuing to provide assistance to the Turkish Cypriot community according to the provisions of the Council Regulation;
2012/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 14 #

2012/2107(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Points out, in particular, the fundamental role of the Committee on Missing Persons, an example of a successful bi-communal cooperation, in order to determine the fate of the missing persons and so contribute to inter- communal reconciliation;
2012/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2012/2107(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that an estimated 78% of privately owned land in the occupied northern part of Cyprus legally belongs to Greek Cypriots and that athese rights should be fully respected in the implementation of the Regulation; reminds that the solution to the property issue will be essential for the support of future reunification planscomprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem; calls the Commission and EUPSO to continue to strengthen the system of recording and earmarking of the rights on such lands so that the legitimate owners can maintain visibility vis-á-vis third party private investors;
2012/11/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 6 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the EU should develop its foreign policy objectives further and advance its values and interests worldwide with the overall aim of contributing to peace, security, solidarity, conflict prevention, the promotion of democracy, the protection of human rights, gender equality, respect for international law, support for international institutions, effective multilateralism and mutual respect among nations, sustainable development, free and fair trade and the eradication of poverty;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 13 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas all EU policies and actions should be in accordance with international law, including the principles prescribed by the UN Charter;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 28 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomDeplores the steps taken by the Council, with the support of the HR/VP, in the 2010 Annual Report, towards mapping the Union's Foreign Policy in a forward- looking and strategic policy document;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 37 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Points out that in the second decade of the twenty-first century there is a growing awareness amongst Europe's citizens, and further afield, that only comprehensive approaches that integrate diplomatic, economic and, in the last resort, military means arsocial development, welfare of the peoples, fight against poverty and social justice are the adequate means for addressing global threats and challenges;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 54 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Recognises the essential role of the EEAS (including its Delegations and EU Special Representatives) in assisting the HR/VP in pursuing a more strategic, coherent and consistent political approach to the Union's external action; affirms its intention to continue monitStates that the European External Action Service (EEAS) is under no circumstances the institution suited to coordingate the geographic and gender balance of staff in the EEAS, including in senior positions, and to assess whether the appointment of Member State diplomats as Heads of Delegation is in the interests of the Union, not of Member States; stresses the importance of strengthening relations between the EEAS, the Commission and the Member States with a view to achieving synergies in the effective implementation of external action and in delivering a single EU message on key political issueCFSP and external policies, since it is neither transparent nor democratic and is guided by vested interests;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 68 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Underlines that civil and military operations should remain strictly separate in every area; stresses that civil-military cooperation involves the incalculable risk of civilians being used to achieve military objectives with far-reaching consequences;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 98 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. Stresses that any military intervention from the side of EU would be the wrong way to solving conflicts and reaching solutions in the Middle East and North Africa; Strongly advocates for the use of political and diplomatic means to promote and achieve peaceful solutions and maintain a safe environment for the people of the region, the EU and the world;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 107 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26 a. Reiterates its respect to these countries' rights to decide whether they want to accede or not the EU and insists on the non interference principle in their internal reforms;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 121 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28 a. Reiterates its rejection of the unilateral declaration of the independence of Kosovo; notes that this declaration establishes a dangerous precedent against international law; calls for a common satisfactory solution, under Resolution 1244/99 of the UN Security Council which affirmed the commitment of all Member States to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, in respect of International Law and as the only effective way for a permanent solution in favour of peace in the region; Reiterates its rejection to the EULEX mission as it is based on the recognition of Kosovo in contravention of international law;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 129 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Calls for the principles underlying the new European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) approach, as set out in the HR/VP and Commission Joint Communication of 25 May 2011, and for the ‘more-for-more’ principle and the ‘partnership with society’ in particular, to be fully operational and for Union assistance to be fully aligned to this new approach;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 130 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29 a. Points out that are significant economic, social and demographic asymmetries between European Union Member States and States from the ENP south, as well as the structural problems, which call for responses in the shared interest of all the states participating in the ENP-south;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 131 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)
29 b. Reiterates the EP and EU position in favour of a two-state; states that Israel's settlement policy, policy of evictions and house demolitions especially in East Jerusalem and constant violations of International Law jeopardize the possibility of a peaceful negotiated solution; calls for the immediate recognition of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 132 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 c (new)
29 c. Expresses its concern over the arms trade and EU cooperation with Israel in the framework of the EDA that contributes to the further militarization of the problem; calls on Israel to cooperate with the IAEA and stop developing nuclear capacities;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 133 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
30. Recalls that the Southern Neighbourhood is of vital importance to the European Union and urges that a better balance be struck between pursuing market-oriented, on the one hand, andfor human and social approaches on the other in the EU's response to the Arab Spring; calls, therefore, for a greater focus on employment, education, training and regional development in order to help alleviate the current social and economic crisis in these countries, and to provide the assistance needed to support the ongoing political reforms and social and economic development; underlines the importance of supporting institutional capacity-building, including for the parliaments of these countries, an independent judicial system, the strengthening of civil-society organisations and the formation of pluralist political parties within a secular system;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 144 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30 a. Reiterates that economic, political, social, cultural or any other type of relations between the EU and the ENP countries must be based on equality of treatment, solidarity, dialogue and respect for the specific asymmetries and characteristics of each country;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 149 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31 a. Deplores that advanced status has already been granted or is currently under negotiation with some of the partners countries, like the Kingdom of Morocco, who systematically violates the human right clause in article 2 of the EU- Morocco association agreement; stresses the importance of having a more transparent and coherent approach towards this differentiation and of clear criteria being established which must be fulfilled in order for advanced status to be granted;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 151 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
32. Points out that Turkey is both a candidate country and an important strategic partner; calls, therefore, forUnderlines though that, as a candidate country, Turkey must commit to good neighbourly relations with the European Union and all its Members; calls, therefore, on the Government of Turkey to recognise all Members States and immediately withdraw its military forces from EU territory; The aforementioned prerequisites are indispensable in order to reinforce the existing political dialogue with TurkeyEU on foreign policy choices and objectives of mutual interest to be reinforced; stresses the importance of encouraging Turkey to pursuetransform its foreign policy in a framework ofin order to promote of sincere dialogue and coordination with the European Union in order tothus createing valuable synergies and reinforceing the potential for a positive impact;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 161 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
33. Recalls Turkey's ambition to inspire and assist democratic transitions and socio- economic reforms in the southern neighbourhood but underlines that consolidation of democracy and necessary socio-economic reforms in favour of the people have not yet been accomplished in Turkey itself; notes that participation of Turkish institutions and non-governmental organisations in ENP instruments would generate unique synergy effects, especially in areas such as institution-building and socio-economic and civil society development; believes that practical cooperation should be complemented with a structured dialogue between the EU and Turkey with a view to coordinating their respective neighbourhood policies; hopes that the conditions will improveTurkey will fulfil its legal and political obligations for the opening of further chapters in the membership negotiations (e.g. ratification and implementation of the Ankara Protocol); recognises that the lack of cooperation in migration policy is having a negative impact, especially on Greece;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 166 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33 a. Deplores the foreign military intervention in Libya which, on the pretext of protecting the Libyan people, concealed an intention to get hold of the country's oil and gas reserves;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 178 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34 a. underlines that Turkey's unacceptable policy of blocking participation and vetoing membership of Cyprus to different international organisations, arrangements, regimes and treaties to which Cyprus is a member (or signatory) is having a negative effect on EU's foreign policy;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 182 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
35. Underlines that, whilst the EU-Ukraine Agreement has been initialled, its signature and ratification can only happen if Ukraine fulfils the necessary requirements; this means respect for the rule of law in the form of strengthening the stability, independence and effectiveness of the institutions which guarantee the rule of law, and of showing respect for the rights of the opposition and putting an end to persecution of it, thus establishing a truly pluralistic democracy as in any other EU agreement;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 243 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
43 a. Denounces that the EU policy towards Afghanistan and Pakistan follows the US strategy which seeks mainly for a military solution; insists that Afghanistan needs stability but not through military means but development aid and respect for its territorial and political sovereignty; asks for the immediate withdrawal of all foreign troops;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 260 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
46. Believes that the USA as a NATO member is an important partner for the collective security of Europe;deleted
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 265 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 a (new)
46 a. Reiterates its condemnation of the practices of extraordinary rendition, secret prisons and torture, in which USA and some EU Member States were involved, which are prohibited under domestic and international human rights law and which breach inter alia the rights to liberty, security, humane treatment, freedom from torture, presumption of innocence, fair trial, legal counsel and equal protection under the law; regrets that up to the moment no responsibility has been depurated neither in the US non at the EU level; demands the immediate closure of the centre of detention and torture of Guantanamo;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 267 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 a (new)
47 a. Welcomes the steady progress of the integration processes in Latin America that, unlike the European process, has produced numerous successes due to the foundations of those integration processes, namely putting each country's resources at the service of its citizens and placing the interest of the citizens at the heart of the actions and concerns of governments; in that sense welcomes the creation of the new regional organization CELAC;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 268 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
48. Proposes to explore the possibility of closer cooperation, especially economic cooperation, between the Americas and the EU with the goal based on equal to equal treatment and ofn a common Free Trade Agreement (FTA)n agreed agenda;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 275 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51 a (new)
51 a. Deplores the signature of the Multi- Party Trade Agreement with Peru and Colombia as it exacerbates existing inequalities, harms the economic and labour rights of workers, and favours multinationals and the European extractive industry sector to the detriment of fragile, highly biodiverse ecosystems; denounces that Colombia continues to perpetrate violence and repression against trade unionists, human rights activists and indigenous peoples; insists, instead, on the regional Association Agreement with the Andean Community; stresses, nonetheless, that the EU should continue to give priority to regional integration processes in Latin America; underlines that the EP should be consulted on regard of the negotiations on the Association Agreement with Mercosur;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 283 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 a (new)
53 a. Calls on the Council and Commission to review their strategy to the Horn of Africa and concentrate on the real causes of the conflict, which are extreme poverty, illegal fishing and toxic waste dump by industrialized countries and the destabilisation of Somalia and the region at all by third parties;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 285 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 a (new)
53 a. Recalls the European Parliament resolution of 25 November 2010 on the situation in Western Sahara; urges Morocco and the Polisario Front to continue negotiation for a peaceful and long-lasting solution of the Western Sahara conflict and reiterates the rights of the Sahrawi people to self determination which should be decided through a democratic referendum, in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions; condemns the ongoing violation of the human rights of the Sahrawi people; calls for the release of the Sahrawi political prisoners; welcomes the statements by 11 countries during the 13 th session of the Universal Periodic Review of the United Nations raising concerns on the situation in Western Sahara;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 328 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61
61. Strongly believes in the need to build partnerships in the area of conflict prevention, clearly separating civilian and military crisis management, and peace- building, and, with this in mind, to make the EU-UN Steering Committee more operational in the context of crisis management; calls on the EU and its Member States to generate further progress on the operationalisationis strongly against the use of the. R "responsibility to Pprotect principle and to work with UN partners towards ensuring that this concept becomes part of prevention and post-conflict reconstruc" as an excuse to justify military intervention;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 343 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63 a (new)
63 a. Asks for the dissolution of NATO; states that the European Union must have only a civil nature, therefore asks to use the military expenses to civil purposes; Denounces that the adoption of NATO's Strategic Concept in order to strengthen the partnership between EU and NATO prevents an independent, peaceful and civilian EU Foreign Policy, as it only increases the militarization of the EU Foreign policy;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 356 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68 a (new)
68 a. Considers that in the case of a crisis, the answer by the EU can not be in any case of a military nature; underlines the importance of tackling the root causes of instability by means of development policies that are in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other socio-economic, political and cultural measures which can create the environment required to prevent the resurgence of conflict and which aim to eliminate poverty, foster economic, social and cultural development, create institutional and administrative capacities, improve the quality of life of the population and consolidate the rule of law;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 375 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71
71. Reiterates its call on the Member States to increase European cooperation in defence, which is the only feasible way to make sure that European military forces continue to be credible and operational in the face of diminishing defence budgets; notes the progress made under the EU's pooling and sharing and NATO's smart defence and considers it essential that further synergies are achieved between the two organisations; stresses the need to make further progress in pooling and sharing of assets, and the potential for synergies in research, development and industrial cooperation in defence at Union level;deleted
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 382 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 74
74. NotStresses that Article 194 of the Lisbon Treaty specifies that the EU is entitled to take measures at European level to ensure security of energy supply; believes that diversification of supply sources and transit routes is urgent and essential for the EU, which is highly dependent on external sourcooperation in the field of energy supply with third countries must be based on the principles of cooperation and transparency and in the importances of energy; notes that the main directions for diversification are North Africa and the Southern Corridor from Turkey to Central Asia; believes that it should be ensured that the current main source of imports – Russia – complies with internal market rules, regulations under the Third Energy package and the Energy Charter Treaty.reciprocity; recalls the sovereign right of each country to manage is own natural resources; stresses that the energy supply must not be guaranteed by the use of military means; insists on the critically importance that Member states should retain responsibility for the content of the intergovernmental agreements in the field of energy;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 11 #

2012/2033(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital D
D. whereas EU-US relations arshould be based on a strong partnership and cooperation in many fields, on the basis of common shared values of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights; whereas the EU and the United States have strengthened their engagement in the fight against terrorism since the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, notably with the Joint Declaration on Counter Terrorism of 3 June 2010, but whereas it has becaome apparent that there is a divergence between declared commitments and practices, and between EU and US policies in the fight against terrorism;
2012/05/30
Committee: AFET
Amendment 30 #

2012/2033(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Regards it as essential that the EU ensures accountability for any abusive practices in the fight against terrorism, not only so that the EU can live up to its values but also so that it can establish an international lead in this matter; regrets that, to date, neither the EU nor its Member States have conducted conclusive investigations, nor clarified the responsibility of European authorities involved in illegal CIA flight operations, extraordinary renditions, secret prisons and torture;
2012/05/30
Committee: AFET
Amendment 44 #

2012/2033(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Reiterates its call for the closure of all NATO and US military bases on European Union territory;
2012/05/30
Committee: AFET
Amendment 58 #

2012/2033(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. Reaffirms that the so-called international fight against terrorism and bilateral or multilateral international cooperation, including in the framework of NATO or between intelligence and security services, must only be carried out with full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and with appropriate democratic and judicial oversight and regrets that, to date, this has not been the case; calls on EU Member States, the Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Council to ensure that these principles are applied in their foreign relations, and insists that they should make a thorough assessment of their counterparts’ records on human rights before entering into any agreement, as well as of currently existing agreements, and review these where their counterparts fail to observe compliance with human rights, notably on intelligence cooperation and information-sharing;
2012/05/30
Committee: AFET
Amendment 66 #

2012/2033(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the United States, given the cardinal role of the transatlantic partnership and the United States’ leadership in this area, and also on EU Member States, to fully investigate and secure accountability for any abuses that it has practicsed, end the war paradigm which has in practice led to legal black holes, end military trials, fully apply criminal law to terrorist suspects and restore review of detention and habeas corpus, due process, freedom from torture and non- discrimination between foreign and United States citizens;
2012/05/30
Committee: AFET
Amendment 69 #

2012/2033(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on President Obama to honour his pledge made in January 2009 to close Guantanamo, to allow any detainee who is not to be charged to return to his home country or another safe country as quickly as possible, and to try Guantanamo detainees against whom sufficient admissible evidence exists without delay in a fair and public hearing by an independent, impartial tribunal and, if convicted, to be imprisoned in the United States; calls, similarly, for an investigation into human rights violations in Guantanamo and clarification of responsibilities;
2012/05/30
Committee: AFET
Amendment 9 #

2011/2317(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the Committee on Petitions has the duty to constantly review and, where possible, to enhance its role, notably with regard to the development of democratic principles, and whereas in its regular activity the Committee works closely with the Commission acting as the ‘Guardian of the Treaty’ which defines the Commission’s role and prevents it from intervening in matters not covered by EU legislation; similarly the Committee on Petitions works closely with the European Ombudsman, other EU Parliamentary committees, European bodies, agents and networks and Member States;
2012/05/24
Committee: PETI
Amendment 21 #

2011/2317(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the petitions process can be complementary to other European instruments available to citizens, such as the option to address complaints to the European Ombudsman or to the European Commission;
2012/05/24
Committee: PETI
Amendment 79 #

2011/2317(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Stresses the need to regulate coastal protection effectively, but notes that the Ley de Costas is not consistent with the objectives sought, since it is affecting historic heritage and traditional communities, punishing the inhabitants of coastal villages who have always shared a sustainable coexistence with the sea and its ecosystems;
2012/05/24
Committee: PETI
Amendment 92 #

2011/2317(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Urges the Spanish Government to revise the Ley de Costas in such a way as to guarantee title to those who have properly and in good faith acquired property within the reach of the jurisdiction of the Ley de Costas; in particular, calls for a reform of the Ley de Costas which ensures due process, a right of appeal, proper compensation, and the right to information and which protects against retroactive, arbitrary, asymmetric or discriminatory actions;
2012/05/24
Committee: PETI
Amendment 1 #

2011/2286(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the importance of close relationships with Latin American countries and the need to develop new forms of cooperation with emerging and middle-income countries in Latin America through the Development Cooperation Instrument and the new Partnership Instrumentthese with mutual respect, as equal to equal;
2012/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2011/2286(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Underscores the fact that social cohesion and the fight against economic and social inequality should remain a key principles of the development cooperation strategy towards Latin America, on account not only of itstheir socio-economic implications, but also of itstheir importance in terms of consolidating the democratic institutions in the region and the rule of law, the social state based on the rule of law and the guaranteeing of human rights;
2012/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2011/2286(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the need to enhance coordination between the European Union and Latin America in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), particularly the actions aiming at combating poverty, at job creation and at the social inclusion of marginalised groups; stresses that the MDG aiming at a global partnership for development (MDG 8) should be at the centre of the EU’s cooperation policy with Latin America, with areas being selected in which to implement the new strategy of "inclusive growth" in these countries; hopes that the development of cooperation between the EU and Latin America will lead countries that have not yet done so to ratify ILO Convention 169 regarding migrant workers;
2012/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2011/2286(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses the positive regional integration synergies deriving from comprehensive Association Agreements between the EU and the various sub-regional groups; calls for new visions for bi- regional cooperation with a view to the 7th EU-LAC Summit of Heads of State and Government, to be held in Chile in January 2013; welcomes the existence of regional integration mechanisms such as ALBA, Banco del Sur, Unasur and the recently created Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC);
2012/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 12 #

2011/2286(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Deplores the Multiparty Agreement between the EU, Colombia and Peru as being a free-trade agreement that takes no account of complementarity or of economic and social imbalances; believes that the EU should not sign agreements with third countries in which, as in Colombia’s case, systematic violations of human rights occur;
2012/03/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2011/2179(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the concept of a macro- regional strategy, which, on the basis of the experience gained in existing macro- regions (Baltic Sea and Danube regions), can encourage Member States, regions, local authorities and third countries to manage resources in such a way as to fostermitigate the devastating effects of the crisis and foster job creation, growth, prosperity, security and sustainable protection of the environment in areas sharing common geographic, historic and cultural characteristics;
2012/02/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 12 #

2011/2179(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission and the European External Action Service to lend specific support to the idea of an Ionian- Adriatic macro-region, taking due account of neighbourhood policies; to promote closer cooperation within a specific area which includes EU Member States and neighbouring countries which have the Mediterranean Sea as the major, but not sole, element of their common heritage; and to seek synergies with relevant institutions, such as the European Investment Bank and the Union for the Mediterranean;
2012/02/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 18 #

2011/2179(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that appropriate resources should be devoted to the development of a new Ionian-Adriatic macro-regional strategy, with sufficient safeguards to ensure that existing financing is used in an effective manner, benefiting the social classes most affected by the economic crisis and promoting, where necessary, the principle of 'more for more', and always in strict compliance with the rule of law and on the basis of respect for human rights;
2012/02/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 27 #

2011/2179(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises that major areas of intervention for the Ionian-Adriatic macro- region should be job creation through the promotion of sustainable tourism, which could help small and medium-sized enterprises; the development of sustainable maritime transport, which could alleviate the problems relating to road transport; the introduction of measures to protect the Mediterranean Sea against pollution; and the strengthening of effective public administration, to tackle any possible issues of inefficient governance;
2012/02/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 29 #

2011/2179(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Regards it as crucial that the new macro- region should contribute to the definition of a new strategy for the proper management of immigration flows, approaching it on the basis of a strategy, involving third countries, of combating poverty and championing employment and fair trade, thus contributing to stability in the macro-region;
2012/02/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 34 #

2011/2179(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Union to consider developing an EU macro-regional strategy specific to the Mediterranean, covering countries or regions which share one or more common features or common challenges in the area of defence and security, such as maritime security, maritime safety and the protection of the marine environment; through the creation of an integrated network of reporting and surveillance systems for maritime activities.
2012/02/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 28 #

2011/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas it is in the highest interest of the EU to be economically ambitious and politically focusdevelop a special relationship with neighbouring countries, aiming to establish an area of prosperity and good neighbourliness, founded ion its support to democratic transishared values among partners and characterised by close and peaceful relations based on cooperations,
2011/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 36 #

2011/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas strengthened relations require a clear and proven commitment towards reform with the aim of making tangible progress in fulfilment of predefined benchmarkmutual respect among partners,
2011/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 41 #

2011/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas there are significant economic, social and demographic asymmetries between European Union Member States and States from the ENP, as well as the structural problems, which call for responses in the shared interest of all the ENP partners,
2011/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 43 #

2011/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the EU should provide itself with flexible and properly funded instruments in order to match its ambitions,deleted
2011/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 52 #

2011/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the effects of the economic and financial crisis have come on top of the already political and social challenges in the partner countries, particularly in relation to the problem of unemployment; whereas it is a common interests of these countries and the EU to bring down unemployment rates in the region and to offer its people, particularly women, young people and rural population, hope for the future,
2011/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 54 #

2011/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Strongly welcomesTakes note of the Joint Communication of the Commission and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on A new response to a changing Neighbourhood and the approach presented therein, in particular regarding the principles of mutual accountability and shared commitment to universal values of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, as well as conditionality and a tailor- made approach towards the partner countries;
2011/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 60 #

2011/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Welcomes and supports the struggles in the North of Africa, Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula to recover their freedom; supports fights for fundamental changes in their countries´ political, economic and social systems, for the end of corrupt regimes and for attaining human rights and social justice;
2011/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 62 #

2011/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Condemns the support that the EU and particularly some governments of the Member States have provided for decades to the regimes of Ben Ali and Hosni Mubarak; deplores that the relation between EU and these countries have been based in European economic interests and not in people’s demands of freedom and democracy; stresses that these revolts have shown the failure of the European Neighbourhood Policy;
2011/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 79 #

2011/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Although the EU does not seek to impose a model or a ready-made recipe for political reforms, underlines that the ENP ishould be based on shared values, mutual respect and the commitment to democracy, human rights, the rule of law and good governance;
2011/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 84 #

2011/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the proposal for a European Endowment for Democracy, which is a timely response to the clamour for democracy by the populations of our neighbouring countries; underlines that it should be based on the principles of transparency and flexibility and should complement already-existing EU Instruments and the exemplary work of longstanding European political or non- political foundations; stresses that its scope and organisation should be clearly defined and that its structures and procedures should be light and straightforward; calls for a truly political steering committee to be established with the participation of the European Parliament, which should also be involved in the ex-post control mechanismsUnderlines that the clamour for democracy by the populations of our neighbouring countries demand an European response based on solidarity and non interference;
2011/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 108 #

2011/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls on the EU to develop a real partnership of mutual interests for development in all its dimensions and forms of cooperation encouraging employment, education and training, which reflects the socioeconomic realities of each of the partners;
2011/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 169 #

2011/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Underlines the opportunitReiterates that economic, political, social, cultural or any othat negotiations on association agreements provide to boost reformer type of relations between the EU and the ENP countries must be based on equality of treatment, solidarity, dialogue and respect for the specific asymmetries and characteristics of each country; stresses that all the components should be linked in order for the EU to deepen its relationship in a holistic and coherent manner; believes that they should therefore include concrete conditions, timetables and performance benchmarks which should be regularly monitored;
2011/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 174 #

2011/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Deplores that advanced status have already been granted or are currently under negotiation with some of the partner countries, like the Kingdom of Morocco or Israel, who systematically violate the human right clause in article 2 of the association agreements;
2011/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 224 #

2011/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Recalls that the EU should improve the management of migration, providing better conditions for the establishment of legal migrants in the EU; considers that the EU needs to favour legal labour migrationthe integration of migrant people in Europe by concluding mobility partnerships;
2011/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 230 #

2011/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Believes that tackling the problem of immigration coming from the Mediterranean coasts needs an anti- poverty, pro-employment, pro-peace and fair trade strategy by the EU countries as a significant contribution towards the stability of the region; considers that FRONTEX is not the way to tackle it;
2011/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 277 #

2011/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Is of the opinion that genuine integration can only be achieved if tangible progress is made in resolving political tensions and regional conflicts in the region, particularly in Palestine and Western Sahara, and that it is through the implementation of major integration projects that the UfM will help to develop a climate of trust conducive to pursuing the goals of a demilitarised Mediterranean basin, in spirit of solidarity and peace;
2011/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 293 #

2011/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Regrets that the decolonization process of Western Sahara is not finished yet; asks the Council and the Commission to consider this conflict as a priority in the UfM; asks the Council and the Commission to work in this framework to achieve the celebration of the self- determination referendum in Western Sahara in line with the resolutions of United Nations;
2011/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 318 #

2011/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Reiterates that the EU response to the current situation on the ENP partners should be based on solidarity, mutual respect and non interference, according to the will of the population of these countries;
2011/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 22 #

2011/2069(INI)

Draft opinion
Section 1 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Underlines that the transportation, illegal detention and rendition of prisoners by the CIA in European countries calls into question the credentials of the EU as a guarantor of human rights, as it has been demonstrated that several EU Member States were involved,
2012/07/09
Committee: PETI
Amendment 25 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)
(2a) The documents that define the objectives, priorities, expected results and financial allocations in broad terms are strategic programming documents. In order to ensure full democratic control, transparency and participation in the process of development, adoption and revision of those documents, they should be established by the European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure according to Article 294 of the TFEU, on the basis of Articles 209(1) and 212(2) of the TFEU.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 27 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) Taking into account the policy programming or financial execution nature of those implementing actannual or multinannual action programmes, in particular their budgetary implications, the examination procedure should in generalalways be used for their adoption, except for measures of a small financial scale. However, the Commission should adopt immediately applicable implementing acts where, in duly justified cases relating to the need for a swift response from the Union, imperative grounds of urgency so requires.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 30 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 a (new)
(4a) The examination procedure should always be used for the adoption of those individual measures, special measures and support measures.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 35 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) The external financing Instruments as the tool of the Union's external action should be guided by the principles of equality, solidarity and respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law; the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms and respect for human dignity, the principle for democracy and the rule of law and the strict commitment to a purely civilian and peaceful conflict resolution. In this regard, measures taken under the instruments should be consistent with these principles
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 42 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
The Commission shall adopt annual or multi-annual action programmes, where required based on the indicativeich are based on and in line with the strategic programming documents referred to in the applicable InstrumentArticle 2 paragraph 1a.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 45 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The documents that define the objectives, priorities, expected results and financial allocations in broad terms, are strategic programming documents. Those documents shall be established by the European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure according to Article 294 of the TFEU, on the basis of Articles 209(1) and 212(2) of the TFEU.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 46 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Action programmes and individual measures provided for in paragraph 1 for which the Union's financial assistance exceeds EUR 10 million and special measures for which the Union's financial assistance exceeds EUR 30 million shall be always adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 15(3).
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 47 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
That procedure shall not be required for action programmes and measures below the above-mentioned thresholds, and for non substantial amendments thereto. Non-substantial amendments are technical adjustments such as extending the implementation period, reassigning funds within the forecast budget, or increasing or reducing the size of the budget by less than 20 % of the initial budget, provided these amendments do not substantially affect the objectives of the initial action programme or measure. In such case, action programmes and measures and non-substantial amendments thereto shall be communicated to the European Parliament and to the Council within one month of their adoption.deleted
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 52 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) studies, meetings, information, awareness-raising, training, publication activities and any other administrative or technical assistance expenditure necessary for the management of the purely civilian actions,
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 54 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3
3. Support measures may be financed outside the scope of indicative programming documents. Where applicable, the Commission shall adopt support measures in accordance with the advisoryexamination procedure referred to in Article 15(23).
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 58 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d
(d) contributions to trust funds set up by the Commission;deleted
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 59 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point e
(e) financial instruments such as loans, guarantees, equity or quasi-equity, investments or participations, and risk- sharing instruments, possibly combined with grants.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 60 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point f
(f) shareholdings or equity participations in international financial institutions, including regional development banks.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 66 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Financial assistance in form of budget support as provided for by point (c) shall be spent in pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals and shall not be guided by political or geostrategic interests of the Union. Its effectiveness shall be evaluated on the basis of local criteria, which shall be developed and designed in the closest possible cooperation with the recipient country and its government, in consultation with a broad spectrum of civil society, and must be agreed by national parliaments. In order to ensure mutual accountability, civil society and parliamentarians must be involved throughout every stage of the implementation, monitoring and the evaluation of budget support measures.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 67 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 4
4. The types of financing referred to in paragraph 1 and in Article 6(1), and the methods of implementation referred to in paragraph 3, shall be chosen on the basis of their ability to achieve the specific objectives of the actions, taking into account, inter alia, the costs of controls, the administrative burden, and the expected risk of non-compliance. For grants, this shall include a consideration of the use of lump sums, flat rates and scales of unit costs, in particular loans and grants shall be free of interest or at least provide stable and the lowest possible interest rates.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 68 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 6 – point c
(c) contributions to the costs necessary to set up and administer a public-private partnership, andeleted
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 78 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2
2. In the case of actions jointly co- financed with a partner, or implemented through one of the entrusted bodies in indirect management, or implemented through a Trust Fund established by the Commission in accordance with the Financial Regulation, countries which are eligible under the rules of that body, as identified in the agreements concluded with the co-financing or implementing body, or determined in the trust fund constitutive act, shall be eligible notwithstanding the specific rules provided for in the following Articles. The co-financing or implementing body shall in addition agree to apply the eligibility rules laid down in this Regulation as specified in the same agreements.deleted
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 81 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 8
8. Tenderers, applicants and candidates who have been awarded contracts shall respect applicable environmental legislation including multilateral environmental agreements as well as internationally agreed core labour standards, the principles of equality, solidarity and respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law; the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms and respect for human dignity.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 87 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) civil society organisations, including non-governmental non-profit organisations and independent political foundations, community based organisations and private sector non-profit agencies, institutions and organisations and networks thereof at local, national, regional and international level;
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 88 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point e
(e) natural persons, entities without legal personality and, in exceptional and duly justified cases, other bodies or actors not identified in this paragraph, when this is necessary to achieve the objectives of the instrument.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 99 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2
2. This report shall be submitted to the European Parliament and to the Council, and shall be accompanied if appropriate, by legislative proposals introducing the necessary modifications to the Instruments.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 70 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) Article 8 of the Treaty on European Union provides for the development of a special relationship with neighbouring countries, with the aim of establishing an area of prosperity and good neighbourliness, founded on theshared values of the Unionamong partners and characterised by close and peaceful relations based on cooperation.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 75 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) There are significant economic, social and demographic asymmetries between the Member States and the states from the European Neighbourhood Partnership (ENP), as well as structural problems, which call for responses in the shared interest of all partners.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 79 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 a (new)
(4a) The effects of the economic and financial crisis have come on top of the already political, economic and social challenges in the partner countries, particularly in relation to the problem of unemployment. It is in the common interest of these countries and the Union to bring down unemployment rates in the ENP region and to offer its people, particularly women, young people and the rural population and hope for the future.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 83 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) Under the European Neighbourhood Policy, the Union offers Neighbourhood countries a privileged relationship, building upon a mutual commitment to and promotion of the values of democracy and human rights, the rule of law, good governance and the principles of market economy and sustainable development and fair trade.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 90 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
(7) A number of major developments have taken place since the European Neighbourhood Policy was launched and the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument was set up. These include struggles to recover freedom and to put an end to dictatorships and corrupt regimes in some of the ENP countries. These processes will need a deepening of the relationship with the partners, the launch of regional initiatives and support the democratic transition processes in the region. This triggered a new European Neighbourhood Policy vision set out in 2011 as a result of a comprehensive Strategic Review of the Policy. It outlines key objectives for Union cooperation with Neighbourhood countries and provides for greater support to partners committed to building democratic societies and undertaking reforms, in line with the ‘more for more’ and ‘mutual accountability’ principles.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 99 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
(7a) Genuine integration can only be achieved if tangible progress is made in resolving political tensions and regional conflicts in the regions, particularly in Palestine and Western Sahara, and this instrument can help to implement major integration projects in order to help develop a climate of trust in a spirit of peace and solidarity.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 102 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 b (new)
(7b) The Union should promote a bottom- up approach, increasing its support to civil society and their will to start democratisation processes, a precondition for long term stabilisation.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 128 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
(18) Furthermore, since the objectives of this Regulation, namely to promote enhanced political cooperation and progressive economic integrationdevelopment between the European Union and neighbouring countries, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States and can, by reason of the scale of the action, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 139 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
(25) In order for this Regulation to be able to reflect swiftly the results of political decisions made by the Council, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission for updating the list of beneficiary countries in the Annex to this Regulationlist of beneficiary countries in the Annex to this Regulation should be updated by means of the ordinary legislative procedure.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 140 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
(26) While Regulation (EU) No …/… of the European Parliament and of the Council of ….15 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Common Implementing Regulation’) establishes common rules and procedures for the implementation of the Union's instruments for external action, delegated powers to adopt actsfor the purposes of full democratic control, transparency and participation in the process of development, adoption and revision of those documents, co-decision in form of ordinary legislative procedure shall be used in accordance with Article 2904 of the Treaty ofn the Functioning of the European Union should be conferred to the Commission, for adopting the specific implementing measures required for the Cross-Border Cooperation mechanisms established in Title III of this Regulation. It is of particular importance that the Commission should carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level. The Commission, when preparing and drawing-up delegated acts, should further ensure a simultaneous, timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the European Parliament and to the Council.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 159 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1
1. Support under this Regulation shall promote enhanced political cooperation and progressive economic integrationdevelopment between the Union and the partner countries and, in particular, the implementation of partnership and cooperation agreements, association agreements or other existing and future agreements, and jointly agreed action plans.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 167 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) achieving progressive integration into the Union internal market and enhanced sector and cross-sectoral co-operation including through legislative approximation and regulatory convergence towards Union and other relevant international standards, related institution building and investments, notably in interconnections;deleted
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 186 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) sustainable and inclusive development in all aspects, poverty reduction, including through private-sector development; promotion of internal economic, social and territorial cohesion, rural development, climate action and disaster resilience;
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 212 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. Union support provided under this Regulation to each partner country shall be differentiated in form and amounts according to the partner country's commitment to reforms and its progress in implementing these reforms. Such differentiation shall reflect the level of ambition of the country's partnership with the Union, its progress in building deep and sustainable democracy, its progress in implementing agreed reform objectives, the country's needs and capacities, and the potential impact of Union support.deleted
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 221 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. Union support under this Regulation shall, in principle, be established in partnership with the beneficiaries. The partnership shall involve as appropriate, national, regional and local authorities, other stakeholders, civil society, social partners and other non-state actors in preparing, implementing and monitoring Union support.deleted
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 239 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 4
4. The Union shall, in liaison with the Member States, take the necessary steps to ensure proper coordination and cooperation with multilateral and regional organisations and entities, including European financial institutions, international financial institutions, United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, private and political foundations and non- European Union donors.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 244 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. For countries where the documents referred to in Article 3(2) exist, a comprehensive multi-annual Single Support Framework shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 15(3) of the Common Implementing Regulation. The Single Support Framework shall review the progress made in relation to the policy framework and shall list priorities for Union supportordinary legislative procedure. The Single Support Framework shall: (i) assess the achievement of previously agreed objectives as well as the state of play as regards the relations between the Union and the partner country, including that country’s level of ambition for its partnership with the Union; (ii) set out the objectives and priorities of the assistance, mainly selected from those included in the documents referred to in Article 3(2) and in partner countries' strategies or plans where this is consistent with the overall policy framework, and for which the Union's regular assessment has shown the need for support. It shall also; (iii) indicate expected results; and (iv) set out their indicative level of funding broken down by priority. The duration of the Single Support Framework shall correspond to the duration of the relevant document referred to in Article 3(2).
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 246 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 7
7. Member States and other public donors that have committed to jointly programme their support with the EUnion shall be involved in the programming process. The programming documents may also cover their contribution as appropriate.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 264 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1
1. Implementing rules laying down specific provisions for the implementation of this Title shall be adopted through a delegated act in accordance with Article 14the ordinary legislative procedure.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 266 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
The list of beneficiary countries in the Annex to this Regulation may be updated following political decisions made by the Council on the scope of the Neighbourhood policy. A modification of the Annex shall be adopted through a delegated act in accordance with Article 14the ordinary legislative procedure.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 45 #

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
(19) The committees established under this Regulation should be also competent for acts relating to the implementation of the previous Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, as well as for the implementation of financial assistance toArticle 3 of Council Regulation (EC) No 389/2006 of 27 February 2006 establishing an instrument of financial support for encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community1. __________ 1 OJ L 65, 7.3.2006, p. 5.
2012/05/29
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 63 #

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 3
3. The committees referred to under paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be competent for legal acts and commitments under Regulation (EC) No 1085/2006 of 17 July 2006 establishing an Instrument for Pre- Accession Assistance. In addition, the IPA committee shall also be competent for the implementation of Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 389/2006 of 27 February 2006 establishing an instrument of financial support for encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community and amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2667/2000 on the European Agency for Reconstruction.
2012/05/29
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 82 #

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) A European State which has applied to join the Union can become a member only when it has been confirmed that it meets fully the membership criteria agreed at the Copenhagen European Council in June 1993 and provided that the accession does not overstretch the capacity of the Union to integrate the new member. These criteria relate to the stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, respect of human rights and respect for, and protection of, minorities, the development of the economy that must be sufficient to withstand the competitive pressure in the internal market, and the ability to assume not only the rights but also the obligations under the Treaties.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 101 #

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
(14) In order for this Regulation to be able to reflect swiftly the results of political decisions made by the Council, the power to adopt acts in accordance withordinary legislative procedure f under Article 2904 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commissionapply for updating the list of beneficiary countries in the Annex to this Regulation.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 102 #

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
(15) While Regulation (EU) No …/…of the European Parliament and of the Council of …. (hereinafter ‘the Common Implementing Regulation’) establishes common rules and procedures for the implementation of the Union's instruments for external action, delegated powersfor the purposes of full democratic control, transparency and participation in the process of development, adoption and revision, co- decision in form of the ordinary legislative procedure should be used in accordance with Article 294 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to adopt more detailed rules establishing uniform conditions for implementing this Regulation, in particular as regards management structures and procedures, should also be conferred on the Commission. Such rules should take into account the lessons learnt from the management and implementation of past pre-accession assistance and be adapted to the evolution of the situation in the beneficiary countries.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 104 #

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
(16) With regard to these delegated acts, it is of particular importance that the Commission should carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level. The Commission, when preparing and drawing up delegated acts, should further ensure a simultaneous, timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the European Parliament and Council.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 108 #

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
(19) The committees established under this Regulation should be also competent for acts relating to the implementation of the previous Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, as well as for the implementation of financial assistance toArticle 3 of Council Regulation (EC) No 389/2006 of 27 February 2006 establishing an instrument of financial support for encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 114 #

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1
The Instrument for Pre–accession Assistance (‘IPA’) aims to support candidate countries and potential candidates (‘beneficiary countries’) listed in the Annex in implementing the political, institutional, legal, administrative, social and economic reformsdevelopment required to bring the countries closer to Union values and to progressively align to Union rules, standards, policies and practices with a view to Union membership.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 117 #

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point ii
(ii). promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, trade union rights, enhanced respect for minority rights, promotion of gender equality, non-discrimination and freedom of the press, and promotion of good neighbourly relations and fostering stability and security;
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 130 #

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – introductory wording
(b) Support for economic, social and territorial development, with a view to a smart, sustainable and social inclusive growth, inter alia through:
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 144 #

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) Strengthening of the ability of beneficiary countries to fulfil the obligations stemming from membership including contractual obligations by supporting progressive alignment with and adoption, implementation and enforcement of the acquis communautaire, structural, cohesion, agricultural and rural development funds and policies of the Union.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 145 #

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) Regional integration and territorial cooperation involving beneficiary countries, all Member States and, where appropriate, third countries within the scope of Regulation (EU) No […] establishing a European Neighbourhood Instrument.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 150 #

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 1
– Progress in the areas of democracy, the rule of law, the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, international law, the justice system and the level of administrative capacity;
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 181 #

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 5
5. The Commission shall adoptFor the purpose of full democratic control, transparency and participation in the process of development, the adoption and revision of these strategy papers and any revision thereof in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in, which define the objectives, priorities, expected results and financial allocations in broad terms, shall be done in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure under Article 15(3)294 of the Common Implementing RegulatTreaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 184 #

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
1. In duly justified circumstances and in order to ensure the coherence and effectiveness of Union financing or to foster regional cooperation, the Commission may decide to extend the eligibility of programmes and measures referred to in Article 7 to countries, territories and regions which otherwise would not be eligible for financing pursuant to Article 1, where the programme or measure to be implemented is of a global, regional or cross border nature.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 187 #

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11
Exercise of the powers delegated to the 1. The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article. 2. The delegation of powers shall be conferred on the Commission for the period of validity of this Regulation. 3. The delegation of powers may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision of revocation shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect on the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force. 4. As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council. 5. A delegated act shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or by the Council within a period of 2 months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by 2 months at the initiative of the European Parliament or the Council.Article 11 deleted Commission
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 188 #

2011/0404(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 3
3. The committees referred to under paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be competent for legal acts and commitments under Regulation (EC) No 1085/2006 of 17 July 2006 establishing an Instrument for Pre- Accession Assistance. In addition, the IPA committee shall also be competent for the implementation of Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 389/2006 of 27 February 2006 establishing an instrument of financial support for encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community and amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2667/2000 on the European Agency for Reconstruction.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 16 #

2011/0344(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) As stated in the preamble to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, the Union is founded on the indivisible, universal values of human dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity, which are fundamentally important to the exercise of citizenship.
2012/05/25
Committee: PETI
Amendment 18 #

2011/0344(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) Citizens should be able to exercise fully the rights deriving from the citizenship of the Union. They should be able to exercise their right to move and reside freely in the Union, their right to vote for and stand as a candidate in European Parliament and municipal elections, their right to consular protection and their right to petition the European Parliament. Their social security and trade union rights should be safeguarded and must not be regarded by employers as an opportunity for wage and social dumping. They should feel at ease about living, travelling and working in another Member State, trusting that their rights are protected, no matter where in the Union they happen to be.
2012/05/25
Committee: PETI
Amendment 23 #

2011/0344(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
(5a) Union legislation on the free movement of persons must not be used by the Member States to discriminate against migrant workers and their families. The Union must guarantee that such workers receive equal treatment as regards taxation, social benefits and access to education and housing.
2012/05/25
Committee: PETI
Amendment 3 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Citation 4 a (new)
- having regard to its recommendation of 15 March 2007¹ to the Council on the negotiating mandate for an Association Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the countries of Central America, of the other part, ______________ ¹ OJ_C301E, p. 153, 13.12.2007.
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Citation 4 b (new)
having regard to its resolutions of 5 May 2010 on the EU strategy for relations with Latin America¹ and of 21 October 2010 on the EU’s trade relations with Latin- America², __________________ ¹ P7_TA(2010)0141 ² P7_TA(2010)0387
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Citation 5 a (new)
- having regard to the report on the trade chapter of the EU-Central America Association Agreement of March 2012¹, ________________ ¹ (PE 433.864)
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 6 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Citation 5 b (new)
- having regard to the final report on the EU-Central America Trade Sustainability Impact Assessment (TRADE08/C1/C14 & C15 – Lot 2)¹, ________________ ¹ "Trade Sustainability Impact Assessment of the Association Agreement to be negotiated between the EU and Central America".
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas for the development of EU- Latin America partnership relations to be of mutual benefit and bring advantages to both parties it is essential that respect for democracy, the state of law and full human rights for all members of society be seen as key elements of political dialogue; that the fight against poverty and inequality be seen as a key element of biregional cooperation relations; and for trade exchanges to include fair conditions of mutual benefit based on the principles of complementarity and solidarity, founded on an awareness of the asymmetries in development existing between the two regions,
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 11 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the aim of the Association Agreement between the EU and Central America should be to promote sustainable development, the consolidation of democracy and the state of law, full respect for human rights, social cohesion and regional integration,
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 12 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas the Agreement includes a legally binding human rights clause which requires the signatory parties to ensure proper monitoring of human rights,
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 13 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Recital B c (new)
Bc. whereas there is a high incidence of assassinations of trade unionists in Central America; whereas there is a very high rate of feminicide;
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 14 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Recital B d (new)
Bd. whereas the Agreement includes a trade and sustainable development chapter which should help to maintain a high level of socio-environmental and labour protection,
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 18 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the Central American region is characterised by conditions of severe poverty, social exclusion and socio- environmental vulnerability,
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas with the entry into force of the Association Agreement the Central American countries will leave the Generalised System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) special scheme under which they receive preferential trade conditions in exchange for guaranteeing the effective application of 27 international treaties, including the four fundamental treaties of the International Labour Organisation,
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 24 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Recital C d (new)
Cd. whereas the social and environmental impact report predicted that production would be focused on primary sectors such as fruit, vegetables and dried fruits; that there would be more pressure on land and water resources and that social conflict would increase,
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 26 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Recital C e (new)
Ce. whereas the Council proposes a provisional implementation of the trade component before the entry into force of the trade and cooperation pillars,
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 27 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Recital C f (new)
Cf. whereas the Agreement provides for the creation of a Parliamentary Committee of the Association; whereas the European Parliament has recommended the provision of an annual report by said committee,
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 31 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 1 - point d a (new)
(da) Recalls that the Central American integration process has been subjected to severe pressure as a result of political crises in and among the region’s countries, as well as the lack of interest shown by some members in supporting the institutions of the Central American integration system;
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 32 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 1 - point d b (new)
(db) Regrets that this Agreement, as the first comprehensive partnership between regions, gives precedence to the trade component over other aspects, thereby demonstrating the EU’s interest in prioritising its commercial strategy. This has reduced the Agreement to a free trade agreement along closely similar lines to that signed between the Central American countries and the United States, CAFTA;
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 34 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 1 - point e
(e) Highlights the fact that the Association Agreement with Central America is the logical conclusion of the EU’Regrets that the EU has in this way relegated to second place its policy to support the peace process, stability and democracy in the region launched in the 1980s with a substantial political commitment expressed through the various peace accords and the Contadora Process;
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 36 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 1 - point f
(f) Welcomes the extraordinary new impetus that the political dialogue enshrined in the Association Agreement brings to the bioregional relationship in terms of dialogue between governments, parliament and civil society, a qualitative leap forward with regard to the old San José dialogue process begun in 1984; regrets that the institutional framework promoted by the Agreement does not include an institutional mechanism for dialogue with civil society in a broader sense, as it only provides for periodic meetings in order to exchange information;
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 38 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 1 - point g
(g) Stresses the parliamentary dimension of the Association Agreement, with the establishment of a Parliamentary Association Committee, made up of MEPs and Central American parliamentarians, which is to be kept informed of decisions taken by the Association Council and may make recommendations and gather information on how the agreement is being implemented; calls for an annual report to be submitted by the Association Council to the Association Parliamentary Committee, on the state of compliance with labour, socio-environmental and human rights standards within the framework of implementation of the Agreement and for its recommendations to be taken into consideration;
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 40 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 1 - point h
(h) Stresses that the Association Agreement reached with Central America contains a number of important elements which help to secure the goals of the EU's external action, as enshrined in Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union and, in particular, to develop and consolidate human rights and democracy, aignores one of the aims outlined in Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union: to ‘foster the sustainable economy andic, social and environmental development of developing countries, with the primary aim of eradicating poverty’;
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 45 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 1 - point j
(j) StresseRegrets that the Association Agreement with Central America should be seen asis not, as it stands, an ideal framework for joining forces, as equal partners, to combat social inequality, to foster inclusive development and to address the remaining social, economic and political challenges;
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 48 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 1 - point l
(l) Notes that the new Association Agreement opens up new possibilities for dialogue on the fight against drug trafficking and organised crime, in line with the Regional Security Strategy endorsed by the Central American presidents; welcomes the various commitments to coordinate efforts to combat drug trafficking, money laundering, terrorist financing, organised crime and corruption; recalls that national and regional security strategies in Central America centre on police and military action, which incurs the risk of human rights abuses, in some cases threatening the safety of human rights defenders and paying little attention to the root causes of the lack of public safety; calls on the EU to emphasise prevention, the fight against impunity and the participation of civil society in security strategies;
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 51 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 1 - point n
(n) Stresses that social cohesion is a priority objective of regional cooperation policy; insists that social cohesion can only be achieved by reducing poverty, inequality, social exclusion and all forms of discrimination; stresses that social inequality has not been sufficiently reduced in recent years and that; urges the EU to contribute through cooperation to resolving the structural causes of the lack of public safety which is a matter of great concern in Central America;
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 52 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 1 - point n a (new)
(na) Alerts the EU to the danger of using the Agreement to focus cooperation on the implementation of the trade component, supporting the major Central American exporters instead of strengthening the development of SMEs and interregional trade, which is crucial to building integration and to the development of the region and is a fundamental axis for development and integration;
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 54 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 1 - point o
(o) Points out that commitments have been made to cooperate in modernising the state and public authorities, improving systems for tax collection and transparency, combating corruption and impunity, strengthening the legal system and encouraging the involvement of civil society in public life;
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 56 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 1 - point r
(r) StresseRegrets that the current trade provisions, which are of a provisional nature and based on a unilateral system of generalised preferences, will gradually give way to a reciprocal, negotiated structure for the gradual liberalisation of trade in goods and services and of public procurement, as well as for action to encourage investment. This will lead to a predictable framework of legal security and certainty, able to inspire mutual trust, which which essentially benefits the European Union, given its essential to building trade and investmentsubstantial competitive advantage in these sectors;
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 57 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 1 - point r a (new)
(ra) Regrets that the requirement to comply with labour and socio- environmental standards established by the Agreement is below that set by the currently applicable GSP+ system, due to the fact that the trade and sustainable development chapter neither includes nor is linked to the dispute settlement mechanism; furthermore regrets that the Agreement prioritises the trade pillar, thereby neglecting the social cohesion objective and jeopardising the achievements made so far;
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 62 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 1 - point t a (new)
(ta) Expresses its concern at the foreseeable socio-environmental impact of the Agreement and the consequences of this for a region already worryingly prone to natural disasters, even before taking the climate change variable into consideration; urges the Association Parliamentary Committee to closely monitor the situation as it develops, request information from the Association Council and deliver an annual report;
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 63 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 1 - point t b (new)
(tb) Points out that the Agreement consolidates a primary export model for the Central American countries, which will increase pressure on land and water resources and concentrate production in a few sectors, such as fruit, vegetables and dried fruits, as has been recognised by the socio-environmental impact assessment carried out by the European Commission;
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 64 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 1 - point t c (new)
(tb) Urges the Association Council to carry out an impact assessment five years after the implementation of the Agreement; considers that the Agreement should be reviewed on the basis of the findings and the impact observed;
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 67 #

2011/0303(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 1 - point t d (new)
(tc) Draws attention to the way in which the discussions on this Agreement have totally ignored the signs that democracy is receding in the region, the tendency towards militarisation and the human rights violations that continue to take place in some countries and are reappearing in others, including the increasing number of murders of trade union activists and the persistence of feminicide; urges the Association Parliamentary Committee to closely monitor the situation as it develops, request information from the Association Council and deliver an annual report;
2012/09/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 172 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 33
(33) In order to ensure efficient use of Union funds and equal treatment for farmers across the Union mountain areas and areas facing natural or other specific constraints should be defined in accordance with objective criteria. In the case of areas facing natural constraints these should be bio-physical criteria underpinned by robust scientific evidence. Transitional arrangements should be adopted in order to facilitate the phasing out of payments in areas that will no longer be considered as areas facing natural constraints as a result of the application of theseor other specific constraints these should be socio-economic criteria and bio-physical criteria.
2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 177 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 37
(37) Farmers are exposed today to increasing economic and environmental risks as a consequence of climate change and increased price volatility. In this context, effective management of risks has an increased importance for farmers. For this reason a risk management measure should be set up to assist farmers in addressing the most common risks faced by them. This measure should therefore support farmers to cover the premiums they pay for crop, animal and plant insurance as well as the setting up of mutual funds and the compensation paid by such funds to farmers for losses suffered as a result of the outbreak of animal or plant diseases or environmental incidents. It should also cover an income stabilisation tool in the form of a mutual fund to support farmers facing a severe drop in their income. In order to ensure that there is equal treatment among farmers across the Union, that competition is not distorted and that the international obligations of the Union are respected, specific conditions should be provided for the granting of support under these measures. In order to ensure the efficient use of EAFRD budgetary resources the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty should be delegated to the Commission in respect of defining the minimum and maximum duration of commercial loans to mutual funds.deleted
2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 249 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point u a (new)
(ua) “new farmer”: a farmer who possesses adequate occupational skills and competence and is setting up for the first time in an agricultural holding as head of the holding;
2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 281 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 1
(1) the competitiveness of agricultureeconomic viability of farms;
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 291 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 1 a (new)
(1a) maintaining and creating jobs;
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 293 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 1 a (new)
(1a) supporting and promoting small and medium-scale farmers and family farming to revert the economic, social and human desertification of the rural environment.
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 294 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 2
(2) the sustainable management of natural resources, and climate actionaction helping to reduce global warming;
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 309 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – introductory part
(1) fostering knowledge transfer and innovation in agriculture, and forestry, and rural areasfrom those sectors, and rural innovators, with a focus on the following areas:
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 319 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – introductory part
(2) enhancing competitiveness of all types of agriculture and enhancingfamily farm viability, with a focus on the following areas:
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 333 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
(a) facilitating restructuring of farms facing major structural problems, notably farms with a low degree of market participation, market-oriented farms in particular sectors and farms in need of agricultural diversification;deleted
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 375 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – introductory part
(3) promoting food chain organisation and risk management in agriculture, with a focus on the following areas:
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 382 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b
(b) supporting farm risk management:deleted
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 404 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point a
(a) increasing efficiency inrational water use by agriculture and developing crops and production methods which use less water and fewer inputs;
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 413 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point b
(b) increasing efficiency in energy use in agriculture and food processingdeveloping farming and food processing systems which are less dependent on fossil energy;
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 422 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point c
(c) facilitparticipating in the supply and use of renewable sources of energy, of by- products, wastes, residues and other non food raw material for purposes of the bio- economy;
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 478 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) new farmers;
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 533 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2
2. Thematic sub-programmes may also address specific needs relating to the restructuring of agricultural sectors with a significant impact on the development of a specific rural area.deleted
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 541 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3
3. The support rates laid down in Annex I may be increased by 120 percentage points for operations supported in the framework of thematic sub-programmes concerning small farms and short supply chains. In the case of young farmers and mountain areas, the maximum support rates may be increased in accordance with Annex I. However, the maximum combined support rate may not exceed 90%.
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 572 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point c – paragraph 1 – point vii
(vii) initiatives are planned for raising awareness and animating innovative actions and establishing operational groups of the EIP for agricultural productivity andthe economic viability of farms and agricultural sustainability;
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 583 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) a description of the approach towards innovation in view of enhancing productivon by farms, their economic viability and sustainable resource management and the contribution to achieving the objectives of the EIP for agricultural productivity andproduction by farms, their economic viability and agricultural sustainability referred to in Article 61;
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 869 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 2
2. Support under paragraph 1(a) shall be granted to agricultural holdings. In the case of investments to support farm restructuring, only farms not exceeding a certain size, to be defined by the Member States in the programme based on the SWOT analysis carried out in relation to the Union priority for rural development “enhancing competitiveness of all types of agriculture and enhancing farm viability”, shall be eligible.
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 891 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 3
3. Support under this measure shall be limited to the maximum support rates laid down in Annex I. These maximum rates may be increased for young farmers and new farmers, collective investments and integrated projects involving support under more than one measure, investments in areas facing significant natural constraints as referred to in Article 33(3) and operations supported in the framework of the EIP for agricultural productivity andproduction and economic viability within agricultural sustainability in accordance with the support rates laid down in Annex I. However, the maximum combined support rate may not exceed 90%.
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 924 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i a (new)
(ia) new farmers;
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 941 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) annual payments for farmers participating in the small farmers scheme established by Title V of Regulation (EU) No DP/2012 (hereafter "the small farmers scheme") who permanently transfer their holding to another farmer.deleted
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 960 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Support under paragraph 1(a)(i) shall be granted to young farmers and new farmers.
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 996 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 5
Support under paragraph 1(c) shall be granted to farmers participating in the small farmers scheme, at the time of submitting their application for support, for at least one year and who commit to permanently transfer their entire holding and the corresponding payment entitlements to another farmer. Support shall be paid from the date of the transfer until 31 December 2020.deleted
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1021 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 7
7. Support under paragraph 1(c) shall be equal to 120% of the annual payment that the beneficiary received under the small farmers scheme.deleted
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1540 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 3
3. Support under paragraph 1(b) shall be granted only to newly formed clusters and networks and those commencing an activity that is new to them. Support for operations under paragraph 2(b) may be granted also to individual actors where this possibility is provided for in the rural development programme.deleted
2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1548 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 37
[...]deleted
2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1594 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 38
Article 38 Crop, animal and plant insurance 1. Support under Article 37(1)(a) shall only be granted for insurance contracts which cover for loss caused by an adverse climatic event or by an animal or plant disease or a pest infestation or a measure adopted in accordance with Directive 2000/29/EC to eradicate or contain a plant disease or pest which destroys more than 30 % of the average annual production of the farmer in the preceding three-year period or a three-year average based on the preceding five-year period, excluding the highest and lowest entry. 2. The occurrence of an adverse climatic event or the outbreak of an animal or plant disease or pest infestation has to be formally recognised as such by the competent authority of the Member State concerned. Member States may, where appropriate, establish in advance criteria on the basis of which such formal recognition shall be deemed to be granted. 3. Insurance payments shall compensate for not more than the total of the cost of replacing the losses referred to in Article 37(1)(a) and shall not require or specify the type or quantity of future production. Member States may limit the amount of the premium that is eligible for support by applying appropriate ceilings. 4. Support shall be limited to the maximum rate laid down in Annex I.deleted
2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1605 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 39
[...]deleted
2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1628 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 40
[...]deleted
2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1751 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 53 – paragraph 1
1. A EIP network shall be put in place to support the EIP for agricultural productivon, economic viability and sustainability referred to in Article 61, in accordance with Article 51(1). It shall enable the networking of operational groups, advisory services and researchers
2012/07/26
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1844 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Title 4
EIP for agricultural productivity and sustainabilityproduction and economic viability in the context of sustainable agriculture
2012/07/26
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1847 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 61 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The EIP for agricultural productivity and sustainabilityproduction and economic viability in the context of sustainable agriculture shall:
2012/07/26
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1871 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 61 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. The EIP for agricultural productivity and sustainabilityproduction and economic viability in the context of sustainable agriculture shall seek to achieve its aims by:
2012/07/26
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1885 #

2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 61 – paragraph 3
3. The EAFRD shall contribute to the aims of the EIP for agricultural productiveconomic viability and sustainability through support, in accordance with Article 36, of the EIP operational groups referred to in Article 62 and the EIP Network referred to in Article 53.
2012/07/26
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 463 #

2011/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28 a (new)
(28a) In some Member States the degree to which producers are organised is particularly slight, and producer organisations are weak, not to say non- existent. Taking into account their specific situation and the extent to which producer organisations have developed on their territory, Member States may choose to have competent national authorities exercise the responsibilities assigned to producer organisations.
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 486 #

2011/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 83
(83) Specific instruments will still be needed after the end of the quota system to ensure a fair balance of rights and obligations between sugar undertakings and sugar beet growers. Therefore, the standard provisions governing agreements between them should be established.
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 489 #

2011/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 83 a (new)
(83a) This Regulation should ensure, as it is essential to do, that Member States can recover beet production quotas for sugar refining, a point applying particularly to countries which have lost their quotas and now depend entirely on imports for their raw material for processing; it should, in addition, guarantee fair access to raw materials for sugar production.
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 586 #

2011/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 145 a (new)
(145a) In recent years tens of thousands of milk producers in all parts of the EU have been forced to cease production because of ruinous producer prices that do not offset production costs. The present state of the milk sector is inextricably linked to its liberalisation and to the increase in production quotas with a view to their abolition.
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 587 #

2011/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 145 b (new)
(145b) Wine-growing is a core farming activity, especially in southern European countries, and the projected abolition of vine planting rights is adding to the risk that the agricultural products concerned will die out.
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 589 #

2011/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 146
(146) Pursuant to Regulation (EU) No [COM(2010)799] several sectoral measures, including on milk quotas, sugar quotas and other sugar measures and the restrictions on the planting of vines, as well as certain state aids, will expire within a reasonable period following the entry in force of this Regulation. After the repeal of Regulation (EU) No [COM(2010)799], the relevant provisions should continue to apply until the end of the schemes concerned.deleted
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 601 #

2011/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 149
(149) As regards contractual relations in the milk and milk products sectors, the measures set out in this Regulation, are justified in the current economic circumstances of the dairy market and the structure of the supply chain. They should therefore be applied for a sufficiently long duration (both before and after the abolition of milk quotas) to allow them to have full effect. However, given their far- reaching nature, they should nevertheless be temporary in nature, and be subject to review. The Commission should adopt reports on the development of the milk market, covering in particular potential incentives to encourage farmers to enter into joint production agreements, to be submitted by 30 June 2014 and 31 December 2018 respectively,
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 611 #

2011/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 4
4. For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply: (a) “less developed regions” shall mean those regions defined as such in Article 82(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) [COM(2011)615] laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund covered by the Common Strategic Framework and laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund and the Cohesion Fund and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006; (b) “extreme weather events” shall mean weather conditions comparable to natural disasters, for example strong winds, frost, hail, ice, rain, or drought, which destroy or reduce production to an extent exceeding 30% of a given farmer’s average annual production. Average annual production shall be calculated with reference to the three preceding years or to a three-year average based on the last five years, excluding the highest and the lowest figure; (c) “local products” means products produced within not more than 150 km of the place where they are consumed.
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 913 #

2011/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. The amount specified in paragraph 4(a) may be revised should needs subsequently arise from the implementation of the strategies referred to in paragraph 2.
2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1187 #

2011/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 3
3. The alcohol resulting from the supported distillation referred to in paragraph 1 shall be used exclusively for industrial or energy purposes to avoid distortion of competition.deleted
2012/07/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1416 #

2011/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part II – Title II – Chapter I a (new)
TITLE II CHAPTER Ia Regulation of production Article 100a Quotas in the milk sector 1. The existing milk production quota system shall remain in force beyond 2015. The quotas shall, as soon as possible, be adjusted to the needs of the Member States and to their relative installed production capacity levels. 2. The Commission shall submit a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on national milk quotas, adjusted as provided for in paragraph 1; the time-frame shall be such as to enable that Regulation to enter into force on 1 July 2014. Article 100b Vine planting rights 1. The existing planting rights system in the wine sector shall remain in force beyond 2015. 2. The Commission shall assess the need for any adjustments and adaptations to the current system and shall submit a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down special arrangements for regions in which wine-growing is the main activity with a view to preserving the distinctive characteristics of the grapevine products of those regions; the time-frame shall be such as to enable that Regulation to enter into force on 1 July 2014. Article 100c Quotas in the sugar sector 1. The existing quota system in the sugar sector shall remain in force beyond 2015. The quotas shall, as soon as possible, be adjusted to the relative installed and/or potential production capacity levels of the Member States. 2. The Commission shall submit a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on national quotas in the sugar sector, adjusted as provided for in paragraph 1; the time-frame shall be such as to enable that Regulation to enter into force on 1 July 2014. Article 100d Other sectors 1. By 1 July 2014 the Commission shall submit an impact study on the discontinuation of the regulation and distribution instruments applying to production in other sectors in the Member States. 2. On the basis of the findings of the study referred to in paragraph 1, the Commission shall, in due course, submit proposals establishing quota systems in other sectors, where this is necessary in order to enable production to be spread evenly in the Member States, taking into account their individual possibilities and potential while allowing scope for differentiated development in Member States with higher deficits in the sectors concerned.
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1866 #

2011/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Part II – Title II – Chapter III – Section 4 a (new)
SECTION 4A MEMBER STATE MANAGEMENT OPTION Article 116a Management option Taking into account the specific situation in the individual Member States and the extent to which producer and operator organisations have developed, where producers are organised to a particularly low degree, the responsibilities assigned under this Regulation to producer organisations may be exercised by the national authorities of a Member State.
2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1921 #

2011/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 130 a (new)
Article 130a Special provisions for the import of sugar cane for refining 1. The total supply requirements of full- time refiners shall be set at 3 500 000 tonnes of sugar cane per marketing year (October to September), broken down by Member State as follows: (a) [ ] tonnes for Bulgaria; (b) [ ] tonnes for France; (c) [ ] tonnes for Italy; (d) [ ] tonnes for Portugal; (e) [ ] tonnes for Spain; (f) [ ] tonnes for Romania; (g) [ ] tonnes for Finland; (h) [ ] tonnes for the United Kingdom. 2. Licences for the import of sugar cane for refining shall be granted to full-time refiners up to the limit specified in paragraph 1. Applications for such licences may be made at any time during a marketing year, and the licences shall be valid until the end of that year. 3. At the beginning of each marketing year the Commission shall draw up a sugar cane import forecast, based on preferential origins. Should that forecast be below the supply requirements of full- time refiners, as referred to in paragraph 1, the Commission shall, whenever necessary in order to provide raw material to meet full-time refiners’ supply requirements, cease to apply tariffs to imported sugar cane.
2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2034 #

2011/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 145 – paragraph 4 – point d
(d) entail the fixing of prices or the fixing of quotas;deleted
2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 129 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) In order to take into account new legislation on support schemes that may be adopted after the entry into force of this Regulation, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty should be delegated to the Commission for the purpose of amending the list of support schemes covered by this Regulation.deleted
2012/07/18
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 132 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
(9) In order to take into account specific new elements and to guarantee the protection of the rights of beneficiaries, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty should be delegated to the Commission for the purpose of laying down further definitions regarding the access to support under thisthe criteria to determine the predominance of grasses and other herbaceous forage as regards permanent grassland. The Regulation, shall establishing the framework within which Member States shall define both the minimum activities to be carried out on areas naturally kept in a state suitable for grazing or cultivation as well asnd the criteria to be met by farmers in order to be deemed to have respected the obligation of maintaining the agricultural area in the state suitable for production and the criteria to determine the predominance of grasses and other herbaceous forage as regards permanent grassland.
2012/07/18
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 164 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
(15) The distribution of direct income support among farmers is characterised by the allocation of disproportionate amounts of payments to a rather small number of large beneficiaries. Due to economies of size, larger beneficiaries do not require the same level of unitary support for the objective of income support to be efficiently achieved. Moreover, the potential to adapt makes it easier for larger beneficiaries to operate with lower levels of unitary support. It is therefore fair to introduce a system for large beneficiaries where the support level is gradually reduced and ultimately capped to improve the distribution of payments between farmers. Such system should however take into account salaried labour intensity to avoid disproportionate effects on large farms with high employment numbers. Those maximum levels should not apply to payments granted to agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment since the beneficial objectives they pursue could be diminished as a result. In order to make capping effective, Member States should establish some criteria in order to avoid abusive operations by farmers seeking to evade its effects. The proceeds of the reduction and capping of payments to large beneficiaries should remain in the Member States where they were generated and should be used for financing projects with a significant contribution to innovation under Regulation (EU) No […] of the European Parliament and of the Council of….on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) [RDR].ublic mechanisms to achieve stable and remunerative agricultural prices
2012/07/18
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 192 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
(21) Due to the successive integration of various sectors into the single payment scheme and the ensuing period of adjustment granted to farmers, it has become increasingly difficult to justify the presence of significant individual differences in the level of support per hectare resulting from use of historical references. Therefore direct income support should be more equitably distributed between Member States, by reducing the link to historical references and having regard to the overall context of the Union budget. To ensure a more equal distribution of direct support, while taking account of the differences that still exist in wage levels and input costs, the levels of direct support per hectare should be progressively adjusted. Member States with direct payments below the level of 90% of the average should close one third of the gap between their current level and this level. This convergence should be financed proportionally by all Member States with direct payments above the Union average. In addition, all payment entitlements activated in 2019 in a Member State or in a regionAll payment entitlements activated in the EU should have a uniform unit value following a convergence towards this value that should take place during the transition period in linear steps. However, in order to avoid disruptive financial consequences for farmers, Member States having used the single payment scheme, and in particular the historical model, should be allowed to partially take historical factors into account when calculating the value of payment entitlements in the first year of application of the new scheme. The debate on the next Multiannual Financial Framework for the period starting in 2021 should also focus on the objective of complete convergence through the equal distribution of direct support across the European Union during that periodshould be attained at the end of the period of validity of the 2014- 2020 Multiannual Financial Framework. In addition, all payment entitlements activated in 2019 in a Member State or in a region should have a uniform unit value.
2012/07/18
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 241 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
(26) One of the objectives of the new CAP is the enhancement of environmental performance through a mandatory "greening" component of direct payments which will support agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment applicable throughout the Union. For that purpose, Member States should use part of their national ceilings for direct payments to grant an annual payment, on top of the basic payment, for compulsory practices to be followed by farmers addressing, as a priority, both climate and environment policy goals. Those practises should take the form of simple, generalised, non-contractual and annual actions that go beyond cross- compliance and are linked to agriculture such as crop diversification, maintenance of permanent grassland and ecological focus areas. The compulsory nature of those practises should also concern farmers whose holdings are fully or partly situatedBearing in mind the greater environmental requirements that have to be met by the production processes of holdings in "Natura 2000" areas covered by Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora and by Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds, as longwell as theose practises are compareceiving agro- environmental and climate aid referred to in Artibcle with the objectives of those Directives29 of Regulation EU No (...)(DR), they shall be deemed to meet the requirements for this "greening" component. Farmers who fulfil the conditions laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 of 28 June 2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 should benefit from the "greening" component without fulfilling any further obligation, given the recognised environmental benefits of the organic farming systems. Likewise, given the environmental benefits provided per se by certain types of production such as permanent crops eligible for the basic payment, permanent grassland, legumes and rice, their components should benefit from the "greening" component without needing to meet any other obligations. Olives, vines and fruit tees characterise the ecosystem of large regions and contribute to stabilising the soil against erosion, CO2 capture and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Non-respect of the "greening" component should lead to penalties on the basis of Article 65 of Regulation (EU) No […] [HZR].
2012/07/18
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 307 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 38
(38) ATwo simple forms of support for small farmers should be put in place. On the one hand, a simple and specific scheme for very small and family-run farmers should be put in plaintroduced in order to reduce the administrative costs linked to the management and control of direct support. For that purpose, a lump- sum payment replacing all direct payments should be established. Rules seeking simplification of formalities should be introduced by reducing, amongst others, the obligations imposed on small farmers such as those related to the application for support, to agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment, to cross-compliance and to controls as laid down in Regulation (EU) No […] [HZR] without endangering the achievement of the overall objectives of the reform, it being understood that Union legislation as referred to in Annex II to Regulation (EU) No […] [HZR] applies to small farmers. The objective of that scheme should be to support the existing agricultural structure of small farms in the Union without countering the development towards more competiproductive structures. For that reason, access to the scheme should be limited to existing holdings. On the other hand, there should be a form of assistance for small farms that is additional to the other support payments made to farmers. The obligations related to the application for support, to agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment, to cross-compliance and to controls as laid down in Regulation (EU) No […] [HZR] should apply to small farms.
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 309 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 38
(38) A simple and specific scheme for small farmers should be put in place in order to reduce the administrative costs linked to the management and control of direct support. For that purpose, a lump- sum payment replacing all direct payments should be established. Rules seeking simplification of formalities should be introduced by reducing, amongst others, the obligations imposed on small farmers such as those related to the application for support, to agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment, to cross-compliance and to controls as laid down in Regulation (EU) No […] [HZR] without endangering the achievement of the overall objectives of the reform, it being understood that Union legislation as referred to in Annex II to Regulation (EU) No […] [HZR] applies to small farmers. The objective of that scheme should be to support the existing agricultural structure of small farms in the Union without countering the development towards more competiproductive structures. For that reason, access to the scheme should be limited to existing holdings.
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 339 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iv
(iv) a payment for young and new farmers who commence their agricultural activity;
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 354 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point b – point vii a (new)
(viia) a payment for small farms, to be established at Member State level;
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 371 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c – indent 2
– maintaining the agricultural area in a state which makes it suitable for grazing or cultivation without any particular preparatory action going beyond traditional agricultural methods and machineries, ordeleted
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 379 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c – indent 3
– carrying out a minimum activity to be established by Member States on agricultural areas naturally kept in a state suitable for grazing or cultivation;deleted
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 399 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) "agricultural area" means any area taken up by arable land, permanent grassland, permanent pastures or permanent crops;
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 410 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) “permanent crops” means non- rotational crops other than permanent grassland that occupy the land for five years or longer and yield repeated harvests, including nurseries, and short rotation coppice;
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 415 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) "permanent grassland or permanent pastures" means land used to grow grasses or other herbaceous forage naturally (self-seeded) or through cultivation (sown) and that has not been included in the crop rotation of the holding for five years or longer; it may include other species suitable for grazing provided that the grasses and other herbaceous forage remain predominant;
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 478 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 55 for the purposes of: a) laying down further definitions regarding the access to support under this Regulation; b) establishing the framework within which Member States shall define the minimum activities to be carried out on areas naturally kept in a state suitable for grazing or cultivation; c) establishing the criteria to be met by farmers in order to be deemed to have respected the obligation of maintaining the agricultural area in a state suitable for grazing or cultivation as referred to in point (c) of paragraph 1; d) establishing the criteria to determine the predominance of grasses and other herbaceous forage for the purpose of point (h) of paragraph 1.
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 525 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2
2. For each Member State and each year, the estimated product of capping as referred to in Article 11, which is reflected by the difference between the national ceilings set out in Annex II, to which is added the amount available in accordance with Article 44, and the net ceilings set out in Annex III, is made availableredistributed (a) as Union support for measures under rural development programming financed under the EAFRD as specified in Regulation (EU) No […] [RDR]; or (b) under Pillar I, provided that the object is to increase payments to small farmers.
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 532 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The product referred to in paragraph 2 may be redistributed under Pillar I, provided that the object is to increase payments to small farmers.
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 568 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the annual amount of direct payments is less than 5 % of the total receipts they obtained from non-agricultural activities in the most recent fiscal year; ordeleted
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 685 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10
Article 10 Minimum requirements for receiving direct payments 1. Member States shall decide not to grant direct payments to a farmer in one of the following cases: a) where the total amount of direct payments claimed or due to be granted before the reductions and exclusions provided for in Article 65 of Regulation (EU) No […] [HZR] in a given calendar year is less than EUR 100; b) where the eligible area of the holding for which direct payments are claimed or due to be granted before the reductions and exclusions provided for in Article 65 of Regulation (EU) No […] [HZR] is less than one hectare. In order to take account of the structure of their agricultural economies, Member States may adjust the thresholds referred to in points (a) and (b) within the limits set out in Annex IV. 2. Where farmers receiving the animal- related coupled support referred to in Title IV hold fewer hectares than the threshold selected by a Member State for the purposes of point (b) of paragraph 1, that Member State shall apply point (a) of paragraph 1. 3. The Member States concerned may decide not to apply paragraph 1 in the outermost regions and in the smaller Aegean Islands. 4. In Bulgaria and Romania, for the years 2014 and 2015, the amount claimed or due to be granted as referred to in paragraph 1 shall be calculated on the basis of the amount set out in Annex V.A for the corresponding year.deleted
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 720 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The amount of direct payments to be granted to a farmer under this Regulation in a given calendar year shall be reduced as follows, with this reduction being applicable to all payments made under the first pillar:
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 726 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – indent 1
by 210 % for the tranche of more than EUR 150.25 000 and up to EUR 200.50 000;
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 727 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – indent 1
by 20 % for the tranche of more than EUR 150. 000 and up to EUR 200.75 000;
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 735 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – indent 4
by 100 % for the tranche of more than EUR 3100 000.
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 740 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – indent 2
by 430 % for the tranche of more than EUR 150.75 000 and up to EUR 2100. 000;
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 748 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – indent 3
by 70 % for the tranche of more than EUR 250.000 and up to EUR 300.000;deleted
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 777 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2
2. The amount referred to in paragraph 1 shall be calculated by subtracting 50% of the salaries effectively paid and declared by the farmer in the previous year, including taxes and social contributions related to employment, from the total amount of direct payments initially due to the farmer without taking into account the payments to be granted pursuant to Chapter 2 of Title III of this Regulation.
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 812 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
1. Before 1 August 2013, Member States may decide to make available as additional support for measures under rural development programming financed under the EAFRD as specified under Regulation (EU) No […] [RDR], up to 10 % of their annual national ceilings for calendar years 2014 to 2019 as set out in Annex II to this Regulation. As a result, the corresponding amount shall no longer be available for granting direct payments. The funds transferred shall be 100 % financed through the CAP budget in order to reverse the decline in rural areas and agricultural activity, in particular environmentally-friendly agriculture, in line with rural development priorities (4) and (5) specified under Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No […] [RDR].
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 918 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1
1. Member States may decide, before 1 August 2013, to apply the basic payment scheme at regional level. In that case they shall define the regions in accordance with objective and non-discriminatory criteria such as their agronomic and socioeconomic characteristics and their regional agricultural potential, or their institutional or administrative structurspecific land use type.
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 931 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 5
5. The Member States shall notify the Commission by 1 Augustefore 31 December 2013 of the decision referred to in paragraph 1, together with the measures taken for the application of paragraphs 2 and 3.
2012/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1304 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to have three different crops on their arable land, including a legumimous or protein crop, where the arable land of the farmer covers more than 310 hectares and is not entirely used for grass production (sown or natural), entirely left fallow or entirely cultivated with crops under water for a significant part of the year;
2012/07/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1310 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) to carry out crop rotation on each parcel, with the exception of parcels with permanent grassland or permanent pasture and perennial plants;
2012/07/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1320 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) to maintain existing permanent grassland or permanent pasture on their holding; and
2012/07/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1504 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – title
Crop diversification and rotation
2012/07/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1547 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 1
1. Where the arable land of the farmer covers more than 3 hectares and is not entirely used for grass production (sown or natural), entirely left fallow or entirely cultivated with crops under water for a significant part of the year, cultivation on the arable land shall consist of at least three different crops. None of those three crops shall cover less than 5 % of the arable land and the main one shall not exceed 750 % of the arable land.
2012/07/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1573 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. There shall be crop rotation on each parcel, with the exception of parcels with grassland or permanent pasture and perennial plants.
2012/07/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1598 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – title
Permanent grassland and pasture
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1617 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Farmers shall maintain as permanent grassland and pasture the areas of their holdings declared as such in the application made pursuant to Article 74(1) of Regulation (EU) No XXX (HZ) for claim year 2014, hereinafter referred to as ‘reference areas under permanent grassland and pasture’.
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1635 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
The reference areas under permanent grassland or pasture shall be increased in cases where the farmer has an obligation to reconvert areas into permanent grassland or pasture in 2014 and/or in 2015 as referred to in Article 93 of Regulation (EU) No […] HZR.
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1651 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 2
2. Farmers shall be allowed to convert a maximum of 5 % of their reference areas under permanent grassland and pasture. That limit shall not apply in the case of force majeure or exceptional circumstances.
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1674 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 3
3. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 55 laying down rules concerning the increase of reference areas under permanent grassland and pasture as laid down in the second subparagraph of paragraph 1, the renewal of permanent grassland and pasture, the reconversion of agricultural area into permanent grassland and pasture in case the authorised decrease referred to in paragraph 2 is exceeded, as well as the modification of the reference areas under permanent grassland and pasture in case of transfer of land.
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1737 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 32 – paragraph 1
1. Farmers shall ensure that at least 7 % of their eligible hectares as defined in Article 25(2), excluding areas under permanent grassland and pasture, is ecological focus area such as land left fallow, terraces, landscape features, buffer strips and afforested areas as referred to in article 25(2)(b)(ii).
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1893 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 34 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
In that case, Member States shall define the regions in accordance with objective and non-discriminatory criteria such as their natural constraint, demographic and socio- economic characteristics and agronomic conditions.
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1906 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Title 3 – chapter 4 – title
Payment for young farmers and new farmers
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1907 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Title 3 – chapter 4 – title
Payment for young farmers and new farmers
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1930 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall grant an annual payment to young farmers and new farmers who are entitled to a payment under the basic payment scheme referred to in Chapter 1.
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1931 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall grant an annual payment to young farmers and new farmers who are entitled to a payment under the basic payment scheme referred to in Chapter 1.
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1940 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. For the purposes of this Chapter, 'young farmers and new farmers', shall mean:
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1943 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. For the purposes of this Chapter, ‘young farmers’,the following definitions shall meanapply:
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1946 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) ‘new farmers’ shall mean natural persons who are setting up for the first time an agricultural holding as head of the holding, or who have already set up such a holding during the five years preceding the first submission of an application to the basic payment scheme as referred in Article 73(1) of Regulation (EU) No […] [HZR], and;
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2037 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 38 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Coupled support may be granted to the following sectors and productions: cereals, oilseeds, protein crops, grain legumes, flax, hemp, rice, nuts, starch potato, milk and milk products, seeds, sheepmeat and goatmeat, beef and veal, olive oil and table olives, silk worms, dried fodder, hops, sugar beet, cane and chicory, fruit and vegetables, cotton, tobacco and short rotation coppice.
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2043 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 38 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Coupled support may be granted to the following sectors and productions: cereals, oilseeds, protein crops, grain and feed legumes, flax, hemp, rice, nuts, starch potato, milk and milk products, seeds, sheepmeat and goatmeat, beef and veal, olive oil, silk worms, dried fodder, hops, sugar beet, cane and chicory, fruit and vegetables and short rotation coppice.
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2079 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 38 – paragraph 4
4. Coupled support may only be granted to the extent necessary to create an incentive to maintain current levels of production and agricultural employment in the regions concerned.
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2091 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 1
1. In order to finance the voluntary coupled support, Member States may decide, by 1 August of the year preceding the first year of implementation of such support, to use up to 5 %the requisite share of their annual national ceiling set out in Annex II.
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2100 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 2
2. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, Member States may decide to use up to 10 % of the annual national ceiling set out in Annex II provided that: a) they applied, until 31 December 2013, the single area payment scheme as laid down in Title V of Regulation (EC) No 73/2009, or financed measures under Article 111 of that Regulation, or are concerned by the derogation provided for in Article 69(5), or, in the case of Malta, in Article 69(1) of that Regulation; and/or b) they allocated, during at least one year in the period 2010-2013, more than 5 % of their amount available for granting the direct payments provided for in Titles III, IV and V of Regulation (EC) No 73/2009, with the exception of Section 6 of Chapter 1 of Title IV, for financing the measures laid down in Section 2 of Chapter 2 of Title III of Regulation (EC) No 73/2009, the support provided for in points (i) to (iv) of paragraph 1(a) and paragraphs 1(b) and (e) of Article 68 of that Regulation, or the measures under Chapter 1, with the exception of Section 6, of Title IV of that Regulation.deleted
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2131 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 3
3. By way of derogation from paragraph 2, Member States having allocated during at least one year in the period 2010-2013 more than 10 % of their amount available for granting the direct payments provided for in Titles III, IV and V of Regulation (EC) No 73/2009, with the exception of Section 6 of Chapter 1 of Title IV, for financing the measures laid down in Section 2 of Chapter 2 of Title III of Regulation (EC) No 73/2009, the support provided for in points (i) to (iv) of paragraph 1(a) and paragraphs 1(b) and (e) of Article 68 of that Regulation, or the measures under Chapter 1, with the exception of Section 6, of Title IV of that Regulation may decide to use more than 10 % of the annual national ceiling set out in Annex II upon approval by the Commission in accordance with Article 41.deleted
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2141 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 4
4. Member States may, by 1 August 2016, review their decision pursuant to paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 and decide, with effect from 2017: a) to increase the percentage fixed pursuant to paragraphs 1 and 2, within the limits laid down therein where applicable, and, where appropriate, modify the conditions for granting the support; b) to reduce the percentage used for the funding of coupled support and, where appropriate, modify the conditions for granting that support; c) to cease granting the support under this Chapter.deleted
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2152 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 5
5. On the basis of the decision taken by each Member State pursuant to paragraphs 1 to 4 on the proportion of the national ceiling to be used, the Commission shall, by means of implementing acts, fix the corresponding ceiling for the support on a yearly basis. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 56(2).deleted
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2200 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 47 – paragraph 1
1. Farmers holding payment entitlements allocated in 2014 pursuant to Article 21 and fulfilling the minimum requirements provided formeeting the definition of active farmer laid down in Article 10(1)9 may opt for participation in a simplified scheme under the conditions laid down in this Title, hereinafter referred to as 'small farmers scheme'.
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2218 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 47 a (new)
Article 47a General rules governing support for small farms 1. Member States shall grant an annual payment to small farms and small farmers who are entitled to a payment under the basic payment scheme referred to in Chapter 1. 2. For the purposes of this Chapter, small farms or small farmers shall mean holdings of a size defined by the Member States. The relevant criteria shall be laid down in delegated acts adopted by the Commission. 3. Without prejudice to the application of financial discipline, progressive reduction and capping, linear reductions as referred in Article 7, and any reductions and exclusions imposed pursuant to Article 65 of Regulation (EU) No […] [HZR], the payment referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be granted annually upon activation of payment entitlements by the farmer. 4. Member States shall set the amount referred to in paragraph 1 within the limit of the funding provided for in Article 51(2) of this Regulation. 5. Farmers in receipt of payments under the support scheme for small farms and small farmers may take part in the thematic sub-programme referred to in the third subparagraph of Article 8(1)(b) of the rural development regulation.
2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2221 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 48 – paragraph 1
Farmers wishing to participate in the small farmers scheme shall submit an application by 15 mid-October 2014each year.
2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2229 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 48 – paragraph 2
Farmers not having applied for participation in the small farmers scheme by 15 October 2014 or deciding to withdraw from it after that date or selected for support under Article 20(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) No […] [RDR] shall no longer haveMember States shall make an annual payment to small farms or to small farmers who are entitled to a payment under the basic support scheme outlined in Chapter 1 and who meet the cright to participate in that schemeteria laid down in Article 47a(3) of this Regulation.
2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2240 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Member States shall set the amount of the annual payment for the small farmers scheme at one of the following levels, subject to paragraphs 2 and 3:an amount not exceeding 25 % of the national average payment per beneficiary.
2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2241 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
a) an amount not exceeding 15 % of the national average payment per beneficiary;deleted
2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2245 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
b) an amount corresponding to the national average payment per hectare multiplied by a figure corresponding to the number of hectares with a maximum of three.deleted
2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2252 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
1a. Member States shall set the amount of the annual payment for small farms at an amount not exceeding 25 % of the national average payment per beneficiary.
2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2253 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
The national average referred to in point (a) of the first subparagraph shall be established by the Member States on the basis of the national ceiling set in Annex II for calendar year 2019 and the number of farmers having obtained payment entitlements pursuant to Article 21(1).deleted
2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2256 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 2
2. 2. The amount referred to in paragraphs 1 and 1a shall not be lower than EUR 500 and not be higher than EUR 1 00025 % of the national average payment per beneficiary. Without prejudice to Article 51(1), where the application of paragraph 1 results in an amount lower than EUR 500 or higher than EUR 1 00025 % of the national average payment per beneficiary, the amount shall be rounded up or down, respectively, to the minimum or maximum amount.
2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2262 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 3
3. By way of derogation from paragraph 2, in Cyprus and Malta the amount referred to in paragraph 1 may be set at a value lower than EUR 500, but not less than EUR 200.deleted
2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2266 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 50 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) keep at least a number of hectares corresponding to proportion of agricultural activity defined by the nuMember of entitlements held;State.
2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2267 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 50 – paragraph 1 – point b
b) fulfil the minimum requirement provided for in Article 10(1)(b).deleted
2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2271 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 50 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
By way of derogation from Article 27, payment entitlements held by farmers participating in the small farmers scheme or by very small farms shall not be transferable, except in case of inheritance or anticipated inheritance
2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2273 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 51 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
In order to finance the payment referred to in this Title, Member States shall deduct the amounts corresponding to the amounts to which the small farmers or very small farms would be entitled as a basic payment referred to in Chapter 1 of Title III, as a payment for agricultural practises beneficial for the climate and the environment referred to in Chapter 2 of Title III and, where applicable, as a payment for areas with natural constraints referred to in Chapter 3 of Title III, as a payment for young farmers referred to in Chapter 4 of Title III and as coupled support referred to in Title IV from the total amounts available for the respective payments.
2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2274 #

2011/0280(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 51 – paragraph 2
2. If the total amount of payments due under the small farmers scheme exceeds 10 % of the annual national ceiling set out in Annex II,Payments due under the scheme for very small farms and in the form of support for small farms shall have priority and Member States shall apply a linear reduction to the amounts to be paid in accordance with this Title in order to respect that percentagee annual ceiling set out in Annex II.
2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 21 #

2011/0217(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Title 1
Proposal for a DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the European Year of Citizenship (2013)
2012/03/02
Committee: PETI
Amendment 25 #

2011/0217(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) Citizens and the associations that represent them are central to the functioning of the Union, as stated in Articles 10 and 11 of the Treaty on European Union, which emphasise the importance of all aspects of participatory democracy.
2012/03/02
Committee: PETI
Amendment 26 #

2011/0217(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 2
(2) The entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty strengthened the status of Union citizenship and complemented the rights attached to it, including by introducing a new right, the Citizens’ Initiative, which enables at least one million citizens, from a significant numbt least a quarter of the Member States, to ask the Commission to present a proposal in any of the EU’s areas of responsibility.
2012/03/02
Committee: PETI
Amendment 27 #

2011/0217(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 3
(3) The rights inherent to citizenship of the Union are incorporated in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. According to the Charter’s Preamble, the Union ‘places the individual at the heart of its activities, by establishing a citizenship of the Union and by creating an area of freedom, security and justice’. Chapter V of the Charter sets down "Citizens’ rights", including, in its Article 45, the right of every citizen of the Union to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States, and this right must be guaranteed, in accordance with the Treaties, to nationals of non-EU countries legally resident in the territory of a Member State.
2012/03/02
Committee: PETI
Amendment 28 #

2011/0217(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) As stated in the Charter’s Preamble, the Union is founded on the indivisible, universal values of human dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity, which are of fundamental importance for the exercise of citizenship.
2012/03/02
Committee: PETI
Amendment 30 #

2011/0217(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 5 a (new)
(5a) Where migrant workers’ rights are concerned, a key factor in ensuring that EU law is properly applied is to see to it that such workers, their families and other interested parties are made aware of and informed about the rights and opportunities they have as a result of the right to free movement.
2012/03/02
Committee: PETI
Amendment 31 #

2011/0217(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 6 a (new)
(6a) Freedom of thought, expression and information, and media pluralism and independence, are essential principles for the exercise of citizenship.
2012/03/02
Committee: PETI
Amendment 32 #

2011/0217(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 7
(7) In particular, free movement and workers’ mobility help addressing the consequences of demographic change on the labour market, while also increasing the employability of people and improving the competitiveness of European industries. At the same time, free movement either enables, as an essential condition, or stimulates the exercise by citizens of a broad range of rights available to them under Union law, such as their rights as consumers to access goods and services, or their right as workers to join a trade union, or their rights as passengers and tourists. Facilitating free movement has therefore the potential to enhance citizens’ possibilities to fully benefit from the single market, whilst being a key driver for growth, although occupational mobility must go hand in hand with the safeguarding of workers’ social security and trade union rights, and must not be regarded by employers as an opportunity for wage and social dumping, cutting wages and welfare cover or downgrading working conditions.
2012/03/02
Committee: PETI
Amendment 35 #

2011/0217(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 10a (new)
(10a) EU legislation on the free movement of persons must not be used by the Member States to discriminate directly or indirectly against migrant workers and their families. The EU must guarantee that such workers receive equal treatment as regards tax and social benefits, social housing, access to education for their children and vocational training courses.
2012/03/02
Committee: PETI
Amendment 40 #

2011/0217(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 15
(15) Awareness of the electoral rights guaranteed to Union citizens is of primary importance in this respect. Union citizens should be fully aware of their right to vote and stand as candidates in the municipal and European Parliament elections in their Member State of residence. At the same time, political participation can contribute to the integration of Union citizens into the society of their chosen Member States of residence. It would also be appropriate to follow the example of those Member States in which people aged 16 and over, and non-EU nationals residing in the Member State concerned, are entitled to vote.
2012/03/02
Committee: PETI
Amendment 41 #

2011/0217(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 16
(16) Enhanced citizens’ awareness of the benefits of these rights for them individually and for society can also contribute to a stronger sense of belonging and adherence to the Union. The Commission ought also to ensure that local, regional and national authority representatives, civil society and the media are more closely involved in helping citizens improve their understanding of the impact that European policies have on national and local policies.
2012/03/02
Committee: PETI
Amendment 43 #

2011/0217(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 17
(17) A European Year of Citizens in 2013 will provide a very timely opportunity to raise the awareness of the general public about the rights attached to Union citizenship, to identify and remove obstacles to the full enjoyment of those rights, and thus to contribute to the objective of facilitating the exercise of the right to free movement.
2012/03/02
Committee: PETI
Amendment 48 #

2011/0217(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 1
The year 2013 shall be designated as the ‘European Year of Citizenship’ (hereinafter referred to as ‘the European Year’).
2012/03/02
Committee: PETI
Amendment 51 #

2011/0217(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1
The general purpose of the European Year shall be to enhance awareness of the rights attached to Union citizenship, in order to help citizens make full use of their right to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States. In this context, the European Year shall focus, among others, on the opportunities for civic participation and access to rights by Union citizens residing in another Member State than their own, by students, workers, consumers, and providers of goods and services across the Union.
2012/03/02
Committee: PETI
Amendment 58 #

2011/0217(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 2 a (new)
– to develop communication and information networks and tools that make it possible to boost dialogue with the institutions, in all European languages;
2012/03/02
Committee: PETI
Amendment 62 #

2011/0217(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 3
– to stimulate a debate about the impact and potential of the right to free movement, as an inalienable aspect of Union citizenship, without discrimination on the grounds of nationality or ethnic origin, in particular in terms of strengthening societal cohesion and mutual understanding between Union citizens and the bond between citizens and the Union.
2012/03/02
Committee: PETI
Amendment 69 #

2011/0217(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 1
– information, education and awareness raising campaigns targeted at the general public and more specific audiences, involving local, regional and national authorities and civil society organisations;
2012/03/02
Committee: PETI
Amendment 70 #

2011/0217(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 2
– exchange of information, sharing of experience and good practices of national, regional, and local administrations and othercivil society organisations;
2012/03/02
Committee: PETI
Amendment 79 #

2011/0217(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 3
The Commission shall convene meetings of representatives of European civil society organisations or bodies active in the field of defending citizens’ rights and stakeholders to assist the Commission in implementing the European Year at Union level.
2012/03/02
Committee: PETI
Amendment 5 #

2011/0177(APP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. ConsenRejects to the draft Council regulation laying down the Mmultiannual Ffinancial Fframework for the years 2014-2020;
2013/09/19
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 18 #

2011/0176(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) The European Union is a major provider of economic, financial and technical assistance to third countries. Union macro-financial assistance (hereinafter "macro-financial assistance") has proved an efficient instrument for economic stabilisation and a driver for structural reforms in the beneficiary countries. In accordance with its overall policy vis-à-vis candidate, potential candidate, and neighbourhood countries, the Union should be in a position to provide macro-financial assistance to those countries with the aim of developing a zone of shared stability, security, and prosperity, always with the consent of both parties.
2012/03/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 19 #

2011/0176(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
(9) The Commission should ensure that macro-financial assistance is in line with the key principles, objectives and measures taken within the different areas of external action and other relevant Union policies, whereby the Union should not seek to impose these but agree on them with the countries receiving assistance.
2012/03/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 20 #

2011/0176(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) Macro-financial assistance should support the beneficiary countries' commitments to common values with the Union, includingsuch as democracy, the rule of law, good governance, respect for human rights, sustainable development and poverty reduction, as well as to the principles of open, rules-based and fair trade.
2012/03/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 22 #

2011/0176(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
(13) Macro-financial assistance should be complementary to the resources provided by the International Monetary Fund and other multilateral financial institutions and there should be a fair burden sharing with other donors. Macro-financial assistance should ensure the added value of the involvement of the Union.deleted
2012/03/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 25 #

2011/0176(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3
3. Macro-financial assistance may be granted on condition of the existence of a significant and residual external financing gap jointly identified with the multilateral financial institutions over and above the resources provided by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other multilateral institutions, despite the implementation of strong economic stabilisation and reform programmes.deleted
2012/03/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 26 #

2011/0176(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – point c
c) Other third countries in exceptional and duly justified circumstances. Such countries must be politically, economically and geographically close to the European Union.
2012/03/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 30 #

2011/0176(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1
1. The amount of the assistance shall be based on the residual external financing needs of the beneficiary country. These shall be established by the Commission in cooperation with international financial institutions, based on a comprehensive and well documented quantitative assessment. In particular, the Commission will draw on the latest balance of payments projections for the country in question produced by the IMF and take into account the expected financial contributions from multilateral donors.deleted
2012/03/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 36 #

2011/0176(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2
2. Macro-financial assistance shall be conditional on the existence of an IMF programme entailing the use of IMF resources.deleted
2012/03/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 37 #

2011/0176(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3
3. The disbursement of the assistance shall be conditional on a satisfactory track record of an IMF programme. It shall also be conditional on the implementation, within a specific time frame, of a series of clearly defined economic policy measures focusing on structural reforms, to be agreed between the Commission and the beneficiary country and to be laid down in a Memorandum of Understanding.deleted
2012/03/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 38 #

2011/0176(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 5
5. Progress on mutual market opening, the development of rules- based and fair trade and other priorities in the context of the Union's external policy should also be duly taken into account in designing the policy measures.
2012/03/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 39 #

2011/0176(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 6
6. The policy measures shall be consistent with the existing partnership agreements, cooperation agreements or association agreements concluded between the Union and the beneficiary country and with the macroeconomic adjustment and structural reform programmes implemented by the beneficiary country with the support of the IMF.
2012/03/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 60 #

2011/0176(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex 1 – part 1 – paragraph 5
Kosovo (under UNSC resolution 1244/99)deleted
2012/03/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2010/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3
– having regard to its resolution of 13 July 1990 on ‘the significance of the free trade agreement to be concluded between the EEC and the Gulf Cooperation Council’,
2010/12/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 7 #

2010/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas its geopolitical environment makes the Gulf a focus of security challenges that have global and regional implications (the stabilisation of Iraq, Iran’s nuclear programme, Islamist terrorism, piracy and the situation in Yemen), and the GCC currently remains the only stable regional organisation based on multilateralism and cooperation,
2010/12/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 13 #

2010/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the process of structural economic liberalisation and diversification initiated in several GCC states is producing new internal dynamics, both politically (with constitutional reforms, political participation and institutional capacity building) and socially (a voluntary sector is materialising, employers’ associations are developing and women’s circumstances are changing), and this should be encouraged and supported,eleted
2010/12/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2010/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Emphasises that concluding the free trade agreement between the EU and the GCC remains a priority, that failure to conclude it would not be in either party’s interests, and that such an agreement will constitute a mutual recognition of the credibility of two entities that have chosen the path of multilateralism and integration;Deleted
2010/12/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 51 #

2010/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Expresses its concern at seeing the Gulf region caught up in an arms race; asks the EU to initiate a strategic dialogue with the GCC states on regional security issues of common interest (Iran’s nuclear capability, the stabilisation of Iraq, Islamist terrorism and the internal conflict in Yemen) and, ultimately, to contribute to building a regional security structure in the Middle East in partnership with the Gulf states;
2010/12/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 55 #

2010/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6a (new)
6a. Deplores, in this connection, the fact that in October the US and Saudi Arabia signed the most expensive arms contract in history, considering that this will serve only to intensify the arms race and generate instability in the region; stresses the need to work for the demilitarisation of the region;
2010/12/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 59 #

2010/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6b (new)
6b. Denounces the presence of US military bases in Bahrain, Diego Garcia, Oman and Saudi Arabia, all of which were used in 1990 and 1991 during the Gulf War and continue to be used by the US,
2010/12/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 67 #

2010/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Notes that education is a national priority in the GCC countries, with high levels of need in terms of human resources (there are not enough teachers), course content (which has not kept pace with changing labour markets) and syllabus quality (teaching methods and materials are out of date); asks that the authorities’ efforts to address these shortcomings be actively supported and proposes cooperation on an ambitious scale in higher, secondary and primary education, in order to ensure that education has the status of a universal right, while also stressing gender mainstreaming;
2010/12/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 45 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Expects thStresses that the European External Action Service (EEAS, by promoting closer coordination between the CFSP and external policies, to help strengthen the EU's role and influence on the global stage and enable it to project its interests and values more efficiently, in a manner commensurate with its existing international trade and economic statu) is under no circumstances the institution suited to coordinate the CFSP and external policies, since it is neither transparent nor democratic and is guided by vested interests;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 72 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Emphasises the need for optimal coordination between EU disaster responses and other EU instruments – such as CSDP civilian or military missions – which are already being deployed on the ground or which could be set up in the aftermath of a crisis; believes that a rigid distinction between military and civilian crisis-management operations reflects outdated institutional patterns rather than the reality on the ground, and therefore emphasises the fact that responses to crises require a combination of military and civilian instruments;deleted
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 82 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Stresses that disasters must not lead to the deployment or transfer of military forces inside or outside the EU; instead, the necessary resources should be made available to enable civilian protection forces to carry out the task in a suitable manner and alone; furthermore, stresses that civilian military cooperation involves the incalculable risk of civilians being used to achieve military objectives with far-reaching consequences: in the eyes of the local populace they forfeit their neutral and purely humanitarian status; for this reason, civilian and military operations should remain strictly separate in every area;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 83 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Considers it an EU strategic priority to strengthen international crisis- management partnerships and enhance dialogue with other major crisis- management actors – such as the UN, NATO, the African Union (AU) and the OSCE and third countries such as the USA, Turkey, Norway and Canada – and to synchronise actions, share information and pool resources in the fields of peacekeeping and peace-building, including cooperation on crisis management and, in particular, maritime security, and the fight against terrorism under international law;deleted
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 92 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Emphasises the need to prevent the EU from becoming dependent for its energy supplies on third countries, which would undermine the independence of EU foreign policy; recalls the urgent need to address energy challenges by implementing a common European external energy policy, based on the diversification of energy suppliers; calls, in this regard, on the VP/HR to pursue with determination Parliament's recommendations for the development of a coherent and coordinated policy, in particular by promoting EU cohesion in constructive dialogue with energy suppliers, and especially with Russia and transit countries;deleted
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 103 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Stresses that cooperation in the field of energy supply with third countries must be based on the principles of cooperation and transparency and in the importance of reciprocity; stresses that the energy supply must not be guaranteed by the use of military means;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 127 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Considers that in the case of a crisis, the answer by the EU can not be in any case of a military nature; underlines the importance of tackling the root causes of instability by means of development policies that are in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other socio-economic, political and cultural measures which can create the environment required to prevent the resurgence of conflict and which aim to eliminate poverty, foster economic, social and cultural development, create institutional and administrative capacities, improve the quality of life of the population and consolidate the rule of law;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 130 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. BelievDenounces that the EU should take advantage of the adoption of NATO's new Strategic Concept in order to strengthen itsthe partnership with NATO, bearing in mind the development of the EU's foreign, security and defence policies; points to the need to find pragmatic ways of solving the difficulties – in particular the differences between Cyprus and Turkey – which are hampering the development of closer cooperation between the EU and NATO, given the importance of ensuring that existing forces and capabilities which are shared to a large extent by both organisations are used as efficiently as possiblebetween EU and NATO will prevent an independent, peaceful and civilian EU foreign policy, as it will only increase the militarization of the EU foreign policy;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 138 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Asks for the dissolution of NATO; states that the European Union must have only a civil nature, therefore asks to use the military expenses to civil purposes;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 140 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Underlines the need for close and continuous coordination of EU foreign policy with the EU's closest ally and strategic partner, the US, ensuring a joint approach to global governance and to challenges such as nuclear non- proliferation and terrorism; calls on the VP/HR to coordinate closely and develop synergies with the US with a view to ensuring stability and security on the European continent, including on the basis of cooperation with Russia, and with regard to stability in the greater Middle East, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan;deleted
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 156 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Reiterates its rejection of the unilateral declaration of the independence of Kosovo; notes that this declaration establishes a dangerous precedent against international law; calls for a common satisfactory solution, under Resolution 1244/99 of the UN Security Council which affirmed the commitment of all Member States to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, in respect of international law and as the only effective way for a permanent solution in favour of peace in the region;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 222 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
34. Is monitoring the situation in Tunisia closely, and calls on the EU to support the Tunisian people in its democratic transition, including by providing appropriate assistance that may be needed; emphasises the need to adjust funding to help alleviate the social and economic crisis in the countryWelcomes the determination of the Tunisian people to recover its freedom and put an end to the regime set up by the former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali; underlines the fact that the current revolt in Tunisia is a source of hope for all the countries of the Maghreb and beyond; is monitoring the situation in Tunisia closely, and calls on the EU to develop a real partnership of mutual interest for development in all its dimensions, for forms of cooperation encouraging employment, education and training;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 227 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34a. Expresses its solidarity with all Egyptians who have opposed Mubarak's regime, which following the same authoritarian policy of Anwar el-Sadat, has been undemocratically in power for 30 years, also by maintaining a state of emergency completely unjustified, turning it back to the people and condemning them to misery, social injustice and institutionalization of corruption and autocracy; welcomes and supports the Egyptian struggle for fundamental reforms in their country's political, economic and social system, for the end to the corrupt regime and for attaining true democracy, human rights and social justice; voices its wish to see a genuine constitutional state established in Egypt;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 229 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
35a. Regrets that the decolonization process of Western Sahara is not finished yet; asks the Council and the Commission to consider this conflict as a priority in the UfM; asks the Council and the Commission to work in this framework to achieve the celebration of the self- determination of Western Sahara in line with the resolutions of the United Nations; denounces the responsibility of Morocco in this situation; denounces the violations of human rights in this country and the repression on human rights activists; denounces the violent dismantling of the Saharawi Camp of Dignity by the Moroccan army; deplores in that sense the concession of the advanced status that the EU has given to Morocco;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 238 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37a. Denounces that the EU policy towards Afghanistan and Pakistan follows the US strategy which seeks mainly for a military solution; insists that Afghanistan needs stability but not through military means but development aid and respect for its territorial and political sovereignty;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 240 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
38. Fully endorses the commitment of the E3+3 to seeking an early negotiated solution to the Iranian nuclear issue which restores international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme, while respecting Iran's legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy; supports the Council's twin-track approach aimed at finding a diplomatic solution; welcomes UNSC Resolution 1929(2010) introducing a fourth round of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme and the additional restrictive measures announced by the EU, the US, Japan, Canada and Australia; and strongly condemns Iran's continuing provocative and inflammatory rhetoric against Israel and particularly deplores the threats made by President Ahmadinejad against the very existence of the State of Israel; is deeply concerned at Iran's attempts to further its aim of gaining political influence in Afghanistan by manipulating a range of political, economic, and military outcomes; stresses that official mutual contacts between the delegations of the European Parliament and the Majlis should also be used to address human rights issues;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 260 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
42. Expresses its support for the decision to devise a comprehensive EU approach to the Horn of Africa region, linking security policy with development, the rule of law, respect for human rights, gender- related aspects and international humanitarian law and thereby encompassing all EU instruments with a view to providing long-term solutions;deleted
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 262 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 a (new)
42a. Notes that since the EUNAVFOR Atalanta has been launched, the attacks have multiplied, became more violent and there has been an extension of the attacks southwards; calls therefore on the Council and Commission to review their strategy and concentrate on the real causes, which are extreme poverty, illegal fishing and toxic waste dump by industrialized countries and the destabilisation of Somalia and the region at all by third parties;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 271 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
46. WelcomNotes the conclusion of the negotiations on the Association Agreement with Central America andbut deplores the signature onf the Multi- Party Trade Agreement with Peru and Colombia instead of the regional Association Agreement with the Andean Community; stresses, nonetheless, that the EU should continue to give priority to regional integration processes in Latin America; notes with satisfaction thatunderlines that the EP should be consulted with regard to the negotiations on the Association Agreement with Mercosur have resumed, and calls for their swift conclusion;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 273 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47
47. AcknowledgesTakes note of the positive results of the EU-LAC Summit in Madrid and underlines the need to monitor implementation of the Madrid Action Plan; recalls the need for a Euro-Latin American Charter for Peace and SecurityDevelopment to be adopted, and for this charter to include, on the basis of the UN Charter and related international law, strategies and guidelines for joint political and securitydevelopment action to deal with common threats and challengemutual interests;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2010/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Endorses the measures planned by the Commission for 2009 and beyond to ensure compliance by Member States with waste legislation in particulaand Community environmental legislation in particular, as in the case of the infringement procedure initiated against Spain and other Member States for breaches of the Water Framework Directive, and in particular on failure to comply with the decisions on the treatment of urban waste water, and asks to be associated in the process in cases where petitions are pending, particularly those from Campania.
2010/09/08
Committee: PETI
Amendment 84 #

2010/0816(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 5 a (new)
(5a) Binding agreements should be made with regard to access for Members of all political groups of European Parliament to classified documents and information in the area of CFSP and ESDP.
2010/07/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 86 #

2010/0816(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 6
(6) The High Representative, or her representative, should exercise vis-à-vis the European Defence Agency, the European Union Satellite Centre, the European Union Institute for Security Studies and the European Security and Defence College the responsibilities provided for in their respective founding acts. The EEAS should provide these entities with the support currently provided by the General Secretariat of the Council.deleted
2010/07/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 88 #

2010/0816(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 7
(7) Provisions should be adopted relating to the staff of the EEAS and their recruitment. For matters relating to its staff the EEAS should be treated as an institution within the meaning of the Staff Regulations. In accordance with Article 27(3) of the TEU, the EEAS will comprise officials from the General Secretariat of the Council and the Commission as well as personnel seconded from the diplomatic services of the Member States. The High Representative will be the Appointing Authority, in relation both to officials subject to the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities ("Staff Regulations") and agents subject to the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants. The High Representative will also have authority over the Seconded National Experts ("SNEs") in post in the EEAS. The number of officials and servants of the EEAS will be decided each year as part of the budgetary procedure and will be reflected in the establishment plan.
2010/07/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 94 #

2010/0816(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) The establishment of the EEAS and its implementation shall not lead to any additional costs, neither within the EU budget nor within the national budgets.
2010/07/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 95 #

2010/0816(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. .The EEAS, which has its headquarters in Brussels, shall be a functionally autonomous body of the European Union, separate from the Commission and the General Secretariat of the Council, with the legal capacity necessary to perform its tasks and attain its objectivesnot be a sui generis institution.
2010/07/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 100 #

2010/0816(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The parliamentary control concerning the EEAS has to be entirely ensured. Therefore the European Parliament's right of scrutiny must be guaranteed to its full extent. This has to be assured for the national parliaments as well, especially in terms of the CSFP and ESDP.
2010/07/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 106 #

2010/0816(NLE)

Proposal for a decision – amending act
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – indent 2
- a directorate general for administrative, staffing, budgetary, security and communication and information system matters under the direct authority of the Secretary-General;
2010/07/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 107 #

2010/0816(NLE)

Proposal for a decision – amending act
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – indent 3
- the crisis management and planning directorate, the civilian planning and conduct capability, the European Union Military Staff and the European Union Situation Centre, placed under the direct authority and responsibility of the High Representative in her capacity as High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy; the specificities of these structures, as well as the particularities of their functions, recruitment and the status of the staff shall be respected.deleted
2010/07/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 116 #

2010/0816(NLE)

Proposal for a decision – amending act
Article 5 – paragraph 10
10. The Union delegations shall have the capacity to, upon request by Member States, support the Member States in their diplomatic relations and in their role of providing consular protection to Union citizens in third countries.
2010/07/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 119 #

2010/0816(NLE)

Proposal for a decision – amending act
Article 6 – paragraph 1 (b)
(b) if necessary, and on a temporary basis, specialised seconded national experts (SNEs)The establishment and the implementation of the EEAS shall not include any additional posts.
2010/07/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 128 #

2010/0816(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Article 7 – paragraph 3
3. As regards operational expenditure arising from the implementation of the CFSP budget, the Instrument for Stability, the Instrument for Cooperation with Industrialised Countries, the Communication and Public Diplomacy as well as the Election Observation Missions, the Commission shall be responsible for their financial management under the authority of the High Representative in her capacity as Vice-President of the Commission.1 1 The Commission will make a declaration to the effect that the High Representative will have the necessary authority in this area, in full respect of the Financial Regulation.deleted
2010/07/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 130 #

2010/0816(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. In the framework of the management of EU external cooperation programmes, which remain under the responsibility of the Commission, the High Representative and the EEAS shall contribute to the programming and management cycle for the following geographic and thematicThe planning, programming, management and implementation of operational expenditure of all financing instruments, on the basis of the policy objectives set out in the said instruments:f EU external action, namely - the Development Cooperation Instrument, - the European Development Fund, - the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, - the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument, - the Instrument for Cooperation with Industrialised Countries, - the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation. - the Instrument for humanitarian aid shall not be transferred to the EEAS. The European Parliament must have the full budgetary and parliamentary control over these instruments.
2010/07/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 133 #

2010/0816(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Article 8 – paragraph 3
3. The EEAS shall in particular have responsibility for preparing the following Commission decisions on the strategic, multi-annual steps within the programming cycle: (i) country allocations to determine the global financial envelope for each region (subject to the indicative breakdown of the financial perspectives). Within each region, a proportion of funding will be reserved for regional programmes; (ii) country and regional strategic papers (CSPs/RSPs); (iii) national and regional indicative programmes (NIPs/RIPs).deleted
2010/07/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 134 #

2010/0816(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Article 8 – paragraph 4
4. With regard to the European Development Fund and the Development Cooperation Instrument, any proposals, including those for changes in the basic regulations and the programming documents in paragraph 3 above, shall be prepared by the relevant services in the EEAS and in the Commission under the direct supervision and guidance of the Commissioner responsible for Development Policy and then jointly submitted with the High Representative for decision by the Commission.deleted
2010/07/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 136 #

2010/0816(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Article 8 – paragraph 5
5. With regard to European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument, any proposals, including those for changes in the basic regulations and the programming documents in paragraph 3 above, shall be prepared by the relevant services in the EEAS and in the Commission under the direct supervision and guidance of the Commissioner responsible for Neighbourhood Policy and then jointly submitted with the High Representative for decision by the Commission.deleted
2010/07/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 142 #

2010/0816(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Annex – paragraph 1 (new)
1. General Secretariat of the Council 1.The military structures of the EU, located in the General Secretariat of the Council, as well as the civilian-military structures such as the European Union Military Staff, the European Defence Agency (EDA), the Crisis Management Planning Directorate (CMPD) and the European Union Satellite Centre (EUSC), shall neither be part of the EEAS nor institutionally connected to it. Furthermore the EU intelligence structures in particular the EU Situation Centre (SitCen) shall not be part of the EEAS. The European Parliament calls on the Council to stop the development of and abolish all military and civil-military structures under its competence, as well as stop the financing of military and civil- military activities.
2010/07/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 62 #

2010/0074(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) The Treaty on European Union reinforces the citizenship of the Union and enhances further the democratic functioning of the Union by providing inter alia that every citizen shall have the right to participate in the democratic life of the Union andprovides that not less than one million citizens who are nationals of a significant number of Member States may take the initiative of inviting the European Commission, within the framework of its powers, to submit any appropriate proposal on matters where citizens consider that a legal act of the Union is required for the purpose of implementing the Treaties.
2010/11/17
Committee: PETI
Amendment 63 #

2010/0074(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) Whilst the Treaty on European Union does not explicitly provide for non- EU nationals resident in the Union to participate in citizens' initiatives, neither does it forbid or prevent them from doing so.
2010/11/17
Committee: PETI
Amendment 64 #

2010/0074(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 b (new)
(1b) The European Council should consider amending the Treaties so as to explicitly provide that non-EU nationals resident in the EU are to entitled participate in citizens' initiatives.
2010/11/17
Committee: PETI
Amendment 69 #

2010/0074(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) It is necessary to establish the minimum number of Member States from which citizens must come. In order to ensure that a citizens' initiative is representative of a Union interest, this number should be set at one third ofthree Member States.
2010/11/17
Committee: PETI
Amendment 70 #

2010/0074(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
(7) It is appropriate to fix a minimum age for supporting a citizens' initiative. This should be set as the age at which citizens are entitled to vote in the European Parliament elections.deleted
2010/11/17
Committee: PETI
Amendment 77 #

2010/0074(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – point 1
1. "Citizens" initiative" means an initiative, submitted to the Commission in accordance with the present Regulation, inviting the Commission, within the framework of its powers, to submit any appropriate proposal on matters where citizens consider that a legal act of the Union is required for the purpose of implementing the Treaties, which has received the support of at least one million eligible signatories coming from at least one third of allthree Member States;
2010/11/17
Committee: PETI
Amendment 79 #

2010/0074(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – point 2
2. "Signatories" means citizens or residents of the Union that have supported a given citizens" initiative by completing a statement of support for that initiative;
2010/11/17
Committee: PETI
Amendment 80 #

2010/0074(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
1. Where the organiser is a natural person, that person shall be a citizen of the Union and be of the age to be entitled to vote in the European electionsat least 16 years of age.
2010/11/17
Committee: PETI
Amendment 81 #

2010/0074(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. In order to be eligible to support a proposed citizens' initiative, signatories shall be citizens of the Union and shall be of the age to be entitled to vote in the European elector resident in the Unions.
2010/11/17
Committee: PETI
Amendment 82 #

2010/0074(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1a (new)
Funding may not come, either directly or indirectly, from private companies.
2010/11/17
Committee: PETI
Amendment 88 #

2010/0074(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 4
4. All statements of support shall be collected after the date of registration of the proposed initiative and within a period that shall not exceed 124 months.
2010/11/17
Committee: PETI
Amendment 91 #

2010/0074(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1– subparagraph 1 (new)
Data submitted by signatories through the online collection system must be checked, stored and destroyed in accordance with the Union’s rules on data protection and the right to privacy, and must be managed by independent bodies which are obliged to maintain confidentiality.
2010/11/17
Committee: PETI
Amendment 94 #

2010/0074(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. The signatories of a citizens' initiative shall come from at least one third ofthree Member States.
2010/11/17
Committee: PETI
Amendment 96 #

2010/0074(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2
2. In one third ofthree Member States, signatories shall comprise at least the minimum number of citizens set out in Annex I.
2010/11/17
Committee: PETI
Amendment 100 #

2010/0074(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
After having obtained the certificates provided for in Article 9(2), and provided that all relevant procedures and conditions set out in this Regulation have been complied with, the organisers may submit the citizens' initiative to the Commission, accompanied by information regarding any support and funding received for the initiative. The information shall be published on the Commission's homepage.
2010/11/17
Committee: PETI
Amendment 111 #

2010/0074(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I
Minimum number of signatories per Minimum number of signatories per Member State Member State (number of MEPs x 100) Austria 1425900 Belgium 1652200 Bulgaria 135800 Cyprus 45600 Czech republic 1652200 Denmark 9751300 Estonia 45600 Finland 9751300 France 5557400 Germany 7209600 Greece 1652200 Hungary 1652200 Ireland 912000 Italy 54757300 Latvia 675900 Lithuania 901200 Luxembourg 45600 Malta 45600 Netherlands 1952600 Poland 38255100 Portugal 1652200 Romania 24753300 Slovakia 9751300 Slovenia 60800 Spain 405400 Sweden 152000 United Kingdom 54757300
2010/11/17
Committee: PETI
Amendment 115 #

2010/0074(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – box 3
1. Name of signatory: First name*:……Family name*: 2. Address: Street: Postcode: City*: Country*: 3. E-mail address: 4. Date and place of birth*: Date of birth: 5. Nationality*: 6. Personal identification number*: Type of identification number/identity document: National identity card: Social security: Member State, which issued the identification number/identity document*: 7. I hereby certify that the information provided in this form is correct and that I have only supported this proposed citizens' initiative once*. Date and s[1] Place and country: Passport: Date of signature Signature of the signatory* ♦: [2]……….. [1] E-mail address to be provided by online signatories [2] Signature not required for online signatories
2010/11/17
Committee: PETI
Amendment 18 #

2009/2215(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas the European Union must adopt a strategicolidarity-based and socially and ecologically sustainable view of its relations with its southern neighbours and move beyond cooperation driven solely by considerations pertaining to security and migration, migration, and by commercial strategies that constantly aim for maximum profit, taking no account of the interests of the people,
2010/03/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2009/2215(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the 1995 Barcelona Conference launched a very ambitious project, namely the creation of new and closer political, economic, social and cultural ties between the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean; whereas this project is still a long way from completion,
2010/03/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 22 #

2009/2215(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) is a means of boosting the regional and multilateral dimension of Euro-Mediterranean relations, opening up fresh prospects for the establishment of an area of peace, security and prosperimust set itself the aim of eradicating poverty and ensuring an equitable distribution of wealth and a dignified life, in a peaceful, socially and environmentally healthy society, for the 800 million people in the region,
2010/03/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 30 #

2009/2215(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the neighbourhood policy conducted with the Mediterranean countries has its limitations and, by placing the emphasis on bilateral relations, is proving imbalanced and unable to contribute to a shared process of significant reform in the region,
2010/03/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 41 #

2009/2215(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. having regard to the significant dispariteconomic, social and demographic asymmetries between European Union Member States and Mediterranean third countries, and the worryings well as the structural problems of a socio-economic and institutional nature, which call for strong responses in the shared interest of all the states participating in the UfM,
2010/03/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 47 #

2009/2215(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas the effects of the economic and financial crisis have come on top of the already existing political, economic and social challenges in the partner countries, particularly in relation to the problem of unemployment; whereas it is in the common interest of these countries and the EU to bring down unemployment rates in the region and to offer its people, particularly women, young people and the rural population, hope for the future,
2010/03/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 54 #

2009/2215(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I
I. whereas the UfM’s secretariat needs to become the structure’s linchpin, whereas its effectiveness will depend on the ability of its staff to work independentl harmony with civil society and whereas the presence of a senior Israeli official and a senior Palestinian official cooperating within an international organisation at regional level is unprecedented and gives grounds for hope,
2010/03/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 56 #

2009/2215(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J
J. whereas Mediterranean regions are directly affected by transnational issuissues of general interest such as water management, pollution, road and maritime networks and migration flowstransport networks, the protection of migrants, climate change, and whereas local and regional authorities play a key role in facilitating the development of sustainable spatial planning policies and the implementation of practical projectecologically and socially viable policies that are appropriate to local characteristics,
2010/03/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 63 #

2009/2215(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K
K. whereas the projects announced by the UfM have suffered from general underfundingbeen a long way from completion since the Paris Summit,
2010/03/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 74 #

2009/2215(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital N
N. having regard to the recent entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, on the one hand, and the ongoing debate about the operation and financing of the UfM, on the other, which make it essential for the European Parliament to monitor developments connected with the UfM as closely as possible in order to help ensure the outright success of the Barcelona Summitongoing debate about the operation and financing of the UfM,
2010/03/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 81 #

2009/2215(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Reiterates that economic, political, social, cultural or any other type of relations between the EU and the Mediterranean countries must be based on equality of treatment, solidarity, dialogue and respect for the specific asymmetries and characteristics of each country;
2010/03/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 93 #

2009/2215(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Is of the opinion that political tensions and regional conflicts in the Mediterranean basin must not hinder tangible progress towards multilateral cooperation in specific sectorsgenuine integration can only be achieved if tangible progress is made in resolving political tensions and regional conflicts in the Mediterranean basin, particularly in Palestine and Western Sahara, and that it is through the implementation of major integration projects that the UfM will help to develop a climate of trust conducive to pursuing common security goalsthe goals of a demilitarised Mediterranean basin, in a spirit of solidarity and peace;
2010/03/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 104 #

2009/2215(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Denounces the continued occupation of Palestine by the State of Israel, the violation of international and humanitarian law, especially in Gaza; is opposed to the upgrading of EU-Israel relations under the preferential economic association agreement;
2010/03/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 105 #

2009/2215(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Regrets that the decolonisation process of Western Sahara is not yet finished; asks the Council and the Commission to consider this conflict as a priority in the UfM; asks the Council and the Commission to work on this framework in order to achieve the self- determination of Western Sahara, in line with multiple United Nations resolutions; denounces the responsibility of Morocco in this situation and the repression of human rights activists; deplores in this regard the advanced status that the EU has granted to Morocco;
2010/03/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 134 #

2009/2215(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Considers it essential to guarantee, increase and mobilise project funding through a combination of public and private fundsfunds; reiterates that all funding as well as political and economic control of the UfM must be exclusively public; in this context:
2010/03/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 143 #

2009/2215(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 - point 3
- welcomes the steps taken by financial institutions at national, European (EIB- FEMIP, EBRD) and international (World Bank) level which are already active in the region, emphasises the need to identify synergies in connection with major projects, and proposes that a Euro- Mediterranean investment and development bank be set up to consolidate the North-South parity basis on which the UfM operates;deleted
2010/03/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 149 #

2009/2215(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 - point 4
- welcomes the recent launch of investment funds for the financing of UfM projects, including the InfraMed fund for infrastructure projects, and calls on the various stakeholders to encourage the development of similar initiatives;deleted
2010/03/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 154 #

2009/2215(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Encourages efforts to improve the economic and legal environment in third countries, making it a priority to set up viable and credible sub-regional financial institutions able to attract foreign investment; also calls for:;
2010/03/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 157 #

2009/2215(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 - point 1
- the drafting of a common investment protection charter for Mediterranean third countries in order to harmonise and enhance such protection and encourage investment;deleted
2010/03/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 158 #

2009/2215(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 - point 2
- the establishment of an insurance and financial guarantee system for investors, based on the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and tailored to the Euro-Mediterranean context;deleted
2010/03/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 166 #

2009/2215(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a
7a. Considers the idea of the ongoing establishment of FRONTEX to be unacceptable. Tackling the problem of immigration coming from the Mediterranean coasts necessitates an anti-poverty, pro-employment, pro-peace and fair trade strategy by the EU countries as a significant contribution towards the stability of the region;
2010/03/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 172 #

2009/2215(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Views it as regrettable that socio- economic and commercial aspects, such as direct foreign investment, employment, the informal economy and poverty reduction,Criticises the fact that aspects which are as just as important as the eradication of poverty were overlooked in the Paris declaration, and calls for this to be remedied at the Barcelona Summit;
2010/03/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 178 #

2009/2215(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Emphasises the strategic importance of issues such as agriculture, food security, water and rural development in Mediterranean countries, and calls for cooperation in the farming sector to be made a political priority; encourages the UfM member countries to work on harmonising their positions in the context of WTO negotiations and to move towards greater convergence among Euro- Mediterranean agricultural policiestresses that any agreement in the field of agriculture and fisheries should take into account the need to protect sensitive resources; calls on Euro-Mediterranean partners to discuss the setting up of an integrated Euro-Mediterranean agricultural policy, founded on the complementarity of its procedures and a public water policy and centred on the requirements of food sovereignty rather than commercial considerations;
2010/03/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 217 #

2009/2215(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Calls for civil society, the social partners and the numerous professional and socio-professional networks developed as part of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership to be consulted regularly and involved in the UfM’s activities and projects; encourages the establishment of a Mediterranean business leaders’ forum and a Euro- Mediterranean economic and social council;
2010/03/31
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2009/2213(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the relations between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean should be based on respect for each country’s sovereignty and independence in shaping its external, political and trade relations,
2010/02/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2009/2213(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas one of the key objectives of the biregional strategic partnership is a regional integration, with the conclusion of subhich fully respects the regional and bilaintegral partnership agreements alongside strategic partnershiption organisations set up on both sides and the political projects upheld by their component states,
2010/02/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 12 #

2009/2213(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas this biregional strategic partnership has further consolidated coordination between the two parties within international fora and institutions, and as well as setting a common agenda it should continue to coordinate positions on matters of global importance, taking account of the interests and concerns of both parties, in order to create a demilitarised biregional area of peace, achieve the MDGs, combat unemployment and guarantee public services, labour and trade union rights and the rights of indigenous peoples,
2010/02/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 18 #

2009/2213(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas recovery from worldwide recession will still be slow in 2010; whereas, although Latin America has withstood the crisis better than other advanced economies and average growth there in 2010 will reach almost 3 %, recovery will be very uneven and growth levels will not be high enough to produce a significant improvement in social conditions for its population, which still has far less social protection than its European counterpart,
2010/02/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2009/2213(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas the countries of Latin America are withstanding the effects of the global crisis more effectively, with ECLAC statistics showing that GDP growth for 2008 was 4%, compared to 2.5% in the eurozone,
2010/02/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 30 #

2009/2213(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I
I. whereas the EU’s immigration policy is causing grelegitimate concern in Latin America and agreements need to be reached that take into account the Euro-Latin American partners’ legitimateoverall interests onf this very sensitive subjecte peoples of both regions,
2010/02/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 31 #

2009/2213(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K
K. whereas innovation and, knowledge , environmental planning and the fair distribution of wealth are fundamental instruments for eradicating poverty, combating and hunger and attaining sustainable development, as was noted by the most recent Ibero-American Summiecologically and socially just sustainable development,
2010/02/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 33 #

2009/2213(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomesTakes note of the Commission communication 'The European Union and Latin America: Global Players in Partnership', which is designed to identify, assess and put forward operational proposals aimed at achieving a full biregional strategic partnership; deplores the lack of specific biregional measures to offset the effects of the economic, financial and food crisis;
2010/02/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 40 #

2009/2213(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Asks that the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy should ensure the unity, consistency and effectiveness of the Union's external action in relation to Latin America with the support of the European External Action Service (EEAS) and by playing an active part at the forthcoming EU-Latin American and Caribbean Summit in May 2010 in Madrid;deleted
2010/02/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 43 #

2009/2213(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Calls in particular on the High Representative and the Council to set clear guidelines onon the EU and Latin America to determine, on the basis of the biregional strategic partnership, the best way of working closely together in order to foster effective multilateralism and strengthen the United Nations' peacekeeping and peace consolidation capacities, and to tackle common threats to peace and security, within the framework of international law, including illicit drugs and arms trafficking, organised crime and terrorism, as decided in Limameasures to promote disarmament, achieve the Millennium Development Goals and boost the social economy;
2010/02/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 47 #

2009/2213(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Recommends that a Euro-Latin American Charter for the Peace and Security of the peoples of both regions be adopted that, on the basis of the United Nations Charter and related international law, would include strategies and guidelines for joint political and security action in order to deal with the common threats facing the members of the biregional strategic partnershipsocial and environmental threats and risks of war facing these peoples;
2010/02/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 55 #

2009/2213(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Calls for the continuation and deepening of a constructive dialogue on migration issues in the Euro-Latin American area, with both countries of destination and countries of origin and transit, bearing in mind the unease felt by Latin America and the Caribbean as a result of Europe's vision of the phenomenon of immigration ;
2010/02/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 71 #

2009/2213(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. In order to complete the first phase, firmly supports the resumption of negotiations on the EU-Mercosur Association Agreement, the conclusion of negotiations on the EU-Central America Association Agreement and of the multi- party trade aEU- Andean Community Agreement betwewhen the EU and the countries of the Andean Community, before the Madrid summiparties involved reach agreement, the revision of the 2003 political and cooperation agreement with the Andean Community and the deepening of the existing Association Agreements with Mexico and Chile, in particular with a view to ensuring respect for human rights clauses;
2010/02/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 83 #

2009/2213(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Welcomes the efforts towards social cohesion made in recent years by the European Commission, the IDB, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Banka large number of Latin American governments, and recommends that the Eurosocial, URB- AL and EUrocLIMA programmes be renewed and stepped up in the general interest;
2010/02/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 94 #

2009/2213(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Proposes that a biregional political dialogue be opened with new triangular approaches on issues, spheres and matters of common interest embracing EU-LAC- Asia, EU-LAC-Africa and EU-LAC-US, moving towards a Euro-Atlantic area comprising the United States, Latin America and the European Union;deleted
2010/02/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 96 #

2009/2213(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Reiterates its proposal for the creation of a Europe-Latin America and Caribbean Foundation, a public-private institution whose primary purpose would be to prepare for the summits, follow up on the decisions and political courses of action adopted at the summits, and act as a forum for dialogue and coordination in the periods between summits for all the political, institutional, academic and civil society bodies working to strengthen Euro- Latin American relations, including the EuroLat Assembly;
2010/02/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 100 #

2009/2213(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Stresses that the Foundation's budget should be limited but sufficient for it to carry out its tasks, financed by contributions from those EU and Latin American States that are members of the Foundation, the EU budget, and own resources generated by the Foundation itself or which are made available to it by public or private sponsoring bodies with connections to the Euro-Latin American area;
2010/02/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 104 #

2009/2213(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Stresses that the subregional partnership agreements currently being negotiated should be concluded but warns that, where there are unbridgeable differences of opinion, alternative solutions should be sought - without losing sight of the overall strategic vision - in order not to isolate those countries that wish to establish closer political, commercial and social relations with the EUonce the parties have agreed on them, since it is these agreements that promote regional integration;
2010/02/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 106 #

2009/2213(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Supports the Latin America Investment Facility (LAIF) proposed by the Commission as a tangible expression of the EU’s commitment to consolidating regional integration and inter- connectivity in Latin America; notes that an amount of EUR 100 million has been set aside from the Community budget for the period until 2013, without prejudice to other possible additional contributions and subsidies from the Member States;deleted
2010/02/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 108 #

2009/2213(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
30. Welcomes the signing in November 2009 of a memorandum of understanding between the EIB and the Inter-American Development Bank and supports the efforts madeInsists that the funding by the EIB to financeof projects in Latin America, whilst pointing out that, if it is to fulfil its objectives, the EIB requires more funds and contributions from both the EU and its Member State respect the rules of democratic transparency and that the payment of such funding be conditional on high social and environmental requirements;
2010/02/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 110 #

2009/2213(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Stresses the importance of the EU's various financing instruments but stressesInsists on the need to go beyond the purely assistance-based approach to development cooperation with Latin America - so that the financial resources from the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI) are concentrated on the poorest countries and most vulnerable groups - and to establish new forms of cooperation with emerging and middle-income countries in Latin America through the Industrialised Countries Instrument (ICI+);
2010/02/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 15 #

2009/2139(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty and iIs confident that Parliament will be closely associated with the development of the new citizens’ initiative so that this instrument can fully achieve its purpose and ensure enhanced transparency and accountability in the EU decision-making process, allowing citizens to suggest changes or additions to EU law;
2010/05/10
Committee: PETI
Amendment 21 #

2009/2139(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Observes that more and more petitions are highlighting the problems encountered by citizens who exercise their right to free movement; such petitions refer to the excessive length of time taken by host Member States in delivering residence permits to third-country family members, and to difficulties in exercising voting rights and having qualifications recognised; welcomes, therefore, the recently launched Stockholm Programme1 and supports the speedy implementation of its objectives;
2010/05/10
Committee: PETI
Amendment 24 #

2009/2139(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Encourages the European Commission to intervene at early stages whenever petitions signal potential damages to special protected areas, by reminding the concerned national authorities of their commitments to ensure the integrity of sites classified as Natura 200 under the EC Directive 92/43 (Habitats); and where necessary take preventive measures to ensure the respect of the European legislation;
2010/05/10
Committee: PETI
Amendment 26 #

2009/2139(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Calls on the Commission to speed up its work on all procedures pending in relation to potential infringements of Community environmental legislation in order to prevent irreparable damage caused by the Commission's slowness to act;
2010/05/10
Committee: PETI
Amendment 29 #

2009/2139(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Welcomes the Commission’s efforts to develop alternative means of promoting better implementation of European legislation, and the positive attitude of certain Member States which take the necessary steps to correct breaches at the early stages of the implementation process; regrets, on the other hand, that certain Member States are reluctant to cooperate in the Commission's work and indeed disregard the Commission's warnings;
2010/05/10
Committee: PETI
Amendment 16 #

2009/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas the new security challenges require a stronger emphasis to be placed on combiningcombined implementation of different civilian and military instruments across the spectrum of conflict prevention, crisis management and peace-building activities will always entail a very high risk that civil instruments may become part of military enforcement of interests,
2010/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 18 #

2009/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas some 10 years after the launching of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) and the deployment of some 23 missions, during which period some 23 missions have been deployed in crisis areas, none of therse mis a need to enhance capacities and consolidate structures so as to adequately reflect the role which the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) plays in supporting the CFSP and in delivering international securitysions had an actual or sustainable stabilising effect in the respective conflict region; calls therefore on the Council and Commission to review their policy with a view to future external actions and CSDP missions,
2010/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 24 #

2009/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Reiterates that, in order to allow the EU to play an active role in the world, sufficient funds need to be allocated in the EU budget; regrets that the relevant budget continues to be underfunded and expresses its serious concern over the consequences of under-financing for the Union’s ability to conduct a credible and proactive foreign policy; also underlines the need to equip the Union with the necessary financial means for a consistent and adequate response to unforeseen global challenges and, in this regard, looks forward to being consulted on the procedures for granting rapid access to appropriations in the Union budget for urgent financing of CFSP initiatives;deleted
2010/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 29 #

2009/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Criticises the fact that the CFSP budget has already increased from about EUR 30 million in 2002 to EUR 290 million annually, primarily because of the increased number of ESDP missions; expresses therefore its deep concern about the request for a budget increase;
2010/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 39 #

2009/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses once again that the scope of the report should not be limited simply to a description of CFSP activities but should provide the opportunity to establish a dialogue with the European Parliament aimed at developing a more strategic approach to the CFSP; recommends that the annual CFSP report be turned into a yearly report discussing the implementation of the EU's foreign policy strategy and that more references be made to the budgetary needs and financial impact of external actions in such reportingcalls for increased transparency in budgetary expenditure related to CFSP activities;
2010/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 64 #

2009/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Continues to be concerned about the repeated gas crises such as the Russian- Ukrainian crisis of January 2009, which highlighted the EU’s increasing energy dependency on sources of supply and transit channels which face threats to their stability; recalls the urgent need to address energy challenges by implementing a common European external energy policstresses that further cooperation in this field must be based on the principles of cooperation and transparency as well as the importance of reciprocity; calls in this regard on the Vice-President/High Representative to pursue with determination Parliament's recommendations for the development of such a policy, in particular by promoting EU cohesion in negotiations with energy suppliers and transit countries and defending the common interests of the Member States, by developing effective energy diplomacy and more efficient mechanisms for responding to crisis situations, by refraining from using military means to guarantee energy supplies, and, finally, by promoting the diversification of energy supplies, sustainable energy use and the development of renewable energy sources;
2010/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 74 #

2009/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Considers that in the event of a crisis, the EU response cannot in any case be of a military nature; underlines the importance of tackling the root causes of instability by means of development policies that are in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other socioeconomic, political and cultural measures which can create the environment required to prevent the resurgence of conflict and which aim to eliminate poverty, foster economic, social and cultural development, create institutional and administrative capacities, improve the quality of life of the population and consolidate the rule of law;
2010/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 105 #

2009/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Believes that the EU and NATO should develop a more intens a political alliance and NATO as a military alliance should act strictly se partnership, taking into account the progressive development of the EU's foreign, security and defence policies; to that end, recommends a review ofately from each other, which should be reflected in their institutional arrangements; denounces the fact that the so- called Berlin-Plus arrangements andllow the development of a more strategic dialogue on shared strategic interests and contingency planninguse by the EU of NATO capacities; considers that the EU must have be of a purely civil nature; calls therefore for the military funding to be reassigned to civil purposes; calls for the dissolution of NATO;
2010/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 123 #

2009/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Notes with satisfaction the generally peaceful and stable situation in Kosovo and the efforts to build a multi-ethnic society, as demonstrated by the successful local elections held on 15 November 2009; welcomes the fact that the EULEX rule of law mission in Kosovo, which is the largest civilian CSDP mission launched so far by the EU, is working at full operational capacity; underlines the mission’s importance in promoting inter- ethnic reconciliation, the rule of law, public order and security throughout the whole of Kosovo, by assisting the Kosovo institutions, judicial authorities and law enforcement agencies in their progress towards sustainability and accountability; in this respect, welcomes the decision to open a new EULEX office in the north; however, notes the need to increase the number of prosecutors working in EULEX, and calls on the Member States to provide additional personnel;deleted
2010/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 130 #

2009/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Reiterates its rejection of the unilateral declaration of the independence of Kosovo; notes that this declaration establishes a dangerous precedent in violation of international law; calls for a common satisfactory solution, under Resolution 1244/99 of the UN Security Council, which affirmed the commitment of all Member States to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, with respect for international law and as the only effective way of bringing about a permanent solution conducive to peace in the region;
2010/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 141 #

2009/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Calls on the Vice-President/High Representative to ensure that the EU's approach towards Russia is based on mutual respect, coherent and driven by a commitment to the values of democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law, including international law; underlines at the same time the need to enhance cooperation with Russia with regard to Iran, Afghanistan and the Middle East, pursuing the goal of strengthening global security and stability;
2010/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 153 #

2009/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
32. Calls on the EU, in line with the Council Conclusions of 12 December 2009, to assume a stronger political role in the ongoing international efforts to re- launch the Peace Process, commensurate with its financial engagement in supporting a Palestinian economic recovery and addressing the dramatic humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has been aggravated further by Israel's all-round military offensive of December 2008 and the continuing military attacks, border closures and limited movement and access to basic goods including medicines; calls on the Vice-President/High Representative/Vice-President to consider all means to promote a lasting peace in the region;
2010/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 158 #

2009/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34a. Regrets that the decolonisation of Western Sahara is not yet finished; calls on the Council and the Commission to consider this conflict as a priority in the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM); calls on the Council and the Commission to work in this framework to achieve self- determination for Western Sahara in line with the resolutions of the United Nations; denounces the responsibility of Morocco in this situation; denounces the violations of human rights in this country and the repression of human rights activists; deplores in this context the concession of the advanced status that the EU has given to Morocco;
2010/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 161 #

2009/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36a. Considers that the Government in Afghanistan is not legitimate, as the elections in Afghanistan were held in a context of war and corruption, the electoral register did not exist, there are no free mass media, the situation of women has not improved and the population was threatened;
2010/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 163 #

2009/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
37. WelcomeRegrets the Council's Action Plan for strengthened EU action in Afghanistan and Pakistan, adopted at the October 2009 General Affairs and External Relations Council, ands its declaration of its renewed readiness to assist in meeting the challenges of the region, in cooperation with the countries concerned and the international partners, but stresses that the Plan will remain just that unless there is a clear commitment from the EU Member States to contribute to its implementation; calls on the Council, the Commission and the Swedish Presidency to make a concerted effort to implement the Plan without delay and before the end of 2009; urges the Council to make more progress towards full deployment of staff in EUPOL in order to establish sustainable and effective civilian policing arrangements capable of enhancing the security environment follows the USA Strategy which seeks only a military solution; insists that Afghanistan needs stability but not through military means but by means of development aid;
2010/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 166 #

2009/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
39. Endorses the EU's commitment to supporting democracy in a unified Iraq; stresses its support for the EU's strong and continuing commitment to the development of the rule of law in Iraq, and welcomes the extension of the mandate of EUJUST LEX for one year and its pilot activities on Iraqi territory; looks forward to the further work planned in this context, aReiterates that the invasion of Iraq by the United States and UK was a violation of international law; notes that since then the situation of the Iraqi people has not improved and calls for the immediate withdrawal of all troops pfromised by the Council Iraq;
2010/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 170 #

2009/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
40. Notes with great satisfactionthat since thate EUNAVFOR Atalanta continues to make a successful contribution to maritime security off the coast of Somalia by protecting vesselstarted, the attacks chartered by the World Food Programme (WFP) delivering aid to Somalia, vessels supplying critical shipments to the African Union peace support operation in Somalia and other vulnerable vessels; calls on the Council to extend the operation for another year when the current mandate comes to an end on 12 December 2009; expresses its support for a possible southward extension of the operation zone depending on pirate activity, but underlines that such an extension should not affect the mission's essential goal, namely the protection of WFP convoys and other vulnerable vessels such as the merchant fleet and fishing vessels; welcomes the approval by the Member States on 17 November 2009 of the Crisis Management Concept for a possible new CSDP operation for Somalia but insists that the adoption of this concept should in no way prejudge the decision on launching a mission, which can be taken only after a more detailed examination of the situation on the ground, making sure that human rights are respected, salaries are paid and equipment isve multiplied and become more violent and there has been an extension of the attacks southwards; calls therefore on the Council and Commission to review their strategy and concentrate on the real causes, which are extreme providederty and that the trained security forces are integrated into state and command structures so that, oncee destabilisation of Somalia and they return, they will not turn against the government they are supposed to be protectinggion at large by third parties;
2010/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 174 #

2009/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
41. Recalls once again the proposal made in its resolution of 15 November 2001 on a global partnership and a common strategy for relations between the EU and Latin America1 – subsequently repeated in its resolutions of 27 April 20062 and 24 April 20083 respectively adopted with a view to the Vienna and Lima EU-LAC Summits – to draw up a Euro-Latin American Charter for Peace and Security which, on the basis of the UN Charter, would allow for joint political, strategic and security-related actions and initiatives; calls on the Council and the Commission to take active steps to realise this ambitious goal and to support 1 OJ C 140 E, 13.6.2002, p. 569. 2 OJ C 296 E, 6.12.2006, p. 123. 3 Texts adopted, P6_TA (2008)0177. this proposal at the next EU-LAC Summit, which will take place in May 2010 in Madrid; recalls that any bilateral Charter must be based on mutual respect;
2010/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2009/2002(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Reiterates that, in order to allow the European Union to play an active role in the world, sufficient funds need to be ensured in the EU budget; with that end in mind, regrets that Heading 4, 'The EU as a Global Player', continues to be seriously underfunded and expresses its serious concern over the consequences of this under-financing on the EU's ability to conduct a credible and proactive foreign policy of a strictly civilian and non- militarised nature;
2009/08/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2009/2002(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Considers that all European Union actions in the world should adhere strictly to international law;
2009/08/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 11 #

2009/2002(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Notes that in the event that the Lisbon Treaty is adopted it will consolidate the military aspects of CFSP;
2009/08/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 12 #

2009/2002(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that the Lisbon Treaty will have substantial implications on the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) by reorganising the administrative responsibilities and introducing new policy fields; points out that, since the institutional set-up is not yet determined, the necessary budgetary appropriations should be made available gradually as the scope and role of the new organisational structures become clearer;deleted
2009/08/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2008/2289(INI)

Proposal for a recommendation
Citation 2 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 11 October 2007 on the murder of women (feminicide) in Mexico and Central America and the role of the European Union in fighting the phenomenon1,
2008/12/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2008/2289(INI)

Proposal for a recommendation
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the legally binding character of the human rights and democracy clause must be respected,
2008/12/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 18 #

2008/2289(INI)

Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 − point c a (new)
ca) wants the trade chapter to be based on like-for-like treatment, solidarity, dialogue and respect for the specific characteristics of Mexico and the European Union;
2008/12/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 24 #

2008/2289(INI)

Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 − point e a (new)
ea) believes that the reinforced partnership offers an opportunity for discussion on how to make the human rights and democracy clause more operational, including by developing the positive dimension of the clause, which entails the need to take effective measures to contribute to the enjoyment of human rights within and by the respective parties, to provide for an ongoing assessment and monitoring of the implementation of the agreement as regards the enjoyment of human rights and to adopt a human rights approach when implementing all aspects of the agreement;
2008/12/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 25 #

2008/2289(INI)

Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 − point e b (new)
eb) calls for the human rights clause to be extended so that it is included in the next sectorial agreements between the EU and Mexico;
2008/12/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 29 #

2008/2289(INI)

Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 − point f a (new)
fa) believes that there must be a U-turn in the European Union’s immigration policy in order to value human rights and population flows between the EU and Mexico and to avoid a security-based approach in this policy; believes that immigration issues must be focused on improving the integration of immigrant populations;
2008/12/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 30 #

2008/2289(INI)

Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 − point g a (new)
ga) in particular, calls for strengthened cooperation and progress by the two state parties on crucial human rights issues such as the rights of indigenous people and minorities, migrants' rights, labour rights – and in particular ratification of ILO Convention 169 –, violence and discrimination against women, respect for civil liberties in the context of the fight against organised crime and protection of human rights defenders;
2008/12/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2008/2288(INI)


Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas Brazil has been at the forefront of South American integration through the establishment of UNASUR,
2009/01/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 7 #

2008/2288(INI)


Paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
ia. The trade chapter should be based on equality of treatment, solidarity, dialogue and respect for the specific characteristics of Brazil and the EU;
2009/01/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2008/2288(INI)


Paragraph 1 – point j
j) The Partners must continue working towards strengthening the multilateral trading system at WTO level. With the current global financial crisis, and close links between finance and trade, protectionism should be avoidedboth Partners should work together to prevent the consequences of the crisis hitting the most disadvantaged segments of society; the Partners should cooperate with a view to contributing to the successful conclusion of the Doha Development Agenda negotiations;
2009/01/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 16 #

2008/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
La. whereas every level of authority, from central to autonomous and local, has been responsible for setting in motion a model for unsustainable development that has clearly had extremely serious environmental consequences, as well as economic and social consequences,
2009/01/28
Committee: PETI
Amendment 31 #

2008/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital P a (new)
Pa. whereas Article 47 of the Spanish Constitution lays down that all Spaniards have the right to enjoy decent and adequate housing, and tasks the public authorities with promoting the requisite conditions and establishing the relevant rules to make that right effective, and with regulating land use in the general interest to prevent speculation,
2009/01/28
Committee: PETI
Amendment 58 #

2008/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital Y
Y. whereas the natural Mediterranean island and coastal areas of Spain have suffered extensive destruction in the last decade as cement and concrete have saturated these regions in a way which has affected not only the fragile coastal environment – much of which is nominally protected under the Habitats13/Natura 2000 and Birds24 Directives – but also the social and cultural activity of many areas, which constitutes a tragic and irretrievable loss to their cultural identity and heritage as well as to their environmental integrity, and all this primarily because of the greed and speculative behaviour of certain local and autonomous authorities, ands well as members of the construction industry who have succeeded in deriving massive benefits from their activities in this regard, most of which have been exported,
2009/01/28
Committee: PETI
Amendment 59 #

2008/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital Y a (new)
Ya. whereas this model of growth also has negative consequences for the tourism sector, since it has a devastating impact on quality tourism given that it destroys local values and encourages massification,
2009/01/28
Committee: PETI
Amendment 60 #

2008/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital Y b (new)
Yb. whereas this is a model that pillages cultural goods and ruins the values and distinct features of identity that are fundamental to Spain's cultural diversity, destroying archaeological sites, buildings and places of cultural interest, as well as the natural environment and landscape surrounding them,
2009/01/28
Committee: PETI
Amendment 66 #

2008/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Considers that the forecast drawn up for Spain by the Commission, of 19% unemployment in 2009 with job losses amounting to 3.9% and a sharp increase in public debt, is a consequence of this economic model, based on non- intervention in the economy;
2009/01/28
Committee: PETI
Amendment 67 #

2008/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Calls on the Spanish authorities to abolish all legal forms that encourage speculation, such as urbanisation agents;
2009/01/28
Committee: PETI
Amendment 72 #

2008/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls on the Spanish authorities to develop a culture of transparency geared to informing citizens about soil management, fostering effective mechanisms for public information and participation;
2009/01/28
Committee: PETI
Amendment 73 #

2008/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Urges the Spanish Government to hold a public debate, with the participation of all the administrations, that would involve a rigorous study through the setting-up of a working committee on urban development in Spain and that would make it possible to take legislative measures against speculation and unsustainable development;
2009/01/28
Committee: PETI
Amendment 5 #

2008/2231(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Believes that the proposal ‘Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean’ (BP:UfM), adopted by the Heads of State and Government at the Summit for the Mediterranean that took place in Paris on 13 July 2008, constitutes a step towards economic and regional integration between the Mediterranean countries, based on equality of treatment, solidarity, dialogue and respect for the specific characteristics of each country; welcomes the opening-up to countries not involved in the partnership and the objective of establishing parity relations between the European Union and the Mediterranean partner countries;
2008/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 11 #

2008/2231(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Takes the view that a ‘programme agreements’ approach should be adopted to implementation of the projects, drawing on the principle of subsidiarity to clearly define the financial, managerial and supervisory responsibilities of the various institutional levels: European Union, Member States, regions, enterprises and the social partners;
2008/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 13 #

2008/2231(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for new and broader means of funding to be identified for projects, including from the private sector; reiterates its support for the creation of a Euro-Mediterranean Investment Bank;deleted
2008/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2008/2231(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls for the financing and political and economic supervision of the Union for the Mediterranean to be solely a public sector concern;
2008/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 45 #

2008/2231(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Condemns the State of Israel’s constant violations of international law and political undertakings, including specifically the Annapolis Agreement; deplores the upgraded status the EU has granted the State of Israel under the preferential economic association agreement;
2008/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 46 #

2008/2231(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Regrets the fact that, although the European Union and its Member States are the main donors of aid to Palestine, that aid will not solve the root cause of the conflict without a genuine political commitment from the EU;
2008/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 47 #

2008/2231(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 c (new)
12c. Regrets that the process of the decolonisation of Western Sahara has still not been completed; calls on the Council and the Commission to make settlement of that conflict a priority of the Union for the Mediterranean; calls on the Council and the Commission to work within that framework towards holding a referendum on self-determination for Western Sahara, as called for in numerous United Nations resolutions;
2008/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 48 #

2008/2231(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 d (new)
12d. Condemns the role played in that situation by Morocco, as the occupying power in the terms of UN Security Council Resolutions No 3437(1979) and No 3519(1980); condemns the constant human rights violations committed against social activists within Morocco; deplores, in that respect, the fact that the EU has granted the Kingdom of Morocco advanced status;
2008/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 66 #

2008/2231(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Expresses its concern at the prevailing tendency among Member State governments to adopt a ‘security-first’ approach in Mediterranean policies, and especially in the management of immigratio; regrets that EU immigration policy is exacerbating the situation in the countries of origin;
2008/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 69 #

2008/2231(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Believes it essential to achieve concrete and tangible targets in the social field; points out in this regard that the objective of a free trade areatrade chapter must be based on equitable trade and must take into account the asymmetries between the EU countries and the Mediterranean partner countries, and that this cannot be measured simply in terms of economic growth, but also and above all in terms of job creation; points out that youth and female unemployment is the prime social emergency in the Mediterranean countries;
2008/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 76 #

2008/2231(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas the widening economic, political and cultural gap between the two sides of the Mediterranean is liable to set back the objective of creating an area of peace, security and shared prosperity free of military bases and resulting in regional disarmament and cuts in military expenditure,
2008/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 83 #

2008/2231(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the neighbourhood policy conducted with the Mediterranean countries has its limitations and, by placing the emphasis on bilateral relations, is proving unable to contribute to a shared process of significant reformimprovements in the region,
2008/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 88 #

2008/2231(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas there is a need to promote regional and economic integration between the countries of the Mediterranean basin, based on equality of treatment, solidarity, dialogue and respect for the specific characteristics of each country,
2008/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2008/2120(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 0 a (new)
0a. Recalls that the Lisbon Treaty cannot enter into force unless it is ratified in all Member States;
2009/02/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2008/2120(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 0 b (new)
0b. Notes that the drift towards militarisation in the EU was an important reason for the rejection of the Lisbon Treaty in Ireland;
2009/02/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 7 #

2008/2097(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that peace and stability are beneficial for development progress; notes that the absence of hostilities that marks post-conflict situations does not automatically lead to entrenched and lasting stability or to a dynamic civil society;
2008/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 24 #

2008/2097(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that many African countries have the basic natural resources required for their development; highlights the need for the proper management and redistribution of these resources; deplores the implication of various (local, regional, international and trans-national) actors in the misappropriation and exploitation of these resources (e.g. diamonds in Angola and Sierra Leone and coltan in the Democratic Republic of Congo); draws attention to the need for transparency in the extractive industries and welcomes initiatives such as the Kimberley process in avoiding major conflict potential; stresses the factor of shared responsibility in scenarios of this kind;
2008/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 30 #

2008/2097(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Deplores the fact, as signalled by the International Red Cross Committee, that light arms account for 9 out of 10 deaths in armed conflicts in Africa; considers that EU policy on controlling the export of weapons should be clear, effective and harmonised on the basis of the legally binding Code of ConductCode of Conduct, which should be legally binding;
2008/09/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 3 #

2008/2055(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls the Commission's undertaking to present, within the framework of the review, an evaluation of the situation of Heading 4, and urges the Commission to propose, on this basis, short-term solutions within the current MFF as well as options for the new MFF, which would financially reinforce Heading 4 and remove its chronic under-financing, thus enabling the European Union to meet its non-military external action obligations;
2009/02/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2008/2055(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Points in particular – given the character of actions to be financed under Heading 4 – to the need to establish a flexibility mechanism which would enable the EU to react to unforeseen situations without weakening the funding for ongoing policies and programmes in the civilian external affairs area and while fully respecting the rights of the budgetary authority;
2009/02/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 7 #

2008/2055(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Points to the challenges faced by the EU in the area of energy security and urges the Commission to envisage adequate political means allowing the EU to mitigate its vulnerability in this area;
2009/02/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2008/2055(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Considers that DCI funds should be used exclusively for development purposes;
2009/02/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 9 #

2008/2055(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines, with a view to the preparation of the new MMF, that any sustainable review of expenditure has to be closely linked to the reform of revenue, so as to furnish the European Union with necessary means to fulfil itsexclusively its non-military role and to meet the challenges lying ahead; is of the view that the next financial framework should run concurrently with the Commission's and the Parliament's mandates, so as to strengthen its democratic legitimacy;
2009/02/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2008/2026(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Reiterates that, in order to enable the European Union to meet its external action obligations and to play an active role in facing global challenges, sufficient funds need to be allocated there should be no further increase of allocations for external action in the EU budget;
2008/08/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2008/2026(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Is disappointed by the share of appropriations envisaged for Heading 4 under the Council's Draft Budget (DB) 2009 and by the fact that, while the EU´s international obligations are increasing, the growth in commitment appropriations with regard to the 2008 budget is below the rate of inflation for the same period; insists that all the budget lines of Heading 4 falling within the remit of Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs be increased by at least +2% compared to the 2008 budget (deflator);deleted
2008/08/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 3 #

2008/2026(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Takes note of the pledge made by the Commission at the Donors' Conference for Kosovo to donate a total ofIs concerned about the EUR 508 million in order to support Kosovo's institution- building and socio-economic development, consisting of EUR 358 million under the Instrument for Pre- Accession Assistance and EUR 150 million in macro-financial assistance over the next three years; is waiting for the amending letter of the Commission on this issue to be presented this autumnunilateral declaration of independence; is especially worried about the EUR 358 million under the Instrument for Pre- Accession Assistance; calls for an end to the EU funding for the EULEX-Kosovo mission which is not in compliance with international law;
2008/08/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 6 #

2008/2026(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Reaffirms its support for the implementation of a deepened and differentiated European Neighbourhood Policy; underlines the need to provide the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) with an adequate financial envelope reflecting the EU´s commitment vis-à-vis its east European and southern neighbours; notes the modest increase in appropriations envisaged for 2009, andCriticises the use of the European Neighbourhood Policy in boosting geostrategic and geopolitical interests of the EU and Member States; emphasises that it is important that the ENPI should not be used to encourage further tensions and conflicts in Europe; stresses that the recent initiative entitled “Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean” must neither hinder the efforts to establish a balance between the commitment appropriations for the eastern and southern European neighbours nor in any case increase the budgetary tensions within the ENPI;
2008/08/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2008/2025(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines that, in order to enable the European Union to meet its civilian external action obligations and to play an active role in facing global challenges, sufficient funds need to be allocated in the EU budget;
2008/05/30
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2008/2025(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Is disappointed by the share of appropriations envisaged for Heading 4 under the Commission's Preliminary Draft Budget (PDB) 2009 and by the fact that, while the EU´s civilian international obligations are increasing, the growth in commitment appropriations with regard to the 2008 budget is below the rate of inflation for the same period;
2008/05/30
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2008/2025(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Is aware of the limits of the financial framework 2007-2013; therefore urges the Commission and the Council to take the increasing role of the EU as civilian global player duly into account when preparing the review of the EU financial framework;
2008/05/30
Committee: AFET
Amendment 6 #

2008/2025(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Is concerned byNotes the fact that the appropriations envisaged for Kosovo, particularly under the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Instrument for Pre- Accession Assistance (IPA), in the PDB 2009, which are lower than the funding provided for in the adopted 2008 budget; asks the Commission and the Council to inform Parliament about funding absorbed out of the 2008 budget, given; is concerned about the current situation on the ground and probable delays inthe deployment of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX); urges the Commission to re- assess on this basis the requirements in respect of Kosovo's institution-building and socio-economic developmentstop the deployment of the mission in Kosovo which is non-legal according to international law, and ofasks the EU's contribution to the international presence there in 2009Commission not to fund any missions contrary to international law out of the 2009 budget;
2008/05/30
Committee: AFET
Amendment 9 #

2008/2025(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the increase of appropriations envisaged for the Western Balkan countries under the institution-building component of the IPA, and in particular the Commission’s intention to step up the provision of additional scholarships and to increase funding for civil society dialogue; asks the Commission to support the Social Agenda for the Balkans and to include only countries recognised by all EU Member States;
2008/05/30
Committee: AFET
Amendment 12 #

2008/2025(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. Reaffirms its support for democracy and human rights as key elements of the EU's foreign policy; is concerned, however, about the instrumentalisation of human rights in order to prepare military interventions and regime change; notes with satisfaction the increase, albeit modest, in funding for the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), including that allocated for electoral observation, and stresses that this amount provided for in the PDB 2009 should be preserved as a minimum;
2008/05/30
Committee: AFET
Amendment 15 #

2008/2025(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Reiterates that Latin America and the Caribbean is a priority region for the European Union, a fact that should be borne in mind when defining the appropriations envisaged in the 2009 PDB; points out that the European Union must take into account that the Association Agreements being discussed as well as all the relations with the region should not increase the vulnerability and dependence of these economies, should promote regional integration based on the right to free determination of the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean, and should have every regard for the environment, human rights, and for the democratic processes led by their governments;
2008/05/30
Committee: AFET
Amendment 18 #

2008/2025(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
10. Notes the increase in funding proposed for the Instrument for Stability; emphasises that the criteria for allocating funds under that instrument need to be further developed, in order to make them more transparent and to ensure that resources are used exclusively for civil purposes and channelled in a consistent way to real priorities; reiterates that Parliament is to be involved in the development and specification of the relevant criteria;
2008/05/30
Committee: AFET
Amendment 20 #

2008/2025(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 12
12. Disapproves of the proposed increase in funding in respect of European Union Special Representatives (EUSRs), particularly since Parliament is yet to be involved in the process of creating new EUSR positions, setting their mandates and appointing the EUSRs; stresses that the Lisbon Treaty will enable the EU institutions to search for synergy between Commission delegations and Council EUSRs (double-hatting), thus avoiding duplication of tasks, improving coordination and increasing the effectiveness of the EU´s external action;
2008/05/30
Committee: AFET
Amendment 22 #

2008/2025(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 14
14. Reiterates in this context its request for the conclusion of an inter-institutional agreement between Parliament and the Council defining, on the basis of the Treaty of Lisbon, their working relations in the field of external action, including the sharing of confidential information;
2008/05/30
Committee: AFET
Amendment 23 #

2008/2025(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 16
16. Notes that the Commission proposes to reinforce the Thematic Programme for the Environment and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources including Energy; reiterates the need to build up a common external energy policy, and asks the Commission to inform Parliament about funding envisaged in the 2009 budget for the realisation of Trans-European Energy Networks (TEN-E) priority projects aimed at strengthening the EU´s energy security.
2008/05/30
Committee: AFET